Bullwhipped (A Cowboy Romance)

by Danica Chandler

  “You ready for something new tonight, Livie?” he asked, making a sharp turn down another dirt road that winded against a small hill.

  “Yes,” she said, trying hard to catch her breath.

  He parked the truck beside a good-sized barn and got out. Following him, she missed his touch, but her heart pounded in anticipation at what his plans might be. Sliding the doors open, the other side revealed several hay bails and a ladder that led up to a loft.

  His smile was huge as he walked through, flicking on a light. “I used to spend most of my time out here as a kid. Dad would get on a real mean streak and it was my escape.” He gripped one side of the ladder. “Wanna come up here with me?”

  He allowed her to climb first and when she got to the top, it wasn’t what she had expected. “Cale, this is really cool.”

  “Home away from home,” he replied, flicking a lamp beside the bed on. “What’d you think was up here?”

  “Just figured there was more hay and supplies. Didn’t know it was a bedroom.” There was a TV, a bed, and a dresser. She imagined he was out here a lot, keeping to himself. “Your dad never comes out here?”

  “Not since he built a fancier barn closer to the front of the land. He left me in charge of the upkeep on this, so it became my own personal project.” He sat on the edge of the bed and looked around. Patting the space beside him, he arched his eyebrow. “Join me?”

  Sitting beside him, she took it all in. It was dusty and closed in, but still a small treasure that Cale found comfort in. Her eyes stopped on a whip hung on the wall. “Is that a…”

  “Bullwhip.” Cale got up and grabbed it, running his hand down the leather. “I used to practice all the time.” He flicked it with his wrist, the leather cracking loudly, echoing against the walls of the barn. “You ever play with a bullwhip before?”

  He extended it to her and she took it, her hand also smoothing down the leather. It was in good shape and she mimicked what he had just done, only the leather fell loosely to the floor. Laughing, she tried again.

  “It doesn’t have the same dramatic effect as you had with it!”

  “Takes lots of practice,” he replied as he gripped the handle and hit it against the adjacent wall. Putting it down on the bed, he sat down again, cupping her cheek as he pulled her in for a kiss. “I’ve been wanting to do this since you kissed me in the parking lot in Denton.” Laying her back, he scooted on top of her, his tongue tracing her earlobe. His warm breath tickled her neck and she closed her eyes, savoring the sensuality of his touch and licks on her skin. How was it possible that each time it was even better than before?

  Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a black handkerchief and waved it in front of her. “Want to be blindfolded?”

  He really meant it when he said something new. “Getting kinky, are we?”

  “You have no idea. The blindfold is just the start of it.”

  Sitting up, she watched as he searched through the barn. “What are you looking for?”

  “Something to tie you up with.”

  What? Her arousal grew to a whole new level. Blindfolds and getting tied up – this was going to be an interesting night. He grabbed two tan straps from a drawer and climbed back up the ladder, holding them in front of him.

  “It’s cow hide, so it’s really soft. I won’t tie you up unless you want me to.”

  Olivia held her hands out, smiling. “You can do whatever you want to me, Cale.”

  “You might regret that,” he replied, pushing her back into the mattress again.

  He guided her shirt over her head, along with her bra and then took each of her wrists, gently tying her against the metal poles of the headboard. The cowhide was soft against her skin. Her arms were above her head, completely exposing her chest and midsection to him. It was sexy, it was seductive, and Olivia felt the heat grow between her thighs as he paced at the foot of the bed, looking down at her. He waved the black handkerchief, taking his time.

  Nearing her again, she took in his scent. He rubbed his erection against her face through his jeans as he lifted her head to tie the blindfold. Everything went dark and if her heart raced any faster, Olivia was certain she’d go into cardiac arrest from the anticipation.

  “You okay?” he asked, his voice close to her ear.

  “I’m great, Cale.”

  His finger traced down her nose to her lips, where he slipped it inside her mouth. “Suck on my finger like you sucked on me the other night.”

