Grinning up at him, she placed her straw cowboy hat on her head and let him lead her out the door, and across the parking lot to the truck. Ash opened the door for her, and she climbed in then smiled at him. He winked and strode around the front of the pickup, keeping his eyes on her through the windshield. Cassie couldn’t help but wiggle in her seat. He was just so hot and sexy, and he didn’t even have to work at it.
Ash climbed in, started the truck and after giving her a glance, pulled the truck and trailer out of the parking lot. Reaching for her sunglasses in her purse, she slipped them on and watched as Ash took his down from the sun visor and put them on then glanced over at her.
“Are you hungry? We could stop at a fast food place.”
“I could use a good cup of coffee.” Ash’s eyebrow rose when her stomach growled. She grinned. “Okay, and maybe some food too.”
“I’m starving. You made me work up quite an appetite last night.”
Cassie burst out laughing. “The feeling’s mutual.”
Ash chuckled. “What were you laughing about this morning so damn early? Did I say something in my sleep?”
“No. Do you remember me elbowing you last night?”
Ash frowned. “As a matter of fact, I do now that you mention it. What the hell was that about?”
“You were lying behind me with your arm around me, and I woke up. I didn’t hear you snoring––”
“Cassidy, I don’t snore.”
“I know that now, but last night I didn’t. You were so quiet. I turned my head to listen and still didn’t hear you, so I elbowed you. I thought I’d done what you said about killing you.” She laughed.
Ash burst out laughing. “I had my arm around you. You could have just checked my pulse, not elbowed me.”
“All you said was what and went right back to sleep. I lay there trying like hell not to laugh and wake you up.”
“I’m a quiet sleeper. I take it your ex snored?”
“Like a damn freight train. I’m surprised the paint didn’t peel off the walls.”
Ash nodded, but didn’t comment. She knew her ex-husband was the last thing they needed to be talking about. Before long, Ash pulled the truck into the parking lot of a favorite fast food restaurant and looked over at her.
“Do you want to go in or just eat on the way?”
“On the way. I want to get good seats at the sale.”
“All right. Tell me what you want, and I’ll go get it.”
Cassie was shocked. Ross always expected her to do it. She told Ash what she wanted then watched him stroll across the parking lot and enter the building. Shaking her head, she was really learning what a real jerk and chauvinist Ross was. He would never go inside and get an order, and if they were in the line to order from the car, he expected her to lean across him and order. Blowing out a breath, she never realized how immature he was.
Staring at the door to the restaurant, she smiled when she saw Ash appear again then walk back toward the pickup with a bag of food and carrying a drink tray. He stopped to wait for traffic then continued on to the truck. She leaned across the seat and opened his door.
“Thanks. Here take the tray,” Ash said, and once she did, he climbed into the truck and set the bag between them.
“It smells so good.”
Cassidy opened the bag and pulled the food out. After finding which was hers, she handed Ash his. He took his coffee and set it in the cup holder in the truck console and after checking traffic, drove out of the lot and headed for the fairgrounds.
Cassidy ate her food and sipped her coffee while watching the scenery pass by. This had been such a good idea. She loved spending time with Ash and getting to know him better. Wow! Had she gotten to know him better.
From behind her sunglasses, she ran her eyes down over his blue T-shirt to his crotch, and her eyes became glued there. Before, she’d only imagined what was behind that fly and now that she knew, she’d gladly skip this sale to spend the entire day in bed with him. Ash Beckett was no novice in bed. He knew how to treat a woman well—period. If she didn’t want that mare so much, she’d tell him to turn around. She moved her eyes down to his feet and bit back a grin looking at his cowboy boots. He wore the distressed ones, a favorite of hers. Boots that looked well-worn but could easily be brand new. She had a feeling his were old by the way the heels were worn.
“You keep looking at me like that, and we’re going back to my room,” he said in a low tone of voice that sent shivers down her spine.
She looked at his face to see him removing his sunglasses.
