AdriannasCowboy (3 page)

The phone had rung a few times but for now she was ignoring
it. A quick glance at the clock told her it was only eight thirty. Somehow that
didn’t seem possible after the draining morning she’d had.

She stood and glanced around the country kitchen. Her heart
pinched at the thought that she’d never sit down across the table from her dad
again. Never have Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with him again. Swallowing
her tears, she shook her head and strode toward the front of the house. She
grabbed one of her old wool coats hanging on the rack and slipped it on over
her sweater.

Maybe a quick ride around the ranch on her horse would pick
her up. Her boots crunched over fallen leaves as she made her way down the
stone path toward one of the smaller barns.

The ranch’s larger barn was an acre away, across the field
but this barn was where her dad had kept his and her horses. Horses not used
for breeding or selling but just for them.

A long sigh escaped as she placed her hand on the brass
handle but she eventually opened it. Sadness enveloped her as she walked down
the short length of eight stalls. Her dad’s horse was quiet but her chestnut
palomino whinnied loudly when she saw her.

Immediately the vise around her chest eased. She stuck her
hand over the gate and patted Peaches’ mane, letting the horse smell and nudge
the side of her face. One of the major things she hated about living in the
city was the fact that she couldn’t ride her horse whenever she wanted. She
hadn’t realized how much she missed Peaches until this moment.

Horses were just like dogs in the sense that they could
perceive sadness. Especially Peaches. She was the most loving, gentle horse
Adrianna had ever owned.

“Thought I’d find you out here.” Sam’s voice jerked her out
of her thoughts.

She swiveled to find him leaning against the stall across
from her, wearing that damn cowboy hat. Something about him in a Stetson did
funny things to her stomach.

As she stared at him she tried to tamp down her lust but
failed miserably. She wondered what would happen between them when she
eventually left—if she left. Whenever she came home she talked herself into
staying, then talked herself out of it. The one thing that had always pulled
her back to the city was her job. Now she didn’t even have that.

“What’s going on in that pretty head, darlin’?” Sam frowned
and pushed up from his lounging position.

“Nothing at all,” she muttered as his gaze hungrily zeroed
in on her mouth. She hadn’t come here with this intention but he certainly had.

Her stomach flipped as he stalked toward her. Normally she
liked to be more in control but with Sam, she gladly gave up the reins.

She took a step back until she hit the gate. Maybe Peaches
sensed what was going on because Adrianna could hear her back away from the
entrance.

“You want to do this here?” she asked.

Sam stalked toward her until he had her flat up against his
rock-hard body. “We’re going to finish what we started here four years ago.”
Without waiting for her response, he clamped his hands around her hips and
hoisted her up so that she was straddling him.

Shivers snaked through her. She’d just been with him barely
two hours ago and here she was, ready to go again. How was that even possible?

Clearly he’d cast a spell on her. Heat flooded her pussy as
he gripped her ass and started walking toward one of the empty stalls near the
back of the barn. This was definitely going to be something she’d remember for
a while to come.

Chapter Four

Sam cupped Adrianna’s ass as he headed toward the same stall
he’d first seen her naked in. The only regret he had in life was not finishing
what he started that night but he sure as hell was going to follow through now.

He’d always had a healthy sex life but nothing could
describe the burning hunger he experienced now that he’d tasted Adrianna. She
was like a drug.

An intoxicating, blinding, mind-numbing drug. He’d already
warned all the men to stay away from the barn.

As he turned to shut the gate behind them, Adrianna gasped
in his arms. “What is this?”

Without looking he knew what she was talking about. He’d
brought two large quilts to cover the bed of hay. He didn’t bother responding.
“Clothes, off.”

Grinning, she unwrapped her legs from his waist and tugged
her boots, then coat off. Unfortunately, another thick sweater greeted him. It
might be cold but he felt as if lava was running through his veins as he
watched her slowly peel the sweater off.

His breath hitched as she blindly threw it across the stall.
Her breasts were barely covered by a pink lace bra.

She placed her hands on her hips. “Your turn.”

Grinning, he took his shirt and hat off but didn’t stop
there. He stripped down to nothing in seconds. She let out a yelp as he
advanced, pinning her to the quilt.

He loved seeing her naked but his cock surged painfully at
the thought of slowly undressing her. Without him having to say a word, she
tilted her hips up so he could slide her jeans off.

His hands and fingers slid over her bare ass, revealing that
the skimpy hot pink number she wore was a thong. After shoving her jeans to the
side, he found his discarded ones and pulled a condom from the back pocket.

Adrianna sat up and yanked it from his hands. “My turn this
time.”

Dominating her and ordering her around was an incredible
turn-on but he liked this side of her too.

She ripped the packet open, then placed a delicate finger in
the middle of his chest. “On your back, cowboy.”

Unable to stop the grin that spread across his face, he did
as she asked, quickly switching places with her. His chest fell and rose
rapidly as she straddled him and grasped his cock. Slowly, torturously, she
rolled the condom over his hard length.

He made a move to touch her but she leaned back. “No
touching until I say so.”

