by Em Petrova
“Family huddle,” he said to everyone.
Buck gave him a sharp look in question, but he shook his head and spread his arms to gather the family close. Once all their heads were inside and the world of cameras and nosy people were firmly locked away, West whispered, “I need your help.”
Lane groaned. “Say it’s not another assault charge.”
“Shut up, asshole,” he said without rancor. “I want to bring a friend to the ranch, and she can’t be filmed. Or allowed to face one of Mom’s inquisitions.”
Ridge grunted. “You don’t ask for much, do ya?”
“How the hell are we going to keep the cameras off her? You can ask the crew, but you’re in the spotlight right now, West. They dog you like a wolf on a rabbit.”
“Not sure I like being referred to as a rabbit, but you’re right.” West stared at Wynonna. “Unless you bring your man too and throw them off my scent.”
Her eyes took on that far-off look she got when she was plotting something bad. The brothers looked at her, and the sisters-in-law nodded enthusiastically.
“Bring your doctor, West. We’ll handle the cameras,” Wynonna said, straightening.
With a hole in the boundary of the huddle, he could see cameras trying to sneak a shot. West waved her back down. “How do you know it’s the doc?” he whispered.
Wynonna and his brothers exchanged a duh look. West straightened. Guess it didn’t matter—they’d know it was Malou soon enough.
“Thanks, guys,” he said. Then he caught Buck’s shoulder. “I need you to tow a truck behind the RV, okay?”
He raised a brow but nodded after a second’s consideration. “Hope she’s worth it, brother. You’re involving five of us in your plot. Fifteen if you count all.”
He grunted. “I don’t think little Addy May is gonna need to do much besides drool and look cute,” he referred to Buck’s young daughter.
“What can I say? She takes after her momma—Channing drools like a St. Bernard in her sleep.”
“I heard that, Buck Calhoun!” She wrapped her arm around Buck’s throat in a threatening manner, but he yanked her around and into his arms. They shared a laughing kiss.
West moved away, remembering his dick was still as hard as stone.
He gave two short interviews and spoke to an old buddy who’d quit the rodeo before he was able to make his way to Malou.
She was busy with a patient. Her voice came from beyond the curtain, low and soothing. Seemed the cowboy had some knee pain. A while back she’d helped a lot with Ridge’s. Since then, he’d been rehabilitated and was back to riding broncs.
If West thought about his family, he couldn’t help but wonder that his request was so easily swallowed. They were all willing to help, no matter what. He just hoped to hell he hadn’t saddled them all with an asshole in Wynonna’s gray-haired boyfriend.
Won’t matter, though. I won’t even be around. I’ll be too busy keeping Malou in bed.
As soon as the patient was on his way, West pounced on her. He caught her against his chest and bore her back onto one of the beds.
She gasped and stared up at him. “What the hell are you doing, West?”
“I’ve got a not-so-little problem, Doc.” He took her hand and mashed it to the front of his jeans. He couldn’t think about her without wanting her.
She hiccupped in surprise. “That’s… impressive.”
“Tell me you didn’t give that last guy the same treatment.”
“What? Why would I?”
“He was walkin’ stiff-legged.”
“From his knee, you ass. Now get off me before someone sees us.”
“Good idea. I’ll take you someplace more private. You’re not getting out of treating me, Lou.”
* * * * *
His eyes were dark and burning with lust, and no wonder. He pushed his hips into hers, digging his cock into her pussy. She released a quiet moan, and he silenced her with his kiss. A long, tongue-swirling kiss that made her grasp at him with desire.
When he lifted his head, she saw total want in his eyes. “I know you’ve been working on an aphrodisiac oil. Wanna try it out?”
“You don’t need it.” He was as hard as steel.
“What’s in it?” He nibbled a path along her neck.
“Ginseng, pomegranate and…”
“And?” He looked as if he could eat her up. Her body tingled.
“Horny goat weed.”
