Virgin Cowboy (7 page)

Braden trailed kisses down Courtney’s slender neck. She
moaned and gripped his shoulder, pushing him back. He grinned, enjoying the
fact she was on edge as much as he was. He yanked her back to him, pressing his
mouth to hers again. She sighed, but melted into him.

At first, he’d been upset that Courtney hadn’t brought Anna
today for the meal with his parents, but now that he got some time alone with
her, it had been a brilliant plan. Caressing her sides, he lifted her shirt.

“Braden,” she whispered. “We can’t.”

“Why not, sweetheart?”

“Because your parents will be here very soon.”

He groaned. “All right. You have a point.” He stepped back
and adjusted his jeans. “Everything is ready.”

She glanced around his half-clean place. He’d done the best
he could to straighten it up. As long as no one went into his spare bedroom,
he’d be okay.

“I still wish you’d brought Anna.”

She leaned against the wall, looking sexy as hell in the
white blouse that was very conservative. He wanted to pop each button off then
slide it off her creamy skin.

“I wanted her to be here too, but I thought it was best she
wasn’t since I haven’t told her yet that we’re seeing each other.
And
since your mother isn’t sure about me, I don’t want my daughter around that.”

“I understand.” He stepped toward her.

“Uh-uh. No more. You need to keep your distance.”

“How come? Worried you’ll take me up on my offer to go to my
bedroom?”

She rolled her eyes just as the doorbell rang. “Saved by the
bell.”

“Saved?” He placed a hand over his heart.

She winked then stood straight.

He kissed her cheek. “They’re going to love you. Once my mom
gets to know you, her doubts will fade away.”

He let his parents in, his mom hugging him and his dad
patting his shoulder.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been here.” His mom
looked around with her inspector eyes.

“I hope it’s okay.” Growing up, his mom complained that he
and his dad were the messiest people she’d ever met.

“It’s nice.” She put her hand out to Courtney. “I’m not sure
we’ve ever really officially met. I’m Gail.”

Courtney shook her hand. “Courtney Johnson.”

His dad shook her hand as well. “It’s a pleasure to meet
you.”

So far, this was going well. Braden rubbed his hands
together. “Food is all ready if you’re hungry.”

“I am.” His mom rubbed her belly. “What did you order?”

“I got a bucket of chicken from the place you love, but
won’t eat.”

“Good.”

His mom hardly ever ate out. It was the way she’d been
raised. You only dined out for special occasions. His parents didn’t understand
this new generation that ate meals out several days a week, as well as lunch,
and their coffee. To her, you made a pot of coffee and flavored it if you
wanted.

They took their seats at his small dining room table that
was only big enough for four.

“Where’s your daughter?” his mom asked.

“I left her with the sitter. It’s a school night and I
didn’t want her out late.”

“I’m sure she’d want to be with you. How much time do the
two of you get together?”

“Mom.” Braden couldn’t believe his own mother was going to
embarrass him. He was used to his siblings doing it, but this was new.

“You’re right. She probably would rather me be home with her
tonight, however, this was important to Braden. I felt it was important for me
to be here and show you that I had time for your son.” Courtney placed a napkin
on her lap.

His mom smiled wide, which surprised him. “I’m still not
sure about you, but you can certainly hold your own. If you stick around, I
could see you fitting in just fine with this family.”

Braden let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been
holding and shared a glance with his father. He had no idea what direction this
dinner was going to go, but his fiery redhead wasn’t going to be pushed around
by his mother.

* * * *

“I’ll clean up. You sit and visit with your parents.”
Courtney grabbed the plates they’d collected on the end of the table and
escaped into the kitchen.

She stood in front of the sink and closed her eyes. Gail
Carver wasn’t the sweet woman the town claimed she was. She kept a smile on her
face when she made comments like:

Don’t you think it would have been good for your daughter
had you tried to find the father?

How long can you run a bar and raise a daughter? You need
to be around for her, especially as she gets older. She’ll just get in trouble.

Have you thought of another career choice?

