Renegade Ridge

by Arabella Steedly

  She nodded and licked her lips then put on the best show of any woman he had ever seen. Stroking her breasts and pinching her nipples, squealing and moaning at all the appropriate moments throughout her performance. When he was ready, he unzipped his jeans and watched her eyes when his manhood sprung free. After seeing the size of his cock she moaned, and said, “I need to cum—oh please.” But as he reached down and grabbed his throbbing cock in his fist, and said, “No, I’m not ready yet!”

  When he nodded toward the bill, she smiled again and brought her left nipple up to her mouth and circled it with her tongue. Clay widened his stance and ran his hand up and down over his shaft until he could stand it no more. He grinned at the girl, and whispered, “Okay, go ahead and finger yourself, honey, you deserve to cum.” He quickened his stroke just as she plunged two fingers inside and finger fucked herself into a frenzy.

  The girl's eyes opened wide as she watched his cream flow over his cock head onto his hand. “Wow, you must have been horny, honey?”

  Clay jerked his cock a few more times, harder than before. Then he grunted and moaned as the second spurt of cum squirted all over the bedspread. “This one is for you…Tess.”

  SNEAK PREVIEW: Mystic Valley Alpha Cowboy

  Secluded Valley Alpha Cowboy

  by

  Arabella Steedly

  Blurb

  My Daddy lied! He was a billionaire!

  After finishing art school, Daddy said he was broke and arranged to send me to Montana to marry a rancher who was much older than I.

  I convinced myself I’d be alright and went along with Daddy’s plan. Until I saw the rough, tough cowboy come galloping up to the gates of Mystic Ranch to meet me.

  Craning my neck to look up at him, I stood frozen to the spot. I blushed to the deepest red when his glacier blue eyes looked me up and down.

  His hand was warm and big, as he clutched mine hoisting me up to straddle his mighty steed.

  I trembled when I was told to circle my arms around his waist. I could feel the rugged muscles under his denim shirt causing a shock to run down my spine. I bounced a little with every gallop as we rode away as one.

  I shook my head in silent disbelieve. He wasn’t old or disgusting…in fact he was quite the opposite. Why did a man like Clyde need a mail order bride? What had Daddy done to me?

  CHAPTER ONE

  I was meeting my friend Michelle for a quick coffee during her lunch hour, and I sat staring out of the bay windows of the cafe at the pedestrians passing by. Occasionally, I caught my own reflection in the glass and was reminded of how self-conscious I was feeling. My jeans clung to my chunky thighs and the floral blouse I was wearing stretched over my body tightly. I had always had an oval face with full cheeks that grew red at the slightest provocation. My eyes were large and brown, to match my chestnut curls which I always had down and flowing over my shoulders. Someone had once advised that it would make my face appear to be thinner.

  Michelle, the exact opposite of me in appearance, came hurrying in. She was a tall, skinny, blond and never left the house unless she was dressed to the tee. Today she was in a tight pencil skirt, a blue silk blouse and looking as professional as her law degree had trained her to look.

  “Jade!” she said, as she sat down with a thump in front of me. We had been best friends since kindergarten, and inseparable all our lives. Now that her career had skyrocketed, she was always busy, but we made sure that we saw each other at least once a week. Even if only for a few minutes, just to catch up on each other’s lives.

  “I’ve ordered you your usual,” I said to her, as she snapped open her compact mirror from her purse and held it up in front of her to touch up her makeup.

  “Thanks, what’s up with you? You sounded anxious on the phone,” Michelle said, snapping the mirror shut and slipping it into her purse again. I took in a deep breath and prepared myself for the speech I was about to give her.

  “I have something important to tell you,” I told my best friend and raised her eyebrows. She could sense that something important was in the works.

  “Did you get a job?” she asked, and I rolled my eyes.

  “Nobody wants to hire an artist with no practical work experience,” I said dismissively, and Michelle cocked her head to the side indulgently.

  “Jade, I’ve been telling you for years now. What you need to do is set up your own business, like work out of a studio and sell your art. That is the only way forward,” Michelle said, and I shook my head.

