12-Alarm Cowboys

by Cora Seton

  Her belly clenched and her core heated. “Is there another one of these in the barn?”

  “The other one isn’t working right now. Either we take this and ride double, or we drive the truck.” He glanced at the sunny sky. “Personally, I was looking forward to the wind in my hair. You can drive.”

  She couldn’t argue with that, and gave up pretending to want to ride separately. As Becket mounted behind her and his long, muscular legs wrapped around hers, Kinsey could barely put together a functional thought. “Which way?” Her voice came out in a strained squeak.

  He pointed. “South.”

  She gunned the throttle, and the little four-wheeler shot off across the pasture.

  The wind blew through her hair, giving her a sense of freedom she hadn’t felt since she’d left Hellfire to go to college. The incredibly sexy man on the vehicle behind her only fueled her excitement, making it burn like a wildfire. By the time they reached the damaged portion of the fence, she was laughing out loud and smiling so wide, she was sure to catch a bug in her teeth. But she didn’t care.

  She approached the fence a little faster than she should have and whipped the handlebar to the right, skidding sideways to a halt. “Wow!” Kinsey switched off the motor, her hands still vibrating to the rhythm of the small engine. “I’d forgotten how much fun these are.”

  Becket dismounted, brushed the dust off his jeans, and resettled his cowboy hat on his head. “I believe I saw my life pass before my eyes.”

  Kinsey backhanded him in the belly. “Oh, don’t be a baby. You used to drive that fast when you were a teen. I remember. Nash and I never could keep up with you.”

  He captured her hand and pulled her against his chest. “In case you haven’t noticed, we’re not teens anymore.”

  Adrenaline powering through her veins already meant being that close to Becket only made her heart pump faster. “N-no, we’re not.” She looked up into his eyes.

  The intensity of his blue gaze made her shiver with desire in the hot Texas sun.

  Becket swallowed hard, his grip tightening on hers. “Let’s fix a fence.” He released her and stepped away.

  Kinsey willed herself to relax. Nothing would happen between the two of them. She wasn’t ready mentally, even if her body was screaming for action.

  Moments later, Becket had a strand of new barbed wire nailed to a post. Holding the roll of wire on a stick, he walked fifty feet down the fence-line and settled it on the ground.

  Kinsey followed on the four-wheeler, jostling over the uneven ground. Already, her injuries didn’t hurt as badly as they had the day before.

  Becket tied the barbed wire to the back of the four-wheeler. “You’re driving. But this time, ease forward slowly.”

  She knew the drill. Stretching fence wire involved a fine line between tightening the wire gently, and pulling too hard and breaking it. With her hand on the brake, she barely touched her other hand on the throttle lever. The ATV rolled forward.

  “More,” Becket called out over the roar of the engine.

  She eased forward a few more inches.

  “Stop.”

  Kinsey pressed the brake and held it.

  Using solid strokes, Becket nailed the wire into the fence post. “Okay, back it up a little to ease the tension.”

  Kinsey did as instructed.

  Becket cut the wire, bent it over, and nailed it again. With the wire in place, the fence was as good as new.

  A sense of pride washed over Kinsey. She hadn’t worked on a ranch since she’d lived next door. She missed the outdoors and the sense of accomplishment in doing something physical. Switching off the ATV, she climbed down and admired Becket’s handiwork. “You’re pretty good at that.”

  He shrugged and loaded his tools into the toolbox on the back of the ATV. “I’ve mended a few fences.”

  She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “What do you suppose broke this one?”

  “That bull.” He pointed out in the pasture. “He’s huge, he’s ornery, and he’s a staunch believer in ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’.”

  Kinsey turned to see a huge black bull running toward them. “Uh, should we be concerned? Will he stop?” She backed up, bumping into Becket.

  His arms came around her. “Sometimes he does. Doesn’t look like he’s going to, this time.”

  “Becket?” Kinsey turned and buried her face in his shirt. “Let’s get out of here.”

  His arms tightened. “I think it’s too late.”

