Expecting the Cowboy's Baby (5 page)

“What do you do, exactly?”

“I'm an accountant. I've always been good with numbers. I'm forever calculating things in my head. It's almost an obsession.”

He stopped to gaze at her. He spoke softly with an appreciative gleam in his eyes. “You don't look like an accountant.”

“I, uh…is that a compliment?”

Jake chuckled. “Yes, ma'am.”

“And to set the record straight,” she added, “the last thing I want is to have some Neanderthal hog-tie me to him.”

“If you say so,” he said a little too smugly. Heck, what did she care if he didn't believe her? It wasn't as though they meant anything to each other. They were reunited acquaintances who would soon say their farewells tonight, and that would be that.

Jake must have been on the same wavelength, because the conversation died and he brought her up close again, pressing her to his solid body.

They moved fluidly across the dance floor, Cassie falling into step with him. He draped his hand down her lower back, dangerously near her derriere, while the other hand played with the ends of her hair. His warm breath caressed her lightly as he nuzzled his nose into her neck, breathing her in, creating exciting thrills throughout her body.

His hand slipped farther down her back, nearly
not
on her back any longer, and he whispered into her ear, “You're a beautiful woman, Cassie Munroe.”

“Thank you. You're not half bad, yourself.” It was an understatement by any stretch of the imagination. The man was sexy, thrilling, dangerous and…beautiful.

“Now that's nice to hear,” he said in a husky voice, leaning in, bending to her. His lips traveled along her throat, moistening, kissing, nuzzling until Cassie couldn't take a deep breath. Her heart raced wildly. She kept telling herself it was all for show. Rick and his wife were on the dance floor, too. Jake must have noticed them. He was doing this for their benefit, not because he couldn't keep his hands off of her.

Those warning bells in her head rang loud and clear.

Don't fall for this guy. He's all wrong for you.

Cassie reminded herself Jake was the first guy ever to
stand her up. And he hadn't offered her any explanation. Even though it happened more than ten years ago, a girl had a right to know why.

Cassie was eventually saved by the bell…the dinner bell. The band stopped playing and all the guests headed for the dinner tables, situated both inside and outside on one of the three-tiered decks.

It was a good thing, too, that dinner had been called, because Cassie needed to get a grip. Grateful that Jake opted for outdoor dining, they sat at a little table for two on the lower deck of the riverboat. Cassie needed the fresh air. She needed to clear her head. She needed to have a table separating the two of them or else she'd surely experience a meltdown.

She concentrated on the meal set in front her and when the waiter offered her a glass of Chardonnay, she didn't refuse. She took a bite of her New York steak, picked at the small potatoes and played with her salad.

“Not hungry?” Jake asked, watching her intently, those dark eyes considering her every move.

She sipped from her wine again and shook her head. “I guess I lost my appetite.”

But it was obvious Jake hadn't. He'd finished his meal and was polishing off another glass of wine.

He stood and took her hand. “Come on. Let's take a walk.”

As they strolled along the deck, Jake wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing her in close. They moved along slowly, like two rapt lovers enjoying time together. He played the part well, she thought. No one would ever believe they'd only met yesterday when she'd crashed the rodeo shindig.

Cassie gazed out as sunlight cast its last stunning glow on the water, a sheen that coated the surface with such bril
liance that she had to squint slightly to take in the view. She let out a contented sigh. “Oh, this is lovely.”

Jake stopped and turned her into his arms. Cassie gazed up into his eyes, the dark gleam perusing her intently. “It surely is,” he said softly.

His hands found her waist and he pulled her in, pressing their bodies together. She took breath from her lungs, deep, soulful-steadying breaths, hoping to keep her balance, to keep from falling, but it wasn't working. Not with the way Jake Griffin was looking at her.

He cocked his head and kissed her again, this time with more heat, more passion than before. Parting her lips, he teased her with the tip of his tongue. The sensations whirling inside her stomach made her ache with need. She whimpered when his tongue took full possession and was gratified to hear him let out a groan of pleasure.

