The corners of Talia’s lips turned down.
“I agree,” both Creed and Hank added.
Talia obviously didn’t like that the attention was on Daisy. “Honey, you should probably go and grab some ice to put on those scrapes.” Talia sniffed.
“I was headed that direction myself. I’ll help.” Boone got up and Talia was now fuming.
In the kitchen a group of women were discussing needlework techniques. They didn’t even notice Boone and Daisy and neither said a word as he prepared an ice pack and wrapped it in a soft cloth. He motioned for her to follow him through the back door.
They stepped out into the bright sunlight and she followed him around the corner of the house where they could be alone.
“Are you okay?” He examined the scratches. “You’re bruising. Damn. I’m sorry.” He pressed the ice pack against her chest.
She smiled. “Boone, you don’t need to apologize. I’m okay.”
“Was I rough?” His eyes filled with concern.
“Only as rough as I like it,” she said without shame.
He took a step, pressing her between his brawny body and the siding. He kissed her cheek and neck. “You’re like a delicate rose. I need to treat you as such.”
“I’m not delicate.” The temperature felt like it rose thirty degrees outside.
“True. Not the girl that saves trees.” He kissed the other side of her neck. “You know how sexy I find your spunk?”
“I don’t know, but we have to be careful. Anyone could see us.”
“Right, but I need to touch you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared up at him, enjoying the admiration she saw in his gaze. It made her feel wanted, beautiful, and elated. “Just for the record, I didn’t think those trees should be cut down just to create a better view from the kitchen window.”
“Sounds like you had a viable reason to boycott the cutting of those trees.” He twirled a piece of her hair around his knuckle.
“I should go.”
“Why?”
“Not only do I still have some work to do on the event, but if I have to see Talia cling to you one more time, I won’t be responsible for my reaction.”
“There’s that spirit I admire.” He nibbled her ear lobe.
She laughed and felt her knees wobble. “Are you encouraging me?”
“No, because there’s nothing between Talia and me, but I can’t say I’m not a bit flattered that you’re jealous. What does that say about me?” He pulled back a few inches to look at her.
“I don’t know. What does it say?”
Before he could answer laughter invaded their bubble. They stepped apart, he offered her a wink, and made a fast escape for the back of the house. She stood there in a frenzied wreck.
CHAPTER TEN
A rough, warm, callused hand pressed against her skin exposed by the backless dress she’d bought for the concert. Catching a whiff of Boone’s intoxicating scent, Daisy smiled as he whispered next to her ear, “We pulled it off. We raised enough money for the park and the biggest playground the kids of Cooper’s Hawk have ever seen.”
Pride swirled through her. “Yes, we did. It feels good to give back to the community, doesn’t it?”
His smile worked its magic on her body. He looked handsome in the crisp chambray shirt, dark Wranglers that fit him perfectly and his smile was the sugary icing on the cowboy cake. They were surrounded by people in the barn that had been transformed into a stage for Jinx to play. The walls were busting at the seams.
Everyone was laughing, dancing, eating, and drinking. The event had gone without a hitch.
They stepped aside and allowed room for dancers as Jinx played one of his most popular songs.
Abby swept over and hooked her fingers around Boone’s elbow. He offered her a caring smile. “Good to see you here, Ma.”
“I’m glad to be here.” Although her smile was there, it didn’t quite make it to her eyes. “How about a quick dance with your ma?”
“I’d love to.” He gave Daisy a wink and he swung Abby out to join the others on the floor for a line dance.
Daisy enjoyed watching them dance to the upbeat tune. Mainly, she couldn’t remove her hungry gaze off Boone. There were a lot of cowboys attending the event, but none of them compared, at least not to her.
Boone had amazing moves and just enough shake to make her nipples pebble. He faced her and dipped the curled edge of his Stetson her direction.
Her heart quickened.
Taking a visual path down the stretch of dark denim to his scuffed boots, he kept up with the fast beat of the music, thrusting his hips slightly. His moves were good in bed too. They’d given, taken, explored, and pleasured. They’d been on fire.
If someone would have told her three months ago that she’d be Boone’s lover she would have laughed, after she fainted from shock. Yet here they were.
He did a twist and twirl, and she admired his nice bottom cupped by the large pockets of his Wranglers. He kicked up a cloud of dust off the floorboards and clapped his hands as the song came to an end with Jinx saying, “Y’all sure know how to shake the walls of a barn, my friends.”
Townsfolk hooted and hollered.
But Daisy’s attention remained on Boone. The second button on his shirt came loose, showing off his broad, smooth, tanned chest. She’d had the pleasure of laying her head there, listening to the strong beating of his heart.
She wasn’t the only woman in the crowd that feasted her eyes on him, not that Daisy expected she would be. She just didn’t care. Over the course of a month something beautiful had grown between her and Boone. They’d snuck off every chance to reconnect in private, but in public they kept their interaction friendly and focused on the planning of the concert. What people didn’t see were the subtle brushes of hands and arms they exchanged. A person couldn’t possibly know how many times they “accidently” touched someone unless they counted. She might not be counting, but her body became a receptor and Boone’s touches were the electrical current, so she was fully aware when he was close. Every time their gazes met, she was reminded of the secrets they kept.
