Howdy, Ma'am

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “Call it done. We can after we get checked in.”

  * * *

  The hotel turned out to be a large bed and breakfast with enough rooms for 12 people. Velia had her own room and what an extremely large room for a bed and breakfast. It had a sitting area, desk, standard-size bed, microwave, and small fridge. Not anything like she had when she traveled with her other jobs. She wondered what Caulder’s room looked like. There was a rose garden and another patio around the other side. This would be quite acceptable to spend time for a few days. The ocean view added to the moment.

  After Caulder let her in, he hurried to his own room to unload his things. Within five minutes, he knocked on the hallway door. This time, there was no adjoining door between their rooms. He raised his hands and looked at the door then back at her. A cocked eyebrow told her of his displeasure because of only having one entrance.

  “You’ll be fine.” She smiled. Walking over to him, she rested her hands against his chest, fingering his top button. “Besides, we both need to sleep and get some rest tonight.”

  “We’ll be out late for dinner and then a walk to work off dinner.”

  Caulder’s smile knocked her off her feet. “I forgot what jet-lag felt like. Hard to get used to again.” She lay across the bed. The pale blue spread smelled fresh and felt soft to the touch. He lay beside her and stretched out on his back with his hands behind his head. “I’m not sure I ever get used to it. After awhile I don’t even know where I am or what time zone I’m in. I’m sure you’ll experience the same thing.” He rolled to his side and wrapped his arm around her. “I need a nap. Let me sleep with you for a few.”

  “Umm hmm.”

  Caulder lifted his head to look her way. She fluttered her eyes, nearly asleep. He moved a lock of hair away from her eye and studied her face. “You’re beautiful.” He planted a kiss against her cheek. They slept until his phone rang an hour later.

  They both jumped, sitting up at nearly the same time. Velia looked at the clock as Caulder answered his phone. She went into the bathroom, brushed her hair, and then quickly unpacked her beauty essentials and brushed her teeth. Caulder appeared behind her, and she watched him through the mirror.

  “I’m going next door to get ready. Still want to go to the beach?”

  Velia smiled and nodded. “Yes, I can’t wait for the sun to warm my face.”

  “Well, wear something to warm more than your face, sweetie. I’m going for the thong.”

  She turned and walked toward him. “You’re not! You have a thong swim suit?”

  “No. Teasing you.” He winked. “I seem to be back to my satire.”

  “I’ll find one if you’ll wear it, but I must warn you it could be dangerous for your career. I’m your photographer, and you never know what could end up on our blog.”

  “Now’s who’s being satirical?” He chuckled. “Buy me no thong, woman.”

  He went out the door laughing. “Get ready. Meet me in the lobby in twenty minutes.”

  “Yes, sir. Aye, aye, sir!” She saluted, giggling. It felt so enjoyable to laugh.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Justin Waters paced in his dank jail cell on Saturday evening in his usual loathsome mood. The only thing to look forward to was the common area where he could listen to some television and have a joke or two with other men for a couple hours until lights-out. He’d had about enough of sitting in a jail cell. The woman who put him there stayed on his mind. She should have been dead, not free to testify in court. Dead, with a bashed in head, and the damned old couple who were witnesses didn’t help.

  He wondered why Roy was there. Hah, they knew I’d be coming for her, and I sure surprised the so-called, experienced bodyguard. Big Blake, his attorney would still take care of things, find her if she decided to run off again. Then she would be taken care of for good. The old couple, too, if necessary. He’d had enough of the whiny bitch. If she couldn’t be with him, then she might as well not be with anyone. Maybe Roy’s more than a family bodyguard now. He’s a little old for her. “She turned into a real bitch!”

  He heard the guards coming before he saw them. They finally got off their asses and realized it was time to let them out and get a little pleasure for the night. “Assholes. It’s about time you got here, George.”

  “We don’t have to let you out, you know. This is a privilege you have to earn.”

