Boots and Buckles Read online

  “Not here. Not like this.”

  She grabbed his hand and dragged him toward his truck. “Then take me somewhere we can be alone.”

  “My trailer.”

  “No!” She stopped in her tracks. “No. Not your trailer. Your partner might be there. We’ll go to my apartment.”

  She climbed into his truck, gave him the directions, and he set off toward Temptation, too excited to ask and ruin the mood, but wondering what the hell had changed her mind.

  Chapter Four

  “Here we are,” Tacey announced.

  Grant was surprised when she pulled into the parking lot near the rodeo arena where all the participants’ trailers were lined up in neat rows, hay tied to their roofs. “I didn’t realize you were in the rodeo as well.” Hell, there were a lot of things he didn’t know about Tacey. Why the hell was he going home with her?

  She shrugged. “I do the barrel racing. Have been since I was a kid. But mostly around these parts. I’m from Hole in the Wall. The town on the other side of the Ugly Stick.”

  They passed by the trailer he and Sam shared, half of which was used to transport their horses, the other half was a fully equipped camp trailer with a stove, refrigerator, bathroom and air conditioner.

  Would Sam return to the trailer with Mona, or would he go to her place for the night? Assuming Mona was into Sam. After three years, she certainly wasn’t thinking about Grant. From what he’d witnessed of her reaction to Dalton, she probably was over them both and happily single. If she chose to be with Sam, Grant had no say in the matter. He’d given up any rights when he’d called to dump her three years ago.

  “I compete in barrels, but I’d like to do team roping.” Tacey pulled in beside a smaller version of his own trailer. “And someday, I’d like to compete in bronc ridin’.”

  Grant’s leg still throbbed a bit from the last rodeo when he’d landed on it wrong, in a less than graceful dismount. “It’s really hard on your body.”

  “Yeah. But I like the adrenaline rush.” She shifted into park. “Look, you don’t have to stay here, if you don’t want to.”

  His gaze shifted down the line of trailers to his own. “No, I’m good with this. As long as we understand each other.”

  Her lips twisted into a rueful smile. “I know. Hands off the gorgeous cowboy, he’s in love with someone else. I get that a lot. You’d think I would have the pick of the litter, riding the circuit with all the men, but they seem to shy away from me.” She tipped her head. “Am I that homely or intimidating?”

  Grant chuckled. “Not at all. I find you very attractive. If I wasn’t in love with someone else, I’d be tempted.”

  “Nice, but I’m not buying it.” She climbed down from the driver’s seat and headed for the trailer. “It’s up to you. Stay here or not.”

  Grant couldn’t bring himself to risk Sam and Mona making love in the same trailer as he was sleeping. He hurried to catch up with Tacey and took the keys from her fingers. “I’d like to stay.”

  She stared up into his eyes and sighed. “Yeah, well, I’m not all that sure I can keep my hands off you. But I’ll do my best.” She pushed past him and climbed the steps into the trailer.

  Grant followed, one last glance back toward his trailer. So far Sam hadn’t shown up with or without Mona. His heart squeezed in his chest and he closed the door. Why torture himself?

  Tacey pulled a bottle of whiskey from an overhead cabinet and fished in another cabinet for a cup, settling for two coffee mugs. “Want some?”

  “Might as well.”

  She tipped the whiskey bottle and poured it into the mug, filling it halfway and handed it to him. Then she poured another for herself and lifted it in salute. “To lonely hearts.”

  The ceramic mugs clinked and Grant downed the whiskey in one swallow, the amber liquid burning a path down his throat.

  Tacey didn’t even flinch as she downed her own and smacked the mug on the counter. “You can have the bed or I can make up the kitchen table into a bed.”

  “I won’t put you out of your bed, and I can do the conversion. We have one like this. Sam usually sleeps on it.” The mention of Sam made his gut clench again.

  “Knock yourself out.” Tacey turned away and whipped her top off. “I’m going to get a shower. I’d ask you to join me, but it’s barely big enough for one, much less two people.” She turned to him, wearing her jeans and a black lace, demi-bra, her full breasts pushed up in beautiful mounds.

