With a sigh, she walked up to the porch, being careful to dodge the patches of ice, and stopped at the door. Muttering under her breath, she knocked and waited. And waited. Shrugging, she turned to leave when the door opened, and there Jake stood in nothing but a pair of worn jeans.
Lord, please help me! She bit back a groan.
“Becca! Come on in. I just got out of the shower. Let me grab a shirt,” he told her as he turned away from her.
Christ! Even his back was sexy.
She wanted to tell him not to bother with a shirt. Licking her bottom lip, she had to admit that she could look at that magnificent chest forever. The smattering of hair across those solid pecs, and the way the furry happy trail ran down his six-pack stomach, around his bellybutton, and then disappeared into those low-slung jeans made her mouth water. Lord, she was in so much trouble. She wanted him more than air.
Trying desperately to get her mind off how he made her feel, Becca looked around the room. There was a roaring fire in the large stone fireplace. The flames were climbing high, flickering between blue and orange. A large twelve-point buck’s head hung above the mantle. It was definitely a man’s room. She rubbed the toe of her shoe on the hardwood floor. It looked to be made of oak. Two comfortable leather recliners sat facing a large screen TV, and the only decorations on the walls besides the deer was a Native American Mandela hung between the two front windows. Yes, the room looked just like him—rugged, masculine and in need of a woman’s touch.
Jake turned back toward her, having pulled on his shirt. Becca tried not to notice that he’d left it open. All she could think about was walking up to him and rubbing her hands across all that muscle. As if reading her mind, he tilted his head to the side and grinned at her.
Oh yeah, she was in a lot of trouble.
“What are you doing here, Becca?” he asked softly.
She couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through her. “I, uh, came to pick up a bridle for Stan. He said Daisy won’t use any other one and he’s too busy to come over, so he asked me to do it and since I wasn’t doing anything…” She shrugged. Lord, she wasn’t making any sense at all. He had her almost tongue-tied.
“Anyone ever tell you that you talk too much, Red?” When had he moved closer?
Becca nodded and looked away from him. “Yep, I’ve heard that before.” When she looked back over, he was standing so close she could smell the soap he used still clinging to his skin. Becca looked up at him and saw that his jaw was clean-shaven. More than anything, she longed to touch him, to rub her cheek against him. She closed her eyes and took her bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes flew open when she heard him groan. Becca couldn’t help but wonder if his thoughts were as hot as hers. “I have to go. Please get the bridle for me,” she said quickly.
“Becca…”
“Jake, please. Just get the bridle for me.” She really needed to get out of here before she did something stupid. Something stupid like jump his bones.
After a slight hesitation, Becca heard him sigh as he walked away from her. He returned in less than a minute and handed her the bridle. She thanked him and walked quickly out the door. Running down the steps, she stepped on a patch of ice, and promptly landed on her butt.
Looking up to the heavens, she cried. “Why?”
Jake was beside her in an instant. “Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Becca hung her head. “You mean besides my pride? Damn you, Jake, this is your fault. I knew I shouldn’t have come over here. I should’ve just told Stan to do it himself. But, oh nooo, I had to be a total idiot and say I’d do it.” Huffing out a breath, she waved her hands in the air. “So what happens? You open the damn door without a shirt on. Do you even realize how good you look without a shirt? Of course you do. I think you knew it was me at the door and that’s why you did it.” Just then she looked down to his feet. “And now you’re out here without shoes on and in this weather.” Her frustration was apparent in the rise of her voice and she could feel tears stinging her eyes.
“Anyone ever tell you that you talk entirely too much, Red?”
Becca heard the tease in his voice. She gazed up at him and he was definitely smiling. Her lips twitched and the corners of her mouth slid up into a grin. “Why? You think you can shut me up?” She gasped when Jake picked her up.
“You know I can. You’re not leaving here until tomorrow, if then…understand?” he whispered in her ear as he carried her back inside.
Understanding dawned in her mind as fast as her nipples tightened and desire swirled low in her body. Becca wrapped her arms around his neck. “I understand.”
