Count on a Cowboy (13 page)

“That was taken at National Finals Rodeo nineteen eighty-seven.”

Brooke jumped and turned to see Trent. “Sorry.” Her heart raced, feeling as if she’d been caught stealing. “I was just... I mean, that’s your dad, right?”

Trent nodded as he came closer. “That was the year they won the national finals in team roping. Rory also won the All-Around Cowboy title.” He stood so close to her, she could feel his heat, smell his now familiar scent. “I was a baby back then.”

“Do you remember that day?”

He shook his head. “My mother said I saw part of it, but that last day, I was back at the hotel with a babysitter.”

Brooke couldn’t help wondering if Coralee was at the rodeo. Had Rory taken her to the event? She wanted to know about their relationship. Had he at least cared something for her mother? Or was she just there to warm his bed?

“Are you thinking about your mother with Rory?”

She turned to him. “What?”

“If you count back to that year, that had to be the weekend that Rory met Coralee, and Laurel was conceived.”

Tell him the truth.
She turned back to the pictures to see school pictures of two young boys. The older boy was about ten years old and had short brown hair and deep-set eyes. She smiled. Even back then, Trent Landry was a serious child.

“You were cute.”

“I’m not anymore?” he teased.

She laughed and turned her attention back to the pictures and the other boy. He looked to be about six or seven with a freckled face, lighter hair and a big smile.

“That’s Christopher,” Trent said.

Her heart squeezed, hearing the pain in Trent’s voice. “How old was he here?”

“Seven.” There was a long pause. “He died when he was nine.” He pointed to another picture. “That’s his last school picture.”

Brooke couldn’t stop herself. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face against his chest, then asked, “How did he die?”

“He was riding his horse, Buckeye, and trying to catch up with me when he fell off and went down into a ravine.” She felt his hands tighten across her back and pull her closer. “He wasn’t found until nightfall.”

She heard the thumping of his heart under her ear. Of course the pain was still there. “I’m so sorry, Trent.”

He breathed out a sigh. “So am I. Chris deserved a better brother.”

She pulled back and looked up into his face. His gaze met hers, but neither of them spoke. All she knew was the joy she felt having Trent hold her. But the feeling was quickly turning into something more. He felt it, too. Their eyes met, then he lowered his head, and brushed his mouth across hers.

Brooke sucked in a breath as her lips parted and his mouth covered hers, tasting, teasing. She was practically begging for more.

He pulled back, looking down at her. “Open for me, Brooke.”

She shivered and did as he asked, then his mouth came down in total possession, hard and insistent. He pushed his tongue deep inside.

She moaned at the sheer pleasure, and pleaded for more, wanting to ease the tension growing in her. His arms tightened around her and she pressed her breasts against the hard wall of his chest.

It was Trent who groaned this time. Brooke’s mouth was soft and warm and so tempting. He lifted his mouth and searched her wide eyes. His gaze moved to her swollen lips. He ached to dive back in and forget about everything except burying himself in her body, and erase all the pain and loneliness in his life. Not a good idea right now. There were too many unanswered questions. But damn, she tempted him.

Instead, he pressed his forehead against hers, but didn’t want to release her just yet. “You are one helluva sexy lady, Brooke Harper, but I think it would be safer if we go into the kitchen and eat some supper.”

She nodded against his chest. He cupped her chin and made her look at him. “Hey, I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”

She didn’t meet his eyes. “You’re right, food sounds good.” She broke the hold, then walked off down the hall. Trent watched the sway of her jeans-covered bottom and cursed his decision.

* * *

A
N HOUR LATER
, Brooke pushed her plate away, with a half-eaten steak still adorning it.

“I can’t eat another bite,” she said. “I’m stuffed.”

Trent smiled. “Come on, I watched you put away those ribs the other night. You can do better than that.”

“Yes, but I didn’t have a big baked potato and vegetables to go with it.”

“This is Prime-choice Colorado beef that you’re turning down.”

“And I apologize. Maybe I can save it for tomorrow.”

Just then he jabbed his fork into the piece of meat and brought it to his plate. “Or I can eat it.”

