by C. J. Welles
He was hot. Yes, fucking hot.
When I first walked on stage, I saw him sitting there towards the back. He looked amazingly hot with his shaggy brown hair with high lights that look natural as if he spends hours in the sun. Wearing bootleg jeans and a black button-down, he isn’t dressed up, but it makes him look all the better.
It wasn’t his looks that got to me though, it was the look of sadness on his face, and it drew me to him. I can relate to the emotions on his face. I have seen plenty of them on myself over the years.
When I got closer, I could see that he has brown eyes with flecks of gold. His eyes were all I could focus on when he held my body close to his. I don’t think I even took a breath the whole time I gazed into his alluring eyes.
I pull myself out of my hot guy trance and speed towards my change room. Tossing on a red tunic dress that falls halfway down my thighs. I grab a pair of black flats and put them on, once I finally pull the boots off. They look hot as hell, but they hurt like hell as well. I leave my hair down as I like it better down and natural. After checking my make-up, I am ready to go in under fifteen minutes.
I rush out the door and nearly forget my purse. I quickly walk down the hall to the club area but slow down just before I get to the door. I don’t want to act like a crazy freak and scare him off. I scan the room and find him waiting near the exit. While strolling towards him, my tummy does little flips when I see his smile. His smile could bring even the strongest of girls to their knees.
We don’t talk much as we walk to a bar close by. Truthfully, we don’t talk at all, but it doesn’t feel awkward. He holds my hand the whole way, and I can feel the zing of energy that passes between where they join. It makes me shiver several times. The last time, just before we enter the bar, he asks if I am cold. I blush a little when I tell him no.
How freaky would it sound if I answered with ‘No I’m not cold, it’s just your touch making me shiver.’ God, I’ve only known him for half an hour. He leads me to a table in the back corner where it’s not as loud. After grabbing us some drinks, he sits opposite me. We sit and stare at each other for a long moment. It’s as if we are both studying each other.
He breaks the silence we have between us. “So, I’m Jace, by the way,” he says with a sexy husky voice.
Yep, I certainly didn’t imagine his voice earlier. The sound of it nearly melts my insides.
Calm down girl, I mentally tell myself.
I introduce myself, and we fall into easy conversation. Jace is so damn easy to talk to. He’s not cocky, and he doesn’t talk himself up. Big bonus, he doesn’t treat me like a slut because I work as a stripper.
I nearly cried when he told me about his dad passing away last week. The way he talks about him, I can see that they were close. There are a few times his voice hitches and is thick with emotion as he tells me stories of when he was growing up. In the end, I’m crying. The love he has when he talks about his father is overwhelming. I can see why he looked so sad earlier, it’s because he has a big heart and such love for his family and friends.
“So, you work on your parent’s ranch. Do you like it there?” I ask a little while later when we have moved to a less sad subject.
He takes a few moments before he answers. “Yeah, I like it. It’s not where I expected my life to head. But I’m glad I’m there.” He doesn’t sound as though he feels the same as what his words say.
“Your mom must be happy to have you around.”
He smiles when I mention his mom, which makes my heart flicker. It's not often a grown man shows how much he cares for a parent. “She sure is. Havin’ me take over the ranch management has made it easy for her. She knows that everythin’ will keep runnin’ without her havin’ to stress.”
“How many people work with you? I’ve never been on a ranch and know nothing at all about them.”
“Twelve. There’s Logan, who will help me run the place. Jackson is taking over dad’s job training the horses. Then he has an assistant, Hunter. We have a mechanic who fixes all the machinery we use. Then we have two stable help and six ranch hands.”
“That’s a fair few.” I guess “So Y'all are like what I’ve read in cowboy romance books?” He cocks his head to the side. “Where these hot as hell cowboys ride around on horses and fix fences in the blazing sun, just wearing their faded jeans. In the meantime, the local girls sit there and fan their faces and drool as they check out the ripped muscles of the cowboys. Then when the workday is over, they jump into the dam to cool off. Later that night they sit around and talk ol’ school and drink Jack.”
