Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders 16)

“But?”

“But I’m rescinding my offer of help with the dishes.”

Chapter Four

Carson

“Why’re you in such a damn hurry this mornin’?” Cal asked as they sped across the pasture to check the bulls.

“I’ve got plans so I wanna get this done.” Carson scowled at his watch. If he took the shortcut on the back roads he might only be fifteen minutes late.

“What kinda plans?”

“None of your business kinda plans.”

“It’s her, ain’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Why you even bothering with this, Carse? You know it can’t go anywhere.”

He downshifted and stopped so Cal could get the gate.

But Cal made no move to get out of the truck.

“What?”

“Answer the question.”

“Why you pushing me on this?”

“Because I think you’re getting involved with her for all the wrong reasons.”

“As usual, you don’t know shit.” Carson threw open the door and stomped across the pasture to get the gate himself. Then he climbed back in the cab and drove through the opening.

This time Cal did get out and close the gate behind them.

They’d nearly reached the corner section where the bulls had gathered when Carson spoke. “I’m not pursuing her because I wanna piss Dad off or get her to sleep with me. It’s different with her. From the moment I saw her I knew… Dammit, you were there.” He scrubbed his hands over his face, realizing he had to shave before he left. “Makes me sound like a pu**y, but I’ll just say it straight out, okay? She’s special.”

“See? That wasn’t so hard,” Cal said with a grin.

“Jackass.”

“You plannin’ on bringin’ her to the trailer?”

Carson shot his twin a look. “She’s not ready for that. And why do you care?”

“A woman like that won’t slide into filthy sheets with you in your pigsty of a bedroom. We both know getting her sweet ass into your bed is the final goal here. And if it’s not?” Cal raised an eyebrow. “Then her wearin’ pants last night wasn’t just a fashion statement, was it? She gonna expect you to slip on a frilly apron?”

“Says the man who knows his way around a feather duster and a vacuum,” Carson retorted.

“You’re damn lucky I can’t stand to live in filth ’cause it sure don’t bother you.”

“Fine. I’ll fumigate my room.” He’d rather live with Cal’s nagging ways about the state of their trailer than spend a night living with their dad again. “But when she does agree to come over, you gotta give us some privacy.”

Cal smirked. “No problem. I’m sure I can find a warm bed to sleep in.”

“I’m sure you can.” But his focus was already on a black bull, lying down away from the other bulls. “Was 729 acting sickly yesterday mornin’?”

“We didn’t check yesterday; it’s been two days. But no, he was fine.”

“Don’t look like he’s fine now. Come on, let’s go check it out.”

The bull was dead. Which meant they needed to move the bulls out of that pasture now. Normally he and Cal would’ve just taken care of it, but Cal insisted he get cleaned up and head to Gillette.

Poor Cal was still arguing on the phone with Casper about getting his lazy ass out of bed and helping him deal with the dead animal when Carson took off.

Casper. His younger brother had had a vindictive streak since they were kids. Had a big damn chip on his shoulder too, where Carson and Cal were concerned, claiming they got preferential treatment from their father. Well, yeah, they did. Because they actually worked.

Thinking about Casper was sure to put him in a foul mood so he shoved it aside. He turned up the radio and hauled ass to Gillette.

He pulled into the church parking lot at twenty-five after eleven. His worry she’d be gone evaporated when she climbed out of a 1955 Oldsmobile 88. Seeing her in a slim skirt, a floral blouse, a tight short sweater and a pair of high heels that did amazing things for her calves, had him bailing out of the truck to meet her halfway.

She smiled at him. That beautiful I’m-happy-to-see-you smile that lit up her entire face. “Hi.”

“Hey. Sorry I’m runnin’ a little late.” Rather than haul her into his arms and lay a big wet kiss on her, he reached for her hand and brought it to his mouth for a soft kiss. “Sugar, you are pretty as a picture in your Sunday mornin’ finery.”

“Thank you.”

Carson noticed she’d pulled her hair back and piled it up into some fancy hair-do. She wore just enough makeup to make her look polished, but not plastic. Instead of the vivid red lipstick she usually wore, her lips were a soft pink. Innocent looking but he knew the power of what that mouth could do to him.

“Umm, Carson?”

His eyes connected with hers. “Yeah?”

“Do you realize you made a…growling noise when you were staring at my lips?”

He grinned. “Nope. But it’s only because your mouth looks so tasty and I can’t wait to take a bite.”

Carolyn stepped closer and placed her hand on his chest. “Maybe it’d be best if we left the church parking lot before you start chewing on my lips.”

“That works for me. Are you hungry? The truck stop is a dive, but the food is good and I doubt you’ll run into anyone you know.”

She cocked her head. “The truck stop is fine. But I’ll remind you that you’re the local, not me, if you’re concerned about anyone you know seeing us together.”

“I could give a damn who sees us together, Caro.”

“One of these days very soon, McKay, I’ll expect you to prove that.”

He stole one quick kiss. “And I’ll be happy to.” He opened the passenger door for her and helped her inside. The sleeve of her sweater snagged on a wire sticking out of the seat. “Hang on a second. You’re caught.” Carson gently pulled the metal free and smoothed the section of yarn back in place. He said, “All fixed,” but kept running his fingertips over the back of her arm.

“Carson?”

His glanced up at her. “Did you buy this sweater because it’s the exact shade of your beautiful eyes? Or because it’s as soft as your skin?”

Something dark glittered in her eyes before she grabbed onto his chin. “Give me a taste of that silver tongue.” She fit her mouth to his and kissed the holy hell out of him. Right there in the church parking lot.