Sweet Madness, page 24
So, without hesitation, I reach out, my hands gently cradling her beautiful face, my touch tender yet filled with undeniable need. I slowly explore her naked and wet body until I reach her lower back, once there I grab both ass cheeks and make her moan aloud.
Shit.
She looks so pretty when she moans and I find myself imagining how she would sound moaning my name aloud.
Before this moment ends, I’ll find out.
“Shaw.”
“Yes, princess?”
“Kiss me,” she demands, her husky voice tinged with need.
I don’t think about it twice before I close the distance between us and take her plump lips in mine. She really does taste like candy. Fuck.
Time seems to slow down as we kiss, each moment filled with unfamiliar emotions— an intoxicating blend of desire and tenderness. The water around us whispers secrets of our shared longing and the world around us fades into nothing as we lose ourselves in each other’s embrace.
Suddenly, Ella breaks the kiss and pulls back to look into my eyes. “Make me yours,” she whispers shyly, her voice husky with desire.
Her words make my heart skip a beat, and blood rushes through my groin as my gaze searches hers for any hint of uncertainty. Yet, all I find is a desperate need that matches my own.
As I hold Ella close, my heart racing in sync with her own, I whisper close to her mouth. “If I make you mine,” I begin softly, my voice a gentle murmur against the backdrop of the tranquil waters, “I’m not sure I could ever let go.”
My confession lingers in the air, revealing the depth of my feelings for this woman and the profound effect she has on my once-guarded heart.
When I think she will pull away, afraid of what my confession meant, she surprises me by reaching up, tracing a gentle finger along my jawline, her touch a soothing caress and such a simple gesture yet it meant so much. “Then don’t,” she whispers.
I trace a finger along her nose, my gaze locked with hers. “Have you ever been with a man?” I ask softly, as I disguise the jealousy I feel about thinking of another man’s hands on her body.
I’ve never been a jealous man. Never cared about anyone enough to feel green with envy until now.
Until her.
The thought of her with another man drives me mad yet I calmed myself not wanting to scare her.
Ella meets my gaze with a mixture of shyness and honesty as she contemplates her response. “Just once,” she admitted quietly.
Just once.
My eyes harden and my jaw tense with a surge of jealousy. Noticing my reaction, she reaches out instinctively, taking my face gently in her hands, a silent plea for me to understand. “But it meant nothing,” she hurried to explain, her words rushed but sincere. “It was just once and I have regretted him ever since it happened.”
Her touch softened my expression, her earnestness breaking through the haze of jealousy that clouds my thoughts. “Is it fucked up that I want to kill him. I want to kill anyone who has ever laid a finger on you,” I admit quietly, my voice thick with jealousy and well… murder.
“A little bit, yeah,” she laughs.
I half smile, as I stare down at her.
Her thumbs brush lightly against my cheeks. “Erase his touch from my skin,” she asks, her voice steady with urgency. “I only ever wanted you, Shaw Banning. Only ever you.”
Those words do it for me because next thing I know, all rational thoughts leave and all I can focus on is making this girl mine and indeed ruining her for all men.
The hand I had on her back, moves slowly from her ass to her front. I lean down, and take her mouth in mine and kiss her gently but deeply wanting her to understand what this all meant and to feel what I do with just one kiss. Pulling away from her mouth, I look down at her while I gently rub her tiny and soft pussy.
I ground my teeth as I feel her soft pussy lips on my thick fingers. Fuck. After a long moment of hearing her sweet as fuck loans as I touch her pussy, I stuck a finger in and that only makes her clench around the digit. “Shaw,” she moans my name and I almost come like a prepubescent fuck.
“You’re so fucking tight, baby,” I hiss.
“Another one,” she spreads her legs wider.
“Fuck, yeah. Greedy little thing,” I smile, enjoying the way her body responds to my touch.
“Now,” she snaps, and I almost laugh. I would have if I wasn’t so fucking horny.
