“How can you always make me feel safe? And yet there’s doubt clawing at me to warn me it’s a trap. I’m afraid to let you in because I’m always expecting the door to hit my face when you leave too. My mother left because she didn’t want the fuss of raising a kid. Or so my father said. Then my father left and took everything with him, leaving me with nothing. I heard he died a year later. Kai came barging into my life and made me feel all precious and special, sweet talking me into marrying him. How we belonged together and spill secrets. And on our wedding night we talked for hours, crazy stuff and important things a husband needed to know…like where I kept special documents and so on.” I take a deep breath, close my eyes and spill the painful details of my screwed-up life. “The morning after we got married, I was alone and went to search for him but all that was left was a note with the words ‘I got what I wanted. Have a nice life.’ And that was it. I didn’t understand until I saw the empty drawer where the papers of ownership and the documentation of my horse were. It seems Kai was Daisy’s boyfriend all along since I found out they lived together. Daisy wanted me humiliated and without a horse to compete with. All because we both had a shot at becoming the next World Champion; she wanted to get rid of her rival. And she wanted the better horse, because Boulder was perfect.”
“Fucking bitch,” Roper growls and tightens his hold on me. “None of it is your fault. Not that both your parents left you, or that you became the victim of a vile asshole, along with a massive, selfish bitch. You hear me? You’re a great person. A sassy, gorgeous woman who helps animals and is badass while doing it. You have great friends surrounding you and even if you’re a hard shell to crack and keep pushing me away, you still have me along with this whole MC.”
“You didn’t leave me.” My voice cracks, filled with emotion and defeat. “But it felt as if you were only using me to keep Harlene safe. I now understand you didn’t use me at all. You really wanted me, and I was the one who pushed you away.”
Roper snorts. “You tried like hell to keep me at a distance but that ship never would have sailed, Sassy. You were meant to be mine the first night we met. I will always give you space and respect boundaries but giving up or leaving something as good as you won’t ever fucking happen.”
His words. Daisy slamming back into my life and assaulting me with hurtful memories along with it. Freaking hormones, because I’m almost positive I’m pregnant since I should have had my period weeks ago...all of it make tears slide over my cheeks.
Roper saw my reaction to Daisy and without questioning he stood by my side, kicking her off the property without knowing a single detail why I wanted her gone. Feeling this emotional and torn inside—I need him to know the rest.
“Boulder had a sensitive mouth. He was so freaking fast and his turns and spins were amazing. I know he’s the reason I won the World Championship, I couldn’t have done it with any other horse, we were an amazing team.”
I step away from Roper and start to pace, feeling all the anger rise and flow through my veins. “No one knew how to handle him. I bought Boulder with the cash I made and saved working, mainly for the breeder who gave me a job to help out so I was able to buy him. He was mine before he was born. Boulder was everything to me. I raised and spent every waking moment with him. We were a team. And when Kai took him and gave Boulder to Daisy, she rode him with a harsh hand. Or so I’ve heard. It was weeks before I finally caught up with them and found out where Kai really lived…with Daisy. A boy working the stables recognized me from the few rodeos he went to and thought it was strange Daisy rode my horse. He told me—”
I stop pacing and lock my eyes with Roper. The anger has taken away my tears.
“Daisy rode him and with his sensitivity and her not being aware, he bucked her right off, making her slam into a fence. She got hurt and that bitch has a vile mean streak so she kicked his leg. He...they...the boy told me Boulder was gone within a few hours. Kai brought him to the slaughterhouse they seemed to own. Easy disposal and all.”
Roper takes out his phone and lets his fingers slide over the screen before he puts it back into his pocket and stalks toward me. He takes my face into his hands—something he always does to make sure he has my full attention—and without a word he simply kisses me.
Softly. Slowly. Delicate and yet filled with a feverish need to show tenderness. To make me feel I’m alive and cared for.
