Buck (Rope 'n Ride #1) (13 page)

Before she could pull away, he gripped her nape and drew her lips up to his. He whipped himself upright and yanked her off the stool into his lap. They all drank. They drank to their ma. To the rodeo. To the production crew and the cattle on their ranch. Hell, at one point they raised a glass to the weatherman, who was calling for much-needed rain back in Oklahoma.

After only a few, Channing stopped ingesting any of the tequila. Her head was already spinning, and it was best to keep her wits about her. She didn’t want to slip up and tell Buck she loved him. That would only make things worse.

But cuddled in his lap, his arm solidly around her middle, she had a hard time separating herself from him as she had weeks before. She’d have one hell of a time walking away when the time came.

She looked at the faces of all the Calhouns she loved as if they were her own family. Hanging out with them like this would only make it harder for her to separate herself in her mind. Then she saw Wynonna’s big smile and wondered if this was their plan all along.

Buck tightened his hold on her and exchanged a smile with his sister.

Or Buck’s plan.

* * * * *

He had to get her alone before he burst his zipper with his erection. Buried deep in her, breathy moans fogging the air…

Hitching her higher on his lap, he settled his lips at her ear. “Let’s get out of here.”

She squirmed around to look at him. Her blue eyes were bright from the alcohol she’d had but she was very lucid. A flush rose high on her cheekbones. “Now?”

“We’ll come back if you want. But I need you.”

A shudder ran through her, and his cock stretched another millimeter. Glancing around, he noted the exit in relation to the film crew. Damn, they’d have to split up if they were going to make this happen.

“I’ll go out that door. You take the front.”

“A camera will follow me. What am I supposed to say?”

“Tell them you need a little air and he shouldn’t spoil his fun.” Everyone was having such a good time, it was unlikely anybody would prefer the hot Texas air to the air conditioning and atmosphere in the bar. Besides, West and Wynonna were at it again, having a drinking contest. Tequila and lime for Wynonna and straight up Kentucky bourbon for West.

Good. Let them deal with traveling with hangovers. They were more interesting to the camera crew than Channing getting some air.

She slid off his lap with a little nudge from him. Without a glance, she headed toward the exit. He didn’t look around at her.

“Where’s she going?” Ridge asked.

“Just getting some air.” Buck finished off his whiskey and got up too. “Gotta piss.”

Nobody followed him into the bathroom. When he reached the door, he pushed into the kitchen. A man and a woman looked up in surprise.

“I’m looking for the back door. I have a crazy woman following me,” he said.

They grinned and jerked thumbs toward the rear of the building. Thanking them with a tip of his hat, Buck headed out. As soon as he circled the building and found his beautiful blonde fiancée standing on the sidewalk waiting for him, a possessive growl formed low in his throat.

“Who are you?”

He stopped and stared at her. Maybe she
was
drunk. “Come again?”

“You’re different. You never would have done this two months ago.”

She was right. Life had swallowed him, and he’d been solely focused on keeping the ranch and winning his next event to get money for that ranch. Reaching for her, he said, “I was an ass, Channing. I ignored you and you left me.”

But she stood right in front of him. He could win her back—this wasn’t over. All of a sudden he saw his path. He needed to make her understand that his life wasn’t complete without her and he believed she was happier being with him too. He’d seen her smile more since he’d begun to think differently.

He threw a glance at the door, expecting somebody to catch on to their act and come out with camera lights blazing. “Let’s go.” Grasping her hand, he hurried away from the bar. They’d barely reached the corner when he heard Wynonna’s laughter. Apparently they’d decided to do the pub crawl through San Antonio.

Rushing away, he noted Channing’s boot heels tapping twice as fast as his and slowed his pace. The sun was starting to set and he wished like hell he had her alone on the ranch. He needed that peace and maybe he’d be able to find the words to convince her to stay, to stop pretending they were a couple.

He pushed her up against a wall, his gaze snagging hers. “I want you, Channing.”

