To Trust A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 4) Page 5

  "How much time have you spent with this guy?"

  "Not much. A couple of lunches. What?" she asked, seeing the look on his face.

  "Just curious. Has he shown you a contract? Have you been to his office?"

  "No, neither of those things."

  "Have you checked him out? Called Western Rider Clothin' to see if he even works there?"

  "Never even occurred to me. You don't think he's a complete phony, do you?"

  "Something about this doesn't smell right. How did you meet him?"

  "This is embarrassing. At Colby's tack store. He was in there while I was trying on jeans and he approached me in the parking lot."

  "That's it?"

  "He handed me his business card. Good grief. This sounds really hokey, doesn't it?"

  "Yeah, Natalie, it does."

  "He's always creeped me out. Please, take my phone and call him. I can be such an idiot sometimes."

  "Hey, he could be on the level," Dylan said, taking it from her and placing the call.

  "You don't believe that for a minute."

  "That doesn't mean I'm right. It's ringing."

  "Hey, beautiful," a male voice said. "Sorry I couldn't stick around, but congratulations. That was a great ride. We'll celebrate tonight."

  Though Dylan could have interrupted he wanted to hear what the man had to say and how he said it. Doug's voice had been smooth and slightly superior.

  "Is this Doug Baldwin?"

  "Uh, yeah. Who's this?" Doug asked brusquely. "Why are you on Natalie Beaumont's phone?"

  "This is Dylan Clark, her boyfriend. Natalie took a spill from her horse and she's not feelin' good. She asked me to let you know she can't make it tonight."

  "I'm sorry to hear that. About her falling off, I mean. Uh, tell her I hope she feels better soon."

  "Sure will. Bye."

  "Bye."

  "Done!" Dylan declared, ending the call and handing her the phone.

  "Wow."

  "What?"

  "That felt great. Thank you for doing that."

  "Happy to, and now he knows someone's got your back. Are you ready to leave?"

  "I am, but I still need to take care of Misty. I have to stuff her hay net, mix her supplements and rice bran, and put her sheet on. I think it's going to be cold tonight."

  "I'll help you do all that, but Natalie, I just had a thought. We still don't know who caused all your problems today, or why they did it. The most obvious answer is a fellow competitor, but I still find that hard to believe."

  "You think it was Doug?"

  "I have no idea, but what would he have to gain?"

  "Nothing that I can think of."

  "I'm gonna suggest something. Don't freak out when I say this."

  "Freak out? Why would I freak out?"

  "Maybe we should move Misty into another barn."

  "Oh, my God! You think this person might hurt her?"

  "Again, I have no idea, but I'll sleep better knowin' she's somewhere else."

  "This is awful. Holy crap!"

  "Natalie, stop freakin' out. Dammit. I should've just done it and told you tomorrow."

  "No, no, don't say that. I'm glad you said something. I might have thought the same thing in the middle of the night and totally panicked. Do I need to talk to Jim?"

  "I'll call Heath. He leased an entire barn and I know he has a couple of free stalls."

  "Having her with Heath and Carly would be terrific."

  "You won't have to worry a bit. Salvo, that's Heath's groom, he checks on them through the night."

  "Dylan, thank you so much."

  "No problem, darlin'."

  As Dylan called and made the arrangements, Natalie poured herself a fresh mug of coffee, but as she drank it, she had a sudden thought.

  "Taken care of," Dylan declared, "and they'll keep it under wraps. Carly is pickin' up her saddle now, and Salvo is movin' your tack trunk."

  "I remember Salvo. Shy, but sweet. This is so kind of them."

  "Hey, Heath and Carly are the best."

  "I know. Carly was so great when I first got Misty and needed help, but Dylan, while you were on the phone I realized something. These incidents, they started a few weeks ago at home."

  "They did? Tell me what happened."

  "Let's see. An unopened container of Misty's custom-blended supplements disappeared from the feed room. That stuff is really expensive and it was a two month supply."

  "You're kiddin'? What else?"

  "One morning I got to the barn really early and found the gate to Misty's corral wide open. Thank God she hadn't wandered off. I just assumed I hadn't closed the latch properly the night before."

