Second Round Cowboy (Second Chance Series) (18 page)

His warm breath brushed across her cheek.
Her nipples tightened and her stomach quivered—along with other places of her body. He was as into the dance as she was, obvious by the bulge that pressed her bellybutton. She bent her head back, looking up into his amazing eyes that glinted in the dim lights. If only she could fall into the depths. Could she look into the same gaze everyday for the rest of forever? She moistened her lips, hoping her voice worked. “Remember the conversation we had while Lilly was in the hospital?”

“I remember.” He whirled
her in a circle then brought her back against his burly frame.

“Have you thought anymore about what you’d said?”

His laughter teased her nerve endings. “I’ve thought about nothing else.”

Her heart beat
faster. “Same here.”

“I
s that right?” He slipped both arms around her waist. The hold was intimate, reminding her of all that they’d shared, and all that could be discovered.

He was everything a woman could want—sexy, skilled and a great dancer.
He was kind and passionate. He had bad habits, but didn’t everyone? She knew he snuck a cigarette occasionally and he could be stubborn at times. Those were hardly deal breakers.

The music slowed and the singer
’s lovely voice sang a lover’s tale. Other couples moved around them.

“Marriage is certainly a lot to think about it.
Were you serious when you asked?” She stared up at him.

“I don’t play games, unless it’s in the bedroom
.” He nuzzled his chin against her hair.

Being here, in his arms,
seemed so right—so good.

She could easily forget that they weren’t alone.
She could erase the history. Could he?

“I’m thinking…” S
he clung to him like he was her lifeline, breathing him deep into her lungs. “If the offer still stands, I think it’d be best…for Lilly.”
And for me because I need you.
She couldn’t reveal everything—not yet.

The sharp intake of his breath told her he was surprised. “Music to my ears.”

The song ended and neither made a move to sit down. They waited for another to begin and they continued to dance. Surreal as it was, she was now Stryker’s fiancée—for the second time in a lifetime.

****

Stryker followed Leslie into her living room, watching the sweet sway of her hips underneath the dress. She’d driven him crazy all night.

He
stopped short when he saw the pictures strewn out over the coffee table. Picking up one of the glossy images, he laughed. “I remember this photo. You and I were in one of those tiny photo booths at the fair. Hell, what was I? Seventeen?” He went through a phase where he slicked back his hair and he wore his football jersey.

Leslie peeked over his shoulder. “Yup. It doesn’t seem that long ago, does it?”

“I still have my jersey.” He dropped the picture and turned to her. She slid off her heels and left them by the couch. “I know I’ve told you, but you’re lovely.” He couldn’t imagine ever seeing any woman more beautiful. He’d long realized he was in love with her. He’d never stopped and guessed it was high time he told her.

“Care for a drink? I have whiskey, beer or wine,” she said on her way to the kitchen.

“A beer is fine.” He picked up another snapshot from the bunch. This one was of Leslie. She was riding a horse. Her long hair waved in the breeze and her cheeks were flushed.

She came back in with a bottle of beer in each hand. “Here you go.” She handed him one.

He took his, taking a long drink then went and placed the picture of Leslie on the mantle. “That day was special.”

“That’s the day I found out I was pregnant.”

He swallowed. “You were glowing.”

“Do you still want kids, Stryke?”

“I have Lilly.” His grip tightened on the bottle.

“I mean one of your own.” She took a sip and he watched her lips move. “You’re young yet.”

“And so are you.” He didn’t want to talk about the subject. He strolled across the room to her and put his bottle on an end table. “Tonight I don’t want to think about the past, or even the future. I want to feel.”

She set her beer next to his. “I agree.”

He found the zipper at the back of the dress. “I love the dress, but it’s time I see flesh.” The material fell at her feet as he soaked in her beauty. “Red is your color, sweetheart.” The crimson bra and matching panties made it easy to forget all his troubles. He dipped his finger underneath one strap and tugged it down her shoulder, then did the same with the other. With each breath she took the mounds of her breasts rose, threatening to spill from the strip of lace.

She reached around,
undid the snap and the lace fell into the sequined puddle. She gave them a toss with her foot. Her firm breasts were perfect, at least to him. He’d been with women who had large breasts but none compared to Leslie’s firm, smaller breasts. He cupped her soft skin in his palms, rolling her erect nipples underneath his thumbs. A deep groan came from deep within her chest.

Her fingers fell to his belt as she tugged and pulled the leather. When the buckle clanked free, she continued to release him from his confines.

Brrrrr. Brrrrr. Brrrrrrrr.

“What’s that?” She brought her head up, pausing in her finger strokes on his length.

Hell, he didn’t hear a thing!

Brrrrr. Brrrrr. Brrrrrrrr.

Shit!

“Is that your phone?” She blinked twice.

He nodded. His jeans were lowered on his hips, she was still holding his cock and his cell was vibrating against his thigh. “I better get this.” No man ever wanted to be faced with a scenario where he had to stop a woman from jacking him so he could take a call. He read the caller ID. “It’s Tessa.”

“Then by all means, you’d better get it.” Leslie removed her hand and backed away. Did he see hurt in her eyes?

The phone stopped buzzing. “Leslie?”

“Why didn’t you answer?”

“I didn’t make it in time. I’ll call back. It could be about Lilly.”

“You’re right.” Concern took the place of hurt. “Call back and make sure things are okay.”

Pulling up his jeans and pushing his cock back into his boxers, he hit redial. Tessa answered right away. “What’s wrong?” he asked. He listened to Tessa explain.

“Is Lilly okay?” Leslie laid a hand on his arm. Her eyes were wide and one corner of her mouth was crooked.

