The Cowboy And The Widow (Texas Cowboys Book 2) Read online

  “See you at supper, boys,” she bit out and quickly climbed off the fence. As she walked away, she had to concentrate to keep her strides even. Her knees felt weak, and her stomach roiled. How would she face him over the kitchen table later when the rest of the crew gathered in the kitchen for their meal?

  She’d still worn the glow of their lovemaking in her cheeks at breakfast, but Danny had kept a non-stop conversation going among the hands, giving her the privacy for her own thoughts as she’d bustled around the kitchen, serving up helpings of scrambled eggs and bacon, and platters of fluffy biscuits and waffles.

  Afterward, he’d headed out with the men, giving her only a slow smile as he’d held the screen door open for a moment to share their only private glance.

  She’d worn a smile long after she’d cleared away the dishes and begun preparations for bagged lunches the hands would take with them after they’d finished the morning chores.

  He’d made it easy this morning, deflecting attention from her. Had he done it on purpose, or was he just acting on his own natural, youthful exuberance? That thought had chilled the lingering warmth his consideration had left.

  Inside the house, she wandered back to the bedroom they’d shared. The scent of sex had dissipated from the air. But if she pulled back the covers and pressed her nose to the sheets, she knew she’d smell their blended aromas. She wanted to lift the covers and climb between them and drown in the memories.

  A soft knock against the open door behind her made her jump.

  Danny stood in the doorway, his intense gaze following hers to the bed. “The men are plannin’ on goin’ to town tonight. You don’t have to worry about dinner.”

  Another reprieve. “Have fun,” she said through stiff lips.

  “Come with me.”

  She shook her head. Tears began to well in her eyes, and she turned away.

  A soft curse behind her was all the warning she got before his hands clamped hard on her arms, and he drew her around to face him.

  His kiss wasn’t the hard, angry taking she expected. She’d pushed him today. Rebuffed the attempt he’d made to reconnect with her. She expected some anger.

  Instead, he gently cupped the back of her head as his lips coaxed hers to let him inside.

  Her hands crept slowly up his chest, fingers plucking at the thin cotton.

  His tongue stroked over her mouth, prodding the seam of her lips, until she opened for him.

  Then it was too late to reconsider. Like the flick of a light switch, electricity arced instantly between them, and their bodies swayed together.

  Maggie moaned into his mouth, slanting her head to deepen the kiss.

  Danny’s thigh slipped between hers. His hands clutched her bottom and brought her hard against the long, thick ridge riding under his zipper.

  She broke the kiss just long enough to gasp, “The door.”

  Danny kicked back to shut it, and then began to walk her toward the bed.

  “We shouldn’t,” she whispered, when they came up briefly for air.

  “No one’s around.” Danny shoved her back and went to work on the buttons at the front of her blouse. “Reggie knows…gave me a stern talkin’ to about bits and reins and not givin’ a fine horse her head.”

  Maggie winced at that bit of news, but it didn’t stop her from reaching for his shirt to pull the hem from his pants, working it up his chest, until he had to stop what he was doing and strip it over his head.

  Then he came at her again, yanking her shirt down her arms, opening her belt and pants with efficient flicks, and shoving her pants down to mid-thigh.

  She wasn’t as quick with his belt, because her fingers shook, so he pushed her hands away, grabbed her by the hips and turned her, urging her to bend over the side of the bed.

  With her jeans cinching her legs together, she wriggled, trying to reach behind her to push them off, but Danny stopped her by bracketing her thighs with his as he bent over her.

  His cock nudged her folds, the hot, blunt tip of him poking, prodding, until it found her opening.

  When his hands came down on the mattress on either side of her, Maggie tensed, knowing this was going to come quick, fast…and dear God, she hoped…hard.

  Danny didn’t disappoint, slamming straight between her folds, and thrusting up her channel until his hard belly rested against her buttocks. He paused only a moment, before pulling out and slamming forward again—so hard he jarred her whole body.

