The Cowboys Ride Again Read online

  “How the hell do you know? This is crap. Where did you get this?”

  “I took it.”

  “Whaaa?” Her father’s face mirrored Sylvia’s in color.

  “Last night. I went to your room to talk to you. I heard sounds and found the three of you.”

  “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

  Natalie’s brittle laugh rang throughout the room. “It was exactly what it looked like. You had the nerve to blackmail me into leaving the two men I love when you had no room to judge me or them.”

  “Natalie, this is different. I know the score. They were using you.”

  “And these two aren’t using you?” She jabbed a finger at Heath, then Sylvia. “But then you use them, too.”

  “We’ll not speak of this again.”

  “You’re right. We won’t. I’m leaving. You’re butting out of my life from here on out. I’ll love who I want to love with no interference from you or this video will make its way onto the Internet.”

  Heath grasped the phone, keeping it out of her reach.

  “Take the phone if you want. I sent a copy to my email and put a copy in a safe place.”

  With a snarl, Heath slammed the phone on the table. Natalie scooped it up.

  She stood and looked at each one of them. “You should all be ashamed of yourselves for treating me like you did when you were no better. Goodbye.”

  Natalie stalked from the room, retrieved her luggage, and hailed a taxi.

  She owed two sexy cowboys an apology, and she knew just how to do it.

  Chapter 10

  Levi picked up the mail and turned the ivory envelope over in his hands. No return address, yet the handwriting appeared to be Natalie’s

  Entering the house, he found Trace in the kitchen. “Check this out.”

  Trace took the envelope and looked at it. “So? It’s an envelope.”

  “Addressed to both of us. I swear that’s Natalie’s handwriting.”

  Trace met Levi’s gaze. Hope shone in his eyes. He handed the envelope back to his friend. “Aren’t you going to open it?”

  Levi ripped the envelope open. Trace crowded close to read the card inside.

  Levi and Trace,

  Meet me at the Wild West Club in Great Falls, Saturday at 9 p.m. Bring this invitation for admittance. Come dressed as a sheriff and a gunslinger. Nat

  “The Wild West Club? I’ve never heard of it.”

  “I have.” Levi shook his head in amazement. “Damn, it’s a role-playing sex club. Very exclusive and very private. How the hell did she hook up with that place?”

  “Her daddy is a senator. Perhaps, she called in a political favor.”

  “Perhaps, she did.” Levi grinned. “Nat never ceases to surprise me.”

  Trace, hands at his sides, whipped out two invisible six-shooters and fired several times. With a smug smile, he put them back in their holster. “I get to be the gunslinger.”

  Levi rolled his eyes. “With shooting like that, how could I dispute your talent—for bullshit?”

  “Fastest bullshitter in the West.”

  * * * *

  Natalie showed her pass and entered the Wild West Club.

  A few minutes later, the bouncer directed her into a small dressing room. She didn’t wait long before he rapped on the door. She let him in. He carried a garment bag and three envelopes. With sweaty fingers, Natalie unzipped it.

  “This is perfect.”

  He nodded. “This is our most popular role. I had a heck of a time getting this costume for you. Here are the role-playing cards for you and the two gentlemen. Don’t read them until you’re seated.”

  “I’m not sure I need to read it. The costume says it all.”

  “It’s the part you asked for. Also the sheriff and gunslinger.” He waited, hand outstretched, palm up.

  She ignored his obvious hint. “I know. Thank you. Are the gentlemen already seated?”

  “They showed up a half hour ago. Anything else, ma’am?”

  “No, thank you.” He waited.

  “Oh, sorry.” Her head wasn’t on straight tonight. She slipped him a hundred-dollar bill.

  With a smile, the big, burly guy exited the room,

  Natalie had concocted this hare-brained plan to surprise Trace and Levi in a private, Old West, role-playing club. She’d heard about it from one of her father’s campaign staff. The brash, arrogant man had tried to convince her to attend with him a few months ago. He’d even left her a glossy, multiple-page brochure. She twisted a few arms, threatened to reveal a few illegal campaign contributions, and called in a few favors in order to gain admittance.

