Chapter Nine
Slade slammed aroundhis kitchen the next morning, taking his foul mood out on the coffee maker and toaster. When Chace wandered back to the bedroom instead of hanging around, begging for leftovers, he took a deep breath, stretched, and exhaled. He tried not to fault Nicole for jumping to conclusions, had spent the restless night making excuses for her misconceptions regarding his last visit and meeting with Deb last night. As soon as she’d arrived at Casey’s, he wanted her with an ache that refused to go away. She managed to defuse his plan to haul her off to someplace quiet and set her straight. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to see where they might go with the attraction neither one could deny any longer.
Deb had made it easy by ending their sexual relationship first, and he was happy for his longtime friend for finding someone who completed her in all ways. Even though their friends-with-benefits relationship had suited their needs for several years, he wouldn’t sleep with one woman while he was so drawn toward someone else.
While running through options for his next visit to Nicole, he scrambled eggs then called Chace to join him for breakfast. “There,” he said as the collie trotted toward his bowl. “Eggs. Am I forgiven?” The dog replied by chowing down and ignoring him. Slade sat at the table, confident Chace would forgive him now. There were too many irrefutable facts lining up for him to continue dismissing his interest in Nicole, he thought while eating. The compulsion to see her again despite her attitude; his inability to hold back when faced with her vulnerability last week at Casey’s; the days and nights plagued by a sexual itch their night together had failed to scratch; the anger rippling through him instead of his usual indifference toward those whose opinions weren’t supposed to matter.
Chace nudged his arm as he took his last bite, those observant eyes glued to his final sausage link. “I’ll trade your advice for the sausage.”
“If he answers, I’m having you both committed,” Brett said, walking in and making himself at home pouring a cup of coffee.
“I might go without a fight, given my mood. What brings you over so early?” he asked, storing his plate in the dishwasher.
Leaning against the counter, Brett eyed him over the cup, taking a sip before replying, “I need your help bringing in the horses from the north pasture. The guys didn’t show up this morning.”
Shit.“None of them?” The college kids were part-time and rotated on weekends, which gave their full-time employees days off. When one couldn’t make it, they would trade off together.
“Nope. No calls, either. I didn’t bother checking with either Keith or Riley, who were scheduled. Allie and Lily are taking Nicole riding before that cold snap comes in later today, so I want to get back to choose her mount, and Reed has already left to help at the shelter.”
Well, that settled his plans. Now there was no time to drop in on Nicole for a much-needed talk, not with the morning and early afternoon taken assisting Brett, returning home to deal with the hands in private, and then leaving for Sunday dinner with their mom afterward. The only positive spin on the day was hearing about Nicole’s effort to socialize. The biggest negative was missing out on the privilege of teaching her to ride, his disappointment in the college hires a close second.
“Finish that, and let’s get going. We’re not riding far, so we’ll bring Chace.”
They made good time even with stopping to check on one of the oil wells, the ranch’s main income source. With Chace’s herding, the mustangs stayed close and moved at a steady pace, their sensitivity to weather changes also helping to move them along. Slade drove back to his place not happy about the next chore on his list. He’d much rather be riding out with Nicole for a frank talk than deciding whether to fire Keith and Riley. One thing was a given; he was fucking tired of dealing with their irresponsibility and ready to put an end to the destructive pranks of the last year. Which meant the possibility of letting Evan go also, whom he suspected was behind the damaging behavior, and then losing Jeff, who wouldn’t stay on without his friends.
Not how he cared to end the weekend or start the long cold winter.
Slade drove home with his mind on the employees, unprepared for a surprise visit from Nicole. His pulse quickened, an immediate reaction he’d come to expect whenever he clapped eyes on her, always followed by a strong sexual pull that exceeded his previous experiences. Those telltale signs were the reason he decided to push himself and her into more. He parked and opened the door, waiting for Chace to hop down before closing it and facing her as she strode forward. Her flannel-lined denim jacket flapped open wide enough to read the bold black lettering on her yellow top – IF MY DOG DOESN’T LIKE YOU WE CAN’T BE FRIENDS. No doubt Sam liked him, and, despite the shadows under her eyes, the rueful grin teasing the corners of her mouth gave him hope she was more open-minded today.
