by Em Petrova
He grunted at her words and continued rubbing his jaw up and down her throat until new heat stirred low in her belly. “It’s hard to keep our personal lives out of this. I haven’t properly thanked you for distracting the crew while we talked about Ennis.”
He kissed over her collarbones and lower to the tops of her breasts. Her breathing hitched. “You’re…welcome.”
“You’re a very resourceful and clever woman, Channing.” As he sucked her nipple into his mouth, drawing on it with enough strength to turn her inside out, she knew exactly how he intended to show his gratitude.
Chapter Eight
Buck came around the corner of his horse trailer and stopped in his tracks. Channing was surrounded by media—and not just their regular crowd of cameramen. Reporters.
“We understand you missed Buck’s ride yesterday. He looked a little upset coming out of the arena to find you weren’t there. Where were you?” one reporter asked.
Channing blinked at the question. Or maybe the statement that he looked upset? He’d seen the footage already. It was all over ESPN, his scowl when he’d looked along the row of fans and had only seen his siblings. Didn’t these people have better things to do than zoom in on his features and make up stories about why he may be upset?
Now they were going straight for the source and asking Channing.
“I was watching Asher Franklin’s children for him so he could ride. There’s an illness in his family and he had to bring them at the last minute.” Channing was breezy under pressure, her voice smooth vanilla cream as she casually brushed her hair out of her eyes.
“Are you and Buck planning to start a family after you’re married? Do you want kids, Channing?”
Every cell in Buck’s body focused on her.
She gave a short laugh. “I’m not sure I’m cut out for motherhood.”
Like hell. You’d be the best mother a kid could ask for.
“Those kids ran me around like a bull fighter.”
Several laughs followed. Another microphone was shoved under her nose. “How are the wedding plans coming? Have you picked colors? A venue?”
“Is there a guest list?” another reporter asked.
The brightness in Channing’s eyes faded. Hypothetical children were one thing but the very real wedding was looming over them. He hadn’t quite worked out how to stop the wedding, but it was early in the season. Surely they didn’t need to start picking weddin’ colors?
As he stepped forward to break up the group around Channing—or at least rescue her—she looked up. And gave him a false smile. “Well here’s my man now.”
He didn’t like the way she said that. Dammit, he needed to get her away from everyone and set them on an even path again. He wasn’t willing to give up the ground they’d gained recently. He had no idea what the future would hold but right now… Well he wanted her with him.
He eased an arm around her shoulders as camera flashes blinked. He posed beside Channing but she was as stiff as a two-day-old carcass left under the baking sun. Her arm was wooden behind his back and she held herself away from his body enough that he wanted to bend her over right there in front of everyone and spank her perky little ass.
After answering a couple questions about their next ride and West’s mishap with his tie-down roping event where the rope had somehow gotten tangled, Buck said, “That’s enough for today, folks. I’ve got to talk to my bride-to-be.”
As soon as he tugged Channing away from the gaggle of people, he felt her hot wrath wash over him. He was no coward—he met it head-on.
Her blue eyes shot bullets. “What the hell was that?” Her whisper was furious.
“That was me getting you out of telling them what colors you’ve chosen for our weddin’. What’s the problem?”
She planted a hand on her hip. “When are we going to tell everyone we aren’t getting married?”
Her voice pitched higher at the last. Catching her elbow, he marched her around the side of the trailer and barricaded her with his body. He stared down at her. Damn, she was pretty when riled. Hell, she was beautiful no matter what her mood. But he preferred her smiling and crying out his name.
He huffed a long breath. “We can’t tell them yet.”
“Well when?”
It hurt that she was so ready to dissolve their relationship. “Haven’t the past few weeks meant anything to you?” She opened her mouth to speak but he cut across her. “Soon. We’ll figure it out, okay? Now let’s get on down the road. Texas awaits.”
