Читать книгу To Tame A Cowboy - Jules Bennett - Страница 13

Three

Piper got Ryan settled on the couch, remote in hand and feet propped up, before she went to make his precious soup.

Wasn’t that just like a man? Fondling the remote, reclined in a cushy chair and waiting on supper? She smiled as she headed to the kitchen. For some reason catering to Ryan didn’t bother her in the least. She knew he was no slacker when it came to work. The man was iconic in the rodeo circuit and now he was working his butt off trying to get a school open for children to learn the tricks of the trade. Piper was proud of her best friend and if the man wanted chicken noodle soup, then that’s what he’d get. And she’d throw in some homemade bread just because she was still so relieved he hadn’t come out any worse for the wear from that scary accident.

The look of despair on Cara’s face kept filling Piper’s head. Cara’s world had been turned upside down months ago when Alex had disappeared and again today when Cara discovered he was alive...but he wasn’t the Alex she knew and loved.

Piper was grateful Ryan was in her living room, fully aware of everything and everyone around him. Not that Piper and Ryan had the romance Cara and Alex did, but the bond she shared with Ryan was the most secure relationship she’d ever had...and stronger than most marriages.

Sighing, Piper focused on the task at hand. She was thankful that when she cooked, she planned ahead and froze things. She pulled open her freezer drawer and took out the chicken and stock she’d cooked and frozen just last week.

In no time the kitchen smelled wonderful and homey, nothing a scented candle could provide.

The TV blared in from the living room and Piper smiled. He was watching bull riding and cheering like some men do with football or basketball. Her Ryan was bulls, horses and broncs all the way, baby.

She rested her palms on the edge of the granite counter and sighed as she closed her eyes and thanked God for so many things today. First, she was beyond relieved that Alex was alive and, for the most part, unharmed. Second, she was grateful nobody had been killed in that horrendous accident. But more than anything, she was beyond grateful Ryan was okay. Not only was he okay, he was dominating her television and recliner, and that was just fine with her.

If she ever decided to settle down and marry, Ryan Grant held all the right qualifications. Oh, she’d never put the moves on her best friend. That would be weird...wouldn’t it?

She’d be lying if she didn’t admit she used to wonder “what-if,” but Ryan never saw her as more than just one of the guys. So that was the role she stuck with.

Besides, even though he had stepped aside from the rodeo circuit, he still had that thrill for adventure and danger in his blood. She couldn’t live with that, not again. She’d spent years watching her mother suffer while her father chased danger on the circuit. Injury after injury, her mother swore she couldn’t handle it anymore.

And finally one day, she didn’t. They’d divorced and Piper had rarely seen her father again. She refused to do that to herself or her future children.

So, while she may be looking for a man just like Ryan Grant, there was no way she could make him Mr. Right. But having him for a friend was one of the best things that had ever happened to her.

“Hey.”

She turned to see Ryan, arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Of all the times for a heat wave to sweep through Royal, Mother Nature decided now would be a good time. What happened to the cold spell they’d just had last month?

“Sorry about the air,” she told him. “Remodeling your own house can save a bunch of money, but there are certain drawbacks. I’m hoping to have the system put in next week. That’s why I keep the blinds down and fans on in every room. I also wasn’t expecting the temperatures to get back up to Hades levels this time of year.”

“I’m good,” he told her. “I’m more concerned about dinner.”

He smiled, but all Piper could think about was how he’d been flipped in his car only hours ago. Yet here he stood in her kitchen joking about the heat and dinner.

“You okay?” he asked.

Piper offered a smile. “I’m fine. Just slaving away in here while you do nothing. You were supposed to be resting in there, you know.”

He pushed off the frame and eased toward her in that easy way he moved, but she figured he did it now so she wouldn’t catch on to the fact he was still dizzy.

“I’m resting,” he assured her.

“You’re in the kitchen—that’s not resting.” She looked up at him when he came to stand within inches. “I can’t pamper you if you won’t let me.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” he asked with a crooked grin. “Pampering me?”

“Not if you don’t get your butt back in that recliner,” she insisted, hands on her hips. “Now get out of my space so I can work.”

“You’re trembling, Red.”

“It’s out of anger,” she lied. “You need to be relaxing.”

He stepped forward, she stepped back. They danced until she backed up against the countertop.

