9781618850034TroubleHunter Page 8

  Despite her better judgment, she let her hands rest on his shoulders. The muscles were defined and hard. Not even realizing it, her fingers began to knead, caress. She was surprised when she felt him tremble. He was so big, so strong, and so confident—yet he trembled in her arms.

  “Baby, I’m looking forward to knowing you. But right now, I’m ravenous for a taste of you.” When he verbalized his intentions, Cooper felt a momentary panic. Other times, when she had been forcibly held, forcibly touched, and mistreated flooded back to her. She stiffened against him. Searching her eyes, he saw the unease. “I don’t force women, sweetheart. You’re safe with me.”

  “I know.” There was no hesitation in the admission. It was just her body, rebelling against her senses. She wanted him. Oh, how she wanted him. Nevertheless, she was afraid. However, her desire was greater than her fear. Kyler Landon inspired emotions in her she didn’t know she was capable of—trust, desire and a yearning for total honesty. She had never been honest with anyone. Cooper had lived behind a wall of secrecy and sorrow for so long she didn’t even know what was on the other side. But this man! God, this man was breaching the wall with his soothing touch and his tender concern.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve kissed anyone. I don’t know if I remember how.” Cooper whispered.

  “How long, babe?”

  “Over four years.” She didn’t elaborate. Again, it was just embarrassing.

  “But…your husband?”

  She could see the shock on his face. “Yeah, my husband. He didn’t enjoy kissing me.” The truth was ugly.

  “What did you say? Didn’t enjoy kissing you?” Ky whispered, the disbelief apparent. His hands shook as he raised them to her neck, and she watched his gaze fall to her mouth. “Your husband was an idiot!”

  * * * *

  Outside, looking in the window, Richard watched his wife in the arms of the other man. “Idiot,” he snarled. “What does he see in that tub of lard?” His hands knotted into fists, he wanted to punch something. She had a protector, a damn protector. Now, he’d have to watch out for this redneck. Well, he’d better not get in the way. That’s all he could say. That redneck had best watch his back.

  Turning around, Richard moved back into the woods. He was so angry, he couldn’t see straight. This was taking far longer than he had planned. Hell! A rustling in the weeds startled him. What was that? Staring into the shadows, he expected to see an attacker. Instead, he saw something worse – and it saw him! Shit! A damn skunk! Richard backed up, but he lost his footing and tripped over a broken branch. “Umph!” He watched in horror as the pole-cat turned its big flag tail toward him and shot him right in the face with godawful, rancid, burning spray. “Goddamn!” Richard clawed at his eyes. They felt like they had been doused with acid!

  He lurched to his feet and stumbled away. Blinded, he staggered toward the creek that ran behind the cabin. This is all the bitch’s fault and she is going to pay. She is going to pay in spades.

  * * * *

  “It’s not what you think.” Cooper wanted to explain about the kisses. But Ky was concentrating on gentling her—his voice and touch as sweet and soft as if he were quieting a frightened little creature. Cooper realized she was shivering. She was just so damned aware of him. It was an entirely new feeling for her.

  “It’s OK, babe. I’ve got you. There’s nothing to be afraid of. There’s only pleasure, I promise.” She felt his lips brush against her throat, and a quiver of delight shivered up her spine. She lifted her head, exposing her vulnerability to his will. Recognizing her permission to continue, he edged his mouth up over her jaw line, his tongue tracing a path of fire that sent rivulets of warmth throughout her body.

  “See, sweetheart. I would never hurt you.” He was treating her with tender loving care, as if he knew she was wary of intimate contact. His hands began to caress her body, but only in places that didn’t spark panic or unease. He massaged her shoulders and upper arms. His palms glided down her back. The man was soothing her very soul.

  “Can I have your lips now, love?” That he would ask dispelled any doubt she might have had. Waiting on her decision, he planted little butterfly kisses at the corners of her mouth.

