To Kiss A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 1)

by Maggie Carpenter

  A wave of heat flooded Caleb's body.

  The tall, broad-shouldered, good looking man was standing next to a lion.

  His hand was resting on the lion's head.

  The lion was sitting down.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  The two week vacation gave Connie and Caleb a well-needed break. They rode endless trails, shopped in Dallas, ate at trendy restaurants, and visited country and western clubs. Martha departed early to visit a relative in Austin, but planned to be back at the ranch by the time they returned. On the day they left for home, Travis presented Connie with the wooden sign.

  "Since you're going to name the ranch Hania Horse Farm, I know your grandfather would want you to have it." Then turning to Caleb, he handed him the large photograph of the lion, with the small self-portrait still wedged into the back of the frame. "Caleb, ever since you arrived I've felt you should take ownership of these photos."

  "I'm real honored," Caleb said humbly. "I'll treasure them. Thank you."

  "The one that's been hiding all these years needs to be seen. Will you do that for me? Bring it out into the light?"

  "Of course. I'll be proud to show it off."

  They'd ordered a car to take them to the airport, and with their precious items safely packed, they hugged Travis and Mary goodbye, and climbed into the back seat.

  "Caleb?" she said softly, leaning into his body as the car rolled onto the main road, "I need to ask you a question."

  "I wondered when you get around to this."

  "How could you possibly know what I'm going to say?" she asked, sitting back and staring at him.

  "I know you, darlin'. Go on, ask away."

  "Argh! This isn't fair."

  "Imagine you're rippin' off a bandaid."

  "Can I whisper?"

  "Sure."

  "You told me to stay in the house that night, and I didn't, but you haven't said a word."

  "I've been waitin' to see if you'd bring it up. I'm glad you did. We'll talk about it later."

  They arrived at Dream Horse Ranch to spend the night, planning to trailer the horses home the following day. Though the reunion was a happy one, after dinner, exhausted from traveling, they retired early and collapsed into bed.

  "I'm so happy to sleep with you again," she mumbled, snuggling next to him. "I've missed you so much."

  "I've missed you too, darlin'."

  "I want you so bad, Caleb," she breathed, wrapping her fingers around his cock.

  "Remember that conversation in the car?"

  "Of course. Are you going to spank me here? Shouldn't we wait until we get home?"

  "I am gonna spank you, but I have another punishment in mind as well."

  "Another punishment?"

  "One that started the moment we arrived at your parent's ranch and were put in separate rooms," he said firmly, moving her hand away. "Your dad's old-fashioned ways worked just right."

  "What do you mean? What punishment?"

  "No sex, darlin', just cuddles."

  "What?"

  "I'll be teasin' you, but that's it."

  "For how long?"

  "Not sure. Several days. A week. Depends."

  "Please, no."

  "Leavin' the house! Connie! You put us all in danger. Just a spankin' is way too lenient."

  "You're not serious."

  "Go to sleep. Oh, one more thing. If I find out you've been touchin' yourself, I'll add a week. Got it?"

  "You're a very hard master."

  "Only when you're a very bad girl."

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  A few days after they'd returned home, thunderstorms rolled through the sleepy community. It was after dinner they donned their slickers to check on the horses. Fighting through the wind and rain, they gratefully entered the shelter of the barn. The stall doors leading to the corrals had been closed, and their equine friends were calmly munching hay or dozing.

  "They're fine," Connie said happily, "but I think I'd like to stay here for a few minutes. I like being in here with them, especially with the bad weather outside."

  "How about we sit on that bale of hay? There's something I wanna chat about."

  Ambling across the barn aisle, they settled down, and taking her hands, a slight frown crossed his brow.

  "Connie, I love you with all my heart, and I know we've been through a lot, but we're just gettin' started. I don't wanna rush things. We need time together, regular time, normal time, not drama-filled time."

  "Why are you telling me this?"

  "I want you to know I'm not goin' anywhere. We're on this ride together, and when we reach the top of the hill, if we're still holdin' hands and kissin', we'll go down the other side."

  "How long do you think that will take?"

  He chuckled.

  "What's funny?"

  "You. How long? A wild guess? A year maybe."

  "Today is October 14th, and the time is 7:33 p.m.," she declared, glancing at her watch. "On October 14th next year, at 7:33 p.m., we have a date on a bale of hay in this barn."

  "We do?"

  "We do. No matter what. And if you kiss me, we take things further. Promise?"

  "I promise. And l'm gonna seal that promise with a kiss right now."

  Laying his lips on hers, he slid his hands into her hair and slowly devoured her mouth. As she circled her arms around his neck and fervently pressed her body against him, he could feel her love wash over him like a warm spring shower. His heart began pumping, and his caution felt wrong.

  "From the moment I saw you, to kiss you was all I wanted. Now I want you forever," she murmured as they broke apart. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

  "Close your eyes."

