Stormie ducked her head, her stomach clenched. “Sorry.” She gestured. “Walk to the gift shop with me, I’ve got to get a few things.”
Kira dropped her arms. “At least tell me you’re going to buy condoms. You do know about safe sex, don’t you?”
Stormie linked her arm through her cousin’s. “No.” She used her ditzy blonde voice. “Tell me all about it.”
Kira laughed. “Just tell me you know what you’re doing with Jayden, and I won’t worry.”
“I know what I’m doing with Jayden.” Stormie had absolutely no idea what she was doing with Jayden. She tugged Kira’s arm and they headed for the other side of the casino.
After shopping for essentials and a few silly Vegas mementos while talking about the hazards and pleasures of dating rodeo cowboys, Stormie pressed the up-button for the hotel elevator. “I’ll be okay now.” She looked around. “But what about you?”
Kira grinned. “Wait for it.”
“For what?”
Kira looked around, spotted someone, and smiled. “Dallas.” She gestured to where the cowboy was walking toward them. “Another thing about cowboys. They’re protective, but not smothering.”
Dallas stopped a few feet in front of them. “I’ll ride up with you and wait outside the room until you’re done.” He adjusted his hat. “No hurry.”
Stormie liked him. He was perfect for her cousin. Where Kira was loud and brash, Dallas’s quiet confidence grounded her. “We’re done. I can go up alone.”
“Uh.” Dallas frowned. “If it’s okay, Stormie, I’d rather—”
“No sense arguing, Storm.” Kira leaned in and kissed her cowboy. “He’ll see you right to your door.”
Dallas’s lips curved into the first smile Stormie had seen on him tonight. He nodded.
The elevator doors opened, they stepped in, and Stormie used her keycard in the slot and pressed the button for the top floor.
“You’re staying in a suite?” Kira’s eyes popped wide.
“With all the excitement downstairs, we never got the chance to tell you.”
Dallas’s eyes narrowed. “Jay said you’d gotten lucky at poker. How lucky?”
Stormie smirked and shrugged. “Remember how much you won at roulette last month?”
Kira gasped. “Really?”
Stormie nodded. “Almost twice that.” A giggle escaped her. “We’re splitting it, me and Jayden.”
Kira squealed and hugged her. “That is so awesome.”
Dallas’s barely-there smile grew deeper. “Jayden’s a lucky man. Twice over.”
At his kind words, that strange burning flared behind her eyes again.
“God bless you, Dallas Burns.” Kira took his hand. “You say the sweetest things.”
Stormie caught a glimpse of a blush under Dallas’s tan skin as he tipped his head down and cleared his throat. The elevator doors opened and he pressed a hand to the frame, letting the ladies out first. He stepped out and leaned into a corner. “Take your time, sweetheart.” He tipped his hat. “Night, Stormie.”
“Thanks, Dallas.” Stormie gave him a little wave and walked down the hall with Kira. “He’s a great guy.”
Kira glanced over her shoulder and her cheeks flushed peachy pink. “He’s the best I’ve ever known.”
“So?” Stormie stopped at the door marked, “Hitchin’ Post.” “Why don’t you go for it?”
“It’s complicated. My parents…”
“I’ve got the same thing going on.” She took a breath. Seeing Kira’s hesitation about a life shared with Dallas made her reevaluate her own reluctance regarding one with Jayden. “We’ve got to do what makes us happy. Not what makes our parents happy, and us miserable.” Now the hard part. Taking those words to heart and applying them to her own life.
Kira stared at her for long seconds. “When did you get so frickin’ smart?”
Stormie shrugged. “Actually, just this minute.” She was going to surrender to her instinct. Let herself go and just feel, not overthink this the way she did everything else. She had to give a relationship with Jayden a try, even if it didn’t work out.
If she didn’t, she’d regret it her whole life.
After a quick hug and promise to get together the next day, Kira walked down the hall toward her cowboy.
Stormie closed the door but looked out the security peephole. Kira stood in front of Dallas, her hands on his shoulders. Her lips were moving, and Dallas was intent, perfectly still. He spoke, she nodded, and he tipped his head back let out a loud, “Yee-haw!”