“I think you’re finally coming down from the adrenaline rush of your workday,” he told her, holding her gaze and invading her personal space. “I think you’re in here thanking God about Alex, about me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You know me too well.”

He grinned, placing a hand beside her hip as he swayed slightly. “Yes, I do. And that’s how I know your trembling and feistiness stems from relief. You know how this day could’ve ended.”

Piper closed her eyes, an attempt to block out the initial images she’d conjured when she’d arrived on the scene...especially when she’d spotted his car. She’d have nightmares about that terrifying sight for weeks.

“You have no idea what went through my head when I saw your car,” she whispered. “I couldn’t take the time to single you out, I had a job to do and it nearly killed me.”

Ryan brought up his other hand to stroke her cheek and she realized he’d wiped a tear away. She lifted her lids, found him studying her face as he eased closer.

“Nothing can keep me down, Red. I won’t go out in something as trite as a car accident. I’ve been through a lot in my years and a flipped car is nothing.”

Piper inhaled, taking in Ryan’s masculine, familiar scent. He stood so close and, not for the first time, Piper admired that stubbled chin and jawline, those broad shoulders and full lips.

Damn, she shouldn’t be admiring her best friend’s lips, no matter how kissable they looked.

“It’s that danger you crave that scares me, Ryan.” She valued their relationship and that she could be brutally honest with him. “You’re so laid-back, so carefree. But when it comes to adventure, you live for it. Do you know how broken I’d be if I lost you?”

Those lips turned up as he shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. I know my limits and I know how to remain in control.”

His eyes darted to her mouth, then back up to her eyes as he inched forward. This time she knew he wasn’t reacting from the concussion and swaying. He had genuine lust lurking in those baby blues.

“This is just both of us coming off adrenaline,” she whispered. “Nothing more.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

His thumb stroked across her bottom lip and Piper forced herself not to slide her tongue out and taste him.

The timer on the oven beeped, making her jump.

She stepped aside, causing Ryan to move, as well. He shoved his hands into his pockets as if he didn’t know where else to put them.

“Dinner is almost ready,” she told him, yanking a drawer out to grab a pot holder. “I’ll bring it to you.”

She silently pleaded that he’d go back into the living room because if she turned back around and he was still there looking at her with those heavy-lidded hungry eyes, she feared she’d succumb and take what she thought he was offering. And, dear God, she’d die of humiliation if she ended up giving in only to find out he hadn’t wanted intimacy.

How in the hell had they come to this point? Was it the adrenaline or had today’s accident been a wake-up call? Surely he didn’t feel that way toward her. They’d been friends for years and he’d never tried taking it to the next level.

But the desire in his eyes said he was ready. If this wasn’t just an aftershock from the accident, she had to consider a whole new angle to their friendship.

No matter what, Piper knew she needed to keep her emotions under control. She couldn’t get romantically involved with Ryan. Being best friends was as far as she could allow her heart to go.

She still had a sinking fear that he would get bored with being home for good. She knew him well enough to know that if he got restless, he’d head back out on the road, leaving her staring at his taillights.

* * *

Ryan closed the bathroom door and turned around to...

Oh, for the love...

Could he not catch a damn break? First he wasn’t steady on his feet because he’d hit his head, then he’d nearly kissed his best friend and now this? Come on.

Lingerie everywhere. Every damn where.

Red lace, yellow satin... Bras, thongs, silky-looking nightgowns. Of course she hung this up to dry. And of course laundry day was the day he had to stay with her.

Well played, Fate.

As if that damn near kiss in the kitchen wasn’t enough to have him cursing his overactive hormones, now he was faced with the very intimate undergarments Piper slid into after a shower or before bed.

He couldn’t help but imagine peeling that bright blue thong down her long, toned legs.

Who knew Piper kept such a beautiful secret beneath flannel, T’s and well-worn denim?

Ryan rested his hands on the edge of the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. What the hell had he been thinking rubbing her lip like that? He knew she was leery of trusting people. After all, he’d been in her life since she’d punched him in the face in grade school for accusing her of lying about the rodeo. Of course, once he’d finally believed her dad was the Walker Kindred, Piper’s cool status had skyrocketed. They’d been near inseparable since.

So why had he taken such a dumb, careless risk with her?

Ryan sighed, reaching to turn on the faucet to splash some cold water on his face. He’d taken a risk because he’d always wondered what that sometimes smart mouth felt like, tasted like.

