by Mia Madison
“That would be so sweet of you,” Dallyce purrs, turning her gaze full onto Rafe. I get what she's up to and it won't work.
Except it will.
I can't fucking tolerate the idea that she'll be out there alone with Rafe. Love the bastard but he's got more game than a rattlesnake and just as much bite. Having the other girl along will hardly be sufficient chaperone. I've got a sudden case of possession when it comes to Dallyce. I won't allow anyone else to handle her.
“I'll take them. This rodeo is my responsibility,” I gruff.
“But you can come along if you like,” Dallyce says in her throaty rasp. She gets up to pour herself coffee at the side table and the sight of her round ass in the tight jeans has my cock jerking around in mine.
“Modesty here was hoping to improve her experience while she's here. We've heard you guys are the best riders and the best teachers. The most experienced men.”
She turns right then and catches me checking her out good and hard.
“You got yourself a deal little lady,” Rafe burrs at the younger girl.
Dallyce's satisfied smile is directed smugly at me.
Is she for real? What's she up to with the 'teach us to ride' shit? These two are queens of the stampede with plenty of experience in the saddle. She's playing a dangerous game here and it's driving me fucking crazy, along with her incredible curves.
Thank the lord Rafe and his Modesty will be riding alongside because if I have to be out on the ranch alone with Dallyce there's no telling what might happen.
Chapter FOUR
Dallyce
I don't know what's come over me. Or rather I do and it's a tall, strapping older cowboy named Shea Butler that's making me act like an obsessed boy band fan. Yes, inside I am swooning and crying and screeching every time he's anywhere near me.
But no sooner have I maneuvered him into agreeing to take us out for a ride across the ranch than a whole bunch of other cowboys storm into the room. They raise their hats when they see Modesty and I sitting there trying not to gape, before jostling each other to get to the chow like they haven’t eaten in months.
The room swells with the succulent aroma of man flesh, a tiny tinge of barn that isn't at all unpleasant and only adds to the masculine rough vibe. They grab the food, steak and eggs with sides of beans and hash browns, plus giant mugs of coffee then seat themselves at the table. Modesty and I are surrounded by a posse of gorgeous ripped men in chaps and big buckles.
We're both used to hanging with cowboys now but these guys are like a line up from a ranch hand calendar. Everyone of them impossibly gorgeous in that rugged man working with his hands kind of way. None quite as stunning as Shea though. My eyes keep meandering back to him and every time, I unfailingly discover him looking at me from under the brim of his hat.
“You're up late this morning,” the one called Rafe says to the others, receiving a chorus of snorts in return. “Did McDools' ale do you in?”
“We got a pair of broken fences,” the handsome older guy tells him in an authoritative tone that indicates he's one of the head guys. “So if it's not too much trouble, when you two have finished dining with the ladies, you can get on out and rope the steers that escaped.”
“We'll get right on it,” Shea tells him, jumping out of his seat like he can't wait to get away.
Far away from me. It hurts a little that he doesn't want to be around me. Maybe he's not interested. Perhaps he thinks I'm too much of a little girl, like Modesty. If that's the case, he's going to be taught a lesson.
“I'm coming too,” I say, jumping up to follow him and Rafe out of the room.
“No,” he barks.
“Is that the only word you know?” I snap right back.
The cowboys seated around the table pause their chow for a moment and the big older guy raises an eyebrow then casts his glance over to Shea with a grin. Good, maybe the hunk also needs to learn that he can be in control of the wild animals all he wants but I happen to be a woman with a mind of my own.
“I want to witness some steer roping,” I insist.
“It's not a spectator sport,” Shea grits out.
“That's just it,” I say, no way I'm backing down on this. “We've been spending too much time in rodeos and exhibitions, isn't that right, Modesty?”
I turn to her and give her a raise of my brows, coercing her to squeak out a nod of agreement.
“We need to experience some real men out on the range. Observe real life cowboy in action.”
