Crazy For the Cowboy (23 page)

If he were a tomcat, he'd start to purr. “I can deal with it.” He'd walk through fire to have this chance. A little gossip was nothing.

“People around here are protective of me. They were supportive after I lost my mom, and they doubled down after my dad died. They might blame this on you, thinking you'd seduced me.”

His conscience pricked him. He'd made the first move this morning. “Did I?”

She smiled. “You've been seducing me from the first day we met.”

“No fair. I meant recently. Like today in the canyon.”

“That had an impact, but—”

“Damn it. I was afraid of that. I should never have kissed you . . . everywhere. My fault. All my fault.”

“Shh.” She laid a finger against his mouth. “Yes, you should have. I was dying for you to do something. You would have had to be blind and deaf not to notice.”

“I suppose you're right. I was picking up on all of that.” He had to say it. “But you wanted—may still want—more than I have to give. By all rights I should have sent you away tonight, but I'm not that noble.”

“If you'd sent me away you probably would have scarred me for life. Halfway here I was ready to turn back.”

He thought of her blush when he'd asked why she'd shown up at his door. She had been nervous and tentative. Seen from her perspective, a rejection would have been a crushing blow. Thank God he hadn't been noble, after all.

Yet he wondered if he'd saved her ego only to cause greater damage in the long run. “But you haven't told me what changed between this afternoon and now.” He looked into those soft brown eyes and knew he didn't want to hurt her if he could help it, but she might have put him in an impossible situation.

“I talked to my sister.”

“Anastasia?” He hadn't expected that answer. “I didn't think she was a fan of mine.”

“She wasn't when she thought you were going to harass the wild horses, but now that you've given that up, she's mellowing toward you. Her argument was more logical than emotional, though, which is interesting, coming from her.”

Vince folded the pillow and propped it under his head so he could get a better view of her expression as she explained this. He thought it was important and he didn't want to miss any of the subtle parts. “What did she say?”

“She pointed out that the town isn't exactly crawling with sexy guys and might never be. The people who sign up for the rides are more likely to be couples with discretionary income, not hot single guys.”

He couldn't help chuckling, but Anastasia was right. “So she thought you should take advantage of what recently blew into town?”

“That sounds opportunistic, and I don't feel that way about you, but, in a way, yes.”

He let that sink in. “So you're not hoping that eventually I'll—”

“No, Vince.” Her gaze was earnest. “I'm here because I decided Anastasia is right. Guys aren't coming out of the woodwork these days, and frankly, I miss sex. Depriving myself of this chance to have it with a man I like a lot smacks of martyrdom, and I'm not into that.”

It was perfect, absolutely perfect. He couldn't have set it up better if he'd tried. If something about her statement didn't sit right with him, it probably had to do with those tender feelings he'd experienced earlier.

He'd been worried about those feelings, but he didn't have to be, now. She was here for fun and games, not an everlasting love. She'd accepted his limitations and was willing to work within them.

“Great.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Relax for a few minutes while I shave. Then I'll gather up the condoms I dropped. The night is young.”

CHAPTER 23

I
n the next few days, Georgie developed a love-hate relationship with time. She yearned for midnight when she could hurry down the street to the hotel and cherish every second spent with Vince. But once she was with him, she wanted time to stop and she highly resented the arrival of dawn. The next day she'd go through it all again.

Each night brought them closer to the last one they'd have together, and she dreaded that moment. Yet each day also brought them closer to the first trail ride and her hope that Wild Horse Canyon Adventures would save the town she loved. It seemed cruel that she had to give up this pleasure with Vince in order to realize her dream for the town, but that was the way things had worked out.

Because the future brought such conflicting emotions, she did her best to live in the present, where she'd never had so much sex or so little sleep. Vince proved to be a creative and enthusiastic lover, and Georgie learned not to take sex so seriously. They laughed a lot, before, during, and after. But no matter how lightly they treated the act, at least once each night Vince would make the ultimate connection with a heartfelt sigh and utter some version of
this is the best.

And her breath would catch, because in those moments she knew that she was in love with him and she would have to give him up. It was because she loved him that she would wave good-bye with a smile. If he wasn't comfortable with the idea of settling down, she wouldn't try to change that or wish he were different.

He'd transformed her world during their magic nights together, and she would always be grateful that life had brought her Vince Durant, if only for a short time. Charmaine's arrival would rob them of two precious nights, but once the first riders checked into the hotel, the interlude would be permanently altered, anyway.

If all went as planned, those guests would be the beginning of a turnaround for the hotel and Bickford. Years ago Ida had bought up all the shops that had gone out of business and had insisted the town would rebound eventually. That day might come, but in the meantime, Georgie had talked her into letting people open a couple of them rent-free for a month.

