Never Kiss a Cowgirl, page 24
Asher was making her way to her after finishing up her registration, and the sight of her made her clench her thighs together. The jeans, boots, hat, and plaid shirt made quite the sexy picture, and if she could get away with it, she’d peel those pants down and put her mouth on her lover. Lately, she was having a hard time controlling her sex drive.
“You okay?” Asher pressed up to her and put her hand on the small of her back.
“I’m fine, why?” The cologne and body heat weren’t helping.
“You look like you’re in pain.” The way Asher rubbed her back, straying close to her ass with affection, made her slightly unravel.
“I’m in pain, but not the body ache kind. Stop touching me unless there’s a competition for how you can make me come in eight seconds.” She laughed when Asher’s eyes widened. “You asked.”
“Thanks for putting that in my head right before I climb on a bull.” The chairs with Asher’s name on the back were out in the open, and that was the safest place for them right now.
“I’m sorry, but you look good enough to…well, you know.” She sat and took Asher’s hand. They didn’t have much time together before the rounds started, and she lost her smile when she saw Tyler Wheeler headed their way. “God, not this guy again.”
“Asher,” Tyler said in a tone that made her think he was actually calling Asher an asshole. “Miss Wilson, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Tyler, is there something we can help you with?” Asher asked. She didn’t appear amused.
“I had a twinge right here, and I thought Miss Wilson could help me out,” Jerry said, putting his hand on his inner thigh. “I hear she did wonders for you.”
“You can kiss my—”
Asher squeezed her fingers to keep her from finishing. “If anyone is going to kiss your ass, darlin’, it ain’t gonna be Tyler Wheeler.” The grammatically incorrect declaration made Reagan wetter than she already was. “And Tyler, did you know that most people can only concentrate on one pain at a time?”
“What do you mean?” Tyler went from annoying to confused.
“It means that if you need help with that twinge, I’ll be happy to kick you in the groin to take your mind off the pain you’ll have in your hand when Miss Wilson breaks all your fingers. She isn’t interested in anything having to do with you.”
Tyler smiled as if enjoying that he’d gotten under Asher’s skin. “Shouldn’t she decide that, or do you have her under lock and key?”
“What Asher means is, fuck off. Your legend-in-your-own-mind personality is about as sexy as monkey pox.”
Tyler lost his smile and kept walking, and Asher twisted in her seat to watch him sulk away. “If I haven’t mentioned how much I love you lately, I love you.”
“I love you too, honey, and I need you to win me that buckle tonight.” She was wearing the one Asher had won in New Orleans, needing something to show who she was with. The competition all those months ago had been her opening back into Asher’s life, and Asher had gladly fitted it onto a wider belt she wore loosely around the dress she’d gotten for the occasion. “I need something to wear for Vegas.”
“I’ll see what I can do, my love, but right now, I’ve got to go.”
The announcer was starting to whip up the crowd even more, and Asher had picked the number two slot from the lottery at registration. Reagan walked with her hand in Asher’s back pocket until they reached the chutes, and the sound of the bulls inside them chilled her. Asher bent and threaded her fingers into her hair before she kissed her. How she’d survived this long without this kind of affection was beyond her.
“Good luck, honey. Try your best to stay in the shape you’re in now.” Reagan pressed one more kiss to Asher’s lips with her fingers on her jaw. “Do that and I’ll give you a special prize later.”
“You got it.” Asher smiled that beautiful smile before her expression turned serious.
She didn’t understand why anyone would want to do this, but she forced herself to watch Asher’s process from beginning to end. At the last three events, all she could do was watch. Once Asher had busted out of the chute, she hadn’t even blinked until she was back by her side.
The way Asher waited at the top of the chute as a rodeo hand guided her rope around the big tan bull’s chest was the picture of total concentration. Asher jumped on, and it was like watching the truest definition of fearlessness. It scared the shit out of Reagan, but in a way it also brought a sense of calm. There was nothing that could happen that Asher wouldn’t protect her from. Her father would be so proud of the job he’d done with Asher, and she vowed to take as good care of her in return for as long as she drew breath.
She watched the clock over Asher and it was frozen on zero. The bull was going wild as Asher ran her hand up and down the rope and moved forward before nodding her head. The chute door banged against the arena wall as Asher came out. Time felt suspended as Asher was jarred by the animal she was riding, but Reagan silently counted in her head. When she reached eight, Asher jumped clear and tipped her hat to the crowd.
Two more rides to go, and she knew it wouldn’t get any easier, but Asher seemed to understand and simply held her once she was out and by her side. “You okay?” Asher whispered right into her ear and didn’t let go until she sighed.
“My love, I think I’m supposed to be the one asking that question,” she said as she ran her hands down Asher’s body. It was solid, strong, and unharmed, making her knees weak. “Are you okay?”
“Bo and I have a history, so I have some experience to draw from. Let’s go sit.”
