Boots and Buckles (6 page)

Sam smoothed a hair back behind her ear. “You won’t regret it later, and think I’m just like the other rodeo cowboys?”

“I promise.”

He snorted softly. “Why don’t I believe you?”

“Do you always talk this much?” She ripped his shirt out of his trousers and shoved it over his shoulders.

“One more question.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Do you always undress men in public?”

She grabbed the hem of her shirt and dragged it up over her torso and breasts and tossed it in his face. “Do you always analyze things to death?”

“Only if they perplex me.” He frowned, holding her shirt in his hand. “And you perplex me.”

She reached behind her and unhooked her bra. “Then analyze this.” Mona flung her bra in his face and raced up the stairs. Her hand shaking, she jammed her key into the lock. What had come over her? Had she just stripped outside her apartment with a man she’d met a couple of hours ago? A stranger to her. For all she knew, he could be a nut case. Or a really nice guy she wanted to make love to her to help her forget Grant. Then she’d show him the door because he was with the rodeo, and he wouldn’t be staying around when the show was over anyway.

Her pulse pounded and her breath caught in her throat as Sam ran up the stairs behind her. A twinge of guilt had her chewing her bottom lip again. Was it fair to Sam that she was using him to get over Grant?

She shoved the door open, refusing to think past her heated loins. Before she could get inside, Sam scooped her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold, kicking the door shut behind him. He was strong, his arms like steel bands around her. A shiver of excitement rippled across her body.

Why was she worried? Why was she feeling any guilt whatsoever? Grant had dumped her, married another woman within weeks and hadn’t been back for three years.

With an optimistic stash of condoms in her nightstand and no commitments to anyone, Mona was a free spirit, capable of making love to anyone she damn well pleased without guilt or hesitation.

Sam didn’t put her down until he reached the tiny bedroom where her queen-sized bed took up almost all of the space. He set her on her feet and ran his hands down to her waist and lower to slip into the waistband of her cutoff jean shorts.

He kissed her, his tongue tracing the line of her lips, then he dragged his mouth over her chin and down the long line of her neck to where the pulse beat like a snare drum at the base.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she whispered, pushing the button of his jeans through. She slid the zipper down and parted the fly. Before she could wonder whether he wore boxers or briefs, his cock sprang free into the palm of her hand.

Ah yes, a man after her heart. He preferred going commando.

She couldn’t get the jeans off him fast enough.

Dalton had been a boxers guy. Grant preferred nothing at all, like Sam.

With Sam’s jeans down to his knees and her own sliding over her thighs, why did she have to think of Grant?

Mona forced thoughts of Sam’s partner from her mind and stepped out of her shorts, standing naked in front of Sam as he kicked his boots off and dropped his jeans on the floor.

He backed her up to the edge of the bed and she sat.

Sam leaned over her, easing her down to the mattress, her legs dangling off the edge. He picked up where his lips had left off at the base of her throat and blazed a trail of kisses and nibbles across her collarbone to the smooth mounds of her breasts.

Mona inhaled, her chest rising, encouraging Sam to take one of the turgid peaks between his lips.

He did, sucking it into his mouth and rolling the tip of her nipple across his tongue. His hand slid down her ribs to the juncture of her thighs.

She widened her legs, eager to have him there. He’d captured her attention from the start with his high Indian cheekbones, swarthy skin and a chest so broad it filled the room. His smooth, darkly tanned skin and work-roughened hands were doing crazy things to her.

Mona shut out thoughts of Grant and let Sam fill her mind, body and soul. She moaned and squirmed beneath his touch, wanting so much more.

And the man gave it to her. One long digit slipped into her drenched pussy, swirling as her muscles contracted around it. Then another finger joined the first and another as he pumped in and out of her, while his lips heated her belly and found the soft mound of hair covering her mons.

Her breath hitched as he parted her folds and stroked a wet finger over the center. Mona arched her back, her fingers twisting in his hair, urging him closer.

He draped her thighs over his shoulders and went in for the clincher, his tongue snaking out to lap at her clit.

Mona’s heels dug into his back and she moaned, the tension building inside, sensations tingling from her core all the way to her toes. “Now.”

“Not until you’re there,” he whispered against her damp pussy and tongued her again, sending her rocketing over the edge. Her body stiffened and she rode the wave of ecstasy as he flicked and laved her until she could take it no more and tugged at his hair, pulling him up her body.

Sam stood, but refused to enter her. “Protection?”

“In the drawer. Hurry!” She moaned, wrapping her legs around his buttocks, the cool air doing nothing to chill her desire.

He dove for the drawer and rummaged until he found a foil packet, ripped it open and rolled it down over his engorged cock. Then he thrust into her in one long, slow stroke, filling her with his length and girth.

Mona locked her legs around his waist and pressed him deeper. “Harder,” she urged.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” He smoothed a hand down her belly to her thatch of curls, finding and flicking her clit.

“Sweet Jesus, do it!” She flexed her legs, slamming him into her.

He gripped her hips and went at her like a jackhammer, pounding into her again and again, his huge cock burning to her center. His body grew rigid, his fingers digging into her buttocks, and he threw back his head as he rammed into her one last time.

She hit a second wave as his cock throbbed inside her. For a long moment they remained still, savoring to the last spasm the magic of making love.

Then Sam withdrew from her, peeled off the condom, tossed it in the trash and climbed into the bed beside her. He pulled her up onto the pillow and spooned her backside against him. “You’re incredible.”

“So are you.” She lay with her back to the man, her thoughts whirling, spinning images of Sam and Grant together until she felt so dizzy she couldn’t take it anymore. Mona pushed Sam’s arm away and got out of the bed.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” Then she ducked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

What had she just done? She could still be in love with Grant, yet she’d just had soul-shattering sex with his partner. How the hell would she dig herself out of this emotional crater?

