Riding Hard

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  She swallowed. “Good.”

  “Oh, it will be good. Very good. I can promise you that.” He moved closer and put his other knee on the bed. “I’m gonna give it to you till you can’t see straight.”

  “I’ll bet you will, cowboy.” Her eyes darkened.

  “And then you’ll beg for more.”

  “Mmm.” Her breasts quivered with each ragged breath.

  “Now spread those pretty legs, darlin’. I’m coming in.”

  With a soft moan of surrender, she parted her silky thighs.

  Holding her gaze, he eased into position, his cock brushing her soft folds, probing gently. Ah, so slick. So hot. She clutched his hips, her fingertips pressing, urging him forward.

  He resisted, ramping up the tension, making them both want it even more. By now he knew not to mess with the hat, even though it meant he couldn’t lean down and kiss her. She didn’t want his kiss right now. She wanted to be taken by a cowboy.

  “I think you’re ready for me, sweetheart.” He held himself very still, poised on the brink of heaven.

  She trembled and tried to pull him toward her. “Yes.”

  He eased in a fraction, but no more. “I think you’re aching for me.”

  “Yes.” Her grip tightened.

  “Ask me for it.”

  Her breath caught. “Please.”

  “Beg me.”

  “Please.”

  He shoved deep and she cried out, convulsing around him, arching into her first climax, bathing him with her nectar. He began thrusting, fast and hard, riding the crest of her orgasm as she gasped his name over and over.

  She sank back to the mattress, the tremors fading. Panting, she gazed up at him, her eyes wild, her skin damp, her body shaking.

  He slowed his movements, but didn’t stop. “Again.” He threw it out as a challenge, wondering if she’d tell him no.

  She sucked in a breath, but she didn’t disagree. She wanted adventure, this lover of his. Still locked inside her, he sat back, slipped his hands under her knees, and brought her legs up until her feet rested on his shoulders.

  Her eyes widened, and then she smiled and looked him over. She seemed to take it all in—his hat, his heaving chest glistening with sweat, and the place where his cock was buried deep inside her. “Love the view.”

  His gaze swept downward. “Me, too.” As he began a slow, easy rhythm, he was treated to the quiver of her breasts each time he pushed home, and the erotic sight of his cock moving in and out as he created the connection they both craved.

  She flattened her palms against the mattress and lifted to meet each stroke. Her breathing quickened. She was getting close. He could see it in her eyes, feel it in the way she shuddered.

  Reaching between her thighs, he massaged her pressure point with his thumb. She moaned and contracted around his aching cock. Then her body tightened, lifted and hurled her into another climax that made her yell and tested his control almost beyond endurance.

  Yet he controlled himself. Gently lowering her feet, he eased back down so they were face-to-face, chest to chest. “Wrap your legs around me.”

  She was still breathing hard, still quaking from aftershocks, but she did as he asked. Then she put her arms around him, too.

  He settled in, his hips between her thighs and his cock securely locked in place. He stayed like that, letting her catch her breath, letting him curb his urge to come.

  At last her breathing slowed and he didn’t feel quite so much like a rocket about to launch. Looking into her eyes, he saw a reflection of his own turbulent thoughts. He had to believe that she wanted what he wanted, a chance to explore what they’d found together. But she seemed afraid to hope.

  Maybe, if he loved her well enough, he could change that. He combed her hair back from her face. “I’m takin’ off the hat.”

  “Okay.” Her tiny smile said that she understood. Enough was enough. “I’ll do it.” Reaching up, she lifted it from his head and laid it brim-side up on the bed next to them. “Thank you for indulging me.”

  “It was my pleasure, ma’am.” Leaning down, he feathered a kiss against her lips as he began to move.

  Her breath was warm against his mouth. “I don’t think so. You haven’t come, yet.”

  He ran his tongue over her lower lip as he accelerated just a little. Damn, but loving her felt good. “I get pleasure when I give it to you.”

  “Then it’s my turn to give you some.” She rose to meet his next thrust.

