Cowboy Not Included: The Boot Knockers Ranch, Book 6 (14 page)

Slowly, Booker unfolded to his feet. “Stay away from Skye.”

“Hey, I was just kidding.” He held up both hands and backed out the door.

The instant he vanished from view, Booker released the breath that had been lodged in his chest. Their entire exchange had oozed with tension and strife. He’d never known Jeremy to act that way. What was going on with him?

He’d ask around later. The other guys always knew everybody’s business. Settled with his papers and numbers, Booker worked to find the best deals from insurance to wine. By the time he looked up, his head ached a little.

He dug his thumb and forefinger into his eyes and rubbed. Enough for today—he had a lady waiting in Bungalow 2.

Warmth spread through him. The past few days had given him a handle on what he really wanted—to be a good dad. Talking to Skye about their daughter—and spending time with her—had given him the confidence to step into Findlee’s life again. He couldn’t wait to set eyes on his little girl. Would she let him near her? Maybe not right away. He was a stranger, after all.

He chewed his lip as he left the office. The ranch was quiet—too quiet.

The scuffle near the barn drew his attention. Two shouts carried on the breeze and he quickened his step.

As he reached the knot of people, he caught sight of mussed brown hair and perfect skin. He dropped his gaze to tanned legs and familiar cowgirl boots.

He curled his fingers around Skye’s arm and pulled her away from the argument without checking to see who was fighting. He didn’t care, as long as it wasn’t over her.

She turned big brown eyes on him and his heart did a two-step. “Booker.” Her slightly breathless tone infused him with instant lust.

Drawing her against his body, he caught her other hand to hold her prisoner. “Why are you here?”

“I was just walking. Clearing my head.”

Damn, what did that mean? He studied her features for signs of strain, but her smooth brow and softened lips didn’t give anything away. She shifted, and he caught her scent. Wild notes of citrus and woman he couldn’t stay away from.

He dragged her around the side of the barn and through the door.

“What are you doing?”

He didn’t give her time to ask more questions. He slammed his mouth over hers.

She gasped, opened to him immediately. The silken flip of her tongue over his ripped a growl from him. Walking her backward until they came up against a wall, he kissed her thoroughly. Squeaks left her and he crushed her between his body and the wood.

Outside, more angry voices sounded, but he didn’t give a fuck. He had a soft, willing woman in his arms. Sagging at the knees, he brought his hard shaft against her pussy. She cried out, curling around him.

He grasped her upper thigh and hitched her leg around his hip, kissing her, rocking into her. His heart drummed a wild beat as she returned his fervor.

Tearing from the kiss, she whimpered, “We can’t do it in the barn with everyone outside.”

He arched a brow. “Why the hell not?”

She seemed to think about it for a second then yanked his head down again, desperation in her touch. “Yeah, why the hell not?”

With a shove, he half-lifted her on his cock. They had too many layers between them. He had to get her naked—now.

He shimmied a hand beneath her knit top. Bare flesh met his hand, and he palmed her free breast with a groan. God, he needed to get inside her.

She peeled off her shirt, then his shirt and ripped open his fly.

“Condom,” they said at the same time, and he dived into his pocket while she stepped out of her shorts. As he rolled the rubber over his length, he drank in the beauty before him.

“You look fucking amazing in nothing but boots. Remind me to do this again.”

The unspoken words floated between them—
before you go.

They threw themselves at each other. Lips clashed and he speared her in one hard jerk of his hips.

She wrapped her legs around his back and clung as he sank into her again and again. The juicy noise of sex filled the barn and he stopped hearing the fight outside.

With each plunge of Booker’s cock, Skye soared higher. She latched on to his neck and sucked the saltiness. Passion flowed through her even as excitement thrummed. This had been one of her fantasies since she’d first set eyes on him on her uncle’s ranch. But they’d never risked it there.

She threw her head back and let him suckle her throat in return. His lips danced up to her jaw and he lightly bit her. Crying out, she squeezed him with her inner muscles until he groaned.

“What do you think of your sex therapy now?” he grunted, fucking her up the wall.

The bite of the wood on her spine only enhanced her need. His muscles stood out beneath her hands, and she rubbed him. All over.

He tugged her lower lip with his teeth and rocked his cock deeper.

“Fuuuck,” she grated out.

“Give me your dirty mouth.” He claimed it for himself, bruising her lips while he pounded into her.

When she felt him tense, her own orgasm rushed up fast, blindingly.

With a roar, he came. She followed, lost in pleasure. He supported her, pumping his hips until she didn’t think she’d ever come down. Finally, they shared a gasp.

