Her Unbridled Cowboy (Harland County Series)

by Donna Michaels

  The deep timber of his voice had no business being breathless as well. Darn him. Now he wasn’t the only one who was wet.

  Big and broad and hard, the man smelled clean and fresh, like he’d just stepped out of the shower. And he was hot. Really hot. Steam rising hot. Heat emanated from his body, engulfing her in a searing, sensual embrace.

  Suddenly tingling from head to toe, she realized just how close they stood. Very close. Too close. She had to fight the urge—really, really fight the urge—to lean forward and nuzzle his neck.

  A tremor started at her toes, and before it could reach midway, she stumbled backward, and, oh, look at that, stepped on what was left of the ice cube.

  As she slipped and headed for the floor, two strong hands clamped around her arms and held her upright. Dang, he’s quick and strong.

  Nervous laughter bubbled up her throat. “Found the ice cube,” she said, staring at that neck still beckoning for a nuzzle.

  His hold slackened as a chuckle rumbled through him. She chanced a quick peek at his face, and her pulse hiccupped. Holy smokes. The man was just too darn gorgeous. Amusement tugged at his tempting lip while laughter sparkled from his warm, brown eyes. Forget nuzzling his neck, she wanted to taste him.

  “God, you’re adorable.”

  And just like that, her urge to taste disappeared.

  Adorable?

  Lovely. First he called her kiddo, now adorable. Just what every woman wanted to hear while in the arms of such a potent male. Her knees stopped mid-buckle and pulse instantly leveled out. There was nothing like a good wake-up call. He just gave her one, loud and clear. She found him hot, like a red-blooded male, and he found her adorable, like a box of puppies. Yeah, they were definitely not on the same page. Worlds apart…cities apart.

  She dredged up a smile and even managed a laugh. “Thanks for stopping my fall, and yep, that’s me.” Pushing free, she bent and swiped the remains’ of the frozen culprit from the floor with the napkin still clutched in her hand, then tossed them in the trash. “Kerri the adorable. Adorable Kerri.”

  Cute, but not sexy enough to hold a man’s attention. What was she thinking?

  Silently, and for something to do, she walked to the sink and refilled her discarded glass with cold water. One sip turned into three and…

  “Kerri, I wanted to talk to you about a few things.”

  She nearly dropped it in the sink when Connor spoke again. From right flippin’ behind her. His sexy southern drawl sent goosebumps down her spine, and she stayed put not wanting him to see another flush heating her face. She really wasn’t in the mood to hear that adorable remark again.

  “What is it?”

  “Well, for one thing, could you maybe turn around so I don’t have to talk to your backside?” he asked, smile evident in his tone. “Not that it isn’t a nice, well rounded backside, but right now, I’d prefer to talk to your face.”

  Taking a deep breath, Kerri willed her body not to respond to his nearness or his unexpected compliment about her backside, as she placed the glass in the sink then turned around. “What is it, Connor?”

  “Ah, that’s much better.”

  His dimple glared and her insides took to fluttering.

  “You sure are beautiful when you’re annoyed.”

  Oh, swell. She moved up from adorable to beautiful to annoyed. “Did you want to say something or not?”

  “Relax, darlin’.” He held his hands up, palms out. “There’s no need to get your thong in a bunch.”

  She blushed. Again. Darn it. “My thong is of no concern to you, Connor,” she replied with a little more attitude than she’d intended. “Now, if you don’t mind, I am going back to the celebration.”

  Lightening fast, his hand snaked out and wrapped around her arm. “I’m sorry, Kerri. I didn’t mean to offend you. Why do you have to take things so literally, and why can’t the two of us have a civilized conversation?”

  Why indeed.

  She swallowed a snort. “I don’t know, Connor. Maybe because when I look at you I don’t see civilized.”

  Shoot. That was mean. What was her problem? And what was her body’s problem? Darn thing tingled where his hand lay.

  “Oh, now you’ve got me curious.” He raised an eyebrow and leaned closer. “Just what do you see when you look at me?”

  A naked 18 year old Connor coming out of the swimming hole. The thought caused the image to instantly materialize.

