Corralled (14 page)

Growing up within a ranching community, Kyle knew the amount of time, money, and energy it took to run a ranch, even a small one. No days off. No sick days. Livelihood depended on the whims of the weather and the cattle market. His friends had either made the choice to stay on when tragedy struck— like Abe and Hank did after their parents died— or move on— like their friend Max Godfrey, who sold the family land to pursue his love of leatherwork. Or like Bran, raised by his grandparents and living on the ranch that’d been in his family for over a century. Kyle couldn’t count how many times over the years, over many beers, he’d heard his buddies discussing the pressures of the legacy left to them, whether they found it to be daunting, confining, or stimulating.

Bran sighed. “So, Hank said anything to you?”

“Hank is a world- class bullfighter, but he’s a rancher first. He LORELEI JAMES 9

cares more about this piece of Wyoming dirt than he does about hooking horns every weekend.”

“Sorry I said anything. Don’t say nothin’ to him.”

“No worries. Even on the road Hank ain’t any chattier than Abe, believe it or not.”

The porch door banged. They both looked in that direction.

“Who’s she?” Bran asked, keeping his gaze focused on the couple headed toward them.

“Lainie. She’s traveling with us.”

“Ah. It makes perfect sense why Hank’s ready to hit the road and ditch his brother. She’s the woman he’s been goin’ on about the last few months?”

That green- eyed monster reared its ugly head when Kyle realized Hank had talked to Bran about Lainie. Did that mean Hank was more serious about Lainie than he’d let on?

Aren’t you?

Hank kept his arm around Lainie’s shoulders. “Bran. Glad you could help out today.”

“No problem. Abe mentioned he was whipping up a batch of Wyoming jambalaya. Speaking as a bachelor, I’ll do anything not to eat my own cooking.” Bran thrust out his hand to Lainie. “Bran Turner. Friend and neighbor of the Lawsons.”

“Interesting how you threw in the
bachelor
part of your bio right away,” Hank said sarcastically. “This is Lainie Capshaw.”

Bran cranked the Turner charm to high, kissing Lainie’s knuckles. “I am so pleased to make your acquaintance, lovely Lainie. Are you by any chance related to—”

“Jason Capshaw?” she supplied.

He paused thoughtfully. “No. The Capshaws by Mule Creek Junction.”

“Never heard that one, but I’m afraid I don’t know them.”

“Pity. If you think you might be kin to ’em, I’d be more’n

9 CORRALLED

happy to drive you over and introduce you while Hank is off chasin’ his bulls.”

“Quit trying to steal my girl, Bran.” Hank dropped his hands low on Lainie’s hips protectively.

The situation would’ve amused Kyle highly if he hadn’t wanted his arms around Lainie. If he hadn’t been dying to introduce Lainie as his girlfriend. He managed a tight smile. “We gonna do this camper thing or what?”

“We’re waiting on Eli and Max.”

“Really think it’ll take six guys?”

“I can help,” Lainie offered.

“Like hell,” came from three different men.

“But—”

“I’m showing you the chauvinist side Celia referred to, Lainie, by saying no way. We’ve done this before and it’ll go lickety- split if I’m not worried about those magic hands of yours getting crushed,”

Hank said.

Lainie didn’t rail or argue like spitfire Celia would have. She shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“If we’re waiting on Eli and Max to get here, I need to catch up on some other stuff before we take off tomorrow.” Kyle wandered back inside, pausing when he heard Abe’s angry voice in the kitchen.

“Fuck that, Janie. No way. Why? Because you lost that fuckin’

right when you walked out on me.” Angry footsteps stopped.

Holy shit. Abe was arguing with his ex- wife? Far as Kyle knew, Abe and Janie had severed all contact after the divorce. He hated to interrupt the phone call, but the access to the basement was through the kitchen. Before Kyle booked it downstairs, he saw Abe press his forehead to the sliding glass door in total defeat.

In the guest bedroom, he dumped the contents of his duffel on the floor. Sorted the clothing from the other junk he’d shoved in

LORELEI JAMES 9

side the bag. It’d all fit in one load. He stripped to his boxers, gathered the dirty clothes, and trudged to the laundry room.

As he jammed the whole shebang in the washer and poured soap on top, he grinned, thinking his mother would be appalled.

She hated how he did laundry. Which reminded him that he hadn’t called her about his win in Lamar.

Not that she’d be thrilled. Maybe secretly thrilled, but she wasn’t happy about his getting back into bull riding.

