Have Cowboy, Need Cupid (11 page)

He guided Thunder along the trail to the waterfall, admiring Suzanne’s natural riding instincts.

The forest suddenly opened up, and the sound of gushing water brought his head up. He pivoted to see Suzanne’s reaction, and couldn’t help but grin at the wide-eyed, look of awe in her beautiful eyes.

“It’s breathtaking,” Suzanne said.

“I know. I’ve been coming here all my life.” He guided Thunder to the edge of the pool where the waterfall flowed over jagged rocks, and tied him to a tree, tying Blondie beside him. Then he reached up his hand and offered Suzanne a lift down. She slid her hand in his, her smooth skin sparking desire low in his belly.

“Whenever I got mad at my dad or was tired of working after a long hot day,” Rafe said, “I’d come up here to clear my head.”

“I can see why.” Suzanne’s hand felt small in his, and although he’d expected her to protest, since he hadn’t exactly been welcoming earlier, she followed him along the trail. They climbed over a tree stump, then Rafe sat down and pulled off his boots.

“What are you doing?” Suzanne asked.

“Taking off my boots.”

“I can see that, cowboy.” She rolled her eyes, then looked toward the water, the truth dawning. “You’re kidding, right? You’re going in?”

“Yep.” He tossed his socks over a rock.

Suzanne’s hands went to her waist, drawing her shoulders back and jutting her breasts out. He had to look away to keep from staring. “Isn’t the water freezing?”

“That’s what makes it so invigorating.” He teased her with a lazy grin. “Why, city girl, are you too chicken to try it?”

Challenge flared in her eyes. “You’d like to think that, wouldn’t you?”

He threw his head back and laughed. God, he loved her sassy spunk.

She dropped to the ground behind him and tugged off her own boots and socks. His shirt came next, then his jeans. Suzanne’s surprised gasp whispered through the air.

“There’s nothing worse than wet denim,” he said gruffly. Ignoring her flabbergasted look at the sight of his undressed state, or maybe it was the red undershorts—he’d forgotten about that—he stood and walked into the icy stream.

It was a shock to his system as the cold water slapped his bare thighs. He told himself that the icy temperature would stem his lusting libido. But he made the mistake of turning around and saw Suzanne toss off her shirt, then skim her own jeans to reveal a matching black silk bra and bikini that completely tied him up in knots. Was this what she meant when she said he wouldn’t be disappointed?

He fought the need to sweep her into his arms, to ravage her the way his primitive instincts urged him to do. Instead, he dipped his hand into the stream and splashed water toward her.

She shrieked, gave him a look that promised retribution, then scooped up a handful of water and splashed back. He laughed, dodged the spray and began to run toward the falls. Suzanne chased him, kicking water at him. He splashed back, teasing her to come closer to the mouth of the falls. Water cascaded down over the rocks, the pines and sycamores creating a shadowed canopy above. Suzanne laughed, shrieking again as the water grew deeper. Not giving her time to think about it, he grabbed her, dragging her under the falls.

She squealed and screamed as the cold water pulsed over her head, and he laughed, shivering himself as her bare thighs and wet panties brushed his legs. She fought for release, pushing and laughing, and he finally looped an arm around her waist and swam with her to the edge. Water spiked her dark lashes as she looked up at him, her skin glistening with the icy droplets. Her teeth chattered, so they climbed out and he rubbed his hands up and down her arms to warm her.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” she said.

“I’ve always thought so.” Rafe’s eyes raked over her long lithe body. “That is until now.”

Suzanne met his gaze with a sultry look of her own, then laughed, one dainty hand going to her hip, which she jutted out, teasing him even more. “Why, Rafe McAllister, I do believe you actually paid me a compliment. And here I thought you didn’t like me.”

He couldn’t help himself any longer. She was beautiful and strong and gutsy. Her nipples beaded in the cool air beneath that flimsy thing she called a bra, tantalizing him, and a little shiver rippled through her, telling him that his hungry look had aroused her. Forgetting all the reasons he shouldn’t touch her, he wrapped his arm around her slender waist and lowered his mouth. “Honey, I like a lot of things about you.” Then he claimed her mouth, letting her know exactly how much.

