Espino, Stacey - Hogtying the Cowgirl [Ride 'em Hard 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (12 page)

“Angel Garner, where the hell have you been? You take the horse for a run and never come back, Wyatt says he dropped you off at Landon’s house, and Landon says he hasn’t seen you in a week.” Grant took a deep breath. “We thought something happened to you, girl. Look at the hour. We were planning a rescue party to head out and look for you.”

“I’m not a little girl, Grant. I’m a grown woman, almost twenty-three. Yes, I should have told you I’d be out, but you were both keeping me prisoner. You couldn’t expect me to stay home and stare at the walls forever. I’d rather be helping with the cattle than Ma in the kitchen, but you keep turning me away.”

“No harm done,” said Clay. “She was with me, but she’s home now safe and sound.”

She wasn’t ready to declare any new relationship to her family and friends. Angel didn’t know anything right now. She needed to be alone, to go to her room, close the door, and just put her mind to rest. Sleep would be a Godsend right now—deep, blissful sleep.

“I meant to come by tonight, Angel. I called, but you had already left.” Landon looked exhausted, his bright-blue eyes nearly half-mast. She loved the life he usually had, not the defeated man he now appeared to be. Angel wasn’t sure if she should run to him and offer comfort or cuss him out for abandoning her. Did he even love her? Was she just a disposable good time?

“Why were you out with Clay Roberts anyhow, Angel?” asked Matthew, his muscled arms crossed over his chest. They all wore T-shirts like her, but the wind was brisk with a bitter chill. Her skin was already gooseflesh, and she just wanted to get inside to the warm fire she knew would be blazing. Her momma would bring her hot chocolate and her cozy slippers and she could forget this day and go on living in blissful denial.

Clay spoke for her, pulling her from her reverie. “She was helping me look for my stallion. He’s either jumped my fence or someone’s stolen him.”

“Well, it’s too late to do much of anything tonight,” said Grant, tucking Angel under his wing. She loved her brothers, but they were too overbearing. While she reveled in their protective shield the past few years, it was time for her to step out on her own. Make a life for herself. “There’s nothing that can’t be sorted out in the light of day.” He led her into the house, but she continually looked over her should at Clay and Landon, wanting them both but knowing it was best to be apart tonight.

* * * *

Landon watched Grant and Matthew escort their sister back to the house and disappear in the warm glow of the interior. At least she was safe and sound. That’s all that mattered to him. He’d had a crazy day. First he’d stolen the Roberts’ stallion and stashed him at the abandoned
Tyler
farm. Then he tried to get drunk at Carter’s, only to fail miserably. By the time he got home, Matthew had parked in his driveway asking where Angel was. He had no clue she’d been looking for him at his place. He’d avoided her calls, but that was before he knew he had to face her.

Angel had been so fragile over the years, he worried she may be capable of hurting herself or doing something rash.

“I guess we better head back,” said Cord to his twin brother.

Val agreed, stretching out his shoulders. “I should have known it was just Angel making trouble. She’s the biggest troublemaker this side of the province.” His tone had a distinct bitterness which Landon couldn’t remain quiet about, not today, not after he’d been to the bottom and back.

“You should watch your manners when speaking of Angel.”

“Do you not remember what she did to Samantha?” Val spoke more to Clay since he was a newcomer, rehashing the well-told tale. “She came right to our house and tried to drive our woman out. It was only by sheer luck and prayers that we got her back at all. Angel’s a menace.”

Landon lost it. He shoved Val in the shoulder sending him back a foot. “You have no idea the sacrifices that girl made for you—her good
friends.
Did you never wonder why that property buyer just suddenly lost interest in your ranch after your momma died? Did you think it was a blessing that God saved your home from the foreclosure list?”

“What are you talking about, Wilder?”

“She paid dearly to get you out of hot water. And at just seventeen years old, a baby. Didn’t you ever wonder why that girl would sell her stallion for pennies? God and half the town knew how much she cherished him. The poor thing never asked for a thank-you, never complained for the hell she had to endure after giving up the horse to help out your sorry asses. But it destroyed her from the inside out, making her cold and defensive. She was made, not born.”

Everyone silenced. “What he says is true. She told me about it today. Whatever she did for you fellows back then has been eating her up on the inside. I suspect it’s the reason she’s so ornery,” said Clay.

Cord chuckled in a reflective way. “Maybe not the only reason.” The other men followed in laughter, except Landon. Angel had never confided in anyone about her secret, but for some reason she’d entrusted it to Clay. Why? Did she choose him, love him, plan a future with the businessman? “Thanks for telling us, but if Angel didn’t want us to know, I think it’s best we keep it that way. We’ll tell Wyatt, and hopefully we’ll be able to mend some bridges before the winter hits.”

Cord and Val returned to their ranch down the road. The quiet once they were alone was deafening. Only the drone of the crickets gave him something to focus on.

“I have your horse,” he finally admitted.

“I thought as much.” Clay didn’t sound angry or surprised. He wanted him to get livid, violent, anything to qualify his hate for the man.

“Angel told you about her secret.” It was a statement, one he hoped Clay would comment on so he didn’t have to pry.

He nodded. “She’s a special girl.” Clay paused and then smirked. “She loves you, you know?”

His hackles lowered. The thought of Angel wanting him despite his financial predicament warmed his heart. He needed her so bad, needed her as a friend when he had no one else in the world. She wouldn’t pity him or comfort him with pretty words. Angel always kept things real, and he appreciated that. Needed that.

“I’m sorry about the horse. I’ll make it up to you. The Lord knows my head wasn't on straight when I took it.” He took a breath. “She cares about you a lot or she’d never have told you what she did. If she trusts you, I suspect you’re not the monster I’ve built you up to be.”

