Cowboy 12 Pack
Page 46
He took her breath away. And she was already winded.
“There’s Unkewl Kade,” Cody yelled. “Let’s ride to Unkewl Kade.” The little guy bounced on her back.
She’d rather retreat into the barn and ride in the opposite direction. Her chest tightened in anticipation. For what, she had no idea. Given the way he’d rushed from her house the last time they were together, there was a good chance he’d avoid her now. But she wasn’t there for him. She wasn’t there for her. She was there for Cody. So, doing as her little charge asked, she ordered her face not to turn red and galloped to his uncle.
Brandi could feel the man’s gaze and didn’t even want to contemplate what he thought about her trotting display. Yes, she had some north and south action going on, despite her expensive bra. It couldn’t be helped. She pushed away her embarrassment. Entertaining Cody was her job, so that’s what she was doing. And the little boy was enjoying the ride very much. His giggles filled the air with a wonderful, heartwarming sound. And his laughter was contagious. Even the cowboys were smiling. She glanced over her shoulder at him and grinned at the toddler’s wide smile and sparkling blue eyes.
He was having fun, and that’s what mattered.
Swinging her gaze around, she chanced a glance at Kade, and her heart rocked against her ribs. He was standing next to Connor, looking at her with such longing and need that, when she tried to inhale, the air clogged her throat. Not exactly ideal while in the middle of physical exertion. Then something unrecognizable passed through his gaze and he looked almost…pained.
“Unkewl Kade, look at me,” Cody said. “I’m riding a piggy-back.”
He set his shoulders and strode toward them. “I can see that.” A genuine smile eased the lingering shadows from his face. “Do I get a hug?”
“Yeah!” Cody nearly leapt off her back into Kade’s arms.
Brandi straightened and stretched to work the kinks out between her shoulder blades. “Cody was keeping an eye on things in the barn.”
“Yeah,” the little boy said again. “Like you aksed.”
“I appreciate that, Cody. Thanks. I knew I could count on you,” Kade told him, expression earnest as he held his nephew’s gaze. “What do you say you hang out with Brandi for a bit longer while the guys and I unload the new horses?”
“Can I watch?”
“Sure, but from out of the way. Okay?” he asked, handing the little boy back.
Cody nodded. “’Kay.”
Kade’s attention finally turned to her. “Hi.” He smiled, gray eyes twinkling like liquid silver. “Getting a workout, are you?”
She laughed. “A bit.”
With a nod and a touch to his hat, he walked away, and she found she could slowly breathe again.
Snapping out of her fog, she headed for a safe spot near the corral where the horses were being unloaded. And as Cody watched the animals, Brandi watched the sexy cowboy who’d been a constant companion to her thoughts and the subject of her delectable dreams the past week.
Strong and sure, Kade moved about with an easy grace. Jacket off, sleeves rolled up on his black shirt, he worked alongside Connor and the men from both ranches. Muscles rippled in his arms as he helped guide several beautiful horses down the chute and into the corral.
“I like that one,” Cody said, pointing to the last one the men unloaded. A gorgeous white and brown painted horse.
Brandi nodded. “What a beauty.”
When the gates were closed and the animals were ushered to their respected corrals, Connor turned and ambled toward them.
“Here comes, Connow.” Cody wiggled forward. “Hi, Connow!”
“Hey, buddy.” Dimple glaring, he hopped the fence with ease and nodded. “Hi, Brandi.”
“Hi,” she replied, but didn’t have the opportunity to say more because Cody lunged for the cowboy.
Connor caught him, then tossed the giggling toddler in the air a few times, before handing him to Kade who joined them. The handsome man in black lifted the little boy by his ankle and turned to the other cowboys.
“Any of you seen Cody?” he asked, and all the men smiled but shook their heads.
“I’m wight hewe,” the four-year-old insisted between cackles.
Kade twisted around, pretending to look for the little boy. “Who said that?”
“I did. It’s me, Cody.”
