Fighting For Love - A Standalone Novel (A Bad Boy Sports Romance Love Story) (Burbank Brothers, Book #5)
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“What if it is your child?”
“I think if it is was, Mary Ann would have been on my doorstep with her hand out by now, don’t you?”
“I guess you’re probably right,” I agreed. “You don’t take life very seriously, do you, Blake?”
“As serious as the next person, I suppose. But let me tell you, when you’re getting ready to lower yourself down onto a bull the size of car, you take that very seriously.”
I was thinking about this when he stood and stretched. “I’m done for the night,” he announced and saluted me.
“Good night, Blake,” I bid him.
“Lock your door, Silver. I gave Mary Ann a ride for her money, after all,” he warned with a smile as he wandered toward the door.
“If the urge should strike you, think of me as that bull and not as Mary Ann,” I assured him and could hear his chuckle as the door closed behind him.
Chapter 10
Blake
I was beginning to regret having brought Silver to live in my house. The temptation was becoming too great. At first, I was hot on her scent and the idea of having a woman already under my roof seemed like a dream come true. The better I got to know her, though, the more I’d come to respect her. She wasn’t like the other women I’d bedded. I didn’t want to do that with her; she was like that bottle of hundred-year-old brandy you saved and saved, and then maybe never even drank because it meant you’d never have the anticipation again. The anticipation had become sweeter than the realization.
Listen to me, I thought to myself. When did I become the grand philosopher?
How could she have me thinking like this? I needed to think of her as my employee—no more and no less than Pablo who looked after the horses. Well, maybe not quite that neutral, but it was hands off under any circumstances.
Then, on the other hand, maybe having a woman I wanted to bed, but couldn’t, was good therapy for me. Just maybe I’d learn better self-control and not end up with so many regrets on the morning after. One thing I did know: there was absolutely no desire to get drunk as long as she was around. I wanted to be in the present, bright-eyed, and fully conscious.
I got up the next morning, ready to start work. I had an upcoming event in Albuquerque the next weekend and plenty more on the schedule beyond that. I would be interested to see how she worked her magic.
I found her already in the kitchen and she pulled a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast from the warming drawer of the oven and handed it to me. “Sit down,” she invited.
She disappeared and came back with a cup of coffee and I nodded my thanks as I bit down on the toast. She was looking infuriatingly tempting in a pair of short shorts and a cropped top. “This your business attire?” I asked her.
“We’re going to talk a bit and then I’m going out by the pool,” she explained. “I’ve discovered it’s my favorite office.”
“Lucky you,” I offered. “It’s okay. I’ve got some work to do in town. I’ve got an event next weekend in Albuquerque.”
“We have an event in Albuquerque, you mean,” she sent back.
“You going with me?”
“Of course. In the meantime, I’ll get some press out there and maybe even arrange for an event of our own.”
“What kind of event?”
“Oh, I’ll keep it simple. Something like visiting a children’s hospital or senior citizens’ home.”
“I like the kids one better.”
“I know, but it can break your heart.”
“True,” I nodded. “Do what you think is best. I trust you, and it’s your job.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” she said most sincerely. “I appreciate that trust.”
“Just let me read through anything before you publish or send it, okay?”
“Well, so much for the vote of confidence!”
“Aw, c’mon, Silver. I meant that because you don’t know the business yet.”
“Okay, I get it.”
Business meeting concluded, I emptied my coffee cup and headed out to the truck. I looked at the white Escalade sitting in the drive next to mine and thought how right it looked there. I almost felt a little sorry leaving her behind. How the hell did I get attached to this woman in a couple of days?
I eased my truck down the rutty drive of Jason Rutledge, a fellow bull rider whom I’d known since I was a kid. He was a tough, tough character who had been in quite a bit of trouble off and off through his life. He was married, his wife Leah and he had met years before and had three, petite little daughters who called me Uncle Blake.
Corrine, the youngest was running toward my truck, her arms waving hello in the air. “Uncle Blake!”
I grinned and climbed out, catching her as she threw herself into my arms. It felt great to have something genuinely pure and innocent attach herself to me. I realized suddenly that Silver gave me that feeling, too, except she was a fully-grown woman. It was part of her attraction.
“Your dad around?” I asked Corrine.
She nodded and pointed to the barn behind the house. I gave her an extra hug and put her down, patting her bottom to send her indoors so I could talk to her dad alone.
“Jason? You in here?” I called as I approached.
“Well, sonofabitch, look who’s here. Do I owe you money or something?”
“Probably, but that’s not why I’m here,” I grinning, clamping down on his hand. “Got something to talk over with you.”
“Well, hell, let me grab us a couple of cold ones and let’s have a seat on the patio,” he motioned to the gaily-furnished seating area behind the house.
I found a place and he soon joined me; a cold beer newly uncapped found its way into my mouth. He settled into a chair across from me, crossing his leg with a wince of pain. Jason’s bull-riding days were numbered. He’d gotten broken up too many times to ever heal right again. I knew he was worried about supporting his family once he quit riding. Sometimes I was afraid he almost wished the bull would kill him so the family would at least have his insurance money. I looked at that, hard, and considered whether I would ever have that frame of mind. So far in my life, no one would miss me. I only had to take care of myself.
