Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  He lifted his head from her chest and gazed into her eyes. “What’s the matter?”

  “I can’t get pregnant now while you hate me.”

  He smoothed her hair back. A soft smile lingered on his face. “Honey, I don’t hate you. Don’t worry. I wore a condom.”

  “What?” Maybe a package had torn. She’d been too wrapped up in wanting to make love with him. The world could’ve stopped spinning for all she knew.

  He chuckled. “I did. Want proof?”

  “How? It happened so fast.”

  “Because I’m that good, and I wanted you so damn badly.”

  She relaxed her tense muscles. “Outlaw, you’re a sly one.”

  “Wait. You wouldn’t have cared if I hadn’t used one? Then why’d I leave your room in Sedona?”

  “Not tonight I didn’t…because you are that good.”

  “I had no idea what would happen tonight, and I hadn’t planned on getting lucky, but if this had happened, so be it. I’m glad it did.” He lay back and cuddled her against him. “It’s okay, honey.”

  This was so much more than okay. This was right. But what had this meant now? Who would he be tomorrow?

  ∞∞∞

  She woke dreading to face a new day. She’d succumbed to his charms without hesitation when she’d known better. Especially after his words. She couldn’t make him love her. How could she face him? She readied herself for work then rushed down to the kitchen while everyone else ate breakfast. No one, not even Max was there. She stole a container of yogurt from the fridge, an apple, a cheddar cheese stick, and a spoon, then exited the back door toward the stable.

  She quickly brushed Joanie Girl and took her out for a morning ride before the riders arrived for the trail. Out of nowhere, Tanyon cut her off at a fork in the trail and Joanie reared up. “Hooo, girl. Hooo.” She caught her breath after getting Joanie settled. Nothing moved now except the horse’s bobbing head. Karis patted her. “It’s okay, girl.” She frowned at Tanyon. “What’s the matter with you? You scared me to death. I thought you were a bear.”

  “Grrrrowl.” He clawed at the air then chuckled. “What are you doing?”

  She got off the horse and removed the yogurt from her saddle bag, then proceeded to eat. “I’m taking her for a ride before starting on the trail with the bunch.”

  He rode up to her side and dismounted. “You skipped breakfast.”

  “I wasn’t in the mood.”

  “Can I have a bite?” Tanyon smirked.

  She dipped in the spoon and handed it to him, but he grasped her hand and led the spoon to his mouth. “Thanks.”

  She finished the yogurt before stuffing the container into her saddlebag. “What are you doing out here?”

  “What I do every morning. Check on the property. I’m headed out to examine fences on the east side. Cade’s out there. Baby, you’re hot with your long hair flying in the breeze. Sexy.”

  His words made her smile inside. She peeled back the wrapping on the cheese stick, almost took a bite, but hesitated. “Want a bite of this too?”

  She gave in to the tug on her arm as he pulled her close as if to kiss her. Karis sighed when he didn’t. He’d only wanted a bite and not of her.

  “Mind if I ride along with you?”

  “If you must.” Wasn’t she here to avoid him? She mounted and nudged Joanie forward. He rode alongside her. “Shouldn’t you get to the fencing?”

  “It’s not going anywhere. Listen—”

  “I know. You’re sorry last night happened. Why aren’t I surprised?”

  “No, I’m not. Stop putting words in my mouth. That’s what I wanted to tell you. You don’t believe me? You think I used you to pleasure myself and that was it? It didn’t sound like you hated it.”

  “After what you said…” She went into a gallop.

  “Slow down,” he yelled riding next to her. He cut the horse off to slow her down then she brought Joanie to a halt. Tanyon grabbed her reins. “You might have a concussion. Have you seen your forehead today? You need ice, and maybe stitches after all.”

  She took the reins back from him and touched her forehead. “I don’t need stitches. I’ll get ice before taking the other riders out. I need to get back.” She circled the horse around and trotted away from him. He came up alongside her again.

  “You’re not going out today.”

  She stopped abruptly. Well, at least with all this stopping and starting, Joanie Girl handled it well. She’d prove to be a great asset, but his words plain out pissed her off. “You’re pulling me off another job?”

