Bossman's List

by Ashlee Price

  Her eyes were closed for the 8 seconds and then the buzzer sounded. She counted another ten and listened to the announcer and the cheering before she reopened them. It was hard for her to watch him run off from the bull. The crowd was cheering and when she looked at the center ring, Richard was on the fence with his hands up. He was so happy, Mia felt a little wetness come to her eyes. He was going to miss it and she was too in a way.

  She left her seat to go find him and was stopped by a familiar voice. “Mia, right?”

  Mia turned and saw Trevor’s friend that she had met before. “You speak.”

  “Yes, well I was caught off guard before. You are very beautiful. Trevor never told me that you were gorgeous, when I heard all the stories of you two when you were younger.”

  She looked down and blushed before she knew what she was doing. Mia liked the idea of him thinking her gorgeous and her body responded to him like the mere touch of his hand from before. “Yes well Trevor always was a liar. I am sure he has filled your head full of nonsense.”

  Mia turned to leave back towards where she was going in the first place. He hurried up to walk with her through the throng of people. “Do you mind if I go with you? You are going to see your dad right?”

  She nodded and tried to ignore him walking next to her. He was big like Trevor, towering over her and as she was quite tall, it was a feeling that she didn’t get to feel very often. “So how long have you and Trevor known each other?”

  “About three and a half years. We started the circuit at about the same time.”

  “You look older than him.”

  “I am by a couple of years. I used to work on the oil rigs, but went to a rodeo and never went back. I figured it had to be better than being in the middle of the ocean for weeks at a time. Pay is better too.”

  “I guess, if you aren’t afraid of get trampled by a bull one of these days.”

  “That’s just part of it. I have always looked up to your father. He was the rider that made me want to try. You know he got me into bull riding, found me a trainer and everything.”

  She stopped and looked over at him. “Really? So you know my dad too?”

  He nodded and she waved to Richard coming towards them. She hugged him in congratulations and then stepped back for him to greet Clint. “So I see you two have met.”

  “Just, so how does it feel?”

  His smile evaporated. “Good, but I am really going to miss this place. Johnny offered me a couple of gigs announcing for the circuit while it is close in town.”

  “That’s sounds like a good idea.”

  “Sounds like a desk job to me.”

  Mia laughed and put her arm around him. “You’re getting too old for this kind of thing. Your body needs a rest before you break it. You know what the doctors said.”

  He hushed her, not wanting to hear about it. “I know.”

  Mia stopped to watch Trevor’s turn. He made it safely off and she finally let go of the air that she had been holding. “You alright?”

  “Yeah, I just hate seeing my loved ones in danger.”

  Richard understood, but he didn’t know why after all these years, Mia was so bothered by it. “It’s just a job, like any other job.”

  She shook her head, but was still happier that the two men she loved were no longer in harm’s way. Clint had to leave for his own turn and Mia found herself looking to the ring when she heard his name called. His eight seconds felt like an eternity, her eyes riveted to the hard lines and muscled body. The jeans fit him far too well and she almost blushed when her dad called to her. “What’s wrong with you? You must be tired Mia, you ready to go to the hotel?”

  Mia said she was, pulling her eyes from the man that she had been talking to before. There were already several women from the crowd surrounding him. She was not getting involved with a man like him, but it was nice to watch him work nonetheless. “Sure. I am ready for bed anyways.”

  She followed him to the truck and drove the few miles to the hotel she had called ahead for. After the long drive and excitement of the rodeo, Mia was beat. When she got out of the shower, Trevor was calling and she invited him over. He was bringing the drinks and she had the cards. It had been too long since they had hung out just the two of them. Mia wished sometimes that life didn’t have to be so busy. While she was supposed to be enjoying herself in college – and she was – she missed home and her old friend.

  When she answered the door and saw Clint with him, she sighed to herself. “Hey.”

  “Well don’t look so happy to see me Mia.”

  “I won’t.”

  Moving back to let them in, she noticed the guilty look on Trevor’s face. “So who won? I didn’t even get to see.”

  Clint started smiling and Trevor pointed towards him. “First there and second here. Not as big of a check, but big enough.”

  She congratulated him as she took the bottle from her hand and started to pour shots. Mia matched them shots until the liquor was gone and everyone was feeling better. Trevor talked about Ana some and she had to laugh. Her friend had always been so sappy when he was drinking. Cards were a disaster and Trevor was too far gone to be helped.

  “He never was good at holding his liquor.”

  Clint laughed, “No he isn’t.”

  “Help me get him to one of these beds, will you?”

  Clint moved towards her and grabbed the man’s shoulders, while she grabbed his feet. “He wasn’t near as big last time I had to do this. I swear I don’t know what they have been feeding you guys.”

  “You know what they say…”

  “Yeah, yeah, everything is bigger in Texas.”

  Clint grinned as he set Trevor down on the mattress. “Everything. You have been out east too long.”

  She shook her head. “I see that you aren’t a sappy drunk.”

  “No I am not.”

