Sweet-Loving Cowboy--A Kinky Spurs Novel

by Stacey Kennedy

  On the bright side, just after Faith found a dress that fit right off the rack, Harper spotted a champagne-colored flowy bridesmaid dress. The gown was beautiful, and the two-hundred-dollar price tag was even better, especially since Harper could wear the dress again for any formal event.

  The sun was making its way closer to the mountains when Faith pulled in behind Chase’s truck. When she came to a stop, Harper noticed the time on the dashboard. Dammit! She only had an hour to get ready and make it to work on time. Hating how little she’d seen Chase today, she turned to Faith and said, “Please don’t tell Brody where you dropped me off, okay? He’s tolerating all this with Chase, but let’s not push it.”

  Faith pretended to zip her mouth shut. “My lips are sealed. Thanks for coming with me today. Sorry that took so long.”

  “I’m happy I got to be here for this.” Which suddenly made her understand why Brody wanted to rush the wedding. This time in his life was important. She did not want to miss it either. She undid her seat belt then hugged Faith. “I can’t wait for Friday.”

  Faith squeezed her tight, heady emotions in her voice. “Me too.”

  They had never been very close over the years, maybe because of the four-year age gap between them, but Faith was kind-hearted and good for Brody. Harper leaned away and asked, “So, if it’s okay, can I cook for the reception?”

  “Oh, of course.” Faith nodded. “I would love that. Right now, we’re thinking of doing a sunset ceremony, so I’m thinking it makes sense to stick to appetizers. Nice and easy.” Faith smiled, turning down the radio a little. “My mom and a few others are bringing stuff too.”

  “Perfect. I’ll come up with some yummy apps.” Harper opened the door and got out quickly, giving Faith a wave, watching her drive off.

  In a heartbeat, the air seemed to change around her, making her aware that she wasn’t alone.

  She glanced over her shoulder, discovering Chase standing in the open doorway, wearing his work shirt and jeans. “Hi,” he said, voice low.

  “Hi.” She smiled and approached.

  He met her halfway on the porch, gave her a good and proper kiss, then said, “Dress shopping took a while.”

  Harper nodded, heading past him and entering the house. “The time restrictions made things insane. She had to find a dress that fit her without having to do any alterations. Needless to say, that was challenging.”

  Chase followed her inside, shutting the door behind him. “I take it she found something?”

  “She did.” Harper kicked off her flats. “And honestly, her dress is stunning.”

  Before she could even move, Chase wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her in close to him, infusing the air with his citrusy cologne. “Have you eaten dinner?”

  “Yup. We grabbed a burger after dress number twenty-five.” Feeling the heat building between them, she stood on her tiptoes and dropped a quick kiss on his lips. “Sadly, though, I need to get ready for work.”

  He sighed, dipping his chin with a look of lust mixed with longing. “I need to get back to the ranch tonight for a final look.”

  “Inspection day is tomorrow?” She slid her fingers against the trimmed hair at the back of his neck.

  “It is.”

  “Are you ready? Excited? Nervous?”

  “All three sound about right.” He smiled, sliding his hands down to her bottom, giving her a squeeze. “And yes, we’re ready.”

  She smiled, stood on her tiptoes again. Right before she pressed her lips against his, she said, “You’re going to blow this inspector away tomorrow.” His hands squeezed tighter, bringing her up against him, revealing his erection. “Oh, nope, I can’t fall in that trap. I need to get to work. Remember?”

  His dark, smoldering eyes were the last thing she saw before she scooted away, heading for the bedroom. She grabbed her red Kinky Spurs T-shirt and tiny jean shorts from her bag and hurried into them before she headed into the bathroom to freshen up. She really hoped for a shower, but there was no time for that now. She tossed her hair up into a messy bun, then reached into her makeup bag for her face wash and made quick work of removing her old mascara. She was drying her face with the hand towel she’d used earlier that morning when Chase appeared.

  He leaned against the doorway, eyes still smoldering, voice still low. “When is your last night at the Spurs?” he asked.

