Her Unbridled Cowboy (Harland County Series)

by Donna Michaels

  The blonde shrugged her shoulders. “Connor is a big boy. I learned long ago to let him do what he wants.”

  That didn’t help her situation at all. She stepped around Duke to confront Connor. “Look, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I am fine and having a good time. You don’t need to play the big brother.”

  Brown eyes narrowed. “You’re drunk and don’t know what you’re saying.”

  Oh, for the love of…

  “I am not drunk! I’m drinking soda, see?” Anger made her grab her glass from the bar a little too hard, and as she thrust it at him, the force sent her cola onto his shirt.

  With her hand to her mouth, Kerri barely suppressed the snicker that threatened as she tried to apologize. “Sorry, Connor. I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t,” he ground out, ignoring the napkin she grabbed off the bar and thrust in his direction.

  She lifted her chin and calmed her voice. “As you can see, Duke is not trying to get me drunk, so you can leave, and I can go back to having a good time.”

  The cowboy stared at her for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Duke. Kerri shivered as a deep freeze took over his features. It matched the expression on her date’s face.

  “She had better be home at a reasonable hour and unharmed or I will hold you responsible. Do I make myself clear, Carver?”

  He sounded like an irate father dressing down a teenager taking his daughter on her first date. If the two men hadn’t had clenched fists and looked like they wanted to brawl, Kerri would’ve found it comical.

  “I’ll be fine, Connor. Really. Now go,” she said, turning him around and pushing him toward the door.

  Five minutes later, she had a fresh cola in her hand and the dancing had resumed on the moped up floor. But, try as she might, Kerri couldn’t get Connor’s angry face out of her head, or the way Duke had held such vehemence for the cowboy.

  Was this still about Connor’s ex-fiancée that Cole had mentioned? She was really beginning to wonder what exactly had transpired between the two alphas.

  An hour later, Duke pulled up to the side of her apartment and let out a muffled curse.

  A red pickup sat in the shadows.

  He doesn’t quit!

  Connor was leaning up against the hood with his arms folded and one knee bent. With his booted heel hooked on the bumper, he silently watched them.

  “I can’t believe him,” Duke exclaimed. “What does he think I am going to do?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t appreciate his interference.” Kerri sighed, then smiled as an idea began to form in her mind. “I think we need to teach my big brother a little lesson. What do you say?” She focused on Duke’s face semi visible in the moonlight.

  He grinned and sat up straighter. “Sure, I’d love to. What do you have in mind?”

  “Well, first I think I need to do this.” Too busy wanting to teach Connor a lesson to worry about her inadequacies, she cupped his chin and brought her lips to his.

  Duke kissed her back gently, then pulled away with a smile. “I think I’m going to like this. Now what?”

  Not exactly a declaration of passion, but it wasn’t a rebuttal either.

  “Okay. Now you need to come around and open up my door, then put your arm around me and walk me to the stairs,” Kerri explained.

  Duke’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “It would be my pleasure.” He got out and rushed to her side and did as instructed. Stopping at the bottom of the outside stairs, he turned her to face him and grinned. “Now what?”

  “Kiss me again.”

  If she’d been in her right mind, Kerri would’ve been appalled at her actions, but she was beyond right, she was pissed. She caught a glimpse of Connor’s scowl through the corner of her eye and inwardly smiled.

  Good for him.

  Kerri found Duke very obliging and not a bad kisser either as she threw herself into the pretense.

  When they finished, her heart was racing, but not from Duke’s lovemaking. It was pounding because of the charade they were pulling on Connor.

  As they broke apart, she noticed the cowboy was no longer leaning against his truck. He was now standing a few feet from it, squinting and watching them intently.

  Shoot. He was supposed to get mad and leave. Now what was she going to do?

  Darn, stubborn cowboy.

  Since he refused to leave, Kerri had no choice but to take the game up a notch.

