Adrenaline still fed his muscles, even hours after they’d left the cave. In all of the battles he’d been in, no other situation had rattled his nerves more than the sight of Letty struggling to breath under the choking hand of that madman. Hound had been right all along. In the heat of the moment, Malik’s instincts had taken over without a thought. He trusted his gut and fired his blade, thinking only of saving her life. Only afterwards did he realize just how wrong things could have gone if he’d missed. But he didn’t. Just like that day on the base with Hound when he challenged him.

Letty gave her statements and asked Malik to take her back to the hotel to shower and change. For some reason she was still determined to race that night at the rodeo. She’d been held captive for hours, beaten, tied and almost raped. Yet she couldn’t sit still for more than five minutes, needing her racing fix.

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” Malik called out from the bathroom after he stepped from the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist and wandered into the room, stopping in his tracks as he watched her bend over in nothing but her bra and panties.

Her skin practically glowed, bathed in the last of the daylight coming in through the hotel window. A pair of black lace panties hugged her round ass. Seemed like an odd choice of undergarment for a barrel race, but he wasn’t going to complain. His fingers tingled in anticipation, begging him to reach over and smack her bottom, then massage it. The towel around him tented, threatening to unwrap itself.

Letty turned around and the peek-a-boo lace cups did little to help the situation, as her bountiful breasts were put on display. He bit his lip and sucked in a rasp of air at the sight of her. Never had he seen anything more beautiful in his life. Her playful hazel eyes beckoned him to take her in his arms and kiss every inch of her curves.

“I know you don’t think it’s a good idea to still go to the race. But I have my reasons.” She ran a finger along his shoulder blade, her nail dragging across his skin. A fire lit inside him and he closed his eyes to force down the desire building inside him.

He couldn’t put a move on her right after she had been kidnapped. What kind of sadistic piece of shit would he be? But everything inside him ached to throw her on the bed and kiss the fuck out of her, show her what it meant to be loved and cared for, to be worshiped and taken care of, protected and adored.

Her hands slid around his waist from behind and her soft touch on his stomach pushed him over the edge. He whipped around and clasped her hands with his own, gazing into her eyes. “You’re lighting a fire that is about to go wild and out of control. Be careful of what you do.”

“You know what I thought about in the moments as Hanson held my head in his hands?” she said, stepping closer and pressing her bra flush to his chest.

“Letty, I’m so sorry...” She pressed a finger to his lips and hushed him.

“No more apologies. What’s done is done. We’re both right, and we’re both wrong. We can’t change the past, but we can change our futures. That’s what I thought about...you. How I should have said yes to you the day you asked me out. What it would have been like to really kiss you, have you make love to me, have a future.”

His heart sped at her confession, part excitement and part fear. He hadn’t let a woman past his bed and into his heart in nearly twenty years. But everything inside him told him to take the leap, that Letty was different from anyone else. That what they’d been through in just a week’s time was more than a need for physical intimacy, they’d shared parts of themselves, they’d lived through danger and a bond that no one could break. She trusted him with her life. He was about to trust her with his heart.

“Yes, you should have said yes to me,” he chuckled, putting on a smug smile. “But I’m glad you finally came around.” He pulled her to him, wrapping her in his arms. Her bare skin only fueled his hard-on even more and it pressed against her belly.

“Malik Thompson, I think we have a problem.”

He cocked a brow. “What’s that?”

“This towel.” She whisked it away from his body and his hard cock stood at attention in front of her.

A nervous fire blazed in his veins as she looked upon his naked form. “We still have a problem, LeTeisha Stephens. You’re wearing far too much clothing.”

“I can fix that.” She stepped back and brought her hands behind her back to unsnap her bra.

Malik stopped her, spun her in his arms, and unhooked it for her. He slid the straps down the length of her arms before tossing it to the floor. From behind her, he slid his arms around her, palming her stomach as he inched his way up to her breasts. He cupped each of them in his large hands and gave a squeeze. A hissing moan escaped her mouth, and she pressed her ass against him.

“You’re perfect, Letty,” he leaned in and whispered in her ear as he rocked himself against the back of her panties. He desperately wanted to be between those cheeks, buried in her rather than just rubbing against her.

“So are you,” she said, reaching behind her to run her hand along his cock pinned to her ass.