He tasted like wine. He smelled of musk. He felt so solid. Cassie's mind shut down. She was going on instincts now, those darn, pesky instincts she didn't trust. But she gave in to Jake, to the power of his kiss, the press of his body, completely consumed by uncontrollable desire.

“Jake?” she said finally, pulling away from him. She was about to ask him what was happening between them. She was about to ask him what it all meant, this wild, crazy passion they shared, but then she heard a familiar voice and turned slightly to find Rick standing just a few feet away with his wife.

Fool. Fool. Fool.

Cassie berated herself mentally over and over for thinking that Jake might not have been pretending. That maybe he'd experienced the same overpowering urges she had on the dance floor, during dinner and on the deck right now.

It had all been for show. She knew that now. Jake, making up for the date he felt he owed her, was doing his best
to play the part of attentive boyfriend. And she'd been foolish enough to read more into it than that. Jake was no slouch in the kissing department. He probably didn't know how to kiss a woman any differently. And she'd fallen for it, hook, line and sinker.

Proof positive her instincts were out of whack.

Jake looked deep into her eyes. “Cassie? What is it?”

Cassie struggled for an answer, a witty retort, something to keep Jake from looking at her with those searching, assessing, knowing eyes. “W-what time is it?”

Jake blinked. “You want to know the time?”

She bit her lip then nodded.

He glanced at his watch. “It's just eight.”

“That late? I have to get inside. I'm giving Brian and Alicia a toast before they cut the cake.”

Eight o'clock, Cassie thought with newfound hope. Just another hour or two and they'd be off this boat then she would be done with this pretense and forget she'd ever laid eyes on Jake Griffin.

 

Jake helped Cassie step down from the
Sundance
onto the riverboat dock. He took hold of her hand, entwining his fingers with hers, needing the connection of her small hand in his. He held on tight, realizing his time with her was limited.

Jake had never been so drawn to a woman before. He'd done his best to steer clear tonight, but had wound up holding her every chance he could and kissing her more times than was wise. She was soft and sexy, a knockout in black satin, yet her big, luminous eyes spoke of vulnerability, of disappointment and heartache. That, more than her striking appearance, seemed to draw him to her. He'd known something of disappointment in his life and knew the signs all too well. Perhaps it was the reason he couldn't seem to take
his eyes off her, couldn't quite manage to keep his hands to himself and couldn't help fantasizing about making love to her and wondering what it would be like.

In a few minutes he'd take her up to her hotel and say a polite farewell. He'd deposit her safely in her room, having helped her get through her brother's wedding tonight without humiliation, his self-proclaimed debt to her paid.

For Jake, it was the only way.

She didn't fit into his plans.

She never would.

They walked quietly on the Riverwalk, a lengthy sidewalk that ran alongside the river, with streaming moonlight as their guide. The beauty of the night seemed to be lost on Cassie. Deep in thought, she spoke little as they made their way into the hotel lobby.

Once inside the elevator, Cassie leaned heavily against the wall, gave him a smile that seemed a bit too cheerful for her mood, then closed her eyes. The tiny satin purse she carried dropped from her hand.

“I'll get that,” he said, bending to retrieve the purse, but the view from down there put a lump in his throat. Those shiny black heels seemed to mock him and her lean, shapely legs, slightly bent at the knee, had him swallowing hard. He stood and draped the purse over her shoulder, but made the mistake of gazing into Cassie's large, green, beckoning eyes.

When she looked up at him like that, he lost all semblance of control. His groan echoed in the small elevator and as soon as the elevator stopped and the doors opened, Jake grabbed Cassie's hand and tugged her along the hallway until they finally reached her hotel room door. “Jake, what's the rush?” she asked.

“No rush,” he lied, trying desperately to slow his heart down. If he didn't say good-night to her now, quickly, no
telling what might happen. Struggling for composure, Jake lifted the corners of his mouth, attempting a smile. “You made it through the wedding pretty darn good.”

