Not My 1st Rodeo (19 page)

“Ray?” She waited until she caught his gaze. “I was talking about you, not your ranch. It seems our generation is giving up this kind of life, not gravitating towards it. Agriculture is about more than fields and livestock. The connection to the land and the balance of family, that's something you can't fake or force. You either feel it, or you don't. And you do.”

He blinked and rubbed away the tightness in his chest. “Good lord, woman. That is the hottest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

She parted her soft, pink lips, her eyes wide with bewilderment before she threw her head back with a laugh so full it seemed to come up from the ground. The sun dripped butterscotch over the red waves of her hair. He couldn't help but join in.

“Ray, honey, if that's your definition of hot, I can blow your mind with awkward sentiments. I can't flirt for shit, but saying things that border on the uncomfortable is my specialty.”

His laugh was all his own this time. “I see you completely differently. You're all relaxed comfort from where I stand.”

“No one has ever accused me of being relaxed before. It's the oddest of compliments.” She tilted her head with a confused narrowing of those pretty eyes.

“You must have some tragic war stories.” They crested the top of the ridge and the horses headed towards the new barn, the sweet smell of manure swirling around them.

“War stories?” She sat up higher, taking in the set-up.

“You know, flakes you've dated, exes you've shed.”

“Ah, I refer to those as tales of woe. You have no idea what it's like to show up at a restaurant to find the man you're meeting is wearing more makeup than you. And jewelry. And tighter jeans.”

He nodded in camaraderie. “It's the ones who seem to have put up pictures of their daughter and not themselves that freak me out.”

“And the ones who have been drinking the crazy sauce, or who try to get grabby.”

“I apologize on behalf of all men.”

She shrugged. “I usually wind up having to apologize, or administer first aid. With four brothers, I don't exactly hit like a girl.”

He pulled Joe to a stop beside the working pens and Jacy circled Hoss around until she was facing him.

“Too much? I tend to over share.” She sat up taller in the saddle, her hazel gaze wide and clear. “If it helps, I've never done any permanent damage. And by the looks of your nose, you've broken it before, so you know a bloody nose looks worse than it is.”

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “This is the standard issue Mitchell nose.”

She covered her mouth. “Shit. Sorry. Shit, I shouldn't be swearing.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“It's not ladylike.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “I'm a complete disappointment in the girly department.”

“Can't say I agree with that.” He gave her a look that brought a blush clear to her shoulders.

“Can I rewind the last five minutes and not be so weird?”

“No rewinds in life, babe.”

“How about fast forward to the point where you forget I insulted your nose, confessed violence against assholes and admitted my intolerance for metrosexuals?” She turned Hoss toward the pens. “Tell me about your barn, or Bones the bull.”

He moved Joe to ride beside her again. “This is my new barn, went up this spring. Twice as big as the old one because our heifers had a fertile season, and the old one had bats.” He gave a mock shudder.

“Bats are a sign of a healthy farm.”

“Yeah, until one flies into you. Then they've got to go.”

“You know they'll come back, right? There are measures you can take, but bats serve a purpose.”

“This is not my first rodeo, remember?”

She arched a brow. “Clever.”

“Two bat houses on the south side of the barn, and fake snakes on the rafters inside.”

“Fake snakes?”

“Yeah. You want to see?”

“Do I want to go in your barn and see your snake?” She gave a quick laugh and then pulled a serious face. “I mentioned how I break noses, right?”

“You're going to bust my balls this whole day, aren't you?”

“I'm much better at ball busting than flirting. Way more experience.”

“From where I'm sitting, you're no slouch on either count.”

“Well, you're sitting on your mother's horse, so I'll take that with a grain of salt.” She nudged Hoss past the barn, to the crest of the hill. She turned and looked back at him. “You have a whole other operation down there.”

He caught up to her. “We work the cattle in different areas for different things. Those pens are for the loading and when we separate the yearlings from the heifers and calves. That barn is smaller, the road is wider, and that's a scale house instead of a tractor shed.” He pointed to the east. “And that is Bones.”

“You put a bucking bull in a wooden pen?”

“Hey, bull expert. I know my animal.”

She held up her hands and wiggled her shoulders. “Sorry, rodeo boy.”

“Okay, sassy pants. On the other side of the scale house is my next moneymaker, Church. He'll be ready for the circuit by summer.”