“Let me make love to you,” he whispered before caressing her lobe with his lips and tongue.

“Yes,” she moaned, circling the head with her thumb.

Sliding his hands into her panties, he brushed his fingertips along her mound as he worked them over her hips and down her legs. Another sharp exhale of breath burst from her lips, and he picked her up and laid her onto the bed.

She was magnificent, laying like a goddess on the pillows. He eased her legs further apart, and she bared herself to him. Malik pressed his lips to her stomach and kissed his way up her chest, stopping to flick each nipple before he reached her mouth and opened her lips with his tongue.

As he made love to her mouth, he nestled his pelvis against her. Rocking his hips, he slid his hard cock along her lower lips. She moaned into the kiss and dragged her nails along his back.

Malik deepened the kiss, swallowing her moan and answering her with one of his own as he slid a hand under her thigh and raised her leg, allowing him better access. His cock pressed between her folds, and the arousal waiting for him glided him through her pussy and against her clit. As much as he ached to thrust himself balls deep inside her, he wanted to take his time and bring her as much pleasure as he worshiped her body.

He continued to rock his hips, rubbing the tip of his cock against her most sensitive spot as he left her lips and traveled with his mouth to her breasts. Flicking a nipple with his tongue, he bore down on it and grazed it with his teeth. Her body arched beneath him, and she palmed his bald head, hanging on as he worked her to the edge.

“Gah damn, Malik. That’s amazing,” she cried out on the wings of another moan as he sped the rocking of his hips.

“Don’t come yet. Wait for me, princess, I want to taste you.” He pulled her mouth into one more kiss, sliding his tongue against hers, speaking another language with each movement.

Slowing his hips, he eased himself down the bed, leaving Letty whimpering for his heavy cock. A smile grew on his lips as he neared her drenched pussy, glistening and ready for him as he flicked the tip of his tongue along her swollen clit. Pushing the folds open, he lapped at her core, circling her with his tongue until her legs quivered on either side of his head and her body arched in pleasure. Her loud moan rang out through the room as her orgasm hit.

She recovered her breath in short little pants as she gripped the blankets on either side of her, staring at the ceiling with a smile on her face.

“That was just the beginning, darlin’. So much more where that came from,” he said with a slick smile. His cock felt so heavy, harder than he could ever remember being.

Her wicked smile slayed him and in his distraction, she wiggled out from under him and pushed him to the bed. “My turn.”

* * *

Still riding the euphoria of her orgasm, she climbed on top of Malik and nestled her wet pussy on top of his gorgeous cock, but not letting him enter. She needed to tease him like he did to her. That glorious thing he did with his dick against her clit sent her on wave after wave of pleasure. He knew how to work her body better than she ever thought possible. Like he was made just for her.

Letty pressed her palms to his solid abs, holding herself in place as she worked just her hips, sliding him in her arousal, brushing him back against her clit, still throbbing from its climax. He watched her with intensity, caressing his hand along her cheek.

She slid one last time until she reached the tip, and leaned forward, angling herself to position him at her entrance.

Malik’s eyes widened. “Shit, I don’t have any condoms with me.”

“I’ve got an IUD.”

“I’m clean, so you know.”

“Glad to hear it. Shut up and enjoy the ride,” Letty said, as she slid herself onto his cock.

His head rolled back and a growl rumbled in his chest. She loved that he was so primal, so raw during sex. She wasn’t a fan of the strong silent type. Letty wanted to make her partner sing, make him roar.

As she rocked on top of him, each grunt and groan from his lips quickened her pace. His thick girth filled her, throbbing inside her as she clenched around him.

“Letty, I’m gonna come. Jesus…” He arched his back and grabbed on to the headboard behind him as she bounced on top of him, ripping his orgasm out of him.

Malk growled as the waves of his climax filled her. In a fury, he rolled her over and kissed her with a passion she’d never experienced, swiping his tongue at her like a dance. His fingers found their way to her pussy and slid along her clit as he used his cum to rub her to another orgasm, this one fast, intense, passion-filled and completely primal. His name flew from her lips as a cry of pleasure burst from her.

“I’m falling so hard for you, Letty. I can’t walk away from this. Tell me you want me as much as I do you. Tell me we can make this work,” he said, staring into her eyes as he panted nearly out of breath.

