Her twenty-first-century woman’s intuition was definitely thinking he’d be a good bedmate, even as the logical part of her brain tried to convince her that wanting to jump a stranger while stranded at a Texas rodeo was crazy.
Telling her conscience to shut up, Julia took another long sip of beer and emptied the cup. One refill and she’d probably be dropping her designer panties for the sexy stranger behind the building like a horny teenager. A teenager, she was not. Horny, on the other hand…
She threw the cup in a garbage can as she tracked his progress across the arena floor. No, it wasn’t the alcohol making her feel like this. The complete drought of eligible, desirable men in her life, maybe, but not the beer.
He exited the arena floor through a gate, but she could still see him through the railings. Grinning, he accepted a slap on the back and a handshake from another cowboy. Julia stifled a groan as she imagined what those big, rough hands would feel like caressing her bare skin.
She was really getting into the fantasy when she heard the ringing inside her bag and scrambled to find her cell phone. “Hello?”
“Good news. The tow truck will be there in an hour, and I can have a replacement rental dropped off at the garage where your car’s being towed by the time you get there.”
“That’s great. Thank you so much.” Julie disconnected with a sigh of relief. With those two worries off her mind, she could go back to enjoying her cowboy fantasy until it was time to go meet the tow truck.
Her gaze swept the area where the cowboys were hanging out, but the black hat she sought was nowhere to be found. Julia expanded her visual search, taking in the action happening across from her where a different cowboy was straddling the rails, about to lower himself onto another bull. She still didn’t see the one man she wanted.
Frowning, Julia fought the pout threatening to settle on her lips.
“A pretty lady should never drink alone.”
The deep, soul-stirring drawl was accompanied by a cup of beer thrust in front of her. Julia’s chest tightened as she took the offered beverage and slowly turned toward the man handing it to her.
His eyes beneath the black brim of the hat were so blue she actually looked closer to see if they were colored contacts. They weren’t. Everything about this man was real—his sun-browned skin, the dirt streaking one cheek, even the deep laugh lines that crinkled the corners of those gorgeous eyes when he smiled down at her.
Julia swallowed the dryness from her throat. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Miss...”
“Julia.” She supplied her first name only and tried not to spill her beer as her hands began to shake.
“Miss Julia.” He tipped his hat. “I’m Morgan Mitchell, but you already know that.”
“I do?” She raised a brow in question. Julia was fairly certain she’d never met him before. A woman simply didn’t forget a man like this.
“The announcer.” He laughed as she frowned and continued to wonder what he was talking about. “They announced my name when I rode just now.”
“Oh. Of course.” She wasn’t about to admit she’d been too busy imagining him naked to listen to the announcer. “Sorry, it’s hard to hear in here.”
He nodded and sipped at his own beer. His gaze dropped, down to the high-heeled pumps so out of place at a rodeo, then back up past her pencil skirt and button-down shirt to finally settle on her face. “So what brings a city girl like you to Rodeo Austin?”
She didn’t bother asking why he’d assume she was a city girl, as he’d put it. Julia considered telling him about her meeting and the rental car debacle, but as the clock ticked closer to her impending departure time, she decided against it. If she had to play Cinderella and catch the next tow truck home by midnight, she was taking some memories with her. “Maybe I came looking for a cowboy.”
Morgan’s brows rose high enough to meet the dark shock of hair peeking from beneath his hat. “Well then, you came to the right place. You, uh, looking for one in particular? Or will I do?”
Need twisted low in her belly. “I think you’ll do just fine.”
His eyes narrowed. She met his stare with a bold one of her own. If he was wondering whether she was serious, he could stop. She’d never been more sincere. Julia hadn’t gotten this far in her career by waffling. Once she made a decision, she stuck to it. And she’d decided on Morgan.
She sipped her beer, then slowly licked the foam from her lips. Morgan’s gaze focused on the movement of her tongue. He swallowed hard, and she smiled. Nice to know he was as affected by the attraction between them as she was.
“I don’t have my truck here.” He shook his head. “Hell, I don’t even have a hotel room. I’m staying with a buddy.”
“Let me tell you what I have.” She took a step closer and ran one neatly polished nail down the pearl snaps of his shirt. “I’ve got one hour here, then I’m gone. I suggest we make the most of it.”
He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, making his chest rise and fall. “Only an hour, huh?” Morgan glanced down at the hand still touching his shirt. He took another gulp of his beer, then lobbed the cup into the trashcan. Taking a step toward her, he closed the distance until they were pressed together. He settled one hand on each side of her waist. “I generally don’t like to rush something I enjoy, but in this case I think I can make an exception.”
With her heart pounding so hard she was sure he’d hear it, Julia smiled. “Good.”
He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” She downed the remainder of the beer and flung the cup into the trashcan as he pulled her after him.
“Someplace I’d wager you’ve never been in your life.” With her hand still captive inside his, Morgan glanced back but didn’t stop walking.
His legs were so long Julia struggled to keep up. “That could be anywhere, around this place.”
“Yeah, I figured.” He laughed as he pushed open an exit door and led her to a parking area behind the building.
