Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) by Rhonda Lee Carver Page A
Authors: Rhonda Lee Carver
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fact, I can deal with the rich socialites any day over a timid, sweet woman who just wants to trust again.” Ben narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me ask twice, Mav.”
Maverick shook his head. “You won’t ask any of the other men, we both know that for a fact.”
“Yeah? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I am. I’d say we’re as close to brotherhood without DNA as possible. And I know that you care about this chick, enough that you’d only ask someone who will take care of her, respect her, and keep their callused paws off.”
Ben pounded him on the back. “Sometimes, I think you’re pretty damn smart.”
“Why do you think all the ladies can’t keep their hands off me?”
“Now you’re sounding like Jared.” Ben laughed.
“He’s rubbing off on me. Fair warning, I think Sicily, your heartbreak tomorrow, is here just to find out what it’s like to have a whipping boy do her bidding.” He snorted. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a head’s up. And she is scheduled for a massage first thing in the morning. Don’t forget, ya hear?”
“Cara has a meeting with Sofie and a manicure and pedicure after.”
“Alright, partner.” Maverick stood and dipped his hat. “Enjoy.”
After Maverick left, Ben was left with his bittersweet emotions. He had hoped he’d feel a sense of relief. Instead, he felt like dog shit. He didn’t think the trade was the right thing to do, but Ben knew he could trust Maverick—any of the men really. They were all good guys. And Maverick knew if anything bad happened to Cara then Ben would have his head on a platter.
That night, Ben slept a good half hour and was up at the crack of dawn. By the time he headed to his new heartbreak’s treehouse, he had the least amount of excitement than he ever had before. Just his luck that the massage therapist canceled his morning appointments due to an emergency. Maverick warned Ben Sicily wasn’t pleasant and he had a feeling this would set her off in a bad mood. He knocked on her door and it opened with her standing on the other side looking like she’d tied one on and could barely stand straight. Ben didn’t remember Maverick saying anything about a problem with her tilting the bottle. However, it wasn’t unlike a lot of the women who came out here to relax with a drink, or two, or three.
“Who are you?” She blinked. Her eyes were smudged with black liner and her lips were smeared crimson. She wasn’t bad looking, and he guessed back twenty or so years ago, she probably had any man she desired.
“Something came up for Maverick, ma’am. I’m filling in for him.”
Her narrowed grey gaze slipped over him and she sniffed loudly. “I guess you’ll do just fine.” She opened the door wider, stepped back and motioned for him to come in. Once inside he inhaled a large amount of flowery perfume that instantly made his temples throb. “I’ll change and we can be off for my massage. I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Ben removed his hat and held it against his chest. “I’m afraid there’s a problem. The appointments have been moved to this afternoon.”
“That won’t do at all,” she slurred. “I hope you’re as skilled as you look.”
“Skilled, ma’am?” Ben reluctantly asked.
“Maverick told me the massage therapist has magical hands.” One corner of her thin mouth lifted. “If I can’t have a professional, those large hands will do.” She looked at his hands, a mischievous smile curving her lips.
“I’m not quite following.” Ben had a feeling this would not be something he’d like. At least he was hoping he misunderstood her meaning.
“A massage, dear boy. I was promised a body massage. Are you going to keep me waiting?” Reedy brows curved over glassy eyes.
Ben knew this was all his fault. He’d wanted the day away from Cara. He didn’t want, but needed, and as challenging as it was, at least he didn’t have to worry about misbehaving parts stiffening with Sicily. “I don’t
Maverick shook his head. “You won’t ask any of the other men, we both know that for a fact.”
“Yeah? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I am. I’d say we’re as close to brotherhood without DNA as possible. And I know that you care about this chick, enough that you’d only ask someone who will take care of her, respect her, and keep their callused paws off.”
Ben pounded him on the back. “Sometimes, I think you’re pretty damn smart.”
“Why do you think all the ladies can’t keep their hands off me?”
“Now you’re sounding like Jared.” Ben laughed.
“He’s rubbing off on me. Fair warning, I think Sicily, your heartbreak tomorrow, is here just to find out what it’s like to have a whipping boy do her bidding.” He snorted. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a head’s up. And she is scheduled for a massage first thing in the morning. Don’t forget, ya hear?”
“Cara has a meeting with Sofie and a manicure and pedicure after.”
“Alright, partner.” Maverick stood and dipped his hat. “Enjoy.”
After Maverick left, Ben was left with his bittersweet emotions. He had hoped he’d feel a sense of relief. Instead, he felt like dog shit. He didn’t think the trade was the right thing to do, but Ben knew he could trust Maverick—any of the men really. They were all good guys. And Maverick knew if anything bad happened to Cara then Ben would have his head on a platter.
That night, Ben slept a good half hour and was up at the crack of dawn. By the time he headed to his new heartbreak’s treehouse, he had the least amount of excitement than he ever had before. Just his luck that the massage therapist canceled his morning appointments due to an emergency. Maverick warned Ben Sicily wasn’t pleasant and he had a feeling this would set her off in a bad mood. He knocked on her door and it opened with her standing on the other side looking like she’d tied one on and could barely stand straight. Ben didn’t remember Maverick saying anything about a problem with her tilting the bottle. However, it wasn’t unlike a lot of the women who came out here to relax with a drink, or two, or three.
“Who are you?” She blinked. Her eyes were smudged with black liner and her lips were smeared crimson. She wasn’t bad looking, and he guessed back twenty or so years ago, she probably had any man she desired.
“Something came up for Maverick, ma’am. I’m filling in for him.”
Her narrowed grey gaze slipped over him and she sniffed loudly. “I guess you’ll do just fine.” She opened the door wider, stepped back and motioned for him to come in. Once inside he inhaled a large amount of flowery perfume that instantly made his temples throb. “I’ll change and we can be off for my massage. I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Ben removed his hat and held it against his chest. “I’m afraid there’s a problem. The appointments have been moved to this afternoon.”
“That won’t do at all,” she slurred. “I hope you’re as skilled as you look.”
“Skilled, ma’am?” Ben reluctantly asked.
“Maverick told me the massage therapist has magical hands.” One corner of her thin mouth lifted. “If I can’t have a professional, those large hands will do.” She looked at his hands, a mischievous smile curving her lips.
“I’m not quite following.” Ben had a feeling this would not be something he’d like. At least he was hoping he misunderstood her meaning.
“A massage, dear boy. I was promised a body massage. Are you going to keep me waiting?” Reedy brows curved over glassy eyes.
Ben knew this was all his fault. He’d wanted the day away from Cara. He didn’t want, but needed, and as challenging as it was, at least he didn’t have to worry about misbehaving parts stiffening with Sicily. “I don’t