Cowboy Got Me Shook (BWWM Romance) Read online

  “Excuse me,” Angel said, but they were staring right at her, as if they were following orders from that whack cowboy.

  “Afraid we can’t let you, miss. You’re going to have to step outside.”

  “Let me through,” she said again, seething, threatening that she would scream.

  “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You can simply walk out and we can talk about this, or we can carry you out screaming. What’s it going to be?”

  Angel turned around to see Grant’s confident smirk.

  “What right do you have to kick me out?”

  Grant walked up beside them. His smile didn’t falter. “Your mother didn’t tell you where she knows me? I used to own major clubs in New York. All of the club owners in this city know me. Markus, who owns this club, used to be a good friend of mine. Do yourself a favor and walk out those doors and head back home.”

  It didn’t seem possible that a cowboy could be mixed up in this type of scene, but he wasn’t lying. Those grunts stared her down, daring her to make a move. They would follow his orders.

  “I’ll walk myself out,” she said, and she headed to the doors, knowing that the night was over. “This is bullshit.”

  Grant knew he made a huge mistake at first sight of the girl. She wasn’t fit for a ranch, or anywhere but a club for that matter. She strode toward him in a short skirt and high heels. Those high heels and short skirt were pure defiance.

  It wasn’t her outfit that had him troubled, not really. He expected as much from her, especially after kicking her out of the club last night.

  He had to be honest with himself. The real reason was because he wasn’t sure how to act with a young, sexy thing working around his ranch. It didn’t seem like it was going to work. Good looking girls and his ranch were two worlds that should never meet. He was one not to mix business and pleasure.

  What am I thinking? he asked himself, watching as she she stepped cautiously through the grass, hoping not to get her heels dirty. He grunted, shaking his head, trying to stop his anger from building. I can’t be thinking these crazy thoughts about Tiana’s daughter.

  What was she doing sending the girl to him? Didn’t she know he had a sweet spot for curvy, black girls like her? Tiana really was desperate.

  He could see why the girl would have so much trouble. She was a head turner. Curled, black hair down to her shoulders, enticing cleavage, a huge bust, ample hips to hold onto, and a nice, big ass, the kind he loved. She had these cute, big eyes that matched her plump, glossy lips. Yeah, a body like that could get you in trouble. No doubt there were guys jumping all over her, and some of them had to be the bad type.

  “How are you this morning, Angel?”

  “Fine,” she said, crossing her arms, giving him the evil eye. That was fine. Taking her from the club the other night, he didn’t expect her to be happy.

  “We’re going to be spending a lot of time together. Might as well be friendly with one another, no?”

  She shook her head. “Look, I don’t gotta be friends with any one, most of all with you. I don’t know you. And last night, you were an asshole. I’ve never been thrown out of a club before.”

  Grant sighed. He dug his heel into the soft earth. “Or not. This could be a struggle the whole time. I see what one you want it to be.”

  “Why are you talking like this is a thing? Like this is going to last a long time? It’s not. I’m here for a day. After that, you let me go, and you tell my mom that I’m fine.”

  Grant laughed. “That’s funny. Now why would I do that, sweetheart?”

  “Because I doubt you want to deal with me. There’s no reason for me to be here, and you seem like a smart guy.”

  “Your mom said you were into some bad stuff.”

  “Please, I’m just young and having some fun. And no, that doesn’t mean I’m sleeping around. It doesn’t mean I’m doing drugs.”

  “What about your friends? You getting mixed up with the wrong crowd? Your mom said you’ve been jumping from apartment to apartment.”

  No response. Those fierce eyes of hers turned down to the dirt. That’s what I thought.

  “Whatever. Like I said, do you really want to deal with me for long? I could be nice, or I could be a total bitch.”

