Two Cowboys Next Door Read online

  The two figures fall to the ground. The one on top grabs the gun and tosses it off into the grass. The woman yells in fury.

  Another man appears out of nowhere, making me jump.

  “Cheyenne!”

  “Clay?” I ask.

  The man on the ground gets up, pulling the woman with him. It’s Nash.

  Clay puts his hand on my elbow. “Are you okay?”

  The question makes me quake. “Yes.”

  He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his chest. I bury myself in his earthy scent and clutch at his shirt. My hands won’t stop shaking.

  “Come on,” Nash roughly says. “Into the barn.”

  He leads the way, keeping the woman’s arms locked behind her. Clay picks up the handgun and we follow.

  I flip the barn lights on and blink as they flicker to life.

  “Get me a rope,” Nash says.

  Clay tosses him one from the pile near the door.

  The woman hangs her hand, black hair falling all around her face. Nash puts her in a chair and quickly ties her up.

  “It’s too tight,” she complains.

  “Shut up.”

  I lurk near the wall, unsure of how to act. It seems like I should go wake my parents up, but I don’t want to leave the barn. I don’t want Clay and Nash out of my sight.

  Clay calls the police and reports the incident.

  “They’re on their way,” Clay announces, hanging up.

  I wrap my arms around myself. I’ve stopped shaking, but still feel sick to my stomach. Clay squeezes my shoulder and gives me a tight smile. I don’t know how to respond. I was almost kidnapped. I’m lucky to be alive. It’s not the kind of shock you quickly come down from.

  “Cheyenne,” Nash softly says.

  He comes and stands in front of me. Two strong hands cup my jaw and turn my face up. His brown eyes run across mine. “You sure you’re good?”

  I nod, a lump forming in my throat. I’m not back to normal yet, but I will be soon.

  Nash turns and looks at the chair. “You owe us an explanation, Emily.”

  The woman lifts her head and glares at him. “I owe you an explanation?”

  Clay dismissively cuts his hand through the air. “Forget it, Nash. She’s bat shit crazy.”

  “But who is she?” I press.

  Clay and Nash look at each other.

  The woman speaks up. “I’m the one they left behind. The one they’re supposed to be with.”

  The delusional words make me cringe. She really is crazy, but I also feel sorry for her. Even though she did just attempt to kidnap me.

  Sirens permeate the air. Clay goes out to meet the police and I follow, eager to stay with either him or Nash.

  Two police cars pull into the yard, their lights flashing against the trees. The house’s front door opens and Mom steps onto the porch in her bathrobe.

  Hurried explanations follow. Nash, Clay, and I each tell our stories to the police. Mom keeps her arm around me through it all.

  Once they instruct the men and I to go down to the station for questioning in the morning, the cops take Emily away. The yard is quiet again.

  Mom presses her hands against her cheeks. “Honey, I can’t believe it.”

  “I know Mom. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s our fault.” Clay joins us on the porch. Nash hovers behind him on the bottom step.

  Clay goes on. “We have some bad blood with Emily. She only tried to hurt Cheyenne because she’s our neighbor. I’m sorry, Mrs. McGee. Truly sorry.”

  Mom’s shoulders slump. “Oh, Clay… Don’t feel bad. You couldn’t have known.” She wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight. “Well your father slept through the whole thing. Won’t we have a story to tell him in the morning?”

  I wish I could ask her not to mention the incident to Dad. It’ll just end up being another reason for him not to like Clay.

  “I’m going to bed,” Mom says, looking at me. “Do you need anything? I can stay up and...”

  “No,” I quickly say. “Thanks, but I’ll be good. I’m gonna stay up for a while.” I sneak a glance over at Clay and Nash.

  “We’ll watch over her,” Nash promises.

  Mom nods and gives me another hug. The door shuts gently as she goes into the house.

  Clay steps towards me. “Cheyenne...”

  “I know.” I stop on a step between the two of them. “You guys couldn’t have known what she would do.”

