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

  The hail kept hitting her window, but it didn’t sound like any hail she’d heard before. One hailstone would strike the glass and a second later, another one made contact, almost as if someone was throwing it. She listened more carefully and her eyes widened.

  Jumping out of bed, she pulled back the curtains and looked down at the rectangle of light cast by her window. Cody McGavin.

  His hat was shoved back as he gazed up and smiled at her. He wore a black suede jacket that made his broad shoulders look even wider, especially from this angle. She pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t still dreaming.

  She shoved the window open. Cool, moist air wafted against her skin, but the rain had stopped. She kept her voice down. “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to get your attention. Your light was on. Were you awake?”

  “No. I fell asleep reading.”

  “Oh, sorry. I couldn’t sleep and thought maybe you couldn’t either. My bad.”

  “Come around to the front door. I’ll be out.”

  “Listen, you can go back to sleep. I’ll leave.”

  “Don’t you dare!” Heart pounding, she pulled on a jacket and picked up her boots. He’d come for her. How dashing was that?

  She switched off the light in her room, slipped out into the hall and crept down the stairs. Her dad was a heavy sleeper but she didn’t want to take any chance that she’d wake him. Moving quickly through the darkened living room, she leaned against the wall to tug on her boots. Then she opened the front door and walked out on the porch.

  Light from a lamp mounted next to the door gleamed on the puddles in the yard and the raindrops clinging to the leaves and the pine needles nearby. The air smelled fresh, with a touch of damp earth mixed in. Cody waited just below the steps. Seeing him there made her breath catch.

  “I didn’t mean to wake you up.” His voice was soft as moonlight.

  “I don’t care.” She paused at the top of the steps. “But you still haven’t told me why you’re here.” She had some idea, but she wanted to be sure.

  “I was disappointed that our plan was spoiled.”

  “Me, too.”

  “When the rain stopped, I wondered if we could work things out, anyway.”

  Adrenaline shot through her system, making her quiver. “How? We can’t take the horses out now, and anyway, the ground is a soggy mess.”

  “I know.” He held out his hand. “I came up with an alternative.”

  She maneuvered down the steps cautiously. Her work boots made more noise because they were loose on her feet. She usually wore socks with them. “I don’t want my dad to wake up.”

  “Do you think he will?”

  “Probably not.” She put her hand in his. Oh, that felt good. “The week we moved in, a pair of owls were doing their mating ritual in the pine tree that’s right beside his bedroom. They were loud. They woke me up and I stayed awake until they quit. The next day my dad said he hadn’t heard a thing.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Then we should be okay.”

  “Where’s your truck?”

  He laced his fingers through hers. “A little way down the road. When I walked here, the moon gave me plenty of light to see, but it’s chilly. Are you cold?”

  “I’m too excited to be cold.”

  “Okay.” As they started walking, he drew in a breath. “Listen, I need to tell you that…the first time…there can be pain.”

  “I’ve heard that but I don’t think it will be a problem for me.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’ve spent most of my life on a horse. I’ve read that constant riding can eliminate that situation. But I just thought of something. If I don’t have pain, will you think I’m lying about being a virgin?”

  “No, I’d never think that. You’re too honest.”

  “I’m not, either. I told you my starter was going out when it wasn’t.”

  He pulled her around to face him. “Let’s settle this. Did you make up the story about being a virgin to get me into bed?”

  “No.”

  “Good enough for me.” He started down the road again, his hand gripping hers.

  “Let me ask you something.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Yesterday you were freaked out by my request but I sense a change in your attitude.”

  He chuckled. “Do you, now?”

  “You seem much more enthusiastic tonight. How come?”

  “Maybe it took me a while to realize what a gift you’re offering. The idea has been growing on me ever since yesterday. Being the first one is a privilege, but I’d be less than honest if I didn’t admit it’s a turn-on, too.”

  “So the books were right about that.”

  “I can’t say. Haven’t read them.”

  “Well, I have, and in those books, virginity is a big deal. When a man claims a virgin, it’s like they’re bonded for life.”

  “Hang on.” He planted his feet in the loamy soil. “Is that what you’re after? A lifetime bond?”

  “No, silly. I already told you this is a temporary deal. We each have our lives set up the way we want them so why mess with that?”

  He continued to study her. “But what if you find out you really like it?”

  “I hope to Hannah I’ll like it. This is my only shot so I want it to be good.”

  “That’s my point. What if it’s so freaking wonderful that you want to keep doing it for longer than two weeks?”

  “I doubt that.”

  For some reason, he found that funny. “How can you be so sure?”

  “Easy. Judging from all the books I’ve read, it’s exciting the first few times, but then the story has to end because after that it gets boring. It’s just wash, rinse, repeat.”

  He let go of her hand and held his sides because he was laughing so hard. “Wash, rinse, repeat.” He gasped for air and wiped his eyes. “I hate that I’ll never be able to tell anyone you said that. It’s hysterical.”