  The thunder of heavy hooves against hard-packed earth filled Kinsey’s ears. She glanced back at the bull, then grabbed Becket’s hand, and tugged hard. “He’s going to kill us. Move!”

  Becket stood still. “Get behind me.”

  “What good will that do? If he hits you, he’ll take out both of us.” Kinsey’s heart hammered against her ribs. “We need to climb over the fence. Now!”

  The more frantic she became, the calmer Becket appeared. He stuck his hand into his jeans pocket as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

  The bull charged forward.

  Becket pushed her behind him, where she clung to his back, trying desperately to pull him aside. A bull weighing close to two tons could kill a man.

  “Please, Becket. Don’t let him hurt you,” she whispered, her heart leaping to her throat.

  The bull was almost upon them when it skidded to a halt, a cloud of dust rising at his feet.

  Then, as pretty as you please, Becket held out three lumps of sugar in his palm.

  With a sniff, the bull reached out with his fat bovine lips and gobbled up the sugar cubes. Then he nuzzled Becket’s jeans, looking for more.

  “Go on, you big mooch.” Becket shoved at the bull’s head.

  With no more sugar to be had, the bull wandered off.

  Kinsey rounded on Becket, glaring. “You could have told me you had a pet bull, instead of letting me believe we were going to die.”

  “And miss the drama?” He chuckled. “You should have seen your face.”

  “What? The look of stark terror?”

  “Well, yeah.” His chuckle returned. “You have to agree, it’s funny now. Boris is nothing but a big teddy bear with a love of sugar.” He pulled her into his embrace. “Besides, saving you from Boris gave me a chance to prove I can protect you against man or beast.”

  “I’m beginning to believe you’re the beast.” She smacked his chest softly. “I really thought that bull would kill us.” Her lips twitched, and laughter bubbled up her throat. “Then he stopped and ate the sugar…” She shook her head and laughed. “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that. And you, the hero, ready to stop the freight train by putting out your hand.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re no hero, Becket Grayson.”

  Something big leaned into her, shoving her forward into Becket’s arms.

  He pulled her close and turned to the bull, which nuzzled his hand for more sugar. “No more. Go on.” Becket slapped the bull’s hindquarters, and he lumbered off, headed across a big field toward a crowd of cows watching him with interest.

  “Are you okay?” Becket asked. He didn’t release her.

  “Uh, you can let go of me now.”

  “Do you want me to?” Becket’s hands smoothed down her back, applying little pressure.

  If she really wanted to get away from him, she could. She shook her head, not willing to put into words what her body was feeling.

  He tipped her chin. “I’m sorry Boris scared you.”

  She wanted to stay mad at him, but the image of the big bull licking a sugar cube out of Becket’s palm made her want to laugh. Kinsey shook her head, a smile pulling at her lips. “I owe you one.”

  “No, I owe you an apology.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m sorry.”

  “Really? That’s the best you can do?” she whispered, her arms slipping up around his neck. “You made me think we were going to die.”

  “You’re right. I’m really…” He pressed a kiss t
o her eyelid, “…really,” another kiss to her cheek, “…really,” now to the tip of her nose.

  Blood pounding in her veins, Kinsey caught his face between her palms. “You’re getting warmer, but you’re taking too long.” She leaned up on her toes, pulling him down at the same time. “Just do it.”

  Chapter Six

  ‡

  If she’d told him to let go, he would have. In a heartbeat. But she didn’t. When his lips touched hers, there was no going back. He claimed her mouth, tracing the seam with his tongue until she opened to him and met him halfway. Becket slid his hands down her back, cupped her ass, and lifted her.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

  In the middle of a Texas field, the hot sun beating down on him, Becket had never felt heat as intense as what was inside him.

  Kinsey was incredible. Her body fit perfectly against his, her curves soft and sexy. He carried her to the four-wheeler and set her on her feet, releasing his hold.

  Mouth open, she stared at him, her chest rapidly rising and falling.