  "Why?"

  "Go on."

  "Okay."

  "Thank you. One-two-three. Now open them."

  "I don't understand."

  "Funny thing about time," he said softly. "Shut your eyes for a second and a year has passed."

  "What are you saying?" she breathed, her heart threatening to leap out of her chest.

  "We do need to spend that time together, but that doesn't mean we can't be engaged while we're doin' it."

  "Really? Do you mean it?"

  "I've never meant anything so much in my life. A year from now, October 14th, we'll get wed at 7:30 p.m."

  "Right here, in this barn?"

  "Seems like we should."

  "Please can't we make love now?" she begged, happy tears spilling down her cheeks. "It doesn't seem right not to."

  "Spread a clean blanket on the floor in the tack room," he murmured, hugging her tightly. "I'll be right there."

  Kissing him through her tears, she slid off the bale of hay, hurried down the aisle, and disappeared through the tack room door. He couldn't refuse her, nor did he want to, but she wasn't getting of that easy. Rising to his feet, he walked over to the cross ties and picked up a short, fat crop.

  THE END

  Dear Reader:

  Thank you for reading this novel. I would really appreciate you leaving a review on the site from which it was purchased. Feel free to contact me at MagCarpenter@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.

  Wishing you the very best,

  Maggie

  HUNKS AND HORSES

  Book Two

  TO CATCH A COWBOY

  AMAZON: https://amzn.to/2JswJZs - KINDLE UNLMITED

  The best-seller that launched the series.

  COWBOY: HIS RANCH. HIS RULES. HIS SECRETS.

  AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2ACAato - KINDLE UNLIMITED

  A Word From Maggie

  Visit Me

  http://www.MaggieCarpenter.com

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  MagCarpenter@yahoo.com

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  TAKING CHARGE: BLAZING ROMANCE SUSPENSE SERIES
>
  BOOK ONE

  COWBOY: His Ranch. His Rules. His Secrets.

  SASS, SIZZLE, SUPSENSE, AND A SPLASH OF THE SUPERNATURAL.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  BOOK TWO

  SPY: His Mission. His Orders. His Promise.

  A LONG LOST LOVE. SMOKE AND MIRRORS. SIZZLING SUSPENSE.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  BOOK THREE

  SHERIFF: His Town. His Laws. His Justice.

  STRICT AND SHIRTLESS. WILY AND WILLFULL. STALKING DANGER.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  BOOK FOUR

  WARLOCK: His Coven. His Magick. His Soulmate.

  IS THERE SUCH THING AS ETERNAL LOVE?

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  BOOK FIVE

  BOSS: His Power. His Wealth. His Demands.

  HE THOUGHT HE HAD IT ALL- UNTIL HE MET FIERY REDHEAD.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  BOOK SIX

  TYCOON: His Money. His Harley. His Conrol.

  A DIFFERENT KIND OF BIKER BOOK.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  * * * * *

  ALPHA MALE MASTER SERIES

  Each Book HEA and Stand Alone

  DRAKE

  Vigilante Bodyguard

  SCARY HAS NEVER BEEN SO HOT!

  Dark-haired, green-eyed Courtney Hall is a dedicated criminologist. Working with law enforcement she helps catch the bad guys, but she never thought she'd become a victim herself. Abducted by two psychopaths and taken into a dark forest in the dead of night, she is rescued by a handsome stranger out for a midnight jog. The villains are caught and arrested, but she's just learned they've been released.

  They know where she lives!

  She needs protection. There's only one man she trusts. The man who saved her. Drake Steele.

  But Drake leads a dangerous double life.

  While the city sleeps he confronts muggers and rescues damsels in distress, sometimes teaching both thug and victim a lesson. His deeds have become legendary, and he's been labeled The Victim's Vigilante.

  When Courtney tells him the monsters who assaulted her are back on the streets he insists she stay with him. Very quickly a white hot chemistry fires their passion, but he discovers she harbors a deep hatred towards the men who turned her life upside down, and won't rest until she has her revenge.

  How can he protect a woman willing to risk everything to rid the world of the two evil men? He is a dominant, but dare he expose his true nature? Can he use his unique expertise to stop her from putting herself in danger?

  DRAKE: Vigilante Bodyguard is Maggie Carpenter's latest novel in the Alpha Male Master series. If you enjoyed the sizzle and suspense of the other books, you'll love this dark romance. PLEASE NOTE: The author does not condone or support citizens taking the law into their own hands.

  LOGAN

  Cowboy Bodyguard

  Bad guys, beware. Ladies, behave. There's a new cowboy in town, and he's takin' no prisoners.

