Jake (Men of Clifton Montana Book 1)

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  Becca sighed. “I don’t know what’s going to happen when my six months are up. I’ve come to love it here.”

  Wyatt grinned. “Yes, I can see that.” He laughed when Becca felt her cheeks heat up. “He’s a good man and he needs a good woman. I believe you’re that woman.”

  “What about you, Wyatt? Don’t you deserve a good woman?”

  “I thought I had one. Turned out I was wrong.” His lips tightened into a thin line.

  Becca laid her hand on his arm. “Don’t judge us all by her. She was wrong for you.”

  He nodded. “I know that now, but how many do I need to go through before I find the right one?” He frowned.

  “You need to take that chance again. She could be close but you won’t see her if you don’t look.”

  Wyatt gazed at Becca for a few seconds before touching his fingers to his hat and walking away. Becca sighed. Olivia definitely had her work cut out for her with this one.

  Becca entered the barn to find Jake at one of the paddocks talking to the horse inside. She walked up and stood behind him, watching. Now that the excitement was over, she wasn’t sure what to do. Was he going to be cold to her? She couldn’t let that happen again. She wrapped her arms around his waist. When she felt his body stiffen, she started to pull away but he laid his hands over hers to hold her where she was. She laid her cheek against his back, soaking in his warmth and delicious scent. They stood like that for several minutes before Jake turned around and rested his cheek on top of her head.

  “You’re not going home tonight, Red,” he whispered alongside her ear.

  “Are you telling me what to do, Stone?”

  She felt him take a deep breath. “Yes, I am.”

  Becca looked up at him and smiled. “I was just making sure.”

  The breath he released came out in a laugh. He took her hand and led her into the house. After removing their coats, Jake took her hand and led her to the bedroom. Once in the room, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

  “I want you so much,” he whispered against her lips.

  “How much?” Becca ran her hands up his chest and began to unbutton his shirt, kissing every inch of his skin as she uncovered it.

  “I think I’d rather show you than tell—” Becca caught his last word in her mouth as she stole a kiss.

  Pushing his shirt off his broad shoulders, Becca ran her fingers down his flexing pecs and across his six-pack stomach. When her hand started to unsnap his jeans, he stopped her.

  “My turn, Becca.” He picked her up and laid her on the bed. Reaching down, he pulled her boots off then ran his hands up her legs. Becca couldn’t keep still. She wanted him so much. She sat up and pulled her sweater off over her head, revealing a red demi-cup bra. She smiled when she heard Jake groan.

  “Did I tell you red is my favorite color?” He smiled.

  She laughed. “I thought it was black.”

  “Sometimes, but I’ve definitely got a thing for red,” Jake said as he pressed a kiss against her hair. She hoped she understood his insinuation for it was a sweet one.

  Becca shivered, and then panted when he removed her bra. He moved his tongue over each nipple then blew on them, making them harden into tight peaks. Her fingers worked through his silky hair as he sucked hard. The feeling was exquisite. Becca had a hard time keeping still. Her hips kept lifting, wanting more.

  “You like that, don’t you? Jake asked as he kissed around the swollen areola.

  “God, yes, I like your mouth anywhere on my body.”

  Jake’s hand moved down her stomach to the snap of her jeans. She lifted her hips to help him remove them.

  “Damn, Red, you’re killing me,” he muttered when he saw the red boy-cut panties.

  “Maybe we should stop then,” she teased.

  Jake put his forehead to hers. “I’d rather die.”

  “Me too,” she whispered.

  His hands ran over her body, molding her breasts, skimming her thighs, making her squirm. Becca moaned as his hand slipped between her legs. When Jake put his mouth to hers, she dug her fingernails into his shoulders. His tongue moved into her mouth as he moved a finger between her wet folds. He moved it up and down, making her moan then gasp when he inserted it, along with another, inside her and moved the pad of his thumb against her sensitive nub.