  “I can’t have you taking those kids out today. In fact, I meant to tell you at breakfast, but you weren’t there. I’m telling you now. You might want to see a doctor. I’ll ask Ronni to go with you.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter. I’m fine, Boss.” She urged Joanie into a gallop until she came closer to the ranch. She got off at the barn and walked her into her stall. “Good girl. Great ride.”

  Tanyon strode in behind her, tied his horse, and jerked her around to face him. He stared at her lips, her eyes, her lips again. Her forehead. “Why do you have an attitude? I care what happens to you.” He’d lowered his voice by the time his last sentence came out, “I thought you wanted last night.”

  On another day she would’ve wanted everything, but not after the things he’d said. He’d needed help in loving her. Impossible! She’d needed to be pleasured last night. She shook her head at herself. “Of course, I wanted last night. I’ve never stopped loving you. I love you. I’ll say it again. I can’t make you love me.”

  “But you did—”

  “Hey, Tanyon. I’m doing the trail ride today?” Rudy entered the barn, strolling up to them with a note in his hand.

  “Yeah, Dusty’s going too. They’ll be a handful of parents. Don’t be rough on these teens today, but give them a good time. They’re all foster kids. They deserve some fun. Meet up for lunch at Shadow Pass where the Chuck Truck will be waiting.”

  “Think I could ask Logan to come along?”

  “Not this time. He’ll be working in the barn.”

  Karis folded her arms and flicked her gaze to Rudy then Tanyon. She stared him down, demanding, “Let me go on this ride.”

  He went into the supply room and returned with ice. “You’re not taking a horse out today. Take care of yourself.”

  Other than start a scene with Rudy standing there, she narrowed her eyes at Tanyon to show her displeasure at being removed yet again. She shoved past him bumping his arm on purpose.

  “Here. Take this ice.” He tossed it to her.

  “All right, Boss-man, I get it.” She stomped off to pack her damn bags.

  Inside, Max commandeered her in the foyer. “Come to the kitchen. I need a taste-tester.”

  “I’m not in the mood today. I have to leave.” She went up five steps. He journeyed the rest of the way with her as she stomped to her room. She searched for the door key and found it tucked into a corner of her pocket.

  “What the hell did my nephew do to you this time? For Pete’s sake, you need stitches.”

  “We can’t blame him.”

  “What happened to your forehead? Hold that ice against your noggin’. When will you get it into your thick head it’s not your fault? He could’ve gone to get you anytime.”

  “No, he couldn’t, Max. I turned my back on him. You know he’s a strong-willed man. I hurt him. He’ll never—”

  The front door opened below them.

  Max checked over the railing across the upper hallway then lowered his voice. “He loves you.”

  “You’re wrong. He wants to love me, but he can’t. Please stay out of this. I’ve accepted the fact we’re over. You might as well.” Why then, did the sight of them making love flash before her eyes?

  “I’m not letting you leave.”

  She huffed. “You’re not stopping me.”

  “Please?” he asked. “Come to the kitchen. I’ll give you some celery and ca
rrots to slice up if you need to take it out on something. Hell, hand cut the nuts. Chop some wood out back for the pizza oven. Whatever it takes.”

  She grinned.

  Smiling big, he said, “There’s the pretty smile you’re known for.”

  Tanyon stepped onto the top step with a frown, strode past them, bumping his uncle’s shoulder. “Why don’t you two get a room?” He kept going toward his room with an angry flash at Karis.

  Max rushed after him, grabbed his shoulder, and jerked him around in tough marine-like fashion.

  Karis gasped, afraid a fight would ensue. “Guys?”

  “You got a bad attitude these days, Tanyon Outlaw. I advise you to straighten up before you lose everything you ever wanted.”

  Karis couldn’t see Max’s face though he must’ve worn a frown. He took a step toward her, but she unlocked her door with a fierce glance at Tanyon. She twisted the knob, but held her hand on it to see what came next when Max spun around and went back to Tanyon.

