Cowboy Famous: Book 4 (Cowboy Justice Association) (36 page)

Her climax took her by surprise. Catching her breath, it rolled through her as colored lights danced in front of her eyes and the room spun. Dizzy with arousal, she clung to Griffin’s strong shoulders as he too reached the peak.

“Jazz. Love you.” His tone was gritty and harsh but the words were sweet. She whispered words of love back to him, her lips near his ear as they cuddled together afterward. Laying her head on his chest, she could feel the rise and fall of his breathing and the steady thump of his heart.

She hadn’t given up anything to be with Griffin. If anything, he’d opened a new world for her. There were so many things she could do or be.

“I think I’m going to write a book,” she said. “Or maybe do some painting. I have money until I figure things out. I won’t be a financial burden.”

His chuckle vibrated under her cheek. “I wasn’t worried about that, honey. I think writing sounds good. Painting too. You’ll find your path. I’ll help in any way I can.”

Everything would be fine, as long as that path was shared with Griffin. Being together was the most important thing.

“I love you, Sheriff.”

“I love you, Hollywood. I don’t suppose we can negotiate on the thermostat? It’s awfully warm in here, honey.”

Shaking with laughter, she nodded and kissed his lips. “It’s about to get hotter. Hold on to your cowboy hat.”

It was a long time before they got out of bed but Griffin did eventually get to lower the temperature. Jazz simply cuddled close and draped herself over his body, her head pillowed on his shoulder.

Just the way they liked to sleep.

Epilogue

G
riffin entered the roadhouse, the smell of beer and cigarettes hanging in the air. It must have been quite a party crowd in the bar last night from the odors left behind this morning. Too bad he rarely went out these days. These last weeks with Jazz he’d found he had no reason to leave the house except to work. They spent a great deal of time in bed.

“Where’s Logan? I thought I’d be the last to get here.”

Griffin slid into a chair at the table and grabbed a soda, popping it open. Every spot at the table was filled except for one.

“Trouble leaving paradise?” Reed taunted. “Do you and Jazz ever get out of bed and leave the damn house? Last time I stopped by it took you ten minutes to answer the door.”

It had taken that long to find their clothes.

“You’re just jealous.”

Tanner almost spit out a mouthful of root beer. “Stop that shit. Don’t make me laugh. Reed is never happier than when he’s alone. Having only one woman might actually make him crazy.”

“He’s crazier than shit now,” Dare said gruffly, his brows pulled together in a frown as usual. “Can’t get much worse.”

“Famous last words.” Evan chuckled and took a big drink of ginger ale.

“You guys getting settled in your new jobs?” Griffin asked the two men. “Anything we can do to help?”

Evan shook his head. “It’s okay. Still figuring out some things but it’s nice to be in charge for a damn change. I’d forgotten what it was like not to be a cog in the wheel of the Federal government.”

“I don’t have any complaints.” Dare shrugged but didn’t elaborate. Griffin wondered if the man’s family situation was any better but didn’t want to ask in front of everyone.

“There’s Logan.” Seth nodded towards the door where Logan Wright was striding in. He sat down at the table with a sort of dazed expression.

Jared looked at Logan and frowned. “Are you okay? Did you get in a car accident and the airbag hit you in the face or something?”

Logan’s eyes had a faraway look to them. “I’m having a baby. I mean Ava’s having a baby.” He shook his head. “What I’m trying to say is we’re having a baby.”

Seth and Tanner slapped Logan on the back and everyone gave their congratulations, although Logan simply nodded at the well wishes.

“You look a little shell-shocked. Was the baby an accident?” Seth asked, his gaze darting from one sheriff to another.

Logan sat back in his chair and accepted a soda from Tanner. He popped the lid and drank down about half in a few gulps.

“Sex works,” he finally said, his voice sounding choked.

Tanner looked like he wanted to bust out laughing but instead he patted Logan on the back again.

“It does indeed, but I’m not sure what you mean by that specifically.”

Logan scraped his hand down his face. “It wasn’t an accident. We were trying.”

“Then why are you acting so shocked?” Reed asked, a puzzled look on his face. “Are you having buyer’s remorse? Too late now, man.”

“It’s just—how do I say this? Sex makes a baby,” he said awkwardly. “You know in health class they say that an egg and a sperm make a baby but it’s not something you really think about. I mean, it’s not something you can see so it seems sort of, I don’t know, abstract. But then you have unprotected sex on purpose.” Logan took a deep breath. “And it happens.”

