COWBOY, INTERRUPTED

by MISSY HARPER

  “Imagine how I felt when she shattered my record and yours!” Ethan grinned across the table at Rory. “Man, I thought surely she’d chicken out at the last minute…”

  “Guess that didn’t happen.” Thor said with a disapproving raise of his eyebrow, as only a father could.

  “Guess?… man, she not only went for it, but did so with a battle cry!” Ethan told them with a full smile as he looked down at Rylee. His pride was undeniable, and even a blind man could see that there had be a significant change in Ethan Hawkins. “She was fearless, and so beautiful.” He murmured, looking straight into her tiger-striped eyes when she tilted her head up toward him. Rylee blushed at the double meaning in his comment. Ethan held his fork to her lips to avoid kissing them. Rylee gently accepted the bite of food and shyly lowered her head. There could be no mistaking the moment for anything other than intimate.

  Tanner sat at the table with his arms crossed across his chest, glaring at every move Ethan made and every word he had to say. Finally, Ethan had enough of it and turned to look him straight in the eye.

  “I’m sorry, Tanner.” Ethan said flat out.

  “For what?” Tanner’s words were laced with sarcasm.

  “For letting her get drunk. For letting her get on that damn bull. For making you worry about her all night.” Ethan threw his hand up in the air as if to say for everything!, but the look in his eyes told a different tale. There were some things Ethan would never regret, and damn sure wouldn’t apologize for. Rylee sat up and placed her feet on the floor, expecting things to erupt at any moment.

  “She’s got a daddy and three brothers here, Ethan! Why didn’t you bring her to one of us?” Tanner demanded. “There’s only one reason you’d bring her to your room… the same reason you let her ride that damn bull! You planned this, Ethan! You took advantage of my sister, and you used her just like she was another whore.”

  “That’s a damn lie, Tanner! And may god help you if you ever use Rylee’s name and the word whore in a sentence together again! Don’t ever make that mistake, friend.” Ethan’s tone was deadly. “I did everything I could to keep her safe last night. You weren’t there! And I didn’t bring her to you because I didn’t know where your rooms were! I got here late, remember? Met you at the arena. Ring any bells, Tan?”

  “Your phone broke, or did you just accidentally delete all of our numbers?” Ethan pulled out his busted cell phone and tossed it across the table in front of Tanner.

  “As a matter of fact it is. Busted it when I tried to reclaim my club record after this little hell cat stole it from me.” Ethan said, staring at him hard. He wasn’t happy about Tanner making Rylee so nervous that she’d moved away from him, and he damn sure didn’t appreciate him planting a seed that he’d somehow planned all of this or used her in any way.

  “Please don’t fight, Tanner.” Rylee mumbled, concern choking her words.

  “You were alone with her all night!” Tanner gritted out through clenched teeth, totally ignoring his sisters request.

  “Yeah, and I already told you what didn’t happen in that room last night.” Ethan hissed, finally loosing his temper. Rylee stiffened beside him for the first time.

  “Boys…”

  “Yeah, but you still haven’t told us what did happen.” Tanner eyed him as he laid down his challenge. Rylee sat perfectly still and stared at her brother across the table, willing him to shut up.

  “You’re not gonna let this go are you, Tan?” Ethan asked, holding his fork just above his plate. “You actually think I’d do something that would harm my little Runt. You son of a…”

  “No, I won’t let it go! I want to know what happened last night, because I think you’re keepin quite a bit from us.” Tanner said, leaning forward. Rylee’s eyes began to widen at Tanner’s statement.

  “Boys, that’s enough!” Thor said after Regina kicked him under the table. “Your sister’s a grown woman. It’s not your business.”

  “No, it’s okay, Thor. If he wants to know what happen last night I’ll tell him!” Ethan said never taking his eyes off of his new brother-in-law. Rylee turned her terrified eyes toward her husband as they widened even farther. She couldn’t believe he was doing this!

  “I’m listening.” Tanner challenged.

  “Ethan…” Rylee watched Ethan’s face soften as he looked at her, but she could tell he was furious with her brother. His hand warmed her face as he caressed her cheek.