“You named a bull Church?”

“Even better. Church Bingo.”

“Oh, you win. You win all the things.”

“Naming bulls is a skill. Broken Bones, Drill Sergeant, Colonel Crush, Second Thoughts, Crime Scene and Bones McCrackin. Bones is his sire. He did great on the circuit this year.”

“Church Bingo is your best.” She looked past him, her forehead wrinkling in concern. “There isn't a cloud in the sky, but there's that rain electricity in the air. Do you feel it?”

“I think that's me. Come here.” He nudged Joe closer with his knee and held out his hand.

“Are you going to try and show me your snake?” She slid her hand into his, anticipation arcing between them.

“I'm not looking to get my nose broken.” He leaned closer and her gold-tipped lashes fluttered closed. She tilted her chin up, a Mona Lisa smile on her pink lips. He brushed his mouth against hers for a fleeting whisper of a kiss. He didn't want to push too far, too fast, and risk scaring her off. “Thank you for meeting me for coffee.”

“Oh.” She blinked quickly, as if something were in her eye. “Thanks for asking me.”

He tugged her hand to pull her near, letting the kiss linger until she parted her lips. “And thank you for coming here for a ride.”

“Cowboy, if that is your idea of a kiss, we're going to have trouble.” She shook off his grasp, turned Hoss toward the valley and let him run.

Chapter Four

A wide shadow spread across the field, darkening the bright green alfalfa. A cold wind blew against her back. The sweet smell of the pasture faded as the pores of the earth opened up to welcome the rain. Jacy reined Hoss in, listening to the clapping of hooves as Ray caught up to them. She didn't want to get caught in a downpour, but waiting out the storm at Ray's would get her mission back on track.

She hoped. He looked at her like he might want to take it there, but his kisses at the top of the ridge had been practically chaste. And she was so damned tired of being that girl.

Ray pulled Joe to a stop in front of her just as a lone raindrop hit her cheek. Both horses sniffed the air, alert to the change in weather. Lightning flashed and the animals pawed the ground. A moment later, a clap of thunder had Little Joe dancing sideways.

“You're going to have to take a rain check on seeing the creek.”

She nodded, fat droplets splashing onto her shoulders. “Is your place nearby?”

He shook his head. “My cabin is between the creek and the homestead. Joe's not going to settle until he's back in his stall. If you don't want to get wet—”

“Don't worry about me. Let's just get the horses back where they're comfortable.”

“Hoss is fine in any weather. But Joe's decided he's a delicate flower.”

“It takes all kinds of kinds.” Lightning lit up the sky and the rain began in earnest. Ray turned and let Joe run, the boom of thunder quickening his pace.

Hoss kept pace with them, the two animals urging the other on. It was the kind of ride she used to love as a kid but never had the time for now. Nothing felt better than the spontaneous rush, the clamor of hooves, the cool rain showering around them.

Too soon, they were back at the corral. Jacy jumped down and opened the gate. Ray gave her a look, but she shook it off. He was the one on the spooked animal. Hoss followed close behind them while she closed the gate and then ran to the cover of the horse barn.

She pushed her wet hair out of her face and sucked in air, taking in the familiar smell of fresh hay and aged wood. It smelled like home and soothed her nerves. She spied Ray as he slammed the gate to one of the paddocks before marching her way.

“You're really something, you know that?”

“So I've been told. We should brush out the horses and—”

“They'll keep.” He stopped in front of her, his gaze locking with hers before it drifted south.

She looked down. Her white tank top was translucent and clinging to her just as her see-through bra was. Her pink, puckered nipples were as visible as if she were naked. Her cheeks heated, but she fought the instinct to cover up or crack a joke. She could tell by the way he clenched his unshaven jaw that she had his full attention.

His nostrils flared as he raised his gaze to meet hers once more. She wanted to say something, to ask for what she wanted. But before she could find the words, he wrapped one arm around her ribs, lifted her off her feet and moved them across the floor and into the tack room. He kicked the door closed and didn't stop until he'd lifted her onto a workbench. He set her down hard. She reached her hands back against the wood to steady herself.

Excitement prickled along her damp skin. No one had ever looked at her like this. The predatory gleam in his blue eyes had her warring between terrified and electrified. She had to make this happen. If she didn't take the risk, she knew she wouldn't be daring enough tomorrow, or ever again.