Brooke suddenly burst out laughing, breaking the tension that had been between them since their kisses in the hall. When she finally composed herself, she said, “I guess I don’t have to worry about food going to waste with you around.”

“Yeah, a dog would starve waiting for my table scraps.”

She laughed again. She enjoyed the time she got to spend with this man. She sobered. Too bad it had to end soon. “I should do the dishes.” When she tried to stand the muscles in her legs tightened and she let out a groan before she could stop it.

Trent frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re still sore?”

“That’s because I haven’t felt any stiffness most of the day. Really, I’m okay.”

“I agree, you’re more than okay.” He winked. “I know something that will help you.”

“Another jar of special miracle cure?”

“You might say that. A soak in the Jacuzzi should help the soreness.”

“You have a Jacuzzi?”

“I didn’t go out and buy one, but my father has had one for years. With all his injuries from his rodeo days, it was the only thing that helped him stay on a horse so he could work the ranch.”

She tried not to panic. That was a nice story, but the last thing she needed was to get up close to Trent again. She just wanted to go back to the cabin and dream about his kiss. “I think I’ll pass.”

He shrugged. “Okay. I was going to ask you to go riding again tomorrow, but I can’t risk it.”

She froze. “You are a cruel man, Trent Landry. No matter how badly I want to go riding, I’m not going into a Jacuzzi without a suit on.”

He stood and picked up their empty plates. “No worries, there are extra suits around here. Laurel has one or two for sure.”

She shivered as his heated gaze roamed over her body. “She’s about your size.”

Brooke worked to slow her breathing. “I guess...” She paused. “You said I could go riding tomorrow.”

He nodded and placed their dishes in the sink. “Roundup is coming up. We’re riding further out to look for a few stragglers from the herd. I’m pretty sure there’s a group of cows hiding out in Rainbow Canyon.”

“And you want to take me there?”

“It’s an easy ride, and some more of that pretty countryside you like so much. You should be able to handle it just fine.”

Trent leaned back against the counter. He folded those muscular arms across his chest. Oh, my, he looked good. She could only imagine him in a pair of trunks with his chest bare...

“So what do you say?”

She shook away her daydream. “Okay, if you think it will help my soreness.”

He grinned. “It can’t hurt.”

Oh, yes, it could. She could sink to the bottom, and she wasn’t thinking about the water.

* * *

F
IFTEEN MINUTES LATER
, Trent had changed into his boxer-style trunks and gone outside on the deck off the kitchen and turned on the jets in the Jacuzzi. The temperature had already dropped, but the warm water would keep them warm. The patio was dark, but the area was illuminated from the kitchen lights.

He shook his head and called himself crazy again for suggesting this. The kiss in the hallway had been the first big mistake. Getting involved with Brooke was a bad idea no matter how he rationalized it. He didn’t know her, and there was still the chance she could hurt Laurel.

He turned around to discover Brooke standing in the doorway, clutching a towel in front of her. His breath caught as his gaze moved over her modest black one-piece suit. Modest hell. Even in the dim light he could see her breasts were pushing out of the top, and the high-cut spandex showed off far too much skin. All at once he pictured those long shapely legs wrapped around his waist as he made love to her.

“Trent...”

“Hey, I see you found a suit.”

“Yes, it’s a little small.”

He went to her. “Looks fine. Now let’s get in before you freeze.” He took her hand and walked her to the steps. “I’ll go in first and help you in.” He was up and in the water before she could argue, then reached out to her.

She was tentative with the steps so he scooped her up into his arms. “Trent,” she gasped.

He enjoyed the feel of her against him. “I didn’t want you to fall,” he told her.

“Thank you, but you can put me down now.”

He pulled her close. “What if I don’t want to?”

He felt her tense. “Trent. How can the water help me if you don’t let me in it?”

She was right. “Okay, how about this?” He didn’t release her, but lowered himself into one of the contoured seats with her on his lap.

She smiled. “Not exactly what I had in mind.”

He paused, watching her. Her honey-blond hair was pulled on top of her head held by a clip, showing off her long slender neck and tiny ears. Pretty, yes, but there was a sweet wholesomeness about her that drew him. In the past, he’d always gone for over-the-top sexy types, and definitely a woman who knew the rules: no attachments. Then came Brooke.

