A Cowboy for Christmas: McKenzie Cousins Book 8 (Novella) Read online

  A Cowboy for Christmas

  McKenzie Cousins Book 8 (Novella)

  Lexi Buchanan

  Contents

  McKenzie Family Tree

  1. Olivia

  2. Geary

  3. Olivia

  4. Geary

  5. Olivia

  6. Geary

  7. Olivia

  8. Geary

  9. Olivia

  10. Geary

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Acknowledgments

  Other books by Lexi Buchanan

  Tears in the Rain

  Stryker, MMA Romantic Suspense

  Twenty Eight Days, Romantic Suspense

  Come Back to Me

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2018 by Lexi Buchanan

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Published by HFCA Publishing House

  http://www.lexibuchanan.com

  http://ronajameson.com

  McKenzie Family Tree

  Elias and Pippa McKenzie

  * * *

  Lucien & Sabrina (Entice #4)

  Alexander ~ Paige McKenzie (MC#4, Kissing Cousins)

  Olivia ~ Geary Tyler (MC#8, A Cowboy for Christmas)

  * * *

  Michael & Lily (Seduce #1, The Wedding #1.5)

  Michael Jr ~ Brooke Jordan (MC#2, A Business Decision)

  Charlotte ~ Tanner Jackson (MC#3, Secret Kisses)

  Sirena ~ Garrett Hudson (1 son - Elias Michael James Hudson - 1 daughter - McKenna Lily Hudson ~ MC#1, Baby Makes Three)

  Joshua

  * * *

  Sebastian & Carla (Rapture #2)

  Madison ~ Derek Jackson (MC#5 If Only)

  Dylan

  * * *

  Ruben & Rosie (Delight #3)

  Ryan

  Sofia ~ Shane Fletcher (MC#07, A Baker’s Delight)

  Jaxon

  * * *

  Ramon & Noah (Cherished #5)

  Paige ~ Seth Reynolds (MC#6, Princess and the Puck)

  Rachel ~ Alexander McKenzie (MC#4, Kissing Cousins)

  1

  Olivia

  The sight of my office has started to annoy me. In truth nothing has been right since I left my cousin’s home in Montana and came back to Lexington. It’s not Madison that niggles, but more like the deliciously hot cowboy who I gave my heart to. Geary. He’d managed to talk me out of my panties within hours of us meeting, and he had the ability to keep them off of me.

  We had agreed from the start that what we shared was temporary, except, I don’t want it to be temporary anymore. As the snow falls outside of the McKenzie building, I wish I was curled up in front of the warm hearth in Geary’s small cabin. The stone cabin was close to Derek and Madison’s home, but felt completely separate. That’s how I feel right now. Completely separate from my own life. I’m going through the motions except nothing feels the same.

  I’m lonely.

  My brother, Alexander, is happily married and my cousins are all falling in love and starting families of their own. It feels like an epidemic and I’ve never been so out of place before. I know why, I just don’t know what I’m going to do about it. Or even if the man in question wants me to do anything.

  Geary had readily agreed to our brief encounter, and he’s had plenty of time to get in touch with me, but he hasn’t. I can’t blame him completely because I haven’t tried to get in touch with him either. I guess it works both ways.

  Biting down on the pencil I’ve been twirling around between my fingers, I wince and toss the remains into the trash under my desk. Sighing heavily, I stretch from my chair and moving over to the ceiling to floor window, I rest my forehead against the cool glass.

  “Olivia?” Michael, my cousin says with a frown in his voice. “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t know.” I sense him moving closer, and add, “I think I need a break.” As the words leave my mouth I know it’s what I really want. A break from the same schedule I keep on a daily basis. Some time to let my brain relax. The thought of having no responsibility for a short time starts filling me with excitement. I don’t rest. Ever. But this Christmas, I’m going to.

  “I’m going to take Christmas off and I’ll be back in the office mid-January.” I turn and grin at my astonished cousin. “I’ve just finished a project and haven’t picked anything up next.”

  “There are a few things waiting attention,” Michael comments.

  My smile starts to slip. “Really?”

  Michael pauses. “We’ll manage. January is always busy though.”

  “I just need a break. Something for me instead of everyone else.” I offer him a wry smile. “You know how much I love my family, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken time for just me.”

  “You haven’t, which is why I’m not giving you grief now.” Michael sits opposite my desk and watches me warily. “A friend of yours is in town and I thought you’d like to join us for dinner?”

  “Who? Business?”

  “Not business, although Geary has been in town a few days on business for Derek.”

  My heart starts to beat wildly thinking about Geary, until I realize Michael said Geary has been in town for a few days. Plenty of time for him to get in touch with me.

  “So dinner?” Michael urges.

  I desperately want to jump on his offer, but I don’t. “I have plans.”

  “Olivia, I know you. You do not have plans. You’re avoiding.”