  “Tuesday night.” She swallowed, somehow finding that way harder to say than she thought it should be. She ignored the funny feeling in her belly and bent toward the mirror, beginning to apply fresh mascara.

  “Do not move.”

  Her breath hitched, becoming trapped in her throat when Chase entered the bathroom, his stare focused on her ass. That weird feeling in her belly turned into delicious heat slowly pooling low in her body. “I need to get ready, Chase.” Even she heard the weakness in her voice. “I’m going to be late.”

  “I told you not to move, Harper.” He stepped in behind her, sliding his hands down her hips. She froze, trapped in her desire, as his voice deepened. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve thought of you in these damn shorts?” He grabbed the crotch of her tiny jean shorts. “How many times I’ve imagined doing exactly this?” He slid his hands down over her bottom, then looked at her in the mirror, his eyes alert and steady. “Bend over.”

  She slowly bent more at the hip, keeping the mascara applicator in her hand, watching him step in behind her. Heat touched every part of her so very easily at the lust burning through his expression in the mirror. She shivered, her eyes fluttering when he slid his hand over her bottom. He slapped one cheek before moving on to the other, following up with two more slaps on each cheek.

  “Chase,” she rasped, melting into his powerful touch.

  “Mmmm, I know, beautiful.”

  She lost sight of him as he dropped to one knee. He pulled on the crotch of her shorts firmly, and she felt him move the barely-there fabric over to one side, exposing her warm and wet sex to him. She stared at herself in the mirror, seeing the foreign wild look in her eyes. Then she saw nothing but darkness when he tongued her slit, tickling his way down to her clit. She moaned, riding the pleasure.

  “Fucking hell, Harper.” He slapped her ass twice, then rose and yanked down her jean shorts and panties.

  Reaching around her, he opened the top drawer in the bathroom cabinet, taking out a condom from the box there. When he stepped in behind her, his eyes on hers in the mirror, he began unbuckling his belt. There was something there in their depths that made her feel more wanted than ever before in her life. The way he craved her, lusted after her, was something raw and real and insanely beautiful.

  Once his jeans hit his ankles, he ripped the condom wrapper open then sheathed himself. His potent gaze returned to hers when his hand held her bottom, the tip of his cock pressing against her soft folds. She was more than ready for him. He entered her slowly, pulling back a bit before he slid all the way inside.

  She could not take her eyes off his intense expression through the mirror. The way he watched her. How her body excited him. His desire flooded her with heat while his cock slid in and out, stroking her perfectly, hitting the right spot over and over again, making her moan.

  “I wish you could see what I see,” he growled, glancing down. “Goddammit, girl.”

  Pleasure blinded her when his thrusts began to pick up speed. She imagined what he saw—his thick cock disappearing inside her. The image only fueled the pleasure, intensified by the way he wanted her. How crazy she obviously drove him. And it made her crazy too. Because this was pure lust, a buildup of wanting something so badly and the satisfaction in the win. Every clench of his jaw and deep moan that he gave spoke of his longing finally being filled.

  A force she could not ignore pulled them together. His gaze found hers in the mirror again. This was a statement of ownership, for both of them, and something so much more meaningful than that. With his shirt in place, his hands digging into her hips, he pumped his h
ips in a rhythm that was hard and dirty and exactly what she wanted, and more.

  She tried to stare into the contained strength in his eyes, but he began driving into her faster now, every thrust filling her perfectly, sending her up onto her toes. The rising euphoria forced her eyes closed. She free-fell into the pleasure Chase offered and in the statement he was making right now.

  She might not be his forever.

  But she was certainly his for right now.

  And that was perfectly fine with her.

  Chapter 7

  On the morning of the inspection at the guest ranch, Chase woke well before sunrise. When Harper had finished working at the Spurs and had crawled into his bed a few hours before sunrise, he had recalled waking enough to gather her into his arms before drifting off to sleep. Part of him wished he was still there with her now. The other part of him could not have stayed in bed a minute longer. Three months of hard work had led to this day.

