Resisting Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 5) (9 page)

Sapphire smiled. “Do you think you’re privileged and the only one who gets to keep secrets in this family is you? Haven’t you learned by now no secret is sacred with the Stones?” Sapphire turned and sighed. “And why would you keep something as juicy as that cowboy a secret?”

Violet slammed one hand to her hip. “It means nothing.”

“If it means nothing then why are you playing hide and seek with him?”

“I-I’m just not ready for him to see me.”

“Oh my goodness.” Sapphire laughed. “You have a crush.”

Violet shook her head so fast, so hard, that tendrils of hair smacked her cheeks.  She turned her back to Keefer. “A crush? This isn’t high school.”

“Yeah, and hickeys are so mature.”

“Cut me some slack. Things got hotter than a rooster on a hot tin roof. I’m surprised we didn’t burn the building down. And talk about built. Woo-whee!” Violet fanned her face. “When I say amazing—”

Sapphire’s eyes widened and her cheeks turned a pale pink.

Violet got a whiff of spice and leather. “He’s standing behind me, isn’t he?”

“Yes.” Sapphire grabbed Violet’s shoulders and turned her around. “Good luck, sis.” Sapphire kissed her on the cheek and left them alone.

“Hi,” Violet said with a flimsy wave of her hand.

“Hi.” Keefer dipped his hat, his mesmerizing gaze settling on her like a hot pad to an ice cube—she melted.

****

He didn’t want to lower his gaze over her. Or notice the way her long, dark hair hung like silken threads down onto her bare shoulders. The way her eyes twinkled in competition with the sun’s rays. The full curve of her mouth crying out for a cowboy’s kiss. Down lower to the tight fit of the bodice of the dress, her nipples hard against the material.

Were they like that before he approached her?

His dick twitched and threatened to break his zipper. He needed to lasso in his raging libido or things were going to get out of hand real quick. He could easily make a fool of himself when it came to Violet. Over the years he’d been known as the calm, easy going guy by all of his friends, but there was nothing about him calm and patient now. One woman caused a thousand sensations to run through him and not one dang one was good.

He’d wanted to bail out on tonight’s shindig, but when it all came down to it, he wanted to see her. And boy did he see her. That dress was off the hook—and off was exactly where he wanted it.

“Are you going to just stand there and stare at me?” Her lashes fluttered across the tops of her freckle-scattered cheeks. She’d gotten some color from the sun and the cute spots were more noticeable.

“Did I interrupt something?” He pushed his hat back on his forehead, not wanting to miss one flicker of expression on her face.

Her tongue rolled out over her bottom lip, reminding him of how she’d tasted—heaven wrapped up in a lust-filled body. “No.” Was there a slight quiver to her voice?

“Still mad at me?”

“I was never mad at you.”

He smiled. “Could have fooled me.” He leaned in close and whispered, “Why do we do this to ourselves?”

Her bottom lip quivered. “Why are you always provoking me?”

“You’ve got this all wrong, sweetheart. You’re denying yourself the inevitable.” He loved seeing the color change on her cheeks—from tan to naughty pink. He’d seen it before when he had his cock buried deep inside of her.

“No, you’re wrong. This—you and me—can’t happen again.”

“Then stop wanting it to happen, darlin’.” He met her gaze, feeling her tug at his heartstrings. When did he develop those? He wanted to remain in complete control, but slowly she sucked him into her web of desire. Damn. He could lasso a bucking bull in seconds, so then why couldn’t he lasso his heart? He didn’t like where this was headed.
Walk away man!
Hell with walking. Run like a racehorse.

“You have a real vivid imagination.” She threaded her fingers through her hair and he remembered how good her grip had been on his cock—perfect pressure.

He needed to resist the pressure in his gut.

“Yeah. I guess we both do. Some imagination we shared back at the bar apartment. If I remember correctly, you cried out my name telling me to never stop.”

“Again, this ranch isn’t big enough for the both of us.”

“Then leave.” Fixing his hat low on his head, he nodded and brushed past her. He headed into the house, down the hall toward the bathroom. What he needed was a cold shower but a splash of water would have to do for now.

He stepped into the small guest bathroom and started to close the door but it was caught by something. A dainty flat shoe. He followed the delicate ankle, along tanned calf, knee, to where the hem of the yellow dress touched round thigh. He brought his gaze up and met the eyes of a pissed off female.  “Bathroom’s occupied, sweetheart.” Instead of walking away, Violet brushed past him and pushed the door shut with her foot. “If you need to use the head that bad just say so.” He placed his hand on the doorknob, but she blocked his path.

“Why are you doing this?” She crossed her arms.

“Going to the restroom?”

“Playing with my emotions?”

He narrowed his gaze and stepped back. “What? I’m not playing with anything, darlin’. I’m not a game player.”

