Cowboy All Night (Thunder Mountain Brotherhood, Book 5) (5 page)

“Lexi and I will just head out, then,” Cade murmured.

She wondered if Brant would go with them, but instead he joined her at the stall door. They stood very still, not quite touching, but she inhaled his earthy, masculine scent with pleasure. No designer fragrance for this guy.

Desire uncurled and stretched within her, creating a sweet ache that made her shift her position. She accidentally brushed against him. “Sorry.”

“No worries.” His low voice worked as effectively as a caress.

As heat shot through her body, she shivered.

“Cold?”

“A little,” she lied.

“Let’s go.”

She nodded and walked beside him down the wooden aisle. The air seemed to crackle between them, but maybe she was the only one who could feel it. She wished he would take her hand. No, she really didn’t. That would be the beginning of something she shouldn’t want.

He chuckled softly.

“What?”

“I thought they’d be gone by now, but apparently they’re having a little tiff.”

She’d been concentrating so hard on Brant that she’d missed the sound of voices. The argument didn’t sound serious, though. Lexi and Cade were both laughing.

“Okay, here’s the guy who can settle this,” Cade said when they walked outside.

“Settle what?” Brant closed the door and slid the bar across.

“Lexi seems to think washing her truck includes detailing it. I don’t recall a word about detailing, do you?”

Brant gazed at him with a smile. “I was planning to detail Aria’s van. Otherwise it’s not a complete job, and I know how you hate doing something half-assed.”

“Ah, I see how things are.” Cade clapped him on the shoulder. “Okay. I guess keeping the women happy is worth it.”

Lexi glanced at Aria. “Like that remark, for instance.”

“Oh.” She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

“What remark? I was only—”

“Quit while you’re ahead, bro,” Brant said. “Although I think you might be behind. In any event, you need to shut the hell up.”

“Listen to your brother.” Lexi linked her arm through Cade’s. “Let’s call it a night, shall we?”

“All righty.” Cade touched the brim of his hat. “Good night, all. See you in the mornin’.”

As they drove away, Brant started laughing. “I swear to God, if he doesn’t quit making those bonehead comments, Lexi’s never gonna propose. ‘Keeping the women happy.’ What a moronic thing to say.”

“Lexi’s supposed to propose to him?”

“Yep. Last summer he popped the question a few days after he’d come back to town. It was way too soon. After she turned him down, he decided she’d better choose the timing. At this rate they might tie the knot in their golden years.”

“She’s an independent woman.”

“Which is the best kind, in my opinion.” Brant nudged back his Stetson. “Speaking of that, on the way over to the cabin Cade told me you plan to open a cooking school.”

“Eventually.” The glow of the barn’s dusk-to-dawn light gave her a better chance to admire his handsome self. Coming upon Cade and Lexi had momentarily interrupted the buzz she’d had going on, but once she looked at him she got it back.

“So that’s why you’re working so hard.”

“It is, although I’ve become sidetracked with Josh’s accident.”

“I’m sure.” His gaze warmed. “It’s a generous thing you’re doing for him.”

She shrugged. “He’s my brother. Anyone would do the same.”

“Not necessarily.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m trying to say I admire you, and making a poor job of it.”

Her heartbeat sped up. “Thank you.”

“Let me make it a little plainer.” He looked into her eyes. “I like you.”

“I like you, too.” She swallowed. “Quite a bit.”

“I had a hunch. So...?”

“We should probably leave it at that.” Damn it.

“Why?”

“I’m really busy.”

“Okay.” He sounded skeptical.

“I don’t blame you for questioning that tired old excuse. Plenty of busy people find the time to indulge in...stuff.” Her cheeks grew warm.

“So I’ve heard.” His lazy smile ramped up his sex appeal several more notches.

“But there’s also Josh to think about.”

“I’m not following you.”

“He’s stuck in a wheelchair with not much of a life. Working to change that has to be my focus.”

“Ah.” He rocked back on his heels. “And indulging in
stuff
with me might cause you to forget about Josh’s situation.”

“Yes.” Guaranteed. Just talking about indulging in
stuff
with this gorgeous cowboy had short-circuited her brain.

“Temporarily, anyway.”

“Right but—”

“Is that such a bad idea?”

“You’re suggesting I need a break.”