  “Cody, you promised me that you—”

  “I won’t. I swear I won’t, but Zane would crack up.” He cleared the laughter from his throat but he still looked highly amused. “If you’re so sure it gets boring, why bother at all?”

  “Because I want to experience the first part, when everything’s shiny and new. At least it’ll be new for me. It could end up being old hat for you.”

  “Somehow I don’t think so.”

  “Only because you’ve never done it with me, so that’ll be different.”

  “Guaranteed.”

  “Anyway, from my point of view, once the mystery’s gone, I’ll be over it.”

  “Then we’d better proceed with the program so you can check it off your list.” He recaptured her hand. “By the way, I have a surprise for you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “When we get around the next bend in the road, you’ll see.”

  A minute later she gasped with delight. “Oh, Cody. That’s so beautiful!” He’d swung the truck around and opened the back. Candles flickered on the ground on either side, turning the clearing into a fairyland. Soft lantern light illuminated the cozy bed she’d seen earlier today.

  As she took in the romantic setting, she became aware of a sweet aroma blending with the fresh scent of rain and wet pine needles. Dazzled, she turned to him. “The candles are scented.”

  “Vanilla.”

  Swallowing, she gazed at him and hoped she wouldn’t tear up. “No one…no one has ever done something like this for me.”

  “Then it’s about time.”

  * * *

  Cody would remember this night for the rest of his life. Faith was looking at him as if he’d hung the moon, and all he’d done was tuck a small lantern in the corner of the camper shell and light a few candles. Thank God Ellie Mae had mentioned having more in the back room, though. Four wouldn’t have had the same impact.

  But twenty made a splash, like Ellie Mae had said, especially for someone who’d read stories about romantic gestures b
ut had never personally experienced any. He enjoyed the heck out of her delight and gratitude. Not every guy had a chance to be this kind of hero.

  Also, Mandy was probably right about Faith. Those baggy clothes disguised a great figure. She’d come out on the porch wearing sleep shorts and boots, which left a good bit of her legs exposed. If the rest of her was as shapely as her legs, he was in for a treat.

  She held his gaze, her expression eager and open. “What happens next?”

  Once again, she made him smile. “For a virgin, you sure are fearless.”

  “I’m not totally fearless. My insides are shaking.”

  “So are mine.”

  “You’re scared?”

  “Not scared. Aroused.”

  “By me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She glanced down at her outfit. “I can’t imagine why. There’s nothing sexy to see here.”

  “Wanna bet?” Spanning her waist with both hands, he swung her up to the tailgate so quickly that she squeaked. “Here’s what’s sexy. Finally getting to see your legs, or most of them.”

  “My legs turn you on?”

  Stepping back, he surveyed her sitting there. Nice. “You have very pretty knees.”

  “Nobody’s ever told me that.”

  “Likely because you never show them off.”

  “Ranch hands don’t go around showing off their knees. I’m positive you don’t.”

  “Mine aren’t as pretty as yours.” Moving closer, he cupped a knee in each hand and gazed into her eyes. “Or as soft.” He massaged gently.

  “That feels nice.”

  “Good.” He stroked the tops of her thighs. “How’s that?”

  “I like it.” Her voice trembled slightly.

  He moved her thighs apart and eased between them. “Can I undo your braid?”

  “My hair will go everywhere.”

  “That’s the idea. I’ve never seen it loose.”

  “Okay.” She flipped her braid over her shoulder and pulled off the elastic on the end. “I can—”

  “Let me. I’ve never touched your hair, either.” Slowly he unwound the red-gold strands and allowed them to slide through his fingers. “Like silk.” When he was finished, he combed it out with his fingers, massaging her scalp and watching as her eyes lost focus and her breathing grew shallow. He wondered if she’d ever experienced the sensuality of having someone fool with her hair.

  Careful not to break the spell, he leaned forward and kept his voice low. “Want to try kissing?”

  She nodded.

  He laid his hat on the tailgate. He’d fantasized about her mouth ever since that first taste and anticipation thrummed in his veins as he closed in. Then he paused. The spell must have been broken after all, because now she was giving him a laser-like stare. He pulled back. “Close your eyes.”

  They snapped shut. “Forgot.”

  God, she was adorable. “You can leave them open if you want, but personally I like shutting off the visual so I can concentrate on the kiss.”

  “I want to do that, too.”

  “Don’t forget to breathe this time. If I end up calling the paramedics our secret will be out.”

  “Got it.”

  If engineering a kiss took this long, they would be here all night getting to the main event. That was fine with him. She was becoming more delicious by the second. But he’d have to exercise a truckload of control if he expected to be the man she needed.

  He slowly touched down on the plump contours of lips perfect for kissing. But she didn’t know it yet. When he’d been playing spin-the-bottle at his first boy-girl party, she’d been learning how to throw a rope and string barbed wire. She was a better hand than he was, but he knew more about kissing and this was a teaching moment.

  He cradled her jaw and lifted his head slightly. “Are you breathing?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was a mere whisper. “More kissing, please.”

  “Open your mouth a little.”

  She murmured something.

