by Cat Johnson
She couldn’t help but let him get to her. “I guess maybe I am.”
“Good.” He smiled and then pressed his lips to hers. He roamed over her body, his palms open as if he wanted to touch as much of her as he could. She could help him with that. She reached down and pulled the shirt off over her head and then pushed her underwear down her legs and stepped out of them.
Skeeter swallowed so hard, she could hear his throat working. “Riley…”
Her name on his lips sounded more like a plea, though whether he was begging her to stop or keep going she wasn’t certain. She did know what she wanted. She reached for the waistband of his shorts and pushed them down his legs. His erection sprang forward from beneath the bottom of the T-shirt he still wore. The shirt had to go too. She wanted to see and feel all of him. She reached for the hem when his hands covered hers.
“I’m not sure—”
“I am.” She pushed his hands away and he let her pull the shirt over his head.
They stood as naked as the day they were born, with one major difference—they were both very much adults. She was ready to start acting like one. She took his hand and led him to the bed, crawling in first and waiting for him to follow her.
He did without the argument she’d half expected from him. When he propped up on his side and leaned in to kiss her, she had to think that maybe he was done fighting this. Skeeter kissed her like he meant it, cupping the back of her head with his hand and holding her to him. He thrust his tongue between her lips while he moved his hand down her body, over her bare skin, all the way to her legs.
She spread her thighs, needing him to touch her there. Last night, she’d missed being with him. They’d all gone to bed early—and stayed in their own beds to get some sleep before today’s event. Tonight would more than make up for it.
The first contact of his hand with the place she needed him to touch so badly had her drawing in a sharp breath. Her heart pounded as she anticipated what they’d do tonight.
Skeeter slid a finger inside her and groaned. “Riley. It’s going to kill me to say this, but as much as I’d like to, we can’t do anything more than this tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t have any condoms and I won’t take that risk with you.”
“I do.”
“I won’t let you take that risk either.”
“No. I mean I snuck off to the store today during the event and I bought condoms.”
“You did?” His eyes popped so wide she had to laugh.
“Yeah.”
The change in Skeeter was immediate. His breath came faster. She could have sworn she felt his hand on her trembling. He swallowed hard again and looked down at her with narrowed eyes. “You sure about this?”
“Yes, very sure.”
“Where are they?”
“In the top drawer of the night stand.” Where she’d guiltily hid them after sneaking them inside so no one would see.
He flipped over and yanked open the drawer and was back to her in a second with the box in his hand. She’d never been more mortified in her life as when she’d had to ask the gas-station attendant to get her the box off the wall behind him. But chances were good she’d never see that guy again. And the expression on Skeeter’s face now made it all worthwhile.
Skeeter surprised her when he put the box down and reached for her braid. “Can I undo this?”
“Yeah, sure.”
It felt like one of the most intimate acts in the world as Skeeter undid her braid…working slowly and deliberately. He threaded his fingers through her hair to cup the back of her head while pressing his mouth to hers. The feel of his hand against her scalp had her melting from the inside. With his other hand, he went to work between her legs, circling, teasing her nerve endings into an impassioned frenzy. She was thrusting up against him in only a couple of minutes.
His mouth stayed over hers and muffled the cries as the orgasm broke. It had barely ended and she was still panting when he sat up on his knees and tore into the cardboard box. He sent the foil wrapper flying onto the nightstand. It took him a few tries to get himself covered, but soon he was kneeling between her spread thighs and gazing at her through the dim glow of the nightlight.
His erection poised at her entrance, he held there. “Not too late to change your mind.”
She appreciated the offer but she had no intention of doing that. “I don’t want to change my mind.”
His relief was visible as he nodded. “Okay.”
Skeeter bit his lip as he looked down to where he pressed ever so slowly inside her. Riley was more than ready for this. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically, she wanted him so badly she could feel the warm wetness spilling out of her. Still, it was the first time and it was a tight fit.
She felt him shaking as he pushed deeper against the resistance. He was halfway in when he looked up at her face. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Keep going.”
Bracing most his weight on one arm, he slid the other one beneath her. He held her close, the heat of his skin burned against hers. With her face pressed against his bare chest, she felt the pounding of his heart as he pushed deeper inside her until there was no more space to be filled.
Heavy above her, Skeeter breathed with short bursts of air. “Can I move?”
She could hear the strain of barely held control in his voice. “God, yes. Please.”
Skeeter rocked his hips back, withdrawing partway before pushing back inside. He let out a stuttering breath. “Oh my God, you feel so good.”
He repeated the motion, each slide of his body into hers easier and better than the first. Now that they’d gotten going, Riley totally agreed. It was very good. And not just the actual sex. She loved everything about being this close to him. The weight of him on her. The warmth of his breath against her ear. Every one of the small sounds he made in his throat to accompany each of the strokes into her.
When he leaned back and met her gaze, holding it as he loved her, she thought her heart would explode with emotion. She welcomed each and every one of his thrusts until he tensed above her and held still.
He squeezed his eyes shut and she felt him press deep as he came.
