by H. J. Bellus
The National Anthem is sung by a sweet little voice. I remove my hat and continue to rock back and forth staying ready for the ride.
I’m the last cowboy to ride, and with the score of seventy-two leading I feel pretty damn comfortable, but in this sport you have to draw the right horse to score high. I settle down on the black beauty, finding the right spot, throw my heels up on his shoulder, grab my hat, nod my head, and hang on for life.
I hear Maverik’s voice in the background and then everything fades out as I spur and hang on. The horse is powerful, jolting every single part of my body. The smell of dirt flies up into my nostril as I stay centered and get the job done. I hear the whistle blow and go to loosen my riding hand, when I feel the horse stumble. My right side goes into the dirt first, and then it feels like a brick wall lands on me as I look up to see the horse roll over me. I fight to free my hand and scramble for safety.
My hand frees just in time before the mammoth rolls all the way over and is back up on his feet. As he scrambles to get up I feel a hoof on the inside of my thigh and the sound of my pants tearing. He pierces my thigh with one final push as he stands up and then sprays me with dirt as he takes off.
I prop myself up on my elbows trying to get up, but instantly get lightheaded. Maverik is out in the center of the arena at my side.
“Stand the fuck up and shake it off.”
He loops an arm under one of mine as he pats me off. The crowd goes from deathly silent into an eruption of cheers. I tip my hat, and then spot Challis standing on her feet with her mouth covered. I raise my hat to her, waving it.
Once behind the chutes, another cowboy is on my side and they both limp me to the tailgate of the truck.
“You okay, man?” the one cowboy asks. “Need me to get the medics?”
“Nah, just got the air knocked out of me. Thanks, man.” I stretch out my hand and give him a shake.
I feel liquid run down my leg, and when I look down it’s not pretty. Torn jeans, a perfect imprint of a horse hoof, swelling, and a blood trail. The fucker broke skin. The shock of being under a horse is worse than the pain in my leg. It’s something no cowboy wants to be faced with.
“Oh, my God, Merek.” I look up to see Challis sprinting toward me.
“You need a damn turtleneck.” I watch her perfect tits bounce up and down.
“Shut up. No joking. Are you okay?” She stops feet away from me.
“No, I’m dying.” I raise an eyebrow. “I need your sweet lips on mine to restart my heart.”
“Merek.” She slaps me on the shoulder and I’m quick enough to catch her hand and pull her in for a long kiss.
“Jesus, I think you missed your calling, Merek.” Mav steps with a handful of first aid shit. “You should work for Hallmark with all your fucking cheesy lines.”
I tuck Challis in on my other side and let Mav go to work cleaning up the wound.
“Whatever, Nurse Nancy.”
I lean over to kiss Challis again but get sucker punched right in the gut by Maverik.
“Oooomph.”
Challis tilts my chin back to her. “You did kind of deserve that.”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
Her lips seal to mine but don’t stay long. I think we both know it would be beyond awkward for me to spring an erection with Mav working on my inner thigh.
“What was my score? Fuck, I didn’t even catch it.”
“I don’t know. I was too damn worried if you were okay.”
“Ninety-one. You won the round,” Challis says.
“Told you I could ride a T-Rex, Mav.”
Challis hops from my lap. “I’m dying again.”
“Cowboy up, cupcake. It’s my turn to show you how it’s done, and I won’t even get any dirt on my ass or tear my jeans.”
Maverik laughs, and I can’t help but chuckle too.
“Merek, I do believe you finally found your match in life.”
“I think so.”
I study Challis as she changes into her riding clothes and watch how she caresses and takes such good care of Teebaby. She’s told me he is her best friend and if she ever had to choose between Teebaby and anything else that Teebaby would always win.
“She loves that horse.”
Mav settles in on the tailgate next to me, handing me a longneck while tilting his back. “I’ve never seen a team like those two. Unstoppable. Quite a shame she didn’t get a second chance to chase the national title.”
“Fuck collegiate level, she’s going straight to the pros after this shit storm is over.”