  “I earned tonight and you damn well know it. Stop acting like a bastard.”

  “Then just calm down there, Sally, and hold your horses.”

  “Yeah, I wish I had a filly to hold right now.” He acted like he humped the cell door. “If you know what I mean.” He laughed as Sam, the other guard, took his arm, and escorted him down the hall. The two men following howled at the sight of him pretending to jerk off when George turned away, but the two guards with them yelled to shut up.

  Once in the common area, Justin grabbed a magazine. He liked to hear the TV in the background but not necessarily watch. One of the guys put on something he apparently didn’t like. “Turn off that fuck-ass, sissy bull riding shit.”

  “Sit there and read your magazine. I’m keeping it unless you wanna do somethin’ about it.” The other prisoner, Tim, jumped up, fists balled.

  Justin threw the magazine on the table and stood as well. A guard rushed to get between them. “Settle down or you’ll both be back in your cells.”

  He’d had enough of his four walls. Sitting in the common area was better than the cell, and they all had to realize it, too. He stared him down before sitting, and Tim didn’t budge until Justin had seated himself back at the table.

  “Sissy ass stuff for a sissy.” Justin spoke low enough for the guys sitting at the table to hear, but not Tim. He turned the TV up and went about his business. Every now and then, Justin looked over at the screen, usually when the sexy announcer came on. “What the hell’s her name? She’s a hot babe. I gotta look her up on the internet. See if I can find her in a bikini, or maybe even nothing.” The other guys at the table snickered like teenagers. “She’s a hot piece!” Justin shushed the other two, so he could hear her name. “Hell yeah, I’ll look that Donna chick up online.” He stood at the table and grabbed himself in front of the guys, humping the chair back. “Shut up so we can hear.” Justin sat on the sofa beside Tim. “So, this is why you watch this shit?”

  Tim grinned. “There’s more to it than just the guys. Take that chick behind the gates taking pictures. Look at that ass when she bends over her camera. She’s a hot little babe, and I notice she’s new this season. The head honcho’s private photographer or some shit like that.”

  Justin sat on the edge of the sofa. “No fucking way.” He motioned for the guys to shut up, so he could listen. They took the camera off the others when the gate opened. Some guy named Caulder McCutchen rode a bucking bull, and he held on for dear life. The buzzer rang and he jumped off the bull, landing straight on his feet then fell to his knees. He stood and spun in a slow circle, and when someone handed him his rope, he twirled it above his head. “Hell, I can do that shit,” said Justin. Then the rider stopped and turned. The camera panned to where he headed in the stands.

  Justin stood, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Dammit all to hell. The no good whore.” He watched as the rider ran to the gate and jumped up on the rail where the woman waited. He wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on her lips, lasting a long time. Justin dropped to the sofa and yelled at the guard. “George, I want to see my lawyer. I need to call my lawyer right now!”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Velia woke when Caulder got out of bed. “What time is it?”

  “Early. Go back to sleep, babe.” He flipped on the coffee pot then went into the bathroom for a shower. When finished, he came back with a brush in his hand, his hair dripping.

  “Hey, how come you’re up so early? I’m worn out after a passionate night of love-making with a handsome cowboy.” She reached out to him. “Mm, come back to bed, my sexy man.�
�� She stretched and wiggled her toes when he went back to the bathroom to brush his hair. “Is something on your agenda?” She covered a yawn with her hand. “I would love to see the beach again. We’re in San Diego, for God’s sake.”

  “Yeah, we can later. I have to go to the arena.” His hair still wet, Caulder leaned down and kissed her forehead, and then sat at the table with a cup of coffee.

  Velia sat up in bed. “I suppose I can do some editing and post to our blog. Everyone will want to know about your big win last night.”

  “You can. I’ll go check out some bulls.”

  “Do the groupies hang out in the day time?”

  “Velia, my love, they have to get a ticket like everyone else. They’re not around during the day unless one of the guys brings her from the night before, but it’s rare.” Caulder filled the coffee pot with more water and scooped out the appropriate amount of coffee to make the second pot.

