Her Christmas Cowboy

by Maggie Carpenter

  “Wow, you look like a Duchess,” Connor remarked as they left the room and started down the hallway.

  “I do?”

  “You sure do.”

  “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she grinned, staring at his dark trousers, maroon shirt, and sports jacket.

  “You like me dressed this way?” he asked as they headed down the wide stairway into the lobby.

  “I like both of you, the cowboy and the man about town.”

  “Very diplomatic.”

  “I’m serious. You’re handsome and sexy no matter what you’re wearing.”

  “Back at ya,” he grinned.

  The hotel was lavishly decorated for the season, and the dining room was no exception, with a Christmas tree covered in white fairy lights. They were shown to a table near the roaring fire, and were immediately attended by a dapper man who handed them each a wine list.

  “Good evening, Sir, Madame,” he said formally, but with a happy smile.

  “Let’s take a look at what you’ve got here,” Connor drawled, opening the leather bound folder.

  As Connor perused the selections, April could see the Sommelier raise his eyebrows in surprise as Connor discussed several of the finer bottles on offer.

  “That was impressive,” she quietly remarked when the wine steward finally departed to seek out Connor’s selection.

  “I used to own a bar, remember?”

  “Sure, but that was knowledge beyond owning a bar.”

  “Maybe,” he grinned.

  “Come on, Connor McBride, tell me. You’re some kind of secret wine aficionado.”

  “Not really,” he chuckled. “My dad is an executive for a national wine distribution company. I grew up around wine, and I was a bartender through college. That’s why I chose to open a tavern. It was all about makin’ enough money to get myself a ranch.”

  “It’s so weird,” she said staring at him. “I feel as if you’ve been in my life forever, but I know so little about you.”

  “Yep, I feel the same,” he said smiling across at her. “You’re still my mystery woman.”

  “Speaking of your bar, and your future ranch…” she said slowly.

  “Go on.”

  “Yesterday afternoon when you were busy with that insurance adjuster, I was having a long conversation with my father.”

  “I know, you told me you talked to him and told him what happened.”

  “The thing is, he’s not just a lawyer.”

  “Not just a lawyer? What does that mean?”

  “His name is James Sullivan. Have you ever heard of him?”

  “Rings a vague bell,” he frowned.

  “He’s a litigator. A serious litigator.”

  “No kiddin’?”

  “He would like to represent you.”

  “Represent me? Wait…you mean…sue the Churchill clan?”

  “Connor,” she said softly, “he thinks you’ll end up a very rich man.”

  Rarely did Connor find himself unable to speak, but a strange feeling was moving through his gut.

  “Your wine, Sir.”

  Darting up his eyes, Connor saw the Sommelier holding the bottle of Cabernet he’d requested. It snapped him back, and nodding his head he sat silent as the obligatory splash of wine was poured into his glass. Lifting it up, he expertly swirled, inhaled the wine’s bouquet, then took a sip.

  “It’s excellent, thank you,” he nodded, and they both sat quietly as the wine steward filled their glasses.

  “I know I just handed you some unexpected major news,” she said quietly as the Sommelier left the table. “I hope I didn’t present it badly.”

  “I’m not sure how to…uh. Sorry. What can I say?” Connor stammered. “Thank you seems completely inadequate.”

  “You’re thanking me? After everything we’ve learned about the Churchill’s, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say you saved my life,” April said with wide eyes. “I believe that completely, and so does my dad. He will be forever in your debt, Connor, and so will I.”

  “The only debt around here belongs to the Churchills,” he said solemnly, “and from what you just said, it appears your dad will see that they’ll pay.”

  “He’ll be representing us both, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Hey,” he smiled reaching across the table and taking her hand, “I wanna do everything with you. I don’t care what it is, and in spite of what you just said, I’m real grateful. Beyond grateful.”

  “It’s complicated, and it will take time, but my dad has a way of getting results quicker than most. We’ll have to go into his offices, of course, in Seattle.”

  “Seattle?” he repeated, raising his eyebrows.

  “Yes, that’s where I’m from. How is it we never talked about this stuff?”

  “We were too busy stayin’ ahead of the bad guys,” he frowned, “but I can’t believe you’re from Seattle.”

  “Because?”

  “Darlin’, so am I, well, just a bit south of there.”

  “Seriously? You don’t sound like you’re from Seattle. Not one bit!”

  “I was a fish outta water, that’s for sure. What can I say? I talk how I talk.”

  “But…how did that happen? I mean, where did that accent come from?”

  “All I ever watched on television growin’ up was old westerns,” he replied. “I went to school at SMU in Dallas, so that probably helped it along, and I’ve been livin’ here for the last eight years. My sister claims I was born into the wrong family.”

  “She might be right,” April laughed. “I can’t believe this. You’re from Seattle! I’m totally shocked!”

  “And now I know why your dad’s name rings a bell. That city life though, all the traffic, the endless politics. I’m still a Seahawks fan, though,” he said earnestly.

