He groaned and fell into the pleasure alongside her. Every thrust of his hips naturally grew harder and faster until skin slapped against skin and the scent of their sex filled the air. She began tossing her head from side to side, her eyes shut tight, her mouth forming a perfect O. He slid a hand under bottom, lifting her up, and began thrusting, hard and determined to get them both where they needed to go.
She was nearly there, and so was he. Her cheeks were flushed bright red and her chin pointed up, and her rising pleasure brought his with little warning. Heat raced up his spine, gritting his teeth. He thrust into a rhythm that controlled her pleasure and unleashed his. There was no way to refuse the orgasm he was offering her because he knew his hard, thick cock took her to a place she only had one choice to go.
Over the edge.
And he’d follow her.
With hard, long thrusts, grinding against her, she shuddered once before she went wild beneath him. He froze to the pleasure for a split second, then he controlled nothing and bucked and jerked, draining months’ worth of lust into her.
Many, many minutes later, she wiggled beneath him and breathlessly said, “So, this agreement of ours means I get eight nights of this?”
He slid off her and chuckled. “Yes. I take it you’re still agreeable?”
She gave a dozy laugh. “Holy shit.”
He took that as a yes.
Chapter 4
The following morning, Harper awoke to a bright sunny sky. With her arms hugging the pillow, she stared out the bedroom window at the vast Colorado beauty she had always loved. She smiled, not quite sure if that smile was due to the plentiful sex she and Chase had during the night. Or because she would move to Las Vegas without every wondering if things with Chase could have been different. They were taking this moment. For them. There was a lot to be said for that.
No regrets.
Besides, Chase was treating her to some mind-blowing sex. Compared to Chase, her ex Matt was boring. Their sex had always seemed more for him than her. Up until last night, the biggest orgasms she had ever had were a gift from her vibrator.
Chase changed that.
Her smile only grew as a hawk expanded his wings and soared along the breeze. There were no complications. No unfulfilled dreams of Las Vegas. No friendships being torn apart. Just her and Chase, and this magical thing between them that she had noticed the day she returned from Denver, and that had only heated up until three months ago when everything turned explosive.
When the hawk vanished into the trees, a squeak against the floorboards came behind her. She rolled over, finding Chase standing next to the bed, a coffee mug in one hand, the bright-eyed puppy resting in the other. Both those things interested her greatly, though her attention shifted to the fact that Chase’s hair was messy and he wore only jeans that were left unbuttoned, showing a tiny bit of his pubic hair.
This man was a dream.
She swallowed the extra saliva in her mouth, appreciating his muscular physique. Boys would have to spend hours in the gym to achieve such perfection. Chase wasn’t too muscular or too lean. He was chiseled like an ancient Greek sculpture. She had spent so much time fantasizing over him, and there he was, right there for her to touch, to taste, to enjoy.
Her sex tingled, becoming wet for more just that easily. She cleared her throat, trying to rein in her hormones, gazing over his bulging bicep, finally landing on two of the sweetest light green eyes. Instantly, she remembered herself and sat up, bringing the duvet with her, covering her bare breasts. “He’s okay?”
Chase’s attention lingered on her bare shoulder a little longer than necessary, then rose to her face again, making her acutely aware of him too. He offered her the coffee mug. “He woke me up with a cry this morning then watered the grass like nobody’s business.”
She accepted the mug and took a sip of the hot brew, inhaling the nutty aroma, noting that Chase apparently knew she liked her coffee with a little milk. “Leah did say she gave him fluids last night,” she offered.
“More than you could even imagine.” Chase smirked before he glanced at the clock and sighed. “We slept in.”
She followed his gaze, discovering they needed to take Houdini to Leah in a half an hour. “Hmmm . . . interesting . . . I wonder why we were so tired.” She smirked back.
His smile heated a little bit more before he placed Houdini onto the mattress, leaned in, and dropped a kiss on her mouth. “It means that I did everything right last night. I like you exhausted from a good night of fucking.”
