The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:) (14 page)

“That’s how he beat you here, and why we didn’t see him,” Chad exclaimed.

Cassie felt a cold shiver run up her back.

“Chad, I’m worried about the horses. We have to take them back down.”

“There’s no room,” he sighed, “but you’re right, having nanny cams up here isn’t going to protect them, or all your stuff.”

“If I could make a suggestion,” the Sheriff interjected, “my nephew wants to be a cop, but while he’s waitin‘ to get in the Academy he’s doin‘ freelance security work. I bet he’d be happy to hang out up here, keep an eye on things.”

“Chad, a live guard, that’s perfect,” Cassie said.

“That’s a great suggestion,” Chad agreed, “but he can’t be here around the clock.”

“No, but he’s got a couple of friends who would do shifts,” the Sheriff offered. “They’re all in the same boat.”

“Great, would you call him?” Chad asked. “That’s the answer until we figure out who this is and catch the bastard.”

T
he first day of the clinic was always the toughest. Marty and Chad had to determine each rider’s ability then match them with horses, assess the horses who had been brought on to the ranch, and then the experience of their owners.

By the time the clients had left, the horses had been put away and fed, and the manure from the ring and the round pen had been cleaned up, Marty was a weary traveler. As he hiked up to his cabin he made a mental note that he was going to drive the short distance from his cabin to the barn for the rest of the week.

Must be gettin’ old before my time,
he sighed as he lumbered in the door, but the delicious aroma that wafted around his nostrils gave him a second wind, and in spite of his bone deep fatigue he broke into a broad smile.

“Lordy girl, what is that smell? If I wasn’t starvin’ it would sure make me that way.”

“You’ll find out when you sit down,” she winked. “You look exhausted. Go take a shower and put on some comfortable clothes. I can serve dinner when you come back.”

“You’re the best girl in the world,” he said warmly, “I won’t be long.”

Making his way to the bedroom he slowly removed his clothes and pulled off his boots. The soft bed beckoned, but he knew if he succumbed he’d never get up, so dragging himself into the bathroom he turned on the faucets and stood under the hot, soothing stream of water.

Closing his eyes he thought about the adorable girl in the kitchen. She was as sweet as maple syrup, sexy as a siren, and as playful as a kitten; there were times when he looked at her he thought his heart would burst.

You’re like a dream, like an angel. I’m so glad you’re in my life,
he thought as he stepped from the stall and dried off.
I’m gonna do somethin’ real nice for you. Not sure what that could be, but I’ll think of somethin’. I’ve gotta let you know how much you mean to me.

Wandering back into the large kitchen he saw several steaming bowls waiting on the table and hurried to sit down.

“Beer? Wine?” Hannah asked.

“Beer, baby, thanks. Man, what is all this? You sure know the way to man’s heart,” he declared.

“Your favorite beef stew, carrots and broccoli in a spicy brown sauce, thick-cut spicy french fries, and I made some of that herb bread you like so much.”

“I feel sorry for Chad,” he chuckled as he scooped up large portions of everything.

“Why?” she asked as she sat opposite him.

“I don’t know what he’s eatin’ tonight, but it sure won’t be as good as this,” he grinned.

“Ah, yes it will be. I made enough for Chad and Cassie as well,” she confessed. “The whole intruder thing was really upsetting, and I’m sure Chad was just as tired after his day as you are.”

“You’re a sweet girl for doin’ that,” he said kindly. “Speakin’ of that intruder, somethin’s goin’ on,” Marty frowned. “Chad begged off at the end of the day, then I saw the Sheriff’s car at the house, and a few minutes later the Range Rover headed up to Cassie’s barn.”

“Huh, I wonder what happened,” Hannah remarked.

“I’m too tired to call him and find out. He’ll tell me what’s goin’ on in the mornin’.”

He began to devour the meal, and Hannah smiled as she watched him. It gave her great pleasure to see him happy, and she never doubted how much he loved coming home to his dinner, and to her.

Marty chatted about the day, the various personalities of the people, and the problem with Molly Roberts and how he’d been assigned the job of straightening her out. Hannah had just served up dessert when the phone rang, and motioning Marty to stay where he was she picked up the receiver; it was Chad.

“If Marty’s eatin’ don’t bother him, and thanks for the great meal,” Chad said gratefully. “Please teach Cassie how to cook, even just a little bit.”

