Reno's Journey: Cowboy Craze (The Wild West)

by Sable Hunter

  Journey shook her head as she hugged her friend goodnight. “You’re so weird, Lou. But I love you.” She kissed the woman on her cheek. “Thank you for helping Reno.”

  “I haven’t really done anything, yet. But you’re very welcome.”

  Lingering until the other two left the living room, Journey once again checked on the dogs and made sure all the doors were locked. She took out a roast from the freezer and placed it in the sink to thaw for tomorrow’s big meal.

  She felt as if a heavy weight rested on her shoulders. She was overwhelmed by all the information Lou had thrown at them. Most of the talk was over Journey’s head, but she was smart enough to realize headway was definitely being made. The likelihood of Reno finding his way home seemed to be higher with every passing hour.

  “Stop it,” she whispered to herself as she made her way across the living room and kitchen in the dark. “Don’t be selfish. Look at it this way, you’re having the adventure of a lifetime. An opportunity to experience something you never thought possible.” Yes, she’d met Reno face to face. She’d been able to talk to him. Get to know him. Hold him close. Kiss him.

  Refusing to cry, Journey choked back a sob lodged in her throat.

  And now, she might have to let him go. Forever.

  Nearing the hall, she reached out to find the door facing. When she did, her hand came into contact with something solid – yet warm. Something very much alive.

  Opening her mouth to let out a cry, her startled gasp was captured in Reno’s kiss. He swept her up in his arms and carried her to bed. After placing Journey gently on the blanket, he covered her body with his own. “Can I stay with you tonight?”

  “Again?” She pushed his hair from his face so she could kiss him on the nose. “This is becoming quite a habit.”

  “A good one. Yes?” He eased to the side and cradled her to him.

  A thrill ran through Journey. She couldn’t help it. She loved him so much. “Yes, a good habit.” How she wished it could be a lifelong one. “You’re happy, aren’t you?” She could hear it in his voice, she could feel it in the lack of tension in his body.

  “I am.” He cupped her cheek, finding her eyes in the dim light of the moon. “I feel more hopeful than I’ve felt in a while.”

  “I’m glad for you.” She brought her hand to his shoulder, urging him close. “I’m sad for me.” Lifting her head, she sought his kiss. “Make love to me, Reno. I need to know what it’s like to be with you.”

  Before you’re gone forever.

  She found those last words impossible to enunciate.

  “Are you sure?”

  Journey felt a mounting excitement in him. His breath quickened. She felt a part of him grow impossibly long and hard as he nestled against her thigh. “Yes, I’m positive. There’s no one in this world for me but you. Past or present.”

  “How about future?” he asked in a whisper, his hand tugging on the shoulder strap of her gown.

  “A future? Together?” she whispered as his lips found hers for a soul-stopping kiss.

  “Together,” he murmured softly. “I want you to go with me when I leave.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “Go with you to the past?”

  The thought of traveling back in time with Reno took Journey’s breath away.

  “Yes. I have to go, but I can’t bear to leave you behind. Will you do it? Will you go with me?”

  “Yes. The answer is yes.” A delighted laugh burst from her lips as she wrapped her arms around him. “A thousand times yes.”

  “Good.” He stroked the skin of her cheek with his thumb. “At this moment, I feel like anything is possible. We can do this. We can be together.”

  So much elation filled Journey, she didn’t know if her body and soul could contain the joy. “There’s nothing I want more. I can’t wait to be with you.”

  Reno held his face near to hers, their breath mingling, his lips close enough to rub against hers at will. “We don’t have to wait, if you don’t want to. I need to make love to you now. I want to be inside of you all night long.”

  “Yes.” God, she was consumed with wanting him. She kissed him again, framing his beloved face with her hands. “I want that so much.”

  Sitting up, he stripped off the briefs he wore. “Can I take off your gown?”

  Journey didn’t hesitate, she raised up and slipped the simple cotton garment over her head. “You can’t see me, can you?”

  Reno reached over and flipped the switch on the lamp. “I can now. Much better.”

  “Oh, Reno,” she protested, trying to pull the sheet up to cover…certain areas.

