The Double O Rodeo [6933 words] (FF, oral, anal)

Two thousand pounds of raging bull hung from the end of my arm as gravity forced me down against the beast, my hat flying into the muck of the ring. The sun was blinding and I shut my eyes in concentration. Blood was singing in my veins and tasted coppery sweet on my tongue as my teeth rattled together. Just a few more seconds, I told myself. We flew into the air in a fluid arc, and for a moment I was flying, held in the air by the grace of nature. We hit the earth and my bones knocked together to the sound of the buzzer ringing over the cheers of the crowd. I was looking for a healthy exit and felt my hand slip loose from the bull rope, rosin eaten away in the last eight seconds. I somersaulted off Adonis into the mud…landing hard on my back. The air was knocked from me, but I made a hasty attempt to scramble backward from under the razor sharp hooves.

A flash of color flew in front of me, waving its arms. “’Donis!” rang in my ears as hot pinks and turquoise blocked my view of the charging animal. It turned towards the distraction and the bullfighter dove under its flailing legs, slapping the rear flank of the beast as they passed, causing it to bellow angrily. I got to my feet, grabbing my hat as I went, and jogged over to the steel railing surrounding the ring. I waved my hat in the air to the sound of thunderous applause.

The crowd’s cheers filled my ears as I faced the ring, in time to see the bull’s hooves come crashing down on the barrel man. Adonis was a nasty beast; known as a head hunter with a wicked temper. He landed again on the uneasy shelter and the bullfighter that had saved me before attempted to get its attention away from her partner. She was hollering, calling the creature names, waving her arms-damn near doing a two step to distract the beast. It charged and the clown seemed to fly to the fence on the opposite side of the ring. She jumped near five feet in the air to the top rung. The bull crashed into the fence behind her, horn and steel screeching and sparks flying. To the crowds delight, the bullfighter bent over and with a tug of Velcro revealed a target painted on the rear of her baggy pants. She shook her ass at the bull, taunting him. Adonis gave the enclosure another rattle before charging to the center of the ring in search of easier prey.

I didn’t knock, just stood in the doorway of her trailer and watched her. Dawn sat in front of the mirror, hair up in lop sided pony-tails, wisps of blonde hair resting against her nape. She wiped the exaggerated smile from her face with some cold cream, bringing the soft pink of her lips and the smooth creamy skin of her lower jaw into view. The illustrated line of her eyelids and the red of her nose unveiled a string of freckles. Even though I had never seen a more stunning woman, before she spoke, I wanted nothing more of her than a quick fuck.

“You just gonna stare, are you?” She stood and let her rainbow suspenders drop to the floor along with the dirt stained patched jeans. She kicked them under the small Formica table against the wall. Her shirt was shiny hot pink and turquoise that contrasted with the yellow cleated sneakers she was still wearing. I took a drag of my cigarette and felt my pussy pool as I took in her short muscular legs.

She walked up to me and boldly took the cigarette from between my lips. I raised an eyebrow as she smiled, teased me with her eyes. Her baby blues peered up at me from beneath her lashes as she inhaled deeply from my Marlboro. She placed it back between my lips, the sweet taste of her lingering on the paper.

“I’m Katrina Cody…”

“I know,” Dawn laughed. “You’re pretty hot on the circuit.” She returned to the stool where she had been removing her make-up and sat facing me. She brought one knee up and began to untie her laces. Her striped cotton boxers gapped slightly, bringing her hairy bush into view. I took a drag on my cigarette, closed the door behind me and walked further into the room. The light of the sun setting streamed through the blinds covering the one windowed trailer. The space was shot with pink and orange stripes.

“I wanted to thank you.” I pulled a bottle of Southern Comfort from my back pocket and handed it to her. “For saving my life today.” She twisted the cap off and took a hard swig, her cheeks blooming in a riot of color. She gestured towards the bench against the wall as her shoes joined her cover alls. I removed my hat and took a seat on the foam mattress. She followed me up onto the bench, straddling my lap and pulling on the bolo around my neck to bring my face closer to her own.

“Guess you owe me.” She whispered, her breath heating my lips.

“What would you like, Sugar?”

“Fuck me.” She leaned into my mouth and dove in without preamble, her tongue heading for my tonsils. My hands settled on her hips, pulling her flush with my big gold belt buckle. She ground into my crotch, purring low in her throat. “You’ve come packin’.” She pressed her pussy against what I like to call the stallion. Her hands went to work on my belt with practiced ease. The stallion sprang free from its pen; a huge black rubber cock, shining in the setting sun. It bobbed its head as if searching for her lustful cunt on its own.

“Being in the ring makes me so hot.” She said against my neck as she positioned the opening of her boxers. I held the stallion in my hand as she wiggled and bobbed against the ponderous head. It slid through her slickened cleft, finding her needy fuck hole wet and eager. Her eyes closed as she sank down onto my shaft, her muff meeting my hand. I extended my thumb and pressed into her clit, circling the tiny stone. “Harder!” she demanded pulling her shirt over her head and tossing it behind her. She rocked her hips against my hand, teasing her hungry kitty as I circled and tormented. Her pussy’s juices were running down my hand and she pulled at my forearm, wanting the full girth and length of my big boy in her snatch. “Bastard!” she gasped, “Stop torturing me!” I let go and her cunt swallowed my cock with a garbled moan. She was still, her forehead coming to rest against mine, surprised by the fullness of my pet.

