Chapter Eleven

Dolly

“I t feels a little like playing hooky,” Dolly said as she opened up the Winnebago’s door. Nash stepped in, looking enormous in the small space. She locked the door and turned the air conditioner a notch higher. They were going to need it. “Can I get you a drink?”

“All I need is you,” he said.

Well, all right then. Kicking off her shoes, she walked into Nash’s arms. Unable to resist, she tilted her head up and gave in to every thought she’d had since the kiss last night. She captured his lips with her own, initiating a kiss that was filled with desperation and urgency.

Nash responded eagerly, his tongue teasing hers, exploring her mouth with a possessive hunger that left her breathless. His lips were soft and warm under hers. When Nash deepened the kiss, the intensity of it made her head spin. She gave herself up to the feelings that she had been dreaming about. His mouth was hot and his kisses long and sensual. He stroked her back. That felt nice. Real nice. She cuddled in closer to him, the tips of her hardened nipples brushing against the hard planes of his chest.

Pressed against him, she thrilled at the growing hardness she felt beneath his jeans. She broke away, her eyes wide and flushed with desire. Nash’s face was just as flushed, his cheeks reddened under the glinting shine of sweat. She unbuttoned her blouse, her fingers clumsy. She nearly swallowed her tongue when he stripped off his shirt and tossed it to the floor. She had a moment to admire strong abs and a tight chest before he helped her with her blouse and then her bra.

Their breathing was heavy and fast, their differences, the investigation, completely irrelevant at the moment. All that mattered now was the heat between them, burning brighter and stronger with every passing second.

“I’ve been dreaming of this for the past year.” He traced his fingers over her breasts, pebbling her nipples almost painfully. He leaned down and kissed the tops of them while his strong hands stroked and caressed her sensitive skin. It sent shivers down her spine.

“Me too,” she gasped out.

Feeling bold, Dolly reached for the waistband of Nash’s pants, unzipping them with trembling fingers. She wrapped her hand around his cock, delighting in the way he tensed and gritted his teeth at her touch.

Nash closed his eyes and groaned as she rubbed him up and down.

The sound of their breathing filled the small space, mingling with the scent of his aftershave. Dolly could feel the heat emanating from Nash’s body, a steady warmth that both comforted and excited her.

Nash’s lips found her neck, his teeth nibbling at her delicate skin. She shivered involuntarily, her breath hitching as his hand cupped her breasts.

“N-Nash…” she murmured softly, the word catching in her throat as he continued to explore her, his touch pure magic.

His thumb trailed around her nipple, circling it gently. She arched into his touch. He took her nipple into his mouth, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. She stroked him harder, her mind filled with fantasies of what it would feel like to have him inside her. The thought only fueled her arousal, intensifying the ache between her thighs. Nash pushed up her skirt and slid his hand down her panties.

She was soaking wet and trembling on his flickering fingers. Dolly bit her lip, barely suppressing a moan as Nash’s fingers slowly drove her wild with pleasure. The sensation of his skilled fingers dancing over her wet folds was intoxicating, sending shudders of pleasure through her body. Her hand felt clumsy on his thick cock as she continued to pump him with her fist.

“I like your touch,” he growled.

As Nash gently pushed one finger inside her, Dolly’s breath hitched. The pressure built within her, the mounting pleasure becoming almost unbearable. Her nails dug into his shoulders, her grip tightening as he added another finger, stretching and filling her in the most delicious way.

Dolly let out a shaking whimper as Nash’s thumb circled her throbbing clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure throughout her entire body. Her hips bucked against his hand, silently pleading for more. She moaned softly, her breath catching in her throat as he continued to explore her. With each touch, Dolly became dizzier with desire and need. She knew she had to have him, to feel his cock inside her, to let him take control and give her the release she so desperately craved.

“Come for me,” Nash whispered, his voice a husky reminder that only heightened the thrill of their illicit encounter. With each stroke, Dolly edged closer to orgasm. Their eyes locked, communicating more than words ever could, as they shared this intensely intimate moment.

Just as Dolly felt herself teetering on the edge of an earth-shattering climax, Nash said, “Tell me what you want, sweetheart.” Nash’s voice was low and seductive. “Tell me how much you need me.”

“God, Nash,” she murmured into his lips, her voice breathy and laced with desire. “I want you so much it hurts.”

“Then let me take away the pain,” he growled, his large palm cradling the back of her neck, keeping her anchored to him as he fingered her to an explosive orgasm. Her hand opened up in shock, letting his hard cock go. She went up on her toes, her head flung back as she rode the waves of pleasure. He stoked her slower now, her body twitching as she gasped with each tender flick of his fingers.