  Without her even knowing it happened, a whimper of need bubbled up from deep within her. “Please, Ky. Kiss me, please.”

  * * * *

  Triumph and relief rushed over him and he ever so carefully covered her mouth with his own. Tenderly. Gently. He rubbed his lips over hers, not seeking entrance with his tongue, only caressing her softly—nibbling slightly, his tongue teasing the seam of her lips. She would open for him when she felt the desire overwhelm her. He could wait. Cooper was his gift from heaven and he was determined to cherish every moment, every touch she would allow.

  Ky continued the sensuous coaxing until he felt her push against him. She wasn’t trying to get away. Standing up on tiptoe, she moved her hands to the nape of his neck, opened her mouth, and let him in. Ky groaned with satisfaction. Clasping her to him, he held her up, her feet now inches off the ground.

  Ky quaked with longing. He felt his rod swell. Edging his hips away from her, he hesitated to let her know how she was affecting him. Never before had he felt such concern for a woman. It was simple. This woman belonged to him. And he would cherish her with all that was within him.

  The kiss went on and on. Ky was no longer kissing Cooper. Cooper was kissing Ky. She was voracious and he loved every second of it. Underneath her lips, his formed a smile. His baby was going to be a wildcat in bed, and he couldn’t wait.

  Not breaking contact with her luscious mouth, Ky placed a hand behind her knees and lifted her into his arms. Taking a few steps to the couch, he settled himself there with her in his lap. Pulling his lips from hers, he kissed her collarbone and the hollow of her neck where her heartbeat was so prominent, but she would have none of it.

  “More,” she demanded pulling his head back up so she could recapture his mouth with her own. Ky chuckled with delight. God, she was sweet. He gave her what she wanted. He could do no less; he wanted it as badly as she did. For endless minutes they kissed, stealing breaths, moans of desire punctuating their feasting. But Ky wanted more. Much more. Gently, he placed his hands at the hem of her camisole. The skin at her waist was like velvet. He couldn’t wait to touch her breasts, couldn’t wait to see them.

  He loved everything about a woman. But, if he had to categorize himself, Kyler Landon was a breast man. Slowly, he inched his fingers up, anticipation clouding his awareness. It took a few seconds for him to realize Cooper was struggling. She was frantic. Pushing herself back from Ky, she put distance between them. “I’m sorry, Ky. But, I have to stop.”

  Ky was so aroused he had to sit there a moment before trying to figure what was going on.

  He reached for her, but she avoided him. “What’s wrong, love? Was I moving too fast? I just want to caress you. I want to see you.” She stood with her back to him, her arms crossed protectively over her breasts. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling her back against his growing need. To his great relief, she allowed it. “Talk to me, Cooper. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  She stood stone still for a minute, silently. Then she started to move, Ky didn’t try to hold her immobile. He thought she was pulling away again. Then he realized she was turning into his embrace. Ky’s knees nearly buckled underneath him when he felt her melt against him. She put her arms high around his neck, burying her head in his chest. He felt those magnificent breasts pressed tightly against him. “I want you to touch me, Ky. But, when you see me, you won’t want to kiss me anymore.”

  “Not a chance in hell, sweetheart.” He kissed her everywhere he could reach, her soft hair, her tender nape, her silken cheek. “That’s impossible. You are gorgeous. Your body was made to be loved.” Kissing him on the side of his neck, she hugged him tight. Then she pulled herself back and walked away.

  He followed her. “Cooper, I’ve never felt
this way before. Don’t shut me out. Please.”

  “Ky,” she sighed, tears in her voice. “You will never know how sorry I am. I would give all I have for things to be different. But the fact is we can only be friends. Anything else would only be a disappointment to you and an embarrassment to me.”

  “You’ve got to spell it out for me darling. I’m not understanding you, all the blood has rushed from my head to my dick. I have never wanted any woman more than I want you.”

