Hell Yeah!: Cowboy Kinky (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Kinky Chronicles Book 4) Read online

  She gaped at Ford. Damn, the bastard knew how to drive a hard bargain. Fortunately, she was no slouch when it came to the bargaining table. “How about I use your credit card and do everything myself?”

  “Now where would be the fun in that?” His mouth tipped up at one corner. “It’s my way or no pay, sugar.”

  She gnawed on her bottom lip, mentally weighing the pros and cons. Normally she’d be uncomfortable accepting such a generous offer, and be suspicious of strings being attached. But no lie, Ford did owe her big time for putting up with his shenanigans all these years. And an all-expense paid trip was something her wallet could get behind. On the flip side, though, who knew what she’d be getting herself into if she left all the details up to him? Just thinking about it brought on the cold sweats.

  “It really kills you to contemplate giving up control.”

  She sniffed. “Not at all.”

  “Liar.” He strode to her desk and planted his palms down in front of her, his position as he leaned over her providing an up close view of his chiseled abs. The scent of chlorine clung to him, mixed with the pungent Beckett sex appeal essence that followed him everywhere. Somehow she smothered a whimper. He pinned her with a stare more invasive than an X-ray machine. “I think it scares you, letting me be in charge. ‘Cause maybe you’ll like it. And that’s something you’d just as soon not look square in the eye. And I get it, darlin’. I truly do. But sooner or later you’re gonna have to let go.”

  Fixated on his six pack, it took a moment for his words to register. She squinted at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh, hon. You know precisely what I’m gettin’ at. No need to play coy.” He scooted closer, further disrupting her concentration, as he so effortlessly excelled at doing. “A day hasn’t passed without that kiss being on your mind. You’re wondering when I’ll make the next move. Anticipation is killing you, but it also tastes kinda sweet. Which is mighty aggravating to you, seeing how it’s not normally in your wheelhouse, letting the man call the shots and control the situation.”

  She didn’t know what irked her more—the challenge glinting in his eyes, or the possibility that he might be right. Not about eagerly anticipating another kiss from him. It was already established that’d be a freakin’ disaster. But what if he was on to something about her being a control freak? Granted, it was tough for her to hand responsibility over to someone else. Why bother when it was just as easy to take care of things herself?

  Okay, probably that was the definition of control freak. She winced. “I’m only like that with my job. On a personal level, it’s entirely different.”

  “Yeah? That why you insisted on being on set every second we were taping Charlie’s and Grady’s episode last month?”

  “I wanted to support my sister and her boyfriend. That’s all.”

  “Uh huh.” Ford drummed his fingertips on the desktop. “And it had nothing to do with you ensuring nothing too kinky went on.”

  “Puh-lease. Like that wasn’t a given with you.” She sighed at his knowing look. “All right, I might have been a little worried you wouldn’t keep your word about things being clothed and respectable. But that’s me being a big sister, not a control freak.” Admittedly, she tended to be overprotective where Charlie was concerned. Now that Grady was in the picture and filling her sister’s life with love and happiness, she didn’t have to worry as much. But old habits were hard to break.

  “Their episode is one of the best out of the whole season, and you know it.”

  She might be a little biased, but she thought so too. Charlie and Grady had true chemistry and the kind of love that lit up a room and made even the biggest nonromantic get the squishy feels. Ford had seen it from the beginning and it’d inspired his creative muse to capture it on film for his show. Yes, Kait had been entirely against the idea at first, for various reasons. But she had softened her stance. That should count for something. “Aside from my job and Charlie, I’m incredibly flexible. Just ask Russ.”

  “Darlin’, I find it hard to believe that pussy ex of yours knew the first thing about takin’ advantage of your flexibility. Strikes me as strictly a missionary man. His loss, if you ask me.”

