by Dahlia Rose
When she bought the building, she had renovations done to put an extra set of stairs on the inside. The winter was fierce in Wyoming, and walking out into blizzard conditions to go to her home was not something she looked forward to. She made sure the doors were locked and turned lights off as she went upstairs behind Beau. In her fantasies this was when clothes came off and he whispered how much he loved her. Right now he could hardly find the laces of his boots if she wanted him to. Sometimes life was a fickle bitch.
In her apartment she directed him to her spare bedroom and sat him on the bed. He was docile as she took his boots off and then his shirt before pushing him back in the bed.
“I’ve dreamt of you doing that,” he said, and a sleepy grin crossed his face.
“Same here, but right now you’re too snookered to appreciate me,” she said gently.
“I’m going to kiss you senseless one of these days,” he murmured.
She got his feet under the covers and pulled them up to his chest before she leaned over impulsively and kissed his forehead. “I look forward to it, but till then you get some sleep, stud.”
He sighed and closed his eyes, and she watched him for a few minutes before turning the lights out and going down the hall to her own bedroom. Tomorrow he’d wake up and apologize for being drunk. Then they would go back to the way it was before, mild flirtation and casual friendship. Natasha got ready for bed and slipped between the covers. Before she closed her eyes, she wished things would change.
* * * *
The smell of bacon in the skillet woke her up, and she turned over to see it was only seven am. Jeez, freaking cowboys and being up at the crack of dawn. Natasha moaned and rolled over trying to bury her head under the pillows. She was almost back to sleep when the whistling started, and she rolled out of bed with murder on her mind. She stood in the hallway to her living room area and looked across the wide expanse to her open kitchen. When she bought the building, she had the contractor take out the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room and use only a kitchen block as separation. Beau must’ve felt her glare because he looked up with a grin. Damn he even looked good early in the morning with his hair damp from the shower.
“Hey, I was going to wake you after the eggs were done,” Beau said. “I took a shower and used your mouthwash.”
“It’s the ass crack of dawn.”
“Seven am,” he replied.
“Like I said the ass crack of dawn,” she muttered. “Be quiet. I’m going back to bed.”
“Not a morning person, are you?” Beau chuckled, and she sent him a dark glare. “Ok how about I put your breakfast in the oven, eat, and get out so you can sleep?”
“I’d cheer but I’m to sleepy,” Natasha answered. She would regret her crabbiness when she woke up later, but right now, this was her with only four hours sleep.
Beau took the skillet off the stove and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a big hug that lifted her off her feet. Natasha almost signed in pleasure.
“Thanks for crashing me out in your guest room,” he said.
“You’re welcome, and it was no big deal.” She pushed her messy hair out of her face.
“I hope it was a big deal, and you don’t let anyone sleep up here,” he murmured. “I’d like to think I was special.”
“You are, I mean… no one else has slept up here,” Natasha stammered and cursed the effect he had on her.
“Let me make you dinner tonight at Twin Falls and a thank you for taking care of me,” Beau said.
Natasha shook her head. “You don’t have to do that.”
“What if I want to do it?” he said. “Come on out and have dinner with me. You’ll save me from another night of paperwork, bad TV, and an early bedtime. I make a mean steak on the grill.”
“It’s winter,” she pointed out.
‘Yeah but I can still grill. Come out and see my set up.” Beau winked at her. She didn’t even complain that he was still holding her. Now as he looked down at her, he rocked her back and forth. The sensation was quite pleasurable. “I’ll make chocolate killer cake.”
“Sounds deadly.” She smiled.
“Extremely. I will have to make sure you don’t curl up on my rug and purr like a kitten,” Beau teased. “Hmm maybe I do want that. Say you’ll come, Tasha.”
He was the only one who ever called her that, and dinner at his house had many implications. How could she refuse something she had hoped would happen for half her life?
“Ok, I’ll leave Deena in charge and come out to the ranch. Is seven ok?” Natasha asked.
“Sounds perfect.” Beau kissed her nose. “Go back to sleep. I’ll eat my breakfast and let myself out. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Okay, get home safe,” Natasha said.