“Bossy aren’t we?” But he did as she said. He put his hands
behind his head because it was the only way he could stop himself from grabbing
her, flipping her on her back and fucking her until they were both too tired to
move.

Slowly, she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra.
He’d seen and tasted her breasts but his breath caught as she bared those pink
nipples he’d been having wicked dreams about. He couldn’t help but wonder if
he’d ever get tired of seeing her.

She scooted up, dragging her scantily covered pussy across
his cock and leaned forward just enough to tease him with her breasts. Swishing
back and forth, she swept her nipples across his mouth, giving him only seconds
to taste her.

Foreplay, foreplay, foreplay. The words ran through his head
like a mantra but his cock won the battle. Pushing up, he flipped her on her
back and nestled between her thighs.

She exhaled a quick breath of surprise. “I thought I was in
control this time.”

A small chuckle escaped. “Sorry darlin’, I don’t take orders
very well.”

Reaching between her legs, he pushed her thong to the side
and swirled a finger around her entrance. No surprise, she was soaking wet.

The little minx was going to completely drain him. He
couldn’t look at her without getting hard. Without wanting to bury every inch
of himself inside her and just stay there.

She moaned and arched her back as he slid a finger into her.
He dragged his finger against her inner wall, pressing against the sensitive
area as he did, then pushed two digits inside. Her slick pussy clenched around
him, pulling him deeper.

He leaned forward and buried his face between her breasts.
He hadn’t had a chance to shave yet so by the way she nearly vaulted off the
quilt, he guessed his stubble tickled her sensitive skin.

Head thrown back against the quilt, she rocked her hips
against his hand, urging him to continue.

But he wasn’t quite ready for this to be over yet. Adrianna
had said nothing about staying or the future. He planned to make damn sure that
when the time came, she decided to stay on at the ranch for good. Sex wouldn’t
keep her forever but it was a good start.

In his gut, he knew he loved Adrianna. He’d been lusting
after her for as long as he could remember but he’d fallen for her four years
ago. And man, had he fallen hard. He’d never seen it coming either.

But when he’d stumbled on her in the stables, it had been
like something out of his fantasy. Now his fantasy was a reality and he wasn’t
letting go.

As she raked her fingers across his chest and up around his
neck, he reached down and cupped her tight ass, kneading and massaging the soft
flesh.

“Sam,” she moaned out his name. The word was said so low if
he hadn’t been kissing her shoulder and neck he might not have heard it.

His name on her lips did something to him. Something he
could only describe as primal.

“Adrianna,” he growled as he rocked into her tight cunt.

Her legs clenched around his waist as they found a perfect
rhythm. Everywhere her hands touched him left him burning with desire. She ran
her hands down his back until she clawed into his ass.

He was barely restraining himself from coming. The walls of
her pussy milked him tighter with each stroke so he knew she was close. Without
warning, she let out a deafening moan and her cunt contracted rapidly as she
pushed over the edge.

As she peaked, he let go of his barely contained control and
let the orgasm rip through him. He threaded his fingers through her tangled
strawberry blonde curls and collapsed but rolled to the side so he wouldn’t
crush her.

For a few moments, they both lay there, breathing heavily
and not saying a word. Finally he propped up on one elbow and fingered a strand
of her hair. “Your hair’s not straight today.”

She stretched her arms above her head and sighed like a
woman completely sated. “I didn’t see the point in styling it while I’m here.
Why? Do you like it better the other way?” She frowned at him and pushed up on
her elbows.

“Woman, I wouldn’t care if you shaved your head.” Sam leaned
down and sucked one of her ripe nipples into his mouth before planting a kiss
on her swollen lips. As he started to roll back against the soft quilt he
groaned when he saw the time on his watch.

“What?” She shifted and laid her head against his chest.

“The lawyer for your father’s estate will be here in less
than an hour.”

“Do you think I have time to get a quick ride in before he
gets here?”

“What kind of ride?”

Chuckling, she sat up and reached for her bra. “No way,
cowboy. I need a break.”

Sighing, he followed suit and grabbed his jeans from the
floor. “You’ve definitely got enough time.”

Once they were both dressed, he pinned her against the
stable wall. He didn’t know what compelled him but it was time to come clean.
“You asked me why I didn’t finish things four years ago and the reason is
because I was scared.”

The corners around her big blue eyes crinkled as her mouth
pulled into a frown. “Scared? I don’t understand.”

He tried to find the words but his throat seized up. Okay,
maybe he wasn’t ready to admit
everything
to her. Adrianna Campbell was
out of his league in a big way. If he told her that he never thought he’d been
good enough for her and she rejected him…he mentally shook his head.

“I’ve got to get back to the house in case the attorney
shows up early. We’ll talk over dinner,” he murmured the last words against her
mouth.

She narrowed her eyes at him but instead of pushing, she
ducked under his arm and left the stall. He could hear her murmuring soothing
sounds to Peaches as he slipped out the back door.

Strangely enough, he was more comfortable around her than
most people. Telling her how he felt shouldn’t be this hard. He rubbed a hand over
his face as he made his way back to the main house. He’d get it out though. One
way or another.

