Cowboy Heat

by Mari Carr

  Shaw looked up from buttoning his shirt and grinned. “I got a good feeling about this, Max. You won’t be sorry. Promise.”

  Shaw tossed back the last of his beer and then waved the waitress over, asking her to set them up with another round. They’d danced up a sweat, Max and Shaw each taking turns with Keri on the floor.

  “Thought you said you couldn’t two-step,” Shaw said. She’d more than held her own, twirling to the music like a professional dancer.

  She laughed. “You were right. I’d never had the right partners before.”

  Shaw considered her answer and the way she looked at them. Her gaze was hungry, inviting. He glanced at Max, but his friend shook his head slightly. Obviously Max was going to be stubborn. Shaw was tempted to pull him outside and tell him how often Keri’s hand had grazed his ass when they were dancing. She was putting out more than a few signals, and his pigheaded friend was pointedly ignoring them.

  Shaw looked at her flushed face and decided it was probably time for a break.

  “How about a game of pool?” he suggested. “There’s a small room off the back of the bar that doesn’t get used much.”

  Keri nodded quickly. “Sounds like fun. I haven’t played pool since college.”

  Shaw rubbed his hands together as they rose and started toward the back room. He gave her an appraising look. “Is that right? Hmmm. Maybe we should come up with a wager then.”

  Max shook his head, laughing. “He’s a shark, Keri. Beware.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to worry about me,” Keri replied. She stood and let Shaw tug her toward the pool room before continuing. “I may have been gone awhile but I have a very long memory. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you scamming me out of two weeks’ allowance while teaching me how to play Texas hold ’em my sophomore year.”

  Shaw laughed at the memory. “Hey, darlin’. I warned you before you joined that game, if you played with the big dogs, you were bound to get bit.”

  “Maybe so, but be warned, sometimes the puppy bites back.”

  Her sexy innuendo was accompanied by a quick glance below his waist. Shaw reconciled himself to the fact that his cock—which had been residing at half-mast most of the night—was finished fooling around and had made a full-fledged appearance. Nothing short of sex or a quick hand-job in the bathroom was going to cure that affliction. Keri noticed his problem and gave him a wicked grin.

  “By the way,” she said, “you can’t claim that as a handicap.”

  Shaw’s mouth went dry at her red-hot tease, and he looked around to see if Max had heard. Sadly, his friend was still at the table handing the waitress some money and grabbing their fresh beers. Fuck. It was going to be a long night.

  They walked into the back room and claimed the pool table just being vacated by a couple of cowboys. The room was dark and dingy and the table wasn’t exactly level, which explained why no one ever used it. Shaw was simply using it as an excuse to get Keri alone for a little while. The loud music was dimmed by the walls, so there was no way Max could continue to pretend not to hear that she was coming on to them.

  Shaw narrowed his eyes as one of the men leaving the room slowed his departure to check out Keri more thoroughly. She was wearing a miniskirt that was two inches too close to baring too much for Shaw’s comfort. While he hadn’t minded getting a good look at her long, luscious legs in the truck on the way here, he’d been battling the impulse to pulverize every man who’d leered at her since they’d entered the bar.

  “So how do you want to do this?” Keri asked as she picked up a pool cue. “Kind of hard to play pool with three people.”

  “You’re on my team,” Max replied, entering the room and setting the beers down on the lone table. “We’ll take turns shooting against Shaw.”

  Shaw narrowed his eyes. “How come you get Keri? Maybe I want her on my team.”

  Keri laughed. “Believe me, I’m going to be the weakest link. Personally, I think you two should be fighting over who has to take me.”

  Shaw suppressed a groan. He wanted to take her, all right. “I don’t think that’s ever gonna be a fight Max and I will have.”

  Max threw him a warning glance as he bent down to rack the balls. “We’ll take turns. I get Keri for the first game. You can have her next time.”

