“What? You think you need more time?”
“No! I think I’m gonna shove my boot up your ass if you keep talking for me.”
Brock was still smiling as he left the Daltons’ house, but even though the woman was undoubtedly special, and her brother meant well, he had no intention of hooking up with Jennifer Dalton.
He cleaned up nice.
Real nice, but Jen already knew Brock was handsome in ranch hand, cowboy, or naked attire.
The white denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up emphasized his broad shoulders and chest, and followed his tapered waste down to jeans with worn creases in just the right spots. The cowboy completed his wardrobe with must-have black boots, black Stetson, and a bull riding championship belt buckle.
Rodeo?
Her insides twisted. Brock hadn’t appeared the type. Common sense kicked in and slowed her accelerated pulse. Had to be in his past. His work schedule kept him clean out of the circuit.
“May I come in?”
She glanced up to find him staring at her, a small smile tugging his lips.
“Oh, I-I’m sorry. Yes, of course,” she said, stepping back to allow the man into the house. “There’s been a change of plans. The McCalls are here.”
A fresh, familiar, woodsy scent filled the air, and immediately transported her to their night at the gulf resort. Damn, he smelled good. She leaned closer for another sniff after he passed. Her whole body tingled, yearning for the touches her memory conjured.
After class tomorrow night, she was heading to the gulf resort with Sonny and Tonya for the weekend. Maybe she could persuade Brock to meet her there? Nah. She dismissed the idea as soon as it formed. He didn’t mix work with pleasure.
Then what was that kiss they’d shared earlier in the kitchen?
A detour. A hiccup. If he’d changed his mind, or been interested, he’d make a move right now, or say something about her appearance. She had put extra thought into her jean skirt, ankle boots, and blue, short-sleeved sweater.
“Have you met the McCalls?”
“Yeah, I met all of them the first day I worked here,” he said, then walked to the others talking in the living room. “Hi, everyone.”
“Hi, Brock,” Kevin and their guests replied.
So much for her extra handy work. Guess she had her answer. Fighting disappointment, she followed, and took a seat next to Sherry on the brown, oversized loveseat. The McCalls sat on the matching couch, Lenny occupied the chair, while Kevin and Brock stood by the wet bar in the corner.
Her brother handed the cowboy a beer. “Here you go, buddy. As you can see, we moved the party. Bossman is working late, his wife Bess is taking him dinner, and Connor is supposed to show up with his date, so we thought it was best to just gather here.”
“Connor has a date?” She glanced at Mrs. McCall and smiled.
The scent of flowers and sunshine enveloped her as the pretty woman with dark eyes and shoulder-length brown hair leaned closer. “Yes, her name is Tiffany. He’s been seeing her for a few weeks. We haven’t met her yet.”
“A few weeks?” Kevin’s brows shot up. “She must be special.”
“We hope.” Mr. McCall nodded. Tall and broad, the big man was a stark contrast to his petite wife. “It’s time he got over his ex-fiancée and started seeing someone.”
A murmur of agreement echoed through the room before the topic changed to Kade’s homecoming. Jen could hardly believe that in little over a month, her cousin was finally coming home.
She glanced across the room and caught Brock’s reassuring smile. As usual, somehow, the cowboy knew exactly what she’d been thinking. Without permission, her mind replayed the kiss they’d shared that afternoon. Desire flooded her belly, nudging her good parts to life. In the time it took him to blink, a flash of heat glittered in the cowboy’s green depths before his guard went back up. She shifted in her seat and ordered her trembling parts to go back to sleep.
Then the doorbell rang.
Jen immediately jumped to her feet, happy for the distraction. “I’ll get it,” she said, already halfway to the door. It had to be the oldest McCall and his new girlfriend.
Smiling, she opened the door to the handsome cowboy, nicknamed the Marlboro Man. He was big, tall, and gorgeous with sun-kissed brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a dimpled smile. The cattle rancher had nearly as many female fans as her brother.
