Cowboys in Charge Read online

  He walked back into the bedroom carrying the paddle used for more serious “discussions.” It felt wrong in his hand, but necessary.

  Her pretty eyes widened, glistened with tears. “Supper is ready,” she said instead of an actual protest.

  “It smells good, too, but it’ll wait.” He touched the paddle to the side of his leg and she watched the movement, dread in her eyes. “We don’t even need to talk about the problem this time, do we? You know what it is.”

  She shook her head. “No.” She swallowed hard, barely breathing.

  He moved to the side of the bed. “Your choice: over my knee or over the pillows.”

  “Pillows.” She couldn’t meet his eyes.

  He almost tossed the paddle aside, almost decided to let her act of misbehavior go this time. But, damn, this was important. And she expected to pay for what she’d done by taking another spanking. He couldn’t ignore this matter.

  “Shove those jeans down, too.” While she waited, he stacked two pillows in the middle of the bed. He concentrated on getting them just right and not on how she trembled nearby.

  She glanced at him and then climbed on the bed behind the pillows. Her face flamed as she wiggled her jeans down before stretching over the pile. His cock responded instantly at the sight of her. His body desperately wanted to climb up there behind her, bend her over, and drive into her. It would be wild, hard, and fast.

  Somehow he managed to force that longing aside and grit out, “Shift your legs apart a bit.”

  He preferred this position when he paddled her, but it was torture for him. Seeing those soft folds, that swollen clit, the way her ass quivered…

  “I know you don’t believe me, but I’m sorry,” she said quietly, lowering her head to the mattress. “Sorry I keep disappointing you.”

  Her remorse tugged at him. But they’d talked about this too many times already. He’d spanked her for similar instances of overspending. It couldn’t keep happening.

  He sent the first swat across both cheeks. They sunk in beneath the paddle and a line of red showed when he lifted it. “This is serious, Elizabeth.” He swatted her two more times. “Why can’t you understand that?”

  She gasped. Her fingers curled around the comforter. “I mean to follow what we agreed to. I just… I just…”

  The paddle expressed his frustration several more times causing her to yelp with each blow. Her butt was already getting red and he felt the heat rising off of it. He didn’t like doing this, but whenever he spanked her for something, she didn’t repeat the misbehavior for a long time. He wished she never did.

  He held the paddle against where it had last fallen as she caught her breath. “I don’t know how to make this clear to you. You tell me one thing—promise me—and then go out shopping again. Like we hadn’t even discussed the subject.”

  “I know it’s wrong,” she whimpered, tightening her fingers even more on the comforter, knowing there was more to come.

  He considered stopping, debated it until she looked back at him expectantly. He focused on the unpleasant task and sent another smack down, but not as hard. He didn’t want to really hurt her.

  She lowered her head, sobbed, “I’m so sorry.” She hiccupped. “I don’t even like going shopping that much. But I…I just have to.”

  She just had to? She felt compelled to shop? Her emotions were driving her to do this? He had a bad feeling about this now. Something he’d read somewhere.

  “Answer me honestly, sweetheart. Do you have stashes of things you’ve bought? Besides these Christmas gifts? Things you didn’t want me to know about?” He waited uneasily for her answer.

  It took her a few seconds before she bobbed her head. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  His gut tightened as he recognized real remorse, her embarrassed guilt. This wasn’t like other acts of disobedience. This was something else.

  Time for disciplining her was done. She’d paid enough for these recent purchases. They needed to talk about this matter. He walked across the room and set the paddle on the dresser. He tried to figure out how to broach the subject. She had a problem. This was more than just a way of her rebelling against anything they’d agreed to.

  Uncertain and worried, he eased onto the bed next to the woman he loved with all of his heart. He wouldn’t make her deal with this problem alone. “Come here, sweetheart.”

  She hadn’t moved out of position and looked at him in confusion, blinking away tears. “You’re finished? Already?”

  He grimaced as he saw how red her ass was, at knowing how much pain she suffered. A spanking always hurt. A paddling, even a short one, seriously stung. And he’d given her a number of swats where he’d barely held his strength back. When she deserved discipline, he could live with her temporary pain. But now… now he felt guilty.