  She did as asked, tasting the salt on him as he probed it into her mouth. Who would have thought the simple act would have been a turn on, but her body reacted to it. He pulled it from her mouth and continued to move down her body. He circled each nipple with his fingertip and she moaned from the contact.

  “Shh, Livie. From here on out, I don’t want you making a sound.”

  How in the hell would that be possible? He had already made her feel out of control, especially when it came to the pleasure he’d proven he could give her.

  “If you get uncomfortable, let me know. I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  She nodded, but made a mental note not to say anything. God, did she want this. The blindfold proved to heighten her other senses, and she began to pant when he slipped her jeans and panties down. The air was cool against her naked body, but if things went as planned, she’d be heated up in no time. His finger traced her slit and he spread her legs. It was mysterious not being able to see him. She had no idea what he had planned next, but the loud crack of the whip made her jump. It didn’t hit her, but she could feel the air off of it.

  “And you thought we were done with the whip, didn’t you?” It cracked again.

  The leather fell onto her stomach, tickling her as it flowed over her body and up to her breasts. The tip brushed over each nipple and then down between her thighs, skimming her sensitive area. She almost moaned but stopped herself as her hips bucked upward. It was a gut reaction to try to move her arms, but the ties held strong. Something hard skimmed between her legs. Was it the handle of the whip? It rubbed against her clit, the pressure so strong that she pulled on the restraints, as if someone else was controlling her body.

  She thought she heard his pants zipper, but maybe it was wishful thinking. She longed for him, but the whip continued to hit her in all the right areas, making her hiss through her clenched teeth. There was no slack on the strips of cowhide and Cale’s knots didn’t give way.

  “I think you’re really liking this,” Cale said. It was hard gauging how close he was, but when the whip gently slapped her skin, she couldn’t help but let out a small yelp. It didn’t hurt, but it shocked her. In fact, she wanted him to do it again. As if he could read her mind, he repeated it, and the leather hit her skin. “I’m turning you into a bad girl, Livie.”

  The bed dipped and she felt his weight over her. His plump lips mashed into hers and she tasted him as his tongue pressed so far into her mouth that it hit the back of her throat. Damn it, she wanted to dig her nails into his back. Being tied up proved to be challenging, so instead, she wrapped her legs around him, feeling his nude body, his arousal, pressed into her stomach. His hand pushed her legs away and he laughed.

  “Am I going to have to tie up your legs too?”

  She shook her head no, though that could be fun. She wanted to feel every inch of his skin on her.

  Kissing her again, he bit down on her bottom lip. “You are so beautiful,” he said as his finger dipped deep into her wetness. His thumb massaged her clit as his finger hit her g-spot and her hips bucked in rhythm. She couldn’t stay quiet much longer and she whimpered as a second finger moved inside of her.

  “You stayed quiet longer than I thought you could.”

  “Cale,” she moaned, missing his kiss and his hands. Everything had stopped and she was left alone on the bed. Where did he go? He had done enough to get her completely revved up, only to pull back right in the nick of time. “Cale?” she said aloud, lifting her h
ead in an attempt to see him. It was all still pitch black.

  She heard the wood floor creak and loud footsteps, and then the bed dipped again. She could tell it was Cale from his musky scent, and she rested her head back on the pillow again. Something luke-warm dripped on her breasts, and his callused hands began to massage it into her skin.

  “Baby oil,” he replied, skimming his palms over each sensitive nipple, rubbing gently, caressing down to her stomach and between her legs. More oil dripped on her thighs and he smoothed down her skin, slipping a finger deep into her and pulling it out, teasing her. Another finger slipped to her ass, where his finger circled her. It was a new feeling she had never experienced. The massage felt incredible as he focused all over her body, but she craved him, wanting him deep inside of her.

  “Tell me what you want, Livie,” he said, as if he was in her head.

  She moaned as he cupped her, his fingers barely making contact with her folds. “Make love to me, Cale.”

