by D'Ann Lindun
“To ask you if she had questions.” Bailey sighed. “I’m the one who brought up Marla.”
Lyle spun toward her, mouth agape. “What? Why?”
“Because I don’t talk behind my friends’ backs and she
wanted to know why you and I aren’t together. I told her it was because you fell for Marla.”
Lyle slapped the saddle fender. “Damn it. I don’t want to rehash it all.”
Bailey placed a hand on his arm. “That’s too bad because women always want to know details. Kissing and telling is one thing. This is another altogether. If you’re wanting to get serious, you’re going to have to open up and tell her what happened. What made you snap.”
“I don’t, and that’s exactly why I’m not going to get tangled up with Sarah, or anyone else,” he said.
“So, you’re going to be a lonely old bachelor all your life?” She chuckled without humor. “Cause I’m planning on being an old maid…”
“Bullshit.”
“Huh?” Her mouth opened and closed.
“You could have your choice of men if you’d open up your mind a little bit.”
“Are you suggesting I date city guys or hippies?” She frowned.
“Not hardly but quit going for guys a decade younger than you. They only want one thing and it ain’t babies and bills.”
“Who says I want those things?” She glared at him. “You’re saying you don’t?”
She dropped her gaze. “I have plenty of bills.”
“But, no babies.” His tone gentled. “And you’re not getting any younger.”
“Thanks.” She threw him a sour look. “You’re no spring rooster yourself.”
“You know what I mean.” He waved a hand in a circle. “Look at all you’ve built. Don’t you want to share it with someone? Have a child to pass it down to like your dad did for you?”
“You’re full of advice for a guy who has a gorgeous girl falling hard for him and he won’t open up and tell her what she needs to know.” She blinked hard. “Maybe those things aren’t in the cards for me, but you have your shot. Take it while you can.”
He sighed. “It’s not that simple—”
“It is,” she insisted. “Now go talk to that girl before she changes her mind and finds another cowboy to love.”
Love?
Lyle about choked on his tongue. He wasn’t in love. Heat, yeah. He wanted Sarah naked, under him and calling his name when she came, but he wasn’t in love. Losing his heart wasn’t in his plan, and no matter how hard Bailey tried to convince him otherwise, he had no intention of getting caught in that particular trap again.
Still, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to open up a little bit. The thought made him shudder. It was like taking a knife to an open wound and digging in it.
His thoughts turned to his past.
He and Bailey had been fighting as usual. Having great makeup sex, then arguing again. After one of their epic fights, they’d broken up for the final time and he’d gone to the local watering hole with some of the guys. A cute, little blonde approached him and wanted to dance. One dance led to two dozen and a few too many beers led to them spending the night together.
At first, Lyle and Marla had been good for each other. After his volatile relationship with Bailey, what he and Marla had seemed a refreshing change. He quit the road, bought a little place and settled down to raise Angus cattle.
But it didn’t take long for Marla to become restless and unhappy with their new lifestyle. She craved the bright lights and attention she got from being a champion’s wife. Cleaning house and doing his laundry didn’t thrill her like following the rodeo circuit had.
When a rodeo came to town, she found someone else to hitch her wagon to. Lyle wished he’d let her go instead of tracking her to that motel…
No woman on earth was worth spending ten years in prison.
Bailey waved a hand in front of his face. “Where’d you go?”
A place he didn’t like to visit. “Nowhere.” He changed the subject. “How did the rodeo go? Any of the horses buck off their riders?
“Yup.” She nodded. “Froggie and Razor both threw their guys right outside the gate.”
“That’s great.” For a stock contractor, having a bucking horse that threw riders was a sure-fire way to get noticed.
Before she could elaborate further, a vehicle pulling into the driveway drew their attention.
“Sounds like Pete’s back,” Bailey said. Together, they walked to meet him.
He had already turned the trailer around and backed it to the arena gate, so all they had to do was open the trailer door, much like Bailey had done earlier. Although most of the horses were halter broke, this simple system worked for Bailey.
