Billionaire Cowboy Kisses

by Kristen Echo

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  Her beauty struck me like a bolt of lightning. I wouldn’t presume that Rose would be interested in a man in his mid-thirties, but that didn’t stop me from picturing her in my arms and sprawled across my bed. Not that I’d ever act on those urges. Her dad was my closest friend. It wouldn’t be right. Unless he and Callie had orchestrated this meeting. I couldn’t be sure, but I wouldn’t put it past my neighbors to set me up with their daughter.

  “I’ll take care of you,” I said to ease her fears. As the words stumbled out, I meant them. I wanted to protect her. When her leg brushed against my arm, I groaned under my breath. Keeping my hands off her would be damn near impossible.

  “If I’m interrupting something… Trevor, you don’t have to go out of your way for me.”

  “It’s my pleasure. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Oh,” she whispered as I mounted the horse and settled behind her.

  Her soft curves and sweet smell were irresistible. Bringing her back to my place probably wasn't a wise move, but I wasn't ready to part ways. Her breath hitched as I wrapped an arm around her soft waist and directed the horse towards my home.

  The ride was far from comfortable, but it didn't take long. Within a matter of minutes, we stopped in front of the two-story log cabin. The dude ranch had several outbuildings, but they hadn’t been used in ages. The more I considered re-opening the century old ranch, the more I didn’t want to do it alone.

  I dismounted, tied the horse to the hitching post, and pulled her into my arms. “You okay, Rose?”

  With her cradled against my chest, she draped her arms around my neck and smiled. I breathed her in. A mix of honeysuckle and hay. Earthy and mouth-watering. She fit perfectly in my arms. My stomach growled and my cock twitched.

  “I can walk. You should put me down, Trevor. You’re likely to break your back lifting me like this.”

  “You won’t break me.” I smirked. I wanted to keep her close, but she needed to get warm. As I set her down, her soft curves slid against the hard planes of my body. I stepped away before she felt my erection.

  I climbed the steps slowly. My knees ached, but I trudged across the porch and opened the door for her. “Ladies first,” I said, ushering her inside.

  She giggled, filling my home with joy. “Always a gentleman.”

  Her sweet ass swayed as she stepped past me. I wanted to tear my coat from her body and see all her magnificent curves. I wanted to kiss my way down her spine and dig my teeth into her round bottom. If she knew the dirty things I could do to her and the naughty thoughts in my head, she’d take back that statement.

  “Tell me what brought you out this way.” I kicked the door shut behind us and grabbed her freezing hand.

  Her eyes wouldn’t meet mine as I guided her towards the fireplace. “It was partly my parents,” she admitted. “But, I didn’t want to bother you.”

  I knew it!

  Callie had followed through on her words. This revelation made my smile deepen. I hadn’t wanted to be set up, but this might not be so bad. As we approached the stone hearth, I released her hand. She held her frozen fingers towards the fire and rubbed her hands together.

  “You’re no bother. One of the few people I don’t mind having around, to be honest.”

  I hadn’t always been hard to get along with, but the past few years had been rough. After my career ended unexpectedly and my wife bailed, I got angry. I pushed everyone away, earning my reputation as a jerk. Letting people see me as anything less than strong hurt more than the injuries themselves, but just because my body wasn’t in top shape anymore didn’t make me less of a man. I had to let the old image of myself go. That was easier said than done.

  “Thanks. Things at home have… I had a fight with my folks. You could say we’re not seeing eye to eye these days.”

  “That explains the tears.” I hoped Callie and Roger hadn’t forced her to come to me. I would never force this precious woman into anything. Hell, I wasn’t even sure anyone would want to date a broken, has-been like me. “Want to talk about it?”

  Her eyes found mine. “I got a job offer past Kalispell, but my folks won’t let me go. It’s aggravating.”

  I didn’t like the thought of her leaving the area. I was glad her folks put their foot down. There had to be other options closer. Like working for me. With me.

  “What type of work? I always thought you enjoyed working on the ranch.”