So, what in the world he was doing with the bottle-fed blonde Barbie wannabe on his arm, Jen had no idea. The man could have his pick of women who were not as “fake” as the silicone enhanced girl at his side.
“Hey, Jen,” he said, bending to kiss her cheek. “This is Tiffany.”
Chastising herself for allowing first impressions to cloud her judgment, she smiled at the woman and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too, sugar.” The woman took her hand and stepped inside wearing a floral, hi-low maxi dress that could’ve been pretty if it was ten inches longer in the front.
She shuddered inwardly at the thought of the woman sitting down. Her hoo-ha was going to show. She prayed the girl wasn’t commando.
“I just love your outfit,” Tiffany said, dropping Jen’s hand. “I have a similar skirt, but it’s shorter.”
Of course it was. Shoot. There she was, being catty again.
“Come on, Tif. Let me introduce you to the others,” Connor said, leading the blonde into the other room.
Jen followed, grateful to be behind the couple as she watched her guests trying to conceal their initial shock behind a chorus of greetings.
“Hello, Tiffany. I’m Kevin.” Her brother stepped forward, grabbed the woman’s hand, and kissed it.
“Hiya, Kevin.” The blonde smiled, revealing brilliant white teeth. “You ever consider being in movies?”
Connor groaned. “Oh no, Tif. Now that’s going to go to his head.”
“Don’t be jealous, McMoose.” Her brother cupped the big cowboy’s shoulder and grinned. “I’m sure you could play an extra. What do you think, Brock?”
“Oh, Brock…that’s a nice, strong name,” Tiffany gushed, and her gaze lit up when she caught sight of him.
He held up his hands and grinned. “I think I’m going to stay out of it.”
“Damn, Brock.” Connor’s gaze zeroed in on the cowboy’s belt and his jaw dropped. “Is that buckle real?”
“Yes.”
“How much do you want for it?”
“It’s not for sale.”
The rancher nodded. “I don’t blame you for wanting to keep it. Trevor was my idol. I never saw it go up for auction. How the hell did you get your hands on it?”
“My father gave it to me.”
A deep frown creased the big cowboy’s brow. “Damn…how’d he get it?”
“No, I mean, literally.” Brock’s tone was serious. “My dad was Trevor Kincaid.”
The room grew silent as everyone stared at Brock.
“Holy…” Connor blinked, transferring his gaze from the buckle to Brock’s face three times. “Wow.”
Kevin lifted his beer. “He was the best.”
Jen vaguely remembered an old newspaper article when she was a child. The rodeo star had been popular in south Texas. Her brother, Kade, and the McCall boys had been big fans.
Tiffany frowned and turned to Connor. “Who’s Trevor Kincaid? A western movie star?”
“No,” her date answered quietly. “He was a world champion bull rider who died in the arena.”
“Oh.” The blonde set a hand on Brock’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
He nodded. “No worries. It happened fifteen years ago.”
Jen’s heart squeezed. He would’ve been just a kid. With no mother either. She did some quick math. His brother would’ve been a toddler. Her throat heated. Orphaned so young.
His emotionless gaze met hers.
She held it a moment before turning to their guests. “So, what do you say we finish our plans for the homecoming party? Connor, how l
ong do you think you and Kade need for your camping trip?”
After every deployment, her cousin and Connor disappeared on Shadow Rock for a few nights so the returning vet could “detox” and readjust to being stateside. The tougher the deployment, the longer the trip.
“When we Skyped last night, he said he only needed two nights.”
She let out a breath and nodded. Two nights. Not too bad. She hated that Kade needed any of it, but was grateful he had a friend like Connor.
Kevin stepped closer and dropped an arm around her shoulders. “Okay, so what time do we want to have the homecoming barbeque on the Sunday after Kade gets home?”
Once everyone agreed on a time, food, and music, the meeting broke up, and Jen found herself alone with Kevin and Brock.
“Well, I hate to meet and run, but I’ve got a date,” her brother announced, setting his half empty bottle on the bar.
Jen glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s eight-fifteen.”
