To Catch a Texas Cowboy (Wishing, Texas Book 2)

by Julie Benson

  Then he dashed off in the opposite direction, and plopped down on the couch.

  Talk about an obvious signal. She should ask what had him upset, why he was avoiding her, but she couldn’t push the words past the lump in her throat.

  Why had she thought this was a good idea? What had sounded logical and straight forward earlier was proving difficult to implement.

  It wouldn’t if you’d pull up your big girl panties, quit being a coward, and ask what was wrong.

  Hello? Swimsuit. It’s hard to pull up the big girl panties when I’m not wearing any.

  What had she expected? She’d show up at his door, he’d welcome her with open arms, and say he’d been waiting for her to waltz into his life? Oh, Lord. That was pretty much what she’d hoped for. Mainly because that was how men usually reacted. Men pursued her, and if she showed any interested, they went from there. On her terms for however long the fun lasted. Or until the guy wanted more.

  But not AJ.

  He sat in the living room, his back ramrod straight, his gaze locked on the baseball game on TV. She inched closer. A vein bulged in his neck. Even at this distance she could see its wild throbbing. With any man other man she’d think he was interested in her as a woman. But that was crazy. He’d been the one who said they should stay friends. He’d been the one who claimed their blistering kiss was a mistake.

  AJ reached for the beer on the end table to his right. His hand clamped around the bottle and he lifted it to his lips. If she could get him to talk to her, to loosen up, they could sort this out. Then she could ease into asking him what was wrong.

  “You sure you don’t want to join me?” The huskiness in her voice startled her, but she swallowed hard and pressed forward. “I thought you could tell me more about Wishing, particularly about the well since I’m going to be taking over Cassie’s tours.”

  She resisted the urge to wince over how pathetically desperate female she sounded.

  “I told you everything I know about the town the other day. As to the well, all I know is you have to wish for someone else, and it brings tourists to town.” He placed his beer back on the table. The glass bottle rattling against the coaster, echoed in the open space. “If you want more than that, talk to Mary Ann at the historical society.”

  She waited for him to glance in her general direction, but when he failed to, her irritation kicked in. His behavior bordered on downright rude. If this was about his bruised ego over her catching him searching the house, she was tired of it. She stormed to the couch, her flip flops thwapping across the wooden floor. “What’s going on? I thought we were friends.”

  Liar. You want so much more from this man.

  “We are.”

  “Then why does it feel like you’re avoiding me? What’s changed? Do I have cooties, or what?”

  He chuckled, the deep sound rattling from his broad chest, and for the first time since she’d arrived, he looked at her. Humor mixed with what she swore was frustration shone in his gaze. “Cooties? What are we? Grade school kids?”

  “No, we’re adults.”

  The bulging vein in his neck throbbed at a frantic rate. His facial features tight, he said, “I know.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “There isn’t one. Work’s been crazy.”

  “More rampant goats?” she teased. When his attention remained focused on the TV, she added, “Or is it your other case?”

  “All I want to do tonight is relax and watch the Ranger game. They’re mounting a rally. You go ahead and enjoy the hot tub. If you’re still here when the game’s over, I’ll join you.”

  Grace peered at the TV, noting the game stats in the upper left corner. “The score’s eleven to one. You really think they’ll come back from that deficit?”

  “They could.” His right eye twitched. He grabbed his beer, and took a long draw.

  “You can’t be serious. Mounting a comeback? With one runner on second and two outs in the bottom of the eighth? Sure, the Rangers will be back in the game any minute.” His hand tightened around the bottle, and she continued. “That’s crap, and you know it.”

  He faced her, his jaw clenched, his clear gaze piercing her. Now she had his attention.

  “Why are you making such a big deal over two friends sitting in a hot tub and talking? Is this about you being embarrassed over me catching you searching the house? If so, that’s silly.”

  AJ scoffed, but otherwise ignored her question.

