Breaking the Bad Boy (19 page)

“I’m not laughing; you look so stunning I’d like to take you in my arms and kiss you till tomorrow. But I’d hate to be compared to a bad rash or something offensive.”

“How much of that did you catch?”

“Well, I have a sudden compulsion to go break the man’s fingers for grabbing your flawless ass, and maybe his mouth for being so loud, among other things. He’s an asshole, you know?”

“Yes, I know, it’s getting so that I can spot them with ease,” she smiled sweetly at him.

“I’m not
that
bad, Duchess. Am I?”

“You are an enigma, Buck; I’m having a hard time figuring you out.” She sighed and he smiled down at her.

“And you love a mystery almost as much as you love a bad boy. Don’t you, Duchess?” He was turning on the charm again and she looked away from him, afraid he’d see her longing. She focused on the traffic.

She inhaled sharply and dropped her purse. Pointing at a car going by she said: “Fuck, my mother just drove by.”

“Are you going to faint?” He asked holding his arms out for her and stepping close. She cocked her eyebrow and gave him such a look he laughed. God, she would love to just fall into the man’s arms. Every woman who went by them standing in front of the hardware store took a long look at this man, and he was oblivious as far as she could tell; only focusing on her. He had the distinctive teasing look on his face and he was the sexiest thing in town.

“I don’t faint,” she said. “I lose consciousness.” He laughed again.

“Damn, you’re fun,” he said and realized her hair was short now, like it was in his dream. He wasn’t sure if he should be hopeful or horrified.

“I’m going to see about a service for Fernando, and find a big ass bag of Snickers bars.” He picked her bag up and handed it to her with a grin. “Thanks, Buck, I’ll see you later.” Turning, she began to walk away but he stopped her by putting a hand on her arm. She looked up at him; her blue eyes the exact color of the
Montana
sky.

“Hey, wait a second, you don’t care that your mom just drove by?” He searched her face with his unreadable hazel eyes and he saw her pain. Through the whole bear attack she was as stoic as a Spartan, but this subject hurt her and he was sorry he brought it up.

“That’s why I’m getting the Snickers. She delivered me; she is by definition my mother. And then she abandoned me in my hour of need. I don’t know how much of our family history you know, but she left the day after my brother died,” Buck nodded solemnly. “She is not my mom. Fernando was more of a parent to me than she ever was. I’m shocked to see her, but really, I don’t want to see her any closer. Maybe she’ll give Brent a divorce and he can marry the woman he loves.”

“You’re still rattled, though,” he said. He really wanted to hold her, but she was a strong woman, a little Cassidy wasn’t going to have her falling apart.

“Absolutely rattled, I am only part bear.”

“It’s a big part, though,” he said quietly, almost to himself.

“Not so big,” she held out her hand and he saw it shake just a little. He took it in his own and brought it to his lips. A few minutes ago Billy had done the same thing and she felt nothing, but when Buck kissed her hand and held her eyes locked to his own she felt it in the very core of her being. It pained her but she pulled her hand away from him.

“I’d rather you didn’t do that on
Main Street
,” she said, her voice shakily betraying what she felt.

“I’d like to claim you in front of the whole town, Duchess,” he said.

“You have to win me first, don’t you think?” What was she saying?

“Haven’t I?” He said it softly and she bit her lip to keep herself from shouting “Yes.”

“I have to go home soon,” she said.

“I’ll wait for you there, Duchess,” he said.

“I mean home to
Denver
,” she whispered. He looked at her for a long minute.

“I don’t want you to, but you might be safer in
Denver
.” He had to let her go; she was only complicating things here, making him lose focus.

“What do you want, Buck?”

“In the short run, I think you know exactly what I want, Duchess.”

“And in the long run?” She asked and he shook his head.

“I’m too terrified to ask myself that question, but I would like to get past you thinking I’m the bad guy because of the bounty hunters,” he said earnestly.

“I don’t blame you for that, I was simply angry, not at you, at everything,” she said. “I’m sorry; you were the logical candidate for my wrath.”

“I’m sorry, too. The timing just about killed me.” She smiled at him and blushed a little. That was a close call.

“You’ll live to flirt another day.”

“Yes, I certainly will. We will get back to where we were. You said we’d get there eventually, and I can still hope. Maybe this will help. I have a present for you, Duchess,” he said with the teasing look on his face that she was growing very fond of. Suddenly she didn’t want to go back to
Denver
; she wanted to stay with him.

“Why?” She looked suspicious.

“It will give me as much pleasure to know you have it as it will give you pleasure having it,” he said still looking like the Cheshire Cat.

“Please say it’s a vibrator.” She said hopefully and laughed when his face fell.

“Don’t ruin this for me, Duchess,” he said looking mildly disappointed. “If things go right with us, you won’t ever need a vibrator again.” They were playful words, but they had a huge affect on her libido and she trembled with need, and he hadn’t even touched her. “Be gentle with me, I’ve never bought anything like this for anyone before.”

“Sorry,” she said closing her eyes and putting her hand out.

