Ryder (Rope 'n Ride Series Book 2) (15 page)

“Let’s get out of here,” Ridge said.

“How are you putting on a boot? Your ankle’s too thick,” Ryder noted.

“I can’t just sit here while my family needs me. We messed up the Calhoun circle or something. Didn’t say the prayer right without Buck here.” Ridge’s words reminded Ryder of the stress his older brother was under at home. With any luck, the news would be good. One of the Calhouns needed some magic, and the rest of them could fail miserably as long as it was all heaped on Buck, Channing and their baby.

“Take these.” West came around the curtain with a set of crutches. They were too short for Ridge’s tall Calhoun height, so they adjusted them to fit him.

“Where the hell’s the girl who wrapped my ankle in the first place?” Ridge grumbled before they handed him the crutches. It took him a few steps before he got the hang of them. But soon they were moving through the arena.

“Four Calhouns down, two to go. You’ve gotta pull off this win, Ryder.” West threw him a glance.

He tightened his lips. He didn’t want to let down his family in any way. All proceeds supplemented the ranch normally, and Ryder’s dream to save for a place of his own was on hold. With Buck needing the funds, he had to pull this off.

“I got it,” he said.

“Hope so.” Ridge entered the crowd on his crutches, and a cheer went up. Cameras surrounded them, and Ryder suddenly realized they’d been absent while Ridge was getting patched up.

Then he saw why. Wynonna was holding the flag, ready to make the half-time show ride that was a ritual here in Bryce Canyon.

When her gaze settled on the three of them, she grinned. As if she was ready to go on now that they’d made the family connection, she jumped into her saddle and positioned the flag pole to stand upright before her.

As soon as she galloped out, the screams were deafening. “How many Calhoun fans do we have here tonight?” the announcer blared, and the crowd stomped and hollered.

Ryder suddenly wanted Joy at his side. She’d left the camp this morning with a lingering kiss and a promise to see him as soon as she took care of things her father needed done.

When he scanned the front seats her father usually had, Ryder didn’t see her there. He turned his attention to the center of the arena where Wynonna was standing in her saddle, the flag whipping, her auburn hair streaming and the fans wild. She was by far the star of
Rope ‘n Ride.

A tap on his shoulder had him swinging his head around. Only to spot Thunder and his pretty little daughter—who just so happened to have spent the night in the bed of his truck screaming Ryder’s name.

“Good show.” Thunder tipped his jaw toward Wynonna, who was circling a brass band while they played the Star Spangled Banner.

“She knows how to work a crowd.” Ryder smiled at Joy. Her cheeks grew pinker, barely noticeable unless you knew her well. And he did.

“So do you, young man. I’m coming to make my offer one more time. I’d like to work with you and get you in the professional status.” Thunder’s level gaze was so like Joy’s. Ryder liked the man even more now.

“Dad, he already said he wasn’t interested in the bigger playing fields.” Joy’s voice held a hint of worry.

Ryder zeroed in on her. She didn’t want him to accept because that would mean they’d be in cozy proximity to each other, not just seeing each other at the next venue. If he trained with Thunder, Ryder would be staying at their ranch just as Gonzales and that young Tucker guy did. Joy couldn’t escape.

“I’m hoping to persuade him this time around,” Thunder said with a smile.

The song came to a close, and Joy’s agitation was palpable—at least to Ryder.

Her gaze skittered away. The din was too loud to be heard. Ryder’s heart pounded. As soon as the noise died down, he stuck out his hand to Thunder.

“I accept your offer.”

Joy’s eyes bugged out and her father pumped his hand. She opened her mouth as if to speak but gave a light shake of her head instead.

He caught her stare and offered her a crooked grin. She narrowed her eyes at him, and he nearly laughed. He’d seen her feisty side before, but he had a feeling he was going to learn it firsthand.

A blinking light caught his attention, and he realized the whole moment was caught on film. To be aired to all of America. There was no going back now. They didn’t need to know he didn’t have any interest in being a professional bull rider—he just wanted to be closer to Joy.

She was fuming, and it was cute as hell.

