Rules of the Ride: A Silver Star Ranch Novel

by Bellus, HJ

  “We’ll never be over, Ella. I’ll die fighting for you this time.” He pushes in and out of me with force. Tightening my legs around his waist and pulling him in closer to me, I begin to moan as I nearly let go until Maverik stops.

  “What’s wrong?” I look down, pulling his head from the crook of my neck.

  “I never want to lose this feeling.” He slowly thrusts into me, letting me feel every glorious inch of his cock inside of me. “I want this every single day for the rest of my life.”

  My hips slowly begin to push back into him, and this time I relish the sweet sensation of him. My inner core screams for more, wanting him fast and hard, and the inevitable climax, but something about him slowing down heightens each of my senses. I dig my fingernails into his flesh as I find a steady rhythm with him.

  His low, sexy grunts are a sign he’s about to let go, and the one sound that can take me from zero to sixty with him.

  “Let’s fall together,” I whisper into the top of his shoulder.

  He pierces my ass with his grip as he speeds up a bit, growls louder, and then we fall together, stumbling over each other in passion and I can’t help the screams of affection mingled with pure love.

  Maverik’s sweaty body goes limp, pressing me further back into the wall.

  “Thank God there’s loud music.”

  I can feel his smile on my bare shoulder.

  “I can’t help what you do to me, Maverik.”

  Slowly, he raises his head, grips my face, and stares right into my eyes. “Let me do this to you for the rest of our lives, Pinks.”

  A startling banging on the door saves me from answering his question.

  “Shit, someone locked the supply closet again.”

  The brass knob clatters a few more times before it freezes again. And as if brought back to our high school days, we both scatter to snag our clothes and toss them on. Maverik is the first to the door and peers out both ways to make sure the hall is clear.

  I know beyond a doubt he doesn’t give two fucks about getting caught, as he never did in high school and loved having sex everywhere, but he knows I hate being caught.

  “You first, my sweet lady.” Mav sends me a wink and holds out his arm to guide me from the room.

  “Thank you,” I whisper quickly before darting for the ladies’ room.

  Once shut in the safety of a stall, I kick down the toilet lid with my heel and plop down with nothing but a huge ass smile covering my face. Just to feel Maverik on me and in me is something I never thought I’d get to experience again in my life. I try my best to brand it all to memory.

  “Oh, my God. Did you guys see who is here?”

  A group of very high pitched and annoying voices invade the bathroom.

  In unison several of them squeal. “The Slatter boys.”

  “I call Maverik. We all know Merek is taken these days.”

  “You can have him. I had him last month. Marvel is next on my menu.”

  My stomach lurches at the way these women talk about the Slatters. Fuck that, it’s not just the Slatters. That’s my family, and my fucking man. I quickly clean up as the bimbo squad continues to make a game plan.

  “Excuse me, ladies.” I throw open the door to my stall and make my way to the counter and take time to examine my ass in the mirror before speaking again. My entrance shuts up the group immediately and I give the sluts a second to drink me in. I recognize one face from high school, but I’m not sure if she recognizes me.

  “Maverik’s mine.” I plant my hand on the counter before reaching for a paper towel and square right up to the whole group. “So back the fuck off.”

  I push my way past them, toss my paper towel in the trash, and hear the murmurs.

  “That’s Ella.”

  Before I push open the swinging door, I turn back to them. “Damn rights it’s Ella.”

  A victorious smile attacks my face as I find my way to our table. It feels just like the old times when I’d throw down after a rodeo when a dumbass girl would try to rub up on Maverik. I know what I just did was selfish, but it felt so damn good.

  “And where did you two run off to?” Merek holds up a shot of whisky with Challis perched on his lap.

  “We had to talk to a guy about a horse.” I wink at Merek.

  “Oh, hell no.” Marvel stands, grabbing his shot. “I sat in the cab of Mav’s truck for hours waiting on you two to talk to a guy about a horse when I was young.”