  Dropping into my chair, I stare at my desk. “If he’s been in town a few days then he’s had chance to get in touch with me. He hasn’t. I’m not going to dinner.” I meet Michael’s gaze. “I’m going to leave early.”

  Michael opens his mouth and snaps it closed again.

  I’m well aware I’m being childish, I just can’t seem to stop myself.

  Moving out from behind my desk, I wrap my arms around him. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

  “He’s expecting you there tonight.” Michael won’t give up.

  “Please leave it.”

  Michael stays silent and leaves my office.

  So Geary is in town and has been for a few days, huh? I guess that tells me where I stand with him.

  Clearing my desk, I straighten the chairs and close the blinds before grabbing my purse. My office is silent as I close and lock the door.

  As I pass Michael’s office, I notice Brooke has arrived and she is currently wrapped around my cousin. I move toward the elevator, wondering if I’ll ever have what they do. What most of my other cousins have—someone to share a life with.

  2

  Geary

  My usual confidence has deserted me while I wait for Michael McKenzie and his wife to join me for dinner. I’m hoping Michael will bring Olivia with him, which I’d hinted at during our conversation. As I watch the couple being led toward me without Olivia, I know that I’ve made a mistake in not asking her myself.

  She’d wanted a no strings affair and that’s what I’d thought I’d wanted too—until I’d spent time with Olivia. I couldn’t think about anything or anyone else now, which is why I’d volunteered to travel to Lexington when Derek got sick with the flu. I’d wanted an excuse to spend time with Olivia again. I’ve spent enough time with her in my mind that enough is enough.

  “Geary,” Michael greets, “I’d like you to meet my wife, Brooke.”

  “I
t’s good to see you again, Michael, and it’s lovely to finally meet you, Brooke.”

  Michael clears his throat. “I’m not going to keep you waiting.” He glances at his wife and then holds my gaze. “Olivia isn’t here because she’s under the impression you don’t really want to see her.”

  I blink in surprise. “How?” I’m confused.

  “I may have slipped up and told her you’d been in town a few days. She got it into her head that if you’d wanted to see her, you would have done so before tonight.” Michael shrugs. “I’m sorry, but she’s stubborn.”

  Brooke reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Why don’t you surprise her?”

  “I’m not sure—”

  “She’ll like this surprise,” Brooke adds when Michael tries to discourage her. “I think she’s hurt that you didn’t get in touch with her directly.” She smiles. “I’m not going to say anymore, but if you want to take dinner to her tonight, then Michael and I are okay eating alone.”

  I laugh and glance at Michael. “You have a good woman.” On instinct, I lean forward and kiss Brooke on the cheek, whispering, “Thank you,” while I do. I shake Michael’s hand and then I’m outside the restaurant and hailing a cab.

  I’m not used to having to think ahead where a woman is concerned, but Olivia won’t leave me alone. Part of me is irritated that I’m thinking about her most of the day, every day, and the other half, wonders what the hell I’m doing. Going after a woman isn’t something I’m used to. She’s been in my thoughts since the moment I saw her, and one taste was never enough. She’s like a drug I crave.

  I toss money to the cab driver and quickly exit, only to find the woman in question leaving her apartment building with a man. The sight stops me in my tracks as I watch her smile up at him, linking her arm through his. Blood rushes through my head and disappointment is like a knife through my heart.

  Brooke and Michael are wrong—she’s moved on.

  It’s been months since we’ve been together or spoken, so I should have expected it because she’s a beautiful woman. I thought of her as mine, and seeing her with someone else hurts. It hurts a lot.

  My eyes caress over her with hunger, which is what Olivia and her friend see when they stop a few feet away, Olivia frozen in place. Her companion looks between us, his lips twitching before he clears his throat with a slight cough.

  Olivia narrows her eyes on the guy, and after a quick inhale, faces me. “Geary, I thought you were having dinner with Michael and Brooke.”

  “I was, until you didn’t show up.”

  “You didn’t invite me.”

  The guy chuckles and whispers something into her ear, a blush appears high on her cheekbones.

  “Can we talk? Please.” I may be asking Olivia, but it’s the guy I’m watching.

  He grins and holds out his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met, I’m Joshua…McKenzie.”

  Lightening strikes. “Olivia’s cousin?”

  “One of them.”

  I sigh in relief and narrow my gaze at Olivia. She clears her throat. “I was going out to dinner with Joshua when you so rudely interrupted.”

  Raising a brow, I grin, which is part amusement and part relief. “I didn’t interrupt anything. You stopped in front of me.”

  “Now children. I will go and eat at my sister’s place. You two need to talk.” He smirks. “I don’t need a badge to tell me that.” He kisses Olivia on the cheek, and pauses in front of me. “Look after her, or I will hunt you down.”

  Olivia snickers. “Joshua is a good guy. Like a brother.”

  “It’s a relief to know you’re related. I didn’t like seeing you with another man.” I frown, wondering what the hell made me admit that. Stepping toward Olivia, I take her arm and turn her around. “Let’s go back to your apartment and order in. I don’t want an audience for our conversation.”