He stares at me for a moment with his head still cocked before the corner of his lips twitch. “Yeah, somethin’ like that.” His face then breaks out into a big smile. “So, you think I’m hot as hell,” he states in a teasing tone.
I tap my index finger against my lips and pretend to think about that. “Hmmm, I don’t remember saying you were hot as hell.” He totally is though. I could spend all day looking at him, and I haven't even seen his body yet. The way his shirt ripples over his chest and biceps as he moves, tells me he’s all muscle under there.
“I think you did. You said I was like them and then you said they were hot as hell. So basically, you said I was hot as hell.” He raises his eyebrow and gives me a sexy and cocky smirk.
“Well I ain’t seen much, yet, so I wouldn’t know if you are hot or not under that top.”
He raises his eyebrow again.
Busted!
He knows I’ve been checking him out.
“Oh, come on, yes your fucking hot, and I’m guessing you already know that. You’d know how to make a girl drool, I bet.” He lets out a booming laugh, and I giggle when I hear it. Oh, God I just giggled. I don’t think I have ever giggled.
“Yes, you’re right,” he replies.
Any other guy, I would say they were cocky, but I can tell he’s having a joke. And with Jace, it suits him.
I see him studying me intently as I sip the last of my drink. “What’re your plans after this?” he asks.
“Ahh, none,” I reply hesitantly, not knowing what he’s going to say.
“I want you to come somewhere with me,” he says as he stands and holds out his hand.
I’m praying he doesn’t want to hook up casually. I like this man and want more than a night of sex. I don’t want to have sex with him.
Yes, you do, some annoying voice says inside my head.
Well, I do, but I don’t want it to be a one-night stand.
Oh God, I am having a debate with myself in my head. I think I’ve had too many drinks. Maybe I’m going crazy.
I forget that I haven't answered him, when he talks again, “Hey, I’m not going to kidnap you. You can stop frowning and smile that beautiful smile of yours,” he says in a sweet tone.
I look up to him and see him studying me. He looks excited but also a little worried. I don’t blame him. I’ve been sitting here staring into my glass and not replying to him.
“Okay,” I whisper. “Okay, I’ll go with you,” I say in a stronger voice, then stand and take Jace's hand.
We go outside where he hails a cab. When he tells the driver to go to Renaissance Hotel my heart drops. I don’t know where I thought he wanted to go, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be a hotel. I hoped he didn't want what I thought he wanted.
I can deal with this. It’s not the end of the world. Jace doesn’t even know what I do apart from stripping, so at least he won’t try and pay me. That would gut me.
Ten minutes later we pull up outside, and he pays the driver before leading me to the elevators. We don’t talk. I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know how I feel. I feel as though this is all I ever will be to anyone. An easy lay for men.
I’m not worthy of anything better.
When the doors open, and we step out onto the roof, I look up at him confused. And I mean I literally need to look up. He would have to have at least a foot height on me.
He looks at me and le
ts a devilish smile slide onto his handsome face. “I thought we could go swimmin’,” he says with a smooth tone.
I giggle. “You want to go swimming?” I ask, even though I can tell he’s serious.
I walk to the roof edge wall and look out the window. You can see out over parts of Dallas. It’s stunning, seeing the city lit up at night. I look at my cell; it’s nearly four, and the sun will be rising in a few hours. It will be beautiful to see the sunrise from here.
I turn to Jace “Yeah, why not,” I say, and he smiles.
I place my purse and cell on a table then remove my shoes. Stepping up to the edge of the pool, I pull my dress over my head and let it fall to the floor next to me. Looking over my shoulder, I smile at Jace before diving into the pool. I surface and find him bare-chested and pulling off his boots.
And fuck me, his chest is as marvelous as I imagined and better. He has tanned skin and the full eight-pack going on. I swear his muscles have muscles, he’s that built. He should be on the cover of hottest cowboy’s -if there was ever such a magazine.
