Lively music sounded from a busy band on the stage, and a crowd of people danced exuberantly with each other on the dance floor, turning and twisting, laughing and calling out with whoops of excitement and joy.
One of them was a tall man, filled out with solid muscle, who was squeezed into his Wrangler jeans and a dark blue button-up shirt. The shirt matched his blue eyes that looked out from beneath his black Stetson cowboy hat, though his eyes were sparkling more like the stars above him. He had a squared jaw and a clean shaven face. His dark brown hair with golden highlights was tucked beneath his hat and his mouth was curved into a wide smile.
He was dancing with a redhead who looked as if she might have had just a little too much to drink and, as he spun her, he noticed that she was reaching the end of her night rather quickly. He caught her up in his arms and helped her walk off of the dance floor, waving to her friends to come help her.
“Oh no!” her blonde friend said. “Is she all right?”
“Who me?” the redhead said looking up slowly and giggling. “I... I‘fe ne‘er been bet- better... inmywholelife! I’m haveen a grea-time,” she slurred out in her almost incoherent speech. She looked around at her friends as the cowboy held her up carefully and she grinned. “I luf you guys so much. D-dyouknow that? I do.” She swayed and giggled and her head drooped slightly before she looked back up.
“I think she’s done for tonight.” He nodded to them and handed her off. They smiled and thanked him with apologies for their friend and he waved it off and went back to the party. He stood at the edge of the dance floor watching everyone have fun and heard a soft voice speaking next to him.
“That was a really nice thing you did, looking out for that girl and getting her back to her friends.”
He turned and looked down and caught his breath. Standing beside him was a woman who was just a little taller than his shoulder with the face of a cover model; green eyes like the sea, high curved cheek bones, a delicate jaw line, a longer straight nose, and full luscious lips that were smiling at him. Her skin was a beautiful mahogany brown, with a warm lustrous glow to it.
Her black hair was short and framed around her face almost in a pixie cut, making her neck look long and graceful, just like the rest of her fit and toned body. She was toned and trim, but her curves made her look more womanly than girlish.
He was entranced by her, staring at her face, trying to focus on all of the beauty of it at once and feeling as if he couldn't quite take it all in simultaneously.
“I’m Maggie.” She extended her slender hand to him and he reached for her to shake her hand, surprised at her strength.
“Jonathon. Jonathon Tanner,” he told her as a smile spread over his face and he shook his head and began to grin. “I’m sorry, you’re just so... beautiful!” He laughed and looked down at his boots, and then raised his eyes to the band for a moment before looking back at her.
“I’m just surprised, and I’m not often surprised by people,” he said as he shook his head a little more.
“Well, thank you, Mr. Tanner, I appreciate the compliment.” She tilted her head toward the outdoor dance floor and raised her eyebrow. “Would you like to dance?” she asked with a grin. “Since you seem to be shy one partner?”
Jonathon nodded and took her hand, leading her out onto the dance floor. “I’m a pretty good dancer...” he said with a wink as he slid his hand around her back and began to turn her to the music.
She laughed at him. “All cowboys are good dancers, whether they try to be or not; it’s inherent in their blood. It’s just part of their make-up,” she said as he twisted her and turned her, and then brought her back in to him.
He laughed and shook his head. “There’s nothing made up about this, darlin’, I’m the genuine article.” He kept moving with her over the dance floor, not missing a single step.
Maggie laughed at him and thrilled at the feeling of being in his arms. He was an excellent dancer, and she thought briefly that the lightness in her heart and beneath her feet must have been close to what it felt like to dance with Gene Kelly.
She had watched him dancing with the redheaded girl, wondering who he was and appreciating his good looks; most of the girls who were there were appreciating his good looks, but when she saw him walk the redheaded girl off of the dance floor and back to her friends, making sure she was all right, then Maggie decided that he must be a good guy and she thought it would be the perfect time to meet him, since he was suddenly alone.
She hadn’t had any expectations when she walked up to him and began to talk to him, but she felt a little leap of joy in her when he agreed to dance with her. It was a very pleasant surprise and she loved the feel of the butterflies in her when he held her in his strong arms and made her feel as if she was dancing on the wind.
They danced together until the musicians took a break, late into the night, and looking around, they saw that most of the crowd had dispersed. He couldn’t get over how strikingly beautiful she looked and he had thought of a thousand questions for her as he turned her around the dance floor.
Jonathon looked down at her as they walked away from the dance floor, his fingers entwined with hers, and he gave her a smile. “What would you say to getting a drink and talking a little bit?” he asked, hoping she would say yes.
Maggie’s lips curled up in a smile and she tilted her head a little as she looked back at him with a sidelong glance. “I’d love that!”
He grinned then and pulled her a little closer to him, saying in a low voice, “Good! I’m glad to hear it.”
She laughed and he walked her over to the bar that was set up in the park, bought them both a beer, and then walked with her to a bench beneath a tree. They toasted to a fun evening together and sighed deeply as their bodies began to slow from all the dancing they had done.
