Cowboy's Chocolate Roses

by Jess Buffett

  They both knew all hell would break loose once Brian Evans arrived. He better not start anything, because Josh had been through too much with Bri's disappearance not to take the man's head off if he did.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Josh paced up and down the halls of the hospital, waiting to hear about Bri. An hour later, the doctor stepped out of the room and informed Josh that she and baby were doing okay, but they had given Bri a sedative and they would be monitoring her overnight. Josh felt like he could finally breathe again. If they wanted to keep her for observation he could live with that, as long as they knew he would be sleeping in the chair by her bed. He refused to let his woman out of his sight again, but he'd have to soon. Noah needed Josh back to give a statement. Christ, what a clusterfuck.

  "Josh!"

  Turning, Josh found Brian Evans headed his way.

  Just what I need.

  The livid man pointed a finger in Josh's face. "This is your fault," Brian shouted. "I should have known you couldn't protect her."

  Josh snapped. He could have handled Brian being upset, even a little given what his daughter had been through, but to outright blame Josh? Without thinking, Josh cocked his elbow and threw it forward, his fist colliding with Brian's jaw.

  Holding the side of his face, Brian stared wide-eyed. "You hit me!"

  "No shit," he grunted.

  He could have made it a nose shot and broken the damn thing, so the man should consider himself lucky.

  Giving a nod to Bri's mother, Margaret, he added, "Ma'am. I'd say I'm sorry but I'm not. I do apologize for doing it in front of you though."

  "Oh, no, my dear boy, don't apologize. I think my husband had that coming." She smirked, shaking her head. "You had no right, Brian."

  "No right? I trusted this bastard to keep my daughter safe. What the hell did you think I was going to do?" he bellowed.

  "Apparently make a scene," Margaret muttered, rolling her eyes. "I'm going in to see my daughter. You two sort this out."

  She left Josh alone with Brian in the corridor. Folding his arms across his chest, Josh stared down at the smaller man. The silence between them stretched out.

  Unable to stand the tension any longer, Josh said, "I'm not going anywhere, Brian. And this wasn't my fault."

  "Maybe not, but that's my baby girl in there," he said, pointing to the door. "She's gone through too much in such a short space of time."

  "I agree, but I am going to marry her and we are having a baby. That's something you're gonna have to deal with." Sighing, Josh swiped a hand roughly down his tired face. "Look, they said Bri is gonna be out for the night. I've gotta head back and sort some stuff out with the sheriff. I don't want to leave her, but I want the situation dealt with before she comes home. If she does wake up, can you please tell her I'll be back as soon as possible?"

  "Sure," Brian replied begrudgingly.

  Turning to leave, Josh added one more thing, "For the record, she means everything to me. And tonight, I would've died for her."

  Without waiting for a response, Josh took off down the hall. The sooner he gave his statement to Noah, the sooner he could get back to Bri. He also decided to take a side trip home to get his mother's ring. He wanted Bri to know she meant the world to him. She would never doubt his love for her.

  *****

  "Bri, would you just wait a second." Charlotte sighed, completely exasperated.

  Ignoring her sister's request, Bri tugged on the jacket Charlotte had brought for her, furious.

  "Charlotte's right, maybe you should just stop for a second. You've been under a fair amount of stress," her brother-in-law, Ryan, suggested.

  She knew the pair were concerned for her and the baby, but if they thought for one second she'd sit back and leave things be, they didn't know her very well. Bri had woken an hour ago still a little worse for wear, but surprisingly coping, only to find Josh gone.

  "You can't tell me where Josh is, or even when he'll be back. The only thing you've told me is he and daddy got into it when I was brought in and no one has seen him since." Slipping on her shoes, she walked to the door. "If he isn't going to answer his phone, then I'm going to find him and get some answers."

  Charlotte rolled her eyes. "There is no need to go all gung-ho. Mom and dad should be back soon. They were here all night, and headed home to freshen up. If you just wait a little longer then you can ask them."

