Wrangled By Love (The Cowboy Way #1)

by Barb Shuler

  “Hey, you’re not bothering any of us. We are happy to have you here. If you feel better in the morning you can go back to the cabin and go about the plans you had. We don’t want to keep you from your experiences here.” I said each word with a grin on my face. I was serious, we - as in I - was enjoying having her here. More than I should for having just met her. Whatever this was, I wasn’t going to fight it.

  It’s been well over a week now - more like two - since the big accident as we all call it. We’ve been able to move on from the incident - moving forward, even. I think we have all grown from the experience. Daniel had a crash with reality and has been doing things more cautiously. I'm learning to step back and not treat him like a toddler. He's a young man now, and deserves that respect. We - as a family - have grown closer, if that's possible. Georgie has become the topic of many conversations. Some warranted, some a little awkward. Those would be the ones that involve Cody, though. He’s an ass no matter how he goes about it all.

  Hopefully tonight he will behave. Georgie has agreed to come to the tavern with the family - minus Danny, who will be staying home babysitting Abbie. He pretends to sulk, but he loves his time with her. She's the little sister he never got.

  “Come on ladies, shake your butts. It's time to roll,” Cody hollers up the stairs and I snort when Ma gives him the stink eye. I kiss Abbie on her cheek and hand her over to Danny.

  “Come on Abbie-Bear, let's go watch out for Paul,” Danny says walking towards the front porch.

  “Do you think it's okay to leave Abbie with the boys?” Ma’s words make me raise a brow and nod.

  “Ma, he's a responsible boy. He'd never let anything happen to her. I know that for a fact. Relax, okay?”

  “Abigail, the boy knows what he's doing.”

  Dad’s words made her relax more than mine did. I was about to say more but my mouth fell open seeing Phoebe and Georgie coming down the stairs. My sister was beautiful, that was no surprise, but what caught my full attention was Georgie. The pale yellow dress she had on fit her perfectly. Hanging just above her knee, it dipped in front to show off those luscious tits. The hint of makeup made her beauty shine.

  “Holy hell. You both look delicious enough to eat. And I'm starving,” Cody groaned out.

  I punched him in the arm. Granted it was a lot harder than it should have been, but he was ogling them both. Phoebe was my baby sister and off limits to his stupid ass and dammit, Georgie was mine. I glared at him as he looked at me with a scowl pulling at his brow. I moved to the stairs and took Georgie’s hand, pulling her close to me so I could whisper in her ear.

  “You look gorgeous.”

  “This cast makes me look weird. This dress is too short, but Phoebe wouldn't let me put the longer one on,” she says, a pout pulling at her lips. It took every ounce of control I had to not lean in and kiss her. Her eyes met mine and I gave her a lopsided grin.

  “You look perfect. Shall we go before-” I stopped before I could let the words tumble from me. I wanted to take her upstairs, pull this dress off of her and devour every single, tanned inch of her. I'd leave no spot untouched. I'd show her just what she was doing to me as I stood here surrounded by my family. It was as if the brain in my head no longer worked. I was thinking with my lower half, and honestly. I was alright with that. I watched as her lips parted, her eyes dilating slightly as I held her closer than I should be.

  “You- you owe me a dance, Cowboy,” she whispered before kissing my jaw. She pushed back from me and walked towards the front door. The boots she wore tapped against the floor and I was speechless as I watched her walk away. I scrubbed a hand over my face and sighed. She was going to be the death of me tonight. Lord help any man that looked at her twice.

  7

  Two Can Play This Game

  Georgie

  For the love of dancing... I think this man is trying his best to kill me. My feet hurt, my knee is not too far behind them, and my face - well, it hurts from grinning and laughing almost non stop for the last three hours. We just said goodnight to Joseph and Abigail, so it's just a us “kids”. Every time Tate saddles up beside me I feel my heart kick into high gear. I swear everyone in this place can hear it. It feels as if every eye is on me and I can't help but fidget. Phoebe and I needed a break, so we escaped to the rest rooms in back. It's just one of those things that girls do.