  He liked that a whole lot. The climax he’d been holding back shouldered its way forward, demanding to be turned loose. “I was thinkin’ we’d give some to each other.”

  “Maybe.” She matched his rhythm. “But this one’s for you.”

  Lifting his head, he gazed into her eyes as he moved faster. “For us.”

  Moisture gathered in her eyes. “Drake...”

  “Shh. It’ll be fine, darlin’.” He kissed her again, so softly, even though his body strained toward release. “It’ll be just fine.” Then he watched her eyes as he pushed home again, and again, and again.

  At last he saw flames leap in those dark depths and her body began to hum beneath his. “That’s it. Let go.”

  “Oh, Drake. Drake.” Closing her eyes, she came apart in his arms. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she came in a rush.

  Her contractions rolled over his cock, dragging him closer, and closer... Now. Now. With a bellow of surrender, he drove into her one last time and came harder than he ever had in his life. As he held on to her and gasped for breath, he was sure of only one thing.

  He’d found what he wanted with Tracy, and he wouldn’t give that up without a fight.

  * * *

  TRACY DECIDED TO take Drake’s advice to heart and live in the present. And the present was darned good as they turned Dottie and Sprinkles loose in the pasture the next morning. A few feet away from the mare and foal, Tracy stood beside Drake, smartphone at the ready, watching to see what mother and son would do.

  The foal seemed a little dazed by the grass and the sunlight and stood quietly for a moment looking bewildered. He took a few steps, and when that went well, he walked a little faster. Dottie followed as Sprinkles’ fast walk became a trot. Then, as if he’d determined that being outside was fun, he took off running, his little tail held high. His mother chased after him, dodging and weaving whenever Sprinkles abruptly changed direction.

  “Oh, my gosh!” Laughing with delight, Tracy turned on the video feature and followed the little guy with her phone. “He’s so stinkin’ cute.”

  “When you’re right, you’re right. Look at him go! He’s trying to outrun her, the little squirt.” Drake sounded like a proud parent.

  Tracy kept filming. “Now I don’t know which I love more, the moment Dottie gave birth, or right now, when that baby finally gets out in the world.”

  “They’re both damned special.”

  “Yep.” Tracy lowered the phone when Sprinkles took a break to nurse. “How would you feel about inviting Jerry Rankin over to see them?”

  “That’s up to you.”

  “I don’t know.” She glanced at him and smiled. “Love that hat.”

  “So you’ve said.”

  “I feel as if Jerry should see this. But if I invite him, he might decide to drop by more often, and then...”

  “Goodbye, privacy.”

  “Yes. Maybe I won’t invite him yet.”

  “That’s fine, but I should warn you that I made a couple of calls while you were in the shower.”

  “You did?” She could guess whom he’d called. “And?”

  “Regan said he and Lily were fine with inviting Jeannette out here, and Jeannette is checking into flights.”

  “That’s great!” She hop
ed that sounded sincere. She wanted it to be sincere.

  He studied her. “Is it?”

  “Of course it is.” She almost wished he hadn’t bought the hat after all. That thought was unworthy of her, but damn it, Jeannette would love his new look. What woman wouldn’t? “You three need to patch things up.”

  “I agree, but... Listen, Jeannette is a good friend. That’s all.”

  “I know! And it’s wonderful that she’s planning to fly out here.” She desperately wanted to change the subject. “Did Regan say when they’d be coming home?”

  “Yeah, they decided not to stay longer, after all. Turns out he’d already heard about the mare and foal. And us.”

  “Oh.” Tracy sought out the frolicking colt, hoping the sight would lift her suddenly sagging spirits. It did, at least for a couple of seconds. “From Morgan, I assume.”

  “Yep.”

  She glanced back at Drake. “How come you didn’t tell me all this sooner? I’ve been out of the shower for a good thirty minutes.”

  “You were so excited about lettin’ Dottie and Sprinkles out, and I didn’t want to spoil that moment with...whatever’s going on. I’m really not sure what is going on between you and me, to be honest.”

