When she walked out of the kitchen, she nearly bumped into him. He grinned, and was holding his belt buckle, trailing his belt. She handed him a beer. "Let's sit on the couch, and I'll take a look at that. It's beautiful."
He snagged her free hand as he sat down instead of handing her the belt he'd dropped in his lap. "Thanks for inviting me in. I wasn't ready to say goodnight."
She nodded slowly, meeting his gaze. "Me neither, I guess." Looking down as she took a sip of beer, she examined her feelings. She definitely was glad he'd come in, yet scared, too. She couldn't imagine a good outcome for this relationship. Not with her dad figured into it. She couldn't bear hurting him. Not in his current condition.
Dylan pulled her toward him. "Come here. Tell me what you're feeling. Something's going on in that head of yours."
She slid closer, leaning into him as he put his arm around her shoulders. Setting her beer on the floor, she picked up the buckle. "This is wonderful." Running her finger over the raised details of the bucking bronc, she avoided answering his question. After all, it was the same thing that had bothered her all along. "You probably have dozens of trophy buckles."
"I wouldn't say dozens, but I have some." He pulled her a tad closer. "You didn't answer me. What's going on?"
Holy hell, he was persistent. Head down, she said, "You know what I'm worried about. Dad. And ...."
He drew her hair away from her cheek and bent his head to peer at her. "And?"
She sucked in a breath. It was so much easier to be alone, dammit. "Dylan, I haven't seen anyone, like a guy, in a long while, and I did that on purpose. Being by myself is ... simple. You and me—especially you and me—that's not simple." Finding the courage to look into his eyes, she said, "I'm not sure I could face what might happen to me."
Brow furrowed, worried eyes searching hers, Dylan cupped her face and said, "Are you afraid to love me?"
Closing her eyes, she said, "It's what happens after I love you that worries me."
Dylan jerked. "Are you afraid of me? I would never hurt you, Lennie."
She quickly met his gaze. "No, no, I don't think that. Not physically, anyway."
He paused. "Oh. Oh, Lennie, someone has hurt you. Dammit, tell me who."
She pulled her face away. "It's okay, Dylan. A bad ending to a relationship. That's all. It's just ... I won't go through that again. I'd rather be alone. Seriously, I don't even know why I said yes to tonight."
He tilted her chin and turned her to him, urging her to meet his gaze. "You're with me because you like me. It's okay, Lennie. I'm safe. I don't cheat and I don't lie or do whatever that asshole did to you. I'm a good guy."
She had no clue if Nic had cheated or lied. He hadn't said, and her pride hadn't let her ask. She'd accepted his words and watched him go.
Dylan brushed her lips with a gentle kiss. "I'm not him. When I say I'm yours, that means I'll take care of you."
He was right. She really did like him. The way he spoke to her, the way he touched her showed that he truly cared. It made her want to trust him. Looking into his eyes, she said, "You're not him."
"I'm not."
Sliding her arms around his neck, she whispered, "Come here." He met her halfway, and she nipped his bottom lip, then kissed him hard.
He responded, pulling her tight, twining his tongue with hers and moaning softly. Running his hand up her back, he cupped her head, covering every inch of her mouth with his lips.
When she came up for air, he asked, "Whose girl are you."
Laughing, she mumbled, "Yours."
"What? I didn't catch that."
She raised her voice and said, "I'm your girlfriend. Happy now?"
Brushing her cheek tenderly with his fingertips, he smiled. "Completely." A few minutes later he stood and pulled her into his arms. Resting his chin on the top of her head, he said, "I promised not to stay long, and now that I have something to dream about, I can leave." Easing back from her, he asked, "When can I see you again?"
This was the hard part. Changing her routine too much would cause her parents to ask questions. "I don't know how to do this. Lying to my parents it awful."
"Yeah, it sucks. But remember, we're not doing anything wrong. We're two consenting adults. It's just this damned feud."
