The Cowboy's Fate (The Govain Cowboys Book 1) Read online

  He mixed them both a whiskey and sat beside her on the couch.

  She leaned into him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She tried not to imprint the feeling on her memory. She had to forget all this when she went home. But it would be hard. He felt so good, so strong and at the same time, so gentle. Her normal life was devoid of these wonderful feelings.

  He kissed her forehead. "I never knew how great having a wife could be, wife."

  "Ditto, husband." Her breath caught. One more night. She reached for his hand and brought it to her lips. "Thank you for being so good to me."

  "Of course."

  Her heart picked up its beat. "I need to say something. This whole thing between us. It's unprofessional of me. I just want you to know, I've never, ever done anything like this before. If it got out, it would ruin my business."

  He sighed. "Eve, you didn't have to tell me that. I didn't think you went around sleeping with your clients, and I'd never betray your confidence."

  She pressed her head against him. "I never thought you would."

  They drank in silence for a while.

  Kissing her forehead, he whispered, "I think you should have a visitor to your room tonight. Mom is entirely too inquisitive."

  "Good idea."

  He laid his empty glass on the table. "Ready?"

  Tingles zipped through her belly as she stood. Memories of the previous night set her heart racing. As he followed her up the stairs, she found it hard to catch her breath. Her nipples hardened, and she hadn't even gotten through her bedroom door yet.

  They walked inside, and he shut the door, a glint in his eye. "I need to shower. Care to join?"

  "That is a pretty tiny shower stall in my bathroom."

  He grinned. "Even better." Reaching for her, he said, "Let me undress you in here."

  She tugged on his belt as he reached for her shirt. They laughed and each stripped the other of clothes.

  Caleb grabbed her hand. "Come on." Peeking out the door, he jogged to the bathroom, dragging her behind him.

  Once inside, he slammed the door, and they both burst out laughing.

  Eve said, "I feel like a teenager."

  "Me too." He started the shower and waited until the temperature was right, then pulled her in with him.

  Eve tilted her head back and stared up at Caleb. "I told you there was no room. How the heck is this going to work? I can't move."

  "I'll wash you, and you wash me. It'll be fun." He glanced over his shoulder. "Damn, I can't grab the soap. Reach behind me and get it."

  Pressing herself flush against him, she was able to snag the soap from the dish. "I'll wash you first."

  He grinned. "Yes, wife."

  She rolled her eyes and rubbed the soap across his chest and shoulders. He relaxed into her touch. She rubbed the soap around in her hands, getting them sudsy, then handed him the bar. "Hold this." Smoothing her fingers across his forehead, she scrubbed it good, then massaged his face muscles and his neck. She washed his arms and hands, massaging his palms and fingers. Then, bending a little, she washed his thighs, leaving his lower legs and feet since she couldn't squat to reach them.

  Glancing up, Caleb's eyes were open, watching what she would do next. Raising the soap bar to the water, she lathered it well, then took hold of him where he jutted toward her. He leaned his head back and sighed. Her heart sped—desire rose up her belly as she slid her hands up and down his hard shaft. She cleaned him, then rubbed more soap on her hands and slipped them between his legs. He sucked in a breath as she held his balls, lathering them and rolling them between her fingers. Lord, he definitely had what it took to make babies. "Can you hand me the wand? I need to rinse you off."

  He reached up and unhooked it, handing it to her, his gaze never leaving hers.

  She said, "Close your eyes," and quickly rinsed his face. Then she rinsed the rest of him off. Stepping out of the shower, she said, "Okay, turn around." She went back inside and, after washing his back side, she wet his hair and added shampoo. Scrubbing it first, she gently massaged his scalp and he moaned.

  She rubbed his neck and all across his shoulders.

  He straightened. "Enough. The water will be cold, and you won't be clean yet."

  She rinsed him off and stepped out so he could turn around. "Wash me quick, husband. I don't like cold showers."

  His hands were gentle but inquisitive. He touched every inch of her body he could reach while he washed her. Lathering his fingers, he slid them inside her folds, slowly moving them around. He said, "Mm," and continued to rub. Then he sudsed his fingers some more and slipped them inside her again.