Her deep sigh pressed black satin material even tighter against her chest, the neckline revealing more creamy skin than Jake could handle at the moment. “Thanks to you. You saved the day, Jake. Maybe you're my white knight.”

He grunted and ignored her statement. “I guess this is good night and goodbye.”

Cassie put her head down, studying the floor for a moment, then with a tilt of her head she met his eyes. She peered at him with gratitude written all over her face. “I'll never forget what you did tonight. You played your part so well, I think everyone was convinced you were my boyfriend.” She shook her head, her luminous eyes filled with awe, but he witnessed more in those eyes, a hint of regret and anguish. “You must have a sixth sense or something, you always seemed to know when Rick was around.” She appeared to shake off that thought with a toss of her head. “Anyway, thank you for what you did, and good luck with winning the championship.” She put out her hand.

Her hand?

Jake stared at her small hand, which fit so perfectly in his. After a long moment he finally took it, squeezing gently. “Have a safe trip home, Cassie Munroe.”

She bit down on her lip and nodded, staring at him with those incredible eyes. Deep, soulful emotions were wrapped up in her gaze and Jake saw them all; unguarded, exposed, heartfelt emotions. War raged inside his head, but he knew he'd lose the battle if he stayed a moment longer. He turned away from her and walked down the hallway. When he heard the soft click of her door, his gut clenched as though he'd been sucker punched.

Damn.

He turned on his heel, a quick pivot that brought him back to her door in three long strides. He'd let her believe too many untruths tonight, for his own peace of mind, but it wasn't fair to Cassie. She didn't have faith in herself or trust her instincts anymore. She didn't have confidence in her womanhood.

She didn't know she could knock a man to his knees with just a look or a slight toss of her hair. She didn't know her own appeal, having been with the wrong men—men who didn't appreciate her. She talked a good game, wanting independence from her overprotective brother, yet her eyes spoke of vulnerability, a deep struggle to keep afloat in her world of bad decisions. He had to set it all to rights.

Jake knocked softly on her door. “Cassie.”

The door opened slowly and she gazed up with those big, incredible, emerald eyes. The overpowering effect she had on him brought a silent curse to his lips. “I ride a horse, Cassie, but I'm no white knight. And I wasn't pretending tonight, about anything. You got that? I saw your ex once, on the deck when I kissed you. If he was around after that, I didn't notice because I was too darn busy noticing you. It was all I could do to keep my hands off you. I'll admit I didn't do a very good job of that. You're a beautiful, sexy woman and I wish like hell—”

“Oh, Jake,” Cassie said on a gasp, her eyes misting with tears. “I'm wishing, too.”

He reached for her, pulling her close, and she came apart in his arms, falling into his embrace, her head tucking under his chin. The small iota of willpower Jake had left vanished like dust in a windstorm. Holding her in his arms stirred up all manner of emotion Jake usually kept locked away.

“Cassie,” he uttered urgently before lifting her face to his and taking her mouth in a burning kiss. She tasted sweet, a hint of heady wine and willing woman, so uniquely Cas
sie. And the little throaty moans she made, of pleasure and desire, tossed him straight over the edge. Heat swamped him and the profound effect she had on him shred any semblance of sensible thought. He pressed his body against hers, showing her what he wanted, granting her the only part of him he had to give. “I've got nothing to offer you,” he breathed softly, “but tonight.”

S
old, Cassie thought.

She'd take Jake Griffin, even if it was just for one night. She knew they had no future, their paths and dreams too far apart to ever collide again, but Cassie couldn't think beyond the impact of Jake's fiery kisses, the overpowering heat his touch created, the solid strength of his body against hers. Cassie knew as soon as he'd closed the door behind them, her fate was sealed.

She moved with him, backing up toward the bed as he drove her wild with undisguised passion. His lips mastered her mouth and his hands finessed her curves, while his body heat coaxed her into oblivion.