  “Or,” Shaw said, rubbing chalk over the tip of his cue, “we could share her. She’ll play with both of us.” Shaw walked up behind her, bending her slightly over the table. “In the interest of sharing our vast experience with you, of course.” He handed her the stick and wrapped his arms around her, pretending to show her how to hold the pool cue. The move was purely sensual. Shaw ignored the daggers he could feel Max shooting in his direction as his friend finished racking the balls. Shaw was done pretending so that Max could soothe his guilty conscience. She may still be sweet Keri, but she wasn’t an innocent by any stretch of the imagination. Time to take off the kid gloves.

  Keri grinned as she looked over her shoulder. His wicked intentions weren’t lost on her. She bent lower and pushed back slightly, her ass rubbing against Shaw’s cock.

  “Like this?” she purred.

  He gritted his teeth in an attempt to withstand her sneak attack. She’d taken him down with his own weapon. There was no way to mistake her movements as anything other than a pure come-on.

  All bets were off.

  He’d warned Max. Told him he wouldn’t resist this. Keri was waving a red flag and he was more than prepared to charge. He gave Max a look to say just that, but his friend’s gaze had been captured and Shaw knew the fight was over. Max licked his lips as he stared at Keri’s breasts. Obviously, while her ass was tormenting Shaw’s cock, she was also making sure Max got a bird’s-eye view of her ample cleavage.

  She was seducing both of them. Inflaming their senses with light touches, subtle caresses and not-so-innocent teasing. God. She was incredible.

  “So I hold the stick like this?” she asked, running her hand along the pool cue seductively—making Shaw wish it was his cock in her grip instead—until her hands were in the proper position.

  Shaw struggled to answer. He was suffering from a serious lack of blood to the brain. He swallowed heavily and then, simply because he couldn’t resist the desire to touch her, he moved closer, pressing his cock against her ass and adjusting her hands slightly. “Hold your hand lower on the base.” Shaw placed his hand over hers and slowly slid it into position. “Make sure you keep a nice, firm grip.”

  She nodded, but before she could reply Max cleared his throat.

  “Why don’t you break, Shaw?” His friend’s voice was tight. Max was on edge. Shaw glanced at him, expecting to see recrimination, disapproval. He was surprised by the sheer determination and unrelenting hunger on his best friend’s face. While the blowjob Max had given him earlier had taken the slightest pressure off Shaw’s arousal, Max looked like a powder keg about to blow. “What do you say we get this show on the road?”

  Shaw heard the double meaning in Max’s question. His friend was on board. Shaw grinned. They were in this together. Operation Future was underway and Keri Shields wasn’t going to know what hit her.

  Shaw eased back to let Keri stand, immediately missing her body. Luckily the back room remained empty. There was no way he could shield the erection straining against the front of his jeans. Given the fact that they were alone, he didn’t even bother to try. Keri handed him the stick and, as he positioned the cue ball, he could practically feel her gaze lingering beneath his waist.

  “When you start the game,” he said, looking at Keri, “you want to make sure your aim is true. You need to hit the first ball head-on with a lot of power.”

  She nodded and licked her lips. “Lots of power. Got it.”

  He made his shot, sending the colorful balls bouncing all around the green felt and sinking the nine ball. “Looks like I have stripes.”

  Max acknowledged his comment with a brief nod. His best friend had walked around the table and was sta
nding next to Keri. Shaw could see her breathing was erratic, heavier than normal, her chest rising and falling rapidly. While she was pushing every hot button inside them, it was clear she was just as susceptible to the increased temperature in the room. How long would they continue to tease, to skirt around the inevitable outcome of this game?

  Shaw lined up his next shot but missed when Keri moved directly into his line of vision and pushed her pretty blonde hair off her shoulder, her hand lightly grazing her breast as she moved.

  He narrowed his eyes when Max chuckled at his miss. “Tough luck, buddy. My turn.” Max sized up the table and then reached for Keri.

  “Come here,” Max said. Shaw felt his cock twitch at the deep tone of command in his friend’s voice. While he considered himself a laid-back, easy lover, there was no denying he enjoyed Max’s dominant side. The idea of watching Max take control of Keri sent a shard of exhilaration slicing through his body, the impact more fierce than being hit by lightning. No doubt Max would want to tie her up, blindfold her, gag her.

