Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) (10 page)

His stomach kicked and he stepped off the porch, the bottom step creaking loudly in the silence. He struggled to get his breath. It was the woman he’d seen at the funeral and again today at Becca’s school.

“Rebecca?” The name fell off his lips.

She wasn’t real. His brain played tricks on his heart. What the hell was wrong with him?

But Chett saw her too. The dog still growled.

“I know. I look like her.”

She spoke. He heard it.

His gut clenched. “Who—who are you?”

Then she was close enough that he could make out her face. She didn’t look as much like Rebecca as he first thought, but enough that it unsettled him.

“I’m Kennedy.”

He tossed the name around inside of his head. It didn’t ring a bell. “I never heard of you.” He forced the words through tight lips.

“Rebecca called me Kenny. When we were kids she couldn’t pronounce her Ds.”

“Kenny?” Then it came to him. And every muscle in his body tightened and he flexed his hands into fists. “Rebecca’s sister.”

“Yes.”

“Why are you here?” He kept his voice steady, belying the upheaval in him. He knew a part of the history between Rebecca and her sister, and it wasn’t good. “And why in the hell are you following me?”

“I think you must already know.”

His throat tightened. “You’re a bit late for your sister’s funeral!” He gritted his teeth.

“That’s not very fair, now is it?” She sounded like Rebecca too. His mind swirled.

“I think it’s not only fair, but reasonable.” His voice was husky to his own ears.

“Well, whatever you might think, we need to talk.” He caught the tremble in her tone.

“There’s nothing we have to say to each other. You should go and not come back. If your own sister didn’t want to see you, then I know there’s nothing here for you.”

“There’s two sides to every story. I loved Rebecca, but, well…”

“And so you say.” He snorted and Chett whimpered. The dog stepped over to Kennedy and nuzzled her hand. She petted him, a smile lit her expression.

“Chett.”
Damn betraying dog.
Chett climbed onto the porch and laid down, whining.

“I’m sorry it appears I’ve been following you. I’ve wanted to say something, but would lose my nerve when I’d start to. I want to be a part of Becca’s life. I’m her aunt.”

“You weren’t even a part of your sister’s life. Why would you believe I’d consider this an option? Now go.” He didn’t understand why he held such anger toward a woman he’d never met. Rebecca had never said she hated her sister. There’d never been any harsh words exchanged, except that Rebecca said their family had disintegrated.

“Rebecca would want me here.”

He stopped, rubbed his jaw, gathering his thoughts. “Rebecca wanted you here when she was dying of cancer. Where were you? What could have been more important than being with her when she needed you most?” He practically snarled the words. Chett came back to his side, watching the stranger closely.

“I-I…there’s not an excuse why Rebecca and I hadn’t talked. I can only tell you that I was out of the country when she sent the letter. I didn’t get it until I came back, two years ago.”

“Letter?” He inhaled sharply.

“You didn’t know? She wrote me right before…” Her words simply dropped as if she couldn’t say them.

“Two years and you’re just now coming? Like I said, you’re too late.” Acid filled his throat.

“I didn’t know Rebecca had a daughter until I read about you in the local magazine, Texas Bachelors.”

Cash gritted his teeth. He should have known nothing good would come of that article. “Yes, we had a daughter together. Now you know.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“There’s so much about my relationship with Rebecca that you might not be aware of.”

“And at this point, it’s moot.”

“I have an attorney I consulted before I left home. He says that I should try to speak to you about visiting with Becca before we take a legal stance.”

Every nerve on his body became jaggedly sharp. “What the hell are you wanting? If it’s money, I think you’re on the wrong path—”

She sighed. “I don’t want money. I only want to see Becca, to be a part of her life. She’s all the family that I have.” There was a catch in her voice, but Cash wouldn’t allow her to walk into his and Becca’s life and make demands.

“Do what you need to do. I don’t think you have a chance in hell.” He’d take his chances.

“It shouldn’t come to that, Cash. Meet me at the diner in town tomorrow morning at ten. We can discuss what’s best for Becca. You know Rebecca would want me here.”

Chapter Six

Dakota sat next to Becca on the twin bed covered in princess sheets and covers, book in hand. “So you like turtles, huh?”

Becca nodded. “This is my favorite book. Turtle makes friends, but he still misses his mommy.”

Dakota’s chest tightened. “I bet it’s a very good story.”