  Shoot.

  Her throat and face heated at the memory of him proud and built and smiling, stalking toward her and her sister wearing nothing but his dang dimples. Given his increased size and muscles, she knew that delicious view could only have improved. Big time.

  Shaking her head, she focused on that dimple and swallowed hard before stammering, “A-a cowboy.”

  His chin lifted. “A cowboy.”

  She nodded. He didn’t need to know about the naked part.

  “So, you’re saying you see a tobacco chewing, cattle roping hick that could only get a woman if he hog ties her and throws her over his shoulder? Someone who couldn’t survive in a big city, only out in the open range?”

  Whoa. Where in the world is all this coming from?

  “I wouldn’t exactly put it like that.” Kerri tugged free and raised a brow at him. “Now who’s got their boxers in a bunch?”

  “Then what would you change from that statement?” He stared down at her, amusement and curiosity evident in his eyes.

  The bugger. His teasing demeanor was contagious. A smile hovered over her lips. “You don’t chew tobacco.”

  He laughed, full and boisterous, just like the man. A few seconds later, his gaze grew wicked. “And what makes you think I wear boxers? Maybe I wear briefs.”

  Images of Connor modeling underwear tried to form in her mind. She refused to let them. Heck no. He was dangerous enough as a cowboy.

  “You’re right, Connor. What was I thinking?” She smacked her palm off of her temple. “You, in conservative boxers?” With a smirk, she ran her gaze up and down his relaxed form, and of course, blushed, but still, she continued, “No, you are definitely a brief man. Fire engine red ones, I think.”

  Dimples appeared while devilment flashed through his eyes. “Well, now, why don’t we check?” He reached for his jeans, undid his belt buckle and chuckled.

  She stopped smiling. Dear Lord. Surely he wouldn’t…

  “What’s wrong, darlin’? Don’t you want to see if you’re right?”

  Heck yeah!

  No… No, you don’t, her mind insisted.

  Her gaze met his amused expression, and she swallowed hard. Darn, sexy cowboy. She was no longer a young teenager. It was time to stand up to his teasing.

  “No,” she replied, relieved her voice sounded calmer than she felt. “That won’t be necessary, Connor. Some things are better left to the imagination.”

  To her immense relief—okay, and a tiny shard of disappointment—he did up his buckle, and soon her heartbeats began to decelerate. The cowboy was just lucky she wasn’t Jordan or his jeans would be hugging his ankles right now.

  No. That wasn’t true. Her sister had never been interested in Connor. It was Cole’s bluffs Jordan had always called.

  “All right then. I’ll just let you think about it then. But,” he said on a sigh, looking crestfallen. “I was hoping if I showed you mine, you’d show me yours.”

  She snorted. Dang, incorrigible man. She couldn’t believe they were standing in the McCall’s kitchen discussing underwear.

  “At least tell me if you are wearing a thong. Come on. Throw a guy a bone.” His eyes danced with the devil as he sent her an indolent grin.

  Yes, dang incorrigible. And his teasing was very contagious. “Well, I could have on a pair of grandma underwear,” she said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “Or maybe I am wearing a nice lacey black thong with red satin running through it.” Her chin lifted. “I guess you’ll never know…cowboy.”

  Si
lently applauding her attempt at bravado, she smiled. There. Put that in your Stetson and wear it. Happy at standing her ground, she stared, mouth drying as his smile disappeared and heat suddenly replaced the amusement in his eyes.

  Shoot. No. No. This wasn’t good.

  With his simmering gaze now trained on her lips, Kerri’s euphoria diminished along with her ability to breath or talk, and if she didn’t move quick, she wouldn’t be standing either.

  Whether it was divine intervention or dumb luck, he chose that moment to turn around and walk to the center island.

  His potent gaze no longer visible, her brain began to function, and she drew in a long, overdue breath.

  Idiot.

  Exhaling, she watched him place his hands on the counter, and noticed his shoulders rising and falling while he took a few deep breaths.

  Not even trying to contemplate what any of that meant, she found her voice and said hurriedly, “I think we should be getting back to the others now.”

