To Trust A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 4) Page 6

  "Wait," she said urgently. "Do you have a condom?"

  "It's already on."

  She didn't remember seeing him slide it into place, but her thoughts were vanquished as he slowly thrust inside her.

  "It's been so long," she panted, gazing up at him.

  "Feel good?"

  "Amazing. Absolutely amazing."

  "You wanna be ravaged?"

  "More than I can say."

  "Then you'd better start beggin'."

  She gasped, and though his unexpected husky command had taken her by surprise, a ripple of tingling sparks flowed through her body.

  "I'm waitin'," he muttered, sinking his weight on top of her.

  "Dylan, my God," she whimpered as he pinned her wrists on either side of her head, "you take my breath away."

  "I'm not hearin' you beg. You want me to pull out?'"

  "No! Please ravage me. Please?"

  As he began to stroke with slow powerful thrusts, she squeezed her eyes shut and let out a cry.

  "When I get you home I'm gonna tie your ankles wide apart," he growled, lowering to whisper the dark threat in her ear, "and your arms too. You're gonna be spread and at my mercy."

  His wicked promise elicited a cry and a squirm, and abruptly releasing her wrists and straightening up, Dylan deftly flipped her over, grabbed her hips and pulled them up.

  "Damn, your ass is red," he mumbled, landing a few additional smacks. "You want me back inside you?"

  "Yes, please, Sir. I'm begging you, please."

  "That's more like it."

  Holding himself at her portal, he teased for a moment, then snaking his way forward, began pumping with quick strokes. Listening to her ardent cries, and watching her fingers fist the bed covers, energy surged through his loins. Tightening his grip he accelerated.

  Though Natalie could hear her cries they were distant echoes. Lost in a vortex of scintillating sensations all she could focus on was the looming tsunami. The huge wave getting ready to crest could splinter her into a thousand pieces, but she was powerless to stop it.

  "I'm buyin' you some real pretty nipple clamps," he declared, pausing to reach underneath her to tweak her nipples. "They're gonna be chained to a collar."

  "C-collar?"

  "Yeah, baby," he said, his voice throaty as he pinched again, making her squeal before he resumed his fervid thrusting. "The chains will be tight or loose, dependin' on you. Good girl, they'll be loose, bad girl…"

  Stopping abruptly, he finished his sentence with two sharp tweaks.

  "Aargh…you're making me crazy," she howled, her throbbing nipples and his decadent promise giving energy to her pending orgasm. "Please fuck me, Sir. Please. I have to come. I have to."

  But remaining still, buried in her hot depths, he moved his fingers to her clit. As he vigorously rubbed she was sure she'd explode, but when she reached the pinnacle, he pulled his hand away.

  "Not yet."

  "Why did you stop?" she panted, sending her hand between her legs. "I'm there. I need to—"

  "Get that hand away," he scolded, landing a volley of hot smacks. "Now!"

  "Ow. Ow. Sorry, Sir, sorry."

  "Who does your pussy belong to?"

  "You, Sir."

  "No touchin' without permission. Clear?"

  "Ooh, yes, Sir."

  "When do you come?"

  "Only when you say, Sir."

  "Ask nice! Say, please."

  "Please, please, Sir. Please fuck me. Please let me come."

  "Are you gonna be good from now on? No touchin'?"

  "Yes, I'll be good, no I won't touch myself."

  "Promise?"

  "I promise, I do," she howled, wriggling against his pelvis. "Please, Sir."

  "I'm gonna hold you to that."

  His cock began pounding her pussy, and in moments the looming wave returned, but larger and even more powerful. Squeezing her eyes shut she waited for the crescendo, silently praying he'd take her all the way.

  For a year Dylan had craved her.

  Fantasized how he'd make love to her.

  Fuck her.

  Make her cry out.

  Make her scream.

  His long-held dreams had come true.

  He'd managed to control his climax once, but now there was no turning back.

  His fever had seized control.

  He was at the abyss.

  Her cries were at a fever pitch.

  They'd reached the edge of the cliff.