Letty’s heart fluttered in her chest. “Yes. I want this to work. I can’t go back to life before you, Malik.”

He pressed his mouth to hers, swirling her tongue into another kiss as he held her tight to his body. Nothing had ever been so pure, so raw, or so emotional as the words that just poured from his mouth. Letty was a goner plain and simple. And she’d never felt safer than in his arms.

* * *

Letty and the Thompsons wandered through the hustle and bustle of the rodeo. Both Malik and Letty agreed it would be nice to take his folks out for the evening and watch the race. Maurice rekindled old friendships as many of the veteran rodeo folks remembered him from the old days, and his face lit up like Christmas.

“Oh, Letty!” Janet exclaimed as she threw her arms around her friend. “Thank God you’re alive. I heard about what happened to you. I can’t even believe you’re here after you went through all that. You’re not gonna ride, are you?”

Letty looked to the Thompsons and Malik, then back to Janet. “I have to. If I don’t, they still win by taking what I love to do and turning it into something I fear. I can’t let that happen. I have to ride, for myself, for my momma, for everyone who was threatened by Hanson and Stevi. I have to, as they say, get back in the saddle.”

“You’re one brave filly. You make me so proud. You’re what this sport is all about, showing the strength of women.” Janet hugged her once more. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, girl.” Letty returned the hug and tipped her hat. “The show must go on.”

“Yeah. You should have been here when the authorities came and hauled Dell away, kickin’ and screamin’ he’d been set up, framed, blackmailed.” Janet shook her head. “He was like an oversized toddler throwin’ a tantrum. And then Stevi, well that child cried ‘til she about puked. She went willingly though, and gave them everything they needed to book Hanson and Dell.”

Letty shook her head. “Well, Dell at least. Hanson never made it out of the cave.”

“That poor girl. Lost her mom to drugs and now her dad to greed. Such a shame. She could’ve been real good had she done it by the rules. If only she had someone in her corner who believed in her, rather than using her like a pawn.” Janet sighed.

“I think when all this is over, I’m gonna retire. Maybe I’ll look into coaching, so we don’t lose someone else in this sport to greed and the seduction of cheating. Maybe I can save the next Stevi,” Letty said with a shrug.

“I think that’s a fantastic idea,” Maurice said and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m in agreement,” Malik added. “And I have an idea how to make that happen.”

Letty tilted her head and smiled. “What do you have up your sleeve, Steel?” She hadn’t ever called him by his military nickname, but the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. Her man of steel, her hero.

“You’ll just have to wait and see. Now go win that race.” Malik smacked her on her ass and they went to find their seats for the show.

While a lot of stares and whispers followed her as she walked through the back of the arena, a lot more hugs, words of encouragement, and smiles followed. The race was tight, with Stevi gone and not in the lead anymore. Letty had to make the most of this one last ride.

Storm whinnied and nodded as if she could read her mind. Maybe she was excited to retire, too, become more of a show horse. She always was the center of attention and had her own mind. Letty let out a chuckle as she blew out a breath and held tight to the reins, waiting for the signal to start her ride.

The starting sound echoed through the arena, and Letty and Storm tore out of the gate. Right from the onset, she knew it wasn’t going to be a stellar enough ride to win. Pain throbbed in her wrists as she held the reins, forcing her to ease her grip. With each bounce on the horse, an ache shot to her bones, reminding her of being tossed around in the cave. As much as she wanted to deny it, her body was weary and her mind not focused. But she rode on and would make the most of it no matter what. As she directed Storm into the final turn, that familiar scent of arena dirt filled the air and she let it sink in, removing the acrid copper from her memory. They sailed back into the starting gate and no matter what the outcome would be, Letty won. She stood up to Hanson. She fought her way through an extraordinary ordeal and survived. She rode, hard and fast, maybe not enough to win, but enough to say she didn’t lose. She never gave up, and she didn’t give in.

After coming in fourth, Letty packed up her gear and loaded Storm into the trailer to take back to the Thompson ranch. She stepped back into the arena and took it all in one last time, her favorite part of the day when she had the place to herself and breathed in the lifeblood and core of the rodeo, talking to the spirits of the past.

