Billionaire and the Cowgirl
By: Ella Goode“My dad is inside. You need to leave.”
“It’s getting dark. He can’t see me.” Now that Astor’s here, all thoughts of going home drain away. We’ve had more interaction this week than we’ve had in years. There’s a shift in the air. I like it because even if she’s calling me names, at least I’ve got her attention. “Come here.” I gesture toward a spot next to me. “I want to show you what to look for.”
“Send me a photo.” She puts her chin up and folds her arms under her chest. The action serves to push her tits up and close together under her thin, long-sleeved cotton shirt. She looks so beautiful. I want to sweep her up into my arms and devour her. Lay her down under this tree of hers and make sweet love to her. My denim tightens as my cock grows hard. It’s impossible to be around her and not be aroused. The sight of her, the scent of her, all of it turns me on. Even the sound of her voice can send the blood rushing from my big brain to the not so little one between my legs.
“Astor,” I say gruffly, her name laden with lust.
She backs up with her hands in the air, scenting danger. “Stay back, Cane. I told you my daddy’s inside, and if he sees you, he’ll come out with a shotgun.”
“I don’t really give a damn, Astor.”
I take a step toward her and then another and then another until there’s no space between us. I sweep her into my arms and lower my face. I’m about to kiss her when a hard, angry voice shouts, “Astor Callaway. What in the hell are you doing under that oak tree?”
CHAPTER 4
ASTOR
My eyes fly open at the sound of my father's voice. Realization overtakes me that I was about to let Cane kiss me. What the hell is wrong with me? This is exactly why I avoid him at all costs. I push at Cane’s chest but get nowhere.
“Nothing, Dad. I’ll be right in,” I call back, hoping the darkness is making it hard for him to see. That hope dies when light floods the back yard. Crap.
“Cane Justice!” my dad bellows across the yard. If he wasn’t stuck in the wheelchair, I’m sure he would have already been over here dealing with Cane himself. “You best get off my land, boy. This is Texas. Next time I won’t give you a warning.”
“Your dad wants to put me out of my misery. I think he might be coming around.”
“Cane,” I hiss. “Don’t joke about that kind of crap.” I push on his chest again. Still he doesn’t let me go.
“Not a joke.”
“Don’t.” I shake my head, really not liking the dark jokes coming from him.
Cane was always the one out of all the Justice men that had the easy smiles and quick jokes. Not so much anymore. I might not hang around Cane like I did when I was younger, but he still always manages to be around me in one way or another. The lightness he used to have is slowly fading away. I shouldn’t care, but it bothers me for some stupid reason.
“Astor! Get in here.” Cane’s hands on me tighten at my dad’s words. I know he’s pissed over my father speaking to me that way. Even after all these years, I can still read Cane.
“Please don’t,” I whisper, not wanting to make this situation worse than it already is between my father and him.
“For you, I’ll let it go.” He leans down, and I think he’s going to go ahead and steal that kiss, but he stops a breath away from my lips. “For now.” He releases his hold on me, taking a step back. “See you around, love.” He turns, strolling off. I dart back toward the house, not allowing myself to watch him walk away from me even if I’m the one telling him to go. The sight of it is a painful reminder of that day in the field all those years ago.
“What do you want for dinner?” I ask, passing by my father as I slip through the back door.
“Why was he here?” he grumbles.
“Said the Russells’ oak trees have wilt and wanted to check ours to make sure none of them are suffering from the same.”
“Why the hell would he even care? Boy needs to mind his own business.”
“He knows I love our oaks. I sit in the swing a lot of nights.” I stare over at my father, who is still glaring out the back window.
