Corralled (18 page)

“Kyle!” Lainie plucked them from his hands. “They’re beautiful. You are so sweet. Thank you.” She peppered his face with kisses. “I might have to send you to the store all the time.”

As they shelved the groceries, Kyle watched Lainie covertly, surprised at how much he enjoyed doing simple domestic things with her. Usually he had the overwhelming urge to run when women set up housekeeping. But she was fascinating. The sexy way she bit her lip when she was thinking. The continual— but completely pointless— way she smoothed back the loose tendrils of hair.

He wanted her with an all- consuming ache.

Lainie gulped the last of her water. As soon as the bottle cleared her lips, Kyle’s mouth was on hers, taking the kiss he’d craved.

Then he slowed the passion. Stroking her velvety wet tongue against his. Each pull into the soft depth of her mouth tightened his balls. Lengthened his cock.

Lust and comfort were a potent combination.

Kyle ended the kiss in playful increments. “Damn. I’ve been dying to do that all day.”

“Don’t let me stop you.” She teased the hollow of his cheek with her lips. “You smell good. I could lick you up.”

“Don’t let me stop you,” he murmured.

She froze. “Wait. Are we supposed to stop? Can I just jump on you? Or are we supposed to ask Hank? Or do we tell him after?”

Kyle cupped her jaw and tilted her head back. “Can’t we just go with the jumping- on- me part and figure the rest out later?”

Lainie plastered her body to his and kissed him stupid.

He worked the buttons on her blouse until she shimmied out

9 CORRALLED

of it and ditched her bra. His cock pressed painfully against his zipper when he bent to tug her jeans free from her legs. “Thank God you wore sandals and not boots.”

“Who cares about my footwear; hurry up.”

Was Lainie impatient to fuck him because it was so good between them? Or in a hurry to get off and get it over with before Hank came back?

Does it really matter?

No. Not really. Sometimes a quick fuck was a quick fuck and nothing else.

Kyle pushed her against the ladder hanging from the bed platform. “Grab the top rung,” he urged between kisses.

When Lainie grabbed the bars, the arch of her spine lifted her breasts exactly to his mouth level. He groaned and suckled the tips until she writhed, undulating her hips closer to his.

“Condom,” she said, panting.

“Got one right here.” Shit. No, he didn’t. “Do. Not. Move.”

He dug through his duffel bag, found one, rolled it on, and was back between her thighs within thirty seconds. “Hold on.” Palming her soft ass cheeks, he canted her hips, impaling her in one fast, deep thrust.

She moaned. “Yes. Like that.”

Plunge and retreat. The creamy whiteness clinging to the latex was a fucking rush, proof that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Her breasts bounced with his every thrust, nipples hard and begging for his mouth. But he was beyond focusing attention on her beautiful tits. He needed to come so fucking bad it was like a fever.

“It’s . . . right . . . there.” She practically sobbed as she started to come.

The intimate internal kiss of her cunt muscles spasming around LORELEI JAMES 9

his dick drove him over the edge. His hips flexed of their own accord as his balls drained.

“Mmm.”

Kyle lifted his head from where he’d buried it in Lainie’s neck.

“I’ll have to buy you flowers more often.”

$IBQUFS5XFMWF

9

–)
ank. Good to see you.”

Hank returned Lyle Barclay’s vigorous handshake. “Good to be here.”

“Have a seat.”

The Barclay Investment Group had been Hank’s biggest sponsor for the past five years. The group kept their fingers in quite a few rodeo pies, including fronting the money for stock contractors, sponsoring rodeo PA systems and electronic scoreboards, as well as supplying big- screen TVs and live entertainment.

Hank usually met with a rep from Barclay informally under their signature white tent. But this time he was meeting the big boss. Out of the blue. Their annual discussion about sponsorship dollars normally took place at the corporate offices in Cheyenne.

Not in a tent with kids hollering and rock music blaring from the Coors party tent.

“Am I in trouble or something?” Hank said lightly.

“No, son, not at all.”

It amused Hank that Lyle always called him
son
, even when the man was barely ten years older.

LORELEI JAMES 9

“I’ll admit I was surprised to see your name on the request sheets for various events over the next couple weeks.”

