"They are cute little buggers," he agreed. "They really keep her hopping. I don't know what she plans to do when she gets in the office."
"I think the two grandmothers are going to help out, and she can always run out to pick them up if she needs to. That's the joy of being self-employed."
"I know. I like that about my graphics. I can work around my schedule. Of course, I'd like it better if I could do it full-time."
"Cora says that's what you hope to do, someday."
"Yes, it was my major in school. But in order to do that, one has to have sufficient financial stability, so until I have a substantial amount of money in the bank, I'm not willing to try it."
"What made you decide to become a cowboy?" she asked.
"Become a cowboy?" he repeated with a grin. "Well, as a boy, I helped out on a friend's family ranch, and I really enjoyed it. I'll admit, it often makes for a long, hot day, but I enjoy the out of doors. I like horses; I like all animals, really. It just seemed like the perfect job for me."
"If you like the outdoors, how will you adjust to working inside full-time when you make the break into your graphics?"
"I'll be able to make my own hours, and I'll always make time for a ride in the fields or a day of fishing by the brook."
"I see. I guess growing up in New York, I didn't get the country outdoors so much, but I did spend time at the beach every summer. I took riding lessons for a few years. I loved to ice skate in the winter too."
"You took riding lessons?" he asked with interest.
"Yes, I did."
"So if you can ride, say on Sunday afternoon, how about you and I take the horses out? I know a great place for a picnic."
"You have horses?" she asked. "Silly question. Of course you do. You're a cowboy."
"I have one, and my sister has one I'm sure she'd be willing to let you ride. She's a gentle horse; you'll be safe enough."
"You're on, cowboy. It's been a while since I've ridden, but it's something I've always loved to do."
"I'll pick you up at one," he said with that lopsided grin he sported so many times when he looked at her.
"Sounds great," she said. "Oh, look, the band is setting up."
"Yeah, it's a local group. I've heard them before, and they're pretty good."
Audrey watched in fascination as the members of the band quickly finished setting up and adjusting the sound. She was looking forward to hearing a Texas country band. Although she'd grown up with the ballet and classical music, she enjoyed listening to modern country on the radio occasionally. Cora had done that to her during the time she had lived in New York. Cora had taught her a great many things. Just as the other girl had often said Camille was her mentor, Audrey had to admit that Cora was hers. She loved her like a sister.
The band started out with a fast-paced country tune. Several couples were on the dance floor, along with a group of young girls who seemed to be celebrating a bride-to-be. After a few more of the same, line dancing was in full mode. Audrey watched with interest.
"See, you could do it. Cora and I could give you lessons."
"Cora does that?" she asked.
"On occasion, when she's out with the girls," he replied. "Dale only does slow dances, but she can cut a rug, given the chance."
"Cut a rug?" Audrey asked.
He chuckled and explained, "Old-time term for dancing."
When the mood turned romantic with a slow song, he looked across the table and held out his hand. "I believe this is our song."
Audrey allowed him to lead her to the gleaming wooden dance floor as if she were in a dream. He took her in his arms and pulled her close. The musky male scent mingled with his cologne, and she sighed. He pulled her even closer. They were barely moving on the floor, but his touch was doing strange things to Audrey. She was experiencing a feeling she'd never felt before. It was a feeling of excitement, almost a tingly feeling, but most of all, she felt safe and content in his arms. She was feeling an intensity with him that was a new sensation for her. Even with all her experience with Doms, she'd never felt this way before. And that brought another thought to mind. What would this good ole Texas boy think of the lifestyle she'd led in New York? Oh, well, it was only for a week; she would never have to tell him.
Beau leaned down and kissed the top of her head. It sent shivers down her spine. When the song ended, he didn't release her immediately. It was as if he'd felt the same feelings she had felt, like he didn't want to let her go. She could have stayed on that dance floor in his arms forever, but the band had other ideas as they moved into another fast number.
"I guess that's our cue to go back to our table," he whispered as he released her and took her hand. He led her back and pulled out her chair for her.
Neither of them spoke for several minutes. When they did, they both tried to talk at once.
"You go ahead, ladies first," he offered.
"I was just going to say that, for a cowboy, you're a pretty good dancer."
"Why, thank you, ma'am," he said in an exaggerated drawl.
"Now, what were you going to say?" she asked.
He threw his head back and laughed heartily. "You won't believe this, but I was about to say, for a city slicker, you don't do so badly on the old dance floor."
She laughed with him. "Well, I guess now we know we both can dance and we both can ride."
"I wonder what else we have in common," he replied seriously.
She hesitated before answering, "We both love to bring manuscripts to life. I edit, and you create wonderful cover art."
"Speaking of which, we probably should call it an early night. If we're going out on Sunday, I really need to get cracking early on the new orders Cora gave me the other night."
"I'd love to watch you work," she said suddenly, surprising both of them.
"You would?" he asked.
"Yes, I would. I mean, I've seen artists working on covers before, but I'd like to see how you do it."
"I can pick you up and take you to my place tomorrow."