Without being asked, Lyle climbed the fence and opened the gate. A big, rangy sorrel charged out into the corral, snorting and rolling his eyes.
Bailey climbed on the fence to look him over. “A little wild, I’d say.”
Pete joined her. “Real rank. The guy who owned him said he bucked off every good cowboy on the place.”
Bailey glanced at Pete. “Did you try him out?”
“Yeah.” He looked shamefaced. “Tossed me on my rear.” “Let’s get Lyle on him and see what he can do.”
“Bareback, or saddle?” Lyle began hazing the horse toward
the chutes.
“If he’s that tough, maybe you ought to saddle up.” She jumped into the arena. “Pete, do this while Lyle grabs his rig. I’ll get my horse for the pickup.”
“Won’t need one if he gets thrown.” Pete grinned.
“Don’t bet on it.” Lyle hopped the fence and jogged to the barn for his saddle. He grabbed his gear and headed back to the arena, his blood pumping. Riding bucking horses was what he’d been born to do. He should have listened to Marla and stuck with it instead of trying to become a rancher.
He shook off that thought. He needed to concentrate on his upcoming ride.
Bailey managed to get a halter on the gelding’s head, while Lyle and Pete saddled him. The horse didn’t make it easy, lunging ahead time and again, slamming his chest into the green panels.
Finally, they had him tacked up.
Pete grabbed hold of the halter while Bailey mounted her gelding and moved in front of the gate. Lyle eased himself onto the horse’s back. Years of experience told him this one was going to buck hard. He settled deep into the saddle, planting his feet in the stirrups. He took a deep breath.
“You ready?” Pete fought to hold the thrashing horse’s head still.
“Yeah.” Grabbing tight to the thick, cotton rope, Lyle nodded at Bailey. “Let ’im go.”
She opened the gate and moved out of the way.
The sorrel quivered in anticipation. Then he jumped high and hard. When the horse landed, Lyle’s teeth rattled. He braced himself as the horse launched himself again. Each jump seemed to get a little higher and every landing bone jarring.
He didn’t know how many times they circled the arena— time seemed to freeze as they moved in unison.
The horse gave it his all; Lyle’s determination matched the gelding’s. One of them, maybe both, grunted with exertion. Neither willing to give in to the other. Lyle spurred with every leap, but not hard enough to injure. Sweat trickled down his face and made his hands slick. His arm muscles screamed in agony—the one in the air and the one holding the rope.
“Time,” Bailey shouted. Pete whooped.
Lyle dropped his right arm and grabbed the lead with both hands. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Bailey’s paint. Letting go of the rope, he grabbed Bailey’s waist and swung over her horse’s rear to the ground.
When he looked up, she’d swung around and was grinning from ear-to-ear. “Hot damn. I think I might’ve just bought my next world champion.”
“That was some ridin’,” Pete enthused.
Bailey nodded in agreement. “I think you need to get back on the circuit. Because nobody rides like you do. Nobody ever
has. I’ll front you the entry fee to get started and you pay me back out of your winnings.”
He hesitated, and she pressed him. “There’s a rodeo in Pueblo this weekend. I don’t have any horses there so there’s no conflict of interest.”
Nothing stirred his blood and filled his soul like riding a good bronc. “You can get along without me?”
“I’ll be fine,” she told him. “Go, go.”
“I think I will,” he said. “Why the hell not?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Angie and Stan, the bartender, had just left. Sarah was moments behind them when a figure at the front door startled her. She grabbed the bat behind the bar and tip-toed to the door. “Who’s there?”
“Lyle. Can I come in?”
She turned the lock and opened the door, the bat by her leg. “What do you want?”
He eyed her weapon. “I hope you’re not going to hit me, even though I might deserve it.”
“You might deserve it, but I won’t use this on you.” She stepped aside. “You still haven’t told me what you want…”
He stepped inside. “I came by to tell you I’m riding in Pueblo on both Friday and Saturday night.”
