The walls surrounding his fingers quivered with her excitement as he slid two inside her. A quick lick to her clit and her hips lifted off the bed. It wouldn't take much to throw her over the edge of climax, but he wanted to drag it out and heighten the end. For several minutes, he'd lick and then stop. Her whimpers got higher pitched and she bit her lips. His fingers did a slow crawl in and out of her clutching channel. He knew she was aware of his teasing, but she didn't understand this drove him just as crazy. His balls felt like they were ready to explode any minute, but he continued to draw out her climax.
"If you don't…hurry up and make me come…I'm going to torture you until your balls fall off."
"But—"
"No buts unless you are talking about mine or yours. I need to come, Tucker, please. God, please."
Unable to stand her pleading any longer, he stiffened his tongue and encircled her clit with a rhythm sure to drive her over the edge within seconds. The explosion of climax hit her so hard, she screamed and trapped his head between her thighs like a vice. He continued to softly lick her clit until her trembling eased and the pressure against his ears lessened.
He lifted himself over her and slid his aching cock into her tight sheath. Her climax lingered. The walls of her vagina gripped him tight and he could feel the quivers of her flesh around him. He clenched his jaw so tight, it ached, but he had to hold back. If he moved too quickly, he would explode before she had a chance to come again. One climax tonight wasn't enough for her in his mind.
"Move, Tucker," she demanded as she wrapped her beautiful legs around him and planted her heels against his butt.
Unable to take the pleading in her voice, his hips rocked almost with a mind of their own. The feel of her heat wrapped around him brought him to the edge within moments. Her soft whimpers told him she was close, but not close enough. He lifted his chest and grabbed her ankles to unlock them from behind him. With both of her calves' draped over his forearms, he got the depth he wanted.
"Oh yes. God yes. Tucker hard please. Hard. Fast."
The tormented growl coming from his lips fueled the fire in his cock. Flesh against flesh. The sounds of hot sex filled the room with each slap of his skin against hers until he couldn't hold on any longer. His balls drew up tight against his groin and he shot his seed deep into her waiting cavity as she screamed his name in an answering climax.
"Holy shit." He groaned when he collapsed onto her chest.
"Yeah. You could say that again."
He eased from her warmth and rolled to his side.
"Uh, Tucker?"
"Hmm?"
"Could you like undo my hands now? My fingers are going numb."
"God, I'm sorry, darlin'. Hang on." He crawled from the bed and walked around to her side. "Where's the key?"
"On the nightstand."
Once the cuffs were off, he rubbed the reddened skin to help the circulation return to her fingers. "Better?"
"Yeah."
"You should have said something before."
"It's okay. I was a little preoccupied at the time. I really didn’t feel it until we…um…finished."
He crawled back into the bed and pulled her close.
"This is nice. I love cuddling like this with you," she whispered. Her fingers skimmed over his chest and through the hair.
Cuddling hadn't been one of his strong points in the past, but with her, it came naturally. The need to hold her had become part of him just like loving her. He couldn't fight it if he tried.
Within moments, her breathing slowed and she slept.
Tears burned behind his eyes and he fought the ache in his heart. He knew once their two weeks was over, he'd let her go and never tell her while she could hear, the love he held in his heart.
Chapter Ten
For the next several days, Tucker escorted Jacie around town to the balls, dinners, galas and events he had planned and needed to attend. The tests on the blood for the bull came back negative, thank God. She really didn't want to know what he would have done if for some reason they had been positive. He already had talked about killing Kyle on the trip through Oklahoma and he'd put into motion a plan to put the other man out of business. The opening of a large truck stop in Littleton would accomplish it in short order.
She often found Tucker staring at her when he was across the room. She would ask what was wrong but he would say nothing. Their love making became almost desperate. Their time would be coming to an end soon and it seemed like he wanted to leave a lasting impression on her. Little did he know, she would never forget him, but he would never know she'd fallen in love with him either. He didn't want a wife or permanent fixture in his life and she couldn't see being a temporary one. It wasn't her style. If it meant being alone, then alone she would be.
