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

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  When his head hit the pillow, he was out…until the dreams woke him—dreams of a woman he didn’t believe was real at times. Dane gulped, still not sure how it happened. If the weekend worked out, he’d mention her to his mom. I hope she doesn’t break a leg dancing on the dining room table. Everything about this woman said forever…if she was real. He shuddered.

  When his phone vibrated, her picture appeared on the screen, telling him the shudder was for the right reason. She was real. He put it into gear and drove to her gate. There she stood. “Crimminy almighty.” Hotness times ten, or fifty. Gracelyn wore a body-hugging, blush colored dress. Piping in a shade darker color ran across the front above the waist. Holy… High heels made her at least three inches taller. “Whoa-oh, baby.” This will be hard to resist…if she wants me to.

  Her hair waved down her back with a few locks falling over her shoulder. His heart raced at first sight. He wanted to run his hands over the smooth material of her dress, and over her curves already. Three privates stood to the side, and he had a good idea of their thoughts. He’d be thinking the same thing. Hell, he already was. They’d think differently as soon as he stepped out of the vehicle. His new rank garnered even more respect than he previously had as Sergeant First Class.

  The truck went out of gear and he hopped out, taking a minute to salute the guys back. With her arms held open, he went into them like a little boy seeking comfort. “Gracelyn,” he murmured. “You’re real. Thank the gods I didn’t imagine you.” The little boy rapidly turned into a man. Holding her this way, he felt protective. Her supple, petite body fit nicely into his arms. He leaned his cheek against the top of her head, his arms tightening so his body could sink into her.

  “I’m real, baby.” She held him close. “You feel fantabulous in my arms.” She pulled back a bit. “ACUs look great on you.”

  “Fantabulous, eh. That’s a big deal.” Dane gave an extra tight squeeze. His fingers moved up and down her back, taking note of the zipper. The dress held the smoothness he imagined. He held her an arm’s length away. Her eyes were as striking as he remembered. “You look great. Wow, as stunning and sexy as you were in my dreams.”

  She smelled heavenly—feminine and floral but with enough spice to make it sexy. Pushing her hair back, he stared at her eye-catching features. “You’re so beautiful.” His lips parted to kiss hers. “Mmm,” he mumbled before their mouths separated.

  She faded into another kiss. Afterward, she rested her palms against his chest, her gaze following as she clenched the material. “Your muscles are bigger.”

  “They’re the same, honey. I’ve been working day and night for two weeks. Got to.” He took one hand from his chest. “Come on.”

  When he opened the passenger side door, she took his arm. “I’m glad I came. I have an apartment lined up to look at in Phoenix when I fly back there from here. Timing is perfect.”

  “Check out the other areas closer to work. Avoid that Phoenix traffic.”

  “All right.” She turned before sitting. “Thank you for asking me to come.”

  “My pleasure. Get on in there. I got you a room close to the base.” It was one of the best in the area and a lot of families stayed there when there was a reason to come.

  She slid inside but stopped the door when he meant to close it. “Room for me? What about you? No leave time?” Her direct stare radiated over him.

  “Let me get in.” He closed the door. What about me? He couldn’t assume she’d want him staying with her, so to be safe, he hadn’t planned it. Not that many miles from the base, it’d not take anything to run back and forth.

  Inside before shifting, she reached over for his hand. “Aren’t you staying with me?”

  Dane pulled out and headed down the highway. Yes, he wanted to stay with her. Get to know what he didn’t know yet. Touch her. Feel her in his heart. Dammit, what happened to me? This would be a difficult weekend. He should’ve said good-bye over the phone. Everything he didn’t want had actually happened. But…he hadn’t known he’d want her…

  “You’re in turmoil. Because you’re leaving for deployment in two days or is something else going on?”

  She was as bad as his mom when it came to figuring him out. His breath caught. “No, not because I’m leaving. And yes.” He paused before going on. “Listen, I’ve made arrangements with a buddy’s wife to get you back to the airport after I leave. We’ll make a designated spot so you can meet up with her. This is the best choice.”