  Becca moaned into his mouth, her hands fisted in his hair. Her breathing became harsher. Jake was driving her wild. She tore her lips from his and screamed his name as she came against his hand. She panted as she came down from the orgasm and felt Jake slip between her legs and reach for a condom. Beneath hooded eyes, she watched him roll it down his engorged shaft. Licking her mouth, she raised her hips imploringly. Jake held her gaze as he slowly slid inside her. Both of them groaned at the amazing sensation. Being full of Jake was the best feeling in the world. She put her hands on his hips to urge him on. He gave her an evil grin and moved slowly. Becca wrapped her legs around his waist to take him deeper. Jake moaned and moved faster and harder.

  Yes! This is what she wanted, what she needed. She moved her hips against his.

  “Jake…please, I need…” she groaned.

  “Need what, Red. Tell me,” he said as his mouth ran along her cheek to her ear and took the lobe between his teeth. When she shivered, she felt him grin against her neck. He gently bit her shoulder.

  “Tell me what you need,” he whispered again.

  Becca felt her face flaming. She wished she could tell him how much she needed him.

  “I need…more. I need harder. Faster. Please,” she groaned in a breathless plea. “I need you.”

  Jake complied, pounding into her. Her body arched in abandon at the feel of him thrusting deep inside of her. His was hard, thick, and deep, and she writhed under him. Clinging to him with frantic hands, she felt as if she was going to be ripped apart limb by limb.

  Becca thought she heard him speak but she couldn’t comprehend the words he whispered. Her eyes flew open and she gazed up at him. He was looking down at her. She started to close her eyes as she rushed toward her climax.

  “Look at me, Becca. I want to see you go there.”

  Biting her lip, she opened her eyes and stared into his. She knew he was holding back for her. She made a keening sound and threw her head back, but kept her eyes on Jake. Her climax shook her to the core. She felt, more than heard, the growl that came from deep in his chest. His muscles went rigid before he moved faster against her. He groaned her name as his orgasm took him over the edge and he throbbed inside her.

  “Becca, you’re so beautiful.” Jake collapsed on top of her and she held on to him as hard as she could. She never wanted to let him go.

  A few minutes later, Jake moved off her and pulled the blanket up over their cooling bodies. Becca had never felt so alive. Every square inch of her skin tingled with pleasure and satisfaction. Jake was a fantastic lover. Becca moved closer to him and buried her head in his neck, loving the sound of him breathing.

  “I’m so sorry I ever doubted you, Jake. I should’ve trusted my heart about you,” she whispered and when Jake wrapped his arms tightly around her, she knew he’d heard her. Becca could feel her eyes closing. It had been an emotional day with a perfect ending. Smiling, she fell asleep.

  Sometime during the night, Becca woke up alone. She ran her hand over to Jake’s empty side of the bed. It was still warm so he hadn’t been missing long. Finding his T-shirt, she put it on, going in search of him. She found him in the kitchen, sitting at the table eating a sandwich. Becca stood in the doorway. He hadn’t seen her yet.

  “Were you planning on sharing that sandwich, Stone?”

  When he glanced up, his gaze met hers and then his eyes ran over her, making her insides come alive. He smiled. “Come get a bite.”

  Becca smiled as she walked to him, snatched the sandwich from him, and took a bite.

  “Mmm, this is so good.” She closed her eyes, savoring the taste of ham, Swiss cheese, and mustard. When
she opened her eyes, Jake was staring at her.

  He cleared his throat. “How the hell do you make eating a sandwich look sexy?”

  She smiled and took another bite.

  “Oh, Jake,” she moaned. “It’s so good. Yes, oh yes!”

  Jake growled and took the sandwich from her. “Not funny, Red.” He put the sandwich down and reached for her.

  She jumped away from him but he stalked toward her. “Now Jake, I was just kidding.”

  Try as she might, Becca couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling out. She eluded him as he reached for her again.

  “You’re in trouble and once I get you, you’re all mine.” He lunged for her and caught her.

  Becca struggled, but she really liked the sound of his words. He was much stronger and held her close. Her back was to his front. He leaned down and kissed the nape of her neck. She wiggled her butt against him. Jake growled.

  “Not only are you in trouble, you are trouble,” he whispered.

