Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Fiera hadn’t gotten a real good look at the Bronco Bustin’ area.
The minute she realized it was a massive ball pit with “ride em’ cowgirl” craziness in the center, she was all in.
Bright, colorful plastic balls filled a circular pen area.
In the middle sat a wide mechanical platform that looked suspiciously like a flattened mechanical bull base.
Scanning the Littles standing around, she spotted her friends and dragged her Daddy that way. It looked like, one way or another, her Daddy was going to give her a ride. Literally.
“What’s the hurry, babygirl?” Master Mace demanded, though he pretended she had the strength to tug him along. “It’s not like a contraption as big as we built is going anywhere.”
“I wondered where you went,” Daisy said when they reached the group. Giving her an up and down glance, Daisy grinned. “That Bronco Bustin’ thing looks dangerous, but not as dangerous as the games it looks like you just finished.”
“That’s quite enough of that, little girl,” Master Rett said.
“Dangerous and a lot more fun,” Sadie added. “Ouch! Daddy, what was that for?”
“You know very well what that was for, young lady. Now, since you girls wanted to wait until everyone was here”— Master Derek cast a pointed glare at Master Mace, who shrugged and smiled—“let’s get in line for our turn.”
Wren led the way, doing her best to drag her Daddy along, “Let’s go, everyone. It looks fun!”
Master Derek grinned. “Bronco Bustin’, Little style.”
“I missed the instructions. I had to take care of something at the stables. How does this work?” Master Travis asked.
Everyone looked at her Daddy, so Fiera did, too.
“One person, usually the Daddy, but whatever works for each couple, gets on their hands and knees on the padded balance board. There are places for your hands and feet. The other person, usually the Little, straddles their bronco’s back.
The balance board will then start moving.
By moving, I mean it will shimmy, shake, tilt, spin, and do everything else you can imagine.
The goal is for the bronco to stay on the balance board with the Little still riding for fifteen seconds.
If either person falls off, the team is out.
Each couple who stays on for the entire fifteen seconds wins a prize. ”
Fiera’s pulse ticked up.
Sadie clapped both hands over her cheeks. “We get to ride our Daddies? In public?”
Master Derek winked at her. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, little girl.”
Wren tugged on her Daddy’s arm. “Come on, Daddy. Are you ready?”
Master Travis flexed exaggeratedly behind Wren. “Born ready.”
As Wren and her Daddy climbed into the pit, Sadie, Daisy, and Fiera ran to an open spot on the side. Once Wren sat astride Master Travis’s back, she crossed her ankles underneath his belly and held a thumbs-up to her friends.
Daisy grumbled. “That’s not fair, really. Those of us who are vertically-disadvantaged can’t hold on to our Daddies that way.”
Fiera looked at Sadie, who rolled her twinkling eyes. “She’s complaining because she’s short.”
Wren gripped the back of her Daddy’s shirt with both hands as the balance board lurched beneath them.
A startled laugh tore from her throat when it bucked hard to the left.
Wren rolled her hips with the motion and tightened her thighs around her Daddy’s ribs as the machine twisted and dipped, trying to throw her.
All three girls whooped and cheered from the side as Wren’s hair whipped around her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright with adrenaline.
“She’s gonna make it!” Sadie cried out, and Fiera agreed. Then Wren began to slide to the right. After a sharp jerk to the left, she slipped the rest of the way and clung to Master Travis from underneath for the remaining few seconds.
“That still counts,” Fiera yelled. “She didn’t let go, and she didn’t fall, so that counts.”
When the balance platform came to a stop, Master Travis caught Wren and gave her a big kiss. Fiera wasn’t sure what he whispered to Wren, but whatever it was turned her friend’s face bright red.
“Well, that was an… unusual ride, but they didn’t break any of the rules. So, that’s a win for Master Travis and Wren,” Master Sam Denton called over the judges' microphone.
Wren tumbled into the ball-filled pit in a breathless fit of laughter.
Time after time, bodies toppled, and balls flew everywhere. One Daddy lost his balance and tipped forward. His Little shrieked and slid off, splattering into the balls like a burst water balloon.
