Bullwhipped (A Cowboy Romance) (4 page)

How was that possible? She didn’t even know him. How could she desire a person who was pretty much a perfect stranger to her? It was like he reached inside and pulled out a different woman – a woman who craved everything he had to offer physically, sexually, with emotions being shoved to the back burner.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, her pulse quickened as he shimmied down into one of the chutes. The bull bucked instantly, trying to get Cale off before the ride even started. Her heart thudded and when the announcer said his name, it almost did her in. As she had told Cale, she had seen bull rides before, but never got this worked up about them.

Taking another look up at her, he winked before refocusing on the ride. Olivia leaned forward, watching closely. Cale nodded toward the other men and within the blink of an eye, the gate flung open and the bull busted out. Cale’s left arm moved in the air as he tried to maintain balance. It was like Olivia had tunnel vision. The large crowd disappeared, and all she saw was Cale take on the huge beast. He was beautiful doing his job and staying on top. He made it look like art, guessing which way the animal would turn, defying nature as the eight second buzzer sounded, queuing him to jump off and take cover away from the bull.

He dismounted and landed in the dirt, crawling to safety at the edge of the arena as two other cowboys diverted the bull back out of the gate. Standing, Cale took his hat off and waved to the crowd, ducking his head as he thanked everyone for the cheers of support.

Again, he made eye contact with Olivia, and though she tried her best to hide it, the smile she was wearing wouldn’t fade. Clapping, she laughed as he waved in her direction, his dark hair matted on his forehead, his demeanor content on putting in a ride worth eighty-four points. It put him in first place for the day, and though Olivia knew she needed to run from him like a burning building, she was proud of him.

Bull riders – what was it about them? Or better yet, what was it about Cale? How was he able to pull her in? She got lost in his gaze as he stared at her. Neither was unwilling to break the eye contact, but with another bull rider in line to take his turn, Cale had to leave the arena. Sitting back down, Olivia took a deep breath.

How in the hell was she going to keep her distance? Her willpower was faltering and with each encounter, he was getting harder to resist.

Cale’s adrenaline was pumping. He was hoping to pull at least a score over eight-five, but at least he stayed on eight with Olivia watching. It was a close ride and he was lucky to have not fallen off right from the beginning. Swatting the dirt from his jeans, he felt a hard slap on his shoulder, and had it not been Sammy, he would have been pissed.

“Safe to say it has been a good day, yeah?”

“Eighty-four. Probably won’t hold me in first place for long,” Cale replied as he cupped some water from the bathroom faucet and sloshed it over his face.

“Shit, Cale, when are you gonna get your father out of your head? We both stayed on eight and placed today. Round one down. Three to go.”

Taking a hard glance at himself in the mirror, Cale watched as the drops of water slid down the bridge of his nose and to his lips. Sometimes the multiple day rodeos were harder, but if he could be as lucky as today, he’d pull one of the best checks he had ever earned.

“What do you say we go celebrate? You see all the women in the stands? The bars are bound to be packed with them.”

All Cale could think about was Olivia. She had been there. She watched his ride. That had to mean something, especially since she held no reservations in letting it be known that she rarely stuck around for his event. Why was the woman so damn hard to read? The mixed signals were driving him crazy, which made him want to fight harder for her.

“Maybe,” Cale said, grabbing a towel and wiping his face dry.

“Maybe?” Sammy snapped his fingers in front of his face. “Earth to Cale. What, did that damn bull rattle your brain? There’s a bar right down the road full of fast ass women. Why aren’t you jumping on this?”

Cale swatted Sammy’s hand away. “Head that way. I’ll catch up with you in a little while, okay?”

Sammy shook his head, his eyes wide. “I’m not sure what the hell is going on with you, but I can’t wait to get my old buddy back.”

“Just give it a rest, would you?”

Sitting on the bed, he waited until Sammy made his exit and headed to the lobby of the motel. He wasn’t sure if they’d give out information on other people staying there, but it was worth a shot. There was a woman on the phone, and he stood aside until she ended the call. Flashing a smile, he noticed her nametag said Tanya.

“Can I help you, sir?” She chomped on her gum, crackling it between her teeth.

“That’d be great if you could, Tanya.”

“I’ll certainly try.” She leaned forward, and Cale wasn’t sure if it was an attempt to make her low cut shirt expose her cleavage even more than it already was. “What do you need, hon?”

“I’m trying to locate a friend of mine. I think they said they were staying here at the Silver Spur for the rodeo, but I forgot what room number they told me.” His attempts to find Olivia felt like they were bordering on being a stalker, but he needed to see her, despite feeling completely psychotic for doing it.

