Iron Cowboy [Erotically Yours 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Leah Brooke

  Her sniff tugged at his heart. “Because I’m sick and tired of hearing what a responsibility I am to you.”

  “That’s not from me.” Understanding, he moved closer, not about to let her get away. “Your brother doesn’t believe you’re doing as well as you’re doing, and no amount of talking is going to change his mind. He’ll see for himself when you go visit. In the meantime, do you really want him worrying about you while he’s so concerned about his wife?”

  “Of course not.”

  “He trusts me to look out for you, and I wanted to ease his mind. It doesn’t matter what he thinks is going on between us, especially until Kristen has the baby. This is between us.” Tightening his hands on her waist, he held her gaze. “You’re not here because I promised Daniel to look out for you. You’re here because I can’t live without you.”

  “Oh.”

  Sliding a hand to cup the back of her neck, he used the one at her waist to pull her closer. “I do consider you my responsibility, though, and no amount of arguing is going to change that. You’re mine, Lana, and so is that baby you’re carrying.”

  Her eyes went wide, her hand flattening on her abdomen. “Who the hell said I’m pregnant?”

  J.W. smiled, his chest swelling with happiness and pride and the kind of joy he’d never thought he’d find. “I can count, Lana.” His cock came to attention. “That look in your eyes is going to get you fucked again.”

  She lifted her chin in defiance, looking so damned adorable that he couldn’t resist dropping a quick kiss on her lips.

  “Damn it, J.W.!” She lowered her face and tried to hide a smile, but he saw it.

  Gripping her chin, he lifted her face to his again. “I want you to marry me.”

  Lana sucked in a breath, her eyes going wide. “What? We’ve only known each other a few weeks.”

  Fighting for patience, J.W. smiled. “We’re not children, Lana. We’re old enough to know what we want. I want you, and I want a family. You know damned well that I’ll be a good husband to you. I’ll take care of you.”

  “It’s not enough.”

  “No? How about our child?”

  Her face reddened, the look of wonder in her eyes like a fist around his heart. “We don’t even know if there is a child.”

  “If not now, there soon will be. We’re not getting any younger. You might as well know that I have no intention of letting you go, Lana. You’re mine, and I want you to have my name. I want you to be my wife, and I won’t let up until we’re married. We can go for the rings this afternoon.”

  Shaking her head, she took a step back, her eyes welling with tears. “No. I’m not marrying you.”

  “You will. I understand it’ll take some time for you to come to terms with it.”

  She smiled through her tears, giving him hope. “Damn it, J.W., you’re hardheaded.”

  “Your brother said the same thing.” Holding her face between his hands, he bent, pressing a kiss on her soft lips. “If you didn’t love me, you wouldn’t have come here. You’d also be upset at the possibility of carrying the child of a man you don’t love. I’ll call the doctor and make an appointment. If you’re pregnant, I want you under a doctor’s care as soon as possible.”

  She stiffened when he slid a hand to her abdomen, her eyes shimmering with tears. “J.W., I’m not going to trap you.”

  He loved her but knew she’d never believe the words. Once he proved it to her, he’d say it, but not now. With his hand still over where he prayed his child rested, he threaded a hand in her hair, tilting her head back so that she could see his eyes. “I’m already caught in your trap, baby, just as much as you’re caught in mine. I’m smart enough to know that trying to escape would be the worst mistake I ever made. I’m happy right where I am. We belong together, Lana. Soon you’ll see it, too.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sitting in the passenger seat of J.W.’s large pickup, Lana glanced at him, his words still bouncing around in her head.

  We belong together.

  “How did you get an appointment so fast?”

  “I funded most of the maternity clinic.” Frowning, he braked at a light and turned to her. “I’m going to have to check out the pediatric wing.”

  Smiling, Lana shook her head. “You can’t just—”

  J.W. cut her off with a scowl. “I’ve spent a lot of time making enough money to do pretty much anything I want. Having good hospitalization and doctors for my wife and children is worth it.”