Jake carried her down the hall to a large, masculine bedroom with dark furniture. Becca looked around, knowing she was seeing where he slept every night…and undressed… When her eyes landed on the huge king-size bed centered against a far wall, her whole body began to quiver with excitement. Her imagination was going wild. She could see herself lying on the rug in front of the fireplace and soaking in the hot tub, which sat on the porch beyond the French doors—with him.
Even the room smelled like him, all leather, soap, and male.
Jake placed her in the center of the bed. As he removed his shirt, his dark gaze roamed all over her. “You’re so damn gorgeous.”
Becca watched him hungrily. She couldn’t wait to touch him. Every part of her ached with eager anticipation to know him. “I can’t believe we’re doing this…”
With a predatory gleam in his eye, Jake lowered himself to the bed, fitting his big body next to hers. “I’ve thought about nothing else for weeks.” Holding her gaze, he wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her flush against him.
Becca trembled as he captured her lips. He tasted so good. She touched his face as his tongue slowly entered her mouth, making her groan. Tentatively, she rubbed hers against his and when Jake’s kiss grew deeper and pressed harder, Becca slid her hands over his biceps, feeling the muscles bulge there, then to his shoulders, and into his thick black hair.
Jake moaned when she hooked her leg over his. He moved his hand from her cheek, to her neck, down over her shoulder to her chest, where his hand cupped her breast.
Becca gasped and arched into his hand, eager for him to touch her. “Please, Jake…” She moaned against his mouth.
She felt him smile against her lips before he kissed her again, devouring her lips. “You’ve got on too many clothes, Red.” He moved his hand to the bottom of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Willingly, she raised her arms to help him remove it.
Jake pulled back to look down at her black lace bra, at her breasts curving out of the tops of the cups. He locked his gaze with hers as he unclasped the front and her breasts spilled free. “You’re so beautiful,” he said humbly, as he palmed her full breast in his hand and then ran his thumb over the nipple.
Becca gasped and arched her back, offering herself to him. When he leaned down and ran his tongue around a sensitive peak, Becca whimpered, holding his head to her breast. Jake kissed and licked, pulling at it with his teeth until it stood turgid, and then sucked it into his mouth. She groaned and moved her hands down his chest to the snap of his jeans. Her fingers trembled as she placed a palm over the hard bulge behind his zipper.
“Go slow, baby.” Jake grabbed her wrist. “All of this’ll be over before we get started if you keep that up,” he growled.
Pleasure ripped through her like lightning. Becca laughed. “Oh, I intend to keep it up, Stone.”
“Evil woman.” Jake chuckled against her neck before licking and sucking at her sensitive skin.
She enjoyed what he was doing, but she wanted more. “Kiss me, Jake,” she pleaded and then moaned against his mouth when he complied.
Dear God! The man could kiss.
Jake moved down over her body with open mouth kisses. Becca’s stomach quivered under his amazing lips. He unsnapped her jeans and pulled them down her legs, following behind with his mouth. His tongue ran along her thigh to he
r knee and back up the other side. Her black silk panties were damp. She was wet and ready for him.
“Jake, please, I want you,” she said, lifting her hips off the bed.
“Not yet, Red, I want to savor you,” he whispered against her inner thigh. Hooking his fingers into her panties, Jake pulled them down, tossing them to the floor. Spreading her legs wide, he moved his arms under her knees, and kissed the red curls at the juncture of her thighs. He looked up at her and waggled his dark brows. “A natural redhead.” He gave her an evil grin, making her laugh.
But her laughter ended in a gasp when he moved his tongue between her folds. Her head went back against the pillow as Jake moved his tongue over the sensitive nub and took it gently between his teeth. She grasped hold of the sheet with both hands, trying to find something to anchor her before she flew apart. “God, Jake—yes, oh yes.” Pleasure pulsed through her, and flashes of heat stole her breath.
When Jake moved away from her, she whimpered and reached for him. “No, come here.”
“Don’t worry, Red, you aren’t getting rid of me.” He was back in no time with a foil packet.
