Page 24 of Hung Up (Shadow Ridge #1)

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

can’t seem to get enough

Did I really have sex in a bar bathroom last night?

Well, if I ever doubted it, the mark on my ass from the sink and the imprint on my back from whatever was written on the wall in sharpie lets me know that did, in fact, happen.

Jesus, what is this cowboy doing to me?

Before him, I couldn’t even be talked into having sex in a parked car in an abandoned parking lot out of fear of someone potentially walking or driving by. And here I am, not only getting railed in a bar bathroom where anyone could’ve walked in, but asking for it to happen.

A knock pulls me out of my thoughts. Setting down my toothbrush on the bathroom sink, I head toward the door.

Looking through the peephole, I see one of the hotel workers, so I flip the lock and pull open the door.

The man gives me a large grin as he extends a bouquet of flowers in my direction.

Transvaal Daisies this time. I thank him and close the door, walking over to the small table in the corner of my hotel room.

There’s a card in the middle of the bouquet this time rather than a note, and I find myself biting my lip as I read the message.

I think I might be in trouble, Sweetheart. I can’t get enough of you.

That makes two of us, I think to myself. I take out my phone to snap a picture to send to Jesse when I see a text from Alicia.

Alicia

Do you have a few minutes to talk?

Rather than typing out a response, I decide to call her, climbing back into bed. I get comfortable cross-legged under the blanket, my back against the foam headboard as I mute the television. Just as it rings for the seventh time, she finally answers.

“Faith, my favorite risk taker,” she greets, and I hear the sound of what must be her office door closing on the other side. “How’s it going? Don’t regret taking this assignment yet, do you?”

I can’t help but laugh lightly. “Not yet, no. It’s going really well. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but I actually enjoy talking to and watching these bull riders. It’s not a sport I ever thought about, but it’s intense.”

“I’ve watched a few clips that have been posted online,” she informs me. “Looks scary as shit to me.”

“It can be.” I think back to the one rider who got injured last week and is now out for the season.

“They’ve lost a rider due to injury, but I guess only losing one this far into the season is a miracle.

On average, they’ve usually lost three or four by now.

I mean, we’re almost halfway through the season. ”

Alicia hums softly. “I read your preemptive article. Really good stuff. I’d like to see a little more depth to it. Maybe get a few more riders’ input. The basis of it is brilliant though, tying it to all other sports. Clever.”

“I figured it was the best way to get people who wouldn’t even think twice about watching it to tune in.

” I snuggle a little further into the blanket.

“So many people don’t see it as a sport or don’t even know it really exists.

But the mental game is like any other sport, with a little higher injury stakes. Our readers need to see that.”

“And thanks to you, they will.” My heart swells with pride at the happiness in her voice, but it quickly diminishes when she sighs.

I can practically see her running her hand down her face.

“Now for the main reason I called you. Rylie’s team is being taken elsewhere next week, and I don’t have any other teams available, which means yours will be joining you in Louisville. ”

I swear my heart falls into my ass. “Oh.”

Really? That’s all you can say? Come on, Faith.

“I know there’s something going on with you and Adam, and I’ve tried to keep you two separate, but?—”

“It’s fine, Alicia.” Okay, be more convincing. “Truly. I won’t let anything get in the way of the job. I’m a professional. It’s fine, really.”

“I know I’m your boss and everything,” she starts, and I have to focus on my breathing so I don’t sound panicked or upset in the slightest, “but you can tell me if something is going on. I can reassign teams this summer.”

I shake my head as if she can see me. “I appreciate the offer, Alicia, but I’m fine.”

“Well, if you change your mind, you let me know.” I hear the faint sound of someone in the background and Alicia’s response. “Okay, I need to run. But if you have any issues or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll be looking for that updated article.”

She hangs up before I can respond; the only sound is the soft hum of the air conditioning to keep me company.

There’s nothing I can do about Adam being here next weekend except control how I react around him and just keep things purely professional—no arguing, no unnecessary conversations, no extra work.

Just have him film a couple interviews and be done with it.

I can do that.

Flipping the covers off me, I’m about to head back into the bathroom to finish getting ready so I can spend the next few hours of my day sightseeing before I have to be back at the arena when I hear something hit my window.

I whip around with my brows furrowed, shake my head, and turn back around when I hear it again.

Slowly walking over to the window, I tighten my robe around me, a little afraid to get too close when I see a small pebble hit the window this time.

Glancing out, my eyes scan the parking lot when I see Jesse. Next to his vehicle. Holding a sign.

When can I see you?

I can’t stop my laughter as I cross my arms. He stares up at me with a grin of his own, waiting for me to respond.

I unlock my phone and go to our text thread to type out one word: Now .

Watching him, I wait for him to get the notification.

Once he does, he drops the sign, pulls his phone out of his back pocket, and glances at the screen.

Without another look up at me, he sprints toward the front entrance.

A couple minutes later, there’s a knock on the door, and I have to fight the grin from growing on my face as I place one hand on the doorframe and the other on my hip. “Someone sent me flowers this morning. I think I might have a secret admirer.”

“Oh, really?” Jesse’s head tilts to the side as he fights a smile of his own. “Sounds like a really awesome guy. Only someone hot and charismatic would do something like that.”

“You’re totally right,” I say, rolling my lips as my eyes squint at my attempt to hold in my laughter. “Stetson must have sent them.”