  He had heard much worse. Besides, he came prepared. “You don’t cooperate and you can kiss your days of clubbing goodbye. You won’t be able to step in a club in Philadelphia. Or New York. Trust me, the Supreme isn’t just the only place I can call. I’ve got a lot of friends, a lot of people who would love to get a call from their old friend, Grant.”

  Angel bit her lip and kicked the dirt. “All right, you got me. I’ll listen. What do you want me to do? Like I said, I’m not playing any games with you. I’m fine. My mom is just riding my ass. She gotta get a life of her own.”

  “Yeah, I heard you. Doesn’t mean I believe it. I’ve got a lot of work to do. You can help me out with that.”

  Angel sighed and followed him as he turned and walked down the path to his farm house.

  “So are you like a real cowboy? I didn’t think they still existed.”

  It was the bandanna, the rough jeans, the boots, the gloves, that made her say that. All were necessary for his work. It wasn’t that he was trying to play John Wayne.

  “I’m more of a rancher, but yes, you can still call me a cowboy. Are you ready to get started?”

  She shrugged. “I guess.”

  “First things first, let’s get you new boots.”

  She sighed. Twirling her hair in her fingers, she looked off toward the vast expanse of his ranch. As she went over her options, Grant already knew what conclusion she would come to. She would need to cooperate.

  She followed Grant to the barn. Grant shoved open the barn doors. He grabbed a fresh pair of boots and tossed them to Angel. He watched as she slipped off her heels and then struggled to put on the new ones.

  “Make sure you put my shoes someplace safe.”

  “Don’t worry, I will.” He grabbed her pair and threw them in the trunk with the others. Then he prepared a cart, throwing tools on top. Gloves, wood, nails, and a hammer. Everything that Angel would need for her first day on the ranch.

  Grant glanced back at her. She leaned over, tying the boots. It had been such a long time since Grant had seen something so beautiful. Her cleavage was incredible, and as she leaned, it gave him a view of her sexy, supple breasts.

  His mind raced...he could feel his cock harden and the heat rush from his insides. He imagined her undoing the laces to her boots now, throwing off her clothes, and Grant taking her, throwing her on top of the hay, and ravaging that naive, soft city girl.

  She would bend to his will...scream his name, and he knew instinctively that he could pleasure her better than any other lover she had been with.

  Had she been with a lover? Was Angel a virgin?

  His mind snapped back to reality. Grant got a hold of himself. There was no use in asking such questions, and checking the girl out like that was inappropriate. He needed to tend to his ranch. There was a good chance she could screw something up.

  He pushed open the doors again and sucked in the fresh air. His gaze roamed over the far away fence to his cattle, which he cared for like his children.

  “All done,” she said.

  Grant grabbed the cart and began to pull it to the fence.

  “Follow me.”

  His sights were far away, not focusing on the young, sexual thing beside him.

  They came to the fence. Angel hopped onto it to look at the cattle. Her skirt raised over her curvy bottom and Grant had to look away.

  “Look at the cows!”

  She waved at them. It always struck him odd how people got nuts over the cattle. It was nothing out of the ordinary to him.

  “They’re so cute.”

  “Hmm.” Grant waited for her to finish.

  “You done?”

  She hopped off. “Yeah, you’re no fun. I like the cows.”
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  “That’s great, but we’ve got work to do. You want to help the pretty cows? Grab the cart and head off over there.”

  Grant pointed far away into the distance. She looked out, but was blinded by the sun. “Where?”

  “Follow the fence. It goes on a ways. You’ll find there’s a part of the fence that needs tending to. A storm knocked some of it over.”

  “You sure?”

  “Positive,” he said, and he shoved the cart handle in her hand. She snatched it, almost falling over.

  “Hey, this is heavy. How heavy is this thing?”

  “You can handle it. There’s all the tools you’ll need. Come back to me when you’re done.”

  She grit her teeth. Grant waited for the inevitable retaliation. She would fight one more time, but he readied himself to shut her down.

  “Why don’t you do it?”