While he tore open the packet, Becca finally got to push those jeans down over his hips and free his erection. “Oh, Jake,” she breathed, stroking him. He was huge, hard, and he felt like velvet over steel. She took the condom from him and rolled it gently down his shaft.
Jake kissed her hard as he moved between her legs. She reached between them, guiding the head of his penis slowly into her. As he pushed in, she sighed, her hands going to his ass to pull him tighter to her. “Nice ass, Stone,” she said breathlessly. The sensation of him working his way inside of her was incredible.
Jake chuckled. “Right back at ya, Red,” he groaned as he slid in full to the hilt and stilled.
The pleasure and pain was almost unbearable. Almost, because when he put his forehead to hers and whispered in the sexiest voice ever, she nearly melted with the pleasure. “I knew it would feel like this.”
The idea of giving him pleasure intensified her own, making her smile knowing she’d done that.
“You feel so fucking good,” Jake said as he started to move in and then out, slowly. “Wrap your legs around me,” he ordered against her lips and growled low in his throat when she did.
When she did, he began to pump. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung, kissing him on his chest, his throat—anywhere she could reach. Her eyes roved over his face. Watching him close his eyes and throw back his head with ecstasy thrilled her soul. They set a rhythm. Slow at first, then faster and harder. Becca met his thrusts, lifting her hips, begging for more.
Sex had never been this good for Becca. “Jake, you feel so good,” she cried. She felt another wave coming over her but she didn’t have time to question it. Clinging to him, she bit his shoulder, wanting just as much of him as she could get, but she couldn’t hold out. The pleasure was just too much. Rhythmically she held him tight, squeezing him as her orgasm took her over the edge, and she swore she saw stars. She cried out his name, and then she felt him stiffen. He pummeled into her harder and harder until he followed her over, groaning her name. When Jake moved to roll off her, she hugged him tight against her. He kissed her forehead.
“I’m too heavy.” He rolled to his back beside her.
Becca wanted to disagree. Never had she felt safer than when she was in his arms. She wasn’t sure what to do until he pulled her close to him. Laying her head on his chest, she wrapped her arm over his waist and nestled down against his big, warm body.
“That was amazing,” she said softly.
“It was amazing. Becca…” He stopped what he was saying when his cellphone rang. “Hold on.” Swearing, he reached for his jeans, pulled out the phone, and answered the call. Becca watched as he sat up quickly. “What is it?”
Jake frowned at her as he hung up. “That was Stan. It seems some of your horses are missing.”
Becca sat up quickly, confused. “What?”
“Stan said he went to feed them and all but one is gone. The pregnant mare is there because she was in another barn.” He ran his hand through his hair.
Becca got off the bed and started dressing. Suspicions started bombarding her mind. “I can’t believe this,” she hissed, throwing Jake a sideways glance. “You’re behind this. Aren’t you?”
Jake stood up, hands on his hips. “What? Are you fucking serious? How am I behind it?”
She pointed her finger at him, trying to ignore how damn good looking he was and how fabulous he’d made her feel. “You stole my horses.”
A string of blue curse words left his mouth. “For what damn purpose? Tell me that,” Jake shouted.
Glaring at him, she refused to mince her words. Truthfully, she didn’t even know if she believed it herself, but what else was she supposed to think? “To run me off the ranch. Why else? If my horses are gone, I don’t have any reason to keep the ranch,” she argued. “You’ll be rid of me.”
“Who said I wanted to get rid of you? You do realize what you’re saying makes absolutely no sense. You don’t need the horses to keep the ranch and in case you’ve forgotten, I was here with you. Screwing you!”
With a gasp of indignation, Becca slapped him. “That was uncalled for,” she snarled as she reached for her boots and hastily pulled them on. “Besides, you could’ve had one of your ranch hands do it while you kept me occupied.” Lord, how he’d kept her occupied. Just the thought of what they’d done together made her blush.
“Think about it. How would I have known you were coming over here?” Jake ran his hand down his face, clearly frustrated. “Jesus, Becca. Do you seriously think I’d do that to you?”
