Trust The Devil (The Devil's Riders Book 3)

by Joanna Blake

  He asked if I would let him in my bed every night and I said yes.

  He asked if I would be a good girl and do every damn thing he said, in and out of the ring from now on.

  Lord help me, I said yes.

  "That's just what I wanted to hear."

  I moaned as both his hands finally slid between my thighs. One thick finger pressed inside me while the other circled on my clit. For all his talk of quickies, he seemed to be in no hurry. I was already so sensitive, and his touch was so light, that I felt like one big nerve ending.

  I felt like I was going to lose my mind if he didn't fuck me.

  "Please Clint…"

  "Hmmm it's a long drive to the hotel. Maybe I should just let you stew… wonder how good it would be by the time we got upstairs?"

  "No! Please, no! You promised!"

  "I did? It seems to me you were the one making all the promises…"

  He kissed my ear and his fingers moved a little faster. He slipped a second finger inside me and I circled myself on it eagerly. He pinched my nipples and ran his tongue over my neck. I wanted more though- I wanted-

  "Ahhhhhh!"

  I came the moment his finger brushed my clit, thrashing on his lap. Being exposed like this, while he was dressed, coming all alone, while he was already finished… It felt so illicit.

  So dirty.

  So good.

  I was smiling sleepily as Clint carried me to the car, buckling me into the passenger seat like a child. He even draped a blanket over me. Some of the fellas helped him hook up Apollo's trailer while I dozed.

  He loaded some drinks and ice into the cooler in the backseat and got in. He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead and started the engine.

  I snuggled onto my side, feeling safe and warm and protected. Everything was going to be just fine. Tonight, I'd sleep in his arms. I would make Clint proud tomorrow.

  Tomorrow, was my first competitive ride of the year.

  Clint

  I reached out to touch her for the hundredth time, careful to keep my eyes on the road. I tilted the rear view mirror to take a peak at sleeping beauty. Pheonyx was dozing beside me, her breath rising and falling gently. With her red hair spread out and her rosy cheeks and pink lips, she looked like an angel.

  My angel, dammit.

  I could hardly believe she was real.

  I was happier than I could ever remember being in my life. But I was also more terrified. Now that she was mine, I had to make sure to keep her safe. And make sure she didn't change her mind about wanting me. Ever.

  Hell, I needed to tie her ass down.

  I grit my teeth. I'd never been the marrying kind, and now all I could think about was Phee in a white dress, Phee in my bed, Phee holding my baby.

  My stomach clenched. I wanted this to stick. But Pheonyx was so young. I was ten years her senior. I had no idea if she'd wake up one day and start calling me a dirty old man. No idea if she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

  I had one advantage though. I grinned.

  Well, three.

  My hands, my mouth and my cock.

  Oh yes, Phee seemed to like those things about me just fine. I'd just have to keep her satisfied- or unsatisfied- depending on how ornery she was being. She'd stick around for sure if I was playing her fiddle right.

  And I was a damn fine fiddle player.

  Maybe I wouldn't ask for the girl's hand in marriage. Maybe I'd just tell her while in the throes of passion. That was a good idea… She might argue when we were talking horses, but when we were in bed, she was much more compliant.

  I'd wait until she was screaming my name and then I'd just let her know I was making this permanent. I'd make no bones about it. When a man and a woman meshed together as well as we did, there was no other course of action. It was right as rain. There was no need for discussion.

  She'd just smile and sigh and kiss me, wrapping those long, gorgeous legs of hers around me.

  It would be easy. She'd say yes, more or less. And we'd get hitched.

  Then I could have my own little wildcat in my bed, each and every night.

  There was only one little problem with that plan… The one issue I'd been trying to avoid thinking about too much. Three of 'em actually.

  Her cousins. I knew the Delanceys had taken Phee under their wings when her daddy died. So she had three protectors. Four, if you counted JJ.

  And now she had me.

  I was more than a little afraid they would object to a cowboy laying claim to their innocent little cousin.

