Sweet Talking Cowboy Read online

  “What’s wrong,” Slade asked, moving into the stall, stopping in front of where she was bent over the animal’s hoof. Taking his pocket knife from his pocket he opened it and handed it to her.

  Briann took the knife from his hand and hoped he couldn’t see how just being this close had caused her heart rate to increase dramatically.

  She used the point of the knife to scrape the manure and shavings out of the crevices in the oval shaped hoof. “I dunno. There was something in the way she shifted her weight just now that looked like she might be uncomfortable on this foot, but I don’t see anything.” Handing the knife back to him, her strong fingers pressed on the bottom of the hoof and around the sides, looking for any sign of soreness from the horse, but the animal ignored her actions.

  Slade closed the knife then returned it to his front pocket before her leaned over to look.

  Briann was bent over the foot, her back to the front of the horse her braid hanging down in front of one shoulder and Slade was now bending over, his back to the rear of the filly, their heads separated by scant inches as they each studied the foot, trying to detect any small injury. Then Slade with one finger indicated a place just above the bulb of the heel, almost covered by her hand.

  “Look at that. Is it a cut?” His finger nudged her hand back as they both lowered their heads for a closer look. His cap fell off as they bumped heads, then each turned to look at the other. His eyes moved quickly from her eyes to her mouth, remembering the sweetness of her kisses the night before. Without straightening up, without thinking, he captured her braid in one hand, holding her head steady when he leaned toward her. “Bri,” he whispered softly as his lips touched hers.

  Their heads were nose to chin, but it did nothing to curb to fire that ignited as his lips touched hers. She slowly released the horse’s foot and without allowing the kiss to end, they stood up. He folded her in his arms and kissed her long and deep, reveling in her eager response.

  He wasn’t drunk or dreaming and she was in his arms, returning his kiss with a fire that took them both by surprise.

  “Hey,” came a good natured yell from someone passing the stall, “Get a room. This barn is G rated.”

  Awkwardly they ended the kiss and stepped apart. It had happened in the cold light of day, with at least one witness, so there was no way to deny it or pretend it hadn’t happened. They just stood there for a long uncomfortable minute looking at each other, neither knowing what to say, then Slade bent, retrieved his cap and extended one large hand and took one of hers.

  When he spoke, there was a roughness in his voice that caused her skin to tingle. “Did you see that place I was trying to show you?”

  Grateful for something else to occupy her mind, she nodded. “It was so small. Do you think something like that would make her feel so bad?” She was surprised at how normal her voice sounded. It certainly didn’t reflect what was going on inside of her at the moment.

  He shrugged. “If it’s getting’ sore, it might be just enough to keep her from focusin’ on you.”

  “I guess I’d better get some Corona to put on it. Maybe it’ll feel better then, before I have to ride her this afternoon.” She started to move past him, but one of his arms stretched across her waist to fasten at her hip. He turned her to face him and slowly dropped his head for a quick kiss, his other hand slipping up to cradle the back of her head.

  “You’ll just have to get used to this.” He whispered, still holding her face close to his. “It’ll probably happen a lot. You just taste so damn good.”

  He released her and his eyes followed her as she went to the tack box in front of the stall and lifted the lid. She rummaged around for a minute and then returned with the yellow, red and black tube of salve.

  Slade lifted the filly’s leg and held it while Briann applied a generous glob of the thick yellow salve to the tiny cut, making sure she got some of it into the split. Being careful not to look at Slade, she stood up and watched as he gently lowered the animals hoof into the shavings that covered the floor of the stall. Then he stood up as well.

  “Have you had lunch?” He asked, looking at his watch.

  She shook her head negatively. “No.”

  “That’s part of why I came lookin’ for you, this mornin’,” Slade started. “I have to meet a man in a few minutes for lunch and would love for you to come with me. I think you’ll enjoy goin’.”