Chapter Ten

Suzanne felt as if she’d been waiting forever for Rafe’s kiss, as if he held some elusive key to her heart, and yet at the same time she sensed she was diving into deep, uncharted water. The emotions and depth of passion he ignited in her with his sudden hunger caused a quiver of fear to run through her.

She had never been kissed with such tenderness and heat at the same time, as if he held her reverently while knowing she had hidden desires just waiting to break through to the surface. Hidden desires she had never revealed to another man. Desires she wasn’t sure she even understood, desires that only he could tap into.

When James kissed her, she had never felt that emotional upheaval in her heart. She’d thought that was a good thing. But she’d been cheating herself, protecting herself from getting hurt by connecting with someone. Was she afraid to want more? To open herself up to love? Was that what Grammy Rose had meant in the letter she’d put in her hope chest? That she’d built walls to protect herself and hadn’t let herself fall in love?

Love?
She did not love Rafe. But she couldn’t deny her attraction. He was tough and brooding, a man in trouble, but he was also honorable, a man who loved his land and his mother. He had scars. His limp, plus the physical ones she’d noticed on his back when he’d removed his shirt, all of which intrigued her.

Did he have emotional ones, too?

Rafe’s lips touched hers, almost tentative, as he explored her mouth with the tip of his tongue. Then he gently thumbed a strand of hair from her forehead and traced a path down her nose, cupped her chin in his hand and angled his head to plunder her more deeply.

“You taste like sugar and spice and everything nice,” he whispered.

A heady sense of need overwhelmed Suzanne. She wanted to submit to him, to do whatever he wanted at that moment. Just as long as he kept touching her, murmuring sweet and tender words. As long as his big, hard body surrounded her, enveloped her, cocooned her in his strength.

She dug her hands into his thick dark hair, pulling him closer, inflamed by the rough stubble on his jaw as his mouth trailed lower to nip at her neck. His breath feathered the inner recesses of her ear, and she groaned, cold water splashing her thighs as he yanked her up against him, cradling her between his legs. His sex pulsed against her bare midriff, and hunger exploded between them. His hair-dusted chest grazed her bare shoulders, and Suzanne gripped his arms, excitement stirring inside when his muscles bunched beneath her fingertips. He kissed her harder, taking, seeking, claiming her as if he desperately needed her, as if he might starve without her taste.

Then his mouth fled to the soft swell of her breasts, and her legs buckled. Rafe caught her and swung her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing, his lips teasing her neck again, his breath bathing her sensitive skin. Their gazes locked, questions asked but left unanswered.

But moonlight flitted through the tall pines, sharpening the image of the sapphire engagement ring James had given her. It suddenly felt heavy, weighing down her hand.

She glanced down at her near-naked body, drenched in icy water, quivering with longing for Rafe McAllister, and guilt slammed into her.

“Rafe…”

He stared at her long and hard, his muscular arms trembling slightly as the realization of what they’d almost done sank in. His head dropped forward against hers, his voice low, filled with regret. “I’m sorry, I got carried away.”

“No, it wasn’t your fault.” She laid her hand against his cheek. God help her, but she still wanted him. Only, he didn’t know the truth about her. Good gracious, what was she going to tell James?

How could she marry him when she’d almost succumbed to another man so quickly?

And why did her body ache so much for Rafe when her mind told her he was all wrong for her?

R
AFE CARRIED
S
UZANNE
to the edge of the water and climbed out, then slowly eased her to the ground. She was shivering with cold now, her skin covered in goose bumps. He desperately wanted to warm her with his body, the old-fashioned way, but his instincts warned him to back off. Her legs tortured him, though, as they slid against his. Her smooth satiny skin was such a contrast to his own that another surge of desire rippled through him. How long had it been since he had held a woman in his arms, since he had made love to one? Since he had taken comfort in a woman’s arms?

Was that all he wanted here? Comfort?

He told himself yes, even though a part of him knew the truth—that he wanted more. But he couldn’t allow himself to want more. He had nothing to offer.

Her fingers brushed over the puckered skin on his back, and he tensed. Not only did he have nothing to offer, but he was a scarred man. Funny, but he hadn’t even thought of the scars when he’d stripped off his shirt. Odd, since he thought he’d never forget the beating his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend had given him. Had Suzanne been repulsed?