Our lips met and I rotated my hips, taking her moans into my mouth. I was gentle at first, letting her adjust to my size, letting her prepare for what was to come. I kissed her like a high school girl…soft and sweet. I could smell the dust of the ring on our sweat soaked bodies. I let my hands journey the length of her back. I nuzzled her small breasts, gently nipping at her turgid nipples. She whimpered, trying to move on my length.

“Turn around, girl,” I ordered. She twisted her torso and I held her steady, my piece never leaving her body. She now faced the opposite direction. I dug my boots into the carpet and took hold of her breasts, squeezing and tweaking while she wiggled her ass. I worked her on my prong, forcing myself deep, feeling the friction. The little sounds she made low in her throat making my pussy burn.

This time she was the cowboy. Her body stretched up above me and I bucked my hips, snorting and breathing like a wild animal. I jerked and moved trying to get my dick further into her cunt. She begged me to push deeper and I did, trying to break through her, trying to find the other side of her body. My thighs burned as my hips flew off the foam mattress.

Bracing myself, I stood. “Grab the table!” I ordered laying her belly and breasts on the Formica. I took my stance and held her down with one hand. My stallion flew out of the gate, then back in, ramming her cunt. The sound of her juices sloshing in her wet pussy filled the small space. Her hand slapped the table, urging me to move faster. I plowed her, my box tightening and peaking with the sounds of her pleasure. Her body bucked like a filly, shuddering, legs and arms flailing as she came. I fucked her still, my hand finding my clit and bring me into the ring to join her.

It was dark in the trailer. The sun had set without our noticing.

I leaned down over her back and kissed her neck softly. “You OK, Sugar?”

“Why didn’t you find your way to my trailer before now?” she replied. The sound of our juicy suction mingled with our scent as I pulled out of her. She protested, turning over and sitting on the edge of the table. “More?” she pouted, wrapping her legs and arms around me.

“Honey, they don’t call this the Double O Rodeo for nothing!” She laughed against my neck, nibbling her way to my ear.

“So this is why they call you the Stallion?” She knelt between my legs, waving the appendage in question at my face.

“Who’re they?” I ran my tongue along the edge of the paper, wetting and rolling. She shrugged and tossed my dildo to the side and lay down, resting her head on my muscled stomach, staring out the skylight in the ceiling. I lit the bud and sucked in the warm heat, feeling it spread through my aching body. I held the joint to her lips and she inhaled deeply, coughing before settling against me again. I ran my hands through her soft fine hair. “I’ve never seen you with your hair down.”

“Not likely to be an asset in the ring, aye?” The space on the bed was small and meant for one. I took another toke and joined her in star gazing.

Dawn’s tongue was wet and wide on my pussy. She lapped at me like a cat and I purred my pleasure, stretching in the morning sun. I brought a hand to my nipple and played with it leisurely while she fed. Her nose nudged my clit while her tongue delved into my cunt. My hand found her head and I used her face to bring me my pleasure. Her finger was rubbing that sensitive area between my cleft and my anus, gently sliding against the puckered opening as she licked my quivering quim. Her face glistened in the soft light as my muscles vibrated beneath my skin.

I strapped on the stallion and then hurriedly pulled my black denim over my legs.

“You have a perfect ass,” She said lazily from the bed. I flashed a smile over my shoulder before tugging on my shirt and buttoning it half way. I sat on the stool, and pulled on my boots.

“How long are you in town?” I asked, swiveling on the stool to face her. I tapped a cigarette against my palm and lit up. I took a drag and handed it to her.

“A week.”

“Good.” I took my cigarette back, and kissed her until I wanted to climb back into the sack with her. “I’ll be at the ranch. Why don’t you stop on by tonight around seven?” I said tucking in my shirt and grabbing my hat.

“I have plans,” she whispered snuggling back into the covers.

“Break them.” I said, walking out the door.

I looked at the clock again. 7:22. I slid back from the dining room table, my chair scraping angrily along the hardwood floor. I had set the table for two. The smell of the dinner I had prepared for us was fading as it cooled in the kitchen. I did not like to be kept waiting.

***

After a fruitless search at Dawn’s trailer I decided to find my fun elsewhere. I drove over to The Tilting T Bar. When the rodeo came to town this was place to be. It was a saloon straight out of an old west novel. The shutter doors swung shut behind me as I let my eyes adjust to the dim light provided by the gas lamps on the tables. The jukebox was shaking with country rock as couples danced on the sawdust covered floor. I squeezed into a spot at the bar and made myself comfortable.

Missy brought me my usual without asking, winking as she handed me my beer. Now there was a sure thing. Missy and I went way back. In fact, you might say that Missy introduced me to the sexual arts. She was my first real lover. Not the girls I felt up in the horse stall, but the one who taught me how to give pleasure. I had a real respect for Missy.

“Cody.” Jim said throwing his arm around me as he cozied up to the bar. “Where were you last night?” My brother was ever the curious boy. Recently turning twenty-one had made him overly interested in all aspects of my life.

