Ride a Cowboy (15 page)

“The bullrider. I saw you ride two nights ago in San Antonio. You were fabulous.”

“Thank you.” He paid for his coffee, then turned to Tricia, pulling out his famous smile. “I couldn’t help overhearing you just now.”

Tricia blushed. “I should learn to keep my big mouth shut. I’m not usually such a gossip. It’s just…”

“It’s just that you’re concerned about your friend.” He winked. “So am I, as a matter of fact. Could you walk outside with me and give me a few minutes of your time?”

Tricia frowned. “This is nothing bad about Jessie, is it? Because if it is—”

“Not at all,” he cut her off. “In fact, I’m hoping it’s good.”

“Well…okay, then.” She followed him outside. “So what is it you want to know?”

Driving back to the city on the Interstate, he mulled over in his mind the brief conversation he’d just had with Jessie’s friend. Who, by the way had been only too happy to answer his questions, mischief sparkling in her eyes. She seemed to be on some kind of mission to spice up Jessie’s life.

Well, that was his plan, too, he admitted to himself.

He smacked his hand on the steering wheel. He should be giving thanks that she’d tossed him out on his ass, with nothing more wounded than his pride. So why did he have this terrible itch to see her again? Maybe it was because, on top of being the first woman who’d touched him emotionally, she also played the kind of games he liked. His dick got hard just thinking about it. Next time Jessie Wade would be the one cuffed to the bed while he teased and tormented her. Maybe give her a good spanking first for being such a bad girl, just as he’d described at dinner.

He grinned to himself. Oh, yeah. He really loved bad girls. Especially ones like Jessie. He pulled at his jeans, suddenly too tight for him as his cock swelled.

He couldn’t just walk into her office again. She’d be on the alert this time. But thanks to Tricia, a plan was forming in his mind and he grinned. He had a fifty-fifty chance of succeeding, but that was better than anything else he could think of. He just needed to do some shopping. And keep Gary’s nose out of it.

Turning on the radio, he found a country western music station that was playing a familiar tune and started singing along with it.

****

“Jessie, I understand you’ve been hell on wheels around here today.”

Jessie looked up from her desk to find her best friend, Tricia Danby, standing in the doorway to her office.

Jessie leaned back in her chair and tossed her pen onto the desk. “Did those big strong men have to call you for help?”

“Uh huh.” She moved into the office, closed the door and dropped into a chair. “Actually, I ran into Deputy Judd at the Daylight Diner and he unloaded on me. Said everyone would appreciate it if I could take the burr out from under your saddle. So what’s the deal?”

Jessie sipped at her lukewarm coffee while she tried to gather her thoughts. She and Tricia usually shared all their secrets, but this one she was playing close to the vest.

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with that rodeo cowboy who brought you flowers and chocolates, would it?” Tricia grinned.

“Damn.” Jessie slammed her mug down on the desk. “Who told you about that?”

“Adorable Deputy Judd was only too happy to share the details with me.” She leaned forward, her face serious. “Jessie, Kyle Mitchell is the ultimate sex on the hoof. He’s just what you need to loosen up.”

If you only knew how loose he made me.

“That’s a pretty sweeping statement. You don’t even know him.”

Tricia laughed. “Honey, any woman who can still breathe knows who Kyle Mitchell is. And they’d all give everything they own to get him in their beds.”

“Why?” Jessie wrinkled her forehead. “What’s so special about him?”

“Besides the fact that he’s the bullriding king of the rodeo? If you have to ask, then you’re in worse shape than I thought. Please don’t tell me you turned him away. Not when he came bearing gifts and that come-fuck-me grin.”

“That’s just the trouble.” She raked her fingers through her curls. “He probably just expects every woman to fall naked at his feet.”

“And most of them would,” Tricia agreed. “I expect you’re something brand new to him. Oblivious to his charms and a lady sheriff to boot.” She frowned. “You were oblivious to his charms, right? And you’re kicking yourself, so that’s why you’re so crabby today.”

Jessie swallowed more coffee, making a face at the taste.

