Second Round Cowboy (Second Chance Series) (5 page)

“I see that I’ve made a mistake. You’re right. I shouldn’t have come, obviously.”
Lilly had fallen asleep and he was lifting her into his arms.

“Wait.”

He turned and his frenzied gaze pierced her skin, seeping into her soul. “Wait for what? It’s useless right? You have a life here in Shelby. You have a new man, new friends, and career. What more could you possibly need?”

He didn’t know about the long, lonely nights. Disrupted sleep with dreams of him.
The guilt that took up residence in her heart. “We need to talk more. In the kitchen.” She dropped her gaze to the sleeping child. “Let her sleep. Rest is what she needs.”

He hesitated before he laid Lilly back onto the cushions, grabbed
a blanket from the back of the couch and covered her. He bent and kissed her, and Leslie blinked back tears. Seeing a brawny man like Stryker so gentle and loving made her toes tingle.

Back in the privacy of the kitchen, Leslie
hit start on the coffee maker. The machine gurgled and sputtered. She was glad to see it still worked.

“So when did you start drinking coffee?” he asked.

“I don’t
, but you do. I thought you could use a cup.”

He tore a hand through his thick
hair and waves bounced alive. “I don’t think you’ll be able to get it strong enough.”

Facing him, she held his gaze. “By the way, I’m not saying that I won’t help you. I really don’t know what I’m saying
at this point. What I realize, Lilly needs a lot of affection.” Her vision blurred and she blinked.

“Yes she does.”

“
The two of us arguing certainly won’t make things better.” She took down a cup.

“It seems you and I spent more time arguing back in the day than getting along.” He smirked. He leaned against the counter, relaxing and hooking his ankles. She took the opportunity to steal a gaze down wide chest, tapered waist, long legs and damn…the bulge behind his zipper made every nerve-ending tingle.

Did he ever go limp
?

“That’s because we both enjoye
d making up so much.” She’d lost count of how many times they’d had a quarrel that ended with a tumble in bed.

His s
mile cocked and a twinkle lit his eye. No doubt he remembered those times as well. He scratched his forehead. “What happened to us, Lesi?” She turned away.

“L
et’s not do this. We can’t travel down that path looking for answers but there are none.”

“
That’s bull shit and you know it. Don’t I deserve an explanation?”

Leslie sank into one of the chairs.
“It won’t matter anymore,” she whispered.

“To you maybe.
Hell, I won’t ask anymore if it bothers you.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Her hands were trembling and she laid them in her lap.

“And I’m sorry. I guess it probably does seem underhanded for me to bring Lilly here without asking. Yet, at the time, it felt right. I’m clueless. I don’t want to mess her life up more than it already is. It’s possible Justine didn’t make the right decision when she left her to me. It just kills me to think of allowing the state to take her.”

The
catch in his voice ripped through her. Stryker had never been the best at revealing his feelings, but she once knew him in and out, and what she saw in him now was the closest to an emotional revelation she’d ever witnessed. “I think Justine knew exactly what she was doing. I think the best thing for Lilly is to get back to normalcy, to be around happy people.”

“Are you saying that I’m not happy?”
His frown deepened.

“I’m saying that you’re
overwhelmed and it’s obvious.”

“Okay then, where are these happy people?” he asked.

The coffee stopped dripping. She got up and poured him a cup, handing it to him. The tips of their fingers touched and a current slithered up her arm, spreading into her chest. If he’d noticed, he didn’t act like he was bothered. He wrapped his hand around the mug and she was overcome with the desire to have his fingers on her.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve made me coffee, or anything for that matter.”

She wondered if there was another meaning to his words than the obvious. Why even try to deny the craving she had for him? Prickles developed between her thighs “I’ll tell you what I have in mind, but at the moment, there’s something I need to do.”

His eyes widened. “Seems important.”

With restless bravery, she took a step closer and stood on tiptoe. He was insanely gorgeous and she only wished she was immune to beautiful eyes, full lips and iron-hard body. Before her brain came up with a thousand excuses why kissing him was a bad idea, she leaned forward and pressed her mouth against his. He was shocked and a bit stiff, but it didn’t take him long to warm up. His lips parted and his tongue swept across hers. He tasted like mint and coffee, and she wanted to lap him up.

His hands smoothed over her legs, upward to where her shorts touched thigh. She quickly stepped backed and the physical connection was broken. She didn’t look him directly in the eye.

“What the hell was that about?” His breathing was ragged.

“We needed to get that out of the way.” She touched her moist lips and forced her thoughts back on track.

“I’d say that’s
kindling the fire,” he growled.

“Maybe, but I can think clearer now.”

“I’m glad you can.” He reached down and adjusted his crotch.

She turned away.
“I have an idea. I want you and Lilly to come with me to a gathering tonight. I’ve been invited to dinner and my friends won’t mind two more.”

“And was your buddy
invited also?” Some of the tension had left his voice.

“If you’re talking about Dillon, y
es, he was invited.”

“That could be a sticky situation and you know how much I love awkward moments.”

“This isn’t about you, Stryke. This is about Lilly. She needs to be around people. Are you willing to do what is needed?”

His jaw slacked.
“Anything. She’s all I have.”

“And you have—” No, she couldn’t finish. She was no longer in his life, at least not like
they were. Although, every memory remained—every touch, every kiss, every sweet whispered word they’d shared.

There was no going back, but forward wouldn’t be bad. She
found herself wanting to climb back into the saddle and go for a ride. She wasn’t quite sure if it was her heart or inner thighs that ached more for the man who stood before her—confident, heady and sexier than any other cowboy she’d ever laid eyes on.

