Smoke. Fire. Cowboy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 3)

by Carver, Rhonda Lee

  He turned over the next card on the deck. A ten of spades. “Go for it.” He didn’t mind her questions. He was willing to sit in the frying pan to get what he wanted…to understand Sofie.

  She took her time. He could practically see the wheels turning inside of her head. “How old are you?”

  “That’s all you got?” He laughed.

  “These are my questions.” Her voice cracked.

  “Twenty-nine. How old are you?”

  “Tsk, tsk. It’s not your turn.” She wagged her forefinger and flipped the next card. An Ace. “I’m starting to really like this game.”

  He turned the next card. A two. “Make it a good one.”

  “Ever loved someone?”

  Her dazzling eyes pierced his flesh. He blew out a breath. “No.”

  “Never? How is that possible?” she blurted.

  “You can’t ask two questions,” he warned.

  Next draw. She drew a nine. He rubbed his hands together feeling as if his luck was about to turn. “I have a good one coming.” He flipped a Queen. “Yes, indeed.”

  “Now play nice.” Her soft voice made every hair on his body stand erect.

  “Oh, trust me, darlin’. I play very, very nice.” He loved how her cheeks turned a brighter pink. One thing he knew, she wore her emotions in her expressions. Her chest lifted with each breath, pressing her breasts against her top.

  “Are you going to ask a question or waste more of that charm on me?” She flicked up a brow. She recovered way too quickly.

  “When was the last time you had sex?” The question just seemed to fall out. He hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable, but she shifted, and were those goosebumps on her skin?

  “That’s not a fair question?”

  “Okay, if you don’t want to answer because you’re chicken—”

  “I’m not chicken.” She tugged a tendril of hair behind her ear and the diamond stud twinkled in the light. “A year.”

  He blew a whistle through his teeth and she batted her lashes. “Damn!”

  “Just keep in mind that I will have my chance again.”

  “To have sex?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “To draw a high card.” She grabbed one, a brilliant smile curving her pretty lips. She turned it over and waved it in the air. “Read it and weep. A Queen. Trump that Mr. Charming Pants.”

  For the first time in his life he wouldn’t mind losing just to see that smile light up her face again. He took his turn and sighed dramatically. “A three.” He couldn’t wait to see what she’d ask. No doubt she could play dirty when she wanted to.

  “Is it true you have a bull tattoo on your bottom and that each woman you’ve—,” she cleared her throat delicately, “you know, you get a slash on the bull’s bicep for each woman you’ve slept with?”

  “I didn’t see you as the sort who participated in rumors, sweetheart.”

  “How about the tattoo?” she asked.

  “There’s only one way for you to find out.” He kept his gaze glued to hers. “Can you handle it?”

  She was mute for the longest time, long enough that he thought she’d pull away, but then she saucily flipped her hair over one shoulder and turned her chin in a determined tilt. “I can handle it.”

  His cock twitched. “I bet you can.” He stood, gazes still locked, the color of her skin turning brighter as he undid the buckle. The metal loosened and clanked loudly. Slowly and deliberately, he pulled the leather strap out from the loops, his cock growing harder. This would probably be the closest he’d ever get to undressing in Sofie’s presence. He placed the belt on the table and it slipped into her lap. She gripped the worn leather in her hands, her knuckles turning white, yet she kept her curious gaze on him. Her lovely mouth slightly parted and the tip of her tongue slid across the seam. My God, she’s beautiful. He swallowed against the constriction in his throat, willing his body to stay in control. He hadn’t been this close to coming in his jeans since high school.

  His held his fingers on the zipper, hesitating. She wasn’t changing her mind and there was no way in hell he’d back down.

  The zipper was down, his breathing turned heavy as he tucked his thumbs into the waistband. Her chest rose and fell with each breath. Did she feel it too? The loss of oxygen. He slid the waist lower on his hips and turned. He wasn’t a bashful man, but her seeing his package wasn’t part of the deal. Did he hear a slight moan of disappointment from her? He dipped his jeans and boxers down over one butt cheek, showing off the tattoo he’d gotten when he was eighteen. “Seen enough?” he asked.

