Cowboy is Mine (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 5) (7 page)

It wasn’t like that for Krista. She didn’t hate Dodge. She only wanted to move on.

Following the tree-lined lane, the retreat was divided by a ten-foot steel fence and a locked gate. She stopped.
I can pull away. I can leave and forget this.
No I can’t.
Pushing the intercom button, she heard static.

“Welcome to Nirvana Ranch. How may I help you?” A soft spoken woman asked.

“Hi there. I’m Krista Wy—”
Shit.
She’d almost forgotten that she hadn’t used her real name. She’d used her pen name, considering she’d wanted her arrival to be a complete surprise to Dodge. “This is Kris Fox.”

“Yes, I see that you’re on the schedule. I’ll click you in and just follow the lane on up to the administrative offices.”

The gate opened and Krista crept her way along the road. The trees were starting to bloom pink and white and the mountains were a serene backdrop for the property. The ranch was prettier than the pictures had done it justice and she could already see why guests flocked to the exclusive resort.

As she came to the clearing, she saw a large stone building with a sign out front, “Administrative offices. All visitors must report here.” The building looked like an expensive home itself, lined with neatly trimmed bushes and mulched beds. Benches were scattered along the property edge inviting visitors to sit a while.

She parked her rental in one of the visitor’s parking spaces and slid out, pulling down the hem of her shirt. One never understood how difficult dressing was until she had plans to meet her ex. She didn’t want to be too dressy and make him think she’d tried too hard because she cared what he thought. Yet she cared enough that she wanted him to see what he’d been missing—not that he’d have a chance with her again, ever, but still, a woman needed to make a man sweat a little.  So, in the end, she’d chosen a soft, white gauzy blouse with a bright blue cami underneath, a new pair of skinny jeans that swore they made any ass look round and tight, and black heels with slinky straps. Her long bob was sleek and shiny—she’d worked on it for almost an hour at the airport bathroom to tame any loose frizzies. She’d also reapplied a layer of makeup. Now she only wished she could reach in and dust a layer of powder over her disheveled insides. She couldn’t ever remember being this nervous.

What would Dodge say when he saw her?

Would he demand that she get back into her car and leave him the hell alone?

Or would he see that it was time for closure, for both of them, and sign the doggone dissolution papers already? Her one-hundred-fifty dollars an hour attorney was making a healthy living just off her payment every time he ‘worked’ on getting Dodge to sign. She could have gone on a long trip to Europe for what she’d payed the lawyer.

With this thought, she stiffened her spine and marched through the glass door into the office, stopping at the front desk where a pretty young blonde welcomed her with a sweet smile. “Welcome to Nirvana. You must be Kris.”

“Yes, I am.” The office smelled of sugar cookies, soft music played over the speakers, and the walls were filled with pretty framed art. It was a comfortable, friendly atmosphere.

“I’m Jennifer. While you’re here, if you need anything, just call. I have your paperwork almost ready. I’ll need your signature on the lines indicated with an x.”  The other woman pushed the papers to Krista and laid a pen out for her.

Kris Fox. Kris Fox. Kris Fox.
She managed to sign her name appropriately.

“Good. You’ll be staying in one of our new cabins along the west ridge. In your questionnaire you noted the love of beautiful scenery. From your place, you have an amazing view over the property and the mountains.” Jennifer reached over to a peg board, grabbed one of the keys and laid it down. “Your cabin is Cowboy Memory.”

“Cowboy Memory?”
Is this kismet or what?

Jennifer smiled. “Nice, huh?”

If you say so.
“I noticed the lane that follows to the right. Is that how I get to the cabin from here?”

“Guests leave their vehicles here, ma’am, and the hands escort them onto the premises. You won’t see any cars on the property, only horses and electrical carts. You’ll see how much quieter it is without the sound of engines and exhaust pipes.”

“Oh…okay.” Krista didn’t care. She wouldn’t need her car anyway. Unless she needed a fast getaway.

