Send Me a Cowboy

by Joann Baker

  Too soon, too soon, her inner voice shouted.

  But she wasn’t listening as John leaned toward her.

  “Kiss me, Katie-cat.”

  She stared at his mobile lips with hunger, her woman’s body responding to his request even as her rational mind asked why a man like him, wealthy beyond belief, charming and sexy as sin, would look at an overly abundant woman like herself. He could have any Barbie-sized woman he wanted.

  “John…”

  “Shhh,” he whispered as if sensing her need to protest. His arm curled around her, moving her down until she was flat on the bed and pulling the comforter out of the way. She didn’t protest as he bent to kiss her. She couldn’t. She wanted this too badly. She hadn’t been this hungry for the food.

  When his tongue parted her lips, thrusting inside, she gave herself over to the moment. It was one that might never happen again.

  Where she was inexperienced, his movements were strong and sure. He was demanding, dominant, feeding her desire while fueling her need. She moaned, aching to be closer. She’d never felt like this before. As if she was exactly where she needed to be.

  Katie felt like she’d come home.

  She wanted to tell him how she felt, but all she could do was whimper as his lips continued their delightful assault.

  “It’s okay, baby,” he groaned, his touch turned urgent as she pressed into him. She heard his breathing change as his lean fingers traced lightly down her chin and across her throat. They lingered lightly over the hard tips of her breasts before skimming over the soft mound of her belly where his wandering hand found its way beneath the hem of her shirt. Slowly, he drew the cotton garment up, baring her rounded stomach, then higher, revealing the lacy cut of her bra. The simple cotton material pressed the impressive mounds together, and for once she was glad of her size. She lay naked before him, bare from the waist up except for her plain white bra. She wished she’d had the nerve to wear the black satin underwear hidden in the corner of her dresser drawer. Maybe if there was a next time…

  John’s arm curled around Katie again, moving her further down until she was flat on the bed. He unfastened the front catch of her bra and slowly pulled the little bit of nothing apart. He’d always been a breast man and Katie’s did not disappoint. They were large and firm, and perfectly formed. A man’s fantasy come true. Keeping his eyes on her, he reached up to unbutton his shirt then lowered his body to hers—skin to skin. He groaned at the indescribable feelings. Katie’s nails bit into his shoulders, adding to the erotic sensations. “Dear God, Katie, you feel so good,” he groaned against her mouth.

  “John!” Katie gasped, her body arching up and into his.

  He pulled away to look at her. Her nipples were large, their dusky color reminding him of ripe berries. His need to taste them could not be denied and she cried out as his mouth covered her. The keening cry cut through his sensual fog. He drew back, sucking in a deep breath in an effort to rein in his quickly unraveling control.

  Katie tugged his head lower in an attempt to get his mouth closer to where she needed him.

  He grabbed her wrists, putting them above her head. “Don’t,” he ordered harshly. “You’ll make me hurt you.”

  “I don’t care,” Katie groaned, her body aching in an unfamiliar way.

  John’s hands went to her hips, pulling her roughly against him. His palms caressed her generous curves as he ground his body against her softness. Katie delighted in the feel of his muscular strength. She was on fire everywhere they touched and her only thought was to quench the flames. She touched him, her hands moving over the hard planes of his body in anguished delight. It felt as if a part of her, the part that always held back, always stayed aloof, fell into place, making her whole for the first time in her life. They were pressed together so tightly that nothing could come between them. She felt, heard, saw nothing but John. Her whole world had narrowed to the feel and warmth of his big body.

  “I want you, Katie Lenard.” His groan sent a stab of pleasure straight to her womb and her confidence spiked as she realized she was arousing him, making his body ache. For her. She smiled against his lips.

  Her body rippled with delicious, sinful sensations. She wasn’t a virgin. She’d had a man in her bed before. But she’d never had John Kinkaid. And she’d never known that intimacy could be this…explosive. She’d somehow known this man would spoil her for any other man, any other lover. She moved her hips in a sweet, slow rotation against his. Wherever he led, she would follow.

