by Rae, Harloe
“Yeah, oh. Such little faith.” He clucks his tongue at me, clear disappointment in the sound.
My posture deflates farther. “I’m still a little wary after the milking.”
“But how did that turn out?”
“Quite well,” I say begrudgingly, but a smile forms shortly after. I dry-humped the hell out of his lap later that evening. Good times.
“Take this.” Reeve passes me a lasso. “And follow me.”
I do, albeit with timid steps. I’m still not convinced a wild mustang isn’t waiting at the end of this tunnel.
Once we exit the barn, a huge circular pen stands directly in front of us. The ring is empty aside from a few objects I can’t decipher. He leads me through a gate and over to a tipped barrel. With a nod and a pat, Reeve signals for me to sit down.
“You want me to get on that?” I point to the oversized rusty can, my tone rising with uncertainty.
“Would you prefer Stud?” He hitches a thumb over his shoulder, blindly pointing at what I assume is a stallion.
The horse’s black gaze watches our every move.
My legs shake from the consideration alone. “Uh, no?”
“You sure?” Reeve’s light eyes twinkle under the shade of his hat.
“Very. He looks… excited.” I swallow the grit lodging in my throat.
He grunts. “You’re not his type. Don’t worry.”
I wipe fake sweat from my forehead. “Thank the country roots for that.”
His palm slaps the metal barrel. “Saddle up.”
With the elegance of a drunk college chick, I straddle the damn thing and plop down. It whirls underneath me, and I fling my arms out for balance. “Whoa.”
Reeve chuckles. “That won’t work on a stationary mount.”
“Worth a shot.” I wiggle in place, testing the reliability. “It’s very unsteady.”
He settles himself behind me, planting his feet to add stability. “Better?”
I feel not so much as a wobble now. “Yep.”
“Okay, see that cow?”
I search the open space from left to right, front to back, finding no such species.
“Negative.”
“There.” He gestures to what appears to be a rocking horse but with a plastic cow head.
“Sure, that’s obvious.”
His chest bumps into my back with a rumble of laughter. “Having fun?”
“Yes, actually. I’m interested to see what comes next.”
“If you do well, you might get a prize.” His arousal presses into me when he shifts forward.
“Are you giving me a hint?”
“More like an incentive.” He thrusts forward again.
“That’s one helluva trophy.”
“And it can be all yours.”
Reeve reaches around and fiddles with the rope in my hand, putting a big loop on the end. He puts my hand on the slip knot, sliding it a bit to prove it moves. He rests the remaining slack in my other palm.
He taps the knob under my fingers. “Holding here, spin the rope above you, aim at the target, and release.”
“Are you going to show me how?”
“Nope. I wanna see you try.”
“All right.” I twirl the lasso and promptly smack the hat off Reeve’s head. With a gasp, I spin to check for damage. “Shit, are you okay?”
“Just dandy. Why do you think I’m wearing this?” With a wink, he fetches it from the sand.
I bob a shoulder. “Decoration? Protection from the sun? To get me hot and bothered?”
“All of the above.” He kisses my neck before shoving his hat on. “Try again.”
Ever the supporter of following directions, I do as he says. I toss the loop while holding my breath. It lands flat a foot in front of me with a puff of dirt. “Uh, whoops.”
“Not bad.” He helps me reel in the rope.
“You’re being far too generous.”
“And you’re too stiff. Relax your seat.” He grips my waist and rolls his pelvis into me. “It’s all in the hips.”
I try to ignore the proximity of our bodies. The attempt falls with a resounding splat. “Uh-huh.”
“You’re not moving.”
“Oh,” I mumble. “I thought you were just demonstrating the motions.”
Reeve chuckles against my ear. “Are you distracted, babe?”
“Can you blame me?” This is better than foreplay. He’s hard against me, grinding that bulge into my ass with every forward lunge.
“Keep going,” he urges. His hand covers mine on the rope as he widens the loop again.