He pulls back and places his forehead against mine. “You’re a fucking treasure, you know that? It’s underestimated value and yet the monstrosity of its beauty is captivating. Everything you told me gave me a deep look into your soul and explained the scars I saw. No wonder you avoid working with horses because the pain is still deep and right at the surface. They took Boulder from you and you couldn’t help him when he needed you. All of it wasn’t your fucking fault, sweetheart. None of it. And I fucking vow I won’t ever leave you. And if you run, I’ll chase your sexy ass down, ya hear?”
My heart squeezes and tears are stinging my eyes once more. “You’re going to make me cry again,” I grumble and it earns me a soft chuckle.
“Give me your worst, Sassy. I’m right here if you want to sob, throw a tantrum, kick me in the balls, have some raunchy sex, or some slow and hot loving instead. I won’t ever wave a white flag. I’m always ready for a rough and hard ride, no matter how high life jumps and jerks. One hand in the air, the other in a death grip, holding on with an adrenaline rush to give me enough of a kick to never give the fuck up.”
“That’s what I get for falling for a Bull Riding World Champion,” I fake grumble.
He gives me a smirk and huskily replies, “You didn’t fall, you threw yourself at me and I caught you willingly.”
A laugh escapes me and even if I felt as if I’ve bared my heart and soul, in this moment Roper makes me feel carefree. As if it is as easy as he says; jump and I’ll catch you no matter what.
I slide my arms around him and press myself against his chest. “Thank you.”
The air rushes out of me by the way his arms tighten around me. “I’m the one who’s thankful. And lucky ‘cause I clearly got the girl. No way out now.”
My smile grows. I would be an idiot not to open my heart for this man. Clearly his intentions are honest and reliable. He’s always been loud to voice his claim on me and didn’t back down no matter how hard I tried to push him away.
“Who says I would want out? Maybe you’ll want out...go running once I get too clingy or demanding. Possible pregnancy, remember?” I smirk.
“Wanna get married right now? Or would that have you running? Then I have to chase you down because of the whole baby mama thing. And for ripping my heart out and taking it with you. That’s kidnapping by the way, and absolutely illegal.”
“No to marriage. No to running. But only because of the whole kidnapping being illegal thing,” I murmur and slide my hand up his chest to settle on the back of his head to pull him down for a kiss.
He goes willingly and the best thing about this man’s kisses is the fact I can get lost in them. Completely. No other thoughts than the swirl of his tongue. A sensual dance along with his soft and firm lips heightens the pleasure he builds inside my body. And then he stops mid kiss to trail down to my neck where his scruff deliciously rubs, his teeth nip, and his mouth sucks a sliver of my skin...who am I kidding; this man knows how to play my body and highlight feelings building up until it’s at a point where full surrender can only give the ultimate pleasure.
“Please tell me it’s okay to let me have a taste of your sweet pussy. It’s been too fucking long.” His voice sounds torn and guttural.
Is he kidding me? Normally I’m the one begging him. Well, mainly to stop wringing orgasms out of me or I’ll die. That’s how good he is with his mouth. So, “Yes, please.”
A hot and silky chuckle flows over my skin before his strong hands grip my waist. With ease he lifts me up and throws me on the bed. I grip the sheets to steady myself as Roper starts to claw at my clothes. A fe
w breaths later this man has me naked—legs spread—in front of him.
He gives me a lazy grin. So damn handsome with the scruff and even if he has an old faded scar trailing from his jaw to his cheek, it only adds to the rough, heated handsomeness. It’s the same way with his rough hands, now sliding over my thighs to push my legs further apart.
I let my teeth sink into my bottom lip, balancing on the brink of anticipation. The second his tongue slides through my pussy I let go and gasp for my next breath while I let my head fall back.
He might have missed the taste of my pussy but I sure as hell missed his mouth just as badly. Why, oh why, did I deprive myself of this slice of heaven? I can easily drift away on the cloudy haze of lust he creates. Especially when he’s flipping my clit with his tongue and starts to suck at the same time.
