Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) (20 page)

Chapter Fourteen

He lay beside her and she skimmed her hand down his cheek. The man carried such masculinity, and yet he had such kindness that it tweaked her heart. He buried his hand inside of her panties, sliding them from her legs in one long sweep. Kissing her chest, her stomach, down to her core throbbing for attention. He gently spread her thighs wide and lowered himself between her legs, his shoulders touching her calves. His strong hands pressed her sensitive skin as he kissed her most sensitive spot.

He rolled his tongue over the pearl and she cried out, digging her fingers into his hair, tugging at the strands. His tongue swirled over her lips, thrusting in and out of her opening, bringing her more pleasure than she could comprehend. She’d never experienced such magic before and she never wanted it to stop. Never wanted to feel the void she had before Cash stepped into her life.

“Mm. I could stay right here all day.” He mumbled against her flesh.

“And I wouldn’t argue, although, eventually I’d be nothing but mush and skin.” She breathed out.

“I want to be inside you.” He lifted himself above her, staring down at her with dark eyes and his thin mouth. He looked like a man who was doing everything in his power not to drive himself inside of her fast and hard.

Dakota wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer, drawing him into her. He groaned and jerked as if chains were being released from him, link by link. They moved together, she thrust her hips upward, meeting his prod.

He threaded his fingers through her hair, kissing her deeply. His stubbled chin rubbed her cheeks—she loved the feel of the roughness against her skin. His muscles bulged as he moved, sexy and commanding. He was a large man and filled her completely, rubbing parts of her that had never witnessed such pleasure. His primal moans ripped through her in waves of sweet poison, rocking her senses. She wanted to stay there, with him, wrapped in his arms—wrapped in the cocoon. Her body melted under him, transforming them from two into one. He made love to her. Kissing her, touching her, molding their bodies. His hips moved faster until her body lit like fireworks and she succumbed to the bliss he showered upon her.

The orgasm came swift and hard. The spasms cultivated deep in the pit of her center, then slowly, easily spreading like warm molasses into her extremities, puddling in her loins. Her toes curled and she arched against him, her nipples rubbing his smooth chest. She burrowed her fingers into his back, the muscles flexing under her palms and she scraped her nails down his skin. He groaned and arched, his face scrunching, full of pleasure.

He jerked and her body responded with another powerful orgasm. He didn’t move, and shudders blanketed her body until each one faded.

He slid to her side, but stayed close. “Tell me, does this feel right to you too?”

“Better than right. Feels, well, like two halves making a whole. Is it possible that our souls are meant to be here, together?”

“This is the first time that I’ve not thought of her once…during…”

Dakota swallowed. “Maybe time is mending your heart.” She moved her hand down his shoulder. “Maybe the guilt is leaving.”

She could hear her heart pounding in her chest, like a drum beat…fast and steady. She could feel his heart beat against her shoulder, like rapid gun fire.

Her chest tightened as realization skidded to a stop in her logical brain. She was in love with Cash.

Facing the fact brought tears to her eyes. She quickly blinked them away. What was worse than having these feelings was knowing they weren’t reflected. Cash was barely over his first wife, let alone having enough space in his heart to allow someone else inside. In order to move on he needed to purge the past, but was he ready to do that?

****

Cash sat in the saddle on Clover’s back, staring down at a shocked Dakota. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll ride together.”

“Are you sure about this?” Her eyes sparkled with trepidation.

“I’m not going to force you to ride, but I promise you won’t regret it.” He winked. He held out his hand for her. “Do you trust me?”

She laid her palm in his and he pulled her up into the saddle behind him. She slid up close to his back, the apex of her thighs warming his ass. He couldn’t believe it. They’d just made incredible love and here he was, parts of his body misbehaving again. He shifted and attempted to remove the zipper teeth from his cock. Her arms swept around his middle, tight, and he smiled. He’d never ridden with another person before, and he had to admit, this was a damn good idea. He liked her being this close—how their bodies seemed to melt together. She was a perfect fit.

Guilt pecked a hole in the bliss. Once upon a time he’d believed Rebecca was the perfect fit for him. What was the possibility that he’d find two perfect fits in one lifetime? He’d also thought Rebecca had been his soul mate, and to find another would be compared to finding a needle in the haystack. Impossible.

And yet, his heart started singing the moment Dakota turned her eyes up at him, vulnerable and expressive, at the funeral. He wanted to be near her—not just here in the saddle or in bed—near as in knowing he’d be the only one who could make her eyes turn dark with passion. That was a look that belonged to him. He held it in his heart.

He gritted his teeth. Did she realize the power of his thoughts? He was talking love.

His stomach flipped. Hell, he’d lost his mind—or had he?

For the first time in a long time, he could see that it was possible he could be happy again—fall in love again.

“This land is beautiful,” Dakota said.

He nodded. “Like a little bit of heaven right here this side of Texas.”

“I didn’t think I’d be in Texas again, but I have no regrets.”

He couldn’t see her face, but he felt the tension leave her body as she relaxed against him, leaning her cheek against his shoulder. He loved having her here, and her trust. He had a feeling she didn’t give it to just anybody. He’d never hurt her. He cared for her too much.

His throat constricted. What would he do with these newfound emotions?

He’d have to figure something out soon before he went bonkers.

Chapter Fifteen

Dakota looked over the supplies spread on the floor of the shop. Two weeks ago workers had removed the trash and then the painters had started. The contractors were already finishing up the small apartment upstairs. She’d ordered furniture and it was being delivered tomorrow. Kitchen appliances were on their way too.

Today she planned to paint the tables and chairs.

