The Cattle Drive [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

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  Rachael was putting Mystic back into her stall when she heard the roar of the engine going by in the wrong direction. She quickly shut the stall door and ran out of the barn in time to see the metallic-blue Shelby fly past her home. She grabbed a set of keys and headed for the pole barn. Quickly getting into her Viper, she started the engine and peeled out of the drive, racing after the Shelby.

  Michael was speeding down the dirt road, trying to figure out his next move. Since the dinner, she was all he could think about, and those damn green eyes. He hated it.

  He couldn’t concentrate. “Why did you have to kiss her?” he said aloud, slamming his hand down on the steering wheel. Getting more frustrated, he pushed down on the gas pedal.

  She was going damn near a hundred miles an hour by the time she caught up with the Shelby. Rachael put her hand on the horn to warn him, but the car took off, speeding further down the lane.

  “Shit!” she muttered to herself.

  Rachael hit the gas.

  Before Michael knew what had happened, the candy-apple-red Viper sped past him and raced down the road. He quickly ignored the interruption of his thoughts and tried to get the woman out of his mind. Speeding down the old country road, Michael saw off in the distance the same Viper blocking the road. He quickly slammed on his brakes, trying with all of his strength not to lose control of his car. He managed to get it stopped about fifteen feet from the Viper. When he emerged from the Shelby, he saw Rachael step out of the Viper.

  “Going somewhere?” she asked with a smile.

  “Woman, I could have killed you!” he said, walking over to her. Rachael came around the front of her car and met him halfway.

  “I thought I would save Henry the grief of burying his dad. This road is a dead end. It drops about twenty feet into a quarry I have set up for a watering hole for my cattle.”

  “This land is damn near ten miles from your home,” he said, yelling at her.

  “I know. I own it, and the ten thousand acres that go with it,” Rachael said calmly with a smile. She knew he was madder than a red hornet, but something inside her told her that he was bluffing. Yes, he might be mad but not near what he was trying to convey.

  Intrigued, she smiled once again, thinking of a way to defuse the situation.

  “I still could have killed you!”

  Rachael just smiled at him and walked closer to him. “But you didn’t,” she said, raising herself up on the tips of her toes as she kissed him.

  Stunned, Michael broke the kiss. “What in the hell are you doing? No sane woman just walks up to a man and kisses him after she runs him down. Are you crazy?”

  Rachael just laughed. “Yeah, I have been asked that a couple of times.”

  Before he knew what he was doing, Michael wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer to him, and kissed her back. Urging her mouth open, he craved the taste of her delicious mouth. Parting those soft lips, he inhaled her. He could feel the desire within him as he hungered for more. Lowering his hands, he grabbed her ass, lifting her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  He growled when she pressed her breasts closer to him as her fingers combed through his black hair. He could feel her hard nipples against him. Holding her tight, he ground his jean-covered cock into her pelvis, eliciting a moan from her. Striding over to her car, he laid her against the hood. His mouth traced the contour of her chin down to her neck, quickly finding that soft spot on her shoulder where he sucked. Rachael moaned as he devoured her.

  Michael had been with women before, but none were as responsive as Rachael. He knew where to touch, where to nibble, and where to suck and kiss. His body responded as if he were drugged and reaching for his next fix, and she was the antidote.

  “Oh God,” he heard her moan as his right hand found its way under her shirt, cupping her breast, pinching that tight nipple between his fingers. When he applied the lightest of pressure, she rocked her swollen pussy against his rock-hard shaft.

  Michael lost it.

  Before he knew what was happening, Michael had ripped open her plaid shirt, exposing her naked breast to him. His mouth found the soft mound, sucking it deep into his mouth. He took a taut nipple between his teeth and bit as Rachael cried out, as he gave her the right amount of pain with pleasure. His hands, feeling their way over her soft, creamy body, quickly found her jeans and began to unbutton them. He had her jeans off within seconds as his hand snaked, reaching into her panties and cupping her moist cunt.

  “Damn, baby, you’re dripping.”

  “Enough playing, just fuck me!” Rachael shouted, ripping his shirt open.

  “You don’t worry about that, but first, I have to get me a taste of that sweet pussy,” Michael stated as two of his fingers slipped into her wet channel and he began to finger fuck her.

  He felt her body tremble under his grasp. He felt the burning desire within her rumble like a volcano, wanting the eruption that awaited. Needing to touch her, his hands removed the last of her shirt. The feel of her soft chest beneath his fingers was electric. He felt her nails dig into his shoulders as he moved to her other breast, taking the hard nipple into his mouth. She purred, “Need more.”

  “You got it, baby,” Michael said as he tore her panties from her body. Grabbing her legs, he lifted them to his shoulders and delved his tongue into her throbbing pussy. The first lick was like ambrosia. The second was even better. Michael licked her from asshole to clit then back again, memorizing her with his tongue.

  Rachael’s body responded unlike anything he had ever experienced. A fire had ignited within her, and Michael was her accelerant. The fuel of sexual emotions flooding him made him crave her more. He wanted more. The thrusting of his tongue as he drank from her was sending him flying higher and higher. He felt her pulse increase when he inserted his fingers into her again, moving them rapidly in and out. His mouth clamped hard on her clit and pulled, sending her into oblivion as she screamed out her orgasm.

