Roses and Rodeo (Rough and Ready)

by Cheyenne McCray

  * * * * *

  After Creed was awarded his World Champion belt buckle, they took the next flight to Arizona and then drove to Prescott where Creed said he had a surprise for her.

  As if being proposed to in front of the world wasn’t surprise enough.

  The flight had seemed a little surreal. She couldn’t believe she was marrying Creed. Before he proposed, they hadn’t even discussed where they would live, their occupations, or anything else.

  But that didn’t matter—they’d work things out. What she really cared about was Creed and spending the rest of her life with him.

  After they arrived at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, they picked up his truck from long term parking and headed off into the night. Once they were on their way to Prescott, Creed reached over and squeezed her hand where it rested on the console.

  “We have a lot to talk about,” he said as he glanced from the road to her and then back to the road.

  “Yes, lots.” She nodded.

  “There are things I want to keep a surprise.” His gaze met hers again. “Do you mind waiting?”

  She gave a happy sigh. “I think I’m starting to love surprises.”

  On the ride to Prescott, every time she’d bring up something related to their future together, he’d shake his head and grin. Maybe she wasn’t so crazy about surprises after all.

  They were just outside of town when Creed made a quick call, saying they would be arriving soon. He wouldn’t tell her who he had called.

  When they arrived, he drove them straight to the B & B and she smiled at him with delight. Lights glowed in the windows and the moon was bright. Creed checked them in and she was excited to find that they had the same room that she had stayed in before… The room where she’d almost succumbed to temptation.

  He let her go in first.

  Danica caught her breath in yet another moment of surprise.

  Every surface was covered with flickering red candles in glass hurricane lamps, and vases of red roses. Rose petals and a single long-stemmed rose lay across the king-sized bed and there was a trail of rose petals that led into the bathroom. Candlelight sparkled on the glass vases and hurricanes, and was reflected in the mirrors of the darkened room. The room was filled with the perfume of fresh cut roses.

  “This is amazing.” She turned to face Creed and flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you for the surprise. I love it.” She glanced at the room then back at him with a smile. “Red roses are my favorite, too.”

  “That’s what your brothers told me.” He smiled down at her.

  She raised an eyebrow. “You let my brothers in on this?”

  “Not everything.” He caught her left hand and raised it up and her diamond ring glittered in the room’s dim light. “I’m amazed and floored by your beauty inside and out every single time we’re together.”

  She’d never seen such a romantic side to him and it made her heart squeeze.

  His mouth met hers in a sweet, loving kiss, a kiss that grew into something deeper and more passionate.

  He led her to the bed and pushed aside some of the roses and had her sit on the edge of the mattress. He pulled off her boots, followed by her socks, then took off his own. He set his Stetson on a chair.

  When they were both in their bare feet, he drew her up to stand and slid his fingers through her hair. She reached for the buttons on his shirt and began undoing them. He kissed the corner of her mouth then straightened as she pushed his shirt from his shoulders and he let it fall from his arms to the floor.

  In the flickering candlelight, shadows danced across his dark features. She ran her palms over the expanse of his muscular chest, feeling the smooth skin over taut muscle. He moved her hands aside and began unbuttoning her blouse. He let it fall open and traced his fingers along the contours of her black bra, stroking her soft skin.

  He gently slipped her blouse down her arms and he set it aside on a chair before returning his attention back to her.

  “I can’t believe you’re mine,” he said as he unhooked her bra, baring her breasts, and set aside the bra. “To have such an amazing woman to call my own is more than I ever thought possible.”

  “I feel as though I’m in a dream.” She pressed her naked breasts against his chest. “Don’t let me wake up.”

  “It’s no dream.” He slid his hands between them, down her belly to the button of her jeans. He unfastened them then pulled down her zipper.

  She gripped his biceps as he pushed down her jeans and black panties and she stepped out of them. When she was naked he kissed her again as he slowly stroked her curves, his palms following the contours of her soft body.

  Next went his belt then his Wrangler jeans and boxer briefs and then they were both naked. He pressed his body to hers, his cock hard against her belly, and he kissed her again.

  He stepped back and took her by her hand and they followed the trail of rose petals to the bathroom. The petals were soft beneath her feet.

  More roses and candlelight filled the bathroom. Red petals led to the huge jetted tub. He turned on the water, running it until it was a warm temperature. A couple dozen rose petals were on the bottom and they floated to the surface as he ran the water. He added bubble bath and then they both stepped into the tub. As she sank into the bubbles and rose petals, he turned on the jets.

  Shampoo and bathing gel, along with a scrubby were on one corner. He shampooed her hair, his touch firm as he rubbed her scalp. As the jets massaged her body, he slowly washed her, paying close attention to her breasts and her inner thighs, teasing her with every movement he made.

  When it was her turn, she soaped his hair and rinsed it with water from the faucet. She scrubbed his torso and when she moved the scrubby downward beneath the water, she found he had a huge erection and she smiled.

  He drew her onto his lap and she dropped the scrubby into the bath water. His cock pressed against her folds as she brushed her breasts against his chest and kissed him.

