Wild Ride: BBW Western Romance (Under Open Skies Saga Book 2) (12 page)

“I
…”

“
I see
,”
he paused for a moment then added
,“
guess you wo
n’
t be cashing in the rain check anytime soon, huh
?
”

“I’
m sorry, Wyatt
.”
She really was. He deserved more.

“
Not a problem, ca
n’
t blame a guy for tryi
n’
though, can ya
?”
His small smile showed the beginning of lines around the edges of his eyes
.“
I just came over to say hello. I have a few people that need me back in the coaching arena
.
”

He was gone before she could even say a word.

She shifted in her seat and smiled. It was
n’
t often she watched a man back down so gracefully. Still, she felt a pang of regret as she watched him walk away. Wyatt was a good man. One who deserved someone special. She had confidence that the right girl was just waiting for him to show up at her door.

It was
n’
t long before she heard the announcer, pulling her from her thoughts and back to the show. Hunter was
n’
t up first this time, he drew later, but many of her guys were competing in this one. Just a small local show at the end of the local season, only a couple left in the state.

Most of her guys would go back to ranch work, and the few that were selected to be registered in larger, national and semi-national competitions would be transported around the circuit. It worked on its own, was well-established and funded by multiple equipment agencies.

Now that she knew them, it made it that much more difficult to watch the men perform. Each time they were thrown, she held in a breath, hoping they got up fast enough. That they were unhurt. The stakes were high for the riders. High risk, high reward. That was what her father always used to say.

But it was different now. They were her employees. Her men. And the thought of one of them coming to harm made her nervous. They had families, people they loved.

“
Hunter Daniels, Number 435 on Barely There
.”
The announcer blared through the speakers into the stands and into her ears.

He was out like a shot, one hand held high, the other holding tight to the bull rope. That same instinctual ability, reading the bull before he even knew what he is going to do. It was only eight seconds, but you could see a lot in eight seconds.

She could tell that he was talented, she only wished she had met him sooner. The bell buzzed and he jumped off like a shot, running from the beast that was still angry as hell at him. He barely made it to the metal fencing before the bull plowed it, missing him by a quick jump. 85.94. A solid score for the first ride. Not perfect, but pretty damn good.

Relief washed over her as she realized he was okay, and that she was on her feet. She did
n’
t remember standing, but she quickly sat down, the flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. It was only the first round. Hunter still had another to go.

Intermission was called and several of the sponsors and coaches headed back towards the rider
s’
area, or to the concession stands. Choosing the former, Kat meandered back towards where she knew she would find her crew. It was busy, the sights and smells of the rodeo could overwhelm any spectator that got close, but she was
n’
t fazed. She pushed through the dust until she saw Hunter, in the center of a crowd of men. His eyes met hers and with a tip of his hat, he parted the crowd, making a beeline for Kat.

“
Glad to see you made it, Ms. Brooks
.”
A smile played on his lips as he looked her over, nodding in approval of her choice of plaid flannel and form fitting jeans
.“
Even look the part
.
”

“
I dunno if anyone looks the part quite like you do on that bull
.”
She kept her tone professional, but it was clear that she admired him. He was, after all, like nothing she had ever seen. 

“
I do
n’
t know about that, going for a 90 point ride. Did
n’
t quite make it
.”
He seemed irritated with himself
.“
Thank you for watching, though
.
”

“
You still have another round
.”
Her eyes lingered on his.

“
I do. If you do
n’
t mind, Ms. Brooks, I would love to give you an update on my progress in your program after the show
.”
With a reassuring tap on her shoulder he was gone, walking away back towards the men.

She stood there, fingering where he touched. Trying not to stare too hard as he walked away.

Her revere was broken by a hard tap on her shoulder.

“
Look lady, you are
n’
t supposed to be back here
,”
An older gentleman, dressed in fine western gear chided her
.“
It ai
n’
t for girlfriends, and you need to get back up in the stands before I call security
.
”

His smile was just a bit too fake and his skin was just a bit too tan.