He drove his tongue in her mouth, applying sweet, unyielding pressure, the impact of his kiss pulling her closer, melding them together as their bodies touched wildly, intimately, chest to chest, hip to hip, thigh to thigh. Cassie moaned softly, the sound escaping her throat with un
abashed pleasure. She'd never known heat like this before, the flame within her body burning bright and hot. All of her senses were fine-tuned. She heard every sound, envisioned every move, felt every single nuance that was Jake.

She kissed him freely, openly, holding nothing of herself back. And when he groaned deep and low into her mouth, she knew instinctively what that meant. Jake, hot and hard, was ready. His erection pressed against her like steel and Cassie was in awe, anxious for him to take her.

In a flurry, clothes were tossed off, leaving a trail of garments on the floor. There was no time to think beyond the thrilling sensations whirling through her body like wildfire. Cassie burned with need, a blaze that only Jake could extinguish. She lay on the bed and he followed her. The sheer masculine strength of him, his massive chest, perfectly sculpted, called for her touch. She lifted a hand to graze his hot skin and he groaned again. “Damn…Cassie.”

He traveled kisses from her mouth, down her throat and lower to the swell of her breasts. His lips hovered there, moistening her with his tongue, paying homage and creating magic with sweet, crushing caresses. Cassie's body ached with anguished need, the torture Jake created could only find one release. She arched up, little sounds of pleasure escaping her throat, wanting him to take more, to have it all.

Threading her fingers through his hair, Cassie closed her eyes, relishing the heat, the sensations and the breathtaking splendor of being with Jake. And when his hand moved lower, skimming her torso and lower yet, teasing, tempting, until finally he met the need Cassie silently demanded, she arched up even higher to take what Jake offered so expertly.

“Oh, Jake,” she called to him in a plea. He continued his stroking, causing electric impulses to shoot straight through her. He made her ache. He made her throb. The current traveled the length of her, spreading out with thrill
ing clarity until finally, finally, she reached the potent, powerful end.

Cassie was awash with tingles, every nerve alert, awakened by Jake and his expert caresses. And she wanted more. She wanted Jake. She wanted to take him inside her, to feel him move, to feel him shudder, to give to him what he so profoundly had given to her.

He lifted up then, boldly, with unabashed desire evident in his dark, penetrating gaze. His body, glistening and gleaming, so perfect in his aroused state, beckoned her. He rasped out her name. “Cassie?”

She'd never known a need so powerful before. Her desire for Jake overwhelmed her with its stark intensity. With labored breaths, she whispered in the darkened room, “Hurry, cowboy.”

A low, sexy chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Yes, ma'am,” he said. He rose above her, all humor vanishing from his face, replaced by a glint of raw need. He came to her with reverence, with slow heat and long strides. Cassie's body adjusted, the fit more than perfect. She moved with him, their bodies fully in tune and the contact igniting sparks, little tiny explosions of earth-shattering pleasure. Cassie whimpered as he moved inside her, taking her higher yet.

She witnessed the grinding pleasure on his face, the restraint and the control he exhibited as he moved, bringing her with him with each earth-shattering thrust. Higher and higher, he brought her up, faster now. And harder.

It was almost too much to bear. Cassie had reached her highest peak, ready now for the climax.

They came apart at the same time, calling out each other's names, complete and fulfilled. The moment seemed suspended in time, that last final surge of passion before falling in a heap onto the bed. There were no other sounds to be
heard, no other place and time existed, but this exact moment amid mingled breaths, pounding hearts and moist, sated bodies.

Jake held her in his arms, rolling slightly away to relieve her of his weight. He kissed her once again, nuzzling her ear then laid back, fully spent. “Oh, man,” he groaned on a slow breath, then reached out for her. “You okay, Cassie?”

