Best of Cowboys Bundle

by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Barbara White Daille, Judy Christenberry, Christine Wenger, Shirley Rogers, Crystal Green, Nina Bruhns, Candance Schuler, Carole Mortimer

  She traced his length and measured his girth while her palm cupped him. The rush of desire that coursed through him made him dizzy.

  But when she stroked him, he took her hands in his and shook his head. “Darlin’, much more of that and we’ll both be sorry.”

  Passion colored her porcelain cheeks as without a word, she stood up and removed her jeans and panties. He could tell she was as turned on as he was.

  When she once again knelt down in front of him, Cooper laid back against the straw. She started to take off his boots, but he wrapped his arms around her and drew her on top of him. Kissing her, he let her know he didn’t want to waste time dispensing with the rest of his clothes.

  She seemed to understand as she straddled him and guided him to her. He watched her body take him in, felt her melt around him. Closing his eyes, he struggled to hang onto what little control he had left.

  Everything in his being was demanding that he thrust within her, to race toward what he knew would be a soul-shattering climax. But taking deep even breaths, he willed his body to slow down. He refused to complete his satisfaction unless he was assured that Faith achieved the same degree of pleasure.

  When she rocked against him, he opened his eyes to gaze up at the woman who held him so intimately. She was the most beautiful woman in the world and her body caressing his as she moved was quickly shredding every good intention he possessed.

  Grasping her hips, he held on as she rode him to the edge of no return. The red haze of passion surrounded him, blinding him to anything but the intense sensations Faith was drawing from him. Never in his entire life had he felt anything as overwhelming. She possessed him body and soul.

  Her moan of pleasure came a moment before he felt her inner muscles quiver then squeeze him as her body urged his complete surrender to hers. His muscles contracted as he thrust into her one final time, and groaning, he gave himself up to her demands as he emptied his seed deep inside of her.

  In that moment, he knew without a doubt that he’d surrendered more than just his body to her. He’d just given her all of his heart and soul.

  Ten

  S eated next to Cooper as he drove the distance between his ranch and the Rocking M, Faith became more apprehensive with each passing mile. She should have made her excuses and stayed behind at the Triple Bar while he visited his sister and her family.

  She glanced over at his handsome profile and her chest tightened. Her reluctance to attend the gathering had nothing to do with not wanting to learn more about the man she loved, and everything to do with her self-preservation.

  She’d desperately tried to deny the pull between them, tried not to fall in love with him. But Cooper had made it impossible. He was kind, considerate and the most caring man she’d ever met. How could she not fall hopelessly in love with him? Or want to know everything about him?

  But the day would come when she’d have to leave the Triple Bar ranch—leave Cooper—and the more deeply involved she became with him and his family, the harder it would be for her when it was time to go. And there was no doubt that she’d have to leave.

  Cooper wanted things that she could never give him. It would be unfair to him if she stayed and he gave up those dreams for her.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” he said, reaching over to take her hand in his. “Is something bothering you?”

  She shook her head. “I’m just a little tired,” she lied.

  He grinned and her insides felt as if they turned to melted butter. “I shouldn’t have kept you awake so long last night.”

  His reference to their lovemaking caused a flutter deep in the pit of her stomach. “I’m not complaining,” she said, trying not to sound as breathless as she felt.

  “Good.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Because I intend to keep you up late tonight, too.”

  Her heart rate increased and the fluttering in her stomach increased. She needed to lighten the moment or she might just go into total meltdown right there in the cab of his truck.

  “You’re insatiable,” she said, laughing.

  “When it comes to you, I am,” he admitted. The look in his eyes seared her and she suddenly felt like fanning herself.

  He steered the truck off the main road and as they passed under a wrought iron sign with Rocking M on it, she noticed a black horse grazing contentedly in the neatly kept pasture to their right. “That’s a beautiful animal,” she said, hoping to distract Cooper’s attention.

