Wrangling the Cowboy Read online

  Bending down, I grab it and walk over to her. Her breath hitches as I close the gap between us, and her eyes lower down my chest and stomach once again.

  “I think you dropped this…” I hold the ball out for her, but she doesn’t move.

  Knowing I’m getting to her, I reach down and place the ball in her palm, then flash her a wink. “Wanna try it again?”

  Finally, she blinks and steps back, putting at least a foot of space between us. “No, that’d be cheating. It’s your turn.”

  “Alright.” I grin as I take my position and call the pocket. Moments later, I sink my last ball.

  She groans loudly, and I laugh.

  “Problem?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.

  She glares at me, shaking her head, and I bring my focus back to the eight-ball.

  “Middle pocket,” I say, then shoot it in perfectly.

  “Looks like I’m buying shots,” she says, defeated.

  I put up our sticks, then tilt her chin up until our eyes meet. “Or we could skip them, and you could come home with me.”

  Maize looks like she’s gonna pass out as she stares at me intently. I’m pretty sure I’ve shocked her into silence. The corner of my lips tilts up in amusement as I watch her mind spin out of control.

  “It’s a yes or no question, Maize. You look like you’re trying to solve a trigonometric equation.”

  She wrinkles her nose and finally inhales a breath. “I-I’m a mess. You heard how awful I am with dating…” She holds out her hand, motioning to the bar. “And you witnessed firsthand how pathetic I am at flirting. I mean, seriously, it’s sad. So, why would you—”

  Before she can continue ranting, I cup her face, and our mouths collide. She’s hesitant at first and barely brushes her lips against mine. When I slip my tongue inside, she finally relaxes into my touch. She tastes like lemon and salt, a combination of the alcohol she was drinking earlier.

  My hand slides down her body as she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer, and I know she wants this as much as I do. Maize releases a moan, and the sound goes straight to my dick. I want to hear that noise all night long—underneath me, on top of me, bent over in front of me. And there’s no denying she does too.

  “Maize, I need an answer before I embarrass myself here,” I murmur against her mouth.

  “Yes,” she whispers. “Take me home with you.”

  “I need to pay my tab. I’ll be right back,” I say, somehow stepping back and releasing her. “Fuck.” I adjust myself, then grab my shirt and slip it on. Maize giggles, and I notice the way she touches her swollen ruby red lips.

  “Hey, Kenzie. I need to close out,” I tell her, grabbing my wallet.

  She gives me the total, and I hand her my card. Once I write the tip and sign the receipt, I slide it to her with a thank you.

  “You’re welcome. Don’t forget to wear a condom!” she shouts as I make my way back to Maize, and I swear she’s blushing more than before.

  “You ready?” I hold out my hand.

  “Dear God, yes.” She grabs it, and I lead her through the back entrance to my truck. “I love my sister, but she’s loud and obnoxious, which is sometimes cute, but typically embarrassing.”

  I chuckle as we climb inside, and I start the engine.

  “She loves getting a rise outta you,” I say, making my way down the street to Colt’s apartment. Since I was only staying for one night, he let me use it while he visits his girlfriend in Dallas.

  Five minutes later, I pull into the parking lot, and we jump out.

  “You live here?” she asks as I scramble to find the key.

  “No, it’s a friend’s place. He’s not home, though.”

  As soon as I open the door, I flick on a couple of lights and lead her inside. “Do you want a nightcap?” I ask, gripping her hand in mine and leading her to the kitchen.

  “No, thanks.” She stops walking, and I quickly look at her. Maize grabs my waist and pulls herself close, then reaches for my face. I lean down and meet her lips as she pushes her tongue inside my mouth. She roams her hands over my body, lowering them to my belt buckle and zipper. Once she successfully undoes my jeans, I grab her shirt and pull it off. I wait a moment to take in how breathtaking her body is—perky tits, flat stomach, and slim waist. She’s a fuckin’ meal that I can’t wait to devour.

  “Goddamn, Maize…” I help her out of her tight jean shorts. “You’re driving me insane.”

  “Take yours off now,” she orders.