  “Don’t ask me to explain,” she begged as he came up to her and pulled her back tightly against him. This time he did not try to hide his arousal. He wanted her to know how much he desired her. He wanted her to know what she would be missing if she walked away from him.

  * * * *

  Cooper fought herself. She wanted to turn and offer herself to him. But she couldn’t trick him like that. She was not what she seemed to be.

  Steeling herself, she turned to look at him. His face was so beautiful. He was looking at her with such longing in his eyes. Never had she ever hoped to see a man look at her like that. Oh, to be worthy of a love such as his. Reaching up, she laid the palm of her hand on his face. Leaning in she kissed him tenderly—once—full on the mouth. Then she backed up. “Ky, it would be better if you left.”

  With sadness in his voice, he asked, “Better for whom, Cooper?”

  “For you,” she answered.

  She closed her eyes and waited to hear the door close, signaling he had left. However, she didn’t hear it. When she opened her eyes, he was still there. “I can’t walk away from you, love. What you’re saying makes no sense to me. I can tell you want me. What are you afraid of? Talk to me. Please.”

  Her heart was breaking. “Please go, Ky.”

  Walking over to the table, he picked up the dildo. “Don’t use this, Cooper. Tonight, when you lay down. Think of me. Think of my lips kissing you. My hands worshiping your body. Me between your legs. Not this.” Laying the sex toy back where he found it, he approached her once again. She was trembling and he appeared to look pleased that his words could arouse her, in spite of her protests. The graphic picture he painted had gotten to her. “I’m not giving up, sweetheart.”

  “Ky,” she pleaded. “Just go home. Forget about me. Forget we ever met.”

  “Not going to happen,” he growled, low in her ear. “I’ll be back tomorrow. To take you to a proper dinner. On a proper date. Our first. Dress up a little. And be prepared to answer one question. That’s all I’ll ask, one question. And you can ask me one, if you want. Does that sound fair, baby?” She didn’t answer. But, she was listening. And she was mellowing. “Be ready at six. Lock the door behind me, love.” With that, he was gone.

  * * * *

  But he didn’t leave. Ky sat in his truck, his head leaning back on the seat, trying to make sense out of what just happened. Lord, he wanted her so bad. He was still as hard as a railroad spike and she had been like heaven in his arms. Her lips were like candy and she kissed like a dream. Ky pushed his seat back as far as it would go, so he could stretch his legs out. Unzipping his pants, he gave his aching cock room to breathe.

  He wasn’t angry. Cooper wasn’t a tease. As far as he could tell, she thought something was wrong with her. For some unknown reason, she could not believe he wanted her. One mystery on top of another. He tried to think about what had been said, how the evening had progressed, and gone from unbelievable to hitting rock bottom.

  Rubbing a hand over his face, he raggedly let out his breath. She had said her husband wouldn’t kiss her. What kind of fool had she been married to? Maybe, he was some kind of weird germophobe. Ky decided he must have been insane, since Cooper was perfect.

  Looking back at her little house, he wanted to go back in so bad every muscle in his body strained. But he could wait. He could be patient. Tomorrow night would be a new beginning for them.

  * * * *

  Cooper made her way to the couch and lay down. The tears flowed unbidden, and the animals instinctively came to her to offer some comfort. She gathered as many as close to her as she could. They were alive and she was desolate. God, she wanted Ky. And he wanted her. Or, at least he thought he did.

  But what if Richard was wrong? What if she was desirable? Should she risk it?

  Could she risk it? She was so torn. She wanted to get up off the couch and run down the road until she was back in his arms. But she imagined Ky looking at her with the same revulsion Richard had, and she knew if he did, she would simply die.

  Dragging herself off the couch, she turned off the lights and headed to her bedroom. As she walked to the front, she heard Ky’s truck start up. He was still there. Against all reason, she opened the door and walked out. He must have been watching, he put on the brakes and waited, his engine idling. Her feet carried her toward the truck. She didn’t take but four steps before Ky cut the engine and flung the door open, meeting her half way. It was too dark for Ky to see her face, but when she held her arms up to him, he swept her up and carried her back in the house.

