[WS02] Taming Alex (7 page)

When his hands ran gently down her side, she closed her eyes as his fingers once again
found her sensitive skin. His mouth moved slowly over her chest from peak to peak
as he lapped at her soft skin. Her fingers wrapped around his length and she smiled
when she felt him jump in her hand, his entire body tensing as she stroked him slowly.
She felt him shift, spreading her legs with his knees as he hovered above her, taking
the kiss deeper than she could have imagined.

When he slid slowly into her, she felt something shift and knew that she never wanted
the feeling to end, never wanted the moment to end. Her fingers dug into his hips
and shoulders as his movements sped up. Her mind spun with the wonder, the feel of
him filling her completely. She'd never experienced anything like it.

The feel, the smells, and the taste of him filled all of her senses until she felt
complete. For the first time in her life, she knew what she wanted. She had never
been more afraid than she was at that moment of discovery. Then he touched her bud
as he moved inside her, and her whole world exploded as she died the sweetest death
she'd ever experienced.

Grant felt Alex shiver with release, but he wasn't done with her yet. She wasn't getting
off this easy, not after all the years of teasing him, of torturing him. Pulling her
legs closer, he continued to move, her hips in his hands, as his mouth traveled over
her skin, causing little bumps to form all over her. Her entire body was relaxed after
her release, but he could feel her building again. Her hands had gone lax on the bed
next to her body, but were now moving over his hips and butt, holding him to her,
pulling him into her deeper. When she moaned his name, he kissed her until he, too,
moaned with pleasure.

The tension in him transferred to her, and he could feel every inch of her burning
with the same desire he felt. The slickness of their skin caused even more sensation
as they moved over one another. She wrapped her legs around his hips, and he could
feel himself building too fast. He wanted to slow down, to torture her, to keep her
going. He wanted it to last forever, but when he felt her convulse around him again,
he lost his own control and followed her. There was more power here than even he had
expected, and when he rested his head next to her shoulder, he thought he felt his
heart skip.

He lay there listening to their hearts beating together and wondered what he'd have
to do to convince her to stay the night. He felt their bodies cool and moved to pull
a blanket over them. She groaned and tried to hold onto him. He chuckled. “I'm just
covering us up. I left the window open and it feels like rain.” He looked out the
window and saw that the sun had gone down, and he realized that he'd totally lost
track of time when he'd been with her. She snuggled up next to him, and he buried
his face in her hair and took a deep breath of its soft scent. Her skin felt so soft
as he ran his hands over her shoulders and arms. Her breasts were pushed up against
his side, and he could feel every breath she took. Her long legs were wrapped around
his. He closed his eyes, wishing they could stay like that forever.

“Can you stay?” he asked, placing a kiss on her hair.

“Hmmm.” She snuggled closer to him and shook her head. “I'd better not. We start getting
the cattle together tomorrow for auction. This time of year is busy.” She turned her
head and looked up at him. “If you have time, maybe you can swing by for lunch.”

He thought about it. It was the beginning of fall and it was a busy time for him as
well, especially since he had animals that needed tending and his father's business
to start. “How about dinner instead?”

She looked down at him. “Fine, but this time I'll cook. Of course, you'll have to
deal with my sisters and Chase.” She frowned a little.

He ran his finger over her lips softly. “What's wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I guess I was just realizing that it's probably time
for me to move out. Since…” She shook her head, then continued. “It's funny; I never
realized how little privacy we actually have around there.” She smiled at him. “It
must drive Chase crazy.”

Grant laughed. “I'll bet.” He pulled her down and kissed her again. When they were
both breathless again, he said, “Tell me you don't have to leave right away.”

“Hmm, no.” She shook her head and leaned back down for another kiss.