When he leaned away, she agreed. “I like me that way too.”
Chase chuckled and turned his back to her, grabbing a T-shirt from the closet, revealing his muscular back. “What’s on the agenda for today?” he asked.
She lifted the puppy up to her face, kissing his cute wet nose. He was so much brighter than yesterday, giving her hope he would be okay. “Well, first thing first, I’ll need to grab my car from the Spurs and head home to get ready for the day.” She placed the pup down between her legs on top of the duvet and tickled his belly, while he wiggled, trying to nip her fingers. “After that, I guess I’ll go to the pet store and grab this guy some stuff. Who knows how long he’ll be here. The way Leah sounded, it might take a few days.”
Chase glanced over his shoulder and nodded. “I suspect it will.”
Houdini flipped over, mouthing her fingers. “What about you?” she asked.
“I have to take a drive over to the ranch.” He faced her again and slid the black T-shirt over his head, covering his torso. Across the front, in bold white letters, read BLACKSHAW CONSTRUCTION.
She couldn’t hide her smile, so damn happy for him. Her dream was opening a restaurant in Las Vegas. His had always been opening his own construction company. She could recall hearing him talk about it to her parents all the time while growing up, and he even talked about it a lot after they passed to Brody.
Three months ago, that dream happened for him. She had seen the way the purpose affected him whenever he came into the bar, the light of pride in his eyes. She envied that, excited to find it herself. Though she also happened to notice how the fabric stretched across his strong chest. “I bet you get all the catcalls in that T-shirt.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Right now, I only want one girl catcalling at me in this T-shirt.”
She whistled.
Addictive heat flared in his eyes. He took a step toward her, all the air evaporating between them. When he pressed his hands against the mattress, leaning in close, her belly fluttered, heart raced. To be Chase’s focus heated her from head to toe. She leaned in to kiss him, when out of nowhere, Houdini nipped her chin. “Ouch.” She gently snatched him up, holding him against her chest. “Maybe I should grab a crate when I’m there.”
“Not a bad idea.” Chase reached down to the floor, rising again with a sock in his hand. The toe had a huge hole. “It will stop him from destroying my stuff while he’s here.”
She laughed again. “Oh, you are a naughty boy.” She kissed his cute nose anyway.
“Are you working tonight?” Chase asked, bringing her attention back to him as he buttoned up his jeans.
“Yeah, I told Megan I would keep working until Tuesday and help train my replacement, Bethany.” Harper had worked every night at the Spurs from seven thirty until closing, usually around three in the morning, alongside Megan.
Houdini began nibbling on his duvet. “I don’t think so, little one.” Chase scooped him up with one hand, holding him like a football again, the pup’s belly resting on his arms, little legs dangling. “I should have everything I need to do wrapped up this afternoon. What time will you be done with all your stuff?”
“Three o’clock-ish.” That gave her time to stop putting off moving and begin packing up her bedroom.
“Good.” He grinned. “Then I get you from three to seven.” It wasn’t a question, more a statement. One she didn’t mind either.
The warmth his presence carried spilled over
her when he placed Houdini on the bed again, then cupped her face. His lips met hers, his tongue sliding with hers, until she was breathless, moaning against his mouth. Each second becoming hotter. Every swipe of his tongue pulling her in deeper. His fingers threaded into her hair, pinning her to him. This was what she had been missing in her. She always wanted a man who claimed her, without fear of what her brother would do.
Chase was that man.
Though he also was the man who put everything and everyone before his own wants. He leaned away and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We need to go.”
Sometimes she wished he would stop being the good guy all the time. Actually, she wished he would put her first, not only when it made sense, but because he wanted her that badly.
Eight days. She would take what she could get.
He took a step back then and reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. He removed his credit card, offering it to her. “For what he needs at the pet store.”
She kept her hands on the bed. “That’s not necessary. I’ll pay for whatever he needs.”
Chase frowned. “How about we don’t argue about this, all right? The pup is in my house. He’s my responsibility. You’ve got enough expenses coming up, I’m sure. I’ve got this, Harper.”
