Cowboy is Mine (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 5) (12 page)

Sitting down next to her hip, he opened the first aid box and took out the salve, noticing that his hands were shaking. What the fuck? He’d never been more nervous in his life.

He stared at her shoulders a good five seconds and then decided he needed to stop being a pussy and do what needed done. He dragged the sheet down lower on her waist and swallowed, attempting to ignore her slender back and the swell of her hips. Gathering a small spray bottle of diluted vinegar, he aimed it toward her skin. “This is going to be cold, but necessary.”

“All right.” She looked up at him over her shoulder. “I trust you.”

Damn! She shouldn’t because he didn’t trust himself. If she knew the direction of his thoughts, she’d be grabbing the bottle and spraying him below the belt. He pulled the trigger and beads of vinegar/water wet her skin. She jerked, but she didn’t scream out as he’d expected that she would. “Almost done.”

“I think you’re enjoying this a little.” Her voice was muffled by the pillow.

“I could think of more enjoyable things to do while you have your clothes off,” he teased.

“Oh, I plan to receive a reward for being a compliant patient,” she warned.

His cock twitched and pressed against his zipper. His heart kicked up in speed and he thought it’d knock right out of his chest. “Now for the good stuff.”

“You’re going to kiss me now, are you?”

“I think if anyone is enjoying this a little too much it’s you, sweetheart. We’re going to both be in pain.” He took out the salve, uncapped the lid to the clear jar and dipped two fingers in. The gel had the consistency of Vaseline, but the scent was eucalyptus. It didn’t smell bad, but it was strong and definitely opened up the nasal passages. He easily smoothed the salve over her shoulders, along her ribs, and stopped momentarily at her waist. She didn’t have any redness on her legs that he’d noticed.

Once he was finished, he capped the jar and tossed it into the box. “I laid two aspirin on the table. Take them. They’ll help with the inflammation.”

He took the box back into the bathroom and, by the time he returned, she’d rolled over to her side and the blanket was slung erotically over her front. Smooth skin, the tops of her breasts and toned legs were revealed. Although she belonged on the cover of a magazine with that seductive look, he knew she had no clue what she was doing to him. He was fighting an internal fire and slowly losing to the flames. He enjoyed seeing how comfortable she was with him, with her nudity. She really did trust him and that made his chest puff. He may have hurt her in the past, but he’d never do it again. Could she see that?

“Grab my bottle, cowboy.” She pointed to where she’d left it on the table.

Handing over the water, he watched her pop the pills into her mouth and take a sip. She set the water down next to his coffee cup from that morning and looked at him through the veil of her lashes. “I’m going to get this gooey stuff on your sheets.”

“They’ll wash.”

“Join me?” She slipped off the sheet, flashing him her lovely breasts, swollen nipples, and groomed core.

Did she expect him to say no? He toed off his boots and climbed into the bed beside her. In the twin sized space, they had no choice but to lay close enough that their bodies touched. He wasn’t complaining and by the puffiness of her nipples, she was excited too.

In the distance, the thunder rumbled and rain splattered the windows. “Looks like a storm is brewing.” He realized how thick his voice sounded.

“We used to look for excuses to stay in bed together. A storm was one of those reasons. Even now, I think they’re romantic.”

She snuggled against his side and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, making a figure eight with his thumb on her skin. “Am I hurting you?”

“No. The salve has already helped. Should I ask what’s in it?”

“Probably not. The hands use it a lot, from sunburn to cracked skin.”

She lifted his hand in her palm, entwining their fingers. “I thought you had large hands before, but now they’re huge.”

He chuckled. “They’re pretty messed up.”

“I like them. I like who they’re attached to.” She leaned her chin on his shoulder, watching him.

“You have such small hands and so soft,” he murmured. Why was his heart beating so hard?

“I want to ask so many questions, but some answers I’m afraid of hearing.”

“I’m an open book. If something’s bothering you, maybe it’s best to ask.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, then dropped them back onto his stomach.

