The Cowboy's Fate (The Govain Cowboys Book 1) Page 8
Groaning, he lurched to his feet. How was he ever going to get through this evening? Saying goodnight to his parents as he passed the family room door, he headed to the office to retrieve his phone, then went on to his bedroom. Using the jack to remove his boots, he stared at the bed, unbidden memories of making love to Eve assaulting him. Cursing, he yanked his clothes off and tossed on a robe, heading in to shower.
He ran the water hot—hotter almost than he could stand—and stepped inside. Scrubbing himself with rough hands, he remembered the sensuous shower he'd taken with Eve. Would she bathe with this David one day? Dammit! He threw the soap at the shower wall, then instantly felt like an idiot. He was behaving like a spoiled child. Picking up the bar, he hurriedly washed and rinsed off, and got out to dry himself.
He gritted his teeth. Whatever happened tonight would happen, and he had no control over it. Wrapped in a towel, carrying his robe, he strode back to his room.
As he lay in bed a few minutes later, his arm behind his head, he realized he'd never finished reading Eve's text. He may as well get it over with. Grabbing his phone, he opened it again:
I'm really not looking forward to tonight at all. These events bore me. I don't fit in. I'm a country girl, despite the beautiful gowns David buys me. I don't run with the women who attend, though they're always nice to me because of David and his money. But I'm never comfortable. I go because he's my friend, and he needs me. Thank God he doesn't ask often, or I'd lose my mind. I'll miss our texts tonight, PH. Enjoy your beautiful, relaxing desert evening. I would much rather be there than some old gala. Your PW
He groaned. Why in the hell didn't he finish reading the text before? He would have spared himself at least part of the agony he'd endured. He still didn't trust this David character, but her words reassured him on so many levels. She didn't want the Dallas social life. He had a chance! Scrolling to the beginning, he read the whole text again and wondered what her dress was like. She would be gorgeous in an evening gown. Damn David for being the one with Eve on his arm.
Caleb closed his eyes, remembering her, here, in his bed. Trying hard, he imagined her hand cupping his face and the velvety softness of the skin on the inside of her thigh. He remembered it all before he fell asleep.
EVE SIGHED. WOULD THIS auction ever be over? David had made his purchase and bid an exorbitant amount for it.
He reached out and clasped her hand, which lay on the table, and whispered in her ear. "Just a little while longer, dear. I'm sorry, this is terrible, but I try to remember it's for a good cause."
She smiled and squeezed his fingers. "It's okay. I understand."
Thirty excruciating minutes later, the last item had its final bid, and they stood to leave. She picked up her evening bag which Cici had sent with the dress and stepped away from the table.
David's arm encircled her waist, and he pulled her close to his side.
She stiffened. What was he doing?
His fingers gave her the tiniest caress, and her eyes widened. This wasn't like David at all. He behaved as if this were a real date all of a sudden. She removed his hand from her waist and twirled around, so that they were merely holding hands.
David looked at her, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Let's have a drink. We've earned one after sitting through that long, dreary auction. The gala has an afterparty, but I never go. I could definitely use a drink, though."
As they left the building, she stared ahead, wondering where the car David had hired was. "I really feel like going home."
Squeezing her hand, he pleaded, "One drink. Come on, it's Friday, and the night is young." He knew she always had a hard time telling him no.
She sighed. "Okay. One drink, then you're taking me home."
He swung their hands high in the air. "Yes! Just one, I promise."
They went to one of his favorite clubs. It was near the top of one of the tallest buildings in Dallas and had a spectacular view.
The hostess seated them at a window, and David ordered their drinks. He reached for her hand. "Eve, despite the auction, I had a wonderful time with you." As he looked into her eyes, a whole new David peered out at her. Instead of her warm, kind friend, a devilishly handsome, interested man held her attention.
She pulled her hand back and settled it in her lap. "You're different tonight."
Still holding her with his intense gaze, he said, "I am.” He paused. “Eve, I don't want to be your friend anymore. In fact, I've never wanted to be your friend. However, you told me when we first met that you had no time for men in your life. You wanted to focus on building your business." Reaching for her hand again, he cradled it between both of his. "So, I became your friend instead, as that was all you would accept from me."
Stunned, she sucked in a deep breath. So, had their friendship been a lie? "I don't understand, David."
He caressed her fingers. "I'm sure this is a lot to take in. I’ve always been honest with you, except for this one thing. I'm being honest now. I want to date you, Eve. I want to see if we have what it takes to make a life together. I think we do, but you've never thought of me as a lover. You've only seen me as your best friend. Can't we try?"
She withdrew her hand.
Their drinks arrived, and he took a swallow before he continued. "While we're being honest, we need to talk about my business proposal. I want that to go forward no matter what you decide, Eve. But honesty demands that I tell you I did have an ulterior motive when I pitched it to you. You told me about your West Texas rancher, and I knew I needed to give you a strong reason to stay in Dallas. My proposal is it." He took another drink. "It's fighting dirty, maybe, but they say all's fair in love and war."
Eve stared at him, too stunned to speak.
He laughed softly and put her glass of lime juice in her hand. "Drink, Eve."
