Collared By The Cowboy (Bad Boys)

by Susan Arden

  “I don’t want you to change your plans, if that’s what’s going to make you happy.”

  She glanced over at him, watching his profile. “Not sure that’s helping.” His being magnanimous only made it harder to see a future without him. “What would you do?”

  “You want me to act the badass and demand you stay? Wish it were that easy. You’d end up resenting me. It would be the beginning of the end.” He exhaled and swung the truck into his driveway.

  “Don’t say that,” she murmured, not liking the sound of those words. Beginning of the end. She fought to push that sentiment from her mind.

  Sitting in front of his house, in this remote corner of his family’s ranch, miles from anywhere, she felt at peace, as though she didn’t need to make a decision and life could be put on hold for a while. But that wasn’t really true. Tomorrow she had her therapy group, then class the following day, and her TA duties that included overseeing the job fair coming up at the university. A full week that would only get busier as the month progressed.

  She’d begun to send out her resume and already had several responses. Brandon had to deal with the attorney on the fraud case, and he was due at the club tomorrow morning. Even though she didn’t resent him now, was he right? Were they somehow headed to the beginning of the end? They were if she maintained her current trajectory.

  “We only have one more night before our week begins,” she said.

  “Sugar, we’ve got as many nights as you want.”

  She smiled back at him, not willing to argue. Tomorrow night he’d be at the club, and she’d decided she wasn’t going to return to the S & L. She needed some distance until the legal fiasco got settled.

  “Come on,” she said. “Let me take care of you tonight.”

  Brandon’s insatiable hunger filled his eyes. His heated gaze slid down her body and, like caramel touched by a flame, she melted. His low chuckle acknowledged he had her. Exposed her. Enticed her. “Open your legs and lift your dress. I want to enjoy you.”

  She delighted in his commanding her. Acting on his order, she shivered as if he’d done more than talk. Going a step further, she pulled down the thong she’d been wearing and spread her legs for him. “Like what you see?”

  His eyes flashed and he pulled her legs open wider. “You have no idea. Did some special grooming?”

  “Brazilian wax. Just for you.”

  “Shit. It’s official. I’ll vote Brazilian for you any day of the week.” Brandon canted over, and without another word he thrust two fingers into her pussy and pumped his hand. “God, I have wanted to do this all night.”

  She let her head roll back and drank in the heady impact of his strength. “Harder,” she groaned and met his eyes.

  “I got what you need,” he said.

  It had been hours since he’d shaved and in the shadow of the cab his rugged features appeared even more masculine. She stopped fighting herself and understood, no matter how far she ran, never could she escape him. He was in her blood, her breath—the beat of her heart echoed her love for him.

  “Please. No argument, I need you.” Swiveling her hips, she clamped her thighs along his forearm, and drew him farther inside her.

  “Are you sure?” And like all expert predators, he grinned back at the one ensnared, lifting a brow. “Top for the night?”

  For a second she worried, then stopped. It didn’t matter if she was top or bottom, as long as it was with him. “Any which way. Let’s just go inside and make love.”

  “Sounds good. Real, real good.” He opened his door and stalked around the truck before he yanked open her door. Lifting her from the seat, he carried her up the steps, only stopping to unlock the front door, and then he kicked it shut with his finely polished boots.

  They didn’t even make it through the living room. He tossed off his jacket and pulled her down to the floor next to him, pushing her back against the wool area rug. He forced her dress up her thighs then smacked her one time on the ass, boosting her already searing arousal.

  “Need something?” she inquired, touching herself and finding her clit swollen and sex slick.

  “Not the night to tease me. You’re touching what’s mine.” He pushed her dress up to her waist, groaning before he captured her breasts, running his fingers over the curves and squeezing. He lowered his head and she gasped at the sensation of his tongue flicking across her sensitive nipples. Each hardened, elongating and aching for his lips. When he sucked her tit into the hot recess of his mouth, she arched away from the rug, closing her eyes and thrusting her finger into her pussy. He switched breasts, drawing out her pleasure as he kissed, sucked and scraped his teeth over the tip of her other nipple. She opened her eyes, staring into intense blue flames.