  Maverik and I erupt in laughter. I snuggle in to his side and remember all the times we’d be stuck babysitting Marvel and make him wait in the truck while we snuck off.

  I feel Mav stiffen and look up to see the group of whores making their way to the bar.

  “Hey.” I reach up on my tiptoes and whisper in his ear, “I’m guessing you had the brunette last month. Had a great time with her and never returned her call.”

  I bite my lower lip to keep my giggles in. The look on his face is priceless, and I’m not sure if he’s stunned or about to pass out.

  “Good choice, cowboy.” I slap him in the ass and snag the two shot glasses on the tray and pass one to him. I make sure he has it in his grips before letting go.

  Raising mine up in the air, I lead the toast. “To the only family I’ve ever known. The Slatters. To my best friend and only love.”

  * * *

  The lingering dust in the air, smell of leather, cowboys chattering, all take me back to the days when Maverik was rodeoing. I never missed one of them. It’s what would get me through the school week, knowing Friday and Saturday I’d be on his tailgate watching him get ready.

  Tonight is different watching Mav sit on his tailgate relaxed, drinking beer, and taping Merek’s hand. I hardly recognize him. He was always the one the crowds came to watch and the one who taught Merek everything. It pierces my heart to know he’ll never ride again. Riding and rodeo was Maverik. It defined every single part of him.

  My mom called and told me about the accident, but it’s something I couldn’t stomach at the time. When my heart was ready, I searched for it online and the findings made me sick. A horse flipped in the chute on top of Maverik, life flight was brought in, and it was predicted he’d never walk again. However, Maverik beat all odds and only came out with a shattered shoulder.

  It all went down about three years after I left him, and honestly the moment I nearly came home. For nights on end I could hear him being crushed in my dreams and his cries for help. I was just out of reach, so close, but never close enough to save him. I’d give anything to erase that day from his life. It should be him riding tonight with his little brother.

  I study the two of them and I have to credit Merek. With every step of him gearing up to ride he has Maverik as his left hand. I know it’s something for the two of them and I’m happy he has Merek to live through.

  “What are you smiling at?” I glance up from Merek’s hand being taped by Maverik to Mav staring at me.

  “Just remembering the good ol’ days. You know?”

  He rips off the last piece of tape, tosses it to the bed of his truck, and snags me by the belt loop.

  “Damn, I’m so happy you wore these tonight.”

  I slap his chest and then fix the top button of his shirt. “You’re lucky I’m the same jean size as Challis.”

  “It is going to make it harder to sneak off and shag in a trailer.”

  “Maverik, we’re not shagging in a random horse trailer tonight.”

  “Why, Pinks?” He stretches up, trying to kiss the worry from my lips. “You used to do it in those high heels of yours.”

  “Because we are old people.”

  “So.” He cocks an eyebrow in my direction. “We can be old horny people.”

  I toss my head back in laughter at the thought of us being busted and feel Maverik’s teeth sink into my sensitive skin.

  “Nice try,” I say between giggles.

  Soon his hands grab my ass and give my cheeks a rugged tug. I drop my face to his and
want to make everything right in our worlds but know I can’t.

  “I wish I could’ve been here for you that day, Maverik.”

  “I needed you.” The desperation in his voice nearly buckles my knees.

  “I know.”

  “It was the second worse day of my life, Ella, and it wasn’t so much the pain, but the fact the only thing left in my life that I loved with everything was taken away.”

  “I’m so sorry.” My lips find his forehead and I plant a light kiss on it. “I’m so sorry, Maverik.”

  “It’s done now. I must’ve been a real son of a bitch in my former life to have the two things I love ripped from me.”

  I sense it in his voice and feel it in his touch; Maverik’s pissed and his exasperation is beginning to simmer up again. There’s nothing I can do about it, and, hell, it’s all my fault as it is. Just a few more days and I’ll leave his world again.

  “Drink?” I pass him a cold bottle of beer and watch him down it, followed by a shot of tequila while sitting on the tailgate.

  “I’m going to go watch Merek from behind the chutes.”

