Lassoing The Last Dance (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight Book 4)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  He wanted sexy, but she chose more sensual, and not so revealing that she’d be embarrassed if he hung the painting over his bed, or painted it on his barn like he did Dane’s flag. Either way, she’d not give him the idea.

  He glanced over at her with a cocked brow. “What are you laughing about over there, sleepy head?”

  “Nothing. I’m waiting for you to open it. I’m sure it isn’t as intimate as you had wanted, but think of kids walking in your bedroom.”

  “Well, Destiny and Trista Rose do come over with Tristan sometimes.” He gave her a wink. “Maybe you’re right, but I can hang it anywhere. It’s for our eyes only, sexy.” Randy slowly pulled back the tissue paper. “Nice color. Nearly see-through.” He nodded during the unwrapping, and he stood when he brought it out of the box to let it unfold before his eyes. A whistle came from him like a long inhale would be taken in. Randy leaned forward. “Remind me not to whistle again until I heal.”

  “I hope you do agree when I’m wearing it.”

  “I won’t be able to whistle then because my mouth will be all over you. This is sexy.”

  Roxanne chuckled again. To see him ignoring his pain to tease her showed his strength. He came toward her with the gown, and she pushed at him. “No, I’m not wearing it now.”

  “I want to see how much of your skin shows through.” He took her coffee cup and set it back on the table. First, he leaned forward to give her a kiss, then he held the gown near her face. “The color suits you just fine.”

  Roxanne slid her arm through the neck of it to see its sheerness for herself. Holy moly, her skin showed. Which meant, her bare breasts under it wouldn’t be totally bare at all. “Everything I have will show!”

  Randy peered at her arm beneath the material. “Absolutely. Everything will show.”

  Heat rose to her cheeks when he picked up the DSLR camera. She’d be needing a trim if that was the case, and she didn’t mean the hair on her head. “No! Don’t you dare take a picture of me now.”

  “You’re beautiful. Come on, it’s only a precursor to the actual event.” Daringly, he snapped one anyway.

  Roxanne covered her face. “Please delete it. My leg was showing.”

  “Get used to it, foxy Rox. I have a whole new theme I want to photograph. Be warned, it is with and without your prosthesis—naked, near naked, or with clothes. On a horse. Sitting on the tailgate of my truck.” He paused. “Dancing. Especially dancing.”

  She set the gown aside. “Where has this side of you been hiding all this time?”

  “In day and night dreams. Seeing you like this now in a natural state gave me the other idea. I want you to be proud of who you are—who you’ve become. If you see yourself through my eyes, you’ll realize how beautiful you are. Own it, girl. This is a part of you. Don’t hide from it.”

  What he said made sense. However, at times it would be much easier not having to worry about what to wear. ‘Own it,’ he’d said. Maybe she could. After all, there was no changing anything. Roxanne peered at him and her smile grew. “I’ll try.”

  “Athlete amputees show themselves to the world. You’re a dancer and it’s time you dance.”

  She sat up straight. “You’re so right. As soon as all this is over, I’ll dance.”

  “Don’t wait. This bullshit with Kim isn’t going to get straightened out overnight. We can’t roll up our lives like an old carpet while we wait for justice to be done.” He moved her gown over and took a seat beside her, groaning. “I hurt tonight.”

  Roxanne slipped her hand up under his shirt to caress his back. His bruises were terrible, and she only saw what was on the outside. “Would a massage on the non-bruised parts make you feel better? After my long nap, I’ll have to find something to do in bed.”

  He slowly turned his head toward her. “It’s worth a try.”

  Moving her hand away from his back, she slid it to his shoulder and over to the back of his neck, until she threaded her fingers into his hair. “You need my hands all over your body tonight—to comfort you. To show you some love.” To give back the love he gives.

  “Indeed I do.” He placed his palms together and pressed his fingers against each other. “Any chance we can go to bed now?”

  “Anything to get the camera idea out of your head.”

  “Ah, I see what you’re doing.” He grinned, picked up his camera, and scrolled through. “Look at this.”