“I'm not gonna be responsible for princesses when I got work to do,” Shea gruffs.
Man he's a tough one.
“You don't have to be. We'll take care of ourselves. You coming, Modesty?”
Shea has already barged out of the room with Rafe on his heels. Modesty jumps up from the table to trail behind me. I can tell she couldn’t decide between coming out on a wild ride with me or staying behind with a room full of virility all alone. I won that toss.
Luckily we're both already dressed for riding and I happened to notice Shea checking my ass out on two separate occasion while I was standing at the buffet. He may have thought he was being surreptitious beneath the brim of his hat but he was wrong.
I still huddle close with the image of him standing in front of me wearing nothing but a cowboy hat with his birthday suit. It kept me awake with steamy thoughts half the night and when I came to at dawn, I was soaked between my legs and craving a real man to pull me into his arms and give me a good morning wake up call.
Not only is he powerful and well-endowed, I can just bet a man with his vintage pedigree knows exactly how to handle a woman. I'm more interested in learning how to be a great lover to a man, than in how to rope skittish cows. But anything that will keep me close to Shea Butler is worth trying.
He's still muttering to himself about looking after girls, as we follow him to the stables.
“Get these ladies a mount,” he calls out to one of the hands.
He himself goes into a stall and strokes his huge hand across the neck of an enormous horse. An absolutely beautiful beast, almost jet black and glossy with a long mane she tosses around in pleasure when Shea comes in. I almost feel jealous at the obvious bond between them even though I'm aware that a cowboy and his ride are inseparable. I only wish he'd trail his large fingers across the side of my neck that tenderly. I'd be tossing my hair and withing skittishly if he ever laid his hands on me.
The stable lad brings out a dappled white that he leads to Modesty. Rafe steps in to lift her up into the saddle and she clasps at his shoulder, laughing happily as he looks up at her. I've never seen Modesty so relaxed with a man. Maybe she feels safe with an older guy like Rafe, who must be somewhere around thirty, I'm guessing.
Then another boy comes out with my horse. He leans in and threads his fingers into a stirrup to give me a leg up. Shea appears like a force of nature and moves him to one side.
“I checked the buckles, she's all secure,” the guy tells him, almost affronted that Shea doesn't trust him and is checking the bridle.
“Never hurts to double check,” Shea grunts.
I wait behind him as he goes over every connection and watch his back muscles flex and ripple beneath his well-fitting shirt. He's wearing leather chaps, worn in with long time use and I'm once again mesmerized by his nice taut denim-covered ass, cupped by the hide. It's a standard protective item of clothing but I'm reminded of last night and his stunning hard buttocks strutting toward the stairs. I can't help picturing him standing here now minus the jeans, naked again but for the chaps and boots. Needless to say delicious shivers run up my legs.
“Ready?” Shea is looking at me strangely as I jolt out of my daydream.
The color flies to my face before I can get control of myself. Thank god he can't detect what I was thinking. I move over and place my hand on his shoulder, the other on the saddle and my boot in his palms. He lifts me like I weigh nothing, with barely an exertion in his huge arms and I throw my thigh a
round the animal.
As I settle my seat and let her get used to her mount, Shea stands beside me, one heavy palm on the horses neck, while the other lies casually on my thigh. The weight of his hand sends electricity rocketing up my leg straight to my core and I shudder as a series of sparking throbs run through me.
Chapter FIVE
Shea
I virtually knock young Giddings to the ground in my desperation to take care of Dallyce. I'm so possessive of her that even the idea some kid would get to feel the sole of her shod foot has me in a tailspin. It's crazy. She's not even mine and I don't dare take her as such. Totally off limits.
Then it hits me - the stable hand I'm calling a kid is around the same age as Dallyce. No wonder he's gawking at her like a wolf. He probably thinks he has a chance. And he may have. She ought to be with a guy like Giddings, a guy her age that can share the stuff she'll be into.
