Cowgirl Up (27 page)

Cody
settled her latest prize on the stand she stationed in the corner with the
others. He balanced the expensive piece, then gestured toward her growing
collection of western saddles received as trophies for her barrel racing wins.
“Get a couple more of those and you’ll need a storage room.”

He
didn’t tell her anything she didn’t already know. The small area was fast
filling up. “True.” On the other hand, since she had decided to retire she
needn’t worry about making more space for winnings.

A jolt
of somberness intruded on her happy morning.

“What’s
that look about?”

Cody
read her far too well sometimes. She would never be able to get anything past
him. “I’d planned on retiring after the finals. Everything else has clicked
into place. But, just now, the idea of hanging up my boots sounded…sad.”

He
strode over and pulled her into his arms. “Sometimes plans change. All part of
normal, everyday life.” He leaned back and stared down at her. “You don’t have
to decide this very minute. Hell, you’ve been on one roller coaster after
another. Take a few days to yourself, get a clear head, and go from there.”

His
sage advice grounded her. “How’d you get so smart?”

“I’ve
been there, Trinity.” His normally bright eyes dulled before he looked away.

She
followed along as they made one final trip back to the truck in order to finish
unloading. Something in his tone and reaction said he’d kept so many parts of
his life to himself. Most likely his horrible experiences at war. Her heart
ached for him. If only she knew a way to ease those terrible internal scars.

He’d
given so much of himself to her, she needed to return the favor.

But how?

She
cupped his cheek and turned him to face her. “Share with me, Cody. Whatever eats
at you, upsets you. Share the load with me. I won’t let you down.”

He
studied her for a long moment, then nodded his head. “Come with me.” He latched
onto her hand and tugged her along beside him.

“Where
are we going?”

“Inside.”

Trinity
fell into step, curtailed voicing her curiosity for the moment, and squeezed
his hand in a show of support. A game changer was about to happen. She could
feel the tension in the air. With Cody by her side, she’d gladly accept the
burden, for him. Anything for him.

Bring it on.

“I need
to tell you something.” Cody took her hand in his, his thigh touching hers as
they sat on the bed next to one another.

“Okay.”

“About
what happened back in Afghanistan.”

She
tilted her head as her eyebrows furrowed. “This sounds serious.”

“It is.
Very.” He drew in a breath and ran his hand through his short hair. “I was
discharged from the Navy due to injury suffered in battle.” All too familiar
images flashed through his mind. Closing his eyes, he opened up about his past.
“My unit was under heavy fire. A couple of bullets struck hard enough to knock
me flat on my back. I thought the Kevlar took the hit, but didn’t know until
later that one had actually gotten through when I changed position trying to
get a better angle at the bastards cutting down the guys. A Humvee pulled up,
providing temporary cover. Me and another guy jumped in with the driver and
headed west toward a hillside in an effort to gain higher ground and take out
every single one of the insurgents.

“Along
the way, we ran over an IED, a roadside bomb. I just remember the explosion,
the massive jolt, then absolutely agonizing burning on my back. The
excruciating pain didn’t stop even when I kicked and shoved my way out of the
damaged vehicle, finally getting free. I ran a few feet, dived behind a boulder
amidst rifle fire and collapsed. All I could do was breathe and struggle to
stay conscious with waves of black coming and going.” He paused for a second, a
shudder coursing down his spine at the memory. “I was in and out for a while.
Heard the doctors talking amongst themselves as they worked on me, peeling
melted clothing and dead tissue from my back. I swear I felt like they were
skinning me alive, though they had given me enough pain meds to kill an
elephant.”

Opening
his eyes once more, he glanced over at Trinity, seeing sympathy, concern, and
compassion written across her face. She bit her lower lip as she stared at him
steadily.

“I
spent the next several weeks in one hospital after another, going through
dozens of surgeries to heal the wounds, both from the burns and bullets. I lost
count of the times I was hauled to therapy, to whirlpool, to yet another
debridement, before finally getting skin grafts.”

Trinity
placed her hand over his, twined her fingers through his, and squeezed. The
action gave him the strength to finish his story and continue with his plans.

He
rubbed his free hand on his jean-covered thigh and resisted the urge to scratch
at his healed, but permanently discolored back. For the millionth time he
mentally cursed the terrorist responsible for his suffering. “By that time, I’d
been notified that I’d never wear a uniform again, especially not as a SEAL.
They questioned if I could even return to the level of fitness I’d been in
before. I took their uncertainties as a challenge. Literally. Worked with some
great rehab doctors and therapists to get back into shape. A little lost, I
immediately applied to vet school.”

