It didn’t even matter she kicked me out of her bed the next day and tried to write us off as a one-night stand. I made damn sure she understood we were more than that. And we were more than that, until she thought I was only with her to keep an eye on her friend. She even made my own damn president give me the order to back off and to leave her alone.
The only reason I did was because I knew the only way to get her back and to let her see reason was to respect her wishes. And with this being our first kiss since then? For sure as fuck I’m taking it and won’t even think of depriving either of us the pleasure.
She tastes so sweet. Lips velvet and plump, her tongue balancing on a desperate need to dominate. And yet when I give back just as fierce, she submits so damn beautifully.
Her hands sneak underneath my leather cut and grab hold of my shirt to drag me closer. It’s fueling the lust that’s already roaring though my body. I know how good she feels wrapped around my cock and I also know I can have her naked within a few breaths and fuck her good and hard, but this time around I want more.
Much more; I want it all. And I’m dead set to get this woman hooked on me for life. No more backing out. And this is the reason I have to go slow, even if it kills me and causes the biggest, hardest, blue balls in history, she’s worth it.
My lips disconnect from hers and I slowly start to spread a trail of kisses down her jaw until my head is buried into the crook of her neck. It’s one of her many sensitive parts of her body and I remember all too well I can ask her anything and make her agree when I’m nibbling and kissing her in this very spot.
“I’m going to spend my sweet time licking your pussy. Make you come twice before I claim your body with my cock. Then I’ll fuck you slow to keep your orgasm on a slow-burn until you can’t take it anymore and demand I fuck you hard and fast.”
The gentle whimper slipping over her lips and the way her nails dig into my scalp to keep my head right where it is makes me smile internally.
I palm her breast through the fabric of her shirt, distracting her some more before I give her the words. “We’re going to take our time once I have you in my bed. Right? We’re more than a mere fuck this time?”
She gasps when I combine the question with pinching her nipple.
“Right, Sassy?” I ask again, making sure to use the nickname I picked for her because of her sass, which I fucking adore and shows her character.
“Yes,” she hisses and rotates her hips to seek friction as I grind my pelvis against her.
I know very well she’s distracted and would agree to anything to get the pleasure I’m able to give her. And I’ll guarantee she will be crawling back on her word once the lust haze fades, but I don’t care; she’s mine and soon enough she will know it’s useless to deprive ourselves from something that’s inevitable.
“Awe, isn’t that sweet,” Joaquin gushes, breaking our intimate moment.
“It was until you interrupted us,” Cassidy grumbles. “Go away, Joaquin. The kitchen is off-limits for the next few minutes.”
I lift my head and cup the side of her face to keep her in place and feather my lips against hers. “We agreed to more, and what I have planned for you won’t fit into a mere few minutes.”
Miss Sassy huffs and groans at the same time as she steps away from me, making my lips yet again twitch with a smile.
“Coffee, Joaquin?” I question and reach for a few cups.
Cassidy snatches one from my hands and starts to pour the coffee. “Joaquin doesn’t drink coffee when he wakes up. Orange juice or a spinach smoothie.” She fake gags.
Now why didn’t I know that? I’ve been around him loads of times and I do know he makes coffee for Harlene and Cassidy. I’ve seen him drink some at the clinic. Whatever, maybe he just has a different morning routine he likes to hide. I hold out my mug and she shoots me a glare but fills it up with coffee anyway.
“Decker brought your bike when he came to pick up his dog. He took the truck you came in with and said thanks. You know, for handling everything,” Joaquin says as he starts to place oranges on the counter.
“Perfect. We will be taking my bike when we head out to the ranch.”
Cassidy starts to shake her head but I cut her off before she can so much as voice one word. “Harlene has enough equipment back at the ranch for you to do the routine check on the horses. But I basically just need one quarter horse checked out. A buyer is coming by later today, that’s why I need to have a vet present. The other horses can wait, we’ll do them at a later point in time.”
She huffs again. “Fine. You and your freaking horses. Why can’t you just stick to bulls?”
