by Lee, Judith
“Oh God, Dakota, I may need to use my fingers because I’m missing you so much. What have you done to me, my cowboy?”
“Feeling the same way, honey.” They were both quiet for a few minutes. “Oh Shit,” Dakota shouted. “I forgot my fingers were still frozen and I tried to fist my cock. That was definitely a mood changer.” They both laughed.
“I better let you get some sleep, remember stay with your dad so I don’t have to worry about you to. Night darlin’.”
Chapter Nineteen
Dakota was ready to go back to Georgia. He was getting sick of being away from her. At least the disaster work was winding down with the snow melting and blowing away. They’d had to haul a lot of dead carcasses to the dump sight. It hadn’t been easy with the frozen ground and their damn plow had picked a hell of a time to start acting up. He and Dakota had been working on it all morning. Jared was taking care of all the other ranch’s normal activities. His mom had even temporally moved back on the ranch to help Tammy with cooking for so many people who had volunteered to help. Cameron had even gotten time off from his magazine to come help. He’d promised them a story about the effects of the storm. Cameron was out checking for anymore dead cattle.
A few of the ranchers from other areas of the state not effected by one of Wyoming’s worst late fall snow storms had come to help them save what cattle they could, but now most of the other ranchers had gone home. They had found many of the cattle frozen in their low lying lands where the snow had completely covered them up. Dakota had never seen a disaster of this magnitude on his ranch. He was thankful that his sister Jenny, as the ranch’s bookkeeper, had done a good job saving some of their profits over the last half dozen years for just this type of emergency. The ranch would survive. It helped that both he and Cody had made a lot of money on the circuit and through their sponsors. They wouldn’t have to go borrow money to get back on their feet like many of the other nearby families were going to have to do.
Georgia’s dad had called and told him he’d give them a good price on some heifers and some already bred cows. Many of the other ranchers offered to help the ranchers who lost so many of their herds. Dakota knew why he always loved being a rancher. He liked the hard work, but it was the culture of the western men and women who worked ranches and farms. They were the kind of people who would give you the shirt off their backs because they knew you’d do the same for them. If your barn burned down, they’d all come to help rebuild it. If it was branding time, you could count on your neighbors coming to help. Everything was going to be restored to order. But what he needed the most was Georgia. Living these weeks without her made him realize he wasn’t whole without her. And although they had spent lots of time on the phone and texting each other, enough was enough. Damn it, he missed her. At dinner he was going to tell Cody and the family he was going back to Georgia’s place the next day and that he planned to ask her to marry him when the timing was right.
All the ranch hands were back and the clean–up was going as well as expected. He wanted to see Georgia before he had to head out to California for three Professional Rodeo Rider’s events in San Diego, Ontario, and Bakersfield, California in the later part of November. If his sponsors didn’t expect him to be there to promote their new product line, he would have skipped it. If he continued to do well on the circuit the extra money would come in handy. Certainly when he received his advertising fees he would be back in good standing and he’d have extra money to buy his girl the ring he wanted to get her. He needed to help build back up the family savings, and his own account. He didn’t want to start a long term a relationship without sufficient money in the bank.
After California he’d take December off from the rodeo circuit to spend time split between his family and Georgia’s family. And he planned to bring Georgia with him back to their ranch for a while so the family could get to know her better. The next stop on the rodeo tour was the National Western Rodeo and Stock show in Denver, Colorado in January. That’s where he hoped to ask Georgia to marry him. God at least that’s what he hoped, if nothing else went wrong.
And damn but he was still worried. He knew she was still in danger from that crazy bitch Sharon and being away from her the last several weeks had caused him nothing but anxiety in addition to the stress caused by the storm. Justin had called him several times to assure him that they were keeping a close eye on Georgia and that Sharon and her son had disappeared from sight. That didn’t necessarily reassure him that Georgia was safe.
At dinner that night, he listened to Cameron talking about Kate. He smiled to himself, that his little brother wouldn’t even admit to himself that he really liked Kate. Unconsciously, he made references about her all during the day. Yeah, most of the time he was cussing her out, but that didn’t keep him from thinking about her. It was just a matter of time and Cameron was going to get off of first base and see where things were going with her.
“She quit the magazine,” Cameron said, “and moved back to Rapid City where her daughter is. After complaining so bad about me stealing her story, you’d think she’d be more serious about her job. Can’t understand that woman.”
“You never told us how your date with Kate went in Vegas,” Jenny asked.
His eyes took on a thoughtful far-away expression. “Don’t know…guess it went good. We didn’t argue, not much anyway. She can be so stubborn.”
“Did you kiss her?” she giggled.
“Sis did anyone ever tell you that you need to keep your nose out of other people’s business especially your brothers.”
“So you did kiss her, ha ha…” Jenny pointed her fork at Cameron.
Jared put his arm around his new wife, “Careful darlin’ a man’s got to have some secrets about the ladies he dates.”
“You have secrets?”
“No Jenny, I have you. Just give me a kiss and leave Cameron alone,” to which she did just that.