The day for her ride came. He stood at the railing watching avidly. She could see his broad shoulders and dazzling smile from her position at the starting line. Her mare danced under her hand, itching to run, but she needed to get her mind off her lover and on her ride.
The barrels sat in position—the dirt smooth and dry. This run meant everything. If she made a good time on her pattern, she would be in the money. She let her mare have her head and they shot across the line like a bullet. Once to the left and twice to the right without knocking over a barrel—that's how it's done. Her mare grazed one barrel when she turned to the right, but it didn't fall. Around the last turn and shoot for the gate.
A roar of approval from the crowd told her the time would be good before she looked over her shoulder. The time board said fourteen point three five seconds. Moments later, she rounded the corner near her horses stall to find Tucker standing nearby.
"You did awesome!"
"Thanks."
After she dismounted, he swept her up in a hug and twirled her around. The kiss he planted on her lips would have set the place on fire if there had been fuel nearby.
When he lifted his head and grinned, all she could do was say, "Wow."
"You're done, right?"
"Yes."
"How about we get Brandy settled down, grab some food, then we'll find us somethin' to stay busy with for a few hours until the awards tonight."
She fingered the buttons on his shirt as she peeked through her lashes. "What do you have in mind?"
His lip came out in a pout. "I would think you knew me well enough by now to know exactly what I'm thinkin', darlin'."
The big baby in him made her laugh. So he wanted some wild lovin', did he? I think I can accommodate.
"Maybe some shower sex?"
"Sounds promisin'."
"I thought you might like the idea a little."
"A little, hell. I like it a lot." He nuzzled her ear and nipped at her earlobe. "I need to check on the bull and clean his stall out some before we take off. They'll be usin' him today."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay?"
His gaze turned serious and she knew he wanted to. It burned bright in his eyes. This meant everything to him. He had worked hard for this and if his bull somehow pulled out Bull of the Year, he would be set for a long time to come.
"Let's stay for a while. At least until Lightning Strike does his thing and then we'll go."
"It's okay if you don't want to, Jacie."
The whiskers of his five o'clock shadow abraded the palm of her hand as she caressed the side of his face. He took her thumb between his lips and nipped at the end of it. This man could turn her upside down and inside out without even trying. Her heart belonged to him. "We'll stay."
His melt-your-panties smile lit up his face and he kissed her hard on the mouth. "Let's find a good seat," he said, grabbing her hand. He was like a kid in a candy store, weaving in and out of the crowd to find the best open spot. Yes, they had box seats, but he wanted to be down where the action happened—on the rail.
Each rider took their turn doing their best to hang on. She had seen bull riding before, but these guys were the best on the circuit. Eight seconds. It
felt like a lifetime on the back of the bull. One date with a rider had garnered her more knowledge of the sport than she wanted, but it came in handy right at this moment while Tucker explained every detail. What the equipment entailed, the vests and headgear certain riders wore, the clown's jobs and what everything meant to the owner of the bull.
"As the owner, if Lightning Strike is given the title, it enables me to charge much more for his sperm and breeding rights. Right now, he's doing fabulous. His buck-off rate is ninety-nine percent with a buck-off time of four point five six seconds."
"Is that good?"
The tolerating smile spread across his mouth and he nodded. "Yes. There has only been one rider to do eight seconds on him. If he manages to keep all the riders from going the full eight seconds, he will be entitled to Bull of the Year."
She could tell by the intense look in his eyes, he lived for this. This was Tucker's life. If she could be a part of it for just a few minutes, it would be a memory she could hold onto during those cold winter nights when she wouldn't have his arms to keep her warm.
