Her Unbridled Cowboy (Harland County Series)

by Donna Michaels

  “Damn, Kerri,” he breathed near her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “I can’t seem to stay away from you.”

  Which was fine with her since he started to place open-mouthed kisses on her neck. A feat he couldn’t perform if he stayed away.

  A moan sounded low in her throat. Yeah, he felt really, really good. He pressed closer, and she answered by pressing back. That’s when things got wild. Those large, callused, wonderful hands roamed all over, cupping, tweaking, kneading her breasts while his mouth continued to kiss and nip at her neck.

  She’d never been so hungry, so turned on—so wet in all her life. Kerri threw her head back, grinding her hips against the large erection pressing into her lower back. God, he felt so great. He was so hot and hard, and had her wound so tight she nearly came undone when he shoved a hand between her legs and brushed a finger over her throbbing center.

  “God, you drive me crazy,” he said next to her ear again, voice low and husky, vibrating straight through her.

  “Connor? Where are you, man?”

  Before she had a chance to reply, or climax, Cole’s voice cut through her foggy haze.

  “This couch isn’t going to move itself.”

  He stilled.

  No. Don’t do it, she willed. Don’t leave. But with a curse on his lips, he pulled his hands from her and stepped back, taking his hot, rock hard body and talented hands with him.

  Darn it.

  And since she not only had mush for brains but legs too, she grasped the closet doorframe to keep from falling.

  “I’m coming,” he called out, voice a bit gruff.

  Wish I had, her mind added.

  Was that good or bad? She didn’t know. God, she was so confused. And completely turned on. Not a good combination.

  This was insane. They were fully clothed, and yet, she’d been close. Really close to going off, and judging by the bulge she’d felt and the gruffness of his tone, he’d been there, too.

  “Good,” Cole said from the doorway. “Because we require a giant’s expertise out here,”

  So did she.

  Kerri continued to clutch the doorframe with one hand and straightened towels with the other, while she hoped she brought what resembled a smile to her lips.

  Forget looking at them. Either of them. It wasn’t happening. Thankfully, it wasn’t required because the men disappeared a second later.

  She slowly slid to the floor. Holy crow. That was nuts. And exhilarating. She’d felt desired. And heaven help her, she loved it.

  Which wasn’t good. No. No. Not good at all. They couldn’t just become lovers. Their families where lifelong friends. It would be too awkward. And they certainly wouldn’t become more. How could they? She wasn’t staying in Texas, and Connor had made it perfectly clear he didn’t trust city girls. No, they didn’t have a future together, no matter how strong the attraction.

  And he apparently concurred a little while later when they sat down to eat. Though he was polite and didn’t ignore her, he also barely made eye contact. Which actually, made her breathe a little easier. She was caught somewhere between embarrassment and need. And she didn’t like it at all. His non-attention helped her gain her perspective.

  They were friends who were attracted to each other. No harm in that.

  “Well, thank you for such a wonderful lunch, Kerri,” Kade said, pushing back from the table after eating his plate clean. “I hope you enjoy your new place. If you don’t need me for anything else, I have to get back to the ranch.”

  “Me, too,” Connor said before she could reply.

  Kevin smiled, rising to his feet. “Me three.”

  “You’ve got that right.” Cole snickered. “Sometimes you do act like you’re three.”

  Kerri laughed and rose to her feet with everyone. “Thank you all so much for your help.”

  “Yeah,” her sister said. “We appreciate the use of those muscles today.”

  “Well now, you girls feel free to use me anytime,” Kevin offered, devilment backing the twinkle in his blue eyes.

  Cole stepped closer to Jordan. “The only one Jordan will be using is me,” he said, kissing her sister full on the lips. “But, since I drove, I guess that means I’m leaving, too.”

  Kerri gave them each a quick hug, and a half hour later, as she made her way downstairs with her sister to interview the next designer, she was still pondering her body’s reaction. She’d hugged four very impressive, very handsome cowboys, but her body had only tingled when she’d made contact with Connor.

  “Chemistry,” Jordan said as they stepped outside to wait for the east coast designer. “Don’t you agree?”