  "Now!" he commanded, his fingers digging into her flesh. "Come for me now."

  Silence hung in the air for the briefest of moments…

  Lost in a tumbling foam of sparkling whitewash, waves of glorious, sparkling tingles erupted through her body, and as her euphoric wail echoed through the room, his violent climax surged through his manhood.

  * * * * * * * * * *

  The howl of a coyote broke the still, silent night. Stirring from sleep and opening his eyes, Dylan glanced out the bedroom window; the full moon, low and glowing, shone off the mirror lake. Sleeping soundly next to him, Natalie's arm laid on his chest, her leg bent over his thigh. He wanted to share the magical sight, but after her tumultuous day she needed to stay in the land of nod. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, the blue digits said 2:24 a.m. If plagued by a problem he would often wake in the middle of the night with the answer magically in his head. He considered it a gift, one he treasured.

  As he'd dozed from the blissful post-orgasmic calm into sleep, he couldn't shake the comment Natalie had made at the food court.

  While you were on the phone I realized something. These incidents, they started a few weeks ago at home.

  The person responsible for the disturbing mischief had to be someone associated with her barn. The slick guy in the pressed jeans and silk shirt didn't seem likely. He couldn't blend in at the show, let alone at a stable where everyone knew everyone else. Though Dylan had a bad feeling about him, and didn't believe the man's modeling offer was genuine, Dylan mentally crossed him off the list.

  Turning his thoughts to Moonrise Ranch, it occurred to him the devilment could come from jealousy. Natalie struggled to make ends meet, but she lived in a luxury estate, and Misty Dawn was an exceptional mare. The horse wasn't just talented, she possessed a gleaming chestnut coat, four white stockings, a white blaze, and a shockingly thick flaxen mane and tail. She was a head-turner.

  Moonrise Ranch was not a high-end facility, and Mark Thompson did not run a fancy show barn. Had one of Natalie's stablemates become envious? So envious they'd attempted to ruin Natalie's chances at a championship by unsettling her before the show, and when that didn't work, continued their subterfuge the morning she was scheduled to compete? The theory was plausible.

  But Natalie had also haltingly mentioned her father. Though she'd immediately retracted the accusation, was it possible a man would go to such lengths to stop his daughter riding? Successful businessmen could be ruthless.

  His thoughts swirling, Dylan rolled slowly on his side. As he admired her serene, beautiful face his heart swelled with love.

  "I promise I'll figure this out," he whispered, and softly kissing her cheek, he sank back into sleep.

  * * * * * * * * * *

  Waking next to Dylan's warm, muscled body, Natalie snuggled up to him. As her tender backside reminded her of his delicious dominance, her butterflies fluttered at the memory.

  "Mornin, darlin," he mumbled, shifting to nuzzle her neck. "Sure is good wakin' up with you."

  His hardness pressed against her leg, and sliding her hand down her torso she gripped his cock. He returned the favor, sending his fingers into her sex. But the mutual masturbation lasted only a short time. Shifting her on to her stomach, he began lightly massaging her back. Though she'd been oblivious to any discomfort from the fall the night before, the bruised muscles made themselves known.

  "This is stress," he murmured as he kneaded a knot in her shoulders, "but you've gotta bruise just above the small of your back. Doesn't look bad, but it's always the day after you start feelin' the pain. I've got some cream that'll help."

  "You do?"

  "I always have it with me when I travel. Never know when I might need it. Don't move. I'll be right back."

  As he climbed off the bed, she let out a happy sigh. The problems she carried seem less dire, and she wasn't alone anymore. With Dylan's support she could face anything, and she decided she'd confront her issues and deal with them.

  "This will work wonders," he declared sitting next to her.

  Opening the jar and applying the cream, he gently spread it across the bruise, then straddling her back, he resumed the massage.

  "That feels amazing," she murmured. "Dylan, I'm so glad you didn't give up on me."