* * * * *

Adrianna swung off Peaches and slid to the ground. After
thirty minutes of riding around the field she was somewhat refreshed. She’d
wanted a longer ride but combined with her sore body—thanks to Sam—and the fact
that she knew the lawyer was arriving soon, she hadn’t wanted to be late. Well,
later than she already was.

Peaches stomped the ground as she led her into the stables.
Obviously the ride hadn’t been long enough for the mare either.

“I’m sorry angel. I promise next time we’ll go longer.”

Peaches whinnied and shook her head in response, her mane
flying wildly around her face as if agreeing with Adrianna. Sometimes she swore
the animal could understand her. Grinning to herself, she picked up the green
bucket full of grooming tools and continued leading toward the stall.

“Adrianna?”

She turned at the sound of Malcolm’s voice. “Hey, Malcolm.”

His face turned red but at least he didn’t break her gaze.
“I’ll take care of Peaches for you.”

“That’s okay, I’ve got her.”

He shrugged and shifted from foot to foot. “I groom her
every day anyway and besides, I saw that lawyer drive up not too long ago.
Figured you’d want to meet with him.”

She glanced at her chestnut horse, then back at Malcolm. He
was good at what he did. Hell, he’d been working with horses longer than she’d
been alive. She just felt bad leaving without cleaning her horse. It was the
number one rule in the Campbell household.
If you ride a horse, you clean
it. You don’t pass your work off to anyone young lady.
She could
practically hear her father’s voice echoing in her head.

“I think your old man would let you off the hook just this
once.” Malcolm grinned as if he’d read her mind.

“Okay. Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. Just good to see you back at the ranch. You
plan on sticking around?”

She bit her bottom lip. It was a question she’d been asking
herself. The thought of leaving now burned a hole in her gut. Partly because of
Sam but partly because she missed her home and she knew her dad wouldn’t want
her to give up her heritage. She was tired of the daily traffic and she hated
not getting to ride her horse among other things. Ironically, the only reason
she’d been avoiding the place for the past year was because of Sam. Now she
didn’t want to walk away from him.

Sighing, she shrugged. The man was waiting for an answer she
didn’t have. “I have no idea, Malcolm.”

“It’d seem a shame not to have a Campbell living on
Campbell
Ranch,” the old hand muttered before taking the reins from her hands.

Damn, had he learned that guilt thing from her dad or what?
She took off her riding gloves as she walked back to the house. Sure enough,
she could see the oversized sedan peeking around the corner of the house.

Instead of going through the front—where Sam and the lawyer
were sure to be sitting in the living room—she went through the kitchen door.
Before she met with them, she wanted to take off her dirty boots and dust off
her jeans.

She was thankful that the screen door and kitchen door
didn’t creak as she opened them. After slipping off her boots, she took off her
coat and draped it on the table.

Male voices drifted in from the next room but she stopped
cold in her tracks when she heard Sam’s next words.

“Why did he give me the land?”

“Jacob wanted you to have…” The rest of the man’s answer was
impossible to understand so she stepped closer to the entryway and kept her
back pressed up against the wall, straining to hear.

“Does Adrianna know?” Sam asked.

“That would be between her and her father. Truthfully, I
don’t know if he told her.”

“Let’s just keep this between us for right now.”

“But—”

“Tell her after the funeral. She’s got enough to worry
about. I don’t know that she’ll even care but I don’t want to add to her
troubles.”

“She’s expecting to talk to me today,” the other man argued.

“I’ll tell her you got called away.” Sam’s voice left no
room for argument.

Adrianna’s throat clenched. Had she heard right? Had her
father left the land to Sam? Tears burned her eyes. She knew he’d thought of
Sam as a son but to leave him the family land instead of her?

“Fine, for now but I’ll be back here on Monday.”

She heard shuffling so she took the chance to peer around
the entry. Sam was leading the white-haired man to the front door so she
snagged her coat, gloves, and boots, tiptoed toward the stairs, and hurried up
to her room. After locking her door and the connecting bathroom door, she
stripped out of her jeans and sweater and got under the covers.

Hiding from the world might be childish but she didn’t give
a damn. Her heart hurt and now was as good a time to feel sorry for herself as
ever. How could her father have left the ranch to Sam? Her chest tightened as
she tried to hold back her tears. It had been in her family for generations.

Pulling the covers up higher, she burrowed deeper, wishing
she could somehow block out the world.

A sharp knock jerked her back to the present. “Adrianna? Are
you in there?”

The door rattled and she was thankful she’d locked it. “I’m
just getting some rest,” she called out.

“Is everything okay?” His deep voice carried through the
heavy door as if he was standing right next to her.

“I’m fine.” When he didn’t respond, she fell back against
the pillows in relief. If there was ever an excuse to sleep in the middle of
the day, now was it. Her father was gone. Really and truly gone. And tomorrow
she’d have to go to a funeral, talk to a bunch of well-meaning people and
pretend she’d be okay. At least with Sam she’d been able to forget everything
for a while. She curled up on her side and let a few tears fall.