Second Chance Cowboy (14 page)

He needed no second invitation. His mouth found Sabrina’s and he drank of her sweetness like a thirsting man. He pulled her onto his lap. His hands cradled her jaw, joining their mouths with an intense yearning. This was the woman who had haunted his dreams for the last two years. The woman who had wreaked havoc in his life. The woman he was rapidly discovering he couldn’t live without

Though a small warning echoed in his mind, he quickly dismissed it. The past could go to hell; the future was theirs. Tonight, he needed her warmth, her touch, and hopefully, her love.

His tongue sought the inside of her mouth. Hers cautiously returned his kiss, plunging inward, driving him insane with pleasure.

Gently, Patrick eased her down to the floor, never breaking the contact of their bodies. Half-curled over her, he pressed tiny kisses across her cheek until his lips reached her ear. His tongue licked and teased the delicate shell, running its rough edge along the sensitive contours. Sabrina shivered; her breathing quickened.

Patrick’s lips blazed a trail down her neck to the curve of her shoulder. His teeth gently nipped, and she murmured his name, her voice husky with desire.

Untucking the blanket, he opened it to reveal further temptations. Firelight danced and flickered off her skin, gleamed like a soft luminous pearl. The smell of wood, smoke, and musk filled the air.

Her eyes gleamed like midnight velvet in the dimly lit room, beckoning him with their desire. His hand glided down her body in an adoring caress. Against the blanket, she felt like satin and silk to him. Returning to her breasts, he cupped their fullness in his hands. He bent and kissed a nipple, taunting it with his tongue, teasing it with his teeth. Sabrina’s body arched with the pleasure of his touch.

Patrick’s body was on fire with the need to possess, to slide his shaft deep within her womanly warmth. He lifted his eyes to meet her gaze; her eyes glowed with liquid heat. The raw sound of his voice gave her fair warning. “If you want to back out, now’s the time.”

No words were forthcoming from her lips, and Patrick, expecting a response, almost groaned with disappointment. Instead, she pulled the blanket away from his body, exposing his manhood to her gaze. “Love me,” she whispered huskily.

Patrick moaned in disbelief. His lips claimed hers in an explosive kiss as his hand slid down her body, searching for her silky entrance. When his fingers found her velvety folds, Sabrina moaned and her body shivered. He tantalized her until she was trembling in his arms, her nectar flowing. Only then did he push her legs apart and poise his throbbing member at her entrance.

He whispered gently in her ear. “The first time always hurts, honey. I’m sorry.”

Sabrina sought his lips, kissing him feverishly. He nestled his shaft against her velvety softness, pushing softy until he felt her maidenhead. Then he plunged forward, hoping the pain would be short and swift. Sabrina gave a sharp gasp; her eyes opened wide.

Patrick kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and her lips. “I’m sorry. It will never hurt again.”

His body ached, crying for release, but he waited. Waited for the pain to subside, for Sabrina to become accustomed to his size, to the feel of him buried within her.

Sabrina looked up at him with puzzled eyes. “Is it over?”

Patrick smiled and kissed her deeply on the lips. “Oh, no. We’ve just begun.”

He lifted his hips and moved within her. Her satiny sheath was tight... so tight, he trembled with his need. Still, he held back. His hands caressed her face, her breasts, and he moved slowly, enticing her to follow his loving lead.

A dawning light shone from her eyes again as her breathing changed and her hips lifted to meet his.

“That’s it,” Patrick murmured, his encouragement.

They moved in unison, giving and taking, building and receiving. Sabrina trembled beneath Patrick; her moans filled his ears. Unable to control his body any longer, Patrick surged into her, again and again. The explosiveness of his release took him by surprise. He thrust deeply, spilling his seed, making her his.

Sabrina clutched his back, her nails digging into him as she cried out his name. A sob escaped her lips.

The sobs abruptly brought Patrick’s worried gaze to Sabrina. “Did I hurt you?” he asked anxiously.