Cody
tightened his fingers on hers gently, showing his appreciation.

“The
rest you already know.”

“I had
no idea. I can’t imagine what that must have been like. A living nightmare, but
one you were able to defeat in the end.” Her soft voice offered a balm to his
soul.

“There
wasn’t much choice. I wasn’t ready to die.” He focused on the wall for a long
moment. “Although I thought I would, laying there on that hot sand, behind that
rock.”

“You
had to be scared.”

He
shook his head. “No. Not really. At that moment, I thought dying would be a
blessing. Anything to end the searing agony.”

“Oh,
Cody.” Trinity pressed a chaste kiss to his jaw. “I wish you never had to go
through that, but I’m so thankful you survived. Not just survived, but moved on
with your life. Became a vet and joined the rodeo circuit so we could meet up
again.”

He
turned his head to look down into her eyes, finding admiration and love in her
baby blues.

“I need
to show you…” Releasing her hand, he stood, and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
When both sides hung free, he pulled the material off and clutched his shirt in
his hand. For a long moment he stood there, suddenly afraid of what the next
moment might bring.

Stop being a wimpy jackass. Suck
it up and get on with it.

Tossing
his shirt aside, he spun in a gradual circle until his bare back faced Trinity.

He
steeled himself for the gasp, the panic and disgust. For some babbled excuse
and her hasty exit.

When
none of it happened, he twisted around to find Trinity walking silently toward
him, her gaze locked on his hideous scars. Ever so gently, she reached out,
brushing her fingers over the area. “Does it still hurt?” Her soft voice and
the concern on her face offered healing to his wounded heart.

“No.
The nerves were damaged in the worst areas, so I feel very little there.”

He
could feel the slide of her hands over most of his skin, a tender caress that
nearly brought him to his knees. She studied his back and leaned in to place a
kiss on his shoulder. “Badges of courage. That’s what these are. I hate the
idea of you in such pain and going through so much, but I can see the bravery
written in every line, every spot. A modern day warrior.”

Nearly
unable to believe her words, he turned around to face her, jumping when she
traced the puckered skin of his abdomen. “You aren’t disgusted?”

Her
eyebrows furrowed as a frown appeared. “Why would I be?”

“Because
it’s ugly.”

She
snorted and waved a hand. “They’re only ugly in the sense of what horrible
things humanity dishes out to one another. The thought of your pain and
sacrifice is touching. Humbling.” She met his gaze steadily. “Never could I see
anything about you as ugly. You’re gorgeous. Handsome. Always have been and
seeing this doesn’t change any of that.”

Relief
washed over him like a cooling rain during a heat wave in July.

“How
can anyone look at you and think such things?”

“Believe
me. Another woman did.”

“Is
this why you didn’t strip down when you spent the night with me here?”

“Yeah.”
He blew out a breath, thankful Trinity stood up to the test and didn’t reject
him as he had feared. “I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”

Trinity
shook her head, still learning the contours of each healed wound. “She’s the
disgusting one.” Lifting her lips, she kissed his chin. “You’re perfect, Cody.
Just the way you are.”

Hearing
those words, he felt the gates open, flushing his system with a desire so hot
and powerful, he didn’t think he’d ever get enough of Trinity. Relief turned
rapidly into full-blown arousal. Her acceptance only sealed the deal on his
feelings for this cute little blonde that put the sun and rightness back into
his world.

Unable
to formulate and say the words, he opted to show her instead.

Bending
down, he swept her up in his arms, carried her to the bed, and deposited her to
stand at the very edge. His mouth found hers as he plundered with skill and
eagerness, needing to taste her more than anything at this very moment. For the
longest time, he just kissed her, finally letting his passion free. She
mirrored his actions, giving as much as she took, matching him in enthusiasm.

He
unbuttoned her shirt, needing to finally get his hands on her silky skin, while
ratcheting her pleasure to new heights. When the cloth fell open, he lifted his
head to stare down at the treasure he’d just unwrapped. A pretty, white bra
covered her sweet breasts, only adding to the allure. Toned arms and shoulders
spoke of hard manual labor. Her flat stomach drew his attention, momentarily,
as did the curve of her hip. They all made for a pathway straight toward the
place he wanted to touch, taste, and penetrate over and over again.

