The Roper (Rodeo Nights) (2 page)

Once in his truck he drove out, and around the barn until he saw her truck. After parking next to it, and just watched her as she grasped a handful of mane and swung up on her horse. The smile when her mare reared straight up then did a few little crow hops, was a beautiful thing.
 

“
Bareback,
” he thought as she raced toward the fence of the warm up ring, then cleared it with room to spare. She was a damn good rider.
 

He climbed out of the truck, walked over and leaned on the top rail. She cantered around the barrels that were set up and he knew why she always won. She’d spent a lot of time training and riding. Her and her horse were one, in tune with each other. Then she did something he’d never seen before. She rode the barrels backwards, opposite of the way they should be run, the far barrel first. She rode straight towards him.

“Morning,” she said.

“Missed you last night,” he answered. “You owe me a drink.”

She looked at him, then said, “If you feel like a ride I’ll wait for you. I’ll even share my coffee.”

“Be right back,” he said turning quickly heading to the barn.

He bridled his gelding swung up and rode towards her, surprised that she was waiting for him. He’d have to listen to exactly what she said, no assuming with her.

“Where to?” he asked.

“Back to my truck then down to the river.”

He rode beside her, stopping next to her truck when she stopped. Jumping off she grabbed the thermos, and her old coffee cup, handed them to him and swung back on her horse.

“I can take the cup now, if you take the thermos,” she said looking at him, a small smile on her lips. “I owe you a drink so I hope coffee’s okay.”

“Perfect,” he said, “as long as you drink it with me.”

She led him down a path turning into deeper bush off the main trail to a creek. Turning again they followed it to a small lake.

“How’d you find this?” he asked.

“I like to ride so I google a map of where ever we are to see what’s near by.”

 
They both slid of their horses and ground tied them.

After she had poured them each a coffee he asked, “Why didn’t you come for a drink last night?”

He watched her shrug, not answering, and wondered just what Jody might’ve told her about him.
 

Shifting closer to her, he spoke softly.
 
“Peaceful here,” he said. “You been coming here every morning?”

“Yeah, I like to spend time with Gracie. We rode around the lake to the other side yesterday.” They sat in silence watching the birds swoop and dive, taking their morning bath. It was a beautiful morning, the sun glittering off the fine sheen of moisture on the tall grass. A small whisper of wind set the branches of the trees rustling.

“How come you slept in your truck last night?” she asked, not looking at him.

Warmth spread through him. She’d been watching him again, so she was definitely interested. Something was holding her back though, so it was time to grab the bull by the horns.

“I don’t sleep with them, Casey. It’s been two years.” The fact that she didn’t deny knowing about some of his wild side confirmed his suspicions, so he kept talking. “Jody and Dale like their sex games, and while I gave it a try for a while, it’s not for me anymore. I don’t intrude even though there’s an extra bed, but they are my friends.”

Casey smiled softly, her eyes soft and warm on his. “I understand.”

Something loosened in his chest and he laughed at himself. He’d gone from thinking she was sexy and maybe he’d get some, to someone he wanted to like him, to respect him. All in less than a day.
 

Shit was happening fast, and by the look in her eye and the vibe in the air between them, he was sure it wasn’t just happening to him.

“We should go back now,” she said without taking her gaze away from his.
 

“Yeah.”

Neither of them moved.
 

Sucking in a deep breath, Bobby tore his gaze away and stood up. “I’ll bring breakfast and coffee tomorrow morning if we can do this again,” he said, pulling her to feet.

He wanted to wrap his arms around her and kiss her, spend more time, a lot more time with her. Hell, she was Jody’s travel mate, so it shouldn’t be to hard. He’d enlist her in helping him if he had to.
 

Casey swung up on her horse, wrapped her legs tight to the large body, and all he wanted was to feel those legs wrapped tight around him. Fuck, he was a goner.
 

 
They rode side by side, back to the barns, each of them deep in their own thoughts.
 

“Nice run,” Bobby said later that day when he entered the stall Casey was in with her horse. He leaned against the wall watching her pull the saddle off.
 

“Thanks, you did good too,” she answered.

Taking the saddle from her he hung it over the rail.

“Can I buy you coffee over at the canteen?” he asked.

“We have a meeting in about ten minutes. Something about the barrel racing rules so I have to be there. Maybe later I’ll buy you a drink,” she said, a little smile starting, her eyes twinkling up at him. “If you ask nicely that is.”

He took her hand pulling her deeper into the stall backing her against the wall.

“You’re getting to me Casey,” he mumbled his lips brushing over hers. Her arms went around his waist, her body pressing against him.

Unable to hold back any longer, he went for it and brushed his lips lightly over hers.
 

“I like you Casey,” he mumbled, feeling her warmth, smelling her scent wash over him.

“Casey,” Jody called moving closer to them.

“In a minute,” she answered, pulling away from him.

 
“We need to do something together soon,” he said looking at her.

“We just did,” she whispered, her hand softly touching the stubble on his cheek.
                                                                         

 
“Not enough, Casey. No where close to what I want from you.”
 

He watched as she walked away from him. A taste was all he had of her and it wasn’t anywhere near enough. Tonight was the roundup party at the bar. If she wasn’t there he’d go looking for her. He didn’t know what it was about her but she was different from the other women he’d had. When she’d touched his face he dam near purred for her.