  Grant gulped, his jeans tightening, his cock throbbing against his fly, despite his promise to himself to be true to Mona. “No worries. I’ll just get to work on this kitchen table.”

  “I’ll be right out.” She turned away, unbuttoning her jeans. “There’s a chocolate cream pie in the fridge if you want some.”

  “Pass.” He told himself he should turn away and give Tacey some privacy, but he couldn’t.

  The barrel racer slipped her jeans down her legs, revealing the narrow strap of her thong panties disappearing between her butt cheeks.

  Grant’s fingers curled into fists, every cell in his body screaming to take what was offered.

  Then Tacey unclipped the back of her bra and let it slide down over her arms to her fingers. She let it dangle from one of her hands, then turned, giving him a side view of her luscious breasts. “I’ll only be a moment.”

  Before he could untangle his tongue to respond, she ducked into the bathroom and closed the door.

  Big mistake. Echoed in Grant’s head. If he had any sense of decency, he’d leave while Tacey was in the shower. But the sight of her long, lean body and full, voluptuous breasts had him aching to see more. Was it wrong to look, if he didn’t touch?

  Grant lowered the table, spread the cushions over it and scrounged in an overhead cabinet for a spare set of sheets. By the time he had the bed put together, the water shut off in the bathroom. He braced himself for when she stepped out, not knowing if she’d come out naked or what.

  As he reached for his boots, he debated making a run for it, but decided against it. If he was truly in love with Mona, the temptation of Tacey would have no effect on him.

  Yeah, right.

  She stepped out of the shower wrapped in a short towel that barely covered all the important parts, her hair combed away from her face and dripping down her back. “Nothing like a three-minute shower to get the body humming. You’re welcome to it.”

  “Thanks, but I had a shower earlier.” He sat on the makeshift bed and pulled his boots off.

  Tacey worked her way around him, dropping the towel as she reached into a drawer for a T-shirt. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to give you a full moon.”

  Grant groaned. “If anyone ever tells you they think you’re homely, tell them to get glasses.” He set his boots to the side and glanced up at her, forcing himself to look at her, without lusting after her. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Then what’s it going to take to get you to make love to me?” She planted herself in front of him. “Oh, I know I said I had no expectations, but damn, you’re hot and I’m…well, I’m on fire.” She plumped her breasts. “Don’t I tempt you in the least?” Tacey straddled his knees and sat in his lap, her triangle of hair damp from the shower. “How about this—sex with no strings and no commitment?”

  He rested his hands on her hips and dragged in a steadying breath. “I can’t.”

  “Can’t?” She tapped his crotch, a smile sliding across her face. “The body seems willing.”

  “Oh, I want to have sex with you. But it wouldn’t be right.” He lifted her off him and stood. “This is a mistake. I’d better leave.”

  Tacey pouted. “She must be pretty special.”

  “She is. And I didn’t do right by her the first time we met. I can’t compound the error of my ways by giving in to my baser instincts and having my way with you.” He cupped her face. “No matter how very tempting you are.” He stepped to the side, grabbed his boots and hat and hurried toward the door before his resistance cru
mbled.

  “I hope she appreciates you.” Tacey stood with her hands on the gentle swell of her hips. “I’m good.” She tapped the side of her leg. “Strong thighs.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Because you’re still in love with Mona.” Tacey sighed. “After cutting her off with a phone call, do you really think you have a chance to win her back?”

  “I have to try.”

  “I’m here and now. Mona may never happen. Not after a douche-bag let down.” Tacey ran her hands up her sides, plumping her breasts. “Sure you won’t change your mind? I’m only in it for the sex.”

  Grant smiled at her. “You’re pretty wonderful, Tacey. There will be a cowboy come along that will discover just how great you are.”

  She gave him a crooked smile. “Just not you.”

  “Not me.”

