CHAPTER ELEVEN
HANG ON FOR THE WHATNOT
MAGGIE
Maggie marched away through the back door of the kitchen. The kitchen and dining room sparkled behind her. Mable ought to be happy. She wondered what happened to Brea, but she couldn’t seem to find her anywhere. Damn men! How could Cole let this happen? Poor Brea. She remembered the crestfallen look she had on her face as she left with Mable. That look fed Maggie’s rage for the last 2 hours while cleaning that food mess up but she’d calmed down some on the violent urges. She only considered what she now envisioned as manslaughter. Or is it cowboyslaughter?
Sighing, the other damn cowboy floated into her mind while she walked along the path. That sneaky sonofa-bullriding-flooziehustling-jakanape! I was almost a victim of his dupe—almost. Before the double mint twins from hell showed up, I had just decided to give him a chance. She stormed along the path while her anger flared again and opened the cottage door as she spoke aloud, “Fool me once—”she halted as she stared at the gorgeous sexy subject of her wrath.
Jet sat on the couch and for once, he said nothing and there was no charming smile on those sexy lips either.
“—Just once! And that’s all you get!” She slammed the door behind her.
He stood up and looked as if he were about to walk the plank. “Well, then I get another chance to do it then,” he stated quietly while his eyes narrowed in on her. “Because what Valeen said wasn’t true.”
She strode into the little kitchen. “Oh? Which part?” She opened a cabinet and removed a glass. “The part about marrying them or the part about your so-called promises? OR, the part about the whatnot?”
He approached her, though he stayed a good foot away. “I never took that seriously, we were drunk and delirious.”
“So, the whatnot was just the fluff part? How many times have you been drunk, delirious and married is what I want to know!” She opened the fridge and took out some juice. “How many old wives and girlfriends are going to show up to make a claim on you?”
He opened his mouth to answer.
“No!” Maggie cut in as she raised her palm. “Do NOT answer that!” Pouring the juice with a shaky hand, she turned around to glare at him. “I mean we do not have an entire week for your many tales of Stetson playboy meets drunken slut in the city, okay?” She set the glass down on the counter and put her hands on her hips. “And just what in the hell are you doing in my cottage anyway?”
Jet caught onto the humor in her city reference and he almost smiled as amusement danced in his eyes. “If you aren’t just the…” He sighed and took a step closer. “It doesn’t change anything.”
“There’s nothing to change Jet.”
Taking another step, he grabbed her hand. “Mags…Listen to me.”
She took a deep breath as the heat from his grasp wound up along her arm.
“They say that it happens like this sometimes,” he whispered as he stepped all the way in and tugged her closer.
“What happens?”
“When a man knows instantly that he has met the one woman he wants to marry.”
Maggie stared into his eyes.
A stunning blue and almost mesmerizing, they looked entirely sincere and an intense urgency burned there too.
“Well, I suppose that happened for you already, last year in Lost Vegas.”
He shook his head with a small laugh. “Okay, I deserved that, but I am serious and we will still get married.”
“Are you nuts? The jig is up. That dog won’t hunt, as you Texans say. That particular ship of crazy has sailed Jet!”
“All that was just nonsense from a year ago. Dammit Maggie! You and I already done the deed and I for one, am going to keep reminding your family of it too.” He grabbed her tighter and smothered her mouth with his.
His warm velvety tongue pushed in and Maggie tasted him again, her breath left her lungs as he hauled her up to his hard chest. Oh, the kissing he does. I can see why every panty, girdle and thong would drop in every county he ever walked through.
Jet kissed her passionately and deeply as if, he were putting all his feelings into it.
Maggie fought it for a second and then that warmth spread through her as she realized yet again, Damn, the man can kiss. Her brain fogged up as she placed her arms around his neck and let him have at it. Oh wow, he is just so—NO! Maggie pulled one arm away and grabbed her juice glass then she neatly stepped back just as she succinctly flung the juice into his surprised face. “Maybe that will cool you off, Mister Vegas!”
