Virgin Cowboy Page 10

  “I didn’t mean to. Let’s go inside.”

  “I really want to be alone, Braden. Please.”

  She was closing up, pushing him away. He was seeing a side of her he hadn’t seen in a while. The loving Courtney was going back into her emotionless shell. Not on his watch. He took her hand in his. “I’ll leave, but at least let me come in and get you ready for bed.”

  “Don’t get any ideas.”

  He chuckled. “I can keep my hands to myself—maybe.”

  She rolled her eyes, but a slight smile creased her lips. He followed her up the steps and into the house. She tossed her stuff on the couch before taking a seat.

  “Do you want me to explain my mom’s panic attack?”

  “Not really.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I wanted to talk earlier. I don’t now. I want to get in my PJ’s and go to sleep. That’s it.” Her tone was cold.

  “Sweetheart.”

  “Not tonight. I was serious earlier when I asked you to stay away tonight. This is me, Braden. I want to be alone. I’ve been alone a long time, and right now I need to work through my feelings by myself. Things have moved so fast between us. Just give me some time to process us.”

  He didn’t like this one bit. It wasn’t like he had any other choice but to respect her wishes. He didn’t want to push her and lose her. He leaned over the back of the couch and kissed her cheek. “Sweet dreams. Call me in the morning sometime.”

  “Thank you.”

  He left, wondering if it was a mistake. Did she really want him to go? Or was it all a front? Maybe she had a point. Things had moved fast. One moment she was rejecting his date request, and the next thing he knew they were boyfriend and girlfriend.

  He’d give her all the time she needed, because he also had to get a handle on his own feelings.

  * * * *

  I feel like shit. Courtney poured her fourth cup of coffee. Her body ached, but not due to a cold. She longed for Braden. She felt awful about the night before. When she’d come home and found him there, her heart had melted. But then she continued to be rude to him and he’d left. She hadn’t wanted him to. She’d wanted him to demand she let him in and whisk her away to bed. He wasn’t a mind reader, so instead he listened to what she’d asked.

  She’d cried most of the night. He should have been in bed with her, holding her. She should have listened to him about his mom’s panic attack. Instead, she’d made it all about her. And yet, from the look in his eyes, he still cared when he left.

  She was head over heels in love with Braden.

  Maybe a shower would help her feel half-human again, then she’d call Braden and apologize. She stood from her dining room table and headed toward her bedroom when the doorbell rang.

  Braden? She hoped. She hurried across the small home and peeked out the side window. Gail Carver.

  She opened the door. “Good morning, Mrs. Carver.”

  “Good morning. Can I come in? I’d like to talk to you.”

  Courtney nodded and stepped back for the woman to come inside.

  Chapter 16

  “Can I get you coffee?” Courtney led Braden’s mom into the living room.

  “Please. Just a small mug. The doctors want me to watch my caffeine intake.”

  “Sure. How do you like it?”

  “Black is fine.”

  Courtney left Gail in the living room and escaped into her kitchen. Oh, fuck! Why was this woman there? Should she call Braden and tell him? She pulled her phone from her back pocket and decided to send a quick text.

  Your mom is at my place. Why?

  She dug out a small mug and filled it with coffee. She stared at her phone, waiting for him to answer, but he didn’t. He was probably busy on the ranch. She’d have to go out there blind.

  “Here you go. Please have a seat.” She handed the mug to Mrs. Carver then sat down in a chair.

  “Thank you, dear. I really like your place.”

  “Oh, uh, thanks.”

  “Maybe you’ll be able to help my son learn to keep a home.” She sipped her coffee.

  A comment like that might be a good sign.

  “I wanted to stop by this morning and personally invite you to lunch today. I understand if you can’t make it with your work schedule, but you have an open invitation to come with Braden anytime.”

  This was not what Courtney was expecting. This woman seemed to have done a one-eighty. “Thank you. That’s kind. Sunday is usually a slow start, so I will check with my staff.”

  Gail set the mug down and placed her hands in her lap. “I was wrong to treat you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me. Life has changed so much lately that when I met you, I knew you were the one for my son. I’m selfish and wasn’t ready for you to have him.” She paused and wet her lips. “I’ve never been close to Braden. He’s a daddy’s boy, so to speak. I had hoped with Tucker and Nathan married, Braden and I would grow closer. We didn’t. Then you two got together, and I felt like I was losing him.”

  “You’re not losing him.”

  A soft smile creased her face. “No, I’m not losing anything at all. I’m gaining you and your daughter.”

  Courtney took a deep breath. She had no idea if marriage was in her future, but she did want to be with Braden for a long time. “Thank you.”

  “I have much respect for you. You’ve raised a wonderful daughter, from what I hear. I’ve seen her around town with your father and she is well-mannered. You work hard each day to give her everything she needs and sacrifice your time. I never should have said those awful things.”

  “I forgive you. I’d like to put it behind us.”

  Gail nodded. “Let’s start fresh.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “I won’t keep you. Thank you for the coffee and letting me invade your space.” She stood.