  Smiling sweetly, she pulled out her keys and looked up at Duke. “Looks like we’ll have to go inside. He’s not leaving.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Her date smiled, then set his hand lightly on the small of her back to guide her up the stairs.

  In the hallway, she glanced through one of the windows and watched Connor stare at the door for a few seconds before raising his hands in the air and walking around in a circle. Stopping, he looked at the door again, and then angrily kicked at the gravel, spewing it in all directions before finally getting into his truck.

  Good. He’s leaving. Kerri thought she’d won until he settled back in his seat and made no attempt to start the darn truck.

  Her heart fell. Bugger was calling her bluff. She was stuck. Had no choice. She had to take Duke into the apartment.

  “He is one stubborn brother,” Duke said from behind.

  Turning around, she laughed as nervousness started to set in. “Yes, he sure is. And I can’t very well send you out there now. How long should we wait…an hour?” she asked, leading them into her apartment.

  A wicked gleam entered his eyes. “How about two?”

  She smiled. “Oh, I don’t know if I can be that mean.” Although, after his tramp remark, maybe she should.

  Duke helped her out of her coat, then jumped when Bullet let out a low bark.

  Kerri bent to pet the dog. “Hey, it’s okay, boy.”

  Bullet didn’t bark or growl again, but he remained by her side. She straightened and turned to Duke. “You might as well have a seat. I’m sure we can find something to watch. If not, I have a few DVD’s,” she told him, then smiled. “How about some popcorn?”

  “Buttered?” he asked with a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

  “Of course.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He smiled, then walked away, but turned around. “Aren’t you worried what people are going to think with one cowboy sitting outside and one in the apartment?”

  She snickered, highly doubting anyone would take notice at all. They were pretty much in a commercial area with all the shops already closed. “No. People can think what they want. I know nothing’s going on.”

  Kerri didn’t miss his raised brows, so she pointed a finger at him. “Don’t you go getting any ideas or I’ll be forced to use kung fu on you. I do hold a black belt, just so you know.”

  Well, almost. Jordan had insisted Kerri learn self-defense before she had gone to New York. Her sister taught some great moves and that had sparked Kerri’s interest. After her divorce, she’d started lessons and was currently a second degree purple belt. Her training would have to wait until she returned to the west coast.

  Another casualty of the earthquake.

  “I won’t. I promise.” Duke backed away, hands up with a smile on his face, while Bullet never took his eyes off him. “Beside, you’ve got the Terminator sitting out in the parking lot, and Cujo right here.”

  True.

  A bag of popcorn, a comedian’s videotaped routine, two cans of cola and one hour later, Kerri and Duke headed for the stairs.

  On the way down the outside hall, Kerri carefully peered through the window. “I wonder if he fell asleep yet.”

  “Connor? Not a chance.” Duke’s scathing voice filled the space between them. “Will you be all right when I leave? McCall can be a bastard,” he spat, contempt filling his gaze.

  “I’ll be fine,” she reassured. “But I need to do something first. I’ll be right back.”

  She headed back into her apartment, kicked off her shoes, remo
ved her pantyhose, then took the clips out of her hair. Shaking her head upside down, she ran her fingers through it before standing up again. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed it looked wild enough, so she rushed back to the long hallway.

  Duke’s eyebrows rose and mouth dropped. “Wow. You don’t play fair, do you?”

  “Nope.” She grinned. “I learned from the best.”

  Yes, Jordan would be quite proud.

  “It’s about damn time,” Connor muttered inside his truck when the building’s door finally opened after an hour of pure hell.

  A half a dozen times, he’d been ready to rush up to the apartment, but managed to hold back. Barely. The last time had been ten minutes ago. He even had his hand on the door knob as images of Duke forcing himself on Kerri had finally gotten the better of him. They had him out of his truck, up the stairs, down the hallway and in front of her door. The sound of her laughter was the only thing that had stopped him from bursting inside. The only thing.

  Relief had washed over him in waves as her giggles signaled her safety. It was on his way back to the truck that raw fury took over.