  “No worries, baby. Everything’s gonna be fine. Tanner’s just attempting to be a good brother to you, and a pain in my ass. It’s nothing new.” She was shaking by the time he reached over and placed a tender kiss at her temple. Tanner growled, and Ethan turned his attention back to him, but not because he cared. He was simply ready to finish this.

  “We got a little drunk. We played some pool then went and rode a mechanical bull, where your sister proceeded to kick all of our asses. Then we got a little more drunk. Got married. Had sex and then more sex, because lets face it… she’s fuckin hot. We went to sleep and woke up this morning to have some more sex before my sweet little wife here decided to start puking her guts up. Maybe it’s the alcohol… maybe I knocked her up already? Who knows.” Ethan said as he sat back in his chair and defiantly forked a bite of scrambled eggs into his mouth. “Doesn’t matter either way because she’s mine in every way she can be, and if you ever refer to my wife as a whore again, I’ll kick your sorry ass! Now back the hell off, Tanner!”

  Rylee’s eyes had continued to widen with each tidbit of information Ethan offered her entire family. She looked up at him in total shock at what he’d just done and was truly speechless for the first time in her life. Her heart was pounding even harder than her head, and she was sure her breakfast was soon to make a re-appearance.

  Tanner sat watching his friend chew his food from across the table. The only sounds at the table were coming from Ethan’s mouth as he chewed and swallowed. After far too long a time, Tanner’s face began to slowly split into a wide smile, and he shook his head, looking down at the table for a minute. When he raised his head Rylee saw the smile had finally reached his eyes.

  “You got married.” Tanner said. “You had me goin until you tossed in that little falsehood. Ain’t nobody at this table stupid enough to believe that crock.” Tanner laughed. “But don’t go thinking you’re off the hook with me. I’m still pissed and considering what I should do with you.

  “Ry, now that you seem to be able to hold your head up and all, did he treat you right last night, or do I still need to kick his ass? Please say I still need to kick it, Baby Girl.” A stunned Rylee looked over to her brother and shook her head no. Could this day get anymore humiliating?

  “No, he took really good care of me last night.” Rylee told her brother, speaking truthfully, as Tanner’s comment about how stupid a person would have to be to believe Ethan would actually marry her played over and over in her head.

  “Oh, I see how it’s gonna be now.” Ethan joked as he forked another bite of ham into his mouth. “You won’t believe me, but you’ll believe my wife.” He added, sarcastically, and everyone at the table bust out laughing… except Rylee. She looked mad as hell!

  “You okay, Runt?” Ethan leaned down toward her, taking the opportunity to peck her on the check.

  “Yeah… but I think I should tell you I’m strongly considering stabbing you with my fork.” Rylee answered, looking up at him again.

  “Ah… look at that, she’s feeling better already!” Ethan announced with a big grin before he bent down and placed a sweet little kiss at her temple, ignoring the fork that barely missed his hand.

  Chapter 19

  Leaving Without Rylee

  They pulled into the Van der Brook’s garage just after sunset. Ethan helped carry in all the bags, and it didn’t go unnoticed that he carried Rylee’s bag up to her room. It also didn’t go unnoticed when she followed him up the stairs.

  “Where do you want this?” Ethan asked as he entered her bedroo
m.

  “Where ever you like is fine.” She nervously replied as she busied herself rearranging things on the top of her dresser that hadn’t ever need rearranging before.

  “Good, then I’ll just take it over to my place.” He quickly turned and headed for the door with her suitcase still in hand.

  “I always knew you were a closet cross dresser.” Rylee teased, trying to break the tension between them. It was certainly not the first time Ethan had been in her bedroom. The man had practically grown up in her house, but something was different about it now that things had changed between them.

  “Runt, the only accusations ever made about me tryin to get into women’s clothing was maybe a reference to my wantin to get into some bunny’s pants… and I don’t see any bunny’s around, so…”

  “Tacky, Ethan.” Rylee snapped with narrowed eyes, jerking her suitcase out of his hand and heading toward the bed with it.

  Ethan laughed as he followed her over to the bed, taking the bag from her as she lifted it. He tossed it on the bed and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back against his chest.

