Dust Storm (The Griffith Brothers, #1)

by Maggie C. Gates

“Don’t you dare leave a fucking hickey on me like an amateur.” I yanked her head backward again, latching onto her throat. “I will do what I goddamn please. If I want to mark your perfect body, I will fucking do so because it belongs to me.”

“What? You’re not even going to undress me all the way?” I palmed her ass before tugging her thong down around her thighs. “I like seeing you like this. Such a dirty girl, dropping these panties and bending over to get fucked. You can’t even look me in the eye.”

“Greedy girl,” I groaned. “Already soaked and desperate for me.” I steadily worked her clit. “This pussy must be dying since you finally found someone who can make you come better than a toy.”

“Let me get that for you,” I said, getting up to take my dishes to the sink. I piled hers on top. “I can do that, you know. You didn’t fuck my legs off.” I chuckled as I walked over and dropped them in the sink. “I didn’t know that was the standard. I’ll try harder next time.”

“Right here, cowboy. Where else would I be?” Static crackled. “Didn’t know if you decided to go get some fresh air or go on a ride or something.” I laughed. “As if I’d get on a wild animal voluntarily.” He snickered. “You did alright the other night.” Was he talking about the family trail ride he forced me to join in on, or the clandestine hookup we had in the office after the girls were in bed? I certainly did alright riding him. The radio clicked. “Stop flirting on the line,”

I imagine unseating a mayor would be just as easy. Tell me, how’s your mistress? Nadine, the lady who works at Blush & Bashful. That’s her lipstick on your collar, isn’t it?”

“One more thing, Mr. Mayor—” I grabbed the top of his door. “When the invitations go out for the groundbreaking, you will receive one. You will RSVP. You will tell every important person in town to come. You’ll arrive on time, have exactly one drink, sing this family’s praises and be a loud supporter of our projects, and then leave early.” He swallowed. “Don’t tell my wife.” “That’s your business.” I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t make it mine.”

“Ah-ah-ah—” I stopped her with a single finger. “What are you girls doing home? You’re supposed to be in school.” “We were kidnapped,”

“Right. Have a nice abduction.” “C’mere, Miss Cass,” Gracie said, grabbing my hand. “You gotta meet our funcle.” “I don’t think your father lets you use that kind of language yet.”

I twisted my ankle, showing off the sharp stiletto. “It’s not as fine as a tattoo needle, but I can poke some holes in you if need be.” He grinned from ear to ear. I raised an eyebrow. “Does need be?” He chuckled. “No, ma’am.” “You’re supposed to say, ‘no, my queen,’ Gracie whispered. “Yeah, I’ll leave that to your dad,”

“Does your father know you’re not in school right now?” Bree clammed up. I stared her down. “Bree?” Her eyes shifted. I tapped my foot. “Want to tell me why you’re skipping school and risking getting in trouble after I went to bat for you?” “You told me to shut up when I’m being asked questions that could get me in trouble,”

“Don’t worry. I’m not actually a kidnapper,” Ray said. “I signed them out at the school office before I put the hoods over their heads and tossed them in the backseat of my truck.” “Oh my god,”

“She doesn’t like kids, but we’re working on that,” Bree said. Ray sounded truly appalled. “Doesn’t like kids? Who doesn’t like kids? Especially you two wombats.” “We’re wearing her down,” Gracie said.

“Your brother’s here,” she hissed. “I know,” I said in a hushed voice that matched hers. “I saw him come in on the cameras.” “He kidnapped your children,” she whisper-yelled. “He does that.” Her eyes widened. “And you’re okay with that?” Dammit. I liked when she was worried about the girls.

“What are you doing?” she spat. “I’m telling you it’s okay to care,” I snapped as I whipped around. “Alright? It doesn’t make you weak or less in control.”

“Do you want children?” My dad asked Cassandra. She choked on a sip of water and laughed. “No. I can’t think of anything worse than pushing out a baby.”

“That’s a non-answer,” Bree pressed. “You don’t have to have a wife to have a baby.” I stared at my daughter across the table. “Excuse me, Miss Thirteen going on Thirty. Who taught you to debate?” “Miss Cass,” she said with a grin. Cassandra laughed. “I told you, I’m a bad influence on children. You should have known better than to leave them unsupervised around me.”