  "I had no choice," he said with a chuckle. "You wouldn't leave me alone. I kept running into you at the shows, not to mention the feed store and around town, but it was more than that," he added, dropping his voice. "You had me at that kiss a year ago. Damn near killed me when you bolted. Then you tried to kill me again when you kept refusin' to go out with me."

  "You had me too, Dylan," she said softly, turning her eyes to him over her shoulder. "I'm so sorry I didn't say yes."

  "You've got nothin' to be sorry about," he assured her, stretching out beside her and bringing her into his arms.

  "But I felt the same. I never stopped thinking about you. I was crazy about you before it happened, and that afternoon in the barn you blew my socks off."

  "We're together that's the important thing, but fair warnin'. You try runnin' away from me now, and I'll tie you up and spank your butt."

  "In that case, I'm out of here!"

  "Oh, no you're not," he growled moving on top of her, then softening his voice, he said, "Not now, not ever."

  "Do you promise?"

  "Yeah, baby, I promise."

  Framing her face with his hands he drifted his lips over hers, then reaching to the nightstand he picked up a condom. As he raised himself up and ripped it open, she gazed up at his dark tousled hair, warm brown eyes and muscled body.

  "You look like a cowboy from the cover of a romance novel."

  "And you are one beautiful lady," he replied, kneeling between her legs. Positioning his cock, he pushed forward, then locking her eyes, he purred, "We've got nowhere to be, and all day to get there."

  Time stood still as they made love through the morning. They kissed, they hugged, he explored her body with lips and fingertips, and she surrendered with an endless stream of soft moans and cries of pleasure. When they were finally lying still, their limbs entwined, she traced her fingers around his chiseled jaw and full thick lips.

  "I've never had a morning like that, and I still don't want to leave this bed."

  "I feel the same, but after a nap maybe we could go on a trail ride. Give our horses a change of scenery."

  "Dylan, that's a wonderful idea, but definitely a nap first. You've completely worn me out."

  "Then I guess I'm gonna have to put you in trainin'."

  "Works for me," she whispered, "but be careful. Get me too fit and you might end up with more than you can handle."

  "That'll never happen, baby, and that's not a promise, that's a guarantee."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  A wide trail exclusively for horses led from the show grounds into the hills. Natalie didn't hesitate saddling Misty and mounting up, but as they started up the gentle slope Dylan sensed her apprehension. Sitting stiff in the saddle, her eyes were fixated on the trees ahead.

  "Natalie, are you okay doin' this? I should've made sure, but you seemed excited when I brought it up."

  "I was. I am."

  "Is it your back? If it's botherin' you, maybe we should turn around."

  "It does hurt a bit, but—okay. I'll tell you the truth."

  "Good choice," he said with a chuckle. "I don't wanna have to stop and pull you outta that saddle for another spankin'."

  "I can't believe you just said that."

  "Sure you can! What's the truth?"

  "The only trail riding I've done has been close to the barn with several other people. Misty was fine, but I was nervous the whole time. It's like swimming in the ocean. The water itself doesn't bother me, but what might be in the water does."

  "Are you worried about mountain lions?"

  "I'm worried about any animal suddenly jumping out and scaring us, but I want to get over my fear. I thought being with you would help."

  "Does it."

  "In a way, but I'm still tense."

  "Why didn't you mention this before?"

  "Embarrassed, I guess."

  "Embarrassed?"

  "Well, yeah. I mean, everyone goes on trail rides. Everyone except me."

  "I won't lie to you. Sometimes wildlife can spook a horse, but it's rare. You're a great rider, Natalie. You'll be able to handle whatever might happen, though I doubt anything will."

  "I didn't handle it very well yesterday."

  "Whatever that loud bang was, it came outta nowhere. You weren't prepared."

  "That's true."

  "You'll end up lovin' this. Take a breath and sink into that saddle. We won't be goin' far."

  "Okay. I'll try to stay calm. On another subject, I'm glad tomorrow's the last day of this show. I'm ready to go home."

  "Yep, it's been a long week. I'm kinda relieved there was no ride-off."

  "I know I only beat your score by two points, but if there had been I would've kicked your ass."