Frank's wife, Sue, had volunteered to run a small crafts shop in one of the locations. Once again the retirees would have a place to market what they made. Anastasia didn't feel ready to take an entire storefront for her artwork, but she'd agreed to set up a table at Sadie's where she could sell her watercolors and create charcoal portraits.

The ice-cream shop would reopen under the supervision of the mayor and his wife, who'd decided to dip into their savings in order to stock it. Clyde and Inez didn't want to have to operate it for long, but if it was successful, they could more easily find employees to run it, or a buyer.

As for the rest of the shops on Main Street, exterior painting was in progress. The boards over the windows were being replaced with posters hand-lettered by Anastasia that read
WATCH
THIS
SPACE
!
NEW
SHOPS
COMING
SOON
!

Meanwhile Vince, Ike, and Henry spent their mornings clearing a trail to the box canyon. They'd convinced the poker players to disassemble the chuck wagon so it could be hauled out to the canyon and permanently reassembled there. Georgie had faith it would be completed by the weekend.

Most of her faith was based on her new understanding of Vince's work ethic. He wasn't getting any more sleep than she was, but that didn't stop him from putting in hours on the trail construction and spending his afternoons schooling the horses they'd purchased. Those seven horses, eight counting Storm Cloud, would be as well-mannered as Vince could make them.

Georgie's last night with Vince arrived way too soon. Within five minutes of the time she walked into his room, she lay on his bed gasping from the climax he'd just given her. Damn, this was good, but soon it would be over and she'd miss this man for the rest of her life. She did her best to focus on the rebirth of the town, yet every nerve in her body hummed in delight whenever he touched her, and how could she do without that feeling?

Slowly he kissed his way from his position between her thighs up to her mouth. “I love how you taste,” he murmured. “Yummy.” Then he proceeded to stroke his sex-flavored tongue over hers. “Good, isn't it?”

She was no longer hesitant about showing him exactly how she felt about his erotic teasing. She grabbed his head and gave him an open-mouthed kiss that soon had her blood pumping again. With a new burst of energy, she rolled him to his back and climbed on top of him.

Perched on his taut abs, his rigid cock nestled against her backside, she braced her hands on his chest while she gazed down at him. He was beautiful. And clean-shaven. After that first night, he'd made sure of that.

“Feeling feisty, are you?” His blue eyes glittered as he reached up to play with her breasts.

“Guess so.” She was restless, not wanting this to be the end, yet knowing it had to be, and wanting to wring every last bit of satisfaction out of the time left.

“I could come just looking at you.”

“Go ahead.” She wiggled against him.

He sucked in a breath and squeezed her breasts. “No. I want to make it count.”

“And how do you intend to do that?” She eased back just enough so he was more firmly wedged between her cheeks. Then she moved up and down, taunting him.

He grabbed her hips. “Stop it.”

“Make me.”

Heat flashed in his eyes. “I believe I will.”

In a split second she was on her back again with both hands pinned over her head and his body pressing her to the mattress. His cock was an iron rod against her thigh. They'd played this game before, and she found it exciting because she trusted him not to hurt her. She knew him, now, and he would die before he'd physically mistreat her.

He was strong enough to manacle both her wrists with one hand, leaving his other free to inflict whatever sweet torture he chose. But tonight he didn't seem to have teasing on his mind. He reached for a condom on the nightstand, tore the package open with his teeth, and shifted his position just enough to roll it on.

She smiled. “Impressive.”

“You inspire me.” Still holding her wrists so her arms were stretched over her head, he gripped her thigh and positioned it over his hip, opening her to his first thrust. It was swift and sure, lifting her off the mattress.

She sank back with a low moan of pleasure. Yes, this was the best, when he was locked in deep and they were as close as a man and woman could be.

Looking into her eyes, he let go of her wrists and braced himself above her. “Please touch me,” he murmured. A familiar yearning flickered in his gaze, one that often appeared when they were face-to-face with his cock buried up to the hilt.

She cupped his face in both hands. “Where?”

“Anywhere.” As if he realized the vulnerability he'd revealed, he turned his head and kissed her open palm. “I just need . . . your touch.”

She started with his face, stroking her thumbs over his dark eyebrows. So expressive, those eyebrows. They lifted when he was surprised, drew together when he was puzzled, and arched fiercely downward when he was angry, although she hadn't seen that happen much. When she'd described Evelyn's manipulations he'd looked angry for a moment, but then he'd mentioned something about having no right to judge and had let it go.

Next she ran her forefinger down his straight nose. It was a strong nose, prominent. Ida had once told her his nose indicated he was well-endowed. Lately Ida had been dropping hints that she thought Georgie might know whether that was true or not. Georgie had ignored her.

He stayed perfectly still, his gaze intent, as she explored the high ridge of his cheekbones and the firm line of his jaw. She wondered if he might be memorizing the sensation of her fingers roaming at will over his face.

When she touched his mouth, he caught her finger between his teeth. Then he drew it slowly into his mouth. Sucking gently, he began moving his hips in an easy rhythm.

