Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)(60)

No answer.


She saw the pile of clothes in front of the dresser. Not her place to wash them, but Cord didn’t need a bloody reminder of the evening’s events. She jammed them in the overflowing hamper and faced the bed. Not ideal, but it’d work. She peeled back the comforter and ripped away the top sheet, shoving the pillows to the floor.


AJ made a quick trip to the kitchen for supplies. She was arranging everything on the nightstand when the bathroom door squeaked and he limped out.



Cord wore a towel. A small towel. Even when her hormones did the boot scootin’ boogie from the sight of all that yummy bare man flesh and bulging muscles, she noticed the dejected set of his shoulders, the swollen bump on his jaw, the mouse under his eye and the cut on his cheekbone.


He sighed. “That bad, huh?”


“What?”


“You should see the look on your face, AJ.”


“This look?” She made a funny face and his faint smile appeared.


“Like I said, baby doll, you’re a real laugh a minute.” He kept a hand on the towel and pointed. “The bed make you so mad that you ripped it apart?”


“No. Just getting it ready.”


Cord sighed again. “No offense, but I’m not really in the mood tonight. In fact, I’ll probably be lousy company so it might be best if you went on home.”


“Huh-uh. The hottest man I know is stark naked right in front of me, no way am I going anywhere. Lay face down on the mattress, McKay.”


“This bossy side of you is new.”


“Hah. Ky wouldn’t agree. He once said I was as bossy as…well, you if I recall.”


He smiled slightly again.


“Besides, I hide my bossiness except when I’m in professional mode.”


“Professional?”


“What part of ‘massage therapist’ is confusing to you?”


“You’re gonna give me a massage?”


“Well, you already told me a blowjob was out for options.”


“Amy Jo Foster, that is beyond ornery.”


She laughed because she’d actually shocked him. “I like it when you get all prissy.”


“I like it when you get all raunchy,” he countered.


“Good.” She patted the bed. “Lose the towel. Lay on your stomach and spread your arms above your head in a Y and prepare to be wowed.”


Cord did exactly as he was told.


“Usually I’m standing, but tonight I have to improvise. Here.”


He looked at the baggie full of ice wrapped in a towel. “What’s this for?”


“Your jaw. It’ll keep the swelling down.”


Something beyond gratitude shone in his eyes. “Thanks.”


“You’re welcome. Try to relax. Remember this isn’t sexual.”


“I’ll try to remember that,” he said dryly.


“You want music playing?”


“No. This is fine.”


AJ poured oil on her palms and started at the base of his skull, working her fingers down his neck. Cord remained tense, not that she blamed him. A first time professional massage was different than the well-meaning back rub from a loved one. He finally loosened up with a deep, heartfelt groan of satisfaction when she moved down to work on his shoulders.