  “Of course you are! Me too!”

  “When I think about it, it feels like my old life there belonged to someone else.”

  “It did,” she murmured looking at him intently, “but as long as we stay true to our nature, we all find ourselves at some point. I can’t say I’m a country girl, but I sure prefer this life to the one back home. I just want to be around horses and be at peace. The things I’ve seen and heard around my dad, honestly, you wouldn’t believe it.”

  “I can only imagine,” he said shaking his head. “I gotta say, you are just full of surprises, April Sullivan. I guess we have a lot to celebrate tonight, the most important of which is that you’re here, with me.”

  “Most definitely,” she said softly, “and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be, and no-one else I’d rather be with.”

  It was two hours later that April found herself stretched over Connor’s lap with her legs slightly spread. They were both naked, and he was propped up against the padded headboard of the king-sized bed. As he roamed his hands over her backside, occasionally slipping his fingers into her sex, she moaned happily, and he could feel her surrendering to the moment, any last vestiges of stress from their drama finally evaporating.

  His first few slaps were just hard enough to make her skin tingle, and when his thumb ventured into her slick seam and circled her clit, she wriggled her thanks. He dallied for a few minutes, listening to her sighs of pleasure as he twirled and teased, then withdrawing his hand he began to smack her again, but with a little more force.

  Her could hear her subdued utterances of pain, and her squirms and an occasional kick told him her bottom was becoming tender, but when he returned his attention to her pussy, he found her gloriously soaked, and pushed his finger into her hungry grotto.

  “That feels so good,” she purred as he fingered her. “Sooo good. Don’t stop.”

  To her dismay, just a moment later he did stop and resumed his spanking, but this time with more sting attached to his slaps. She began wriggling as the heat increased, and when he sent his hand back between her legs to tease and torment, she squirmed against it, letting out long, low groans.

  �
�Oh, Connor, you’re driving me crazy,” she whimpered. “I keep feeling it.”

  “Feelin’ what, Angel?”

  “My climax, it’s hovering.”

  “I reckon I’ll have to do something about that, but not quite yet.”

  She let out a disappointed groan, and sliding his palm up to her pink behind he landed a flurry of smacks, making her squeal as they landed, then immediately pushed two fingers into her drenched sex and began to stroke, slowly accelerating until she was squealing again, but this time because she was approaching her orgasm.

  “Please, please,” she gasped.

  “Please what?”

  “Please can I come?”

  “Nope, not quite yet,” he replied slowing his fingers. “Your ass is so red.”

  “It feels like it,” she squeaked. “It’s hot, it’s hot like me.”

  “Slide off my lap and get on to your hands and knees.”

  As she crawled into position he donned a condom, then kneeling up behind her, he held himself at her gaping grotto, thrust forward, and with one hand holding her hip, he began to stroke and spank.

  Throughout his teasing play, his cock, rubbing deliciously against her belly, had become as excited as her pussy, and as he fucked her with abandon and listened to her cries, his fever took hold and he knew their coupling would be short-lived.

  “Connor,” she wailed, “I’m there…”

  “I know, Angel,” he growled through clenched teeth. “Come when you want.”

  Seconds later she dropped her head to howl into a pillow. Her sugar walls were pulsing against him, and groaning loudly he let himself go, relishing the sparkling prickles as they shot through his limbs. As his spasms began to abate, he could hear that hers too, were waning, and with a last release of breath he stared down at the beautiful body as it fell limp on to the mattress.

  “Connor,” she whimpered as his cock slipped away.

  “What is it, Angel,” he asked, collapsing next to her.

  “Hold me and never let me go.”

  Pulling her into his arms, loving the feel of her soft, yielding body, he gently stroked her hair.

  “That better?”

  “I mean it,” she said, still trying to catch her breath. “I never want you to let me go.”

  “I’m not goin’ anywhere,” he promised.

  They laid quiet and still for a while, then shifting in his hug she stared up at him.

  “In the garage, when we were arguing about me staying with you…” she said softly.

  “Yeah, what about it?”

  “You were going to say something and you changed your mind.”

  “I was?” he said, moving to sit up and look down at her.

  “You were,” she whispered. “You said you didn’t want me in danger, but you were going to say something else. Can you please tell me what that was?”

  Connor could feel his heart, which had finally settled down, begin to pump again. He knew exactly what she was talking about, he knew exactly what she wanted to hear, and he knew the time was right.

  “I was going to say,” he murmured, gazing into her sparkling blue eyes, “that I love you.”

  “Why didn’t you?” she breathed.

  “Because…I guess…it just hit me at that moment and…”

  “And you needed to be sure?”

  “Oh, I was sure,” he said softly, “I am sure.”

  “You are?” she twinkled up at him.

  “Hell, yeah, I’m sure.”

  “Me too.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah! I’m totally in love with you, Connor McBride. I knew it the moment we first talked at your bar, but I thought I was nuts.”

  “Then I guess we’re both nuts, ‘cos I knew it then too. I’m sorry about all the craziness we’ve been through, but I’m real glad we found each other again over Christmas.”

