Clay might be frustrated with Jared, but Ainsley knew he’d drop everything, do whatever it took to be there if his brother needed him.
She traced the curve of his ear.
God, he was handsome.
She ran the backs of her fingers over his stubbled jaw. Down the cords in his neck. Around the collar of his shirt.
Clay drained his glass and set it aside. Took hers and did the same. “Come here, beautiful.” He urged her across his lap. “I don’t wanna talk about my punk brother while I have you here. I’ve never brought a woman home before,” he added quietly.
The man was full of surprises. “What? Never?”
He twined a piece of her hair around his index finger, his brow creased in thought.
“Never. I can’t explain the why of it. My mom and sisters have been here, so it’s not like the place is anti-women. I don’t know. I guess I thought bringing a woman here would give the impression of a connection?” He puffed out a breath. “That sounds stupid. I could say I’ve never felt the urge to share my private life, wanting to keep sex separate, but that makes me sound like an asshole.”
Ainsley’s mind raced, her heart quick to pick up the chase. “You haven’t been dishonest with the women you’ve been with, have you?” Talking about his former lovers wasn’t her favorite pastime, but he’d been right when he said they couldn’t change the past. Might as well face it head-on.
“Of course not. I’m not lookin’ to hurt anybody. I’ve always made my intentions clear.”
And he’d brought her to his home.
Message received.
Ainsley curled against him, her head on his shoulder. “You’re not an asshole, Clay. Women respect honesty. We’d rather know the score up front than to have it slap us in the face later. At least, that’s how I see it.”
“Hmm.” His hand rested on her hip, his thumb drawing lazy circles on her jeans. “I like having you here,” he whispered against her forehead.
Time seemed to slow. The rise and fall of his chest, the steady beat of his heart, lulled her mind to a quiet, peaceful place.
“I had a good time tonight,” she whispered, afraid to shatter their warm cocoon with full volume. “I’ve never…” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“You’ve never what, baby?” His fingers crept under her shirt, wandered up her spine.
Where to begin? Putting her thoughts into words seemed impossible.
“The relationship you have with Pax and Erin … it’s cool, you know? There were times I wished I had a brother or a sister, although it was probably a good thing I only had myself to look out for.”
“Guess I never thought about it much. Lord knows we’re far from perfect. We fought a lot as kids. Argue even now as adults. In the end, it doesn’t matter. You buck up and keep right on going. Blood is blood. Corny and dramatic as it sounds, I’d give my life for any of them, if necessary.”
Ainsley didn’t doubt him for a second. “It gives me hope.”
His arms tightened around her. “I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like for you growing up. I’d like to hear more about it sometime.”
Not tonight. There was only so much opening up she could do in one sitting, and there was a more pressing issue than her crappy childhood.
She took a deep breath, pulling back to catch his eye. And took a leap of faith.
“I sold the majority of my uncle’s herd.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched. His entire body tensed under her. “Why’d you do that?”
She watched him warily, not sure how to take the grit in his tone. “Well…” she began slowly, his tension leaking into her. “Apparently, my uncle wasn’t the greatest at taking care of his financial responsibilities. At least over the last few years of his life. I did what needed to be done to settle up.” Or catch up. Whatever. “Anyway, I’m sorry I’ve avoided your questions. You told me your interest in me didn’t have anything to do with the ranch, but I guess I wasn’t convinced.” Until now.
A flush crept up his neck and into his cheeks. “And how do you expect to keep the ranch going without stock to sell?”
The conversation with Reese had gotten her to thinking. Ainsley realized tonight she didn’t want to raise cattle. She didn’t need all the land. Didn’t want it. If she could keep the house and enough acreage for the horses and a garden large enough to provide for her and for the things Reese had discussed, she might just be able to make a go of it.
She had several offers for the whole shooting-match. Would anyone be willing to buy a smaller chunk? She made a mental note to do some research before she brought it up to Clay.
