Cowboy Courage. Judy Duarte

      Chapter Three

      Laurie wanted to pull away, to place her hands on his broad chest and push him back, but something deep within drew her to him, and she lifted her mouth to reach his.

      The kiss began gently, sweetly, his lips tentatively brushing hers. A kiss that promised tenderness and friendship. But suddenly, Laurie wanted more. Needed more. Unable to stop herself, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. Brazen, maybe, but for a single moment in time, she wanted to feel desired. Whole again.

      Reason and good sense begged her to stop, but a bruised and battered feminine ego won out. She needed to know she could stir a man with longing. This man, and right now. In a daring move, she opened her mouth, welcoming his entrance. As their tongues began to mate with a deep, vigorous hunger, Cole pulled Laurie flush against him. She felt the hardness of his erection, sensed the depth of his need.

      As the kiss intensified, he ran his hand along the side of her neck, his fingers reaching just inside the edge of the robe. His callused hand against her already tingling skin shot a jolt of heat and desire through her, weakening her knees.

      This was crazy, foolish, but she’d never felt like this before. Nor had she imagined a physical reaction or yearning so strong. She leaned into Cole, her fingers splaying in his hair and pulling their lips closer yet.

      A moan sounded low in his throat, and she realized they could end up on the floor in no time at all. And for some reason she couldn’t explain, she wanted just that. Hot, fast and furious. Something to keep her mind off her damaged pride and lost dreams.

      But Laurie knew she needed more than a wild, passionate one-night stand. Reason finally spoke up, reminding her this man was a stranger, someone she wouldn’t see again. And as much as she would like to escape her emotional pain with physical comfort, lovemaking should be something they both chose to do, not a brash decision meant to temporarily mend a broken heart.

      Laurie pulled back, breaking the mind-spinning kiss. And in a ragged, husky whisper, she told him to stop. “I’m sorry,” she said as he released her.

      He raked his fingers through his thick, dark hair and stepped back. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I don’t want you to think I was trying to take advantage of your vulnerability.”

      She shook her head, unwilling to allow him to take the blame for something she knew she had instigated. “I’m the one who took advantage of your kindness by allowing a friendly kiss to get out of hand. I don’t know what got into me. I’m usually very reserved.”

      “It’s hard to predict a person’s behavior when they’ve been hurt by the one human being that should be trusted.” He smiled sagely. “After my wife left, I tried to find healing in a physical relationship.”

      “Did it help?” She tugged at the gap in her robe and pulled the sash tight.

      “Some, but the pain and anger doesn’t ever seem to go away for long. I’m not sure it ever will.”

      Laurie knew what he meant. Her own sense of loss and betrayal went far beyond what Daniel had done to her. In a way, she had betrayed herself by not standing up for her beliefs, her own desires. So she nodded at his comment, then reached into the sink, intent on finishing the dishes.

      They worked in silence for a while, but as she rinsed the soap from the pan that had warmed canned pork and beans, she decided to offer Cole the same chance to talk as he had provided her. “How long have you been alone?”

      “Nearly two years, but I’m not alone.”

      Laurie nearly dropped the slick pan back into the sink. Earlier, she had guessed Cole had a woman living here, someone to help keep the place so neat and clean. Men, by nature, she assumed, weren’t tidy and organized when it came to housework. “Who lives with you?”

      “Beth.”

      Laurie’s heart fell. She’d been so careful not to mention Daniel by name. Keeping his fame and high profile a secret, perhaps, but also trying to keep him a stranger. But the woman who lived with Cole had a name. She was real, and Laurie had kissed her man.

      Shame for the intimacy they’d shared squeezed her conscience. She was no better than Denise, Daniel’s lover and Dr. Michael Harper’s wife. Feeling too much like “the other woman” for her own liking, Laurie offered an apology. “I had no idea you were involved with someone. I never would have kissed you like that.”

      Cole’s deep-throated laugh eased the tension. “I’m involved all right. Beth is my five-year-old daughter.”

      Relief flooded Laurie’s heart, not just because she no longer felt as though she’d been a part of something sordid, but for some reason, she was glad Cole wasn’t involved with a female older than five, even if she did plan to leave as soon as the rain stopped.

      The cleanup was quick and easy, but by the time Cole had put away the last of the plates, Laurie yawned. She’d been without sleep for more hours than she could remember and she half expected to crash the moment her head hit the pillow.

      “If you want to turn in, I can show you to Beth’s room.”

      “Thank you. I’m ready to drop in my tracks.” As Laurie followed Cole out of the kitchen, she tugged at his arm, and he turned. “Can I have a rain check on the hot cocoa?”

      He grinned broadly, blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “How about breakfast?”

      “Perfect.”

      He ushered her down the hall and opened the door to a pink, doll-filled bedroom. “Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

      Then he set a candle upon the nightstand and left Laurie alone.

      She took a slow, deep breath, appreciating the scent of powder and child, and scanned the pretty room. She walked to the bed and carefully pulled back the pink, ruffled spread.

      Someday, you’ll have a room of your own, Laurie. A room filled with dollies and teddy bears. Laurie knew her mother had intended to be a part of that promise, but some dreams never did come true.

      And although Laurie did get a room of her own in Aunt Caroline’s home, it wasn’t at all like the one she’d imagined. The bedroom boasted a cream-colored satin spread and mahogany antiques. And as Aunt Caroline had expected, Laurie kept it neat and clean. But oh, how she would have loved a room full of little-girl clutter.

      When Laurie climbed into bed, still wearing Cole’s robe, she fell fast asleep, her dreams filled with teddy bears and dollies. Bubble gum and hair ribbons. Slumber parties and high-school dances. Dreams of a young girl who grew to be a happy woman.

      And of a blue-eyed cowboy with gentle, callused hands.

      She slept well, but in the hours before dawn, her dreams took on a more realistic slant. The city council prepared to cast a critical vote on the homeless shelter she had proposed. Daniel and Denise Harper were getting their stories in line, proud of their cunning deceit. Aunt Caroline was beside herself with worry.

      And Dr. Michael Harper needed a friend.

      Cole had slept like a herd of wild mustangs had dragged him though a rock quarry. But it hadn’t been the electrical storm that could have put a display of fireworks to shame that disturbed him. Or the pounding rain and roaring wind.

      Instead, memories of a passionate kiss he hadn’t wanted to end kept him tossing and turning until dawn. And knowing Laurie Smith slept just a few short steps down the hall hadn’t helped him rest any easier.

      Unable to sleep, he’d risen before daybreak. After checking Sugar Foot in the barn, he’d trekked through the mud and rain to see how the other horses had fared. By ten o’clock, he’d already had a shower and drunk a half pot of coffee prepared on the camp stove.

      He rubbed the dull ache from the back of his neck and glanced out the kitchen window. Since the rain hadn’t let up, he didn’t need to drive out