My eyes dart from his chest to his jeans when I hear his belt hit the floor. He unsnaps the button then lowers the zip. He pauses before dropping his jeans. I look up to him with a questioning look on my face.
“You’ve got somethin’ on your chin.” He points to my chin then with his other hand motions wiping his chin.
“What?” I frown
“Angel, you’re droolin’,” he says so seriously.
“You idiot,” I say, and he lets out a booming laugh. When I splash water up at him, he jumps back and laughs harder. “Just hurry up and join me,” I call out as I float on my back.
Letting his jeans drop to the floor, he stands there wearing just boxer briefs, which doesn’t hide much at all. I swallow hard and lick my dry lips.
Hot damn. He’s got a lot going on down there.
I’m brought out of my Jace haze when he dives in the pool opposite me. I can see him as he swims towards me and surfaces. Grabbing my waist, he brings me flush against his body, I can feel every hard ridge of every muscle on him.
Jace runs his calloused hands up and down my back slowly, which makes me shiver. “You look hot all wet like this,” he says, in a husky voice before he lowers his lips to mine.
He gently swipes his lips across mine before softly kissing me. I hold on to his shoulders as he backs us to the wall. Running his tongue along the seam of my lips, I open, and he flicks his tongue inside. Jace has some seriously good kissing skills. No kiss has ever been like this. The way his tongue twines with mine could nearly melt me. I can feel my senses evaporate as he deepens the kiss and takes over. It’s as though I can’t feel where Jace begins and I start.
Oh God, help me. I am all riled up over a kiss with Jace. My body heats from the contact with Jace. I can feel the pressure building inside me, starting at my core and engulfing my whole body.
And then it ends.
He breaks the kiss and leans his forehead against mine. Staring deep into his eyes, I can see him studying my face. His pupils are dilated, and I can feel his erection digging into my stomach. It’s a good feeling, and if it were another time and place, I would act on my desires. But not tonight. Tonight, it feels wrong to go any further.
I squirm from his intense gaze. It’s like he is trying to seek something from me silently, but I don’t know what. Suddenly he pulls away and dives into the water. I stay against the wall and watch as he swims to the other end.
My body feels like jelly from his kiss.
That one amazing kiss.
***
Chapter 6
Jace
WHEN WE REACH my room, I offer for Callie to shower first. My plan, when I left home yesterday, was to get blind drunk then pick up some random chick who I could fuck all night long. But as soon as I laid eyes on Callie, all those thoughts went out of my mind.
While she’s in the shower, I grab one of my t-shirts from my bag and put it on the bed for her. Heading to the fridge, I grab a bottle of water then wait impatiently on the couch for her to finish. Knowing she is in there naked is getting me so bloody hard. I just want to crash in there and take her.
Luckily, I’m tired and I’m somehow using some part of my brain, that makes me stay where I am. Plus, I also just want to crash after a long day. Make that a long week. The past week has emotionally drained me.
Five minutes later the bathroom door opens and Callie ambles out with just a towel on. I can feel my cock twitching in my boxes. He wants her just as much as me. But it’s not happening tonight. I pass her the top and quickly kiss her, before going to the bathroom. I have the quickest shower I’ve ever taken and toss on my boxers then stroll out to the room. I find Callie laying on the bed fast asleep. She looks like an angel with her blonde locks splayed across the pillow.
I look down her body and she is only wearing her leopard print thong under my t-shirt. My cock goes rock hard again and I want her badly.
But not just yet.
I feel like a bit of an asshole. I had clear intentions of bringing her back here, to use her, to get the hurt and anger towards myself out of my system and I had planned to get rid of her in the morning. But looking into her stunning eyes, all my plans changed. There is no way I can have sex with her tonight.
I lay down next to Callie then pull the duvet up over us both. Laying on my side, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her back to my front and I fall asleep moments later with her in my arms.
What feels like minutes later I feel something move next to me and I open my eyes a little. All I can see is blonde hair and lots of it. I close my eyes again and wish for sleep to come back. When the something moves again, I open my eyes and see Callie has rolled over and is watching me.