  “Mona doesn’t know how good she has it. I hope she gives you that second chance.” Tacey stretched, showing off her beautiful body one last time, before she shrugged, defeated. “Can’t blame a girl for trying. At least save me a dance next time I see you at the Ugly Stick.”

  “You bet.” Grant let himself out of the trailer and closed the door behind him. The warm night air did nothing to cool the raging heat inside him. If only Tacey had been Mona, he’d have danced in the sheets with her all night long. He shook his head. No. He couldn’t betray her again. Yes, he was free, single and horny, but that didn’t make it right. Not if he wanted to win back Mona.

  Still…an image of a naked Tacey straddling his legs came to mind—an image that would be mighty hard to forget.

  Mona sat beside Sam, her hands twisting in her lap. The night hadn’t quite gone the way she’d thought it would. From blowing off Dalton, to dancing with Sam and falling all over herself at the sight of Grant, she felt like she was spinning out of control.

  Five times on the road to her apartment, she almost told Sam to stop the truck and let her out to walk the rest of the way. She needed time to clear her head, get a grip and figure out what the hell to do.

  Sam seemed to be a nice guy and he could kiss like nobody’s business. Thus the reason for her being in the front seat of his pickup on her way to her apartment to get laid after a three-year sabbatical with only her vibrator to keep her hot at night.

  When they pulled into the back alley behind her beauty shop, she jumped down before Sam could round the pickup and open the door for her.

  He met her at the base of the steps up to her apartment.

  “Look, Sam…”

  “Don’t worry, if you’ve changed your mind, I’ll understand.” He took her hand and carried it to his lips. “But promise me you’ll have a cup of coffee with me.”

  His brown eyes stared down into hers, the light from the landing above making them shine.

  Her knees melted and she leaned into him, telling herself she only wanted a kiss. After all, Sam was Grant’s partner. Sleeping with him would only complicate everything even more.

  When her lips touched his, she knew her mistake and couldn’t take it back. She wanted more than a kiss and settling for less wasn’t an option.

  Mona opened her mouth to his tongue, accepting his thrusts, wondering what it would feel like to be beneath him, his long hard dick thrusting into her wet, aching channel. Grant had been well-endowed, his cock thick and hard. Would Sam equal up? Would he help her to forget Grant?

  Her pussy creamed at the thought and she wrapped her arm around his neck, drawing him closer. Her nipples rubbed against the lace of her bra, making her want to strip it and the shirt from her back to rub those pointed nipples against his smooth hard chest.

  She flipped the buttons on his shirt open all the way down to where it disappeared into his jeans and didn’t stop there, grasping the top button of his waistband.

  His hand covered hers. “Are you sure?”

  She chewed on her lip, an image of Grant flashing through her mind. Hell, he’d had his chance three years ago. A surge of old anger helped her reply, “Yes.”

  Sam smoothed a hair back behind her ear. “You won’t regret it later, and think I’m just like the other rodeo cowboys?”

  “I promise.”

  He snorted softly. “Why don’t I believe you?”

  “Do you always talk this much?” She ripped his shirt out of his trousers and shoved it over his shoulders.

  “One more question.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Do you always undress men in public?”

  She grabbed the hem of her shirt and dragged it up over her torso and breasts and tossed it in his face. “Do you always analyze things to death?”

  “Only if they perplex me.” He frowned, holding her shirt in his hand. “And you perplex me.”

  She reached behind her and unhooked her bra. “Then analyze this.” Mona flung her bra in his face and raced up the stairs. Her hand shaking, she jammed her key into the lock. What had come over her? Had she just stripped outside her apartment with a man she’d met a couple of hours ago? A stranger to her. For all she knew, he could be a nut case. Or a really nice guy she wanted to make love to her to help her forget Grant. Then she’d show him the door because he was with the rodeo, and he wouldn’t be staying around when the show was over anyway.

  Her pulse pounded and her breath caught in her throat as Sam ran up the stairs behind her. A twinge of guilt had her chewing her bottom lip again. Was it fair to Sam that she was using him to get over Grant?