“I’m working on it.” She smoothed a thumb over his brow, feeling more confident about her future than she had in months. “I didn’t tell you to get you all worked up.”
“Why did you tell me?”
Because you brought me here.
“Call it a show of faith. You’ve never brought a woman home and I’ve never trusted a man before. Guess it’s our night for firsts.”
His scowl deepened.
“Hey, what’s with the basket of toys?” she asked, hoping to get them back on track. The one that led to them being naked with his hands all over her body. It felt good to tell him, but now she wanted to move on to better things. “I didn’t realize you were in to princess stuff. Should I trade in my blue jeans for sparkles?”
He lowered his chin to look at her. “Ha, ha, smart ass.”
He hesitated, obviously torn between which topic to pursue. Ainsley released a breath when he took the bait.
“I’ve got a niece. Erin’s girl, Amber. She hangs out with me sometimes when Erin and Trevor are desperate. Let me just go ahead and tell you now, the pink frilly shit in the spare bedroom is for her benefit. Seems Amber thinks she should have her own bedroom at all of our houses.”
Ainsley would bet Amber had her Uncle Clay wrapped around her little finger. “At least you’ve got a place big enough to give her a room.”
His hand traveled over her side and Ainsley shifted her shoulder back, giving him access to her front. One side of his mouth tipped knowingly as he began to trace over her ribs.
“This place is fine for now, but I’d like a bigger place someday. A more permanent raise-a-family-in kind of place. You know, for all those strapping boys I’m gonna have.”
Her vision from breakfast took front and center. Her kitchen bustling with young Mathis boys and Clay as her deliciously sexy husband.
Ainsley sucked in a sharp breath as he reached the underside of her breast. “You want kids?”
“Let’s get you out of this, baby. I want to touch you.”
He tugged her shirt over her head. Her bra quickly followed. With subtle pressure between her breasts, Clay coaxed her back against the arm of the couch.
“Mmm, much better.” He picked up where he’d left off, tracing the curve of her breast and driving her crazy. “To answer your question, I’m not in any hurry to have a bunch of chicklet’s biting at my ankles, but someday … sure. Wouldn’t mind it a bit.”
He latched onto a nipple, the warmth of his mouth shooting sparks from her chest to her core. Ainsley forgot about kids, the ranch, her future. She forgot everything except the feel of his lips as he alternated sucking and nipping the sensitive peak.
“I love the little noises you make when I put my mouth on you.” His palm traveled down the center of her body. Within seconds, her jeans were loose and he slid inside. “Ah, another thing I love,” he murmured as a thick finger trailed her seam. “How responsive you are to my touch. All warm, wet, and ready for me, aren’t you, baby?”
Her stomach did a roller coaster flip-flop. His fingers prodded deeper, found her entrance. He turned his attention back to her breast. Ainsley cried out when his lips surrounded her. He drew her nipple into his mouth as his finger penetrated her.
Her back arched and her backside pressed harder against his lap. Lord, he was hard. She moved again, unable to stop as his expert f
ingers worked in tandem with his wicked mouth.
“Jesus. Clay.”
He captured her nipple between his teeth and added pressure to her clit, sending her into a spiral as the need to come forced her hips to buck.
He groaned. “I’m dying for you to ride my cock like you’re riding my fingers.”
Ainsley grabbed his forearm and tugged him from her pants.
“What—”
More. She needed more. She rolled from his lap, her knees barely hitting the carpet before she worked her pants off.
“If you want me on your cock, you’d better get a move on, buddy.” She stood, naked and anxious to climb back onto his lap.
A wide and wicked grin accompanied a muttered hell yeah as he dug a foil square from his pocket, lifted his hips, and shoved his jeans to his knees.
She snatched the condom from his fingers. “I’ll do that.”
“Well, come on then.” He reached for her.
Ainsley climbed on, her knees spread wide as she sank down on his thighs. She reached between them and grasped his cock. God, she loved the feel of him. Silky flesh. Hard as steel. Hot as the Texas sun.
