She lay on her back and spread her legs wide, an open invitation to Jake. He rolled toward her, positioning his cock at the wet, swollen entrance of her core. Excitement skittered up her spine in anticipation of his cock sliding into her, filling her with its length and thickness. She pressed her heels against the mattress, lifting her hips toward him.
“Fuck me, Jake. Please, fuck me. I need you. I need your cock.” She rolled her hips, her body begging for the thrusting shaft that would catapult her into ecstasy. Then he was inside her, inside the warm wet channel of her sex, his cock stroking deep and pulling away, only to slide deep once again. Her own arousal and need seemed to turn Jake on and he fucked her with a frenzy she had never experienced, his body slamming into hers, his hands clutching her ass, lifting her to meet his plunging cock.
Amanda reacted to Jake’s ferocity with total abandon, writhing under him and wailing in pleasure as he drove into her. “Ohhh God! Yes. Yesss! Fuck me hard, Jake. Make me come.”
Her climax came in a wave of fiery heat. She clutched Jake’s shoulders and screamed as rapturous sensations surged through her body.
Between the waves of pleasure that swept through her, she felt Jake tense over her, his hips bucking and slamming into her core with his climax, surrendering to a bliss that blended with hers, uniting them in ecstasy.
As their orgasms faded, they lay facing each other, gazing into each other’s eyes as they had done in the cabin. “My God, that was incredible,” Amanda said. “How can sex with you just keep getting better and better?”
“Not sure,” Jake said. “Practice maybe?”
She giggled. “Well, I must say we’ve had plenty of that. Thanks to you and a couple of cowboys.”
“Any regrets?”
“None at all. On our first night together, we talked about me exploring my sexual boundaries. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed that journey.” She grinned mischievously and circled one of his nipples with her fingertips. “I might be able to show you though.”
Jake grinned and shook his head. “Could we maybe get some breakfast first? I’m starving.” He got out of bed and put on fresh underwear and a clean pair of jeans from his closet.
“It’s sexy, watching you get dressed,” she said. “I like it.”
“Well, I might like watching you get dressed, too. I’m usually too worried about getting you undressed.”
“At the moment, I don’t have anything to put on. I don’t want to wear Julie’s clothes again. Or even my bra. Not after last night. I can probably make it to my room in a towel.”
Jake slid his closet door open and pulled out a clean denim work shirt. Thumbing through the shirts hanging in the closet he took another shirt off its hanger. “Here.” He tossed it to her. The shirt was soft flannel with a scalloped yoke and cuffs.
She grinned and slid off the bed. “Oh, I like this. It’s the same color as your eyes.”
****
Jake dressed quickly as he watched Amanda. She’d slipped on the flannel shirt but only snapped the two snaps at the waist, leaving the top ones undone and revealing glimpses of her breasts as she moved around. The open tail of the shirt, which reached almost to her knees, offered teasing glimpses of her pussy when she sat on the edge of the bed. It was an effect that he admired.
He sat down on a leather footstool and put on his socks. As he reached for his boots, he said, “I need to ask you something.”
She was sitting cross-legged on the end of the bed, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. “Ask away.”
He glanced up at her then looked back down at the boot he was pulling on. “Do you think you might want another threesome?”
The question seemed to catch her completely by surprise. “Why do you ask, Jake?”
He looked up at her again. “Justin and Luke wanted to know. You seemed to have fun.”
“Why didn’t they ask me? Why have you do it?”
“I think because they know I want you. And they know we weren’t just watching it rain and hail at the cabin. Maybe they figured they needed my approval or something.”
She studied him for a moment, her dark eyes flashing. “Why in hell would Justin and Luke need your permission? I’m not your ho. You ‘want me.’ What does that mean? Is this just about sex? Or are we getting emotionally involved, even though we said we wouldn’t? Maybe last night, sleeping together without fucking our brains out, was a mistake. You know this has all been about the sex, Nothing more.” Her voice broke a little. “I can’t handle this being anything more.”
