by Amie Stuart
He wore his own rodeo uniform—straw cowboy hat perched at a rakish angle on his head, a crisp plaid shirt, and jeans with creases so sharp you could cut a biscuit on them. He sidled closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and our eyes met in the mirror. “Buy you breakfast?"
* * * *
Denny's was crowded again, but we managed to find an empty booth. The mouthwatering scent of bacon and syrup reminded me that I hadn't eaten since stopping to grab a hamburger the previous evening on the drive up.
"I've got an extra horse you can ride this afternoon."
His teasing was definitely something new. I forked up a bite of my Belgian waffles, chewing thoughtfully and enjoying the sweet and tangy mix of strawberries with whipped cream. If I did compete with him, Rick would have a fit. And I'd get a huge kick out of putting his nose out of joint. Instead, I decided to err on the side caution. Or discretion.
I shook my head. “Bad idea. I told you I'm too rusty. Besides, I can think of funner stuff to ride than a horse,” I teased back.
Alex barked with laughter, drawing stares from where Rick sat with three other cowboys, eating his own breakfast. I hadn't missed their close proximity when Alex picked our booth, or the way Rick kept stealing glances at me when he thought I wasn't watching.
I wasn't watching. Honest. At this distance, he was hard to miss though.
"You want him back?” Alex quirked one dark eyebrow at me.
"You know,” I sighed, “I can handle my man being gone for long stretches. I can take care of myself just fine, if you catch my drift.” Judging from the way his cheeks flushed under his tan, he did. “I know y'all get lonely on the road, but we get lonely at home, too. I won't tolerate a man who can't be faithful. If he can't keep his dick in his pants for a month at a time, he never will. So, no."
"The folly of youth.” Alex shook his head then returned his attention to his breakfast. He paused between bites of his scrambled eggs to pepper me with questions about my life in Steamboat Springs. While we ate and flirted, the sun came up, warming our little table.
The more we talked, the more I relaxed and the more I wanted him again, but I didn't want to devote too much time to figuring out what last night had meant. The nine year age spread between Alex and me seemed to narrow, eaten away by the mutual interest neither one of us bothered to hide as I found a side of him I'd never seen with my brother around. Alex was a flirt and a tease who could happily charm my pants off any damned time he pleased.
"So why did you hook up with Rick?” I pushed my almost empty plate away and sat back.
"Unlike you...” He grinned, his smile creasing his tanned face. “...I don't think he's mediocre. He's actually got potential. When's the last time you saw him rope?"
"A couple months.” I shrugged, tucking some strands hair behind my ear, and catching Rick's eye in the process. “A while.” Despite the fact the restaurant had emptied considerably, Rick and one of his friends lingered over coffee, watching me—us. I could feel my cheeks heating up. Hopefully my breakfast companion wouldn't notice. It'd be awfully hard to explain.
"Stay and watch. Rick's not so bad. He's just ... young.” Alex slid the check toward himself and dug some bills out of his pocket.
He wasn't just talking about Rick's skill with horse and rope. I'd stay, but it was too late. I'd already gotten what I'd come for, and was more than up for a second helping tonight.
* * * *
We spent most of the day wandering the nearby fairgrounds. Then I sat up in the arena stands surrounded by townies, watching the rodeo while he warmed up his horse.
Alex was right. Rick had improved considerably, in a very short time. Team roping is absolute poetry in motion to watch, and I found myself holding my breath every time he charged after the calf, his rope gracefully landing around the animal's neck on all three go's. His vastly improved skills made Alex's job of roping the calf's feet that much easier.
Maybe, just maybe, Alex would be the making of Rick.
And Alex? I'll just say the man had some skilled hands I was eager to revisit.
The sun had barely begun to set by the time the rodeo ended, but the day had turned dark and blustery thanks to the rain clouds moving in. Despite the fact I was hot and tired, I stayed in my seat, watching the crowds pour out of the stands and head back to the nearby fair grounds. Once the arena was nearly empty, I went in search of Alex, feeling safe in the knowledge that Rick was probably out comforting whatever Saturday night special he'd managed to rope.
