Jared (Coyote Ridge) (Volume 2)

by Nicole Edwards

  “So I’m told.” She smiled and took a swig of her beer. “What is it that you do?”

  “I run Walker Demolition. When my cousin, Travis, built his sex resort, he needed someone to take over the family business.”

  Hope’s eyes widened and she snorted. “Sex resort?”

  “Cheyenne never mentioned it?”

  “Nope. She must’ve left that part out.”

  He grinned while he chewed. “Yep, Coyote Ridge has its very own fetish hotel. Four of my cousins work there full-time. My uncle Curtis was the one who convinced me to take the job at Walker Demo when Travis wanted to step away. It required me to move from El Paso, but I was…”

  Shit. He really didn’t want the conversation to take this turn.

  “Divorced?”

  Okay, well, looked as though he didn’t need to explain too much. “Yeah. Divorced. I needed to get away for a little while.”

  “Are you plannin’ to go back?” Hope looked both casual and curious as she continued to eat while managing to interrogate him at the same time.

  “To El Paso?”

  She nodded.

  “No. At least not anytime soon. I like Coyote Ridge. Derrick—my son—likes it there.”

  “How old is he?”

  “He turned four on May sixth.”

  “Does he live with you?”

  Jared met Hope’s gaze, trying to determine how much information he wanted this woman to have. He liked her. Really liked her. But she had already told him this was a temporary thing, and in order to fulfill that obligation, Jared knew that they couldn’t share too much about themselves.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  He picked up his beer bottle but didn’t take a drink. He held her stare for several silent seconds. “Hope, I’ll tell you anything you wanna know. But if you want this to remain casual…”

  “You’re right.” She put down her fork. “I don’t really want to know.”

  Jared expected to hear those words. They’d agreed to this up front. What he didn’t understand was why he was suddenly overcome with disappointment.

  “This is about sex.” Hope’s smile once again lit up her face. “So finish that up so we can get back to it.”

  Well, then.

  Disappointment all but forgotten.

  HOPE KNEW SHE’D been digging too deep. Jared was right about them needing to keep this somewhat casual. Granted, the sex wasn’t casual by any means, but yes, if she got to know him too well, there was a good chance she might start to like him. Well, more than she already did. As friends. She refused to like him more than that. She didn’t mind a friends-with-benefits type deal going on, as long as neither of them expected more in the end.

  It wasn’t easy, but she managed to focus on eating in silence for a few minutes. When they were both done, she rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher while Jared put the empty containers back into the paper sack.

  “You want another beer?” she asked, wiping her hands on a dish towel before turning back around to find him standing less than a foot away.

  “I don’t want another beer.” His voice was deep and dark and so damn sexy. It matched the intensity in his eyes.

  “Then what do you want?” She hardly got the words out; her heart rate was already accelerating as he moved even closer. Then closer still. She gripped the edge of the counter behind her, his large body boxing her in. And then she was looking up into his face, studying his features, trying to see what his intentions were.

  Jared stared down at her, not saying anything. His hands were on her hips, but they slowly worked their way up, once again removing her shirt. Hope didn’t stop him. She didn’t want to stop him. His touch felt so good. Although she tried to play the part, she hadn’t been with a man since Ben. Two years was a long time to go without the intimate human contact that Jared was providing. She never wanted him to stop.

  Hope swallowed hard when he reached around and deftly unhooked her bra. His work-roughened fingers sensually scraped down her arms as he slid it from her body. Still, he said nothing. The only sound was her ragged breaths as she waited for whatever he would do next.

  Then he was once again picking her up, but this time he deposited her on the counter, his hands roaming up to her breasts, cupping them firmly. Hope got the sense that he was trying to refrain, trying to take things slower this time. Only she didn’t want slow. She wanted this man to lose every last ounce of his control.

  She couldn’t look away from him. There was a muscle flexing in his stubble-lined jaw. He looked to be trying to hold back, his eyes moving over her face as though he was trying to memorize every feature.

  And wasn’t that sexy as hell. Watching this man who seemed solely focused on her, wanting nothing but her, thinking of no one but her.

  He was good.

  Damn good.

  The seduction thing… Jared Walker was a master of it.

  Similar to earlier, Jared managed to rid her of her shorts and panties in record time. The tiled countertop was cold against her butt, but Hope didn’t dare move. She couldn’t. She was riveted to this moment, never wanting it to end.

  Once again, she tugged at his shirt, wanting him to remove it so she could look at him the way he was looking at her. The man was masculine perfection. All ripped with muscle and smooth, firm skin. It was evident he didn’t work out in a gym. His muscles were the kind earned from hard manual labor. She wasn’t sure what it was he did at Walker Demolition, but whatever it was, he managed to stay in shape.

  This scene was playing out much the same as earlier. Not that she cared. The only difference was they were in the kitchen this time and not on the couch. However, the same overwhelming magnetism was still there, pulling them together.

  Fumbling a couple of times, Hope managed to unbutton Jared’s jeans, never breaking eye contact. They were both breathing hard at this point, but still, they seemed to be holding back, and she wasn’t quite sure why that was.

