Her Prada Cowboy: McCulloch County Series #1 Read online

  “I need you, doll face. So damn much. I have been slowly goin’ insane with desire for you.”

  “Jarrod.”

  “Yeah doll face.”

  “You talk too much. Take me to bed.”

  He smiled and picked her up and carried her to her bedroom. He lowered her to her feet slowly and shrugged his jacket off his shoulders. He draped it on the chair in the corner and kicked off his shoes and socks. He turned to her, slowly going down on his haunches, caressing her body as he went.

  He lifted her one foot and removed her ridiculously high heeled shoe and then the other. His large hands closed around her calves and he stroked his way up her legs, lifting her dress with as he went. Shannon pulled down the zipper on the side of the dress and Jarrod kept going until he lifted the dress over her head. It followed the same route his jacket did.

  His eyes blazed as he took in her exquisite beauty. His dick jerked and went from semi hard to rock hard with each breath he took. . He reached out and cupped her breasts, watching them pucker into tight nubs.

  “Good Lord, Shannon … you are so beautiful!”

  Shannon reached for his shirt and quickly unbuttoned it, moaning as he kneaded and caressed her breasts. She pushed his shirt over his shoulders and she felt bereft when his hands left her to allow it to drop on the floor. He stepped back when she reached for his belt and shook his head.

  “I’ll do it. If you as much as brush against me, I’m likely to explode.”

  She smiled at his confession. While he took his pants off, she pulled the covers to the end of the bed and sat in the middle of it waiting for him. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of his arousal. It appeared even larger and bigger than she remembered. Her heart thumped and she lifted her eyes to his. He stood looking at her with so much heat, she felt it burning her skin.

  “I’m afraid you are going to suffer the same fate you did the last time, doll face.”

  She blushed, just thinking of the hours of pleasure they shared.

  “And what would that be?”

  “You won’t be able to walk for a few days.”

  Before she could respond he pushed her back on the bed and covered her with his hard, delicious body. He nuzzled her throat, while he drew slow circles around her nipples, making her squirm. Good Lord, how she needed his mouth on her breasts!

  He was too impatient himself to tease her for too long and his fingers closed around her nipples, tugging and tweaking gently. He kissed a slow path of fire down the center of her chest and up over the slope of her one breast. Shannon arched her breast invitingly and he did not hesitate. His lips closed over the nipple and he drew it into his mouth, twirling his tongue over and over the tight tip.

  Shannon mewled, heat shot directly to her core from where he was sucking her nipple. She lifted her hips against his rough leg resting between her thighs. He swopped to the other breast and exulted in the exquisite succulent taste..

  She withered against his leg, desperate for his touch. The tender ministrations to her breasts turned her body into a mass of need. She complained when his lips left her breasts.

  “Easy, honey … the night is young.”

  “Jarrod, I nee … Oh my LORD!”

  Jarrod’s lips closed over her clit without any warning. Shannon nearly climaxed there and then. Her hips shot of the bed to press into his mouth and he smiled.

  Ahh … virgin territory for my sweet doll face! Damn, I am a lucky man!

  “Jarrod … please stop … it’s too much … ooohh!”

  Shannon’s head thrashed back and forth on the pillow. Jarrod was right. This was the first time for her having a man pleasure her with his mouth and the sensations nearly crippled her. It was so intense, so highly erotic, she did not know how to deal with it. He lapped the tiny nub with his tongue and she cried out. He pulled the tiny nub in his mouth and sucked and she mewled.

  Jarrod settled deeper between her thighs and hooked her legs over his shoulders.

  “Jarrod … no!”

  He ignored her, his one hand curved around her waist to stroke, pull and tweak her nipples. He opened his mouth wider over her and suckled more of her, harder, whilst lapping at the tip with his tongue. She thrashed against his mouth, helpless against the sensual pressure building inside her with painful force. Jarrod stroked her sheath, from the one end to the other and separated the folds to push his finger inside. He growled against her clit and she jerked against his mouth.

  She was so damn hot and wet!

  He pushed his finger deep inside her and then added another and yet another. He caressed the inner walls of her channel with slow strokes, searching for and finding her G-spot. He stroked over it, slowly and softly at first, building her pressure higher and higher. Then faster and started pumping his fingers in and out, making sure he hit the bundle of swollen nerves every time.

  Shannon keened and thrashed against his mouth and wicked fingers inside her. She did not know how and what he did, but he was slowly driving her insane.

  “What … are you … oooh … doing! It’s too … oh … ohlordohlord!”

  The next moment her whole body arched off the bed as she climaxed so hard it felt as if she was ripped in two. She screamed at the wave of pleasure that crashed over her and it was so intense she tumbled into a black abyss for several seconds before stars exploded behind her eyes. Shannon clawed at Jarrod, panicked when she could not breathe. He continued to feed her climax that had total control of her body, pulsing and milking at his fingers.

  “Pl ... ea ... se, br … eathe … I can …”

  Jarrod looked up and realized she was panicked and could really not draw a breath. He lifted his head and stopped stimulating her clit. He kept his fingers inside, enjoying her clutching and releasing too much to remove them. He watched her riding the wave of pleasure and it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. She gasped when she at long last managed to catch her breath.