He looked up from adjusting a spur, surprised by the sharp edge in her voice. “Well, hell, they don’t need my permission. And yes, I want you. That’s pretty obvious. But I don’t have my brand on you. And you’re done here…” He paused, slightly flustered. This wasn’t going the way he’d thought it would. He had begun to have feelings for her beyond the outrageously great sex. But he hadn’t expected the same from her. If they would never see each other again, why not let her enjoy one more threesome? On the other hand, maybe he was hoping she would say she didn’t want another go-round with Luke and Justin.
“You mean once my work is done,” she said, “we probably won’t see each other again. Is that right?” The edge in her voice grew sharper.
“Yes. That’s partly…”
“And you’ve enjoyed fucking me and you know I enjoyed the night with Justin and Luke.”
“I know you enjoyed it.” Dammit, he thought. I should have kept my damn mouth shut.
“But you also know how much I enjoyed making love to you. How special that has been. Like yesterday at the cabin. And this morning.”
“Yes. But I don’t have my brand on…”
“Goddammit,” she yelled. “Stop saying that! I’m not one of your fucking cows.” Amanda was now pacing back and forth, obviously pissed.
“I know you don’t want to stand in the way of my sexual pleasure, but why would you pimp me out to other men?”
“No. That’s not what I…”
“To be honest, Jake, I know that this isn’t forever. God, I live in New York. And I’m extremely attracted to you to. Sex with you has been the best I’ve ever had. But the rest is true too. I did enjoy that night with Justin and Luke and wouldn’t be opposed to another threesome under the right circumstances. But I never imagined doing it without you. It was always about you.”
Jake stared at her. Had he been so wrapped up in helping her explore her sexual boundaries that he’d misread her feelings for him? He stepped toward her. “Amanda…”
She held up a hand, stopping him. “Let me finish, Jake. I realize my time here is short, but you’ve helped me in ways I can’t even describe. My only regret is that you weren’t a part of my fantasy, that you stood aside that night. The same with Luke in the barn. It was so erotic with you watching, but it would’ve been so much hotter if you had fucked me, too.” She stopped abruptly with her hands on her hips, facing him.
He stared at her, his second boot half on, unable to collect his thoughts or say what he felt at her admission. Mimicking the move he’d made in the barn, Amanda reached out and grabbed the back of his neck, pulling his lips to hers for a passionate kiss. Just as he started to reach for her, she ended the kiss and turned toward the balcony door. Then she stopped and looked over her shoulder. “And I’m keeping this shirt.”
Jake sat dumfounded, watching her leave. He finished putting on his boots and spurs and stood up, reaching for his chaps. He needed to get on a horse and ride away. Far away. What the hell was going on around here?
****
Back in her room, Amanda felt surprisingly elated. Her mostly one-sided conversation with Jake had cleared the air a bit, allowing her say some of the things she had been thinking. She also had a good feeling about the Indian blanket still spread out on her bed. If Chi Long was willing to fly from New Mexico to Texas, just on the strength of the photos she’d sent, the blanket must have some value. And unlike the fake Randell painting, it had to be
real and valuable. The question would be just how valuable. Hopefully Chi Long could answer that.
There was a knock at the door and she opened it to find Julie standing in the hallway. The petite blonde was dressed in ordinary ranch work clothes.
“How you doing, Mandy?” she asked, stepping into the room. “After our night at the Rusty Buckle? You okay?”
“I’m fine, Julie. Except for a few lousy minutes in the parking lot, I had a really good time.”
“Buck’s in the hospital in San Angelo. Thanks to Jake, his abusive ways are over. By the way, I like your shirt.”
Amanda smiled. “I like it too. I stole it from Jake.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind. He likes you a lot.”
“I like him, too. But I’m heading back to New York. Probably tomorrow.” She looked at Julie. “I know I have no right to ask this, but I was just wondering if you and Jake…If you and he…ever…”
“Ever had sex?” Julie finished with a grin.
Amanda blushed, embarrassed that she even wanted to know.
