The Reluctant Cowboy (7 page)

Cole yawned and stretched as he heard noises coming from the bathroom.  “What time is it?” 

“I’ll be right out.”  He heard her reply. 
Well, that wasn’t the question he had asked, but at least she heard him.
  He glanced at the clock on the bedside table.  It was 9:30am.  That was very late for him getting up, but considering he didn’t get much sleep, it was to be expected.  He heard Sierra talking in the bathroom. 
She must be on the phone.
  He was famished from the all night lovemaking session with her.  They had made love on and off the entire night.  He couldn’t recall another time when he was so physically enamored with a woman.  He was glad he was in shape as his endurance was put to the test. 

It was if their bodies were meant for each other.  They both brought each other to the pinnacle and often in unison.  Her body was just as perfect for him as he remembered.  He did pause to wonder if she had changed slightly from two years ago.  Her breasts seemed slightly larger and her hips a fraction rounder.  She seemed curvier in all the right places. 

He heard the door open as she appeared freshly showered, with wet hair and wearing one of the hotel robes.  She went and picked up her dress off the floor and hung it back up in the garment bag.  “It really is a beautiful dress.” 

“It’s yours if you want to keep it.” 

She turned to look at him.  “As much as I’d like to, I can’t fathom anywhere I would be able to wear it again.” 

“You could wear it around the house when you are alone.”  She laughed at his comment.  “Were you on the phone in the bathroom?  Everything okay?” 

“Yes, I didn’t want to wake you and was just checking in with my parents and my friend.” 

“You must be close to your parents.”  They had discussed several things the previous night, but she had seemed to avoid personal matters. 

“I am. Very close.”  He sensed that she didn’t want him to pry. 

He sat up in bed.  “Shall I call for room service?  I don’t know about you but I’m starving.” 

“Me too.”

“Eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns and orange juice, please,” Cole placed the order.  “They said thirty minutes.  I’m going to shower while we wait.” 

He got out of bed and noticed her blush as she looked at him. He crossed the room to her and kissed the side of her neck.  “You seem fidgety?  Are you sure you’re all right?”  

“I feel kind of fidgety.  I usually go for a run in the mornings when I can.  I have this energy I need to release.”  Cole doubled-over laughing.  “What?  What did I say?” 

“C’mon sweetheart, I know just the thing.”  He led her towards the bathroom.

“I just took a shower.” Cole waited for the impact of his words to sink in.  He watched her eyes widen and saw the grin spreading on her face.  “Ohhhh!  I think I need another one.”  They spent the next twenty eight minutes in the shower until Cole was sure she was no longer fidgety.

Sierra had thrown on her T-shirt and sweatpants while they ate.  Cole had slipped on his boxers and was sitting under the sheet as they proceeded to eat their breakfast.  “Nice shirt.  I never saw the show,” he commented.

“Whhaattt? You have never seen Buffy?” 

“Apparently by your reaction, that is a bad thing?” 

“Seriously, how have you never seen an episode?  It’s just the best. show. ever.” 

“I don’t get to watch much TV.  If I do, it’s usually sports or news.” 

“Oh, that’s just sad.  Not that you don’t watch much TV, actually neither do I, but that you haven’t seen Buffy.” 

“I take it you are a fan, from the look of disbelief?” 

“Cole, Cole, Cole, you poor man.  Promise me that at some point, you will rent the DVD’s or pull it up on Netflix.  It will solve any problems you may have.”  She continued to devour her breakfast while he sipped his coffee. 

“That is a bold statement.  I’m intrigued and will be sure to take your advice and…watch Buffy.”  She laughed and nodded her head.  “Do I score any points for admitting that I have watched several Sex and the City episodes, including the movies?” he teased.

“Oh yes, I love Carrie Bradshaw, too.  It’s another favorite of mine.  All of my friends use quotes from the show at some time or another in our daily conversations.  It’s another classic.” 

“I’m starting to see a theme occurring here.  You seem to admire strong women leads.” 

