Of The Cowboy's Own Accord (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight #3)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “Am I wrong to believe we feel the same way right now…” Her chest heaved as words came out slowly. “Like we didn’t really meet five or six hours ago?”

  Dane held her around the waist until the next song started. He slid his hands lower and possessively pulled her into him as her thighs pressed against his. His heart hammered, and parts of his body right along with his brain knew this wasn’t over. Heat bombarded over him as if he were in the vicinity of an exploding IED in the desert. He had been knocked off his feet. Hit the ground hard.

  Long.

  Gone.

  “Uh-uh, you’re not wrong.” Six hours ago, yet it felt like a lifetime had passed… The next nine months would sure as hell seem like a lifetime.

  Gracelyn cuddled into him. Her breathing was rapid as her heart thumped against him. “We don’t have to end this now. Let’s not walk away from it yet.”

  “Hmm, we don’t…have to.” A serene easiness came over him, and at that moment he realized his life was about to change. “We won’t. I say, let’s not.”

  ***

  Gracelyn didn’t open her eyes upon waking. Jets rumbled overhead. An occasional outbreak of laughter sounded in the hall. She opened her eyes and slowly but surely turned toward the other side of the bed. She released a held breath and sat up to hug her knees to her chest. One glance around the room told her it was true.

  She met a soldier aka rancher and had fallen harder than a barrel of wine rolling off a rack. Otherwise, her clothes wouldn’t have been strewn across the floor. She didn’t do stuff like leave her clothes on the floor. Or spend the night with a handsome soldier, or anyone for that fact.

  She reached for a bottle of water from the side table. “Oh, girl…” That has never been done before. Her gaze went to the adjoining door. Was he in there, or had he snuck out of her life in the middle of the night? She sighed, not sure whether to be disappointed in herself or glad it happened. But she hoped he remained. A shudder of the sensual kind shook her body at remembering last night after dessert and more dancing… Or maybe the later had been the dessert.

  Chapter 4

  She’d never met anyone like Dane Carlson before—for sure never fell so hard and fast. Handsome as all get-out, chiseled face, tall… hungry blue eyes. A gentleman. Cowboys were supposed to be gentlemen, yet he didn’t look like a cowboy, but his persona claimed those country roots. A ruggedness hid beneath that exterior…clothes. She gave a quiet laugh and held her head between her hands.

  “What the hell am I going to do now?” Another deep breath and she left the bed. In the bathroom, she found a note on the counter.

  “Don’t leave without saying good-bye. Please, don’t say good-bye. Dane.”

  She took another glimpse at the door. He hadn’t left. She clutched the note against her chest and like the heat from a fire, warmth spread throughout her body.

  She peered into the mirror and straightened her hair. It needed more than fingers. His fingers made it look that way. Tangled and in total disarray. She hugged herself. Mmmm… Her shoulders shook as she visualized the two of them entwined last night. So captivating, alluring. Sexy. With only a small window of time to spend with him this morning, she much preferred to be with him in person no matter how great last night’s memories made her feel. She’d have plenty of time to cherish each of them while he was gone.

  Taking a brush from her purse, she brushed out her hair and situated it into a ponytail, then pinned up the ends before getting into the shower. Hot water ran over her skin like a raging waterfall over a cliff. The same rage their bodies sought right in this hotel room. She gulped. Tossing her head back, she turned toward the rainfall spout and washed. All the while she reflected on last night. How his hands were so gentle and understanding, yet, at the same time able to take her to a height she had literally never known.

  How he wanted to pull away when he heard the truth—she was almost a virgin, only having two sexual encounters in her life—and neither was a good experience. She cringed at the memory of another soldier’s roughness.

  But after last night… She didn’t know making love could be so tender. Gracelyn rinsed the soap off along with the sensual and comforting, masculine scent of him. I’d love to smell him again. She’d keep the fragrance in her memory for as long as she could.