She curled her fingers into his shoulders. “I want you too, Buck.”

He didn’t think she’d caught his total meaning, but now wasn’t the time. Not when her soft breasts were pressed to his chest and her ripe lips were so near. He swooped in and claimed them. Power and lust surged through his body. With a mind of their own, his hips rocked into hers, trapping her. She cried out.

They were on the street. He eased her back into an alley, still kissing her with abandon. She clawed at his shirt buttons, her breathing coming heavier.

Passion flowed up from his fingertips. He wished for a big bed and a fat pillow to prop under her hips, tilting her ass up for him. He wanted in her ass.

“I wasn’t thinking. Let’s go to the motel.”

They ran through the streets. Once they reached their door, all he could think about was getting her naked and under him. They fell into the room, kissing and grappling with clothing. Need fountained through his system.

He slid a hand between her bare thighs, cupping her soaking wet pussy. And lifted her with his hand under her ass. At the same time he plunged two fingers into her pussy. She cried out, head tossed back so her long hair skimmed his wrist where he held her behind.

He tumbled her into the bed, finger-fucking her all the way up the mattress. By the time she rested her head on a pillow, she was coming. Her inner walls clenching and releasing around him, sending spasms through his whole arm. Juices flooded his fingers.

“Fucking hell.” He pulled his fingers free and stuck them in his mouth, sucking her flavors off as he poised at her still-pulsating sex. When he filled her in one shove, their gazes were locked.

And he saw love spilling like blue moonbeams from her eyes. She latched onto him with her arms and legs, riding him as she began to come again.

Her rhythmic release nearly sent him overboard but he managed to grip his control. “Channing, I want in your ass.”

It was something they’d discussed now and then, agreeing to wait when the time was right. For him, that time was now. He wanted all of her—he wanted to own her.

Her breath stuttered out. He bit into her full, swollen lower lip. She nodded.

His heart turned over with love and excitement. “I still have a condom in my wallet from when we started dating.”

“Get it,” she whispered.

He leaned in to kiss her long and deep, a promise of a new leaf, a new life. Then he slowly withdrew his stiff cock from her body and went to find that condom.

His jeans were tangled and his wallet seemingly too big to get out of the back pocket, but he wrestled it out and fumbled the condom on. When he turned back to the bed, Channing’s eyes were electrified—blue neon.

He scooped her hair off the pillow into his fist, loving the silken tendrils against his skin. Leaning in, he captured her lips in another toe-curling kiss. As soon as she started to make soft noises, he knew she was ready.

Coaxing her onto her stomach, he found two pillows and propped them beneath her hips. Then he had to sit back and calm himself for a minute. Breathing hard, he passed a hand over his face. Her golden, rounded ass set him ablaze. His cock bobbed against his abs, the tip about to burst.

“This condom has extra lube, but I’ll prepare you first. Get you ready for me.”

She twisted her face on the pillow, giving him the side-eye and a nod. Watching her face, he eased his fingers into her wet pussy again. Drawing her upward with every pass of his digits through her channel.

“So fucking wet for me.”

“I need you, Buck.”

He took her gritty words as permission to touch her elsewhere. He smoothed a fingertip over her pucker. Circled it. She cried out. Then he parted her cheeks and slid his finger home. All the way to his bottom knuckle. Extreme heat enveloped him, and he groaned.

“Please,” she rasped.

He began to slide his finger in and out of her ass, stretching her, readying her for his cock. He added a second finger, and she took it with a sharp cry.

“Did I hurt you?” He stilled his movements.

She gave a fast shake of her head. “More.”

“Fuck.” He had to get into her—now. Very slowly he removed his fingers and grasped his straining cock at the base. When he ran the lubed tip over her anus, she pushed back.

Making him lose his mind. He clutched her hips and pulled her up into him. “I’ll hold still. You push back and take me at your own pace.” It fucking killed him, saying those words, but he didn’t want to hurt her.