  Olivia surprises me and is rather subdued as we walk into her building and use the elevator. She opens her apartment door and reengages the lock before she leads me through to her open-plan living room. She’s quiet and that bothers me because the Olivia who spent time with me, wasn’t quiet, and she always had a ready smile.

  Needing to get things off my chest, I admit, “Michael told me he let slip about me being in town.”

  “He did. That’s why I refused to come to dinner.” She shrugs pretending it’s no big deal when I can see it is.

  I toss my jacket to the sofa and move to stand in front of the beautiful woman. Even though she looks elegant and unapproachable, my body reacts to her. “We haven’t spoken or seen each other for months Olivia. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to see me. It took me three days to get business sorted, and as soon as I had, I asked Michael to bring you to dinner. I was actually worried you’d turn me down, so yeah, I took what I thought would be the easier route. Turns out I was wrong.” I back away and run my hands through my hair.

  “You really did want to see me?” she whispers.

  Watching her from under my brows, I realize she’s just as unsure as me. “I’ve thought about you for months, Olivia,” I admit, softly. “I guess I didn’t want you thinking I was using you for a booty call.” I smile wryly. “It’s Christmas and although Derek has invited me to spend it with him and Madison, I don’t want to intrude on their first Christmas together. I thought maybe—” I leave the sentence hanging and hope she’ll fill in what I haven’t said..

  “You want to spend it with me?” Her mouth starts curving into a beautiful smile.

  “The last time I thought something was going my way, and I wanted it badly, it didn’t work out so well for me.” I cough with nerves not wanting to go back into the past. “With everything in my life I’m confident, but for a long time I haven’t been in my personal life.” I smile and take one of her hands into mine. “I want to spend Christmas with you Olivia, if you’ll have me.”

  Olivia rapidly blinks, but she isn’t quick enough to prevent a tear from slipping down her face. Reaching up, I wipe it away with my thumb. “Am I forgiven for being a jerk and not getting in touch with you sooner?”

  “Yeah.” She smiles. “You are.”

  3

  Olivia

  Having Geary inside my apartment feels unreal and amazing all at the same time. I want him to be here with me, but I’m afraid to believe in him. I’ve been let down before, and wanting and craving the man has been driving me crazy.

  My head has been full of Geary from the moment we met and the cocky cowboy standing before me is trying to hide his nervousness, which I find sweet.

  I smile softly and with a light caress over his face, I admit, “I told Michael today that I’m taking the rest of December off.” I rub at his bottom lip with my finger. “I was planning on visiting you.”

  Geary lets out a relieved breath. “Olivia McKenzie was coming to me.” He gloats. “Madison was wrong.”

  I blink and narrow my gaze. “Madison?”

  He grins. “She told me to get off my ass and to come and get you. She said you wouldn’t chase.”

  Groaning, I try to frown and look annoyed but I’m anything but, because it brought him to me. “Madison would normally be correct. I’ve never chased.” My embarrassment rises, but I continue, “I was about to go after you. If you hadn’t shown up here.”

  I’m suddenly wrapped in Geary’s warm embrace, and he just…holds me. I sigh and relax against him, wrapping my arms around his waist while I nuzzle into his neck. “I’ve missed this,” I whisper, and softly add, “and you.”

  I feel a kiss against the top of my head. “I missed you too, Olivia. That’s the only reason I’m here.”

  Sighing softly, I lift my head and meet Geary’s gaze. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so serious.” I brush a hand over his brows.

  He captures my hand and kisses my fingers. “I want you Olivia. I’ve missed you so damn much.” His mouth crashes down on mine and all thought flees as I concentrate on the feel of his mouth—the feel of his tongue slipping and sli
ding with mine. The way he tastes; dark and sensual—a promise of more.

  Breathing heavily, his body rigid with need, he lifts his head, “What do you want, Olivia? I don’t want to blow it with you.”

  A picture of me on my knees in front of Geary slams into my mind the moment his words leave his mouth. My mouth curves in amusement while I feel a blush working it’s way up from my neck. I slip my hand to the front of his jeans, pulling the zipper down while holding his gaze. His breath catches when I shove my hand into his boxer briefs, stroking his cock. A hiss leaves his lips as I push the briefs past his hips.

  He feels alive in my hand and my eyes move to look at him. He was impressive before and he is now, long and thick, rigid with the tip purple and eager. I lick my lips and feel his body tremble. “I’m going to come all over you.” He knocks my hand away.

  I smirk and drop to my knees, eyeing his bobbing cock. The tip is fully engorged and wet with excitement.

  Geary curses above me, but the moment my lips wrap around the head of him, I don’t hear anything. Blood rushes around my head while my body throbs and aches to have him touching me. It makes me feel sexy being in this position, knowing how much control Geary has given to me as he comes undone. His cock throbs and swells while I lick and suck at him, my hands massaging his balls and between his legs.