  “Yes, I’m done paddling you.” He gave her a tender look. “Come here, sweetheart. I need to hold you.” How would she take what he had to say?

  She didn’t hesitate to shift off the pillows and to snuggle against him. She trembled and made sure not to touch her tender butt to the mattress. He could barely hear her as she said, “I know I bought way too much for Christmas this year.” She sniffled. “I just can’t help myself. Suzy told me to stop. But I couldn’t.”

  Trent held her to him, running his hand soothingly up and down her back. “I read an article recently about women who can’t seem to stop shopping. Shopaholics. They buy things they don’t need or really even want. They just can’t help themselves.”

  She lifted her head to look at him. “Really? This is an addiction?” She hesitated and admitted sadly, “It’s been getting worse since this summer. But I don’t know why.”

  He gently touched her face. “It’s a compulsion, but they don’t seem to know for sure what causes it.”

  He considered something else he remembered hearing and guilt tore through him. “Some psychiatrists think the compulsive behavior is triggered by a need to feel special.” He felt even worse as he added, “To combat loneliness.”

  His words played over again in his head. Loneliness. He knew then that a lot of the problem lay at his feet. He would own up to it and they’d figure this out together. He held her gaze as she looked up at him. “God, sweetheart, I did this to you.”

  Her pretty brow furrowed. “I’m the one who—”

  “The one who needed me to be around more,” he interrupted. He blew out a breath of frustration. “I’ve been so crazy busy with the ranch this year. I’ve all but ignored you. I’m so sorry, so very sorry.”

  He saw the truth in her eyes: he’d been right. He’d been too distant, too damn busy. But she gave him a wobbly smile. “I know how demanding the ranch can be.” She hugged him back.

  He took comfort in the fact that she had latched on to him almost as desperately as he had to her. “We’ll get you help. We’ll fix this. I promise.”

  She shook her head. “This isn’t your fault. Well, maybe partially. I don’t mind sharing the blame about this problem.”

  “Always. We need to share all of our problems. I love you, sweetheart, more than you can possibly know.” He couldn’t imagine life without her. “I swear to you that I’m going to stop being such an inconsiderate husband.” He would never again let her think that she wasn’t important to him.

  Tears misted her eyes again. “So, does that mean you’ll help me wrap those other presents you found?”

  “You’re pushing things, Lizzie. But I’ll help you take them back.”

  She looked worried, anxious. “I can’t! I…” She sucked in a breath. “Okay, maybe.”

  Trent knew he needed to learn a lot more about this compulsive need his wife suffered from. The panic he’d seen in her eyes just now warned him this might be difficult for both of them. But they’d get through it.

  To distract her—him, too, he decided to admit to his big expenditure this year. He felt nervous for a second and then determined. “Actually, I spent a lot this year,
too. I wanted to give you something special. Something to show you how much I love you. I know sometimes you think I ignore you or put you second to the ranch. But I don’t mean to.”

  She leaned back, her eyes sparkling with delight. “What is it? Don’t make me wait until tomorrow. Please.”

  He gave her a frown, certain his crooked smile ruined it. “Well, I have a few small presents under the tree, so I suppose…” The happiness on her beloved face was too much for him. He blurted out, “I got us tickets to Maui the second week in January. A week’s stay in a fancy resort, too.”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks, but at his stricken look, she dashed them away. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” Then she began shoving off her jeans. “Strip. Now.”

  He gaped at her.

  She climbed off the bed, tore off her blouse and bra. Her gaze shot to him, impatience etched on her face. “Did you not understand what I said? Strip. Now. I have some serious thanking to do. In a most delicious way.”

  “Hell yes!”

  For the Love of His Cowgirl

  The sound of water running and Amber’s off-key singing pulled Adam from the bare edges of sleep. He opened one eyelid and glanced at the digital clock next to him. Not quite five o’clock in the morning. What the heck was she doing up already? Wasn’t it Saturday? Didn’t they sleep in on the weekends? Oh yeah, that had been in his other life.

