Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) (6 page)

Turning on her heel, she bumped into the end of the bed. It took up nearly all of the space, but it was the focal point. The luxurious, red satin comforter draped across the bed like paint. The decorative pillows of all different sizes and colors were piled high .

She crawled into the bed and pushed her way through the mountain of pillows, some falling over the side. Leaning against the rustic headboard made of an old barn door, she stared out of the large picture window that had a magnificent view of the trees. She inhaled deeply and relaxed.

The house was romantic and charming, but seemed almost out of place for Cara. This would be a prime location for lovers, newlyweds, but not her, and yet… she wanted to crawl deep into the covers, naked, and have sinfully naughty dreams.

When the sun disappeared behind the gray clouds and the shadows feathered across the interior walls, Cara dragged herself from the satin haven. She searched for a light switch, finding it by the door. She flipped it on and the crystal chandelier above the bed lit up. She loved the difference from the elegance of the fine crystal to rustic furnishings.

The kitchen consisted of a small counter, microwave, stove, and a fridge. The cabinet was stocked with food, just as Dade had promised. Fresh fruit, cans of soup, pasta, and lots more. On the wall hung a phone with extensions for the kitchen, administrative offices and life skills coach. She’d almost forgotten Dade’s directions. She picked up the receiver and dialed the extension next to scheduling. She was put on hold and Mozart played on a recording. Humming along, she scanned the treehouse again.

She smiled. Everything was at her fingertips. What more could one person need?

After answering a few quick and painless questions, she hung up the phone and stepped out onto the small balcony in back. Just below she spotted an outdoor shower.

Outdoor shower?

Apprehension crawled down her spine. Shower in the open? That was a huge step out of her comfort zone.

Relax, Cara.
Who would see? She was here alone—no neighbors.

Going inside, she opened her suitcases. After unpacking, she planned to enjoy the peace and quiet, which was unlike the loud silence at home. 

Grabbing her book, she crawled into bed and fluffed the pillows to lean back on. She sighed in contentment. “This is the life.”

It’d been a long time since she’d actually relaxed. She already felt different in an unexplainable way.  The change was doing her a world of good and she had a feeling that was only the beginning.

****

Ben zipped his jeans and headed across the room to the coffee maker, pouring himself a large mug. Once he slurped down half of the dark roast, he checked the clock on the wall. Eleven-fifteen. Cara should be with Dade by now.

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sighed. After getting home last night from his brief encounter with Cara, he’d crawled into bed but didn’t sleep a wink. He’d almost called Dade when the sun came up to tell him that he would go and get Cara, but he didn’t want to take the risk that she’d see him and change her mind. She could run away, just as she did last night. He wasn’t used to scaring women away, and it was quite the opposite of how most women flocked to him. He’d take it personally if he didn’t have a gut feeling that she treated all men like they were the walking plague.

He knew there came a point he needed to recognize that he was attracted to a woman he didn’t even know—well, only a little. This was against his personal rules, but he couldn’t help himself. He was drawn to her. Or was it the thought of her that he liked. He couldn’t really be attracted to someone he had never met, not formally, could he?

Finishing off his coffee, he rinsed out his cup and laid it in the dish rack.

He had his work cut out for him.

In the bathroom, he brushed his teeth, shaved, and finger combed his too long hair. He was in need for a cut when he got a chance. Pulling on a blue flannel shirt that he grabbed from the chair in the corner, he slipped into his worn boots and tugged on his hat, heading out the door, whistling. The sky promised rain.

Usually he’d walk over to the staff kitchen to grab some grub, but this morning he headed straight to the barn. Hard work would ease some strain. He was anxious for Cara to get to Nirvana, and that was against his normal calm nature. This woman had him in knots.

He felt sorry for her, nothing more, and that’s why he’d told the other fellas to stay clear of her. Ben planned to pay special attention to Cara. The men respected each other and without question, they agreed.

Ben didn’t know her story, but he knew she had one. No one acted timid unless they’d been given a reason. Hell, maybe he was wrong in thinking her innocent and incapable of taking care of herself, but she’d struck his protective side and, even if he wasn’t sure why, he knew he had to find out.

Once inside the barn, he removed his hat and his shirt and went to work.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed but he’d stacked the last bale of hay and pulled off his gloves just as he heard footsteps outside. He turned as Dade appeared through the barn door.  “Back already?” Ben said sarcastically.

“Yup, already. I had other transports to do, too” Dade chuckled as he dropped down on a nearby bale and stretched his legs. “She’s tucked in tight. You weren’t kidding. She’s as timid as they come, but sure pretty. Why are you taking the extra time for her?”

Ben grabbed a cold water from the cooler and threw it to Dade, then opened another for himself. “Nothing special.” He drank half in one gulp. Since last night—really since he saw her picture—her eyes had haunted him. The manual labor hadn’t helped much.

“Well, good luck, my friend,” Dade said.

Dropping his gloves onto the workbench, Ben pulled his shirt from the hook and tugged it on. “It’s not about luck, pal. It’s about understanding.” He started for the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

By the time Ben reached his cabin, his jeans grew uncomfortably tight. He couldn’t get his mind off Cara. Knowing she was at Nirvana made him anxious to see her. He’d never been this excited before. Was this a sign that he wasn’t ready to leave the ranch?

He could go see her now, but the rules were that they let the heartbreaks have a night of getting accustomed to their lodging. The heartbreaks came for peace and quiet, to learn to love nature, and they’d get that in their treehouses.

He wondered what she thought of the treehouse. No one had ever complained of the lodgings that he knew of. 

Grabbing a meal from the freezer, he removed it from the box, vented the plastic cover and stuck it in the microwave. He’d settle for a nuked meal instead of going to the kitchen for something to eat where he’d certainly run into staff. He could see them now, sitting around the table chatting and joking about the new heartbreaks. He just wasn’t in the mood.

