Reforming the Cowboy Read online

  He froze for a split second, wondering if she realized what she’d said. “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?”

  Confusion clouded her eyes. “For what?”

  “Groupie sex.”

  He meant it as a joke, but there was no denying the humiliated horror that filled her amber eyes. “Billy.”

  He shook his head. “Forget I said that.” What the hell was wrong with him? He hadn’t meant to say that.

  She scooted away from him, until her back hit the headboard, and then she tucked her knees to her chest, dragging the sheet up to her chin. She blinked, tilting her head back and groaning. “Damn, damn, damn.”

  He choked on his own stupidity. “Lacey, I’m sorry. I don’t know—I wasn’t thinking.”

  She clenched her jaw. “No, Billy, you’re right. I’m the one who should be sorry.”

  His eyes narrowed, and even though he probably didn’t want to hear the answer, he asked, “What do you mean?”

  She hugged a pillow to her chest. “In college. I had the biggest crush on you. Had your poster on my wall. Went to the first concert of yours I could afford.”

  Something swelled in his chest. Her stark confession touched him. And it didn’t sound like she had any reason to apologize. This moment could go one of two ways. He could feel hurt and used and like he was just a conquest to her. But he could also appreciate her honesty and admit he was attracted to her in ways he didn’t fully understand.

  In an attempt to lighten the mood, he yanked the sheet, tossed aside the pillow, and when she squeaked, he dragged her into his arms.

  “Lacey, really? One concert? One poster? You’re the worst groupie ever.”

  Her brows furrowed but a smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. “I don’t want to be one in a long line.”

  “Darlin’, there hasn’t been a line in years.”

  She crawled onto her hands and knees and kissed him fiercely, and one more piece of him melted into her. When he left, would she remember tonight as something special or just the fulfillment of a college crush?

  …

  Lacey woke with a pain in her stomach, and it took her a hundred heartbeats to realize it was Billy’s heavy arm draped across her torso. She ached in places she didn’t think she had muscles, and when she tried to stretch, a cramp immediately tightened in her calf. She bolted upright and grabbed the muscle, kneading the spasms with her fingers.

  Her muffled curse woke her bedmate, and despite the pain in her leg, she thought he looked absolutely adorable. His hair was mussed and a thick lock draped over one sandy eyebrow. The sheets were wrapped around the lower half of his body, and Lacey’s fingers itched to snatch the covers from him.

  “Babe?” He grumbled.

  She snorted. No one had ever called her babe before, and she wasn’t sure she liked it now. But coming from his half-awake mouth, she did think it was slightly endearing. “Cramp,” she huffed. “Leg cramp.”

  He rolled to his side and grabbed her calf. “Oh, Charlie horses, I hate those.” He vigorously rubbed at her calf muscle with both hands.

  The muscle tightened and contracted for several long seconds before she felt like she could breathe again. As the pain subsided, his stroking lengthened to above her knee and down to the arch of her foot. She closed her hands over his and their gazes locked. It had been years since she’d woken with a man in her bed, and she hadn’t had morning sex in half a decade. Even with the sheet draped seductively across his midsection, she could see the telltale sign of his morning wood, and it fascinated her.

  He must’ve read the intention in her gaze, because he wasted no time hauling her off the mattress, grabbing a condom from the table, and planting her in the shower.

  She squealed when the cold spray first hit her skin, but then he pressed up against her from behind, his large hands lathering her shower gel and dragging the suds over her breasts and stomach. She leaned back against him and moaned when his fingered dipped between her thighs, but when she stretched her arm behind her to touch him, he caught her hand and growled, “No.”

  His cock pulsed against her ass, and she guessed from last night that he’d want her to come first before entering her.

  “But I want to touch you,” she pleaded, the allure of his hardness too tempting.

  “And I want to make you scream,” he countered.

  When she laughed and tried again to touch him, he took both her hands and placed them flat on the wall in front of her face. “Stay,” he commanded.