I grip the knot, spin the lasso, and release. Reeve rocks into my movements, guiding me with dizzying pressure from behind. The circle falls several feet short.
“Crud.”
Does he realize how erotic this seemingly innocent lesson is? We’re rocking back and forth on this barrel in a very sexualized manner. If we were naked, his dick would’ve been buried nine inches deep ten minutes ago. I’m seconds away from spontaneously combusting. Like I need further proof that this guy is fantastic in bed. I would be a very stupid woman to surrender to him now.
“There are far easier ways to turn me on, farmer.” I might as well be putty in his very-capable mitts.
“Believe it or not, I’m not trying to initiate sex.” Yet he clutches me closer as we speak.
I tremble in his embrace. “You could’ve fooled me.”
He nods ahead of us. “Go again.”
And I do. I attempt to hit that damn cow no less than twenty times without success. Frustration slowly pulses at my temples. After yet another failure, I groan and glare at the stunning scenery.
“Is this even possible?” I loosen my hold on the tricky contraption, more than ready to throw it on the ground permanently.
Reeve takes the rope from my grasp, quickly spinning a wide loop and tossing it at the target. The lasso lands gracefully over the plastic horns before Reeve yanks to pull the cord taut.
“Show-off,” I mutter. Underneath the snark is a telltale flutter in my lower belly. Is there anything he can’t do well? This man could make folding laundry look appealing.
“You asked.”
“And now I’m even more embarrassed.”
He trails a finger up my arm. “Why?”
I toss a hand up into the air. “Because I suck.”
“Are you offering me oral again? Damn, babe. You’re such a nympho.” Among his many talents is his ability to lighten the mood.
A giggle shimmies in my chest, trying to break free, but I trap the sneaky sound. “I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of a response.”
Reeve combs through a lock of my hair. “You just did.”
I hang my head. “Dammit. I’m all flustered and off my game.”
He squeezes my shoulders. “Try once more, and we’ll be done. You can practice more later.”
I snort. “That’s not going to happen.”
“What if it involves tying me up?”
“I’m listening.”
He laughs, hot air ghosting across my nape. “That’s my girl.”
I do my best to ignore that claim, readying the rope. It comes as no surprise when the lasso misses. I laugh in spite of the defeat. “Thanks for setting this up for me. Regardless of my terrible aim, I enjoy it.”
“You’re a great sport.”
“Well, you make participating fun. Thanks, coach.”
He drifts his nose along my cheek. “I have something rather spontaneous planned for you.”
“Today?”
“Yep, and we don’t even have to switch locations.” Reeve’s tone makes me freeze.
“That sounds… suspicious.” I peer at him from the corner of my eye. I can picture a whole lot of options across this ranching paradise.
His smirk elicits more than a little concern. “You gave me an idea earlier with that whole lacking-skill spiel. Everyone should do this at least once.”
So much of that random jar
gon has my mind a tad jumbled. “Should I be scared?”
Too bad I don’t get a dollar for asking that. I’d be filthy rich from these past months alone.
But Reeve—as always in these situations—responds without hesitation. “Not at all. Trust me, babe.”
Less than an hour later, we stand in front of a hitching post with Audria’s next conquest all set to go. Trigger is practically raring at the opportunity. I snort at the vision that creates. It’s difficult to imagine this old fella doing anything more than swish his tail to convey emotion. I’m about to share the joke, but one glance at the woman beside me sobers my amusement.
It’s glaringly apparent that Audria doesn’t share the same level of eagerness. Her boots tapping a staccato beat into the dirt. She fidgets until her fingers resemble a complicated tangle, only to undo the mess and start again. Her fear smells worse than the paddock manure.
A shuddering exhale wheezes from her lips. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Her jittery tone makes me frown, the expression extra droopy. This is meant to be exhilarating. From what I see, Audria might prefer another shot at the haunted house. I’ll never force her, but quitting isn’t in my vocabulary.