  Turning her around, he kissed her swollen lips. Then he shocked her by grabbing her bottom. “Jake,” she squealed as he picked her up, tossing her over his shoulder before carrying her back to the bedroom. He tossed her on the bed and donned a condom. Moving between her legs, he thrust into her and took them both over the edge.

  The next morning Becca woke to the smell of frying bacon and coffee. She stretched like a cat, and then took a quick shower before joining Jake in the kitchen. “Something smells good.” Becca wrapped her arms around him as she curled herself against his back. He turned and kissed her forehead.

  “Morning, darlin’.” He kissed her again for good measure.

  “I’ll need to head home after breakfast. I have to pick Liv up at the airport today,” Becca told him.

  “I’m glad she’s coming back to be with you, but you could just stay here, you know.”

  Becca sighed. “I know but as I said before, I’m not going to be run out of my own home.” She hugged him. “We can still be together.”

  “When?” Jake asked with a slight frown.

  “When do you want?”

  “That’s a crazy question, Red. What about tonight?” Jake raised an eyebrow.

  “Sounds great, Stone, I’ll be back at six.” Becca stood on her toes, kissed him then sat at the table and ate her breakfast.

  Chapter Ten

  May arrived and brought warm weather with it. Becca decided to go horseback riding while Olivia went to town. They’d been keeping a lot of late hours working on getting the house ready as a bed and breakfast. Becca wanted to relax and taking a quiet ride seemed like a good idea.

  Ted saddled a horse for her and she took off at a run out of the yard. The sun was high in the sky, promising a beautiful day. She threw her head back, enjoying the warm rays that felt so wonderful against her skin. As she rode the range, her eyes strayed to the Glacier Mountains. The rugged terrain still capped with snow was incredible. Being in North West Montana, the weather stayed cool well into May but today was a spoiler as the temperature was in the low seventies. The brown grass was beginning to fade and green was peeking through. Becca saw a few daffodils popping up and their sunny beauty made her smile.

  She knew without a doubt that she was going to stay in Montana after her six months were over. There was no way she could leave Jake. He hadn’t said he was in love with her but she hadn’t spoken the words either. When she’d first told him about turning the house into a B and B, Becca had been afraid of his reaction but he seemed to like the idea. Possibly because it meant she was staying. She hadn’t thought about what she would’ve done if he hadn’t like the idea. The community seemed to favor the idea also, although she wasn’t sure how they’d found out about it. Yet, being a small town, everyone seemed to know everyone else’s business.

  She spurred the horse and rode home. When she arrived at the barn, Ted met her and helped her unsaddle the mare, wiping her down. She was about to go into the house when a truck came up the driveway. Becca waited as the tall man got out of his truck and walked toward her.

  Good Lord! What was it about Montana? Here was yet another gorgeous hunk. As he approached, he tipped the edge of his hat before removing it. He stopped in front of her and grinned. Like the Stone brothers, he towered over her. He had shaggy black hair, a straight nose, a strong chiseled jaw covered in a shadow and the most astonishing moss green eyes.

  “Ms. Daniels?” he asked in a deep voice.

  Man, if she wasn’t in love with Jake… “Yes?”

  He stuck his hand out. “I’m Ryder Wolfe. Emma Conner mentioned you might have some Paints for sale?”

  She shook his hand and smiled. “I’m so sorry. I forgot all about Emma telling me about you,” she apologized. “Come with me, I’ll show you the horses.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Please, call me Becca,” she told him as they walked into the barn.

  “Can I ask why you’re selling them?”

  “I want to buy some trail riding horses.” At his questioning look, she explained. “I’m turning the ranch into a B and B and I want to have trail rides for guests and camping.”

  Ryder nodded. “I see. I know where you can get some real nice horses. Gentle as they come. Old man Jones is selling his. I can give you his number.”

  Becca smiled. “Great,” she replied feeling like things were really starting to come together. She led him through the barn, showing him each horse. Her mare, Daisy, being a Quarter Horse was not for sale. Besides, Becca couldn’t part with her. “They’re all micro chipped too.”