I wanted her deeper. Longer. I wanted her in every way imaginable. I wanted her under me and on top of me. But more than that, I wanted her beside me in every way. In every situation. Good or bad.

My kids think you’re the greatest thing to walk the fucking earth. Frankly, so do I. I want to see what you’re like when you’re willing to accept that you have feelings for us. I know you got your heart broken, but I’m not sorry about that. I’m glad that shit stain is gone. And as fucked up as the situation is that brought you to me, I’m fucking glad it happened because I like seeing you here every day. I like walking into the office and seeing you there. I like watching you try to ride a horse. You suck at it, by the way. I like finding you with a bowl of ice cream and whiskey after a bad day, and I will always keep it on hand as long as you’re here. But you have to choose to be here.

Maybe I was out of my goddamn mind. She wasn’t looking for a relationship. She hated this ranch. She didn’t like kids. She despised nearly everything about my way of life. And yet she was perfect for it. I saw it every time I looked at her.

“Moved down here for college back in the sixties. Swore up and down that I wouldn’t fall in love with a cowboy. I had my eyes set on California after I got my degree.” “What did you study?” “I got a degree in accounting at Methodist. Made it all four years without dating a cowboy. I was working an internship with the Department of Agriculture when in walks this tall drink of water. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

“Why are you assuming I’m not the boss?”” I snickered. “What did he say?” Claire grinned. “He said, “Well if you’re the boss, then I owe you money. And it’ll be real awkward for both of us if it looks like I’m trying to get out of a debt by taking you on a date.””

“He came back every week with a different pickup line. I was willing to let it go on longer, but the old bat who usually guarded the front desk got tired of him showing up to see the intern every Friday. It went on through the rest of my senior year. Finally, she took pity on him and told him that I refused to date cowboys.”

I showed up for my first day of work and—what do you know—guess who was waiting for me at the front gate?” She pointed to the dirt drive. “Your cowboy.” Claire nodded. “I lit into him. Told him that if this was some kind of joke, then I’d kill him. But he promised there was a job and it was mine.”

I didn’t want to be some little wife at home, barefoot and pregnant. I had dreams of my own and I didn’t want someone who was tied to a piece of land.” “How did he take that?” Claire smiled. “He just nodded and said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ And that was that. Or so I thought. The next day I showed up to work and he had a tablecloth over my desk. You know—the one you and Christian use now. It’s the same one. There were candles and flowers. He said we’d have a business meeting instead, then grilled me a steak.”

So, I sat down with Silas’s daddy—the Griffith brother in charge at the time—and made my case.” I was hanging on her every word. “Did you get it?” “Well, not exactly.” Claire clasped her hands together. “He told me I’d have to talk to Silas, since my paycheck was coming out of his.”

It takes a strong woman to carry that load, and Silas knew that. It’s why he smiled at me when I told him off the first day he showed up in my office.”

But I see the women that my boys set their sights on, and know they learned from their daddy.” She patted my hand before letting go. “It takes a strong cowboy to put up with a bull, and a strong woman to put up with a cowboy.”

“What are you doing here?” she snapped. I scoffed. “I’m supposed to be picking up tools, and this is my ranch. I can go wherever I please. What are you doing here?” She sneered. “I was told an inspector was coming to approve the work, and I needed to be down here to sign some papers.”

They’re being parent trapped

Gracie was the brave one now. “Dad, we want Miss Cass to stay and we want you to date her.”

Dating… that’s a grown-up decision that people have to make on their own. You can’t trick people into it.” Gracie looked crushed. Her eyes welled up instantly and her lip quivered. “But…” Bree’s eyebrows drew in. “You like each other. And you look at her like you used to look at Mom.” Fuck. Me. Gracie sniffed. “We thought maybe you never had a chance to take Miss Cass out on a date because you’re always working.” She ramped up the waterworks. “We love you, Daddy, and⁠—”

“Please talk to her, Daddy,” Bree said, letting go of Cass and grabbing my hand the way she used to when she was little. “Please?” I kissed her head. “I love you, baby girl. Thank you for doing this. It was very thoughtful of you.”

