“It is. Excuse me for not being that great with words, but they’re the prettiest blue I’ve ever seen.”

  “You’re doing fine,” she said, her voice sounding a little husky to her own ears.

  “And then, there’s your body…”

  She stiffened, wondering what he’d say and hoping he’d be kind. She’d heard it all. “Too much junk in the trunk.” “A man wouldn’t pinch an inch; he’d pinch a yard.” That last one had been said to her by a boyfriend, who’d then laughed like he’d made the funniest joke ever.

  “All I can think of,” Cowboy said, his voice dropping to a whisper, “is how good you’re gonna feel against me. How soft.”

  Colleen felt as though her body melted right then and there.

  “I don’t see you as fat, Colleen. I see round curves, breasts that’ll be a fuckin’ feast, an ass that’ll give me plenty to squeeze when I’m deep inside you.” He paused and kissed the side of her cheek. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I know it’s too soon.”

  “You’re not lying?” she whispered.

  “No. I won’t lie to you. Ever.”

  She blinked away tears. “No one’s ever said things like that to me.”

  “Then they’re all damn fools. I’m glad to be the first.”

  She darted another glace his way. “Have you always had a thing for big girls?”

  He shook his head. “No, but I’ve never minded a bit of meat. I don’t get how a guy would want someone so thin they’d be afraid they’d crush their bones.”

  “Just how hard do you fuck?” she blurted then quickly glanced away. Sometimes, she really wished she’d learned how to not vomit everything she thought.

  Cowboy laughed and shook his head. “Guess you’re gonna find out. No pressure though, babe.”

  Today was the weirdest day she’d ever experienced. Meeting a hot guy who was waiting outside a hospital room for a criminal who’d broken his dick. Getting warned off by her brother, who wanted her to go back to school and get a career. Receiving an invitation to spend a weekend with said hot guy. And she’d quit her job.

  Had she lost her mind? Was she jumping into the next adventure too quickly? Would the weekend be a complete disaster? Would Sean decide he’d hold onto her trust fund until she turned sixty because she always did insane things like this?

  “We’re almost there,” he said.

  Startled, she saw the city limits sign that had the skeleton of a horse on it. “That’s…unique,” she said, pointing at the sign.

  “It’s weird. But just wait until you see the names of all the businesses. For some strange reason, the town thinks the ‘dead’ theme will bring in more tourists.”

  As the highway became Main Street, Colleen’s eyes widened with wonder as she read off the business names, “Dead Center Guns & Pawn, Dead as a Doornail Hardware, The Drop-Dead Gorgeous Salon…Deadly Delights. This place is fantastic!”

  Cowboy grinned, his eyebrows wrinkling with disbelief. “You don’t find it morbid?”

  “It’s quaint. And the names are so inventive. The shops are super-cute. And look—there’s a help wanted sign in the window of the salon.”

  “Thought you didn’t like cleaning tanning beds.”

  “Right,” her shoulders slumped.

  Had she seriously been thinking about applying? Was she wanting to move to Dead Horse?

  Worse, had she just scared the shit out of Cowboy by saying she wanted to find a job here? The man was going to think he’d unleashed a stalker.

  Chapter 5

  Cowboy directed her to the Dead Horse Walk-in Diner. The town didn’t have any better restaurant, just the diner, a burger joint, and a fried chicken place, so he didn’t have any place fancier to take her.

  Still, the food was good and wholesome, and he hoped they could have a drink or two to lessen their nerves. Not that he was jittery or anything. He thought maybe she chattered a lot because she was feeling nervous about being alone with him, and he was still unsure whether he should make a move at all or play gentleman.

  Which was kind of like closing the barn door after the horse had already bolted. He’d told her he was attracted, and exactly what about her face and body had snagged his attention—in lurid detail. Not something he’d ever done before, but the woman honestly believed she had a ton of flaws. Sure, she didn’t look like any model in a magazine, but she was real and right here.