Panting, he collapsed on top of her, his weight driving the breath from her lungs. He rolled to one side but left his arm and leg stretched across her body. It was a long time before he let out a breathless, “Wow.”
She laughed. “Yeah.”
They lay there next to one another but not talking for a while, until he lifted his head to gaze down at her. “You’re quiet. You okay? Are you sorry we did this?”
“No. No, not at all.”
“Then what?” He brushed a hair off her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She felt the warmth of his breath against her skin.
“I’m just thinking about after all you guys are gone. Slade has to get Jenna to the airport so they’re leaving with Mustang and Sage like tomorrow. I know Silver has to get back soon for both of her jobs, so Garret and probably Aaron too will leave with her since they all came in one vehicle. That leaves you and Chase, if he decides to stay. Even if he does, the midseason break will be over soon and he’ll go back to traveling with the circuit.”
“Yeah, but that still leaves me. It’s not as good as having all of us around, I know, but I think I pull my weight around here.” He smiled.
“You do more than pull your own weight. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” That he wanted to stay and help her earned him a big kiss, but it still left one issue. “But you’re going to get back on that tour. And soon too, if you keep racking up those ninety-point rides like you did today.”
“So? Then I’ll be back on the tour that you provide the bulls for. Remember? We can travel together, if you want. I can help you around here and on the road.”
“You’d do that? Stick around here and work with me even after you’re back on tour?”
“Yeah, I would. If you want me.”
“Of course, I want yo
u.”
“I’d have to stay here. It’s too far to drive home to Mom’s house every night after working here all day.” He let out a short laugh. “I guess I’ll have to figure out how to make your preacher okay with that.”
Her cheeks heated at the mention of the pastor, as if he could somehow know what they’d done before they dared to mention him while naked in bed together. Skeeter must have seen her cringe and laughed. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. Maybe I can find us a suitable chaperone to move in.”
“So that we can sneak around behind his or her back to be alone together?” Riley ran her finger down Skeeter’s naked chest, all the way to the line of soft hair low on his belly. She’d just calmed her racing heart from the first time, but need twisted inside her.
“Most likely.” He pulled her closer to him, nestling his head against hers on the pillow. “It’s getting late. You should try and get some sleep.”
“Are you going back to your room?”
“Do you want me to?”
“No. Definitely not.” All night in bed with Skeeter—Riley could definitely get used to this. She prayed they’d figure out a way for him to stick around, because after tonight, letting him go would be near impossible.
“Then I won’t.”
“What about the other guys? Won’t they notice you gone?”
“I’ll sneak out in the morning early enough they’ll still be sleeping. And early enough there’ll be no risk of a surprise visit from the pastor.”
“Skeeter?”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t want to go to sleep yet.” She slid her hand lower and ran a finger over him. He drew in a breath and stirred beneath her touch.
Groaning, he rolled toward her. “I think I can pull my weight in that department too.”
“Mmm. You sure can.”
Chapter Nineteen
“How long before you guys hit the road?” Skeeter asked Slade during the morning chores.
“We figure we’ll have breakfast, say our goodbyes and then get going.”
“All right.” Skeeter dropped the hose he’d dragged back from the water barrel and brushed the dirt off his hands. “I guess I better say this now then.”
Slade’s brow rose beneath the brim of his hat. “Say what?”
Skeeter glanced around him at the rest of the guys finishing up for the morning. He’d lain awake for half the night while Riley slept next to him. There seemed to be only one conclusion, one solution that made any sense and would make them both happy. “Hey, guys. Can we all talk for a sec?”
Across the paddock, Aaron, Chase and Garret looked up and then made their way over. Mustang was closest. He arrived first and leaned against the fence, arms crossed. “What’s up, kid?”
He waited until they were all there then said, “I’m going to ask Riley to marry me.” Skeeter ignored the wide-eyed stares and open mouths and kept going. “And I’m gonna stay here and help her work the place.”
Garret frowned. “And what? Give up riding?”
Chase laughed at Garret. “That’s what you’re worried about? His riding? What about the fact he’d just announced he’s getting married?”
“I didn’t say I was getting married. I said I was fixin’ to ask her. And no, of course I’m not giving up riding.” Skeeter shook his head. “I can do both.”
Aaron let out a snort. “Skeets, you don’t gotta marry her just to stay here and help her. She has a hired hand who helps her out and she’s not married to him.”
“Her hired hand lives locally. No one would think anything of him being here because he’s only around during the day. He wouldn’t be sleeping at the ranch like I would have to. Unless I sleep in the barn, which I really have no desire to do, I’d be staying in the house with her. It just seems right that I make it official if we’re gonna be living together.” Skeeter knew damn well, married or not, it would be Riley’s bed he shared every night.
They should probably buy a bigger mattress…
“Skeets, I like Riley. Really, I do. She’s cool and nice and she owns some of the best buckers in this hemisphere, but I’m not gonna let you propose to the first girl you ever had sex with.” Judging by the expressions of the rest of the guys, Aaron’s announcement was probably the second most shocking thing they’d heard today.
