Chapter Eleven
Clay stood on the porch for a few minutes trying to get ahold of his temper. He had never been the jealous type and didn’t want to believe that’s what was gripping him now, but deep down he knew better.
Bobbie had been home for over twenty minutes and had remained outside. He didn’t know how much longer he could wait for her. He was angry and yet he wanted to kiss her silly. Every time he thought he was making headway something would happen and Bobbie would once again begin avoiding him.
Clay tried to push his emotions deep inside but the ugly, green-eyed monster clawing away inside of him kept rearing its head. He needed to figure out what in the hell was going on. This on-again, off-again crap was for the birds. His patience was wearing thin.
Deep inside he wanted to believe that their lovemaking meant something to Bobbie. In a way he knew it did. He saw the confusion in her eyes and knew that was part of the reason why she kept trying to avoid him.
He opened the front door and stood in the screened in doorway watching Bobbie. She and Rick were sitting side by side on the trunk of her car, leaning against the rear window as if they didn’t have a care in the world. He could hear their murmuring voices but couldn’t make out any actual words.
Bobbie turned and looked straight at him as if some sort of inner radar warned her of his arrival. She sat up and turned to Rick, who climbed off Bobbie’s low-slung sports car.
“See you tomorrow,” Rick said, waving as he walked casually to the bunkhouse.
Clay didn’t know what he would have done if Rick had attempted a good night kiss. It would have proven disastrous.
A need to feel Bobbie’s body against his took over, causing his feet to react before his brain had time to think. With quick, powerful strides, Clay was off the porch and by Bobbie’s side in seconds.
“You got something going with him?” he demanded, knowing damned well the question would be taken as a direct challenge. He regretted the words almost as soon as they’d left his mouth. The hurt look in Bobbie’s deep green eyes told more than mere words could convey. Her words belied the emotions written clearly on her face.
“And if I did?” she taunted.
“If you did, you’d regret the decision almost as much as Rick,” he said, motioning to where his employee had disappeared into the bunkhouse.
“You know, Clay. I’m not really in the mood for all your macho bullshit, so just knock it off.”
He gave her no more time, cutting off her protest before taking her mouth in a devastating kiss. He wanted her to forget everything but him. He deepened the kiss until her mouth opened beneath his. She tasted warm and sweet, her lips were soft and moist against his.
She’d worn a short Levi's skirt, her smooth flesh beckoned him. His hands caressed her bare legs, the curve of her ass. No amount of willpower could tear him from her.
“Come with me,” he panted against her mouth as he walked her backwards. When she stumbled, he steadied her; then tugged her toward the barn.
“Where are you taking me?” she whispered as they passed the motor home his parents were sleeping in.
She was moving too slow. His cock throbbed to be buried deep inside of her, his mouth watered to taste her sweet depths, to lick and nip her peaked nipples. Swinging her up into his arms, he kissed her deeply; then buried his face in the crook of her neck.
“To the barn ... closer,” was all he managed before reaching the dark interior of the wooden building.
Mostly used to store feed and hay, it would serve another purpose tonight, Clay thought with a roguish smile on his face. Visions of Bobbie bent over a bale of hay as he took her from behind fluttered through his mind. Clay was so hot, he wasn’t sure he was going to make it before he lost control completely. He could already feel moisture against the pulsing tip of his erection. It was going to be fast and hard. He couldn’t wait.
Clay strode into the darkened building carrying Bobbie snugly against his chest. He could feel the rapid rise and fall of her chest. Although he couldn’t see her face, Clay knew she was aroused, excited. Her reaction pleased him.
Instinctively he moved through the barn until he reached a clearing with several bales of hay, where he lowered Bobbie to her feet.
“Stay here a minute while I find the light,” he said. When Bobbie didn’t respond, Clay warned. “You move and it’ll be your ass, baby.” She shivered slightly before she nodded.
A part of him hoped she’d bolt at the first opportunity. His palm longed to turn the flesh of her round ass a nice shade of pink. Then he would be able to kiss and soothe the hurt until she was writhing, begging for release.
Clay moved to the center of the room and found the long string that would turn on the light. He gave it a gentle tug and the single incandescent bulb came to life, showering the large room with an inadequate amount of light.
He wanted to see every inch of her as he took her, but the shadows still lingered. Probably won’t matter anyway, Clay decided, realizing it would more than likely be over before it ever really started if the raging erection behind the fly of his jeans had any say in the matter.
Clay was back at Bobbie’s side in a matter of seconds. His hands were insistent, persistent as they flowed over her curves. He devoured her mouth with kisses. Her lips, her neck and then down to her cotton-covered breasts.
There was no time for the removal of clothing. Clay had to taste her now. He lifted her blouse; then gave a silent thanks to the soul who invented bras that fastened in front. When her large breasts spilled out, he groaned with pure male satisfaction before his mouth greedily closed over a nipple.
It wasn’t enough. He pulled her breasts together so he could tease and torture both turgid peaks simultaneously. Her breathing became ragged, the quiet sounds of her arousal increasing until she started chanting his name over and over. Whatever control he was hanging onto was lost in that moment.
