Ramble Ramble Toil & Trouble

Every time the Rangers and Knights were together, Colt found some fault with her. So she trained harder. She observed him, found his weaknesses. And then the next time they met, she discovered those weaknesses were gone, and she had to find new ones. 

Every. Single. Time.

To be fair, she gave as good as she got. The last time the two of them sparred, the flaws that Colt had pointed out before were gone. But, as always, he pointed out a new one.

“Your stance is too heavy on the left after that parry.”

Dara had gritted her teeth and focused on the fight. She had won that round, but only barely.

Now, as the bell tolled for dinner, the two groups ended their training and filed out to the mess hall.

As Dara watched the last of the troops exit the training room, she started to walk toward the door, pointedly ignoring Colt.

Undeterred, he fell in step beside her. “You fix your stance?” Colt asked, a small smirk on his face.

She hadn’t. “I’m working on it.”

“Should I help you?”

Dara couldn’t help the twitch in her eyebrow as she suppressed her urge to yell at him. “Want to lose again?” she growled.

“I don’t think I will.”

She let out a short huff. “Fine. Training room three, tonight at the 8th hour.”

“Can’t wait.”

That smirk is infuriating. Can’t wait to smother his face on the floor.

***

Dara ate quickly and meditated until the 8th hour. Entering the smaller training room, she found Colt, sitting in the middle of the padded floor, his back to her.

“Lock the door,” he said just as she was turning the lock.

“I know,” she snipped. “Wouldn’t want anyone to see you get your ass handed to you.”

“I’ve handed you yours plenty of times as well.” He got up and turned toward her with a grin. “Or were those defeats so devastating that you had to suppress the memory?”

Dara calmly removed her shoes and set them beside Colt’s near the doorway. Taking a few quiet steps onto the sparring mat, she only smiled snarkily at him before she lunged. Every warrior in their kingdom knew hand to hand combat, and when it was just the two of them, they always fought like this. The visceral feeling of fists and feet making contact, blocking, dodging, weaving. It was a dance they always performed, a contest of stamina, speed, and strength.

Colt was pleasantly surprised by how much she had improved since their last sparring match. Perhaps she had finally worked out the flaw in her stance—

No, she had not. Taking advantage, he spun with her attempted kick and swung his arm, his fist connecting squarely with her left rib cage.

Dara felt her ribs crack as she flew through the air, hitting the wall so hard that she saw stars. She braced herself to fall on the floor, but without a moment lost, Colt was upon her, his hand around her throat, his knee forced between her legs, holding her up against the cold wall.

“I told you to use your momentum to twist out of my reach,” he muttered as he placed his hand on her injured ribs.

“Fuck you,” she gasped as Colt pressed her side, searching for her injury.

Once he found it, he hummed as he cast a healing spell. Warmth spread along the bones, healing the cracks and internal damage. Dara closed her eyes. She didn’t want to admit it, but of all the healing spells she had received in her life, Colt’s felt the best. His spells had a tingly, pleasant feeling, along with a delicious heat, like a hot bath.

“You look like you want to stay like this,” he murmured.

Her eyes shot open. “N-no,” she lied. “Let me down.”

“First, admit that you lost,” he said simply. 

She looked away, tears stinging her eyes. 

Colt’s grasp on her throat tightened slightly. He had never threatened her like this before, never been this close to her before.

“Say it,” he demanded.

His knee shifted, rubbing against her more intimately. She gasped, turning back to him in shock.

“Colt, your knee…”

“What about it?”

“You…”

He frowned when Dara paused for too long. “Stop stalling. Say you lost.”

“Fine, I lost! You happy?”

His knee moved away, and Dara found herself wanting it back. The hell is wrong with me?

Colt’s smile dripped with satisfaction. “Good girl,” he said, his voice deepening. He leaned in closer until she could feel his breath on her cheek. “Now, tell me what you really need.”

“Get away from me,” she hissed, but with no venom.

He didn’t move. “You could have pushed me away long ago.” He moved his knee back between her legs, and curse her traitorous body, her legs parted for him.

Much to her chagrin, he noticed. “Your body knows what it wants. But do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Do you know what you want?”

“I…” When she couldn’t finish her sentence, Colt’s grip on her neck shifted, forcing her to look up at him.

“You want to submit to me.”