  Once we’re both down to only our underwear, I slide a hand between her thighs and feel how wet she is for me. I nearly combust when she coats my finger through the fabric of her panties.

  Before I forget, I grab my wallet from my jeans. I pull out a condom, then drop the wallet on the floor. “Your sister’s orders,” I say, chuckling.

  Maize shakes her head. “She acts like she’s the older one.”

  Sliding my hands down her body, I grip her ass and lift her into my arms. Maize’s legs wrap around me as my erection pushes against her. Our mouths crash together as I walk us through the living room and into the bedroom. Once she’s flat on the mattress, I tower over her and sink my teeth into her neck.

  “Fuck, I want you so bad,” I growl into her ear. Flattening my tongue against her warm skin, I slide it over her jaw until I meet her lips again. “Say it, Maize. Tell me you want this as much as I do.”

  I hate that I need the reassurance, but after getting a glimpse of her doubts about men tonight, I need to be certain she does.

  “I do, Gavin. I want it so bad. Fuck me…hard.” She nearly begs as she arches her body up into mine.

  “You got it, sweetheart.” I move down her body and help her unsnap her bra. Covering her nipple with my mouth, I suck hard until she yelps. Then I move to the other.

  “God, you’re beautiful, Maize. I don’t know if one night is gonna be enough to satisfy my craving for you. You’re already like a sweet tooth I can’t kick.” I kiss down her stomach until I reach the edge of her panties. Once I remove them, I slowly slide my tongue up her slit. Her breathing grows faster, and I know the moment I dive inside her, she’ll combust.

  I flick her clit before sucking it and tasting her. Gliding my hand up her thigh, I spread her wider and then push a finger into her pussy. She gasps, rocking her hips as I thrust.

  As her sweet juices cover my mouth and face, I devour her like my last meal. It takes only a couple of minutes before her legs clench, and she screams out her release.

  I’m well practiced with control and patience, but my willpower snaps the moment she comes on my tongue. Quickly, I remove my jeans, then slip on the condom. As soon as I line up with her entrance, I push inside.

  The moment our bodies connect is fucking heaven.

  She wraps her legs around my waist as I pound into her, over and over, giving her exactly what she asked of me. Hard and fast.

  As she gasps for air and lets out little breathy noises, I know she’s close again, so I don’t slow down until she squeezes my cock. We rock together in perfect harmony as I rub her clit and massage her breast.

  “Fuuuuck, Maize. You’re so tight.”

  “Don’t stop, oh my God, it’s soooo good.” She bucks her hips wildly as she fists the sheets. “I’m so close. Go deeper,” she begs.

  I lift one of her legs until it’s on my shoulder and spread her wider so I can angle myself to get deeper inside her pussy. The moment I do, her entire body shakes, and she moans out her third release.

  “Holy shit,” she pants.

  “I’m not done with you,” I tell her, shifting back. “Roll over,” I demand.

  As soon as she does, I get between her legs and grip her hips. Maize arches her back and sticks out her plump ass for me.

  “Spank me. Hard.”

  Raising my arm slightly, I crack my hand against her cheek and smile when I see how red it gets. “Fuckin’ perfect, baby.”

  I position myself between her thighs and r
eturn to paradise. With one hand, I fist her hair and yank her head back until my mouth touches her ear. “I’ve been fantasizing about doing this to you since the moment you mentioned it at the bar tonight. Bending you over and pulling your hair…fuck, I’d been hard for hours just thinkin’ about it.”

  “Yes,” she purrs. “Pull harder.”

  She looks up at me with big blue eyes, and I nearly lose myself right then.

  “Don’t push me, Maize,” I growl. “I don’t wanna hurt you.”

  “You won’t,” she assures me. “I want it hard and rough with you, Gavin. Don’t stop.”

  I do exactly as she asks. I pull her hair as I fuck her from behind, slamming my cock so goddamn deep inside her pussy she’ll be feeling me there for days. Then I smack her ass again to make sure my red imprint stays too.

  The moment she clenches around my cock and gasps for more air, I wrap my hand around her throat and squeeze gently. She loses control, and seconds later, I do too.