“Tasha.”
“Yeah?”
“I like how you smell and look when you wake up.”
“Um, thanks.”
Natasha moved quickly down the hall back to her bedroom and closed the door. She was flush with happiness at his words and wondered if this could be the start of something with Beau. After all these years, she didn’t want to hope and have it dashed away. She decided to play it cool and see where it went. That didn’t mean when she fell back asleep her dreams weren’t about Beau. Oh yes, they were, and the sexy images were high definition.
Chapter Two
By six in the evening, the lights of her truck hit the Huntsford town limits sign as she headed out to the Twin Falls ranch. All around the town and the outlying houses, she could see signs of the holiday. The mayor’s tree lined home had each tree filled with lights. Mr. Maynard’s fencing had Merry Christmas spelled out in neon, and the steer’s head he had on the gate wore a Rudolph nose. Mrs. Sims did her usual, transformed the pond on her property into an ice skating rink so that children and adults could skate. She even had her sons build a stand so she could give out hot chocolate and s’mores.
The holidays were a special time in the town, and everyone was filled with cheer. Except when she took the snowy turn to Twin Falls. Everything was dark. Wait, her eyes widened when she saw signs of the holiday at Cody’s house. Could it be the twins finally decided to embrace the holidays again? On the other side of the corral, the only lights in Beau’s house were on his patio. Well half of the duo at least, Natasha thought. She made the decision that she would bring Christmas to Beau. Before she went to Beau’s house she pulled into Cody’s driveway and knocked on the door.
His eyes widened in surprise when he opened the door. “Natasha, you’re a little far out from Huntsford.”
“I’m having dinner with Beau,” she explained. “Hey, do you have any of those decorations left?”
“Um, Kaleena dragged them out, but a few boxes are left. You know how my mom used to decorate,” Cody said. “What are you going to do with them?”
“I’m decorating Beau’s place,” she answered.
Cody looked at her somberly. “Does he know that?”
“I’d like to see him stop me,” Natasha muttered and asked. “How is it you’re all in the Christmas spirit, and why is Beau so hardheaded?”
Cody sighed. “Honestly, Kaleena is here, and she makes a difference. You have to understand Beau was the one who got the call and him and Dad had argued the night before. He felt as if he never got the chance to apologize to Dad, and its been eating him up all these years. He was going to talk him on Christmas Day, and it was too late in his eyes.”
“Doesn’t he understand that Mr. Everett would never hold a stupid argument in his head? He died loving both of you,” Natasha said.
“I know that and you know that. Maybe it’s time you show him love can surpass anything,” Cody said with a smile.
“Am I that obvious?” Natasha asked.
“No, but then Kaleena came back and proved that love can travel distances, and I don’t intend to let that pass by,” Cody said. “And you shouldn’t either. I’ll help get the boxes in your truck.”
&n
bsp; Five minutes later, she was leaving Cody’s driveway and making the small turn to Beau’s house. The twins lived in two separate homes, because they needed space. They were two very different people. Cody was more laid back with a streak of dominance a mile wide. Beau was always the bad boy type, who wasn’t afraid to punch first and ask questions after. The twins were like opposite sides of the same coin. She parked her truck close to the steps leading up to Beau’s patio and grabbed a box from the back of her truck. He was opening the door by the time she reached it with a questioning look in his face.
“What’s in the box?” Beau asked.
“Christmas decorations from Cody’s place, some of your mom’s stuff,” Natasha answered as she walked past him.
“Why?” Beau asked.
Natasha put the box down on the floor in the hallway and turned with her hand on her hips. “Because you, Beau Everett, are a Grinch and you’ve gotten rid of Christmas. I’m bringing it back to your house.” She pointed a finger at him when he opened his mouth to speak. “Shut it, not one word about it not happening because I won’t take no for an answer. You’re going to like it, and this year you’re celebrating Christmas.”
“Is that an order?” Beau asked, and she heard the amusement in his voice.
“Yes, it is,” she replied.