Chapter 14
Challis
Teebaby jitters and is beyond antsy to chase some cans. He sees the arena and I have to hold him back until my name is announced. I pull back on him and he fights as he stamps his front feet in the dirt.
I line him up, check him to make sure he’s only focused on the arena, and then let him go. He flies to the first barrel and takes it tight. My kneecap flies into the metal of the barrel, but it doesn’t budge. We turn around that can and I look to the next, pushing him to go faster he takes can two as sharp and tight as the first one. He glides to the next one, a sharp pain in my lower back takes my breath away as he sits his ass down and turns. The pain is overwhelming and I try to stretch up easing the pain, but it doesn’t work. My legs fly into action, hustling Teebaby home.
“Fifteen nine. Now that little cowgirl gave a whole new meaning to hustle.”
I jump off Teebaby as soon we leave the arena and bend over trying to catch my breath, then stand up stretching out the cramp in my back. He tugs on the reins but I keep a tight grip on them, knowing he’s hyped up from the run.
“Ma’am, you okay?”
An older cowboy steps up to me.
“Just a backache. I’m good.”
It has to be from riding nearly ten hours a day at the ranch, or my daddy paying me back for always making fun of him when he’d hunch over with a pain in his lower back. That thought causes me to laugh. I can totally picture my old man sitting up in the clouds serving up payback for me, and I realize I didn’t have a panic attack this time running barrels. I guess Merek Slatter may be my perfect distraction.
I climb back on Teebaby and stand up in the stirrups not brave enough to sit down and test the pain. Leaning slightly forward, I test my back trying to stretch it out.
“Challis.” I turn to see Maverik out of breath. “What the fuck? Are you okay?”
I look at him dumbfounded.
“Talk before my brother drags his ass over here.”
“Fine. It’s just my back.”
Maverik jumps up on the fence and sends thumbs up over to the bucking chute where Merek is perched. I offer him a weak smile.
“What the hell happened?”
“I don’t know. About barrel two my back seized up with a cramp and it fucking hurt.”
“Get down and stretch it out.” He takes the reins from my hands.
I want to tell him that I’ve already done that but sitting in the saddle is killing me, so I jump down from Teebaby and stretch out again.
“Challis Jones, you’re needed for the victory lap.” Looking up, I see a rodeo director.
“Okay,” I offer a feeble acknowledgment and climb back up on Teebaby.
“Take it slow,” Maverik says. “I’ll be right here when you get out.”
“If you haven’t noticed this horse has only one speed.” I sit in the saddle and squirm for a bit. “Actually, I think it’s gone.”
“Back spasm from riding those colts.”
The flag girl kicks her horse into action. A director standing by the gate hands me a bottle of whiskey. I grab it as I let Teebaby go. The bottle is raised over my head on the victory lap, and I don’t even stop to look at chute one, instead I wait and look over at Merek, who’s sitting on the last one and flash him a wink as I zoom by.
I don’t miss his hoots of appreciation.
“Off the horse.” Maverik stands at the gate. His voice is
so serious I almost feel like I’m in trouble. I listen to his commands.
“Meet Merek back at my truck. I’ll take care of Teebaby for you.”
I walk alongside Teebaby with Maverik on the other side. “Um, no you won’t. My back cramped. I’m not handicapped or a pussy.”
“Fine, I’ll help you.”
I grab onto Teebaby’s reins, ripping them from his hands and am instantly pissed off. “My dad didn’t raise a woman who needs the help of men. I’m not helpless and can fucking do my own shit, Maverik. Thanks, but no fucking thanks. Nobody takes care of this horse but me.”
He raises his hands in a surrendering motion and peels off toward the tailgate of his truck as Merek hobbles up to it.
“Verde.” I hear Merek’s voice.
“I’m fine. Let me do my thing.”
I hear Maverik tell him to back off. Fucking lesson learned, never show pain in front of the Slatter boys. I’m not quite sure what enraged me with Maverik. I do know that I need to get better at accepting help in my life, but right now this is the only thing I have full control over and by damn if I’ll ever give that up. Traveling with Merek was a huge leap for me.