A tear rolled down her cheek, its path searing across Patrick’s heart. “I never thought it would be like this.”

Dismay filled Patrick. She was disappointed. “I’m sorry, Sabrina. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Patrick, you didn’t hurt me. It was wonderful. I had no idea it could be this wonderful.” Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “When can we do it again?”

Relief left Patrick trembling and weak; his laughter echoed in the cabin. “Soon. Real soon.”

He rolled away, long enough to secure the blanket underneath them, protecting them from the floor. He curled his body around hers; fitting together, they snuggled. Her head lay in the curve of his arm and shoulder. Then he spread the second blanket over them both. They lay side by side, soft and hard, satin and roughness.

Neither one spoke; there was no need for words. Their bodies communicated in the dwindling firelight. Occasionally, Patrick would drop a light kiss on her forehead or Sabrina would squeeze the hand she held tightly. Tired and sated, they dozed, content in each other’s arms.

P
atrick awoke with a start
. The fire was barely glowing. He lay quietly, listening for the sound that had wakened him. Outside, his horse whinnied its alarm and the sound of incoming hooves made Patrick grab the six-shooter he’d left within reach.

Oblivious to the rough wood floor, he crawled on his belly to the door of the line shack and peered out into the night. A horse and rider plodded along. The rider slumped in his saddle, either asleep or hurt. Patrick examined the surrounding area in the dark, trying to determine if this were a trap. Was he the only rider or were there more?

“Sabrina, are you awake?” he whispered.

“Yes. What is it?” A nervous tremor filled her voice.

“A rider. Put the blanket around you and get the rifle.” Sabrina scrambled to do as he bid. When she was prepared, Patrick glanced again out into the dark night. The rider’s horse had stopped to graze. The man on horseback never noticed.

Patrick called to the man. “You, on the horse. Are you okay?”

Silence returned his greeting.

“Shit!” Patrick turned to Sabrina, kissed her hard on the lips. “Cover me.”

Before she could reply, he dashed out into the dark, as naked as the day he was born. If Sabrina hadn’t been s0 scared, she would have laughed as his white buttocks lanced behind the bushes, staying covered as much as possible. When Patrick reached the horseman, he stood still. Then suddenly his curses filtered back in the night air.

Patrick lifted the man from his horse and carried him over his shoulder toward their shelter.

As he stepped into the light, Sabrina felt the earth reel beneath her. “Oh, my God! It’s Matt.”

P
atrick dropped
Matt to the floor with an unceremonious plop. Whiskey fumes drifted through the small enclosure, saturating the air. Curses seared Patrick’s mind as he stared in horror at the soaked, inebriated young man. Of all the nights for him to reappear, why did it have to be this one?

A breeze blew through the open door and Patrick was suddenly aware of his nakedness. Yanking the extra blanket off the floor, he wrapped it around him.

Sabrina knelt beside Matt, and Patrick watched as her look of shock was quickly replaced with concern. “Is he hurt?”

“Drunk is the correct term,” Patrick acknowledged angrily.

Her hands reached out and anxiously touched Matt’s face. His eyes rolled back in his head as he tried to focus on Sabrina. “I must be dying,” he slurred. “You look just like Sabrina.”

Patrick snorted a disgusted sound. “In the morning you’re going to wish you were dead.”

Sabrina glanced up, glaring at Patrick. “You’re not helping,” she spat angrily. Her hand gently caressed Matt’s cheek. “Matt, wake up. You aren’t dreaming.”

One glazed eye opened and tried focusing. “Sabrina?

“It’s me.” Sabrina replied. “How did you find me, Matt?”

Matt tried to raise up on one elbow; swaying, he crashed back down on the floor. “Have to find Sabrina. She’s not safe.”

Puzzled, Sabrina glanced at Patrick. “Why wouldn’t I be safe?”