I give her a fat smirk and reveal a little something she doesn’t know yet. “Multiple Bull Riding World Champion standing right here in your kitchen, Sassy. I’ve stuck to bulls most of my life but the last few years I enjoy having a beautiful horse, steel or a hot blood, between my legs instead.”
Her eyes widen and she’s rendered speechless.
“I am so going to google your sexy ass,” Joaquin gushes in a swooning tone.
Cassidy shoots him a glare.
Joaquin shrugs. “What? It’s not like I’m gonna squeeze and lick his biceps. Well, maybe inside my head but you won’t ever know.”
“You blabbered that shit right out and now I do know all about it, mister Lick-It-All,” Cassidy snaps and growls some more words that seem to get stuck in her throat before she grumbles, “Just…shut up and squeeze those oranges, Joaquin.” She grabs my leather cut and gives me a push. “Come on, we’re leaving.”
She doesn’t even fuss about the fact I’m strapping a helmet on her head before I put her on the back of my bike. The whole interaction with Joaquin makes her forget I’m dragging her off to work; a ride on my bike and work with horses. And all of it involves having me as her shadow.
Quite the contradiction for Cassidy, and a huge list of unwanted things. Or so it has been for the last couple of weeks—mere few months—whatever. It’s all in the past and we’re starting fresh. I hope. The way her arms are wrapped around me while she’s plastered against my back is a damn good start.
There have been many memorable moments in my life. Two of them contain a handful of seconds on the back of a bull, winning the World Championship, and the one-million-dollar bonus along with it, but this? This is utter pleasure; to have the one woman I want in my life warming the back of my bike.
I don’t get to enjoy it for very long because all too soon we arrive at the ranch. Decker is waiting in the parking lot when I’ve parked the bike and guide Cassidy toward the main house.
“Thanks. The both of you, for handling Hammer. That damn dog never learns,” Decker says as he smacks my shoulder and falls in step beside me.
“They never learn,” Cassidy tells him but her voice is somewhat wavering.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Decker grumbles. “Okay, I’m off to the junkyard. Another day to pick up the mess Trixy and her father left us.”
We say our goodbyes and I glance at Cassidy’s face, noticing the paleness on her cheeks.
I reach for her hand and pull her to a stop. “Maybe I should cancel the buyer. She has to travel half a day and is already on her way here, but I couldn’t care less, you’re more important.”
“I’m fine. The ride over just made me a little queasy. And I hate that because I love being on the back of your bike. I just need some water and a few crackers or something. And a damn pregnancy test, that’s for sure.”
“Don’t worry about the test, we’ll figure it out. You feeling better is our first priority right now.”
“Then get me water and crackers and I’ll check out the damn horse,” she grumbles. “And when the buyer is handled you and I need to talk if I do turn out to be pregnant.”
I have no doubt she’s pregnant since it would explain the doubling of her normal sass and grumpiness. Not that it matters, she can throw anything at me and I would still want her every damn way.
“
I’m not going anywhere and am all ears, Sassy.” I add a little more huskiness to my words to let her know she doesn’t scare me with a potential pregnancy at all. Come to think of it, I want her pregnant since it would surely forge an undeniable bond, allowing us to evolve into way more than friends, lovers…man and wife because I sure as fuck hear wedding bells in our future; that’s how damn sure I am this woman is the only one for me.
“All ears.” An unfeminine snort leaves her mouth. “I bet you’re gonna be all dust and a speck on the horizon if I turn out to be pregnant. Dudes and babies don’t go well.”
“Quite the judgmental train of thought there.” I raise my eyebrow and give her a no nonsense look when I fiercely tell her, “Remember, Cassidy, Champion bull rider standing right here. My life has been filled with rough and wild rides. Hit me up with anything, I’m born ready for any type of action.”
Her eyes glaze over with lust and her cheeks pinken.
“Ain’t that a pretty look.” I let my knuckles slide over her cheek. “Head out of the gutter, sweetheart. We need to deal with a few things first before we’re going to spend some time between the sheets.”
