Cowboy Edition EBook

by Maree, Kay

  After a couple of beats, her mouth opens and words start rushing out.

  “I know you ain’t mine and we are just friends, but… but… seeing Davis with you, and the fact she wouldn’t shut the fuck up about you for the past hour, pissed me off,” she spits out in a rush, breathing hard, eyes wide, as if she can’t believe she said all that and making me throw my head back laughing. I have never heard her swear before and it catches me off guard.

  “It’s not funny.” She sniffs, which stops me short.

  “Babe, do you realise you just swore?” I chuckle. “That’s what’s funny. I have never heard you swear before and those words coming from these sweet lips, took me off guard.” I run the pad of my thumb slowly across her bottom lip from one corner to the other; her shuddering breath washes across my face.

  “The only one I’m interested in is you, Little Sunshine, but I’ve held back knowing you aren't ready. I’m a patient man and I’m happy to wait.” I wink, smiling.

  “Me,” she gasps, eyes wide.

  “Yeah, you.” I drop my hand and grip hers which is curled into a tight fist in the comforter.

  “When you’re ready, I’ll be here. I ain’t going anywhere, and I don’t want anyone else,” I speak softly, my eyes holding her mesmerizing turquoise ones which begin to brim with tears again.

  “Don’t cry, baby,” I whisper, wiping away a tear that escapes and rubbing it into her soft cheek.

  “Happy,” she chokes out, clearing her throat. “Happy tears.” She smiles and it hits me straight in the chest.

  That smile, her sweet voice, and the innocence in her eyes have ingrained themselves so deep inside my soul, nobody else will ever compare.

  Her smile is like seeing the sun for the first time.

  All I want to do is bask in its beauty and soak in its warmth.

  Emily Sky Miller - MINE!!!

  My brain-to-mouth filter seemed to short circuit when all that stuff came blabbering out, but I couldn’t have stopped it, even if I’d tried. Hearing his answer, and knowing it’s me he wants, helped settle the turmoil that was rushing through me.

  The last month and a half have been some of the best moments of my life.

  For the first time in my life, I have friends.

  Even when all my insecurities flare to life, they don’t judge me. Instead, they comfort me and shower me with affection.

  Sometimes, I have to step away and take a moment before I burst into tears, but even then, they show me nothing but support.

  “Hey, Sunshine, are you ready to head back downstairs?” Jebson asks, squeezing my knee as those fingers brush down the side of my face.

  “I don’t know,” I answer, gnawing on my lip.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, just... I left a bit dramatically.” I shrug, my eyes bouncing around the room trying to avoid his deep chocolate gaze.

  “Trust me, babe, no one will give a shit.” He catches my chin between his thumb and index finger, bringing my face back to his. I melt into his hold with the soft look staring back at me.

  “No one is going to say anything about it.” He sounds so sure, all I can do is nod, knowing he has never steered me wrong.

  Slowly, he moves into me, my breath shudders in my chest. Those eyes hold me captive, unyielding, but with a soft ring of caramel surrounding his pupils and bleeding through his chocolate irises, captivating me even more.

  “Tell me to stop,” he says, a whisper away from my lips.

  I know I should, but I don’t want to.

  Night after night, I’ve laid here, wondering what those lips would feel like against mine. Imagining if he would taste like the warm cinnamon rolls my mum and I use to make together every Christmas. Now, that moment I have been dreaming about is finally right in front of me.

  My body trembles, my heart thunders in my ears, but nothing could make me stop this from happening right now.

  “Kiss me,” I breath out, desperately.

  “Just one taste,” he utters under his breath, more to himself than me so I don’t answer. Instead, I swipe my tongue across my bottom lip and a deep rumble vibrates in his chest, making my body hum in anticipation.

  Before I have a chance to take my next breath, his lips are moulding to mine. His warm tongue slides across the seam of my lips, seeking entrance, and I’m so lost in the feel of those lips finally touching mine, I open.

