“Is it because it’s your last rodeo?” Clint asked.
“Is what?”
“Why you seem stressed?”
“Remember Betsy Flynn?”
“Oh hell yeah.” Clint licked his lips. “We need more reporters like her. I’d go back to riding if we had them.”
“She’s here.”
“Where?” Clint looked up and scanned the crowd.
“By the gate.”
“Damn, she’s gotten hotter? I thought I was all about the young ones, but damn—”
“You do remember that I love her.”
“Love? As in still love?”
“I meant loved.”
“Not what you said.”
“It’s what I meant.”
“Right...” Clint drew out the word, then chuckled. “Will you be able to stay on your horse tonight?”
“Yes.”
“You gonna lasso her again?”
A smile curled across JT’s lips, it’d been years... hmm... could he?
Chapter Four
“The night was full of cowboys being thrown here and there,” Betsy reported. “Competition heated up and Yankee Scum didn’t fail to deliver throwing off his rider in four point six seconds.”
“Betsy how does that compare to other bulls?” Don, the lead anchor’s voice asked through her earpiece.
“Well, Don, let me tell you, staying on any bull is hard for the whole eight seconds, but of the fifteen competitors here tonight, nine were able to stay on. We’ve got the best in rodeo this weekend here in Brainerd. To only have six riders not qualify is higher than average.”
“What else can people expect to see this weekend?” Rose, the co-anchor asked.
“For the little ones, there’s mutton busting.” Betsy nodded to Ron who sent the taped video to the station.
“That’s adorable,” Rose cooed as the video of a four-year-old boy riding a sheep played.
“But for the die-hards, we have barrel racing, bareback and saddled bronc busting, some ranching teams with calf roping and ranching skills and of course the bull riders.”
Suddenly a cream color was spun around Betsy and she had to hold back her urge to flip out.
“Betsy it looks like there are a few other things going on.”
“Yes, there are going to be rope tricks too.”
JT’s lasso surrounded her body and went up and down, almost to the ground, and came back up and then he spun it all around her body. She could feel his horse standing behind her. JT had gotten better over the years, she’d give him that.
Betsy stood completely still with a smile on her face and made sure she didn’t flinch. The last thing she needed was a black eye from the rope or to end up on a blooper wheel somewhere being made fun of by a comedian. Her heart was pounding so hard in her ears she couldn’t hear if the anchors were asking questions or not.
“If you don’t have plans this holiday come on up to Brainerd and check out some of the country’s best cowboys and girls. Live from Brainerd Fairgrounds I’m Betsy Flynn for KSPC sports and here are your box scores.”
The second the red light turned off on Ron’s camera Betsy dropped straight down and curled into a little ball.
“What the hell’s the matter with you?” Ron growled, and when Betsy no longer felt the wind from the lasso circling her she stood up to go after JT herself.
“Jesus, JT, are you trying to get me fired?”
“Oh come on, Bets, they loved that down in El Paso.”
“This isn’t El Paso and we haven’t practiced that in five years.”
“There’s lots we haven’t done in five years, doesn’t mean I forgot how much fun it was.” His cocoa eyes looked down from the horse he was on and reminded her of every laugh, smile and... yeah, she needed to get away from him.
“Let’s pack up, Ron,” she turned, only to get lassoed and pulled back to him.
JT had dismounted and was reeling her in with three hard tugs.
“Jonathan Thomas Long I swear to God—”
Pulled against his body he instantly caught her lips with his. She squirmed only to have him hold tighter. His firm chest and arms were inescapable at first, but undeniable as his arms loosened around her. His tongue licked at the seam of her lips and she opened on reflex. With a flick, then stroke, she tasted the only man she’d ever loved. The only one she’d ever let into her heart. A moan escaped as she clung to his shoulders for support and fear that he’d leave her again. Again.
Betsy put two hands on his chest and shoved. He fell against his horse with a chuckle.
“Yeah, still fun.” His eyes laughed as his full lips curled on just the left side.
“Lay your hands on my reporter or pull some stupid stunt, and it’s me you’ll deal with. Got it cowboy.” Ron jumped between the two of them.
“Got it, Sir,” JT relented and reached for the bridle of his horse. “I take them out for a walk around eight in the morning. If you’re interested Betsy.”
“I don’t need to talk to you JT Long, you’re not a competitor.” Her accent was back with a vengeance.
JT took a long look around the fairgrounds and stopped when he saw Cole signing autographs.
“Not in the rodeo, but you can’t tell me you care more about him than you did for me.”
“He’s twice the man you are,” Betsy lied. “And he’s here for me. Nothing else.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” JT whispered as he walked behind her and placed his hand on her hip. “Look at him and that girl spilling out of her shirt. I never played along with the fans after I met you. He’s leaning in and letting her lay her hand on his arm.”
If JT would have ever done that to her she would have been crushed... after she kicked his ass and then hers. She tried to imagine JT standing there instead of Cole. Jealousy surged through her body. She tried to fight the emotion, but it was like an angry bull trying to throw a rider. As much as she bucked against the weight on her back it wouldn’t relent.
