CHAPTER TWELVE
All dressed up with no place to go…
Front porch of the Plush Ranch
Brea stepped out onto the daisy-filled verandah. Her eyes were immediately assaulted with color from the multitudes of different versions of her mama’s favorite flower in every vase and hanging pot. Daises were all over the place. While you looked at them all, there was a feeling like if you really believed it? Everything could come up daisies.
Shaking her head, Brea had always known her ma had a flair for everything and this ranch was her best creation to date. Sure, at first she’d been shocked at what her mother had done here. Really…a ranch full of studs out to please the plush type woman? Who would’ve thought up such an idea?
There are all types of men, my dear. But a woman can tell the kind that likes ’em big. Brea tilted her head as she remembered the saying. Really? Well, I never thought Cole would go for me, all big boned and plenty of curves. She remembered just then what he’d said when he first saw her in the au-naturel. His eyes were burning a hole right through her at the time. ‘You’re fucking gorgeous, and you turn me on like no other woman I’ve seen!’
Brea shivered from the memory and tried to get ahold of herself. She needed to get focused on what lie ahead. To get to the ranch and get her cowboy back. All she needed to do now was to thank her mama for the makeover and get into that monster of a truck.
She looked all around and spotted her to the left of the house, talking to someone in the parking area. She loved to watch Daisy in action; she was always so lively and today was no exception. Always enter a room with pizzazz, shake what ya got and leave while being applauded. Yeah, her mother did that every day. But can I?
She was taking an awful chance that Cole would even notice her again after what he thought about her motives. Brea peered down at her outfit. It hadn’t been what she would have expected the odd Mr. Morty to pick out for her. It was a white sundress with a fluffy lace ruffle and red cowboy boots to match. She felt like a different person. Hell, she looked like a different person. Her attention wandered back to where her mother stood.
Daisy was waving her arms as if she was worked up about something and Brea squinted to see who was getting her riled. Her body went completely rigid.
Cole gazed up at her and their eyes met.
She thought her legs might buckle as he strode over to the high porch. She loved to watch him just walking, his powerful body moving with such a cowboy like stride. Her mouth almost watered at the sight.
Daisy stood right where he left her and she watched the scene with no expression on her face.
He stopped at the bottom step and gazed up at her.
Brea shook all over and she felt her throat swell up.
Seemingly mesmerized, he studied her from the tips of her new red boots all the way up to her face.
It seemed like an eternity to her. What was he thinking? Why was he here? Her heart pounded in her ears as she all but held her breath.
Then, he suddenly rushed up the steps and swooped her into his arms.
Brea shrieked as it was the very last thing she thought he would do. “Oh!” she gasped.
Easily swinging her around, Cole headed for the entrance to the house.
“Wha—What are you doing?”
He gave her no answer, and his face held no expression as he opened the door. He was walking fast and headed through the lobby.
“Give the man room!” shouted her mother from behind them.
Pedro and a few other men, along with Coco and Mr. Morty stood at the base of the stairs and they all parted as Daisy had instructed.
“Oh, Lordy!” Coco gasped out. “Look at this tamer, will ya?” she asked no one in particular. “Hot damn, what a man!” Her eyes followed the tall, well-built cowboy up the stairs.
Brea peeked over Cole’s shoulder at Coco’s stunned face and then swung her gaze over at her mother, standing in the elaborate foyer.
“First floor, 2nd door on the left!” Daisy called out and gave Brea a huge wink.
Cole carried her all the way up the long flight of stairs without a word.
Brea wondered two things now: How did he find her and was he angry with her?
He made his way down the hall and the door was wide open. He went through it, turned around and kicked it shut with his boot.
Brea was pretty scared by now. What was this all about?
He carried her to the huge brass bed and set her down on it, making sure she was standing upright on it.
Stunned and full of questions, she stared down at him.
Still unsmiling, he took a few steps back and peered up at her.
Brea grew very nervous, standing there in all her finery and with her new look.
