When it was over, Velia relaxed beneath him. She caressed his arm and clasped his hand, entwining her fingers with his—silently absorbing the miraculous, mental warmth she received from touching him. She inhaled long and let it out slowly. Velia turned to her side, pulling the sheet over them. He curled close, spooned her, capturing her tight in his hold. She moved her damp hair above her head and off her body, shivering at his soft breath against her back. At peace, she glided off to dreamland.
* * *
Velia woke sometime in the night. His arm still around her was heavenly, and she hadn’t been so safe and comforted in a long time. She debated with herself to make him get up and go to his own bed, or stay in his arms. Caulder tightened his grip and pulled her closer. If she moved, he would wake and he probably needed his rest for the show, so instead of bothering him, she cuddled within his warmth. Tonight, it felt too good where she lay. She glanced out the window at the city lights and smiled. Was it really so long ago when she lived in fear? This is what safe feels like. Drifting to sleep again, the days of yesterday were forgotten.
Chapter Nineteen
Velia didn’t hear Caulder get out of bed, but the sound of water running in the shower woke her. She wrapped in a sheet and made her way to the coffee pot, pouring herself a cup and making more for him. She opened the door to the balcony and the warm breeze swept in on the sun’s rays. Bright sunlight bathed her face with heat. Truly a magnificent morning.
“Turn around.”
Velia spun around, careful not to spill a drop of the needed caffeine. She smiled as he stood with his hair dripping, dark strands sticking to his forehead. He wore nothing but a towel held together at the waist. His wet, tight pectorals glistened.
“You’re stunning in the morning.”
She ran her fingers through her hair and loosened it from her typical bed-head state, wishing she had run a brush through. It fell in her face, and before she could slide it behind her ears, he did it for her. He cupped her face and kissed her on the cheek. “Good morning.”
She smiled, trying to turn from him so dragon mouth wouldn’t chase him away.
He nibbled her ear and lifted the hair from her neck, kissing where her pulse already throbbed. “You look great wearing a sheet.”
“You’re not so bad in a towel, bull rider. Sleep well?”
“Mm, slept great.” He continued to stare into her eyes.
Velia blinked involuntarily. It was as if he peered right through to her soul, each moment with him drawing her closer.
“I slept the best night of my life. Thank you for not kicking me out.” He kissed her forehead, allowing his lips to linger.
“I debated but lying beside you felt nice. I’ll be right back.” She ducked under his arm and ran into the bathroom, grabbing her toothbrush. She noticed he used the extra one from the cup on the vanity. “Ah, much better.”
She went back to him. Looking at the light dance in his eyes, she couldn’t help herself. She brought his face close and kissed him. “I couldn’t have you leave. I enjoyed being in your arms.”
He pulled her against him, and she rested her cheek against his chest. She inhaled his man smell, something she couldn’t describe, but she could pick it out of a line up if she had to.
“I’m glad you came to your senses about us. Do you see how good this can be? I care for you.”
She stepped back. “Why? How do you care so much?”
“Always so many questions, woman?” Caulder took her hand and led her to the bed. “Sit!” He sat beside her, pulling her shoulders until she faced him. “You’re so beat down by him that you can’t see how another person can love you.” He smoothed her hair and pushed that stubborn lock behind her ear once again. “Ask yourself this. How can I not care for you, want you?” He stood and tightened the towel around his waist. “Velia, why wouldn’t someone love you?”
“But so soon?” She peered out the balcony door, squinting against the sun.
“So, what are you saying? You don’t care for me, this soon? You found yourself in bed with me this morning. Do you spend the night with someone you don’t care about?”
“Of course I care for you. I finally admitted it.”
“So soon?” He twisted his mouth into his famous smirk. “Well?”
“I see.” Velia reached for her coffee, finished it then sat the cup on the nightstand. With her index finger, she beckoned. She released the hold she had on the sheet and let it fall. She watched as his eyes scanned her nakedness and when his gaze returned to her eyes, she smiled. “Come.” She lay down and reached for him.
Velia found the longer hair at his nape and ran her fingers through it, playing with the thick locks. “I’m kind of liking this night work.”
“Yeah, tell me at midnight tonight when you can’t keep your eyes focused. What’s so great about night work?”
Velia beamed. “This.”
Caulder looked into her eyes. His smile lit the room, competing with the sunshine bursting through the window. “Should I be getting one room from now on?”
“Umm, I don’t think so. We can’t do this every day and still do our jobs at night.”
He rose to his elbows “We’re back to doubt?”
“No, no, not like before when I thought we couldn’t work and have a relationship.”
“What?” He sat on the side of the bed but kept his hand on the curve of her hip.
“If we make love like this every day, we won’t have enough energy left by time the show starts, especially you.” She got out of bed, grabbed the sheet from the floor, and picked up her damp clothes from last night. “I need a shower.”
Caulder swatted her fanny as she walked by. “Making love isn’t going to wear us out.” He followed her to the door. “I don’t think anyone died of making love.”
“Do you have a good heart?”
He glided his hands over his chest and along his hips. “Duh! I rest my case.”
“Okay, we’ll play it by ear.”