She squeezed him like he’d shown her, holding tighter than she’d dare if left to her own devices. One pump of her hand and his cockhead flushed red, fluid seeping from the tip.
A breath hissed from his lips. “God, Ains. The way you touch me…”
Ainsley captured the moisture on his crown and brought it to her mouth. The fire in his eyes turned to a blazing inferno as she painted her lips with his arousal, then slowly licked them clean.
“I know the feeling.”
His chest rumbled. “I’m about five seconds from sinking inside you. Get that thing on before I do something stupid and take you without it.”
Her pussy clenched at the thought of taking him bare, his release filling her. She was clean and protected, but now wasn’t the time to have that conversation.
Clay held still while she sheathed him, but the second her fingers met the base of his cock, he took control.
“Grab hold of my shoulders. You’ve got me too wound up to make this a slow and steady ride, darlin’.”
Ainsley rose up. Her legs trembled as he coated himself with her juices. The moment he nudged her entrance, she dropped, taking him to the hilt.
Whispered curses mixed with groans of pleasure. He stretched her, filled her to perfection.
Clay dropped his head between her breasts, his hands smoothing over her hips to grip the cheeks of her ass. “You move an inch and I’m gonna blow.”
She fisted his hair, forcing his head up. “Race ya to the finish.”
His fingers dug into her ass. She’d have bruises tomorrow.
“You first.” His voice was tortured, hoarse with the same need that coursed through her.
She didn’t wait for further instruction. She tightened her inner muscles and rocked her hips. The thick patch of hair at his groin teased her swollen clit, urging her to move faster.
Sweat thickened the air and the sweet scent of sex filled her nose. Her lungs burned, her body sizzled with the telltale sign of her orgasm.
She found his mouth, pressed a breathy kiss against his lips as stars exploded behind her eyelids. Her cry filled her ears, followed by a grunt from Clay as he twitched, and pumped his release into the condom.
Ainsley collapsed against his chest, his T-shirt absorbing the sweat on her face. He hadn’t even completely undressed. She’d fucked her cowboy with his boots still on.
A giggle escaped her lips.
Good lord. She never giggled. Ever.
So much for your life not changing.
Cradled in the warmth of Clay’s arms, she couldn’t find a single reason to be upset about it either.
Chapter Thirteen
Clay wiped the sweat from his brow and shoved his hat back in place. He stomped the mud off his boots, then swiped them over the floor-mounted wire brush to take care of what was left.
Hand on the doorknob, he took a deep breath.
His fucking nerves were shot. He hadn’t had a solid night’s sleep in … he couldn’t remember—and not entirely due to pleasurable reasons.
He’d been wrestling for weeks with the information contained in the folder he held, but finally, he had a workable plan.
Now all he had to do was convince his family it was the right move.
His dad glanced up from the newspaper as Clay stepped through the ranch office door. Gavin sat next to their dad, flipping through a magazine.
“Afternoon, son.”
“Hiya, Pops.” Clay took in the crisp button-down and stain-free jeans Pops wore. Whatever his parents had done while on their European summer vacation—and Clay didn’t want to know the gritty details—it appeared to have hit the spot. Home three weeks and Pops still looked relaxed, younger. The man walked around with a smile plastered on his face more often than not these days, and Clay was damn glad for it. After more than forty years of ranching, Pops deserved some fun in his life.
“How’d it go out there today?” Pops folded the paper and set it aside.
Clay slapped Gavin on the shoulder in greeting and slid into his usual seat at the round table. “Went good. A bull got out. Took two hours to track and rope the ornery sucker. No harm done other than a section or two of fence needin’ to be repaired. Crew’s already on it. Where’s Pax?”
Gavin drummed his fingers against the table. “Should be here any minute. I hope this little powwow you’ve called is good news on the little recon job you’ve been doing. I could use some good news today.”
