Cowboy
I leaned against the house, watching Saranya call War.
I noted how her hands shook. I hated that I had rattled her that much, but I should’ve known it would.
Damn it, another point against me. I was rethinking our plan.
When War and I came up with it yesterday, I believed it was terrific.
Neither of us imagined she’d be afraid, which was stupid of us. I felt like a stalker.
She listened for a moment before responding to whatever he had told her. “How could you do that!? You know why. You’re supposed to be my best friend. Why betray me this way?” she snapped.
There was more of her listening, followed by her demanding, “You get back here right now.”
Whatever he said made her gasp, then she jabbed the screen, effectively ending the call after snarling, “Don’t bother!”
“Saranya, don’t be mad at War. He didn’t truly betray you. Will you let me tell you how this came about? I’ll stay here if it makes you feel better. Or even better…” I paused to remove my gun from the small of my back. Her eyes widened. I held it out to her with the muzzle pointed downward.
“Take this. If I attempt to hurt you, shoot me.”
Her hand came up to touch her throat. “No, I don’t want that. If I need a gun, I’ll get mine from inside.” She paused and studied me. I remained still. Finally, she spoke again. “I know I’m going to regret this, but you can explain. Just make it quick. I have stuff to do.”
“May I sit over there, or should I remain here?” I asked, gesturing to a lone chair that was situated away from the lounger she had been on. They were a good seven or eight feet apart.
Saranya debated for a few seconds before nodding. I slipped my gun back in place, then got my ass in the chair before she changed her mind. She was slow to sit in the lounger.
“Go ahead. Tell me how you persuaded War to help you, and what did you hope to accomplish by ambushing me?”
“First, it wasn’t meant to be an ambush, but…
I can see how it might appear that way. I’m sorry.
That wasn’t my intention, nor was scaring you.
Second, I gained War’s assistance after he surprised me yesterday by showing up at the Horsemen’s compound, demanding to see me.
Boden called me to say a guy was there insisting on speaking to me.
When he told me it was War, I was intrigued and pissed off.
I said to bring him to my house. I wanted us to meet there so when I beat his ass, no one would break it up. ”
“Why would you fight him?” she asked after gasping.
“Why? Because at that moment, I thought he was sleeping with you. You claimed that I had driven you two into each other’s arms. Surely, you didn’t think I’d be happy to see him.”
“What difference does it make if we’re together?”
“I know you’re not. You lied to get rid of me.
Anyway, let me continue. War came to the house.
We snarled at each other, and threats were made.
However, he soon got through my thick skull that you lied.
Then he explained why. War said you think that day at your house, I was seeking to sleep with you, make you into what I accused you of being in Vegas.
You believed I’d sleep with you a few times, then move on. Is that true?”
I took the faint tremble of her mouth and a slight shrug as a yes. Saranya twisted her hands together. I longed to go to her so I could hold her, but I held myself in check.
“Yes, that’s true. Are you here to deny it? If you are, don’t bother. Whatever game you’re playing, I want no part of it. What happened? Did you lose a bet, and snowing some poor fool into believing you’re interested in her is the consequence of losing?”
“No! Who the hell would do that?” I barked.
She flinched. I gentled my tone as I continued, “No, there was no bet. Anyone who would do that is a prick. It’s not a game.
I know I confused everything at your house, and it’s my fault you think I want sex for a few nights or weeks, and then when I grow tired, I’ll move on.
Or keep you as one of many women I’m fucking.
I hate that I made you believe that, even for a second. That’s the last thing I want, Saranya.”
“If not that, then what?”
“I’ve never, in my thirty-one years, ever had someone hit me as hard as you do.
I mean, like a hammer hit me over the head.
Yes, my initial attraction happened when I saw you.
You’re gorgeous and sexy. I dare a straight man not to be affected.
However, after we met that first time at the rodeo, you took over my thoughts.
I think about you day and night. You occupy my dreams. Being away from you didn’t diminish them. They keep increasing.
“Finding out you’re a respected friend to Raff, smart, successful, and interested in animals, especially horses, as deeply as I am, has made my desire to know you grow.
I want to spend time with you. To get to know you inside and out.