Hank remained mum. Banker types loved to hear the sound of their own voices. Lyle would get to the point in his own sweet time. It wouldn’t do Hank a lick of good to try to press the issue.

“Looks to me like you’re wanting to fill the bullfighter spots across the upper Western circuits. A different one every night, with a few exceptions of two- day events. Plus, you requested afternoon and evening performances at a couple of unrelated events back- to-back.” Lyle pushed his glasses back up his nose and set the sheaf of papers on the picnic table. “You develop itchy feet all of a sudden?”

“Not me so much as my buddy Kyle Gilchrist.”

Lyle frowned. “The bull rider? Isn’t he in the EBS?”

“Formerly.” Hank gave him a brief rundown. “Since we’ve been buddies for years, I offered to travel with him. I’ve heard a lot about Cowboy Christmas, but never participated, so I figured now was as good a time as any to get the lowdown.”

“So does Gilchrist plan on going back to the EBS?”

Hank shrugged. “This is only his second event in the CRA, so I don’t think he knows. Why?”

“Just wondered if he planned to return the favor. Getting you an introduction into the EBS.”

“Well, Lyle, with all due respect, I don’t need Kyle Gilchrist to get me an introduction to the EBS. My reputation as a bullfighter speaks for itself.”

“I take it you’ve been approached by the EBS staff?”

It never crossed Hank’s mind to lie. “Yes. I talked to Bryson Westfield last weekend. He’s interested in me.”

Lyle’s fingers did a rolling tap across the papers. “How interested?”

“Interested enough to offer me a second audition in Tulsa.”

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Silence.

“I appreciate your candor, Hank. I hope you’ll appreciate mine.

If it’s only about the money, well, we can work on that part.” Lyle leaned across the table. “The EBS has their own way of doing things.”

“Some say the same about the CRA,” Hank volleyed back.

“True. But the difference is they’re trying to build an empire.

We’re trying to sustain a way of life. A life you lead on your family ranch when you’re not facing off with a bull.”

“Are you saying you don’t want me to audition for them, Lyle?”

Lyle shook his head. “I encourage you to audition for them.

I’m glad they see the talent in you we’ve always seen. But before you take their offer, will you give us a chance to counter?”

How bizarre. Hank never imagined his services were worth a price war. “You speaking for the CRA now?”

“No. I’m speaking as your sponsor. Bear in mind the EBS

has their own set of official sponsors. Their bullfighters are only allowed to wear those names— on and off the dirt. So if you choose to go with them, I’ll have no choice but to sever our sponsorship.”

That sounded almost like a threat, which never sat well with Hank. “Lemme ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“If I’m worth more money, why hasn’t it been offered to me before now?”

Lyle grinned a greasy banker’s smile. “Because you never asked.

Also, we assumed you were content working at the level you’ve stayed at the last five years.”

“The level I’ve stayed at?” Hank repeated.

“Filling in where needed. Even though you’re immensely qualified, you’ve never been selected for the AFR or the Circuit LORELEI JAMES 9

Finals. But only because bullfighting seems more like your hobby than your vocation.”

Much as the truth stung, Lyle had a point. Hank’s main responsibility was to the ranch. So why hadn’t Abe protested when Hank told him he was flitting off for three weeks?

Good question. Hank never wanted to be a hobby rancher any more than he wanted to be a hobby bullfighter. But it appeared he was both. It smarted that it’d taken someone like Lyle Barclay to point it out.

Hank stood. “You’ve certainly given me plenty to think about.

Right now, I have to get my head in the game for tonight.”

“The stock contractor definitely brought rank stock. Be careful out there.”

“I will. Thanks.” Hank reseated his hat and ambled out of the tent, more confused than ever.

9

Lainie was sated after the sexy interlude with Kyle.

Sated and completely unapologetic.

Lord. When Kyle had looked at her like that, green eyes hooded beneath sooty lashes, lips parted, everything feminine inside her purred. Roared, actually. She’d acted on that animal instinct without hesitation.

No awkwardness lingered after they’d slipped their clothes back on. They’d laughed and eaten lunch. Explored every nook and cranny of the camper.