"I hate to make you do that and break up your schedule. I'll see if Cora can run me by there, in the afternoon. You can take me back to her place later."
"If she can't, you let me know. It's not a problem to come get you."
"Are you sure you don't mind if I watch?"
"Not at all. In fact, you can help me."
"I'm not good with art."
"You can help me choose the scenes."
"Okay, you've got a deal, cowboy."
He paid the tab and helped her out of her chair. Taking her hand once more, he walked with her to his truck and helped her inside.
When he was seated next to her in the driver's seat, he turned to her and said in a low, husky voice, "Audrey, correct me if I'm wrong, but I felt something out there on that dance floor tonight. Is something happening between us?"
She took a deep breath. "Beau, you know it can never work."
"No, I don't know that at all, and you're evading the question."
She looked down at her lap, and with tears in her eyes, she turned to him. "I felt it too, but I'm going home in a week. Why start something we can never finish?"
He leaned over and took her face in his hands. Looking deeply into her eyes, he moved his own face closer to hers. Without another word, his lips were on hers. The kiss started out slow and gentle but quickly escalated as her lips parted and his tongue entered the dark crevices of her mouth. Her tongue danced with his as the two mingled and became one. Her arms went around his neck, and she grabbed a handful of his sandy hair. As his arms circled around her tiny waist, she thought she'd died and gone to Heaven. It was all like a dream.
When his lips finally relinquished hers, he nuzzled her neck and whispered in her ear, "Tell me you didn't feel that."
"Oh, Beau," she said as she caressed his tanned, gorgeous face.
He turned around and put the key in the ignition. "I'll take you home. But I want you to do something for me. I want you to think about
tonight and tell me again why it can't work. I have never felt this way about another woman. From the moment I laid eyes on you, the other night at Cora's house, I knew there was something different about you. You can't deny you feel something for me."
"My life is in New York."
"Does it have to be?"
"It is what it is, Beau. We have to face the awful truth of that."
He pulled up in front of the Barton home. Before he got out, he leaned over and kissed her again. And when he walked her to the door, he kissed her one last time before turning to leave. As she unlocked the door, he said, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, you will."
Chapter 6
When she mentioned to Cora, at breakfast the next morning, she'd like to go over to Beau's place that afternoon, Cora agreed to take her.
"I'll take you, on one condition," she said.
"What's that?" Audrey asked in a puzzled tone.
"That you don't keep him from getting his work done."
"I'm going to help him with his work."
Cora laughed. "You? Help him with cover art?"
"I wanted to watch him work, and he asked me to help him pick out some of the scenery and pictures."
"But I thought he was a know-it-all," Cora teased.
"I'm getting used to that."
"Audrey, are you falling for him, after just one date? That's not like you."
"I like him. Let's just leave it at that. Nothing will ever come of it, but why can't I enjoy his company while I'm here? You know me. I like to play, but I don't get serious."
Cora gave her a worried glance but kept still.
"After lunch would be a good time if it works for you," Audrey said.
"It's fine."
"We're also going horseback riding tomorrow, and we're going to have a picnic, so I thought I'd pick up something at the market to fix. Any suggestions?"
Cora rolled her eyes and said, "Audrey, you know I'd love nothing more than for you to find the right guy and settle down. I feel the same way about Beau. But you said yourself nothing is going to come of it. I don't want either of you to get hurt by starting something if you don't think it's going to work out. I'm not so sure this "play but don't get serious" stuff holds true this time."
"We know that. It's all good, Cora. I promise."
"As far as picnic food, why don't you make some potato salad?" Cora asked, changing the subject.
"Potato salad?" she asked.
"I will help you. Sheesh," Cora teased.
Audrey thought about what Cora had said as she got ready to go to Beau's place. Was she biting off more than she could chew with the handsome Texan? She told herself again it was all good and finished getting ready.
At one o'clock Audrey was knocking on Beau's door. He opened it with a smile and let her in, waving to Cora as she drove away.
"Come on in. I've been working all morning. You can see what I've done," he said as he ushered her into a room at the back of his cabin.
"This is a nice place for a cabin," she said.
"It's okay for now," he replied. "It comes with the job, so that's another thing. When I leave this cowboy gig, I'll have to find another place."
He took her to the computer and pulled up several covers for her to see.
"Okay, these two I like. This one, I'm not too sure about. Tell me about the story." She pointed to the cover in question.
He found the blurb for the book and let her read through it. She looked at the cover proof again and said, "I'd suggest using a different background. This one just doesn't do it for me. How about the ocean? It goes more with the story."
He looked at the cover. "Hmm, I'm trying to imagine that. Let me look for some ocean shots and see what I can come up with. Now, while I'm doing that, grab yourself a cup of coffee and look over these blurbs and the photos I've picked and let me know what you think."
"Yes, sir," she said with a salute.
He chuckled and shook his head. He could get used to this city gal calling him "sir." He wondered fleetingly what she would think if she knew he'd been researching BDSM on the internet.