“Now you’re talking.” He winked before she entered the bathroom.
She closed the door but quickly pulled it back open. “Breakfast in an hour?”
He turned toward her. “Yes. I’m starved.” Again his eyes roamed over her. “Starved,” he said, licking his lips as his gaze lingered on her mouth.
“Oh, you’re not starved!” She knew exactly what he meant, and she gave in to the chills playing tiptoe over her nerve endings. “Just in case, we can make it forty-five minutes.”
“I’ll be starved by then,” he said, opening the adjoining door.
She watched him saunter back across the room and grab a cup of coffee. “In my room. Breakfast. Room service. Be there.” She giggled as he put his hand up and flipped his fingers.
“Thank you, sir.” She smiled as he closed the door. Dropping the sheet, she turned on the shower. “Oh, Lord. Now what did I do?” But this time she smiled instead of doubted.
* * *
She ordered breakfast then went about her morning routine. She knew enough about Caulder now to know he would love pancakes, eggs, bacon, and probably sausage. She ordered it all, even for herself, plus some fresh fruit and more coffee. When room service knocked, Caulder came in right behind him. After the man left, Caulder slid her chair out and waited until she sat. He pulled her hair to the side and kissed the back of her neck. “Umm, you smell great.”
Velia took a deep breath and enjoyed the feel of his lips against her skin. His hands moved toward her breasts, but she caught them. “It’s getting cold.”
He sat beside her and lifted the lids off the platters. “Mm, everything I love.” He poured syrup on his pancakes and glanced at what she put on her plate. “You like the same thing.”
“Today I do, but I can’t eat like this all the time.”
“Sure you can. I’ll have you out there running from the bulls and you can work it off.”
“I’ll pass, big boy. Let’s leave the bull to you!” She laughed as she dug int
o her pancakes.
“Yeah, easy for you to say.” He stuck a forkful of pancakes into his mouth. Velia watched him eat. He stabbed the sausage and lifted it to his mouth as a whole link and bit off one end.
“They say a man makes love like he eats.”
“Who says?” He licked syrup off his lips then ran his tongue around his mouth. “Um, maybe you’re right.” He wiggled his eyebrows and laughed. She giggled and then licked syrup off her own lips before taking another bite, trying to ignore her flushed cheeks.
Caulder stopped and gaped at her mouth. She nervously set her fork down, but he didn’t divert his eyes when she licked her lips. He took a sip of coffee but didn’t stop staring.
“Sitting here having breakfast with you this morning means more to me than you know.” He took another drink of coffee and set his cup beside his plate. “I could very well share all my mornings this way.”
“Caulder, I don’t know what to say.” She cast her eyes to the plate in front of her then back at him. He still stared as she licked her lips again. He smiled when she caught him.
“Um, what is that brain of yours thinking?”
“Noth...nothing.” His gaze lifted to hers. “Nothing. Sitting here eating is all.”
“Do you have any sex hang-ups I should know about?” She picked up her fork, the words casually escaping.
“Huh? No, of course not. Damn, you should know by now.” He continued stabbing his pancakes. “Why, do you?”
Velia inhaled. “I don’t know if you’ll call it a hang-up or not. You see...”
Caulder took a mouthful of food then set his fork down while he chewed. “What is it?” he asked, as he took a sip of coffee.
“Nothing. Not now, okay?”
“Velia, if you think there’s something I should know, feel free to talk to me. I don’t want to start out with issues.”
“It’s nothing…” She lowered her eyes and pushed a piece of bacon around her plate. She knew his eyes were on her, peering as if he could will it out of her. It was personal, and she wished she hadn’t brought it up. Maybe this time it would be different. Without being forced—
She lifted her eyes to his stare, shivering as a chill slid down her spine. Velia’s palms started to sweat. Her cheeks must have reddened as she remembered Justin and his force. She shook her head and pushed away from the table. When she rose, Caulder grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t shut me out of your fears. I want you to share them with me. What is it, another horrible memory or something?”
“Caulder, I’ve been forced to see and do a lot of things. Please don’t contribute to it.” She yanked her hand away and went to the wet bar. Dropping her head, she watched the water trickle down the drain when she rinsed her cup. “Dammit! Will I never be free of his threats?”
Caulder came up behind and wrapped his arms around her like a snake holding her in its coil. “You won’t be free until you stop letting him pay rent in your mind. His threats can’t hurt you anymore.”
Swinging around, she slammed her hands against his chest. The words came out slow and clear. “I don’t want to remember things. There’s always something to remind me.”
Gently, he took her wrists and brought her hands to his lips. His eyes held hers as if in a trance. “There’s always going to be something to remind you. It’s all in how you control it. You control it, instead of it controlling you.”
Taking his face between her hands, she asked. “How do you have all this logic and sensibility?”
His eyes slowly closed, his thick lashes over his squint, and then he opened them. “Velia, I wasn’t always logical and sensible. My life almost ended until someone taught me how to survive.”
“So, you weren’t born with this talent?” She subtly smiled, clearly understanding how he went through his own anguish, at least part of it.
