“You know too much, Nash.”

  “Only about you.”

  Chapter 9

  Nash

  Holy Fuck! This woman is pretty much everything I’ve wanted since I knew what a woman was. Not a single question in my mind that I need to get her…keep her…for mine. Yeah, she needs to be mine.

  How do I know that on the day I meet her? I have not a rational clue. I’m not interested in trying to figure it out either. I know I’m going to take her, all of her.

  I didn’t plan to kiss her but those lips, the way she slides her tongue to wet them. It just happened. Then my hand found her full tits…she was already to the place her nipples were hard pushing into her shirt. I couldn’t resist them even through all that cloth. Her big tits will be my undoing. Maybe hers too because when I nipped it, her pussy went up in flames. How crazy hot is that.

  I nearly lost it when I felt her arousal building to an orgasm. I went with it not knowing what her reaction would be. Thank hell she loved me fingering her till she fell off the mountain.

  There was a level of closeness, comfort even, after I finally let her down from the fence. She wasn’t shy about what happened, wasn’t ashamed of her desire. I’d like to think she feels the same strong pull I do but I won’t pressure her. Having said that, she is my woman and I’m taking her.

  * * *

  The difference between yesterday and today is light years apart. Meeting Flash has tossed me into a full tailspin on a few levels. I’m moving much too fast, but I can’t help what I feel. It’s new to me and I like it. Yes, it’s what I’ve thought about since forever but after so many screw ups with women I said no more. I gave up on them all together.

  Their games and lies put me in a quicksand bog when I found out they were bedding a few other men at the same time. They were women like Judy. I finally gave up my search for the right one—maybe that's what brought Flash to me.

  She’s not like them. No games, no immaturity. She’s intelligent, able to share the hurtful trials she’s experienced in her life. She had no hesitation when I ask her personal questions. Her baggage is taken care of, but I saw it still hurts her inside.

  Oh yeah, she’s a looker, beautiful, happy and smiles more than any woman I’ve known. She’s skilled in her trade, all of that is icing on the cake but the real beauty of Flash is her heart, she runs over with true love. The kind everybody looks for. The kind I need but only from her.

  I can't see how it’ll play out in the long haul, but it doesn’t matter right this minute. What I know is I have to hold her and make her feel like no one else has. I have to reach her heart—show her respect, give her my strongest passions. And get past my distrust in others. If I can do it, I have a good chance to make her fall for me.

  I know it won’t be easy. She’s a rare breed who knows what she needs to do, then she does it. In this case, she needs to take it slow, no one night stands are in her appointment book, not even for me, which works fine since I have plans for a much longer deal. I need her in my bed every night, and in my life year after year.

  There’s a few hurtles to get past, such as the fact she lives a distance away. From what I remember David said she has a large spread over in Arizona. And I have a substantial ranch here in Texas. The good news is she's a Texas gal and I know she has deep roots in this state. David has often said how she hated to leave and talks of coming back. She's it for me, and I'll find a way to get her back here.

  My biggest shock is how she gets me so wound up without a touch, without a word. It’s a struggle to keep my hard cock in my pants most of the time. The way she looks, the fearlessness about her, it's enough to send a man on the chase.

  Lucky for me I'm single with no strings attached, except my ranch. It’s always amazed me how land can hold on to a man. Flash tells me she's in the same situation of freedom. I like the fact we've both been alone for a long time. We’re not in the ‘swap one person out for another’ position.

  Still I can’t understand why some guy hasn’t snapped her up. Clearly, it’s because she hasn’t let anyone.

  We have so much in common it's near impossible to not get along. What I think of is the fact I’ll have to fight nearly every man who walks by her. It’s just how much she attracts attention without trying, how provocative she is. They'll all try for some action with her and they’ll try to get it.

  No way will I be able to stand by and let her be harassed on any level. And I damn sure would have to take a man out if he caused her harm.

  No doubt she can more than take care of herself when it comes to those kinds of situations. I’m sure of it but it’s me who should take care of her, protect her, pull her in close and snuggle up with her.

  I can't get a clear lead from her on just when I can get closer except I’m sure she won’t allow anyone to push her. When I held her in my arms, she fit perfect, it felt natural to me and I think to her as well. I need my touch to meet her needs and to do that I have to keep my wits about me and not scare her off.

  "Nash, I think we’re finished here—only thing left is to send John off to the airport.”

  “He left with one of the hands while you were in the saddle.”

  “Then we’re done. I need a shower, a cold drink and food. All of that’s at my trailer."

  I grab her hand and hold it as we walk over to her horse trailer.

  "Nice rig, set up for six it looks like."

  "It handles six easily. I can squeeze in more, but I usually take the stock trailer if there’s more. This setup is perfect when I'm on the road. It’s comfortable and much better than inside with Judy."

  I see her face twist up with the mention of Judy. There’re hard times between those two. I get it.

  "Understandable."

  "I’d like to spend time with David, but we can’t get a word in edge wise with her around. She jumps in and tell him to be quiet. So rude. It makes me burn." It’s clear she would be happy to put Judy in a hard place.

