Jules and Bulls

by Chandler Ardnas

  “You fit so nicely in my arms,” he whispered, and I felt my knees turn to mush.

  I ran my hand through his hair that was sticking out from his hat and twisted it around my fingers. He backed up enough to look into my eyes and tilted his head, so his hat wouldn't bump into me. “Do you want me to take you back to your hotel?”

  I didn't trust my mouth, so I shook my head back and forth. He leaned in so slowly I thought my heart would stop beating in my chest and kissed me very softly. It was torturous, and I wanted to jam my tongue down his throat. I tightened my hand around his neck and pulled him in again. He kept the kiss light and just barely brushed his lips against mine, driving me absolutely crazy.

  “Kiss me,” I complained, wanting so much more than his feathery touch.

  Someone knocked into us at that moment, and I would have fallen if he hadn’t been holding me so tightly. Tennyson glared at the guy and said emphatically, “Apologize to the lady.”

  The man looked me up and down and sneered at my shoes, “I don’t see a lady.”

  I was stunned when Tennyson grabbed the guy and pushed him into the thick, crowded dance floor. “Now you’re going to apologize twice,” he yelled.

  The man narrowed his eyes and a couple of his buddies stood next to him with their hands pulled into fists. I grabbed Tennyson’s arm and said, “It’s okay, really.”

  “Go sit down,” Tennyson said, and turned back to the men.

  Royal came to stand next to Tennyson and smiled broadly. “Jerry, are you starting some shit?” Royal asked with a chuckle.

  "Your brother thinks I need to apologize to his whore; he's wrong."

  Tennyson swung so quickly Jerry never saw it coming. His fist connected with the man’s jaw, knocking him to the floor. “You owe her three now,” Tennyson screamed.

  I had no idea what happened after that point. The entire dance floor erupted into fighting, and Amylia pulled me back to the table, completely unconcerned. I stared in shock at the violence around me, and she laughed, "Don't worry, it is just how they play.”

  “Play?” I asked, suddenly feeling very sober.

  “They relieve the tension by hitting each other, it makes the bulls less scary,” she giggled.

  “This is insane,” I said under my breath.

  I watched the band continue to perform as if nothing was happening. I had no idea what made it finally end, but the police never arrived. The man named Jerry walked over to me with a swollen eye and a bloody lip, and tipped his hat, “Sorry,” he said, and I nodded numbly.

  Tennyson came back and sat down as if he had only taken a bathroom break. I stared in confusion and finally said, "You're bleeding."

  He put a napkin up to the small cut next to his eye and said, “It’s nothing.”

  “What the hell was that?” I asked as I continued to stare at him.

  “He was rude, he needed to apologize,” he stated bluntly.

  “I’m guessing you’re not big on turning the other cheek.”

  He finally turned to look at me and said, “I’m not weak,” as if I had insulted him.

  Royal came up and extended his fist for Tennyson to bump and said, “Nuts and guts.”

  Tennyson said it back, and both guys smiled. I looked at Bethany as she jumped on Royal's lap and kissed him passionately. Apparently, Royal’s fighting was foreplay to her. I noticed Tennyson's parents were on the dance floor and I wondered if his father had been fighting, too. This whole world was too confusing for me. Tennyson was kissing me too lightly one moment and punching a guy’s face the next. Maybe psychotic people were drawn to this lifestyle.

  Martin walked up to me with a pretty girl on his arm. I smiled at the girl and then glared at Martin. “Can you take a cab?” he asked me.

  “Sure,” I said, and pitied the poor girl.

  “I’ll take her,” Tennyson told him.

  Martin smirked knowingly at me as he said, “I bet he will.”

  “You better watch your manners,” Tennyson warned, as he stood to confront Martin.

  "He's my manager," I explained, and prayed Tennyson wouldn’t punch him.

  "I don't care who he is; he better treat you with respect."

  “You’re not my father,” I said, as I pulled him back down to sit.

  Tennyson's brow furrowed, and he looked confused, "What does that have to do with anything?"