“Trey,” Matt whispered, his eyes closing, his breathing becoming deep and even. Soon his drunken snores resounded off the thin walls.

Unable to hold it in any longer, Patrick cursed. He stalked the small shack, his stride carrying him across it in three steps. “Of all the rotten luck. Why does he have to show up?”

Pausing beside Matt, Patrick watched as Sabrina brushed the hair away from Matt’s face. A sigh escaped her lips. “He could have been killed.”

“Ha! He has more lives than any cat I know.” Patrick began pacing again. “Why couldn’t he have shown up tomorrow, or the day after, or even never?”

Worse than a flash flood, a torrent of fury deluged Patrick. Fury at Matt, fury at the gods for their timing, fury at himself for allowing himself
one night
with Sabrina. “Our night together and Matt shows up drunk and rambling at the mouth.” Patrick stopped pacing. “Now’s the time to ask him about working for Carson. Maybe while he’s stinking drunk, he’ll tell the truth.”

“What did you say?” Sabrina questioned. She pivoted, facing Patrick, exasperation in her voice. “For once admit you’re wrong, Patrick. He couldn’t be working for Carson and be here in the middle of the Oklahoma Territory.”

“Unless Carson was with him.” Dropping the blanket, Patrick picked up his pants and hurriedly started to dress. “Get dressed, Sabrina.”

“Are you listening to me?” she inquired sharply.

“I said
get dressed.
’’Patrick shoved his shirt inside his pants. “What makes you so sure Carson isn’t outside? I’m not going to wait for him to come busting in that door, with us both naked as the day we were born.”

Sabrina stood rooted to the floor, staring at Patrick as if he were talking in a foreign language. Unable to stand it any longer, Patrick walked over to her clothes, picked them up, and threw them at her. She caught them and held them close to her chest as it rose and fell in a rapid rhythm.

“Get them on, now!” Patrick hissed between clenched teeth. Rapidly, he pulled his boots on and strapped on his gun belt. Then, quietly, he crept to the open door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. If I don’t come back, don’t come looking for me.”

Unable to resist, Patrick grabbed Sabrina and pressed a fervent kiss on her lips and then hurried out the door.

Sabrina’s fingers touched her lips as she watched him slip away into the darkness. What had happened? One moment they had been holding onto each other, happier than she’d been in years. Then, quicker than she could say “I do,” Matt had ridden in, destroying their blissfulness.

Slowly, Sabrina dressed. How had Matt found her? Had it been intentional or had he just drifted onto them? It was time Matt answered some questions. Once again, both men were tearing at her heart, and this time she wasn’t going to lose Patrick over Matt.

Finished dressing, Sabrina spread out the blankets and made each of them their own separate pallet. Lying down on her bed, she awaited Patrick’s return. Until this was settled with Matt, there would be no more love-making. She needed a clear mind and a clear heart to be objective with both men. And making love to Patrick only clouded her thinking.

Thirty minutes passed and just when she thought she’d go crazy worrying about him, Patrick walked back into the cabin. She watched as he surveyed the new bedding arrangements and then wearily removed his gun belt.

“So, is Carson waiting outside to gun us down?” Sabrina asked sarcastically.

In the dim light of the room, she noticed his jerky movements as he took off his boots. “Matt is still not off the hook. Carson could be trailing him.”

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a bit? I’m still not convinced Matt was working for Carson.”

“Have you ever considered I might be telling the truth?”

Sabrina felt a sense of
Deja vu
fill the small room. The past reached up and grabbed her, twisting her heart. Patrick walked over and knelt down beside her. They were eye to eye, nose to nose. She felt his breath as he exhaled. “Ask Matt why he’s working for Carson. Ask Buckets. Ask any of the men from the Big C. They all know the truth. They’ve been protecting you, just as your father did.”

“You’re lying. There’s no reason to protect me. Matt never worked for Carson. My father would have told me the truth regarding Matt.”

