Texas Rose Forever (Texas Rose Ranch #1) (13 page)

CHAPTER 13

S
o what if she’d spent the night and woken up next to Cinco? CanDee wasn’t happy with herself. This was the beginning of attachment, which might lead to moving in together, which could lead to happiness and then a load of heartache.

She was tired of telling herself that this time would be different. Before Phillip had been Markus—the poet. She’d been in college full time and still managed to pay off his car by borrowing money against her car. Prior to Markus had been Rob—the Pilates instructor who’d been taking a break from Pilates to find himself. Apparently his voyage of self-discovery had involved backpacking through Europe on her dime. There was only one explanation: she was a sap. Well, that, and her picker was broken. She’d never really thought of herself as a doormat, but she had footprints on her forehead that said otherwise.

Cinco was different. He hadn’t asked to borrow money or her car. Then again, her ten-year-old Toyota Corolla looked like toy next to his enormous Chevy 2500. And he wasn’t likely to want to backpack through Europe or have her pay off his credit cards, or steal her novel.

So, okay, she’d spent the night and woken up next to him. It wasn’t a big deal.

Cinco had a better bed and a shower directly from heaven, so she was only being practical. This wasn’t a relationship, but it kind of was . . . so what . . . it would never lead to anything permanent.

With her fork, she scooped up the last of her scrambled eggs from her plate. He’d left hours ago, before the sun even thought about waking up. She sipped a cup of hot, fresh coffee. He’d set a timer on the coffeemaker so she’d have some fresh when she woke up. How had he known what time that would be?

On a frustrated sigh, she glanced at the refrigerator, where he’d left her a note apologizing for leaving so early, but that he’d cooked her breakfast and left it in the fridge. And, he wanted her to feel free to work here and maybe he’d be able to sneak away for some lunch with her. Damn it if her heart didn’t flip-flop at the thought of seeing him again.

CanDee’s palms began to sweat, so she rubbed them on her pajama bottoms. This was familiar—a little too familiar. Her relationships always started out this way. Everything was all shiny and new and the sex was fantastic, and they spent every waking moment together.

And then a new toothbrush would appear in her bathroom. She shook her head. It would all start with a toothbrush and then some underwear and a clean shirt. Pretty soon an overnight bag would show up, and then she would give up a little drawer space and start stocking the fridge with his favorite foods.

And then someone—usually her—would have the great idea that they should move in together. Somehow, she would end up footing the bill for his student loans and credit cards and his car payment. She rubbed her slick palms on her pants again.

Only . . . this time, it would be different. Cinco would never move in with her and he sure as hell wouldn’t ever let her pay for a damn thing. She nodded to herself as she picked up her dirty plate and mug and took them to the sink. She washed them and placed them in the rack to dry.

Grabbing a cleaning wipe from under the sink, she wiped down the kitchen table and then tossed it in the trash can.

She straightened.

Holy crap. Her toothbrush was lined up next to Cinco’s on the bathroom sink. She remembered placing it there last night. She leaned on against the counter, closed her eyes, and pinched the bridge of her nose. For the love of God, she’d packed an overnight bag that was sitting next to her side of the bed.

Hold on a minute, she didn’t have a side of the bed, it merely was the side that Cinco didn’t sleep on. It could belong to anyone . . . it wasn’t hers.

One thing was for sure, she was firm on the drawer space. She absolutely was not putting any of her things in any drawers in this house. It was final and that was nonnegotiable.

But her shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were lined up next to Cinco’s in the shower. Still, that wasn’t a sign of commitment, it was only a smart choice. His selection of shampoo was one of those all-in-one shampoo-conditioner things. He didn’t even have shower gel. No, no, it made sense to leave her toiletries here because no matter where she slept, she was only showering here.

It was only efficiency and a deep love affair with his shower that kept her things here. And proximity to research tools that she needed to do her job. Wasting time running back and forth between the cottage and Cinco’s house didn’t make sense. She nodded. This was a much better arrangement. Plus, she got lots of free food. The smart choice was to stay here some of the time and maybe leave her toothbrush here and possibly some clean clothes—not in a drawer or hanging in the closet or anything, just in a bag or something, maybe even downstairs and not anywhere near her side . . . um, the other side of Cinco’s bed.

Whatever was between her and Cinco was different and in no way
would lead to heartache. They were both consenting adults who happened to enjoy each other’s company, so why shouldn’t they spend time together?

Since she was leaving in a few weeks, they really didn’t have time for
anything serious. Just a few laughs while she got her work done and then she was back to Austin and her novel. That was the way things were. End of story.

The thought that she would only be here for a short time should have made her happy. It would suck to not see Cinco every day, but she loved Austin and missed her friends. She shrugged. Well, she hadn’t really thought much about them, but she would miss them probably very soon. Although, she couldn’t bring a single name to mind.

Well, she missed the food in Austin and the shopping. She glanced at the fridge. The food was pretty good here and she really didn’t have any extra money to use to go shopping. That was beside the point. She loved her life in Austin.

Her little apartment was all her own. No one had a key to it but her. She’d been down that road and had had the bare mattress on the floor and no furniture to prove it. Life was better when she controlled how much of it she shared with someone instead of the other way around.

Maybe as payback for the hard work she’d been putting in on the Texas Rose genealogy, she’d reward herself with a couple of hours on her mystery. She marched into the parlor, picked up her laptop, settled
into a comfy spot on the sofa, and got to work.

Several hours later, there were footsteps on the front porch. She leaned
over and peeped between the slats of the wooden blinds. Cinco was wash
ing off his dirty boots with the garden hose. She glanced at the clock on her computer and was shocked to find that four hours had passed.