  “That’s it, baby. Give me that delicious cream,” Michael said, lapping up every drop she produced. Within mere seconds, Michael had his jeans undone and pulled down to the top of his boots. Stroking his already-stiff cock, he placed it at her wet entrance and lunged forward.

  “Yes!” she screamed as she tilted her pelvis, arching into him.

  “Fuck, baby, you’re so tight…so fucking tight.”

  Michael pounded her as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his feet. Ramming his cock into her as hard as she could take it, he noticed that she tilted her pelvis, welcoming the ferociousness of the moment.

  Never in his life had he ever felt anything so right, so warm, and so perfect. Like a glove fits a hand, her pussy was made for him, and he wanted nothing more than to stay within her legs as the glide of his cock moved in and out of her wet pussy.

  “Hang on, baby. Time to go for a ride,” Michael said, lifting her from the hood of the car and standing. His cock still in her, her legs tightly wrapped around him, he grabbed her ass and began to move her up and down along his long, hard shaft. The different position gave Michael the advantage he wanted.

  Total control.

  Michael was holding on by a thread, positioning his cock within her. Nothing had ever felt this damn good. He could feel the tightness rising in his balls as he was moving quickly toward his release. With her pussy gripping him hard, he moved hungrily within her, taking her for everything that she was. He felt her muscles tighten on him, and at that moment, Michael threw his head back and roared as he released his cum deep within her as her orgasm milked his own.

  Still holding her within his arms, Michael could feel her heart racing against his chest, and he could feel her pussy still contracting around his cock, milking every last drop from him.

  Not nearly sated, Michael felt himself getting hard once again. God help him, this woman was going to kill him. There was just something about being inside her that made him want to take her over and over again, pillaging everythin
g he could from her until he knew she was passed out from pleasure. He could lose himself within her, never needing anything but her body to sate his needs.

  She was addictive.

  “Michael?” Hearing his name, Michael slowly came out of the haze that engulfed him. Realizing what he had done, he gently lifted her from his hardened cock and backed away from her. Pulling up his pants, he turned away from her, running his hands through his hair, cursing. “I’m sorry, Rachael. I can’t explain what happened.”

  Rachael looked over at him. “Well, that is one way to stop arguing,” she said with a little giggle as she jumped into her jeans, wiggling them over her hips.

  He turned around to face her. “I don’t know what got into me, I…” Michael began, but he immediately stopped talking when he saw the scars that crossed her torso.

  The accident.

  Still a beautiful woman, she was scarred. Her soft skin was marked with lines of deep red, weaving patterns across her chest. He couldn’t help himself as he reached out to touch the line that ran down her chest and around her breast.

  The smiled that was upon her face faded to horror. She froze as he touched her, exploring her nakedness. Quickly grabbing her shirt, she pulled it around her. She moved away from him, walking toward her driver’s side door.

  Michael came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She stood there like a statue.

  “Rachael,” he said softly, holding her tight. Turning her around, he lifted her chin to look at her. “You’re beautiful.”

  “This was a mistake,” she said quickly, removing herself from his embrace and jumping into her car. As she started to pull away, she yelled, “And forget about the cattle drive. I don’t need your help.” She sped off, heading back home.

  Michael stood there dumbfounded. What in the hell did she mean by “your help”? It wasn’t like he started this little interlude. He was content with just arguing with her, but no, she kissed him. She started this.

  He just finished it.

  It concerned him. Why was she so passionate one minute and skittish the next? Hadn’t she been with anyone since her husband’s death? She was a damn fine woman to look at when she wasn’t yelling and being bossy. So she had scars. Who didn’t? Well, hers might be more visible than most, but damn it to hell, she didn’t have to hide behind them. If she wanted scars to complain about, Michael thought he could tell her some things that would even frighten the bravest men. But he didn’t go around letting his past dictate how he lived his life, and he sure as hell didn’t hide behind it.

  Or did he?

  “Son of a bitch!” he shouted as he kicked a rock across the road. That damn infuriating woman had made him realize that he was doing the same damn thing she was. For the first time since he left his home in Montana, Michael realized he may not be hiding behind those scars, but he was sure as hell running from them.

  He had been running from his past ever since he left home. Trying to make a life he wanted, he never once thought about his father. That man was the last thing he ever wanted to be like. That was why he went to school to become an engineer. He knew it would piss the old man off, and it did.

  Then there was Henry. He raised that boy as far away from a ranch as possible, but knowing what ran through his veins, it shouldn’t have surprised him that Henry wanted to learn and was eager to work with Rachael. Try as he might, he couldn’t take the sweat and dirt out of his veins. It was all bred into him. He might be able to fight fate once in a while but he couldn’t stop it.

  How was he ever going to get his son to understand, let alone himself? He had been running his whole life, and now, faced with the possibilities of returning to a life he hated more than anything, Michael found himself not so combative. He actually looked forward to getting back to what he knew.

  Problem was that he was just fired.

