Show-Off in Spurs (Crossroads Book 5)

by Em Petrova

  Worry flashed through Jordy’s eyes. “Will they fire you?”

  “Dunno.” More than likely, though he held his tongue. “Promise me you’ll stay right here at my truck while I talk to them. Don’t run again.”

  “I won’t.”

  Emotion surged through Theo, and he gave him another rough hug out of sheer relief. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  He found the Bellamys waiting on him. At least they’d sent the rest of the guys off to do their chores. Cort and Kaoz were talking quietly and stopped as he approached.

  Theo read questions in their gazes. Disappointment too. Above all, the Bellamys expected loyalty and honesty from their workers, and Theo failed in both senses.

  “Well, we’ve been speculating about how you know that kid who’s been stowing away on our ranch, but why don’t you tell us the story,” Cort said.

  Theo hitched his thumbs in his belt and faced his bosses, prepared for all the heat. “The kid’s a runaway. He showed up a couple months ago. I gave him food and a blanket. After a few days, I saw he didn’t have any place to go, so I kept providing for him. It’s true I kept him hidden away. First in the hay shed.”

  “The one that burned?” Kaoz’s eyes registered understanding.

  Theo gave a single nod. “It was his doin’. He stole some cigars off Max and set the fire accidentally.”

  “Jesus, Theo. You took the blame for that. Hell—you insisted on paying for the lumber to rebuild!” Disbelief washed across Cort’s features.

  “How could I not? Jordy was my responsibility.” He could stop now and keep the rest of the boy’s errors to himself, but he’d kept his employers in the dark long enough. He went on to tell them about the flooded field as well as the bull’s injuries sustained after Jordy made it give chase.

  Kaoz pulled off his cowboy hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t believe you took the heat for the field too. And hell, you even offered to pay the vet bill for the bull.”

  “I still plan to. I need to come up with the cash.”

  “Where’s this kid from? What’s his story?” Cort asked.

  “I’ll tell you what I know, which isn’t much.” After the brief tale, he added, “I went to see the lawyer about getting custody myself. I planned to find my own place. But then Sadie found out about Jordy and insisted he stay with her.”

  “Sadie? Holy hell, she knew too?” Cort asked.

  “She hasn’t known for very long. Jordy’s been staying with her the past week or so…until today. Something happened and he ran.”

  “What happened?” Kaoz and Cort traded a glance that Theo couldn’t read. He never knew either man to be an asshole. They were easygoing and the best bosses he could ever ask for.

  “Jordy tried to replace some bulbs in the schoolhouse lights for Sadie. Those ceilings are high. I guess he fell off the ladder or it tipped and when he came crashing down, he broke her table as well as her laptop computer. So he ran away again, and she’s gotta be frantic by now. I need to call her.”

  “In just a second.” Cort held up a hand, and Theo prepared for the worst. “I owe you an apology.”

  Theo blinked in shock.

  “I mistook the things that happened around here for your lack of desire to be here. I know your character, Theo, and it didn’t match up with what we’ve been seeing. Now it all makes sense. And well…I realize what an asshole I am for not outright asking you about it.”

  Theo gave a shake of his head. “I wouldn’t have told you about Jordy then. It’s time now.”

  “I’m sorry for believing your work ethics changed. I knew better. Your morals too—you’re the best damn man I know, Sutton.”

  His intake of air held in his chest, and he fought to keep his emotions at bay. His boss’s—friend’s—words stirred him. “I appreciate it,” he mumbled. “But I still owe you for all the vet fees and the spray we treated the field with too.”

  “You took on responsibility for a runaway singlehandedly, and that’s damn noble. The least the ranch can do in return is pay those bills,” Kaoz spoke up for the first time since Theo began talking.

  Theo started to shake his head, but Kaoz clapped him on the shoulder.

  “We insist,” Cort added.

  Theo pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off an emotional display. Once he mastered himself, he met their gazes. “Maybe you’ll listen to my request then.”