  It took Kerri a second to back pedal through her sister’s words. She got nothing. Darn. She’d completely zoned out.

  “I think that’s what’s been missing from the one’s we’ve interviewed,” Jordan continued.

  Ah, yes, chemistry...with a designer.

  Kerri caught on. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Chemistry is important.”

  It was also very dangerous when it came to a certain brown-eyed cowboy.

  Cole’s bachelor party was in full swing, two nights before the wedding. A night Connor had been dreading.

  He hated stag parties ever since his second attempt at marriage had been ruined by one. An excuse for the groom and his buddies to have a bit of raunchy fun had lost its appeal. But since he was the best man, it was Connor’s duty to see his little brother had one.

  Kevin and Kade were generous enough to offer up their ranch for the festivities, and Kevin had even helped to procure the entertainment. A fact that admittedly made Connor nervous. He shrugged. Too late now. The party had started. He put on a game face for his brother’s sake, but he already couldn’t wait to leave.

  Kerri had made a big batch of chili and three dozen chicken enchiladas, which the men obligingly devoured. All Connor had to do was take care of the snacks and drinks. He’d gotten off easy.

  Having made it thru the food, which was like the cook—mouthwatering delicious—he was leaning back against the bar in the Dalton’s den watching his brother open up prank gifts. Tonight would be different. Tonight would be fun. He was not going to think about Kerri and her sexy body, or prior bachelor parties. This was all about Cole. He was going to enjoy his younger brother’s long deserved happiness.

  Kade passed him a beer and settled next to him. “I have to admit, I’m a little nervous to see what my cousin added to that pile.”

  Connor eyed the gifts littering the coffee table in front of Cole. “You and me both.”

  With Kevin, there was no telling what he’d wrapped, but they were about to find out as the groom-to-be read the prankster’s name on the card attached to the gift in his hand.

  “Why am I suddenly afraid,” Cole said, looking warily at his smiling friend.

  “Cause you’re a wuss,” Kevin replied, smile broadening. “You know, if Jordan tires of you and needs a real man—”

  “I’ll be sure to contact your cousin,” Cole countered, causing the guests to whoop and shout and turn to Kade with big grins.

  Connor watched his buddy stiffen next to him. Yeah, Kade was as happy as he was to be there. He couldn’t help smiling, though. His little brother had landed a good zing to Kevin. Apparently, Kade agreed because the guy relaxed a second later and lifted his beer.

  “Happy to help,” his buddy said. “I always pick up my cousin’s slack anyway.”

  “Yeah, I got your slack right here.” Kevin made an obscene hand gesture and the guys laughed.

  Kade snorted. “No you don’t, or you’d be using two hands.”

  The laughter got louder and Connor found himself joining in. He’d forgotten how much fun it was to listen to the Dalton’s spar. God, it was good to have Kade back, and he could see that sentiment mirrored in Kevin’s eyes.

  “Now I’m really worried about opening this,” his brother said, unwrapping the odd shaped gift to reveal a set of handcuffs.

  Damn, t
hey looked real.

  Cole grinned at his buddy. “I think you know she already has a set.”

  “Yeah.” Kevin nodded. “This is for backup. Besides, it can’t hurt to have two.”

  Wait. Jordan uses handcuffs? He glanced at Kade who raised a brow, then turned back to look at his smiling brother. Jesus. Yes, she must if Cole’s blissful expression was anything to go by.

  And that expression remained on his brother’s face by the time Cole got to the last gift. “It’s from Jordan,” his brother announced, face alive with excitement.

  Connor smiled. He wasn’t surprised. Jordan would never miss out on contributing to Cole’s fun.

  “Come on, open it,” someone shouted.

  “Yeah,” another agreed. “What is it?”

  Everyone leaned closer and waited, the room suddenly quiet as Cole reached into the gift bag.

  Chapter Nine

  Connor watched as his brother lifted out the sexiest damn piece of lingerie he’d ever seen. Hot damn. It was sheer white net and crisscrossed lace with the back cut out and a g-string and garter and stockings...and damn, if it wasn’t the other Masters sister he pictured wearing the sexy number.

