Chapter Sixteen #2
“What the hell?” she said, placing her cup on the kitchen table. She opened the door and stepped onto the porch, folding her arms against the cool breeze off the pasture.
“Bobby and Brent wanted to speak with you,” Caysen said, his voice low but steady.
She beckoned him up the steps with a crooked finger. He rolled his eyes but complied, dusting off his jeans as he joined her.
“Did you put them up to this?”
He shook his head. “No. I was on my way into town when Rawley called. He asked me to meet him at his place. Gibbs is working at his ranch, and apparently the boys want to talk. Neither Rawley nor I had anything to do with it.” He searched her eyes. “Damn, Sydney, I miss you.”
Her arms unfolded slowly. The morning chill bit at her cheeks. “I miss you too,” she whispered. “Can we get past this?”
“Of course,” he said. “Do you want to talk out here or inside?”
“It’s cold. Come in, all of you.”
The men removed their hats, wiped their boots on the mat and entered the kitchen. Caysen closed the door against the hint of morning frost.
“Would anyone like a cup of coffee,” Sydney said, turning back to the K-cup machine.
“I wouldn’t turn it down.”
“Sydney, this is Agent Rawley Bowman. Rawley, this is Sydney Wright.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Agent Bowman,” she said.
“Please call me Rawley. It’s nice to meet you too.”
She glanced over at Bobby and Brent. “Coffee?”
“No, thank you, ma’am,” Brent murmured, shaking his head. Bobby gave a faint smile and declined as well.
“All right, let’s sit in the living room.” She led them through the dining room and into the living room. Each man waited for her to choose a seat before easing down onto the chairs. Sydney arched an eyebrow in invitation.
“Ms. Wright, I want to apologize to you,” Brent said, voice low. He rubbed the back of his neck.
Bobby cleared his throat. “I want to apologize too, ma’am. I know it was wrong. My girlfriend, Rachel, was beside herself over losing her horse. I thought if I could get her horse back, it might cheer her up. I shouldn’t have dragged Brent into it.” He cast an uneasy glance at Brent.
“I’m aware of what happened,” Sydney said softly, but without anger.
“We also want to thank you for suggesting community service,” Bobby continued. “I know you still don’t trust us, and I get why, but we’re sorry. We knew it was a bad idea, but Rachel was heartbroken, and it felt like the only thing I could do.”
Bobby leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
“Her heart was breaking over that horse. Nothing I said helped. I even offered her one of my father’s horses, but she wanted hers back.
I think it’s because she bought the horse herself.
I’m glad you returned it. She’s happier than I’ve seen her.
We really are truly sorry.” He gave a sincere nod.
Sydney studied their remorseful faces under the warm glow of the sunbeams coming through the windows.
At last she spoke, voice steady but gentle; “Thank you for your apologies.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she cleared her throat.
“I can see the remorse on your faces, so let’s see this as a fresh start.
If two livestock agents trust you, then I should be able to. ”
The men exchanged relieved looks, and for the first time that morning, Sydney allowed herself a small, hopeful smile.
“Thank you, Ms. Wright,” Bobby said, and Brent nodded.
“You’re welcome, and I’m glad you’re working here, Brent.”
“I already like it here, Ms. Wright.”
Sydney looked at Bobby. “You can work here too, if you’d like, Bobby.”
Bobby cleared his throat, as he looked at Rawley, then back at Sydney. “I’d like to stay where I am.”
“I completely understand,” she said.
“We’d better get back. There’s some work I need to get done around the ranch,” Rawley said.
“Yeah, alright. I’ll drive you back.” Everyone stood and walked toward the kitchen.
Sydney grabbed the sleeve of Caysen’s flannel shirt, making him stop and face her.
“Will you come back?”
“Yes. I shouldn’t be very long.” He quickly kissed her lips, then walked out the door, closing it behind him.
****
They all climbed into Case’s truck. He started it, then looked at Rawley.
“Just say whatever it is you’re thinking.”
Rawley laughed. “Beautiful woman.”
“You just back the fuck off, Bowman,” Case said, making them all laugh. Case shook his head.
“What? I was just making a comment.” Rawley arched an eyebrow. “Is she Ms. Wright or Miss right now?”
“You don’t have a problem getting a woman, leave mine alone.”
“So, she’s your woman, huh?”
Case sighed. “Yes. I’m in love with her.”
“Don’t let Dave know about that.”
“The case is solved I can do whatever I want with Sydney.”
“Well, now, that is true, but when did this relationship start?” Rawley folded his arms and stared at him.
“None of your fucking business.”
Rawley turned to look at Bobby and Brent in the back seat.
“See how a woman can end a friendship?” Rawley shook his head. “They’re not worth the trouble.”
“I disagree,” Bobby said with a grin. “I love having Rachel in my life.”
Rawley shook his head. “Young love. Man, a woman can tear your heart from your chest, toss it on the ground and step on it with her stilettos.”
“But she’ll look good while she’s doing it,” Case said, as he put the truck in gear, then drove out to the main road. He wanted to get back and talk with Sydney. He knew they were going to be fine.
Once he stopped the truck in front of Rawley’s barn, they climbed out, leaving Case sitting behind the steering wheel.
He watched as Bobby and Brent talked a while, then each got into their trucks, and drove off.
Rawley motioned for Case to put the window down, so he pushed the button and the window lowered.
