“Yeah, sure, Linda. You love it at the ranch. You love the smell of horses and hay. How about all those jackass clients who actually spend money to stay and work at a dude ranch?”
She thought of their customers, and for the most part, she enjoyed talking to them, learning about their lives. There had been problems, but she hadn’t had to take her migraine medicine in the last week. She couldn’t remember that ever happening. And she did like the smell of horses, and leather, and ... Nick.
Her head began to spin as Charles kept rattling on in her ear. Oh, gawd, she wasn’t in love with him, was she? Falling in love with Nick would be a mistake. Maybe it was just the dreams. Anyone would think she was in love after something like that. But, at that instant, the dreams seemed a lifetime away, and all she could remember was the way he looked when he smiled. Or how he liked to tease. Oh, Jesus, the way he kissed. She damn near came just from kissing him.
Shit, she was in love with him.
“And, to tell you the truth, how you can be around some half-breed Neanderthal --”
”Shut the hell up, Charles.” Anger turned her voice an octave lower than usual. “Nick is three times the man you’ll ever be.”
He snorted into the phone. “Some Indian? With a ranch? Please. You know I have more breeding in my little finger than he does in his whole body.”
“I’m not talking about genes, jackass. I’m talking about character, of which you have none.”
“Linda! I could have called Tina Edwards. and she would be glad --”
“Go, with my blessing, jackass.” She slammed down the phone.
Sinking down on her chair, she laid her head on the desk. Dammit, what was she going to do now? She didn’t want to leave, but she didn’t know how Nick, who had only kissed her once, would take being told that she was in love with him.
And, for once in her life, she didn’t have a plan to figure it out.
* * * * *
Three weeks later, Linda still had no plan to figure it out. Other than necessary discussions, both she and Nick had avoided each other. Neither one had mentioned the kiss, but if they were within ten feet of each other, she could feel the tension between them. From the sensual look in his eyes, she could tell he could feel it, too. He didn’t say anything, though.
At first, she’d been grateful. She didn’t know how to sort through what she had been feeling, but now she was irritated. Did he think he could just kiss her like he wanted to take her to bed and fuck her brains out one minute, and then ignore her the next? Apparently, he did.
She noted another expenditure, entered it in the spreadsheet, and sighed. Worrying about it, being pissed about it, was getting her nowhere. She just didn’t know what else to do.
There was a sharp knock on her door. It opened, and Nick’s head came into view. It was as far as he’d come into her office since the kiss.
“I’m going to town. Do you need anything?”
She shook her head, but then said, “Do you mind going and getting me some fudge from the Sweet Shoppe?”
He hesitated, then nodded. A second later, he closed the door and left her alone. Again. She sighed. She’d thought since she hadn’t had any more of those dreams, her feelings would fade. But, if anything, they’d deepened. Every nerve ending in her body was overly sensitive.
Pushing aside the feelings, she decided her request was just what she needed. Chocolate, good wine, and a good book. She just hoped she didn’t spend all night thinking about a certain cowboy who was too damn sexy for his own good.
* * * * *
Nick stepped into the Sweet Shoppe, and the smell of sugar slapped him. Damn, the place was potent. He wandered around, realizing he hadn’t noticed much of the shop the day he’d been in there with Linda, three weeks earlier.
Linda. He sighed. What the hell was he going to do about her? About the feeling that, since he’d stopped talking to her except when necessary, he felt lost? It scared the hell out of him.
The sound of tinkling bells brought him out of his thoughts, and he found the owner standing behind the counter where the fudge was located.
“Ah, Nicodemus. Are you back for me or my fudge?”
Her dark eyes twinkled with speculation for a moment, then faded so fast he was convinced he’d imagined it.
“Yes. Linda would like some more of that fudge.”
Her smile broadened. “Of course. And you, too. You like?”
He found himself returning the smile. “Yes. I like it.”
She nodded, then disappeared behind the curtain. A moment later she returned and handed him the box. “Now, you take zis to your Linda. It is special, just made.”