"Daisy's ready to cover for us whenever." Weekends were the easiest because she worked such long days during the week. "I guess shoot for next weekend?"
He sighed. "Girl, I'll miss you too bad way before then. Can't we at least meet up for a little while during the week?"
His wheedling tone made her want to laugh. "What did you have in mind? Something sneaky, I'm sure."
He grinned. "Why don't we meet where that bull of yours got through the fence the first time? Nobody will find us there."
"Okay, I can do it during the day when no one will ask questions. You make me worry, though."
He raised his brows. "Why?"
"You're pretty damned good at this devious crap."
He cracked up. "Come here." Pulling her close, he gave her a loud kiss.
Laughing, she pulled away. "I'll see you Wednesday at two. Don't be late." As his sexy butt disappeared through the door, she let out a deep sigh. Hell, he made her body sing. Was dating him the right thing to do? She'd see how she felt come Wednesday.
Chapter Six
DYLAN DROVE ALONG THE fence line of the Brewster County pasture. His heart beat doubled as he drove, nearing the former break in the fence. Lennie's truck was already there. He'd been on edge all day, watching the hands of his watch, waiting for the right time to leave. Her truck door opened and he sucked in a breath. She was so beautiful. He loved the way her hat sat on her golden hair and couldn't keep his eyes off her curves as she rounded the truck and approached the fence.
He slowed to keep the dust from billowing up from his tires. As soon as he came to a stop, he thrust himself from the cab, eagerly sliding his long legs over the fence and joining Lennie on her side. Without words, he wrapped his arms around her waist and backed her against her truck, removing her hat and planting an eager, teasing kiss on her lips.
Kissing him back, she laughed. "Whoa, there. Can't you say hi first, cowboy?"
He grinned. "Hi, Lennie," and kissed her again, taking his time and enjoying the feel of her, the taste of her, and how her body molded to his. When he pulled back, he said, "I missed you. I mean, I really missed you. Four days is too long to go without kissing you."
She raised her fingers to her lips and said quietly, "I missed you, too. I thought about not coming. Seeing you is a bad idea. But I can't help myself."
He cupped her face in his hands. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry it has to be this way right now. But this is going to work out. We'll take it slow. Somehow, we'll figure a way to be together, in the open. Your daddy loves you. There must be a way. We just don't see it yet. Okay?"
She nodded, her beautiful blue eyes trusting him.
With a gentle kiss he stepped back, holding her hands in his. "How's your day going?"
"Hectic." She retrieved her hat and settled it snug on her head. "Randy's south with one of the herds, and I'll join him shortly. The damn plumbing is backed up in the master bathroom. I need to deal with it this afternoon. Dad was always good with that stuff, and now I'm having to learn. He tries to give me instructions but I have such a hard time understanding him, and he gets horribly frustrated." She rubbed her hand across her eyes. "I never have enough time to get everything done." Dropping her hand, she stood tall. "But I'll get used to it."
He pulled her in for a hug. "Dammit, honey. I can't bear standing by and watching you face all this alone. Do you know how helpless it makes me feel?
She shook her head into his shoulder.
"Well, it stinks. The sooner we bring our relationship out in the open, the better all around. We need to come up with a plan."
Pulling away, she met his gaze. "I've thought hard about it, but my dad's anger at the Govains goes deep. I can't imagine how I can overcome th
at."
He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. "We've got to try at some point. He's pretty fragile now, but there'll come a time when we have to do something about us."
Looking down, she said, "You're right."
He squeezed her hand. "But, for now, we take it slow, like I said. It took me years to make you my girlfriend. I can wait a while longer for people to find out." He grinned, hoping to cheer her up.
Taking her hat off again, she slid her arms around his neck and settled into him.
He breathed in her smell, loving the way she melted her body against him. She fit him perfectly. He kissed her behind the ear and nuzzled her softly.
Sighing, she held him tighter.
