“As long as I’m around and still in your life, he’ll never have a chance. You remember I said those words.”
She could tell he got steamed thinking about the abuse. She didn’t know he felt so strongly about a man abusing women. But then again, the other men in prison won’t take it lightly either. Or so she’d heard from talk around her dining room table when she hid and listened.
Chapter Fourteen
The real thing would begin in a short time. Velia’s heart thumped a quick beat, and her palms sweat. She took deep breaths in and out to get her restlessness under control. She had her pass and an open door to get the photographs she needed as long as she stayed out of the way. She fit in with everyone else with her dark denim blue jeans—her plaid shirt neatly tucked in and topped off with a silver belt. She chose the silver belt to match the threads in her shirt with pearl buttons. With her white tank top underneath, she could bend down and not give everyone a boob shot.
She started out wearing her hat, but it got in the way when she had her Speedlite on the camera. She opted for a Wi-Fi controlled flash when she needed lighting in open spaces, as long as she stayed out of the way, she could do what she wanted. She could walk around the whole place from the stands to the locker room, to the first aide room, and the X-ray room. She could even go where the bulls were penned if she wanted to. A photo of the main event wouldn’t be bad. She walked around straight and tall, as proud as a senior at graduation.
Caulder looked smoking hot dressed in his official outfit, sauntering around like he owned the place. She noticed in the videos the protective cup the riders wore made them look like they were well stacked in the front, but Caulder told her they didn’t all wear a cup. Their choice. There was something to say about chaps on a cowboy. “Mm, che bello cowboy! Mm, yes, handsome.”
He wore his bright yellow shirt for the sponsor. She enjoyed watching the guys in their uniforms. Maybe not uniforms, but what they wore for the job. Chaps appeared in many bright colors from turquoise to purple. Caulder looked great in his black boots, blue jeans, and white and black chaps with a touch of yellow in the fringe. He wore a black protective vest plastered with sponsor patches, and when he wasn’t on the bull, he wore a black cowboy hat.
When he got on the bull in the chute, Velia got behind the guys who helped get his ropes ready. One or two men held their arms out to catch him if the bull bucked forward. One man grasped the back of his vest with a grip ready to tighten if needed. His helmet looked like a hockey helmet with a metal face protector. It made her feel better. At least his face wouldn’t be slammed up against the posts, or the ground, or a bullhorn again. The tip of the horn was sanded down, but it still looked dangerous to her. Even though he was busy adjusting and gripping his rope, he glanced over and smiled. She had her camera up waiting for a moment such as this. His whole face seemed to glow when he smiled, not to mention added another aspect to his handsomeness.
The bull bucked madly in the chute, showing strength. She learned the bull did the bucking mostly to get the flank strap off. They’re mean, hellish, and they don’t want anyone messing with them. The reason for the strap is to make the bull buck. Heaven knows some are naturally mean though. Velia shivered, knowing how strong and nasty they were. She learned a lot about this sport in the last couple months.
Velia watched intently as Caulder slipped a glove on his rope hand, and readied himself for his eight seconds. Through the men talking, she learned this bull was one of the most mean-spirited. Caulder hadn’t ridden him yet. Not many men had, but, Robbie, the guy they met the other night, the champion, had ridden this one and got over a ninety-point score—a combined score of bull and rider. When the two scores were added together and equaled ninety or more, confetti would drop from the ceiling—a big deal for everyone involved. It wasn’t easy to get a score of ninety, so as Caulder got ready, she almost bounced in her spot with anticipation for his ride. The next thing she knew, he nodded and the gate dragged open and off he went, one hand clenching the rope and the other arm held high, trying his best not to touch the ugly varmint. The bull stayed near the fence and frightened her to death.
Finally, the bull took off and bucked, twisted, kicked, and even went down on its front knees and got right back up. “This is the longest eight seconds I’ve ever seen!” No one listened because they couldn’t remove their eyes from Caulder. She looked at the clock, four, three, two, one second. He stayed on! He rode the mean bull— “Yeah, Caulder!”