  It took an embarrassing amount of seconds to catch his drift. God, she was severely caffeine deprived this morning. Determined to rectify that straight away, she took a quick swallow from her mug. Always best to get scalding hot beverages down fast when Ford was on a roll with his outrageous observations. Otherwise there was a fifty-fifty chance she’d end up choking on her coffee. She plunked her cup down. “Well, I didn’t ask you. And you’re completely wrong. Also that wasn’t the type of flexibility I was referring to.” It was her own damn fault for using that word to begin with. Of course he’d interpret it the wrong way. Anything less from him would be like throwing a T-bone in front of a Rottweiler and the mutt turning up its nose and pouncing on a Caesar salad instead.

  “You’re shittin’ me. So what position did he prefer?”

  “We are not having this conversation.” Her face hot, she shifted her attention to her computer.

  “Killjoy. You do realize that if you refuse to accept my offer you’re only proving my point.”

  Goddamn him. “And you realize saying that is a devious tactic to get me to do what you want.”

  “Hell, I have no problem with that.”

  “And you wonder why no PA has stuck with you as long as I have.”

  “Must mean we’re a match made in Heaven.” His smile was designed to disintegrate a woman’s panties.

  Thank the good Lord hers were made of Teflon. “Funny, I was thinking of a place more south of the border.”

  “Tijuana?”

  She snorted. “You’re a hilarious man.”

  He tried for an innocent expression and failed miserably. Even he wasn’t so good of an actor he could pull off the impossible. “Well, if you’re ever in Tijuana, I know this great donkey act...”

  She shuddered. “This is why I don’t want you playing travel agent with me. I’d need intensive therapy afterward.”

  “You don’t have to worry. Shit, don’t think there’s even any donkey acts in Texas.”

  “Thank God.”

  He scrubbed his jaw, his eyes glowing. “This mean you’ll let me do it?”

  “I’m probably going to regret it, but...yes.” She needed a damn antacid after getting the word out. For sure she’d require a carton of Rolaids during the actual trip. She pulled up her list of tasks and added the item to the list.

  “I’m gonna give you the best damn time of your life. You wait and see.”

  “Uh, that doesn’t lessen my misgivings whatsoever.”

  Tossing her a wink that only worsened the need for the Rolaids, he snatched his PJs and ambled for the doorway. As he crossed the threshold, he loosened the towel and whipped it over his shoulder.

  Staring at his gorgeous tush, she swallowed hard. “What the hell have I set myself up for?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  The Cessna 525 touched down on the asphalt runway of the Kerrville Municipal airport and Ford freed his chokehold on his arm rest. He’d never been much for air travel, but that was only partly the cause for the tension sitting heavy between his shoulder blades. It’d been a few years since he’d last set foot in Texas. Twenty, if you wanted to get technical about it. His ma and his sis would wring his neck for keeping them in the dark about his visit. His brothers were a bit less likely to give him grief. They weren’t quite as temperamental as the Beckett womenfolk.

  Still, flying under their radar? Completely necessary. If any of them knew he was here they’d push for him to go see the old man. It’d be a frosty day in hell when that happened. Thankfully, Jason didn’t share any ties with the rest of the Becketts. No chance of them catching wind of the wedding, much less Ford being the best man. Sure, always a possibility his family would find out about it after the fact, and he’d damn well hear about it until he was deaf from all the yelli
n’. He’d face that outcome when it arrived. Not a bad idea to invest in some earplugs ahead of time.

  Something wet and scratchy swiped at his hand. He glanced down and met the adoring gaze of his Newfoundland, Hairy. At least there was someone on this planet who didn’t think he was an asshole. He scritched Hairy behind the ear and earned a tongue-lolling smile from the dog.

  A sigh came from the passenger sitting on the other side of Ford. “I still don’t understand why you didn’t let Hairy stay home. Mrs. Beechum was more than willing to watch him.”

  “Where I go, Hairy goes. Isn’t that right, boy? Slap me some paw.”

  Kait grunted as he high-fived Hairy. “I hope to God the hotel will be okay with him tagging along.”

  Nothing to worry about there, seeing how they weren’t staying at the hotel she’d previously booked. Once Kait found out he’d cancelled the reservations? Yeah, that might be some bit of trouble too. Hopefully she’d like their new accommodations enough she’d go easy on him. Otherwise he might be standing up with Jason tomorrow with a shiny black eye to match his tux. “We’ll put one of those sailor suits on Hairy and say he’s our kid.”

