She smiled and sipped what was left of her second glass of wine.
He recommended the tiramisu, and after she had her first bite, she understood why. “Amazing.” She looked at the plate they were sharing. “Better watch out, ’cause I could eat the rest of this thing before you can really dig in.”
Justin laughed. “Not a chance.”
In between bites he said, “Old Town Scottsdale has a lot of art galleries. I mentioned Thursdays they have an artwalk and we can browse. Are you still up for it?”
She touched her mouth with a napkin before lowering it. “It sounds like fun.”
When they had finished the dessert and she drank the last of her wine, Justin paid the bill and escorted her from the restaurant. He’d parked on the street, not too far from the artwalk. They strolled until they reached Main, music filtering through the air.
The trolley was running, and horse-drawn carriages filled with passengers traveled past them on the street.
It turned out they had arrived on a “Gold Palette” night, and the area was alive with entertainment, complimentary wine tasting and chocolate. The biggest celebration, the anniversary of the forty-fifth season, happened to be this night.
Miranda had a wonderful time visiting the art galleries, tasting various wines—which she did not spit out—and eating fabulous chocolates. Justin appeared to be enjoying himself, just as much as she was. He showed her one gallery that showcased art in the Remington style by his distant cousin’s wife, Ella McBride. Miranda absolutely loved her work.
By the time the evening ended and the artwalk concluded, Miranda felt warm, fuzzy, and relaxed from the alcohol. She and Justin walked arm in arm back to his truck. Once he’d helped her in, made it into his own seat, and shut the door, he turned to her.
“I really hate for this night to end so early,” he said.
“I agree.” She hesitated. “I’d invite you to my place, but I don’t want to send the wrong message.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.” He gave her a soft smile. “My momma raised me right and I wouldn’t ask anything of you. It’s our first date, after all.”
He made her feel so good. He was far too perfect.
“It’ll be after ten by the time we get back, and I have two clients tomorrow.” She really wanted more than for the night to end, but she needed it to. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to crawl into bed when I get home.”
She added to herself, In bed alone.
He took one of her hands and kissed her knuckles, causing heat and tingles to rush throughout her. He lowered her hand. “I’ll whisk Cinderella back home and we’ll just have to pick out another night to enjoy each other’s company.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
They didn’t talk a lot on the forty-minute drive home. But he took her hand and it was comfortable just holding hands. If it wasn’t for the console, she’d lean her head against his shoulder. Instead, she settled in for the drive and enjoyed the dry heat of his palm and his fingers interlocked with hers.
Should she tell him about Craig and the fact her divorce wasn’t final until she received the paperwork? Things had been so nice it was a shame to bring up anything negative.
“How about Mickey’s Bar and Grill next week?” he asked as they reached King Creek. “They have a great happy hour on Wednesdays. I could pick you up around four if that works for you.”
“My last client is at two,” she said. “So, Wednesday works.”
“Great.” His smile made her sigh.
She felt that melt-in-your-mouth chocolate sensation she’d had in one of the galleries, followed by the warm feeling of a good red wine chasing it down.
The evening had been perfect.
When they reached her place, Justin walked her to the front door. He faced her, an intense look on his features. She caught her breath and held it as he raised his hand and slid it into her hair.
He moved slow and easy, a sensual movement that drew her to him even as he lowered his head. He waited a moment, his breath warming her lips.
She gave a soft sigh and he pressed his mouth to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and fully gave herself up to the moment. He slid his tongue between her parted lips and a small moan escaped her that she hadn’t intended. She couldn’t help herself as he gripped her hair in his hand and intensified their kiss.
The kiss was amazing, and so long her head spun with it. Or maybe it was the wine. Or both. Whatever it was, she didn’t want it to stop. She wanted to invite him in and kiss him all night long—and far more than that.
When he finally broke the kiss, he separated from her by only a couple of inches. They both were breathing heavily, the spell between them heavy and filled with need.
“I had an amazing time,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
“Next Wednesday can’t come fast enough.” His words came out in a low rumble. “I’d ask you out every night of the week if it was possible.”
She smiled. “Good night, cowboy.”
He brushed his lips over hers, causing her to shiver.
“Goodnight,” he said against her lips.
She barely held in a moan as he raised his head. He waited for her to unlock the door and get safely inside before he left. She watched him from the slim window beside the door and raised her hand to say goodbye again but doubted he could see her.
Miranda walked in a daze to her bedroom, wishing Justin was here with her. His fingers brushing over her neckline to unfasten her dress. She undid the catch and let her dress slide down her arms and waist to her feet. She let her bra drop to the floor, imagining him being the one to release it, then pushed her panties over her hips and letting them land with the rest of her clothing.
She shivered in delight and desire. Instead of pulling on her nightdress, she slid between the cool sheets, naked and alive with need, wishing Justin was there with her.
Chapter 5
Justin stood outside one of the corrals while he stared at his phone. He’d already plugged in and saved Miranda’s phone number yet hadn’t talked with her since their date on Thursday, three days ago. He should have called her earlier, but he’d been almost afraid to.