He
tugged the shirt completely off and tossed it aside, then trailed his hands
over her back, around her stomach, and up to cup her breasts. Gently, he
weighed and molded, before unhooking the clasp on her bra.

Trinity
hitched a breath when he nudged the garment away and caressed her taut nipples,
worrying them lightly before leaning down for a quick lick.

She
grabbed onto his shoulders and mewled.

The
sound went straight to his hard cock, causing it to ache all the more.

Grappling
with his patience, he worked on her jeans, unzipping the fly, grasping the
waistline, and shoving them down until they refused to go any farther due to
her cowboy boots.

She
grinned up at him, her eyes flashing with mischief. “I think we should have
started with the boots first.”

He
returned her smile. “Yeah. Guess I got distracted.”

Trinity
sat on the bed and tugged off her shoes. Her gaze raked his body. “Why am I the
only one naked?”

“Because
I can’t wait to see you. Because you’re beautiful and I want you so bad.” Both
statements were true.

Absently,
he unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them down while watching Trinity stand and
kick aside the rest of her clothing, including her bikini panties, leaving her
completely nude.

He
nearly groaned at the sight.

Hurriedly,
he toed off his own boots and stepped out of the puddle of clothing, to stand
naked before her.

Her
eyes traveled the length of him, from top to bottom, then back to stare at his
jutting shaft. Her mouth fell open as surprise mixed with appreciation flashed
across her face. “Oh, my.”

He
grinned wickedly. “Like?”

“Uh-huh.”
She continued to stare at his cock, which twitched and jumped in reaction.
“You’re perfect.” She ran her hands over his chest, found every hill and
valley, leaving a fire in her wake. Languidly exploring, she tweaked his
nipples, then slid lower, teasing as she went.

He
steeled himself, knowing her delicate touch on his dick would challenge his
control.

Her
gaze flicked up to his face. “Can I…”

“Anything.
Everything. I’m yours for the taking.” He gritted out the words as she wrapped
her fingers around his shaft and lightly squeezed.

“So
soft, yet so hard.” She whispered out the words almost breathlessly and
measured him once. Twice.

A groan
escaped his throat. He forced himself to remain still, allowing her all the
time she wanted to familiarize herself with his body.

She
brushed her thumb over his tip, smearing the drop of pre-cum over the area.

He
shivered in response.

“You’re
amazing.” Her eyes met his. “Absolutely amazing.”

The
compliment further solidified her standing as the right woman for him.

Catching
her wrist, he removed her hand from his rapidly overheating body. “My turn,
sweetheart.” Without preamble, he echoed her earlier act, but spent
considerably more time playing with her breasts. He plumped and flicked the
peaks, then bent down for another taste.

Trinity
ran her hands through his hair and clutched him to her chest. He felt as much
as heard her gasp. Spurred onward, he switched sides, sucking until her nipples
pebbled and shined in the morning light streaming through the window. Lowering
his hands, he roamed over her back, squeezed her rear, then petted her thighs
on his way to the delta between her legs. He drew on her breast and cupped her
cleft.

She
startled, then widened her stance, giving him easy access.

He
released her breast with a pop. “That’s it. Let me touch you.” Sliding one
finger along her slit, her discovered dampness, then slipped a finger just inside
her hot, tight channel. “You’re wet already. So wet.”

Her
body surrounded his finger with snugness, a precursor to what he’d feel when he
sank balls deep. The thought caused him to wrestle with his vow to go slow and
savor each step of their initial time together. Determinedly, he stayed the
course, added another finger and strummed her clit with his thumb.

Trinity
whimpered, shivered, and clung to him.

“I need
you now.” He removed his touch, swept her up, and placed her on the bed.

She
snagged a pillow and placed it under her head, watching him the entire time.

Cody
found his jeans, dug out his wallet, pulled out a condom, and rolled it on.
Only then did he take a moment to take in the beautiful scene before him.
Trinity spread out on the bed, one leg bent, allowing him a glimpse of
glistening dew at her folds. Her chest expanded with each large breath, drawing
attention back to her pretty breasts, their raspberry peaks still hard from his
earlier attention. She licked her lips, and stared at him with sultry hunger
clearly written on her face.

“Do you
want me?” He read the answer in her body, but still needed the words.

“Yes.”

His
floodgates opened again at her answer. Climbing on the bed, he settled into the
space between her legs. “Open for me, baby.”