Page 10 of Cowboy's Melody
Teddi
My career started with a whole lot of luck and a really good cover of Linda Ronstandt’s classic, “You’re No Good.” I was singing at an open mic night in Nashville and someone in the audience was an executive for a record label. My success story is the kind that almost never happens because doesn’t everyone want to be discovered at an open mic night? I’ve definitely had a Cinderella career, but the clock will strike midnight sooner or later, right?
When Brooks opens his mouth and the first verse comes out, it’s like heaven. His voice is low and rumbles through the air, right over my skin. But when he gets to the chorus? I’m pretty sure I fall in love with the silky smoothness of his tone. I’m so lost, completely wrapped up in the song, I barely notice him signaling for me to join in. I’m almost scared because Brooks is that good.
When the song ends, I clap wildly. “Where’d you learn to sing like that?”
One corner of his mouth lifts slightly. “Oh, I don’t know. Mom says I’ve been singing my whole life.”
“Do you want a contract? ‘Cause I’m sure I can sweet talk my label into giving you a deal.”
He laughs for a moment. “No thank you. I love this ranch too much to leave it. I’m perfectly content singing for Logan.”
As if on cue, Logan pipes up and demands another song. Brooks holds the guitar out to me and even though I’m reluctant, I take it. “Well, this is an old one my mama used to sing to me,” I tell them but they seem to know it too because both Brooks and Logan clap along and help me sing the chorus.
I watch the two of them together; the way they look at each other with knowing glances. They share a bond I’ll never understand and it’s foolish of me to even think about being a part of their lives. Not when they have deep roots right here in Montana and mine are spread all across the country.
I finish my song and set the guitar to the side. “I’m sorry to cut this concert a little short but y’all wore me out today.”
“No! I don’t want you to go,” Logan cries. “I want you to sing more songs.”
“I promise I’ll sing you plenty more songs but not tonight, okay?” I try to make my voice soft and sweet. Interacting with children is new to me and I don’t want to talk down to Logan, but I also don’t have much authority.
She crosses her arms over her chest and turns her head away. Brooks leans across and kisses the top of her head. “It’ll be okay, peanut. Teddi’s staying with us until the cherry festival. You’ve got plenty of time.”
After trying to assuage Logan as much as possible, I leave the patio and head back to the cabin. My head and my heart aren’t working in sync and I need to leave to sort through my feelings.
Finding a man like Brooks is like searching for a needle in a haystack. I can already see how hardworking and dedicated he is to his family’s ranch and his love for his daughter is infinite. Every woman wants a man like Brooks, even me. But is it fair for me to claim him for myself when my life is so erratic?
The best cure for these troubled thoughts is a glass of whiskey and another date with the steam shower.
The whiskey goes down smoothly and helps untangle some of my thoughts. There were moments today when I caught Brooks staring. The way his piercing blue eyes roamed over my body stirred up trouble deep inside of me.
When I climb into the shower, Brooks is the only thing on my mind. He’s every woman’s fantasy in the flesh. The moment he popped a cherry into his mouth and winked at me plays on a continuous loop in my mind. Despite the heat of the steam, shivers run up and down my body and a desperate ache grows between my legs, demanding attention.
My fingers slip between my folds as I run them slowly along my center. I shudder from the sensation, from thinking about Brooks, from wishing his fingers were touching me instead of mine.
I reach up with one hand and tug the nipple of one of my breasts. God, just how long has it been since I’ve been with someone? Too long from the way by body is responding to the slightest stimulation.
My hand slaps against the marble tile on the wall as I steady myself. My fingers tease my clit before sliding inside, pumping them in and out slowly. I screw my eyes shut and conjure another image of Brooks as my breathing becomes heavier.
Being around him all day has kept me on edge and I’m so close to toppling headlong into ecstasy… until I hear someone pounding on the front door of the cabin.
Son of a bitch!
I scramble to get out of the shower, trying my best to not slip. I grab the closest thing – a towel – and wrap it around my body before scurrying to the front door.
He can pound something else, I think to myself, instead of that door.
And then I stop. What if it’s not Brooks?
“Who else could it be, dummy?” I wonder aloud.
Whoever is on the other side of that door is impatient because they start banging on it.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” I yell before reaching out for the knob and yanking the door open.
Brooks is on the other side, still dressed in his t-shirt and jeans, his dark hair a mess like he’s been running his hands through it all night. “Sorry, but if you didn’t answer this door I was going to lose my nerve,” he says breathlessly.
“What in the world are you talkin’ about?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he takes a giant step forward, wraps his hands around my waist and crushes my lips with a searing kiss.