“Just as he did about the ranch. Your father was a decent man who knew the truth regarding his son, and wanted to protect you.”

“No!” Sabrina denied. “He would have told me about Matt.”
Wouldn’t he,
she wondered? Jed had been unwilling to talk about the trial.

Sabrina watched as Patrick rising to his feet, trudged slowly back to his blanket. He lay down and turned his back to her, and Sabrina felt her heart slowly turn to ice. “Patrick?”

“Go to sleep, Sabrina,” Patrick said wearily. “Tonight changed nothing between us.”

D
awn illuminated the cabin
. The sun’s rays cleared the horizon and touched the side of the shack with boldness. Sabrina stirred the coals of the fire until a small fire blazed. Emptying the canteen of water, she put the rest of their coffee on to boil.

The long night had stretched endlessly into morning with sleep as elusive as a spring butterfly. Questions whirled in her mind all night long. There were so many doubts regarding Matt, and regarding her father.

Then, there was Patrick. The time before Matt arrived had been a time of sharing, giving. She had felt so wanted, so loved.

Unable to resist, Sabrina turned, her eyes colliding with Patrick’s gaze, head on. The pain in his eyes reflected her own feelings. She wanted to curl up beside him, hold him, and love him. Their night together had been wonderful and she felt no guilt, no remorse, only love. Now, once again, Matt stood between them.

Would it always be like this? Every time they faced a hurdle, would Patrick be rigid, unforgiving? He’d never been like this with any other problem they’d faced; only Matt seemed to bring out the worst in him.

Matt moaned, reminding her they were not alone, Sabrina glanced at her brother. She couldn’t blame Patrick for his disquietude. Last night should have been their night, their time; but they couldn’t ignore Matt. He’d been drunk.

If last night had taught her anything, it was that she had to find out the truth, or lose Patrick forever. Regardless of what she learned, the question of truth and honesty must be settled between them. She needed to know the truth regarding her brother for her own peace of mind.

Matt’s absence the last few weeks had made her realize there might be some truth to the allegations against him. Maybe he was not the man she thought he was. This very morning, before they left, she would have the answers she wanted from Matt.

Coffee boiled over onto the flames with a hiss. Sabrina hooked the coffee pot with a stick and pulled it out of the fire. She poured the hot liquid into the tin cup and walked over to Matt. With a swift kick, she commanded, “Wake up, Matt.”

Moaning, Matt rolled away from her foot. “Get up or I’m going to pour hot coffee all over you.”

Matt groaned. “Is that you, Sabrina?” he questioned. Bleary-eyed, he rolled back over and looked around as if he were seeing the small shack for the first time. “I didn’t dream it. You
are
here.”

She handed the coffee cup to him. “I think you’re going to need this.”

Her brother sat up and lamented, grabbing his head. “What time is it? The sun hasn’t even risen.”

Sabrina sank down on her haunches beside Matt. “It’s dawn.”

Patrick sat up and put his boots on. His shirt was stretched tight against his back and Sabrina recalled every last detail of what he looked like beneath his clothes. The memory was a bittersweet one that caused her pulse to jump.

“I’m going to tend the horses,” Patrick said.

Picking up his saddle, he carried it out the door. An ache filled Sabrina’s heart as she watched him amble outside. If they had been alone, how would they have spent the morning?

Sabrina turned her attention back to her younger sibling and felt a slow rage begin to consume her. Where had he been for the last three months? She’d buried their father and was herding longhorns north when he finally decided to put in an appearance. When she’d needed Matt the most, he’d disappeared. It seemed odd he had reappeared when she wanted him the least.

Matt sipped at the coffee, and Sabrina watched the color slowly return to his face. What had happened to the young, mischievous boy she’d loved? What kind of man had that boy become? She searched his face for answers.

“What were you doing last night, wandering the prairie drunk?” Sabrina asked in her severest teacher’s voice.