  Their reunion would be anything but normal. By the time the night ended, there’d be no doubt Natalie was playing to win and win them back she would.

  She looked the dress up and down. It wasn’t the dress of a schoolmarm or a shopkeeper or a frontier wife. The woman who wore this dress wasn’t so innocent, just the role she’d asked for.

  A thrill of sexual excitement pulsated through her as she considered the possible ways to win her men back. This dress would be a start, a definite start.

  * * * *

  “Mind if I join you gentlemen? You look like you’re in need of a lady’s company.” Natalie rested one hip on the edge of the round bar table.

  Trace glanced up and did a double take. “Well, well, well, if this little filly ain’t a sight for sore eyes.” A slow smile spread across his face. He tipped back his battered black Stetson and made a leisurely examination of her body. He might not recognize her face with the mask covering it, but she knew he sure as hell recognized her body.

  Levi, who’d been hunkered over his whiskey, sat up straight. His mouth dropped open. He blinked a few times. He clenched his jaw and eyed her with suspicion in his gray eyes. His lips tightened into a thin line slashed across a face of granite. She couldn’t blame him for not being as quick to forgive as Trace. She’d left him twice under the pressure of her father. She’d earned his distrust and deserved it.

  “We were told we’d be joined at our table by a lady tonight.” Trace grinned, seeming ready to forgive her transgressions.

  “Then perhaps, I have the wrong table. As you can see, I’m no lady.” Natalie took a chance and leaned forward to let them absorb the full impact of her considerable cleavage.

  Trace smirked and leaned back in his chair. “Honey, I’d rather have a hot woman than a boring lady any day of the week.” Trace stood and pulled her chair out for her while Levi brooded, gray eyes as tumultuous as an impending thunderstorm. “Have a seat, ma’am.”

  “Seth told me you’d be at this table, not that I wouldn’t recognize two notorious men such as yourselves.” Natalie gestured toward the big guy leaning against the ornate bar across the crowded room. He winked at her and gave her the thumbs-up. Levi glowered at him. Trace saluted him.

  Seating herself, Natalie crossed her legs. The slit in her saloon-girl dress bared one leg all the way to her hip. Her large breasts strained against the tight corset and threatened to spill out of her low-cut bodice. Bright red satin with black lace, the dress truly did look like it belonged in the Old West, sans the Velcro that ran up one side and made for easy removal.

  The three dozen or so tables in the room were arranged in a semi-circle about three rows deep facing a small, curtained stage. An ornate wooden bar stretched the length of one wall, complete with a mirror. Shelves brimmed with multi-colored bottles of alcohol. Several single men sat on barstools. A smattering of women mingled with men at various tables. A piano player pounded out songs from the 1880s on a piano wedged between the stage and the bar.

  The lighting in the room was muted, and candles illuminated each table. The stage curtains were closed, but Natalie suspected they wouldn’t be for long.

  Not certain what to expect, she did know the club was very exclusive. Members were screened before they were allowed membership. Staff searched each participant for cameras and cell phones before they were allowed e
ntrance. What happened in the club stayed in the club. Everyone signed a release stating all attendees would remain anonymous. Guests wore masks to further protect that privacy.

  “What the fuck are we doing here?” Levi crossed his arms over his chest. The hard angles of his face revealed nothing.

  “I thought you’d enjoy a night of entertainment and pleasure.” Natalie forced a smile on her face even as she suppressed a shiver at Levi’s anger. Displeasure radiated off him in waves. Despite his disapproval, she swallowed and soldiered on. “This is our Wild West fantasy.”

  “You mean your fantasy.”

  “I’ll make it yours, if you give me a chance.” Natalie leaned forward and touched Levi’s tight lips with a red-tipped fingernail. He stiffened and pulled back.

  “Levi likes to hold a grudge. Give him time. He’ll thaw.”

  “Like hell.” Levi ground his teeth so hard his jaw should have snapped.

  “How’d you get away from your father?”

  Natalie sighed. “I found him in a compromising position with his publicist and his chief of staff.”