“So much for keeping you at arm’s length and far, far away from me,” she grumbles.
I can’t help but snicker. “Nothing can keep me away from you. Not even my own president. You tried. He tried. Not even wild horses—”
“Just shut up. You and your horses.” She sighs and shakes her head, but I see the corners of her mouth tip up and that smile is worth more than all the cash I have in my name.
I lean in and tell her in a low voice, “That mouth of yours will get you into trouble.”
She smacks my chest. “Stop with the sex talk or the nausea will act up again.”
A full belly laugh rips from my body and I have to take a few breaths to regain focus. “Come on, the buyer will be here in the next half hour.”
We head inside and I manage to find some crackers and give her a bottle of water along with it before we head for the stables. I’m pretty excited for her to see some of the horses.
The one I hope to sell today was bred and trained by me. I’m mostly in charge of the horses and decide on the breeding, selling, and buying. It’s not because I invested most of the money in this ranch, but it’s simply because I’m damn good at what I do.
These quarter horses are used for a lot of things such as calf roping, barrel racing, and a lot more than just western riding and cattle work. It’s a breed I grew up with. There are three in this stable I will never sell and I’m about to include another one but she’s really a pain in my ass. She reminds me of Cassidy with her temper and character. Come to think of it, if that woman loved horses I would gladly gift her the horse. It would be a perfect fit and solve my debate of keeping her.
“You’re not selling this one, are you? She’s gorgeous. Heya, lady.” Cassidy doesn’t glance at me but her eyes are set on the dark brown, almost black, quarter horse. With a full white head and bright blue eyes she is a sight to behold.
“Esma? No, I don’t want to sell her but I already have three horses for myself. I’d give her to you if you want to ride her, though. It would solve my problem of not wanting to sell and not having to keep her,” I simply say and plaster a grin on my face in expectation of her to turn and glance at me in shock.
But seeing her sway on her feet as her hand flashes out to balance herself as she stammers, “Wha...what? No. You’re crazy. You can’t just give away a horse.” She presses her palm against her head. “Dammit. Damn you, Roper. Seriously, just cut out the bullshit and let me do my job.”
Her mood shift is weird but I hear a car drive up and I’m pretty sure the buyer is early, so there’s no time to waste since I did want Cassidy’s clean bill of health for the horse in question before the buyer got here. Knowing a prospect will welcome the buyer, we have a few more minutes to spare.
“The horse the woman wants to buy is right over here,” I tell her and point at the light brown one with the long black mane.
Cassidy doesn’t waste time nor words and gets to work. I see the buyer strolling over along with another man and Willie, a young prospect. Cassidy is finishing up her routine checkup so I decide to walk toward the buyer to give Cassidy a little more time.
I’m out of the stables when the woman with long black hair pulled in a ponytail holds out her hand for me to take. The man beside her is ignoring me and seems to be more interested in his surroundings.
“Roper, I assume? We spoke on the phone, I’m—”
“Daisy Johnsons, here for the quarter horse you’d like to compete with. Let me show you how well he spins and I’m sure you will be hooked.”
Her eyes slide over me and her voice turns husky when she says, “I’m sure I’m already hooked.”
Normally I wouldn’t be bothered by shameless flirtation, but I’m fully focused to start something with the one and only woman who grabbed and held my attention, and that’s surely isn’t anyone other than Cassidy.
I turn on my heels and assume the woman—along with her companion—trails along. Fuck if I care at this point. I breed and train the best horses for a living, buyers line up in long rows to get a horse specifically trained by me. Hence me not caring if she follows or not.
“Oh. Please tell me this one’s for sale,” Daisy gushes and I know she’s talking about Esma, the horse with the white head and blue eyes I just tried to give to Cassidy.
“No, she’s not,” I simply say and I’m about to point to the one Cassidy is with but words falter when I see utter hatred in Cassidy’s eyes.
“Get. Out,” she growls harsh and loud. “Get the fuck out of here. Now, Daisy.”
