“Oops.” A sheepish grin spread across his face.
Thankfully her shirttails covered her—well, mostly hid her from his sight.
Her sisters tittering set Tess in motion. Carefully, she bent down so that she didn’t flash the man at her feet, but the heat in his eyes that glowed beneath the porch light said it was too late.
Hot humiliation stung her cheeks. Even her throat felt itchy with discomfort. This just couldn’t be happening.
Inhaling a deep breath, she yanked her bottoms up and stretched to her full height. She didn’t dare another look at the cowboy as she spun on the balls of her feet.
“Rachel, help him up. Rose, go turn that radio off and get his keys.”
The screen door screeched as she jerked it open and stepped inside, before letting it slam behind her. Anxious to put distance between her and that damn man, she headed for the kitchen. The rich scent of coffee met her. She could use a cup to warm her up. When she reached into the cupboard, her hands were shaking.
“Don’t let him get to you,” she chastised herself. But the male laughter in the living room only made her angrier, or was it embarrassment that soared? With quick, sharp movements she extracted two mugs and reached for the pot. Steam curled from the hot liquid as she poured.
When the doorbell rang, Tess let out an exasperated breath. “What now?” she mumbled.
Carrying the two mugs of coffee, she exited the kitchen, pulling up short when her gaze met tawny brown eyes filled with mischief.
Chapter Two
Ty Peterson’s timing sucked.
Clancy looked through whiskey-shrouded eyes at his best friend’s younger brother. When his truck broke down in front of the Gilmore’s ranch, Clancy hadn’t known who to call. Wade and Jessie would already be abed. He’d taken a stab in the dark that Ty wasn’t. The soft giggling in the background said he’d been wrong. But at least he was awake.
But friends were friends and Clancy was glad to count Ty one of them. Well, most the time. The damn man’s heated gaze hadn’t left the shapely blonde standing before them with two cups of steaming coffee in her hands.
“Where’s your manners, Wiseman? Introduce me to these three lovely ladies?” Ty rubbed his thumb and index finger slowly over his short-cropped mustache and bearded chin. His mouth curved into a sultry smile.
“I’m Rose.” With rosy cheeks, she stepped forward with her hand outstretched.
The golden-brown-haired devil gave the older sister another interested once-over before he turned his full attention to the precocious teenager. “Ty Peterson, ma’am.” After tipping his hat, he shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet such a pretty filly. And who is this exact replica?”
“Rachel.” The young girl straightened her backbone, her chin rising slightly. “You know we’re not actually identical. I’m a half inch taller than she is.”
Rose huffed. “Really, Rachel?”
Ty gifted her with a roguish grin that Clancy had seen melt a woman’s heart more than once. Then the scoundrel exchanged Rose’s hand for Rachel’s.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet both of you.” He planted a kiss atop her knuckles.
Rachel’s baby-blue eyes sparkled as she threw a ha-ha-I-got-a-kiss-and-you-didn’t look toward her sister.
Rose compressed her dainty little lips, not quite a pout, but close.
“Okay, girls, that’s enough. Get on up to your rooms.” The young woman with long, slender legs leading up to the most delicious hips and derrière Clancy had ever seen threw a nod in the direction of the stairs. “You have school tomorrow.”
“Tess, what about hospitality?” Rose squealed.
“Yeah. It wouldn’t be very hospitable of us to leave our company alone,” Rachel chimed.
“They’re not alone. I’m here.” She paused, waiting.
Clancy half expected her to tap the ball of one foot impatiently.
Her sisters glared.
“Now.” The firmness in her tone left no room for argument.
Grumbling, both girls said their good-byes and slowly headed for stairs. When they stopped at the bottom step, both looked backed longingly.
Tess’s eyes widened. “Get!”
Then she turned those intense blue eyes on Clancy and something tightened in his chest. “Mr. Wiseman, I hope you take your coffee black.” She handed him the steaming cup.
The damn thing nearly burnt his hand as he jostled it to where he could slip his finger through the handle. He hadn’t noticed until then that his hands were nearly frozen. But the thought of this beautiful woman pressed against his body warmed him up as fast as the coffee had when he took a sip. Memories of the kiss they shared made his cock twitch. Where would the caress have led them if her sisters hadn’t interrupted?