She took Asher’s hand and followed her to the chairs, or at least that’s where she thought they were going until Asher kept going. The arena offices were mostly devoid of life, and Asher led her to the first open space and closed the door. She had no idea how much she needed the kiss until Asher held her and did just that. Her scalp tingled, and she smiled against Asher’s lips.
“You do know how to make a girl feel things, cowpoke.” She laughed when Asher slapped her ass. “And I’m looking forward to this being over so I can tell you all about it.”
“Come on before I stroll out of here walking funny.”
Reagan chewed on her thumbnail for the next rides and waited for Asher right outside the gate. A first-place finish would have taken Asher into the finals in that same position, but damn if Wheeler hadn’t squeaked it out on the last ride by drawing a better bull. It didn’t surprise her that Asher didn’t seem upset by the outcome, so she was pissed on her behalf.
“Are you sure you want to leave tonight?” She held on to Asher after Asher opened the rented truck’s door for her. “We can sleep in again tomorrow, and there’s a flight at two in the afternoon.”
“Wouldn’t you rather sleep in tomorrow in our own bed? If we head home tonight, we can spend the day in our bed if you want.” The last flight out that night was at midnight, so they wouldn’t get home until early the next morning.
“How can I turn that offer down?”
They both slept through the first flight and were out again when they were wheels-up on the second. It was three in the morning when they landed in New Orleans, and Owen was one of the few people in the airport. He drove them home and caught Asher up on all the ranch business before dropping them off at the house. The place was dark except for the light over the desk in the kitchen.
Asher grabbed them each a bottle of water and carried their bags up to the bedroom. “How about a shower?”
“I’ll be happy to wash your back, honey.” She dropped her dress and stepped out of it. Asher had to be dead on her feet, but her pupils dilated at the sight of her in her underwear. This was why she’d missed Asher. There’d never been anyone else in her life who’d made her feel like the center of their world. “Close your mouth, sweetheart. We’re taking a shower and going to bed. We both need some sleep, but in the morning you’re going to have to lock yourself in the bathroom to get away from me.”
“You should’ve rethought the underwear if you wanted me to keep my hands to myself.” Asher took her shirt off and stood before her in jeans and boots. The view was good enough that she was about to offer to have Asher’s baby if she let her touch.
“Who said anything about you keeping your hands to yourself?”
Chapter Twenty-one
“You know what you have to do,” Wade said as he and Asher rode the back pastures.
Now that Reagan had agreed to Asher’s leasing proposal, her hands were busy restructuring the fences so the herd of Pinzgauer cows could spread out. That way they could take advantage of the acreage Asher had purchased on the other side of Moon Touch. The new configuration would require a new road up to Wade’s place, but she promised she’d take care of it.
“Stay on the bull?” Asher winked and he lifted his middle finger in her direction. “Okay, what do I need to do?”
“You need to show some good faith.” Wade smiled at the ranch hand who opened the gate so they could check out the new acreage.
Asher waved to the guys putting in the last sections of black fence that matched the posts surrounding Pemberley. The grounds needed some work, like where the new barn construction was almost finished, and the new grass would have to be planted. This would take another four to five months before it was ready for livestock, but she could envision it.
“I sent the payment for the land, so I’d hope you see that as me acting in good faith. Take your half and buy Frida something on your trip and convince her to marry you.” She glanced out at the road that dead-ended at the back of the property and wondered if she could convince the parish to close it farther up since there was nothing on the other side. It would make security a lot easier.
“I swear to God, you’re as dense as a fence post sometimes.” Wade tipped his hat back and stared at her.
“What exactly are you talking about, Uncle Wade?” They were having two different conversations, and hers was the only one that made sense.
“I’m not talking about bulls or all this real estate, Asher. I’m talking about Reagan.” He pointed his finger at her and stopped for what she thought was emphasis. “I’m proud of you for not only forgiving her, but for loving her. You two, in my opinion anyway, belong together. Always have.”
“And you think I’m not going about this in good faith? I hope you know me better than that.” Las Vegas and the championships were on the horizon, and there’d been a lot on her mind.
Wade laughed and shook his head. “Calm down, Buck, but I had a dream about Silas last night, and we need to have this talk.” He took his hat off and combed his hair back. It was as wet with sweat as hers was. “You know how he felt about you, and he taught you about love and commitment for a reason.”
“I know, Uncle Wade. He was training me to be a good spouse for the one person in the world he thought deserved one.” She remembered all the stories he’d told her about Reagan’s mother, Christine. If there was a woman who hadn’t deserved to be a mother, it was Christine Wilson, but without her, she wouldn’t have Reagan. “Do you think I’m falling short when it comes to Reagan? If you’re comparing me to Christine, then get off the horse and put your fists up.”
“You’re nothing like Christine. I just want you to start showing Reagan that there’s a future here for her. Paying us to use the land isn’t what I had in mind.” Wade as always was blunt and honest. “And before you tell me how fast this is, think about all the time you’ve both wasted so far.”