When she drove away two hours later, he stood out on the front porch and watched her
car disappear. It started to rain and he felt the cold breeze hit him, cooling his
skin but not what was inside. He was burning so hot for Alex that he was worried he
was exposing himself too much to the pain that was bound to happen. After all, none
of his other relationships had lasted long. But as he leaned back against the railing
of his porch, he thought about all the ways this time was different. This was Alexis
West, the first girl he'd ever kissed, the first and only girl he'd ever fallen for
completely. He'd been infatuated with her since that day at the Grocery Stop when
he'd caught her stealing. He smiled and turned to go back into his house, thinking
of the differences between what they'd done back then and what they'd been doing for
the last three hours.

It was just past midnight when the vehicle drove slowly by Grant's place. Seeing Alex's
car, the driver gripped the steering wheel harder.

How dare that bitch do something like this? How dare she behave in such a humiliating
way? She'd acted out at the diner, acting like a tramp, and Grant was part of it as
well. Well, they needed to learn a lesson, and soon.

The car sped away, and thoughts of how to get back at the pair flashed behind the
driver’s angry eyes. Maybe there would be a perfect opportunity to show them how they
were screwing everything up.

It wouldn't hurt to keep an eye out for ways to punish them for what they had done.

T
he next day was a bitch. The evening rain had cooled the morning off enough that there
was a thick fog bank that had hindered his work in clearing a chunk of land. He planned
to build a corral for his horses and goats, but first the trees and shrubs had to
be cleared. Working in fog that was too thick to even see the end of your ax wasn't
his idea of fun.

He had a small fire going, burning the shrubs and thistle. The thistle bushes had
cut through his jeans several times, and he
felt the blood drip down his thighs. By noon the fog had finally cleared off, and
the heat was so overpowering, he stripped off his shirt as he worked. He ended up
getting more scratches from the thorn bushes along the fence that lined his property,
but by afternoon, he had cleared the entire area and was ready to start building the
corral.

He walked back to his house, showered, and got ready for his dinner at Alex's place.
His mind was so consumed with being with her that when he walked out to his truck,
he didn't notice the flat tires until he was a foot away. Walking around his truck,
he kicked each tire, noticing the large puncture marks in the sides of each of them.

“Damn it.” He felt a headache coming on as he walked back into the house to call the
sheriff. Then he called Alex to tell her he'd be late, but she told him she'd come
right over instead. By the time the sheriff drove up, Alex's car was right behind
his.

Everyone stood around his truck looking at the pierced tires and only one name came
up.

“You know, Grant, there's nothing I can do, unless you have video of Travis doing
this himself. Besides, his dad would have him out quicker than you could blink.” The
older man shook his head. “If you want, I'll drive you into town so you can get these
fixed.”

Grant looked at Alex, who nodded her head. “I'll help him with that. We have an old
truck he can use until he gets new tires.” Her arms were crossed over her blouse.
She was wearing a flowered top with faded jeans and boots and looked beautiful. She
looked like she'd spent the day in the fields, but even in the dusty clothes, she
looked better somehow than she had in the dress she'd worn the night before. Maybe
it was because she looked like she belonged in these clothes, like she was born to
herd cattle all day.

He wrapped an arm around her as they watched the sheriff leave a few minutes later.

“I'm sorry about all this.” She turned and wrapped her arms around him. “I don't understand
why Travis is being a pain about all this. After all, he's the one who cheated.” She
frowned and pulled away a little, but he tightened his arms around her and pulled
her closer.

“He's just acting up. He's always been that way.” He shook his head and remembered
plenty of times when Travis' temper had gotten the better of him. “He'll forget about
it soon enough.”

She sighed and he felt her relax a little. “Still, I'll help you pay…”

“Don't you dare.” He pulled back. “You have no responsibility for his stupidity. Besides,”
he smiled, “insurance will pay for the tires. The loaner would help since it might
be a few days before the truck will be fixed.”

She smiled. “Sure thing. Let's get back. I'm dying for a shower and some food.”

