Eight Seconds (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  Each woman had been easier than the previous to walk away from, and it was all because of the gorgeous creature he was kissing right now.

  Oh, this had to slow down. His erection hurt like a motherfucker, and he knew, once inside her tight pussy, he’d blow like Mount St. Helens.

  When he looked into Danielle’s eyes, she looked exotic. Her eyes were wild with lust and want. He eased slowly inside of the body that molded to his perfectly, like she had been made just for him.

  “Umm, that’s awesome,” Danielle purred. How he could send her rocketing into space then build her back up so quickly, she had no idea. Each sinful stroke elicited guttural cries from her throat as her eyes closed.

  That did it, J.C. decided, and moved faster. “Open your eyes, doll,” J.C. panted.

  Danielle’s eyes snapped open to see her cowboy smiling at her. His muscles were defined and taut. Each and every one rippled across his chest, arms, and stomach. Sweat beaded over his entire body, and her mouth watered. Men were not supposed to be beautiful, but J.C. was. In his eyes she witnessed determination, the same determination she saw when he readied himself in the chute to ride a cask of explosives.

  J.C. lifted her legs and laid them on his shoulders. At this angle, her body squeezed him tighter, and he groaned when his hips smacked against the back of her thighs. His fingers found her swollen clit to rub and tease. His dick was being tightly gripped by her pussy, making him dizzy. “Doll, I want to fuck you until you can’t take any more and beg me to stop.”

  “Yes, do it, fuck me,” Danielle screamed.

  J.C. pounded furiously. “Hell yeah,” he growled. His hips slapped her ass loud with each thrust. And with each hard thrust into Danielle, she squealed and clamped her pussy tighter around his dick.

  Danielle’s fingers gripped his forearms tightly as each luxurious stroke brought her closer and closer still. In the heat of the moment, she almost proclaimed her love for him, but the words clogged in her throat.

  A loud groan erupted from J.C. and spurred on Danielle’s release. He freed her legs and tightly held her as his body shook.

  Danielle whimpered in delight. “Amazing,” she sighed while she looked deeply into the depths of his blue eyes.

  “Phenomenal, that’s the word,” J.C. breathed raggedly. He gently traced the curves of her face. “We better get back before a search party ensues.”

  Danielle giggled and pulled his lips close to hers. “Okay, but only if we have to.”

  * * * *

  The live band played as crowds of people engulfed the property. Danielle looked around stunned. There were three times as many people here tonight.

  The scene was rowdy and loud as she walked with J.C. toward the bar for a drink. Two women approached him with a smile.

  “Hi there, J.C., who’s the flavor of the night?” the redhead teased but hated Danielle sweetly with her eyes.

  J.C. tensed when he realized who it was. Shit. She was one of many fans he had bedded once upon a time. This woman’s father, however, was also a good customer. That had more to do with the night of sex he gave her than any attraction. He joked then that it was good customer service. He wasn’t laughing anymore.

  “Hi…” J.C. fought for a name. She was just so forgettable.

  “Yeah, I see how it is, J.C. Forgot my name? I shouldn’t be surprised though.” She paused and studied her manicured nails. “As many women as have been in your bed, I bet it is quite the task to remember something as mundane as a name.” The redhead spoke with distain, her lips painted with whore-red lipstick.

  Danielle stood in shock. One part of her wanted to bust the woman while the other decided she had no right. After all, she was in J.C.’s past. But still, the fire inside her began to build into an inferno the longer the cupcake spoke.

  “So, sweetie, whatcha name, like it matters,” the redheaded cupcake spat at her while her friend gave her a high five and laughed.

  “That’s enough, Rebecca,” J.C. said sternly. How could he have forgotten her name? No woman was as cold and heartless as her. He had special words for women like her, and none of them were nice.

  “Oooh, you remembered,” she chided. “Very good, I’ll play nice…for now.” She looked Danielle up and down with disgust.

  The pair turned and walked away while all the color in Danielle’s face drained. Her hands trembled in resentment. She couldn’t form a single word in rebuttal. It wasn’t her nature to want to pummel someone, but this was one of those rare times when no other idea seemed sweeter.