After pasting on a smile, I cinch an arm around her shoulders. “Trigger is the best of the herd. He’ll treat you right.”
The palomino gelding stomps his foot. Impatient, maybe? I’d be in a hurry to get this fine filly on my back too.
Her throat trembles with a thick swallow. “Trigger? He sounds like a death trap.”
“It’s all a front. He’s a total dud.”
The horse swings his head to glare at me.
“Don’t make him angry,” she mutters. “Remember what happened with Sprout?”
At this rate, I’ll never redeem myself. That damn heifer is ruining all my fun. “Don’t you want adventure, babe?”
“Of course.” The helmet on her head bobbles as she nods.
I pat the horse’s golden neck. “He’s safer than a rollercoaster. Consider this a free thrill with minimal danger.”
Audria appears unconvinced. “Sounds like a roll in the hayloft will provide the same benefits. I love a good time just the same as any gal, farmer. Do we have a deal?”
I squint at her, the persuasive offer simmering in my gut. “We can do both.”
A noise of protest squeaks from her. “You’re a very stubborn man, and trust is a fickle thing. I have serious regrets about placing mine within your grasp.”
I clutch my chest. “Don’t lose faith, babe. He’s not gonna hurt you. This bag of bones is dead broke.”
Audria blinks at me. “Is that supposed to reassure me?”
“It means he’s trained very well. The kids get on him in the pasture without a halter or bridle.”
“Good for those little daredevils,” she mutters.
“Just sit on him. You don’t have to move.”
“That seems like a trick.”
I hold up a palm. “Scout’s honor.”
She purses her lips. “Were you even in the Scouts?”
“No,” I admit.
Audria sputters. “Then you can’t use that.”
I wave her off. “Focus, babe. He’s all tacked up and ready to rumble. I’ve taken him for several spins around the arena. It didn’t look scary, right?”
“No,” she grumbles. “You’re a hotter cowboy than Scott Eastwood.”
I cock my head to the side. “Huh?”
“Never mind.” She worries her bottom lip between her teeth. With a flat palm, she strokes Trigger’s velvet muzzle. “How about I give him more treats? He really liked that.”
“You’ll spoil him.”
“Shouldn’t he be for being such a good boy?” she coos at the gelding.
I grunt. “You can feed him after we’re done. You have nothing to be afraid of. I plan on keeping you around for at least a little longer. No sense sending you to an early grave.”
Audria skewers me with a glare. “Not funny.”
I tug her into me, smashing our mouths together before she can utter another protest. She’s rigid in my hold for a mere second, collapsing against me with a moan in the next. Shoving with my hips, I pin her against the barn.
Our tongues thrash in a battle of passion as we grope and caress one another. An inferno pumps fiery smoke throughout every inch of me, making it impossible to recognize anything aside from my want for this woman. I grind my cock into her, erasing any doubt about how she affects me. She whimpers, thrusting against me for more. A lazy rotation of my groin adds the friction we’re chasing.
Audria loops her arms around me, eliminating any space between us. My palms drift to her ass and give a possessive squeeze. The heat billows and expands around us until we’re succumbing to the fire. She claws at my shoulders, scoring along the sensitive flesh before ripping at my hair. I bite her bottom lip with a growl, feeling more animal than man in this moment. It’s too damn much. Her eyes are glossy when I slowly pull away.
“What was that for?” she asks.
I wipe the corner of her mouth. “Aside from the obvious? A well-deserved distraction.”
She mumbles incoherently, leaning in for another kiss. “It worked like a charm. I’m feeling much better.”
“About riding a horse?”
Audria steels her spine in an instant. “I almost forgot about that.”
“Are you dick-struck?”
Her hand cups me through my jeans. “Not a chance. It seems you’re the one with a big problem.”
I clench my jaw so hard that a muscle pops. Sneaking off to a secluded corner is tempting, but the risk of getting caught by my niece deflates that fantasy in an instant. We will have plenty of hours left in the night when we’re far away from potential onlookers.
