Loading...The new owner of the Faro Ranch was unlike anyone that Emily Wilder had ever met in her twenty-two years of life. Her world did not extend far beyond the slat fences of the Faro. Her father had managed the ranch for Mr. Donavon for twenty-six years. When the old man had died, his son had auctioned off the cattle and sold the property.
Emily’s poppa had worried that he might lose his job when the new owner took over the Faro, but Charley Quinn had recognized Ike Wilder for the expert rancher he was and kept the old man on as manager.
Quinn had turned the cattle ranch into a horse ranch. The animals she raised were Tennessee Walking Horses. The boys who worked for Ike called the magnificent creatures sissy animals because of their exaggerated trot and fragile nature. They would rather be working around a track or training jumpers. Emily thought the horses were a nice change from the smell and labor of cattle.
The stable had always been Emily’s favorite place on the ranch. Her father’s office was at the end of the stable and she had learned to walk on the straw covered floor. She’d played hide and seek in the stalls and lost her virginity in the loft. She could outride any of Ike’s cowboys. Even as a child, she had a way with the horses. Even the roughest stallion obeyed her gentle voice.
“Who the hell are you?” a firm voice demanded, startling Emily from her memories of her childhood on Faro Ranch.
She finished pitching hay into the chestnut mare’s stall before turning to the voice. “I’m Emily,” she answered, but when her eyes fell on Quinn, her words faltered. Quinn was nearly six foot tall. She wore a black Stetson and a white button-up blouse. The top three buttons of the loose blouse were undone. Her fists were planted on her hips and Emily could see enough of the woman’s breasts to know that Quinn did not have on a bra. She gripped a crop in her right hand as she waited for an answer from the girl. The immaculate black jeans looked like they had been painted onto her body. She wore snakeskin boots with silvertips.
“Wilder’s girl, huh?” Quinn barked. “He’s pretty damn proud of you. Everybody got a cigar on the day you graduated. Even me. Congratulations.” At the sound of the voice, Emily forced her eyes back to Quinn’s face. Eyes so brown they were almost black stared back at the girl. The tall woman took a half step forward. Emily resisted the urge to take a step back as she looked up into the angular face. When Quinn spoke, her voice had a different quality to it. It was soft and seductive and gave Emily a chill she didn’t understand. “Go ahead, look all you want.”
Emily’s face flushed pink at being caught looking. The bright blush was also the result of Quinn’s nearness. Emily was relieved when the woman stepped away and moved to Talia. She patted the horse’s neck and allowed the animal to nuzzle her shoulder. “How’s my girl today?”
Emily tried not to look at Quinn’s firm butt encased in the tight denim. “They are beautiful animals. It’s a nice change from cows.”
“I hope you don’t expect to get paid for mucking out my stables. I didn’t hire you,” Quinn stated, turning toward the girl again. She tapped the crop against the side of her thigh and Emily’s eyes fell in that direction. The jeans revealed the muscles in the woman’s legs. Emily’s eyes lingered on a bulge directed toward the inside of the woman’s right thigh. Her face flushed again. Quinn chuckled and stood with her feet slightly spread to allow Emily the best view.
Emily tore her gaze away and drove the pitchfork into the hay bale and threw some into another stall. “I’m only here for the summer,” she said. Her mouth was dry and her tongue felt thick as she spoke. She concentrated on working so that she would not have to look at Quinn again.
“What will you do at the end of the summer?” Quinn asked as she led Talia from her stall. She ran her hands over the smooth flanks of the creature before slipping a harness over the animal’s muzzle.
“I’ve been accepted to the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.”
“An animal lover like your father,” Quinn mused. “I suppose we can use one more hand around here this summer. Do you know much about Walkers?”
“I grew up with cows and wrangler horses, but I’m a fast learner.”
Quinn looked over her shoulder just before she exited the stable with Talia. The brim of the hat hid her dark eyes, but Emily could see the smile on her lips. “I bet you are,” she said softly. A shiver raced down Emily’s spine and she hoped that Quinn did not notice.
~
Very few things escaped Charley Quinn’s notice and Emily Wilder was no exception. Quinn viewed women with the same detached, objective eye that she watched horses. She measured their qualities, enumerated their advantages and faults, and determined their value. Among those in her profession, Quinn was considered one of the best. Horse dealers respected her opinion. She was rarely wrong about women, either. She had decided that Emily Wilder was worth a high price.
Quinn leaned against the fence surrounding the exercise yard, her boot on the bottom slat as she watched Emily put Talia through her morning paces. The girl’s boast of being a quick learner had proven to be true. Ike’s cowboys had told her about Emily’s gift with horses. Quinn had never seen animals respond to a human the way they did to the girl. Emily led Talia around the yard with patient precision. Quinn was pleased with the girl’s progress. If she had to be away from the Faro Ranch for any length of time, Quinn was confident that the girl would see to the horses’ proper training.
Quinn corrected herself mentally. Emily Wilder was no girl. The owner of the ranch had seen Ike’s daughter’s picture in his office and had expected a little girl. She had known that Emily had just finished her undergraduate schooling, but the picture from high school had been imprinted into Quinn’s mind. Emily had grown into a woman at college. The girl in the picture was a tomboy. The woman talking to Talia had curves where none had existed previously, despite the fact that Emily still tried to hide them in flannel shirts and worn-out jeans.
Most girls Emily’s age wore skin-tight hip huggers to make themselves appear sexy. Few of them actually had the figure for the latest fashion craze. Quinn doubted that Emily owned a pair of low rider jeans. As Emily turned Talia, Quinn imagined how Emily’s tight ass would look in a pair of snug hip hugger jeans. The owner of Faro Ranch felt her mouth go dry at the thought. Emily had probably owned the jeans she wore around the ranch since high school. They were thin in all the right places. Quinn casually dropped her hand down to adjust the bulge in her pants.
She smiled as she recalled Emily’s reaction to the visible outline of the thick strap-on she always wore. Emily had attended college at a small Christian school. Quinn assumed that most of the lesbians who attended that school kept their sexual identity a secret. They certainly didn’t broadcast it by wearing the thickest package they could purchase. However, Quinn had no doubt that Emily knew exactly what she saw pressing against the seams of her new boss’s pants. Quinn knew the message that it sent to the girl. She was pleased that Emily had not drawn away in face of the evidence of Quinn’s orientation.
When viewing a horse for purchase, Quinn was accustomed to running her palms over the animal’s flank and legs. Her palms itched to caress Emily in the same fashion. There was no fat on the girl’s body. Her muscles were sinewy. Quinn knew that from watching Emily work with Ike’s other cowboys. The employer knew that the tendons would be well-defined beneath her hands. The ligaments would ripple and relax as she glided her fingers over Emily’s legs and arms and stomach and bottom.
She closed her hand into a fist, trying to push away the thoughts tormenting her. Very few women had the power to drive Quinn to the point of distraction, but Emily had been successful, even though she didn’t know it. Quinn had dreamed of the sandy blond curls trailing across her naked skin. She imagined the contrast between her olive complexion and Emily’s bronzed skin against the white sheets of her bed. She cleared her throat and tore her gaze away from the woman. She headed toward the barn, motioning for Emily to join her with Talia.
“Talia will be ready for competition this weekend,” Quinn mused as Emily led the horse into her stall.
“She’s a good horse,” Emily answered. She didn’t look at Quinn leaning casually against the stall door as she began running her hands over the animal’s flanks. “She enjoys performing. I think she likes making people happy.”