He pulled away slowly. “I guess we’d better get back.”

She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself as she walked to the bank to retrieve her clothes. He wished he’d brought a towel or extra blanket but he hadn’t planned this outing. Especially the kissing part.

He offered her his T-shirt instead. “Here, you can dry off with this before you put on your clothes. It’s clean.”

She smiled and took his shirt, patting the worst of the moisture from her arms and legs as he watched. Damn, he was envious of his own shirt.

Her gaze rose and found his, and that sultry smile returned. She saw him watching her, knew he was mesmerized by her movements, and she brushed it across her abdomen, then brought it to her breasts. He cursed, turned around and jerked on his chambray shirt, then shrugged into his jeans before he could grab her again and touch her the way he wanted.

But Suzanne Hartwell didn’t deserve to be taken on the cold hard ground.

And the fact that seconds ago he would have taken her there, would have taken her anywhere he could get her, proved that he was all wrong for her.

A
N AWKWARD SILENCE
stretched between them as they rode back to the ranch. Finally Suzanne could stand it no longer. Nearly making love to Rafe had only increased her hunger for him, and raised more questions in her mind. Who was this man, really? “How did you get those scars on your back?”

A muscle in his jaw tightened. “It’s a long story.”

“I have plenty of time.”

He sent a sharp look toward her. “Let’s just call them fool’s wounds.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Means I got them because I was a fool.”

“I see.” She twisted her mouth sideways. “A woman, huh?”

“A woman who used me to make her real boyfriend jealous.”

“Ouch.” She grew silent again. “What about your limp?”

His laughter rumbled in the wind. “Now, that injury came from a horse. Meanest mare I ever tried to break. Called her Hellion.”

“She threw you?”

“More than once. But this time, I hit the barbwire fence wrong.”

They’d almost reached the barn. “Did you get back on her?”

“Of course.” He slowed Thunder to a walk. “I had to let her know who was boss.”

But he hadn’t gotten seriously involved with another woman again, she thought. Which told her he’d never gotten over that fall.

“R
AFE, COME HERE
!” Bud was jumping up and down in front of the barn, waving his hands. “Hazel’s in labor. I think she’s in trouble.”

“Who’s Hazel?” Suzanne asked.

Rafe slid off Thunder and tied him to the fence.

“One of my prized breeding cows. I have to check on her.”

“Can I come?”

He shrugged. He didn’t have time to think about the reason for her interest. If Hazel lost this calf or died during the calving, he’d be out a bundle. Shoving his hat more firmly on his head, he strode inside the barn and followed Bud to the back stall where the cow lay on her side, groaning and shaking.

“Get some blankets,” he told Bud.

“You want me to call Doc Blackstone?”

“Yeah.” It would cost him an arm and a leg, but he couldn’t afford not to call the vet. He unbuttoned the sleeves to his shirt and rolled them up, grabbed a pair of rubber gloves, then knelt to check the progress. Suzanne peered over his shoulder.

“Can I do anything to help?”

“Not unless you’ve delivered a calf before.”

She bit down on her lower lip and shook her head. He almost laughed at the look of fear in her eyes. But the situation was anything but funny. He had enough troubles without the possibility of losing one of his most prized animals.

The next hour was grueling as they watched the animal struggle to give birth. He didn’t understand why Suzanne stayed, but she remained steadfast by his side, crooning soft nonsensical words to the cow. Bud had poked his head in several times, saying he’d left messages for the veterinarian but hadn’t yet reached him.

Finally, sometime after midnight, Suzanne fell asleep, her head tucked on her hand as she lay stretched out on the hay next to the cow. As if the animal knew it had company, it quieted slightly, giving in to the natural pains of labor more graciously.

Rafe memorized Suzanne’s features, her presence destroying his preconceived notions about her.

Finally, around three o’clock, the labor process intensified. The cow thrashed at the hay with her back legs, and Suzanne stirred, brushing her hair from her face as she soothed the animal.

“She’s in pain, isn’t she?” Suzanne asked softly.

His gaze met hers. “Yes, if she doesn’t deliver soon and Doc doesn’t get here, I’ll have to help her.”