“Out.”

“What?” He shouted back trying to hear over the music.

It was then that I saw Dawn.

She was on the dance floor. Some man had his hands on her ass. They weren’t dancing as one does in a country bar, but dirty dancing like one does in the privacy of their own homes. I don’t even remember crossing the room. I tapped Mr. Happy Hands on the shoulder and roughly cut in, pushing him aside.

“You kept me waiting!” I ground out between clenched teeth as my arm circled her waist and brought her flush with my body.

“What?” She ground her hips into mine.

“I told you 7:00!”

“And I told you I had plans!”

“When I say…”

“When you say? I am not your fucking property, Cody.”

She pulled back, intending to leave the dance floor but I grabbed her wrist and drug her protesting form towards the bathroom. As if aware of my ire, the crowd parted giving us easy access to the two stall room.

“What’s wrong with you!?” Her words echoed off the walls as the florescent lights brought the flush of her cheeks to bloom.

“I’ll show you what’s wrong.” I pulled her hard against me, my hand still gripping her wrist. I forced her slim fingers down the front of my jeans until they tangled in the wet hairs warming my clit.

Our eyes met and she began a rough massage, pushing me back into a stall and locking the door. The back of my knees bumped into the toilet and I barely caught myself as I fell back against the porcelain. She hovered over me, her free hand working on my belt.

“So you’re hot for me, Cody?” She hissed, my now open jeans giving her access to my hairy bush. It was like I was in heat; the smell of my desire filled the bathroom, musky and primal. What was it about her? She made me want more.

Her fingers dove into my gaping hole, one, then two, then three. She worked up a sweat of her own as I braced myself with my hands against the stall walls. “This what you want, baby?” She asked twisting and pushing at my opening, stretching my walls. I couldn’t breathe…I couldn’t think. Her eyes were as bright as the Colorado sky….winking up at me as she slid her hand up inside my snatch. I swallowed it, my muscles convulsing around the appendage, grabbing at her fingers greedily.

She crawled up my body so that our faces were close and she began to pump in a steady maddening rhythm that caused me to beg for her to go faster. She didn’t.

“Who’s in charge, Cody?” she whispered and I felt panic take hold. I shook my head in denial. I was in charge! I was always in charge!

She stilled her movement, stretching her fingers and I closed my eyes trying to be still, trying to find myself. She leaned over my pussy her eyes never leaving mine. Her tongue swept around my clit in a slow circle. My box contracted and I groaned low in my throat.

“Who makes the rules, Cody?” she breathed over my hot button. She licked slowly, moving her hand in further, her wrist being swallowed by my ravenous hole. My skin was pulsing, the hairs standing on end as she fucked me with a slow agonizing rhythm; not caring for my pleasure, not bringing me release but endless painful need.

“Who!?” she demanded and I heard the toilet next to us flush.

“You!” I cried, defeated. Dawn doubled her pace, her lips latching onto my nubbin in a rough suction that I liked. Her hand felt like it would break me in two as she pounded my pussy, bringing noises out of me that no one ever had.

I, Katrina Cody, blushed when leaving the bathroom. My discomfort was doubled as the clapping from the other patrons echoed around us. I was officially Dawn’s bitch. For the first time in my life, I was letting someone else take the reins, and I wasn’t sure I liked it.

Her dance partner came up, laughing and slapping Dawn on the back.

“You made her sing, girl!” He said in a high falsetto. I tensed, but felt Dawn squeeze my hand.

“Cody, this is Daniel,” she introduced and Daniel pulled me into a hug. “He’s visiting from New York for the next few days.”

“I just love being out West!” Daniel said, “All of these tough macho boys make my heart go pitter-pat!”

I don’t know how I managed to get through the rest of the night, I thought the next morning. I rolled out of bed and immediately dropped into push-up position. Daniel did most of the talking, and it was his chatter that kept the evening moving. At some point my brother joined us, and we ended up drinking Irish Car Bombs…one of Dawn’s favorites. Guinness, with a shot of baileys, chugged for maximum damage. I was discomforted by my role earlier that night. Was it that she was in control or was it that everyone knew she was in control that bothered me? My muscles began to burn and I turned over onto my back for sit-ups.

I stood on the back porch and took in the expanse of Colorado that was our backyard. I had a sip of coffee, letting it warm my insides as I took in the hustle of the yard. The ranch was crowded, as it always was during the first week of April. The field was littered with trailers, cowboys, livestock- and my personal favorite- cowgirls. The Double O had been hosting this rodeo for close to twenty-five years. My parents had produced the first round up the year I was born, so you could say I had been born into the life. My specialty is rough riding. Since the moment I saw Bobby Gillis win the championship when I was six, I knew I wanted to ride. Not that my parents had liked it much.

“Cody!” My brother called, waving as he and Daniel came across the yard.

“I see you’re up early,” something my brother was not in the habit of.

“I had to drag him out by his cute little boxers!” Daniel crooned throwing his arm around him. “They are covered in daisies…little yellow ones.”

He shrugged Daniel’s arm off blushing, “You weren’t supposed to see those! Tanya’s gonna be jealous.” Tanya was Jim’s girlfriend. She was a pretty thing, fond of blue eye shadow and gold jewelry. “We still heading out to the South Pasture?”

