Stranded with a Grumpy Cowboy (Marooned for a Night, #2)

by Hope Ford

I’ve been able to keep my attraction to him hidden for this long. There's no reason I need him to see lust in my eyes now. With my glasses on my nose, I keep my eyes on my brother’s friend. The man that has been a neighbor to us for the last ten years. The man that has been in my dreams most nights and the man that has a big part of my heart. Even if he doesn’t want it.

“Hey, Rhett.” He frowns and doesn’t respond. I act as if it doesn’t hurt when in fact, it eats me up. How hard would it be to just smile at me? Or heck, just a “hi” would suffice.

“It’s not you I’m worried about. Wes is back in town, and he’s been warned to stay away from you, but he’s not the sharpest tack in the box.”

“I said I’ll be in town tonight.” I shake my head. “No. No, Rhett. This is not happening. I do not need a babysitter.”

Are you sure you’re up to it?” My forehead creases. “Up to making sure some dumbass leaves your sister alone? Yeah, I think I can handle it.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “I wasn’t joking. You can’t do something stupid, Rhett.” I smirk. Well, I think it’s a smirk. It probably doesn’t look anything like one because my lips aren’t accustomed to turning up. “I’m not going to do anything stupid.

“You’re protective of her, and I won’t be there to keep you calm, that’s all I’m saying.” I shrug. He’s right. I am protective of his sister. The truth is, if I get the chance to lay out Wes, jail time would be worth it.

“Don’t hurt my sister, Rhett.” He’s stalking around to the other side of his truck, and I follow behind him. “Hurt her? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I would never hurt her.” He takes his hat off, tosses it into the passenger seat, and climbs into his truck. When he shuts the door, he leans out the window. “You wouldn’t hurt her intentionally.” My mouth drops. What the fuck is he even talking about? “I wouldn’t hurt her… period.”

“Rhett, don’t be dense. My sister has been in love with you since you bought the land next to us. I’m just saying, don’t hurt her.”

there’s no way he’s dropping a bombshell like that and then leaving. If I have to block his truck with my whole damn body, I’ll do it. “What the fuck are you talking about? She doesn’t… she isn’t…” I’m speechless as I stare back at him. His eyebrows raise in surprise. “Wait. Are you saying you had no idea? You didn’t know…?”

“Forget I even said anything. I can’t believe you didn’t know. How in the world did you miss that? Oh well, look, all I’m asking is for you to look after my sister while I’m gone. Wes—” I cut him off. I hate Maddie’s ex-fiancé, and I will take great pride in dealing with him. “Wes will not come anywhere near her.”

“Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is? I’m thirty years old, and my brother thinks I need a babysitter.” I walk over to the counter and grip the side of it. “No, he doesn’t. He’s just worried about you… we both are.” Her eyes flare to mine. “You’re worried about me?” I gulp. There’s no way I would ever lie to her. “Yes, I am. I don’t trust Wes, and I’m not willing to just stand by and leave you unprotected—”

“He’s never hit me.” I don’t even recognize my voice. “I’d kill him if he did.” Her eyes widen. “He’s just an ass. I can handle him.” I plant my feet and match her stance, crossing my arms over my chest. “You don’t have to. You go tonight and have a good time. I’ll be somewhere in the corner, and I’ll stay out of your way.”

“So I get a night out, no big deal.” She’s not buying it. “And you want a night out?” A night out where I get to watch you laugh and have a good time? Absolutely. I think it, but I don’t say it. Instead, I tell her, “Yes, I could use one.”

It’s been ten years since my wife died, but I still get the same look of pity from people.

“What time do you want me to pick you up?” She gasps. “You’re not driving me.” I shrug. “Why not? We’re going to the same place.” She shakes her head, and I know what she’s doing. She’s thinking I’m going to give in and just let things go, but I’m not. There’s no way I’m going to just stay at home and wonder if she’s okay or not. I give her the look. The one that tells her I’m not backing down… not on this.

“Okay… I have to be at the Main Street Lounge at eight.” I nod, ignoring the fact I’m usually about to go to bed about that time. “Ok...