“Really? You seem to get a lot of pleasure seeing me squirm and then you walk away.”

He leaned against the sink and hooked his ankles, wrapping his brain around her words. “Have I made you do anything you haven’t wanted to do? Let’s put things into perspective, shall we? You and I both wanted each other at the apartment and I didn’t run, against better judgement. You were so hot, I too thought we’d burn the place down, just as you told your sister, but you made it real clear what you wanted when you high tailed it out of dodge before I came back with the truck. So where in all of this do you get that I’m walking away?” Two seconds ticked by. He’d seen molasses spread faster. “Well? I’m waiting?”

“I should just go. That’s the answer.” She backed up, grabbed the knob, but he was on her, pressing her against the door, inhaling her sweet, intoxicating scent. “There you are again. Putting your hands where they don’t belong.”

“I guess I’m slow at learning a lesson.”

“Just let me go,” she mumbled.

“Is that what you really want to do? Leave?”

She pressed against the door, lifting her chin, their lips within inches. “Is there any other way?” Her breath swept against his cheek, triggering something deep in his gut. He wanted to touch her—ached to touch her—but he held back. Shoved his hands deep in his pockets, safe from acting on impulse.

“My God, you’re going to be the death of me.”

“That wouldn’t be a solution.”

“Are you biting your bottom lip deliberately?”

She looked up at him, her breasts raising and lowering, freeing her lip. “Why would I?” she murmured so softly he could have imagined her voice.

He laughed, couldn’t help himself. “Don’t go. Stay.”

“If I do…”

“What?” He sucked in a breath, forcing his lungs to work.

“My heart is pounding fast.”

“Mine is too, baby.”

“Oh hell.” She shifted and pressed her mouth against his, rolling her tongue along his lips.

He jerked back. “Is this another test?” he said against her lips.

“No.” A groan lifted in her chest, ripping through him.

He tore his hands out of his pockets and wrapped them around her waist, dragging her close, so close he could feel every curve and feminine dip. He separated her lips with his tongue, tasting her, exploring her. Needing her more than his next breath.  An electrical current zapped between them, charging him like a lightning rod. Her eyes turned dark and smoky. Her breaths turned shallow and her breasts pressed against his chest.

He threaded his fingers into her hair, loving the feel of the satin strands against his palm. He gently tugged her head back, giving him better access to dart his tongue deeper into her mouth. Her tongue met his, and he rolled the tip around hers.

“Is this what you want?” he growled.

“More than calorie-less chocolate and a body with no cellulite.” Her voice was melodic, coaxing him into her trance.

“I’ll take that as a definitive yes.” He chuckled then kissed the corner of her lips, her cheeks, lower, sucking on her ear lobe. She moaned again, this time deeper and needier. He understood completely.

CHAPTER EIGHT

His lips arched at the corners and Violet stared at the appealing curve. Her eyes were drawn to how full they were. His fingers moved down the length of her neck to the hollow at her throat, tapping his finger in the dip as if he tested her pulse. She watched and waited, wanting those hands on her again. She didn’t care that they were in the bathroom and just outside the doors reality awaited to pounce upon them.

All that mattered was how safe she felt here with him.                                                

His eye blazed with need, challenging her, piercing her sharper than a knife. His lips slightly parted, his tongue settling on her bottom lip, a gentle snake ready to strike. Desire moved through her, an avalanche of heat, leaving embers of lava in its wake. “What do you say, Miss Stone? I need to hear it, need to know what you’re feeling.”

“Take me, Keefer. Here. Now.” She pushed the words through the constriction in her throat.

He moved and in the blink of an eye she was against the sink. He pinned her arms with his, his free hand clutching her chin. “Trust me, sweetheart. I’d never hurt you. Only love you.”

Her heart soaked up his every word. Trust. Love. Two very dangerous words. His mouth claimed hers, possessive and forceful. His iron-hard body pressing against her, pushing her against the edge of the sink. She could feel his desire in his hard length. How could she not fall mindlessly, madlessly, into his arms? This man wanted her. She definitely wanted him. He offered her refuge and satisfaction.

His mouth touched her neck, his tongue darting out, drawing a moist trail along the line. She closed her eyes, relishing in the sensation until it suddenly stopped. She opened her eyes and he was staring down at her, a softness to his jaw that made him look less dangerous, except the heat in his eyes betrayed the gentleness.

“You’re so beautiful.” His words entwined around her veins. “Trust me?”

The words weaved through her foggy brain cells. He wouldn’t let it go. She finally nodded. Her heartbeat bounced off her ribcage, thumping through her body, watering parts of her that had been thirsty.