Excitement got the best of her and she forgot to get pictures. She wanted to watch every move he made. They played it over as replay, and she still couldn’t get enough. Picking up her camera, she kept clicking to get everything he did while still in the arena. The crowd went crazy, screaming and whistling, and they all stood. He grabbed his rope and someone tossed him his hat, and he planted it atop his head.
She made her way to the back behind the ring where all the riders went when they weren’t riding. Some men sat in tanks of ice. “Brrr!” Others had ice bags strapped to their shoulders, head, legs, feet, hands. Injured riders seemed to be everywhere and it was only the first ride of the season. She videotaped Caulder all the way to the back room, and enjoyed watching his tight rear end as he strode ahead.
When he stopped and faced her, she ran up and circled her arms around his neck. He lifted her off the ground, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
A flash caused her to look over her shoulder. “Put me down,” she whispered and tried to hide the blush. “Great.” When she turned toward the cameraman her media pass dangled from a lanyard around her neck. They might have thought she was a groupie instead of part of the crew until they saw her pass. Maybe they hoped for a juicy story. They turned and went the other way when she held up her pass and glared. She hoped the picture wouldn’t be in the morning papers.
Caulder’s body was hot and he smelled manly as hell with a mixture of sweat, dirt, and bulls. It was hard to resist being so close to him. Velia realized how difficult it would be to keep her emotions in check when it came to him. “You were great!” She swallowed hard, so wanting to escape those media people. “What happens now that you won?”
“I have to wait to see if anyone beats my score.” He raked his fingers through his tangled hair. “See that center ring out there?” He pointed to a round enclosure in the middle of the arena. “I need to go out there with the announcers until someone beats me. If anyone else gets a better score, they go out there.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he escorted her toward the gate. “If no one beats me, then I won tonight. One step closer to the championship, babe.” He pulled her against him. “Thanks for being here.” He gave one more big squeeze. “I gotta go.”
He left and she went back to her spot behind the chutes. She focused her camera on Caulder as he sat out in the center circle with the reporter. They talked about his ride. She could hear their conversation on the small TV right behind the men who helped the riders get ready to ride. He was as good-looking as any man could be, now on display for the world to see if they wanted to look. With each rider, she glanced at Caulder, and he watched close. His guts must have been turning inside out while waiting.
The show lasted almost two hours, and a lot went on around her. The stands were packed with spectators. The usual groupies all sat near the chutes, watching the riders—or more importantly, so the riders could see them decked out in their shiny hair, made up faces, and low-cut tops. Much too dressy for the likes of a bull riding event. But the single team members noticed… and kept noticing. They glanced over there a million times, and Velia waited to see how it all worked. Did the guys go over and sit with them between rides, send a message, or use sign language?
Velia noticed one young man in particular who kept staring at her. It seemed like he came closer each time she glanced over, and then finally he stood beside her. How did he get so close? She waited in an off-limits area.
“Want me to fix you up with one of these guys?”
“Is that how it works? You come out in the crowd and choose girls for them?”
“I choose you.”
“How nice. Should I be flattered?”
“Hell, yeah.” He had a dumbfounded look on his face. “Most women wait in line for this opportunity.”
“She held up her pass. I’ve already had mine, thank you.”
“I’m so sorry, ma’am.” He turned and walked away.
She took her little notepad out and made a note. It might be informative later. “Hmm, a little extra something for our blog.” Wait, probably shouldn’t spread it around. She might get in a lot of trouble for advertizing. Okay, mental note not to add this to their blog.
The show ended and Caulder won in points for the night. What a great way to start the season. And she, a hired photographer for this season, didn’t get pictures of his first ride. How awful. “Oops.” Who would she get them from? She looked around the media pool. Making her way, she nonchalantly asked one man if he would mind sharing some photos. She recognized him as the man who photographed her in Caulder’s arms—literally in his arms like a sack of potatoes.
