by Julia Bright
“Hey, you're out early.”
She smiled and nodded. “I like the early mornings out here. It's cold, but it's nice to see the sun rise and watch the land as it comes alive.” She moved to the coffee pot and poured a mug. “Want to join me?”
“Sure.”
“I need to grab a sweatshirt. There’s a jacket in the closet. Do you want one?”
“Yes, thank you.” He poured himself coffee and followed her outside. It was peaceful and nearly perfect. The only thing that would make this better was to be holding her in his arms.
In a few months, he'd have the money to make a down payment on that sweet piece of land. Then maybe she’d think he was worth the risk of having a relationship since he was sticking around.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Yes. Once my head hit the pillow, I was out.”
“That's good.”
“So this morning, we'll look and see if we can find anything out about terrorist.”
She nodded and took another sip of her coffee. “I'll crack a few eggs and cook something spectacular...well, passable.”
He placed his hand on her arm, and she glanced at him, her body relaxing. In the most unlikely of places, where the population was low, he'd found someone. He'd been in much bigger cities, places with much more than the sixty some odd thousand who lived here, and yet he'd found Kelsey in this tiny town.
“I'll make breakfast. You've been doing a lot of the cooking.”
She lifted her brows and her lips curved up. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Enjoy a little down time, and I'll make breakfast.” His heart sang as her smile grew wider. Somehow, he would find a way to make her his.
15
Kelsey ate the last bite of her pancakes, moaning as she chewed. “That was good.”
“Thank you. The secret is the cinnamon I add to the batter.”
She moaned again. “They were excellent. You ready to start work?” Kelsey asked as she gathered the dishes and took them to the sink. Adam helped her, clean up, which was more than most other men she'd dated had ever done. Once the kitchen was clean, they headed into the room where her computers were.
As they were firing up the computers, she turned to stare at Adam. There was more to him than his good looks. He was a good person.
He looked at her and lifted his brows. “What?”
“I'm not saying I want to stop. After spending months looking for Zaeim, I want to make a difference and stop more of them, but what do we do and how do we do it?”
“In the Rangers, we had missions. I'm not sure who set the targets, but we were giving information and told to destroy people's lives. War is tough. Maybe we'll stop in a few weeks. What I do know is fighting against the oppression these guys seem to love helps me feel better. Maybe I shouldn't get so wrapped up in this. We were all soldiers, and we knew the possibilities, but losing my friends was hard.”
She reached out and took his hand, understanding what he was saying. The dog she'd had in the fight had died with Zaeim. Now, was she looking for revenge or to help? She didn't have the answer to that question.
They spent a few hours tracking down another terrorist Adam had heard of when he was in the army. They ran into dead ends and roadblocks. Close to one, they turned off the computer and took a picnic out on the range.
“You ever ride?” she asked as she saddled up two horses. Maybe she'd keep the horses after all. They weren't necessary, not with the four-wheelers they had available, but she liked having the horses.
“Sure have. It was a long time ago, but I'm confident on a horse, or I was.”
“Okay then, let's saddle up and go for a ride.
The path out to the pond wasn't hard since it was on the dirt road. They tied the horses to a fence where they munched on grass while she and Adam ate their snack. Clouds danced across the sky, leaving her a little wistful for times in the past before life got so hard. She glanced over and found Adam staring at her. Maybe it was time to move forward and make new memories.
Adam rolled to face her, his hand skating over her shoulder to her waist. His eyes flicked to her lips, and she licked them, hoping he took the invitation. From the way his mouth quirked up, she figured he'd decided he wanted a taste.
He moved fast, pressing her against the blanket. She ran her fingers over his shoulders, appreciating the muscles rippling underneath the cloth. When he sat up, her eyes flashed open, and she watched him remove his shirt. The sight of his chest turned her on, but the stars reminded her of all he’d lost.
With a shaking hand, she reached out and touched the star for Jenkins. “I want to hear their stories.”
Adam sighed and sat back on his heels before plopping down on the blanket, his face a mask of pain.
“I knew you'd ask. Maybe this is the perfect time. We're out here, and we really shouldn't have sex in the middle of the field, plus I didn't bring a condom.”
She laughed at the last bit and sat up, cupping his cheeks before brushing her lips over his, warmth spreading. She sat back and held his gaze. “I'd love to hear about your friends. They must have meant something amazing to you if you marked them on your body.”
“They did. I spent so much time with them. You know, in the army you spend more time with your unit than you've ever spent with anyone else other than siblings. We ate together, showered together, shit together, slept together, we did everything together. Once I gained rank, I had a private room, but still, those guys were my buddies.”
She placed her hand in his and held on as he talked about Jenkins, Brady, Thomas, Delany, Sinker, Dirk, and Maloney. The look in his eyes when he spoke about them was full of life and happiness.
“They sound like great guys.”
He nodded then stretched out, pulling her down with him. Her head was on his shoulder, her hand on his abs. She liked touching his skin. He had a little fuzz on his chest, and a trail that led from his belly button down past his jeans but that was it. Though she'd been a little drunk, she remembered how she'd kissed her way down his body then pressed her cheek up against his skin, drinking in his beauty.