In one fluid motion, Clay turned her, facing her away from him, then pulled her shirt down. He placed his hand in the center of her back, guiding her to bend over the bales of hay. Clay was glad Bobbie didn’t protest because his need for her was so great he knew he wouldn’t be able to give gentle directions.
He fumbled with his pants with one hand while hiking her skirt up with the other. The sight of her bare ass cheeks halted his motion for a second before his hand rained down, delivering a stinging smack to Bobbie’s backside.
“You wore this to go out with another man?” he growled, not liking the pictures his mind conjured up.
She shook her head and mumbled something about panty lines, then begged for more. His lust-filled mind heard none of it. He pulled his erection free of his pants; then tugged the tiny elastic back of her thong underwear aside. In one swift thrust, he was buried to the hilt inside her.
* * * *
Bobbie’s bottom burned where he’d swatted her. Her other cheek tingled in need of the same treatment. Clay filled her completely. He felt much larger in the position she was in. Automatically she widened her stance and arched her back, accepting him deeper. Her body had taken over, leaving her no choice in the matter but to submit to its will and Clay’s.
“Harder, Clay. Oh ... fuck,” she gasped as he almost completely pulled out; then lunged forward, burying himself again. Bobbie felt every inch of his length as he glided against her vaginal walls. Her muscles clasped him tightly, causing overwhelming friction as every nerve ending was touched, tortured.
“Like that, baby. Just like that,” Clay said from behind her.
The coarse hay abraded her sensitive nipples through her shirt. His hands were all over, running over her hips and up her back. Bombarded by sensations from every angle, Bobbie was right on the edge and fighting for more.
“Oh, God,” she groaned when his fingers tangled into her hair and gave a quick tug, pulling her head back.
Clay leaned forward, blanketing her body with his, and nipped her neck.
“Not yet, darlin’,” he comman
ded. Bobbie wasn’t sure she would be able to hold out. She was fixing to go flying and was sure no command was going to stop her.
Clay let go of her hair; then smacked the other cheek of her bottom, momentarily taking her mind from her impending orgasm. “Not yet, Bobbie.” His voice commanded she obey even as his cock and hands pushed her closer to the edge.
He moved his hand from her bottom to the opening of her pussy. She couldn’t help but shudder when he touched where his cock filled her so thoroughly. It was too much.
“Now, Clay. Oh God, now.”
His fingers played around her moist entrance before moving between the cheeks of her ass. “Not yet,” he insisted.
The sensations he aroused in her were intense. When Bobbie felt pressure at the tight bud of her anus, she whimpered and reflexively moved her hips forward.
“Stay still and relax,” he murmured. His voice was low and flowed over her body. The width of his finger invading her caused a bite of pain that sent her into a new realm of sensations. Her mind scrambled to catch up as her body welcomed the intense combination of pleasure and pain. Clay’s finger penetrated deeper, increasing the pressure, widening her in slow increments. This time there was no stopping it. A keening cry tore from her lips as her body tightened; then plummeted into an all-consuming climax that left her breathless.
Clay’s pounding rhythm didn’t let up with her orgasm. Instead, his pace quickened until Bobbie thought she would shatter from the intense sensations coursing through her body. His body arched against her, driving his length impossibly deeper. She felt his muscles stiffen and heard him groan as the warmth of his release filled her.
Chapter Twelve
Clay fixed his clothes. Tucking his now-soft shaft back within the confines of his jeans, Clay thought about how much he enjoyed every nuance of Bobbie’s body.
“There’s no telling when my parents will decide to leave,” he said, thinking out loud.
Bobbie turned and looked at him. He could tell she wanted to say something but wasn’t quite sure what. Clay remained quiet, waiting to see if his silence would pay off. It did.
“I haven’t spent much time with them but they seem great. I can’t believe you want them to leave already.”
Her words stunned him. Never in a million years would he wish his parents gone.
“I don’t want them to leave. They came at the perfect time. My mom would never forgive me if I got married without her.”
Bobbie’s throat work as she visibly swallowed. Her face was now pale. She finished straightening her clothes with quick and jerky movements.
“I told you, I won’t marry you, Clay.”
“Dammit, Bobbie! I won’t argue with you about this any longer. You were a virgin before I took you and made you mine. You will marry me if I have to drag you to the judge.”
She shook her head but no words made it through her trembling lips. His frustration mounted and he was afraid he would say or do something regrettable. He wanted to take her in his arms and shake her until she agreed. He longed to tie her to his bed and never release her. Instead, he stalked from the barn, leaving her standing in the shadowy darkness alone.
The night was long and uncomfortable. Clay couldn’t get Bobbie out of his mind. Something deep inside warned him that if he spent too much time insisting and no time listening, he was going to lose her.
It was that thought that had him frowning. He wasn’t the type to coddle. He said what was on his mind and if you were going to disagree, you’d better have a damned good reason for it. He’d always dated meek, biddable women. Women who listened, not women who lived to give grief.
A woman like Bobbie, who unknowingly tempted him every time he turned around, was enough to drive him mad. Blazing mad with anger for refusing to marry him. Mad with lust from no more than her natural scent.