  His hand guided her face, turning it. She wished she could see, but at the same time, the whole mystery behind all of this was incredible. Once again, he kissed her so hard, her head pushed into the pillow. She felt his erection rub where his fingers just were, tracing her, and then plunging in so fast that it took her breath away.

  He didn’t give her time to adjust as he slammed into her. The headboard hit the wall behind them, taking over the quietness of the night air. She hoped no one would hear it, but they were in the middle of nowhere, all alone. She clenched her teeth and was almost on the verge of passing out from the pleasure. The blindfold slid down her face and she saw Cale above her, his eyes closed as he continued, bracing himself on either side of her head. She watched his taut chest and the way the veins in his neck bulged as his pulse raced. Opening his eyes, he looked down at her, not even skipping a beat.

  “Livie…” it was inaudible, but she could read his lips.

  “Cale,” she mimicked as she spread her legs as far as they’d go, wishing she could reach out and touch him. “Untie me, Cale.” It came out in short pants, but he didn’t even hesitate, doing as she asked.

  One arm came loose, followed by the other. Pushing on his chest, she moved him back to where he was on the bottom. Straddling him, she held him at his base, guiding his erection to her entrance. Looking down at him, she could learn to love this vantage point.

  His hands cupped each of her breasts as she slid down, taking all of his nine inches deep inside, feeling him crash into her cervix. His sandpaper palms were a great contrast against her.

  “Ride me, Livie. Riiide me…” he said as his eyes rolled in the back of his head and his hips bucked so hard that she almost fell off. His hands clamped down hard on her and she yelped, but when he went to let go, she held them firmly against her, not wanting to break the sensual contact. She leaned back as he hit her in every spot she needed, quickening the pace. His hands skimmed downward, now clamping onto her hips, slowing her, and then pushing her to the brink.

  He sat up but stayed inside of her, entering her at an angle that made her legs tremble. Resting his forehead on hers, he continued to guide her hips, sliding her up and down on him. Her legs were like noodles and she was about to lose control, and though they were going much slower now, she was experiencing complete ecstasy.

  Cale breathed hard, his sweaty body against hers. “Livie,” he whispered. “Damn, Livie…”

  He slid out and crashed into her once more, shooting his seed deep inside of her. She felt herself come with him, collapsing into his arms. He hugged her tightly, both still sitting up on the bed, both unwilling to break the embrace. He didn’t pull out and smoothed his hands through her damp and tangled hair.

  Running his finger over her lips, he smiled. “I love you, Livie.”

  It caught her off guard, but it was like music to her ears. Was the Cale Warren professing his love to her? “I love you too, Cale.” She meant it. She wasn’t just repeating it because he said it.

  He slipped out of her and lay back on the bed. “Stop gawking at me and come lay with me.” He held his arms out and she fell against him as both of them tried to get their breathing under control. “How was it?” He asked, placing his hand in the small of her back.

  “Heaven on earth.” She traced her finger along his muscled chest. “Where in the heck did the baby oil come from?”

  “Had some stashed away. Used to oil down my saddles. Always worked better than leather oil. I called an audible. You looked like you could use a good massage.”

  She rested against him, on the verge of falling asleep. They had their first rides of the Killeen rodeo tomorrow and after what had just happened, she felt like she could sleep for days, though it definitely had relaxed her. She didn’t want the night to end, but the rodeo was important for both of them.

  “I really am sorry my dad was such a dick to you, Livie.”

  Propping herself up on her elbow, she pecked him on the lips. “It didn’t bug me. He can say what he wants to me. I don’t like how he treats you, Cale. That’s what gets me upset.”

  He waved his hand and scoffed. “I’m used to it. He’s been that way my whole life. I can handle his words. It’s the other that I never got used to.”

  “The other?”

  He nodded and let out a deep breath. “He used to beat the shit out of me, especially after my mom left. That’s why I always ran out here. I’d hide in the hay and he never could find me.”