  “Do you want me, Katie?”

  “Yes. God, yes.” Her body craved him. She shifted, moving in an attempt to tease his long fingers closer to aching breasts that yearned for his touch.

  “You are so beautiful.” Complying with her silent request, his warm hands squeezed the tight buds lightly before trailing down her lush body to find her center. All that separated them was a thin barrier of silk. He cupped her, caressing her roughly while his hot mouth took hers, swallowing her cries. She lifted against him rhythmically as her body sought satisfaction.

  When he stopped, Katie cried out.

  “Don’t worry, honey. We’re not done.” He pulled the loosened shirt over her head, taking the bra with it. Katie shivered with excitement. Her panties came off slowly, his gaze devouring the newly exposed flesh.

  “I’m going to take you Katie. If this is something you don’t want, tell me now.”

  His head rose, his intense gaze searching her face for any sign that she wasn’t right there with him. Katie could only nod her compliance. If he stopped now, she would surely die.

  He stood up to undress, his breathing harsh in the quietness. She could see the shudders that racked his strong frame. She didn’t know what to say or what to do. She’d never had a man look at her with such intensity, such raw need.

  “Last chance,” he grunted even as he came back to bed, the pressure of his powerful legs parting hers.

  “Do you want me to beg?” she whispered saucily, winding her arms around his neck to pull him fully against her.

  “Oh, honey, you’ll be begging me before we’re through,” he replied wickedly. His lips met hers and she returned his kiss hungrily. He demanded; she gave generously. The feelings he aroused so easily had her clinging to his strong arms. This was…overwhelming. He moved insistently and her body responded, following his lead and longing for the pleasure he promised.

  “That’s it darling,” he whispered. “Just like that.” He gripped her hip with one hand, teaching her. She moved her hips, meeting the thrust of his. They both groaned as they found the perfect rhythm.

  “John,” she gasped as she felt that slow spiral of satisfaction low in her belly. He made her ache so delightfully.

  He kissed her as he increased the pace. “Let go, Katie-cat. I’ll catch you, sweetheart.”

  Those words, spoken with such passion in his deep voice, carried Katie over the edge and she cried out as the world exploded into a riot of color behind her closed lids.

  He joined her moments later, her name a hoarse sound of need on his lips.

  *****

  When Katie woke some time later, it was dark outside. She snuggled under the covers, feeling on top of the world. John was gone, but she could still feel his presence. The time they had spent together, well, Katie couldn’t begin to describe it. They’d made love the first time and it had been amazing. When they’d had time to breathe, he’d become concerned about her ankle. When she’d admitted it was hurting again, he’d quickly gotten her another icepack. Funny, she’d completely forgotten about the pain in their initial discovery of each other.

  He’d also brought them more food, telling her she was going to need every ounce of energy for the long night to come. Of course, the food had again been quickly forgotten and he’d taken her for the second time. She shivered as she remembered. John was a demanding lover; a sensual lover. As he’d taken her, he’d described in elaborate detail all the ways he planned on having her before the night was ov
er.

  A soft knock sounded on the door. Thinking it was John, she sat up on the bed, pulling the cover beneath her arms to cover herself. He’d had to leave their bed to return a call to a Japanese buyer. She combed her fingers through her hair, wishing she’d taken the time to go to the bathroom and freshen up when she’d first woken up. Too late now.

  “Come in.”

  “Hi.”

  Katie pulled the covers up to her chin when she realized the person behind the door was James.

  “Can I come in?”

  “I, umm…”

  He didn’t wait for her okay, just came on in.

  “How is the ankle?” He sat on the edge of the bed like a long lost friend and Katie smiled. Everyone had been so caring.