  He’d asked for a table with a little privacy, but Friday night was the restaurant’s busiest night of the week, so they were stuck in a table for two in the center of the floor. Laughter and conversations surrounded them, but not so loud they couldn’t hold a conversation of their own.

  Two beers were delivered to the table, and he smiled when Colleen groaned and lifted her foamy beer to drink.

  “I didn’t know I needed that,” she said.

  “It’s been a long day.”

  “It has, hasn’t it? I mean, especially for you,” she said, her expression looking worried.

  “I’m used to goin’ without sleep.”

  “On account of you being a bounty hunter?”

  “I was a Navy SEAL before that. I spent many a sleepless night when I was deployed.”

  “Get outta town,” she said, her eyes widening. “A SEAL? Like the ones that took out Bin Laden?”

  “That wasn’t my team, but yeah. Like that.”

  She sat back and stared at him. “I heard the training is hard.”

  He nodded. “Only one in four make it out of BUD/S. They put you through hell.”

  “That’s why you have all that muscle.”

  Her gaze roamed his shoulders and chest, and Cowboy fought the urge to flex a little. A smile tugged at his mouth at the thought.

  She shook her head. “I can’t run a mile without breathing hard, I can’t imagine what you can do. Bet you have tons of stamina.” When she said the last word, her mouth clamped shut and her cheeks blazed.

  He leaned over the table and whispered, “I do.”

  She laughed, and so did he, and after that they talked easily, her quizzing him about the places he’d been deployed, him asking her about her hobbies and things to do in Montana.

  “I like to fish,” he said.

  “You know, I’ve never tried it. My dad was a doctor, and you know my brother is, too. They didn’t exactly make time for things like that.”

  “I could teach you how.” Then he grimaced. “When it warms up.”

  She grinned. “That’ll be next May or June, maybe.”

  “What do people do when it’s cold?”

  “Ride ATVs—snowmobiles when there’s snow on the ground. They ski,” she said wrinkling her nose.

  “You don’t like to ski?”

  She gave a vehement shake of her head. “I’m afraid of heights. Even looking down the bunny slope gives me vertigo.”

  He laughed. “Well, it’s not something I’ve ever tried, so we can both skip that one.”

  “I think walking this strip of Main Street would be fun in the winter. I can just imagine the decorations the shopkeepers put up in the windows. And there’s staying home, drinking hot chocolate on the sofa, wrapped up in a warm blanket…”

  “I need a sofa. In fact, I think I need a house.”

  “You mentioned you’re living in a motel.”

  “Me being on my own, I don’t need much more than a place to sleep.”

  Their waitress returned with their meal.

  Both of them had ordered meatloaf with buttery, creamed potatoes, roasted carrots, and warm rolls fresh from the oven.

  Colleen made another of those sexy, groaning sounds as she bit into a roll.

  He bit into his and thought they’d never tasted so good. Maybe watching her made the experience…more.

  They didn’t talk a lot while they ate, but they watched each other across the table. Cowboy dug into his food with an enthusiasm equal to hers. When she tried apple butter on her roll, she offered him a bite. He spread jalapeno pepper jam on his then pulled off a piece and held it out to her. He’d expected her to pluck it from his fingers, but she leaned forward for him to put it into her mouth. Her tongue glanced against his finger, and it was like a fire was lit, low in his belly.

  “Hey, Cowboy!”

  He turned to the voice. “Ah shit,” he muttered.

  Chase was weaving between tables, moving toward him, followed by his wife Rhonda, and then Preacher and Laura. Chase’s gaze cut from him to Colleen and then back. A wide grin stretched.

  He paused next to their table. “Nice to see you, Colleen.”

  Colleen’s cheeks were a deep rose. “Good to see you again.”

  “I didn’t know you lived around here,” Chase said, a teasing glint in his eye.

  Cowboy wished he was standing closer so he could give him a kick. He didn’t want Colleen embarrassed. He cleared his throat and stood. “Colleen, you’ve met Chase. This pretty lady is his wife, Rhonda,” he said, “and this is Preacher, another hunter with the agency, and his wife, Laura.”