As much as I'd enjoyed watching Rick today, I didn't want to visit with him.
I finally left the empty stands and circled around the arena, looking for Alex. He stood in a tangle of metal chutes talking to Wesley Barton, and from the sound of their conversation, Wesley was off to another rodeo. With a wave and a “Hey", he took off, leaving Alex and me alone.
"Well?” Alex's expression could only be called smug.
"Okay, so he's improved.” I shrugged and grinned and stepped a little closer, fully aware of how alone we were with just the lingering sunshine and the occasional whinny from a nearby horse for company.
Alex took off his cowboy hat and wiped his brow with his forearm, then leaned back against the chute.
"Just ‘cause he learned how to throw a rope doesn't mean I want him back, Alex honey."
"Sure about that?” He gave me a little crooked smile and a slow once-over I felt all the way down to my toes.
One last slow, deep breath and I sashayed closer, intent on showing him just how sure I was. With a sigh, I leaned in and pressed my face to his chest, inhaling the scent of horses, leather, and hot sweaty man, and relaxed at the feel of his hand gently massaging my scalp. The slight case of nerves that had left me hyper-aware of Alex since I'd spotted him talking to Wesley—and of what I was about to do and the risks of getting caught—slowly evaporated with every caress of his hands.
"Don't you use me to get back at him,” Alex growled softly, a steely glint in his eyes.
"I'm a woman who knows her own mind. Or I wouldn't have slept with you last night.” I skimmed my hands up the back of his legs, pausing briefly to squeeze his denim-clad ass before continuing higher until I could wrap my arms around his waist. He leaned in until his lips touched mine, then his grip on my hair tightened almost painfully, and he dug deep in my mouth, demanding a response I was more than happy to give. My legs went weak under me, and I leaned against him with a sigh as he kissed me hard, his tongue deftly exploring my mouth until we finally surfaced, both of us gasping for air.
"And I don't play, little girl.” He looked fiercely grim, dead serious, and judging by the erection pressed against my pubic bone, he was.
I adjusted my legs slightly and pressed even harder against him while reaching up to unsnap my shirt.
"You have got to be kidding me."
I pulled it loose then with a grin, unhooked the front clasp on my bra and cupped my breasts, shivering at the slightly damp and chilly breeze that hardened my nipples, made goose bumps pop up under my fingertips, and left the taste of rain on my lips. “Nope."
He pushed my hands out of the way and took over; his touch was sure, almost rough, unlike Rick's much lighter caresses. Each pluck of his fingers at my nipples made my legs a little weaker, my body a little more ravenous. I unhooked my belt and unsnapped my jeans, pushing them down just enough for easy access. No way did I want to get caught bare-assed naked behind the chutes.
"Don't stop,” I whispered, sucking in a deep breath at one especially hard pinch. I pressed against him as close as I could manage while sliding my hands inside my tight jeans and damp panties. I was wet. Drenched. A day spent with memories of last night crowding my head had left me hungry and anxious.
I never took my eyes off his face while I stroked my clit, more excited as the seconds ticked by, as the rain clouds gathered force over head, as the risk of getting caught grew ... as my flesh swelled under frantic fingers.
Alex watched, even though he co
uldn't really see, his breathing heavy as he tweaked and rolled my nipples then leaned down to pull one into his mouth. His every movement was deft, skilled, and designed to excite as he switched from one to the other, his eyes on my face, the scrape of stubble bittersweet tender on my skin.
Then he buried his face in my neck. “Like that?"
"Uh-huh.” The heat in my belly grew, expanding outward, consuming my skin with each furious second that ticked by.
His hands slid down inside my jeans, cupping my bottom, and he licked at the scratches his stubble had left. Panting heavily, I smiled up at the lead colored sky.
"Want me to fuck you, Betsy girl?"
I sagged against him, my orgasm so close I could taste it. “I'm gonna come.” My soft words ended on a long low moan.
"Wanna feel my big hard cock inside you? Hmm? Deep inside you, fucking you? Again?"