“Lily mentioned your place was the third house when I joined them for lunch at Allie’s. Here.” She thrust a Rubbermaid container at him. “Snickerdoodle cookies from scratch with my apology.”
Not one to pass up a good opportunity or olive branch, he took the cookies with one hand and cupped her nape with the other. Hauling her against him, he covered her gaping mouth with his. The pleasure of her soft lips yielding under his went straight to his groin, that supple body quivering against throwing him into a tailspin of aggressive need he struggled to control. To hell with dealing with irresponsible college kids. He’d much rather spend the time doing this. She opened under his assault, and he raided her mouth with tongue and teeth, every slide of her lips against his, each matching tongue stroke, the taste of her soft gums just as he remembered. He eased up before the temptation to push for more put his intentions at risk.
Slade lifted his head, retaining his hold as he said, “I’ll accept both if you go riding with me instead of Allie and Lily.”
“Oh, well.” Nicole stepped back and he dropped his hand, amused by seeing her flustered for the first time. “That wouldn’t be right.”
“They not only won’t mind, they’ll be thrilled. Their goal in life is to see me take the fall like my brothers.” Panic crossed her face and he rushed to set her at ease. “Relax. I’m only proposing a ride and an overdue talk.”
The blunt, prickly neighbor resurfaced, and she squared her shoulders. “You want to discuss sex.”
“Agree to ride with me and I’ll let you know what I want. Besides, you owe me two apologies. Consider this the second.”
“You play dirty.”
“Sweetheart, you have no idea.”
She looked over at Chace who lay in the grass. “Okay, if Allie and Lily are good with it. Can I pet your dog?”
“Chace.” He pointed to Nicole. “Friend.”
Slade set the cookies on the truck hood and pulled out his phone, watching Nicole smile as Chace danced around her, tail wagging faster when she talked to him. “Such a good boy, aren’t you?”
As his dog ate up the attention, he sent a text to have Bandit saddled then talked to Allie. As he thought, she was only too happy for Nicole to go out with him instead. He hung up, pocketed the phone, and grabbed the cookies. “Allie said have a good time and they’ll talk to you later. Ready?”
Her smile turned teasing. “Maybe now I’d rather play with Chace.”
If dogs brought out her softer side, Slade doubted Chace would mind if he used him as bait. “You can introduce him and Sam together later. I have a family dinner in a few hours, so we need to get going.”
***
THE TIME LIMIT HELPEDdispel Nicole’s reservations about Slade’s offer. She’d stopped by his place first hoping he’d greet her surprise visit and peace offering with gruff indifference, giving her a good excuse to keep her distance. Instead, he’d kissed her, damn it. With her lips tingling and pussy still fluttering, now all she could think about was a repeat of his sexual brand for relieving stress. Between changing the plans for the shelter and Natalie’s renewed harassment, she could use a few hours of mind-numbing orgasmic bliss again. She could delve into what appeared to be an irrefutable weakness when he touched her later.
I really read him wrong,she admitted as he held the truck door open for her. Nicole got in, regretting even more jumping to the wrong conclusion about Slade’s motive for visiting last weekend and walking out with that woman last night. She was lucky he was so willing to spend time with her and looking forward to riding. Maybe not today since he had a family obligation, but sometime soon, she hoped her olive branch was enough for a repeat of those hours upstairs at Casey’s. And that’s all she wanted, that short respite from missing the connection she’d shared with Tony.
After letting Chace in the back seat, he pulled out of the drive, saying, “It’s a few miles to the stables and barns. While you’re in such an agreeable mood, why don’t you tell me about the assault that left that scar.”
The out-of-the-blue request, stated in his usual matter-of-fact tone, caught her off guard. She paused in rubbing Chace’s chin before rallying enough to respond with her standard answer. “Because I don’t talk about it. How much of this state do you own anyway?”
