Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders #16)

by Lorelei James

  “I already figured that out. But thanks. Where’s Mike?”

  “Talking to some guys who are here on leave. I’m glad you showed up.”

  They gossiped for the next half hour. Mike returned and claimed Beverly for a dance. Just as Carolyn spied the perfect hiding spot, Randy loomed over her.

  “There you are. Let’s dance.”

  Carolyn barely had time to set her drink down before Randy was dragging her onto the dance floor. He pulled her flush to his body and would’ve tried to slip his knee between hers if she hadn’t clamped her legs shut.

  Randy laughed. “There it is.”

  “There what is?”

  “The Catholic school upbringing. Loosen up.”

  Her brother actually liked this creep? She managed a fake smile. “I’d be a lot looser if you quit holding me so tightly.”

  She was ready to escape after one dance with Randy, but he kept blathering on. When the third song started, she begged to take a break. He kept his hand in the small of her back as he escorted her off the dance floor, acting like they were together.

  “Would you like a drink?”

  “Another Coke would be good.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “So you don’t drink alcohol either?”

  Either? Was he about to make another crack about her being raised in a convent? “No.”

  “Fine. I’ll be back.”

  Randy situated himself so close to her she had to hold her drink in her left hand because she couldn’t move her right arm.

  She studied the crowd, hoping her brother or Beverly would rescue her from rambling Randy. When he said, “I like you, Caroline, you’re a good listener,” she’d had enough. The idiot didn’t even know her name. “Will you excuse me?”

  “The bathrooms are down the far hallway,” he said helpfully.

  But Carolyn left through the front door. Ignoring the lewd stares and drunken comments, she cut around the side of the building where it was dark and blessedly free of people.

  She paced, wishing she hadn’t come, wondering how long she’d be stuck with Randy while Thomas messed around with that Millie person, who he hadn’t even bothered to introduce her to.

  Maybe she should just go wait in the car.

  Unsure what to do, she continued to pace.

  “You’ll wear out them pretty shoes if you keep doin’ that, sugar.”

  Carolyn whirled around.

  Carson McKay leaned against the side of the building, his white shirt a beacon in the darkness. As she walked toward him, she noticed the red glow of a cigarette in his hand as he brought it to his mouth and puffed.

  “I didn’t know you smoked.”

  He exhaled and dropped the butt to the ground, extinguishing it with his boot. “There’s lots you don’t know about me. So did your family fill you in on what bastards the McKays are?”

  “No.”

  “Didja even tell them you were with me? Or did you keep that to yourself because you were embarrassed?”

  “Did you tell your family that you asked a West to marry you?” she volleyed back.

  Carson studied her. Or at least she thought he did; she couldn’t read his eyes beneath the brim of his hat. He pulled his flask out of his pocket and drank. But he didn’t say a word.

  As much as she didn’t like Randy’s constant chatter, Carson’s silence wasn’t any better. She backed up. “See you around, Carson.” She turned, intending to head back to the parking lot.

  “Your butt looks good in pants.”

  She froze. Then she faced him. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. So keep walkin’ away from me real slow like, so I can enjoy the view.”

  Carolyn erased the distance between them in six angry steps. “I oughta hit you again.”

  “I don’t recommend you try it.” He lifted his head and met her gaze—the heat in his eyes should’ve sent her running. “I thought maybe I’d exaggerated how beautiful you are, especially after I learned your last name. But I’m standin’ here, starin’ at you like a fool because your beauty struck me dumb for the second time.”

  The thing was? The man was completely sincere. He watched her with a sort of awe she found very appealing. “That makes up for the butt comment.”

  He smiled that full out dimpled grin and her belly fluttered. “Oh, I meant every word of that, too.”

  Being this close to him…didn’t seem close enough.

  Hold on, sister. You don’t know this man.

  But I want to know him.

  “Carson. What are we doing?”

  “I don’t know about you, but when I saw you talkin’ with that guy and dancin’ close with him, I wanted to break his face so I had to get the hell outta there.”

  That matter of fact, almost possessive tone sent a spike of heat through her. “If you want to hit him, aim for the jaw. Maybe that’ll shut him up.”

  He smiled and reached for her hand. “That bad?”

  “The worst. My brother Thomas invited me to hang out tonight and then ditched me with him.”

  “Getting ditched seems to be a habit of yours.”

  “But I’m the one doing the ditching now. He’s inside. I’m not.”

  His fingers drifted across her knuckles. “Didn’t seem like you wanted to ditch him during the two songs you danced together.”

  “You saw that?”

  “Haven’t been able to keep my eyes off you from the moment you walked in.”

  “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “Had nothin’ better to do. I was tryin’ to take my mind off this beautiful blonde I met night before last.”

  “Were you looking for another woman to distract you?”

  “Maybe.” Carson brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Would me bein’ with another woman bother you?”

  “Yes, it would bother me.”

  He tugged her and she fell against his body. “Then maybe you oughta be my woman and I’ll only be with you.”

