Sweet Ride

by Cathryn Fox

  Good God, what has gotten into me?

  As Katy stepped into the lodge, Alix shifted closer to Jag. “I’ve never been to a place like this before.”

  He leaned toward her, his glance moving over her face, everything in his closeness telling her he felt her apprehension. “If you don’t like it here, we can leave. You’re calling the shots.”

  A little astonished and maybe even a little thrilled at how in tune he was with her feelings, she took another glance around, and could almost hear her mother’s voice in her head warning her to flee. She mentally put her fingers in her ears and hummed lalalalala.

  She arched a brow and countered boldly, “I never said I didn’t like it.” Holy hell, whatever possessed her to say that? How, in the span of only a few short hours, was she able to turn her back on her strict upbringing and follow her own intuition? Perhaps it was because she was totally fed up with the facade, completely and utterly ready to break free and start pleasing herself instead of always pleasing others. Or perhaps it was because of Jag, his casual demeanor, and the way he could put her at ease with a simple word or glance. Either way, something inside her was beyond anxious to explore something new and see how the rest of this day, and week, all played out.

  Jag grinned at her, and she relaxed a little. She grabbed her drink and used her finger to follow the drop of moisture dripping down the glass. He adjusted his pants, and she bit back a grin. Well, well, looks like two could play his game. She ran small circles around the bead, sinuously twirling her thumb closer and closer.

  She watched Jag’s Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed.

  “Why did you bring me here?” she asked, even though she knew he was pushing her to admit her needs—to herself.

  His lopsided grin was slow, sexy, daring. “Like I said. You’re a guest at my ranch, and because you’re under my care, it’s my job to understand all your needs and see to it that you leave satisfied.”

  She waved her hand toward the activities taking place in the water and then shot him a look. “And you think this satisfies my needs?”

  Humor backlit his gorgeous eyes. “You were the one who told me you’d sworn off men and wanted to start playing for the other team. I’m here to make that happen.” His tone was playful, yet challenging.

  Her blood pulsed hot, and even though she didn’t want to talk about her fiancé, something about Jag made her want to open up. “Do you want to know why I said that?”

  He evaded her eyes and brushed his hand over the wooden rail. “If you want to tell me.”

  Alix opened her mouth, but then stopped. She eyed him. Oh my God, he knew! He already knew. She shook her head. “You already know, don’t you?”

  His nod was slow, his eyes somber when he said, “Yeah.”

  “How?”

  “I’m a private investigator.”

  Understanding dawned in small increments. “So that’s how you tracked down Julia, Jess, and me after all these years.”

  He scrubbed his chin. “That’s right.”

  She narrowed her eyes, curious about him and his choice of careers. “What’s your area of specialty?” Who knew the Jag from her youth would become a private investigator? She wrapped her brain around that and chalked it up to one more surprise to add to her eventful day.

  “I catch cheaters,” he answered, his tone a little too dark, a little too dangerous.

  A flurry of emotions moved over his eyes, and a knot tightened her stomach. Had something from his past led him into that kind of work? “It must be hard…you know…confirming someone’s suspicions.”

  He fisted his hands, his back stiffening. “Most already know, which is why they seek me out in the first place. But yeah, it’s never easy.”

  A frown tugged at his mouth, and her heart pinched. How could she not like a guy who seemed to hate cheaters every bit as much as she did? She exhaled slowly and thought about Nelson. Anger churned in her gut. But deep inside, she knew catching him was a blessing. The discovery sent her straight into the arms of a man who seemed to care about what she wanted, and would, undoubtedly, go to great measures to give it to her.

  Katy came back outside. Dressed in a long, loose dress, with her pretty blond hair tied back, she sat down next to them, her glance moving over Alix.

  She zeroed in on the camera strung around Alix’s neck. “We don’t allow pictures, sweetheart. You can look all you like, and you can even play, but what happens here stays here.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Alix said, removing the camera. “I didn’t even know about this place.”