On the short drive back to Saddleback Ranch, they talked about their days. His day
sounded like a walk in the park compared to hers. Herding cattle had always been a
terrible job in his mind, but she talked about it as if she'd enjoyed every minute.

“I've always loved bringing the cattle in, helping separate them.” She smiled over
at him after parking her car next to the row of trucks by the barn. “You can borrow
ol' Betty there.” She nodded towards an old blue truck that had been sitting there
for as long as he could remember.

He laughed. “Does ol' Betty still run?”

She laughed with him. “She does, but you have to treat her real gentle.” Alex purred
and moved across the seat, almost getting into his lap. “Something tells me that won't
be a problem for you.” She ran her hands into his hair and pulled him down for a kiss
that had his boots steaming. Then she was in his lap, straddling his hips, and he
wished they were at his place again, instead of parked in front of her very full house.

“Alex?” He tried to pull away, but she was having none of it, her mouth fused to his.

“I couldn't stop thinking about you, about this, all day.” She ran kisses along his
jaw as his eyes closed. He thought about enjoying the feel of her for just another
moment when they heard a cough outside the window. Both of them jumped to see Haley
smiling at them.

“Well, well. Look at what we have here.” Haley's arms were crossed over her chest
as she stood outside the car, smiling.

Grant groaned and tried to move Alex off his lap, but then he realized that what she'd
done to him was now in full view of Alex and her sister. His face turned a deep shade
of red as the two of them laughed. Alex climbed out of her side of the car and walked
with her sister towards the house, calling over her shoulder for Grant to go on to
the back deck where Chase and Lauren were while she showered.

He took a few moments to calm down before stepping to the side of the house. When
he did, he caught Lauren and Chase in a heated kiss and almost laughed as the two
of them jumped apart. “I'm sorry,” he apologized.

Chase just chuckled. “Don't worry, we're used to it. Living with Haley, there's a
serious lack of privacy around here.” Chase wrapped his arm around Lauren's shoulder.

“Alex mentioned something about your tires being slashed?” Lauren asked when Chase
walked over to flip the burgers on the grill.

“Yeah.” Grant sat down and told them what had happened. Lauren poured him a glass
of ice tea as they talked. Alex walked out the back door half an hour later, freshly
dressed in shorts, a halter top, and boots, one of her signature summer outfits that
he'd always found very appealing.

By the time Haley walked out a few minutes later, the burgers were done. Grant had
always had family dinners at his house; his parents had started the nightly ritual
when he and his sister were living at home. But Alex's family had a level comfort
with each other that he had never felt. Even Chase was now included in it. There were
a couple dogs running around the yard, and after everyone was done eating, he and
Chase walked off to toss a stick to them. The smaller dog, Buddy, had only three legs,
but kept up with the Australian shepherd well enough.

“You know, if you had one of these, you might not have so many problems around your
place,” Chase said, tossing the stick again.

“One of what?” Grant looked up from scratching Buddy's ears.

“A dog.” Chase laughed. “The McKay's have a two-year-old chocolate lab that had puppies
last week. They are starting to look for homes for when the puppies are old enough.”
Chase smiled.

Grant thought about it for a second. “I don't know. I'm a little close to the road.
It might be an issue.”

Chase smiled and tossed the stick again. “You can train them. Actually, get Haley
to work with it for a weekend and you'd be set.” He nodded towards Haley, who was
currently lying on a bench, napping. “She did wonders for Buddy.”

“I suppose I can swing by the McKay's and take a look at them.” Grant gave some serious
thought to it the rest of the time they hung out with the dogs. It seemed he had one
of every other kind of animal. Why not a dog at this point?

Just then Alex started walking towards them, and he forgot everything except her as
he watched her hips sway. By the time she stopped in front of him, his mouth had gone
completely dry.

“Well, I'll just go help my wife…” Chase excused himself quickly.

