Spurs and Heels (20 page)

She turned to look up into Ash’s twinkling, turquoise eyes and allowed him to pull her to him for a passionate kiss. Some of the fans giggled and snickered, and one of them spoke up.

“That your wife, Ash?”

Ash surprised Juliana, looking into her eyes and saying, “If I have anything to say about it, she will be someday.” Juliana was struck speechless, a rarity for her, but couldn’t find it in herself to speak up and put the positively assumptive cowboy in his place. He chuckled and said, “Naw, Buck, this is my girlfriend, Juliana.”

A blonde-haired buckle bunny murmured critically from the crowd, “Looks like nothing but a damned city girl to me, dressed like that. Who’s she trying to impress?”

Ash pierced the blonde with his fierce gaze and replied, “Yeah, Judith. I’ve got a thing for a city girl who
works hard
for a living as opposed to a gal who follows the rodeo circuit like a gypsy.

Especially a city girl as beautiful and sexy as Juliana.” He held her gently to his side as he said it, and the blonde huffed and stomped away.

The fans eventually dispersed, and Ash turned to her. “Sorry about that, darlin’. I couldn’t let that remark go unanswered.”

173

“Which one? The one about me being your wife or the comment about me being a damned city girl?”

Ash smiled slowly, a sexy gleam in his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her again. “Both. Sorry about the mouthy blonde. There are a whole slew of them that view the cowboys as their community property and don’t like outsiders.”

“That sounds like an understatement, judging by the dirty look she gave me.”

“Some of them are pretty flagrant. But that was nothing compared to the hard time she’s given Teresa for being with both Joaquin and Angel. Teresa seems to be handling it okay, though.”

These women were going after Teresa? Juliana turned to Teresa and Joaquin to ask but noticed that Michael was still on Joaquin’s arm, so she didn’t say anything. Teresa shrugged and said, “It’s not like we’ll have to deal with people like her on a regular basis, so I try to not worry about it. She was ugly to you because you’re with us.

Weren’t Joaquin and Ash incredible?” Teresa asked, caressing Joaquin’s chest.

Juliana smiled at her change of subject, and they talked as they made their way to the large pavilion where the rodeo dance was being held. Juliana was glad her high heels were comfortable because Ash kept her on the dance floor most of the evening. She did notice throughout the night that both Grace and Teresa garnered more than their fair share of ugly looks from some of the women who showed up for the dance.

Juliana and Ash sat out the line dances, and she allowed Ash to pull her into his lap for a kiss and a little cuddle. Ash offered to get her a beer or soda, but she declined, explaining that her stomach had been a little queasy but did accept a bottle of water when he offered her one. Concerned, he helped her resume her perch in his lap.

“You’re not feeling good, darlin’?”

174

“It comes and goes. I think it’s just worry about the store and the stress everyone is under. Honestly, I’m ready for a break from it.” The discontent and fatigue she felt draped her like a blanket.

“You know, Grace and Teresa have been talking about a new little boutique somewhere on this side of Morehead. They’ve gotten friendly with the owners, and I heard Grace mention that they were open to the possibility for investment or expansion in their business.

You should ask them about it. They sounded excited about the place.”

She honestly couldn’t drum up much enthusiasm for the idea.

“Actually I’m thinking of getting away from traditional retail sales.

The hours and the stress have worn me down.”

“Yeah, but what if you could set your own hours, have a stake in the store’s success beyond just a paycheck? Plus, I think this store is anything but ‘traditional,’ judging by what they’re saying. It’s an

‘adults only’ sort of store but only sells things for ladies.”

She was willing to admit to a spark of interest, but only a spark. “I wonder what
kinds
of things they sell?”

“All I can tell you is that their men seem to like it when they go shopping there. Maybe you can tag along next time they go.”

She snuggled closer, wriggling in his lap a little, and felt his hardening erection against her backside. “Seems to me like you’re intrigued by the idea as well, honey.”