“As you wish, princess,” Then I give her what she asks for. I finger Ella slowly and gently at first and when I can’t take it any longer, I pull my hand away, and position my cock at her entrance instead.
Brown eyes meet blue as we both catch our breaths. This close, I can feel the beat of her heart, and it’s in perfect sync with my own.
Mine.
Mine.
Mine.
My own heart thrums wildly in my chest.
“Shaw,” Ella kisses my nose tenderly and so sweetly. Everything she does feels out of this world to me, yet so right.
“Ella,” I whisper close to her mouth.
“I counted my lucky stars for you.” With that lovely confession, I lose all resolve and control. I push all the way inside of her and groan when her tight pussy takes every inch of my cock.
“Ahhh.”
“Fuck.”
We moan at the same time.
With nothing left to say because our bodies and our kisses were saying more than enough, I gave her everything— every single part of me. The good, the bad and the tortured with every thrust and every desperate kiss.
After making her mine, there was no going back with Ella. She wasn’t just under my skin, she’d burrowed down to my bones, infusing the marrow with everything that is her. Good. Beautiful. Magical.
My brightest star.
The only star in my dark sky.
Space Note
“In around five billion years our Sun will swell into a red giant, engulfing Mercury, Venus and possibly the Earth.”— E
Chapter
Twenty-Four
FIRST RODEO
Ella
“You wear the hat, you ride the cowboy.”— S
Amidst the dusty arena of the town’s annual rodeo, where the air is thick with the scent of hay and excitement, I stand watching everything around me with a beaming smile and wide eyes.
God, I love this place.
I love everything about it.
Everyone is having so much fun here while they participate in the activities or as spectators.
Today, I ditch the summer dresses for tight blue jeans, a white tank top, and brown cowboy boots.
I fit right in with everyone else here.
“This is everything,” I whisper to myself. “This is incredible…” I lean forward on the wooden rail and take a photo of myself surrounded by a sea of spectators, their cheers blending in with the enthusiasm as cowboys and cowgirls prepare for their rides. The arena stretches out before me, ringed by weathered wooden fences adorned with banners and flags fluttering in the breeze.
This is all new to me and it proves to be more than I had imagined. As a child, we didn’t get to go camping or get dirty in the mud like most kids do during hot summers. That wasn’t the type of activity my family enjoyed, and I don’t really feel like I missed out. But being here, witnessing this type of American tradition and culture, fills my heart with joy and wonder. It makes me feel somehow closer to him.
My gaze darts from the bronco-busting chute, where riders mount restless horses, to the roping arena, where cowboys skillfully lasso calves against the ticking clock. Each event captures my attention fully and leaves me in awe of such talent.
The sun hangs low in the big Montana sky, casting a golden hue over the scene and causing the dust kicked up by the horses’ hooves to dance in the air like pretty gold glitter. The scent of popcorn and cotton candy mingles with the earthy aroma of horses, creating a unique atmosphere that is both thrilling and comforting.
Tucking my camera back into my purse, I watch as a gray bronco bursts from its gate, its female rider gripping the reins with determination as the horse bucks and twists beneath her. The crowd roars with every move, their cheers adding to the adrenaline that pulses through the arena. I find myself clapping along, caught up in the infectious energy of the rodeo. It is empowering to watch a woman handle a horse so effortlessly.
Close by, a group of children stands with wide eyes, their faces painted with various designs as they cheer on their favorite riders. I can’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. They look so content to be here. One little boy, with tousled blonde hair and expressive eyes, catches my attention as he flashes a toothy grin in my direction, melting me on the spot. My heart can’t take the cuteness. His resemblance to Shaw pulls at my heartstrings.
I continue watching the riders as the evening progresses and the sky slowly darkens. The arena lights flicker on, casting a glow over the scene. “This is what I’m missing,” I think to myself, taking in the vast Montana landscape stretching beyond the arena.