  Crap, he felt good. "You have to get all that soap out of there, you know. If not, I'll start burning and itching."

  "Damn. Now you tell me."

  She laughed. "Well, I need to get clean, but I have to rinse."

  "I guess this is the stuff you learn when you have a wife, huh?"

  She arched a brow. "Yeah, buddy. And it gets a lot worse, too."

  He cracked up and grabbed the wand. "This is going to be tricky."

  "The joys of being a woman. You guys have it easy. Yours pokes out."

  He threw his head back and laughed. And he figured it out eventually.

  She said, "I think I'm clean now."

  He sighed. "I'm enjoying this. Do we have to stop?"

  "Me too, but, like I said, I hate cold showers, and the water's not hot anymore."

  He grinned. "All right, already."

  She stepped out and grabbed a towel, handing him another.

  He rubbed himself briskly dry, never taking his eyes off her.

  She dried off and rubbed her hair a little. She hadn't washed it since she'd done it that morning.

  He pulled her to him and bent down for a kiss so hot she might melt. Damn, he was sexy. He squeezed her butt cheeks and let her go.

  Wrapping her towel around her, she hurried back to her room. It just felt wrong being naked in someone else's house.

  Caleb shut the door and dropped his towel, heading for her.

  She grinned and opened her arms. He was all man and gorgeous.

  Stripping her towel from her, he laid her on the bed. Taking a condom from the drawer he said, "If you were truly my wife, I wouldn't have to use this damn thing."

  She smiled. "True, pretend husband." Taking it from him, she stripped the pouch open with her teeth and slid it on him.

  He pulled her on top of him and held her up, sliding just inside her. He held her there, teasing her.

  She grinned. “Move it, buster.”

  Laughing softly, he eased her down on his hips. "You feel amazing, Eve. You fit me just right. I can feel you on all sides of me, you're so tight."

  She moved forward, then back, building a rhythm.

  Grasping her hips, he rocked her.

  Leaning back, she held his thighs, still moving.

  He groaned. "What are you doing to me?"

  "God, you feel good, Caleb."

  He pulled her down to him, kissing her as he continued to rock her in slow motion with his hands. Clasping her face, he looked into her eyes, letting his feelings for her show.

  She felt them in her heart, and in the back of her mind she cried out, "This is wrong. I'm going to hurt him." But he wanted this, and so did she, so she kissed him hard, holding his face so close she couldn't breathe. When she pulled back, she gasped for breath.

  "Eve, wife, I don't care what you say. I love you." His voice was low and urgent.

  Without pulling out of her, he rolled her over, thrusting hard, desperately making her his own. Just as desperately, she clung to him, arms and legs, and hands and feet. She rose to meet his thrusts, moaning, needing him.

  His voice husked her name, "Eve, you're mine."

  She answered fiercely, "Yes, I am."

  He thrust deeper, faster.

  A force built inside her. Muscles screamed for release. Her core tightened. She sucked in a hard breath—teetered on the brink. Ho
t sensation ripped through her like a shrieking sandstorm. She cried out his name.

  Caleb pounded home, exploding in her.

  Muscles taut, still coming, she felt him pulsing, emptying himself.

  She clutched him to her, too overwhelmed to let him go. It was as if she really loved him—had truly made love to him.

  Moments later, he stirred and gave her a languid kiss, but didn't move off her. Raising his head, he looked into her eyes. "I love you."

  Feeling terribly, incredibly sad, she nodded.

  SHE WOKE THE NEXT MORNING at dawn, and Caleb was still asleep beside her. She shook him awake. "It's light out. Shouldn't you leave?"

  He slid his arm around her. "Yes, but I can't bear to. Are you going to make me?"

  She sighed and closed her eyes. Finally, she said, "No, I think the ship has sailed as far as your mom is concerned. But it'll be embarrassing at breakfast."

  "Not for me."

  "Yeah, you're a guy. You all are never embarrassed."

  He laughed.