Had Emily turned to Quinn, she would have seen an odd expression on the woman’s face. Watching Emily rub down Talia after her workout sent Quinn’s mind into dangerous places. She watched the small hands moving in rhythm against the large creature and thought about those hands caressing her body. The temperature in Quinn’s blood increased a little. As if reading her employer’s thoughts, Emily stopped the rub down and unbuttoned her flannel shirt. Quinn’s mouth felt dry and her tongue was cemented to the roof as Emily laid the shirt over the half door and resumed her work in a ribbed tank top.
The queer expression on Quinn’s face turned to a leer as she admired the way the tank top revealed the muscles in Emily’s upper arms and clung to her small breasts. Quinn reached down to shift the long rod in her pants. Emily caught the movement and turned to look. Her face flushed and Quinn grinned. She stroked the shaft through her jeans as Emily watched, delighted that the girl did not turn away, even as the blush crept into her chest. As Quinn’s dark eyes continued their exploration of Emily’s body, the outline of the girl’s nipples appeared against the fabric.
The heavy silence that hung in the barn stretched from seconds into minutes. The horses snorted and shuffled but were ignored by the two women. Emily was the first to pull away and Quinn laughed as the girl picked up Talia’s leg and began examining the creature’s hoof. Quinn closed the distance, moving so that her hips were only a breath away from Emily’s upturned rear. “Why don’t you go with me to the competition this weekend?” she asked in a low voice. “You can help with the animals and learn how to show them. Next time, you can help me show.”
Startled, Emily attempted to stand. As she stepped back, she collided with Quinn. Quinn thrust her hips forward, making certain that Emily felt the staff against the line of buttocks. She heard Emily gasp, so she rotated her hips a little to emphasize her presence. She felt Emily’s hips push back and grinned, stepping away to relieve the pressure. “I’ll leave Thursday afternoon at four.”
Quinn swung the crop in her hand, letting it land with a sharp snap on Emily’s bottom. She knew it would sting a little, but the sound would send more of a message than the pain. Emily jerked stiff and Quinn wished she could see the girl’s face. Quinn had as much experience with women as she did training horses. She was certain of the response coursing through Emily’s head and body. She didn’t wait to confirm her suspicions. She didn’t need to.
~
The sting of the crop still burned in Emily’s memory. The blow had not even been hard enough to leave a red welt, but after three days she still felt a tingle across her butt cheeks where the leather had landed. She had spent the last three days avoiding Quinn as much as possible. Whenever she saw the rancher, the woman wore a knowing smile on her face. Emily was ashamed of the incident. She wished she could forget, but Quinn’s presence made certain that it was never far from Emily’s mind.
She had attempted to go riding in an effort to exhaust her body, but the steady drumming of the horse’s hooves and the rocking of her body against the saddle only increased her awareness of the sensations that Quinn had aroused. The steady rub of the saddle against the sensitive spot between her legs had nearly sent the young woman over the edge. Emily was no stranger to sex. She had grown up on a ranch surrounded by men and had overheard their chatter since she was too young to understand. She’d given one of the younger cowboys her virginity the summer before she left for college. The experience had been pleasant, and she’d been with him several times since. She even expected him to propose to her before the end of the summer.
Nothing she’d ever shared with Gage Deerhorn matched the yearning that Quinn had aroused in Emily’s body. Her breasts had felt heavy and sensitive. The friction of her nipples rubbing against her clothing sent fireworks shooting through her veins. The tingling at the juncture of her thighs could not be relieved no matter what she did. If Quinn was present, she did everything she could to hide her twisting. Her fidgeting only rubbed the rough denim against her sensitive lips. She’d tried masturbating in an effort to relieve her tension, but that only made her long for Quinn’s touch. She and Gage had slipped off to the pond for skinny dipping, but his touch had left her cold. She’d made some excuse and left him alone.
Quinn occupied Emily’s every thought, whether the dark haired woman was present or not. Emily felt obsessed with her employer. She wrestled with her body’s desire for the stranger, her heart’s fondness for Gage, and her father’s expectations for her. Her first reaction to Quinn had been surprise. Emily had friends who were lesbians, but they tended to live in secret. The bulge in Quinn’s pants had warmed Emily’s blood. She’d spent a lot of time thinking about what was hidden behind the zipper of Quinn’s fly. She wanted to know what it looked like hanging from the slender hips. She wandered what color it was it. She wanted to feel of it and taste it. She wanted to experience it parting her sensitive folds.
As the weeks had passed, Quinn’s impact had expanded from Emily’s body to her mind. Quinn’s intelligence and insight intrigued Emily. She had enjoyed the time they spent together training Talia and the other horses. They didn’t just talk about horses, but of world events, literature, and movies. Her opinions were well-founded. She’d even begun to sway some of Emily’s long held beliefs. They never spoke of romance. They didn’t discuss lovers or lifestyles, but the sexual tension was a constant undercurrent burning between them.
Emily had been hesitant to come to the horseshow with Quinn. The chemistry burning between them was too strong. Emily’s mind wanted summer to end so that she could escape Faro Ranch and Quinn’s intoxicating presence. Her body wanted to give in to the hypnotic gaze and teasing touches. She hadn’t consulted her heart, but she had come to the horseshow anyway. She hated to admit that she couldn’t get enough of Quinn, but her heart had beat in excitement at the prospect of being alone with Quinn. She had relished the time in the RV as they had driven to the fairgrounds. They had talked about everything other than the incident in the stable, but the sting of the crop had remained in Emily’s mind.
She knelt in the sawdust of the horse trailer, carefully checking each of Talia’s shoes. She did her actions by rote. She didn’t have to think about how to accomplish her task, but that gave her time to think about other things. Other things for Emily meant thinking about Quinn. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear the footsteps in the trailer. She didn’t know she wasn’t alone till the toe of a boot rubbed lightly along the juncture of her thighs.
Emily gasped at the intimate touch, which instantly became firmer. The toe moved up and down through the denim, the point caressing her tender lips. Emily wanted to stand, but she didn’t trust her legs to support the weight of her body. “Is my girl ready?” a soft, familiar voice asked.
The young student struggled for a moment to order her thoughts. She wasn’t certain if the girl Quinn inquired about was the horse or her. Emily opened her mouth to answer and was surprised by the soft moan that escaped from her throat. The toe of the boot seemed to push into her, finding the most sensitive spot on her body. She felt a spasm rock through her and she closed her eyes, fighting the wave threatening to crash through her.
She was relieved when Quinn pulled away, but was unable to do anything but stay on her hands and knees and pant. The horsewoman took Talia’s reins and walked the animal around Emily, leaving the girl alone in the dim trailer. The young woman felt every nerve in her body quivering and tingling with the electricity that Quinn had created. She could feel dampness spreading in the seat of her pants.
The overwhelming thought coursing through Emily’s body asked if Quinn could take her that close to orgasm with the toe of her boot, then how much pleasure could Quinn bring inside the bedroom.
~
The big house seemed bigger since returning from the show. Donavon had shared the house with his wife and son, but Charley Quinn had no one to make the empty rooms seem full. Most of the doors she kept closed. They had no furniture in them and no people to give them personality. Quinn lived in the kitchen and the living room and the big master bedroom on the second level. Both of the downstairs rooms were Spartan in design. She needed very little furniture.
The bedroom was a stark contrast to the other two rooms. A king-sized bed with wrought iron head and foot boards dominated the room. An oak dresser and armoire lined the walls. One wall was devoted to her horses. She had pictures and ribbons hanging on the wall and trophies perched on bookshelves. Above the bed was a painting she had purchased from an Indian woman in New Mexico. It reminded Quinn of a lover she had once had.
