Howdy, Ma'am

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  As soon as they stepped out, Donna came up to Caulder. “See you later, sweetie.”

  Caulder glanced at Velia. “She has to be there.”

  Velia noticed the grandeur of the hotel. Gorgeous and expensive, which didn’t surprise her anymore. Everything spoke tropical and a nice change from Tucson. “Of course, Donna has to be there.” She walked in ahead of him. When he caught up, he took her laptop strap off her shoulder and slipped it over his. At the desk he checked them in, again with adjoining rooms.

  “Do you have a Jacuzzi in this room?”

  “I try to always have one. My muscles and achy bones need it after a show. Think you can learn how to do a massage?”

  Rolling her eyes brought a frown to his face.

  “For Christ’s sake, I didn’t mention it for any particular reason. Only a question.”

  “I don’t care if you have a Jacuzzi or not.”

  “You’re welcome to use it tonight.” Caulder unlocked the door, took her laptop inside, and set the bag on the desk. When he turned, he saw Velia waiting at the door with a smirk on her face. “What’s up?” He followed her gaze. Suddenly his smile faded, his lips drooping like a deflated balloon. She had the room with the Jacuzzi. “I don’t know how the hell a mistake like this could be made.”

  “I’ll use my own if you don’t mind.” She dropped her purse on the bed and released her carry-on. “Maybe you have one in your room, too.” She looked at him with her chin held high. “While you’re out tonight, I’ll entertain myself.”

  He paced to the door and back. “No, I don’t have one. This is one of the few rooms here that does have one. Someone fucked up when they signed us in.”

  “We’ll change rooms. I know how important a Jacuzzi is to you after a show.” Velia picked up her laptop.

  He ran his fingers through his hair, “No, just forget it, but I will let them know about their error.” Caulder took a seat in one of the occasional chairs and tipped his head back, letting out a slow breath.

  “It’s not a problem,” she said, “to change rooms.”

  “It will be okay, Velia. Why not just go with the other ladies tonight and let me worry about the hot tub?”

  “...I can make my own decisions on what to do. I don’t know these people.”

  “I can’t think of a better way to get to know them. It’s going to be a long trip if you become a wallflower.”

  Velia walked into the bathroom with her carry-on and busied herself by setting her personal items on the counter and in the shower. She closed the door but held it back open a crack. “Enjoy yourself tonight and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She waited for a reply before shutting the door all the way. A minute later the main door shut. No good-by or farewell, only a closing door. She wondered what happened between them all of a sudden. Did he detect her jealousy because he was going out and doing something without her? Why did she feel jealous or any other stupid emotion anyway? She shook her fist toward the door. “To hell with him!”

  She took a quick shower before looking for something to eat. While her hair dried, she looked over the room service menu. It’s going to be a long trip if you become a wallflower. His words stung. She blew her hair dry and applied make-up then donned a pair of khaki Capri’s and took a sexy, pink top off a hanger. She grabbed her sunglasses along with her camera bag, and headed out to look around. In the lobby, she found brochures on places in the area she’d like to see—Museum of Art, Performing Arts Center, cultural things a bull rider no doubt wouldn’t enjoy, but there wouldn’t be time.

  She found the boardwalk and walked down to the water where she stopped to look around. She took a picture of the salt marsh, a pink and white bird wading in the water, and a White Ibis. When she came to the front of the hotel, she realized there weren’t a lot of places to walk. To get some exercise she strolled along the boardwalk to the other end of the hotel on the west end. Only once did she wonder what Caulder could be doing, but she diminished such a thought and found something new to photograph.

  Grumbling in her stomach reminded her it was time to find a place to eat while she decided what to do about the evening alone in Tampa. When she returned to the room, she had a message on the phone from Carolyn, wife to one of the riders. Dinner with the girls at Armani’s, and since her name was close to that name, she had to go. Velia did an eye roll. Her first thought said no, but she glanced out the window at sun glittering on the bay, and as magnificent as its sparkle, she didn’t want to spend the time alone looking at it through the window for the rest of the night.