  Max shoved him in the chest. “Do it before it’s too late, you stubborn jackass.” He marched down the hallway, saying on his way to the staircase, “I still need a taster.”

  Tanyon walked up to Karis and stood close. “You still don’t believe me.” He shook his head and charged into his room with Sparky so close, he almost got closed in the door.

  Karis stared at his room, tears welling. But his door opened. Their gazes met. Tanyon kept coming. He cruised up to her, took her hands, and jerked her arms above her head. He pressed her into the door, which opened. They both fell to the floor, his full body weight on top of her. A big “ooof” escaped from Karis and a loud “shit” from Tanyon. He shifted his position a bit and kicked the door closed with his foot. “Now I have you where I want you.”

  “Let me up, Outlaw.”

  “Go to hell.”

  “I’m already there.”

  Tanyon narrowed his eyes. “Screw you.”

  “Screw me…you!” Oh, what had she said now?

  “All right.” He jumped up and off her, but when she stood, he locked the door, carried her to the bed, and plopped down on top of her. “Right now.” He unbuttoned her blouse, yanked it apart, and tipped his head back with closed eyes. “Mmm…yeah. Right now.”

  She pressed her palms against his chest. “Stop.”

  “Do you want me to?”

  She paused, her gaze skimming down his heaving chest. What he’d said in the barn was right. She wanted what happened last night. This is what she needed. “No.”

  Tanyon smiled. “It’s time we both stop with this bullshit and get down to business and back to each other. Do you agree?”

  Karis stuttered, “B-but, but…”

  “Yes or no.”

  Yes, she agreed internally.

  Sparky whined outside the door.

  “Silence is your answer? So be it.” He got up but before exiting, smoothed his shirt, and tucked it in. “The other reason I pulled you off this ride is because I need Dusty to quiz Rudy out there.” He left.

  Silence hadn’t meant no. Stubborn sonofabitch!

  She should’ve known a proud, hardheaded man had no patience. She gave herself five minutes to get it out of her system. Five minutes hell. She’d need a lifetime to cry. Karis rose from the bed and padded to the closet for her suitcase and backpack. She looked at the spot on the floor where they had lain, realizing the pain in her neck and back from hitting the floor with two-hundred pounds of beautiful muscle on top of her.

  She searched her purse for her keys to take her backpack down to her car first. “Where in the hell are they?” Karis dumped everything onto the bed. She rummaged through all the drawers, including her nightstand, and the closet, checking pockets in jeans not yet washed. When had she had them last? When she arrived? The day she parked it near the barn. They could’ve been anywhere by now.

  Almost growling, she trekked down the stairs to her car. Locked. No keys visible. Back in her bedroom, she checked more pockets. Her extra key fob was at home. She pounded her thighs. Now, she’d have to call her mom to find and send it, but wait. She usually brought her extra key here so she’d have it if needed. Had she even had it since last year here? Had it been in her car this whole time? First, she’d ask her mom to check at her apartment before she worried. For now, she wasn’t going anywhere.

  She stared at the door. Had he gone downstairs or to his room? Sparky was silent. She stretched and tilted her neck back and forth, up then down. Her pain relievers were all gone. Karis went into the bathroom to reapply makeup and brush her hair. She sighed while observing her forehead. The knot beneath the cut was larger, her eyelid darkened. She’d get a pain reliever from the kitchen.

  Downstairs, Max had chopped a pile of carrots and proceeded to manhandle celery. “What are you making with all your frustrated chopping?”

  “I don’t know what the hell I’ll do with it. You and Tanyon are making me crazy with your back and forth shit. Both of you need to make up your damn minds.” He wiped his hands on a towel and pulled a casserole dish from the oven. “If you’re serious, take off and don’t try making it work. Leave. Go. Get on outta here.”

  She was taken aback. “I had planned on waiting until nightfall—”

  “How stupid. You’ll pass out from that wound on your head before that. Get to a doctor, but first get on over here and taste this.”