A quilt her grandmother had made covered the bed. It had blue and red diamond designs. In the corner was an older rocking chair that her grandfather had made by hand when her mother was born. There was no lace or frills in the room. It was Quinn’s room. It suited her personality perfectly. She loved the view of the ranch from the big windows lining the outside wall. She sat in the rocking chair and stared over the ranch she had owned for five months.
Quinn had enjoyed sharing the RV with Emily over the weekend. Emily’s fragrance had filled the long trailer till it had driven Quinn insane. The girl had been so distant after the competition. Quinn feared that she had crossed over a boundary, but Emily on the ground, her thighs slightly spread, her bottom in the air, had been irresistible to Quinn. The girl had kept her distance from her boss, and Quinn had drank too much and then found an old friend.
A sad smile touched her lips. The old friend had always been a magnificent lover, but that hadn’t stopped Quinn from using Emily’s name at the moment of pleasure. Emily had driven home while Quinn had recovered from her hangover. Quinn had made sure to avoid Emily since they had returned. She was certain the girl wanted her and confident that Emily would come to her in time.
Her eyes swept over the sprawling acres of the Faro Ranch. She had goals for the ranch. She would keep Ike Wilder to manage the horses, but her future plans included animals of a different sort. Perhaps when she had that phase of business established, the house wouldn’t seem so empty. Those plans hadn’t included Emily Wilder, but suddenly, Quinn was trying to decide how the girl would work into that future.
Two riders galloping across the plains that had once been filled with cattle caught her attention and she turned her focus there. The long light colored mane flowing behind the smaller rider unmistakably belonged to Emily. Quinn sat up in the chair, leaning forward as she shifted her attention to the other rider. It took her a few minutes to place him, but she was certain it was the young man with the Indian name. She watched as Emily spurred her mount forward and Gage Deerhorn gave chase. Quinn silently cheered Emily on and was thrilled when the girl seemed to reach the goal first.
Emily stopped her horse short and turned it to block Deerhorn’s path. He expertly stopped his mount. Quinn rested her chin on her linked fingers as she watched. Gage turned his horse till he was facing Emily. The boss’s eyes widened as he leaned across the gap to kiss Emily. Quinn stiffened as Emily appeared to return the kiss. She came to her feet, her hands pressed against the window as the kiss continued.
Quinn couldn’t remember the last time she had felt the white hot jealousy that was racing through her veins as she watched the lovers kiss. She had conditioned herself to not become emotionally attached enough to be envious. She had lost count of the lovers that had filtered in and out of her life, but she had not become emotionally involved with any of them in many years. The sensation of jealousy made Quinn angry. Somehow, Emily Wilder had gotten under her skin.
Deerhorn’s hand crept inside Emily’s signature flannel shirt. Emily leaned into him. Quinn’s fingers curled against her palms. Her body jerked in two directions as she watched. She trembled with anger. She felt possessive of Emily and hated the thought of anyone else touching the girl. At the same time, her mind imagined what the cowboy’s hand felt. Emily’s breast would be soft and pliable. The nipple would burn against the center of the palm. She felt anticipation thrumming through her body. Her body’s excitement increased with every pulse beat. Her desire wrestled with her fury for dominance.
Her trimmed nails dug into the meaty part of her palm as Deerhorn moved his mouth along Emily’s neck. The girl lifted her chin, tilting her head to give the boy more access. Quinn concentrated on the pain in her hands as she watched the drama unfold, wanting the rage to defeat the yearning, but before one of the emotions could win the battle, Emily changed the course of events. As Quinn watched, Emily pushed Deerhorn away. She backed away as she shoved his hands aside. Quinn relaxed her hands as Emily spurred her horse and began racing away from the boy.
Deerhorn did not give immediate chase. His mount danced in a circle and Quinn saw the puzzled look on his face. Quinn smiled. Obviously, Emily had given Deerhorn liberties before but now did not want his touch. Quinn felt a victory because she knew that she had made an impact on the girl. Deerhorn finally took off in the direction Emily had disappeared. Quinn shifted, wanting to see the outcome.
Emily had disappeared into the barn and Deerhorn followed. In a moment, Emily came out of the barn. Deerhorn was on her heels, talking as quickly as he could. He got in front of her, put his hands on her slim shoulders, and stopped her retreat. Quinn tensed again, not out of jealousy but because a feeling of protectiveness washed over her. Her gut told her that Deerhorn would not intentionally hurt Emily, but Quinn wanted to erase any possibility of emotional pain from the girl’s life.
The realization hit Quinn with so much force that she sank back into the rocking chair. She didn’t need to see the rest of the drama to know what would happen. Emily would brush Deerhorn away. Deerhorn would watch her like a lost puppy then run home with his tail between his legs. Had Quinn not been so dumbfounded by the depth of her emotion for Emily Wilder, she would have wandered if Deerhorn would follow her own example and find another girl to relieve the tension created by Emily.
Quinn rubbed her face and rose from the rocker. The view had changed. Both Emily and Deerhorn were gone and Quinn was relieved. She walked down the steps, trailing her fingertips over the wooden banister. As her eyes swept over the sparse living room, she pictured the changes that Emily could make to the house. Emily could make it feel like a home.
The rancher caught sight of her reflection in a mirror and paused to study her features. For a second she did not recognize the familiar eyes staring back at her. They seemed lighter and warmer than the last time she had taken the time to look. She shook her head in frustration. “You’ve got it bad,” she said to herself.
There was no one there to disagree with her.
~
The big trailer made the gentle turn at the end of the drive and began rumbling toward the barn. Emily stopped repairing the fence and watched as Quinn’s red truck rolled closer. Ike emerged from the office door, his hands on his hips, and waited patiently for his boss to circle the trailer around the yard and carefully back it into the fenced yard. Emily took a few steps forward, but stopped herself from intruding. Quinn climbed out of the cab of her truck and waited while Ike secured the gate on the yard. He crossed to the boss with a confident stride.
Emily allowed her eyes to study the duo as they talked. Her father had on cowboy boots, faded jeans, a plaid shirt, and a baseball cap. Emily reflected that it was obvious she had been raised by the man. He had certainly given her his fashion sense. Quinn had on her trademark black jeans, white blouse, and silver-tipped boots. Emily pushed her straw Stetson style hat back as Quinn entered the trailer. Ike went to the rear to open the double doors and lower the ramp to the ground.
Stomping and snorting echoed against the metallic walls. Emily leaned forward eagerly. Quinn had been gone for a week on a buying trip. Emily had missed seeing the sexy, intriguing woman over the last few days. She hated to admit to herself that she was growing attached to the new owner of Faro Ranch. She refused to acknowledge that her attachment had anything to do with sexual attraction.
Quinn backed down the ramp, giving Emily a full posterior view. Emily’s eyes only lingered on the tight bottom for a moment before moving to the large black horse at the end of the lead rope Quinn gripped in her hand. The horse tossed its head from side-to-side and snorted, struggling against the guide. Ike came up on the ramp to help Quinn pull the magnificent creature from the trailer. Emily stood on the lowest rung of the fence and leaned forward to drink in the strong muscles and silken color of the stallion.
A few other cowboys joined the boss and the ranch manager in the exercise yard. Once Ike and his boys had control of the animal, Quinn climbed back into the cab of her truck and drove out of the yard. For once, Emily’s eyes did not follow Quinn’s every move. Instead, she was focused on the new acquisition. The animal was beautiful. It wasn’t a Walker. Emily could tell by the way the animal fought against the restraints that it possessed a free spirit.