  She freshened up, then wrapped in a terry robe, and carried a bottle of water to the balcony. She inhaled and let out a deep cleansing breath and admired the bay view. The girls were meeting later in the evening, so she decided to have nothing more than yogurt and half of a sandwich for a snack. While waiting for room service, she dried her hair and picked out what she would wear. She checked the light green dress to make sure it didn’t need steamed, but it traveled well. She scrunched her hair and it fell in soft waves down her back the way she liked.

  Later she went online and checked the photos Brian sent. His work bordered outstanding. Shadows, poses, creativity—all perfect. Her eyes grew heavy while examining them and she decided to give herself fifteen minutes for a power nap. She lay down, hugged the pillow, and fell asleep.

  Sometime later she heard a knock on the door and wasn’t sure if it was a dream or real. Once she came to her senses, she realized it was the adjoining door. She opened it, sleepy eyed, and focused on his handsome face. Curious of his attitude and mood, she stepped back and ran her fingers through her hair as she went to sit down.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine. I gave into a fifteen-minute power nap that lasted forty-five. I guess I didn’t sleep well last night.”

  “Do you know what you’re doing tonight?”

  She followed his gaze and pulled the robe more securely closed. “I’m taking your advice and going to dinner with the ladies. We’re going to Armani’s.” She hooked her eyes on his. “Why? Did you think I would be sitting around in a fog without you?”

  “No, of course not. I knew you’d find something to do. You’re not the type to sit around and wait.”

  “Not anymore, Caulder. I’ve come a long way and learned a lot since I’ve been on my own.”

  “In a good way.” He dropped to the chair and watched her move around the room. “I was just thinking if you didn’t have plans, I could skip dinner with the guys.”

  Velia stopped applying lipstick and watched him through the mirror. She would love to go to dinner with him instead. “No, I’m good. Go ahead with the guys. If you get back early, feel free to use the Jacuzzi. I don’t know how late I’ll be.”

  “Sure. Have a good night.” He opened the door to his room. “What time you leaving?”

  “About seven thirty.” She reached for her dress and draped it over her arm.

  “I’m not leaving until later. Stop by before you go if you want.”

  “Sure.” She watched as the door closed. She wanted to run to stop it. It would have been great to spend the evening with him, maybe going to an art museum, or even to see a play, or a quiet sunset walk. But she let it close and dressed.

  * * *

  She slipped a light sweater over her shoulders and knocked on his door. This time he answered sleepy-eyed. “Ah ha, you’re napping.”

  He rubbed his eyes. “I must have slept as well as you last night.” The wanton look in his eyes glowed, and he dropped his gaze to her toes and worked his way up to her eyes. “I see you’re ready.”

  “I came to say farewell for the evening.”

  “Velia, you look stunning. I like your dress.”

  She chuckled. “What you mean is you like my dress on me?”

  “Uh huh, yep.”

  “I’ll talk to you later then.” She turned. “Remember, you can use the Jacuzzi.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  An appealing scent of her a
lmond bubble bath immediately hit her when she unlocked the door to her room. Candlelight evoked a golden, wavering glow on the walls and reflected in the mirrors around the Jacuzzi. She sat her purse and sweater on the table, and when she turned, her gaze rested on his bare chest. Water from his wet hair dripped over his pecs. She lifted her eyes to his. “You’re home early.”

  “Uh huh…” His lips curved into a lopsided smile. “I’m glad you’re not too late either.”

  “Have a good time?” She walked past him and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “Excuse me while I change.”

  “Hey, how about changing into your bathing suit or even better, your birthday suit?”

  She ventured closer. An empty wine bottle sat on the rim of the Jacuzzi, and he had just opened another. “Should you be drinking so much the night before a show?”

  “Doesn’t matter. How do you know what is too much?” He tipped his head back against the ledge and laughed. “Did you forget you’re Italian, baby?”

  “Of course, it matters, Caulder. You have to be on top of your game.”

  “Yes, Ma. Go get your suit and jump in my blubbles…um, bubbles.”