  She looked down at the pants and shirt she’d changed into after the halter class. “I’m not sure I’ll make much of an impression.”

  “You are perfect,” he said, his eyes openly appraising her body clad in snug Wranglers and a tan tee-shirt. He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek slowly.

  She smiled at him and hoped he couldn’t see how his touch made her heart go crazy, but then his hand dropped down to her neck and the back of one finger traced the pulse point in her throat knowingly.

  They had lunch with a celebrated country music singer who was interested in sending a horse to Slade for some training. He’d raised the gelding from a foal with the hope of someday roping off him, but the trainer who’d started the colt for him had run into a problem getting the horse accustomed to a rope. The problem had grown until now, anyone moving a rope around the colt could set him off and he transformed into a bucking machine.

  Briann was impressed with the singer’s knowledge of horse handling and his determination to give his horse every chance to be a better animal.

  “I heard you’d worked with Cooper Harding and everyone knows he’s the best,” the singer said.

  “He is the best,” Slade agreed, “so why didn’t you take the horse to him?”

  The singer chuckled. “Actually, I did talk to him and he suggested you. He’s not taking in anymore outside horses. Just those he raises himself.”

  Slade nodded. “He said that was what he was gonna do. I guarantee he’ll get mega money for those horses and won’t have to deal with problems created by other people.”

  After more discussion, the singer gave Slade his card and promised that his horse would be shipped to Butler Farm as soon as possible.

  Slade was right; Briann did enjoy having lunch with them. As they left the restaurant where they had eaten in a reserved back room away from adoring country music fans, she couldn’t help thinking that in spite of his wealth and fame, the man was very down to earth and only wanted to live a normal life, doing the things he liked, being with people who enjoyed the same things he enjoyed.

  The filly won her class that afternoon and the colt again took a second place. Briann was proud of them both.

  Back at the barn, she began the chore of getting her stuff together so it wouldn’t take her long to get loaded. Luckily her classes had finished fairly early so if she pushed it and drove steady, she could be home before Uncle Mike and Aunt Poog went to bed. That was what she planned to do.

  As she moved around, gathering up her brushes and buckets, Slade just watched for a while, and then he stepped in front of her, bringing a halt to her packing.

  “Are you goin’ home tonight?”

  Looking up at him, she hesitated. “Aunt Poog and Uncle Mike are expecting me.”

  He gently stroked the back of one hand against one of her cheeks. When he spoke, he voice was coarse and low. “I’ll call them for you.” He caressed her lips with his thumb. “Stay with me.”

  “You aren’t going home?” she asked, nipping the thumb that toyed at her lips.

  “I’m flexible. Are you?” His voice was beginning to sound rough and deep.

  Briann knew that staying would change every plan she’d made for her future. No big wedding to Jeffery next year, no comfortable life moving in circles of super respectability. If she stayed, all that would disappear. If she stayed, she’d spend the night in Slade Butler arms and she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more.

  His eyes watched as she considered what he was asking of her. He knew it was a big decision. He knew he was asking her to break every mo
ral rule she’d lived her life by. He stroked her cheek gently.

  “How will we explain this to the people back home?” She finally asked.

  He shrugged. “We’ll be honest. I’ve never been much for sneakin’ around.”

  “What will Aunt Poog, Uncle Mike, and your father think of us?” She feared disappointing them.

  Slade was glad she hadn’t mentioned Jeffery or Tanya.

  “They’ve all made hard choices in their lives. They might not like it, but they aren’t us, Bri.” His hand slipped from her cheek behind her neck, his thumb stroking slow seductive circles below her ear.

  He saw the verdict in her eyes even before she gave the slight nod of her head and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him.

  As she slipped her arms around behind his ribs, she tilted her head back and looked up at him. “But you have to make that call. I’m not sure I can.”

  He dropped his head and kissed her tenderly. “I’ll call them about supper time. They’ll be in the house together, so they can have each other to help them deal with the shock.” He teased after the kiss ended.