  “All right.” She shifted sideways to look at him. “I appreciate you watching out for me, but you didn’t answer my question from earlier.”

  “What’s that?” He glanced into the rear view mirror but knew damn well what she wanted. “I have leave time—weekends off. I didn’t…” He sighed while gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I didn’t—”

  “Plan on staying with me?” She faced forward. Her words came out low, kind of shaky. “It’s okay.”

  Why would she assume that? “No, it’s not okay. I do want to stay with you. I didn’t know you’d want me to, so I can if that’s what you want.”

  She turned her head to watch out the window instead of looking at him. “What about what you want?”

  Dammit, she wasn’t going to make this easy. “I want to be with you.” There, he hoped she was happy. Why couldn’t she know he wanted to stay with her?

  “I’m glad. Don’t you know I want to snuggle with you? Hold you? There’s so much to learn in so little time.” She glanced back at him when he nodded. “How will the last day go down?”

  “The last day…” Shit. He glanced at the rear view mirror and stole a glimpse her way. “I’ll hug you before getting on a bus with the others.” Each with a heavy heart filled with sadness, but on board they’d focus on what was ahead of them.

  “I’ll cry. I’m sorry, but I don’t want you to go, not this soon after meeting you.” She placed her hands on her lap. “I’ll miss you.”

  He blinked. Bad idea. He hadn’t expected her to cave on him. How soon he forgot why he didn’t want his family here. Tears! “Listen, you can’t say you don’t want me to go. I know you don’t, but you can’t say it the last day.” It’d make it so much harder to let her go if she cried. “Don’t cry, either. You know I’m a soldier—that I’d be leaving. I’ll always be leaving. You either accept that or don’t.”

  “You are giving me a lot of orders. I’m not one of your soldiers. No one can control my emotions—apparently not even me.” She swiped tears from her cheeks.

  Crying? So, she cried. Of course she didn’t want him to go. He held his hand out for hers, and she entwined their fingers when she took it. “It’ll be okay. We’ll take the next days as they come. Worry about the last day on the last day.”

  “Yes, we will. We’ll take the next nine months of your deployment as they come, too, until you get home. It sounds like a plan to me. Time will go by fast, right?”

  “Of course.” The first night they’d met—the song they’d danced to—the words haunted him. “I want to make love to you tonight good enough to make it last until I get home. If you’re going to accept this.”

  “Mmm…” Her moan came out low and deep. “I already have accepted it, Dane. You know I’m not unfamiliar with this lifestyle.”

  He glanced at her. The sweet smile on her face made him grin. She’s the one. “I’m glad you’re here.” He drove into the hotel parking lot and his heart beat a little faster. Palms were a bit sweaty. “I’ll get you checked in then run back to the base and pack a duffle bag. I promise to be yours for the weekend.”

  “I’m thrilled to hear that.” She squeezed his hand. “I want you to be mine for the weekend. To make it count for us.”

  “Sure.” Uncle Sam had the next nine months…or twenty years. “When I get back we’ll have dinner at a nice place where I made reservations.” Dane glanced around the busy parking lot—soldiers, their families, some with cats and dogs…came and went. Military vehicles drove down the h
ighway in twos at times. This environment was familiar to him.

  Dane smiled as his gaze traveled over her. “You look hot in that dress.” Before opening the door, he winked then came around to get her bag from the back. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he drew her close. “I can’t get enough of looking at you. I might have to take a bunch of pictures this weekend to have something special to look at on my lonely nights.”

  “We can.” She stretched up to kiss him right there in the parking lot. Her eyelashes fluttered when she peered into his eyes. “I’ll be doing the same thing.”

  “You’re not going to cry, are you?”

  One more sniffle and a sigh, she squared her shoulders. “Nope. I have to be strong. I can be strong the way you want me.”

  Dane dropped her bag and took her into his arms. He kissed her warm lips. “It isn’t that I want you to be strong. Be who you are. If it’s minus tears, it’ll be better, but if a tear slips out, so be it, I guess.” He couldn’t bring himself to say that he needed her to be strong so he didn’t have to be weak. Weak—an unfamiliar emotion—one he didn’t want or need.

