Consent To The Cowboy Page 5

  Woof!

  She turned her head, wiped the condensation off the glass door and peered out. Will stood in the bathroom beside Klep, watching her lather up in the shower. Despite the extra warmth from the water, her nipples hardened. Maybe he’d strip down, join her and wash her back.

  “I’ll set your clothes on the counter,” he called out.

  She opened the door a crack, stuck her head outside the shower stall and tried not to let disappointment ruin her mood at his retreating back walking out of the room. She glared down at the dog.

  “Go! Go on, follow your master.” She wrinkled her nose at the dog.

  She shut the door, continued washing up and turned the water off. Her hand reached above her on the glass door for the towel she always flipped over the door, but her hand came empty. Dammit! In her rush to get away from the dog, she’d forgotten to grab a towel.

  The dog remained in the same position, blocking the door to the bedroom. She chewed on the inside of her cheek. If she acted brave and ignored the dog, he’d probably not bite her leg off. She didn’t think Will would ever put her in danger.

  With slow, deliberate movements, she opened the shower door one inch at a time, stepped out, reached for a towel hanging near the sink, grabbed her clothes and shuffled her way around the dog, into the bedroom. She exhaled the breath she’d held, but yelped at the woof announcing her leaving the bathroom.

  “God, you are such a rat. I walked five feet, stupid mutt. Do you really think Will gives a damn?” She toweled off her body, her hair dripping down her back defeating the purpose.

  “I do care.” Will strolled in the room after overhearing her remark. “He’s trained to bark anytime someone moves too far away from him. Believe it or not, he’s a trained guard dog behind that adorable face.”

  “Maybe you could sell him to the police department.” She snorted.

  Will leaned against the doorframe, shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled. “How was the shower?”

  “Great.” She wrapped the towel around her hair and reached for her panties. “I think your dog enjoyed it too.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “I caught him checking out my kibbles and bits.”

  Will tilted his head back and laughed. She smiled. His carefree, let loose manner endeared him to her in a surprising way. The strength he displayed rocked her world, but this side of Will wrapped itself around her heart and didn’t want to let go.

  “Okay, all dressed, except my boots. Where are they?” She raised her brows.

  Will gazed at the ceiling, sighed. “Klep!”

  The dog whined and ran out of the room with his tail tucked between his hairy legs. Will motioned for her to follow him and left the room. Klep stopped periodically, glanced behind him and continued through a maze of hallways with her and Will at his heels.

  He led them to a laundry room where a massive doghouse took up a quarter of the room. Above the dog’s door, Klep was painted in bright red. Will pointed to the house, cleared his throat, and the dog crawled into his domain.

  “What did he do?” Daphne leaned over to get a better look at the mansion of a doghouse.

  Will held up his hand. “You’ll see.” He snapped his fingers. “Bring the boots, Klep.”

  The shaggy dog stuck his head out of his house, dropped one red boot and disappeared inside. Daphne covered her mouth. Oh God, her boot lay on the tile covered with drool.

  “The other boot, Klep!” Will stepped over and retrieved both boots. Klep laid his mammoth head on his paws and gazed up at his master without leaving the safety of his house and with the saddest eyes she’d ever seen.

  Daphne hid her laughter behind her hands, shook her head and stepped back when Will tried to hand the boots over. “No thanks, they’ve been slimed.”

  Will laughed. “I’ll clean them up for you.” He stepped over to the utility sink, turned the sprayer on and proceeded to wash her boots. “His real name is Kleptomaniac. I think you can understand why I named him that.” He laughed.

  “That is too funny, I’d never heard of a dog that stole things.” She sidled up to the washtub, took one of her boots from him and used a nearby towel to dry it. “He looked crushed to give them back, I almost feel bad.”

  “Don’t. He steals many things. I can’t tell you how many chickens he’s attempted to bring inside the house and put in his doghouse.” He grinned. “He doesn’t hurt them, just wants to collect them.”