  He did it again and again, slamming relentlessly against her, sharpening as his glides eased with the liquid her body released, so that each thrust slapped loudly.

  Maggie ignored the niggling worry anyone outside her room, outside her house, would hear the noise they made. The unmistakable sound of flesh slapping flesh, getting moister, cruder, grew until the sounds themselves aroused.

  “Maggie,” Danny said, almost grunting, “am I gettin’ it?”

  He wasn’t. Not that she didn’t love what he did, but the curling tension inside her belly hadn’t begun. “Doesn’t matter,” she muttered. “Don’t stop.”

  Abruptly, his cock pulled free.

  She could have cried over the loss, but Danny didn’t give her time to even moan. He flipped her over, tugged her pants and shoes off, and shoved her toward the center of the bed. Then he crawled up to join her, his jeans around his thighs, his slick cock, reddened, engorged, and looking so damn dangerous, that fresh arousal seeped from inside her.

  He crawled between her legs, hooked his arms under her knees and pulled her ass off the bed.

  Suspended on his arms, spread wide, with his cock sliding up and down her folds, she watched his jaw grind tight, his gaze hang on her sex, and Maggie had never felt sexier.

  He drew his cock slowly down her slick folds, then pulled back his hips, pointed himself at her center, and began to circle as he entered her.

  His slow screwing raked every inch of her channel. When he was all the way inside her, his gaze lifted, halting on her chest. “Open your bra,” he said hoarsely.

  “Can’t, snap’s behind me,” she gasped.

  “Then push it up. I wanna see you.”

  Her bra was an ugly, white appliance. Functional, sturdy. Necessary for someone of her proportions, but embarrassingly unsexy. Still, pushing the wired cups over her breasts took some work and strained the portion of the breast she exposed. Her nipples felt raw, but the cool air wafting over them soothed and excited.

  His hot gaze excited her even more. “Touch yourself.”

  With his cock starting to stroke deep into her body again, her embarrassment eased. She wet her fingertips in her mouth then brought them to her nipples and swirled them slowly over the tips.

  A deep growling groan rumbled from Danny’s chest, and his arms tightened under her knees, jerking her closer. “You need friction, don’t you, baby?” He pushed all the way inside and ground his groin against the top of her sex, scraping her clitoris. “You need it here?”

  With her body beginning to melt and shiver, she nodded.

  “Touch your clit,” he whispered.

  Her eyes widened, but she quickly slid one hand down her belly. Her arm pushed her breasts together, and Danny’s breath hissed between his clenched teeth. His cock powered into her.

  Her fingers slid through her creamy folds, seeking the tiny knot of nerves she’d learned a long time ago was the key to her pleasure. She toggled her middle finger over the rounded button then swirled, toggled, and swirled some more, keeping her gaze locked on his face.

  Release came quick and hard. Her back arched off the bed at the first faint ripple.

  “That’s it, baby,” Danny said, excitement tightening his voice. He stroked harder, faster, then, “Jesus…Fuck!”

  As her orgasm swept over in a hot, rolling wave, her legs straightened inside his arms, widening, as she encouraged him to continue to thrust deep.

  Danny fell forward still clutching her legs, pushing them upward, each thrust accompanied by a deep
, masculine grunt, his face growing dark, strained, until, at last his lips pulled away from his teeth, and a long groan squeezed from his throat.

  With come shooting into her and Danny’s strokes gradually easing, Maggie dragged deep breaths into her starved lungs and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her urge to soothe and praise him so strong, she had to clamp her lips shut.

  Gazing at the ceiling, she realized she couldn’t deny him. Couldn’t turn her back on what was happening between them. For as long as he was here, she would welcome him—into her heart and her body. She’d accept his loving as a gift. One she’d never expected, and would miss like an amputated limb when it was gone, but would treasure for as long as she lived.

  Danny collapsed on top of her, still shuddering in the aftermath. “You’ll come with me tonight,” he said.