Kira looked around, but Dallas grabbed her ass with both hands and picked her up, pressing her tight against him.
Kira’s arms snaked around his neck, and she tipped her head for a kiss.
Stormie turned away and leaned back against the door. Had Kira finally given everything to her cowboy?
Stormie imagined letting herself slide into a relationship with Jayden. He’d been brave enough to open his heart and tell her he wanted to give their marriage a try. He’d even looked happy when he’d admitted it to their family and friends.
She laughed. The sex part, that would be easy. The rest of it—a real relationship—that would take a lot of time and a lot of work. But, she was willing. Before her cautious, over-analyzing brain had a chance to break into her sweet, joyous instinct, she pulled out her phone and dialed Jayden’s number. “Hi, Cowboy. Busy?”
****
Jayden hadn’t figured Stormie would call so soon. He thought he’d be spending the night in the room he and Rance were sharing. “No.” He looked at Gigi and Boone, who sat watching him. He’d just told them about his jackpot win in an attempt to steer the conversation away from his impulse marriage.
“Want to come upstairs?” Stormie’s voice was quiet.
“Sure.” He stood.
“Don’t hurry if you want to spend more time with your family.” She sounded cheerful. That was good, hopefully.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
When Stormie hung up, he slid his phone into his pocket and took another look at Boone’s angry stare. The moment Kira and Dallas had left the table to find Stormie, his big brother had gone off on a rant about irresponsibility, sending Rance high-tailing it toward the bar.
“I’m going up to talk to Storm.” He pressed his palms on the table and leaned toward Gigi and Boone. “We have a lot to talk about, a lot to work out.”
Boone pointed at him. “You’d better not hurt that little lady, or you’ll find out what it feels like to be stomped on by a piss-angry bull.”
“Boone.” Gigi grimaced then looked at Jayden. “We know you’ll do the right thing.” She patted her husband’s hand. “We’re just a little shocked to find out about your marriage this way.”
Jayden hung his head. “I was hoping it was all a dream.”
Boone smacked the table. “That’s another thing. Getting drunk, yeah, sure. But getting married?” He shook his head. “Most people get a tattoo or find a cathouse when they’re drunk. Why the hell did you get hitched?”
Gigi smiled. “Something was missing in your life, Jayden.”
“Baby.” Boone’s tone was a quiet warning, but Gigi ignored it.
“I’m not saying that getting married was the right thing to do.” She glanced at the rings on her left hand. “But there’s something you wanted to gain from doing it, and you should figure out what that is before you make any decisions about Stormie.”
Boone nodded. “I guess she’s right.” He lifted a brow. “As usual. But just keep in mind my little piece of advice, too.” He narrowed his gaze on Jayden. “Don’t hurt Stormie.”
“Ain’t gonna.” Jayden straightened up and winked at Gigi. “Thanks for the guidance, little sister-in-law.” He headed out of the bar, giving a lot of thought to her words. What had he expected to gain from marrying Storm?
The casino was busy with partying rodeo fans. He wound his way toward the elevators, keeping his head down in case anyone recognized him. He almost lau
ghed. With his career hanging from the last rung of the ladder, he wasn’t exactly a fan favorite anymore.
It had felt good to talk to Stormie last month about his fear of failure. She was a good listener, intelligent, and always had a positive word for him. Was that why he wanted to hook up with her? Because of her strength? The way she liked to tackle problems?
He stepped into the elevator next to a young couple. They pressed a button, Jayden slid in his suite keycard, and pressed the button for the top floor.
The couple looked at him, probably wondering who he was. Right now, nobody. But with Stormie’s help, he might be able to figure out what was going on in his head. Maybe pull his career out of the dirt. And if not, she’d help him handle the disappointment of not making it big.
He frowned. Was that all he wanted from her? Someone to prop him up until he could stand on his own? No. There was more. There was a whole lot more. He needed to name it now, before talking with Stormie, or she’d be history.