  “I’m sorry, my little Runt. I shouldn’t have said that. You might have to cut my some slack… I’m kinda new at this being a decent fella business.” He admitted as his lips found her neck, and he began to nibble at the smooth, warm skin there. His hand immediately began to wander over her belly and travel north.

  “No, you shouldn’t have! And you can just stop that before someone walks by and sees you!” She said, twisting her head around toward the doorway and trying to pull away from him.

  “Not yet, baby.” He said with a serious note in his voice, his teeth nipping her neck as his hand found its desired location. “Don’t rush me, baby. I already have to give you up and not take you home with me tonight.” He kissed her neck again, enjoying the feel of her beneath his hands. “I’m not ready to let go of you yet. I just need to…” He trailed soft kisses down to her shoulder and back up again. “To be honest, baby, I kinda hope someone does catch us. Maybe then I could just take you home where you belong.”

  “Might cramp your style… with the bunny’s you love so much!” She shot back in a sour tone trying to distract herself from the sensations his touch was causing. It felt so good and right to be in his arms. Damn Girl Parts!

  “Nope, I’m a married man now, baby.” He whispered as his other hand came up to her chin and turned her face toward his own. His lips gently touched hers once before he pulled away, but his hand stayed on her cheek when he spoke. “There won’t be anymore bunny’s for this cowboy. I’ve traded them all in on one little Runt, and I couldn’t be happier.” His mouth came down on hers and again it was the kiss she’d always dreamed about. She turned in his arms, pressing herself into him, and he deepened the kiss, with one hand in her hair while the other cupped her bottom and pulled her tighter against him.

  The desire was evident in his dark blue eyes, and he was breathing hard when he finally pulled away and spoke. His stupid idea to wait awhile was quite possibly going to be the death of him!

  “Let’s just tell em, Rylee. Let’s tell em, and you can come on home with me right now.” Ethan pleaded as he kissed her again. “We can start our lives together. Isn’t that what you want?”

  What a loaded suggestion! It was only the words she’d always wanted to hear from him, but there were still three little words that were missing, and she feared they always would be. Without them, it just wasn’t good enough.

  “I thought we were done with making rash decisions?” Rylee forced herself to ask when what she truly wanted to say was yes, yes, yes! Take me home, Ethan! Love me forever!

  Ethan sighed and turned to sit on the edge of the bed, bringing her hands up to his mouth, he kissed her clenched fists. “I know… I just… I don’t want you to think… you know I’m not any good with words, Rylee!” He admitted, clearly exasperated. “I can talk a long line of smack, and I can joke around till the cows come home… hell, I can even do a damn fine job of whispering sweet nothin’s in your ear. But, I ain’t very good about talking about things that really matter, you know? Like feelings and dreams. God forbid a woman start to cry! I’m totally useless then!” He grumbled and looked at the floor as if this part of his personality was somehow an inexcusable flaw.

  “Ethan, I’ve only known you all my life. I think I figured that out a long time ago.” She assured him with a giggle as her hand came up to stroke his cheek. It was times like this that she loved him more than she thought her heart could handle, and at the moment, she was hoping this conversation would lead to him expressing how he really felt about her. Maybe he had fallen in love with her. Maybe they could make a life together. Maybe she finally would be going home with him.

  “I know…” He sighed deeply again and shook his head before he met her eyes again. “I guess I just don’t want you to think this waiting is my way of tryin to avoid facin up, you know?” Rylee heard his words even over the shattering sound of her heart. He didn’t love her and he never would. “I’m where I want to be, Rylee. I don’t want to screw this up. I want to be with you, baby.” He said before he pulled her in for a tender hug. “I never want you to think I’m using this waiting thing as a way to avoid you, baby. I’m where I want to be… I swear it!”

  How easy it would be to accept this as enough from him. To take him at his word and ignore the words she’d overheard in this very room. I’ll never marry, Rylee. I’m sorry Momma Gina. Rylee swallowed the lump of tears gathering in her throat and pulled herself away from him. She wanted more than for him to face up, she wanted a man that didn’t thank God he didn’t have to touch her anymore. She wanted a man that couldn’t wait to marry her… and, most of all, she wanted his heart.