"Next up ladies and gentleman is Brad "Smitty" Smith from San Antonio, Texas riding Lightning Strike owned by Tucker Marshall out of Austin, Texas. This bull is up for Bull of the Year folks. He is one mean ass bad boy and so far only one rider has done a full eight on his back. Good luck, Smitty."
Tucker held his breath and squeezed her fingers tight enough to cut off the circulation, but she didn't care. This was it.
The gate flipped open and the bull she had brought all the way from bum-fuck nowhere Oklahoma, the bull that had brought her and Tucker together, did his damndest to buck the rider off. He twirled. He whirled. He twisted and turned, but the rider hung on, his hand whipping back and forth in time with the kick of the bulls hind legs. Jacie glanced at the clock, watching the time tick off. With one last twist of his powerful hind legs, Lightning Strike unseated his rider like an annoying fly. The buzzer had not sounded indicating the full eight seconds.
Lightning Strike had done it! The rider had only stayed on seven point zero four seconds by the clock.
Tears burned her eyes. This meant everything to Tucker and he meant everything to her.
Tucker grabbed her and hugged her so tight, he cut off her air. "He did it!" he yelled loud enough, her ears rang. The smile on his face lit up the arena.
"Ladies and gentleman. Lightning Strike has solidified his place as Bull of the Year with that ride. Congratulations Tucker Marshall and Lightning Strike."
"Oh my God, Tucker. He won!"
He swung her around in a circle and kissed her. His tongue swept inside her mouth, making her forget everything and everyone around them until the crowd started clapping loud. Her face burned and she buried it against his chest as he chuckled softly. "We made the billboard, darlin'."
"Shit. Are you serious?" she asked, lifting her head and looking at the large screen at the end of the arena.
Sure enough, there was their kiss, big as day on the big screen.
"Can we go now? I'm so embarrassed."
"Sure, darlin'," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and escorting her down the steps.
Several men stopped them on the way out with good natured ribbing and congratulations on the bull. Tucker took each in stride—graciously and gentlemanly.
They did their daily stop at Tucker's trailer to feed Macy and clean her cat box before they reached their room, all thoughts of going out quickly disappeared as he stripped off his shirt. Every bit of liquid in her body shunted to her pussy.
"I think someone mentioned hot shower sex?"
"I vaguely remember something along those lines," she replied, licking her lips.
Within seconds, he had every piece of her clothing off except her thong. "Now that's what I call gettin' naked."
"You still have yours on though," she murmured.
In quick order, his jeans hit the floor along with his boxer briefs, leaving him in nothing but bare skin. He picked her up and brought her legs around his waist. Her pussy hovered over his erection as he growled low in his throat. "Damn, you are so hot, honey, you're burning me through your sexy underwear."
"I need you, Tucker," she whispered. She found the rapid beating of his heart at the base of his throat with her tongue, then nipped at the skin beneath his ear as she gloried in the rumble he released.
He walked with her wrapped around his waist into the bathroom before he flipped on the light. Her breasts brushed the muscles of his chest, tightening her nipples into achy points of arousal. Tongues stroked and licked as they kissed, deeper and deeper. She wanted to crawl inside him and never come out.
She released her legs and slid down his body to stand in front of him, but never releasing his mouth. His hands were everywhere. Fingers stroked her breasts and skimmed down her abdomen to dive between her thighs. Her moans disappeared into his mouth with each brush of his hand.
When he finally broke the kiss, he said, "Into the shower."
A quick flick of the wrist had the hot spray of the water hitting the skin of her chest. He grabbed the soap, lathered up his hands and started working the muscles of her shoulders.
"God, that feels good," she moaned as she tipped her head forward. The tight knots under his hands slowly loosened with each knead of the muscles.
"Lord, you're tight."
"I know you aren't talking about between my legs."
"Well there too, but not right now I'm not. We'll get to there in a minute."
"Such a sweet-talker you are."
She tipped her head back onto his shoulder as his hand slipped over her arm to cup her breast. Two fingers rolled her nipple, making her whimper with need. She spread her thighs as his hand moved down her belly and through the curls.
