Wrangling the Cowboy

by Kennedy Fox

  She gives me a suspicious look. “She took a vacation day, so Sandra and I are handling everything today.”

  “Oh. Is she sick or somethin’?”

  “Not that I know of.” She shrugs.

  After she walks away, Grayson points at me with his fork. “Told ya. You got greedy.” He snorts.

  I brush a hand through my hair before putting my hat on. Then I set my plate in the dirty dish bin and leave.

  If Grayson’s right, I’m gonna kick my own ass. Or better yet, let one of the horses do it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  MAIZE

  I’m standing in Gavin’s cabin wearing red lingerie with black cowboy boots, and though I’m not snooping, I feel like I’m invading his privacy.

  But maybe he should’ve thought about that when he started this whole prove I’m ready to be with him crap. For the past four days, I’ve gone out of my way to create some memorable moments.

  Has he put me out of my damn misery and taken me to his bed? No.

  Gavin kisses me like his life depends on it, then leaves me hot and bothered.

  That ends tonight.

  He’ll give me a damn answer about us being together or I’m walking out of here.

  I have candles lit, his favorite music playing softly, and my outfit doesn’t leave anything to the imagination. Either I’ll successfully seduce Gavin or he’ll turn me down for good.

  If the latter happens, I’m never going to be able to face him again.

  When I hear the front door open, I lick my lips and wait for him to find me.

  “Uhh, hello?” His voice echoes.

  “In the kitchen,” I respond sweetly as our dinner warms in the oven.

  I even made dessert, assuming we’ll have the energy for it later. I lean against the counter and hear his footsteps down the hallway.

  “Holy fuck.”

  I blink at him with a small smile.

  “Uh…” Gavin brushes his hand over his scruffy jaw, and I blush as his eyes study me. “H-how did you get inside?”

  “My uncles have a master key for all the housing.” I shrug. “I decided to borrow it.”

  He swallows hard and looks around. “You wanna explain what’s goin’ on here because I’m…”

  I boldly step toward him. “I’ll tell you exactly what’s happening. I’ve been doing my best to show you just how ready I am to be with you and how I’m not gonna run, yet each night, I wait for your call and nothing. So I decided to try one more time—a less subtle approach,” I say, placing a hand on my hip. “But it comes with an ultimatum.”

  Gavin crosses his arms, wearing an amused grin. “An ultimatum?”

  I tilt my head. “You decide right now if you’re giving me a second chance or I leave for good this time. I don’t know how else to convince you. Hell, I’ve literally waxed my entire body and found a vinyl of Diamond Rio to play in your ancient record player—which was not easy to figure out, mind you.”

  “Of course you knew I was a fan.”

  “I overheard you talkin’ about how you saw them in concert when you were a teen. Then something about how they were your grandpa’s favorite and that was when you started listening to their music.”

  “Eavesdroppin’?”

  “Please.” I roll my eyes. “You and the guys are loud as hell. Everyone hears your conversations at the B&B. Including the ones about me.”

  The corner of his mouth twists up. “So tell me, Maize…” He sets his hat on the counter before threading his fingers through his messy hair. “You ready to be my girl?”

  My heart races, and my breaths turn shallow as his husky voice sends shivers down my spine. He walks toward me, never breaking our eye contact.

  “If you haven’t gotten the hint by now…”

  “Oh, I have.” Plucking the strap of my dress, he leaves goose bumps as he brushes the pad of his finger down my arm. “I just wanna hear you say it.”

  Releasing a groan, I roll my eyes, then smile. “Fine, I’ll stroke your ego this one last time, but then that’s it.”

  “Mm-hmm.” He smirks.

  Instead of giving in to his cockiness, I inch closer and make demands of my own. “Make me yours, Gavin. I want you.”

  He cups the back of my head, pulling me toward him until our mouths collide. I gasp as he holds me into his body and captures my bottom lip between his teeth.

  “Mine, Maize,” he growls, sliding his hands down my back until his palms reach my ass. “Fuckin’ mine. Got it?”

  I nod and release a rush of air. “Yes. All yours.”