He cut her a brief glance, but his lowered hat brim once again hid his expression. “A good portion, which you don’t care about. We’ve been naked together. You should be able to discuss the incident that led you there.”
“How do you know I don’t care about your worth?” she shot back, grateful he hadn’t mentioned how she’d begged him to fuck her.
“Because it takes a great deal of money to do what you’re doing.” Holding the steering wheel steady on the dirt road with one hand, he rubbed his jaw with the other. Staring straight ahead, he said, “I was trained as a military sniper and spent two years in Afghanistan. I’ve killed to save others, once to save myself, and yet, guilt and uncertainty still hit me after each one.”
Nicole stepped through the open door he held, oddly receptive to the invitation now that he’d revealed his vulnerability. “How did you get over it?” she asked as the dark-red, white-trimmed ranch buildings came into view.
“It took time to stop questioning whether there was another way. I kept reminding myself I acted in self-defense of others.” Slade parked in front of an enormous stable, the wide doors slid open to reveal a few hired hands moving about inside. Opening his door, he said, “Wait, and I’ll help you down.”
She waited, but only because his touch would distract her from the warm fuzzy she experienced whenever his tone exuded concern for her ordeal, never forgetting his anger on her behalf the first time he noticed the scar. Only her parents and closest friends distressed over her trauma, never blaming her in words or expression. None of Tony’s siblings had asked how she was or expressed remorse for what she’d suffered, too worried about the publicity, what went into the papers, and holding up their good name for both business and social standing.
Slade grasped her waist under her open jacket and lifted her off the seat, holding her long enough to stabilize the rise of unplanned emotions. Then he clasped her hand, tugging her around the side of the stable toward a corral, stirring her libido this time. She sucked in a lungful of chilly air, which helped her regain her perspective. Sexual chemistry, that’s all that’s brewing between them. She spotted only one horse, a striking tan stallion with black mane and tail, tethered and saddled.
“Thanks, Barry,” he told the younger ranch hand. “Sorry you were called in today. I’ll see it doesn’t happen again. Double-time pay.”
“It was no problem, boss, but I appreciate that. Christmas will be here before we know it. Ma’am.” Barry tipped his hat to her before leaving them alone.
Scowling at Slade, she stated, “I’m not old enough to be called ma’am, and why one horse?” She eyed the huge stallion with trepidation.
“Your first time will be easier riding with me.” Taking the reins, he swung into the saddle and reached a hand down. “Trust me if you want to go.”
Put like that, she couldn’t refuse. She’d been looking forward to this outing too much. Taking his hand, she found herself hoisted up and settled in front of him before she could take a breath. She shivered, a combination of cold, anticipation, and awareness, his arms coming around and securing her from toppling off as they started out. To calm her jitters, she stretched an arm to stroke the stallion’s arched, soft neck.
“What’s his name?”
“Bandit.”
“That fits. Oh,” she sighed softly, the view from this height breathtaking. She could see across the vast expanse of fields to the far-off mountain silhouette, enough wooded forest running along both sides to add a touch of green to the landscape.
“I never tire of it. Is this and your shelter worth leaving the big city behind, along with your friends and family?”
He had a way of tossing out a personal inquiry when she least expected it, usually on the heels of a generic statement, but this one she didn’t mind answering. “I don’t regret it yet. And I’ve changed my mind about the shelter and plan to foster instead. The Casper shelter’s director seemed pleased with my offer.”
“Marilyn is good with people and animals. Lean against me and hold on to the pommel or my arms.” He tapped a thumb on the protruding knob between her thighs. Slade wouldn’t admit it, but he was good with people also.
Nicole gripped the pommel with one hand and his forearm with the other, then he nudged Bandit into a trot that swayed her against his chest and arms despite her hold. The stallion’s smooth stride enabled Slade to bend close to her ear when he spoke, pointing out where he and his brothers used to run wild and get into trouble. She enjoyed the tingles from his warm breath as much as riding close to several bison and the graceful swoop of soaring eagles. They halted at a lake where an elk continued to drink as Bandit dipped his head on the opposite side.