Emily watched until the cowboys and her father had the horse settled. The cowboys returned to their normal chores as Ike sauntered across the yard to his daughter. He removed his baseball cap and mopped his brow with a faded bandana. “I see that glint in your eye, Emmy,” he growled. “You have plans for your future, and I hope they don’t involve sweating over horses every day for the rest of your life.”
She climbed up on the second rail and bent forward to kiss her father’s cheek. “Don’t worry, Poppa. I have no plans of letting horse or man keep me from vet school. I’ll be Doctor Wilder.” She folded her arms over the top of the fence and stared at the horse. “He is splendid.”
“Faro Ranch is not in your future,” Ike insisted. “You may spend the rest of your life doctoring horses, but not here.”
“Here’s not a bad place,” she answered. “You’ve made me a strong woman here.”
He carefully tucked the bandana into the back pocket of his jeans and replaced his hat, pulling the bill low over his eyes so Emily could not see the emotion burning there. “Strong, yes, but your mother would have seen to a better life than crawling in the saw dust.”
“You did just fine, Poppa,” she assured.
She saw a smile touch his face as he mumbled what she knew was a word of thanks before he walked away from her. He shuffled into the barn, leaving Emily alone with the stallion. She clucked her tongue softly, holding out her hand toward the black horse.
Sensing her, the animal shambled toward the fence. Emily allowed the creature to sniff her outstretched fingers, then gently turned and stroked the smooth muzzle. “There you go, old man, that’s the way. Easy. Easy, fella.”
She was bent far over the top railing and gave a little yelp of surprise when hands touched her hips. “Easy, yourself,” a soft voice whispered, fingertips gripping tight enough to prevent the girl from falling. Emily looked over her shoulder as Quinn’s hands drifted from her hips to caress the round curves of her rear. Two fingers rubbed against a spot worn thin, then slipped into the hole in the denim. Emily held her breath as the fingers touched her bare skin. “What do you think of my new acquisition?” Quinn quizzed as her hands continued to roam.
“He’s beautiful, spirited, and strong,” the girl answered, shifting her hips slightly. Quinn placed her hands about Emily’s waist, holding her steady as she climbed until her feet were touching the ground. “He’s not a Walker.”
Quinn stepped closer as soon as Emily was settled, pinning the girl against the fence. She pushed her hips forward and Emily felt the hard bulge pressing against her bottom. For a moment, Emily’s body betrayed her. She pushed back, settling the rod against her intimate parts. She heard Quinn grunt in satisfaction. “Your father suggested the ranch would be more successful financially if I took in some different animals. He’s a race horse.”
“I can tell,” Emily answered. Quinn began moving her hips in a slow back and forth motion that took Emily’s breath. “Does he have a good lineage?”
Quinn’s breath was short as she answered. “I didn’t pay attention. The horse trader rambled about something, but it was meaningless to me. I’ve never followed horse racing. I just looked at the animal. He looks fast and smart.”
“You are an excellent judge of flesh,” Emily faltered at her wording and quickly corrected herself. “Horse flesh, I mean.”
Quinn chuckled lightly, her fingertips flexing against Emily’s sides as the rancher continued the teasing thrusts. “He likes you. Do you have any suggestions for breaking and training him?”
Emily opened her mouth but quickly clamped it close as a low moan escaped from her throat. Quinn laughed again, the sound low in Emily’s ear. A shudder raced through the girl’s body. “I think to properly break an animal you must be gentle and firm simultaneously. The whip and crop should only be used for guidance.” Emily turned her head toward the warm breath tickling across her cheek. Only inches separated her from Quinn’s lips. Her eyes touched them and then dropped as she continued her answer. “Breaking is about control, not about quenching the spirit.”
Quinn’s voice was low as she responded. Emily thought her boss was struggling for control. “I agree.” She suddenly backed away. Emily felt the absence as she turned her eyes back to the stallion. “Let’s go for a ride.”
Emily bowed her head and allowed her shoulders to slump as Quinn walked toward the barn with purpose. Once alone, she struggled to catch her breath, panting softly. Her muscles were tense and her stomach tight. Between her legs, her lips tingled and throbbed, begging for attention. Only Quinn’s attention would satisfy the needs drumming in her body.
Certain she could walk, Emily pushed away from the fence and followed Quinn into the barn. Her boss had already pulled two horses from their stalls. She had saddled one, a handsome chestnut that Quinn used to inspect the ranch and exercise. The other horse, Emily’s red mare, had a harness and reigns but no saddle.
Emily stood beside her horse, rubbing the animal’s velvet nose and whispering softly. She bit her lip when she felt something touch the inside of her knee. The object glided up her thigh and then down the other. The object glided up again and rested against her sensitive lips. Emily hung her head. “Why do you always come to me from behind?” she demanded softly.
The crop continued its steady, teasing path. “Because you run from me when you see me coming.”
Emily spun to face Quinn, but did not have any words to defend her actions. She had run from her boss. She stared up into Quinn’s dark eyes, unable to form any lies or excuses. Wordlessly, she swung onto the back of her horse, breaking the powerful gaze that Quinn held.
Quinn lifted herself onto the chestnut and spurred it forward. Emily followed and the duo raced from the barn. They galloped over the gently rolling landscape of Faro Ranch, away from the barn and the house and the dormitories where the cowboys stayed.
Emily felt the powerful muscles of her mount rippling beneath her thighs. The rolling motion of the animal’s spine against the juncture of her legs only heightened her desire. She forgot about Quinn as she forced the mare to go faster. Her breasts felt heavy and her cheeks flushed as she rode harder. She was grateful the pounding hooves of the two horses drowned all sound as she moaned in sweet pleasure. She finally slowed as her body crested and exploded.
The girl slumped astride the horse as the animal came to a stop. Hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her from the mare. Quinn held Emily upright with one strong arm. The boss’s free hand came up to touch the fevered cheek. “Are you all right?”
Emily nodded weakly, leaning against Quinn’s body. Together, they slumped to the ground. Quinn knelt, keeping her arm about the girl. The sat in silence for a few long moments and the quiet was peaceful. Emily was the one to break the stillness. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be,” Quinn assured as the girl struggled to sit up under her own power. Emily’s hand slipped and fell against the hard rod that Quinn wore beneath her jeans. Emily jerked her hand away, but Quinn grabbed it and pulled it back. “Are you curious?” she asked as she pressed the girl’s palm against the shaft.
Quinn held Emily’s hand in place, her palm curled around the thick package. Emily did not relax but she did not pull away as Quinn started talking. “I think I will build another stable here.”
“It’s very far away from the present stable and the hands,” Emily mused. “Is it for the race horses? There’s space near the exercise yard for a separate stable.”
“It’s for a different kind of animal,” Quinn answered quietly and vaguely. “Your father and his cowboys will not be required.”
“I don’t know that Poppa will like that,” Emily chuckled. “He likes to know what is going on in every aspect of this ranch.”
“Your father is an excellent manager. He understands the animals and the business, but Walkers are not my only business. It’ll be a small stable. It will only require four stalls and a training room.” Quinn grunted softly and shifted her hips. She released Emily’s hand, but the girl did not pull away. Instead, the small hand began rubbing up and down against the long shaft.
Quinn reached down to lower the zipper of her tight jeans, pushing Emily’s hand far enough aside to pull the dildo free. Emily hesitated a moment before returning her hand, surprised at the soft material that covered the rod.