  Bri knew her sister's suggestion was probably the more reasonable one, but she couldn't wait. She felt re-energized—she had faced her demons, and was still standing. Most importantly, Timothy wasn't.

  "I need to find him, Charlotte."

  "And I get that, but it was only last night that you had to be sedated. I'm not even sure if what happened last night has fully sunk in yet." Charlotte walked over and wrapped her arm around Bri. "But…if you really need to do this, then let's do it right. We'll see about a doctor discharging you, then if you can leave I'll help you find your wayward cowboy."

  She smiled gratefully at her sister. "Thanks."

  Briskly making her way down the hallway with Charlotte and Ryan by her side, Bri headed for the nurses' station eager to get things in motion. The elevators to the left whooshed open and Bri stumbled to a stop at the sight of Josh stepping out. A smile curved her lips when she saw he held a bunch of roses.

  Chocolate roses.

  He wouldn't just leave her.

  Bolstered by a confidence she had never felt before, she called out, "Those better be for me, cowboy."

  Bri watched in amusement as Josh's head shot up, his mouth doing a great impression of a fish. He snapped out of his daze when she cocked her eyebrow, waiting for him to speak.

  Rushing over, he wrapped his arms around her waist. "What are you doing? You should still be in bed."

  "Well, you see, I woke up to find my sister in my room and no one else. When I asked her where you were, she said mom told her you and daddy had gotten into a fight, literally, and you had left. And since neither you, nor my father, were answering your phones, I decided to come and find out what happened." Leaning back, she met his gaze. "So, wanna tell me what happened?"

  Josh wore a deep frown on his face, clearly pissed. "What were you gonna do, drive all the way to Bricker in your condition?"

  "No, don't be silly," she said, and watched him visibly relax. Then she added, "I was going to get Charlotte to drive."

  His frown returned. "Damned ornery woman, you're supposed to be in bed."

  Her eyes narrowed. "Yeah, but you're supposed to be there with me."

  Looking a little chagrined, he grumbled, "I had to help Noah and talk to the state police. I thought you would still be out of it, but I did ask your father to tell you I would be back if you woke up before I returned."

  "Was that before or after you punched him?" She smirked.

  "After. But the man had it coming, just ask your mother," he muttered.

  Shaking her head at his antics, Bri threw her arms around his neck, careful of her bandages. God, she loved the man. Pulling his head down, she brought their mouths together. Her lips moved over his, slow and sensual, almost like a promise.

  All too soon, Josh raised his head, smiling down at her. "There's something I wanted to give you."

  "I know, I saw the roses." She smiled back.

  "N-no. I mean, yes, th-they are for you, but there w-was something else," he stuttered.

  Fumbling around in his pockets, he found what he had been looking for, and a grin spread across his face. Bri gasped when he suddenly dropped to one knee, and held up a box with the most exquisite ring inside. A marquise-cut emerald sat in the middle, surrounded by small round diamonds set in white gold. She had seen this ring before, in old family photos hanging on the walls at home.

  His mother's ring.

  "Bri, I know I've already asked you, but this time I want to do it right," he started, clearing his throat. "Since the moment I spotted you in that bar, standing awkwardly behind your sister, you have owned a
piece of me. Your eyes were the first thing that caught me, but your pure heart has kept me ensnared. You now own every bit of me. After all you have been through, you still have the ability to laugh and love and I will be forever grateful if you chose me to share it with. And now I ask, with my family's ring as a promise to always love you, will you marry me?"

  Her face damp from tears, Bri lovingly cupped his cheek, her heart warmed with love. His words were the most beautiful thing she had ever heard.

  "Yes. Of course I will."

