She lifted her head and braced herself with her arm bent on his chest, watching the green sparkle from her ring. Her orgasm had muddled her brain, but she tried to follow his thoughts. “What, then?”
“I…” He looked at her. “Oh man, Stormie, I think I love you.” The quaver in his voice brought emotions bubbling from her chest. “You gotta think I’m nuts, but I’ve never felt this before.”
She fought to catch her breath.
He sat up, tugging her with him, sitting her to face him and wrapping her legs around his waist.
Words wouldn’t form and her head felt woozy. “Jayden,” she mouthed.
“I felt it the first time I saw you last month.” He took her left hand in his. “It got stronger and harder to resist, and I knew I needed to keep you.” He kissed her ring finger and slipped the gold band onto that spot. “Had to marry you.” He shook his head. “You gotta think I’m nuts.”
Finally able to breathe, she sucked in a breath and cupped her palms on his cheeks. “Cowboy, that’s the most wonderful, the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard in my whole, entire life.” She blinked back happy tears. “To know that you felt it right away, and it took me until today to feel it.” She planted a quick kiss on his lips.
His eyes opened wide.
“I knew there was something between—”
“You feel it, too?” His gaze searched her eyes. “You do? Really?”
Her lips curved into a smile as tears snuck from her eyes. “Really.” She caught a deep breath and let it out with a worried sigh. “I don’t know what we’re supposed to do about it.” She looked at her ring. “I mean, if it’s love, then we can’t get a divorce.” She swallowed. “Right?”
“Right. But we can let your lawyer do some finagling with a pre-nup.”
“No.” She shook her head. She trusted him with her life.
“Yes. I want to make it one hundred percent clear to you why I’m with you.” He kissed her then, his mouth molding to hers, his tongue sweeping and tasting, wiping away any remaining doubts about him, along with all her uncertainties about herself. He slowed the kiss then touched his forehead on hers. “We need more time together, too. Alone. To test out this ‘love’ theory.” He grinned. “In a couple dozen different positions.”
She kissed him, pouring all her emotion into that one touch of their lips. “I’d like that.” She sighed. “But where?”
“Somewhere no one can find us.”
In the other room, Stormie’s phone rang again. They both laughed. She looked at the clock. Three in the morning. “It’s probably just Kira again. She said she’d be checking in if she didn’t hear from me.”
He smacked her butt. “You get that, I’ll run and clean up, and we’ll meet back here.”
They broke apart, he walked into the bathroom and she went into the other room, grabbed her phone, and sat on the bed with it. Three voice messages.
The first was Kira. “Just want to check if you’re okay. Call me.” The second, Kira again. “Hey, let me know if you’re on the road or holed up somewhere with that cowboy.” The third was a couple seconds of Kira breathing hard. “Stormie, we’ve got a problem here.”
Jayden walked out and stopped when he saw the concern on her face. He sat on his heels in front of her, his hands softly holding her thighs.
“It’s Kira,” Stormie whispered and pressed the speaker button on the phone.
His gaze never left her face.
Kira cleared her throat. “Rance got stupid drunk and fell off the mechanical bull. He pulled something in his groin. He’s in a lot of pain.”
Jayden shook his head.
“The guys are taking him to an urgent care.” Kira’s voice grew stronger. “I’m calling Taylor to see what she thinks.” She sighed. “Would you at least text me and let me know you’re okay?”
Jayden stood and Stormie got to her feet and wrapped her arms around Jayden. “I’m so sorry about Rance.”
He hefted out a breath. “Injuries are part of rodeo, but for him to take himself out of the circuit riding a mechanical bull.” His breath grew shallow, then he burst out laughing. “God, the poor guy must feel like shit.”
Stormie frowned at him. “Jayden. That’s not very nice.”
“Cutie, I don’t mean to be a jackass, but this kind of injury he’ll recover from fast and be back on a bull in no time. There are a lot of worse injuries that could have ended his career. Shoulder, back, hip, knee. This type of pull happens a lot. It’s painful, but with the right rehab, it’s not major.”