“If you’d like to have a seat in our lobby, I’ll tie up the last details and you should be on your way in no time at all. And before I forget, tonight is Nirvana’s mixer. Everyone is invited.”

“Mixer?”

“A hog roast. All of the staff that is available and guests congregate. It’s a wonderful time.” Her hoop earrings
clanked.

“Thank you. I’ll try to be there. If it’s okay, I’d like to step outside and wait. It’s such a beautiful day and the scenery here is breathtaking.”

“Sure, Miss Fox. I’ll just send your cowboy outside to grab you. What are you driving?”

“What am I driving?”

“So that I can tell the hand so he can meet you there and gather your things.”

“It’s the silver BMW. I’m parked right out front.” She tapped her fingernails against the counter. “Uh, by the way, just out of curiosity, who is the hand who will be transporting me…I mean, so I know who I’m catching a ride with. We’re not supposed to get into a vehicle with a stranger.” She laughed, but realized how corny she sounded.

“Let’s see.” Jennifer flipped over a paper in her journal. “One of our finest cowboys is on duty today. Dodge. He used to be a pro football player.” Her cheeks flushed.

Krista’s knees weakened. Her heart quickened. And she thought she could throw up. Okay, she knew she’d see him eventually, but this soon she did not. She thought she’d have longer to prepare herself. Maybe put on deodorant or spray perfume.

She quickly made her way back outside and sucked in heavenly oxygen. Her nostrils were pleasantly accosted by the strong scent of grass and the fragrant bushes that lined the front of the building. Her palms turned clammy.

Get yourself under control, fast!
Dodge would be here any second and he would be shocked to see her. She would be shocked to see him even if she’d planned this entire ruse. Worry and fear shimmied down her backbone, settling into her bottom. The sun beat down with a force that made sweat bead between her breasts and at her temples. She couldn’t just stand here in the middle of the parking lot and wave at him. So she scanned the lawn and decided to sit on one of the benches under a tree, hidden from the front of the building. She could see part of the parking lot from her position.

Sitting for what seemed like eternity, yet in reality it was probably no more than ten minutes, she finally heard the low hum of an engine, and then the cart came into sight as it swung into the far side of the lot. She caught a quick flash of a black hat and white shirt before he disappeared inside of the building. Was that Dodge? It had to be him.

She pondered what he looked like ten years later? In his twenties, he was broad shouldered, smooth skinned, big blue eyes and was the sexiest man she’d ever had the gift of loving.  Just remembering him, his touch, his scent, his moves, caused every cell on her body to jolt alive and her breath to become shallow.

Should she ask him straight off for a divorce? Or should she chit chat a few minutes? Ask about the weather? About his injury? No…that would be a sore spot for him. She could even pretend she’d actually come for a vacation. He’d know better.

She stared at the corner of the front of the building. Anticipating the moment.

Would he be angry? Would he want to talk about old times? Would he walk away and stay hidden from her?

“What are you doing here?” The thick, rich voice reached her ears and she jumped up from the wooden slatted bench.

She swung around, finding Dodge standing at the corner of the back of the building. Her throat constricted and her brain screamed to get herself into control. What she hadn’t expected was the sudden reaction from her micro-sensitive body. Her nipples swelled and pressed against the shirt. Her stomach fluttered. And her inner thighs throbbed as if she was in the beginning throes of an orgasm.

A whimper fell off her lips. “Dodge.” His name fit perfectly on her lips as if she was made to speak only his name. It was the
real
Dodge, not the fantasy version she’d dreamed about over the last ten years. He was much better in flesh and blood. Sexier than ever. His skin was bronzed, probably from working outdoors. He was tall, very much so, and still broad and lean. His hat was pulled low over his eyes, but by the set of his jaw, he wasn’t happy to see her.

Had she even thought for a second that he wouldn’t still be muscular, wide shouldered, and look irresistibly handsome in a pair of jeans that were loose, but didn’t deter from his long thick legs. Maybe she’d hoped he would be overweight, toothless, and smell like a troll…but even with twenty feet separating them, she caught a hint of his scent and nothing about the masculine spicy odor stunk. Goosebumps scattered her flesh and she could only stand still and stare, hoping that her quivering knees didn’t knock against each other.