He shrugged. “Only you know if that’s true.”

“I hadn’t thought about it that way.” Her pulse began to race.

“We could try a kiss and see how that works out.”

She could barely breathe. This was the moment that would either stop him dead in his tracks or invite him to go further. Although she shouldn’t, she yearned for Option Two. Someday she might regret this, but she wanted him so much. “I suppose we could.”

Slowly he took his hands out of his pockets and stepped closer, his breathing uneven. “You get to me.”

Excitement coursed through her. “You get to me, too.”

He cradled her face in his big hands and looked into her eyes. “One kiss. Just enough to see if we suit.”

She slid both palms up the soft, warm material of his shirt and felt the rapid thump of his heart. “Maybe we won’t.”

“I’m guessing we will.” Angling his head, he settled his mouth over hers.

5

I
MMEDIATELY
B
RANT
KNEW
he was in trouble. One kiss from Aria would make him want a hundred. But he’d announced that he’d only claim one, so he’d better make it count.

He started slowly, learning the contours of her lips as he listened to her breathing change. When he connected more fully and began to explore the sweet depths of her mouth with his tongue, she moaned and curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. That moan traveled straight through him, firing his blood and sending it south.

He desperately wanted her lush body pressed tight against his rigid cock. But that would lead to more than they’d bargained for. He thought they’d get there eventually, but not tonight.

Savoring Aria’s plump lips would feel like a party no matter what, but the flavor of champagne added to the celebration. She cooperated with each move he made, giving him access to every delicious part of her mouth. She obviously liked kissing him and, oh, man, did he like kissing her.

He was so involved in the sensuous feel of her tongue sliding against his that he almost missed the fact that she’d wound her arms around his neck. He didn’t miss her next maneuver, though. When she molded her hot body to his, it was like touching a match to brandy.

If this was a test of his restraint, he was failing miserably. Before he realized it, he’d cupped her bottom and pulled her hard against his straining erection. He’d meant for their kiss to be subtle and classy. Somehow it had morphed into a demonstration of primal lust.

Ah, but how encouraging that she wanted him. He didn’t need more than that to figure out the next step. Consoling himself that there would be a next step, he slowly ended the kiss and lifted his head. A breeze ruffling his hair indicated his hat was now on the ground. Small matter.

He gazed down at her, and slowly she lifted her lashes to reveal eyes darkened with the same urgency he felt. He took a shaky breath. “I need to stop while I still can.”

His comment seemed to take a while to penetrate, but at last she gave him a slight nod. “Me, too.”

“Were you about to take advantage of me?”

“I thought about it. Would you have gone willingly?”

“Probably, God help me. You pack a punch.”

“You, too.”

Looking into her eyes, he fought the urge to start kissing her again. Not tonight. “But you need to get home and talk to your brother about tomorrow.”

“I do.”

“It’s lucky that you’ll have your next three days free so you can hang out with Linus.”

“Yes, but the restaurant will be busy over the holiday weekend, so my nights...”

“You have a full schedule.”

“Unfortunately.” She reached up and traced his mouth with her finger. “But you’d think I could make room for a top-notch kisser.”

“I surely hope so, because if you liked that kiss, you’re gonna love the rest of the program.”

“Can you make me float in the air?”

“You bet.”

She smiled, but then her expression turned serious. “It’s just that I’m not sure of the logistics.”

“Usually folks start by taking their clothes off—at least I’ve found that it works better that way. But the floating part is a professional secret and I’m honor-bound not to reveal it.” He was gratified when her smile reappeared.

“I meant the logistics of when we’d get together.”

“I know. I just saw you getting serious all of a sudden, as if you needed to plan it all out. You don’t. Let’s see how it goes.”

“I want to spend time with you. But it’s complicated.”

“No worries.” As much as he wanted her, he wasn’t going to push. “If it’s supposed to happen then it will.”

She gazed up at him. “You really do take life as it comes, don’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He wondered if she had the power to mess with his usual approach. He combed her hair back from her face. “And now, much as I hate to do it, it’s time to say good-night.”

She sighed. “Okay.”

After scooping up his hat, he draped his arm lightly over her shoulders and walked her to her van.

As he opened the door for her, she turned to him. “I don’t want to leave.”

