Come Closer, Cowboy

by Debbi Rawlins

  With a laugh, she looked up. Her heart missed several beats.

  The warmth in his eyes...she’d never seen that before. Nothing sexual. It was more like...

  God, she really was tired.

  He tossed the used towel in the plastic bin with the others. “What else can I do to get us out of here?”

  “Nothing, really. I assume you’re staying at Ben’s? You can take off.”

  “I’m driving you home.”

  “Gunner, what I said earlier... I’m not reneging, but I’m bushed and I have boxes all over—”

  “I know.” He moved closer and put his arms around her. “I’m not expecting anything.” He brushed his lips across hers and hugged her to his chest. It felt so good burying her face against his neck. “You need sleep. We both do. Let’s get you home and we’ll go from there.”

  Sounded good in theory. But once they were alone? Pressed this close, already her body had perked up. He didn’t wear aftershave or cologne, but then he didn’t need to. His rugged outdoor scent enticed her to stay where she was even without the feel of his warm solid chest and strong arms.

  “And by that I mean, after you’re tucked in, either I go on back to Ben’s or sleep on your couch. How’s that?”

  “Oh, you think I’m that fancy?” She laughed. “I wish I had a couch.”

  “Okay, no problem. We’ll share the bed.”

  She leaned back to look at him.

  Gunner smiled. “To sleep. That’s it.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I swear.” He shrugged. “Unless you start something.”

  She just shook her head. “Let’s go.”

  The ride took three minutes, including the short walk to his truck. Had she hoofed it all the way, she might’ve made it home by dawn. She was that exhausted.

  She opened the front door, then glanced back looking for Gunner. He stood near the gate where she’d left the small U-Haul parked, and apparently unlocked, because he was peering inside at her belongings. It would be easy to call out a good-night to him. He might not like it but he wouldn’t push the issue.

  Instead she patted the inside wall, found the switch and turned on the porch light. The rest of the houses on the street were dark.

  Gunner quietly closed the U-Haul and joined her. “Okay if I come in?”

  Say no. “Sure.” She was hopeless. “But be warned.”

  She led him inside and then glanced around as if it was her first time seeing the place. Jeez, it really was a mess with boxes stacked everywhere, some opened, their contents lying across the wood floor. Nothing embarrassing. As far as she could tell.

  “You have a lot of stuff,” he said, his gaze sweeping over the old brown recliner, the floral love seat, a pair of small tables.

  “Not really. I did a lousy job packing. I should’ve used fewer boxes.”

  “I don’t know why you were in such a hurry. There was still time on your lease.”

  She knew what he was leading up to and she was not about to have that conversation now. “This was so stupid to come here. I still have my room at The Boarding House.”

  “Is that the low white building on the edge of town?”

  Sighing, she nodded, wondering where she’d left her makeup and toothbrush. She’d been too excited about getting the house today and couldn’t remember where anything was.

  “Is your bed here?”

  “Yes.” She groaned when she remembered it wasn’t made up. “I don’t even know where the linens are.”

  Gunner brushed aside the hair that had escaped her ponytail. His fingers lightly grazed her cheek and then the side of her neck. He rested his hand on her shoulder. “I see some gray sheets by the fireplace. I’ll take care of the bed.”

  “You’re going to a lot of trouble for nothing.”

  “I thought you wanted to sleep,” he said, his voice absent any trace of mocking.

  She stared into his hot, intense gaze and warned herself not to be foolish. She cleared her throat and looked away, trying to ignore her body’s reaction to his touch. To the rasp in his voice. To the evening stubble shadowing his jaw. To those hypnotic gray eyes that seemed to see clear down to her soul.

  They were alone. Standing close.

  She knew this would happen.

  “Look, if it helps,” he said, lowering his hand, “even if you begged me I wouldn’t have sex with you right now.”

  Mallory laughed.

  “You want to show me to the bedroom?” He gathered the sheets and uncovered a pillow. “Or shall I find it myself?”

  Without a word, she headed down the short hall, aware he hadn’t searched for a second pillow.

  The house was over fifty years old so both bedrooms were small. So was the single bathroom. But it was perfect. The porch and backyard made up for a lot.

  “How’d you get a queen bed in here?” Gunner stood at the door, his broad shoulders filling up the doorway. “Couldn’t have been easy.”

  “Grace helped me.”

  He gave her a sharp look. “Today?”

  “This morning.” Mallory slid in between the bed and the wall with the window. “Toss me the fitted sheet.”

  Gunner left the linen on a box in the open closet and then shook out the bottom sheet over the mattress. “What, no neighbors came rushing over to help? Out of nosiness if nothing else.”

  “Wow, how quickly you’ve forgotten how small towns operate. They probably knew I was moving in before I did,” she said and got a smile out of him. “But yeah, a couple of them caught me on my way to the bar.”

  “Think you’ll get used to it?”

  “I’d better,” she said, keeping focused on her task. The conversation could easily slide into dangerous territory. “I put everything I have into the Full Moon.”

  Gunner followed her lead and stayed quiet until they’d tucked in the top sheet and lightweight blanket. “Do you have a lease?”

