Page 56 of Reckoning with the Cowboy
“As I remember, you were still eating glue like the elementary schoolboys back then,” she joked even as his touch sent a tremor through her.
“Oh, so you did notice me, huh?” His chuckle was low, seductive. He dropped his hand, those fingertips grazing the top of her breasts. Her nipples were already taut and aching. “I do love this swimsuit,” he said as one finger dipped under the fabric to rub her nipple.
She arched against him, her body crying out for this man whom she’d loved as far back as she could remember, whom she would always love. She cupped the back of his head and drew him into a kiss, her tongue teasing his. She felt his own need growing against hers. If they weren’t careful, they would be making love right here in this pool like they would have done when they were teens.
Cordell pulled her down under the water before breaking off the kiss. His hands on her waist, he lifted her and surfaced beside her again—just not as close.
“I hope there is no more question about whether or not I want you,” he said as if seeing that she was shaken as badly as he was by their intimacy.
She couldn’t speak. Her body vibrated with a primitive need that she knew only he could fulfill.
“We’d better get ready for dinner,” he said as he quickly kissed her, then turned and swam toward the edge of the pool.
* * *
Shane had gottenthem a beautiful room with a view of the Strip. The moment they entered, he threw himself on the bed, bouncing and laughing. “This is the life!” His gaze met hers. “Come on.”
She knew what he wanted. A quickie before they got dressed to go to the wedding chapel he’d reserved. “Not until you make an honest woman out of me,” she said as she grabbed the dress she was going to wear and headed for the bathroom. She could hear him chuckle before ordering champagne from room service. She wondered if he’d used her credit card to pay for all of this, then hated herself for thinking it.
Leaning against the glass shower wall, she tried to catch her breath. This was happening too fast; she wasn’t getting time to think. Back at the farmhouse before the flight, she’d seen him take down his two duffel bags. There wasn’t any way he hadn’t noticed that the copies he’d made about the farm weren’t where he’d hidden them. She’d watched him out of the corner of her eye, expecting some kind of response.
But there’d been none as he’d turned and began putting clothing into the bag. The other one he rolled up and pushed into the first bag.
“You’re taking both bags?” she’d asked.
He’d hesitated but just for a moment before he’d turned to look at her. “You caught me. I’m hoping I can pick up some new duds in Vegas, dress a little better for my soon-to-be wife.” His smile hadn’t reached his eyes.
“There is nothing wrong with the way you dress,” she’d said and had to bite her tongue to keep from adding, “After all, you’re going to be a farmer soon.”
“Hey,” he now called from the other room. “We need to get going.”
With trembling fingers, she pulled on the dress. It was one she’d been saving for a special occasion, never dreaming she would be getting married in it. She looked at herself in the mirror.Are you really going to do this?
She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering the day she saw him waiting by his motorcycle. She could still recall that well of emotion she felt when he’d looked at her. She’d gotten to know this man from his letters. He was sweet and thoughtful, and he’d come all the way to Montana for the dream the two of them had of running the farm together.
Opening her eyes, she took a breath and let it out before she opened the door and plastered a smile on her face. “Let’s get married!”
Shane took her in with his eyes, looking as if he’d never seen anyone more beautiful. “My bride,” he said and pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss. “Come on. You don’t want to be late for your own wedding.”
* * *
Josie’s body feltalive even after the shower and getting dressed for dinner. Cordell had told her that he’d asked around for the most romantic place to have dinner in town. He was definitely pulling out all the stops, she thought.
The restaurant exceeded its reputation. It was elegant, small, private and very romantic. But she would have found having a hot dog from a vendor on the street romantic as long as she was with this man. He wore new jeans, a white shirt and a sports jacket and boots. He’d never looked more handsome.
After their almost lovemaking in the pool, she was ready to sign on the dotted line. Cordell didn’t have to prove himself. She saw the man he was. She felt him in her heart. He’d come home to her. He was all she’d ever wanted.
A part of her wanted to argue about how she could agree to marry him, though, when her sister was in this relationship with Shane.
“Nope, not tonight,” Cordell said as if seeing that she was worrying about her sister. “Tonight, it is just you and me.”
She smiled at him and nodded. “Just you and me,” she said, looking at him in the candlelight. “Thank you for this.”
“My pleasure. Did you enjoy the swim?” That mischief she’d loved so much was right there along with that dimple.
“Oh, I did,” she said with a chuckle. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to seduce me.”
He gave her his best innocent look. “On the contrary. I’ve never wanted to make you do anything you don’t want to do.”