  My body aches from the best sex I’ve ever had.

  I can say that with one-hundred-percent certainty, which, considering I haven’t dated a woman in over a decade, is fucking insane. One-night stands, yes, but I never get attached. And I definitely don’t think about round two the next day.

  But I am. I want Maize for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then again for dessert. The taste of her pussy and sweet skin is still on my tongue, and I need more.

  I half-open my eyes and see the sun blazing through the blinds. Why in the hell Colt doesn’t have curtains is beyond me, but at least this way, I’ll be able to fuck Maize and admire every perfect inch of her body.

  When I roll over to find her, I’m greeted with an empty bed.

  What the hell?

  I feel around, but the sheets are cold.

  No…she couldn’t leave. I drove us here.

  Deciding to check around the apartment, I pull on my boxers and walk to the kitchen. When it’s empty, I check the bathroom. Then the living room.

  Next, I notice her clothes aren’t on the floor.

  She left.

  I check the time, and it’s barely eight in the morning.

  No note, no phone number for me to reach her, nothing.

  Well, shit. There really is a first time for everything, and I can’t say I’m a fucking fan of getting bailed on the morning after.

  Chapter One

  MAIZE

  THREE WEEKS LATER

  As I get dressed for work, I can hear my parents chatting, and it makes me smile. I’ve been trying to soak in these little moments because eventually I’ll move out and get my own place. My dad wants me to live here until I’m fifty, but that’s not happening. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been thinking about starting a catering business as a side hustle.

  “Oh stop,” Mom says with a giggle as I pull my hair into a tight ponytail. After all these years, they’re still madly in love, and sometimes I wonder if that’ll be in the cards for me. Not even my gourmet meals can snag me a man. I’m doomed to become a nun or be a single woman with twelve dogs and horses to keep me occupied. It’s something I’m coming to terms with.

  I’m picky, and I’ve got rules–well, a rule. I don’t date men who work on my family’s ranch. I got my heart broken and won’t let it happen again. Most of the men in my small town are taken, too young, or related to me, so the pickings are really slim. Becoming a nun has been a running joke, but it could be my reality.

  After I finish getting ready, I walk into the kitchen and pour a cup of coffee. I sit next to my dad, trying to wake up because I’ll need to be on my A game once I get to the bed and breakfast. As the head chef, I have four employees to manage and plan the meals for the week. My sole responsibility is to introduce all the guests to comfort food and Grandma’s favorite recipes. They deserve an authentic Southern experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I take it very seriously.

  “What’s on the menu today?” Dad asks as he slips on his cowboy boots. He has managed the B&B since before I was born, and he takes pride in his work. Mom smiles, and I notice she’s already dressed for work in black slacks and a pink blouse. When she moved to Texas permanently, she saw a need for childcare and opened the only daycare in Eldorado. It quickly transitioned into a private school and now boasts a long waiting list due to its popularity. Once my sister, Kenzie, graduates with a degree in education, she’ll work there too.

  We’re early risers here—well, except for Kenzie when she’s bartending at the Circle B Saloon until close. Right now, she’s home from college, but she’ll return in a few days. I’m not looking forward to it because I always miss her when she’s gone.

  “Breakfast consists of the normal spread of grits, biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, waffles, muffins, blueberry pancakes, omelets, and scrambled eggs. For lunch, I planned fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. Dinner is beef tips with gravy and rice, corn bread and veggies on the side, and finally, triple chocolate cake for dessert.”

  “I’m sure the ranch hands are gonna love that,” Dad says with a laugh. “I mean, the guests.”

  “Oh, I’m sure they will.” I cut my eyes to him, but all he does is shrug. The ranch workers eating at the B&B is a tradition my uncles started in their twenties. Uncle Jackson’s to blame, but everyone knows he can’t be controlled. After realizing he was gonna keep eating and inviting half the ranch to join him, Grandma made it a perk for the workers. By the time I got out of culinary school, I knew exactly what I was signing up for when I took the job.