“Playing with fire, darlin’, and yes, I’m very
intrigued
.” He nuzzled her throat as his hand slid over her knee and caressed her thigh beneath the hem of her knee-length black skirt.

“I’ll make a point of doing that. Plus, it would be nice to spend some time with Grace and Teresa. I haven’t done that near enough.”

She was changing that.

175

Chapter Seventeen

Ash helped Juliana from her Camaro then lifted her garment bag and overnight case from the trunk and loaded them into Adam’s SUV

for her. As he turned to Juliana, Charity pulled up and joined their group. Adam, Juliana, Rosemary, Charity, and Eli were making the three-hour trip to Tillman that afternoon.

Angel, Teresa, Joaquin, and Michael had left the night before and made it to Tillman in time, before Teresa’s mother passed away due to complications from a stroke. The five of them were going to Tillman as a show of support for their friends but also to help out in a much more concrete way. Teresa had been victimized three years before by the son of a couple who had a lot of power in the town of Tillman. There was strength in numbers.

Ash appreciated how this close-knit family closed ranks around Teresa. In his way, he was doing what he could to help by holding things down at the ranch so that all the other men could be in Tillman.

Juliana was going, as well, because she was close to Teresa and had grown up knowing the Palacios family and mourned Mrs. Palacios passing.

“Call me tonight?” Ash asked as he took her in his arms. She looked tired, and he wondered if she’d gotten much sleep the night before.

“I’ll call you after the visitation and let you know how it all went.”

“I’ll look forward to your call.”

Ash was slipping into bed later that night when his phone rang.

“Hello, cowboy.” Juliana sounded thoroughly wrung out.

176

“Hey, city girl. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just…” Her voice trailed off, and he heard her sigh.

“I’m just grateful.”

“Grateful?”

“Yeah, grateful for the life I have. For you. For wonderful friends like we have. You would not believe what happened tonight.”

Juliana gave him a few details of how the visitation went and what it had been like to watch Teresa speak up for herself, with all her friends at her back, defending her with their presence.

“I was proud to be a part of that group. The Ferraros never even got a glimpse of Michael. I think Angel and Joaquin are planning to bring Teresa’s dad back with them when they come home.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Exhausted. But exhilarated, as well. We should be home by lunchtime tomorrow.”

“Are you getting ready for bed?”

“I’m already in bed.”

“Are you sharing a room?”

“No. I booked my own so I could stay up and read if I wanted to.

The others were exhausted. I’m sure they’re already asleep. I also wanted to be able to call you.” Her voice had taken on a husky, sexy quality, like she was stretching out naked.

“I see. Are you under the covers?”

“Yes.”

“And if you’re by yourself, you’re either wearing that scandalous lace nightgown, or you’re wearing nothing at all.”

“I brought the gown, but it’s still in my luggage.”

“So, you’re in bed, talking on the phone with me, and you don’t have a stitch on?”

“Not even half a stitch. I’m
naked
,” she whispered in a sultry tone.

Hot fucking hell, if his dick didn’t sit up and beg. He checked that his bedroom door was locked and then lay back down on the bed, his cock perpendicular and demanding.

177

Juliana asked, “What about you?”

“You know how I sleep, darlin’.” He stroked his engorging shaft as it hardened and tingled almost painfully.

“Mmm, yes I do. Is your cock hard?”

He groaned as his dick responded to her voice, swelling further.

“Just talking to you makes it hard. I wish you were here so I could touch you right now.”

“Is that all you would do? Touch me?” she asked, sounding breathless.

“No, first I’d lick your pussy.”

“But you’d let me suck your cock for you, too, wouldn’t you?”

“Darlin’, I’d let you do whatever you wanted to. I’m all about pleasing my lady.” He stroked his shaft from root to tip, groaning when it twitched as she murmured in approval.

“I’d start at the head and kiss it and then get you nice and wet so that my lips will slide over it slick and smooth.”

Ash smiled in remembrance. “I love the way you do that.”