  “That isn’t even funny.”

  “Nah, it’s real funny.” Unable to resist giving her something else to scrunch her nose at, he leaned sideways and smooched her on the lips. It was barely a peck, but her cheeks still colored up like an overcooked lobster. He tucked his knuckle beneath her chin and prodded her mouth closed. “So you know, that’s not the kiss you’ve got coming. Gonna make you wait on that one a little longer.”

  Her eyes narrowed to slits. Damn, whenever she gave him that Dirty Harry squint it was a true challenge to his willpower to not lick her from head to toe.

  “You’re a delusional, arrogant lunatic. You know that, right? It can’t be something that’s escaped your notice for the last thirty-nine years.”

  “Hairy, cover your ears,” he instructed before leaning to whisper near Kait’s ear. “Bet I can make you come with only a kiss. No delusions about it.”

  He pulled back and snuffed a grin at her expression. It snuggled somewhere in the middle of shocked and intrigued. She could call him arrogant all she wanted. He had the skills to back up every single one of his claims. And he fully intended to demonstrate his abilities to Kait before her vacation ended. Likely that was something else he’d catch hell for. She had no idea he and Hairy were spending the whole duration of her stay with her. But he couldn’t let the opportunity pass him by.

  This was his chance to convince Kait to finally do something about the wild chemistry between them. He knew she struggled with the idea of giving up control, and probably she saw their working relationship as a roadblock keeping them out of each other’s beds. Thank Christ he didn’t have any such hang-up. Especially when it came to Kait.

  He’d tried to be good the last five years. A goddamn miracle when it came to him. He appeased his unquenchable sexual appetites with a bevy of women. For a while it sustained him. Then a few months ago his increasing boredom with his bedmates began to develop unexpected side effects. He’d look for excuses to stand up his dates in favor of hanging out in his office with a certain sassy PA of his. The big fallout came the night he was doing one of his ladies doggie style. From the back, with her dark hair obscuring the side of her face, it’d been too easy to pretend she was Kait. He’d shouted the wrong name at a highly crucial moment. His lady friend wasn’t amused, and he hadn’t heard from her since. It was also the last time he had sex. That was nearly two months ago. A damn record for him. It wasn’t that he didn’t have willing and able bed warmers, either. Penelope, Hairy’s previous groomer, used to text him every day, up until he got firm with her and told her not to call him anymore. She’d still continued, forcing him to get a new number. Kait had really enjoyed rubbing his nose in that one.

  What she didn’t realize? She was at least partly to blame. The sizzle and spark he felt with her was more addictive than any vice in existence. He could no longer settle for anything less. Without question, when they finally got around to having sex it’d be combustible. And he was counting on it to burn her out of his system. Then he could go back to the way things were. His head would be on straight again, not wrapped up in fantasies about her. He was damn well doing them both a favor by arranging this week for them. She might want to flatten him over it at first, but she’d thank him later. No doubt of it.

  The pilot activated the debarking ramp and Ford clipped Hairy’s leash in place before moving aside for Kait to get by them. He availed himself of the opportunity to check out her sweet ass. She’d foregone a suit today in favor of denim leggings and a sleeveless floral top. Her strappy heels made her legs look like they went on forever and gave her butt a perky boost. Jesus, she was a walking wet dream. He’d jacked off countless times to the image of his palms full of her heart-shaped derriere while she sat on his face, his tongue buried in her pussy. Other times, his mental picture consisted of teasing her crack with the tip of his cock before he dipped lower and glazed his head with her wetness, prepping himself for the initial plunge into heaven.

  First chance he got, he was sinking his teeth in her lush ass. Would likely give it a good spank or dozen while he was at it. He brought a few of his favorite toys along for the trip. Cuffing Kait to the headboard, her pussy stuffed full of his cock as he tormented her nipples with a feather tickler? His idea of a perfect afternoon or two. Fortunately he’d have all the time in the world to glut himself in every come-soaked, conceivable way with her. He couldn’t hardly wait to get started. Sadly, the first step in his seduction would have to hold off until later. Today would be busy with the pre-wedding stuff.