They were back in Houston and San Antonio. He had high hopes for this win—the prize money pot was bigger and if all the Calhouns placed, they’d bite off a big chunk of their debt to Ennis.
Channing let her gaze skitter away. “Fine. Don’t expect much conversation in the truck, though, especially since there will be a camera recording everything we say to each other.”
He waggled his brows. “We could give them some pillow talk.”
She shoved him away and slipped out from under his arm, sashaying around the truck to get into the passenger side. One of the newer crew members by the name of Brant jogged up. “Mind if I ride along with you?”
Channing offered him a light smile and shrugged. Brant opened her door for her, and she thanked him as she slid inside.
Buck pressed his lips together and walked around his truck/trailer combo, checking that the connections were tight and he didn’t have any flat tires.
Before they pulled out, Ryder rolled up beside them. The windows rolled down to reveal Wynonna in the front seat and West in the back, both wearing dark glasses. Ryder was driving, sans glasses.
“It’s not that sunny. What’s going on?” Buck teased. He’d already heard the rumor—his brother and sister had gotten into a pissing match to see who could hold their liquor better. Evidently both sucked at it.
Not bothering to hide his grin, Buck lifted his jaw toward Ryder. “Ready to roll? Where are the others?”
“Behind us in Lane’s truck. And the crew’s scattered in too many cars to count.”
They were like a herd of cattle now moving down the highways.
“See you in Houston,” he said before applying the gas.
“What’s wrong with West and Wynonna?” Channing asked.
Buck shot her a sideways grin. “They got tanked last night. Guess they take after our ma. Can’t hold their whiskey.”
Channing gave a soft laugh that raised the hairs on Buck’s neck. He had no idea how to handle her right now—except in bed. And that’s where he wanted to keep her all day and night.
“Have you ever seen your mother drink, Buck?” Brant asked from the back, his camera poking from between seats.
“Uh, once or twice at family gatherings, yeah. We have a ton of cousins, being a big family.”
Channing and he exchanged a glance, and he knew she was thinking of Ennis too. He continued, “We’ve been to a lot of family reunions and events. And one name is sure to be seen on those guest lists.”
“Who’s that?” Brant asked.
“Jim Beam.” As Buck talked, he settled back into his seat and stared at the road. He was getting more comfortable in front of the cameras, but he wasn’t so sure that was a good thing. “Ma and some of her cousins got to sippin’ on old Jimmy and before we knew it, she was dancing.” He laughed as images flashed through his mind—their mother’s behind high in the air as she rode out on his father’s shoulder.
As soon as he related this story, Channing and Brant’s laughter filled the truck. Miles stretched before them. Eventually Brant got bored by their silence, gave up and fell asleep.
Out of the corner of his eye, Buck ogled Channing. He always loved the way she curled up in the seat, her knees twisted as if she were relaxing on a sofa. After all the traveling she’d done in the past six months with him, she’d found a way to unwind anywhere.
She wore a loose top today that hung off one golden-tanned shoulder. Her thin bra strap was exposed, a shiny red satin tha
t made him want to grab it in his teeth and lower it slowly while fondling her breasts.
He could almost feel the way her nipples pebbled on his tongue. Wetting his lips, he reached over the console and touched her knee.
She swung her gaze his way. He could walk his fingers up her leg and find heaven or he could be slapped silly. Taking a risk, he edged his hand upward. Channing sucked in a breath. Sexual tension fogged the air between them. Just to make sure they weren’t being filmed, he tossed a look back at Brant. He was doing the head-bob, oblivious.
Buck met Channing’s stare, his cock hardening in a blink. He kneaded her thigh until she shifted in her seat, dropping her feet to the floor. She gripped his hand, and for a moment he thought she was going to make him stop. Instead, she moved his hand higher on her leg.
Balls aching, he splayed his fingers, letting his pinky ride closer to her warm heat. He traced a path over the crease between thigh and pussy. “Next time you should wear a skirt,” he rumbled, low.