  “We’re all newlyweds,” Rhonda said. “How long have you two been seeing each other?” she asked Colleen.

  “Just today,” Colleen said. “Well, I guess you could say we’ve had two dates—coffee earlier, and now dinner.”

  “Makin’ a day of it?” Chase asked, his tone indicating he was enjoying the moment.

  “Well, he needed a ride home from Bozeman,” Colleen said.

  Cowboy nearly winced, because Chase knew that was a stretch.

  “Yes, he did,” Chase said, “seeing as how my SUV was a little too crowded.”

  Colleen caught on that Chase was teasing and leveled a glare on him, which sent Laura and Rhonda into a fit of giggles.

  Rhonda waved a hand. “Don’t you mind these guys. They’re a bunch of gossips, and Chase is the worst of them.” She glanced at the table, “I’d invite you to join us, but it looks like you’re already done with your dinner.”

  “We wouldn’t mind you joining us while you eat dessert,” Laura said. “Their pecan pie is to die for.”

  Cowboy raised his eyebrows at Colleen. It was up to her. He hoped she’d refuse because the last thing he wanted was for them to be grilled about their relationship when they were just getting to know each other.

  “Thanks so much for the invitation, but we were just about to leave,” Colleen said with a friendly smile. “I hope I see you again,” she said to the women.

  The two shared a glance, and then Laura leaned toward Colleen. “I own Deadly Delights—it’s a bakery here on Main.”

  “I saw it on the way in,” Colleen said. “It’s really cute. I love all the pink.”

  “Thank you! Well, how about you come by tomorrow? Anytime. I’ll treat you to coffee and donuts, and we’ll have a chat. If you’re not too late, Rhonda can swing by before work. She opens the liquor store around eleven. Say you will,” Laura said with a smile.

  Colleen glanced at Cowboy, as if asking whether it was all right with him. He gave her a wink.

  Colleen turned back to Laura. “Sounds nice.”

  The group said their farewells and moved along. After they were out of earshot, Colleen heaved a huge sigh. “Wow. Your friends are…friendly.”

  “You don’t have to go tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I think I do,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “I haven’t had girl-time in a while, and they seem like they know a lot of what’s going on around here.”

  Cowboy thought about her remark about looking for a job when they’d been driving down Main Street. Maybe she was still thinking about it. “Then you should go,” he said, not questioning whether this was too soon for them to be looking for ways to be able to see each other often.

  “Shall we head out?” he asked. “Or would you like another drink?”

  “I’m ready to go,” she said, and reached for her purse underneath the table.

  Cowboy paid the bill and walked her out to her car. “You know, my truck’s still parked in front of the office.”

  “I’ll drop you there. Then you can lead the way to the hotel.”

  “Thanks. It’s not far.”

  After she dropped him beside his truck, he led her back to the motel. The place wasn’t a dive, but he wished it was a finer hotel. Likely, she was used to finer things, given her father’s occupation, but Dead Horse was small, and the motel was it.

  When he parked in front of his room, he stepped out and waited for her to pull in. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like your own room?” he asked when she slid from behind the wheel.

  She chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes looking large as she stared back at him. “Only if you think that’s best. I mean, I get it. We’ve only just met, and this thing” she said, waving between their bodies, “is happening really fast—”

  She was doing it again. Talking too fast. Looking nervous. Cowboy stepped closer and bent his head to kiss her, which seemed to end her word-blather for a bit. When he straightened, he said, “I want you to stay with me.”

  “Okay,” she said, her voice subdued.

  He gave her a single nod then bent and hit the lever to open her trunk. When he had her bag, he moved toward his door.

  Once inside, he placed the suitcase on the chair and stood back, letting her look inside his room. He was glad housekeeping had changed his sheets and neatened up the place, not that he was very messy. Still, first impressions and all…

  Her gaze went straight to the bed. “Well, it’s plenty big.”

  “Go get ready for bed,” he said, his voice gruff. “I’ll check and see if there’s a movie we can watch.” Not really what he wanted to do, but if a movie helped to dispel her uneasiness, he’d suffer through some chick flick.

