Cowboys & Bosses

by Piper Sullivan

  Here we go. “Why wouldn’t things be civil? You mean because your fiancée insults me, and you expect me to just take it? Well don’t worry brother, I’ll keep my mouth shut all night. Just for you.” I clapped his back and walked away, suddenly wishing I had a work emergency to get out of this evening. At least until I caught another glimpse of Talia in a simple black dress that hugged her body like a lover, and those red stilettos that pushed her ass out just so. I couldn’t look away.

  It pissed me off that I hadn’t gotten my fill of her yet, and it really pissed me off that fucking her was having the opposite effect. The more I had her, the more I wanted her, and this lust showed no signs of slowing down.

  Talia didn’t appear to feel the same way, though. I hadn’t seen or heard from her since I left her place nearly two Fridays ago, which should have made things easier. It hadn’t. It only made me think about her more, specifically about the way she so easily threw herself into sex, giving and taking more and more, all in the pursuit of pleasure. She was a dynamo in bed, and just watching her flash a professional smile at friends and family who entered, directing them where to put coats and gifts. For the past hour she hadn’t glanced at me once, and I knew because I’d barely taken my eyes off her all night.

  When all the guests had arrived, she herded them to their seats and I smiled, watching for the moment she realized I made some last minute changes to the seating arrangement.

  “We have kind of a different evening in mind for you tonight. Blake and Poppy wanted this to be a family affair so we have a fantastic tasting menu that will give us time to show off gifts between courses. So, find your name and place your drink order.” Talia’s smile was strained, but no one seemed to notice as she took her seat, frowning at her new dinner companion.

  Me. “You look beautiful tonight, Talia.”

  “Thanks,” she grumbled. “So do you.”

  I smiled, but she didn’t seem to notice. “Thanks. I was going for ‘beautiful’ when I got dressed.”

  “I’d say you were more of the pretty sort,” Lacey said, laughing at her new spot across from Talia.

  I barked out a laugh and pointed at Walker. “Have you seen that pretty boy you’re sleeping with?”

  Walker faked a frown, and stroked his jaw. “Screw you. This is rugged handsomeness at its best.”

  “That’s right, babe.” Lacey stroked his jaw and the look he gave her was enough to heat the whole place up a few degrees, which only made it worse because it was directed at my sister. “This looks great. You guys did a bang-up job.”

  “Thanks,” I said because Talia was on her feet again, heading off to do something or the other. All night she’d been up and down, putting out fires before a flame flickered, and doing it all with ease. “It was mostly Talia.”

  “Duh,” Lacey said with an affectionate eye roll.

  The first dish came out before Talia returned, a delicious shot of gazpacho that I was happy to have for her because shot glasses were for tequila, not food. She hadn’t returned when the second or third dishes came out, and even Poppy began to look worried. “Where do you think she went?”

  Blake rubbed a soothing hand on her shoulder. “Probably making sure all this goes perfectly, Poppy. It’s a big ask.”

  “We’re supposed to be enjoying this together,” she insisted in an uncharacteristic whine I chalked up to baby hormones, for Blake’s sake.

  She probably should have thought about that before dumping her work and her wedding on her best friend. But I was being civil, so I kept those thoughts to myself.

  When the third dish came out, I stood. “I’ll go make sure she’s all right,” I said and ignored the grateful look Poppy sent. I wasn’t doing this for her, no matter what Blake said. Talia deserved to enjoy the food more than anyone, because without her none of it would have happened.

  I found her at the end of a dark hall, standing right in front of the emergency exit with her back to me. “You’re right, that is a problem. No, I understand. I’ll be there first thing Saturday to take care of it,” she said as she nodded. “Of course, thanks for letting me know.” She ended the call and growled.

  “Hot date this weekend?”

  Talia froze and turned to me, arms crossed with an icy look on her face. “How is that any of your business?”