He pulled her closer, and she glanced up, staring at his face. His fingers ran over her jawline and down her neck, sending sparks along her nerves. He reached for the hem of her shirt and toyed with the material before he tugged it up. She sat up and pulled her shirt off the rest of the way before she moved to straddle him.
As she eased back, he pumped his hips, brushing his stiff cock over her center. She adjusted, rolling her hips back then moving closer. Desire pumped through her. The need for more grew.
Adam’s cock lined up with her clit, increasing the friction. She shivered as she rolled her hips, loving the way his body moved underneath her.
He grabbed her waist, stilling her movements. “I won't last, and I don't have a condom.”
“There's more than one way to obtain satisfaction.” She moved out of his grasp and slid down his body, kissing a line from his neck down his chest to his belly button. He was just as sexy as she remembered, actually more so than she remembered. He was molten hot, perfect in almost every way. But it was more than just his body, he was kind, sweet, gentle, and he was honorable. The attraction she felt for him grew every day they were together because he proved over and over again how good of a person he was.
She kissed her way over to one side and licked down the muscles that formed the channeled V that ran straight to his cock.
He reached for his pants button, fumbling as she laughed at his attempts to open his pants. She met his gaze and saw the heat she felt reflected. This man was someone she could see herself with for years. When she'd slept with him before her brother and dad's funeral, she'd missed so much that made up this man. Compassion went a long way to making people sexier. She knew he had flaws, everyone did, but this guy seemed increasingly like someone she wanted to make a part of her life.
She smiled to herself as he shoved at his pants, his movements jerky, almost desperate
. The approving moan he let loose when she sucked down on his cock made her warm. She loved the slide of her tongue on his hot flesh, his spicy scent in her nostrils.
She slid up his shaft and moved to glance up at him. His eyes were wide with his lips parted. Pink darkened his cheeks, and he looked even sexier than before.
This guy inspired her to be wilder, act crazy, like having sex in the field out in the open. Maybe there weren't other people around, but she didn't even care to look. All that mattered was getting him off.
The weight of Adam's hand on the back of her head, held her in place as he pumped his hips. She adjusted and put her hands on him, stilling him before she licked and sucked, treating him to the best blowjob she knew how to give.
She popped off his cock and kissed her way down to the base of his dick before she sucked on his balls. He gasped and cried out, his fingers twisting in her hair.
This man was putty in her hands, but she vowed to not abuse his trust. They'd shared too much, and she knew his weaknesses though he hadn't said them out loud.
Adam was about to come, and she wanted to taste him. She moved fast and sucked on the tip of his cock before licking him.
He cried out her name as he came, his body stiffening as his cum filled her mouth. She swallowed, but some ran out of her mouth and down her chin. Before she wiped it away, he flipped them both over and pinned her to the blanket.
“God, woman, that was freaking amazing.” He licked her chin then dove in for a kiss as his hands roved over her body. Every touch drew out her pleasure. He worked his way from her shoulders to her breasts, teasing her nipples through the material of her bra, then down to the waistband of her pants.
He popped open the button on her jeans then lifted, his gaze meeting hers.
“You're so beautiful. I've wanted to make love to you since I found you again. And don't for a second think this is just sex. What we did before, that was sex, this is different.”
He caught her lips, cutting off the conversation as he devoured her mouth while his fingers slid into her panties and stroke down her labia until he found her opening. His fingers dipped in then pulled out, spreading her moisture to her clit. The stroke of his fingers made every muscle tighten with pleasure. His touch was magical. She pumped her hips, but he stilled her movements.
His fingers toyed with her clit, taking her higher. She was almost ready to come when he pushed her bra to the side and sucked in her nipple. The sensations were too much to hold her orgasm, and she came hard, her mind blanking for a moment.
When she opened her eyes, blue sky above brought her peace. Then she saw his face. The smile was genuine, and his eyes were bright. Having this man close would be amazing. He was exactly what she needed. Maybe they wouldn't last, but she wanted to give it a go.
“We should go back to the house and clean up. I think a storm is brewing,” Adam said.
She glanced over his shoulder, seeing the clouds gathering in the distance. “Yep, let's get going. I'll fold the blanket if you gather our things.”
“Sure thing.”
Adam adjusted his pants while she put herself back together. After folding the blanket, she still didn't have her shirt on. Adam held it out to her then took it back, hiding it behind his back. She chuckled and rolled her eyes.
“Give me the shirt.”
“I think you should go shirtless. I will if you do.”
“No way. I'm not chancing coming up on James or Mitch with only my bra on.”
He moved fast, holding her shirt out. “No way would I want you to be without a shirt in front of those guys. I didn't like how James acted, and I don’t like how Mitch looks at you. Hell, I don’t like how James looks at you either.”
“Yeah, who knows what is up with them. I'm not happy they didn't repair that fence like they said they would.”
“You should be furious. They didn't do the work they told you they'd do. That's freaking manipulative and disturbing.”