Chapter Five

Sam woke before dawn and lay there watching Mona as the sun peeked through the window, spreading a ray of pale, yellow light over Mona’s naked body.

The air conditioner hadn’t kept up with them the night before and she lay on top of the sheets, her legs splayed, one draped over his, her dark brown hair fanned across the pillow, golden highlights picked up by the sun. She was an angel, her face calm, unlike the night before when she’d returned to the bed, a frown denting her brow.

He figured she was feeling scared and unsure of their lovemaking. He had set out to convince her what they’d done was not only good, but right. They’d made love until somewhere around two when Mona finally crashed in his arms, a smile on her face, worn out and satiated.

It took Sam longer to fall to sleep as he contemplated his next move with this woman. She was as skittish as a new colt. He’d have to gentle her into believing that he wasn’t out for a one-night stand, and that he wasn’t like every other cowboy in the rodeo, going for the buckle and moving on to the next conquest. He had dreams of settling down and building a life for himself. Once he got his sister through college and saved a little more money toward a down payment on a ranch, he planned on raising horses, cattle and kids.

As he stared up at the ceiling, sleepless, he pictured Mona as the mother of those kids. She’d be beautiful, her belly swelled with child. Never in all his adult years had he felt this drawn to a woman. And he’d only known her for one night. He shoved a hand through his hair. Why now? Why her?

Hell, he knew why. She had a body that didn’t quit. The woman was beautiful and sexy, and he fit perfectly inside her.

Leaning up on his elbow, he stared down at her creamy complexion and the way her lashes made dark crescents on her cheeks. Her lips were a deep rose, full and swollen from all the kissing they’d done.

The sun rose, warming the room. Sam slipped from the bed, careful not to wake her, and pulled on his jeans and shirt, leaving the buttons for later.

Mona would have to rise soon enough and be on her feet all day doing hair at her beauty shop. Then she’d be back at the Ugly Stick that night to serve a bunch of rowdy cowboys. The woman had to have a lot of energy and spunk to last all day long and put up with the raucous rodeo crowd.

Sam grinned. He still planned on having coffee with her at ten o’clock, but he had work to do before then. He brushed her lips with a feather-soft kiss, grabbed his boots and ducked out of her apartment, closing the door softly behind him. He waited until he reached the bottom of the stairs before tugging on his boots. His truck stood where he’d left it behind the beauty shop in the alley.

A woman leaned against it, her eyes narrowed, tapping a long-stemmed red rose in her palm, like a weapon she might use on him.

“Howdy.” He straightened and crossed toward her, his feet slowing when she didn’t move away from his truck.

“Sam Whitefeather, right?” she asked.

He nodded. “I’m sorry, have we met?”

“No.” She stuck out her empty hand. “Bunny Leigh, Mona’s best friend.”

Sam nodded, beginning to see why the woman had such a fierce look on her face. “I take it you’re here to warn me to leave her alone.”

Bunny crossed her arms. “No. I’m here to warn you not to hurt her.”

“Rest assured, I have no plans in the near future of hurting Mona.”

“Good. Took her three years to get over the last cowboy that waltzed into and out of her life.” Bunny pushed away from the side of the truck and stood toe-to-toe with Sam. The woman was a good foot shorter than him, but for all her small stature, she gave him a helluva big I’ll-kill-you look. “I’d hate to have to come after you.” Bunny tapped the red rose against his bare chest. “Got it, mister?”

He held up his hands in surrender. God forbid she should use the soft petals of the rose on him. Sam fought the smile threatening to explode on his face. Now would not be a good time to laugh. Mona had a good friend in Bunny, and for that, he was thankful. Grabbing Bunny’s arms, he set her away from him and stared down into her eyes. “I’ve only just met Mona, but I can see she’s a special woman. You don’t have to worry. I’ll treat her with the respect that she deserves.”

Bunny’s brows twisted. “Respect? Respect is a given. If you’re gonna hump her bones, at least don’t lead her on. That’s what I care about. I don’t relish the idea of picking up the pieces again. It hurts me to see her in pain.”

His fists tightened at the thought of someone breaking Mona’s heart. “I’d like to get my hands on the guy who jacked her up.”

“You don’t know who it was?” Bunny’s eyes narrowed.

“No. Do you?”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. “I do. But it’s not my place to say. If I’m not mistaken, Mona might still have feelings for the jerk.” Bunny’s shoulders sagged. “Otherwise, I’d have done him some serious damage. I better get back to work. I have to get flowers together for a funeral by noon.”

“Sounds depressing.”

“Would be, if flowers didn’t make me so happy.” She nodded toward him. “Let me know if you need any help with Mona.”

“Do you always go from threatening to offering help for your friend?”

“No. Only when I see a man who might be worthy of her.”

He touched the brim of his hat. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should, and you better live up to it.” Bunny walked to the shop next door, and stopped at the back entrance before she turned back toward him. “Just don’t hurt her.”

“I’ll do my best.” Sam climbed into his truck and backed out of the alley, shaking his head. Temptation was a town where folks knew each other and stuck up for their friends. He could like it here. It got awful hot during the summer, but it wasn’t cold like it was in North Dakota in the winter.

Yeah, he could like Temptation. And he could like Mona. Sam frowned as he drove off. He wondered if Bunny was right. Was Mona still mooning over someone else? It would explain why she ran hot and cold with him. Only one way to find out.

Ask.

He whistled off key as he drove back to the rodeo grounds and the trailer he shared with Grant. They had team roping later that afternoon. Sam would take care of his horse, have coffee with Mona and still have time to go over his and Grant’s strategy before they were due at the arena.