  “It’s starting to hurt,” she admitted. She moved the appendage slowly, wincing as the pain deepened. She probably needed to put some more ice on it and see if she could find some more aspirin. What she really needed to do was find her t-shirt and panties and get dressed. She was nude beneath the covers and felt extremely awkward with James in the room. Now if it was John…

  “Let me look.” He slid the cover off her lower leg and took her injured foot in his hand before she could protest. Removing the icepack, he groaned when the icy water spilled out onto his shirt. Flicking open the buttons, he lifted the wet material away from his skin. “I’ll dry,” he muttered at her concerned look. Lifting her foot lightly, he turned it slowly, trying not to cause more pain. The swelling had gone down, but it was now a deep purple.

  “Oh, James.” His name came out in a husky rush. His manipulations hurt.

  “Sorry.” He stopped. “I know it’s late, but do you feel like going over some of the plans? I have to meet with a contractor tomorrow. Marcia said John would be on the phone for quite some time.”

  She blushed. Did they know he’d be coming to her after his business was concluded? “Why not?”

  “Thanks, Katie. I really want to get this project up and running. As soon as you get the figures to John, he’ll be on board. As long as it makes him money, he’s for it.” She wondered again why James wasn’t using his own money. This time she just asked.

  “Most of it is tied up in trust. I get an allowance every month, all my expenses are paid, but I don’t have enough liquid capital to start the guest ranch.”

  “And John does?”

  James smiled. “Oh yeah. Grandfather only left me the original homestead and a couple of hundred acres surrounding it. John got the rest.”

  She bit her lip, wondering if she should ask her next question. “You didn’t mind?”

  James smiled. “Heck no. There’s more in the trust than I’ll be able to use in this lifetime. And John deserves what he has and more. Not only did he keep me from foster care, he saved the ranch too. Almost as soon as we moved in with grandfather, John took over the running of the ranch. At eighteen. The man is a wiz at closing a deal. The Triple K made a profit for my grandfather before we came, but nothing on the scale it does now. John sacrificed so much for me. He didn’t go to college, hell, he didn’t have a life.” He leaned closer as if sharing a closely guarded secret. “In my opinion, he doesn’t have much of one right now. All he does is work.” He threw her a telling look. “He needs a good woman.”

  “It sounds like he’s a good man.”

  “He is Katie. You might want to remember that. Now, let me get you some more ice. Do you need anything?”

  She wanted to ask for her t-shirt, but she didn’t. “Could I have some more aspirin?”

  “Sure, thing.”

  *****

  John didn’t know what emotion he should be feeling when he discovered his brother leaving Katie’s room. Anger, betrayal? He’d cut his conference call short so he could get back to Katie as quickly as possible. Hell, he wasn’t sure he hadn’t cost himself the deal by being so abrupt. But this time he didn’t care. He’d wanted to get back into Katie’s arms as fast as he could.

  There was no denying the evidence of his own eyes. His brother’s hair was mussed and his shirt unbuttoned almost to the waist as if he’d thrown it on in a hurry. He’d heard their voices, the low moans of pleasure.

  His hands clenched at his sides. He felt he’d sacrificed his whole life to ensure James’ future and this was how his brother repaid him?

  He opened the bedroom door and stepped inside. Katie sat up in bed the comforter pulled up to just below her waist. She looked small in the big bed. She’d pulled on her t-shirt and her beautiful thighs were hidden from view by the cover. She had the most delicious body. There hadn’t been enough time in the last few hours to explore even a fraction of her silky skin.

  She smiled as soon as she saw him. “Hi.”

  His smile wasn’t quite so pleasant. “So you go from my arms to my brother’s?” The words sprang from snarled lips. “Was I too demanding, Katie? Did you think James would be a more considerate lover?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I heard you—crying out his name. The same way you said mine so many times last night.” He came closer bending over her, his face an angry mask. Not a hint of humanity was shining through. “If I’d known you were so easy, honey, I wouldn’t have waited so long.”

  “What…what are you talking about?”

  “James.”

  As the meaning of his words sank in, she lost some of her trepidation. “You think…you think I was having sex with him?” Her voice broke on the last word.

  “Yeah, just like you had sex with me.”

