The Heiress and the Cowboy Contractor Page 5

  She was walking past the entrance to the bar lounge wearing a white dress; it looked just like the one he’d imagined earlier that day when he’d been leaning against the tree.

  “Hey, Beau, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Uh, just gone six-thirty,” Geoff replied. “Why?”

  “I have to check something,” Beau said quickly, and jumping to his feet he hurried out of the bar.

  Standing in the wide hallway he looked up and down but there was no sign of her. Marching to the entrance of the restaurant he peered in; nothing. The hostess saw him and hurried forward.

  “Hi, Beau. We have your reservation. It’s for seven, right? I can seat you now though, if you want.”

  “Did my dinner guest arrive? She’s wearing a white dress.”

  “No,” the hostess frowned. “I haven’t seen anyone in a white dress.”

  “Huh. No-one came by here?”

  “No, not that I saw.”

  “Okay, thanks,” he sighed, and shaking his head returned to the bar.

  “Everything okay?” Geoff asked.

  “Yeah, but I think I need something stronger than beer,” Beau replied sitting down. That was weird, really weird.

  “You sure you’re all right?” Geoff pressed.

  “Yeah, I just…” but before he could finish the drunken conversation with Clyde flashed through his head.

  “No, you don’t understand, I saw her, but she wasn’t there. I mean, like a ghost, like she was so much on my mind I imagined her. It freaked me out, but when I told Pa he said it meant she was the one.’

  “Holy crap!”

  “What?” Geoff asked.

  “I think I’ve got a problem,” he muttered.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Nicole was nervously waiting outside the restaurant, and when she saw Beau striding towards her she stood up and greeted him with her warmest smile.

  “Hi, Beau. I feel like it’s been ages,” she said leaning forward and pecking him on the cheek. “I hope it’s okay to do that, I’m just so happy to see you.”

  “I’m happy to see you too,” he grinned, and he was, very happy; she was wearing a white dress. “That’s quite a welcome,” he continued, “it sure beats the first one you gave me.”

  “Sorry about that,” she replied feeling a blush cross her face. “Are you okay, you look a bit-”

  “Yep, fine,” he interrupted, “but before we go in can I ask you something?”

  “Sure, what?”

  “Were you here earlier?”

  “Earlier? I’m staying here, remember?” she winked.

  “Yes, Nicole, I do know that, I mean earlier as in, about half-an-hour ago.”

  “No, why?”

  “I, uh, thought I saw you,” he mumbled. “Let’s go in, and that’s a real nice dress, you look very pretty.”

  “Thanks,” she beamed. “You don’t look bad yourself. Almost like a regular guy.”

  He’d chosen khaki slacks and a pale khaki and blue checked shirt, but light tan cowboy boots peeked out from the bottom of his pants.

  “What’s a regular guy,” he chuckled as they walked into the dining room.

  “I guess, not a cowboy,” she giggled.

  The hostess appeared and walked them to their table, one of the restaurant’s best. It was tucked away in a corner but next to a window overlooking the lighted swimming pool, and after handing them menus and promising to send over the drinks waiter, she left them alone. Smiling, Beau placed his menu in front of him and leaned across the table.

  “Doesn’t matter what I’m wearin’,” he said softly, “I’m still a cowboy underneath.”

  “Works for me,” she sighed, and that shirt is making your eyes sparkle like crazy. I swear, I’m going to kiss you before this night is over.

  “Why did you want me to think your contractor had left you just a couple of weeks ago?” he asked, his look demanding he tell her the truth.

  “Really?” she sighed. “Can’t we talk about something else?”

  “Sure, after you answer the question.”

  “You won’t like the answer,” she said dropping her eyes to the silverware in front of her.

  “I’m not likin’ not knowin’, so…”

  “Okay, I’ll tell you. I’ve spent weeks trying to get someone else and everyone said no. They were either too busy, or didn’t want to work so far out of town, always some excuse. The one company that did agree, wanted to charge me crazy money. I didn’t want you to know that you, uh, were, um…”

  “Last on your list, and your last hope? I already knew that,” he winked.