“I
’ll be there as soon as I can,” he said to Tessa then clicked end. “Lilly has a fever.”

“Then you should go. She needs you there.”

He dropped his phone back into his pocket and jerked his zipper closed. “I know, but you can come too.”

She moved her hand. “I can’t. Duke and Lila are leaving for their honeymoon. Dillon has disappeared and I have to keep an eye on the sick mare.”

“The McAllister isn’t your responsibility.” Something in him snapped. Once the words were out, he wanted to take them back, but it was too late.

“The horses are though.” Her lips thinned.

“You no longer have to dive yourself into work, Lesi. You have two people who need you.” He rubbed the area between his brows where a headache was forming.

“I’m not “diving” into work. I have a job, one that I love.” She swiveled and marched to the window. When she turned back to him, anger marred her delicate features. “Just as you have a job.”

“My job doesn’t get in the way of my priorities.”

“Don’t worry, Stryke. Tessa will be more than happy to take my place there tonight.”

He huffed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“I don’t have time for this.” He jabbed his hand through his hair as he stomped toward the door. He quickly fastened his belt and placed his hand on the knob, glancing at her over his shoulder. “How the hell have I found myself smack dab in the middle of all this estrogen?”

Then he tore open the door and marched out.

****

The following evening, Leslie still raged from the argument she’d had with Stryker. She took a seat on one of the bar stools and watched Carly flit around the kitchen at the Swift Wind. She’d invited Leslie for dinner because Chance was at a horse auction. Leslie jumped at the chance for female conversation. It appeared Carly needed to bend an ear also.

“How are you, Carly? You seem in deep thought.”

“Remember I had told you that I was considering hiring a nanny? She started yesterday.”

“
You’re not feeling guilty, are you?” Leslie watched Carly stir a pot of bubbling liquid on the stove.

“How is it possible that every other woman on this planet can balance two young children, a business, a house and I can’t?” Carly stewed in the steam rolling from the pot.

“First of all, that’s too broad of a statement. I know a lot of women who hire people to help with their children and house. You’re one person, with a very busy husband, both of your kids are still in diapers and this house is huge. I’m exhausted just saying that sentence.”

“Chance told me the same.”

“Now come out of your steam bath before you boil your eyeballs.” Carly nodded and moved from the stove. “There you go. Now stop being so hard on yourself. Chance can afford a nanny. Your kids won’t suffer because you get a break once in a while. You’re one of the best moms I know.”

“I’m sorry, Leslie. Did you say you and Stryker got into a spat?” Carly opened the microwave and took out a bowl of green beans
. “Have you spoken with him?”

“I texted to ask about Lilly and he said her fever broke.” Leslie played with
the cap from her water bottle.

“You look peaked
,” Carly said.

Leslie couldn’t hide from Carly’s superior eye. “I cried myself to sleep last night. How can I be this out of control?” The plastic lid went flying across the counter, landing on the floor at Carly’s feet. Leslie knotted her hands in her lap.

“Cowboy trouble.” Carly rolled her eyes. “They’re all stubborn men.”

Leslie shifted on the stool, biting back a moan. “He asked me to marry him and I said yes,” she murmured.

“He asked you to marry him?” Carly’s eyes widened.

“Yes.”

“That’s something to celebrate! So why were you two arguing?” Carly asked.

“I wouldn’t go back to Hollyville with him. He feels my priorities are all screwed up.” Leslie clasped her hands tighter.

“Are they?” Carly’s gaze narrowed.

“I promised Duke I’d watch over the pregnant mare. And since Dillon hasn’t come back
, I can’t just take off.”

Carly took down plates from the cabinet and silverware from the drawer. “The McAllister shouldn’t be your burden and Duke wouldn’t want it to be. Haven’t you heard about Dillon?”

“Heard what?” She brought her hands up and laid them on the counter. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine,” Carly said. “He called and told Lila that he was sorry that he was going to miss the wedding. He said something about
a friend having trouble and he’d be gone for a while.”

“I hope his friend is okay.” Leslie liked Dillon and only wanted the best for him.

“Me too. Duke has enough trained staff there that everything will be okay until he gets back. You should ask yourself what comes first in your life—your family or your job.” Carly spooned out a heaping spoonful of pasta onto one plate then ladled sauce over, blowing on it until it was lukewarm. She placed it in front of Chancelor who sat in his high chair. Chasity slept in her bassinet a few feet away.

“Of course my family
would, but I don’t exactly have one.”

Carly’s gaze pinned her. “Didn’t you say you two are getting married? What is Lilly? Isn’t she family?”

Leslie didn’t answer, but instead absorbed the accusation in her friend’s words. She was right. “I guess I have slipped in what’s important.”

“Don’t look so glum. Sometimes it takes us some time to find what means the most to us. Every couple has arguments. You should apologize.”
Carly placed a filled plate in front of Leslie. “And eat up. You need your energy.”

Forking a noodle, Leslie brought it to her mouth and chewed meditatively.
She trusted Carly’s word, but yet the woman knew nothing about Tessa. Could Leslie tell her friend that she’d been jealous over the therapist? It was a tad bit embarrassing to admit to the emotion.

She’d keep some things to herself.

After dinner, Leslie shooed Carly upstairs to enjoy some quiet time with her kids. Leslie stayed in the kitchen and cleaned. She didn’t mind the work. It eased some of the tension in her muscles, although her mind stayed on Stryker.

She’d really ruffled his feathers
last night, especially when she mentioned Tessa. He probably didn’t see things the way Leslie did, the way they really were. Most men didn’t know when a woman was flirting, especially when she was as subtle as a church mouse. As mousy as Tessa seemed, Leslie had a feeling the woman could grow claws if necessary.