“How about a trade? I’ll give you the copy of a video if you let me put you in the papers with an interview.” He wore a menacing smirk.
“You mean the picture you took of me and Caulder? You took it out of context. You don’t understand why it happened.”
“Deal or no deal?”
“No deal. I’ll get the photos.”
“Better do your job next time, or McCutchen might be looking for someone new.”
Velia could have said a lot of things to him, starting with calling him a smart ass, but she chose to nod in approval. After all, he was right. How disappointing not to get his first ride. She got everything up to that point. But then again, everyone would have the same shot or same video. She was here to do something different. She’d make it work with what she had. A few minutes or hours with Photoshop and it would be perfect. Everyone knows he rode for eight seconds. She had a different idea.
* * *
After all the media stuff, like interviews with reporters, and more reporters, then even more reporters, Caulder changed and they took a limo back to the hotel. “Did you bring your bathing suit?”
“No, should I have?”
“I have a hot, bubbly Jacuzzi in my room. I’d like you to join me.”
“No groupies tonight?”
“Not unless you want one.”
His leer might be worth dying for. She smiled, enjoying the look on his face when he knew he had the last word.
“It’s only going to be us if you don’t mind, Velia.” Caulder removed a bottle of water from the small fridge beside the car seat.
“I’ll see if I can find a swim suit in the gift store when we arrive at the hotel. I think it would be fun and a pleasant way to relax.” She pressed her palm against his chest. “No ties, right?”
“Of course not. You can parade up and down in front of me with your little bikini, and you won’t get a reaction from me.” He crossed his heart.
“Okay, I’ll join you in your Jacuzzi.”
“Wine or champagne?” he said when they pulled up in the front. Caulder opened the door and slid out then reached for her hand as she stepped out.
“I think we should celebrate your win, but you decide.”
“Champagne it is.”
“Wonderful.”
When they got inside Velia entered the gift store, and Caulder continued to his room. She found a black bikini. Not necessarily one she would have bought on purpose but better than wearing her bra and panties. And not much difference to be truthful. He probably wouldn’t have known, but she didn’t want to ruin her Victoria’s Secret under things. In her room, she changed, tossed the new wrap over her shoulders, and knocked on the adjoining door. Thank God, I don’t have to go out into the hallway to get to his room.
He opened the door and stood with a towel around his slim waist, his hair dripping. “Good timing.” He smiled his cutest smile.
She did a double take followed by a quick gulp. “It depends. I expected to find you absorbed in bubbles amongst shooting jets of water.” Not standing there full of muscles showing all over, hard pecs, pumped-up calves, bulging traps. Could her heart take much of this?
“Soon. Grab something to eat while I finish.”
She strolled to the sitting area and took a sandwich, a variety of cut veggies, and fresh fruit slices. She grabbed a bottle of ice cold water.
Five minutes later, Caulder came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but blue swim trunks. His hair combed straight back exposed more of his handsome face. He took a sandwich and sat across from her. His large hands reached for veggies and then plunged them in dip; she enjoyed watching his movements.
“You must be hungry. I’m surprised you don’t have a big steak waiting.”
“You want steak, we’ll get steak.”
“No, no, I don’t want steak, but you must’ve worked up an appetite.”
“I’m hungry most of the time. What was your most exciting moment tonight?” He took a bite of his sandwich, leaving a big dollop of mayo at the side of his mouth.
Velia took her napkin and dabbed the corner. “I loved when the confetti dropped, especially since it dropped for you. It was exciting when it got to four seconds, and the whole crowd stood, and then the buzzer rang. I loved that part, too, and seeing your face afterward. I know you love this.”
“I told you it would grow on you, and your fear would turn to exhilaration.”
“My biggest fear happened in the beginning when the gates opened. You’re right, it soon turned to excitement, but because you stayed on the damn wooly thing. My heart beat at top rate. I’m surprised I didn’t have a heart attack.”