  After dressing in jeans and a lavender, lightweight, cable-knit sweater, she picked up her clothes, folded them, and tucked them into her carry-on. The door called to her. Could she be so bold? Of course she could. After last night she figured bold was her new middle name. What is it about this man? Didn’t she make the first move in the elevator coming upstairs? Allow that wild and sexy first kiss at their table? She wished to do it all over again.

  That glass of wine with cheesecake in the bistro an hour after that kiss did her in. Maybe. No. It would’ve been fine until he slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. And his kisses. His kisses right there in the elevator, the hallway, then in her room after the door closed, and when he pressed her up against the door. How he held her hands above her head, as if holding her prisoner. Gracelyn sighed. His prisoner all right…or her heart was. “Yes, I’m bold enough to knock on that door today.”

  Applying a little mascara and blush, she pulled her hair from the pins and ponytail to let it fall around her shoulders. Picking up the note from Dane one more time to read it, she held it to her chest again before setting it on the bedside table. He’d be leaving. What was she thinking? The fact he was leaving, no longer mattered now.

  What would she find in him this morning? Tapping, didn’t get a response. Her hand twisted the doorknob. It took a full twenty seconds to convince herself to open it. Trying to be quiet, she peeked around when opened about a foot.

  Her heart softened. His muscled back faced her as he slept. Was that a scratch? Did I do it? His hair was tousled and kind of sexy. “Dane?” she whispered without stepping inside.

  When he rolled over a smile came immediately. “You didn’t leave. I’m glad.” Propping himself on an elbow, he held his hand out. “Come here, Gracelyn.”

  Calm down, my heart. Near the bed, he pulled her down when she clasped his hand, and he immediately eased on top of her. She entwined their fingers when he pressed her hands against the bed. “Good morning,” she whispered. Getting comfortable, she stretched out beneath him. His body heat penetrated her clothes.

  Dane held her close. With a calming tone and the confident deep voice she liked a lot, he said, “I don’t want this to end. I meant it when I said it last night—still mean it now.” Warm kisses nuzzled her neck. Soft breaths tickled her nerve endings as he breathed.

  “I don’t want it to end, either.” His body heated hers. Ahh, yes, there was still a hint of fragrance on his flesh. She pressed her lips against his hard bicep and smelled him while giving his skin a kiss.

  “Thanks for not leaving.” He kissed her neck, trailing to her chest, her breasts, and she sucked in a big breath, releasing it into a pleasurable sigh.

  Here she was, again swept away by him. “I definitely don’t want this to stop here. Are we nuts?”

  “Nope, we’re not nuts, girl. We talked about this last night.”

  Gracelyn nodded and freed her hands. She wrapped her arms around him, enjoying tightened muscles against her fingers while smoothing a finger over the scratch.

  He rolled over with her in his arms not seeming to care that her hair fell into his face, yet he lifted it away and peered into her eyes. His action blew her right away again…or still. She found him along with her emotions to be the same as last night.

  “Let me up a minute,” Dane said. He placed a kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering and he didn’t attempt to get up.

  She scooted away. Her gaze followed him into the bathroom. Such a magnificent body he had. Strong, well-built, and the trunks he wore were probably designed to go on a body like that. Gracelyn gulped. My God, he’s beautiful. To sidetrack herself, she asked, “Would you like coffee?”


  He opened the door a crack with a toothbrush in his hand. “That’d be great.”

  “I’ll make a pot.” She sat on the side of the bed observing a room identical to hers—same queen-sized bed, dark wood dresser, and a flat-screen TV. Another shiver, and she had to rise, for the shiver hadn’t only rattled her body on the outside. He’d unlocked a part of her she hadn’t known existed, and she’d like it to stick around.

  Trembling fingers struggled to get the cellophane packaging open on the premade filter when she grabbed it from the counter. She filled the pot and flipped it on when ready. Dane came up behind to engulf her into his arms. His touch left her insides warm as if she’d been sun-kissed from within. She hadn’t imagined it being so magical.