  She wiggled her bottom. “Or what?”

  He snaked his hand between her thighs and cupped her in his palm. “Or this will be over way too soon for my liking.”

  Over her shoulder, she pouted, “Not fair.”

  He shoved her hair to the side, and his mouth sucked on the back of her neck at the same time his fingers dipped into her. “I promise I’ll make it worth it.”

  With a pulse-pounding certainty, she knew he was right. She struggled to maintain her equilibrium, but with every brush of his thumb and every flick of his tongue, a piece of her fell deeper under his spell, until she cried out his name.

  Before the euphoria faded, he spun her around and pressed her back against the wall. He tore into the foil, expertly rolled the protection in place, and then lifted her onto him. She gripped his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist, closing her eyes and wishing she could remember this moment forever.

  …

  An hour later Lacey towel dried her hair for the second time. “Thank you.”

  He slid his belt buckle into place and dragged a hand through his still-damp hair. “Actually, I think you have it backward. I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

  Though it was only a quarter to seven, Lacey yanked on a tank top and cursed. “I can’t believe the time.”

  As if on cue, Billy’s cell phone rang at the same time they both heard the kitchen door below jingle open.

  “And my assistant manager is here,” she announced. “I’ve got to get downstairs.”

  He checked the display and breathed a heavy sigh. “Chip. I guess I need to take this.”

  They’d resolved nothing except how great they were in bed. In bed, on stage, in the shower. Lacey dug through a drawer for a pair of panties and only half listened to Billy’s side of the conversation. When she heard Billy say he didn’t want to leave until they’d booked the studio, her ears perked up. Billy was backtracking, saying how he wanted the recording contract, but he needed to finish writing a few more songs so he could feel comfortable by the time he entered the recording studio. And he wasn’t going to settle for one song. They either invested in him and a whole album or not at all.

  She could hear Chip’s voice but couldn’t tell the tone or comprehend the words. Billy paced through the apartment as he ended the call, agreeing to meet Chip for breakfast.

  She paused midstride. “You’re not leaving?”

  Billy scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, we need to talk.”

  “Nothing’s changed.” She wanted to believe herself, but she also wanted to hope. She wouldn’t ask him to stay. Not with her. The timing couldn’t be worse. They both had futures to secure. And his success would put her café even more on the map. She had to believe the universe messed with her for a reason. Still, she asked, “Has it?”

  He kissed the tip of her nose, but a sadness tinged his answer. “No.”

  “Will I see you? After your breakfast with Chip?”

  “I told you I’m not leaving until he confirms the studio space.”

  She sighed and collapsed on the edge of the bed. “Do you think that’s wise? I mean, shouldn’t you be there for when they’re ready?”

  “Let me worry about that.”

  She heard the whirl of the machines come to life. Torn between Billy and her business, she stood. “I’ve got to get downstairs.”

  “Me, too. Chip was on his way.”

  “Oh, you’re having breakfast here?”


  “Do you know of a better place?”

  “Nope. I hope he comes alone.”

  …

  Chip dumped four packets of Splenda into his coffee and grinned. “It’s booked. Pack your bags.”

  The bagel caught in Billy’s throat. “It is?”

  “Yeah, turns out they’ve got a junior sound tech and he’s learning the ropes, but he’s worked with the engineer for a good six months now. We’re good to go.” Chip gulped down the liquid and made a satisfied noise. “Great coffee.”

  Billy agreed about the coffee but still processed the studio news. “Junior guy? Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, we can wait for the engineer.”

  “Billy, this is happening tomorrow morning. The guy is solid. We’ve got a flight in three hours.”

  That explained why his manager was up so early. It also explained why he’d come alone. Shawna was not a morning person, which was a good thing, because if Chip had shown up with Shawna in tow, Billy wouldn’t have wasted his time.

  But it also meant he had to leave. He nodded his consent, even though part of him protested the unfairness of it all. The offer. The girl. Realistically, he knew if he blew this, he might not get another chance to record a single, let alone an album. But where would he find someone like Lacey if he left? He wouldn’t.