  It had taken a lot for his mom to come here. Maybe the Carvers were the family she thought they were after all. “I think I will join your family for lunch today. Would you mind doing me a favor?”

  “I don’t mind at all.”

  “Let’s not tell Braden. I’d like to surprise him.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  * * * *

  Braden stomped up his parents’ steps. He’d gotten some bizarre message this morning that his mom was at Courtney’s, and now she wouldn’t answer her phone or return his multiple texts. He’d been under the impression his mom liked her. What had she said that would make Courtney just ignore him now?

  “Mom,” he called out as he entered the house.

  “In the kitchen, dear.”

  Thankfully, she was alone. “What did you do?”

  “What do you mean?” She placed her hands on the counter and leaned against it.

  “I got a text you were at Courtney’s, and now she won’t talk to me.”

  She shrugged with a carefree attitude. “I didn’t do anything. I just went to apologize.”

  “And…”

  “That’s it.”

  That didn’t make any sense. “Did you argue?”

  “Nope.” She opened a drawer and removed a large spoon. “We’re just doing meatballs subs today. Hope that’s okay. I’m feeling a little tired still.”

  “That’s fine. I don’t really care.”

  “Braden.” Her gaze told him he was stepping out of line. “You’ve got to learn to control that tongue. You can’t always lash out at me. I told her I was sorry. When I left, she seemed fine.”

  He turned to leave the kitchen. “All right. I’m gonna try her again. Maybe she was in the shower.”

  “Let her be.”

  He glanced back.

  “Just give her some space. Please. Hounding her won’t do you any good.”

  Hounding? Fuck, was that what he was doing? He left the kitchen. Maybe he had been. He’d called twice already and texted her. She’d asked for some time last night, and this morning he wasn’t respecting that. However, she had texted him about his mom visiting her and it worried hi
m. She could at least respond to his texts. Then he wouldn’t have to hound her.

  He was about to sit down on the couch when the front door opened. Lauren came in with a few cloth grocery bags, follow by Tucker with Anna on his shoulders. Anna?

  “Why do you have Anna?” he asked.

  Then the gorgeous redhead who had stolen his heart walked through the door with a few more grocery bags.

  “Hey.” She smiled and kissed his cheek.

  What the hell is going on? “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  “I know. I wanted to surprise you. Your mom invited me to lunch. When I was picking up Anna to come too, I ran into Lauren and Tucker, and we helped them get some of the groceries your mom needs.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “And you couldn’t answer me?”

  “Come on, let’s go see if your mom needs help.” Lauren took Tucker’s elbow as he held Anna up on his shoulders still.

  Once they were out of sight, Courtney said, “That might have been wrong, but I really wanted to surprise you.”

  “You did, but I’m confused. Last night you wanted me to leave, and today you’re here with my family.”

  “You better get used to it.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, and his anger melted away. “I have a standing invitation to be here each Sunday.”

  “You do?”

  She kissed his cheek. “Yes. Now let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

  She took his hand and led him toward the kitchen. They entered and his mom smiled when she saw their hands clasped with one another. Anna was up on a chair helping put the subs together.

  “Thanks for bringing Anna,” he said.

  “I knew she’d want to be here too.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I think she’ll fit in perfectly.”

  “Your mom seems to like her.”

  “She likes you too.”

  “I know. We worked everything out today.” She laid her head on his shoulder.

  At that moment, his life felt complete.

  * * * *

  Courtney finished her glass of tea, her stomach stuffed. She’d just had the best meatball sub of her life. She’d have to arrange her Sunday each week so she could be here to eat.

  “I want to see the horses now.” Anna placed her napkin on the table.

  “Can you ask?” Courtney gave her a stern look.

  “Can I, please, go see the horses now?”

  Her daughter was a mess.

  “Sure. I’ll take you,” Melissa offered.

  “Are you sure?” Courtney asked.

  “Yup.”

  “Braden, why don’t you and Courtney go on a walk and you can show her around?” his dad suggested.

  “That’s a great idea,” his mom added.

  He shrugged. “Want to go for a walk?”

  “Sure.” She smiled. “Can I help you clean up first?” she asked his mother.

  “Nope. You two go enjoy a walk. And Melissa will care for Anna.”

  Courtney felt a little guilty, but they had asked, so she went along with it. She went to her daughter and kissed her forehead. “You be good and listen to Melissa. Do you understand me? If I hear otherwise, you’ve lost your tablet time after dinner.”

  “She’ll be fine.” Melissa put an arm around her. “We’ll meet you back here in an hour?”

  “Sounds good. Then I’ll need to get ready for work.”

  “You all go have fun,” Mrs. Carver said.

  Braden held her hand and led her out of the house. She didn’t know her way around, so she let him guide her. They started on a woodsy path.

  “You’re not gonna kill me out here, are you?” she joked.

  “Nah. But I might molest you.”

  She laughed, but kept walking with him. “Where are we going?”

  “To a favorite spot of mine. Don’t worry. We’ll be all alone.”

  After a few minutes of following the trail silently, they came to an area that had been cleared a bit. Water caught her attention and she saw a small pond with the sun shining down on it, making it almost sparkle.

