STORY EXCERPT

Now there’s a real cowboy.

He was gorgeous. A hunk. A hottie. A Man with a capital M. And he was bearing down on them like a Sherman tank ready to squash the enemy. Right behind him was another man, almost a carbon copy, striding toward them with no doubt of his intention.

Although they had on black cowboy hats, she knew they could never be mistaken for bad guys. Maybe it was their square jaws or the intense looks in their eyes, but they had that hero look about them. The kind of look that, as soon as the hero appeared on the movie screen, the audience knew he was there to rescue the girl in trouble.

Their long legs went on for miles in their faded jeans. Silver belt buckles adorned their lean waists, but that was the only thing that was shiny. Their boots were worn and their shirts had seen better days. But they couldn’t have looked any better if they’d been wearing tuxedos.

Jesse spun around, ready to act all tough, then dropped the snarl as the huge cowboys headed his way. His bravado disappeared as he edged behind her, suddenly needing her protection yet again.

Donny went around one of the rigs to find his way over to the first cowboy. “Mr. Hill, I’m glad you’re here. I tried to tell them they couldn’t park in this lot, but then that guy threatened me.”

“Asshole.”

She elbowed Jesse in the ribs. “Shut up.”

Mr. Hill scanned the parking lot, then over to the public lot. “He’s right. You’re not supposed to park here.”

“See?” Donny thrust out his chest.

“Still…”

Donny’s bravado instantly deflated.

“The public lot is almost full.” He pointed toward the line of cars still feeding into the lot. “I don’t think there’re going to be enough parking spaces.”

“Then they’ll have to park on the street.”

Shit. Not on the street. The gang might see my car.

“No, I can’t.” Damn. “I mean, I’m already parked and…” And what? She couldn’t tell him the real reason. Heat coursed into her cheeks.

Mr. Hill narrowed his eyes, suspicion making her even antsier. “Look, Donny, no contestant is going to show up at this late hour. So why not cut her a break and let her stay put?”

“Because it’s against the rules.”

“Yeah, I know.” His chocolate-colored eyes met hers. “But sometimes rules are made to be broken. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone.”

She knew when to stay quiet, and this was one of those times. Instead, she plastered on a hopeful expression and was ready to slap her hand over Jesse’s mouth if he tried to open his.

Donny, however, didn’t want to give up his authority. “I have to keep the rules. Besides, this guy threatened me.”

The second sexy cowboy looped his arm around Donny’s shoulder. The young man’s face lit up as though his favorite sports hero had just made him his new best friend.

“That wasn’t really a threat. It wasn’t, was it, kid?” Mr. Hill narrowed his eyes at Jesse. “Because if it was, I’d take it kind of personal. I don’t like it when someone threatens my good friend Donny.”

Donny glared at Jesse who glared back. “It sure as hell sounded like a threat to me.”

“Naw, it wasn’t. And even if it sounded like one, I’ll bet he didn’t mean it. He’ll apologize, right?”

“Fuck no.”

She grabbed hold of Jesse’s arm and lowered her voice so that only Jesse would hear her. “Yes, you will. We need to stay parked where we are.” She darted her gaze at the trucks, trying to give Jesse a less-than-subtle hint. “Hidden between these two really big trucks.”

She knew Jesse hated backing down, even when it was the smart thing to do. She shook him a little, giving him more incentive. “Tell him you’re sorry, Jesse.”

“It’s the right thing to do, Jesse,” said Mr. Hill.

She smiled at him, thankful for his intervention and for calling her brother by his name instead of kid. Names were important. Thinking of him as Mr. Hill didn’t seem right. It was too formal and being formal with him was the last thing she wanted to do.

She took both men in, feasting on their stone-hard bodies. They oozed masculinity, and the way they stood showed they had a natural confidence and strength. If she could’ve ordered up the perfect men for her, they would’ve fit the bill perfectly.

If only I could’ve met them someplace else. And alone. And without anyone following…

She jerked back to reality, then glanced around. They needed to get moving. “Apologize, Jesse.” She shoved against his shoulder, never taking her attention off the two amazing cowboys. “Now.”

Jesse grumbled another curse word, then added in a voice barely more than a whisper, “Sorry.”

“See? There you go. Now we can all be good friends.” Mr. Hill turned Donny loose and pointed at the public lot. “You’d better get on over there. Looks like they’re starting to get backed up.”

Donny wasn’t totally convinced, the furrow in his brow deepening. “I don’t know. What if Mr. Hilliard finds out?”

“If he does, I’ll make it right with him. Now go on.”

“If you’re sure this is okay.”

“Trust me, Donny. It’s fine.”

The second cowboy crossed his arms over his chest and chuckled. “Jarrod to the rescue again.”