“Want to go for a walk?” Alex took his hand in hers and tugged him towards the side
of the house. They walked, holding hands in silence across the fields until they reached
an old oak that had a large swing on a low branch. Alex sat down and Grant pushed
her, watching her hair blow in the breeze.

“I've never given serious thought to leaving this place,” she said out of the blue.

“Why would you? It's perfect.” He smiled, looking across the field as the fading sun
rested on the white house, causing it to almost glow in the dying light.

“It is, isn't it?” She sighed. He stopped pushing her and walked around, holding the
ropes in his hand until the swing stopped.

“Are you thinking of leaving?” he asked as he looked down at her.

She shook her head. “I was for a while, then…” She looked up at him and shook her
head again. “No, I'm staying.” She smiled.

“I've been to a lot of places the last few years. Traveling is exciting, but knowing
you can come back here…” He turned and nodded towards the house. A distant laugh could
be heard from the back of the house. The sound of the dogs barking with joy and the
cattle lowing in the distant fields made the place seem like home. He shook his head.
“It's the reason I came back.” He turned back towards her.

She stood and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I'm so glad you did.” Then she
kissed him. He walked her backwards a few steps until her back was up against the
tree trunk as he took the kiss deeper, his hands roaming over her smooth skin until
he felt he couldn't control himself any longer. But her hands were wrapped around
him, holding him tight to her. He desperately wished they were anywhere but standing
in an open field. Then her hands went to his jeans, and his mind went blank as she
started rubbing him through his jeans.

“I want you. I haven't stopped thinking about you since last night,” he said against
her skin. “God help me, if you don't stop”—he took hold of her hands to still them
and end the torture—“I'll end up taking you right here in the open field, not caring
who sees or hears us.” He took a couple deep breaths to steady himself.

“I don't care.” She smiled up at him, then pulled him a few feet behind the tree and
lay down in the tall grass. “Make love to me here, Grant. Under this tree, as the
stars come out.” He followed her to the ground; he couldn't have stopped himself if
he wanted. Her arms and legs wrapped around him as he came next to her. She was pulling
his clothes off quickly, and his own hands shook as he tried to gently remove hers.
She was moving too fast, he couldn't control his need much longer if she kept this
pace up. Then she was pushing him over, straddling his hips, moving against him, trailing
kisses down his chest until she reached the hem of his jeans. Then she was pulling
them over his hips. When she took him into her mouth, his shoulders bounded off the
ground, and he bit his lip on a groan. His hands went to her hair as she used her
mouth to please him.

When he reversed their positions, he looked down at her. She had a wicked smile on
her face. “You think this is funny?” His voice was hoarse.

She nodded and wiggled underneath him. In one quick motion, he yanked her shorts down
and had a finger in her heat, causing her to gasp and moan. Tossing her head back,
she bit her bottom lip and dug her fingers into the grass, holding herself still.
When he dipped his head and tasted her soft skin, she squealed and grabbed his head,
holding him to her core. His fingers moved slowly in and out of her as he used his
tongue on the tight little nub he found. When he felt her convulse and tasted her
sweetness on his tongue, he eased up and slid slowly into her.

She wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding on as they rocked together as the
sun set behind them, casting shadows over them.

When the stars were out, they lay tangled together and watched the dark skies, talking
about their hopes and dreams. He'd never felt more connected to anyone in his entire
life.

They finally dressed again and made their way back towards the barn. Alex kissed him
goodnight and gave him the truck keys. As he drove home in ol' Betty, he thought of
a plan to get Alex to stay with him at his place. At least until he could convince
her to marry him.

It was so funny to watch Grant drive up to his house in the old blue truck. Then realization
dawned. It was the West's old truck.

Shooting out his tires had given a little pleasure, but not enough. Maybe there was
something else that could be done to discourage them from being so humiliating. After
all, the whole town knew that they were seeing each other now. Maybe the game needed
to be stepped up some more? Maybe it was time to face one of them and show them how
their actions were ruining everything?