“I want you inside me. I need you to fuck me.”

They stripped off the rest of their clothes.

“Condom,” he said, bending down to grab one from his pocket and slid it on.

Without another wasted moment, Nash hoisted Dolly up. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he pinned her against the door of the Winnebago. She gasped as Nash thrust into her, filling her completely in one swift motion. Heat and need roared through Dolly’s veins as she melted into him. She twined her arms around his neck, fingers sinking into his hair. This was real. Raw and the sweetest thing she’d ever known.

She lost herself in the pleasure he bestowed upon her, relishing in the feeling of him deep inside her. Every touch was like a spark igniting a wildfire within her, making it impossible for her to resist him any longer.

In that moment, there was no past or future—only this overwhelming present where she and Nash shared a connection that was almost magical. She didn’t want to think about what would come after this. She only wanted to savor every blissful moment. Their movements were desperate and frenzied, driven by pure lust and insatiable hunger.

Dolly clung to Nash as he drove into her, each powerful stroke bringing her closer and closer to the edge. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her nails digging into his back as she braced herself for the impending release. As if sensing her nearness, Nash quickened his pace, his movements becoming more forceful and deliberate.

Their bodies moved together in perfect sync, each touch and kiss eliciting moans and gasps from both of them. Dolly lost herself in the sensations, drowning out the voice of reason in favor of following the wild desires coursing through her body.

Finally, Dolly could no longer contain herself, and she surrendered to the pleasure coursing through her veins. Her orgasm ripped through her like a tidal wave, leaving her trembling and breathless. Nash followed soon after, his own climax racking his body with shudders of ecstasy.

As the aftershocks subsided, Dolly and Nash exchanged a tender, lingering kiss. As the last shudders of pleasure waned, Dolly and Nash reluctantly pulled apart, their bodies slick with sweat and desire.

“Holy hell, that was wild,” Dolly said.

“Yeah,” he agreed, pushing the hair out of his face. “Now let’s hit the bed and take our time.”

Dolly’s knees went wobbly.

*

Several hours later, Dolly was feeling better about the whole Blevins and the UPRC situation. She’d figure out something before things got too bad. And she had Nash working full-time on his investigation. She’d make sure that Shelby personally got Nash into Laredo as a VIP and, together, they would check out the Rocky Ridge storage area and the Jaripeo storage area. Unfortunately, that still left one suspect: Taylor Keating. As she was thinking about it, her phone buzzed on the small night table.

Reaching over, she saw a text from Finn. Meet me in the VIP area.

What the hell? Bull riders didn’t send her texts like that.

Why? she texted back.

He sent back emojis of cheerleaders.

Dolly flashed hot and then cold. She started to shake. Finn had sent the uniform. And the nasty “How much?” card that had gone with it. The only question now was what was he going to do with that knowledge? Had it been a sick joke? Or something more sinister?

She pushed back the covers and took a quick shower. Thoughts flew around in her head. How was she going to spin this? What damage control could she do? She was still shaking when she got dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. After she laced on her sneakers, she turned to Nash who was dozing with one muscular arm over his eyes. She didn’t have to do this alone. But she wasn’t sure how to bring him in on this. She wanted him for backup, but she didn’t want him to be broadsided by the information about her past. Biting her lip, she considered just leaving him here.

“Nash?” Dolly nudged him.

“Hmm?”

“I need you to meet me by the bull-riding arena.” She’d get there first. Find out what Finn wanted and do damage control. By the time Nash got there, it would be all over or he’d be charging in like a white knight.

“What? Why?” he said grouchily. “I don’t have to do promos there anymore.”

“Thanks for reminding me. We still need you to do some work with Donnan.” Donnan was the last thing on her mind at the moment, but she was glad to use him as an excuse.

Nash groaned and rolled over with the pillow over his head.

“We have a week until Laredo to get a series with you and that cute little calf all over social media. If we make you famous, no one is going to look twice at you being backstage at the rodeo.”

“Where are you going?” he asked, rolling back over.

“I told you, the bull-riding event. The last show is at three p.m.”

“Why do I have to be there?”

Yeah, that was a good question. She racked her brain and came up with the perfect excuse on the fly. Dolly unplugged her phone from the charger. “I know Shane and the Viking Ranch are innocent. I’m hoping Taylor Keating is too. I want to get Taylor out of the way today so you and I can concentrate on the other two ranches in Laredo.”

“Wait,” he said, sitting up.

