Almost a Cowboy Read Online Free Page B

minutes she drove up in front of her small house, two blocks from the one where she’d spent her childhood. Tonight over an early dinner, her ma had complained of arthritis in her knees and elbows while Caroline nodded and fought for patience.
    Why had her parents talked her out of eloping? She’d been old enough to promise herself to Utah forever. Yet they’d convinced her she’d hold him back, and in doing so would hold herself back too. She needed to follow her own path.
    Yeah, that trail had led all the way into a well of tequila-soaked despair. Now she suffered angst of another kind—regret.
    Double regret since Utah had all but seduced her tonight with those killer eyes, and she’d turned away.
    While sitting in her car for a spell, she issued two sighs…then three. “You’re an idiot, Caroline Wilks.”
    She climbed out and went inside. The simple modern décor did its job by plying her with calm. She smelled of alcohol and was sweaty from the closeness of the bar—not to mention the panty-soaking hot moments spent under Utah’s gaze. A shower was in order.
    Long minutes under the tap didn’t dispel her restlessness. It was after three a.m., and she was farther from sleep than after the funeral. She pulled on panties, tucked a soft cotton robe around her nude form, ran a brush through her wet hair, and started down the stairs for a cup of hot tea when a faint knock sounded.
    Oh God.
    Heart throbbing in her throat, she gripped the handle and slowly opened the door. She might be faced with a bar stalker, but the gooseflesh on her body told her different.
    Utah took up the whole doorstep, more ruggedly handsome than even a hardened woman could withstand.
    “Took you long enough,” she said breathlessly. The cooler night air washed over her too-hot skin.
    He glanced at his watch. “It’s been seventy minutes since the bar closed.” A hint of a smile danced over his lips.
    She locked her gaze on them, hungry for a peek at that chin cleft. Stepping forward, she hooked an arm around his neck and pulled him down. “I know,” she rasped. “Took you long enough.”
    He wrapped an arm around her waist and lowered his head, bringing his woodsy scent into her world once again. “Too damn long.” He growled and stretched his grin right across hers.
    She didn’t even care when she missed the first glimpse of his dimple.

Chapter Three
    Need hummed in Utah’s veins as he walked Caroline backward into her house and kicked the door shut. She melted under his kiss, as sweet and sassy as ever. Damn, was that the smell of wildflowers clinging to her hair?
    With a possessive groan, he swept the seam of her lips with his tongue, demanding entrance. She slipped her other arm around his neck and clung. A soft noise burst from her, and he took advantage by plunging his tongue into her mouth.
    His balls clenched tight to his body, throbbing with fullness. His cock swelled two clicks past rock-hard in a blink. After a single flip of their tongues, his dick head wept pre-come.
    Reaching behind him, he searched for the door lock. She smiled again and fumbled for it. Their hands met, fingers tangled, and finally he heard the snick of the lock.
    He drowned in her flavors as he roved his hands over her tiny waist, the soft flare of her hips, and around to cup her firm ass. No wedding ring circled her finger, and he’d confirmed this information with her ma before coming here.
    “Need you,” she moaned against his mouth.
    “Not as bad as I need you, baby.” He sank his fingers into her ass and whirled, shoving her against the door.
    She arched against him.
    Utah rocked his erection against her lower belly, throbbing with the need to sink into her tight, wet sheath. Her femininity had always overflowed his palms, and goddammit, she was sexier, riper, and more delicious now.
    She pushed into him, and he sagged at the knees, poising his cock right between her round thighs. They spent a dizzying moment kissing and