“So, what’s up, buddy?” he asked me.
“Yeah, I got myself into a fix, not that I’m complaining, but wanted to talk it over with you. We go back a long ways, Jason.”
“Sure do,” he nodded in agreement.
“So, here’s the thing. You know I’ve been runnin’ around a little wild: too much drinkin’ and women. Well, it’s beginning to catch up to me. This woman from the north came down and shot me as I went off Cain the other day. She wrote a story to go along with it—how my excesses are leading to my career ruin. I was pissed, at first, but then I saw she was really helpin’ me. It was all true—the whole damned thing. If it hadn’t been her, it would have been someone else and the result would have been the same.”
“Damn!” he uttered and spat on the concrete.
“Yeah, I know. But I sweet talked her into pulling the story before it went live.”
“Screw her?” he laughed.
“Nope. Hired her.”
“Hired her?”
“Yeah, can you believe it? She’s my new publicity manager and she’s good, Jason. Real good. Knows what she’s doin’.
“Oh, so you want to screw her. I get it,” he chuckled.
“Won’t say I don’t, but I won’t. She not that kind, Jason. She’s somethin’ special. She’s a keeper and I’m about to screw that up by throwin’ her in the same pen as all the others.”
Jason was shaking his head, unbelieving of what I was saying.
“I know what you’re thinkin’, I really do. I’ve got her livin’ at the ranch with me … in the other end of the house, and I haven’t laid a finger on her. Anyway, she’s got some pretty good ideas about getting me some publicity. You might say she’s planning to make the black sheep look like the savior of the herd.”
“What the hell?”
He was thoughtful. I could see the concept processing behind his eyes.
“How’s she plannin’ to do this?”
“Oh, she’s got her ways, believe me. She knows all that Internet shit. Makes it out to be her private newspaper. She wants to set up some celebrity appearances for me as I work the circuit.”
“So, how does this involve me?”
I knew he would get to that. He may be a little beat up, but his brain was clear.
“I figured you and I kind of share some similarities. We’ve both been tied to the drink, seen the back end of a bull, and need some polish on our reputations. I figure if I let her do all this for me, I’m going to stand out like a sore thumb. People will catch on and it’ll actually come out worse than if I did nothin’. Now, if you, on the other hand, were to sort of do this with me, we’d be more like a ‘movement’, so to speak. Not so trackable, not so accountable.”
“I get you,” his head was nodding in understanding. “But what does it mean for the future?”
“Well, she seems to think it could mean some endorsements. That’s big money, buddy. We play it right and it could mean a nice little nest egg for you. Might be enough to get you started in some little business when your ridin’ days are over,” I said, bringing up a sensitive subject and hoping he would take it well.
“Yeah, I get you,” he said.
“So? You in?”
He thought a moment and just then Corrine called from inside the house to say that lunch was ready. That seemed to seal the deal. “I’m in,” he said abruptly. “Can’t get no worse than it is, I guess.”
I nodded and reached forward to shake his hand. “I’ll be in touch,” I told him and handed him the empty beer bottle.
“Stayin’ for lunch?” he invited.
“Nope, but thanks. Ate just before I came and I got a few more guys to talk to. I’m building just the right group for this. I don’t want to stand out, and neither do you. Group publicity is much safer, as you know.”
“You whip that herd into shape, Blake,” he urged and watched me as I got into the truck and turned around to pull down his drive.
I paid a few more visits that afternoon and wound up at the ranch just before dinner. Silver didn’t hear me come in; she was napping on the chair by the pool. I took advantage of the time by studying her. Her long, dancer’s legs made me hard and I longed to kiss the inside of her thighs. Her tummy was flat and I could see the blonde hairs on her arm glisten in the late afternoon sunshine. I let myself go there; that valley between her full breasts which were now in a soft-pink bikini top with ruffles at the bottom. It was like seeing her as a young girl and a beautiful woman all in one package. I wasn’t sure what she was blocking about her childhood, but I had a feeling it wasn’t good and it made me want to protect her.
She stirred and her eyes opened sleepily, making me want to hug her to my chest. “Hi,” she murmured.
“Hi, yourself.”
“You just get home?” she asked and it stirred me to hear her refer to the ranch as home.
“Yup.”
“I’ll get up and start dinner.”
“I’ve got a better idea. How about you get dressed and let me take you out on the town?”
“You sure? I mean, that’s really not like business, is it?” Her brow was crinkled as though she was trying to keep things professional but her heart wanted to do otherwise.
“We’ll call it a business meeting,” I told her and she smiled and nodded.
“Be right with you,” she said and disappeared inside. I took a quick dip and then hit the shower and dressed myself. I splashed on a little cologne but wouldn’t let myself ignore what I’d done.
