Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) (20 page)

And then he removed his face from between her thighs.

She moaned in protest.

He lifted himself above her, the tip of his cock wet with pre-cum, smoothing across her stomach.

His eyes were dark and passionate. “I want to take you hard and fast. I want to see the light fill your eyes as your body releases with orgasm. I want you to scrape my back with your claws, call my name in a ragged breath and lose control.”

She shivered from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes. “Yes.” Her lips trembled.

He brought his lips to hers, but didn’t kiss her. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand to his erection. “Touch me, baby. “

She wrapped her hands around his girth, iron heat warming her palm. She pressed her hand up and down, gliding over his smooth skin. “You want a man who is willing to give up his life for you, don’t you, sweetheart?” His words came out in pants.

“Yes. I want love. I want to know what true love is.”  Her throat ached in emotion.

“Let me love you, sweet, sweet Cara. Let me show you how desirable and precious you are.”

He positioned above her, situated himself between her thighs and slowly entered her.

****

Satisfied and ravenous, they had piled a plate high of lasagna, which Motley had made for them and she baked, and sat together, naked, in bed. That’s when Cara asked a question that rocked his world. “Aren’t you afraid of falling in love with me?” He almost choked on the bite of lasagna. Grabbing the glass of wine from the nightstand, he drank all of it down. “You okay?” She looked at him over her fork.

“I’m fine.” He dropped his fork to the plate that sat between them.

“Are you going to answer the question?” She wasn’t letting it go. He knew she wouldn’t until she had her answer.

And just how could he reply? “Is that what you’re wanting?”

She set her fork down. “I want happiness. But there’s so much about me you don’t know. My husband was cruel and took every opportunity to beat me down. I’m not sure I’ll ever be over everything he put me through.”

His chest tightened in an invisible grip. “Damn, bastard. He deserved to die,” he ground out between clenched teeth.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought the same thing many, many times. I had hoped he’d get help, but in the end, I knew there was no help for him. He left a trail of bitterness and pain in his wake and I’m left cleaning up the mess. I met you, Ben, and you are so gentle, caring…”

He removed the plate from the bed and placed it on the nightstand, then wrapped his arm around her. “I know it took a lot for you to tell me about your husband.”

“Why do I feel like you’ve suffered tragedy, too?” She lifted her chin, her probing gaze meeting his.

“You’re right, Cara. I have a past, too.”

“Do you trust me enough to share it with me?”

He moved from beside her, needing space as he told her about his sister. He grabbed his jeans, slipped them on, and sat back down on the end of the bed. Cara was clutching the sheet against her, concern narrowing her eyes. “My sister, when she died, my world was never the same.”

****

Cara watched as lines etched Ben’s face while he told her about his sister. Cara knew it was hard for him to talk about and her heart filled with love and empathy.

When he was done, he crawled beside her on the bed and laid his head in her lap. She tangled her fingers in his hair. No words were needed and soon his even breaths told her he had fallen asleep.

Tears filled her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. She swiped them away and attempted to gain control of her emotions. How would she ever leave him?

Chapter Thirteen

Cara thanked Motley for the lesson—the last one—and started for the door when she heard talking coming from the corridor. She looked up just as Dade and Dodge stepped into the room. They nodded in greeting and she waved.

“Ben said you were getting cooking lessons from Motley. I bet our ol’ chef has never felt more appreciated,” Dodge tipped his hat.

Cara shrugged. “He certainly is talented.”

Dade laughed. “He has dreams of leaving us. We’ll get some cook who believes instant potatoes taste like real potatoes.”

Dodge thumped him on the back. “Just our luck.”

“It was nice seeing you both. You have a nice afternoon.” She strode into the sun and looked for Ben. He was late again. He told her he had an errand to run and he might run a few minutes behind. She started for the picnic table when she remembered she’d left her keycard on the counter in the kitchen. She was shocked she hadn’t lost it yet.

Stepping back into the lodge, she heard Dade and Dodge laughing. And then her name. She froze in her spot, hidden behind the wall.

“She sure has changed since she came here. Who would have known she would blossom into a beauty?” Dade said.

“She’s probably the nicest heartbreak we’ve had come here at Nirvana,” Dodge said.

Cara smiled and started through the dining area. Neither man looked around.

“I think our good ol’ boy Ben is hooked. Motley might not be the only one leaving us.” Dade scrubbed his jaw.

“Who are you kidding? Ben’ll be the last of us to leave. He’s good because he can convince anyone that he cares, even blue-eyed angels.” Dodge stretched his legs.

Heat spread through Cara from forehead to toes. She cleared her throat and both men jerked their heads up. Tan complexions disappeared and shocked and embarrassed pallor covered their faces. Keeping her chin up and her back straight, she forced a smile to her face. “I forgot my keycard.”

Neither man said anything. She was glad. She just wanted to get the hell out of there as quickly as her feet would carry her.

With keycard in hand and fifteen minutes later, she was at the treehouse. Tears threatened to fall, but she refused to allow them. She’d cried enough. It was time for strength.

What had she expected from Ben? This was his job…his livelihood. Who was she to believe that a woman, especially her, could come along and steal a man like Ben from his life?

What they’d shared had been great. They’d shared their problems. She’d sensed his hurt over his past, and his concern over hers, but it was time to realize her fantasy was coming to an end.

And she couldn’t bear to say goodbye.

****

Ben was smiling. He couldn’t wait to tell Cara the news that he’d given his notice at Nirvana.

He also wanted to tell her how he felt. He loved her.

