Cowboy For Hire

by Isabelle Drake

  White hot bolts of pleasure speared through Victoria, she whimpered with need. With fumbling but determined movements, she loosened the top button of his jeans, then worked her way down until the full, hard length of his penis pressed into her hands.

  Absolutely delicious.

  “Sweetheart, you sure you know what you’re getting into here?” he managed between quick breaths.

  Every inch of her screamed yes.

  A wide, feline smile spread across her face as she replied, “Stop talking and kiss me, you stupid cowboy.”

  He devoured her in one, long demanding kiss, his tongue sweeping possessively into her mouth before turning his attention back to her neck, then dropping between her breasts.

  The night air circled around her bare skin, making her shiver in the trail of the searing kisses Lang pressed over her breasts and across her stomach.

  Together they struggled with the snap on her jeans, their fingers criss-crossing in the process. He pulled away but so did she, then they reached for the button at the same time, they fingers intertwining.

  Finally, they fell back to laughing.

  “Let me,” she insisted, pushing his hands out of the away so she could tug off her pants while he made a joke about carrying a pair of “get-lucky” condoms in his wallet.

  While he tore at his jeans and briefs, she wiggled out of her panties.

  Moving over to kneel in front of him, she unbuttoned his shirt then swept her hands across his chest. “I love watching you work Lang. Everything you do looks so sexy, it’s all I can think about. But you already know that, right?”

  She pushed his shirt off his shoulders then tugged at the sleeves to pull it all the way off.

  He moaned, deep in his throat, easing her back and letting his insatiable gaze rake across her naked body. “You’re even more perfect than I imagined.”

  Her heart soared, he had thought about her, but she shoved the emotion aside. This was about the moment, not about tomorrow or the days after that. She had to be satisfied with what they could share in one single night.

  Rays of moonlight caressed Lang’s naked body, the warm light skimming over his lean, work hard torso as he knelt between her legs, sheathing his solid cock. Victoria’s gaze crept lower, stopping to consume his masculine beauty. Her already oversensitive center turned liquid as she admired his large, jutting erection and powerful thighs that promised to deliver strong, deep thrusts.

  She reached for him but he held back, guiding her hands across his thighs as he angled himself over her, placing tiny kisses across her stomach.

  But she didn’t need tender affection or romance, she needed him deep inside her, pounding hard, bringing them together.

  Again she reached for him, pulling hard until their bodies nearly fused. The tip of his penis pressed against her clit, promising sweet torture and an explosive release.

  Instinctively, she spread her legs wider, begging him for more because at that moment she ached to give everything she had.

  The last shred of her sanity fell away when he nuzzled her gently and drove deep into her with one demanding thrust. Her breath broke into gasps as he filled her completely, like nothing she’d ever known.

  But he was moving too slowly so she bucked against him, thrusting her hips sharply.

  He responded by continuing to pump into her at the same steady pace. “We’re doing this my way, cowgirl, so you might as well slow down.”

  Again and again he drove into her, his cock getting impossibly bigger with each stroke.

  Sensations hammered through her, making her frantic and harried. She struggled beneath him, wrapping her legs behind his back to get closer. “Lang, now… I…”

  Tendrils of fire burned hot, swirling deep within her and she clung to Lang, desperate for more of his hot, hard sex, yet at the same time desperate for release. “Please, I-I—”

  “Shh,” he hushed her with soft, wet kiss. “I’ve got what you need.” He rose up on his elbows, speeding his movements as he angled his hips to increase the pressure on her clit.

  Finally, sweet, wild tremors shook through her and she threw her head back, arching into him and gasping for breath. His release followed on the heels of hers and he growled as his body shuddered.

  When his penis finally stopped pulsing, he dropped onto her, pulling the blanket over them. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, holding him close, letting him know that with her he would always be wanted and loved.

  —

  Lang awoke to the sight of Victoria kneeling beside him, sliding a condom over his jutting erection. With the misty moonlight flowing over her bare shoulders, curling over the soft, pale skin of her breasts, she could have been a dream. It would’ve been better—easier to let her go—if she were fantasy but he knew she wasn’t. Just as he knew there was no way in hell he was going pass up the opportunity to make love to her again.

  Looking at her with half-closed eyes, he lifted his hips to make her work easier. “Any time you want to wake me up this way, darlin’ you just go right ahead.”

  She paused, her eyebrows tight, then the tension in her forehead vanished. “You don’t feel like I’m taking advantage?” she asked, dropping one hand to cup his balls.

  His cock bobbed in response and he reached for Victoria but she scooted away.

  “So now you’re going to be a tease?”

  “Oh no, I’m not near done.” She crept back toward him on her hands and knees, her gaze wide as she stared at his ramrod shaft. “We did things your way before, this time…” She swung one slender leg over him and positioned her hot pussy just above his stiff cock, grinning down at him with obvious appreciation for the control she had over him.

  “Give you an idea?” she asked, skimming her wet clit over his tip.

  He thrust up, trying to get inside her but she rocked forward, a sassy glimmer in her eyes as her breasts bounced near his mouth, tempting him.

  “My way, cowboy,” she whispered, smiling down at him then running her tongue over her soft lips.