  On the way back to the table I feel a hand on my arm and stop. There is a bear of a man before me giving me a big smile. I return the smile and watch as Phoebe keeps walking. Great.

  “I ain't seen ya ‘round here ‘fore,” he drawls out and I sigh. I just wanted to go back to the table and finish my beer.

  “I'm visiting. If you'll excuse me,” I say trying to move around him. He moves to block my way and I move my good hand to my hip, raising a brow.

  “You ain't very hospitable.”

  “Dude, look, I'm not in the mood, so move, or I'll move you. You won’t like my way, I guarantee it.” I snap.

  “Cletus, you're being rude. Move, you big ogre!” I hear a female voice from behind me speak. She all but glares at me when I turn to look at her.

  “Seriously, move it or lose it,” I warn for the last time. He moves closer and grabs my arm again.

  “You come dance with me,” he says and tries to tug me to the dance floor. I groan and tug at my arm. He doesn't let go, so I'm left with no choice. I stomp the heel of my boot into the top of his foot. He bellows and lets go of my arm.

  “I told ya you wouldn't like it! When a lady says no - no means no, dammit!”

  I stalk off towards the two men rushing my way. I hold up a hand and pass them. I get to the table and down the rest of my now warm beer. Waving the bottle to the waitress she nods and I turn to the scowling men coming back our way.

  “What was that about?” Cody asks as he looks back at the crowd around the big ass the girl had called Cletus. I shrug and finish off Tate's beer since it's there and mine is gone. I had a thing about being touched without my consent. It made me violent to say the least. I had resisted the urge to slam my fist into his face. He got off lucky. Big asshole.

  “You all right, darlin’?” I put the empty bottle on the table and looked up at the concern written all over Tate's face. I nodded and let out a frustrated sigh.

  My mind flashes back to the last time someone grabbed me like that. That night I put my fist through a wall and then into his face with the buildup of anger. Lucky for Thomas Renfield I'd had one too many shots that night so my punch lacked its usual strength and luster. We'd all been drinking, partying it up at a friends wedding.

  Thomas and I had been out on a few dates, but there just wasn't much chemistry. It was like dating a fish. I had broken it off and told him the truth. Well, sort of. There was no need to tell him that when he kissed me I felt like I was kissing a Saint Bernard, or that his dick just didn't do it for me. One night of him grunting like a pig rooting in the mud left me feeling gross and very unsatisfied. But, I draw the line at being nice when I've asked you not to touch me, or talk to me. Needless to say that was a wedding no one forgot for a while. I was embarrassed the next morning, but what was done was done.

  The feel of a warm hand on mine pulled me from those thoughts. I gave Tate a small smile. “You want to leave?” His whispered words filled me with a warmth I couldn’t explain yet. He was worried, I could see it written on his face. I shook my head.

  “No, but… I'd like a dance, please.” I begged with my eyes. I needed something to get me out of my own head. Tate's big smile made my heart lurch into a rapid musical cadence that filled my ears as he pulled me towards the floor. The moment we hit the floor the song changed and I was pulled closer against his hard body.

  After a few moves across the floor Tate smiled and spoke. “You looked a little lost back there. You sure you're all right? Cletus didn't hurt ya, did he? He's a bit, ah, special. He didn't mean any harm.”

  “I'm okay, was just remembering something I thought I was over,�
� I said, my shoulders raising in a small shrug. “I don't like random strangers touching me. It makes- I just don't like it.”

  “Can't say I blame ya, darlin’. I'm not a fan of random strangers touching ya either,” he said, his dimples making my heart flutter.

  “Hmm, ya don't say, eh?” I smirked.

  His jaw twitches as he pulled me closer. His hard body rippled under me, and I'll be honest, it took a lot for me to not rub myself against him like some animal in heat. I slid my arm around him and moved across the floor. My body moved to follow his lead. Again, the grin on my face was making my cheeks sore. It felt good to be this close to him. The warmth of his body wrapped around me to cocoon me in his embrace. I pouted when the song ended and he stopped moving. That was, until a new song came on. His arms tightened around me as he leaned down, his lips brushing mine as he sang along with the words.