Her body's reaction caught her off guard. With no warning, her womb contracted. He kept pumping and she came effortlessly, sliding into her climax as if immersing herself in a warm Jacuzzi. A small whimper of surprise was the only noise she made as the delicious sensation rolled through her.

Releasing her finger, he pushed home one more time and stayed there as he smiled down at her. “That was fun.”

She sighed happily. “Yeah. Did you know that would happen?”

“Nope. Just went with my instincts. You felt ready, and sucking on your finger made me want to move.”

“It was all so . . . easy.”

“Maybe because you weren't thinking about it. You were busy memorizing my face.”

She laughed. “Egotist.” But he'd nailed it. She'd wondered if he'd been memorizing her touch, but all the while she'd been mapping him with the tips of her fingers. She didn't want to forget.

“I've already memorized yours.”

Suddenly her throat hurt. The onset of sadness was as quick and without warning as her climax had been. “Stick around and you could save yourself the trouble.”

Pain flashed in his eyes. “Don't, Georgie.”

“Sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't make remarks like that.” But it was their last night, and she was feeling a little reckless. “But seriously, why did you memorize my face? Do you do that with all your women?”

“No.”

“Then why me?”

He didn't answer.

“Why me, Vince?” She was pushing him, but she couldn't seem to help it. “What's so special about me?”

“Everything. If I ever thought I could commit to someone, it would be—”

“Don't you dare, Vince Durant. Don't you dare tell me that I'm close, but not quite close enough to change your mind.” Her throat really hurt now. She swallowed and hoped she wouldn't embarrass herself by starting to cry.

“Just the opposite. You're perfect. You deserve somebody better than me.”

“Shut up.” She swallowed again. “Just shut up.”

“Do you want to go home?”

“Not yet.” She took hold of his hips and glared up at him. “First I want you to finish what you started. You said you wanted to make this one count, so go for it. If you can't give me what I need, then give me what you've got.”

He looked as if she'd slapped him. “Georgie . . .”

Instantly she regretted her outburst. She didn't want their last memories to be filled with pain. “I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. You've been the best, most considerate lover I've ever had.”

“But I'm hurting you.”

“Ah, what the hell. You're worth it. Now make love to me, Vince. Please just . . . make love to me.”

His mouth firmed. Holding her gaze, he began to thrust. At first his movements were abrupt and angry, but gradually his expression changed. Tenderness glowed in his eyes as he began to love her with long, gentle strokes.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his strong back, holding him tight as his big muscles flexed. He knew exactly how to take her to the top with no detours. She'd thought at first he would do that, but as her climax hovered near, he changed his pace and angle and the urge to come receded.

Moments later, he bore down again, coaxing her back up. She rose to meet each rapid stroke as her body tightened in anticipation. Watching her intently, he eased off again.

“I know what you're doing.”

His mouth curved. “I should hope so.”

“I mean drawing it out so it'll last longer.”

“I want to make this one count.”

She didn't have to ask why. Although she didn't have to leave yet, she would. Their lighthearted approach to sex wouldn't work for them anymore, so it would be for the best if she took off for home before the mood deteriorated any further.

Considering that, she wouldn't mind if she didn't come for a while. Feeling the easy glide of his cock and listening to the sweet music it made as he pumped in and out was plenty good enough for now.

She'd just enjoy that and not worry about . . . oh, no. So much for that plan. It seemed when she focused her senses on Vince's gentle invasion, her body responded whether that was her goal or not. She clenched her jaw and tried to hold back, but it was no use. With a wail of surrender, she came.

“Didn't want to give in, did you?”

She gulped in air. “No, but it's okay. Your turn.”

“Not yet.” He paused and took a shaky breath. His blue eyes were dark with passion and a muscle twitched in his jaw. “Not yet.”

Reaching up, she cupped his face. “Let go. I'm fine. Don't torture yourself so that I can have another orgasm.”

His laugh was choked. “Torture myself? You think this is torture?”

“You look very fierce, almost like you're in pain.”

“That isn't pain you're seeing, it's intense pleasure, but I don't want it to end . . . yet.”

The
yet
had been tacked on as an afterthought. That warmed her heart. “I know, but—”

“Don't worry about me. When I finally come, it'll be the climax of the century. You should probably stuff a pillow in my mouth so I don't wake the whole damn town.”

“You'll be as loud as Sousa?”

“Louder.” He started to move. “And just to reassure you, it won't be because I'm in pain.”

“Good to know.” And they were joking with each other again. Much better.

She'd always known he was a talented lover, but she might not have thoroughly appreciated his gift until now. Knowing he was fighting off his own climax every time he pushed deep, she thought he'd be intent on not coming. Instead he was all about pleasing her.

By sliding his arm under her hips and tilting her slightly, he created a different kind of friction that sizzled along her nerve endings. She moaned softly.