  “I want to believe you, Ethan, but I… I just need some time.” She said, unable to end it with him right then and there. It hurt far too much! “I think this is all just happening too fast. I mean, it’s gone from an offer to be nothing more than your whore to being your wife in less than a month, Ethan. I just don’t know what to think right now.” She said around the tears she wanted to shed so badly. Surprisingly, Ethan looked disappointed when she said she needed time.

  “Answer me one question and I’ll leave you alone, I promise.” He bargained and Rylee shook her head because she feared she wouldn’t be able to speak.

  “Do you still love me, Rylee?” He asked as if it might crush him if she said she didn’t. How she wanted to believe that was true and this was more than just desire and guilt, or responsibility on his part.

  “Yes, Ethan. I still love you.” She whispered.

  “Then take all the time you need, Runt. As long as we have love between us everything else will work it’s self out.” He promised as he stood, planting a kiss on her forehead. “And for the record, you could have never been my whore because you’ve always been my little Runt.” Ethan pressed his lips to her forehead and held her close for a moment.

  “Since I can’t convince you to come with me now, I’m gonna go check on my dad.”

  Too bad my loving you and being your Runt is enough for both of us in your opinion, Ethan, because it’s not in mine. Knowing what she needed to do, but not knowing if she was strong enough to do it, Rylee lifted her head to watch him leave her bedroom and saw her brother standing in the doorway.

  “Ethan, I think Rylee’s a little old for you to be hanging out in her bedroom.” Tanner announced without a trace of a smile. “Especially when you can’t seem to keep your lips off her!”

  “Really?” Ethan teased, looking back at Rylee as if he was just noticing she was all grown up. “No wonder I was so shocked on our wedding night!” Ethan cupped his hands in front of his chest and mouthed the word WOW!

  Tanner made a move toward Ethan, but Rylee was there first with her arms out in front of her. Her hands shoved against her brother’s chest to stop his advance. She turned angry eyes on Ethan, but he only grinned back at her.

  “Damn it, Ethan! I’m getti
ng really tired of having to get between you and some other guy because you can’t keep your mouth shut!” She scolded as she continued to push against Tanner’s chest.

  “Stop this right now, Tanner!” Rylee demanded, the events of the last twenty-four hours showing their toll on her.

  “I’m sorry, Runt. I was just messin with him.”

  “Sorry, Tan, I didn’t mean to get you so riled up.” Ethan laughed as he held his hand out to stop the fight from starting.

  “Why the hell are you in my sister’s room?” Tanner demanded.

  “I brought her bag up, Tanner.” Ethan gestured toward the suitcase on the bed. “We were just talkin about some stuff. I’m headin over to see my dad, wanta ride with me?” Ethan asked as if nothing was amiss between the two of them. They had always rode each other about this and that, but Ethan was acting as if this wasn’t about the man’s sister.

  “I still got horses to feed. And don’t act like there isn’t a problem between us, because there is.” Tanner said, calming down but still eyeing his best friend. “What’s goin to see your dad got to do with Rylee’s feelings for you?”

  “Not a thing, Tan. Not a thing.” Ethan said, patting Tanner on the shoulder as he pushed by him to leave the room.

  “Stay out of my sister’s room, Ethan! You’re not right for her. I’m not gonna tell you again.” Tanner warned as Ethan grinned at him over his shoulder.

  “I hear ya, Tan.”

  Tanner turned back to his sister, intending to have a serious talk with her, no matter what his dad had told him, but found her both angry and distraught. She looked as if she were struggling to hold back tears. His face softened, and he took a step toward her. Immediately, her independent nature took over and her hand came out to stop him.

  “Don’t!” Rylee insisted.

  “Did he hurt you, Rylee? What’s wrong? Just talk to me, Rylee!” Tanner’s face took on a worried expression.

  “No, of course he didn’t hurt me, Tanner!” She turned away from him and started unpacking her suitcase. “I just don’t want to hear it, okay?” She said, and her brother heard the tears in her voice. His gut began to twist. He could handle just about anything, but seeing a woman in pain wasn’t one of them, especially when that woman was his tough as nails little sister.