Twisting around, she gazed up at him, relishing the warmth of his big body shielding her from the cold breeze. “That was fun. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned Bandit around, and she faced forward as they started the trek back. When he spoke, he picked up where he’d left off in the truck, once again catching her off guard. “It took me way too long to realize I couldn’t put my actions in the military behind me until I forgave myself. You won’t be able to, either, until you forgive yourself for taking his life.”
Because he was the only person she’d met who might possibly understand, she told him what she’d never admitted to anyone else. It was easier not facing him, though. “That’s not what I can’t forgive. He loved me. Truly. Deeply. The real deal everyone wants but that I couldn’t return. I mean, I loved him, cared more than I ever had before but wasn’t in love with him.” She gave him a brief rundown of Tony’s inoperable, malignant tumor then fingered her scar, saying, “He wasn’t in his right mind, and I thought I was doing the right thing ignoring the doctor’s warnings to give him more time at home, surrounded by familiarity. I was wrong.”
He clasped her chin, turned her head around, then thumbed his hat up enough to snag her undivided attention with his direct gray gaze. “Punishing yourself doesn’t change his diagnosis, or the inevitable outcome. I get how you felt about him as it sounds similar to my feelings for Deb, the woman you saw me walk out with last night. We’re not in love but have enjoyed a special friendship that included an occasional hookup for bondage play without either of us expecting or desiring more. Right before you came out, we agreed to take that off the table, her because she’d grown serious about someone, and me because my thoughts are more on you than anyone else lately.”
She should not feel good about that candid revelation and went with her first inclination to defuse the warm fuzzy, pouncing on what else he’d said. “You use the term hookup instead of relationship. What does that say about you?”
“That when I do end up in a relationship, there will be no hookups for either one of us.”
That potent look accompanied his compelling statement, the combination producing a ripple of longing she wasn’t ready to consider. Swiveling forward, she asked, “Can we ride fast?”
“Sure.” Wrapping an arm around her waist, he held her snug against his chest and kicked Bandit into an all-out run, the exhilarating rush robbing her of breath.
More of these euphoric experiences,that’s all Nicole swore she wanted from Slade as the trees and ground sped by in a blur and his muscled strength sheltered her from the cold. Wild rides or wild sex – she would take either if it resulted in such pleasure of the senses as long as her heart remained unaffected.
***
NICOLE TRIED TO HIDEher pleased relief when Slade explained his and Deb’s relationship, but he’d become adept at reading her. As they neared the stables, he reined Bandit to a trot and took advantage of holding her close with no complaint to keep the momentum going his way.
Bending to her ear, he tugged the small lobe with his teeth, savoring the telltale way she arched sideways to offer better access. “Now that we’ve cleared the air, are you ready to admit we should explore what’s brewing between us?”
“Sex only?” she asked with a small catch in her voice.
“For starters.”
She remained quiet as they rode into the stable yard and he dismounted. Holding his arms up, he plucked her from the saddle, not risking letting her move away from him yet. She was more receptive to him when they were touching. When she leaned in to him, he felt her legs tremble, either from the ride or his suggestion.
“What would you do if I said yes?”
Their short history taught him not to wait if she was in an amiable frame of mind. Grabbing a hand, he pulled her toward the stable after verifying no one else was around. “I’m better at showing than telling,” he stated, making sure it was empty inside then hurrying into the tack room that doubled as an office, the only space with a door.
She gasped then frowned, scanning the room. “Now, in here?”
“Here you go with the now question.” Slade backed her against the door and pressed her lips in a deep kiss, controlling her mouth while loosening her jeans until she went lax and breathed a warm sigh into his mouth. Her rapid embracement was the same as before, and the exact reception he’d been hoping for.
Slipping a hand between their waists, he paused with his middle finger poised at the apex of her already damp slit and lifted his head. “Got a problem with here and now?”
“Nope, none at all.”
Relishing the lack of hesitation, he found her clit and played with the distended nub. He’d learned not to give her the time and space to change her mind. “We have to be quick,” he warned.