  Snuggling into his chest, she yawned. He felt wonderful. This peek into what it would be like to be married had really opened her eyes. She'd never realized what she was missing out on in her solitary life. There had never been a man who tempted her to consider changing her goals, her lifestyle—until now. She shivered.

  Caleb pulled her tighter. "You okay?"

  She nodded into him.

  He scratched her back lazily, breathing evenly, like he was nearing sleep again.

  She patted him gently. He was a good man.

  The next time she woke, she scrambled out of bed.

  Caleb sat up. "What's wrong?"

  "Look out the window. We probably missed breakfast."

  He laughed. "It's fine. Mom will have saved us some."

  She groaned. "This is so embarrassing."

  "Naw, we'll be okay. Get ready. I'll hang out and walk you down if you want me to."

  "Ugh, no. That's worse."

  Grinning, he said, "Okay, okay. I'll get out of here. I'll meet you downstairs."

  After he left, she went to the mirror and stared. "What were you thinking?"

  After a quick trip to clean up, she threw on her clothes, wishing she could snap her fingers like in Bewitched and be ready to head downstairs. It felt like forever before she finished her hair and makeup. At last, she dumped her things in her bag and zipped it. With a final glance around the room, she went for the stairs. Stopping at the landing, she took a deep breath and prepared herself to meet Millie and Rob. Lord, just get me through this next hour. Then she stepped down and headed for the dining room.

  Thank God, Caleb had arrived before her. He hung out by the coffee carafe so he could escort her to the table. Bless him. Resisting the urge to clutch his arm, she followed him to their places.

  Millie breezed in from the kitchen. Had she been watching for Eve? "You look positively radiant this morning, honey." She beamed at Eve and placed a plate of bacon and eggs and toast before her. Her other hand held orange juice, but she seemed to have forgotten it.

  Eve wanted to crawl under the table. Radiant? Hell. "Thank you, Millie. Of course, you're beautiful, as always."

  Then Annie came out and set Caleb's breakfast before him. He said, "Thank you." Then, "I guess you and Dad have already eaten, Mom?"

  She turned to him, still holding the juice. "Yes, ages ago. Then she glanced down. Oh!" She handed the juice to her. “Eve, please say goodbye before you leave."

  She smiled. "Of course, Millie."

  When she left, Caleb said, "See, not so bad."

  Eve rolled her eyes at him. "Are you kidding me? Your mom is already making wedding plans. I feel terrible."

  Caleb's smile dropped, and he cut up his eggs. "I meant what I said last night."

  She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. She knew exactly the words he was referring to. Taking a bite of toast, she kept her mouth busy chewing.

  His fork clinked against the plate as he scooped up a bite of eggs. "Did you?"

  She froze, her heart pounding. Did she? Last night, she'd felt .... But, today? She gripped her knife and fork so hard her hands shook.

  He asked again, "Did you?"

  She emptied her hands and clutched them in her lap. "Last night, I did."

  He covered her hands, gripping them. "And now?"

  She thought of so many things—the ways her future could unfold—then of how hard she'd worked to get where she was and what she'd always wanted out of life. She sighed. "You're going to make some woman a wonderful husband, Caleb."

  He held her hands so hard it hurt. "I don't want some woman, Eve. I want you."

  Oh, God. She'd known this was coming, and she'd done it anyway. He was breaking her heart. She was breaking his. Hot, slow tears welled from her eyes and she closed them, blocking out Caleb, this beautiful house, the memories it held. She had to go back to her life.

  He brushed her tears from her face and took her into his arms. "Hush, it's okay. You know what you need to do. I won't say anymore."

  After a moment, he let her go.

  She sat still, unmoving.

  He asked softly, "Are you done eating?"

  She nodded.

  "Me, too." He took their plates to the kitchen. When he came back, he asked, "You ready?"

  "I need to say goodbye to Millie."

  While she headed into the family room, he went upstairs.

  Millie stood as Eve entered, her smile turning to a frown. "Are you okay, dear? You look like you've been crying."

  Eve smiled brightly. "Oh, I'm fine."