“This might make me sound like a total wimp, but I’m not just scared, but terrified. If she decides a month or a year from now that this isn’t for her, then it’s going to gut me.” She loved Reagan, there was no denying it, but she’d also experienced the dark side of loving Reagan. “It’s not that she’s given me a reason to be worried, but it’s an unfortunate ingrained response.”
“I’d think you were lying to me if you’d told me anything but that. If you want my two cents, then trust what you feel. Being scared is a natural response, especially after what happened. Think, though, how long life is going to be if you decide to pass on the one woman who’s your match.” Wade moved his horse closer and placed his hand on her arm. “Anyone else will be jamming a jigsaw puzzle piece where it doesn’t go. It’ll distort the picture you’re trying to build.”
“That’s profound, old man.” She wondered if Reagan had any idea how much Wade loved her. “We’re talking and taking it slow. I want to get it right this time.”
“I see,” Wade said, and those two words conveyed a lot. He wasn’t in agreement, he was pissed, and he was trying to keep from yelling at her.
“The thing to remember here is I wasn’t the one who left.” She didn’t think she needed to mention that, but the relationship they were building seemed to have erased a lot of memories best forgotten.
“That’s what you’re going to go with?” Wade asked in the same tone, only now he’d let a little of his anger bleed through. “Seriously?”
“Come on, you know me.” She pointed at him like he had when trying to make a point. “I love your niece. I’m planning to spend my life with her if she wants that.” Saying that she understood what he was talking about. They’d wasted so much time already, and making some big gesture might be either the way to cement what they were or what finally broke them apart. Either way it was a way forward.
Wade seemed to notice something in her expression. “Do you get it now?”
“Okay, don’t gloat,” she said, returning the favor of the middle finger.
“One more thing, Buck.”
“Did you practice all this last night?” She laughed and stopped at the end of the property. Beyond this point was the start of the mouth of the river along with the delta that was formed by the moving water now that the levee system was starting to taper off.
“Don’t be an ass.” He swatted her side with his hat. “No, all I need for you to remember is to stay on the damn bulls. You’re close enough to win it all, so don’t settle. Not for anything.”
Her phone rang before she could give him more grief, and she smiled at Reagan’s picture. She’d stayed behind to spend the day with Helki to talk about horses. Booker and Albert were now in the pasture behind the house since the big black stallion refused to leave his new love and their coming foal. Asher couldn’t blame him when she gave herself permission to dream about her future with Reagan and the family they could have.
“Hey, baby.” She laughed when Wade put his hand over his heart and sighed. “You okay?”
“Hi, love, just checking on you,” Reagan said but the easy words didn’t fit somehow. “Are you and Uncle Wade on your way back?”
“We are, but can you do me a favor?” She waited until Reagan made a grunt of agreement. “I need you to find the plate in the office.”
“I’ll be right back,” Reagan told someone. Asher stayed quiet until she heard a door close.
“Who are you talking to?” She turned the horse around and started back toward the gates. Whatever was happening, she needed to get home.
“Christine is here. She went to Moon Touch first, but one of the hands told her I was here. She said she wanted to surprise me, but also brought some legal papers.” Reagan sounded upset, and it made Asher’s chest hurt. “Will you come?”
Damn, it was like talking about her had conjured the bitch up. Reagan’s question, though, broke something in her. That Reagan felt like she had to ask if she’d come meant they had a ways to go. “Baby, I’m on my way. If you want, stay in the office until I get there. I’ll be thirty minutes or so.”
“Thanks, honey. I don’t think I can handle it alone. She hasn’t changed one bit.”
Asher remembered when they were fourteen and they’d come home to find Christine in the kitchen. She was way too made up, and all Asher could think was plastic. Christine Wilson didn’t look like a real person, but she was a black hole of need. She didn’t have any idea what the hell Silas had ever seen in the woman, but it wasn’t her place to question.
The only good thing Christine had done in her life was Reagan. She hadn’t raised her, hadn’t been interested, but that day even with only fourteen years of experience she’d known one thing. Christine would forever see Reagan one way, and that was as her meal ticket. Whatever Wade had given her the last time must have run out. It was time to repay Silas yet again by taking care of this, but only if that’s what Reagan wanted.
Wade followed but at a slower pace, so she sped her horse to a gallop, not wanting to keep Reagan waiting. She pressed her hat down and jumped down in the front yard and handed her reins off to the young hand waiting for her. Christine was probably parked in the kitchen, so she headed into the office. She hung her hat on the hook by the door and entered to find Reagan behind the desk, gazing out the window.
“Just remember one thing.” She came up behind Reagan and put her arms around her until she could flatten her hands over her abdomen.
“What?” Reagan seemed to have trouble getting the word out. She held on to her arm like she was trying to convince herself that Asher was really there.
“I love you, and you’ll never have to face anything alone again.” She pressed up against Reagan and put her head on her shoulder. “I’m not trying to run your life, but would you like me to take care of this?”
“I can’t ask you to do that. She’s my mother.” Reagan didn’t turn around but tightened her hands over hers and sounded on the verge of tears. “I hate to call her that, but that’s what she is.”
