Bad Bride Good Cowboys (16 page)

It had been a long time since she climbed up the large tree. After the day she’d had and now, with her heart torn apart and empty, this was the place to be. She missed her cowboys dreadfully. Maybe one of them would find her as usual.

She glanced at the sleeping bag, already rolled out, and then at the wine bottle. Her phone, with its favorite songs loaded, was charged and a full bag of her favorite cookies resided in the safety of her knapsack. Everything was perfect except for no corkscrew. What good was a pity party without being able to drink the wine? Either way, she could stay up here for the night if she wanted.

She gazed around her childhood playhouse. Not only was it quite far off the ground, it was rather roomy. Then again, considering Collin was five years older, her grandpa had built it more for him than her. Ironic since he quickly forgot about it and Felicia retreated to it every chance she could when things went wrong. Years of teenage sleepovers with Jen, so many talks with Brady and her even lost her virginity to Mickey in the wood structure.

Felicia glanced around and smiled weakly. She felt more at home in her childhood playhouse than the overpriced and overly cold condominium she’d shared with Paul. She’d moved into his place, because of the prestigious address. Never once did she feel like she belonged there, unlike when she was at the ranch.

This time when she’d retreated, she’d ended up getting the two things she’d wanted for what felt like forever and a day. Never should she have walked away, but they didn’t fight for her to stay.

Tears started to form in her eyes. She was amazed that she still had tears to shed. Images of Mickey and Brady danced through her head and memories back through the years played out like silent movies. A smart woman would call them, but she already knew she didn’t have cell reception and she was quite sure her mother and/or Collin would be at the house wondering where the hell she was. Of course, neither would know. Both cowboys would though—or at least suspect.

She knew there was only one way she was going to be happy and that would be back in their arms and their bed.

Twigs breaking and leaves rustling below set her senses on alert.  Steps started up the wood ladder and the door swung open. A new copper penny rolled across the wooden floor and she didn’t have to look up to see who was invading her space.

“For your thoughts,” Brady’s smooth baritone whispered as she picked up the penny and clutched the coin tight. She glanced up at the sexy cowboy as tears filled her eyes. “I couldn’t bear the thought of a life without another penny.”

“So I heard.” Brady finished climbing in and bumped his head on one of the ceiling beams.

“Omigod!” She sprang up to her knees and scooted over to Brady. “Are you okay?”

One arm went around her waist as his other hand shut the door. Then he took her in his arms. “Your safe, I’m alone with you and you’re in my arms, I’m doing more than okay, doll.”

She cupped his strong jaw then planted a kiss on his lips. He needed a shave and his whiskers tickled her palms. The kiss, like water and air and sunshine, felt life giving. Felicia eased away and stared into his blue eyes as a tear ran down her cheek.

Brady lifted a hand and gently wiped the watermark from her cheek. “Don’t cry. Things aren’t as bad as you think.”

She pulled out of his arms and inched over to where she had been before so Brady’s tall frame could settle in the higher part of the house. He glanced at the spread out sleeping bag, and unopened bottle of wine. “That’s Mickey’s sleeping bag.”

Her lips twitched into a smile. “I figured it belonged to one of you. I swiped it when I parked the car in the equipment garage.”

He furrowed his brow. “How? We would’ve heard you come up the drive.”

“Nope, wasn’t sure if my mother had dispatched the posse so I cut through the Brenner’s property and came in the back way where you park the equipment and hid the car in there.”

The sexy cowboy blinked in disbelief. “Smart, very smart.”

“I wasn’t ready to face you and Mickey.”

“We figured, but doll, everything is going to be okay.” He glanced again at what she’d brought. “Looks like you were ready to have a pity party…except…”

“What?”

He met her gaze. “The cookies must be in the knapsack.”

She blinked at him in disbelief. “Name what kind and I might share them.”

“Chocolate Mint Girl Scout.”

She couldn’t help but giggle and reality hit her hard. “You know me well. Better than most.”