  “I repeat…I meant it. I don’t want this to end. It goes against everything I’ve said, though.” He turned her around, a slight smile on his lips as he explored the details of her face. “It’s not a one-night-stand in my eyes. I don’t do those. There’s more to this.” Dane subtly touched the diamond in her nose and grinned. “Cute.”

  Closing her eyes for a moment, she wanted to glue the image of his alluring face into her memory so she didn’t forget when he was gone. She pushed his hair back from his face. “I don’t either. There is much more to this. Something uncanny has happened.” Such a strong jaw. This man could be a model. “Aren’t soldiers supposed to have short hair?”

  “Sometimes I’m incognito. The reason the hair isn’t buzzed yet.” His eyes widened. “Hey, will you write to me? I’ll write as often as I can, but I can’t promise that’ll be often.” He brushed her bangs away. “I’d love so much if you’d write me.”

  “I understand, and I can write often.” At that moment he kissed her—hot, passionate kisses that increased with intensity—a fresh minty taste on his tongue as it continued.

  Dane ended the kiss with a smile. “I’m sorry about not writing often, but it’s not my choice. I have men under me. It’s part of my responsibility to keep them alive. You can call.”

  She nodded yes and held his face between her hands. “You bet—all of the above. Are you able to use Skype or a webcam?”

  “Um hm, if I can get a connection. More towers make it better than it used to be. Thank you,” he whispered. “Where the fu…hell have you been all my life, girl? I didn’t know anything like you existed.”

  “Waiting at the airport, I guess, but in reality, the city by the bay. See, I got it right that time.” Gracelyn glanced out the window to a blue sky with few clouds. Tilting her head when she peered back at him, she moved in and he met her lips. “Yes, we should continue this. Explore it to see where we’re taken.”

  Lowering his hands to her waist, he loosened his hold. “I’ll be shipping out sometime soon, like in two weeks, but maybe you can come see me before I leave. Spend the weekend near the base.” He held her face and kissed each cheek. “If I’m not being too bold, would you consider doing that?”

  Already so far gone on this soldier, how could she deny them more time together with so little of it left? “If possible. With a new job…I’ll try.” With him leaving, spending time with each other would be a good thing to see how far their feelings might take them. Explore this…relationship?

  “What’s your start date?” When the coffee finished brewing, he took a cup from the stack.

  “I have three weeks to move and get settled. If you leave in two weeks for sure, I can make it.” She smoothed down the hair at the back of his head as he poured his coffee.

  “Do you want some?” he asked with the pot held high.

  “Um hum.” She rolled a lock of his hair between her fingers. The silky straightness of it fell in place when she released it. “I definitely need coffee to get awake. I skipped a cup earlier, thinking I’d have one with you after I found your note.”

  He filled two cups. “This small pot doesn’t go far, huh?”

  “I’ll get the other packet from my room to make another one.” She turned to leave and entered her room. “What time is your flight?” The question formed a knot in her stomach.

  “Eleven-ten or something like that. I’ll have to get over there soon…unless I take another day before going back.” Following her through the adjoining door, he glanced at the bed then back to her face.

  Oh, God… Gracelyn took the packet, diverted her eyes, and pulled the blankets up over the sheet. “Here’s that packet. I’ll go make more.” She attempted to hurry out of there.

  “Gracelyn?” Dane took her hand as she walked past him. “I’m sorry about last night. I mean, if I hurt you in any way. You were practically a…you know.”

  She faced him with a caring smile. “You hurt nothing. Quite the opposite.” Their gaze met and held.

  “I’m so damn sorry.” His eyes narrowed, a slight furrowing of his brows showing what could be remorse.

  “It isn’t like you stole my virginity.” She placed her finger over his lips. “Didn’t I practically force you? You have nothing to be sorry for. I wish the first time had been with you. Instead of the asshole jerk who stole what he didn’t even want.” She shook her head. “Besides, we’re not done here. Right?”