“I don’t know. I’ve been out of food for the last few days. All I had left was a bottle of whiskey. I started drinking and ended up here.” He moaned. “I’m paying for it . . . okay?”

“You’re lucky you’re still alive.” Sabrina reprimanded.

“You’re mad at me for being drunk, aren’t you?” Matt questioned.

“I’m angry. But it has nothing to do with your being drunk.” Sabrina took a deep breath. “I’m angry that you’ve not been around since before Dad’s funeral. I’m angry that when I needed you the most, you were gone. I’m angry I’m on a cattle drive when you should have been seeing the cattle to market.”

Matt hung his head. Quietly he replied, “I couldn’t come.”

“You couldn’t come to your own father’s funeral?”

Sabrina’s voice rose indignantly. “What could be more important?”

“I couldn’t be there,” Matt replied defensively.

“I want an explanation.” Sabrina’s voice was quiet and demanding. “I’m trying to understand; but without some real answers, I can’t”

Matte shifted on the hard ground, squirming. Sabrina recognized it as a gesture left over from childhood that he used any time he was in trouble. His eyes shifted around the small cabin. “I was in Fort Griffin.”

“You didn’t hear about Dad’s shooting?”

Matt sipped the coffee. “Yes, but by the time I got back to Sherwood, you had already buried him, and I had to get back to Fort Griffin.”

“You didn’t have time to come by and see me? To check on how I was doing after losing our father?” Hurt filled her voice, opening up the fresh wound of her father’s death. “You knew it was time to take the cattle north. Didn’t you wonder who was going to take them?”

Matt’s swallowed convulsively. “I wanted to, but I couldn’t”

“Why not, Matt? You still haven’t answered me. You just keep saying you couldn’t”

Sabrina stood and paced the small area. She didn’t believe him. His voice lacked conviction and sincerity, alerting her that something was not right with his story. “Patrick told me you were working for Carson Jarvis. Are you?”

Matt choked on his coffee. “Hell, no, it’s not true. Why do you always believe Patrick over me? I’m your brother. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Sabrina felt frustrated. Matt knew how to manipulate her, how to upset her. She knew this, and yet she felt as if she were in an all too familiar game of tug-of-war and she were the rope. First Patrick pulled, then Matt tugged. “Patrick said you were in debt to Carson for gambling markers. That you had no choice but to work for Carson.”

“I’m not working for him.” Matt downed the rest of his coffee. His blue eyes narrowed. “Who are you to talk to me about my life? I may have been drunk last night, but I noticed how cozy you two were when I arrived. You’re lying with that bastard, aren’t you?”

Matt stood, swaying; his hands reached up and grabbed his head. “I’m going to beat the shit out of that man.”

Sabrina’s head lifted in shock. She had hoped he’d been too drunk to remember how he’d found them. “It’s none of your business what I do with my life. You forfeited that right several months back.”

“I’m still your brother. The man of our family. You’re not some whore he can take advantage of,” Matt declared.

“If you wanted to be the man of the family, then why didn’t you take over the responsibilities? I’ve had to do what you should be doing,” Sabrina exclaimed.

“That doesn’t give him the right to lie with you,” Matt shouted at his sister.

Sabrina took a deep breath and clenched her fists. She lowered her voice. “I happen to love that man very much, but you always go out of your way to come between us. Why, Matt?”

Matt glanced at Sabrina and shifted his eyes to the ground. “He’s not good enough for you. You deserve better.”

Sabrina walked to within inches of Matt. “I love him. That’s enough for me. He’s the most decent man I know, and I’ve loved him for years.”

“You’d marry a man that tried to have me hanged?’

Matt tugged on the invisible rope Sabrina felt tied around her heart.

“Patrick didn’t try to have you hanged. He wanted the truth; and if you weren’t guilty, then you didn’t have to worry, did you?” Sabrina questioned. “You always seem to be in some kind of trouble. Matt I wonder, are you telling me the truth this time, or are you playing me for a fool?”