  Damn. She was changing right before his eyes, getting more confident, turning into an even sexier, more demanding version of herself.

  She wiggled above him, arching, leaning back and showing off her gorgeous, round breasts.

  He watched, his cock swelling even harder even as he realized he was the one who’d brought the change out in her but he wasn’t going to be around to discover what came next. He was going to get what he wanted—solitude—and she would get whatever she wanted—even if what she wanted was another man.

  “See something you like?” She reached up, playfully lifting her breasts high.

  “You make me so horny I can’t think straight.” And that was how he’d gotten himself into this delicious mess and that was why he’d be spending the next several months, years probably, gritting his teeth and thinking about Victoria honing her seduction skills on other men.

  She lifted an eyebrow, swaying forward, showing herself off for him. “That’s not an answer to my question.”

  His personal anguish was just that—his. And he didn’t want her to know about it. He’d have time enough for regrets later, when he was alone. He took her ass in his hands, lightly squeezing her warm flesh. His voice dropped as he replied. “Yes, I like it, Victoria. I like all of it.”

  “I like it all too, Lang,” she said softly as she lowered her hot pussy down, arching back and taking his cock deep inside her.

  Even though she was on top, he easily took control, holding tightly to her slim hips. She gasped with surprise when he thrust in, driving deep as he guided her up and down.

  But she fought back, moving her hips faster, so he let her set the pace, matching each of her movements with a quick, deep stroke. Each time he thrust up, he was rewarded with the sound of a sharp breath and the view of her tight breasts jiggling just inches away.

  Victoria dropped her hands, grabbing his shoulders for support and her breath came in short, tight gasps. As she started to sag forwa
rd, Lang wrapped his arms around her, holding her, feeling her body tense with need.

  He took over, holding her tightly as he drove into her, stroking her hot, tight pussy with his cock, coaxing her body to give in to him. Gritting his teeth, he waited until her orgasm peaked before letting himself go.

  By the time his breathing returned to normal, Victoria had curled up on her side and was rubbing his back while he made a joke about needing to invent biodegradable condoms. He looked around. Now that his brain was starting to function normally, he realized they were actually out in the open. “Maybe we should get back to camp.”

  Victoria rose up on one elbow, seeming to look around for the first time. “Guess we should sleep in our own tents too. You know, the guests…”

  Reluctantly, he rolled to his feet and offered her a hand up. She accepted his hand but didn’t meet his gaze. Instead, she looked for her clothes, grabbing them and slipping them on as soon as she was on her feet.

  He did the same. Within a few minutes he was moving through the moonlit night, the blanket tossed over his shoulder and Victoria walking silently at his side.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Victoria reached back to adjust the pack of camping gear so it didn’t bump Sasabe’s side as the mare twisted through the last of the tight turns on the trail. She smiled at the boys and half-listened to Honey’s friends, Mary Thayer and Kathy Nells, chatter about the great campout their friend had missed.

  With each step, they got closer to the ranch and closer to the moment when Lang would drive out of her life. His leaving suited her fine—and apparently suited him as well. He’d all but ignored her that morning during the campfire breakfast.

  She’d gotten what she expected from her sex with no strings, one-night affair. Mind-blowing sex with no expectations.

  Unfortunately, somewhere along the way her physical attraction to Lang had turned into something else.

  Something real.

  Love?

  His offbeat sense of humor and the quiet, steady way he approached life were only two of the things that made him special. Her woman’s intuition told her there was much more to the wandering man who’d busted into her life but she’d never get the chance to discover it.

  She tried to convince herself that she had no need for a cowboy with heavy and cumbersome emotional baggage he refused to put down but her newfound sexual freedom didn’t have the shine she expected.

  “Hiii—hooo…”

  Hank stood at the back corner of the bunkhouse waving his hat, sunlight blinking across the top of his head.

  “Hop down, Victoria” he said when they reached the end of the trail. “I’ll take care of Sasabe. There’s a passel of messages on that phone machine and knowing you, you’ll want to return those calls right away.”

  Honey, the woman who’d practically thrown herself at Lang, slipped out from behind the bunkhouse. The low, lacy neckline of her blouse fluttered in the breeze, revealing the swells of her very noticeable breasts.

  “Hi, everyone,” she called, waving her painted nails. “Did you all have a nice time sleeping on the cold, hard ground?”

  “The sky was beautiful,” Mrs. Byrd replied, “But I have to admit I was a little sore this morning when we got started.”

  Her husband pulled up beside her, chortling. “A little sore?”

  She smacked him playfully. “You weren’t moving so quick yourself.”

  Mary nudged her horse forward. “You really missed something, Honey. But don’t worry, Victoria says the cook-out tonight will be just as good.”

  Honey angled her head and flashed Lang one of her I’m-ready-willing-and-able smiles. “Will you be there, Lang?”

  Victoria avoided Lang’s response by swinging out of the saddle and handing Hank Sasabe’s reins. “Dinner will be ready at five,” she said over her shoulder. “Plan on eating big and dancing late,” she added with false enthusiasm.

