The Discreet Cowboy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 6) (7 page)

He shrugged. “I’m sure it does for some. Truth is, I sometimes wonder if I’ll be stuck with this damn thing the rest of my life.” He nodded at the cane. “Just when I think I have walking down again, I lose my balance.”

“No worries. You can lean on me. I won’t slap you if your hand slips.” She winked.

He laughed, causing her core to tremble. She slid her palms around his back, exploring the tightness of his muscles, each masculine coil. She wanted to discover more of his rigid physique, like a human map. This was a man who worked hard and didn’t allow his temporary disability to keep him from continuing on in life.

Dade surprised her when he gently tugged her closer—so close that her breasts pressed against his solid chest. Her nipples were so hard now, she wondered if he could feel the nubs through their clothing. Her pussy lips throbbed and her panties moistened. Oh what she wouldn’t give to sneak Dade away from the crowd and see where things led. She knew exactly where things would lead…and why didn’t she shy away from the thought?

Okay, obviously going six months without sex was causing her to respond like a schoolgirl dancing with her first boyfriend. Hell, he wouldn’t take the chance of allowing things to go to the next level. He was probably only taking her up on her offer that he could lean on her for stability.

“That’s mighty close, cowboy. Are you needing me to keep you steady?”

“No,” he said in a husky voice.

“Really? Mm.”

He chuckled. “Don’t laugh at me, but parts of my body are responding with a little too much enthusiasm. I think I might embarrass myself. Wouldn’t want that, now would we?”

Something about his openness made her happy. “Just keep in mind, it’s just a dance, not an invitation.” She warned gently, although she didn’t sound so convincing. She even had to bite back a smile.

“Oh darn, there went all of my plans of seducing you with my smooth dance moves.” There was a bucket load of sarcasm to his words.

“You don’t give yourself enough credit. Trust me.”

“Oh, so my skills
are
working? I was afraid this might happen.” He winked and a mischievous smile curved his beautiful mouth.

“You were afraid what would happen?”

“That you’d fall for me once you were in my arms.”

“Don’t take me for your typical woman, Dade. It’d take a lot more than fancy footwork or a flash of that undeniably sexy smile to steal my heart.” Her voice quivered.

“Who wants typical when they can have extraordinary?”

His words were like a magical drug oozing through her body, breaking down all of her defenses. Before she thought over her next action, she stood on tiptoes and kissed him quickly on the lips. His eyes widened slightly, but he recovered fast and pressed his mouth to hers. At first his touch was slow, explorative and gentle. He slipped his tongue between her lips and she parted easily in welcome, moaning in delight. Their tongues dueled, tasting and sampling, both forgetting where they were—or more importantly, who they were. This was against unwritten rules, but neither cared. Neither could worry about anything but the unexplainable connection igniting between them. A draw that had the intensity of a hurricane.

He pulled back, his breathing heavy and his eyes glazed. “Shit.” He nuzzled his face against her neck, kissing the tender skin. “You smell good. Like apple pie,” he whispered.

She tried concentrating on his words. “I ate a piece at that little diner down the street.”

“Ah, yes. Best pies in Wyoming.” His voice was full of tension.

“You doing okay?” she asked.

“This is as much action I’ve had in a very long time.” He sighed. “A man learns how little control he truly has when he feels like he could bust a seam and do something really crazy.”

“Crazy or unexpected?”

“Both.”

“Some of the best things in life happen when we least expect them.”

They moved slowly to the music as she patiently kept with his pace, yet it only made the dance seem more seductive—more intimate. The warmth from his hand penetrated through the material of her dress and thong, heating her blood like boiling water. His taste lingered on her lips and she wanted more of his kisses.

The song ended and neither made a move to part. They stood there, meshed together, frozen to the floor in attraction’s hold. Both were grateful when another slow song drifted from the speakers. She recognized the husky, lulling voice of Tim McGraw and easily moved her body against Dade’s to the soft rhythm of the tune. If the connection between them wasn’t strong enough, the romantic feel of the music certainly could wrap them in a cloud of lust.

“Question is, are you okay?” he asked while threading his fingers through her hair.

She swallowed, hoping her voice worked much better than her mind. “Actually, I’m pretty damn good.” Her words came out on a breathless moan.  Goosebumps scattered her skin as his steamy breaths fluttered like butterfly wings across her cheek. She tipped her head back and looked up at him. “Been a while for me too. Not sure what’s come over me. Maybe I need to find out what potent concoction Mickey whipped up in that drink.”

“Want another?”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” She laughed.

“No, I like you just the way you are. Sober and spirited.”

He stared down at her and she truly got the feeling that he wasn’t attempting to seduce her, which was quite odd because she was turned on and would be in the mood for a quickie in the backseat of her car if things went that direction. Awareness zip-lined through her and an uncontrollable need clamped her nerve endings. Her clit pulsated, swelling against her panties as she imagined him between her legs, his thick black hair nestled between her trembling thighs, while he sucked away her juices. Desire built like an inferno, heating her core to a dangerous temperature. This was unlike her. The sexual attraction was off the charts. Most men she met didn’t cause this sudden yearning and she had to wonder what the draw could be. Why was every sensation extra strong and amazing? Was the appeal because he was off limits? No, this was more than that. He was sexy and kind, seductive, but in a subdued manner. A lethal combination of wit and power.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” His eyes turned a shade darker, like melted green glass. She’d never met anyone whose eye color changed with their mood. It fascinated her.

“No.” She swept her tongue out, moistening her lips. “I don’t have the time. I bet it’d be hard for you to find a girlfriend out on a secluded ranch. Most women wouldn’t stand for her man working at Nirvana around all of those attractive, willing women. Yet, it’s probably not a long term relationship you’re looking for when you have a dozen ladies a week wanting to sample what’s under those Wranglers.”