Still holding the boy by his ankle, Kade lifted him up until they were face to face. “Oh, there you are,” he said, righting the giggling toddler. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I did.”
Brandi rubbed at the ache in her chest as she smiled and watched the exchange. The sheriff would make a great father. For some reason, the ache increased, but she refused to dissect the meaning, blaming it on the double thick peanut butter and jelly sandwich followed by pizza she and Cody had had for supper. Okay, she’d only had a little of both, but the combination was still lethal.
“All right, champ.” Connor stepped forward and grabbed the boy from his friend. “What do you say we go get a drink for the guys?”
“Sure,” Cody said, leading the tall cowboy.
A second later, she was alone with Kade. Her pulse immediately increased. She leaned back against the fence, hoping to look calm and cool, when she really did it for support. Something was wrong with her damn legs. They were shaky.
Kade turned to face her fully and smiled. “Hi, again.”
She smiled back. “Hi.” Then cleared her throat. “I guess I don’t have to ask how the auction went. Looks like it went well.”
“Yes, ma’am. We picked up quite a few horses trainable for stock as well as a magnificent stallion.”
“The paint?”
He nodded. “Connor got one, too.” He motioned toward the horse still in the trailer. Agitated snorts grew louder. “He’s going to have to get him home soon.”
She nodded. “Yeah, it’s not good to let him stand in a trailer too long.”
Brow lifted in surprise, he studied her. “No, it’s not.”
Something shifted in his expression. His whole demeanor changed. And because she wasn’t confused enough, he moved closer to trail a finger up her bare arm, smiling at the goosebumps he created.
“You look great.”
She stared at him, trying to figure out Kade Dalton. His actions, his words, they surprised her speechless. The last time they’d talked, he’d run like a little girl from her touch, and now…now he was initiating contact.
His gaze moved to her face, while his finger continued to brush over her skin. “I take it you’re babysitting Cody?”
“Yeah,” she replied a little throaty.
His gaze darkened at her tone. “For how long?”
“Until your cousin gets back from the hospital.”
He studied her closely. “You can leave now, if you want. I’ll watch him.”
She didn’t want to leave, but he confused her. “Do you want me to go?
“No,” he replied, his gaze heating as he stared at her lips. “I was really looking forward to tasting you.”
And just like that, she went damp.
Her whole body tightened at his admission. “I—you did?”
“Oh, yeah. I do.” He nodded, his attention still glued to her mouth.
For as wet as she was down south, her throat and all things north were bone dry. She swallowed and licked her lips in an attempt to alleviate the situation.
His sexy growl drifted between them, and he opened his mouth to respond just as the agitated stallion grew louder. Blowing out a breath instead, he released her and stepped back. “I’d better go find Connor.”
“No need,” his friend said, ambling toward them, a smiling Cody perched high on his shoulders. “I’m here. What do you need? Some pointers on how to—”
“No,” Kade cut off the cowboy. “You’d better get that paint home. He’s stomping and chomping at the bit in there. If you don’t go soon, he might injure himself.”
Connor t
ransferred the giggling toddler to Kade’s shoulders. “Yeah. I’m leaving. You two have fun. As I understand from Cody here, you have two Disney DVDs to watch tonight.”
Brandi nodded, and picking up the teasing vibe, she joined in the fun. “Yes, and one even involves princesses.”
A scowl skittered across Kade’s features while Connor’s smile broadened to beaming proportions.
The tall cowboy slapped his frowning friend on the back. “Enjoy your movies, buddy. Just don’t forget to leave your Man Card at the door.”
She bit her lip to keep her reaction inside.
“At least I have one,” Kade called to the chuckling cowboy’s back.
Connor raised a hand before sliding into the truck with the rest of his men, and then disappeared down the dirt drive.
“Unkewl Kade?” Cody frowned down at his uncle’s head. “What’s a Mancawd?”
Gray eyes blinked at her, and she watched a smile spread across the handsome man’s face. “It’s an imaginary piece of paper not all grown men earn.”