  Becket slid his hand around her waist and up beneath her shirt, loving the feel of her skin against his fingertips, but careful not to press on the bruises her ex-boyfriend had given her.

  She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

  He hesitated.

  Then her hands rose to cup his, guiding them upward to the swells of her breasts.

  His groin tightened, his jeans suddenly too snug.

  Once she had him where she wanted him, she released his hand and lowered hers to the hem of her shirt. Slowly, she raised it up her torso and over her head, revealing full breasts encased in a white lacy bra.

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “You’ve been through a lot.”

  Her brows dipped. “Do you have protection?”

  He slipped one hand into his back pocket and handed her his wallet.

  She flipped it open and found a foil packet. A slow smile spread across her lips. “I remember. You were a Boy Scout.”

  He pocketed his wallet. “Always prepared.”

  Holding his gaze, she tucked the packet into his front pocket, shifted her fingers to the button on his jeans, and flicked it open.

  Becket sucked in a sharp breath when she pulled his T-shirt out of his waistband, her knuckles brushing against his taut abs.

  His cock hardened instantly, pushing against the zipper holding him back.

  Not for long.

  Kinsey slid down the tab slowly, carefully, until his shaft sprang out into her palm. She closed her hand around him, and her tongue slipped out to moisten her pink lips.

  Holy hell, she was lighting him on fire.

  Becket snagged the front of her jeans, flipped the button through the hole, and yanked down the zipper. Lace panties matching the bra peeked out of the opening. He groaned, slid his hand into the denim, and cupped her sex. “Say the word, and I’ll stop.” God only knows how. But if she wanted to stop, he would.

  “Don’t you dare,” she whispered, toeing off her boots to stand barefoot in the dry Texas soil. Then she shimmied out of her jeans and kicked them to the side. She stood before him in nothing but her bra and panties, her ivory skin a stark contrast to raven hair falling down around her shoulders in large, loose curls and the purple bruises scattered across her torso.

  “Kinsey, you’re beautiful.”

  She cupped his cock in her palm and slid her fingers down to the base. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  Becket hooked his finger in the elastic of her panties and dragged them down. She stepped out of the silky scrap of material, and he wadded and stuffed them into his pocket. Before he straightened, he pressed a kiss to the tuft of hair over her mons.

  “How…” she whispered, her word catching on a gasp.

  “Like this.” Becket straddled the ATV, his cock sticking out of his jeans, straight and proud. Once he was seated, he scooted back and held out his hand. “Come here.”

  She took his hand and swung her leg over his, settling in his lap, facing him. “I’ve never done it in the open.” Kinsey laughed nervously. “Are you sure no one will come up on us?”

  “No. But that’s what makes doing this more exciting. Almost dangerous.”

  Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared.

  Becket wanted her to be ready when he took her. She’d gone through so much. Even though they were out on the prairie, he could make the loving as good for her as it was for him. He slid his hand between her legs and dipped a finger into her channel. Sweet Jesus, she was so warm and wet.

  He nearly came, he was so hot for her. Holding onto his control by a thread, he dipped into her again and dragged his finger up between her folds to that narrow nubbin of flesh. He stroked once.

  Kinsey arched her back, her breath caught, and her fingers dug into his shoulders. “Oh, Becket!” she said, her voice ragged and sexy.

  He stroked her again, watching the excited expression on her face.

  She squeezed her eyes shut and threw back her head. “Oh, my. Oh, my.” Kinsey reached behind her and unclipped her bra, letting it slide off her shoulders. Then she cupped the back of his head and guided him to one of her breasts.

  He sucked her into his mouth, greedy to taste her, his tongue swirling around the taut bud, flicking and nibbling. All the while, he strummed her clit until she rocked against him, her body tensing, her fingernails sinking into his shirt. When she went rigid, he knew he had her where he wanted her. He let her ride the wave of her release for several long moments, and then he took the condom from his pocket and rolled it over his cock.

  Kinsey pressed her hands against his shoulders and rose.

