Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders 13)

He’d come so hard he’d had to cage her body beneath his or he might’ve passed out.

Georgia had come twice. He’d made her come twice. And how f**king sexy had it been when she’d dug her nails into his forearm, not wanting that hand going anyplace? Or how about when she arched against him? Pushing herself deeper into his rapid thrusts. Wanting more, wanting everything he gave her.

These sex flashbacks aren’t helping you get focused.

Right. He was supposed to be getting ready for the rodeo.

Tell slipped on his judge’s vest and pass, heading to the livestock penning areas to inspect the rough stock. Rarely had he deemed an animal ineligible for competition, but the health and welfare of the animals were top priority for everyone involved. Tell had never run across a stock contractor who would put anything—money, or a shot at getting picked for NFR—ahead of the well-being of their livestock.

The outdoor arena in Buffalo was a mix of old and new. The stands were little more than wooden benches with a tin-roof covering. Spectator seats ringed the arena, reserved for sponsors and fans who were willing to pay a higher ticket price to get sprayed in the face with dirt.

At this particular rodeo, all the rough stock and timed events originated from the same end of the arena. At some venues, the rough stock chutes were on one end and the timed events were on the opposite end. Tell had worked the Buffalo Rodeo before, so he knew it ran very smoothly. At least it had under the other rodeo promotion company. It’d be interesting to see if anything changed under the company Georgia worked for.

After the fireworks and pageantry of the opening ceremony, including appearances by Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Miss Rodeo Montana, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Miss Rodeo North Dakota, and Miss Rodeo Colorado, a salute to veterans, and the singing of the national anthem, the crowd was revved up and ready to rodeo.

Tell hit the dirt with his clipboard and took his place as the second judge.

The only time he paid attention to the crowd was if the judges were booed for what the audience believed was a bad score. It happened at least once during every event. He never took it personally.

The roster was pretty big for a small rodeo. Saddle bronc riders fared better than bareback riders, as far as making that eight-second mark. As the second judge, Tell wasn’t required to be on horseback for the timed events.

Since it was a two-day event, purses and buckles weren’t awarded, so the festivities wrapped up early. The other judge invited Tell to hang out at the local bar. He didn’t jump at the chance like he usually did—because he was looking for a chance to jump Georgia.

He waited until the crowd thinned before he made his way to the business office. And he was still stopped half-a-dozen times by people he knew. He remembered how nervous he’d been the first time he’d judged an event. How he’d worried it would be like high school. Where the upper classman sneered at him as fresh meat or all questions would be about his bull-riding cousin Chase McKay, who’d seemed to get more famous every year. But now even that wild man had been tamed.

Speaking of wild…there she was. The hot little number he wanted to get wild with all freakin’ night.

Her clothing was a mix of professional and accessible. No severe business suit; no-over-the top sequined rodeo-queen outfit either. Her denim dress was form-fitting enough to be sexy, but modestly cut. She looked good enough to eat.

After the group broke up, Georgia started gathering papers. She hadn’t noticed him yet, or that they were the only ones in the room.

When she finally looked up, he hauled her against his chest and kissed her.

And kept kissing her, sinking into that sweet mouth. Sucking in her fevered response like oxygen. Aching to touch her, but keeping his hands spread across her lower back, knowing once he set his hands to roaming, he wouldn’t be able to stop.

Georgia slipped her mouth free, leaning back to look at him. “Well. If it isn’t Tell McKay. No hi, how are ya? No sorry I didn’t call? You just waltz in here and kiss the crap outta me first thing?”

“Yeah. Is that a problem for you?”

She grinned. “Not. At. All.”

“Good.” Tell cradled her face in his hands. “I should mention that you are totally rockin’ that dress. But I preferred what you were wearin’ the last time I saw you.”

“I was naked… Oh, ha ha. Real funny.”

He feathered kisses across her lips. “As hot as it was between us last night, I intend to slow things down a bit tonight. So will you come to my motel room right now and let me show you?”

“Or we could go to my hotel. It’s got a king-size bed.”

“Better yet.” Tell tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You have anything else to do around here?”

“I’m free to go. Someone else will lock up.”

An odd expression crossed her face when he reached for her hand. “Is there a problem with your job if people see us together?”

“No. I’m just…surprised that you aren’t keeping this under wraps. I mean, us being out together in Sundance is one thing. But here?”

“Why would here be any different?”

Her gaze dropped to his chest. “Because you have a reputation as a player, Tell. Rumor has it that as many buckle bunnies wait for you after an event as for the riders.”

Tell grabbed her chin, looking into her eyes. “We are together, here, there and everywhere else. I won’t deny my reputation, but I will point out that I don’t f**k around. You are the only woman I’m with.”

When Georgia still didn’t look convinced, he picked her up and plopped her on the conference table. He made room for himself between her thighs and loomed over her, forcing her to rest her hands on the table behind her. “You want me to prove that right now?”

“That’s not necessary—”

“Oh, darlin’, I surely believe it is.” He placed a soft kiss on the hollow of her throat. “Move your head to the side.”

Georgia arched her neck.

He nuzzled that warm sweep of flesh, letting his breath tease before he used his mouth to kiss and suck. He dragged his lips over the smooth muscles of her throat. Inhaling her fragrance and absorbing the vibrations of her body reacting to his touch. When she began to squeeze her thighs together, he whispered, “Think I’d be embarrassed and back away from you if someone walked on us?”

“No.”

“If I hadn’t f**ked you so fast and hard the first time, I’d f**k you hard and fast right now on this table.”