  ***

  That evening with dinner out of the way, Gracelyn took a sip of white wine then pushed her glass aside. The quaint little restaurant had a solemn shadow hanging over it. She had noticed other guys dancing with their dates. Music seemed to be the only cheery part of the atmosphere. Not because it wasn’t nice, but because of the sadness awaiting many patrons. “Will you dance with me?”

  The soldiers stood out from the rest with their broad shoulders, thin waists, and short hair. She wrapped her fingers around his forearm. “You look nice tonight, but I liked you all grunged up, too. You know a few guys here—the few who came to say hi—but you’re not reluctant to hold me in front of them, are you?”

  Dane squeezed her fingers then released her hand. “The guys are engrossed in their own weekend like me. We experience the same things at times like this. I’ll dance with you.” He rose from his chair and held his hand out. When she went into his arms, he commented, “You’re taller.”

  She took his hand and wrapped her other arm around his shoulder. “It’s the heels. You’re still taller than me,” she teased.

  “That’s fine.” He lifted his chin and stared down at her with narrowed eyes. “I’ll always be taller than you, girl.”

  More snark, eh. “I feel safe in your arms even when you’re trying to look intimidating.” Her fingers brushed over the bristled stub of hair at the back of his head. She liked his hair better long, but this was Dane, too. It took nothing away from his handsomeness. “We’ll go to our room after this dance?”

  It became difficult to swallow as he said, “Yes, ma’am. I’m tired tonight.” He lowered his head until his cheek pressed against hers.

  She heard his sigh that sounded more like a moan. “Do you plan on sleeping when we go back?”

  “No.” His lips went to her neck where he left kisses. His hand pressed against her back to pull her into him. “Relax in the hot tub with me.”

  “It sounds great.” His lips were hot against her skin, or was her skin hot against his lips? Either way, arousal nipped at her body as imaginings ran rampant through her mind—knowing the things he could do to her…how loud he’d make her cry out. Could it get any better than the last two days they’d spent together?

  ***

  Their first kiss started in the elevator. Dane pressed her up against the wall with his weight heavy against her as he took her hands above her head. “We might not make it to the hot tub. Dancing turns me on.”

  “Apparently, elevators, too.” Gracelyn giggled against his lips. “If I remember correctly this is how it all started the first time.”

  “The difference is now I know what you like.” He backed away when the elevator slowed then came to a stop.

  Tingling in the pit of her stomach didn’t stop because others got on the elevator. Beside her, Dane took her hand behind her back—his fingertips slowly smoothing over her skin. Her heart pitter-pattered, causing blood to surge throughout her body. Trying to keep her breathing in check wasn’t an easy feat.

  He leaned over to kiss her neck, barely giving a slip of tongue with the kiss. Damn his teasing. She’d likely scream out at any moment if they didn’t get to their floor. She took a half step to the side. So did Dane until he stood tight against her again, this time tickling the center of her palm with his thumb.

  At their floor, she wrapped her arm around his waist on the way to the room. Like last time, they might not make it much past the inside of the door. Her body heated and after already experiencing what he was capable of, she knew she could give it right back. More importantly, it was the mental connection that had overruled anything else. “Did you have to do that in there?”

  “Yup. Are you saying you didn’t like when I tongued your neck?” Dane tilted her face toward him. “I bet you did. Your body shuddered in the elevator.”

  “Yes, you’re right. What’d you expect when you pressed against me like that with nothing between us but a few layers of cloth?” Her gaze ran up the front of him. “You’re unable to hide your reaction, too.” She snickered. “At least I can most of the time.”

  In a casual tone, he mumbled, “Well, darlin’, I’ve experienced your charms, and I know what’s to come when we get inside that door. I’m not worried about hiding anything, at least not right here.”

  At the door, Dane fumbled in his pocket for the keycard. She boldly grasped his waistband to hold him against her. “You’re not the only one excited,” she whispered. “I’m awakened by your magnetism.”