Morgan headed down one row of parked horse trailers and cut across to another row before stopping in front of one long, sleek trailer. He dropped her hand, reached beneath the tire and came up with a key.
“What is this?” Julia glanced up at the vehicle, confused to be standing there.
“My buddy’s horse trailer.” He bounded up two stairs to the door.
Julia remained on the ground, eyeing the trailer with skepticism. “Is the horse inside?”
He paused unlocking the door to look back at her. “Is the city girl afraid of horses?”
“No.” Julia frowned. She was all for getting the full cowboy experience, but wasn’t sure she could concentrate on what they’d be doing with some huge animal staring.
Morgan flashed his dimples and nodded. “All right, if you say so, but no need to worry. He’s still penned inside the arena.”
“And your friend?”
“He’s still inside too, waiting ’til he can load up his horse. We’ve got the place to ourselves.” Morgan jogged down the stairs to stand on the ground next to her. He ran his fingers down her arms until he reached her hands. “Ready?”
His tone told her he was more than ready.
“Definitely.” When she nodded, his smile lit the night.
“Good.” He led her up the stairs and closed the door behind them. Inside, two narrow beds lined the walls of a living area made for humans, not horses.
Julie glanced around the tight space. “Where does your friend’s horse go? In the back?”
“Do you really care?” Morgan stepped close and dipped his head low.
As warmth and anticipation flooded her body, Julia shook her head. “Not really.”
“Didn’t think so.” He treated her to a slow smile full of promise before he closed the remaining distance between them and touched his lips to hers.
The initial gentleness of his kiss didn’t last. Julia tilted her head and parted her lips. Morgan took advantage of her
unspoken invitation. With a groan, he tangled one hand in her hair and thrust his tongue against hers.
The stubble on his cheeks and chin that had made him look sexier than hell scratched her face. She didn’t care. Pressing closer, she tightened her arms around his back as the tightness inside her body increased.
Morgan walked her backward until her knees hit the edge of the mattress and buckled. She landed on the bed. He gazed down with fire in his eyes.
“I do love a lady in a skirt.” Stepping between her legs, he ran his work-roughened hands over her bare thighs, pushing the skirt up to expose her black lace underwear. With eyes heavily lidded with need, he took in the view while dragging in a ragged breath. “Nice panties.”
“Nice belt buckle.” She gazed past the big, ornate buckle to the long, hard length of him outlined by the denim of his jeans. Swallowing, she realized he’d soon open that belt and give her what she wanted—needed—so badly.
“Thanks, but you don’t look like the usual buckle bunny.” He smiled slowly, sensually, while he slipped one thick finger beneath the edge of her underwear.
“I don’t even know what a buckle bunny is.” She let out a soft sigh as his finger slid inside her.
He found her clit with his thumb and pressed against it, making small circles guaranteed to drive her crazy. Her breath quickened, and her muscles bore down, clutching at the finger inside her. Morgan slid in a second one while still working her clit. She let out a low groan.
It had been so long. Too long since she’d had sex, but even longer since she’d been taken by a real man—a man who looked and felt like a man should—big, with rough, strong hands that had never seen a manicure. A man who smelled of good clean sweat mixed with leather and wild animal rather than expensive cologne. He was so strange, so different, so unbelievably tantalizing. Julia nearly laughed as the combination of sensations assaulted her, overwhelmed her.
Her hips rose off the bed. The muscles inside her began to spasm. He bent low and his mouth crashed into hers, muffling her moans of pleasure. She bucked beneath him in time with the thrusting of his hand as the orgasm rocked her. She was still quivering, panting for breath when he stood.
Morgan opened his belt and jeans with a quick, precise dexterity that belied the size of his hands. He reached past her and pawed through a bag on the floor. He rose with a condom packet in his hand and a triumphant smile on his face.
Julia cocked a brow. “I don’t know whether to be happy or insulted you’re so prepared to bring women here.”
He pushed the waistband of his boxer briefs down and the hard length of him sprang forth. Looking at him, she suddenly couldn’t care how the condom came to be there, as long as it meant he would be sliding that tempting hard-on into her.
“That’s my buddy’s bag. The only thing I came prepared to ride tonight was a bull.” He grinned and tore into the foil.
“Then I’m very happy he was prepared but you weren’t.” She ran her tongue over her lips and watched him slide the latex over the impressive erection that would soon be all hers.
“No need to be jealous, sweetheart. Not a woman out there tempted me. That is, until I saw you staring at me.”
“I’m not the jealous type.” She had been staring. Julia couldn’t deny that, but she’d had enough of the chatting. There were better things they could be doing. “Now be quiet and come here.”
“My pleasure.” He threw his hat onto the other bed and ran one hand through the dark waves of his hair. Then he was between her legs and slipping his hands beneath her hips. He yanked her toward the edge of the mattress, supporting her with his palms.
Still wearing her high heels, she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Pushing her underwear to one side, he poised, ready to enter her. One tilt of his pelvis and he nudged at her entrance. She was so wet, one small push was all it took to have him sliding inside.
Julia forced her eyes open even though the pleasure had them drifting shut. She watched his motions as he pistoned inside her. The same movements and muscle control that she’d seen him use during his ride went to work now to bring her a steadily building pleasure. He loved her until her muscles began to coil tight, ready to release.
