Under the Cowboy's Control

Selena lowered her voice and mimicked him. "He was in here for a little while."

"You're getting brave all of a sudden, Angel. Do you think that's very wise?" Travis felt the lust, rage, and jealousy swamp him. The lust and the rage he understood.

The jealousy just pissed him off. He had never been jealous in his whole goddamned life.

No, Selena didn't think it was very wise and didn't know what had come over her.

She ought to be thankful to this man for helping her, but his arrogance and superiority made her angry. She tried to hold her ground, but failed and she took one step away from him.

It was enough to set off the predator in him. He took one step toward her.

Her eyes flared.

Travis felt the muscles in his stomach involuntarily tighten. He was close to losing control. "Don't run from me, Selena." His voice was a deep growl, and it sent tremors of unease through Selena. "I guarantee that I will catch you, and you won't like the results. Just stay here like a big girl and we will finish this conversation."

His words made her panic even more. Her breathing fractured, and she desperately wanted to turn and run. But now she couldn't even do that.

He watched her valiantly trying to hold her ground, while her chest heaved with her effort.

He took one step closer and she shut her eyes tight. He stopped.

What the fuck was he doing? He couldn't touch her. He could not fucking touch her. He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head, trying to get a grip.

When he opened them, she was quietly watching him, her arms wrapped around herself, as in protection. He took a deep breath. "Just stay away from Clinton. I don't need all the men fighting over you. I don't want them chasing you around like a bitch in heat."

She gasped. Her eyes welled with tears.

"Fuck. Just stay the fuck away from Clinton." He turned and slammed back out of the house. Frustration clawed through him. He spent the rest of the morning fighting himself. He took his rage out on anyone that came within a hundred yards of him.

At one o'clock on the dot, he walked back into the house. There were three large grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and a bowl of soup at the table. A jug of iced tea and the plate of brownies sat beside them.

Selena was absent from the kitchen.

He sat down, drank a whole glass of iced tea, and then polished off all the sandwiches and the soup. He picked up a large brownie, swallowed it whole, and walked out of the kitchen.

She wasn't in the living room.

He went down the hall to the bedrooms. She wasn't in her room. She wasn't in her bathroom.

" Goddammmit."

He came back into the living room and looked around. The front door was unlocked, so he walked over and opened it. She sat on the porch swing, her face turned away from the house, looking off into the distance.

She continued to look away from him when he walked over and stood in front of her.

Travis cleared his throat. He had managed to get his anger and frustration in control. He knew he had been rough on her. "Lunch was good. Thank you."

She didn't turn to face him, but she nodded her head in acknowledgeme

nt.

Travis tried again. "Selena. I'm sorry."

At that, she turned and looked at him. "Y-you hate me."

"No, no Angel, I don't. I don't hate you at all." His words were apologetic.

"You are m-mean." Her voice shook.