  A small gasp trips off my tongue and he swallows it down, making me moan. A gentle hand makes its way into my hair, moving me to where he wants me, tilting me to just the right angle as the flavour of cinnamon detonates across my senses. My nails curl into his massive chest, his heartbeat thumping against the palms of my hands as he explores my mouth.

  My head begins to float away, time slows down with every swipe of his tongue as he controls my movements. My lungs burn for air, but I don’t want to stop. Every flick and slide of his tongue drives me to the brink. My toes curl, heat swirls low in my belly, and I savour every second.

  “Damn,” he husks out when we finally pull apart, his forehead resting against mine as I suck in much-needed air.

  “Ah...huh,” I pant.

  “The perfect kiss can bind two souls together in a second,” he mutters under his panting breath.

  “What?” I gasp, wondering what he means.

  “My mother always said that from the first kiss with my father she knew he was the other half of her soul. I think that’s what just happened here,” he murmurs, his thumb rubbing over my cheek, my eyes automatically fluttering closed, soaking in the soft touch.

  “I could get addicted to your taste, like a junkie craving his next fix, Emily Miller”

  My eyes flutter open, a small smile tugging at my lips, and I can’t stop myself from darting my tongue out and swiping it across my bottom lip, wanting another taste.

  “Your taste is like coming home and I am already addicted, Jebson Stone.”

  Heading out the back door, Jebson’s fingers are laced with mine, his thumb rubbing small circles into the back of my hand, calming me.

  I don’t know how he does it, but he always knows what I need or what to say to calm me down, centering me.

  I can’t stop the shy smile curling my lips., Shuffling closer into Jebson’s side, all eyes turn towards us as we come to a stop at the top of the back stairs. Jebson clears his throat, pulling the attention of the small crowd towards him.

  “Thank you all for coming to help celebrate my father’s retirement. Dad, you are an easy man to admire. Your work ethic and persistence in making us the best we can be will be hard to follow, but I hope we continue to make you proud. Now, hopefully, mum will finally convince him to travel around Australia.” Everyone laughs.

  “Maybe,” a loud booming voice cuts through the laughter. I look over and see an older version of Jebson standing next to the fire, his arm wrapped around a giggling older woman with brown hair, streaked with grey.

  His parents.

  They catch my eye and smile. They look so friendly, I smile back, relaxing more into Jebson’s side. Pulling our joined hands behind my back, he begins rubbing our joined hands up and down my back in a soothing motion.

  “Kathy, don’t worry, I have a plan,” June calls out, winking at Jebson’s mum. All the males groan in unison, making the women laugh.

  “You’ve earned your retirement, old man. Now, it’s time to enjoy it,” Jebson finishes.

  Everyone begins to cheer.

  “Enough of the old, son,” his dad laughs.

  “Emily,” Lucy calls out. I grimace seeing a bottle of something in her hand.

  I never should have told her I’ve never drunk before because I think I’m about to be put to a test I never signed up for.

  “Are you going to be alright, Sunshine?” Jebson whispers in my ear before kissing the soft spot behind it, making me hum.

  “Yeah,” I breathe, smiling up at him. Winking down at me, we begin tak
ing the steps down to the ground before Jebson’s mother takes the opportunity to engulf me in a big hug.

  I freeze before relaxing in her embrace.

  I’m still not a hundred per cent okay with someone I don’t know touching me, but I’m getting better, and Jebson’s hand lightly squeezing mine helps me temper down my anxiety.

  “Mom,” Jebson chastises, laughing.

  “Hush it. Go, talk with your father and friends, and leave your girl with me.” She bats Jebson away, making me giggle. I never thought I’d meet another person like June, but these ladies should be sisters with their carefree, no holds barred attitudes.

  They are quite evenly matched, no wonder they’re best friends.

  “Now, child, I’m so happy to meet you. I’ve been chomping at the bit to come over and visit, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you.” Her words run a mile a minute and it’s a struggle to keep up as we head towards the girls around the outside table that’s been brought down from the deck.

  “Kathy, give her a minute to breathe,” June laughs. Kathy waves her off and just keeps ongoing.