  “Really?” Katy pursed her lips and went thoughtful for a moment. “Then why did Jag bring you here?” Green eyes studied Alix carefully and then slid to Jag.

  “She’s thinking about playing for the other team,” he explained, his eyes never leaving Alix’s as he tapped a finger on the wooden railing. “And I wanted to make sure she was properly cared for during tryouts.” His gaze moved over her face before turning to Katy.

  “I see,” Katy said thoughtfully, looking back at Alix.

  As if on cue, two girls came out from inside the lodge. Dressed in skimpy bikinis, they bounced across the deck, their eyes lighting on Jag.

  “Hey, Jag,” one of the girls said as she hopped on over to plunk herself down on his lap. She wiggled on his thighs, her breasts only inches from his mouth as the other girl came up to stand behind him. Alix shifted and smoothed her hand over her hat. Who were these women, and how did Jag know them so well? Had he played with them? An unexpected pang of jealousy hit out of left field. What the hell? Who Jag slept with was none of her business. He wasn’t hers and she wasn’t his and this week was about exploring fantasies and nothing else.

  “Taylor,” he greeted, and then looked over his shoulder. “Amanda.” He smiled at the two, then asked, “What are you ladies up to today?”

  “Just relaxing,” Taylor answered. “We’re heading to Wrangler’s later tonight. Maybe we’ll see you there.”

  “Probably not tonight.” His grin came slow when he met Alix’s glance. “I’ll be meeting up with Colt and his crew to treat Alix to an authentic Old West adventure. “

  What? Alix stared at Jag. He planned to treat her to an authentic adventure? Wait! What exactly did he mean by “authentic”? She wasn’t sure, but given what he’d just introduced her to, who knew what was next. She was anxious to find out.

  “So Jag, what brings you out here today?” Taylor asked as Amanda took a seat next to Alix.

  While Jag explained the situation to Taylor, Alix smiled at Amanda, her body tense as she took in the other woman’s near nakedness. Looking for a distraction, Alix reached for her lemonade, but with hands that were too shaky, she knocked the glass over.

  Alix jumped from her chair as the cold drink spilled onto her lap. “Oh, damn. I’m so sorry.” She grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the liquid, but it soaked through her shorts. She pressed it against her zipper. “I need to get cleaned up.”

  In the span of a second, Jag stood behind her, his mouth close to her ear. “I’ll take you back.”

  “No need to rush away,” Taylor said. “We can rinse your clothes here and I’m sure I have something that will fit you.”

  Alix spun to glance at Jag and noted the way his gaze had dropped to the hand rubbing her shorts. Typical male. Honest to God, if he didn’t close his mouth he was going to swallow that fly buzzing around his head. She was about to decline their help and head back to her horse, but a wave of boldness swept through her when she caught the heat in Jag’s eyes. Maybe she’d give him a run for his money as he pushed her to explore her needs.

  And maybe this isn’t all about him.

  “Okay,” she said. “If it’s not a problem, maybe I should get out of these clothes.”

  Air rushed from Jag’s lungs, a telltale sign that he was excited by the prospect. In a teasing manner, she wiggled out of her clothes, keeping on her bra and panties, which could easily pass for a bathing suit.

/>   “Where can I rinse them?” she asked Katy.

  “I’ll take care of that for you.”

  Amanda captured her hand. “Why don’t we jump in the water and get you rinsed off while Katy washes your clothes?”

  Had Jag just groaned?

  As she warred with the morals that had been pounded into her head since birth, her instinct was to run the other way, turn from the hedonistic acts, but she couldn’t deny that this situation was exciting. And damned if she didn’t want to challenge and tease Jag a little in return.

  “Go on,” Katy said. “I hate to see you ride all the way back in a sticky mess.”

  She removed her hat, and despite her mother’s voice in the back of her head, warning her to keep out of the sun, she took a moment to enjoy the warm rays on her face.