The sound of a motor forced the intimate moment to end. Emily jerked her hand away and sat up quickly, allowed her long hair to hide the blush in her cheeks. As the motor grew louder, Quinn tucked the piece back into her pants. She lounged on her elbows as an ATV topped the nearest hill and sped toward them. She quickly masked the fury she felt as she made out Gage Deerhorn astride the four-wheeler.
Gage skidded to a stop, surveying the scene. “Emily, are you all right?” he asked urgently, putting on the brake and hurrying to Emily’s side. He knelt beside her, taking her hand and lifting her face.
“She got a little tired while we were riding,” Quinn growled, rising to check on the chestnut so she would not have to look at the intruder.
“I’m all right, Gage,” Emily assured, allowing him to pull her to her feet.
He looked at her doubtfully. “I think you should ride back to your apartment with me. Miss Quinn, you don’t mind to bring back Sally, do you?” he asked, indicating Emily’s mare.
“Of course not,” Quinn answered through clenched teeth.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Emily inserted. “I can ride Sally back. Go on, Gage. We’ll be in on our way shortly.”
“I’ll wait and ride with you.”
Quinn swung into the chestnut’s saddle, her eyes cutting to Emily. Emily gave the boss a helpless look, but allowed Gage to help her remount. Quinn took her crop and slapped it against her mount’s hindquarters, speeding toward the barn and leaving Emily to watch the dust rise and fall behind her.
“What was that about?” Gage questioned as he made sure Emily was secure on the horse. He looked into her face, cocking his head to one side with a quizzical expression.
Emily knocked her heels against Sally’s side and rode away from Gage before he could recognize the look of satisfaction in her eyes.
~
Charley Quinn was in a foul mood. She’d lost count of the number of weeks her anger and frustration had been building. She could feel it coursing through her body with every beat of her pulse. Her blood carried her fury. Her muscles were tense. She’d tried to work the irritation from her system, but it only built. She knew she was about to explode but did not know what she could do to release the safety valve on her boiling wrath.
She had been unable to find a moment alone with Emily since Deerhorn had interrupted them. The boss didn’t know if the girl was attempting to divert future episodes by insuring Quinn did not have an opportunity to approach or if Deerhorn had decided he couldn’t trust his girlfriend alone. Quinn’s body needed Emily. The girl was the only receptacle that would be satisfactory for the rancher’s pent up energy.
The Fourth of July had been the worst. Ike had fired up the big barbeque and the cowboys had slaughtered a pig to roast. The delectable aroma had floated across the ranch, the only distraction from the food a refreshing dip in the large pool that Quinn had installed. Emily, her skin bronze, wearing a red and blue bikini with large white stars on the cups of the top had driven Quinn to distraction. Deerhorn had stayed within a few feet of the girl all afternoon and Quinn couldn’t blame him. If Emily belonged to her, she’d never let the girl be far away, either. Quinn had finally left the party. A few phone calls had found her a willing partner, but her anger had been so great that the experience had been a waste of money.
Quinn walked around the frame of the new stables. The construction was going well but she could find no satisfaction in the accomplishment. All she could think about was the fact that summer was ending and Emily would be heading to vet school. The boss rounded the corner and stepped into the training room, her boots echoing on the hardwood floor as she stormed through. The walls of the training room were completed. Quinn climbed up a ladder and began fixing hooks along the wall at different heights.
Quinn had torn emotions about summer ending. She would miss being around Emily when the girl left for Knoxville. At the same time, she hoped that if the girl was out of sight, she would also be out of mind. That might put Quinn back into her normal mental and emotional state.
The door burst open and Emily exploded into the room. Her head swiveled until her eyes landed on Quinn. “You fired Gage?” she yelled as she tramped across the room.
Quinn didn’t stop working. “This is my ranch.”
“You can’t fire Gage because you are pissed at me.”
“You over rate yourself, girl,” Quinn answered. She laid her tools on the ladder and climbed down the rungs. “This is my ranch and I run it the way I want to. Deerhorn was having a little too much to say about my operation procedures.”
Emily tracked Quinn’s movements with her eyes. “And your decision had nothing to do with him interrupting us? I have a hard time believing that.”
Quinn crossed toward Emily with a purposeful stride. “Believe what you want to, but I am perfectly capable of separating my business decisions from my personal lust.” Quinn bent as she came closer, picking up something from the floor. “I don’t like your tone, little girl. No one tells me how to run my ranch, especially not a self-absorbed little slut.”
Emily lifted her hand to slap Quinn, but the rancher proved to be too quick for the girl. Her gloved hand gripped Emily’s wrist, spinning the girl. Emily cried out when she felt cool metal against her neck. It bit into her skin as Quinn tugged on the chain. A gentle click echoed in her ears a moment before the choker loosened.
Quinn shoved against Emily and the girl fell to her hands and knees. She cried out with surprise at Quinn’s roughness and the subtle pain that crashed through her kneecaps. She felt the chain jerk, and the thin metal rubbed against the denim covering the juncture of her thighs. Quinn moved it side-to-side until it fell into the slight dent between her lips. Knowing the moment it hit that slip, Quinn jerked hard on the chain, pulling the denim and the restraint between Emily’s lips.
Quinn lifted her boot to nudge the chain deeper, rubbing the silver tip against the chain. Emily struggled against the chain, using her palms to push away. Quinn wrapped the chain around her hand and yanked hard enough to cause Emily to lose her balance again. Her hands slipped and her cheek hit the hard floor. The rancher went down on one knee, grabbing the girl’s wrists. She pulled Emily’s hands up and wrapped the chain around them, securing them at the small of her back.
The rancher stood, looking down at Emily and struggling to catch her breath. She could feel her anger bubbling and she trembled as she attempted to suppress it. Emily’s tight rear was raised to the air. There was a large hole near the pocket of her jeans and Quinn could see pale white skin.
Quinn wanted to hurt Emily. Her body trembled with the need to take out all of her frustration on the girl. At the same time, she cared about Emily. She didn’t want the problems that would arise if the girl returned to Ike Wilder bruised or bloody. Her mind wrestled with the urges burning in the pit of her stomach and her primal instincts that had become second nature. Her heart thudded against her breast bone and she suddenly became aware that it was sending its own messages in her internal war.
She looped the chain over one of the hooks that she had just hung, making certain that it was secure. She walked away, hearing Emily’s voice call out after her. Emily was cursing as Quinn slammed the only door to the training room to a close. Quinn ignored it as she turned the lock, leaving Emily to stew until she was in control of her emotions again.
~
Emily struggled against her bonds. She twisted her hands in an effort to free them from the wrapped chain. That motion caused the chain to rub back and forth against the apex of her thighs. The attempts at escape had only frustrated her and increased the tenderness of her sensitive lips.
She tried to stand, but could not find enough balance to rise. Whenever she attempted to free herself from the hook on the wall, the chain slipped deeper between her lips. She could feel the metal resting and rubbing against her clit. It was swollen and she finally gave up trying to escape. Her body was starting to tremble as the links created friction that radiated to the pit of her stomach.
Panting with the effort and against the sensations emerging from her damp pussy, she stopped struggling and became still. She realized that Quinn had secured the bonds tight enough that she had no hope of escape. She laid her cheek against the hard floor and waited for the rancher to return. In the silence, she wondered how Quinn had been able to restrain her so quickly. The woman had done it expertly. It made her wonder exactly what Quinn’s intended use of the wooden room was. There were no animals that would respond to being trained in a closed room.