  That just created another set of problems that he had to figure out. He didn’t have a lot of time. With the upcoming drive, he knew he better figure something out and fast. Then there was Rachael.

  “I’ll deal with her later,” he mumbled as he got in his car and drove back to his house.

  Chapter 5

  “Of all the stupid, idiotic, irrational things to do…stupid, stupid, stupid!” Rachael berated herself as she walked into her kitchen. Throwing her keys on the counter, she sat down at the table and cussed.

  Lowering her head into her hands, Rachael tried to calm herself, but her emotions were running amuck. They were all over the place, and nothing she did or said would make anything any better.

  Always an independent woman, she knew she let her emotions get the best of her. Even when she wanted something, she always went to the extreme just to get it. Over the years she had become a master at manipulation, hiding her feelings so they wouldn’t interfere with what she wanted. Then why was she allowing herself to feel? Where were these unwanted emotions coming from?

  “You’re a hussy!” she scorned herself. Thinking about what she just admitted, she couldn’t help herself, and she laughed. It was so unlike her to throw caution to the wind and take a chance. Chance was not an option here at the ranch. Everything had to be calculated down to the last cow. Yet there she was, out in the open for all to see, acting like a lovesick teenager.

  She knew this man was going to be trouble. She had to put a stop to it immediately. She could not be left alone with this man ever again. She would just have to go on about her business and forget what had happened. But as she stood, her legs gave out and she fell back into the chair. “What the hell!” she shouted. “Damn it, Rachael, get a hold of yourself!”

  Taking a couple of minutes to compose herself, she tried to get up again. Standing on her own two feet, she tried to walk. Her legs were shaky at best, but they moved. What in the world was going on?

  Walking over to the cupboard, she reached for a bowl. Searching the cabinets, she soon grabbed the flour, sugar, three eggs, and some other ingredients. Before she realized what she was doing, she had everything in the bowl and stood facing the window looking out over her ranch, mixing the batter.

  She was lost in thought when Chris walked in.

  “Anyone home?” she heard him shout, breaking her daydreaming.

  “Yeah, in here.”

  Chris walked into the kitchen and smiled. He knew something was up when he saw Rachael with a bowl in her hand.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “Nothing, why?” she replied, not turning to look at him.

  “You’re baking. You only bake when…” His voice trailed off.

  Chris had known Rachael his whole life. There were no secrets between them. Chris, Rachael, and his brother, Robert, did everything together, from little league to causing trouble around town. It wasn’t until they were all in their teens when Chris and Robert started vying for Rachael. When Robert had won her heart, he backed away.

  The two brothers shared everything, and Chris knew, thanks to Robert. Even after the two of them married, Chris could always tell. The signs were always there, and the cakes, cookies, and pies were plentiful.

  “Chris, what are you talking about?” Rachael said, grabbing two cake pans, and she began to pour the batter into them.

  “You know, Rachael, you always did bake a lot when Robert was still alive.” Chris chuckled. “And that’s why I damn near gained thirty pounds, ’cause you damn near baked every day.”

  “Would you please get to the point?” she said, turning around to face him. Chris just stood there and stared at her. He looked at her flushed face, her swollen lips, and her tussled hair. He walked closer, and she backed away, returning to her cake.

  “So are you going to tell me, or do I have to be blunt?” Chris said, pulling a chair from the table.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Rachael, I am going to tell you something that I promised Robert I would never say. My brother, your husband, let me in on a secret between you two. You want to know what it
was?” he asked with a smile.

  “Why do I have a feeling you are going to tell me either way?”

  “Well, I began to wonder why you baked all the time, and Robert just laughed when I asked him. He told me that after you two… would…you know…play cat and mouse…well, you always had the urge to bake. So I will ask you again, why are you baking, or should I ask, who are you baking that for?” Chris said with a smile.

  Rachael froze there at the counter, with the bowl in one hand and the wooden spoon in the other. “I just felt like baking a cake. That’s all.”

  “Okay,” Chris said with a chuckle.

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  It was almost four in the afternoon the next day when Rachael saw Henry riding toward her with Kenny. She smiled at the young man, who was looking very uncomfortable in the saddle. “Well, I see you have met Daisy.” Rachael smiled.

  “Who?” Henry said as he managed to stop the young filly close to her.

  “Daisy, the young Appaloosa you are riding. She is gentle, and she will be good for you. Nice choice, Kenny,” she said, turning her attention to the ranch hand.

  “I thought so, too, boss lady. The poor boy damn near turned white when I went to go get Jasper. So I thought Daisy would be better, since this is his first time on a horse.”

  “Okay, Henry. Are you ready to learn cattle ranching?”

  “I think so,” he said, looking very uncomfortable upon the horse. Realizing the expression, Rachael just smiled. “All right, Henry, today you will get used to sitting in the saddle. I want you to get comfortable riding Daisy, so much so that it becomes second nature to you, okay?”

  “That’s all you want me to do?” he questioned.

  “That’s all for today. Follow Kenny, and he will get you accustomed to riding. Kenny, take him down by Megan’s Stream and let Henry run Daisy,” she said as she turned Mystic and galloped off.

  “Okay, Henry, let’s go,” Kenny said, with Henry following.

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