I was having a glass of wine in the living area when she came in. She could have knocked me over. Her perfect figure was encased in a tight, black dress and those legs ended in high spiked heels. Her silver head was piled atop her head and held in place with a single gold pin. She literally glittered from head to foot. My entire body groaned internally to take her into my arms.
“Wow,” I breathed in a soft tone.
“You like?”
I could tell that my next words would somehow make or break a huge part of her life. “You are stunning.”
She smiled, as much to herself as to me and nodded. “Thank you.”
We got into the Escalade and she let me drive. I took her to the best restaurant in Dallas and we ordered a half different entrees and picked a bite from each, just to be extravagant. I ordered a selection of wines to complement each of the foods and we sampled these as well. There was a small orchestra next to the dance floor and that night I held a silver angel in my arms.
It was well through the night before we pulled back into the drive and I went around and opened the door for her. She turned to get out and instead, I scooped her into my arms and carried her indoors. I turned down her hallway and laid her on her bed. I wanted my silver angel.
Chapter 11
Meli
Blake stood over me, looking down as if I was made of precious glass. The light from the entryway spilled into my room, but it was otherwise dark. He bent down and pulled the golden pin that held my hair atop my head. It felt so good and so decadent to be released and I gently shook my head to spread it across the pillow.
He was kicking off his shoes and socks without even bending over. His jacket hit the floor and I reached upward and removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. We both knew this was coming; we were both ready. The tension all evening had been unbearable.
Blake’s hands moved down to the hemline of my dress and slowly raised it, kissing the inside of my legs and thighs as it went upward. Careful not to tear the fabric, he eased it upward and caught his breath as he discovered I was wearing nothing beneath. He stopped as he reached my breasts, using one hand to touch me as if I was something rare and precious. His fingertip circled my nipple and I felt the electric shock down to my woman’s grotto. With a patience I didn’t think him capable of possessing, he removed the dress over my head and then ran his fingers through my hair, fanning it out even further. It was as if he’d had a fantasy of an image of me for some time and was just now unleashing it for himself.
I reached toward him and looped my fingers inside the waistband of his pants, sliding them slowly from left to right. His head went back as he savored he sensation and I took this moment to hook the zipper and lower it, unbuttoning the waistband at the same time. His penis sprang forward and I could see it straining against the fabric of his underwear. With one hand, I gently reached up and lowered the shorts and he kicked them off his thighs.
His magnificent penis was hard and calling for my touch. I longed to run my hand over its length and finally gave in to what I’d wanted to do since the night he had dived into the pool naked. I sat up and slid my fingers around its base, slowly circling and stroking it higher and higher until I’d reached the tip. I opened my mouth and used both hands to stroke him into the depths of my throat. He groaned and I knew there was hot blood coursing through every part of him.
“I want you,” he whispered and I took one of his hands and ran it up between my thighs, parting my legs at the same time. His head snapped forward and the gray eyes sought the image of my opened womanhood. His mouth opened as he caught his breath and pulled himself from my throat and dove into me with his mouth.
I lay back against the cushions with my eyes closed, relishing in the sensation of his sucking mouth manipulating the tender flesh of my tunnel. I ran my hands over his torso, memorizing the pattern of scars and the thickness of the hair on his chest. I was laying claim and I knew it.
I opened my eyes and in the dim light I saw a tattoo. Puzzled, I finally made it out to be a hawk. “A hawk?” I whispered, the curiosity seemed to e
nhance the sensations he was feeding into my body.
“Childhood pet. Hush now, Silver. I want to be inside of you and for once, please let it be without arguments.”
I smiled and nodded, welcoming him and pulling his head against my breasts.
Blake ran his mouth along my skin, licking beneath my breasts; the sensation was almost more than I could handle. I could feel the heat building inside and my legs parted even further of their own accord. He knew what he was doing for at that moment he rose high above me and then … the bull rider lowered himself into the creature … into me.
I rocked my hips and his breath came in gasps as the sensations rolled through him. He kissed me softly and then rose again before plunging deeply inside. He was claiming me, just as I had him. Moreover, I adored it.
His rhythm increased and with a furious possession, he drove into me, time after time after time. I could feel myself gushing and I raised my hips to meet him. His hands were all over me and I realized what stupendous control he had to support his torso. There could be nothing better than the almost artistic use of his body as he entered me and all I knew was that I wanted more.
At some point, my eyes rolled back and the lights from heaven lowered into my head, bringing with them a convulsive heat that let me leave my body. I felt him stiffen and his heat flooded me. Together we had reached the highest arches of heaven and we clung to one another with the realization that there had never been anything that compared to what we were feeling.
He collapsed next to me and I curled into the hollow between his heaving chest and muscled arm. It was then that he uttered the words that brought the heavens crashing down upon us.
“I love you, Silver.”
Chapter 12
Blake
I felt different when I woke up that morning, although it took me some time to put my finger on exactly why that was. I wasn’t in my own bed; that was my first clue. I was naked, which instantly triggered my memory of the night before, but when I looked, Silver was missing.
“Hey, honey …” I called to her, wishing she’d stayed in bed with me for a little morning reunion. She didn’t answer. “Hey, honey …”