  Brandy Coleman's face is flaming red. As the owner of a barn for retired horses she's had her share of mishaps, but nothing can compare to this deeply embarrassing moment. She is looking up at a stranger who has the dreamiest hazel eyes she's ever seen, and a six pack beneath his open shirt that is making her toes curl. The problem? Her hose burst and squirted water everywhere, leaving her hair a tangled mess and her clothes absolutely drenched.

  Logan Scott has arrived at Rainbow's End Ranch to apply for a job as a ranch hand. He is led into the barn by an exuberant Golden Retriever and is met by an unexpected and stunning sight. A gorgeous girl, dripping wet, is bent over wrapping a towel around her head, and as she straightens up he can't help but notice the thin pink T-shirt clinging to her luscious curves.

  Hot chemistry sparks!

  Though he makes her knees weak Brandy hires him, but she's torn. How can she becoming involved with her hired hand? But things suddenly take a dramatic twist.

  A nefarious thug wants her property and won't take no for an answer. Logan declares he's changing his job description from ranch hand to bodyguard and lays down the law. If she wants his protection, she must do as he says. Will she...?

  LOGAN: Cowboy Bodyguard, like all Maggie Carpenter books, it is a riveting page-turner with unexpected surprises. Pick up your copy today, and escape to the romance and drama at Rainbow's End Ranch.

  MASTER ZANE

  The Rogue Aristocrat

  No truth is worse than a lie. Or is it...?

  Flora is going to marry the man of her choice! That's what she told her father, but he continues to insist she marry a German prince fifteen years her senior. In a fit of rebellion she runs away during a raging storm, only to crash head-long into a wall of a man. Tumbling to the ground she hits her head, and a moment before everything goes black, she finds herself gazing into the most captivating eyes she's ever seen.

  Zane De'Ville, a French aristocrat and infamous womanizer, is suddenly tasked with taking care of a beautiful young lady who cannot tell him anything about herself, but he quickly wonders if her amnesia is authentic?

  Maggie Carpenter, winner of Best Victorian Romance, Spanking Romance Reviews, 2015 and 2016, brings another sizzling love story to life. Click the link and pick up your copy of this sizzling romance today.

  HER BARBARIAN MASTER

  Forbidden Love

  Serenity has just crossed a line. In an attempt to defend her best friend, the free-spirited, flaxen-haired young woman has challenged the leader of the Bathus, a clan of barbarians that live in a castle ruin above her tiny village.

  The leader's son, Killian, decides to chastise her with a sound spanking, and throwing her over his shoulder he carries her to his private chambers. Serenity, however, is made of tough stuff. To his shock, even with a stinging backside she remains unafraid, and yelling her fury she storms off. He stares after her in disbelief.

  But when the astonishment fades, he can't stop thinking about her, and back in her village, the handsome muscled barbarian lingers in forefront of Serenity's mind.

  A short time later a rival clan attacks and they are thrown together. Their smoldering chemistry flames, but in the heat of their blazing passion they uncover a diabolical plot that threatens their lives, and the future of the entire clan.

  "Storytelling at its best!" "The love story is amazing, dangerous, and full of ups and downs. The humor is laugh out loud funny." "A sizzling romance full of danger, sprinkled with humor, and an action-packed plot that will keep you guessing."

  MOTORYCYLE MASTER

  Bad Boy Angel

  FALLING IN LOVE WASN'T PART OF THE DEAL...

  FBI agent Kat Baldwin has run across her share of tough guys and isn't the least bit intimidated when she strolls into the biker bar, but when she meets Marco every nerve in her body sparks. She's there on assignment, she can't get involved, but Marco is unlike any bad boy she's ever met.

  Built like a gladiator, Marco D'Angelo is working undercover in a nefarious motorcycle gang. In constant danger he shuns romantic entanglements, but when a mysterious beauty joins the gang he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

  Who is she, and why is she there?

  A sizzling romance wrapped up in a crime story full of twists and turns, Maggie Carpenter delivers another gripping page-turner that will keep you guessing to the very end. Click the link, climb on board, and hold on tight.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE SUSPENSE

  PROTECTING PAIGE

  Though many women would jump at the chance to spend a few days at a tropical resort with Cole Barrington, publicist Paige Brooks already fell for the handsome movie producer's charm once and she has no intention of letting herself get burned a second time.

  Unfortunately, Cole is one of her company's best clients, and when Paige is tasked with ensuring his trip to a celebrity charity event goes well, she vows to put th
e past behind her and act like a professional. But Cole is still just as sexy and dominant as he was the first time Paige shared his bed, and when he promises to take her over his knee to deal with her attitude, the warning leaves her heart racing, her cheeks blushing, and her panties soaked.

  Before he has a chance to carry out his threat, however, the small seaplane Cole booked to take them to the resort is forced to make an emergency landing just offshore from a tiny, uninhabited island in the Caribbean. Stranded without a working radio, Cole and Paige must stick together, and the intense passion they once shared quickly resurfaces.