  She shoved the door open, refusing to think past her heated loins. Before she could get inside, Sam scooped her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold, kicking the door shut behind him. He was strong, his arms like steel bands around her. A shiver of excitement rippled across her body.

  Why was she worried? Why was she feeling any guilt whatsoever? Grant had dumped her, married another woman within weeks and hadn’t been back for three years.

  With an optimistic stash of condoms in her nightstand and no commitments to anyone, Mona was a free spirit, capable of making love to anyone she damn well pleased without guilt or hesitation.

  Sam didn’t put her down until he reached the tiny bedroom where her queen-sized bed took up almost all of the space. He set her on her feet and ran his hands down to her waist and lower to slip into the waistband of her cutoff jean shorts.

  He kissed her, his tongue tracing the line of her lips, then he dragged his mouth over her chin and down the long line of her neck to where the pulse beat like a snare drum at the base.

  “You’re wearing too many clothes,” she whispered, pushing the button of his jeans through. She slid the zipper down and parted the fly. Before she could wonder whether he wore boxers or briefs, his cock sprang free into the palm of her hand.

  Ah yes, a man after her heart. He preferred going commando.

  She couldn’t get the jeans off him fast enough.

  Dalton had been a boxers guy. Grant preferred nothing at all, like Sam.

  With Sam’s jeans down to his knees and her own sliding over her thighs, why did she have to think of Grant?

  Mona forced thoughts of Sam’s partner from her mind and stepped out of her shorts, standing naked in front of Sam as he kicked his boots off and dropped his jeans on the floor.

  He backed her up to the edge of the bed and she sat.

  Sam leaned over her, easing her down to the mattress, her legs dangling off the edge. He picked up where his lips had left off at the base of her throat and blazed a trail of kisses and nibbles across her collarbone to the smooth mounds of her breasts.

  Mona inhaled, her chest rising, encouraging Sam to take one of the turgid peaks between his lips.

  He did, sucking it into his mouth and rolling the tip of her nipple across his tongue. His hand slid down her ribs to the juncture of her thighs.

  She widened her legs, eager to have him there. He’d captured her attention from the start with his high Indian cheekbones, swarthy skin and a chest so broad it filled the room. His smooth, darkly tanned skin and work-roughened hands were
doing crazy things to her.

  Mona shut out thoughts of Grant and let Sam fill her mind, body and soul. She moaned and squirmed beneath his touch, wanting so much more.

  And the man gave it to her. One long digit slipped into her drenched pussy, swirling as her muscles contracted around it. Then another finger joined the first and another as he pumped in and out of her, while his lips heated her belly and found the soft mound of hair covering her mons.

  Her breath hitched as he parted her folds and stroked a wet finger over the center. Mona arched her back, her fingers twisting in his hair, urging him closer.

  He draped her thighs over his shoulders and went in for the clincher, his tongue snaking out to lap at her clit.

  Mona’s heels dug into his back and she moaned, the tension building inside, sensations tingling from her core all the way to her toes. “Now.”

  “Not until you’re there,” he whispered against her damp pussy and tongued her again, sending her rocketing over the edge. Her body stiffened and she rode the wave of ecstasy as he flicked and laved her until she could take it no more and tugged at his hair, pulling him up her body.

  Sam stood, but refused to enter her. “Protection?”

  “In the drawer. Hurry!” She moaned, wrapping her legs around his buttocks, the cool air doing nothing to chill her desire.

  He dove for the drawer and rummaged until he found a foil packet, ripped it open and rolled it down over his engorged cock. Then he thrust into her in one long, slow stroke, filling her with his length and girth.

  Mona locked her legs around his waist and pressed him deeper. “Harder,” she urged.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.” He smoothed a hand down her belly to her thatch of curls, finding and flicking her clit.

  “Sweet Jesus, do it!” She flexed her legs, slamming him into her.

  He gripped her hips and went at her like a jackhammer, pounding into her again and again, his huge cock burning to her center. His body grew rigid, his fingers digging into her buttocks, and he threw back his head as he rammed into her one last time.