He tipped his forehead against hers, sweat mingling and his chest working as if he’d run the entire ranch and back. Up close his eyes were so green. How was that possible with such low light inside the space?

“This is like the honeymoon we never had,” he panted, tightening his arms around her.

Oh God. Why did he need to ruin the moment with memories? They’d been so short of cash when they married they’d promised to go on a big honeymoon on their five-year anniversary.

But they’d never made it that far.

She eyed him from lowered lashes. What if…? Damn him to hell. The badass cowboy had officially wiggled his way into her heart—again.

“Let me down,” she said quietly.

Sensing the change in her, he held her gaze. “Skye?”

“It’s all right. I’m getting a cramp,” she lied.

He lowered her. But the minute her feet touched the floor, he whirled her to face the wall. With quick flicks, he looped rope around and around her wrists and secured the knot by yanking.

She stared down at her hands that were suddenly bound with a short length of rope. She gasped. “Where the hell’d you get that?”

His lips shivered down her nape. “I’m a cowboy.”

God was he. He shoved her legs apart and pinioned her bound hands to the wall. Then he curled a finger around her still-throbbing clit and proceeded to blow her mind. Again.

Chapter Nine

Booker set the lunch tray on the table in the corner of the bungalow and turned to give Skye a grin. After their barn romp, she was still disheveled-looking. He could almost feel her shudder in his hold as juices spilled over his fingers.

His libido had always been kick-ass, but with Skye, he was insatiable. He wanted her 24/7.

He pressed his lips together against the thought and waved at the table. “I hope you still like chili and cornbread.”
And I hope you like me a little better now that you know my feelings.

A smile tinged the corners of her lips but her eyes didn’t reflect it. “I do.”

“Good. Can’t let your sugar dip too low.” Once she sat, Booker took the seat across from her and whipped off the silver dome covering her meal.

“Smells delicious.”

“It is. Cook’s chili could have saved thousands who died on the wagon trails.”

She just stared at the food but didn’t lift her spoon.

Uh-oh. Had she just looked at the ceiling? She was upset.

He rested a hand on her wrist. Beneath his work-hardened hand, she felt so fragile. “Has Findlee had another poo you missed?”

Her eyes flashed to his. “Not that I know of.”

“Oh.” He sat back and studied her, but she didn’t say anything more. When he dug into his grilled chicken and vegetables, she watched his every move.

“Skye, I know you, and your brain’s working overtime. Just tell me what’s wrong.”

Her gaze faltered. “I’ve been thinking about leaving early.”

He nearly choked. “What?” After their crazy-good sex she was going to go? Walk away from him?

Shit, he’d let her tug at his heartstrings. He’d said he needed her back and meant it. Losing his head with her was easy, but at times reality flooded in. Like now. This very thing had happened to other Boot Knockers—they were roped in by a woman they couldn’t have. And he definitely needed this job. Nothing paid better, and he hadn’t gotten his savings account up to speed yet. His little girl needed to take priority.

He pushed out a sigh. “Look, I’ve been thinking a lot about Findlee. We haven’t talked about her in a while. Why don’t we try that?”

“What will that help?” She finally swished her spoon in the thick, tomato-y chili then licked it off. Watching her pink tongue caress the spoon left Booker mesmerized and throbbing.

“You miss our daughter, and talking about her will bring you closer to her. Now talk.”

She took a bite, then another. Finally she began to tell him about Findlee’s favorite toy, a bunny that was getting a little ratty around the ears. She’d lost him so many times and Skye had been a crazed mess trying to find it. One time she’d believed it lost for good and had resorted to searching all the toy stores in the city for a replacement. When that failed, she’d paid too much on eBay, only to have the rabbit turn up the next day, stuffed in a sock drawer.

Booker found himself laughing at the images she provoked. It was impossible not to long to be part of that everyday insanity. He was damn well going to right his wrongs with his little girl ASAP.

“Tell me more.”

Skye’s cheeks wore a glow that set her apart. Models were eye-catching, but nothing beat the beauty of motherhood.

His chest got so tight he feared his shirt seams would rip. Somehow he managed to keep eating while she fished for other stories.

When she finished and they both laughed at the painting she’d created with words, he leaned across the table, serious. “I’m going to be there, Skye. I’m determined to be.”

Though she smiled, he wondered at the way she tucked her lip.

“You don’t believe me.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Booker. But you have this…” she swept a hand over the table, “…and I see how it would be easy to get caught up.”

“I have free time.”

“Not much if you’re with other women as much as you’re with me.” Not a trace of jealousy tinged her tone, and for some reason that raised his ire more.

