Page 37 of Kentucky Nights (Dead Man’s Ranch #1)

“Don’t you dare think about climbing out of the truck. Wait for me,” Kentucky orders.

A girl opens the truck door one time and is in trouble for life.

“Yes, Mr. Jones. Whatever you say.” I bat my eyelashes at him a few times, teasing him. “I’ll be good.”

He leans across the console, wrapping a hand around my throat. His lips are millimeters away from mine, the anticipation of his kiss a phantom taunt.

“You could choose to be bad.” He nips at my lip. “It just means I’ll have to bend you over my knee when we get home. Or maybe I’ll do that, anyway.”

Kentucky leans away from me, leaving me dying for his kiss, and he knows it too. Even walking around the front of the truck, our gazes are locked. I follow his every step until he is at my door and offering his hand to help me out.

I didn’t know men like him still existed. In a way, I suppose they don’t, considering Kentucky is from another time.

“Let me help you, Ms. Whitley,” he drawls, waiting for me to take his hand.

“Don’t mind if you do.” Slipping my hand in his, the world rights itself again. The strings that bind us twirl together, tying our hearts into one. My heart slows to a calm beat, a rhythm belonging to Kentucky and Kentucky alone.

Only he has the ability to bring peace to my heart.

“God,” he seethes through his fangs, trapping me against the side of the truck. “You look so fucking good in those tiny shorts.” He tugs at the frayed ends, slipping his finger under the dark blue denim. “Wouldn’t take much for me to slide these to the side and take what I want.”

His finger inches closer to my pussy, the callouses scratching the most sensitive part of my inner thigh.

“Right here. Right now. No one would need to know. I could have you drench my palm so I can smell you on me when I compete.”

I bury my face in his black coat to muffle a moan when he pinches my clit. “Kentucky. You need to go get ready. We don’t have the time. Plus, you can’t. I’m wearing a tampon.”

“Darlin’, if there’s one thing I’ll always do, it’s have enough time for you.” He tugs on the string, stealing my breath. “You’re already getting wet for me.” Kentucky circles my clit, slow and steady to drive me insane.

“Last call for registration. Come get your numbers. You will be disqualified if you do not register. ” The announcer’s voice spreads through the speakers.

Kentucky curls his lip in annoyance, showing his fangs.

“Well, that’s too bad, isn’t it?” He slips his fingers free, a shine glistening off the digits.

I ache for him now. “Taste yourself so you know why I’m so addicted to eating this pretty pussy.

” He rubs my juices across my lips as if he is applying lipstick.

My tongue flicks out, tracing my lips in a slow stroke. His attention is locked on my mouth, desire etched across his face.

“Later tonight, you’re mine, Dru. I’m warning you now.

” He sucks his fingers, eyes flashing with the lack of control.

“Mmmm,” he hums as if I’m the best food he has ever tasted.

“I’m going to bury my face between your thighs.

” He cups me between my legs, another growl vibrating his chest. “And then right here—” Tapping the side of my neck, I naturally tilt my head to the side to bear my throat from him. “If you’ll allow me?—”

“Last call. We are still missing three competitors. If you have not registered, you have three minutes to make your way to the booth.”

He groans in frustration towards the sky. “Okay, Darlin’. I’ve got to go. Impressing you tonight will be for nothing if I don’t get my number.” He bends down, kissing my cheek. “Tonight, Dru. Think about forever with me.”

The loud conversation of people returns when he backs away from me, seemingly starting time again. When he touches me, everything, everyone fades away. Nothing else matters. He steps back, our hands clasping onto one another. I don’t want to let go.

I have no choice when he’s too far. Our fingers slip from one another, and in the blink of an eye, he’s gone.

“Skew-dang, I’m so excited to win money.”

I scream when Lorcan pops up next to me. My hand flies to my heart from the momentary rush. “Lorcan, you can’t scare me like that. I’m human. You could give me a heart attack and Kentucky—” I fall silent when I turn to Lorcan. I do not recognize him.

Holy crap. This man is a giant.

I didn’t know he had a human form. To even see his face, I have to crane my neck back to stare up at him.

“Lorcan?”

He grins. “Don’t sound so surprised. I clean up good, don’t I?” He is perched against the side of the truck, using his leg to push himself off. “See? I know how to look like a cowboy.” He gives me a cocky spin, adding a little sway to his hips that he doesn’t need to do.

He’s wearing black jeans with rips across the knees, a tucked-in black shirt, a belt with a big matte black metal buckle that has swirling souls on it, as if they are crying out for help, black boots with silver chains hanging from the side, and a cowboy hat that matches the one Kentucky wears.