  Alix stole a quick look at Jag before leaving the deck. What was it about the heat in his eyes that turned her knees to pudding? A quick nod and then she turned her attention to the stairs to negotiate them carefully.

  She watched Amanda, the taller cowgirl with the dark hair, bounce down the steps. They all reached the water and the two naked women swam to a nearby wharf. No wonder all the neighboring boys tried to sneak onto the land. Warmth gathered at her core and she adjusted her bikini panties over her groomed sex. Groomed sex. Hmph. What a waste of time that was. Her fiancé never liked to go down on her. Truthfully, sex with him had been fast, dull, and over before she ever reached climax. Sure, the doctor said her tipped uterus reduced her chances of getting pregnant significantly, but she was beginning to believe she couldn’t have kids because Nelson rarely touched her. Abstinence is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

  Probably didn’t have the energy after—no. She wasn’t going there. Not today. Today was about freedom.

  Putting her ex out of her mind, she dipped her toes into the water to test it, unable to recall the last time she’d let her hair down and played. Taylor enthusiastically rushed past her, going thigh-deep as she splashed water in Alix’s direction.

  “Get out here, you two,” Taylor said.

  Finding the girl’s energy contagious, Alix couldn’t help but smile as she waded out, Amanda staying close beside her. When they reached Taylor, Amanda dipped low to soak her body, her long dark hair, now wet from the river, cascading down her back.

  “It’s so refreshing,” Amanda said, her plump lips curling upward. Alix dipped lower, but when she felt cold water fall over her breasts, she yelped.

  Taylor laughed and cupped her hands to pour the cool river water over Alix’s body to rinse it. Amanda joined in, both girls splashing water over her and laughing as Jag watched from the deck. She touched herself, running her hands over her body, not really to rinse it, but because she liked the idea of him watching.

  She stilled at that admission and looked up at Jag as he stood. The instant her eyes met his, heat moved through her.

  Amanda nodded toward Jag. “Looks like your cowboy is waiting for you. You should head on up.”

  “Jag is a very patient man,” Amanda added, her eyes twinkling. “But something tells me that when it comes to you, even a patient man has his limits.” She turned from Alix and said, “Besides, Taylor and I are going to take a swim.”

  When the two women touched each other intimately, Alix nodded in understanding. Her weak legs carried her the few feet to the shoreline. At the top of the stairs, she found Jag waiting for her.

  “Hey,” he said, his voice deep and husky with desire.

  “Hey,” she returned breathlessly.

  “So what do you think, Alix?” he asked, his voice rough with desire. “Have these cowgirls given you what you needed to make the switch?”

  She frowned, her gaze moving over his face before dipping lower to take in the hard ridge pressing against his pants. Her body came alive. Yeah, there was no way she could ever switch teams. Not when she craved the taste, texture, the hard length of a man inside her—the hard length of Jag inside her. And judging by that impressive bulge, he had a whole lot of length to give.

  “It’s tough to make that call,” she said, her desire for him making her bold, urging her to try new things. With him.

  He ran his thumb along her jawline, and she shuddered. Heat moved through her, the warmth of the sun nothing in comparison with the warmth of his touch. “Why is that?”

  Feeling bolder than she ever had before, she lifted her chin a little higher and said, “Because I’ve never been with a real cowboy, and I believe I should sample one before committing to one team, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I do.” He stepped close, his body crowding hers. “And I can help you out with that.”

  Heart beating wildly, she poked her finger into his chest and said, “That’s what I was counting on, cowboy.”

  Chapter Three

  Jag couldn’t believe how fast Alix had loosened under his watchful eye. He didn’t want to push too fast or too soon, but taking her to Katy’s had been one hell of a good move. He’d watched as she touched herself in the water. At first, he thought she was doing it to tease him. But then their eyes met and he saw what was really going on. Sweet little Alix might like to watch others, but she also had exhibitionist tendencies. Damned if his day wasn’t getting better and better.

