Wanted: Dead or Alive

by Faye Byrd

  It’s a command, her head tilting to the makeshift bed beside me. I do as I’m told and stand before her, every inch of my skin on fire where her gaze touches. She moves closer, a tiger circling her prey. Her fingertips lightly run up the planes of my chest, muscles ripple from the burn of her touch.

  Unable to control myself, I grip her hand, stopping its movement. “Tit for tat, Cowgirl,” I say, my voice husky, my eyes sliding to where her skin’s still covered from my wandering eyes.

  She smirks and steps back, fingers trailing down her exposed stomach. I stand, breathing heavily, lost in a haze of lust as I watch her remove the rest of her clothing. Even at this distance, my fingers twitch toward her, wanting to assist yet frozen like the rest of me.

  When she attempts to remove her boots, I shake away the desire smothering me and step forward. “Leave ‘em.” My voice is low and raspy as I speak, but she ceases her movements and looks at me from under her lashes, her body straightening to face me.

  The moonlight casts a glow over her and she shimmers in the faded light. My hand reaches out, and it too catches the rays, sparkling in the dim light as it traces her delicate skin.

  Heat burns my fingertips as they glide a path from her stomach up to cup her right tit, the weight of it filling my palm. I watch as my thumb slips over her bud and it tightens, causing me to let out a low groan that travels straight to my groin.

  Harder than ever before, I close in on her and push her to the hay as gently as my tense muscles will allow. Following right behind, I land on my knees between her legs. My palms grip her thighs, my fingers circling close to where she’s shimmering with wetness.

  “Come on, Outlaw, don’t play with me,” she demands, elbows propped up, her eyes on my hand that’s so close but not close enough.

  I drag my tongue across my bottom lip and focus on the glistening pussy spread wide and all mine for the taking. My mouth waters as I watch her hand snake between her legs, a finger sliding through the wetness. I freeze. The sight sending goose bumps scattering over my flesh like wildfire.

  I growl and push her back with my body, my hardness trapped between us. “Ya think ya gone fool with me like that, Cowgirl? That’s my pussy ya playin’ with.”

  I clamp my teeth on her nipple and tug, shaking my head side to side. She grabs my hair and pushes me into her more, a small moan escaping from her clenched jaws. “Take me,” she pants. “Now.”

  With one more, sharp tug, I let go, sitting back on my haunches, my eyes raking over her. Naked, wet and a panting mess. I smirk and pull those cowgirl boots up, hooking ‘em over my elbows. She rocks against me, seeking friction and moans low and long when she finds some.

  “Are ya ready, baby?” I lean over, tensed and ready above her. “I’m gone love ya so damn hard.”

  She meets my eyes and nods, and when I line up, ‘em boots clamp on my ass and make me enter her in one hard thrust. I almost lose my shit she feels so good. My head falls to her neck and I breathe long, slow breaths to get myself under control.

  I chuckle. “Ya tryin’ to torture me?”

  She thrusts against me. “Punish me, Outlaw. Make me pay for bein’ a bad, bad girl.”

  With a swiftness she don’t expect, I jerk myself upright and push her legs higher. “Oh, ya gone pay for that,” I growl.

  As slowly as I can, I pull back, making her squirm in an attempt to bury me back inside. With only the tip still surrounded by her softness, I pause, punishing us both, anticipation bubbling under my skin. Just as slowly as I retreated, I push back in, solid and thick. The heat of her engulfs me causing fire to spread from where we’re connected all throughout my body.

  With my eyes locked on hers, I set a pace, punishing us both in the best of ways. I use long, quick strokes to drive her mad. Her head starts moving from side to side, and her fists tighten in the blanket beside her as she moans beneath me.

  Dropping one of her legs, I lean down so that my pelvis grinds against her clit on every stroke and capture her lips with mine. She’s wild and untamed, twining my tongue in a dance so carnal, I almost lose my pace.

  I let her mouth set the rhythm, matching my thrusts with the battle she’s waging. Heavy moans escape as the tensions start building, climbing so high I think I ain’t ever coming down again. And when her cowgirl boot clamps on my ass, pushing me deep, I hold, rocking in place to put constant pressure right where she needs me.