He took the stairs to the treehouse two at a time and knocked on the door.

No answer.

Trying the knob, it opened. “Cara?” She should have been back from the cooking lesson.

He looked through the back door and the place was empty…even the dresser was empty. All of her things were gone. His chest jerked like he’d been kicked by a mule. Where would she go?
Why
would she go?

Starting toward the door, a piece of paper flew off the table and landed on the floor. He bent and picked it up, seeing his name. It was a letter from Cara.

Pulling a chair out from the table, he took a seat and read her neat handwriting… 

Dear Ben,

I can’t thank you enough for the help you’ve given me. When I came here I felt damaged, worthless and depressed. I leave full of hope and promise of finding a better future. I’ve realized in such a short time that my husband no longer owns me. He’s gone. I’ve also realized that I’m worthy of love.

Goodbye, Cara.

His heart slammed hard against his ribcage.

He dropped the letter and raced out the front door, jumping on his horse. He thrust the reins and the paint took off in a racer’s speed on the narrow lane. By the time they reached Sofie’s office, Ben was breathing heavily from fear that Cara had really gone.

When he raced through Sofie’s front door, she was in her office doing paperwork. She looked up in shock, but surprise quickly turned to understanding. “She’s gone, Ben.”

“When?”

“Maverick drove her to the airport.”

“I’ve got to catch her,” he yelled as he headed for the door.

“Wait, Ben. Come back!” Sofie followed him to the door. “She’s left already. She said she was lucky enough to grab a flight out in the hour.”

Every hope Ben had vanished. She was gone. “What happened, Sofie?” His throat hurt.

“She didn’t tell me, except that she thought it was best she left early.”

He rubbed his hand down his face. “I-I just don’t understand.”

Sofie sighed and crossed her arms. “I can’t talk to you about Cara and her feelings, but can I ask you if you’ve fallen in love with her?”

He looked at Sofie, swallowing against the constriction in his throat. “Yes. I love her. I’m leaving Nirvana and I’d hoped…“

“You’d hoped you and Cara would leave together.”

He nodded. “Was I a fool?”

She shrugged. “Maybe…maybe not. But I know if I was in your shoes, I’d follow Cara to the end of the earth to tell her how I feel.”

“I don’t know where she lives. I don’t have an address.”

“Don’t you ever Google? Everything, including addresses, are at your fingertips.” She smiled and went back into the cabin.

****

“Cleo, I love the new scarves. They’re beautiful.” Cara ran her fingers along the red silk. “I can’t believe I’ve been home now for four weeks.”

“Cleo pushed her glasses further up her nose. “I can’t wait to hear about those cowboys on the ranch.” She licked her lips. “You said you learned how to fish, to ride…but you left the part out in regards to what makes you smile dreamily when you think no one is watching. No horse could ever do that.” She winked.

“Well, well, Cleo. Just as I always thought. You have a naughty mind.” They laughed. “I’ll tell you everything in good time. I’m still holding out hope.”

“Hope is always a good thing. What are you hoping for?”

“That fate will work out.” Cara sighed.

“I’m glad you have some new color to your skin. A brighter smile and can hope.”

“You better run along, Cleo. You’ll be late,” Cara said.

“ If you no longer need me, I will.” Cleo grabbed her purse from under the counter. “No. You go on and enjoy your Bridge game with the card club. Make sure you flip the open sign on your way out.”

Once Cleo left, Cara dimmed the lights and folded sweaters on the shelf. A few minutes later, she heard tapping on the door. “Did you forget something—“

Cleo wasn’t standing on the other side of the door.

She clicked the lock and opened it. “What are you doing here?”

Ben stepped into the store and removed his hat, holding it against his chest. He smiled and her knees knocked together. “I’ve come to see you.”

“But…why?” She’d missed him. She’d felt like a foreigner in a world without the one person she loved.

“You left without a goodbye.”

“I wrote you a letter. I did say goodbye.” She turned on her heel and walked to the middle of the room, pretending interest in a stack of shirts.

“That’s not a goodbye. That was a slap in the face.” He was behind her in two quick strides. “And that’s why you did it.”

She swiveled, narrowing her eyes. “No, I did it because I knew if I looked at you I’d have to tell you everything.”

“Tell me what, Cara?” He grabbed her shoulders, his warmth trickling through her veins.

“It no longer matters.” She pushed him away and took a step backward.

“If it’s no longer a big deal, then why can’t you tell me?”

“Because we’re no longer in Nirvana. I’d lost myself in the moment with you.”

“Nirvana had nothing to do with how we felt…what we shared.” He blinked.

“Of course it did.”

“Then why the hell do I feel more love for you at this moment than I did when I left Nirvana?”

“I don’t—wait, what did you say?” Her heart skipped a beat.

“I said I love you. It has nothing to do with geography and everything to do with being meant for each other. We belong together. I think I knew it from the start.”

She felt a stirring in her stomach. “You love me?”

He chuckled. “Yes, I do. And because of that love, I left Nirvana for good.”

“I-I don’t know what to say.” Everything disappeared around her and all that mattered was the man standing before her, professing his love. Could she be imagining his words?

“You could start by telling me how you feel.”

“I think I’m a fool…”

His shoulders slumped. “And apparently I was wrong in believing you had feelings for me.”

“A fool for you,” she whispered.

One corner of his mouth lifted. “Does that mean--?”

“Yes, I love you, Ben. I was hoping you’d come after me. I knew if you loved me, you would.” She took a step forward, the toe of their shoes touched.