She clasped his forearm, and in that touch he felt her desperation. She needed him.
What were the chances of tugging down her zipper and fingering her pussy without waking the cameraman in the back seat? Buck slid his hand down into her crotch, over the bumped seam covering her slit. Moist warmth met his touch, and he couldn’t swallow a groan.
Stirring in the back seat. Brant cleared his throat as he woke.
“Dammit,” he heard Channing mutter.
In a blink, he made a snap decision and threw on his turn signal. He whipped off the exit ramp.
“What are you doing?” Brant asked.
“I need to stretch my legs. I’ve got a…cramp.” Buck eyed Channing. He was going to find someplace where he could ravish her. He needed inside her—now.
A minute and a half later, he’d parked the truck. Brant got out with some dollar bills in hand and headed to the vending machines. “I’ll just…” Channing stopped as if she couldn’t think of a single excuse.
Buck took control. He gripped her arm and headed around the side of the brick building. Luckily he found what he was looking for—a screen of shrubbery. He caught her in his arms and lifted her. She snapped her legs around his waist and ground her pussy against his dick.
Moaning, he claimed her lips. Tongue-fucking her until small noises erupted from her. He lowered her slowly, letting her feel his every hard inch. Then staring into her eyes, he rolled her nipple between his fingers. She panted and worked her jeans down her hips.
As soon as he spotted all that golden skin, he lost his mind. Growling, he whipped down his own jeans and boxers, turned her around and holding her hips, he entered her. In one hard shove, he filled her.
She cried out. He covered her mouth with his palm, muffling her sounds as he pumped in and out of her hot, wet sheath. Need had him by the balls—he couldn’t get enough. Never would.
He placed his mouth at her ear and ran the tip of his tongue up the sensitive shell. She wiggled backward as if screwing herself down on his length. “Feel my cock stretching you, darlin’. Take every inch.”
“Yessss.”
He withdrew and plunged deep again. “As soon as I get you into a bed, your legs will be up by your ears and my tongue buried in this hot pussy.” He jerked upward, drawing another long moan from her. Her teeth grazed his palm, shooting him higher.
“Take it all, darlin’. I want my cum running out of you all the way to Houston.”
She came in a hard, fast wave. Pussy clamping on his cock, drawing his own release up from his balls. He latched onto her earlobe with his teeth as the first spurt bathed her pussy. His mind numbed and all he knew was Channing and the light wind ruffling her silky hair across his face.
* * * * *
Channing and Buck held each other up as they rounded the corner of the rest stop. Laughing and still quivering from their stolen orgasms, they somehow made it to the truck. Brant was already in the back, munching on a trail bar, his earbuds stuffed into his ears.
Whether or not he knew what they’d just done, she had no idea. He might have caught them stealing away on film. But probably not.
Buck handed her into the truck and gave her a smoldering look before closing her door. She watched him swagger around to the driver’s side, aware that he was walking funny because he’d barely been able to stuff his erection back into his pants.
He climbed into the truck and threw her another look that curled her toes and probably her hair too. He was a damn fine man. And she’d never seen this wild, playful side of him before.
As they got back onto the interstate, he and Brant struck up a conversation about cattle. She only had half an ear on their talk. She was tired and the movement of the truck lulled her.
Her phone vibrated and she sat upright, startled. Buck smiled at her. “You were dozing. Your phone’s vibrating.”
She fished in her back pocket and drew her cell out. Who could be calling her right now? She hoped like crazy it wasn’t her brother then immediately felt guilty. She was all he had. Their mother couldn’t handle his situation and they’d never bother her with it.
The number was unknown to her but she answered anyway. “Hello?”
“Hello, this is First Bank of Trust. I’m calling for Channing Taylor.”
“This is Channing.” She sat up straighter, wishing she had something to wet her throat.
“We’ve noted some suspicious log-ins on your account recently and wanted to alert you to this activity.”