“I’m really not supposed to give room numbers out.”

Moving closer, Cale leaned over the counter. Time to turn on the charm. “They are rodeo buddies of mine. I have a lucky saddle that they’ll need. I know I’d be devastated if I didn’t have my lucky saddle, you know?” Reaching out, he patted her hand and smiled again, feeling dirty for leading the poor woman on, but it was apparent that he had no limitations when it came to Olivia.

Tanya blew a large bubble with her gum and popped it as she turned to the computer. Her long nails clicked against the keyboard. “Well I guess I can make an exception for you. What’s the name?”

“Hayes.”

It was almost as if she wasn’t even spelling anything with all of the typing she was doing. Looking up, she said, “Room thirty-six. How nice of you to make sure they have their gear.”

“Thanks, Tanya. I appreciate it.”

He didn’t wait around and shoved through the door. Hopefully she’d be there. Stopping in midstride, it hit Cale hard. How would he explain how he found out what room was hers? He saw her in the laundry room. Could he be sly and say he saw her come out? He had to tread lightly – she was already apprehensive about him.

Kicking a rock, he took a deep breath. He could take the high road and just go to the bar with Sammy. That would eliminate any drama or chances of looking like a complete moron. Maybe Olivia would be there too, but something told him she wouldn’t be. She had said she wasn’t usually a bar patron, and after all of the regret she had no problem telling him about, a bar was probably the last place she’d want to be.

Walking down the sidewalk, he took note to the room numbers on each door.
Thirty-two, thirty-three.
As her room got closer, he slowed down. What did he have to lose? She’d already rejected him. He’d give it one last chance, and if she denied him again, he’d move on. It’d be painful, but he’d give her the space she wanted.

Approaching the door, he balled his fist. No turning back now. Knocking, he took a few steps back as he waited. A man answered and it threw him for a loop. Was this her brother?

“Can I help you?”

“I’m… I’m looking for Olivia.”

“And you are?” The man’s tone was accusatory, and Cale tried not to take offense to it.

“Cale Warren. She’s not expecting me, but,”

“Cale Warren,” he interrupted, sizing him up. “Heard a lot about you. You’re becoming quite the big shot on the rodeo circuit, aren’t you? What does my sister have to do with you?”

Taking another few steps back, he considered just walking away. “It was a mistake coming by. Will you at least tell her I say hello?” Turning around, he went back toward his room.

“Cale, wait!”

Turning on his heel, he was shocked to see Olivia approaching him. “Sorry to bother your brother.”

The wind blew her hair in her face and she swiped the strands back. “You didn’t bother him. He’s just an ass sometimes.”

“So you watched my ride.” It felt good seeing her, and he took note to the form fitting white tank top that heightened all of her best qualities. Pushing that thought aside, he tried to focus on other things. He had to keep his sexual desires under wraps. He had to prove to her that there was more about him than just sex.

“I did.”

“I appreciate it. I was glad to see you in the crowd.”

The wind continued to blow her hair around, and she pulled it back with her hand as smaller strands continued to whip around. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful ride, Cale.”

His face heated up. “Really?”

“Yeah. It’s a ballsy thing you do, you know?”

“So is what you do. Riding a horse that fast in such a cramped up space. Very admirable.” There were more mixed signals coming from her, but it inspired him to press on. The woman was a mystery, and one he wanted to solve. “Go to dinner with me?” He cocked his head to the side, loving how gorgeous she looked with her hair blowing in every direction. It was so natural and she didn’t even have to try.

“I don’t know, Cale.”

“Just dinner. That’s all I want. Nothing else.”

A small grin parted her lips. “Just dinner? I don’t know, is the infamous Cale Warren capable of
just
dinner?”

“Infamous? Ouch.” He tried to play it off as hurtful, but it was a stain he had lived with for a while.

“It’s just an observation. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“What if I told you I want to change? What if I told you that you’re the first woman who has ever made me consider slowing down some?” It was a bold move, but it was the honest truth and he couldn’t keep it to himself.

“I’d say words are cheap. I’d say that men say whatever they want to get what they want.”

Damn it, she was stubborn. “Without sounding too harsh, Olivia, I’ve already gotten that from you. If I’m really the infamous person you
think
you know, I’d have already moved on to the next woman.” He paused, letting it sink in. Her stoic expression didn’t fade. She stood strong, but there was a small hint of emotion and he could tell by the change in her posture that he was getting to her. “But here I stand, practically begging you to go to dinner with me.
Only
dinner. I’ve asked you several times. Now it’s time you come up with a fresh answer.”