“Don’t give me shit about Sydney,” Case said.
Rawley laughed. “I wasn’t going to. I just wanted to say that I’m glad she was able to accept their apologies.”
“I’m surprised Bobby said he wanted to stay with you.” Case shook his head.
“Yeah, well, he doesn’t work with me, that’s why.” Rawley grinned, touched the brim of his Stetson, then entered the barn.
Case shook his head, turned the truck around, then drove back to Sydney’s place.
He pulled up close to the porch, shut the truck off, then stepped out and walked up the steps.
The door opened before he could knock. He removed his hat, wiped his feet, then stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
After he hung up his hat, he pulled off his jacket, then looked at her.
****
A slow smile lifted Sydney’s lips, then he reached her in two long strides and pulled her into his arms, pressing his lips to hers, he kissed her deeply. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she pressed her body against him.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered when he raised his lips from hers.
“I’ve missed you too. I want you,” Sydney whispered close to his ear as she lifted his shirt over his head, and tossed it.
“I want you too.” He walked her backward until she came up against the wall, then he stared into her eyes.
“Caysen, please.”
“I will please you, baby. I will.”
The air was thick with tension, the kind that made Sydney’s skin prickle and her breath hitch in her throat.
Caysen loomed over her, his broad shoulders blocking out the dim light of the room, his chest heaving with the kind of raw, predatory energy that made her knees weak.
His eyes, dark and hungry, locked onto hers, and she knew there was no escape, not that she wanted one.
His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and pinning it to the wall above her head with a force that made her gasp.
“I will never get enough of you,” he growled, his voice low and rough, sending a shiver down her spine. His other hand yanked her hips forward, grinding her against the hard bulge in his jeans. She could feel the heat of him, the thickness of his cock straining against the fabric.
“Caysen—” she started, but he cut her off with a brutal kiss, his mouth claiming hers with a ferocity that left her breathless.
His tongue thrust into her mouth, rough and demanding, and she moaned into him, her body trembling with need.
His fingers dug into her hips, holding her in place as he rocked against her, the friction sending sparks of pleasure shooting through her.
He broke the kiss, his lips trailing down her neck, sucking and nipping her skin with his teeth.
“I want to fuck you hard, Sydney. So hard that we won’t be able to move after we’re done,” he snarled against her skin, his hands tearing at her clothes.
He tossed her shirt after he lifted it over her head, and unclasped her bra, her breasts spilling into his waiting hands.
Caysen didn’t waste any time. He dropped to his knees, yanking her lounge pants and panties down in one swift motion.
She was completely exposed to him. His mouth was on her in an instant, his tongue licking along her slit to her clitoris.
She gasped, her hands tangling in his hair as he devoured her.
“Caysen,” she moaned, her legs shaking as he sucked on her clitoris, flicking it with his tongue until she was writhing against his face. He groaned against her, the vibration sending a jolt of pleasure through her, and she came hard, her orgasm crashing over her like a tidal wave.
Then he stood up, his hands shoving her back against the wall as he fumbled with his belt.
His cock sprang free, thick and throbbing, and he rolled a condom on with quick, impatient movements.
He picked her up, putting her back against the wall, then moved between her legs, the head of his cock pressing against her, and he pushed into her with one hard thrust.
Sydney cried out as she wrapped her legs around his waist, her nails digging into his shoulders as he filled her, stretching her to the limit.
He didn’t give her time to adjust. He fucked her hard and fast against the wall, the sound of their moans and groans echoing through the room.
He pinned her wrists above her head, his body pressed against hers, his mouth on her neck as he pounded into her.
“We fit together so well,” he whispered, his breath hot against her skin.
His thrusts were relentless, driving into her with a force that had her seeing stars.
She could feel him everywhere, his cock deep inside her, his chest rubbing against her nipples, his body slamming into her clitoris with every stroke.
It was too much, and not enough, all at once.
Caysen’s hand slid between them, his fingers finding her clitoris and touching her just enough to send her over. She came again, clenching around his cock as her orgasm ripped through her, and he fucked her through it, his thrusts never slowing.
“Fuck, Sydney,” he groaned, his hips slowing as his own orgasm hit. He buried himself deep inside her, his cock pulsing as he came, his grip on her wrists tightening almost painfully.
He stayed there for a moment, his forehead resting against hers, his breath ragged. Finally, he smiled at her, his eyes dark with satisfaction.
“I told you I missed you,” he said, his voice low and rough.
“I missed you so much.” Sydney shook her head. “It was a stupid argument.”
“I’m sure we’ll have more of those, but nothing will make me not want to see you, Sydney. ”
“Then why didn’t you call?”
Caysen stepped back from her, pulled his jeans up, and looked for his shirt.
“I wanted to give you some time.”
“I didn’t need time, Caysen,” she said as she picked up her clothes and held them in front of her.
“Yes, you did. If we had come to your house sooner, you wouldn’t have been open to talking to them. They regret their choices, Sydney. They’re not going to do it again.”
“I know that now.” She smiled.
“And trust me when it comes to things like that.”
“Oh, Caysen, I trust you with my life. I was wrong not to listen to you. You’ve done this job for a long time. I’d say you know your shit,” she said, making him laugh. She cupped his cheek in her hand. “I need a shower. How about you?”
He took her hand. “Lead the way, sweetheart.”