She finally lifted her arms and shoved him away, although half-heartedly. He let go of her and stepped back, but she didn’t move. As the cool air hit her skin, Dara realized that part of her did want him close. Her heart raced with desire, her body flushed with a carnal heat she had been ignoring for too long. The thought of just submitting, of letting him have her… Without warning, her body began to tremble.

“Colt, what… what is happening to me?”

His expression changed to that of concern. “You’re stressed. Your body has been in fight-or-flight mode for so long that it’s starting to give out.” He held his hand out to her. “Come. Let me take care of you.”

She didn’t move. “I thought you hated me.”

Colt shook his head. “Never. I never hated you.” He carefully moved closer to her, as if he was approaching a wounded, cornered animal. “Please. Let me help you.”

Dara stared into his indigo eyes for what felt like a long time, trying to discern his true intentions. When she found nothing but worry, she tentatively put her hand in his. 

“Now what?” she asked quietly.

“Do you trust me?”

She nodded. Even though they were rivals, he was a good captain and took good care of his troops. He was honorable and duty-bound. As much as they fought in the barracks, on the battlefield she would trust him at her back, any time, even if he hated her. Although that apparently was not the case.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Then her cheek. “Then give me control. Just let go.”

When he didn’t move, she gave him another nod, giving her consent. His eyes lit up with both joy and a dark desire.

Colt kissed her mouth, and Dara found herself swept up in his pace. His invasion was gentle at first, but with each passing moment, his lips and his tongue thoroughly plundered her, taking her breath, swallowing her moans. Her knees buckled, but he was there to catch her, his arms wrapped sturdily around her body.

He slowly brought her down to the floor, laying her down on the padded mats. He straddled her with his muscular thighs as he reached down to undo the strings at the neckline of her shirt. She could almost feel her skin burning wherever he directed his smoldering gaze.

Without a word, he took off her shirt, and worked at the fastening of her breeches. And while some part in the back of her head was screaming that this was wrong, that she shouldn’t be letting her rival strip her down, another part was screaming back with just as much vitriol.

Why are you fighting this? He said he only wants to take care of me. To help me deal with the stress.

While she was having this mental battle, Colt had removed the rest of her clothes. She was bare before him, the cool night air caressing her skin.

“Beautiful,” he muttered before leaning down to kiss her. He left a trail of kisses down her body, taking the time to lick and suck on her pert nipples, making sure each got some attention before continuing. He kissed a line from her hips to her inner thighs before looking back up at her with a smile. Spreading her legs, he lifted them and placed them over his shoulders.

“Gods, thank you for this feast,” he mumbled before shoving his face between her legs.

“Oh, fuck!” she yelped when his lips wrapped around her clit. Then she had no words at all, the pleasure radiating from her core rendering her mindless. Only the feel of his tongue and lips remained.

Then she felt one thick finger enter her channel.

“Colt!”

He gently hushed her. “It’s okay, I’m just preparing you. You’ll feel so good once my cock is inside of you.”

Dara started to hyperventilate. He’s going to put his… his manhood inside of me? “Wait, I—”

He pushed a second finger into her and curled them upwards, brushing against some magical spot inside, distracting her from her thoughts. 

“Oh gods, what are you doing to me—”

Then her mind went blank as she felt ecstasy release from her body, pouring forth from her core. Colt had not stopped pleasuring her, adding a third finger to stretch out her channel. She pulsed around his fingers, the feeling of him pumping in and out of her an addictive pleasure.

“Gods, fuck, oh, Colt, fuck!”

Colt laughed softly, a deep, throaty sound that hit Dara right in her core again. “Such a naughty mouth on you,” he said with a smirk. “Who taught you such things?”

Before she could snark back, Colt took off his clothes. She was mesmerized by his broad shoulders and sculpted muscles. The scars of battle decorated his skin like artwork. And when his pants came off, she could only stare at the weapon between his legs. He reached down and stroked himself, a smug grin on his face.

“You’re staring.”

She didn’t deny it, she was too caught up in the size. “That… that won’t fit.”

“It will. You’ll take it so well, my sweet captain.” He crawled over her, a predator pinning down his prey. “Trust me.”

Dara opened her mouth to argue, but all that came out was a yelp as she felt the head of his cock push against her entrance.

“Breathe,” he commanded.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, forcing her body to relax.

“That’s it, that’s my girl,” he crooned as he pushed into her, deeper and deeper. She squirmed under his invasion, his girthy member stretching her until it burned. Letting out pants and whines, Dara tried to move away.

