Trent had been fascinated by the results and sent in a cheek swab to see if they could find some long-lost relative of his. If they could connect a serial killer to victims in a decades-old case, maybe this company could find out who his father was. Maybe it would connect Trent with a son or daughter. He didn’t tell Billy he was doing this, because his manager would probably pitch a fit about opening himself up to lawsuits, but that was the last thing Trent was worried about.
Next up was the rodeo court announcement, so that meant he had to get back on the horse. He made sure to tape up his knee for support and take a bunch of Advil so no one caught him wincing on the way up or down.
Everything was going just fine until he dismounted to judge the mutton busting, and he caught sight of the waiting pens where the bulls were. Frank Sullivan was chatting with Enrique Chavez, one of the top breeders of champion bulls. But that barely registered because behind Chavez was his nemesis—Corazon del Diablo.
The bull looked at him and Trent felt a frisson of awareness. That son of a bitch was pure evil. Mexican fighting bulls were bred for aggression and it showed. Trent bared his teeth at it. It stared back at him with flat eyes with a hint of crazy in them. The world narrowed to the two of them. Six seconds on that bull’s back had changed his life forever.
Six seconds. Two more seconds and it could have ended differently. Two more seconds and he would have gone out a champion. Two more seconds and Trent could have placated himself that at least he went out on top of his game, instead of underneath this bull’s hooves.
Before he could approach the bull and his owner, Chavez, a few of Trent’s old buddies smacked him on the back and dragged him away to hang out with the younger riders. Corazon del Diablo hadn’t been on the lists of bulls for the event. He would have remembered that. He must have been a late admission.
“I can’t stay long,” he said to the bull riders, because he could see the kids lining up for their sheep run. He couldn’t see Alissa, but he hoped she’d be there with her pink leather-fringed chaps and matching gear. “Who’s slotted to ride Corazon del Diablo?”
“I am.” A young, brash kid strutted forth and gave him a cocky grin. “I’m Johnny Trapp. It’s nice to meet you, Trent. I saw the footage that took you out. Don’t worry, I’m going to last eight seconds and put an end to that bull’s rep.”
Of course you are, kid. It was what Trent would have said to the old-timer when he was Trapp’s age. He knew better than to warn him off the bull. That would just piss Trapp off. But he felt he had to tell him something, just in case Trapp ended up in the same situation he’d been in.
“Well, here’s what you need to do.” Trent remembered every instant of his ride. He had played it over and over in his head. “He’s going to come out of the chute fighting. Expect him to buck high and spin like a tornado in midair. He whips around fast and he’ll try and slam his head back to get you with his horns. Once you’re down, he’s going to go for you. Be prepared. Roll up right away, fast as you can. He has to be forced back into the pen.”
“I got this. He’s slower now than when you had him. He’s getting old. Talk is Chavez is putting him out to pasture after this. You sure you don’t want another try at him?”
Did he? Trent’s entire body locked up. Hell yeah, every inch of him screamed. But it wasn’t his night to shine. He’d had his time. It was over. He was a teacher now and there wasn’t anything wrong with that. He was also a father. He couldn’t afford to be reckless when his daughter needed him. Except she didn’t know he was her father. Wouldn’t it be better if she remembered him as a winner and not some limping old man who taught her how to ride a sheep? It was hard to turn away, but Trent did.
“He’s your ride, kid. Just be safe.”
But it bothered the fuck out of him. So much that he couldn’t enjoy the mutton-busting event and nearly missed Alissa’s ride. She made it to the second round, but fell off right out of the chute on her second ride. She got up like a trooper, though, and he resisted the urge to go over and check to make sure she was okay. He did get a hug when he awarded her with her participation ribbon and medal. And if he held on to her a little longer than the other kids who hugged him, well, he was sure no one noticed.
Kelly got some great shots of the entire event and he hoped she was taking pictures when he gave Alissa her prize. He definitely wanted a copy of that for himself.
