Taking Catie: The Temptation Saga: Book Three (9 page)

S
weat beaded
on Catie’s brow. The summer evening was hot, and her nerves were shot. What really irked her was that now she wanted to win this stupid competition. She was proud to be part of this community, proud it was her home. Who’d have thought?

She stood, dressed in a denim prairie skirt and a fluffy white peasant blouse—Annie’s idea.
Why not look a little different?
she’d said—next to Amber, in line with the other thirteen contestants in the rodeo arena.

Amber wore a slim-fitting leather western style skirt and a sapphire silk western shirt. Her ostrich boots matched the shade of her shirt. Patti and all the others wore similar styles, very slimming and western. Catie felt a little like a frump. Why had she trusted Annie? The peasant look worked with Annie’s Italian gypsy looks, but Catie had a sleeker beauty, a more western look. Heck, she’d grown up on a ranch. She should be looking the part. And she had the height. A straight skirt looked great on her. What in God’s name had she been thinking?

“It’s been a great competition,” the emcee said into his microphone. “Our judges, the McCray boys, said it was a tough call. But we do have our winner and our first runner-up. May I have a drum roll, please.”

The drum roll came from a keyboard, but what the heck.

“Our first runner-up is…Miss Amber Cross!”

Amber jumped up, gave Catie a quick hug, and walked forward to receive her bouquet of roses.

Catie’s heart slumped. If the judges—the McCrays—liked Amber, they wouldn’t like her. She and Amber were different as night and day.

“Now, Amber, being first runner-up is very important. If, for any reason, our winner can’t fulfill her duties as Bakersville’s rodeo queen, you will step in for the remainder of the year.”

“I’m honored, really,” Amber said into the mike. “Thank you all!”

“Now for our winner. There’s only one woman here who can outshine Amber. Do you have an idea who she is?”

“Catie!” Someone called from the stands.

Catie’s cheeks warmed. Someone was making fun of her. This was awful.

“You got that right,” the emcee said. “This year’s rodeo queen is…Miss Caitlyn Bay!”

Patti and another girl grabbed Catie in a bear hug. Once she had wrangled free, she headed to the stage to join Amber. The emcee thrust a huge bouquet of red and white roses at her and put a rhinestone tiara on her head.

“It’s good to have you back in Bakersville, Catie,” the emcee said. “Do you have anything to say to the audience?”

“Uh, yes, of course,” Catie said. “I’d like to thank the judges, of course. Your confidence in me means so much. And all the other contestants were wonderful. It was fun meeting you all and hanging out for the week. Amber, I’m so glad we met.”

Sheesh. What else could she say?

“I’m looking forward to representing my city during the coming year.”

Thunderous applause followed, and Catie stood, mesmerized. She’d always known the people of Bakersville took this competition seriously, but now that she was the object of their affection and applause, an arrow of warmth shot through her body. They were pleased to have her as their rodeo queen.

She wouldn’t let them down.

“Well said, Catie,” the emcee continued. “As you know, tonight you’ll reign over the rodeo competition. We have a special treat tonight. Zach and Dusty McCray have brought their bull, El Diablo, out, and are still offering that half-mil purse to anyone who can ride him for a full eight seconds. We’ll have some barrel racing and bronc busting, some calf roping and trick riding, and all kinds of other good stuff. Get your hot dogs and funnel cakes from Mary at the concession stand. Now, Catie, if you’ll join me in the announcer’s box, we’ll get this rodeo started!”

Catie followed the emcee—his name was Mark and he was new in town—to the box and watched the rodeo. Zach McCray won the bull-riding competition, staying on Stormtrooper for his eight seconds and garnering a nine point one from the judges. Chad didn’t ride, which disappointed Catie. He was a good bull-rider, and she hadn’t seen him ride for over four years.

When the rodeo competition was over, Catie went with Harper to the Bullfrog. She felt conspicuous in her tiara, but the throngs of people welcomed her. She danced with one cowboy after another, including Mark, the emcee, who had taken a particular liking to her.

Zach and Dallas weren’t there. Not surprising. They were family men with small children at home. But where was Chad?

As if in answer to her query, she spied him in a dark corner of the bar, in a clench with Amber. Were they kissing? Catie couldn’t tell.

