by J. J. Ranger
“But I didn’t issue a challenge. I walked away.”
“With a hitch in your gitty up, I’m sure.” Shannon chuckled. “That gauntlet was thrown down as sure as if you’d demanded he toss you over his shoulder and take you to his cave. Just remember—”
Sara narrowed her gaze. “I’m not stupid enough not to use protection.”
“Good to know,” Shannon said with another laugh. “But that isn’t what I was going to say. I was going to remind you that I want to be in the wedding party.”
“Fat chance of that happening.”
They climbed the steps and entered the lodge, Shannon’s laughter ringing through her ears and leaving trepidation in its wake.
****
Dane leaned against the fence post, his booted foot propped on the bottom rung, watching Sara Piermont strut back to her cabin. She didn’t have to introduce herself, he’d know that family resemblance anywhere. Hell, he’d practically grown up with Shannon, and Sara looked enough like her cousin. Long dark hair, curves that made a man’s hands yearn to touch them.
At first, he’d thought she was shy, but her blatant invitation threw that idea out the window. She might appear quiet, but he’d bet she was firecracker just waiting for the right moment to crackle and surprise.
His dick swelled and ached, pulsing with each sway of her ass. Something about her lit a fire deep in the pit of his stomach.
Blaze stuck his head over the fence and butted his snout against Dane’s cheek. The horse snorted, tickling him with hot breath.
“You like her, huh?” Again, Blaze snorted. “Yeah. Me, too.”
So maybe he wasn’t going to get a weekend of fishing and relaxing, but he wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to see how far Sara was willing to go. She wanted a fling, he could do a fling. Hell, he would rock her world.
Chapter Two
There’s nothing wrong with a single woman going out for a drink. It’s not like I’m going to dance on the tables. Ooh, sorry, Mom. A grin creased Sara’s lips. Like her laidback mother would take offense at anything. Though I wouldn’t mind giving Dane Dumen a lap dance.
After dinner, the other women had gathered around the campfire. She didn’t feel like socializing. Not with Shannon’s warning still buzzing in her brain. Jumping into her car, she drove to town, found a parking spot, and walked into the bar.
She knew taunting Dane with her desire for a weekend fling was not a smart idea. But did she honestly think he would take her up on the challenge? Not really. Why would he be interested in a school teacher who, for all he knew, was only going to be around a few days?
She bellied up to the bar and settled on a wooden stool, making eye contact with the bartender, a beefy guy who looked like he could bench press a truck and not break a sweat. His neck was the size of a tree trunk.
“What can I get you?” His voice was as rough as his exterior and didn’t have the same calming effect of Dane Dumen’s smooth baritone.
“Shot of whiskey and a draft.”
He gave a brusque nod and filled her order. When he put the shot in front of her, she downed it. The whiskey burned a path down her chest and settled in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t much of a drinker—didn’t care for the taste of most liquor—but needed the liquid courage if she ever hoped to go through with her weekend fling plan.
She chased the shot with a swig of beer and drummed her fingers on the scarred wooden surface of the bar. Her gaze travelled around the crowd, picking out possible conquests. A burly cowboy with a full beard sat alone in the corner nursing a beer. From this distance, he appeared decent looking, but then a woman approached and was greeted with a full contact lip lock.
Strike him off the list. She didn’t want competition.
“See anything you like?” a voice murmured in her ear.
Her heart threatened to leap from her chest. “Are you following me?” She pinned Dane with a glare, but couldn’t help notice how the black T-shirt stretched across broad shoulders, straining around large biceps. He was much bigger than she thought. Those loose button-down shirts hid all the wonders of the cowboy.
The corner of his mouth kicked up, and he took a swig of beer. “No, I’m not following you. This is my town, remember?” His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering just a second before he met her gaze again. “Besides, I got here first.”
She wanted to smack that smartass smile off his lips. Her breasts ached, and she pressed into them with her forearm. “Yeah, well, it’s my town now, too.” Dammit, she hadn’t meant for that to come out.
