Ride Me Cowboy #3 (The Cowboy Romance Series - Book #3) (4 page)

“We’ll be sure to do that,” I told her. She walked
back to her truck and Mom and I went inside. I was fuming. What a bitch…And, what
the hell? Mark has a girlfriend? He sure did fail to mention “Taylor” the slut when
we were having all of that sex.

CHAPTER
FOUR

MARK

I just cooled
Sarge
down
and put him away and I was putting away my other gear in the barn when I head a
familiar voice. “Well, you are here.” I got a chill down my spine at the sound
of it.

It was Taylor. Taylor and I dated through high
school and a couple of years beyond. I grew up and she got left somewhere
behind in adolescence. She thought life was supposed to be one big party and
she had a fondness for showing off her body that bordered on exhibition. It was
enticing to me at first, but as we supposedly matured, it became embarrassing. We’d
been broken up for years now but she had a hard time processing that for some
reason and each time she heard I was home, she would show up and act
like
we’re still together. She even had history of telling
other women I dated that she was still my girlfriend. I can’t really understand
that kind of clingy. I took a deep breath and said,

 
“What’s up,
Taylor?”

“You didn’t tell me you were back in town.”

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “Taylor, for the
hundredth time…we broke up a long time ago. Whether or not I’m in town is none
of your business. You really need to get over us and move on.”

“I thought we were at least still friends,” she said
with a flash of anger in her eyes. “What about the brunette bitch out there? Is
she my business?”

Shit! Did she talk to Lexi? If she said anything to
her that indicated I was the kind of guy who cheated on my girlfriend I may
just choke her. “She’s my step-sister, but again, not your business.”

Putting her bottom lip out in a way I know she
thought was sexy, but I just find childish and annoying, she said, “Don’t be that
way. Come on baby…you’re my cowboy. Don’t you remember all of the fun we used
to have together?”

I sighed. Sometimes I actually felt a little bit
sorry for her. She just wasn’t all that bright and I guess that wasn’t her
fault. But it wasn’t my fault either and it didn’t make me want to choke her
any less. “I do remember, Taylor. We did have a lot of fun. We were kids.
That’s what kids do. But it’s over and it’s been over for a long time. You need
to move on.”
 

She turned around and I thought she was leaving.
Big mistake on my part.
I turned to finish putting the
saddle on the wall and when I turned back around to grab my bridle, she was
right there in my face. “Taylor…” I no sooner got the words out of my mouth
than she had her lips on me. I thought about pushing her away but I didn’t want
to hurt her. Suddenly she was forcing her tongue into my mouth and pressing her
tits up against me. It only lasted maybe five seconds before I finally took her
by her arms and practically lifted her off the ground and set her back about a
foot. “What the hell are you doing?” She smiled. I was pissed.

“Just reminding you how hot we were together.”

“We were kids. Everyone thinks
they
’re
hot together when they’re kids. Damn it, Taylor! Listen to me because I’m not
going to say this again…we are over. I have no intentions of getting back
together with you. I do not want to kiss you. I don’t want to walk down memory
lane with you. Got it?” I raised my voice to
her which
I usually didn’t do, but maybe that was the problem.

She pouted again and then she said, “Do you not want
me anymore because you have your step-sister to screw? Isn’t that taking the
cowboy country thing a bit far? People already think we’re hicks out here. Wait
until they get a load of this.”

Now she really pissed me off. She stands here in
front of me looking like fucking Ellie Mae
Clampett
from the Beverly Hillbillies and she’s accusing me of incest. Never mind that
she’s right and I am screwing Lexi…but it’s not like that, and it’s none of her
business anyways. My head felt like it was going to explode. In a tone that was
even more vicious than the last I said, “You better put that out of your head
right now, Taylor. Lexi is my step-sister and that is all the relationship we
have. You better not go spreading lies like that…I’ll make sure you regret it.”

