Despite feeling good after getting a handle on the new bronco they’d picked up at auction and the fun he’d been having with Tamara, he couldn’t help the constant frissons of uneasiness over their new relationship that wouldn’t let go. Everything had gone so well this past week, both with the ranch and with Tam. With Greg and Devin’s additional purchases of his and Caden’s horse stock for their new dude ranch, their stock was down and they had buyers lined up, waiting. With luck, the new stud could be used soon to increase their inventory and the extra income would keep rolling in. If only he could be as sure he’d made the right decision in taking the step she’d wanted for so long as he was about his and Caden’s decision to go into horse breeding, he would feel a lot better about it.
But today, he was determined to take advantage of the pleasant afternoon, the good food and then the distraction of everyone eating to sneak away with his girl. “I’m hungry for another burger and we haven’t hit the buffet and desserts yet.” He’d downed one before coming out to the pond, but Tamara had opted to wait.
“That doesn’t surprise me. You’re always hungry,” she returned as she took his hand.
Connor squeezed her hand and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m not just hungry for food.” He nipped the small lobe before pulling back with a teasing grin at her flushed face. “But food first.”
With an eager step, Tamara followed Connor over to the grill where Caden placed a juicy hamburger on her plate before they visited the buffet table. She, too, was hungry for more than food, which had been the case this whole week whenever they were together. Like an addict craving his next fix, she couldn’t get enough of his attention and she knew a part of her desperate need stemmed from not knowing when or if this would end.
As they took a seat next to Avery and Grayson and Connor rested his left hand on the inside of her thigh, she shoved aside those worries for another day. So far, today was perfect.
“I didn’t know what to take. Everything looked wonderful,” she said, glancing down at her full plate with a rueful grimace.
“I’ll eat what you don’t,” Connor offered, squeezing her leg.
A ripple of heat coursed up Tamara’s leg to her crotch and it took every ounce of willpower she possessed not to tighten her thighs around his hand.
Avery shook her head, looking down at her own stacked plate. “Grayson’s responsible for mine. I’ve been trying to lose weight.” She sent him a mock glare from behind her dark-rimmed glasses.
“You don’t need to drop a pound. I like all of your soft curves. Eat.” The warm look in Grayson’s gray-green eyes belied his stern, gruff voice.
“Can’t argue with that.”
Connor winked at Avery and talk turned to horses as Tamara and Avery rolled their eyes. By the time Tamara couldn’t shovel in another bite, the table had filled up and she was ready to move again. Thankfully, Connor was of like mind as he stood and gathered their plates with a nod to their friends.
“We’re going for a walk. Catch you guys later.”
After dumping their plates in a trash bin, he snatched her hand and whisked her toward the barns, and she didn’t question him. With him was where she wanted to be; it didn’t matter where. As he led her down a path and away from the people and activities, her heartbeat ratcheted up a notch, her body going on high alert.
Curiosity prompted her to ask, “Where are we going?” as they passed a copse of trees that blocked them from view and he tugged her toward a small barn she hadn’t seen before. “Is that new?”
“Fairly. It’s our calf barn, for the ones who need extra care or have special needs.” Connor pulled open a side door and the mingling scents of hay and manure wafted out to tickle her senses.
“And you’re showing me this now, why?” She flicked him a look of curiosity and the intent she read on his face tossed her straight into lust.
“I owe you a punishment for taking off last week that I haven’t gotten around to delivering yet. This way.”
Connor urged her toward a storeroom and Tamara stumbled after him, stuttering on a laugh. “Now? Here?”
“Oh, yeah, now, and here.” Closing the door behind him, he yanked her against his muscled body and swooped down to take her mouth in a searing kiss.
Tamara sank against his hard frame, relishing the tight band of his arm wrapping around her hips, pressing her closer to his pelvis as he delved between her lips to duel with her tongue. She moaned, thrusting against the hard, promising bulge he ground aga
inst her mound. By the time he loosened his hold and pulled back, she was ready for whatever he wanted. At least, she thought so until she glimpsed the blanket covered sawhorse and the horse grooming mitt-brush sitting on the hay bale next to it.
“You don’t think you’re going to use that on me, do you?” She flipped him an incredulous glance, her rapid pulse sending her blood rushing through her veins in a heated gush. One side of the mitt was covered with PVC brush bristles, the other, a pimpled rubber surface used to massage. She could only imagine how each side would differ in sensation if applied to her backside.
“No, I know I am.” His hands went to the waist of her jeans as he grinned at her from under the brim of his lowered hat. “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me last time we were at the club?” Connor lowered the zipper and tugged her jeans down to mid-thigh. “And did you deliberately disobey my instructions, with your friend’s help?” Her panties followed, leaving her standing there bare-assed in a swath of sunlight streaming in through the one window.
Excitement curled low in Tamara’s belly, her nipples puckering as she replied on a rushed breath, “You were an ass.”
“I was looking out for your well-being, like always. Like I’m doing now.” Connor spun her around and pushed her over the sawhorse until her hips were resting atop it, leaving her upper body to dangle over the side as she braced on her toes.
Reaching out to steady herself, she exclaimed, “Connor! I can’t stay like this!”
He brushed a hand over her clenching cheeks as he chided her. “Now, Tamara. Have I ever let you fall?”
Tamara felt his other hand press on her lower back, a supportive touch that calmed her until he swatted her buttock. Even expecting it, she jumped, her breath bursting from her lungs in a whoosh as the painful sting warmed her everywhere. She tried wriggling her hips, whether to escape the next blistering smack or embrace it, she wasn’t sure, but the brace of his hand was enough to hold her still.