“Earth to Jess. Am I right?” When the silence just stretched out, Tricia let out a soft laugh. “Well, I’ll be damned. He got to you, and that’s what you’re so mad about.”

“I was stupid,” Jessie spit out. “I have an image to maintain. I can’t give an inch or all the macho law enforcement assholes I have to deal with will cut me to ribbons.”

“Nobody’s cutting you to ribbons, honey. You’ve more than earned their respect. It’s time to cut yourself a little slack.” She paused. “So, are you planning to see him again?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Don’t tell me you threw him out.” Tricia snorted. “Only you would toss away a lip-smacking treat like Kyle Mitchell.”

Oh, Tricia, if you only knew.

More silence. Finally her friend rose.

“I’d smack you up side the head if I thought it would help. One of these days you’re going to take a fall, and if you aren’t looking, it’s going to be a damn hard one.”

I think it already is.

“Tell those crybabies I promise to be nicer to them,” she said, forcing a grin. “And I’ll call you later.”

After Tricia left, she sat staring at nothing for a long time. She’d always liked her sex kinky. And in her position, she had to be very careful about choosing her partners. Strangers who kept their mouths shut were the best. And she didn’t have to let her feelings be involved. So what was it about Kyle that had made her break all her rules? She just hoped he was headed out of town, because she wasn’t sure she’d be able to walk away from him a second time.

She managed to make it through the rest of the day gritting her teeth until she was sure they’d crack and pasting a smile on her face for anyone who was around. Luckily they had a spate of malicious mischief calls at the end of the day that took up her staff’s time. High school kids itching for freedom as the school year wound down. Nothing too serious, but it was her job to make sure it didn’t get to be.

By the time she headed home, it was dark. What she needed was a hot bath, a glass of wine and a good old pity party. By tomorrow she’d be back to herself again.

But is that what you want?

An image of Kyle’s naked muscular body, thick cock jutting from a nest of brown curls only slightly darker than the hair on his head, warm chocolate eyes blazing with heat flashed before her so vividly she almost ran her truck off the road.

Damn, Jessie. Get hold of yourself.

She was glad when her house finally came in sight. Out here the homes were scattered pretty far apart. It made for loneliness on the one hand but privacy on the other, something she cherished after spending her working hours under everyone’s scrutiny.

She turned into her driveway, grateful she’d remembered to leave on an outside light and a lamp in the living room. Oh, wait. Had she really remembered? Of course she had. How else would they be on? She pulled into the garage, gathered her purse and let herself into the house through the side door.

The first thing that tickled her senses was the faint sound of music. Jessie tensed. She knew for damn sure she hadn’t left the radio on that morning. Pulling her gun from her holster, she tiptoed through the house, heading toward the sound. It seemed to come from her bathroom. As she got nearer, not only did the music get louder but there was a distinct scent of roses in the air.

What the hell is going on?

Cautiously, she moved through her bedroom, eyes widening at the trail of rose petals that led to her bathroom. She stopped about five feet from the partially closed door, moved out of the line of any possible fire and called out, “I know you’re in there. I have a gun. Come out with your hands up and I’ll try not to shoot you.”

The last thing she expected was a grinning Kyle Mitchell, both hands in the air, a small pink shopping bag dangling from the fingers of one of them. And he was stark naked. She was so shocked she nearly dropped her gun.

“Damn it,” she snapped. “What are you doing in here? And how did you get in? If you picked my lock, I’ll arrest you for breaking and entering.”

“I don’t know about breaking.” He chuckled. “But I’m sure thinking about the entering. Three guesses where.” He looked at the gun she was holding. “Think you can put that thing away? It’s making me nervous.”

“Good. I hope nervous enough to get out of my house. And put some damn clothes on.” She was having a hard time taking her eyes away from the magnificent erection jutting from his body.

“Now Sheriff, honey, that’s not very friendly. And after all the trouble I went to.”

Jessie gritted her teeth but holstered her gun. It would be kind of foolish to shoot this man. How would she ever explain it? Especially in his state of undress. Besides, it was obvious someone had let him in and she wanted to know who.