  “Jebson has told me so much about you, beautiful girl, and it just made me want to meet you more. But I’ve been working at the Steel Mare, helping June out since the babies came along, giving her time to concentrate on helping Cora while she healed. Oh, but I’m sure once you get settled, and my son makes an honest woman out of you, you may bless me with a grandchild one of these days. Then it’ll be my turn to take time off….” She keeps talking, but with each word, my chest constricts - marriage, babies, a happily ever after, as if right off the pages of a romance novel.

  Would he want that with me? I wonder, touching my lips which not long ago experienced my first kiss ever. Now thoughts of weddings and children flood through my mind, making my head spin, making it hard to breathe. My eyes glaze over, but I will the tears not to fall because I’m surprised to realise the prospect of having all that doesn’t scare me or upset me. No, just the opposite. I want that, I want everything she’s describing and I want it with her son.

  “Kathy, stop. You’re going to have her running for the hills if you keep going,” June chastises Kathy again.

  “It’s okay,” I manage to get out during a gap in the conversation.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, sweetheart. Steve always says I could talk underwater and I have a tendency to blabber on. My son would be quite upset if I scared you away. He’s rather smitten and I can clearly see why. You are a darling, so beautiful. I’ve never seen him like this before and it just makes me so happy, so happy I could cry.” She smiles and, holy god, her eyes are glassy.

  “Emily, it’s time to take a shot,” Lucy butts in, linking her arm through mine.

  “A what?” My head is spinning and I’m trying to keep up, but it’s a struggle. I love Kathy, even if she can talk a mile a minute.

  She seems so happy and I hope it’s contagious.

  “It’s called a shot.” Lucy winks.

  “Did you know that back in the Old West, cowboys would trade a bullet for a shot of whiskey?”

  “Hence the name shot, blah...blah...blah,” Lucy sasses out, finishing for Cora.

  “Smartass,” Cora chuckles, poking her tongue out.

  “You're just pissed the only thing hard you get to drink tonight is orange juice,” Lucy throws back.

  “And my husband,” Cora says absently, a wicked smile playing on her lips, making us all crack up laughing.

  I’m not a hundred percent sure what she means by that remark, but I’ve been around these ladies long enough to know she just made a sexual innuendo.

  “Eww… he’s like my brother,” Lucy whines like a little girl as she pops open a bottle and begins to pour out the shots. Cora giggles, shrugging, simply confirming my suspicions.

  “Toast,” June says, raising a brow towards Lucy.

  “Good idea.” Lucy nods, raising her small shot glass in the air and indicating for everyone else around the table to do the same. Even Cora holds up her glass of orange juice.

  “To family, new and old, may we get what we dream and everything we deserve; from fine drinks to even finer husbands,” Lucy calls out, giggling, and we all clink glasses.

  Taking in a deep breath, the aroma of a sweet, spicy drink tickles my nose.

  “It’s easier not to taste it. Just lift it, shoot it back, and savour the warmth as it spreads through your limbs.” Cora winks. Nodding that I understand, I wait for everyone to bring their glasses to their mouths before I follow suit.

  “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila… floor.” As the word ‘floor’ rings from June’s lips everyone says cheers, throwing back the liquid.

  Wincing as the bite of alcohol slides down my throat, my mouth burns, but it’s quickly overtaken by warmth as it begins to spread through me, causing me to hum.

  “Wow,” I husk out.

  “Told ya.” Cora giggles, winking.

  “Um… what are you ladies up to?” Jebson laughs, coming to my side and wrapping his arm around my waist.

  “Shoo… this is girls time,” Kathy and June say in unison before cracking up laughing.

  “I love your mother,” I giggle, staring up into his gorgeous eyes, watching the corners crinkle.

  “Good,” he breathes, swooping down and taking my lips in a soft kiss. Pulling back, my lips seem to have a mind of their own as they follow the plush flesh of his bottom lip, needing another taste, making him chuckle.