  “Children? Plural?” Lana blinked and stared at him incredulously. “I never said I’d marry you, and nobody said I was pregnant. You’re already planning more than one?”

  “Absolutely.” J.W. grinned. “You think you’re pregnant, and that’s good enough for me. If you didn’t, you would have denied it right away.” Reaching over, he took her hand in his as the light turned green and they started forward again. “That look in your eyes when I mentioned the fact that you were pregnant told me all I need to know. You love me, and you’re thrilled at the thought of having my baby.”

  As soon as J.W. said the words out loud, she’d known he spoke the truth.

  Averting her gaze, Lana wrapped one shaking hand over the other on her lap. “I already told you that I’d love to have a child. I also told you that I’m perfectly capable of raising a child on my own.”

  “Not a chance, baby.”

  Turning slightly in her seat, she let her eyes feast on him, wishing she could just do what J.W. wanted and let him take care of everything.

  “If we find out that I’m expecting, I don’t want anyone else to know.”

  J.W. whipped his head around, his surprise evident. “What?”

  “At least for a little while.”

  J.W.’s scowl made her nervous. “If you’re carrying my child, I want the world to know.”

  “Please, J.W., don’t tell anyone.” Lana turned away, blinking back tears when her voice broke. J.W. cursed as he pulled into the hospital parking lot, parking his truck and turning the engine off before throwing off his seat belt and hers. Gathering her against him, he pulled her onto his lap, burying his face in her hair.

  “Talk to be, baby. Tell me why you’re crying.”

  “I’m not crying.”

  “My mistake. What’s wrong? Why don’t you want anyone to know?”

  It felt so good to be in his arms, and she leaned against him, absorbing his strength. “So much has been happening at once. It’s a little overwhelming.” Lifting her head, she met his concerned gaze. “It’s private, at least for a little while.”

  He leaned her back over his arm and, to her relief, smiled and nodded. “Okay. For now. Now let’s go see if you’re having my baby.”

  * * * *

  “They both left. What are we going to do now?”

  Buck looked around, surprised to see that more men than usual had stayed close to the house. “Yeah, but Alice is still there. We have to wait.”

  “Wait for what? We can’t do anything if she’s in there, and we can’t do anything if J.W.’s woman isn’t even there.”

  With a sigh, Buck turned to his brother, wondering if he’d been hit in the head too many times. “Today’s the housekeeper’s shopping day, remember? She’ll be gone soon. When J.W. and his woman get back, J.W.’s gonna go right back out again. John already found the stuff we left and he’s gonna rush to tell J.W. about it, if he hasn’t called him already. As soon as J.W. gets back, he’s gonna want to ride out to see it for himself. Our man will be posted by the house and he’s going to make sure we can get inside.”

  Tommy laughed, his eyes wild. “And when J.W.’s gone, we’ll rush in and grab her?”

  “Right. Now be quiet. The housekeeper’s coming out now.”

  * * * *

  J.W. glanced at Lana again, unable to stop grinning.

  She hadn’t spoken since they’d left the doctor’s office, her trance-light stare at the dashboard starting to worry him.

  Pulling into the long d
riveway of the ranch, he glanced at her again. “We can fix up my old room and make it a nursery.

  Lana jolted at that and finally turned to him. “J.W., nothing’s settled. This is why I didn’t want to tell anyone else. We need to talk first.”

  “Of course.” Convinced that now that she knew that she carried his child she would be more receptive to the idea of marrying him, J.W. hid a smile. “Of course. Let’s get inside. You look a little shell-shocked.”

  And tired.

  He’d have to work extra hard to make sure she ate well and rested. Enlisting the help of Alice, Lana’s mother, and his own would be his next priority.

  He went around to open her door, already imagining their children playing in the yard. Taking her much smaller hand in his, he helped her from the truck. “Why do you look so stunned? You already suspected that you were pregnant.”