  "You don't have to worry about her, you've got me here to buffer." I stopped her, grab her shoulders and turn her around to show her a stunning Texas sunset. "Look at that girlie—best sunset in the world."

  "You have no idea how much I've missed Texas these past years. The saddest move I ever made."

  “Why did you?”

  “Judy. She gave David such a hard time, constantly accused us of being sexual partners since we were kids. I thought it would be easier for him if I left but it wasn’t.”

  “I’m sorry, Angel. I know it hurts you.”

  “It does. It’d be hard to find a better man than my brother and she’s so unappreciative of him, but she loves his money. He deserves a lot better than her.”

  “I agree with you.”

  Chapter 10

  Flash

  Nash is fun to be with. I’m amazed at the way he makes the ordinary full of wonder. How is it he’s able to rev me up to high gear with just his presence? A sense of comfort and safety radiates from him. It’s odd to me since I’ve never expected to get safety from others. Well, except for David but that’s different. Also a crazy desire to have his hands on me, for him to take every part of me.

  I grew up the hard way and learned how to read situations and people’s hidden agenda straight off the bat. After a few near misses of danger, I learned more ways to protect myself. The ranch hands taught me how to see the hidden things. Of course, most of it from a man’s point of view but that helped the most. What stuck in my mind is this, don’t think someone will come to save you when trouble goes down.

  “You must be tired. Give me your feet and I’ll pull your boots. You kick back and catch a breath.”

  “Can you fire up the grill while I shower this dirt off?”

  “You got it. Everything in the side panel?”

  “How do you know about that?”

  “My rodeo trailer is nearly a twin to this one.”

  “You didn’t tell me you run the circuit.” The air stills, Nash is quiet, stares at me. “Please don’t tell me you’re a bull rider.”

  A halfhearted grin finds its way to my lips. To fall for a bull rider is no place to go. The question is not if they’ll get hurt, it’s when it will happen, and how bad will it be.

  He looks down to the floor for a moment, maybe to search for the right words, then back to me

  “Calf roper.”

  “Thank the powers that be. Nothing better than to watch calf roping and with those long, powerful legs of yours you’re a good one. Wouldn’t it be fun if we ran the same tour one season?”

  On his face is a clear look of relief mixed with surprise. I know the expression well as I’ve worn it many times myself. My guess is a gal left him in the past because of rodeo. It’s happened to me more than once, no doubt one of the reasons I’m not married.

  “There’s a mind read minute. It’d be one for the books if we did take a tour together.”

  “When I get David out of this mess here, we’ll have to think on it.”

  I’ve never seen a man’s face light up as bright as his did. For whatever reason, to run a tour together has importance to him. It shocked me a little and I’d like to know why but now isn’t the time to ask.

  “If we plan to eat, we best get started. I’ll be back in five, all shiny and new,” I call out over my shoulder as I head to the back bedroom to the shower.

  “Not so fast.” He comes up behind me. “I have to take these dusty lips first.”

  His hands grasp a hold of my shoulders, he leans over and puts his wet lips on my neck then makes a trail of small pecks up to my ear where he whispers.

  “Thank you, sweet girl.”

  I have no idea what he’s thanking me for. I only know there’s an exceptional connection between us in mind and emotion, certainly physical—not the usual kind that happens when you first meet someone. It feels too darn good, too much of what I want, too manly, too much like trouble. I feel my body tremor slightly.

  “Are you too scared?”

  “I am scared, yes, but not enough to go away. This cupcake will tell you if she gets too scared.”

  A smirk rolls over my mouth despite my attempt to hold it back.

  He laughs, shakes his head in pleasure.

  “You’re a sassy one.”

  “You don’t like it?”

  “I fucking love it. You best hit the shower before I get carried away and do what’s on my mind.”

  Images of Nash run through my mind as the warm water flows over me. His strong body and ease of movement sets me off in a way that’s unfamiliar. He moves with a preciseness. It could be easy to think he doesn’t get much done but that’s not the case. More work gets done by him than many a guy I've been around. It’s a distraction because I couldn't keep my eyes off him. Maybe because his eyes burned holes in me, not that I didn't like it, believe me, I do.

  This man can mesmerize you like no other I've been around. That says a lot since the rodeo cowboys are top of the line and hard to turn down. They’re hot and know how to take care of business when it comes to women. Just don’t plan on hearing wedding bells.

  I can’t get my hopes built up too much, a gal never knows all the truth at the start. It's best to hold steady and see what comes up these next few weeks. But in the meantime, it doesn't hurt to play, at least a little. Well, I know that’s a lie, it’s the play that can really hurt if it goes the wrong way.

  My breast tingle from the light touch of the bath cloth on my skin. No doubt because my mind has a vision of Nash doing this. He's worried about me being scared off but I think he might take it the wrong way if I show how much I’m lusting for him.

  No gal wants to be considered loose and quick to lay down. And these ranch men have a lot of old fashioned ideas about how things should go. They’re difficult to figure out with their many double standards.

  I’m not sure how long I can hold off, but my idea of a perfect night would be to ravish him from top to bottom. Can't help but wonder if I did that, would he still call me angel. Not likely.