Holy shit. My hands fly to his head to keep him in place while I shamelessly grind my pussy into his face. I need more. More pleasure, more friction, more sucking, and most definitely more Roper. I crave to feel him inside me; it’s been way too long.
“Roper,” I croak and pull his hair in an effort to drag him up. “Get inside me.” I almost don’t recognize my own voice with the load of need running through it.
Roper rumbles a low growl but obliges. He raises up and takes a moment to throw his leather cut on the bed beside me. His shirt ends up on the floor along with his jeans and I can’t help but lick my lips at the sight of his hard length jutting up and reaching for his navel.
I remember all too well how it feels for him to be inside me. Hard. Slow. How it is to have him in my mouth, to taste him. Oh, damn, I’m an utter addict when it comes to the pleasure this man gives me. And why is he taking his time looking at me while he’s palming his massive dick? Slow strokes, the thick mushroom head glistening with pre-cum.
“I told you I was clean. You and me, only bare from here on out.” His voice is a harsh demand.
A few days before we broke up, we agreed to get tested and ditch the condoms. With me doubting his intentions and pushing him out of my life we never shared the results. Though he swore he was clean, and I knew I was. Shit. Good thing we’re both clean. I need a pregnancy test later today for sure.
“All clean, get inside me already,” I tell him and reach for his arm.
He snatches my wrist and clicks his tongue. “Patience. It’s all I had when I was waiting for you.”
I growl low in my throat while I watch him squeeze himself.
“You have me, Roper. All of me. So, cut the patience bullshit. The wait is over.”
“I know,” the man depriving me of his magnificent dick states.
His heated gaze is fully fixed on my pussy as he keeps stroking himself. Screw it. I know just the thing to make him balance on the edge too. During one of the first times we had sex he ordered me to play with myself. It affected him so much he came all over my pussy before he even had a chance to fuck me.
Clearly not a very smart and safe thing to do with the whole getting pregnant angle. But like he said, we literally screwed our brains out that first night and both forgot to wrap up. That’s how it’s been between us from the start; a heated and deep connection. Lust to love? Who knows since it’s all a haze and we’re both driven by need and living in the moment.
My hand sneaks over my belly and I let my finger slide over my clit in circles. A string of curses flow over his lips before he bats my hand away and I feel his dick nudging my entrance. The sweet burn of being stretched makes my breath catch. I dig my nails into his back and his groans of pleasure fill the air. His hips start a rough and demanding rhythm while my pussy ripples around his hard length. So. Freaking. Good.
Screw insecurities and not trusting other men. I only need Roper, and I’m never letting him go. His actions are louder than words and speak volume. They scream loyalty and dedication, not to mention persistency the way I’ve treated him.
His fingers wrap around my throat as his thumb pushes my chin up before he crashes his mouth against mine. Due to the hard thrusts it’s a sloppy kiss which makes it very hot with the low growls coming from deep in his throat.
The sex is raw. Frantic. As if we deprived ourselves for years on end. The pleasure shooting through my body captures me by surprise and I can only rip my mouth away from his to scream out my orgasm as it hits me hard.
Roper is slowly sliding in and out to prolong my orgasm and when my gaze meets his I notice the captivating look before he murmurs, “Magnificent.”
He leans in and gives me a soft kiss to match his thrusts before he says against my lips, “My turn.”
He pulls out and I have no chance to process what he’s doing because my breath rushes out when he flips me around, making me land on all fours. He roughly grabs my hips to lift me up and enters me in one stroke, burying himself deep inside me.
“Fuuuuuuuuck,” he groans.
I would sing the same tune but I’m too busy with holding on to the sheets for dear life due to the intensity of his hip action. His hand goes to the base of my neck, pushing me down to create a deeper angle as he holds me in place. Guttural moans rip from my body while my veins fill with white hot lust.
The way he dominates me, the sound of his rough pants and the slapping of skin against skin...all of it surrounds us with enough sexual overload it doesn’t take long for him to fill me up with hot jets of cum while grunting my name.