  “Baby, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed,” he began. Cooper didn’t answer. She was too busy, kissing his throat and his neck. Undoing the top button of his shirt, she placed soft, sweet kisses on the upper part of his chest. “Cooper, you’re killing me,” he said in a harsh voice. At his words, she raised her head, searching his expression for displeasure. She found none. “Don’t you dare stop, Cooper. I love having your lips on me. Anytime. Anywhere.”

  With a tremulous little sigh, she resumed her petting. He sat down and held her close, letting her do what she would to him. She worked her way up his throat, framed his face with her hands, and kissed him right on the mouth. “Can you stay up late with me and talk?” she asked.

  “I’ve got all night. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he whispered huskily. Cooper stopped kissing, laid her cheek on his chest and breathed in his scent. Finally, she began to speak.

  “It’s not that I don’t want you. I do, very much.” She felt his hand rubbing her back, as he listened to every word.

  “I want you, too. More than you will ever know. So, what are we doing still sitting on this couch?” He teased her, smiling, hoping to get her to smile back.

  Then she began. “My dad left us when I was two. I lost my mom when I was six. My mother’s second husband and his wife raised me. They left when I was seventeen and I’ve only heard from them once or twice since then.” As she spoke, she toyed with the buttons on his shirt.

  * * * *

  “I’m so sorry, Cooper.” Changing subjects, he hunted for something to talk about that would be easier for her. “I know this cabin used to belong to the Marchand’s. Are you related to them in some way?” He was listening carefully, but his lips wouldn’t be still; he let them roam over her face and her neck. She was so sweet. He would have been happy to hold her forever.

  “It belongs to my friend Lisa’s grandfather. She has been so good to me. When my family moved away, I went to college. I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship.”

  “Where did you go to school love?” He wanted to know everything about her.

  “The University of Texas in Austin.” She made the hook ’em horns sign.

  He answered with one. “So did I.” He said with enthusiasm. “What year did you graduate?”

  “I didn’t. I was only there for two semesters.” She rolled over in his arms, so he was cradling her head and upper body and she could see his face. He kept one arm around her waist, careful not to touch her breasts. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “I took classes in Fashion and Design, that’s what I would have majored in had I stayed. What was your degree in?”

  “Women and football.” He grinned, teasing her again.

  “Are you a Longhorn, Ky?” She teased back, smiling, reaching up to nuzzle his neck.

  Ky’s heart lurched. Never had he been so affected by a woman or her touch. He longed to be as close to her as possible, it seemed to him that he literally wante
d to pick her up and absorb her into himself. Instead, he answered her lightly. “I can’t wait to show you my longhorn, baby. But, yes, I played UT football, linebacker. As for the degree, I have an MBA.”

  “An MBA! Wow! I had no idea. What exactly do you do for a living?” She looked at him with interest, seemingly unaware she was stroking him, rubbing her hand up and down his chest. He, however, was not unaware. His hard-on was still with him, and had been since she walked into his life almost forty-eight hours ago.

  “I keep busy with several things. I manage Landon Incorporated. My family has about sixty thousand acres we rotate out in timber production. We also run a big herd of registered Beefmaster Cattle and for fun I make saddles and belts.” Her hair fascinated him. Right now, he was massaging the back of her neck, running his fingers up into her scalp. She was beginning to relax. Soon, he would have her purring.

  “I’m impressed. Where does the animal shelter fit in?”

  Ky knew she didn’t realize what she was doing. She was listening to him closely, her attention full on his face, but her hand was busy. She had found his nipple and she was circling it with the pad of her thumb. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain control. “I try to keep active in the community. The animal shelter is one of the ways I do that. The Angel Pantry program is another of my causes. We order food at a cut-rate and distribute it to the needy once a month. In fact, this coming Saturday is pick-up day, if you’d like to help.”