He pulled out his billfold to pay her, but when he looked up, she was gone.
“Madame?”
Nothing. Not even the sound of bells.
Shrugging, he laid a five on the counter and then left the shop, never seeing the knowing smile creasing the old woman’s face.
* * * * *
Linda trudged up the stairs to her room, her back aching from an eleven-hour day in front of the computer -- but it had been worth it. Everything in the account books was up to date, the website was on its way, and she felt ... content.
She reached her room and, once inside, noticed a box with a golden ribbon on it, from the Sweet Shoppe. She hadn’t seen Nick since that morning, and had thought he’d forgotten about her request. Warmth stole into her heart before she could stop it. He could be a jackass, but at least he was a considerate jackass. After pulling off her clothes, she started a bath, poured in her bubble bath, and then grabbed the box of fudge. Moments later she was up to her chest in bubbles and eating the best damn fudge she’d ever had in her life. The only thing missing was the man who’d bought it.
Nick ate a piece of fudge as he thought about the woman driving him insane. She was a pain in the ass. She liked lists and was always telling him that he didn’t know a bank statement from a horseshoe. Which was true. He should say good riddance, take out a loan, and buy her out. The truth was, he was scared to death she would leave. They hadn’t talked about the discussion she’d had with her ex. Truth be told, he’d avoided her. He’d been a coward. Telling her he wanted her to stay would have shown her he wanted her there, needed her there. More than anything else, that frightened him.
What the hell was going on? Why did he have this need to see her, hear her? Okay, it had been the same when they were younger, but at this point in his life, he’d thought he’d outgrown boyhood fantasies. He pictured Linda, her curly brown hair down around her shoulders, her green eyes sparkling, her body without a stitch of clothing. His heart skipped a beat. He realized he’d begun to live for her smiles, her sarcastic mouth. These last few weeks, he’d lingered in the kitchen to hear her talk to others. Pathetic fool. Falling in love usually made a fool out of you.
Shit. Where did that thought come from? He waited for the panic to set in. But all he felt was ... warmth ... seeping into his chest, and into his heart, which had tumbled to his stomach. He didn’t want her to leave, because he was in love with her. And he didn’t like it one bit. He scowled. What the hell was he going to do about it?
He glanced at that last piece of fudge, then picked it up and popped it in his mouth. A rush of tingles spread throughout his body. His head spun, his heart thumped, and before he could consider the consequences, he was out of bed and out the door. It was time he did something about Linda.
Chapter Eight
After drying off, Linda slipped on her nightshirt and panties. She collapsed into bed. Her eyes were heavy, her body weary, and within moments she felt herself drifting to sleep.
His fingers slid through her hair. He had the most talented hands, Linda thought with a sigh. Never in her life had she known a man who could make her melt like fudge in July. He skimmed his hand against her jaw, her chest, then grazed her nipple with his thumb. Heat followed the path as her nipple pebbled and a gush of liquid slid to her pussy.
“Oh, Nick.”
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“What ya need, baby?” His voice was low, deep, and sensually teasing. Her heart jumped as the sound of it, the feel of his warm breath against her ear.
“I need you.”
“Hmmm.” He nipped at her earlobe, his hair sliding against her cheek and then down to her breast. “Just me. That’s all you need?”
His teeth teased her lobe. She shivered, delighted. He moved away, and she opened her mouth to protest, but he was back a second later. Slowly she opened her eyes and realized ... She wasn’t dreaming.
“Nick?” Her voice squeaked, much to her embarrassment. She saw the flash of white indicating he was amused.
“Ahh, don’t tell me you didn’t know it was me.”
“No, but I was ... and you were ...” She was at a loss of what to say to explain what was happening. She did notice, though, she had lost her top somewhere along the way.
Then she noticed he was holding a chunk of fudge. “What are you doing?”