  He rolled to his stomach and pulled a pillow over his head. Sleep. He really, really needed it. Instead of sleeping, he’d spent the night mentally going over the specs for the new breeding plan and the new horse barn. It seemed like his brain never had a chance to shut down anymore. There was always one issue or another to take care of on a ranch. It was wearing him down.

  Tune it all out. Forget the ranch for another hour or so. Ignore your naked wife in there under the shower, water dripping over that sweet body. Shut down.

  Instead he thought about how they’d been excited to move here to his family’s ranch this summer. Been being the key word for him. Amber still was. His enthusiasm had faded after the first couple of months and a lot of sore muscles. No, he supposed, he was still enthusiastic, he was just tired. It had been a lot easier being the accountant for the family ranch and living in Oklahoma City. He’d been satisfied playing at being a cowboy now and then. But when he and his sister had put their dad in a nursing home, they’d needed to figure out what to do with the ranch. He’d honestly been tempted to sell it, even if this had been the Powell Ranch for almost two hundred years. Amber and Josie had ganged up on him, worn him down. So here he was, back where he’d grown up and sworn he wouldn’t ever live again.

  He sighed. His brain started getting fuzzy. He’d almost managed to nod off when the bathroom door opened and light hit him where the pillow failed to cover his head. He scowled and started to tug the pillow lower when he caught sight of Amber in the doorway. She was all curvy, naked woman. His naked woman.

  She looked straight at him, clearly aware that she had his full attention. She stood there so damn tempting, slowly brushing the blonde hair that fell nearly to her waist. His mouth watered. Want, desire, need fired through him. And the brat knew it. She went right on brushing her hair, smiling sassily at him.

  “Stop teasing me,” he growled, turning to his side. He tried to remember the last time they’d played any kind of teasing game. Then he tried to remember the last time they’d even made love. Their busy life with everything that needed to be done around the ranch had taken its toll on their marriage. He was weighted down with responsibilities. “Come here.”

  She took her sweet time putting the brush down, stopping to turn on the light by the dresser, and then strolling toward him. The sight of her wearing nothing but a crooked smile and a hint of mischief in her eyes was killing him. He had a bad feeling about this. It was clear that she was in the mood to have her way with him, including torturing him. Sweet brat.

  “So, cowboy, ready for a ride?” She stopped close to his side of the bed, toyed with some long strands of her hair that teased one of her nipples. Smiling, she casually thumbed that nipple and it pebbled.

  He swallowed hard, unable to look away from where she flicked the nipple again. He shoved the covers aside and shifted until he sat on the edge of the bed. “I’d been thinking how I needed to get up and going for the day, but it appears my cowgirl has something else in mind.” He did, too, although he sure shouldn’t.

  Her gaze heated and she focused on his thick, morning erection standing tall and get-your-butt-over-here proud. “It’s been a while and I’ve missed my boy toy.”

  “Your ‘boy toy’ has missed you, too.” He reached down to rub his cock as it swelled even more.

  Her pretty pink tongue slipped out to run over the crease of her heart-shaped mouth. She knew he liked it when she did that. Her eyes danced with mischief. Then she moved one of her hands to the apex of her legs. Holding his gaze, she eased her fingers toward the place he ached to be inside.

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’re really in a mood, aren’t you?” He thought he just might explode if he didn’t touch her soon. And the imp knew it, amusement tipping up the corners of her mouth. “Come here,” he demanded with more urgency.

  Of course she didn’t obey. His stubborn wife only obeyed when it suited her. She didn’t step an inch closer, simply moved enough to shift her legs slightly apart and continued sliding her fingers between her legs. Her nostrils flared from the stimulation and he could smell her arousal.

  Her hand stopped and she grinned mischievously as she pushed a finger inside her. A look of pleasure flittered in her expression. “Is that an order?”

  He wanted to pull that finger to his mouth, suck the taste of her off it. He wanted to drive his shaft deep where that finger had been. His place.