EVE GUNNED THE ENGINE of her SUV, clearing the yellow light before it turned red on her way to the office. David had shielded his true feelings from her so well that she'd never once suspected what he revealed to her last night. She'd finished her drink and asked him to take her home, never giving him the answer he'd hoped to hear. Peering ahead to the next light, she set her foot on the brake as it turned yellow. His words changed the dynamic between them.
In the space between one drink and the next, she'd lost her best friend. The weight of it dragged her down. Even two cups of coffee before her drive in to the FBO hadn't perked her up.
She'd had a hard time focusing on her flight lesson this morning, and Jet had finally said, "Listen, girl, if you're not up to this, I'll find a man who is."
As she neared her office building, her phone rang. David. She put it through to her dash. "Hi there."
He laughed softly. "Good morning. I had to call. Eve, I can't say strongly enough that our friendship stands, and I mean it. I won't pressure you for anything else. Last night, I just wanted you to know that you could have more with me, if you're willing. But it doesn't need to be that way. Please, don't draw back from me. Okay?"
She sighed. Could she remain friends with him, knowing his true feelings? Wouldn't it be terribly awkward? Would he be able to settle for friendship, or would he push for more—encircle her waist with his arm, pull her close and caress her as he had at the gala? "I don't know, David."
"Eve, we're going to be okay. I promise. Have lunch with me Sunday. You'll see."
She chewed her lower lip. Losing David's friendship saddened her terribly. What would it hurt to try? "All right. Thank you."
"I'll pick you up around noon. You won't regret it."
She arrived at the office, more hopeful now and glad that David had called. Her assistant didn't work Saturdays, and Eve had the place to herself. After making a quick cup of coffee, she plunged back into preparations for her next client.
Forty minutes later, a new text came through on her phone. Smiling, her pulse picked up. It was Caleb.
Happy Saturday morning, PW. I'm imagining you in your office, bent over a desk, working way too hard for su
ch a beautiful weekend. I, too, wish you were here on my desert. But then, you know that. It was a fabulous early morning. I took my first cup of coffee out on the veranda, remembering you with me there on our swing. My heart ached for you, but the memory filled me with such happiness. You give me joy like I've never dreamed of, Eve. I'm both happier, and more miserable than I've ever been in my life. My mind returns often to our last lovemaking, then to the condom. I should tell you that I regret the tear, but I can't make myself feel that way. I want a child with you. I dream of what our baby will look like. I understand, should something come of this accident, the decision is yours, but know that I will raise our child on my own, if it comes to that. I would love our baby with all my heart. You won't be trapped raising a child alone—or raising a child at all. You have options available to you. Please, don't worry about the outcome of this "accident." I think it was meant to be. Love from afar, your PH
She set the phone on her desk. He would raise their child alone? She couldn't send her baby away to live with someone else, could she? Shuddering, she got up and strode to the restroom. The first thing she did was pull down her Wranglers a bit and examine her belly in profile. It still looked flat. Entering a stall, she used the toilet, resting her head on her hands and wondering how in the hell she'd let this happen.
Leaving the restroom, she unlocked the office and headed back to her desk.
Taking up the phone, she typed:
Caleb, I hope it never, ever comes to either of us raising our child. I've been trying, though somewhat unsuccessfully, to put the "accident" far from my mind. There are circumstances that make pregnancy improbable, and I am counting on them.
You're right, I'm in my office working on my next client proposal. I leave Monday morning. It's quiet here, and my thoughts turn to you often. I hope the rest of your day is as wonderful as your morning. Eve
Burying herself in her work, she put the disturbing thought of pregnancy away. Lunch time came and went, and she still kept at it, intent on finishing before she left for the day.
Near six, exhausted and famished, she arched back and yawned. Tomorrow, she could relax—her proposal was finished. Placing everything she'd need in her briefcase, she locked up and headed for home.
SHOWERED, IN HER NIGHTGOWN and eating pizza on the couch, she took several swallows of tea and burped quietly. She was so relaxed she could melt all over the cushions. She'd decorated her house in quiet colors and with furniture that had simple, clean lines that pleased her eye, creating a calm space for her over-active mind. A movie was on HBO, the sound low, but she tuned it out. Tomorrow she'd sleep in as she had no flying lessons on Sundays. Times like this were when she missed Caleb most. Nothing occupied her mind, and memories of their time together filled her head. She took another swallow of tea and sighed. Damn, she wanted him. She'd made such a mess of her life, and it only continued to get more complicated.
Chapter Nine
CALEB TURNED OVER AND glanced at the bedside clock again. Ten minutes after ten. Blowing out a breath, he closed his eyes. He couldn't sleep. He wanted Eve. Worse, he was losing the ability to remember her scent. And it was fabulous. How could he forget that? He needed to see her again. He had to. Next, he'd probably forget the sound of her voice, and that would be horrible. He loved the way it sounded—clear, strong, yet light, with so many facets to it. He'd die if he forgot her voice.
He'd wanted to call her hundreds of times. But he was the one who broke their unspoken agreement by texting her. He wouldn't be the one to break it further and call. Groaning, he turned over again, smothering his head with the pillow. His nights seemed to last forever now.
