The Irish Cowboy: Bear Creek Rodeo

by Jessica Marin

  He’s dressed in complete cowboy garb - black cowboy hat sitting low on his head, green and white checkered long sleeve shirt with his black protective vest encasing his muscular torso. His wrangler jeans are covered in brown leather chaps and black cowboy boots are on his feet. I close my parted lips for fear I might drool all over the place with how hot he looks. He approaches me slowly, his mischievous smile telling me he knows exactly what I’m thinking. He kisses me unabashedly in front of the other cowboys, leaving me hot and bothered for more.

  “Your eyes are telling me you like what you see. If m’lady wishes, I would be more than willing to wear this in the bedroom for your viewing pleasure,” he whispers in my ear, causing me to shiver at the mental image of him only in his hat, vest, and chaps.

  “I think that needs to be arranged as soon as possible.” His smile reaches his eyes, the hunger in them for me as powerful as my hunger is for him.

  I pray this feeling never ends.

  His lips start their descent to mine when someone interrupts us.

  “Tessa, is that you?” I turn around in Rhett’s arms to see the one person I never wanted to see again.

  Ty George staring right back at me.

  Chapter Eleven

  RHETT

  “Get out of your head, Rhett, or you’re going to screw up and get disqualified!” Ryan yells at me over the loud music. I’m sitting on my horse, getting ready for my turn to compete, but my mind is in dangerous territory.

  Ty George is Tessa’s ex-boyfriend.

  Ty George is the man who crushed her heart.

  Ty George took my girl’s virginity.

  As soon as he even said her name, I knew he was the asshole that crushed her heart and her reaction to him confirmed it. She was repulsed and disgusted, laced with anxiety over being in the same room with him. Jealousy boiled through me, my hands fisted at my side, itching to smash through his face. Punching him would disqualify me from the competition, hurting my rank in the standings to get to Nationals. I’m sitting pretty right now in the top ten and with the last remaining rodeos left, I can’t afford any mistakes.

  Or distractions.

  I first met Ty when we were both on the Australian Pro Rodeo circuit. He was a slimy bastard then and it looks like things haven’t changed. He’s a gifted saddle bronc rider whose narcissistic ways will ruin his career.

  I, personally, am looking forward to when that day arrives.

  “Beat him on the scoreboard, Rhett, not with your fists. Get into the game!” Ryan slaps my back before moving over onto the opposite rail to watch and cheer me on. I take a couple of breaths and nod at him, acknowledging that I hear him loud and clear.

  Beat him on the scoreboard.

  I hear the announcer tell the crowd to get ready, the bucking chute gate opens and we’re off. I focus on my legs, positioning them properly at the horse’s shoulders until I feel the horse’s feet hit the ground and then I start moving. The crowd fades away and it’s just me and the horse. I work at maintaining my upper body balance while moving my legs in sync with the bucking motion of the horse. I zero in on its rhythm and for eight-seconds, I ride it as if we were one.

  Those eight-seconds feel like eternity.

  When the buzzard sounds, the pickup men ride up next to me, helping calm the horse down. As soon as it’s safe, I immediately jump off and run in the opposite direction from where they take the horse. I wave to the crowd and pump my first at Ryan before scanning the crowd for Tessa. I see her jumping up and down in excitement with Adeline, clapping and cheering with everyone else.

  I’ve dreamt of this moment, having her with me at all times, cheering me on. In my dreams, I was filled with pride and lust.

  Right now I look at her and only see Ty George’s grimy fingers all over her.

  I turn in the opposite direction and stalk back to Ryan, the dark cloud that has my mood violently churning into a tornado.

  “You just killed it out there and you’re still thinking about him? Let it go, Rhett! She’s here with you, not him!” Ryan shakes his head in disgust at me and stops walking beside me. “Take a shower and cool down. Don’t throw away all of your hard work for a worthless, piece of shit like him.” He walks back toward the chute while I head to the locker room to try to wash my foul mood off me before I say and do something stupid.

