Page 21 of Crazy on Daisy

Chapter 6: Gut Wrenching

Hillsboro

During the three and a half hour ride to Hillsboro, Daisy wasn’t in the mood for serious talk, and Hank didn’t say much either. She’d brought along the latest Rodeo News, pulled from her mailbox that morning and paged through it, reading the headlines out loud.

When she folded it and stashed it in her bag, Hank grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it, giving her a wide smile. It felt so good, having her hand nestled safe in his big strong one, she let her head fall onto his shoulder, drowsing off until they passed through Waco.

The Hillsboro rodeo was a small one. The best barrel racers in the circuit, Jillian Romas from Dallas and Hasty Rodriguez from Houston, were up in Oklahoma at the Youth Expo, teaching clinics.

She gabbed with Kelsey on the way in, then, once they got Gypsy and Cuervo settled, she and Hank walked to Vern’s out near the highway, where all the competitors were gathering for barbecue and pool.

Vern’s had Shiner Bock on tap, and Hank got a sixteen-ouncer, which Daisy sipped from. The rest of her friends arrived, and he slid a margarita her way with a wink and a big smile.

While she laughed with Kelsey and Trina and Becky and the other girls, Hank flanked them at the bar, mixing it up with the barrel racers’ boyfriends. Then the band struck up, and he grabbed her for a turn around the dance floor. Face flushed, she felt conspicuous going public to their friends, though no one was really surprised. It was a strain, being out together the first time.

The pool tables were all three-deep, so when Hank asked if she wanted to cut out early and head back to the trailer to check on the horses, she replied, “Sure, let’s.”

“I’m glad we hung out with your friends tonight,” he said, squeezing her hand as they walked back. “It was fun.”

“It was. You’re real good company,” she smiled. “They like you.” She felt shy about it, but it was so much calmer and surer with Hank than she’d ever been with T.J.

Back at the trailer, he flipped the light on. The horses were munching hay. As Hank filled water buckets, she snuck up close, bumping his hip.

Grinning, he grabbed a chunk of hair and pulled her mouth to his lips.“Y’know how crazy you make me every time you do that, Daisy Mae?”

She grabbed his big hand, bit his chin and gave him a flirty little smile. “Maybe.”

He kissed her until she melted to liquid, quiet and safe in his arms. His lips touched her hair, and he whispered,“You stayin’ here with me tonight?”

“I can,” she said, pulling back a little. “Trina asked if she should expect me. I said I didn’t know.”

“I’d sure like it if you did, Daize. I set the bunks up double, and we’ve got plenty of room. There’s running water here, so you don’t need to go down to the shower room just to brush your teeth.”

“Really?” she giggled. “But I just love takin’ my toothbrush over there morning and night!”

Grinning, Hank flipped the light in the back on. Her bags were already on the low bunk, made up for two, just like he said. “When did you do this?” she asked, surprised.

“You headed over to Kelsey right away, so I thought I’d give us a head start,” he murmured, kissing her. “Mmm, will you stay?”

“I guess I can, Hank,” she said.

“Good, Daize, that’s real good.” His lips brushed her cheeks and eyelids, and her insides pooled. It was indecent, the way he made her feel. Too easily aroused, she wanted nothing more than to collapse on the bed with him and have him touch her everywhere. In just her t-shirt and panties, she climbed into the wide bunk.

He flipped the overhead light off, leaving just a tiny one on over the sink. Stripping down to his boxers, he slid in next to her, limbs warm and solid in the cool of the air-conditioning. They kissed a little. It was so close and tender, lying there in his arms, her heart ached with it.

Then she heard some of the other riders carrying on close outside and tensed. Spreading her hands on his bare chest, she put her lips to the hollow of his neck. “Can we wait on this?”

“Sure, Daize, whatever you want,” Hank answered, husky-voiced. Tucking her head to his chest, he stroked her back. She stayed there a while, listening to him breathe, then rolled over, sleepy. He put a pillow under her ears and his hands on her belly, pulling her close to spoon. Nuzzling her hair, he held her until she fell asleep.

Daisy woke to the call of a wood thrush, arching her back and stretching her arms overhead. Hank groaned and pulled her close, so she snuggled against him. His erection poked her back; she was wet immediately.

Not even waiting to brush her teeth, she rolled to kiss his open mouth, taking his lips in her teeth and working her tongue around his. Grabbing her buttocks, he whispered, “This is some wakeup, Daisy.”

“It sure is,” she murmured, stripping her t-shirt off and pulling at his boxers as he worked his way to her breasts. Nuzzling each nipple, he raked them with his teeth. She moaned when he lowered his mouth to her wet cleft. He nibbled and sucked there until she was crazy, squirming so much he had to hold her in place with his big hands. When she was so close to her edge she couldn’t stand it, she pulled away from him and grabbed the tiny silver packet.

Tearing it open, she slipped a condom over his shaft. Pushing his broad, bare chest so his back was on the pillows, she stroked the line of chest hair running down between his pecs and around his nipples.

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