Colt suddenly grabbed her hips and sat up. “Don’t you move,” he snarled. With his massive strength, he pulled her onto his cock, one inch at a time. She clawed at his forearms, but his grip was like iron. 

“Colt, Colt!” she cried.

“That’s it, take all of me.”

Dara could only gasp and writhe as he pulled her toward his hips. Once she felt him fully hilted inside of her, she finally let go of his arms. The welts in his skin were deep, and a few were bleeding.

“My kitten has such sharp claws,” he teased.

“You deserved it,” she sulked. 

He smiled. “Perhaps.” Then he covered her with his large body. “But you’ve taken all of me, just like I said you would.” He kissed her cheek.

Then he began to rock his hips. He started slowly, letting her adjust to his size. But his pace quickened, his own breath coming in short gasps, as if he was losing control of his desire.

He covered her mouth with his hand just as her cries grew too loud.

“No one else should hear you being fucked so thoroughly like this. Only me. Your screams are only for me.”

Dara became lost in the primal rhythm of their bodies coming together. Almost as if all of their previous sparring matches had just been foreplay for this, she felt the heat of his body, the wild beat of his heart, the look in his eyes that burned with need.

A need for her. Only her.

“Fuck, Dara, I’ve wanted you for so long,” he slurred as his thrusts sped up. “I’ve wanted you under me, taking my cock, being mine and only mine.” Shoving his face into the crook of her neck, Dara could hardly hear his next words. “I fucking love you.”

He reached down between their bodies to rub her clit. “Come for me again, kitten. Come around my cock.”

At his filthy command, Dara climaxed hard, her sight filling with specks of starlight. Colt moved his hand from her mouth and fisted her hair, swallowing her screams with a kiss as her body tightened up for a few moments before spasming around him. She grabbed at his back and left scratch marks as he continued to pound into her.

“Fuck, fuck!” he bellowed before he filled her with his essence, crushing her underneath his massive body, shuddering with his release. With one last thrust and sigh, he rolled over, pulling her with him. 

They lay together to catch their breaths, Dara draped over Colt like a small blanket. He held her gently, rubbing her back and humming contentedly.

“Did you say you loved me?” Dara finally asked, breaking the silence.

Colt froze. “Yes,” he admitted. He sat up and rearranged Dara easily, setting her into his lap so he could look into her eyes. “I love you.”

With him looking at her so openly and honestly, she found herself unable to respond. How do I answer him? This is too much. I respect him, sure, but love?

“You don’t have to love me now,” he said after a few moments. “Take your time. I’ll wait for you.”

“And if I never love you?”

He gave her a forlorn smile that tugged at her heart. “Then I’ll wish for your happiness.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “My love is freely given to you, with no expectations.”

As he held her close to his chest, she felt the steady thump of his heart, a lullaby to soothe her soul. “Maybe… maybe one day,” she mumbled.

She felt Colt’s arms tighten around her. “I look forward to it.”

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End Notes: Starting some new original works. So here’s some smut to spice up the week. Hope you enjoy!

Here are the character bios:

Colt Byrne (Young Horse, Raven) - Captain of the Mage Knights. 6’6”, broad shouldered, can lift things easily. Black hair and indigo eyes. Quietly charismatic, he is pointed in his commentary and says exactly what he needs to say and nothing more. His actions counter his crude words; he cares for his team and supports them without a word. He feels a strong protective urge with Dara because she is quite a bit smaller than him, he respects her skills, and he represses the lust he feels for her, until he can’t take it any more. Deep, deep down, he absolutely adores her.

Now, as the intimidating debt collector stared you down, you realized why the barkeep had taken pity on you.

Maybe I can just pull a fast one and skip town for a bit.

You reached into your purse and crushed your cash together before pulling it out and handing him a crumpled wad of bills. “That’s all of it,” you said in a rush as you turned to walk away. “I never want to see you again.”

“Wait.”

He wasn’t very loud, but his voice was imbued with command. Your body stopped, despite the urgency you felt to leave before he figured out what you had done.

He sauntered around to stand in front of you. As you looked up, he started to count each bill, his eyes flicking to you occasionally.

“...Seventeen, eighteen…” he trailed off when there were no more bills to count. His gaze slowly drew up to meet yours. Your heart raced, your mouth dried up, and your eyes widened.

“Yer two dollars short,” he finally said.

