The Cowboy's Secret (Cowboys After Dark: Book 3) Read online

  “Lord, girl,” he groaned.

  “Please, I need you to.”

  “I know,” he muttered.

  “What’s stopping you? Don’t you want to?”

  “More than you can possibly know,” he managed.

  Lifting her arms around his neck, she raised herself up and laid her lips against his, pressing her breasts against his chest, and rubbing herself against his hardness.

  “We just met,” he mumbled, moving his mouth to her ear.

  “I’ve never felt like this,” she sputtered, “never.”

  “Don’t matter, I’d be takin’ advantage of you. It’s wrong,” he mumbled, his voice muffled as he buried himself in her hair, the ache almost overwhelming him.

  “I don’t do this, I don’t just jump on someone, but, God, I want you so fucking much,” she pleaded.

  A deep growl began in his belly, moved up his throat, and launched itself in the air. Reaching down he hastily unzipped her britches, yanked them down, quickly following suit with her knickers, then lifting her off her feet he deposited her on her knees on the wide couch.

  Staring at the bounteous pink moons, he pulled off his slacks, then standing behind her he slid his probing fingers into her drooling depths. She bucked back at him, and as his digits searched out her inner magic, his other hand began massaging his swollen cock.

  He ached to plunge inside her, to roll on the floor with her, to suck her tits and kiss her luscious lips, but he refused to surrender to his demons, at least, not completely.

  The powerful orgasm was quickly upon him, and holding himself at bay he brought his thumb to her clit. With practiced patience he circled and twirled, listening to her breathing, paying attention to her utterances of pleasure, and as her back arched and she held her breath he rubbed himself vigorously.

  “That’s my girl, you let go now, you hear? Let go.”

  With a joyous wail she threw back her head, succumbing to her all-consuming climax. Her passionate howl sent him over the cliff, and he growled loudly as his cream surged through his cock and spewed across her bottom. His eyes stayed closed for how long he wasn’t sure, and as he slowly opened them he saw her laying on her stomach on the couch, her body limp, her breath coming in rapid pants. Pulling up his jeans he hurried to the bathroom to retrieve a small towel, and returning to her, he sat down and tenderly wiped her clean.

  Rolling over she stared up at him.

  “Hi,” she mumbled, “I’m speechless.”

  “Yeah, me too, kinda,” he smiled.

  “I’ve never-”

  “It’s okay, I know,” he sighed, “and for the record, I haven’t for a long time.”

  “I don’t understand,” she frowned.

  “It’s a long story, one I won’t bore you with. You’re a lovely lady, Amelia, and I don’t wanna hurt you. Truth is, I’m not sure I’m ready for somethin’ like this.”

  “I thought maybe you didn’t want to make love to me because you didn’t have any condoms or something,” she muttered. “It seems like you’ve been alone for a long time. I don’t know why you would say that, but would this have happened if you weren’t ready?”

  “Come here,” he sighed, sitting next to her and pulling her into his lap.

  “Isn’t there something special happening here? It’s not my imagination, there is,” she softly declared.

  “Yep, there is,” he admitted.

  “Can’t we try, just for a little while? Can’t we hang out and see what happens?”

  Closing his eyes he held her tightly.

  Damn it feels good to have a woman in my arms again, and a woman so alive, so achin’ for what I can give her.

  “Doesn’t it feel right?” she continued. “I mean, don’t all the pieces fit?”

  “Yep,” he sighed, “they kinda do.”

  “So, we can start seeing each other, as in, really seeing each other?”

  “You’ll have a sore butt more often than not,” he warned.

  “Oooh, butterflies,” she declared. “I had no idea I would react that way.”

  “I’m a guy that has to be in charge,” he continued. “You told me how independent you are.”

  “Stop throwing up excuses.”

  “See, right there-”

  “Right there, nothing,” she interrupted.

  “Damn, girl, with your attitude there’ll be a lotta sparks, and a lotta spankin’.”

  “You wouldn’t have it any other way,” she grinned.