  “I’ve tried that. I’m not good enough to sell my art, not yet at least. I need to work on it some more,” I said and looked away from her. It was true. I had spent the past two years trying to make a decent living off my art. Other than a few bookmarks and watercolor postcards I sold at the neighborhood weekend fairs, and the one-off commission piece I managed to procure off the internet; there was no money in it.

  “Why don’t you just ask your daddy for the money? For rent at least?” Michelle suggested, and I shook my head. I didn’t know why she was even suggesting it, she knew Daddy; she knew how he was. Being my parents’ only child, Daddy had big expectations from me. He had dreamed that one day I would take over his business, carry on our family legacy. But I was never interested in that. Manufacturing tractors was not motivation enough. When I got into art school, I had broken Daddy’s heart. It was only because of Mom that he even continued to speak to me. And now that mom had passed away; other than the occasional phone call and the Christmas card, he wasn’t interested in my life anymore. An artists’ struggling life was beyond his understanding. He wanted his daughter to make money, to work with him to make the family business prosper.

  “I’m not going to be able to pay this month’s rent, and Daddy refused to send me any more money,” I told Michelle and dropped my gaze to my lap.

  “What? That is ridiculous. Let me…how much do you need? I’ll write you a check,” she said, and I shook my head again.

  “No, Michelle. You can’t keep loaning me any more money. It’s been two years, I’ve tried this life for two years, and it’s about time that I accepted I cannot make it as an artist. I’m not good enough,” I said and recognized the cry in my own voice. Michelle was staring at me, sympathetically, when I met her eyes.

  “So, what is the big news? What are you going to do, Jade?” she said and I licked my lips nervously. I had a feeling that Michelle wouldn’t be very sympathetic after she heard what I had to say.

  “I’m moving to Montana,” I said, and Michelle’s eyes widened.

  “Montana? What is in Montana?” her voice had turned screechy, and I just realized that neither of us had touched our coffees.

  “Daddy…well, Daddy knows a few people there. Business partners,” I told her and clasped my hands on my lap.

  “What has that got to do with you? Are you going to work with him now?” she asked and leaned forward towards me. I gulped and shook my head. Even though it had been four days since I had made this decision…or agreed to Daddy’s plan rather, it had still not sunk in. I still couldn’t believe it was happening to me and I knew Michelle wouldn’t understand. But she was the only one I could tell.

  “Sort of depends on which way you look at it,” I said and forced myself to pass her a weak smile. Michelle’s eyes were sad; she wasn’t smiling.

  “What does that mean, Jade? Why aren’t you just telling me what’s going on,” Michelle’s voice was strained, and I could feel my heart thudding against my chest.

  “Daddy has arranged a marriage for me,” I blurted the words out before I could change my mind. This had to be said. Out loud.

  Michelle’s first reaction was to remain silent. When our eyes met, I could see her cheeks flushing with rage. Her palms were bunching up into fists.

  “Are you kidding me? This time your daddy has gone too far, Jade. This is ridiculous,” she burst out and I looked around me nervously to make sure that we weren’t making a scene.

  “Keep your voice down, Miche
lle! Please, just hear me out,” I cried, and I reached over the coffee table to grasp her hands. She was already shaking her head in rage.

  “This is madness. In today’s world, your father has arranged a marriage for you? Like some kind of mail order bride to one of his business partners? This is insane!” Michelle muttered. I could feel the radiating heat from her hands.

  “Don’t look at it like that. It’s just a set-up marriage, something I have to ride through till Daddy signs a deal with the man,” I told her and Michelle slipped her hand away from my grasp and fell back in the chair.

  “I don’t believe this. He’s using you for some kind of business deal! Like who is this guy? What do you even know about him?” she said, and I took in a deep breath.