He bent a little closer, his mouth just inches away. “Darlin’, you can’t claim a town just because you visit.”
Sara leaned forward, offering him a view of cleavage. She licked her lips, slowly, seductively. “Really? Pity.”
His hand snaked out and cupped her hip. Heat burned up her torso into her nipples. They hardened to tight buds beneath her forearm. Her heartbeat kicked into high gear. She blamed it on the alcohol and not his nearness.
“You sure you want to mess with these locals, City Girl? Maybe you should go back to the ranch and play with your girlfriends. It’s safer there.”
Her eyebrow rose a notch. “I never told you I was from the city.”
He huffed out a chuckle, those light eyes burning into her. “I know Shannon and all about her family from Las Vegas. I also know her little cousin took a new job at the local elementary school.”
Her breath hitched in her throat. Lord, she hoped he didn’t know everything. She may want to experiment with her sexuality, but she didn’t want the parents of her new students to think she was anything other than a great teacher. She didn’t want to be judged because her father owned a strip club and her mother was its main attraction. She’d had enough of that bullshit growing up.
Her steely resolve dissolved. “I…Would you excuse me?” She slid off the stool and out of his hold to scurry into the bathroom at the back of the bar.
Safely behind closed doors, she gripped the marble countertop and willed her nerves to calm. A glance in the mirror showed no color in her face, and her eyes glistened.
Come on, Sara. Pull yourself together. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Who cares if he knows about the family? They weren’t pimps and prostitutes, and it wasn’t like her mother did anything but dance. Hell, Sara hoped she looked half as good as her mom did at fifty.
Dane gave out signals he would be a willing partner, so why not let him in on the game?
She splashed a bit of water on her face and was about to go out and face Dane again when the door opened and he walked in.
****
It took Dane less than thirty seconds to decide to follow her. He slipped through the door and checked to make sure they were alone.
Her reflection frowned at him. “You realize this is the women’s restroom, right?”
Her eyes were suspiciously bright. Had she been crying? He felt like an ass for upsetting her, though he wasn’t really sure what he’d said to cause her angst.
Those pouty lips and come-hither bedroom eyes just begged for attention, and he’d be damned if he let any of those jokers in the bar near her. Not when she was wedged so firmly under his skin already. He hadn’t been kidding when he said it’d be safer for her back at the ranch. There he could keep an eye on her, make sure she didn’t end up with some guy who could really hurt her.
And why the hell did he care about her getting hurt? She wasn’t his anything. Damn, listening to Dustin wax poetic love for Shannon was starting to rub off on him and turn him into a pussy. He didn’t care how many grandchildren his mother wanted. He wasn’t ready to get married.
Realizing she was waiting for him to speak, he gave a lazy grin and lifted his shoulder. “I’m up for an adventure.” And he hoped she was, too.
Sara grinned, and the brilliance took his breath away.
She locked the bathroom door, barring anyone else entry and crooked her finger. “Well, let’s get to exploring.”
Shit, yeah. Let’s go exploring.
His cock swelled and strained against his fly. He could already see her pouty lips wrapped around him, shiny with saliva. He moaned and backed her against the wall next to the counter.
With a fierceness that surprised him, Dane captured her lips in a searing kiss. Her mouth opened, drawing him in. Tongues tangled, tasting and teasing. His dick pulsed. He wanted more. He lifted her shirt, revealing a scrap of lace bra cupping two perfect breasts. Holding them in the palms of his hands, he brushed the pads of his thumbs over the beaded nipples. With a quick snap of his fingers, he unfastened the front hook and her breasts popped free. Lowering his head, he sucked first one bud and then the other. She tasted like peaches.
Sara put one stillettoed foot on the vanity stool, and the green flirty skirt rose higher on her leg, high enough to show the creamy, pale skin of her smooth inner thigh.
He ran his hands up her legs to grab her hips. Damn, they fit perfectly in his hands. His chest contracted when he found she wasn’t wearing underwear. With a jerk of his wrist, the skirt flipped up revealing a neatly trimmed pussy, with a small patch of light brown hair above her clit. His mouth watered. He wanted to taste her. Bending at the knees, he slicked his tongue over her clit. She gasped and grabbed his head, knocking his hat askew.