  “Was Regan upset about any of it?”

  “Didn’t seem to be.”

  “But still, they’re coming home instead of staying.”

  “He said they should do that, anyway. The Chances are hosting an engagement party for them next weekend, and they decided it wasn’t cool to sail in on the eve of the party.”

  “Oh, right. I forgot about that. Well, then. Regan and Lily will be back in four days. Did...did Jeannette say when she might arrive?” She hated that she’d stumbled with that question.

  His calling Jeannette had been her brilliant idea, too. Talk about shooting herself in the foot. He might end up back with Jeannette, but she’d been hoping for several more days alone with him before forcing herself to give him up.

  “She’ll have to get a few things under control at the firm, so she estimated the soonest she could be here was day after tomorrow.”

  Tracy’s time with Drake was shrinking by the second. “What sort of firm? I don’t think anyone ever told me what she does.”

  “She’s a lawyer. A very good one, in fact.”

  Of course she was a crackerjack lawyer, damn it. No doubt she was stunningly beautiful, too, and Tracy was officially jealous as hell. Pulling herself up short, she vowed to stop letting negative thoughts get the better of her.

  Jeannette might well be perfect for Drake. She could help him with any legal issues when he set up his equine rescue in Virginia. She’d also have valuable contacts with wealthy people who might contribute money to the cause.

  She dredged up her best smile for Drake. “I look forward to meeting her.”

  “I want you to. Then you can see for yourself that we’re just friends. What happened between us shouldn’t have. I hope that we can—” The rumble of a powerful pickup cut into the quiet of the summer morning. Drake glanced toward the front gate. “Looks like somebody’s payin’ us a visit.”

  Tracy turned as a cherry-red dually truck drove into the yard. And the morning had started out with such promise before it took a nosedive. She didn’t feel even slightly ready to face the man who drove that truck. She sighed.

  “I take it you know who it is?”

  “Unfortunately, I do. I suppose after telling Morgan and Gabe about us last night, I should have expected this.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Jack Chance.”

  15

  DRAKE STRAIGHTENED HIS SHOULDERS. “I’ve heard plenty about the guy. It’s about time I met him.” He was glad Tracy had talked him into the hat. As they walked toward the big red truck, he pulled the brim a little lower over his eyes. He was willing to bet that Jack Chance wore a black hat.

  Had he had someone to take that wager, he would have won it. Jack climbed down from the cab wearing a hat that looked remarkably like Drake’s. So Jack had good taste.

  Instead of coming toward them, Jack rounded the front bumper and opened the passenger door. Drake had never been so glad to see anyone as he was to see Josie getting out of the passenger side. Then again, he hadn’t followed the program. He’d slept with Tracy. Josie might not be on his team anymore.

  As Josie and Jack walked toward them, Drake couldn’t help thinking of the gunfight at the OK Corral. Josie and Jack weren’t smiling—never a good sign.

  Then Drake remembered how Tracy had handled the encounter with Morgan and Gabe. He would behave like the Southern gentleman he’d been trained to be, with a slight Western twist now that he had a hat.

  He smiled and held out his hand to Jack as if he’d known him for years. “I’m real glad you two came by. We just let Dottie and her foal out in the pasture. You might want to take a look. He’s cute as the dickens.”

  Jack shook his hand without missing a beat. His grip was strong but not a bone-crusher. “We’d be happy to. Nothing like a newborn colt to make a person smile.” But Jack was not smiling.

  Josie was, though. “I can hardly wait to see him.” She wore a brown Stetson and her blond hair was gathered into a single braid as it had been when Drake had talked with her.

  He couldn’t believe that had been a mere two days ago. It felt as if months had passed since then.

  “That’s one of the reasons we’re here,” Josie said. “Let’s go see the little guy.”

  Drake took note that it was only one of the reasons. He exchanged a quick glance with Tracy before they all walked back up to the pasture. She shrugged.

  “The place is coming along.” Jack looked around as he and Josie walked a little ahead of Drake and Tracy.