 
Dale Brownly, Bobby’s long time friend, was a bull rider, and he had the attitude to prove it. With a cocky grin, he whistled at the server, and sure as shit she came trotting over with a smile. The two men ordered their drinks, and Bobby wondered at women. Some say it was insulting to be whistled at, yet they responded to it everytime.
 
The waitress came back with their drinks, and refused his money when Bobby offered it up.
 
“From the woman three tables over,” she said.

 
Looking over, Bobby’s body tightened and he sat up a little straighter.
 
Casey was smiling at him, her eyes twinkling. She raised the glass in her hand and he smiled, lifting his glass to her. Tomorrow was an off day then they’d pack up and leave for the next city on the circuit, so pretty much everyone form the rodeo was in the bar that night. He’d been there for dinner and a few beers almost every night, but Bobby had never seen Casey there before, and he took this to mean it would be a good night for him.
 

“What’s that about?” Dale asked.

“Casey,” he said. “I need the room tonight. You can sleep with Jody.”

“You’re confident,” Dale said. “Every bull rider on the circuit has chased that lady for the last two months, and she shoots them all down.”

Something unfamiliar tangled in Bobby’s gut. “You too?”

“Yeah, I made a pass last year. Couldn’t even get the time of day out of her.”

“I know her, even spent some time with her,” he said thinking about the early morning ride to the lake. “She’s mine.”

He leaned back on his chair, long muscled legs stretched out in front of him as he watched her dance with the other barrel racers. Seven women line dancing, all wiggling their asses and kicking up their heels, but he only had eyes for her.
 

Long black hair tumbled down her back, a riot of curls bouncing in time to the music. Damn, he never wanted anything as much as he wanted her. He could almost feel her hair brushing over his chest as she rode him like she did her horse. She caught his eye, turned and wiggled her sweet little ass at him. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The next thing he knew the music changed and she was in the arms of some bull rider.

“You’re too late,” Dale said.

“Night’s still young,” he said with a casualness he didn’t feel.

 
The bull rider was holding her too close, rubbing against her, and it was Bobby could do not to get up there and tear her outta the guys arms. When she started struggling with him, trying to get away, Bobby stopped fighting himself and quickly walked over to them. His hand on the bull rider’s shoulder, he squeezed, hard. “Cutting in.”
 

The guy gave started to give him attitude, but stepped back when he say the look in Bobby’s eyes.
   

“Thank you,” Casey smiled up at Bobby as he took her in his arms. Her pulse was pounding at the base of her throat and her arms held him tight.
 

“You okay?” he asked. She nodded yes. “Never better.”

 
He pulled her close to his side and walked her back to her table.
 

 
Back at his table Bobby waved the server over, dropped some bills on her tray. “Whatever the ladies are having,” he motioned to their table.

He enjoyed a few more drinks with the guys, laughing, joking, and talking about scores and horses. It was getting late when he finally made his way back over to Casey’s table and asked her to dance again. “You’re the perfect gentleman,” she said, her voice soft, sending heat through his body.
 

“Not really,” he said smiling down at her, pulling her tight up against him. “I have a problem.”

“Really? What would that be?” she said pulling away from him just a bit so she could meet his gaze.

“You. You’re driving me crazy with that sweet smile and tight little body,” he whispered, pulling her closer again, making sure she felt how hard he was.
 

Her hand slid down his back and over his ass, where she gently squeezed. Just a little bit, but it was more than enough to encourage him. “Fresh air,” he groaned pulling her outside and around the corner from the door.

His hand tangled in her thick soft hair as he pulled her head back, and slammed his mouth down on hers. Her arms went around him and she kissed him back. Parting her lips and letting him in so he could kiss her the way he had wanted to since the first time he saw her. His tongue brushed hers, then stroked, demanding even more as she continued to give him everything he dreamed of.

He pulled back, trying to catch his breath. “Spend the night with me, Casey.”

Wide eyes, filled with passion stared up at him. She licked her bottom lip and he bit back a groan of need. “Maybe,” she whispered.
 

He had the urge to beg, but he didn’t.
 

Grabbing her hand he walked her around the back of building, moving her into the shadows up against the wall. When they had more privacy he pressed against her and went back to kissing her. It didn’t take long before the heat between them was blazing out of control. He pulled the snaps on her shirt open, stared at the tiny red lace bra that wasn’t covering much, and groaned his pleasure.
 

“I want you, Casey,” he growled, pulling her small breast up over the top of her sexy red lace bra. Tonguing her sweet little nipple, he watched it stand at attention.

His lips slid over her nipple, sucked then tugged. Loosening her jeans, his hand went between her legs. She stiffened, then relaxed almost immediately. Almost like she was talking herself into it.

“Here,” he groaned, “or all night in my motel room?”

“Neither,” she whispered.
 
“I have to go.”

“No,” he said, his lips claiming hers for a quick, soft, kiss. He’d thought about what he was doing, what he dreamed about doing to her and with her ever since he’d first laid eyes on her. Her body fit perfect to his and it had been a while since he’d felt a woman’s hands on him.

 
His head bent, he nipped her nipple again, a little harder this time. She held him tighter, and he really didn’t want to let her go.
 

“Casey,” he whispered, liking the sound of her name.
 

“Yo, Bobby,” Dale whispered. from behind him “We’re leaving. See you later.”