  It was the picture he had just taken. Her hair was messy but controlled enough to look sexy. She smiled and her eyes might’ve twinkled. Nothing showed, but what if it had? It was a good picture, and she looked happy. She peered at him. “It kind of looks like the old me alongside the new me. I approve.”

  “That’s exactly who you are.”

  Roxanne threw her arms around him. “I love you. Cowboy, I love you.”

  He hugged her back. “Thank you.”

  At the end of the embrace, she peered at his blacked, but delicious brown eyes, and it made her smile. In as short as a breath of fresh air, she didn’t feel like the hardened woman who nearly died on the side of a road. She felt like a woman loved.

  Randy observed her for a short time, then patted her shoulder. “I love you, too. Do you want to eat?”

  “I’m famished!”

  “While you were sleeping, Judy sent Tristan over with a dish that just needs to be microwaved.” He stood and held out his hand to assist her up on one leg, but he swooped down and lifted her into his arms. Then he kissed her wholeheartedly. “Dinner will be served, ma’am.”

  “Oh, my gawd, don’t hurt yourself by carrying me. It isn’t necessary. Put me down.”

  Ignoring her, he took her to sit at the kitchen table and brought a loaf of crusty bread over with a knife and cutting board. “Slice this while I pop some food into the microwave. Nora made an apple pie.” He knelt. “Listen, I’ve been bitten, bucked off and kicked by horses, been in bar brawls, and trained hard in the Army. I’ve been shot up in the military. Lifting you isn’t a big deal.”

  She sighed. There was no winning this battle. “The Carlsons spoil you. It’s a tough act for me to follow.”

  “Yeah, they sure do, babe, but I can tell you, you’re the tough act to follow.”

  “I’m cooking the next meal we eat in this house, buddy. It’s time I get back to my delicious recipes I have missed.”

  “You spoiled me with them during our weekend visits.” He turned his back and proceeded to get the casserole from the fridge and removed the foil.

  Barely able to remove her eyes from him, she did long enough to slice bread. Tonight was a turning point in the way she saw herself. She’d been a strong woman all her life, and tonight, the weight of her memories fell off her shoulders. While the food heated in the microwave, Randy came up from behind and hugged her. He scrunched her hair up into his fist and placed kisses and nibbles against her neck, but lifted his mouth to her ear, whispering. “I can’t wait for the massage.”

  “I can’t wait to be your model,” she said breathlessly as chills ran down her back. “One day while you’re training in the corral with your horses, you, my sexy man, will be my model.”

  Chapter 16

  Roxanne waited on the bed for him to come out. He opened the door to let steam out, and stood at the mirror shaving with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. The athletic form of his physique from behind got her heart to racing. “Your body excites me, darlin’.” If her crutches were here, she’d walk in there to whip the towel away.

  He turned around with a bit of shaving cream left on his wet face. His hair was towel-dried messy—longer than she’d ever seen on him in the past. It would look shorter when it dried. Grinning, he raised a brow. “Here I am.”

  “Do you have baby oil or a cream I can use for your massage?” The idea now of running her fingers all over his skin turned her on and tortured her at the same time. She squirmed as tingling at her core reminded her of what she craved. Was he capable tonight of more than a massage? Had h
e…healed in other places?

  “The way your eyes are stripping me, this towel won’t stay up much longer, if you know what I mean.”

  She grinned. Her question just got answered. He wiped his face with a wet washcloth and tossed it to the vanity. On the way back to her, he dropped the towel at the side of the bed, got on, and eased onto his stomach.

  “Ahh, crap, that hurts to stretch out. You’ll find moisturizer in the linen closet in the bathroom. I’ll be waiting for you. Some pain is worth it.”

  She viewed his body stretched out on the bed, and she wanted to crawl on top of him. Instead, she straddled his thighs, staying low enough—below his fine ass—full of muscle there too. She leaned forward to place her hands on his shoulders, squeezed gently.

  “Baby, you feel so good on me. Keep squeezing.”