  “I’m not,” she said. “Fuck me, Sir.”

  “Baby, I need you. Can you take what I have to give?” His nostrils flared as he unzipped his pants, shoving his trousers down his legs. He gripped his cock and slid it up and down her folds until she hissed.

  “Yes, all of you.” She lifted her hips up to meet the hard ridge of his crown. His hoarse voice filled her, tangled her lust with his until they were a raging mess. She wanted him hard. Demanding. No preamble. Forceful enough that he’d leave marks.

  “I mean really rough.” His fingers dug into her thighs, wedging open her legs wider, as if to prove this wasn’t just talk.

  “Just do it. Fuck me as hard as you’ve got,” she shouted.

  A savage sound crawled up from his throat. He drove his dick into her, slamming full tilt, and didn’t stop. Brandon hoisted her hips up to him. He was taking her over the edge with each piston-thrust of his hips. His thighs slapped against her ass, the sound loud and ringing in the living room.

  “Take every inch…every drop I’m going to give you.”

  “Give it to me.” She pulled him to her, threading her fingers through his thick hair and scraping her nails over his scalp.

  “Fuck!” He lowered his body, sucked on her neck, clamping down at just the right spot, and when he lifted up, raw hunger etched his expression. “How do you do this to me?”

  Does he not realize how he does the same thing to me? “You’re not alone.”

  “Got to have you.” He flexed back, the drag of his cock pulling out from her pussy, but not all the way. “Look at us,” he growled.

  His shaft connected them, shiny with her juices. He bit his lip, the muscles in his shoulders rippling and bunching. His cock swelled, growing darker as he pumped just his crown at her entrance. His erection was almost purple before he slammed back into her, with such force that a jolt of pleasure reverberated through her body.

  Brandon bellowed, her name spilling from his mouth. He exploded with her and she let go, following him over the brink.

  BRANDON dropped Mia at the university where he’d picked her up last week, when they'd met for an early dinner. Her car was still parked in the on-campus garage and she didn’t bother to check on it. She walked over to the library and used a computer there to check her email and send messages. After a couple of hours of grading online submissions from students, she sent Dr. Orton the results. She typed up her weekly clinical notes and updated her patients’ counseling care plans for the coming week. After finishing, she sat at the table, drumming her fingers. The twins were ready for deeper psychotherapy, and that would mean altering the therapy plan. She shot an email to Dr. Cane, requesting a meeting to address her concerns over her patients. Even if it meant she had to step on the toes of the girls’ assigned intake counselor, who still disagreed with Mia’s suspicions.

  “Hey Mia, are you coming?” Jonathan smiled broadly at her.

  “Oh. Are you guys meeting now?” She stood up from the table where she’d been camped for the last several hours. Her thoughts immediately returned to Brandon. He’d be getting the club ready for tonight. He had to be exhausted—always on the go. For the next two weeks, he’d be busier than a beaver covering his brother’s work crews along with his own re
sponsibilities at the ranch. Backbreaking work compounded by his running the club, and now that freaking lawsuit.

  Jonathan was saying something and she’d zoned out. She blinked rapidly at him as he spoke. “It’s not hard. Just some ropes and climbing. A zip-line. Anyone can do it.”

  “Are you talking about the ropes course?” she asked.

  “That’s what I’m explaining.” He laughed. “Some people freak when they think about the height. Are you leery of high places?”

  “Not so much as the bugs.” She grimaced. “Mosquitos seem to like me.”

  “You’re in luck. Not many around with the cold weather.”

  “Sure. I just meant in general.”

  “This is a great experience. The group leader said if we come and write up a recommendation, he’s fine with us bringing family or friends along.”

