by Sasha Gold
“You don’t need to defend me.”
“I’ll always defend you, Rachel. Always.”
She faced him, wide-eyed, clutching her purse like a shield. He hated the fear in her eyes. Earlier, in the bar, that same expression lit her features and it had diminished, of course, but it was still there.
“Rachel, I’ve never had anyone to take care of, just a bunch of livestock. So, I don’t know how to do this, but if I’m going to do what I can to take care of a ranch and all the animals that live here, you better believe I’m going to do every fucking thing to take care of my family. Got it?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He cupped her shoulders. “Really okay?”
“Really okay.”
“Quit looking at me like you’re afraid of me.”
She smacked him with her purse. “Quit acting so tough. And scary.”
He smiled at her and rubbed his shoulder. “Ouch, Twenty-one. Quit acting so scary.”
He cupped her jaw and lifted her chin to receive his kiss. “I want to be tough and I hope I’m scary, because I have something important to protect. Very important. And even though you don’t believe me, I’m going to keep on trying to prove that to you.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He took her hand and led her to the bedroom. They undressed in the semidarkness, just like they did every evening. He did his best to keep his gaze away from the way the shadowed light played across her skin as she slipped into a nightie.
When he wrapped her in his arms, he took his usual care to make sure he didn’t hold her too tight, or bump against her bruises. All he wanted was her to heal and for them to become a couple in every sense of the word. He was certain that once they crossed that barrier, he’d be able to convince her of the depth of his feelings.
The next morning, Luke woke just before dawn. He turned to watch Rachel sleep and thought of all the things he wanted from her. His virgin wife. Damn, the woman was going to drive him wild with lust.
He and Rachel had spent so much time together that he lived in a state of constant need. When they were apart for a short while, he couldn’t get a break because his thoughts returned to her the moment he was away.
He slipped out of bed, went to the kitchen and made each of them a cup of coffee. He added cream and sugar to hers and left it by her bedside table. Going to the bathroom to take a shower, he decided he’d go to the auction in Colter Canyon, see what sorts of calves they had for sale. The auction would give him a welcome break from the insatiable hunger she stirred inside him. Maybe.
He started the shower, then grabbed his phone and left a voicemail with Tanner, asking him if he wanted to join him in town. In times past, he’d gone to the auction with Jed, and Tanner would meet up with them and offer his ideas on the various animals. Tanner had as good an eye as anyone Luke knew. But Tanner texted, saying he was on his way out of town, hauling some yearlings to a ranch south of town.
Luke finished showering, dried off and dressed in the pre-dawn darkness. A noise came from the bedroom and he found Rachel sitting up in bed, the sheet tucked around her, sipping her coffee.
“I heard you invite Tanner to go with you to the auction. Is that today?” she asked.
“That’s right. Every other Saturday.”
“I want to go to the auction,” she said. “I’ve never been to one before.”
“No.”
In the shadowed light, he could make out her expression of indignation. “What?”
“I’m going by myself. I need to stop thinking about how good you feel sleeping next to me.”
She smiled. “I’ll just sit in the stands. Promise not to bother you.”
Her expression, something between petulant and sexy, made him forget his thoughts of needing a break from her. He didn’t need a break. He needed her. If she wanted to come with him, he’d take her.
“Rachel,” he said softly. “You’d never be a bother to me.”
“Never?”
“Never. I always want to be with you. Two minutes after I leave the cabin in the morning, I want to come running back.”
“Really?”
“I think I’ll feel better, not so worked up, if I get away for a few minutes, but it never works.”
She laughed softly and her eyes shone.
“I want to have a bunch of babies with you, sweetheart. A family. A big kitchen table with lots of kids sitting down to eat every night.”
Her smile faded. “Is that so?”
“It is. I’d like it if we started on that pretty soon.”
“Soon?”
“Soon. As in don’t get on any of those pills.”
“Oh. I see.”
