Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) (7 page)

“Are your accommodations to your liking?” He leaned against the porch railing, crossing his ankles and hooking his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans. “This is the best lodging at Nirvana.”

“Very much. Not many people can say they’ve slept in a treehouse. And the bed, it was like sleeping on a cloud. I feel refreshed, and, oh, I didn’t have one nightmare.”

“The rest of your stay should be spent with no worries, and certainly no bad dreams. Sit back, relax, and let us take care of everything. I’ll wait out here while you spruce up, then we’ll get the day started.” His eyes twinkled.

Her skin felt like it was on fire. “Where…?” She’d forgotten every thought in her brain.

“Sofie.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.” She was losing her concentration. “How long before I have to be there?”

“Fifteen minutes.” He watched her as if he found her humorous.

“Okay. I’ll be out…you wait there…I mean, you can come in…but wait, no…” She wasn’t ready to have a stranger in her room. And yet, he wasn’t a stranger. At least he didn’t feel like one.

“I’ll stay here and wait, ma’am.” He gave her a quick nod.

Certain she was still red-faced, she closed the door and practically ran across the small room, jerked open the drawer, and rummaged for something to wear. She tossed her clothing to and fro, feeling more anxious as she got to the bottom with nothing to show for her effort. Why hadn’t she brought something nice, not just baggy clothes? For the first time in a very long time she wanted to wear something different…pretty, which didn’t even begin to describe the clothes she’d packed. If only she’d known she’d run into Mr. Mysterious, she would have bought a new wardrobe.

Why did she want to impress him? She had no reason.

She had a big reason—she hadn’t felt this giddy in years.

Finally settling for a pair of jeans, her newest pair, and a flowered shirt, she wanted to take a quick shower but she didn’t have the time…or the comfort level yet to shower in the open, especially with Cowboy standing on the front porch. Would he peek at her? Goosebumps popped out on her flesh.

Who was she kidding? A man like Ben probably had every woman he wanted in a hundred-mile radius. As good looking as he was, what would he want with her? She was the dictionary definition of homely, and she felt this even more when she looked in the small mirror hanging on the wall.

She brushed her hair. Without washing the long, thick strands, it wanted to frizz up on her, so she went to plan B, pulling it up into a bun. That’d work. Digging into her almost empty makeup bag, she used the mascara and tinted lip-gloss.

Ten minutes later, she was outside. “I’m ready.” She nervously ran her hands down her thighs.

He stared at her and her stomach quivered. Had she chosen the wrong outfit?

“Do you have a pair of boots?” he asked.

She shook her head, sending tendrils of hair falling around her cheeks. She pushed them behind her ear. “No. Do I need boots?”

“No worries. We’ll get you set up later. You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”  She followed him down the stairs and as they headed along on the small pebbled path, the strong sun rays beat down on her exposed skin. She was grateful she’d slathered on sunscreen because her skin would burn before it tanned. “Aren’t you hot in long-sleeves?”

“I’m used to the sun and temps. You should have on long-sleeves. I bet your pale skin burns.” He slipped a finger down her arm and she jerked. He quickly pulled away. He’d caught her off guard by the heat of his touch.

They continued walking across the small patch of grass and she stopped dead in her tracks. Hitched to a tree was a very big—very intimidating—black horse. “Oh, so I get a riding lesson now?”

He unhitched the reins, concern etching lines around his eyes. “You okay?”

“That’s a horse.” She was fully aware that the seesawing of her voice matched the shaking inside of her body.

“It’s not a dog.” He chuckled.

“I-I’ve never ridden. Maybe I should be a little embarrassed in admitting that, considering I’m here on a ranch where I’m sure riding happens on a daily basis—“ His fingers came up and lightly touched her cheek. A whimper rose from her throat as she froze in her flip-flops.

“That darn piece of hair.”

“I was babbling. I’m sorry.” She wanted the ground to open and eat her alive.