  I drove into the sunset, deciding that they'd just have to deal with it. We were nearly to the hotel and I had other things to worry about. Like how to get as much love making in before Phee's curfew.

  She'd been so wild in the tack room… I'd never seen or heard a woman with that much passion. And it was all for me.

  I swore then and there that I'd do anything to make sure I got to keep her.

  This little ginger kitty cat was mine.

  Pheonyx

  I stretched, warming up in the tent they set up for competitors. 'The Talent Tent' it was informally called. Clint was with Apollo, checking my gear for the hundredth time. The man was obesessed with my safety. And my happiness.

  I knew he was doing it because he cared.

  He'd shown me over and over again with his lips and hands and manhood. I blushed a little, glad no one could hear my thoughts. He had such amazing equipment… and it seemed to be hard all the time!

  He said that it was because of me.

  Last night he'd fed me dinner while I sat in his lap. He'd brought me breakfast in bed. And I'd spent the night curled up in his arms.

  Well, after we'd made love on the bed, the chair, the couch and in the shower.

  I was still smiling as I walked over to meet him. I wasn't competing for another hour. It seemed silly but I wanted to be near him, as much as I could.

  He lit up when he saw me, grinning as I walked towards him. The frank male appreciation in his eyes nearly knocked me over. He did care for me- and more than a little. I didn't have a doubt in my mind.

  Well, except for the L world. I couldn't seem to stop worrying about that. He hadn't said it, but I was on the brink of blurting it out.

  I'd nearly said it last night. But my mama had told me never to say it first. Not that it had ever been an issue before now.

  But I was more than sure I was falling in love with Clint McRae.

  My stomach did a little flip. What if I was just a passing thing for him? What if I was reading all this wrong? He might think he was too old for me.

  He'd even said so, in PJ's bar back home.

  I was frowning by the time I made it to the waiting pen where Apollo was tethered. I don't know if Clint noticed, because something even more worrisome showed up right at that moment.

  My cousins.

  Two of them were descending on us. Jackson, the eldest and Daniel, the middle brother. Jake was off somewhere, God knew where.

  Well, actually I knew where, because he called me once a week. But I knew that nobody else in the family had the slightest idea. And I was good at keeping secrets if need be.

  "Phee!"

  Daniel swept me up in his arms and lifted me, tossing me in the air. I squealed, my braid flying around like a rope. My hat had a little elastic band that fit under my chin, so thankfully that stayed put.

  "Daniel!!!"

  "Put her down, Daniel."

  I was laughing nervously as he set me on my feet in front Jackson. The biggest Delancey was frowning down at me, looking me over.

  "You look… different."

  I smiled at him. The oldest Delancey was stern, but secretly a big ole Teddy bear. He had a nose for figuring out secrets though, so I poked his chest to distract him.

  "You haven't seen me since last Christmas! Of course, I look different!"

  He shook his head slowly.

  "No, that's not it." He sighed as if I'd done something naughty. Well, I had, but it was bet
ter if he didn't know what Clint and I had been up to! "Who gave you permission to grow up?"

  Jackson smiled and opened his arms. I was enfolded in a gigantic man hug. I squeezed him back, though he was so big it wasn't easy!

  I realized Clint was standing there. I better get this over with… I did my best to act natural as I smiled at him apologetically.

  "Clint, these are my cousins."

  Clint nodded, looking at them warily. Daniel slapped him on the back and I winced. I was suddenly glad we'd decided against PDA. If they had seen us kissing or holding hands… that friendly slap would have been a punch.

  I shuddered.

  Our little fling had to stay secret. Until it was more official, if that ever happened. I prayed it would. I was pretty sure Clint wanted me to be his girlfriend, but he hadn't asked yet.

  "Jackson Delancey. This is Daniel."

  "Clint McRae. I've seen you two around."

  I stared in horror as they gripped each other's hand- and did not let go. It looked like they were trying to squeeze each others hands off! I put my hands on top and tugged to no avail. Finally, I slapped my hands down on them.