He turned her and she looked through the mirror, watching him watch her. It was sensual yet so raw at the same time. She anticipated his touch on secret parts of her, those that remembered how good his touch had felt. His eyes were full of want, dark and needful, matching hers. There was also a mixture of relief in his. Did he have her where he wanted her? She wanted to fight the feelings scrambling through her, but her fight was useless. She wanted him to take her—fast and hard.

“I want to show you how precious you are,” he murmured next to her ear.

A wicked smile popped up the corners of his mouth, driving a force through her that left her breathless. He ran his fingers down her bare shoulder, along her side, pausing at the top of her bottom now pressing against his lower body. His bulging zipper pushed in the crease of her ass. Why didn’t he just lift her skirt and enter her? She squirmed against him.

“Keefer…” His name fell off her lips. She could hear the agony in her tone and she was at a cross between embarrassment and vulnerability. Did he understand?

He lifted her hair, tugging it to the side, clutching the softness, bending to kiss the back of her neck. His warm breath tickled her nerve endings. She resisted the urge to giggle. Her body was micro-sensitive. “Yes, sweetheart. I want nothing more than to clutch those ass cheeks and drive myself deep into your sweet pussy. But not here. Not like this. I need time to explore every inch of you. To taste the sweet nectar. I want to see those lips part when you call my name, watch the orgasm as well as feel it.”

The oxygen depleted. She’d just been fucked by his words.

“Come to my cabin tonight,” he whispered.

“Yes,” she said eagerly.

He took a step back, still holding her gaze in the mirror. “I’ll count every second.”

And then he was gone. She stood there, clutching the edge of the granite sink for a long time, until her knuckles ached, but the dizziness had left her body. Her inner thighs throbbed and when she moved the air cooled the moisture at her core. How would she get through the next few hours knowing that tonight she would find satisfaction at the hands of one brawny, sexy cowboy?

Opening the door, she looked down the hall to make sure no one was near. With a deep breath, she left the confines of the bathroom and went to join her family. She was capable of plastering a smile on her face, but no one had any clue of the turmoil spiraling through her veins, the plucking and throbbing sensation in the pit of her stomach, and the sing-song emotion in her heart. She’d never had so many internal organs working overtime all at once. Her brain now worked, but had powered off the moment Keefer looked at her with the steamy, melty blue eyes that darkened with desire.

Barley listening to a discussion on horse training happening around the grill between the Walters men, she meandered past them, grabbed a bottle of beer, and slipped through the yard undetected. The breeze cooled her skin, but did nothing to ease the torment inside of her.

Walking along the ankle length grass, she followed the edge of the woods, admiring how beautiful the property was. Ruby would be happy here.

The sun was starting to set, coloring the sky with a pallet of pinks and darker blues, strokes of fluffy white. Everything around her seemed brighter, larger.

Sipping the cold beer, she wrapped her fingers around the bottle, engaged in the silence when she felt a touch on her arm. She jumped and almost dropped the bottle.

Ruby’s gaze narrowed. “Are you okay?”

Violet shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“What happened?”

“I think I’m falling for someone I can’t have.”

Ruby grabbed Violet’s hand and led her out to a swing nestled in a group of trees, away from everyone. “Take a seat, sis.” Violet plopped down against the wooden planks and Ruby sat beside her. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”

“I don’t know really. Keefer’s here, and I want him, but I can’t want him.”

Ruby smiled and patted Violet’s hand. “I often wonder why we Stone women complicate things so much.”

Violet blinked. “I don’t have a future with him, or any man. I destroy relationships, not nurture them.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re too hard on yourself. You pick men who are emotionally empty, non-committal assholes, and then you wonder why the relationship is ending months later, blaming yourself for the inevitable.”

“What? This is news to me.”

“No it’s not. You know you have a pattern of men. Maybe for the first time, ever really, you’ve met a man with a reputation of being a player and rough around the edges, but isn’t any of those things, not at all.”

Violet blew a breath out of the corner of her mouth. “He was a rodeo star, Ruby. Can’t believe he didn’t have his share of buckle bunnies.”

“Okay, true, but people mature and change. He’s a great guy, sis. I’d bet gold on that fact. I think you know that too and that’s why you’re so scared.”

Violet watched a bird perched on a nearby branch, chirping, its head tilted. “Let’s put that aside. There still remains the fact that he’s still learning his way. He just retired from the circuit.”

“Concentrate on the fact that he’s an established man, honey. Not everyone can say they’ve bought a plot of land and plan to build their dreams, brick by brick. That’s a hefty responsibility and shows strength.”

Violet caught on to what her sister had said. “What are you talking about?”

“He bought a huge plot of land about an hour outside of the city and construction has already started on the house. He plans to live there soon. I hear he bought the land just because of the view. It’s amazing I hear. He’s only staying here for a short period of time. I think mostly because he wants to learn some of the ropes from the Walters.”