“I must have miscounted,” you quickly said. “Give me another couple of days and I’ll have the last two dollars.”

He shook his head. “You agreed to pay today, didn’t you?”

“What’s another two days?” you said, immediately wishing you hadn’t when his eyes hardened.

“I can’t babysit you fer two days. And if I don’t, ya might leave town.”

“You can’t trust me?”

“No.”

Frustrated by this immovable mountain of a man, you threw your hands up in frustration. “Well, what the hell am I supposed to do? I don’t have the two dollars.”

Arthur tilted his head, considering your predicament. You saw his gaze trail down your body before a small smile appeared on his grizzled face. He stepped a little closer, clearly trying to intimidate you with his size, forcing you to look up at him.

“W-what?” you asked, your voice rising an octave.

He hummed contemplatively before finally giving you a facsimile of a kind smile. “I’ll cover yer two dollars”—he leaned in, his nose ever so close to yours—“if you give me somethin’ in return.”

It took you a moment, but only a moment. A flush of heat, and a vision in your head of naked bodies, his large one covering yours, undulating hips and low moans. You gasped and pushed him away. His chest felt solid under your palms, but he backed off at your touch.

“Yer choice,” he said, shrugging casually. “Otherwise you’ll have to pay back forty next week.”

“That’s impossible!”

“Didja read the contract?”

You swallowed and nodded timidly. You had read it, but you had so much confidence that you could pay the amount back in time that that clause about a double penalty if it was late didn’t even cause you a lick of concern.

Now it caused a great deal of concern.

He started to turn away. “One week to double the repayment.”

That was too much. You watched as he took one, two steps away before you reached out and grabbed his arm. 

“I…” you swallowed and tried again. “I'll make a deal with you.”

He smiled, his expression smug. “Wise choice, darlin’.” 

***

He led you, your hand on his muscular arm, to the saloon. When the barkeep saw you and the man together, his eyes widened for a moment before he got his shit together. 

“One room for the night,” the man said, handing over the payment. 

The barkeep complied, not looking at you.

His silence is enough to know that he ain't goin’ to help me now.

You held your head high, as if you wanted this, and followed the man up the stairs, down the hall to the last room on the left. Ushering you inside, he locked the door, the click sounding loud and final.

He followed you closely as you walked toward the ancient looking bed. You turned and sat down with a huff, a small plume of dust flying off the covers. Looking up, you watched him tilt his head and look down at you curiously, as if he was observing a small creature.

“Well?”

“Well what?” he asked back.

“Take off your clothes.”

The man scoffed softly. “I don’t think you understand how this works, li’l lady.”

You sputtered as if you were offended, desperately trying to hide the fact that you, in fact, did not understand how any of this worked. “Then how do you want to do this, mister?”

“Arthur.”

“Mister Arthur.”

“Just Arthur,” he said, his tone shifting to something ever so slightly softer. He reached out with one hand and gently ran his knuckles along your cheek and down your jawline before grasping your chin. His thumb ran across your lips and you could feel the callouses on your skin.

“On yer knees, darlin’.”

You were so mesmerized by the heat in his gaze that it took you a moment to register his command. “Wait, what?”

“Kneel, sweetheart.”

“Why?”

His hand went away from your chin and grabbed the back of your neck. With an iron grip that you could not extricate yourself from, he steadily dragged you off the bed and down onto your knees. When you looked up at him, the smirk on his face grew, the satisfaction on his features was somehow both attractive and infuriating.

Arthur’s other hand was already loosening the placket of his jeans. “Keep lookin’ up at me like that,” he murmured as he released the last button of the placket and moved it out of the way. You watched as he took his thick cock in his hand and stroked, long and slow, grinning with anticipation. “Open yer mouth.”

You balked at the thought of having his manhood in your mouth; you’d never done such a thing before. What would that be like?

“I ain’t a patient man,” he said, grabbing the back of your head. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Slowly, you opened your mouth. He pulled you closer to his cock until the head slipped between your lips. You began to suck on him.

He moaned softly. “That’s it, keep goin’.”

Spurred on by his sounds of pleasure, you continued, learning as you went. He guided you, instructing you on how to use your hands to pleasure his balls and his shaft while you tried to take more and more of him into your mouth.  

Suddenly both his large hands held your head still as he started to fuck your mouth, growling like a beast possessed.