“Ok, I have a counter offer. I’ll do all the Christmas stuff if you give me one thing.” He stepped closer, and his voice was like a husky caress over her skin. “Something I’ve been wanting for a long time now.”
Natasha suddenly felt like her breath was caught in her chest. She looked up at the tall, sexy man who had become the star of every wet dream she had. “And what would that be?”
He grasped her waist and pulled her against his hard body. “A kiss and a chance to court you right and proper. Since I came home, I’ve been thinking we’ve been mind fucking each other for a long time now. Let’s bring it to reality.”
“This sounds like blackmail,” she said softly.
“Do you mind?” Beau asked.
“Hello, no, it’s about damn time. I thought I would have to practically rip my shirt open and show you my boobs for you to get the hint,” she replied.
Beau tilted his head back and laughed before saying, “I’d like to add that to my Christmas list. God, Natasha, you are unlike any woman I’ve ever met. Piss and vinegar in a creamy chocolate package.”
“Kiss me and find out what I taste like,” she invited.
Beau didn’t need hesitate. His mouth met hers, and with a little moan, she opened under the onslaught of his kiss. His tongue penetrated her mouth, and she felt almost drunk on his taste. She had waited so long to be in his arms like this, to be held the way he holding her now.
He lifted his head and stared into her eyes before giving a long, low groan and taking her lips in a kiss again. He turned quickly, and Natasha found herself pressed up against the wall. Lord, the man was making her melt with one kiss, and his tongue was doing delicious things inside her mouth.
Beau raised his head and murmured. “That was so worth the wait. I felt like I got my gift early.”
Whew, Natasha thought and waited for the fog of desire to clear from her brain. I need to step back just a little before I’m naked in the tinsel and covered in Christmas lights.
She giggled at the thought and poked him in the chest. “Rein in the sweet talk, cowboy. There will be no getting into these pants tonight.”
Beau chuckled. “You are such a tease.”
“Hey, it doesn’t mean you can’t get in them some other night. Just play your cards right.” She slipped from between him and wall and went back to the door. “Come help me with this stuff, and then you promised me food.”
“I did do that, so let’s get this show on the road. I’ve got a prime rib in the broiler and russet potatoes with a vegetable medley.” Beau winked at her. “For dessert there is my famous chocolate killer cake, guaranteed to make you want me naked before the night is through.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls,” Natasha said dryly.
“You’re the only one that counts,” Beau said softly from behind her.
He probably didn’t mean for her to hear it, but she did, and a warm flush travelled along her body. Natasha had to top herself from doing her little happy dance at the front door. With his help, she got everything into the house, and then she convinced him to walk out near the woods behind his house to cut a fir tree.
“The things I do for you,” he grumbled good-naturedly, but he used the small power saw to cut down the medium sized tree.
Together they dragged it back into the house, and he found a tree stand in the closet under the stairs so they could get it to stand upright.
“I’ll use one of my dad’s old tricks to keep it from drying out,” Beau said.
“What’s his trick because mine is already starting to drop needles on the carpet,” Natasha said.
“He puts two cans of Pepsi in with the water. The syrup keeps the pines from falling. I’ll grab the sodas, check on dinner, and be right back.”
“You’re being awfully good about all this,” Natasha commented.
He stopped and considered what she said and then grinned. “I guess you kissed the scrooge out of me.”
Natasha laughed as he walked away and started pulling lights from the box. They were the older kind of string lights, the bigger lighted bulbs from the seventies and still in pristine condition. The ornaments were delicate glass, and some were wood. She picked up two pairs of booties that were carved from wood. Santa Claus was painted on each pair and snowflakes. Beau and Cody’s names were etched on each. Natasha knew that Mr. Everett carved them for his boys. She cradled them gently in her hands and hung them on the tree first. It felt right. She felt a kind of peace settle over her. Somewhere out there, his parents were happy.
“Two Pepsis, and look I brought us some wine.” Beau came through the door and stood beside her. He looked at the ornaments on the tree and reached out to touch them gently. “I forgot about these. Mom used to hang them on the tree each year. I remember bringing home Susie Marsh for dinner one holiday, and Mom showed them off to her.”