He heard the doubt in her voice. Maybe his mind played tricks on him, but he was sure it was less pronounced. He liked to think he was chipping away at her misgivings.
He nodded. “All right. I’ll take you. Go ahead and shower and dress while I make breakfast.”
An hour and a half later, they drove onto the auction grounds and parked the truck. Vans and trucks filled the parking lot. Barns and pens and corrals were filled with horses and cattle. Dust swirled around the bullpen where bulls pawed the ground and bellowed. A cowboy rode past, leading a yearling back to a corral.
Luke and Rachel walked into the arena and he grabbed a program for them to share.
“This is awesome,” Rachel murmured. “Are we buying something? I’d love a donkey. Or chickens. I’ve always thought that sounded like fun, raising chickens. And a rooster, my gosh, Luke. Wouldn’t that be fun to have a rooster that crowed every morning at dawn?”
“We’re just window shopping.”
She smiled up at him and brushed a curl from her eyes. “No chickens?”
“They shit everywhere.”
“So? They give you eggs. I’ve never had farm fresh eggs.”
“Eggs are basically eggs, Rachel. Besides, they’re just auctioning horses and cattle today.”
“Uh-huh, well we’re not done talking about my chickens, mister.”
The auctioneer called out prices on a Black Angus, mother and calf pair. A few ranchers nodded a greeting but Luke didn’t stop to talk to any of them. They watched the auction intently, or checked their program to see what animals would be up next.
A rancher won the bid on the calf and cow. The next selection was a Brahma bull. The bull charged into the arena and rammed the far wall with his horns. The wall shook, ringing with the impact of the angry animal. The ranchers seated in the nearby bleachers scrambled out of their seats. They retreated to seats further up, laughing and shaking their heads. The bull pawed the ground. A billow of dust wafted across the arena.
Rachel nudged Luke’s shoulder. “What would you do if I bid on that bad boy?”
“Don’t you dare.”
“I bet he’d shit more than a few chickens would.”
Luke shook his head. “He would. I don’t want him or chickens.”
The bidding started and Rachel grew quiet, watching the auction unfold. Over the course of the next hour, a handful of other cattle were sold and led away.
Several barn hands led a trio of horses in for the final sale. Luke could see right off the horses were old. The two chestnuts had ribs clearly visible and the bay looked a little better, but not much.
“They’re retired police horses.” Rachel pointed to the description on last page in the document.
The bidding started at three hundred dollars and Luke gave a huff of surprise. The auctioneer started the bid low. Very low. The horses looked thin, but their eyes shone and their coats looked healthy enough. Vets checked every animal that was sold, so the animals had to be sound.
“Let’s buy them. They look sad,” Rachel said.
“We’re not buying something on account of it looking sad.”
“Three hundred,” Rachel yelled.
Luke stared in disbelief. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Three-fifty,” she shouted.
“Rachel!”
She drew a breath and leaned forward about to yell out another number.
“Rachel, you’re supposed to wait until someone outbids you. Haven’t you been paying attention?”
The auctioneer rambled his numbers, looking around the arena for any takers. He paused to say a few words about the horses. “Fine, upstanding citizens of the horse community. All three have worked the streets of our busy town, for crowd control. The gray gelding pulled the caisson at Fort Sam.”
Rachel gave him a beseeching look.
“We don’t need a bunch of old horses,” Luke growled.
“These fine creatures just need a little grazing space and water,” the auctioneer promised.
“Like hell,” Luke muttered. “And vet visits in the middle of the night that start at four figures.”
“Each animal has been thoroughly vetted and comes with a veterinary stipend of $2,000.”
The crowd murmured its approval.
“Great.” Luke shook his head. “Just great. Horses with a pension.”
Despite the auctioneer’s words, no one else bid on the horses. All three hung their heads and dozed while their handlers chatted.
“Why look, these boys just need a rocking chair and a glass of iced tea. Do I have four hundred?”