  “I need a shower.”

  “Two more minutes. Give me a sample.”

  Gladly! His skin remained damp and warm to the touch. Roxanne dug her fingers into the area between his shoulder blades and traveled down his spine, all the way to his rump, where she spread out her fingers to knead the muscle.

  “Okay, you better get that shower now or I’m turning over. I can’t take your fingers on me like this, honey, and then have you leave. They drive me wild, and I’m ready to spring to life.”

  “Hold on, I’ll be right back.”

  She moved to the edge of the bed and inhaled his fragrance. Randy rolled over then stood in front of her. Holy… There he was, right in front of her, ready and so proud of himself. Oooh, he should be proud. He stood there with his hands on his hips while he waited, tempted, and teased. Finding it hard to swallow, she gulped one down.

  “I’ll help you to the bathroom.” But he didn’t move.

  Roxanne peered up at him. His eyes were glassy from arousal. She placed her hands on his chest and dragged them gently down and over his firm abdomen, lower until she cupped her hand around him momentarily, long enough to get a deep sigh from his lips. She slipped her hands around his thighs, sliding them higher to his backside, and she pulled him closer to her—all of him, closer.

  “Rox…”

  She peered up at him. “Hush, darlin’. This is where your massage begins. I’ll be gentle.”

  “No need…to be gentle,” he muttered as her lips began the massage.

  ***

  Roxanne towel-dried her hair before leaving the bathroom. Randy lay on the bed with a sheet over his lower body. He opened his eyes and turned his head toward her, tossed off the sheet, but before he could get out of bed to help her, she held up her hand. “I can make it.” He lay back down, diverting his gaze while she made her way. She appreciated he didn’t watch, but each time of exposing herself to him got easier. She got in bed.

  He rolled to his side, slid his arm around her midriff, and scooted closer. “I love what you did earlier. At least I know I work.”

  “Come on now, you work just fine. I hope it didn’t cause pain, I mean with the bruises still present.”

  “No pain at all. Wish I could say the same thing about the rest of my body. Still up for a massage?”

  “Sure, I’m wide awake. Roll over.”

  He rolled to his stomach with a few grunts and groans from changing position.

  Roxanne glanced toward the bathroom ten feet away. “I left the moisturizer in the bathroom. See how you distract me?” Warm cheeks proved her embarrassment once she gave a thought to what she’d done. The opportunity presented itself, and he had stood there waiting. Why be embarrassed? She gave him what he’d wanted.

  Once again tonight, she sat astride him. Her gaze washed over his taut back. She traced the muscles with a fingertip before squeezing and kneading the tenseness. “I love doing this for you.” The tightness in his lower back lessened beneath her fingers, but she squeezed gingerly. “Does it hurt inside?”

  “Yeah, but you’re gentle enough. The tension in my back is already fading. Your fingers were made for this.”

  “Well, I could always get a job—”

  “Your career is dancing.”

  Continuing with the massage with gentle sweeps and kneads, she closed her eyes to picture herself dancing the way she used to dance. Anything was possible, she supposed. Randy’s moans brought her out of the vision of swaying across the dance floor. “You like?”

  “Um hmm. But…”

  She halted her fingers. “What is it? Am I doing something wrong?”

  “Do these sighs sound like something is wrong, Roxanne?”

  She smiled to herself. No, they didn’t. The sighs sounded more like arousal. “Again?”

  Randy motioned for her to move and when she did, he rolled to his back. He nodded for her to return to where she was, and he took her hand. “I told you your fingers were magic. That’s why they’ll never be on another man.”

  “Never?” she asked, pulling her hand free. She lowered her head until her mouth hovered above his.

  “I hope not.” Randy cupped the back of her head and met her kiss. His lower body moved against her.

  His movements heated her. She wanted him and met his gentle prods with wanton pushes until she stretched out atop him. Roxanne rose to her elbows to peer into his eyes. “I want you. You do these things to me that turn me into a sex fiend. I like it.” She grinned.

  “Yeah?”

