Cowboy Baby Daddy

“I've never seen a shooting star before.” I wrapped my arms around myself as I stood there, head tipped toward the sky.

“They say you should make a wish on a shooting star,” he said as he stood, coming to stand next to me.

“They do?” I could feel him close to me.

“They do.” He took a step closer and pointed in another direction. “Look,” he said, drawing my attention to another streak of light dancing across the sky. When I looked, my face was turned toward his. The warmth from his body radiated toward mine. I leaned against him, and his hands found their way around my waist.

“You cold?” he asked, his closeness unnerving. I shook my head and slowly turned in his arms until I was facing him, pressed to his chest, his arms tightened around my waist, falling just at the small of my back.

“Is this okay?” he whispered, his breath tickling my skin. The goosebumps that followed spread slowly down my arms.

“This is nice.” I looked up into his eyes.

“You know,” he said in a half-whisper, “I, too, am glad you weren’t eaten by bears.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I rested my forehead against his chest and chuckled. “Yeah, me too,” I said as I returned my gaze upward.

He looked down at me. Shadowed in darkness, I couldn't see exactly what he was looking at, but the ball of nerves in my stomach wanted to look away. I turned my face slightly, but his hand rose, and he placed a finger under my chin and lifted it back toward him.

“As beautiful as these stars are, you outshine them, and I don’t think you even know it,” he said softly then slowly lowered his face toward mine. His lips gently brushed over my cheek and then moved to my mouth. His kiss was soft, and I melted into it. He pulled back, gazed at me for a moment, and then kissed me again. Harder this time, more need in this one. I felt his tongue pass over the seam of my lips, and I opened for him. I was lost in the warmth of his kiss. I could taste the sweetened coffee on his tongue as it passed over my own. His hand wrapped itself in my hair, and he pushed closer to me, heat igniting between us.

My body was screaming with need, a need I had never experienced before. I had heard stories about the butterflies that felt like they were swarming in your core, but I had never experienced them until now. We stood kissing under the stars, learning each other through just a kiss. I ran my hands up his chest and then over his shoul

der finding the slight curl to the ends of his hair along his neck. I ran my fingers up into them and gave them a slight tug, trying my best to get closer.

“Emerson,” he groaned against my mouth, and all I could do was nod.

Part of me that knew this was bad, very very bad, but the other part of me was so starved for the connection that it didn't care, and it overrode every logical thought that popped into my head. He slowly walked me backward toward the porch. His hands ran over my ass, and he lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him. He walked up the stairs, his lips never veering from my skin. The door slammed behind us, and then I felt myself being lowered. The cold of the countertop made me flinch, and I heard his deep rumble chuckle against me.

“Sorry.” He traced the cuff of my ear with his mouth and then pulled my earlobe between his lips. His fingers traced over the sliver of skin that was exposed along the bottom of my shirt. He lifted it slowly and pulled it over my head. His eyes dropped to my breasts, and I heard him catch his breath.

“God, you are beautiful,” he whispered and kissed along my cleavage. My hands went to his, and I pushed his toward my breasts. I wanted those hands all over me.

“Luke...” I groaned, lost in the feel of his touch. I had expected rough and quick, but he was being super gentle and a little cautious with me. I wasn't sure why, but I wasn't going to complain. I felt my bra pop loose, the straps falling to my elbows. His fingers traced my skin and pushed the straps away.

That’s when I heard the slamming of a car door outside. I jumped, looking up at Luke and reaching for my shirt on the counter next to me. Without a word, I pulled it to cover my chest and slid quickly off the counter and out of his grasp.

“Emerson, wait.” I heard his words, but I was already out the back door and running across the porch into mine.

I slammed the door shut, my chest heaving. I was on the verge of tears, but they didn't fall. I was stupid; that should have never happened.

Chapter Fifteen

Luke

Ryan walked through the front door, and I wanted to hit him.

He pointed toward the back door with a confused look on his face. “Dude? Was that Emmy leaving?”

I walked to the back door and looked for Emerson, but her door was already shut. Her bra laid on my kitchen floor. I reached for it, rubbing the soft cotton between my fingers. She had been everything I hoped she would be. The feeling of her skin beneath my fingers was a rush I had never known.

“What the fuck man?” I scolded him, shoving her bra into a drawer.

“How was I to know you would be getting down and dirty with her? After the way you talked, I didn't even know you liked her like that.” He shrugged. “So, you and Emmy?”

“I don't know. It just felt right, and I went with it.”

“I can't believe you didn't hear my truck coming up the drive.” Ryan opened the fridge and pulled out two beers handing one to me. “Here. You look like you need this.”