  “I do. Love it; but I’d prefer working on a dude ranch with guests and a constant mix of excitement.”

  I grinned. “Never took you for a thrill seeker.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s nothing like the rodeo.” She covered her mouth. “Oh gosh. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

  “Don’t be sorry. They aren’t all bad memories.” I pulled her hand away from her face. “I’ve said my goodbyes to that life.”

  “It’s time to think about the future. It’s my birthday tomorrow and I want… I didn’t feel like spending it doing the same old thing. Wouldn’t you say by twenty-one I’m old enough to know what I want?”

  It felt like she wasn’t talking about work. I glanced at the fireplace. The flames had diminished, leaving only embers. I quickly rekindled the fire by adding more logs. More than required. I needed to keep my hands busy, so I didn’t pull her into my arms and claim her lips. She stood next to me, watching me. I liked having her eyes on me. Her gaze dipped lower and fixed on my cock. She held her breath.

  “Breathe, Rose. I’m not going to hurt you.”

  She exhaled with a laugh. “I haven’t been inside here in years.” Her fingers glided across the wooden mantel. “Could use a woman’s touch.”

  That was an understatement. Rubbing the back of my neck, I looked around the old place. Nothing but wood, stone and leather. She was right. It lacked charm. I grunted; not sure what to say.

  “Don’t get me wrong; I’ve always loved this place,” she added. “If you reopened for business, I bet it would be a hit again. I could help you. If you wanted?”

  Any doubt my friends had put her up to this left. Her offer was tempting. More tempting than I wanted to admit.

  “Funny you should say that. I’ve been considering making some life changes.”

  “Really?” Her tongue snaked between her teeth, wetting her lips.

  So damn tempting. My hands balled into fists as I tapped into every ounce of self-control I could muster. I most definitely wanted her, but she deserved to be wooed. Not ravaged.

  “Let me put your horse in the stable with the others and then we’ll talk.” I kissed the top of her head and left.

  Chapter 4

  Rose

  * * *

  I’d never seen a bulge that big in my entire life. My mouth went dry and I couldn’t catch my breath. The boys at school would get hard sometimes, but nothing like that. Scott wasn’t anywhere near that big. My heart skipped a beat, knowing I had caused Trevor’s arousal.

  His cowboy boots stepped heavily against the wood floors as he turned and marched away with a slight limp. I watched him leave, enjoying the way his jeans hugged his firm backside. Almost like the denim had been custom made for his thick and long legs.

  Something had shifted between us. He no longer looked at me like a little girl. There was a spark in his gaze I hadn’t noticed before. I liked it.

  “Eeek!” I screamed as quietly as possible once the door closed behind Trevor.

  I was in his house. More than half-naked in his living room. I hugged his jacket and breathed in his scent. Spice, wood and earth. Manly, rugged and sexy. Just like the man himself.

  My evening had taken a massive twist in a good direction. For the first time since my folks put their foot down and refused to let me move away, I wasn’t sad. Instead of getting dressed, I stood by the fire like my feet were rooted in place. I didn’t want to intrude or snoop around his home.

  He was gone for a long time as I stared
at the fire. When the door creaked, I turned towards Trevor. His big frame filled the entire doorway. He was covered in snow like a six-foot-plus snowman.

  I smiled. “Was about to send a search party after you. Everything all right?”

  “It’s fine,” he barked, shaking off the snow. He rubbed his leg and growled. “Slipped is all.”

  “Are you hurt?” I stepped towards him, but he waved me away. “Let me help you.”

  “No! Why didn’t you get dressed? Rose, you should have found some clothes and covered yourself.”

  The wind wailed behind him. The easygoing almost playful tone from earlier was gone. I searched his brown eyes and the lust and desire had faded too. Maybe I had misread it from the start, projecting the feelings I wanted.

  “Didn’t want to go through your stuff without your permission.”

  “Right. Appreciate that.” He closed the door and placed his hat on a hook. “I’ll put your stuff in the dryer and get you something to wear. I’ll be quick.”