Propping onto her elbows, she relaxed back into him, taking him slow inch by slow inch. He grunted, his balls about to split. He didn’t think he’d survive the excruciating pleasure, but when her rounded cheeks brushed his abs and he was seated fully in her ass, he threw his head back and roared.

* * * * *

Channing’s body hummed. It screamed for more. But when Buck had her stretched to the max, she knew she was in trouble.

She wouldn’t be able to walk away from this man now.
Maybe that’s what he wanted.

No matter—she wanted it too. She glanced back at him and her heart turned over. His face revealed the ecstasy he was feeling, eyes pinched shut, his teeth bared.

She inched forward, sliding his cock through her tight walls, and he moaned raggedly. Her own body spasmed, and Buck tightened his hands on her hips.

“I can’t take it, darlin’. I’m going to blow.”

“Not yet.” She slid back down his cock. Up again. Down. He hadn’t moved a fraction—he was giving her control as not to hurt her, which only made her love him more.

She took the reins, screwing herself down on his cock over and over until his muscles strained and his breath sounded like a wild animal’s. Her inner muscles clenched tight—and then she was falling. Unable to stop the bliss hurtling through her.

Buck moved once—finally. Twice. Then he emptied into her, coming in hot waves and primal grunts that only fueled her fires. She gasped for air, collapsing on the bed again.

“Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.” His chant would amuse her if she weren’t totally lost in him. Or maybe he was lost in her. Either way, they were both screwed and not in a good way.

Could things be okay between them at last? She didn’t dare hope but it sprang up anyway, a shining star high in the sky.

She swallowed hard around a lump forming in her throat.

Buck gently pulled free of her body and got off the bed. She listened to him in the bathroom, washing his hands. Then he came back to bed and stretched beside her. For a moment he only touched her with a fingertip, tracing a line down her spine. Her skin prickled.

Then he grabbed her hard, gathering her so close she had no idea how they’d disentangle themselves.

Burying her face against his neck, she inhaled his masculine scent as his pulse drummed. “I don’t know how we can top that, Buck.”

“I have a thing or two in mind,” he drawled. She didn’t know how it was possible, but she fell harder for him.

Chapter Ten

Buck whipped the lasso, settling it perfectly over the steer’s horns. He jerked the rope, and his horse knew exactly what to do, canting to the left to bring the beast to a stop.

Alongside him, his brothers were working the cattle too, snagging the animals that hadn’t yet been branded and separating them from the herd. They had a long day ahead of them but it felt good to work hard.

He needed the time to ponder some things. Like how to tell his family that he didn’t have his share of the ranch money because he’d given it to Channing’s brother to keep him from wearing a pair of cement shoes into the Mississippi.

And how to deal best with Ennis. His cousin hadn’t always been an unreasonable ass. Buck held some hope that he’d give them an extension and Buck would still have a few months to win the cash.

If the worst happened, he thought the bank might lend him the money. But he wasn’t confident. He had no monthly paycheck—his earnings fluctuated. And he had little collateral to put up.

Ridge hopped off his horse, boots skidding in the dirt, and got hold of Buck’s rope. Then he whipped the lasso off its horns and sent it running into a holding pen with a slap on its rump.

Again and again they repeated this action until Buck forgot he was working. His mind had galloped off to think of how he’d house his wife and future family. Ranching was a risky business. Even if they purchased the land from Ennis, he may not be able to make a living for them. Channing deserved the best.

He issued a long breath through his nose. A shrill whistle brought his head up and he spotted several riders coming toward them.

His brothers circled around and they all clustered in a knot as Ennis and one of his men rode toward them.

“Here we go,” Ryder drawled.

“Keep your heads on straight,” Buck said.

They held their ground, waiting for the riders to reach them. All of a sudden Buck wished Channing were here. “Was Channing at the house when you left, Ryder?” he asked.

“Ma and Wynonna took her shopping.”

“Shopping? For what?”