  “Wait, Kerri.” He twisted to face her. “Before we go back, we need to clear the air.”

  Clear the air? How? The air was charged and thick with…with…something. How could they clear the air if she couldn’t name it?

  “All right,” she replied anyway, when what she really wanted to do was bolt from the darn room.

  Still, she waited, heart beating out of control as he leaned his large frame against the island and folded his arms across his broad chest.

  “I think we both know our parents are up to something, if those looks they were exchanging in there are anything to go by,” he stated slowly.

  So, he had seen them, too. Dang. She’d hoped she’d been wrong.

  “Yes, they most definitely are.” Her heart continued to beat out of control while she wondered just what he was getting at.

  “Well, no offense to you, darlin’, but I’m not looking to get hitched. And I got the impression you were done for a while, too. Am I right?”

  His question brought instant relief.

  “Oh, absolutely! I’m so glad you said that, Connor.” She smiled as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and her mind cleared. “I have to admit, you had me worried for a moment.”

  He smirked. “I take it being married to me would be like a death sentence?”

  “Oh no. It’s nothing like that.” Horrified he’d come to that conclusion, she stepped forward and lightly touched his arm. His very warm, muscular, manly arm. It was…nice. “I’m sure you’d make a fine husband. You really would. It’s just that with all my other worries, the last thing I need right now is a man,” she stated, and was shocked to see understanding enter his warm gaze.

  “I’m sorry about your home and your restaurant, Kerri. It can’t be easy for you.”

  The sincerity in his voice brought a stinging to her eyes.

  “I’m okay.” She withdrew her hand and repeated her worn out line, “I’m just glad to be alive.”

  A single tear wet her face. Darn it. Why him? She’d had this conversation with both her parents and his, and yet, somehow, this cowboy with the smart aleck remarks and laughing brown eyes, got past her walls.

  Shoot. She should’ve bolted while she’d had the chance.

  Kerri peeked up at him thru her blurry vision and bit her lips to keep them from trembling.

  A groan ripped from his nuzzle-me throat, and before she knew it, he pulled her against his warm, rock hard body, and held tight. Nice and tight.

  “It’ll be all right, darlin’,” he said, running a hand gently through her hair.

  Feeling safe and engulfed, Kerri momentarily gave into her emotions and hugged him closer, her tears soaking his chest. She missed this part of marriage.

  Although they had hugged a lot, it never felt like this with Lance. Probably because he was only two inches taller than her, she reasoned.

  “I’m glad you were with your sister that morning,” Connor said gently, his chin resting on her head.

  Sometimes, the incorrigible cowboy could be so darn sweet. She squeezed him a little harder while another round of tears fell.

  Okay, Kerri, that’s enough now, she admonished herself a minute later. You don’t need him or anyone else. You’ve been doing just fine by yourself for the past two years.

  Getting her emotions back under control, Kerri pulled out of Connor’s embrace and looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me, but…thank you.”

  “No problem, kiddo. Anytime,” he replied with his trademark grin dimpling his cheeks. “So, as far as our matchmaking parents, are we good?”

  Grabbing another napkin from the counter, she nodded then wiped her face. “Yes. Absolutely. You don’t want a wife, and I don’t want a husband. So we’re real good. Besides, I’m hoping to fly back to L.A. this weekend.”

  “Perfect.” His smile broadened. “That won’t leave them much time to do anything.”

  She returned his smile. “Nope.”

  Whatever their parents had planned, it wasn’t going to work. They were wasting their time.

  “And even if Jordan needs me to stick around and help plan the wedding, you and I both know that’s going to be quick.”

  “True.” Connor chuckled. “Knowing my brother, he’ll want it to take place by Christmas. Heck, probably by the end of this month.”

  By the end of November?

  Oh, she liked that idea. A lot.

  “That works for me.” Sending him a smile and a nod, she turned around and walked to the door.

  For the first time since stepping foot back on Wild Creek Ranch, Kerri felt good. Calm. Relaxed. If everything went right, she’d be back home this weekend. Worse case, she’d have to stick around a few weeks until her sister was married, and as soon as Christmas was over, Kerri would be back on a plane bound for California. Safe. Yes, safely away from matchmaking parents, and more importantly, the red-blooded, teasing cowboy following her back into the gathering room with his sexy darn dimples and fire engine red briefs.