  I could tell he felt it was his responsibility to protect me and it angered me a bit. We had just met, and he was feeling possessive. I ignored him and turned back to Martin, “When do we leave tomorrow?”

  “Um, I’m not sure; I’ll leave you a message after I check.”

  I had a suspicious feeling Martin did not tell me everything about this ‘eating crow’ trip he had arranged for me. I had a concert next weekend in Denver and hoped I wasn’t going straight there from here. “Don’t forget about the concert in Denver next weekend,” I reminded him before he walked away, and I turned back to Tennyson.

  He smiled in a way that made me so nervous. He was going to take me back to the hotel, and I had to find the strength to send him away. I grabbed a beer off the table and took a long drink. I immediately felt the effects return and put it down. Tennyson picked up a napkin and dabbed his cut again.

  “Does it hurt?” I asked him, and he chuckled as he shook his head back and forth. “I’m guessing you have plenty of scars,” I said, not meaning I wanted him to show them to me.

  “Not too many, I told you I’m good at what I do.”

  “And why do you do this?” I said as I motioned toward the crowd.

  “It’s a way of life, my dad lived this way, and his dad. It’s ingrained in my genes.”

  “I just don’t get it,” I said softly.

  "We are a normal family. We live on a ranch in California, and we work hard, as well as play hard."

  “I’m an only child,” I said with a smile.

  “Your parents must be very proud of you,” he said, and moved a strand of hair behind my ear. I felt my face blush and shook my head in the negative.

  “They felt college would have been a better avenue.”

  “Surely they are proud of your success.”

  I felt the tears form again and took a deep breath. I didn't want to admit how unsupportive my parents were. His family took part in his dream; mine only criticized me. "It's hard when you want to be a grown-up, and the rag magazines report every sordid detail of your life for your school-superintendent father to read."

  “Am I a sordid detail?” he asked.

  "Let me see; famous cowboy takes Jules Smith back to the hotel after a drunken brawl. Hum… you’re looking pretty sordid,” I laughed.

  "Why don't I go get the microphone, and you can insult France this time, so I get left out of the story," he laughed as if he came up with the perfect plan.

  I smiled and stared at his beautiful face and then sighed, “I think I better take a cab back to the hotel.”

  “Or you can stay here with me?” he suggested.

  "It would only sell more magazines," I told him honestly.

  He played with my fingers and spoke softly without looking at me. “The cameras here only care about the cowboys. I think you would be noticed less here than at the hotel.”

  “But the walk of shame in the morning would be plastered across the internet, as I scurry back to the hotel.”

  He raised his eyes to meet mine, and my heart began racing yet again. "I want you to stay," he said quietly.

  Chapter 3

  He asked me to spend the night and I wasn’t sure I could say no. He was so sweet and made me feel protected. But the truth was, I didn’t even know this guy and maybe he was going to film the whole thing and sell it on the open market. I had to be smart and not place all my trust in a cute guy. “I can’t,” I said sadly.

  He looked at his watch and said, “Will you take a walk with me?”

  I smiled and leaned my forehead against his before saying, “A walk doesn’t mean sex, doe
s it?”

  “No, just a walk,” he said sadly, and I felt badly for insinuating anything different.

  “I would really like to take a walk with you, Tennyson Weller.” I smiled, and he returned the gesture as he stood and pulled me toward the back of the center. We headed down a narrow hallway and a security guard opened a door revealing a long path under the street to the arena. When we exited the other side, we were in the back of the arena where all the RV’s were parked. People were all over the place caring for animals and he led me to a temporary corral filled with horses.

  “This is my best friend,” he said, as he rubbed the head of the horse that came right up to him.

  “Man-o-war?” I asked.

  Tennyson smiled widely and nodded; seemingly impressed I remembered the name of his horse. “He’s an American Quarter Horse,” he said, and I had no idea what that meant. “He would give his life for me, of course he is worth much more than my life is,” he laughed.

