by Liz Crowe
“You can come again. I know you can. Squeeze me with that hot pussy of yours.”
The second she exploded into another orgasm, she heard him lose control. He growled low in his throat and lost the rhythmic pounding of his hips to a completely uncoordinated cadence as he shot his sperm into the condom.
“You’re gonna be the death of me.”
“Nah, you’re a man. You can handle it.” She giggled as she smacked him on the butt cheek the moment he let her out of her bindings.
“Hey. I’m supposed to do the ass warmin’.”
“What you aren’t a switch?”
He withdrew from her and sat up on the side of the bed with a puzzled look on his gorgeous face. “What do you know about being a switch?”
“Not a lot. I’ve read some romances with BDSM in it. I don’t know how much of it is true, but it interests me.”
“Does it, now. Hmm. Maybe we need to explore a bit more while you’re here.”
“So much for not ravishing the guests.”
He frowned and reached for his pants. “Don’t get me wrong, we have to be careful, but there’s a lot of fun to be had. We just can’t let anyone know what’s happening between us.”
“We have to keep this a secret? Seriously?” she asked, pulling the sheet up to cover her breasts.
“We had some good sex, Mesa. Nothin’ more. If we tell anyone in my family, especially my mother, she’ll have us married and havin’ kids before the end of the week,” he said from the bathroom. “Besides, the fuck was almost the best I’ve ever had.”
“Almost?” she snapped, fury rushing through her at his offhanded compliment, then slamming her back down with it being almost the best he’s ever had. God, I’m such an idiot!
“Easy, Mesa. I didn’t mean anythin’ by it,” he replied, coming out with his pants on but not buttoned.
“Yeah. Tonight was a test. Just a quick fuck, with the potential for more during my stay. I get it, Joel.” She grabbed her clothes from the floor, struggling to snap herself back into her bra with about as much grace as an octopus.
“What are you doin’, darlin’?” He touched her shoulder but she shrugged him off.
“Don’t darlin’ me. I want you to take me back to the lodge or I’ll walk.”
“No you won’t.”
“Yes, I will. Don’t tell me what to do. You might be able to dominate me in bed, but I’m my own person and I don’t take kindly to men telling me what to do. I have a mind of my own. I can make my own decisions.” She flipped her hair out of the collar of her shirt as she slipped her tennis shoes on her feet. “Are you gonna take me back?”
“Fine,” he growled, tugging the T-shirt she’d been wearing on.
His magnificent chest disappeared from view. She bit her lips to keep from moaning at the loss. “Fine.”
He slid on a pair of flip-flops, then stood there impatiently tapping his foot. Without another word, she headed for the door with him on her heels. So much for a great evening spent in the arms of a hot cowboy. Yeah, they’d had great sex but the minute things got a little testy, they were at each other’s throats. He wouldn’t tell his family they were sleeping together because he didn’t want his mother playing matchmaker. Well, she didn’t want that either. He didn’t have to make it sound like a huge mistake for them to make love. Now she felt used and cheap.
Several moments later, they pulled up in front of the lodge. She didn’t even wait for him to come around and open the door. She just hopped out on her own, slammed the truck door and headed for the house. Joel sprayed gravel as he backed out and then sped off down the driveway.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. God, I’ve been such an idiot where he’s concerned. Good lookin’ cowboy is all it takes. I’m all over it and him.
“Great job, Mesa. Sleep with the man. What a fuckin’ waste of time.”
The door to the lodge opened in front of her, and then closed as a cowboy she didn’t recognize came out.
“Ma’am.” He tipped his hat and walked down the stairs. She shook her head as she turned to see where he was going, but he’d disappeared.
“All right. I’m gonna have to ask someone. This is getting too weird for me. Doors open and close without anyone around, voices and knocks on my door when there is no one there, people disappearing without a trace.”
She opened the door and walked inside. The house was quiet. No one stirred. She headed across the dining room toward the stairs to go to her room when goose bumps started to rise on her arms. The air turned colder. She glanced back at the door she’d just come through in time to see it open, and then closed on its own.
Just a little freaked out, she ran up the stairs. She fumbled with the key to her room for a moment before sprinting through the door and slamming it sharply behind her.
*****
Joel stepped through the door of his cabin, flinging the keys to his truck against the wall. Frustration, anger and just a little bit of fear raced through him. How could things have gotten so screwed up? What the hell did I say to piss her off so badly?
“I said it was good sex. What the hell more does she want? I certainly can’t let my family know we slept together. Mom would have a coronary or have us in front of a preacher as soon as she could arrange it.” He tossed off his flip-flops and dropped onto the sofa. His cell phone jingled in his pocket. “Yeah,” he answered after he’d pulled it out.
“What’s up, bro?”
“What do you want, Jacob?”
“I thought I’d check in with you. I thought I saw you drop Mesa off at the lodge.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“What? She’s majorly fuckin’ pissed at me for some damn reason.”
“What the hell did you do?”
“I don’t fuckin’ know. That’s just it.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I mean we had great sex. I thought everythin’ was great. She got a burr under her blanket and insisted I take her back.”