I nodded, feeling the coffee take hold. I really should have been staying nearby, but my foreman had everything under control. It was the last day before ceremonies, which was traditionally the junior events, so there was no need for any of us today. Dawn had thought it would be nice to have a quiet day away from the crowds.

The South Pasture was my “home on the range.” It was located about four miles from the main house on a wonderful stretch of land that was ripe with trees and tall grass. Lake Deep was just a couple hundred feet from the small stone house built about fifty years ago by my grandfather. I didn’t like to bring a lot of people here. After winning Nationals last year I was afraid the reporters would show up and ruin the sanctuary that I called home.

“YEEEE HA!” Daniel yodeled, getting out of our rig. “I am in the country.” He clapped his hands together and jogged towards the water, refrains of John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a County Boy” following in his wake. I shook my head, not quite sure what to think of Daniel’s antics.

I was in the process of adding a wrap-around porch to the stone structure. It was taking a bit of time doing it by myself, but give me two more months and I’d have my grandpa’s old rockers taking in the view of the lake. The front door opened into the great room. I loved it for its exposed stone, wood beams and the lingering scent of tobacco. Dawn followed me in as I took our picnic lunch to the fridge.

The house had been designed so that there were only two rooms. The great room was the primary living area. There were comfortable couches and a table for dining. The kitchen was against the far wall, at its center was a wonderful old wood stove, and there was a large bedroom to the back of the house. The original construction did not allow for a bathroom and I had added one when I renovated a couple of years ago.

“So this is your place?” she said, coming up behind me and leaning into my back.

“For about three years now.”

Jim threw open the door and shouted that he and Daniel were going fishing. I raised my brows as the door slammed behind him and Dawn chuckled against me.

“I thought you lived up at the ranch?”

“I still have my old room up there, but it’s where I do business. You know we rent out rooms?” We did pretty good business giving those interested in living the cowboy lifestyle a taste of the West. Everything from mucking stalls to bull riding was taught at the Double O.

I led her past the woodstove and into the back of the house. The bedroom had been redone entirely in cedar. The walls, the floor, even the trim glowed in the wonderful warm patina of natural red wood. The scent of the outdoors filled the space.

“This is wonderful!” Dawn exclaimed as I went to open the curtains. There was an overstuffed chair in the corner with my grandfather’s guitar leaning against the arm. The large carved bed, that took me two years to finish, faced a wall of windows that opened to reveal a view of the lake beyond. We could see Daniel and Jim out in the row boat, poles in hand as they searched for tonight’s dinner. I had little faith in their success, considering I could hear Daniel’s laughter through the cedar window pains.

Dawn ran her hand along the footboard, kneeling down to run her fingers over the carvings. An organic mixture of curving lines, wood sprites, and tangling vines danced its way from one end to the next. “You did a beautiful job.” How she knew I had carved that I don’t know. I didn’t ask.

I turned from the view out the window to find Dawn lying on my bed. The colorful quilt my mother had made framing her petite form. The white dress she wore was spread out in a fan around her sandal shod feet. She looked as delicate as a butterfly amongst the deep blues and burgundies that dominated the quilt. I sat at its foot and took one fragile ankle into my hands, unbuckling the sandal and letting it fall to the floor.

“Whatcha thinkin’?” she asked as I picked up her other foot and removed its mate.

“Well,” I grunted, as I turned and pulled off one of my black cowboy boots. “I was thinking that you look very pretty lying on my bed.”

“Oh really?” I could hear the smile in her voice as I let the other boot fall to the floor.

“Yes, Ma’am,” I assured her and turned to face her. She had her head in her hand, leaning on one elbow, her slender hip jutting into the air. I crawled onto the mattress with her and mirrored her pose. “How like a fairy you are.” I brought my hand up and let my finger trace from the bridge of her forehead and over her nose. Her eyes shut and the delicate blonde lashes caught in the sunlight streaming through the skylight above our heads. I traced the freckles…one to the next. My finger followed the length of the scar that ran along her temple coming to rest on the side of her face.

“I got that nearly a year ago,” she said, answering my unasked question. “Bull at the Vegas Nationals clipped me good.” I leaned over and let my lips follow the path my hand had taken, coming to rest on her slightly parted pout.

“You be careful,” I whispered, gently nipping her soft mouth, slowly tasting the sunscreen, lip gloss and underneath that, her sun drenched skin. The sun was warm and inviting as her arms curled around my waist and her legs tangled with my own. I felt like I was floating on a cloud.

“Aren’t they cute?” Daniel whispered. “Let’s not wake them.”

“Too late,” I mumbled, opening one eye and then the other to find them grinning from ear to ear at the foot of the bed. I sighed softly, closing my eyes. “What time is it?” Dawn was wrapped around me, her weight like a drug.

“Past noon, sis.” Jim said watching as I gently tried to lift her arms and legs from me. “Listen,” Jim knelt next to the bed, putting a stilling arm on my own, “We’re gonna go into town.”

“What for?”