He broke it apart, and she realized it must have melted. It stretched a bit before finally breaking free. She opened her mouth to ask again, and he popped a piece into her mouth. The taste of it exploded in her mouth, sweet, rich, and hot. Oh, Lordy, so hot.
He put the other half into his mouth and then bent down. Taking her nipple between his lips, he swirled his tongue around the tip. She could feel the fudge, which had further melted in his mouth, cover her nipple. As it had in her mouth, the fudge seem to warm her skin, and it sent a flash of heat through her. Without a word, he moved to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment, and it reacted the same way. She closed her eyes as he lapped at her turgid peak, her body tensing, heating, and ripening.
His finger twirled around one nipple, then inched up to her mouth. Without opening her eyes, she took it into her mouth. Instantly, wet, hot sex was the only thing she could think of. The rich chocolate, along with the taste of him, had heat licking up her spine. His finger slid away, and she found herself trying to follow it, wanting to take another taste.
“Nick.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, but he had other ideas. He pulled away and stood. Struggling to calm her heart, and her body, she pushed herself up onto her elbows and watched as he pulled off his jeans. His erection sprang free since he apparently didn’t wear any underwear. She licked her lips. He groaned.
“Linda, do you have to do that?”
Her gaze shot to his, and now that her eyes had adjusted to the dark, she could see his face more clearly. He was smiling, and she returned his smile. Reaching out, she stroked a finger over his cock. Long and thick, it jutted upward from a dense tangle of dark hair. The blunt, mushroom-shaped head appeared darker, engorged.
“Do what?” She licked her lips again.
“Damn, when you look like you want to eat me up, it drives me crazy.”
Her gaze shot to his, and she knew he was serious. “Really?”
He grunted, but said nothing else. Grabbing the waistband of her pants, he yanked them off her and threw them on the floor behind him. He climbed onto the bed and resumed the same position, his knees on either side of her hips.
This time, though, he held the box that contained the rest of her fudge. With a devilish smile, he scooped out a piece and bit into it, then offered the other half to her. His fingers lingered on her mouth as the fudge melted. A burst of sexual energy rolled through her body.
“Oh, my!”
“You feel it too?”
She nodded, and he pulled out another piece and repeated the gesture. Tingles spread, liquid filled her sex, and she felt his cock throbbing against her pussy.
“Nick.” Even she recognized the sexual need in her voice. He threw the box on the floor beside the bed, then covered her body with his. Taking her face between his large, callused hands, he devoured her mouth. Wet, hot, his tongue tangled with hers, and the taste wasn’t anything like she’d tasted before. There was need, desire -- but there was also something so unique, so much a part of Nick.
Before she’d had her fill of him, he was kissing his way down her body and settling between her legs. He growled when he pushed her legs apart.
“Damn, Linda ...” He bent forward and licked her. “What a pretty little pussy. And the taste ...” His voice drifted away as he pressed his mouth against her sex, his tongue sliding between her lips.
“Oh, gawd, Nick.” She raised her legs up, planting her feet on the bed, pushing up, hungry for his mouth. Hot, wet, another gush filled her cunt as he tongued her clit. A ball of heat gathered in her stomach and then sank between her legs. Her head fell back, and she closed her eyes as her muscles tensed, the feelings moving faster, edging to the pinnacle. One last lick, and he sent her shooting over the edge, her body convulsing with her orgasm.
He was moving up her body, licking, nipping her skin, before she had completely recovered. Her mind was still whirling from the sensations flowing through her body when she realized he’d donned a condom. A second later, he was easing into her, her muscles clasping down hard on his cock.
“Ah, damn, Linda. You feel good, honey.” He pushed until he was in to the hilt and then slowly pulled back out. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he continued his maddening rhythm. But soon, she realized his intent as her body began to heat again. Her muscles tensed, liquid rushed to her sex, and she exploded again. His mouth covered hers as her orgasm took over. She could taste herself on his lips. Nick began to pump faster, his body slick with perspiration. He broke away from the kiss, thrust once ... twice ...
