Second Hope Cowboy Read Online Free Page B

lived up to the same standards.
    Over the years, she’d even tried self-pleasure. She’d made special trips into the adult store, walking away with every promising gadget for hot pleasure only to fall asleep disappointed. Her body ached for the familiar lightning waves of passion—but she’d been scorched with Tucker’s heat and the scars had numbed her.
    “You’re awake.”
    Tucker’s rich Texas accent made her jump and she almost slipped off the couch. Gaining her balance, she darted her gaze to his face. His eyes were wide open and one corner of his mouth was cocked in a teasing way.
    “I must have fallen asleep.”
    “Doc said the meds he gave you would help,” he said. “You were asleep before we got to the cabin. Do you remember everything that happened?”
    She pressed her fingertips to her temple. “I swerved to miss the deer running across the road, then slid into the ditch. I hit my head.” She moved her hand to her forehead and the small bandage. “Thankfully, nothing serious.”
    “Now you know why I have a truck.” He sat up straighter and another button opened, revealing more flesh. “Looks like your car took a heavy beating.”
    “Is it totaled?” Her chest tightened.
    “I don’t think so. Don’t worry about your car though. You have insurance, right?” She nodded. “If it is a goner, you’ll be covered, but you aren’t going anywhere, at least for tonight. Best thing for you is to go back to sleep.”
    “But-But…I can’t stay here.” She started to place her feet on the floor but a pain rippled through her temple. “What time is it?” She glanced around for a clock but couldn’t find one.
    He reached for something on the table and she saw it was his watch—the one she’d given him on their first anniversary. “A little after three.” He scraped his hand down his face and the sandpapery sound of his beard sent tingles down her spine, settling into her bottom. A memory blasted through her, his five o’clock shadow rubbing her sensitive skin—her neck, her stomach, her inner thighs. She gave her head a quick shake, hoping to dislodge the agonizing thought.
    She lifted her chin and met his pensive gaze. She felt the heat across the small room—too small for breathing purposes.
    “There’s another option.” His jaw clicked. “I can take you back to Doc’s place. I’m sure he’ll let you stay there until your car is fixed.”
    “Are you referring to the kennel?” She scraped her teeth over her bottom lip.
    He shrugged and it was a good thing some buttons on his shirt were undone or he would have popped them off with the jerky movement. “Slim pickins’ when it comes to lodging around these parts, darlin’. As if you don’t already know that. I realize this isn’t a five-star motel, like you’re used to these days, but once upon a time you did call it home.”
    “Ahh, sarcasm. You always did have a talent for it. I guess you must be eating this up, huh?” She cleared her throat. “Thinking this serves me right for coming all the way out here, uninvited.”
    His jaw loosened, some. “You almost wrecked and killed yourself. If you think I’m getting some enjoyment from this, you’ve hit your head harder than I first thought.” He smirked, stood up and slammed his hands into his front pockets. “Maybe you should call that prince charming fiancé and tell him to come and get you. Hopefully he can drive like he has some sense. I’d hate to have to save his ass tonight too.”
    It strained her neck to stare up at him—all six feet two, two hundred pounds of brawny cowboy wrapped in tanned skin. All muscle, not even an ounce of fat on his entire body. She slipped her gaze over him, not for any reason but just to verify that fact.
    Yup, no fat whatsoever.
    Sometimes she wondered how she’d gone from Tucker, an arrogant, tough cowboy, to Blaise, a sophisticated, well-mannered surgeon. His hands were considered works of art, covered by insurance if anything