  “I was no–”

  John held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear anything more from you. You’re not the woman I thought you were. Get your things and James can drive you home.” The look he gave her was so flinty she was surprised the bedcovers didn’t catch fire. “I hope you realize you’ve broken Marcia’s heart. She’s in love with my brother.”

  Though hurt beyond words, Katie was glad that anger was her primary emotion. “Well, maybe she’ll realize that having sex with one of the Kinkaid brothers doesn’t mean a damn thing.” She crawled from the bed thanking her lucky stars she’d pulled on her underwear and t-shirt as soon as James had left. She didn’t know if she could do this if she’d had been naked. It was bad enough she was exposing this amount of flesh to a man who now despised her. She gritted her teeth as she put weight on her ankle.

  Her jeans and sweater were on the dresser, clean and dry thanks to Mrs. Carter. Marcia had brought them up earlier, before John had brought her supper. She gritted her teeth as she pulled the denim over her hips. Luckily the snap closed easily. How embarrassing it would be if she had to lay on the bed to zip up her pants.

  She pulled her sweater on over the t-shirt. There was no way she was taking it off in front of him. Too damn bad if he wanted it back. She stalked across the floor, blocking out the pain walking was causing. She fought back the tears that stung her eyes. She’d die before she let him see any weakness. She’d leave even if she had to crawl. She stuffed her bra into her purse and grabbed her laptop and the borrowed briefcase she’d brought with her on her first day at the ranch. This man had been in her life a little over two weeks and he’d already broken her heart.

  The man was crazy if he thought that she—or any other woman in her right mind—would leave his bed for his brother’s. The things they’d done…

  Maybe she was the crazy one for thinking something like that could have lasted.

  *****

  It was two days before Valentine’s Day and if Katie saw another chocolate heart or fake rose she was going to puke. Jessica would be happy now. Katie no longer obsessed about Valentine’s Day. In fact, she was starting to hate the day.

  Once again she would not be receiving anything for Valentine’s Day. And now, she didn’t care. Her heart ached for what she’d shared with John and the hope for a future that would never be. That dream had died before it had gotten a chance to soar.

  And why not? Her heart was broken. No matter how illogical, K
atie knew she’d started to fall in love with John Kinkaid. How could that be after just a couple of weeks? The time spent with him had awoken something within her. She’d felt alive and loved. He’d had an upbringing that was far from ideal just as she had. It had shaped him in ways that called to her.

  With John, she hadn’t felt like society’s ‘before’ picture of how a woman should look. She’d been Katie Lenard, desirable woman.

  Rain had started to fall late in the afternoon. If the temperature had been just a little lower, snow would be covering the city. She’d gotten wet as she left work and took a long hot shower once she’d made it home. But no amount of hot showers or warm blankets could warm Katie. Her heart was cold.

  She was so lonely. Lonelier than she’d ever been in her life. Before she’d known John, she’d always known she was alone. But now she knew that she would always be lonely. Maybe time would lessen the pain, but the emptiness would remain.

  A knock sounded at the door. It was too early for the pizza she’d ordered before taking her shower and Jessica was out of town for the night. It was probably her next door neighbor wanting to borrow some butter or sugar. The woman baked excessively during any holiday.

  She went to the door dressed in a fuzzy pair of lounging pajamas, polar bear house shoes and a thermal top. It was too small and the material stretched across her chest and showed a band of white skin along the bottom but she didn’t care. Her hair wasn’t styled and her makeup had washed away under the shower. She looked almost as bad as she felt. And she didn’t care.

  She opened the door and found John standing there dressed in a leather bomber jacket, an open necked green knit shirt and a pair of stone washed jeans. The shirt almost perfectly matched his eyes. Eyes that held a mixture of trepidation and determination.

  He looked like a dream.

  “Katie.”

  She wanted to throw herself at him. Instead, she stiffened her spine and her resolve.

  “What do you want?” She blocked the entrance to the apartment. She’d opened the door without looking but was prepared to close it quickly.