  I grab his hand before he can walk away and pull him into me and leave a hot kiss on his lips. “I love you, Maverik.”

  “Then stay, Ella. I won’t ask again. Stay with me.”

  He doesn’t wait for an answer before he walks away and disappears behind the bucking chutes. It’s like watching the open and loving Maverik walk away from me. I turn to Challis. She’s watched the whole scene play out by the look on her face and I answer her question for her.

  “Yes, I’m leaving. I can’t stay here with Maverik.”

  “Move your life. He fucking loves you.”

  Her harsh tone catches me by surprise.

  “It’s not that easy, Challis.”

  “Dump the other man. Come home to Maverik.”

  “I can’t dump the other man.”

  Turning my back, I leave the conversation, because there’s just no way it will work. Not in this lifetime or any other. I hear Merek’s name announced as I round the arena to the grandstands and know I’ll miss his ride. I listen to the crowd and their reaction and know he’s spurred a good one. The audience roars with approval when ninety is announced.

  My heart sinks lower knowing beyond a doubt Maverik could and would’ve rode that if he was still healthy. I do my best to push all the feelings and the what could’ve beens aside. I watch the rest of the rodeo from the stands. Maverik doesn’t come looking for me nor do any of the rest of the Slatters. It’s a lonely feeling, and the coldness of the last ten years slowly begins to seep back in.

  When the crowd begins to disappear, I follow the droves of people but make a left to the back of the bucking chutes. Maverik’s truck is still in the same spot with the tailgate down with several cowboys and cowgirls surrounding it. The smell of booze is thick and the howls of laughter deafening. When I finally catch a glimpse of Maverik, a beautiful brunette is sitting way too close to him for my comfort.

  Leaning back on a post, I swirl some dirt around with the tip of my boot and know that I have no right to feel that way. Merek hollers my name and I try to ignore it the first couple times, but he just keeps getting louder and louder. When I finally look up, Maverik’s eyes are glazed over and staring back at me. He’s three sheets to the wind. He stands up and stumbles over his own feet, trying to make his way to me.

  He finally falls into me, bracing himself on the green panel behind me but putting most of his body weight on me.

  “Easy, big guy.” I do my best to hold him up by his sides. Between my grip and him using my body as a leaning post, he settles into me.

  “I’s been looking for you all night.” He tries to tip his head to me and hiccups loudly. “There’s these women all over me, but I only want you, Pinks.”

  “I’m here. Let’s get you in the truck and head home.”

  “I remember you promising me a trailer ride.”

  “Bullshit.” I smile at him and peck his nose. “Now I know you’re playing me.”

  His palm covers my cheek. “I fucking love you hard, Ella. Ella Slatter would sound so sweet.”

  “Maverik, I can’t stay here with you. I have someone waiting on me at my home in the city. I just can’t.”

  “I’ll never let you go.”

  16

  Ella

  Present Day

  I pissed Maverik off before Merek rode, he got shit-faced, pissed again, sobered up enough to make love to me, which I could never turn down, and then stormed off again this morning. Challis dropped off a dress on the porch this morning. Either Maverik told her to or she heard him yelling at me this morning.

  Levels of guilt bubble up in me for what I’ve put the man through, but it’s all my selfish desires. When I’m with Maverik it’s like everything is all right in this world. Past mistakes and nightmares are washed away and replaced with him. His simple smile and dimples take care of my soul. His large hands protect my heart, and his love makes me feel again. Numb, that’s what I’ve been for so damn long. Fucking numb.

  I slip into the dress, throw together my hair, and add some light makeup. I’ve spent the entire day catching up on work emails, calling home, and daydreaming. I know the exact pond where the reception is taking place. It’s a short walk from Maverik’s house and the fresh evening air is just what I need.

  Truck after truck passes me on the dirt trail. I keep to the side and let the long pasture grass tickle the tip of my toes. The dress Challis left is a simple pale blue sundress, which I paired with a flat pair of sandals. So not the Ella everyone remembers but more of who she is today. The evening couldn’t be more perfect with a slight breeze and a sweet aroma dancing around in the air.