  He was a horny drunk and it didn’t help that the more she had drank, the hotter she had become. Now she was standing there breathing hard in a thin tank top and his attention was riveted on her chest. It was hard to look away and the longer he stared, the harder and more pronounced her nipples became through the thin material. She was feeling the same way, he was sure of it, but when he leaned in to kiss her, she backed away. “What are you doing?”

  “Just giving you a kiss. You looked like you needed one.”

  “We shouldn’t. You are friends with Trevor and I don’t date riders.”

  “I’m not asking for a date Mia, just a kiss.”

  She bit her lower lip and looked over at her sleeping friend. Just one kiss didn’t seem that dangerous and he was right to think that she wanted to as well. He was handsome and had a way about him.

  He could see the submission in her eyes and he moved towards her again, this time she didn’t move away. Touching the side of her face gently, he bent down and leaned in against her as their lips met. His lips were soft against hers and just a wisp of a touch. It caught her off guard when he kissed her and then pulled her against him harder. His tongue demanding entrance as her body melted against his hard chest and a small moan came out of her mouth.

  Mia’s hands were pressed against his chest and she finally pushed away when she felt herself going to the place of no return. She wanted more, but knew that they shouldn’t. She was slightly panting when he finally pulled away and released her. Clint didn’t move away much, leaving their bodies touching until she finally gave him some distance.

  “There is your kiss Clint. Now I am going to bed. You are more than welcome to stay.”

  A smile crept over his face and she smiled back up at him. “Over there with Trevor.”

  His face fell and she grinned even bigger. “Night, Clint.”

  Chapter 3

  It wasn’t a very good night for either one of them, but it was Clint who found himself unable to sleep. His friend’s words ran in his mind and he was not left heart broken, but hard in his pants and throbbing with a need that was not going to be tende
d to. When he finally did get to sleep, it was Mia that he dreamed about, but she was gone when he got up the next morning.

  “Hey man, I was wondering if you were ever going to get up.”

  “Yeah, I think we drank too much and you were out before anyone else.”

  Trevor nodded. His head telling him that he had drank too much. “All well. Trying to keep up with Mia was never easy. I think she has gotten better since she went to college.”

  “Where is she?” Clint’s eyes darted around until he heard his friend laughing.

  “She has flown the coop and is headed back home. I see that you were sleeping in bed with me when I woke up and not with her.”

  Clint shook his head and got up, his hands rubbing his face until it was red. “You were right, as you usually are.”

  Trevor felt bad for him, but at least it was just a little crush that she had broken. Trevor had been head over heels in love with her and truth was if she ever changed her mind, he would be right there waiting again. “Sorry Clint, I tried to tell you.”

  Clint wasn’t ready to give up. “There is always next time. It’s not like I will never see her again.”

  Trevor had the same hope that his friend carried, but he was trying to move on. Clint was just getting started. There was just something about Mia.

  ***

  Mia went back to school soon after the rodeo. She was trying to decide what she was going to do with herself, but her decision was made for her when her mother had an accident. She moved back home to Texas the day after she graduated and helped her with her physical therapy. She had fallen off of her horse while she was riding, the horse spooked from a snake. The result had been several broken bones and a lot of pain.

  It was good to be back and she went to a few rodeos that Trevor was in. She seen Clint every time and even thought it was clear he wanted more than a kiss, there was never a moment like they had shared before. It was a fluke she assured herself, but then again, he crossed her mind every now and then. Mia even found herself comparing first kisses to his and never once did she get the same level of heat that they had shared. In a way, Clint had ruined her dating life. It was hard to settle for mediocre, when she knew there was better out there and no one else was giving her the same spark as Clint.

  Trevor was in a rodeo twenty miles from where she lived and since her mom was doing better, Mia decided to go see him. His girlfriend Ana was supposed to be there and she told Trevor that she wanted to meet her. In reality, she was curious to see Clint again. The last time they had seen each other, he had tried to pull her to the side, but they had been interrupted before he could say or do anything. She was still wondering what it was that he was going to say.

  She dressed up a bit more than she usually did in tight jeans and ever wore a cowboy hat. Her shirt was tied in the front and she left her hair down for once. It was the kind of girl that Clint would look at when they passed in the arena and she wanted to make him see her that day. Mia liked flirting with him and his smooth words, but what she really wanted was another kiss like before. She had convinced herself that it hadn’t been that great, just built-up in her mind. When she saw him coming towards her in the stands, she started to question her own theory.

  “I thought I saw you up here underneath that hat. You are looking beautiful as always Mia. Are you here to see me?”

  She saw the hope in his eyes. “No, I was supposed to meet Ana tonight. Have you seen Trevor?”

  “Not yet. He will be here though. I see him less and less since the two got engaged.”

  “They are engaged?”

  “I was supposed to keep that a secret, so don’t tell him I told you.”

  She zipped her lips. “Mum’s the word. But that is great right? Do you like her?”

  “She is alright, treats him good, but what can I say, she is no you though.”

  “I hope not. Me and Trevor drive each other crazy.”