She nodded. “I guess you know this stuff.” She started a text to Kira, telling her she was safe and happy.
Jayden ran his fingers through her hair. “And when we get back to Vegas and you teach him your healing visualization meditation voodoo, he’ll be ridin’ within a week.”
She smiled. “Yes he will. And with Taylor’s help, maybe sooner.”
“Taylor is who, again?”
“She’s a registered nurse specializing in trauma. She was at Gigi’s bachelorette party last month.” Stormie finished the text and hit send.
Jayden looked lost.
“Brown hair in a ponytail, short.” She held up her hand at about shoulder height.
He grimaced. “Can’t recall.”
“Kind of mousy, thick glasses.”
“Oh, right.” He shook his head with a grin. “Sorry, I still don’t remember her. Only saw you that day.”
Stormie pressed her hand to his chest, over his heart. Her cowboy was so damn sweet. “Well, Rance remembers her. Word has it they got into some kind of fight when everyone went out dancing after the bachelor and bachelorette parties.”
Jayden kissed her nose. “When we were off getting’ hitched?”
She smiled. “Mm hm.” Something struck her as important. “Hey, did you say we were going back to Vegas?”
He nodded. “Do you mind? I know you wanted to stay here, but I wanna help with Rance.” He got them walking toward the bathroom. “And you’re gonna hate to leave when you see this.” He flipped on the bathroom light.
A huge bathtub took up half the room. “Wow.” They could do all kinds of sexy things in there.
“They call it a Roman Tub.” Jayden’s grin widened as he pointed up.
On the ceiling above the tub, there was a huge mirror. “Oh, cowboy. We’ve gotta try this out right now.”
He pulled her up against him, his skin hot and tempting against hers. “You know I’ll do anything you want, cutie. Anything to make you happy.” His gaze held honesty and something more. Something that made her heart stutter with joy.
“’Cause we’re married?” The pleasure of that fact made it hard to take a deep breath.
Jayden pressed a soft kiss to her mouth and locked his gaze with hers. “’Cause I love you, Stormie Thompson Hancock. And I get the strong impression that I always will.”
####
Did you enjoy meeting Boone and Gigi in this book? Would you like to read their story? They star in the first book in the series, Cowboy Jackpot: Christmas. Read the book blurb and find out where you can order it by clicking HERE. Here's a sneak peek:
Boone and Gigi's story:
Cowboy Jackpot: Christmas
Chapter One
"Buckle bunnies to your left."
Boone Hancock turned his head at Dallas's alert.
Two cuties stood at one of the giant slot machines. They both smiled and waved.
Dallas tipped back his cowboy hat. "I'm puttin' dibs on the redhead."
Boone glanced at her, but his gaze shot back to the angel with the long black hair and pale skin. Her curves, packed into a petite little body, captured his complete focus. Her slinky purple dress and black spike-heeled sandals shouted she was ready to party.
"Look at those legs." Dallas raised his hand in a return greeting.
The redhead wore a green dress that showed off her nice breasts and skimmed her thin body. Boone smiled. "You like the tall, leggy ones, buddy. I
'm likin' her girlfriend. She's a hot little bundle."
"Let's get 'em." Dallas took a step forward.
"Wait." Boone stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, one night. Two at the most."
"Yeah, yeah."
"You say that like you mean it, but we promised to keep each other out of the deep shit."
Dallas looked him square in the eyes. "I learned my lesson the hard way. You don't have to babysit me."
Boone had watched Dallas going through hell two months ago with the girl he thought was the one for him. It had affected his buddy's performance in the arena, and his ability to stay sober.
Boone's little brother, Jayden, caught up to them and busted in between them. "What's going on?"
Dallas nodded toward the two girls. "Couple ladies recognized us and want us to come and say howdy." He flicked the brim of Jaden's cowboy hat. "Now get lost. They're both spoken for."