  “That’s Jenna’s stallion, Black Satin,” he said, slowing the truck for her to take a better look. “A few years back he was the national reigning horse champion.” He laughed. “Now he’s just the well-kept boyfriend of about twenty-five brood mares.”

  “Your sister raises horses?”

  He nodded. “That’s how she and Flint met. He owned Black Satin and hired Jenna to train him. But since she’s the only person who can do anything with Satin, Flint gave him to her for a wedding present.”

  “Your sister sounds like she’s a very accomplished horsewoman.”

  “She sure is,” he said, sounding proud. Smiling he added, “You two will get along great.”

  Faith could tell that Cooper was close to his sister and that it was extremely important to him that she meet the woman. Her apprehension increased. He wasn’t just taking her to a casual family gathering, he was taking her to get his sister’s stamp of approval. Her hands grew cold and a tight knot began to form in her stomach. She had a feeling she was in way over her head.

  “We’re here,” Cooper said, parking the pickup beside an SUV with the Rocking M logo painted on the side.

  Lost in thought, Faith failed to notice their approach to the big two-story ranch house. “They have a beautiful home,” she commented as he helped her from his truck.

  He frowned. “It’s a far cry from the Triple Bar, isn’t it?”

  She knew he was comparing the two places and finding his sorely lacking. “One day the Triple Bar will be just as nice, if not nicer than this ranch,” she said, touching his cheek. “Just remember that.”

  He turned his head to kiss her palm. “Thanks, darlin’.”

  Before she could respond, two little boys burst through the back door, bounded down the steps and raced across the yard to greet them.

  “Uncle Cooper, you’ve got to hear what we did in Florida,” the older one said. “It was awesome.”

  “Yeah, awestrom,” the little one said, excitedly. He hurled himself at Cooper and giggled delightedly when his uncle swung him up into his arms.

  “Faith, I’d like for you to meet my nephews.” Cooper ruffled the oldest one’s tobacco brown hair. “This is Ryan. He’s eight.”

  Ryan wiped his hand on the seat of his pants, then stuck it out for her to shake. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too, Ryan.” She smiled as she shook his hand, marveling at how much he looked like his father, Flint.

  “And this little bundle of energy I’m holding is Danny. He’s three,” Cooper said, shifting the toddler to sit on his arm.

  She could see the love in Cooper’s eyes, the pleasure of being with the little boys. He would be a wonderful, loving father one day.

  Danny’s little blond head bobbed up and down with excitement. “Uncle Coopa, I went to Frorida and made a sandcrastle.”

  “Sandcastle,” Ryan corrected.

  “That’s what I said,” Danny insisted. “Sandcrastle.”

  “Most of the time he talks pretty good for a little kid,” Ryan explained to Faith. “But he still has trouble with some words.”

  Thoroughly charmed by both children, Faith smiled. “He’s lucky to have a big brother like you to help him out.”

  “Ryan? Danny?” A pretty blond haired woman stepped out onto the back porch. Spotting Cooper, she grinned. “I should have known you were the reason the boys almost knocked the door off its hinges trying to get outside.”

  Cooper grinned. “Hey there, little sister. How’s life treating
you these days?”

  “Mom’s been real sick,” Ryan said, looking worried.

  Descending the steps, she walked over to where they stood. “Remember, your dad and I explained this to you the other night,” she said patiently as she put a reassuring arm around the child’s shoulders. “It’s just a temporary thing. I’m going to be fine.”

  “What’s up, sis?” Cooper asked, his grin immediately turning to concern. “Flint mentioned you had some kind of stomach thing when he was over at the Triple Bar the other day.”

  She nodded. “That’s what I thought. But it looks like it’s going to last longer than just a few days.” Her smile was radiant. “It’s nothing that another seven months won’t cure.”

  Faith watched Cooper’s easy expression return. “Really?” When she nodded, he put his free arm around her shoulders to hug her. “Congratulations, sis. Will I be getting a niece this time?”