  Daphne slipped on her clean boots and followed Will out the back door. He headed toward one of the barns in the distance, a lopsided grin on his face. She cocked her head. What’s he up to now?

  Chapter Nine

  Will returned in no time at all. He threw his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the barn. “It’s time to pick out a horse of your own.”

  “Will, you don’t have to do that.” She shook her head. “I promised three days, only three days, and then I’ll see where I stand.”

  “Fine. Pick one out and after three days, the horse is yours.” He winked. “It almost sounds like you doubt my talents of charming you into a lifelong relationship, huh?”

  “You’re crazy!” She laughed and looped her arm around his waist.

  The Dutch-style white barn with white-board fencing stood out from the green rolling landscape. Impressed with the way the stable appeared clean and well-maintained, Daphne couldn’t wait to check out Will’s horses. Raised on the back of a horse, she enjoyed riding but rarely found the time with her crazy work schedule. She’d sold her last horse after her mom got sick.

  One after another, the horses stuck their heads through the stalls and gazed down the aisle to see who’d come to visit. The animals nickered their greeting and blew out their noses, as if in a show of approval.

  The names of each horse stood out on the doors and Will patted each of their heads. He leaned over and whispered, “This one’s my favorite—her name is Red Bar—but don’t tell the other horses, they get jealous.”

  She shivered under the onslaught of warmth from his breath on her neck. “I can tell they all love you.”

  He smiled. “Come check out the last two horses. The first one’s name is Cinder, she’s the daughter of—” he whispered, “—my favorite.” He grabbed a handful of sweet feed and held it up for Cinder to eat. “She’s only four years old, but does well under the saddle. I think she inherited all the good traits of her mother and the spirit of her father.”

  With another scoop of feed, he moved down the aisle. “Meet Josie, a mare I picked up from another rancher who sold out.” He gave Josie a firm neck-rub and let the horse eat out of his hand. “I plan on breeding her with Thunder.” He pointed back at the entrance. “The big guy there in the first stall and my personal mount.”

  Daphne stepped forward, held her hand out under Josie’s nose and rubbed her with the back of her hand. “She’s beautiful.” The horse stretched her neck and lipped her hair. Daphne laughed. “Yes, you know you’re pretty, don’t you. Poor Thunder doesn’t stand a chance with you in his stables. You’ll be his favorite.”

  “She’s yours.” Will wrapped his arms around Daphne from behind. “Want to take her out for a ride?”

  “Now?” Daphne tried to keep her smile from taking over her face.

  Will rubbed her stomach. “Sure, I’ll show you around the place. You can check out the horses that run wild and need to be broke. It’s a sight to see them all out in their natural surroundings, frolicking and living free.”

  “Can I ride Josie?” She leaned her head back on Will’s chest.

  Her head thumped against his body from the way his laughter set his chest to jumping. “Yeah, you can ride your horse. I’ll pony up behind you and we can ride together.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not ready to stop touching you yet.”

  Daphne stood back and waited for Will to lead Josie out into the aisle. The mare pranced in anticipation, her tail bowed, and her ears perked at the chance to stretch her legs.

  “Can I get on her?” Daphne bounced on her toes similar to how Josie did moments ago.

  “Sure, hang on, and I’ll come around and give you a leg up.” Will walked around the front of the horse, but Daphne had already swung up and straddled the mare’s back.

  He laughed. “For a shorty, you sure can seat a horse with no problems.”

  “I once had a horse that shied away from the fence or any step I tried, so it was either learn how to jump a horse or not get to ride.” Daphne held out her hand and stuck her boot out. “Come on, cowboy. Take this cowgirl for a ride.”

  Will handed the reins over, grasped her hand, placed his foot on Daphne’s boot and swung up behind her. Nestled in front of him, she shivered from excitement.

  “Give her the lead, Josie will take us out past the pasture to the back property.” He tightened his hold on Daphne. “I think she enjoys visiting the wild horses more than she enjoys Thunder’s attention.”

  No wonder I felt a connection to Josie. She and I have a taste for uncontrollable males it seems.