  “But we had a feeling,” Nash says. “That’s why we came over here to check on you. We figured since she knew our rodeo schedule maybe she knew other things as well. Maybe she’d been watching us.”

  “She was watching. She flat out told me she’s had her eye on me.” A shiver goes through me. “God...”

  Nash pulls me into a hug. The unexpectedness of it makes me tense. He runs his hand over my hair and I relax. My eyes drift close and I drop my weight against his chest.

  What would have happened if Nash and Clay hadn’t shown up? What was Emily planning on doing to me?

  Thinking about it makes me nauseous. I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.

  “She gave me a ride the other night,” I say into Nash’s shirt. “My car broke down and she drove me home.”

  “Did she say anything about us?” Clay asks.

  “No. She seemed… normal. She seemed nice.”

  Clay hisses. “She’s crazy.”

  “What was she going to do?” I ask no one in particular. “Why did she want me?”

  Nash presses his cheek against the top of my head. “She wanted to get back at us, is my guess.”

  I shudder against him. He squeezes me tighter.

  “We would have found you,” he says into my hair. “If she’d taken you, we would have found you.”

  “Absolutely,” Clay says.

  I look over Nash’s arm at him. “What happened with her? Why is she angry?”

  Clay pulls his hat off and slaps it against his thigh. He looks down at the steps. “She thinks we did her wrong. We had a good weekend with her and she thought it meant more.”

  “Oh.”

  An uncomfortable silence passes. Do the guys think I’m like Emily? That I’m going to freak out when they’re gone? And more importantly, are they right?

  “I need to get some sleep,” I whisper.

  “No,” Clay answers. “You’re not going to be able to sleep now.”

  I purse my lips. He’s right, but I don’t want to be a burden to them. I don’t want them to think I’ve got the wrong idea, or that I’m going to chase them as they leave town.

  “Stay with us,” Nash says.

  Clay presses his hand into my shoulder.

  Nash’s strong arms hold me tight enough to break me, but I don’t resist. Their touch is just what I need.

  14

  Nash

  I lift Cheyenne against my chest and carry her across the yard and field. She wraps her arms around my neck and nuzzles her face into my shoulder.

  My throat gets tighter with each step. My gut aches like it’s been punched.

  Seeing Emily pointing that gun at Cheyenne made something in me snap. For the first time in my life I understood the true meaning of the word fury. I saw every shade of red possible.

  The thought of someone hurting mine and Clay’s woman makes my fingers tighten around Cheyenne. It almost happened. We got dangerously close… Horribly close to losing her.

  I’ll never let danger get near her again.

  Clay opens the front door and goes to make Cheyenne some tea. I go to gently set her on the couch but her hands won’t loosen from my neck. I forget about setting her down and lean back into the cushions to keep her in my lap.

  We don’t say anything, instead just sit there, her nestled into my chest. Clinks come from the kitchen and the kettle whistles.

  Clay arrives and puts a steaming mug of tea down on the coffee table. He takes the seat next to us and rubs his eyes.

  “We’
re sorry,” I say.

  Cheyenne stirs and climbs from my lap. She settles down between Clay and me. “Thank you, but you don’t have to feel bad about it.”

  Clay pushes hair back from her neck. “We’ll never let anyone hurt you.”

  She makes a whimpering noise and closes her eyes. I turn her face to mine and drop my forehead against hers.

  Her lips part the slightest bit. I kiss her softly and she falls against me. Clay’s arms wrap around her torso. He lifts her from the couch and carries her across the hall and into the downstairs bedroom.

  Soft lighting from the side lamp coats the bed. Clay lays Cheyenne against the blankets. Her hair fans out around her, making a halo. She looks up at us with big, trusting eyes. The need to take her, to claim her, and protect her roars through me.

  Clay starts to undress her, first taking off her shorts and then her shirt. Nipples poke at the thin fabric of her lacy bra. I curl my fingers into my palms to stop myself from ripping the bra apart. Clay keeps going, taking off the bra and panties. Her body rests below us, completely exposed.