He searched her expression and found desire mixed with confusion. For one brief moment he imagined tipping the scales in his favor and asking her to stay. She might do it, and then she’d miss her chance to convince Josh he needed to visit Linus.

So he didn’t say anything.

“But I have to.”

“See, you won’t forget about your brother. It’s not in your nature.”

“I can’t forget about him. Nobody understands him as well as I do, not even Mom and Dad.”

“Then go.”

She accepted his outstretched hand and stepped into the van, then gave him a sad smile. “In spite of needing to talk with Josh, I was sort of hoping you’d beg me to stay.”

“Don’t think I didn’t consider it.”

“But that’s not you.”

“Not normally, no.” The fact that he’d even thought about it was significant, though. “You’ve done all this to help Josh. I don’t want to sabotage your efforts.”

She studied him for several seconds. “I’ll figure something out for us.”

The determination in her voice made him smile. It also gave him hope. He had a feeling she followed through on whatever she’d set her mind to.

“Good night, Brant.”

“Good night, Aria.” He closed her door, which created something of a separation between them although her window was open. He could have reached in to touch her. Instead he patted the van. “Take her home safely, Matilda.”

“You remembered her name.”

“Yeah, well, I was the goofy kid who named his rubber snake Elmer.”

“What’s your truck’s name?”

“Bessie, after my grandmother. I never knew her, but I’ll bet she was reliable like my truck.”

“That’s sweet.”

“I’m a sweet guy.”

“I have no doubt.” She put the van in gear.

He stepped back and watched until she reached the curve that would take her out of sight. He didn’t know if she was looking in her rearview mirror or not, but he lifted his hand to wave goodbye. She blinked her lights.

He continued to think about her as he walked through the cool night toward Cade’s cabin. He hadn’t counted on meeting a beautiful woman today, let alone sharing a hot kiss with her. But he understood her feelings of guilt whenever she started thinking of herself instead of Josh. He didn’t want to add to her burden so he’d back off if necessary.

But judging from her words, she wouldn’t let him back off. Oh, yeah, he could imagine how much fun they could have in a bed, but he wouldn’t push her into something that would cause her stress. He’d go with the flow, as he always did.

* * *

H
E
WAS
WORKING
in the barn early the next morning when he heard her drive up. After telling himself to go with the flow last night, he discovered that his breathing was suddenly affected by the prospect of seeing her again. He pulled in air and let it out slowly.

That he was here waiting for her was another troubling sign that he wasn’t as cool as he pretended. Rosie had tried to talk him into having a big breakfast up at the house with Herb, Lexi and Cade, but instead he’d grabbed coffee and toast so he could be down here when Aria arrived.

He’d told himself that he needed more interaction with the mare and foal before Aria showed up. That was true to a point, but he’d seen the look that had passed between Rosie and Lexi. Cade had grinned at him in a knowing way, too.

No wonder they weren’t buying his story. Food was important to him, and passing up one of Rosie’s excellent ranch breakfasts so he could wait for a woman was totally out of character. As he walked out to meet Aria he saw that she’d come alone. He berated himself for being glad about it. Spending a good part of the day at the ranch without Josh wouldn’t move her any closer to her objective.

But you might get another chance to kiss her.
And that was all he could think about as he rounded the van to the driver’s side and helped her out. Her hand was as silky-soft as he remembered, and her scent teased him with the possibilities he’d dreamed of while he’d slept.

She wore sunglasses, which was probably just as well. If he couldn’t see into her eyes he might not be so tempted to kiss her. Besides, after last night’s supercharged encounter he didn’t trust himself to keep things PG-rated, and now was not the time or place.

“As you can see, Josh didn’t come.” Her smile was tight and the tension he remembered from their first meeting was back.

“His loss.”

“I know. I just wish...”

“Do you mind if I ask how he was injured?”

“He was riding in an eventing competition and a jump went bad.”

He winced. “Eventing is a dangerous sport. People and horses die going over those hurdles.”

“I know. We used to do much tamer cross-country riding competitions as teenagers. But Josh craved a bigger challenge. I think he became an adrenaline junkie and paid the price.”

“I’m sorry. That sucks.” He hesitated. “And the horse?”

“By some miracle Pegasus wasn’t seriously injured.”

“Thank God for that, at least.”