Her knees started hurting first. She had hit the floor pretty hard in her struggle with Quinn, but the majority of her weight pressed them to the hard floor. Cramps in her thighs and calves followed. Her lower back began to ache from the position next. Every time she shifted in an effort to relieve the pain, the chain moved. No matter what choice she made, her body was reminded of the control Quinn suddenly had over her.
The clicking of Quinn’s heels against the wooden floor interrupted her thoughts. Emily did not turn toward the woman. She didn’t want Quinn to see the effect the restraint had on her body and she was afraid her desire was written on her face. The noise stopped. Emily sensed that Quinn was nearby but had no way to be certain. The silence stretched, the nervous anticipation intensifying the throbbing in the girl’s young body.
There was a whistling sound that Emily did not recognize a second before a sharp noise reached her ears. A sting followed the noise as the motion was repeated. Emily’s eyes opened in surprise as she realized that Quinn was spanking her. She opened her mouth to protest as Quinn swung the wooden paddle again. It caused the metal chain to push deeper and vibrate. Instead of an argument coming from Emily’s lips, a deep groan emerged. She knew her body well enough to know that she was about to have an orgasm. She closed her eyes tight, trying to push down the climax building as Quinn struck again.
The orgasm after the horse race had been pleasant, but the one that hit her as Quinn landed a final blow across her raised rear was both surprising and intense. Her body quivered violently as she groaned low and long.
As she regained control of her senses, Emily was first aware that the chain had slipped even deeper. It pressed the denim against her clit so tightly that even her panting was causing the button to throb fiercely. She then became aware of Quinn’s hands moving over her hips and butt in a gentle motion. “I didn’t want it to be this way with you,” Quinn was saying. “I wanted to take you to my bed and make love to you.”
Quinn’s fingers moved against the hole in Emily’s jeans, caressing the bare skin. The tips of Quinn’s long fingers brushed against Emily’s crack and the girl reacted, her hips thrusting at the contact. Emily heard the ripping sound as Quinn enlarged the opening. “But you had to push it. You had to back me into a corner, you little bitch.”
Emily heard the rustle of Quinn’s zipper and then the thick strap-on was pressing against her opening. She teased Emily with the thick head, not penetrating any deeper than the swollen lips. “Stop me, Emily,” she whispered, her pleading voice raspy.
Emily answered with her body. She pushed backwards against the hard phallus. The head entered her opening. Quinn groaned, gripped Emily’s hips firmly, and thrust forward, driving the entire shaft deep into the girl. Emily felt her muscles stretch to accommodate the large intruder.
Quinn held still, allowing the girl to adjust to the unfamiliar invader. Her hands left Emily’s hips, sliding to the girl’s stomach. She pushed the tank top the girl always wore up, her rough palms moving against Emily’s bare stomach. Her fingertips caressed underneath Emily’s small breasts before closing over her hard nipples. She rolled the hard nubs beneath her fingers, squeezing and pulling them and pausing to massage the firm, small globes.
Emily’s low moan let Quinn know that her young captive was ready for more. Her body was starting to rock a little, though the restraints and Quinn’s hands allowed the girl little room for movement. She felt impaled on the shaft, the strap the sword that would bring her undoing. Quinn began moving her hips slightly, the rod only moving less than an inch back and forth. Emily groaned and tried to quicken the pace, but Quinn kept control.
“Please,” Emily whispered with desperation in her voice. “Please.”
“Please, what?” Quinn asked through clenched teeth, her jaw tight as she attempted to restrain herself.
“Please, Quinn, fuck me.”
Quinn groaned and thrust forward hard, her hips smacking against Emily’s rear. She pulled out until just the tip of the head remained inside the girl’s channel before slamming forward again. She began moving in a steady rhythm, her thrusts so powerful they lifted Emily off the ground. Their harsh breathing echoed against the wooden walls. Quinn’s forward motion was punctuated by a grunt from the aggressor and a groan from the prisoner. The sound of the dildo sliding in and out of Emily’s wet canal filled the silence between their primal responses.
Emily pushed backwards against Quinn, urging her captor to move faster and push harder. Quinn chuckled. “That’s it, little filly, give me ride,” she growled low in Emily’s ear. Quinn’s fingers dug into Emily’s hair, pulling it like reigns as she drove against the girl, the front of her thighs slapping against the back of Emily’s, the drumming adding to the frenzy.
Quinn released one hand from Emily’s hair to reach between the girl’s legs. She pulled back on the hostage’s hair, sending shots of pain racing through Emily’s skull. Emily cried out but did not fight Quinn’s aggression. Quinn slapped her free hand against Emily’s bottom, and then reached between the girl’s legs to find her clit. She stroked the hard nub in time with the violent thrusting.
Emily felt her second orgasm building. Her stomach tightened and her pussy muscles clenched, gripping the thick shaft. Quinn squeezed Emily’s clit, pulling on the swollen button. Emily began bucking against Quinn, ignoring the chains and moving as much as they would allow.
The climax thundered through her. Her body trembled as it raced through her veins. She screamed in pleasure as it washed over her, her head thrown back as her hips thrashed wildly against Quinn. The rancher moved faster, driving harder and deeper into Emily’s tight opening. She continued rolling Emily’s throbbing nub, pushing the girl to a third climax.
As Emily cried out, Quinn fell over the top with her. The base of the strap-on pushed against her clit and she felt delicious spasms race through her tense body. She pulled tighter on Emily’s hair as she rode out the wave crashing through her body. She groaned as she descended, her hands dropping to the ground on either side of Emily’s body.
Quinn’s eyes dropped to Emily, concern and tenderness washing over her. Emily’s eyes were closed and her breathing deep. The rancher reached down and lightly brushed the sweaty strands of hair off Emily’s cheek. Quinn pulled free from Emily’s channel and quickly released all the chains, moving her young lover into a more comfortable position.
Quinn moved beside Emily, leaning her back against the wall. She gently stroked the girl’s hair as she raised her knees and stared at the opposite wall, waiting for her lover to wake and face the consequences of their actions.
~
Quinn didn’t move when she heard Emily stirring. Her elbows were resting on her knees and she was still focused on the distant wall. She was afraid when Emily woke that the girl would be angry, ashamed, or embarrassed. Quinn was ready for angry. She could get angry back. She didn’t think she could deal with her new lover being ashamed of their relationship. Embarrassment could be overcome, but shame would hang between them for a very long time.
She finally turned her attention to Emily, feeling the hazel eyes resting on her face. She hated the thoughts of dishonor that swept through her. “You ripped my jeans,” Emily said quietly.
Quinn exhaled slowly, unsure how to respond to Emily’s reaction. “I’m sorry,” she answered at last.
“I can buy new jeans,” Emily replied.
“I shouldn’t have taken you that way,” Quinn continued. “You didn’t deserve that.”
“But I did want it. I’ve wanted it all summer.” Quinn watched as Emily sat up, hating herself when the girl winced at the movement. She rubbed the red marks on her wrist before her hands moved to her neck. Quinn dropped her eyes and bowed her head, staring at the floor beneath her as she fought the waves of guilt washing over her.
Emily leaned against the wall beside her, allowing Quinn the luxury of silence. They sat that way for a long time before the girl finally spoke. “What do you intend to do with this building?”
Quinn looked around the room, trying to see it from Emily’s point of view. Their voices echoed off the bare wooden walls. Only the hooks showed any signs of the decoration that would come. Locks secured the training room from the outside and from the stalls. The four stalls were larger than a stall for the average livestock animal and configured horizontally instead of vertically. To someone with limited experience, they would never guess the purpose of the building. Quinn preferred if the cowboys never knew how she used the new construction. She debated whether or not she should tell Emily, but she supposed she owed the girl that much.