The rhythm of his thrusts strengthened the tension inside her until she exploded with another body-wracking climax. As she cried out and pulsed around him, he thrust forward one last time. Holding deep, he came with a shudder and a shout.
Morgan pulled out and collapsed on the bed. She’d just fixed her panties and her skirt when he gathered her into his arms and pulled her close. He traced his fingers down her leg and inched the hem of the skirt she’d just adjusted back up, making small circles on her thigh. “How much time we got left?”
Julia laughed. “I honestly don’t know. I kind of lost track.”
Morgan turned his head and captured her lips, then trailed his mouth down her neck to nuzzle the collarbone exposed by her shirt. “Mmm. I’m about ready for round two.”
A faint ringing from the bag she’d dumped on the floor told her that wasn’t likely to happen. “I need to get that.”
With a sigh, he released her. Julia followed the ringing sound and found her phone in the abandoned bag. “Hello?”
“Miss Craven, the tow truck just arrived at your vehicle.”
And that was that. Julia glanced at the cowboy stretched on the bed watching her. His buckle and pants still undone. His eyes bright. The color in his cheeks high from the wild ride she was sorry they wouldn’t be repeating.
She’d had her fun and two incredible orgasms. No one would know. There’d be no judgment. They’d never see each other again. He didn’t even know her last name.
So why did she feel so sad?
Standing on tiptoe, Julia balanced her carry-on over her head, trying to slide it into the bin.
“Need a little help?” The deep and achingly familiar voice sent her heart racing as the weight of the bag disappeared from her hands. She turned and looked up into the face of the man she never thought she’d see again.
Morgan’s hat brushed the ceiling of the cabin as he slid his bag next to hers. He grinned. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“You’re on this flight?” Julia finally found her voice, but it didn’t sound like hers. More like a breathy impersonation.
An annoyed huff from behind Morgan had him turning around. “Sorry. Let me get out of your way.” He moved out of the aisle; his gaze swung back. “Where are you sitting?”
“Here.” She indicated the aisle seat she had yet to take.
The eyes of the woman in the window seat watching the conversation opened wide when Morgan tipped his hat toward her. “Ma’am, I hate to be a bother, but would you mind switching seats with me? Mine’s just two rows back.”
The flustered woman blushed and couldn’t accommodate his request fast enough. Julia had been the subject of his ice-blue stare and sweet-as-honey drawl herself. She knew his power over women well. In fact, by the time she and Morgan were seated side by side, her heart pounded.
“I didn’t know you’d be flying today. I mean, what a crazy coincidence.”
He shrugged. “Not so much. I live in North Carolina, and this is the only direct flight there today. Where are you headed?”
“I change planes in Charlotte for New York.”
“Long layover?” There was a twinkle in his eye that told her he was hoping she’d say yes.
“About an hour.” Unfortunately. As her breathing became shallow just from being so close to him, she began to wish she’d miss that connection and be stranded in North Carolina for a while.
“Too bad. You should come back again when you have more time, now you know someone who lives there. There’s plenty of room on my ranch for guests.”
Julia Craven, city girl, on a ranch. She liked the image. Her cheeks warmed at his invitation, and she wasn’t the type to blush. “Maybe I will.”
Morgan felt in the breast pocket of his shirt and took out a pen. He
scribbled a number on the back of his boarding pass and handed it to her. She took it with a hand she noticed shook a bit.
“Julia, I really enjoyed last night.”
She swallowed away her nervousness. “Me too.”
“Are you really gonna call or was last night just a one-night thing?”
“I think I’m really going to call.” Julia laughed, surprised at her own answer and how good it felt.
“Good.” He grinned, and then glanced over his shoulder. “You wanna see if there’s enough room in that bathroom for two?”
Her eyes opened wide. “We couldn’t.”
“Sure we can, darlin’. You only live once. Might as well live dangerously.”
Julia laughed. “I guess I should expect a bull rider to say that.”
He shrugged, his smile even sexier today than yesterday.
Morgan’s gaze dropped to her mouth. He leaned forward, and she knew he was going to kiss her. She also knew she’d been mesmerized by him once again. They’d be in that restroom together, living dangerously, before the flight was over.
When his lips pressed against hers, she figured chances were good she’d be changing her connecting flight home as well. What the hell was it about cowboys? What was it about this cowboy? She didn’t know, but she was more than willing to spend the time to find out.
DROUGHT
Michael Bracken
Cade Garrett swung off his chocolate-brown quarter horse and stood on the gravel shoulder of the two-lane Farm to Market Road, staring down at me. I’d been sitting in the ditch alongside the road for nearly twenty minutes, nursing a sprained ankle and wondering how I was going to get home. I wore no make-up, my shoulder-length blond hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and my sweat-soaked white T-shirt clung to me, clearly revealing the silhouette of my gray sports bra. He slowly took everything in, and then used his index finger to push up the brim of his sweat-stained white Shantung straw Stetson. “Afternoon, ma’am.”
Cowboy Lust: Erotic Romance for Women Page 6