“I’ll try,” she giggled, “but no promises. What can we do for you?”

“Just tell Marty that I’ve hired a security guard for Cassie’s barn, so if he sees a guy in uniform up there, that’s who it is. Too much weird stuff’s been happenin’ to take any chances with those horses. Those guards will be stickin’ around until we can figure out who’s behind all the nonsense.”

“Oh, that’s great. I’ve been worried about Maverick as well. I’ll let Marty know. Thanks, Chad. Bye.”

“Bye, Hannah, and thank you!”

“What was that about?” Marty asked, taking his last bite of pie and ice cream.

“Chad wanted you to know he’s hired a guard for Cassie’s barn. I think it’s a good thing. Now I can sleep.”

“Hey, I can make sure you’ll sleep,” Marty grinned.

“I know you can,” she winked.

“That dinner was the best damn meal I think I’ve ever had,” he sighed leaning back in his chair. “You outdid yourself.”

“I’m glad,” Hannah smiled, “I really want to make you happy.”

“You do, kitten, you totally do. Let’s go lay down.”

“The dishes,” she protested.

“Screw the dishes, they can wait,” he said firmly.

“But you-”

“Hush,” he said, holding up his hand. “Yeah, I like things to be kept up, but right now this tired ol’ body just wants yours beside it.”

Standing up he reached for her hand, led her down the hallway into the bedroom, and pulling her with him on to the bed he let out a long, heavy sigh.

“Poor man,” she crooned, pulling his sweater over his head.

“Just the first day is a bit rough,” he muttered. “Lots of crap to deal with. It’ll be easier as the week goes by.”

Slipping off the bed she removed his loafers and socks, then slid down his sweat pants.

“I was a bit naughty today,” she purred, sidling up his naked body.

“Were you? And just how were you naughty?” he grinned, a twinkle in his eye.

“I can’t recall,” she replied, taking his cock in her hand. “I just know I was.”

“Uh-huh, and you need your bottom tanned a bit’?”

“Well, big guy, that’s up to you,” she teased.

“Yep, it sure is. I think you’d best take off all them clothes. Here I am, naked as a jaybird, and you’re still dressed.”

“Yes, Sir,” she nodded, but she didn’t simply undress, she created an alluring, slow striptease, and when she was done his cock was standing at full attention.

“You get your beautiful ass over here,” he ordered, sitting up and leaning against the headboard.

“Yes, Sir,” she murmured.

As she crawled on to the bed he positioned her so she was facing his feet, her knees on either side of his waist.

“You know what I want,” he breathed, placing his hands on her back and gently pushing her forward.

Dropping her head she began to mouth his cock, and as her lips slithered up and down his shaft, he began to slap her backside.

“So you were naughty? Naughty means a red behind,” he declared, spanking his large hard hand on her perfectly positioned posterior.

Her full moons were quickly turning pink, and as he continued to smack her with his right hand, he slipped the fingers of his left against her sex. She wriggled her delight, fueling his desire to spank her harder, and the harder he spanked the more aggressively she sucked.

“Mmm, that’s real good,” he moaned, “you don’t stop now,” he ordered, slapping her inner thighs.

She let out a muffled yelp, then sent her fingertips to his sack, tickling and stroking; it was all Marty needed to put him over the edge. He exploded against her tongue, but even during his climax he continued to finger her furiously, and moments after his tingling spasms had passed he watched her body grow taut, her back arch, and her bottom buck as she cried out her joy.

A short time later as she lay nestled in his arms, she lifted her lips and kissed him gently.

“I love you so much, big guy,” she murmured.

“I love you too, kitten,” he yawned.

“A lot?” she asked.

“A whole heck of a lot,” he replied.

“And you like our life here together?” she pressed.

“Hell, yeah, I love it. Why are you askin’ me all these questions? Don’t I show you?”

“Yeah, you do,” she sighed. “I guess I just needed to hear it,”
and if you’re so damn happy, why don’t you propose?

“Don’t you worry,” he crooned, “I’ve got a surprise in store for you, somethin’ that’ll show you just how much I really care,”
I’ve just gotta figure out what that is.

“Really?” she beamed.

“Yep, now go to sleep, I swear I can’t utter another word.”