Something in his eyes stopped her from arguing further. She realized she could love parts of his strength while appreciating that, at times, his strength might also annoy her a little. “Okay, then I won’t argue”—she grinned—“this time, since he is staying at your house.” And she was totally broke right now with the upcoming move. She accepted the card then gave Houdini another kiss on his nose.
Chase harrumphed. When she looked up, he arched an eyebrow again in her direction. “I do believe I deserve that kiss.”
“Right? How could I dare kiss the cutest puppy ever?” To tease him, she released Houdini, dropped the duvet, and rose to her knees, revealing her naked flesh. Chase’s gaze flared with heat as he glanced over her puckered nipples and moved lower to her sex. She quivered with ravenous hunger as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He slid his hand over her back, to her bottom, pressing her tighter against him, revealing his erection. His lips discovered hers in a kiss taking her away from there, bringing her to a place where thoughts faded, and sensation became all she knew.
A piercing bark broke their kiss. She glanced over her shoulder, finding Houdini attacking the duvet as if the bed were his greatest enemy.
Chase narrowed his eyes. “Don’t forget that crate, beautiful.”
* * *
After dropping Houdini off at the vet clinic with Leah, Chase drove the fifteen minutes to his parents’ ranch. He slowed the truck as he passed through the big iron gates, BLACKSHAW CATTLE CO. etched into the wrought iron with AND GUEST RANCH recently added below.
Besides the grand entrance, there was nothing fancy about his parents’ home. The farmhouse had been built in the 1800s, and while a small addition had been added on at some point to make a new living room, the stone farmhouse was still modest.
When he pulled up to the twelve newly built log cabins surrounding the large limestone fire pit, all of which were across from the farmhouse and adjacent to the newly built comfort station of bathrooms and showers, he saw his two brothers and Colin Hadgart, the CEO of Blackshaw Cattle. Colin was a longtime friend of his father’s and a topnotch businessman. When his father stepped down as the CEO of Blackshaw Cattle, Colin had taken over running the company, though all major decisions had remained with their father. Colin had mainly handled day-to-day business. Now that their father had passed away, Colin took over the majority of the control, especially since none of the Blackshaw sons wanted the company their father had left them.
Chase parked his truck next to Shep’s black truck and quickly exited. The moment his boots hit the dirt, Gus, Nash’s yellow Labrador retriever, greeted him, slamming into his legs. He patted Gus, who promptly ran away, chasing birds flying in the sky.
Chase strode forward, approaching the others. He was proud of what he had accomplished in the three short months he had been given to turn his late father’s cattle ranch into a working guest ranch, and nothing made him happier than that the CEO of Blackshaw Cattle was there to see what he had done. “It’s about time you’ve come for a visit,” he said to Colin as he approached.
“I thought it was time.” Colin smiled, his trusting brown eyes creasing at the corners. In his mid-forties and fit, dressed in a suit, he played the part of big business that Chase and his brothers would never be caught playing. “Shep was showing me around. Hope that’s all right.”
“Of course, it’s all right.” Chase offered his hand. “I’m happy you’re finally seeing what we’ve done here.”
“What you’ve done,” Shep, the oldest Blackshaw brother, said. His light brown eyes, the same shade of Chase’s and their late father’s, twinkled with obvious amusement. “About time you got here. Running late?”
Chase nodded, noticing that his team was already in the cabins, working full steam ahead. “I had something to do this morning.”
“Something to do . . . or someone?” Nash, his youngest brother, quipped.
Chase turned to Nash. “You are a child.” Nash took after their mother, Jenny. While they all stood over six-foot-two, with Shep being slightly taller than the rest of them, Nash’s brown hair was a shade lighter and his eyes were blue.
“I’m also right.” Nash grinned, then picked up a big stick and tossed it for Gus to chase.