  Without looking at me, he stomped out of the room. This time his limp was far more pronounced. If he didn’t want me over, he shouldn’t have invited me. I unzipped his coat, eager to get it off my skin. I would have thrown it on the ground, but then I’d be standing there naked when he returned. Holding it over my front, I waited.

  When he entered the room, a low hiss eclipsed his heavy steps. He mumbled under his breath as he walked towards me. His eyes avoided mine. “You can change in any one of the guest rooms or bathrooms. Take your pick, but not here. Once you’re decent, we’ll call your daddy.”

  “Fine.” I swiped the plaid shirt and shorts from his hands and dropped the jacket by his feet.

  As I stepped by him, I glanced over my shoulder to see if he was checking me out. He wasn’t. He very clearly wasn’t interested in me.

  The rejection stung. My eyes filled with tears, but I refused to let them fall. I locked the bathroom door, leaned against the wood and exhaled. I blinked away the tears. No point crying over a man that wasn’t mine and never would be. Since I’d turned eighteen, the sparks flared hotter every time our paths crossed. One second, I’d think the attraction wasn’t one sided, then he’d say or do something to remind me it would never happen.

  This crush had to end at some point. I wasn’t his type. Plain and simple.

  I rummaged through his cabinet and found an elastic band to tie my hair back. His red and blue plaid button-down hung like a dress over my thighs. Trevor was a big man. Well over a foot taller than me. His shorts fit my wide hips, making me wish I’d laid off Mamma’s treats a little more often. My full figure might not turn his head, but there were plenty of men who found me attractive. I’d had a few offers from the men in town and Scott never seemed to mind.

  “If you don’t like me, it’s your loss,” I mumbled as I left the bathroom.

  The living room was empty and hot. We may have added too many logs. I dropped my boots by the door next to his.

  “Where are you?”

  “Kitchen,” he replied.

  Trevor had fixed sandwiches and set the table for two. With his dark sleeves rolled up to his biceps, his tanned muscles flexed and made my stomach do a somersault. The top buttons on his shirt were open and a trickle of sweat slid down his neck. He was ridiculously handsome.

  “I’m not much of a cook, but I figured you might want to eat.” He motioned for me to join him at the table.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  He stood and pulled out a chair. “Sit with me anyway.”

  I sat and chuckled as he pushed in my chair. “Did you call my folks? Let them know I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “Not yet.” He sat across from me. “I’m not sure it’s safe for you to ride in this storm.”

  “It’s Montana. Wait a few more minutes, and the storm will pass.”

  Shrugging my shoulders, I picked up the sandwich and took a bite. A low moan escaped as I swallowed. I’d been lying when I told him I wasn’t hungry. I hadn’t eaten dinner and was famished. Biting and chewing like a starved animal, I devoured the sandwich quickly.

  “This is good,” I said, filling the silence. “So, you’ll drive me back in your truck?”

  A few crumbs had collected on my breasts. I wiped them away and took another bite. His mouth hung open as he watched me eat. I licked my fingers. Self-consciously, I picked up the red cloth napkin next to the plate and used it to wipe the mustard from my mouth. The entire time his big brown eyes were on me. This wasn’t our first meal together, but my family had always been with us. Maybe he was still used to being around ladies like his ex who delicately nibbled on their salads. That was not me.

  I stared back. “What?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head and bit into his sandwich. His trimmed beard shimmered as he chewed. It wasn’t fair for someone to look so gorgeous while eating.

  “Are you going to drive me once my clothes are dry?”

  He didn’t answer. I grabbed another sandwich from the pile in the center. We ate in comfortable silence. Every now and again, I’d catch him staring at my mouth. I was sure I had a mustard mustache, but the napkin always came away clean.

  “Do you think your parents—”

  “I’d rather not talk about them,” I said, pouring us each a glass of sweet tea from the pitcher.

  “What would you like to discuss? This storm might last for a while.”

  “You mentioned you might re-open your ranch. Trevor, are you serious?”