  Millie relaxed. "Well, goodbyes are hard, I know. But you're coming back soon." Millie pulled her into a hug.

  Eve had never felt like such a traitor. Her lip quivered, and she stepped back. "You've been wonderful hosts. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

  Millie patted her arm. "Nonsense, we loved having you here."

  Eve backed away a step. "Well, I've got to get on the road. Don't want to miss my flight."

  Millie beamed at her. "Goodbye, dear. Watch out for deer."

  Eve almost smiled. If she had a dollar for every Texan who told her that when she left someplace .... "I will, Millie."

  Caleb walked into the room. "You ready?"

  She nodded, heading for her suitcase and purse.

  Caleb got there first. "Let me." He took the suitcase and handed her her purse, leading the way to her SUV.

  She dug for the keys and popped the locks.

  He set her suitcase in the back seat and closed the door, turning to her. "Eve, I need to talk to you." He blew out a breath. "I ... I went upstairs to your room while you were talking to Mom to empty the trash by the bed." He shifted his weight to his other foot. "The condom was the only thing in it." Sighing loudly, he said, "Dammit, Eve, it had a tear in it. It wasn't a huge hole. It still had, uh, stuff in it, but I don't know, some might have gotten out last night as we were ..."

  She felt the blood leaving her face, feeling lightheaded in an instant. Reaching back for the car, she leaned her weight against it. This couldn't be happening.

  Caleb reached for her arms. Holding her upright, he said. "Eve, don't worry. If something comes of it, we'll face this together. Of course, I want to marry you. However, if you decide against it, I'll support you in any way you need."

  She stared down at her belly, too stunned to speak. Her mind wouldn't work, and she had to answer him. Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. She swallowed hard. "Caleb."

  He nodded. "I'm here."

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Caleb, thank you."

  He squeezed her arms in reassurance, and they both stood quietly for a moment.

  Caleb took a step closer. "I don't know what to say, now, except I'll miss you terribly." He stopped and clenched his jaw. "These past few days have been the best of my life, and I mean that."

  He looked lost and so defeated, exactly the way she felt. A huge lump filled her throat. Opening her mou
th, she tried to speak but she couldn’t. She swallowed, and swallowed again, and it hurt like hell. He was waiting for her to say something. Dropping her purse on the ground, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

  He held her to him, squeezing the breath out of her.

  Finally, she said, "I've never experienced anything like your love. I'll never forget it."

  He moaned quietly, his eyes closed, as she pulled back. He said, "Drive safely. Watch for deer."

  She looked in the rear-view mirror as she drove off and he still stood, hip slung, hands in his pockets, watching her, the picture of desolation. She placed her hand on her tummy. Lord help her.

  Chapter Six

  TWO WEEKS LATER, EVE looked around her beautiful office, devoid of the joy she had always felt in it. She wasn't sleeping much, and Caleb haunted her dreams when she did. But, despite the pain of leaving him, she couldn't regret their time together. Loving him had shown her that there was more to life than what she planned for herself. She didn't exactly know what to do about her feelings, but that door had opened and, even though it was closed now, she'd always know what waited there.

  She arrived home yesterday from her last job, and it had been a difficult one. The irascible old rancher knew he needed help yet resisted her suggestions at every turn. In the end, he had accepted them, but she felt like she'd run a marathon by the time she headed back.

  The phone rang, and she glanced at caller I.D., answering herself rather than letting her assistant pick up. "Hi, David. How are you?"

  "I'm great now that I'm speaking with you," he answered in his smooth, deep voice.

  Sighing, she was in no mood to visit and hoped he wouldn't talk long. "How can I help you, my friend?"

  "Hey, you sound tired. Everything all right?"

  "I'm fine. I just got back into town."

  "I'll get to the point, honey. I've got this thing coming up next week, on Friday. It's a TACA event at Turtle Creek—cocktails, dinner, live auction. Can you come?"

  She pulled up her calendar. "Looks like I'm back again on Thursday. You don't have anyone else who can go?"

  He hesitated. "Eve? What's going on, hon? Of course, I'll find someone else if you want me to, but I'm worried about you. Can I help?"