“Mmm, great.” There wasn't an adjective in the dictionary that could adequately describe the intensity of what Cassie was feeling right now, great being an incredible understatement. But their lovemaking had been so much more, too much for Cassie to start analyzing now. She'd done enough analyzing in her lifetime. Tonight she wanted to relish being in Jake's arms, relish what had just happened between them, without worry, condemnations or fear.

Jake lay behind her, holding her in a warm embrace. She heard him take a deep breath then let it out slowly. “I want to stay the night, honey.”

It was a question, not a demand. And she knew the implication. Jake wanted to make love to her again. The thought warmed her heart and thrilled her, as well. She was powerless to deny him anything tonight. She'd have to face leaving him in the morning, but that was hours away. For tonight she'd grant herself this time alone with him.

Together they'd make a memory to last her a lifetime.

“Stay.”

 

Streaming sunlight cast a glow in the room, a yellow hue of color and warmth that brought Cassie up from her bed. Hazy, she opened her eyes slowly, yawned and lifted her arms up over her head in a fully extended stretch. Peering to her side, she noted Jake was gone. She lifted his pillow and breathed in his scent, remnants of his spicy aftershave
remained, reminding her of the night they'd shared making love.

Cassie closed her eyes as emotions ran deep. She knew her instincts had been right in not trusting herself with Jake. Last night had been a mistake, but ironically she had no regrets. How could she when every cell in her body rejoiced and every tiny ache she felt was an instant reminder of what they'd shared. With her permission, Jake had ravaged her, thrilling her at every turn, making all her fantasies come true. But Jake was gone now. It came as no surprise. They'd made no commitment to each other. Both knew their lives were separate, their dreams different and their futures had no chance of entwining. Yet neither had been strong enough to hold back, to do the sensible thing, to step away from each other. They'd shared one incredible, memorable night that she vowed to neither forget nor regret.

Cassie rose from the bed, stretched again, working out kinks, and wandered into the bathroom. She needed a long, hot shower before she made the trek back to Los Angeles. With the wedding over and Brian and Alicia on their honeymoon, Cassie could concentrate on her own plans. She had a new job waiting for her and all that went along with relocating to a new place. She'd put all her efforts in that and try to get past the amazing weekend she'd spent with Jake Griffin.

She looked into the mirror and gasped, startled, not by her image, but what was written across the mirror in bold red lipstick, her lipstick. “Come to the rodeo today.”

Cassie's mouth dropped open. She wasn't expecting this, not at all. She'd slept in his arms throughout the night, being held in his tight embrace, but he hadn't once brought up the future, the very near future. He hadn't spoken about today, of saying a last goodbye.

She'd resigned herself to leaving Jake and this weekend
behind her. But those words, so simple yet so compelling, stirred her heart. To see Jake one more time. To see him do what he does best, well…maybe what he does second best, she thought wryly, would be too great a temptation to resist.

It would be a mistake to go. She thought of a dozen reasons why it wouldn't be wise to see her cowboy in action. It would be better just to end it here and now. The sensible thing to do would be to check out of the hotel, get into her car and drive five hours southwest to Los Angeles without looking back.

She stared once again at the lipstick staining the mirror as sensations ripped through her, quick flashes of this weekend and how Jake had been there for her every time she seemed to need him.

Like a white knight.

“‘Come to the rodeo today,'” she murmured, a finger tracing the words slanting over the mirror.

And while her mind screamed a loud, impending no, her heart pounded out another message entirely. She'd go to the rodeo today and see Jake one more time.

 

Cassie planted herself down on a stadium bench at the River Stampede Rodeo. The pass Jake had left for her at the gate would give her the best view of the events, being closest to the chutes, in the V.I.P section, the ticket taker had stated with a wide smile. Cassie sat, her back to the hot afternoon sun, amid the dust of dry earth and the smell of ranch animals penned up in their stalls. The arena, only half a mile from the riverfront hotels, swarmed with people. She peered at the crowd of smiling faces, the majority of them jeans-clad and wearing Western hats, all anticipating the upcoming events. The stadium began filling up and Cassie moved over when an older man took a seat next to her.