He eased his middle finger into her slit. She was hot and wet and more than ready for him. He undid his belt and jeans and freed his throbbing cock. Shit, did he have a condom? Hot or not, he wasn’t stupid enough to fuck anyone without protection. The thought was enough to make him deflate a little. He fished in his pocket for his wallet. Empty. Dammit!
Sara chuckled. “I take it you didn’t come prepared?”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. Was she actually laughing at him? “And I supposed you did?”
She pointed to her clutch purse on the counter next to the sink. “A girl always has to be prepared.” She opened the clutch and extracted a foil packet.
Dane took it, ripped it opened, then eased the condom over his rock hard length. He could add women’s bathroom on his “weird places to have had sex” list.
Sara gripped his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist. Taking her cue, he cupped her ass and lifted her onto his cock. He slid in slowly, allowing her to stretch around him. Fuck, she was tight. Her muscles clenched, pulling him in deeper. She wriggled her hips, guiding him closer. Her little moans of contentment danced around him.
She arched into him. Her lips captured his earlobe, sucking, tugging. He felt each contraction in his balls. He mimicked the action of her mouth, thrusting into her, slow at first, then faster. The scent of her flowery perfume swirled around him, enveloping him in a warm cocoon. Full breasts jiggled against his chest with each entry. She moaned again and leaned her head back, locking her legs around his hips.
One of her hands stole inside her shirt and lifted her breast. He watched, mesmerized, as she pinched and rolled the erect nipple. Her pussy muscles milked him into a frenzy. He couldn’t resist taking the taut bud into his mouth. His tongue swirled around her areola, and he sucked hard. Again she gasped.
“Oh, God, I’m gonna come.” Her breaths came in hard, short pants. Her muscles clenched around him in an almost painful vise. He quickened his pace, circling his hips to increase friction. Sara threaded her fingers through his hair and latched her mouth on to his. He swallowed her cries of ecstasy, holding her as she jerked in release.
One hand slipped under his shirt, and fingernails scraped down his chest, over his stomach and to his sack. She kneaded and stroked him, stealing around to grab his ass. His balls tightened, and in a matter of seconds, he shot his load into the condom.
Breathing heavily, he stared at her through lowered lids. Her eyes were closed, and a self-satisfied smile curved her beautiful mouth. If she’d let him, he’d damn well give her a weekend to remember.
****
After Dane slipped out of the restroom, Sara straightened her clothes and smoothed her hair. Satisfied she was once again presentable, she strolled out of the bathroom as if they had not just had mind-blowing sex. Well, it was mind-blowing for her.
Oh my God. What if it sucked for him? He hadn’t acted disappointed, but how could she really tell? After sex, Ben’s always rolled away and took off. She couldn’t just come out and ask Dane. That would really give away her inexperience.
She wanted to giggle with delight. She’d accomplished her first out-of-the-ordinary experiment. Though sex in a public place hadn’t been on the list of things to do this weekend, she could scratch it off the list of things she wanted to try in her lifetime.
“Would you like to dance?” Dane asked, gesturing toward the overcrowded wooden floor.
She glanced at her watch. Almost midnight? Where had the time gone? “Actually, I think I’m going to head back to the ranch.” She cocked her head to the side. “You are welcome to join me if you get bored.”
Damn, you’re bold tonight.
Sara held her breath as he decided.
He cleared his throat. “Thanks. But I’m gonna grab another beer or two before I call it quits.”
She swallowed back the disappointment. “Well, enjoy your beer. I’ll, uh…” She gestured toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m sure. Night.”
She felt like a fool. She’d told him she wanted a fling, yet what she really wanted to do was cling to him and beg him to come back to the ranch with her. One time with Dane was not enough to scratch the itch.
Not good. Not good at all.
****
Dane wanted to chuckle at the disappointed scowl on Sara’s pretty face. So City Girl wasn’t as into casual flings as she wanted him to believe. He’d run into Bridgette before he left for the bar and she told him Sara had moved to Bandera for a teaching position.
