Cowboy Not Included: The Boot Knockers Ranch, Book 6 (13 page)

He had no intention of becoming a family again.

Though the tattoo on his chest revealed he did want to be a father to Findlee, and that warmed Skye’s heart even further.

Double damn him.

She turned her horse to stare down at the valley and the ranch stretched there. Tiny red roofs and emerald grass. Figures milled around, and in a detached way she pictured Booker with another woman next week. And a new one the week after.

As much as she’d like it to hurt her, it didn’t. He was doing a job and they weren’t married anymore.

Strange that the sparks of love surfaced so easily, though. How could you love someone and not be jealous of him being a gigolo for a living?

Maybe because when she was with him, she felt like the only woman on the planet. Their threesome had only shown her that their bond was intact still—and strong.

While she sat there watching ant-sized people on the ranch, she thought about leaving early. But she’d paid good money, and she was having a great time. No, better than great.

Later she’d have a video chat with Findlee to fulfill her motherly needs. Then she’d throw herself into enjoying her final days on the ranch.

With Booker.

Mind calmer, she rode down the ridge into the valley. Two couples were riding out as she was coming in.

“Hey, you might want to steer clear of Booker for a few. Want to ride with us?” one cowboy called.

Her mouth popped open in surprise. “Booker’s angry?”

“Steamin’. That man has a hot head, and I don’t mean the one in his Wranglers.”

Angry about what? Their last moments together had been spent trying to shake the tiles off the shower walls. He’d been a little quiet as he’d left the bungalow to do morning work around the ranch. And there had been that crease between his brows. But it wasn’t her—at least she didn’t think so. Someone else must have pissed him off.

Her horse danced as the other animals came near, and she handled him, wheeling around to look at the cowboy who’d just spoken to her.

“Why is he mad?”

“His toy collection has been violated again. It’s a sore spot with him, and he’s as mean as a bear when the guys prank him.”

“What did they do?”

“Took a bunch, knotted rope around them and strung them from the ceiling in the grub house. Looks like a sex toy carnival in there.” A grin cut across his face, contagious if she weren’t so concerned for her ex.

“I’ll go find him.”

“You sure? We’re a lot of fun.” His insinuating tone wasn’t lost on her. For a second she contemplated joining four other people for an orgy. Then she thought of Booker going ape-shit over his toys and decided against it.

She shook her head. “Thanks anyway.”

“Offer stands.”

Heat infused her face and a strange warmth took up residence in her stomach. This was exactly why she’d come to the Boot Knockers Ranch—to feel desired.

With a wave at the group, she dismounted and cared for her horse. Then she went out in search of Booker.

She didn’t need to look far. He was in the grub house, standing on a table, unknotting rope from around more than a dozen plastic dicks.

The cowboy was right—it did look like a sex toy carnival but instead of pennants they were cocks.

A giggle bubbled up unbidden. He whirled on the table top at the noise she’d made, eyes dark with fury. “You think it’s funny, you can just go.”

The room was empty but for a couple seated at the end of a table, far from the raging cowboy. The raging cowboy in jeans that fit him to perfection. And where was his shirt? Hell, he looked like sin in boots.

Need speared through her lower belly. Tipping her head up to look at him, she said, “I’ll help you untie them.”

He shot her a look. “Damn guys can’t find anybody else to prank. Every damn week…”

She caught the end of the rope and worked at a knot around a thick red dildo. When it came free, she stared at the toy in her hand. The lifelike veins looked fun.

“Skye,” he snapped.

“Oh.” She set the dildo aside and reached for another. “Why does it bother you so much? They’re just toys.”

“My toys.” He jumped off the table. Boots hit the floor with a crack and the couple at the end of the table looked up but didn’t leave. Booker’s face was an angry thundercloud. Skye freed another dildo and placed it beside the red one.

“I always tell Findlee to share her toys at daycare.”

“This is different.”

“Different how?”

“I spend good money on them. I don’t provide the ranch with sex toys.”

“That’s understandable. But if you weren’t so territorial about them, the guys would leave them alone.”

Shards of irritation shot from his green gaze. “Listen, it’s all I’ve got in this world besides a couple drawers full of clothes and a razor. I don’t have a house or furniture or even a goddamn dog anymore.”