“Ah, the ol’ assumption of Nirvana. You’re half right. There are many attractive and willing women, but they seem to go for the mature, rugged type, like Dodge, Maverick, and Jared. And, of course, your brother. But I think you’re wrong. I think a lot of women would be okay with her man working at the ranch. Chase and Kaycee live there. So do Maverick and Jax. They all seem to be doing okay.”

“I guess for some folks it works. Yet, I don’t get why you separate yourself from the other cowboys.”

He shrugged. “I’m a little slower these days if you didn’t notice the limp and the cane.”

Although his words reeked of self-pity, she realized that’s not how he meant them. A man like Dade wouldn’t want pity. He was being matter-of-fact, just as he was with everything else, like his attraction to her. She’d see where a virile cowboy, anyone really, would find walking with a cane frustrating, learning to adapt to his new physical body when he relied on being rough and tough. Unbelievably, it was easy to forget his limp, or how he lost his balance at times, when all she could see was his sparkling eyes and tilted smile. “I noticed…but it wasn’t the limp or the cane that caught my attention.”

“You just say what’s on your mind, don’t you, angel?”

“Pretty much. I see that you do too. Some men can’t handle my blunt honesty.”

“Those aren’t real men, sweetheart. A man appreciates a strong, independent woman, and doesn’t find her candor intimidating.” His eyes twinkled. “Would you live at Nirvana if the opportunity arose?”

Whoa. Where is this leading?
She shook her head. “Nirvana is beautiful, and I’ve certainly liked being there, but I’m not sure it’s meant for me. I think I’m the type who needs to stay connected with the raw and gritty side of the world. The lovely things the city has to offer—gourmet coffee shops on every corner, busy streets, the challenge of meeting new people. It’s what keeps me grounded.” She winked. “Visiting the ranch is like pushing the reset button. I’ll be refreshed and ready to take on what life has to offer.”

“Just as I thought. A city girl. Can’t take the country out of this ol’ boy. Being one with the land. Earning every callus on these hands—each one a reward for hard work.”

Calluses. Hard work. And sexy, masculine Dade. That was enough to make a woman drool.

The song ended.

They could have stayed on the floor all night, but she realized he had to be getting tired. She reluctantly took a step back, feeling the rush of cool air over her skin. “I need to run to the restroom,” she said.

“Okay.”

Sweat beaded between her breasts and the moisture on her panties was thick, wetting her inner thighs. She needed to go and take a swim in the sink. Hell, she needed to take a nosedive into the ice bin behind the bar. Dade’s gaze naturally floated down her body before his eyes returned to her face. He was smiling from ear to ear. She had a strong urge to step forward and kiss him again.
Couldn’t happen. Shouldn’t happen.

Shit!
When had she ever listened to logic? No reason to start now.

She covered his mouth with hers, slipping her tongue deep inside, only to draw away and gently nibble his bottom lip. He moaned and the sound tickled the secret parts of her. When her heart was beating so fast that she thought it’d knock right out of her chest, she took a step back, catching her breath. “Your kisses…they’re delicious.”

“So are yours.” His eyes were now as bright as the stars. She swore if she stared too long, she’d start making wishes and lose herself.

“Does this happen to you very often—meeting someone and knowing…just having that feeling?” Her voice was husky.

“Never.” He scrubbed his jaw. “This is all new.”

“I’m going to the restroom now.” She took a wider step back, bumped into a patron and she quickly apologized. Dade was laughing at her.

Gaining her breath, she hurried down the shaded hallway lit only by a neon beer sign and into the one toilet bathroom, locking the door behind her. It was surprisingly clean, but the flickering fluorescent lighting made her look like she had dark circles under her eyes and was lacking in nutrients. A little vitamin D—as in Dade—would help her in ways than she could only imagine. Once she did her business and had her dress back into place, she splashed her face with cold water, then returned to the bar. It took her a good minute to find Dade through the large crowd. He was sitting back at the bar, but he wasn’t alone. Next to him was a pretty, petite blonde who was huddled up by his side, her arm around his shoulders in a territorial hold. She wore a pair of shorts that were cut so high on her bottom that she had no secrets. Felicia sighed.
I can’t leave for one minute without some chick moving in
.

As Felicia got closer, she noticed that he looked as innocent as a kitten with a new ball. How could one man be so naïve and, yet, so confident at the same time? The blonde gave him a flirtatious smile, showing off pearly white teeth, kissed him on the cheek and darted back to her group of friends sitting at a table close to the jukebox.

“Am I keeping you from something—or someone,” Felicia said as she approached him, sliding onto the stool.

He brought his chin up. “No, why?”

“Well, I saw the pretty blonde. You should ask her to dance.”

He shrugged. “That’s Danni. I would, but her lover might get mad.”

“Lover? Where is he?” She scanned the room.

“Sitting right next to her,” Dade said.

Felicia realized the woman’s lover was a gorgeous brunette who was now tangling her long fingernails into Danni’s hair.

“Yeah, Danni looks preoccupied. I guess you’re stuck with me.” Felicia wagged her brows.

“Looks like we’re stuck together. And it’s time to go.”

“But we’re just getting started.”

He slipped off his stool and gently gripped her elbow. “We need to try and make it back across the bridge before it gets any worse outside. You’ve had your fun, now we gotta go.”

Why did he suddenly seem so cold? Hell, she knew Chase would give them some grief over tonight, but she could handle her brother. She had a feeling there was something more happening? Did he rethink the connection between them? Had she come on too strong?

She knew it was best not to cause a scene and together they walked outside. The rain was coming down so hard that she could barely see ten feet in front of her. The fog had also settled in and it made for a dangerous night to be out on the roads. Maybe she should have taken Dade’s word more serious.