  Clay and I settle on the bed next to her. I ease down on my side and prop my head up on one hand. My other one runs across her pert nipples. Cheyenne’s eyelashes flutter and her cheeks grow pink.

  Clay’s hand dips between her legs. Her thighs part eagerly.

  We stroke each inch of her body, warming her up and making her wet and ready. Her nipples grow engorged. I massage them delicately, giving them both equal amounts of attention.

  My dick swells and presses against my pants. I stand up and take off my clothes. Clay does the same. Cheyenne watches us, her eyes glazed over in lust.

  Clay climbs back onto the mattress and begins kissing her. I drop at the edge of the bed and kiss the inside of her thighs. Her sweet, musty scent welcomes me. I languidly run my tongue over her hard nub.

  Her slick pussy lips open up to me. They throb against my tongue, begging me for more.

  Cheyenne groans and writhes from my attention. I lick her faster and suck her flesh gently between my teeth. A muffled cry leaves her and she shudders against me.

  I take my tongue lower and run it around her tight ass. It pulsates under my touch.

  The bed creaks. Clay lays down with his head on the pillows and holds his arms out for Cheyenne. I lift her up and pass her over to him. Her back presses into his chest. He sucks on her earlobe and her head rolls back against the pillow.

  Cheyenne’s breasts rapidly rise and fall. I climb onto the bed in front of her and stroke my length. Clay runs his fingers against her ass. He works it, stretching it out. Taking his dick, he pushes slightly against her hole.

  I edge forward on my knees and press my cock against her pussy. Both Clay and I are poised, ready to enter her. Clay pushes her legs further open with his knee, spreading her wide open like a flower.

  He pushes his dick slowly into her ass. Her teeth clink together and she groans through them. I run my thumb across her clit, pleasuring her and encouraging her to accept Clay’s girth.

  He slides in until he’s buried halfway inside. I push my dick between Cheyenne’s wet folds and enter her tight channel. She squeezes against me and cries out. She’s stuffed completely, with Clay under her and me on top.

  I take hold of her knees and push into her. I make each stroke deliberately slow and watch her face for reactions. Her mouth falls open wide and guttural sounds leave her.

  Clay drives up into her and I match his rhythm. With each thrust we make her ours all over again.

  I push her legs against her stomach and drive the end of my dick against the ridged spot deep inside of her. She cries out, her pussy clamping down on me as she orgasms.

  Clay wraps his arm around her and locks her tight against his chest. He drives rapidly up, hammering into her at a frantic speed. Cheyenne moans on and on. The sounds of her pleasure make my head go foggy. My balls tighten up and I bury my cock all the way in her. Ecstasy hits me and I withdraw and spurt my hot pleasure on the blanket.

  Clay groans loudly and clenches Cheyenne against him. He releases into her with a heavy grunt.

  I lower myself onto the other side of the bed and slowly pull Cheyenne off Clay. She falls into the nook between our shoulders. It’s the perfect fit.

  I push my arm around her and pull her close to my chest. Her nose grazes my nipple and her breath coats my skin.

  Clay pushes himself against her back. His fingers run across her arm and shoulder as he lightly massages her. Her breathing becomes heavier and she quickly falls asleep.

  Clay’s hand falls down and he starts to snore. I keep my arm around Cheyenne and gaze at the ceiling.

  Something is happening to me. Something’s changed or clicked. It started the second someone threatened our woman.

  Our woman.

  I like the thought of it.

  Clay and I have claimed plenty of girls, but never with long term plans. We take what we came for then let them go.

  Doing the same with Cheyenne doesn’t seem like an option. If we let her go something will happen to her. Someone might hurt her.

  Or fuck her and make her theirs.

  Anger boils in me. The thought of another man’s hands on her make me furious. Cheyenne belongs to Clay and me. She needs to be with us.

  It just doesn’t make sense. I’ve never experienced such a fierce need to keep a woman around.