  She laughed softly. “You’re making a joke, but they will be shocked.”

  “I don’t think Mike will be as shocked as you might imagine. I believe he’s noticed how I have problems focusin’ on anything but you, when you’re around. And my father, well, he might be surprised, but he’ll certainly understand.”

  “Aunt Poog and Uncle Mike will be disappointed in me. They didn’t raise me to….”

  Slade cut in before she could finish. “Shhh. Don’t start feeling guilty already.” He glanced around the barn. “Come on, there’s nothing here that needs your attention until tomorrow.”

  Keeping one arm around her, he guided her out into the gathering darkness of the night. “Wanna go eat supper somewhere nice?” He asked as they approached his truck. He pulled the driver’s side door open so she could get in and slip across the seat to make room for him, his eyes devouring the sight of her rounded bottom as she climbed into the truck.

  She shook her head from side to side. She was so nervous her stomach wouldn’t have held food even if she were hungry. She knew she’d agreed to spend the night, not just so she could be here with him but so they could share the same room. She was going to sleep with Slade Butler and she’d never slept with or been intimate with any man. There was no denying that if he’d been sober last night she would have gladly stayed in that room with him, but what she’d felt then was pure raw passion. What she was feeling now was somewhere between anticipation and fear all wrapped up in a bundle of nerves.

  Slade sensed her anxiety and turned to look at her as he slipped into the driver’s seat. “Are you regrettin’ your decision already?” He lifted one of her hands to his lips.

  “It’s just that some things are easier if they… just happen.” She watched him kissing her hand. It was still surprising to see Slade touching her like that, much less, to think about making love with him.

  “When I was thirteen years old, following you around the barn, riding horses for you, I had such a crush on you. I dreamed about kissing you when I grew up. I had that crush on you for a long time. Until you went to Texas. Then you stayed there, and I grew up without you.”

  “And Jeffery moved in on you.” His voice was still soft, but there was an edge to it when he said his half-brother’s name. He wasn’t kissing her hand anymore, but he continued to hold it.

  “Jeffery and I have always been friends.”

  He nodded in agreement. “I know. I guess I just don’t like knowin’ that you were attracted to him.”

  “How do you think he’ll feel when he finds out about you?”

  Slade grinned, and then shrugged. “I don’t worry much about how Jeffery feels about anything. I think you’re tryin’ to talk yourself into goin’ home tonight.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe I should.”

  Slade bracketed her face with his hands and then whispered softly, “You know that won’t change what happened between us. It’ll always be there. I won’t ever be around you without wantin’ to hold you close and when our eyes meet, you’ll know that I’m rememberin’ how you feel in my arms, how soft and warm your lips are; and how much I want to make love to you.”

  “And I’ll remember how complete I feel with your arms around me, and how my heart goes crazy when I know you’re about to kiss me,” Brianna’s whisper was almost soundless.

  “Like it’s doin’ now?” Slade asked, his face moving closer to hers.

  “Mmmmhuh,” she managed as their lips met.

  Slade raised his head, his eyes boring into hers. “Do you want me to help you load your trailer?”

  She met his penetrating look for a long moment before a smile parted her lips. “Yes, I do.” There was a pause, and then she slipped her arms up and around his neck. “Tomorrow. Right now, I want you to kiss me again.”

  Briann had never even dreamt what it would be like to make love with a man. Jeffery had never allowed their kisses to get truly passionate. The few times she’d began to feel aroused by his almost chaste kisses, he’d quickly put a stop to it, reminding her that they needed to wait until they were married.

  Slade wanted her and she knew beyond a shadow of doubt that she wanted him as she could never have imagined wanting anything before. With his arms around her, his lips on hers, his body against hers, she couldn’t think of anything but him. Nothing else mattered but this over whelming need to be closer to him. To become a part of him.