“
Excuse me
?
”

“
You heard me, ai
n’
t no place for buckle bunnies, no matter how hot you are for that one
.”
His faux smile quickly turned into a look of disdain, but before he could continue on she interrupted him.

“
I happen to own Brooks and Fields Bull Training, and I sponsor those young men. I believe I have the express right to be here
.
”

Scarlet flooded her cheeks as she used her most authoritative tone, one that she was
n’
t sure was working.

“
Ah yes, Kat Brooks. Have your dadd
y’
s grimace. Well, Ms. Brooks, let me give you a lick of advice. That one, Daniels, ai
n’
t worth your time. May look good in the saddle, but everything he touches turns to shit. Just like his father
.”
He leaned against a fence post and looked her up and down.

“
What in the world are you talking about
?
”

“
Look, ai
n’
t my fault that the little shit fails every time he tries. Seen it before myself. Ask him about it, see if he tells you the truth
.
”

The man was at least twice her age. She could
n’
t contain her disgust.

“
I do
n’
t need your advising, I just need you to back the hell up before I call security. Who the hell are you, anyways
?
”

“
Chad Hayworth. Hayworth industries. That little bit of advising is complimentary, but
I’
ll be on my way, and you should too. Have a good rest of the rodeo, ya hear
?
”

She glared at the middle-aged wannabe cowboy as he swaggered away, hands hooked in his belt loop.

No one would tell her how to run her company. Or her life. She turned on her heel with all the dignity she could muster and headed back to the stands.

Kat had a lot of rodeo to watch, and Hunter was
n’
t the only one she was there to see. She needed to make a good impression with all of her clients and the staff. So she smiled at the on
e’
s she recognized as she walked back and clapped hardest at her own riders.

She did
n’
t have to wait as long for the second time to see Hunter ride. She chewed the inside of her lip and willed him to have a perfect ride.

“
Riding Tornado Valley, number 435, Hunter Daniels
.”
The announcer came on the loud speaker

That particular bull had a 98% buck-off rate, Kat knew. She had read about him in the program half a dozen times. She turned the page of her pamphlet again, looking over Hunte
r’
s stats. Average score 86.98. Professional rider level. Still, her hands twitched nervously as she waited.

Adrenaline pumped in her veins as he climbed aboard the bull, situated himself in the pen and held on tight. After a quick buzz they burst out of the chute together, Hunter holding tight but Tornado giving it all he had. He was like a gang of twisters, any rider would be hard pressed to hang on while Tornado moved left and right at a momen
t’
s notice.

Any rider, but Hunter.

He held on like it was nothing, his heels buried in the bull, his hand held high. Perfect form.

Time seemed to slow as she watched him, each moment dragging out over a lifetime until finally the buzzer went off, and he vaulted himself from the creature. A perfect landing this time, and a quick scramble out of har
m’
s way.

Kat could finally breathe. Now all she had to worry about was the score.

She looked to the screen and waited.

92.34.

A 90 point ride. It took all she had not to jump up and scream like the rest of the crazy fan-girls in the arena seating, not too far away. It did
n’
t matter what that old buzzard told her, she knew she put her support in the right cowboy, one who would not let her down.

Hunter was naturally talented, he had a head for numbers, and he had great business sense. Without him she would never have known where to start. There was no doubt in her mind that he was the one who could help her run the company.

Loredo Inn, Room 103.

Kat knocked on the door and waited, bag in hand. She looked around the hall when she did
n’
t get an answer right away, questioning her choice to take him up on his offer. Maybe it was the wrong room, maybe he changed his mind about her. Her anxiety raced as she waited for him, but the hostess told her she was expected. She was about to turn around and leave when she heard him.

“
Hold on a second
.”
Definitely Hunter.

It only took a few seconds before the door swung open, revealing a sexy set of abs that led to only a towel. When she realized what she was looking at she tilted her chin up, so that she could look into his eyes.

