Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) by Rhonda Lee Carver

best. She should be treated like a queen.
    As much as he’d wanted to pleasure her with his tongue and his cock, he wouldn’t want to have her doing anything unless she was completely and utterly ready.
    He rubbed the bridge of his nose and let his hand drop with a thud onto the table, sending his fork popping up and landing with a piercing ding.
    Although she’d talked very little about her husband, Ben didn’t need to hear her confessions to realize it wasn’t a prized relationship. Cara had low self-esteem. Didn’t she realize how beautiful, how desirable she was?
    “You look like shit, man.”
    Ben looked up as Maverick came into the room.  He pulled out a chair across from Ben and straddled it. “Gee, thanks.” Ben rubbed his jaw. He guessed he needed a shower and shave. Probably a few winks wouldn’t hurt either. The last time he looked, it was after eleven P.M.
    “Running errands took me longer than expected. Why’d you need to see me?” Maverick leaned on his elbows on the back of the chair, concern etching deeper lines around his eyes. “I knew it must be serious because you keep to yourself during heartbreak season.”
    Ben wasn’t sure what to do, but instinct warned him to tread carefully. He wasn’t too proud to admit when he was in over his head, or when he needed a helping hand. “How are the other heartbreaks?”
    Maverick shrugged. “I was the tour guide for a doozy today. She has more money than she knows what to do with and she’s high maintenance, and likes to talk. I get the idea she’s used to men jumping at her commands. I had a hard time explaining to her that I wasn’t her companion, just a ranch hand, and rubbing her feet wasn’t my job.” He winked.
    “I need a favor,” Ben leaned forward, placing his palms flat on the table.
    “A favor?”
    “Take a day with Cara.” It hurt Ben to even suggest it, but he knew he had to take a step back to gain his control.
    “But you asked for us to let you take care of her.”
    “I know.” He blew a breath through his tight lips.
    “And you’ll take a day with Sicily? I am scheduled to run her to several appointments.”
    “Yes.”
    Maverick stared for a good three seconds until he burst into laughter. “Uh…let me get this straight. Sicily is a wolf in designer clothes. And I’d get to spend the day with that purdy little woman who looked like a deer in the headlights?”
    “You know I wouldn’t ask unless I thought it was best.” Ben had gone too far with her and he couldn’t trust himself that the attraction he felt wouldn’t continue to soar every time he laid eyes on her. He’d never been this crazy before, and the last thing he needed was to have some uncontrollable lust, or emotion, for a heartbreak.
    “Damn, bro, this is highly unusual. The only time this happens is when—“ Maverick’s eyes widened. “Oh shit! You didn’t…did you?”
    “Not sure what you’re asking, but I didn’t sleep with her.” Ben sat back into the chair, pulled off his hat and laid it on the table.
    “But you feel it’s in the works?” Maverick’s interest was showing in his dark brown eyes.
    “I feel that I overstepped a boundary and made things worse for her. I don’t want to make the same mistake twice. I need some time and all will be good with the world.”
    “Are you falling for the chick?” Maverick lifted a thick brow.
    “Hell, no. Me? Fall for a heartbreak?” Ben stabbed a thumb into the middle of his chest. “Just an attraction. We’ve all been there, right? I saved your ass a coupla times. Now I’m calling in a return favor.”
    Maverick sighed and scratched his cheek. “Man, you know I’d do anything in the world for you. But how does Cara feel about this?” Ben shook his head. Maverick sighed. “So, she’s going to be pissed?”
    “I think she’ll be relieved.”
    “Are you sure this is what’s best?””
    “Hell, man, I can handle a woman who is here just to throw around a little attitude. In