Dropping his saddle bags onto his bunk, he headed directly for the shower. He’d unpack later. Dakota stripped off his clothes, adjusted the temperature to the hottest setting he could stand, and groaned with pleasure as the water pounded his sore muscles. Damn, did it ever feel good.
It wasn’t until the water was abruptly cut off that Dakota realized he was no longer alone.
??
Standing in front of her closet, Tamara perused its contents, looking for the perfect outfit. After showering and drying her hair, she’d smoothed a lotion scented with lavender, violets and musk, then put on peach lace panties and matching push-up bra. The lightly padded cups gave her breasts a lift, along with a fuller look.
Discarded outfits littered the bed by the time she finished debating what to wear, but she was finally satisfied with how she looked. The understated apricot halter dress conformed to her body, the flared hem falling to just below her knees. Coupled with a pair of high-heeled brown leather sandals, she looked adequately professional for the bookstore, yet sexy enough for an evening out. Perfect.
Merely being away from Dakota for this short amount of time made her ache for his touch and long for his kiss. Lord, what a mess she was becoming. They had not even been apart for an hour and already she was feeling needy and lonely.
She was putting the finishing touches on her make-up when she heard the cabin door. He was a bit early, which made it obvious he didn’t like being separated any more than she did. Turning off the light before she left the bathroom, Tamara headed into the living room. “Well someone is impatient. Couldn’t bear to be away from me, big boy?”
With a startled gasp, she stopped short and stared into a pair of apprehensive cornflower blue eyes.
“You know I hate being away from you, Tam.”
“What’s going on, Zeke?” Trepidation was obvious in her wavering voice.
For several heartbeats he stood looking down at where he twisted the toe of his boots in the area rug before ever making eye contact. “Look, I want you to know this was not my idea. I tried to stop them…”
Holding up a hand to silence him, she said, “Just tell me,” with a fierce growl. “What have those fools done?”
Zeke remained quiet for several moments then motioned toward the couch. “Come and sit down, let’s talk.”
“Zeke,” she said, raising her voice, “I don’t want to sit and talk. Where is Dakota? What’s going on?”
He sighed deeply. “Come and sit down, then I’ll explain.”
Fuck! She had to know what was going on and Zeke was going to be difficult. Every nerve ending in her body was zinging with energy, ready for action. She didn’t want to sit and talk. But if she didn’t comply with his request, Tamara would have no idea what to expect or where to look. He’d left her no choice.
Only when she perched on the edge of the couch, ready to take off in a flash, did he clasp her hands within his own and begin speaking.
“First of all, where the hell have you been?” he asked. He wore a concerned expression as he stared into her eyes, searching for answers. “You disappeared in the middle of the night without a word when it was obvious you were upset. We didn’t know what to think.”
Struggling to find some patience, Tamara took a deep breath. “Just tell me what the hell is going on, Zeke. Now!”
The stubborn man continued to stare into her eyes. “Not until you tell me what’s happened over the past week.”
She pulled her hands away and fisted them in her lap. “Fine,” she grumbled. The sooner she told him, the sooner she’d figure out what was going on.
“Dakota took me out into the mountains for a break from the ranch and we…umm.” She tried to find the right words for what she’d experienced, but how was she supposed to sum up such a powerful event in a few simple words? And until she knew what was going on, Tamara didn’t want to say too much. Blurting out the words quickly, hoping to take any sting out of them, she simply said, “We connected.”
Zeke nodded his head. “I had a feeling that would happen. Problem is the guys are kinda upset. We all thought something had happened to you. Even had the sheriff out here to investigate. And when they saw you two kissing…” He paused to collect his thoughts. “Well, they got all riled up.”
Jumping up to her feet, she began pacing before the couch. “Where are they? What have they done to Dakota?”
Standing in front of her, Zeke held onto her arms, stilling her restless movements. “Answer one question first, Tam. How do you feel about Dakota?”
She stared into those sweet, caring blue eyes, not knowing where to start. How did she explain the things taking shape within her soul? “I don’t have words to express what’s going on, Zeke. He’s so different from any man I’ve ever known. Dakota is amazing, patient, kind and gentle. I care about him—a lot. And I want to be with him all the time. I’m going crazy right now and we’ve only been away from each other for an hour. I…”
Zeke’s perceptive words stopped her short. “You love him.”
Tamara seemed to be happy, which was what mattered most to him. A bright smile spread across her full lips, lighting up her face. He didn’t need to hear the admission, love filled her pretty eyes.
“Yes, I do. I am totally and completely head-over-heels in love with Dakota Blackhawk. Can you believe it?” she asked with a giggle. “It’s absolutely wonderful and completely scary all at once.”