  And she looked good, too. Damn good.

  “Your brother’s one lucky son-of-a-bitch,” Kade mumbled before drinking his beer.

  Connor nodded, thankful his buddy had dragged his mind away from thoughts of Kerri and white lace. He was so not going to go there.

  Lifting his beer to his lips, he acknowledged he was halfway through the night. Only the stripper and movie remained.

  The worst parts.

  A second later, the doorbell rang.

  Oh great. Let’s jump right in then.

  “Ah.” Kevin smiled. “Right on time. That would be the entertainment.”

  Cole’s gaze fastened to his from across the room as Kevin rushed to get the door. Connor shrugged.

  “Kevin was in charge of entertainment,” he told his brother.

  Cole made a face. “I’m suddenly afraid again.”

  Kevin returned with a pretty blonde in a tan raincoat. “Everyone, this is Charity.”

  Connor barely held back the smirk.

  “Hi, Charity,” the men chorused.

  She smiled and said hi, her blue eyes clear and bright as she pulled an iPod from her pocket and set it on the coffee table near the lingerie and handcuffs.

  “And this is the groom-to-be, Cole,” Kevin told her, slapping Cole on the shoulder, forcing him to sit down when his brother made to stand. “No need. You just relax and enjoy, buddy.”

  Connor and Kade chuckled at the look of fear on Cole’s face, but his brother was a good sport. He smiled and settled back in his seat, waiting for the show.

  The blonde promptly sat on his brother’s lap, laid her head on his shoulder and made a remark about a baby and a diaphragm. Connor had no idea what she was talking about, but the look on Cole’s face as he threw his head back and laughed told him that his brother certainly understood the joke that had Kevin and the guys from McCall Enterprises in stitches. They were all laughing uncontrollably.

  He exchanged another look with Kade. His buddy raised a brow and shrugged. Good. He wasn’t the only one who had no damn clue what was so funny.

  A smiling Kevin came over and explained an office visit Jordan had made last spring when Cole had refused to take her calls.

  Connor couldn’t catch his breath, he was laughing so hard. Damn, he would’ve given his right nut to have been in that boardroom last year. Leave it to Jordan.

  “Oh man, you should’ve seen your brother’s face,” Kevin said, glancing at him and Kade. “He looked like he wanted to either strangle her or kiss her. It was priceless.”

  Yep, leave it to Jordan. God, she was so good for his stubborn brother.

  “Cole should’ve known better than to piss off a Masters,” he said with a shake of his head and smile still on his lips.

  “True,” Kevin agreed, then turned to walk toward the stripper. “Well, time to get this show going.”

  He helped Charity to her feet, and she slipped out of her shoes then ditched her raincoat to reveal a belly dancing outfit.

  Okay. They were actually going to get something different than a biker chick routine. Connor watched the blonde hit the play button on her iPod and soon the sound of a flute, symbols and drums filled the room.

  So far, Kevin had done pretty good.

  After dancing an exclusive dance for Cole, she started another routine, swaying and jiggling around the other smiling men. Connor was finishing his beer when the blonde turned her attention to Kevin who eagerly danced with the woman.

  The guy had moves, he had to admit, almost as good as his own. Almost. When she started dancing seductively in his direction, Connor watched in amusement as the cute little blonde gyrated her hips in front of him, but when she didn’t move on to Kade, he raised a brow.

  “You know,” he began, as she tried to put a bright pink scarf around his neck but couldn’t reach and ended up putting it around his waist instead. “I’m not the groom,” he finished with a smirk.

  She smiled up at him. “I know, but he said you would enjoy the dance more than he would. So, who am I to complain, cowboy?” She winked while shaking her goods, jingling the chains around her neck and hips.

  Connor glanced at his brother. Cole gave him a puckish grin and raised his beer.

  Yeah, ah, no thanks. Not that she wasn’t pretty, because she was, and stacked, but he wasn’t interested.

  Which should’ve alarmed him.

