Page 7 of Cowboy Bodyguard

I nibble at her neck, knowing I’ll be leaving a mark. That’s fine with me. This cowgirl is mine, and I’ll tattoo on her ass if necessary. I fondle her plump breast as I pound into her relentlessly. She screams my name as the orgasm hits her hard. Her creamy thighs tighten around me just as her pussy does. That’s the end of my patience. I fill her with hot seed as my cock pulses its release.

I’m not finished with her yet. I move down her body to taste what she’s been producing, and take her to heaven as promised. Her flavor is better than the finest whisky, and my heart and soul are lost.

Chapter 8~Lizzie

The smell of horses, and sweet hay greet me as I near the barn. I’m agreeing to do the barn duties this morning so Jack can help the ranch hands build a new corral on the west side of his property. I’m not alone. He’ll never risk that. Two of his most trusted men are here, and they are carrying rifles.

I’m not really worried anymore. Three weeks are gone, and nothing terrible has happened. The Marshalls send us updates every couple of days. While I’m enjoying the ranch, and the freedom of open spaces, they’re tracking down Joey. The latest message says they’ve found his hiding place. He’s stuck inside it, and not chasing after me. I’ll be free soon.

I don’t want this to end. I love this place, the animals, and most of all, Jack. My old life seems distant, and far from satisfying. Here, I can enjoy open spaces, and write to my heart’s content. Jack is supportive, and even reads some of my work. He’s quick to praise, but also very honest about things that don’t make sense. He’s the perfect critic.

I’ve just finished brushing down the horses, and giving them some oats when they start getting restless. Thunder bangs against his stall. Blaze whinnies in protest. I don’t understand what has gotten into them until a breeze blows through the open door of the barn. Smoke! The scent makes me freeze in my tracks. My nerves are instantly sparking off all over my body. I begin to shake with terror.

Fire is the focus of all my nightmares. Since the night Joey burned that man alive, I can’t even stand to smell barbeque. The horses sense my fear, and grow more restless. They kick the stalls, and I’m terrified they’ll hurt themselves. Concern for their safety overrules my own fear, and I’m able to move.

The hay in an empty stall catches fire, and I know the enemy has arrived. Shaking hard, and gagging, I do my best to unlock the horses’ stalls. I must get them out of the barn. I see the cats who live here race through a small opening in the wall, and realize there’s little time to save us.

I’m intelligent enough to know the bad guys are trying to flush me out of the barn, and into their arms. If that doesn’t happen, they know I’ll die in here. Either way, I’m no longer a witness against Joey. I’m dead.

I hit Thunder on the rump, and send him flying out the door. I do the same with two other horses the ranch hands aren’t using today. I climb Blaze’s stall, and get on her bare back. I hang onto her mane, and kick her sides. She barrels out of the stall, and through the door. She has to leap over some burning hay, yet I manage to stay on her.

I hear yelling as we burst out of the barn. Gunshots ring out in the still morning. I can see Jack’s men lying on the ground. I worry that they’ve given their lives to protect me. Thunder jumps a fence, and runs off. Blaze tries to follow, but she halts at the fence knowing it’s too high for her short legs. The abrupt stop sends me flying over her head. I stumble to my feet, and try to run.

A heavy, sweaty body tackles me to the ground. The stench of rotted teeth fills my nostrils as the man speaks.

“We’ve gotcha now, girly. There’ll be no testifying from you. I’d kill you right now, but the boss wants a taste of you first. Joey’s told him all about you before the Marshalls took him in. He’ll probably fry even without your testimony, but the boss wants to see how brave you are when it’s your turn to burn. He doesn’t want you accidently send the Marshalls his way,” he tells me.

Tears roll down my cheeks, and I tremble at the threat. I fight anyway. I kick. I buck my body beneath his. I scream, but it’s all useless. I’m still pinned to the ground, and now my mouth is full of dirt. I’m choking on tears, and mud. My only thoughts are for Jack. I’ll never see him again. I’ll never be able to tell him that I love him. He’ll blame himself for my death, just as he’s done with his partner.

“Oh, please, Jack! Find me. I don’t want to die. I need you. You make me feel so loved, and safe,”I pray.

My hands are tied behind my back, and I’m dragged over the ground, and tossed into a jeep. I can tell by the rough ride that these men aren’t taking the road. They’re cutting through pastures, and firing guns into the air to chase away the cows. It doesn’t make any sense to me. They’re leaving a clear trail for Jack to follow. The truth hits me. They want him to follow. They want him dead, and his body burned to ashes where it won’t be found.

My prayer changes.“Don’t come for me Jack. Don’t die for me. Live a long and happy life for both of us.”

Chapter 9~Jack

I smell the acrid scent of smoke first. I turn to see it rising in the air from the direction of the ranch compound. Fear fills my soul. I need to get to Lizzie. I never should have left her side. I’m supposed to be her protector, her hero, her knight in shining armor. I’ve failed.

I drop the tools in my hands onto the ground, and leap on the four wheeler I rode out here. Terrance unhooks the small trailer of supplies attached to the vehicle, and tells me, “It’s probably not the bad guys, boss. There’s no reason to believe the worst.”

“Yeah, Jack. It’s been weeks, and nothing’s happened. Lizzie’s fine,” Hank adds.

“Come with me, or don’t. It’s your choice,” I say as I rev the engine, and take off.

They’re coming. I hear other engines start, and horses’ hooves beating the ground. Gunshots echo through the air, and my blood runs cold. I’ve screwed up. I’ve gotten lax on my vigilance because everything has been so quiet. I’ve been enjoying my time with Lizzie instead of planning for the enemies’ attack. She may die because I’m a fool in love.

Flames are visible now, and I pass Thunder in the pasture. I know that Lizzie saved the horses despite her fear of fire, and I’m proud of her courage.

“Hang on, darlin’. I’m coming for you,” I say to the air.

As we race into the ranch compound, my heart tells me Lizzie isn’t here. They’ve taken my cowgirl. The trail they’ve left is purposeful. Tire tracks, gun shots, and frightened cattle lead the way. They want me to follow. It’s showdown time.

I shout to the men, “Stay here! Keep the fire away from the house! Find the animals. I’m going after Lizzie!”

I take Hank’s horse. It’s faster, and quieter than a four wheeler. I’ll need stealth to win against so many men. Besides, it’s equipped with ropes, a rifle, zip ties, water, and other essentials. I gallop along the tracks the enemy has left, although I’m sure there are a few men waiting nearby that didn’t leave a marked path.

I’m right. The bullet hits the ground a foot in front of the horse. It rears up onto it’s back legs for a moment. I soothe it, and make it continue to run. I slip to the right side of the horse, like a trick rider, and fire the rifle from beneath it’s neck. I aim at the trees where I see movement. A yelp tells me I hit the target. I doubt that it was a killing shot, but the pain will stop the man for now.

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