Cowboy Boone (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 4)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “Nope. I’m finished. I’ll grab us a cup.”

  Sitting at the table, that offered her the advantage of watching him, she enjoyed how he moved about the small kitchen. He was a bit ungainly, but the space wasn’t exactly made for a man his size. He poured coffee into two cups and she watched in admiration. A partially naked man in the kitchen was enough to make her faint.

  “Sugar? Cream?” He set a small, flowered canister and powdered creamer on the table. “And for the lady.” He produced a red rose in a mason jar.

  “Where’d you find that?”

  “I remembered seeing it in the back of the van when I was looking for the flares. I couldn’t leave it there to die.”

  His consideration lit fireworks inside her chest. He continued to surprise her.

  Spooning up sugar and pouring in cream, she stirred her coffee while staring at him.

  “Okay. I have a question.” She set the spoon aside.

  “I’ve noticed that you do like to ask questions.” His smile reached his eyes.

  “How does a man like you stay single for so long?” She touched the rose, admiring its beauty. “I mean, I get that your attitude speaks anti-long-term, but I know you well enough. That’s a sham.”

  “A man like me, huh? You say that as if I’m my own species.” He sipped from his cup.

  “You kind of are. Hot. Handsome. Abs of steel. I’d venture to say buns of steel too but I’ve never felt them so I’m at a disadvantage.” It was way too late to back out of flirting with him. They’d crossed some lines and there was no going back.

  He stared at her through the steam. “It’s a choice.”

  “A choice. Hmm. Why?” she pressured.

  “Being single isn’t a bad thing, sweetheart.” He winked.

  She swirled the tip of her finger through the sugar that she’d spilled. “And honestly, it really isn’t a good thing either.”

  “It’s not? Give me a list of reasons.” His teasing drawl tweaked her nipples.

  “Loneliness. Lack of sex. Lack of sex. Lack of sex.” She checked them off with her fingers. “And did I mention lack of sex?”

  “Yeah, I believe you covered that one.” He chuckled and shifted in his chair. He looked a bit disturbed around the edges. “We’re human. We’re built for being close with someone.”

  “See, you do like those comforting things that we can get from a relationship.”

  “You mean cuddling? Kissing? Holding hands? I guess. I’m sure you do when the right man is involved.”

  She pushed her plate away. “I do. If I told you how long it’s been since a man has…” Trying to cover up the embarrassment with a laugh that fizzled. “I can’t believe I said that.”

  “That’s a shame. A woman as sensual as you should be held and pleasured every day. It needs to be with someone who knows you. A man who can give you what you need.”

  Things went from zero to a hundred-million-miles per hour in seconds. A yearning spread between her thighs. “I’m sure there must be someone out there.”

  He reached over and laid his hand on her wrist. “Daisy, you’re beautiful, smart, kind, you deserve someone to show you how special you are.”

  She lowered her gaze to his hand then back up, feeling a constriction in the center of her throat. He was staring at her, drawing her into a firestorm with those amazing blue eyes. She wanted to be caught in his carnal web. Wanted to be entangled in his powerful arms. Why couldn’t he see the possibilities like she could? “I’m not that little girl anymore, Boone. I’m not only Brody’s little sister, but I’m a woman aching for a man.”

  “You are Brody’s sister,” he said in a gruff tone. The lines of his face shadowed.

  “What does that have to do with anything? I told you before, we don’t need his permission.”

  “It has everything to do with this.”

  “To you. But not to me. I care for him but I—” She had to stop before she lost herself.

  He pressed his fingertips to his temples. “You don’t understand…”

  “What don’t I understand?”

  “Sometimes a man can want something more than he wants his next breath but that doesn’t mean he can have it,” he growled. “I’m not like Mitch, sweetheart. I’m not waving a flag declaring that I’m ready for a relationship. Marriage. Kids. The whole nine yards. I’m one of those guys that has a reputation and you’re one of those women that shouldn’t want a man like me.”