  It was a kiss filled with passion and meaning and everything she wanted him to know… Just how much she loved him and how happy she would be as his wife.

  He picked up a foil packet that he’d set beside the shampoo and opened it. She adjusted herself on his legs so that he could sheathe his cock and then she rose up and slowly slid herself down on his cock. He always filled her so well and tonight she felt as if she’d never felt him so deep or so thick.

  She began to ride him in a slow and steady rhythm. He placed his hands on her hips and gripped her as he rose up to meet her.

  Her breathing became harsher as she felt him inside her and the jetted water against her skin. She tipped her head back and rode him harder and harder as a climax began building inside her, greater and greater and greater.

  Scents of roses and bubble bath, the dancing candlelight, the feel of his skin against hers and his cock inside her, all combined together and whirled within her. Faster and faster it seemed to swirl until all of the sensory collided.

  Her eyes widened as her orgasm burst inside her. She cried out as she came, her body rocking from the strength of her climax. He thrust harder in and out and then he came with a loud groan. His cock throbbed as her core spasmed.

  As she slowly slipped back down to earth, he held her close, both of them breathing hard.

  When they were both down from their orgasm highs, she rose up and kissed him then drew away and smiled.

  “Thank you,” she said. “For all of this.”

  “I would do anything for you.” He brushed her wet hair over her shoulder in a gentle movement. “Anything.”

  They climbed out of the cooling water and he dried her off with a fluffy towel and then she dried him off in return. He took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom.

  In the bedroom he picked up the single long-stemmed rose to her from off the bed and pulled back the comforter and sheet for them to slide under. He helped her onto the bed and arranged pillows behind her and then himself.

  “You a
re amazing,” she said with a smile.

  “Just wait ’til you see my surprises,” he said with a grin.

  She raised an eyebrow. “More surprises?”

  In response he leaned over and grabbed a big black duffel from beside the bed that he’d dropped there when they walked in. He brought out a binder and held it as he looked at her.

  “We haven’t talked about our future in regards to now, but I have some things to show you.”

  Intrigued she leaned against his shoulder and looked so see that there were eight by ten photos in the binder. The photographs were of a ranch house, a barn, corrals, and other buildings, along with livestock.

  “This is a ranch I want to buy,” he said. “For us. It’s not far from here and I think you would love it.”

  Butterflies fluttered in her belly. He was asking her to leave everything to move here.

  He continued to turn over the last photo and beneath that was a piece of letterhead and he handed it to her.

  “There are two positions open at Northern Arizona University,” he said. “I think you have a good chance if you’re interested. You have the qualifications and it’s similar work to what you do now in San Diego.”

  Her lips parted in surprise as she looked at him. Before she could say a word, he took her by the shoulders.

  “If you want me to move to San Diego, I will,” he said. “But if you’re willing, and you would be happy, I’d love to settle here and start a family.”

  Tears started rolling down her cheeks, coming out of nowhere. She flung her arms around him and hugged him tight.

  She leaned back and he brushed tears from her eyes with his thumb. “Let’s get that ranch,” she said.

  He grinned. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded and she knew her smile was brilliant. “I’m sure.”

  “I have a couple more bull riding seasons left in me before I retire.” He grew quieter. “I can ride on weekends and come back during the week.” He paused as he searched her gaze. “Can you live with that?”

  “It won’t be easy.” She gave him a soft smile. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want you to be happy.”

  “Just being with you and having you as my wife…” He shook his head. “I could never be any happier.” He placed his forehead against hers. “Thank you for saying yes. I love you so much that I can barely think sometimes when we’re together.”

  She drew back and looked into his eyes. “I can’t imagine my life without you. Thank you for all the wonderful surprises and for thinking about me in so many ways.” She touched his stubbled face, which had become so dear to her. “I love you, Creed.”

  He put his arm around her shoulders and held her close. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow. Couldn’t wait for the rest of their future together.

  # # #

  Also by Cheyenne McCray

  “Rough and Ready” Series

  Silk and Spurs

  Lace and Lassos

  Champagne and Chaps

  Satin and Saddles

  Roses and Rodeo

  Lipstick and Leather

  “Altered States” Series

  Dark Seduction

  “Dark Enforcers” Series

  Night’s Captive

  From St. Martin’s Press:

  Lexi Steele Novels

  The First Sin

  The Second Betrayal

  Night Tracker Series

  Demons Not Included

  No Werewolves Allowed

  Vampires Not Invited

  Zombies Sold Separately

  Vampires Dead Ahead

  Magic Series

  Forbidden Magic

  Seduced by Magic

  Wicked Magic

  Shadow Magic

  Dark Magic

  Single Title

  Moving Target

  Chosen Prey

  Anthologies

  No Rest for the Witches

  Real Men Last All Night

  Legally Hot

  Chicks Kick Butt

  Hotter than Hell

  Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romances

  Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romances

  Cheyenne writing as Jaymie Holland

  “The Auction” Series

  Sold

  Bought

  Claimed

  Taken

  “Taboo” Series

  Taking it Home

  Losing Control

  Alluring Stranger

  Taboo Desires: three Tales of Lust and Passion

  Playing Rough: three Stories of Sensual Submission

  Paranormal Single Title

  The Touch

  Come to Me

  Excerpt… Satin and Saddles

  Cheyenne McCray

  Carly Abbot set aside her glass of champagne on a tray as her closest friend, now Sabrina Holliday Cameron, motioned for her to come closer.