They stood holding each other for a while. At last, she pulled away. "Randy's sure to be looking for me about now, and here I am necking with my boyfriend."
He grinned. "I love it when you call me that. Now, you have to go." Stepping away, he watched her hips sway as she walked around her truck and got in. He waved until she disappeared behind an outcrop. It was a hell of a long time until Saturday.
LENNIE FILLED HER PLATE at the stove that evening and headed for her bedroom.
Her mother stopped her in her tracks. "How come you've taken to eating in your room of the evenings? We used to always sit together while you had dinner."
Though her mother ate earlier with her father, she had always come back to the table to visit with her daughter while Lennie ate her dinner. "I don't mean to hurt your feelings, Mom. I just like to relax in my room, and I usually call Daisy."
Her mother examined Lennie's face, not saying a word.
Lennie squirmed. Could her mom tell she was hiding something? Ugh, this is awful.
Finally, her mother said, "Well, you're tired when you come in. Take care of yourself as you see fit, honey."
Lennie let out her breath. "I love you, Momma."
"I love you, too."
In her room, she settled on the bed and took a bite of dinner, starving, as she always was. She checked her phone and read Dylan's text from earlier.
It was so great to see you, Lennie. I 'm not sure how I can hold out until Saturday, though. I'm already about to bust, missing you. Was Randy wondering where you were? A man can tell when a woman has been well kissed. Did he look at you funny?
She grinned. This guy was such a troublemaker. She'd sassed him back real quick when she read the text the first time, but hadn't had time to send anything more since. After taking another bite, she typed:
What's up, cowboy?
Immediately, he sent:
Drowning my sorrows with a glass of sweet tea. Damn, I miss you.
She smiled, admitting she missed the heck out of him, too.
Aw, come on. We just saw each other. You're a big baby.
A few seconds later she laughed when she read:
Go ahead, call me names. I'm dying here and you don't even care.
Oh, the poor little thing.
Okay, I admit it. I do care that you're dying. But only because I hate going to funerals.
He wrote:
Damn, girl, can't you be sweet to me? Remember, I'm your boyfriend.
She grinned.
Okay, I'm swooning. And, really, I do miss you.
Before her fingers left the screen, he sent:
That's more like it. What do you miss about me?
She shook her head, her grin bigger than before. He was something else.
Well, there's your great butt, and those awesome pecs, and I love tall cowboys with long, muscular legs. And have I told you I like how you kiss?
If that didn't blow his head up, nothing would. He didn't respond for a few seconds, then texted:
Wow, Lennie. Thanks. Do you want to hear what I miss about you?
She bit her lip.
Knowing you, I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
Secretly, she kind of wanted to know.
Ha ha. I'm telling you anyway. I miss the challenge in your eyes, but they have a softness, too. I know your heart is sweet when I look at you. I miss your golden hair and the way it brushes your brows, bringing out the color of those incredible blue eyes. I miss the way your shirt fits, enticing me, making my eyes search for hidden, delicious parts of you. I miss the way your hips curve, and the way your cute little butt looks when you walk away from me. I miss your lips most of all because I remember your kisses, and I can't bear to do without them. I miss everything about you, Lennie.
He had her flushed and aroused, tingling all over.
Dammit, you make me want you with words like that, Dylan. Why do you put up with me? I'm a smart ass and not nearly as sweet as you make me out to be.
A few seconds later, she read:
You forget how long I've known you. You ignored me, but I always paid attention to you. Lennie Duncan hasn't always been a smart ass nor a hard ass. You're sweet as honey, and I knew that from the beginning.
She pressed her phone to her chest. She had been quiet and sweet. How strange to think that all those years ago he'd been watching and listening to her.
Dylan, thank you for caring, then and now.
He answered:
Of course, sweetheart. Have you finished dinner?
She shoveled the last few bites down, chewing quickly, before answering him.
Yep. I haven't showered yet, though.
His reply slammed back at her.
Oh, I'm thinking of you in that shower now.