  She exited the kitchen carrying a tray of muffins. She placed them on the bar and opened the display case.

  Chip jerked his head in her direction. “Think she’ll be okay?”

  “Lacey?” Billy snorted. “She’ll be fine.” She had focus and determination, and she was living her dream. He, on the other hand, grimly faced building a new life for himself, one that was still uncertain despite the promising early results.

  Chip slid out of the booth. “You coming?”

  “Right now?” He wasn’t ready. He needed to pack. He needed to figure out a way to say good-bye without it meaning good-bye.

  “Kind of why I came here to get you.” Chip slapped some money on the table.

  “I need to pack.” He pointed to the ceiling.

  Chip sank back into the booth. “I’ll wait.”

  “Why don’t I just meet you at the hotel?”

  “Because we’ll be late, and I brought my suitcase.” Chip gestured under the table where his suitcase rested. Interesting. He’d snuck out on Shawna.

  Billy moved toward the bar. “You said three hours.”

  “We need to be there in two.” Chip followed him.

  He approached Lacey. “I’m leaving.”

  She looked up. “I heard.”

  “Help me pack?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

  Chip crossed his arms. “I’ll wait right here.”

  …

  Billy raced up the stairs after Lacey and dragged her into his arms the moment the door shut behind them. “This isn’t good-bye.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” She twisted out of his arms and motioned toward the sofa.

  He followed her to the cushions, sinking next to her. He squeezed her thigh and dragged her skirt a little higher. She didn’t stop him as his palms flattened and roamed over the curve of her hip. When she leaned into him, he claimed her mouth with his, and it took all of his restraint not to climb over her. Instead, he lingered over her full lips and playful tongue, tasting every bit of her as she allowed.

  She wiggled closer to him, and he loved how her body responded to his touch. When she toyed with the back of his neck, he shifted their position until she lay over him. He stretched out his legs and lifted her to straddle him. Her low moan vibrated against his lips, and she pressed into him. His hands roamed over her ass, and under her skirt.

  “Billy.”

  He pulled away enough to see her devilish grin.

  “We have time for a quickie.” He wiggled his brows.

  She licked her lips and slid down his body, touching the thick length of him straining behind his zipper. “Quickie? Didn’t you say three hours?”

  As she unbuttoned his shirt, he tried to reciprocate, but she stalled him by grabbing his wrists and yanking his arms above his head. “Stay.”

  He chuckled but played along, clasping his fingers behind his head. He was a visual kind of guy, and if she wanted him to keep his hands to himself while she undressed him, who was he to argue? But he hoped she gave him the same compliance when it was his turn. He watched her unbutton and spread his shirt open, and he sure liked the way she admired his chest, lightly grazing his skin with her nails. She bit her lower lip seconds before her mouth dropped to whisper kisses from his throat to his navel.

  His hips ground up into her, and she gave him a scolding look. Pressing the flat of her palm over his erection, she commanded, “Stay.”

  He lifted against her hand in direct violation of her command, and when she squeezed him, he wondered how much of her teasing he could take. He ached to rip off her clothes and jam into her, but she seemed to want it slow. Like so slow they almost moved in reverse.

  “You’re killing me,” he confessed.

  …

  Lacey loved the powerful feeling of turning Billy on. Oh, there was plenty she still wanted to discuss, but he was leaving and they were out of time, so she slid down his chest until she reached the floor, grabbing a throw pillow to cushion her knees. She at least wanted one more memory.

  He inhaled sharply as his zipper scraped open. When she gave a tug, his mouth curved and he lifted his hips to help her slide his jeans to his thighs. She faced his cock with a smirk of her own. Instead of wrapping her hand around him, she used the tip of her tongue to taste the thick ridge of the head. He groaned and dug his hands into her hair, but she refused to speed up her enjoyment of their final morning together.