  “I want to go to my room and edit, but I don’t want to go in the hallway. Will you check to see if it’s clear? I don’t know why I stayed here last night.”

  “I know why.” He swatted her rounded derrière with the towel. She turned around and smiled.

  He tucked the towel around his waist and peeked through the door. “No one is out here. Come on.”

  She wrapped the sheet around her and tiptoed to the door to peek around him. Walking out the door, Caulder patted her on her bottom for good measure just as the door across the hall opened. She came face to face with, Paulo, the older champ. She took off for her room as quickly as she could. She stared back at Caulder in horror—mouthing the words “no key.” Caulder motioned for her to come back. Paulo backed inside his room and closed the door.

  “That was awful! This is the last time I’m staying in your room without an adjoining door.”

  “Well, at least remember your key and don’t run in the hall with a damn sheet wrapped around you.” Caulder dropped his towel and reached for his boxers.

  “I need to get dressed and go get a key.”

  “Oh, stop pouting, Velia.”

  “Paulo saw me wearing a sheet.”

  “Chill out, you’re probably not the first chick he’s seen in a sheet in a hotel.”

  “It matters! This is me, not any other tight-ass bunny someone picked up.” Tears formed in the corner of her eyes.

  Caulder came back, naked body and all, and wrapped his arms around her. He loosened her grip on the sheet, and it fell to the floor. “I can make you feel better. Come, get a shower here. I’ll lather shampoo into your hair, wash your body under the hot water, massage the tension from your shoulders.” His kiss was long, smooth, and distracting.

  “Caulder, sex isn’t the answer to everything. You already had a shower.”

  “Did you hear me mention sex? I didn’t mention sex. I’ll be washing you, not me this time.”

  “You know what you said will lead us to coming right back to this bed and making love.”

  “No, I promise not to take you back to this bed and make mad, crazy, passionate love to you.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yeah, promise, but what’s the big deal anyway? We do a great job of making love together.”

  She rested her hands on his shoulders as he moved close against her, skin against warm skin. “So true.”

  Caulder took her hand and went into the bathroom. He turned on the water and waited for it to get hot. He grabbed her shoulders and brought her against him. Taking her chin between his fingers, he lifted her face and kissed her until the bathroom fogged with steam. He tested the water and stepped inside, beckoning.

  Velia got in and closed the glass door. The hot water exhilarated her. She watched as Caulder grabbed the small bottle of shampoo. She stood under the water and wet her hair and he did exactly what he said he would. The thick lather dripped down her face, but he removed it from her eyes. “You’re beautiful standing here like this.”

  Feeling a little self-conscious, she crossed her arms across her breasts, but Caulder removed them. “Don’t be shy around me. I love looking at you this way.”

  Velia stood back and rinsed the shampoo from her hair. She wiped the water from her face and gazed at him. She saw something in his eyes, different from what she usually saw. Tenderness, peace. She ringed her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes to reach his lips, and the sultry, wet kiss turned more aggressive then gentle.

  * * *

  Too bad he never told her a little rough kiss excited him. That kiss was enough to drive him nuts, and speaking of nuts, his sacs suddenly drew up tight. He grabbed a handful of her thick hair and pulled until she couldn’t move her head, and he took advantage of her position, kissing her while he had the chance. Her lips surrendered like a sensual prisoner, and her body went limp in his arms. Caulder picked her up and her legs went around his waist. Using his strong legs to hold them both while the hot water sprayed over their skin, he gave his all until there was no more to give.

  Velia released her legs and slid to the floor, standing close against him after shutting off the water. She wrapped her arms around his waist and skimmed her fingers over his tight buttocks. She kissed his neck and whispered in his ear. “Didn’t you promise this wouldn’t lead to making love?”

  “Nope.”

  She leaned away. “Excuse me? You’re lying to my face.”