“Such a good fuckin’ mouth,” he mumbled, lost in pleasure. He panted harshly, ignoring your whines as his cock went deeper and deeper, nearly choking you. You slapped his thighs and screamed around his thick length.

He finally released your head and pulled away. As you caught your breath, he knelt down and cradled your cheeks. “Sorry darlin’, I couldn’t help myself. Yer such a fine toy to fuck.”

“I choked, goddammit!” you wheezed at him.

He chuckled, clearly amused at your complaint. “I stopped, didn’t I?” He grabbed your hips and lifted you up as he stood. “Now, take yer clothes off. Let me see all of you.”

After a moment’s hesitation, you turned away from him, unable to look him in the eye as you stripped down to your combination underwear. But before you could turn back around, he stopped you with his hands on your shoulders.

“You ain’t done yet.”

You bit your lip. “I took my clothes off.”

“Then what’s this?” he asked, pulling at the shoulder strap.

You paused for far too long. Arthur moved forward, the heat of his body against your back, his hands sliding around to your chest. He gripped the fabric and pulled, buttons flying as he exposed your breasts to the cool air.

“AH—”

He immediately clamped one big hand around your mouth. “Hush, darlin’,” he crooned into your ear as his other hand snaked down to the slit in your underwear. His fingers found their way past the fabric and brushed your inner thighs. You tried to squeeze your legs together, but he slapped your skin lightly. 

“Legs apart, girl. Let me feel you.”

You forced yourself to stand a bit wider, letting his hand caress your pussy. When his fingers found your clit, brushing against the sensitive bud, you nearly collapsed in his arms.

“Hold on,” he commanded, gripping you tighter against him. His hand was still around your mouth, muffling your moans as he stroked you intimately. You could feel his cock against your backside, his hips rocking against yours as he fingered you, driving you towards something, a precipice that had your heart racing.

“Enjoy it, sweetheart, ride that feelin’,” he encouraged in a low voice. “Let go and take yer pleasure from my hand.”

The spiral of pressure, so tightly wound, suddenly came undone as you screamed into his hand, your body going rigid for a few moments before shuddering with a release so complete that you collapsed backward against him.

“Good girl,” Arthur praised as he easily manhandled you onto the bed. As you lay there on your back, your mind blissed out, it took you a few moments to realize that he was stripping you naked. 

“Hey, wait!”

“I want to see you,” he snarled, lightly smacking your hands away. “I told you I wanted all of you.”

You couldn’t stop him in time; he had removed your underwear, fully pulled it from your body and slid it off your legs. And then he paused.

You covered your face in your hands. You didn’t want to see his reaction.

“Who did this to you,” he asked quietly, his fingers carefully tracing the long scar, running from under your left breast, across your abdomen, to your right hip.

“I don’t know,” you admitted. “It was a long time ago. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and didn’t get outta the way fast enough. Fortunately a doctor stitched me up, but now I gotta live with this scar forever.” You looked away. “That’s why I didn’t want to take it all off.”

He nodded. “I understand,” he said quietly. “I got scars too.” He pulled back and started to take off his shirt.

You watched his skin being exposed to the lamp light, the puckered skin of scars of differing depths and ages forming a history of violence on the canvas of his body. You sat up and reached out, touching him, exploring him, understanding him. 

You looked up, realizing he had just been watching you, letting you touch him so freely. He gave you a wry smile, and it tugged at your heart, just a little bit.

“You had yer fill?”

You nodded, swallowing as you leaned back, slightly ashamed of your unabashed curiosity.

“Good. Now let me fuck you.”

The tender moment had gone out the window, replaced by lust. Arthur took off the rest of his clothes at lightning speed before prowling towards you. Still in a bit of tonal whiplash, you let him get too close, before realizing what he was about to do.

“Wait!”

“I’ve waited long enough.” Gripping your hips, he flipped you over and lifted up your hips. You felt the tip of his cock nudging your channel open.

“Give yerself to me.”

“Wait, I said wait!”

He paused. “You ain’t made yer two dollars yet. We stop now, you owe me another dollar fer givin’ you that pleasure.”

You looked back at him and snarled, “That ain’t fair!”

He leaned over you, gripping your chin to keep your head in place as he leaned forward, his lips barely touching yours. “It ain’t fair that I ain’t had my pleasure yet.” Letting go of your chin, his fingers trailed around to the back of your neck and he gently yet steadily pushed your face into the mattress.