  “Then what? Don’t tell me I make you nervous. If you’re worried I’m going to attack you, forget it. Your virtue’s safe with me. I can control myself.” God really should punish her for telling that big a lie.

  His eyes remained firmly locked on her face. “Your imagination’s working on overtime tonight if that’s what you think.”

  She leaned forward and braced her hands on the couch arm. Then she licked her lips. “You have no idea how good my imagination is. I can be very creative.”

  His pupils dilated, but other than that he remained frozen in place. She pulled back, her gaze still locked with his as she pulled off her baggy tee, and tossed the shirt at him. He caught it before the garment hit him in the face. “Join me if you want, or don’t. It doesn’t matter to me.”

  Without waiting for his response, she turned, and strolled toward the French doors, praying her knees wouldn’t give out. Once outside, she exhaled slowly, and gazed skyward. More stars than she’d seen in her entire life sparkled on a dark velvet blanket.

  She’d come to Wishing searching for stability and a simpler life. That, and gainful employment, but nothing had gone as expected since she arrived. As she slipped off her nylon shorts, placed them on a bench within reach, and slipped into the warm water, she couldn’t believe she’d accused AJ of being afraid to be alone with her. Leaning back, she sank down until the water reached her chin. No matter how much she planned, the minute she saw him, everything went haywire.

  Whatever the next move, it was his to make. She leaned back, letting the jets loosen up her stiff muscles. She gave him five minutes tops before he joined her. Unless she knew nothing about men, no way would AJ be able to ignore the major challenge she’d tossed down for longer than that.

  AJ sat on the couch, trying to deny the white hot need coursing through him. When Graced had pulled off her god-awful baggy tee he’d about come apart. Delectable creamy flesh on display above the plunging v neck of her suit taunted him. He’d lowered his gaze before he embarrassed himself. But then his gaze landed on her long legs, and that was worse. Damn, the woman had legs that made a man dream.

  Now all the good he’d done staying away, all the torture he’d endured missing her, was shot to hell.

  The overwhelming need he’d felt for Grace, the connection that pulsed to life between them, left him shaking. Despite knowing he had no business starting anything with Grace when he couldn’t tell her about his job with the FBI, he’d done what he believed best, and steered clear of her.

  Now despite the rational reasons he shouldn’t, here he sat considering joining her in the spa. What he wouldn’t give to be able to embrace Zane’s love-the-one-you’re-with philosophy for one day. Hell, for an hour. He laughed. An hour with Grace would never be enough.

  While he wasn’t a quick fling guy like Zane, he wasn’t a teenager unable to control his urges either. Was Grace right, and he was making too big a deal of this? Feeling he needed to prove he could resist the temptation she presented and honor their bargain, he stood and walked toward his bedroom.

  A minute later, dressed in his swim trunks, he stood at the French doors to the deck. He reached for the doorknob, but his hand froze. He felt as skittish as a June bug in a chicken coop.

  Was he being a damn fool asking for trouble? To hell with that. If he was, he didn’t care.

  He opened the door and stepped outside. For a minute he remained in the shadows enjoying the incredible view of Grace leaning against the back of the hot tub. She’d secured her long, whisk
ey-colored hair with a clip, exposing her graceful neck. With her skin glistening and her beautiful features relaxed, he realized how exquisite she was. He swallowed hard, and shut the door behind him, the soft click almost deafening in the still night.

  Her eyes sprang open as he stepped forward into the faint light. A slow, feminine smile spread across her face, making her eyes glow. “I’m glad you decided to join me.”

  He slipped into the tub on the far side. Between the steamy water and her heated gaze, he was surprised he didn’t stroke out. “How could I stay inside after the challenge you threw at me along with your shirt?” A challenge he’d recognized the minute she pulled the old accuse-a-guy-of-being-afraid-to-get-him-to-do-what-you-want trick. Hell, he had two younger sisters who were masters at the game, and double-teamed him, to boot.

  “I did no such—” She waved a delicate hand through the air. “Forget it. I’m not going to try to lie about it.”