“Fine.” She took the gun and holster off and turned to place it on her dresser. Her eyes widened as she spotted a tray of fresh strawberries and chocolate sitting there with champagne icing in a bucket next to it. “Where did all this come from? How did it get in here?”

He was right next to her before she realized he was moving. One hand cupped her chin, his hot gaze immobilizing her, his hotter mouth brushing hers gently, his tongue licking the sensitive surface. And his thick cock pressing into her soft body.

Damn. It was happening again. Jessie could feel her bones melting and her pussy dampening. The suddenly fierce throbbing in her body was so intense she was sure Kyle could hear it. What was it about this man that made all her carefully built defenses crumble and her body erupt up in flames?

“You have to leave,” she whispered against his mouth.

“Maybe. That’s still up for negotiation.”

She would have moved, but her feet seemed rooted to the floor. “How did you get in here, anyway?”

“I’ll tell you, but you have to promise not to throw a fit.”

Jessie tensed. “What do you mean?”

“Hanging out at the convenience store is very educational.” He grinned against her lips. “You meet the most interesting people. Like your best friend Tricia Danby. And believe me, she has all of your best interests at heart.”

“Tricia’s a damn romantic.”
Who I’m going to kill the minute I see her.

“She was more than happy to help me set this all up.” His expression turned serious. “Jessie, last night was more than just a good time for me. I loved the things we did together, only I want more. A lot more. And I think you would, too, if you’d just let yourself go.”

Her giggle had a slightly hysterical sound. “You don’t think I let myself go last night?”

“Oh, I think we just scratched the surface.”

Yes, yes, yes.
But then her damn voice of reason intruded. She didn’t do this.
Couldn’t
do this.

“You have to leave.” But she knew her words had no bite to them, especially with his naked body so tight against hers.

“Leave? Don’t you want to see the rest of your presents?” he asked.

“Presents?” She blinked, trying to focus, something becoming more and more impossible. “What presents?”

“Good thing I did a little checking around here before I left this morning. Did some shopping this morning to add to your collection.”

“My collection?” Her face flamed with heat as his words sank in. So he
had
snooped this morning. God. She tried to break away from him, but his hand moved to her arm, gripping it gently but firmly.

“Thought we might check these out tonight.”

He reached into the little pink shopping bag on the bed and placed two boxes and a hot pink baggie on the bed. Jessie didn’t know which was burning hotter, her face or her cunt. There, on her carefully turned-back bed, was a dildo with a lifelike head, a tiny bullet vibrator, and a set of matching butterflies that she knew from having seen them before were a clit vibrator and nipple clamps.

Her knees suddenly weak, she grabbed for Kyle to hold onto.

“I’d say you know what these are, Jessie, darlin’. And tonight we’re going to use them. Tonight
I’m
gonna be the one in charge and drive you up that high wall of pleasure.” He turned her to face him. “So how about it? Still want to throw me out?”

Chapter Four

Jessie’s head was spinning. She’d had playmates that wined her and dined her, taken her to the most expensive restaurants and hotels…then were as happy to call it quits as she was. She always brought her own toys to play, and the men she played with seemed content to let her bring the tools and set the ground rules. Now she realized it was because they backed away from any indication of involvement as much as she did.

But Kyle Mitchell seemed intent on making this personal and gave strong indications that he wasn’t riding off into the sunrise when morning rolled around. She was stunned that he’d actually gone into an adult toy store and bought her presents that he hoped would give her pleasure.

“Jessie?” His tone held a thread of anxiety. “Did I get the wrong things?”

She shook herself out of her frozen state. “N-No. These are…I mean…”She turned to face him. “Kyle, why did you do this?”

He pulled her close, and when he spoke, his breath was fanning her face. “I wanted to please you, Sheriff Jessie. I wanted to make good.” His fingers stroked her cheek. “I know you think I’m just an asshole macho rodeo bum, but like I said before, last night meant something to me. Damned if I know why, but there it is. I want to find out if it was just the wine or if there’s really something beginning here.”

“B-but I threw you out this morning.”

He chuckled. “I never did follow instructions too well.” He unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it from her uniform trousers. “I’ve got a bath waiting for you, with some of that rose scent Tricia said you like so much.”