Her finely shaped eyebrows rose. “Have you done it before?”

“Yeah.” But it was never easy, and sometimes Mother Nature took a nasty turn.

But he didn’t want to alarm her. Instead, he shrugged, wiping the perspiration from his upper lip with the back of his arm. It was hot as blazes in the barn and he was shocked Suzanne hadn’t complained of the heat and animal odors. She also seemed oblivious to the dirt and hay on her jeans, the flies swarming nearby and the fact that his hands were less than clean.

Hazel grunted and roiled, thrashing her legs wildly, and Rafe grimaced.

Bud jammed his head in again. “Doc’s on his way. Be here soon.”

Damn. Rafe gritted his teeth as the cow’s cry grew fainter. She was losing steam, he realized. Not a good sign.

Bud gave him a panicked look, and Suzanne’s face twisted with anguish.

He checked her again. “She’s breech,” he said, trying to cover the anxiety in his own voice. “I’ll have to turn the calf.”

Bud grabbed hold of the cow to help hold her down in case she balked. Rafe dug deeper inside Hazel to get a good grip on the calf, then struggled for several seconds and managed to latch on to the rear. He twisted and worked, sweat beading on his forehead as he felt the calf finally moving in the correct position. The cow’s breathing sounded erratic, but he finally pulled the calf. Fluids covered the animal, and it lay alarmingly still. He quickly checked it for life, the silence in the barn almost deafening.

“Is it all right?”

He held his breath, but the calf finally squirmed and moved its legs.

Suzanne and Bud cheered out loud, a car engine sounded outside, and Bud raced to greet the doctor. Rafe sat back on his haunches and prayed the mother would be all right.

S
UZANNE WATCHED IN AWE
as Mother Nature took its course and the cow cleaned her baby. But Rafe’s worried look alarmed her. He gestured for her to follow him outside while the veterinarian examined calf and mother.

“They’ll be all right, won’t they?” Suzanne asked. “I mean, the mother didn’t go through that agony for nothing.”

“Sometimes it happens,” he said, not ready to offer details. “Why don’t you go on home, Suzanne. There’s nothing more you can do. You look exhausted.”

“So do you, Rafe. You need some sleep.”

“I’ll sleep when I know Hazel’s all right.” He rubbed his hand over his growling belly, then realized he was a mess. Oddly, Suzanne wasn’t balking or running as he would have imagined.

“I want to wait and see what the doctor says,” Suzanne said.

He started to argue, but Bud suddenly appeared with two cups of coffee. “Here, figured you guys could use this.” He grinned at Suzanne, and she smiled, wondering what he thought about her tagging along in the barn. But he didn’t comment; he simply headed back to the kitchen, probably to get himself a cup of coffee, too.

Rafe leaned back against the fence and sipped the coffee, his dark gaze unreadable as he stared up at the stars in the sky. If he lost the cow, would it cause a financial strain on him?

Sympathy swelled within Suzanne and she squeezed his arm. The simple movement brought his head down, and his dark gaze locked with hers. “What are you doing here, Suzanne?”

She closed her eyes and sighed. She had no idea, but it was the first time in a long time that she wasn’t in a hurry to be someplace else. The first time in forever that someone meant more to her than her job.

And that someone was Rafe.

Thankfully, Dr. Blackstone emerged from the barn before she had to reply.

His expression was grave but hopeful. “I think she’ll be fine. The next twenty-four hours will tell.”

Rafe nodded. Suzanne slipped inside to get another glimpse of mother and baby while Rafe conferred with the doctor. For some odd reason, tears pricked her eyes as the calf cuddled up to its mother to nurse. A few seconds later Rafe walked in. She hurriedly blinked away the moisture, unaccustomed to such emotions.

“I guess I’d better go,” Suzanne said, afraid to look Rafe in the eye.

He caught her hand, the troubled look in his eyes mirroring her own feelings. “Thanks for staying tonight.”

Stunned by the gruffness of his voice, she raised on her tiptoes and kissed him. A long, slow, tender kiss that promised of things to come. Then she turned and said goodbye.

He wouldn’t thank her if he knew the real reason she’d come to Sugar Hill. The truth about why she’d accepted the riding lessons.