  “My brothers and I used to fish here when we were young.”

  “Did you catch anything?”

  “Nope. At least nothing edible. We mainly horseplayed and came home soaking wet and muddy, then Mom would scold us, make us bathe, and we’d spend the rest of the day in our rooms.”

  “You three boys probably made more laundry for her than she needed. Anna loves to change her outfit three or four times a day.”

  “Dirty?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. Just likes to change.”

  “Melissa was never really a girly girl, so often times she was down here getting dirty too.”

  “Anna will be a whole new species for you.”

  He pushed her back against a tree. “Now for my ultimate plan.”

  “Which is?”

  “Get you naked.”

  He kissed her, but only spent a few minutes on her lips before he trailed down to her neck. He caressed her stomach as he lifted her shirt over her head. His mouth found her breasts, licking just under the lace of the bra cup.

  She moaned, and he continued to pleasure her. Pulling the lace back, he sucked a nipple. Her breathing picked up, but then she pushed him back.

  “God, Braden, I want you so fucking bad, but not on the grass.”

  He unbuttoned his shirt then laid it out on the ground.

  “That’s not big enough,” she said.

  “Oh, it’s plenty big if I plan to sit on it while you straddle me.”

  “What if someone sees us?”

  “No one is going to, but if it makes you feel better, you can keep your clothes on.”

  She caressed the back of his neck and brought her lips back to his. There was a time when she was much more carefree and Braden brought that side out in her.

  “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” he whispered.

  “There’s no turning back now.” She tugged at his jeans. “Let’s just hope somebody doesn’t pass by us. They might get an eyeful.”

  “No one’s coming, sweetheart. I promise.”

  “Oh, someone is going to come all right. More like two somebodies.”

  He groaned and worked the buttons on her khakis. Together, they got their pants stripped off. Braden sat down on the flannel shirt, and Courtney straddled him.

  Staring into his eyes, she said, “You’re an amazing man. I’m sorry for pushing you away. Don’t ever let me do that again. Promise me.”

  “I promise you.” He reached out and pulled a condom from his back pocket.

  “Did you have this planned?” She winked.

  “Hell no. I thought you were pissed at me. Remember?”

  “So do you just walk around with condoms?”

  “Since you came into my life, yes.”

  “Then let’s put it to use.” She took it from him and tore it open.

  She slipped it down his long shaft then lifted herself so his tip hit her entrance. She slowly sank down, enjoying the feel of him stretching her to accommodate his size. She’d never take the gift of his innocence for granted. She’d cherish it each day of her life, and spend every second she could showing this man how much she loved him.

  She laced her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. Their lips met as they moved at a leisurely rhythm. This was love, just having the need to be connected. Their usual lovemaking was quick, but this wasn’t about the desire to get the other off. No, right now, it was about just being one.

  She cupped his cheeks with her palms and deepened the kiss. His thrust quickened and she met him with each one. Urgency took over as their paced picked up. She broke the kiss to arch her back as she gripped his shoulders.

  “Braden,” she said softly.

  “I’m right here. I’m always with you.”

  “I want us to release together, please.”

  “You just tell me when.”

  “Faster.”
>
  He held her waist tightly as he drove into her harder. Her release was right there. Every nerve was on fire and ready to burst.

  Digging her nails into his flesh, she said, “Now.”

  He yanked her to him and tightly held her. He groaned loudly, and she cried out. A wave of pleasure tore through her, making her toes curl. She bit his shoulder to keep herself from screaming.

  Her breathing softened as she rested her face against his skin. He rubbed along her spine. Her eyes closed and she wished she could stay in his arms for hours, just like this. The key to her life being complete had been under her nose for years.

  * * * *

  Sitting in the woods, with nature all around, Courtney nestled to his chest made his life feel complete. He was going to marry this woman—maybe not in the near future, but one day. From the moment he laid eyes on her years ago, his heart belonged to her. He had no regrets on saving himself for the right woman. What he shared with the beautiful redhead was real. He couldn’t imagine his life without her in it, or her daughter. At this point, he wouldn’t push the subject, but he’d adopt Anna in a heartbeat and give her the father figure she deserved.

  “I need to get you back to your daughter, I guess.” Braden didn’t want to remove Courtney from his body. He enjoyed the feeling of them as one.

  “I know. I don’t want to though. Can I call in sick?”

  “You’re the boss.”

  “Which isn’t always a good thing.” She lifted up and he scooted over so she could sit next to him.

  He handed her panties and pants to her. They both dressed, although Braden didn’t put his shirt back on. He tossed it over his shoulder then helped her up.

  “I’m not ready.” She held his hand. “I want to tell you something first.”

  The look in her green eyes worried him. “I’m listening.”

  “I love you.”

  Had she just said the L word? He was supposed to say it first. “Courtney.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “It’s okay if you don’t feel that way yet, but I wanted you to know I did.”

  “Of course I feel that way.” He shook his head. “I love you.”

  She smiled, her hair a mess from their lovemaking. “I love you.”

  He chuckled. “I love you, sweetheart.”

  “I love you.” She giggled.