“Don’t you dare, Rachel.”
“I want them, Luke. Please, let’s get them.”
“You weren’t going to be a bit of trouble. You promised.”
“Four hundred,” a man on the other side of the arena yelled.
“Aw, shit,” Rachel grumbled.
“Not happening, sweetheart.”
“Four hundred. Do we have four-fifty?”
She turned to face him and gripped his arm. “I’d give anything.”
Luke sucked a sharp breath between his teeth and let his gaze drop to her lips and back to her eyes. “Anything?”
She laughed softly.
“Going once.” The words boomed over the loudspeaker.
“As in anything I want?” Luke asked.
She gave him a small push. “I said anything.”
“Going twice…”
Luke smiled and raised his hand. “A thousand dollars!”
Chapter Fifteen
Rachel
Later that evening, the front door slammed and Rachel startled. She’d just stepped out of the shower. The bathroom was lit by candles and she held her breath as Luke’s footsteps drew close. She watched the candles flicker. Her skin taut, sizzling with anticipation.
He stepped into the doorway, filling it with his immense frame, and smiled wolfishly at her.
“Thank you, Luke. I know you didn’t want them, but I did. I’m so grateful to have my own horses. It seems special.”
“It is special.”
She smiled, feeling awkward.
Luke continued. “Your granddaddy left you plenty of money. You can buy whatever you want.”
Tapping her chin, she pretended to think it over. “So, I can go next week and buy more horses. And chickens.”
He grumbled, something indistinct. “I put your babies to bed, Rachel. Bedded them down in my biggest stalls and fed them extra rations so we can get some weight on them.”
“Thank you.”
He moved closer. “I want a real thank you.”
She laughed softly as he tugged on the belt of her robe.
“I like to hear you laugh, Rach. I want to make you happy, sweetheart.”
“I am,” she said. “So happy.”
He slid the robe from her shoulders and let it fall to the ground. She gasped as the cool air hit her skin, sending a shiver along her body. Tilting her chin up, he kissed her, gently at first and then more firmly. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her fingers across the broad expanse of his chest, drawing a groan from him.
“I want you, Rachel. All of you.”
“I want that, too.”
“I’d do anything for you, Rachel. Anything. Help you with the ranch. Run into a burning building to get you out. And a few old-as-dirt horses is what gets me lucky with my bride?”
She traced her fingers over the bands of muscle lining his stomach. “Now you know. I still want chickens.”
He growled softly, stepped back and began undressing, stripping his clothes hastily while he gave her a hungry look. “Go get the candles. I want to watch you.”
She shivered at his commanding tone and the very idea that he’d want that, to watch her, but she didn’t protest. Maybe the idea appealed to her too. Watching her big, powerful cowboy strip in the candlelight wouldn’t bother her one bit.
Setting the candles on the mantle, she turned back to the bed, but before she could take a step, she was swept from her feet. She yelped and when he set her down, she gave a cry of surprise. He was on her in an instant, claiming her lips with his. This time the kiss was carnal. He brushed her lips with his tongue, until she submitted and parted her lips.
The kiss was urgent. Deep. Hungry. With a groan, he pulled away from her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck and to her breasts. His mouth felt hot on her breast. He sucked her nipple between his lips and nipped her. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her breast.
His tongue lashed the tight bud. The night of the storm he’d made her come hard. Now, she felt the same pleasure build. Was it possible to climax like this? Just with his mouth on her breast? Her body heated, white-hot beneath his touch. He descended, past her stomach. She felt her body respond to his touch as if by its own volition.
“I need to taste you. Make you come,” he growled. He slid lower and pushed her legs further apart, so she was open to him. “I like the candlelight.”
A wave of heat warmed her face, but she forgot her embarrassment in the next instant when he lowered to stroke her with his tongue. She flinched and gasped. He wrapped his arm around her hips and held her, pinning her to the bed and began his sweet torment.