  “I didn’t hear that.”

  Her eyes stayed closed but she smiled. “You want to put your tongue in there, don’t you?”

  “Do you care?”

  “Oh, no, I want you to. That’s part of it.”

  “You can put yours in my mouth, too.”

  “At the same time?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Her eyelids fluttered open. “How does that work?”

  “I have no idea, but it does. I’ll start and you can join in when you feel ready.” He returned to her mouth and his pulse rate kicked up several notches as he slowly slipped his tongue inside her warmth. She was so lush. He explored gently and then took the kiss deeper.

  She flattened both hands against his chest as if she was about to push him away, but instead she grabbed hold of his shoulders. She’d remembered to breathe. In fact, she was almost panting.

  The first slide of her tongue against his sent a message straight to his groin. He sucked on her tongue. She quickly returned the favor. The woman had instinctive talent, and his fevered brain began painting scenarios in which he’d teach her where else she could employ that talent. His jeans began to pinch and he didn’t come to his senses until he’d reached for the tab on his zipper.

  Easing away from that hot kiss, he gasped for breath.

  She was gulping in air, too. “That…was fun. Let’s…let’s do it some more.”

  “We can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because kissing you like that makes me want to rush things.” His chest heaved. “I don’t want to rush things.” But he stripped off his jacket and tossed it into the camper because he sure didn’t need the extra layer anymore.

  “We can rush things. That’s okay with me.” Mirroring him, she shimmied out of her jacket and threw it on top of his. “What’s next?”

  He gave her a quick glance. Then he drew in a sharp breath and stared. She wore a stretchy white tank top that concealed nothing. The sleep shorts looked skimpy, too, now that the jacket wasn’t obscuring his view. Holy hell. The woman was built like a goddess and once she’d ditched the jacket, all that bounty was on display, including erect nipples that poked against the material and begged to be touched.

  “Cody, are you okay?”

  He nodded and tried to form words, but his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth.

  “You don’t look okay. You look as if somebody just jabbed you with a cattle prod.”

  Turning away, he scrubbed a hand over his face and took several deep breaths. Then he faced her again. “Do you…” He paused to clear his throat. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

  “No.”

  “Didn’t think so.” If she had, she would have made more of a production of taking off her jacket. He gestured toward her. “Seeing you in that outfit…“ He propped his hands on his hips and gazed up at the stars for inspiration. “Let’s just say it’s testing my control.”

  She glanced down at herself. “Really?”

  “Really. You’re new at this and I want to take things slow.” He gazed at her and swallowed. “That won’t be easy.”

  “Are you going crazy with lust?” She sounded delighted.

  “Yes, Faith, I’m going crazy with lust.”

  “Is that why you have that bulge in your jeans?”

  “Yes. Yes, it is.”

  “Does it hurt when that happens?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “Like now?”

  “Yes.”

  She reached down, pulled off her boots and let them fall to the ground. Next she grabbed her tank top and yanked it over her head. Last of all, she lifted her hips and whipped off her sleep shorts. “Then let’s get down to business.”

  Chapter Six

  Faith was thrilled with how this episode was going. She never would have guessed that her tank top and sleep shorts would have the same effect on a man as a beautiful ball gown or a black negligee. Their kiss involving tongues ha
d made her more hot and bothered than any of the scenes she’d read in her books, but she also knew that nothing could happen between them unless Cody was primed for action.

  Judging from how quickly he was undressing, he was indeed primed. Crawling toward the front of the truck bed, she snagged the lantern and brought it with her as she returned to the tailgate. Then she held it up so she could get a better view of Cody shucking his clothes.

  He’d already taken off his shirt, his boots and his socks. She admired the solid muscles that flexed whenever he moved. Although she’d seen men without their shirts many times, very few of them had looked like Cody. He stood barefoot in a damp patch of grass, probably because he didn’t want to get his feet muddy. She could understand that. He wouldn’t want to get mud on his new sheets.

  He paused with his hands at his belt buckle. “I don’t need the light. I can see what I’m doing.”

  “But I can’t.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’ve seen a few pictures here and there, but never a naked man in person, let alone a fully aroused one. This could be my one and only chance. I don’t want to miss it in case you don’t enjoy this and decide to call it quits after one time.”

  “That won’t be the case if it’s up to me. But you might get bored.” He unbuckled his belt and unfastened the button on his jeans. “You know—wash, rinse, repeat.” He shoved his jeans and briefs down in one smooth movement and stepped out of them. “You’ll have to be the judge of that.”

  Faith gulped. “Wow.”

  “Maybe I’m nothing special.” He walked toward her, his cock jutting proudly from a thick mat of dark hair. His balls hung heavy between his thighs. “You have no basis of comparison.”

  “That’s true.” She couldn’t stop looking at him. His desire was so visible. She ached with an intensity that startled her. “But you seem plenty large to me. Maybe I should reconsider. I don’t think you’ll fit.”

  His gaze swept over her. “I think I will. But we’ll take it easy. I’m not going to hurt you.”