by Lori Foster
“I want you,” she groaned, shifting around so she could grab his shirt, peeling it up and over his head. Her scorching gaze traveled over his chest, and she leaned forward to lick a tattoo.
He wasn’t made of steel. “Your head—”
“Is fine.” Breathing hard, she leaned back to see him again. “It’s my heart you need to worry about right now.”
“Aw, babe.” This time he kept the kiss short and sweet. “I will always protect your heart, I swear.”
Emotion softened the lust, made her lips tremble. “My heart needs to feel you, around me, in me. Give me that. Please.”
She’d easily outmaneuvered him, and Cade knew when to relent. Kissing her more deeply, he stood and carried her to the bed.
* * *
IT FELT GOOD to have Cade hold her so easily, proof of his strength and his affection. Even better was how he carefully lowered her to the mattress, then stripped away her jeans and panties.
That compelling steel-blue gaze moved over her. “You’ll tell me if your head—”
“Yes.” She patted the bed beside her. “I’ll tell you.”
He stripped out of his own clothes, robbing her of breath with his remarkable body. Now, being turned on, his abs were tight above an impressive erection. Always, his body hair fascinated her, how it spread out over his chest, how that happy trail led down to his cock. Every single part of him, from his military haircut to his patrician features, his granite body down to his feet... She loved it all. So very, very much.
Not unaffected by her rapt attention, Cade snagged a condom, opened the packet and rolled it on.
The second he stretched out over her, her hands went exploring, relishing the warmth of his taut flesh, the flex of firm muscle, his indescribable scent that both incited and soothed her. A little overcome, Sterling hugged him tight with her nose in his neck, breathing him in.
Cade said nothing—not with words, anyway. He used his hands and lips, the stroke of his tongue and the press of his body to tell her how much she meant to him.
Now, after everything, she believed him. This was real. Solid. A commitment she could count on. Security she’d never known she wanted but relished so very much.
He kissed her, teasing at first, just brushing over her lips, tracing with his tongue—until her breath caught and she arched up against him.
Angling his head, he let his tongue sink deep. Hot, wet. Possessive.
Sterling’s fingertips gripped his shoulders, and that seemed to fire his blood even more.
“You’re mine,” he rasped, reaching down between their bodies to find her sex, to slide his fingers over her warm wetness...to press in, fill her, make her cry out with escalating sensations.
Marveling, Cade breathed, “Damn, you’re close already.”
In agreement, she pulled him into another tongue-thrusting, molten kiss while tightening around his fingers, rolling her hips against him, needing and taking.
He pulled away, but only to readjust, and then it was his cock pressing into her. Braced on his forearms, his hands holding her head and his mouth eating at hers, he rode her hard.
And she loved it.
Their combined sounds of pleasure filled the room. Desperation grew. Pleasure coiled tighter and tighter.
The second the high, vibrating moan escaped her, Cade put his head back, jaw clenched in concentration, until she began to ease in the aftermath of her orgasm. Tucking his face to her neck, he growled out his own release.
For only a few moments, he gave her his weight. With limbs tangled, all aches and pains forgotten, misgivings shelved, Sterling felt entirely at peace.
When she sighed, he struggled up to his elbows again. “Hey. You okay?”
“Mmm. I think you’ve found a cure for headaches. I’m blessedly numb.”
The smile showed in his eyes, if not on his mouth. “Is that so?”
“Don’t look so pleased. You already knew you excelled at everything.”
Something else joined the humor in his eyes. Affection.
Love.
“Look who’s talking.” Rolling to his side while keeping her tucked close, Cade heaved a big breath. “We both need some sleep.”
She did, but she didn’t want to sleep yet.
As usual, he seemed to know her thoughts. While stroking her back, her hip, he asked, “Something on your mind?”
Never had she thought to be in this place—a place of satisfaction and contentment. Admitting to the fears that had always plagued her seemed incredibly easy, at least with Cade.
“Star?” He lifted his head. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve always assumed a normal life wasn’t possible for me, and I was right.”
“Hey.” With the edge of his fist, he nudged up her face.
She pressed a finger to his lips and spoke around the choking emotion. “I was right, but this, with you, isn’t normal.”
The tension in his shoulders eased a little. “It’s exceptional.”
“Very much so. You’ve given me what I didn’t think I could ever find. A place to fit in.” The damn tears spilled over, but this was Cade, so she didn’t mind. “I never used to cry.”
“Not on the outside,” he agreed, and his hand settled under her breast. “But here, in your heart, I think you were very sad.”
How could he know her so well? Easy—he loved her. Well, it was time she opened up, so she smiled and said, “I appreciate how you trust me, how you recognize what I can do...and what I can’t.”
His mouth touched hers. “You can do anything, babe.”
Love swelled her heart until there were no hollow corners left in her soul. “No, I can’t. And now I don’t mind that. We complement each other, you and I. I feel safe with you when I’d forgotten what safe felt like.”
His eyes went a little glassy, too. “I will always protect you.”