“Found you,” Shaw says in a husky tone as he appears behind me, his presence commanding attention in ripped jeans that hug his legs, a crisp white tee emphasizing his broad shoulders, and sturdy brown cowboy boots that echo with each step. Perched atop his head is his cowboy hat, casting a shadow over his rugged features.
My breath catches in my throat as I look at him, struck by the sight of a man who seems to embody a wild, untamed spirit yet holds a gentle warmth in his eyes whenever he looks at me. His rough hand comes to my waist, holding me in place. Time seems to suspend as I find myself speechless, captivated by his undeniable charm and the magnetic pull between us.
God, he’s so beautiful in a way that’s difficult to put into words.
Wanting to save the memory of him, I reach for my camera, intending to capture just how handsome he looks. I fumble slightly before pointing my polaroid camera at him. With a quick press of the button, the camera whirs and ejects the photo. I hold it in my hands, the image developing before my eyes, capturing Shaw’s essence standing there in all his rugged charm and cowboy glory. It’s a moment frozen in time, a memory I want to hold onto forever. “What took you so long?” I tease with a grin.
“Did you miss me, darlin’?” Shaw’s lip quirks upward.
“I always miss you,” I blurt out, unable to contain my emotions.
He offers me a small smile. That perfect smile of his sends butterflies into a frenzy in my stomach. Will that feeling ever fade? I don’t think so.
I gaze at him with adoration shimmering in my eyes, my heart fluttering at the sight of him. In a soft whisper, I breathe out, “You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
I quickly blush, feeling like a lovestruck fool.
Shaw’s expression softens, but a shadow crosses his face as he gently replies, “Beautiful isn’t a word many would use for me.” His words carry a touch of sadness, revealing a vulnerability beneath his rugged exterior. My heart tugs painfully as I look at him. He’s so used to being seen as tough and strong that perhaps beauty seems foreign to him.
“But you are… so beautiful, Shaw,” I insist, tracing the constellation of freckles on his face.
“And you’re too damn sweet, princess,” he chuckles before lifting me off the wooden rail and setting me on my feet. He then gently takes my small hand in his, his touch firm yet tender, as he guides me towards the bustling area where the bareback riding contest is about to begin. His hand feels warm and reassuring against mine. I look at our joined hands and smile wide, loving the way he looks so big compared to mine.
“Did you really used to do bareback riding?” I ask, my voice tinged with worry as we walk together. I glance up at him, noticing the strength in his features and the determination in his stride. After our time at the lake, where he made me his in every way that counts, something shifts between us. Something monumental, and he proves it this morning when I wake up to him knocking on my door with a tulip in hand, asking me to join him for a day at the town’s annual rodeo. With a full heart, I accept and spend the rest of the day counting down the hours to see him again.
Although we made love at the lake, he hasn’t said more about the status of our situation now, but I don’t need words. These are the moments that whisper all the secrets of his heart to me. This is what counts—him holding my hand as he shares something he clearly enjoys.
“I did.”
“Oh…”
“What is it?”
“It just seems a bit dangerous.”
“You worry about me?”
“I always worry about you,” I frown, looking up at him in concern.
“It’s fine, baby.”
Baby… my insides turn to goo.
Reaching up, I trace my fingers over his overgrown beard. “I always want you to be safe,” I whisper.
His warm eyes soften as he bends over and drops a kiss on the tip of my nose. No matter how many times he does that, I’ll never believe it’s real. This all seems like a dream I’m too afraid to wake up from.
“Come with me, yeah?”
The way he asks me, I would follow him anywhere. To the depths of hell if he asked me to.
“Anywhere,” I blurted out, making him smile. He then grabs my hand tighter and leads the way to the contest area. Once there, we find ourselves among a crowd of spectators eagerly waiting for the contest to start.
A man dressed much the same as Shaw suddenly appears in front of us, clapping Shaw on the back in a familiar manner. Shaw’s initial reaction is a tense, almost instinctive response, his demeanor briefly reflecting a hint of anger before he quickly masks it. He then nods tersely at the man, clearly recognizing him.