  I took three steps forward until my chest brushed against hers and her back was against the wall, leaning in close so our lips just brushed. “Because you’re my business.” Where in the hell had those words come from? She fixed her mouth for what I was sure would be a smart-ass comment, a denial, a rejection or all three, so I cut the words I didn’t want to hear off with a kiss. She relented and melted into me and nothing else mattered. My cock strained against my zipper, and when she rubbed against me wantonly, I knew I had to step back before I ripped her panties off and fucked her right here in this dark hall. “And don’t you forget it.”

  Talia was dazed, her red lips parted slightly, and those big eyes were wide with surprise. Good. It was time she felt a taste of what I was feeling, because even though I didn’t want to put a name to it, I knew it was something. “Excuse me,” she said and ducked inside the bathroom.

  I smiled at her hasty exit. Unlike the quickie in my office, this wasn’t payback. She was as overwhelmed as I’d been the night in her apartment, and needed a moment to gather herself. A nice guy, hell a gentleman would have given it to her.

  I was neither. I ducked my head inside the well appointed ladies’ room until I spotted those red ‘come fuck me’ heels inside one of the stalls. “Welcome to my world, Talia.” I retreated before she could say anything, wearing a satisfied smile and feeling lighter than I had in a week.

  When Talia returned to the dining room she was put back together, no trace of the kiss, or my hands in her hair. She drew everyone’s attention again to open a few gifts while they let the decadent food settle, nodding occasionally to an intern in the corner whom she’d offered a day rate for his assistance. The kid sat in the back with empty plates all around and a tablet in his hand, taking notes. Weird. “Okay, now back to your meal.”

  “You make it all look so effortless,” I whispered when she sat down.

  “No one wants to know how the sausage is made,” she said plainly and drained her martini glass in two big gulps. She devoured the Korean short rib with Asian slaw with a sexy moan that made me grateful for the long tablecloth.

  “This is all so wonderful, Talia. Thank you,” Poppy enthused, blue-green eyes filled with gratitude.

  “You’re very welcome.” Her smile was genuine.

  “When all this is over,” Poppy whispered conspiratorially, “we should talk about a different role for you in the company.”

  Talia’s smile was bland, and she laid a hand on Poppy’s. “That’s not necessary.”

  That was not the answer Poppy wanted to hear, but waiters dropped off more plates. “Saved by the plates,” I whispered to Talia who only shrugged, and for the first time I could see how exhausted she was.

  The makeup hid them well, but the dark purple crescents still showed under her eyes in a much lighter hue. The slump of her shoulders and the way she used the chair to hold her up told me more than she would, apparently. She ate quietly and slowly, like she didn’t even have the energy to feed herself and it gutted me. Truly.

  By the time the restaurant was mostly empty, Talia looked ready to fall over as she carried gifts out to the waiting SUV being driven by another intern. “I’ve got those,” I told her as I took the packages from her hands.

  “I’m perfectly capable of doing my job.”

  I glared at her. “You’re the maid of honor, this isn’t your job.” But it said a lot about how she was feeling lately.

  “Whatever. I can handle it.”

  “And it’ll be easier to handle with another pair of arms,” I shot back, putting the box of gifts in the car, ignoring her grumbling. “See, we’re already finished.”

  “Thanks,” she said angri
ly. “You can go on home, Luke. I’ve got it covered.”

  “I’m right where I want to be, besides you’re too exhausted to drive yourself.”

  “I’ll call a cab.” She was damn stubborn when she wanted to be.

  “Don’t waste a cabbie’s time by making them come out here for nothing. I’m perfectly capable of making sure you get home safely.” I crossed my arms and stared down at her, waiting for her next argument.

  She glared. “Fine, happy?”

  “Not yet Talia, but I will be.”

  Soon.

  Talia

  “Thanks for the ride.” My heels wobbled on the graveled driveway as I shut the door and grabbed my work bag from the backseat. “Have a good night,” I told Luke, but it was premature because he had already killed the engine and stepped beside me.

  “You’re exhausted,” he said and easily grabbed my bags from my arms. “Come on, let me help.”

  I didn’t know what kind of help he was offering, but I was too tired for sex. That’s what my brain said, but my body was already starting to wake up thanks to his proximity.