  Knowing he would do nothing but wake her by fidgeting around his house and making noise, he fed Houdini then gave him the insulin shot before driving to the ranch, his headlights guiding his way. After he cut the ignition in the driveway, he watched the sun rise over the mountain peaks with Houdini lying on the passenger seat next to him. With a sigh, he leaned his back against the seat, taking this moment all to himself.

  Along the way he had done everything right, not rushing his career path. He had gone to the right college for business, following in Shep’s footsteps. He had been mentored by Joel, getting the hands-on experience he needed. And he saved for over ten years to put himself in a good financial position. Years of dreaming about heading up his own construction build was not a dream anymore; it was a reality.

  Damn, that felt good.

  Once the sun rose higher in the sky and brightened up the day, showing the horses grazing in the pasture off to the left side of the farmhouse where the barn also stood, Chase exited the truck, placing Houdini gently on the grass. With the puppy running around the grounds, he set to examining each cabin and the comfort station for his own peace of mind that everything was perfect.

  By the time the building inspector’s truck came driving up the driveway, Chase was confident of the work he and his team had done there. He quickly scooped up Houdini, who was attacking the grass and chewing it, then watched the inspector park his truck.

  Once he exited and reached Chase, the tall and lanky man held a clipboard with papers in one hand and offered the other. “Chase Blackshaw?”

  Chase nodded. With Houdini in one hand, he returned the handshake. “Todd Hackney?” He had learned the man’s name from the receptionist who called him from the city to set up the appointment.

  “Yup.” Todd reached for a pen from the front pocket of his shirt.

  Chase studied the man there to inspect his work. Likely in his early forties, Todd looked oddly familiar. He wore a black T-shirt slightly too small for him, with dark jeans and a big gold belt buckle. His tan-colored cowboy hat looked too clean. His cowboy boots were too shiny. He clearly did not spend much time outside.

  Todd flicked his pen. “All right, let’s see what you’ve got here. It’ll take me a couple hours to get through the inspection. Feel free to hang around, or I can call you when I’m done.”

  Houdini wiggled in Chase’s arms, so he set him down. “I’ll stick around.”

  “Sounds good.” Todd gave an honest smile then strode forward, clipboard in hand. The puppy chased after him, giving a loud bark. Todd stopped to stroke Houdini’s back before continuing on toward the comfort station.

  Right as Todd disappeared inside, Chase’s cell phone beeped. He grabbed his cell from his pocket, discovering a text from Harper.

  I just woke up. You’re not here.

  He moved back to his truck, leaning against the side. You were snoring. I didn’t want to wake you.

  I don’t snore!

  He chuckled. You do. But I got up early, so I thought you’d appreciate me not waking you.

  I’m ignoring that snoring bit. I wanted to wish you good luck this morning.

  Lewd thoughts played through his mind of exactly what she meant by that. He began to regret not waking her, until he came up with a new plan. Why don’t you give me those well wishes later?

  That sounds suggestive.

  Because it is, beautiful. Thank you for the luck. I’ll call later.

  Please do. xo

  He placed his cell phone back into his pocket, glancing out as Todd moved by the window inside the comfort station. With a tight chest and nerves on edge, he sighed, looking at Houdini running back to him. “Come on, then, no sense in waiting around here. Let’s go down to the pond.” Houdini happily followed, tail wagging.

  Chase would only pace the grounds if he stayed around waiting for Todd to finish. There was no point in torturing himself.

  They had spent a good hour down at the pond. Houdini chased sticks and splashed around at the edge of the water, scaring the hell out of the ducks who lived on the pond. Afterward, Chase returned to the ranch, a sleepy Houdini in his lap while he sat in the Adirondack chair and scrolled through his phone, getting caught up on the replay of the sports games.