“Linda!” The sight of Nick in the throes of his own orgasm caught her unaware and sent her shooting over the edge again.
Moments later, he collapsed on top of her with a grunt. The scent of their lovemaking filled the air around them, and her mind wandered. He rolled over, pulling her with him, and promptly fell asleep. She should be pissed he’d just passed out, not explaining what the hell just happened. But truth be known, she didn’t give a damn. She felt too good. The morning would come soon enough.
* * * * *
Nick studied Linda as she slept. Why he hadn’t realized that he was in love with her until last night, he had no idea. Dumb. Just plain dumb. He’d always reserved a little space in his heart for her, even when they were kids. It had taken a lot of guts to come back here and ask for money, and then take his deal. He sighed. And that was the problem.
He didn’t want her thinking he was trying to get her not to sell the ranch. Knowing how her mind worked, she would suspect it in a heartbeat. He frowned. What the hell should he do?
“That isn’t the look of a man who had wild, hot monkey sex three times last night.”
Her amused voice brought him out of his thoughts. She offered him a sleepy smile that hit him right in the chest. Damn, he had to let her go. She would never be happy at the ranch. She would always think he’d done this to get her to stay.
“What’s wrong?”
”Nothing.” He moved away from her and off the bed. Away from temptation. He wanted to climb back in and love her until she was mindless. But that wasn’t going to happen. Quickly, he found his jeans, slid them on, and looked at her. Confusion darkened her eyes as she sat up and watched him.
“Don’t tell me nothing, Nicodemus. There’s something going on.”
He sighed, knowing what he was about to do was going to make her hate him forever, but he gritted his teeth and forced the words out of his mouth.
“I decided to take out a loan and buy your part of the ranch.” Before she could respond, he was out the door, his heart thudding and feeling suspiciously like it had been torn apart.
Linda stared at the closed door, her mouth hanging open, and her heart ...
Damn. Tears filled her eyes as she tried to come to terms with what just happened. What had happened? Nick had made love to her most of the night. Sometimes tender, sometimes raunchy, the whole time with a care that told her he loved her. So, why this?
She remembered the look of fear, of pain, in his eyes as h
e said the words and then slipped out the door. Then the truth hit her between the eyes. The ass thought she was going to leave him. The dumb, thickheaded ass.
She gathered up the sheet, wrapped it around her body, and marched out the door. She went to his room first and, not finding him, knew he must have grabbed a shirt and headed downstairs. Not stopping to think, she found him in the lobby, surrounded by guests checking out.
“Now you listen to me, Nicodemus McCabe. Just what the hell are you thinking?” He gaped at her, his mouth opening and closing twice; then he swallowed. She ignored the interested stares of the people around them, and advanced on him. Rising up to her tiptoes, she stuck her face in his. Before she could say anything, another male voice interrupted her.
“Linda? What the hell are you doing standing in the lobby in a sheet?”
She sank to her heels and turned around. Charles Stanley Thorpe, ex-boyfriend, real, genuine asshole, stared at her as if he’d never seen her before.
“What am I doing?” He nodded. “I’m here to tell this knucklehead that I love him and that I’m not leaving him. He’s stuck with me until I die. Or he dies. Which might happen soon if he doesn’t stop behaving like an ass.”
“This cowboy?”
She sighed. “I never realized how dense you were when we were together. Yes, this cowboy. The same one I made hot monkey love to last night. Go away, Charles.”
She whirled around to Nick, ignoring the snickering from the onlookers. “And you --”
Her breath came out in a whoosh when he bent, placing one hand beneath her knees, the other beneath her back.
“If y’all will excuse us, Ms. Wheeler and I have a few things to discuss.”
He took the steps two at a time and practically ran to her room. Dumping her on the bed, he didn’t give her a moment to catch her breath before he was stretching out on top of her. His hair was still unbound, and it brushed her bare shoulder as he leaned closer.
“You want to repeat what you said downstairs?”
The Sweet Shoppe: Cowboy Up Page 6