  “We’re listenin’,” Cort said.

  “I don’t think Jordy will agree to go back to Sadie’s. He’s like putting an unbroken horse into a cathedral. He’s bound to break somethin’. What he needs is to be trained to do work. Maybe you’ll let me keep him here, train him up in return for his keep.”

  Cort chuckled. “As long as he sleeps in the bunkhouse with the rest of you guys. No more hidin’ out in sheds.”

  Theo’s lips tugged at the corners. “Deal.”

  “But he can’t stay here forever. He’s young—he should be in school.”

  “I know that too. I’m workin’ on getting him to a place where he feels comfortable. He can’t go into the system.” Theo’s voice took on a rough edge of conviction. If he had to buy some books and school the boy himself, he would.

  “Keep us in the loop about everything from now on, Theo.” Cort extended a hand, and Theo gripped it hard, pulling him in for a man-hug in the process.

  “I can’t thank you guys enough.”

  “I’d say get back to work, but I think you better call Sadie first,” Cort said with a grin. “You know women.”

  He grinned. “Yeah. I do.” He knew Sadie, and she was the only woman he needed to know.

  Chapter Eleven

  “It feels weird without Jordy in the loft.” Sadie reached across the short expanse of mattress between her and her lover and gripped his hand.

  Theo turned a smile on her and threaded his fingers with hers. She smiled in return and twisted to lie on one hip in order to see more of him.

  The perspiration was drying on his body after they both collapsed following a blazing display of passion. When he walked into the schoolhouse, his gaze riveted on her, she knew the dinner she’d made for them would go uneaten, at least until they were satiated.

  After he tore her top and bra off and sucked her nipples until she was a gasping, shaking mess, he whipped her jeans and undies down to bury his head between her thighs and suck her pussy.

  Not only her clit. Oh no, Theo didn’t do sex halfway. In fact, she had learned he didn’t do anything by halves. When he chose to make her come, he made certain her screams of ecstasy bounced off the ceiling.

  Marveling at the man, she smoothed her thumb over his. He flipped onto his side, facing her. She saw the question in his eyes and waited, but it never came. He continued to drink her in but said nothing.

  “Theo,” she said softly after she thought she’d go crazy waiting. “What is it?”

  “I’ve been thinking about your computer. If the tech can’t save the information off your hard drive…I’d like to pay for a website designer for you. I know you lost way more than the website, but—”

  She pulled her hand free of his hold and pressed her fingertips to his lips to silence him. “You don’t need to do that, Theo. If the hard drive can’t be saved—” and she hadn’t told him this, but the tech mentioned that corner of the computer sustained damage and his efforts might fail, “—then I will only be delaying my business another few weeks, tops.”

  He took her hand and pulled it away from his lips. Crushing her fingers in his warm grip, he searched her eyes. “You’re the most amazing woman. Anything I can do to help with the business, I’m your guy.”

  Her lips parted, the love words she’d been longing to say laying on her tongue. But when it came down to it, jumping feet first into loving another man who worked in a risky business stopped her.

  He searched her features as if knowing what she kept from him. How to move past this terror that she could lose him too? The minute she con
fessed to the big L word, she would bind herself to Theo. Then backing away would hurt them both so much.

  As if walking away after weeks of fabulous, toe-curling sex and him being her best friend wouldn’t be enough to overcome.

  She did care about him—so much. He deserved to know how much.

  Leaning close, she nuzzled his nose with her own and pitched her voice low. “What do you think about shower sex?”

  “Mmm. Since the kitchen table’s out…”

  She giggled. Then she jumped out of bed and sashayed across the bedroom. Swinging her hips was easy when her thighs were slippery from the juices of her release.

  At the door to the small and efficient master bathroom, she tossed him a look over her shoulder and crooked a finger at him.

  A growl escaped his throat. In two seconds he caught up to her, yanked her off her feet and carried her the few steps to the shower. She stepped around the glass partition of the open unit, switched on the water and yanked Theo under the spray with her.

