Dalton Boys Box Set Books 1-5 (The Dalton Boys)

by Em Petrova

  Rolling into the fragrant grass, he pulled her atop him. Her hair was disheveled, tumbling around them, her eyes burning.

  “I didn’t think you were finished with me yet, Cash.”

  “I’m not. But I want to look at my wife when I tell her I love her.”

  Her face blanked for a heartbeat, then a smile of such joy spread over her beautiful features that his heart seized. He locked his hands on her arms and jerked her down for a kiss.

  As their tongues danced, insects buzzed and far off, someone dropped a heavy item into the bed of a truck. Maya wiggled against him as she fumbled with his jeans and shirt. When they were both naked under the dark blue cloudless sky, he captured her face in his hands.

  “I do love you,” he gritted out.

  “Show me,” she breathed.

  He flipped her again, pressing kisses to her throat, breasts, belly and finally burying his tongue between her thighs. Juices wet his tongue, and he groaned. Flicking his tongue up and down over her soaking folds blew away the last cobwebs of worry he’d felt.

  Even if he had to love her under the stars every night, they still had each other. It didn’t matter that they didn’t have the brand new house or the most comfortable bed.

  Sliding his hands under her round bottom, he hitched her against his mouth. Her sounds increased until he ran a hand up her body and pressed his fingers into her mouth.

  When she bit into his hand, his need spiked. He doubled his efforts until she arched off the ground and contracted madly against his tongue. Aching, he didn’t wait for her to come down from her high.

  He reared back, positioned himself at her entrance and plunged home.

  * * *

  Maya could barely take a full breath. Watching her husband’s face contort with ecstasy affected her deeply. She curled around him, still buzzing from the release he’d given her.

  Passion flowed from her tongue to his, and she angled her body to take his every inch. The fires low in her core raged out of control. When she cried out, she didn’t realize she was too loud until it echoed in her ears.

  He rocked his hips faster. Her inner walls clamped around him, and she pinched his nipples just the way he liked.

  “Hell, I’m close. Come with me, darlin’.” His eyes, wide and glassy with lust, were also filled with love.

  He thrust once more…twice. She came apart.

  As she quaked in his hold, he stiffened, threw his head back and bellowed to the sky.

  For long seconds they writhed in the throes of bliss. The final pulsations slowed, and he collapsed, keeping his weight off her and pressing her down at the same time.

  She drank in his masculine scent as she floated back to earth. A sudden vision made her giggle.

  “What’s funny?” he grunted against her shoulder.

  She trailed her fingers down his damp spine. “I bet no one ever saw grasses move like that.”

  With a chuckle, he rolled off, dragging her against his side. She threw a thigh over his midsection and stared at the sky.

  “I’m sorry I’m difficult to get along with sometimes.”

  “I wouldn’t want you any other way, darlin’.”

  Heart warm, she brushed a light kiss to his chest.

  “I shouldn’t make things harder on you, though. I know you’re stressed about building a house for us.”

  Tension flowed through his muscles, then he relaxed. “It will happen in time. I hope you weren’t lying about being content in the trailer.”

  “It’s fine. Really. I’m just so happy to be here, free and safe.”

  “And in love.” A smile was in his voice.

  “That too.” His admission of love still dizzied her. How had it happened in such a short time? They’d been thrown together by circumstance and an interfering papa, but only good had come from the bargain.

  “I can’t promise to get you into a house by winter, Maya. If Hank and Charlotte are out, we can possibly take over their room in the big house.”

  She shook her head. “I fear the walls are too thin for everyone’s comfort.”

  He burst out laughing, shaking against her. “That’s the truth. I love that about you.” He met her gaze, sobering. “I only want to give you everything you never had.”

  She squeezed him. “You already have.”

  Moments passed while he traced circles on her side, and she listened to his heart. A thought leaped into her mind. “Cash,” she said slowly.

  “Hmm?”

  “You know those houses that are pre-built? We passed a place on the way home this morning.”

  He stilled. Stopped breathing.