  “Excuse me?” Max had never talked to her gruffly before though she needed someone to take her by the shoulders to shake her. No! She was no longer taking the blame. Tanyon could’ve come to her knowing how her brother’s death had affected her. Nevertheless, she should’ve leaned on him when all he’d wanted to do was console her. She’d been more lost in grief than she’d ever thought possible. But had he been lost too? He and Rory had grown close.

  “Taste this.”

  Karis tucked her emotions away for now. “What is it?”

  “My Best Doggone Good casserole.”

  She took the forkful, blew on it, then tasted. “Mmm, what are you going for here? Spicy? Because if so, you needed a few more chilies.”

  “I don’t want it spicy for the kids that’ll be eating it.”

  She got a small bowl from the cupboard and dished out a corner of the cheesy dish. “Then it’s perfect. They’ll love it.”

  Max got himself a little bowlful and sat at the table. “I don’t mean to come down so hard on you, but you have to ask yourself how much you want what you think you want. Leave him alone if you can’t. Don’t play with him.”

  “I never would, Max.”

  “You are!”

  Karis groaned and rubbed her back while getting up. She rinsed her bowl and sat it in the dishwasher. “Since Tanyon won’t let me work, I’m going down to the lake. Are there still bicycles around here?”

  Max sighed. “So be it then. Take off at nightfall. It’s been nice knowing ya. The bikes are in the usual place behind the hay barn.” Max placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. Then he strode out of the kitchen.

  Chapter Eight

  Tanyon spotted Karis riding a bike toward the lake. He entered the back door and went into the kitchen. Max moved away from the window. “The casserole is hot out of the oven if you want a sample.”

  “All right.” He washed his hands at the sink, picked up a fingerful of chopped celery, and popped it into his mouth.

  Max filled a bowl then handed it to him. “This isn’t for you all’s lunch, but have some. If you like it, I’ll make a batch for the house for dinner.”

  Tanyon got a fork and sat down on a stool at the island. He got a whiff of Karis’s perfume but lowered his nose closer to the bowl to avoid the fragrance of her. “Smells good, Uncle Max.”

  “I’ll make it spicier for the rest of us. This is for the group of kids you brought over. I’ll run it and the other fixings out to Shadow Pass shortly.” He continued packing a box with what he’d take.

  “Thanks. If you can keep the ice cream frozen, take it out to
them.”

  “They can have it when they return from the ride. Look, I didn’t mean to get on you like I did. If it’s any consolation, I drilled Karis too. The rest is up to you two.” Max covered the casserole and stood at the doorway with his hand on the jamb. “She’s leaving tonight. You might want to tame the stubborn mule living inside of your head. It’s apparent she isn’t the boss of hers, either. One of you must make the first sonofabitchin’ move before it’s too late.”

  “She’s not going anywhere.”

  “Whatever, but don’t be so damned sure. I’m done with the both of ya.” He marched out the door and down the back stairway to the basement.

  He finished the bowl of food then poured a shot of whiskey before venturing upstairs to brush his teeth.

  Outside, he strode to the barn for his horse. He took a slow bareback ride toward the lake. Karis stood near the shore at Beach Jesse on this end of the property. He dismounted, then hooked his hat over the handlebar of the bike, and left the horse to graze. Tanyon stood behind her for a few minutes, taking in and releasing a breath. He closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her hair blowing in the breeze.

  Glancing back at him, she asked, “Why are you here?”

  He walked slowly up to her, slid his hand around her midriff, and leaned down to whisper into her ear, “I want you beneath me. Always. Believe my words this time, Karis. Always.” He pulled her against him and wrapped his other arm around her shoulder to imprison her.

  Surrendering, she leaned back, resting her head against his chest. He bent his head, touching his cheek against hers, and together they stood there sharing the lake—the gentle waves kissing the shore—the soft breeze, birds merrily singing. He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her neck. Her breathing increased, encouraging him.

  Karis’s lips parted and she blinked. She laced her fingers with his over her midriff. “Are we too far gone?”

  His body responded to the warmth of hers, the smell of shampoo, the sight of her, the memory of being held tight inside of her. Her sensuous voice speaking low. “No. Let’s try. I mean try without any doubts it’ll go any other way. Come on. Let us work.”