She narrowed her eyes and losing all of her
childlike qualities she said, “I can see the change in your whole face when you
talk about her. You have that lustful look in your eyes
like
you used to have for me. She’s more than your “
sister.”
You’re the one who’s lying. You won’t be happy with the results of that.”

I was closer to hitting a woman than I’d ever been
in my life. “Get the fuck off my ranch.”

“It’s your daddy’s ranch. You’ve never wanted it.
You want to be a cowboy and that city twit out there will never make it in this
life.” That barb hit way too close to home for me at the moment. I got in her
face and she actually flinched. My eyes must be betraying how badly I wanted to
choke her.

“Get the fuck out of here, and you better keep your
lying
little mouth shut!” I stood there as she stormed off,
trying to get my breathing under control. If it wasn’t one thing around here,
it was another.

 
I heard her
truck start and waited until I heard her disappearing down the lane before
leaving the barn. I didn’t want Lexi seeing me with her. I was sick to my
stomach. Taylor’s not all that bright but she lives for gossip. She does hair
in town and now that she’s pissed at me, every one of her customers will get an
earful about
me and Lexi
. She’s just that spiteful. It
will get back to Dad and then I’m really screwed. Shit!

I stopped at the truck and grabbed my bag. I saw
that Lexi must have gotten hers already. I couldn’t wait to get in the shower
and then I suppose I better warn her about Taylor. Damn it! She’s going to be
more upset about it than
me
, I imagine. My Dad already
has a low opinion of me. I’d hate so badly for this to cause a rift between her
and her mother.

I went into the house, hoping not to run into Dad. I
couldn’t handle him right after having to deal with Taylor. “Hi Mark!” Lydia
was sitting in the parlor when I reached the stairs.

“Oh, hey!
How are you, Lydia?”

“I’m good honey. I’m glad you’re home. Lexi seemed
to have had a good time.”

I felt sick to my stomach. Being with Lexi was
great…as long as we kept it away from the ranch. On the ranch it just felt
creepy. Lydia was such a sweet lady. I was as determined as Lexi not to hurt
her. She was my only champion most of the time.

“It was a good time,” I said. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s out on the horse…” she looked like she had
more to say. I was happy to hear that.

“Oh, is something wrong?”

“I don’t know honey. Did you and he have words
before you left?” Oh, I get it. He left so he didn’t have to deal with me.

“Um…no, not really.
It’s probably the same old thing if it’s about me. You know how he feels about
the rodeo stuff.” If Dad wanted to tell her he thought I was a thief too, he
could be the one to do that.

She looked distressed. “I suppose. I wish he
wouldn’t be so hard on you sometimes.”

I laughed.
“Me too, Lydia.
Thanks. I’m going to hit the shower, I smell like
Sarge
.”

“Ok honey. I’ll see you at dinner.”

I went up and dropped my canvas bag in the floor of
my room. I grabbed my towel and went into the bathroom. I started to turn on
the water and I heard something that sounded like crying. It was coming from
Lexi’s room. Knocking on the door that led to Lexi’s room I said,

Lexi?”

“Go away!”

God, my life is suddenly like a soap opera. Now what?
I cracked open the door. She was curled up on her bed crying. My chest hurt.
“No Lexi, I won’t go away. What happened?”

She glared at me and I swear she had fire in her
eyes. “Go away! Go find your little Daisy Mae.” Shit! Taylor happened.

“I don’t know what Taylor told you…”

“She said you’re “her man.” But that didn’t really
upset me. I guessed that she was full of shit…but I was wrong, wasn’t I?”

“No, you weren’t. You were right. It’s bullshit,
Lexi…”

“I saw you kissing her.”

Fuck!
“She
kissed me. I didn’t kiss her.”

“You didn’t seem to be resisting.”

“You must have seen as soon as she latched onto me. I
physically peeled her off of me, and I told her she needed to leave me…us, the
hell alone.”

“I guess I missed that part….Wait!” she suddenly had
a look of terror in her eyes. “What do you mean us?”