“Have you thought of me much?”

“Every day.”

She lifted herself on her elbow. “I know a magical cure for ailments myself,” she purred.

“Share?”

“A kiss.”

What was supposed to be a tender touch of their lips ended up with him sinking his tongue deep into her mouth and opening wide for him. Their tongues met, dueling, creating tension between them. A moan escaped her throat, but this wasn’t from pain or discomfort—no, this was the sound she made when she wanted his touch to continue. He knew all of her gentle cries and moans—even after all of these years. He continued with the kiss until she pulled away, question in her gaze. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“Are you holding back on me?”

He tore his hand through his hair. “Since early morning, I’ve been trying to show you that I’m not led by my balls. You’re making it hard on me to prove that sex isn’t the only thing I want.”

“Dodge, I’m totally throwing myself at you right now. If you don’t jump my bones, good and bad, I’ll be highly disappointed, not questioning your motives on which part of your body leads which.” Her eyes pleaded.

He loved her boldness—loved the excitement and eagerness he saw in her expression. She tugged his shirt from his jeans and dragged it off his body, taking her no time at all before she was running her hands over his chest, touching his nipples with the tips of her fingers, then gently scraping them with her short nails. He sucked in a breath and entwined his fingers in her hair, ready to show her exactly how much he wanted her…how much he’s always wanted only her.

****

“Is that a knock?” Krista whispered.

“No.” But just as soon as the word left his lips, the rap came again, this time louder and more urgent. “Fuck!” he grumbled.

“Are you going to answer it?”

He lifted his shoulder, then let it drop in irritation. “Around here, they’ll keep knocking. We don’t have the same privilege of a closed door like the rest of the world.” He stood.

She watched him adjust his hard on, pull on his wrinkled shirt and walk slowly to the door, obviously incapable of hurrying considering his zipper was stretched to the maximum.

Dodge stepped out onto the porch so Krista could only hear mumbled voices, but nothing of what they were talking about. When he came back in, his jaw was tight with frustration. “Sorry, darlin’. Duty calls. We have an emergency that needs a couple of cowboys and I’m one of them. Chase is away at the hospital. Looks like the little one has decided today’s the day.” He sat next to her hip and kissed her quickly on the lips. She wanted to grab him and make it a better one, but she could tell by his concerned expression that whatever he needed to tend to was pressing.

He picked up one boot and dragged it on, then the other.

“I understand, Dodge. I can go back to my cabin and do some writing. I feel the creative juices flowing like mad. There’s something about this place.” The environment mixed with Dodge’s virility was a cocktail for motivation.

“How about we meet at the dining hall later? I don’t think I’ll be finished down at the barn until close to dinner time.” He brushed the back of his knuckles across her cheek, then tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ear.

“I’ll be there. I’d like to check in on the baby calf too.”

“Take my Gator. I’ll grab a lift with Maverick.”

“No, I’d like to walk. I enjoy it and it seems like the weather is letting up.”

Dodge was going to wait for her to get dressed, but she urged him to go on without her. Her body was too sore to hurry, but the aspirin and the salve did take away a lot of the heat. And she’d gotten used to the smell. However, now she had a new ache and it was lodged between her inner thighs. They’d been close to taking things to the next step until the knock came.

Dodge told her not to bother locking the door so she didn’t as she closed it behind her. Staff row was quiet except for the clatter of chirping birds and the rolling thunder as it passed them by.

The late afternoon sun pushed through the dark clouds as the storm faded. The dampness from the rain left a clean scent in the air. Nirvana was amazing. Krista admired every miniscule detail as she followed the gravel lane away from the staff cabins. The way the breeze lifted the leaves on the trees, turning them. How the wildflowers in the field took on a sea of pale color. The puffs of white clouds against the blue-grey sky. The atmosphere brought pleasant feelings—one cowboy brought incredible feelings. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders as thoughts of Dodge skittered through her brain. What they were sharing reminded her of old times, and it felt nice, and right. Could this really be happening? They were older, more mature, and still their hearts held love for each other.

