More Than a Cowboy (Reckless, Arizona)

by Cathy McDavid

  “You, ah, need to stop that.”

  She settled herself more snugly in his lap. “Is that what you really want?”

  “What I want isn’t what I should do.”

  My goodness, he was stronger willed than she’d given him credit for. “The partnership agreement’s signed and sealed. My parents are reconciling. Mercer doesn’t need you anymore.”

  “Liberty.”

  “One kiss.” She pressed her lips lightly to his.

  With a swiftness that threatened to unseat her, he threaded his fingers into her hair and molded her mouth to his. The sparks were instantaneous, and her surrender complete.

  She wound her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, as close as their positions would allow. No way could he mistake her meaning.

  He didn’t and groaned in ecstasy—or was it agony? Had she hurt his shoulder? He tightened his hold and angled her body, increasing the intimacy of their contact.

  Nope, his shoulder was obviously just fine.

  The kiss went on and on. She stopped caring about Mercer or proprieties or what they should and shouldn’t do. Since that day in the garage, she’d been waiting for this. Dreaming of it.

  Why, then, did Deacon abruptly pull away, leaving her breathless and a little confused?

  “Is something wrong?”

  “I promised your father there was nothing to worry about, that there were no improprieties between us.”

  “Can’t you fire him or something?”

  “I can terminate our representation contract.”

  “Then do it.”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I’m a big girl, Deacon. I make my own decisions. About who I want to be with and what I want to do with them.” Should he be uncertain, she traced the line of his jaw with her fingertip. “There are no guarantees. If I wind up hurt, or you for that matter, it will simply be a consequence of what happens. Not because one of us set out to hurt the other.”

  “I don’t take this—us, what might be happening between us—lightly.”

  “What is happening between us,” she corrected.

  “I care about you.”

  “If you didn’t, I wouldn’t be sitting on your lap, trying my utmost to seduce you. Frankly, I’m surprised you’re resisting. I happen to think I’m irresistible.”

  “You are.”

  “Show me.”

  Hoisting her into his arms, he rose from the couch.

  Liberty clung to him, then buried her face in his neck as he walked from the living room, down the hall and to his bedroom.

  Deacon, perfect guy. Sweeping her off her feet yet again.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Make love to me, Deacon.”

  He’d been waiting for her to say that, anticipating this moment since he’d first seen Liberty a week after returning to Reckless. They shouldn’t be here, lying across his king-size mattress with only one small light providing illumination. Not until he’d officially terminated his representation agreement with Mercer.

  But she’d tempted him beyond reason, and Deacon had yielded. No one knew all the sordid details of his past, including Liberty. He’d told her more than anyone, however, and the connection he felt with her demolished the last of his defenses.

  She was soft as silk. Everywhere. He knew because he’d been exploring her body’s lush, slick places from the instant their clothes hit the floor.

  The mild hum from the ceiling fan was the only sound in the room, save for the sexy, needy moans she emitted when she particularly liked where his mouth and fingers wandered. He might have groaned once or twice, a response completely beyond his control. The sight of her naked form in that shadowy half-light, her arms stretched over her head, was more than he could take.

  “Don’t stop,” she pleaded, and pulled him onto her.

  She was fire, and he the timber she consumed with a mindless frenzy. No sooner had he settled his body along the length of hers than she lifted her hips to meet his. The contact set off a series of tiny explosions inside him.

  “Are you sure?” He bit out the question between clenched teeth.

  “What do you think?” She reached for the condom on the nightstand and tore it open with a playful grin.

  He took it from her and quickly sheathed himself. No sooner did he finish than she took hold of his erection, the sensation nearly as exquisite as earlier when she’d teased and tortured him in ways that were permanently branded in his memory.

  “Liberty, I—” His mind went blank as she guided him inside her warm folds. After that, he was lost. To her, in her, with her.

  Slow, he reminded himself. He must go slow. Make this last.

  “Deacon, please.” She moved beneath him, rotating her hips and driving him wild.

  “Yes.” He increased his rhythm only marginally.

  She dug her fingers into his buttocks, urging him on. Still, he didn’t hurry, not until he felt the first tremors seize her. Then, he plunged into her, deep and fast.

  She came quickly, like a spectacular fireworks display. His name fell from her lips over and over, ceasing only when their mouths were fused together in a searing kiss. Joined as intimately as possible for a man and woman to be, he shared the last moments of her release. Afterward, she lay limp beneath him, a serene, satisfied expression on her face.

  “Mmm. That was...wonderful.”

  “Glad you enjoyed it.” He nibbled the smooth hollow at the base of her neck.

  She squirmed. “Stop it.”

  Ticklish. He’d have to remember that for later. And there would be a later. One night wasn’t nearly enough.

  “I can do better.” He had yet to pull out of her. With renewed energy, he began thrusting.

  “Prove it.” She met his gaze, eyes wide open, and didn’t look away.

  “Will you come again?”

  She arched into him. “Make me.”

  That was all it took. Deacon let go. His release hit him with the force of a speeding freight train. He thought Liberty might have climaxed again but was too caught up in his own pleasure to tell for sure.