Jet spluttered and stepped back as he swiped his lip with the back of his hand. His stunned gaze rose up. Staring at her for a full minute, he looked like he might get mad.
Maggie took a step back. Okay, here it is. Maybe he will just admit it now. It was a huge joke or he did in fact do it to avoid—
He chuckled and shook his head as he reached for a kitchen towel, wiping the juice from his face. “I can see that all the years we will spend together, you’ll just keep turning me the hell on! I might even have to cause small heaps of trouble just to get you riled!”
Maggie’s jaw dropped.
“And I can’t decide which is cuter either. You, mad as a hornet…” He stepped close again, and gently shut her mouth closed. “Or when you look shocked.”
“You are crazy, you know that right?”
He grinned and looked right into her eyes. “I know that you drive me crazy and I’m willing to go all the way to insane just to keep you with me.”
Shaking her head in total bewilderment, she just had no words.
He titled his head at her as if contemplating something. “I ask you one thing…”
Maggie raised her chin at him.
“Why wouldn’t I just marry Victoria? If that was all there was to it?”
Batting her eyes at him, her perplexity did not clear up. “What?”
“If I just did it to—well, it happened to the both of us. ‘Cause here at the cottage—I didn’t just orchestrate it to…” He sighed. “God dammit, I have never been tongue tied with a woman before!” He threw his arms up in the air. “See? Don’t you see it?”
Maggie kept shaking her head like it was stuck in that motion.
He let out a small laugh and then started again, “I could just as well marry her. If I didn’t care about circumstances, if I wanted to marry just anybody.”
“I’m not…” She now felt like she might have to sit down and that is just what she did. Is his Stetson on too tight? Why does he keep up with this charade? She saw this Victoria chick…a knockout, a real beauty in fact. Why would he in turn, want to marry me to avoid tall, curvy and gorgeous?
He watched her closely and came over to sit at the little table with her. “Mags just try and let me get this out, okay?”
She remained mute. I’m totally lost on this road to insanity. If the crazy hot cowboy is driving, I’d better hold on, but I’m all out of logic. He just isn’t firing on all cylinders or is he still at the game of get one over the Smart Girl? She nodded her head at him.
“Why would I compromise myself and plan to get caught with you by our entire family, just so I could avoid a time when I…” He shook his head with a rueful smile. “…Compromised myself in the past. I could have just waited and told Miss Noble where to get off. I mean that is what the old Jet would do.”
“Mhmm,” she muttered. “Well…that does sound like the low down, lying, two timing, pilfering chicken hawk all right.”
He pulled his head back and looked stunned.
At his insulted expression, Maggie burst out with laughter.
He kept looking surprised as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Maggie swiped at her eyes and her laughter slowed.
“I thought that when you got angry it was hot, but damn—when you laugh?” He clenched his fists at his sides. “I gotta tell you…I get hard.”
Maggie stared at him. “Wh-at?”
“Nothing has changed, in fact, with every hour I spend around you? It just cements the whole idea!”
“What idea, Jet?” she yelled with utter frustration as she tossed her hands up. “Is it the, I want to marry you, even though I just met you when ten women were groping me at a Stud Ranch while I wallowed in lipstick idea?”
Staring at her, he halted and then he laughed uproariously. He even slapped his knee at one point as he seemed to try and get his laughter under control.
“Or, is it the idea of, ‘I won’t hand you my private hanky to wipe your kuchy while parked at the side of the road at the bush stop until you say you’re sorry for giving me to the stuffin’ cash into my boxers she devils?’ ”
Jet stared at her for a second, then his laughter grew. “You are the—damndest woman!” He swiped at his tears of hilarity. He sighed like someone does after a good laugh, then swallowed and shook his head. “Those are all good ideas though.”
“They all really happened Jet,” she informed him.