  “Stop.” He stilled her hand, worshiping her with his gaze. “You’re perfect.” Easing to his side, he tugged her to face him. Reno felt the little control he had slip through his fingers. “I’ve wanted you for so long. Ached for you. Even before we met, I’d lay in my bed and think of you. Sometimes, I could almost see your face.”

  The way he held her so tenderly brought tears to Journey’s eyes. “I’ve always known it.” She kissed his shoulder, pressing against him. “We’re meant to be.”

  Unable to wait a moment longer, Reno dove deep into her mouth for an unrestrained kiss. Her lips were honey-sweet, and he was driven by an incredible need to take all she would give him. Holding her close, he slipped one leg between the two of hers and rocked against her. His hands explored the silky smooth skin of her back, his fingers trailing down to her luscious round hips. To his utter satisfaction, she ground against him. He groaned as he felt her heat, her searing hunger for him spiking his own infinite need. “That’s right, love,” he whispered. “I’ll give you whatever your heart desires.”

  “You,” was the only word she managed to say as he ate at her mouth. He was hell-bent on imprinting himself on her very soul. Fisting his hair, she trembled as his hand slid up to cup her breast, his thumb rubbing the tender crest. “Only you.”

  “I’m sorry. This first time is gonna be quick,” Reno apologized. “I’m just too far gone.” To test her readiness, he slipped his hand over her thigh and between her legs. “Oh, Christ,” he groaned when his fingertips slid into her soft, delicate femininity. To his exultation and relief, she was hot and creamy.

  “Reno,” she moaned as he touched her, his fingers slipping between her folds. She couldn’t stop herself from sinking her teeth into the hard muscle of his shoulder as he pushed one thick finger up inside of her. She squeezed him as hard as she could, then she wanted to do it again – and again. And when he touched the greedy button of her clitoris, she jerked and gasped. Her body sparkling with tiny explosions of the purest pleasure she’d ever known.

  Reno closed his eyes and willed his self-control to hold on just a little longer. Her every touch and sexy whimper was driving him completely mad. His entire body buzzed with fierce need as he brought the head of his cock to her small opening. “Is this what you want?” If she said no, he’d die right here and now.

  “Yes…but I want to touch you first.” Even as she spoke, he felt her small hand wrap around him. “You’re bigger than I imagined.” She trembled at the thought of him entering her. “And so hard.”

  When she stroked him, Reno shook and moaned her name. “Journey, baby. I can’t take much of that.” To his surprise, he felt her center him to the place he most wanted to be. And when she lifted her thigh to his hip and pushed against him, burying the head of his cock in her softness, he almost lost consciousness. “Oh, damn,” he moaned, his eyes closing in absolute wonder.

  “Take me, please,” she whispered. “Make me yours.”

  Reno pushed her gently to her back, coming over her. “You are mine. Always have been, haven’t you?”

  “Always.”

  She parted her legs as if welcoming him inside of her was the most natural thing in the world. “You’re so beautiful,” he muttered as he rocked against her, pushing slowly in.

  Journey wrapped herself around him, arching her body into his. The world st
opped turning as he sank deeper within her. The tiny twinge she felt was hardly worth noticing. Not when it meant that she was in his arms and they were making love. She closed her eyes in complete bliss as he began to move.

  Above her, Reno was losing his mind with pleasure. She was so tight. He fought the desire to mindlessly thrust. No, this time was different. He wanted to make this good for Journey. He wanted… “Oh, honey,” he dropped his head and stiffened his spine as she moved around him. Massaging him. Milking him. How in God’s name would he survive this?

  All Journey wanted was to be near to him. She was instinctively holding him close in every way possible. “Kiss me, Reno. Please.”

  He wholeheartedly complied, kissing her closed eyes, her nose, then finding her mouth to drink from her lips. Wanting to give her everything, he braced himself on one hand as he fondled her breast, tugging at the nipple in time with his thrusts. He loved how responsive she was, the way she clung to him, moved with him, the way her tongue mated with his. In all his born days, Reno had never known such intimacy existed. This woman belonged to him – in the present, in the past, and in the future – God willing.