  He nodded. My leg bounced under the table. I didn’t want to get too excited, but I’d always dreamed of working on this land.

  “That’s great news. For the record, I’d make a great ranch manager. I’ve got the experience, and no one knows these mountains or the work better than me. I don’t mind the hours, and I could help you—”

  “You’ve got a lot of passion, little Rose. You don’t need to sell me on your virtues. I’d be damn lucky to have you.”

  I swallowed a mouthful of sweet tea and smiled. “Does that mean you’re interested in giving me a chance?”

  He closed his eyes, hesitating; almost like he was struggling to answer. “Tempting.”

  “No hard feelings if you have someone else in mind. Bet I’m not the only person interested. You’ve got plenty of options in town.”

  His eyes flew open. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you,” he said. “But… I’ll admit I’m interested.”

  Why wouldn’t it be a good idea for me? His statement made little sense. I disregarded that part and focused on his interest. “What’s your timeline for the opening?”

  “If I can get this place back into shape, it might be an option to open by summer.”

  With Christmas around the corner, that allowed plenty of time. “I’ll help you. I can come by every day once my chores are done. You’ll be sick of me soon enough.”

  “Not sure I’d ever get tired of that pretty face.” He winked and grabbed his third sandwich.

  My cheeks heated at the compliment. I leaned forward and licked my lips, loving the way he chewed his food. When he finished, he patted his flat stomach and smiled. The full force struck me like a kick to the gut, driving me back in my seat.

  “I’m full. Rose, can I get you anything?”

  “No, I’m good,” I replied breathlessly. “I’m just glad to be here.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Right. My pleasure. Shall we call your parents?”

  Talking to them was not my top priority, but it needed to be done. They worried about me even when they didn’t need to. “Sure. You go ahead; I’ve got nothing to say at this moment.”

  Not many folks had landlines anymore, but Trevor did. He had one of those old-fashioned rotary types that belonged in museums. I laughed as he dialed my daddy’s cell.

  “Roger, it’s Trevor. How are you?”

  I couldn’t hear Daddy, but his loud bark conveyed his unhappiness loud and clear. No doubt he was still stewing because of me. Poor Trevor co
uldn’t get a word in edgewise. If I got a job next door, I’d bet they’d be happier. I crossed my fingers under the table, hoping this job came through. Working alongside my crush wouldn’t be easy, but I’d get over it.

  “Sounds like she did the right thing. She’s a good girl. I mean, you’ve raised a fine and capable young woman.” The compliment shot directly to my heart like Cupid’s arrow, making me fall a little harder for the man. “Speaking of Rose, as I’m sure you know, she’s here. I think it’s safest if she spends the night. Until the storm passes. I wouldn’t want to risk the roads.” He waited for my daddy to respond. “Understood. I’ll keep her safe.”

  Another long silence passed before Trevor spoke again. “Like she was mine. You’ve got my word. Would you like to talk with her?”

  I shook my head and refused the phone. My pulse raced. I was spending the night with Trevor. I pushed away from the table and paced around the kitchen island.

  “She just stepped away. I’ll get her to call in the morning,” he said. “You got that right, old friend. Give my best to Callie. Bye.”

  He hung up and sauntered towards me. My eyes were surely the size of saucers. Placing his hands on my shoulders, my mouth went dry. I tried to speak, but nothing came out.

  “I should have asked you first. Are you okay with spending the night?”

  My head nodded like one of those annoying bobbleheads. “You want me to sleep with you?”

  I meant to say sleep over, but it came out wrong. I giggled, and Trevor laughed along with me. The air around us felt supercharged and electric.

  “I’d never presume anything.” His hands ran down my arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He grabbed my hand, threading our fingers together. “Come with me. I’ll show you around.”

  The only room I wanted to see was his. I wanted to share his bed and feel those big hands against my bare skin. Feel the weight and heat of a man on top of me and inside me. I’d never wanted anything more in my entire life.

  “Sounds good.”

  His smile sent my heart into overdrive. “You can take your pick of the rooms. I’ve got plenty.”