Roping Your Heart (19 page)

“You’re so beautiful.” He pushed her hair out of her face. “Look at me. I want to see your eyes.”

Smiling down at him, she rose up on her knees and grasped his cock. They watched each other as she put it at the entrance of her core.

It didn’t look like he was even breathing as she started to slide downward along his length. He gritted his teeth as if holding himself back from taking her fast and hard, and her eyes widened as he filled her. She didn’t know if she’d ever get used to how big he was.

She began riding him and he grasped her slim hips as she moved up and down.

“That’s it.” He moved his hands to her breasts and began pinching and pulling her nipples, causing her to gasp with pleasure.

“Blake.” She was barely able to say his name. She was hardly able to breathe, much less talk.

He thrust his hips up higher, an explosive sensation traveling through her, warming her body, the heat causing a sheen of perspiration to cover her skin. He pinched her nipples more firmly as they moved together and she squirmed with the need to climax.

She rode him harder and lowered herself to give him a fierce kiss. He slipped his fingers into her hair, cupping the back of her head, and gave her an equally intense kiss.

As she rose back up, her hair fell down her naked back, sliding across her skin. She felt her orgasm coming closer and increased her pace. Her breathing came faster and she saw the rise and fall of his chest that showed he was breathing harder, too.

She could feel herself climbing up to the peak, coming closer and closer to orgasm. She saw in his face, too, that it wouldn’t be long before he climaxed.

“Come on, sweetheart.” He gave her a look of barely restrained wildness.

A gasp escaped her lips as she reached the brink and then she cried out when she tipped over the edge. Her core throbbed and her body vibrated with her orgasm.

He caught her off guard and she yelped with surprise when he flipped her over onto her back and began taking her in earnest. He thrust hard and fast, making her orgasm even more intense.

And then he shouted and came hard, his body jerking with the force of his climax. He thrust even harder a few more times and then stopped, pressing his groin tight to hers.

He studied her for a long moment before he lowered his head and gave her a soft kiss. He drew his cock out of her then rolled onto his side, her head tucked under his chin.

“I love you, Cat.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ve always loved you.”

She snuggled closer to him, feeling as though she might never come down from the high of loving him. “I love you, too, Blake. With everything I have.”

He cuddled her tighter as if he planned to never let her go. And that was perfectly fine with her.

Chapter 21

The courtroom was much smaller than Blake had expected. His body remained tight and coiled as he waited for the judge to come back out of his chambers with Demi. Both sides had pled their cases. He hated having Demi there and having to tell the judge which parent she preferred to live with, putting pressure on her. But Sally had brought that on and there had been nothing that Blake could do about it.

In Arizona, the minor child could not choose which parent he or she might prefer to live with. However, the judge would listen to the minor alone in chambers where there was no fear of influence by either parent. The minor child could then speak his or her feelings more easily.

Sally sat on the right side of the court with her lawyer. She wore fairly conservative clothing with simple stud earrings, instead of the extravagant jewelry she’d worn when he saw her last. She had made herself up to be soft and appealing, a mother just wanting custody of her daughter. She’d married earlier in the summer and had moved to what was, according to her, a very large home outside of Nashville. The courts had been backed up and they hadn’t been able to get a hearing until now.

Her new husband sat on the bench behind her. Irwin Taylor was a computer engineer who had apparently hit it big with a startup software company that he’d sold for millions before the stock market crash.

Blake’s own lawyer sat beside him. He’d been positive Blake would at least get joint custody. But the thought of not having Demi with him most of the time caused his gut to clench. He hoped to God he’d get her most of the year and her mother would get her during the summers.

The past months had passed by too quickly. It was the end of summer and school would be starting again, soon. Today would determine whether or not Demi would be staying or leaving soon.

A door opened from the side and Demi walked out with the judge. The bailiff ordered all to rise until the judge was seated.

Demi’s face was pale and her eyes downcast as she returned to her seat behind both Blake and Sally. She glanced at Blake, as if appealing to him with her gaze. Sally tried to catch Demi’s eye, but the girl refused to look at her mother.

The judge started speaking and everything seemed to be a blur together in Blake’s mind.

Custody rights of the biological mother… Rights of the adoptive father… Consideration of the situation… What was in the best interest of the minor…

Blake’s gut felt sicker and sicker as the judge spoke.

And when the judge delivered his decision it felt like a jail sentence.

Sally was to have custody of Demi during the school year in Tennessee. Blake would have custody during the summers and on some holidays.

“No!” Demi jumped out of her seat and ran for Blake as soon as the judge made the statement. “I’m not going with her!”

Blake took Demi in his arms and held her as she sobbed. The judge ordered Demi back to her seat and she was torn away from him while the judge finished rendering his decision.

The backs of Blake’s eyes ached and his throat grew tighter and tighter as he listened. Nothing seemed to register after the judge stated who had custody and when. A schedule would be drawn up showing which holidays each parent had custody of Demi.

Sally grinned with triumph as the judge left the courtroom and then she was hugging her new husband and her lawyer and making cries of delight.

She turned to look at Demi but Demi ran back to Blake, ignoring her mother when Sally called to her.

Blake knew he had to be strong for Demi. But as he held her, he felt like he was going to fall into pieces and break down, too.

He managed to keep control of his emotions, but barely. When Demi drew away and he saw her tear-stained face, he nearly lost it.

“I don’t want to live with Mom.” Demi hiccupped another sob. “I told the judge that I want to live with you.”

“Hey.” He brushed hair out of her face. “We’ll figure something out.”

“No,” Demi said. “I’m not going with her.”

