Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1)(53)

“What happened?”


“He stopped in front of me. He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. Then he ran his rough fingers down the line of my jaw. It was the first time he’d ever touched me. So softly, yet, so…confidently.


Like he knew just what I needed. He said, ‘Gemma Mae, don’t you think it’s time you quit foolin’ yourself and come on home with me where you belong?’”


Tears pricked Channing’s eyes and she swallowed hard.


“I went home with him that night and never looked back.”


“Omigod. I think I’m gonna cry. That is the most beautiful, romantic story I’ve ever heard.”


“Yeah, it is. Come to think of it, you’re the first person I’ve ever told that to.”


“Now I’m really gonna start bawling.”


“Well, you can understand why I’ve been a little reluctant to bring another man into my life and into my bed.” She grinned saucily.


“Especially when gentleman Steve Jansen had moves between the sheets, in the barn, on the kitchen table and anywhere else the mood struck him that’d probably give your Colby a run for his money for inventiveness.


The last thing Steve ever was, in or out of bed, was boring. God, he was good. With one look he could heat me up like fire and melt me like butter.”


“I’m sorry that’s he’s gone, Gemma.”


“Me too. Not only do I miss Steve every goddamn day, I miss that daily physical connection. I miss sex. But when you’ve had twenty-five years of bust-the-bed-frame-scream-out-loud-raw-and-sweet-and-raunchy sex, I’m afraid anything else would be a let down. But what I wouldn’t give for a second chance to have it again.”


Channing wasn’t the least bit embarrassed by Gemma’s brutal honesty. The answering silence between them wasn’t clumsy, just thoughtful.


The grass crunched behind them and Gemma craned her neck.


Cash Big Crow stepped around the heap of beer cans and leaned his shoulder into the side of the horse trailer. “Evenin’, ladies.”


“Cash, were you using your Indian stealth again to sneak up on us and listen to our private conversation?” Gemma demanded.


“Gemma!” Channing said, appalled.


Cash didn’t smile. In fact, he had the oddest expression on his face.


He didn’t look at Channing either, but at Gemma, even as he addressed his comments to Channing. “Don’t mind Gem. She knows I wouldn’t show her my secret Indian tricks unless she asked me nice. Real nice.”


“Keep dreaming,” Gemma said.


He chuckled. “I will. Channing, I tracked you down to tell you Colby is lookin’ for you. You want me to walk you back?”


“No, that’s fine. I can find my way.” She stood and stretched. “Thanks for the beer and the girl talk, Gemma.”


“Anytime. See you bright and early, right?”


“Right. I’ll be here with bells on.”


“Have a good night. Ride ‘em hard, girl.”


Channing snickered and gave Gemma a high-five.


Cash cocked his head and looked from Channing to Gemma. “I’m afraid to ask what that meant.”


“You should be.” Gemma sailed to her feet. “Then again, it’s more of a


‘hands on’ thing anyway.”


“Yeah? Well, luckily I ain’t got nowhere to be right now. You could demonstrate by puttin’ your hands on me all you want.”


Gemma laughed, a trifle nervously.


Cash took another step closer and frowned. He lifted his hand and rubbed his fingertips across Gemma’s forehead. Gently. Three times.


“What are you doing?”


“You got a smudge of dirt right there, and a piece of grass stuck in your hair. You been rollin’ around in the hay?”


“There’ve been no rolls in the hay for me for a long time,” Gemma retorted.


“That’s a damn cryin’ shame,” Cash said softly.


The air thickened. Channing held her breath, feeling like an interloper.


“Ah. Well, good night, Cash.”


“’Night, Gem. Sweet dreams, sweetheart.”


Cash turned to Channing. “Come on, I’ll walk you over anyway.”


After they’d reached the horse trailer, Channing said, “You know, Cash, you really should take a more direct approach with Gemma. The Indian stealth stuff isn’t working. She doesn’t have a clue that you’re so crazy about her.”


Before his face could turn any redder, Channing blew him a kiss and closed the door in his face.


Chapter Fifteen


The lights were off inside. Neither Trevor nor Edgard were stretched out on the floor. Where were they? She peered at the sleeping area.


Chances were slim Colby was asleep if he’d sent Cash looking for her.


“Colby?”


“’Bout damn time you came back. Where’ve you been?”