He’d never seen her look so happy or heard her giggle like a schoolgirl. It was her unguarded, uncharacteristic response more than anything else telling him what he needed to know. Zeke pulled her in close and held her in a bone-crushing hug.
“I’m so happy for you, Tam, but we need to hurry. The guys are, er, having a little um…talk with Dakota.”
“Shit, those morons!” She broke the embrace, grabbed Zeke’s hand, and pulled him toward the door. “I’m gonna kick their asses.”
??
Her attention wavered and Savannah cursed under her breath as a sewing needle pricked her finger. She ignored the slight pain, her thoughts turning to events playing out on the ranch. She’d sensed Tamara and Dakota were back and the cowboys were up to no good. While certain whatever they were doing was a misguided attempt to protect their friend and lover, Savannah was afraid of tempers getting the better of the men. Sudden shouts coming from the ranch yard only justified her fears.
She raced down the stairs, abruptly skidding to a halt in the living room where several people looked to her for answers. Millie, Steph, Craig and Sandy Morton, along with their daughter Mandy, all appeared upset.
“What’s goin’ on?” Mandy asked.
“I heard the guys shouting,” Steph added.
Millie had an aggravated expression on her face. “Those boys are up to somethin’.”
The front door slammed open as Cord stormed into the room. Without a word he went directly to the gun cabinet and removed the shotgun. Turning to Savannah, he said, “You stay put.” He punctuated the statement by pointing a finger at her chest.
Quicker than a flash of lightning, he was out the door and down the porch steps. Like hell if she was going to stand there and do nothing. She glanced at the others briefly.
“Be careful, ya hear,” Millie said. “Those boys are wound tight and loaded for bear.”
Steph looked frightened, but ready to help. Savannah grabbed her arm and the two of them ran out of the house hot on Cord’s heels. He’d already made it to the bunkhouse before they made it through the door. Angry shouts echoed around the yard when he ducked inside, the gun resting over one arm and pointing to the side.
The two women clamored up the steps and through the doorway in time to hear Cord’s comments.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Racing into the room, Savannah was so stunned by the sight greeting them she almost ran right into Cord’s back. At the far end of the room, Dakota was tied up between the ends of two bunk beds, arms and legs stretched w
ide. Water dripped off his naked body to puddle on the floor beneath him, long black hair clinging to his face and shoulders. He cringed when he saw her and Steph enter the room.
Cord turned on them before either woman had a chance to fully take in the scene. “I told you to stay put,” he growled in an angry tone. He grabbed each of them by an arm and dragged them outside as Zeke and Tamara were making their way across the yard.
Tamara stopped next to Savannah. “What the hell have they done?” she asked. The murderous look on her face told Savannah everything she needed to know about the past week. Tamara was in love.
Looking at them all pointedly, Cord threatened severe punishment if anyone moved from the spot. Then he turned and pushed Zeke in front of him and into the bunkhouse, slamming the door shut behind them.
Savannah turned and hugged her friend tight, laughing over the sounds of a loud tirade that followed.
“Why the hell you married such a bossy cowboy is beyond me!” Tamara stomped her foot in agitation.
Pulling back, they looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Are you okay, Tam?” Savannah asked the question, but didn’t wait for an answer. “You look wonderful!”
Steph stared for a moment before commenting. “You look like a completely different person. What happened?”
Before Tamara formed a response they all turned toward the bunkhouse, startled out of their reunion by the sound of wood furniture splintering.
“I’ll kill every one of those boys if they hurt Dakota,” Tamara growled. She sounded like a protective she-wolf.
Savannah was thrilled to see the changes in her friend. The love and happiness surrounding Tamara were palpable.
“Well, um…” Steph started to explain the scene they had walked in on, but they all fell silent when the door busted open and Jesse stormed down the steps, not stopping until he stood toe-to-toe with Tamara. The man looked mad enough to spit. His brown hair stood in wild disarray and his amber eyes were filled with fire.
Riley, Brock, Zeke and Cord were all right behind him, each man looking equally disheveled.
“Don’t you ever scare us like that again,” Jesse hollered at her. “You have no idea how worried we were.”
Brock stepped up next to Jesse and slowly looked Tamara over from the top of her head all the way to the heels of her shoes. Without a word, he pulled her into a fierce but brief hug before releasing her. “Is he telling the truth?” His tone was low and dangerous.
Tamara took her time, making eye contact with each of the cowboys, one thin eyebrow arched high. “Depends on what he told you.”
Chapter Fourteen
Dakota called out to her and Tamara reacted on pure gut instinct. She ran up the stairs and into the bunkhouse only to stop dead in her tracks, jaw hanging wide open. She heard the others moving into the room behind her, but all of her focus remained on him. Tied up, naked and vulnerable, he still radiated an air of strength and calm, which reached out and wrapped around her in a comforting embrace.