  “His name is Clyde Pattinson. He’s apparently in his early thirties, owns some kind of ranch…well, that’s all I know,” I told her. Michelle’s lips were quivering; she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “And what about if you don’t get along with him? What if he’s horrible to you?” she said with that tear returning to her voice. She was understandably worried for me, and I was glad that I had at least one person who was, because Daddy had made it very clear that he didn’t care about what happened to me anymore.

  “Daddy said that I have to ride it out till the deal comes through. Just a couple of months, maybe even a few weeks if he signs by then,” I told her and Michelle was rubbing her forehead with her fingers.

  “And how is a fake marriage with you going to make this guy, this Clyde Pattinson…sign a deal with your daddy?” Michelle asked, pretty much the same question I had posed to my father myself. I sighed, recalling the exact words he had told me.

  “Apparently this man is looking for a wife. He leads an isolated life, doesn’t have much of a social life…and he asked Daddy if a girl can be arranged for him,” I told Michelle, who rolled her eyes disgustedly.

  “So basically he wants a housekeeper. Someone he can also…” her words trailed, and I blushed and looked down at my lap. Michelle leaned forward towards me again. “Look, Jade, I already have a pretty good picture of this man. Some lonely weirdo cowboy types…old-fashioned and harsh, wants a wife who will cook and clean for him. Is that really what you want to do? Even if it’s for a few weeks or months, whatever. Do you really want to risk getting stuck in that relationship? What if your daddy isn’t able to secure this deal? What if this Clyde guy has been playing your daddy? He might have no intention of signing that deal, and just wanted to trick your father into finding a girl for him,” Michelle continued, and I allowed her to finish.

  I nodded my head and sucked in my gut.

  “This is a risk I just have to take. It’s the only way that Daddy has agreed to give me my inheritance, otherwise, he’s going to write me out of his will. I need the money, Michelle. I won’t be able to paint, I won’t be able to live the life I want to lead without it,” I said and realized that my lips were quivering. My cheeks had undoubtedly turned to a deep red, and I was on the verge of crying.

  “Your daddy is a horrible man, and I wish your mom were still alive,” she said and leaned over the table to wrap her arms around me and give me a tight hug. We remained like that for a few moments, and then she pulled away from me.

  “Okay, if you think this is going to work, set you up for life…do what you need to do. I’ll get you out of there if he keeps you against your will. What is my law degree for?” she said and finally smiled, and I managed to let out a nervous laugh as well.

  “Yeah, I’m thinking of it as a long vacation. A shotgun wedding with a stranger, a couple of weeks of housekeeping for the man and then I’m outta there!” I said, and Michelle smiled indulgently.

  “It might do you good…the change of pace. You might find new artistic inspiration,” she commented, and I nodded my head.

  “I’m hoping I do…either way, it’ll be over before I know it and if things begin to look bad, I’ll just give you a call,” I said, and Michelle and I hugged again.

  “So, when are you going to leave?” she asked, and I bit down on my lip.

  “Tomorrow. The wedding is in three days,” I said, and Michelle’s eyes widened again.

  “Will your daddy be there at least?” she asked, and I shook my head.

  “No, because this man doesn’t know that I’m his daughter. He just thinks that Daddy has found him some random girl from Chicago who has agreed to an arranged marriage,” I said, and Michelle covered her face with her hands again.

  “This just keeps getting worse and worse. Take care of yourself, darling,” she said, looking worried again.

  “I’ll be fine, don’t worry. I know how to take care of myself. I just want it to get done so that I can move on with my life and do some serious work,” I said, and Michelle nodded sympathetically at me. She was the only one who could understand why I was going to do it. As messed up as the whole deal sounded, it was the easiest way out for me to keep pursuing my art.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Mystic Valley Ranch

  The board greeted me at the gate of the ranch, where the cab dropped me off with my two suitcases at my side. Daddy had given me very little instructions, other than that I just had to arrive there and the rest would be taken care of.

  The gate was high, made of wrought iron and seemed too heavy for me to push open. Besides, it seemed like it was locked. Tall white picket fencing bordered the ranch, and I couldn’t even look inside, other than through the gates. What was I supposed to do?