  “Yes.” The word came out in a croaky whisper.

  He fixed his clothing and turned back, smiling. “Answer your question?” She nodded, her cheeks flaming red and her lips moist. “You see, sweetheart,” he sat down, “rumors are a lot like snowballs. Keep rolling them along and they get bigger and bigger.”

  “No slashes on his arm. Why a bull though? On your bottom of all places.” She rolled her fingers around the stem of the glass, sliding them up and down. She was making him crazy.

  “I’ll give you a freebie. It was a challenge with my buddies. Whoever lost the challenge had to get a tattoo on their bottom. I was the lucky one.”

  She leaned in, placing her palms on the table. “I would have backed out.”

  “No, you wouldn’t. You believe in honor too. I’ve never backed down from a challenge or a promise.”

  “Here we go.” She took another card and groaned.

  “Another two.” He clicked his tongue. “And look, I have a six. I better make this a good question.” He sat back, roving his gaze from her bright eyes over her pert nose to the kissable shape of her pretty mouth. “When was the last time you were kissed?”

  Her bottom lip quivered and he felt a tingle shoot all the way down his shaft and settle at the tip.

  “Does every question have to be about physical intimacy?” she raged.

  “I showed you the bull, so answer, sweetheart,” he urged. She was right, though, everything he wanted to know seemed to involve when she’d been touched last. Why did it bother him to think of a man touching her? Kissing those lush lips? He squeezed the bridge of his nose, wishing he could ease the strain in his body.

  She stood up and the chair scraped the floor. “I’m done playing.”

  He chuckled. “That easily?”

  “The last time I had sex or was kissed really isn’t any of your business. These are not questions to help you get to know me,” she sputtered.

  “You’re free to your opinion, but I beg to differ. I’ve often thought if you were kissed, or made love to, in the right way, you’d come off that high horse you’ve been riding since the second you walked into Nirvana.” There went his filter.

  All the lovely possibilities vanished from her gaze. “For your information, I’ve been kissed recently.” As if she realized she’d slipped up, she clamped her mouth tight.

  Jealousy slammed through him. He had no right, but he couldn’t help himself. “So that’s why you didn’t want to answer. You have a secret.”

  She blew out a long breath. “We all have secrets, Jared! Do you realize that I’m friendly with everyone here except you. The second I walked onto Nirvana Ranch, you flashed that come-hither smile, bringing me a flower and opening doors for me, assuming I’d be like every other female and fall at your dusty boots. It all seems like a strategic move in your manipulative game of seduction. You just can’t take that your charm doesn’t work on everyone—anyone with a bit of brains in her head.”

  He was stumped. He’d never lacked in a snarky comeback, except for now. “Looks like you have me pegged, darlin’.”

  She stomped across the room, but suddenly stopped, turned and marched back. “I’ll take this.” She grabbed her half-full bottle and stormed toward the exit.

  He watched her and knew he should just let her leave. Her impression of him was poor and he couldn’t change that, not that he even wanted to at this point. Yet, seeing her walk away
penetrated his gut and he ached to draw her back, convince her of the truth. He’d never given any woman flowers except for Sofie. The first time he tried to be a gentleman it was slammed back in his face. The idea angered him. In a huff, he took off after her down the hallway. “You’re the reason why men no longer have chivalry.” Once the words were out guilt slithered through him. Hell, when was the last time he’d felt guilty? Damn woman was driving him insane! He jumped in front of the door before she could place her long, slender fingers on the knob.

  “What are you doing? Move out of my way, now!” Her eyes narrowed and she could have cut a diamond in half with the invisible lasers.

  “We both went a little too far,” he said.

  “A little? What are you measuring with? The size of your monster ego?”

  He laughed, couldn’t help himself. “Okay, we’ve established that we got off on the wrong foot. I thought we were getting somewhere until I unplugged my filter. I had no clue my question would cause a rampage.”