“I know.” He smiled. “My date gets off work at nine. I’ll be home tomorrow, so…” A lopsided grin tugged his lips as he glanced from her to Brock then back again. “You don’t have to worry about being interrupted like in the kitchen this afternoon.”
“Kevin.” She frowned at her idiot brother, her face rapidly heating.
“What? I’m just stating the obvious, and I happen to know Brock has the next two days off, so that means right now, he’s officially off the clock.” Kevin nodded to the silent cowboy then kissed her forehead and drew back. “Love ya. See ya tomorrow.”
Two seconds later, she was alone with Brock. And the elephant in the room. Their unstated attraction.
She shook her head and sighed. “Sorry about that.”
The cowboy drew closer, a smile actually tugging his lips. “Don’t be. He means well.”
“I just wish he didn’t have to be so embarrassing about it.”
His low chuckle filled the space between them. “That’s his style.”
Don’t I know it.
Jen nodded, unable to get past the reality of being alone in the house with the potent man. He was standing so close, she could feel the heat of his body and smell the fresh scent of soap, and Brock. Her body was practically vibrating with need as they stared at each other. She’d never felt so alive. It was new. Intoxicating.
“I’d better go,” he said, reluctance dimming his expression.
Unsure what to do with all the disappointment swirling inside, she let out a breath and frowned up at him. “Why?”
He closed his eyes and cursed before reopening them. “I want to stay, Jen. God knows I want to stay. Your outfit nearly gave me heart failure when you answered the door.” The heat in his gaze confirmed his words.
She smiled. “You did notice.”
“How could I not? You’re gorgeous, and I tried to keep my distance all night, but all I could think of is how much I love being inside you.”
She inhaled and had to talk her knees out of buckling. “Then why do you have to go?”
Stepping closer, he lifted a hand to lightly brush her cheek with his thumb. “I don’t want the men to talk about you. And they will talk if I stay here, Jen.”
Her heart swelled. The cowboy she’d had a one-night-stand with was worried about her reputation. “I don’t care.” The night with him would be worth the talk around the ranch.
A small smile twitched his lips. “I do.” He bent down, kissed her cheek, then straightened. “I can’t get involved with you while I’m working here. But maybe once I’m working in Amarillo, I could look you up.”
“I’d like that.” She smiled at him. That was less than two months away. She could wait.
He nodded. “Good night.”
She stood in the middle of the living room and watched the cowboy walk out of the house. He just turned down her unofficial offer of sex. She should be hurt or humiliated. And she was…a little, but mostly, she was warmed by his concern. Maybe they could actually have a relationship type thing when he left.
Once she snapped out of her stupor, she gathered the bottles and coffee cups and carried them into the kitchen. Tonight wasn’t a total bust. They’d ironed out plans for Kade’s party. Met Connor’s interesting new girlfriend. And she received a proposition from Brock.
Granted, it wasn’t the immediate one she had hoped for, but at least it was something. Her body was still pouting when the echo of the doorbell rang through the house.
She rushed to answer, even though she knew better than to expect Brock’s fine form on her porch. When she opened the door she found…Brock’s fine form standing on her porch. A determined expression met her gaze as he gripped her hips and gently pushed her backward so he could step inside and close the door.
“I changed my mind,” he said, hauling her close. “I hope that’s okay.”
She ran her hands up his chest and smiled, her body instantly awake. “Fine with me, cowboy.”
“Good.” His face drew closer and closer. “Cause I really need to taste you.”
Chapter Four
Heat smoldered in his green eyes, and his warm breath hit her face as his mouth stilled just above her lips. “Are you sure about this, Jen?”
“What?” She blinked, trying to make sense of what he was asking.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” A muscle jumped in his jaw.
She was sure that if he didn’t kiss her soon, her teeth were going to start rattling from the fierce need rushing through her body.
“Just tell me to go, and I’m gone. No questions asked.”
Go? God, no, she didn’t want him to go. She wanted him to come. With her. Now.