  Another forty-five minutes had gone by when Chase noticed Todd exiting the final cabin. He rose, with Houdini tucked in his arm, preparing himself for the outcome. A lot weighed on this inspection. His reputation was on the line. He wanted everyone in the construction business to know his work was clean and solid. Shoddy work could destroy his reputation before he even got started.

  Todd was all business as he approached, his eyes hard. “There’s some things you need to fix before I can pass you.” He took a sheet off his clipboard offering it to Chase. “Here.”

  Chase’s chest tightened, shoulders stiffening under the number of items on the list. It went from the top of the page right to the bottom. He read over each one, suddenly realizing out of all the inspectors out there, this guy was likely the pickiest inspector he had ever heard of. The measurements that Todd considered off were off by tiny increments that most inspectors would let pass. “I’ll get all this taken care of,” Chase said.

  “I’m aware you’re on a tight deadline,” Todd said, voice stern. “How about I come back tomorrow and take another look?”

  Though Chase itched to have words with Todd, he offered his hand. “We’ll be done and ready by then.”

  Todd returned the handshake, then headed to his truck with little more than a quick look at Chase.

  Chase sighed and dropped down into the chair again, placing Houdini back onto his lap. The pup went straight back to sleep like he hadn’t been moved at all. Focusing on the task ahead of him, Chase examined the itemized list. He would have to call in the entire team to get all this little shit done in time.

  “Are you okay?”

  Chance glanced up, finding his mom approaching from the house, with a coffee cup in her hands. “Yeah,” he said.

  When she reached him, she gave him the mug, studied his face, then frowned. “Do not lie to me, Chase Blackshaw. What’s wrong?”

  “The inspection had some problems.” He offered the paper.

  “You already knew that was going to happen.” She took the piece of paper, examining the words written in blue ink. “Besides, this doesn’t look like anything big. Just small things.”

  “Small, yes, but they will take time to correct.” Chase took the list back from her, studying what the inspector needed him to do. “We need to get this inspection out of the way to finalize getting the furniture delivered, stuff like that.”

  “Okay, but it’s doable?”

  Chase sighed again and nodded. “It’s doable.”

  The sun shone on his mother’s face, and she placed a hand over her eyes. “Then why are you stressed?”

  “Word can spread. This inspection will follow me.”

  She frowned. “You’re worried that because you had some small issues that people are going to think you’re doing crappy work?”
>
  “Wouldn’t you think that?”

  Mom stepped forward until she squatted next to the chair. She gently pressed her hand against his arm. “My dear boy, you’re so much like your father, you know.” She patted his arm. “I remember when your dad first opened Blackshaw Cattle, he was so nervous about not doing the right thing. About the little things that could go wrong. And you know what?”

  “What?”

  “Everything went wrong.”

  Chase snorted. “Is this supposed to be a motivational speech, Ma?”

  She gave him her sweet smile that usually made everything better. This time, it did not make a dent in the tension along his shoulders. “Things will go wrong, Chase,” she said softly. “Let them go wrong. You have created this life for yourself where you need to make sure everything is right around you all the time. You can’t create a perfect world. Things sometimes fall apart. Believe me, you’ll come out stronger because of it.” She pointed to the paper again. “This is life. There are hiccups in the road. Things you need to change to make something better. But you always keep forging ahead, keep staying true to that sweet heart of yours, and you’ll be just fine.”

  She wasn’t wrong—he did like things perfect. No mistakes. No regrets. Those were the rules he lived by. Regardless of the fact that nothing she said had improved his mood, he squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Ma.”

  “You’re welcome.” She patted his cheek. “I mean that about women too.”

  “Mother.” He sighed, not wanting to get into his love life.

  “I’m just saying,” she said with a laugh, rising slowly due to her bad knees and pressing her hands against the armrest of the chair for support. “You’re never going to find anyone who is perfect, but it’s within those imperfections in someone where you find love.”

  He never looked at himself like a man who sought perfection in anything else but himself, but now, he wondered if maybe he didn’t risk enough along the way.

  Not getting too trapped in his head and staying on task about getting this project done, he said to his mother, “You know what is perfect?”