  “It’s time for me to toss the bouquet.” Sabrina’s smile was brilliant as she spoke to Carly. “Maybe you’ll catch it.”

  “You know I’m not the marrying kind.” Carly shook her head but returned Sabrina’s smile.

  “Just come on.” Sabrina waved Carly to join her outside in the resort hotel’s courtyard, where the wedding had been held.

  Carly looked at her friend, exasperated. “I really don’t want to.”

  “For me. Please?”

  “All right, all right.” Carly smiled. “You don’t have to beg or call in the best friend card.”

  Sabrina grinned. “I knew you’d do it for me.”

  Carly pushed her dark hair over her shoulders. She brushed her palms over her curvy figure, along the royal blue satin dress she’d worn as the maid of honor. She smoothed out the material before she followed Sabrina.

  “Time for all the single ladies to gather close.” Sabrina’s mother, Tessa, lightly hit the side of her crystal champagne glass with her cake fork. “The beautiful bride is going to toss the bouquet now.”

  Sabrina’s three sisters, along with several other women, joined each other as Sabrina turned her back with her bouquet in her hands.

  Reluctantly, Carly stood in the middle of the crowd of women and waited as Sabrina raised the bouquet and tossed it over her shoulder.

  The bright flowers sailed through the air and came down toward one of Sabrina’s sisters. The pretty woman caught the edge of bouquet over her head, stopping it with her fingertips. But the bouquet’s momentum was a little faster than she’d expected. She hampered the flowers’ trajectory just enough that they dropped straight down on Carly.

  Instinctively she caught the bouquet, without intending to. The next thing she knew everyone was laughing and congratulating her. She wanted to pass the flowers to someone else but it was too late. She groaned.

  “Ha.” Sabrina grinned as she went up to Carly. “It was meant to be.”

  “Pleeeeease.” Carly held up the bouquet. “This should go to one of your sisters.”

  “Too late.” With a laugh, Sabrina set her hand on her friend’s forearm. “Don’t mess with fate.”

  Carly rolled her eyes. “As if.”

  “I know you’re dating Mike for fun.” Sabrina glanced toward the handsome best man. “Maybe it’s time you break it off with him and find someone who rocks your boat.”

  “You’re forgetting that I already did rock the boat that day we went fishing on the lake, and that was with Mike.” Carly grinned at the memory of nearly capsizing the little fishing boat with her and Sabrina ending up in the water. “That was good enough for me.”

  Sabrina laughed, a curl falling into her eyes, escaping the upswept hairdo. She brushed it out of her face. “That doesn’t count. You pitched us both into the lake.”

  Carly shrugged. “Just goes to show that rocking my boat isn’t enough.”

  “Hold onto those flowers.” Sabrina pointed to the bouquet. “They belong to you now.”

  The moment Sabrina went off to join her new husband, Wyatt Cameron, Carly slipped away, into the reso
rt hotel and to the room where they kept their purses. She set the bouquet with her purse. She was not going to carry that thing around, as if she was shopping for the marrying kind of man.

  When she walked out of the room she nearly ran into Dillon Cameron and he caught her by her shoulders. Flutters exploded in her belly as she looked into his brilliant Cameron blue eyes and felt the heat of his palms through the satin bridesmaid’s dress.

  His brown hair was a little tousled from the breeze outside where the wedding had been and where the reception was currently being held. She swallowed past the sudden dryness in her throat as she looked at the exquisite picture the cowboy made in his black western tux that he’d worn as one of Wyatt’s ushers.

  All night, even during the wedding, her gaze had been drawn to the man as if her eyes had a mind of their own. He’d caught her at it a couple of times. She hadn’t had a chance to meet him, but she’d wanted to.

  Dillon gave a slow, sexy smile. “Carly, right?”

  She simply nodded, unused to being at a loss for words. Heck, she was never at a loss for words. Why now? He released her and that seemed to release her tongue, too. “You’re Dillon, Wyatt’s brother.”

  “Yep.” He smiled. “You’re seeing Wyatt’s best man, Mike Sharpe.”

  She shrugged. “We like to have a little fun together.”

  A sexy light appeared in his eyes as if she’d just given him an invitation. “Will you be at the party tonight?”

  He was talking about the party that the bride and groom’s friends were having once the pair took off for their honeymoon.

  “I’m going with Mike.” She took a step back, feeling suddenly nervous. “I’d better get back to the reception. See you around, Dillon.”

  I’m sure we will.” His slow drawl sent a thrill through her body.

  Heart pounding for no apparent reason, she turned and walked back toward the reception, feeling the heat of his gaze on her back.