“Tell me about the others.” She leaned back against him.
“Gray’s the Sheriff in Hartland. He has always been in law enforcement. When he was engaged to Ellen, he was working with the Montana Highway Patrol but when he wanted to return to Hartland and run for sheriff, she refused to come with him. Broke his heart but I think he’s finally getting over it. Although, I think it will take a special woman to make him ever fall in love again. Gage and Jesse are still riding bulls, and Gage competes in bulldogging, also known as steer wrestling. He also raises steers for the rodeo. They both have homes here. JD’s not married. Gage is, but they’re separated. Maggie left him about two years ago. He still misses her, but I have no idea what’s going to happen there. Also, he and JD own Beckett Boots—”
“Beckett Boots? Seriously?”
“Yep. They came up with the idea about five years ago. Those boots are the best. I won’t wear any others and not just because my last name is printed on the inside and on the bottom of them. Danielle is happily married to Brandon Carlisle. She’s the only one who calls him Brandon. The rest of us call him Sundance. He used to be a bull rider too, and she met him at an event.”
“Why do you call him Sundance?”
“Because he’s the spitting image of Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Absolute image of him. They have two kids. Mia, who’s six and Spencer is three.”
“I’m sure it was hard on all of you when Brayden was in prison.”
Ash blew out a breath. “It was tough. Mom was heartbroken, and Dad seemed lost. Five years, he spent in that hellhole on death row for something he didn’t even do. We were thrilled when he was exonerated. I wanted my brother back. I missed him so much those five years. Six altogether. Since the day they arrested him, he was held in jail, then sent to death row once convicted. They arrested him right after Maisy’s funeral. We had just left the cemetery, and I’ll never forget them coming to the house, putting handcuffs on him, and taking him away. I wanted to punch them and yell at them that they had the wrong man. Brayden looked shocked, and I’m sure he was. He loved Maisy. He never would have hurt her in any way.”
“That’s so sad.” He heard her sigh and wondered what she was thinking, but then she surprised him. “I’d love to see the sanctuary one day. I’d like to find a few horses there too.”
Ash smiled and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll take you. Now, let’s get out and go to bed. We want to leave early.”
The next morning, Ash rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom to shave. He’d let Cassidy sleep until he finished then they could get on the road. He was anxious to get home, and he was really looking forward to making dinner for her. A date. They were going on a date. They’d decided last night they would go out together.
He smiled as he lathered up his face and started to shave. As he stared at his reflection, Ash knew he was falling in love with her, and he was man enough to admit it scared him. Only he worried that what if she didn’t feel the same way about him and he was just a rebound? Just someone to have sex with, to see what she’d been missing with that jackass husband of hers.
Sighing, Ash wiped the excess lather off his face, splashed on aftershave, and hung the towel up. He entered the bedroom to see her lying on her back, but still sleeping. He grinned as he thought of a most perfect way to wake her up. It was time to give back. As he stood at the end of the bed, he watched her sleep, and his heart ached with the thought that she might not feel the same way he did.
Sighing, he lifted the sheet then crawled under it to the destination he was seeking. He kissed her inner thigh and heard her moan. Grinning, he kissed the other one and moved his tongue through her curls to taste her. Her gasp filled the air as he found her clitoris and sucked on it. He spread her legs and moved his tongue down her slit then back up. He moved his nose against her and inhaled her scent. Her hands fisted in his hair.
“So, you’re awake now, huh?” he murmured against her.
“No. I am having the most erotic dream.”
Ash chuckled and continued to move his tongue against her clitoris then rubbed his teeth against it and inserted two fingers, sliding them in and out of her. He knew she’d been close before, but that threw her over. Cassidy let out a cry as she came, and he felt her clench around his fingers. Ash moved up her body and pressed his lips to hers, knowing she could taste her essence on his lips. When her tongue pushed into his mouth, he groaned but when her hand wrapped around his hard cock, he almost shot off the bed.
“Condom,” he groaned.