  Gavin lifts me, and I wrap my legs around his waist. His erection presses against his jeans, and I know he’s as desperate and eager as I am.

  Instead of taking me to his bedroom as I’d hoped, he sets me on top of the kitchen counter and stands between my legs.

  “Waxed everywhere, huh?” He moves his mouth down my neck.

  “Yes,” I pant, tilting my head back.

  Gavin slides his hand over my thigh and over the thin fabric. His fingers roam under my panties, and I release a moan of anticipation.

  “Fuck,” he groans in my ear. “So damn soft.”

  His thumb finds my clit, and soon, my breathing turns ragged and needy. He plunges two fingers inside me as he sucks on the softness of my neck.

  “You’re so tight and wet, baby. Shit, I wanna fuck you so hard.”

  “God, yes.” My head rolls back.

  He thrusts his fingers faster and harder until I can no longer take it and dig my nails into his biceps as I scream out my release.

  Our mouths slam together, hot and greedy, as I claw at his clothes.

  “Off…now,” I order.

  As he strips, I do the same, not wanting anything between us. He cups my face and crashes our lips together again. His tongue tangles with mine.

  “Goddamn, baby.”

  “You’ve been teasing me all damn week,” I tell him. “With your little kisses, then leaving me all hot and bothered. So rude.”

  He chuckles. “Imma make up for it, baby. Turn around and put your palms flat on the counter.”

  I do as he says, and anxious butterflies swarm low in my stomach as I look over at him studying every inch of my body.

  “Now spread your legs and let me see your sweet pussy.”

  I obey, watching him stroke his hard cock.

  Gavin closes the gap between us, brushing the tip of his erection along my slit. “Say it again, Maize. Say you’re mine,” he whispers in my ear.

  Licking my lips, I look at him over my shoulder. “I’m yours. Have been since that first night a year ago.”

  “That’s fuckin’ right,” he hisses, pushing in slowly. “’Bout time you realize it.”

  I smile at his possessiveness. “Now fuck me, Cowboy.”

  Gavin squeezes my hips as he thrusts deep inside, jolting me forward until I’m nearly flat on the counter. God, it feels so good.

  “Shit,” he whispers. “You’re so tight.”

  Gavin pulls out slowly before ramming back in. Our bodies form a rhythm as we slam together over and over. Wrapping an arm around my waist, Gavin aggressively rubs my clit until I lose myself. My release is intense and harsh, and when I float back to earth, he squeezes my breast.

  “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your ass…” He pulls back, then slaps a cheek, hard and sharp.

  My body jerks, and I moan in response.

  “We fit together perfectly,” he says in my ear, his voice hoarse and raw. “We always have.”

  “Yes,” I whisper-moan.

  My back arches as the sensations build inside me, but then Gavin slides out and falls to his knees. Just as I’m about to ask what the hell he’s doing, he grips my thighs and spreads my legs apart.

  My stomach is flat on the counter as he slides his tongue up my center. He flicks and sucks, tasting every inch of me as I claw at the granite. I can barely fill my lungs with air as he draws out another orgasm, his mouth devouring my pussy li
ke it’s the last thing he’ll ever taste.

  When Gavin stands, he grabs my arm and spins me around until I’m facing him. Our lips fuse, and he lifts me.

  “Oh my God,” I squeal as he leads us out of the kitchen.

  “Hang on.” He grins.

  When we enter his bedroom, we fall on top of the bed, and he quickly positions me to straddle him.

  “Ride me.”

  I move until his cock presses against me, and I slowly slide down his hard length. He grips my hips, and we rock together, fast and hard.

  Gavin massages my breasts, smacks my ass, and pulls my hair until I scream his name. I love how demanding and rough he is, but he’s also sweet and soft. After my fourth orgasm, he flips me on my back and kisses me until he groans my name. He spills inside me, and slowly, we resurface to reality together.

  “Wow…” I breathe out.

  “Yeah, wow,” he echoes, lying next to me.

  Gavin brushes his knuckles over my cheek and gazes into my eyes. “I’m really fallin’ for you, Maize Bishop. I hope you feel the same.”