“What makes you think I’m looking at you?” she asked as she took her sunglasses off to look at him.
Ash grinned but didn’t answer, only looked at her and raised an eyebrow then put his sunglasses back on. A blush moved across her cheeks. Damn man. She’d get him back for that.
They drove into the fairgrounds and parked. Dust flew around the vehicle as Cassidy opened the door and stepped out, glancing around. It looked crowded. Walking to the front of the pickup, she waited for Ash. He met her and gave her a quick kiss then took her hand in his, and they walked into the arena. They signed in, picked up brochures, and were given paddles with numbers on them. Together, they climbed up a few rows of the bleachers and took their seats. Cassidy glanced through the booklet to find the list of horses and found the mare’s number.
“It says here that the mare is a registered Paint. There might be more than a few bids on her then. Damn it.”
“You’ll get her. She’s not in good condition, and some people won’t want to fool with getting her back into shape.” Ash scanned the list. “There are some nice horses in this auction.”
“Looks like a good crowd,” she said and nibbled on her bottom lip.
“Don’t let that fool you. A lot of them don’t even bid. Some are the owners. Your horse is the third one, so get ready.”
“I am. I’m just nervous. I really want that horse.”
Ash looked at her. “You’ll get her. I’ll help.”
“Ash, you are not buying that horse.”
Ash stared at her. “All right.”
Cassidy blew out a breath and nodded. “I’ll do it on my own.”
“I’m going to get us something to drink. I’ll be right back. Root beer?”
“Yes, please.”
He gave her a nod then walked down the bleachers. She watched him until he disappeared. Glancing around, she saw quite a few people still coming in and glanced at her watch. The auction would start in fifteen minutes, and she was so nervous. She wanted that mare.
A few minutes later, she saw Ash climbing the bleachers then stopped to talk with a man. They seemed to know each other pretty well by the way Ash was laughing with him. He was a handsome man too. His black cowboy hat sat low on his forehead. He looked to be as tall as Ash and built just as well. His white teeth flashed in his face as they continued to talk. Cassidy watched as Ash peered around him and smiled at a beautiful woman sitting on the bleacher behind the man. Jealousy stabbed at Cassidy and she quickly squashed it. She had no hold on Ash and besides, the cowboy and the woman were probably together. She saw Ash nod to them and then continued to climb up the bleachers to where she sat.
“Here ya go,” Ash said as he handed her a drink.
“Root beer?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He took his seat beside her.
Cassidy sucked on the straw and moaned. “I love root beer. This is good too.”
“Here we go. First horse.” Ash nodded toward the horse being led in.
“Who was that you were talking to? He’s very good looking.”
Ash’s head whipped around. “Oh, really? Well, forget it. He’s very happily married.”
Cassidy snorted. “I just said he was good looking, not that I wanted to jump his bones.”
Ash grinned. “True. Wyatt Stone. That’s his wife, Olivia, with him.”
“She’s gorgeous.”
“Yeah, and could make a sailor blu
sh. Liv never holds back and has quite the potty mouth.”
“Her? She doesn’t look like she’d talk like that. Have they been married long?”
“A while. They have a son who’s probably with one of his aunts today. They’re great people.”
“Have you been friends with him long?”
“Oh yeah, he and his two brothers, Jake and Gabe. I’m surprised they aren’t here too. They usually come to the sales.”
Cassidy nodded then watched the bids go up on the first horse. “Are you going to buy any horses?”
“No. I have a few now and if I wanted one, I’d adopt from my brother.” He looked at her. “Are you sleeping in my room tonight?”
“I planned on it.” She smiled.
“Good. I’d like to do some more of what we did last night.” He chuckled when she blushed.
Leaning toward him, she whispered in his ear as he raised his cup to take a drink through the straw. “Same here. I want to suck your dick again.”
Ash hissed in a breath, sucked in his soda too quick, and started choking. Cassidy laughed and smacked him on the back. He blinked his eyes and looked at her.