“Who wouldn’t?  It started with Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.” 

“Of course it did.  Rhett was pretty cool, too.” 

“He was so handsome and charming.”  She paused while she studied him. 

“Do not even think of comparing me to Rhett Butler, Sierra.  I am not that noble.” 

“You might be.  C’mon say the line.  Pleassseee,” she pleaded, and then watched him roll his eyes at her. 

“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a Damn.”  She burst out laughing, as he even tried to add the drawl.  Cole couldn’t believe this conversation, but had to admit that he was enjoying it thoroughly.  This woman was able to bring out a lighter side of him and it was liberating. 

He was learning more about her and what made her tick.  She was showing a relaxed and fun-loving side that he yearned to see more of.  He had some good ideas for the day and hoped she would agree to them.  “I thought about having a late lunch in Central Park.  I could show you some more of the city and then relax in the park.  It’s really pretty this time of year with everything blooming.” 

He watched her finish her breakfast as she pondered, “I think that is doable.  I’m going to check in with Amy and make sure she and my colleagues are good with that.” 

“Actually, I already had Denise hire a tour guide for them with a very nice lunch and dinner and tickets for them to see Wicked tonight.” 

“You did?  That is so nice.  Did you do that for the other candidates?” 

“As I recall, the other candidates were not staying two nights, so I believe we would have provided either lunch or dinner.”  She was still smiling at him.  “What kind of man and company did you think you were submitting a proposal to?” 

“I don’t know.  I hadn’t thought about the personal side of anything.  I was just all business.” 

“I don’t want to talk about business specifics with you today, but I will say that it looks promising for Nations.” 

He watched as she jumped off the bed and put her tray on the floor.  “That’s great!  I knew we did a good presentation.” 

Cole reached for his phone and made a few calls while Sierra was picking up the room.  “Are you leaving now?” she queried, wringing her hands. 

“I need to go back to my place to change my clothes and pick up my car.” 

“Okay.”  She headed into the restroom.  “Sierra, would you like to go with me?”  She peaked her head around the corner.  “Yes, please.” 

For some reason she didn’t want him to leave her alone yet.  She was afraid it would break the spell she was under.  She knew that after tomorrow, she may never see him again.  She had decided that she wanted to spend as much time with him as she could. 

She dressed in her lightweight ivory pullover sweater with a tank underneath and her favorite pair of blue jeans and cowboy boots.  Her boots were her favorite pair of footwear that she owned.  She wore tennis shoes when she ran, but her boots were broke in and she could walk for miles in them.  She didn’t care if she was in the city or country, they were comfortable.  She applied light makeup for the day and blew her hair dry.  She didn’t want to keep Cole waiting. 

He told her a car would pick them up in 20 minutes to take them to his place.  She was curious what his place would look like.  She was being constantly surprised on how well she and Cole were getting along.  She wanted to learn as much about him as she could today.  She was relieved that he didn’t seem to find her quirky or immature.  She was finding out that he wasn’t the all-mature, sophisticated, boring playboy she thought he might be. 

She heard her phone ping and reached to see a text from Dana.  [
Everything okay?]

She texted her back honestly.  [
Better than okay.  Spending day with him.] 

Another ping.  [
Sweet.  Have fun. Love you.
Wink face.] 

She packed her wristlet again and came out of the restroom to see Cole dressed, except for the tie he was stuffing in his suit pocket.  Without thinking, she blurted out, “Can I have the tie?” 

She watched a surprise look cross his features.  She wasn’t sure what made her say or even want the tie, but she did.  He removed the tie and started to hand it over to her.  “Only if you promise to think of me when you wear it,” he gave her a wink and she smiled in return, as she placed the tie carefully on the table. 

“Deal.” 

“You look very refreshing today.  Liking the boots,” he flattered her, while they were making their way to the lobby. 

“Do you even own a pair of boots?” 

She felt him pause mid-stride.  “You know, I’m not sure that I do.” 