Oh, they’d shared pecks on the cheek and countless hugs over the years, but Ryan fantasized about peeling back another layer, finding that hidden sexuality.

He’d been on the road so much, he’d known it wouldn’t be fair to her to start a relationship. She’d lived through enough comings and goings when her parents were married. No way would Piper want to have a part-time boyfriend. But it was hell always coming home between circuit tours, seeing her, hanging out with her and not touching her.

And because they were best friends, once he’d had to hear about the night she’d lost her virginity to some schmuck who hadn’t deserved her, let alone something so sacred.

Ryan splashed his face once more with the refreshing water and used the small white hand towel to dab it dry. With his face buried in the terry cloth, Ryan inhaled her sweet, jasmine scent and groaned.

“Damn.”

He was pathetic. On the circuit he could’ve had damn near any buckle bunny he’d wanted but, despite what the media had portrayed, he truly wasn’t a man-whore. He’d had many lonely a night when he’d wonder about Piper... Wonder what she was doing or who she was with. Wonder if she was falling in love with some local cowboy who only dressed the part but played it safe or if she was cozying up with someone even calmer like a teacher or a banker.

He’d spent much of his time on the road wondering what his best friend was doing back in Royal without him.

And admitting that to even himself was a big step. For years he’d fought the growing attraction, thinking the emotions stemmed from her being the only woman he was that close to with whom he’d never slept.

But Ryan knew different. He knew Piper was special, which meant she deserved someone special who would treat her right and be the man she needed him to be. A man who would stay grounded and give her the stable life she’d always craved.

“You okay?”

Piper tapped on the door and Ryan pushed away from the sink, which he had to grab on to again because quick motions like that weren’t the smartest move to make.

“I’m fine,” he called back. “Be right there.”

After I get my libido and dizziness in check.

He took a deep breath, wincing at the pain in his side from his damn bruised ribs. He opened the door and turned the corner, only to find himself tilting. Or was the hallway moving? Either way, before he could get a hand to the wall, he went down. Flat on his face.

“Damn it.”

Piper came rushing around the corner. “Oh, Ryan. What happened?”

She squatted to take his arm and humiliation set in. Really? Was this necessary? Did he have to be coddled by the woman he’d rather be seducing?

Surely the sight of sexy lingerie hadn’t caused all the blood to rush south.

“This damn concussion made me dizzy,” he told her, coming to his feet. Slowly. “The last time I had a concussion, I was laid up in bed for two days.”

Piper wrapped her delicate arm around his waist and smiled up at him. “And I’m sure you had some cute little buckle bunny keeping you company and playing nurse.”

Ryan laughed as she led him back to the living room and into the recliner. “Nope. Just my partner, Joe, and he complained the entire time.”

Above him, Piper propped her hands on her flared hips and lifted one perfectly arched brow. “I know how those hoochie mamas are. Not only are you a big name, you’re smokin’ hot. You should’ve demanded someone who looked better in a skirt.”

Ryan laughed so hard, he had both hands on his side trying to suppress the pain. “Smokin’ hot? You think it’s wise to call me that after what almost happened in your kitchen?”

Piper shrugged. “You’ve seen yourself, Ryan. Don’t deny it. I can admit when I think someone is sexy and there’s nothing wrong with stating the truth. As for what didn’t happen in the kitchen, I already told you, it was just adrenaline.”

Ryan held her gaze, waiting on her to look away because they both knew she was lying. Adrenaline had nothing to do with the near kiss. A kiss he could practically taste.

“Stay right there,” she ordered. “I’ll bring you a tray with your food on it. Do you need another pain pill?”

“I’m good,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ll tell you if I want one later.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t try to be macho. If it hurts, no one has to know you needed something to take the edge off.”

Ryan leaned his head back against the cushiony chair and laughed. He knew exactly what would take the edge off. Unfortunately he feared she’d give him a black eye if he mentioned it.

“Whatever that smirk is, I know your mind has wandered into the gutter.” Piper bent down, pointing in his face. “Don’t think I don’t know how your dirty little brain works.”

Grinning at her, he shrugged. “And that’s why you’re my best friend. You know and you still love me for it.”

Piper rolled her eyes and went back into the kitchen. Ryan didn’t even try to look away from those swinging hips. The woman was going to be the death of him.

Unless he actually got her into bed. Because if that day ever came, Ryan knew they’d set each other on fire with all this chemistry suddenly simmering between them.