“I love the way you taste. I might suck on you a little, listening to your sounds to see if I’m doing it the way you like it. I can tell because you groan deep. Yes,
like that
,” she whispered at his heartfelt groan. He could practically feel her lips sliding over him. He stretched out and turned off the lamp, so the room was lit only by the moon.

“If I was there, Juliana, what would you have me do? Tongue that hot little pussy, or would you want me to use my fingers first?”

“I’m spoiled by you. I want both,” she replied, her breathing sounded a little shaky. “I want you to suck on my clit, over and over, while I suck your cock, and then I want you to slip a finger inside and strum my sweet spot.”

“Are you wet?”

“I’ve been wet since I got undressed and dialed your number.

Now I’m drenched.”

178

Ash groaned deep. “I love the way your silky, wet pussy sounds when I stroke it. Turn the speaker phone on and put it down there where I can hear. Use two fingers and stroke yourself.”

“Ooh. Okay.” Her voice trembled noticeably then he heard a moan and a rustling sound as she turned the speaker phone on and positioned it so he could hear.

She whimpered when he growled, hearing the slippery, wet sounds as her fingers slid over the damp lips of her pussy. He could swear it sounded like she’d grown even wetter. The sheets rustled more, and she moaned again.

“If I was there, darlin’, I’d be licking up all that cream and stroking your sweet spot for you. Does it feel good?”

He closed his eyes in pleasure as his cock surged in his fist. When she groaned in frustration, he backed off on his stroking so she could come with him.

“I know what you need, darlin’. Put your phone on your abdomen and use your other fingers to stroke your clit for me. Use two fingers, one on each side the way you like it, up and down.” She moaned harshly and more rustling sounds could be heard. “Mmm, I love the way your back arches when it feels just right to you. Does it feel just right, now?”

“Yes,” Juliana whispered. “Oh, Ash, it’s so right. I wish it were you here right now.” She cried out again, and he resumed more purposeful stroking on his cock.

“That’s it, darlin’. Keep stroking and let me know when your close.”

He listened for the next minute as her fingers slid in and out of her wet pussy until it sounded like it was flooded with her juices. Her voice softened and grew huskier as she fingered herself with his encouragement. Her breathing changed, and he could barely hear her whisper, “Ash! It’s—”

“Yes,” he murmured as he stroked his cock hard, his balls drawing up. “Come hard with me, now.” He held back, waiting for the sounds

179

of her ecstasy. A dam broke inside him as he heard her voice change to high-pitched, whimpering moans as her orgasm took her over into bliss. His cock jerked, and his cum pulsed in hot streams onto his abdomen and his hand.

He laid there sated, catching his breath as he listened to her sultry moans and panting as her climax went on and on. It filled him with satisfaction to hear her like that. The only thing better would have been if she were there with his cock embedded inside her, lying panting on his chest.

He listened to her as she caught her breath and sighed, before switching off the speaker phone and putting the phone back to her ear.

“Ash?” Her voice was a satiny whisper in the stillness.

“Was it good?” he asked as he wiped his cum from his belly with tissues.

She sighed shakily. “Yes, but I…”

“What, darlin?”

“I feel lonely now.”

He responded quietly, “I don’t want you to feel lonely. Why don’t you get under the covers and warm up a bit? Tell me why you’re feeling lonely.” He did the same as he waited for her to get situated.

When she settled and put the phone back to her ear, she sounded like her nose was a little stuffy.

“Are you all comfortable now, nice and cozy?”

“Uh-huh,” she murmured, her voice hitching a little.

“Are you crying?” Her sounds tore his heart out, and he thought about getting up, dressing, and getting in his truck to go to her. The sound of her fighting tears made him feel territorial and protective.

“No…yes. Ash, I miss you. Even when you’re not with me, you still make me feel good. I don’t know why I’m being like this,” she replied with a hiccup. “I want you so much right now, just to put my head on your shoulder and have you hold me. I just…need you.”