  “Only because I’m too tired to argue.”

  He barked out a laugh. “That has to be a first, and that’s exactly how I know you’re too tired to be alone.”

  He was right, I was too exhausted to argue with anyone, let alone someone who argued just for the hell of it. “I’m going to take a bath and go to bed, so don’t feel like you have to stick around.” Luke didn’t say anything, so I figured he would leave when I didn’t show proper appreciation for his help.

  “Knock, knock.”

  A groan escaped and I smacked the water. “Go away!”

  Luke’s blonde head popped inside, smiling as his gaze raked over my bare breasts. “Need a hand?”

  “I’m good, thanks.” If he touched me I wouldn’t be able to push him away, so it was best that we kept our distance. “You can go, Luke.”

  “But what would be the fun in that when you so clearly need my help.” He walked in and sat down beside the tub, dropping his hand in the water beside my thigh and swishing it back and forth. “How could I not assist?” His smile had the ability to tug at the corners of my mouth ,and I shook my head.

  “You’re incorrigible, you know that right?”

  Luke took the bath sponge from my hand and added an ungodly amount of soap to it before he started to wash me. Up one leg and down the other he went in a slow, teasing manner that made my breath hitch. “Some say incorrigible when they really mean charming as hell.” The sponge slid up and down one arm and down my side, across my belly and then up and down the other arm. He soaped my belly in a side to side motion from hip to hip, side to side and rib to rib. It was a slow, intoxicating rub that had me panting and gasping for air. “So dirty,” he said and I could hear the smile in his voice even with my eyes closed.

  “It’s been a long day,” I shot back, sucking in another breath his palm grazed my nipples. Luke knew what he was doing and that was torturing me, plain and simple. He washed my breasts until I nearly orgasmed before moving to my back.

  And then my hair. He washed my hair.

  No man had ever done that, and I realized now I was grateful for it, such a small but tender gesture was enough to undo me, especially with my defenses so low. “I used to think this was a dye job,” he said absently as his fingertips pressed into my scalp.

  “Until you saw me naked and realized the carpet matched the drapes?” He went silent for a long moment, and I was tempted to open my eyes, but then he barked out a laugh and it warmed me through.

  “Yes, actually.”

  “Like I’d ever choose to have red hair? You have any idea what kind of target that puts on a kid?” No doubt he didn’t, because he was big and blonde with the kind of smile that drew people in.

  “For guys, sure. But girls, really?”

  I nodded because that was always the reaction. No one became enamored of redheads until they were adults, before then, everyone treats you like the redheaded stepchild. Especially in temporary foster homes. “No one has it easier than blonds.” The last word came out on a moan as his hands dipped between my thighs and one finger slid deep. “Yes!”

  “You’re the only redhead I’ve ever had, and I can say without a doubt, they have more fun in the sack.” I could barely focus on his words because his fingers sank deep, in and out, wringing pleasure out of me, one thrust at a time. “Watching you even now, head thrown back with your hands gripping the tub, it’s all I can do not to climb in there with you.”

  “Luke,” I panted, spreading my legs wider to give him better access and when another finger slid inside I clenched around him and felt my orgasm build.

  “Your skin is all flushed and beautiful, legs open so wantonly, tits perked out and your nipples are begging me to take a taste.”

  “Yes,” I panted. In that moment, I would have done just about any depraved thing he asked as pleasure hummed just out of reach. “Luke!” That was it, one word uttered on my orgasm and it had to be his name. Not a ‘fuck’ or an ‘oh yeah’ but ‘Luke’.

  It was hard to stay mad at a man who’d given you one of the fastest orgasms of your life before lifting you from the tub and gently drying every inch of your body.

  “Told you. Just let me take care of you.” His words were spoken softly, sweetly almost, and I was too sated to argue, or shoot off a sarcastic comment.

  Luke laid me on the bed, spread out for his perusal and stared at me until my whole body was one tight ball of want and desire again. And then he was naked and his body was pressed to mine, his mouth devoured mine in a sensual kiss that stole my breath, and my good sense along with it. “Luke,” I moaned as he kissed his way down my body. Slow, open-mouthed kisses that were meant to make me lose my mind, and it worked.