“Yeah, Maddie… what were you going to say?” The sound of her name on my lips has her eyes widening even more, and she sucks in a breath. “I, uh, was going to say, uh, thank you. I mean, I know you’re doing this for Elliott, but I just wanted to say thank you.” The more she rambles, the pinker her cheeks get. “Uh, it’s nice to know that I have someone… I mean besides Elliott… that you have my back.”

Don’t touch her. Don’t touch her. I’m telling myself that, over and over, but it doesn’t stop me. I reach out and cup her chin in my hand. “I’m doing this for you, Maddie, and I’ll always have your back.”

I may have acted like I was doing a favor for Elliott, but the truth is, I’m doing it for Maddie. There’s no way I’d be able to stay at home, knowing she’s out and the dumbass Wes could be pestering her. No, I’ll go… just to make sure Maddie’s okay. Then I’ll make sure she’s home safe, and I’ll stay away for a while. Because no matter if I’m attracted to her or not, nothing can come of it.

“You don’t know what I’m talking about? Your brother’s best friend—the man who brought you here tonight — and has been sitting at the bar with his eyes glued to you the whole time. What’s up?” She gasps and asks loudly, “Oh my God, did you hook up with him?” She’s nodding her head. “You did it! You did the deed! It’s about time.”

“Look, it’s not like that. You know Elliott went out of town, and he was worried about Wes stirring up trouble. He didn’t take it well when I ended the engagement, so Rhett said he’d come tonight to make sure I was okay.” Her forehead creases, and she tilts her head. “So hold up. You’re telling me Rhett is here to what? Look out for you?” I purse my lips together. I wish I could give her another reason.

Something like he couldn’t stand the idea of being away from me or he’d confessed his love for me, but none of those are true. He’s here because he’s my brother’s best friend.

After looking around, I see him at the edge of the dance floor. His arms are crossed over his chest. His hat is back on his head, and even though I can’t see his eyes, I know he has a grim expression on his face. He’s not happy to be here, that much is obvious. Well, that’s tough. It was his idea to come, and I refuse to let him ruin my night.

Honestly, I don’t want to dance with him. He must see it in my eyes because he just shrugs his shoulders. “Come on, just one dance. My friends all said you’d tell me no.” “Friends?” He nods and points over to the table where my friends are all at. He must be a groomsman or family with the groom or something. I nod. “Okay, sure.”

“Nope, no boyfriend. I recently ended an engagement, so I’m not really looking for anything—” He cuts me off. “How’d the ex-fiancé take it?” I scrunch my nose up. “Not good. Why are you asking—”

“Well, I’m pretty sure he wants you back if the way he’s staring at me means anything. He’s looking at me like I’m a coyote messing with his herd.”

“Fuck. I should have known when the guys were all laughing, daring me to ask you to dance there was something up. Look, I don’t want to die tonight.” I pull out of his arms. “What are you talking about?”

“Maddie, talk to me. What just happened?” I let out a breath. “Nothing. I… he said… I just thought you were Wes. I thought it was Wes coming up behind me.”

His voice is almost lethal. “You’re afraid of him.” Before I can deny it, he grunts. “Don’t lie to me. It was fear in your eyes, Maddie.” I lean my head back to look up at him. “I wasn’t. I mean, I never had any reason to… but he said some things when I broke off the engagement and so yeah, I’m a little worried about what will happen when we see each other again.”

“He will not mess with you, Maddie. As long as there is breath in me, Wes will not touch you.”

We dance, and I know it sounds crazy, but our bodies fit together perfectly. I probably shouldn’t, but I press my body against his, wanting to be as close as I can. Who knows how long this will last, and I refuse to waste a second of it.

yeah, I want her safe, but that’s only part of it. I’m drawn to her. The way she lights up, I had no choice but to follow her.

I thought I would breathe easier when she started to walk off the dance floor, but I let my guard down too soon. I should have known that some man would ask her to dance. He’d be a fool not to. But I don’t have to like it.