  * * *

  Never seen a tan look so good

  Sunshine's treatin' you like it should

  You got to know the kind of glow you're giving off

  Baby, that's dangerous

  The way your hair blows in the wind

  Takes me to heaven and back again

  The window's down, we're ridin' 'round

  I bet you don't know what I'm thinkin'

  Oh, girl, you make me feel like whoa

  Spinning me out of control

  With every little move you're makin'

  Driving me wild if you know what I'm sayin'

  Hey, shoot another smile my way

  You're makin' this boy go crazy

  Crazy, crazy, yeah

  * * *

  I melted completely and utterly as he sang against my lips. I had to clench my legs together since they felt like jello. As the song ended, his gaze met mine. Before I could speak, a tear rolled across my cheek and his mouth was on mine. A moan left me as his tongue swept across my lip. I granted him access to my mouth, and he pressed me back against the railing barricading the dance floor from the bar area. Lost. I was lost in his kiss. Lost in his touch. Just utterly lost.

  He was spinning my insides into a tornado of lust and need. I pulled back slightly, my breathing matching his as his lips curled into a self satisfied grin. Damn the man and that smile. I licked my lips, tasting him on them. I swallowed hard before pulling my bottom lip between my teeth. I whispered the words before I had too much time to think about what I was saying.

  “I'm- Take me home, please.”

  I watched his face as he stepped back from me. I tilted my head slightly and tugged his arm so he'd look at me. Maybe he hadn't understood what I meant by that.

  “I mean, I want us to leave here, now…”

  That damn dimple showed itself when he got what I was saying. Thirty five minutes later we were pulling up in front of the cabin. I watched as he climbed out and moved around the truck. My insides were all a flutter with lust and nervousness. When he opened my door, I turned and grinned as he scooped me up, allowing my legs to wrap around him. With a soft moan I ground myself into him. My inner harlot was showing with the actions but he liked it. I felt him harden under my ministrations. I'd never wanted a man as much as I wanted him right now. I didn't care how fast or slow he took this. It was more than lust at this point. I needed him, in any and all ways. My body was his.

  It didn't take Tate long to get us inside. His grip on me tightened as he walked to the bedroom. I sighed as he kissed down my neck. My hips rocked against him when he nipped at the spot just below my ear. My body jerked slightly as his teeth grazed my sensitive skin.

  “Tate…” I groaned as he sat me on my feet. I once again pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as I fought to not touch myself to relieve some of the pressure between my legs. I wasn’t on my feet long before he moved closer. He had my dress up over my head and bra off with one easy flick of his fingers. Damn, that was hot. He slowly stripped my panties off and helped me out of my boots and socks. I stood there, completely exposed to him. His gaze sent a chill through me as he undressed. God, he was completely perfect. I ran my fingers down his abs, each one rippling as my fingers caressed his tanned skin. Once again he moved closer, his chest brushing against my exposed breasts. My hand wrapped around his cock and with the twist of my wrist he cursed and grabbed my hand stopping me.

  “Jesus, if you do that again….”

  His words trailed off and I released him. The hunger in his eyes set me to tingling. I moved to lay down on the bed and moved my casted arm up above my head. His eyes took me in as he moved up my body, trailing kisses up along my inner thighs. I had never had a man take his time like this. He was all but worshipping me and God knows I was ready to let him do anything he wanted to me. A moan escaped me as his warm breath fanned across my center. I was throbbing, ready to beg to be touched when he grabbed my thighs, spreading me wide. His mouth moved to my pussy, licking, sucking and driving me crazy. His thumb rubbed across my clit with each pass of his tongue. My body jerked with each touch. My belly tightened as my free hand curled into the blanket atop the bed.

  “T-Tate! God, yes!” I let out a loud cry of pure ecstasy, my body tightening with each of his touches. I bucked as muscles quivered and I fell over the edge. My orgasm brought tears to my eyes as I panted out his name.

  “Fuck! You're beautiful, baby,” he said, shifting up the bed. His body pressed into mine. I felt the tip of his erection press against me. He stilled and I whined. God, he was killing me. “Georgie, I- I don't have a condom. Shit.”