  “Yeah,” he frowned, “you’re right about that.”

  He sighed heavily, and she could feel him pondering.

  “What, what did I say? What’s wrong?”

  “I’ve got a history, Amelia, and it ain’t pretty.”

  She stared at him, and taking a deep breath she asked,

  “Are you a criminal on the run or something?”

  “Lord no,” he replied, “but it’s not somethin’ I wanna talk about, so…”

  “We can take this a day at a time,” she suggested, “unless there’s someone else?”

  “Nope, there’s no-one else. A day at a time then,” he said softly. “Fair enough,” she nodded. “That works for me,” and I will find out your secret. One way or another, I will.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  It was a little while later that Amelia tacked up Jiminy and was hoisted on to his back, wincing as she settled into the saddle; Clint smiled knowingly.

  “Don’t look so pleased with yourself,” she quipped.

  “But I am, and I’m glad. You deserved what you got and you know it,” he replied lightly tapping her thigh.

  “I don’t know any such thing,” she retorted with a wry grin.

  “Oh really? I can always pull you out of that saddle and add to it if you’re not careful,” he warned with a wry grin.

  “You can’t reach me up here,” she winked, and before Clint could respond she moved Jiminy into the arena. “You’ll never catch me now,” she laughed.

  “You can’t stay up there forever,” he called back.

  Watching from the barn, Sam shook his head in wonder. It had been a long time since he’d seen his friend flirt so easily, and he wandered across to join him.

  “Hey bossman, this is an interesting turn of events. I find this woman sneakin’ around the guesthouse and tryin’ to peek in the windows, and look at this? Wanna fill me in?”

  “I sure as hell do,” Clint replied, “and just so you know, I spanked her good. Not as hard as I should have I guess, but good.”

  “She had it comin’, tryin’ to spy on you like that,” Sam remarked, then casting his eyes across the riding ring, he added, “damn, that girl can ride.”

  “Yep,” Clint nodded. “Can you stop by and eat tonight? I wanna talk to you about your trip, and about her.”

  “Hey, try and stop me,” Sam grinned. “I’m dyin’ to hear about all this.”

  “Pizza and beer?” Clint asked.

  “Yep, perfect. Hey, look, the big guy’s kickin’ up his heels a bit.”

  Clint looked across the arena and saw Amelia turning Jiminy’s head into her knee, something she would only have done if the horse had given her trouble.

  “I can’t believe she stayed on,” Sam declared. “He threw her a big buck, and he’s gotta lot of power in that hind end.”

  Clint frowned as he watched her straighten the horse out, and as she asked him to step into the trot he tossed his head and started acting up. Amelia turned him in a circle, and as she headed back towards Clint the horse continued to jig.

  “Wow, he’s full of himself today,” she remarked as she slid off his back. “He needs to run and play. Isn’t there somewhere you can put him that’s bigger than the round pen?”

  “Nowhere he can’t jump out of,” Clint replied.

  “He jumped out?” Sam asked. “When?”

  “Long story,” Clint smiled, “I’ll tell you later, but I just had a thought. If we put him in that back paddock, even if he did jump out he’
d jump into another fenced paddock. Maybe that’s the answer. Whatta you think, Sam?”

  “I could stand at the far end,” Sam offered. “If he gets over there I can shoo him away.”

  “He really needs to run,” Amelia repeated. “He’s been so perfect all week I’m not surprised.”

  “Let’s try it. At least I know you can catch him if he gets out and heads in the wrong direction,” Clint chuckled.

  Amelia, still a bit embarrassed around Sam, led the horse down to the cross-ties and quickly untacked him, then followed Clint and Sam through the barn and out to the back pastures.

  “Wow, this is incredible,” she declared, seeing the open space close up for the first time. “I wish he could just live out here. This is the kind of space he needs.”

  “You’re right,” Clint agreed. “Okay, go ahead. Careful when you take that halter off. He might jump away.”

  “He won’t,” she smiled, “I have a peppermint.”