“Gonna let you two get to know each other.” He winked and stood up. “You guys enjoy the picnic when you’re done napping.” It was hard to argue with Dawn’s body so warm and soft beside me. I nodded and settled back into the comforter, the beat of her heart luring me back to sleep.

The sound of music woke me. Like a dream it wandered through my mind; a guitar gliding on the wind of soft cords and gentle strumming. Her voice was soft and husky, catching on the higher notes, as if it hadn’t been used in a while. I sat up on my elbows to find Dawn sitting with the sun streaming through the window behind her. The silhouette of her body was welcoming me through my half lidded eyes.

I felt a tug in my chest as her voice wound its way around my heart and into my stomach, fluttering there nervously before racing in chills along my spine. I shook my head to clear it and sat up, trying to shake the sudden panic from my system

“You hungry?” I asked setting my feet on the floor and rubbing the back of my neck with one hand. What was it about her?

“Sure,” she whispered putting the guitar back where she had found it. She walked to the bed, a deliberate sway to her hips. She climbed up behind me and took up a position on her knees, her strong calloused hands replacing my own. Heat spread through my muscles and I nearly purred in pleasure.

“You have the magic touch.” I murmured. She laughed, her nimble fingers working into my scalp and along my spine. “We may never get to our picnic.”

“Who says I’m hungry for food?” Her hands tugged at the hem of my shirt, pulling it from the waistband of my Levis. Her fingers skimmed my waist and climbed towards my shoulders, pressing hard and insistent. The muscles in my back relaxed under her rough play. She worked her way around my torso, taking the front of my shirt in her hands.

With deliberate movements she pulled each snap loose with a large pop. I laughed, standing as she tugged the fabric down my arms. I unzipped my jeans and let them and my boxers fall to the floor.

“Don’t move…” She ordered and I froze, glancing over my shoulder. Her eyes greedily traveled over my body. If I were a different woman I would have blushed, but instead flexed my buttocks and shoulders for added affect, winking at her.

Her tongue stole out to trace her smile before she ordered me to lie down. I stretched out on the bed and shut my eyes. She straddled my ass, her flowing white skirts settling around us like a cloud. She let her weight rest on me and I squirmed as her bush teased my skin.

“You’re gonna love this.” I felt warm oil dribble onto my shoulder blades and slide along my spine. I only wondered for a moment where she found the oil before my muscles sighed. Her fingers were strong and she put the weight of her body into each movement, swaying and undulating against my back. She used her forearms, elbows and fingers to find muscles lost under weeks of tension.

Her pussy was ripe; it’s wetness sliding against my ass cheeks as she worked, bringing an answering response in my own. She slid down my thighs, finding a new position on the backs of my knees. Her fingers continued to work their magic, massaging the muscles of my ass.

“So, perfect.” She observed, leaning over to kiss her way around the firm roundness. Her tongue began a journey, following in the path her lips had taken, circling my round globes until it found the deep well between my cheeks. My body tensed as her wet tongue slid through the crack and circled the sensitive nerve endings surrounding my anus. She moaned, as her tongue tickled the opening and I could literally feel my cunt cream.

My rear came off the mattress unbidden, following her mouth where it went, seeking more stimulation. She laughed, her arm sliding under my swaying hips. Her hand delved into my box as her tongue teased the opposite opening. A finger joined her tongue, pushing and probing the hole until it parted. My body trembled as the nerves tingled, adjusting to the unfamiliar feeling of entry. Her lips and tongue began to play around her finger while her other hand rubbed my clit in slow circles until all I wanted was to taste her, to feel her skin beneath my own.

Dawn began to move in my backdoor, slow and steady, keeping a rhythm with her thumb on my jumping bean. I began to rock in her hands, full and empty, unable to express my ardor in any other way than the moans she was pulling from my pussy and ass. I began to beg and her thumb began to vibrate against me, pulling my body into convulsions of pleasure. Every muscle flexing and throbbing until I was still, barely able to move.

I turned over slowly, feeling as though I was on the moon, gravity pulling me towards the mattress. Dawn positioned herself on top of me; pussy meeting pussy. She pulled her skirts up so that I could see her fingers play with her snatch.

I wanted to touch her, to trace the fine lines of her face. I yearned to lick off her smile and taste her nectar covered her fingers, but I couldn’t move. I watched transfixed as she chanted my name, her thighs grabbing my hips as she frigged herself, rocking against my numb body. One hand was deep in her cunt the other was pulling her nipples into sharp points. My name echoed off the walls as her come seemed to shoot from her nether lips, flying across my chest and into my face.

Dawn collapsed on top of me as I licked my lips, chuckling softly.

After a refreshing shower, I spread out our late lunch on the bed. I was pleased to hear Dawn laugh in delight. “I love fried chicken!” she squealed pulling a leg from the plate and biting into it like a little savage. I scooped a spoonful of potato salad onto her plate and leaned back on one elbow watching her tear into her meal. “Aren’t you hungry?” She asked between a bite of chicken and a swig of beer.

In answer I took a bite out of my own lunch and smiled. This was wonderful. I couldn’t remember ever feeling so relaxed. “How long have you played the guitar?” I asked.

“My Poppa played,” she confided. “I sorta picked it up being around him when I was a kid.”

“Was he a musician?”