“My mommy died when I was a baby. I look like her.” Becca’s innocence tugged at Dakota’s heart.

“I saw a picture of your mommy and she was very pretty, just like you are.”

Another quick nod. “All my friends at school have mommies. Tarah has two mommies. She’s lucky.”

“You have a wonderful family. You’re lucky too.” Dakota pulled the blankets over the child’s arms, tucking her in.

“Hope don’t have much time anymore. Daddy says babies need lots of attention and Marah cries a lot.”

“That’s true. Babies require a lot of mommy and daddy time.”

“Do you have a baby?” Becca asked.

Dakota shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

“Do you want one?”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind having a family someday.” Dakota found the child’s precociousness entertaining.

“Like me and my daddy? We could be a family.”

Whoa…how did things take a sudden turn? “I think someone would be extremely lucky to have you and your daddy as a family.” She tapped Becca on the nose. “Ready for me to start the story?” Becca nodded and Dakota began reading.

Halfway through the story, Becca passed out, breathing heavily. Dakota made sure Becca was covered and turned off the light on her way out of the bedroom.

Downstairs, Dakota started for the kitchen, but stopped and peeked into the dining room. A large mass of mail was spread across the table.  Several were opened. Cash certainly was a popular man.

In the kitchen, Dakota loaded the dishwasher, wiped down the sink and put away the cookies. Seeing Becca’s school picture hanging on the fridge, Dakota smiled. She liked Becca a lot. The little girl could make anyone’s heart melt with her innocent questions and hopes. Dakota could see why her aunt Delores wanted to stay here at Havens Ranch.

Meandering through the house, Dakota ended up in the living room, turning on the light.

The room was about the only one that didn’t need work.  Decorated with a beige overstuffed couch scattered with matching throw pillows, a recliner, and a stone fireplace as the focal point. The walls were tan and edged in white trim. On every wall were pictures of family…mostly Becca’s mother. It felt like a monument in memory of Rebecca.

And Dakota felt like a trespasser on the woman’s territory.

Emotions churned inside of Dakota. She went into the kitchen again, filled with restless energy. The space seemed more neutral. There were no personal affects or pictures, except Becca’s on the fridge, lining every available space.

She poured herself more tea and stared through the windows. The storm had passed. The moon’s purple haze lit the backyard.

Strolling down the hall, she found herself in the dining room, staring at the envelopes as if they drew her. She picked one up and read … “Texas Bachelor of the month.”

Obviously the letters were from hopefuls wanting to meet Cash. She skimmed through several, putting them back in the stack as she found them. She wondered if he was interested. Would he meet the women? She picked up an opened envelope, sticking out of the top was a picture. Curiosity got the best of her. She slipped the photo from inside and staring back at her was a voluptuous brunette wearing a tiny bikini. Dakota dropped the picture and it floated to the floor. Bending to retrieve it, her glass hit the chair, spilling half of the tea down the front of her shirt. “Crap!” The top was one of her favorites.

Setting the glass on the table, she went into the bathroom and quickly pulled the blouse over her head, hoping she could get the tea out before it stained.

****

Cash slid out of his truck, glad the meeting with Brody went as expected and the man would start working tomorrow. Tucker would be able to spend more time with Hope and his family.

Slamming the door and starting toward the porch, he scanned the shadowed areas. After Kennedy showed up at his doorstep, he was on edge. She wanted to meet tomorrow and the last thing he wanted was something else to worry about.

He had no clue what happened between Rebecca and her sister, but he knew they hadn’t spoken in years and Rebecca swore she’d never see her again. Whatever happened had turned their sisterly relationship sour.

What if Kennedy was telling the truth? What if Rebecca had sent her sister a letter before her death, forgiving her? Would that change the situation?

Cash rubbed the bridge of his nose and hoped the throbbing in his head disappeared. His muscles were as tight as a stretched rubber band and he needed something, or someone, to ease the tension.

His thoughts were on a dangerous path. He stepped into the house, listening for chatter or laughter. The lights were on, but it was quiet. He guessed Becca was in bed. The meeting had gone a little longer than expected.

Splashing noises came from down the hallway. He started toward the kitchen, but stopped at the open door of the bathroom. Dakota stood at the sink in her bra and jeans. His breath escaped his lungs and he could do nothing but stare. Seconds floated by until she finally turned, meeting his gaze. Her mouth parted slightly but she stood statue still.