Closing her eyes, she smiled happily.

Yay, I can’t wait. He’s finally figured it out.

Marty and Hannah weren’t the only exhausted pair curled up in bed after a long, arduous day. Chad and Cassie were laying in the dark, quietly discussing the alarming discovery of the rose and the tire marks of the motorcycle.

“Whoever it is, he won’t be getting close to that barn now,” Chad assured her. “I think we can sleep peacefully. A guard will be there twenty-four hours so you and Hannah can ride in safety, and I can focus on my clinic, but sweetie, you’ve gotta come right back to the house when you’re done, and no long trail rides until this is over.”

“We won’t go anywhere,” she promised

“I have a feelin’ we’re gonna be catchin’ this guy before long,” Chad remarked.

“I think it is Jason Lewis,” she said softly.

“It’s kinda obvious, but why do you say that?”

“There is a little something else I didn’t mention,” she confessed.

“Dammit girl, what?” he frowned.

“That first day when he introduced himself at the site, do you remember?”

“Yeah, I remember, what about it?”

“Mickey growled at him,” she said quietly, “and then…”

“And then?” he pressed.

“When I ran into him at the barn Mickey growled and barked at him again, and today Mickey actually snarled at him, then jumped on my lap and started licking my face.”

“If I wasn’t so tired you’d be over my knee right now,” he declared. “Why didn’t you tell me about this, and the Sheriff too?”

“Sorry. I’m not sure. Maybe because I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, or because the whole thing was so weird I didn’t want it to be any weirder,” she mumbled.

“Or maybe, you didn’t want this crazy ass guy to be the guy who’s been pullin’ all this shit,” Chad quietly suggested. “He’s a good-lookin’ guy, and he was flirtin’ with you, and it felt good, right?”

“Kind of,” she admitted.

“Hey, I get it. We all like attention, it’s natural, but you can’t turn a blind eye to somethin’ because your ego’s gettin’ stroked.”

“I know, you’re right. I should have told you how Mickey reacted to him that first day,” she admitted.

“Tomorrow I’m going pick up where I left off when the Sheriff arrived,” he said sternly, “and yeah, your bottom’s gonna be real red by the time I’m done with you.”

Her butterflies fluttered to life, and she pressed up against him.

“Please, not too hard,” she begged.

“As hard as you deserve,” he replied giving her a squeeze. “I love you, and you’ve got to stop keepin’ things from me. I have to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

“But it won’t,” she promised.

“Darn tootin’. Now go to sleep.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Chad, I love you,”
and everything you said was right. I did think Jason was a hunk, and I did ignore what I knew Mickey was telling me because I was flattered. I was an idiot. I hope you do spank me hard, I deserve it, and I don’t want to be an idiot like that again.

C
assie was in a deep sleep laying on her side, when she was woken by Chad’s powerful member insisting upon entry. As he slid into her from behind, his lips kissing her neck and shoulders, she moaned in her drowsy state, filled with the deep, glorious emotion she felt every time he made love to her.

“I could stay in bed with you all day, every day,” she whispered.

“Mmm, me too,” he murmured as he gently pumped her.

“What is this amazing feeling,” she sighed, “every single time?”

“It’s love, baby,” he purred, “and man, I’ve got it bad.”

“Me too,” she breathed.

Grasping her hips he surged forward, then shifting away from her he grabbed her bottom cheeks and squeezed as he stroked. Arching her back she thrust her hips at him, seeking out greater penetration, and he complied, moving her up on to her hands and knees and accelerating his assault.

“Oh, Chad,” she groaned, “fuck me harder.”

He slowed his tempo but increased the power, plunging into her, making her cry out with each stroke.

“I’m nearin’ the edge,” he growled. “Get your fingers on that clit, rub yourself and come for me.”

His words spurred her forward, and rubbing fervently as his robust fucking picked up speed, it was only moments later that she held her breath, signaling her pending release.

“Yeah, that’s it girl, come for me now,” he demanded thrusting rapidly.

She let out her orgasmic squeals as he gushed inside, until finally spent she fell limp and happy, then rolled over, flinging an arm across his stomach.

“It was over too fast,” she complained.

“I have a dozen people about to arrive,” he panted, “I have to get up, and be careful about complainin’. I might just tease you for an hour after your spankin’ later.”