"Mmm, I'm liking that redhead." Jayden grinned at her.
Boone looked back at the women. The shorter one—his—waved them over.
"Called dibs." Dallas hitched up his jeans and headed toward the girls.
Jayden caught up to him. "We'll see, won't we."
Boone quick-stepped and lined up next to his brother. As they got closer, he saw his cutie's eyes watching him. Hazel. Damn. Beautiful eyes, beautiful face, a body that he needed tight against his. It didn't take any effort to slide into charming cowboy mode. His body warmed, primed and ready to sweet-talk this little honey 'till her toes curled.
****
Gieselle Colberg-Staub leaned against the Birthday Baby slot machine, her knees wobbly and her stomach jittering as she watched Boone Hancock walk toward her. "I can't believe it. They're actually coming over here."
Kira twirled a lock of hair around one finger and made a shy smile at the cowboys. "Of course they're coming over here. How could they resist?"
Gieselle sucked in a calming breath. She'd watched Boone win the bull riding competition this afternoon, and now he—and his big, shiny belt buckle—headed her way. "God, he's cute." Shaggy blonde hair touched his collar at the back of his black cowboy hat. A purple and black print western shirt and the sexiest jeans she'd ever seen on a man.
"That big, dark haired hunk is fucking gorgeous." Kira sipped her vodka tonic.
"That's Dallas Burns. He came in third in bareback riding today." She glanced at her friend. "Weren't you watching?'
Kira sniffed. "You saw that sexy cowboy sitting right behind us. He was worth watching."
Gieselle had picked up a love of rodeo from her college roommate, but this was the first live event she'd attended. Now the sexy stars she'd drooled over headed straight toward her. She held back a nervous giggle. "Dallas is definitely your type with those dark eyes."
"Oh yes, my heart is thumping." Kira stirred the ice in her drink with the straw. "So, we agree? Dallas for me and Boone for you?"
Gieselle licked her lips. She would let herself go a little crazy this holiday break, because what happens in Vegas, hopefully stays in Vegas. "Agreed." She squinted. "What about the third one?"
Kira laughed. "Oh, now you're getting kinky?"
Gieselle sent her a look. "That's your specialty, girl."
The cowboys reached them, sauntering up with wicked grins on their faces, like they expected Kira and her to peel down naked and let them have a quickie right here on the casino floor.
Gieselle liked the cockiness.
####
Would you like to know how Dallas and Kira found each other? They have their own book, the second in the series, Cowboy Jackpot: Valentine’s Day. Read the book blurb and find out where you can order it by clicking HERE. Here's a sneak peek:
Dallas and Kira's story:
Cowboy Jackpot: Valentine's Day
Chapter One
Dallas Burns shifted on the plush chair in the high-stakes area of the Old West Casino in Las Vegas. He tipped his black cowboy hat back on his head and glanced around the red velvet-lined room.
Hell, he hoped his buddies didn't see him playing roulette. Not that it was a woman's game or anything, but rodeo men only talked about poker. The way they liked to tease each other, this would be a tough one to live down.
"Twenty-four black." The dealer set five more chips on Dallas's bet on Black, and five on his Even bet.
He scooped up his winnings and stacked them in front of him. He'd been fascinated with the game since he was a kid watching an old cowboy movie. Tonight, he was having the best luck of his life. He did a quick count. He had over six thousand dollars in chips and he'd started with three hundred.
He set five chips on First Twelve, and five on Odd. Mixing it up had been working for him tonight. The table was busy. Seven other people stood or sat around the board and placed bets that were quite a bit larger than his. A few wrists flashed diamond-studded watches as they set down their chips.
He glanced around the room and caught a very familiar green gaze.
Kira Morrow. Her eyes opened wide and she leaned toward the strawberry blonde next to her, pointed at him, and said something he knew couldn't be good.