  How could she make love to Duke knowing he was outside worrying about her?

  Connor pressed the button to illuminate his watch and his anger increased. She took her damn time, too!

  Thrusting a hand through his hair, he expelled a breath, trying to get a handle on his temper before the lovebirds reached the bottom of the stairs.

  What the hell was wrong with him? Seriously. He needed his head examined. Kerri’s love life was none of his damn business.

  He’d had no intensions of following her tonight, but before he knew it, he was pulling up in front of the Gulfport restaurant with Ashley, and the rest was history.

  Christ. The thought of Kerri with Carver made him fucking sick.

  Visions of Kerri being made love to filled his mind. Her hair down and tossed about, a soft flush to her cheeks and her luscious lips moist and swollen from passion. Connor’s gut clenched at the thought of Duke bringing Kerri to that state.

  It should be him.

  Maybe they didn’t do anything. Maybe they just talked. He got out and leaned against his truck, watching the couple walk to the bottom of the stairs.

  His wishful thinking disintegrated in the moonlight. Shit. Her hair was now loose and tangled down her back, and the fact she stopped at the bottom step brought his attention to her lack of shoes.

  Jealousy ripped through his gut as he bore witness to their kiss and lingering embrace. If possible, smoke would’ve come out of his ears. Duke caressed Kerri’s face before leaving her to walk to his car. Then the bastard saluted him.

  Carver fucking saluted him!

  Connor’s knuckles cracked into fists as Duke got into his car and drove off with a honk of his horn.

  No good rotten bastard!

  Expelling the breath he hadn’t known he was holding, Connor focused his attention on Kerri who was half way up the stairs. Oh, hell no. As swift as sin, he raced up the stairs and beat her to her door. No way in hell was she going to just go inside and ignore him.

  “Oh no you don’t,” he ground out, using his body to block her.

  She sighed. “Connor, move out of the way. I am not in the mood.”

  The woman had some fucking nerve to say that to his face after keeping him waiting outside while she fooled around with Duke.

  His fury was insurmountable, and as she pushed passed him, he quickly followed her in before she had the chance to shut him out.

  Kerri stared at him through weary eyes. “Connor, please leave.”

  “No,” he said. “We need to talk.” As if knowing this, Bullet got up then disappeared down the hall.

  “Talk?” Her voice rose. “After the way you acted tonight, I have nothing to say to you.” She dismissed him, and then walked further into her apartment.

  “The way I acted? You were the tramp tonight, Kerri, not me.” He followed closely behind and nearly bumped into her when she stopped dead.

  Twisting around, her hair was wild about her face, and browns eyes flashed with temper. Christ. He knew he shouldn’t be thinking this, but God, she was beautiful.

  “That’s the second time you called me that tonight, Connor.” Her chest rose at a rapid rate. “Don’t make the mistake of doing it again.”

  His temper returned to unsafe. “Yeah, well if the shoe fits, darlin’.”

  She smiled a damn wicked smile. “But I’m not wearing any shoes.” Then stuck her foot out for his inspection.

  “Exactly,” he grounded out as a fierce emotion took over. One he didn’t recognize.

  Her eyes lost their mirth and grew even darker, and a second later, her hand made contact with his face. Catching her wrist on its decent, he ignored the stinging of his cheek and pulled her to him.

  “Let go.”

  She tried to yank free, but he held on and backed her up against the wall before she could strike again. Trapped, she glared up at him, eyes wild, hair wild, cheeks flushed, and his groin tightened at the erotic sight. She was so damned beautiful and sexy that his hunger grew out of control, as did the bulge in his jeans. It was too much. Just too damn much.

  He grabbed the back of her neck and brought his mouth down on hers. Hard. She resisted for a mere second until he ran his tongue over her lips. Hot damn, her moan granted him access to the sweetness he knew she had hidden inside.

  Pressing his body to hers, he groaned when she swept her tongue into his mouth. His whole body was on fire. He picked her up and carried her to the living room, making sure not to break contact with her mouth.