  Ten seconds. A new record. Ten seconds and a few words from Grace. That was all it took to get him rock hard, and aching to take her.

  Tired of feeling as if a scorpion had crawled in his shirt when she was around, he decided on honesty. “I’m not the brightest penny in the drawer where women are concerned.” He’d once planned to ask a girlfriend to move in with him only to have her say she wanted to be friends. “But you’ve got me more confused than most. One minute I think you want to be friends, and the next—”

  I think you’re trying to seduce me.

  Sweat beaded on his forehead. He couldn’t say that.

  “And the next, I don’t know which end is up.”

  “All I know is I think about you way more than I should, and I can’t forget how I felt when you kissed me.”

  A full minute passed before enough blood returned to AJ’s brain for him to speak. “Now would be the time to remind me we why we said we shouldn’t get involved.”

  “For the life of me, I can’t think of one reason.” Grace licked her lips, and her gaze drifted to his mouth, lingering there. “And I’d rather you kiss me. I need to know if it was as spectacular as I remember.”

  His mind shut down, making thought impossible. But his body kicked into overdrive. He stood, his suit plastered against his body, outlining the evidence of his desire. The passion and curiosity shining on her face held him spellbound. “I say we answer that question right now.”

  “Yes, please.”

  He could drown in her warm coffee eyes, and she saw through to his soul in a way no woman ever had. He’d never allowed one to.

  The realization he’d kept the other women he’d known at a distance rippled through him. So why was Grace different? Why did he keep letting his guard down enough for her to read him as fast as a dime novel?

  Water lapped at him as he joined her on the opposite side of the spa. Once there, he sank onto the step beside her, and cupped her face in his hands. His mouth covered hers, hot and insistent as he scooped her up and onto his lap. When she wiggled her hips against him, his body pulsed with excitement. She deepened the kiss and pressed her luscious curves against him sending his need spiraling out of control.

  Her tongue slipped between his lips, mating with his. He cupped her breast, reveling in the feel of her in his hands. He rolled her sensitive nipple between his thumb and index finger. Her delighted moan echoed around him, nearly shattering his self-control. Needing more of her, wanting to hear her call out his name as he brought her pleasure, he continued exploring her supple curves.

  He savored every touch, feeling alive in a way he hadn’t in a long time. He’d been sleep walking through his life. Until Grace crashed into him. She awakened a part of him he thought no longer existed. The part longing to share life’s ups and downs with a woman as they built a future. The part that knew life would be better if he had someone at home who loved and understood him. The part that wanted more out of life than existing. Who wanted Grace more than he imagined possible.

  How would he ever let her go?

  Don’t think. Just feel and be in the moment.

  Chapter Eleven

  The raging fire and desire for her flaring in AJ’s hypnotic blue eyes, stark and honest, sent waves of need crashing over Grace. Men had looked at her with smoldering passion before, but never like this, as if no one but her existed. Her heart skipped a beat. Then a second one, before it kicked back in.

  Her hand slid over his slick skin exploring the rock hard abs she’d dreamed of, the heat of him nearly burning her hand. From the moment she saw him standing on the patio, tall, proud and strong in so many ways, she knew she wanted this. Them together.

  The air crackled with anticipation, accelerating the heat between them. His sizzling gaze flowed over her as his broad chest rose and fell with his rapid breathing. She marveled at the beauty of the man before her. Her hands splayed across his chest, discovering his heart’s frantic beating matched her own as she kissed him. Her nails flicked over his male nipples, and she reveled in his fevered groan and in her power to bring him pleasure. She wanted AJ, to be with him in a way she never imagined existed.

  She leaned forward and kissed along his collarbone, but it wasn’t enough. Their movements grew frantic as they explored each other. His hand slipped inside her suit to caress her more intimately, and this time her moan rippled through the still night. Pleasure built inside her, threatening to consume her. Not that she cared. All she wanted right now was AJ. To be alive and with him.