Becca finished dressing and looked up at him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he sounded hurt. Frankly, she really didn’t know what to think, but she wasn’t about to tell him that and give him any more ammunition than he already had.
“Yes. Yes, I do,” she exclaimed as she ran away from him. Becca ignored the tender, hurt feeling that was tugging at her heart.
Becca could hear him calling her name and begging her to stop. He wanted to talk to her but she just couldn’t do it. She had to escape what she was feeling. She kept going despite his pleas until she was in her truck and on her way home. She had to keep brushing away tears so she could see. Once home, Stan came running to her.
“I’m so sorry. We were all out mending fences.” He explained, shaking his head. Her heart went out to him. Stan looked terrible.
“I don’t blame you, Stan. Did you call the police?” Exasperated, she pushed her hair out of her eyes.
“I did.” He jammed his hands in his pockets, as the weather was bitter cold. “The sheriff is on his way. He should be here anytime now.”
Stan turned to return to the barn, and Becca nodded and went inside. This place was becoming a nightmare. She slammed the door behind her and let the tears fall. Wiping her eyes, she sat down in the window seat to wait for the sheriff to arrive. Thoughts of Jake tormented her. Could he have done this? Her mind warred with her heart, but what else made sense? There was no one else who wanted the ranch. She didn’t have long to wait and worry, for ten minutes later she let the sheriff in.
Good Lord, what was it with the men in Montana? The sheriff was gorgeous too. Tall with broad shoulders, he had slim hips, dark brown hair, and killer blue eyes. He had a stubble-covered chiseled jaw like some other man she wished she could forget. Dressed in a khaki shirt with his badge pinned on it, he wore jeans and cowboy boots instead of a regular full khaki uniform. Politely, he took his Stetson off when he entered the house.
“Ms. Daniels? I’m Sheriff Sam Garrett. Stan said someone took your horses.”
Becca shook his hand. “Yes sir, Sheriff Garrett. I was…out when it happened.”
He smiled and dimples appeared in his cheeks. “Please call me Sam. We’re informal around here.” He reached for a small pad and pen in his shirt pocket. “Did Stan call you?”
&nb
sp; She blushed. “No, he…called Jake.”
“Jake Stone?” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Then Jake called you?”
Ohmigod. If she were lucky, the floor might open up and swallow her now. “Uh, no, I was with Jake when Stan called him.”
“I see,” Sam murmured. He didn’t look at her but if Becca wasn’t mistaken, his lips twitched.
Becca seriously doubted it, but she sure wasn’t going to elaborate.
“Believe it or not, rustling still goes on and Hattie, or rather you own some valuable horses. Those Paints are registered and someone probably thinks they’ll get good money for them. The twelve of them together are probably worth over a hundred thousand dollars, not to mention what you’d lose in stud fees,” Sam told her as he wrote in his notebook.
Becca felt her throat close up. “Are you serious?” She had to sit down. Who knew a horse could be so valuable?
“Very serious, Ms. Daniels. I’ll put the word out. The auction houses will keep an eye out for them. Do you have any idea who would do this to you?”
“Well, since the entire town hates me, anyone of them could’ve done it but I think it was Jake.”
Sam’s head snapped up. “You think Jake Stone took your horses? Why would he do that?” The Sheriff’s incredulous tone spoke volumes. He considered Jake Stone an upstanding citizen.
“Jake wants this ranch and the land that goes with it. I’m sure you’ve heard that if I leave before the six months are up, the ranch goes to auction.”
Crossing his arms over his rather broad chest, the sheriff eyed Becca. “So you think Jake is trying to run you off so he can get the place when it goes to auction?” At her nod, he continued with a negative shake of his head. “I find that kind of hard to believe since I’m pretty sure Jake doesn’t need the ranch or the land.”
“Yeah, that’s what he said too.” Becca put a hand on her hip and returned his stare.
“But you don’t believe him?” He pushed his hat back on his head.
She knew he didn’t suspect Jake. They were probably friends. Becca was the odd man out. “No one else has a reason. He might not need the ranch but he wants it.”
Jake (Men of Clifton Montana Book 1) Page 6