  Normally, he would’ve been happy to enjoy all the delectable delights the blonde in front of him possessed, but for some reason, he wasn’t in the mood. Probably due to the premise of the party and past party nightmares. He refused to believe his reluctance had anything to do with a certain dark-haired, dark-eyed cook.

  “That’s right nice of you, darlin’.” He tipped his hat then clamped a hand on Kade’s shoulder. “But this is the guy who deserves some attention.” The look Kade gave him had Connor smiling. Time for his buddy to enjoy life. “He just got back from Iraq.”

  “Oh.” The blonde’s eyes lit up, and she swayed to Kade, managing to wrap that pink scarf around his friend’s neck. “I’m always happy to take care of our troops. Extra care.”

  Deciding his buddy was in good hands, Connor left the room for more beer, even though there was plenty behind the bar. Best to give the girl room to work. He knew from Kevin that Kade hadn’t been out with anyone yet. So, yeah, it was past time his friend got some pleasant action.

  When he returned from the kitchen, the stripper was gone and so was Kade. Good. Maybe this party wasn’t so bad.

  “Okay. It’s movie time.” Kevin grinned, and as the men cheered, Connor groaned inwardly.

  And maybe it was.

  It had been during this activity at his second bachelor party that things had gone astray. Big time. The guys had rented the video, Tiffany does Texas, picking it out purposely because the girl had the same name as his fiancée. The joke had turned out to be on him when he watched in horror as images of his future wife and several men came on the screen. He’d been devastated.

  Not because of her secret career, but because she’d never told him, not to mention he later found out she didn’t plan on quitting once they were married.

  Yeah, he fucking hated this part of the party. He was about to leave the room again when Kevin popped the movie in and images of young Jordan and Cole filled the screen.

  His brother gasped in delighted surprise. “Where did this come from?”

  Kevin frowned. “I don’t know. This wasn’t the one I rented,” he grumbled, riffling through a stack of nearby DVD’s.

  Images of the happy couple growing up in both video and print flashed before them. Starting from childhood right to present day, the tape had images of Jordan and some of Kerri that they’d never seen. Connor’s gut tightened at the carefree, bright eyed Kerri in a graduation cap and gown…and
then a wedding gown. Shit. His jaw cracked from teeth he hadn’t realized he’d clenched.

  “Ease up there, buddy,” Kade said quietly. “You might crack a molar.”

  When the hell had he returned? Damn ninja.

  Connor grunted and the tightness eased from his jaw when the video moved on to shots from both 40th anniversary parties from last year. Cole and Jordan were singing for his parents, but that wasn’t what caught his attention. No. It was the dark-haired beauty in his arms, moving with a sensual grace as they danced around the floor. She was smiling up at him in one of those unguarded moments when it actually reached her eyes.

  “Damn, Connor, the two of you move like one,” Kade remarked, tone serious. “You gonna do something about that?”

  Connor grunted. Cripes. Now his mind was jumping onto the move like one train, supplying images of him and Kerri doing a naked tango. Damn. He didn’t need this, or want this. But his body did. Hell yeah. His body immediately remembered how she’d felt in his hands while he’d explored her curves in her bathroom. All soft and warm and responsive.

  He chugged the rest of his beer and set the empty bottle on the bar behind him. Dangerous territory, and that train needed derailing. Fast.

  “So…” He looked sideways at his friend. “Did you give a donation to Charity?”

  Kade smiled. “Nice try changing the subject. But you still didn’t answer my question.”

  “No, I didn’t,” he said. “And you didn’t answer mine.”

  “No. I didn’t.”

  Connor smiled. Neither one said any more. Instead, they turned their attention back to the television and watched the rest of the movie. A movie he was increasingly convinced was there courtesy of his future sister-in-law. Exactly the kind of move that woman would make.

  When it ended with Jordan sitting on a chair at the girl’s new restaurant, acoustic guitar in her hands, he was certain. Yeah, Kevin could kiss that porno good-bye. She’d replaced it with this tape. Thank God. She said a few sweet words for his smiling brother, and Connor’s chest tightened at the love he could see on her face and hear in her voice which continued as she sang a special song for Cole.