Daisy lasted six seconds on Master Rett’s back before she slid off with a surprised yelp, disappearing into the bright plastic sea of balls.
Sadie held tight to Master Derek at first, jaw set in determination—then she let go on purpose.
“Strategic dismount!” she shouted, then she shoved off her Daddy’s back and went flying.
Fiera laughed so hard her sides hurt, right up until Master Mace stepped into the pit and held out his hand to her. At that point, laughter was a distant memory. He rolled his shoulders once like he was about to step into a rodeo arena instead of a pit full of plastic balls.
He looked at her. “Your Buckin’ Bronco awaits, babygirl. Wanna ride Daddy?”
Heat rushed through her body so fast she felt dizzy. Holy smokes! She had a dirty Daddy. She swallowed. Well, at least she tried, but her mouth was so dry that there was nothing to swallow. Breathing deep, she stepped forward.
The balls shifted under her Converse sneakers as she approached him. He dropped down onto his hands and knees on the center platform. Dear lord. This was going to be fun, but it just might kill her. The muscles in his back flexed beneath his Henley.
Her thighs tightened instinctively as she climbed on, careful at first. Her hands gripped the neck of his shirt.
Her legs wrapped around his waist as far as they could reach. What was that Daisy had said about being vertically challenged? He was broad and solid as a rock. There was no way she could lock her ankles. So instead, she squeezed her thighs, wrapping them even tighter.
His back was warm underneath her, heating her core. With a shake of her head, she tried to think of anything other than how she’d felt with her legs wrapped around his waist just a few minutes before. She’d never been more thankful for her sunglasses in her life.
“Hold tight,” he murmured.
The platform jerked to life. The first tilt sent her forward, the tips of her nipples brushing his back. Her breath caught in her throat. As the machine continued to buck, her hips rocked. Her most sensitive parts pressed against the hard planes of his lower back as the platform shifted again.
Oh! Oh god! Her body responded instantly. In front of everyone. Could they tell? She was going to have to legally declare herself a ghost and become invisible. If no one could see her, she wouldn’t have to face them. Did that mean her Daddy wouldn’t be able to see her?
Drat it all to heck. If she couldn’t be a ghost, maybe she could quit teaching kindergarten and join the circus as a clown. That way, she’d have paint all over her face when people were around, and she’d wear a big orange wig. Only she hated orange, dang it.
Suddenly, the balance platform began to shimmy, forcing her to move with him. She was sitting on a human vibrator. How long could fifteen seconds last? Longer than her, that was for sure. They moved forward and back, side to side.
Every muscle in his body engaged beneath her. She felt the strength in his shoulders. The way his core tightened before each shift. And all his strength added to her excitement.
No matter how he moved, she followed. Thighs gripping, fingers clutching, she did her best to think of anything except her sex pressed against his back. Her pulse pounded in her ears.
Was this because he was a rodeo rider? Because he knew how to anticipate motion? Or was he just that in tune with her body? What would it be like to make love to this man? She wasn’t sure she’d survive. Her thoughts skidded wildly.
Somewhere in the distance, a buzzer sounded. The crowd around them cheered. Their fifteen seconds were up. They’d made it.
Fiera burst into laughter, breathless and flushed, and without thinking, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to the side of his neck. It was instinctual. The second she realized what she’d done, heat flooded her face.
She jerked back slightly. He turned his head to look up at her, a wicked grin on his face as he winked. He knew! Somehow, he knew what that ride had done to her. Oh no! The realization of how wet she was hit her just as they were about to stand.
What if she’d left a spot on his shirt? There was nothing she could do. Except to burst into flames of embarrassment. Maybe the heat would dry his shirt before anyone noticed.
His voice rumbled when he asked, “Did you enjoy the ride, firefly?”
Eye wide, heart racing, she said the first thing that came to mind. “My sunglasses stayed on.” Yep, bursting into flames about now would be just the thing.
Holding her in place, he somehow flipped onto his back and went still beneath her. He studied her, and his eyes warmed. “Daddy has always got you, babygirl.”