  The noise of the door tells me he’s out on the patio with the grill. Guess it's my cue to get out of this nice shower—can't have him doing all the work. As I step out reaching for a towel, it’s not there. Damn it. They’re in the bedroom closet. I’ll have to go get one. A fast glance to check before I step into the bedroom but I don’t see Nash anywhere.

  My back is to the kitchen area as I grab a big towel from the shelf to wrap around me. When I turn, I’m face to face with Nash braced against the doorway between the galley and bedroom…he’s holding food items in his hand, his eyes taking in every inch of me.

  “Too fucking beautiful.”

  It comes out in a low guttural sound. I draw in air as I try to get my towel in place which I dropped to the floor. We both stand there stuck in that deer-in-the headlights stun. His eyes move down me again and back up to connect with my eyes. We just look at each other. He keeps his eyes right into mine. A small curl at the corners of his mouth brings me back to the present and I pick the towel up getting it around me.

  “So much for the romantic moment I planned for the first time you saw me naked.”

  He throws his head back, gives a loud laugh and strides over to me, reaches down and kisses my cheek. He doesn’t touch me or try to hold me, but his eyes are bright, a pleased look on his face.

  “You truly amaze me.”

  “Thanks, I guess.” What a dumb thing to say but my brain is on pause. I’m shocked, embarrassed, disappointed and I have to decide if I want to be mad at him.

  “Honest Flash, I didn’t try to look but when I accidental saw you—I should have turned away but…I couldn’t. The temptation to see your perfect tits, your tight ass, was too great. I’m sorry, I am… No, that’s a lie. I loved seeing you.”

  "You're determined for me to not eat tonight," I tell him in a playful way.

  "Nope, you're wrong. It's just that you distract me to the point I can’t get my mind to pay attention. I’ll throw the steaks on while you dress,

  “Men! Gotta love’em — especially this one.” I mumble to myself.

  “I heard that,” he calls out. “And I bet you’re shaking your head.”

  “Yes I am. Don’t be a smart ass because you’re right

  Chapter 11

  Nash

  It never entered my mind to look at her until I found myself staring at her as if in a drugged-up trance. It wasn't about throwing her on the bed to sink my cock balls deep… I want to, yes, but there’s more to it. To see her, absorb every inch of the woman I plan to make mine, that’s what I saw. All of her beauty.

  The entire day it consumed my mind—what she looks like without her clothes. She’s a knockout fully dressed even dirty and sweaty from hat to boots. I knew she’d stun me completely naked. What I feel toward Flash is hard to explain, it’s not only her body. I don't understand it myself and I might never be able to.

  This is new ground I’m on. Women in my past only attracted me slightly until the new wore off and I’d be gone. If I spend my time to figure out every emotion in my gut put there by this cowgirl, it’d take away too much pleasure from being with her.

  What I do know is how lighthearted and content I am with her. I know fully what she does to my heart. Yeah, and my cock. Am I good with it? Yes and no. No man likes to be controlled by his desires but it’s happening.

  When I snapped to, I thought I’d get her fist between my eyes. I’ve got a hunch she would've done that to any other guy. Instead she made a cute joke and let it go. It shows she trusts me already to some extent and that’s unusual for her, I think. She’s a self-contained private person who calls the shots in her life. It only takes a minute or less to see it when you meet her.

  There’s a sense I get that she has secrets that's never been told, not even to David. In time we’ll be close enough she'll know I can be trusted with what she tells me, and I’d be okay with it. Nothing from her past could change what I feel about her.

  I like what’s going on between us. I've been more excited to work at the barn with her than I've been in my entire life about anything. Who would change that? Nobody in their right mind.

  The only place I see this headed is up to higher and better ground. I'm ready to go the full distance and we’ve only just met. Can't say exactly how it happened but it did. I know how I feel, and it doesn’t matter why.

  While she’s the hottest thing I’ve ever met it's my belief her heart is just as perfect. I saw how she forgave David about the fact he didn't tell the truth about her. And she gave me the same forgiveness when I stood there gazing at her undressed. Anybody else would’ve been too mad to breathe and bitched forever about it.

  Which brings me back to RJ. To deal with him isn’t a big problem except I have to be sure I don’t hurt the s.o.b. and keep him in one piece until after the event. David needs the cash and Flash has to get it for him…in spite of any issues. My past experience with the man has shown he’s a blowhard. When it’s time to go up against a man, he’s a coward who turns tail and runs.

  I don't know what will happen with Flash and me after the competition. She'll eventually go home and I’m not ready to be away from her. I don’t think I’ll ever be. But I won’t let a thousand or so miles stop me. There’s a way to make this work for us. The small details aren’t in place yet, but I’ll be with her, no matter what it takes. First, I have to win her heart.

  "Now there’s a serious look on your face," she says as she steps down onto the patio.

  "That bad?" I flip the steaks over on the fire along with two ears of corn I found in the fridge. "How do you like yours?"

  “Well done to over cooked.”

  I motion for her to come over closer and when she does, I slide my arm around her waist and pull her up against me.

 

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