  She blinked. “You know, a bit of advice, if you’d learn to control your tongue you wouldn’t have to apologize so often which I doubt you mean it anyway.”

  He sniffed loudly. “You keep tossing compliments my way, sweetheart, and I’m going to get a bigger head.”

  There was a long hesitation. “We should call it a night.”

  He nodded and stepped out of the way. She threw open the door just as a bat flew toward the light, close to her face. She jumped, flew backwards and lost her footing. He reached out to stabilize her, but her arms were flailing to gain her balance and the bottle landed hard against his crotch. Pain ripped its way through his body, wave after wave.

  “Oh shit!”

  He barely registered her words. Lights flashed in his eyes and he went down to his knees, cupping his jewels.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Sofie heard Jared moan and his knees hit the floor.

  What had she done?

  His face turned red and he twisted his mouth as he cupped his groin.

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  Slowly, he stood to his feet and leaned his back against the wall, still holding himself. “Fuck!”

  A scorching humiliation rolled through her. “I-I saw the bat and I jumped and...”

  “Are you sure that wasn’t intentional?” His voice quivered.

  “No. I would never do that.” She took a step closer to him. “Really. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” She skimmed her gaze over him. Unfortunately, she couldn’t ‘examine’ that part of his body and there was no way of knowing how severe the damage she’d caused.

  Some of the color was coming back to his face and his pale eyes burned through her. “I’d say we’re even.” He pushed away from the wall and finally removed his hands from his zipper.

  He moved down the hall, looking as though he’d lost some of the cockiness in his step. She continued to watch him until he turned the corner. Go now, girl. You’ve done enough here.

  Instead of following logic, she walked back into the kitchen. He was sitting at the table drinking his beer.

  “Jared?”

  He turned, his gaze narrowed. “Come back for more? I think one testicle still has some feeling.”

  She chuckled. When he growled, she sucked back her laughter. “That’s what you call being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  “Glad you find the humor in this.” He threw the bottle across the room and it landed squarely into the trashcan.

  “I really am sorry,” she said between snickers. Why was she being so inconsiderate? This was unlike her.

  “Yeah, it seems that way.” He rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you have some place to go?”

  “And allow you to be in misery all alone? What kind of a friend would I be?”

  “The kind that I like really well.” He growled.

  “Okay, let’s make a truce. Nirvana isn’t big enough for us to continue to act this way.”

  “Why? So you can use your fist the next time?” His jaw remained hard, but all of his color was back. With a long exhale, he finally lifted his chin and he no longer looked right through her. He cleared his throat and sent his hand through his hair in a jerky motion. “A truce you say?”

  She nodded. “I’ve been cold toward you, that I’ll admit. That’s not fair or provoked on your part.” Her chest tightened. “I overreacted when you asked when the last time I was kissed.” She couldn’t dare tell him that she’d kissed Chase earlier in the evening.

  “Most women would have just lied.” Thick brows came up over curious eyes. “I wouldn’t have known the difference.”

  “I’m too transparent.”

  “I haven’t noticed.”

  She caught his sarcasm. He stretched his long legs in the worn denim and crossed his ankles. She couldn’t stand there all day, so she walked deeper into the room and placed the bottle on the table. His gaze met hers and something released inside of her. “My husband—my ex-husband—could charm a rattlesnake into submission.”

  “Are you comparing me to your ex?” His jaw hardened again.

  “Honestly, I saw similar characteristics.” There was no reason to lie. “Superficial similarities.”

  He shifted, leaning his elbows on his knees. “Sweetheart, I might be a lot of things, but a cheat isn’t one of them.”

  He held her gaze, and what she saw reached deep inside of her, touching a part of her that still hurt from the betrayal of her past. For the first time in a long time, she wanted to unscrew the cap to her emotions and allow them to flow freely. She’d kept her past bottled up, hiding the facts because she was humiliated. How could she have allowed Luther to make a fool out of her?