Cassidy laughed and reached for the box on the nightstand. He watched her rip open the wrapper then she smiled up at him as she rolled it down over his dick. He closed his eyes for a few seconds to calm himself then he inched into her. Placing his forehead against hers, he started to move. Her legs wrapped around his waist. Ash pulled out of her making her whimper. He sat back and rolled her onto her stomach then lifted her hips and thrust into her hard from behind. She let out a gasp.
“Did I hurt you?” he whispered and stilled.
“No. No, you didn’t hurt me. Move damn it,” she told him as she thrust her hips back at him.
Ash chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Being inside her was pure heaven to him. He thrust in and out of her, digging his fingers into her skin as he grasped her hips as she moved back against him.
“I’m not going to last if you don’t stop moving like that, Cassidy,” he growled.
Cassidy laughed then gasped. “Ash…”
She moaned loud as she came yet again.
Ash couldn’t hold back any longer, he thrust harder and faster into her as his orgasm hit him. Groaning, he came hard then collapsed on her back and tried to catch his breath. He kissed her temple then rolled off her to lie beside her.
“God, that was fantastic,” she said between breaths.
“Yes, it was,” Ash said as he moved his hand down her back.
Cassidy turned her head to look at him and smiled. “It always is. Never did it like that before.”
“Never?”
“Nope. I liked it. No…I loved it.”
“Good to know.” Ash smiled at her and watched a blush move across her cheeks making him chuckle. “I can’t believe you’re still blushing.”
“Shut up,” she murmured and rolled over to get up.
“Where are you going?”
“I need a shower. Maybe you do too?”
“Hell, yeah,” Ash said as he swung his legs over the bed, grabbed a condom then followed her to the bathroom.
Chapter Ten
Cassie sighed as Ash pulled the truck and trailer up to the barn. She glanced over at him to see him looking at her. He picked her hand up and kissed her knuckles then stepped from the vehicle. Cassie opened her door and stepped out too, then walked to the back of the trailer. She saw her parents heading toward them. Her mother stepped up beside her.
“I’m anxious to see what you brought home.” She looked at Cassie. “Did you have a good time?”
Cassie could feel the heat in her cheeks, so she turned away. “It was a good auction.”
“That’s nice, honey.” Then her mother gasped when they opened up the trailer. “Oh my! That poor baby.”
“I had to adopt her. Only one other person was bidding on her and Ash knew him, so he let me have her.”
“How sweet. Ash is such a good man,” her mother said.
Good? He’s fantastic!
Cassie watched him unload the mare, her eyes going instinctively to his crotch, and she couldn’t stop the shiver that ran over her. This morning had been amazing, both in bed and in the shower. The man was way more than just good. She watched him lead the mare to a stall and lead her inside it.
“Mom, can you give me your vet’s number? I want to have her look at Patches.”
“Sure. Here, take my phone. Her number’s in there.”
Cassie took the phone from her and called the vet. The receptionist said that Dr. Ga
rrett was out right now but she’d get a hold of her, and ask her to stop by. After hanging up, she walked to the stall, leaned her arms along the top of the gate, and stared at the horse.
“Did you call Dr. Garrett?” Ash asked her.
“Yes. She’s out right now, but the receptionist said she’d let her know I need her to come out.”
“I hope it’s not too late in the day.” He glanced around then back to her. “You’re still coming over tonight, right?”
“Oh, yes. You promised me a steak dinner.”
“And breakfast,” Ash said, grinning.
Cassie leaned forward and kissed him quickly. “Can’t wait,” she whispered against his lips as she rubbed her hand against his fly.
“Don’t do that. You’ll make my dick hard and I can’t walk out there, if it is.”
Cassie laughed. “Poor baby. I can take care of that later for you.”
Ash groaned. “Stop.”
“Cassie? Dr. Garrett just pulled in. She must have been close,” her father called out from the open barn doors. She tried not to laugh when Ash swore under his breath.