“I want you to,” he admitted. “Cass…” Christian sat back, took his hat off, and ran a hand through his hair. “I want you to stay.” Tears welled up in my eyes. For years, that was all I wanted to hear. Stay. Be here with me. Don’t go.

“You think you’re stubborn? Princess, I deal with bulls, mules, and my kids. Two can play that game. I’ll call New York and tell them you’re not done here.” He drained his wine and dropped the glass back on the table. “And if that doesn’t work, I believe you know how adept Griffiths are at kidnapping.”

“What if I disappoint you? What if I disappoint the girls? I don’t want to hurt them. I told you—I’m not warm and fuzzy.”

“You know what we do when there’s a dust storm?” His lips were soft as he pressed them to my forehead. “We stand at the windows and watch, because being near something that powerful and uncontainable is worth the risk.”

“I used to have abs,” he said sheepishly. “It’s been a long ten years. Sorry you missed ’em.” “I’m not sorry at all,” I said with a happy sigh against his chest as I smoothed my hand up and down the gentle mountains and valleys of his torso. “If I didn’t make it clear before, I’m quite attracted to you.”

“You make me feel safe. I love when you hug me because it feels like nothing in the world can touch me. You’re like a cave where I can hide when I’ve had a bad day and I know nothing can hurt me.

“I’m not wearing a bra.” His hand found my boob and squeezed. “I’m not complaining.” “You’re insatiable.” “Yes, ma’am.” I tipped my chin up. “I still hate that.” Christian grinned, rolling us both over until he was on top of me, bracketing my arms with his. He pulled down the neckline of my tank top and buried his face in my chest. “Always insatiable for you, my queen.”

“Ugh. Dad, I know she’s in your room. I need extra time getting ready today, so I got up early. Y’all are usually up by now anyway. I hear you walking around every morning.” I dropped my hand onto my face. “Busted,” he whispered before burying his face into my hair. “She’s got an attitude like her momma had.”

“Christian, I can’t—” she froze and looked at my hand. “What’s that?” I chuckled under my breath. “They—uh—they go on your heels. You know, so it’s easier to walk in dirt and not sink in.”

“I stained them so they’d match your shoes and not stand out so much,”

“Just something I fiddled with while I helped the girls with their homework. If they work I can make some more. You know, so you have them to match all your shoes.” I took her hand and kissed it. “Maybe someday we’ll have sidewalks around here for you.” “I can always go to New York when I need my fix,” she said, draping her arms around my neck. I pecked her lips. “Just as long as you come back to me.”

“I’m not going to tell you to stop worrying,” she said softly. “It’s attractive.” “Then between the ranch, the building projects, and raising teenagers I’m going to be irresistible these next few years.”

“Having fun?” “Mhmm. But there’s no one here my age.” “Sorry about it. Maybe when we start having grand openings you can invite some friends.” “What about a boy?” she asked. My answer was immediate and definite. “No.” “But what if⁠—” “No.” “I’m gonna ask Miss Cass.” “Still no.”

“I like her,” she said thoughtfully. My heart tightened. “Yeah?” Bree nodded. “I mean, I know we have Grandma and Aunt Becks, but Miss Cass is—like—ours.”

The people you should be around will make it very clear that you’re wanted and valued.” I chuckled. “And how about the people you’re around now?” “They smell. They wake up far too early. They’re bullheaded and stubborn and infuriating.” “And?” I pressed as we made our way up the porch steps. Cassandra paused at the top. “And I’ve never felt more at home.”

“I trust you. Even as we are now—no rings, no long-term vows—you’re part of this ranch. You’re part of this family. You’re part of this legacy. You want something done? You have the weight of my name in your own.”

“There you go, Princess. Make yourself come. Show me how much you want my cock.” I sucked on the paper-thin skin behind her ear and made her gasp. “Do a good job for me and I’ll fill your little pussy up.”

“Don’t stop now, Princess. Show me how pretty you look when you come with my name on your lips.” I pinched her nipple and relished the shock that morphed into a moan. “That’s what you wanted that day I walked in on you touching yourself. You wanted me to be the one making you come.” Cassandra nodded desperately. “Yes.” “Then make yourself finish like the dirty girl you are, and I’ll make that fantasy come true.”