  Jared’s hands slid like water over her skin. She wanted more, but she didn’t want to break whatever this was between them. She’d never experienced this type of intimacy when it came to sex. Not a word spoken, but so many things were right there, most of them in the way Jared looked at her. There was no doubt that he wanted her.

  Once again he retrieved a condom from his wallet, and she briefly wondered how many he carried in there at one time, but she didn’t ask. Truthfully, it didn’t really matter. As long as he was prepared, she was good. And if he wasn’t, she had her own stash they could use.

  “Let me,” she offered, taking the condom from his fingers. She quickly opened it, then rolled it over his length. He was hot and hard and smooth in her hand, silk over steel.

  “Hope…”

  As soon as he was covered, it was as though something snapped. His mouth slammed down on hers, her arms swinging around him, pulling him closer while he shifted her so that she was hovering on the edge of the counter when he entered her.

  “Oh, yes…”

  The kiss was brutally hot, yet Jared remained in control the entire time. He didn’t fumble, didn’t slobber on her like some men did. No, he worked her mouth with his tongue, making her melt beneath the onslaught of need that caused all of her nerve endings to come to life. Similar to the way he was fucking her. It was hot and wild and… This was perfection in every way.

  “Can’t get enough,” he groaned, nipping her lip as he shifted her, changing the angle, making her cry out in exquisite ecstasy.

  “Harder,” she urged.

  Jared delivered, his hand at her back holding her in place while he plunged inside her over and over, deeper and deeper.

  The only thing she could do was dig her fingernails into his back and give herself over to the incredible friction that was quickly pushing her closer and closer to release. His arms tightened a
round her, his tongue thrashing against hers as he continued to thrust his hips forward, filling her again and again. Hope couldn’t hold back any longer, and when she cried out, Jared swallowed the sound, his rumbled groans vibrating against her as he continued to fuck her, never relenting. It became clear that he wasn’t going to settle on merely one orgasm, and the way he was using her body would surely push her over the edge one … more … time…

  “Jared!” Hope grabbed him as her body exploded, harder than the first time.

  It was then that he slammed into her several more times, still holding her tightly as he chased his release. And the roar that followed was likely the sexiest thing she’d ever heard.

  Chapter Fourteen

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Jared woke as the first rays of the sun began trickling into the room. He took a moment to orient himself, remembering that he was in Hope’s bed. Her warm body was still curled up next to him. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand, glanced at it to ensure he hadn’t missed any calls or texts. Nope. Nothing. He knew he had to head back to Coyote Ridge so he could pick up Derrick, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave just yet.

  Not without having this woman one more time before he did.

  After they’d fucked in the kitchen, Hope had pulled him into her bedroom, where they had stretched out on her bed. He hadn’t been able to resist kissing her until they were both too tired to stay awake a second longer.

  But now he was awake again and he was ready for round three.

  Doing his best not to rouse her, Jared pushed the sheet down, revealing her sweet little body to his hungry gaze. He could see Hope’s toned muscles beneath all that soft, golden skin. It was clear she spent a lot of time outdoors. The freckles on her shoulders and the few scattered across her nose told him she’d logged plenty of hours in the sun. She was a little on the skinny side, but he didn’t hold it against her. It was clear she worked hard, and if what Cheyenne had told him was true, she spent more than her fair share of time running this ranch.

  He wanted to spend more than his fair share of time exploring every inch of her. His mouth watered with the need to taste her.

  It took a little effort, but he managed to move down so that he was perched between her legs, brushing his lips over her breasts, her belly, her hip before settling into place. He kissed the inside of her knees, watching to see if her eyes were open, then slowly moved up her thighs. Nope, still closed. Before he reached his target, he felt Hope shift, her legs spreading, providing him better access.

  Not one to bypass an opportunity, Jared took complete advantage, running his tongue over her delicate skin, licking her gently. She was completely bare, and even now, though her eyes weren’t open, he could tell she was wet and ready for him. That alone made his dick harden more than it was already.

  He ignored his body, choosing to focus on hers. Jared used his fingers to open her so he could slide his tongue against the soft, pink flesh. He lazily licked her, teasing her clit briefly, gently ringing her entrance.

  “You could wake me up like this every single day for the rest of my life… Oh, jeezus, that’s good.”

  He knew she didn’t mean that the way it sounded—the rest of her life was a long damn time. But today, he could definitely help her out. Without rushing, Jared fondled and teased, dipping his fingertip inside her while he suckled her clit. He didn’t stop until Hope’s fingers were wound in his hair, holding him to her. She clearly enjoyed his ministrations, so he continued, focusing on the swollen bundle of nerves. He worked her until she was writhing on the bed, pulling his hair.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered. “Don’t ever stop.”

  Jared put forth a little more effort, wanting to make her come before he gave in to his body’s need for her.

  “Oh, yes… Oh, yes… Oh… Jared!”

  He gripped her hips, fusing his mouth to her as she came in a rush. He let her ride out her climax, gently lapping at her, enjoying the way she tasted on his tongue.