  Leaning against him as he put an arm around her back, she smiled. “Suspecting and having a doctor confirming it are two different things. Keep your voice down. Alice will hear you.”

  He closed the door and tightened his arm around her to lead her to the house, hoping to get her to take a nap when they got inside. “Alice’s car is gone. Today’s her shopping day.” Frowning, he led her inside the house. “We’re going to have to make sure we have plenty of milk, fresh fruits, and vegetables.”

  Hearing his name called in John’s tension-filled voice, J.W. headed toward the kitchen with Lana in tow. Grabbing his walkie-talkie, he moved away from Lana. “Brant.”

  “J.W., it’s John. I just saw you pull up. We need to talk.”

  Understanding that John was giving him the opportunity to move away so that Lana wouldn’t overhear their conversation, he started from the room, smiling when Lana left the room to go to the bathroom. “It’s good. What’s wrong?”

  “We found some gasoline and dynamite at the ridge of the canyon. It was hidden under some burlap, and not very well.”

  “I’ll be right there.” He waited for Lana to come out of the bathroom, not bothering to hide his anger. “You can barely put one foot in front of the other.”

  She looked exhausted.

  Smiling, she went to the cupboard for a glass and poured herself some juice. “I just feel a little stunned.”

  He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “Come on. I’m going to tuck you in. You need a nap.”

  To his disbelief, Lana turned on him, poking him in the stomach. “Don’t tell me I need a damned nap. I knew this would happen.”

  Worry that he’d say something to upset her combined with amusement that he’d spend the next several months dealing with hormones and pride in her growing confidence.

  He’d been walking on eggshells around her ever since he met her, and now that she was pregnant, he’d have to be even more careful.

  “You knew what would happen, baby?”

  Whirling away from him, she shook her head and stared out the window. “I knew you’d start bossing me around.”

  Treading carefully, J.W. took a deep breath before speaking. “Because I said that you need a nap?”

  Whirling back again, she slapped her hand on the counter. “Yes! I know when I’m tired. I sure as hell don’t need you to tell me.” She blew out a breath and looked away, turning back almost immediately. “I knew this side of you existed.” She shook her head, looking very unsettled. “You can’t run a ranch this size being as tender as you’ve been with me.”

  He moved closer, closing his hands on her waist. “No. I can’t. You’re my woman, Lana. You deserve tenderness after all you’ve been through, but do you actually think I’m going to treat you the way I treat my men?”

  “No. That’s not what I said!”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  “That you baby me. You treat me like an invalid.”

  “Would you rather I beat you up and throw you against the wall?” Taking her hands in his, he pressed them against her chest. “Because if that’s what you’re waiting for, it’s not gonna happen.”

  “You’re scared to be yourself around me, and it scares me.”

  “I am myself around you. It’s just another part of me.” Gathering her close, he rubbed a hand over her back. “Look, you’re tired, and we’ve had quite an eventful day. I’ve got to go see about something John found. Why don’t you go lie down for a little while, and when I get back, we’ll go out to dinner?”

  She pushed out of his arms, glaring up at him. “I don’t want to take a nap.”

  She looked so damned adorable that he wanted to hug her and laugh, but the look in her eyes told him she might not appreciate the humor.

  Hoping that she’d settle soon, he turned. “I’ll be back in a little while.” He picked up the other walkie-talkie and handed it to her. “Keep it close and call if you need me. I won’t be gone long.”

  * * * *

  Sticking the walkie-talkie into the pocket of her loose cardigan, Lana watched him go, cursing as she went to the window to watch him cross the yard.

  She didn’t know what the hell had gotten into her, but she’d stood there, watching a crazy woman yell at him for being too gentle with her.

  Loving J.W was turning her into a nutcase.

  The news that she was pregnant had thrilled her—stunned her—but a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that, as long as J.W. felt as if he had to treat her with kid gloves, she’d never be enough for him.

  She’d never know if they could have the kind of marriage she—and she suspected he—needed.

  She also couldn’t shake her unease that he hadn’t told her he loved her.