  “You did? How?”

  “For starters, you didn’t want to even talk to me when you first started buildin’ that place, and then it sat untouched for ages. You honestly thought I wouldn’t have noticed?”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess, sorry.”

  “No problem, I get that you didn’t know me, you still don’t know me.”

  “I know enough. You saved me. You totally took care of me, even after I was so rude.”

  “Let’s take a look at our menus. You want some wine? A drink?”

  “I would. I’ve been off those pain pills for a couple of days, so I’m good to go! A glass of Chardonnay would be great, thanks.”

  As if on cue their waiter appeared and Beau ordered a bottle, then looking across at the gorgeous girl in her white dress and deep green eyes, he couldn’t deny the immense attraction, and he noticed there was a freshness about her.

  “You look, different,” he said, his brow creasing in a quizzical stare.

  “Thanks, I think,” she smiled. “To be honest I didn’t realize how tired I was. This week has completely decompressed me. I’m not sorry I stepped on that nail, not at all.”

  “Sometimes things happen for a reason,” he remarked.

  “My dad says that we make things happen, and fate doesn’t exist.”

  “That so? Huh. Well, regardless, the rest has done you a world of good.”

  “Thanks, I feel it, I really do,” she sighed.

  “I want you to tell me more about Nicole Harris. If I’m gonna build your house, and I’m not sayin’ I will, but if I do, I need to know who I’m buildin’ it for. Besides bein’ a handful,” he said without batting an eye, “tell me about your life. What do you do for fun, what do you love and what don’t you love?”

  Her reaction was not one he expected. She didn’t blush, or sigh, or smile, or begin talking; she looked directly at him, frowned slightly, then picked up her wine. He waited, not sure if he should press; finally she put down her glass and sat back in her chair.

  “I’m rich, but you know that, I’m smart, you know that too, I don’t like crowds or standing in line, I like ice cream, a lot, I like anything creamy, and…” she paused.

  “and?” he pressed.

  “and I’m building a house here because…”

  “Because?”

  “This is hard and I don’t know why I’m telling you. Maybe I shouldn’t,” she muttered, then picking up her glass she took a big swallow.

  “Up to you,” he said softly.

  “I’m building the house because I don’t want my old life anymore. I want to be away from the traffic and the noise and the phony demanding people. I’m building the house because I want to escape. There, I’ve said it. Fuck, that’s the first time I’ve said it out loud. Look at me, I’m shaking,” she breathed, holding her hand in the air.

  Reaching across the table he wrapped his fingers around hers.

  “Congratulations,” he smiled, “that was impressive. Thank you for tellin’ me. I’ll bet it’s real hard to break away.”

  “You have no idea,” she murmured. “You have no fucking idea.”

  “You know what, I’m not gonna call you Nicole,” he said firmly. “You’re much more a Nickie, Naughty Nickie, and I will build your house, and if you want, I’ll be your friend.”

  She
felt a hot wave of emotion flood her heart, and gazing into his smoky-blue eyes she sensed a protective energy and a depth of caring that almost took her breath away. He was real, and she knew she could trust him.

  “That would be…wonderful…if you would be my friend,” she managed.

  “But Nickie,” he said tilting his head to the side and squeezing her hand, “tonight, after we have dinner, I’m gonna spank you.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  He hadn’t meant to say it. He’d certainly thought it, he’d thought it the moment she’d started drinking her wine, her green eyes staring at him over the rim of the glass. For a nanosecond he’d believed it had remained just that, a thought, then her eyes grew so big and she looked so stunned he knew he was wrong; the words had spilled out of his mouth.

  “What did you say?” she whispered.

  He stared at her, momentarily tongue-tied.

  Shit. I can’t take it back. I don’t wanna take it back.