When she turned around JT was gone like a wind had been caressing her neck and not his breath. Her hand went to her lips that were swollen and wanting more. With a slow lick of her lips she found his unique taste and her world began to spin and crash around her.
“You okay, Betsy?” Ron asked as he put his arm around her shoulder.
“No. Not even slightly.”
*****
JT opened the door to his room to see Betsy fumbling with a backpack. Her back was turned to him and he could tell she’d forgotten something and was doing everything she could to will it into her bag.
“Frick,” she cursed and pulled out her card key.
“What’da forget?” he asked and she turned with a quick jerk.
“My press pass.”
“I doubt anyone would give you problems for not having it.”
“You can never be too sure with a million dollar bull around. Security is tighter than you think.”
She pushed her door open and JT followed her into her single king bed suite. He was happy to see she didn’t have an overnight visitor still sleeping. Better yet, her bed hardly looked slept in. Barely one half of the duvet was undone. She was a wisp of a woman that didn’t need much room.
“You didn’t have a guest last night?”
“That’s none of your business.” Betsy began tearing through her suitcase.
“It is when you turned me down for a man who’s two of me.” He flipped her duvet up to cover the pillow. “Looks like he’s less than me if he stayed here.”
“Maybe he made up his side of the bed.” She moved into the bathroom, then back out to the dresser.
“Didn’t look the type.”
“You don’t know him.”
“Nope, I don’t. But I know you. And I know I came on too strong last night. You’re not the same girl from Dell City who wanted to be swept off her feet. Now you need to be wooed.”
“No,” she growled and snatched her pass off the nightstand. “I need someon
e who wants to meet me halfway, not run.”
“I’m not who I was back then. You’re not the only one who’s changed.”
“I didn’t change, JT, this is who I always was.”
He stepped into her personal space and could instantly smell the fresh smell of lilacs. She’d loved her scented soaps and the smells triggered him no matter where he was.
“Ride with me,” he offered as he traced from her temple to her ear with his middle finger and cupped her under her jaw. “I have to walk the horses, let me show you I’ve grown up.”
Betsy chewed on her bottom lip while her cornflower blue eyes stayed on him.
“Please, give me another chance. You’ve got hours before you need to be at the fairgrounds.”
“I need to tell Ron where I’m at or he’ll worry.” She turned away from JT and pulled out her phone. After a quick text she headed to the door. “I’m only going because it’s been years since I’ve gotten to ride.”
Whatever she needed to tell herself; as long as she gave him a chance he was happy.
“This is Smash,” he said as he put the bridle on and saddled the gelding. “I’ll have you ride him. I’ll take Crash, Clint’s horse.”
“Where is Clint?”
“It’s my day. He’s probably still waking up.”
Betsy placed her foot in the stirrup and flung her leg over the horse. JT steadied himself from the sight of her ass and hips that had filled out nicely. Before she had a nice round butt, but now it had great definition to it. He licked his lips and when she looked over her shoulder at him he couldn’t help flashing back to the first time they’d rode together.
‘Hey Cowboy, what’s a girl got to do to, to get a free ride.’
‘Well Miss, that depends.’
‘On what?’
‘What you’re planning on riding.’
Her face turned bright pink, but she smiled and met him halfway.
‘It could be multiple things, but right now I’d love to sit on top of that quarter horse you got there.’
‘You know your horses.’
‘I even know about cowboys.’
‘Do you now?’
‘Most, but there’s one I’d like to know more about.’
One short ride around the arena, a quick meal at a taco truck, and they didn’t separate for over a year.
“Where are you exercising them?” Betsy asked and he shook back the memories.
“The arena.”
“Darn, I was hoping we could push them.”
“Oh, I’m planning on pushing them a bit,” JT said as he mounted Crash. “You remember how to turn them tightly?”
“I’m not that rusty.”
They trotted the horses to the gate and Jeff let them into the ring. They started at a slow trot next to each other. JT wanted to ask about the last five years. He wanted to know what Betsy had done and how she’d ended up in Minnesota. But talking seemed to be the last thing she wanted to do. She kept the reins tight in her hands as she held tightly to the horn of the saddle.
“When was the last time your rode?”
“When I was at your daddy’s ranch.”
“No wonder you wanted to stretch your legs. Don’t you go ride at your parents anymore?”
“They sold their ranch about three years ago.” She was coming out of her city voice and returning to her Texas twang. “Daddy’s getting on in age. Remember they had me late in life as Momma would say.”
“The miracle slash accident after the surgery.” JT chuckled at the way her brothers had explained Betsy while threatening to kill him if she shed a tear over him. He wondered if she knew they had tracked him down and beat his ass outside of Vegas.
“Exactly. Momma wasn’t too happy with Doc Warren after that botched job, but she got over it because I’m such a blessing.”
Betsy smiled wide and a quick flush danced across her cheekbones.
They’d completed a full lap and he gave Crash a bit of a kick to pick up the pace. Betsy matched his speed until they were at a full gallop and racing around the arena. They stayed in the same direction the whole time. The wind whipped Betsy’s braid back and her smile warmed him inside. He trusted Smash to protect her and not get out of control.