Ryder leveled his stare at Buck as if he’d grown a dumber second head. “For a wedding dress.”

Buck’s mind whirled but he barely had time to skim over that interesting fact when Ennis was before them. Smiling like a cat that had just caught a mouse. What was the man up to?

Buck’s horse gave a snort as Ennis entered the group. He gave his cousin a nod. “Ennis.”

“Howdy, Calhouns. Nobody was at the house so we saddled a couple of our horses and came out looking for you.” They all noticed Ennis was riding their father’s horse.

Lane made a low noise that sounded with menace. Buck gave him a sidelong look but said nothing. Ennis’s liberties with their cattle and property riled the hell out of every single one of them. Good thing Wynonna wasn’t here because none of them could restrain her.

Which brought his mind full swing to Channing choosing a wedding gown.

“What do you want, Ennis?” West asked, his horse dancing sideways at his harsh tone.

“Not very hospitable, are ya, West?” Ennis grinned. “We’ve got some terms to discuss.”

“What kind of terms?” Buck asked.

“The terms we’d discussed earlier have expired.”

“Like hell,” Ryder growled.

Buck gave his brother a look that silenced him. But Ryder’s throat worked as if he fought the urge to bellow.

“You never mentioned the deal expiring, Ennis. What are you playing at?” Buck asked.

“This is how business is done, boys. My lawyer here has dealt with this type of thing and he knows what he’s talking about. Bruce, tell them what’s going on.”

The lawyer started to talk and the more words spewed from his mouth, the tighter the Calhouns circled. The five brothers had Ennis and Bruce locked in the center. In the old days, they’d just string them up from the nearest tree. That would solve a whole lot of their problems. But he wasn’t a murderer, even if his mind took a dark twist once in a while.

“Write it up. We won’t accept any terms until we see them on paper. And our lawyer isn’t present so we refuse to give a statement at this time.” Actually, their lawyer was still working on the angle of their mother’s rights and the widow law.

Ennis looked at Buck for a long, tense moment. “That’s how you’re playing this hand?”

He gave a single nod.

“That’s fine. Bruce will put the words to paper and you can expect them delivered by certified mail tomorrow.”

“That meets with our approval,” Buck said.

Long after Ennis and his lawyer rode back across the land toward the house, Buck and his brothers remained in their knot.

“For you, Dad,” Lane said softly.

Several of the brothers echoed the sentiment but Buck was sick and tired of this shit. He wanted out of this mess but first he needed to tell his family what he’d done with his portion of the money.

“I don’t have my part of the funds,” he blurted.

They gaped at him. “What?” Ryder asked.

“Something came up and I had to help someone out of a jam.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Ridge asked.

“Who?” this from Lane.

West only glowered.

“I’m not at liberty to say,” Buck said.

“So what do you have to add to the pot?” Ryder asked.

“Two thousand,” Buck responded, feeling more hollow than he had since Channing had dropped her bombshell that she didn’t want to marry him. Everything was so damn tangled up—he needed money and he needed to speak with her as soon as possible and see where her mind—and heart—lay. Was she marrying him or not? Somehow, her “yes” would give him the strength to get through the rest. She’d been there for him before and he needed her now more than ever.

“Jesus, Buck. You had a nice bundle of cash saved. What the fuck happened that you’d need to give it away?” West finally said.

“I’ll get it back.”

“How?” Ridge asked.

“Just trust me.”

“If you’ve spent it all on some huge, expensive wedding, we’re going to tie your ass to a horse and let it drag you across all eight hundred acres of the ranch,” Lane threatened.

“I don’t even know if Channing is marrying me,” he snapped.

His brothers silenced. Only the jangling of horse gear sounded against the occasional moo of the cattle.

“But she’s off getting a gown right now,” Ridge said.

“Yeah, but things aren’t perfect between us.” He wanted to add
yet
, but everything seemed to be falling apart for Buck. Suddenly, he wasn’t so certain she
would
marry him. She had the camera crew with her, which meant she’d do anything to keep production happy and continue their farce.

