Amber’s question is innocent enough, but it fills me with sadness. “We’re not dating. Wes is just a good guy who wanted to teach a co-worker how to ride a horse. That’s all it was—don’t read any more into it than that.” The sadness claws at my throat, making it impossible to say anything else.
We stand in silence until Amber finally speaks, changing the subject, “Did you hear about a guy on the ranch they’re calling the Midnight Cowboy? Seems like he sneaks into cabins at night and seduces the guests' wives and girlfriends.”
Midnight Cowboy. Isn’t that what that woman called Wes as she was in his arms?
When I first spotted Wes holding that woman, he was too preoccupied to notice me. I slipped closer without anyone noticing. As soon as I heard the woman say, “Are you the Midnight Cowboy?” I ran, ducking around the nearest corner, hoping to get there before Wes or Ryland saw me.
Could I have been so blind as not to notice Wes was only after one thing? No, the woman must be wrong. Wes isn’t like that.
“Um, no, I haven’t heard of him.” My voice comes out shaky, the thought of Wes being the Midnight Cowboy still weighing heavily on my mind.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Amber takes my arm, concern written all over her face.
“I’m fine, really. I just need some fresh air.” I pat Amber’s hand and walk out of the room to the front door and out into the night, the glowing fairy lights shining down on me.
“There you are.” A pair of strong arms wrap around my waist. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” Wes’s voice cuts through the air, his breath caressing my cheek.
“Are you the Midnight Cowboy?” I ask before I can change my mind. I need to know whether the man I’ve fallen in love with is a player.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? I have no idea who or what that even is.” There’s anger in his words, but it’s not directed at me. I can tell by the way he looks at me, the love shining in his eyes, enhanced by the glow of the fairy lights above us.
“Who was that woman you were holding in your arms earlier?” I bite my tongue, silently cursing myself for bringing her up. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. It’s none of my business who you spend time with.” I turn to walk away, the tears threatening to slide down my face. But before I can take a step, Wes gently grabs my wrist and spins me around to face him.
“Just some drunk guest who mistook me for someone. You’re the only woman I want in my arms. I love you, Cheyenne.” He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear as the soft melody of a love song drifts from the barn into the night. “May I have this dance?”
A sob escapes my lips as tears fall. “I love you, too, Wes.” I step into his embrace, wrap my arms around his neck, and sway to the music, not caring that I’m not a guest at the reception or that I shouldn’t be dancing. But none of that matters now that Wes is holding me in his arms. “Take me to bed, cowboy,” I whisper against his lips.
six
Wes
Take me to bed,cowboy.
Her words replay in my head as we walk hand in hand to my cabin. I keep waiting for her to tell me she’s just kidding—deciding I’m not worth the hassle. But it never comes.
I stop in front of my cabin and take a deep breath. “Tell me you want this, Cheyenne. Once you step through my door, you're mine, and I’m never letting you go.”
“I want this.” She leans up on her tiptoes, kissing me softly on the lips. “I want you to be my first.” She lowers her gaze, as if embarrassed to admit the truth, when all I want to do is beat my chest and tell the world she’s mine, first, last, and only.
Placing my hand under her chin, I tip her head up to meet my gaze, “I want you to be my first to.”
Her eyes widen in shock as her mouth forms a circle of disbelief. “No way. You’re joking, right? There’s no way someone as sexy as you is still a virgin.”
“I could say the same about you, Sweetheart. Why is it that someone as beautiful as you is still a virgin?”
“Because I was waiting for you.” A breathless sigh parts her lips.
“And I was waiting for you.” I lean over, scoop her into my arms bridal style, making her squeak in surprise, open my front door, and carry her over the threshold, knowing without a doubt I’ll do it again once we’re married. That will be as soon as possible if I have anything to say about it.
Kicking the door shut with my foot, I don’t stop until I’m in my bedroom, laying her down on my mattress. Just seeing her in my space does something to me, and I know this is where she belongs.
I pull off her cowgirl boots, kissing the top of each foot. My hands drift up her legs, lightly caressing her soft skin. Her dress is the next to come off as she lifts her hips and tosses it over her shoulder onto the floor, leaving her in only her panties.
“Naughty girl, you’re not wearing a bra.” I cup each breast in my hands, kneading them gently.
“The dress has a built-in bra.” She moans, throwing her head against the pillow.
A glance down her body shows she’s absolutely soaked. “Off.” I grip the tiny strip of lace and pull, ripping her panties from her body, bringing them to my nose and inhaling deeply. “Delicious. But I think I need a taste to be sure.”