If you have a future with my son, are you going to be
bringing babies to the bar? That isn’t a place for them.

And Courtney had countered back several times wanting to
know if Gail had issues with single mothers. That was the feeling she was
getting. How could someone be so judgmental when they’d never known her?

She turned the faucet on and filled the sink with hot, sudsy
water.

“Do you need help, dear?” Gail came up behind her.

She turned the water off and turned around, not sure she had
the strength to take any more from Braden’s mother. Thank God her father had
raised her not to show emotion or really feel it. Because if she could admit
how she really felt, she’d run out of this house with tears cascading down her
cheeks.

“No. I’m fine. I’m just going to let these soak a bit then
load them in the dishwasher. I probably need to get home soon anyway to get
Anna bathed and read her a bedtime story.”

“They are only little for a while. In the blink of an eye
she’ll be grown and you’ll regret this time away from her.”

She took a deep breath. “Gail, I don’t choose to be away
from her. I’d much rather spend my entire day with her. If life was perfect,
I’d have a husband and I’d stay home and have several other children. But that
isn’t the card I was dealt.” She paused, not sure she could handle much more of
this woman who really seemed to have it out for her. “I had a lovely dinner
with you and your husband. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be leaving now.”

She brushed past the woman and found Braden sitting next to
his father.

“Mack, I’ve got to head home so I can see Anna before bed.
It was nice meeting you. I hope we do this again soon.”
Not.

“It was a pleasure.” Mack’s expression told her he was
embarrassed of his wife.

Braden stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

He took her hand and led her out the front door and down to
her car. She leaned against the side, but before she could speak his mouth
claimed hers. It wasn’t a gentle kiss at all as his tongue thrust in, almost in
a claiming matter.

It ended much too quickly. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

She rubbed his shoulders. “Don’t be. She was just being a
protective mama bear. I have no idea what it’s like to see your child date
someone you don’t like.”

He grunted. “I have no fucking clue why she doesn’t like
you.”

“I don’t either. It sounds to me like she isn’t pleased with
me being a single mom. Or that I own a bar. I have no idea.”

“Please don’t let her scare you away.” He took her hands
into his and squeezed. “I’ve admired you a long time. I don’t want this to end
because of her. I couldn’t care less if she likes you or not. I care about you
and Anna. I’m here for you both.”

Her eyes moistened.
Tears?
And they were happy. This
man was taking away the years of training her father had given her. Maybe that
was a good thing. She kind of enjoyed feeling things like this, because her
heart was open and warmed by this sexy cowboy.

“I know you are,” she said. “I have tomorrow night off too.
How about you come over, I’ll cook you a meal, and we can tell Anna we’re
seeing each other.”

“Now I’m nervous. What if Anna rejects me?”

“She won’t. She thinks you could walk on water.”

“I have a secret.” He leaned close. “I can.”

She playfully hit him. “Go enjoy your time with your
parents. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

One last kiss and then she opened her vehicle door and
climbed in. Braden stood on the porch as she backed out and turned around to
head down the dirt road away from his place.

Tears trailed down her cheeks. Only this time, she released
the pain of his mother’s dislike for her. It was hard for her to believe that
someone who’d never met her until tonight had such a dislike for her.

Too bad for Gail Carver, Courtney wasn’t one to easily back
down what she wanted someone. And she wanted Braden—the younger, sexy cowboy
who’d admired her from afar for years. No longer, if she had her way. Tomorrow
night she’d show Braden just how magical love could be between two people.

Braden entered his house after he watched Courtney drive
away. He found his mom carrying out three mugs and his coffee kettle.

“I hope you don’t mind I brewed some coffee.”

“You can take yours to go.” He crossed his arms and squared
his shoulders.

“How come?” His mom looked surprised. “I thought we’d chat
for a bit.”

“No. I don’t want to talk to you at all. You were rude to
Courtney. It was uncalled for. I arranged this so you could get to know her and
see how wonderful she is.”

She poured coffee in her mug anyway. “I just want to see how
serious she is. I like her, okay.”

