8. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
A ngie watched Jared as he checked and cleaned the horse’s hooves the next morning. She’d agreed to go riding with him. She shook her head, wondering why she’d done that. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been on a horse before. Angie rolled her eyes. Well, a pony in the park counted, didn’t it?
She liked the white spots on the horse’s brown coat and enjoyed watching Jared as he worked. “Be right back.” He left the stable only to return with his arms filled.
“What is that?” she asked. “I mean, I know it’s a saddle, but it looks bigger than those I’ve seen before.”
“It’s a double saddle. This way we can ride together and enjoy the ride.”
She didn’t say anything as he settled the saddle on the horse, tightened the cinch, and checked it all out. Then he lifted two bags and laid them over the horse. “Ready?” he said.
“I guess.” Angie walked over to the horse, who looked super big to her.
“Stand on the mounting block and put your left foot in the very front stirrup.”
Taking a deep breath, she did and felt off balance. “I’ve got you.” Jared’s hands were at her waist. “Now, use your right leg as leverage and jump up. As I lift you, throw your leg over the horse.”
“All right.” She followed his instructions, grinning when she was seated on the horse. “I did it.”
“You sure did.” He slipped his foot into the rear stirrup and mounted behind her. His arms wrapped around her as he gripped the reins.
Angie understood the saddle then. There was more than enough room for the two of them. She snuggled against his chest. “How big is the ranch?” she asked as the horse began to move.
“About forty acres.”
“Is that big?” She had no concept.
“Depends on your frame of reference. For a ranch that makes its money raising cattle and horses, no, it’s pretty small. For us, it’s perfect because we make our money off the other activities.”
“How do you know it’s small?” She rested her head on his shoulder, letting her body totally relax.
“I grew up on a ranch.” He paused. “When my mom passed. I couldn’t keep the ranch, but I promised myself one day I’d live on another one.”
The sadness in his tone about his mom passing and losing his home tugged at her heart. Lifting her hand, she reached back and caressed his cheek. “You’ve made your dream come true, and I’m sure your mom is smiling down at you from heaven.”
“You are a treasure.” He took one hand off the reins, captured hers, and lifted it to his lips. He kissed her palm.
Delicious shivers of desire ran riot through her body. Unsure how to respond, she dropped her hand. “Tyler mentioned that you have some cattle.”
“Yes. It’s a small herd, only twenty of them. I have a manager up north who takes care of them. That part of the ranch is fenced off from the adult part.”
“And the horses?”
“Tyler’s job. We have several at the stables if guests want to ride on the trails. The trails are for riding and walking.”
“Do you ever do normal dude ranch stuff?”
“Like what?”
“Hayrides, cattle round-ups, trail rides, sleep out under the stars… Stuff like that.”
Jared nudged the horse to the trail on the left. “We can, but most of our clients don’t care about anything like that. They can take trail rides whenever they want.”
“What about sleeping under the stars?”
“I’ve never thought about it. None of the couples staying here have ever mentioned it. I’m sure we could arrange it, but most people like the comfort of their cabins.”
“I bet. It’s got to be hard to restrain someone in wide-open spaces.”
“Not as difficult as you might think.” He guided the horse between the gap in the trees and into a clearing.
“This is beautiful.” Her gaze roamed over the clearing. The trees provided a natural shade, but didn’t hide the light. It also looked like someone had cleared all the rocks and undergrowth. Jared stopped the horse and dismounted, then helped her down. “Can I help?”
He opened one of the large saddle bags. “Here.” He handed her several blankets.
“Where do you want them?” He was prepared, and for some reason, that didn’t surprise her.
“If you could spread them out over there.” He gestured to an area that was shaded. “Layer them.”
“Okay.” Angie spread the blankets out in the area he indicated, her stomach doing summersaults. Jared was up to something; she could see the mischief in his eyes. “Finished.”
“Catch.” He tossed her several pillows.
Interesting. They were small pillows but still nice. She placed them on the blanket and turned back to see Jared pull a small leather bag out.
“Now for some fun.”
His words snapped her to attention. Anticipation unleased a swarm of butterflies in her belly. What was he planning? She bit her lip.
“Take your clothes off.”
She inhaled. “Jared, anyone could come along and see us.”
“Are you afraid of being seen naked?”
“Yes.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him. “I have a feeling you’re not planning a nice, normal picnic for us.”
“You came with me of your own free will.”
