A Cowboy to Call Daddy

by Sasha Summers

  He liked the soft flush of her cheeks. When she looked at him like this, his body responded. “Very. Some might say obsession. I don’t normally get distracted,” he murmured, smoothing his hand over her hair, “but you’ve changed that. So I’ll focus on you.”

  * * *

  EDEN LEANED INTO his hands, so nervous she could hardly breathe. She wanted him badly.

  Sex wasn’t something she was comfortable with. It was too personal and invasive. She’d avoided it before Clark, but once they were married, she’d tried to relax in bed. It would have helped if he’d been more patient and less criticizing. As it was, being in bed had felt like being in class. In time, she’d become disheartened. Neither one of them seemed truly satisfied when they’d slept together—something he’d used to rationalize his affairs in the beginning.

  She hadn’t slept with anyone since the night Lily was conceived. The C-section scar from her two pregnancies wasn’t too obvious, but she wasn’t sure she wanted Archer’s level of focus zeroed in on her body. And yet...when his hands were cradling her face and his lips found hers, her fears and worries evaporated. And in their place was only want. And love.

  She kissed him back, reveling in the feel of his tongue against hers, the warmth of his breath, the power of his arms as they crushed her against him. She clung to him, her fingers raking through the short hair at the nape of his neck.

  His hand slid beneath her cotton blouse, his warm palm on her stomach, his rough fingers stroking her side. She wanted more, to feel more of him. She shuddered and Archer groaned, deepening the kiss until she was dizzy.

  Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of her blouse until it hung open. He stared at her chest, breathing hard, while she unbuttoned his shirt and tugged it off.

  Archer reached for her, his hand so hesitant Eden thought he was teasing her. But one look assured her he wasn’t. He was...mesmerized by her, studying the curve of her breast before carefully cupping the silk-covered weight in one hand. She arched into his hold, the stroke of his thumb across her nipple making her moan brokenly.

  His gaze crashed into hers then, his thumb repeating the action.

  She shuddered, blowing out a deep breath.

  He sat on the couch and pulled her into his lap, facing him. His fingers unhooked her bra, and he stared, his hands hovering close to her free breasts. Such intensity. Such uncertainty. His breath fanned across the sensitized tips, stealing her breath as he buried his face between her breasts. She held him there, running her hands along the muscled contours of his back and shoulders. His mouth latched onto one of her nipples, sucking it deep before flicking the tip with his tongue.

  Eden cried out, arching into him. His mouth was heaven. He held on to her, one arm braced around her back, the other hand cupping her breast. She moved against him, wanting his mouth, his lips, his tongue...wanting all of him.

  He sat back, twining his hands in her hair and sliding his tongue deep into her mouth. The sensation, chest to chest, was too much. She ground against him, any worries about his want for her vanishing. He wanted her, badly.

  He was relentless. Every inch of her was explored, his nose tracing the length of her side. His lips nipping the underside of her breast. His tongue sweeping the line of her collarbone.

  “Archer, please,” she murmured.

  He was breathing hard when he looked at her.

  “Make love to me,” she whispered.

  “I am,” he said. “But I want to do it proper.”

  Eden felt a moment’s disappointment. She wasn’t feeling proper. She was feeling needy. Here. On the floor. His truck. Whatever. But she needed him. Now.

  “Eden?” he asked.

  She blinked.

  “Bed,” he said, pointing at a hallway.

  She slipped from his lap and stood. He was gorgeous. All hard muscle and angular planes. Thick arms, strong hands, a light dusting of hair across his chest. He was the most amazing thing she’d ever seen.

  And he wanted her.

  He stayed where he was, his gaze traveling over her slowly, leisurely. She fought the impulse to cover herself. He liked what he saw, she could tell. And that made her feel incredibly beautiful. And sexy. She unbuttoned the waist of her gray capris and slid them down her hips. They fell to the ground, leaving her in a pair of light blue lace panties and nothing else.

