Cowboy Pickup

by Vonna Harper

  “You’re leaving?” she asked.

  “Might as well.” He cupped the mound between his legs. “I’m going to be out of commission for a while. Besides, if I stay, you’ll want me to buy your drinks.”

  She snatched the Stetson off his head and planted it on hers. “You’ve got that right, cowboy. That’s the least you owe me.”

  “Oh, yeah.” He pulled her jeans out of her hand and draped them over his shoulder. That done, he tucked her panties in a front pocket, leaving her with no easy way of attaining a measure of modesty. “The way I look at it, this is a draw. We both got what we came in here for.”

  “I can’t argue that,” she said and wrapped her arms around her middle.

  A few people were still hanging around, but most had gone back to what they’d been doing before she and Tadd had become exhibitionists. If she didn’t know better, she’d conclude they’d been more amused than anything else.

  “But I’m thirsty,” she said. “And as long as you have my jeans and the money I tucked in a pocket, I don’t have anything to buy a beer or whiskey with.”

  “You got anything to drink at your place?”

  “Hmm.” She drew out the word. “I just might.”

  “Good.”

  “Good? I don’t recall inviting you. You’re pretty sure of yourself for someone who only scratched one itch.”

  “One?” He winked. “Oh, I believe it’s more than that.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Before she could guess what he was up to, he snatched back his hat. Looking a bit like a desperado, he stepped toward her.

  Instead of trying to backtrack, she held her ground while trying to keep her expression neutral. The next thing she knew, he’d grabbed her around the waist, lifted her and deposited her breasts and belly down on his shoulder. Her arms and head dangled along his back while her legs brushed his front. Her breasts were flattened against his shoulder blade, her ass high and handsome for everyone to see.

  “What the—?” she started.

  “You need me to spell it out? Come on, you’re a smart woman.”

  Tonight, I don’t know what I am.

  Tadd wrapped a steadying arm around her leg, slapped her bare ass and started for the door. “Get her boots, Crissy. She’ll pick them up later.”

  Because she couldn’t see anything beyond his backside, she didn’t know where they were going. Walking slow and purposefully, he stepped outside.

  “Ready to go home?” he asked.

  “The blood’s rushing to my head. Let me up.”

  “Not yet. I’m going to enjoy this for as long as I can.”

  In the time she’d been in the Sidewinder, the air had cooled a good fifteen degrees. As a result, her legs and butt were getting chilled. Tadd must have noticed because he switched from slapping to briskly rubbing her ass and thighs.

  “For the record,” she said, “that’s turning me on.”

  “Good. So, you came with Crissy? Your truck’s not here?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Loria?”

  “What, Wyatt?”

  He took a long, slow breath. “I won’t be gone so long next time. Old man Parker agreed to lease his west range to us.”

  “He did? That’s wonderful.”

  “It is,” he whispered. “I hated being away from you.”

  Touched by the emotion in her husband’s voice, she blinked back tears. “I hated it too,” she whispered. “Honey?”

  “What?”

  “Please let me down. I don’t want to risk you doing something to your back we’ll both regret.”

  “Like putting me out of commission for a few days?”

  “That would be a shame, a real shame.”

  “Yes, it would.” He released her, his hands sliding over her body.

  Blinking back more tears, she wrapped her arms around the man she’d married seven years ago and had no doubt she would always love, and covered his mouth with hers. His embrace felt wonderful. Like belonging.

  “You feel so good. I don’t think I can get enough of you.”

  He squeezed. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

  “A lot of the time,” she admitted, “I was so busy I just crossed off the days, but the nights—”

  “For me too.” He ran his fingers into her hair. “I love seeing it loose like that.”

  “Usually it isn’t practical.”

  “No, it isn’t, but I wanted you to know I appreciate the effort. About the washing machine—I’ll get to it in the morning.”

  God, she loved this crazy, sexy man! “No need. Your dad fixed it. Speaking of your folks, the rug rats are spending the night with them.”

  Still finger-combing her hair, he reached for the passenger side truck door. “So, it’s just going to be the two of us until morning?”

  She walked barefoot to the truck, but before she had to climb into the high cab, he hoisted her up. “Just us and the dogs and chickens and horses. Speaking of the horses, an antelope’s been hanging out with them. From the looks of her, I think she’s pregnant.”

  “Speaking of pregnant.” He patted her naked belly. “What do you think of adding to our personal herd?”

  “Bite your tongue, cowboy. Running after two preschoolers in addition to being a ranch wife is enough work for now, thank you very much.”