  Her hand wraps ‘round a chunk of hair and she pulls me back to meet her eyes. “Unf, right there, Outlaw. Feels so good.” She throws her head back and a hiss escapes.

  I smirk and palm my way up her side to knead her tit between my rough fingers, pinching her tight bud up so that I can capture it between my teeth. All the while I rock into her, push and release, push and release without really moving at all.

  She growls. “Ya drivin’ me mad!” With one hard push, she has me flipped on my back, a cowgirl boot planted on either side of me. I raise both brows at the swiftness she was able to accomplish her mission.

  She smirks and grabs my hands, twining our fingers and laying them on each side of my head. Her hair cascades ‘round us to make a curtain and her pink buds are just out of reach of my mouth. “Now who’s got all the power,” she taunts, rubbing her slick pussy up and down my dick.

  “Goddamn, Cowgirl, ya can have it. Take the power. Just fuck me … please,” I beg, pushing up against her in hopes of slipping inside.

  “Uh, uh, uh,” she says. “Not ‘til I get ready.” She throws her head back and gyrates against me, coating my dick in her juices.

  The vision of her above me—tits out, nipples erect, head thrown back—is almost enough, but not quite. I grab her waist and lift, impaling her back down. We let out simultaneous moans of pleasure, hers from the sense of being filled and mine from filling her.

  I prop my hands back behind my head and enjoy the show, thrusting up to meet every push. She’s a sensual goddess above me as she swivels her hips over me, lips parted, eyes closed. Her pace quickens and her moves become erratic, shallow breaths escape between her lips.

  I know she’s close. My hands reach out to fondle her tits ‘fore I stick a finger in my mouth and trail it down her stomach. Goosebumps follow in its wake. But when it lands on the prize, she tenses above me. I bring my other hand over to brace her hip, guiding her through her orgasm.

  Her pussy clenches ‘round me and her low moans fill the space. I grit my teeth, holding back with everything in me as I watch my cowgirl ride out wave after wave of pleasure. And when she collapses over me, I flip her over and drive into her, pulling another orgasm from her.

  And this time, when her pussy clenches me so tight, I let go.

  I give in to the pull.

  Both of us flying high.

  And when every last shudder has faded, I finish with a growl and bury my head in her neck.

  Soft fingers trail to my hair and heavy breaths fill the silence.

  “Wow,” she says on an exhale.

  I chuckle and lift to take in her flushed face. “Yeah, wow.” I run my lips along her shoulder, trailing open-mouthed kisses to her collarbone. “Feel free to take charge anytime.”

  She giggles and lifts a brow. “Ya can bet on it.”

  I roll to the side and watch as goosebumps run over her sweat-soaked skin exposed to the night air. I sit up and gently remove her boots, then bring the blanket with me as I pull her body close to mine.

  “Night, Cowgirl. Love ya,” I say with a kiss to her forehead.

  “Night, Outlaw. Love ya more.”

  Her sweet laugh chases me into a blissful sleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The Abrupt Departure

  NATHAN

  The next morning, me and Josie head to Roy and May’s for a hearty breakfast. My stomach goes to grumbling as soon as we walk in the door. There’s ham, bacon, eggs, biscuits and grits laid out on the table, and I’m almost drooling.

  Josie giggles from beside me. “Maybe ya should close ya
mouth ‘fore ya catch flies.”

  I snap my jaw shut and tickle her sides. “Ya think ya funny, huh?”

  “I wanna catch flies,” Lil Arthur exclaims, causing everyone to start laughing.

  When Birdie catches her breath, she gives me a smirk. “Maybe ya Uncle Nathan can teach ya while he’s here.”

  I wrinkle my nose and turn to squat in front of Lil Arthur. “Auntie Josie was just bein’ sarcastic there, lil man. I’m not so sure I know how to catch flies for real.”

  His brow wrinkles. “What’s sar … sarcatic mean?”

  I chuckle and ruffle his hair. “It means she was bein’ funny and then ya ma was too. How ‘bout I teach ya to catch lightnin’ bugs instead? Now, those I can do.”