He was so beautiful. Her gaze drifted over his dark skin taking in every masculine plane and angle. The way his arms were positioned showed off the strong muscles of his biceps to perfection. When his arm twitched slightly, his pecs tightened and his abdominal muscles rippled.
Even flaccid, his cock was an impressive sight, the base surrounded by a nest of dark hair, the thick shaft extending along the crease of his hip. The power contained in his solid thighs made her shiver in anticipation of a long, hard ride all the way to heaven.
Her body heated and she got wet from only looking at him. They would definitely have to reenact this scene later, without all their friends.
Something miraculous happened when their eyes met. The million or more fragmented pieces of her soul all shifted, coalesced and fell into place, creating a new whole from the fractured past. Everything became clear, sharply focused. All the remaining weight of the past lifted away, leaving her with a light heart and calm spirit. With a serenity she’d never before possessed, not even for a minute, Tamara began to speak what was in her heart as she moved around the room.
From a nearby cabinet she retrieved a towel. Moving to Dakota, she wrapped it around his hips, covering his nudity from the others who’d followed her into the bunkhouse. Never looking away from him, she finally answered Brock’s question.
“Yes, he told you the truth.” She trailed her fingers in a loving caress over the angle of his jaw before moving to his side to begin loosening the bindings.
“I didn’t go into the mountains of my own free will. Dakota picked me up, drunk and passed out. He carried me off into the night then left me alone in a canyon.”
The gasps from her friends didn’t stop Tamara from telling her story. They’d wanted to know, after all. “He didn’t do it to be cruel, as I first suspected, but to help me make peace with myself and my past.”
No one said a word or moved as she took her time working the knots in the rope free. Hell, she didn’t think anyone even breathed while she revealed the depth of what the life altering events.
“As you can imagine, I was in quite a state when I woke and realized he’d left me out there alone. I screamed, threw a temper tantrum, cried and raged. At length, I thought about my life, finally coming to terms with my past and who I’d become, not liking the woman I faced down.”
Dakota adjusted his stance on his freed legs, supporting his body while she continued to work on his bonds. He didn’t interrupt, allowing her to tell the story in her own way. Pride filled his expression as he watched her handle the awkward situation and allay her friend’s fears. She’d come such a long way.
“I gave up my guilt, fear and anger over the past, came to terms with who I am, and found a place in my heart for love.” She stroked her hands over every inch of flesh and continued removing the ropes until he was free, taking special care in areas where his skin was abraded.
Silent and still, Dakota stared into her eyes while she spoke, providing strength, unconditional support, and love.
“When we made the ride back here, I left behind the hurt to begin a new life with the man I love.” They held each other in a warm embrace for a moment before she turned her attention to the group who had gathered. These were her friends, people who had stood by her, yet she’d never given them anything in return. It was time for a change.
The only ones not present were her newest friends, Millie, Craig and Sandy Morton, and their daughter Mandy. Later on she’d express her feelings to them.
Dakota moved up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders in a silent offering of love she was glad to have. She looked over each of the stunned, speechless people gathered before her, then moved forward.
She stood before Zeke and Riley, who both reached out for her, holding her in a warm embrace. “Thank you for being my friends.”
When they released her, she moved to stand before Cord and Savannah. “Thank you for being an example of the kind of love possible between a man and woman.” The three of them shared a long hug.
Moving to stand before Brock and Jesse, she said, “And thanks for being my family.”
After hugging the two men, she returned to stand with Dakota. Looking into those dark, caring eyes, she said, “I love you.”
Before she knew what had happened they were all there, surrounding her with love and warmth, each talking a mile a minute in an attempt to be heard above the others. Tears filled her eyes knowing she had so many wonderful people in her life. Their easy acceptance was more than she’d hoped for, and a welcome surprise.
She was no longer the lost puzzle piece. Tamara had finally found right where she belonged. The picture solidified in her mind, revealing their ranch family gathered together, each looking happy and content.
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By the time they made it to town the sun was beginning to set, casting a brilliant show of deep, vibrant colors across the night sky. With their fingers interlocked, they walked along the sidewalk toward the bo
okstore, enjoying the beautiful night and quiet companionship.
Dakota was not surprised by the reaction of the older couple approaching from the opposite direction. All his life, he’d faced prejudice and fear, but Tamara was not accustomed to such blatant displays of intolerance. Although he sensed her tension and rising anger, he didn’t predict her volatile reaction to their being shunned.
The couple stepped off the sidewalk into the grass as they neared, to avoid coming close to the Indian and his tainted white girl. Their distaste was written clear as day in their expressions.
Pulling him along using a physical strength that took him by surprise, Tamara stepped right in front of pair. “Do you have a problem?” she spit out.
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