  “Right, times one hundred. We’ve only just begun, but you didn’t force me. I’m supposed to have more self-discipline than I showed last night, and I didn’t because I was already knocked on my ass… I did want you. It got away from me and I was selfish.”

  “No, it wasn’t selfish. Remember the first song we danced to last night? That song spoke to my heart, and I bet to you, too. So did your embraces and kisses.” She peered at his ripped chest, his dog tags before dropping the packet of coffee onto the dresser to grasp his arms. “Your job is dangerous. I’ll worry about you.”

  “Baby, I’ll worry about you, too.” He gave a wise-ass grin. “You have to be careful of those wine bottles, you know.”

  “Especially if I make a bad choice in choosing for my customers,” she teased. They stood right there at the foot of the bed in the same room where they made love last night. She rose to her tiptoes to kiss him as she slid her fingers up his arms and around his neck. The sense of excitement still lingered.

  “But you’re an expert so that won’t happen.” He picked her up into his arms and carried her to bed, lying with her when they dropped to the mattress. Dane lowered his body over hers. His lips pressed against her throat, leaving a trail of steamy kisses to her ear.

  Last night, she had been blown away, knocked from her feet…enamored by him. It started all over again now.

  “Let’s share these last couple hours doing what brings us pleasure instead of worrying about anything.” He raised to his elbows and held her face. “We can’t walk away without giving this a chance. It’ll be a long time before we can do this again unless you come visit me before deployment.” Dane raised his body a bit. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to assume… You know what I mean.” He lowered his voice and rolled to his back with her in his arms. “I’ll come back one day, and we’ll take this as far as it’ll go.” He brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “If you still think it’s a good idea by then.”

  “Soldier boy? Did you mention taking an extra day? I’d love to know more about you.” So much more.

  Dane stopped her words with a kiss—a wild, sexy open mouthed kiss to answer her question. “Yes…” he muttered against her mouth.

  “I definitely want this to go on.” Gracelyn leaned forward to kiss his sensuous lips again, and again, only stopping long enough for him to pull her sweater over her head. “I expect to know you a lot better by the time you return home.” She smiled wholeheartedly. “Something tells me that’s how it’ll be.”

  With a return smile, Dane tilted his head and slowly lifted his face closer, whispering, “Kiss me.”

  ***

  A full day and night later, after boarding a flight in Phoenix, Dane reclined in his seat. It’d be a long-ass flight across the country, but he’d be back to base right on time. He always left a day or
two early, needing to get back to base to get acclimated. Until this time.

  Still in shock over the whole fantastic couple of days and nights, ripples of a shiver tensed his body when his imagination tasted her kisses. The way her eyes stared into his, her thighs opening for him, and her long hair falling down. He closed his eyes unable to believe it happened, yet, it knocked him right on his ass.

  Meeting someone on his way to war? Something he promised himself would never happen until he was retired from the Army. Life, at times, had its own path. Holy, hell, it was exhilarating to be wrapped up in her. Had he known her forever and forgot? Being with her seemed like it, and he didn’t want to be alone anymore.

  Dozing off for a while, Dane woke when the Fasten Seat Belt notice bleeped and the pilot welcomed them to sunny Columbus, Georgia. Here we go. He’d hop a shuttle to base. Already, adrenalin-charged blood coursed through his veins, letting him know he was ready to gear up for another round of turmoil. Lead the way to blood and guts, explosions, and above everything else…get the bastards—the win. Closing his eyes before standing, he took a deep breath—expecting some of his days to be filled with letters from a woman named Gracelyn Clark.

  Chapter 5

  On a Friday night two weeks later, he waited outside of the airport for her text saying she had landed. What would this weekend be like? It could make or break them. The last time they were together was like the honeymoon phase—everything brand new, even if it was a short time. Short time? At every opportunity in the past two weeks, he chatted, sent texts, or emailed both her and his family.

  His days had been demanding. Grueling, too, with long nights of training in the dark, even into the next day and night to be sure the new guys had everything straight in their head, so they’d get it right every time. It still wouldn’t always go right. No excuse.