Callie.
How could I forget about Callie?
She’s the one who blew my mind last night. How this tiny little girl can have so much energy, physically and emotionally I don’t know. She sat and listened to me last night, talk about anything and everything. I can’t believe how much we talked about. It’s the first time in a long time that I have had a conversation with a girl, like last night.
I smile when I see her beautiful face light up with a smile. “Mornin’ Angel,” I say as I tuck a lock of hair from her face, behind her ear.
She really is an Angel.
“It’s not really morning,” she answers. I look over at the clock and groan. It’s one in the afternoon. Fricken hell, I’ve had five hours’ sleep, but it feels like I’ve only one. Luckily, I booked the room for the full weekend. “I didn't mean to wake you,” she says softly.
“It’s okay. If I get to wake up to your beautiful face, then I don’t care.” I lean forward and kiss her lips. The kiss quickly becomes more, when I slip my tongue into her mouth. I lean up and back her down onto the bed and feel my cock resting against her pussy when I roll on top. She gasps when I slowly rock my hips. My cock is right there and it’s so tempting.
There are only a few layers of clothing between us. I could so easily push her thong to the side and slide my cock deep inside her. I groan into her mouth thinking of it. It’s so tempting to take her here and now. I rock my hips back a forth, pushing against her and she moans my name and pants with each slow thrust.
My cock is rock hard from her soft moaning sounds and I think I’m going to explode in my boxes. I need to put a stop to this. Groaning again, I pull away and push myself up onto my elbows. Looking down at Callie, she is sexy as hell, all spread out underneath me.
“Come on let’s go,” I whisper against her lips and I kiss her before jumping up. I rearrange myself, so my cock is tucked under the waistband of my boxes. If not, there would be a major tent happening down there.
I get dressed into fresh jeans and a black button-down while she heads to the bathroom. Twenty minutes later she emerges dressed and looking fresh. Even in last night’s clothes and no make-up on, she looks beautiful.
“Where are we heading to?” she ask
s.
I hadn’t planned anything yet. I just needed to put some distance between us. “Somewhere for breakfast,” I answer as we head down to the first floor. We wait for the valet guy to bring my F-350 around. I just want to punch his face when he pulls up and I see him checking out Callie. I chuck my bags in the tray and when I look at Callie, I decide the valet boy is a dead man.
Callie, being as tiny as she is, is struggling to get in my jacked-up truck. Her dress has ridden up and the bottom of her ass cheek is showing.
Yep, he’s totally dead
I growl, “Fuck off.” To the valet boy, then go lift her in. She is petite and weighs nothing at all.
She mumbles, “Thanks.” After I hop in my side. Turning the car towards downtown Dallas, I find a café in the middle of town.
An hour later I am full. After eating a plate of omelet and bacon rashes then a stack of pancakes, there ain’t any room for anything else. Callie eats about a quarter of the amount I do. I ask if she wants more but she says she’s full.
Once back in my truck Callie directs me to her apartment just a few minutes from here. It’s actually a few blocks down and around the corner from Platinum Girls. I park my truck and walk her to her door and inside. We both quietly stand in the kitchen looking at each other. I don’t want to say goodbye just yet.
I know I sound like a pansy but there is something about this girl that pulls me to her. I don’t know where the idea comes from, but I’m suddenly blurting out, “Come down to the ranch with me and stay the night. You can see what ranch life is really like. Not what you’ve read in books.” She giggles at the last part.
I swear I’m holding my breath as I wait for her to reply. It seems like hours, but it’s only been a minute. When she says, “Yeah sure.” I want to fist pump the air.
I feel like a bloody teenager again.
She tells me to wait here while she packs a bag. I check out the living room while I wait. There are a few pictures of Callie with a blonde-haired girl who looks familiar. I don’t know where I recognize her from though.
I plonk down on a kitchen chair while I wait for her. I hear a door and turn around, but no one comes out. I can hear muffled voices in the next room over. A few moments later a brown-haired girl comes barreling out, followed by a red-faced Callie.