“Yeah, still is.” She tossed her bone onto her plate. “Lives…” and licked her fingers in-between words. “…in Nashville.”

“Your mom?” Her eyes clouded.

“We’re gonna rock in Oklahoma City,” she told me, not answering my question. There was a rodeo in two weeks at the OC.

“The ranch is booked solid for the next two months,” I told her, “Not sure what’s happening.”

“You aren’t competing for the title this year?” Her eyes were intense and mine darted away. I gathered our plates together, getting up from the bed.

“The ranch can’t run itself,” I told as I walked into the great room.

“Why?!” She came up behind me grabbing my arm, as I set the dishes in the sink. “You’ve been competing the last six years and its managed fine.”

“I’m teaching Jim to…”

“You’re foreman can do that!” she interrupted.

“I want to teach him, as my grandfather taught me.”

“But I want you with me.” She took my hands in hers and peered up at me with soft inviting eyes. I closed my own.

“Sometimes you don’t get what you want.” I said nastily. She threw my hands away, grabbing my cigarettes and lighting up. “Not in the house.” I thought her eyes were gonna burst from head as she stomped, out to the porch.

“You’re at the top of your game, Cody!” she shouted from outside.

“I have one title,” I told her. “Shouldn’t be greedy.”

“But do you understand what your title means?”

I took out a cigarette and joined her on the porch, settling on the front step. The sun had set and it was chilly to be outside without our clothes on. I rubbed my arms briskly, staring up at the stars, trying to find the peace that had taken hold of me only minutes before. Dawn knelt two steps below mine, and took my face in her hands, forcing me to look at her.

“How many women bull riders are on the circuit?”

“This isn’t the point, Dawn.”

“Then what the fuck is?”

“I did it,” I whispered, resting my forehead against hers. “I did it, when no one else thought I could. I did it when I was laughed at, cursed at and harassed to the point of tears!”

“Baby, I…”

My eyes met hers, “I did it when my father told me I was embarrassment to this ranch and this family.” She sighed.

“You succeeded, Cody. You shouldn’t be afraid.”

“Afraid!?” I stood up, knocking her from her step and tossing my butt into the yard. She followed me into the house, grabbing at my arm as I headed to the bedroom.

“Yes! Afraid of failing.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had never fucking failed at anything. If I wanted it, I went out and got it. I did it. “Afraid of your feelings!” This was too much. I wanted her out…I wanted her as far from me as possible.

“What feelings?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

“Fuck you, Cody!” she hissed, marching past me into the bedroom. She took her dress from the floor and threw it over her head. She got down on her knees and searched under the bed for her missing sandals. Her ass was a beautiful little orb, the sheer fabric of her dress leaving little to the imagination. Unbidden desire licked at my insides. My trigger finger was itchy…wanting to take a dip and ease the burn. I shook my head, wondering where my balls were.

Dawn stood up, hands on hips, her hair a wild halo of anger around her head. “Just remember, when I’m at the OC and you’re here, hiding…”

“Hiding!” I interrupted intending to yell and scream and but my ire was cut off as her body slammed into me. Her muscular arms and legs wrapped themselves around me, grabbing on as if she would never let go. Her soft lips joined in the assault, playing with my own. Her tongue was a temptress, tracing my lips, dancing along my teeth, sliding into my mouth to steal taste after taste. I found myself on the bed, my only want to please her. And her pleasure, I found, was my own.

Dawn spoke silly love words that I had only heard in movies and read in books. She floated over me and under me on a cocoon of want and need. Her hands slid over my skin in such a way that the hair stood on end, as if seeking out her touch for more. She kept her face close to mine, her kisses long and sensuous. The air was thick and wet making it difficult to breath, but I could hear her promises to love and take care of me. My body answered, rising beneath her hands as if she was a bull and I was her cowboy. I let instinct move my body and follow her movements. I told her I loved her.

I leaned back against the window jam and watched the dawn rose over her sleeping form. Yellows and oranges settled upon her skin until it glowed in the amber colors of early morning. The fine hairs covering her body shimmered in the sun. She shifted in her sleep and the muscles rolled under her skin causing my breath to catch. I don’t think I had ever seen anyone so delicate yet so strong. I wanted nothing more than to climb back into bed and snuggle, but I couldn’t. I put on my hat and walked out.

It was over. The rodeo was packing up and heading to OC. I had managed to avoid Dawn with desperate sleuth and bad excuses. It wasn’t that difficult with all the pageantry that went into the award ceremonies, not to mention the interviews with the reporters and keeping track of the TV crews swarming over the ranch. I was busy. As busy as I knew I would be over the next two months.

“Sis!” Jim came up behind me and I met his scowl with one of my own. I had been avoiding him too. “What’s up?” There were several questions within the one. What’s up with the Dawn? What’s up with the ranch? What’s up with my behavior the last 24 hours?

“Nothing.” I said heading into the ranch house. I went straight to the office.

“Bullshit!” In his hat, his lanky form towered over me, following my movements like a shadow. “You’ve been avoiding us all day.”

“No…” I told him rifling through some papers on my desk.

“Just stop it, Cody.” He took hold of my shoulders and for a moment Dad was looking down at me, censor in his eyes and touch. Tears began to well, but I stamped them down. “What happened yesterday?”