  Once there, he followed her down onto the couch and pulled his lips away so they could drag in air. She stared at him through dazed eyes, and God, he knew exactly how she felt. Off kilter. Hungry. Hot. He lowered his lips to her neck, and as she moaned and clutched his back, his need to feel more of her intensified.

  Things got crazy. His hand glided over her dress, enjoying the feel of her breast against the silky material as he teased her nipple into a tight peak. She wiggled underneath him, tugging his shirt free so she could run her hands over his bare back. God, she was so responsive. His mouth sought the bared flesh of her cleavage, and she arched into him while pressing his head to her chest.

  So damn responsive.

  Blood pounded through Connor’s head, and his heartbeats drummed an Alleluia he’d never heard before. He knew he should stop. Things were way out of hand, but he couldn’t. God, no. He needed to touch more of her.

  His hand reluctantly left her breast and made its way over the delicious curve of her hip, down to her thigh. She let out a little whimper that nearly did him in. He pulled her dress up and his palm met with warm, soft, supple leg.

  Bare leg.

  Shit. Her stockings were gone.

  He jerked back, and for the first time since entering her apartment, he took in the details of the room. There were pillows on the floor.

  He didn’t put them there.

  Her shoes and missing panty hose were lying in a heap near the chair.

  He didn’t put them there either.

  Son-of-a-bitch.

  Looking down at her surprised face, the reality of what he was doing hit him hard.

  Once again he was taken in by a city girl.

  Not more than a half hour ago, she was in this very room having sex with Duke, the evidence was all around them, and now she was allowing him those same privileges. Well, he sure as hell didn’t want them.

  He sprang from the couch, barely able to breath, he was so fucking angry.

  She reached for his hand. “What’s wrong, Connor?” Her voice sounded innocent.

  Oh, she’s good.

  He shook her hand off. “You are what’s wrong, Kerri! I must have been crazy to think…” his voice trailed off as anger with himself boiled over.

  How could he allow himself to be taken in by a girl like her? Again.

  He looked down at the hurt expression on her face
. It was so intense, he almost believed it was real, except the events of the evening spoke for themselves. She had played him for a fool, and this was the last time this cowboy was going to let that happen. The very last time.

  “What’s wrong, Kerri? Did I spoil your plans?” He continued to stare down at her, anger shaking his limbs. “Well, take a good look, darlin’, because this is the look of a man you won’t have.” And after giving her body a quick dismissing glance, he headed for the door and didn’t look back.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kerri glanced at the German Shepherd sitting in the passenger seat happily staring out the window. She was going to miss Bullet. He’d been a godsend this past week, seeming to sense her desolation and didn’t leave her side for much of the time. Still, she could tell he missed Jordan, and she was happy to be the one to reunite them.

  So much for being spared the humiliation of seeing Connor again.

  Maybe tonight her sister would be so overwhelmed with happiness she wouldn’t catch on to Kerri’s deceit. Her ruse that nothing was wrong, that deep inside she didn’t feel cold and raw and like such a failure.

  At least, she hoped her sister wouldn’t catch on.

  Fooling her parents was one thing, but trying to pull something over on Jordan was near impossible.

  Sighing, she parked the car and crossed her fingers for luck before getting out with her excited companion.

  The front door opened before she got there, and Cole ushered them in as the wind picked up. Her chest tightened. God, he looked so happy. Kerri hugged him and then her sister before taking her coat off and putting it into the coat closet while the couple reunited with their happy dog.

  Kerri watched the newlyweds and could sense right away a difference in them. They had been happy before, but now...wow...their warm expressions and loose posture just oozed contentment and pure bliss. Total serenity.

  Kerri fought the urge to sigh. She wanted that, too.

  “Thanks for watching him for us,” her sister said, still on her knees as Bullet continued to lavish her with welcome home kisses.

  Kerri smiled. “It was my pleasure. He kept me good company.”