Olivia hesitated as she brushed the hair out of her face again. Looking down at the ground, her chest rose and fell as they stood in silence – only the roar of the wind could be heard around them.

“Where do you want to go eat?” she asked.

Cale felt his stomach flutter. This woman was turning out to be his kryptonite. Desperately trying to hide it, he asked, “You like pizza?”

***

What in the hell was she thinking? Olivia was terrified. Not of Cale himself, but of her fading willpower over the man. Her best bet to not allow another night of sex with him happen was to completely stay away from him, and here she was, sitting across from him at a restaurant. He was so freaking handsome. The way his dark hair curled out from under the brim of his baseball cap made her want to run her fingers through the soft locks, much like when his head was between her thighs, working wonders with his tongue. And his lips - so soft, so plump, and she’d never forget how they tasted.

Holy crap
, she couldn’t have thoughts like that, especially since she had made him swear that this would go no farther than pizza. How would he take it if
she
wanted to have a repeat of their rendezvous?

“What do you want on your pizza?” Cale asked as he skimmed over the menu. Even that simple act was a turn on. The man could read a damn phone book and Olivia would be a puddle of goo on the floor.

“I’m not picky. Just no anchovies.” Thank goodness he couldn’t read her mind or they’d both be in trouble.

“Pepperoni sound good?”

Nodding, she sipped on her Coke. “Sounds good to me.”

He put in the order and took a long pull off of his beer. “Thanks for coming out with me.”

“I had you pegged for going out with your buddies. This town is full of bars, and here you are at a pizza place with me.”

Shrugging, he smiled, his white teeth perfect. Olivia thought about the way he nipped at her with those perfect teeth, the small bouts of pain so pleasurable.

“Bar hopping isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be, especially when the person I’m at the pizza place with is as beautiful as you are.” Looking up, his green eyes were bright under thick, dark eyelashes. “Besides, I told you I’m trying to change. Gotta defy all of the gossip that seems to go around.” He flashed a pained expression, and Olivia felt bad. Who would’ve thought a man would be hurt over assumptions about his promiscuous sex life?

“I wouldn’t say you’re the brunt of everyone’s conversations, Cale. I’ve just heard things here and there.”

“Enough that I’ve scared the shit out of you.”

“That doesn’t matter. I’m here with you tonight.”

Leaning back in the booth, he stretched his legs out and his boot made contact with hers. There was an instant connection, and Olivia felt the heat between them. She wondered if he felt what she had, or if it was just her lustful thoughts clouding any form of good judgment she once possessed.

“Enough about that,” Cale said, clearing a spot as the waitress brought them their pizza. “How long you been barrel racing?” He slid her a cheesy slice and her mouth watered.

“Gosh, since I was old enough to ride horses, I guess. My parents asked if I wanted to do it and the rest is history. What about you? By the way you handled that bull today, I bet you’ve been doing it since you were little too.”

Cale dished him up a couple of slices and took a bite. Chewing, he thought about her question. “Been around rodeo my whole life. Started with mutton busting, moved up to bronc riding, and when I got in high school the bull riding bug bit me.” He took another bite, his brow creasing. “I guess it was expected of me.”

“Why is that?”

“My grandfather was a bull rider. So was my dad. Anything less from me was a disappointment. But hey, I can’t complain. I live and breathe it. I can’t imagine doing anything else right now.”

“That’s really neat. I always admire family traditions. I was the first in my family to ever consider doing barrel racing, so my parents sort of went into it blind. Turned out pretty good though.”

Nodding, Cale finished his beer and ordered another. Something seemed to be bugging him, and Olivia was worried she had said something wrong. There was definitely more to him than she had originally given him credit for.

“My dad taught me everything he knows. Sometimes he can be overbearing, but I guess I owe my success to him,” Cale said as he clenched his fists. “He’s hard on me, but like I said, I wouldn’t be the rider I am today if it wasn’t for him.”

“That’s good, Cale. You definitely have the passion for it.”

“And your brother? He ever do any riding?”

“He did for a while, but now he’s just along to help me with expenses and things. I guess you can say he’s my coach. I’m glad he offers what he can for me. I don’t think I could handle the traveling all by myself. It can be tedious at times.”

Cale held his mug up and smiled. “Amen to that. Beautiful, smart, and a hell of a barrel racer – how am I so lucky to be in the presence of such perfection?”