  “Valentine’s Day?” Kerri couldn’t help but bellow in total disbelief.

  Her sister made the crazy announcement of the projected date of her wedding soon after Kerri and Connor returned from the kitchen. Maybe she’d heard wrong.

  Please, God. Let that be it.

  She couldn’t possibly stick around for three months. Crud. Not three months. No. She’d never survive.

  “Yes. February 14th. Why? Is there a problem?” Jordan asked as the others in the room stopped talking and waited for Kerri to answer.

  Problem? No. Why would there be a problem?

  Just because she’d be forced to stay in the same town—which would not be big enough—with the cowboy full of unbridled sex appeal? A sex appeal she was finding harder and harder to resist? Because her mind was a jumbled mess and not in clear working order, which made her close proximity to him a danger she couldn’t afford? And, as it happened every time he was near, her body wanted her to chuck reason out to pasture and ride the cowboy ‘til the cows came home?

  See? Those thoughts! Kerri didn’t have those kinds of thoughts. But she was on testosterone overload and didn’t have a clue how to fight her body’s need. And lately, she wasn’t sure she wanted to.

  That was it. That was the problem. Cripes. She’d never been easy. Ever. Yet, standing in the McCall’s gathering room, all eyes upon her, she clearly saw the truth. She was undeniably attracted to Connor McCall.

  Ah fudge!

  That wouldn’t do. No, it wouldn’t. So, heck ya! She had a problem. Only about a million, and most of them centered around the cowboy whose trademark grin was nowhere to be found. Jeez, that earthquake shook her up more than she’d originally thought. Left her vulnerable. She was weak in both heart and mind. Why else would she find the cowboy so darned attractive?

  Of course, none of that could be shared. At least, not with the entire room. Had she had this conversation in private, Kerri would be on her knees, pleading with her sister to up the date. />
  But, since the room was full of questioning gazes and frowns and matchmakers galore, she had to revise her response, and deal with a hefty dose of guilt. What was wrong with her? Goodness. What kind of sister was she? A few days ago, she’d nearly lost Jordan. Kerri’s chest squeezed tight. She loved her sister, would do anything for her sister. She’d never felt more selfish. Poor Jordan and Cole had gone through so much. It was their time to be happy. She had no business giving them grief over their wedding date. None at all. If they wanted to wait for Valentine’s Day, she’d do it. By God, she’d do it. Might be a blubbering fool by then, but she’d manage, darn it!

  “Of course there’s no problem,” she rushed to say. “I-I’m just surprised you were both going to wait that long.”

  At least that much was true.

  Jordan grasped Kerri’s hands and smiled. “It’s only three months away, and between the preparations for the engagement party and for the wedding, not to mention the holidays, it’ll go by fast.”

  “True,” Cole said, moving to stand behind her sister before slipping an arm around Jordan’s waist. “But the main reason for the delay is Kade. We’d really like to wait so he can be one of my ushers.”

  The McCall’s neighbor would be back from deployment with the National Guard in a few weeks. Between sports and rodeos, Connor and his best friend Kade, together with Cole and his buddy Kevin—Kade’s cousin—had been inseparable in their youth. The Daltons and the McCalls. The four musketeers, or caballeros as she remembered the boys liked to call themselves.

  Kerri nodded at the happy couple. “That’s nice.”

  “We really want him to be a part of our wedding.” Jordan glanced at Connor. “He’ll be back in early February, right?”

  “Yeah.” The cowboy cleared his throat and stepped closer. “His unit is due in February 5th.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Cole said, and the whole room seemed to wear a matching grin.

  Weird.

  “It’ll be so nice to have him back safe and sound in Harland County,” Mrs. McCall exclaimed, her smile misting over. “I just hate it when he’s deployed.”

  According to Kerri’s parents, the McCalls had taken to watching over Mrs. Dalton’s children, Jen and Kevin and their cousin Kade when Mrs. Dalton had passed almost ten years ago.