  It took my brain a minute to catch up through the fog of lust. I shook my head. “I'm on the pill, have been for years. I trust you, just fuck me.” I meant that, too. I did trust him.

  I cried out as he slammed into me. The wetness of my orgasm made it easy to take him, but as soon as he was in I stilled. There was discomfort, nothing I couldn't handle, but Jesus, he was big. His lips met mine as he pushed both hands back above my head. His lips assaulted mine and continued along my neck as his hips rocked against mine. The pressure inside me was once again building with each of his thrusts. What was he doing to me? I didn't really care, it felt too good to care.

  “Georgie… Fuck!”

  I was panting, my body starting to tighten again. My muscles jerked painfully as the orgasm hit hard. I called out his name, my hips rocking up against his. His hips slammed into mine harder as he pushed himself closer to the edge. Each time his hips hit mine, my name fell from his lips. With a roar he came hard, his body shaking atop mine as he continued to move his body with mine until our orgasms faded. His sweat covered body covered mine and I wrapped my arms and legs around him. I didn't want him to move. I needed to soak this in. To soak him in.

  Finally, with a grumble, from me he pulled away and disappeared. When he came back he had a warm washcloth. He cleaned me up before joining me back in bed. I shifted to curl into him, my body pressed against his. His warmth enveloping me.

  “Rest now, darlin’, it's been a long day.” His fingers ran through my hair as he spoke and I did just that. I relaxed, so much so that I fell asleep in his arms. Something I had never done before with any man.

  8

  I Want Her to Stay

  Tate

  It's been a few days since Georgie and I had our first time together. I don't think most dudes keep up with that kind of thing, but I'm not most dudes. I know Georgie said she was only here for a few weeks when she first came. I’m hoping that changes. How can I not? In a week she plans to walk away from everything here and go onto her next adventure.

  Right now as I watch her hold Abbie Grace my heart tugs at me. There’s something special about this girl. No, this woman. There is something very special about her. She's calling to my soul, and God help me I don't want this feeling to end. Feeling a hand on my shoulder I look over at my Dad, then back out across the yard to where Georgie and Tango are sitting with Abbie.

  “She is a special lady, son,” Dad says as he squeezes my shoulder.

  “I know, but-” I trail off and
sigh. “She wasn't meant to stay here. How can I change her mind? It's not like she's been here for a long time. It's only been two weeks, Pa.”

  “I knew your mother was the only one after five minutes. Don't give me that crap, boy. You light up around her. Abbie loves her, hell, I think we all do. She's like a breath of fresh air around here.”

  His words run through my mind and I can't help but nod as he says them. He's right. When she's around me I feel lighter. The night we shared our first dance, that was the night I knew I was in trouble. That was two weeks ago. I let out a long sigh. Before I can say anything else, my attention is drawn to a car pulling up the drive. I raised a brow, seeing two older women getting out. Dad and I made our way over towards them. When I got close enough to get a good look, I saw Kathy Jo’s mother, Tabitha Schultz, standing there all gussied up.

  “What in the fuck do you want?” I snarled, staring right at Tabitha.

  “Mr. Cannon, I'm Janice Ellison, Mrs. Schultz's attorney. We’d like to speak to you, if you have a moment.”

  “Nope, not without my attorney present and not here. You can call McIntosh, Landers and Randolph and set up an appointment with them. I want nothing to do with this woman or her deranged family,” I snapped, pointing towards Tabitha. “She tell you her sick and twisted daughter tried to kill my daughter?”

  I could see the look of surprise on the attorney’s face and kept going. “She tried to drown our two month old in the bathtub. I got there in time to pull her up, thankfully she was only under for a few seconds. Now, I don't care what either of you think you need from me, there is nothing here for the Schultz family.”

  I spoke to the lawyer with a firm voice. I meant what I said, there was absolutely nothing here for Kathy Jo or her family. My head snapped up when I heard Tango let out a warning bark. My eyes moved to Georgie, who was holding Abbie protectively against her. She was face to face with Tabitha.