Second Hope Cowboy (18 page)

Tears fell onto Hope’s cheeks and she quickly swiped them away. “I-I left that night because I woke up and I was bleeding.” She sniffled loudly. “Tucker didn’t know that I was pregnant…I lost our child again. I knew I was miscarrying and I drove away and never came back. I couldn’t bear to tell him, to break his heart with the news.”

Delores reached over the table and grabbed a clean towel. With a tender touch, she wiped Hope’s tears. “When you two were together and you were faced with the loss of babies, he was strong because of you. He had you to love and although he loved the unborn and he hated losing them, he still had you and somehow that was the lighthouse that led him through the pain. But you weren’t here to see his true heartbreak, child. You left and the lighthouse crumbled. None of us thought he’d get over the pain, and then anger kicked him in the gut like an old stubborn mule. He packed a bag and left this house swearing he’d never set foot in it again because it was cursed with pain. And now look,” Laughter filled Delores’s eyes. “He’s here, and so are you. And although you say this is temporary, you’re here for the moment. That, my girl, is what matters. Only you can decide where you go from here.”

****

Tucker entered the house and smelled dinner. His stomach rumbled as he headed down the hall toward the kitchen—but it was empty. Where was Hope?

“I wasn’t sure how hard you worked today.”

At the sound of her voice, he swiveled and his breath swooshed from his lungs. She stood in the doorway, dressed in a red bra and itty-bitty panties— and leopard-print heels—the ones that he remembered very well.

“So, I wasn’t sure what I should wear for dinner. I was hoping this was the most appropriate.”

He blew out a long whistle through his tight lips. “Holy shit!” He dragged his hat from his head and tossed it to…where? He didn’t care. “I heard the mention of dinner, but unless dinner is a hot woman dressed in red lingerie then I don’t want any part of it.”

She pushed away from the frame and planted her hands on hips, meeting him with a sultry grin. “I thought we might go straight for dessert.”

“I like the way your head works, darlin’.” He stormed across the room and grabbed her up into his arms, then headed straight for the stairs, taking two at a time, even with her in his arms.

When they didn’t head into the bedroom, she looked at him curiously.

“Because I like you, I’m going to take a shower first and wash away today’s grime. But I can’t let you out of my sight for one minute so I’m hoping you won’t mind joining me.”

She chuckled. “Sounds good to me.”

In the bathroom, he put her down and turned on the shower faucet, adjusting the water temperature. “Come here, sweetheart.” He dragged her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. Their tongues dueled and he tasted sweetness. He lifted his head, noticing the spark in her eyes. “Someone has already been sampling dessert. Cookies?” he teased.

“I made them especially for you.”

“You made them?” He lifted a brow in surprise.

“Yes, I did. I even made dinner myself.” Her cheeks turned rosy with pride. “I made a pie too but it didn’t turn out so good.”

“That’s okay, sweetheart.” He tapped the end of her nose. He stripped off his clothes then lifted her up, getting a squeal, and stepped into the stream of water.

“Tuck…I’m still in my bra and panties, you goof!”

“They wash.”

She kicked off her heels and they landed in the sink.

“Two point shot there.” He wriggled his brows. He carefully set her down and kept his back facing the water.

“I’ve missed you today,” she whispered.

Shock dribbled through him. “You did?”

“Are you that stunned?”

“Uhh, yes!”

“I don’t want to waste a moment tonight.” She kissed his neck, lowered her mouth to his chest and licked each nipple. He tightened.

He reached around her back and undid the bra snap. It fell to her feet. Her nipples were erect and pointing at him, craving attention from his mouth. He buried his face to one soft pillow, sucking the pearled nub, rolling his tongue over the puffiness. Her fingers dug into his wet hair, nicking his scalp as she arched her back.

Finding the hem of her panties, he rubbed the heel of his hand along her pussy through the barrier. She moaned and clutched his chest. He loved getting this response from her.