It was lunchtime already? That was the fun of writing for pleasure, time just melted away. She closed her laptop and controlled the urge to meet him at the door with a kiss. It was stupid and sappy and needy and, oh hell, she went to the door anyway.

It opened just as she made it into the reception hall.

Cinco stepped inside as a barrage of sunlight nearly blinded her. Thankfully, he closed the door behind him, shutting out the light that practically burned her retinas.

He leaned down and kissed her. “I’m so glad you’re still here.”

That made her smile. He hadn’t taken for granted that she would still be here.

“Where else would I be?” Damn, that came out wrong. “I mean, I’ve been here murdering people.”

That was even worse.

Four very pronounced lines dented his forehead.

“Lefty wasn’t one of them, was he? I couldn’t find him this morning.” He glanced around. “Do I need to help you bury the bodies?”

“Nah, I used your pig idea.” She swiped her hand toward the kitchen. “The kitchen’s a mess. It turns out that chopping up bodies is messier than I thought.”

“You’re kidding, right?” He glanced at the kitchen. “I’m not going to find anything in there that might require me to call my attorney?”

“You have an attorney?” She thought about for a second. “Oh, yeah . . . you’re a politician. The state of Texas probably gave you one at your swearing-in ceremony. Was that before or after they brainwashed you into thinking that it’s okay to spend ten thousand dollars on a hammer?”

“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. Since my pigs are all full up from your murders, I’d have to resort to plan B, which involves dumping your body in the fallen-in dugout. I’ve had a busy morning and that just sounds like way too much work, so let’s just skip the hammer question.” He hugged her tight and then smacked her playfully on the bottom. “Your legs look a mile long in this miniskirt.”

His arm went around her shoulders and they headed toward the kitchen.

Compliments from him made her feel so good. Although she reminded herself that at the beginning of a relationship, compliments were plentiful, but at the end they were nonexistent. “I forgot to ask you last night, since you’re a state representative, am I supposed to call you Your Highness or something?”

“Only in the bedroom, sweetheart.” He grinned. “Stud will do for everyday and maybe Stallion for special occasions.”

“Spend some time with the horses this morning?” She hip-bumped him.

“As a matter of fact, I did.” He hip-bumped her back. “So do you want chili with crackers or crackers with chili?”

Slowly, his arm worked its way down her back and ended up on her butt. From there it was a short trip to the bottom of her miniskirt. He inched the denim up. “What do you have on under this thing?”

“I’ve never known anyone so fascinated with my underwear.” She batted his hand away. “Lunch first and then sex.”

“So you’re using me for my food and then my body.” He smacked her on the butt again and then his hand slid away. He went to the fridge and pulled out the giant pot of chili.

“You have a problem with that?” She leaned on the counter and watched him. He was comfortable in the kitchen and didn’t mind eating what he cooked, which in her book was the hallmark of a great chef.

“No, I don’t mind a bit. Just wanted to put it into words.” He grabbed two bowls out of the cabinet, scooped chili into them, and popped them into the microwave.

He walked right up to her, wrapped his hands around her hips, and lifted her onto the counter. It was cold against the backs of her thighs. His mouth came down on hers in a hot kiss. His tongue darted inside her mouth and leisurely explored.

Her hand went to the front of his Wranglers and popped his belt buckle open.

He drew back. “I thought it was lunch first and then sex.”

“That’s right.” She unbuttoned his jeans. “It’s your turn to go commando.”

“But . . .”

“Let me show you how it’s done.” She leaned back, slipped her hands under her skirt, looped her thumbs in the silk straps at her hips, and yanked her panties down. She rolled on one hip and then the other, pulling them down to her knees. With her right toe, she snagged them and flipped them off.

“Th-th-that’s s-s-s-so hot.”

“Stammering, that’s about the cutest thing ever.” She wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him to her. Her hands went to the waistband of his boxer briefs. “Your turn.”

“What about the chili?” He nuzzled the spot right behind her ear.

Goosebumps broke out all over her body. “What about it?”

“I’m not hungry for it anymore.” He kissed his way down her neck and nipped at her nipple through the cotton of her T-shirt.

“Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?” She planted her hands on the counter and leaned back to give him access to her.

“I’m thinking something sweet that tastes like summer strawberries.” His mouth moved to the other nipple.

“Really? What would that be? It’s not summer.” She rocked her hips forward. She wanted him to say it. She liked when he told her what he wanted to do to her body.

“You. I’m having you for lunch.” His mouth sucked on the inside of her thigh.

She popped the snap on her skirt and went for the zipper when he stayed her hand.

“Leave it on.” He fisted her skirt and yanked it up over her hips.

The cold counter bit into her backside and made her shiver. “Why?”

“It turns me on. There’s just something about mussing you up that gets my blood pumping. Don’t get me wrong, I like seeing you naked, but right now, there’s just something downright naughty about mussing you up.” With his tongue, he traced a path to her opening. “You’re always so put together and girly. I like seeing your clothes wrinkled and knowing that my hands rumpled your clothes. Later, when I look over at you and see the mess that I’ve made of you, it’s going to turn me the hell on all over again.”

“That works for me.” She slid her legs onto his shoulders. “Feel free to wad up my clothes all you want. Anything else you need from me?”

He held her hips tight. “Some moaning would be nice and keep your eyes on mine. I want you to watch me as I make you come.”

His warm tongue licked at her and she rolled her hips up to give him better access. She held his gaze as she lifted up her shirt and pulled down the cups of her bra. His eyes turned to liquid aqua as he growled against her sex.