by SJ McCoy
She got up and went downstairs to make coffee. Even aside from what she knew she and Shane would be doing, she was looking forward to going camping. She’d been thinking for a while that she needed to get out and explore. She hadn’t known where to start by herself though. Now she would have a guide, a very hot and horny for her guide thrown in! She shook her head; it had been a long time. Maybe that was why Shane got to her so much? He was hot, and she hadn’t had sex in way too long. That was all.
She took her coffee to sit out on the deck. It was still chilly, but she loved to sit out here. Her robe was thick; it’d keep her warm. She listened to the morning sounds—the river burbling by, the birds waking, chirping their greeting to a new day. She tensed as she heard something moving in the shrubbery. She went to lean on the railing to see if she could spot what it was. It sounded big enough to be a bear, but surely it couldn’t get to her up here? She could see the bushes moving. What on earth was it? She heard another sound and then a chuckle. Shane popped out onto the walkway.
She had to laugh. “What the hell are you doing?”
He grinned up at her. “I didn’t know if you were awake yet.”
“So you went crawling around in the bushes?”
He laughed, “I was going to try to surprise you. Show you that you never know what might be lurking out here.” He made his way to the stairs and came up, holding her gaze the whole way. When he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her and held her against him. If anything his hard-on felt even more impressive than it had last night. He looked down at her. “Or what they might do to you.”
She reached her arms up around his neck and rubbed herself against him. “You’d better come in then, and show me.” She took his hand and led him into her bedroom. She couldn’t have asked for better than this. Her bed was still warm and now she had Shane in it! She stopped in front of it and unfastened her robe, letting it slide from her shoulders and fall to the floor. She loved the look on his face as he watched, the way he smiled as he looked at her naked body. He pulled his own shirt up and off over his head before pulling her to him. She reached up and buried her fingers in his hair, pulling his head down to kiss her as she pressed her breasts against his hard chest. As he tongue explored her mouth he walked her backwards until her legs hit the bed and she lay back. He smiled as he unbuckled his jeans and pushed them down. He was naked underneath. She’d seen him naked before, in the gallery the other night, but that hadn’t prepared her for how he looked now—fully erect, his cock standing proud. She licked her lips and went to sit up, reaching to touch him. He surprised her by putting a hand to her shoulder, pushing her back down. He dropped to his knees with a smile.
“I’ve wanted to taste you since the first time I saw you.”
She gasped as he spread her thighs, pinning them to the bed with his big hands. She squirmed to get away, but he held her firm, his face hovering above her.
“Let me taste you.” He lowered his head, holding her gaze as he breathed her in. “So sweet,” he murmured.
Her hands came down to tangle in his hair as he dipped his head and flicked her clit with his tongue. She yelped as he took it between his lips and sucked. Oh, God. He was going to make her come in no time if he kept that up. He trailed his tongue slowly down over her, then back up. She moaned as he thrust it inside making her buck underneath him. It felt so good, but she didn’t want to come like this. She felt too vulnerable. She sat up, and as he looked up at her in surprise, she closed her fingers around him and began to work her hand up and down the length of him. She smiled as he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. She pulled him down onto the bed beside her and nibbled her way down over his abs. She knelt on the floor, reversing their positions as she spread his muscular thighs and held them open. She trailed her tongue up and down the length of him, loving the way his thighs quivered under her touch. She opened her mouth and breathed on him, making his cock twitch, eager to be inside the source of the hot wet air. She closed her lips around him and sucked, then bobbed her head to take him deep. He caught a fistful of her hair, and just as she tensed, thinking he was about to control her, move her mouth as he wanted, he pulled her head back. She looked up at him, his breath was coming hard. He shook his head.
“I won’t last.” He worked his way up the bed and lay back against the pillows. She crawled after him, dipping her head to flick him with her tongue one more time.
“Cassidy!” He grasped her shoulders and pulled her up face-to-face with him. “Don’t tease. Fuck me! Please!”
She smiled and sat back on her heels, looking down at his cock throbbing between her legs. “Oh, okay then. If you insist.” She cupped her breasts in her hands, loving the dazed look on his face as he watched, his hips moving rhythmically underneath her. She didn’t get time to torment him for long. He grasped her hips, lifting her slightly, making her gasp at the way his hot head pushed at her. Her fingers involuntarily tightened around her nipples, heightening the pleasure as he thrust up deep and hard at the same time he pulled her down to receive him.
“Oh, God!” he cried as he buried himself to the hilt. “Ride me.”
It was like riding a bucking bronco. His hips thrust wildly, stretching her, filling her. She didn’t fear falling though as he gripped her hips tight. She continued to caress her breasts, rolling her nipples between her finger and thumb as Shane watched transfixed. He slowed his thrusting and moved back until he was sitting up against the pillows. He brought his knees up behind her, making her lean forward to grasp the headboard. The feel of his warm breath where moments before her fingers had been squeezing made her moan and thrust her own hips to take him deeper. He filled his hands with her breasts, bringing them to his mouth so he could lick and nip. She moved desperately over him, her inner muscles clenching around him tighter each time he closed his lips around her nipple. He latched on and sucked hard as he grabbed her hips again and pounded into her relentlessly. Each thrust took her closer to the edge. All she could do was cling to the headboard for dear life as he grew bigger and harder, hurtling them both toward release. She screamed as her orgasm took her, his voice joining hers as he tensed. Wave after wave of pleasure went crashing through her, as they bodies heaved together. Shane clung to her, filling her over and over as he gasped his way through his climax. Eventually she collapsed onto his chest, still panting.