  The image was a potent one and, unable to resist, Shaw ran his hand over his covered cock, trying to find the tiniest bit of relief. Keri sucked in a deep breath as she watched. Max released a muttered curse.

  Keri stood in front of Max, and Shaw saw exactly what his friend had seen earlier, when Shaw had held her in a similar position. Her nipples were pushing through the thin material of her low-cut T-shirt. Shaw’s mouth watered, desperate to suck on the tight nubs. One of the things he missed most about sleeping with a woman was breasts. He looked at Keri’s large, full mounds and knew he could play with hers for hours on end and still want more.

  Max pushed on Keri’s back, pressing her lower to the playing surface. “The secret to this game,” his friend murmured, “is to be very sure of every move you make, because from this point on, things get serious.”

  Damn Max and his warnings.

  Keri’s eyes drifted shut and Shaw watched her shudder lightly. He didn’t realize he’d started praying silently until she disrupted his unspoken mantra.

  “I’m sure,” she whispered, opening her eyes to look at Shaw and then over her shoulder at Max. “Very, very sure.”

  Max released a long breath, covered her hands on the stick and together they made the next shot. They sank the three ball in the corner pocket.

  “Perfect,” Max said, turning his head and pressing a soft kiss to Keri’s cheek.

  Her eyes drifted closed once more. Shaw leaned toward her from his position at the side of the table. Keri was still bent forward. They were face-to-face with only a few inches of green felt between them. “Open your eyes, darlin’. Look at me.”

  She blinked rapidly, struggling to focus her gaze. Keri’s desire was so thick that Shaw thought it was almost tangible. He reached over and placed his hand on the cue stick she and Max were gripping.

  A quick glance around confirmed they were still alone in the pool room. He grinned as a wicked idea hatched. He moved the thick base of the stick until it rested at the juncture of Keri’s thighs.

  She straightened, then trembled when he dipped the stick beneath her skirt and pressed it against her panties, stroking along her slit.

  “You want to be spontaneous?”

  She nodded. He watched her closely, looking for any reluctance, hesitance on her part. All he saw written on her pretty face was excitement, need.

  “Will you go wild for us?” he whispered.

  She nodded again. “Yes.”

  Max reached around her waist, thrusting the pool cue to the side and replacing it with his hand, delving beneath her skirt, touching her between her legs. “I don’t want anything near your pussy that doesn’t belong to me or Shaw.”

  Keri shivered in response as Shaw moved the pool cue. “Put your hands back on the stick, Keri. Bend over like you’re going to take a shot.”

  She assumed the position, her hands shaking as Max’s fingers moved between her legs. Shaw wished he could see what sweet spot his friend was rubbing that made her squirm so.

  “She’s wet,” Max said, looking at Shaw. “Her panties are soaking.”

  Shaw took a deep breath, trying to calm his own overwhelming arousal. “Here’s what we’re going to do.” He moved, making sure his body stood directly between Keri and Max and the doorway to the bar. The strains of a slow country song drifted in, George Strait crossing his heart.

  “You’re going to play this whole round alone while Max and I take turns playing you.”

  He watched Max demonstrate exactly what Shaw meant, and Keri gasped.

  Max grinned at him. “She likes having her clit pinched. We sank a solid, Keri. Time for another shot.”

  She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and Shaw admired her daring. They were pushing her hard yet she didn’t shy away, didn’t resist. As she bent to take her next shot, Max was right there, behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist while his fingers teased her beneath her skirt. Keri missed, the cue ball not connecting with a single ball on the table. Max chuckled and released her. “Shaw’s turn,” he said, kissing her lightly on the cheek.

  Shaw met her halfway, at the far end of the table. “I think this might be the best place to take our shot,” he said, pointing at the cue ball. Keri nodded, licking her lips before taking her position in front of him. Shaw had chosen the placement because it left them in a corner, away from the door and the view of the patrons out in the main part of the bar.

  Keri lined the stick up when Shaw placed his hand on her ass. He intended to take a different route than Max. She froze, not moving, as he slowly slid his fingers beneath the flimsy material of her skirt from behind.

  “God, Shaw,” she whispered when he dragged his index finger along the damp material of her panties from clit to ass.