No one suspected anything because they’d been busily “working” on the committee. Now what would they do without the cover?
Disappointment slithered down her backbone. However, how much longer could they keep their affair hidden?
Boone escorted his ma to the punch table, kissed her flushed cheek and he sauntered over. “I worked up a sweat.”
Her knees wobbled. A vision of him naked, their bodies entangled and sweaty after making love, erupted inside her head. “You certainly did give those Wranglers a run for their money.” She smiled, wishing she could dunk her head in the horse trough to ease the tension between her thighs.
He dipped his gaze down to the tips of her boots and back up. “Did I forget to tell you how beautiful you look?”
She fluttered the skirt of the dress around her thighs. “Thank you. I bought this just for tonight.” She’d never tell him that she’d spent two hours in the mall looking for the perfect dress—for him more than the event.
“How about a dance?”
This could be breaking the rules, but she didn’t care. She’d been anticipating dancing with him.
“I’d love to.” She was breathless as he swept her onto the dance floor, and they paved their way to a more private spot where the twinkling lights didn’t quite reach. The beat of the song raised the roof and the stampeding of boots on the floor reminded her of a fight song at a football game. Jinx sung the chorus in his signature falsetto about small towns and pretty girls and the crowd cheered. Cowboys swung their ladies around, except for Boone.
He twirled her around and around, the skirt fluttering around her legs. He then brought her against his chest, bent his head and whispered, “That dress was made for this,” only to repeat the twirl-spin. No doubt, Boone could dance. He had the self-confidence of a professional as he shook his shoulders and s
himmied his bottom. He veered her around the floorboards, and she could only laugh in the fun they were having.
One song turned into another.
“I found a dance partner that can keep up,” Boone said.
“This is wonderful. I love dancing.”
Someone started a train and Boone pulled her over with him to join the line. They slipped in and weaved a path through the crowd, gaining their numbers until the train had tripled in length.
When the song ended and another started, Boone spun her until she was laughing uncontrollably. Although they were a far cry from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, they twirled about as other couples respectfully parted a path, clapping, and thrumming their feet as they urged them on.
For that moment she didn’t think about secrets or betrayal, but only that she and Boone were having a blast.
She let out a squeal when he bent her over his arm, dipping her low, so low the ends of her hair brushed the floor, then bringing her back up. The move elicited howls and shouts from the others. She felt flushed and warm from dancing as much as finding herself the center of attention. Daisy wasn’t used to people watching her.
He pulled her close, looking down at her with glazed eyes. “Your cheeks are flushed.”
“No doubt. Everyone is staring at us.”
“They’re jealous that I’m dancing with the prettiest girl in the place.”
“I doubt that. I’d say the women wish they were in my shoes and the men wish they could copy some of your moves. I had no clue you could shake a leg.”
“I can’t give away all my secrets at once.” His eyes glistened in the twinkling lights strung from one corner of the ceiling to the other.
“You have me very curious what comes next.”
“Stick around, darlin’. I have every plan to show you what you’ve been missing.”
And she had no doubt.
The lively beat faded into a slower tune.
“Now a special song for a special person,” Jinx said as one of the stage helpers brought out a stool and placed it in the center for Jinx to sit on.
Several dancers left the floor and when Daisy took a step, Boone held her steady.
“Is this okay?” She skipped her gaze around the crowd to see if anyone was watching.
“Don’t worry. We’re only dancing.”
She walked into his awaiting arms and it was a lot like finding home. She felt a lot like Cinderella as he wrapped her in his solid, strong biceps and she easily melted against him.
Warning bells sounded in the back of her head that someone might suspect something, but she couldn’t have cared if her life depended upon it.
He smelled like Irish Spring soap and the fields after a heavy rain, which mingled with the savory scents of local food from the assortment of food trucks that had volunteered their services.
His soft chambray shirt welcomed her to press her cheek against his chest and her hands fit perfectly at his waist. The buttery smooth leather of his belt brushed her fingertips. He fitted his hands against her bare back and his fingers made figure eights on her sensitive skin. Goosebumps scattered her skin and her inner thighs trembled.
Her mind wandered to all the what ifs. What if tonight they could take their relationship to the next level? She enjoyed the privacy of what they shared, but at some point, something would need to change because whether she admitted it to herself or not, she wanted to feel every night what she felt right now. Like she belonged with him. Like they were beautiful together.
She could hear the beating of his heart that seemed to match her own.
He ground his hips against her in a provocative way—possibly a promise that he was thinking of their secrets too.
Lifting her chin as they slowly moved to the song, she caught a few envious glances directed at her. Boone had won the heart of many cowgirls in Cooper’s Hawk. It should bother her that he’d been intimate with a few, but she had to believe—wanted to believe—that what she shared with him was different.
Yet, he hadn’t made her any promises.
Tipping her head, she looked up at him, absorbing his handsome features and the grin she could stare at for days. “I think some women are hoping they’ll have their chance to dance with you too.”