“Tell me what you said.”
“I told her we couldn’t let anyone know what’s happened between us.”
“She said, we have to keep this a secret and I said yes. We had some good sex, Mesa. Nothin’ more. If we tell anyone in my family, especially my mother, she’ll have us married and havin’ kids before the end of the week. Then I said, besides, the fuck was almost the best I’ve ever had.”
“Holy shit! Are you fuckin’ dense man?”
“What?”
“You told her she was almost the best. You might as well tell her she’s okay in the sack. You never tell a woman they are almost the best you ever had. Then you told her you couldn’t tell anyone you’d been together.”
“Well, we can’t. Mom would have a cow. You know she would.”
“Seriously, Joel. Don’t you think the rest of us have fucked a guest before?”
“You have?”
“Hell yeah. Remember the set of twins who visited last year in late summer. Blonde, big boobs?”
“Tiffany and Trena?”
“Yeah, I guess. Hell, I don’t even remember their names, but I had both of them. At once.”
“What? Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?”
“No and Mom knows. The girls weren’t quiet about it the next day. They were discussing it in the dining room. Of course, they couldn’t tell any of us apart so I doubt they could even say which one of us fucked them.”
“I know it wasn’t me.”
“I know who it was, dipwad. I might have been a little drunk, but I sure remember fuckin’ both of them.”
“I’ve never had two at once.”
“It’s an experience.” He coughed in the phone. “I assume you enjoyed yourself with Mesa.”
“Hell yeah. She was fantastic, but I doubt she’ll even talk to me the rest of the time she’s here.”
“I don’t think she’ll hold a grudge.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s hung up on you, dude.”
“I’ve only known her
a couple of days.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean shit when a heart gets involved. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
“We’ll see tomorrow, I guess.”
Their conversation wrapped up a few minutes later when he clicked off the phone. Did I really screw things up so bad with Mesa that she won’t talk to me again? I hope not. I really like her a lot and in bed? Holy fuck!
He grabbed a beer from the refrigerator before he walked into his room and stripped off his clothes. The sheets felt cool to his heated skin as he slid beneath them. The light slipped off with a twist of his fingers.
Moonlight streamed in through the open window as a cool breeze tickled across his skin. The scent of Mesa drifted to him on the air so he rolled over and pulled the pillow her head had been on, to his face. He couldn’t quite place the flowery scent, but he knew it belonged uniquely to her. He’d smelled it on her hair when he’d been buried deep inside her pussy. His cock hardened at the mere thought of her wrapped around him. He groaned, fisting his cock in his hand. There would be no getting any sleep tonight with his raging hard-on. It had been a long time since he’d been this turned on by a woman…any woman. He pumped his fist several times while he imagined Mesa’s hot pussy surrounding him, scalding him with her heat.
In no time at all, he felt the pull of his balls to his groin and the tingling sensation signaling the inevitable release. Cum shot out the end of his dick, splashing the white substance across his stomach. He moaned and slumped against the pillows. Damn. He swung his legs over the side of the bed as he let his head drop in exhaustion. For several moments he sat there inhaling lungsful of air, trying to calm his racing heart. Getting himself off like that after already coming with Mesa, almost hurt, but it was better than trying to sleep hard as a damn rock. He stumbled to the bathroom to wash the cum from his abdomen before he succumbed to sleep.
Now he might be able to actually sleep, although he feared dreams of her would bother him through the night whether he wanted them to or not.
Chapter Eight
She needed to talk to Joel or Nina or Joel’s dad. The noises of the couple arguing again woke her at two in the morning. The knock sounded on her door shortly afterward but she feared opening it to find no one on the other side. Things seemed too strange and she needed to find out what was going on.
A light misty rain fell from the gray skies. It gets cloudy in Texas? Thunder rumbled in the distance. Goose bumps rose on her arms. Thunderstorms bothered her some, but there was electricity in the air trying to fight for substance like nothing she’d ever felt before.
The breakfast bell clanged downstairs signaling the return of the crowd staying at the ranch for the next meal. She dreaded facing Joel or his family after the night before. Sure, they’d had sex. At least for her it had been phenomenal sex. Apparently for him, it was just okay. She should have known. A guy like him didn’t usually have anything to do with women like her. The plain, a little plump, and the nothing-to-write-home-to-mom-about type girl didn’t get the gorgeous, hunky cowboy. It just didn’t happen except in her novels.
After she slipped on her shoes, she grabbed her small backpack and locked the door. She glanced down the hall to the left and right almost expecting to see someone there. Nothing.
The aroma of bacon and eggs drifted to her nose. Her stomach rumbled in protest. She took the stairs begrudgingly as she prepared herself for the inevitable rush she felt every time she saw Joel.
The entire family sat at their usual table waiting for the guests to get their plates. She glanced down the long expanse to notice one empty chair. Joel wasn’t there.
Where was he? Surely he didn’t feel guilty about the way they fought last night?
She got into the line for her food and chatted with an older woman about the weather.
“Too bad it’s raining today. We wanted to go riding.”
“You can still ride even in the wet weather, although it’s not as comfortable.”