Stryker was an unfastened door into a danger zone. He’d been the only man who could strip her of all defenses and take her to a level where rewards were as appealing as heaven.
When she was sad, he knew exactly how to uplift her spirits. He’d been supportive and kind…and she’d left. Would he understand if she told him the truth? Would he realize that her sorrow ran deep and he couldn’t fix her as he’d done so many times before?

CHAPTER FOUR

“ARE YOU SURE they’re going to be okay with you bringing a couple of strangers?” Stryker asked as the three of them made their way up the sidewalk to Carly and Chance Taylor’s large farmhouse.

Leslie caught a glance of Lilly who had a hold of Stryker’s hand and her knuckles were white.

“I’m more than sure. More the merrier around these parts. You’ll see.” Leslie stopped and bent at her knees to look Lilly in the eye. “And they’re going to love you.” Although the child didn’t respond, Leslie did notice that Lilly’s gaze softened.

Knocking on the door, it swept open and Carly appeared. As always, the woman looked beautiful. Once upon a time, Leslie and Carly were more enemies than friends. Times had changed and Leslie couldn’t be happier that they’d buried their issue.

“I’m so glad you could make it.” Carly gave Leslie a quick hug. “Come in, all of you.” She stepped back.

“Carly, I love the bob,” Leslie said.

Carly reached up as if she’d
forgotten she’d cut her long hair into a short cut. “I miss my hair, but it’s so much easier to care for. And with two wee ones, I need all of the extra time I can get. You look great also.” Carly’s gaze moved to Stryker.

“Carly, this is Stryker and his niece
, Lilly. They’re visiting and I thought they needed a healthy dose of southern hospitality.” Leslie patted Lilly on the shoulder.

“Welcome, welcome! I’m glad to meet you both. There are no strangers around here.” Carly shook Stryker’s hand then squeezed Lilly’s shoulders. “What a beautiful child.”

Lila appeared from around the corner. “Well, well, what do we have here?” Her curious gaze slid straight to Stryker who’d always stolen the attention with his strapping frame and handsome looks.

“
Lila, I’d like for you to meet Stryker and Lilly.”

“Where have you been hiding him?” Lila chuckled as she gave Leslie a knowing smile.

The woman’s bantering didn’t require an answer, thankfully. Leslie’s cheeks must have turned a bright red because they felt like they were on fire.

Carly winked as if in silent support.

“Where are the men?” Leslie changed the subject.

“They are in Chance’s office talking shop.
” Carly rolled her eyes. “My darling husband asked that I send you in when you got here. They have a question regarding a horse.”

“Do those two ever stop working?” Leslie groaned.

“Good question. I warned Duke that if he doesn’t start helping with the wedding plans, there will not be one. He’s been non-stop at the McAllister. Two weeks until we get hitched, and it’s coming fast.” Lila’s gaze twinkled.

“
Lila, you know as well as I do that you wouldn’t call off the wedding, no matter what that cowboy gets himself into. You’ve waited too long for this and I’ve never seen you happier.” Carly patted her shoulder.

“True.” Lila shrugged.
“I don’t know what I’d do without my family. And I complain, but it’s not so bad. We only want a small ceremony so there’s not much planning involved.”

Leslie envied the love she saw in Lila’s gaze.
Leslie had been in love with Stryker, so full of hope and thankfulness. Yet, they’d been young and foolish in many ways. They’d believed they could conquer the world, but Leslie knew better.

Stryker’s arm rubbed against hers, by accident or otherwise and adrenaline rushed to the tips of her toes. She hoped no one could see her sudden discomfort. “Okay then, I’ll search them out and see what they need. Then I promise I’ll get them out of the office and out here to socialize, even if I have to drag them out myself,” Leslie said. She turned to Stryker. “You’ll be okay?” She’d never known him to be uncomfortable, but Carly and Lila certainly could be intimidating at times. Both were strong, independent women.

“No worries
.” Carly said. “We’ll take good care of him until the boys crawl out from their hiding spot. Do you like to cook, Stryker?” She was already leading him to the kitchen and Lila had Lilly’s hand. “And tell us where you’re from…”

Leslie laughed. She knew Carly and Lila would interrogate him with questions,
but the women were harmless. Stryker could take the probing.

She found
Duke and Chance sitting in the office. Duke was sitting on the couch, his legs were stretched and relaxed on the corner of the cherry wood table. Chance was at his desk. A look of irritation marred his features.

“Looks like you fellows are real busy in here
.” She laughed.

“We’
re doing some real thinking.” Chance smiled, and it struck Leslie why she’d been attracted to him once upon a time—a time when he and Carly were divorced. Chance and Stryker had similar looks and character. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t put the connection together before. “Are you okay?” Chance asked.

Gaining her thoughts, she nodded. “I’m fine,
but I’m not sure about you two rogues. There are two pretty women out there who’d love your company,” she said. “And what do you need me for? Isn’t this the man cave?”

“I need a woman’s opinion.
” Duke dropped his booted feet and scrubbed his jaw.

“My opinion? Maybe you should
ask Lila, that is what partners do after all.” Leslie sighed.

“Not when
I’m keeping a secret from her,” he said.

“Oh
, no! Don’t get me involved in any schemes, plans, activities or secrets. Not going to happen. Carly and Lila finally like me. Carly even hugged me—hugged me, you hear?” Leslie started to back toward the door. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear a word of whatever you two are doing.”

“No, not a
bad
secret. A good one. It has to do with our honeymoon.” Duke laughed.

“I didn’t know there were
good
secrets when it comes to a woman.” Chance shook his head.