  “As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I do. No doubt about it,” I confess with a smile.

  “More stubborn than a mule, aren’t ya?” He chuckles, pulling me into his arms.

  “Well, I’ve learned what it takes to get your attention. Lingerie and an ultimatum.”

  His bright blue eyes light up. “Can ya blame a man? You’re downright gorgeous with a smart mouth to boot. I was hard the second I saw you tonight.”

  “Romantic.” I snicker.

  Gavin tilts my chin and brushes his mouth softly over mine. “I really want this to work out, so no more games. I want to be together, and we can wait to tell people when you’re ready.”

  His declaration has my heart beating wildly. It’s been years since I’ve wanted a man as much as I’ve wanted him. Though it scares me, I want this to work.

  “I agree,” I tell him. “And we’ll figure out the long-distance thing and take it one day at a time.”

  He quirks a brow, giving me a puzzled expression. “Long-distance?”

  I suck in my lips, releasing a sigh. “When you start traveling with Cooper.”

  “Maize…”

  “It’s okay.” I pull back slightly so I meet his eyes. “You have to follow your heart, and you love bull riding, so it only makes sense—”

  “I turned it down,” he blurts out. “A month ago.”

  My brows rise. “You did? But…when I brought it up at dinner last Friday, you acted like it was something you were pursuing.”

  “After you admitted to overhearing my conversation, I never said I was or wasn’t, and you didn’t ask.”

  I blow out a breath of annoyance. “And you couldn’t put me out of my misery and just tell me you weren’t leaving?” I scold.

  Gavin laughs with a shrug. “It was nice to see you sweat for once.”

  “Soooo funny,” I mock. “Why’d you say no?”

  “Realized the ranch was my second home, and while I enjoyed being on the road, I want to settle down, and I want to do that here. With you. I love seeing you every morning, and it’s something I looked forward to, even if you ignore me. Your family feels like my own. It just feels right to be here.”

  My heart swells as my eyes fill with tears. “I’m really happy you’re staying.”

  He tips my chin. “Me too. Now I get to slap that fine ass anytime I want.”

  With a loud smack to my bare cheek, I yelp and laugh. “I kinda like sneaking around with you. Well, my cousins and Grayson know, but I want to wait until we get to know each other better to tell my parents. Are you okay with that?” After my last relationship backfired, I don’t want to introduce my parents to any man until we’ve been dating a while.

  “I’m good with waiting until you’re ready.” He flashes a wink. “Just promise me it won’t be another year?”

  I can’t stop the ridiculous smile from forming as I look at him. “I can definitely promise that.”

  After we eat dinner and devour the dessert, Gavin cages me against the counter while I rinse the dishes. He feathers soft kisses on my neck. “I could get used to seeing you in my kitchen half-naked. It’s giving me ideas.”

  “Yeah? What kind?” I muse.

  “Really dirty ones. Bending you over the table for one, putting whipped cream on your delicious tits, then licking it off, you riding me. Those are just a few.”

  His hard cock presses against my back. “Mmm…I think that could be arranged.”

  He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close. Gavin’s tall and big, which I love, and it makes me feel so small and cared for when he does that.

  “Promise you’ll always hold me like this?” I whisper, leaning my head against his chest.

  “Always, Maize. I’m not going anywhere.”

  And when he presses his lips to my temple, I fall even deeper in love with him.

  Chapter Twenty

  GAVIN

  Sneaking around with Maize for the past month has been incredible. I wish we wouldn’t have wasted so much time chasing each other, but it’s better late than never. While all her cousins know about us, and so do the guys, none of the Bishop adults do. And tonight is the big reveal to her parents.

  While I’m nervous as hell, I’m also ready to yell from the mountaintops how much she means to me. We’ve spent all our free time together, but it never seems like enough. I genuinely want to know everything about Maize Bishop—her likes, dislikes, dreams, and aspirations.