  “Would you like me to repeat it?” he asked quietly.

  “Um, I’m not sure,” yes, no, fuck, I can’t believe he said that, and why am I so fucking turned on by it. He wouldn’t actually do it, would he? Fuck!

  “It’s not rocket science,” he smiled feigning a calm he didn’t feel, then her blatant nervousness pushed him forward. “I said, after dinner, I’m gonna spank you.”

  Repeating the simple statement helped; he was feeling his confidence return in the unfamiliar moment. Throughout his life he’d certainly threatened, suggested, hinted, and on more than a few occasions had pulled the bad girl directly over his knee without warning, but he’d never sat across a table and made the statement so blatantly.

  “Are you serious? I mean, why?” she stammered, then nervously added,“wait, are you just joking around?”

  Her face had turned beet red, and he suspected the gusset of her panties was moist, very moist.

  “If I was jokin’ around I’d be laughin’, and the why? You mean besides the obvious? Anyone that has the word naughty in front of their name is due a spankin’,” he said softly, then he leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “I did tell you earlier that you needed a spankin’, twice if I recall.”

  “But, um…”

  “You’re right, there is a butt and as I said I will spank it after dinner, and there’s another but. I’ll spank you only if you want me to. You can think about it. If you decide it’s something you want, I promise it won’t be real hard.”

  If I want? Seriously? I wish my heart would stop hammering. How am I going to eat anything now? My stomach is doing cartwheels.

  “You can give me your answer when I walk you back to your room.”

  She stared at him in disbelief.

  How can I even focus on the menu, or anything else for that matter?

  She looked like a deer in headlights, and he reached across the table and took her hand.

  “It’s okay,” he smiled. “Let’s talk about the town, our mutual friend Helen and how you know her, and I’ll tell you a bit about my horses. The mare I’m gonna to put you on is called Trixie, and she’s a real sweetie. She likes beginners, she’ll take real good care of you.”

  “Trixie, what a cute name for a horse,” she managed. Am I really talking about a horse with the threat of a spanking over my head. No, worse, a spanking I have to decide if I want?

  “She looks like a Trixie,” he remarked, “at least I think she does. Sometimes we humans give our animals names that don’t suit them at all.”

  In spite of the growing wetness between her legs she kept herself together, but as the meal continued she found herself aching to feel his kiss, and a dire fear attached to a confusing desire to be spanked.

  Somehow she managed to chat about how she met Helen at college, then her excitement about seeing his ranch and sitting on a horse, but by the time their plates had been cleared she couldn’t contain herself a minute longer.

  “I seriously cannot believe you said that to me,” she exclaimed in a hushed whisper.

  “Oh, so you’ve made up your mind then? You want me to spank you?”

  “What if I said no?”

  “Then I’d walk you to your door and say goodnight.”

  “That’s it? No drama?”

  “Not from me. I’m not into drama. Are you sayin’ no?”

  “I’m not sure,” she admitted. “Maybe I should I tell you what I’m thinking?”

  “If you want,” he smiled, “but I can guess.”

  “You can? Okay, what am I thinking?”

  “You’re thinkin’ somethin’ like this. What’s wrong with me? I really want him to spank me, but I don’t. Should I do this? How’s that? Am I close?”

  “Yes, you’re close,” she said softly.

  “What is it about it that scares you?”

  “Everything.”

  “You need it.”

  “I do?”

  “Yep, you do, for many reasons.”

  “Like?”

  “First, you’re a brat, and you need some of that brattiness spanked out of you, but tonight wouldn’t be about that. Tonight would be about helpin’ you calm down a bit, and understandin’ that you can let go.”

  “Fuck.”

  “And I will definitely spank your butt for swearin’ all the time. Take this as a promise, the next time you use that word I will swat you, hard, and it won’t matter where we are.”

  His smoky-blue eyes were locked on hers, and the heat sprang between her legs at the same time it flushed across her face.

  “Would you excuse me for a minute?”