When the elevator doors opened on his floor, he stepped out and paced. It couldn’t be love. Not yet. But he was hopeful. He could almost see a future with Stormie, and he honestly hoped it would work out. He’d give it his best effort, too. Give her and their marriage everything he had. He stopped and nodded. That’s what he’d go in armed with; hope and promises.
Sliding the card in the door, he opened it to find Stormie standing in front of the window, looking out at the mountains. She turned, a champagne glass in her hand. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He stepped forward to the couch that stood between them. She’d turned on the fireplace, and the warmth surrounded him. “I’m real sorry I embarrassed you down in the bar.”
She tipped her head. “You didn’t embarrass me. You shocked the hell out of me, but I wasn’t uncomfortable.” She sipped her champagne. “I guess that’s why I called you so soon.”
“Oh yeah?” He gripped the back of the couch tightly, preparing for the worst, praying for the best.
“I don’t know if this…” She gestured between the two of them. “…will lead anywhere, but I’m willing to go with it, as you put it.”
Relief and excitement washed through him in rolling waves. “You know, I’m real glad you decided to put your faith in me.” He glanced toward the bedroom. “I guess we have a lot to talk about, huh?” It was the middle of the night, and all he wanted to do was haul her to bed, make love for a couple hours, and sleep until noon the next day.
“No.” She set down her champagne glass. “I think we’ve done enough talking for now.” Barefoot, she swayed her hips as she walked toward him. The look in her eyes was a mix of sensuality and shyness.
He tugged her into his arms. Her body, firm and warm, kindled a fire in his belly that flooded his cock, making it rock hard. “I want you, Stormie, and I’m honored that you want me to be your first.”
She gently touched her fingertips to his cheek. “I want you to be the one, but not because we’re married, Jayden.”
He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. “Why, Stormie?” His blood heated as thoughts of taking her on that crazy heart-shaped bed flashed into his head, stealing his concentration.
“You’re important to me.” She glanced away, then back. “I’ve never known anyone like you, and you make me happy.”
Her declaration was simple and honest. Exactly the way he knew her to be. He pressed her hand to his chest where his heart had begun to race. “You’re all I want, Stormie.” The truth behind that statement hit him as more than a sentence. It was a vow, and one he intended to keep.
He eyes opened wide, she sucked in a breath, then smiled. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.” He bent and picked her up in his arms.
Chapter Seven
“It’s going to be difficult.”Jayden stood in the living room of the suite, holding Stormie in his arms. “We’ve got family and friends and lives that are going to get in the way.”
She snugged her arms around his neck and buried her face in the curve of his neck. “I know.” Her voice conveyed her fear.
Walking with her into the bedroom, he vowed to be the most understanding, caring, but determined husband in the history of accidental grooms. “I’ll be right there with you.”
She met his gaze. “That means everything to me, Jayden.”
He set her on her feet. The memory of her luscious body, naked and writhing under his touch, blanked out every word in his brain. He kissed her.
Her mouth opened, soft and sweet, and he tasted the champagne on her tongue as he sucked it into his mouth, playing and tickling, then deepening the kiss with thrusts that matched the rhythm that jerked his hips against hers.
Stormie’s breath came faster, her back arching, pressing her hips harder against him.
He had to slow down, had to remember she was inexperienced. He ended the kiss.
She let out a tiny whine as her half-lidded eyes gazed into his.
“I want this to be perfect for you.” He brushed a hand over her head and down her silky hair. “But I’m just a rough-cut cowboy. You’ll need to tell me if anything doesn’t feel right.”
She nodded once. “Am I your first…um…”
“Virgin?” He liked the sound of it.
“Mm hm.” Her cheeks colored.
“No. My first girlfriend in high school was.” Tiffy had been his first, too, and the fumbling they’d done would make a hilarious movie. He knew more now. Lots more, and he would make Stormie’s first time unforgettable. In a good way.
“Okay.” She glanced away and dropped her arms. “I hope I don’t disappoint you.”