Caulder’s compassionate grin caused warmth all over. Now it wasn’t chills trickling down her spine, instead comfy rolls of affection replaced any sign of iciness. Her arms ringed his neck. She leaned in and kissed his syrupy, sweet lips. “Where have you been all my life?”
“Searching for you.” With that, he took her mouth in a frenzied kiss. He skimmed his hands over her rounded rear, squeezing as the kiss heated. At the end of the kiss, Velia held him close. She whispered. “I want to forget it all.”
“You will in time, sweetie. I’ll be here to make new memories.” Caulder pulled her against him. “We’re already making them.” He cupped her chin and lifted her face to meet his eyes. “Look at us right now. This is a memory.”
She grinned. “It is. I shall replace the old horrible with the wonderful new, the wonderful you, my strong rider of the bulls.”
“I’ll be happy to be a part of your new memories.” Caulder cupped her face with both hands and lovingly kissed her cheek, his lips lingering.
She knew he smiled. She knew because so did she. A new beginning loomed over them. Their new beginning.
Chapter Twenty
The stands filled early and rang out with sounds of kids’ laughter at the clowns’ antics. By rights, they were called bullfighters because they did more than stand in the arena and chase the bull away from the rider and wear funny clothes. Their main job was to protect the rider from an angry bull.
Velia sat her tripod near the front, closer than the time before, making sure she had a clear view to everything in the chute area. Before this show, there were a few other competitions like barrel racing with pretty, young girls on horses knowing exactly what to do. Velia thought it would be fun to ride a horse since she never had, at least nothing she could brag about. She took some pictures of the winner of the first round. There would be more rounds later in the show.
Caulder drew first. She watched him, both through her own eyes and through the viewfinder, even taking videos of him preparing in the chute. This part excited and frightened her at the same time. Danger lurked in each moment. He wrapped the rope around his hand so tight she worried about him not getting it off when the buzzer rang, or if he was thrown off il toro. It seemed longer in the chute getting ready today. The bull bucked chaotically, like being crazy out of his mind. No doubt he wanted the rider off his back.
Her rider.
The beast even jumped as high as the top of the rail, as if he were trying to climb right out. Everyone working in the vicinity jumped back, fearful the huge bull could actually go over.
Caulder tried to settle on its back. Again, the bull bucked and tried to get out of the chute. The men helping had to hold tight to Caulder to prevent him from falling off and being crushed. She had never been a nail biter…until now. Velia didn’t understand what happened when Caulder climbed out of the chute and walked away. She followed and called after him.
He turned toward her, his face bleeding. “Yeah, babe?”
“‘Yeah babe’ is all you can say? You’re bleeding. How come you’re bleeding? Why are you off Dynamite?”
“That’s a fucking crazy bull. I get a different ride. The blood’s from an earlier thing. I broke it open. It’s nothing.”
“A good thing? It’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“Dynamite would have brought high points.”
“But you’re safe, right?”
He nodded. “Right.” He turned toward the back. “I’ll be back. Gotta see about this blood.”
Velia ran to catch him. “Can I help?”
“Nope, just go back to the stands. See what’s going on.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” His voice sounded stern, detached.
Velia watched until he turned the corner and disappeared. She went back to her camera and watched the next ride. She took out her notepad and made note of what happened, so she could put it in the blog. By the time she focused her camera on the next rider, Caulder came out from the back with butterfly stitches over his cut. She’d have to go back through her video to see exactly what happened. Obviously, something bad enough to close up with tape. Velia visua
lly followed as he walked around eyeing another bull in the back pen, and then she went to him.
“Is he your next one?” she asked, standing on her tiptoes in order to examine the cut. “How bad is it?”
“Nothing bad, typical.”
Velia didn’t think it typical. She took out her point-and-shoot camera and snapped a close-up. Caulder blinked and scowled. “You trying to blind me, woman?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll go back to my job.”
Before she turned completely away, he grabbed hold of her wrist. He whispered, “I’m sorry. I gotta concentrate here.”
Velia nodded and halfway smiled, saying nothing in return. He worked totally focused, and she shouldn’t have been distracting him. But the picture could be necessary to go with the blog post. This is why she had the job.
Finally, his turn again and she watched every move. He climbed up, stepped over the rail, and plopped down onto the bull named Mr. Scrunge. Who names these things? Again, he wriggled around on the bulls back until it felt right. Velia couldn’t help but stare as his legs spread apart across the bull’s back, his chaps riding up his thighs. His jeans pulled tight against his crotch, everything exposed to her gaze.
Focus. Click. Nice shot.
He looked hotter than hell. “Focus, dammit!” Even though she didn’t want to stop watching him settle in, she focused her camera, getting a wide angle shot of the happenings in the chute, and then flipped on her video camera. She missed half of what went on when she videotaped, to focus on the video. The exact reason she missed the first night, wanting to see everything with her naked eye.
Caulder tightened the rope around his hand and the bull barely bucked, nothing like the previous one. Behind her she heard someone screaming his name. She turned the camera around and panned the stands until she found her. Another hot, little chick trying to get his attention is all. Caulder wanted her to scan the audience, so this would be a good example. Would she ever get used to these women calling out for her guy?
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