When Clay didn’t hear Bobbie come upstairs, he gave consideration to going back outside to look for her. In his haste, he’d done the unthinkable, he’d left Bobbie alone. Outside. At night.
He threw the covers off his bare legs. He was at his door when he heard soft footsteps in the hall. He breathed a sigh of relief. He owed her an apology for leaving the way he did. He owed an apology for much more than that but it would have to wait until he’d worked out what he was feeling. She made him so crazy he thought he would go insane. Clay was well aware that his feelings were strong but was it love? It didn’t really matter. The main thing was that he talk her into marrying him. His honor insisted, his body demanded.
He would have no peace if he didn’t. He needed something tangible to bind them together. Something indisputable that would prove she was his in every way possible.
As sleep crept up on him, Clay wondered why Bobbie was so dead set against marriage. Why wasn’t she like other women who wanted nothing more than to marry and have a family and a husband to take care of her?
Why was she so reluctant to marry?
The same questions filtered through his mind over and over as he tossed and turned. The bright light of the morning brought no answers. With his heart still heavy, Clay climbed from the bed and dressed for the day.
Making his way down the stairs, Clay pondered last night’s argument. It hadn’t actually been an argument. More like a heated discussion, but only because he’d left before it had time to escalate.
He ate his breakfast in silence while thinking over last night’s events again. He was going to go find Bobbie and they were going to have a long talk. It was the only thing he could think to do. It wasn’t his way, but he’d always prided himself on being fair and if there was something bothering Bobbie then he owed it to her to listen. Then he would once again insist she marry him.
“Where’s everyone at?” he asked Mildred as she came into the kitchen.
“Your parents went into town for the day and Bobbie and Chance went out for a ride. They should be back anytime now.”
“Thanks for breakfast,” he said, taking a last swig of his coffee before placing the cup in the sink and strode out the back door. Chance and Bobbie were just riding into the pasture. Sitting astride Lady, Bobbie looked as if she’d been born to ride.
Her back was straight, hips loose as she moved with the horse. He watched in awe as Lady picked up speed, galloping over the grassy expanse. Bobbie’s hair flowed behind her shoulders. She looked like a Goddess.
Clay perched a booted foot on the lowest corral slat and leaned over the top, resting his chin on his forearms. She looked exhilarated, happy. He could stand there and watch her all day long.
When she leaned low over Lady’s neck and urged the horse on, he held his breath. It was a reckless speed and when Lady’s front hooves left the ground, easily clearing the low bar Bobbie had been riding for, Clay almost lost his breakfast.
They landed beautifully, Chance whooping and hollering in the background. Clay couldn’t get his ears to stop ringing or his hands to stop shaking. Beating Chance to within an inch of his life sounded almost as good as tanning Bobbie’s hide.
Visions of her on the ground beneath the weight of her mount, injured and possibly even dead, scared the shit out of him. Especially when the only thought that kept going through his mind was the fact that they had made mad, passionate love last night. In the barn, over some hay, and he hadn’t used any protection.
It hit him like a bolt of lightning, sending his feet crunching over the gravel driveway and into the fenced-off pasture.
* * * *
She’d been having fun. Of course, the moment she saw Clay, that all changed.
“Speak of the devil,” Bobbie muttered, nodding toward Clay. He looked as though a thunderstorm was gathering directly over his head as he strode with power and determination toward her.
How she could have fallen in love with a man like Clay was mindboggling to her. To love a man who wanted nothing more than to own her, just as he owned any other possession, was more hurtful than she could explain. She’d spent the better part of an hour trying to do jus
t that to Chance last night after Clay had left her standing in the barn.
Chance was being as nice as possible considering it was his older brother he was plotting against. He had promised to help and, as always, he’d come through for her. Before the house was awake this morning, he’d come to her room to let her know that a few phone calls and a good word later, Bobbie had a job. A real job keeping books for a local storeowner. It wouldn’t pay much, but she didn’t require much. Everything would turn out just fine.
The best and worst part was that she could start as soon as she was ready. When she remembered how Clay refused to listen, she was ready to leave this minute. But when she remembered the feel of his hands against her skin, his lips against her breasts, she wanted to stay on the Lazy B forever. It really was too bad he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, compromise.
Bobbie thought about telling Clay how she felt, but wasn’t sure it would do any good. He’d proven to be a formidable man and the more run-ins they had, the more she knew she could never live with the man permanently, much less marry him.
He’d already dragged her off of Lady’s back once before and Bobbie didn’t intend to have a repeat, so she dismounted before he reached her. Chance, who’d just caught up with her, also dismounted.
“That was beautiful,” Chance said with vigor.
“No, that was stupid,” Clay interrupted, pointing at Bobbie. “You and I are going to talk.”
One very large hand wrapped around her wrist in a firm grip. She knew she couldn’t break from his grasp, but that didn’t stop her from trying. Bobbie dug her heels in, and tugged her wrist, wincing at the pain she caused herself. “No, I don’t think we are,” she said, finally sick and tired of his cavemanish treatment.
“Clay, I don’t...” Chance started.
Lazy B Ranch 00 California Cowboy Page 9