Damned if he knew why. Maybe it was because of the way he felt about her already, and it scared the hell out of him. That made no sense at all.
He’d never known a woman like Miranda. She was not only beautiful and intelligent, but there was a sense of strength from within her that he felt whenever he came near her. She had a vibrant personality and he wanted to get closer to her than he’d ever been with another woman. Sure, he wanted to take her to bed, but he felt the need to have more from her than that. It was the kind of connection he’d never imagined having with any woman.
He kept staring at his phone. He should have called her Friday and Saturday. Here it was, Sunday, and he hadn’t yet.
Ah, hell.
He inhaled then let out a long breath, then pressed her number on his phone. He brought the phone to his ear.
Her voice was pure music when she answered the phone with, “Hi, Justin.”
“Hey.” Justin watched Thunder trot around the corral. He had a lot of energy and Justin needed to take him out today. “How’re you doing?”
“All’s well here in Wonderland.” Miranda sounded sweet and not mad at all that he hadn’t called her. “How’s Kaycee?”
He glanced at the barn, where the girl was brushing down Sunshine. “She’s been spending more time with her Appaloosa, but still isn’t ready to ride.”
“That’s great she’s working with her horse.” Miranda had a smile in her voice. “She’s thinking about riding again, and that’s good.”
“Yeah.” Justin turned his gaze back on Thunder as he spoke. “Once she’s in the saddle, she’ll forget why she couldn’t get on in the first place.”
“Something like that.” The sound of horses neighing on Miranda’s end of the conversation let him know she was outside, too. “I enjoyed Thur
sday. Dinner was nice and I loved the artwalk.” She didn’t ask why he hadn’t called.
He figured he might as well not make excuses. Fear wasn’t a good one. Made him sound like a wuss.
“I had a great time.” Justin thought about how her dress had hugged her curves in all the best places, and just how long and beautiful her legs were. “You looked absolutely gorgeous. Like you have every time I’ve seen you. Doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or what you’re doing, you are beautiful.”
He hadn’t planned on saying that. Made him sound like he was laying it on thick, which wasn’t what he’d intended.
“Thank you.” She spoke warmly, not at all like she thought it was overkill. “You know how to make a girl blush.”
He laughed. “You do have a cute blush.”
“You say the sweetest things.” Amusement was in her voice.
He ran his hand along the top rail of the corral. “What are you doing today?”
“The barn needed a good cleaning out, and I’m about to finish.” She let out a breath loud enough to hear. “To be honest, I think I need a nice long bubble bath when I’m done.”
The thought of Miranda’s beautiful body clad only in bubbles made him harder than a fence post and he had to shift positions. “Need any help? With the barn or the bubble bath or both.”
Miranda laughed. He loved her laugh.
“Sure, cowboy.” Her answer surprised him. “But letting you join me in a bubble bath might break the hold on my willpower, so I guess we’ll have to hold off.”
He grinned. “Who needs willpower when it comes to bubbles?”
She let out what sounded like a little groan. “I do. When it comes to you, I really do.”
He liked the sound of that. “I feel the same way, Miranda. You’re not alone.”
“I had a feeling.” A moment of silence. “Maybe we’d better get on a safer topic.”
“Maybe you’re right.” He turned and leaned his back against the fence. “Picturing you in nothing but bubbles is making things…hard…right now.”
She laughed. “Stop it.”
“Sorry.” He couldn’t stop grinning when he talked with her. “Can’t help myself when it comes to you.” He paused. “Tuesday is too long to see you again during Kaycee’s appointment, and Wednesday is too far away to wait for a date with you. What do you say about shooting pool at Mickey’s Bar tomorrow night? He has a special on pool and beer on Mondays.”
“I don’t know.” She hesitated. “Maybe that’s moving a little too fast.”
“It’s just pool, Miranda,” he said. “And beer.”
A moment of quiet again and then, “Sure. I’d like that.”
The elation that shot through him was more powerful than he could have imagined. Seeing Miranda sooner than he expected was like getting a gift that he’d be able to open early.
“By the way,” she said. “I’m gonna kick your sexy butt at pool.”
“Sexy butt, huh?” He laughed. “I’d like to see that.”
“You will.” The promise in her voice made him hard again, like she’d just promised to do more than just shoot pool with him.
Damn, this woman was driving him out of his flipping mind.
“Looking forward to it,” he said and meant it.
“I’d better get this barn finished so I can get to my bubble bath,” she said.
“Sure you don’t need help?” He wanted more, but kept to a teasing tone. “With both.”
The smile in her voice told him she didn’t mind the thought. “I’ve got it. Maybe next time.”
“You’re on.” He tipped his head and looked up at the blue sky. “See you Monday night, Miranda. Five p.m. okay with you?”
“I’ll see you then,” she said then added, “Bye,” before disconnecting.
He felt like he’d just won a jackpot. He pocketed his phone and whistled to Thunder. The horse trotted toward him, neighing and tossing his head, telling Justin he was ready for a good long ride.
Justin slipped into the corral and shut the gate behind him. He clipped a lead to Thunder’s bridle.