“Mr. Peterson, care for coffee?”
“Don’t mind if I do…Tess.” Her name came out as a purr on Ty’s tongue.
The woman handed the last cup she held to him, and then folded her arms beneath her large breasts. She had yet to ease the keenness in her eyes or her rigid stance.
“Apparently, the two of you know each other. So can I assume, Mr. Peterson, you are here to retrieve Mr. Wiseman and his truck?”
“Ty.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Call me Ty.”
An exasperated rush of air pushed between her kissable lips. From the frustrated look on her face, Clancy could imagine her thinking not you too.
“Ty. Have you come to rescue Clancy?” He smiled at the emphasis she placed on his name.
Ty glanced over at him. “Bro, do you need rescuing?”
“Not me.” He took a sip of the hot coffee, feeling it warm him from the inside out.
“It’s late, boys, and I have school tomorrow, so let’s stop this merry-go-round because I need to get off.”
The unconscious innuendo forced a slow grin upon Ty’s face that matched his own.
It didn’t make sense, but the moment Clancy had opened his eyes to the angelic beauty hovering over him, for whatever crazy reason, she had felt like a lifeline, the only thing keeping him from drowning in his sorrows as he lay upon the damp ground.
Damn. He ran his fingers through his hair. He must be drunker than he thought, or the nightmare that had driven him into the cold had affected him more than he wanted to admit. It was evenings like these that he wandered the night finding comfort in the depths of a whiskey bottle.
But now all he could think of was her long, shapely legs wrapped around his waist as she shattered in his arms.
Before either of them could say anything, she rolled her eyes. “Uhmmm. I didn’t mean that quite the way it came out. It’s just been a long night and it’s time we all go to bed.” Pinching her lips together, she fought the smile that twinkled in eyes so light blue he felt like he could melt into them.
Clancy saw the moment Tess regained her composure. Her gaze firmed along with her backbone. When she spoke again it sounded a little condescending, as if she were dismissing her sisters, instead of two adult men.
“It was a pleasure meeting you both, but it’s getting late. I still have things in the kitchen to tend to before,” she paused, “the evening is over. Feel free to finish your coffee and let yourselves out.”
As she spun around and disappeared into the kitchen, Clancy couldn’t stop himself from taking several steps in her direction. Only when Ty said, “Holding out on me, Wiseman?” did he stop and turn around. His friend took a drink of his coffee, looking over the edge of the mug. “Not a nice thing to do. Not nice at all.” Male interest stared back at Clancy and for some reason he didn’t like it. Not one damn bit.
“Just met her tonight,” he grumbled.
“Wouldn’t mind taking that filly for a ride. Winding that long blonde hair in a fist and fuckin’—”
“Shut the fuck up.” A red haze misted Clancy’s sight. For some irrational reason he couldn’t bear the thought of anyone, including a friend, speaking disrespectfully about the woma
n. He pushed his fingers through his hair again and swayed, his footing unsteady.
Something pure and innocent shrouded her. Classical features, high cheekbones, creamy smooth skin, and lips that appeared sculpted and painted, reminded him of a porcelain doll.
Yeah. Tess Gilmore was too good for Peterson. Hell. What was he saying? She was too good for him.
Ty’s eyebrows shot up. “Easy, Wiseman,” he said softly, but his warning came through loud and clear. Unlike his brother Wade, Ty had an easygoing personality, but he still wasn’t a man you wanted to screw with. None of the Petersons were.
Clancy retraced his steps, slapping Ty upon the back. “She’s out of our league, buddy.” He clasped Ty’s shoulder and gave it a playful shake. “According to her sisters she’s the only thing their brother and them have. No other family.” He released his friend. “Besides, she’s a damn school teacher.” He forced a broken laugh. “Tess Gilmore doesn’t need the two of us screwing with her head.”
Ty’s silent scrutiny of him set Clancy on edge. Behind those knowing eyes the wheels were churning and he wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad.