“I know. Just as I’ll protect you.”
He smiled and said softly, “I know.”
With her newfound freedom and confidence, Sterling said, “You love me.”
“More than I knew was possible.”
That seemed like enough. “I want to live with you,” she stated.
“I want to marry you,” he countered. “Naturally we’ll live together.”
Marriage. It had always sounded like the standard norm, a normal she’d never have.
Now it sounded like them.
Sterling hugged him, letting his scent surround her, his strength cradle her, and knew she’d found the most incredibly perfect man—for her. “I love you, too. So damn much.”
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes, please.” Giddy happiness consumed her. “As long as we don’t live here—not permanently, anyway.”
Cade grinned. “I think it’s time I showed you my house.”
“Tomorrow,” she whispered, already comfortable against him. “You might not have noticed, but I had a trying day.”
EPILOGUE
EVERYONE WAS IN the breakfast room when they finally made it upstairs. Cade was surprised they’d waited on them, or so he assumed, until Bernard came in looking harried.
He carried a large tray of dishes...with his hair uncombed and his shirt untucked.
Cade shared a look with Star, who appeared equally boggled, then glanced at the others. Madison hid a smile. Parrish looked harassed.
“He’s already been out,” Reyes complained with a glare at Bernard. “Buying things for my cat.”
Going rigid, Bernard paused by the table. “Her name is Chimera.”
Left eye twitching, Reyes said in a soft, lethal tone, “You named my cat?”
Nose up, arrogance in full force, Bernard glared at him. “Better than calling that beautiful creature Cat.”
“Beautiful?” Reyes leaned forward, his elbows on
the table. “She has mismatched eyes and looks like she was run over by a mower.”
“Her eyes are stunning, and now that I’ve bathed and brushed her, her fur is gorgeous, as well.”
Astonishment dropped Reyes’s mouth open. “You—”
At the head of the table, Parrish cleared his throat. “Enough on the...”
Bernard stabbed him with a look.
Parrish quickly amended, “Chimera. Food would be nice, preferably before it gets cold. Or did you only plan to stand there and let us smell it?”
The tray clattered to the table. In rapid order, Bernard set out scrambled eggs, muffins, fresh fruit and a plate of sausages.
Before he could leave, Star said, “Thank you, Bernard. I don’t know how I got by so long without your cooking. You’re a master.”
Smug, Bernard sent Reyes a look. “Thank you. It’s nice to be appreciated.”
That earned a round of protests from everyone, but Bernard wasn’t moved. For a moment there, Cade thought he’d flip them all off as he exited the room in his lofty way.
They dealt with a lot of crazy shit, but Bernard in that particular mood? Strangest of them all.
The stillness lasted all of three seconds before everyone started laughing. Madison pushed back her chair. “I’ll go soothe the beast.” She nudged her brother. “And you—stop needling him.”
Reyes grinned. “No can do. The more I complain, the more determined he is to care for that... Chimera.”
Cade snorted. “Good save. He did seem adamant about her having a name.”
Even Parrish chuckled. “I’ve never seen him so rattled. He went out bright and early, buying everything from food and dishes, to catnip and toys, to bedding and brushes. He rushed back, afraid Chimera would miss him.”
Star laughed. “She probably did.”
“Didn’t sound like it, given the racket she made while he bathed her. He had to change clothes, but then Madison came in, and shortly after that, Reyes showed up, so Bernard didn’t have a chance to properly spiff up. You know he’s fanatical about having food ready.”
Plate already filled, Reyes settled in to eat. “I had no idea what I’d do with the cat, but Bernard has offered the perfect solution.”
“There are still three kittens,” Cade pointed out.
“And I have two siblings. Problem solved.”
As if someone had just handed her a million dollars, Star squealed. “I get a kitten?”
“When they’re old enough to be weaned—though I imagine Bernard will demand visitation rights.”
Cade was smiling when Star turned a worried frown on him. “I’d love a kitten, but it’s your house we’re talking about, so I’ll understand—”
“It’ll be our house.”
That got everyone quiet again. Reyes even paused in midchew with his mouth full.
Madison returned with Bernard in tow. He still looked frazzled, but he’d at least smoothed his hair. Or maybe Madison had done that for him.
Now that they were all present, Cade decided to make an announcement, before Reyes stirred Bernard up again. “I asked Star to marry me.”
All eyes turned to her. Wearing a cheek-splitting grin, Reyes said, “I’m guessing you said yes, or he wouldn’t be looking so pleased.”
“Of course I said yes. I’m not a dope.”
In seconds, Madison was right back out of her seat, circling the table to grab Star in a hug. Appearing pleased, Bernard lifted his orange juice in a toast. “Welcome to the family.”
Even Parrish smiled, saying to Cade, “Finding the right woman for you is the greatest gift you’ll ever receive. I’m happy for you.”
That sobered them all. It was a stark reminder that Parrish had found his love—and lost her to violence. That loss had determined how he’d raised his children, and how they lived their lives.
