Ronan

by Teresa Gabelman

  Everyone looked at Jill who had remained quiet.

  “What?” She snorted then rolled her eyes. “My girl code is much stronger than my Warrior code, ladies. Plus, I know what we as women can accomplish. It’s the men with all the issues.”

  “If this is dangerous for you, I don’t want you to do it,” Kira added, but felt some excitement at the possibility of getting the curse lifted and finding Orjyll. “It’s not worth it to me, putting someone else in danger while trying to save someone else.”

  “She’s right,” Mira agreed, then stood. “This curse may not even affect Steve, so it’s not worth something happening to you or Caroline. But finding Orjyll could end all of this.”

  “I’ll talk to Caroline tonight and let you all know, but if I know my sister as well as I think I do, consider it a done deal,” Lana said, then sighed. “I felt a certain urgency with your cousin. Maybe this will open new possibilities for you and the Warriors. If we can help in any way, then we will do our part.”

  “Thank you.” Kira nodded, still a little apprehensive.

  Soon, everyone started to leave. The women helped Wanda clean up, and of course, just like her, the mates took to Wanda and her open friendliness. Kira walked back outside to find everyone already gone. Ronan was also nowhere in sight.

  “Hey, we’re going to ride with Lana and Sid.” Mira rushed up, giving Kira a hug. “We already got the car seat in and there’s room for you.”

  “Oh, okay.” Kira nodded, wishing she could find Ronan to thank him for a wonderful day.

  “I’ll make sure she gets home.” Ronan’s voice sounded behind her. Mira’s eyes twinkled as a grin lit her face.

  Kira turned to see Ronan sitting on Jackson. “Uh, are you sure?” Kira swallowed hard, trying to hide the desire oozing out of her pores. If she thought Ronan McDonald was sexy before, seeing him on his horse made sexy just plain. He was smoking hot to the point her body felt like it was on fire.

  “Holy shit,” she whispered under her breath.

  “You can say that again.” Mira hugged Kira from behind with a tight squeeze. “Have fun and remember, save a horse… ride a cowboy.”

  “Mira!” Kira hissed, knowing her face was flaming red.

  Realizing Mira was already heading toward the car, Kira looked up at Ronan. “Ah, are you sure you don’t want me to catch a ride with them?” She was glad her voice didn’t tremble like her body was. “It’s not a big deal.”

  “Come for a ride.” The way he looked down at her from on top of the magnificent horse, his cowboy hat shading his eyes from the moonlight shining from above was almost more than she could stand.

  If he’d asked her to bark like a dog at that very moment, she probably would have. Goddess, she was a mess. This was ridiculous. He was just a man… on a horse… with a body that set her soul on fire. Ugh, this was not good, but she walked toward him like he was her favorite chocolate ice cream, ready to lick every single inch…. Yeah, not good.

  “How do you want me?” she said, then realized how that sounded when he tilted his head up so she could see his eyes. The flare of desire was hard to miss. “I mean, ah, how?”

  He reached out his hand, then removed his boot from the stirrup. “Put your foot in there, and I’ll do the rest.”

  She did as he said and she was lifted before him with ease. Tugging her long skirt, she worked it to where she could kick her leg over the saddle. “If I’d known I would be riding, I’d have worn pants.” She chuckled, then rolled her eyes at how breathless she sounded.

  “You’re fine.” His voice vibrated from his chest through to her back, which was pressed against him. “You comfortable?”

  She nodded, making a weird sound in her throat when his arm wrapped around her waist. He put his foot back in the stirrup then gently urged Jackson forward.

  “Don’t be afraid. Nothing will happen to you.” Ronan’s breath moved her hair, sending chill bumps down her spine, arms, and other parts of her body that felt oh, so damn good. “Have you ridden before?”

  She shook her head and realized she needed to speak. “No, but I’ve always wanted to.” As they rode into the darkness, with only the moonlight leading the way, she watched the beauty of this place pass them by. “How do you leave this place? It’s so peaceful here.”