Clay frowned. “Have I done something wrong?”

“My folks own the feed store in town. Since you opened up shop, they’ve lost nearly all their business. They’re closing their doors at the end of the week.”

“I promise you, I didn’t come here to bring heartache or trouble. I’ll do whatever I can to make things right. I’m not the bad guy, Landon. In fact, if we’re both smart, we’ll work together to make that girl inside the house happy. She needs both of us.”

* * * *

The following day, Angel was woken up by her mother. She burst in her room, warm from sleep, drew open the curtains, and flung the quilt off her body. “Ma! It’s cold,” she complained.

“Since when do you sleep so late past sunrise?”

“Since I went to bed so late.” Angel held the pillow over her face.

“Well, get up and wash your face. You have a phone call downstairs.” She swept out of the room, leaving Angel wondering who’d be calling her.

She trudged downstairs in her T-shirt, underwear, and workman socks, her blonde hair in disarray. “Hello?” she said after grabbing the phone off the kitchen counter.

“Good morning, princess,” said Landon.

“You. If it isn’t Mr. Houdini. Finally decided to return one of my dozen messages?”

“Get yourself pretty. I’m taking you out to lunch.”

“Why?” Had she ever been to a restaurant? Seemed like a foolish waste of money. The only time she could recall was when her parents took her and her brothers out when she turned eighteen.

He exhaled his annoyance into the phone. “Because I’m courtin’ you. Now don’t make it more difficult for me.”

“You have a lot of explaining to do.”

“It’s been a hard week, Angel. You know that. It had nothing to do with you.”

She couldn’t blame Landon now. He had to be going through hell with everything that had been going on in his life lately. It would be good to be alone with him to talk. She missed their talks. Then she thought about Clay. If Landon outright courted her, what did that mean for their budding relationship? She wanted them both—in different ways, for different reasons. Her simple life was becoming complicated. Maybe it was best when her brothers scared off all potential suitors.

“Fine. But I’m not wearing a dress.”

Chapter Twelve

Landon wore a clean, crisp, button-up shirt and blue jeans. He smelled good. His shaggy, dirty-blond hair was partially gelled back. “Didn’t I tell you to dress pretty, Angel?”

“You’re wearing jeans, so why can’t I?” They weren’t her riding jeans. And she had on a fancier white blouse and put some curls in her hair. It was much more than she usually did. She wasn’t one for femininity, not when she worked with cowboys day in day out.

He mock scowled at her as he drove them into down. There weren’t many fancy places to go in their farming town, but Landon parked at the well-known steak house. Clay was leaning against the entrance, one leg bent up.

Before they got out of the truck, she grabbed his shirt and tugged him closer. “What’s he doing here?”

“He’s coming to lunch, too. Seems you’re getting courted by two cowboys. But I always knew it would take more than one man to tame you, Angel.”

“What! You hate Clay.”

“I may have been a tad harsh in judging him. We had a nice, long talk last night and worked out many of our differences.” He hopped out of the truck and walked around to help her down. She didn’t need help, but appreciated he was trying to be gallant.

They walked toward the entrance, and Clay sported one of his naughty smirks. Was he thinking about their experimenting in front of the mirror? Her body warmed just remembering their forbidden encounter at his ranch.

“Good to see you again,” he said as they joined him. “Seems we’ve found your stallion. When we’re done here, we’ll go pick him up.” He nodded to his truck at the far end of the parking lot with a small horse trailer hooked to the back.

She couldn’t help but smile. Angel had dreamed of riding that dark beauty, and thanks to Clay’s initial training, she may get that chance sooner than she expected.

They sat at a private table in the back corner of the restaurant. The lighting was minimal, even in the afternoon, a candle flickering on the center of the table. The smells aroused her hunger—fresh bread, savory sauces, and grilled steak. Both men were watching her expectantly as she took in her surroundings. Were they actually ready to share her? What would her brothers say to that? The
Carsons
lived in a ménage relationship, as did her oldest brother, Chase. But they always wanted her to follow the straight and narrow, and she doubted they’d be supportive if she gave her heart to both men—but she already had, hadn’t she?

“Remember what I told you yesterday? About Landon joining us?”

Was he talking about his reference to double-teaming her? She nodded, too surprised to speak.

Landon reached for her hand across the table, anchoring her for the news he was about to share. “When we leave here, we’re picking up the stallion. Do you know where he’s being kept?” She shook her head again. “The old
Taylor
ranch. Remember that place?”

Of course Angel remembered that place and the day she got her first bare-ass spanking. It was a turning point in her relationship with Landon and began her yearning for Clay and his dark sexuality.

“We’re going to share you, darlin’. Just like I mentioned,” said Clay.

Angel looked from side to side, ensuring they were out of earshot from the other diners. A waiter appeared from behind her, making her jump in her seat. Landon squeezed her hand and smiled before ordering them some drinks.

Clay continued, “I’m going to lie down on that old bench and you’re going to sit on my cock. It’ll be hard, and you’ll feel every inch filling your tight little cunt.”

“Then I’m going to climb on behind you, lube up my dick nice and slick, and then fuck your pretty ass.” Landon was just as teasing as Clay. She could feel the power of their lust in their small bubble of space. “We’ll fuck you together, make you ours.”

“What would you like to eat, baby-doll?” asked Clay, as if they hadn’t just told her their explicit plans for her body. Had they talked about his together before picking her up? Her pussy was so wet and sensitive. She squirmed on the hardwood chair. She had fantasized about Landon joining them, filling her empty cunt while Clay rode her ass. Now it was going to be reality.