After doing more announcing work, he was back down with the bull riders. The bullfighters were top notch and he high-fived one of the guys who had helped him out on more than one occasion. Last Stand had a rule that the riders had to wear helmets and chest pads. The riders groaned about it, though. Let ’em bitch. The second one of them landed on their head and cracked the helmet instead of their skull, they would shut up about it.
Trent was tense and jittery as hell as they brought Corazon del Diablo into the chute.
“You want to hot prod him, Trent?” the gate man asked.
Shaking his head, Trent laughed without humor. “You won’t need to.”
As if to prove his point, the bull stomped and slammed against the pen, bucking up and nearly throwing Johnny off in the chute. The flank man tried to steady the bull. The chute boss was there helping him keep his seat and the rope puller was handing him his rope. Trent didn’t let himself think too much about it, but he hopped over the fence and stood next to the gate man. There was a three-man bullfighter team and a horseman with a rope. They kept the crowd motivated and cheering while Johnny got settled on the bull’s back.
When Johnny gave the nod, the gate man slammed open the gate. Corazon del Diablo went airborne. A bull that big shouldn’t be able to jump that high. He kicked and turned ninety degrees. He touched the ground for a moment and spun fast. Johnny had a good seat and kept it throughout all the twists, turns, and shuffles the bull threw at him. Johnny made it eight seconds.
“Yes!” Trent clapped his hands.
But then the bull tossed him and Trent saw that Johnny’s spur was caught in his rope. Hung up, Johnny hit the ground hard on his shoulder. The bull twisted and stomped down. The bullfighters were there pushing and distracting the bull, but Johnny was being dragged across the arena, dangerously close to Corazon del Diablo’s hooves. The horseman whipped his lasso and missed. Damn it. Trent grabbed a red T-shirt and waded in, waving it furiously.
“Hey! Hey!” Trent cursed at it in gutter Spanish that he’d picked up on the circuit and from what Pete had taught him.
Corazon del Diablo caught sight of him and tossed his head. One of the bullfighters took a hold of the rope hook and the other used a knife to cut the rope free just as the bull charged Trent. The gate to the pen opened. The lasso hooked Corazon del Diablo by his filed-down horns. Trent leapt for the rails and got up in time to miss the charge and with a little more encouragement, the bull went back into the pens, snorting and kicking all the way.
Johnny hadn’t moved. The paramedics were out and after a few moments helped him to his feet. He waved to the crowd and they roared in relief. He limped off and Trent followed them back.
After a few minutes of examination, the doctor came out and gave a short summary to the chute boss. “Fractured his ankle,” the doctor said. “Dislocated shoulder and a concussion.”
Trent sighed in relief. The kid would ride again.
“I’m all right,” Johnny said. “What did I score?”
“Eighty-six.”
“All right.” He accepted some high fives. Trent left the area just as his knees began to wobble. That could have been his last ride. He could have gone eight seconds and gotten away with a concussion. But the adrenaline that now coursed through him, that was what he’d really missed.
“Are you out of your mind?” Kelly rammed into him, furious. The force of it almost took them both to the ground. Luckily, they hit the side of the building and he was able to keep his feet.
“I was fine,” he said, anger pouring out of him now that reaction had set in.
“You could have been hurt.”
He shrugged her off him. “It’s all good.” He wanted his shot on that bull. He wanted to ride it more than eight seconds. He wanted to be on its back until it stopped bucking and stood still like a sheep. It would never happen. And his hip would probably shatter on a hard bounce. That pissed him off and he banged his fist on the side of the building.
Kelly flinched away from him. “What were you thinking?”
“That I wasn’t going to let that devil bull end another cowboy’s career.”
“So, you jumped in the ring? Let the bullfighters do their job.”
“I did. The more hands the better. Johnny’s safe, and now I’ve got to go back to the booth to make some announcements.”