Cash took the three steps that brought him into the room, so close he could see the trembling in her bottom lip. He skimmed her gaze, along every delicate line of her soft expression, to the length of her neck and the milky white swell of her breasts lifted in the black lace bra.

Every inch of him hardened as he clenched his hands, hoping to relieve some of the pent up tension colliding through his veins.

“I-I spilled tea on my shirt. I was washing it out. I didn’t hear you come in.” Her angelic voice made the hairs on his arms stand up straight.

For the first time in a very long time, he didn’t care about the past or the future, but only the moment.

****

Cash stood so close Dakota could  inhale his masculine scent.  He gripped the edge of the sink, caging her between his thick, muscular arms.

“Would you hate me if I kissed you?” His gaze held hers.

His husky voice made her heart skip several beats. “I-I…no, I could never hate you.” Before she knew what was happening, he dragged his arms around her, pulling her against his chest and his heated breath caressed her cheek.  She shivered and it had nothing to do with being cold. The apex of her thighs quivered as she reached up and buried her fingers into his cotton covered shoulders, clinging to him as her knees weakened. She stared at him, waiting for what he did next. “We barely know one another. What is this feeling?”

“I don’t know you, but I sure as hell want you,” he said on a ragged tone.

This made no sense at all. He came home a different man. There was a deep tension rolling through him and it seeped from his every pore. 

A scorching heat traveled between them when he lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, “You smell so good. It’s been a long time since I smelled something so sweet. I could lap you up.”

She shivered from her roots to the tips of her toes. “You don’t smell so bad yourself, cowboy.” She’d never been good at seduction. She had no idea if what she’d said sounded corny or did the trick, but the bulge rubbing her thigh told her he didn’t care what she said.

“If you don’t want—”

“I want,” she said a little too quickly. Yeah, she’d definitely have to work on holding back some.

He pressed her between his large body and the sink, smoothing his hands down her back. His fingers dug into her skin. A long breath came through his lips as if he were holding back. She saw the evidence of his chaos in the depth of his sparkling eyes. They were the clearest blue, as if they were their own special color.

“The look in your eyes is almost damn near ripping out my insides.”

She tilted her chin. “That sounds painful.”

“Oh trust me. It’s painful, but so damn right at the same time.”
 

****

Cash was in pain alright. His dick had hardened to beyond reasoning and the zipper threatened to leave a scar. From the moment she’d walked in his door, he’d had a need burrowed deep in his body, and after meeting Kennedy, anger had opened the gates to all of the spiraling emotions. He needed a woman’s touch—needed it in a very bad way. Not just any touch would do. And the way Dakota looked up at him, as if she was willing to do anything, broke through all of his reserve.

What the hell was wrong with him? He wanted to kiss the hell out of her, and yet he wanted to move slowly. He wanted to rip the rest of her clothes off, and yet undress her piece by piece until she was naked and beneath him. He couldn’t remember feeling so out of control, like a tornado had ripped through him and he was left with the result.

She had him good, that’s all he knew.

Maybe her sweet smile, or the vulnerability evident in the way she looked up at him, had him by the balls. He sensed something in her though, like a lioness waiting to be unveiled, her wall to be blasted. Whatever the hell it was, she had his desire working overtime.

Her eyelids lowered. “I’m still waiting for that promised kiss.” Her sultry voice rammed through the last bit of wall. She toyed with the neckline of his shirt and his cock twitched. Two seconds passed and he buried his mouth on hers, parting her lips with his tongue and tasting her.

Her tongue met his, dueling, licking his bottom lip, teasing it with gentle nips of her teeth. A groan escaped his throat as she stood on tiptoes, digging her nails into his biceps. Just as he thought…a lioness wanting released.

He lifted his head, gaining his breaths.

Dragging her close, her breasts brushed his chest. The firm mounds and pebbled nipples teased his heated flesh. He dragged the lace aside, capturing the hard nub in his mouth, suckling it until a moan escaped from within her. He flicked the nipple with his tongue and her whimpers vibrated her chest. This could go far, very quick. He pulled away, enough to lift his mouth to her neck, trailing kisses along the silken length, licking the dip between her collar bones. She tasted like heaven, just as he thought she would.

He slid his tongue to the other breast, skimming along the bra. He slid his tongue inside, rolling her nipple between his lips, definitely wanting to rip her clothes from her body.