  He rubbed her thighs, his thumbs sliding dangerously close to her core. “We can still practice, can’t we?”

  “Damn straight. However, the next time we have sex, and it better happen before long, I want it to take place in bed.”

  A thumb touched her clit, making her gasp and grab his shoulders. “Then I’d better get us home.”

  Laughing, she pressed her hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe we did that! Our friends in the Sidewinder are going to think we lost our minds.”

  “Do you think?” he asked. “I’m not in a hurry to go back in there. Let the memory fade a little first.”

  “Like that’s going to happen. Serves folks right for saying we’re wild. They’re going to be scandalized for the rest of their lives.”

  “If they are, it’s your fault, coming in without your bra on and letting me pick you up.”

  “My fault? You got my message on your cell about Crissy’s dare, didn’t you?”

  He winked. “Sure did. Her boyfriend’s going to have a hard time keeping her down at the farm, not that he seemed to have any complaints.”

  “No, he didn’t. The two of them put on an act that’s almost as good as ours. I wonder if they’ll try to improve on our performance now that we’re no longer there to compete for the audience’s attention.”

  “Maybe. Tell me, were you surprised I agreed to go along with your stunt?”

  “I was at first. Then I was having so much fun it didn’t matter. If we’re going to be called wild, we might as well live up to our reputations.”

  “Fun? That’s all you have to say about the climax I gave you?” Crouching, he spread her legs and licked where his thumb had been.

  “Shit! You’d better—”

  “Yeah, I know. I’d better get my filly home.”

  “‘Filly’? I haven’t been one for a long time. If I’m anything, I’m a brood mare.”

  “Not tonight you aren’t.”

  “Then what does that make you? My stallion? My stud?”

  He stood and wrapped his arms around her. “You better believe it.” His breath warmed the side of her neck. “Let’s head for the ranch. I’ll prove it.”

  Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:

  Getting Laid

  Vonna Harper

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  “I want to get laid.”

  “I hate to point this out to you, honey, but you’ve been out of the dating game a long time. Your little black book has expired.”

  “Like I ever had one. Kat, I’m serious, I’m about to jump out of my skin.” Propelled by her words, Lisi Ha
llinan stalked to the window and stared out at the overgrown yard. One good thing about hundred-plus-year-old windows—they distorted reality, making the jungle-like growth easier to ignore. “I had no idea I was so uptight. To know I’m going to be able to get out from under this pressure is a huge load off my mind. I can finally see beyond the end of my nose and listen to what my body’s trying to tell me.”

  “The sale’s a sure thing? Real estate’s such a mess these days.”

  “Tell me about it. Why do you think I’ve been stressed? Get this. It’s an all-cash deal. I figure it’s some old fart with more money and nostalgia than sense.”

  “Cash? You’re shittin’ me.”

  “You think I’d joke about this? I’ll give you all the details, but only if you buy the first drink tonight.”

  “You drive a hard bargain. Okay, tonight it is. The Stagecoach? A little after six.”

  “Of course, the Stagecoach. As much as I plan on drinking, it has to be within walking distance.”

  “What about the rest of the gang?”

  Lisi turned her back on the yard she loved but which in less than a month would no longer be her responsibility and walked into the small kitchen. The floor groaned. “Kara and Callie are on board. I have a message in for Squeaky.”

  “It’s looking good. With the gang checking out the merchandise, we’re sure to find someone willing to scratch your itches. Glad to hear your hormones are finally working again.”

  That they are, in spades, Lisi acknowledged as she hung up. Going by her fortunately limited experience of having only done it once, divorce was super effective in shutting down the sex drive. She’d heard of women who became nymphos before the divorce papers were signed, but not her. All she’d wanted to do was crawl into a cave and hibernate. Instead, she’d been stuck in an aging house with a for-sale sign.

  And a job, don’t forget that.

  Determined to forestall an unproductive session with her inner voice, she deserted the kitchen for the living room and the stereo she’d refused to part with when her ex had insisted that half of the furniture was his. Yes, Neil Diamond! A little Cracklin’ Rosie followed by a lot of Holy, Holy. Loud. As loud as the old windows could stand.

  Mr. Diamond belted. Lisi stood hugging herself and hoping she wasn’t going to start crying. Get laid, that was what she needed. A one-night stand to end all one-night stands.

  The cell phone in her front jeans pocket vibrated, nearly causing her to climax. Thinking it would be Squeaky, she connected.