  “His chief of staff?” A big smile dominated Trace’s face. His eyes sparkled with amusement.

  “Yes, he was riding the working stock, both of them.”

  “Well, if that doesn’t paint an interesting picture, nothing does.” Trace threw back his head and laughed.

  “No shit.” One corner of Levi’s mouth twitched. A little of his irritation fell away.

  “Truly an eye-opener all the way around. When I confronted him, he couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. Plus, it sealed the deal when I showed them a video I’d taken on my cell phone.”

  “Now that’s a video I don’t think I could stomach.”

  “You think you can’t? I saw it in person, 3-D and high def.”

  Trace gagged. “Damn, are you able to sleep?”

  “No, but it doesn’t have anything to do with that. It has to do with you two.” She sobered and looked from one to the other. “I am sorry. I behaved badly. I hurt you both, but in my defense, Daddy threatened to ruin the both of you if I stuck around.”

  “Ruin us? How?” Levi’s eyes narrowed to slits as he clenched his fists.

  “He planned on planting some drugs. He’d have you arrested and thrown in prison. I never underestimate his power or his deviousness.”

  “You left to protect us?” Levi’s cold face shed one layer of ice.

  “Yeah. Stupid, I know.”

  “But honorable.” Trace’s gaze slid to Levi’s. Unspoken words passed between them. No one said a word for a while, seemingly all deep in their private thoughts.

  Breaking up the sober atmosphere, Natalie handed each man an envelope containing their roles for the evening. Judging by their clothing, she’d correctly guessed who’d want to play the villain and the hero.

  “So who’s going to read theirs first?” She ran a fingernail over the small card in her hand. Her role. “Who wants to read theirs?”

  ”Ladies first.” Trace winked at her.

  She fumbled with the card but finally opened it and read aloud.

  “Macy Ferguson. Macy is an entertainer, a dance hall girl. She’s known for her complete lack of modesty and her anything-goes attitude regarding sex. She’ll do anything for the right incentive and loves to shock her audience with her audacious and lewd public acts.”

  “Perhaps you’d like to pick a different role. This might be too much for you.” The challenge in Levi’s voice wasn’t lost on her.

  “I want this role.”

  “Why? Isn’t Macy a little too loose for your delicate sensibilities? Besides, I thought your morals were compromised sleeping with two men.”

  “They would have been if I’d only been sleeping with two men, but I’m…I’m in deeper than that.”

  Levi snorted. “How deep?”

  “I love you, Levi, but I know I’ve hurt you so much. Can you ever forgive me? Ever trust me?”

  She thought he’d reject her. Instead a slow, sexy smile crossed his face even though the eyes stayed cold. He shrugged but said nothing.

  “I want to be the woman you need me to be.”

  “All I ever needed was your love. You didn’t need to change for me.”

  “I needed to change for me. I did what I did because I wanted to. Your sexual tastes and Trace’s gravitate toward the out of the ordinary. You’ve both awakened a similar desire in me. Take this night where it leads. Let me show you.”

  Levi blew out a breath. “We’ll see. Bringing us here is a good start.”

  Natalie pointed at the card clutched in Levi’s hand. “What does yours say?”

  “Max Dilton—” Levi groaned at the corny name.

  “Max Dilton?” Trace chortled and shook his head.

  “Max Dilton is a feared lawman who always gets his man and his woman. He’s the sheriff in these parts. His word is law and his sexual prowess is legend.”

  Natalie rolled her eyes. “And the size of his head rivals a pumpkin.”

  “Ah, Macy, you’re wrong. It rivals the size of his cock.”

  “I’ve heard enough.” She turned to Trace. “What’s yours?”

  “Jesse Jakes is a notorious outlaw, wanted in five states by lawmen and questionable women. His innate charm is enough to turn a schoolmarm into a lady of the night.”

  “Hmm. What does he turn a lady of ill repute into?” Natalie batted her eyelashes.

  “One hot and horny woman with an itch to scratch and no morals to match.”

  “Let’s get scratching.”