She reached for his hand and pulled him towards the lobby doors that reached outside.  “By the end of today, you will.”  She was going to make sure he got himself a great pair.

They were dropped off a short ride later at Park Ave and 36
th
St.  She had heard of Park Ave and knew that this was a prime piece of real estate.  This was the city she had envisioned.  It was another beautiful sample of architecture and she was excited to see the inside. 

When he opened the door, her first thought was how “sterile” it looked.  It was very pretty, everything in its place, but it felt cold--so unlike the man she was getting to know. 

She focused on the décor and furniture.  Dark hardwood floors complimented the modern stainless appliances in the kitchen and the granite counters engrained with browns and golds.  She did appreciate the large, white, country sink that contrasted with the other dark features.  The cabinets had glass doors with modern handles.  The entire apartment had an eclectic vibe and she wondered if this was his taste or some designer that he had hired.  She made her way over to the large windows overlooking the street below.  The view was enough to make her decide that she liked it. 

“You’re quiet.  You don’t care for it?”  She watched him study her reaction. 

“It’s what I kind of pictured for a New York apartment, I guess…” 

“But…” he nudged. 

“It’s nice.”  She did think it was nice and didn’t want to hurt his feelings.  It just wasn’t her style. 

“Nice?” he challenged.  “I’ve been here a few years.  I don’t own it, just rent it.  I’m not here much.  I spend most of my time at the office or just out.” 

“I see.”  But, she didn’t. She didn’t see any pictures or much art on the walls at all.  “So, do you entertain here at all?” 

He was still looking out the window.  “Actually, no, I don’t.  It’s just a place to me.  I’ve had a handful of guests from time to time, but not often.”  She couldn’t help but wonder if he meant women, but kept it to herself.   “Come see the rest of it.  The bedrooms are nice and maybe you will like those better.” 

She followed him as he headed down the long hallway.  The first bedroom was decorated like the living area.  Pretty, but lacked any charm or personality.  She entered the master bedroom and finally got a glimpse of
him
in this room. It was a stark difference from the rest of the apartment. It was warm and inviting.  The furniture was less modern and more masculine.  A large, black, solid headboard with a suede material covering it contrasted against the large, white, down comforter.  The matching pieces were also black, but looked sophisticated and not sterile. 

She saw some of his clothes lying over the back of a chair and shoes placed in front of a dresser.  She was drawn to the large chest of drawers which seemed to hold photographs.  She saw several sized frames with pictures in them.  She picked one up when she recognized Vanessa.  She was much younger and standing beside Cole.  They were standing side by side with their arms behind each other’s backs. “We were seventeen in that one,” he recalled.  She hadn’t heard him come up behind her. 

“She hasn’t changed much.  She’s so pretty.” 

“Yes, she is.” 

“Now you, on the other hand….you grew up a lot.  You are not much taller than her in this picture.” 

“I was a late bloomer,” he explained, “I was skinny and lanky in my youth.  I was an easy target for her brothers, growing up.”  She was still admiring the picture as she saw another one which included the implied.  This picture was in a larger 8x10 frame and had been professionally done. 

“I’ve only met them a few times.  They are characters,” she snickered.

She heard him chuckle.  “That is not the only way to describe them.”   

“Were they mean to you growing up?”  She was curious. 

“God, no, they were my brothers.  We wrestled, rode bikes, played video games, ate everything in sight, but they were never mean.”  She relaxed as he continued.  “I wasn’t kidding when I told you that our grandmothers had wanted us to marry when we got older.  The first time they told us, all of us kids were playing outside and I think I must have been picking on Vanessa when her Grandma called out something to the effect of “I needed to be nice to my future wife.”  We were only around ten years old and we all stopped and just stared at her.  Of course, my Grandmother piped in and said that she was making it up, but the damage was done and my
“brothers”
teased us both mercilessly for years.  When we were older, I think Vanessa told me that they had indeed made up some marriage agreement and that we would have an opportunity to review it and sign it, if we got married.”