  Archer’s hands fisted at his sides, and he leaned forward and reached for her.

  His lips brushed her hip; his hands slid along the dip of her back and cupped her buttocks. She gasped, the air shoved forcefully from her lungs. She was ready, hungry.

  She stepped back, grabbing his hands and tugging him to his feet. She kept moving. If he wanted a bed, she would find one. When she’d found his room, she let go of him, crossed the wooden planked floor, and climbed onto the white linen–covered bed.

  She sat, watching him kick off his boots, toss his socks and wiggle out of his jeans. His boxers joined the pile, leaving nothing to her imagination. Breathing was a challenge. Her body tightened, aching for him. He was a big man. Big and strong and hers.

  He crossed the room, leaning over her until she lay back on the mattress.

  His hands smoothed down her stomach, gently sliding her panties off.

  The mattress dipped beneath his weight as he settled between her legs. He kissed her, his tongue tracing the seam of her lips. She ran her hands over his back and hips, opening her mouth for him.

  He smoothed the hair from her face, his gaze holding hers. He cradled her, those blue eyes boring into her—searching her. Her hands moved to cover his.

  When he thrust slowly into her, his eyes closed briefly. A low groan caught in the back of his throat. Her moan was soft, stunned. The shock of it, joining physically and mentally, was powerful. She couldn’t look away, overcome by the intensity of his gaze and the feel of him deep inside. His jaw locked, a tremor shaking his body as he slid home. “Eden.” Her name was broken and gruff. His hand stroked her cheek as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. He paused, their ragged breaths the only sound.

  In that moment, Eden felt truly beautiful. Something about Archer, normally guarded and controlled, vulnerable in her arms, tugged at her heart. He saw her, wanted her. And she felt it.

  He moved deeper, the control on his face wavering as he pressed his eyes shut, groaning. He shook his head and smiled at her.

  His rhythm was slow and deep. He was in no rush. His hands, his mouth, seemed intent on driving her out of her mind. And he was succeeding. Each thrust, each kiss, each whisper of his breath on her skin was sweet torture. Whatever gave her pleasure he explored in depth.

  “You’re beautiful.” His words were as potent as his hands. She felt her body tightening around him. His hand cupped her breast, his thumb grazing over her nipple, his lips and tongue stroking—and she was done.

  Her climax hit hard, her cry echoing in the room, her body bowing off the bed. She held on to him, needing an anchor as she slipped into a state of pure bliss. He powered into her then, his face crumpling as he moaned long and loud. His hands gripped her hips as he kept moving, his body shaking beneath her hands.

  When he collapsed at her side, they lay there gasping.

  “Stay,” he said, draping an arm across her stomach.

  She rolled onto her side, facing him. He was gorgeous. His eyes were closed, his lips parted. The rapid rise and fall of his chest made her smile. It was more than a little empowering to know she made him breathless. She ran a finger along his forehead, down his nose, across his lips, chin, neck and shoulder.

  He turned his head toward her on the pillow, but she continued mapping his body with her fingertips. Sharp edges and broad contours of his chest. She’d known he was in shape, but his body was an unexpected delight. When her fingers stroked across the plane of his stomach, his skin quivered.

  Her gaze met his. “Tha
nk you for today,” she said.

  “Thank you?” His brows rose, a small smile tugging at his lips.

  “Yes, thank you.” She grinned, feeling foolish as she stammered, “It’s been a long time since... No one’s ever made me...wanted to...make me feel special.”

  He frowned.

  Her smile faded.

  His fingers smoothed her hair from her shoulder. “You are special.”

  She scooted forward, resting her chin on his chest and draping her arm across his stomach. She liked being close to him, feeling his warmth, breathing in his scent. She sighed.

  His arm slipped around her, his large hand pressed open against her back. “Will you stay?”

  She rested her cheek against his chest. His heart beat slow and steady, calming enough to lull her into sleep. “I can’t, Archer,” she said it as much for herself as him. She wanted to stay. Right now, there was nothing she wanted more than to stay right here tangled up in him. “You know I can’t.”