Sliding her panties to one side, he moved his fingers over the moist seam, slid his middle finger between the lips and buried his digit into her folds of tight muscle. She was already ready for him—wet and hot.

“At this rate I don’t know how long I can wait.” He practically tore her panties from her thighs. “Forgive me, baby, if I don’t take things slow this time. After a hard day on the ranch, my body needs a quick release.”

He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his hips, gripping him with tight muscles. His cock pressed between their bodies and he grabbed his shaft, situating himself at her opening.

“Take me, Tucker. I want you inside of me.” Her voice echoed off the shower walls.

He growled and, in one thrust, he pushed himself deep within the tight walls of her body. She was so snug and warm that his restraint slipped. “Damn. This ain’t gonna last long.” She clawed at his back, his neck, his arms. He pressed her against the tile and pounded her harder. “You like this don’t you,” he mumbled.

“I love this.” She entwined her fingers in his hair and lifted her legs higher on his back. Her moans tangled with his heavy breathing. “I’m so close.”

He found her swollen clit nested in wet folds and swirled his finger around the pearl. She tore her head back, tendrils of hair clinging to his shoulders, slapping his chest. He gripped her bottom with his free hand as he continued to play with her clit, rolling and flicking the sensitive spot. He only wished he could have his mouth on her pussy while he pumped her with his cock.

When her moans deepened, he knew she’d found her abyss.

Her muscles tightened around him, spasm after spasm wrapped him in utter sensation.

He couldn’t control himself any longer as nature took its course. He gave one last deep thrust and spilled his seed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Tucker tipped his beer bottle and took a long draw. Settling the bottle on the table, he grabbed the horseshoes. Kicking up a bit of sand with the toe of his boot, he ground his heels in, eying the metal stake forty feet away. He had twenty on the line and if he lost, he not only would lose money but he’d walk away with a crack in his ego.

He’d never lost a game of horseshoes yet and he didn’t plan to today.

He brought his arm back, ready to throw—

Nice legs…

It was Hope who walked into his line of vision, just on the other side of his target.

The shoe flung out of his hand, the U-shaped piece
dinged
against the stake and bounced two feet out of the sand pit.

“Damn!”

Seeing Hope had made him lose all concentration, but it was worth it. She looked mighty fine in a sundress that landed mid-thigh, showing off toned, tanned legs. Her long, blonde hair hung in ringlets down her back, soft and smelling of coconut. He knew because he’d gotten a good whiff before they got out of the truck here at Brooke Creek Ranch.

She’d had him practically drooling since she pulled on her new brown leather cowboy boots that morning. They fit her calves like a second skin. And he couldn’t wait to pull them off that evening.

“Sorry about your luck, buddy. Pay up.” Dillon Brooke smiled in satisfaction, shaking hands with his brother Dante.

Tucker turned his attention to Deckland Brooke, pounding him on the shoulder. “Sorry, man. I got sidetracked.”

“Don’t mention it.” Deckland shrugged. “I understand completely. A cowgirl can make any man lose his cool.”

Tucker and Deckland dug into their pockets, each pulling out the right amount of cash and handing it over to the open palms of Dillon and Dante. “You fellows won fair and square.” Tucker scrubbed his jaw. “But I will come back to beat you both.”

“Wanna go again?” Dante asked, rubbing his palms together.

“Not today, boys.” He’d be useless as long as Hope was in his visual radius. She was across the yard, talking to Deckland’s wife, Elsa, who was starting to show a baby bump.

“Me neither. I have something I’d rather do.” Dillon’s focus was on his wife, Peyton, who was pushing their youngin in the baby swing. He took off in that direction at a fast pace. Once he reached Peyton, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her cheek.

Dante patted Deckland’s back. “Nice doing business with you, bro.” And he was off, meeting up with his wife, April. They hugged and kissed.