  “Good. I make sure all of mine are. It’s just the smart thing to do.”

  Becca watched as he ran his hands over the horses and spoke to them in a soft voice. Each horse seemed to lean into him. She could understand why. The man probably spoke that way to a woman he wanted and by the looks of him, he could have just about any woman he wanted. Becca felt her cheeks flame. She loved Jake but as Olivia said, she wasn’t dead and could still appreciate a good-looking man. What would Olivia think of Ryder Wolfe? The idea made her smile. It was too bad she’d gone into town with Emma.

  Ryder came out of the stall. “I’d like to buy them all from you.”

  Becca’s eyes widened. “Really? That would be great.”

  “I promise you, they’ll get a good home. If you need references….”

  Becca waved him off. “If Emma recommended you then I have no problem with selling to you.” She bit her lip knowing she had to talk money now. “What can you give me for them?”

  When he mentioned his price, she did everything she could not to gasp. It was a good bit more than what Sam had told her they were worth. “I don’t need that much, how about eighty thousand instead?”

  “Miz…Becca, these horses have great bloodlines and they’re in excellent condition. Getting twelve horses for what I asked is already like stealing them. I could never get horses at auction this nice, and it would cost me a lot more.” He shook his head. “No, you don’t have to give them to me,” he said with a grin, showing straight white teeth.

  “I won’t take a penny more than what I’m asking. If you don’t want them…” Becca shrugged.

  He burst out laughing. “You’re a tough businesswoman.” He stuck his hand out. “You got a deal.”

  Becca laughed and shook his hand. He told her he’d be over the next day to pick them up, and give her a check. Happy, she agreed and he went on his way.

  Becca went inside. Everything was really coming together. She took her jacket off and hung it up. She planned to take a shower and relax the rest of the day. As she entered her bedroom, a frightening chill hit her like a tsunami.

  Her room was in shambles. The bedclothes were off the bed, and the mattress lay slashed into ribbons and tilted half off the bed. Every drawer was hanging open and the curtains ripped down. The clothes that had been in her closet were scattered about the floor. Her underwear lay spread out in the open. It looked as if a tornado had gone through it.

>   Becca started shaking. Stumbling to the bathroom, unsure her legs would hold her she found it a mess too. Across the mirror, again in lipstick, were the words, YOU DIDN’T GO BACK TO MARYLAND. NOW YOU’VE PISSED ME OFF!

  Time seemed to fade away as she stood there shaking, feeling cold, and then she heard Olivia’s voice downstairs. She heard her come up the stairs and heard Olivia’s gasp when she saw the room.

  “We need to go downstairs, Becs, and call Sam…right now!” Olivia grabbed her arm leading her from the room. “This shit is really beginning to piss me off.”

  Becca laughed, the sound rising in her ears as her hysteria broke loose.

  Olivia looked at her strangely.

  “The bathroom mirror said basically the same thing.”

  “The son of a bitch wrote on another mirror?” Olivia growled between clenched teeth. “I’m going to kill the bastard.”

  Becca allowed Olivia to lead her to the living room. Once there, she insisted Becca sit on the couch while she called Sam. After hanging up the call, Olivia sat beside Becca, putting her arm around her.

  “How does this prick keep getting in? How does he know when we’re gone?” Olivia gasped. Becca saw realization dawn in her friend’s eyes. “Shit! He’s watching us.”

  Becca nodded. “I had that same thought the last time.” She felt tears rolling down her face but couldn’t stop them. “I don’t know who it is but I want him…or her, caught. I’m getting tired of this. Does someone in this town really hate me that much?”

  Olivia shook her head. “I don’t know. You don’t think it’s Jake anymore…do you?”

  “No, no way.” Becca picked up her cellphone and dialed Jake’s number. “I need him,” she told Olivia and waited for Jake to pick up.

  “Becca? You’re not calling to cancel tonight are you?” Jake said in a way of answering.

  “No…Jake,” her voice splintered. “Someone tore up my bedroom. I…please come, please…”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Becca heard the connection break. She sighed. Everything would be all right. Jake was coming.