Thunder latched onto Ryder’s shoulder and steered him away from the noisy arena. “We have a lot to discuss and arrangements to make. How soon can you get away?”

“I can leave Bryce Canyon and head straight for your ranch. I have no obligations and my brothers can handle the work back home. How long will I be working with you?”

Thunder eyed him, and Joy did the same, except under drawn brows. Her dark hair seemed to come to life, the flyaways dancing around her pink face. He had a feeling when she got him alone, he’d get an ear blistering. And he was looking forward to it.

That and seeing her every day.

“Great news. Really great,” Thunder praised with another grin. “We’ll hook up after the bull riding event and draw up some plans.”

“Sounds perfect. I look forward to it.” Ryder shook his hand again. And then he thrust his hand out at Joy. She stared at it as if he’d just handed her his cock.
Not yet.

She either had to take his offered handshake or risk her father’s questions. When she closed her fingers around his, he brushed her knuckles with his thumb. She jerked back and stormed into the crowd.

Half an hour later, after he’d just given one of the worst performances of his life, he figured he was headed to the right place. Maybe he could use Thunder’s instruction, after all.

Chapter Eight

Joy groaned. Having Ryder around the ranch was driving her crazy. She’d barely slept, always waiting for her door to open or a tap on her window. Lying awake for hours, burning for a man wasn’t like her at all.

But she’d already come to the conclusion Ryder was different.

And boy, was he. In about five minutes he’d become a favorite among the ranch hands and the cook was half in love with him.

Breakfast had been a test of her control when she’d settled at the long table across from Ryder. While he and her father and a few other guys, Cody Gonzales included, talked bulls and the ranch operations, she’d picked at her waffle. Even the strawberries and whipped cream tormented her because she could just imagine what was going through Ryder’s head. It went something like:

I’d like to put that whipped cream to good use.

What about the strawberries?

I’ll decorate your body with them and then find each and every one. I’m into nutrition.

She’d nearly laughed at the daydream of Ryder. And in real life, he was funny as hell. Making everyone around him enjoy themselves.

He’d traveled here with a camera guy, a young man named Nigel. The kid seemed set on catching her in the worst possible moments too. After bending over the horse trough to dig some hay out of the bottom, she’d straightened to find the camera aimed at her backside.

Too easily she imagined all the laughs that would get on national TV. Then the wind had gusted hard across the ranch, throwing dust into her eyes. Just as she’d raised a hand to clear it, her hair had been folded straight over her face. Once she’d pushed it back and was able to see again, she’d found Nigel
right there
. No wonder Ryder was always so irritated.

But the camera seemed to love him, along with everyone else. Ryder was the ideal guy for the job of ranch hand—amusing enough to entertain and make them all feel as though they weren’t working so hard or for so long.

After sharing another meal with the man she either needed to get insanely closer to or further away, she needed some space. “I’m riding into town. Anybody need anything?”

Ryder’s stare was on her. Her breasts ached and her pussy throbbed. Why had the ass agreed to come here? He wasn’t fooling anybody with his I’m-going-into-the-big-league act. From beneath the low brim of his hat, he fixed her in his smoldering gaze. He was just waiting to get her alone.

A shiver passed over her.

Cook came out of the kitchen with a short list of supplies, and Cody offered to ride along with her.

“We got some work to do,” her father said at once, shutting him down. “Maybe Ryder’ll offer a few pointers.”

Cody didn’t look very happy about that.

“Actually, I’d like to run into town with Joy if that’s all right with you, sir.” He took out his cell and passed his thumb over the screen. “I don’t have any service here and I’d like to check in on my family.”

Her heart jumped into her throat. He couldn’t be serious. Everybody had service here—the ranch was smack in the middle of two cell towers so tall they almost reached the space station.

She met her father’s heavy stare, and her heart pounded harder. He knew.

She tried to relax her shoulders and not let on that anything was up with Ryder—that she hadn’t spent hours loving him the past few times they’d met. Or that deep down, she felt he was maybe the most important person in her life.

Her future.