His arms came up around her and instead of trying to wriggle away, she nuzzled into his neck, once again loving the feeling of being all wrapped up in him. It was such a strange reaction for her. She didn’t have the energy to question it though, her brain was too fuzzy right now. Eventually she rolled off him. He turned to face her, his usual grin replaced by a very genuine smile.
“Wow!”
She smiled back. “Wow yourself.”
He laughed. “I knew I was that good; I just wasn’t so sure about you.”
“Ditto!”
“I think there’s room for improvement though.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “I think if we practice hard and often, we can take great to even greater. What do you say? Think we should try?”
She laughed. “I could be persuaded.”
He propped himself up on his elbow and smiled down at her. “Hmm, and what will it take to persuade you?”
“It’d be no fun if I tell you. I’d rather see you running around trying to figure it out.”
“I’ll bet you would. Tell you what, how about we start out in the shower? We need to get going if we’re going to get to camp by nightfall, and maybe I can do a spot of persuading while we’re in there.”
She got up from the bed and held her hand out to him. “That works for me.”
~ ~ ~
Shane grinned as he came around and opened the truck door for her. She didn’t get down immediately, but sat there eyeing the three horses, two saddled, one packed.
She looked down at him. “You’re kidding me, right?”
He shook his head. “I’m deadly serious
. You said you wanted to learn what it’s like out there, this is how you learn.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of sitting in a truck with binoculars.”
He laughed. “That’s what tourists do. You’re not a tourist. You live here.” He had to smile at the little crease that formed between her brows. For the first time since he’d known her she looked unsure of herself. He liked it, but he knew he’d better not push it. “Seriously, I do this all the time.” He waved his arm out over the lodge and the cabins, the horses grazing and minibuses waiting to take ranch guests down to Yellowstone for the day. “People come from far and wide and pay good money to get the opportunity to ride out and camp in the backcountry. I know what I’m doing. You’re safe with me.”
She looked into eyes and smiled. “I’m out of my element, uncomfortable I guess, that’s all.”
“I know, but you’re going to love it.” He held out a hand to her and she jumped down. “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone, Princess. Come live a little.”
She laughed and waited while he pulled their bags from the back of the truck. He’d taken an extra bag with him when he went back to her place this morning. After they were done in the shower—an experience he intended to repeat as soon as possible—he’d supervised her packing, laughing and offering her the spare backpack when she’d pulled out a small suitcase with a questioning look.
He carried the packs over and strapped them to the third horse who turned to give him a gentle head-butt. Shane laughed and rubbed his ears. “Hey, Teddy. How you doin’, old fella? Meet Cassidy.” He beckoned to her and she came a little closer. Teddy nuzzled her hand, and Shane was relieved to see her smile and rub his nose.
“Nice to meet you, Teddy.”
Shane smiled. “Teddy’s a good friend. He’ll be carrying our stuff.” He turned to the two saddled horses. “This,” he pointed at the gray mare, “is Lady.” He patted her neck. “She’s a sweetheart.” He led Cassidy over to the third horse, a dun gelding who watched them patiently. “And this guy is Cookie, your mount for the weekend.”
Cassidy approached him cautiously. “Hi, Cookie.”
Shane couldn’t resist. “Cookie is a lover. Give her a kiss, boy.” He laughed at the look on Cassidy’s face as Cookie sniffed her cheek ever so gently and then moved his lips against hers.
She reached up and patted his cheek then turned to Shane. “Let me guess, he’s yours?”
Shane nodded. “He’s my boy. We grew up together. How can you tell?”
“Because he’s a charmer.” She laughed. “He kisses like you do, too.”
Shane feigned a hurt look. “You’re saying I kiss like a horse?”
“No! I’m saying he’s good at it. Take a compliment would you!”
“Well excuse me. That’s the first compliment you’ve ever given me. You can’t blame me that I didn’t recognize it.”
She laughed. “I’ll give you that.” She looked up at Cookie again. “He’s so big.”
“That’s another thing we have in common.” Shane winked, “Now, if you’re saying he’s hung like me—that I will take as a compliment!”
Cassidy slapped his arm. “Get over yourself!”
“Okay, sorry. He’s tall, like me.” He held her gaze. “He’s also very good-natured and kind. He knows what he’s doing. You’re riding him because he’ll take very, very good care of you.”
She stared back into his eyes. “Are you still talking about Cookie?”
Shane didn’t reply. He was talking about himself, and the words surprised him. He felt incredibly protective toward her and pretty dumb about it at the same time. She’d hate it if she knew what he was feeling. She was Miss Independence—and that was what attracted him to her—but damn if she didn’t bring out all his male instincts to protect the little lady! He shrugged and decided to turn it around on her. “You decide.”