“
Like what you see
?”
His tone held a playful edge as he reached out into the hallway and pulled her in
.“
I figured you would
n’
t want your favorite employee to smell like a bull. So I grabbed a shower while I waited
.
”

He grabbed the bag out of her hands and threw it on the chair next to the door, where it landed perfectly.

“
I, uh, appreciate it
?”
She was a little lost for words as her hands splayed over his biceps
.“
She could barely think, let alone speak at the sight of him.
How does a man get this ripped?

He pulled her in a little farther and slammed the door to the hotel.

“
I think your champion deserves a little bonus, do
n’
t you
?”
He squeezed her, just enough to show her his power.

“
You mean besides the prize money you just won
?”
She joked
.“
You just squeaked by too. Almost last to a young buck wet behind the ears
.
”

“I’
m looki
n’
for somethi
n’
a little mor
e…
tangible
.”
His hands slipped under her shirt and pulled it right off, revealing a lacy black bra. Her skin peeked through the transparent lace in spots, giving him a taste of the rest of her body.

“
Well, I mean, if it is what I must do to keep you on
.”
She was only kidding around, but she could tell by the cold look on his face that replaced his playful smile that she had said something wrong.

Hunter backed away from her a little, leaving her cold and clutching her chest.

“
I do
n’
t ever want to make you feel like this is something you have to do, Kat. I thought I made that clear
?”
He was hurt. She could hear it in his voice
.“I’
m not some employee you have to keep happy
.
”

“
Hunter, I did
n’
t mean it that way
,”
She reached a hand up to touch him but he shrank back, away from her. Her hand came up empty, and an ache for him settled into her body.

“
This may have started out as a bit of business mixed with pleasure, but I think you know that it is something else now. Something more
.”
He bit his lip and then continued
.“
I mean it, I want you to want me every time. Every single time. I want you to want every kiss. Every touch. All of it
.
”

His hurt turned to anger in a second as he grabbed her again, with a force she did
n’
t expect, and bent down to capture her lips. It took her by surprise, but she wanted every minute of it. His teeth dragged over them as he plunged his tongue into her depths, filling her. She would have fallen backwards if it was
n’
t for his arms around her, keeping her in place. With the same ferocity and abruptness that kiss ended, leaving her more confused than ever.

“
Did you want that kiss, Kat
?”
His thick voice filled her ear as he breathed into it.

“
Yes
,”
She panted, running her hand though the raven locks at the base of his neck.

“
I need to know that you trust me, want me, that
I’
m the one you want to be with.
I’
m not second place.
I’
m not something you have to keep around. I want you. You have to want me too
.”
He pressed her harder to him and she could feel his need strong against her belly.

“
I do
,”
Kat pulled back, just a little, enough to look into his eyes
.“
I want you, Hunter
.
”

“
Do
n’
t ever say it unless you mean it, Kat
.”
He unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them down, leaving just her underwear and bra in place.

“
I mean it
,”
she affirmed
,“
You have no idea the things that were running through my head on the way here
.
”

“
Damn girl, you look so good
.
”
 
He cast his eyes over her body, and she felt like he was seeing all of her. From every ample, lush curve, all the way into her soul.

She never felt as good as when she was with him. She grabbed the towel that separated the very essence of him for her own touch. With a quick tug it was down on the floor around his feet. He did
n’
t let her get a good look, Hunter was too quick. Grabbing her he slammed her body against the wall and kissed her.

His body was hot against hers as he slid his hands up her torso, to her bra. He fumbled with it, his passion making him clumsy. She felt it hard against her skin as it ripped, the sound of shedding fabric echoing in her ears.

But she did
n’
t care. She just wanted to feel him, touch him. Pushing hard, she separated herself from him.

“
I want to look at you
.
”

That telltale smile on his face let her know that he liked the way she said it.

He was full and at attention. She reached down and wrapped her hand around his thick cock. It jerked in her palm, but she did
n’
t shy away.

“
I could say the same for you
.”
Kat got down on her knees and took his cock into her mouth, his tongue swirling over his head.