  “Oh Cale.” It broke her heart to hear it, and the look on his face was even more gut wrenching. He creased his brow and stared up at the ceiling. Maybe he kept it bottled up inside and needed the release. “Did anyone know he did that to you?”

  He shrugged. “If they did, they didn’t do a damn thing about it. Any time I’d ride and not perform to his liking, you better believe I’d get hit. Of course, it was easy for him to cover it up. It was no mystery that I was in the rodeo, so any time I’d need medical attention, he’d blame it on that. I guess that’s why I’ve really taken a liking to the bull riding. Pain is relative. At least if the bull hurts me it’s only because he just wants to buck me off and get on with his life. It doesn’t hurt near as bad as my dad’s fists did.”

  “I’m so sorry you went through that, Cale.” It explained so much about him and she pulled him for a hug. “When did it all stop?”

  “The day I turned eighteen and went out on the road. Before that, the physical shit slowed down, but the verbal abuse has never gone away.” He rested his chin on her head and laughed. “Listen to me. I sound like a damn pansy. Tonight ain’t about that. I just want you to be prepared. He’ll be around this entire week. I don’t want it to end what we have going here. I meant it when I said I loved you, Livie. I’ve never really told anyone about all of that.”

  “I love you too, Cale.” She felt special that he had opened up to her. He needed to vent and it was great that he felt comfortable enough with her to do it.

  “I don’t want to go back to the motel yet. You ready for round two?” He buried his face in her chest, kissing her between her breasts.

  “On one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  She reached for the strips of cowhide and dangled them in front of his face. “This time, you’re tied up.”

  “I think you got yourself a deal, Livie. Let’s get started.”

  Chapter Eight

  After much reluctance, Cale had dropped Olivia off back at her motel room a little after midnight. He was exhausted and barely had the energy to get to his bed. Stripping down to his boxers, he fell into the mattress and pulled the covers up around him, hoping sleep would hit him hard, but instead, insomnia was there to greet him. His mind raced a mile a minute, from the amazing night he had just had with Olivia, to his father and how he was back, rearing his ugly head, ready to shake up Cale’s world.

  Glancing at the alarm clock on the nightstand, Cale buried his face in the pillow and tried to get his mind on other things. Had he really said those
three words out loud to Olivia? He had never loved a woman before, but the feelings he was experiencing with her were so overwhelming and real that he knew, without a doubt, that he loved that woman. What else could it have been? Sammy was the only other person who knew all of the details about he and his dad. It had to mean something.

  In the time that he had been seeing her, she had changed. She went from a hesitant girl to a woman who knew exactly what she wanted. It was exciting seeing the progression in the relationship, and he felt like he was on top of the world to have such an amazing woman in his life.

  Through the happiness he also felt nervous. He knew she was a woman with values and morals. He didn’t want to be the man to make her test her own views and he hoped he wasn’t forcing her into things she wasn’t quite ready for. Maybe she trusted him enough to tell him no if she really didn’t like something.

  Rolling on his side, he stared up at the ceiling. He’d never had better sex, but most importantly, he’d never had such a connection with another woman, much less another human being. He didn’t want it to end, so keeping his father at a distance would be important the next week. He had a knack for scaring people off, and that was partly the reason why Cale never felt the need to get close to anyone. One thing was certain - Cale would try his best to keep his father away from Olivia. One encounter was enough.

  His cell phone buzzed and he picked it up, tempted to ignore the call when he saw it was Sammy. “Yeah?”

  “Good to hear from you too, buddy. A few of us are gonna go grab a quick drink at the motel bar. Wanna join us?”

  It was probably best not to, but he felt like he hadn’t really hung out with Sammy and the guys. All of his time had been with Olivia, and though it was a good time, he needed to give time to his traveling partner too. Maybe it would help him relax and get some sleep.

  “Yeah, man, let me get dressed real quick.”