  He gripped her hips and positioned her over him.

  “Now,” she said, and eased down, taking him inside.

  He pulled her hips down, thrusting upward, filling her.

  Her channel tightened around him, encasing him like a hot, sweet, wet glove. He could get lost in her. Completely and utterly lost.

  Then he was raising and lowering her faster and faster, rocking the little ATV, stirring up dust around them. Within what felt like only moments, sensations inside him built to a powerful crescendo, and he exploded over the top. He thrust one last time, burying himself deep inside her. His arms wrapped around Kinsey, holding her close until they both drifted back to earth.

  When he could think and see clearly again, he captured her face in his hands and kissed her, his tongue taking hers in a lingering twist.

  A cow mooed in the distance, breaking into their cocoon of silence.

  Kinsey leaned back and chuckled softly. “That was my first on a four-wheeler.”

  “Mine too.” He pressed a kiss to one of her nipples and sucked it into his mouth, letting it slide out with a final flick of his tongue. “But I highly recommend it.” He became aware of the sun beating down on their bodies. On Kinsey in particular, who was completely naked.

  Sweet Jesus, she had a beautiful body. Now that he could see all of it, the bruises on her breasts, ribs, hips and shoulders stood out against her ivory skin, painful reminders of what her ex had done.

  Guilt gnawed at Becket’s gut. “I shouldn’t have done that. You’re not even fully recovered from what that bastard did. Hell, now you probably think all men are animals.” He lifted her off him and set her on the ground beside the ATV. He rose, peeled off the condom and zipped his jeans.

  Kinsey gathered her clothes, slipping her shirt over her shoulders first, and then dragging her jeans up over her hips. When he saw her nearly topple over pulling on her boots, Becket lifted her onto the ATV and helped her. As soon as they were fully dressed, he captured her face in his hands. “Please don’t regret what just happened between us. I don’t.”

  She stared into his eyes, her green gaze suspiciously moist. “I don’t. Though, I probably should.” With a strangled laugh, she cupped the back of his head and leaned forward to kiss him hard on the mouth. “You can drive bac
k. I don’t want to think. I just want to feel the wind in my hair.”

  Becket drove the four-wheeler back to the ranch house, images of Kinsey’s beautiful, bruise-covered body rolling through his mind like a movie track repeating itself again and again. He couldn’t let Massey get his hands…or fists…on her ever again. He’d kill the bastard first.

  On the return trip, Kinsey rode on the back of the vehicle, her arms wrapped around Becket, her cheek pressed against his back, wondering if she’d just had the best experience of her life, or her worst mistake. After the months of physical and mental abuse, she could fall in love with anyone who was being nice to her after such a horrible situation.

  But this was Becket. She’d been in love with him since she could remember. When he’d married while she was in college, she had been heartbroken and turned to Dillon. If anything, he’d been her rebound love. And Dillon had been the biggest mistake of her life.

  His jealousy had tainted their relationship almost from the start. Kinsey had been too blind to see it until he’d started hitting.

  Becket would never hit a woman. His father had taught him to love and respect women by the example he set with his mother.

  As they neared the house, Kinsey almost wanted to tell Becket to turn around and take her away. Maybe they could find a cabin in the woods and live there forever, away from everyone.

  Away from Dillon.

  Kinsey’s gaze scanned the barnyard and the area around the house. By now, Dillon could be in the county. Hell, he could have learned from the ladies who had been at the Double Diamond Ranch that she was staying at the Graysons.

  Her heart beat faster, and she shook all over.

  Becket pulled the four-wheeler to a stop outside the barn, and she climbed off first. Her knees wobbled beneath her, but she didn’t want to show her fear to Becket. She was tired of being a weakling, being afraid of a man who hurt her. She had to stand up for herself. She couldn’t let Dillon win. “I’m going to the house for a shower. Do you want me to fix lunch for you?”

  “I’ll be up there soon. I want to put things away. We can make lunch together.” He smiled and winked. “How do dumplings sound?”