With a silent curse, I step out of her clutches. “All joking aside, horseback riding is perfectly safe.”
She rests her forehead against mine. “I blame myself for this. If I’d let you finish explaining about my roping lesson before blabbering incoherently, we’d probably be eating dinner in a perfectly safe environment, or having sex. Either way, I wouldn’t be one step away from mounting a freaking horse. I sabotaged myself, but let’s be honest. Two never-ever dates in one afternoon? That’s a tad excessive. We can totally skip this.”
She’s been spinning versions of this same excuse for the last hour. I give another slow shake of my head. “You’ll be fine, babe.”
“This wasn’t on your original agenda. You can just as easily cross it off the list.”
“Where’s the excitement in that?”
She sighs, long and low. “You’re right. I’m being a whiner.”
“Wiener?”
“You wish, big guy. I’m only capable of handling one monstrous male at a time. This dude requires all of my concentration.” She rakes her fingers through his forelock.
Suddenly Trigger is my competition? That just won’t do. I clap my palms and dust them off. “All right, I’m done trying to convince you. We can do something else.”
“Oh, no. I’m committed now.” Audria squares her shoulders, sticking that angular chin in the air. “I’ve totally got this.”
“Go figure,” I mumble. “Are you sure?”
“Yep, I’m no chicken.”
“You don’t have to prove that to me. This is supposed to be enjoyable.”
“And it will be. I’ve always heard riding horses is therapeutic. It’s also important to mention that reverse psychology does wonders with me.” It’s like a switch is flipped, and her confidence roars in for the show.
With a chuckle, I scratch at my stubble. “I’ll have to remember that.”
“It’ll do you well, especially if I should expect more stunts like this.” She stretches, bending down into a crouch and popping her ass straight into the air. “I just need to get warmed up.”
Fucking dream girl, this one, but not meant for me. I widen my stance to hide any wayward bulges and get back on
track. “Do you need a boost? Or should I get the ladder?”
“Which is easier? Can’t I just stick my foot in that thing?” She points at the stirrup.
I step back and cross my arms. “Sure, give it a go.”
She does, and the result is more comical than a rag doll trying to climb a tree. Audria scrambles, trying to reach the horn, bouncing up and down on her grounded leg. “This is extremely hard. You made it look easy. Is Trigger tall for a horse? He seems overgrown. What do they put in his oats?”
All I can do is laugh at her rambling. “Be thankful for the saddle. It’s more secure than going bareback. Easier to mount too.”
“Very true,” she agrees. “We wouldn’t want any unplanned surprises popping out in nine months.”
“The fact that you can joke during a moment like this proves you’re not that afraid.”
“Comedic relief is a defense mechanism, farmer.”
I jut my chin at the horn in her grip. “At least you have something to hold on to.”
“I’m sure I can find an alternative,” she wheezes.
“Just takes practice, babe.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before.” She’s still strung up by one foot. “A little help?”
I grip her waist and lift, guiding her other leg over Trigger’s rump. He remains completely motionless during the entire debacle. An overflowing bucket of treats waits with his name on it for making this process easier on her.
Audria straightens with a wobble and reaches for me. “Oh, Lord. I’m going to fall.”
“You won’t. Hold onto this.” I fist the rawhide stump that’s level with her belly button.
Her palm covers the western-saddle version of an oh-shit handle. “Now what?”
I give her a slow once-over. “Are you okay?”
“Well, yeah. We’re just standing here.” She sounds almost cocky, a little too casual considering her attitude five minutes ago.
“Feeling confident?”
She shrugs. “It’s not so bad.”
“Good. How about I walk you around the arena?” I untie the lead rope attached to his halter. “Or I can get on with you and do the steering from behind.”
Audria glances back at the designated space. “Is that a thing?”
I slip the bit into Trigger’s mouth before sliding the headstall over his ears. With a flick of my wrist, I get the reins settled on his neck. “Sure. We can go double.”