Rachel writhed beneath him. His mouth was relentless. He pushed his tongue against her. She could feel him pressing against her innocence. What he did was wicked. Dirty. Her arousal built, pulsing tighter, pulling small, animal-like cries from her lips. When he rubbed her clit with his finger, an explosion of pleasure washed over her. She arched.
“Luke…”
Sparks lit her vision and she shook with the sensations. He rose, prowled the length of her body and settled between her thighs. The head of his erection pressed against her core. She felt swollen, slick, helpless beneath him. He pushed inside, cradling her head as he looked down. His gaze was intense. Fierce.
“You’re mine, Rachel.”
There was no denying it. She was his. “I am.”
“Not just for a year. Forever.”
“Yes, Luke.” She closed her eyes as the pressure built. He filled her more with each stroke.
“Open your eyes, sweetheart. This is us becoming one.”
She did as she was told and when he pushed past her barrier, a cry escaped her lips. She drew a trembling breath. The pain faded and in its place was a delicious fullness. She met his thrusts and dug her fingers into his shoulders as her pleasure climbed.
“So beautiful,” he murmured.
She opened her eyes and looked up to see him watching her. His eyes glinted with a possessive expression. Her body felt fragile and light as if she could float from the pleasure he gave her. Fly high and break apart into a million pieces. She clung to him, holding on desperately as he drove her higher.
He gripped her hips, crashed his mouth to hers with a devouring kiss. His hips rocked against hers and she lifted her legs to clasp him with her thighs. The movement drew a shudder from him.
“I’ve wanted this… wanted you… from the beginning,” he muttered.
Pleasure tightened her senses and made it impossible to respond. She arched beneath him and gripped his hips with her thighs. His gaze burned into hers. Slipping his fingers through hers, he clasped her hand.
“I want to watch you com
e,” he said. “I want to see your face.”
His words sparked a new burn of arousal. And from one instant to the next, the pleasure was too much. She gasped and bucked as her orgasm tore through her body. He snarled an instant later, following her pleasure with his own. Panting and holding himself over her, he lowered his forehead to hers.
“Amazing,” he said softly. “You’re amazing.” He rolled over, keeping his gaze on her. “Thank-you, Rach.”
She smiled and stroked his jaw. He’d thanked her and she didn’t know what to say to that. They’d slept together, side-by-side, but suddenly everything was different. Now they were not only lovers but husband and wife too. Sex had always been something that she’d perhaps not dreaded, but not especially looked forward to. But that was before Luke.
“First time is special. A gift.” He rose onto his elbow and looked down into her eyes. “I’m your first, but I’m going to be your only.”
He rubbed his thumb across her mouth. “Got it?”
“I got it,” she whispered.
Chapter Sixteen
One year later
Rachel
Rachel rode with Luke to the Rusk house for dinner with Lucille and the rest of the family. The dinners had quickly become part of their week and Rachel looked forward to time with the Rusk family. Lucille had taken to her immediately, making her feel like one of the family. Luke, on the other hand, was in trouble with Lucille when she found out they’d married without so much a word. She’d consoled herself by throwing Rachel and Luke what she called a big-ass post-wedding party-reception-shin-dig.
Luke drove up the Rusk driveway slowly, avoiding ruts and bumps. When he pulled the truck to a stop in front of the house, he looked back to the car seat behind them. Rachel followed his gaze.
Jonathan, their two-month-old son lay in the car seat, just waking from his nap. He blinked and gave them a sleepy smile.
“He’s got that smile down pretty good. Little lop-sided, but getting better,” Luke said.
“It’s just perfect. I love his little crooked smile. It’s just like yours when you first wake up.”
He frowned and grumbled some indistinct argument. She got out of the truck and opened the back door, but when she tried to lift the car seat from the base, Luke shooed her away. She thought he might lift the seat. Instead, he unbuckled the baby and settled him in his arms.