  "Say what?"

  "With Carly's saddle and Misty feeling so good, I'm confident we would've beaten the stallion."

  "Billy isn't a stallion."

  "I wasn't talking about Billy," she quipped, shooting him a devilish grin.

  "You are one sassy girl," he declared, raising one wicked eyebrow, "and that sass will always get you in trouble."

  "Oh, goodie," she said with a grin, then laughed out loud, but looking ahead her smile faded. "Uh, Dylan, are we going in there? Those trees look dense."

  "The trail stays wide, and we'll only be in the woods for a minute before it opens up and there's a spot we can enjoy the view. You still haven't told me why the championship has given you options, and why doesn't your dad want you ridin'?"

  "It's very simple. He's afraid I'll get hurt, but it's a conundrum for him. I support Misty, and the expense is what keeps me at home."

  "I don't understand."

  "I can't afford to move out, pay for an apartment, and pay for her as well. I sometimes wonder if that's why he doesn't contribute."

  "Where do you work?"

  "National Western Tack. I'm one of those people you talk to when you call in to place an order. The pay isn't great, but I get an employee discount, I don't have to go into an office every day, and I can schedule hours that suit me. I just don't earn enough to get my own place."

  "What about your mother?" he asked as they entered the trees. "How does she feel about all this?"

  "Wow. This is amazing," she muttered, not answering his question, but staring at the shards of sunlight bursting through the overhead branches. "It's kind of creepy, but amazing."

  "I really enjoy ridin' through a forest, but Natalie, are you tryin' to change the subject? If you don't wanna talk about it, that's okay."

  "I've just never seen anything like this, but my mom, uh, it's not easy talking about her."

  "Do you wanna save it for another time?"

  "I'd rather get it over with. This will sound ridiculous and it is, but it's also true. When I was about seven she left with the guy that cleaned our pool. They took off to live in L.A. He wanted to be an actor."

  "Natalie! I'm so sorry, darlin'."

  "It was an earthquake. A shocking, scary as hell earthquake, and like an earthquake we had no warning. I don't know if dad did, but my brothers and I had no clue."

  "You're kiddin' me?"

  "I wish! That was a bad time. Really bad. I had nightmares for ages, and my two brothers totally freaked out. Dad walked around angry all the time, then he'd get upset and apologize to us."

  "Are your brothers older?"

  "Dean and Luke. Yeah. Dean was twelve and Luke was fifteen. I love them to bits. They tried to take care of me and I think that helped them cope, but how can you explain to a little girl why her mother left?"

  "I'm sorry, darlin'."

  "She didn't completely abandon us. She came back to visit all the time, she was there for all the important stuff, and I'm over it now, though I don't know if I've completely forgiven her. Even after all this time I still feel the hurt. I mean, it's so corny. My mom ran off with the pool guy. But she did."

  "What about your brothers. How did they deal with it?"

  "Better than me, I think. But it's impossible to say. Except for them, I found it hard to trust anyone after mom took off, and Peter's disappearing act came with no warning as well, but we're all a product of our fortunes, good and bad."

  "Peter was—?"

  "Yeah, the not very nice Dom."

  "What about the guy your mother left with?"

  "Ted? He's famous. Have you ever seen that sitcom Bad Luck Bernie?"

  "Sure."

  "He's Bernie. They're not together anymore. She still lives in L.A. though. I'm not sure dad ever got over it, and I don't think it helps that I look just like her."

  "I can understand why he wants you around, especially with your brothers out of the house."

  "I know, and I feel bad for him, but I still want my own place."

  "The time will come."

  "Thanks to that win yesterday, it has," she remarked as they approached the clearing. "Now you can see why I thought dad might try to throw a wrench in the works, but he'd never do anything to put me in danger."

  "And did your father even know about your special bridle?"

  "No. For goodness sake, what's wrong with me?"

  "I don't think it's Doug Baldwin either, though I wouldn't trust him for a second. He would've been noticed if he'd lurked around Moonrise Ranch."