  Though it took a while, I think she finally understands I’m not some twentysomething looking for a one-night stand. I’m a man searching for my forever woman, and I’ve found that in her. I’m ready to settle down, and she is too. While she doesn’t want to rush into things, I’d marry her tomorrow, but I keep it to myself. I selfishly want to wake up next to her every day and see her pretty smile before I leave for work.

  After I get out of the shower, I put on my Sunday best, comb my hair, and rehearse articulating the way Maize makes me feel. While John and Mila are amazing, being introduced as her boyfriend could be a disaster. I’m not sure what their reaction will be, and that makes me nervous.

  I’m falling hard and fast for Maize in ways I never imagined was possible. I’ve not loved anyone or anything as much as I loved bull riding and training, but I’d hang my saddle for her.

  What we have is the real deal.

  As I slip on my boots, there’s a knock on my door. I open it and see Maize standing in a sundress with velvety red lips. A cute smirk forms as she looks me up and down.

  “Damn,” I say, pulling her into my arms and devouring her mouth. “Do I have lipstick on me?” I ask when we finally break apart.

  “No, silly. It’ll last fifteen hours.” She steps inside.

  “Really? I’d like to put that to the test then.” I waggle my brows at her.

  “I’d be up for the challenge,” she admits. “Are you ready for this?”

  I check the time and grow more anxious. I let out a cool breath, and Maize notices. Tilting her head, she moves closer and wraps her arms around my waist. “It’s gonna be fine. I promise. My parents already love you.”

  I create just enough space so I can look into her baby blues. “They love me as an employee on the ranch, not as their twenty-five-year-old daughter's boyfriend. There’s a big difference.”

  Her face softens. “I know that, but I also know how unconventional my dad’s relationship was along with all my uncles. It’s kinda a Bishop thing, if I’m being honest.”

  I grin. “How so?”

  “Mila was my nanny before she was my mother.” Maize shrugs. “So Dad has no room to talk.”

  “Wow.” I remember Maize telling me about this before, but it slipped my mind.

  “And Uncle Alex knocked up his now wife on vacation in Florida, then she showed up here, pregnant. Uncle Evan met his wife at a wedding, had a one-night stand, then found out she was the new doctor at the
hospital.”

  My eyebrows go sky high. “What about Jackson?”

  This question makes her laugh. “He’s the only normal one. I know it’s very hard to believe. He and Kiera were best friends growing up. There was drama, but it wasn’t a random hookup. He chased after her for fifteen years.” She chuckles.

  “How do you know all this?”

  “One time, Grandma Bishop was wine drunk after a quilt meeting and told me all their dirty secrets.” Maize throws me a wink.

  I grin at her. “Still doesn’t mean your dad and uncles won’t kick my ass or fire me.”

  She pulls me closer. “As long as you don’t break my heart, I think you’ll be safe.”

  “I’d never do anything to hurt you,” I promise her and seal it with a kiss.

  “I believe you,” she whispers. “But we should really get going. Don’t want to be late. It’s one of Dad’s major pet peeves.”

  I nod. “Okay, okay. I guess I am stalling.”

  She interlocks her hand with mine and leads us outside. I jump in the truck with her, and my mind spins on the drive over. Any other time, it would seem far away because the ranch is so large, but we arrive in a blink. We get out, and she stops and turns to me before we walk in.

  “A kiss for good luck.” She paints her mouth across mine, and her tongue darts inside. For a moment, I forget where I am, but when she pushes away, I remember.

  “Let’s do this,” I say, finding my confidence as she grabs the knob, and we enter. Whatever her mother’s cooking smells amazing, and I realize just how hungry I am. When her parents turn around and make eye contact with me, I immediately lose my appetite.

  “Wait, Gavin’s your boyfriend?” John asks, staring me down, and I’m not sure if it’s with approval or rejection.

  Maize nods with a smile. Then she takes my hand and leads me to the table, and we sit.

  “Oh thank god,” Mila says. “I was worried to death trying to guess who you were bringing tonight. Happy to see you again, Gavin.”

  It’s a relief to know her mom is on board, but I still can’t read John. He’s typically quiet, especially compared to Jackson, but this seems more intense than usual.