They said the opposite of love wasn’t hate—it was indifference. He liked her better when she yelled and threw shit at him.

“It’s true the ranch keeps me busy. I have chores waiting for me right now. And I’m certainly needed in the bungalows.”

She shot him a deadly look that made him believe she might still care.

“And now I have a new job in the office, but that doesn’t mean I can’t take time away for our daughter.”

She bypassed his promise and asked, “What are you doing in the office?”

“I took over some accounting.”

“You?”

“I’m not exactly a mathematician, but yeah, believe it or not.”

“I didn’t mean you’re stupid.” Her brown eyes held an apology.

“It’s more settling accounts. Getting better prices and deliveries when we need them. Holly was struggling and I helped her out. Somehow her work got passed to me.”

“Holly?” she echoed.

Damn, he recalled that note in her voice too well. The accusatory one she reserved for asking about women he’d had the simplest exchanges with. Maybe he did want her a little indifferent, after all.

“Yeah, the office girl. You would have spoken to her when you had your entrance interview.”

She gave a short nod and dug up some beans in her chili but didn’t eat them. “She’s pretty.”

“Lots of women are pretty.” He watched her face to see how she handled him deliberately provoking her.

“Yes, they are,” she murmured and pushed away from the table. “I think I’ll go for a swim.”

“I’ll join you.”

She stopped walking but didn’t turn to look at him when she said, “I’d prefer to go alone, Booker. I need to get some distance.”

He got up and went to her. She pulled free of his grasp and wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I don’t like the way this conversation is going.”

“You have work to do and women to help out. Go on, Booker.”

The old familiar anger rose inside him. Sure, he’d started this jealousy battle but only to see if she still cared. Obviously she did, but he had no better idea how to get out of this scrape than he had when he was her husband. He didn’t know how to reach out and make it any clearer that she was important to him.

Mainly because he had no rights to her anymore.

He let his hand drop. “Okay. I’ll be back in a coupla hours.”

“All right.” Her resigned voice left him feeling dead inside where he’d known a leaping heart just half an hour before. While he worked, he couldn’t shake the dark feelings multiplying inside him.

They weren’t a couple. He was just showing her a good time this week. He knew from his job that women who got a break returned to their lives refreshed and renewed. Skye would be a better mom to Findlee. And he’d like to believe he’d given her some fantasies for when she was alone.

He’d even send her home with a parting gift of a toy or two.

Visions of the butt plug in her tight little backside sent him on a tangent of lust. By the time he surfaced, he was covered in sweat and the hay he was stacking in the top of the barn stuck to his skin.

He itched like hell.

Eyeing the ladder, he chose the freefall instead. When he jumped, air rushed over his bare chest. His boots struck the floor with a resounding echo. He needed a shower, and he wasn’t going to the bunkhouse to do it. No matter what Skye’s frame of mind, she was stuck with him for a few more days.

He grabbed the shirt he’d shed and slung it around his neck. Walking back to the bungalow, he passed Jeremy. Normally, the cowboy would have waved but he had his head down and strode in the opposite direction. Avoiding him?

He spotted two other Boot Knockers and angled to meet them. “Hey, either of you know what’s up Jeremy’s ass?”

“Besides Elliot? Not really.”

“Elliot? He’s fucking Jeremy now?” Elliot was renowned for getting heart-deep in men he slept with. He couldn’t seem to separate his emotions from his extracurricular activities, and Booker didn’t think he’d last long. Too bad. He was doing a great job in his new role as Dom.

“Yeah, he and Jeremy have been seen together a lot lately.”

Booker scuffed his knuckles over his jaw, making a rasping noise. Maybe the pair was an item, and that accounted for Jeremy being edgy.

Then again, he’d shot a few loaded remarks at Booker and why? He wanted the job Booker was doing, according to the exchange with Holly and Hugh.

“Jeremy seems pissed off lately. Either of you know what’s eating at him?” Booker asked.

They shook their heads. “Nah. He’s fine. Probably just upset his lady left early.”

Booker lifted a brow. “She left?” It happened for various reasons—a woman just couldn’t get comfortable or ready for the journey she’d paid to have. Very rarely one left because a Boot Knocker couldn’t satisfy her. In most cases Holly did a switcheroo and the client got a new cowboy.

“That’s what I heard. But I didn’t hear why.”

Yeah, that would be stressful for Jeremy. Maybe he was just suffering from the aftereffects.

Something told Booker this was more personal, though. The way he’d looked at Booker in the office revealed a whole new side of Jeremy. From happy-go-lucky to grim-lipped.