  “Why do you think so little of yourself? You, Boone Hawke, are more than your past. Maybe you should forget all those women who couldn’t tame a cowboy like you and give the right woman a chance.”

  Lowering his head, he brushed his lips against hers as if to sample, then the pressure changed to a hungry exploration.

  Scorching heat rippled through her.

  He parted her lips with his tongue, sweeping in, plundering her.

  With a submissive moan, she lifted to her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, dragging him down for a deeper kiss. Her tender bare breasts pressed against his chest. The silver buckle scraped her stomach sending goosebumps scattering her skin.

  Consumed in his touch, she hadn’t realized he’d lifted her off her feet until he bumped his elbow in the narrow hallway.

  Where were they going?

  Did she care?

  No, if his lips stay planted to hers and she would see him fully naked some time before morning.

  While still in his arms, he kissed her cheek, her neck, then nibbled her ear.

  Stepping into the darkness of a room, he rasped, “Where the hell is the light?”

  “Want to let me down and I’ll help find it?”

  “No. I’ve got this. I think.” He crossed the room and banged his knee against the table. “Ouch!”

  “Are you okay?”

  “It didn’t hurt much,” he whispered.

  He held her easily with one arm and with the other he fumbled for the lamp. After almost sending it careening off the nightstand, he finally clicked it on.

  The buttery-yellow light caught his slanted sweet smile and glossy eyes. Every cell came alive like the stroke of a matchstick. He kissed her again and again, brushing his warm, plump lips against hers, using his tongue to plunge in and out, then following the curve of her bottom lip to each corner.

  He made no move to put her down until she’d had the pluck kissed out of her.

  Then he gave her a toss and she dropped into the center of the bed, but he stilled her bouncing body with his broad frame. “Come here,” he said on a sigh as he dragged her across his lap, nuzzling his nose in her neck. “My God, you smell like honey. I imagine you taste like it too.”

  Threading his long, wide fingers in her hair, he brought her head over to meet his and he slid his tongue between her lips, plunging and pillaging, while she angled her chin to give him better access. He tasted like the wild strawberries they used to eat right off the vine behind his house.

  “You make me crazy,” he said against her lips.

  “Then we’re on the same page.”

  He slid his hand under the open front of the robe, brushing his fingers over her thigh, hip, up her waist to finally cup her breast. The rough pad of his thumb grazed her nipple causing an avalanche of warmth in her chest.

  She squealed when he gave her a gentle push that sent her to the mattress. She laughed and tucked her bottom lip between her teeth while staring up at him in anticipation.

  He shifted above her, opening her thighs with a nudge of his knee, spreading her wide. The scraping of his jeans against her slit made her cry out and dig her fingers in his biceps. “Boone…”

  “Not so fast, sweetheart.” He grabbed her wrists with one hand, lifting her arms high above her head and detaining them against the bed. His eyes feasted on her bare skin exposed in the parted robe. “How will I last?”

  “I’ll be gentle,” she said on an exhale of breath.

  “Not possible. Not a hot little minx like you.”

>   Slamming his mouth to hers, their tongues dueled, played, while hearts pounded in tempo. She lifted her hips, rubbing herself against him, feeling the bulge of his erection.

  “Tsk, tsk, firecracker.”

  His fingers stroked her ankle, skimming upward along the bare path of her calf, thigh, then took a quick left to her quivering center that ached for him. He rubbed his thumb over her tremulous slit, sliding the tip inside her—but only the tip as if to drive her mad.

  Her legs naturally parted wider. “Let’s do this, now.”

  “We will, darlin’. Soon.” He whispered then pressed her deeper into the plushness of the comforter, covering her with his brawny frame. He shifted slightly, sliding a hand between their bodies and greedily exploring her seam. Slipping one finger inside, then two, she almost came off the bed but his weight imprisoned her. The eagerness grew like a taut rubber band. She couldn’t remember ever being so needy. To show him her anticipation, she rolled her hips, thrusting against him, hips bumping.

  A feral energy pulsated between them, desire scaling an invisible mountain.

