A Cowboy's Honor (The McGavin Brothers #2) Read online

  “Oh! Sure!” He stepped back from the open door. “Sorry, I just—”

  “I know, son.” Jim patted his shoulder as he walked by. “Gave me quite a start, too.”

  His mom came hobbling out of the kitchen and went wild over Faith’s new look while somehow managing to introduce herself to Faith’s dad at the same time. Cody noticed the green bling on the back pockets of Faith’s jeans two seconds before his mom made her turn around so she could examine her from all sides.

  While she was busy exclaiming over the sparkles and the cascade of red-gold curls, Faith glanced at him and smiled. “You might want to close that door, Cody. I’d hate to have a squirrel get in.”

  “Uh, right.” Damn, his face got hot as he turned around and shut the door.

  The last time he’d felt this dazed and confused was when he’d accidentally beaned himself on a tree branch while out riding with his brothers. Faith was so…he didn’t even have the words for it, but he sensed that her transformation was a game changer.

  Unconsciously he’d relished the teacher-pupil dynamic in this relationship. When she was the one asking and he was the one graciously giving, the balance of power had been in his favor. But he could say goodbye to that bullshit. The power had just shifted.

  * * *

  Cody’s initial reaction had been everything Faith had hoped for. She wished they were free to exchange hot glances across the table, but that would arouse suspicion. During dinner, she’d caught him looking at her, though, and he was clearly thinking about something. She hoped it was their next rendezvous.

  Meanwhile Mandy was telling everyone about her new idea. Faith had Mandy to thank for the curls and the makeup. She’d asked Faith to stop by on the way to the ranch, and while Zane had taken Faith’s dad over to see the progress on the new raptor headquarters, Mandy had worked her magic. Then she’d snapped a bunch of pictures to send to New York.

  She’d mentioned during dinner that Faith and her dad had stopped by for a quick photo shoot, but she hadn’t said anything about the hair and makeup session. Faith was glad about that. Cody had been so awestruck by her new look that she didn’t want to destroy the illusion by discussing her makeover.

  Talk of Faith’s outfit and Mandy’s plans for a line of recycled clothing dominated the conversation for a good part of the meal. Kendra and Deidre were enthusiastic, and naturally Mandy’s mom, Jo, was, too. Zane and Cody chimed in with a few comments. Only Faith’s dad remained silent. Faith wanted to draw him into the conversation, but fashion wasn’t his thing and besides, he didn’t know this crowd and might be reluctant to offer an opinion.

  Then Deidre turned to him. “Jim, you’ve been sort of quiet tonight. What do you think of Mandy’s idea?”

  Faith expected her dad to say it was fine and leave it at that.

  “Oh, it’ll go gangbusters.” He leaned toward Mandy. “And I think it’s great that you’re going to use any extra income for the raptor project.”

  “It’s dear to my heart.”

  “I can see why. I had no idea that was going on. The headquarters will be something. I’ve always been a fan of those amazing birds.”

  Faith blinked. On the drive from Zane and Mandy’s house to the ranch, her dad had expressed admiration for Zane and Mandy’s dedication to the raptors but the trip had been short and they’d had little time to discuss it. She’d had no idea he was so enthusiastic.

  Then he looked over at Deidre. “Zane also told me about the contribution you and your posse have been making to the cause. What’s the name you gave yourselves?”

  “The Whine and Cheese Club. But it’s not my posse. All five of us are in charge.” She glanced at Jo and Kendra. “Right?”

  “Damn straight,” Kendra said with a grin.

  “Well, I’d like to meet the other two and shake their hands. You’re all doing good work.” He turned to Faith. “Do you know about these ladies, honey bun?”

  “A little bit.” Kendra’s high school girlfriends fascinated her. She’d never had a best friend in school, let alone three of them. They weren’t stuck up about it, either. They’d invited Jo to be the fifth member of their club even though she hadn’t gone to school with them.