Hell, I don't even know what that is aside from horses and the land. And we're both into that. I know absolutely nothing else about her and boy do I want to. More than just how her hair smells and how soft her skin is in my rough old hands. More than whether she gasps or screams when my dick pushes into her sweetness. I wanna know what Dallyce dreams about when she sits in a rocker on the porch and watches the sun drop on the horizon. I wish to god it was me.
I shift Giddings and check every one of the buckles on the bridle and saddle to make sure she's secure. Dallyce isn't going to be doing any steer-roping but even so, I'm not taking any chances. The idea that some accident might hurt her is unbearable. I also get to make myself busy so that no one notices how I can't stop looking at her whenever she's close by. Her delicious little body is a magnet tugging me straight to its core.
“Let's get goin' before those steer are all the way to Arizona,” Rafe shouts over his shoulder to rustle me up.
He and Modesty are already in the saddle and walking out of the barn. Giddings has scuttled away. I'm left alone with Dallyce for the first time.
Her eyes are boring into me when I look up.
“All set?” I ask.
She moves toward me with a wobble in her step and I notice her lower lip tremble. I can't pull her into my embrace, wrap my arms around her and tell her not to be afraid. And it's all I can do not to cup her head in my palms while I suck those plump lips and delve my tongue inside her mouth like I'd like to shove it inside her pussy. She has nothing to be afraid of when I'm around. No one will get to touch so much as the sole of her boot.
Her gaze is still lodged deep in mine as she steps up into my palms. I notice the light hazel color with the green starburst forming an aureole around the pupil. I lift her onto Lightworker's back and Jesus, she weighs nothing.
I could haul her into positions all over my bed with just one hand. And hold her down while she thrashed like a wildcat. If we ever got that far, because it would be the simplest thing in the world to bend her over a hay bale and peel those tight jeans down her thighs.
I have to get this girl out of my head. It's all kinds of wrong. Aside from how much younger than me she is, there's some chaperone for these girls to ensure exactly this kind of situation never occurs.
“Is anything wrong?” she asks me so softly it sounds like a whimper.
I realize I'm still standing at her side, my hand resting on her thigh. I can feel the strength of her muscle as she lightly grips Lightworker, as well as the soft flesh just beneath the denim. My thumb is mere inches from her pussy, now spread open and so close. Close enough to touch.
I lift my eyes up to find hers, taking in the heaving of her fine tits against the buttons of her tight shirt and she's looking at me with intense need. Her little hand shifts on my shoulder up the side of my thick neck to dagger her fingers into my hair.
“Don't,” I grit out. Suddenly coming to my senses and shaking her hand off as I step away.
“Why not?” she mewls.
“Because it ain't right. I'm sixteen years older than you.”
I mount my horse Cinders. in one move, give her a squeeze and she takes off at a canter. Cinders is a powerful mare and she loves to run at a clip, especially after a day or two of walking around the ranch while I take care of business. We're moving at a gallop but within a minute Dallyce is at my side.
We've almost caught up to the other two and I prefer to keep Dallyce to myself. I rein up Cinders a little so she slows down, instantly responsive to my touch. Dallyce matches my pace and I can't help but wonder whether she'd be as well-trained and do exactly as I bid her.
“Why are you hung up on how old you are?” she demands.
“I'm not. I'm hung up on how old you are, Baby Girl.”
She pouts a little at that and shoots me a fearsome glare and I chuckle with a shake of my head. Better we try to keep this on a friendly basis. Not that I can keep the images of the dirty things I want to do to that steamy little dynamo seated proudly erect and riding at my side. How would it be to keep her there?
“Are you married?” she blurts out, jolting me out of that fantasy in a flash.
“Hell, no,” I reply.
“Ever been married?”
“Hell, no.”
“What have you got against forever?”
“Just that it lasts a dang long time.”
“Has there never been—someone?”
“What's with the tenth degree? You writing one of those blog posts or something?”