  He stiffened beneath her, his arm falling away as he moved to his side of the bed. He stood, giving Eden a view she couldn’t help but admire. Except he was upset. And she didn’t know why. “Archer?” She sat up, pulling the sheet over her.

  He ran a hand over his face. “I don’t bring women back to my house, to my bed...” He broke off.

  She smiled, unable to squelch the pure happiness his admission stirred. But he knew she had children, knew it was complicated. “I want to stay, Archer. But if Ivy and Lily wake up and I’m not there, Clara will have a revolt on her hands.”

  He turned, wearing an odd expression. He ran a hand over his face and nodded, his posture easing slightly. “I’ll take you back.”

  Eden waited, wishing there were some way to rewind the last two minutes and undo whatever it was that had changed the air between them. He’d been gentle and responsive, like he wanted her here, like she was special. Now he was tugging on his clothes and tight-lipped, like he couldn’t wait to take her home.

  Chapter Eleven

  Eden took the box Teddy Boone handed her.

  “This is all of them. Mags never took to email, so she and Rachel were pen pals.”

  Eden nodded, truly thankful.

  “Don’t have the heart to go through her things, so they’re all in the attic,” Teddy mumbled. “Glad it’s of some use.”

  Eden paused, glancing at Teddy Boone. This man had been alone, grieving for his wife, for almost a decade. Her father had married Julia six weeks after her mother’s death. Julia, the midlife crisis cliché. Young, gorgeous and dumb. At least she was sweet. “Guess I need to read through them all.” Not exactly the way she’d been planning on spending her Sunday, but time was running out. “I guess I’m a little scared,” she confessed. “I know my parents’ marriage wasn’t perfect, but there are some things a daughter doesn’t want to know.”

  “Archer’s not gonna help?” Teddy asked. “Lot of letters in there.”

  “I...I couldn’t tell him,” she murmured.

  “I imagine the words get stuck.” Teddy sighed, his nod slow. “But soon, I hope? Won’t get any easier.”

  She nodded. Soon. She had to tell him. Now that she loved him. She swallowed. But Archer was nowhere to be found this morning. He’d dropped her off without saying much. Eden had kissed him, but he’d seemed almost disinterested—as if the passion they’d so recently shared never existed. And it scared her. She hadn’t known him long enough to know what was going on inside that head of his. But she wanted to. She wanted to know what he was thinking, to understand him.

  “I was hoping things were falling into place with you two.” Teddy shook his head. “I admit, I’m more than a little disappointed.”

  Eden glanced at Teddy Boone. “Not all of us will have a successful holiday romance, Mr. Boone.”

  Teddy smiled. “Who said anything about a holiday romance, Miss Monroe?”

  She carried the box to her room and played with the girls. Lily was in love with peekaboo, and Clara and Ivy had just found a new coloring book full of kitten pictures. They went through two purple crayons before Ivy decided she wanted to play peekaboo, too.

  She glanced at Clara, sitting on the floor, smiling at the girls. Would she lose her? Could she blame Clara for wanting love? No, she couldn’t. And if Teddy Boone was going to make an honest woman out of her, Eden would be happy for her.

  She wished it were that clear-cut with Archer. She loved him. She wanted to stay. Considering she’d been here six days, she knew that was insane. But...irrefutably true. She had no idea how he felt about her. He wanted to help her. He was attracted to her. But that didn’t mean he was ready to tie himself to her—and her two children, ex-husband and controlling family.

  Eden waited until nap time to tackle the box. At first, she felt as though she was intruding, reading her mother’s secrets. But it soon felt like she was visiting with her, her voice ringing from each clearly scripted line. She and Mags had been close. And even though she didn’t have Mags’s letters, it was easy to pick up the thread of conversation between them.

  They exchanged stories about their children, their hopes and dreams for them. Their husbands. She was sad to learn that her creation had resulted from an attempt to save her parents’ marriage. Like Lily. She was so engrossed that she was completely unaware someone was speaking to her until he tapped the letter in her hand.