As relaxation came over them and they leaned back comfortably, he kept her fingers curled into his and he watched her as he talked with her, not quite believing the loveliness of the face he was looking at.
“How did you wind up in Jackson?” he asked curiously.
She laughed at him. “You figured out that I’m not from here, did you?” she asked with a wink.
He chuckled. “I had my suspicions.”
Maggie took a drink and looked up at the night sky around them and then back at him. “Well, it’s not terribly exciting, or at least, I don’t think it would be to anyone else, even if it is to me.” She shrugged. “I’m a student in southern California and I’m up here for the summer to intern and study geological sciences both here in Jackson Hole and up in Yellowstone. I’m studying the effects of greenhouse gases in connection with geological science,” she answered him. “See? Not that exciting to other people.” She laughed.
He held his free hand up, keeping his other hand connected to hers. “Now wait a minute; I have some pretty keen interest in what’s going on with the earth around here. I’m a rancher, and the earth and animals and their health is pretty darn important to me.” He raised his eyebrows at her to show her how serious he was, and though he wasn’t going to admit it to her, he was fascinated with her, and substantially impressed with her work.
“What happens after the summer?” he asked, running his fingers back and forth over hers and enjoying the electricity that was passing between them as he watched the festival lights reflecting in her sea green eyes.
She raised her eyebrows and sighed. “Well, I go back to California, finish up my last semester of school, and then I graduate. After graduation, there’s a company I’m really trying to get a job with because of the work they do and the work I want to do. They’re based out of California, and they’re a prominent science company who work to save the planet from greenhouse effects by creating and funding concepts that reduce carbon footprints in daily life.” She paused for a moment and then laughed a little. “Wow... I hope that didn’t sound like a commercial.”
He shook his head, his eyes locked on her. “Not at all... it’s incredibl
e. It’s so rare that I meet a woman who is so focused in her life. That’s really something! I also like that you’re working toward making the world a better place.”
“I have just always had such a passion for it and I’m so dedicated to making a difference. It’s really important to me. So, being here this summer is part of the work I’m doing toward the completion of my education, but it’s also to help me get involved with the company in California that I want so badly to work for,” she explained.
He watched her and felt dazzled by her beauty, her sharp mind, and her dedication to a future that obviously meant everything to her. He didn’t know many women with a drive like she had, and it was incredible to him.
“What about you?” she asked. “Has Jackson been your home for long?” she asked with an interested smile.
He nodded. “It has. It’s been home for me since I was born. My family and I have a ranch just north of town. I’ve always wanted to leave, though, you know? Get out of here and go see other things, meet new people... go have experiences other than what’s here. It’s pretty small here... small town, small population, small everything; except the mountains.” He laughed at his comment. “There’s so much out there just waiting for me! I just need to get out of here and go get it!”
His blue eyes shone and she grinned at him, understanding his wanderlust.
“So where do you want to go?” she asked. “If you had an open ticket... where would it take you?” She raised an eyebrow curiously.
He rolled his eyes and laughed. “Where wouldn’t it take me? San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, New Orleans, all over Florida and the Caribbean, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Boston, Washington D.C., and New York City! Can you imagine what it’s like in New York City?” he looked excited just thinking about it.
She nodded her head. “I’ve been to some of those places, and you’re right. They’re incredible. What’s stopping you from going?” she asked him, looking at him curiously. “It sounds like there isn’t anything you want more. So, what’s holding you back? Why not go?”
He looked at her and blinked. “You’re right! Why wouldn’t I just go? What on earth am I waiting for?” He laughed and shook his head. “I really like your spirit. You’re like one of those stars up above us... just... shining so brilliantly.” He drew nearer to her and lifted his hand to her cheek, letting his finger drift down the side of her face as he smiled at her and spoke more softly.
“Do you know that every other person I’ve ever talked to around here has just shrugged me off and told me to quit dreaming and keep focused on the ranch and my life here? Not one of them has told me to go and do what it is that I want to do. I don’t need anyone else to give me permission; I do what I want, and that’s the truth, but not one single person has supported that idea, except you... and even just that, just your opinion in support of it has made it suddenly seem doable, you know? Reachable. Like... if I wanted to do it now, at least I know that there is one person out there who told me I could and believed it. That makes a big difference to me.” He grinned at her and then leaned toward her, running his finger below her chin, lifting it slowly and gently, and then he brushed his lips over hers softly, his kiss warm and tender.
She closed her eyes and leaned in toward him, loving the fire in him and the mysterious, charming ways about him. She kissed him back and as their lips began to move over one another, she felt as if a magnet was pulling her toward him, a gravity that she could barely fight, and she felt as if she didn’t want to fight it. All she wanted, as their kiss deepened, and their breath began to grow a little shorter, was to give in to the draw to him, give in to her own desires, and give in to the flames that were beginning to grow in her belly.
He kissed her deeply, his hands and arms encircling her, his fingers holding her tightly as their kisses became urgent and heated and his desire for her became a slow and steady ache that made his groin tighten against his jeans.