  They deboarded the plane and he led Hairy to a nearby small strip of grass to do his business. After sniffing endlessly for the ideal spot, the Newfie squatted, his pensive gaze trained on Ford the entire time. It was an awkward stare down but they both made it through with flying colors.

  By the time they trekked to the waiting GMC Yukon, the baggage had been unloaded from the plane and carted to the vehicle. Kait was already helping the attendant pile everything into the rear cargo space. Ford got Hairy situated in the back seat before joining her. “Darlin’, let the men take care of this. Go park that cute fanny of yours.”

  “If only I was paid a dollar every time you say something completely sexist and inappropriate. I’d be a damn billionaire by now.”

  “Shoulda thought to put that in your contract.”

  “Now you tell me.” Grumping under her breath, she stalked to the passenger side of the SUV.

  He and the porter stacked the remaining luggage inside and he secured the door. After generously tipping the kid, Ford slid behind the wheel and nosed the Yukon toward the exit. Next stop, Kerrville. The drive would be quick. Less than twenty minutes, and that was with a loaded down vehicle and no hot-doggin’ on his end. Not that it wasn’t tempting. It’d been too long since he’d kicked up some Texas dust.

  He glanced sideways and caught Kait taking in the landscape. “Is it what you thought it’d be?”

  “Well, it’s a lot greener than I was expecting. But it’s truly gorgeous country.”

  “You should see it in spring, when the bluebonnets are out.” A vision flashed through his mind. The two of them naked in a field of the vivid wildflowers. He on his back, Kait riding him cowgirl style, her silky black hair spilling over her bouncing breasts. Thoroughly entranced by the fantasy, he didn’t immediately notice the squirrel poking across the road. He swerved at the last possible second to avoid flattening the creature like a pancake. A quick looky in the rearview mirror confirmed Rocky the squirrel had safely made it to the other side. Surprisingly Kait didn’t utter a single peep about his crazy driving, but she was white-knuckling her seatbelt strap as if her life depended on it and sweating a little. “Need me to crank up the air?”

  “Please just keep your hands on the wheel.”

  Chuckling, he did as instructed. They crossed the bridge
spanning the Guadalupe River and he slowed a bit to check out the view below. “Ideal current for tubing.”

  “Have you done that before?”

  “Yep. Not around here. But back home, plenty. You practically couldn’t get me, Zander, and Colby out of the water during the summer. Nora wasn’t much into it, though. Probably didn’t trust us after that one time we scared her with the fake river monster.”

  “Fake river monster? Lord, I need to hear this story.”

  He grinned, both at her droll tone and the memory. “We strung together some logs, covered them with garbage bags, and topped our masterpiece with three plastic shark fins and an alligator head. Lemme tell you, Nora about ran on top of that water to reach the bank. Jesus woulda been envious.”

  Kait snorted. “I’m so glad I don’t have brothers.”

  “Aw, sugar. It’s all in good fun. Though I’m sure Nora has shared your sentiment a time or two.”

  “One of these days I’m going to have to meet her and the rest of your family.” She sent him a side-eye. “Funny how you’ve always given me the week off whenever any of them are in town. Worried we’ll compare notes and I’ll find out you’ve always been an exasperating son of a bitch?”

  Oh, they’d fill her in on all the dirt all right, and confirm her suspicions there. But it wasn’t the primary reason he’d kept her separated from his family. He did it to ensure they kept their noses outta his relationship with her. Without a doubt, they’d love Kait. Mostly because she was a straight shooter who didn’t put up with any of his crap. Which was why his ma and Nora would play matchmaker and have his and Kait’s wedding china picked out within two minutes of meeting her. His brothers would be sympathetic to his plight, but wouldn’t come to his aid in fear of having the marriage spotlight turned on them. As for his dad? Well, he could count on one hand the number of times his old man had made the trip to Michigan, and he’d have all five fingers left over. And seeing how he refused to be the one to make amends for things he shouldn’t even have to apologize for, it left the two of them at stalemate twenty years in the making. Far as he was concerned, they could go another twenty years and it’d suit him just fine.