The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:) by Maggie Carpenter Page A

later,” he said firmly.
    “Uh-huh,” she nodded, then rose from the table to put more food on her plate.
    After they finished their makeshift meal, Cassie stacked the dishwasher while Hannah placed the leftovers into plastic containers, putting half of them in the refrigerator for Chad and Cassie.
    “Best be headin’ off,” Marty declared. “I guess I’ll see you bright an’ early.”
    “That you will,” Chad nodded. “Hannah, you did a great job, thanks for everythin’.”
    “It was fun, thanks for the opportunity,” she beamed.
    Cassie walked them to the kitchen door and waved them off, then turned back to Chad still sitting at the table.
    “I’m going up to put the horse’s in,” she said wearily. “I won’t be long.”
    “Not yet,” Chad declared. “You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what’s bothering you.”
    “Can’t I put the kids in first, come back, take a shower, and then tell you? Please? Pretty please? I’m tired.”
    Her eyes were wide, and Chad felt himself soften.
    “Okay, since you said pretty please,” he smiled, “but I’m comin’ up to help. I’m not real happy about you bein’ alone up there right now, and let’s take the Rover. It’ll be more comfortable.”
    “Great,” she grinned. “Then I’ll be done in half the time.”
    Grabbing some carrots from the fridge, they headed into the garage, Mickey jumping in the back seat excited to be going out. They brought in the horses, fed them, and were cleaning up the paddocks when Cassie paused for a moment, and looked up at the house that would soon be her new home.
    “What’s up?” Chad asked, moving to stand beside her.
    “I was just remembering Christmas,” she said softly, “and I’m just so looking forward to being in that house with you. I’ve loved all our romantic evenings, but to be actually living there, looking at the lake every day…it’s going to be heaven,” she sighed. “Chad, you’ve made me so happy. Thank you.”
    “Hey sweet girl, that goes both ways,” he said soberly, then added, “you seem better.”
    “I am,” she admitted. “It was good to come up here and do this with you. I always feel close to you when we’re doing something horsey together.”
    “Horsey?” he laughed.
    “Yes, horsey,” she firmly.
    “Let’s get finished,” he grinned. “It’s been a long day.”
    They wheeled their barrows of manure around to the back of the barn, ready for Jeb and Tommy to empty into the gator and haul down to the manure dumpster behind Chad’s barn, then headed for home. Cassie opted for a bubble bath as Chad stepped into the shower.
    As she sank in the hot soapy water and closed her eyes, she realized she’d overreacted to what she’d seen with the busty blond.
    I still have to tell him how I felt though, because it did really upset me and he should know that, but I love him so much, and I trust him. I don’t want him to think I don’t.
    The hot foam was floating around her, relieving her stress, but there was a ripple in the water, and before she could open her eyes she felt the joy of his hand fondling her breast.
    “Mmm,” she moaned.
    “Keep your eyes closed,” he murmured as he moved his other hand between her legs.
    His fingers began to explore her sex, and she spread her legs as much as the tub would allow, surrendering to the delicious tease. Her tits were being tweaked as her clit was being rubbed, and when his lips dropped to hers, pressing her with a warm, fervent kiss, she felt her body respond with its familiar ache.
    “I’m not going to stop this until you come,” he purred, moving his lips to her neck.
    “Oooh, Chad,” she moaned, “it feels so good.”
    “Uh-huh,” he mumbled, squeezing a breast as his finger rubbed her clit more aggressively. “You should have seen how gorgeous you looked in that bit last night,” he breathed.
    The memory sent her butterflies to life, spurring her forward, just as he knew it would.
    “Your ass was