  “All I can say is, I’m impressed.” He gazed at Deidre. “Mighty impressed.” He took a sip of his beer.

  Faith’s world tilted. She’d never seen her dad look at a woman the way he was looking at Deidre. She’d never seen a woman looking back at her dad the way Deidre was doing, either. She needed to talk to Cody. Now.

  Acting on impulse, she faked a headache. She’d never done it but she’d read about it in her books. “I hate to admit this, Dad, but I feel a headache coming on.”

  Her dad turned to her immediately. “Honey bun, I’m so sorry. We’ll go.”

  “No, Dad, you stay. Cody can run me home.”

  “Absolutely.” Cody pushed back his chair. “Jim, stay and have some of Deidre’s pie. I promise you it’s excellent. You’ll want to try both kinds. I’ve got this.”

  Her dad looked torn. “I confess I was looking forward to a slice of that pie.”

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll catch a ride with Cody. You stay and enjoy your pie.”

  “I’ll get my keys.” Cody left the dining room.

  While he was gone, Faith thanked Kendra for a wonderful dinner. Everyone told her to feel better and she had to assure Kendra a couple of times that the squirrel incident hadn’t caused her headache. Then she went out the front door with Cody.

  He didn’t say anything until they’d left the porch. “Do you really have a headache?”

  “No.”

  “Thank God. I was hoping you were okay.” He squeezed her hand as he helped her into the truck. “I’d kiss you now but I don’t dare. I’ll wait until it’s safer.”

  The minute he got in the truck, she turned to him. “Did you see how they looked at each other?”

  “Your dad and Deidre?”

  “Who else? What do you think it means?”

  “I’m not qualified to answer that.” He backed around and started down the dirt road at a faster than usual speed.

  “I think they’re into each other.”

  “Maybe. Is that a problem?”

  “Yes. No. Oh, I don’t know! But it feels weird, like I suddenly looked up and the sky was green instead of blue. He’s never been interested in a woman before. And Deidre’s so different from him.” She held onto the armrest as the truck jolted down the road. “What if she’s not right for him?”

  “Then I suppose they’ll figure that out.”

  Not the reassurance she was looking for. “And why her?” The truck hit another bump. “What’s the attraction?”

  “I’m only guessing, but he seems to be drawn to her dynamic personality. And she’s drawn to…I’m not sure what.”

  “Hey! He’s a wonderful guy!”

  “I know. I didn’t mean it that way, but you’re right that they’re very different. Maybe she’s looking for serenity. Your dad’s very serene.”

  “He won’t be serene for long if he hooks up with Deidre.” The ride smoothed out when they reached the paved road.

  “That could be the idea. He’s tired of being serene all the time. He wants some excitement in his life.”

  “I suppose it’s possible.” She let her head flop back. ““He really came alive just now. And I want him to be happy, but he hasn’t looked twice at anyone since my mom died and that’s been twenty-four years. Why is he changing now?”

  “Because you are.”

  She glanced at him in surprise. “I am not! Well, maybe on the outside some, but I’m the same person inside. And besides, he made that fireball remark before I put on these clothes. My new look can’t be the reason he’s showing interest in Deidre.”

  “Have you ever invited a guy to go out riding with you before?”

  “No, but he has no idea what we’ve been up to. As far as he’s concerned, you were taking Bert for a test run.”

&n
bsp; “Which is another thing. You’re loaning me your beloved horse. Your dad recognizes that you must think well of me. He may not have figured out we’re having sex, but he’s noticed that you like me. A lot.”

  “You don’t think he believes I’m doing it out of gratitude to the McGavins?”

  “Nope.”

  She sighed. “That’s bad news. If you’re right, then I helped create this situation.”

  “And what if it’s a good situation?”

  “That remains to be seen. He could end up getting hurt.”

  “Guess so.” He was silent for a bit. “I think I know, but I still have to ask. What prompted you to have Mandy alter your clothes?”

  “You did. You make me feel desirable. I want to look sexy for you all the time and not just when I’m naked.”