He stormed away from her before realizing what he was doing. Then, pivoting, he came back to where she was standing, still gaping at him. Hauling her to him, he kissed her hard, not caring who saw them.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as she stood up on her tiptoes to meet his mouth with a forceful kiss of her own.
“Trent,” she groaned.
Anger turned to passion and against sane reasoning, he backed her toward the equipment room. Still kissing her, he fumbled the door open and kicked it shut behind them. It was his lucky day—she was wearing a long prairie skirt. Kelly unbuckled his pants, her mouth and tongue never leaving his. Pulling up her skirt to her waist, he took out his buck knife and cut her panties off her. She moaned as the little scraps of silk fluttered to the equipment floor along with the knife. Trent’s fingers found her wet and eager for him. He fingered her quickly, enjoying her reactions as she gasped and writhed. Clearing a shelf with his forearm, he lifted her up on it and draped her legs over his shoulders.
He dove his head under her skirt, tonguing her pussy. Kelly grabbed his head, crying out in pleasure. Her musky sweet taste was pushing him over the limit and he licked her clit and sucked on the folds of her skin when her thighs trembled.
“Trent,” she begged.
It had been over five years since he’d had her like this. Damn, it was just as good as he remembered. He flicked his tongue over that throbbing bud until she writhed on his face. She was on fire for him, egging him on with each excited gasp.
There were no words, just moans and the building need that he had to have her right then. Right now. She held him against her sweetness while she came.
“Damn,” he panted. “I need you.”
“Yes,” she gritted out, nearly vibrating with anticipation.
Trent pulled a condom out of his pants and ripped it open. He licked her slowly as he undid his pants and pulled them down. Her thighs quivered against his cheeks. After he slid on the condom, he came up for air. Kelly was panting, her eyes half closed. Picking her up from the shelf, he turned and pressed her back against the wall. She wrapped her legs around him as he eased inside her.
Kelly’s back arched and she cried out again, clutching his shoulders.
“All right?” he grunted out, burying his face in her neck.
“Fuck me,” she moaned.
Grinning, he let loose, thrusting his hips hard into her hot, willing pussy. Pain and discomfort from his abused body merged into a burning pleasure as he pumped inside her. Trent sucked on her neck, as she tangled her fingers through his hair. The greedy sounds of pleasure she was making sent him closer and closer to the edge. It was the night they met, all over again. He took her faster, slamming into her as she begged him for more. She tightened around him and she came shouting, “Yes, Trent. Yes.”
As she clamped around him, he started to lose focus and began to shake. His orgasm ripped through him with the force of a Texas twister and he groaned in quick guttural grunts.
“Later,” he promised her, kissing her lips as he eased out of her. “Later, we’ll do this slow. Come to the studio and spend the night.”
“I can’t,” she said, her legs shaking when he eased them to the ground.
“Yes, you can.” Trent smoothed her skirt down. “After everyone is asleep. Take Pippi and ride out. When you come back in the morning, everyone will think you were out for a sunrise ride. Please, Kelly. I’m not done with you and I’ve got to get back before they miss me. Please, say you’ll come.”
“I’ll come,” she said, softly.
“Yes, you will.” He tossed the condom in the trash and put himself back together, picking up his knife from the floor. “You’re so beautiful.” He kissed her once again because he couldn’t stop himself, but then forced himself to pull away. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
“I’ll be there.” Kelly touched her lips. They were puffy from his kisses. He almost went back for more when they heard voices outside the door.
“Come on,” Trent said, hooking an arm around her and pulling her forward. “Here, take these.” He handed her a box of prizes for the kids while he grabbed a case of soda. When they left the supply shed, no one gave them a second glance.
“Where do these go?” she asked.
“Damned if I know. Let’s set them by the stage.”
“Trent, you stay away from that bull,” she said, once they’d put their packages down on a table. “I mean it.” She tugged at his sleeve.
“All I’m thinking about is you,” he said. “You better be getting back before Alissa wonders where you are. I want to do something as a family tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “I have some things to do in the morning, but we can come over later.”