I want you to know me the same way. Finding out you live so close to St. Augustine was an answer to a prayer. ”
Her body was less tense as she leaned forward in the lounger. I took encouragement from it.
“My club and those we’re friends with aren’t like what you’ve heard or seen about biker clubs.
We’re not running guns, laundering dirty money, selling drugs, and other stuff.
All of our businesses are legitimate. And you saw how Diablo, Scorpion, and Swerve are with their old ladies and kids.
They adore and protect them. It’s the same with the guys in the other clubs we’re friends with.
They don’t cheat or abuse their loved ones.
And they don’t lightly ask a woman or man to be their old lady or old man on a whim.
They do it when they’re sure they’re the one meant for them. ” I hesitated.
“Cowboy, just finish saying what you came here to say. My head is hurting.”
“Fine. Saranya, I don’t want you as a fuck buddy or a temporary friend with benefits.
I want you to give me a chance to prove we’re meant for each other.
Date me. Be my girlfriend, and when I prove I’m right and sincere, become my old lady.
I’ll take it as slow as you want. I get that you have to learn to trust me.
I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make you fall for me the way I’m already falling for you,” I blurted out.
Her gasp was loud. Her eyes widened, and she collapsed back in the lounger. Her hands covered her face, then she started to shake. Unable to stay apart when I caused her to cry again, I jumped out of my chair and rushed over to her. Kneeling next to her, I whispered to her.
“God, please, don’t cry. I can’t stand it. It gutted me when War told me that I made you cry last time. Please, shoot me, slap me, or kick me in the balls. Anything but tears,” I pleaded.
Her shaking increased. I was about to call War to get his ass here when she lifted her head away from her hands. There was mirth written all over her face. Giggles broke out of her. It was my turn to be stunned.
“I can’t believe a big, bad biker is afraid of tears. And I can slap, shoot, or kick you in the balls? Really. I want to smack you for not telling me this last time. You were so concise and clear this time. You told War all this, didn’t you? This is why he helped you.”
“I did tell him. It was the only way to gain his help. I was desperate after he made me think he was headed to your house to crawl into bed with you. It was close. I thought about offing your friend. However, he didn’t immediately throw in with me.
And he warned me that if I hurt you or raise my hand to you or our children, he’d feed my ass to a gator.
I thought it was smart to withhold the information that we have a huge one behind our compound named Gnawbert.
He’s seventeen feet long and a mean asshole who rules the territory.
I thought it might be too much temptation for him. ”
Pure laughter poured out of her. As I grinned at her, Saranya surprised me by wrapping her arms around me.
I maneuvered myself so I was seated on the edge of her lounger with my arms around her.
I cradled her close. The feel of her body against mine made mine react.
I tried to control my erection, but my cock had a mind of its own.
I buried my face in the crook of her neck to inhale her scent.
Suddenly, I jerked when her head lifted, turned, and her mouth grazed mine.
Treating it as an accident, I waited for Saranya to move away.
She didn’t. Instead, her lips moved, seeking firmer contact with mine.
Hardly daring to breathe, I pressed our mouths together more.
That did it. Saranya kissed me. I felt the desperation in her.
The same that was in me. Unable to control myself, I locked onto her lips and hungrily kissed her.
After several heartbeats, I eased contact, causing her to whimper in protest, but it was only to allow myself to run my tongue around her plump lips. Her sigh of pleasure had me nibble on her bottom lip. Saranya retaliated by nipping at mine before running her tongue over it to soothe the sting.
Needing more contact, I lifted her off the lounger.
Then, I turned and took her place with Saranya straddling my lap.
This allowed me to feel her. I knew she would find my erection soon, but I was mindless.
She was the one who thrust her tongue into my mouth first. From there, we kissed more and more urgently.
My cock was swollen and pressed hard against the teeth of my zipper. The bite wasn’t the most comfortable, but I took it. A groan tore from me when she shifted, bringing her crotch in contact with the lump in my jeans. She gasped, and then I was groaning as she wiggled herself on top of it.
“Saranya, God, stop, or I’ll come if you keep it up,” I raggedly warned her.