  Ryan and I both placed first in our respective categories. I was somewhat content beating Ty on the scoreboard, but the full satisfaction came when Tessa rushed into my arms in the dressing room and openly kissed me in front of him, making sure he witnessed not only her kiss, but her hand staking its claim on my ass. Possessive Tessa makes me want to throw her over my shoulder and claim her in the janitor’s closet right now.

  Her actions make it loud and clear - she’s mine.

  But Ty is a calculated guy, one who always has to have the last parting shot. When he saw we were close to crossing the threshold of the door to leave, he dealt one quick last jab for everyone to hear.

  “Hope you enjoy my leftovers, Kearney.”

  My vision went red and it took Ryan and four other guys to hold me back from destroying him. I was within a couple of centimeters from his face, wanting to pummel him into the ground for talking about her like that. For even being in the same room as her.

  It was Tessa’s voice that finally got me to calm down and remember that I can’t physically hurt him. I can only physically hurt his rank and money earnings by beating him at Finals.

  We go to dinner afterwards, but I don’t have much of an appetite with his words playing on repeat in my head. My mood has affected everyone and this becomes the quietest meal we have ever had together. I catch Tessa and Adeline glancing at each other often, silent messages being communicated between them with their eyes. What should’ve been a celebratory evening has turned into one I would like to forget.

  “Rhett, I need you to buy me a beer now.” Ryan demands as he stands up and comes next to my chair. I give him a questioning look because our waitress is more than capable of getting the beer for him. The look in his eyes is screaming for me to accompany him to the bar to talk. I reluctantly get up and excuse myself from the ladies.

  “You’re losing her, brother. You’re making her feel that tonight was all her fault.”

  “How would tonight be all her fault?” I question, not understanding his logic.

  “You’re barely talking to her since you let that douchebag into your head. It’s obvious she’s feeling you don’t want her anymore because of her past with him. Look at her - don’t you see that they’re talking about bolting right now?”

  I look over at the table to see Adeline adamantly talking to Tessa, who’s nodding her head, her beautiful face painted in sadness.

  “Of course I still want her! I’m just having a hard time forgetting that she’s been with him.”

  “Why does that matter to you? That’s in the past! She could be doing a million other things right now, but she chose to be here with you!” Ryan throws up his hands in exasperation.

  “But he’s the reason why she won’t give her heart to me. Him! Out of all the men in this world, that bastard is the reason!” I shake my head in disbelief, not understanding how he couldn’t see how lucky he was. Yes, it’s my gain, but it comes at a price.

  Her hatred for cowboys.

  Her fear of getting hurt again.

  “You need to take him out of the equation, Rhett. Haven’t you noticed that you’re winning her heart? You! No one else but you!”

  “I know, but what happens when I’m gone these next couple of weeks? What happens if she decides I’m not worth the risk of getting hurt again?” I ask, letting my real fear be known to him. Seeing Ty again might make her remember that pain he inflicted on her and I won’t physically be here to change her mind.

  Ryan places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “That’s the risk that you’re going to have to take. If she can’t see what a better man you are, then maybe she isn’t the one for you.”
He looks me dead in the eyes when saying that and I know he’s right.

  I shake my head and start to chuckle, not believing the words that are coming out of his mouth right now.

  “What’s so funny? Have you gone mad?” he asks, a smile starting to form on his lips at seeing me laugh.

  “No, I just can’t believe that out of all the people in this world, you’re the one giving me advice on my love life.” If my sister could hear our brother now, she would declare that Ryan is the one who’s gone mad. Truth be told, I think Adeline is opening up my brother’s eyes on the kind of love he can have with her.

  “I can’t believe the shit that is coming out of my own mouth either. Who am I right now?” he jokes, pulling me in for a quick hug.