  "Natalie, I can't believe what I'm hearin'."

  "Small items went missing, a couple of times when I was there by myself I felt someone watching me, but I never saw anyone, and there were other things. I just can't think of them right now. Dylan, I'm so glad you suggested moving Misty."

  "Damn. Someone really is messin' with you. We've gotta figure this out."

  "I'm suddenly scared."

  "I don't blame you. Where are you stayin'?"

  "That adorable motel by the lake, The Blue Moon. I have a room though, not one of the cabins."

  "I do."

  "You do what? Have a cabin there?"

  "Yep."

  "Why haven't I see you?"

  "Probably because I'm at the edge of the property and I enter down a dirt road. Why don't we get Misty settled, then I'll take you back?"

  "What about my jeep? I don't want to leave it here overnight. I'm okay to drive."

  "I'm your bodyguard, remember? But I'll compromise. I'll follow you."

  "Dylan, in spite of this nerve-racking mystery, for the first time in a long while, I feel…"

  "Yes?"

  "Like I'm going to wake up happy," silently adding, and maybe I really can trust you.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Soaking in the hot, foamy water, images of Dylan consumed Natalie's thoughts.

  The wicked twinkle in his eye.

  His wide shoulders.

  The confidence with which he carried himself.

  "I'm crazy about you Dylan Clark," she softly murmured, remembering how divine she had felt wrapped in his arms. "I want to be with you so much it hurts."

  Slowly rising from the tub, she toweled off, donned her robe, and padding from the bathroom, she flopped down on the bed. Her phone sitting innocently on the nightstand dared her to call him.

  She ached to be with him.

  Taste his lips.

  Surrender her body.

  He had walked her to the door, they'd exchanged numbers, then he'd leaned in and softly kissed her. The tingles had shivered through her body and all the way down to her toes. Picking up her phone she stared at his name.

  "Would it be so terrible if I asked him over? We've been dancing around each other for a year."

  Heart racing, she placed the call.

  "Hey, Natalie. You okay?"

  She paused.

  "Natalie?"

  "Dylan, I need a back rub."

  Her request had been whispered.

  She hadn't meant it to be.

  Her voice had just come out that way.

  But she wasn't sorry.

  If her meaning hadn't been clear in her comment, it would have been impossible to miss in her husky tone.

  "You sure?"

  "I'm sure."

  "I just stepped outta the shower. I'll be there shortly."

  Dropping her phone on the bedside table, she rolled on her side and hugged the extra pillow. She'd never done anything like it in her life, but the need pulsing through her body wouldn't be denied.

  "I just wish I was at your cabin. That would be perfect. So private and quiet. I suppose it doesn't matter. Anywhere I'm naked with you will be perfect."

  * * * * * * * * *

  When Dylan kissed Natalie at her door he'd longed to sweep her up and carry her to bed, and though he'd felt her aching need, he'd thought it too soon, and she was exhausted. Telling himself the inevitable would happen and he needed to be patient, he'd reluctantly climbed back in his truck to return to his cabin. As he'd pulled onto the main road, his cock urgently pressing against his jeans, he'd decided to drive into the nearby town to buy a packet of condoms. When he finally returned to his cabin, he'd stepped into the shower, and had just wrapped a towel around his waist when he'd heard the chiming of his phone.

  Her timing had been perfect. Though he'd expected their time together would happen soon, he had not anticipated her breathy pleas to visit her.

  "I just wish you were here," he muttered as he hurriedly dressed.

  Moving back into the bathroom, he removed the cellophane wrapping off the package, and stuffed a few condom in his pocket. Glancing in the mirror he realized his hair was still wet and unruly, but as he reached for his comb he heard a vehicle pull up outside his door. Walking through the small living room, he moved aside the curtain and looked outside.

  A white jeep!

  Racing to his door, he opened it as Natalie stepped on the porch.

  "You were so kind to agree to rub my back I thought the least I could do was bring it over. I hope you don't mind."

  "I've never not minded anything so much in my life," he muttered, taking her hand as she entered. "Are you psychic?"