  “That’s what we’re hoping for.” Turning to Faith, she smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry. We’re being rude. You must be Faith.” She pointed toward Cooper. “I’m Jenna McCray, this big lug’s sister.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you,” Faith said, nodding. It was completely ridiculous, and she felt ashamed of herself for feeling the way she did, but she couldn’t keep a tiny twinge of envy from running through her when she’d learned of Jenna’s pregnancy.

  “Uncle Cooper, are we gonna hunt for critters?” Ryan asked, expectantly.

  “Wanna hunt kitters,” Danny agreed, nodding his little blond head.

  “It just so happens that Faith found one over at my house the other day and I caught it for you guys,” he said, setting Danny on his feet.

  “Cooper,” Jenna warned.

  “Don’t go getting all riled up, sis,” he said, reaching into the bed of his truck. “I built a cage for it.”

  Faith shuddered when she saw him remove the cage containing the mouse. “That’s one little creature you can have with my blessings.”

  Jenna laughed. “I see we feel the same way about these things.” To Cooper she said, “You’ll have to find a place for it out in the barn. Under no circumstances is that thing coming inside the house.”

  “But, Mom,” Ryan protested. “He’s just a little guy.”

  “Wittle guy, Mommy,” Danny chimed in.

  “It’s the barn or nothing,” Jenna said firmly. Faith couldn’t have agreed more with her. She hadn’t wanted the little critter in the same house with her either.

  Cooper handed the small cage to Ryan. “You heard your mom, guys. We’ll have to find a place in the barn.”

  Jenna hooked her arm through Faith’s and turned toward the house. “While Cooper and the boys find a place for the mouse, why don’t we go inside and get acquainted? I’ve got several stories to tell you about that brother of mine.”

  Faith smiled. She liked Cooper’s sister immediately and couldn’t wait to hear what the woman had to say about the man Faith loved.

  Two hours later, Cooper sat at the big dining room table watching his sister whisper something to Faith. Whatever it was, both women seemed to find it quite humorous.

  Even though he had a feeling their amusement was at his expense, it pleased him no end to see that Faith and his sister had hit it off. “What’s so funny?” he asked, grinning at the two women who meant the most to him.

  Faith gave him a smile that made him glad the tablecloth covered his lap. “Nothing you’d be interested in,” she said, giggling.

  “Nothing at all.” Jenna agreed. She laughed as she wiped Danny’s hands and face, then lifted him out of his booster seat.

  “Uh-oh, boy,” Whiskers said, scooting his chair away from the table. “When womenfolk pack up like that and start to teeheein’, you better watch out.” He shook his head, his eyes twinkling merrily. “Ryan, you and Danny come with me into the family room and we’ll turn on the football game.” He shot Cooper a toothless grin. “I have a feelin’ when your uncle finds out what your momma’s told Miss Faith, it ain’t gonna be real purty.”

  Both women laughed as if Whiskers had hit the nail on the head.

  Cooper frowned. “I can’t think of anything—”

  Flint chuckled. “Let this be your first lesson about women, Coop.” He reached over to cover Jenna’s hand with his where it rested on the top of the table. “They have minds like steel traps and never forget anything.” He grinned. “And you can bet it’s something you’d rather forget.”

  Faith and Jenna laughed again, making the hair on the back of Cooper’s neck stand straight up. Surely Jenna wouldn’t mention…

  “You didn’t,” he said, narrowing his eyes on his sister.

  Jenna’s eyes danced as she asked, “Does Fort Worth ring a bell, big brother?”

  Heat crept from beneath his collar, spread up his neck and burned his cheeks. Jenna had told Faith about the time he’d been bucked off, then lost his pants when the bull hooked a horn in his hip pocket and ripped his jeans damned near off of him. He’d left the arena with his jeans in shreds and had to cover his butt with his hat in order to keep from offending anyone’s delicate sensibilities.

  “One of the Dallas television stations ran the clip on their evening news,” Jenna said, laughing. “Then it was picked up by the network.”