  He cupped her face and kissed her. His tongue toyed with hers in lazy strokes that grew in intensity as both their libidos ramped up.

  She tore away. Flashing her eyes at him, she dropped to her knees. As she circled his thick length with her hand, she drew the plump head between her lips. She jacked him slowly with her hand while sucking his inches into her mouth.

  He threw his head back on a groan. The pressure of his fingers on her scalp as he pulled her down on his cock ignited a fire inside her. Need pinched her nipples. Warm water rushed over her shoulders and down her spine. Closing her eyes, she dragged his erection in and out to the music of his rough pants and rasps.

  When he issued a growl, she braced herself for what came next. She popped her eyes open at the same moment he grabbed her by the shoulders and drew her to her feet. Their gazes barely met before he sank to his knees before her, parted her thighs and reached between them.

  Two long, callused fingers danced over her slick pussy, from dripping entry to clit and back again. He sank his fingers deep, and she cried out. Locking a hand on his shoulder to keep her balance, she lost herself to the feel of his digits gliding through her aching walls.

  A louder cry burst from her as he added his tongue to her clit. He fucked his fingers in and out, curving them to work her G-spot while his magical lips and tongue had her clit bursting. She came too fast, rocking her hips to the beat of his movements and the waves of her release.

  A growl sounded in his throat, and it was her turn to pull him to his feet. She kissed him with all the need and passion inside her.

  Twisting to the shower wall, she arched her spine in invitation.

  “I don’t have a condom,” he ground out through clenched jaw. His jaw tendons bunched.

  “I think we’re beyond that. I trust you, Theo.”

  “Hell, sweetheart.” He angled his cock head toward her center. As he fed her the length, her inner walls throbbed around him. He went dead still, breathing hard against the side of her neck. She knew he gathered all the control in hand before he went on.

  She took over, grinding her pussy on him.

  Digging his hands into her hips, he brought her up and onto his thick cock. The head bumped her innermost spot, and they shared a moan. Again and again, he rocked, and she ground to take all of him. The wet sounds of water splashing over them and his cock moving through her walls filled the air.

  Her mind blanked and her lungs emptied of air. Her pussy gave a hard pulse, and he stiffened. They both froze for a drumming heartbeat—then he pounded into her as she rocked against him for more.

  The release burned up her throat and stars flashed behind her eyes. The heat of his cum filled her, and his roar echoed on the walls.

  As she came down from her high, she felt his lips moving across her shoulder to her neck.

  His gritty tone filled her ear. “Even if you don’t love me yet, Sadie, you will. I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes.”

  * * * * *

  “Jordy, I’ve got somethin’ to talk to you about.”

  The boy raised his head from the tack he’d been tasked to polish. He’d been at it for hours, giving it his all, and the leather had never been so supple when he laid aside the bridle.

  “Sure,” he said.

  Theo tipped his jaw to indicate they should walk away from the barn where they could be overheard. Walking out into the pasture, now clear and dry and harm-free, Theo considered a few ways to word what he had to say.

  I don’t want to get rid of you, but…

  I found one of your relatives…

  He stepped up to the fence and leaned his elbows on the top rail. Jordy did the same. When Theo glanced at him, he saw a nearly mirror image of his pose. He caught the kid doing that a lot—mimicking his actions and mannerisms. He didn’t know if that helped ease the sting of what he had to say or ripped his heart out more.

  “Go ahead and say it,” Jordy said with a note of resignation. “When you go quiet, it’s never good.”

  He huffed out a noise. “I’m sorry if it seems that way. If I go quiet, it’s because I’m thinking through a problem.”

  “Did I do something wrong?” Jordy had gained a lot of confidence over the past few weeks busting his butt and living among the ranch hands. But he looked very young at the moment.

  Theo nudged his elbow with his own. “No. All good. But I’ll come out and say it—I’ve been working with the attorney in town to find some of your relatives.”