She laughed.
You are such a bad, bad boy. Stop it. I'm letting you go. Do whatever you do to idle away your hours. Call me later if you like.
He fired back:
I like. I like. Bye.
As she stripped and stepped in the shower, she had a lot to think about. Dylan had kept her on his radar since they were kids. How had she not noticed that? She'd never guessed he thought of her more than in passing. She'd only thought of him as the cute Govain guy and way out of her league.
Now she knew he had meant to ask her to the prom. She lifted her face to the steady stream of water as she considered that. He had guts, asking her out, knowing her dad hated the Govains. Closing her eyes, she remembered his lips on hers, the way he held her hips firmly against him, his hands sliding up her back, pulling her close. He made her forget herself, her problems, her life. He was all she could think of when he kissed her. The escape was intoxicating. By the time she stepped out of the shower, her body was on fire. Now she knew how Dylan felt. Saturday was too damned far away.
After a short phone call with Daisy, she turned off the light and slid under the covers. Lying in bed, sore and tired from a hard day's work, still she thought of Dylan. Did his days make him this worn out? Some nights, by the time she got to bed, she could barely lift a finger. Closing her eyes, she focused on relaxing one muscle bunch at a time, starting at her shoulders.
She must have dozed off, because her phone woke her. She reached for it, opened the call, and fumbled it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Damn, I'm sorry. I should have called earlier. You sound like you were asleep," Dylan said.
More awake now, she said, "No problem. I haven't been in bed long.
"I should let you go."
"After waking me up? Don't you dare."
"Good point. I'm closing my eyes. Tell me what you're wearing."
She grinned. "You're going to be so disappointed. An old ratty t-shirt."
"And?"
He was so bad. "What? Panties, of course."
"Description, please."
She cracked up. "You think just because you ask nicely, you'll get what you want?"
"Yes."
What should she tell him? He was being awful and he didn't care. "Well, it's not a thong, I'll tell you that."
He sighed loudly. "I didn't ask what it wasn't, sweetheart."
"What if I said granny panties?"
It didn't faze him. "I'd know you were lying."
She may as well put him out of his misery. "Hipsters
. They're comfortable with my Wranglers. Don't try to tell me you don't know what they are, cowboy."
"Yummy. I know what they are. My eyes are still closed. I'm imagining you in said t-shirt and hipsters right now."
He was tons of fun and she realized something. Dylan had changed her. She was laughing again.
"You're terrible. Fair's fair. What do you sleep in?" Her pulse raced as she waited. Whatever it was, he'd be sexy as hell.
"Nothing fancy. A regular pair of briefs—usually colored. I don't like shirts."
God, all that handsome man-flesh naked except for briefs? She may swoon. "I like that visual."
"Now you can dream of me like I dream of you, Lennie."
Damn, she could, couldn't she? How hot was that? "Hmm. I'll probably just fall asleep."
"You're killing me. Don't you want to dream of your boyfriend?"
Grinning, she said, "Okay, already. I'll think of you while I fall asleep, and maybe I'll dream of you."
"Maybe we'll meet in our dreams. Wait for my kisses. Good night, sweetheart. I'll let you get back to sleep."
No, he was the sweetheart. "Good night, boyfriend. I'll look for you."
Tucking the phone under her chin, she turned on her side, imagining her handsome guy lying in bed, thinking of her as she dreamed of him. How long was it until Saturday?
Chapter Seven
DYLAN STEPPED OUT OF the shower and shivered. Just thinking of holding Lennie tonight sent tingles sweeping across his chest. The days had dragged leading up until now, and the only thing that had made it bearable was talking to her on the phone at night. He had it bad, but that was okay. He'd waited too long for Lennie. He could handle bad.
He left for Daisy's a little early because he couldn't stand hanging around the house. Maybe Lennie would be ready early, too.
The Cowboy's Wish (The Govain Cowboys Book 3) Page 6