Fear and the need to make Lily his own warred inside his mind. He didn’t have to decide today, thank goodness. Just now all he had to do was hold her sweet body glued to his.
Lily raised her head as they were landing. “It’s so good to be back at the ranch. I’m starved and a want a hot bath, not necessarily in that order.” She smiled at Ty.
“While you soak in a hot tub, I’ll fix you breakfast.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
“We’re all sure glad to have you home safe and sound, little lady,” Sheriff Grady said.
“Thank you so much, and you, too,” she said and looked from Sheriff Grady toward the pilot. “I know you all took a risk with your own safety to come after me in this weather.”
“We’ve done it before. At least this time we have a happy ending,” Sheriff Grady said.
The Sheriff got out first. Then he helped Ty and Lily out. They leaned low and ran toward the house.
“Won’t you and the pilot come in for coffee and breakfast?” Ty asked.
“We’ll head back to town. I still have to transfer those three to the Feds. And my wife will be looking for me home for lunch. See you all soon.” Sheriff Grady tipped his hat and ran back to the copter.
Ty carried Lily inside and upstairs to her room. “Undress. I’ll start the water running and then go cook your food.”
“I can hardly wait. They didn’t give me anything to eat, but I want to feel clean, too.” She rose onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his mouth. “Thank you again.”
“You can thank me later, when you’re stronger.” He winked at her as he left the room. Taking the steps two at a time, he went downstairs and into the kitchen. He’d cook a big meal for everyone.
Brent, who must have seen them go upstairs, joined him. “She’s not injured?”
“No, she’s cold and hungry, but otherwise she’d doing well.”
“It’s a miracle they didn’t kill her.”
“I know.” Ty looked across at his brother. “I think it’s because she couldn’t identify them. They wore masks.” He walked across the room and had refilled the coffee pot with water, when the front door opened and Drake hollered hello.
“She’s all right?” Drake asked as he stomped into the kitchen and looked around.
“Fine, but hungry and wanted a bath. She’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“Where’d you find her?” Brent asked.
“The same area where I thought I’d seen something late yesterday. If we’d had a few more minutes of light and the front hadn’t been closing in on us, we’d have had her home last night.” He turned to Drake. “As I was just telling Brent, they wore masks. She didn’t see their faces.”
“That may make it difficult to get them convicted,” Drake said.
“The Feds will check the cabin. Hopefully they left some fingerprints, and they’re bound to have a record and maybe other charges against them,” Brent said.
“She thinks she’ll recognize their voices,” Ty added. “But what we need most is to find out is who wanted her and why?”
“Maybe one of them will give up that information for a lesser sentence.” Brent went to the coffee pot and poured coffee for the three of them. He took a sip. “I needed this.”
“I do, too. Pour me a cup, please.” Lily stood in the doorway.
All three men turned in her direction. Ty wanted to go pick her up and hold her tight again. He barely restrained himself. Her long hair hung down around her shoulders. She’d put on jeans and a gold-and-brown colored shirt. The sun coming in the windows made her glow.
“We’re very glad to see you back home,” Drake said.
Brent bent down and kissed her cheek. “That’s from Angie and me.” He grinned at her and handed her his cell phone. “Why don’t you call her? I called her on the way back here to let her know we’d found you, but she’ll want to hear your voice.”
Lily sat at the table and phoned her sister. Ty fixed her hot chocolate.
“Hi, Sis,” Lily said. “Yes, I’m not hurt, only hungry. I’m going to eat, and then I’ll call back and we’ll talk more.” She handed Brent his phone. “Sorry, but I can’t resist this food. I’m starved and it smells wonderful.”
Ty was finishing cooking the bacon and eggs. He’d warmed leftover fried potatoes and biscuits from yesterday. Quickly, he filled her plate with them. “Start on this. I’ll add the rest in a few minutes.” Brent and Drake sat at the table with her, drinking their coffee and smiling as she gobbled every bite down. As soon as Ty had the rest cooked, he put the bacon and eggs on her plate and joined them.
* * * *
She’d never been as hungry in her whole life. When she finished and sat back, she had to smile at the three men watching her every move. “I’m fine, really. Thanks to all of you.”
“I’ve never seen a small woman put away that much food,” Brent said and smiled. “I’m amazed.”
“We all are, about your eating and you being alive and well,” Drake added. “How did you survive?”
Lily told them about what happened between her and the leader just before they left. “The thin man urged him to leave me alive. That helped.”
“But your courage saved your life,” Ty said, and the other two nodded in agreement.
She was embarrassed, but pleased by their praise. “There wasn’t anything else I could do. I thought if I was going to die, I didn’t plan to die whimpering.”
“When a man or woman is in that position, they each have to make their own decision. What they think might work to save their life. What you chose saved yours because there was a thread of decency buried somewhere in that evilness facing you, and you tapped into it,” Brent said.
“He’s right,” Mick added as he came into the kitchen. He walked to the table and grinned at Brent. “He got himself into enough close calls where he’s used all sorts of ways to wiggle out.” His joke eased the seriousness of their conversation and soon they were joking and laughing over old stories.