She tasted the salty little bit of pre-cum that escaped from his cock, and it only made her want more. She sucked harder, her grip strong as she worked up and down his shaft, milking his cock for every last drop of pre-cum she could get.

Hunter reached down and ran his fingers through her hair, pausing to tug lightly on her hair. She stopped and looked up at him, he crooked his finger for her and she stood before him. Whatever he wanted, she was ready to give it.

Kat grinned at him and leaned up for a kiss
,“
I want you, Hunter
.
”

Hunter picked her up, holding on to her ass as he walked her to the bed and laid her down. She felt sexy whenever he picked her up, like her solid curves and her thick thighs were nothing. His firm grip let up as she slid his hands down her torso all the way to her panties, grasping them and pulling them down. He made sure to firmly glide down those curvy hips and thighs, his rough hands contrasting with her supple skin.

“
It does
n’
t matter how many bulls I ride, how good I am at staying on. You knock me off balance every single time
.”
He bent down and kissed her hipbone. She was completely nude before him, but she felt totally empowered.

“
Hold on a minute, Kat
.”
He reached over her and into the nightstand, grabbing a foil packet and tearing it to produce a condom
.“
Thought we might need these
.
”

Sliding it on his cock, he made quick work of it before he leaned down to kiss her neck.

Kat arched her back and gave him the most seductive look she could muster
,“
I need you, Hunter
.“
I need you now
.”
She thrust her body up towards his, her breasts firm against his chest, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“
God, you are hard to resist
.”
Hunter gripped her hips and pressed himself against her, his throbbing cock meeting her sensitive opening, pushing through the threshold and into her hot pussy.

She moaned in satisfaction as he filled her up, giving her exactly what she wanted. Kat cried out as Hunter braced himself and drove into her over and over again. Kat held on tight to his back, rutting against him, meeting each thrust with one of her own, their bodies grinding together against each other.

It was
n’
t enough for him to merely be inside of her, she wanted him to possess her. The passion only intensified; she could
n’
t be close enough to him, could
n’
t touch him firmly enough. She was driven by need, her hunger for him fueling her desire. Kat wrapped her arms around his neck and leveraged herself, helping him to move in and out of her as fast as possible.

She was
n’
t happy until he was driving into her with a speed and a force that could be matched by no one. Her body was taking each blow, only wanting even more.

“
Do
n’
t stop
,”
She moaned, wishing he could go faster, harder.

“
Baby,
I’
m along for the ride
.”
He never stopped pushing into her, holding his pace steady.

Despite her best efforts she felt herself climbing, quickly closing on that climax that she wanted to hold off for as long as possible.

She bit her lip and dug in, she wanted this feeling to last. She hoped the pain would help her focus on the pleasure, and not let it overtake her. Each touch only brought her that much closer, and left her clinging to him.

Kat was desperate. Desperate for him and the need he could fill inside of her. She was losing herself to him. She looked into his eyes as he drove into her, his intense stare never wavering, each kiss more vehement than the last. He was everything she wanted. Everything she needed.

She felt herself climbing against her will, her orgasm just on the horizon. He was hitting her in just the right spot, hard enough that she could feel her pulse between her thighs.

“
Oh, God, Hunter. Yes. Yes
.”
She moaned, her teeth scraping against his lips as she cried out for him. Her hips ground against his as she felt a tremor make its way from the base of her spine up her neck. It would
n’
t be long now.

Ka
t’
s heart fluttered, then paused. With a final scream into the night she came, her entire body shaking and trembling against his hard muscles as she gripped him. Just when she thought she was finished, she found herself rising again, her pleasure doubled.

He never stopped pumping into her, not once slowing down, working through her first orgasm, refusing to let her give way, bringing her to a second, and a third. It was then that he finally came, filling the condom he had put on. He collapsed on her, his heavy body providing a comforting weight on her chest. It was only for a moment, and then he was on the other side of her, pulling her tight to him.