He gave his hat a push upward on his forehead and the sun glinted in his gaze making him look dangerous. Then his expression relaxed a little—his jaw lagged some, but his lips thinned. “I asked, what are you doing here?”

His words scraped her every nerve. Did he really need to ask?

She wrapped her brain around her answer, having difficulty gaining use of her tongue because it had doubled in size. All she could concentrate on was the rush of feeling scattering through her body, the need to rush into his arms just to feel him again.

Then finally, she gave her head a small shake and hoped her voice worked. “I’m here to see you.”

Relief came and she smiled, but everything around her started to blur, then turned black…

CHAPTER THREE

DODGE SWALLOWED, BUT the lump in his throat felt like he’d swallowed a horse pill and it was lodged in his esophagus.

In a million years, he’d never have believed that Krista would come all of this way to see him, but she’d said so herself that’s why she came.

Hell, maybe he’d expected her to come to Nirvana.  Maybe even had hoped a sliver that she would. When he’d refused to answer her calls and sign the papers, he knew full well that she wasn’t the type of woman to sit back and wait. However, ten years was a long time.

Ten years!

Ten tormented years.

Why now?

She stirred on the couch and her lashes fluttered. The cold, damp cloth he’d placed on her forehead slid off and he grabbed it, placing it off to the side. Her eyes opened wide and she looked up at him, her bottom lip trembling. “Wh-where am I?”

“The heat must have gotten to you. I caught you before you hit the dirt and carried you inside the office.”

She groaned. “How long have I been out?”

“Not long. Maybe five minutes.” He had experienced a weakness of his own when he walked around the corner of the building and saw her sitting on the bench. His head had been spinning since he caught her in his arms.

“I can’t believe I passed out.” She started to sit and he helped her.

“Careful and steady.” His fingers were burning as he touched her soft skin. Once she had her back pressed against the arm of the couch, he pulled away. “You might be a little weak for a while. I have an ice water here. You should try and drink some.” He reached for the glass and held it for her while she took a small sip.

“I’m really okay. My nerves just got the best of me, that’s all.”

“How is our guest?” Kaycee hurried into the room, her hands were clasped on her stomach. “Jennifer told me what happened.”

Dodge smiled at the woman’s concern. “Relax, Kaycee, or you’ll have that baby right here.”

She smiled. “Hi. You must be Kris. I’m Kaycee. I came to see if there’s anything I can do for you.”

“Really, I’m fine. Embarrassed, yes. But thankfully, Dodge caught me,” Krista said.

“That’s our cowboy for you. Quick on his feet.” Kaycee patted his shoulder.

Dodge felt Krista’s gaze narrow on him and then she said, “Yes, he is.”

“Alrighty, folks.” Dodge cleared his throat. “If you’re feeling better, we should get to your cabin.” He was ready to get this over with.

Krista pushed herself up from the sofa, wobbling slightly. Dodge naturally wrapped his arm around her waist, not able to ignore how good she felt against his hip.
Damn betraying body!

“Looks like you’ve got this covered,” Kaycee said.

Dodge caught the woman’s wide smile as he helped Krista pass.

Finally, once they were in the parking lot gathering her cases from the trunk of her car, Dodge was able to breathe again. He shot a glance toward the windows of the office, half expecting Kaycee and Jennifer to be watching. He didn’t see them, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. He’d have to monitor his movements.

He looked at Krista who had her color and stability back.

They stood there for another good minute, neither saying anything, until he broke the spell of their stare and he groaned, pushing his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. She was more beautiful than ever. Her hair was cut to her shoulders in a neat style, yet remained as dark as night. Her blue eyes were a contrast to her ebony hair. Her skin was as pale as Snow White’s, and he had to wonder if she’d been outside any since she’d left Florida. He remembered how she had to slather on loads of sunscreen to keep from burning when they were in the sun. She hadn’t aged any, at least not that he could see. Her skin was still smooth with a scattering of light freckles along the tops of her cheeks and a pouty mouth that could make him melt. Shit!
Did
make him melt.