“Thanks a lot, Aaron.” Skeeter crossed his arms. “And what makes you so sure I’m doing anything with Riley? Including that.”
Aaron cocked a brow. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you sneaking into bed half an hour before sunrise this morning.”
“This true, kid?” Mustang asked.
Which part? That he’d been a virgin at twenty-one? Or that he’d been in Riley’s bed until sunrise? Skeeter wouldn’t throw Riley under the bus by admitting anything. “With all due respect, Mustang, I don’t see how it matters. I’m staying here with Riley and I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
Slade shook his head. “I respect you want to help her, but I think you’re rushing things with Riley, Skeets.”
“But it feels right. More time won’t change that. Didn’t you guys know? Like right away?” Skeeter looked to Slade first.
“Maybe I did know there was something special about Jenna right away, but I didn’t go proposing to her until years later, now did I?”
Slade was no help. Skeeter turned to his other friend. “Garret?”
He’d been there when Garret first met Silver last year. He’d seen the look in his eyes. Before he knew it, they’d snuck off and gotten married.
“Well, my situation with Silver wasn’t exactly cut and dry. And there’s something I gotta tell you guys too while we’re all here together. Now seems as good a time as any. I wasn’t going to say anything because we didn’t want to steal Slade and Jenna’s thunder with the engagement and all.” Garret ran his hands over his face as he blew out a breath. “But I’m a little freaked out and you’re gonna notice something’s up so here goes. Silver’s pregnant.”
“What?” Aaron’s mouth dropped open. “She’s my sister and you don’t even tell me?”
“Dude, relax. She just texted and told me a few minutes ago.” Garret held up his cell phone.
“She texted you she’s pregnant? Oh, that’s just wrong.” Aaron shook his head.
“No, I asked her to. She told me this morning she was driving to town to buy another test because she didn’t trust the results of the first one. I told her to text the moment she took it.”
“Damn, things are moving so fast around here I can’t keep up.” Chase shook his head. “Were you two trying to get pregnant?”
“No.” Garret let out a laugh. “But I guess we weren’t exactly trying too hard not to either. Not since she went off the pill because the hormones were messing her up.”
“Dude. Too much information. Enough, please.” Aaron held his hand to his eyes.
“You said you’re freaked out. You not happy about this?” Mustang never did pull any punches.
“Nah, I’m happy. Just surprised…and scared shitless. I don’t even feel like a grown up some days. How am I supposed to be a father?” Garret swallowed hard and looked a little green around the edges. It made Skeeter feel a little better about all the uncertainty in his own life.
“You’ll be fine. Nothing like a baby to make you grow up fast.” Slade slapped Garret on the back. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you two.”
“So speaking of babies…” Mustang shot Slade a glance. “Anything you need to tell us?”
Slade’s brows drew low. “No, there’s not, and no, I didn’t ask Jenna to marry me because of that. She’s not pregnant. I’m just tired of being apart from the woman when there’s no good reason for it.”
“Just checking.” Mustang turned to Skeeter. “And we’re back to you, I guess. Anything we can say to talk you into waiting on this thing with Riley?”
“Nope. My mind is made up.” Skeeter had already started on the plan.
He’d called his mom way too ear
ly this morning and talked to her about it. She’d cried, but he was pretty sure they were happy tears. She’d offered him his grandma’s wedding ring to give to Riley. It was there at home waiting for him until he could go pick it up.
Mustang let out a breath. “Okay, then I guess I’ll wish you good luck. Know that I’m here for you if you need anything.”
“We all are,” Chase agreed. The rest of the guys nodded.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“All right, then.” Mustang pushed off from the fence where he’d been leaning. “If there are no more announcements or life-altering events on the table for discussion, I’m going in to get cleaned up and eat.”
The rest of the guys followed Mustang toward the house, but Aaron hung back next to Skeeter. “Skeets, me too. I’m here for you. I want you to know that.”
“Thanks, Aaron.”
“And I’m sorry I slipped about…you know.”
Bringing up the virgin discussion again wouldn’t help anything, so Skeeter shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s forgotten.”
“So when are you gonna ask her?”
“Don’t know yet. Soon, since I want it official by the time you guys all leave for home and we’re alone here. But I’d like to have the ring when I do it. I just hate to spend a day on the road driving back and forth to get it.” If he took the time to drive all the way home, he’d like to stay a few days and visit with his mom, but right now wasn’t the time to leave Riley for that long. Not when she was still getting back on her feet.
Aaron raised a brow. “You don’t have to drive to get it. Ever hear of overnight mail?”
Skeeter hadn’t even thought of that. “You think? Is it safe? What if it gets lost?”
“The post office has bar codes and delivery tracking and all sorts of shit now. Insure the hell out of it and put tracking on it. It’ll be safe.”
His heart sped just at the thought. He could have his mother overnight it to him today. It could be here tomorrow. In a little over twenty-four hours, he could be engaged to Riley. “Thanks, Aaron.”
Aaron shook his head. “I should have kept my big mouth shut. Maybe you would have had a change of heart if you’d had to wait to get the ring.”