“I want to do this real bad.” She clenched the fabric of his shirt in her hands and pulled him closer. With a groan, his mouth covered hers, nipping, tasting, devouring until she could hardly think straight.
As if sensing she needed more, he shoved his hands in her hair and tipped her head to his liking before he slid his tongue into her mouth to sweep inside. A sweet thrill shot down to her toes, pebbling her nipples in a shock of need.
Yeah, she needed him to keep doing that.
Releasing her grip on his shirt, she slid her hands up over his broad shoulders to lace behind his neck so she could press her peaked breasts into his firm chest. They remembered him. Remembered the exquisite attention he’d given to each.
He drew back and stared down at her with such hunger she shook for him. “Incredible.”
“You make me feel it.” Hot kisses, and touches, and looks, spiked desire to every pore in her body.
He grazed his teeth down her jaw, his stubble deliciously rough against her skin. “I’ve never wanted anyone”—he bit her earlobe and she gasped—“as much as I want you.”
In the space of a breath, his mouth was on hers again, tasting, drinking, killing her strength. She lost herself in his kiss, giving, demanding, trembling at the shockingly sensuous feel of his tongue stroking hers.
“I’ve thought of nothing but this since this afternoon,” he murmured against her lips. “Every damn second of the day.”
“Me, too.” She shook against him.
In a swift move, he lifted her up, and she grabbed at his hat before it fell to the floor.
“Where’s your room?” His voice was raw with the same need burning her from the inside out.
“Down that hall, first door on the left.” She motioned with his hat, her mouth nipping playfully at his jaw, while he carried her to her room in record time.
After he stepped inside, he kicked the door closed with his foot, and let her slowly slide down his hard, hot body. He was killing her again. Stepping back, she set his hat on her dresser, reached for the bottom of her sweater, and yanked it up over her head before dropping it on the floor, giving him full view of her black, lacy bra.
“Hot.” His gaze glittered as he stalked her to the bed, removing his shirt as she walked backward, exposing the lickable muscles and ridges her body wanted to explore again
.
She dropped her gaze to the thick, mouthwatering bulge behind his zipper and heat shot between her legs. “Definitely.”
“You keep looking at me like that and I’m going to burst,” he said, following her down when she fell backward onto the mattress. “And take you with me,” he said against her neck, his tongue swirling and licking, lips sucking and biting as his hands found hers and raised her arms above her head.
She arched into him, eliciting a groan that had him kissing a path over her cleavage while his hands trailed down her raised arms, over her shoulders, to cup her aching breasts. As if reading her mind, he brushed the black lace aside to expose her beaded nipples. “Gorgeous.”
And when he took one into his mouth and brushed the other with his thumb, she let out a needy moan that echoed around them. “Lift up,” he commanded, then slipped his hands behind her back, unhooked her bra, and tossed it on the floor. His gaze devoured her naked chest, darkening as her breasts bounced when she dropped onto her back.
A second later, his mouth and hands took turns on her body, driving her out of her mind. She clutched the back of his head and thrust her fingers through hair that flopped over his forehead in gorgeous shades of golden amber.
His teeth nibbled and nipped, quivering her skin, and she lost a few brain cells when he sucked a firm peak into his mouth. Oh, but it was so worth the lowering of her IQ. Then his fingers where circling and pinching her tight peak. She felt the pull between her legs, right where she ached for him the most.
When he lifted his head, his eyes blazed with the same heat and need she knew must be mirrored in her own. “Like that?”
“Yes,” she admitted, then grew bold. “Again, please.”
A sinful expression curved his lips before he captured her nipples and did as he was told. Liquid heat rushed through her veins, and he had her squirming and trembling with so much need she thought she’d fracture. The fact she was that hot and bothered with only the top half of them naked made her feel a whole lot of naughty.
Then his hand was skimming over her skirt, bunching the material until he slipped underneath to touch her flesh. She cried out. His head lifted again, green eyes glittering. “You’re wet.”
Harland County Christmas (Harland County Series) Page 4