  “For the house? Or bar?”

  “Both.”

  “Why?” She thought about opening the window, then reconsidered. “You don’t think I’ll make it here?” she said, watching for his reaction as she came around the bed.

  “You seem to be doing okay so far.” He shrugged, his mask in place, guarding his thoughts.

  “Having Ben here helps. And I really like Grace—”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, and she froze, unprepared for the direct question. “This morning...to help you move.”

  “I didn’t call anyone,” she said with relief. “Grace was on duty and stopped by while I was bringing in boxes.” Mallory grabbed the pillow and kept her gaze lowered as she stuffed it into its case. “Where’s the other one?”

  “I haven’t looked. You sleep with two?”

  “No.” She hugged the thick fluffy pillow to her chest and forced herself to meet his probing eyes. “I meant for you.”

  He reached out a hand, and she squeezed the pillow tighter.

  “It’s a short drive to Ben’s,” he said, briefly touching her cheek. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  “Look, the offer is still sleep only. In five minutes I’ll be dead to the world.”

  “Okay.” He nodded. “I’ll go find that pillow.”

  This was going to be so weird, Mallory thought as she closed herself in the bathroom. Her toiletry bag and sleep tee were there, thank God, and she wasted no time getting her teeth brushed and her face washed. She considered a quick shower, but no, that might wake her up. As if knowing Gunner would be lying next to her wasn’t enough to keep her wired.

  She listened to him moving around in the living room, then heard him in the kitchen. It really was a tiny house but she looked forward to fixing it up and putting her stuff out. After pulling on the
Daffy Duck T-shirt, she stared into the mirror. Gunner had never seen her without makeup before. She didn’t wear all that much, but the liner and mascara made a big difference.

  So what? This wasn’t a date. Hell, he might get bored and drive to Ben’s, anyway.

  Leaving the bathroom door open, she went straight to her bedroom. She already knew he wouldn’t be there because she’d heard him in another part of the house. She hoped he wasn’t touching her stuff. Mostly because she wasn’t sure what he might find.

  Nah, Gunner wouldn’t snoop.

  She turned off the light and slanted the bedroom door to redirect the beam coming from the living room. Sighing, she slipped between the cool, clean sheets. She turned on her side and closed her eyes. The blanket was lightweight but still too much. She kicked it off and flipped onto her stomach.

  It was a mistake not to open the window.

  Montana evenings were a lot cooler in July than they were in southern California. But she’d had an air conditioner in her old apartment.

  Forcing the window open made an awful noise. But it didn’t disguise the sound of the front door closing. So he’d decided to go to Ben’s after all. Fine. She liked having the whole bed to herself.

  Who was she kidding? She was disappointed. Which was stupid. Though he could’ve said something before he’d taken off.

  She stopped midway down the hall. “Oh.” She backed up as he advanced, a pillow under his arm. “I thought you left,” she said and wished she hadn’t when he frowned. “I’m done in the bathroom. Sorry I don’t have an extra toothbrush.”

  “I had one in my truck,” he said, glancing down at her sleep shirt with a faint smile. “And not for the reason you think.”

  “Me?” She eyed the small leather bag in his hand. Probably his one-night-stand kit. “I’m not thinking anything.”

  He stopped at the bathroom, just as she felt the bedroom door at her back. They silently eyed each other like adversaries in a grudge match.

  “I don’t think I’ve seen your bare legs before,” Gunner said, making sure he got his fill of them now.

  When he looked up, she knew he was thinking about that night. In the back room of the Renegade. When he’d stripped off her jeans and panties and spread her thighs.

  They’d left the lights off that night. Moonlight had shined through the glass windows in the front of the bar but only a meager glow had made it to the back. They hadn’t seen much of each other. But his hands and mouth had explored every part of her with a thoroughness that made her clench every time her mind relived the experience.

  She’d taken her own liberties. Using her hands and tongue until she’d memorized every contour of his chest and the hard glutes that made him look amazing in jeans. And, she was quite sure, without.

  “Good night,” he said, his voice deeper, huskier. “In case you’re asleep when I come to bed.”

  She just nodded, and tried to swallow.

  Looking into his lust-darkened eyes, feeling the raw rasp in his voice grazing her skin, all she could think was fat chance.

  8

  GUNNER MOVED QUIETLY into the bedroom and paused so his eyes could adjust to the darkness. Convinced she’d be asleep by now, he had turned off every light, including the one from the hallway.

  She’d kicked off the covers and lay curled on her side, her T-shirt riding up high and exposing tiny pink panties. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was the soft, even rhythm of a deep sleep. It would’ve surprised him if she’d been awake. Not only had she looked exhausted, but he’d deliberately given her a forty-minute head start. For both their sakes.

  The cold shower he’d taken hadn’t quite cut it. He’d calmed down a bit, only after giving his body some relief. But it hadn’t stopped the arousal from building again. Not when images of Mallory kept filling his mind.

  And now, here she was, in the flesh, her honey-colored hair spread across the pillow, her lips slightly parted. A shaft of moonlight shining through the window fell at an angle from her knee to her shoulder.