She reached out and fisted his T-shirt, pulling him to her. She channeled everything into her kiss, and when he took the back of her head in one large hand and deepened it, she recognized his desire matched her own. She parted her legs and he pushed closer until the hard ridge of his cock pressed against the seam of her jeans. She wrapped her legs around him, anchoring him to her.

Thunder roared, and he broke the kiss but kept his forehead against hers, his rough breaths against her face. He gripped her hips, pressing his cock harder against her, then took her tank top and pulled it over her head. Her wet hair clung to her shoulders as he undid the front clasp of her bra. He licked his lips as he looked her over.

“I didn't expect this when I asked you here.” He traced his finger along the pink of her areola. “I didn't expect you at all.”

She slipped her hands beneath his black T-shirt, feeling the physique she'd only seen outlined before. She pushed the material up. He looked as good as he felt, all hard planes and lean muscle. When she got to his chest, he hauled the shirt over his head and dropped it behind him. A smile spread across his face and he pulled her into his arms and held her close.

She reached up and wrapped her arms behind his neck, loving the way his sparse chest hair teased her puckered nipples. She brushed her lips against his, the way he had up on the ridge. She pressed her lips to his until he tried for more. She leaned back and he tried to follow.

“It's not nice to be teased, is it, cowboy?”

He slid his hands between them, filling his palms with her breasts. He rubbed the pad of his thumb back and forth over her nipple. “I can't decide if you're the angel or the devil. I see you one way and think I have to go slow, get to know you, do things right.” His other thumb teased her neglected breast. “But then I turn my head and all I can think is how good it will feel to be inside you.”

She gave a little whimper and rolled her hips, her clit swelling at his words. “Who says it can only be one way?”

“I've never known anyone like you.” He rolled the tight buds between his fingers.

“I am a one of a kind.” She pulled the ball cap off his head and threaded her fingers in the soft waves of his hair. She pulled him to her and kissed him with an urgent message. They wanted the same things. Only she wanted it all, right now.

He leaned her back against the bench as he kissed his way across her mouth, down her neck and to places she'd only dreamed about being kissed before. He pulled one peak into his mouth, his teeth and tongue working it with an erotic rhythm. She moved against him, letting the pleasure build until thunder rolled and her breath caught. Her heart stuttered and her whole body tightened and relaxed, squeezed and released. Pleasure and the sweet heat of orgasm swirled between her legs and then radiated out to the rest of her body.

Ray chuckled and pressed himself harder against her. “You're amazing.”

“You're not too bad yourself.” She brought him to her for another kiss, the weight his body on hers building a delicious tension.

He slid his fingers into the waistband of her jeans and tugged. Her pulse tripped and trepidation shook her insides. She'd gotten him all worked up, but this was the part where she'd need him to be slow and easy and careful. He tugged again and the waistband slipped from her waist to her hips.

She choked down the fear and awkwardness. “Do you have protection?”

“Nope.” He tugged again and her jeans slipped to her thighs.

“Then we can't.” She placed her hand against his chest and his heart raced beneath her palm. She had a condom, but she'd left it in the truck. Maybe on some subliminal level, she wasn't as ready for this as she thought.

“I gave you that orgasm.” He placed his hand between her thighs and she instinctively tried to close them. Only his body was in the way. “It's only fair that I get to taste it.”

She gasped as he slid his fingers along her wet lips. She wrapped her hand around the thick muscles of his biceps and met his gaze.

A soft voice broke the spell. “Son, are you in here?”

Ray's eyes closed and he pursed his lips. They broke apart and Jacy slid off the workbench, pulling her pants back on as she looked for her bra.

“We got caught in the rain, Ma. We're just pulling on the dry shirts we keep in the tack room.” He shook his head and pulled open a cabinet. He grabbed a black T-shirt and pushed it over her head before she could reach for it. She found her wet bra and put it on, the material like ice against her heated skin. The shirt fit her like a muumuu, but it was better than see-through.

“Is Jacy staying for dinner?” his mother called out.

Ray scrubbed his face with his hand, so Jacy opted to answer.

“Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell, but I have to get back home.”

“It's like we're twelve,” Ray whispered.

“Are you sure? It's no trouble at all.” His mother sounded so nice, Jacy felt guilty for turning her down. But a session of meet the parents could derail her plan completely.