  Sweet hot damn, it worked beautifully.

  His lips and tongue and teeth, kissed, nipped and licked every inch of me, taking a long time between my thighs. He moaned deeply as he licked, sending shivers up my spine. A quick flick of his tongue on my clit and I fell apart, vibrating and pulsing with my hand buried in his hair, keeping him right where I needed him. “Greedy girl,” he said with a knowing smile, spreading me apart and licking me so slow, and so thoroughly he was able to pull another orgasm from me.

  “Luke!”

  “Yes? Something you want?”

  Yeah, I wanted his cock and I wanted it now. And he wanted to play games. “Yeah, I’m feeling kind of sleepy,” I told him around a fake yawn.

  “Then I guess we’ll have to do something about that, won’t we?” His grin was salacious. He gripped my thighs and slid into me. “Oh fuck, so damn wet.”

  “What did you expect after all that?”

  “Not. Complaining,” he said, biting back a groan.

  “Luke,” I warned, squirming and pulsing around him. “Move.”

  He began to move, but it was too slow. Too torturous. It felt like more than the good hard fuck I needed right now, he stroked long and deep like this was more like making love and that was…too much.

  I liked it too much. Needed it too much. I more than wanted it, I couldn’t get enough of the way he filled me up and moved inside me. The way his brown eyes looked down at me, hungry and needy, raw and intense. Almost affectionate but I wouldn’t think too closely about that, hell I couldn’t because my body needed more. “Luke.”

  “Yes?”

  I looked up at him and the gleam in his eyes and I knew what this was all about. It seemed like it was more than a fuck but it wasn’t, this was control pure and simple. He wanted me to beg and I wasn’t above it. “Please.”

  That earned me a hard thrust that hit my clit and send sparks of color shooting off behind my eyes. “Fuck, Talia.” His hips had a mind of their own but his willpower was strong, slowing down again to steady, deep thrusts that made an addict out of me.

  “Luke, please. Fuck me. Please.” I stared at him intensely, letting him see just how much I needed him to fil
l me up, to pound me hard and fast and just let me come. “Please!”

  He groaned, grabbing my thighs and hitching them high on his hips, Luke laid until the rough hairs of his chest brushed against mine, until his pelvic bone added pressure to my clit. “Talia, you feel so fuckin good.” There was no part of our bodies that didn’t touch, that weren’t intertwined as he thrust long and slow and deep, kissing me the same way.

  It was intense and I couldn’t take it. Not anymore. His mouth made love to mine the way his body did and between exhaustion and a mild case of depression, I was powerless against it. No matter how bad an idea it was and no matter how good it felt, there was nothing I could do but enjoy the moment.

  So I did.

  I let go, stopped trying to hold back and just threw myself into it with the same wild abandon I always had. It was more intense this time, but I didn’t care, not when those slow strokes lit a fire low in my belly that became the building blocks of the most earth-shattering, body shaking orgasm of my life. “Oh fuck, Luke!”

  My body clamped down hard around his as the orgasm took control of my body, twisting and vibrating it for long minutes until my body had been thoroughly exhausted. I felt the moment his orgasm hit, he tensed and surged into me so deep it felt like we were one. “Talia,” he roared as his orgasm shot out of him like a rocket before collapsing onto me.

  A smile curved my lips at the weight of his body, the heat of his skin against mine. I was so boneless, so satisfied that I didn’t say a word when he snuggled up beside me and wrapped his arms around me.

  I was too tired.

  Feeling too good.

  And the truth was that I didn’t want him to leave. Not yet.

  Luckily my body was too exhausted to give it much thought and I drifted off to sleep with someone else in my bed for the first time in a very long time.

  Luke

  I must be crazy, it was the only rational explanation for why I was up so damn early on a Saturday morning and on my way to Talia’s place. With breakfast. The woman was in my head and had me all screwed up in ways I couldn’t possibly understand, so I decided not to try and just go with it. For now.