  They broke apart and Slade managed to keep the truck on the road as he maneuvered through the early evening traffic back to the motel. Since Briann had planned to drive home that evening she hadn’t kept her room but Slade had kept his. He parked in back and in short order, he pushed open the door to his room and led her inside. Briann had a short flash of shyness, then he pulled her between him and the door he was pushing closed and pinned her against it with his body. Then his lips found hers again and the shyness was gone. He kissed her again and again and then trailed heat down onto her throat, his tongue igniting fire as it moved over her sensitive skin.

  His body pressed against hers intimately and he growled against her throat. “Damn, Bri. I’ve never wanted anything like I want you. My insides have been in knots all day.”

  She felt the hardness pressed against her stomach and shyly, she lifted herself on tiptoes to rub against it.

  “Slade,” she whispered the confession she’d dreaded since she’d agreed to stay. “I’m not experienced.”

  He froze, then slowly lifted his head from where he’d been nuzzling her neck. “Not experienced? As in, you’re a virgin?”

  She nodded. Slowly, he stepped back, the fire in his eyes still smoldering with need. “How inexperienced are you?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know how to answer that.”

  Boldly he lifted one hand and covered her breast the heat of his touch even through her tee-shirt sending her eyes closed in anticipation. “Do you want me to stop?”

  She shook her head negatively. “I knew what I was agreeing to when I said I’d spend the night.” It was hard to talk with his hand massaging her breast. “I just need you to help me know what to do.”

  His eyes held hers steadily. “Darlin’ you just do what feels natural.” He dropped his head, his lips closing over her other breast, and he blew his hot breath against her. Even through her tee-shirt and bra, the heat of his breath melted her bones. She groaned softly and would have slumped to the floor if his body hadn’t been holding her against the door.

  Slade wanted her as he’d never wanted any woman before, knowing how innocent she was, he forced himself to take his time. He wanted her to have no memories of this time with him, her first time, that weren’t good memories. He lifted his mouth to hers again, his lips melting across hers. His hand left her breast and using both hands he slowly pushed her tee-shirt up and lifted it over her head. He was slow and deliberate, giving her time not only to e
xperience each new sensation, but to relax, enjoy and respond to his heat.

  “Bri,” he whispered, “you can’t imagine how long I’ve wanted to do this.” He pulled her away from the door and keeping her body against his, walked her backward further into the room.

  Then he lifted his head from her neck and with slow deliberation, he unsnapped each snap on his shirt and peeled it off. “I want to feel your hands on me, not my shirt.”

  She leaned into him and placed her hands on his chest. His quick snatch of breath gave her a feeling of power and she slipped her hands boldly up and down his torso. His eyes had closed at her first touch, but when she looked up at him again, they were open and she reveled at the desire she saw in them.

  He stood still, wanting her to feel free to touch and investigate his body, his eyes watching her face as she explored his deeply tanned chest.

  Briann loved the feel of his hard muscles beneath her hands. The sprinkling of dark hair across his chest narrowed as she looked lower and she was intrigued by the narrow band of curls that dipped down and disappeared below his belt buckle. Her hands explored the hard ridges of muscles across his stomach, but when they began dropping lower, he caught them in his.

  “Not yet,” he cautioned. “But soon, sugar. Soon we’ll each know the other’s body very well.” He had already discovered her bra was a front fastener and with one swift movement, he opened it and pushed it back off her shoulders. His eyes were heavy with longing as he looked at her. “You are so beautiful.”

  She managed a nervous smile. “So are you.”

  He grinned. “Men aren’t beautiful.”

  “You are,” she insisted. “I love the hardness of your muscles, the heat of you, the way I feel when I touch you. I just want to keep touching you.”

  “No holds barred, baby. Touch all you want.” He dropped his head and flicked his tongue against the base of her throat. His hands covered her bare breasts and he gently stroked the hard pebbles that formed beneath his palms. He gasped in surprise when her lips closed around his dark paps.