Kissing at the table had been a common occurrence with the two newlyweds present. Honestly, it made Dakota just a little jealous. Their mom had canceled the wedding reception for Cody and Tammy and would be rescheduling it in the spring as more of a thank you party for all the help their neighbors had given them and also for them to get to know Tammy better. Dakota was happy for his brother and sister who had found the kind of love with Tammy and Jared; he hoped he’d have for the rest of his life with Georgia.
“Speaking of women. You may have guessed that I’ve fallen hard for Georgia. I’m going to ask her to marry me, hopefully in January at the Denver Stock.”
Everyone offered their congratulations at the same time. There were high fives and a few raised beers to toast the announcement.
“I always thought I would spend the rest of my life living at the ranch, but I think if Georgia wants to live on her ranch, I’m going to move there. You know you can always count on me to come back and help when you need me.”
Cody said, “Whether you live here or not, this is your ranch, too and you will get some of the profits. But bro we want you to be happy, wherever you live. I mean that.”
“Thank you. I have to start the Pro Rodeo circuit in California in a few days so I’ve decided to go spend some time with Georgia before I leave. Damn, I miss her and I’m still worried about Justin’s crazy ex. That bull could have killed her. You don’t know how terrified Georgia is of those bulls. Leaving her so soon after her near miss with the bull was hard enough. I just don’t want to go the whole month without being with her.”
“We are winding down on the effects of the storm and we’ve got all of our help back. I agree you need to go be with her. We’ll do our best to all come see you at the Denver Stock Growers Show,” Cody said shaking Dakota’s hand. “You more than did your share to help save the heifers and cows. It would have been worse without you there with Jared. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to get home.”
“Thanks.”
Cameron said, “I’m thinking about making some changes, too. You know I like being her
e at the ranch, but I really like being a writer. I’m thinking about giving notice after the Denver show, and coming home to work here and do what I always wanted to do in my down time. I want to write cowboy stories. I want to see if I can get some books published. It’ll be hard and I know up front I’ll get some rejections but I’ve got the gumption to work hard and keep at it.”
Dakota said, “That’s not a big surprise Cameron. You have been writing and keeping journals since you were a kid, and you spent more time writing when we traveled than anything. I know you’ll make it. I hope someday you find the right woman, maybe Kate, to complete the rest of your life.”
Cameron laughed, “Don’t know about Kate, but thanks I want to do this.”
Dakota felt peace sitting with his family talking at the dinner table. This was a close family and all he needed was to add Georgia to their family. He couldn’t wait.
Chapter Twenty
Georgia was sitting in the rocker on the cabin’s front porch getting ready to work some leather lotion into some of the harnesses when she heard a vehicle pull up in front of the main ranch. She wiped her hands off and stood up.
She couldn’t see who it was. Her heart sped up.
Her eyes quickly scanned the nearby corral as she looked to see if Joe, their ranch foreman, was still working with the horses. What if it was Sharon or one of her minions there to do her harm? Joe started to climb on the fence to come check out who had arrived at the ranch. She saw him stop and wave to the newcomer.
Georgia’s head flew around to see who it was.
Oh my God, Dakota.
She was off the porch running into his arms. His lips met hers as he lifted her into the air and held her close. It might have been minutes or longer, she was beyond thinking, when Dakota finally pulled his lips away from her. “I missed you Georgia. God so much. Is your dad around?”
Her hand caressed his cheek. She couldn’t quit looking into his eyes, “No, he’ll be gone for a few hours. Out checking the cattle.”
Dakota turned and acknowledged Joe, “Thanks for keeping an eye on her. I got her now.” And he picked Georgia up and carried her into the cabin, locking the door before he took her into the bedroom.
She would have been happy if he’d taken her as soon as he walked in the house, but with all the windows, she knew they needed privacy for this reunion.
And Dakota didn’t disappoint.
The minute he closed the door he was all over her, slamming her into the door and ripping her clothes off before she could even help. His tongue was plunging into her mouth and he was touching her everywhere. She was already moaning and moving her body in the rhythm of lovers.
He hadn’t even removed his coat, but he unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned his pants dropping them around his boots. His large hands lifted her naked butt up and he wrapped her legs around him as he plunged into her. He growled at her as his lips found the pulse at her neck. “Honey, I’m going to be rough and fast, can’t help it…”
“I want this too. Oh God Dakota, faster,” she moaned.
Their pulses beat in harmony and their breathing escalated to the point of their needing to cry out as ecstasy washed over their bodies as they both jerked and trembled to the heat of their joint orgasm. He gripped her butt and back tighter to him squeezing every last bit of pleasure from her.
When he finally let her slide down his body, he touched her skin where the cold buttons of his coat had left a mark on her. He leaned his head down to kiss the marks. “Sorry Georgia, I needed you quick.” He turned her body around and ran his hand over her back. He kissed her shoulders where he had slammed her against the door.
He lifted her up and carried her to the bed and quickly finished undressing himself. “I forgot to use the condom again.”
She just smiled at him. “Best case scenario…,” she reminded him.
As his body slid down over her naked body, she caught her breath.
Damn so hot.