She arched her brows. “You’re competing?” “Yeah. I’m going to get back in the saddle.”
“That’s fantastic.” She lowered the bat. “What does this have to do with me?”
“Would you like to come along and watch?”
Indecision over his unwillingness to open up to her warred with her desire to spend more time with him. Finally, she nodded. “I’d love to.”
“It’s a date then.”
She walked to the bar and leaned across it to stow the bat in its place. “If that’s it—”
He followed her and their eyes met in the mirror. “No.
There’s more.” “Such as?”
“Don’t want to talk right now. Later.” He pinned her against the bar with his body, brushed her ponytail to the side and dipped his head to kiss her neck. Sarah’s air rushed out and she leaned her head sideways. Her fingers dug into the oak bar rail.
His hands came around to cup her breasts and her nipples hardened in instant response. She spread her legs a little and his knee edged between them. The hard length of his erection pressed against her ass, making her shiver.
“Lyle—”
“I want you.” His voice was guttural. “Right now. Bent over this bar while you watch me fuck you hard.”
His crude words sent a shockwave through her so intense her legs would have buckled if he hadn’t been holding her up with his body. She gasped. “Yes.”
With slow and deliberate moves, gaze locked on hers, he slid her ponytail holder down. When he freed her hair, he used both hands to lift the mahogany waves and place them over her left shoulder. Then he reached for her buttons. Moving so leisurely she thought she might die of anticipation, he undid the buttons of her blouse and slid it from her shoulders. Her breasts rose and fell under her scarlet demi-bra.
Impatient, she undid the front clasp and let the cups swing free from her breasts. He pulled the straps from her arms and let the lingerie float to the floor. He took advantage, palming her breasts and pinching her nipples until they distended.
She arched her back, belly pushing into the oak bar. He nipped her collarbone, and she cried out. When he released her breasts, she whimpered. The sound was replaced by a gasp of surprise when he trailed his hands down her sides to settle on her waistband.
In a quick move, he had her top button undone and the zipper down. She placed her hands over his and helped him push her jeans and panties from her hips. Kicking free of her boots and clothing, she stood nude before him.
Slightly embarrassed, she closed her eyes.
“Open your eyes,” he said. “I want you to watch.”
She stared at him reflected in the mirror as he stepped away from her and unsnapped his own shirt with one quick movement. In another, he tore it off and tossed it aside. Like her, he kicked off his boots, then reached for his belt. Her mouth went dry as he unbuckled it. In a flash, his jeans and shorts were on the floor beside his shirt.
She swallowed.
Holy shit.
The man was stunning—from his broad shoulders, to his flat abs to the massive, evidence of his maleness. She touched her lips with her tongue.
His eyes darkened, narrowed. He grasped her hips and pulled her ass toward him. “Bend over,” he ordered.
Sarah complied, folding at the waist, her hands pressed on thebartop. Lyle used his knees to urge her legs apart until her legs were splayed wide as a newborn colt’s. He placed a condom onthe bar near her, then slid his hands over her buttocks. Thesensation of his work roughened fingers sliding over her sensitive skin made her shiver. When he placed a palm on her lower back and slipped the thumb of his other hand inside her vagina, she bit her lip to keep from crying out. With his thumb inside her, he massaged her clit with his middle finger until herhips rocked in time with his ministrations. Her stomachtightened. Hot, wet heat flooded
her.
Still tormenting her, he reached for the condom with his other hand. Using his teeth, he opened it, and somehow managed to roll it over his erection. When he removed his hand from her, she whimpered.
He nudged her opening with the tip of his cock and her stomach flipped upside down. When he thrust deep inside her, she screamed and dug her fingernails into the bar.
He froze. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She braced her feet. “You just took me by surprise is all…” She hadn’t been expecting the depth, or the force behind it.