“Jake and I have had sex,” Julie said. “But never alone. Luke or Justin were there the few times it happened. He never seemed interested in just me, though.” Julie grinned. “The times with Luke and Justin were outrageously good though. Those cowboys do know how to please a lady.”
“Then Jake’s not really against sharing a woman?”
“Not as far as I know. He seemed to enjoy it.” She looked quickly at her watch. “It’s almost eight. You should have some breakfast. I’ve got a few chores to do, but we need to leave at eleven to get to the Walker place by noon.” She was gone before Amanda could respond.
****
Jake got a sharp reprimand in Spanish when he hurried through the kitchen without stopping for Rosita’s breakfast. Why the hell did I have to go and open my damn mouth? Grabbing a cup of coffee, he headed out the back door toward the stables. When he arrived, Justin was tightening the cinch on Cricket’s saddle. “You’re running a bit later than usual.”
Jake scowled at his brother. “Well I’m not punching a goddamn time clock.” He grabbed his saddle and threw it up on Ginger’s back.
“Whoa, bro. Who put a burr under your saddle?”
Without responding, Jake finished saddling Ginger and led her out of the stable. As he swung up in to the saddle, he growled, “Let’s just go move those damn cows.”
Justin mounted Cricket and the two brothers rode side by side across the creek. “I heard you knocked Buck McCoy on his ass last night.”
“He deserved it.”
“So I heard. How’s Amanda?”
“Physically, she’s fine. Otherwise, I’ll be damned if I know.”
They rode in silence for a while, then Justin said, “Did you ask her about doing another threesome with me and Luke?”
“Yes, and she damned near bit my head off. Said if you two cowboys wanted to fuck her you should ask her yourselves. Not have me pimp her out.” Jake cursed, wondering how the situation must have appeared to Amanda.
Justin reined to a halt. “Pimp her out? What the hell…”
“I don’t know what the hell,” Jake said. “About women and about Amanda Sloane in particular. And it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference anyway because tomorrow she’ll be out of here and on her way back to New York.” Despite his intention to keep his feelings corralled, her impending departure gave him a pain in his chest.
Justin looked over at his brother. He studied him for a moment, then smiled. “Damn, Jake. I think you’re smitten. Did Amanda sleep with you last night?”
“Yes, and all we did was sleep.” The hour they spent making love after they woke up was none of his brother’s business.
“That’s dangerous, Jake. Sleeping with a woman without fucking her is serious. No telling where cuddling will lead.”
“Oh, shut up and help me round up those cows.”
****
Everyone else had eaten breakfast and left for chores by the time Amanda came down to the kitchen. She had dressed in jeans and a tank top and felt refreshed after a couple of hours sleep and making love to Jake.
Rosita urged her to sit down and put a plate filled with pancakes, eggs, and bacon in front of her. “Señorita Sloane,” she said, concern in her eyes. “I’m so sorry about what happened to you last night.”
The statement startled her. “Rosita, how do you know about that?”
“Cell phones and social networks, Miss Sloane. Ranchers stick together and stay connected. My Manuel says many people are happy Buck was punished. He is a very bad man.”
And he got a beating from a very good man, she thought. Amanda wolfed down her breakfast and decided to walk down to see the new foal.
The foal had grown remarkably in twenty-four hours and was much less wobbly on her spindly legs. Amanda stood at the railing watching the new filly nudge its mother’s teat for breakfast, amazed at how much bigger she was.
The barn door opened and she turned to see Luke entering with a bucket of oats for the mare. He nodded and smiled. “Howdy, Miss Sloane. How are you?” Then his smile faded. “I’m sorry about what happened last night. I should’ve—”
“I’m fine, Luke,” she interrupted. “How about you? How did things go with the cute redhead you were dancing with?”
Luke grinned. “A gentleman doesn’t tell, does he?” He poured the oats into the mare’s feed bucket and turned to face her. “Everything okay with you and Jake?”