  Heaven…Hell. He was caught somewhere in between. She danced her fingertips along her soft folds, sighed quietly, her nostrils flaring even more.

  He groaned, gripping his throbbing shaft tighter. One stroke of his hand and a bead of cum dribbled from his cockhead. It had been too damn long since he’d felt her squeezing all around him, enfolding him within that delicious warmth, encouraging him. At this rate, he wasn’t going to last much longer.

  “Get your ass over here, cowgirl,” he growled, pumping his rod once again. “It’s time to saddle up.”

  Ornery woman that she was, she still didn’t move closer. She simply began caressing one breast and fingering her cunt with the other hand. He struggled to pull in a breath watching her, pumping his cock again and again.

  After a few seconds, she trembled. Her eyes started to glaze over in her obvious excitement. “What if I don’t?” she asked in a sensual tease.

  He let go of his cock and stretched out to pull her to him. The familiar scent of her, the heat in her gaze, made his heart pound. He reached around her naked body and cupped her ass with his hands. She leaned against him, putting her breasts at mouth level, making them so damn tempting.

  Instead of tasting those plump beauties, he squeezed her butt cheeks. “I’m thinking you need a good fucking.” Only when they played did he talk coarsely to her. Any other time he was a gentleman cowboy and she was his lady. “A long, hard, make you scream fucking.”

  She moaned, eyes widening. Her hardened nipples pressed against him. “Are you man enough?” she whispered the challenge.

  “You doubt me?” He bit down on the closest nipple enough to make her suck in a breath. Pleased, he rolled his tongue around it, before leaning back to look at her. “Damn right I am.”

  She shivered within his hold and threaded her fingers into his hair. “Prove it, cowboy.”

  With a grin, he pinched the taut bud, again enjoying her quiet gasp. As she focused on him, he applied both hands to her soft ass, massaging the quivering cheeks. Again, she sighed, leaned into him He loved how she easily responded to whatever he did. His thoughts shifted in another direction. “I’m thinking this butt needs some attention of a different kind. A nice
warming to start off this cold December day.”

  She nibbled his ear, which always upped his interest, something she well knew. Brat. Then she giggled and looked at him with pure sin dancing in her eyes. “Have I been a naughty cowgirl?” she asked in a sexy, seductive tone. The one that always made him even hotter.

  He slapped one buttock hard enough to make her hiss, make her eyes darken. “I’m hoping you’ll get a lot naughtier,” he said on a husky breath. “Have your wicked way with me.”

  “You should be careful what you ask for.” She pushed him backward, grinning as he blinked up at her. “Move, cowboy. I’ve got a serious need to…” She winked and he couldn’t scramble back fast enough.

  Amber felt boneless as she stretched atop her sweaty, exhausted husband. Wow! The last half hour or so had definitely been “wow” time. She didn’t want to move, wasn’t sure she even could. Her big guy was so nice and comfortable beneath her, her personal heated pillow. She’d missed times like this.

  She sighed as the pleasure faded and her thoughts turned depressed. They used to play exciting little games, shared fantasies, and acted out scenarios. She’d even worn the occasional sexy costume for him. What had happened to them? When had they become so ho-hum boring?

  He reached around her to toy with her hair, something they both enjoyed. It sent a frisson of awareness through her. “I wondered if you were still alive,” she teased and raised her head to look at him. Her long hair brushed against the sides of her breasts, draped over his excellent chest.

  “Barely.” He blew out a deep breath, making her move up and down with his body. “I’m not as young as I used to be. I may have to take the day off to recover.”

  She rolled her eyes at his exaggeration. “You’re thirty-five, not with one foot in the grave.” She couldn’t resist squirming a little over him, relishing the feel of every hard-muscled inch of him. Then she giggled as she felt the stirrings of another erection. No, he most definitely wasn’t too old for this. “Can’t get enough, huh?”

  “Boy Wonder may be interested in going another round, but it’s not happening.” He stroked her hair again and looked grimly at her. “Both of us have chores to get to. Then I’ve got to run into the feed store and pick up that load of grain we ordered yesterday.”