“You apologize too much. There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

His soft voice made her chest heavy. She was in a habit of apologizing…and rambling. She was making a fool of herself.

****

Ben couldn’t help but admire the woman standing before him. She made him smile. She wasn’t a classical beauty, and it was obvious she didn’t want to draw any attention by any means, but there was something very stimulating about her modesty. She was pretty—very pretty. When she’d opened the door, her hair was wild around her pale cheeks, her eyes bright, her lips full, pink and very kissable. He’d almost went against every rule in his invisible book and dragged her body against his and kissed the hell out of her. He’d almost been done in like a fish on a hook seeing her wrapped in the sheet. A woman never looked sexier than when wearing satin.

He guessed she was five foot two, and petite and slender, but not matchstick thin.  Even the loose fitting clothes she wore didn’t hide the fact that she had curves in all of the right places. The V-neck shirt opened just enough to give him a sneak peek of deep cleavage. She had incredible, long hair that was pulled up now. His fingers ached to free the mass from the clip. But what intrigued him the most was her intoxicating beautiful blue eyes that shone like diamonds in the morning sun.

Their gazes met and she gave him a hesitant smile. She flushed from cheeks to sleek neck. He let his gaze lower over her loose top and jeans, but quickly back up to a safer area. Her lashes fanned across the tops of her pale cheeks and he noticed the faint spattering of freckles. With her light skin he wasn’t surprised. Her eyes were sweet and her face was delicate. And those lips! Wow, they were made especially for a kiss—his kiss.

Oh, shit! He couldn’t allow his mind to travel down the path of no return. He was here to help her, not screw her.

“She seems gentle,” Cara said.

“You have nothing to be afraid of. Nellie is calm.” He patted the horse’s neck. “And I’ll lead you. But if you’d rather walk—“

“No, that’s okay.” She lifted her chin in a bravery that he’d bargain didn’t match what she was feeling inside. He liked seeing that she had a spunky side under that thick layer of shyness.

“If you’re sure?”

“I’m sure.” Her bottom lip slightly trembled.

“Okay then. Let’s get you in the saddle.” He wrapped his hands around her tiny waist—tingles shot upward through his hands and into his arms—and he easily lifted her onto the horse. She stared down at him. “Okay, there’s that look again.”

“A look?” She moistened her lips and his cock twitched.
This could be a problem.

“The one that makes me wonder if you’re scared of me.” He shifted, wanting to ease the restraint behind his zipper.

“I’m not scared.”

“Good, because you have no reason. I’d protect you with my life.” The quick exhale of her breath made him grasp what he’d said. He’d only breathed those words to one other person in his entire life, and that person was gone. His jaw tightened and he knew he needed to change the subject, fast. “Let’s put your feet in the stirrups.” He adjusted them for her. In the open sandals, he could see that she had nice, soft feet. The color on her toenails matched the color of her lips. Realizing he was lingering a little too long, he pulled away. “Hold the reins and I’ll lead you. Relax and enjoy the ride.”

Seeing that she’d lost all color to her skin, he felt guilty. “Here, I have an idea.” Without thinking of the consequences, he slid her foot out of one stirrup, placed his foot in the strap and pulled himself up behind her in the saddle.  She immediately stiffened. “Is this okay?” He brought his nose close to her hair and breathed in her scent—cotton candy, just as he remembered.

“Y-Yes. I’ve just never imagined…”

“Most people don’t,” he whispered next to her ear. He reached for the reins. He had to have his arms around her and he didn’t mind one bit. They fit perfectly in the saddle, her bottom nestled between his thighs. He hoped his body behaved. “Consider this your first riding lesson.”

Leading the horse across the yard and to the gravel lane, her body relaxed some and she slowly leaned into him as if she was giving in. Oh, Lord! She smelled so damn good, and felt even better. He’d held sexier women—women who’d practically thrown themselves at him and he hadn’t felt this much activity or desire. He was realizing just how needy he was for a woman’s touch. His cock shot alive, making his jeans fit too tight. He wondered if she noticed his rise and it only made the ache turn to a throbbing. Thankfully, Sofie’s office wasn’t far because much longer and he’d do exactly what he wanted since he saw her picture. Kiss her panties right off her.