  Dropping down into the chair, she leaned onto the table. He continued to watch her, quietly, reflectively. “I haven’t told anyone what happened,” she whispered.

  “Maybe it’s time you did.” He raked a hand through his hair, sending locks falling over his forehead. He seemed sincere. Could she really spill everything to Jared? A stranger in an ambiguous way? Up until today, she had kept her distance from him. She’d insulted him several times just this evening and accidentally cracked him a good one in his jewels. Yet, he seemed the most likely person to talk with.

  Swallowing the persistent lump in her throat, she shifted again and crossed her legs. “Truth is, I don’t want to go back to my cabin.”

  He scraped his palms down his face, the thick layer of beard rasped, making the soft hairs on her nape stand. “Are you asking for my company?”

  His husky voice combined with his pale gaze did hypnotic things to her body.

  She threaded her fingers through her hair, feeling the tremor start in her bottom lip and travel like molten lava through her neck, chest, and down to the pit of her stomach. Her inner thighs were warm and achy. “What do friends do on an evening when no one else is around?” One corner of his mouth slipped up into a panty-melting smile. She blinked. “Not that,” she muttered. His smile grew bigger.

  He pushed up from the table and held out his hand for her. She looked at his callused palm. Alarms sounded in her head, but the sensations in her chest gained more attention. Without any more reservation, she laid her hand into his, shocked by the electrical current passing between them. She shivered, allowing him to bring her to her feet.

  His free hand fell to her waist. His delicious heat oozed through the material of her shirt and his scent tantalized her nostrils. His hot breath swept across her cheek, tickling her ear as his thumb traced a figure eight on her back. She leaned in, easily, and he groaned. The sound vibrated her chest, tightening her nipples.

  Bright eyes burrowed into her before dropping lower, stopping at her breasts before coming back up. His sparkling gaze told her he wanted to kiss her. Would he? Hope rattled through her.

  “Soon, sweetheart, soon,” he whispered then offered her a smile that reached between her legs and tickled her fancy. Only a virile man like Jared could make a woman feel as if she’d been made love to w
ith only a look.

  “Are you promising to kiss me later?” He did say that he always kept his promises. Anticipation slithered through her.

  “Come on. I have an idea.” He still held her hand as he guided her toward the back door.

  “Where are we going?” She tipped her chin to look up—way up—into his gaze.

  “Trust me.” Two little words, innocent in nature, but releasing havoc on her emotionally. Trust wasn’t something that came easily for her. She opened her mouth to resist, but he laid a thick finger over her lips, stifling any words of conflict. “I’m only asking for a little trust, sweetheart, not a kidney. I promise it won’t hurt.” His eyes dazzled liked a thousand diamonds. She couldn’t have removed her hand from his if the world tumbled down around them. A muscle in his jaw worked. “Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  He led her onto the screened in patio. The night had cooled and the breeze swept across her skin, not even touching the heat in her loins. A pool table was set up on one side of the space and the hot tub on the other. He let go of her hand and slipped off the cover to the tub. Steam billowed up from the water. His gaze met hers as he pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it to the cement. She gulped air, brazenly lowering her eyes over his bare upper body. She could stay here forever, admiring every dip and masculine curve of his toned arms, chest, and abs. Clearing her thoughts, and her throat, she asked, “Wha-what are you doing?”

  “I’m getting in the hot tub.” He started for the belt buckle for the second time that night.

  “I asked what friends do when they hang out.”

  “Friends can’t enjoy a soak in the hot tub together?” His humored expression made her lungs work harder.

  “So I’m just one of the guys?” she squeaked.

  “No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be just one of the guys.” He swept his eyes over her, leaving a trail of throbbing need. Oh hell! She was a goner. He kicked off his boots, dropped his jeans and tossed them to the side. He stood there in his pale blue boxers and the cotton tent was unmistakable.

  “I-I will just sit over here.” She stuck a finger toward the wicker chair.