  After Katy’s he’d taken her back to her room to get changed, and now here they stood, high on the mountaintop overlooking the ranch below, him tending to the horses and her trying to put a tent together as Colt took the others off on a hiking excursion.

  “They didn’t teach this in political science,” she grumbled as she sorted through the poles.

  He laughed as he finished with the horses. “Need some help?”

  She bent to pick up the instructions, put her hand on her waist, and jutted one hip out as she read. He nearly swallowed his tongue. Jesus, she was sexy, and he wanted her in the worst way, but she’d been hurt and he needed to be careful. She thought this week was about sex, and while he wanted her underneath him—hell, he was a red-blooded male—he also wanted to build things slowly and see if there could be more between them.

  But fuck, if she kept twisting and turning and bending over like that, he was going to lose his shit big-time.

  She dropped the paper and grabbed the ropes, tangling herself in them. Instead of helping, he pulled his camera from his bag and snapped a picture of her. Her head jerked up.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, blowing a loose strand of hair from her mouth.

  He grinned and snapped another picture. “What does it look like?” he asked as her body stiffened.

  “Don’t take my picture,” she said, her breathing changing slightly.

  He bit back a wry grin, loving the fire in her eyes. “Why not?”

  “I don’t like it.” Despite her protest, he took another one. “Jag, don’t.”

  “What, you like to take sexy pictures of others, yet you don’t like to be photographed yourself?” he asked, deciding to push her just a tiny little bit. A flush crawled up her face, and when she didn’t answer he added, “If you ask me, I think you like to be watched as much as you like watching.”

  Her eyes widened as she stared at him, and the hunger inside him nearly consumed him as heat backlit her baby blues.

  Snap.

  “Jag—” she began, sounding even more breathless as she tried to untangle herself. “How did…how do…?”

  Snap.

  Her chest rose and fell erratically, the rope tightening on her breasts.

  Snap.

  “Tell me something.”

  “What?” she asked softly, like she could no longer fight the desire rising in her.

  “When you touched yourself in the water today, did you like me watching? Is that something that turns you on, baby?” She hesitated and averted her eyes. “Do you trust me, Alix?”

  Her gaze shot to his. “I…I do.”

  “Good. Then I want you to be honest with me, but more importantly I want you to be honest with yourself.”
>
  She darted a glance around the clearing and answered quietly with, “Yes.”

  Snap.

  “If you liked it, we could do it again.” He struggled to keep his voice level, keep a measure of calm when all he wanted to do was toss the camera and take her the way he wanted to.

  It’s too soon, dude.

  Her throat worked as she swallowed, and she freed her hands, leaving her capable of fleeing and putting a stop to this game if she wanted to.

  As fire raged between his legs, he pushed her even more. “If you want to touch yourself, I could watch.”

  Equal amounts of heat and nervousness stole over her face, and she stood there staring at him. Damned if she wasn’t debating her next move. A branch cracked nearby and her eyes widened. She peered into the surrounding woods and went quiet, thoughtful, like she was waging some internal war.

  “What if someone…”

  Jag scanned the woods, but there was no one around. “If there is someone out there, maybe you’d like it if they watched, too.”

  A low, sexy moan caught in her throat. Christ, he couldn’t wait to explore all her needs. “Jag.”

  Snap.

  He took his sweet time to tease her, wanting to draw out this verbal foreplay, because well, it was fun, for both of them. “I’d really love to see how you touch yourself when you’re alone. That is if you want me to.”

  She visually quivered.

  Snap.

  She stood still for a long moment, heat coloring her cheeks. “Touching myself in front of someone is…”

  “Something that turns you on?” he asked, finishing her sentence.

  “Yeah,” she said, her voice a breathless whisper.

  “If you’re open to exploring, we can. Totally up to you. You’re the one in charge here.”

  Her chest rose and fell. Was she considering it? Jesus, he sure as hell hoped so.

  “What do you say, sweetheart, are you up to trying something new?”

  They exchanged a long, heated glance, and then instead of answering, her hands went to her blouse. She toyed with the button.