“Don’t say shit like that when I can’t do anything about it.”
“You don’t do anything about it. I do. I’m the one who will suck––”
“Shut up,” he growled making her howl with laughter.
They settled in and watched the first horse being led away after a man won the bid, and the next horse was also bought. Cassidy nervously sat up and watched as a man brought the mare into the arena. She blinked back tears as she looked at the mare. Her hip bones and ribs were showing, and she seemed so sad. The horse never even raised her head. A tear slipped down Cassidy’s cheek, and Ash squeezed her knee.
“Let’s see if we’re going to have any competition.”
“All right. I feel so bad for her.”
“Yeah, me too. She’s in bad shape. The brochure says she’s only three years old. Too young to have been living such a rough life already.”
Cassidy sat on the edge of the bleacher and listened to the auctioneer telling the crowd about the mare. Another tear slid down her cheek when he mentioned that the mare had been abused and left in a field when the family moved away. It was by pure luck that someone found the horse before she starved to death. Cassidy leaned into Ash when he placed his arm around her shoulders. The bid started high, and no one raised their paddle. The auctioneer lowered the cost and still no one bid.
“I need to bid on her,” she whispered.
“Let it come down some more. She’s not going anywhere.”
About that time, Cassidy noticed a paddle go up a few rows down from her. It was Wyatt Stone.
“Your friend is bidding on her.” She nodded her chin in Wyatt’s direction.
“Probably because Liv wants her.”
“Well, I want her too.” Cassidy raised her paddle.
Ash sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees. Wyatt raised his paddle, and Ash laughed. Cassidy gave him a dirty look. He shrugged. She raised her paddle without taking her eyes off Ash. She gasped when the bid went higher because Wyatt bid again. Cassidy raised hers again. When Wyatt turned to look behind him, she stared at him and saw him look at Ash who smirked at him. She watched as Wyatt grinned and turned in his seat to look at the horse. She saw him say something to his wife, who turned to look at Cassidy and Ash but then a big smile lifted her lips, and she turned back around.
“I think you won this one,” Ash said.
“You think so?”
“Yes. Wyatt knows we’re here together and since he knows me, he’ll let you have her.”
The gavel hit the block, and she was pronounced the winner. She squealed, threw her arms around Ash’s neck, and kissed his cheek making him laugh. They stayed until the auction ended. Cassie ended up with just the skinny mare.
After seeing how pitiful the young horse had looked, Cassie made up her mind that she’d adopt a few from Brayden’s sanctuary too. According to Ash, Brayden had quite a few horses, donkeys, and burros that had been mistreated and needed good homes. They drove back to the hotel and pulled into the parking lot. Ash parked close to where he’d parked earlier then turned to look at her.
“I’ll check on her later, but she’ll be fine in the trailer overnight.”
“I know. Will you work with her for me? She’s so skittish.”
“Depends,” he said.
“On?”
“What I get for payment.”
Cassie gasped. “You want sex for working with my horse?”
Ash put his arm along the back of the seat and stared at her. “Yes.”
She stared at him, trying not to laugh but couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling out. “Well then, okay. Sure. After all, I’m getting something out of it too.”
Ash laughed, opened his door then stepped out. Cassie followed suit, and they walked to the hotel, entered the lobby and headed for the elevator. Once inside, Ash pushed the button for his floor but Cassie reached out and pressed it for hers. Ash raised an eyebrow at her.
“I thought you were staying with me?”
“I am, but I need a quick shower and a change of clothes. I have to meet Gladys and Mable in the lobby at six to sign books for them.”
“You can’t grab a shower with me?”
“I said I needed a quick shower. Somehow I doubt it would be quick with you.”
“Aww, darlin’, you sure know the right things to say.”
“Pffft. Don’t let it go to your—” She looked at his crotch. “Head.”
Ash shook his head then leaned over and kissed her. “I’ve created a monster. How about Chinese tonight? I’m hungry.”