  With a parting wave, she strode toward the house. Knowing that the messages could be for reservations should have chased away her blue mood yet the thriving business she’d longed for and successfully built up, somehow didn’t seem to be enough.

  She chided herself. It had to be enough. It was what she wanted. Right?

  It wasn’t that she regretted cashing in her wedding fund. She didn’t want to be married, after all. She just didn’t want to be lonely.

  And after that night with Lang she had a glimpse of what she was missing out on.

  Now that the ranch was up and running she could make time to go into town. Maybe she’d call some of her girlfriends, see if they wanted to get together. Go shopping, dancing, whatever. Find some uncomplicated single men who’d be happy to spend a couple hours with a carefree woman.

  The cozy plaid curtains flapped out the kitchen window, waving hello. Victoria leapt up the steps and crossed to the answering machine. The red light blinked at her but her finger hovered over the play button.

  She was happy.

  Satisfied.

  Really. She was.

  But she needed a hot shower and some clean clothes before she could carry on a rational conversation.

  Maybe the hot steam would put some sense into her and she’d get back to the business of running the ranch instead of pining for some cowboy.

  —

  By midafternoon, Victoria had the picnic tables covered with bright red and white plastic tablecloths and almost everything under control. Because of the heat, she’d set things up in the barn instead of out in the yard. The dense shade of the old building provided more relief than the trees out front and the hay bales stacked in the back and tools hanging on the walls provided a great backdrop for her Texas style cook-out.

  Outside the wide doors, Hank whistled as he set up the half-barrel cooker.

  “Looks wonderful, Miss Moore,” he called.

  Victoria looked up from the plates she’d been counting. “Thanks, Hank. But I liked it better when you called me Victoria, like you did earlier today.” When Hank glanced away, she continued, “How’re you coming along with the cooker?”

  “No problems there. It’ll be good and hot in plenty of time.” He stepped into the barn, out of the sun. “Did the caterers bring the meat by yet?”

  A twinge of worry jabbed Victoria after she checked her watch. “Carl said they’d deliver it by noon. I guess I better go call and see what the hold up is.”

  Hank stuffed his hands into his pockets, twisting his cheek as he scanned the yard. “You seen Lang around?”

  Victoria avoided the old man’s stare by putting her attention on the cups stacked on the table. “No, I figured he’d left.”

  He stepped away from the cooker. “Left?”

  “Yep.” She concentrated on making the words sound easy. “He’s leaving today.”

  “I know that.” Hank’s tone was slightly scolding as he continued, “He’s still around here somewhere.”

  “How do you know he didn’t already go?” she asked.

  “For one, he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye and for another his clothes are still hanging all over the bunkhouse.”

  Victoria didn’t like the way her heart filled with hope so she hastened it away. “His truck is gone.”

  “Probably went up to get the rest of stuff from the trail ride.”

  “Oh, right.” Victoria was too embarrassed to admit she’d forgotten they’d left the tents behind so the horses wouldn’t have to carry the extra weight on the ride back. When she noticed Hank staring at her, she backed away, stepping toward the house. “I’ll go call, see what the holdup is with the meat.”

  She jogged up the steps and slipped into the front room. As if she’d conjured it up, Lang’s voice drifted through the house.

  “No, she’s not going to sell, Cole.” There was a pause, then he continued, “I tried everything I could think of, let the horses loose, snipped the hay twine… No, I’m not kidding… I even did the old cooking oil in the shampoo trick… Stop laughing, you idiot.”
r />   Understanding flickered in Victoria’s mind but she rejected the possibility that what she heard was real.

  It couldn’t be true.

  “No, cousin, I’m not going to hang around here wasting more time. I’m telling you the deal is a no-go. She’s not selling the place.”

  Wasting more time.

  Victoria’s heart slammed into her chest, pounded against her rib cage. Her breath came in short bursts.

  He’d been scheming all along.

  Trying to trick her.

  He hadn’t gotten what he wanted so he thought his stay at the ranch was a big waste of time. Victoria’s hands curled into fists so tight her nails cut into her palms.

  The rumble of Lang’s laughter sliced through her like a nail going through a bucket of water. After another burst of chuckles, then silence, the kitchen door smacked shut.

  Anger and hurt stiffened her spine. A blinding wave of fury crashed within her. All of it, every minute of their time together had been a lie.

  A waste of time.

  The kisses, every single thing he’d said, the looks, making love—correction—having sex, under the stars—it had all been part of his game to get the ranch from her.

  But…he’d given up and she’d won.

  Right?

  She’d beaten him at his own game.

  So, she should be glad.

  But she wasn’t.

  She was mad. And hurt.

  She hadn’t want to deal with emotions, she’d just wanted to have a good time, have fun.

  The anger was easier, she knew what to do with that.

  She stomped into the kitchen and grabbed her address book. She jerked through the pages, found the number for the caterer and stabbed the numbers into her phone.

  “Don’t you worry Mizz Moore, your stuff is on the way,” the girl’s high voice cracked across the line after Victoria asked what happened to her delivery. “Carl told me to tell you that our regular delivery guy didn’t come in.”

  “You’re sure it’s coming?” Victoria snapped, tossing the address book onto the kitchen table. “I have to have that meat soon.”