  Josh's smile shone brighter than the sun. He jumped up, reaching for her, and swept her up into his embrace. Cheers erupted from all around them, and Bri suddenly realized they'd drawn a crowd. She'd been so caught up with Josh, she hadn't even noticed. Her smile grew brighter when she saw her family in the group, standing alongside Caleb. Catching her father's gaze, she nodded to him, letting him know she had exactly what she wanted. She belonged right here, in the arms of her cowboy.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bri felt a smile tug at her lips, and didn’t even fight it when Josh fluffed her pillow for the third time in a row. He had sent her family home, with a promise to keep them updated. Her mother had doted for a moment longer before leaving, her sister had chuckled while waggling her eyebrows suggestively, and her father had huffed out a number of threats…all ending in calling Josh a bastard. Though there was a softer edge to his words when he said it.

  Two weeks had passed since she'd been rescued. There were nights were she still woke in a cold sweat, Josh clutching her tight as he murmured to her that she was safe. That he had her. Mel had talked her into seeing someone, this time genuinely giving it a go, and not just making a show of it for those around her. Bri had been ready to refuse until Mel had pointed out that it was no longer just about her. A low blow, yet brutally honest. Something Bri needed more of.

  “Josh,” she whispered, attempting to get his attention, though he didn’t seem to hear. “Josh, will you stop.”

  Finally the man looked at her, brows furrowed. “What’s wrong? Do you need anything?”

  “As a matter of fact…”

  “What? Whatever it is I’ll get it for you.”

  “You.”

  Josh moved to the door, as though prepared to retrieve whatever it was that her heart desired. The stupid man just didn’t realize all she wanted was him. “Huh?”

  “You, Josh.” She shook her head half in amusement and a whole lot in frustration. “All I want is you. To sit here beside me, be with me.”

  She patted the spot beside her on the bed. Josh seemed to eye it for a moment longer before he gave in and slid onto the bed. When he finally did, she reached for his hand, holding it between both of hers as she turned to him.

  “I love you,” she said softly, leaning forward to kiss him.

  “I love you too, lavender,” he responded, bemused.

  “So show me.”

  Josh pulled back, eyebrows raised. “I don’t think that’s wi—”

  Bri cut him off, covering his lips with her own. She refused to let him overanalyze things further. She wanted her fiancé, she wanted to make love with him.

  “Josh,” she panted as he began tugging at her clothing until she was completely naked. She joined him in the heated frenzy, desperate to feel every inch of him pressed against her.

  When they were both naked, Josh leaned back, his gaze raking over her felt like the softest caress. There was hunger in his eyes as his hands slowly traced every nuance of her skin, all the dips and crevices, until she felt she would pass out from the pleasure. “Come here,” she whispered, opening up her arms. “Make me yours.”

  A rakish grin splayed across his face. “Oh, Bri. You always have been.”

  His words, so certain, inflamed her desire for him, making it burn higher, hotter. He turned her in his arms, lying her on her side as he slipped in behind her and pulling back her leg resting on top to open her up to him. She squirmed and arched her back as he slipped a finger into her. She was so wet, so ready for him. Josh gently pumped the digit, following it up with another as his thumb strummed against her clit. Bri’s eyes closed as she allowed the overwhelming sensations to consume her. His free hand rubbed across her expanding belly, causing her to shiver more. When he pulled his fingers out, she cried at the loss. The sudden nudging of something thicker, longer, at her entrance had her breath speeding up.

  Josh parted her folds, pushing just the head of his cock into her. Bri moaned loudly as he continued to slide his cock further into her, his unyielding hands on her hips holding her steady.

  “God, Bri. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Don’t hold back.”

  Taking her at her word, Josh thrust forward. Bri cried out as Josh began to move, his hips pumping in and out. Soon spirals of pleasure flooded her system, until she was drunk on desire.

  “Oh, fuck. Bri. So good. Can’t stop. Oh, Christ,” he babbled as he thrust rapidly inside her.

  “Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”

  Bri met him thrust for thrust as they sped up, both of them desperately reaching for that peak. All she could focus on was the ecstasy she felt at having Josh deep inside her.