“Except maybe Mickey.” He reached into his inside his jean jacket pocket and withdrew a corkscrew.

Her mouth fell open and she shook her head. “He remembered.” She glanced back to Brady. “I don’t mind sharing the wine, but I didn’t bring a glass.”

“So we’re drinking wine from the bottle, camping out in a tree house and eating cookies. Bad day, doll?”

“I haven’t had a good one since Collin’s return.”

Brady grabbed the wine bottle, opened Mickey’s knife, and selected the corkscrew. “Jen called worried about you after your melt down and you tore out of her place with your suitcase packed muttering about needing to get out of town.”

“I’ve been staying with her. I won’t go to the condo and won’t take most calls.” She reached in her knapsack and pulled out the cookies. Brady pulled the cork out of the bottle and passed her the wine. “Ladies first.”

She smiled and welcomed the gesture after all the tears she’d shed and handed him the box of cookies. “Its priorities, right?”

His grin stopped her heart. “And cookies are always a priority.”

Some of the tension in her neck and shoulders started to ease. “Mom told me she and Collin were going to take me to lunch and so they grabbed me from Jen’s and the next thing you know, I’m in a bridal shop and Paul is there and his hand is up the bimbo’s skirt. I swore I was dying.” She took a swig of the wine and offered it to Brady.

He snagged a cookie from the box and took the bottle from her hand. “Collin came out to the house, apologized and told Mickey and me what happened.” He drank from the bottle, glanced at the label and met her gaze. “He will do anything to make things right.”

Felicia wanted to believe him. Remembering Collin’s confused expression in front of the bridal shop, she probably should have explained things to him. Brady bit into the cookie and remained silent. “I was really hard on him. I should have explained things, but I was angry at him, and my mother and Paul and even at you and Mickey for not calling or texting.”

“It wasn’t from not wanting to—”

“I know, Jen told me about the call from my mother.” Even now, her heart ached because of the betrayal she’d felt. She reached for the wine bottle and took a healthy sip.  “Does Collin really want things right? Does he know that means I will share a house, a life and a bed with you and Mickey?”

Brady nodded and set the box of cookies to the side, then stretched his legs out in front of him. “I thought he was going to start crying when he discovered you’ve kept every penny I’ve given you.” His voice waivered and he leaned back on his hands. “I almost came undone then there. I had no idea, neither did Mickey...I thought I’d never recover if Mickey and I lost you for good.”

The emotion in his voice overwhelmed her and her heart started to race. She glanced around, then again met his gaze. Felicia set the wine bottle near the box of cookies and inched over to where he sat. She threw a leg over his hip and straddled his lap. “I couldn’t picture life any other way than with both of you.”

He leaned forward, wrapped one arm around her waist, and pulled her body against his. The other arm reached up and cupped the back of her neck. Her lashes fluttered closed and she covered his mouth. Brady’s hold on her tightened and he deepened the kiss. His tongue slipped between her lips and she relaxed in his lap. Her tongue met his and her arms laced around his neck.

Brady slid his hands underneath the fabric of her t-shirt and caressed her bare back. Her skin flamed and arousal ignited between her legs. She settled against the bulge rapidly stiffening behind the zipper of his jeans.

His mouth lifted from hers and her eyes opened. “Doll, we should stop or I’m going to take you here.” His voice was a husky whisper and his breath ragged.

She smiled and studied every detail of his gorgeous face then captured the hem of her top and pulled it over her head. Felicia tossed it away. His gaze raked over her; then he lowered his lips to hers and claimed her mouth in a hungry kiss. Her fingers worked the buttons of his soft denim shirt and tugged the fabric from the waist of his jeans as his tongue made love to her mouth. Beneath her Brady’s arousal grew and she rocked against it as the last button gave and his shirt fell open.

His hands slid over her body and stopped at her upper arms. He gently pushed her back. “Go lay down,” he whispered.