  "Alright, that's enough, boys."

  They both grinned and squeezed harder.

  "Come on Jacks- he needs those hands to set up my horse!"

  Jackson narrowed his eyes and nodded. Clint nodded. And they finally let go.

  I exhaled loudly, relieved. I couldn't imagine how bad it would be if Jackson had actually known which way the wind blew.

  All hell would have broken loose.

  I tried to picture what would happen if Clint introduced himself as my boyfriend. Daniel would be the peacekeeper, giving Clint a chance. He wouldn't like it, but he would listen.

  Well, maybe he'd throw a punch or two first.

  But Jackson? He would go to war. I grimaced, realizing we were lucky that Jake wasn't here. He was even worse.

  Or at least, he was crazier.

  Jake was the kind of guy who got into a fight he couldn't win. I'd seen the aftermath of him taking on a whole bar full of bikers. For fun.

  He'd sit there grinning while I held a bag of peas to his face.

  I smiled as my cousins wished me luck and wandered off to get something to eat. It meant a lot to me that they were here. Sure, they were famous horse breeders, so it made sense for them to go to shows, but this one was a long drive across multiple states.

  They were here for me.

  "You warm enough?"

  I nodded, bouncing in place. It was almost time. Clint rubbed my shoulders as I closed my eyes and mentally ran my routine like he'd taught me to do, trick by trick.

  Seeing it in my mind's eye clearly made me calm and reminded my body of what to do.

  "It's time to show them what you got, darlin'."

  I smiled at him and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. I resisted kissing his delicious lips, just in case they were watching. I mounted Apollo and looked down at Clint. My man.

  I hoped he was anyway.

  He winked at me, his blue eyes shining with pride.

  "Go get em' wildcat."

  Clint

  I stood on the sidelines, staring at Pheonyx in the ring. She was performing her routine flawlessly. My heart sang with pride as she swung around the saddle like an acrobat.

  She was perfect. She was poetry in motion. And she was mine.

  There were twenty competitors here today. Many of them seasoned vets. But Phee had a level of showmanship and precision that set her miles above them.

  Never mind how damn beautiful she looked out there!

  I knew she was going to win hands down. Getting to Nationals was going to be easier than I thought. Hell, we might even be going to the World Champtionship.

  Watching Phee stomp the competition was the best damn thing I'd seen in my life. And I'd helped her do it. She'd let me polish up her technique to the point where it was textbook. Oh she'd grumbled at first when I made her get down to basics.

  But look at her now.

  The secret smile she flashed me at the end send a shot of pure love right to my heart. Love… that was what it was, no doubt about it. Well, dang. I had been afraid to say it out loud but there was no denying it now.

  I loved the little filly.

  And she was going to learn to love me back, dammit. Come hell or high water, I was hearing those three little words from her.

  And soon.

  Even if I had to trick her into saying them.

  She waved at the adoring audience as the judges tallied their scores. I held my breath, waiting for it. I had a good feeling- I hoped that maybe- just maybe- she'd get a perfect ten.

  And she did.

  The crowd went absolutely wild.

  Too wild.

  Some fool starting waving a gun around in the air, celebrating Texas style. My eyes were wide as someone else pulled out a firearm. Didn't these idiots know that was a good way to spook a horse?

  A shot rang out and Apollo reared back. Phee held on with all her might, clinging to the saddle. It wasn't enough.

  Time seemed to stop. I heard a dull roaring in my ears as I reached out for her. But I couldn't reach her in time.

  I stared in horror as Pheonyx fell. With the horse on his rear legs like that, it was a good ten feet to the ground. I saw her land on her shoulder, her head bouncing against the ground.

  I roared and was over the fence in a heartbeat. The crowd was utterly silent as I ran towards the still figure on the ground. I had tunnel vision, staring at her beautiful, still face.