“It could have been so much worse. When my folks visited last month they told Josh he was lucky, but he didn’t want to hear it. They offered to move him down to Texas and find him a different physical therapist, but he refused. I think he gave up when he realized his eventing days were over. That’s when he stopped going to physical therapy. And he sold Pegasus.”

Brant winced. “Too bad.” He pitied the animal. After years of devoted companionship, Pegasus had been shipped away.

“I tried to talk him out of it, but his horse represented a lifestyle that was gone forever.”

He let out a breath. Hearing about such situations always tested his resolve to stay positive. “I can see why you wanted to breed Lucy and give him something new and exciting to think about. A foal is not the same as the horse he rode in competition.”

“That was my reasoning. The thing is, I’m desperate. I feel as if I’ve lost my brother and I want him back. You’re about the same age. Did you know him in high school?”

“Not really. I think we had a couple of classes together but he had his crowd and I had mine.”

“You were with the Thunder Mountain boys. As I recall, they were a unit.”

“Yeah, we did tend to stick together. Probably didn’t mingle as much as we should have.” He searched his memory to dredge up something for her sake. “But I seem to remember your brother was a pretty happy guy.”

“He was, and that’s what I want to see again. Somehow.”

If Josh had stopped going to therapy then Brant had less hope for him. But he wouldn’t say that to her. “I’ll do what I can to make the training smooth for both Josh and Linus.”

“I know you will. I never thought to ask how long it generally takes.”

“Anywhere from one week to several. It’s impossible to predict, but I’ve never tried teaching a foal to be comfortable around a wheelchair. That’ll be an interesting challenge, something new. I look forward to it.” He chose his words with care. She was already jacked up about the situation so he didn’t want her to worry that the wheelchair would be a stumbling block.

“And the sooner we get started on that, the better, right?”

“Right.”

“I’m determined to bring Josh out here tomorrow, then.”

“Well, sooner is better, but I wouldn’t force it. We don’t need someone hanging around who doesn’t want to be here. Horses, even very young ones like Linus, pick up on that.”

“Understood.”

“Eventually he’ll come around.” On impulse he gave her shoulder a light squeeze. He let go immediately, though.

“You’re probably right.” Her voice sounded breathy.

“Curiosity will get the best of Josh.” He was a little short of breath, too. Touching her aroused all the emotions he’d felt the night before. He’d have to watch himself today because she looked more beautiful than ever.

She’d put her dark hair in a single braid down her back, which made him want to undo it. Her jeans, purple T-shirt and boots reminded him that she was an accomplished rider as well as a talented cook. He noticed a Western hat sitting on the passenger seat.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone for a pleasure ride, one that involved a blanket on the ground and making love to a beautiful woman in the great outdoors. They didn’t have time now, but that didn’t stop him from fantasizing. He liked sunset rides best, but she’d be delivering meals for the restaurant by then.

“I’ve promised myself to make better use of this today.” She held up her phone. “The still pictures might not be dynamic enough for Josh to grasp how adorable Linus is, so I’ll take some videos, too.”

“Good idea.” But he was growing impatient with her brother. She’d put a lot of effort into her plan and Josh should get his ass out here and at least take a look. “You’ll have a chance for some great stuff. Once Lucy finishes breakfast, we’ll head on out to the pasture.”

“Really?” Her delighted laughter chased away the last evidence of tension in her expression.

“I wouldn’t kid about a thing like that.”

She smiled at him. “No, you wouldn’t.”

He longed to reach for her, but instead he leaned into the van and snagged her hat. “You’ll need this.”

“Thanks.” She took off her sunglasses, tossed them on the seat and closed the door. Then she settled the hat on her head. Instant sexy cowgirl. She glanced up at him, anticipation glowing in her eyes. “Let’s go.”

Somehow he managed to stop looking at her long enough to put his feet in motion. No doubt about it, he was hooked on her, and they’d only met yesterday. He wasn’t sure what to make of that.

If she was aware of his infatuation, she didn’t let on as they walked into the barn. “I’m excited that we’ll be taking him out today. I thought he might have to stay inside a little longer.”

“Only if the weather had been nasty. But it’s gorgeous.”
Like you.
He’d almost said that out loud. Talk about cheesy compliments. “Cade and I already turned the other horses out in the far pasture, but we kept these two in the barn. We figured you should be here for Linus’s big moment.”