Clay bit his tongue. Ainsley wasn’t a fucking recon job.
Keeping his family’s interest in her ranch a secret from Ainsley had damn near killed him. More than once he’d started to talk to her about Gavin’s last offer and his own possible solution, but he waited, wanting to be able to give her options.
Ainsley was smart. Resourceful. Had great instincts. She had every reason to be bitter and angry about her past, yet she looked at the world as though each day brought a new, exciting adventure.
He wanted her opinions, her thoughts … wanted to share his with her. So, yeah. Keeping his not-so-little secret had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.
Not that she’d been forthcoming as to what her plans were. After explaining why she’d sold the cattle, she’d clammed up tight.
He knew her well enough now to know there was something brewing in that pretty head of hers. He wanted to be pissed she didn’t share it with him, but then that would be the pot and kettle scenario.
That shit stopped now. No matter the outcome of this little meeting, Clay would head back to Ainsley’s to lay his cards on the table. All the cards.
He wanted more than the six weeks they’d spent together. That meant no more secrets.
“Problems?” Clay asked.
Gavin scrubbed a hand over his shadowed jaw. “Delay out at the house. Could mean it won’t be done in time for the wedding.”
Clay winced. “Ouch.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Gavin said. “Lauren had her heart set on not going back to the fishing cabin after the honeymoon. Fucking kills me to disappoint her like that.”
Clay could relate. His gut churned each time Ainsley so much as frowned. “Was she real upset?”
“Was who upset?” Pax asked as he came through the door.
“There’s been a delay finishing Gavin’s house,” Pops explained.
“Lauren took it like a champ,” Gavin said. “I know better. She doesn’t want me to feel bad about it.”
“You’ve got yourself a good woman there, boy. You do right by her. Bring in extra help if that’s what it takes to get it done.”
Gavin smirked. “Yes, sir. I’m already on it.”
Pops addressed Pax as he took his seat. “Don’t know what you’re grinnin’ about. While I’m damn proud of you for gettin’ rid of that old house, I don’t expect Reese will put up with visiting you in the bun
khouse much longer. Any luck finding a house?”
Pax tipped the edge of his hat until Clay could see the humor in his gaze. “No, sir. Still lookin’. I’m starting to think Gavin’s got the right idea. I’d rather build Reese her dream home than let her settle for close enough. Problem is, her dream is to have an old farmhouse. Hard to build her one of those.”
Clay wondered what kind of house Ainsley would want—if she had a choice. He’d bet she’d go for functional over fancy any day of the week.
“Then you’ll keep lookin’.” Pops hitched a thumb at Clay. “Now if we could get this one to settle down, your momma would be on cloud nine.”
Clay sat forward, his stomach a mass of knots and nerves. “Momma’s gonna have to wait a little longer for that slice of paradise.” Not too long, if he had his way. “But that brings me to why we’re here.”
“You’re settling down?” Pax asked.
Clay ignored him, focusing on first-things-first. He opened the folder and pulled out copies of the report. He passed them around. “Nelson Ranch. As you know, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Ainsley. I’ve seen every available square mile of her property as it stands today. I can tell you, the rumor she sold her cattle isn’t a rumor. It’s a fact.”
“So, any purchase wouldn’t include stock,” Pops said.
“That’s right. Which makes the last offer for land and livestock Gavin gave me…” Clay absently reached for his duffel, only to realize he’d left it at Ainsley’s. “Well, I don’t have it with me, but it doesn’t matter. The offer’s no good.”
“What’s this?” Pax picked up the spreadsheet.
“I had Tom work up some numbers.”
Gavin looked affronted. “Tom worked this up? When?”
Gavin’s long-time friend and financial advisor had been more than willing to help Clay with this project.
“I met up with him about a month ago when Pax and I were in Galveston doing storm repair. Pax made a run for supplies, so I walked down the beach to Tom’s place hoping to catch him at home.”
Cowboy Redeemed Page 12