What nerve! She yearned to march right up to him and put a stop to this obscene public display.

But what could she do? Chad wasn’t hers. He’d made that perfectly clear.

Or had he? She was the one who’d walked out of his hotel room Wednesday night when he’d wanted to make love. Of course, he had eventually agreed with her and had apologized for putting her in a difficult position.

Anger seethed in Catie’s gut. Ethics or none, she was no more than a lay to him. A novelty he’d obviously gotten over. He thought she was too young. So why wasn’t Amber too young? Catie had found out from the other girl that she was twenty-one as well.

Yeah, Catie was angry. But all the anger in the world wouldn’t erase the love she had for that stupid cowboy.

Chad McCray was the love of her life, and he always would be.

“
I
’m sorry
, honey. I just don’t think we were meant to be together.”

Amber tightened her hold on Chad. “I don’t understand. A week ago you couldn’t wait to get me in the sack, and now you put me off and put me off.”

“You’re young, for one thing.”

“I’m nearly twenty-two. You’ll have to come up with a better excuse. Is there someone else?”

“Hell, no.”

“Then what on earth is going on?”

“I’m just not into…relationships is all.”

“A few dates does not a relationship make, Chad. I guess we really don’t know each other that well. I could have sworn you were a guy who liked to have fun.”

“Well, sure I do.”

“Then there’s someone else. It’s Catie, isn’t it?”

“For God’s sake, there’s no one else, Amber. I just don’t want to get involved with anyone right now.” He physically removed her arms from around his waist. “You’re a real nice girl. Beautiful and sweet. You earned that runner-up position, and it was no easy task, you being new in town and all.”

“Did you vote for me, Chad?” Amber asked. “Or did you vote for Caitlyn?”

“There were three judges, Amber.”

“But who was your choice?”

“I can’t say. It’s not fair of you to ask me.”

“Your choice was Caitlyn, then.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” Amber stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips lightly against Chad’s cheek. “I think we’d have fun together, cowboy, but I guess it’s not to be. It was nice meeting you.”

She walked away, into the crowd of people celebrating.

Damn.
Chad gritted his teeth. What the hell was wrong with him? He could have had her six different ways by now, but he just wasn’t interested.

He glanced across the room. Catie stood talking to Harper, her tiara twinkling.

But it was no match for her eyes or her smile.

He stroke toward her with purpose.

“Hey, rodeo queen,” he drawled, “wanna dance?”

He grinned as a telltale blush colored her pretty face.

“You don’t mind, do you, Harper?” Chad asked.

“No. Of course not.”

“Then, come on, Catie. Let’s cut the rug.”

“Wait one minute,” she said. “Why would you just assume I’m going to dance with you? Why don’t you dance with Harper? He said he didn’t mind.”

“Catie—” Harper said.

“A gentleman would wait for my answer,” Catie continued.

“Sugar, if you don’t know by now, let me fill you in.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her to the crowded dance floor. “I ain’t no gentleman.”

He pulled her against his body and reveled in her warmth, her softness. Why couldn’t he get enough of her? She was so young, so innocent.

Well, not so innocent anymore. He’d taken care of that. He was probably the first in a long line of lovers she’d have. A knife sliced into his gut. Why should that bother him? He didn’t want her. Well, not true. He wanted her. Just not forever. And she deserved forever.

Forever with a man who loved her.

So why was the thought of any man touching her so horrible? So vile? He squeezed her close, and her small gasp rang in his ears.

“Let’s go,” he said, pulling her off the dance floor and toward the door of the Bullfrog.

“Chad? What’s going on?”

He pulled her out the door and around to the parking lot behind the bar. Several couples laughed intimately in the shadows. Chad headed for his pickup and pushed her against the driver’s side. He clamped his mouth down on hers.

“Mmmpphhhh.” Her voice was muffled against his seeking tongue.

He forced her lips open and plunged inside. Sweet God, lime and raspberries again. Did this woman know how to bewitch him? He’d never tasted anything so intoxicating.

He ripped his mouth from hers. “What have you done to me, sugar?”

“I… I haven’t done anything, Chad.”

“You’ve bespelled me. Bewitched me.”

“You’re being silly. Don’t joke like that.”

