The Cowboy’s Curvy Crush Bonus Scene

Cassidy

The washing machine decided to go on vacation two days ago and poured water all over the floor. The engine in my truck growled once yesterday, then fell silent, refusing to start after that. We had a roof leak last week thanks to a tree that decided to nap there after a storm blew in.

This morning, the dog decided to eat the cat’s food and then proceeded to crap from one end of the house to the next.

But even amid this chaos, I’m happy. Insanely, head-over-heels so. It’s been eight years living in a happily-ever-after dream with my best friend, Jack.

He walks into the living room and pauses when he sees me. “Hey, beautiful.” He lets his gaze travel slowly over my attire, a pair of skimpy shorts and my favorite t-shirt.

He approaches and puts his hands on my hips, pulling me close. “Need help?”

“I’m just about finished making cookies for Raina, but you can start on the cupcakes.” Our seven-year-old, soon to be eight-year-old daughter is having a party with her class tonight after their talent show performance and all the parents are bringing food.

Jack rubs my back.

I use my elbow to nudge him away.

Undeterred, he tugs the waistband of my shorts. “No, I meant do you need help taking this off?”

I smack his hand. “Was last night not enough?”

“With you, one taste is never enough.” He nuzzles the side of my neck.

Chills rush up my back. I lift my shoulder. “Stop. I can’t concentrate if you do that.” I can never concentrate when Jack touches me.

“I’ll guide you.” He steps around behind me and puts his hand over mine where I’m scooping batter out of the mixing bowl onto a cookie sheet.

“Lift and release,” he intones in my ear, his breath warm against my skin. He pushes himself against me, which pushes me into the counter. His body makes it abundantly clear it’s ready for action.

“Jack, put that away.”

He kisses my shoulder. “Okay.” He kisses the side of my neck. “You’re the boss.” He kisses me on the cheek. “Whatever you say.”

I laugh at his antics. This man has made life so beautiful. So steady. So full of love. Things that were in short supply for me until him.

Encouraged by my laughter, he takes my chin in his hand and turns my face toward him before planting a kiss on my lips.

“Did I ever tell you I’m crazy about you?”

“All the time.”

He kisses me again.

I sneak my hand into the batter and pull out some of it. Then I smear it on the end of his nose.

He steps back, slowly wiping the mess off. “Someone is looking for a spanking.”

I laugh and dart around the kitchen island now separating us. “If you catch me, you can.”

“Hang on. I’ll bust my ass with these socks on.” He lifts his legs in turn and peels off his socks, tossing them aside.

I point. “Don’t you leave those there.”

“I’m good at picking up after myself.”

“Because I make you.”

“Eh, semantics.” He tenses and starts left.

I fake right.

He stops and grins. “You’ve never been able to outrun me. C’mon. Don’t waste your energy.”

“How about you run from me? If I catch you, I’ll spank you.”

Jack laughs. “No baby. In this area of our marriage, I’m the boss.”

I roll my eyes. “Sure, honey.”

“Oh baby, it’s on.”

He rushes around the side, but I elude him.

Putting his hands on his hips, he studies me for a minute, his expression sobering. “Are you okay?”

I know why he’s asking. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day I was abandoned by my mother under an old bridge.

I don’t understand her choice and never will, especially now that I have a daughter of my own. But that’s her demon to live with now, not mine.

It took years of healing, but I finally realized what happened wasn’t about me. I didn’t mess up anyone’s life like she’d claimed I did.

“Honey?” Jack prompts.

“I’m fine. Honest.”

He spreads his arms open wide. “Then come here and let me give you a hug.”

“Sure.” I stay where I am.

Jack lowers his arms. “I wasn’t trying to fool you.”

“Uh huh.”

The timer for the oven goes off, letting me know the batch of cookies in there is ready to be removed.

I eye the oven.

Jack grins. “They’ll burn if you don’t get over here.”

“I swear, cowboy…” I reach for a spatula, brandishing it like a sword.

As I come around the island, Jack pounces, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me against his chest.

I go willingly, tipping my face toward his, seeking his kiss the way he seeks mine.

He kisses me in that way of his that tells me I’m everything he’s ever dreamed of.

I’m thankful that I gave us a chance all those years ago.

Jack slips his hand beneath my shirt and deepens the kiss, slanting his mouth to drink me in.

“Momma?”

Jack yanks away from me and slams his elbow into the wall. “Sonof—sunshine.”

Raina looks at her father. Then at me. Tossing her bookbag down, she rounds the island and looks at the plate of cookies already done.

She touches one. “Dad didn’t make these did he?”

“I messed up one time, okay? I was distracted.” He rubs his elbow and gives me a look.

I know exactly what he was distracted by and it involved a lot of moaning.

“I left the kitchen that day for what? An hour and when I returned—”

“An hour?” I laugh and tease, “It was probably closer to five minutes if that.”

Jack pokes his tongue into his cheek, looking at me like he’s going to prove otherwise later when we’re alone.

“I’m going to change,” Raina announces.

“It’s too early,” I tell her.

“But Oliver is coming over to help me.”

“Oliver? Who the fu-fudge is Oliver?” Jack asks.

Raina sighs. “He’s my best friend.”

“What? Wasn’t it Kimberley?” I say.

“She’s still my best friend, but Oliver is my best boy.” 

Jack frowns.

“Ah,” I say, hiding a grin at my husband’s expression. “The best boy.”

“Boys make terrible friends,” Jack protests.

“Oh, daddy.” Raina flounces off to her room.

My handsome cowboy looks at me.

“Did you forget that you and I were best friends?” I take his hand. “Hmm?”

“We still are but this is different. She’s my little girl.”

I cup his face. “She’ll always be your little girl.”

He sighs. “You’re right. I’ll let it go, but I can’t help but feel protective.”

“It’s okay.” I pat his chest. He doesn’t have to tell me he’s protective.

I know that about Jack. Just like I know he loves me and has made our life together beautiful. I know he always will.

***

If you enjoyed Jack and Cassidy’s story, then you’ll like meeting Rio and Noble in The Cowboy’s Curvy Nerd.