At that, he threw his head back and laughed. The full, rich sound seduced her more than his hard body and harder cock.
“I want you, West.” Her soft admission sobered him instantly. “I-I know a place.”
He rolled off her at once, grabbed her by the hands and pulled her into a sitting position. She slid off the bed and looked around. Thankfully, she didn’t have any patients and wouldn’t for the next five minutes it would take to satisfy both hers and West’s urges.
She took his hand and led him behind a curtain. The wall was a foot away, and there was a door.
“You have a lot of surprises, L’il Bit. Where’s it lead?”
“It’s a utility closet, but it’s got a light.” She opened the door and flicked a switch. “See?” She turned to him.
That hungry look was back. With a growl, he swept her up and walked her back into the room. “If I close the door, we won’t be locked in, will it?” he asked between nips on her neck.
She shook her head and stopped breathing as he hit a particularly sensitive spot. “It doesn’t have a lock.”
“Good.” He shimmied down her pants and plunged his fingers into her panties. She was already soaking for him. He rumbled pleasure and swooped in for another kiss.
She pawed his jeans open and got to that long, thick cock she ached for. The instant she wrapped her fingers around his length, he surged into her hand.
“Soon as I get you in a bed, I plan on eating your pussy while shoving this cock into your throat. Can you handle that?” His dirty talk made her wetter. She moved restlessly against his hand, needing him to stroke her clit.
When he ground it into her body with the pad of his thumb, she shuddered uncontrollably.
“Condom?” she asked. No matter how much she wanted him, she wouldn’t lose her head again.
With a wolfish grin, he reached into his back pocket and took out a whole strip. He tore one open with his teeth and she took precious seconds to slide it over his cock.
Then she kicked off her shoes and clothing. He palmed her breasts while kissing her wildly.
At once, he lifted her under her thighs, hitching her up and against him. Her pussy settled over his erection. In one hard shove, he filled her, the tip reaching so deep she sucked in a gasp.
Her body clamped down on him, and he began to churn his hips, drawing his cock through her wet heat. She was instantly on edge, burning with need. “Just a few more moves,” she begged.
“Fuck yeah. You gonna come for me, baby?”
She held onto his shoulders and took control with a kiss. Showing him how much she wanted him, needed him. She cried out as he penetrated so deep, the angle just right to send her—
She came with a muffled cry. He groaned against her lips and plunged his cock in and out faster. As he stiffened and came, she was still peaking around him. The moment stretched on.
Opening her eyes, she searched his handsome face, his eyes pinched shut and his jaw tight in the throes of bliss.
She skimmed her fingers over his cheek, rasping the beard growth there. He opened his eyes and gave her a grin. “Lou, we’re gonna have a helluva weekend. And you’re right—I don’t need that oil.”
Chapter Seven
West crouched behind the hay baler, locked and loaded. He strained to hear footsteps in the high grasses, but the Oklahoma breeze had kicked up, and he couldn’t make out anything but the rush in his ears.
And a small giggle from the boy at his side. As soon as Buck Jr. laughed, Mady and Montana followed.
“Shhhh
,” West said to them, pressing a finger against his lips. The three kids held their foam dart guns at the ready, and he cocked his head to the left.
They watched him for their cues, eyes wide. He twitched his head to show them where to shoot and mouthed the countdown. Three, two, one.
“Raaaarrrrr!”
“Aghhhh!”
“Shoot!”
The kids leaped out and opened fire on whoever was approaching—their Uncle Lane, judging by the sounds of it.
“You little turds! I’m gonna get every one of you!” Darts flew past West’s ear, and he jerked to his feet. Facing down his brother.
They each narrowed their eyes and unloaded their weapons on each other. Darts bounced off West’s plaid shirt, and one stray dart nailed him in the jaw.
With no more ammo, the kids ran behind his back.
“Uncle West can’t protect ya. Come out and take it like adults!” Lane growled.