  Randy rolled them over and sat astride her. She slid one finger from his chin down, stopping to circle his nipple. He shuddered, and she gave an inviting smile. “Make love to me.” He wasted no time becoming one with her. She closed her eyes and moved with him like a raft on a wave over gentle swells that crested and then fell. Cresting again, and falling with more force. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her throat became dry with panting breaths.

  She rode with him in sweet passion. Their bodies stuck together in perspiration. Waves of pleasure rolled in on higher crests, and her heart thumped harder with each roll, each oomph of hungry thrusts, and each moan of desire from his, and her, lips. She’d shout to the moon that she belonged to him. “I belong to you,” whispered out as the first inkling of climax filled her up inside. Building. Building until she sought his lips, and she kissed him through the strength of a mind-blowing orgasmic swell.

  His mouth drew away from hers as his body found its own pleasure, showing through a thunderous, voiced release, and he slowly lowered himself to rest upon her. “Oh, yeah…”

  She chuckled. “I know. I’m as worn out as I’d be after dance rehearsal.”

  Randy rose to look at her. His face was damp with sweat. Hair lay sexy over his eyes. “That’s right.” He moved to his side, slipped his arm under her head, and brought her over close enough to lay her head on his shoulder. “You’re magnificent in the bedroom, honey.”

  “Look at you. All beaten up and still making love without a care. My baby, you deserve tender loving care, and I’m the one to give it to you.”

  He kissed her atop her head. “I knew that two years ago.”

  “Me too. I fought it for those long months of separation. Maybe my subconscious forced me to move back. From now on we’ll battle everything together.”

  “Um hmm. Count on it. Strength in numbers.”

  Roxanne lay pressed up against his side. His chest rose in gentle breaths. I love him so much. She closed her eyes. Would sleep come? Regardless if it did or not, she was content to remain in his arms all night.

  “Mmm, I wanna marry you,” came out in a husky and sexy mutter.

  What? She lifted her head to peer at him. His lips were parted, but his eyes remained closed. He slept. Had his subconscious let the words slip out? “I want to marry you, too, Randy Drake,” she replied in a whisper.

  ***

  “What the hell is all that noise?” Randy moaned and groaned all the way to the window. “I’ll be damned. We’re building a barn today!”

  Roxanne could barely get her eyes open. She leaned up on an elbow and blocked her eyes from the sun shining through the window. “What? Wha
t about a barn?”

  He came back to the bed and helped her to the window. “Look!”

  Roxanne rubbed her eyes, trying to focus on the bright day. “What’s going on? Trucks! Lots of them. I better put coffee on.”

  “I’ll get the coffee ready,” he said through a yawn. “Do you want your prosthesis brought over to this side?”

  “I’ll get it. I need a moment to get myself together.” Randy turned to leave, but she tugged on his arm. “Last night was remarkable. Thank you.”

  “Sure was.” He pulled his jeans on and yanked a shirt from the closet. “I have to go check this out. I’ll get coffee going first.”

  “Anybody home?” a voice called from the rear of the house, and there was a rap on the door.

  Oh, no. “Nora! Tell her I’ll be right out, Randy.”

  “I’ll let her in.”

  The jeans she wore today were loose in the legs, so she’d roll her pant leg up to the socket. Today, she might as well begin to own it. She stood, getting her prosthetic to lock in place before taking a step. So far, all was well today and nothing hurt. Soon, she’d get her new one with the adjustable foot.

  A quick glance into the mirror nearly brought a scream. She ran her fingers through her hair the best she could, at least enough to untangle some of the big knots in the back until she got to a brush in her purse. She searched his linen closet for an extra toothbrush, and found a new one. Coffee called to her when the aroma seeped under the door. “Well,” she said to the mirror. “I have to face my best friend and the world with my injury in plain view.” It was better than not having a prosthetic at all.

  ***

  Roxanne spotted Nora at the table. The kids were in the living room watching TV. “Good morning, my little darlins’,” Roxanne said to the girls when she passed through. “Watching cartoons, I see.”