I fell in love. “I have work to do.” I sat in the tall leather back chair, my eyes staring stubbornly down at the desk.

“Cody…”

“Out, Jim.”

“Come on!” I remained stubbornly silent until he left, shutting the door behind him. I took off my hat and ran my fingers through my hair, causing it to stick on end. Everything felt out of control, as if I didn’t know my own mind…my own body ... my own heart.

“You always read in the dark?” I hadn’t heard the door open, but Dawn was framed in the doorway, her costume making her body square and shapeless. I shouldn’t have felt the tug I felt as I turned on the desk lamp.

My heart jumped. She walked into the room, her make-up mirroring my mood. Her lips were drawn in an exaggerated frown, three tears like reminders of my shitty attitude, attached to her face. She walked around the office, hands behind her back. She met the eyes of the family of Cody’s that lined the walls, many looking like characters from an old west movie. They came to rest on my father, all in black, as the villain often was. It was uncomfortable to realize that I was wearing nearly the same outfit.

“Did the ESPN guy find you?” Dawn shook her head, coming to stand in front of the desk. “They’re doing a piece on female bullfighters.”

“Daniel wanted me to leave you his phone number and e-mail. Said it was fun getting to know you.” She said slapping a piece of paper down on my desk and ignoring my comment. She leaned over the desk, her eyes never leaving mine. “You should call him sometime.”

“He’s left?” I shifted back in my chair, putting my hands behind my head, trying to escape her anger.

“Jim is driving him to the airport.” She reached across the desk and gently smoothed down my hair. The sudden tender move took me by surprise. “I leave in the morning,” she whispered, her eyes expressionless. What?! I tried to keep my face blank as panic traveled through my system.

“But, baby, I thought you were in town for a few more days?” I wanted her to stay; I wanted her to go…my feelings were hopping from one to the next.

“Plans change, Cody.” She sighed, straightening. “Good luck with the ranch.” She was going to leave. She was going to walk out of my life after promising to love me…and I was going to let her.

“Dawn!” I stood up and she raised a brow in question.

I walked around the desk and pulled her into my arms and covered her mouth with my own. She tasted of grease pain and the familiar thrill I had come to expect over the last few days. I wrapped my arms around her holding her until she relaxed against me and her lips began to move beneath my own. She smelled of sunshine, the outdoors and home.

“So you don’t forget me.”

I could feel the anger radiate from her body as she pushed me from her. Her fist came flying into my eye, knocking me onto my desk and rattling my teeth together.

“So you don’t forget me!” And she was gone.

I stood in my bathroom, the florescent lights highlighting my face. I shook my head, laughing beneath my breath as I took in my swollen eye and the bruise encircling it. Red and white make-up was smeared across my lips and chin.

I brought the washcloth to my face and began to dab at the stains. As the make-up washed off I felt my eyes well. I cursed, wiping the tears away angrily.

Katrina Cody didn’t cry, God damn it.

Not over a woman…not over anything. But my body began to shake uncontrollably and I slid to the floor, the cold tile burning my skin as I sobbed.

“Now folks, bull riding is serious business,” I slapped the rear of the mechanical facsimile. “It took a lot of bruises and a few broken bones before I earned this here beauty.” I put my thumbs in pockets and tilted on my heels flashing the prize gold buckle at my waist, as our guests laughed. “So who’s gonna be first?”

As expected, the one teenage boy in the group, long and lean, shot his hand up. The young girls giggled and brought their hands up to whisper amongst each other. “What’s your name?” I asked, leading him over to the mechanical bull. “Well, Toby, meet Satan’s Helper.” The group cheered as he climbed up onto the saddle.

With a flip of the switch the metal burst into the air, the crowd cheering. Before the kid could say “Yee Ha” he was laying in the dirt rubbing his backside. I helped him up and he dusted off his jeans, a blush riding up from under his collar.

“Anyone else?” I raised my brows, but there were no takers. I caught sight of my brother jogging over to the group from the ranch house and I waved smiling.

“Jim here, may look as skinny as a bean pole, but he is competing for the title this year.” He was slightly out of breath when he reached us. “Going to…” I caught his eyes and my mouth went dry.

I had seen that look before…the night mom and dad died.

“Excuse me folks, John our foreman will take you on the rest of the tour.” Jim took my arm and began running back towards the house. “What happened?”

“Dawn ... ” I didn’t wait to hear more but ran the rest of the way into the house. In the den a crowd was standing around the big screen taking in the bull riding event at the OC.

“She has not moved.” The newscaster announced, the camera zooming in on the still figure in pink and turquoise. Medics were surrounding Dawn, making it difficult to see where she was injured.

The camera switched to a close-up shot of Adonis, now penned. Foam and anger shot from his nose as he snorted at the camera, banging his horns against the steel enclosure. “Bull fighter, Dawn Dixon has fallen under the hooves Adonis. This could be a career ender,” the man said, his partner answered, “or a life ender.”

Adrenaline raced through my system. I would not let this happen.

“Jim. Get the truck,” he didn’t wait for more instructions but flew out the door.