“Yes, but…” Had she subconsciously known what was going to happen? Maybe. Something clapped, and she jumped. Jared stood with his legs apart, a paddle in his hand. He slapped it against his palm…again.
Damn . There was that dark, dangerous Dominant.
He was serious about this.
“Yellow.” The word slipped from her lips. Instantly, his demeanor changed.
“What is it, Angie?” he asked, moving over to her.
“I need to know that no one will stumble upon us.”
He lifted his hand up and caressed her cheek. “No one is at the ranch but the construction workers, Vic, and his wife. The workers won’t come out here. Vic and his wife are in Sacramento today. We’re perfectly safe.”
“Okay. Green.”
His eyes blazed. “Clothes off.”
She pulled her shirt over her head, and her breasts bounced free. Now she knew why he told her no bra. The cool air caressed her skin as she kicked off her shoes, then removed her jeans, underwear and socks.
“Go over to the blankets, arrange the pillows, and lie over them. I want your ass in the air.”
She did what he said, but she couldn’t quite relax. She listened for anything that might be out of place, but who was she kidding? She was a city girl. Everything was out of place.
“Because you used your safe word and told me your concerns, I’ll be lenient about your punishment. Four smacks with the paddle.”
Her eyes widened as he knelt next to her. Before she could ask him what he meant, the first swat stung her ass. Then another and another. Heat filled her. The slight sting from the paddle turned into pleasure.
“So rosy.” His fingers soothed over her ass. “Roll onto your back and spread your legs.”
Angie took a deep breath. Using her arms and knees, she rolled onto her back. She gazed up at the tree branches that fanned out like tiny fingers against the deep blue sky and waited.
Finally, she turned her head to see Jared standing nearby, staring at her. A blush tinged her skin.
“Can you keep your legs spread or do I have to restrain you?”
She shivered. “I’ll keep them apart.” She couldn’t allow him to restrain her. What if someone discovered them, even though he said they were alone? At least, unrestrained, she could grab some pillows to cover herself.
“All right. Close your eyes and let your other senses carry you.”
Taking a relaxing breath, she closed her eyes and listened. A slight breeze ruffled the leaves, followed by a rustling of fabric. Was Jared undressing? She resisted the urge to peek.
“Being outside has its advantages.” His breath brushed over her cheek. “Out here, I can play with you to my heart’s content and not worry about business.” His lips touched her nose, then cheeks and to her chin. “Best of all, we have fresh air and sunshine to decorate our world.”
Jared trailed kisses down her neck, over her collarbone and shoulders. Light kisses, almost like air kisses, and very arousing.
Air rushed out of her lungs when he placed more butterfly kisses on her breasts, not lingering too long.
“Your lips should be marked with a danger sign.” Her voice was breathless.
“Oh?” He smiled against her skin.
“Yes. Danger… Lips attached to this man can seduce one with a single kiss .”
“I like that.” More kisses trailed over her belly and to the top of her thighs. “Keep your legs apart, sweetheart. I have something very special for you.”
He lifted her legs and placed them on his shoulders. Her heart pounded. He blew against her slit, and she sighed.
“Pretty pink pussy.” His fingers spread her apart. “And wet.”
When his mouth covered her mound, she bucked against him. Hell, he thrust his tongue into her pussy. He swirled it around and… Angie forced herself to concentrate on what Jared was doing because something was different.
He pulled away. “You taste so good. Almost like cotton candy.” He blew over her clit, causing shivers of anticipation to skim over her skin. “Ready for me?”
“I’m always ready.” She almost hated to admit that, but it was true. Jared could arouse her with just a look.
“Keep your legs hooked over my shoulders.” His hands gripped her hips.
“Damn!” Vibrations started in her pussy, and she almost lost her grip on his shoulders. “What the hell?”
His mouth was on her pussy, but something was vibrating as he licked her. Something small, yet powerful.
“Figure it out,” he suggested.
His tongue slid over her clit and Angie almost lost it. What the hell was going on? It was like his tongue was a vibrator, but that wasn’t possible. Her hips rose as he licked her. This was so wicked, so good, so decadent.
Her belly quivered as he continued to lick her, the tiny vibrations echoing in her body. Every nerve pulsed with anticipation. She wasn’t going to last much longer.
“I’m going to come.”
He didn’t stop. Instead, he moved his tongue faster and harder. Higher and higher her tension rose, until he put his tongue directly only her clit.
Angie cried out as her orgasm rolled over her, her body shaking and her legs tightening around his head.