He cupped her cheeks and waited until she lifted her gaze to his. “You’re giving me a gift, Stormie Thompson Hancock.” He kissed her, a quick brush of lips. “I should be the one worried about disappointing you.” He wasn’t all that worried, but he wanted her to have a peek at the vulnerability he felt, too.
Tiny lines formed between her brows. “You’ve got a lovely way with words, Jayden Hancock.” She smiled. “Guess you had to have, being as how you talked me into marrying you.”
Married. The word didn’t evoke even a shard of panic in him. “As I remember it.” He slid his hands over her shoulders, down to her waist, and up under her shirt. “You brought up the idea of getting married, not me.”
A single laugh burst from her but she ran her hands up his chest and undid the top button of his shirt. “We’ll hash this out later.” She shot him a shy glance. “Right now…”
“Yeah.” This needed to happen right now. He wanted her with an ache that nearly stole his breath. He tugged her shirt up and off her.
She pulled at his shirttails and unbuttoned it all the way down, then undid his cuffs.
He shrugged out of his shirt.
“Oh wow.” Stormie caressed his nearly-hairless chest, his abs, which he tightened for her benefit, then up his sides and along his biceps, which he also tightened. “I didn’t realize you were so muscley.”
Long hours of working with horses and helping his parents on the farm kept him hard. “You like that?”
Her grin lit her face. “I like that a great deal.” Her eyes dropped to his waist. She touched the trail of hair that ran down to where his cock pressed hard against his zipper. She shot him a glance then worked at his belt buckle.
The feel of her fingers brushing at his belly, the jostling she was giving his shaft, made hot flashes of desire snap down low in his balls and his lower back. He needed to calm down or her first lover would be a minute man. He distracted himself by reaching around and unhooking her bra and pulling it off her.
Stormie’s round, heavy breasts jiggled loose, her tight nipples lured him in and he took a quick taste of each one. She smelled sweet and fresh like spring grass.
She purred softly and her eyes dropped closed for a second. Quickly, she went back to work on his jeans, unbuttoning and unzipping.
He pulled back and toed off his boots. Staring into her eyes, he realized that they
were nearly the same height. As he unbuttoned and unzipped her shorts, he caught a moment of uncertainty in her eyes. He didn’t want to make this a solemn event. This should be fun for both of them. “On the count of three, we drop everything.”
Her brows lifted, then she giggled. “Okay.”
He pulled a condom from his back pocket and tossed it onto the bed. “One.” Jayden stuck his thumbs in the waistbands of his jeans and underwear.
“Two.” She did the same with her own clothes.
“Three.” He shucked his jeans and drawers and tossed them aside.
Stormie was bent over, her shorts and panties at her knees, her face a few inches from his hard, throbbing staff.
“Oh gosh, it’s so…” She swallowed and made a little “o” with her mouth.
He didn’t want to intimidate her into fearing his generous size. “Cutie, it’ll be a perfect fit. Don’t worry about—”
She reached out and wrapped her hand around him.
Bolts of heat rammed up his spine, splintering in his brain as he felt pre-come seep from his slit.
Stormie knelt in front of him. “So beautiful.” Her finger touched the tip, spreading his pre-ejaculate on his plum-shaped head. She looked up at him with an amazed look, but her face turned sly and she brought her finger, glistening with his lubricant, to her mouth and sucked.
His hips jerked forward and he nearly poked her in the face with his cock. “Goddamn, Stormie, you wanna make me pop off in mid air?” He diverted his mind to the menial chores he needed to do before the rodeo that night, hoping it would tamp down the orgasm that threatened to embarrass the hell out of him.
“I could really do that?” Her eyes were wide and innocent, but her smile was pure naughty.
He grabbed her arms and helped her to her feet. “You damn well know you could, wife.” The word, spoken so innocently, had a torrid effect on his chest.
****
“Wife.” Stormie mouthed the word as she stared into Jayden’s intense gaze. He’d said it so casually, then his muscles had tightened. Was he okay with it? She sure was. Her skin tingled as her heart sped, sending heated pulses throughout her body.
Cowboy Jackpot: St. Patrick's Day Page 5
