Page 43 of A Cowboy in the Streets

Maybe she would have laughed, that sound I loved so much, and pressed sleepy little kisses to my neck and chest. Her body would be so warm from being snuggled under the covers with me all night. I stroked faster as I imagined her taking over, rolling me to my back, gliding down on my cock. Smiling down at me, her dark eyes looking at me like they had when she caught me laughing. Happy, with a hint of mischief.

My chest squeezed tight. My balls drew up. My hand moved faster.

What would her eyes look like when I made her come? What sounds would she make? Would she collapse onto my chest and whisper in my ear words I’d never heard from a woman’s lips? Only you, I only want you—

Hot ropes of cum spurted against my stomach as I thrust my hips up against her imaginary pussy. I came harder than I ever had with a real pussy, much less with my own hand. The shower cut off with a metallic squeak.

Fuuuck.

“You banged her, didn’t you,” Zack said, like it was a statement of fact rather than a question.

My gaze shot to the back of James’s head, searching for signs that she had heard my dumbass brother. “Keep your voice down,” I hissed. “And no, I did not.”

James and I had arrived at the makeshift staging area bright and early, to-go cups of coffee in our hands, to mingle with contestants and trainers. When I had spotted Zack’s horse trailer, James had insisted we go say hi. Sure, I had agreed, thinking it might actually be nice to spend some extra time with my baby brother. A critical error on my part.

Zack studied me with narrowed eyes. “I don’t believe you. Your face is…soft. No scowl.”

“I’m having a good day.” Or I had been before this stupid conversation.

“Not to mention—”

“Then don’t,” I cut in. “Don’t mention it.”

Zack quirked an eyebrow. “Not to mention, you’ve been avoiding eye contact with her this whole time, but the second she turns her back, you’re eye-fucking her like a total perv.”

Of course I couldn’t make eye contact with James. Not after what I did this morning. If I had taken myself in hand, imagining her naked and wet in the shower? Fine. If I had thought about her plush pink mouth on my dick? Totally understandable and no one’s business but my own. But I had jacked off to feelings.

What the actual fuck was that about?

It was embarrassing. No way in hell was I going to open up to Zack about it. He’d have Brax on the phone in ten seconds flat. I didn’t need that shit in my day.

“All we did was sleep,” I said. “And if you say one goddamn word to her about this that makes her uncomfortable, I swear to god—”

“Nah. Only brothers are fair game.”

Zack glanced at James, who was conversing with Essie Price and another couple of barrel racers, her hands moving with animated gestures. Networking like Brax wanted because she was a professional. Zack’s gaze lingered on her ass—tactfully avoiding Essie’s because both of us knew without being told that she was off limits. What Zack failed to realize was that James was, too. At least as far as he was concerned. I could literally feel my blood pressure spike.

“Can’t blame you for the eye-fucking,” Zack said. “Those jeans are doing mankind the highest service.”

I shoved his shoulder. “Eyes off,” I growled.

Zack smirked. “Ah, there’s that scowl I know and love.”

His phone buzzed, and he tugged it out of his pocket. His smile was replaced with a frown as he looked at the screen. Then his thumbs flew as he texted a reply. “Shit,” he muttered. “Shit, shit, shit.”

“Problem?” I asked, though the answer was obvious.

“Yeah. Rex was supposed to partner with me for the roping event, but his little girl fell off a swing and broke her arm. He’s with her at the hospital.”

“Shit,” I said. He looked at me and I knew exactly what he was going to say next. “No,” I said preemptively.

“Come on, man. I need you. The ranch needs you. I’m riding one of ours today. When I win, it looks good for Lodestar.”

James looked over her shoulder at us curiously. After a quick survey of our expressions, she ambled over. “What’s going on?”

“My roping partner had to bail,” Zack explained. “And Adam here won’t do me a solid and step up.” His expression was the picture of wounded brotherly love. I rolled my eyes.

“Oh.” James bit her lip and peeked up at me from under the dark sweep of her eyelashes. “Maybe he doesn’t know how?”

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