  “Lisi?” a male voice asked. She had to strain to hear over the music.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Joe Roop. I’m buying your house.”

  “You’re what? Just a minute. Let me—” She spun the stereo volume dial. “There. Now I can hear you.”

  “I hope you don’t mind,” the unexpectedly deep and sexy male voice said. “Your realtor gave me your number.”

  You’d heard I needed to get laid and you have a cock and— “She did? Is there a problem?”

  Joe whatever-he’d-said-his-last-name-was didn’t immediately answer. Her stomach flipped over, then knotted. Not fair! A man with a sexy voice should not be allowed to be the bearer of bad news.

  “With the offer?” he finally broke the silence. “I hope not.”

  Sigh. “So do I.”

  “I’m jumping the gun, but what are you doing right now?”

  Going a little crazy. “I don’t understand.”

  “Sorry. That didn’t come out the way I wanted it to. I happen to be just down the street. I’ve already driven by twice and was tempted to take pictures, but I didn’t want to startle you. Besides, what I’m really interested in is the interior. I’ve started formulating plans for the renovation, but although I took notes when I was there with my realtor, I really need photographs.”

  This stranger with the nerve-tingling voice was a few doors away. Sitting in his car. Talking to her. About renovation. Wanting to step inside and stand next to her so she could see what he looked and smelled like.

  Old fart? He didn’t sound like one.

  “I don’t know,” she blurted, suddenly scared of the opposite sex. “I’m getting ready—I have an appointment—”

  “Would tomorrow be better then?”

  Tomorrow sounded like a million years away. Neil was still making his musical presence known, and with every word Joe Whatever spoke, her skin was becoming more sensitive. Given the current state of her system, she wasn’t sure she trusted herself around the town’s seventy-five-year-old mayor.

  What the hell! Six months of celibacy didn’t mean she’d turned into a cat in heat. She was conservative and competent, an asset to the town’s government, or so the city council said. And at this moment, half-crazy.

  “No, no. That’s all right. I have a little time. This shouldn’t take long, should it?”

  “I don’t think so. But if you prefer I wait until your husband can be—”

  “What I have is an ex. I’ll be waiting.”

  * * * *

  Joe Roop put his car into Drive, glanced at the rearview mirror and pulled a U-turn in the quiet residential street. He hoped no one objected, not just because he didn’t need a ticket, but Gold Ridge was about to become his town. The residents were respectful of the rules, right?

  At least he figured they were. As a consequence of his career, he’d been home so seldom he’d never felt connected to the exclusive condo complex where he and his wife—his ex-wife—had lived. He’d paid his association dues. What he hadn’t done was mow a lawn on Saturday mornings or join his neighbors for barbeques in the evening. Now he was about to become the owner of a lawn in need of a lot more than a lawnmower and neighbors he knew nothing about.

  Lisi Hallinan must believe he was a nut. Maybe the poor old lady was rethinking her decision to let him in. In fact, being kicked to the curb might be better than having to sip tea or whatever elderly women offered their guests these days.

  The sale would close in a few weeks. He could wait, darn it, be patient. He had a lifetime in which to turn the house into what he wanted it to become. Okay, not a lifetime, but waiting until next month wasn’t going to kill him, right?

  As he pulled into the gravel and weed drive, he pondered two things. One, where was Mrs. Hallinan planning to move to? Hopefully not one of those retirement homes. Two, was her ex paying alimony and had said ex traded her in for a newer, younger and less wrinkled model? Hopefully not that either.

  Then he opened the car door and a third thought hit. The air smelled wonderful, like growing things and warm dirt and rocks. Yes, walking away from his former life had been the right thing to do.

  Order your copy here

  About the Author

  What prompts a mild-mannered mostly law abiding woman to write erotica and erotic romance, a lot revolving around BDSM and capture/bondage? Is it the complex issue of taking or giving up control?

  Vonna Harper doesn’t know and she has given up trying to find the answer. It's enough that many readers are drawn to what some call the dark side. All she asks is that readers understand she writes fiction--a brand of fiction she finds fascinating.

  Vonna has lost count of the number of books, novellas, and short stories she's written. What she has no doubt of, it’s a hell of a ride.

  Email: Vonnaharper8@gmail.com

  Vonna loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com.

  Also by Vonna Harper

  Getting Laid

  Carnal Secrets: Naked Nights

  Carnal Secrets: Her Submission

  Carnal Secrets: Taking her Down

 

 

 
filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share