  “I’ll be right back.” She picked up her sweater and hung it up. The marble floor in the bathroom felt cool against her bare feet. It wasn’t her bathing suit she put on, but a pair of shorts and black tee instead, remaining braless. When she came out, she poured a glass of wine from the bottle Caulder thought he was going to finish. She pulled it away when he reached for it. “No, you need to be clearheaded tomorrow night.”

  “Come…” He chuckled and grabbed for her. “...and sit by me.”

  She sat on the ledge and situated her feet in the water. “This is as far as I’m going. I don’t feel like getting all wet tonight.”

  Apparently, not wanting to be wet tonight wasn’t an option. Caulder’s eyes went to her crotch. Why did he lick his lips at such a moment? Tingles ran a race straight to her tight little hooded nub. He splashed across the water when he came toward her. “Come on, sit down in the water.” He leaned against her knees. She twisted away so the flared ridge at the front of his suit didn’t press against her. The temptation of looking at him made her willpower fragile, and she didn’t need another mishap.

  “I’m fine sitting on the edge,” she said, pushing his hands away. “I don’t want to go in all the way.”

  “Too bad!” he said, lifting her. He brought her down on his lap. When she tried to get up, he held her firm.

  “Why did you do that?” She held her wine glass high so it didn’t spill.

  “I wanted to hold you. Remember this morning on the plane when you were afraid? Well, pretend you’re afraid now and let me hold you.”

  She scrutinized his eyes, sexy with candlelight dancing in them. “This afternoon your attitude was indifferent. Now this?”

  “I’m learning it from you, sweetheart.” He kissed her hard on the lips, wrapping his hand around her nape and holding her securely against him.

  Velia almost dripped into the water like bubble bath. His lips were warm and sweetened with wine. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, allowing her lips to part, and it turned into a heated, open-mouthed kiss with tongues lashing at each other like boxers in a ring. When it ended she laid her head on his shoulder. “What is it about us and Jacuzzi’s?” She twisted around on his lap until she straddled him, knowing damn well it was a mistake.

  “I don’t know but I like it.” He pressed his lips to her neck and nibbled his way to her lips. He opened his mouth wide and took her kiss, coaxing her lips apart with his tongue.

  She tossed her head back and caught her breath when he affectionately cupped her breasts. He moved down to take one rigid nipple into his mouth, sucking, nipping. It drove her insane with wanting him, wanting to feel him inside.

  Chills ran up and down her spine at the thought of the way they made love, and her belly ached with the sensation of anticipation, burning with yearning. Now she knew what they could do for one another, the idea of it drove her to be far more involved than she wanted to be. His soothing touch skimmed across her skin, and she absorbed his sensual warmth, his caring, and his needing. “Oooh, Caulder, what is to become of us?”

  He picked her up and dripped water all the way to the bed. “This.” He peeled her wet shorts and thong off, raised her T-shirt over her head, and then dropped his suit. She lay across the bed and he joined her, skin against wet skin, him rock-hard against her thigh. When she reached for him, guiding him to where she needed him to be at the moment, he stopped her. He dipped his head to her breasts, suckling like a child at his mother’s milk. “You excite me more than I ever expected. Mm, Ve, let me take you to ecstasy tonight. Won’t you follow me?”

  His tongue teasing her nipples excited her to the point of hysteria. She didn’t speak but laced her fingers through his hair, easing his face into her cleavage. She settled beneath him and wrapped her legs around his waist. His lips and tongue seemed to be everywhere, licking, lapping, kissing until he moved down and grasped her foot. No one ever touched her feet during lovemaking. He knelt on the floor at the side of the bed and took her big toe to his lips.

  His mouth, so warm, moist, a feeling she never experienced. He nimbly mouthed each toe and seductively ran his tongue across her instep. Her toes instinctively curled upward and even though wanting to wiggle her foot away she had to see what came next.