  “What about patients?” she asked, already thinking Selma and Esme would enjoy doing something daring to stretch their comfort zone. Might help the girls reach a point where they developed a deeper trust with her and abandoned their syrupy sweetness, even if it meant getting them downright angry—enough to start feeling again. She’d observed a few cracks where they’d get mad and snappy if pushed to open up about their home life, but not for long. They had thick walls in place. At first, she'd thought she understood why they’d turned to booze, getting high, sex, and shopping as their drugs of choice to numb their feelings and escape the past. Except she kept getting the distinct impression that ‘the past’ wasn’t the only source of their problems.

  “Get authorization, and sure. The park is looking to promote. Drum up business for the program. Give it a try. We’re getting ready to leave and check it out.”

  She felt a pang of guilt spear her stomach. That’s what she was supposed to be doing for Brandon’s club. Penrose had been so excited at the prospect. She’d sent him an email thanking him and so far, he had not responded. She owed him a phone call, just to make certain he received her message and knew she hadn’t just bailed. Pen wouldn’t be there today. Tomorrow, she promised herself, she’d call him. Procrastination isn’t pretty! No, she’d call him ASAP.

  “I’m in. I guess,” she muttered.

  “Don’t make it sound like it’s a death sentence.” He seemed to study her closely. “Are ya’ sure you’re not a little scared of heights?”

  Mia shook her head. “Not even a little. I just have a ton of stuff going on.” She straightened at the look of concern flagging Jonathan’s face then smiled stiffly. “Like everyone.”

  “Meet us out by the front if you’re interested in lunch. You can come with me if you’d like. A few of the others are carpooling. There’s an empty seat.”

  “I have my counseling and therapy group meeting in a little while. I’ll go to that and meet you all at the ropes course afterward.”

  “Cool beans. No problem.” He handed her a flyer. “The map is on the back. Sometimes cell phone GPS apps don’t do so well. The trees mess with reception.”

  “Oh, right.” She glanced at the flyer. “Thanks.”

  “See you there. Around two.”

  Her phone rang and she nodded, digging inside her bag. Inside the library, she couldn’t answer the phone. She walked to the nearest exit and had missed the call. Brandon. She pressed the icon for his number and held the phone up to her ear, listening to the ring. Not paying attention to the world around her, she leaned against the wall, looking at the sky that held several grey clouds.

  “What are you doing?” Brandon asked in a husky voice.

  “Finished grading some papers and turned in my patient plans. Now, I’m standing outside the library,” she responded, willing her voice to keep from cracking in wanting him so badly. “Taking a break and gazing at clouds.”

  “Wish I was there with you,” he said and her heart fluttered, although it was more like a horse kick to her chest after he said, “I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too.” I love you. Just tell him!

  “How much longer ‘til I get to see you?”

  They’d agreed that she would return to his house after class, and he’d join her there after the club closed. It meant he’d have to drive all the way back to Annona instead of spending the night at his apartment, but she couldn’t go there. It was too emotionally charged for her. “I think we should see each other tomorrow,” she said, preparing for his adamant rejection of that idea.

  “Then it’s a good thing you agreed to me being the Dom and you wearing the collar. You still have it on?”

  She closed her eyes. So easy to forget she’d given him absolute authority. “Of course.”

  “I’ll see you back home. I won’t be that late. I arranged my schedule so that Trent will see to the closing. After the other night, he’s ready for more responsibility, and agreed to take on more hours.”

  Mia flashed her eyes open. “You’re relinquishing a part of the reins on running your club?”

  “What? You think you’re the only person who can lighten up and give a little?” He chuckled. “Baby, I can do bamboo-bending with the best. Just takes a McLemore a little longer.”

  “Still. The drive—back and forth.”

  “Already went over this. I have to be at Evermore in the morning to cover Stephen’s crew. Get them set up and check on them. This is what it’s about. I have my brothers’ backs and they’ve got mine.”

  She’d heard that one before, and it was still a little hard to understand that macho mentality. She and her sister were close, but neither of them inhabited the same sphere. She was into getting a university education and Margo was into whatever their father suggested.

  “I’m off to the treatment center. Any messages for the twins?” she asked.