He sprawled on the bed before he dialed her at home.

She answered, “If it isn’t my wayward son.”

“Hey, Ma.”

“Hey, yourself. You ain’t calling me to bail you outta jail, are you?”

A real comedienne, his mother. “Nah. Can’t a guy call his mom just because he misses her?”

“Lord have mercy, Kyle Dean Gilchrist. You must’ve lost your entry fee in Lamar if you’re sweet- talking me. Hoping for a loan?”

“Nope. I got first.”

“You did? Congrats! Tell me about it, but leave out the parts where you get the shit kicked outta you by a two- ton beast.”

Kyle detailed the rides. He talked about the differences in the EBS and the CRA. He said nothing about Lainie or about her joining him and Hank on the road.

The click of a lighter. A sharp inhale. Damn cigarettes. He wished she’d quit, but nagging her did no good.

Like it did her no good with you and bull riding?

“So, where are you right now?”

“Hank’s place. We’re loading up Abe’s camper.”

“If you tell me you drove through Cheyenne to get to Muddy Gap and didn’t stop to see me, so help me God—”

“We cut across from Fort Collins and came up through Laramie. You’da chewed my ass if I’d showed up on your doorstep at

9 CORRALLED

three a.m. anyway.” Two soft raps sounded on his door. He held his hand over the mouthpiece and said, “Come in.”

The door opened and Lainie was framed in the doorway, acting strangely hesitant. He motioned her in.

“Look, Ma, I’ll call you from the road. We’ll be in Gillette the next two days.” Her threats burned his ear, but he still managed to grin. “No topless dancin’ on the bar tonight for extra tips. Love you too.” He snapped the phone shut and stared at Lainie.

“You give that warning to your mother often?”

“Every time we talk. It’s a private joke.”

“Must be nice.”

“It is what it is.” He smoothed his fingers over his mustache and goatee. “Something you need?”

Lainie shuffled closer. “Just checking to see if you’re all right.

You’ve been upset since we got here.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not hiding an injury from me?”

“No.” He’d completely forgotten he wore just his boxer briefs, until her gaze lingered on his crotch and slowly, very, very slowly, inched up his torso. “You really oughtn’t be here, eating me up with those hungry eyes, sugar.”

“I can’t help it. You have such a yummy body. I want to rub my face in the hair on your chest. I want to feel your goatee teasing my nipples. I want you to kiss me. Do I ever want you to kiss me, Kyle.”

“Jesus. Lainie. Have you been drinkin’?”

She laughed— a sultry sound that matched the heat darkening her eyes. “No.”

“Hank won’t be happy you snuck down here.”

“The question is: Are
you
happy I’m down here?”

Kyle squirmed. “Of course. I just don’t want Hank to get pissed off at me. Or think I lured you into the basement.”

LORELEI JAMES 9

“It’s not Hank’s decision where I go. It’s mine. I can tell him that if you like. After.”

“After what?”

“After you kiss me.” She paused by the edge of the bed. “Are you really all right?”

“I am now.” Kyle jerked her on top of him. His mouth was on hers, catching her giggle. He rolled her beneath him, pinning her arms above her head. His dick had gone from zero to hard in about four seconds. His lips slipped across her jaw to her ear as he ground against her. “Tell me what you want.”

“Get me off. And then I’ll get you off. Just do it fast.”

“Deal.” Kyle twisted to his left hip, unsnapped her jeans, and yanked them and her underwear down past her knees. After popping the buttons on her blouse, he pressed on the front of her bra until the plastic clasp released. Kyle wiggled his boxers off and was right back on top of her. “Spread your legs wider.”

“That’s the farthest they’ll go with my jeans on.”

“Good enough.” Kyle sucked in a breath when his cock connected with the damp heat of her mound. He rocked until his shaft was nestled into that sweet cleft.

“Kyle, what are you doing? We don’t have a condom.”

“I’m making you come, like you asked me to. And I don’t need a damn condom to do it.” He thrust up, then pulled back, dragging the entire length of his cock across her clitoris. “Gimme that mouth,” he growled, kissing her urgently. His chest hair rasped over her nipples with his every upward movement.

“I like that.”

“I know. That’s why I freakin’ love to do it.” He felt goose bumps prickling across her arms. No matter how he touched her or what sexual position he suggested, she turned her pleasure over to him.

Or to Hank.

