Buckle Down (5 page)

“I don’t blame you. This whole thing is a mess.” Shane
backed up and spread his hands out in front of him. “At first, Phoebe was fun
and showered me with all this attention and I liked it. But it quickly became
clear that she was just using me. She started treating me like a pet. She
became more demanding and wanted to know where I was when I wasn’t here. Who
I’d been with. I tried to pull away from her but she told me, in a roundabout
way, that if I wanted to end the affair, she’d have to let me go. Part of why I
continued to sleep with Phoebe was because I need this job. I’m not like your
brother. I don’t have high-end sponsors who bank roll my rides. I have to save
money and manage it on my own. Working here gives me the money I need and I
have access to the horses and, well, it all seemed like a good idea at the
time.”

Tess didn’t know what to say to him. She kind of understood
the position he was in. “That’s really bad, Shane. You know how that sounds.
You sound like a prostitute.”

“And I’m a guy. As shallow as it sounds, it’s hard to turn
down sex with someone like her.”

Tess raised an eyebrow. Why were men so stupid? First her
brothers and now Shane. “Yeah. She’s a real fucking prize. You almost had my
sympathy there for a second. Well, you can have the old bitch. I’m out of
here.”

God. Why do I care who he is or was fucking? He’s not my
boyfriend. I let him eat me out and get me off. That’s it. Nothing more to
this. I don’t want to care but… dammit… I do.

She pushed him away and walked to the door, pulling it open.

He came up behind her, pushed the door shut, and spun her
around. “I was being honest with you. Would you rather I lie?” He backed her
into the corner beside the door. “I’m not a liar and I’m no god damned angel. I
suspect you’re not either but I’m not here to pass judgment on anyone.”

She stared up at his face. “I want to leave.”

“Do you? You don’t sound absolute about that.” He leaned
forward and nuzzled her neck.

It felt good but she pushed him back. “Stop that.”

“See… that’s not convincing either.” He grabbed her hips and
squeezed, sliding one hand up her side to cup her breast. “Tell me
no.
Right now.” He strummed her nipple with his thumb.

Her body betrayed her and her nipple responded to his touch,
tightening and tingling. She tried to stifle her moan by pressing her lips
closed. Despite his reputation and all that he just told her, she still wanted
him to fuck her. Right there against the door.

He leaned in close to her ear. “Is that a
yes
, then?”
He squeezed her breast hard.

She closed her eyes and grumbled before she nodded.

He lifted her shirt over her head and unhooked her bra. He stared
at her breasts. “You’re gorgeous.” He leaned down and sucked her nipple while strumming
the other.

Her mouth fell open and she rested her head against the
door. “God. That feels so good.” A tingle started between her legs and she
squeezed her thighs together.

Shane moved back up her body and sucked at her neck, his
hands hooking into the waistband of her sweats. In one motion, he dropped Tess’
pants and underwear and she kicked them off. He lifted her off her feet
effortlessly and carried her through the living room and into his bedroom.

His erection pressed against her bottom and she wanted him
inside her.

He set Tess on the edge of his bed and gently pushed her
back. He crawled between her legs and spread her open with both hands. He
licked her clit and pinched it between his lips. Slipping two fingers inside
her, Shane started a rhythm of deep, hard thrusts.

“You’re so fucking wet.”

“Mhm. You’re gonna make me come.” She whined and planted her
feet on his shoulders and grabbed his head. Her clit throbbed with every touch
of his tongue. His mouth was so much better than her fingers had been earlier. She
moved her hips in concert with his thrusts.

Shane looked up at her and fingered her deeper. “Come for
me, baby.”

She panted and her body stiffened. She tried to close her
thighs around his head.

He held her legs open and sucked her clit, stroking it with
the tip of his tongue.

Tess’ pussy contracted, squeezing his fingers and she moaned
louder. “God. Oh, God.” Her legs shook and she lost control, her feet slipped
off his shoulders as she came hard. Her body hit the flashpoint and burned.

He lifted his head, still fingering her slowly. “Damn, baby.”

She tried to move her arms but nothing worked. “I think I’m
paralyzed.”