“Susie Marsh and her extra tight sweaters,” Natasha said in irritation. “Like the whole school needed to know about her and her damn D-cups.”
Beau laughed. “Every boy wanted those D cups, and I got them.”
“And this very pleasant night has been put into the garbage disposal,” Natasha muttered and turned away from the tree to rummage through the box. “Men only remember the girls with the tits and not the one who helped get them through Algebra even though she was two years behind.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and tried to give her a hug. “Natasha, your mother would not even let me near you. I was going off to college and you were a junior. Trust me I tried. And in Huntsford trying to keep a secret about us being together would be impossible. So I bided my time until you got of age. Who knew you’d run away to the big city.”
“True, and my parents would have skinned you alive,” she admitted grudgingly. “But you sure took your time showing interest.”
“Hey, you could’ve made a move,” Beau pointed out.
“Proper girls do not chase boys,” Natasha said primly.
“Who got caught sneaking out the window to go drink High Rider by the creek with Jonathan Berns, or joy riding with Tommy Pierce in his firebird?” Beau asked.
“Well then let’s put it this way, they were fun and that was child’s play. You should chase me, Beau, and when you catch me, it will be well worth it.” Natasha put her hand on her hip. “And yes, if you’re wondering, Beau Everett, yes, I’m just that damn good.”
“You are something remarkable,” Beau said. “And I can’t wait to see where it leads. Let’s drink some wine, trim the tree, and eat some dinner. Besides, Susie’s D-cups were fake.”
Natasha jumped up and down with glee. “I knew that skank stuffed her bra.”
“Even b
etter, it was a water bra, and it sprung a leak.” Beau grinned.
She laughed. “Oh I so want to hear that story. She comes to Huntsford every Thanksgiving, trying to be posh. It would be great to say something snippy and take that nose from up in the air.”
“You are a wicked woman, Natasha,” Beau said.
“You betcha cowboy boots I am.”
The rest of the night they decorated his house using his mom’s keepsakes and then sat down to a dinner in front of the fireplace. Later while watching a movie, they ate his sinfully decadent chocolate cake and somewhere after midnight, she fell asleep snuggled beneath a thick afghan on his wide couch.
“I’ve got to head home,” she muttered sleepily when he lifted her into his arms, still wrapped in the afghan.
Beau kissed her gently. “Uh-huh, it’s my turn to play host, and besides, I want to hold you in my bed.”
“Okay, but no hanky-panky,” she said and closed her eyes as he walked upstairs.
Beau laid her on the bed and pulled her boots and jeans off before climbing in bed beside her. Natasha turned into his arms easily as if she was always meant to be there. Nothing felt more right than feeling his arms around her or the warm skin of his chest against her cheek.
Chapter Three
Natasha woke up in Beau’s large bed, completely alone but with a smile. Some time in the night her sweater was making her overheat, so she sat up and whipped it off. She felt his soft kisses on her shoulder before he left and snuggled under his thick blankets when she missed his body curved in behind her. She sat up and stretched before getting out of bed and walking over to look out his bedroom window. It faced the coral, and she saw him standing alone in the snow with a bridle in his hand. On the other side of the coral stood a magnificent horse. Even from where she stood she saw the tense stand off between man and beast. Beau moved toward the animal with slow steps. She knew he was talking to the horse because she’d seen him work before.
The horse bent his head and scraped its hoof against the snow-covered ground. Beau got close enough to run his hand down its ink black coat and dropped the bridle on the ground. He pulled a brush out of the big pocket of his thick coat and ran it down the animal’s muscled flanks. Talking to it gently while grooming the animal was all about building trust. Natasha knew he would never use the bridle on the ground, not today at least. He wanted the horse to get used to seeing him with it before he slipped it onto the horse’s head. Natasha watched for a little while longer and then headed downstairs to make some breakfast. It was Sunday. Deena would have locked up the night’s restaurant and bar tally in the safe in the back office. It was a few days before Christmas, and she planned to have some fun for a change.