  The lack of a rising inflection at the end of his statement made her smile.

  He lifted his head, eyes narrowed.

  Maggie nodded slowly. “What should I wear?”

  *

  He’d asked her to wear a dress. She’d settled on a silky, floral number she’d never had the occasion to don. It swirled around her thighs and hips, didn’t hug her soft middle, and still managed not to make her look terribly top-heavy.

  Still, her breasts were where his gaze landed when she stepped off the porch.

  “You look amazing,” he said quietly. He held up the keys to his truck. “Would you mind driving?”

  She lifted one brow. A man asking a woman to drive his big rig? Something was up. “Sure,” she said easily, noting the little half-smile that curved his lips.

  Taking his keys, she climbed into the cab, strapped herself in, then waited while he did the same, cranking the AC up to cool the interior. “Rough day?” she asked innocently.

  “I worked hard.”

  They shared a smile, and for once she didn’t duck away as heat filled her cheeks. “You know, we’re going to get some strange looks.”

  He studied her for a moment. “Does it really bother you?” he asked quietly.

  Maggie shrugged, edging away from the serious note. “I think I’m ready. It’s just a date, right?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Good.” He lifted his chin toward the road. “Better get going. We’re burnin’ daylight.”

  Indeed, the sun balanced on the horizon like a big orange ball, painting the sky in thick strokes of mauve and purple. She pulled down the sun visor, turned the ignition, and pulled the truck onto the gravel road leading to the highway.

  Once underway, she breathed deeply, doing her utmost to keep her eyes on the road.

  He’d taken away her breath. Although he still wore cowboy Wranglers, his pale blue shirt with pearlized, snap buttons lovingly hugged his wide chest and narrow waist. His dark hair was damp and starting to curl around his head. As tempting as those features were to savor, his eyes, however, were what made her heart flutter. Deep, electric blue, they’d trailed her body like she was a tasty snack.

  From the corner of her eye, she watched Danny relax against the leather seat and turn slightly toward her. His hand settled on the seat close to her hip.

  “Do you go to Honky-tonk often?” she asked, naming the bar in Paraiso, while trying to make conversation to infuse a casual mood and keep things light tonight.

  Yeah, she could do this. Go on a date with a younger man without looking like a complete fool—if she could just manage to keep him at arm’s length.

  “Yeah, I like the place. Tara’s good people.”

  “Tara Toomey? I’ve met her. I mean, I guess I’ve met everyone in town, it’s not that big, but I don’t know her well.”

  “You’ll get the chance.”

  Suddenly, his hand eased over her thigh, and her misgivings returned. “Um…Danny?”

  “Does this distract you?”

  “What do you think?” she muttered.

  He settled closer on the seat. “I think the road’s straight…pretty empty. It’s a fifteen-minute drive…” His hand slipped between her legs. “And you smell good enough to eat.”

  The silky slide of his voice pricked her nipples into points. She licked her lips. “What do you have in mind?”

  “Just keep your eyes on the road.”

  Chapter Six

  ‡

  Danny knew he was being a devious bastard, but Maggie’s refusal to commit to their relationship had forced his hand.

  Knowing her stubborn little mind, she’d caved to his invitation while her mind was muddled with passion, but she likely still held out hope she could control how deeply she slid toward surrender.

  Perhaps, she thought she could have her “little something” on the side, keeping secret just how close their relationship was.

  However, he had other plans. Tonight, there’d be no turning back, no denying she wasn’t on the market for any other man to snap up.

  In her pretty pink dress, she looked fresh and innocent, despite the maturity that softened her body. And she had no clue her soft brown eyes gave away her feelings every time her gaze landed on him. The woman was falling hard, and he’d make sure to give her another firm nudge toward the edge.

  Even before they reached the saloon, he’d have her so turned inside-out she wouldn’t be able to pretend their relationship was a casual thing. He’d keep her aroused, needy, responsive to every little touch of his hands and body. Anyone looking at them together would guess the truth. Then what could she say?