  Just looking at her long bare legs made his skin hot and tight. If it became a problem, he’d sleep on the floor.

  Outside the mountain air was pleasantly cool. Between Mallory’s window and the two he’d opened in the living room, they were picking up a nice cross breeze. He thought about pulling the covers over her.

  Maybe in a minute.

  Leaving the bedroom door open, he hung his T-shirt on the doorknob and made the decision to keep his jeans on. It wasn’t easy. He’d like to think he wouldn’t disturb her much-needed sleep. That he’d keep his word and his hands to himself. But better to play it safe.

  He slid in next to her and she woke for a moment, lifting her head and turning to look at him. Her lips curved in a brief smile before her eyes drifted closed again. He stayed perfectly still, waiting, hoping she’d roll over to face him.

  Disappointed, he watched her turn back toward the wall. Just as well. Better not to test his willpower. A second later she adjusted her pillow and stretched out on her back, eyes still closed.

  She wasn’t wearing a bra.

  Her round breasts strained against the thin T-shirt. A splash of moonlight revealed what he already knew—the size and rosy color of her nipples. He flashed back on how they’d blossomed under his tongue. The temptation was almost too much.

  With a muted curse, he pulled up the covers and tucked them around her as a barrier between them. Yeah, right. As if a few layers would stop him. She stirred when he brushed a tangle of hair away from her face, but she didn’t wake up. She looked so young without makeup. Young and vulnerable.

  That discovery had stunned him the most the night they’d had sex. Yeah, the fact that he’d made the move on her in the first place was surprising. But it was her initial streak of shyness that evening that had shocked him. Made him realize he hadn’t known her as well as he’d thought.

  Mallory always came off as tough. She’d practically cut her teeth in the Renegade, exposed to things no child should’ve seen or heard. The wild bikers and reckless, freewheeling stuntmen had rarely censored themselves in her presence. She should’ve been going to school dances and football games, learning how to kiss in the backseat of a car.

  Not illegally serving drinks because her father had gotten smashed. Or being forced to face rowdy drunks. Usually a few regulars had rallied to her side, but she’d never been one to wait for backup.

  Yep, Mallory had put up quite the front for a woman with a streak of vulnerability as wide as the Grand Canyon.

  Years ago he’d known another young girl who’d been forced to grow up too quickly. Krista had been all of thirteen when they’d crossed paths, a runaway, living on the streets just like him. He’d been sixteen at the time and had tried to look out for her as best he could, but he’d lowered his guard and things had turned out bad for her.

  He’d thought about her over the years, though at first he’d tried to push her out of his mind. The guilt had been too much to bear. Now he understood there was nothing he could’ve done for her. But still, he should’ve known better. You couldn’t let someone down if you didn’t let them get too close in the first place.

  Mallory shifted a little, but her eyes stayed closed.

  One minute was all he’d give himself to watch her sleep. And then he had to roll over, face the opposite wall. The more he’d thought about it, the clearer the truth had become. She hadn’t moved to Blackfoot Falls because of the high California rents or for a business opportunity. She’d been trying to get away from him. He just couldn’t understand why.

  He replayed the last few minutes of that night at the Renegade. Their goodbye had been rushed. It had been after 3:00 a.m. and his flight to Argentina left at 7:00. With only two and a half hours to pack and get to the airport, he’d known he’d been cutting it close. But afte
r they’d gotten dressed and said goodbye for the third time, they’d kept kissing.

  Somehow they’d made it to the door, her clinging to him and Gunner unwilling to do anything but hold her tight. Finally, Mallory had pulled away and shoved him out the door. She’d been laughing and telling him he had to go.

  For the first time in his life he’d considered shining on the job. Pretending he was sick and letting the stunt coordinator replace him. It would’ve been a bad move. He’d been lucky to work on that particular film. Big director, big budget, lots of hazard pay. But had he known the projected three-week job would stretch to four, he would’ve backed out on the spot.

  He wondered what would have happened if he’d come clean the next day when he’d called her from Argentina. If he’d admitted he had feelings for her and that he wanted more than...

  Shit.

  That was part of the problem. He didn’t know what he wanted and she’d probably heard the hesitation in his voice. Or maybe she didn’t want to be tied to him.

  In the past few months, it had gotten so he’d resented working away from LA. That’s when the calls had started with more frequency. About every other day, between shots, anytime he hadn’t been needed on the set and he’d known the Renegade wouldn’t be too crowded. Always him calling her. Had he pushed her away?

  He stared at her parted lips. This was a damn stupid idea. Sleeping in the same bed? With him ready to burst from weeks of pent-up worry and frustration?

  Gunner felt like a stick of dynamite, tight and ready, and Mallory was the flame that could set him off.

  * * *

  A CHILLY BREEZE swept over Mallory and she reached for the covers. The sheet and blanket were tangled at her feet and she couldn’t seem to jerk them free. Another source of warmth beckoned her. She huddled closer to it and opened her eyes, blinking in the semi-dark, unfamiliar room.

  The cool air was coming from the open window. But this wasn’t The Boarding House Inn. She started to tense then remembered she was in her new place, in her own bed, next to—