“We’re not adults,” Buck Jr. said.
Montana bounced up and down on her sandaled feet as though she were spring-loaded.
“Quick! Pick up those darts and fire on Lane,” West said.
The kids scampered to find the colorful darts in the high grasses. Cameras followed their movements. Giggles ensued as they attempted to reload fast, but arranging the darts in the clip called for adult assistance.
West crouched to fill each kid’s weapon, and they proceeded to stand there and shoot Lane point-blank in the kneecaps. But when Maddy zeroed in on his nuts, Lane called a truce.
“You win. You got me.” He fell over and rolled around in the exaggerated throes of death.
The kids pounced, hurling themselves atop him.
With the cameras involved in the play, West got up and walked away. Foam dart wars with the kiddies was fun, but it was time for some adult playtime.
Malou sat on the porch steps, talking to one of the barn cats. The animal was heavy with a litter, and damn if West’s little doc wasn’t feeling its abdomen.
At his approach, she looked up with a smile. “Nine that I can count.”
“We’d better get a fresh shipment of mice, then.” He leaned in to kiss her. She was sweeter, more fragrant, the sunshine and heat of the morning bringing out the oils she applied to her skin.
He sank beside her and pulled her into his side. Irritated with the invasion, the cat ran off.
“You never can stop taking care of things, even if it’s not people, can you?” he asked.
She directed an errant rope of hair behind her shoulder and smiled. “Habit. Besides, it’s odd for me to just sit here doing nothing.”
“You want me to find you some chores?” He jerked a thumb toward the barn. “Plenty of stalls to be cleaned.”
She laughed. “I’ve done it before.”
He arched a brow. There was plenty he didn’t know about Malou, and he had a feeling two days with her wasn’t going to scrape the surface. She had so many layers it would take him months to peel them away. But he was determined to try.
He put his arm around her and stroked her bare shoulder. Her sleeveless top, though loose, did things to him. He kissed the top of her head, and she leaned into him.
They’d gotten into the ranch late last night, and he’d barely kissed her before she’d fallen asleep. Probably worn out from all those stops they’d made from San Antonio. He’d used up four of the condoms in his strip, but he had a fresh stash in his room and he intended to deplete the box ASAP.
“If you know how to muck a stall, does that mean you can ride?”
When she smiled, it seemed like the sun stepped aside to let her glow. Her eyes were luminous, and her plump lips turned up, begging for his kisses.
And he still hadn’t gotten that sixty-nine position yet.
“I can ride but I don’t know how to use a saddle. We didn’t have many on the rez, and I learned bareback.”
“Good. Saves us time. C’mon.” He took her hand and pulled her into a stand. Then he led her across the yard to the barn. Inside was cooler and the flies buzzed. He got Remington from his stall and a nice calm mare for Malou. He believed she knew what she was doing on a horse, but he didn’t want to give her a wild mount either.
When she took over with the horse, patting its side and letting it get used to her, West stood back and drank it all in.
She glanced up with a confused smile. “What?”
“You. Here. I can’t believe I persuaded you.”
She dipped her head and made a play of running her fingers through the mare’s mane. “I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you either. And it feels good to be out of the city.” She looked out the barn door and her voice took on a singsong cadence as she said, “The grasses sing to me here. And the breeze. Do you hear it?”
He didn’t remove his gaze from her face and all he heard were the kids giggling madly and the sound of an engine in the distance. But he heard plenty in her words.
Nodding, he said, “Want to explore with me?”
She laughed. “Explore with you or explore you?”
“Both.” They took the horses into the sunlight, and West treated them with lumps of sugar he kept in his front pocket. At that, she lit up. Damn, he hadn’t made many good decisions lately, but bringing Malou home was one of the best.
He swung onto Ruger bareback and Malou did the same, moving with a practiced skill.
“I’m impressed,” he said.
She looked him over, her stare lingering on his chest. “So am I.”