This time, when he plunged into her, she was prepared. It seemed impossible that he could drive harder, but every move seemed to gain intensity until she was almost lifted off the ground. He took hold of her hips, anchoring her as he pumped.
Unable to do more than surrender, she let him take control of her body.
Her eyes fluttered shut and he growled. “Watch. I want you to see yourself come.”
The demand forced her eyes wide open. Startled, she stared at him in the mirror as they mated. Never had she experienced anything as erotic as watching him fuck her. Incoherent sounds came from her mouth—his name, maybe. She wasn’t sure. Every fiber of her being was focused on her core. It seemed to collapse and expand at the same time.
Releasing one hip, he reached around and slid his hand between her legs. He found her clit and rubbed it. The combination of his cock plunging deep and his fingers slipping over her hyper sensitive nub sent her spiraling out of control.
She screamed.
This time her shriek drove him to rock her so hard she didn’t know if she kept standing. His hot gaze locked on hers in the mirror as he found his own release. With a groan of satisfaction, he came. His cock drove deep; a shudder ran through the length of him.
Sated, Sarah collapsed forward, her cheek on the bar. She closed her eyes as Lyle’s strong arms slid around her waist, steadying her. He pressed kisses to her neck and spine and she shivered.
“That feels good,” she murmured. “Just the kisses?” He did it again.
Heat flooded her cheeks. “Not just the kisses.”
He slipped out of her body, and turning her around, kissed her hard. “Don’t go away. I’ll be right back.”
She watched him walk away, the sight of his tight ass made her insides quiver. He couldn’t come back soon enough. This time she wanted to face him, look into his eyes instead of reflected in a mirror…
A loud bang outside startled her.
She grabbed her clothes and fled for the bathroom.
As she dressed, her mind whirled with what she’d just done. Had sex—make that mind-blowing sex—bent over the bar, with a man less than a month out of federal prison. Sarah had never done anything so wanton in her life. Her mother would have heart failure if she found out.
None of her business, Sarah thought. She was a grown woman with her own mind. If she wanted to be with Lyle, she would.
The thought sent a hot flush straight between her legs. God, the man could use his body like a tool, one built especially for her. But it was more than that—he’d intrigued her heart in ways that she never thought would happen again after Brandon left.
After she smoothed her hair, she took a deep breath. “Can’t hide in here all night. Gotta go face him sooner or later.”
Lyle wasn’t waiting for her in the bar, and Sarah’s heart sank. Had he taken off? Surely he wasn’t that kind of man…one to love ’em and leave ’em? At least not immediately after the act, was he? Wherever he’d gone, it wasn’t in the establishment.
With her heart pounding, she stepped outside. Her truck sat at the edge of the parking lot in its usual location. The only other vehicle was Lyle’s pickup near the door. At first, everything looked normal. Then she took another glance around.
Lyle stood near his truck, a deep frown on his face.
When she joined him, Sarah saw why. The loud bang she’d heard had been a gunshot through the front window of the pickup. Glass lay on the front seat, along with a bullet. A shudder skipped up and down her spine. “Someone shot out the window?”
“I’m guessing Rocky,” he said grimly.
Sarah folded her arms around her middle and she looked around but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “You need to call the cops.”
He snorted. “Right. I’ll have to let Bailey know, though.” “She’s going to be so mad.” Sarah wondered how his boss
would feel about them being together. Bailey claimed only friendship remained between them, but sometimes when she thought no one was looking, longing flickered in her eyes. Sarah couldn’t blame her. The man was incredible.
“I wouldn’t want to be in Rocky’s boots when Bailey gets wind of this. He’s a damn fool to cross her.” Lyle reached for his cell phone. “I better call her.”
~*~
Bailey looked mad enough to spit nails. “I’m going to kill the son-of-a-bitch.”
“You won’t have to worry about it if I see him first,” Lyle promised.
“Don’t even say that.” Bailey looked around. “If anything happens to Rocky you’ll be the first one the law’ll look at.”