  She went to her suitcase and turned her body so he couldn’t see into her case. The sound of a zipper rasped across his skin. When she turned, she held a bundle of clothing and a toiletry bag. “I won’t be long,” she said, not meeting his gaze then skirting around him to make her way to the bathroom.

  As soon as the door closed behind her, he hurried to the dresser, selected a pair of boxers he seldom wore and a fresh T-shirt. He’d cleaned up at the hospital earlier that day, using Toby’s bathroom, so he didn’t have two days of funk on his skin. For extra measure, he popped a breath mint and slapped a quick dab of shaving lotion on his skin, then thought better of it and wiped it off with his dirty T-shirt. Next, he whipped back the coverlet on the bed because he’d read somewhere they weren’t very clean.

  Plumping up the pillows, he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

  When the door to the bathroom opened, everything else blew right out of his mind.

  Colleen stood in the doorway, wearing a silky nightgown that was nearly translucent with the glaring light behind her.

  She probably didn’t know that, and he didn’t want to embarrass her, but he couldn’t get a word out because he was afraid he’d choke.

  Dear Lord, he couldn’t wait to touch her. Her breasts were large, but not overly so. They’d fill his big hands. Her waist was indented but not too narrow—sturdy, which he thought of as a good thing but was sure she wouldn’t appreciate the adjective. And below? Her hips curved outward in a perfect bell shape, matched above and below like the sexiest hourglass. As well, her legs were surprisingly long with more lovely curves for him to admire.

  His cock stirred, and he almost reached for a pillow to cover it, but her gaze had found it. She stood barely breathing then glanced up at his face. Any hesitation he’d seen before in her expression was gone.

  Cowboy reached out his hand. “Join me?”

  “You left out the preposition,” she said, one corner of her mouth quirking upward.

  He had no idea what she was talking about.

  “With,” she said. “As in…join with me?”

  He still didn’t understand, but what man would when all he could do was run his gaze up and down her body while his cock expanded, stealing all the blood that should’ve been feeding his brain.

  She gave a breathless chuckle. “I was going to be an English teacher,” she said, placing her hand in his as she climbed onto the bed. As she did, the neckline of her gown gaped, and he got a good look at her breasts.

  “Do you need that?” he asked, looking at her gown.

  She nibbled on her lower lip for a second then said, “You first…since we’re getting comfortable.”

  He sat forward and whipped off his shirt. Then he leaned backward against the headboard and carefully pulled his boxers over his erection. Her soft gasp was very gratifying.

  When he was nude, he lifted his chin at her gown.

  She drew a deep breath, straightened on her knees, then slowly removed her gown, revealing first her plump thighs and pussy, her soft womanly belly and, at last, her beautiful breasts. He knew exactly what he had to touch first.

  “You have a condom?” she asked, her voice a little high now.

  “Yeah. Sure.” Damn, he hadn’t thought about it, but he did have an unopened box in the dresser. Scooting off the bed he walked to the dresser, catching a glimpse of her in the mirror as she ogled his backside. Again, she bit her lower lip.

  He opened the drawer and pulled out the box. Then placing it in the nightstand, he settled on the bed beside her again. “Want to watch a movie?”

  Her eyebrows shot upward. “Not particularly.”

  So, he was teasing her now. It was fun watching her try to keep her attention on his face when her gaze kept sliding down to his dick.

  She cleared her throat. “Have you ever done this? Gone straight to bed with a woman you just met?”

  He had, but they hadn’t meant anything to him. “Have you?”

  She swallowed hard. “No. I’m a little shy about getting naked.”

  “I’m glad about that.”

  Her chin jutted upward. “Because women shouldn’t be this easy?”

  “Colleen, I’m not in any way pure, and I don’t expect you to be either, but the thought of another man seeing all this,” he said, waving a hand from her breasts to her pussy, “makes me feel…possessive.”

  Her mouth twisted. “I guess I’m okay with that.”