  “Smart,” Sam said quietly as she led Jiminy through the gate.

  “So damn smart,” Clint nodded.

  “I can see why you weakened.”

  “Did you have to say that?” Clint retorted.

  “Yep. I’m goin’ over to the back, make sure he doesn’t go flyin’ over that fence,” Sam chuckled.

  Amelia stroked Jiminy’s neck as she slowly removed his halter, then held out her hand with the mint. He took it from her palm without any bother, then ambled away, sniffing at the ground. She walked quickly back through the gate, joining Clint behind the fence, and watched as the horse lifted its head and pricked its ears.

  “He’s so gorgeous,” she sighed.

  “Yep, he’s a beauty,” Clint nodded. “By the way, I won’t be joining you at the tavern tonight. I have to meet with Sam, we’ve got some business stuff to go over.”

  “Oh, no sweat,” she replied, turning her eyes from Jiminy to stare back at him.

  “Tomorrow night, though,” he added, “I was thinkin’ I’d take you up on your offer.”

  “What offer is that?” she smiled, seeing the twinkle in his eye.

  “Cookin’ me dinner here,” he smiled back.

  “I’d love it,” she agreed losing herself in his gaze, “most definitely.”

  “You know what I just realized?” he breathed.

  “No, what,” she asked softly, feeling a bevy of butterflies abruptly spring to life.

  “I haven’t…” he murmured.

  “Haven’t?”

  “Haven’t done this…” he whispered, and lowering his head he touched her lips with his.

  It was unexpected, like a hitting a pocket of warm air on a cool night, or glancing at the moon and glimpsing a shooting star, and as her heart jumped, and his tender, moist mouth began consuming hers, she lifted her arms, encircling his neck, and relishing the feel of her body surrendering to him. He felt it, the exquisite yielding, the desire for him to take her, to control her, to devour her, and his cock responded surging to life.

  “Damn, woman,” he mumbled as he broke away.

  “Clint,” she sighed, leaning against him. “I wish you weren’t busy tonight.”

  “It’s okay, darlin’. Good things…”

  “Come to those who wait,” she finished, and I’ve been waiting to feel this my whole life.

  “Yep,” he murmured, stroking her back, and maybe it is time. Maybe I have waited long enough.

  The sound of thundering hooves caught their attention, and locked in their hug they turned their eyes to the field; Jiminy was galloping across the grass, bucking and whinnying.

  “I knew he needed that,” she remarked. “He’s one happy boy.”

  “I’ll see if I can figure a way to keep him out here,” Clint promised. “Not sure how, but maybe the boys can rig somethin’ up.”

  “Hey, Clint?” she murmured.

  “Yep?”

  “Do you think you could kiss me again?”

  “Well, sure. Nothin’ I’d like better. Can I ask why?”

  “I just want to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” she sighed.

  He clutched her hair, and holding her fast he smiled down at her.

  “Does this feel like you’re dreamin’?” he breathed, giving her hair a small tug. “Does your tender ass feel like that spankin’ was a dream?”

  “No,” she stammered, a hot rush surging between her legs as his sudden display of masculine power washed over her.

  “Then, darlin’, it ain’t no dream,” he growled.

  Driven by the fire in his belly, he pressed his mouth against hers, kissing her fervently, one arm around her waist holding her tightly against his body, the other firmly grasping her hair. His lips moved softly, then with ardor, then softly again, until her heart was hammering and she was void of thought; there was only his body, his lips, and his demanding passion.

  “Dreamin’?” he whispered in her ear when he finally released her.

  Lost for words she floundered against him, reveling in the joy of his fervor and submitting to his arms. He held her until she slowly moved and lifted her gaze.

  Yes, that was…this is…a dream. Has to be. Men like you don’t exist. I don’t ever feel so totally…taken…or whatever it is you call this feeling.

  “You okay?” he grinned.

  “Not sure,” she replied, leaning her head back down to his chest and closing her eyes.

  Darlin’ that was nothin’. If this thing goes where I think it will, you’ve got a whole lot more comin’ your way.