Finding a leftover biscuit, he slathered it with butter and shoved it into his mouth just as the timer beeped. He grabbed his heated lasagna, headed into the main area, and sat on the edge of the bed. He eyed the steaming pasta and lost his appetite. He discarded it on the nightstand along with yesterday’s cup that had crusted milk inside.

He wasn’t even in the mood to eat.

He should clean his cabin and decided he’d do that task later. No one would see his mess anyway.

There was something else that had him in loops. He itched to see Cara.

And the enthusiasm hardened parts of his body.

His cock became painfully stiff in his jeans and the throbbing became unbearable. If this is how he started the two-week session, he was in big trouble.

Removing his clothes, his erection stood straight, a testimony to his dire need. He slid into bed and wrapped his callused fingers around his rod while images of pale eyes bounced behind his lids. This wasn’t the pleasure he was craving, but a man had to do what he had to do to get by.

Chapter Four

Cara fluttered her eyes open. The sun filtered through the large window and enveloped her in its warmth. She lazily stretched and sighed. The feel of the satin sheets against her naked skin was heavenly. She hadn’t slept this good in ever.

She laid there for a while, enjoying the scenery of two birds sitting on a limb just outside the window, until she heard a thudding noise. She sat up and listened closer.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The sound grew louder.

Oh hell!
She realized someone was coming up the stairs and she jumped out of bed, dragged the sheet around her body just as a shadow passed the window. Less than a second later the knock came on the door. She took one small step to the right, into the shadows. Through the window she could see black hat and a broad back, remembering Dade telling her that a man, Ben, would be here today.

Her heart kicked up a beat and she held her breath. The only place she had to go for privacy was the bathroom, and to get there she’d have to pass the door. He’d see her, wearing a sheet—naked and wearing a sheet. She cringed. Oh why had she slept so late? What could she do? Maybe she should pretend she was still sleeping?

“Cara?” The voice was deep, muffled through the door.

Three long seconds later, she knew what she had to do. She had no other choice. With a quick finger combing, she went to the door and opened it a few inches.

Ah…sweet Lord.

A cowboy stood on her step, his back facing her, and what a nice back.

Gorgeous had come knocking.

She inhaled deeply and sucked up soap and leather. Gorgeous smelled good too.

The blue flannel stretched forever across wide shoulders, and she followed the brawny masculine line to lean hips, wide belt and…
oh dear, all that is holy
…the jeans fit like a worn glove on his tight buns. So this was what a real cowboy looked like?

Her breathing quickened to a pant while her heart played a rhythm of pleasure. She’d been right… the treehouse was only the tip of the iceberg. Whatever she’d done in life to be rewarded with hot and sexy waking her up, she was grateful. 

She’d even forgotten for a moment that she was standing with only a sheet wrapped around her torso—her trembling torso.

He turned and she held her breath. Oh yes, she most definitely was in paradise. The proof was wearing a cowboy hat and worn boots. Their eyes met and her knees weakened. What color were they? Green—blue maybe? And his facial features were delectable, as if he were molded with clay by an artist’s hand, then brought to life. A smile curved his beautiful lips and dizziness washed over her.

She knew that smile. She’d had sweet dreams of those lips.

But it couldn’t be possible.

He couldn’t be the hero that came along and saved her at the vending machine.

“Are you the man from the hotel parking lot?” She forced the words through quivering lips.

“Yes, ma’am.” He dipped his hat.

“Am I dreaming?” She didn’t realize she’d said the words aloud until he answered.

“Call it whatever makes you happy. I’m Ben.” His smile widened to a magical width.

She held onto the doorknob until her knuckles popped and she eased her grip. Her knees wobbled and she stilled her body by leaning into the door.  She didn’t think she’d ever see him again, except in her dreams. Clearing her throat, she hoped her voice worked. “I’m—I’m Cara.”

“Yes, I know who you are.” He didn’t have the deep twang like Dade, but there was a slight accent that teased her ears. He slipped a steady gaze down the sheet and her nipples hardened. Wow…how did he do that?

“Did you know who I was at the hotel? Were you watching me?” Heat spread from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes.

“No, I wasn’t watching you. It was mere chance that I spotted you across the parking lot at the very moment you needed me.”

Her cheeks stung and she guessed she blushed ten shades of red. She clasped the sheet tighter and took a step back, opening the door a little more. She concentrated on his eyebrows because all she wanted to do was gawk at tanned, sexy flesh. What had come over her? This man had come over her, that’s what. Then her gaze dipped to his kissable mouth. Wow…just wow. “I…I wasn’t expecting anyone. I mean, I was expecting you, not
you
, but Dade told me you would be here. I overslept. I’m sorry.”

“No apology. Most guests tend to sleep late here. Your first visit with Sofie is soon, then a riding lesson if you’d like. There’s fishing, too, since you said you wanted to learn, or rather what you answered on the call. You probably should eat breakfast, keep up your energy.”

“I don’t eat breakfast. And who is Sofie?” More strangers. Her stomach did a loop.

“Whatever your pleasure, Cara. Sofie is Nirvana’s life skills coach. Part of the package.” He winked. “We like to give every guest what she needs”.

Sparks of awareness tackled her veins. She was no longer dizzy but there was a new tight feeling between her legs. “What I need?” She pushed the words through trembling lips.

His smile warmed her bones. “That’s right, ma’am.”

Here he was, confessing that he would oblige her every need. This was paradise at its finest, although she knew he was talking platonic, not sexual. She supposed most women would know what to say or do at a time like this, but her tongue was heavy and she was on the brink of shaming herself by passing out at his feet. Why was she a danger to herself at times? “Thank you,” she mumbled. She couldn’t manage anything else.