“Let’s get the hell out of Dodge. I’ve got a couple bottles of whiskey in my truck calling our names. Shit!” He hesitated. “Damn thing stalled and won’t start. I’ll call a tow truck tomorrow.”
“No problem. I’ll tow you home. At least you won’t have to come back here tomorrow.” A mischievous grin fell across Ty’s face.
“Fuck you,” Clancy barked, and then he smiled.
Strolling over to the coffee table before the couch, he set his cup down as Ty followed suit. For a moment he thought of saying good-bye, but Tess had made it clear—his company wasn’t welcome.
Probably for the best.
When Tess heard both the front and screen door open and close she breathed a sigh of relief. Pulling the plug from the sink, she watched the soapy water swirl and disappear down the drain. Uneasy laughter spilled from her mouth as she dried her hands.
“I need to get off. Did I really say that…out loud?” But getting off was just what she needed.
She folded the towel in her hands and laid it on the counter, realizing her body was still heated by Ty’s and Clancy’s roguish smiles. Their minds had made a beeline for the gutter and she’d followed them like a stray puppy. After the it’s time we all go to bed comment, she quickly pulled her foot out of her mouth, regained what little composure she had left and nearly ran from the room. Well, maybe she didn’t run, but she felt like it as thoughts of being sandwiched between the two men made her skin go up in flames. Sinking her hands into hot dishwater had done nothing to cool her arousal.
Tess looked around the kitchen, deciding nothing else needed to be done tonight, and exited the room. Her gaze glanced to the two cups sitting on the coffee table and she licked her lips. What would their mouths and hands feel like roaming her body? She had never had two men take her at the same time. Yes. It was a shameless fantasy, but what could she say? Didn’t every woman dream of being worshipped by two men at once, or was she different?
As if she could erase the vision of two sets of lips and hands stroking her, Tess shook her head. She had to stop thinking like this. Clancy Wiseman was dangerous. Ty Peterson wasn’t any better. She headed for the front door to check if the men had locked it when they left, when the doorknob turned.
Levi popped his sandy-blond head inside. “Sorry I’m late, sis.”
Hands on her hips, she narrowed her gaze on his tall, athletic frame. “Don’t let it happen again. I worry about you.”
“I know.” He entered, eyeing her warily from head to toe. “Were you wearing that without a robe for our company?”
So he had seen the cowboys leave.
At six-foot-two, it was difficult to look at her brother as a child, especially when his good looks beckoned every female from miles around. He had matured so much over the last year.
“As a matter of fact, yes.” Tess held back the laughter bubbling inside her. His protectiveness was endearing, but unnecessary. Her pajamas were flannel, not the sexy baby doll ones she had hidden beneath her other lingerie. Of course, she couldn’t help but wonder what he would say once their nosey little sisters spilled the beans about her losing her pants in front of Clancy.
“You know I’ve heard—”
“That’s enough, Levi,” she said firmly. “It isn’t nice to listen to rumors. Mr. Wiseman’s truck broke down in front of our house and Mr. Peterson was nice enough to help him.”
“Which Peterson was that?”
She exhaled a heavy breath. “You mean there’s more than one?” God, save the female population.
“Three brothers and a sister.”
“I think he said his name was Ty.” Who was she fooling? She would never forget that man and his sultry eyes sliding over her flesh like she was a strawberry-filled donut with cream on top.
Levi’s brows furrowed. “Hmmm. Heard that Ty—”
Tess held up a hand, palm out, stopping her brother. “I shudder to think where you are hearing all these rumors. Maybe I ought to take a closer look at who you’re hanging around.”
“Guys talk. And I was asking around about breeding. It appears Wiseman and the Petersons have some of the best stock in town. I thought this weekend I’d take a look. Alone,” he added.
“Not on my dime, you won’t.”
“Tess,” he groaned. “You don’t know nothin’ about horses and cattle. If I could negotiate breeding rights with—”
“And I won’t learn anything unless I’m involved. When you leave I’ll be running this ranch until you return.” Well, more like managing it, because she would have to hire someone to help. Even still she wondered how she would accomplish it, but she was determined to make this place a home. Somewhere Levi could come back to when he finished school.