“Do you want me to put you in your own seat?”

“I should make you.” Her breath was sweet and warm against his face, then she pulled back and their gazes met. She shook her head. “No. Don’t stop holding me.”

He reached out and cupped her cheek. “Oh, darlin’, I want to do much more than just hold you.”

Her breath caught and she swallowed hard. “What?”

“Let me show you.” He leaned in and brushed his mouth against hers, once twice and then a third time, loving the sound of the tiny catch in her breath. He moved to her neck. “I’ve wanted to taste your skin all night.” He placed tiny kisses along her heated flesh, his tongue taking teasing nibbles along the way. Then he reached her ear and took the lobe into his mouth and sucked gently.

“Trent...”

“Damn, woman, you drive me crazy when you say my name.”

He captured her lips with his, and his gentleness turned into hunger. His tongue slipped into her mouth, tasting her and wanting more. His hold tightened, bringing her breasts against his. The rubbing caused a delicious friction. His hand moved up her rib cage and cupped her breast through the suit.

Her head fell against his shoulder and she whimpered his name again.

He pulled the strap down and exposed her to him. “So beautiful.” He leaned down and took the hardened nipple in his mouth and she gasped.

He continued the advance on the other breast and she squirmed in his lap, sending a thrill of need through him.

He took her mouth again, and again, brushing, stroking, trying to devour her. His breathing was ragged when he finally broke off the kiss. “I want you, Brooke. I want—”

“Trent, are you out here?” a man’s voice bellowed in the dim light.

Trent froze. “Oh, hell.” He pulled up Brooke’s suit and held her close. “Looks like the Quinns have come home.”

Before he could stand the overhead lights came on, showing Rory Quinn in the doorway. Trent moved in front of Brooke. “Hell, Rory, do you mind? Turn off the light.”

The older man’s gaze went toward Brooke in the hot tub. “What the hell is going on?”

“Turn off the light, Rory.”

Suddenly they were concealed in darkness once again.

“Thank you,” Trent said. “If you go in my office, I’ll be right in.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Finally the man disappeared and Trent sat down beside Brooke. “It’s okay, Brooke, he’s gone.”

“It’s not okay. He’s going to think I’m just like my mother.” She looked at Trent. “You have no idea how many years I’ve worked to keep people from thinking I’m like her.”

Chapter Eleven

Ten minutes later, Brooke was still in the bathroom, and Trent put on his clothes before heading downstairs to the office. He stopped short at the door to find Rory Quinn pacing in front of his father’s old desk. Suddenly he noticed how tired the man looked, how much more prominent the lines in his face were. Rory was tall, but his shoulders seemed to be more hunched over these days.

That didn’t stifle Trent’s anger. “Just what the hell were you doing out there?”

Rory jammed his hands on his hips. “I could ask you the same thing.”

Trent came into the room. “I stopped answering for my actions a long time ago, Rory. Besides, I’m not the one barging into a home...uninvited.”

Rory lowered his gaze. “Diane and Laurel needed some time, and I was in the way. So I came here hoping to get some answers. Was that Brooke Harper with you?”

“Yes, it was.” Trent couldn’t help being embarrassed that they’d got caught in a compromising position, but he was more concerned about Brooke.

Rory frowned. “So she’s going to seduce you just like her mother did me?”

Rory didn’t even know Brooke to compare her to her mother. “You know, maybe this isn’t a good time to be discussing this,” Trent told him. “How about we talk tomorrow? When you have a chance to cool off.”

Without so much as a goodbye, Rory walked out. Maybe that was good. Too many words had been spoken between them. They needed to hold their tongues before they said things that couldn’t be taken back. He heard the door close, then the sound of a truck driving off.

Trent combed his fingers through his hair. What the hell just happened? He’d nearly made love to Brooke in a hot tub, that was what happened. He could still feel Brooke’s body pressed against his, the taste of her skin on his lips and he hardened with a need he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I’m sorry, Trent.”

He swung around to see Brooke standing in his doorway. She was once again dressed in her jeans and blouse. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Brooke.” He went to her, but she held him off by raising her hand.