“Yeah and that’s part of why I just gotta have you with me Maggie. I have never known a woman like you.” He gazed into her eyes while his expression grew serious. “But, no. I meant the idea of us,” he whispered low, “Us…being together every day, going out, riding the range or going swimming in the river. Or, to somewhere for dinner where they have REAL restrooms.” He smiled. “Maybe you taking me to some museums and other sophisticated places. Maybe not as sophisticated as the she devil Stud Ranch, but somewhere almost as nice.” He gave her a wink. “I could use some polish. Then…” He stood up. “Us, being together every night. Making love to you, making you mad, making you laugh…”
Maggie sat very still while she stared up at him as ripples of shock hit her in waves. His US speech stunning her speechless, no easy feat either. This tall, good-looking cowboy…a man who could have anyone he wanted and twice on Sunday. Is saying that she turns him on and that she’s the one for him? Her eyes betrayed her will and they took in all of him. His long, strong legs, his form fitting Levis and yes, that hard bulge in his jeans. OH! Her eyes shot up to his face.
Jet wore that dazzling smile again. “You are gonna be mine, Mags. You can have the lipstick, hankies and my boxers full of cash too. I will even give you my newly polished Champion belt.” He grinned. “Because you win. I’m already yours!”
Maggie gulped and felt like she was the one who must be crazy now. His Champion bull riding belt? He has to be putting on an act…but who would pull a con this far?
“I remembered something too. It was something my Dad told me when he was still with us. He said, ‘when you meet your match, it will be like riding a wild bull. It will buck you, try to throw you and resist like hell over high water, but if you want it and you know it yours…you hang on and ride it out till it is yours.’ I never knew that he wasn’t actually talking about bull riding itself, till just now.” He let out a soft laugh. “Well, Mags I’m a hangin’ on and no set of twins, sister, father, brother or bull is gonna toss me off.”
Maggie sucked in her breath. This man can’t serious! She could have sworn he would now back down once the twins made their announcement and his plans were so obviously exposed. But no, here he is—she stared up at his face—stating his plan. I win? He’s already mine?
Those cobalt eyes of his glimmered with heat as he stared back—looking like a cowboy god while claiming he would still be marrying her.
Mmm, maybe it’s because I keep resisting? Yeah, and that may go along with his riding the resisting bull thing. That has to be it. I mean what woman would ever turn this man down? Nobody half sane! That has to be it. He just wants me because I keep saying no. Because I damn well know, he didn’t have me the other night. He was lying his ass off about that. Okay…I’m gonna turn the tables.
Maggie stood up and faced him. Tugging her shirt up and off, she dropped it to the floor.
His eyes rounded at her.
She unsnapped her jeans and tugged them down.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked.
Maggie smiled sweetly at him then stepped out of her jeans and turned away to head to the bedroom.
“Maggie?” he called out from behind her.
She went into the bedroom and wondered if she actually needed to go all the way with this ruse as she halted and stared nervously at the bed. Should I just shuck my panties and bra then lay spread eagled on the bed? Her body shook. I’ve never been that bold with any guy. Offering myself up like an afternoon snack. She shrugged her shoulders. Well, he claims we did it already, so he’s seen me like this once before right? She went ahead and did the undergarment shucking. Laying down on the bed, she giggled nervously as she spread her thighs and waited.
This will tip those crafty Jet scales and tell me just what he is really up to. I will give him what he wants and then as Mama Daisy would say, ‘All the color bleeds out in the wash in the end.’
Jet came in through the door and halted dead in his tracks. “Maggie!” His voice rose. “What…?” His words fell away as he stared at her bare body.
Maggie visibly shivered at the heat in his eyes. Her gaze swung to his jean covered package and she gulped. It has turned him on! “Come—” She had to swallow once to speak, “Come and get it.” Okay dumb line, what are ya going to do, ring the dinner bell now?
Jet bit at his lip, as he stayed rooted to the spot.