“Luckily for mankind, not every damn time,” Jared laughed. “There’s just one question. Are you happy about it or not?”

Logan didn’t answer for a moment and then his face split into that patented grin of his. “I’m happy. Hell, I’m going to be a dad.”

This time Logan actually heard their congratulations and thanked them. The meeting continued quickly, their towns fairly quiet since the press had left. Jazz had given an interview and then one by one the reporters had left town. Now Hope Lake was as boring as it had been before the reality show.

Thank the Lord.

The meeting broke up and they all wandered out to their trucks. Reed was parked next to Griffin and they walked together.

“In the mood to split a pizza?” Reed asked, patting his stomach. “I didn’t have breakfast.”

“Wish I could but Jazz and I are headed to Billings today to pick up her friend Caitlin at the airport. She’s coming for a visit since she got fired from that soap she was on. She’s going to stay for a few weeks and then Jazz is traveling back with her to pack up her things.”

“For good? She’s done with Hollywood?”

Thinking about what had happened last night, Griffin smiled. “Forever. At least that’s what she promised me when I offered her a diamond ring and my last name.”

A smile broke out on Reed’s face. “Shit, man, why didn’t you say anything? That’s great. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I know it seems fast to some people but we’re sure of what we want.” Griffin nodded toward Logan who was backing out of the parking lot. “I was going to say something today but then it seemed wrong to steal Logan’s thunder. I’ll tell them next time.”

“And you don’t like being the center of attention anyway.” Reed said what Griffin had been thinking.

“That’s what got me into this mess.”

“You don’t look too miserable to me. Makes a man almost wish for true love in his life.” Reed snorted with laughter. “Almost.”

“Be careful. I thought I was immune to all this love and happiness. Bam. It comes out of nowhere.”

Reed opened the door of his truck and swung into the driver’s seat. “The secret is to duck and weave. After all these years, I think I’m safe. Who’d want me anyway?”

Reed started up the engine and waved as he pulled out of the parking lot. Griffin wondered if his friend had said the last part in jest or if perhaps he really believed it. It didn’t matter as Griffin would never know the truth. Reed played his cards much too close to his chest for anyone to see any deeper than he allowed.

The vibration of Griffin’s phone had him reaching into his pocket. Jazz.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey, handsome. Caitlin’s flight has been delayed for a couple of hours. Smog or something. We’ll have some time to kill before we leave for the airport. We could go visit your family if you want.”

Jazz’s parents may not have loved her but Griffin’s mom and dad had practically adopted her, showering her with all the parental love she’d been missing. But Griffin didn’t want to share her with them today.

“I have something else in mind.”

“Does that something else include clothes?” she asked, a playful tone in her voice. Griffin could picture her flirty smile.

“Nope. Not a stitch.”

“How about we play a game? I’ll ask a question and if you answer it right, I’ll take off a piece of clothing. First question. Do you love me, Sheriff?”

“I love you,” he growled, frustrated that he wasn’t with her right now, this very minute.

“You win.” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper and his heart contracted in his chest. He had won. Not a reality show or money. He’d won at love, and that was worth more than fame or fortune. Stardom was fleeting, but love was for a lifetime.

The End

<<<<>>>>

Cowboy Command

Cowboy Justice Association

Book One

Sometimes you have to die to be born.

One minute Katie is eating lunch with her sister, the next she barely escapes a car bomb meant to kill her. If that wasn’t enough, someone sets fire to her home and burns it to the ground. Luckily, Federal agents are going to give her a new identity until she can testify against the man who wants her dead. They change her name to Presley, her hair color to brown, and her shorts and sandals to jeans and cowboy boots. She’s not thrilled about being sent to a small town in Montana to hide, but she wants to stay alive.

Sheriff Seth Reilly is doing a favor for an old Army buddy. He’s promised to watch over a woman whose life is in danger, but he didn’t plan on her being so young and beautiful. He’s tempted, but she’s a bundle of trouble. Seth likes his women calm and sedate. Presley is the kind of woman who would keep him up at night and make him crazy. Too bad he’s starting to enjoy it.

Passion flares between Seth and Presley, heating up the cold Montana nights. Knowing they only have a short time together, they vow not to fall in love. But when danger finds Presley, Seth will risk everything to keep her safe until she can testify. Will Presley get her old life back or start a new life with Seth instead?

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Cowboy Command
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Justice Healed

Cowboy Justice Association

Book Two

You can’t go home again, but if you do, pretend you want to be there.