  “Because I have other work to do,” he said, and then Grant turned his back to her. He headed to the barn. “Remember what I said. You won’t be allowed in another club in Philly. Think of it like helping the cute cows. Find me when you’re done.”

  “Stupid cows,” she said, and then Grant smirked as he heard the cart’s wheels churn the mud.

  Angel wiped the sweat from her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she sweat so much. It wasn’t much compared to Grant, who she caught sight of far off, the front of his shirt a thick blotch from all the work. To think I actually thought he was sexy at first, now I just think he’s an ass.

  She forced the last of the boards against the fence. There was only a small crack left and she sealed it by hammering in three nails.

  The nails were longer than any she had ever seen. Industrial sized. Everything rough, and everything so gigantic. She could barely wield the hammer. As she shook the board, making sure it was in place, she cursed her mother who got her into this mess.

  She didn’t deserve this. She wanted to live her life how she wanted to live it. Maybe it was different than what her mother wanted for her, but it was Angel’s life, and she only had one. Angel wanted to live it up while she was young. Honestly, they were making a big deal out of nothing.

  It would only be another hour of work then she could sneak off to Shanice’s. Angel knew she was a pain in the ass to the ranch hand, but she needed to be. She needed to let him know she wasn’t going to listen to all his orders. Boundaries were important.

  She was surprised at how fast he put her in place. It was either attractive or annoying, she couldn’t make up her mind, no one else had been able to do it. Angel pulled the cart, grunting as she dragged it with what little strength she had left.

  Their next meeting would go quite differently. Angel thought for sure he would let her go after she showed him the great work she did on the fence.

  It took longer than she thought for her to pull the cart to Grant. Looking gallant, like a true cowboy, he rode over to her on his horse, hopping off, and then tying it to the post. It was a magnificent, awe inspiring creature, its body lean and powerful.

  “How’d it go?”

  “Fence is done like you asked.”

  Angel expected Grant to inspect it. She expected him to not believe her, but to her surprise, he simply nodded and stretched out those long, sinewy arms.

  “Come inside for some water. I bet you could use it.”

  Maybe he wasn’t quite as big an asshole as she thought. Angel started her speech about how she needed to leave to go to her friend’s, but then never brought it up, instead she chose to get the glass of water, something desperately needed.

  Grant held the door open to his house. She said thanks and took a seat at his table. He threw off his bandanna and his vest, stretching once again. Angel watched his ripped muscles tense then relax.

  “Water,” he remembered. Was he senile already? He really wasn’t that old. He looked far older in the club due to the contrast in ages.

  He poured her a glass then slid it to her. The cold glass touching her lips felt incredible. She sank into the chair, letting the coolness wash over her.

  Grant did the same, except he gulped his down, already going for another.

  She sipped on hers, cautiously watching Grant, wondering what he would do next. After she was done with her water, she would say goodbye, cutting off any chance for him to throw more work at her. It was already getting late. She didn’t want to arrive after their pregame for the party.

  “You did well. Bumpy start at first, but you did well.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You ready for a meal now?”

  No, Angel needed to leave. He was already fixing to get her re-energized so she could do more work.

  “No, thanks though. I need to get going. My friend, Shanice is having a party, and I’m already going to be late.”

  Angel pushed her chair out. She noticed Grant’s sharp eyes turn hazy, clouded, like a dark day before the storm.

  “Wait,” he said. She waited, half seated and half standing.

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “What do you mean? I’m leaving.”

  Grant raised, jumping from his seat, almost knocking it over. It wobbled, falling back into place. She didn’t know how it didn’t go crashing into the wall.

  “Sit back down.”

  Who did he think he was? He didn’t own her. She wasn’t his possession. Angel gripped her hands tight, which turned to fists, bundled and ready. If he put his hands on her, she would fight back.

  “I’m not. I’m leaving.”

  She headed for the door. Grant raced around her. Before she knew it, his hand slammed against the door, barring it.