“Flip ‘em,” he said and took the last turn tight to turn them and go in the other direction.
Betsy followed suit and was soon racing up behind him. After three more laps he pulled up the reins and brought Crash to a halt. Betsy was halfway around the arena before she noticed he wasn’t with her. She slowed Smash down and brought him back toward JT. They lined up the horses like a yin-yang symbol and she smiled out of breath.
“Thank you, I think I needed that.”
Her face was flush and JT made his move. Leaning over he brought his hand to her cheek and his lips to hers. She fell into the soft caress and didn’t pull away. He wasn’t going to push—no tongues—his lips were tingling enough from the feel of hers as it was.
“How about breakfast?” he asked.
“I ate at the motel.”
“How about a walk?”
“JT...” She turned her head and guided Smash toward the gate.
“Bets.” JT came up beside her and walked Crash out. “I made a mistake, kids do that, don’t punish me for being immature.”
When they got back to the holding pens she hopped down and put Smash away.
“I don’t know how serious you and that ballplayer are, but he doesn’t seem to be exclusive.”
“We’re not. I don’t invest myself that way.”
“Why?”
“I can’t survive another broken heart. I know some girls can have their heart broken a million times, but I can’t. JT you destroyed me five years ago.”
“I can fix it.” He pulled her into his arms and cradled her against him. Her words were like a knife gutting him and all he wanted to do was pull her close and protect her from harm, but could he protect her from himself? “I’m different I swear Bets, I swear. Give me another chance.”
*****
Betsy trembled in JT’s arms while he stroked back her hair. She remembered the feel of him, how she felt safe and protected. He was the hero. The one who saved the cowboys and who’d saved her when guys came on too strong. He made sure she never shed a tear, until that last day when he said good-bye. In her heart she wanted to be with him. It had always been him.
The smell of his musk cologne and the sweat from working out engulfed her. His hands were rough with callouses, but still tender when they touched her. There was a part of her who needed to stay in his arms, but his arms didn’t live where she lived. His arms didn’t allow for her dreams anymore. She was happy in the Twin Cities. Visiting family in Texas was the only time she wanted to go back. Sure, she felt comfortable around the horses and cowboys, but she wasn’t a child anymore.
“Betsy,” JT whispered against her neck. “Give me a half hour, we can stay here or find a park to walk in. I know I don’t deserve a chance, but please let me have just one.”
“You hurt me and I’ll punish you for old and new.”
“I’ll take it.” JT pulled back just enough to kiss her forehead. “Let’s go.”
They walked to the edge of the fairgrounds that was beginning to buzz with people setting up their stands and tending animals. Although she had fun riding Smash, she was already noticing the years on her thighs. Growing up she was usually on a horse at least twice a week. Now her thighs felt a soreness that made the walk seem like a bad idea.
“Can we sit? My thighs aren’t what they used to be.”
“They’re better,” JT said with a glint as his eyes seemed to devour her curves.
She warmed at the way he still found her attractive. More than attractive by the looks of it. They found a place by a tree and plopped on the ground.
“Tell me about how you’ve been living?” he asked.
“I live in a loft in the city.”
“A loft? Can you even see a park?”
; “Nope, I have a great view of a brick wall. I guess I just wanted the opposite of everything I knew. This is the first time I came out of the city.”
“Are you happy?”
“I thought I was fine.”
“What changed?”
“I saw you on a horse last night.”
“You miss riding?”
“Among other things.”
“Like what?”
Betsy knitted her fingers together and kept her eyes down.
“You think I stopped loving you? Even for one moment.”
JT cradled her head in his hands and leaned in to kiss her. She fell back onto the grass with JT leaning over her. His lips were soft against hers and he gently claimed what had always been his. What would always be his. No matter what she wanted she couldn’t let him go.
His hand traveled down her ribs to her hip where he locked his fingers into her belt loops. She’d forgotten how large his hand was compared to her hip. Even with an extra twenty pounds he could wrap from the front to the back.
As his tongue stroked against hers she let her hands feel the roughness of his tight fade as she found her way to his neck. They released from the caress only to explore each other’s necks. Nerves erupted from the sensitive flesh and shot around her body. Her legs separated and he fell in between as she wrapped her legs around his lean waist. His hand untucked her shirt and snaked its way to her breast. Kneading the engorged flesh he massaged and pressed against her stiff nipple.
His hardness strained against his jeans and pressed into her wet crevice between her thighs. The pain from the ride dissipated in favor of the sore wanton from her need to have JT inside her again. She needed him to fill every inch of her with more than just his length. She wanted her man back.
“I’m not a girl anymore.”
“You were a woman then and are still now. I’m the one who needed to change. I have, Bets. Let’s go somewhere so I can show you how much I missed you.”
When JT removed his warm hand she felt a sharp chill down to her toes. Wetting her lips she tried to remember it was only for a moment. Just a moment and she could have him back forever. This time he was meeting her. She wasn’t chasing a cowboy on the open range. He was coming to her.
Red Hot and BOOM! A Sizzling Hot Collection of Stories from the Red Hot Authors Page 49