  “Thanks for talking some sense into me, brother,” I say with sincerity. We walk back to our table to join our girls.

  “Ladies, I apologize for being a grouchy jerk tonight.” I sit down next to Tessa and turn to look at her, grabbing her hand to gain her attention. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you in the dressing room. I couldn’t control my reaction as I won’t stand for anyone talking about you that way.” I place my hand against her cheek and gently caress it before I bring my lips to hers for a quick, gentle kiss. She exhales a shaky breath when we’re done and smiles, her eyes watery from unshed tears. I hate that I’m the cause of them and silently vow to never make her feel that way again.

  “His words are worthless, just like he is. We can’t let him affect us.” I nod my head in agreement, wanting her to see that I’m listening and I will try for her sake.

  “I don’t even like rodeos, but you were magnificent tonight. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I’m so proud of you,” she whispers as she squeezes my hand back. “Thank you for inviting me to be here with you tonight.”

  Her words knock the breath right out of me, the need and want I have for her pumping my heart so fast that it feels it might explode out of my chest.

  I’ve fallen hard and fast for Tessa Mandel and I don’t want to waste anymore time not proving it to her.

  “Ryan,” I say in a low, commanding voice while my eyes still hold Tessa’s gaze captive. “Tessa and I are leaving now.” I don’t even ask Tessa if she’s ready to go. The need to physically devour every inch of that creamy, silky body of hers is a hunger that I must satisfy now. The flare of desire that sparks in her eyes tells me she’s ready and willing.

  “You two go do all the things that I would do, please,” he winks at me while Tessa gives Adeline a hug goodbye. I grab Tessa’s hand and we walk briskly out of the restaurant. Thankfully the restaurant is in walking distance from the hotel and Ryan and I got separate rooms knowing the girls were coming up this weekend. We walk in silence, no words needed to fill the time as the anticipation of what’s to come buzzes between us.

  I unlock the door to the hotel room and hold it open for her. I watch her walk all the way to the bed and once she hears the click of the door, she turns around and stares at me. I stand there and search her eyes, waiting for the sign from her on my next move. We gaze at each other, the air starting to feel heavy with yearning. Seconds seem to feel like minutes until she makes the first move. In one swift motion, she pulls her sundress off, standing there in only her cowgirl boots and matching bra and panties.

  Hot pink and black lace accentuate all the right curves of her body, but I prefer her lingerie to be elsewhere.

  On the floor where it belongs.

  I stalk toward her, my chest rising and falling hard with every step I take until I crush her against me, my mouth staking its claim. While my tongue invades her luscious mouth, our hands work quickly to get rid of the remaining barriers between us. Digging into my pocket, I withdraw a small foil packet for protection before discarding my jeans to the floor. I gently lay her down on the bed, my eyes drinking in the beauty of her nakedness. She watches me admire her and then she glances downward, her eyes widening when she sees how hard I am for her. When she looks back up at me, it isn’t fear that I see in her.

  It’s hunger.

  I lay my body over hers, our mouths opening up in frenzied greed to taste each other. She opens her legs wider for me to settle between, but I know if I come anywhere near her core, I won’t last very long. To distract myself, I break our kiss and my mouth starts its slow assault down her neck, trailing wet, hot kisses all the way down to her breast where I flick my tongue over the bud of her nipple.

  “Please,” she begs, her hands roaming over my back down to my ass where she cups my cheeks to try to guide me into her. It takes every ounce of willpower not to obey. I want to hear her say exactly what she wants from me. I want to hear those words come out of her savory mouth.

  “Please what, lass? Tell me what you want. You know what I want? I want to slide right into your warmth and stay there until I make you forget your own name.” She moans loudly at my words, her teeth grazing my earlobe shooting sparks down my spine. My hand lightly massages down her body, traveling south to feel if she’s ready for me. My fingertip rubs against her bud, causing her hips to move against me. Her moaning gets louder, the sensual sound making me ache with the pain of needing to be inside her.