“I don't think either of them respects me. I mean, I get it, he was working with my grandfather, and here I come to take over the ranch. I know little about ranching, and then I've been holed up in the house, searching the internet, but he doesn't know that. He has no clue what I'm doing, but I'm usually exhausted when they come out in the morning, and they've caught me napping more than once. I must look like a lazy bitch, but—”
“You don't have to explain it. I understand. You aren't a rancher and your time has been spent doing other, much more important things.”
She pulled on her shirt and moved to mount her horse. “So you don't think I'm being unreasonable?”
“What, about those jerks, no way. They're the ones being unreasonable. How many other times have they given you trouble?”
She shrugged and turned her horse towards home. “A few.”
“That's the issue. They've been jerks. Not you, them.”
Firing the pair would be awkward. She was out here all alone, and those two knew it. She didn't know if they'd try to take advantage of her remote location. Whatever happened, she'd have to be prepared for a little retribution.
The ride back to the barn was easy, and they made it before the rain hit. After brushing the horses, Adam helped her feed them. They left them in the stalls since it was still raining hard. Later, she'd come out and put them in the paddock near the barn.
The rain created puddles where more rain splashed. The sound of the rain on the barn roof along with it splashing on the ground was peaceful. They stood under the overhang, neither one of them in a hurry to race across the wet lawn. Adam cocked his head to the side and glanced at her.
“Did you hear that?”
“Thunder?”
“No, it sounded like a truck.”
She shook her head. “No, I didn't hear a truck. At least I don't think I did.”
Maybe there'd been something, but she wasn't sure if it had been a truck. The likelihood of someone coming out here in this rain was slim to none. Few people had access to the ranch. Well, few did if she locked the gate. With Adam here last night she'd forgotten about going down to make sure James and Mitch had locked up. She'd trusted they would, but maybe this was another thing she couldn't trust them with.
“It's getting a little better. Want to make a run for it?” Adam asked.
“Sure.”
They raced across the yard, rain splashing on their boots. Once under the porch overhang, they stopped, laughing like children. But Adam wasn't a child and the shirt clinging to his body make him look even hotter. It was like her own personal wet T-shirt show. She grabbed at the material and tugged it up. He lifted his brows, and she leaned in, pulling him down for a kiss. Her lips slid over his, and they both moaned. He ended the kiss then stared into her eyes as his teeth raked over his lower lip. Lust rolled through her.
“You'll catch a cold in these wet clothes,” she said.
His lips spread wide in a smile. “Same goes for you.”
“Touché.”
She tugged up her shirt and kicked off her boots. They'd need to dry so the leather didn't shrink from the damage. She pulled off her socks, which were mostly dry, and then unsnapped the button on her jeans. Adam had stopped undressing, and she widened her eyes, giving him a hard stare.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Sorry, I got lost in the view.”
“You're incorrigible.”
“Nope, just truthful. You're gorgeous. I find you very attractive. But more than your body, you're a good person, Angel.”
“There you are with that nickname again, Brick.”
He laughed and hugged her close. “You are a sweet Angel. Why is someone like you with a guy like me?”
She stood tall, going serious. “Hey, don't discount yourself. You're a good man too.”
He shook his head. “Why do you think that?”
She cupped his cheek and stared deep into his eyes, hoping to express how she felt. “When we were in Algiers, and you found out what I was doing,
you didn't stop me. Well, you did, but you completed the task for me when I couldn't. That guy killed your friends and my family. Zaeim didn't deserve to live, but I know you could have tried to talk me out of it. You did something so special for me that day I'll never be able to repay you.”
He shook his head. “This isn't some messed up way of thinking you could repay me with sex, right?”
Her heart swelled. “No, this is me wanting you because you're you, not because of what you did. You have a solid heart and morals.”
“So do you. You helped me find closure, but it's more than just you doing that, it's who you are.”
Their lips met in a fiery kiss. The rain picked up, and they both pulled back as lightning struck not too far away. She let out a yelp that caused them both to laughed.
“Let's finish stripping and get out of this weather.”
“That is a great plan. I need to warm you up.”
His lips curved up, and he winked. “Trust me, I'm warm.”
She chuckled as she gathered her clothes then opened her door. “No silly. I mean like in a shower.”
“Is that you asking me to shower with you, because I'm all for conserving water.”
She blinked as the idea wound through her. Oh yes, she wanted to spend time in the shower with Adam. She bet the water hitting his body was hot to watch.
“Sure, shower and then we can make dinner.”
His smile widened, and his eyes twinkled. “Sounds like an awesome plan.”
She had a hard time tearing her gaze from him. This easy thing between them had her heart beating faster and her head swimming with promises of more. She'd found something wondrous with this man. With Adam at her side, she could do anything.
16
Adam wasn't sure how he'd gotten so lucky. Having his angel ask him to shower with her was a step in the right direction. He hoped she didn't pull away from him.
After their shower which included a lot of touching and kissing, also him getting her off again and him coming on her belly, they pulled on sweats and sat in front of a fire. Her grandfather had switched to gas a few years ago when he couldn't cut logs because of his age. He liked the crackle and roar of a wood fire but lighting this fire had been easy as flicking a button.