She went still, heart seizing.

He didn’t have those things because she’d taken them.

“About the dog…”

He slashed the air with a hand. “I’m not in the mood, Skye.”

Throat threatening to close, she said, “You still have Findlee.”

“Until a few days ago I didn’t realize I could. You threw me out of your life, Skye.”

“And you didn’t figure out that Findlee wasn’t part of that? She’s your daughter, Booker. You have rights to her.”

He scrubbed a forefinger beneath his nose. “Maybe I didn’t think I deserved her.”

Heart breaking a little, Skye stepped toward him. Before she could comfort him, he scooped up all the toys—both tied and loose—and strode out of the grub house.

For a long minute she stood there, gaping after him. He really didn’t believe he deserved to see his own daughter? Was his guilt over cheating that deep? Whatever wrongs he’d committed against her had nothing to do with Findlee.

She rushed after him. He was a good two hundred yards ahead, long legs eating up the ground. When she caught him, he was already in the bunkhouse, working open the locks of his cabinet.

“If it’s locked, how did they get in?” she asked from behind.

“They have ways.” He swung the doors wide to reveal shelf after shelf of toys. How could he know any were missing? The collection must number in the hundreds.

“Shit.” He doffed his hat and tossed it at his bunk.

Skye placed a hand on his arm. “What is it?”

“The fuckers really did prank me. These aren’t my toys.”

A sound left her, part laugh, part mewl of comfort. She ran her fingers down his arm, over corded flesh to thread their fingers together. He looked down at her.

“Sit with me,” she said softly.

He allowed her to lead him to the bunk and they both sat. It was surprisingly comfortable for what it was—a thin mattress over old-fashioned ropes.

His thigh was warm against hers, and it was impossible to ignore the fire kindling low in her stomach. Turning their hands over on his thigh, he used his other hand to stroke her fingers. “They call me a hot head.”

She laughed. “I haven’t seen you angry like that before. You never used to lose your cool.”

“Yeah, well, those were different times.”

Sobering, she said, “Did you mean it when you said you didn’t deserve to be in Findlee’s life?”

His throat worked and he hid his gaze. “Maybe I used to think that. Now I’m determined to be part of it.” He touched the spot over his heart where the tattoo lived. “This ink was the first step. I only needed a little more courage to go after it. You brought that when you came, Skye.”

Throat clogging, she nodded. “I’m glad you see it now. She needs to know her dad is there for her, even if you don’t live together.”

He stared at her for so long she wondered what was going on behind his eyes. Finally the tension seemed to leave him, and his shoulders relaxed. When he cupped her jaw with extreme tenderness, her heart swelled with emotion.

“We’re on a bed,” he crooned, low.

White-hot need was a finger on her pussy, stroking her to a fever pitch. “Yes, we are.”

“And you’re naked.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Give me half a minute.” With that, he cradled her spine and head, lowering her to the mattress. Kissing her mindless as he made good on his promise. In seconds she was totally nude.

As he lightly bit her nipple, she cried out. Scrabbling at his waistband, she was able to loosen his belt and jeans and reach inside for his cock.

“Your skin’s so hot,” she murmured between gulping kisses.

He nudged her knees apart and thrust two fingers into her pussy—deep. She arched, pulsated. A grating noise sounded in her ears and she realized it was her. He pumped her, watching her face as he did. Juices slicked his fingers, and she ground her hips to get closer.

“Do that thing again,” she urged.

With a wicked grin, he changed the angle of his hand. “This?”

God, yes, he’d hit that spot again. The one that had meant a gushing, whole-body orgasm. She twitched.

He parted her lips, tongue seeking as he put pressure on the one point that seemed to hold her together yet threatened to tear her apart.

“You’re so goddamn beautiful, baby.” His eyelashes lowered over his smoldering eyes as he kissed her with a passion she felt to the smallest crevices of her heart.

She tangled her fingers in his hair and gave herself up to him. She’d worry about getting her heart back tomorrow. Right now was too good.

The heel of his hand rubbed her clit with every thrust of his fingers. She mounted. Crested. Came with a cry.