  “I have two jobs of equal importance,” Ronan answered as he took them through a strand of trees and bushes, the sway of the horse moving their bodies together in unison. “Unfortunately, I’m needed more at one than the other.”

  “Well, maybe one day you can do the one you love most,” Kira replied, leaning away from a branch, but Ronan’s hand shot out, moving it out of the way, so it didn’t hit her.

  “Unfortunately, with all the madness in the world, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.” Ronan used the reins, urging Jackson up a small slope, pushing her more back into him. His hard body against her softness was driving her wild. “But I do what I have to do and find time for pleasure.”

  She actually glanced at him over her shoulder. “What you did on that horse today is what you consider pleasure?” Kira looked at him like he was crazy.

  “One form of… pleasure.” He laughed at the look on her face. “I guess you could say it’s a stress reliever for me.”

  “Whatever flies your broomstick I guess.” Kira turned her head back to see they had stopped at the edge of an open field, its expanse as far as the eye could see.

  “Would going for a run across this field fly your broomstick?” he teased, but she heard the hope in his voice. Then he whispered against her ear, “Trust me.”

  Kira smiled, then nodded. “Absolutely.”

  Ronan pulled her tighter against him and then they were flying across the open land. For the first time that she could actually remember, she felt free and completely safe. It was a good feeling, and it all had to do with the cowboy behind her.

  Chapter 18

  As Ronan let Jackson take the lead, he concentrated on the woman in his arms. Her rare laughter thrilled him, and he swore right then and there he would hear that sound more often. One thing for sure about Ronan was when he set his mind to something, he achieved it, owned it, and was loyal to it. This woman in front of him was most definitely his, and he was going to make damn sure by the end of this night she knew it.

  He could have had her at the compound after that kiss, and he wasn’t being cocky in thinking that because as sure as shit she could have had him. To walk away from her, being a gentleman, was the hardest damn thing he had ever done in his life. But his first time with her was not going to be in a place full of Warriors who could hear everything.

  Close to the edge of the clearing, Jackson slowed. The horse knew this land as well as Ronan did. Jackson came to complete stop, waiting for the next command.

  “That was amazing.” Kira leaned her head back to look at him, her eyes sparkled with excitement and her natural, easygoing smile set him on fire. “Can we do it again?”

  “We can do anything you want, Kira.” Ronan’s voice was low, his eyes on hers as he made that promise. His gaze moved to her lips, and he couldn’t help himself. He reached up and cupped her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her. The need to do that simple thing, a kiss, was so great he felt that if it didn’t happen, his body would explode.

  Her body twisted, trying to turn into him. It was an awkward angle that Ronan could easily take care of. Without missing a beat, he grabbed her waist, lifted her hips and as he turned her, she placed her hand on his shoulders. She was above him, her weight on his arms and yet, he could keep her there all night just looking at her staring down at him.

  “I’m heavy, Ronan,” she whispered, her eyes searching his. “Put me down.”

  A smile curved his lips. “You are one beautiful lady.”

  “Stop.” She looked away, her cheeks flushed. And then he saw it, a single tear escape, rolling down her cheek.

  “Kira?” He did set her down so she straddled him. She adjusted her skirt not lo
oking at him. He wasn’t having it. He lifted her face up to his. “Do you want to leave?” Confusion warred inside him. Maybe he was moving too fast, at least for her. For him, it wasn’t fast enough.

  “No.” She shook her head, then pulled her face away to look anywhere but him. “Why now? Why did I have to meet you now?”

  Ronan frowned. “Actually, we’ve known each other a little longer than just today.”

  She sighed, her eyes finally meeting his. “My life is a mess. I have nothing, Ronan. Nothing at all to offer you.”

  “I think you have it mixed up,” Ronan replied, knowing exactly what she was saying. But he refused to let her get away with it. “It is the man’s job to offer the woman—”

  “This isn’t a joke,” Kira grumbled, crossing her arms under her breasts. “I have a lot of baggage, and it’s not fair to you.”