  “Me too. It feels like it was supposed to happen this way.”

  “You’ll always be my Christmas angel, you know that right?”

  “Of course, because you’ll always be my Christmas Cowboy, the best Christmas present ever!”

  THE END

  FIVE STAR REVIEWS FOR

  MAGGIE CARPENTER

  WHEN A COWBOY LOVES A WOMAN

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  I hope in my next life I get to meet one of Maggie's Cowboys- I'd take anyone of them in her series! Hot, Hot, Hot! It's been awhile since I've read any work by Maggie only to be reminded of her incredible talent! Moving on to one of the remaining five that I have not read yet.

  THE COWBOY AND THE GIRL IN THE HOT PINK CHAPS

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  Love the title, very catchy! If you have never read a Maggie Carpenter book then you are in for an absolute treat. Nobody writes better stories of dominant men and sassy women in need of discipline. If you are already a Maggie Carpenter fan you will be thrilled with this newest release.

  THE HEIRESS AND THE COWBOY CONTRACTOR

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  Obviously Maggie Carpenter understands what a submissive needs and how she thinks. What's remarkable here is how well she understands how a dominant thinks. So, this book, as well as many of her others, is an intense and accurate portrayal of the relationship of two people who need each other. Building trust. Handling conflict. Establishing roles and rules. I feel comfortable saying, "Perfect."

  THE COWBOY’S RULES: THE SURPRISE

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  I always enjoy reading about Cassie and Chad, they're like old friends and of course we can't forget Mickey. I love how she had Chad's horse showing in this book and Cassie's jumping. This book was HOT, hotter than the other ones I think, lots of sex and great spankings of course. Chad really helped bring out more of Cassie's submissive side in this one. Also the finally get married in this one! which is bittersweet because it probably means this is the end of their adventure. It was a fun ride!

  THE WANTED COWBOY

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  From the other reviews and the description, we know what this story is about, but with Ms Carpenter you never know what twists she might devise to make it sexier, more intriguing, and so much more fun to read. This is another great book, one I enjoyed from start to finish, and I'm hoping there's more to come. If you like strong cowboys and strong, independent women who have a mind of their own, this is for you.

  THE COWBOY’S RULES: 2

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  Wow, this book is HOT. I loved the first one, and this one is HOT. There is a lot of sex and spanking, but I love how it all makes sense. All the sex and spankings flow with the story, and the chemistry between Chad and Cassie is dynamite. The other two characters, Marty and Hannah, really come into their own as well. I love Marty, he's like the big lumbering cowboy that can bear hug like no-one else, and you can really see him. I hope there's a Rules 3. (Hint, Hint). I'm thinking there might be the way this one ended. Great read. Truly great read.write a continuing story. A very happy read. Loved every page.

  THE COWBOY’S SECRET

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  This book was everything I was hoping for. To have a cowboy be human was such a refreshing change, and it only enhanced his sexiness. Self-doubt plagues us all, and these bigger than life heroes are always perfect, never have worries or concerns about themselves. That's all well and good, and I enjoy their heroic personalities just as much as anyone, but to have a guy be so incredibly real - it was great. He's still strong, and steamy, and delivers spankings without hesitation, but he is plagued by his past. It's not that the woman saves him, though she kind of does, is that enough time has gone by that he is finally over the crap that happened to him. It's a great book, really great. Left me smiling and sighing.

  THE COWBOY’S RULES

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  What can I say? Sexy cowboys in charge and the women who love/hate them! Very romantic and loved this book and series of Maggie Carpenter's. She catches the readers' attention and keeps the suspe
nse up. Terrific scenes that make you really think that you are there as a spectator or maybe you can imagine yourself in the female's role.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  FIVE STAR REVIEWS FOR MAGGIE CARPENTER

  About the Author

  Award-winning and best-selling author Maggie Carpenter has published over fifty romance novels, and is the recipient of a number Romance Reviews awards spanning a variety of genres. Her readers describe her work as, romantic, funny, suspenseful, beyond a five-star read, exciting romance with a ton of surprises.

  Her work includes a best-selling twelve-book contemporary cowboy series, Cowboys After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2ihCNtp), a warrior fantasy trilogy, Warriors After Dark, (http://amzn.to/2iE0cDa) contemporary love stories, and several Victorian romances. His Willful Bride was a #1 best-seller for several weeks and a BookBub Feature Deal. She is best known for her smart, witty, strong-willed women who bring unexpected challenge, mystery and humor into the lives of passionate, take-charge men.

  Maggie has a history in show-business both in front of and behind the camera, but moved from Los Angeles to live in the Pacific Northwest to pursue her writing. She is an equine enthusiast who rides every day, and writes until the wee hours of the morning when her eyes close only because they must.

  This author loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website: www.MaggieCarpenter.com. To sample her work for free, go to https://www.3FreeBooks.com.

  Read more at Maggie Carpenter’s site.