My gaze flips to Daisy and she’s wearing a knowing smirk on her face. It’s clear these two know each other, but what the hell is going on here?
“Why such ugliness, Cass? It’s been years. Besides, I’m here to buy a horse from Roper, this has nothing to do with you.” Daisy runs her fingers through her hair as if to brush the discussion away, her eyes landing on me along with a seductive smile. “Isn’t that right, Roper? We had an agreement.”
“There is no agreement,” Cassidy hisses and steps closer to Daisy. “Get out or I’ll throw you out of the stables myself.”
“Is this how you treat clients?” Daisy asks me and completely ignores Cassidy.
I have no clue what’s gotten into Cassidy, but I do know one thing; I’ve only seen Cassidy react this fiercely if it concerns the safety of animals or protecting those she loves. Hell, she didn’t lose control when she wanted me gone, she was as cool as a cucumber.
All of this tells me she’s not acting on a whim. I reach out and wrap my arm around Cassidy’s waist to pull her flush against my body. One of her hands grip my forearm, the other my jeans mid-thigh as if she needs to ground herself.
“If this is the way my old lady decides it’s needed to treat potential clients, then yes. You heard her, get the fuck out. And take your buddy with you.” I dismiss the woman along with her companion and tell the prospect, “Willie, make sure they get back to their car and off the property.”
Daisy starts to sputter but it’s no use, Willie grabs her by the upper arm and drags her, and the man who was with her, out of the stable.
I turn Cassidy in my arms and cup her face with both hands. “Are you okay?”
“No.” A single, two letter word falls shaky from her lips and I simply pull her against my chest and hold her a moment, placing a kiss on the top of her head along with it.
I notice the horse I was about to sell is stepping out of the stall and I give a hard whistle, making him back up. I take Cassidy with me and close the door, locking him safely inside.
“Come on, let’s head for my room.” Cassidy simply nods at my words and lets me guide her to the main house.
I stalk straight past a few brothers and head for my room. It isn’t much, but this space has everything I need. A large bed, a TV, bathroom, and a tiny fridge. It’s perfect
. All I do is sleep and relax here since all my other time is spent either working at the ranch or handling stuff for the MC.
“Can I see your buckles?” Cassidy asks.
I’m not expecting the question, so all I have is, “What?”
“Your buckles. You said you were a two-time World Champion. Can I see them?”
I stalk over to my clothes closet and grab the crate I have in there. I place it on the bed and point at it as I say, “There you go, all shiny gold and silver buckles.”
She glances inside and lets her fingers slide over the different buckles. Some have more meaning than others.
Her voice is soft when she tells me, “I’m a barrel racing World Champion.”
Words are lodged deep in my throat. She is? Oh, shit. Just wait a damn minute. Something must have happened to her horse for her to avoid horses all together. It all makes perfect sense now.
I grab her fingers and give them a gentle squeeze. Her eyes stay locked on my buckles when I ask, “What happened? Can you tell me?”
CHAPTER THREE
— Cassidy —
His hands are warm. A stark contrast against the metal of the buckles. I know I owe him an explanation because of what happened at the stables, but my throat feels like it’s barely open enough to let me breathe, making talking painful and difficult.
Not to mention the fact it hurts my heart and head to talk about what happened. And for real... “I was young and stupid. Nineteen to be exact. My father left me six weeks before I met Kai, my ex. My father was the first one who took everything that was of any worth and simply left. I was thankful to still have my horse. He couldn’t take him because he was in my name and I’ve always hidden all the documentation or else he probably would have sold him. Maybe if my asshole father didn’t leave the way he did, I would have never let Kai swoop me away.”
I take my hand from his and cross my arms in front of my chest. A cold shiver runs down my spine. How the hell can I be cold in this Texas heat?
“Nineteen doesn’t make you stupid. Inexperienced or a little naive and not aware of the sharks this world has swimming in shallow water, maybe,” Roper mutters and drags me into his thick, muscled arms.
Cowboy Bikers MC #2 Page 2