“If you like her, you have a funny way of showing it,” he
snapped.

“Watch your tone with your mother,” his father said and
grabbed a mug his mom had poured. “Gail, I don’t agree with the way you spoke
to that girl either.”

She huffed. “If she’s serious about you, then I won’t scare
her away.”

“You didn’t do that to Lauren or Angie. Why Courtney?”

She set her mug down. “Because you’ve been after her for
years and she’s ignored you. If it was love, she would’ve loved you from the
beginning.”

“She’s been busy raising a daughter on her own.”

“Are you prepared to have an instant family?”

His eyes widened, and he looked at his dad for help.

“She has a point. You can’t play around if you’re not
willing to be a potential father for her daughter.”

He clenched his fists. “When have I ever been one to run
around this town and plant my seed all over?”

“Braden.” His mom gave him a stern glance.

“No, it’s true. I’ve hardly dated anyone. I finally like
someone and she likes me, and you can’t be supportive.” He took a deep breath
and when he released it, he said, “Now please, take your coffee to go. I’ll get
my mugs Sunday—if I decide to come.”

His mom stood with an expression he couldn’t read. “I hope
this girl doesn’t tear this family apart.”

“Gail,” his father said. “Drop it.”

His mother hugged him, and he only halfway embraced her.
“I’m sorry. One day you’ll have children and you’ll understand.”

He bit his tongue, wanting to tell her if she was lucky
she’d have a part of his life. “Excuse my manners, but you guys can show
yourselves out.”

Once they were gone, he slumped down in a chair at his
dining room table. His brothers’ advice on this dinner had been shit. The whole
situation was worse now. Courtney had left with her feelings hurt and his mom
thought she’d done nothing wrong.

Courtney thought his family was perfect. Ha. At this point,
he was ready to find an apartment in town and say ‘screw the ranch’. Let his
mother’s favorite son, Tucker, deal with the ranch.

A light knock sounded through the eerily quiet house. He
crossed the small home, hoping it was Courtney and she’d come back—hopefully
not to break up with him.

Melissa stood on the porch. As he swung the door open, she
said, “What the hell happened? I’ve never seen Mom so upset.”

“Come on in. There’s fresh coffee.”

She entered and he led her back toward the dining room that
still held leftovers from his dinner. Melissa reached in the chicken bucket and
plopped down. “So… it didn’t go well, I take it.”

He shook his head and grabbed another piece of chicken for
himself and set it on a napkin. “No. Mom was wrong.”

“What did she do?”

“The real question is, what did she not do? She was rude.
And she let her dislike for Courtney be known. Then afterward she had the nerve
to tell me that she likes Courtney and just wants to make sure she’s in this
for the long run.” He stabbed his fork into the meat. “Has she said anything to
you?”

“No. She was really upset tonight. She was crying.”

Oh fuck, he’d made his mom cry. “You wouldn’t have
recognized her tonight. She was condescending.”

“I’m sorry.” His sister licked her fingers.

“Do you eat like that in front of your dates?”

“Damn straight.” She winked.

“All I can say is, if Mom can’t get past her dislike for
Courtney, then I won’t be around as much.”

“Don’t be hasty. You don’t even know if things are going to
work out with her, don’t jeopardize your family relationship because of it.”

He rolled his eyes. “I feel strongly for her. I just wish I
had the support of my family. I sure as hell am not worried about jeopardizing
anything.”

She nodded and scrunched her nose. “Okay, I can see what
you’re saying. I hate this.”

“Me too.”

“I wonder what Mom’s problem is.”

“I have no idea.” He leaned back in his chair. “But if she
doesn’t stop, I’ll be moving off the ranch.”

Melissa grabbed his wrist. “Don’t you dare. We will fix
this. In time, Mom will see Courtney is right for you.”

“I hope. Even if I don’t marry her, she still shouldn’t have
been so rude.” He ran a hand through his hair “Besides, Mom’s plan didn’t work.
She might have been rude to Court, but now she’s having me over for dinner
tomorrow night and she’s going to tell Anna we’re dating.”