  Ronan couldn’t help it. Dammit, he tried to be a gentleman, but her arms were practically pushing her breasts in his face. His eyes lowered, taking them in and wanting nothing more than to rip her shirt off. Instead, he found his control and looked back up at her.

  “I plan on ridding you of your baggage, so soon that will not be a problem.” He actually formed coherent words. “Kira, if I didn’t care about you, I wouldn’t bother. I am a man who knows what he wants, and I want you. I’ve wanted you since the first day you gave me your sassy mouth in the compound parking lot. That hasn’t changed. I know what you bring to the table, and it’s enough, more than enough. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you on my horse.”

  Kira stared at him without blinking, taking his words in. “So not everyone gets to sit on your horse?”

  “No, darlin’.” Ronan cocked his eyebrow. “You’re the first.”

  He watched as the words sank in. She glanced down, then leaned her head into his shoulder as her hands gripped him tightly.

  “And I plan for you to be the only,” he whispered into her hair and felt her shiver from his words.

  “The curse?” Her question was muffled, but he heard her loud and clear.

  “I would walk through the fires of hell for you, Kira.” Ronan reached up and took off his cowboy hat as she leaned back to look at him. “A curse is nothing.”

  He placed his cowboy hat on her head, moving a strand of hair from her eye. “Thank you.”

  “What are you thanking me for?” Ronan asked, thinking she looked damn good wearing his hat, even if it was a little big.

  “Not running.” She shrugged, sending the hat sliding sideways, making her look more adorable.

  “Only a fool would run from you.” Ronan slowly reached up and took the hat from her head. “And I’m no fool.”

  The kiss was explosive, mind-blowing, and soul-searing all in one. She knew this was a mistake, opening herself up, putting him in danger. It went against every self-imposed rule she had lived by for so many years, but at this very moment, she didn’t care. Call it selfish, call it need, whatever it was she was throwing everything she knew to be safe to the wind.

  Every place his hands touched had her wanting more. She felt movement but didn’t pay much attention until he was moving her legs and jumping from Jackson. He reached up and plucked her off the saddle. Slowly, he lowered her down his body until her toes touched the ground.

  “I want you.” He stared into her eyes as if searching for her truth, but he didn’t need to search.

  “I’m yours,” she replied without hesitation. She wanted this more than she wanted air. She quickly shed her shirt, then stepped out of her loose skirt, not even caring where they were. She trusted him to know they were safely tucked away from prying eyes.

  His gaze touched every part of her body, which was only now covered with her bra and panties. He reached down with one hand and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. He then picked her up, so she straddled him again. Lifting her higher, he kissed each breast through her bra. But that wasn’t enough for her. She made quick work of taking off her bra, and not in a sexy way, which she regretted a little. She didn’t want to seem too eager.

  Her hand reached out to touch the muscles in his stomach. She worked her way up to his chest before leaning in, placing a kiss against the hardness of his chest. She even used her tongue just for taste and, man, did he taste good.

  The moan that escaped his throat had her wanting to hear that sound again, but he didn’t give her a chance. His hands were all over her that she didn’t even realize he had helped her out of her panties. This man could easily make her forget her name if he chose to do so.

  She went for the buckle of his belt, but he stopped her. “You deserve better.”

  “What?” she said, even though she heard his words. She prayed to the Goddess he wasn’t going to stop with having second thoughts or trying to be the gentleman again, because honestly, she would combust with her need for him. It sounded corny even in her own mind, but truth was truth. She would freaking lay down and die if he didn’t fill this overwhelming need inside her that only he could fill.

  “This.” He looked around them. “You deserve more. A bed, flowers, music, just more.”

  Kira tilted her head. “It’s dark, but I’m sure there are flowers all around us. And listen…” The night creatures sang their songs into the night. “This is you, Ronan. This place screams… you and that’s more than good enough for me. As for the bed, I’ll just use you for a cushion.”

  Ronan growled, then pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. She had no clue how he did it, but when he lifted her up, she felt his bare cock against her. When he removed his jeans she didn’t know, nor did she actually care.