  J.C. shook Danielle. “Forget her. She’s just mad because she’s a bitch.”

  Danielle looked up at J.C. and began to laugh. Yeah, she was, among other things.

  “Shake her off. She’s also jealous. She’s jealous that she doesn’t look like you.” J.C. kissed her cheek.

  “Yeah, right,” Danielle said then took a long swig from her bottle.

  J.C. knew that Danielle was bothered by Rebecca and with good reason. He looked around the party and had seen a couple of other women he’d rather not run into.

  He was a piece of shit all right, he thought. He had warned her, but really, she shouldn’t have to put up with scenes like that. It would be better if they could leave. They could spend the rest of the night at his house and play checkers or watch movies. Right.

  The hell of it all was he was expected to mingle with customers. This was their once-a-year hoo-ha, as his mom called it. He looked down at his watch. Shit, only eight o’clock, too early to turn in.

  “Come on.” J.C. smiled and pulled Danielle along with him. “I want to introduce you to some people.”

  Danielle chuckled. “Are they as nice as those two? If so, I’ll pass.”

  “No, and I’m really sorry about that.”

  Some of his rodeo buddies stood in a group at the far edge of the property, more than likely talking about the upcoming events. J.C. didn’t want in on that conversation, but he did want to show off Danielle and let her meet his friends. Really, he just wanted to show her off.

  “J.C., man, we were just talking about you,” Greg said. He had sandy-blond hair, boyish looks, and a crooked nose.

  Greg was as crazy as the day was long according to J.C. and had balls the size coconuts. He’d witnessed some crazy shit with Greg at the heart of it.

  “I bet you were,” J.C. said as he shook his hand and smiled. “Guys, I want you to meet Danielle.”

  Danielle smiled and gave a wave, unsure of what to say.

  “Danielle, this here is Greg, but we all call him Crazy Mo Fo.” J.C. smacked the back of Andrew on his left. “This is Andrew. He thinks the earth is flat. Sorry, dude.”

  J.C. laughed as Derek reached out and shook his hand. “This here is Derek. He’s had more broken bones than all of us put together.”

  Danielle laughed. “Very impressive.”

  The men took off their hats and said their nice-to-meet-yous and returned their hats to their heads.

  “Danielle here is a nurse. She just recently graduated, with honors I might add,” J.C. said then winked at her.

  Danielle blushed and quickly took a drink of her beer. J.C. had a way of doing that to her.

  “You lucky bastard,” Derek stated. “Could have used one of those many of times out on the road.”

  “Yeah, well, she wouldn’t want to patch up our dumb asses. The only medical care we need is from a head doctor.” J.C. grinned proudly.

  All the guys lifted their beers in a solemn cheer, acknowledging how true that statement really was.

  “Excuse me, boys,” Derek said as he started to walk off. “The care I require will come from that randy-looking female right over there.”

  “Dude, you’ve been hanging out with Will too long,” Greg called out as he walked away. He turned to the other guys. “One of these days I swear his dick is going to fall right off…oh, excuse me, Danielle.”

  “You’re an ass,” Andrew declared at once. “Sorry, Danielle, he left his manners at hom
e with his momma.”

  J.C. just shook his head. This hadn’t been such a swell idea either, he thought as he tipped his beer back. Damn, time passed by slowly when he wasn’t having fun.

  “Guys, nice to meet you.” Danielle smiled and then turned to J.C. “I’m going to catch up with Stacy. See you in a little bit.”

  J.C. pulled her close, not caring he would be razzed after she left. “Sorry for my friends. I’ll go with ya,” he whispered in her ear.

  Danielle shook her head and gave him a quick kiss. He needed to hang with the boys and catch up, and she needed to spend time with Stacy.

  The men kept quiet, sipping their beers, as Danielle walked away. As soon as she got out of earshot, Andrew piped up. “Boy, you are one lucky son of a bitch.”

  J.C. nodded. How true that statement was.

  “Huh, a nurse and nice looking?” Greg asked.

  J.C. smiled. “Yeah, awesome, isn’t she?”