After they finished eating, Caulder poured them both a glass of champagne. He held out his hand. “Ready?”
She accepted and followed him to the Jacuzzi. The water temperature was superb, hot and perfect. She watched Caulder settle down across from her on one of the benches.
“Thanks for coming over. I thought you would say no, and I’d be sitting here all alone with nothing but a bottle of champagne and a bag of chips.”
“I’m glad I accepted. Thanks for asking.” She rested back, letting the water relax her tired soul. She wondered if she should say anything about the man in the stands, curiosity still looming inside over the stupid matter of hitching a guy with a groupie. “A man in the stands came up and asked if I wanted to meet any of the riders.” As usual, she couldn’t control her babbles.
“Oh?”
“Is that how it’s done? How the girls meet the guys?”
“Sometimes. If there’s a hottie in the stands and one of the single guys is interested, he’ll tell Max and he’ll make the first contact.”
“Well, I could have had my choice according to him.”
“He must have thought you were pretty fine. I wonder who he had in mind for you.” Leaning forward, he said, “Listen, Velia, it doesn’t mean it’s all for sex. These guys have a reputation to uphold, and they do a good job at it. Most times they just want company.”
“Yeah, I’d still like to know who he chose for me. No, maybe not. Most of these guys are boys.” She rested her head against the marble back. “This is incredible. I bet it feels so good on your muscles. You must be sore.”
Caulder looked down at his lap. “Yeah, my muscles are sore so how about rubbing...my shoulders.” He didn’t give her a chance to reply. He moved over in front of her and turned his back. “Right here will be nice.” He pointed to a spot between his shoulder blades.
“Ah, I’m not sure.” Touching him? Oh, God!
“Oh, come on. Please.”
His begging words caught her off guard. She put her fingers on his warm shoulders and started massaging, gently at first. His groaning and squirming almost made her stop. His skin beneath her fingers felt tight, pleasurable. He leaned closer, allowing her hands to glide over his shoulders
down to his tight pectoral muscles and back to his solid traps. She ran her hand over his arms, wanting to clutch those hard biceps, but she held back.
She wrapped one hand around his neck and squeezed. “You sure have big muscles.” With him so close, it wouldn’t take much to lean down, rest her chin atop his head, and wrap her arms around him. She eased back…she couldn’t let this happen. Becoming sexually aroused from caressing his ripped muscles wasn’t part of the plan. What would it hurt? With her eyes closed, her fingers still, she felt Caulder turn toward her, sensed his eyes fixed on her. She kept them closed when he moved in and kissed her on the cheek. He smoothed her damp hair away from her face. She forced her eyes open.
Her stare was an inch away from his lustful gaze, a look turning her on more than she cared to admit. Caulder moved closer and kissed her, first a quick peck against her lips, another light, lingering touch, and then full on. She greedily kissed him back. His lips, soft and warm, and the caress, gentle but hungry at the same time. Exactly the kind of lips she needed. She opened her mouth and kissed him, full-mouthed like he kissed her. She didn’t stop his fingers when they moved to her breasts while the swirling, jetted water added to the contentment she garnered from his touch.
His mouth moved to her breasts, and he slipped part of her top away until one nipple was exposed, and he engulfed it into his mouth, sucking, lapping until it hardened. She threw her head back and let her fingers lead where they may. She ran her nails down his back as he moved against her, probing and squeezing with his tongue and fingers.
His lips moved to the other breast, and he reached behind and undid her top, slipping the straps off her arms. She spread her legs so he could move in closer—his hard bulge bursting against the thin material of his suit, pressing against her.
Why couldn’t she stop him?
She pressed against him, hot and ready to be taken. Was it her deep breathing telling him she wanted it? Was it her hands reaching between his legs and taking a hold of his full erection? Whatever it was, caused him to reach into her bathing suit bottom and insert the tips of his fingers into her. Pleasing groans broke from her lips.
Howdy, Ma'am Page 15