“Appreciate it,” he said with a tip of his white hat. She
smiled, noting the man had a rugged face, weathered with deep lines around his eyes; a man who had obviously enjoyed the outdoors most of his life. “First time to the rodeo?” he asked.

Surprised by his quick appraisal, she chuckled. “How did you know?”

“Got the look of a first-timer, is all.”

“I've always wanted to come, just never had the chance before.”

“Sit back and enjoy yourself,” he said. “First timers are always in for a treat.”

Cassie knew seeing Jake again would be a treat, but a forbidden one. She shouldn't have come. She could have been halfway back to Los Angeles by now, tying up loose ends and getting ready for her new job. Yet she was here and anxious to watch Jake compete.

An hour later Cassie gasped in horror as a bareback rider was tossed off a bucking bronco right in front of her section of seats. The cowboy flew high in the air before landing on the hard-packed dirt. He stayed there for a while before being helped up.

“Do you think he'll be all right?” she asked, turning to the man seated beside her.

“Sure enough. He'll be sore as hell, but he's not limping, so I imagine he'll be right as rain. He won't feel the true brunt of that fall for about twenty years or so.” The man winked.

Cassie nodded, wondering if Jake's event would be as risky. She didn't think she could sit here and watch while he put himself in danger. From all she knew of the rodeo, which wasn't too much, she believed roping calves wasn't so much about danger but skill and timing.

Minutes later they announced the calf roping event and Cassie came to full attention. She watched patiently as the
first three cowboys entered their times. But then they announced Jake's name and Cassie rose from her seat, her heart fluttering when she caught sight of him in the chute.

The impact at seeing Jake again was even more potent, more heart-wrenching, than she'd anticipated. She told herself to leave now, to get out while she still could, but Cassie didn't have that much willpower. Mesmerized, she watched him mounted up on his horse, sitting tall with rope in hand and one smaller one between his teeth, ready to compete.

It happened so fast, the calf dashed from the chute and Jake tossed the rope, jumped down from his horse and raced over to “flank the calf,” a means of throwing the calf down, Cassie learned from her rodeo friend seated beside her. In a whirlwind of efficient motion, Jake tied up three of the calf's legs then bounded up with arms outstretched, signaling the judges that he'd completed the run. All in all, it took a matter of seconds, but Cassie's keen sense told her those seconds were profound, and not just for Jake.

The scoreboard flashed. Seven point five seconds, the best score posted yet. Jake tossed his hat in the air, waving to the crowd, obviously extremely pleased with his score. Cheers went up all around the arena.

Cassie kept her eyes focused on Jake, watching him take long, purposeful strides, retrieving his hat from the ground then jamming it back on his head. He gave the crowd one last wave before disappearing into the chutes again.

She swallowed hard, slammed her eyes shut, then felt herself swaying. This couldn't be happening. Not now, not with all the plans she'd made for her future.

“Whoa, little lady.” A strong hand righted her.

She opened her eyes to find her rodeo friend beside her, marked concern etched in his crinkled eyes. “You all right?”

“Uh, no,” she said softly. “I'm not all right. I have to go,” she whispered. “I have to get out of here.”

Cassie pushed her way out of the aisle, ran down the steps of the stadium and raced to her car in the dust-laden parking lot. She fumbled with the lock, then opened the door and sat down in the seat, her heart racing with dread. She wiped a stray tear from her cheek and started the engine.

The motor revved to life.

But Cassie only sat there, in stunned silence, her mind fighting a losing battle with her heart. She didn't want this. She couldn't believe her bad luck. She'd promised herself she wouldn't fall victim again. But all of her resolve had crumbled like unsteady walls in an earthquake. She'd never felt this way before, this quivering nerve-racking, all-out powerful jolt that hit her with incredible impact. She knew it meant only one thing.