He laughed. “It’ll pass in a minute and then I’m going to
fuck you like I own you.” He stood up beside the bed and peeled his shirt off,
revealing a hard chest that had been kissed by the sun to a nice, golden brown.

She looked down at his abs while he unbuckled his belt. She
had never seen a body like that up close and personal. She stared at the tattoo
covering most of his upper arm. Her eyes were having trouble focusing on any
one thing until he dropped his pants and she caught sight of his thick cock.
Oh,
damn
! She bit her lip as he crawled back up between her legs.

On his knees, Shane stroked his dick and leaned over to suck
her nipples, biting one lightly. “Are you okay?”

She nodded quickly. “Yes. I want it.” She pulled him up to
kiss. She bit his lower lip and stabbed her tongue in his mouth.

He cupped Tess’ chin and kissed her hard. His fingers found
her pussy again and dipped inside where he curled them up and stroked her
G-spot. He spread her wetness over her slit and pressed his cock against her
cunt.

She kept her eyes on his and opened her legs wider.

Shane brushed her hair from her face and kissed her
forehead. He pushed into her a couple of inches and pulled back out before
entering her again, giving her a little more.

Tess gasped and held onto Shane’s shoulders, digging her
nails into his flesh.

He moved slowly, going in a little deeper with each thrust.
He groaned. “Your pussy is so tight. God damn. You’re gonna make me come
quick.” He rocked his hips and buried himself inside her.

She cried out. His thickness stretched her, filling her
completely. He felt so good, so deep and she didn’t want it to end.

He increased the pace, ramming into her with each stroke.

She scratched at his chest and moaned louder.

The louder Tess moaned, the harder he fucked her. He covered
her mouth with his, stifling her cries as he pounded into her. On every
upstroke, his cock slid over that sensitive spot inside her. She whined and
pulled his hair. Her pussy tensed, clamping on his cock as her eyes rolled back
and she sucked in her breath.

“Jesus.” Shane panted and moved a little slower as she
convulsed around his dick. He sat up and gathered her legs over his shoulders,
stroking her skin with his fingertips. “You’re beautiful.” He firmly grabbed
her thighs and pulled out before plunging back in, deep and hard.

She turned her head and screamed, squeezing her eyes shut.
The sweet mix of pain and pleasure nearly rendered her unconscious.

He groaned low and guttural and slammed into her again. His
cock pulsed and his warmth seeped inside her. After a few seconds, he gently
lowered her legs off his shoulders and rolled them both to their sides. He
kissed her cheek and smoothed her hair. He pulled her back against him and
wrapped his arm around her.

She didn’t want this moment to end. It felt so good to have
him wrapped around her as her body cooled from the blazing heat he had just
created. The soft touch of his fingers on her arm gave her chills.

“Are you cold?” His lips grazed the back of her neck.

“No. I feel good.”

They must have dozed off. The insistent pounding on the door
dragged her out of her slumber. Blinking, she sat up, just as Shane bolted
upright.

“What the fuck?” He scrubbed his hand over his face and
looked at his watch. He picked up his jeans and pulled them on and strode out
of the room.

Tess’ heart thudded in her chest as she glanced around the
room for her clothes.
Shit.
They were still on the floor by the front
door. She jumped up and looked for something to put on.

Phoebe’s screechy voice carried through the apartment. “Is
she here?”

“Now isn’t a good time, Phoeb.” Shane kept his voice even
and low.

“I knew it. I knew that first day. The way you were looking
at her. You just can’t keep your dick in your pants.”

Tess pulled on Shane’s t-shirt and stood in the hallway,
just out of sight and listened.

“What I do with my dick is none of your business,” Shane
retorted. “Now, I’m busy. So, I’ll talk to you later.”

“It may not be my business but make sure that little bitch
knows you were sticking it in me, too.”

“Goodbye, Phoebe.”

“Fuck you.”

“Always so classy.” Shane slammed the door and almost ran
into Tess in the hallway. “I’m sorry. Jesus, she’s a bitch.”

“I need to get my clothes.” Tess slipped by him to grab her
stuff and went into the bathroom. She tried not to cry while she got dressed. As
long as he lived there, Phoebe would be a thorn in her side and right up in the
middle of Shane’s business. She had that entitlement complex and was actually a
little scary, like restraining order scary.