  When he looked up at her, he saw she was holding a condom in one hand, a gorgeous smile on her face, her blue-green eyes glittering.

  A few minutes later, when he plunged deep into her body, Jared knew there was no better way than this to start the day. Or any day, for that matter.

  WHEN JARED LEFT, after he’d thoroughly kissed her on her front porch, Hope had hopped in her truck and made a beeline for the main house. It was later than she normally started the day, but considering how she’d spent the last hour, she didn’t much care. So she pretended that it was early and wandered into the kitchen, snatching a couple of biscuits before smothering them in sausage gravy. She ate right there, standing by the stove, hoping no one would interrupt.

  With luck on her side, she wolfed down her food, rinsed the plate in the sink, and then slipped right back unnoticed, making her way to the barn. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

  “Had company last night, did you?” Mercy called out, sauntering out from beside the house.

  Hope jumped, her hand going over her heart. “You scared me.”

  Mercy grinned, clearly pleased to know that.

  “So that’s a yes? Company?”

  Crap. Of course her youngest sister would be the one to notice that. Of all of them, Mercy was the one who gave everyone the most shit. She was also the one who loved sticking her nose in everyone else’s business but made sure to keep any prying eyes off of whatever it was she did in her spare time.

  “Good morning, Mercy,” Hope said, refusing to let her sister spoil this for her. Seriously, no one could spoil this day for her. After the way Jared had woken her up… Nope, no one.

  “He’s a hot one,” Mercy said as she fell into step beside her. “Jared Walker, right?”

  Hope glared at her sister but didn’t respond.

  That only caused Mercy to laugh. “That’s what I thought.”

  Hope spun around, suddenly needing to ensure Mercy didn’t go running her mouth. The last thing she needed was for anyone to think that she was dating this man. What they had going between them was uncomplicated. When other people started talking about it, complications were sure to arise. Hope didn’t want to take that risk.

  “He’s just a friend,” she explained.

  “Friend with benefits?”

  “Yes.” Might as well tell the truth. “But that’s all it is. Nothing more. So, please, can you just leave it alone?”

  “I’ll think about it. But probably not.”

  Hope sighed, then turned and continued toward the barn. She had things to do and probably should’ve bypassed breakfast, but she’d been too hungry to function. After Jared had given her another couple of orgasms this morning, it was a wonder she had enough strength to walk, let alone work.

  “So, when’s he comin’ back?” Mercy asked, clearly ignoring Hope’s request to leave it alone.

  Hope shrugged. She wasn’t sure when she was going to see him again, but as soon as he was out of sight, she’d told herself she needed to wait at least a week.

  Granted, a week felt like an incredibly long time, especially when she was sure that man had become her newest addiction. Still, this sex thing was only going to work if they managed to keep some space between them.

  Not that she’d told him that, but Hope knew that Jared understood. Since he had a little boy at home, it wasn’t like he could do a lot of sleepovers anyway.

  “Well, if it’s any consolation,” Mercy said when they reached the porch, “it sure is nice to see a smile on your face.”

  Hope faced her sister once again, completely taken aback by the comment. Mercy was serious. There wasn’t a single teasing note in her voice, which was surprising. Mercy was the most obnoxious, always getting in everyone’s business. Hope figured it was her way of keeping people from getting into hers.

  “It’s been a long time,” Mercy said softly. “You deserve
to be happy.”

  But before Hope could say anything more, her sister spun around and left her standing there, jaw hanging to the ground.

  MERCY SET OFF for the mechanic shop, needing to stop by and grab something before Cody Mercer arrived for the day. She’d been steering clear of him for … a long time now. It seemed to be getting easier, but she was starting to believe that was wishful thinking. Or maybe the opposite.

  For the longest time, Cody had pursued her, and truth be told, Mercy had liked him. Oh, who was she kidding? She still liked him, although she’d rather die than have anyone figure that out. Especially Cody. If the man knew that she liked him, Mercy figured he would finally move on. That was how it worked, right? He chased her, she gave in, he walked the other way.

  And they both knew she’d given in. It had been wild, too. But because she had pretended it was meaningless, Cody continued to be interested. But Mercy wasn’t ready for him to stop being interested. Not that she made a habit of being a dick tease. That certainly wasn’t the case. It hadn’t been her plan in the beginning, either, but the second she’d realized things between them could get really serious, she’d panicked.

  Think about it. His last name was Mercer. Her first name was Mercy. Uhh… No freaking way could she ever let it get serious with him. She was not going to be Mercy Mercer.

  Which was why she was slipping into the building after glancing inside to ensure it was empty. She needed a wrench, but she hadn’t wanted to ask him for it. She refused to talk to him unless it was absolutely necessary. And this wasn’t one of those times.

  It only took a minute for her to find what she was looking for. She started for the door at the same time someone turned the knob on the outside.

  “Shit,” she mumbled. Please God, if you’re in a good mood today, don’t let it be Cody.

  Clearly He wasn’t in a good mood, because the man who stepped through that door was none other than the bane of her existence. All six feet of him with those gorgeous emerald-green eyes that were instantly on her.