I couldn't speak as my wet fingers furiously stroked my aching clit. My bouncing and wiggling caused my nipples to brush repeatedly against the starched fabric of his shirt, exciting me more. “I want you ... right now. Right here. Please, Alex!"
"Not yet.” A stiff breeze picked up my hair, cooling the feverish skin of my neck as Alex continued kneading my bottom. “Rick said you were good. That you gave good head. He even told me about the time you tied him up."
Knowing that he and Rick had discussed our sex life somehow made me hotter. As did the memory of tying Rick up and teasing him mercilessly for hours. It had culminated in some of the hottest sex we'd ever had.
I buried my face in the open collar of Alex's shirt, stifling a moan by sinking my teeth into tender flesh, tangy with sweat. Only his grip on me kept me from falling as my knees buckled from the force of my orgasm rocketing through me.
"And because I said she was a good lay, you just decided to find out for yourself?"
Overhead, thunder cracked. I jumped and stiffened at the sound of Rick's voice somewhere behind me, but Alex's firm grip never changed as he eased his hands out of my jeans, adjusting my panties as he went. Sagging against Alex, I pulled my own hands free, and balled them into little wet fists at my sides.
"You son of a bitch! It's one thing to know you two slept together, but this ... this shit ... out here for anyone to see? Did you enjoy yourself, Betsy?"
Alex seemed to ignore him, while I was so embarrassed I couldn't even make myself turn around. Alex fixed my shirt so it covered my naked breasts, then to my further horror, gently grasped my wrist and licked my juices off my fingers. “You're right. She does taste like honey."
I jerked my hand back and quickly finished buttoning and zipping my clothing so I could face Rick. Anger at being dumped quickly devoured any embarrassment or guilt I felt. I hadn't been unfaithful. I was a free woman and could sleep with whomever I wanted. “I thought everyone was gone."
"They are!” Rick bit off, then added, “Lucky for you."
"Next time, we'll get a room.” With a sigh, I extracted myself from of the safety of Alex's arms and stepped closer to Rick. He stood with hands propped on denim-clad hips, all the crispness gone from his white shirt and his lips twisted in a grim, tight line.
"I want you back.” Rick's announcement blew away the remaining fog my orgasm had left me with. “Whatever it takes. I'll do anything."
I spit out the first thought that came to mind. “You're shittin’ me."
"I'm serious.” And judging from the hurt, twisted expression on his face, he was. “I didn't realize how much it'd bother me, seeing you with someone else, especially him.” Rick waved a hand in Alex's direction.
"I was a free woman last night. Remember?” I could literally feel myself being pulled in two directions. I wanted Alex—bad—and had for years, but Rick and I had history. Real history.
"Gimme another chance?” Rick asked softly. “Just one."
My insides melted the tiniest bit at the twinkle that appeared in his deep brown eyes and the faux pout he gave me.
"We can toss a coin for her."
My jaw dropped as I turned to stare at Alex, unsure if I should be offended or laugh. “Alex!” I landed a blow to his gut hard enough to get an oomph, and then he laughed.
My plan for another night with Alex was spinning down the drain at a frantic speed. But maybe it would be replaced with something better.
"You're the one who said she had that two-man tag-team fantasy.” Alex draped an arm over my shoulder. “We'll just let the lady choose."
The lady was me.
My stomach tightened painfully, and suddenly I couldn't breathe too well. I didn't miss the calculated interest in Rick's eyes as he looked from me to Alex and back to me. A frisson of nervous excitement at the thought of having them both made me shiver.
"Did you happen to tell him what your fantasy was, while you were at it, Rick?” I challenged, biting back a grin. No sense letting them know I was in—yet.
"No, no, lemme guess.” Alex leaned forward to squeeze my waist possessively. Stumbling, I lost my balance and landed against his chest. “He wants to watch two girls get it on. You should some time. It's great."
Rick laughed too, while his eyes settled on Alex's hand at my waist. “Let's go. And winner take all."
Indeed.
I had every intention of being the winner.
* * * *
Alex rode with me on the short trip through the deserted town streets back to the hotel while Rick followed in his truck. “Sure you wanna do this?"
