by Taryn Plendl
The guys had gone to bed several hours before. It was only pushing midnight, but we were exhausted from the work we’d put in the last couple of days. Nate hardly spent the night at home, so he must’ve been dead tired when he and Ryke walked back to their house around nine.
Sleep evaded me. After tossing and turning in my bed for over an hour, I went to the barn to get some air. As I walked through the middle, I glanced over the stalls to make sure everything was safe and secure. I gave my horse, Sable, a rub before moving down the way to Snickers.
“Hey, boy. Where’d our girl get to?” I asked him softly as I stroked his neck. He snorted and leaned his head toward me.
“She just had to finish some business so she could get back home for good.”
I turned quickly at the sound of her voice. A startled breath escaped my lungs before I got my bearings, pushing off the stall and striding toward her. I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her to make sure she was real.
“I can’t decide if I want to kiss you, throttle you, or tie you to my bed so you never leave again,” I groaned, only slightly joking.
“How about a compromise, maybe a bit of all three?” Her muffled giggled tickled my chest.
I held her at arm’s length so I could check her over. When I was sure she was okay, some of the tension left my body.
“I can’t do this again, Mirabelle. I can’t have you walking out without knowing where you are or when you’ll be back. You make me want to lose my fucking mind!” She brought out so many emotions in me that I was surprised I hadn’t gotten whiplash. “Don’t fucking leave me again. I love you,” I muttered before pressing a hard kiss to her lips, tangling my hands in her curls to keep her close. “You have the ability to destroy me. I need you like I’ve never needed anything in my life. I’ve loved you for years, and I made a promise to Dalton that I would take care of you. Don’t you fucking make me break that.” I sounded as desperate as I felt.
“You love me?” she asked, and her astonishment brought my hysterical laughter to the surface.
“God, I pretty much suck at this, Mirabelle. I need you to be patient with me while I try to figure out how to do this right, but yes, I fucking love you.”
She closed her eyes and smiled, leaning into me. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember, Silas.”
Those words rocked me to the core. She was like a glass of ice water on the hottest summer day. Refreshing, cherished, perfect, and she was mine. I would do anything for this woman.
“Why’d you leave?” I kissed the top of her head.
“I’m sorry, Silas. I went back to Baltimore to box up the rest of my belongings. I hoped to be back yesterday, but I couldn’t get a flight.”
“Baltimore? How did you accomplish all that in just a few days?”
“My friends helped. Fortunately, they can be bought with pizza and beer. My roommate, Shiloh, will be shipping the boxes this week.” Her face lit up as she spoke. I watched for any sign of uncertainty, but all I saw was a look of complete peace. Her eyes were brighter, and she nibbled on the bottom lip as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
“I called you. It went straight to voicemail.” My arms tightened around her in a cocoon of sorts, afraid to let her go now that I had her back.
“I turned it off when I was on the plane. Honestly, I didn’t mean to worry anyone. I just wanted to close out my life back in Baltimore, so I could come home for good.” She leaned back, pulling free from my strong hold so she could look up at me.
“So, you’re staying?” My voice was tremulous yet hopeful.
“Yes,” she confirmed. My muscles sagged with relief.
“Welcome home, Mirabelle.”
I took her hand and led her out of the barn, closing the doors behind us.
“Do you need anything from the car?”
When she shook her head no, I let out a breath of relief. Suddenly, the stress and exhaustion I’d been carrying hit me like a ton of bricks, and I wanted nothing more than to curl up with her in my arms and sleep. Her feet barely made contact with the gravel as I dragged her to the house. All I could think about was getting her somewhere she couldn’t run from. Rational thought was not my strong suit at the moment, but miraculously, we ended up in my room. Rummaging through my dresser, I tossed her one of my shirts and pointed to the bathroom.
“Go change. I’m so damned tired, but I’m not letting you go. You’re sleeping here with me.”