His sister grinned. “That’s big.”

He agreed. If things went his way, he’d soon show Courtney
just how much she meant to him.

* * * *

Braden would be there soon, and this was a big evening for
them. They were going to tell Anna about their relationship. When Anna was fast
asleep, Courtney planned to lure Braden back to her bedroom. She couldn’t wait
much longer. She was ready to take things to the next level.

Her cellphone rang in the living room. Crap, hopefully
Braden wasn’t calling to cancel. She jogged across the house to find Anna on
the phone.

“Who is it?”

“Papa.” Anna smiled wide as she walked around with a hand on
her hip, gabbing.

Courtney wasn’t so sure talking with her dad right now was a
good thing. “Let mommy talk. We have company coming, remember?”

“Oh, yeah. Papa, I need to go. Mommy has a boy coming over
tonight for dinner with us.”

She sighed. Her daughter would be a gossip queen for sure. Courtney
took the phone from her. “Hey, Dad. How are you?”

“Who is this boy my granddaughter is speaking of?”

She resisted the urge to groan. “Braden Carver.” She left
the room for some privacy. “We’ve just started to see one another. We’re
telling Anna tonight.”

“I hope he’s nothing like that Tucker.”

“He’s not at all like him.”

“Don’t go falling in love. There is no place in one’s life
for love, except for kids and grandkids of course.”

Her dad had been saying for years that love ruined
relationships, but she wasn’t sure anymore. “I know, Dad. I really like him and
I think it could be so much more.”

“I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Me either, but it might be a risk I’m going to take.”

He was silent a moment. “I’ll be happy for you if it does
work out. I didn’t teach you right all these years. I made you feel the way I
did about things, but that was wrong.”

“You made me a strong and independent woman. Because of you,
I didn’t fall apart after Anna’s dad left.”

“Thank you, honey. I’d like to meet Braden.”

“As long as Anna gives her approval, you’ll get to.”

Her dad chuckled. “She’s already told me about him when I’ve
watched her, I just didn’t tell you. She also suspects you’re dating him
because of the way you two look at each other.”

She smiled as warmth filled her chest. “We’ll see.”

“Go get ready for your date. Will Anna be here after school
tomorrow?”

“She will.”

“Good. I have a surprise for her.”

Her grin spread. Her father loved Anna so much. She was the
one person her father let his guard down to. “I’m sure she’ll love it. Bye, Dad.”

“Bye.”

She pressed the
end
button then slid the phone into
her back pocket. Braden would be there any moment. She was a bundle of nerves,
but that was okay. Once they got past tonight, she felt like they could
actually act like boyfriend and girlfriend—as long as Anna approved.

* * * *

“Can you put this shoe on her?” Anna held out the Barbie and
black shoe to Braden.

“Sure.” He took the doll and squeezed the shoe onto her
pointed foot.

Courtney stood to the side and grinned. Dinner had gone
well. Anna had talked Braden’s ear off about him babysitting her as he’d promised
to do at some point. And she wanted to see the horses again. They hadn’t told
her that they were dating yet. That was coming with dessert.

“Anna, can you clean up the Barbie clothes? It’s time for
cake, and then I have something to talk to you about.”

Her daughter groaned, but bunched doll clothes up in her
hands and tossed them in the basket.

“A little less attitude please.”

Anna grunted.

Why did kids make those noises? She couldn’t imagine doing
that to her dad, but it didn’t matter how many times she told her daughter
those noises were disrespectful, she still made them.

Once the small mess was cleaned up, she asked, “Would you
like to help me get the cake ready?”

“Yes.” Anna hopped up from the floor, a new spring in her
attitude. “You stay here, Mr. Braden. We will bring you a big slice.”

In the kitchen, Courtney sliced the cake while Anna grabbed
forks. The two carried them out and Anna proudly gave Braden his. She resisted
the urge to laugh at her daughter. Courtney took a seat next to Braden while
Anna plopped down on the coffee table. The child loved to sit there with her
feet on it.