  “No, ma’am, I’m not.” Caulder brought her against him once again, and he found her lips as he gently kissed her. “I promised we wouldn’t end up back in bed.”

  “A technicality.”

  “I don’t break promises to those I...” He skimmed his fingers over her cheek, holding her face with both hands while he leaned in to kiss her again.

  She mumbled against his lips. “To those you what?”

  “To those I care about.” He pulled her close, but eased back again. “Yes, Velia, we’ve gotten into something for sure. And I still mean it when I said we’ll see what happens at the end of the tour. I won’t push you too much.” He was still afraid she would find the fear she had when he met her and run off like she wanted to before giving into the feelings she had for him. He didn’t want to scare her away now…now when she could very well be falling as hard as him.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Velia spent the day editing photos and videos. When she wrote the final sentence to their blog and posted the pictures exactly how she wanted them, she saved and published. It wouldn’t be long before comments came in for moderation. He had a large following. She wasn’t even dressed, remaining comfortable in her sweats and tee all day. When her stomach grumbled, she remembered she hadn’t eaten. Texting Caulder, she wanted to know if they had dinner plans before ordering something to eat for herself. He didn’t answer or respond. Looking outside, she decided to change into her bathing suit and sit on the private beach, wait a little longer before eating.

  The weather couldn’t be more perfect, warm and sunny, and the white sand was hot when she dug her toes in. She removed her wrap, noticing a lot of eyes turn her way. Her bathing suit fit well, one piece, black with gold strips holding it together at the sides, the front cut in a deep V, sexy. Her hair hung wavy and loose, drying naturally after the shower. Sitting in the beach chair, she pulled her hair atop her head and secured it into a high ponytail. Her new, stylish sunglasses were dark enough for the hot California sunlight. The sun’s heat shone warm and fabulous against her skin. She smoothed sun block on her exposed areas. If only Caulder could be there to do her shoulders and back.

  Resting against the chair, she flipped her ponytail over the back. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Before long, a shadow blocked the sunlight on her face. When she opened her eyes, her jaw dropped. She removed her sunglasses and slid to the edge of the chair, reached down for her cell phone and intended to dial her father’s number.

  “Are you sure you want to call him? Maybe it’s not such a great idea.”

  “How’d you know where to find me?”

&nbs
p; “Ms. Armano, if you’re going to be in hiding, it’s best not to be on nationwide television.”

  She fell back in the chair. Stupido bastardo, Justin! She dialed her father’s number anyway, speaking in her native language. “Papà, Justin’s lawyer found me in San Diego.”

  “Don’t be alarmed. Are you at the same hotel as last night?”

  “Yes, I’m at the hotel’s private beach. Caulder isn’t with me.”

  “Remain calm and don’t go anywhere with him. Put up a fight. You don’t have your gun, I assume?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “You will learn one day.”

  She detected the anger in his voice. “California does not recognize my permit. I can’t carry it here.” He only wanted her to be safe. Again, speaking in Italian, she said, “I’ll never get used to having it with me. It’s senseless.”

  Blake Pemberton pulled a chair over and sat beside her when she hung up. “He would love to see you.”

  “Justin is not a part of my life any longer. He has to move on when he gets out of jail.”

  “Actually, he’ll be out in a short time. He told me to tell you to come visit him.”

  “I’m working. I can’t leave my job.” Velia reached for her wrap and held it in her lap when he leered at her body. “There’s no need for me to see him.”

  “You go to him, or he’ll come to you. This bull rider whim will be easy for him to follow, you know. The schedule is on their website.”

  “Bull rider whim?” Defiance rang out in her voice. Her heart beat faster. Velia jumped when someone came up from behind and put hands on her shoulders. She turned, ready to do battle if she had to. “Good God, are you trying to scare the crap out of me?” Then she somewhat smiled. “I’m glad you’re here.” She reached for one of his hands. “Justin saw me on TV and sent his lawyer to find me.”