His eyes started at her red boots and then traced a slow path up along her lace ruffle to her white sundress. This looking over was a more heated one than before. He didn’t seem to guard his expression at all, even letting out a groan.
At the burn in his eyes, Brea felt like she might just faint and fall right off the huge bed.
His searching gaze seemed to pause and then moved up along her curves to her breasts where his hot perusal lingered. Finally, he met her stunned gaze. “Why are you all made up like this?”
His deep voice rumbled right through her. It’d only been two days since she saw him or heard his voice, but it felt like forever. Her hungry eyes took him in. His wide shoulders and well-muscled chest were wrapped in a clean, crisp-looking long sleeved white button up shirt, tucked into some faded jeans that encased what she knew was the best built bod she’d ever seen. Her body was instantly on fire just from the sight of him.
“Well?” he asked after a minute or more had passed.
“Um—I thought—maybe…?” she faltered.
“You left town,” he stated quietly. It was a statement, not a question.
She nodded, unsure of where all this was going.
“Are you gonna quit the ranch?”
She shook her head.
“Well, why are you here at this—this place?”
Brea looked into his troubled eyes. “My Ma was here.”
“And that’s why you’re here?”
“Yes, why else?”
“Okay, so why are you all made-up?”
It seemed they just went full circle and were getting nowhere fast. Brea’s nerves seemed to snap with a crackle as she drew a deep breath. “I was aiming to get your attention, Mister Kincade!” Her words came out in a rush of breath.
Cole look surprised as he peered up at her. “My attention?”
Brea curled her hands into fists. Her mama always said, men were always first up to the bar, but always the last to figure out how to order a dammed drink. “Everything I’ve done in the last week was for that purpose!”
He took a step closer to the bed. “You wanted my brother.” His voice was so low it was barely audible.
Brea knew this was the defining moment. How was she gonna convince him? How could she explain the ‘to do’ list? She peered down at this cowboy who owned her heart. She had wanted to have a life with him and she realized that this right here? This was her shot, her one shot and it had to be right on target.
“Yes, back when I didn’t know there were two of you. It was the only name I had at the time. Now? There’s only one of you and I was never confused after I knew about the twin thing. There’s only one Kincade in my mind, and in my heart…just one.” Tears formed in her eyes as she clenched and unclenched her fists.
Cole stood very still, his eyes remaining latched to hers.
Brea held her breath and gritted her teeth so hard she thought she may need dental work after this was over. “I thought you left for good,” she whispered. “That I ruined it all.”
Cole took a step back and said not a thing.
He doesn’t believe me! Brea felt the wind rush out of her as her heart plummeted.
*~*~*~*
Cabin on the Flat River
Wade spoke not a word as he took a step back.
So, he’s gonna run on me? Kanda’s mind whirled with emotions. He’d wanted the truth, but like most men? He couldn’t handle what was true. If he were a bull or a horse, she’d just lasso him and tie him till she was done with him. She thought about that exact advice she’d given to the Plush girl just the day before.
Squaring her shoulders, she stepped from the bed. Her heart was pounding and she wondered for a second if she ought to do just that with Wade. A smile curved her lips. I can hog-tie a man in ten seconds. She proved that record time again and again, even tying up her bigger brothers before they knew what’d hit them.
“This makes it all a bit different,” he whispered.
“Oh, really? And why is that?” she challenged.
“Why?”
Nodding her head, she took another step toward him. She was just so drawn to him, like she needed all that he could make her feel.
“This isn’t just something you up and give away, Kandy!”
“Oh, so you lied then,” she retorted.
His brows shot up. “What?”
“You said to tell you the truth. You said you would do whatever I ask.”
He looked shocked at her challenging him. “Now, look. What you’re asking is—”
Kanda took the last step needed toward the tall man with the semi-scared expression on his face. She always had control for her whole life. So, why should this be any different? She gathered all her courage and knew deep in her heart this is what she wanted— what she needed. Her chance at having a wild night with a real man. And maybe she would find out what everybody and their god-dammed cousin were all up about when it came to sex.
Wade stood rigidly and gazed into her eyes.