“I’ll be right back with the doc. You just stay here and calm…down.” She chuckled as she walked away.
“Like I said, I’ve created a monster,” Ash called after her.
Shaking her head and grinning because he was probably right, she walked out of the barn into the bright sunshine to see a beautiful raven-haired woman talking with her mother, and another stab of jealousy hit her. Ash had said she was beautiful, and Cassie could see he hadn’t lied. Sighing, she pasted on a smile and walked toward the vet, who turned to look at Cassie and smiled at her.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Tessa…Garrett,” she said then laughed. “Sorry. I’m still not used to saying, Garrett.”
Cassie liked her immediately, and the jealousy disappeared. Dr. Garrett was genuine. She put her hand out to her.
“I’m Cassidy Marlowe, it’s nice to meet you.” She’d decided to drop her married name. She wanted nothing more to do with Ross.
“Cassidy Marlowe? The Cassidy Marlowe?” Dr. Garrett’s eyes widened.
“Yes, but please call me Cassie. Do you read my books?”
“Oh my, yes, I do. I love them all, and please call me Tess. No one calls me Tessa except my husband.”
“Thank you, Tess. Let me show you the mare I bought. She’s in bad shape. I’m hoping you can help me get her back to good health.”
“Well, I’ll certainly do my best. I love horses. Let’s see this beauty.”
Cassie led her to the stall to see Ash leaning against the gate. She couldn’t stop the smile when she looked at him. He turned to look at her then his eyes went to Tess, and he smiled at her. Cassie frowned. He didn’t grin at me. Stop it!
“Hey, Tess. How are you?” Ash walked toward her with his hand out.
Tess shook his hand. “I’m great, Ash. You?”
Ash’s eyes glanced at Cassie then back to Tess. “I’m great. You might not be, once you see this mare.”
“That bad? Let me see her.”
Tess entered the stall and Cassie watched as she checked the mare over. When Tess glanced at her, Cassie could see tears in her eyes.
“She needs a lot of nutrition. I’ll get her started. Thank you for rescuing her, Cassie.”
“I had to,” Cassie said.
“Wyatt and Liv were there too. They were bidding on her until Wyatt saw that Cassie really wanted her,” Ash said.
Tess smiled at Cassie. “I know they would have given her a good home too, if you hadn’t taken her.”
Cassie nodded and watched as Tess went to work on the horse. Ash moved closer to her.
“I’ll see you later. Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No, I’ll drive over. Later, cowboy.” She smiled.
Ash touched the brim of his hat and strolled out of the barn. Cassie couldn’t keep her eyes off him. She sighed then turned to see Tess looking at her with a smile on her face.
“You and Ash, huh?”
“Uh…”
Tess waved her hand. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything. You don’t know me, but you two can hardly keep your eyes off each other, and I did overhear you making a date for later.”
“I just went through a divorce, so I’m very skittish,” Cassie told her.
“Oh, please. You’re talking to a woman who was married at the time she met the love of her life. When I first saw Sam Garrett, I knew I was in trouble and like an idiot, I hid the fact I was still married from him. I thought I’d lost him for good when he found out.” Tess shook her head. “I’d been on the run for a while and told myself more than a few times to stay away from Sam, but I couldn’t resist him.”
“I have to hear that story someday,” Cassie said, smiling.
Tess laughed. “I’ll tell you. Would you like to get together one day for lunch?”
“I’d love it. Right now, I need to head home and get a shower. Thanks for coming by so fast to check on Patches. I really appreciate it. Oh, and please don’t mention my date with Ash to my parents. I’m sure they’d be all over me about it, and I’m just not ready.”
“You got it. Give me a call next week, and we’ll get together.”
Cassie smiled, gave a little wave, and walked off. She had to go inside her parents’ house to get her keys before she could drive to the cabin, where she could get a shower and relax a little before going to Ash’s home. She entered through the back door to see her mom standing at the stove.
“Just need to get my keys, where are they?”
“Can’t you stay for dinner?”