Funny how Sara had left that part out of their earlier conversation. He would bet she was every bit the innocent school teacher. She was probably sowing her wild oats before the semester started. If that were the case, he was more than happy to help. However, he didn’t want her to think he was at her beck and call. God forbid she got all attached and clingy. He needed to play it cool.
As she watched him on her way out the door, he went over to the bar and pretended to order a beer. He had no desire for a drink right now, but she couldn’t know that. He waited until she was a safe distance out of town before leaving. He knew several people had left the ranch for various activities, so she would have no reason to believe he was coming home right after her.
When he arrived at the ranch, her car was parked near her cabin and the lights were out. He pictured her curled in bed, dark hair tousled over the pillow case. Did she sleep naked or covered head to toe in flannel PJs?
The idea of that gorgeous body nude beneath the sheets made him hard. He was tempted to knock on her door, but no. He was not going to chase after her like a lovesick school boy. She had to come to him first. And she would. Of that, he had no doubt.
Chapter Three
Friday morning, Sara put the finishing touches on her makeup, then slipped on her favorite light blue sundress and tucked her cell phone in the bodice pocket. Hoping for another encounter of the Dane variety, she opted to go sans bra and panties. She tucked her feet into black flip-flops and headed out the door.
A breeze carried cool air up and under her skirt. Goosebumps broke out over her skin. Her feet crunched on the gravel pathway as she walked toward the crowd around the fire pit.
Her cell phone vibrated against her breast, and she pulled it out, checking the display. “What the hell?” Why would Ben be calling her? She hadn’t heard from him in six months, not since she had broken off their engagement.
“Hello, Ben.”
“Hi, baby. How are you?”
Baby? Crap. He was not one for endearments, and she couldn’t remember the last time he’d called her baby. “What do you want?”
“Does a man have to want something to call the woman he loves?”
She snorted into the speaker. “Typically, no. But when that man is you, yes.” Even when they were together, he had never called just to say hi.
“I miss you, Sara.”
Bullshit. “Run out of women to screw?”
“Honestly, Sara. You have such a low opinion of me. We will have to work on that.”
She was quickly losing patience. “What do you want, Ben?”
He sighed. “I want you back, baby. I miss you. Come back to me.”
“For what? So you can berate and cheat on me? No, thank you.” The nerve of that self-serving jackass.
“I’ll come get you if that’s what it takes.”
“It won’t matter, Ben. We are done. Besides, I’m happy. I’ve moved on. You should, too. Goodbye.”
It felt great to hit the “end” button. Ben was her past. Bandera was her now, her future.
Her phone vibrated again, this time with a text message. Ben again.
You leave me no choice. See you soon.
She prayed not. Her good mood soured quickly at the thought of Ben showing up and ruining her peace.
Food was the last thing on her troubled mind. She wasn’t hungry. Instead of the breakfast provided over an outdoor fire pit, she opted for a cup of coffee. She grabbed a mug from the coffee station and filled it with steaming brew, then doctored the drink with sugar and cream. Bridgette and her giggling friends circled the fire. Sara didn’t see Shannon anywhere. Had she hooked up with Dustin, or was she still avoiding him?
Sara took her coffee to a bench and sat facing the fire. Heat seeped through the crowd and wrapped around her in a cocoon of warmth. She hadn’t slept much because every time she closed her eyes she saw Dane—those gorgeous rum-colored eyes with flecks of milk chocolate, that perfect, pouty-lipped smile. Those hands holding her as he pounded into her pussy.
She groaned and sipped her drink. Why couldn’t she get him out of her mind? Wasn’t a fling supposed to be wham, bam, thank you, ma’am, and be done with it? She wasn’t supposed to become obsessed with him, no matter how sexy he was.
Still, because she was exploring her inner wild child, she allowed her mind to wander and visualized tying him to the bed, keeping him at the ready as her personal sex slave. Her clit twitched and she grew damp. Hell, just thinking about him was a turn-on.