He pressed his lips together. “It’s complicated.”

“Always is. If you don’t get married, the show will tank and there won’t be another season,” Ryder said.

Buck lifted a shoulder and let it fall. What was there to say? “We’ll figure it out. I’ll get the money, okay?”

Lane backed his horse out of the circle. “You’d damn well better. We’re a team, Buck. Either you’re in or you’re out.”

The others disbursed, going back to work. Leaving Buck to wonder if he really was in. He could leave the ranch and his family to deal with Ennis on their own. Maybe that was best—he was fucking everything up.

* * * * *

Shit. Channing was in a wedding gown and she was going to cry. No, she
was
crying. Tears spilled over her eyelids and ran down her cheeks. Grinning, the saleslady grabbed a box of tissues, and Channing took two.

While she dabbed at her eyes to save her mascara, Wynonna and her mother fawned over the sheath dress with the short train that would just skim the grass as she walked through the yard to meet Buck.

Dammit, she was a mess. If she went through with this, it would feel a hundred-percent real to her. And now that she had her sights on the fantasy, she didn’t want to back out. She wanted this more than ever.

“Look how tiny your waist is,” Wynonna exclaimed, holding out her hands as if spanning it.

Channing looked into the mirror. It was true—the gathered fabric around her middle made her waist look as if she were wearing a corset. And her breasts… Buck would like those.

They bulged over the strapless sweetheart bodice perfectly. He’d be bugging her all during the reception to slip away with him and escape the cameras.

The challenge to throw off the camera crew was becoming an exciting game that neither of them seemed to be able to get enough of. The thrill was part of their heightened pleasure lately. But Buck’s new attitude toward her was really upping her libido. Being wanted made her feel sexy as hell.

She ran her hands down her sides and nodded. “This is it. This is the dress.”

Several squeals from Buck’s mother and Wynonna, and then there was a flurry of accessories brought in. Channing’s hair was pinned up and a short veil placed on her head.

“No, something simpler.”

A platinum tiara came next.

“I’m not sure I’m a tiara type of girl.” Channing looked to Wynonna, who was bobbing her head emphatically.

“You are. Look.” She turned Channing to the mirror and she gasped. Next a small bracelet encircled her wrist and the perfect strappy sandals fitted on her feet.

“You’re a beautiful addition to our family,” Peg said with tears standing in her eyes.

A sob rushed from Channing and she embraced the woman she hoped with all her heart became her mother-in-law someday soon. And for real.

“Now that we’ve gotten the boring old bride out of the way, it’s time for bridesmaids!” Wynonna clapped.

Laughing, Channing disrobed and got back into her jeans and plaid top with the girly embroidery while Wynonna paraded in and out in a myriad of dresses. The long ones made her look like a model but the short ones showcased her perfectly-toned legs. And with her thick red hair she looked gorgeous in every color.

But Channing settled on a rich peacock blue that she’d always loved. Luckily Wynonna adored it too. After that the three of them had a celebration lunch, where they talked decorations and how to get the barn smelling nicer. But that wasn’t such a big concern to Channing. She and Buck both loved the scents of the ranch—hay, horses and hard work.

They made plans to come soon and let Peg have her day buying a mother of the groom dress. Everything was so perfect that Channing didn’t realize that her side of the family was lacking until Wynonna mentioned it.

This was one reason why becoming a Calhoun was so appealing to her. Her father didn’t keep in touch with her and her mother was off doing her own thing. Channing wasn’t even sure where she was living now—she moved so often. And Luke…

She checked the time on her phone. “I have to get to an appointment, ladies. Thank you both so much for all your help.” She looked from one happy face to the other. She dearly loved every Calhoun and if things didn’t work out and they hated her for lying…

She shook herself. She’d think of that later. Right now she had an appointment with her brother to pay his debt in full. Then the debt would be hers, and she’d owe it to the family she adored so they could save their ranch.