I hate hospitals. First I had lost my teacher and mentor, my grandfather. My heart had wept that day, even though I know his soul was strong. Then my parents had been taken early in a car crash. Jim had cried, sobbing against me in the over welcoming waiting room. My eyes had been dry. Magazines and scenic paintings laughing in our misery.

The waiting room was filled with men in cowboy hats and chaps, and the smell of sickness mixed with the odors of the ring.

“How is she?” I asked the first cowboy I came upon, but he shook his head, not sure.

“Excuse me…I’m here for Dawn Dixon?” I asked the nurse behind the ER counter. She didn’t look up from her papers, and pushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

“So is everyone else. Have a seat and I’ll let you know when I hear from the doctor.”

“Please, I’m family…I need to know what’s going on!” I hissed, trying to reign in my temper. Jim put a steadying hand on my shoulder and I closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened them, she looked at me with a sad smile.

“I understand, miss…as soon as I know something you’ll know.”

“Come, sis,” Jim pulled me away from the nurse before I did something rash and sat me down on a free chair. His phone rang and he walked towards the exit doors to answer it.

I bent over, resting my head on my knees trying to breathe calmly. I hadn’t known know my soul could ache like this. Her absence from my life over the past two weeks had been rough, but this…this was torture.

They let me sit in her room. I was thankful for that, knowing that I could watch her chest rise and fall, hear her gentle breathing. It was all OK. Broken arm, fractured ribs and a nasty bruise on her head. That was what the doctors were worried about. I’d been told several times how lucky she was. In the chair next to me slept her father. He was a small man, skinny to the point of being unhealthy, but his eyes were Dawn’s…full and blue. I had sent Jim to the hotel to sleep a few hours ago with promises to follow soon, but the idea of leaving her made me nervous.

“What are you doing here?” Those are her first words to me after nearly being killed? What am I doing here? As if that was a question. Joy and anger warred in my chest as I leaned in close, kissing her on the forehead.

“You need to be more careful.” I told her and she shook her head, a small smile turning up her lips. “I can’t be there to watch your back all the time.”

“I didn’t think your watching my back was an option,” she answered gesturing towards the picture of water. I ran to the end of the bed and poured her a cup. She sipped it, closing her eyes, her lashes creating shadows on her cheeks.

“Are you in pain?”

She shook her head and I took a seat at her side, not sure what to say. My stomach was pinched and achy, my eyes dry and gritty. My heart frightened. Her hand came to rest on my head and the cold that had taken up residence in my veins since I saw the news, melted into warmth.

Dawn was gonna be OK.

My eyes met hers and she smiled. Unbidden tears rose and I blinked rapidly, but they fell anyway. She sighed and patted the mattress beside her. I climbed up, being careful not to jostle her as I settled at her side. Her good arm encircled me and brought my head to rest on her chest. I could feel the gentle beat of her heart beneath my ear as my quiet tears wet her hospital gown.

“I’m sorry,” I hiccupped and she laughed.

“I know, Cody,” she rubbed my back and I felt home.

“Aren’t they cute,” Daniel whispered. “Let’s not wake them.”

“I knew it would be alright,” Jim answered and my eyes opened to find them standing at the foot of the bed.

The door opened and a barrel chested nurse wearing a shirt covered in dancing teddy bears entered carrying a breakfast tray, and wearing a frown.

“What is this?!” She demanded setting the tray down and pushing me off the bed. “Ms. Dixon is an injured woman!”

I shook my head groggily, trying to wake, but feeling like my eyes had been glued shut during the night. Daniel tip toed over and pulled me into his arms, calling me his little rough rider and I leaned into him gratefully.

“I’m fine,” Dawn assured the nurse as her father entered the room carrying a huge bouquet of flowers. Her face glowed when she saw him.

“My little angel!” He cried, handing the flowers to Jim and rushing over to the bed, pushing the nurse to the side.

“This is highly unorthodox!” The nurse grumbled her face having turned a red that matched her home-dyed hair. “This is a hospital not a circus!” But there was a smile in her voice. “Dr. Madson will be in shortly to see Ms. Dixon…I expect the crowd will have thinned out a bit in here by then?”

“I’ve bought you a plane ticket.” I told her from the doorway as she pulled on her jacket.

“Ticket? What for?”

“I’m taking you back to the Double O.” She was shaking her head, “You’ll stay with me while you get better.”

“Cody!”

“What?”

“You cannot run my life for me!” She shut her knapsack and yanked the zipper closed. She was mad? I wanted to spend my life with her. I wanted to share my home.

“The doctor said you can’t go back in the ring for months!” I argued, placing my hands on her shoulders and turning her to face me.

“Doesn’t mean you can…” I leaned down and kissed her gently. My lips were soft and friendly. I played with her mouth, teasing it open with my tongue, licking the anger from her lips.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, kissing my way to her ear. “Will you stay with me until your ready to enter the ring?”

In answer, she pushed me against the foot of the bed, the back of my knees hitting the footboard and knocking me to the mattress.

“You ever made love to a woman wearing a cast?” She asked joining me. She straddling my hips, her eyes never leaving mine as she undid my button fly. The hard plaster on her arm skimmed over my belly as she dug into my boxers.

“The doctor said not to get that wet!” the red-headed nurse gasped from the doorway.