Kira wore a soft-looking blue sleeveless dress and low-heeled white sandals that matched the little purse hanging on her shoulder. It was nearly noon, had they been out on the strip? Her bright red hair hung loose and shimmery halfway down her back. He'd loved running his fingers through it two months ago at Christmas. The day his buddy Boone had met his fiancée, Gigi, right here in this same casino.
Dallas, Boone, and his brother Jayden, had been competing in a rodeo put on for local charities. They'd driven down from Reno for a few days, and had run into Gigi and Kira, who they'd mistaken for buckle bunnies.
Dallas looked back at the table, hoping she would keep walking. He and Kira had gotten into a nasty dust-up on Christmas Day. She'd stormed off and flown back to New York before he'd had a chance to cool down and apologize.
Her unmistakable floral scent threaded through his nostrils and into his brain, making his body remember how he'd wanted her crazily back then. He turned his head. "Kira."
"Dallas." She stood right next to him, too close for safety.
She looked better than ever, her long body slim and graceful, her beautiful breasts large and round.
"Stop staring at my tits."
A couple people at the table laughed.
He met her gaze. "Then get them the heck out of my face."
She lifted a brow. "As charming as ever, I see." She gestured to his other side. "This is my cousin Stormie."
He turned and started to rise.
"Oh, don't get up." Stormie pressed her hand on his shoulder, keeping him down. She was strong. Her denim shorts showed toned legs ending in flip flops, and her white tank top displayed some noticeable but feminine arm muscles.
He held out his hand to her. "My condolences for being attached by blood to this…sweet lady."
Stormie giggled and shook his hand, then leaned closer to Dallas. "She's always been mean, but now I'm big enough to fight back."
He took a closer look at her. Green eyes like Kira's, pale skin with cute freckles. Much too young for him, but he liked her spunk. "Are you here for the bachelorette party?"
"Dallas?" Kira interrupted. "Can I play a chip?"
He turned his head. "Sure." He could afford to lose one chip to get Kira less irritated with him. He needed to work on accomplishing that before they had to walk down the aisle together in New York next week, at Boone and Gigi's wedding.
"I am going to the bachelorette thing." Stormie drew his attention. "I hadn't planned on it so Kira and I were just out shopping. I'm here with my parents for the stock show. When I heard Kira would be here too, we arranged to meet. We had drinks with Gigi last night and she invited me to the party tonight."
Dallas nodded. She worked with stock, probably rode a horse. That's where her well-shaped curves came from.
"What kind of stock do you raise?"
"Horses, mostly, a
nd we've diversified into bucking broncs."
"I've met a few of those." He cracked his neck, relieving the tightness from an old injury.
"Oh right, now it clicks. You're a bronc rider." Stormie grimaced. "When Kira saw you, and told me your name, I didn't place you right away."
More than likely because Kira had been saying something insulting about him.
The dealer spun the wheel and set the ball rolling. "No more bets," he called. "No more bets."
Dallas glanced at the table. All his chips were gone. "What the fuck?"
The chips stood in a tall stack on one spot on the roulette table.
"Kira." His heart palpitated and sweat broke out on his forehead. "Why?"
She smirked. "I put them all on double zero, 'cause you're a big old crusty double zero in my opinion."
Curses rained through his head, followed by a vision of grabbing her long, pale neck and choking the life out of her. Then he felt the need for tears. "Damn it to hell, woman." He grabbed her wrist. "Do you know how much that was?"
She rolled her eyes and tugged her arm free. "You big baby. What was it? Fifty bucks? I'll pay you back." She huffed out a breath and opened her purse.
"More like six thousand."
She froze and her eyes widened. "Say that again."
####
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Thank you for reading the third Cowboy Jackpot story. Jayden and Stormie are such a fun, sexy couple. To start out the way they did and end up so happy together was just a joy to write. I'd love to hear from you. I've listed all the places I hang out, and I hope you'll connect with me at one or more of them.
All my best,
Randi
"Rode Hard and Put Up Satisfied"
RandiAlexander.com
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