The place needed natural light and when she pulled the strings on the blinds, they fell to her feet and a puff of dust clouded around her. She coughed, sputtered, and kicked the blinds to the side. Just something else that would end up in the trash. She opened and propped the door with a chair. At least she could get fresh air.

Grabbing a box of supplies, she set it aside and picked up a wet paintbrush from the can. Turning, she ran smack into an iron-hard chest. She looked up into Cash’s face. “I didn’t see you there.” She dropped the brush, grabbed for a rag and wiped the smudge of paint from his shirt, but it only smeared. “Oh no.”

“It’s okay, Dakota. It’s a work shirt.” He winked.

“At least the color looks good on you.” Her cheeks warmed, as they did every time he was near.  “What do you think of the color?”

“I like it. It’s lookin’ great, darlin’.” He looked around and kicked a bottle cap across the floor.

“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be on the ranch?”

He shrugged. “I thought you could use some help.”

“You like cleaning clutter?”

“No, but I’m pretty good at carpentry. Looks like these floors need redone.” He scrubbed his jaw.

“I’m doing one thing at a time. And you don’t have the time to take on more work.”

“Look, I’m not going to let you do all of this alone. I’m here to help. I think I have everything in the back of the truck that I’ll need to get this floor polished like new.”

She smiled. “You’d rather be here, helping me than on the ranch?”

“If I have a choice staring at the ugly mugs of the ranch hands or staring at your beautiful face, I’ll take you any day.” His eyes sparkled.

They hadn’t seen each other much since renovations started, but every night they made love then fell asleep in each other’s arms. She couldn’t put into words how much she liked lying next to him. “Well, I certainly won’t push away any helpers.”

“Are you keeping the bar?”

“I like it. All of its pock-marked glory adds character.”

“I agree. I think this place will be a hit.”

“Do you think if I string mini lights around the room it would be too feminine?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I think it won’t stop anyone from coming in.”

“How about white curtains? Or red?” She was at a loss.

“Whoa…I don’t think I’m the right one to ask. Maybe Hope will offer her two cents worth.”

She laughed. “Okay. I hear you.” She started to grab the brush when he caught her by the waist.

“I have something to say.”

Dakota looked up at him. “Okay. What is it?”

“I don’t want you to think I’ve been ignoring you…I wouldn’t do that. I mean, I don’t want it to be awkward between us.”

“I’ve been here a lot and you’re always busy on the ranch. I don’t take it as you ignoring me, but I do have to say, I’m glad you decided to stop by. At times the paint fumes were getting to my head and I was having long motivational speeches with myself.”

He pulled her close, so close she caught a whiff of mint on his breath. “I’m not good at all of this, you know, saying how I feel.”

She blinked. “You have feelings?” She tried not to sound so shocked, but it was too late.

“I’m not frozen on the inside,” he said.

“I can attest to that. You’re very kind.”

“I don’t know how to explain what’s rolling around inside of me. I’ve been hurt, Dakota. I can’t stand the thought of opening up and losing again.”

“I’m confused, Cash. Are you telling me you want to draw me closer, or push me away because you’re afraid?” Her chest ached. If it was the latter, she wasn’t sure how she could handle it. The last thing she wanted was to get hurt. She couldn’t resist Cash, couldn’t deny him, but she was scared too.

She wanted him to want her.

“I don’t want to pull away. I want us to continue on this path. It feels good.”

Her vision blurred. She didn’t want to cry. “There are some things I need though, Cash. If what you’re saying is true, then it shouldn’t be a difficult task.” She had to let him know that she couldn’t live in the farmhouse anymore, not in Rebecca’s memory.

“What is it, sweetheart?” Concern etched lines around his eyes.

The door opened, the bell
dinged
. They had company. She’d never seen him before. Cash released his hold on her. “Barry, what are you doing here?” Cash reached out and greeted the older man with a handshake.

Dakota guessed Barry was in his sixties. He had wiry, silver hair, thin body, and looked like he’d worked in the sun most of his life. “I’m sorry to bother you, Cash.”

“No problem. This is my wife, Dakota.”

Dakota’s heart skipped a beat. Would she ever get used to being introduced as Cash’s wife? She liked the sound of it. “Nice to meet you.”

“I see you are working on the old place. I guess you know that I was staying upstairs.” Barry squeezed his hands together. His knuckles were white under weathered skin and he shifted in his shoes. He seemed nervous.

Dakota stepped forward. “Living here? This place wasn’t in any condition for living quarters.”

Barry shrugged. “I found myself down on my luck last year and Delores offered the upstairs for me to stay. I told her that I’d make repairs on the place, as rent, but I couldn’t keep up.” He lowered his gaze to the floor. “And it was nice having a roof over my head.”

“This place is unlivable, Barry.” Dakota glanced at Cash who had a grim look on his face.

“It’s a step up from the park bench, ma’am.” Barry’s frown grew.

Cash scrubbed his jaw. “What happened, Barry? Last I remember you drove a truck, had a decent home and family.”

Swiping a hand down his dirty jeans, Barry shrugged. “My wife left me, I lost my job, and the family home soon followed. I swear I didn’t mean to take advantage of Delores.”

Dakota sighed. “We had no clue you were staying here. So that was you who had the food on the table?”

He nodded. “When I realized this place was being remodeled I stayed away, but I have something upstairs, a box.  It has everything I own in it. Pictures and a few bucks. I know you might not think much of me at the moment, but I’d like to grab my things if I could.” His grey eyes misted.

“Where have you been staying?” Dakota crossed her arms over her waist, feeling sick.

“Here and there, ma’am.”