I follow him into a sea of bliss. My heart beating on overtime as if it needs to race to catch up with his. Roper’s body collapses on top of mine, giving me his full weight and yet there isn’t a single thought to complain; this feels perfect to be surrounded by him.
I’m completely drained. Safe. Sated. Comfortable. All of it allows me to surrender to a quick nap, hopefully to recharge and start the next round as soon as we’re able to.
CHAPTER FOUR
— Roper —
I hate leaving her alone in my bed, but Decker replied to my text and he’s waiting for me in church. I softly close the door behind me and stalk through the main room. Weston and Harlene are having lunch. I come to a stop next to their table.
“I need something handled and I’ve asked Decker to look into it. He’s in church waiting for me. Mind joining us? Because I’m fairly sure I need to bring it to the table later tonight so you might as well sit in to know what this is about.”
Weston glances at Harlene. I hate disturbing their time together since the both of them work nonstop.
“Sorry.” I cringe and think of a way to explain. Though, I have no clue how much she knows about Cassidy’s past, even if they are best friends. “It concerns Cassidy. Someone from her past showed up today and I have to look into it. She doesn’t know I’m doing it but I have to.”
Harlene’s eyes narrow. “Someone from her past? And why is it you have to look into it?”
“Because they fucking hurt her and the way they did it makes them scum so fucking low you just have to squash it with your heel and dig it in the dirt deep enough to get rid of it once and for all,” I growl low and fierce, remembering how those two people used and hurt not only her but the horse too, fucking killing the poor animal.
Harlene keeps staring at me for a few more breaths before she simply says, “Okay.” Her eyes slide to Weston. “I have to get back to the clinic anyway. Are you coming to my house later?”
I half expected her to demand more information, and yet half of me didn’t because I know Harlene is a good friend and places Cassidy before anything else. My fierce reaction must have soothed her need for information and she is leaving it to me to handle it. Needless to say, that in this moment I respect my president’s old lady even more.
I leave them to it and head for church, knowing Weston will join me there soon. Decker is sitting at the large table when I walk inside. He has several papers in front of him. Decker is former FBI. He’s the kind of man who has great instincts when it comes to many situations and can easily read people.
“Quite the character this bitch,�
� Decker states without looking up. “And Kai is a creepy dude as well. Take a seat and I’ll fill you in on all the dirt I’ve found without even having to dig deep.”
I grab a chair and shove it back before taking a seat. “Pres will be joining us.”
“Smart. Because I’m thinking your buyer wanted more than just this horse. And I’m not talking about buying others. I’m talking about stealing, slaughtering, and selling the meat on the black market and if they have anything left they just mix it up with beef so nothing gets wasted.”
“Motherfucker,” I roar. “That’s why she had another dude with her whose eyes were all over the fucking place.”
“Okay,” Weston snaps and closes the door behind him. “All I heard was the short version about a buyer not here to buy a single horse but had the intention to rob us and slaughter our fucking horses for their meat? What the actual fuck?”
“Start talking Decker, let us know what you found out.” This time I manage to control myself and use a normal tone of voice since the man doesn’t deserve my anger.
He reaches for two photographs and turns them so they’re facing us. “Kai and Daisy Johnsons. Siblings. And from what I’ve heard they have a twisted relationship since most think they are lovers. They have different mothers and didn’t know they were siblings until they were teenagers and their father saw them kissing. He was forced to tell them.” Decker grins. “You’d be surprised how people speak freely once they’re fired. The old housekeeper was easy to track down once you gave me the name of the buyer and the address. Daisy fired the woman right after their father suddenly died. Trampled by a horse. Though the housekeeper swears his kids let those horses loose that trampled him, just so they could be together without him keeping them apart.”
Weston holds up his hand. “Can we just skip this whole siblings thing and move onto the crucial details that concern us? Most definitely not something I need to know.”
Cowboy Bikers MC #2 Page 3