She found Shane sitting on the bed when she came out. “I’m
going. I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”

“Tess, wait.”

She held her hand up. “No. I have to go. I won’t compete
with her. She ruins everything.” Grabbing her purse, she left before Shane could
respond.

Tess’ resolve crumbled when she hit the highway and a sad
country song came on the radio. “I’m such an idiot,” she said out loud and
banged her fist against the steering wheel. The tears stung her eyes and she
didn’t try to hold them back. Listening to Phoebe and Shane had been the
proverbial slap in the face. She could not have sex with him knowing he was
probably sleeping with Phoebe, too. She thought it wouldn’t matter. She was
wrong. Dead wrong. She would not let herself get hurt. Not anymore than she already
was.

Her cell phone rang and she checked the number. Shane. She
rejected the call and turned it to silent. His voice was the last thing she
needed to hear. She stopped at the liquor store outside of town and bought a
bottle of wine and went home to drink him out of her head.

****

Olivia called and invited Tess to go out to lunch with her
and Ella. Tess had not spoken to either of her brothers since the confrontation
in the kitchen, but she loved Cade’s wife and their little girl. Tess had been
moping around the house for over a week and decided she should get out, so she
accepted Olivia’s offer.

They met at the diner in town, just down the street from
Luke’s wife’s office. Olivia and Ella stood out front. When Tess stepped onto
the sidewalk, Olivia let go of Ella’s hand and she ran to Tess laughing. Tess
scooped the toddler up.

“Hey, princess.” Tess kissed her cheek.

Ella wrapped her arms around Tess’ neck and squealed. “I’m
princess Ella and mommy is the queen.” She pointed a chubby finger at her
stepmom.

Olivia came closer and hugged Tess. “How ya doing,
sweetheart?”

Tess forced a smile. “I’m okay.”  

“Let’s go inside.” Olivia hooked her arm.

They sat at a booth toward the back of the restaurant with
Ella perched in a high chair. Olivia gave her the child’s menu and crayons the
waitress had left on the table. Ella scribbled over pictures of chicken nuggets
and macaroni and cheese before haphazardly coloring the dinosaur yellow. She
bit her lip in concentration just like her dad did when he was younger.

The waitress returned and took their orders and brought
their drinks. After she left, Olivia put her elbows on the table. “Wanna tell
me what’s going on?”

Tess sighed. “I don’t even know where to start. What did
Cade tell you?” She pulled the wrapper off and dropped a straw into her tea.

Olivia pushed her red hair off her shoulder and offered Ella
a drink. “He told me that he and Luke went over to your house and made complete
jackasses of themselves. He also told me that Natalie read Luke the riot act
over it and told him to keep his nose out of your business.”

Tess nodded. “It doesn’t matter. It’s over already.”

“Not because of your two knucklehead brothers, I hope.”

“No. There’s another woman involved. I can’t deal with that.”
Tess laughed without humor.

Olivia reached out and touched her hand. “I’m sorry. It’s
his loss, honey.”

Tess didn’t know why it hurt this much. She barely knew
Shane. But she had shared her body with him. Not something she took lightly and,
for the life of her, she couldn’t understand why she had done that. Everything
about him said he was wrong for her, but when he touched her he ignited some
primal flame that only he could extinguish. And the sex had been phenomenal. It
was purely an animal attraction.

Sadly, that was what kept coming back to her mind. Could she
be so shallow to just use him for sex? Even knowing he was probably fucking
Phoebe, too? Her jealous heart said no, but her body said yes. She laughed.

Olivia smiled at her. “Penny for your thoughts.”

Tess rolled her eyes and picked at her sandwich. “It’s
just…” She lowered her voice to whisper and shielded her face with her hand to
keep Ella from hearing or seeing. “The sex was really good.”

Olivia smiled and raised her eyebrows. “Yeah, that can
muddle the mind sometimes.”

“Please don’t tell me anything about my brother. I’d like to
be able to finish my food.” Tess shook her head and already started to feel
better.

“Yeah. Totally not going there.” Olivia popped a French fry
into her mouth. “So, are you rethinking your position?”