Seeking justice.
Because of that, he’d met Star.
Such a lifestyle shouldn’t have been conducive to a prolonged relationship, much less love or marriage, yet if it wasn’t for his sharpened insights, he might not have noticed Star right off.
Knowing he owed Parrish a debt of gratitude, Cade looked at him, an older version of himself, and said simply, “Thank you, Dad.”
Star leaned into his side, smiling, happy. “Yeah, thanks. For a bunch of stuff, but mostly for raising such an awesome son.”
Being an ass, Reyes asked, “Do you mean me or Cade?”
Bernard threw a napkin at him, and Parrish protested the disruption. Ignoring them all, Madison opened her laptop while eating.
Star turned to Cade, grinning. “Don’t tell them I said this, but your family is truly awesome.”
As Cade looked at each of them, old resentments faded away. He’d been coerced to this life, but because of that he had Star. They were still nuts, but they were his. He hugged Star tight. “I agree.”
* * *
From New York Times bestselling author
MAISEY YATES
This wealthy rancher has placed his bet…
And it’s winner takes all!
No one gets under Jackson Cooper’s skin like fellow ranch owner Cricket Maxfield. Now, facing off at a charity poker game, the stakes get personal. Jackson finds himself on the losing end… And paying up means being the ranch hand at Cricket’s beck and call. In close quarters, tempers flare—and the fire between them ignites into a passion that won’t be ignored…
AVAILABLE NOW
Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.
SPECIAL EXCERPT FROM
No one gets under Jackson Cooper’s skin like Cricket Maxfield. When he goes all in at a charity poker match, Jackson loses their bet and becomes her reluctant ranch hand. In close quarters, tempers flare—and the fire between them ignites into a passion that won’t be ignored…
Read on for a sneak peek of
The Rancher’s Wager
by New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates!
The Rancher’s Wager
by Maisey Yates
One
Cricket Maxfield had won any number of specious prizes in the game of life. From being born youngest in her family, barely rating a passing glance from either of her parents and being left to essentially do as she pleased, to being the only Maxfield sister born with both pigeon feet and buck teeth.
The latter was largely solved by braces, the former was mostly dealt with by casts on her feet when she was a baby.
She hardly walked turned in at all anymore.
All the way to a decrepit ranch that had been buried in her father’s portfolio, discovered after his disgrace, and unwanted by anyone else in her family.
She had a feeling, though, that she was about to win the strangest prize of all—six feet and four inches of big, rock solid cowboy.
She couldn’t have planned it better if she’d tried.
Oh, he didn’t think he was going to lose. She knew he didn’t. Because he had been betting like a fool all the way through this hand, and he had no idea that she had just gotten the absolute best hand possible.
No. He was playing like a man with a full house or a straight flush.
But she was a woman with a royal flush.
This final hand was always the most interesting part of this charity fundraiser, and it was the first year that Cricket had ever been in the hot seat for Battle of the Gold Valley Stars charity poker tournament.
This was the grudge game. This was the game for spectators.
Huge amounts of money had already been counted and distributed in previous rounds, all of it donated by businesses as each player had fought tooth and nail against each other, pouring cash into a pot for the sole purpose of giving back to the community. Now came the part where things got interesting.
Rivals tried to ge
t back bits of their own, as hotly contested items that had been tussled over at rummage sales, and family heirlooms that had gone back and forth in this game for decades, were all put in the pot.
Cricket was currently wearing an oversized black leather jacket with fringes—won in the previous round from Elliott Johns, the guy who ran a water filtration company in the area. She also had an oversized black cowboy hat that she had already won from her current target. It was resting low on her head, and smelled vaguely of sweat, which was unnerving, since smelling Jackson’s sweat made her feel strange. Just the idea of it.
It was a bit like that feeling she’d gotten when she was a child, and had been tempted to do something she knew she shouldn’t. A strange tingling low in her stomach, that then went lower and spread down her thighs, making her feel restless and strange. She shifted in her chair, her dress slippery on the material of the seat. Another specious prize. A hand-me-down red gown originally worn by her sister Emerson to this event.
Cricket’s fidgeting was just anticipation. And being so close to Jackson Cooper.
A man she usually avoided.
From afar, she had made a study of the Cooper family over the years. Something she was embarrassed to admit.
She had gotten to know Jackson’s brother, Creed, a little better over the past few months, since he’d become her brother-in-law. She’d acted shocked and appalled and said any number of things about her sister Wren when she found herself involved with a Cooper. It had gone way past involved now, and they were married with a baby. And Cricket had sworn to Wren, up and down, that hardheaded, irritating, stubborn cowboys would never ever be her type.
Cricket was a liar.
Jackson made her feel strange...but he was also the only one of the Coopers who could answer the questions she needed answered.
Because of Wren, she couldn’t really talk to Creed. And she didn’t really want to talk to the youngest Cooper either, even though Honey was closer to Cricket’s age. She’d never found the other girl approachable.