  J.C.’s goofy smile caught Andrews’s attention. “Son, you’re in deep, aren’t ya?”

  J.C. smiled and nodded but said nothing. He was in deep, and that didn’t begin to capture how he felt for Danielle, not at all.

  “Congrats, asshole.” Greg smacked him on the back.

  “Thanks, dick,” J.C. said then punched Greg in the arm.

  The men erupted in laughter as Greg rubbed his arm, complaining.

  * * * *

  Danielle finally found Stacy and Will sitting at a table and sat down with them. “Hi, guys.” She smiled.

  “Hi, Danielle,” Will said and then stood. “I need to go and woo customers, so I’m glad you’re here. Keep my lady company and catch up.” He winked.

  Will walked away, and no sooner had he than questions came like lighting from Stacy. “Okay, what’s going on between you two? Have you had sex with him?”

  Danielle smiled and leaned back in her chair. “Yeah,”

  “Oh, shit, you have fallen head over heels for him,” Stacy babbled.

  Danielle nodded and took a long drink from her bottle.

  “Well, cat got your tongue or what?” Stacy bounced in her chair.

  “No.” Danielle smiled smugly. “I told you, I don’t kiss and tell.”

  “Ah, man, you’re no fun.” Stacy huffed and fell back into her lawn chair.

  “All I will say is this…Nah, I won’t say that, too personal,” Danielle teased.

  “Heifer,” Stacy chided.

  Danielle sat with a goofy grin on her face as she watched Stacy squirm in her chair, antsy for details.

  “Okay, I uh, wow, I had no idea how much fun sex was,” Danielle confessed as her face heated up.

  “I told you so,” Stacy said, blasting her.

  “Well, it wouldn’t have been that fun with anyone else, that’s all I’m saying.”

  “Fine, don’t,” Stacy said and tried to act indignant but busted out laughing instead. “Just keep your secrets.”

  Danielle smiled with her bottle at her lips. She would.

  “Hey, my butt hurts,” Stacy complained. “Let’s go for a walk or something.”

  They walked for a while and chatted as the band echoed in the distance. They were nearing the pool when Danielle overheard J.C.’s voice.

  “No, Rebecca.” J.C.’s tone was stern.

  “I swear, J.C. Evans, you will, or I’ll have my daddy pull his contract from your ranch,” Rebecca threatened loudly. “You know damn well we account for over fifty percent of sales.”

  “We’d be fine,” J.C. said dismissively.

  Stacy jerked Danielle behind a bush and whispered, “What in the hell is that all about?”

  Danielle shrugged. Whatever it was didn’t sound good. She peeked through the bush and caught Rebecca laying a lip-lock on J.C. He shoved her back and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. Danielle’s heart swelled with pride.

  “You’re a bitch.”

  Rebecca slapped him, and rage consumed her. Her face was as red as her hair.

  “You’ll regret that,” Rebecca growled.

  Danielle and Stacy stood in the shadows and watched Rebecca stomp away. Danielle dared not let her presence be known. Surely J.C. wouldn’t appreciate an eavesdropping girlfriend. She watched quietly as J.C. walked the other way.

  “That girl was pissed,” Stacy noted.

  “Yeah,” Danielle said as she waved Stacy back toward the party.

  It was obvious by the look in J.C.’s eyes he was infuriated. She chose to let him cool off alone, knowing she wouldn’t help matters any. She and Stacy sat back down at a table and resumed light conversation to pass the time.

  Within minutes, Rebecca stepped up to the table, placed her hands on the edge of the table, and leaned over with a smile.

  “Listen here, Nurse Betty. J.C. Evans will be mine, so you better step off,” Rebecca threatened but kept a smile for all those that might be watching the scene.

  “Go fuck yourself,” Stacy said with a sweet smile.

  “My family invests a lot into this ranch. I will have the plug pulled so fast it would make your head spin,” Rebecca threatened. “They stand to lose a lot, if not the ranch completely.”

  “Why should I give two shits about your daddy and your family? You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I will accept your threats, cupcake,” Danielle replied in a cool and calm tone.