“You goin’ to be good?”

“Um-hmm,” you acceded, your voice stifled.

Without another word, Arthur gripped your hips and pushed into you, inch by inch, letting out a soft groan of satisfaction as he took you. Your muffled cries only seemed to make him grow harder. 

“Fuck, yer tight,” he gasped as he hilted inside of you. “Goddamn.”

You felt him slowly start to slide out a little bit, then in. Steadily building a pace, forcing you to stretch, to take his girth. And your traitorous body loved it, the pleasure once again coiling inside. Unable to help yourself, you pushed your hips back toward him.

He chuckled and slapped your left ass cheek. “Nice sound,” he commented, as if he were talking about an instrument. He spanked the other side of your rear, the slap resounding in the room. Both of his hands squeezed your ass.

“I love yer backside,” he mumbled before slamming his hips against you. “So fuckin’ sexy.”

As he continued to rail you, you became louder and louder, and your hips shook with the impending wave of ecstasy. You could feel it building up, more and more.

Suddenly, Arthur’s hand gripped your head, pulling you back. His hips rocked faster, his cock slamming into you with ruthless abandon.

“That’s right, that’s a good girl,” he crooned. “Yer so wet, I’m thinkin’ you actually like this.”

You moaned. You hated that he was right, you were enjoying his harsh treatment.

“Admit it, you like this,” he growled, his hand moving from your head to the back of your neck.

“Fuck you,” you snapped on instinct.

“What d’you think I’m doin’ to ya right now, huh?” Arthur suddenly pushed you back down into the mattress, your ass still up in the air. He gripped your cheeks with both hands, railing you even harder. “I’m fuckin’ you like yer in heat, and you love it.”

The desperate cries coming out of your throat were lewd, uncontrolled, and sounded nothing like you. And yet, with each unrelenting thrust, you fell farther and further down, your mind blanking to only the pleasure his cock was giving you, and to the sound of his deep, gravelly voice.

“Take it, girl. Take all of it. Lemme hear you beg for my cock.”

You whined. “Please, please, take your pleasure from me!”

“Yer damn right I will,” he growled. “I’ll fill yer mouth full of my spend, and you’ll love it, won’t you, sweetheart?”

You were too lost in the rhythmic pounding that you didn’t quite understand what he was saying. And when he reached around to stroke your clit, you nearly lost consciousness as pleasure blinded you, white hot ecstasy enveloping you with warmth and bliss.

You slowly slid off his cock, lamenting the empty feeling. After a few moments to catch your breath, he turned you onto your back. It only took a moment to notice that his cock was still rock hard, glistening.

He smiled down at you, a look of greedy anticipation as he straddled your shoulders. He reached down and guided your head forward.

“I told you, I’d fill yer mouth. Open up, sweets.”

You obediently opened your mouth and immediately he shoved in his cock. Stroking himself while you sucked on the tip, you looked up and saw his face, his mouth slightly open as he panted with exertion. His intense stare bored into you, made your heart leap into your chest. A drop of his sweat slid down his face and splashed onto your forehead.

“Fuck!” he suddenly shouted. You could feel his legs tighten around your shoulders, and then a gush of his salty, bitter spend filled your mouth. You quickly swallowed, not knowing what else to do, but there was so much that it spilled from your lips, coating his softening member.

Slowly he pulled away from you, laying himself down next to you. Propping himself up on one elbow, he smeared his essence off your lips with his fingers, then traced circles around your nipples, one after the other.

“Such a good girl,” he praised, leaning down to kiss your forehead. “Yer worth far more than two dollars.”

“So does that mean—”

“No, I’m takin’ all yer money.” At your pout, he chuckled. “But if you want more of what I just gave ya, you let me know.”

You watched as he got up and put his clothes back on. “I’ve paid fer the room, so you stay here and get some rest.” As he put on his hat, he leaned down, captured you by the chin, and kissed you gently, lingering on your lips. “I’m more than willin’ to bail you outta trouble again, if it means more of mountin’ yer fine backside.”

You tried to slap his arm, but he swiftly dodged. “Keep me in mind, sweetheart,” he called over his shoulder as he left.

You stared at the door for a few moments, trying to stay angry, but you soon realized, with a sore twinge in your lower parts, that you had thoroughly enjoyed the price.

“Well, shit,” you muttered to yourself. Guess I’ll have to make some trouble then.

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