Fear of the unknown warred with excitement. Of course I was sure and told him so. “What about tomorrow, though?"
"Tomorrow you go back to Colorado, and Rick and I head out to another rodeo."
He made it all sound so simple.
"That wasn't exactly what I meant, Alex.” I slowed the Mustang and pulled into the nearly deserted hotel parking lot. What we were about to do could have serious consequences for all three of us—I could lose them both, and they could lose a team roping partner.
I know.” His teeth gleamed in the dim glow of the car's overhead light as I opened the door and hopped out, but the feral quality of his expression didn't escape me.
Even though the rain hadn't started to fall yet, the sun was gone, and lights from the nearby Denny's shone like a beacon to the truckers who rumbled past on the nearby interstate.
Alex headed for the room, and I stopped to ask Rick if he was sure he wanted to go through with this. He looked as nervous and excited as I felt. With a grin and a quick, hard kiss, he dragged me into the room, the door slamming shut behind us with some sort of finality.
Alex popped the snaps on his shirt and untucked it, before digging in the refrigerator and handing us each a beer. Assuring us he'd be right back, he disappeared into the bathroom.
"Shower sounds like a good idea,” I murmured, dropping my purse on the table. I jumped at the sound of Rick's keys landing beside my purse even as he stepped up behind me, his thick, tightly muscled body humming with so with much tension, we practically vibrated off each other.
"He saw me watching you two, you know,” he murmured.
I blinked in surprise; a tingle of excitement trickled down my spine and pooled between my legs. “How long were you standing there?"
"A while. I missed you.” He set his beer bottle on the dresser and lightly grasped my hips, pulling me back against him. “And watching y'all really turned me on."
Judging from the hard-on pressed against my bottom, he wasn't lying. I sipped my beer, the cold, bubbly brew burning a path down my parched throat as I bought myself some time to form a reply. Before I could, though, he pushed my hair out of the way, winding my long brown locks around his fist and gently tugging my head to the side. His cold lips brushed my neck, sending little heat trails to the pit of my stomach.
"I liked watching you get yourself off.” The air conditioner and the shower had stopped, and his whispered words seemed to bounce off my skin. “Will do you it again? Later?” He punctuated his words with soft kisses that seduced me in a
way completely different from Alex's firm mouth and possessive tongue.
"Will you take a shower with me?” I countered, unsnapping my shirt.
We slowly stripped each other, grinning at Alex as we maneuvered around each other in the vanity area. What normally would have been a time for intense foreplay for us was spent washing each other, neither of us willing to waste anymore time. We came out dripping wet and giggling to find Alex in the bed, naked, watching some sports news channel and sipping a beer. He shut the television off and tossed the remote aside, watching as Rick and I playfully toweled each other off.
"You two finally ready?” He leaned back, his hands tucked under the pillows, legs crossed at the ankles so that his thighs framed his semi-erect cock, not at all embarrassed at his nakedness.
I stood there, still clutching my towel against my breasts. With one last, deep breath, I dropped the towel. Butterflies tickled my belly, and my nipples tightened painfully in the chilly room. I forced myself not to clench my thighs against the tingling wetness and nerves at Alex's appreciative gaze. “How do we do this?"
Alex set his beer bottle on the nightstand as he spoke. “You're in charge. We both wear condoms and nobody gets left out. You ever wanna stop, you say the word. Okay?"
He's done this before. Even that thought didn't stop me. Full of false bravado, I turned to Rick, giving him a little push toward the bed. “Works for me—now, go lie down. I'm in charge, cowboy."
I grinned as he stretched out on one side of the bed. They'd left a spot between them for me, but before I lay down, I wanted to look. Both of them were of average height and muscular, but where Alex was whipcord thin, Rick had a stockier, more heavily-muscled build.
Alex was as dark as Rick was fair all the way down to the erection that protruded happily from between his thighs.
I crawled up on the bed and knelt between them, smiling as I wrapped a hand around each of their cocks and gave them both a few long, slow strokes. I could feel myself growing wetter and more swollen by the second, my skin itching to be touched as they both smiled up at me.
God, this is gonna be so good!