  “You looked sexy to me in your old clothes.”

  “Come on, not really. Not until you’d seen me naked. Then you could picture what was underneath. You said you liked being the only person besides me who knew that secret.”

  His chest heaved. “I did say that, and it was a selfish comment. There’s no reason you should dress in baggy clothes so that I have exclusive info about your great body. I apologize for that and for acting like a jackass this morning in the barn.”

  “You were acting weird. Why?”

  “Mom told me last night that you’d asked Mandy to alter some of your clothes. I was surprised. And a little upset.”

  “Why were you upset?”

  “I’d rather not tell you.”

  “But if you don’t tell me, I might imagine something worse.”

  He didn’t answer right away. Then he took a deep breath. “It’s like you and I are in this secret club and nobody else knows what’s going on. But by changing your outfits, you’ve given them a clue. And you didn’t tell me about it first. In fact, I was the last to know.”

  She’d hurt his feelings. But he was a guy, so she probably shouldn’t point that out. “I wanted to do something special to surprise you.”

  “I know that, now.”

  “I hoped that you’d see me in these clothes and be consumed by lust.”

  “As it happens, I am.” He shifted in his seat.

  “Then my outfit is turning you on?”

  “Yes.”

  “By the way, where are we?”

  “On a lonely road where nobody goes except lovers who want to have sex.”

  “How do you know this? Wait, don’t tell me.”

  “I wasn’t going to.” He pulled off on a dirt path and drove into the trees.

  Her body warmed with anticipation, but she was concerned about not being home when her dad got there. “Do we have time for this?”

  “You betcha. We’re not that far from your house, believe it or not. I’ve sat around the ranch house dinner table enough to know that we have at least thirty minutes before I need to run you home. Since you supposedly have a headache, you can make a beeline for your room and stay there. You don’t have to show your face when your dad comes back.”

  “Why wouldn’t I show my face?”

  “Because right now you look like a fashion model. After I finish making love to you, your lipstick will be gone, your mascara will be smeared, your shirt will be wrinkled and you’ll be wearing a big ol’ grin. He’d know exactly what you and I have been doing.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cody had no sooner turned off the engine than Faith reached for the door handle. He laid a restraining hand on her arm. “Hang on. Let me get the back open, first.”

  “I can help.”

  “Let me do it and preserve my macho image.”

  She laughed. “All right.”

  Leaving his hat on the dash, he climbed down and started around to the back of the truck. He loved that she was so eager. Maybe that was only because she was new at this, but he cherished her enthusiasm.

  Consequently, he wanted to keep this thing between them alive for longer than another week or so. Now he had some hope that he could. Faith had set something in motion without realizing all the unintended consequences.

  She’d planned on changing just one thing, her virginal status, and keeping everything else the same. She hadn’t counted on a domino effect. Not surprising since this was the first time she’d taken a major step on her own.

  The dominoes would probably fall whether she wanted them to or not. She might think she was falling, too. If that happened, he wanted to be there to catch her.

  In the meantime, though, he would spend as much time with her as he could to strengthen the bond between them. Tonight’s opportunity had fallen in his lap, but he’d put some solid plans in place before dropping her off at her house.

  After opening the window and the tailgate, he crawled part way in and grabbed the lantern. Turning it on low, he tucked it along the side of the mattress. He wouldn’t have candlelight this time but she likely wouldn’t mind. And he didn’t have to worry about cows licking his butt, either.

  He wasn’t gone long, but by the time he came back she’d taken off everything except her bra. Her clothes lay folded on the driver’s seat and she was leaning forward to unhook her bra.

  “Allow me.” He nudged her hands aside and finished the job. “Trying to save time?” He drew her bra down over her arms. The dome light revealed her freckled breasts tipped with rosy nipples that had already begun to peak. His body grew taut. God, how he wanted her.

  Smiling, she took the bra and added it to the pile. “Saving time and making sure nothing happens to my clothes.”