The man with black hair, blue eyes, and a sleazy smile grins broadly at Shaw and remarks, “Well, well, Golden Boy. Looks like you finally crawled out of the hole you were in. Hope you’re not thinking of competing.” His gaze then shifts to me, his tone mocking, “It’s a shame for such a pretty lady to see you lose.”
Shaw’s jaw tightens slightly at the man’s words, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. Despite the cocky man’s taunt, Shaw remains composed, his focus solely on me. The arrogant man is completely forgotten as Shaw turns to me.
Holding onto his hand tighter, I ask, “Do you know him?”
Shaw nods tersely. “Boone McAlester. A bitch from the past.”
I snort, and he smiles broadly, leaving me breathless. “Are you competing?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t do that anymore.”
“You should.”
“Yeah?” He grabs me by the waist and pulls me closer to his body. “And why is that?”
“I would love to see you kick his ass,” I grin.
“You’re so sure I can beat him?”
Raising my tiptoes, I wrap my arms around his neck. “I would bet all my lucky stars on you, Shaw Banning.”
He glances down at me with tender eyes, saying nothing as if he’s contemplating the idea. It takes him only a second to make up his mind. Nodding once, he takes my hand firmly in his and leads me towards the sign-up tables for the bareback riding contest. I follow him, and amid the bustling crowd, I watch him fill out the forms and sign up for the competition. He looks so cocky that it makes my heart race. God, he’s so hot without even trying.
Once registered, Shaw steers us away from the busy area, seeking a quieter spot where we can have some privacy. Finding a secluded corner away from prying eyes, he gently removes his weathered cowboy hat and places it carefully on my head. With a slight adjustment, he ensures it shields my features enough to prevent easy recognition. “Well, look at that… a perfect fit.” Liar… the hat is too big on me. Still, I can’t help the butterflies that dance in my belly.
I beam at him, touched by his sweet attempt to shield me from prying eyes. No matter what happens between us, he always keeps my safety his top priority.
Feeling a surge of affection for him, I stand on my tiptoes again and plant a gentle kiss on his chin. His reaction is swift yet tender; he catches me by the back of my neck, drawing me closer. Our eyes lock in an intimate exchange as he leans in, his lips meeting the tip of my nose in a soft, lingering kiss.
Time seems to slow around us, the world fading into the background as we share this brief moment. Shaw’s touch is gentle yet possessive. His warm gaze holds mine before he leans in close to my mouth and whispers, “I’ll be back.” He reaches into his back pocket and retrieves something, holding it out to me.
A taser.
“If someone gets near, use this on them and scream,” he instructs quietly, his eyes locking with mine to emphasize the seriousness of his words. “You scream bloody murder and I’ll be at your side in no time, yeah?”
I nod as I take the taser from his hand. “Yeah,” I affirm softly.
Shaw gives me a nod of assurance and a quick kiss on the lips before stepping away, his intense gaze lingering on me briefly. With a final glance over his shoulder, he continues on his way, leaving me watching him leave like a lovesick fool.
I watch him stride confidently towards the horses, my gaze following him until he disappears into the bustling arena. As the bareback riding contest commences, I find myself immersed in the excitement, cheering on each contestant with fervor while keeping a keen eye out for Shaw.
Time seems to stretch as I eagerly wait for his turn. When Shaw finally emerges into the arena, mounted atop a powerful horse, my heart skips a beat. He looks every bit the magnificent figure I know him to be, his presence commanding attention and admiration from the crowd. Both men and women cheer him on, their eyes shining with excitement.
I can’t contain my own excitement as I scream Shaw’s name at the top of my lungs, my voice blending with the cheers and applause of the large crowd. With my polaroid camera in hand, I capture moments of his performance, each snapshot a memory saved forever.
Shaw handles the horse like a pro, his movements fluid and precise. The crowd erupts into cheers as he navigates the challenges of the ride, showcasing his strength and talent. I watch with awe and pride, recording every moment, my support unwavering as I root for him from the sidelines.