  They rode over the land, through knee high grass so green it appeared to carpet the earth without an end in sight. Lost in a moment of contentment, Daphne found herself smiling and forgetting about the agreement.

  Will began exploring her body without losing his seat on the horse. They moved across the field in tandem with the horse’s up and down motion. The hard ridge of Will’s cock constantly reminded her of whose arms held her. Her nipples shot pain-pleasure with each bounce.

  The next time her ass left the horse, Will pulled her closer. One hand held her tight against him. His other hand moved between her legs and put pressure on her pussy. She moaned, but over the clopping hooves and the wind in their faces, she didn’t think Will heard.

  She closed her eyes and let the motion of the ride hit all those yummy spots on her body that cried out for attention. Imagining her jeans off, Will’s cock shoved in her from behind, and his hand wrapped into her hair was making her soak her panties, and she wondered if his fingers picked up the dampness through her jeans.

  Josie slowed her pace and Daphne opened her eyes. They topped a little mound in the earth and came to a stop. Beyond them in the valley, the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen materialized.

  At least fifty wild horses stood grazing below. Undisturbed, the older ones munched on the nutritious greens and the younger horses danced around each other in a game of chase. Daphne sucked in her breath and held it.

  One of the stallions reared up and attempted to mount one of the mares close to him. The female horse stepped out from underneath him and ran twenty yards away. Her mane tossed in the air, her tail high and inviting.

  Will’s hand rubbed through Daphne’s jeans at the center of her legs. “Keep watching. She’s teasing him. She wants him to work for the pleasure of mounting her.”

  She forced her eyes to stay open and view the scene in the valley. The stallion cantered over to the mare and came to a skidding stop. The mare tossed up her head, nickered and flicked her tail from side to side taunting him. Little tease!

  Will kept drawing a circle around her clit. His other hand came up under her hair and rubbed her neck. “Don’t look away. Watch what the stud does next.” His fingers worked their way up on the back of her head, his hand entwined in her mass of curls. “Look at the way she flips her mane. She knows she’s beautiful.”

  Daphne dared not breathe heavy for fear of drawing attention to their location. She didn’t want the mare to lose the chance at having sex with the stallion.

  “He’s going to try again.” Will pressed down on her pussy, his cock throbbed against the groove of her ass, and he pushed her body harder against him and thrust against her. “Watch, sweetheart.”

  The stallion chomped down on the mare’s mane close to her neck and the mare froze in place. Her leg muscles twitched. Her tail high in the air, in a grand show of invitation to the stallion. Will’s hand tightened in her hair and he pulled enough she fought to keep her head in an upright position to watch the horses mate.

  She mewed, a tremor racked her body and she wanted more. Her senses on overload, she wanted Will’s cock filling her and to have his balls slam against her with each thrust.

  Will’s lips nipped at her ear lobe.

  The stallion danced on two legs lining himself up and with one plunge sank completely into the mare. Will tugged her hair back and pressed his cock harder against her ass, his hand rubbing her clit.

  “Come.”

  She trembled with the force of her orgasm. Her hips thrust back into his lap. Her breast throbbed with delicious gratification. She inhaled a shaky breath. Oh God, he drives me over the edge every time.

  Chapter Ten

  Saturday night came fast and Daphne still didn’t have a definite answer for Will. He gave up on pressuring her, and they enjoyed the day exploring how far she’d go with the demands he put on her. Not once, over the last two days, had she uttered her safe word. Using the word didn’t even enter her mind.

  Will asked her to stand outside in the nude, she did. He ordered her to shower with cold water. She did, and enjoyed it. Even the clips on her nipples and clit set her off. Throughout all the different ways Will pleased her, she watched him remain in complete control. Totally detached from the fun. Hell, I haven’t even received a glimpse of that swollen ridge that tents his jeans the whole time.

  “Ready, sweetheart?” Will poked his head into the bathroom. He whistled, and leered up and down her body.