  Knowing he couldn’t hold out much longer, Reno wished he had more experience, knew how to bring her more pleasure. Moving his hand from her breast, he slipped it between them to find her button. With the lightest of touches, he played with it – and when he did, she bucked beneath him, tightened her thighs around his and arched her back. “Good?” he asked with hope in his voice.

  “So good!” She lifted her hips to take him deeper, her teeth grazing his shoulder. Journey seemed wild with want, rocking with him, begging him for more. Her keening cries were drawing him to the edge of his control. Knowing she craved what he ached to give her, Reno let go – his hips pumping, thrusting deep – over and over. His balls were on fire, heavy with seed. His need to come was too great to ignore. With teeth bared, he growled, surging forward, pouring his lifeforce into the woman who held his heart in her hand.

  Journey felt something within her rise like a wave – higher, higher. She held her breath, clinging to Reno as his every muscle tensed. An amazing tingling heat made her toes curl and her body shake. She began to tremble as ecstasy radiated from her nipples to her clitoris, her body involuntarily clenching around him as a coil of pleasure wound tighter and tighter until a bolt of lightning caused it to pop. Journey’s whole existence flashed white-hot as her body shuddered with rapture. “Reno. Hold me. Hold me tight.”

  There was nothing he would rather do. Reno was undone. Bowled over. Cradling her to him, he rolled to his back, taking her with him. Still connected in the most intimate way possible, he smiled as he felt her pulse around him. He didn’t attempt to pull out, he’d told her he wanted to stay inside of her all night – and that’s exactly what he planned to do.

  …When Journey awoke with the first morning light, she thought the bed felt funny. Harder. Warmer. Muscular? Opening one eye, she confirmed her suspicions. She was nestled on top of Reno, held tightly in his embrace. She shifted ever so slightly – and when she did, Journey realized they were still joined. The part of him that had given her so much pleasure was growing, filling, causing her to move in the most delicious way. Raising her upper body, she moved into a better position to ride him. No, she’d never done this before – but she was inspired.

  Reno was dreaming. His cock felt like it was being massaged in warm whipped cream. “Oh, baby.” The next thing he knew feminine nails were digging into his chest like kneading kitten claws. This was no dream; this was real and amazing. “Well, good morning. I like the way this day is getting started.”

  Journey just gave him a dreamy smile, then lifted his hands to palm her breasts. He gladly obliged, molding and weighing them, tweaking her nipples until the lazy luxurious way she moved wasn’t enough. To his delight, she rode him hard, grinding against him, squeezing the very life out of his grateful cock.

  Once they were sated, she lay in his arms once more. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” she giggled. “There’s a country-western tune you need to hear, it’s called Save A Horse, Ride a Cowboy.”

  Reno laughed. “Sounds like that could become my favorite song.”

  * * *

  When Reno and Journey made it to the kitchen for breakfast, they found Lou drinking coffee. She was fully dressed for the day and had her packed luggage sitting next to her.

  “What’s this?” Journey asked. “Are you going somewhere? I thought you’d be here for a few days.”

  “Yea,” Reno joined in expressing his concern. “You can’t leave now. I still don’t know how to get home.”

  Lou held up her coffee cup. “Don’t worry. I won’t be gone long. I’ve already taken time off from my classes and I plan to stay here until I have an answer.”

  “So, where are you going now?” Journey asked, pointing at the suitcase.

  “Iowa. I’m about to pay Dr. Sculler a visit. In 2015, NASA launched a multiscale mission of four unmanned probes to study this phenomenon. I want to see the data they’ve accumulated firsthand. I also want to ask him some questions. I’m hoping he’ll take an interest in our case. If we could enlist his aid, we’d have the resources of NASA behind us. Regardless, I think I’ll have more success if the exchange is face to face.”

  “Lou, you can’t expose Reno.” She looked between them. “I promised. I don’t want him to be part of a huge news story.”

  Lou held up her hands. “I do not plan on revealing his name or his location at this point. You have my word. If NASA does agree to give us aid, I’ll insist all the paperwork is in order. I think their interest in the subject matter will outweigh any desire to seek public attention. After all, there are many who think they’ve been keeping the secret of secrets for years.”