“I’ll train something other than horses here, for friends of mine who enjoy a particular kind of lifestyle,” the boss answered, trying to be cryptic without lying.
“Oh.” Emily’s voice was small as her eyes swept the room again. She shifted slightly to make herself more comfortable. She could feel the hard wood against the rip in her jeans. “Like what you . . .” her voice faltered as a blush crept into her cheeks. “Did I just get a training session?”
Quinn didn’t answer immediately. She tried to gauge Emily’s reaction to any answer she could give. “I was frustrated and angry,” she finally answered quietly. She then revised her reply. “It wasn’t training.”
“Oh,” Emily said again softly. They sat in the stillness for a moment. “Do you enjoy that particular kind of lifestyle?”
The answer to this question was easier. “My last lover was submissive. I have a talent for training and can make a good sum of money doing it.” She swept her hand toward the outside door. “Tennessee Walkers did not buy me this ranch.”
Emily’s next question was even more difficult to ask. “Do you want to train me?”
Quinn barked a short laugh with no humor. She spoke through clenched teeth, barely able to contain the raw emotion in her voice. “I want to possess you, Emily. I have since the moment I laid eyes on you. I want you to cry out my name before you fall asleep every night and wake eager for me to take you again. I want you to think of me every moment we’re apart and to run home to me as soon as you can. I want you in my house and in my bed.”
She stopped suddenly as if all her energy had been put into those words. Her shoulders slumped as her mind reviewed the question. Did she want to own Emily? It frightened her to realize that she wanted something much deeper with the girl than she had shared with any previous lover. She didn’t know how to put that into an easy answer that wouldn’t send Emily running away forever.
Emily leaned over. Quinn jumped when she felt the warm breath on her cheek a moment before Emily’s soft lips touched her face. “I think that’s very sweet.”
Sweet had not been her intention, but Quinn didn’t know what her intention was. She knew that when Emily was present, Quinn had a hard time knowing anything. Her mind and heart and body whirled into a storm whenever she even thought about the young girl. She wasn’t in control of any of the three, and Quinn didn’t like feeling out of control.
Suddenly, she rose from her position. She could be in control right now. “I hope you won’t say anything to your father,” she said as she crossed the room toward the door to the outside.
“No,” Emily answered in a meek voice. Quinn stiffened at the sound. She couldn’t imagine the turmoil that the girl must be feeling. She loathed herself for putting the beautiful young woman into that situation. As much as she would long for Emily’s presence, she was suddenly glad the girl would have the excuse of school as an escape soon.
She put her hand on the doorknob and started to leave without saying anything else, but the words escaped her lips. “You know where to find me.”
~
She had her bags packed and her car loaded for the trip to Knoxville. She had said her good-byes to Ike and called Gage to tell him they should take some time off. That only left one stop for her to make before driving east. She walked out of the apartment she’d shared with Ike her whole life and glanced toward the big house situated on a rise in the land. All her life, she had wondered what it would be like to live inside those walls. She’d worked hard in high school and college so she would have the chance to live in her own place one day.
Quinn’s words flooded her mind again. “I want you in my house and in my bed.” Emily’s mind had replayed the encounter several times just as she had replayed every meeting she’d had with Quinn all summer. She told herself not to over analyze the words, but couldn’t help thinking about the significance of the last line the boss had made in her desperate answer. Emily thought it was an invitation, but she wasn’t sure. The rancher had also put house first instead of bed. That meant that Quinn wanted more than a sexual partner, didn’t it?
Emily sighed. She had no one to ask except Quinn. Her parting words had seemed like a cliché to the girl, so she had been unsure whether to take the invitation. Emily kept telling herself that Quinn had only said what she did because she had felt obligated to say something. On the other hand, she might have been waiting for Emily to respond to the offer. With resolve, Emily decided there was only one way she would know how sincere Quinn had been.
Emily drove her car to the big house and parked it where Ike would not be able to see it. She wasn’t ready to answer his questions until she had answers of her own. Her fists clenched the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She could feel her heart thundering in her chest and for a moment was certain she was going to throw up before she could confront her summer boss.
She tried to think about Ike. She didn’t want her father to lose his job the way Gage had. He was good at his job, but he was also an old man. Not many ranches would hire someone of his age and they certainly wouldn’t pay what Donavon and now Quinn paid. At the same time, she knew that Gage had been replaceable. Ike Wilder would not be easily replaced. Quinn knew what she had in the old man. She was a sensible business woman. She wouldn’t throw out Ike for foolish reasons.
Emily thought briefly about Quinn’s other business and almost lost her resolve to say anything. The rancher had skirted Emily’s question with a heated speech. “I want to possess you,” Quinn had said. Did she mean physically or metaphorically? Emily was afraid of the answer. She would never know if she stayed in the hot car until she had to leave for Knoxville.
She got out of the car and looked down at herself. She was dressed for a long drive, not for seduction. She wore baggy jeans, a ribbed white tank top, and a flannel shirt. She also knew that if Quinn wanted her, the boss wouldn’t care how the offering was dressed.
She held her hand over the button for the doorbell on the back door, closing her eyes tightly and breathing deeply. She sought calmness within herself and finally found it by latching onto a distant memory of her favorite horse. She opened her eyes, rang the doorbell, and hoped she could stop trembling before Quinn answered.
She resisted her urge to run when the door opened. Quinn answered wearing a tank top and sweatpants. Her skin glistened with perspiration. She had a towel hanging around her neck and her short hair was spiked where she had run her fingers through it. Instinctively, Emily’s eyes dropped to Quinn’s hips. The outline of the strap-on did not stand out as strongly as it did when the rancher wore jeans, but the girl could tell it was there.
She forced her eyes to Quinn’s face, gathering all her courage as she looked into the hard eyes. “I’m getting ready to leave for school,” she said. Her mouth was dry. Her tongue was sticking to the roof of her mouth. She swallowed with difficulty.
“Ike told me you were leaving,” Quinn replied, turning away from the door. She opened a bottle of water and downed half of it at once. Emily tried not to stare at the woman’s profile or linger on the woman’s throat as she swallowed the water. “What can I do for you, Emily?”
“I just wanted to say thank you.”
“For what?” Quinn demanded, turning her attention back to the girl framed by the doorway.
“For letting me work this summer. For teaching me about Walkers. For . . .” Emily stopped talking and dropping her eyes. She couldn’t form the words to thank Quinn for the experience in the training room. “For showing me something different.”
Quinn had to lean forward to hear Emily’s soft words but she relaxed a little when she did. “Come in,” she whispered, extending her hand toward Emily. Emily hesitated a moment before walking tentatively into the kitchen and taking Quinn’s outstretched hand. Quinn tugged Emily against her, her intense eyes looking down into the girl’s upturned face. “I’ve hoped you would come to me.”
Emily’s eyes moved over Quinn’s face, her voice breathless. “I tried. I was afraid.”
“Are you afraid now?”
“Yes, but there are things worse than fear.” She stretched up and their lips touched. The first kiss was soft and brief. They pulled apart, only a slight breath of air separating them, before Emily threw herself against Quinn. She wrapped her arms around the woman’s strong shoulders and pressed her lips firmly against the rancher’s. Quinn’s hands snaked around Emily’s waist, lifting the girl off her feet as they deepened the kiss.
As Emily’s tongue pushed between her lips, Quinn’s hand moved to the small woman’s shoulders to push the flannel shirt away. Her rough hands moved over smooth shoulders. Without breaking the kiss, they both began walking toward the door. Emily’s hands tugged Quinn’s tank top up, her nails scratching against the muscled back. They broke the kiss long enough for Emily to remove the tank top, but resumed it immediately.