  “You’re so fucking hot. So, so fucking red-hot.”

  Dirty talk. She liked it.

  Still holding her prisoner, he suckled her neck, her collarbone, her shoulders, scratching his whiskered jaw against her sensitive skin. All while his thick, callused fingers pistoned her slippery flesh.

  “Too many clothes.” She raked her nails down the ass of his jeans. She brought her fingers around to fumble with his belt in a shaky effort to get him naked.

  She weakened as he nibbled her skin and her hands dropped away to clutch the blanket. Liquid heat burrowed into her core as he continued to milk the cream from her. His kisses became deeper, needier, greedier. And she gave as much as she took.

  He kissed away each purr and whimper. She lifted her hips, gliding herself up his fingers, bringing herself closer and closer to the peak. His mouth captured hers and fireworks went off behind her eyelids.

  The scratching of a zipper. The snapping of a button. The rustling of denim and squeaking of bedsprings all sounded loud in the bedroom. He came back to her, holding a small square foil packet.

  “We don’t want to forget this.”

  “You deserve an award but you’re taking too much time.” She grabbed the packet, tore it open with her teeth, and took out the condom. She wasted no time in slipping the protection onto him. “Now take me before I scream.”

  He slowly eased himself inside her, soft flesh meeting rigid cock. The two were made to fit together in splendid union.

  Digging her nails into his back, clinging to him, she wrapped her legs tight around his waist. Within minutes all restraint vanished, and release came pouring over them.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “Shouldn’t you be packing?” Boone asked his ma over the top of the mare that he’d been brushing.

  Abby grabbed an extra brush from the bucket. “Care if I help? I miss the horses, this land, and my boys. Especially my grandkids.”

  “You sound like you’re regretting the move.”

  “No. Yes. Maybe. I didn’t feel this way until I was here a few days and got back into the groove.” She swiped the brush over the horse’s mane.

  He dropped his brush and took a seat on a bale of hay to take a break. “Are you still leaving?”

  “We decided to stick around a few more weeks.” Her eyes and mouth creased.

  “Why?”

  She turned her grey eyes on him. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” Her laughter didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “Of course not. You know I love having you around.” He didn’t like the stress he saw in her eyes. “Is something wrong, Ma?”

  Her shoulders slumped some. “You out of all my sons could always see straight through me.” She gave the mare a loving scratch behind the ears then joined Boone, sitting next to him. She bumped him with her wide hip. “Scoot over and give your mom more room.”

  He did and leaned his back against the rough wall of the barn. “I can see straight through you because you love me more than the others.” He chuckled.

  She patted his knee. “That’s right.”

  “You say the same to Hank and Creed, don’t you?”

  “Of course not.” She winked. “You’re my baby boy.”

  “Ma, if you haven’t noticed I’m not much of a baby anymore.”

  “You’ll always be my baby.” She puffed her short grey curls. “When you were little you’d crawl upon my lap and snuggle.” She averted her gaze and he wondered if she was hiding the moisture he glimpsed in her eyes.

  “Is all okay between you and Rusty? If you need to tell me something—”

  “No, no, son. He’s wonderful. We’re wonderful. He had some routine testing with his doctor while we were in town. He trusts Dr. John.”

  “How’s Rusty doing?”

  A second passed. “It’s his heart again. Dr. John wants Rusty to see a specialist. The same one he saw after the heart attack.”

  “I’m sorry, Ma.”

  “We’re meeting with Dr. Shell in the morning in Billings to discuss what the options are, but you know Rusty’s a stubborn man. He said he’d never have surgery again. He also doesn’t want a bunch of doctor visits.”

  “Have you told Mindy?”

  “Not yet. Rusty wants to wait until we have more answers. I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but I felt like I’d burst.”

  Boone laid a comforting hand on her shoulder and she patted his fingers. She looked like she’d aged years in those few moments. “If there’s anything I can do to help I will.”

  She twisted on the bale of hay to face him. “There is something you can do.” He could see that she fought tears. “I want you to find happiness like your brothers have.”