  “Yes!” He pumps his fist in the air and runs over sharing the news with Lil Nate. I just smile and enjoy looking at ‘em laughing and talking ‘cause I know that ain’t in the cards for me. These boys are probably the closest I’ll ever have to kids of my own, and even then, I ain’t got much time with ‘em.

  “Get ya plates,” May calls, breaking me from my thoughts. My stomach automatically grumbles in response.

  I stay back and watch as they fix up plates for the kids then I dive right in, passing Josie an empty plate and filling my own to overflowing. “Dang, man. Ya not been eatin’ out on the trail?” Arthur asks.

  Josie looks up and smirks at him. “Oh, he been eatin’ all right.”

  Birdie bursts into loud guffaws, and Art stands there with his jaw gaping. I don’t know what to say, but I can feel my ears turn pink. “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout,” Birdie says, giving Josie a pat on the back. “You tell ‘em, Josie.” She looks to me. “I love her.”

  “But, but … ” Art trails off with no reply.

  Aunt May eyes the two girls just getting their giggles under control and gives ‘em a smile ‘fore clearing her throat. “Okay, everyone, eat up.”

  Breakfast is a lively affair, full of loud conversation and lots a stories from our time apart. And when we done eating, Uncle Roy excuses himself to check on that idea he has for a job. Birdie and Josie wrangle the kids and we all make the trek back to their place, but not ‘fore thanking Aunt May for the breakfast and giving her a big ole kiss on the cheek.

  On the walk between the houses, the kids run free, chasing each other and having a blast while us adults meander in the sun and enjoy the free minutes we have together ‘fore time grows short and me and Josie have to make our way far from here.

  I spend the day out on the ranch, helping Art keep an eye on the hands as they move the cattle from one pasture to the other. I almost forgot just how beautiful this place is. It has several lakes dotted throughout the landscape and green grass as far as the eye can see.

  We lead our horses to drink and then tether ‘em to a nearby tree ‘fore we have a seat in the shade and pull out the leftover breakfast Aunt May packed for our lunch. He passes me a bacon biscuit and lays the canteen between us on the grass.

  After we scarf down the food, Art leans back against the tree and says, “Man, I sure am happy ya finally came back this way. Ma and Birdie been worried sick over ya, ‘specially these last few weeks.”

  I wipe the grease off my mouth with the back of my hand. “Sorry, Art. I was headin’ here after the shootout with West, but you know how that went. Otherwise, I just ain’t see no reason to put y’all in harm’s way. Even now, we gone have to get movin’ soon.”

  He nods his head thoughtfully. “Yeah, I guess so. But we gone miss ya, hell both of ya. My Birdie sure is likin’ that woman a yours.”

  “I likin’ her too,” I say with a cheesy smile.

  “Ya, damn lovesick fool.” He chuckles then sobers. “I got no room to talk, though.”

  We both share a laugh at that, but then he gets a serious look on his face and grasps my shoulder. “Look, I know ya on the run, but can ya, at least, promise to stop in more often? Hell, yearly or every other year would be better than the wait we had this time.”

  “I’ll do my best, Art,” I say readily ‘cause I love it here. My family’s here, but now I got family with me all the time ‘cause Josie’s my family too.

  “All right, ‘nough slackin’. Let’s check ‘em fences.”

  We spend the rest of the day working hard, and it feels good to be doing something other than facing down those who wish to do people wrong. Soon enough, I—no we’ll—be right back at it.

  By the time Art and I make it in from the fields, the women and kids are already at May’s for supper so we wash up at the pump and head on up that way on foot. When we enter, the house smells just as yummy as it did this morning, and I see everyone but my girl.

  “Where’s Josie?” I ask Birdie.

  She smirks. “Oh, well we figured she’d want to take a real bath. She’s upstairs in the tub.”

  My eyes widen and glance to the stairway. Birdie laughs and slaps me on the arm. “Go. She’s already got ya a change of clothes. Ya got ‘bout fifteen minutes ‘fore supper, though, so bathe only.”

  I swallow and look back to Birdie. “Got it.”

  And up the stairs I go as fast as I can. When I enter the room, there’s candles burning and my cowgirl’s just sitting, her head relaxed back, soaking. Clothes come off as fast as I can throw ‘em aside, and I sink in across from her.