Some phantom pains shoot through my lower back, and I almost slip and grab it but think better of it. Instead, I snag four ibuprofens from the tack room in my trailer and go about cooling down Teebaby.
Once he’s fed and I’ve put all the tack away, I walk over to Merek and Maverik with the bottle of whiskey in my hand.
I walk straight up to Maverik and hold out the whiskey. “Sorry, I just get a little wound up over rodeo and that horse.”
“No offense taken, Challis, I get it, but just know you can always ask for help. Takes the strongest people to actually ask.”
“Thanks.” I drop my head and feel my arm being pulled into Merek.
“What was with all that cocky talk about not getting hurt or dirt on your ass?”
“I didn’t get dirt on my ass.”
“I know, you just magically got hurt sitting on a horse. Now that takes talent, Verde.”
“Thanks.” I grab his face and pull him close.
“For making fun of you?”
“Yes, I need you, Merek.”
“Get a room, you two assholes.” Maverik jumps from the tailgate. “I’m staying here tonight with you two. I’ll sleep in the cab of the truck and let you two kids have the living quarters.”
“Sounds good, brother.”
We both stare as Maverik takes off.
“What in the hell?” I ask.
“Spotted a piece of ass,” Merek responds as he nibbles on my ear. ”Is that how it works?” I ask.
“Yep, and no woman can say no to a Slatter.”
“I can.”
“Really?” Merek challenges.
“Yep.”
He stands and begins dragging my ass over to the trailer.
“How in the hell are you walking?”
“I’m tough.”
I slap him in the back. “Seriously.”
“Okay, I’m horny as fuck.”
“Oh, my God, Merek Slatter, you’re awful.”
I can’t help but laugh at his brash comments. He swings open the doors to the living quarters and hobbles in.
“Wait.” I point to Mav’s truck. “How is he driving us home in the morning when he has his truck here.
“Who knows with Maverik? He makes shit happen.”
I climb up into the living quarters and fall on the couch. Merek is already sprawled out on the bed wiggling out of his jeans and is stripped down to his boxers. I’m beyond exhausted and feel no pain between the meds and shots I did with Merek and Maverik.
“Oh fuck.” Merek sits up and grabs his thigh moaning in pain. I spring from the couch and I’m at his side in less than two seconds. He grabs me by the arm and pulls me down onto him.
“Told you that you can’t resist a Slatter.”
“You ass.” I slap his chest and straddle him. I feel his hands roam up and down my thighs then travel up to the top of my jeans. I slowly begin to unbutton my shirt and seductively pull it off, with tank and bra to follow. I toss my hat onto the couch, making sure it lands the right way and then bend over placing my breasts in Merek’s face. He’s so distracted his hands go limp to his side as his mouth begins licking, sucking, and biting.
I could let him deliciously torture me in this fashion forever, so I force myself from Merek and stand up, placing my hands on my hips, full well knowing I’m going to jump back on that train in a matter of seconds.
“Now, what were you saying about not being able to say no to a Slatter?”
“Challis,” he groans out, freeing himself from his boxers.
I unbutton the top of my jeans and pull them down just enough to expose my lace panties. “What were you saying, Merek?”
“You’re right. Always right. You win. Now strip.”
I giggle as I pull down my jeans and step out of them, and I take a bit longer dragging down my panties just to make him suffer. I crawl back on the bed fully nude and settle myself over Merek. He’s always the one leading the way in the bedroom or stable, but not tonight.
“Did my little Verde find some courage?”
I don’t answer him. As I slide down on him, the sensation nearly causes me to pass out. It’s something I’ve never felt before. Merek’s used to taking me and me enjoying it. I move my hips just the slightest and feel that ever-welcoming pleasure build up quickly. His hands firmly pinch each side of my hips as he starts guiding me up and down, forcing me to fuck him.
“Merek, slow down. I’m about to go.”