  “Are horses expensive?” I asked, as I tentatively put my hand out to touch his horse.

  “That one over there,” he said, pointing to a horse with a braided mane, “cost Amylia over two-hundred grand.”

  “Holy crap, and my father complained about the price of guitars. Do all these belong to your family?” I asked, as I looked around the tight enclosure.

  “Yeah, my father and Morgan are vets. My dad takes care of the ranch stock and Morgan takes care of the rodeo stock. I’ll show you my other baby,” he said, taking my hand again.

  He led me to an extended-cab truck with tires up to my waist and loaded with every option you could imagine. His name was painted on the side with a picture of him riding a bull.

  I laughed loudly and walked around the massive thing, “Oh, man, you are really trying to compensate for something. This must get five miles per gallon.”

  “I think it is my version of manifest destiny,” he laughed. “There are no lands to conquer so I have to conquer the road.”

  “Does everything you ride have to be dangerous?” I teased.

  “Not everything, there’s my trailer,” he said, pointing to a gorgeous motorhome with more pictures and his name everywhere.

  “How did you get them both here?” I asked, as I looked back and forth between the two.

  “A driver brings the trailer,” he explained.

  He walked over and opened the door for me to look inside. I was so jealous at how much nicer his trailer was than the one I had for concerts. I looked at every inch of the thing before turning my attention back to him. He was leaning against the counter of the small kitchen and I realized I had fallen for his game.

  “Dammit,” I said under my breath, and he gave me an odd look. “I fell for it; you got me into your trailer.”

  “I’m not blocking the door; you can leave if you don’t want to be here.” I didn’t like the way he phrased it, because it forced me to admit I did want to be there. I glared at him and he only smiled. “How old are you, Jules?”

  “Twenty-three.”

  “So is Amylia, I’m twenty-five.”

  “Is that old in cowboy years?” I asked.

  He chuckled and said slyly, “I’m in my prime.” I felt a shiver run through me again and I crossed my arms awkwardly. “I wish you had some of your music on you,” he said, as he nodded to the couch. “I would love to hear it.”

  “It isn’t your style, believe me,” I laughed, and sat at the end furthest from him.

  He shrugged, “I would still like to hear it.”

  “I’ll download some for you,” I offered.

  We sat in silence for a moment and I finally found the courage to look at him. He licked his lips and I watched his tongue glide over his mouth and disappear again. I swallowed and noticed how dry my mouth felt.

  “Come here,” he whispered with a jerk of his head, almost taking my breath away.

  I wanted to stay put so badly. My mind was screaming at me to walk out that door, but my body had a will of its own and moved toward him. He held his arms open and I collapsed into them as he lay back on the cushions, pulling me on top of him.

  “Ow,” I yelled, “Is that a weapon?” I climbed off him to stare at his massive gold buckle. He let his head fall back in laughter and I realized how my words sounded. “I was talking about your buckle,” I said with a red face.

  “Damn, I was ready to get rid of the truck,” he teased.

  “Get rid of the buckle and work up to the truck,” I said, shaking my head. I moved back to the end of the couch and sat.

  He stood and looked right at me as he pulled his shirt from his jeans and removed his belt. I reached out for it and he laid it in my hand, which immediately dropped from the weight.

  “Oh, my God,” I laughed. “How do you carry this huge thing around?”

  “We’re still talking about the buckle, right?” he said with a sultry voice. I rolled my eyes at him attempted humor.

  He pulled on the ends of his shirt and the buttons quickly unsnapped showing his bare chest. His muscles were taut and rippling, even though he had a thin frame. I tried so hard to look away, but his body was perfect, just like his face and I wanted to touch it. I pulled my hands into a fist and forced myself to remain sitting. He stuck his heel in some contraption and pulled his leg, leaving the boot on the floor. He repeated the action and then came to sit next to me.

  “There, nothing dangerous left.”

  I shook my head in disagreement. “I already told you, you are a very dangerous man.”