When her father gave a slow nod, she gulped out of surprise.

“There’s some construction on the highway so take the back way.”

She blinked. The back way took longer, was more secluded. Her thoughts raced.

After a minute she realized she’d been standing there doing and saying nothing. She said her farewell and headed to one of the many trucks in the driveway. Ryder strode beside her, his long legs eating up the space. When Nigel tried to get in with them, Ryder gave him a look that would shrivel the balls of most men. The guy backed off with a nod.

She got behind the wheel. He slipped into the passenger seat and shot her a grin. “Haven’t had a moment alone with you to see what you think about all this.”

She rounded on him, her hair tumbling into her eye. “There’s a reason for that, Calhoun! We can’t be alone together here.”

His crooked smile widened. “Oh I’m Calhoun again. Last time it was Ryder, I’m coming!”

She batted him, knocking his hat off. He shook with laughter, reached for it and planted it back on his head.

“I can’t believe you agreed to come. You have no interest in going pro. When are you gonna tell my father? After your training or when you skip out on the first PBR event?”

His expression darkened and he nodded at the windshield. She glanced out to see not only her father staring at them but Cody and two ranch hands. With a groan, she started the engine and put the truck in drive.

They bumped down the driveway, and she thought she might brave the construction on the main highway rather than be alone with the sexy hard-bodied cowboy on a back road.

He reached across the console and trapped a tendril of her hair between his fingers. She twitched her head aside.

“You seem upset.” His drawl burned her alive. Damn, she wanted to shimmy down his body and show him how a real cowgirl could ride.

Throwing him a look, she turned onto the back road. They bumped along in silence.

He pulled her hair.

She punched him in the arm.

“Pull over, Princess.”

“What? No.”

His eyes were dark orbs leveled on hers. “Pull. Over. It’s not a request.”

Not one to be ordered around, especially by a man—even if he could practically make her come with a single look—she stomped on the gas.

“Have it your way.” He leaned across the console and began to nibble her neck. She gasped, her traitorous body zinging to life. Gooseflesh covered her arms and bare shoulders, and judging by the way he latched onto her nipple with his fingers, he’d noticed other parts standing at attention.

“Ryder!”

“Mmm?” He continued to lap at her earlobe, sending shivers of warmth through her whole body.

“You’re gonna make me wreck!”

“That’ll be too bad if we’re stranded alone along the road.” He bit her earlobe, raising a gasp from her.

She didn’t realize she’d let off the gas until the truck slowed. She barely gathered enough wits to keep driving. “If you don’t stop, I’ll turn around and take you home.”

“Oh that’s far worse. Where there are beds, sofas, the kitchen table…” He ran his tongue over the corner of her lips. “And a wall.” His dark tone did her in, and he knew it. Her breaths came fast. “Pull over, Joy.”

The instant the truck was safely on the side of the road, he was kissing her, his hands all over her. She clambered over the console and straddled him where he sat. The minute her crotch robbed his bulging erection, a delighted rumble escaped him.

In a blink, he had the door open. They made it into the fresh, open air, and he shoved her against the side of the truck. Kissing and grinding against her, kneading her breasts until she was a live wire about to spark.

She fumbled with his belt, and he helped her, using quick movements that accentuated the cords and veins in his strong forearms. He narrowed his gaze at her, eyes burning.

“Turn around.”

“Why?” she asked, breathless.

“For now, this is our wall.”

Gasping for air, she turned and braced her hands on the truck. A second later she heard his zipper lower and a paper tearing.

“Good thing we’re headin’ to town, Princess.”

“Wh-why?” She practically quivered in anticipation.

When he slid his cock head into her from behind, she cried out. He sucked on her neck right below her ear and murmured, “Because I don’t think the box of forty-eight condoms I bought is gonna last long.”

* * * * *

He couldn’t get deep enough. Her ripe body enveloped him, squeezing him so tight he could barely hold on. His balls clenched tight, and he skimmed her nipples with his palms as he shoved into her sheath again.

