Under the Cowboy's Control

His mind rebelled at the thought of her having to go through this every month.

Juan spoke again. "Do you have a heating pad or a hot water bottle?"

Travis didn't.

Juan said, "Okay. I'm going to go to town and pick up a heating pad and some supplies for her. I will be back as soon as I can." Juan turned to Selena and asked her a question in Spanish.

She let out a soft whimper and put her arm across her face to hide it.

Juan gentled his voice. " Senorita, I need to know this information."

Selena whispered her answer in Spanish.

Juan briskly turned to Travis and said, "Get her to swallow three ibuprofen. If you can come up with an idea for warmth before I get back, that would be good." With that, he turned and quickly left the room.

Travis paused for a moment and looked at the small figure on the bed. She let out another whimper and started writhing again. Travis left the room and went to his bathroom where he retrieved a glass of water and the pills.

He was back in seconds. "Selena, these will make you feel better. Sit up, baby, and let me give you these pills."

Selena awkwardly tried to sit up. She was in so much pain, she felt like she wanted to die. She knew from years of experience that it would pass, but for the next few hours, she wanted to die.

Travis sat on the bed and propped himself up against the headboard. He set the water and pills on the bedside table and reached over and slid her into an upright position between his thighs. Her back fell against his chest. He reached over and gave her the pills. Her hands shook as she put them to her mouth. She swallowed the water he gave her, and the medicine slid down.

He set the water back on the table and she let out a tiny moan that almost sounded like relief. "Pills are working that fast?"

She shuddered. "No. It is your w-warmth." She squeezed her body back into him, like she was trying to burrow into him. She picked up his hands and wrapped them around her and placed them directly on her abdomen. "P-please. For just a minute."

Travis felt a jerk in the region of his heart as he shared his warmth with her. He eased her back all the way into him and got comfortable against the headboard.

"Sure, Angel. As long as you need. My pleasure."

Immediately, she felt the relief from the heat on the small of her back and on her pulsing womb. Within seconds, she was asleep in his arms.

Travis knew the moment when sleep eased her pain. He closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her hair. He hated that she was in pain, but God, she felt good in his arms. He relaxed and allowed the feel of her to seep into his soul. He closed his eyes and within moments he was asleep too.

The six-hundred milligrams went to work and Selena slept like a baby. After awhile, she felt too much body heat, and in her sleep kicked the sheet off her body.

Travis felt the soft little body wriggle against him and thought he was dreaming. It was a spectacular dream, and one hand enclosed a firm little breast, and the other moved down and found the spot he had been craving for weeks.

They slept on.

Juan walked back in the room an hour later and found them in that position. He dropped the bag in his hand and stared in shock.

Travis and Selena both surfaced from sleep at the same time from the sound of the bag hitting the wooden floor.

Selena saw Juan first and then looked down and saw her legs spread wide and Travis's hand cupping her over her panties. She started pushing his hand away, but it only tightened on her.

Travis was groggy and only half awake when his grip compressed unconsciously on Selena to hold her in place. But it took only a second for the sleep to recede as he assimilated the situation. He reluctantly eased his hold and Selena scrambled away from him and covered up.

He stood up as Juan belted out, "Young man, I want a word with you in the living room."

Juan turned and left the room. Travis groaned and bent to pick up the discarded sack. He pulled the heating pad from the sack of feminine supplies and plugged it into the wall outlet. He handed it to Selena and turned and strode into the living room.

Travis saw Juan waiting for him and resentment ran through him. "Since when have I become young man to you?" He sneered the words.

"Since that young lady needs someone to protect her from you, that's when. This can't go on. She can't keep living here like this. That girl is innocent and I recognize it and every other man on this ranch recognizes it, even if you don't."

Travis listened to the lecture and antagonism pierced him. "Oh, trust me, I do. I know it best of all, I guarantee you that." Travis inhaled a deep breath and studied the older man confronting him. He was smart enough to realize that Juan cared for Selena in a paternal way. "Juan, I was just applying heat to her stomach and we fell asleep. Nothing happened. Nothing's been happening. I'm sorry my hands moved when I was asleep, but I was asleep." The last four words were yelled.