  “Ma—”

  “I know what you’re going to say. That each of you move at your own pace, but you, my boy, move fast. You just tend to move in the wrong direction.”

  He blinked. “What if I’m not cut out for making a woman happy? Have you thought about that?”

  “This is like a broken record of the same conversation I’ve shared with both Creed and Hank. Look at them now. Happier than pigs in a mud hole. Do you think they’d change anything?”

  “They found their soul mates. What if I don’t have one?” he challenged.

  “If I thought for a minute that you’d be happier single then I’d zip it shut and never say another word, but I think you have found someone. Rusty agrees. So do Hank and Creed.”

  He couldn’t see how his ma didn’t have any sign of embarrassment that she’d been discussing his personal life with his brothers. “Oh, good lawd, Ma.” He stood and strolled back over to the horse to brush out her tail.

  “Boone, I know you never liked me snooping into your business, none of you boys did, but at some point, I need to put my two cents worth in.”

  “And who do you think I’m pining over?” He wasn’t about to mention Daisy’s name. They’d agreed to keep what they’d shared at the cabin to themselves.

  “It’s hard to know for sure, but I can take a gander.” She laughed in pride. “Sweet Daisy Bloom. When you two were kids I had an inkling that one day you’d grow up, mature and see that she’s a great catch.”

  He glanced back and snorted. “You were wrong. You’ve tried to fix me up with at least ten different women. Remember Ricki Montclair? You even tried to fix me up with Jazz, the bartender that worked at Pelican. I love you, Ma, but you’re not exactly Cupid.”

  “I wasn’t trying to fix you up with those other women, son. I just didn’t like your own choice of women. You seemed to like them top heavy and brain empty,” she huffed.

  “Ma, that’s not very nice.” He hid his smile.

  “Anyway, I had a dream after the gender reveal of Daisy wearing a white dress with a flower in her hair. You were in it too, wearing a sharp, black suit. You both were surrounded by flowers and there was music playing.”

  “Just bec
ause you have a vision of a romance novel doesn’t mean she and I are soul mates,” he pointed out, feeling a bit overworked.

  “Then you look at me and tell me you don’t find her amazing,” she demanded.

  Although he’d fibbed to his ma once or twice…and more as a kid to keep from getting in trouble, he couldn’t any longer. “Easy. She’s amazing. Obviously.”

  “Beautiful?”

  “Again. Anyone with eyes can see that she’s beautiful.”

  “Future-wife worthy?”

  He felt a heaviness in his chest. Why was any mention of his future and marriage always a sucker-punch to the gut? “Any man would be lucky to have her.” His ma’s searching stare drilled through him. “Nope.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Ma…I—”

  “Yeah?” Ma pressured.

  “She’s Brody’s sister.”

  “That’s supposed to mean something?”

  “Means a helluva lot.”

  “You can’t date a woman who has a brother? Hogwash. I think your problem is that you’re scared and using Brody as an excuse.” She waved a hand through the air.

  “I made a promise to him a long time ago that I’d never date one of his sisters. Friends don’t break promises,” he said.

  “And true friends don’t hold someone accountable to a silly promise made years ago. You say a man would be lucky to have Daisy, well I’m saying that any woman, including her, would be lucky to have a man like you. You, my dear son, are kind, helpful, smart, and if I do say so myself, very handsome.”

  “You’re biased.” He laughed and came over to kiss her plump, rosy cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you, Boone. You know I only worry about you. I see Hank and Creed’s happiness and it makes me want those same things for you. I can only urge if you feel anything in your heart for Daisy, for someone, that you don’t hesitate. Look at Rusty and me. Look at how many years we danced around our feelings, wasting time because of unwritten rules and invisible reasons. We were so worried about hurting this person or the next when all along we loved each other. I can’t go back and change anything, but I wouldn’t give up a minute of this last year spent with him. I want that same love for you.” She stood and gave him a hug. “Follow your heart, son. It’ll never steer you wrong.”