“I like quick.”
“I remember.” Encouraged, Slade drew her to the small corner desk and bent her over. “Brace yourself.”
“I remember,” she quipped, likely referring to her tight grip of his arms the last time.
He pushed her jeans down, appreciating her rare humor, then saw the large bruise covering half of her thigh. Running his fingers lightly over the purple skin, he asked, “What happened?”
Nicole went still and kept her face forward, two suspicious reactions to the simple inquiry. “A clumsy mishap. What happened to quick?” She wiggled her enticing bare butt.
“Seeing you hurt distracted me.” He fished out a condom and released his cock, stifling his irritation. If he lectured her on holding back, she would just point out this was sex only, and he didn’t want to hear that. Not when he was so close to admitting he was ready for more.
Unable to resist, he held her hips and slid inside her snug, slick heat, savoring the tight grip of her vaginal muscles clinging to his cock. Pausing, he swatted one cheek, her startled gasp and the red imprint against the creamy flesh enough to satisfy his annoyance with the way she kept bottled up. Hadn’t he done the same thing only to regret holding his brothers’ at arm’s length for so long? The fewer disappointments she harbored going forward, the better.
“Why did you do that?” She turned to gaze at him with confusion instead of accusation.
“For keeping this”—he touched the bruise—“from me.” Her pussy clenched as he withdrew slowly, her eyes going dark before she swung around with a low groan.
“Slade.”
The entreaty propelled him forward again, and latching onto her hip, he held her still for his steady assault into her creamy depths. Pumping with vigorous intent, he wished they didn’t have to rush, enjoying the snug fit of their bodies, her soft cries, and straining body even more this time around. Not surprised, he worked her into a state of desperate need within moments, her hands fisting as she laid her forehead down. He sucked in a deep breath, striving for control when her pussy rippled around his cock, loving her fast response to his jackhammering possession. The desk shifted as he strove to join her in climax, her orgasm aiding his efforts, making it easier to fuck her harder, faster until he erupted with a heavy grunt.
***
THE ORGASM RIPPED INTONicole with sharp tentacles of such pleasure it bordered on pain. Nerve endings flared to life, and her slick muscles clutched around the thick flesh stretching and burning her tight pussy. Why him, why now? she kept asking herself as she struggled to regain an iota of sanity through the mind-numbing, body-encompassing euphoric frenzy consuming her. Once again, the sheer decadence of letting go with Slade, regardless of where or when, left her overwhelmed and floundering to come up with a reasonable explanation. Sex had always been easy, uncomplicated, and nice. Considering he wasn’t the type she usually went for, these rendezvous were anything but.
The cool air wafting across her exposed buttocks wasn’t enough to temper the heat from that spank or prevent the eye-opening, arousing effect from the sting. Her orgasm seemed to go on and on, the spasmodic clutches refusing to ease until he quivered inside her with his own release.
He loosened his grip on her cheeks, and an image of finger indents on her buttocks popped in her head. There was no point denying she relished every second of his tight hold or the hot rush from her inability to move. There was something freeing about submitting to his sexual dominance. Her only regret came from missing the feel of his naked body against hers, his damp warm skin stretched over taut, bulging muscles sliding over her.
Until he pulled out of her still-rippling sheath.
Straightening with Slade’s assistance, Nicole found herself wishing they could linger a little longer. Not even the nearby voices filtering in from outside the stable changed that bothersome admission. She’d already betrayed Tony once by her inability to fall in love with him; she couldn’t do so again by wanting anything more from a man this soon other than to appease the basic bodily function of lust.
“Come to dinner with me.”
She reached for his arms as he pulled up her jeans and yanked her against him with a tug on the waist. “I can’t. Thanks though.” I need space and perspective, she thought, her face warming when she realized he hadn’t even removed his hat.
Booted footfalls resonated from the stable’s bricked aisle, and Slade hastened to right his clothing. “If you’re sure, I’ll take you back to get your car. Maybe I can change your mind on the way.”