“I want—” She bolstered her voice. “I want for you to kiss me.”
He seemed to relax. “I have and I will again. It’s just that—”
“What?” She pressed herself against him. God, was he built! She wanted so badly to feel his sleek bare skin along hers.
He grabbed her up. “Do you even know what you’re asking me to do?”
Kanda nodded her head. “Do I have to beg?”
Titling his head, he released a chuckle. “No, you’re not the type.” He smiled and pressed his lips to hers. “But I bet I can get you to.”
Shivering, Kanda felt his hot hands grasping her arms. I bet he could too.
“You’re so dammed beautiful. The loveliest thing I’ve encountered in this country, but I can’t just—”
“You can,” she whispered, bravely lowering her hand and taking hold of his jean-covered package. Squeezing him gently, she kissed him on the lips with all her might. Her hand did what was natural as she realized he was large here too, just like the rest of his body. Pushing her tongue onto his, she pressed herself tightly to him.
Wade flinched from where she held him, but he did kiss her back, just like he’d done before. Powerful and gentle all at the same time as he swept her mouth with his hot tongue thoroughly.
Her legs even became weak from just the kiss as she was emboldened enough to rub him through his jeans. Her mound throbbed just like after a whole day of riding, but this was different too. She ached there and that was also new to her.
Breaking the breathless kiss, Wade looked into her eyes. “It just wouldn’t be right.” He sighed. “I mean, you just met me. What the hell do you even know about me?”
Kanda knew. “I know that you’re the first real man I’ve ever met. One that I could…” Her voice faded away. “Dammit! Stop making such a big deal about it! You were about to do it before!” she snapped, the old Kanda finally coming to the fore. “And anyway, isn’t it up to me? Who I choose?” Her voice became softer. “Unless…?”
He looked puzzled. “Unless?”
Nodding her head, she stepped back. “You really don’t find me attractive enough?”
Wade looked stunned and then he grinned. “You got all you need, sweet Kandy, all and then some. Why, I wanted to from the first minute I saw you.”
“So, it’s just that you won’t?”
He pushed his hands through his dark hair with a seeming frustration. “I want to.”
Kanda stepped back to the bed. “Well, how’s about if I make it super easy for you?”
He looked intrigued. “And just how would you do that?”
Kanda couldn’t believe she was actually gonna do this, but she knew she’d better follow through before she grew chicken legs herself and backed out of what could be the time of her life. “Just let me do what I’m good at.” She motioned to the bed. “I think I know a way to fix it, so we can both have what we want.”
He seemed to hesitate.
Kanda knew she needed to do this and she wasn’t above using any means. “Well…” She sighed loudly with a dramatic disappointment. “I had thought that I’d finally found a real man.” Mentally, she rolled her eyes at the obvious play she was doing. How do women do this stuff every day to get what they want?
His electric blue eyes seemed to register the dare and he narrowed his gaze. Stepping to the bed while looking a bit annoyed, he seemed to take her up on the dare.
Gazing at this hunk of a man she’d found on her land, she wondered for a brief second if she could really go through with this. She looked all around the cabin until she spotted what she needed. “You said you would do exactly what I asked?”
Wade gave her a hard stare. “That is what I said.”
“Good. Now just lie down and close those beautiful eyes for a moment, okay?”
He stared at her for a minute more and got onto the bed.
His rather large frame made the bed look even smaller and it made Kanda feel a moment of hesitation. She waited for him to comply and then quietly made her way across the room. “I just want you to relax, okay? This ain’t gonna hurt a bit,” she stated with an overly sweet voice while forcing away the fear.
Wade chuckled, but kept his eyes closed. “I sure thought that would be my line right about now.”
Oh, he’s funny too. Good, cause for this? He’s gonna need his sense of humor for sure! Kanda made her way back to the bed. “Now, promise to just keep them eyes closed for about…ten seconds, okay?” Her smile was sweet as candy while she skillfully wrapped the rope around her elbow. Mable had said for her to lasso a life, and that was exactly what she was gonna do.