“Whattaya think about lending me a cock ring, Booker? My lady would like to try one of those vibrating ones.”

He was shaking his head before the request was out of the cowboy’s mouth. “I don’t share.”

“I heard you shared your girl with Teller,” he countered.

Yeah, and to great benefits for all. The threesome had been one of the best of his life. If he popped Skye’s ass cherry today, she might be able to take them both at the same time by the end of the week.

His Wranglers grew tight and he looked toward the bungalow, itching to return to her.

And a little worried about what he’d find. She’d mentioned leaving. Was she serious?

“A Boot Knocker doesn’t kiss and tell,” he answered the cowboy. They shared a laugh and Booker said, “Catch ya later.”

When he entered Bungalow 2 he heard a tiny, chirpy voice, turned up loud with a little static.

His heart did a roll over and dust clouded his brain.

Findlee? Was that his baby’s voice he heard?

Very quietly he shut the door and walked toward the bedroom. There he found Skye on the edge of the bed, a tablet in hand, grinning from ear to ear.

When he entered, she looked up and her face blanked.

For an aching moment he thought she might throw him out again, forbid him from sharing this mother-daughter moment.

Then she waved him over and his heartbeat resumed at a wild pace.

He sank to the bed next to her and looked at the screen. There was his little daughter. Shining blonde hair and green eyes like his. He choked up.

“Findlee, say hi to your daddy.”

Skye didn’t know where to look—at her daughter on the screen or her ex losing it beside her.

His throat worked and his face grew blotchy. For a moment she wondered how to deal with a hard-ass cowboy who broke down crying. Her heart blossomed with love for him.

He reached out and skimmed a big finger along the curve of Findlee’s baby cheek on the screen. “Hi, Findlee.” His voice sounded as if he’d snacked on spurs.

“Hi.” Her flippant response was all toddler—Findlee was distracted by something on the TV behind her. She did a few dance turns and Booker released a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a sob.

But not a trace of wetness rimmed his eyes. He was breaking down as much as a cowboy knew how.

He dragged in a deep breath and smiled at her antics. Then she came back to the screen, pressing her nose against the glass. Her face blurred in the camera, and Skye and Booker shook with laughter.

“Did you go swimming today, Findlee?” she asked.

“Not yet. G’amma mean.”

Booker snorted. “Did you ask her to take you swimming?”

“No.” She backed up and looked right at the camera. What was going on in her little head? Skye wished this moment was in person so she could hold Findlee and explain things better. Of course, she was so little. She wouldn’t truly understand. But in time, she’d get it. If Booker followed through on his promise to be part of her life, that was.

Findlee picked up a block tower. It broke apart and fell to the floor. “Shit,” she said.

Booker arched a brow at Skye. She felt herself growing hot. “I don’t know where she heard that.”

“I’m sure it was at daycare,” he said with a grin that spoke too much to her vulnerable heart.

He eased an arm around her and Skye suddenly worried about what her mother, who was holding the tablet for Findlee to video chat, would think. As it was, Skye would have a hell of a time explaining why she was with Booker in the first place.

Distraction was the best route. “Findlee, tell Daddy about Mr. Bun-Bun. Where is he?”

Her eyes widened and she sparked up at the question. Then she ran off. Tiny footsteps thumped. When she ran back into view, she was flapping Mr. Bun-Bun. One ear looked to be coming off and it seemed he’d gotten wet at some point. His pink fur was mangy.

Skye laughed. “Are you taking care of him, Findlee?”

“He went into the waaaater.”

Booker crowded close enough she felt the hum of his body. He shuddered with laughter.

Grandma’s voice was low as she said something to the toddler. She nodded vehemently, blonde hair bouncing on her forehead. Then she said, “I go eat, Momma.”

“Okay, Findlee. I’ll be home—”

Big green eyes stared right out at them. “Daddy, I go eat. Byeee!”

Booker went dead still. Findlee ran out of view. He dropped his head for a long second while Skye exchanged a word with her mother and signed off.

She set the tablet aside and looked at the cowboy battling for control. It was apparent how deeply Findlee’s words had affected him.

“Booker.”

He got up and paced away. Silence filled the space. After a minute she went to him, but he only slipped his fingers over his face in the way he had when he was trying to find some peace of mind. “I’ll be back, Skye.”

“Wait. Are you okay?”

When he met her gaze, his eyes were bright—too bright. “Perfect.” His voice was thickened and his lips tight. Seeing her man this way tore a ragged hole in her armor and suddenly Booker was her life again. Damn, this break was going to hurt worse than the last.