Felicia lifted her leg off him and wiggled over to the sleeping bag. She kicked off her boots then shimmied out of her jeans. Brady eased her back. His gaze raked over every inch of her body wearing only her bra and panty. She eased his shirt off his shoulders as he again lowered his mouth to hers. His calloused hand caressed her stomach and up to the clasp of her bra. When the lace fell open he lowered his mouth over a nipple and sucked the hard peak. She arched her back pressed herself against his mouth.

Brady lifted his mouth and again his tongue was in her mouth entwining with hers as they removed the remainder of each other’s clothes. When his warm naked skin touched hers, she grew even wetter between her legs and parted them. Brady’s large frame settled between them and he entered her unrushed and deliberate.

She broke the kiss and moaned savoring how much she’d missed him inside her.

“I love you,” he whispered by her ear. He met her gaze and rocked his hips, then plunged again, slow and deep.

Her pussy tightened from his slow and precise movement. “I love you too.”

He smiled and rested on his forearms. She met his thrusts, but neither picked up speed and kept the unhurried pace. Pressure in her belly formed and she bent her back and spread her legs a little wider to give him deeper access. He groaned and pleasure washed over his handsome features. She snaked her arms around his neck and brushed her lips lightly against his. With every stroke of his cock the pressure in her belly grew tighter. Finally his thrusts picked up a bit more speed and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

“Oh God, Felicia,” He moaned and thrust harder and deeper than before. Her walls clamped tight around him as his release emptied inside her. Her body trembled and her pussy milked his cock. A loud groan escaped his lips and her back arched from the force of her climax. She struggled for breath as did Brady. “That has got to be one of the most intense orgasms of my life.”

He smiled and nodded. “Uh-huh.”

Felicia pulled him close. “And to think I still have Mickey to make up with.

Brady flashed a devilish grin. “Doll, by morning, you won’t be walking.”

“I can live with those terms.”

Brady and Felicia rode up to the house first. He could always put the horses away while Felicia caught up with Mickey. He knew the cowboy would be happy to have their girl home—and this time to stay. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Collin and Clarissa sitting on the porch. He’d hoped they would be able to be alone with Felicia and that her family would have taken the hint and left.

However, they’d been smart enough to put Mrs. M’s Mercedes in the garage. The last thing he needed was Felicia spooked on the horse. She didn’t notice her family and kept her gaze on Mickey.

The doll dismounted her horse with rapid ease. She unpeeled her knapsack from her back and dropped it on the ground as she ran to the steps of the porch. “Mickey!” her voice cracked with emotion. She flung herself at his friend and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I love you so much.”

Mickey held her against him tight and relief washed over his face. “Shh, doll, I know. Everything is going to be okay.”

Brady’s heart tightened as he climbed out of the saddle and started over to where the loves of his life stood. The last few days had been hell on all of them.

Fat tears filled her eyes as she eased back and gazed at Mickey. “I’m never going back, I belong here.”

His friend kissed her lips gently. “No, you’re not and yes, you do.”

She smiled and Mickey’s hold on her tightened. Her gaze fell to her mother and brother and fear carved itself into her pretty features. “Oh, God.” Her arms wrapped tighter around the other man’s neck and Brady’s chest constricted.

Brady walked up the steps to where Mickey still held the doll. He gently rubbed her back and winked in encouragement. “Remember what I said.”

She nodded as Clarissa watched from her chair. Finally she stood. “Felicia…” She paused and she darted a glance to Collin who wore a warning expression. Mrs. M sighed then turned her attention back at her daughter. “I can admit when I am wrong.” She stepped toward where Mickey stood. “And I am doing that now.”

Felicia sniffled and cast a skeptical glance to her mom. “I’m not leaving them or this ranch.”

“I can’t expect you too.”

Her gaze shifted to Mickey who again kissed her lips lightly then loosened his hold so she could stand. Her legs relaxed and her cowboy boots touched the wood of the porch. Finally, she released her hold on Mickey but didn’t leave his side.