  He froze. Looking like a cornered cat, he glanced around as if searching for escape. “I told ya I don’t want to go with my family.”

  “Nobody’s forcing you. You can stay right here—if you choose. We’ll need to find another way to get you an education. But I think you should at least hear what I have to say.”

  After a hesitation, Jordy nodded. Again, he saw his own gruff nod imitated by the boy, and his heart gave a hard squeeze.

  “We found your grandparents on your father’s side.”

  His expression didn’t change.

  “They said they didn’t know where you were—your mother took you away years ago, and they lost touch. They tried a few times to find you, but the searches ended with no leads.”

  “They…looked for me?”

  “That’s right. Jordy…they want you to come live with them.”

  He stared straight ahead for a moment, wind ruffling his blond hair that was growing long again since Sadie’s haircut. Suddenly, he bowed his head low. “I don’t know how I feel about that,” he murmured.

  He reached out and gripped the boy’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t either. But let me tell you a bit about them first. They live outside of Crossroads in the next county.”

  Jordy picked up his head.

  “They’re retired, but your grandpa has his own woodworking shop.”

  A spark lit in his eyes. “Really?”

  “Yep. He keeps the shop as a side business. He likes to tinker, according to your grandma.”

  “Think it’s hereditary? Me liking to work with wood too?” While on the Bellamy, Theo and the other guys had given Jordy several tasks involving building.

  “It’s possible. But it sounds as if they have a lot to teach you. And you can attend school.”

  Jordy’s happy expression faded, and he rubbed at his eyes. “What about you and Sadie?”

  “We’ll visit you.”

  “No, you won’t. You’ll dump me off and never see me again.”

  “Hey.” He tightened his hold on Jordy’s bony shoulder. “Remember who’s been here for you? We’re tight, you and I. That won’t change even if you’re in the next county. And you can come here too—stay weekends. We’ll put ya to work.” He grinned.

  A reluctant smile appeared on Jordy’s face as well. “I’d like to go back to Sadie’s house too. I feel bad about leaving.”

  “You’re welcome to stay there—she’s said so. What do you think about this new change in your life? Are you up for givin�
� it a shot?”

  He eyed Theo. “I never have to go back to my mother and her boyfriends?”

  He shook his head. “Your grandparents have already started the paperwork to gain custody.”

  “I don’t know them, though. Won’t it be weird to go off and live with strangers?”

  “Blood’s blood. They love you already. But think of this—you and I were strangers only a few months ago.” He choked on the lump that lodged in his throat the minute he started talking.

  This time, Jordy reached out and grasped his shoulder. “We’re tight, you and I.”

  He nodded. “Always will be.” He held out a fist, and Jordy bumped his knuckles against it. Unable to stop himself, Theo ruffled his blond hair. “Why don’t you think on it a day or two and let me know what you decide?”

  He dragged in a deep breath. “I don’t need to think on it—I’ll go with them.”

  Theo already felt the burn of the loss. He smiled through the pain. “Good choice. What do you say about Sadie and I driving you there?”

  He nodded. “I’d like that.”

  * * * * *

  Sadie gave a loud sniff from the passenger seat.

  “You still cryin’?” he teased, tossing her another tissue retrieved from the console. “There’s ten miles between us and Jordy now.”

  She shot him an are-you-kidding look, saw his smile and wadded the tissue in her fist to dab at her nose. “Well, you were sniffling up until a couple miles ago.”

  “That’s true.” It’d been a wrench to let Jordy go. But they did it with his best interests in mind and a lot of promises for weekend visits, birthday parties and holiday invitations to dinner with his grandparents.

  “I feel good about it, though. Don’t you?” She angled in the seat to look at him.

  “I do. It’s best for him.”

  “Yes.”

  Silence pervaded the vehicle, and he felt the need to fill it. Switching on the radio to his favorite country music station had him humming. When he started to sing along, she stared at his profile.

  “What?” He glanced away from the road. “Am I awful?”

  “On the contrary. You’re a great singer.”