  She cried out when Jarrod lowered his head and continued his quest, enjoying the helpless pleasure that rushed through her too much to stop. He took her to explosive heights three more times in less than five minutes. Shannon’s breathing was haggard and desperate when he rose above her and spread her legs wide. He looked at her while entering her slowly, torturing her with his hardness, his fullness filling her inch by inch. He did not stop until he rested inside her to the hilt. Her eyes were wide and she clamped her inner muscles around his hardness. His dick jerked inside her and she mewled, pressing her hips into his.

  Jarrod straightened his arms and started thrusting, setting a hard, fast pace. They hurled into oblivion within moments, their shouts echoing through the room. He kept thrusting short, hard plunges, emptying every drop inside her.

  How is it that this woman turns me into a mindless puppet?

  Yet, he could not stop and it was only the beginning. He took her to new heights she did not think was possible. Not after what she just experienced and their first night together. The sun peeped over the horizon before Jarrod pulled her against his side and they fell in a deep, exhausted sleep.

  Jarrod woke up a few hours later when Shannon scrambled over him and ran to the toilet. He heard her hurling and was immediately concerned, thinking back on what she ate at the restaurant that could have made her sick. He followed her and leaned behind her to grasp her hair and held it out of the way.

  She hurled again and moaned when she felt Jarrod stroking her back.

  “Go away … !”

  He of course ignored her and waited until he was sure she was done. He picked up a cloth, ran it under hot water and wiped her face tenderly, ignoring her protests. She was leaning weakly against the bathtub. He picked her up and carried her to the bed. Settling next to her, he pulled her back into his arms.

  “Are you feelin’ better, doll face?”

  “Yes. I don’t understand. I never get sick. I have never thrown up like that befo …”

  She sat up suddenly and scooted away from him. She glo
wered at him. Her mind calculating furiously.

  Oh Lord! Oh Lord!

  “Why are you glarin’ at me?”

  “I … er … I’m not glaring. I just remembered that Sheila asked me to go shopping for them. They should arrive around noon and it is already nine.”

  His eyebrows rose and he looked at her speculatively. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his gut. He sat up and ran his hands through his hair. Shannon disappeared into the walk in cupboard and returned wearing a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt.

  “You’re welcome to shower. I’ll make us some breakfast so long.”

  “Shannon … come here.”

  “Jarrod, it is ge …”

  He rose and walked towards her, as naked as they day he was born. She swallowed and forced her eyes to remain on his. Praying she could remain expressionless. He stopped in front of her and tilted her head for his kiss, which was short and sweet.

  “You’re runnin’ away again, doll face. What is wron’?”

  “Nothing! I … we … can’t just jump in bed every time we meet. I refuse to be your latest … floozy!”

  “Ah, honey. If you were my latest floozy, you would have seen my heels the first time we were together. Don’t fool yourself, Shannon … you and I … we have somethin’. Somethin’ that does not come alon’ just every day. I, for one, am goin’ to explore it to the fullest.”

  “Fine … just explore it somewhere else than between the sheets!”

  She managed to untangle herself from his grasp and headed towards the kitchen, wincing with every step she took. She deliberately kept her mind blank, refusing to think.

  Ignoring it is not going to make it go away, you know.

  I know that!

  The quicker you deal with it, the better.

  I said I know that!

  Just saying.

  “This house is beautiful! I can’t believe that it is part and parcel of William’s salary package!”

  The house was situated in Rainbow Ends Estates, close to the Colorado River. It was a luxurious two storied house with a swimming pool that had automatic roller shutters to cover it. The garden was beautiful and well maintained.

  Shannon bit her lip as she walked from room to room. Now she felt beholden to him! She was relatively sure a house was not a normal addition to the other Architects salary packages. Especially not such a luxurious one!

  “Dammit Jarrod Parker! Why are you doing all of this? How am I going to keep you at a distance?”

  She sank down on the bottom of the stairs, her mind blank. She glanced at her watch and realized it was already four in the afternoon. It is close to a three hour drive to her apartment … and she still wanted to stop at a drugstore on the way home. She found the happy family in the den and smiled when Beatrice chuckled when William threw her in the air.

  “Non, I nearly forgot to tell you. Mom phoned yesterday. You are not going to believe this. She lives in Brady.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “Nope. She wants to come and visit. You know she has never even seen Beatrice. Seems her new husband has changed her priorities. She wants us to become a family again!”

  “Good for you.”

  “You too, Non! She asked about you too! She always does!”

  “You know what they say, Sheila. A little too much a little too late. It can’t be truer in my case.”

  “Won’t you at least try?”

  Shannon just shook her head and kissed the adorable little girl who was fisting the air.

  “I have to leave if I want to reach Houston before it is completely dark. I am so happy you are here.”

  “Will we see you over the weekend?”

  “Of course. How about I stay over on Saturday?”

  They walked her to her car and she smiled watching them wave as she drove away. Her mind was in turmoil and before she knew it, she was entering the outskirts of Houston.