“I'm curious about you? I want to know more of the real man after seeing his physical attributes.”
I snap my gaze to hers and she's grinning like a cat with double cream.
“That was a mistake,” I bark. “One you need to forget.”
“I doubt I could ever forget something that magnificent.”
“That's enough flattery, young lady. Tell me about yourself. You always dream of being the rodeo princess?”
I can't deny I'm pleased that she admired my dick. The bastard is stirring in my pants with gleeful pride, jabbing to be let out and find its way deep inside the girl beside me.
Down boy.
It ain't never gonna happen.
“My mom entered me for the contest. It was her dream more than mine but it's been fun to travel the country. Meet new people, get some experience.”
I check her out from under my brim and discover her looking at me with the same intensity. This time I read it as lusty desire and I know I’m in deep shit if I let myself be alone with Dallyce for more than a minute. There's something about her that's driving my wood hard. Right now it could hammer enough nails to build a barn and my balls are turning all fifty shades of blue. This little filly is an intoxicating ride.
Chapter SIX
Dallyce
I kick my horse's flanks to catch up to Shea when he takes off out of the barn. I don't know this mount but I don't care. I want to show him I'm not afraid, not of a new ride or an older man.
I'm still shaking through every nerve ending from his heavy hand sitting on my upper thigh. I need more of Shea Butler and I'm positive he wants the same. He's just acting the strong silent type because of the age difference between us. Like that ever stopped the path of true lust.
He doesn't much like talking about himself and I see his jaw clench as I try to insist that years mean nothing. Asking him about a wife doesn't lighten the mood at all. And he's even resistant to my best flirting.
“Dallyce, you're a beautiful little girl, but you're too young for a guy like me. Nothing's gonna happen.”
“I'm not a little girl. And who said I want anything to happen? You really are a cocky bastard.”
He shakes his head with a wry lop-sided grin and we ride in silence after that. I can't tell if he's mad but I sure as hell am. I hate being dismissed like that. He's written me off without even getting to know me. Asking me a few questions about being a princess, like all I'm interested in is beauty pageants and his big cock.
It's only been a day and he's already ingrained in me. I've never known a man like She
a. Powerful and in control, with a great sense of humor. Not to mention the handsome gritty face and those stepped abs have never left my mind. How does he manage those ripped muscles when there isn't a gym in the vicinity?
I soon discover.
We come upon one of the escaped animals and the bull looks about as pissed as Shea. In moments Shea has his rope off his saddle and kicks up his horse to ride circles around the stomping animal. I get the feeling he's distracting the angry beast from charging at me, keeping all the fury directed at himself. He pulls out the knot in the rope then swirls it up above his head in a perfect circle before throwing it out to lasso the brute first time.
Then it's a battle of man and beast as the bull bucks and thrusts in a rage. Shea and his horse work as one, but it's the man who's in charge and although I've seen a ton of roping displays at every stampede event we've attended, there's nothing like observing a masculine animal in the wild. His gritted focus, the power exuding from his arms as he forces the bull into submission, his thick thighs gripping the big black horse as he holds her with one hand.
Every little hair on my arms stands up as goosebumps travel down with a shiver. I watch with a kind of awe as he dominates two huge animals and when he's done, the bull on the ground, my jeans are soaked right through with the juices flooding from my pulsating pussy.
We ride back to the ranch and Shea makes sure to take up the rear with Rafe. I'm left to ride with Modesty as she chatters about Rafe shooting a rattlesnake and tossing it in the sack attached to his saddle. I get the feeling Shea is doing everything to avoid me and when we arrive at the stables, I've barely dismounted, before I'm ambushed.
“There you are. You two know you aren't supposed to go out alone.”
“They were quite safe with me Ma'am,” Shea tips his hat to Nissa, our chaperone, with his usual politeness but his voice is tense. I'm sure he's not used to being ordered around by a woman.
She rounds on him about to tell him what's what and I brace myself for the tornado.