  No, no no no. Please God no…

  I wanted to lift her up and hold her but I was no dummy. I could make things worse that way. I brushed her hair back from her face, checking for breath, a pulse, anything.

  I said a prayer of thanks as I felt the faint warmth of an exhale on my hand.

  She was breathing.

  "Phee- come back to me, babygirl. Please darlin', don't leave me-"

  Her eyelashes fluttered and she moaned. She blinked those gorgeous eyes of hers and stared up at me.

  "What are you doing up there, Clint?"

  I exhaled in relief, but I knew we weren't out of the woods yet. I hadn't realized a crowd had gathered. I kissed her hand in a decidedly lover-like way.

  Hell, even if I had noticed the crowd, I doubt I would have cared.

  "Hold still, honey. We got to wait for the doctor, you hear?"

  She nodded and I flinched.

  "Don't even do that. Try not to move at all, okay?"

  She frowned, wiggling her fingers and toes.

  "I'm fine Clint. See?"

  "That's real good but I meant what I said- don't move an inch."

  The doctor was there before she could argue with me anymore. He checked her neck and her spine, and nodded to me. I let out a big whoosh of air after he shone a light into her eyes and turned to me.

  "Pupils are responding… She seems to be fine. I don't think there's a concussion. Still, she should take it easy for a few days. Lots of fluids. No riding until she's checked out again."

  Pheonyx was moaning in protest but I was grinning ear to ear. She sat up and I was there, guiding her to her feet and right into my arms. I kissed her long and tender, careful not to squeeze her too hard.

  Hootin' and hollerin' broke out along with applause. The crowd was glad to see her on her feet. They were even happier to see a pretty lady get kissed so thoroughly.

  "What the hell is this?"

  Jackson Delancey was standing behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and grinned at him. Well, it was time to pay the piper after all. So be it.

  He was already lifting his fist but I shook my head.

  "Not until the lady is clear."

  A muscle twitched in his cheek but he nodded. I helped Phee out of the ring and into a seat in the rider's tent, taking my sweet ass time to make my lady comfortable. I handed her a bottle of water and told her to drink the whole thing by the time I was back.

  "I ha
te to leave you but this won't take a moment."

  "Where are you going?"

  "I need to pay my respects to Jackson."

  Her eyes widened as I strode outside. I nodded at Jackson. Daniel was standing beside him, both of them looking fired up. They were big sonofabitches.

  I smiled.

  I was big too.

  "You whoreson! Who told you you could touch that girl?"

  Daniel nodded, cracking his knuckles.

  "Phee is off limits."

  "Sorry boys. The lady is mine. It's a done deal."

  "Like hell it is!"

  Daniel rolled up his sleeves.

  "You're going to have to get through us first."

  I grinned widely, eager to let off some steam. I couldn't beat the fool who'd fired their weapon, but I could pummel the Delanceys. And make my claim on Phee official in the process.

  "Gladly."

  To give them credit, they took turns trying to stomp me into the mud. I had to respect that. If they had doubled up on me, it would have been a real short fight.

  After about twenty minutes we were all starting to look a little worse for wear, but no one was winning. I held up my hand as Jackson cocked his fist to take another swing at me.

  "Hold up. I need to check on Phee."

  "Hell no. Daniel will do it."

  I nodded my agreement.

  "Aright. But make sure she drinks that whole bottle of water!"

  Daniel nodded, still managing to look pissed off while being agreeable. They put their cousin first though, that was obvious. It was kinda sweet when you thought about it.

  Not that I had time to think about it.

  Jackson was swinging for me again.

  "You stay away from our little girl!"

  He landed a punch.

  "She's not a little girl! She's mine!"

  I landed a punch.

  "No, she ain't! She's ours! We won't let you trifle with her!"

  He landed a punch.

  "This is no fling! I'm asking you for Pheonyx's hand in marriage!"

  I landed a punch.

  "Hell no, you can't marry her! She's still a child!"

  I smiled at him slowly, my meaning plain as day.