  "Psychic?"

  "I was wishing I could, uh, massage your sore muscles here."

  "Great minds," she murmured, gazing up at him. "I'm so relieved I arrived before you left to come to my room. I'm just glad I found the right cabin."

  "How did you know it was this one?"

  "You said it was at the edge of the property, and when I turned down the gravel road I saw your truck. I probably should
have called."

  "I'm glad you didn't. This is a great surprise," he said softly, helping her take off her jacket and tossing it on a nearby chair. "You need to show me where your back hurts. You still need a massage, right?"

  "Yes, please—Sir."

  Her words sent his cock surging back to life, and lifting her off her feet, he carried her into the bedroom, but as her arms clung around his neck, her head burrowed into his shoulder. Reaching the bed, he gently laid her down and quickly stretched out next to her.

  "You havin' second thoughts?" he murmured, holding her tightly.

  "No, it's not that."

  "Then what is it?"

  "I haven't been with anyone in ages, and, uh, you're not just anyone."

  "You mean, 'cos I'm a Dom?"

  "That, and…"

  "Come on. Spit it out. You have to now."

  "I care about you."

  Dylan heard the fear.

  He understood.

  Completely.

  "Hey, I care about you too. I think I've made that pretty obvious, haven't I?"

  "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think that. It's just…"

  "Someone treated you badly?"

  "How did you know?"

  "This isn't my first barrel race."

  "I never thought I'd get over him. Sorry. I didn't mean to arrive with a suitcase of drama."

  "You don't have to apologize and you don't have to explain. I'm glad you're tellin' me, and I get it. Everyone has their heart broken, but in our world I think it's different. More intense."

  "I'm so happy you said that. I don't understand why, but it is. The trust…it's heavier. That's the only word I can think of."

  "I get it. There's an intensity between people like us that's indescribable, and breakin' up cuts us to the core. Do you still care about this guy? Do you still miss him? It's okay if you do."

  "I miss how he made me feel. I miss the amazing highs, getting lost in—you know! But I don't miss him. I don't have any feelings at all about him. The anger's long gone, the disbelief that I stripped myself bare for him, all that is gone, but the need, the need is like this horrible empty space that nothing can fill, and normal sex didn't help. To be honest, normal sex only made it worse."

  "Natalie, people like us are cursed and blessed," he murmured, then raising himself up, he slid his fingers into her hair and gently tugged. "Look at me." He knew what he'd see. Hope and joy tinged with trepidation. "There are no guarantees, but you can trust me, Natalie. I know that's the hardest thing for you, but it's at the top of the list if we're gonna make a go of this."

  "Being able to trust. That's what he broke in me. I won't lie to you, I'm still scared, but I feel I can trust you. I don't know why, I just do. I think it helps that you're a cowboy."

  "Why?"

  "Down to earth, solid, old-fashioned values. That's kind of a cowboy thing."

  "Not all cowboys, but yeah, I can lay claim to those things, and I keep my promises."

  "I'm sure you do," she murmured, her lips curling in a sassy grin.

  "I take it this other guy wasn't."

  "A cowboy? Hardly. He was a stockbroker. He could lie as easily as breathing."

  "I'll always be straight with you, darlin'."

  "Dylan, I, uh, I feel safe with you, and I haven't felt safe in a really long time. I don't know what I would've done without you today. You're my hero. Please will you kiss me?"

  His heart swelled, and as her eyes sparkled up at him, an epiphany washed over him.

  He wasn't obsessed.

  He was in love.

  Magically, inexplicably, totally in love.

  Tightening his hold on her hair, he pressed his lips on hers.

  Finally freed from her emotional shackles, Natalie returned his kiss with fervent passion.

  Dylan was real.

  Their connection was real.

  Unbridled lust firing through her body, her fingers dug into his back and her legs swung around him, but abruptly he pulled back.

  "What's wrong?" she panted. "Please, don't tell me something's wrong."

  "Yeah, there's something wrong," he growled. "Your clothes are on."