  “I think your boy’s calmin’ down,” he said softly.

  Opening her eyes she looked into the field. Jiminy was standing in the middle of the paddock, his nose in the air, nostrils flaring, his mane and tail blowing in the wind, resembling a huge, white, marble statue of a great Roman chariot horse.

  “He’s looks like a horse God,” she murmured.

  “Maybe that’s what he is,” Clint replied, he brought you into my life.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  It wasn’t until later the following morning that Amelia heard from Clint. After she’d left his ranch, her heart full and her body aching for him, she had spent the evening unpacking the last of her boxes, her mind filled with thoughts of her remarkable afternoon, and her very first spanking.

  It had felt odd not driving off to Tom’s Tavern to meet him for dinner, and she found herself missing his company. Not feeling particularly hungry she’d fried up some eggs and tomatoes, and sitting at the kitchen table by herself, something she’d done many times before, she felt out of sorts. When she’d finally showered and climbed into bed she drifted off to sleep reliving his kisses, and yearning to feel his arms around her again.

  Clint, however, had been deeply embroiled in devouring two large pepperoni pizza’s and sharing a six pack with Sam. After quickly dispensing with the horse business the conversation had immediately turned to Amelia. Sam was full of questions, the most important of which came towards the end of the evening, and they were more about Clint than the woman who had suddenly appeared in his life.

  “As far as I’m concerned, its about time you found your feet,” Sam declared. “You’ve paid your penance, though I’m not sure you had a penance to pay.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to get involved, I do. Man, the short time I spent with her this afternoon in The Woodshed, it felt like I could breathe again,” Clint replied, the recall sparking his soul.

  “What’s stoppin’ you? I mean, besides the fact that she’s a handful, but you like women who are a handful, so…?”

  “I’ve told her we’ll take it a day at a time. It’s all I can do! I’ve found some peace here, started new. Do I want to churn it all up with a woman?”

  “Hell yeah!” Sam exclaimed. “Mitch and Zane have been lucky enough to find girls. I wish I could. Count your lucky stars.”

  Clint had found Sam’s support reassuring, and when he woke in the morning, he did so with an idea floating around his head. After breakfast, as he work
ed with the horses, he continued to mull it over, and finally, just before lunch he called her.

  “Hi Clint. Are we still on for dinner tonight?”

  “Sure we are, and that’s why I’m callin’. Are you comin’ to ride this afternoon?”

  “If that’s okay,” she replied, closing her eyes as she sank into the deep gravel of his voice.

  “Sure is. I have a surprise for you,” he declared.

  “Really? What?”

  “Darlin’, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you,” he scolded.

  “Sure it would. I’d just be surprised now, instead of later,” she retorted.

  “You know, I cannot wait to spank your butt again,” he declared.

  “What? Why? What did I say?” she replied.

  “You wanna hear my suggestion, or do you wanna keep fencin’ and pushin’ your luck?”

  “Your suggestion, please,” she laughed.

  “Why don’t you bring a change of clothes? You can change and shower here after you ride, and you won’t have to go all the way home and come back again.”

  Amelia broke into a large smile, and yelled a silent thank you to the heavens.

  “That’d be great,” she agreed. “I’ll shop on the way.”

  “See you when you get here,” he replied, and as he ended the call he took a deep breath. “Damn, heart, quick your poundin’.”

  It was a few hours later, after Amelia had spent some time at her property and finished at the grocery store, that she drove through the gates of Train And Trail Horse Farm. As she rolled up the driveway to the house she could feel the butterflies fluttering, and when she pulled to a stop Clint stepped on to the verandah to meet her, stepping forward to open her door.

  “Whoa,” she laughed. “Valet Service?”

  “You complainin’?” he grinned.

  “Hardly,” she remarked, and impulsively leaned forward and gave him a hug. Instinctively his arms came up to envelope her, and he closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of her hair.

  God you smell good. It’s been so damn long…

  “You seem happy to see me,” she giggled, pulling back and staring up at him.