Her hands moved up his chest and pulled at his shirt as his hand moved to the side of her breast, his thumb grazing over her hardened nipple as he moaned softly, wanting so much more from her.
Maggie’s body grew warm and the need in her became too great for her, so she broke the kiss and looked up at him as he stared down at her, blinking with heavy lidded eyes filled with desire.
“What is it?” he asked. “Are we going too fast?”
She shook her head. “No...” she whispered. “I just...” She looked at his blue eyes and his mouth, red and swollen from the kisses they shared. “I think we either need to stop or take this somewhere where we can...” She left the rest of her thought unsaid, but there was no question in his mind what she was saying to him.
His hand moved to her hip and he gave it a solid squeeze as he looked at her with earnest eyes. “Are you sure you want to do that?” he asked her, only barely keeping his own hunger in check.
She smiled and nodded. “Yes...” she told him. “I’m so sure. I can’t even remember the last time I felt like this. I think I must be working too hard if you can kiss me like that here and it makes me want... more.” She looked up at him through her thick eyelashes and laughed a little. “Either that or you’re just really good at kissing.” She winked at him.
He lowered his mouth to hers and teased her gently, giving her soft little kisses as his hand moved from her hip to her thigh and he squeezed her there too.
“I’m good at dancing,” he said between kisses. “I’m really good as kisses.” He smiled as he slid his thumb firmly up her inner thigh. “And... I’m incredible at loving a woman.”
She didn’t doubt it at all, because he was setting her on fire just making out with her there on a park bench in a dark corner of the park. His mouth closed over hers again and his tongue slipped around hers, making her moan and need him even more.
“Jonathon...” she whispered, “we can’t stay here.” She broke the kiss and looked at him with ravenous eyes. The chemistry between them was powerful and it was driving her wild.
He didn’t say anything, but he stood up and took her hand in his, walking with her out of the park. “Where do you want to go?” he asked with a husky voice.
She smiled. “I don’t live very far from here. We can go to my place.” She slipped her arm in his and they walked together through the streets until they reached her home. She lived in a small house that opened onto the street, with no yard in front or back. It was simple, but it was very clean and decorated with pretty touches to the simple furniture and decor in each room.
Maggie felt a little nervous when they went in. She couldn’t believe she was taking a strange man into her home, it was completely unlike her, but there was something about him that made her feel an electric connection to him, and as he drew near to her again, taking her in his arms and kissing her, the need that had abated slightly was brought back to the surface with a rush, and as their lips moved together in a ravenous kiss, she knew that she would not regret what was passing between them.
Jonathon felt like he was alive and on fire. Her simple opinion on his dreams... just go... had awakened something in him. Something that felt like it was ripping through the darkness in him and making its way swiftly toward the light. No one else had given him even a word of encouragement, no one else had made it seem even remotely possible. His family expected him to stay at the ranch and work all of his life, but there was a wanderlust in him that had been suddenly set free by her words, the words of the woman in his arms who was vibrant and beautiful, one who went after what she wanted and who, he had no doubt in his mind, would change the world because she wanted to so much.
The passions in them both were stirred to a flying frenzy, their hands moving over one another as they breathed heavily and began to pull one another’s clothes off. As they kissed, they walked a few feet and then stopped to kiss, then he gave up on walking and lifted her off of the floor, carrying her to her bedroom where he set her down and pulled every stitch from her until they were both nude and in dire need of one
another.
Maggie felt like he was causing a bonfire in her, and he was somehow the only thing that could put it out. They laid down on the bed together, their arms and legs wrapping around one another as they touched and squeezed and kissed, as they teased and tasted and wanted without limits. They gave to one another generously and took from each other without inhibition, and as he entered her, thrusting himself deep into her body as she clenched herself tightly around him, they both knew that it was something special that neither one of them would ever forget, or regret.
They moved together, their kisses hot and hungry, their hands touching every part of each other as they connected in every way. She arched her back to take more of him into her, and his mouth canvassed her breasts, tugging on her nipples with his teeth.
Her hands held tightly to his shoulders and she wrapped her legs around his, pulling him further into her until they both let go, and reached their orgasms together, holding one another close, their lips locked onto each other, their bodies tense with the power of their pleasure, and as they fell back into the bed in satisfaction, they heaved great sighs of happiness and he closed his arms around her and they fell asleep.
In the morning when she woke, her beautiful blue-eyed cowboy was gone, and she would have thought it was a dream, but he had left her a note.
Thank you for the greatest night of my life, and for encouraging me to go after my dreams. XO
She smiled as she read it, and thought to herself, Me, too, Jonathon, me too.
Chapter2
The dark, paved, rural highway gave way to a dirt road, hard-packed, long and winding, as it curved through enormous pine trees that almost obscured the bright blue sky overhead. Behind the thick rows of pines on either side of the road were more pines, and they all stretched upward over the mountains, with little forest ground between them until they reached the timberline near the top of the mountain where nothing would grow for lack of oxygen.
The Baby Shower Page 80