  I cook quadruple servings each day because the workers eat like horses, and I still need enough for the guests. There usually aren’t any leftovers, so at least nothing’s wasted. Knowing people appreciate my cooking does make me feel good, but I still give them shit for liking it so much. Then again, so does Dad.

  Once my mug is empty and I’m more awake, I stand and grab my keys. Mom tells me to have a good day, and Dad says he’s right behind me. I give them a wave and leave. Though the sun won’t be up for another hour, it doesn’t bother me. I enjoy getting up before the roosters and like the stillness of my surroundings.

  When I arrive, the big farmhouse lights are dimmed, and I take my time turning them on. I walk into the kitchen to grind the coffee beans and then put them in the maker to brew. After I pull out the menu I’ve planned, I start pulling the ingredients from the cabinets. There’s no canned food or anything pre-made served here. It’s all mixed and made with love.

  I’ve wanted to be a chef since I was a little girl, thanks to Grandma. As the fifth oldest grandkid but only the second girl, I spent a lot of time with her growing up. When I was five, she had me baking homemade blueberry muffins by memory. My childhood was different from my cousins because my biological mother passed away from cancer nine weeks after I was born. Dad had no idea I existed until I was left on the porch of the B&B. Raising a newborn wasn’t something he knew how to do, so he hired Mila to be my nanny and help him adjust to being a single parent. They fell madly in love, and the rest is history. She raised me as her own and is the only mother I’ve ever known. Soon after, they were married, and Mila got pregnant with Kenzie. Once my sister was born, our family was complete. While I wish I knew more about my biological mother at times, I’m thankful for the family I do have.

  Jane and Sandra arrive right on time and immediately take over for me, then finish with the omelets, scrambled eggs, and the muffins. I restack the plates, refill the silverware bin, and then bring out the vat of coffee to the dining area. The three of us work together like a well-oiled machine. While I’m in charge, I never have to micromanage because they know what I expect them to do each day.

  We have a list of a hundred different recipes we rotate in and out, and we occasionally throw in new ones to see how people like them. The ranch hands are opinionated but no one has ever hated anything we’ve served. If they have, they’ve kept their damn mouths shut and rightfully so.

  We run food out to the burners, and wh
en I look up at the clock, I’m shocked we only have five minutes until breakfast begins. It never fails to amaze me how fast time passes when I’m here.

  Dad enters and gives me a grin. “Smells good.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Bishop,” Sandra says. I look over my shoulder and give him a big smile.

  After everything is set and ready for the breakfast rush, we immediately start making the second and third rounds of food because it’ll go fast. Soon, the dining room is full of chatter. Sandra checks every ten minutes and makes a list of what we need to replenish.

  “More sausage and pancakes,” she says at the door. “And coffee, but I’ll get that going.”

  Each morning, the three of us do this dance. I usually cook on the flat top, and Jane is at the stove while Sandra makes her rounds to top off the food and drinks.

  When I turn my head, my sister and cousin Rowan barge through the kitchen door, chatting about God knows what. Kenzie carries a plate holding an omelet, and she’s stuffing her face.

  “What are y’all doin’ here?” I ask.

  “Coming to visit you, of course!” Kenzie exclaims, then shrugs. “And eat.”

  “Thought we’d keep you company for a little while,” Rowan says with a grin, propping herself up on the counter and swinging her legs back and forth. Though I’m working and don’t need the distractions, I’m glad they’re here so we can catch up anyway. Considering Kenzie is going back to college in a few days, I want to spend as much time with her as I can.

  Rowan looks like she’s floating on cloud nine, and I’m so tempted to say something about how annoyingly in love she is with Diesel, but I refrain.

  As if she can read my mind, she speaks up. “Bite me.”

  “So, how’s the sex?” Kenzie blurts. Rowan and Diesel have been inseparable, and while it’s disgustingly cute, I’m happy for her.

  “Kenzie!” I scold, knowing my employees can hear every word we’re saying, but they keep our secrets like vaults. Oftentimes, they’re so focused I forget they’re still in the room. They both have kids a little older than us, so they’re hardly fazed.