  She leaned over him, kissing him lightly as her hands skimmed across his chest, as she rocked against his hand. She deepened their kiss, shutting out everything but him. Tension escalated inside her. Her hands clutched his shoulders as her body strained and tightened, reaching for fulfillment. His lips covered her nipple, and waves broke inside of her. Her head flung back, she cried out his name as she crested.

  A moment later, when coherent thought returned, she trailed kisses over his shoulder. “What does AJ stand for? Something embarrassing?”

  He shook his head. “Andrew Joseph. I went by AJ because I’m a junior.”

  “I want all of you, Andrew Joseph Quinn, Jr.” Need filled her breathless order. “Tell me you have a condom inside.”

  He tensed. “We can’t do this.”

  “I think we’re doing this fine,” she teased, placing her hand over the pulsing evidence of his desire, caressing him through his suit. His hands clutched her arms.

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He cupped her face in his large hands. His passion-glazed eyes locked on her. “I’m not going to make love to you.”

  She continued, caressing him. He pulsed hot and heavy in her hand, straining against her. “Why not?”

  “I’ve never wanted a woman more, but if we make love, it would mean something, and neither of us is ready for that.”

  Before she could respond, the faint strains of “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished” from Wicked penetrated the sensual haze encasing her.

  “Do you hear music, or have I lost my mind?” AJ asked.

  “That’s my phone.”

  The mood was spoiled, but hoping to recapture it, she fumbled behind her, searching for her shorts. “I’ll turn it off.”

  “Take the call. I’ll give you some privacy.” He lifted her off his lap, and before she could argue, he’d crawled out of the spa.

  She dug her cell out of the back pocket, and checked the screen. Her mother. Now her family called? Grace knew what that meant. Either her mother needed a favor, or something was wrong.

  When she answered the call, her mother said, “I know you’re in Texas enjoying time with Cassie before the wedding, and if it wasn’t important I wouldn’t bother you.”

  The anxiety in her mother’s voice intensified the trepidation chasing down Grace’s spine. She inhaled deeply, trying to control her unease. This was her mom, and they possessed vastly different opinions concerning what constituted important. No reason to panic. Yet.

  “There was a report about Derek on the late n
ews. I thought you’d want to know.”

  Now Grace had reason to worry, and panic waited in the wings.

  She glanced up, searching for AJ, needing his calm strength for an anchor, only to discover he’d gone inside. “What did the story say?”

  “There’s no easy way to say this.”

  Every muscle in Grace’s body tensed, bracing for impact. Good news never followed those words.

  “Derek’s dead. He committed suicide.”

  Her mother rattled off the details. Used the bed sheet as a noose. Guards tried to resuscitate. No suicide note.

  When she ended the call, a numbing cold spread through Grace. Her hands shook. Then her legs. She thought of Derek, of how vibrant and fun-loving he’d been. While she hadn’t loved him, she grieved his loss.

  Pain for all the lives damaged from this tragedy, some irrevocably like Derek’s, coursed through her. She stumbled out of the hot tub, grabbed a towel and dried off. Then she tossed on her shorts, and charged inside.

  “What’s wrong?” Heavy footsteps pounded on the wooden floor. “Grace? Talk to me.”

  She heard AJ calling her, but she couldn’t stop. If she did, she’d crumble. The pain, the guilt would devour her.

  “Are you okay?”

  Her heart pounded against her ribs, as if it would explode. Gaze riveted on the front door; she quickened her pace. She had to get away. Had to get outside where she could breathe.

  A hand clamped on her shoulder, halting her. She spun around, fists raised, prepared to do battle. “Let go. Have to keep moving. Can’t breathe.”

  When she pulled away, AJ yanked opened the door, and held it for her. “Then let’s walk, but I’m not leaving you alone. Not like this.”

  She stared at him for a second, unable to process his accepting response. On the rare occasions she’d loosened her hold on her emotions, her family changed the subject, said that was how life went, and ended with the get-over-it lecture. She stumbled onto the porch, inhaled deeply, and started walking.