“I reckon you did miss that part. The “Us” is
because she was making insinuations about you and I and I don’t want her going
around spreading rumors. She’s spiteful like that.”

“Oh, fantastic.
This is just what we needed isn’t it? I have a headache Mark and I really have
no desire to talk about this any further. You have a girlfriend….”

“I do not have a girlfriend.” He looked me over and
said, “At least, Taylor’s not my girlfriend.”

He must be kidding. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m
not your girlfriend either. Besides, I don’t believe you. I saw the kiss. It
looked like a passionate embrace, Mark. I’m not an idiot.”

“I don’t believe you are. I do believe that you’re
mistaken. It was not even close to a passionate embrace. I cringe when she
comes around. I don’t want her Lexi…I want you!”

“
Shh
! Mom or Rob is going
to hear you and then everything will hit the fan. Just go, Mark. Leave me
alone.”

“Lexi…”

“Go!”

I went. I didn’t want to be like Taylor, unable to take
“leave me alone” for an answer. I was pissed. I was pissed at Taylor. I was
pissed at Lexi for not trusting me and I was pissed at life for dealing me such
a screwed up hand.

CHAPTER
FIVE

LEXI

After Mark left my room I got up and locked the door
between the bathroom and our rooms. I went to sit in the window seat. I still
felt like I wanted to cry every time I thought about him kissing that girl. I
know that I’m the one that said I didn’t want to be his girlfriend or his
wife…but for crying out loud, we just spent the weekend together…having a lot
of sex. We had been home for less than half an hour when I walked into the barn
and saw them kissing. He can tell me that she was the one doing the kissing,
but he’s a lot bigger than her…why didn’t he just move her back or push her
away? What kind of pervert was he? He’s just like everyone else I ever trusted.
Sometimes I think everyone has issues telling the truth.

I was in a state of shock when I saw him kissing
her. I almost said something then, but that would have let the little bitch
know I was jealous and who knows who she would have told about that
?
 
Besides, I felt
like I was going to throw up, and cry…I couldn’t bring myself to do either of
those things in front of her. It probably would have given her way too much
satisfaction. Jesus, this whole situation is a mess.

To top it all off, I’m expecting my mother up any
time because the tears had already welled up before I made it back in the house
and when she saw me start up the stairs she asked if I was okay. I tried to
sound normal, but she knows how I look and sound when I’m upset, so I don’t
expect her to leave it at that. I needed to think fast so when she did ask, I
had a logical reason that didn’t involve Mark.

I stood up and paced the room. I had a strong desire
to just pack up my things and go home tonight. Mom would be upset though and
she’d also want to know why. Damn it! This is my fault. I know better than to
trust so easily. I really wish I had gone to the wedding for another reason
now…I would have had months to get him out of my system before I was sleeping
one room away from him…or I could have not come here at all. I saw my phone lying
on the dresser and I picked it up. I needed to hear a friendly voice. I called
my roommate and best friend, Samantha.

“Hey country girl!
How’s it going out there?”

“It’s okay. I’m bored and I hate it here and I want
to come home.”

“Oh no!
You sound miserable. I’m sorry. No more bars with the hunky brother?”

“Stop it!” Jeez, no matter what I did, I couldn’t
escape it. “It’s not that bad really. It’s just different and I’m homesick for
our favorite coffee shop and people…”

“Aw, I’m sorry, honey. Have you talked to your mom
about it? How’s your mom adjusting to that life? It’s different for her too.
Your mom was a city girl as much as we are.”

“I don’t really want to tell her how badly I hate it
here. It will make it seem like I’m not happy seeing her and that’s not true. I
love, Mom. She’s always great. As far as how and why she has adjusted, I don’t
really understand it either, but she has. I guess love trumps all for my mom.
She’s happy.
Happier than I’ve seen her in a long time.
I guess she was willing to make compromises.” I felt another pang of guilt for
my mom and pain in my chest thinking that Mark had said almost exactly that
when we were in the hotel.