He gave her a quick hug. “I can’t wait until tonight when we can take our time.”
She gave his ass a quick squeeze. “I kind of like the fast and furious.”
“I can do that, too.”
He swatted her butt as she left. He was glad she’d taken his mind off Corazon del Diablo before he’d done something stupid, like borrow some rope and climb on top of the bastard.
Chapter Eleven
Kelly tucked Alissa into bed. She had cried when Kelly told her Trent couldn’t tuck her in again tonight because he would be up late with the rodeo. Sticky with cotton candy and filled up with popcorn, Alissa accepted a cowboy bear instead. She named it Trent and it was currently wearing her mutton-busting medal. Alissa had nearly fallen asleep in her bath, and Kelly was ready to join her. But she took a bracing hot shower instead, putting on her favorite perfume and a matching set of bra and panties. If Trent wanted to cut these off her, he was damned sure going to pay for the replacements.
She downloaded the pictures she’d taken and sorted them into categories to touch up later. Kelly had also handed out some business cards and made a few contacts. Luckily, she didn’t need a studio. These parents wanted action shots of their kids on the go and she could edit the pictures from right here.
As she waited for the house to settle down, she shared the video she’d taken of Alissa riding the sheep with her sisters. Emily was in the airport now and would soon be on her way home. She was excited that they’d soon be all together and be able to affect the ranch’s bottom line.
It was closer to one in the morning when she made her way out to the stable with an overnight bag. The lights were on inside and she could hear a lot of commotion. She walked in hesitantly and was surprised to see Janice and Nate guiding Synergy into a stall. The high-strung stallion was balking and misbehaving, but the two of them weren’t taking any of his nonsense.
“You’re back early,” she said, tossing the bag down so she could help.
Janice hugged her after they secured the racehorse inside. “We pushed through to try and get to the rodeo, but the traffic did us in. We saw the fireworks from the highway.”
“Hi, Nate,” Kelly said, hugging him as well.
He was a big bear of a man with kind tawny eyes and short brown hair. She didn’t think she’d ever seen him without a cowboy hat on. “How’s your dad?” he asked.
“Tired, ornery. I bet he’ll be thrilled you’re back. He’s been overdoing it. But if you want, hide your truck and I’ll tell him I neve
r saw you so you can sleep in tomorrow.”
“Tempting,” he said.
Kelly followed them back to the trailer while they took Black Dahlia out.
“Come on, ugly,” Nate said, guiding the gorgeous mare out.
“Don’t come crying to me if she bites you,” Janice said, going into the extended cab for the dog cages. Kelly helped her take the six cages out and put them on the barn floor. Once Black Dahlia was settled in, Nate said, “I’m going to bed.”
He leaned in and kissed Janice on the mouth and then walked away, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb in the stable.
“What the hell?” Kelly whispered, frantically clicking leashes on the dogs before they could escape their cages and take off.
Janice blushed. “I’m not sure what’s gotten into him.” She took three dogs and Kelly took the other three. As they walked the excited pups of all shapes and sizes, Janice asked, “What are you doing out so late?”
“I’m sneaking out to join Trent. He’s staying at the school.”
“Pretty ballsy,” she said. “You better hope Alissa doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night.”
“After the day she’s had, I don’t think she’ll be up before dawn. But just in case, were you planning on joining Nate in his room off the bunkhouse?”
“No,” Janice said, her voice cracking into the night air in a horrified screech.
“Shh,” Kelly admonished her.
“It’s not like that between us,” Janice whispered fiercely.
“That was a pretty good kiss, by the looks of things.”
“It’s nothing. Just nothing. Drop it, okay.”
“One condition.”
Janice narrowed her eyes. “What?”
“Sleep in my bed, in case Alissa gets up. And cover for me in the morning, if I’m not back in time.”
“That’s two conditions,” Janice said primly.
“Or I could ask Nate what was up with that kiss.”
The Cowboy’s Daughter Page 13