Ignoring his younger brother, who made it a habit to be a pain in all their asses as often as possible, Chase focused on Colin. “What do you think so far?” Because making Colin happy was as important as making the guest ranch a success.
“I like what I’m seeing,” Colin commented, studying the cabins.
Chase watched his expression, trying desperately to read his thoughts. This visit had been a long time coming. After their father, Rick Blackshaw, passed away from a heart attack, they had learned that Blackshaw Cattle was on the brink of bankruptcy. Trying to protect them and their mother, Rick had kept the company’s imminent demise a secret for reasons unknown. Shep had tried to find a solution to save the company from financial ruin, which nearly ended in their having to sell their land to Blackshaw Cattle’s greatest competitor, Irish Creek Ranch, owned by Clint Harrison, Megan’s father.
In the end, Shep’s girlfriend, Emma, offered up the idea of turning the cattle ranch into a working guest ranch where visitors could run the cattle alongside the Blackshaw Cattle cowboys. This new venture gave them a way to bring in new income to replace the clients their father lost to Irish Creek Ranch. While the risk was there for Chase and his brothers, Colin was also risking a lot by staying on as CEO of a possible sinking ship.
Colin finally looked at Chase and gave a firm nod. “It’s really great, guys. I cannot believe how much you’ve gotten done in three months.”
“It’s remarkable,” Shep said, crossing his arms over his BLACKSHAW SURVIVAL T-shirt, which was his company where he held a contract with the government to train soldiers and police to survive in the elements. To Chase, he asked, “Any concerns on the build, or is everything on schedule?”
“We’ve got the inspection on Monday. I allotted these extra two weeks before the grand opening because inspections always turn up small things we’ll need to fix.” Though Chase hoped they didn’t face any. There was a lot riding on the guest ranch. This venture needed to succeed, or they’d have to close the company that had made the Blackshaw name. “But I anticipate they’ll be small, easy fixes. Shouldn’t be much of a problem for us.”
“That’s good to hear.” Colin glanced over the area and then gave a crisp nod. “It’s all really great.” He offered his hand to Shep first. “Emma sent me the link to the new website.” In her prior life, before she had met Shep and moved into her late grandmother’s farm, she had worked in marketing when she lived in New York City. Her sharp mind and incredible ideas impressed
Chase constantly. “I think you’ve got something really special here,” Colin continued. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this new venture.”
Before Shep could reply, a soft voice came behind them. “Hi, Colin.”
Chase glanced over his shoulder to find his mother approaching, a flower-patterned dishcloth over her shoulder. She had been putting on a front these past months that she was holding up well, but between losing her husband and the revelation of the company’s trouble, Chase knew she was stressed. Her tender blue eyes had dark circles beneath them, though her salt-and-pepper long hair was pulled back into a neat bun, as always.
“Jenny.” Colin stepped forward, taking her into a hug. “You’re looking lovely as always.”
Nash rolled his eyes. Chase smiled. Colin was damn good at schmoozing. That’s what made him a great CEO.
“Hasn’t Chase done such a wonderful job?” Jenny proudly waved out at the cabins.
“Yes, ma’am, it’s quite impressive,” Colin replied. To Chase he said, “Let me know if you need anything from me for the grand opening.” He offered his hand.
Chase nodded and returned the handshake. “Thanks, Colin.”
Once Colin said his goodbyes to the family, he got into his sporty Mercedes Benz, and the engine purred as he drove down the driveway.
Once he was out of sight, Nash said, “So now we breathe a little again, right?”
Shep sighed. “Yes, that went well. He’s staying on as CEO.”
“One big worry scratched off the list.” Chase shoved his hands into the pockets of his Levi’s. Now that he’d had a taste of working construction, he would never go back. No one wanted Colin’s fancy office job, certainly not Chase.
“I am so incredibly proud of all of you.” Jenny kissed Shep first on the cheek, then promptly kissed Nash, followed by Chase. Her voice blistered. “Your father would have been so proud of each one of you.”
Sweet-Loving Cowboy--A Kinky Spurs Novel Page 5