The place was bigger than she’d thought. The narrow living and dining area was bookended with a bedroom at the back and another bed in the crawl- up sleeping compartment above the truck cab. The kitchen boasted an almost full- size refrigerator, a sink, and a two- burner cooktop. A minuscule bathroom contained a toi-let, a sink, and a shower stall that seemed cramped even for someone her size. She had no idea how Hank fit in there.

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Kyle had stretched out on the bench seat with his hat low over his eyes.

It’d been so long since Lainie had leisure time she had no idea what to do with herself.

“Why you so antsy, sugar?” Kyle said without moving.

“I’m always doing something. Sitting here feels like I’m wasting time.”

“Welcome to life on the road.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you do on the road?”

“I’m either driving or sleeping or at the grounds.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep.”

“I won’t survive three days, let alone three weeks,” she muttered.

He pushed his hat up and looked at her. “Maybe you oughta rest up. Me ’n’ Hank ain’t gonna be too happy if you’re too tired and cranky to be with us when we get done rodeoin’ tonight.”

That made her blush.

Kyle smirked and tugged his hat back down.

She unpacked her bag. She found two drawers beneath the bed frame that were already half full of hunting shit. She consolidated the stuff into one, which left her with a puny drawer. Damn good thing she hadn’t overpacked. She kicked the drawer shut and attempted to hang her clothes in the shallow closet. But the door kept sticking and she had to slam it a couple of times to get it to shut.

When Lainie turned around, Kyle leaned in the doorway. He wasn’t sporting his usual devil- may- care grin. The glint in his eyes sort of scared her. “What?”

“You done makin’ enough noise to wake the dead?”

“It’s not my fault the cabinet door is broken—”

LORELEI JAMES 9

“Enough,” Kyle said with a sharp edge she’d never heard from him. “You’re bored. I get it. I’ve got a cure.” He advanced on her.

“Strip to nothin’ and lay on the bed.”

Lainie’s heart started beating faster.

“Not a request, Lainie. Get cracking.” Kyle unhooked his belt.

Toed off his boots. Kept staring at her as he unzipped his jeans.

“What are you doing?”

Off went his shirt. “I’m solving the boredom problem for you by giving you something to do with your mouth and hands.” Off went his Wranglers.

He wasn’t kidding. His cock bounced against his belly. He was already fully erect.

They’d just had sex an hour ago. Why was his unusually high-handed behavior turning her on?

“Last warning, woman. Or I’ll get the cuffs out.”

Kyle had brought handcuffs?

The camper door slammed. Two seconds later Hank stood in the doorway. His gaze moved over Lainie— still fully clothed— and then to Kyle, who was buck- ass naked. “What’d I miss?”

“Little Miz Lainie is bored.”

Hank’s eyebrows winged up. “Already? We’ve only been here five hours.”

“I was fixing to focus her restless energy. Wanna help?”

“Damn fine idea.” Hank’s clothes flew off him.

Lainie’s clothing should’ve gone up in flames from their fiery gazes, yet she remained locked in place.

“I warned you. My warnings ain’t idle, sugar. Come here,”

Kyle said.

She backed up, but there was nowhere to go.

Kyle and Hank laughed.

“Hank, get her nekkid. I’m grabbing the cuffs.”

Hank folded his arms over his bare chest. “I’ll count. When I

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hit fifteen, whatever clothes you’re wearing will be cut off. We clear?”

She nodded.

“One.”

It was hard to undo buttons with shaking hands because Hank’s deep voice enunciated every number. She swore the deep sound vibrated in her blood and pulsed between her legs.

“Eleven.”

Lainie kicked off her jeans. “Done.”

“Good. On the bed. Arms above your head.”

The mattress had no give when she bounced butt first. Her breasts jiggled, which caught Hank’s attention.

Then Kyle clicked a set of steel handcuffs around her wrists after he’d threaded the links through the headboard. She automatically tested them. Like the bed, there was no give.

If the look in Kyle’s eye was any indication, there was no give in him either.

This darker edge inflamed her and she swallowed hard.

Kyle straddled her chest, tucking his knees under her armpits and his cock in the valley of her cleavage. His shaft rubbed the soft swells while his thumbs strummed her nipples.

“Where do you want me?” Hank asked.

“Your choice. I’m gonna fuck her tits and then her mouth.”

His matter- of- fact tone dispatched another jolt of desire from head to toe and everywhere in between.