It kills me to know she’s scared of her ex, and I wasn’t lying when I told her he wouldn’t touch her. There’s no way he’s getting near her. The thought of him touching her makes me feel lethal.

Her hand has slid to my chest, and she’s tilted her head back to look up at me. She’s just a few inches away, and I could easily lean down and press my lips to hers. I want to do it. Heck, I want to throw her over my shoulder and carry her out of here, but I can’t do anything that I want.

“Well, well, well. What have we got here?” Maddie stops mid-stride, and I grab her hand, pulling her against me. Wes is here with two of his buddies, and the three of them are standing in front of us, blocking our path. “I suggest you move, Wes.” He ignores me and looks at Maddie instead. “Is this why you broke it off? I knew there was something going on between you two.”

“You have a problem, you talk to me. Not her.” He frowns. “What happened? She give you a few acres so you’re throwing her a bone?”

“Here’s how this is going to go down, Wes. First, you’re going to shut your mouth. You even mention Maddie’s name and you won’t like the consequences. Second, you’re going to stay away from her. You see her and you go the other way. If I find out you’ve called her, approached her, or hell, even thought about her, I will end you.” He’s pissed, that much is obvious. He doesn’t like being called out, especially in front of his buddies.

release him and reach back. Maddie instantly puts her hand in mine. With one last glare at Wes, I walk over to my truck,

my first thought is to get her to safety. If Wes and his buddies decide to grow some balls in the next few seconds, I need to know she’s safe.

“Maddie, when something like that happens, I need to know you’re safe. I was outnumbered, and you should have gone to the truck or even back inside the bar.” She gasps and looks as if I’ve sprouted two heads. “I wouldn’t just leave you. It’s my fault—” I cut her off. “No, don’t say it. None of this is your fault.”

“You’re not a mess, Maddie. You’re perfect, and you shouldn’t apologize to anyone… especially not to me. I’m here because I wanted to be. I wanted to be here tonight.” She blinks up at me, and I know I’m going to kiss her. How could I not? I’m literally holding her face in my hands. How could I not kiss her? I’m searching her eyes, and desire is reflected back at me. She wants this… I know she does, but I also know that I shouldn’t give in. Nothing can come of this. I’m about to release her when she grasps the front of my shirt. “No.”

“No? No, don't kiss you?” She pulls me toward her. “No, don’t stop. Please, kiss me, Rhett.” I can’t resist. Before I can talk myself out of it, I press my lips to hers.

Panting, I press my forehead to hers. There’s a weight on my chest, and I feel like I can’t breathe. Kissing Maddie is like nothing I’ve felt before, and I wasn’t prepared for it.

“I’m sorry, Maddie… I shouldn’t have—” She reaches up and touches her fingers to her lips. “Don’t apologize… I wanted you to kiss me.”

She sits quietly beside me the whole way, and I know I’ve fucked up. We’re almost to her ranch before she starts to talk. “Do you regret kissing me, Rhett?” I can’t look at her because if I do, I’ll confess all the times I’ve thought about kissing her. “No, I don’t regret it… but it can’t happen again.”

“Because of Margie?” When she mentions my wife who died ten years ago, I wait for some kind of pang in my chest, maybe guilt or something, but it never comes. “No, this doesn’t have anything to do with Margie.”

“Where should I start? Because you’re my best friend's little sister.” She cuts in. “I’m an adult and have been for a long time.” I ignore her and continue. “Because you’re twelve years younger than me.” “Age is just a number.”

“Because you have your whole life in front of you, because you deserve more than some broke cowboy, because people like your stupid ex will think I’m trying to take your land from you, because you deserve better than me.” I stop in front of her house and slam the gear into park. I’m huffing like I’m out of breath, but more than anything, I’m pissed off. I want Maddie. Hell, I’d give anything to be with Maddie, but that’s not in the cards for me. It can never happen.

Her hands grip my shoulders, and she presses her breasts against my chest. I look like a crazy person, with my hands held up in the air, refusing to touch her. At this point, I’m wondering if I am crazy.