A cold chill raced through Violet as she realized the truth. The night they’d ran out of gas, Keefer hadn’t taken her out to a friend’s property, he’d taken her to
his
property.  She rubbed her forehead. Why didn’t he tell her? He’d wanted her to see his land. To share it with someone. And she’d treated him poorly. “You’re right, Ruby. He’s a good guy, but again, I’m poison.”

“There’s another Stone curse rearing its head. We all make mistakes. Our record as trouble making sisters doesn’t come innocently. I can say this because look at what I did to Jobe. I kept our child a secret for almost three years.”

“But he’s forgiven you.” Violet said. “You’re getting married soon.”

Ruby shrugged. “He has, but I often wonder what life could have been like if I’d just trusted him—trusted my feelings. Things could be so different for me, and Jack. Thankfully, our paths crossed again. It’s interesting how people are there, right where they should be when we need them most. Fate can be a best friend.”

“Are you suggesting that fate might have placed Keefer here and kismet is playing a role?”

“I’m saying that eventually you’re going to have to sort out the mess in your heart and life. Don’t do what I did with Jobe. Don’t hurt Keefer, and don’t hurt yourself. Trust someone and please trust yourself.”

“I’ve tried, many times. You know that.”

“I know that you’ve said you’ve been trying, but when the end came with those men, I saw the relief in you.” Ruby sighed. “I think you need to take a good, long look at yourself. You’re scrambling to look for reasons not to love when I’m guessing the emotion has already found its way inside of you.”

“He took me to his property, Ruby. Well, we didn’t quite make it, but we were close. He wanted me to see his home. How do you know when love is right?”

“When you can’t see yourself without him.” Ruby stood. “I better get back to the party. Em has big news beside the fact that she’s walking. You coming?”

“I’m going to stay out here and enjoy the view a bit longer. You go on in.”

When she finally did join the crowd, she found everyone huddled together, laughing and wishing congratulations. Finally, Violet wrapped her brain around what was happening. Em and Nash were adopting a baby. From India.

Violet went to Em and hugged her tightly. “I’m so happy for you, love. You will make such a great mother.”

Em’s eyes twinkled. “We got the news only yesterday. We’ll travel there next month and meet her, but we won’t be able to bring her home until all of the paperwork is completed.”

“You’re going to go crazy waiting.”

“I’m already going crazy and it’s only been a day.”

“You’re a mother, Em.” Violet said.

“We just wanted to be parents, together, and have our family grow. That’s the important thing.” Em looked across the yard to Nash who was being pounded on the back by one of his brothers. “We’ve tried and tried to have a child of our own. It’s not in the works.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“It’s okay. Don’t apologize. We’re not giving up, but we understand we have to move forward. When it comes down to it, it’s more important that we love a child and not that I grow the child in my womb.”

“Nash is full of joy. Look at him.” Violet smiled.

“He has been so good to me, Violet. Since the accident he, well, he wasn’t himself. He wouldn’t let me out of his sight. He was by my side watching, hovering. I hope this news will jar him out of this worry rut he’s in.”

Violet squeezed her shoulders. “He loves you. A lot. It’s only normal that he’ll worry. How are you? How’s the pain?”

Em shrugged. “I’m getting by. I refuse to take the pain pills. It’s a known fact that they can suppress fertility.”

“The physical therapy will help. You’ll be in good shape by the time that baby comes home to live.”

“I sure hope so. I’ve noticed a change in you. Care to share?”

Violet swallowed. “A change? I don’t know what.” Her gaze naturally traveled across the distance to where Keefer nursed a beer while talking with Jobe.

“Oh…hmm…he’s not bad, not bad at all.” Em wagged her brows.

“No! I mean, we’re not—”

“Stop, cuz. No need to explain. Enjoy yourself. A little warning. The fresh air, the beautiful land has magical powers. I keep saying we have love fairies flying around us and before you know what hits you…”

“That’s silly.”

“If you say so.” Em laughed. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you. We might see another wedding in the works before long.”

****

Keefer looked out of the window in his cabin into the night. The moon was full and lit the yard only a short distance. He glanced at the clock on the mantel and rubbed his jaw. Ten o’clock. She wasn’t coming.

Crossing the room, he dropped down onto the bed, propped his head up and stretched out. He might as well get comfortable.

He refused to get angry. What good would it do? He’d known asking Violet to come to his cabin was risky. Although she’d wanted him as much as he’d wanted her today in the bathroom, he had known her brain would start turning and she’d allow the frightened part of her to rule.

That’s a big part of the reason why he hadn’t lifted her skirt and satiated his ever present hunger. He could have easily, she wouldn’t have pushed him away. Her hot body had been squirming for his cock, but he couldn’t do that…not any longer. He couldn’t just accept the fact that they’d fuck and all would be well. He couldn’t do that to himself or to her.