  Tents and lights appear in the distance and it’s breathtaking. I have no clue how Challis pulled this off in a matter of days. Then it hits me. Granddad, that’s how. That man has a mission to see all three of his boys happy and complete.

  The sound of thundering hooves pulls me from my thoughts, and when I turn, I see Maverik riding up on Chili.

  “Need a ride, good looking?”

  I use my hand to shade my eyes from the sun and can barely make out the sitting silhouette of Maverik and his bright smile. A smile is good, I think to myself.

  I shrug. “I’m almost there.”

  He holds his hand out to me, offering no other choice. I place my hand in his without a second thought and am swung up behind him.

  “Mav, I’m in a dress.” I do my best to tuck it in, so I’m not giving the world a beaver show.

  “I’m sorry, Ella. Last night and this morning I was an asshole. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t, Maverik. Just enjoy tonight. This is all my fault.”

  “I never want to hurt you.”

  “You can only handle so much.”

  And in another selfish act, I lay my cheek on his back and hold him tight like he’s mine.

  “Thank you for the ride.”

  “Anytime, Ella. Anytime, day or night, rain or shine, I’m here for you.”

  I tighten my grip around his waist, tucking my thumbs down behind his buckle and relish in the sounds of his deep voice.

  “I know I can’t keep you here, but when it doesn’t work out where you are, just know I’m here. Last night, it hit me. I won’t ever be able to love anyone else. I’m all yours.”

  Silent tears roll down my cheeks and collide into his shirt. His words mean the world to me, and yet I don’t know how to tell him that. So, instead, I take the silent route. It’s not long before the noise from the party gets nearer and nearer, and like a coward, I remain silent.

  I feel Chili come to a halt and internally beg Maverik just to keep riding. Ride far away from here to a new town where maybe just for a night we can live the life we were meant to have.

  “Mav, the best man has finally fucking arrived.”

  I rotate my head, laying my other cheek on Mav’s back and see a very sharp dressed and stunningly gorgeous M
erek. The man was Mr. Pantymelter before, but now in a dapper suit with custom made gator boots and a crisp straw hat, he may just burst the ovaries of innocent women.

  Hell, I’ve never been attracted to him, but Merek dressed like that and shining in happiness, I’m seeing him in a whole new light. Love has done the man good, real good.

  “You know I wouldn’t miss this shindig for anything,” Maverik says.

  He slides from Chili, being extra careful not to knock me out with a boot, and it’s not until he’s on the ground that I notice his custom tailored suit that rivals Merek's. I’ve heard about it in storybooks, but it really happens to me. My breath hitches, jaw drops, and I fucking swear an ovary simultaneously erupts.

  “I think she likes you,” Merek drawls out in a sing-songy voice.

  I hear the laughter surrounding us but can’t force my stare from Maverik’s gorgeous tan face. The man has always owned me. Always. My stare lingers down from his face to his gorgeous body and freezes on his hand. His thumb is perched in his jeans with the rest of his fingers hanging from the pocket. My ring snuggly sits upon his pinky—the ring he proposed with, the same one I hid the other day in the bathroom.

  The shiny little son of a bitch sits perfectly on his pinky. I look up and our eyes meet. He knows that I see it and only smiles back at me. All of a sudden, I feel cold and lonely on the top of Chili.

  “Darling.”

  I look down once again to see Granddad in a damn near matching suit with his hand raised up to me. I look from him to Merek, to Marvel, and then back to Maverik, and all I see is my home, my heart, and soul. I fight like hell to hold back all the emotions whirling around in my head this time, and when I place my hand in his, I know exactly what I have to do.

  “Step back, old man, you’re going to blow your back out,” Maverik says.

  “Shut the hell up, fool, I have to help this pretty lady off her horse.” He bats away at Maverik’s attempts to help until it’s just him and me. He’s the perfect picture of a gentleman and has instilled every single one of his genuine qualities into his grandsons.