“Oh.” Now the little boy blinked. “So, Connow doesn’t have one, but you do?”
“Exactly.” A firm nod and smug smile met her gaze.
The little boy pointed to himself. “I’m going to get one when I gwow up.”
“I believe you will, Cody. I believe you will. But right now,” Kade said, pulling his nephew off his shoulders to hold him in front. “I believe it’s bath time.” His gaze shifted to her. “Isn’t that right, Brandi?”
Shoot. Her throat instantly dried again. “Yes.”
The little boy smiled at her. “Awe you getting one, too, Bwandi?”
“No.” She cleared her throat, refusing to meet Kade’s gaze. “I’ll get one when I go home, later.”
Cody shrugged. “Okay. When us guys awe done, we can all eat popcown and watch movies.”
Nearly two hours later, she was on the floor with a snoring Cody nestled comfortably between her and Kade. And a snoozing Ace sleeping against the little boy’s legs.
She glanced over at the silent man, not surprised to find his gaze on her. He’d been watching her most of the evening, making it hard for her to breathe, let alone swallow. Popcorn had been limited.
And she loved popcorn.
Barefoot, in jeans and gray T-shirt, the sexy sheriff had played havoc with her senses, smelling of soap and so…so male. Her mind had barely kept up with the animation on the screen. But she did know it was the second DVD because he’d gotten up to change movies a half hour ago, giving her the perfect view of the well-worn denim sitting low on his lean hips.
Without a sound, he sat up and reached for his nephew. “I’m going to take him to his room.”
Tail wagging, the dog followed him to his feet.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”
The heat in his gaze caused her heart to slam into her ribs. Hard. What should she do? Clean up and leave? Lie there on the floor and wait? Neither of them were ready to start anything, and yet…here they were.
By the time the sexy man returned, without his nephew or the dog, she’d barely gotten her pulse rate down to the earth’s atmosphere and her mind to this side of functioning.
He smiled a killer smile and dropped down next to her. “You’re still here.”
The intent look in his eyes as he rested on an elbow and stared down at her sent what little sense she’d gathered right out the window.
“Yeah,” she replied, dragging air into her lungs. “Ace staying with Cody?”
“Yep. He does every night.” Using a thumb, he lightly traced her cheek. “I’m glad you didn’t leave.”
His touch was too much for her needy body. She trembled, and his gaze immediately darkened to a gorgeous smoky hue.
“Brandi,” he said, voice low and rough as his face slowly lowered close.
All thought, logic, and any little iota of alarm or warning left in her foggy brain disappeared with her breath. Lips parted in anticipation, she lay there waiting for his kiss, heart hammering out of control, butterflies flapping furiously in her stomach as his thumb brushed her lower lip. Needing to feel him, to touch him, she lifted a hand and cupped his face, palm rubbing the delicious stubble covering his jaw. What she wouldn’t give to feel that sensation on other sensitive parts of her body.
With their breath mingling and gazes locked, his mouth hovered, driving her crazy before he finally lowered and their lips touched. A needy sound escaped her throat, but she didn’t care. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she gave herself over to the sensations shooting through her body.
He tasted of butter and popcorn, and very hot. And oh boy could the guy kiss. Over and over, he nipped and drank, treating her to slow, deep, drugging, wonderful kisses that drew her out of herself, sending her to a new and wondrous plane. Where in the world had this come from and why the hell had he held back last week? She slid a hand up his chest, loving the feel of hard strength under her palm. Kade Dalton was slowly driving her out of her mind.
Releasing her mouth, he drew in air and initiated a new directive. “I’ve thought about this all week,” he said against her skin, placing open mouth kisses down her cheek and neck, while his hand snaked under her shirt to caress her flesh.
She turned her head, giving his lips better access, then clung to him as he happily obliged. Round after round of chills raced down her body and her good parts tingled as their chests brushed and his fingers stroked.
“Where is everyo—oh, sorry,” Kevin said, coming to a halt just inside the doorway.