  “Of course. I’ll order us somethin’ delicious for dessert.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” she mumbled standing up.

  He watched her rise and walk slowly to the ladies room; he understood completely. She needed some space to clear her head and gather her thoughts, and whatever she decided it was fine by him. At some point it would happen; it wasn’t a matter of if, but when, and they both knew it.

  The waitress returned and handed him the small leather folder listing the sweet things on offer, and he was just about to order when he saw her walking back. She had an odd look on her face, and instinctively he handed the menu back to the waitress.

  “I don’t think we’ll be havin’ dessert after all,” he said. “Just put the check on my tab and add twenty percent.”

  “Thanks, Beau,” she smiled. “It’s always good to see you.”

  Nicole settled into her chair as the waitress left, and taking a deep breath she picked up her napkin and starting fiddling with it.

  “I haven’t ordered anythin’,” he said.

  “That’s okay,” she murmured. “Beau?”

  “Yes, Nickie?”

  “I do want dessert,” she breathed, “but not that kind. I want the other kind.”

  “You mean, the kind I deliver while you’re over my knee?”

  She stared at him, then slowly nodded her head.

  “I don’t even know why. I mean, I feel strange even thinking about it.”

  “You’ll soon find out why,” he grinned.

  Rising from the table he took her hand, and wrapping his fingers firmly around hers he led out of the dining room and down the long hallway to the elevator; as they waited for it to arrive she leaned against him.

  “This is so weird,” she whispered.

  “It’s not, but I know you feel that way,” he replied dropping her hand and putting his arm around her shoulder.

  The elevator arrived, and walking inside he pulled her against his chest, hugged her tightly, and didn’t let her go until it dinged their arrival on her floor. He kept an arm around her as they headed down the passageway, but when they reached the door she fumbled nervously with the card key.

  “Let me,” he said softly.

  Taking it from her hand he slid it into the metal box; the light turned green and she let out a long sigh.

  “Maybe I’m not…um…can I change my mind?” she whispered as th
ey entered and the door fell shut behind them.

  “Of course you can,” he said.

  “Thanks for a lovely dinner and, uh, everything,” she muttered.

  “You’re welcome,” he smiled. “I’ll pick you up around ten. Be sure to have a light breakfast.”

  He turned, heading to the door, and was almost there when she rushed forward and grabbed his arm.

  “Beau, please, before you leave, please will you kiss me?”

  He stared down at her and saw the crease of need crossing her face; lifting his hand he clutched a fistful of hair, gently pulled her head back, and dropped his lips to hers.

  Her demanding passion brimmed over as he kissed her, and as his mouth devoured hers and his cock stirred, his heart began pumping fervently against his chest. The kiss refused to die; his lips lingered, his tongue pushed between her teeth, and her muffled moans floated like a lullaby in the air, until finally breaking apart he grabbed her and held her tightly against him, relishing the feel of her breasts against his chest.

  “Damn,” he whispered, inhaling the spicy sweet scent of her hair.

  “Fuck, Beau, that was-”

  His hand landed on her bottom so fast and with such a sting she was momentarily paralyzed. The thin cotton of her dress had offered no protection, and she stood motionless, living the startling reality, then with a consciousness of forethought she gripped the back of his jacket and readied herself.

  “Fuck!” she repeated.

  The second smack was harder, and landed directly on top of the first.

  “Fuck!”

  Moving his hand to her opposite cheek he dispatched a volley of three quick, sharp spanks.

  “OW, OWWW.”

  Yanking her head back he studied her face; her eyes were blazing and her face was bright red.

  “Okay, Nickie, now you’re goin’ over my knee.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  The alacrity with which he strode the few steps to the bed and jerked her over his knee shocked her, and once across his lap, for a brief moment it was as if time stood still, then suddenly breaking from the spell she kicked desperately as he tried to position her.

  “Stop the histrionics,” he said sharply, landing several quick swats.