  With butterfly light strokes of her tongue, she licked her way to the base and back to the tip. He squirmed and his stomach rose and fell with his accelerated breathing, and by the time she actually swallowed the head and sucked him to the back of her throat, he cursed and hauled her up, twisting so she landed with her back on the sofa.

  She laughed at the unexpected turn of events. “No fair. I just got started.”

  “And if you want it finished, you could have kept at it, but woman, you drive me wild, and it’s time I returned the favor.”

  Her eyes hazed over at Billy’s eagerness to undress her. The flimsy scoop neck had no fight against his fingers as he ripped it over her head. He shoved the bra straps over her shoulders and pushed the offending object to her stomach, exposing her breasts. She’d never known a burning need to be dominated by a man, but with Billy, she craved the way he took charge. He planted hot licks and suction over her sensitive nipples, and the ache between her legs intensified. She dug her fingers in his hair and swore she would come if he continued.

  “I can’t believe I’m already close. I’m so close,” she warned.

  He paused only long enough to sear her with a wicked glint in his gaze. “Good. Come,” he demanded.

  He pushed up her skirt, and his palm pressed against her. One of his fingers tapped against her core and then switched to short, little strokes, igniting an excruciatingly hot burn inside her. She bucked against his hand, and he shoved aside the fabric to slip his finger where she felt the empty ache. His strokes increased, and she threw back her head and reveled in the building pressure. With each swirl the intensity tightened until she couldn’t focus, couldn’t breathe, and all she could do was abandon herself to the delicious release.

  “Coming,” she announced, losing herself in the vortex of pleasure.

  When the earthquake subsided, she opened one eye and peeked at Billy. He stared down at her with an awed expression.

  “What?” She suddenly felt shy and completely exposed.

  He dropped a gentle kiss on one nipple, sending a shiver through her system. “You’re gorgeous when you come.”

  She could think of nothing to counter that response, so instead, she tried to unwrap her legs from around him,
but he kept her thighs open with one firm hand. “No. I like you like this.”

  “Wet?” she guessed. “Messy?”

  His finger swirled slowly over her core and she shivered. “Vulnerable.”

  “Oh.” She felt vulnerable all right. Spread open, dazed from the orgasm, and scorched from the inside out. He flicked her sensitive bud, and she jerked with surprise at the electric current that danced to her limbs.

  “You’re so responsive.” He slipped one finger inside her, then pulled it out and held up two. She bit her lip as he glided in both fingers, and with an increasing force, he played her like an easy instrument.

  He stopped and frowned. “I hope you don’t like this underwear.”

  She couldn’t remember what she wore, but his cryptic comment made sense as the elastic bit into her flesh. He ripped the panties from her and flung the purple lace over his shoulder. Then, he hooked her legs over his shoulders and blew on her sensitive nub.

  Never in her wildest fantasies had she ever pictured herself so spread and so open and so willing to let a man probe her and lick her. When his wicked tongue swirled on her core, he stretched up to massage her breasts and tweak her nipples.

  She arched and squeezed her legs and tried to stop the overwhelming flood of need as she drowned in painstaking pleasure, but he was relentless in his suction and she flew over the edge again and again.

  Chapter Ten

  Billy couldn’t believe she’d replaced him so easily. But then again, she hadn’t. He’d been scheduled to leave, but it still rankled that one of her investors, James Davis, had booked an up-and-coming Disney star to keep the café’s momentum going. Apparently the guy was from Washington, D.C. and he had connections. Not quite as high scale as Dina, but Trixie was certainly known in the younger-college circuit. She’d attract the fans and help the other local talent gain a fan base.

  He ignored Chip as they boarded the plane. When they arrived in Nashville, Chip dropped Billy at his apartment with an offer to drive Billy to the studio in the morning. Billy declined, promising to get there on his own, and then he hunkered in his bed with his guitar and notebook. He had four songs, but an album had at least eight—ten preferred. Which meant he needed to use this alone time to draft more lyrics.