  “I didn’t see it before the transformation,” Drake said, “but Regan told me about the work everyone did to make it a viable operation.”

  “Regan and Lily get most of the credit,” Josie said. “They worked so hard, and I’m glad they took this trip. They both deserve a break from the routine. I’m glad you were available to house-sit for them, Tracy.”

  “Me, too, although they may not thank me for taking in a pregnant mare.”

  Jack cleared his throat. “That’s one of the things I want to talk to you about.”

  “That I overstepped my authority? I know that I—”

  “She had no choice.” Drake spoke without hesitation. “She was faced with an animal in dire straits. She did the right thing.”

  Jack glanced at him, and for the first time he almost smiled. “Easy, Brewster. I wasn’t criticizing her decision. I absolutely agree it was the right one. If there’s any blame, it belongs to Jerry Rankin. I’m trying to decide whether he deserves the job I’ve given him. He put Tracy in a helluva position. Nice hat, by the way. Looks new.”

  “Thanks. It is.” And that, Drake thought, was why Jack Chance was the reigning prince around here. He projected authority with his big red truck and his take-charge attitude, but then, just when you were ready to hate the guy for throwing his weight around, he disarmed you with an obviously sincere compliment about your new hat.

  Josie had mentioned that she thought Drake and Jack would get along. Drake wasn’t sure about that, but it would be interesting to find out. Much depended on Jack’s other reasons for driving over to Peaceful Kingdom. At least Drake had put him on notice that nobody was going to chastise Tracy while he was around.

  “Jerry’s a poor old guy who ended up in a bad situation,” Tracy said. “Do you know he can’t read?”

  “I found that out.” Jack paused as they reached the pasture fence. Then he leaned on it and gazed at Dottie chasing after Sprinkles. “Now that’s a real good-looking horse. If her foals typically looked like that one, I can see why Jerry made some money.”

&nb
sp; Tracy joined him at the fence. “But if his wife was his business manager, after she died he couldn’t handle things the way he used to. I think she helped him disguise his illiteracy so he could keep his job and sell Appaloosas on the side.”

  Drake admired the way she stuck up for Jerry. Her compassion was another thing he loved about her. The list kept growing.

  Jack nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s true. I’m just not sure he’s the right fit for the Last Chance. I’ll keep him on for a while, but he’s a little overwhelmed by the size and scope of the place. However...” He turned and leaned his back against the fence and propped one booted foot on the bottom rail as he surveyed Peaceful Kingdom.

  Tracy smiled. “Nice try, but you’re talking to the wrong person. Regan and Lily have to make that decision.”

  “She’s right, Jack,” Josie said. “Don’t go trying to strike a deal with Tracy. Honestly. You would have made a great politician.”

  Jack didn’t disagree. “Hey, she’s met the guy. She could be his character reference.”

  Drake couldn’t help laughing at that. “Wouldn’t you be the logical character reference? She saw Jerry for about twenty minutes, tops. He’s workin’ at your ranch. You know him better than she does.”

  “Yes, but if I talk him up, Regan and Lily will figure out I’m trying to unload him, which I am. Whereas Tracy has nothing to gain or lose if she talks him up. She’ll have a much better chance of convincing them to take on Jerry than I will. They’ll suspect me of ulterior motives.”

  Josie shook her head. “Which you have coming out your ears. So, are we done with this topic?”

  “That depends.” Jack glanced at Tracy. “Will you please put in a good word for old Jerry with Regan and Lily?”

  She grinned at him. “Yes, Jack, I will. I really think he’d make a great employee here.”

  “Thank you. So do I. And that frees us up to discuss a more sensitive topic.” He looked straight at Drake.

  Drake tensed.

  Tracy had obviously seen Jack’s look, because she pushed away from the fence and faced him, her jaw tight. “Jack, you know I think a lot of you, but if you’re going to say anything negative about Drake, then, with all due respect, I’ll have to ask you to get back in your truck and drive away.”