A flash of stubbornness crossed her features, but she must’ve realized I wasn’t in a mood to argue, so she did what I asked. Shedding my shirt and jeans, I slipped under the covers and waited.
When she came out of the bathroom with flushed cheeks and wild curls, she looked so fucking gorgeous. My shirt fell to the middle of her thighs. At the sight of her bare legs, my dick twitched in a valiant attempt, but tonight wasn’t the night to take it any further. I lifted the covers and waited for her to climb in, drawing her small body firmly against me when she did. My skin tingled with the contact. My heart beat so erratically I was sure it would shake her, yet I was filled with a sense of calm that had been missing for as long as I could remember.
“Silas?” she whispered, “You said you made a promise to Dalton. When?”
“Right before he died.” My final conversation with Dalton played through my mind like a movie. “He asked me if I loved you. I told him I did, and he told me to get you home. He said you didn’t belong away from the ranch. He told me to take care of you.”
Her body trembled, a soft sob escaping. Rolling her over, I pulled her into my chest, kissing the top of her head.
“I promised him I would, and he said, ‘good.’ Then he was gone. I’ve lost him, but Mirabelle, I don’t need anything else as long as I have you. Our family may be gone, but we have each other now, okay? You’re my fucking family now.”
She nodded against my chest. Her warm breath against my skin was the last thing I remembered before falling into the most restful sleep I’d had in years.
M I R A B E L L E
The bright sun streamed through the open curtains. Normally, I would’ve pulled the blanket over my head, but as I blinked sleep from my eyes, I felt more awake than I had in days. The bed was empty and rumpled where Silas had been, and as I pressed my face into his pillow, I couldn’t help but grin. The smell of spice with a hint of lemon, strong and masculine, made me sigh with longing for the man who’d slept next to me. It was remarkable how a scent can do things to your mind and body. Silas’s made my stomach clench with want.
I threw back the covers and made my way into his bathroom. The stress of the past few days, plus the urge to wash off the travel grime propelled me to the shower. I turned on the water and stripped out of Silas’s shirt, dropping it to the floor before stepping under the spray, and letting the hot water stream over my tired body.
The lemon scented shampoo made me smile. As I worked the lather into my hair, I closed my eyes and lost myself in the moment.
“Need some help?”
The deep voice startled me, causing me to jump and squeak as I instinctively tried to cover myself with my arms. Silas grabbed my wrists and pulled them to my sides. His hungry gaze roamed over my nakedness, leaving a trail of heat behind.
It took me a moment to realize he was as naked as me.
“Holy fuck,” I muttered, taking in the delicious man in front of me.
“You like what you see?” His voice was thick with want, his eyes fixed on mine.
Holy shit, did I ever. I couldn’t take my eyes off his body.
“I want to touch you,” I pleaded. My hands ached to feel the hardness of his body. With a groan, he freed my hands, dropping his own to my hips, pulling me closer, yet leaving enough space for my hands to inch between us. I feathered my fingers against his chest, watching in awe as they skirted over the muscles. Every part of him was sculpted to perfection—hard and carved. His rigid cock pressed against my stomach, and I leaned in to feel more of his rigid leng
th.
Silas’s fingers dug into the skin of my hips as he dragged his nose against my neck, stopping just below my ear where he placed a soft kiss.
“You’re fucking killing me, Mirabelle.” He pushed me under the spray and helped me rinse my hair before reaching around and turning off the water. “Come on, I’m taking you to bed like I should’ve four years ago.”
My head spun round and round over the turn of events the past few days. Everything I’d thought to be true was wrong. As I dried off my legs, I decided not to give it another thought. The man of my dreams was in front of me, and he loved me. Everything else could wait.
As I entered the bedroom, my nerves decided to attack. I had dreamed of this so many times, but nothing prepared me for the reality.
“Don’t over think it, Mirabelle,” Silas spoke softly from the side of the bed. “I would never make you do anything you didn’t want to.”