Jarrod. The name fit him. Solid. Firm. Trustworthy. And it was a lot better than thinking of him as Mr. Hill.

“Go on and take care of business. Seth and I can handle this.” Jarrod gave Donny a slight shove to get him moving.

Donny nodded, then shot Jesse a hard look before jogging toward the other lot. He hadn’t gone five yards before he was waving his arms and shouting at another driver.

She let loose with a breath of relief, then stuck out her hand. “Thanks for helping us.”

Jarrod ignored her offer to shake hands and, instead, leveled his hard gaze at Jesse. “Let me give you a word of advice.”

Jesse snorted, but she held on to him. Not giving him a chance to turn away, she jerked on his arm before sending him a warning look. If Jarrod noticed, he pretended he hadn’t.

“Don’t go acting tough around here. Especially with guys smaller than you. That’s the chicken-shit way to be.”

“Sure thang, cowboy.” Jesse’s twangy drawl was insulting.

She closed her eyes and resisted the urge to smack the back of Jesse’s head.

ADULT EXCERPT

He ached to wipe away the worry in her eyes. But he had to do something else. If he didn’t, he’d never be able to get to sleep. The swell of her breasts drew him in, his hands itching to cup them and run his thumbs over her nipples. She smelled like dish soap and flowers mixed together. Damp yet enticing tendrils of her long, silky hair dangled around her face. Her mouth parted and, no matter how much he understood she wasn’t aware of what she was doing, he wanted to believe it was an invitation to kiss her. An invitation he couldn’t turn down.

“You should be thinking about yourself.”

“I can do both.”

How had he resisted as long as he had? He’d wanted her from the moment he’d seen her trying to flirt with Donny at the rodeo. He couldn’t resist her a second longer.

“Maybe. But if you don’t take care of yourself, I’m liable to take advantage of you.”

He crushed his mouth to hers, taking hold of her and forcing her body against his. Letting go of her arms, he cupped her firm, round butt cheeks. Her lips were even softer than he’d imagined. The flavors inside her mouth when he swept his tongue over hers were sweeter than any dessert he’d ever eaten. He moaned, his cock almost slicing in two as it grew longer and harder, pressing against his zipper.

He’d had his fair share of women, but he’d never had one affect him the way Amy did. She was a perfect fit for his hands as though she’d been made-to-order for him. Physically, he couldn’t have asked for anything more. More, he’d been around her long enough to know she had a quick mind and a strong spirit. Her body was wonderful, but her spirit was even better. Those were the attributes that would last a lifetime, keeping him interested in her well beyond their youth.

At first, she didn’t respond and it surprised him. But he couldn’t turn her loose. Not until he was sure she wanted no part of him. He deepened the kiss.

When she flattened her hands against his chest, he was sure she’d shove him away. He’d obey her if she did, but it would cut into his gut to do so.

When she didn’t push him back, he thanked his lucky stars.

Instead, she slid her hands upward to dig her fingers into his shoulders. She kissed him back. Hard. Needy. Exactly the way he wanted her to react.

Her moan filled his mouth as her tongue played with his. She nibbled on his lower lip, turning him on more than such a simple act should ever have. Her hardened nipples teased him through her shirt and his. It was tease he couldn’t let slide.

Gripping her under her butt, he lifted her off her feet. She wrapped her legs around him and thrust her hips toward his. Pure passion rushed into him as he put her on top of the counter and broke the kiss. He traveled quick, hot kisses down her throat and into the hollow between her breasts.

“Jarrod.”

He didn’t care if she told him to stop. He was too far gone. Too wrapped up in the smell of her, the feel of her to turn her loose. Every resolution to take things slowly had gone out the window when he’d seen her walking toward him.

He pulled the bottom of her shirt up and slipped his hands underneath it. Her skin was so soft, so smooth, like a baby foal’s the day after birth. His hand pushed her bra aside and found her breast. He raked his thumb over her nipple just as he’d yearned to do. She leaned back, pushing against him, giving him permission to go on.

He gripped her harder as he pushed her shirt aside and brought his mouth to her nipple. The fact that Jesse could return at any moment couldn’t stop him. Nothing could have. Capturing her sweet bud between his teeth, he tortured it as she tortured him. A little payback for her teasing him.

Her crotch was hard against his. His cock throbbed to be freed. Taking one of her hands from behind his neck, he placed it on top of his dick, silently urging her to relieve the pressure.

To his dismay, she yanked her hand away and brought it back to his neck. It took everything he had inside him not to beg her to undo his buckle.

He shoved the rest of her shirt higher and uncovered her other breast. He slid his mouth between her breasts, taking first one, then retracing his path to take the other. Sucking, nibbling, he kept his mouth to her tits and worked frantically to get his jeans open.