Then he was easing his fingers over her lips, sharing her wetness. She licked her lower lip.

“So fucking sweet. I have to taste you,” he growled, diving between her legs.

When the bunkhouse door opened, her legs were around Booker’s ears and she didn’t give a damn. His hot, rough tongue maddened her. As he gave her another orgasm, the cowboys who came in stripped and began to fuck across the room.

In the back of Skye’s mind she understood how crazy and taboo this was—being eaten out while watching two guys fuck. But it was so good she didn’t care. And this was the Boot Knockers Ranch.

Flesh pounded flesh. Guttural groans broke from the men. Their sex was rough and fast while hers and Bookers was more like lovemaking.

He lifted his head and met her gaze and she reached for him. He shed his clothes and donned a condom. By the time he lifted her hips to receive him she was burning again. Tongues tangling, he churned his hips. Pushing deep then fucking her shallow. Her breasts bounced, and he cupped them together in one big hand, his gaze never leaving hers.

The golden light coming through the windows turned him to a god, highlighting his red-blond beard and riding along the ridges of muscles.

With a lift of her hips, she took him to the balls. He groaned. As he locked his hand in her hair, trapping her, another orgasm rushed up so fast she was blinded.

Tumbling in the vast sea of her release, she barely heard the words he muttered at his own finish.

Much later they registered, but it was too late—they were burrowed deep in her heart.

I need you back.

As Booker crossed the ranch, he whistled a jaunty tune. With the sun low in the sky still, this would be the best time of day to be in the fields doing chores. Instead he was heading into the office.

When he opened the door, Holly had a broad smile for him and Riggs emerged from his office to say the cows had been fed this morning thanks to Booker.

He nudged his hat brim to hide his self-satisfied grin. “Glad to help.”

“Did you call the Jones Group?” Holly asked, swiveling slightly in her chair.

“Yeah, why?”

“They just sent us a new invoice. How did you manage to negotiate them down to that price?” Awe infused her voice, and something that never, ever happened to Booker did.

His cheeks heated.

“Just made some calls. You’d be surprised what deals you can get by asking.”

“Never works for me,” Riggs drawled.

“Me either. I was beginning to think it’s because I’m a woman.”

“Sweetheart, cowboys would line up for miles to give you what you want.” Booker shot her a wink and she flushed five shades.

“Too bad she likes cowgirls,” Riggs said.

She laughed.

Riggs came to lean against her desk and the three of them talked for a few minutes. An unusual feeling of camaraderie swept over Booker. As he listened to Holly and Riggs discuss the next wave of women, cattle and a possibility of more land coming up for auction in their area, Booker poured himself a cup of coffee.

Once the pair broke for air, Booker pointed toward the small office he now inhabited. “I’d best get to work. I’ve got other duties today.”

The front door opened and Jeremy came in, face red.

“Take a break from chores today. You’ve got enough to do,” Riggs told Booker.

Booker gave Jeremy a chin-nod of greeting then went into the office. A second later the cowboy stood next to his desk. Booker pulled his attention away from the paperwork. “What’s up?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing. What are you doing working in the office?”

Booker leveled his gaze on him. Overall Jeremy was easygoing and fun to be around. But his red face and the vein throbbing in his neck alerted Booker something else was going on.

“Hugh and Riggs asked me to take over some of their accounts.”

Jeremy skimmed the open files on the desk. “Looks like a lot more than some.” Since there wasn’t a spare seat, Jeremy sat on the corner of the desk. “Interesting.”

Booker sat back, folded his hands over his belt and waited.

“How’d you land here again?” Jeremy pressed.

“I didn’t say, but I helped out Holly and they thought I could handle more.”

“I see. Are you the reason the barn’s packed with feed?”

He nodded once.

“Who knew you were such a team player?” Jeremy gave him a crooked smile.

Booker sat up. Somehow the compliment didn’t sound like one. “I want only the best for this ranch.”

“We all do, man.” Jeremy widened his smile, but Booker wasn’t buying it.

“Listen, do you want something from me? I have work to do.”

“I see that. Lots of it. I hope your girl doesn’t suffer while you’re stuck behind this desk.” He glided to his feet and hooked a thumb in his jeans pocket.