  “Get better.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Make something up that sounds appropriate. I don’t know what to tell them.”

  He got short whenever he was around the girls and she understood why. They’d basically targeted him, and then tested the hell out of him. They’d reached out to Brandon, and lucky for Selma and Esme, he didn’t walk out or take advantage of them; he worried about them and was the lynchpin in getting them the help they needed.

  “Will do. Afterward, I’m going out to the ropes course over past Gulliver’s Bend.”

  “Because?” His voice turned serious.

  “There’s a group of students who want to check out the ropes course as an alternative therapy in trust building. If we write a review, we can come back. With family, friends, patients…I was thinking of bringing Esme and Selma, and you, if you’d agree. How are you with heights?”

  “Just fine.” He paused and she could hear him inhale. Something was coming. “I don’t think you should go there alone. Wait for me and I’ll take you sometime.”

  “Like I’m going to do that,” she snorted.

  “Like you’d better watch that tone. Or baby, I’ll give you a refresher on how to address your Dom.”

  She laughed. “Sir, I’d like your permission to take part in a school-related activity. That is, if you’re not too much of a protective hen to let me go.”

  “Mia, you’re asking for it. Special delivery all the way.”

  “Please. With whipped cream and a cherry on top!” She giggled at him.

  “Fine. But I want to hear from you when you leave Gulliver’s Bend. Wait up for me tonight. I promise to bend you over baby, and I will deliver just what your hot little mouth needs.”

  “I’ll call,” she said, trying to get the words to unfurl from the tip of her tongue. I love you! She swallowed, struggling to untangle her tumbling thoughts. She needed to focus on something other than her hammering heart. “Shall I make you dinner?”

  “Darlin’, if you’re offering,” he remarked, sounding like she’d announced she could walk on water. “After these last two weeks, I’m getting spoiled.”

  “I can teach you. My father didn’t remarry and I either learned to cook or ate frozen meals. It’s not that hard.�
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  “It’s a date,” he said. “I’ll get home as soon as I can. Lock the door and don’t linger in the city after dark.”

  “Yes, Sir.” She leaned against the brick building, longing to enfold Brandon in her arms and feel his body, inhale his scent, taste his mouth. I love you! Three little words and she couldn’t get them to come out.

  “That’s what I like to hear,” he said. Then added, “Besides you screaming my name.”

  “Will do.”

  “Oh, and baby?”

  “What now, Sir?”

  “I need you.”

  She clutched the phone in her hand, struggling to just say the words back. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

  I can tell him tonight. Duh. She should say it to his face, like he’d done…and she’d told him he was crazy. She told him not to say it again, and so far he hadn’t. What a nutcase she was!

  She stopped fretting and smiled, curling a tendril around her finger. “Umm, just so you know, I’ll be the one naked in your bed.”

  “I’ll be there on the double,” he replied.

  Tucking her phone back into her pocket, she snagged it on something, and remembered she had to call Pen. She scrolled through her contact list and found his name, then pressed his number. His phone rolled to voice mail and she pressed her lips together, listening to his message as she walked to the garage and waited to leave a message. “Hey Pen, it’s Mia. Just wanted to let you know I changed projects. Things got complicated and…well, my advisor agreed, and I’m working at a treatment center. Thanks for your help. I’ll try back later.”

  She hung up and reached for the door to the garage, still wondering if there was anything she could do to help Pen with his desire for promotion. The interior of the garage was cool, damp, and dimly lit. Her car was not far from the entrance, parked in the corner, and her footsteps echoed off the cement walls. Sunday on campus wasn’t busy. She didn’t see anyone else in the garage, and yet she felt as though she was being watched. The hairs along her neck rose as her reflexes kicked in. Stop being ridiculous.

  Brandon’s talk of keeping her eyes open had worked her into being hyperaware. She’d never been one to be afraid. A top reason why she wanted to move to a larger town: more diversity and opportunities—and yes, that meant more crime, but she wasn’t put off. She’d taken too many falls and kicks from horses to be afraid of her own shadow.