  Afterward, they cuddled for several long minutes, fingers linked, legs entwined. Because she suggested it, they took a shower, though washing up was forgotten when Deacon showed her just how incredible their wet bodies felt sliding against each other.

  He toweled her off and watched contentedly when she borrowed his comb and toothbrush. Bedtime routines were infinitely more interesting when done naked.

  She hadn’t mentioned leaving or him taking her home. He was suddenly afraid she might. Next to making love to her, Deacon wanted nothing more than to wake up with her beside him.

  When they finished in the bathroom, they fell into bed. Deacon tucked the sheets around her.

  “Tired?”

  He lay on his back, Liberty on her side. He draped an arm around her shoulders. She traced invisible circle eights on his chest and stomach.

  “A little,” she murmured sleepily. “Are you?”

  “Getting there.” He cranked his head sideways to look at the digital clock on the nightstand. “It’s almost one. I can’t believe it.”

  “Don’t remind me.” She groaned and covered her eyes.

  “What time do you have to be up?”

  She peeked at him through splayed fingers. “I’m not saying. It’ll only depress me.”

  With the second day of the rodeo starting at nine, she’d have to be at work by the crack of dawn.

  “Should you let your family know you’re not coming home?”

  “I’ll text them in the morning. They’re probably asleep by now.”

  “We should get some shut-eye, too.” He kissed her forehead.

  “Don’t tell any
one about tonight, okay? In case Mercer hears. I don’t want you getting in trouble with him.”

  “I won’t mention it. But we were seen together at the Hole in the Wall.”

  “Dancing is one thing. Spending the night, another.”

  “I’m meeting with him on Monday. I would make it tomorrow, except he’s going to be busy with the rodeo.”

  “Good,” she murmured.

  Deacon felt her head grow heavy on his arm.

  He didn’t remember falling asleep. The next thing he knew, Liberty bolted upright and a rooster was crowing somewhere nearby. A rooster? In his room?

  “That’s my cell phone,” she said, and climbed out of bed. “Where are my clothes?”

  Deacon reached for the lamp and switched it on.

  Digging the phone out of her jeans pocket, she checked the display and rolled her eyes. “Damn, it’s Cassidy.”

  The clock read 6:37 a.m. They’d overslept.

  “Are you going to answer it?” Climbing out of bed, he found his own jeans and stepped into them. His shirt followed.

  “Hello,” Liberty said with exaggerated brightness. “I’m, uh, fine. Yeah, sorry. I fell asleep and forgot to set the alarm on my phone.” She located her bra and panties and, balancing the phone in the crook of her neck, slipped into them. “No, I didn’t. I’ll tell you later. Really, I’m perfectly fine. Fabulous, in fact.” She shot Deacon a smile. Then, her features promptly fell. “He what! No, I had no clue. Relax, Cassidy. Mom won’t fire Tatum. She loves her like another daughter.” Liberty’s responses were clipped and terse. “I’ll see you shortly. A half hour. Fine, fine. Twenty minutes.”

  “Everything okay?” he asked when she disconnected.

  “I think so. Other than I have to explain my absence last night.”

  “I’m serious, honey.”

  “Honey?” She sidled over to him. “That’s the first time you’ve called me that.”

  “Get used to it.” He took her by the arms and kissed her briefly. He’d have liked to linger, but there wasn’t time. “What’s wrong?”

  “Mercer and my mother apparently called my brother Ryder last night. They asked him to come home and help run the arena. With business increasing, Mercer thinks we could use a marketing expert.”

  “Is that what Ryder does?”

  “According to Mercer, he’s some kind of semi-genius.” Liberty splashed water on her face, then ran the comb through her short blond hair. It lay in pretty waves, framing her face. Deacon liked the look, so different from her usual one.

  “That’s good, then.” He used the comb after her, enjoying how easily they accomplished their morning routine together. Just like they had their bedtime one.

  “It’s great,” she said. “I would love for Ryder to come home. That’s one of the main reasons I’ve pushed my parents together. Except Cassidy’s against it.”

  “Why?”

  “She thinks Ryder will be a threat to Tatum’s job.”

  “She runs the office.”

  “She also handles our marketing—what there is of it.”

  “But that’s only a small part of her job, right?”

  “Exactly!” Liberty shoved her feet into her boots.

  They quickly finished dressing and headed out the door. Deacon held Liberty’s hand the entire drive to the Easy Money.

  A quarter mile away, the rooster crowed again. “Yeah, sis,” she said into the phone, her voice strained. “We’re almost there. Uh-huh. What?” As she listened, lines of consternation appeared on her brow. “He didn’t! Oh, my God. I will. Yes, see you in a minute.”

  “Something else happen?” Deacon asked.

  “Mercer came in while Mom and Cassidy were eating breakfast and announced that he’s buying six bulls. Can you believe it? Mom came unglued, of course, and refused to authorize the expenditure. Then he told her he was using his own money. That’s apparently why he wants Ryder home. He says bucking bulls will double or triple our revenue, which is why we need a full-time marketing expert.”

  “Ah.”

  “Ah? That’s your response?”