With lightening speed, Kade rolled to her other side and shielded her from his cousin’s view. Even under libido-trying circumstances, the man’s valor shined through. He rose to his feet then held a hand down to help her up.
“Well, that’s a new one, cuz,” the business suited cowboy said, blue gaze bouncing from the television to them. “I never thought of using Disney to set the mood.”
She laughed, despite the heat rising in her cheeks. “You might want to try it. Just make sure there’s a princess in it.”
Kevin’s chuckle filled the room. “Duly noted.”
“But you have to leave your Man Card at the door,” she added.
Kade snickered. “Forget it. He doesn’t have one.”
“Hey, I do so.” His cousin frowned in the doorway. “You’re just jealous ’cause it’s bigger than yours.”
Before anyone could reply, Kade’s cell phone when off.
“Great, what has Skippy done this time?” Kevin shook his head.
Blame it on the Kade-induced fog, but she was at a complete loss. “Who’s Skippy?”
“That’s the nickname the McCalls gave Deputy Donny,” the blue-eyed cowboy replied as Kade answered his phone.
“Oh, Donny.” She nodded, picking up the pillows from the floor and tossing them on the couch. “Boy, can that kid sketch.”
She’d run into the young man several times at Foster’s Creamery just down the street from her cottage. The last time, the kid had pulled out his sketch pad and showed her his drawings. Why he was at the Harland County Sheriff Department instead of in art school boggled her mind. He had serious talent.
“Okay. I’ll be right there,” Kade said, hanging up with a sigh. “Old Charlie’s loose again.” He sent her an apologetic gaze. “I have to go.”
“Of course,” she said, bending to pick the blanket up off the floor. “Since Kevin’s here and can keep an eye on Cody, I need to head home. I have an early start in the morning.”
This week was a crazy one. The Masters’ project was scheduled for completion and Jordan’s was starting tomorrow. Brandi was running two teams and two projects at the same time. Nerve-wracking, but doable.
Kind of like Kade.
ONE OF THE moments Brandi had been dreading for days finally happened. The invite to go dress shopping for Kerri’s wedding.
She was happy for her friend, she really was, but ever since her thyroid problems began, trying on clothes sucked. They e
ither made her look fat or didn’t fit because she was in between sizes. All and all not fun, and something she’d avoided like the plague.
But there was no avoiding this, and in retrospect, she felt bad. This was her friend’s big day, and Kerri had been through a lot. The woman was a sweetheart and deserved to be happy. Shame on her for thinking about herself.
“I know it’s short notice, but can you meet us at the restaurant at noon? We’ll all drive together,” Kerri was saying on the other end of the phone, a note of excitement in her voice.
“Sure. I can make it,” she replied, mentally juggling a few things. “I just have to finish planting one of the flowerbeds here at your mother’s, then I’ll go home and shower before meeting you and the girls.”
“Great. Thanks. We’ll see you then.”
Brandi hung up, a knot already starting to form in her gut. Hopefully, the bride-to-be would find a style she wanted for her bridesmaids fairly early. She had no preferences and would be fine with whatever Kerri, Jordan and Jen wanted. No doubt she’d look fat no matter what was chosen.
“Was that my daughter?” Mrs. Masters appeared out of nowhere, a happy expression lighting her face as she set a big box on the outside table.
“Yes,” she replied, putting on her brightest smile. “We’re going dress shopping for the wedding. Are you going, too?”
Her client shook her head. “No, dear. I was with Kerri when she picked out her gown. We also checked out a few designs for you girls to try on. I’m sure you’ll all be happy with whatever you pick.”
Doubtful. “Okay, then once I’m finished with the verbena, I’ll leave the rest of the planting to my foreman.” She pointed to the box. “Is that something for the backyard, too?”
“No,” Mrs. Masters said. “It’s for—”
“Me,” Kade finished, coming around the side of the house, sexy as sin in jeans, cowboy boots, and soft blue T-shirt.