That he thought I was having second thoughts killed me. “I know you wouldn’t. I want this, Silas. I’ve wanted this for so long.” I willed my feet to move, the temptation to touch him again driving me forward. Stopping between his knees, I waited, wanting—no, needing—him to take charge.
He didn’t disappoint. His warm mouth captured one of my nipples, tonguing and laving until it was puckered and taut. Only then did he give the other one the same attention, sending electrifying sensations straight to my core.
A soft moan escaped me as Silas scooted onto the bed, pulling me along until I sat astride his waist. His hardness settled between my folds. The sensations consumed me as he gently, yet firmly, grasped my hips, sliding me back and forth, making me ride along him, my arousal allowing me to glide easily.
“Fuck, Mirabelle.” His body trembled, and I felt empowered, loving that I could do that to this strong man.
Without warning, he hoisted me up so I straddled his face, gripping my ass as he devoured me. Sensation after sensation washed over me, my hips unintentionally moving back and forth. When I reached the edge of my release, he slowed his movements.
“Please, Silas.” I threw my head back, begging for something more to take me over.
Silas hummed as his tongue hungrily probed, sending sweet, throbbing pleasure through me. My back arched as spiraling sensations consumed me over and over.
I fell forward against the headboard, trying to hold on to the euphoria as Silas tore open a condom. He pulled me to him, kissing me hard, his tongue claiming mine. The taste of me mingled with him made me moan, turning me on more than I’d imagined possible.
“I fucking love you, Mirabelle.” Silas lifted me over his body and lined himself up to my opening.
I started to respond, but before I could, he thrust up as he pulled me down. A startled scream escaped me, and my eyes slammed shut.
“What the fuck?” Silas froze, holding me in place. “Mirabelle, open your eyes,” he demanded, his arms and legs trembling beneath me.
Taking a deep breath, I peeked at him, not sure what I would see. The pain crossing his features was the last thing I expected.
“Why, baby? Why didn’t you fucking tell me? I would’ve never been so rough.”
My eyes welled with tears. “I’m sorry.” Pride had kept me from telling him the truth.
“No,” he said as he carefully turned us over, doing his best to not move too much, although my pain was slowly easing. “Don’t you fucking apologize.” He kissed the tears off my face as he pressed himself against me. “I’m so fucking sorry I hurt you. I didn’t know. You said . . .” He trailed off.
“I lied. I was hurt.” Talking was the last thing I wanted to do right now, not with the considerable throbbing between my legs. At the moment, I needed much more than words. “Can you move?” Silas started to pull out, and I panicked. “No!” I yanked him back down, moaning when he buried himself fully. “Yes, inside me,” I clarified.
Silas lifted his weight onto his arms, looming over me and staring at my face. After what seemed like forever, he nodded and moved, carefully withdrawing and pushing back in until he was thrusting in a slow, tantalizing pace. The fullness consumed me, carrying me to dizzying heights. Each new sensation, each deliberate touch, each slow, measure moved—all showed me how much Silas loved me. .
“More, please, Silas.” My fingers dug into his shoulders, gripping tight as his pace increased. Consumed by fevered need, everything but his touch faded away.
“I’ve got you, baby.” Silas sat back on his knees, bringing me with him. This allowed him to go even deeper while still controlling the pace. His arms enveloped me, holding me to him as I moved back and forth. “Fuck, Mirabelle, I can’t hold on much longer.” His voice sounded hoarse. His warm breath brushed my ear, sending shivers through me.
I was so close to finding release I couldn’t speak. As if Silas knew exactly what I needed, his hand slipped between us and applied the perfect pressure to my clit. I shuddered and contracted around him, completely alight with passion.
He howled his release, throbbing inside me, and held me to him as if he couldn’t get close enough, his fingers trailing up and down my back. Our rapid breathing was the only sound in the room. When he finally pulled out, I felt empty.
