With a cry that she quickly muffled, she came hard, her body shaking beneath me. She tasted amazing and I knew I would soon become addicted to pleasing her. When she finished, she sagged beneath me and I shifted to my knees, wiping my mouth with my fingers while she watched me with hooded eyes.
Amy fumbled for something on her right and then she handed me the condom. I tore the wrapper and rolled it on. Then I rolled to my back, taking her with me and encouraged her to straddle me. My cock stood at attention and she gripped it, making me moan.
“Ride me, cowgirl,” I told her. She touched the brim of the hat she was still wearing and rose up on one leg to guide me in. I expected herto go slow, but she slammed straight down, making me choke out a strangled groan. “Fuuuck. Be careful or I’ll go off before you come again,” I warned, then groaned at the grin on her face. I shouldn’t have said anything because she seemed to have taken it as a challenge.
She found her rhythm and flexed her hips. I stared at her face, memorizing all the little pleasure gasps. She was an absolute goddess and I wanted to pinch myself—it was nearly impossible to believe she was mine.
Amy lifted up and slammed down on top of me and I snapped my attention back to where we were connected. She was clenching her muscles with each rise and I fought to keep from orgasming before she did. Pleasure was coiled tight at the base of my spine and I shook as desire warred with the need to wait.
I caught her by surprise when I sat up and rolled so she was under me again. “Oh!” Wrapping her legs around my hips, she met me thrust for thrust. The small noises coming out of her mouth were increasing in volume and desperation. I slid my hand between us, finding her clit and pinching it. She jerked beneath me, coming hard as her muscles clamped down hard on my cock. I kept moving, and she cried out, “Oh, Cal. I love you so much.”
That was it for me. My vision faded and the room spun as my orgasm roared through me. I barely managed to keep from shouting as I shuddered.
Collapsing next to her, I pulled her toward me to sprawl across my chest, her head resting against my heart. We laid like that for quite some time and I thought she might have fallen asleep when she finally stirred.
“That was amazing,” she said. I couldn’t agree more. We kissed and I could feel my cock twitch. I would be ready for another round as soonas she was. When we parted, I sat up to remove the condom, tossing it in the trash before climbing back into bed and pulling the cover over the both of us.
I held her in my arms and she rested her head on my shoulder and I idly stroked her back. “Thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“Coming back for me.”
I tilted her chin up and brushed my lips across hers. “I will always be there for you,” I vowed.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she cupped the side of my face and kissed me back. “And I will always be there for you, too,” she said.
And I believed her.
EPILOGUE
CAL
Iwalked through the crowd on the way to my last event at the charity rodeo. From the look of things, it was an overwhelming success and the town would be building its new community center soon. Next to the temporary arena and bleachers was an array of booths offering food from local restaurants along with merchandise for sale and various locals hawking their services. Every inch of space was packed with people having a wonderful time. And from what I’d heard, the livestock auction was just as much of a success.
“Good luck, Cal,” a voice called out and I spotted Rafael in the stands sitting with Jake, Brian, and what looked like all the Caffertys. Behind them were Aurora and Marc and the deputy who’d strongarmed me the night I fought with Jake. I waved to everyone and continued on.
Since this was my last rodeo, I wanted to compete in as many events as possible. I’d already gotten through two roping events. One was team roping and the other was my solo steer roping. I’d successfully met my marks and avoided any injuries. But now I had my final bronc ride. I expected to feel some sorrow or regret at leaving competitive rodeo. To my surprise, I felt pumped instead.The life I was making for myself was too damn good to have regrets.
I caught a look of surprise on a woman’s face and tipped my hat to her. I could guess what was going through her head. Some folks in town continued to give me a double take, thinking they were seeing Luke, but I no longer minded. Most of the community had come to know me for who I was, and the rest would in time. Cal Pierce, former rodeo rider and future owner of a rodeo training center. Word had spread quickly through the area that I was opening the facility and I already had interest from parents who wanted to enroll their kids. I figured by fall I’d be up and running and ready for students.
Soon enough, too, the people of Poplar Springs would recognize me as Amy’s husband. I told myself I had to be patient on that one. We’d only known each other for a month, and I needed to give her time to trust that I was sticking around. I never wanted her to doubt that. But I’d spotted the perfect ring in a jewelry store in Denver and bought it. It was hidden away in the tack room of my barn, but I couldn’t stop myself from pulling it out just to look at it all the time. I wanted to propose, get married, move into the farmhouse with her, and begin our life together.
I would have to be patient. It would all come true in time. And for now I needed to focus on my last event. I made my way to the chute and pulled my hat down farther on my head. I dropped into the saddle, lifting my hand to signal I was ready, and the gate was flung open. The horse came out bucking, trying to unseat me by standing on his hind legs and coming down hard on its front end, but I hung on, ticking off the seconds in my head before kicking free.
I didn’t need the roar of the crowd to tell me it was a good ride, and I was happy about that. My name and reputation had been used to draw people to the event, and my rides throughout the day had been some of my best. As I got to my feet and waved, I acknowledged that thatpart of my life was over, but I smiled as I found Amy and Henry on the edge of the arena. Henry scrambled over the fence and ran toward me, and I swung him up onto my shoulders and headed for Amy.
“Nice ride, cowboy,” she said, giving me a pat on the cheek and a kiss. “Can you watch the last event with us?”
“Love to,” I said as we made our way to an empty space on the bleachers near the rest of the Thorne family and all their friends. I put Henry on the seat between us, not that the boy sat still with the excitement of the rodeo all around us.
Amy smiled at me over Henry’s head and I remembered that she’d taken an emergency phone call from the mayor an hour or so ago. From what I understood, the man had been released from the rehab hospital and returned home that very day. “What did the mayor want?” I asked. “Nothing bad, I hope.”
“Not bad, just surprising,” she said. “Bob has decided to retire and thinks I should run for mayor. I’m not sure what I think about that.”
“Are you kidding? You’d be great at it,” I said. “You love this place and look at the amazing success of the event you put on.” I gestured to the people gathered for the rodeo.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, but she was smiling. I didn’t think it would take too much encouragement to get her to pursue being mayor. With how well everyone seemed to like her, and how capable she’d proven herself to be, I was sure she’d win against anyone foolish enough to run against her. Damn, I was proud of her.