  When he released the breath he’d been holding, it came out in a rush. He sat up, tossing her into the grass. “You’re a genius!”

  She maneuvered into a sitting position too, staring at him as he leaped to his feet and danced naked. Grass swished around his legs, and parts of him bobbed free. She clapped her hands to her mouth to suppress her laughter.

  “What’s gotten into you?”

  He grabbed her hand and jerked her to her feet too, spinning her. “A pre-fab house is the answer to our problems! I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I don’t know why my know-it-all brother didn’t think of it either.” Cash grinned down at her before planting a hard kiss square on her lips. “We can be in our house by winter, I’m sure of it!”

  His excitement was contagious. She even allowed him to waltz her through the field until they tripped on his pile of clothes. Shaking her head, she tossed his shirt at him.

  “Sorry.” He sounded far from it. But his spirits were so high, she couldn’t help becoming infected by his attitude. She pulled him to his feet, and they danced.

  * * *

  As the big rig hauling half of Cash and Maya’s house trundled up the drive, he let out a whoop.

  “Hurry, darlin’. Get in the truck.” Maya was slower than normal and green with morning sickness, but she gave him a wan smile and slid into the passenger seat.

  He took off across the field, trying to keep the bumping to a minimum so his wife didn’t toss her cookies. “You okay?”

  “Yes. I can’t wait to see inside!”

  He chuckled, but her excitement thrilled him. “It will be some time before we can go in. The two halves get rolled together, and then they have some finish work to do.”

  “But it will be done around the same time Hank and Charlotte get in their house.”

  “Yeah, Witt has already claimed the empty bedroom.” He glanced in his rearview mirror. The sight of half of his house making its slow way to his plot of land and the waiting foundation sent a thrill through him.

  He placed a hand on Maya’s warm, smooth thigh. If they had time, he’d tumble her just to savor the moment even more. Between bouts of nausea she’d been insatiable in bed. This was going to be a helluva fun few months.

  By the time they stopped, his brothers arrived on horseback. Hank and Charlotte came by truck, though. Cash and Maya got out of the truck and stood with the rest of the family to watch. The second half of the house began its slow progress down the drive.

  Maya twined her fingers together and bounced on her heels. Seeing her so happy infused him with pride. Yes, she was content in the trailer, but she fit into the big ranch house with the log siding they’d chosen like a glass shoe fit a princess.

  When Momma, Pa and Manny joined the group, Cash felt pretty damn complete. Sharing this day with his family felt as monumental as his wedding day. Pa caught his eye and gave an approving nod.

  He smiled and looked to Maya’s father. Manny drifted forward to slide an arm around Maya’s still-thin waist.

  “Papa, Cash and I would like you to know you have your own room with us. I hope you’ll take our offer.”

  Manny’s jaw fell open in surprise. “Aw, daughter, I couldn’t impose on your new family. I’m happy in the room off the barn.”

  “But someday…”

  “Someday,” he agreed, eyes shining.
>
  Deep down Cash believed Manny didn’t want to be within a country mile of his noisy daughter. Cash breathed a small sigh of relief that he’d have Maya all to himself.

  He glanced across the field at Hank’s home in the final stages of construction. A few doors to hang and the final electrical inspection, and the couple would be officially living there.

  As the two halves of Cash and Maya’s new home were parked near the foundation, Cash drew her into his arms. She snuggled closer, head on his shoulder. “This home will hold a lot of memories,” she said.

  “And a lot of arguments.”

  She slapped his biceps, and he chuckled. “Admit it. You can’t even have a happy moment with me without a fight.”

  “You rub me wrong,” she shot back.

  He dipped his mouth to her ear and circled the shell with his tongue. “Oh I’ll rub you. Shoulders, back…” He curled his hand around her plush bottom and squeezed.

  She batted his hand away and pointed at the trucks belonging to the crew that had arrived to set up their house. “Get to work, Cash.”