He gave a slight shrug that could have been mistaken for a dance move. “I like dancing with you.” Maybe he’d never made a verbal pledge, the silent one certainly couldn’t be ignored.
“We’ve worked hard. We deserve to dance all night,” she said anxiously. There would be no complaint from her if they stayed glued together for the remainder of the evening.
Unfortunately, the song ended, and Jinx excused himself for a break.
“Thirsty?” Boone asked.
“Yes.” But not for liquid. She had a thirst for him.
The drink table stretched for miles with a selection of seltzer water, still water, bowls of bright pink punch with scoops of ice cream floating on top. A half barrel filled with ice was packed with pop and a keg sat on another table. All the drinks were donated by Pelican Bar and Grill.
“Beer or something else?”
“I’ll take a beer.”
He grabbed two plastic cups, poured them full then handed her one. He led her away from the crowd to a spot under a tree. The light breeze swept over her, drying the perspiration on her body. Her hair clung to her damp neck and shoulders. She was glad the dress she wore was lightweight with the open back, otherwise she would have been sweating profusely which wasn’t the look she was shooting for.
Taking a sip of the ice-cold beer, she relished the taste. “I’ll admit, I’d argued against having a keg, but I actually like the taste better than I thought I would.”
“See, sometimes I know best.”
“And Jinx is a hit.” She smiled above the rim of her red cup. “You’re good at this. You should volunteer more often.”
“Stop right there. I didn’t hate this committee stuff as much as I thought I would, but I ain’t cut out to do it often. I’ve been busting my ass to keep up with my chores at the farm.” He took a long swallow. “You did an amazing job on the flowers.”
“With Jinx singing, the alcohol, and dancing I don’t think people are noticing much else.” She looked back at the barn that looked like a fairytale with all the lights and flowers. “It reminds me of a rustic wedding venue.”
“Is this the kind of wedding you’d like?”
The question caught her off guard. “Probably. Yes. A bohemian style, simple, with lots of earthy tones, twinkling lights and lit candles. Flowers, of course. Lots of them. You have a perfect place here for a wedding venue. The barn. The land. The view. It’s all a dream.”
“I can’t disagree.”
“I’ve put a lot of thought into finding a large piece of land and transforming it into a venue. Build a house and a nursery three times the size of the one I have now. I want to have a flower farm, expand the business, hire more employees, reach beyond just Cooper’s Hawke.” She knew she could tell him anything. “I could be biting off more than I can chew.”
His dimples bracketed his amazing grin. “I believe you can do anything you set your mind to.” He reached over and took a tendril of her hair, wrapping it around his knuckle and then let it fall back to her cheek. “I bet I know a few plots of land that’d work. How about the Sinclaire place? I’ve heard Jady plans to sell. The house, the barn, the pond all needs some work, but it wouldn’t cost a fortune.”
“It’s something I will definitely consider.” The warmth of the alcohol offered a respite from the earlier tension. “What happens now, Boone?”
“What do you mean?”
“We’ll no longer have the committee duties to use as an excuse because we’re seeing each other.”
He drained his cup. “You definitely are the greatest temptation I’ve ever come across.” The words were as smooth as aged whiskey.
Was that his way of changing the subject? “That doesn’t answer my question.” She chugged t
he rest of her beer then licked the foam off her upper lip.
“You’re not tired of me yet?” He spoke with the Montana drawl that seemed to burn her fire brighter. His eyes reflected the twinkling lights behind them, and she wanted him to want her as much as she wanted him.
She laughed. “Are you being serious?”
“Yeah.”
“And silly.”
“Just had to be sure. We do work well together. Look at all this.”
She looked back at the white, crisp lights that stretched from the barn across the immaculate lawn to the row of food trucks where crowds had gathered for local favorites. The music had started for Jinx’s final set. The night was coming to an end.
“I guess that’s your cue that things are starting to wind down. If you don’t want these people in your yard all night, it’s time to start packing up the liquor.”
“I guess so.” He rubbed his jaw. “Once I take care of things, I’ll be free.” Was there an underlying invitation to his words? She took his offered hand and together they walked across the dewy grass and shadows to the fringes of the crowd. Then he let her hand go before someone saw.
Her heart dropped. Although she knew her internal emotions clogged her logic, she felt rejected by his act.
The cleanup crew had arrived and Boone went to meet up with the supervisor.
Although Daisy knew she shouldn’t, she poured herself another beer and joined Helena who was sitting in a chair watching the event.
“How are you?”
Helena patted her stomach. “Fat.”
“You look amazing. Pregnancy suits you.” Daisy admired the other woman. She’d left an unbearable life in California that sent her and her daughter, Freya, on their own. They’d ended up homeless, hungry, and scared, but they’d persevered.
“Could be the baby, or possibly the love Hank gives me. The happiness of being with him.” She moved her gaze in the direction of her husband who was taking crates out of the back of his truck. “Being loved is wonderful. I’m so lucky.”
“And you most certainly are. Anyone can see that Hank believes you hung the moon.”
Cowboy Boone (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 4) Page 11