“We are city slickers. We don’t do wet leather or wet jeans,” the woman answered with a smile. “We’re living out our fantasies of cowboys with all these hunky men around, but I think today will just be a sit-around-and-drool day.”
“Anyone special you are drooling over?”
“Well the triplets are just awesome. Can you imagine having the attention of all three at once?”
“I don’t think I could handle all three at once.”
“I’d sure give it a try,” the woman replied, giggling under her breath as she glanced at the table.
The door burst open with a gust of wind. Mesa gasped as she glanced at the door and the silhouette of the man outlined. The width of his shoulders. The breadth of his chest. The ruffle of hair at his neck. The black Stetson shading his face. Even though she couldn’t see his face, she knew him. She knew his body like she knew her own…by the touch of her hands.
Joel.
He pulled the door shut behind him, blocking the gust of wind whipping through and blowing rain in from outside. His eyes never left hers as he walked up to her and smiled before moving down to the table where the coffee sat.
“Interesting.” The woman she’d been talking to moved away.
Mesa’s gaze never left Joel.
Once he had his coffee, he turned toward her, sipped the dark brew, and gave her a sexy wink.
Well, apparently he thinks I’m not pissed at him anymore. She didn’t respond except for a frown as she grabbed her plate.
Instead of sitting in her normal spot next to him at the family table, she chose a table with a bunch of women. “Mind if I sit with you ladies?”
“Of course not. Please,” a large, older woman replied. “There’s always room for one more.”
“Are you ladies here for a few days?”
“Yes. We love the ranch life and wanted to experience it for ourselves. You know instead of always reading about it, we wanted to see it.”
“Oh? You ladies read?”
“Of course we do,” a petite blonde answered. “We are a book club.”
“Wonderful! What do you ladies like to read?”
A redhead to her left giggled. “Romance, of course. Hot cowboys.” She glanced at the family table with wide eyes. “You know. Like they are.”
“I know exactly what you mean.” She took several bites. “Who are your favorite authors?”
The ladies glanced at each other and said in unison, “Mesa West.”
“Really?”
The lady to her right clapped and said, “We heard you were here visiting when you posted on your Facebook status. We would love for you to sign some of our books we brought.”
“Of course!”
“Many of us live in San Antonio and were disappointed you weren’t at the book signing yesterday, so we drove out here to have some one on one time with you if you don’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind. You ladies have made my day. I would love to sit and chat with you for a while about books.”
“Is Troy going to get his own story?” a brunette asked from the end of the table as she clapped excitedly. “I absolutely loved him in Trouble in Cowboy Boots.”
“I did too, and yes, he’s definitely getting his own story.”
“When?”
“Soon, I hope. I’m here trying to get some inspiration for a new series.”
“Wow! Really?”
She nodded as she glanced at Joel from the corner of her eye. One eyebrow went up above his left eye. Damn the man.
Excited chatter enveloped her while the women shot her question after question about her characters, stories, and inspiration. Where did she come up with her stories? Were there real men who inspired her cowboys? The more questions, the more she lost herself in the enthusiasm of her readers.
The crowd came and went from the dining room while they continued to talk. Several moments ago, Joel had walked by, brushing her shoulders with his fingers in a gesture mistaken for innocence, but she knew different. He
was ramping up her need for him with the simple touch.
“Are you seeing the cute one who just walked by?” the redhead asked as Joel walked out the door, taking his scent with him.
“Seeing? No. He’s just been helping me with research about ranch life and cowboying while I’m here. We’ve only known each other a couple of days.”
“He seems taken with you.”
“Me?” She laughed ruefully knowing there wouldn’t ever be anything more than a quick tumble between the sheets with Joel. “Yeah, no. His kind doesn’t get taken with women like me.”
“You’re a beautiful girl. I don’t know why you say such things. We love you.”
“Aw, thank you, ladies.” The kitchen workers eyed them. “I think we should clean up our dishes and maybe move into the main lodge to continue our discussions. They want to get things ready for lunch in a few hours.”
The group picked up their dishes and deposited them in the washbasin before they retreated to the main lodge area where the fireplace and large bookcases where located. There were several couches all arranged in a semi-circle in front of the cold fireplace where everyone could chat without bothering anyone else. Mesa took a chair at the center of the group, fielding the rapid-fire questions the women threw at her. She loved chatting with readers and being the only author in the room, she could let their enthusiasm surround her, lift her spirits, and give her muse a quick kick in the butt.
The women spent the next couple of hours pounding her with questions, laughing at some of her responses, and just generally having a good time.
“I totally appreciate you ladies making the trip out here just to see me. I’m thrilled you came. You’ve all made my day.”
“Thank you for spending a few hours out of your busy schedule to chat with us, Mesa. It’s been fantastic and I’m sure we’ll all be buying your next book the moment it hits the shelves.”
“I hope you get some great inspiration from your cowboy friend.”
“Yeah, me too. He’s been fabulous so far, but now I need to track him down and ask him a few questions so if you ladies will excuse me.”
“Of course. Thank you again and we’ll see you at the next conference. You’ll be at the one in Dallas, right?”