  “I want to touch you,” Kira whispered against his lips. “I want to see you.”

  Her hands explored his body, doing as they pleased. Slowly, she kissed down his chest, her fingertips following until she was at his stomach to his navel and then she looked lower. He was absolutely gorgeous, if a cock could even be called that. It was proud, jutting out from his body as if begging for her to touch it. And touch it she did. It had been so long since she’d touched or been touched by a man, but never had she remembered it to be like this. And she knew why. It hadn’t been anything at all like this.

  Kira’s body was strung tight. Every sensory nerve in her body was pinging with the electricity of need. Her hands played him as if they knew every inch of his body, until finally, he tugged her hands away from him.

  “My turn.” His voice was husky with need, his hands eager to bring her to the edge as she had done him.

  His finger had a roughness to it that felt so good as it traced her heart-shaped birthmark that was a burning red. “Beautiful.”

  She started to explain her mark, but his fingers had found her core and began to work, awakening a need she didn’t know existed within her. She grabbed onto his shoulders as he pumped one finger, then two inside her, priming her before he claimed her. Her leg hooked onto his hip, giving him better access, and her head fell back as her moans grew louder.

  “Jesus,” he growled as he drove faster. “Come on, darlin’. I got you.”

  She moved her hips in rhythm of his fingers, knowing she was close. His thumb found her nub and twirled until she couldn’t take it anymore. Her pussy clutched his fingers, her nails digging into his arms as her hips bucked against his hand.

  His mouth slammed down on hers just as the scream escaped her throat. His fingers slowly pulled out of her, running up her body leaving a wet trail to her breast. His lips left her as he bent his head and sucked her tits, biting her nipples with enough pain to send shock waves of pleasurable pain straight to her pussy.

  Once he was finished, he looked straight into her eyes. “You are mine,” he vowed, just as he lowered her onto his cock.

  She couldn’t have said a word if her life depended on it; instead, she savored the feeling of him filling her. She was tight, no doubt about that, but it wasn’t painful. He was careful and had made sure she was wet and ready. A woman couldn’t ask for much mo
re than that.

  His movements were slow, his strength amazing her as he grasped her hips to control the tempo. Every single time he pumped into her, she heard his words over and over again. “You are mine.” She leaned her head back, her eyes staring up into the clear sky. She was his… at that moment she had no doubts. She had always been his.

  “Look at me,” he demanded, his tone not harsh, but commanding. When she did, he picked up the tempo as he pounded inside her. “I want to see into your eyes as I make you come.”

  This time he didn’t cover her mouth when she screamed her pleasure. Instead, his own growl of satisfaction mixed with hers.

  Chapter 19

  Ronan was finding it hard to focus. Last night with Kira had been way more than he had ever imagined. They had practically spent the night outside, not coming back until the sun was almost up. She had helped him take care of Jackson, learning side by side with him. He could easily picture her at his ranch. He would make the hour trip every day if that were the case. But he knew that wasn’t going to be possible until they took care of the threat.

  “While you yahoos were out enjoying your night, some of us were left here working.” Sloan glared at Steve, then glanced at his lap where he held a bag of frozen vegetables.

  “Don’t ask.” Duncan shook his head in warning.

  “Definitely ask.” Jared chuckled, nodding toward Steve.

  “Hey, at least I wasn’t a pussy.” Steve pointed the bag of frozen peas at him. “You didn’t even get on Daisy.”

  “That’s because I’m not a dumbass,” Jared countered, not even taking the bait of being called a pussy. “Go second when not sure about a situation. It’s a win-win.”

  “Steve, get rid of the fucking frozen vegetables,” Sloan growled, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at a folder, not even looking at Steve.

  “But—”

  Sloan peered up from the folder, his eyes saying way more than words ever could, sending Steve up from his seat. Ronan had to choke back a chuckle as Steve slowly and painfully walked to the trash can by Becky’s desk and threw the bag away with a loud thunk. Becky hid behind her computer, and Ronan knew she was laughing.