  “Josh. Yes, oh yes. Just there,” she whimpered when he slid his hand around, seeking out her sensitive sweet spot.

  When his fingers parted her flesh to find her clit, she was slick with her desires. Wiggling, she tried to get him to put more pressure on it. She clung to his arms that were now wrapped around her.

  “Please, Josh. Faster. I need you.”

  “Say it again,” he demanded, holding her tight against him. “Tell me you love me. Tell me you’re mine.”

  “Oh God, yes,” she replied breathlessly. “I love you. I’m yours.” She trembled in his arms.

  He had never sounded so possessive, so animalistic. She delighted in the fact she could make him want her so much. It was only fair since he did the same to her.

  Overcome with desire, she looked behind at him. “I’m there. Josh, I’m there.” She was on the edge, so close she was almost ready to teeter over, but she needed him with her. Had to have him with her.

  Nudging her under her chin, he tilted her head to the side, kissing her again. “Mine,” he snarled as he pushed into her deeper and shuddered as he came.

  His kiss captured her scream as she climaxed, shuddering in his arms. Bri floated on a cloud of bliss, absorbing the reality of what her life was now. Not one part of her regretted how she had ended up here in Josh’s arms—she could never regret her cowboy.

  Epilogue

  Twenty weeks later…

  Josh stepped into the hospital room and smiled. Bri sat up in the bed holding a little blue bundle, whispering softly. He found it hard to believe that only four hours ago, Bri had been screaming at the top of her lungs for drugs and swearing he'd never be touching her again. But not anymore, even if he did still feel a bit traumatized from it. Now they had a bouncing baby boy they had named Jayden Brian Kell.

  He honestly couldn't believe his luck. They had tied the knot two months earlier in the only church Bricker had. The wedding had been small, intimate, and beautiful, kind of like his wife. A huge grin spread across his face when he thought that word…wife.

  "What are you smiling at?" Bri asked softly, careful not to wake their son.

  "Just enjoying the sight of my wife and son." He grinned impossibly wider.

  "You look like a goof." Caleb snorted from his spot on the other side of the room.

  "Shut it," he retorted, but his words lost their impact since he couldn't contain his joy.

  Everyone had gathered. Bri's parents, her sister, Charlotte, and her husband, Ryan, stood near the bed all vying for a turn to hold Jayden even though Bri wouldn't give him up. Caleb sat near the window with Noah, the pair of them darting awkward glances toward Mel, who for her part had spent the better part of the visit pretending that neither man existed. Adele and her husband, Randy, had called to say they were on their way an
d the men at the ranch were in the middle of drawing straws to see who got to visit after Brandon and Shelly.

  Josh moved to the bed and sat down, placing the bunch of chocolate roses in front of Bri and wrapped an arm around his little family.

  "Did you ever think we would be so lucky?" Bri asked, smiling at the roses.

  "Nope, but I'm glad we were," he replied.

  "You know, I have everything I want, right here," she stated.

  "Is that so?" he asked curiously.

  "Yup. I've got my family and friends surrounding me, my son in my arms, and my cowboy's chocolate roses. What more could a girl want?" Bri laughed.

  The End

  Books by Jess Buffett

  Published with JK Publishing, Inc.

  New Hope Valley

  Claiming Her Mate

  The Alpha's Onyx and Fire

  Shore Point Pack

  Nick's Christmas Wish

  Claimed by His Wish – Coming Jul 2014

  The Keepers

  Cupid's Time

  Harry's Nature

  A Silver Ranch Novel

  Cowboy's Chocolate Roses

  Valentine's Day Anthology

  Cowboys Candy

  Her Outback Valentine

  Published with another Publishing House

  Hunter Clan Series

  The Kayan's Mage

  Riley's Vampire Prince

  Dmitri's Little Spitfire

  His Silent Mate

  Jordan's Purrfect Mate

  Published with Evernight Publishing