Without speaking, Silas carried me to the bathroom and started the shower, checking the water to make sure it was warm before he placed me under it. Soft kisses pressed against my skin as he quietly washed me, then himself for the second time that morning.
When I was wrapped in his robe and back on the bed, his lips met mine.
“Why don’t you rest for a while? I need to go help the guys, but I’ll be back later.”
With one last kiss, he was out the door. As I drifted off to sleep, my thoughts of the future warmed me.
S I L A S
“I wasn’t sure if we’d see you back today.” Ryke gave me a knowing smile as he tossed the saddle onto his horse. “I was just about ready to go check fences, if you wanna ride.”
“Give me a minute to get Sable ready, and I’ll go. I could use the chance to clear my head.” I busied myself with the saddle and a quick once over before leading her out of the barn.
“Ready?” I asked, swinging myself up onto Sable’s back, giving her a firm pat on the neck.
Ryke nodded as we set off to the far side of the property where we would start. The spring day was perfect with a soft breeze cutting the heat just enough to make it comfortable. We rode in silence, which was one of the reasons I loved working alongside Ryke. He didn’t fill the silence with incessant talking like Nate did. Sometimes I needed quiet to get my head around my thoughts.
My mind was in a battle between ecstatic satisfaction and remorse. I didn’t regret being with Mirabelle. On the contrary, it had been fucking incredible—more than I’d imagined. My only regret was I’d hurt her. Had I known she was virgin, I would’ve taken everything so much slower, been gentler. Yet, a huge part of me was a little more than relieved she hadn’t had random sex in college like she’d led me to believe.
“Fuck,” I groaned.
“Wanna talk about it?” Ryke asked, his eyes focused on our task at hand.
“I feel like I’ve constantly fucked things up with Mirabelle since she’s been back.”
“I figured with the way you disappeared this morning, things were better.” Ryke studied the fence line, making the conversation so much easier.
“Yeah, well, things aren’t all bad.” I chuckled softly. “We’re so used to not talking about anything important, especially our feelings, you know?” I pointed out a loose board and made a note of the location. “Apparently, we’ve been hiding our feelings from each other for so long, it’s a bit hard to break the habit. I just don’t want to hurt her anymore.”
“Well, it sounds to me like you’ve figured out what the problem is. Now, you just need to fix it. If you love her, just be honest, even when it’s hard.” Ryke stopped his horse, allowing him to graze for a minute. He glanced around, searching the surrounding area.
“Y
eah,” I agreed.
I took the lead along the fence, noting anything that needed fixing. So far, everything was minor.
Maybe I needed to look at things from a new perspective. Now that the ranch was partly mine, I needed to view it in that capacity.
“How’s the training going?”
Ryke was well respected within the ranching community. His uncanny knack with horses was nearly impossible to duplicate. It was if he could read them—knew exactly what they needed, even when the horses didn’t know themselves.
“Pretty good. The next workshop is next week, and we have several out-of-towners coming in. I’m looking forward to it.” Ryke’s face lit up when he talked about horse training. The man would work any task on the ranch, but his love was working with the horses for sure.
Dalton had started the program, allowing Ryke to help others with troubled horses. There had been very few unsuccessful situations, and those times there were, Ryke took it harder than anyone—hurting both for owner, as well as animal.
“Good. Hey, until I wrap my head around the ins and outs of everything, you need to let me know what you need from me.”
This ranch was as much a part of the Davis brothers as it was me. Their relief when they found out we would keep operating the way we were assured me they would help in any way possible.
“We’ve got hay about ready to cut in the east field. Next week looks good and dry. Might want to get it down then,” I mentioned as we rode though the gate to another pasture.
The ranch was separated into several gated zones where we rotated the horses. Now that the weather was warmer, grazing time increased, and the horses were ready for one of the bigger pastures. Spring was always a busy time, and required working long days to keep things running smoothly. I loved it.
“Everything looks good out here. I sent soil samples out last week, so we should have those results soon. Anything else you can think of?” I asked as the main property came into view.