  Covering her belly with a hand, he looked into her eyes. The espresso-brown depths shone with a joy he hoped to keep there as long as he lived. “Would you marry me again?”

  The quirk of her brow and teasing glint in her eyes were all the words he needed, but she said it anyway.

  “Yes.”

  THE END

  Five brides for five brothers…at least that’s the deal the Daltons have struck with their boys. Each son must marry in order to inherit a piece of the ranch they love so much.

  Shelby has pulled up roots—again—and taken her funds from her latest divorce settlement to open a candy shop in Vixen, Texas. She wants better for her son than new men parading through his life because his mom can’t get herself together. The small town is the perfect place to avoid male interest—mainly because there aren’t many available.

  When Witt spies the curvaceous new candy shop owner, he suddenly has a sweet tooth. Trouble is, so does every other man in the vicinity, including his brother Kade. Shelby seems to crave male attention, and they flock to her like bees to honey-flavored hardtack, though nothing she says or does seems genuine. Who is she really?

  Burning to uncover her mysteries, Witt spends so much time in town that the ranch suffers. Afraid another man will snag her up, Witt sweeps her and her son away.

  The Daltons feel like the family she’s never had and the gorgeous cowboy demands entry to her heart, but the fortress she’s built has deep foundations. Will she ever be ready to give her whole self?

  Cowboy Crushin’

  All Rights Reserved

  Cowboy Crushin’

  Copyright Em Petrova 2015

  Kindle Edition

  Cover design by Love, Lust and Lipstick Stains

  Electronic book publication January 2015

  Cowboy Crushin’

  Book 3 The Dalton Boys

  By Em Petrova

  Chapter One

  Witt Dalton was never going on a wife hunt again.

  Since his parents had told him and his brothers they each needed a wife before they’d get a deed to their own piece of the ranch, he’d been schmoozing in Austin and dancing in Houston. He’d spent too much money trying to impress a sexy blonde in Waco. But this…this was the last time, dammit.

  He got out of his truck, aware that he was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and he smelled like cheap booze and cheaper perfume.

  What an idiot he’d been, letting a woman lead him around like he had a ring in his nose. Months ago he’d been the smart brother—saying they were spending too much time looking for women and not enough time ranching.

  Then he’d watched Hank and Cash find beautiful wives and build homes. Now they each had a baby. Witt wasn’t signing up for the “baby on board” window sticker just yet—but he was lonely.

  Which is how he’d ended up at a rodeo bar buying a certain little scamming female fruity drinks.

  Then getting the shit kicked out of him when her husband walked in.

  He ran his tongue over his split lower lip and concentrated on the throb in his eye socket. He hadn’t bothered to even look in the rearview mirror but he knew it was as black as his ribs after that kick from a cow.

  “You’re up early.”

  He threw a look over his shoulder to see his brother Kade coming out of the barn. Witt grunted in response and kept on walking.

  “You didn’t come home last night.” Kade hurried to catch up with him.

  “Sick and tired of everyone knowing my business,” he spat.

  “Well it’s kinda hard, living on top of each other like we do.”

  “That’s what I was trying to remedy.”

  Kade caught his shoulder and whirled him around. His eyes widened in surprise then he burst out laughing. “Man, you look like shit. Bar fight?”

  “You could say that.” Witt’s temper burned. He wasn’t angry at Kade for asking as much as he was at himself for not checking that woman’s marital status. But what was he supposed to do? She hadn’t been wearing a ring. Should he start asking to see wedding photos?

  “I hope the other guy looks worse. Momma’s gonna shit when she sees you.”

  Witt changed course. No way was he going to answer to his momma yet. He stalked to the corral and yanked open the gate. He snagged the looped rope dangling from Kade’s belt and whipped it.

  The circle fell around a horse’s neck. As Witt pulled, it tossed its head. Usually he and his brothers had fun selecting their mount of the day, but he wasn’t in the mood to play.

  He was still itching to fight. He hadn’t thrown a single punch, as he’d been in the wrong toying with that man’s wife. Even if I didn’t know. He’d taken his punches like a man and left.