  Interrupting their verbal foreplay, the stage curtains opened as the bartender walked onto the stage. A single spotlight lit the small space. “Ladies and gentlemen, outlaws and fallen women, schoolmarms and shopkeepers, we are about to begin. Take your places. Once we start, you must remain in character until the event is over. From this point forward, the person you are outside this club no longer exists. We do our utmost to protect everyone’s privacy and pride ourselves on providing a safe environment in which every participant is free to act out their sexual fantasies with no fear of repercussion. Get into your character. Embrace their personalities. Become your character, not only on the surface but in your head. Think, act, speak as your character would speak, not the person you are outside this room. We’ve provided the safe environment. It’s up to you to shed your inhibitions and have fun.”

  Natalie stared at the card in her hand. Macy Ferguson. Tonight she was Macy Ferguson. Tonight was a night for fantasies.

  Levi held up his glass. The other two followed suit. “Ready, Nat?”

  “I think so.”

  “Trace?”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m ready.”

  “The evening is about to begin. Trace, Natalie, and Levi no longer exist. Here’s to whatever your wildest dreams can fabricate.” Levi grinned.

  The three clinked glasses together.

  Chapter 11

  Natalie, no, Macy for the rest of the night, resisted the urge to bite her fingernails down to the quick. She toyed with the stem of her wine glass and waited for the night to begin. Bolstering her courage, she attempted to get into character. Wasn’t that what actors called it?

  The men took their places at the bar, leaving her alone at the table. She scanned the room. Several pairs of male eyes undressed various parts of her body or tried to catch her eye. She avoided locking eyes with them and studied the crystal wine glass. She stole glances at her men and waited for them to make their move.

  Levi, make that Max for tonight, tipped back his head and emptied his whiskey glass. He spun around on his stool and strode toward her. His loose-hipped swagger and penetrating steel-gray eyes melted her body with their raw sensuality. He stopped and towered over her. His jeans fit snugly, outlining a pretty impressive erection. A holster slung low on his hips with a very real-looking gun. She gazed up at him, affecting the bored look of a woman with many men to choose from and a night still quite young. Max’s nostrils flared as h
e obviously read the desire in her hot gaze.

  “Ma’am, is this seat taken?”

  “Why, no, Sheriff, it’s not.” She eyed his leather vest with the badge pinned to it. “I love a man with authority,” she gushed at him, and fingered his badge, leaning close so her breast brushed his arm. He sucked in a breath.

  “I love a woman who knows what she wants. Do you know what you want?”

  “I certainly do, and I always get my man.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “Are you packing heat, Sheriff?”

  “In my jeans or my holster?”

  “I’m more interested in what’s behind that zipper.”

  “I’d hate to disappoint a lady. I’m sure I can oblige in satisfying your curiosity at a time agreeable to both of us.”

  “Why, thank you, Sheriff. And I’m no lady.” She faked a coy look and stared up at him. “And I’m agreeable anytime.”

  Max stared at her long legs and swallowed. “I bet you are.”

  Trace, uh, Jesse moseyed across the room and approached the table where Macy sat. Making a valiant attempt to portray her character accurately, Macy leaned forward to give him an even better view of her ample cleavage.

  Jesse swept off his hat and slid out of the chair next to her and opposite the sheriff. He flipped it around to sit backward. “Ah, Miss Ferguson, so we finally meet.”

  Macy looked him up and down, liking what she saw. “And you are?”

  He held his hand over his heart. “You wound me. Everyone knows me.”

  “I don’t.” She studied her fingernails and yawned.

  “Allow me to do you the pleasure. Jesse Jakes, outlaw extraordinaire and unrivalled lover.”

  “A little cocky, aren’t we?”

  “Only honest.”

  “An honest outlaw. How unique.” She batted eyelashes coated with mascara and fanned herself with her bright pink lace fan.

  “You’ve got a helluva lot of nerve showing up here tonight. You’re wanted in these parts, pardner,” Max growled, his hand on his six-shooter.

  “Not tonight. This bar is no man’s land, Sheriff. You can’t arrest me in here.”

  “As soon as you walk out that door, you’re mine.”