His lips went to her breasts and she arched her body to receive his mouth. She whimpered and dug her fingers into his black hair. His other hand caressed her other breast and the rest of her curves, lingering on her hip. He pulled away from her and looked up and down her body. He growled under his breath, “Been way too long.”
She wasn’t surprised he was hard again in just a few minutes. Dakota was never satisfied with just one time. He was the kind of lover who wasn’t content until he’d brought her to multiple orgasms and since his lips were heading south, she knew he’d quickly bring her back to another blazing inferno in a matter of moments.
Several hours later and totally satisfied, they lay tangled in each other’s body. He was still peppering gentle kisses all over her face. She thought to herself, this is what contentment is. She could absolutely get used to this. The last several weeks had been hard on her and Dakota, but also on her father who had had to put up with her mood swings.
“My dad was getting ready to load me up in the truck and take me to you. I have not been good company. I missed you so much. Can you stay for a while?” she crossed her fingers.
I have some rodeo and advertising commitments I can’t get out of in the next few weeks in California but I promise December is going to be for us. We aren’t going to be separated. My family wants me to bring you and your dad for Christmas but that’s the only thing I’d like to do except stay locked in your bedroom. So you’re stuck with me. Hope we can figure something out to do in our free time.”
She laughed and smacked him in the arm. “Oh don’t worry about that cowboy…I’ve been dreaming of places I’d like to make love to you at. A few of the places we might have to wait until it’s not so damn cold.”
“I like your way of thinking. How about a hot shower before we go say hi to your dad. I’m sure Joe told him you were with me, but I’m sure he’d like to see for himself.”
***
The next few days flew by. Dakota had enjoyed working alongside Georgia and her father. Justin was doing his best to make him feel more than a welcome guess but as a member of his family. Being with Georgia’s father helped him with his grief he still felt for his father. Georgia had told him the ache would never really go away but it would become more bearable.
Before he knew it he was on the road again to California. He’s asked Georgia to go with him, but she thought she should stay and help her dad and maybe look for a new job. She had gotten the word from Wittig that the board had decided to let her go for hitting one of the big rodeo stars. It might have died down, but Brad had made such a stink to the Sport’s Company that they had no choice. Dakota was sure he had done it to get back at her and him. Vindictive.
Dakota had heard Brad wouldn’t be able to compete in California, but he was looking forward to seeing him in Denver. He had a bone to pick with him and if Brad couldn’t compete a little longer because of some new broken ribs, than that would just be a damn shame.
***
Sharon had been lucky so far. Before Justin had realized it she had pulled five thousand dollars out of his account. Then he had changed his password. She had gone to the ranch to demand some living expense money and when no one was around, she’d seen Georgia go back into the tack room. She had opened the corral gate hoping the bull would take Georgia out.
She had gotten out of there fast and she and Roy had headed to Brad Smith’s place. He had asked her to send him a picture of herself which she did, actually sending him a naked picture. He’d written back fast and told her to get her ass to his place. And they had made a deal.
Although he was pretty sore, and he looked horrendous with his broken nose and black and blue marks all over his body, she found something very sexy about this younger cowboy. To seal the deal, she had immediately unzipped his pants and given him a blow job. Luckily Roy knew if she was having sex, he was to vamoose it out of there. She decided right there that she would make him a very happy man at least until she was able to get her revenge.
Things had been going according to
her plan. Due to the weather they had decided to wait until the Denver Stock Show to make their move. Brad told her it would give his body time to heal so that if he had to take on one of the Tiller brothers, this time he’d be ready and not caught off guard by a surprise.
And as Brad started healing he certainly took advantage of the sex between them. He had gone to the doctor who had re-broken his nose and straighten it out and the swelling and the black and blue was finally starting to fade. She realized he was a gorgeous looking man and wondered why Georgia had been so blind. Of course, Dakota wasn’t a bad piece to look at either. Brad didn’t seem to mind that she was older than him. He probably didn’t even realize how old she was because she had spent lots of money making sure she was beautiful. Her experience and willingness to do kinky sex with him was all he seemed to care about. Although she didn’t like being tied up and getting a strap taken to her, what he gave her after…well it more than made up for it.
She had had too many of her parent’s drunken friends do all sorts of masochistic things to her. She only let him because she needed him. Since he wasn’t forcing it on her, and she was a willing partner, she felt like she was still in control. If the scales tipped it and he forced her, she’d kill him. She had done that once before to one of her drunken leeches who had beaten her, stuck rocks up her anus and left her tied up all night. When he had finally woken up and released her, she grabbed a knife and slit his throat.
She wished she could get at Justin, too and not just Georgia, but he had the money to pay dearly for his little spoiled daughter. After Brad was finished with her, and they had the money, she would gladly kill them both. She had always loved revenge. Revenge for all the things that had gone bad in her life.
***
The short time Dakota and Georgia had spent together before he had left to go to California had been something Dakota would never forget. During the day they had worked together on the ranch, took long horseback rides, made love a million times. They hadn’t gotten much sleep during that time, but it was enough to hold him over until he could be with Georgia again.