“While we eat, is it okay if we talk to you about
something?” Courtney asked.

“Okay.” Anna took a big bite of the chocolate cake.

Courtney squeezed Braden’s knee.

“You sure about this?” he asked.

“I am. Are you?”

He nodded.

“I wanted to let you know that Braden and I are good
friends.” This was harder than she imagined. “But we like each other a lot.”

Anna giggled. “Is he your boyfriend?”

Braden chuckled with her, and Courtney jabbed him with her
elbow. “Yes, he is. Are you okay with that?”

She nodded big. “Yup. I like him.”

“I like you too.” Braden set his fork down.

“Are you two gonna get married? I hope so.”

“Oh gosh.” Her cheeks warmed. “I don’t know. We’ve not even
talked about it.”

Braden smirked. “Your mother is a wonderful woman. Any man
that marries her is going to be lucky.”

“I hope you do. Then I can have my own horse.”

“Anna.” Courtney was slightly embarrassed, but she wasn’t
sure why. “Let’s not worry about that right now. I wanted you to know, in case
you see me and Braden kiss. But we’ll try not to do it in front of you.”

“Eeew.” She scrunched her little face.

Braden chuckled. “I still do that when my parents kiss.”

The conversation quickly changed, back to Braden and Anna
chatting away about all the things he did on the ranch. Courtney was pleased
Anna had been okay with it. She finally felt like things could progress to the
next level with him. Maybe she could get the one wish she always wanted, which
was for Anna to have a family with siblings.

* * * *

Courtney turned the TV off and turned to face Braden. Her
green eyes had a seductive look to them, and she moved a little closer to him.

“Good movie,” he said. He needed to leave soon. Chores on
the ranch would come earlier than he liked. “I guess I need to get home.”

She licked her lips, and he could see the desire in her
eyes. “I’d like to play a little first.”

“Anna’s here.”

“And she’s asleep. That girl crashes at night and doesn’t
get up until morning.” She stood and held a hand out. “Come on, we’ll go to my
room and lock the door.”

Did she want sex? What the fuck was wrong with him? Of
course she did. That’s what people did in a relationship. Was he ready? If he
could groan, he would. He was acting like a fifteen-year-old boy. If Courtney was
willing, so was he. It was time to take that step with her.

She led him down the hallway to her bedroom and shut the
door. She stood before him in a tight pink tee and hip-hugging jeans. This
woman wanted him, and he fucking wanted her. He yanked her by the waist to him
and captured her lips with his. The kiss was hot and greedy as he walked her
backward to the bed. He pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it across the
room.

She made him feel confident, even though he felt like he was
fumbling around in the dark.

She toyed with his jeans until she had them undone. He
kicked them off then cupped the back of her head, kissing her hard again. His
cock urged to be deep inside her. To know what that would feel like. Blow-jobs
were warm, but he could never control the speed he wanted. What would it feel
like to be inside a woman? Her insides would hug him tight as wetness glided
him to the edge.

Courtney sat on the bed and removed her pants, then lay back
in just her bra and panties. Her red hair fell behind her shoulders.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had the pleasure
of laying eyes on.” He pulled his shirt off.

She tucked a finger in the waistband of his boxers. “I can’t
wait to be with you, Braden.”

He couldn’t wait either.

She grasped his cock and stroked. “Does this feel good?”

“Fuck yeah, but let me touch you before I embarrass myself.”

“There are so many things I want to do with you. So many
dirty things.”

“We have plenty of time for that.” He crawled on the bed
next to her, pulling her hand away from pleasuring him.

“But first, we need to do one big thing.” She unclasped her
bra and dropped it to the floor. Then she took his hand and placed it over her
pussy. “Do you feel how wet I am? I’m ready to burst. I’d come if you even
placed a finger inside me.”

He took a deep breath and gently rubbed, feeling the wetness
of her panties. Could he do this? He took one of her breasts in his mouth,
sucking her nipple deep into his mouth. She ran her fingers through his hair
and moaned.