He loved the shadow of a smile that crossed her face. Maybe he was bringing out her female instincts? Maybe she liked the idea of having a guy look out for her? And maybe he was kidding himself!
“We’d better get going. I want to take it easy to start with, give you chance to get used to being in the saddle before we pick it up.”
She looked wary as she eyed Cookie again. “And just how am I supposed to get up there?”
Shane untethered him and started to lead him across the yard to the mounting block. We have beginners use this. He had to bite back a smirk at the stubborn set of her chin.
“If I’m going to do this, I need to learn to do it properly. Show me. You get on him, and then I’ll do what you do.”
“Whatever you say.” He brought Cookie to a halt. “You do it like this. Hold the reigns and a handful of his mane in this hand—make sure you’re not pulling on him though. Then one foot in the stirrup.” He brought his foot up and swung his other leg over to sit. He smiled down at her. Cookie was a big boy, but so was Shane, it was easy for him. Cassidy was much shorter, he hoped she’d manage it. He swung his leg back over and dismounted. “Do you want to try?”
She nodded, a determined look on her face. Shane handed her the reins and waited. He loved that she took a moment to talk to Cookie first.
“Okay, Mister. He says you’re kind, so please be kind to me? If I mess it up, I’m sorry, okay?”
Shane had to laugh at her expression when Cookie nodded his head and then sniffed her cheek.
She looked at Shane. “He really gets it, doesn’t he?”
“He sure does. Told you he’s a smart guy.”
“Okay, I can do this.” She held the reins and grasped the front of the saddle as she brought her foot up to the stirrup. She looked thrilled as she swung her leg up and over and landed lightly in the saddle. “I did it! Did I do it right?”
Shane smiled. “You did great. Just one question. Why did you hold the saddle instead of his mane?”
“You noticed?” She hung her head. “I didn’t want to hurt him.”
Shane could have kissed her for that. So many beginners yanked on the horse’s mane in an attempt to scramble onto their back. Cassidy was already thinking about the animal ahead of herself. “Don’t worry. You won’t hurt him. The reason we don’t hold the saddle when we mount is that if the cinch isn’t tight enough you could pull the whole thing down and land yourself on your ass in the dirt and your horse with a saddle under his belly.”
“Oh. Sorry.” She looked so crestfallen he felt bad,
“No need to be. You did great. And it wasn’t a concern this time. I just wanted you to know why I asked you to do it that way.”
She nodded. “Thank you.” She did that lip chewing thing that was so cute. “I’m afraid I tend to like to think I know better.”
Wow, that was an admission and a half coming from her. “And I’m sure in a lot of cases you do. But this weekend, I’m going to need you to trust me. If I tell you to do something a certain way, there’s a reason. I’ll explain it if I can—if there’s time—but if there’s any danger, I need you to do as I say, as fast I say.”
“Okay.”
“I’m not trying to be an asshole, Cassidy. I…”
She shook her head rapidly. “I was thinking that I was being an asshole.” She gave him meek smile, it was so unlike her it was almost comical. “I’ll do whatever you say.”
He winked at her. “Anything at all?”
She narrowed her eyes at him, but she was laughing. “No! If I’m going to give you my trust in the things that matter, you can’t abuse it in the things that don’t.”
“Fair point.” Joking aside, she was right. “Let’s get this show on the road then.”
Once he’d made sure she was all set and comfortable on Cookie, he mounted Lady and brought Teddy around. “Are we set?”
She nodded eagerly. “I think I’m going to enjoy this.”
Shane smiled. He knew he was.
Chapter Eleven
Cassidy was enjoying herself. She sat by the fire watching Shane tend to the
horses. On the ride up here both he and Cookie had been everything he’d said they were—kind, good-natured and they’d taken very good care of her. When they’d arrived at the barn this morning she’d wanted to back out. She didn’t like to be outside of her comfort zone. At least not anymore. She pondered that. She used to thrive in a new environment, rise to any challenge, what had changed? She realized that she’d gotten used to feeling accomplished. She excelled at her work, she managed social situations well—even though she didn’t enjoy them. She’d set up a safe, if small, world and was used to being queen bee within it.
Coming on this camping trip with Shane put her in a very different situation. She was out of her depth, a clueless novice about everything she was experiencing, and yet she was loving every moment of it. She sighed, admitting to herself that it was all down to him. He was a great teacher—patient open to all her questions. More than that though, he seemed to understand her. He could see that she was uncomfortable being the follower rather than the leader, and he was doing his best to set her at ease.
He returned to the fire and sat down beside her with a grin. “How are you doing, Princess?”
She scowled at him. “I wish you wouldn’t call me that.”
He looked genuinely surprised. “I mean it in the nicest possible way.”
She laughed. “Yeah right. Every time you say it I think you’re calling me a stuck-up drama queen!”
“Hell no! I guess it all depends on how you think a princess behaves though, doesn’t it?”
She nodded. “To me they’re stuck-up drama queens in pretty pink dresses who’d cry over a broken nail. That’s not who I am, and I don’t want you to think of me like that.”