  Rebecca lowered herself closer to Danielle’s face. “If that doesn’t work, I plan on announcing the fact that I’m carrying his baby. Tonight.”

  All the color washed out of Danielle’s face in an instant. Stacy caught the words and threw a punch that connected with Rebecca’s face.

  Rebecca stumbled back and looked around to see who caught the action. “You’ll regret that as well.” She walked away.

  Danielle sat motionless. Her emotions were running on high. Her fairy-tale weekend was gone in an instant. She thought about J.C. and longed to hold him and make the world go away. Could it be true? Could that cupcake actually be pregnant with his child? Her stomach lurched as tears filled her eyes. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

  She got up with as much dignity as she could muster and headed toward the house. She had to get her belongings and get out of there and fast. Soon a flood of tears that were primed and ready to erupt would fall.

  Stacy chased behind her. “Hey, don’t believe her. What are you doing?”

  “I’m going home,” Danielle said softly as she continued to walk.

  “I’m going with you,” Stacy said as she walked along Danielle’s side.

  “You really don’t need to do that, Stacy.” Danielle waved a dismissive hand.

  “The hell I don’t. I dragged you into all this, so I’m partly to blame. Damn, I’m sorry.”

  Danielle’s eyes began to well up with tears. “It’s my own fault. I should have known I couldn’t have J.C., that it was the dream of a silly, naïve young girl.”

  Stacy helped Danielle gather her things from the bedroom. Danielle glanced around taking one last look at the beautiful room Evelyn put her in. The ceiling fan lazily turned, moving the air around the room and causing the sheer fabric of the curtains to sway.

  “I only have a few things at Will’s place. He can bring them to me later. Let’s get you home.” Stacy said softly and picked up Danielle’s overnight bag.

  Outside, the festivities were still in full swing. Danielle wiped a tear from her eye and focused on Stacy’s truck ahead of her. She walked quickly wanting to get as far away as possible. She opened the truck door and put her purse on the floor and got in.

  Danielle sat quietly in the passenger side and looked out the window into the night sky. Every once in a while she fought the urge to cry and sucked in a hard and ragged breath.

  “Would it make you feel better if I told you Rebecca will be sporting a black eye tomorrow?” Stacy asked. Danielle shook her head. Nothing at this point would make her feel better.

  Stacy dropped off Danielle and offered to stay, but Danielle said she’d rathe
r be alone.

  Danielle walked to the front door, glad her parents had taken her advice and gone out of town for the weekend.

  She closed the door behind herself and trudged up the stairs toward her room with her bag and purse. Tears began to roll down her cheeks in streams. Her phone rang, but she ignored it, tossed it to the bed, and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

  Danielle exited the shower still crying. The hurt was almost unbearable. She knew it was childish to be angry and so upset because if, in fact, Rebecca was pregnant, it had happened before her. What she was broken hearted about was her dream of the two of them living happily ever after. Obviously, if it wasn’t this woman hounding him, it would be another and another yet. That’s the life of the famous bull rider, she thought.

  The best avenue to follow now led to a job and a new lease on life. She needed to get over her foolish dreams and settle into a life and take care of herself. She also needed to be extremely careful with her heart. She sat down on her bed and wiped the tears away. Her phone beeped loudly behind her.

  Of course it would be J.C. What could she say at this point? “Hi there, I just talked with Rebecca, and she may or may not be carrying your child.” And “Oh, she told me she would ruin your family financially if I didn’t go away.”

  She wiped her tears again and picked up her phone.

  Where are you? I have been looking everywhere.

  Home, she texted and hit send.

  Danielle began to sob. It seemed that fate was sending her a message. J.C. wasn’t meant for her to have, and pushing for more would only bring her heartache. She also worried about the snotty redheaded bitch causing problems for the family and the ranch. The thought of dealing with the possibility of J.C. having a baby on the way bothered her as well. She couldn’t imagine building a relationship on a faulty foundation. If the witch wasn’t pregnant, she was sure there would be another woman out there willing to cause problems. Could she deal with it? Was it even worth it? Evelyn had been wonderful to her, like another mother. Gosh, she would have loved to be a part of that family.