  “Are you surprised?” Deacon turned his truck into the arena driveway. “Mercer is a livestock foreman.”

  “But he can’t buy bulls per the partnership agreement. I know. I read it.”

  “My guess is he’s hoping to convince your mother to go along with him.”

  “Truthfully, I’m in favor of owning our own bulls. Especially if it brings Ryder home.” She slumped in her seat. “But Mom is going to fight Mercer tooth and nail.”

  “He may have more influence on her than you think.”

  “What are you going to do?” she asked as Deacon parked next to her SUV.

  “My job is to advise your dad to the best of my ability.”

  “I meant about us.”

  Deacon cut the engine, glad she considered them an “us” and glad she was concerned about their future. “I’m giving Mercer a month’s notice. That’s only fair. And I’ll agree to work with whatever attorney he hires to replace me.”

  “Okay.” She smiled happily.

  “The bulls and your family, that’s something you’ll have to handle on your own. Even after Mercer and I officially part ways, I’ll support you and be there for you, but it’s best if I remain on the sidelines.”

  “You’re right.” She stared at the house, her breath escaping in a long sigh. “I’m not looking forward to this. Or the questions Mom and Cassidy will ask about us.”

  “How will you answer them?”

  “Vaguely.” She leaned across the console to place a light peck on his cheek. “I intend to leave them guessing as long as possible.”

  She was coming home at seven in the morning after being out all night. Deacon didn’t think there’d be much guessing involved.

  * * *

  MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, the kitchen was the place where the Beckett women conducted their powwows. This morning was no exception.

  Liberty sat at the table and sipped a cup of coffee, a morning ritual she’d forgone at Deacon’s. The caffeine-infused brew was something she desperately needed. By her estimation, they’d managed barely five hours of sleep. What promised to be a long day was going to feel even longer as the hours dragged by.

  “I don’t like the way he...he...bribes us by suggesting Ryder come home, then drops the bombshell about the bulls.” Cassidy scrubbed her face tiredly. She hadn’t had much sleep, either. None of them had, apparently.

  She’d propped Benjy in front of the TV with a bowl of cereal. It wasn’t something she typically did. Cassidy hated using the TV as a babysitter, but today she’d made an exception. Because he was only a few feet away in the other room, they kept their voices at a reasonable level.

  “And what about Tatum?” Cassidy continued. She sat across from their mother with Liberty in between.

  “She’ll always have a job here as long as she wants one,” Sunny insisted. “Which I hope won’t be long. The school board votes on the annual budget in a few months, and with luck, she’ll have her old teaching position back. If not, she remains an Easy Money employee. Rest assured.”

  “What if Mercer says we can’t afford her?” Cassidy asked. “Ryder won’t be working for free, and I’m sure he’ll be earning considerably more than Tatum.”

  “I run the office and admin side of the business. She will not be terminated. For any reason.”

  Cassidy appeared somewhat mollified.

  “I want Ryder to come home,” Liberty said, her voice thick with emotion. She blamed the lack of sleep. “My big brother...and I hardly know him. If buying a few bulls makes that happen, I vote yes.”

  “I want him home, too.” Her mother also had a catch in her voice. “I haven’t seen him in years. But I can’t
allow your father to manipulate me.”

  Liberty could relate. Mercer had manipulated her, too, using her to force his way back into their lives. There was no denying he was doing it again with her mother and the bulls.

  But while his methods were questionable and not easy to forgive, his motives weren’t. Like her, he wanted only to reunite the Becketts and, she was coming to realize, secure the future for his children and grandson. That wasn’t such a horrible ambition.

  “There has to be some compromise you two can reach,” Liberty said.

  Cassidy immediately countered her. “We swore we would never own any bulls again.”

  Liberty was tired of her sister constantly fighting their father at every step. “So, we have bulls again. Mercer’s right. It will increase our revenue. We can have the best arena and best bucking horses in the state, but cowboys want bulls to ride, too.”

  “We have bulls. We lease them.”

  “Only during events. And we pay through the nose. With our own bulls, we can put on jackpots and charge for practice sessions.”

  “I appreciate what you’re saying, sweetie.” Sunny reached over and patted Liberty’s hand. “For most livestock contractors, this would be a no-brainer. But if your father and I are to have a fair and equitable partnership, he must respect me. Not make decisions, especially bad ones, without my input or approval. That’s what drove the business into the ground after he started drinking.”

  “He’s in charge of the livestock operations,” Liberty argued. “How is it he can’t make decisions without your input or approval but you can without his? You just said Tatum would always have a job with us, no matter what.”

  “First of all, there’s a big difference between Tatum and the bulls. She’s family. Having bulls nearly ruined us.”

  “Was it really that bad?”

  “You were young. You don’t remember.”

  “I remember you were worried it might ruin us and relieved when it didn’t.”

  “There were a few lean months. None of us wants to go through that again.”

  “Accidents like Ernie’s are rare.”

  If it even was an accident. Liberty was having serious doubts.

  “Bulls are expensive and high maintenance,” Sunny said. “Our costs will soar, and the increase in revenue may not be enough to cover them.”