  He looked into my eyes and then at my mouth before saying, “I wouldn’t hurt you.”

  “Really? Because you’re killing me right now,” I whispered with a smile.

  He put his hand on the back of my head and held me captive as he moved toward my mouth. I reached up and pulled his hat from his head and tossed it before putting my hand into his hair. He kissed me very lightly again and I wanted to cry from the frustration it produced.

  I followed him as he backed away, placing my lips firmly onto his and wrapping his hair in my fist. He moaned, and I lifted off the cushion, pushing him back so I could stretch out onto him. His legs wrapped around my calves holding me pinned to the couch. I ran my hands over his chest, not used to men who didn’t wax, and moved his open shirt out of the way so I could kiss my way around his muscles. He let his arms drop over his head, and he closed his eyes, as he moaned loudly.

  Something was off, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I was getting more and more aggressive as my body demanded his attention. He held my face in his hands and tilted my head away as he kissed my neck so tenderly. I was panting loudly and wanted to rip his jeans from his body when it dawned on me what was different. He was touching me softly and moving slowly, and I had expected the exact opposite. I thought he would be rough and wild, like he was with the bronc.

  I began to follow his pace and take my time with every inch of him. I let my lips trail over his as my fingers outlined his face gently. He flattened his hands against my shoulder blades and pulled me tightly to him. I pushed up onto my locked arms and looked into his eyes. I could see the fire burning right under the surface and his control amazed me.

  “You are so beautiful,” he murmured.

  “I’m quickly losing control,” I told him, hoping he had enough for both of us.

  Instead, he reached under my shirt and pulled it from my body. He looked down at my chest and touched my bare skin very lightly, before kissing the exposed flesh. I arched into him, wanting to beg him to let the torture end and move quickly.

  He rolled over me and sat up; bringing my foot to his chest he pulled off my shoe and sock and then cleared the other foot. He bent over, still on his knees to kiss my stomach and I lifted my body up to meet him. He kissed his way up to my bra and unhooked the front clasp with his teeth causing me to giggle.

  “It’s not my first rodeo,” he said against my skin.

  “Obviously,” I laughed.

  He finally, finally, c
ame to my mouth, letting the full weight of his body lie against me, and kissed me like I wanted. His mouth consumed me, and I couldn’t catch my breath. I felt like I was fusing into him and would never be able to be only Jules again. My arms were wrapped so tightly around him I wasn’t sure if I was hurting him or not, but his kiss deepened even more, and I cursed the jeans we were both still wearing for blocking my path from truly having him.

  He finally moved from my mouth and I gasped loudly for air. I heard him growl into my neck. “God, Tennyson,” I yelled out.

  “Tell me what you want,” he said into my ear.

  “You, I want you,” I panted, feeling actual pain from wanting him so badly.

  “How? Tell me how you want me,” he asked, and I cried out when he rocked his pelvis against me.

  “Just do me already,” I said with labored breath.

  He chuckled and shook his head, “I don’t do that,” he whispered, and I pulled on his hair making him look at me.

  “Then show me what you do and stop with the teasing,” I demanded.

  He stood and pulled me to my feet. I was about to let loose with a string of profanities when he picked me up and headed to the large bed in the back of the trailer. As soon as I was on the bed he began undoing my jeans and I quickly kicked my legs out of them. He removed his in one fluid motion along with his boxers and I stared at him like a he was manna. He grabbed the tiny side of my panties and ripped them with his bare hands as I pulled him to me.

  “Jules, think about this, if you want me to stop, just say the word.”

  “Are you insane?” I said and began kissing him passionately.

  “I don’t want you to regret anything,” he said, as he pushed away a bit.

  I took a deep breath and he stared at me, waiting for the green light. “Tennyson, I know this is happening so fast, and I know you either want me to go away afterwards or show up again tomorrow night. I just want you to keep quiet about it, okay?”

  He moved away from me and sat up against the head of the bed, as he tried to steady his breathing. “I want to get to know you, Jules. I don’t want you going anywhere.”