“Everything is fine, I think.” She studied him for a minute. “He did mention last night that you and Justin were interested in being with me again.”
Luke’s complexion turned from tanned brown to beet red, spreading from his neck to his forehead. She watched the tall, self-assured cowboy squirm, obviously trying to think of something to say.
“Well…um…that cuts right to the chase. Could I ask what your answer was?” His voice had risen half an octave and he still had a russet glow.
“The one night we had was lovely, but since I’m probably leaving tomorrow…”
She left his question unanswered and walked out of the foal barn, leaving Luke still rosy from embarrassment. She hadn’t wanted to make him quite that uncomfortable, but she knew it wouldn’t permanently damage his ego. Besides, if the two of them wanted to have sex with her again, they should ask her themselves.
****
Amanda and Julie made good time getting to the Circle W, arriving at a quarter to twelve. Julie was obviously curious about the Chinese man they were going to pick up, but she didn’t pressure Amanda for information.
The Circle W’s airstrip wasn’t much more than a long swath of beaten-down grass bordered by rusted airplane parts. A yellow single-engine plane sat at one end of the strip, tied down with cables and stakes so it wouldn’t blow away in the Texas wind.
Julie and Buddy Walker began discussing the foal, while Amanda walked out onto the grass strip and waited, scouring the sky for an airplane. It arrived at twelve fifteen, flown by Chi Long himself. As he climbed out of the cockpit, he gave Amanda a friendly hug, telling her how glad he was to see her again. At only five three, he had to reach up to hug her.
After meeting Julie and Walker, Chi introduced his passenger. “This is Dr. Dennis Underwood,” he said. “From the University of New Mexico. Dr. Underwood is a world-renowned expert in Native American art and artifacts. We are both excited to see what you discovered.”
Given their excitement, Amanda quickly herded everyone to the waiting car. On the way back to the Morgan Ranch, she told the two men about the cabin that had been on the ranch one hundred years or more, and the blankets and pots still on the beds and shelves.
At the ranch, Julie left to do more chores, telling Amanda she would be back for supper. Jake and Justin were both working on horseback, moving cattle up to higher spring pastures. Amanda brought the blanket and pot down to the main room, where the two visitors could examine them carefully. Underwood took two pairs of white cotton glo
ves out of his jacket pocket and handed one pair to Chi. They put the gloves on then carefully began to examine the pot and blanket.
Her pulse was racing, but she forced herself to remain outwardly calm, waiting for the collector and artifacts expert to give their appraisals. The men conferred quietly, murmuring to each other.
Finally, they turned to her and smiled. With her heart in her throat, she hoped and prayed for a good appraisal.
The expert, Underwood, spoke first. “This is definitely a first phase Navaho chief’s blanket, probably woven in the late 18th century. Notice how tightly woven it is. It’s almost waterproof. It’s also very warm and very light, lighter than a buffalo robe. These blankets were very highly prized by the tribes.”
She continued to constrain her excitement behind a façade of professionalism. Be calm, she told herself. No squealing for joy. “And the estimated value?” she asked casually.
Underwood looked at Chi, then turned back to her. “There are about fifteen known blankets like this in the world. Mr. Long purchased one at auction in Taos three years ago. Regrettably, each new find diminishes the value of the others…but only slightly. I would estimate this blanket could sell at auction for between two hundred and two hundred fifty thousand dollars.”
Chi clapped his hands excitedly. “I knew it, Amanda! As soon as I saw the photo you sent, I knew what you had found!”
She was bursting with relief, joy, excitement—all the emotions eaten up by the disappointment over the fake Randell.
“And the pot? It’s a beautiful design, and it looks old. But does it have any real value?”
Underwood took a deep breath. “I’m almost certain this is a Hopi pot made by an artisan named Onapi. If it is, it was made sometime in the 1880s or 90s. I would need to check to make sure the clay is right, and check the size against other pots Onapi made. But I’m ninety nine percent certain.”
“And if it is what you think it is?” Amanda clenched her hands in anticipation.
One Hard Ride Page 16