  I stood thinking for a few moments because I didn’t even have a phone number to call and I felt more lost than I ever had in my life. Beyond the ranch, I could see faded blue rolling hills, and there was greenery and desertion all around me. I could be stranded here for hours, days…with no form of communication. Even my cell phone couldn’t get a signal here, for me to call Daddy and find out what was happening. I was already beginning to regret my decision.

  Just when I was about to turn around and see if I could climb over the fencing, I heard the sound of horse hooves approaching, and through the bars of the gate, I finally saw him. He was on a horse, riding down a narrow path that was flanked on either side by shady trees. I wasn’t sure if it was Clyde Pattinson, it could have been a ranch hand or anyone else.

  As he drew closer to me, the more clearly I saw him. He was in a blue plaid shirt, with long sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Dark jeans and tan cowboy boots. He was wearing a hat that covered most of his face, which meant that I couldn’t see his eyes. He was riding a brown horse with a shining chocolate colored mane, that flew with every gallop. I could already hear my heart beating against my chest because I couldn’t imagine actually seeing a man like him in real life.

  The man pulled the reins of the horse as he approached the gate and then dismounted. He was tall, at least a foot taller than me and with his hat still dipped over his face, he strode threateningly towards the gate. This couldn’t be Clyde Pattinson!

  He swung the gate open, and now we were face to face, and I didn’t have a clue what to say to introduce myself.

  “I’m Jade,” I said, foolishly and felt my cheeks flush. The man walked closer to me, and as he did, I had to crane my neck to look up at him. He had broad muscular shoulders, a wide chest, and large masculine hands. Someone who labored hard on his ranch. The man fit in well in these surroundings, I thought.

  “I was expecting you an hour ago,” he said, firmly and the sound of his voice sent chills down my spine. He had a velvety smooth voice that was deep and guttural, and if I couldn’t see him, I would have pegged him for a much older man.

  “The cab didn’t know the way. We had to stop and ask for directions a few times, I wasn’t sure…” I was fumbling with my words, and the man stepped forward.

  “I gave very clear directions to Mr. Neely,” he said, and I felt like I had just lost my breath. I saw his eyes, deep glassy blue like a glacier. He had tough looking tanned skin which made his eyes shine even brighter. H
e looked like a man who had forgotten how to smile. With his pointy nose, chiseled features and a thick neck; if this man lived in Chicago…he’d have no trouble finding a wife.

  “Well, I didn’t receive them,” I said, as he turned from me and walked towards his horse. I had no idea what he wanted me to do so I followed him.

  “Are you Clyde Pattinson?” I asked. He turned his face slowly to look at me, and this time, he really looked. I stood frozen to the spot, blushing to a deep red while he looked me up and down. My face, my ample breasts that made the thin cotton dress stretch, the curves of my hips, my bare legs…and then his gaze fell on my dusty, useless sandals.

  “Those shoes won’t do here,” he said, and I forced myself to smile.

  “I’ve never been to this part of the country before, so I didn’t know what to pack,” I told him and Clyde’s eyes rose up to my breasts again, and then fell to my hips. I felt naked under his gaze. Like he was assessing me inch by inch…making his judgment. I wondered if he was disappointed with me. I knew I didn’t fit the standard beauty stereotype and I was always conscious of the extra pounds I carried, which I had never managed to shake off.

  “Well, you should have come better prepared,” he said, and without any warning, he swung his leg over the saddle and jumped up on his horse. With my pulse quickening, the heat rising in my body, I stared up at him as he stretched out a hand to me. His blue eyes were piercing my soul, he made me feel little and like I had done everything wrong. Nothing about me satisfied this man, and I wondered if he would send me packing right away.

  “Come along now, Jade, I have to get back to work,” he said, and I gulped, before placing my hand into his rough outstretched palm. His hand was warm and big, and he clutched my hand tightly with an iron grip. I placed my foot in the stirrup and winced as I tried to haul myself up. I was sure I was going to fall back, my body type wasn’t exactly built to climb up on horses with just one jump.