“Thanks for the one last ride,” she whispered and tossed a wave to the empty space around her.

Malik slid his arms around her from behind and pulled her close. “I’m so proud of you. Win or lose, you are amazing. Your strength, your drive, your beauty. I hope you realize how spectacular you are.”

His words filled her heart, a place that had been barren for so long while she focused on everything else in her life. “Thank you,” she said, turning around to place a soft kiss on his lips.

“Excuse me, Ms. Stephens?” a voice said from behind her.

Letty spun around. “Yes?”

“I’m Gloria Haversham, the new interim Rodeo Commissioner. I assume you know Dell has been taken into custody, along with Ms. Carson,” she said, holding tight to a manila envelope.

She nodded. “I do.”

“Ms. Carson has been stripped of her title and the races she won this season on the circuit. Since you came in second place for all of them, and for what you’ve gone through, the rodeo committee has seen fit to award you her winnings. While I know tonight’s standings were probably a little disappointing, still coming in fourth place after all you endured and having the strength and determination to finish your ride, well that’s first place in my book. Well done, Ms. Stephens. And I’m very sorry for what you’ve gone through. Hope to see you back next year.” She handed over the envelope to Letty and tipped her hat before walking away.

Letty’s jaw popped open and a flutter of hope hit her heart. “I can’t believe this. It’s not enough to save the ranch, but it’s enough to cover my momma’s treatment. This is some kind of miracle.”

Malik swiped at a tear sliding across her cheek. “You’re some kind of miracle.”

“The same can be said about you.” Letty cupped his cheek.

“So, I had a thought I wanted to run by you,” he said, leading her to have a seat at the bottom of the bleachers. “I think I’m gonna retire from the Navy. My folks want me to take over the ranch and the smithing business. I’m no business manager, but I do know how to make and wield a blade. I could use a ranch manager around here. And since you need a ranch...”

Letty blinked, not sure if she heard him right. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Malik nodded. “I want you to come live with me. Be the manager. Maybe even start up that barrel racer coaching job you mentioned. You’ve got the arena at the ranch to work in, and plenty of space to have your mom come live with us at the house, since my folks are moving out and buying an RV to go roam the continent.”

“Are you sure? I mean, that’s a huge commitment, and I’d have to uproot my entire life from Texas to Montana. I don’t want you to wake up tomorrow and regret that big of a decision for someone you just met.” While Letty wanted to jump at the chance, she also had to think realistically as it wasn’t just her life that would be affected.

“I came up here to do some hard thinking about my future. I have to re-up or retire. I’m thirty-eight years old and all I’ve known is the military. But this time with you has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I don’t have to give up who I am to make this work. I can run the blade shop, and I can work with Hank at Brotherhood Protectors when I get the itch for some action. I can still save lives, just in a different capacity. But it’ll only work if you help me. You need a ranch, I need a ranch manager. And most important of all, I need a partner in my life. I need someone who can take me for me, and I will do the same for you. We fit together, Letty. We’ve proven that. I’ve fallen head over heels for you, woman. I’ve never said that to another soul in twenty years. I don’t want to lose you when I just found you.”

“Now who’s the miracle, Malik.” Letty brushed away the tears careening over her cheeks. “You’ve got it all planned out for us, don’t you?”

“Well, as long as our daughter doesn’t become a barrel racer. It’s too cutthroat of a sport. She should probably join the military where it’s safer.” Malik winked.

“Right down to the kids’ part. So you’re not afraid of having kids then?” Letty bumped his shoulder.

“At one time, yes. Didn’t want to raise a family in the military. I didn’t want to bring kids into the evil of this world. But here, we could give it a shot. We can show them that while there’s still evil in the world, there’ll be people that fight it on a daily basis. People like me. People like you. Honest, loyal, loving and compassionate people who want to make this world a better place.” He cupped her cheek, running a thumb over her trembling lips.

“I think I’m in love with you, Malik Thompson.” Letty’s heart felt like it could burst at the seams. She’d never thought the day would come where a guy could sweep her off her feet. It took a soldier and a rodeo to do it.

“I know I’m in love with you, Letty Stephens. And I’ll make sure you know it every day for the rest of your life.” His warm lips caressed hers, showing her a new world full of hope, safety, and love.