Then slowly, deliberately, he shifted his weight. The balance platform tilted. But instead of moving to stand, he rolled. They went over together into the ball pit, with him making sure she landed on top.
Plastic spheres exploded around them as she braced her palms on his chest. His hands were already at her waist. And in that moment—breathing hard, hair falling into her eyes, laughter fading into something softer—she realized something.
She was safe.
Not just excited. Not just wanted.
Safe.
The realization hit so hard it stole her breath. She could feel him beneath her, aware of every part of him. And very much affected.
He saw her. Not just the bounce and sparkle, the fears, the need.
All of her.
He brushed her hair back from her face. “You did good, firefly.”
She wanted to tell him she wished she was his Little. Not just temporarily. Forever. But it was way too soon for something like that, right?
Her throat tightened, and she couldn’t get those words out, so instead she whispered, “You cheated. You know how that thing moves.”
A slow grin tugged at his mouth. “Maybe I do.”
Before she could say anything else, a fat drop of rain hit her cheek. At first, she didn’t know what it was, but then a second drop hit her sunglasses, then another. Then the sky opened.
Littles shrieked and scrambled. Fiera tried to move, but the plastic balls grew slick.
Master Derek’s voice cut through the rising sound of rainfall. “All right, folks! Talent and art shows are postponed until tomorrow! We’ll pick up regular Ranch activities after dinner!”
Groans echoed through the campground as everyone dashed back to the lodge.
Master Mace pushed up, helping Fiera to her feet. Rain plastered his shirt to his chest. Her breath hitched.
He grabbed his hat from a nearby table and jammed it on her head. Without words, he laced their fingers together and led her from the clearing. The walk to the cabin was quiet except for the rain drumming against the trees.
Her mind replayed the afternoon. Their kiss. The bronco busting. The way he’d felt beneath her. The way she’d felt riding him.
And then she remembered earlier that day and her sunglasses. She’d pushed them up again during the stick horse race. He’d warned her about her sunglasses. Her stomach tightened.
Had he forgotten? The silence between them felt heavier now. Glancing up at his face, she tried to read him. His jaw was set, but he looked more focused than angry. The question was… focused on what? The sunglasses or that kiss in the woods.
When they reached the cabin, he ushered her inside first. The quiet enveloped them, broken only by rain on the roof.
He removed his hat from her head and set it on the table. The silence was unnerving, so relief washed through her when he turned to face her. That was, until she saw the look on his face. Then her heart pounded.
She stood in the center of the room, wet hair clinging to her cheeks, medal still hanging around her neck from the first race of the morning.
He stepped closer. As close as he could get without touching her.
“Take off the sunglasses,” he said quietly.
Her fingers trembled as she slid them from her face. She held them carefully in both hands, holding them out to him like an offering. “I forgot,” she offered softly.
“I know.” His tone wasn’t angry, but that almost made it worse. He stepped into her space then, his hands coming to her hips. His hold was firm and secure. “You had fun today,” he said.
She nodded.
“You trusted me.”
She nodded again.
His thumb brushed lightly over her hipbone. “And you scared me half to death runnin’ backward like that.” Her lips parted, but he pressed a finger against them.
“That’s why,” he continued, voice low, calm, and filled with something that was definitely not anger, “you’re not gonna forget again.”
Heat pooled low in her belly. She searched his face. “Are you going to punish me?”
He nodded slowly, but there was something in his eyes. Something heated and almost primal. “I am. It’s not going to be a punishment you’ve had before, but I want you to trust me.”
Her pulse fluttered. What was happening? She knew she could end it with a single word, but her safe word was the last thing she wanted to say.
Tomorrow was their last day. After that, she’d be heading back to Wilder, and he’d be headed... somewhere else. She’d known they were temporary. But right now—right now she was in his cabin.
The rain clattered on the roof. His hands held her hips. And she felt safe enough to accept whatever came next.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She’d developed good instincts over the past several years. She knew angry when she heard it, and his words weren’t that. She wasn’t sure yet what they were, but he’d done nothing except what he thought was best for her since they’d met.
So, she decided to be brave. Looking him in the eye, she nodded. “I do trust you, Daddy. So, okay.”