The muffled sound of his phone ringing came through the pillow. Chunking the pillow off his head, he rolled over and grasped his phone. It was Eve! He said, "Hi. You can't sleep either?"
"So, I didn't wake you up? I was worried I would."
He smiled so wide at hearing her voice he thought his face would crack. "Are you kidding me? All I do is lie here and think of you." His heart pounded, and he wanted to jump up and dance around the room.
She sighed. "You sound wonderful. I've missed your voice. I've missed you so much, Caleb." She paused. "What you said today—about raising our baby—you would never have to do that. I've thought about it, and I would never give my baby away, not even to you."
His heart sank. So, she still considered raising a child alone an option. God. "Whatever you decide, Eve, I'll support you. It's your body, but I hope you won't do anything drastic."
"What? Never. Not while you or I have the means to raise our child."
That was the only thing that had truly worried him. It would have killed him if she made that choice. "What are you doing right now?" He envisioned her lying in bed, naked and got hard instantly.
"I'm in bed, wide awake. All I could think of was you, so I decided to call. I hope you don't mind."
"If you only knew how many times I've wanted desperately to call you. But it wasn't my place to do that. I knew you wanted to keep your distance." He imagined his lioness, her hair splayed across the pillow, tawny skin glowing in the moonlight, and his cock jerked. "I wish I were there with you."
She was silent for a long time. "Caleb, each passing day my love for you grows, and it scares me. I don't know how to deal with it, but I don't want to stop loving you. Yet, my life here is becoming fuller, more exciting. My lessons with Jet are flying by. I'll have my license soon, and then I'll get my instrument certification. And, I have something else to tell you."
He frowned. Her voiced sounded strained at the last. What was this something else? "Go on."
"David has offered me a business proposal. He'll become my silent partner in a new venture. Instead of me flying to individual ranchers, David would build me a building here in the Dallas area for a ranching-for-profit school where clients would come to study under me. I've gone over the figures he's put together, and it's a great opportunity. He's offering the loan at two percent under what the Small Business Administration gives its clients, and I won't make a payment for a full year. His people did all the research, and it sounds exciting."
Caleb lay stunned. He knew the wealthy son of a bitch wanted her, and the asshole knew just how to hook Eve. And how to keep her in Dallas. Keeping his voice steady, he said, "So, you're considering it?"
"I think I have to. It makes such sense. I'll make less per client but earn much more due to the volume. The numbers speak for themselves. There's another model out there already that David's people researched. I've studied it, and I can do the same thing."
Hot, intense anger burned in Caleb’s belly. He'd waited patiently for Eve to turn to him while that bastard had moved in on her and she didn't even see it. "This sounds like something you'll want to look into." It had taken all his will power to say that and keep his voice calm. He couldn't be the jealous lover. Eve didn't need that. She had enough on her plate with the whole possible-pregnancy thing.
As if sensing his emotions, she changed the subject, "How did your afternoon go?"
How could he talk about mundane things when his life had just been turned upside down? He clenched his jaws and took a few seconds to calm himself. "We're working all the herds right now, so it's a busy time. The bulls did their jobs really well this year, and we've had a low percentage of open cows. The boys think I've lost my mind sometimes, though. You distract me, Eve."
She laughed quietly. "How's that? I'm in Dallas."
"You're always with me. My memories of you are more real than what's going on around me, and I forget what I'm supposed to be doing."
"You keep me from focusing, too. Sometimes I can feel your hands on my skin and smell your scent. I love the way you smell. It's like you're in the room with me, and then I miss you so much I can hardly breathe."
He relaxed a little. So, she felt the way he did. That had to mean something. "I know what you're talking about. I miss you something awful, Eve." He couldn't say anything more without sounding pathetic.
God, she was killing him. "I feel ya."
"I guess we should hang up and get some sleep."
He couldn't let her go. "Don't. Let's fall asleep together."
She paused. "How?"
"Lay your phone, face down, against your chest. We'll sleep heart-to-heart tonight."
He could hear the smile in her voice when she said, "I like that. Good night, PH. Heart-to-heart."
Laying his phone, line open, against his chest, he closed his eyes. It was crazy, but he was sure he could feel her heart beating through the glass. Its slow rhythm sent him off to dreamland.
THE FOLLOWING THURSDAY, Eve arrived at the airport a little early to start her preflight checklist.
She took her time, checking things like the tires, the oil, and the flight controls. After pulling a ladder over, she climbed up and checked the fuel in each wing. This meant unscrewing the cap and sticking her finger in to see if she felt anything. Then she took a tiny clear cup with a narrow tube in the center from behind the seat and stood under the wing, draining a small amount of fuel from the sump. The blue color and smell told her that the correct fuel had been pumped into her plane, and she checked that it was free of contaminants like water or dirt.
Jet walked over. "You finished with that checklist yet?"
"Just did."
He stared at her a moment, his eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"You'll see." And he added, "What are you waiting for? Get aboard, girl."
Jet climbed in beside her and, in a few minutes, she was taxiing to the runway. Today she'd be practicing touch and goes.