  “What the fuck is your problem?”

  He sneered. Angel slammed her back against the door. She waited to use her knuckles on his leering face. Everything else was a blur, but his nose stood out in her mind, Angel readied herself to pummel it if he thought about grabbing her.

  Then Grant leaned back. He withdrew his sneer. A slick smirk took its place. “Your mother didn’t tell you, did she?”

  “No idea what you’re talking about.”

  Angel didn’t have time for this. He shifted, studying her. Come on, old man, out with it.

  “Tiana wants you to stay here. No sleeping on stranger’s couches, or going to wild parties. I have an extra bedroom. You’ll be sleeping there for the week.”

  “What the...no way.” Angel tried for the door again. Grant’s hand was a blur, catching the door knob before she could reach it.

  “I’m not staying here. No matter what my mom said, I’m not. Now get out of my way. I’m a grown ass woman.”

  “No,” he said.

  “Fucking move.”

  Grant leaned closer again. Even at her angriest, he didn’t seem alarmed. It was probably because he was a two hundred pound cowboy, all muscle, chiseled out of pain staking hard work. How could she force him out of the way? Angel wished she didn’t even curse at him as he grew closer.

  As his lips came close to hers, Angel had the urge to reach out and kiss him. That would calm him down. Her mind struggled with whether she should sink her teeth in or roll her tongue over his.

  “Get away from that door. Go and sit down. I didn’t make the rules, but you’re going to play by them.”

  “I can’t believe this.”

  Angel didn’t want to hear Grant threaten her again, so she hung her head, flopping onto the chair. He groaned, taking his seat across from her.

  “Now we’re going to have a good meal. You probably worked up an appetite out there. Forget about your friends. You’re not seeing them tonight.”

  “I can’t fucking believe this,” she said under her breath. No doubt the cowboy’s keen senses picked up every word.

  Confused, and unsure, Grant pushed onto his knees from the grass, surveying the area. His ranch. That was a welcome sight at least. His vision was blurred, however, and the sky was painted permanently, the clouds not inching from the glowing arrival of du
sk.

  Grant circled himself. He scratched his head, something he did when he was nervous, and the fact that he knew he was doing it, and knew that he was nervous, only made it worse. He tried to speak, but found himself unable to.

  The grass swayed despite their being no wind. Everything had a hazy, unnatural feel to it.

  That’s when Grant decided he must be dreaming.

  Except that shouldn’t be right. Grant never dreamed, instead he put his head to the pillow, went unconscious, and woke up the next day. He had too much work to bother with dreams.

  It was the realest dream he ever had, and Grant even knew that while he was inside it.

  He heard a low noise, and at first, he thought it was one of his calves. But they should have been fenced in, not in the barn, which is where the sound came from. Grant figured that dreams didn’t have to make sense, and he sauntered to the barn doors, listening to the noise get louder.

  It echoed off the walls. Whatever it was, it sounded human. He pressed his ear against the wood, hoping that he could distinguish what it was so he didn’t put himself in harm’s way by opening the door.

  It sounded meek, at first. Then Grant heard a squeal. A girlish squeal.

  Whatever was behind the door, he needed to find out. It was his ranch, and if there was any trouble on it, he would have to take care of it. Throwing open the door, he rushed through, then stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what waited for him.

  There was Angel, arms bound above her, naked, covered with leather straps, criss crossing over her body. The rope binding her hung all the way from the center support beam.

  His eyes fell to the contraption on her chest exposing her nipples, clear suckers over them like the type he used to milk the cows. She moaned, biting hard on a ball gag in her mouth.

  Grant hurried over and unlocked the gag after a moment of struggle. She gasped, flung her hair back, and then steadied her weary eyes on his.

  “You’re back,” she said with a smile.

  Why was she smiling? Frantic, he looked above, wondering how he was going to untie her. He would need a knife. Whoever tied the rope knew what they were doing.