The low hum of an engine made her heart kick up a notch as she craned her neck, looking down the gravel lane, hoping to see Dodge. As the cart drew closer, she caught a glimpse of platinum blonde hair and large sunglasses. The cart came to a sudden stop, the tires sliding on the rocks. The driver took a long inhale from her cigarette, blew out a ring of smoke, then tossed the butt onto the ground. Krista stomped it out, not wanting a fire on her hands.

“Lost, honey?” The other woman pulled off her glasses and gave Krista a once-over.

Krista took a step closer so she wouldn’t have to yell over the engine. “No, I was just going back to the guest quarters.”

“Are those real?”

“Are what real?” The woman’s gaze settled on Krista’s chest. “My breasts?” Her cheeks warmed.

“We’re both ladies here. No shyness necessary. You were either blessed or have a spectacular plastic surgeon.”

“I’m blessed, I guess.”

“Hell, I don’t remember when mine were that naturally perky.” She sighed. “You don’t need a job, do you?” Krista gave her head a shake. “Damn. You’d have made one helluva an escort.”

Krista blinked, not sure whether she should be offended or flattered. Either way, she’d never had a more awkward, and still interesting, conversation. “I should be on my way.”

“Great, jump in, because I
am
lost.” The woman slid her glasses back on. “Just don’t tell anyone that I grabbed this baby.” She patted the steering wheel.

Krista hesitated, but thought she was being ridiculous. Sliding into the passenger seat, she said, “I’m Krista.”

“I’m Miss Rox, but you can just call me Roxy if you’d like. I’m staying at one of the treehouses and was heading over to the studio for my dance lesson. I waited for my cowboy to transport me, but he didn’t show up.”

Krista squinted. “Is the cowboy you’re referring to Dodge?”

Roxy nodded. “That’s him.”

Guilt plagued Krista. She couldn’t tell the woman that Dodge was in bed with his wife.

“Somehow I must have missed my turn.” Roxy sighed and the tires of the Gator spun and kicked up gravel as she took off. “Whoa. This is nothing like my Jaguar.”

Krista grabbed onto the seat, holding on tight. “I can help you get to where you’re going. Just please make sure we get there in one piece.”

Roxy laughed. “Honey, I could drive a tree trunk if it had wheels. Believe it or not, I’ve driven a semi-truck, back in my younger days. That’s a story for another day.” She waved a hand through the air, her diamond ring—or ice rink—reflecting a dozen different colors.

“What a lovely, and very large, ring.”

“It was a gift from a past love.” Her eyes misted and she blinked, all sign of emotion gone. “This one here I bought myself.” She flashed a lovely ruby. “There’s nothing better than independence, honey. I swore I’d always make sure I took care of me.”

Krista understood all too well. She liked knowing she didn’t have to rely on someone else to take care of her. The most frightening thing about loving someone, being in a relationship, was opening up to the responsibility that one person becomes to the other. Their emotions, their well-being, supporting their hopes and dreams. It had all been too much for her at nineteen, but what about now? What if she and Dodge decided not to divorce. Where would they go? She couldn’t live here at Nirvana like Kaycee. The place was pure paradise, but she had a life of her own too. Being an author, she could move wherever, but she had a home in Ohio. Once upon a time, she believed that wherever Dodge was, she was home.

She looked ahead through the blur of tears.

“That’s not allowed here, sweetie. No tears in Nirvana, only peace and tranquility. If those emotions are over a man, you need to do one of two things. Kick him to the curb or make him yours. I have a suggestion on how to do both.”

“Maybe I could use someone’s advice.”

“I’m glad we met up then. You join me for dance and then after I’ll grab us a cup of coffee. My treat.” Krista dithered. Roxy sighed. “Oh, don’t tell me you have other plans?”