“This isn’t too bad,” she said. He caught the interest in her tone.

“One of the biggest pleasures in life is riding.” Why did his words come off as an insinuation when he meant it clean? Probably because his mind was in the gutter.

“I’d like to learn to ride myself, before I leave. I really think this is soothing.” She splayed her fingers across her jean-covered thighs. She had slender fingers and her nails were neat and short.

“We can arrange that.” He liked her fresh take on riding. She was cute and he couldn’t stop from smiling. He had a feeling she’d been in a bubble and this was the most fun she’d had in a long time.

“Where are all of the other visitors? I haven’t seen one since I’ve arrived.” She looked around.

“We have three hundred acres of land here. Each treehouse is spaced far enough apart for solitude. There’s a good chance you’ll pass some of the other women while you’re here, but there usually isn’t any face-to-face meetings.”

“I’m guessing there are only a few women here?” She turned her cheek and he got a good look at her profile. Her thick lashes were long and her nose was pert.

“Just five,” he answered. She was the first in a long time that had this many questions. Most heartbreaks didn’t care who else was staying at Nirvana just as long as they were taken care of.  “Believe it or not, most visitors want the seclusion. They like feeling like this place is all theirs. They can be themselves without the public eye.”

“Do each of the visitors have their own cowboy…I mean, helper? What do you call yourselves anyway?” The tip of her tongue came out and swept across the perfect bow of her bottom lip.

“Most days I’m a ranch hand, but if it makes you feel better, you can call me your cowboy.” He chuckled. “The cowboys here are at the visitors’ disposal.” He couldn’t tell her that he’d assigned himself to just her.

“And the cowboy, Dade, he said he doesn’t ‘help’ yet.”

“Yes. He’s a great kid, but still has a lot to learn. You certainly do have a lot of questions,” he teased.

“I’m sorry, my husband didn’t like when I asked a lot of questions.” Her shoulders tightened.

“Cara, no apologies, remember?”

“Okay, I’ll remind myself.”

“Are you still married? I don’t see a ring.”

She stiffened some. “No, I’m a widow.”

He was real glad that she wasn’t hitched, as sorry as he was for her loss. ”Don’t worry. Ask me anything and I’ll always answer, if I can.”

“I think I’m good for now. Thank you.”

The remainder of the ride was quiet.

He should have been happy when they made it to Sofie’s office, but he was filled with disappointment. He’d never take advantage of a situation but he liked her being close. He slid off the horse and then helped her down, taking his time before releasing her.

“Thank you, Ben.”

“I didn’t do much.”

Most of the color had returned to her cheeks. “Whether you know it or not, it took a lot for me to get on that horse. A few days ago, I would have refused.”

“Then I’m glad I could be of service.” He reached out, touched her hand, and she jumped. Her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned.  The pain he’d seen in the picture returned and he hated pushing her too far. He backed off, grabbed Nellie’s reins, tightening his fists on the leather. “Sofie will keep you for an hour and then I’ll be back to get you.”

She started to turn but stopped. “Are you the one, I mean, the only one who’ll be with me—I mean, helping me…transporting me?”

He smiled. “Yes, I will, unless that’s a problem.” He hoped it wasn’t because he couldn’t stand the thought of one of the other cowboys getting to sit in a saddle with her.

“No, that’s fine. In fact, I sort of like that idea.” She turned and walked the narrow sidewalk.

He watched her, liking the gentle sway of her hips. Once she was inside, he got back into the saddle. He had sixty minutes to do something about his erection.

Chapter Five

Cara liked the life skills coach, Sofie. It was different, and a little awkward talking to someone she’d never met, but Sofie instantly made Cara feel welcome.