  Her cell phone rang, but she ignored it. She had a pretty good idea who it was and did not have the strength to talk to him just yet.

  She drove to a shopping center close to her apartment block and was relieved to find the drugstore still open.

  An hour later Shannon sat on her bed, looking at the two white plastic shafts in her hands. One with two stripes and one with a positive sign. Both testimony to what she has tried to deny to herself.

  She was pregnant.

  Chapter Nine

  Shannon had set up the project plan for the campaign with Damien and Chris over the past two weeks. The agreement was that she would spend two days per week at Perfecto offices and the rest of the time at the new Regional offices they were setting up.

  She was relieved that she only needed to go to Perfecto on Wednesday and Friday. There was a lot to do at Global Media. The offices had been set up and furnished. So far they have made four appointments.

  Jonah Shuler, one of the founders of Global Media accepted the position to be in charge of the Regional office and mentor Shannon. His only daughter lived in Houston with her husband and three children. He wanted to spend more time with them and it was the ideal solution as he was only a few years away from retirement.

  They have appointed an Executive Assistant that would be shared by Shannon and Jonah, a frontline Receptionist and a Sales Manager.

  Shannon’s priority for the following week or two, would be to find and appoint suitable candidates for the balance of the positions. The sooner they had all the positions filled, the sooner they would be able to start working on the projects the Dallas office were ready to hand over to them.

  She called Desire, the assistant into her office and they discussed all the Agencies she wanted to meet, to start sourcing candidates for them. By eleven she went into her first meeting. She picked up her cell phone for the first time around four in the afternoon. There were four missed calls from Jarrod. She sat down behind her desk. She sighed and closed her eyes.

  You’re only making it worse to ignore him.

  I can’t tell him.

  It is his baby.

  I am well aware of that!

  Shannon took a deep breath and dialed Jarrod’s number. It barely rang when he answered. His voice more raspy than ever.

  “Shannon. How nice of you to phone me.”

  “I have been busy, Jarrod. We are busy setting up a whole business here, as you know.”

  “Have you given my proposal any thought?”

  “I … am not going to change my mind.”

  He sighed and was silent for a while.

  “Has your sister settled in well?”

  “Yes … why the house, Jarrod?”

  “They needed a place to stay. I never use the house anymore and it has become a burden. At least this way, it is looked after.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Shannon, I gave William the job because he is goin’ to be an asset to the company. Chris interviewed him and he was not aware of his association with you. So stop thinkin’ he was given a job because of you.”

  Desire popped in, indicating her next appointment arrived. She nodded.

  “I have to go. My next appointment has arrived.”

  “Are you feelin’ better? No more nausea?”

  Shannon startled. Oh yes, definitely more. But not as bad as the day before. Maybe because she hardly ate anything the whole day.

  “I’m fine. Must have been something I ate. I really have to go. Thanks for caring.”

  Shannon ended the call and leaned her head on the back of the chair.

  “Shannon? Are you okay? Do you want me to cancel the meeting?”

  Shannon rose and smiled at Desire.

  “I’m fine. It has just been a long day.”

  The moment Shannon ended the call, Jarrod’s phone started ringing again. His cousin, Reed’s name flashed on the screen.

  “Reed, how are you?”

  “Smokin’ cuz. How are Uncle Dylan and his new wife?”

  “Just returned from their trip. Hopefully he is goin�
�� to put some hours in to help with the breedin’ now.”’

  “I’ve got some news and I’m afraid it’s not good. Whoever has sent you those emails, must have some IT skills. We can’t find any IP addresses, nada. I am lookin’ into anyone that might have a grudge against you, but so far … no luck. Do you think it might have anythin’ to do with the new software line you’re workin’ on?”

  “It is possible. There are a few other companies that jumped on the bandwagon when I introduced the first program, but none has been very successful.”

  “Any programmer than might believe you’re doin’ him in?”

  “No. I have designed all of the software myself. Keep diggin’ cuz.”

  “Will do, but I suggest you tighten security at the ranch and the company.”

  “I did not even consider anyone else might be in danger. Thanks for mentionin’ it.”

  They rang off and Jarrod immediately went looking for his father. He found him in the training paddock, busy working with one of the wild stallions.

  “I’m glad to see you’re done holidayin’, Dad? Do you even remember how to train?”

  “Careful, boy. You’re not too old for a hidin’.”

  “Yeah … but you still have to catch me!”

  Dylan chuckled, handed the stallion to James and walked closer.

  “You look worried.”

  Jarrod quickly told him what has happened and they agreed to increase security around both houses. They also called all the ranch hands together and warned them to take note of anything untoward. He made a call to Chris the moment he walked into the house.

  “Jarrod. How is the breedin’ program going?”

  “We’re on track so far. I need you to sharpen our security around the buildin’, Chris. I’ve been receivin’ threats on my personal email. Reed can’t find anythin’ and I’d rather be safe than sorry. You don’t have a copy of the new software anywhere?”

  “No, it is all with you. Do you think that is what they’re after?”

  “Might be. I’m goin’ to put it in a safe place until we are ready to launch. We might have to tighten the launch date. The quicker it is done, the better.”

  “I’ll chat to Shannon.”