“I’m done with Sunshine, Dad.” Kaycee’s voice came from the direction of the barn.
He looked toward her. “Homework now?”
She nodded and gave a dramatic sigh. “I’ll never be done.”
“I’m taking Thunder for a ride.” He paused at the gate, waiting for Kaycee to pass in case being too close to the stallion would make her more nervous than having the corral between her and him. “I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“See you later.” She turned and headed for the house, kicking up dirt with her boots as she went. Something was bugging her—he’d have to see if he could find out what it was when he got back from his ride.
He patted Thunder on his flank before taking him out of the corral, closing the gate behind him, and heading for the barn. His thoughts returned to Miranda and he was glad to be getting out with his horse.
Dwelling on that woman was going to drive him out of his mind. He needed her like crazy in so many ways. One of which involved sex and lots of it.
The other ways—he was afraid to look too deeply into that right now. It just might scare the hell right out of him.
* * *
Justin kept busy with work around the ranch. In the evening, when he got back from his ride with Thunder, he took care of the big horse as well as the others and settled them in for the night.
Afterward, Justin headed for the house. Kaycee sat at the kitchen table, doing her homework.
She looked up. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, kiddo.” He slid into the seat across from her. “How’s it going?”
She shrugged and set down her pen. “It’s okay.” Still looked like she was dwelling on something, chewing it over in her mind.
“Something’s bugging you,” he said. “Wanna talk about it?”
Kaycee frowned and didn’t respond for a moment. “I’m not sure I want to.”
Justin folded his arms on the table. “You know you can talk to me.”
“Yeah…” She looked away then back at him. “If you and Miranda end up getting together, are you still going to have room for me?”
He hadn’t expected that. “Of course. You’re my daughter and my Number One priority. You’ll always have me.”
“Are you sure?” Kaycee didn’t look convinced. “I don’t want to be in your way.”
Justin put his hands over hers. “Honey, you will never be in the way. Don’t you worry about that. Nothing will change between you and me.”
“Okay.” Kaycee let out a long breath. “I guess there’s plenty of room here. It’s a big house.”
“And we are getting way ahead of ourselves.” He squeezed Kaycee’s hands before letting her go. “Miranda and I have only been on one date. We just met her last week.”
“True.” Kaycee gave a little smile. “When are you seeing her again?”
“Tomorrow.” He straightened in his seat. “Pool at Mickey’s.”
“That’s cool,” Kaycee said, but without enthusiasm.
Justin stood and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, kiddo.” He stepped back. “What would you like for dinner?”
She considered his question. “Comfort food sounds good.”
“Meatloaf and mashed potatoes?”
“Yeah.” She smiled at him. “One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
He couldn’t imagine any sweeter words.
Justin pulled up to Miranda’s place a couple of minutes early. He sat in his truck for a moment. He had to make sure he didn’t push things too far, too fast with her. Last thing he wanted to do was scare her away or make her regret anything.
He climbed out, shut the door behind him, and strode up to the mobile home. It was nice for a home with wheels. He could understand why Miranda wanted something more permanent, though. It was the way he felt about things, too. Never could sett
le for anything less than what he wanted in life. It was why he’d had so few long-term relationships over the years. If he didn’t see potential, he moved on. No use spending time with a woman he couldn’t see himself sharing the rest of his life with. He wondered if that sounded harsh, but it was more fact than emotion.
Now Miranda, she was a woman he could picture in his life permanently. He imagined her in his kitchen, with him snuggled up on the couch, and definitely waking up to her every single morning for the rest of his life.
He dragged his hand down his face. Maybe he’d been a bachelor too long. He needed to stop obsessing over her. She could turn out to be a mistake, but everything in his gut told him she wasn’t even close to being one. She was anything but.
When she opened the door to his knock, her smile took his breath away.
“I don’t think I could ever tell you enough how beautiful you are.” He reached up and caressed her face. “Every time I see you, I can’t think straight.”
She smiled. “Keep talking that way and I might drag you inside and not let you out of my house.”
He laughed. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
Miranda grabbed a sweater and slipped it on over her button-up blouse before tucking her phone in one pocket and her ID in another. She wore snug jeans that hugged her figure and her hair fell over her shoulders in a long dark wave.
She hugged her sweater close and he rested his arm around her shoulders as they walked to his truck. It felt so comfortable and natural, not like it was only their second date.
As they drove to Mickey’s, they didn’t miss a beat. It was like they’d been together last night instead of several days ago.
“Before I forget,” Justin said as he guided the truck into town. “My brother Carter and his wife, Kit, invited us to dinner next Tuesday. Would you like to go?”
Miranda hesitated, but only a moment. “Sure, I’d love to.”
He gave what looked like a relieved grin. “I’ll let them know.”
Mickey’s was a small country bar and grill that catered to locals. It was rare an out-of-towner would come through the doors, but it happened. They walked up onto the long wood-planked porch and in through the swinging glass and wood doors. Everything was rustic, and well, old, but comfortable.
Country Thunder: King Creek Cowboys Page 5