  Taking the time to admire his form as he strode across the yard, his long stride full of purpose, she thought about the woman she’d been before the attack and tried to imagine that woman going toe-to-toe with him.

  His straight shoulders and eyes that never seemed to miss anything spoke of the kind of authority it took years to master, the kind of authority that the woman she’d been before would have found even more exciting.

  All eyes went to him as if feeling his commanding presence, something she understood very well.

  She needed him to look at her as a partner.

  She needed to know that he respected her ability to handle him.

  She needed him to love her.

  Watching him ride away—admiring the way he looked in the saddle—she knew she’d always be tied to him.

  She loved him, and she needed to apologize for pushing him away.

  Needing to feel closer to him, she went to his office, glancing out the French doors, hoping for another glimpse of him, but he’d already gone.

  He was out there, though, the man who’d made her feel safer than she’d felt since the attack.

  Safer than she’d ever felt in her life.

  He made her feel needed. Desired.

  He’d even handed her the walkie-talkie before he’d left, his concern for her obvious, even though she knew he’d been frustrated with her.

  But did he love her?

  Turning away from the French doors, she ran her hand across the back of the leather sofa as she made her way to his desk.

  The worn leather felt warm and soft under her hand, and when she closed her eyes, she could imagine the room carried J.W.’s clean, masculine scent.

  Smiling, she flattened a hand on her abdomen.

  She carried his child, a bond between them that could never be broken, no matter what happened between them.

  The need to sit in his desk chair, a chair he used each night when he met with John and Rod, proved irresistible.

  Opening her eyes, she started forward, sucking in a breath when she was grabbed from behind.

  “Shh. It’s me. Stay behind me. J.W.’s just outside the door.”

  Recognizing Rod’s deep tone and slight accent, Lana froze. “What—”

  Shaking his head, Rod touched a finger to his lips before motioning for her to get behind J.W.’s huge desk.

  Alarmed, but tr
usting him, Lana moved behind J.W.’s desk and sank into his leather chair, the lingering masculine scent of him surrounding her with a sense of security.

  Rod stood plastered against the wall on one side of the doorway, and to Lana’s horror, pulled his gun out of his holster with a smoothness that spoke of long practice.

  Holding her breath, she watched him, her heart pounding furiously.

  The doorknob to the French doors began to turn, making her heart beat faster.

  J.W.

  The creak of the floorboard in the hallway sounded loud in the deafening silence.

  Gripping the edge of the desk, she struggled to control her breathing, not wanting to make a sound.

  Relieved to have him close, but afraid of the danger, she watched the doorway near Rod and slowly, silently stepped back behind the desk, her hand protectively over her abdomen.

  A man she’d never seen before crept through the doorway, apparently not noticing Rod. Smiling, he started toward her, the gun in his hand pointed at her.

  “Well, look what we have here.”

  Suddenly, all hell broke loose.

  In moves too fast to take in, J.W. burst through the door, sending it crashing back against the wall, and tackled the man with the gun pointed at her. They disappeared behind the sofa, but the low pain-filled groan was unmistakable.

  Rod moved at the same time, grabbing a man she hadn’t seen, pressing him against the wall and pressing the barrel of his gun against the man’s throat. “Drop the gun, Tommy.”

  The gun clattered to the floor at the same time J.W. appeared, his fist tight on the collar of the half-conscious man he’d tackled. “Come on, Buck. Get up. I’m not carrying you.”

  John came through the door, followed by four ranch hands. “Take them out to the yard. I already called the police.”

  The first man, holding his bleeding forehead, staggered slightly, bracing a hand on the back of the sofa. “No. Don’t hit me! Don’t hit me! Hell. I’m bleeding!”

  J.W.’s eyes glittered like chips of ice. “You’re gonna be bleeding a hell of a lot more, Buck.” Keeping his body positioned between Buck and Lana, he looked her over from head to toe. “You okay, baby?” His hands fisted at his sides, the icy fury in his eyes scaring her.