  She raises her head. “Hey, Outlaw. I been waitin’ on ya.”

  “And here I am.” I smirk.

  She giggles and rolls her eyes. “Don’t even think it. Now let me clean ya.”

  She proceeds to soap a rag and wash every inch of me. And no sooner than she’s done is Art hollering up the stairs that supper’s ready.

  We dry and dress as quickly as possible and make our way down hand and hand. Supper is just as lively as breakfast, and I even promise the boys I’ll take ‘em out to catch lightning bugs after it gets dark enough.

  After supper, I retire with Uncle Roy to his office for conversation and a drink. He rode into town and talked with some friends of his who’s planning to take the train with a large sum of cash. Seems they afraid of it getting robbed during their trip. They wanting to hire someone to make sure all their assets arrive safe and sound.

  That someone would be me, and now it’s a two for one ‘cause they get Josie, too. He slides two train passes for the end of next month across his desk and lets me know it’s all set. I accept ‘em, but make it clear, I’ll give him my answer at breakfast in the morning, as I need a talk to Josie first.

  When business talk is done, we head outside where a campfire’s already lit and my family’s gathered ‘round. I teach the boys to catch lightning bugs and show ‘em how the jar glows then I make sure they know to release ‘em every night.

  After a long, satisfying day on the ranch, Josie and I retire back to the barn loft for a good night’s rest … well after I ravish her, of course.

  The next day is almost an identical repeat as the first ‘cept a couple things end up different. First, I let Uncle Roy know we’ll be at the train station, and he makes sure we know who to meet. And second, well second …

  After another long day in the pastures moving herds around, me and Art finally are able to head back toward the home front. The ranch hands kicked off ‘bout an hour earlier, so we’re pretty anxious to be done for the day ourselves.

  Once we make it back to the main property, we take our horses to the barn and start walking toward Aunt May’s house. Emma comes running down the pathway, stopping to let us know that her ma and Josie are at home, not at her grandma’s. She scampers back the way she came while Art and I slowly start meandering in that direction.

  As we round the back corner of the house, cold steel lands up against my head and a level voice speaks, “Hands up, King.”

  I freeze in my spot, not sure exactly who this is but fearful for my family all the same. Art jumps and spins ‘round toward the person as I slowly raise my hands. “No worries, Mr. Thomas. I’m just here for your cousin.”


  “And you are?” Art bravely asks.

  “That there’d be Texas Ranger Frank Little at your service,” the voice replies. “Now, King, turn ‘round slowly, and leave ‘em hands in the air. I ain’t lookin’ to take ya in dead, so don’t make me.”

  I take careful steps as I turn to face the man who’s pointing a gun to my head. Art’s hands are still in the air as he looks at the star the ranger is a holding up for his inspection.

  “That’s some carnage ya left at Mrs. Hess’s place. What I want to know is what’d ya do with her?” When I don’t speak, he pulls the hammer back with his thumb. “I’ll ask ya again. Where’s Josephine? Is she dead too?”

  My stomach’s in my feet by now, but I’ll do anything to keep my cowgirl from going down with me. So I nod. “Yeah. You can add her to my tally.” I smirk at him in hopes of selling the lie.

  He breathes deep through his nose and his hand tenses. If I meet my maker right now, then so be it. My girl will get to live and not be part of this mess I done created for myself.

  “You ain’t nothin’ but a cold-blooded murderer. I thought there’d be somethin’ more to the story, since I done met lots a people who sing ya praises, but no way is killin’ an innocent women somethin’ I can overlook,” he says, his voice taking on a cold, hard edge.

  I hold my smirk while inside I want to puke over the words I’m ‘bout to utter. “She’d outlived her usefulness.” I shrug nonchalantly.

  Art ‘bout chokes on his own saliva at my insinuation, but it is what it is. I got to make him take me and get the hell away from here ‘fore he discovers she’s alive and well and done teamed up with a notorious outlaw.

  But all too soon, my hope comes crashing down. ‘Cause, of course, she somehow knows what’s going on, and of course, she ain’t letting me go without a fight.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The Rescue

  NATHAN

  The women ‘round the corner, taking Ranger Little by surprise. His eyes widen and flick back to me with incredulity ‘fore a focusing on them.