  “Aw, Faith.” He turned her to face him. “Did I worry you by saying I’d wrinkle your shirt?” He crouched down and gazed into her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  She didn’t look worried. Instead she looked turned on. “Don’t be sorry. I wanted you to be driven to a frenzy by my outfit. That was the idea.”

  “It worked.” He combed her hair forward so it curled around her breasts. Crouching like this pinched his privates, but the view was outstanding.

  “In the books, when a man sees a woman in a seductive outfit, sometimes he wants her so much he rips it off.”

  “I like to think I wouldn’t have gone that far. Mandy put a lot of effort into your clothes and I can tell you like them.”

  “But you still felt like ripping them off?”

  “Yes, ma’am. If you must know, dinner was a living hell. Every time I looked at you I wanted to drag you outside, rip off your clothes and take you right there in the front yard.” Slight exaggeration, but close enough.

  “Oh, good.” Her voice was wispy, like she was short on air.

  “You were probably wise to take them off so I wouldn’t be tempted to do that.” He slid his hands under her hips. “Hold onto me. I’ll carry you to the back of the truck.”

  “Did you bring condoms?” She wound her arms around his neck.

  “Two.” He scooped her up and she wrapped her legs around his hips. That put her right smack against the bulge in his jeans, which was both heaven and hell. “I grabbed them when I fetched my keys. But I think we’ll only have time for—”

  “You said we had thirty minutes.”

  “I know. And I brought a spare just in case.” He nudged the door shut with his knee and the dome light flicked off. “But I still think we’re looking at one time if we do it right.”

  She nestled against his crotch, her breath coming faster. “How about once up against the truck right now and then we’ll go in the back?”

  “You’re kidding.” He stopped in his tracks.

  “Not kidding.” She wiggled her sweet little ass. “In the books they do it against the wall but we’re fresh out of walls.” She drew in a quick breath. “I thought of it right after you went back there, which was another good reason to take off my clothes.”

  “The truck is metal. It’ll be cold.”

  “I don’t care. Brace me against the door, Cody. It’ll be amazing.”

  His cock surged against the restriction of his brie
fs and jeans. “I’ll agree with you on that point.” Heart pounding, he put one booted foot on the running board and balanced her on his knee while he fished one of the condoms out of his jeans and tucked it in his shirt pocket. “But it might not be so comfortable.”

  “I don’t want comfort.” She gulped. “I want wild and crazy.”

  “Then that’s what you’ll get.” He could deny her nothing. Her curiosity and willingness to try anything captivated him far more than he was ready to admit. “But you’ll have to help.”

  Her voice quivered with excitement. “Just tell me what to do.”

  “I’ll hold you, but you’ll need to unfasten my jeans and put the condom on.”

  “Oh, something new! What fun.”

  “Mm.” It would be something new, all right. Doing this with someone who understood how to roll on a condom was one thing. But she likely would fumble around. And he’d have to keep from coming. Ideally he should have taught her the art of condom application before trying this maneuver. Too late.

  He tried to maintain his cool while she fiddled with his belt and the button on his jeans but he didn’t have much luck. He was gasping for breath by the time she pulled down the zipper and shoved his briefs past his rigid cock. Cool air hit his overheated crotch and he closed his eyes as the sensation jacked up his level of arousal several notches.

  “Your shirt’s in the way.” She yanked his shirt open and snaps popped in rapid succession.

  “FYI, you can rip my clothes anytime.”

  She took out the foil packet and removed the condom. “I just might.” Then she paused as if studying how best to proceed.

  “Start at the top and roll it down.”

  “Right. I’ve got the idea.”

  She didn’t have the idea, not by a long shot, and he was a hot mess by the time she finally got the damn thing on.

  “Done.” After that breathless announcement, she wound her arms around his neck again. “We’re ready.”

  He spoke through gritted teeth. “Some of us more than others.”

  “You’ll feel better in a minute.”

  “Or less. Put your hands on my shoulders. Get a good grip.”

  “I will.”