  She struck a playboy bunny pose and laughed. “I can’t believe you ran into town and bought an outfit for me this morning without me knowing.”

  He shrugged. “You were a little worn out, you needed the rest. I figured you were tired of wearing the same outfit every day. A woman needs choices, huh?”

  She nodded. “Where are we going?” She slipped on the black leather boots with four-inch heels. “Holy shit, Will, these are gorgeous.” She turned around. “I bet my ass looks great in them.” She stood on her tiptoes and turned her head to gaze in the mirror behind her, but sighed when she still couldn’t see the rear view.

  “We’re going to Chum’s and yes, your ass looks terrific.” He slapped her butt. “You’re too tempting, so we better get going before I keep you here and enjoy what you can do to that tight, rounded cushion.”

  “Whoa…hang on. Chum’s?” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want to go to Chum’s. I only have one more day off. I’d like to stay away from there. Besides, if all those cowboys see me with you, what are they going to think? They know I don’t go out with cowboys.”

  “Tough.” He grabbed her hand, picked up the black leather purse that finished off her outfit and handed it to her. “I’ll explain everything when we get there.”

  The trip back to her hometown mimicked the first trip out to Will’s house. Each of them caught up in their own thoughts, Daphne unsure of what to expect. The last two days she’d escaped her old life and wasn’t positive she was ready to go back. Not under Will’s control.

  The whole town saw her for the independent, standoffish female she portrayed. Even Ana looked up to her as a woman who knew her own mind and didn’t give a damn what others thought. Why did he have to pick Chum’s of all places?

  Daphne ran her hand along the plush leather seat on each side of her legs. Tonight he drove a newer car, which sported all the bells and whistles, instead of his pickup. It was bad enough that everyone would see her dating a cowboy, but a rich one would have all their tongue’s wagging about her being a gold digger or worse…his whore.

  Her heart screamed for her to tell him she’d stay with him. He’d turn the car around and go back to his house, and she’d hide from reality. She chewed the inside of her cheek. Yet, the truth was, she worked at Chum’s and lived in Hazeldell.

  Tomorrow she’d have to strip off the black leather miniskirt, deep-purple silk blouse, kick off these killer black boots and slip back into her ratty old cowboy boots and western shirt. She glanced over at Will, her heart heavy and sad. Out of the whole deal, she’d miss him the most.

  In between orgasms, she’d learned how caring and loving of a man he was deep inside. She often caught him lost in thought and wondered what bounced inside that gorgeous head. I’m going to hurt him. I didn’t want to do that.

  What had started out as a game was turning into an honest relationship. Will believed he’d found the right woman for him, that he could shape and mold her into someone compatible with his dreams. For a while, she too wondered if it might happen, but they came from two different worlds no matter how easy it would be to fall in love with him.

  Things didn’t happen for her that way. She worked for what she had, and she fought dirty to keep it all. A life with him would compare to winning the lottery, and she didn’t even buy a damn ticket.

  Will pulled up in front of Chum’s, shut off the engine and reached for her hand. “Let’s go have dinner.”

  “Will, I don’t—”

  He lifted her hand, kissed the back of her fingers and opened his door. He moved around the front of the car, opened her door, and reached down to gather her hand up again. “Do you trust me?”

  She nodded. “But, Master Will—?”

  “Trust me, sweetheart.”

  The music from inside drifted out onto the sidewalk and two men pushed their way out the door, laughing their fool heads off. Daphne groaned. Jason and Frank, the Saturday night assholes, whom Chum always threw out after they bought and downed three beers. That’s all the buffoons could handle.

  “Hey, Frank, there’s our favorite waitress.” Jason pointed and swayed against his cousin.

  Frank puckered his lips, but instead of a whistle, spit erupted from his mouth. “It looks like she became someone’s bitch since the last time I grabbed her ass.”

  Will let go of Daphne’s hand, stepped forward, and slammed Frank up against the side of the brick building. “I’d suggest you take your bitch and leave with your mouth shut unless you’d like to lose all those rotten teeth in your filthy mouth.”