“Ma!” He opened the door and stepped out. Jacy cringed because he hadn't bothered with a new shirt yet.

“I'm just trying to help.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Her blue embroidered tunic set off her eyes and complimented her curly gray bob.

“But you're not.” He cleared his throat. “Jacy, this is my mother, Lynn. Ma, this is Jacy, who I am sure would rather have met you when she isn't wet from getting caught in the rain.”

“It's good to meet you, Jacy. Maybe next weekend, you can stay for dinner.” She gave Ray a because-I'm-your-mother-that's-why smile before heading back towards the house.

“You do not have to have dinner with my parents.” Ray pushed a hand through his hair, which settled in a million different directions.

“Why? Is she a horrible cook?”

“No, because I want to try and do this right. I was hoping we could go out for a nice dinner, maybe a movie or drinks after.”

She wiggled her shoulders. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Of course. You rocked this one.”

“Okay.” She grabbed courage with both hands. “Maybe next time you'll be a little better prepared.”

“I'm not sure anything can really prepare me for you.” He stepped to her and pressed his hands to either side of her face. He brought his mouth to hers for a kiss that was sweet and soft and warm, nothing like the fiery hunger of moments ago.

“Is that supposed to tide me over?”

He shook his head. “It's to make you want more.”

“Are you okay? Did you bang it out like wild monkeys or did you come to your senses?” Carly's voice filled the cab of Jacy's truck as she drove down the highway.

“This was the preamble. I'm going to see him again.” She set the cruise control and smiled. He wanted more of her, and she was desperate to give it to him.

“Wait, what? I thought this was a one-time thing. Remember, you didn't want emotional drama.”

“It's not drama. I liked him. I like how I was with him. Being with him wasn't a performance. Aside from insulting his nose, I didn't embarrass myself. I was barely awkward.”

“What's wrong with his nose?”

“Nothing. He's perfect.” In so many ways.

“Oh, sister. This does not bode well for you.”

A prickle of unease crept up her spine. “What are you talking about? I found an amazing man who actually likes me. That's a win in any playbook.”

Carly cleared her throat. “Did you tell him you're not actually divorced? Or that you live three hours away? Or that your vagina needs a housewarming party?”

“It didn't come up. And it won't matter.”

“Because you're only into him for his pleasure potential, and once you get what you want, you'll never see him again, right?”

“That was the original plan, but he's…I don't know how to explain it. He's perfect.” Her body warmed just thinking of him.

“This is what I warned you about. You can't separate sex and emotion. You probably can't tell if you're feeling things for him because you want to sleep with him or the other way around. I really don't want to see you wrecked by this.”

“Well, aren't you just a bag of sunshine.” She didn't want to argue with Carly, especially when she couldn't disagree. This could be a disaster, but she had a good feeling it could be something special. “He's going to take me out again next Saturday. I'm going to need your help making me irresistible. Maybe I'll even wear makeup.”

“You're going out with him the night before your birthday? Are you going to bring him to the party your mom has spent months planning? You can't cancel on her.”

“It's too soon to toss him into the fire with my brothers. The party isn't until after church, so I'll have plenty of time to get back.”

“I can't believe you've put your virginity on project status.”

“I can't believe I waited this long to do it.”

Busy with the line of cows at Donaldson's Dairy, Jacy ignored the dinner bell ringing twice, but the wolf-whistle signaling a new text message proved too much. She removed her gloves before reaching for her phone. Putting the thing on vibrate was the least she could do for the ladies giving her the stink eye while she checked their udders.

“You left your tank top. Let's meet for coffee and I'll bring it to you.”

Jacy smiled at her phone. It had to be a good sign that Ray was thinking of her first thing the next morning. She held out her phone and nudged the old girl beside her. The Holstein looked up just as she snapped the selfie.

“Coffee with you would smell a lot better than a dairy farm. But these girls have my full attention today.”

“Nice coveralls.”

“I like to keep my farm fashion current.”

She cringed and looked down at the dark brown canvas. She had to remember that Ray wasn't her friend, he was a man she needed to want to see her naked.

“Tomorrow?”

“I have a date with a pig.”

“Hey now, I'm a nice guy.”

“Actual pig. He has his own blog.”

She scrolled through the pictures on her phone and sent him one of Chester. As pigs went, he was a looker.

“Your pig is better at social media than I am.”