“Just meet me there. I’ll set up the promos so it won’t look suspicious that we’re questioning Taylor.”

“Dolly,” he started to say, blinking confusedly at her.

But she was already out the door. Should she have told him everything and waited for him to go with her? Probably. But there was still a chance she could salvage the situation without revealing her past. If she didn’t have to, she didn’t want to ruin this perfect afternoon with Nash. If things went to hell in the next couple of days, well then at least she’d have one pleasant memory of today to look back on.

But she really hoped it didn’t. For the first time in a long while, Dolly wondered what it would be like to be in a relationship again. Of course, she would have to let Nash in on her secret past. But that was getting ahead of herself. One day at a time. One week to Laredo. If they were able to pin something on Blevins, then her job was safe and she would feel more secure in her life and be able to tell Nash everything. In theory.

Pushing that aside, she headed back into the rodeo grounds from her employee spot and made a beeline to the bull-riding area.

“Hey, Dolly,” Finn said, coming up to her.

She tensed. Looking around, she realized that they were relatively alone. Was this when he would reveal that he sent her the uniform and that obnoxious note?

“Hey, Finn.” Dolly feigned nonchalance, but she scanned the area looking for exit routes and people she could shout to for help if she needed to. “So what’s with the cheerleaders?”

“Mr. Blevins wants you to do some reels with me.”

“He does?” Dolly checked her phone, but there wasn’t anything from Blevins specifically about that today. But that didn’t mean anything. He had a tendency to assume she could read his mind.

“Yeah. Come on back to the VIP area.”

Here it comes, Dolly thought. She followed him, fumbling with her phone to turn on her voice recording app. She toggled it on. If Finn thought he was going to blackmail her or proposition her, she was going to get it on tape and then take it straight to Shelby Miller. Shelby had supported Reba last year when Reba told her about the awful experience she’d had with her old boss. Dolly knew Shelby would be an ally if things shook down wrong.

Rounding the corner, though, Dolly stopped dead in her tracks. Two beautiful women in generic cheerleading outfits were posing by a mechanical bull and a saddle.

“Okay,” Finn said to Dolly. “Where do you want me?”

All right. Not what she had been expecting. Relief made her knees weak. It looked like this was a legitimate photo shoot. Dolly sat on a hay bale while she got herself together.

The cheerleaders were too coincidental coming on the heels of her getting the uniform. Or were they? Dolly couldn’t rule out that she was being oversensitive.

“Everything all right?”

“Yeah,” she said, swallowing hard. “Just taking a moment to picture the story I want to tell.”

“Righteous,” he said, and went over to chat up one of the models.

Dolly knew she needed to get off her ass and get started, but she was having a hard time breathing now that she was coming down from the stress of the fight-or-flight adrenaline she had just put herself through.

Do your job , she told herself.

“All right.” Dolly stood up. She wished Blevins had scheduled this with her previously. She would have brought a better camera than her cell phone. But this would work in a pinch. First he overrode her at the VIP booth and now this. She was going to have to meet with him on Monday in the Dallas office and address this. She’d take Shelby with her for safety. Blevins didn’t get to do this to her.

Dolly shut off her recorder and had Finn pose with the models for a few shots. Then because she was feeling ornery, she had Finn take off his shirt and give it to one of the women and then she shot cheesecake pictures of him. To his credit, Finn didn’t seem to mind, and it wound up being a productive shoot. She’d be able to use the footage in several videos.

“Let’s do this on a real bull,” Finn said.

“Not with them dressed like that,” Dolly said. “They could get hurt. If you want them in the ring with a bull, we’re going to have to find a tamer one, and no one gets on his back.”

Finn pouted, but the models looked relieved.

Dolly called Shane. He said he didn’t have a bull that fit the bill here in Killeen, but he could send a bull named Ferdinand to Laredo next week. After checking with the models’ schedules—they were free next Saturday—she booked them for a few hours at the Laredo rodeo. She’d have enough time to write a “We’re cowgirls, of course we…” script for them to say for one of the sessions.

“Thanks,” Finn said as they left the VIP area. “That was fun.”

Yeah, it had been. Now that they were alone, she waited for him to mention something about the cheerleader uniform, but he didn’t. He seemed more concerned about looking pretty for his bull ride that was coming up. She left him to his primping and headed to the chute area where they were loading in the bulls.

If it hadn’t been Finn who sent the cheerleader outfit, who had it been? She was filming the bulls in their pens when Nash came running in.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“It is now,” she said. And without caring who was watching, she launched herself into his arms and gave him a huge kiss.