  “It shows in your eyes.” He slid the card and winked. “Good.” Dane opened the door but grabbed her hand once inside. “Where you going, pretty lady? You need help with that dress?”

  Gracelyn held his shoulder while she removed her heels, and dropped down a few inches. She peered up at him. “This is more normal.” Slipping her hands over his shoulders she asked, “Will you get the zipper in the back of my dress?”

  “It was my intention.” His fingers caught the zipper tab and he pulled down, slowly, stopping to smooth his hand over her bare skin as he went. “What are you wearing under here?” he asked in a muted voice. His lips pressed against her collarbone. “Your skin’s as smooth as good whiskey. Smells good, too.”

  “Mm, not much, sweetie, but you’ll be pleased.” She lifted her hair and dropped her head back when he pulled the zipper the rest of the way down. He clenched the material to pull it forward, leaving her shoulders bare. No doubt he would experience her trembling again, which had already begun inside.

  She wiggled her shoulders to release the dress then let it fall to the floor. Gracelyn placed her hands on his face, peering into his baby blues. “I’m so glad to be with you.” She’d not think of the next few days. If only…she couldn’t. She traced his lips with her fingertips. “Have I known you forever?” Leaning in to kiss him, she spoke before their lips touched, saying, “It feels like it, soldier boy.”

  Dane wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m about to prove to you that I’m not a boy.” He lifted her and her legs went around his waist. “You are sexy in black lace. Too bad it won’t stay on long.” Carrying her to the bed, his lips pressed against her mouth. “Honey…” He lowered her onto the bed where she sat on the edge. Dane removed his shoes and dropped to his knees at the side of the bed. “You’re a beautiful woman. The gods must have favored me when they sent you to Phoenix.”

  She pulled his shirt over his head and tiptoed her fingers up his chest. “God, you are bigger. Your body is so ripped with muscle.” She whispered, “Stand up.” When Dane stood, she unhooked his jeans and lowered the zipper. A quick jerk brought them down.

  Stepping out of his pants, he knelt again. “You’re getting naked, girl.” His fingers slid around her back to unhook her bra. “What’s so funny?” he asked when she snickered. He pulled back with a grin on his face. “Ah ha, no hook back there.” With his hands s
moothing up and down her arms, he leaned forward to kiss her, “Are you playing games with me, young lady?”

  “No…” she mumbled but couldn’t stop laughing. Lying on the bed, she rolled to her side. “I’m sorry.”

  “He turned her to her back and found the front clasp on her bra. It fell open and his lips went to her breasts. “So tasty.” He licked his lips when he looked up at her with a lifted brow. “I like the front opening. So easy.” Dane slid her lacy panties down and off, and stroked her legs with only two fingers on the way back up. “Ahhh, you smell so good.” He closed his eyes and inhaled as if drawing her perfume inside of him.

  By now her insides tingled, trembled. Desire ignited her soul. “I’m on fire.” She brought her knees up.

  Dane glanced over his shoulder to the hot tub. He went over to turn the water on. In a slow and sexy swagger, he returned to the side of the bed, his gaze running over her body. “You’re so enticing on that bed waiting for me. I still can’t believe you’re real.”

  “I want you now. Lie with me.” She reached for him. “Come on, don’t make me wait. I’ll have a long time to wait. You excite me. Make love to me now.”

  Dane knelt on the bed at her feet. He grasped her ankles and pulled her legs down, slowly folding her left thigh to the side. “Holy hell…” One finger slowly eased up her leg until he touched her. Her head went back, eyes closed. “You love this as much as I do.”

  “I do,” she whispered, breathlessly. “I’ve never known this tenderness.” She started to sit up, but he shook his head no. “I-I...” I’ve already fallen in love with you. She wanted to scream it out loud, but how could she fall so soon?

  “You what?” He kissed his way over her abdomen—slowly continuing up to her breasts. “Gracelyn? Are you all right?”

  “Um hmm.” She wrapped her arms around him and met his lips when he kissed her. Fading into it, she savored the moment. His taste, feel—the warmth he brought to her body—inside and out. She whispered in his ear, “It’s great to be together. Come home to me. Be safe.”