He only grunts as he slams me down harder and harder. My hands find his hair and tug on it until he’s facing me in a sitting position. My lips attack his and my screams are muffled into his mouth as I spiral out of control.
Merek lifts me up and off him. I fall to the side and before I can ask what is going on I watch him grab himself and milk out his own release, and it hits me that he wasn’t wearing a condom.
“Oh shit.” It comes out breathy. “We got carried away.”
“Just needed a little Slatter in you is all.” Merek stands and begins cleaning himself.
“It’s not funny.”
The thought of me throwing everything away because of the emotions and passion I have for this man causes goose bumps to run up and down my arms. I know that I more than like Merek Slatter, but being knocked up could ruin everything at this point for me.
“Challis, I got you. I’m here for the long haul. I love you.” He climbs into bed, collapses next to me, covers his eyes with his forearm and is out. I take it he had a couple more shots than I did.
The three words bounce off the walls of the small living quarters, and I have no idea how to react or feel, so I cuddle up to the only thing that’s felt like home since my daddy dying.
Chapter 15
Merek
One Month Later
“Something is not right. First the colts were let loose, our feed order was misplaced, and now fences are torn down.” I punch the side of the barn, knowing fixing the fences will set us back a good week.
“Smells like sabotage to me.” Maverik saddles up his favorite childhood horse and gathers tools to fix the fence.
“We have to keep our heads in the game, guys,” Marvel says.
“No shit. Do you not think we are aware of that?”
“I’m assigning some of the crew to security at night. This has Saint’s name all over it. He’s screwing with us so we don’t get the job done.” Maverik kicks his horse into a gallop and takes off to begin fixing the destroyed fence.
Between the fucking stress of saving the ranch, hiding my little cash flow secret from Challis, and her stressing over her daddy’s ranch, I’m ready to blow up. We’ve worked the rodeo circuit every single weekend and kicked ass. The money flowing is a good thing only if I can get it to my stubborn ass woman.
“What in the hell happened?” Challis walks into the b
arn baffled.
I only shrug as I’m left speechless as well.
“We don’t know, but it’s not going to hold us back. We are working those five colts today since they’re showing the most promise.” Marvel begins to walk away.
“Hey, Marvel, I’m stealing Challis for a few hours.”
He throws his arms up in the air out of frustration.
“No, Merek.”
“I need a stress break. Please come ride with me.”
“Marvel is about to stroke out. I can’t.”
“We’ll be bringing in some cattle, so we’ll be kind of working, and you can ride Teebaby for a while.”
“Fine.”
I know exactly how to play her heartstrings.
“I’m going to pack a quick lunch and then will meet you back here.” I spin on my heels and head for the house, but before I hop up on the porch I holler back to her. “Saddle up Britches for me.”
Challis just sends me the bird, which I know is an okay, asshole. I throw together a quick lunch and get hard just thinking about the alone time we’ll have. It seems we have both been breaking our asses nonstop lately and some nights we are too tired to have sex.
I open the front door with our lunch bundled in a backpack and see the little shit walking down the trail in the direction of my favorite spot with my horse trailing behind.
“Challis.”
She turns in her saddle. “What?”
“Forgetting something?” I raise my hands in the air.
I sprint and catch up with her, hopping up on Britches.
“To our spot?”
“You got it, Verde.”
We both ride in silence and it’s just the piece of mind I need right now. I haven’t asked Challis how much money she has or how close she is to getting the ranch back. I’ve kept the cash flow going and her away from the rest of the workers. In fact, she’s basically her own boss and probably could rival any of us Slatter boys on horseback.
We ride up the rolling hill where the pond sits and the scenery takes my breath away every single time. But today is different. I’ve told Challis I love her on at least ten different occasions, and she always manages to brush it off. It’s never fazed me because I’ll die trying for this woman. We’ve shared several wins together, injuries, laughs, and endured fights, but riding horseback with the woman I love to the place I adore the most in the world nearly turns me into a crying pussy.