  “I agree we need their help but thank you for protecting me.” Reno was sincere in his gratitude. “As I understand, news travels fast these days. I’d hate for my ugly mug to be shown on CNN.”

  Lou laughed. “You’ve been watching television.” She stood up and put one hand on his shoulder. “Now, if we’re successful in solving this thing, I’m going to be asking you to sign a release so I can use the data after you’re gone.”

  “Agreed.”

  Journey hung her head; imagining being left behind to watch the hoopla of Reno’s incredible tale unfold in front of an enraptured world. But then she remembered – he’d asked her to go with him! She smiled to herself, thinking Lou would be surprised when she found out their plan.

  Or would she? Maybe not.

  “You be careful.” She walked Lou to her car. “And don’t forget to come back. We’re counting on you.”

  “Believe me. Wild horses could not keep me away.”

  Reno put his arm around Journey as they watched Lou leave. Pulling her close, he kissed her neck. “I guess we have some time alone, don’t we?”

  “We do. There’s some research we can do. We’ve never gone through the box Apple gave us. Plus, I thought about checking to see if Cole’s lawyer left any information behind. Do you know his name?”

  “I do. I even have his calling card in my saddlebag.”

  “All right.” She grinned as he nibbled at her ear. “And what do you think we should do together? Other than ride an escalator.”

  “I’m sure we can think of several things…like new positions.”

  She burst out laughing. “Okay. I’m up for that.”

  “So, am I.” He teased her. “Anything we do together will be fun. We could see your apartment.”

  “Right. Maybe go on 6th Street. I could show you a modern-day bar.”

  “That sounds amazing.”

  “How about taking a helicopter ride? Fly over the city?”

  “Oh, hell yeah. Now you’re talking.”

  …A couple of hours later they were almost in Austin. Reno was relaxing in the passenger seat of the Subaru with his window partially down and the radio blaring. In a new version of his all black cowboy outfit, th
e man looked like a zillion-dollars. “I can’t believe you won’t let me drive.”

  Journey giggled and pointed to the tangle of freeway overpasses in the distance. “Are you kidding? Austin traffic is a nightmare, especially for someone who’s just started driving.” She gave him the eye. “And who doesn’t have a license.”

  Reno sighed. “I don’t suppose we’ll be here long enough for me to worry about that.” He reached to capture her hand and bring it to his lips for a kiss. “Do you still want to come with me? Things will be very different. You won’t have all of the luxuries you have here.”

  She licked her bottom lip and gave him a sidewise glance. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you. And don’t worry about the luxuries. I can deal.”

  Their first stop was on Research Boulevard to visit the coin dealer. After a quick phone call to follow up on the email, the representative was anxious to meet with them. When Reno spread out a few of the gold pieces, the man practically salivated. After a little dickering, Reno walked out with a little over six thousand dollars in his pocket. “Dinner’s on me,” he whispered in her ear as he stole a kiss.

  Their next stop was Barton Creek Mall. Reno was mesmerized by the stores. They stopped at one of the kiosks to buy fudge and he bought Journey an infinity heart necklace from the James Avery jewelry store. When he fastened it around her next, he placed a hand on her cheek and vowed to love her forever. “In your time and in mine. Always.”

  They held hands as they explored the myriad of stores and shops. And when he spied the escalator, he gave a war whoop as he rushed to climb aboard. She took a few pictures of him riding up and down. Up and down.

  When she could finally tear him away, they grabbed lunch at the mall courtyard. He was entranced by the variety. Mexican. Italian. Thai. Burgers. Hot dogs. Chinese. Fried Chicken. Fish. “Well, what will it be?” she asked.

  “I want to try it all.”

  And he almost did.

  After a couple of enjoyable hours at the mall and a few more rides on the escalator, Journey took him to her apartment in the northwest part of the city. The houses were bigger on the west side, especially near the river. Of course, she lived in an apartment, but it was nice too. “The last time I saw Austin, it was home to about four thousand people. A big city as far as I was concerned. What’s the population now?”