  Carolyn tilted her head back to say yes, and found Carson’s mouth descending on hers. He tasted so good, so male. The trace of tobacco and whiskey just made the kiss more intoxicating.

  Then his hands were sliding around her hips and down to her behind. She felt the imprint of every one of his fingers pressing into her flesh as he palmed her cheeks.

  Carson changed the angle of the kiss, taking it even deeper. She followed his lead, letting her fingers curl into his hard pectoral and wrapping her other hand around the back of his strong neck.

  His scent, his taste, his touch, if she lived to be a hundred she’d never forget this moment.

  She made a small protest when he finally slowed the kiss. But he didn’t let go of her. “Carson, I don’t—”

  “Ssh, just let yourself settle.”

  How did he know? Was he feeling just as untethered as she was?

  Those strong hands slid back up to her hips. “You are the very definition of temptation.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He rubbed his lips across her hairline at the top of her forehead. “So you really didn’t tell your family about me?”

  “It’s none of their business.”

  “I like your feisty side.”

  “Did you say anything to your family?”

  “Just to my brother Cal. He thinks I’m crazy.”

  She frowned.

  He smooched her mouth. “Let’s talk about something else.”

  “Like?”

  Carson pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Like when are you comin’ home with me.”

  Somehow she kept her jaw from hitting the ground. She’d told him about her life so he had to know she had zero experience…

  Wait a second. Maybe that’s why he was interested in her. He “collected cherries”
as her friend Cathy called it. She stepped back. Way back. “I…I have to go.” Then she turned and fled.

  Carolyn didn’t get far. A strong hand circled her arm and jerked her around.

  Carson bent down until they were nose to nose. “Why the hell did you run again?”

  “Because I’m not going home with you!”

  “Sweet Christ, woman, don’t you think I fuckin’ know that?”

  “Don’t swear at me,” she snapped.

  He struggled for composure. “Caro. Sugar. I fu—screwed this up. I want you to come home with me, but you’re not ready for that yet.”

  The yet part caused her to tremble.

  “I was thinkin’ out loud, getting ahead of myself as usual, okay? That’s it. I promise.”

  She should’ve doubted his sincerity, but she believed him.

  “I want to get to know you, but like you said, it ain’t anyone’s business what goes on between us.”

  “So you want to sneak around with me.”

  His eyes hardened. “No. But I thought you’d prefer that to me stakin’ my claim on you in the middle of the damn bar on a Saturday night since your family don’t know about us.”

  Us. Did he really consider them a couple? “You’d do that? For real?”

  “In a fuckin’ heartbeat. So what’s it gonna be?”

  “I don’t know. I have no experience with any of this.”

  “Good.” He snaked his arm around her waist, not-so-subtly pressing their hips together. “I like that you’re inexperienced.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’ll force me to take my time and enjoy every moment of bein’ with you.” Carson dipped his head and tugged on her hair until she bared her throat to him.

  Her entire body broke out in gooseflesh when his lips touched her skin. He nuzzled and licked the sensitive flesh until she had difficulty breathing and her body reacted in ways it never had before.

  “You like this?” he murmured in her ear.

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll take it as slow as you want.” He smiled against her neck. “Until you don’t want me to go slow anymore.”

  “You sound so sure of yourself, McKay.”

  Carson lifted his head and looked into her eyes. “I am sure. Not because I’ve got experience but because of this.” He curled his palm over her throat and rested his thumb at the spot where her pulse raced. “And this.” Then he slid his hand down her chest and gently cupped her breast, sweeping his thumb over the hardened tip of her nipple. “And this.” His hand slipped around her back, following her spine to the curve of her behind. Then he pressed her lower body against his and she could feel his erection digging into her belly.

  Her gaze zoomed to his.

  Taking her hand, he kissed her palm before placing her hand on his chest. “And because of this. My heart is damn near ready to beat out of my chest. My hands are shakin’ at the thought that I might actually get to put them on you.”

  “Carson.”

  “Say yes.”

  “Yes to what?”

  “Bein’ with me.”

  “Yes.” Carolyn framed his face in her hands and kissed him. Mimicking the way he’d kissed her. The soft wet glide of lips. The gentle rub and swirling tease of her tongue against his. She let all of the nuances of kissing him wash over her, not wanting to miss a single one. The smoothness of his cheeks, the strength in his jaw, the wonderful scent of his body heat drifting from beneath the collar of his shirt. The tightening and releasing of his fingers on her butt. How his big, strong body shook with need.

  For her.

  She slowed the kiss gradually, rather than just ripping her mouth free. She rested her forehead at the base of his throat and tried to figure out a way to calm the blood pumping, body tingling effect the man brought out in her.

  Carson’s lips connected with the top of her head and he stayed like that for several long minutes before he released her. “I want to see you tomorrow. Can you get away?”

  “Probably. As long as it’s right after church gets out.”

  “What time is that?”

  “Around eleven.”

  “Which church?”

  “Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Gillette. Do you know where that is?”