“What are you talking about, Demi?” Sally came up beside the girl, a broad smile on her face. “Of course you’re coming with me. We’re going to have so much fun together.”

“I want to stay with Dad.” Demi buried her face against her father’s shirt. “I don’t want to go with you.” Her voice came out muffled as she spoke.

“Come on, Demi.” Sally had an irritated look on her face that Demi couldn’t see, but Sally’s tone was sugary-sweet. “Give your mother a hug. We need to go get your things and get ready to go.”

Demi sobbed even harder. Blake had to pry her away and stand her up straight. He held her by the shoulders.

“I need you to be brave, honey.” He swallowed and cleared his throat. “The judge made his decision and we have to do what he says.” He tried to give her a smile. “You’ll probably like it in Tennessee. You’ll have a new life and new friends.”

Demi shook her head. “I want to stay here with you and Dandy and all of my friends. I want to be in rodeos and barrel race and be in 4-H and go to my school. I don’t want my life to change.”

“We’ll see about a horse,” Sally said from behind Demi, her voice sounding strained now. “I’m sure there are stables somewhere nearby where we can keep a horse. We have plenty of money, so we can buy you a better one than Dandy. And I’m certain they have 4-H clubs and rodeo. The schools where we live are supposed to be some of the best in the country.”

Blake’s heart ached as Demi turned and faced her mother. “No horse is better than Dandy. I don’t care about any of that and I don’t want to go.”

“We’re going.” Impatience was now in Sally’s tone. “No more arguing. You’re coming with me now and we’re going to stop by Blake’s house and get some of your things. The rest he can ship.”

Demi looked at Blake with a pleading gaze. He met Sally’s eyes, hateful eyes. “Let me take her back to the ranch and you can pick her up there. Give her time to say goodbye to everything she’s lived with for the past fourteen years.”

Sally glared over Demi’s shoulder. “Fine. We’ll come by early in the morning. Our flight leaves in the late afternoon.” She turned her voice sugary once again as Demi faced her. “You’ve never been on a plane. This will be fun for you.”

Demi whirled and ran down the aisle and out of the courtroom. Sally started after her but Blake put his hand on her arm. “I’ll take her home and talk to her. You can have her tomorrow.”

“You’d better not be poisoning her against me,” Sally said and clenched her teeth.

“I would never do that to Demi.” He gave Sally a hard look. “I want Demi to be happy wherever she lives.”

“Well, call me in the morning when she’s ready,” Sally said. “We’re staying at the Hassayampa Inn on Gurley Street.”

With a nod he turned and headed out of the courtroom in search of his daughter.

He found her in the waiting area, sitting in a chair with her elbows on her knees, her face buried in her hands.

“Hey, kiddo.” He wanted to make her smile, but she said nothing. “Let’s go home. We’re having your favorite supper and we’ll make homemade ice cream.”

She still said nothing.

“After supper you can take Dandy for a ride and I’ll take Tango,” he said.

She looked up at him and sniffled. “Okay.” She got up from the chair and leaned into him as they walked out of the waiting room and headed home.

* * * * *

Cat waited at the ranch for Blake and Demi to get back from the custody hearing. She hadn’t gone to the hearing herself because it would have been awkward with his ex-wife there, even if the woman was married to someone else now.

Blake had sent Cat a text message a little while ago that he and Demi were on their way home. It was likely he didn’t want to go into detail about what had happened in court today in front of his daughter.

Cat’s stomach felt queasy as she wondered how everything had gone.

The sound of a truck coming up the driveway caught Cat’s attention. She waited in the kitchen, not sure what she should do. Demi knew Cat would be here at the ranch, but who knew what kind of condition or mood Demi would be in and if she would be receptive to Cat being around. No doubt today had been an emotional day, no matter which way it had gone.

The front door opened and closed and then Cat saw Demi walk by, down the hall, her head hanging. And then Blake walked into the kitchen, looking haggard and defeated as he met her gaze.

Cat went to him, tears rising to her eyes. He wrapped her in his embrace, holding her tightly like he didn’t want to let go. She didn’t know what to say, all she could do was give him what comfort she could offer.

He drew back and dragged his hand down his face before meeting her gaze again. “I get Demi during the summers and on some holidays.” His voice sounded like his throat was almost closed off. “Her mother is taking her to Nashville for the rest of the time. She’s taking Demi tomorrow.”

Tears rolled down Cat’s cheeks as she felt his immense pain straight to her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m going to check on Demi.” He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “I told her I’d fix her favorite supper, tacos.”

“I’ll get them started,” Cat said as she laid her hand on Blake’s forearm. After she helped with supper she planned to leave to give Blake and Demi some time alone.

“Thanks.” He gave her a quick kiss before he turned back out of the kitchen and headed down the hall.

Feeling sick to her stomach for Blake and Demi, Cat got out the beef and started simmering it in a pan before she got out the cheese, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, hot sauce, and salsa. Blake returned after a while and together they fixed supper.

Time had gone by quickly since Cat had met Demi at that first 4-H horse club meeting. During the past couple of months they’d become good friends and had gone riding together among other things. Cat had worked with Demi on her form and on recovering from her fractured leg, too.

Supper was ready just as Demi walked into the kitchen, her eyes red and puffy. She saw Cat, went straight to her and hugged her. More tears rose up inside Cat, and when Demi drew away Cat hurried to wipe them from her eyes.

“I’ll miss you.” Demi’s voice sounded hoarse from crying. “I’m going to miss everything.”

“I’m going to miss you, too.” Cat gave her another hug. “Why don’t we go ahead and eat supper and then I’ll leave so you can be with your dad.”

“You can stay,” Demi said. “I don’t mind.”