Lily sat back and watched the interplay between the men. Ty cooked food for the rest of them, and they talked as they ate. The kitchen was bright with sunshine, her belly was full, and contentment wrapped around her like a warm cloak.
Ty listened to the conversation and occasionally glanced at her. She wondered how all of this had affected him. Would he stay close to her or step back again?
Chapter Ten
Lily and Ty had gone to the airport to see Brent and Drake off. Mick had left earlier after checking with some contacts. He had several names as to who the person behind the kidnapping might be.
He left the names with Ty to give to the Sheriff. The FBI were arriving soon to pick up the kidnappers.
The silence in the house wrapped around them as they walked back inside. They hadn’t talked on the drive from the landing strip.
“I need to do a few chores and talk with Dirk to see if there are any problems concerning the ranch. I’ll check the house first, and then keep the doors locked until I return.”
“Don’t worry about me. I doubt anyone else will be trying to get me. Not after the way you all managed to rescue me and get the bad guys.”
“I can’t help but worry. I—” He turned and strode out the door.
Her kidnapping had not helped their relationship. He’d been more open to her before, and she’d let hope enter her heart. But his fear was back. Lily sighed. His walls came down briefly, but were easily raised again.
Still tired from her ordeal, she checked the doors and went to her room. She curled into a ball under the covers. Tears ran down her face and she sniffled. All the energy she’d focused on being brave was melting away. Deep, heaving sobs followed the tears. She cried until her eyes were puffy and red.
* * * *
Ty strode across the snow into the barn and saddled Night Star. “Time for us to go for a ride, old boy.”
Cold air blew in his face as he headed across the fields. He saw several of the men working on a fence and rode
toward them. Work would keep him mind off the woman back at the ranch. Maybe.
He helped the men repair the fence, told them Lily was safe, and then rode on. Away from the ranch house. Away from the decision hovering in the back of his head. But it didn’t work.
He might as well go face her and talk it out. He’d head back to the ranch, rub Night Star down, and then see her.
His heart jumped when he walked into the silent house. For a second he thought somehow they’d gotten her again. Ty took the stairs two at a time and rushed into her bedroom. Lily lay curled in the fetal position. Her face was blotchy from crying.
Damn, seeing her this way made him want to gather her into his arms and never let her go. And to wrap her in cotton wool, as the old saying went, to protect her from all the hurts that life would send her way.
Her fragile appearance belied her inner strength. The fact that she’d handled herself so well during a dangerous situation showed she was not weak.
Lily’s scent permeated the room. The sliver of sunlight coming around the curtains shone over her, like a beacon calling him home. Ty found himself unable to resist sitting in a nearby chair, removing his boots, socks, and the rest of his clothes.
He carefully pulled back the covers and climbed into the warm bed. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
Lily stirred, raised her head, and smiled. She nuzzled his neck, and all his blood went down to his dick.
“Did I thank you for rescuing me?” Her breathy voice sent heat swirling through his body.
“It wasn’t only me. It took a whole group of us working together to find you.”
“But you were the one who arranged the rescue and insisted on rechecking that one area the next day. Sheriff Grady told me when he stopped by today before your brothers left.”
Ty kissed her mouth. “I had a hunch, that old gut feeling.”
Her hips wiggled closer. His hard cock rubbed against her abdomen.
“Be careful, darlin’. I’m so hungry for you it won’t take much for me to roll right on top.”
Her sexy chuckle made his cock twitch. Damn, he wanted her in the worst way. But he’d only planned to hold her, and then when she woke to have their talk.
Suddenly, she rolled him back against the bed and straddled his body. Her warm hand took hold of his cock.
“You were saying?”
All intelligent thought was gone. He groaned as her hand began to move up and down his length.
“We need to talk.” He tried one last time to be reasonable. When she put her lips around him he gave up. He’d worry about that later.
He ran his hands through the soft strands of her hair while she kissed, teased, and sent his heart into overdrive.
Holding onto his last tether of control, Ty stopped her and moved her up to face him.
He cupped her face and kissed her eyelids, her cheeks, her chin, and then her mouth. When he dipped his tongue inside her sweet, hot mouth, a rush of pleasure centered in his chest and spread through him. Her tongue teased and tangled with his.
Sliding his body downward, his mouth brushed across her chin. He took a nip at her earlobe before moving to the juncture between her neck and shoulder. Her pulse beat against his mouth. The taste, touch, smell, and sight of her was addicting to him.
Her lush mounds topped with rosy nipples invited his attention. He licked her pebbled peak. Her moan urged him on. Taking his time, he kissed each breast and cupped the silky mounds in his hands.
Lily’s head thrashed back and forth. “Yes, oh yes.” The whispered words spilled out.
Reaching down with one hand, he rubbed her swollen nub as he ran his teeth across her tight nipple.
Gradually his lips followed the path of his hand. When he tasted the sweet nectar coating her pink folds, he said, “You are so delectable. I may self-destruct at any moment.”
Her body rose to meet his mouth. “I want you inside me.”
“In time, honey. Lie back and enjoy.” He put two fingers into her pussy and moved them in and out as his tongue laved her nub. Her fingers dug into his thick hair. Her musky scent and honey taste had his control slipping fast.