  “Earth to Eden.” Clark smiled, his bright eyes crinkling at the corners.

  She stood, stunned. Clark was here? “What are you doing here?”

  “I have today and tomorrow off. I felt terrible about canceling on the girls and thought I’d spend it with them.” He paused. “Since it’s still my week with them.”

  “So Dad sent you?” she asked.

  He shook his head, chuckling. “You’re so cynical.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Not going to answer the question?”

  “Your dad is very concerned,” he said.

  “You realize how pathetic this is, right?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “He’s the boss.”

  Eden studied him. “Where are you staying?”

  “Here,” he answered. “I’m supposed to do a cursory site inspection while I’m here.”

  She blew out a deep breath. “You are?”

  He nodded. “Come on, Eden. You have to admit, you coming here like this wasn’t the smartest move. Your dad’s making it sound like you’re emotionally compromised—because of your mother and this place.”

  “That’s not true.” Her mother wasn’t the problem. It was Archer.

  “I know you take your work seriously. I know you wouldn’t let anything get in the way of facts and research—emotions or otherwise. I know that. I know you. But your dad...” He broke off, shrugging. “You know how he is.”

  Eden frowned at him. “Would it kill you to tell me your visit here has nothing to do with the girls and everything to do with staying on my father’s good side?”

  He had the decency to look uncomfortable. “Where are the girls?”

  “They’re sleeping.”

  He glanced at his watch. “Nap time.” He glanced at the box full of letters. “They sleep while you’re relaxing. You look tired.”

  She smiled. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.” And it had been wonderful. Well, part of it had been wonderful.

  “Lily have a rough night?” he asked.

  “She’s teething.” She saw Teddy Boone peek around the door, watching them curiously. “I’ll let Clara know you’re here so you can have the girls when they wake up.”

  He nodded. “Good to see you, Eden.” He picked up his bag.

  She didn’t answer. She waited until he’d left before packing the letters back into the box. She carried them to the front desk. “Teddy,” she said. “I need your help.”

 
“Name it.”

  “Can you tell me where Archer might be?” she asked. “I need to talk to him.”

  “There’s a few places.” Teddy sighed. “I’ll get Jenny to cover the desk and go look for him.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to cause trouble.”

  Teddy looked beyond her. “That city fellow a problem for Archer?”

  “Could be.” She nodded. “He’s here about the refuge. My father sent him. I want to give Archer a heads-up.” She glanced at the clock. “I need to get into the refuge to finish the paperwork.”

  “I’ll go look for him. Deacon’s got keys. He can let you into the office.” Teddy patted her hand. “It’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so, Teddy. I can’t shake the feeling that my involvement is making things ten times worse.”

  “I think my boy might disagree with you,” Teddy said, smiling.

  She hoped he was right.

  * * *

  ARCHER SPUN THE WRENCH, wiping the sweat and oil from his fingers to get a better grip. He’d been working on the tractor engine for an hour, cut up two fingers, and the damn thing was still choking. But he wasn’t about to give up. Right now he needed straightforward problems with logical answers. Animals. Machinery. Paperwork.

  As long as he wasn’t thinking about Eden, he was fine.

  But even when he wasn’t thinking about her, he was. Yesterday had changed every damn thing. He’d never thought all that much about a person’s smile or voice or wanted someone’s company. He was a solitary sort, always had been. But spending time with her, he’d been fascinated by everything. Stonewall Crossing had been a different town, a brighter place, when she was at his side.

  And last night. The feel of her. The taste of her. Watching her come alive and fall apart from his touch... There was nothing straightforward or simple about the feelings she’d inspired in him.

  He wanted to keep her beside him, to never let her go.

  Another part needed to cut and run—to get as far from her as possible before he begged her to stay. He couldn’t be that man, ruled by emotion. He wasn’t wired that way. He was cautious, methodical.