  Already, her breasts lifted against the silk. The thickness of her bra hid her dimpling nipples, but the rioting color adding a blush to her cheeks and the skin above the rounded bodice of her dress told him what he would find if he slipped his hand inside.

  Danny might be a few years shy of her ideal man, but he had a wealth of experience to share. Maggie would know soon enough she’d underestimated him.

  His fingers glided in a lazy path up the inside her thigh. “What color panties are you wearing?”

  A shocked laugh escaped her. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Are they pink to match your dress?” he asked, remembering the pink pair she’d worn the first time he’d seen her naked.

  “Guess you’ll have to wait to find out,” she said breathlessly.

  “Don’t know if I can do that, sweetheart. Wait, that is.”

  She gave a nervous laugh. “But we’re in the middle of the highway.”

  “The sun’s goin’ down. No one will see what we do if you pull the truck to the side of the road.”

  “I’m not having sex with you on a public road. Can’t you wait? We just made—”

  “You have a lot to learn about a young man’s libido. And it’s your own damn fault. One look at you in that pretty pink dress, and all I could think about were all the pretty pink things I want to kiss.”

  “Danny!”

  Hiding a smile, he smoothed his palm along her thigh, pulling up her skirt.

  She closed her legs, trapping his hand. “Danny, I’m serious. Not here.”

  “Then pull up to that gate,” he said, lifting his chin toward a small dirt road, leading to a gate in the fence they passed.

  “That’s McKinnon’s land.”

  “And he’s probably sitting in his kitchen now, eating his supper. Pull over.” His hand slid higher between her tightly clasped thighs and cupped her sex.

  She jerked the truck to the right, sliding in gravel as she came to halt at the gate.

  Danny slipped out of the truck, strode to the gate, and opened it. Then he waited while she sat in the cab. By the mutinous pout of her lips, he figured he had a fifty-fifty chance of walking home.

  He held the gate and her stare, not breathing until she slowly pulled forward. He closed the gate behind them and climbed back into the cab. “Just behind those trees,” he said, pointing toward three mesquites standing close together.

  “Anyone looking will see the truck.”

  “They won’t be looking. And we’re cutting the lights.”

  �
��This is ridiculous!”

  “We won’t be long. Trust me?”

  Maggie blew out an exasperated breath. “You’ve gotta be kidding. Every time you say that you do something so wicked—”

  “Aren’t you dying to find out what I have in mind now?”

  “I’m not getting naked with you here,” she whispered furiously, bright color staining her cheeks.

  “Won’t have to,” he drawled. “Just lift your skirt.”

  Her tongue slid out to wet her lips. “Are we going to do it right here? The steering wheel’s in the way.”

  “How about we get out of the truck? We can stand on the side facing away from the road. No one will see a thing, even if they did happen to glance our way.”

  Maggie rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe I’m letting you talk me into this…”

  “But you’re going to do it, aren’t you?” he drawled.

  She shot a glare his way then opened her door and slid out, walking slowly around to join him as he jumped eagerly out.

  When they faced each other, he lifted his hand and twirled his fingers, telling her silently to turn around.

  With a heated huff, she faced the truck.

  “You might want to hold onto something,” he said silkily, stepping closer to slide his hands around her waist.

  Although the sun had slipped below the horizon, the air was still hot. The light floral scent she wore intensified in the heat, tickling his nose, inviting him to find every place she’d applied perfume to her skin.

  He smoothed his hands around her belly, then glided them up to cup her breasts through her clothing. Right away, he knew he was going to change one little stipulation. He lifted her hair from the back of her neck and slowly pulled down her zipper.

  “Thought you said I only had to lift my skirt.”

  “Can’t help myself. I need to touch your breasts.”

  The dress opened, falling off her shoulders. He made quick work of the hooks at the back of her bra and slid the straps down her arms, then reached around to cup her large, firm breasts.

  Her sigh was filled with blissful relief.