Ty moved into position, his cock at her opening. Staring into her dark eyes, he slid into her hot, silky pussy. Her inner walls hugged his cock tight.
She screamed his name as her hips rose and met his every movement. He pumped into her pussy faster and faster. Fire licked along his nerve endings. A jolt of electricity flickered up his spine as he exploded, emptying his seed into her. At that moment, for a brief second, he remembered the condom. He started to pull out but her legs held him tight and her hips pulled him in closer, sending his thoughts far away.
Afterward, they lay side by side, both breathing heavily. As his mind returned, so did the thought. Lily could be pregnant. No. He didn’t want to take a chance on seeing another woman die.
His common sense told him what had happened to Candice was unusual, and the risk of it occurring again was very slim. But still the fear lingered inside him, hanging on, reminding him of those dark days when he didn’t know how to survive.
He felt Lily staring at him. “We need to talk.” Getting out of bed, he grabbed his clothes and started to the door. “I’ll shower and dress in my parents’ room. See you downstairs.”
* * * *
She didn’t regret their coming together. It was wonderful for her. A celebration of being alive and with the man she loved. Even if he told her good-bye, she’d have these memories.
Who was she kidding? It would break her heart. Still, she had discovered how strong she was, and no one could take that from her. She’d survive.
She told herself this as she showered. Then she dressed in jeans and a royal blue sweater and went downstairs. In spite of all her brave thoughts, her heart was heavy.
Ty had put on coffee for him and hot chocolate for her. He’d made sandwiches for them. He gave her a halfhearted smile. “Mom says difficult conversations are better faced on a full stomach.”
Lily sat at the small kitchen table. “Are we going to have a difficult talk? I thought what happened between us was lovely, sexy, and exciting.”
“True, but we forgot one thing, or I should say I forgot.” He gazed at her and realized she had no idea what he meant.
“I forgot the condom.”
“And?”
“You might be pregnant.”
Lily’s heart sank. She’d thought from his actions and words that he might want to marry her. Obviously, her dream wasn’t his.
“Say something?” he said.
“What do you want me to say, Ty?”
“I had many mixed thoughts when I went riding. Your kidnapping shocked me. I’d thought I might be ready to consider marriage, but I know I don’t want any wife of mine to get pregnant. I can’t go through that again. The fear, and if something happened, the thought of the grief overwhelms me.”
“Let me be sure I understand you. You do not want children?”
“I like children, but not for me. I can’t imagine how hard those nine months would be, waiting to see if everything would be all right. I’m not willing to gamble and lose you.”
Anger and disappointment whipped through her. “You are a coward.” The words flew out of her mouth.
His face turned a dark red. “I am a realist. Life can be fucking hard. I’m trying to avoid some of the misery.”
Lily stood, walked around the table, and put her face in front of his. “Damn it, you aren’t the only person ever hurt. Life sucks at times, but it’s also beautiful and full of momentous moments like what I thought happened upstairs. Apparently I was the only one enjoying that moment, but you could have fooled me.”
From his expression, he looked as though she had struck him. She stormed out of the kitchen and went into his office. She’d punched in Brent’s number when Ty came to the door.
“What are you doing?”
“Duh, I’m making a call. Do you mind giving me some privacy?�
��
“Sure.” His boot heels clacked on the floor. The front door opened and closed. She heard the lock snap into place.
Angie answered on the first ring. “Hi, Lily, what’s up?”
“Brent suggested that I could come and stay with you two for a while. Would that be all right with you?”
“Of course. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You and Ty aren’t working out? Brent said Ty was crazy when you were kidnapped.”
“No. Ty and I don’t have any common meeting ground. I can’t stay here any longer. I do have a friend in California that I can stay with.”
“Don’t be silly. We want you. I’ll call Drake and he’ll send the plane to pick you up.”
“I’m going to pack.”
“When I know what time the plane is landing I’ll notify you. Are you going to tell Ty you’re leaving?”
“Not until the last minute.”
Lily stomped up the stairs to her room and began packing. He’d been going to ask her to marry him, but he didn’t want children. Candice and the child he lost were going to forever haunt him. Unless he could let go and live again, any marriage with or without children was doomed.
She threw her clothes in the suitcase haphazardly. What was she doing thinking of marriage anyway? Her father’s trial hadn’t even come up yet. There was much turmoil to get through before she could think about her future. She hadn’t spoken to her father since his arrest, and sooner or later she’d have to face him.
Lily was pulling her suitcase down the stairs when Ty knocked at the door. He saw the luggage when he stepped inside.
“You going somewhere?” He gave her a probing look.
“I asked Angie to send the plane for me. I want to spend some time with her. You’ll have the place back to yourself and won’t have to worry about me.” Lily tipped her chin high and fought to keep it from trembling.
“Maybe I like having you around.”
“I don’t think so. Angie just called back. I’ll need a ride to the landing strip in about an hour and a half.”
“Sure.” His expression hardened. A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I’ll be back.” He pivoted and walked briskly out the door and to his truck.
Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cattleman Wins a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 9