  “You taste like Sweet Tequila, Sunshine,” he drawls, licking his lips, my eyes tracking the movement.

  “My new favourite flavour,” he whispers in my ear, placing a soft kiss behind it, making me shiver.

  “I’ll leave you ladies to it.” He nods to the group, a megawatt smile stretching across his lips.

  Falling into the spare seat next to Cora, she snickers in my ear.

  “Good?” she whispers.

  “Oh... yeah,” I sigh wistfully, making her crack up laughing and I can’t help but follow suit.

  Night time used to be my solace,

  The sunrise was my downfall.

  Now the new day can’t come quick enough.

  Just over two months ago, I didn’t think I had enough strength left to keep fighting,

  but now, with Jebson by my side, the fight is not only mine to win…

  Heading back towards the guys, the girl's laughter follows, making me chuckle, shaking my head. Nash hands me a beer.

  “Let me guess, the mums kicked your ass back here,” Nash laughs, taking a swig of his own beer.

  “They were vicious,” I mock pout, making him laugh harder.

  Looking around the group, I’m pleased to know Sara left not long after Emily and I came back downstairs.

  I didn’t need my girl getting the wrong idea again, and first thing Monday morning I’ll be making sure Sara knows nothing will ever happen between us.

  Grabbing some wood planks, I feed them into the fire, enthralled by the high flames dancing through the air. Dad laughs, drawing my attention to him. Lou and Earl, and a couple of the other fellas from the station are standing around the grill cooking dinner.

  After shooting the shit for the next hour with the boys, dinner is finally ready and after the ladies grab their plates, we descend on what’s left, eating until we can barely move.

  “Jesus, I’m stuffed,'' Nash groans, patting his flat stomach.

  Everyone answers in variations of same and me too, as we pull up chairs around the bonfire and crack open another round of beers.

  “So, how are you handling fatherhood?” Dad asks Nash.

  “I have never been more tired in my life,” he breathes out, chuckling. He looks over his shoulder at his wife as she nurses one of the twins, Lucy cuddling her sister.

  “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.” He smiles proudly.

  A spike of jealousy shoots through me, wanting what he has. None of us wanted to get
married and have children, but I guess when you meet the right woman, you change your whole perspective on life.

  Our jobs and our parents were enough, or so we thought, but seeing the difference in Lucas and Nash after finding the ones, and now with Emily in my life, I get it. I wouldn’t walk away from her for anything.

  Besides my job, she is my everything.

  Looking over my shoulder, I take in her relaxed position, knowing it’s taken her a long time to be this comfortable around everyone.

  If you were an outsider looking at her right now, you wouldn’t think so. You wouldn’t know the demons she fights inside herself, day in day out, and that for her to get to this level truly shows how strong she really is.

  Pushing to her feet, she says something to my mum before heading towards the back door, a little unsteady on her feet.

  Worry that she may have drunk too much, swirls through me, and I go to stand and go after her, but dad's hand on my shoulder stops me as he takes an empty seat beside me.

  “I’m proud of you son.” A lopsided smile tugging at his lips.

  “Thanks, dad.”

  “You got this, Jebson. You were born to do this job; it’s in your blood.” He nods, taking a swig of his beer.

  “And I must say, Emily, is an amazing girl. She’s had a shitty past, but I’m glad to see her coming into herself.”

  “Walking away was never an option, dad.”

  “I know, son.” He nods, looking into the burning flames licking up from the wide metal drum in front of us.

  “She’s it for me, dad.”

  “Good.” He slaps my back.

  “Lou, Earl, how ‘bout we crack open that scotch.” He pushes to his feet and heads towards his mates. Lou pulls a bottle out of a gold gift bag, cracking it open.

  “It’s gonna be one of them nights,” Lucas chuckles, taking the seat dad was sitting in, making me laugh.

  “I bags not hauling their asses into the house or their tents later,” Nash calls out, taking the seat on my other side.

  “Not it,” I call out.

  “Fucking assholes, the lot of you,” Lucas grumbles.