His nails are painted black too, and he has smudged eyeliner around his eyes.

I’m speechless. “Your eyes, though,” I whisper, darting my eyes left and right so I know we are alone. “They are orange.”

He clicks his tongue, scratching the back of his head. “Yeah, I can’t hide that, unfortunately. Only so many things can be maintained in this form.” He holds out his elbow. “Let’s go find a front row seat. Shall we, ma’am?” He lays on a bad southern accent that has me laughing.

“Are you wearing a gun?” I steal a glance at his hip.

“Death won’t let me carry a real weapon.”

I loop my arm through his, and we begin to walk to the bleachers.

We zigzag through crowds of people. Every person I see, I’m curious if they are vampires too, or maybe werewolves.

The thought is terrifying and exhilarating.

We could be surrounded by other creatures, and I’d have no idea. Lorcan would, and I doubt he’d tell me.

“What? Why not? I don’t think that’s fair.”

“I agree, but being a Void and all,” he scoffs.

“I’m more powerful than a gun. I don’t need one.

They look so cool though. I love how Kentucky wears one on his hip.

He’s ready for a duel.” Lorcan pretends to snag a weapon from his side, pulls his thumb back to ‘cock’ the gun, and fires.

He even goes so far as to make the ‘pew pew’ sounds.

Like a responsible cowboy, he tucks his ghost gun in the holster. “I bet he has had many duels back in the day.”

“You think so? What was he like all those years ago? When you first met him?”

“He hasn’t changed much. He’s always kind of been who he is. He’s gotten a little more stubborn over the years, more of a recluse, but what never stopped was the genuine nature of his soul. Granted, he has changed since meeting you.”

“Really? How so? He still seems set in his ways.”

“And he always will be.” Lorcan steals a bucket of popcorn from a man walking by. He whispers, “You dropped your popcorn. Go get another.”

The stranger in the brown cowboy hat listens, not questioning Lorcan in the slightest. Nodding his head, the guy turns around to go to the concessions again.

“Anyway.” Lorcan throws a handful of popcorn in the air, somehow managing to catch every piece.

“He’s better with you. Happier. I’ve never seen him truly happy.

He always felt cursed, and he doesn’t feel that way with you.

He’s lighter. In here.” Lorcan taps the middle of his chest. “He hasn’t done a rodeo in decades, Dru. He is doing this for you.”

“The rodeo? Why? If he doesn’t want to do it, then he shouldn’t. Plus, he could get hurt, healing abilities or not. I don’t like to see him in pain.”

We take a seat in the front row. I’d prefer to sit a little higher, but I also want to be as close to Kentucky as possible.

Lorcan offers me the buttery snack. One thing to know about me, popcorn is one of my favorite food groups.

It’s a grain, so I consider it an important part of my diet.

“You don’t get it yet, do you?”

“Get what?” I ask through a mouthful of popcorn.

“He wants you to see him compete. He wants you to be impressed by him. He wants to win and show you he is better than all the other fools here.”

“I already think and feel that way. He never needs to put himself in danger for me.”

“That’s exactly why he is doing this. Do you know how long it has been since he has put himself in danger? He’s a man at the end of the day, Dru. He wants you to see him be dangerous.”

“Men make no sense. That is a ridiculous way to think.”

“Men are ridiculous. Good thing I’m not like them.”

My brows must reach my hairline when I hear those words come from his mouth. “Lorcan, you might be the most ridiculous one I’ve ever met.”

Popcorn flies in the air again, and this time, he misses every piece. “Sounds like I’m special.”

I pat his shoulder. “That’s exactly right.”

His irises are fire-lit lanterns in the middle of the night, glowing a color that can only belong to Hell.

Lorcan wipes a fake tear away from his cheek. “That might be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

I knock my shoulder against his, and he misses another airborne piece of popcorn. The lights surrounding the arena become brighter. I’m able to see beyond the gates where all the cowboys are, and I know somewhere out there, Kentucky is with Romeo.

He’ll be fine. He has to be.

A group of toy cars comes flying from one of the chutes where they keep the livestock. The cars range from bright pink to purple. The clowns’ bodies are too big for the children’s vehicle. I remember I had one like it when I was little, and I loved driving it. In that driver’s seat, I was an adult.

Or I thought I was.

Another clown pops his head out from a barrel. When he notices the minicars coming at him, he dips down to protect himself. A pink car smashes into him, tilting the barrel over. Another car comes, and together, they push the barrel around the area with the clown inside.