Tucker’s insides twisted at the sight. What he wouldn’t give to walk up to Hope, grab her around the waist and swing her into his arms—but that wouldn’t happen. Although they’d been sharing a bed, they weren’t sharing any thoughts. He was beginning to feel like her human sex toy. He smirked—could be worse.

“I recognize that look,” Deckland said.

Tucker pushed back his hat and gave his friend a side-glance. “And what look would that be?”

“Your eyes speak a story, my man. Your heart is wanting it all back while uncertainty clings to your reality.” Deckland grabbed a bottle of soda from the ice cooler and popped the top.

“That obvious, huh?” Tucker grabbed his beer and drank, downing the contents.

“I’ve been there so it’s easy for me to see. Are you two back together?”

Tucker joined Deckland to sit at the picnic table. “Kinda, sorta.”

Deckland’s gaze narrowed. “How are you kinda or sorta with someone?”

“She didn’t come back on her own free will and I’m starting to feel a tad bit sorry for what I offered.” Tucker leaned back onto the edge of the table, hooking his arms on the wood.

“I’m lost.” Deckland stretched his long legs.

“Me too. I gave her a bargain she couldn’t refuse. If she came back and lived at the house with me for a month, and after that time if she still didn’t think we had a chance, I’d sign over the deed to the house. Now I’m thinking I just set myself up for a world full of pain—again.”

“Wow…that is something. But fact is, she agreed to the bargain and by the look I saw her give you earlier, I’d say this isn’t a platonic agreement.”

Tucker shrugged. “Not even close, my man. It wasn’t my intention. Proof that we never stop being led by our balls.”

Deckland chuckled. “And when you fall in love, that woman has an invisible sling around your gonads—and worse thing about it—we don’t give a shit.” Deckland removed his hat and slid his palm down the back of his neck. “I’m as a happy as a cucumber in pickling juices.”

“I’m happy for you, man. Elsa is a great woman.”

“It took me a long time to find the one, but it was well worth it.” As if she knew she was being talked about, Elsa lifted her chin and connected gazes with Deckland. A smile erupted over her pretty face and she lifted a hand, waving. “I don’t think you’ll mind if I head off and join my wife.”

“Not at all.”

Alone, and basking in his thoughts, he kept an eye on Hope who was smiling and holding a little girl in her arms.

The beer didn’t settle well in his stomach. It was easy to imagine how different their life would have been if they’d had a child of their own.

He tore his gaze away. He was in a limbo of his own creation, and he didn’t like it one bit.

****

Hope scooped up her last bite of potato salad with the plastic fork and ate it. She dropped the utensil onto the plate and rubbed her stomach. “I’d forgotten how good picnic food could be.”

Peyton smiled above the tousled head of her toothless, babbling son, Liam. The boy brought his chubby fist to his mouth and drooled—and Hope had never seen anything more precious in her life. “I’m glad Tucker brought you along. I don’t know him all that well, but I do know that I’ve never seen him smile like that in all of the months he worked here at the ranch.”

“He’s a happy cowboy since he’s back working at Havens.”

“I’d be willing to bet there’s more to that smile than baling hay and branding horses.” Peyton’s eyes twinkled. She wore little makeup and she didn’t need it. She was a beautiful woman with an inner radiance—one that no makeup could ever apply.

“I don’t know if you know our story, but it’s a bit complicated.” Hope had never found it easy to make friends, but being around the Brooke family, she’d felt less like a stranger and more like a family member. And Peyton was an instant friend.

Peyton shrugged. “I figure we all have a story, and a past.”

“I guess you’re right, but not everyone can say they’re back with an ex, but not really back because I struck up a deal to get the house at Havens Ranch.” Hope couldn’t help herself, the truth dropped from of her lips.

“I don’t know you very well either, at least not yet, but I’m a woman, honey. I saw the way you looked at Tucker earlier when he brought you a drink and there was a lot more than a spritzer being passed. I hope I’m not overstepping any boundary here, but that sure looked like love.”