“Open your mouth,” he whispered to her and her eyes popped back open. “Just kidding.” He handed her the bag he was holding. She reached in and pulled out a black corset with red bows decorating it, and a lacy black thong.

“You bought me a merry widow?” Joss didn’t know if he was having a joke, or if he was serious.

“Christ, yes. The thong was just because it’ll look hot,” he said when she held it up to him. “I thought a bra alone would just hurt your back, but this piece of art won’t, since it will be even pressure down your back, not a band across one part. As much as I hate the thought of locking those lovely breasts away, I know you are uncomfortable,” he shrugged. “And it’s pretty fucking sexy.”

“I have a sports bra,” she said.

“Did I mention that this was sexy? And the sports bra hurt you just as bad as going without.”

He was right, the sports bra wasn’t working, and this was very sexy, but underneath the sexy was the thought that went into the gift. He knew she was uncomfortable, and he did something about it.

“How do you know that?”

“Come on, Duchess, I pay attention. Anyway, if I don’t watch you, the only things left to watch are cows, and you’re a lot more entertaining. And the best part was that I got it at Jake’s.” She looked pained. “He wasn’t there, Duchess. But he might look over the receipts at the end of the day.”

This is it; this is the moment I fall in love with him. This is when I just let go and freefall until he breaks me. I’m lost.

“It’s the right size. How is it the right size?” Her voice cracked a little with emotion and she looked down at the corset so he wouldn’t see her face.

“Give me a little credit. You forget, I had those beauties plastered against my back for nearly an hour, and I held the right one in my hand all night long,” he held his left hand cupped in between them and she blushed at the memory. He had somehow stepped so close to her that they were mere inches apart. “I went around the store like this, trying each one out for size,” she smiled looking at his very big hand held like he was trying to cup water. “I haven’t been able to think of much else since. I feel a certain affection, a definite fondness for, if not kinship, with your breasts.” He lifted her face to his with a finger. “Duchess…I have a powerful urge to kiss you. Let me kiss you on
Main Street
.” She stepped back an inch.

“You bought me sexy underwear, Buck. Are we dating? Is this Facebook official?”

“I did take you out to dinner; so yes, we can call that dating and go straight to bed.”

“What did the lady in the restaurant say?” He smiled radiantly, and Joss saw the little boy he must have been.

“I knew you’d cave. Kiss me, Duchess, and I’ll tell you everything,” his voice was sultry and inviting, he stepped closer to her and her pulse quickened.

“I almost kissed you yesterday.”

“No, I almost kissed you yesterday, and you ran away.”

“I suppose I did. Do you know who Hester Prynne is?” He looked confused by the sudden change of subject.

“You didn’t have the minister’s baby, did you?” He was simply curious, not judgmental, she liked that.

“No, I just wondered if you read the classics, and now I see there is more to you than meets the eye,” she said
.
“Who are you, Buck?”

He was giving too much away, she was figuring him out.

“I’m the man who stands before you bearing gifts because I care,” he said. “I am your underwear purchaser, your bodyguard and prospective lover. I grab you from the clutches of giant grizzlies, pull you out of burning buildings and clean the horse shit out of your instep. I’m your slave, Duchess.” She looked up at him and nodded.

“You forgot hero. How on earth am I supposed to get this on?” She asked and he grinned.

“I am at your service. I’ll enjoy that almost as much as I will when I help you take it off,” he grinned down at her and she blushed again. “That color is so becoming on your cheeks, Duchess.” He really wanted to kiss her, declare himself right here on
Main Street
. He stepped back but then immediately leaned forward to her ear. “Come to me when you get back to the ranch, it’s my day off.” His whisper was full of promise and she shivered. He smiled and gave her a very light kiss and stepped back again.

“Thank you, this was very kind,” she said holding up the bag.

“Oh, trust me, I’ve got ulterior motives,” he said walking toward his truck and stopped. “I’ll help you with the thong, too.” He called loudly and climbed into the truck and started it while she quickly shoved her new underwear back in the bag.

Buck watched her walk toward the church and noticed a man standing in a doorway she passed. Buck’s phone rang and he answered it.

“Yes,” Buck said.

“This is Fields,” the caller said.

“I know. She just passed you, keep an eye on her, she’s headed to the church.”

“I see her. Duke, man, you seem a little unfocused,” Fields said.

“I can still do the job, don’t worry,” the man called Duke said.

“Not that I blame you, she’s something else,” Fields said.

“Just watch her, and don’t get any ideas.”

“You mean like the ones you’re having?”

“Exactly.”

“Okay, Duke, I’m on it,” Fields said and tipped his hat at Buck and followed Joss into the church.

***

All conversation stopped when she stepped into the house. Joss looked at the assembled faces, not even hesitating a second longer on her mother’s. Her father stood up, she could tell he felt bad and didn’t want her hurt, but no one said anything to her. Joss reassured her father with a smile. Fourteen years and Cassidy didn’t care enough to even say hello. So that was “Mother love.”