  Velia rose to her elbows watching, but her senses became so alive, she submitted to it all. She collapsed back to the pillow, giving into the new sensations coursing through her body. She squirmed until he reached for the other foot, and the same sexy vibes began all over again. “Mm, bull rider, you stimulate my senses beyond reason.” At the same time, she craved each touch, each breath, each sensuous suckle.

  “Enjoy it, love.” His words slurred slightly.

  “I like when you drink too much wine.” Her breaths were deep, ragged, and her words hardly audible.

  “It’s not the wine, it’s the woman. Don’t forget it.” Caulder scrambled back on the bed, caressing her calf all the way up to her knee. He kissed the smooth skin behind her right knee, switching to the left before finding his way up her inner thigh.

  Velia’s breaths were so deep she didn’t know if she would hyperventilate. She opened her eyes and watched, but all she could see was his mane of hair, and all she could feel was his tongue tickling her inner thigh. He kissed higher until he tickled her belly button, skipping the most sensitive areas yearning to be kissed.

  Breaths came deeper now, waiting, waiting to see where he touched next. He moved to her breasts, squeezing them against each other. She didn’t see it coming when he sat with a leg on each side of her and plunged himself between her breasts, subtly moving in and out in a steady rhythm. She could so easily stick out her tongue and lap at his crowning glory, glistening with silvery dribble. Caulder grinned as if daring her to do it. She tossed her head back when he moved faster, the motions exciting and new.

  She reached to his hips and slid her hands around to his tight rump, caressing to feel all he had, exploring the man she wanted to know better. His breathing said he neared orgasm, acknowledged by the intense look on his face. His eyelashes fanned out against his cheeks, but he opened his eyes when she grasped his hands and squeezed to hold him tight between her breasts. Pushing closer to her mouth it would be so easy to take him. The thought of having him this way caused quivers in her most sensitive parts and moisture trickled, tingled between her thighs, waiting with anticipation. “Oooh!”

  He removed himself and raked his eyes over every naked stitch of body, stopping at her lips then her breasts before glancing to her center. His gaze lingered as he moistened his lips. “Mm, you’re going to be so delicious.”

  “Caulder, your lips, touch me…”

  A sexy smile stole her gaze before he stretched out alongside her, his hand caressing her inner thigh. Velia lifted her hips against his hand, and he slid his fi
ngers inside, moving in experienced, sensual motions, and out against her delicate little nub, caressing softly yet circling with firm movements until she wriggled against him. On the verge of an explosive climax, she wanted to scream, laugh out, and holler into the night. Caulder dipped his head so quickly she didn’t expect it and his tongue, extremely hot, licked her satiny sheath, her longing-to-be-kissed, wanton, receptive bud. “Oooh!”

  “Let it go,” Caulder whispered.

  He licked twice then lifted his eyes to watch her face as his expert fingers continued where his tongue left off, circling her very essence of pleasure. She closed her eyes and slipped into oblivion, enjoying sensation after sensation. Her body squirmed out of control over the many levels of ecstasy she experienced by his fingers. Trembling, she couldn’t control the screams until they quieted and turned to whimpers. Caulder held her until she came down from her frenzied high. Velia opened her eyes to his unabashed smile.

  She looked away then back at him with a sheepish grin. Reaching for him, she squealed, “Wild and crazy!”

  “Wild?” Caulder smiled with a devilish grin. Before she had a chance to cool down he went to his pants on the floor near the Jacuzzi and took a condom from his wallet. He came back to the bed and lay beside her. “Put it on me…”

  Velia tore the wrapper with her teeth. Maybe she didn’t do it perfectly, but she slipped it on in a hurry. He laid her back and lowered himself between her thighs. Velia guided him in, moaning as he sank deeper until he filled her completely. She rocked with his tempo, her legs clenched tight around his.

  The candlelight flickered and reflected in his captivating eyes. Examining his face, she recognized him slipping into to his own volatile climax. She marveled at the way he skillfully made love to her. She shut her eyes and followed her instincts as she moved with him in perfect cadence, holding him when he slipped into his own climax, purring with soft moans she had never heard from him. His heart beat rapidly against her as he sunk into her heated skin.