She wore heels which made her a little taller than his shoulders, but he knew barefoot she was below them. She’d gained some weight, but not much. She was still sexy and he guessed he’d have no problem swinging her over his shoulder just as easily as he did back years ago. Even though he’d been angry with her, he still felt the fury now and had a strong urge to drag her into his arms and squeeze for a long time, but it wouldn’t happen—couldn’t happen.

One by one, the last few days of their relationship as a couple filled his brain. She’d left him. She’d accused him of cheating. And she’d banged up his truck.

Giving himself an internal jerk back into reality, he jetted past her and motioned for her to follow. “Let’s get your things and go,” he practically growled the words.

Neither of them said a word as he transferred the two bags into the back of the Gator, not as gently as he normally would. He started to reach for the briefcase, but she laid a hand on his wrist. He stared at her short, neat nails, and slender fingers before bringing his gaze to meet hers. An electrical current passed and he jerked away.

“This is my laptop. I’ll keep it with me, thank you.” Her voice trembled.

“Whatever you wish.” He slammed the trunk lid a little too hard. She jumped and he sighed. “You’ll have to get used to being on a ranch,” he snarled.

“I’ll do my best,” she murmured.

“Rule number one, those shoes won’t work.”

She looked down at her heels. “I brought boots.”

“And for God’s sake, I hope you packed lots of sunscreen. You’re already showing color on your cheeks.” He hurried and climbed into the driver’s side of the Gator.

Once she was next to him, he caught a quick glance. Now that he looked closer, he realized the color wasn’t from the sun. It came from inside of her.

Frustration sliding and twisting through him, he backed the cart out of the space and she fell against his shoulder. He caught a strong whiff of woman—vanilla with a trace of exotic.
Damn!

She pushed herself upright and gave him a narrowed eye. “Can you be trusted to drive?”

“Trust was always an issue with you,” he muttered.

“Oh, now isn’t that mature.”

He kept his eyes steady on the road ahead, engaged in anything but her body that he could easily reach out and touch. “And it’s mature that you lied about who you are?”

“I’m Kris Fox. That’s not a lie. And if I’d given my real name, would you have run away?”

He turned his cheek, meeting her gaze head on. “Baby, I’m not the runner.”

“I don’t want to argue,” she said.

“Then shall I turn around and take you back to your fancy car?” He lifted a brow, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.

“It’s lovely here,” she said, and he knew it was an effort to change the subject into something more positive.

“Yup,” he said.

“I had to wait six months to come here.”

“Yup.”

“The clouds look like whipped cream.”

“Yup.”

“Is that all you’re going to say?” she snapped.

If she wanted to chit chat, he’d give her what she wanted. “What are you doing with yourself these days, sweetheart?”

She laid her palms flat on her denim thighs. “Well, I’m an author, as you probably know. I’m in Ohio, living close to my parents. Can you believe I moved back there?”

Was he imaging it or did she have a faint quivering to her voice? “Wow. An author, huh?” Then he remembered the book Tera had held up for him to see. Damn, he really could kick himself in the ass for not reading the file that had sat untouched on his dresser.

“How are you, Dodge?”

“Just peachy.”

“No, really?”

“Do we have to do this?”

“Do what? Talk?” she asked.

“Yeah, I don’t see the need.”

She shifted and stretched her legs. “Fine, let’s just get this out in the open. You’re still pissed because I beat up your truck.”

He blinked. “Is that what you think?” he growled.

She shrugged and he noticed that the shoulder of her shirt slipped, showing off the top of her chest. He dragged his attention back on her eyes that were on him, cutting through him.

“I know how much you loved it.”

He laughed. After all, her assumption was pretty darn funny. “Fuck the truck. I had insurance, but I sold the damned thing after it was fixed.”