Her voice was sweeter than the softest tune on a flute. He pressed his lips to her neck, raining kisses on her smooth skin and inhaling her fresh outdoorsy scent. “I want you, Catie. I want you in my bed.”

“Oh, Chad.” Her exhale was a whispered caress against his neck.

“Let’s go.”

“I… I can’t.”

“Why not?” He nibbled her ear. “The competition’s over. You won. No more ethical problems.”

“Because. I don’t want a roll in the hay.”

“I know, sugar. I know.”

“Chad.” She pushed at his chest.

He held her firmly. “What?”

“Why did you pick me?”

“Because you were the prettiest, had the most poise, and no one can beat you on horseback.”

“But was I
your
choice?”

“Yeah. You were. But my vote on the fashion show got disqualified.”

“Disqualified? Why?”

He beamed. “Because I gave you a twelve.”

“So?”

“The highest score I could give was ten. But baby, a ten for you in that hot green bikini wasn’t near high enough.”

The cute redness on her cheeks glowed, even in the moonlight.

“It’s a gorgeous night,” he said. “You wanna go riding again?”

“I… It’s not a good idea, Chad.”

“Sugar, it’s a fucking great idea.” He nipped the softness of her neck. “You ever fantasize about making love on horseback?” he whispered.

“I told you—”

“Right, no roll in the hay.” He chuckled. “We’ll go back to my place. No hay there. I promise.” He licked her pulse point and enjoyed the sweet shudder that flowed through her. Her body responded to him like no other woman’s had.

“Yeah. Yeah. Okay. A ride.”

“Come on.” He opened the door of his truck, walked her around to the passenger side, and helped her in. “Let’s go.”

T
hey never made
it on the moonlight ride. Chad took Catie back to his place and they ended up in bed.

Catie didn’t fight it. He was right. The ethics were moot at this point, and here was another chance to make love with the man she adored.

She took it, even knowing it would lead to more heartache.

They explored each other’s bodies with new enthusiasm.

Catie took Chad’s cock into her mouth, and the sensation of his sleek hardness, the salty and masculine taste, the groans of satisfaction from low in his throat—all added up to delicious and amazing. She licked around the base, explored his sac, buried her nose in his black curls and inhaled. She licked the shaft, curling her tongue around his head and then thrusting her entire mouth upon him. Up and down, up and down. His hips lifted in tandem with her strokes, and he moaned her name, his husky voice music to her ears.

“Ah, Catie. Sugar.”

She looked upward, her eyes meeting his. They smoked. His half-lidded dark eyes actually smoked.

“Come here,” he said.

She let his cock drop from her mouth and kissed the head. He shivered.

“Damn, Catie, if you don’t come here, this is going to be over in another second.”

She climbed forward.

“Drawer,” he said. “Condom.”

She reached into the drawer of his night table and grabbed a condom. When she handed it to him, he shook his head, a sly smile curving on his lips.

“You do it.”

“Me?” She had never put a condom on a man before. Well, of course she hadn’t. She’d been a virgin.

“Yeah, you. It’s something…special between a man and a woman. I want you to do it.”

“But I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Shh. Baby, you’ll do fine. Just take it out, pinch the tip of the rubber to leave a little space for the…you know. Then put it on me.”

“Are you sure you want me to?”

“God, sugar. Yeah, I want you to.”

Catie inhaled sharply and ripped the foil packet open. The condom was light beige, made out of lambskin, the package said. It had a little lubricant on it, and it was so thin and fragile she wasn’t sure it could protect against anything. The image of the torn condom from earlier slid into her mind, and she quickly banished it. There was no reason to worry. She pinched the tip, as Chad had told her, and slowly rolled it onto his huge cock.

“Yeah, sugar, just like that,” he said. “Just like that. Come here.” He pulled her toward him. “Ride me, baby. Ride me into the sunrise.”

Catie sank down onto him, letting him fill her so completely, so thoroughly. It felt different this way, from a different angle. It felt so damn good.

“God, sugar. That’s nice.”

“Yeah. Yeah it is.” Catie crossed her arms. She felt so exposed, sitting on top of Chad. Everything was in full view.

“Don’t cover yourself, baby. You’re so beautiful. Such gorgeous breasts.” He leaned forward and clasped his lips around one nipple. “Mmmm. Delicious. Sugar nipples.”