  He ran the backs of his knuckles down her jaw line. “I’ll find it. I’ll try my best to be there by eleven, but I’ve gotta check cattle and do a bunch of other stuff before I can get on the road, so I might be a little late.”

  “I’ll wait. But right now I have to find my brother and convince him to take me home.”

  Carson’s eyes sharpened. “You make sure that jackass Randy doesn’t volunteer to give you a ride.”

  “Carson—”

  “I mean it. He touches you or comes on to you in any way, I will pay him a visit, because I know where he lives.”

  “Fine.” She’d never had a guy show jealousy and it surprised her how much she liked it.

  “Good girl. Until tomorrow.” One last kiss and he headed toward the parking lot.

  She watched him walk away, that cowboy swagger such an innate part of him she knew he’d been born walking that way.

  Within ten minutes of returning inside the bar she found Thomas and pleaded a headache, asking him to take her home. She felt Randy’s suspicious gaze on her but she didn’t acknowledge him. When they reached the car, Carolyn crawled in the back seat. Thomas dropped Randy off at the ball fields.

  He didn’t say a word until they’d parked at home. “So is your headache from bein’ in too tight a lip lock with Carson McKay?”

  She scrambled upright from her prone position in the back seat.

  “I saw you with him, Carolyn.” Thomas whirled around and glared at her. “What the hell are you thinking, getting mixed up with him? The man has a bad reputation. He uses women and dumps them. He’s reckless and rude; the typical McKay.”

  “So says you. I’ve not seen him act like that. He’s different around me.”

  “Because he wants to get into your pants. Literally. If Dad finds out—”

  “Thomas. Please. You can’t tell him.”

  He sighed. “He’ll find out. Trust me. There’s bad blood between the Wests and the McKays and someone will tell him.”

  She leaned over the seat. “Do you know what happened between our families?”

  “Dad refuses to talk about it. I’ve just heard him muttering about them bein’ above the law, and bein’ a bunch of liars and thieves.” Thomas pointed at her. “So if that McKay is sneaking around with you, it just proves the point. The McKays can’t be trusted.” He paused. “But I can. I’ll keep your secret since you agreed to keep mine.”

  “But?”

  “But I’m rescinding my offer of help with the dishes.”

  Chapter Four

  Carson

  “Why’re you in such a damn hurry this mornin’?” Cal asked as they sped across the pasture to check the bulls.

  “I’ve got plans so I wanna get this done.” Carson scowled at his watch. If he took the shortcut on the back roads he might only be fifteen minutes late.

  “What kinda plans?”

  “None of your business kinda plans.”

  “It’s her, ain’t it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why you even bothering with this, Carse? You know it can’t go anywhere.”

  He downshifted and stopped so Cal could get the gate.

  But Cal made no move to get out of the truck.

  “What?”

  “Answer the question.”

  “Why you pushing me on this?”

  “Because I think you’re getting involved with her for all the wrong reasons.”

  “As usual, you don’t know shit.” Carson threw open the door and stomped across the pasture to get the gate h
imself. Then he climbed back in the cab and drove through the opening.

  This time Cal did get out and close the gate behind them.

  They’d nearly reached the corner section where the bulls had gathered when Carson spoke. “I’m not pursuing her because I wanna piss Dad off or get her to sleep with me. It’s different with her. From the moment I saw her I knew… Dammit, you were there.” He scrubbed his hands over his face, realizing he had to shave before he left. “Makes me sound like a pussy, but I’ll just say it straight out, okay? She’s special.”

  “See? That wasn’t so hard,” Cal said with a grin.

  “Jackass.”

  “You plannin’ on bringin’ her to the trailer?”

  Carson shot his twin a look. “She’s not ready for that. And why do you care?”

  “A woman like that won’t slide into filthy sheets with you in your pigsty of a bedroom. We both know getting her sweet ass into your bed is the final goal here. And if it’s not?” Cal raised an eyebrow. “Then her wearin’ pants last night wasn’t just a fashion statement, was it? She gonna expect you to slip on a frilly apron?”

  “Says the man who knows his way around a feather duster and a vacuum,” Carson retorted.

  “You’re damn lucky I can’t stand to live in filth ’cause it sure don’t bother you.”

  “Fine. I’ll fumigate my room.” He’d rather live with Cal’s nagging ways about the state of their trailer than spend a night living with their dad again. “But when she does agree to come over, you gotta give us some privacy.”

  Cal smirked. “No problem. I’m sure I can find a warm bed to sleep in.”

  “I’m sure you can.” But his focus was already on a black bull, lying down away from the other bulls. “Was 729 acting sickly yesterday mornin’?”

  “We didn’t check yesterday; it’s been two days. But no, he was fine.”

  “Don’t look like he’s fine now. Come on, let’s go check it out.”

  The bull was dead. Which meant they needed to move the bulls out of that pasture now. Normally he and Cal would’ve just taken care of it, but Cal insisted he get cleaned up and head to Gillette.

  Poor Cal was still arguing on the phone with Casper about getting his lazy ass out of bed and helping him deal with the dead animal when Carson took off.