“You sold your truck?”

“Something about the memory of it being pounded to a pulp with the aluminum bat I gave you for protection. Ironic, really. I had no clue you’d use it to gain some sort of retribution.” He sniffed.

“I’m sorry, Dodge. I-I don’t know what had come over me. I was just so angry.” She threaded her fingers through her hair, but the wind sent tendrils of it back over her cheek.

He could have ripped the steering wheel out of the dash. “Yeah, I guess you were. You were out of your mind.”

She squinted. “Wait, hold up. That’s a little farfetched. If you’d have walked into the women’s restroom finding a man pressed up against me, what would you have done?”

“I’d have knocked his teeth down his throat, then I would have listened to your side of the story. That’s something you didn’t give me a chance to do.” His throat hurt.

“I guess I didn’t.” She turned her face toward the scenery. “Why are you here, Dodge? In the middle of nowhere. I’d have thought you’d go home to Montana, to be with your family after the acc…”

“Oh come on, darlin’. You can finish. After the injury, and then getting kicked out of the NFL. See, it rolls right off the tongue.” Then her eyes were on him again. He saw a sliver of empathy, and it angered him. The last thing he wanted was her feeling sorry for him. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you give a shit. We both know you didn’t come here to tell me you’re sorry that I left the NFL. I bet you were doing cartwheels when you found out.”

The corners of her lips dipped into a frown. “That is unfair.”

“Is it? What has been fair about you and me for a long time?”

“Are you insinuating that this is all of my fault? We were too young for marriage. You had your focus on your career, and I would have found myself out of your life sooner or later. What did we know about love then?”

His heart kicked up in speed. “Sure. What the hell did we know.”

“The dissolution papers…why haven’t you signed them?”

He shrugged. “They were thrown into the trash by accident.”

“Good thing I have a new copy.” She clasped her hands together in her lap. “We’ve skirted around the issue.”

He wasn’t sure why she didn’t just come out and ask him for a divorce. Say the words. If she did, he’d probably sign the papers without question. But she wasn’t coming out, straightforward. Why?

“I didn’t cheat on you, Krista,” he said.

“What?”

“I didn’t cheat, ever. I wouldn’t have. The woman at the bar, she was just some fan that didn’t want to take no for an answer. I know it doesn’t matter now, but it’s important that you hear the truth.” A heavy weight lifted from his shoulders.

“I think I knew that, but I believed what I wanted—it made it easier to do what needed to be done. You and I, well, we just wanted different things.”

“That’s a crock of shit, honey. We wanted exactly the same things, but your insecurities wouldn’t let you be happy. You couldn’t trust me, even though I’d never given you reason not to.” He didn’t want to have this conversation, but knew it was a long time coming.

“Okay, I guess I deserve that, but no use in pounding the subject to death. You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?”

“You’ve seen the scenery and you’re still asking?”

“It’s beautiful, yes, but you always said if your pro football career didn’t work out, you’d go back to Montana and help with Five Rock.”

“I needed time.” He couldn’t tell her everything. That after he’d lost his career, he’d hit rock bottom. Drinking too much. Sleeping with different women every night. “I made some mistakes.”

“Are you referring to the variety of women?” One thin brow popped up.

He couldn’t deny the truth. “I’ve had my fair share.”

“So, if I’d still been in the picture, would you have found yourself in those same places?” Her soft voice made his stomach twist.

“I’m a loyal man, sweetheart.”

She chuckled, but it was cold. “Interesting you can say that when we’re still married. It’s called infidelity. Or do you continue to believe ‘out of sight, out of mind’?”

He held her gaze. “You haven’t slept with anyone since you and I?”

She swallowed. “There have been a couple.”

“Sticks and stones, baby…”

“We need to talk, Dodge,” she said.

“We are talking. Isn’t it like old times?”

“We’re both upset over the past, but there comes a point that we must face reality.”

“Is there another man now?” The question came out on its own accord.

She moistened her lips and his cock twitched. Damn body!