“Uh, not tonight. I’m just going to relax.”
“You can relax here,” her mom said as she stirred a pot on the stove.
“I just want to go home, Mom.”
Nora turned to look at her. “All right. Your keys are hanging on the hook by mine.”
Cassie walked over to the hook beside the sink and took her keys down. She hugged her mother.
“Tell Dad I’ll see him later. Love you, Mom.”
“We love you too.”
Cassie walked outside, stood on the porch, and took a deep breath. Her mother was too astute and knew something was up. Cassie knew it by the look on her face. She just hoped she didn’t figure it out yet. Cassie wanted to keep whatever this was with Ash quiet for a while. How long, she had no idea. It just depended on how it went with him. She had to get past her insecurities and trust issues with men first. She knew if her parents knew she was seeing Ash, they’d be happy thinking it might amount to something. Cassie just wasn’t ready for anything serious. She was way too scared.
Blowing out a breath, she skipped down the steps then climbed into her SUV, started it up, and headed for her cabin.
****
Ash parked his truck and climbed the steps to hear Bandit barking from inside. Ernie had been taking care of the dog for him. Ash pushed the door open, and the dog spun in circles, happy to see his master.
“Hey, buddy.” Ash squatted down to rub Bandit’s ears and the dog flopped down and rolled onto his back making Ash laugh. “Yeah, you didn’t miss me, just the belly rubs.”
Straightening up, Ash took some steaks out of the freezer and set them on the counter. They would thaw in plenty of time. In the meantime, he’d take a shower and maybe grab a nap to pass the time before Cassidy arrived. He hadn’t slept much the night before. Grinning, he walked down the hallway to the bathroom. He couldn’t wait for her to show up.
At six o’clock, Ash heard a vehicle pull up. He hoped it was Cassidy. His heart seemed to skip a beat when he thought of getting her in his bed later. He had just put the steaks in the oven under the broiler. Walking to the door, he opened it to see her stepping out from her SUV. She turned to look at the house, and his heart hit his stomach when she smiled at him.
“Hi,” she said as she walked up the steps. “I love your house. I saw it the day Dad and I came over about going to the sale together.
Smartest thing he’s ever suggested.”
Ash smiled. He’d built the house years ago with a few of his brothers and some friends. The log home had a wraparound porch, and windows rose up into the eaves, while the outside of a large stone fireplace rose above the roof.
“Come on in, I’ll show it to you,” Ash said then leaned down to kiss her when she reached him.
“I’d love to see it.”
Ash took her hand and led her into the kitchen. Dark walnut cabinets matched the large plank floor, and black stainless-steel appliances sat nestled between cream-colored marble countertops. A large table sat centered in the room.
“This is a beautiful kitchen,” Cassidy said as she looked around.
Ash smiled then led her to the dining room. A cherry table sat close to the window and a corner hutch and buffet complimented the room, and then they entered the living room. He heard Cassidy gasp. He knew she’d love this room. The massive stone fireplace sat centered on the outside wall to the left. Windows sat on each side of it from the floor to the ceiling and a large flat screen TV hung above the mantle. The front of the room was a wall of windows. Two large recliners faced the fireplace, and a sofa sat with its back to the front windows. The floors matched the kitchen.
“Beautiful, huh?” Ash asked with pride.
“It is. I could just sit here and work for hours, read a good book or watch the flames in the fireplace.”
“Not done yet. Come on.” He tugged on her hand to lead her down a hallway.
On the left were two spare bedrooms with a bathroom between them. An office sat across from them. Then he led her to the last room on the right, which was his bedroom. Pushing the door open, he flipped on a light that sat on the bedside table. Centered on the wall to the left was the king-size bed. A row of closet doors sat beside the door they’d entered through and sliding glass doors led to a covered porch, a dresser sat beside them, and another entry led to a bathroom. A fireplace sat centered on the wall next to the door leading to the bathroom. Dark blue plush carpeting covered the floor.
Ash: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 2 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 12