9 CORRALLED

Dammit. He was not thinking about his buddy when he had Lainie in his bed.

When Lainie started to bump her hips up, he stilled, until she understood he was in charge. She sagged into the mattress and kissed him harder, squeaking those sexy, needy sounds into his mouth.

He shortened his strokes, keeping constant pressure on the slippery nub he could almost feel pulsing beneath his shaft.

Lainie’s thighs trembled and she broke the kiss. “Kyle. Oh.

Don’t stop.”

“Shh. Baby, I won’t. Give it to me. Let me see you come.”

Her beautiful neck bowed and she moaned as her orgasm hit.

Biting her lip. Nipples stabbing into his chest. Her skin flushing a pale rose.

Watching her come proved to be his undoing. Kyle propelled his hips faster, letting the underside of his cock head graze across the hard bone of her mound.

Yes.
Balls tight. Ass cheeks tight, stomach muscles tight.
Almost.

Almost.
“Yes. Oh, sweet Jesus. Lainie.”

He rammed one last time, resting his cock on her belly as spurt after spurt shot out on her warm, soft skin.

Everything went fuzzy for a second. Then Kyle pushed up on his palms and looked at her. She wore a catlike grin. “What?”

“You did follow through on your promise to make me come fast.”

“Ditto.” He licked at her lips, placed soft smooches on the corners of her smile, and dipped his tongue into her mouth for a flirty kiss that left them both wanting more.

“Kyle. I have to—”

“I know. But I can’t get enough. I love the way you taste.” He nibbled on the baby- soft section of skin at the base of her throat.

“The way you smell.” Kyle brushed his nose over the sweat-

LORELEI JAMES 9

dampened hair at her temple. “The way you feel under me. On me.

Around me.”

“The way I feel at this moment is sticky. Get off me so I can get cleaned up.”

One last smooch to her chin and he flopped over on his back.

His gaze sought the seed he’d left on her belly. Might make him a Neanderthal, but damn, did he love seeing his mark on her.

Then it was gone. Lainie swiped it away with a tissue. She was zipped and buttoned in no time flat.

She gave him a once- over and tossed him his briefs. “Where are the rest of your clothes?”

“In the washer. They’re probably done by now.”

“Want me to throw them in the dryer on my way upstairs?”

Lainie’s thoughtfulness, even for the smallest things, always moved him. “If it’s no trouble.”

“No trouble. See you.” She headed for the door.

“Lainie. Wait.”

She whirled around.

“If Hank asks where you’ve been . . . will you tell him what just happened?”

Indecision warred in her eyes, but she nodded. “The reverse would be true too, Kyle. Anything you want to know about what happens between me and Hank, just ask. It’s only fair.”

The door closed behind her.

$IBQUFS5FO

9

5
urned out it wasn’t Hank that Lainie should’ve been worried about.

She’d just tossed Kyle’s clothes in the dryer when a voice spoke behind her. “Lucky Kyle. You’ll do him
and
his laundry?”

Lainie threw in two fabric- softener sheets and started the machine before she turned around.

Holy crap— Celia was pissed. Arms folded over her chest. Slim body vibrating with anger. Mouth set in a grim line. Eyes hard and mean.

“It’s not what you think,” Lainie said evenly.

“Oh, it’s
exactly
what I think. I heard you moaning Kyle’s name.

Same for Kyle gasping your name in praise.”

Lainie’s face heated. Not out of guilt. Celia’s eavesdropping on a private moment irked her.

“What kind of woman is all lovey- dovey with my brother one second, and not an hour later she’s fucking his friend?”

“I won’t answer that, Celia.”

“Why not?” she demanded.

Because it’s none of your business
. “Because it’s complicated.”

“Maybe when I talk to Hank it’ll
uncomplicate
things for you.”

LORELEI JAMES 9

Equally belligerent, Lainie pointed to the door. “Go ahead. If you bring it up with Hank, don’t do it in front of his friends.”

“Why not?”

“Because Hank doesn’t deserve to be embarrassed. Especially not by his hotheaded sister, who doesn’t have a freakin’ clue about what’s really going on.”

Worry crept into Celia’s steely eyes. “That’s why I’m asking
you
, Lainie. What’s goin’ on?”

Lainie yanked the ponytail holder out of her hair. The damn thing was giving her a headache. Right. It was the elastic’s fault her head pounded. Not this sneaking around and lying shit. “Look, Celia, no offense, but I don’t know you or if you can keep a secret.”