"Touch me."
He stepped away and she turned around in confusion.
"Sit on the seat there, darlin'. I'm gonna eat you up."
Once her butt hit the cold tiles, he sat on the floor of the shower and buried his face against her pussy. No preamble, no teasing, just all-out clit sucking, pussy licking, make her come so hard she saw stars—sex. After she had climaxed twice with his mouth, he turned her around, bent her over at the waist and slid into her from behind.
"Oh yeah," he growled.
She whimpered, begged, pleaded and screamed until he pounded into her hard enough, she had to brace her hand against the side of the shower stall to keep from banging her head. His balls slapped at her clit, throwing her into a spasm of need like she had never felt before in her life. The cry of her climax bounced off the tile only echoed by his roar of completion.
Raspy breathing flittered against her ear as they both fought for breath.
"Are you ready for dinner?" he asked with a chuckle.
Her answering laugh turned into a moan when he slipped from inside her. "I think I need to finish showering first."
One eyebrow cocked and a wicked grin spread over his lips.
"Only shower."
"Shit."
They quickly finished showering and dressed for a nice dinner before the awards presentation. Tonight he would receive his award for Lightning Strike and she would find out if her time was good enough to be in the money, since they hadn't stayed for the entire finish of the events. Winning didn't matter to her anymore. Their time together was coming to a close and the thought of leaving Tucker tore at her heart. If he would only say he loved her, she would throw everything to the wind—her independence, her wandering ways and her need for the open highway, but he wouldn't because he didn't love her.
They dressed quickly and went downstairs to eat. Dinner was a subdued affair. Jacie picked at her food, not really eating, but pushing it around her plate.
"What's wrong, darlin'?"
"Nothing," she replied, setting down her fork.
Tucker grasped her fingers and squeezed. "Yes there is. You haven't eaten anything."
"I'm tired is all." She sipped more of the wine he had ordered and avoided his gaze
.
"Jacie, look at me."
Her lips firmed into a straight line while she held back the three little words she couldn't say to him. Seconds later, she lifted her gaze to his.
"Tell me what's bothering you."
"It's nothing, Tucker, really. I'm just realizing this little fantasy we've created over the last couple of weeks is almost over." She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "No big deal. It makes me a little sad. That's all."
"Let's not think beyond tonight. All right? We are here to enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow we'll head for home and worry about things then." He stood and came around the table to pull out her chair. "We'll finish up with the awards tonight, spend the morning naked in bed and figure the rest out later. I've already paid for late checkout, so we can leave later in the afternoon."
The awards didn't take long at all. She won third place and got a healthy check and Tucker made the rounds of those present for the handshakes and slaps of congratulations. A few men even made arrangements with him for breeding already for the next season.
When they returned to the room, he tried everything to get her out of the funk she had gotten lost in, from trying to make her laugh, to teasing her until she couldn't stand it anymore and begged him to make love to her.
In the wee hours of the morning, she lay on his chest staring out at the flickering lights of the Vegas Strip. His slow, even breathing told her he slept, but she couldn't. Tomorrow would be the beginning of the end. Once they arrived in Littleton to pick up her trailer and meet the driver who would take over the rest of his trip to Austin, it would be over. She would make the rest of the trek home to Tennessee, alone.
"I'm sorry, Tucker," she whispered, pressing her lips to his chest so he really wouldn't hear her. "It wasn't supposed to be like this." One lone tear, slipped from her eye and down her nose. "I'll walk away because I love you."
* * * *
Morning sun streaked through the curtains on the window, dragging her from a fitful sleep. She groaned and rolled over, only to find the space next to her empty and cold.
"Tucker?"
"In here," he called. "I was about to wake you up. Breakfast is here. I figured we could eat and be on the road in a couple of hours."
Trouble With a Cowboy Page 16