Jesse sputters in surprise, his laugh echoing down the hallway before he puts a hand over his heart. “You wound me, Sweetheart.”

“I’m so sorry,” I respond as I reach for his hand and pull him into the room. “Let me make it up to you.”

The second that the door closes behind him, he cups my face between his hands and kisses me.

The eager way his tongue runs along my bottom lip before slipping into my mouth makes it seem like our moment the night prior was ages ago.

He seems desperate as he walks me backward toward the bed, overcome with need as he strips me out of my clothes, out of his mind to get a piece of me.

When the back of my knees hit the bed, he pulls away, resting his forehead against mine as he catches his breath. Jesse is staring at me so intently that I feel the urge to look away, an unexpected nervousness making my stomach turn. Why the hell am I nervous? We’ve done this before.

“I only have fifteen minutes before I have to head to the arena,” he informs me, and I feel myself deflate.

Sensing the shift, he cups my chin with one hand and my cheek with the other, forcing me to look him in the eye.

“I didn’t come here for me, not really.” I arch a brow. “I came here for a taste.”

Walking around me, he climbs onto the bed and lays down flat on his back, scooting up so his head rests on one of the pillows.

He’s still fully dressed in his jeans and black tee while I stand there staring at him in nothing but my lace panties.

I approach the side of the bed and look down at him, not missing the way he stares at my breasts for a brief moment.

“Take a seat, Sweetheart.”

“Your pants are on.”

When he gestures to his face, I swear my heart stops. “Right here, baby. I want you to ride my face.”

“I don’t know.”

“I wasn’t asking.” His voice is stern, but there’s a smile tugging at his lips. “Take your panties off and come here.”

I slowly slide my underwear down my legs and climb onto the bed so I’m straddling his waist. Looking less than pleased, Jesse hooks his arms under my thighs and hoists me up so my knees are on either side of his head.

I hover above him, looking down with wide eyes.

I’ve never had a man go down on me before, so I’ve certainly never ridden a man's face. Until Jesse, I thought men who enjoyed this kind of thing were non-existent—and I certainly wasn’t used to someone not expecting anything in return.

“Now, sit.”

“I don’t want to suffocate you,” I mumble. I know without a doubt that my cheeks are a bright red.

He chuckles. “Sweetheart, if this is how I die, I’ll consider myself the luckiest man in the world. I only have ten minutes now, Faith. Didn’t you know it’s not polite to make someone wait for their meal?”

I hesitate for a moment, still not one hundred percent sure about this when he lifts his head and runs his tongue along my cunt, causing a surprised gasp that turns into a moan to escape me. He gives me a devilish smile as he rests his head back on the pillow.

“Hands on the headboard, baby. Use me.”

I stop thinking and start doing, lowering myself onto his face.

His tongue instantly starts running between my folds, teasing my opening before rubbing circles along my clit.

My hands grip the headboard tightly as my hips start to move, seeking more.

His beard is scratching me, but I don’t care—I might just die if he stops now.

His hands wrap around and grip my thighs when I try to lift myself a little, keeping me in place.

The sound of his tongue on my wet pussy starts to fill the room causing a series of moans and expletives to leave my mouth, the feeling better than when he had gone down on me the first time which I didn’t think was humanly possible.

Fuck, if this is how I die, I’ll consider myself lucky, too.

He applies more pressure to my clit with his tongue and one hand leaves the headboard to grip his hair. “Shit, just like that,” I tell him with a groan, tilting his head upward slightly as I swirl my hips against his face. “God, that feels so good. I’m so close.”

“This view is one I’m never going to get sick of,” he states before he runs his tongue along me once more. “You’re so sexy riding my face, baby. And you taste so fucking good.”

“Fuck,” I breathe, my hand tightening in his hair as I throw my head back.

His tongue starts to slip inside me and when he moans against my pussy I swear I see stars.

One of his hands leaves my hip and slides up my front, cupping my breast before he tweaks my nipple between his fingers.

I’m an uncontrollable mess as he picks up the pace with his tongue, the feel of him between my legs and on my chest too much to bear.

Before I can warn him, my orgasm rips through me and his name leaves my lips like a prayer.

He doesn’t let up, his tongue rapidly licking up my arousal as he works me through it.

When I’m too sensitive to take anymore, I go to lift myself off him, and thankfully, he doesn’t stop me.

Rolling to the side, I fall onto my back, staring up at the ceiling as one hand rests on my stomach.

I’m breathing heavily, trying to catch my breath, when he turns onto his side and rests his head in one of his hands as he stares down at me.

I cover my face with my other arm out of embarrassment, a laugh slipping out of me before I can stop it.

He pulls my arm away from my face and I find myself relaxing beneath his gaze. Pushing a piece of hair out of my face he whispers, “You’re so fucking beautiful. Especially when you’re coming undone for me.”

“You mean only when I’m coming undone for you.”

Jesse smiles before flicking my nose. “Don’t start with that. I don’t have time to tell you all the ways you’re beautiful to me.” Okay, dangerous territory. “I’ll see you at the arena?”

“Of course.” He slides off the bed, adjusting the hard-on in his jeans as he practically waddles toward the door. “Might want to wash your beard before you leave.”

He looks back at me like he’s going to say some smartass remark, but my narrowed eyes must have him thinking better of it. Slipping into the bathroom, I hear the water running for a few seconds, and not long later, he comes back out.

“See you later, Sweetheart.”

“See you later, Pretty Boy.”