His cock stirred. Out here, she was much bolder, and he liked it. Maybe the songs of the grasses and breeze unlocked the real Malou. He hoped to see much more of this woman.
They walked the horses until he was sure she was used to riding again. Tossing a look over his shoulder, he said, “Kick it up?”
“Like this?” She raced past him.
“Damn,” he bit off and heeled his mount. They took off after Malou. Her dark hair flew behind her like ribbons, and she leaned over her horse’s neck. He could easily see the Native American in her bearing now. So regal, beautiful… and wild.
He took the lead—Ruger hated running behind any horse—and led Malou across a small dip in the land. They followed it for about half a mile before they hit the spring.
She slowed and he did the same, circling the place water bubbled out of the earth to create a small pool. She said something in a language he didn’t recognize.
He arched a brow. “Hopi?”
“Yes, it means water from the earth. Do the cattle come here to drink?”
“If they wander this way, yes.”
She nodded. “That’s good. They will prosper.”
He looked at her closely and shook his head. “You’re different here, L’il Bit.”
A soft smile played at the corners of her mouth as she dismounted. “Reconnecting with the land. It makes me feel whole.”
The idea that she had been anything less than whole before stabbed him deep. Now she’d done it. He wanted to keep her with him for all time.
“I’ve always wandered both worlds,” she said, walking to the edge of the pool.
He slid off his horse and came to stand beside her. Not touching, allowing her this moment to settle into herself again.
“As a child, I was purely spiritual. I ran on instincts and heeded the lessons in the old stories. But then Hototo died and I went to walk in the world of modern times. Medicine was my gift and I threw myself into pursuing my degree. My sister lives near me in the city, but she’s given up many of her Hopi ways. She loves her shoe collection too much.”
He chuckled. “And you?”
She sank to the ground and pulled her knees to her chest. Today she had on a flowy skirt that was knotted at one side so when she walked, he caught glimpses of her smooth brown calf muscle.
He eased his arm around her, and she rested her head on his chest, tucked under his shoulder. Fitting perfectly. She didn’t speak for some time. The horses circled the pond to drink at opposite
ends. Foreplay, he thought. Time to pair the horses together and let nature take its course.
“I don’t love shoes,” Malou said softly. “And I feel torn in half at times, longing for places like this.” She spread her hands before her. “But when I go back to the rez, I itch to return to my modern world of phones and even the rat race of the clinic.”
“How do you find the balance, Lou?”
She tilted her head to look up at him. He leaned closer, her lips beckoning.
“I think I found it,” she whispered a scant second before she kissed him.
* * * * *
Malou was melting into West. His lips blazed over hers, his tongue seeking. The sun warmed the cotton stretched over his shoulders. She ran her hands over it again and again while he nudged her knees apart and fitted himself between her legs.
Even with a barrier of fabric, his cock pressed against her pussy felt so good. Lying with him under the sun seemed like the biggest omen in her life since her brother’s tragedy had sent her on a path to becoming a doctor.
“God, you’re so beautiful… so intriguing. You make me want to know so much more about you.” His murmurs against her skin sent her skittering on a brand new road, with him in the driver’s seat. A road to the spiritual side of their relationship.
Until now, she hadn’t thought much beyond spending time with him, but somehow, being in the open this way, brought them to a whole new level.
“What do you want to know?”
His eyes twinkled. “Can you play poker?”
“All Native Americans can. Why do you think we have so many casinos?”
He shook with laughter. “See? You’re not as uptight as you try to show people. Why do you keep this side of you hidden?”
She focused on his question, though it was damn difficult with a hard, hunky man hovering over her. A few movements and they’d be bare, but she suddenly realized part of his reason for bringing her here was to bare their souls.
“Despite medicine being a profession where men and women are equal, it’s still hard. Some people won’t take a woman doctor seriously, especially some of the older patients. I have to keep a professional demeanor, and I guess that becomes what everyone sees.”