  “Now,” she stammers, her voice raspy with longing. “I need you now, Rhett!”

  I smile down at her as I put the condom on, position myself at her opening and slowly slide inside of her. Sweat forms on my forehead as I try to restrain myself from not plunging fully inside of her. She’s so tight and slick, but made perfectly for me. As soon as I start to feel her walls tightening around me, I start thrusting. I slowly increase my rhythm, watching wave after wave of pleasure play on her face. When her eyes flash open and she starts panting, I know she’s on the verge of ecstasy. She grabs hold of my ass and the friction with the increased tempo sends her over the edge.

  Watching her climax is all I need to find my own release. As I feel my body explode inside of her, I realize this is what a piece of heaven must feel like as I’ve never felt this overwhelming feeling of love for another person. My heart is beating for her, for us.

  I don’t have time to think of the consequences of my actions before I look into her eyes, the eyes I want to stare at forever before I whisper what my heart is screaming in my chest.

  “I love you, Tessa.”

  Chapter Twelve

  TESSA

  Four weeks went by until I got to see Rhett again after our night together. A night where he took my body to places it had never been before. A night where there was a shift in our relationship. A night where he uttered those three little words.

  Every girl wants to have the man of their dreams say they love them. And here I had that man, yet I was terrified of those words. I was physically unable to say it back to him, emotionally blocked because everyone I have loved had been taken from me or left me.

  At first, I didn’t think much about it, chalking it up to the fact that maybe he’s confusing lust for love, but he kept telling me he loved me after every conversation we had when he was away.

  Is he crazy for loving me so quickly or am I crazy for questioning why?

  “I don’t know how that man puts up with you,” Adeline said when I asked her opinion on it.

  “You believe you can fall in love with someone within a month?” I asked, skepticism lacing my voice with the fact that she could actually think so.

  “Yes, I do. It has to be the most intensive, all-consuming, overwhelming feeling every time you are with that person. You can’t imagine life without them. You can’t go without a day or couple of hours without talking to them. You don’t want to ever be without them. Do you feel that way about Rhett?”

  Yes!

  “I don’t know,” I responded instead, scared to even recognize that I could feel that way about someone so soon.

  Adeline rolled her eyes, not believing me for one-second. “Don’t bullshit yourself, Tessa. Stop being so scared and live! Do you miss Rhett?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you trust
Rhett?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does the thought of him with another woman make you physically ill?”

  “It makes me more physically violent, like I want to punch someone.” I’ve never gotten into an altercation with another woman before, but if anyone puts their hands on Rhett in front of me, I might go crazy.

  “Then you are in love with him. Don’t play games with him. You’ve been worried this whole time that he would hurt you, yet you’re the one holding the strings to his heart.”

  Her words resonated with me, especially when I would see the disappointment in Rhett’s eyes during our video chats after I wouldn’t say the words back. I tried to talk with him one night during our phone conversations, but instead he cut me off, saying he understood and that he knows when I do say it, it will be because I meant it and didn’t feel forced. I made sure my actions made up for my lack of words as best as I could while he was gone. I sent him constant texts of encouragement, sexy photos and told him every day how much I missed him.

  I knew I had to make the most of my time while he was away because once he came back for the rodeo, I wanted to spend every minute I could with him. Any free moment I had, I was writing. I managed to finish my novel after the second week of his absence and published it one week later. Three days before he was expected back, it hit the USA Today Bestseller’s List.

  The following day, I turned in my resignation.

  At first, Mr. George refused it. “Are you telling me you’re quitting because my son’s competing here next weekend? I won’t accept that from you, Tessa!”

  “I would never give him that satisfaction,” I said in amusement at Mr. George’s response. “No offense, sir.”

  “None taken. I know my son is a jackass,” he said in frustration, causing me to laugh out loud. “Why are you leaving me, Tessa? Is it because of Rhett Kearney?”