“Sounds good. I’ll grab a shower, meet the ladies, and then come to your room. Are we leaving early in the morning?”
“I’d like to. Depends on how late you keep me up tonight.”
“Oh, keeping you up is definitely on my agenda, cowboy. I’ll see you a little after six.”
The elevator stopped on the third floor, and Cassie told him what she wanted for dinner, gave him a little wave, and he stepped out. She laughed when she saw him shaking his head with a grin on his face.
Chapter Nine
Ash knew he was in trouble here. Cassidy was the kind of woman he wanted in his life, but she just went through a divorce. Damn it! She was going to need time but he couldn’t stay away from her. Once they returned home, how often would they get together if she wanted to keep it secret? Why in the hell had he agreed to that?
“Because you’ll do anything to keep seeing her. Idiot,” he grumbled.
He walked down the hallway to his room. He was just sliding the keycard in when he glanced up to see the young woman who’d flirted with him in the elevator yesterday. Ash mentally groaned as she smiled at him and walked toward him.
“Hi, again.”
“Hey,” he said.
“I haven’t seen you around.” She ran her fingers up his arm.
“I’m not here for vacation. I was at a horse auction.” He moved his arm away from her.
“Horses?” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve never been on one, but I do like to…ride.”
Ash grinned. “I’m sure you can find a ride somewhere.”
“Not you though?”
“No, ma’am. Sorry, but I’m here with someone.”
“Where is she?”
Nosy little thing.
“She’ll be here later. If you’ll excuse me.”
Ash waited until she finally turned and walked away before opening his door. He could use a shower too. The dust from the fairgrounds had covered him. Locking the door behind him, he pulled his T-shirt off over his head, sat on the bed and toed his boots off, removed his socks, stood and unsnapped his jeans then lowered the zipper. Pushing them and his boxer briefs off, he strode naked into the bathroom to shower. Once he finished, he’d get them some food then he planned on spending the rest of the night in bed with Cassid
y. The thought of being with her again had his dick rising. Groaning, he knew he could take his own pleasure, but it was nothing like being inside Cassidy. His hand wrapped around his hardening cock, but he shook his head and turned the water on to cold. He swore and jumped back, but his hard-on disappeared quickly.
After his shower, he shaved then pulled on clean boxer briefs, jeans, and a T-shirt. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he tugged on socks then boots. After stomping his feet down into them, he pushed the hem of the jeans down, making them bunch up around the ankle of the boot. Picking up his room keycard, he put his wallet in his back pocket and left his room to head downstairs, and over to the Chinese restaurant across the street. He pressed the button to wait for the elevator, and it opened almost immediately. Stepping inside, he leaned against the wall and watched the numbers count down. He wanted to check on the horse too.
The elevator jerked to a stop, the doors opened, and he stepped out then strode across the lobby. He saw Cassidy talking with the two women she was meeting. Ash touched the brim of his hat as he walked past them and on out the doors with a smile on his face. She was really coming to mean a lot to him and although it scared the living hell out of him, he was anxious to see where it could go.
****
“Oh, my. He is one good-looking man,” Gladys said as her eyes followed Ash out the front doors of the hotel.
Cassie smiled. “Yes, he certainly is.”
“So, you’re more than friends now, huh?” Mable asked her.
Cassie startled. “Uh, well…”
Mable laughed. “Honey, we saw him kiss you this morning. I about swooned just watching you two.”
The heat in Cassie’s cheeks intensified as she looked at the women, but then she smiled.
“You could say we’ve progressed past friends.”
“I don’t blame you. I would too, if a man that hot kissed me.” Gladys smiled at her.
Cassie chuckled. “Well, let me sign your books. Ash and I are going to have dinner together. He’s going to get it now.”
Mable and Gladys handed her their books, which she signed, and then shook their hands.
“It was so nice meeting you both. Enjoy Montana and have a safe flight home.”
Ash: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 2 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 10