  Kade followed him out of the corral and closed the gate behind them. “Not gonna tell me what happened?”

  “Nope.” He quickened his pace, leading the bronc to the barn where he could saddle it. When it resisted, Witt made a clicking noise. The animal perked up its ears and followed without a fight.

  “Okay. I respect your silence, but if you wanna talk…”

  “I don’t.” He met Kade’s gaze. This was his brother—one of his best buddies. As kids they’d raced horses and dug fishing worms. Until recently when Hank and Cash had moved out, they’d shared a room. He softened his tone. “Thanks.”

  Kade gave a sharp nod and they got down to business. By the time their youngest brother Beck stumbled bleary-eyed from the house with his hat crooked, the two of them were saddled up. Hank and Cash were riding through the field, angling toward the main ranch.

  When the five brothers met, all focus seemed to be on Witt’s bruised eye and swollen lip. Good thing they couldn’t see the heel-shaped mark high on his thigh, too close to his man-parts for comfort. Man, that woman’s husband had been pissed off. By Witt’s guess, it hadn’t been the first time he’d caught his wife trying to pick up men.

  Cash opened his mouth to speak and Kade cleared his throat, tossing a look at each brother. Witt ducked his head and snapped the reins, grateful for his brother’s intervention.

  While they checked the herd for injured animals and searched for any cows wandering from the others, he thought about the woman he’d taken a beating over. She hadn’t even been worth it. Pretty, yes. Sexy, absolutely. But did she make him feel warm and eager to see her again? Not really.

  “If I had my guess, I’d say you met with an angry boyfriend,” Cash drawled.

  Witt looked up, surprised to see his brother alongside him. “Husband.”

  Cash’s brows disappeared under his hat brim.

  “It’s not what it sounds like. I didn’t know. The woman wasn’t wearing a ring. And…oh hell, why am I explaining? It’s over. I got my ass kicked and learned my lesson.”

  Cash nodded. “Find out if she’s married first.”

  “No—I’m through with women. I don’t care if I get a chunk of this.” He w
aved a hand over the green fields that stretched for miles. “I’ll buy my own land.”

  Cash pressed his lips into a line but didn’t speak. They finished their morning chores and headed back to the house for what they called second breakfast. Witt hadn’t even gotten a first breakfast. But he wouldn’t be able to enjoy his eggs and pancakes while facing his parents’ inquisition.

  He sighed. No choice if he wanted to silence his growling stomach.

  The minute he walked into the kitchen, Momma sucked in a breath through her teeth. The sound alerted Witt’s sisters-in-law, who turned to inspect him, babies in their arms.

  He stomped to the sink and scrubbed his hands. Then he hooked a boot around the chair leg and yanked it out. He plunked down at the long table, ignoring the women’s questioning looks in favor of fresh biscuits with strawberry jam.

  He’d eaten two before his father finally raised the topic. Seated at the head of the table, straight-backed and as crusty as they came, Ted eyed him. “You have a run-in with a cow this morning, Witt?”

  “No.” He could lie, but he’d learned his lesson as a kid when he’d hogtied his baby brother Beck and left him sitting behind the barn. He’d gotten a good paddling for that, but his momma’s worry had really taught him not to lie. He had a soft spot for women and animals.

  And kids.

  He reached for the little boy Charlotte bounced on her shoulder. He took the cotton-clad baby and smiled at his shock of curly brown hair, just like his mother’s. Charlotte smiled too and started eating fast.

  “Thanks for taking him, Witt,” she said between bites of buttery scrambled eggs. “It’s nice to eat without him grabbing the fork.”

  The baby kicked, soft little thumps against Witt’s chest. He smelled fresh and felt nice to hold.

  “After breakfast I’ll find a steak for that eye,” his mother said.

  “Nah, it’s fine.” He bounced the baby once more and passed him off to his father before pushing back his chair. “I’ll be in the top field fixing the fence.”

  On his way out of the kitchen, his father’s voice boomed. “Son.”