Throwing Buck a glance, she said, “Okay.”
“There were instances of someone trying to withdraw funds from your account but as you’re probably aware, your balance is low.”
Low wasn’t the word for it. She had pennies in there after giving everything she had to Luke. She racked her brain to try to make sense of what was happening.
“We’re putting a hold on your account until you come in and give us your ID and permission to unlock it. In the meantime, our people are on alert for more suspicious activity and we will be in touch if this happens.”
“That sounds fine,” Channing said, stunned. “Thank you.”
She ended the call and sat staring at the gray ribbon of road for a long moment before Buck touched her hand. She looked at him and he arched a brow in question. Waving, she said, “It’s nothing. Just the bank making sure they have the right address for me.”
She didn’t want to tell Buck what was going on even if Brant weren’t in the truck with them. But her lie tightened a knot of anxiety in her chest too. She was living with Buck for now, but what would happen later? Eventually she’d need to start over and rebuild from the ground up.
And who the hell was accessing her account? It couldn’t be Luke. For all his troubles, he wasn’t a thief. He’d come to her so he wouldn’t sink that low. But that left two possibilities—either this was a random hacker or someone who had her information on hand.
Someone who now owned her car with her information on the registration. It wouldn’t be difficult to dig around and find everything about her if someone were determined.
And the people who were demanding money from Luke were definitely determined.
Shit, shit, shit.
She ran her fingers through her hair and got a whiff of Buck’s scent on her. That only launched her deeper into despair. What was she doing with her life? Somehow she’d driven off-course and had no idea where her own path was anymore.
“Do you drive a pickup too, Channing?” Brant asked out of the blue, leaning between the seats with his camera lights blinking.
She bit off a scream. The last thing she wanted to do was be interviewed.
“Um, no. I don’t have a car right now. I sold it for…”
Buck tensed. She wished for the truck floor to rust out suddenly so she could fall through it.
“I sold it for…wedding money.” What was another lie?
Buck made a sound like he was being strangled but said nothing. Brant zoomed in on her face and she hoped s
he didn’t have dried saliva on her chin after falling asleep.
“Tell me about the wedding. Why don’t you two discuss it?” He looked between them.
Channing’s vocal cords froze in her throat and she had no idea how to even come up with this big of a lie. “Uhhh…”
“Will it take place on the ranch?” Brant prompted after several silent moments.
Buck saved her by nodding. “Of course. All the Calhouns want to be married on the ranch.”
Was this true? Channing shot him a look and he lifted his shoulder in such a slight shrug she’d bet Brant missed it.
“Will you have all your family there? I know you’re on the outs with one branch that now owns your ranch.”
Buck grunted. “Only until we raise enough money to buy it back from him. But yeah, a big to-do with a band and dancing. We’ll hold the reception in the barn.”
Suddenly she pictured it—twinkle lights strung from the rafters and the smell of fresh hay. All the horses put out to pasture and round tables lit with candles and gleaming with silver and china.
It took a huge amount of effort to swallow. Buck’s arms around her, his eyes shining as he danced her around and around, making promises with his body for their wedding night.
God, what had she done? She’d gone and fallen deeper in love with him. He was so different, though. It was impossible not to see him in a new, brighter, shinier light. Especially when he squeezed her fingers and gave her that crooked grin.
“Channing gets whatever she wants on that day but she’s shy about discussing her plans for the wedding. Guess y’all will have to wait and see,” Buck drawled.
Which only made her tip head-first into loving him more because he knew exactly how to keep her afloat in this strange, tumultuous sea.
Chapter Nine
Buck’s time in Texas was a whirlwind. He and Asher were on fire, bringing home top scores and nice checks. His partner seemed more at ease, whether it was because he was away from the situation at home, Buck had no idea. He and Asher weren’t talking much about personal stuff these days.
Which was good because his friend always saw through him. He’d know something was going on between him and Channing.