A sheepish expression flickered across Levi’s face. “I was thinking—” Levi didn’t have to complete his sentence.
“Best you not think tonight and get to bed.”
It was the same argument. Levi didn’t want to go to college. He wanted to ranch. It was what he had always wanted. Their home in California had been horse property, so they were able to have a couple of horses, a cow and a handful of chickens, but that hadn’t been enough for him. His dreams were bigger. He wanted to live the life of a real cowboy. And real cowboys raised, bred, herded and sold cows and horses.
After the death of their parents Tess found it difficult to refuse her siblings anything. Their sorrow had been so devastating, so heart wrenching, that they all needed a change of pace and scenery.
Levi quietly shook his head and headed for the stairs. On leaden feet she followed him up. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to plunge head first into their new adventure financed by their inheritance, but if they failed, she would be at fault. Levi had to realize he needed something to back them up if that happened. Her meager wages as a schoolteacher would only stretch so far.
Her brother turned and took her in his strong embrace. “You worry too much,” he muttered against her ear. “I love you, sis.”
As moisture bloomed in her eyes, Tess thought she smelled the hint of alcohol, and then she remembered the beer she’d had after dinner. Attempting to blink the emotion away before Levi witnessed her weakness, she muttered, “I love you too.” Much to her dismay, her voice cracked. She squeezed and released him, quickly turning away before he saw her tears. Above all things she had to stay grounded.
“’Night.” His door shut with a click.
“Goodnight, Levi,” she whispered.
Pausing at her bedroom, she glanced down the hall at her sisters’ and brother’s rooms. God. She hoped she made the right decision moving them to Texas. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside her bedroom and closed the door, locking it and dimming the overhead lighting, before she pushed down her still damp pajamas bottoms, pausing to smile.
Clancy Wiseman was the devil reincarnated. Pure, unadulterated
sin. Not to mention forbidden.
As she plucked at the buttons of her flannel shirt, the thought of the kiss they shared made her nipples bead into hard peaks. The soft material of her pajama top slid across sensitive flesh and a shiver raced up her spine.
That man could kiss. And his voice. Sultry. Wicked. And oh so enticing.
By the time her shirt joined her pants on the soft, gray carpet, tingles of arousal swept over her. Unthinking, she drew her hands down her body, her palms shaping her breasts, abdomen and hips as she felt the warm pulse of her body. Retracing the path upward, she cradled her heavy globes once again. With her thumbs and forefingers, she squeezed the tips, tossing back her head at the delicious ache that spread throughout.
Nights like this one she longed for the touch of a man. Instead, she moved to the nightstand next to her queen-size bed and picked up the channel changer. Turning on the television, she tapped in the secret code only she knew. In seconds the large screen hanging from the wall filled with the images of a naked man and woman locked in an embrace. A throaty moan eased from the shapely brunette’s lips, while in the background seductive music played softly.
Tess watched the dark-haired man trail kisses down the woman’s slender neck. She tilted her head, stretching her neck as if she could feel the gentle abrasion of the man’s five o’clock shadow against her own skin, his moist lips and his hands smoothing up and down her back. With his back facing Tess, she imagined it was the sexy cowboy who had elicited such a hungry response in her earlier. Broad, impressive shoulders made her ache to reach out and feel the steely strength harnessed within, while the taut muscles in his ass flexed invitingly. Between parted thighs she glimpsed his testicles and her mouth watered.
What would Clancy taste like? Would he lose control if she took him deep in her mouth? Sucked. Long and hard.
Her breath caught as her pussy suddenly contracted. Dammit. All she was doing was tormenting herself. Still, when the man on the television caressed his mouth further south on the beautiful brunette, stopping to lick and tease the woman’s luscious breasts, Tess found herself opening one of the drawers of her maple captain’s headboard. Feeling around for the hidden latch, she pushed the button and the bottom slid open to display her own little treasure chest of toys. Gaze still pinned on the television screen, she grabbed her vibrator, the one with the clit stimulator.
Bound by an Angel Page 2