  “Do you mind if I sit down for a while? If I stay up here, I won’t get recognized as much.”

  “Sure, the adoring fans are bothering you?”

  He sat down next to her, the wooden bench bowing slightly under his weight. His hard bicep brushed against her upper arm and she felt warmth spread from the touch. “I just want one.”

  Mia looked away and scanned the crowd looking for her brother with a hot face. “Why do you play so much Clint?”

  “Why do you think I am playing?”

  She glanced back at him. “Because you look at me like I am the only woman here.”

  “You are the only woman here to me.”

  Mia saw Trevor and was thankful for the distraction. She waved the couple over and she had to admit that Ana looked more like her than she had expected. Standing up, she shook her hand and then hugged her when he introduced her as his fiancée. There were congratulations in order and they promised to meet at a local bar when they were done competing. Ana sat up in the stands with Mia and by the time they were headed out for a drink, they were becoming fast friends. Ana was nothing like Mia once she got to know her and though she had been worried about meeting her, Mia could see why he was going to marry her. Ana had a great personality and it made Mia more relaxed to know that like Clint had said Trevor was in good hands.

  They all rode to the bar together, Clint driving and her in the passenger seat. The two lovebirds didn’t pay them much mind, but it got Mia thinking about the kiss with Clint and what it would feel like to have Clint pressed up against her again. She looked over at his profile in the darkened car and tried to ignore the way she felt so breathless around him.

  She looked behind her and the two were making out. The car stopped and parked and Clint looked over at her finally, their eyes meeting. He wanted it as much as she did. “Why don’t we go in and give them some time to be alone?”

  Mia agreed, trying not to laugh at the fact that they didn’t even seem to notice that he had said anything. She followed Clint in and set next to him at the bar. He had that look on his face again, the one that made her heart flutter. “So Ana seems nice.”

  He nodded. Ordering a drink for both of the, Clint looked back at her and moved closer. “When are we going to admit it?”

  “Admit what?”

  “That you are meant for me.”

  Mia laughed, but it wasn’t taken well from Clint. “I’m serious Mia. You are all I can think about. You can’t tell me that you haven’t spent time in bed thinking of me.”

  She wasn’t going to agree or disagree, but Mia was getting uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her. “I don’t think I need to tell you what is going on in my bed.”

  He leaned in. “It’s all I can think about Mia.”

  The bartender came back with the drinks and she thanked him, trying to forget what Clint had just said. Mia didn’t like cowboys, but like everything else, she seemed to make an exception for Clint. There was something about him that she just couldn’t shake.

  “Do you like thinking about me lying in bed, naked and touching myself thinking of you Clint? Is that what you want to hear?”

  He groaned while she giggled and took another sip. “Hey guys, I was wondering when you were going to stop sucking face enough to come in.”

  Ana was embarrassed, but Trevor’s chest seemed to inflate with the talk of it. He smiled back at his girlfriend and Mia had a moment of jealousy for their love. She wondered if a man would ever look at her like that. Not just lust, but actual love.

  Clint didn’t say much else, but once he saw that the couple was not going to stop, he asked Mia if she wanted to dance. She too was finding it hard to be around them, especially when it had been so long since she had felt the touch of a man. The soft gasp from Ana made her agree and she took his hand as he helped her up.

  As soon as he pulled her body to his and started to move her around, Mia decided that it was far worse than watching her friend make out with the his fiancée. Clint held her too close, his knee sliding in between her legs to dip her and then pull h
er back up to splay against his chest as she moved to put her arms around his neck. “You dance like you ride a bull.”

  Clint bent down and nipped her earlobe. “I like intensity in everything that I do.”

  She shivered and he pulled away, moving her out and then back in. He was quite the dancer and she was having trouble keeping up. It seemed that Clint was full of all kinds of surprises and Mia was delighted with them all. When he pulled her back in once last time, his lips came crashing down on hers with the same intensity as everything else. She moaned from the touch, pressing herself against him and hearing his own growl deep in his throat as she tried her best to pull him down to her more.

  It was Clint that pulled away, not wanting to lose his cool in the middle of all of those people. “Let’s get out of here Mia.”

  “We just got here Clint. I thought you wanted to dance?”

  She turned around and pressed her back to him, one arm going around his neck. Mia wanted to drive him as crazy as she had been feeling. He had been right about sleepless nights with him on her mind. As she danced against him slowly, the hardness that grew behind her made her squirm. “Please tell me this is not just a tease.”

  Mia turned back towards him, her own body screaming for more. They kissed again and then she finally agreed to be pulled along out of the bar. Forgetting the two that they had ridden with, Clint was trying to make it to a hotel, but instead drove towards his house. He wanted her in his own bed, not a strange one. It seemed too impersonal. Clint wanted it to be perfect.

  Chapter 4

  Mia woke up the next morning, sore and exhausted. She felt like she hadn’t even slept and when she moved, Clint pulled her up against his hard body. Mia gasped with the hardness sliding between her legs. It was only then that she realized that she wasn’t wearing any clothes.