  Taking hold of her T-shirt, he quickly lifted it over her head, then slipping his hand behind her and unsnapping her bra, he slipped it down her arms.

  "Damn, girl, you're gorgeous." Dropping his lips to a nipple he drew it into his mouth, sucking hungrily as his fingers tweaked its twin. "I can't wait to get you back home," he muttered, straightening up and unbuttoning his shirt.

  "Because?"

  "I've got a bag filled with all the toys you could want, and probably some you don't."

  "Oh, my God. You just made my toes curl."

  "Hah. Your toes ain't seen nothin' yet."

  Climbing off the bed, he quickly undressed, then pulling off her boots and socks, he unzipped her jeans.

  "You naughty girl," he said with a wicked grin. "No panties?"

  "I guess I forgot."

  "And I'm guessin' that was a white lie," he quipped, sliding her jeans down her legs. "Remember what I said about that?"

  "No."

  "Another white lie?"

  "I don't know what you mean."

  "And a third," he exclaimed with a chuckle. "You really do want your ass spanked, but I've gotta ask, aren't you still hurtin' from the fall?

  "Duh!" she retorted, rolling her eyes.

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "Would I tell three white lies if my back was hurting?"

  "I think I just heard a guilty plea. Maybe a spankin' will help you as much as a back rub, and both might work wonders. Let's find out."

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, he deftly pulled her over his lap and ran his palm over her backside.

  "You've got such a spankable ass. You sure you're not in pain?"

  "Not yet," she quipped, looking over her shoulder.

  "Naughty Natalie!"

  Raising his hand, he let it fly with a solid slap, followed by two more in quick succession.

  "How about now?"

  "Kind of."

  "Uh-huh, I figured you'd come back at me with that," he declared, landing a volley of smacks on the same spot. "Sure is turnin' a pretty pink."

  "Okay!"

  "Okay? What does that mean?"

  "Yeah, it hurts now."

  "And your point is?" he asked, landing his palm on her opposite cheek. "I don't know about this other Dom you had, but sassin' me might get you a whole lot more than you bargained for."

  "Ow! Like what?"

  "Like I said, once we get home I'll be openin' my box of tricks," he promised, continuing to spank. "I'll put a few of my favorite implements on the bed and let you pick."

  "Ouch, ouch! Can you tell me—ouch—what you—ouch—have?"

  "Let's see, two paddles, lucite and wood, a tawse, ever felt a tawse?"

  "Ow, no, I've never heard of a—ow! That one really hurt."

  "Uh-huh," he murmured, rubbing her flushed skin. "A tawse is a nasty little strap with tongues, and I have a cane of course," he continued, "but only for serious offenses."

  "Ouch. Dylan—"

  "No-one here by that name."

  "Sir! Sir, please, Sir, I'm sorry I provoked you."

  "That right?"

  "Yes, ouch, ouch, I am."

  "You were just seein' if I'm a man of my word."

  "Yes, ow, please, Sir."

  "Ten real hard, and you'll count 'em out. Ready?"

  "Yes, Sir."

  Slowly delivering each fiery slap, she obediently counted them down, and dispatching the last, he massaged her scarlet skin until he felt her sink into his lap.

  "How are you feelin', darlin'?"

  "A part of me wants to say, how do you think? But I don't think I should."

  "Good answer," he said with a chuckle, then slid his fingers into her sex. "Damn, girl, you are drenched."

  Spreading her legs, she let out a long, low moan.

  "Come on up," he said, helping her off his lap. "I'm gonna hold you for a bit."

  "Yes, please."

  As she snuggled against him, he stroked her back and gently rubbed her hot backside.

  "I'm gonna ask you again, how are you feelin'?"

  "Better than I have in a very long time. I'm just praying this isn't a dream."

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Curled against Dylan's body, her backside deliciously hot and his arms wrapped around her, Natalie felt safe, protected and cared for.

  She could breathe again.

  As he began rolling her on her back, she lifted her arms around his neck as he pressed his mouth on hers in a long, lingering kiss. Their passion grew fervent, and with their erotic fever taking hold, he pushed her legs apart with his and placed his cock at her slick entrance.