Quinn stopped at the foot of the steps and gripped the shoulder straps of Emily’s top. They both were breathing laboriously as they looked at each other. Quinn yanked and the material of the top ripped open. Emily sought Quinn’s mouth again and Quinn sat down on the steps, unable to move any farther. Emily straddled Quinn’s knees and pushed her lover back against the steps.
The rancher’s hands closed over Emily’s breasts as their tongues dueled and tasted. She massaged and squeezed the firm globes, feeling the hard nipples push against the center of her palm. Emily moaned into her mouth and Quinn’s hips thrust upward. She rubbed the shaft against the girl’s mound. The layers of cotton and denim created extra friction that fired both of them.
Quinn began inching up the stairs, pulling Emily with her she used her legs to move toward the landing step by step. By the time they reached the second level, Quinn’s sweat pants had disappeared and the shaft of the strap on was poking against Emily’s stomach. Quinn grabbed Emily’s bottom and stood. Emily wrapped her legs and arms around her lover, nipping on the flesh of Quinn’s neck.
Quinn did not set the girl down until she reached the bedroom. Emily’s legs slid down until her feet touched the floor. She stepped back to take in the room. The rustic furniture and country feel mixed with Quinn’s smell. Emily tried to memorize the feeling, but her eyes were distracted by the naked woman in front of her.
Quinn’s chest was small but her whole body rippled with muscles. The dildo hanging from the harness at her waist was flesh colored. It was lined with raised veins and had a fat head. Emily shivered with pleasure as the memory of the cock thrusting in and out of her flashed across her eyes.
The rancher was not paying attention to Emily’s eyes. She closed the distance and bent to take one of the large breasts into her mouth. She sucked softly, her tongue massaging the nipple as her fingers went to the buttons on Emily’s jeans. Emily’s hips wiggled, helping her lover remove the denim. Quinn kissed her way down Emily’s belly, parting her swollen lips with her talented tongue. She licked against Emily’s clit, lifting the hood. Emily’s fingers tugged against the short strands of hair tickling her belly as she pushed against the invading tongue.
When Emily started quivering, Quinn pulled back. She took Emily’s hands and walked to the bed. “Come on, filly, give me a ride,” she growled as she sat on the edge of the bed. She leaned back on her elbows. The shaft stood up in the air, an invitation to Emily. Emily took the invitation. She straddled Quinn’s hips, positioned the fat head against her lips, and drove down against her lover’s mound. Quinn’s hands squeezed Emily’s breasts again, tugging the hard nipples as the girl started moving.
Emily’s hips rocked back and forth as she settled on the shaft. She felt her pussy stretch around it and she gasped softly as it rubbed against her inner walls. She placed her hands on Quinn’s hips as she began moving up and down, rising until the rod was nearly free before driving down again. Quinn grunted through clenched teeth as Emily’s pace quickened.
She threw her head back as she rode against Quinn, her long hair brushing against her back and Quinn’s legs. Quinn bucked upwards, making it difficult for Emily to control the ride but not allowing the girl to lose balance. They were both panting as their bodies slammed against each other.
Quinn grabbed Emily’s hips and rolled them over. Quinn used her new position to gain leverage and push harder and faster and deeper into Emily’s hot, wet canal. Emily moaned and cried out, her hips arching up to meet Quinn’s every thrust and maneuver. Quinn clenched her jaw, her face red and a vein rising against her temple as she tried to hold her orgasm until Emily screamed with pleasure. As soon as Emily released her primal yell, Quinn’s body followed.
The lovers did not release each other as they descended from the mountaintop. Quinn stroked Emily’s hair, gazing down into the girl’s face. She was smiling when Emily opened her eyes and Emily became aware of how few times she had seen her boss smile over the summer. Emily returned the grin, her hand coming up to touch Quinn’s face. Quinn turned her head and kissed Emily’s wrist.
Still buried inside Emily, Quinn began moving her hips again, slowly sliding the phallus in and out. There was no frenzy to the pace. There was infinite tenderness in the movement. Emily’s arms slid around Quinn’s neck, pulling her lover close. Quinn nuzzled Emily’s neck, breathing deeply of the girl’s scent as she flexed in a smooth rhythm.
Emily sighed softly, lifting her hips to meet Quinn’s gentle thrusts. After the cataclysmic explosion only moments before, Emily was surprised when her body began to respond. It trembled in anticipation and pleasure. “Yes,” she whispered in Quinn’s ear, her breath hot against her lover’s face.
Together, they began rocking, avoiding the frantic fury that had accompanied their previous sexual exchanges. Emily’s body tightened as she realized that they were engaged in lovemaking. Their ease with each other and the compassion in the movement was even more erotic that the frenetic pace.
Emily’s hands slid to the side of Quinn’s breasts, her thumbs teasing the small, hard nipples protruding forward as Quinn groaned a low word of encouragement. Their lips met and locked as they continued moving, pushing each other slowly toward climax.
Had their bodies not already been sensitive from the rough and hurried experience, they could have maintained the current pace longer. Quinn’s long strokes teased Emily, filling her and brushing against her clit. Her breath came short and she sucked in a long breath as she reached the next level.
Quinn’s mouth dipped to Emily’s breast. Her tongue licked the globe and swirled around the nipples. Her hips did not change pace despite Emily’s whispered urging.
The friction was just enough to build Emily’s desire but not enough to push her over the edge. She tried to shift beneath Quinn, hoping a change of position would increase the contact of the veined shaft with her throbbing clit. Quinn grunted as the girl moved. It pushed the base of the shaft firmer against her mound. Every thrust radiated from her swollen nub. It lodged in her stomach and breasts. The counter of the base against Emily’s teasing thumbs sent every nerve in the rancher sky rocketing. She could no longer control her release. She opened her mouth as a tremor raced through her body. She stiffened, her hips locked in a steady tempo.
Emily matched the cadence. Her hips slapped upward to meet Quinn. Their harsh breathing and the pulse of their lovemaking were the only sounds in the room. Emily arched up to accept as much of Quinn’s shaft as she could as they fell over the top again.
They laid side-by-side for a long time, the ceiling fan drying their sweat. They both dozed in their exhaustion. The sun reached the zenith of the sky and began dipping toward the western horizon.
“I need to go,” Emily finally whispered.
“I know,” Quinn answered reluctantly. She hesitantly released Emily, allowing her lover to stand. They both dressed as they followed the trail of clothes back to the kitchen.
“Would I ruin things if I asked what happens now?” Emily asked as they stood at the door. Her arms were around Quinn’s neck. Quinn held Emily’s hips. Less than a breath of air separated them.
“I don’t know the answer to that question.”
Emily looked into her lover’s face with earnestness. “I don’t want to be your property, Charley Quinn. I refuse to be just another girl in your stable.”
“I know,” Quinn responded in a hushed voice. Emily could see the battle waging in the woman’s eyes. They revealed the internal conflict Quinn felt. Her hand reached up to caress Emily’s cheek. As she did, Emily saw the tremor in Quinn’s fingers. Her eyes betrayed her knowledge that both of their worlds were on the brink of changing forever.
They shared a long, bittersweet kiss at the door and Quinn stood in the doorway until Emily’s car disappeared from site. They were both already counting the days until Emily’s first break from school. As the dust faded, Quinn thought she might need to make a buying trip to East Tennessee.
The new owner of Faro Ranch was unlike anyone that Emily Wilder had ever met before.