She bit off a scream, and he urged her head back, cloaking her body fully so he could kiss her. She bucked into him. He slid his tongue between her lips, and she sucked on it as he filled her with a sharp thrust.

Lifting her onto tiptoe to receive him. He had no intention of walking away from her again, not without telling her what was in his heart. After that night with her, he’d awakened to see her sleeping face pillowed on his arm and his heart had gone haywire. Jolted by the electric fence current of loving Joy.

Passion flared inside him as he locked her body to his and gave himself up to her command. She contracted around his length as if milking him. As soon as he felt her start to stiffen, he thumbed her clit.

Back and forth. Around and around. Painting her bud with her own slick juices as he thrust into her body. She came first with a throaty moan that wrung him dry. He exploded with a vicious growl. Latching onto her neck and sucking as his hot seed burst from him.

He ground into her for several more seconds before pulling free. She pivoted herself, clinging to the truck to stay upright. He caught her in his arms, staring into her dilated eyes.

“I’m in love with you, Princess.”

She went still.

He couldn’t believe he’d blurted it like that. What the hell? Talk about smooth. But when it came to love, he was a rookie and this his first rodeo.

“Ryder…” Her voice broke.

This was the part where she tried to let him down easy and suggested he tell her father he’d made a mistake and was going home.

But she trailed her fingers over his roughened jaw and blinked rapidly against tears. They sparkled on her lashes. Then her cheeks. And finally ran into the corners of her pouty lips. “I feel the same,” she choked.

His heart gave a wild staccato beat, like hooves on the prairie. Catching her tears on his thumbs, he held her face and kissed her.

“When did you know?” she whispered between sweeping passes of his tongue.

“After the campout. You?”

“After Cheyenne. I saw the whole picture then—the real Ryder.”

He kissed her long and deep. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he never wanted her to let go. His life had been good so far, but with Joy it was going to be heaven.

“Let’s tell your father. Together.”

She pulled away, lifted her gaze to his. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

“You said you don’t care about his opinion.”

“I don’t.”

“Then what’s holding you back”

She searched his eyes for a long minute. “I’m not sure. Before it was not knowing your feelings and trusting my own.”

He swallowed a growl. Like hell she was backing out. “And now?”

She raised a shoulder and shrugged. “Nothing holds us back, but… You know how important timing can be.”

He did. In bull riding, a split second could make or break you. In his world, nobody would care about his decision to have Joy in his life. His family had embraced her like a sister.

She threaded her fingers in his hair. Long ago his hat had fallen off. Mashed under his boot at one point in the throes of bliss.

With her beautiful gray gaze locked with his, she said, “We’ll know when the time’s right. We have all the time in the world.”

“I don’t like keeping you a secret.”

“You said you aren’t ready to let the cameras interfere in our relationship either.”

“Nigel’s testing my patience.” He pressed his lips together, fighting back more derogatory comments about the kid.

She pinched his backside hard enough to pull a yelp from him. Her laugh was worth the stinging pain, though. Tucking her under his chin, he kissed the top of her head. She smelled like fresh hay and vanilla shampoo. “We’ll wait. Like you said, there’s no hurry.”

She drew away from him. “Except to get to town and back. We’ve wasted too much time as it is.”

“Scared your dad will get suspicious?”

She chewed her lower lip in an adorable way that made her presence in his heart grow. “I think he already does. Did you see the way he looked at me?”

No, he hadn’t. And he wasn’t afraid of Thunder. In fact, he couldn’t remember anything ever scaring him at all. But now he had something big. Losing Joy wasn’t an option. If that meant hopping on a few bulls for her father and getting on his good side, then Ryder was ready to ride.

* * * * *

Joy looked on as Ryder and Buck strode up to each other and embraced as though they hadn’t seen each other in a decade, even though it had only been a few weeks. While on the Humphries ranch, Ryder texted with his brother, usually in the evenings when they’d finally collapse into porch chairs.

At last they had this rodeo to reunite.

Cameras and people bustled by, noting the Calhouns’ moment.

When they broke apart, she noted the crease between each of their brows and the strain on the other siblings’ faces.
They must all know about Buck’s baby.