  I look down at Cheyenne and run my fingers through her hair. We nearly lost her tonight.

  It’s up to me to make sure we never lose her for real.

  15

  Cheyenne

  Warmth covers my legs and birds chirp around me. I stretch my arms out across my bed and yawn into my pillow. Last night spills through my head, first the whole thing with Emily then coming home with Nash and Clay.

  I run my palms over my eyes and sit up. Just what time did I get back to my house anyway?

  I blink and take in the room around me. Sunlight falls through a window, causing the warmth I felt on my legs, but it’s not my window.

  I’m in the bedroom at the Murphy ranch.

  My heart constricts. “Shit,” I hiss.

  I leap up and search for my clothes. My underwear, shorts, and shirt are on the floorboards but my bra has vanished. I drop onto my hands and knees and look under the bed for it.

  Without meaning to I fell asleep at Clay’s. No doubt my parents are worried sick. They’ll come looking for me.

  And they’ll find me… at Clay’s.

  I give up my search for the bra and stand up.

  My hands shake as I pull on my panties and shirt. Any hope for a cover will have been blown. If I’m lucky, my parents will think I’m only sleeping with one man and not two.

  But just one will be enough.

  Someone knocks on the door. I jump and drop my shorts. The door opens and Clay pokes his head in.

  “Morning.”

  “I—I have to go,” I stammer. “My parents.”

  “Nash already went and told them you’re here.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “He told them you came over to talk last night and fell asleep on the couch.”

  “Oh.” I nod and give it some thought. “Well that’s better than...”

  “Then what?”

  I bite my lip. “Nothing.”

  Clay crosses his arms and leans against the doorway. He’s fully dressed for the day, with his hat and work clothes on. “Your parents don’t like me.”

  My jaw falls. “I...”

  He shrugs. “I know what people around here think about me, Cheyenne. A lot of them don’t hide their opinions.”

  “My mom likes you,” I offer. “She probably loves you considering you saved my life last night.”

  He grins. “I’ll take that. Come on, I’ve got breakfast ready for you.”

  I pull on my shorts and follow him out to the kitchen. The delicious smells of coffee and frying bacon fill the air. I take a seat at the round table while Clay busies
himself at the stove.

  The screen door flies open and Nash strides in. He smiles at me and my stomach bursts into butterflies.

  “Morning.” He tips his hat at me.

  “Good morning.” Memories of last night hit me again. The way the men touched me, it was like I was being worshiped. I felt like a goddess. And them entering me at the same time, filling me up till I felt like I would burst at the seams…

  My face grows warm. I avert my eyes from Nash and take a hearty gulp of water.

  Clay serves us breakfast and coffee and we dig in. The men eat nearly a dozen eggs between the two of them. They small talk about the ranch and the rodeo. Every few seconds one of them looks over at me.

  I’m not sure what’s going on, but things feel different between the three of us.

  It all feels more… comfortable.

  Not that it matters. They’ll be gone soon.

  Which is a great reason to enjoy them while they’re here.

  Just twenty-four hours ago, I told myself I was done with the two of them. The looming heartache from their upcoming absence compounded with the possibility of my dad finding out about us just didn’t make the risk of running around worth it.

  But last night makes it seem like I don’t have a choice.

  There were a few minutes last night where I saw just how high the possibility of my death was. It stood right in front of me, staring down the barrel of that gun. It came out of nowhere, taking me by surprise and shaking me up.

  Is my being alive today by chance? Was Nash and Clay’s coming over to check on me nothing more than great timing? Is my living and breathing today a fluke?

  Whether it is or not, I know one thing for sure. I can’t waste time sitting in the backseat of life. Clay and Nash are in town for a few more days and I need to take advantage of their presence.

  I don’t know just what’s going to happen once they’re gone. I don’t know what their absence will do to me. But I’ll deal with it.

  Right now, I just need to focus on the present.

  “We should be getting to the station,” Clay says.

  “Oh,” I say in a small voice. “Our statements. I forgot all about them.”