“Well? You keep saying how much I turn you on.” She spread her legs wider. “Come and show me,” she cooed at him in her best rendition of sexy talk. Oh man, the next thing you know, I will be saying come up and see me sometime, big boy. Nervous as all hell, she bit at her lip to keep from giggling like a teen.
Jet took a step closer as his breathing visibly accelerated. “Why are you doing this?”
Maggie licked at her lips. “Why not?” Good answer, Mags!
He took another step while his eyes blazed at her, then his gaze settled on her large breasts and he seemed to be mesmerized.
Maggie felt her nipples stiffen as if a breeze caressed them. Oh wow, his hot blue eyed looking is causing a reaction .Like he’s caressing me with his eyes.
“Hmmm,” he groaned as he took another few steps to get to the bed.
Okay, here comes the whatnot! Maggie waited for the telltale Stetson playboy come to life…act one. Then chicken hawk eats chick and shows his true feathers, act two.
Jet sat at the end of the bed and gently grabbed her bare foot.
Maggie gasped at the feeling of his hot hands.
“What are your favorites, Maggie?” he asked softly as he caressed her calf and ankle.
“My favorites?”
He nodded. “Yeah, like…” He stroked her skin along her knee. “Do you like it slow and easy?” he purred at her while moving his hands up, sensually kneading the skin of her thigh with his strong fingers.
Maggie was trembling now, and her juices just bubbled out of her opening. His hands were so warm and firm, she could just imagine all the ways he could use them. “Umm…” The answer would not pass from her lips.
“Or…” He crawled up and laid his clothed body over her naked form. Reaching up, he grasped her breasts with both hands while he seemed to roll his eyes with pleasure. “…Do you like it hard and fast?” he breathed the question to her mouth as he gave her double Ds a squeeze.
Her body felt like it was burning with his hard pressing heat, sexy talk and his hot breath blowing on her lips.
“Because if it were me, I would choose slow and I would…” He paused and reached his hands under her to give her ass cheeks the same treatment as her boobs. He lifted her up against that hard bulge in his jeans. “Pump you hard and fast, then…” He tilted his pelvis against her as he swiped her trembling lip with his hot tongue. “Slowly, lick you all over until you beg me to give you more…”
Maggie was full out panting now, and her eyes widened as she clenched her thighs together with need. Oh, the scent of him and that deep seducing voice…What the hell was I thinking? Her juices were flowing while her nipples felt like diamonds that could cut glass. Holy flying stars! She felt trapped by those blazing blue eyes. What was my point again—when I started this? Any second now, I’m gonna open my legs and beg him to do me!
Jet stared into her eyes. “It isn’t gonna work though…” He raised up and stepped off the bed. “Believe me I want to.” He stared hard at her and released a huge breath. “I more than want you. But, we are gonna do this right. I won’t be doing you until you believe me.” He bent down and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. “Sweet dreams Mags. I know I’m gonna dream about…” He stepped back. “All of this, that’s for dammed sure.” He gave her a playful wink and went out through the door.
Maggie bolted upright as her chest heaved with pants and her pulse hammered off the charts. “What the hell?” she exclaimed. “He called my bluff! Ohhh!” She grabbed a pillow and clamped it to her needy, ramped up body as she shook like a leaf. I intended to make him step up or back down. “Then instead, the chicken hawk circled and swooped over the naked little chick but chose not to go in for the kill?” She squeezed her pillow hard. “Dammit!”
The truth was she felt disappointed and glad all at the same time. He could’ve taken her, they would have had hot sex and then, she would have watched the game fold up as he walked away for good. On the other hand, he chose to resist and he stayed the course he claims to be on! Her heart felt glad but her poor yearning body was horrendously disappointed.
God dammit, If we ever…I would die of ecstasy and I would be a goner. If it did happen, I would be totally under his charmed cowboy spell. He could crush my heart like a bug under his cowboy boots!
Maggie squeezed her eyes shut and decided not to move for a while. What else can I do? Well, I know I can come up with something. After all, Smart Girl can’t let Hot Cowboy one up her like this!