  “Oh, no!” Faith was laughing so hard that she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

  Jenna nodded. “The film clip was chosen as a Picture of the Week and broadcast on one of the national news shows.”

  When Cooper groaned, Flint threw back his head and laughed. “I told you it would be something you’d like to forget.” He rose to his feet to start clearing the table. “Face it, Coop. That little moment in the spotlight will haunt you until the day you die.”

  His face still feeling like it was on fire, Cooper gladly helped his brother-in-law clear the table. It was either that or strangle his sister for sharing the most embarrassing moment of his life with Faith.

  After they’d carried the plates and serving bowls into the kitchen, Cooper returned to the dining room while Flint went into the family room to see how the Cowboys were doing against the 49ers.

  “Where’s Faith?” he asked when he found Jenna sitting at the table alone.

  “Ryan and Danny wanted her to see their turtle.”

  “Good.” He sat down in the chair beside her. “You and I need to talk.”

  “That’s why I’m still sitting here,” Jenna said, shifting to face him.

  Before he had a chance to think about what he was going to say, he blurted, “I’m in love with her, sis.”

  “I can tell.”

  He grinned. “Is it that obvious?”

  Smiling, she nodded. “And she’s in love with you.”

  Warmth spread throughout his body at the thought that Faith cared as much for him as he did for her. “You think so?”

  “I know so.” Jenna wrapped her arms around his shoulders to give him a huge hug. “I’m happy for you, Cooper. She’s a wonderful person and I’m looking forward to having her for a sister-in-law. It looks like Whiskers’s meddling worked out for the best.”

  Pulling away from her, Cooper shook his head. “I’m not so sure it will work out.”

  Jenna looked puzzled. “Why? You both love each other.”

  “This isn’t a good time right now for me to be thinking in terms of forever,” he admitted. “The ranch isn’t even close to being what I want it to be.”

  “So what does that have to do with anything?” she asked, clearly puzzled.

  “Think about it, Jenna. I don’t have a thing to offer Faith right now.” He shook his head. “Hell, the house doesn’t even have plumbing.”

  “And you think she hasn’t already noticed that?” his sister asked dryly. Her expression turned serious. “Cooper, you’re forgetting something here.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Faith has lived there with you for the past week and a half. She knows exactly what needs to be done to the ranch. And she�
�s still there.” Placing her hand on his shoulder, Jenna smiled as she stood up. “Don’t you see? It doesn’t matter to her. She loves you for you, not for what the ranch will be one day.”

  “But I wanted to—”

  Jenna shook her head. “Build it together, Cooper. Let her help you and it will become her dream, too.”

  When Jenna walked into the kitchen, he thought about what she’d said. Maybe she was right. Faith had seen the ranch at its worst and had turned down the opportunity to leave, not once, but twice.

  And she believed in him and his ability to turn the Triple Bar around. It hadn’t been more than a couple of hours ago that she’d told him his ranch would be just as nice if not nicer than the Rocking M one day.

  His chest tightened. He loved Faith more than life itself and there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to spend the rest of his days with her. Now all he had to do was find the perfect time to ask her to share his life, his dream.

  “Cooper, do you think we should be getting back to the Triple Bar?” Faith asked as she and Jenna walked into the dining room together. “Penelope will be wanting to eat by the time we get back.”

  Leaning over, Jenna kissed his cheek. “You take care, big brother.” Then in a soft whisper, added, “See what I mean? Let her work with you and the reality will be far better than the dream could ever be.”

  “Do you need my help?” Cooper asked, setting the bucket of warm water on the bench in the feed room.

  Faith laughed and shook her head. “Penelope and I have a very effective system worked out. I hold onto the bucket for dear life and she drains it.” Faith measured out the amount of formula, then poured it into the nursing bucket. “If you have something you need to do, go ahead. We’ll be fine.”

  “Thanks,” he said, brushing a kiss across her forehead. He gave her a smile that curled her toes, then without another word, he turned and disappeared through the doorway.