Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2)(88)

“Where you headed?”


“Livingston.”


The bug zapper by the machine shed made a loud crackling noise.


Cash sighed. “Am I supposed to thank you?”


“It was my pleasure, Cash. But I gotta be honest, havin’ a horndog reputation across five states ain’t the best for my ego these days.”


“You love it. You ain’t the type for settlin’ down.”


A surprisingly wistful look crossed Trevor’s face. “Yeah. Well. You never know about me. I might just disappear off the face of the earth someday and settle where no one can find me.”


“That why you’re goin’ to Montana?”


“No. I’m doin’ some stupid thing for my dad. Don’t want to get into it.” Trevor shifted his weight against the pickup. “Maybe it ain’t none of my business, but did something happen between you and Gemma when we took that short break?”


The muscles in Cash’s gut tightened. “Why?”


“I sensed a change in her. Kinda like she was wantin’ to back out.”


Cash didn’t know what to say. He’d felt it too. Part of him wanted to squirrel Gemma away, let her look her fill at him, and not let Trevor touch her again. But he’d managed to keep focused on her pleasure, fulfilling her fantasy, not his sudden displeasure with the situation.


“At any rate, she didn’t. I hope it won’t be weird the next time we run into each other. You are gonna do right by her, ain’t ya?”


“Yep.”


“She got no problem havin’ an instant family with Macie?”


Lord, Cash could only hope they’d be a family. A real family. All of them. “Doesn’t appear to.”


“Good. Give that sweet Macie a kiss from me.” Trevor climbed in his truck. “Keep in touch with me, you ol’ ornery Indian. Miss your ugly mug.”


“Speakin’ of keepin’ in touch…you hear much from Edgard?”


Trevor’s grin died. “Haven’t talked to him since he left last year.”


After they’d been roping and traveling partners for a couple of years? That was weird. With forced cheer, Cash said, “He’s probably hooked up with some little senorita and is stayin’ out of trouble, eh?”


Trevor snorted and looked away. “Doubtful. Take care.”


Cash checked Macie’s camper, even though he knew she wasn’t there. He checked the horses before he headed inside. Yeah. He was stalling. He’d be in a better place to deal with the aftermath of this tomorrow.


When he finally crawled into bed beside Gemma, she was already sound asleep.


Or so he thought.


Two hours later Cash woke up handcuffed to the headboard.


Chapter Thirty-five


A naked Gemma sat on Cash’s chest looking sexy. Smug.


And a little mean.


“What the hell do you think you’re doin’?”


“I warned you. I want my wicked way with you, Cash. With the lights on. You wouldn’t oblige me so I’m takin’ what I want, just like you would.”


Stall stall stall. “The lights were on last night when Trevor was here.”


“Newsflash, cowboy. It’s still night. And that doesn’t count.” She leaned forward, making her nipples within licking distance. “I want to look in your eyes when I’m making love to you. Would that be so bad?”


“Gemma.”


“Cash,” she mocked.


Damn. He closed his eyes.


“That’s cheating.”


“Fine. Do what you will. I’m helpless anyway.”


“Don’t sound so thrilled by the prospect of me touching you.”


A beat passed. Nothing happened. Then he heard snip snip. Naturally, his curious eyes opened.


Gemma held a pair of scissors. Right next to his groin.


“Jesus. You’re gonna castrate me?” His frantic gaze zoomed to the corroded steel blades. “With rusty scissors?”


“Would you rather I shut off the lights and did it in the dark?”


“Gemma!”


“Relax. I’m cutting off your boxers.”


“Oh.”


She stroked him through the cotton material.


“If you’re lookin’ to…release me, umm, there is a hole in the front for that.”



“I know.”


Every time she moved, those damn pretty tits swayed enticingly and he couldn’t keep his eyes off them. Just a little closer…


Cash licked his lips.


Her saucy smile disappeared. An all-knowing feminine look glinted in her eyes. “But guess what? I’ve decided I don’t care if you get off. You can watch me get off.” She tossed the scissors to the floor and straddled his pelvis on her knees so his dick bumped into her ass.


Cash clenched his butt cheeks together.


Lord she looked beautiful. With her tousled blonde hair. Her pink lips swollen from their kisses. Tan lines criss-crossing her arms from slaving outdoors. The smattering of cinnamon-colored freckles across her chest. The curve of her ribs flaring into hips a man could sink his hands into. Her long legs, especially the strong muscles in her thighs from spending her life astride a horse. The bright red nail polish on her dainty feet—about her only concession to her femininity. He loved every square inch of her. He stared hungrily at her.