Audrey did as he suggested and poured herself a cup of coffee. He'd been thoughtful enough to set a mug, creamer and sweetener on the counter for her. She poured the creamer in and stirred it before carrying it to the table. As she sat sipping the hot drink slowly, she looked over the work he'd given her. Writing down her suggestions, she went back into the room where she had left him working on the ocean background.
"What do you think now?" he asked as he moved aside to let her see the finished, revised proof.
"I like that much better, and, hopefully, the author will too."
"Did you come up with anything on those?' he asked.
"Yes, I did. Most of them were great, but I suggested changes to two of them."
"Once I get through all these, I'll be done for the day. Wanna stick around and order a pizza after I'm finished? We can watch a movie on TV if you'd like."
"That sounds great. I'd like that very much."
"Good, now if you want to watch the master at work, have a seat."
"Let me go get another cup of coffee. Do you want one?" she asked.
"Oh, that would be awesome. Thanks." He handed her his mug, and she headed into the tiny country kitchen to get more coffee.
When she returned, he was hard at work and concentrating on a design, so she set his coffee down and quietly sat down to watch. It was amazing to see him bring the blurbs to life. He really was talented, and he did know his craft, she had to admit.
After two covers, he stood up to stretch. "Hey, there, are you bored yet? If you'd like, you can go outside and walk around the grounds a bit or sit in the swing on the front porch. You don't have to watch me."
"I like watching you, but I think I'll take you up on that offer and take a look around. I'll be back. I just need to stretch my legs a bit."
"Come here, first," he said in a low tone.
She walked over to where he stood and was delighted when he tipped her face up to his. He leaned down and planted a sweet, soft kiss on her lips. When he pulled his face away from hers, he said, "I've wanted to do that since the second you walked in my front door."
"Why didn't you?" she asked.
"I was being a gentleman."
"Hmm, let me get this straight. The cowboy-slash-artist is also a gentleman?"
"I try to be. Now, scoot, so I can get back to work. You're supposed to be on vacation."
"I won't be long," she promised as she walked out the front door.
She stood on the porch enjoying the view of the hills beyond his yard. As her gaze wandered around the yard, she saw a flower garden at the side of the cabin. Don't tell me he gardens, too.
She stepped off the porch and walked around the side to get a closer look at the garden, and she saw that it was indeed beautiful and well tended. How did he have time to do that? As she moved around to the back of the cabin, she also saw a small vegetable garden. Beau Birch was a man of many talents. She circled around to the other side and saw more flowers. When she got back to the porch, she sat down in the swing and relaxed, the gentle, late afternoon breeze rustling through the nearby trees. It was hot, but the slight wind on her face made the heat bearable. She was so relaxed that she didn't hear the screen door open. When Beau sat down in the swing beside her, she opened her eyes.
"Wake up, sleeping beauty. I wondered why you never came back in."
"How long was I out here?" she asked as she tried to get her bearings.
"Long enough for me to finish my work for the day," he answered with a grin. "Tell me what you thought of my yard."
"It's gorgeous, but how do you find time to garden?"
"I don't. The cabin belongs to the owner of the ranch, and his gardener does it for me. As foreman, the cabin comes with the job, as I said before. When I hang up my hat and spurs, I also give up the cabin."
"I see, so it's part of your benefits package, so to speak. You
save money on rent. Once you strike out on your own to pursue your dream, you'll have to find a place of your own."
"That's true, but don't forget that I've been putting money aside for quite a while to cover my expenses while I'm getting started."
"This is beautiful country out here. Won't you hate to leave it?"
"Not if I find a place in the country of my own," he replied.
"I suppose we should order the pizza, shouldn't we? You're probably famished."
"I am getting a little hungry. Come on back inside, and we can decide what we want."
They got up and went back into his kitchen, where he pulled a takeout menu from a drawer and handed it to her. "Best pizza in town, and they'll deliver out here."
She looked over the choices, and together, they decided on a large one with the works.
"We may as well go all out. I've been eating all kinds of things I don't normally eat on this vacation," she said with a giggle.
"That's what vacations are for," he replied as he picked up his cell and dialed the number of the pizza place.
While they waited, he asked if she preferred soda or beer. She chose soda, since she'd had a few beers the night before. She normally didn't drink beer, and she drank very little soda. They looked through the movies offered on demand with his satellite service and chose a comedy to watch after the pizza arrived.
"Come and look at the covers while we wait," he suggested.
"Sure," she agreed as she followed him into his office.
He pulled them up, one by one, on the computer and let her see them. He watched her expression as she examined each one with an expert eye.
"They're great. I can see why Cora doesn't want to lose you."
"I think I hear the pizza guy." He grabbed his wallet from the desk and went to pay the delivery boy. When he came back in the room, he shut off his computer, and they walked back into the kitchen.
"Don't you need to send those to Cora?"
"I will, later. She won't do anything with them until Monday, anyway."
He got the plates, forks and napkins and joined her at the small oak kitchen table. "Do you want to take all this into the living room and watch the movie?"
Her Texas Dom (Dominant Men Book 4) Page 6