  “Take your shot,” he prompted as he moved the scrap of lace aside and pushed a finger inside her hot pussy.

  She took the shot, missing the cue ball completely.

  Max laughed quietly. “Try again, sunshine. We’ve got all night.”

  Shaw added another finger. Keri dropped lower to the table, her elbows resting against the green felt as she pressed back against his thrusting digits.

  “Harder,” she begged.

  Shaw glanced toward his friend. Max caught his gaze and walked around the table, placing himself right next to Keri while blocking the door. This was going a hell of a lot faster than either of them had intended.

  “Do you want to come?” Max asked.

  She nodded, trembling.

  Max placed his hand on Shaw’s wrists, halting his movement. Shaw knew they’d hit the moment of truth. Max would make sure they gave her what she wanted, but there needed to be an understanding between them.

  “Keri.” Max waited until she lifted her eyes to his face. “We’ll give you everything you want, sunshine. I promise. But I need to know…” He paused and looked at Shaw. “We need to know if you’re sure, because it won’t stop here. If we continue, this won’t end until you’re back at our house, in our bed, with both of us buried deep inside you.”

  Keri lowered her head, whimpering at the image Max painted for her, her pussy clenching tightly around Shaw’s fingers. She was painfully close to coming. Shaw knew it wouldn’t take more than a few more thrusts, a hard press on her clit, and she’d disintegrate.

  “You want that, don’t you, darlin’?” Shaw asked.

  She nodded but Max wasn’t appeased.

  “You want both of us? Say it, Keri. Please, baby. I need to hear you say the words.”

  Keri slowly raised her gaze to Max, and Shaw could see the effort it was taking. Her breathing was rapid, labored. “I want you, Max. I want you and Shaw. I want you both to fuck me, long and hard.”

  Shaw’s cock throbbed and he groaned. “Fuck,” he muttered.

  Max released his hold on Shaw’s wrist, his gaze never leaving Keri’s face. “Come for us, then. Let me watch while Shaw drives you over the edge.”

  Shaw starte
d to thrust his fingers inside her tight sheath once more. Keri moved her hips in unison, pressing back as he moved forward, so that she could get every pounding inch.

  Max cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at him, capturing her gaze.

  Shaw increased the speed and force and Keri followed him, accepted every rough touch. Her pussy began to pulsate, announcing her orgasm.

  Max bent down until his face was even with hers. “Come, sunshine.”

  She opened her mouth and, for a moment, Shaw feared she’d give them away with her cries. Max covered her lips, capturing the sound. Keri’s cunt compressed against Shaw’s fingers tightly and he had to close his eyes, counting the spots behind his eyelids in an attempt to keep from blowing himself.

  Finally her breathing evened out, her body relaxed, but Shaw was reluctant to pull away. She was warm, tight and so fucking sexy.

  For several moments, none of them moved. Then Max stood up, looking over his shoulder. The entire interlude hadn’t lasted more than ten minutes, but they were pushing their luck. Shaw slid his fingers out while her pussy clenched as if to hold him in. He gently wrapped his other arm around Keri, pulling her upright as she quivered in the aftermath of one of the hottest sexual experiences of Shaw’s life.

  Shaw held her back against his chest, giving her time to recover from her powerful climax. He needed some time too. His cock felt like it was going to explode, and he was fairly certain he wouldn’t make it to the parking lot without embarrassing himself, let alone survive the twenty-minute drive home.

  “Spend the night with us,” Max said. Shaw nodded. It was time they got out of here.

  “Okay. I want to. I really want to.”

  Her easy acquiescence pleased Shaw, and he thanked whatever lucky star he was living under.

  Then Keri sighed. “God. I hate to sound like a kid here, but I need to call Brody.”

  “What?” Shaw asked.

  “I’ve only been home a few days. I should tell him I’m not coming home or he’ll worry. You know how he is.”

  Shaw was perfectly aware of her close relationship with her uncle. She’d always been respectful of Brody’s feelings and rules. They shared a close family bond that Shaw had coveted more than a few times in his life. The product of a dysfunctional family, he’d learned what it meant to love someone unconditionally from Max’s parents and Brody.