In the Ranger's Arms (The Men of At Ease Ranch)

by Michaels, Donna

  “Lula Belle,” she said, breaking the kiss. Happy to see the pain-in-moo was alive. “Where’d you come from?”

  Stone released her to rush forward and head the cow off in the yard. Lula Belle mooed an unfriendly moo and strained to glance around him.

  Jovy jammed her hands on her hips and stared the bovine down. “And here I was worried something had happened to you, you ungrateful cow.”

  Another loud moo filled the air.

  Stone chuckled with his back to her, still using his body to keep the determined female away. “I don’t think she cares.”

  “Ya think?”

  “Why don’t you head to your apartment and I’ll meet you there after I take her home,” he suggested.

  “Okay,” she replied. “I’ll make us dinner.”

  “And maybe go around the other way so she doesn’t see you.”

  Grumbling, Jovy did as she was told. Last thing she needed was the bugger to chase her up another damn tree. Although—a smile spread across her lips—the horse ride that had followed led to a relationship with the most incredible man she’d ever met.

  Her smile grew. She had plans for that man tonight. And they didn’t include a lovesick cow.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sitting in Jovy’s apartment finishing another delicious meatless dinner, Stone marveled over several things. The fact that he actually liked salads. That they’d eaten dinner first for a change, instead of falling right into bed when he’d arrived. And that something was different. Things had changed. For the better. This sense of urgency and dread over her leaving next week had disappeared. They were going to continue to see each other somehow and make this work. For the first time in his life, he was excited for his future. Excited to share his future, his life, his bed, with such an incredibly beautiful and giving woman.

  “Stone.” She set her fork down and sucked in a breath, her gaze heating. “If you keep looking at me like that we need to get naked right now.”

  He rose to his feet, and still holding her gaze, he ripped off his shirt. She sucked in another breath and mimicked his actions. Damn. His heart rocked as her breasts bounced free. No bra? Need rushed through his body, nearly crippling him. Good thing he hadn’t known that at dinner. No way in hell would he have been able to eat a damn thing.

  “Your turn.” Her gaze dropped to his jeans, lingering on his crotch, which grew thicker with each second.

  He undid them and pushed the rest of his clothes to his ankles. Then promptly swallowed his tongue as he watched her strip down, too. God, she was so damn beautiful. And laughing.

  Why was she laughing?

  “We probably should’ve taken our shoes off first.” She chuckled some more.

  He glanced down at the jeans caught on his boots and joined her. “It’s your fault, showing me those gorgeous curves, clouding my brain with your beauty,” he proclaimed, sitting down to finish stripping naked.

  “Goes both ways, mister.” She stepped out of her sandals before removing the rest of her clothes. “Standing there all proud and at attention, with that sexy damn vee of yours turning me stupid.”

  “Jovy,” he said, rising to his feet and walking to her. “You are many, many things, but stupid is not one of them.” Lifting his hand, he ran a finger down her cheek, throat, and chest, watching her nipple pebble into a tight bud. His mouth watered. “So gorgeous.” He bent down and took the peak in his mouth.

  She moaned and clutched his shoulders, then trembled when he sought her other nipple. “Keep that up and I won’t be able to walk.”

  He smiled and ran his hands down her back to cup her sweet ass. “You don’t need to,” he said against her skin, trailing kisses up to her neck where he lingered, loving the way she wrapped her arms around his back and pressed her glorious curves against him.

  He crushed her closer still and made his way to her mouth, taking long, deep passes with his tongue, over and over, her responding swipes driving him out of his mind. She was hot and responsive, and his. All his.

  Breaking for air, he swept her into his arms and headed for her bedroom, needing to spread her on the bed and take his time. To taste and touch all of her. Love her from head to toe. Watch her burst. Feel her burst around him while he was buried deep inside. Home. His favorite place.

  Home.

  …

  This was different.

  Jovy knew the second Stone set her on the mattress and followed her down, resting on his forearms as he placed soft kisses to her temple, both eyes, nose, and cheek. Something was different. His touch was just as sweet and hot as always, but it was also full of the deep emotions she saw burning in his eyes.

  Her throat heated and closed, and she couldn’t stop the tears from spilling down her face. He kissed them away, too. She loved this man and felt loved. The only thing missing were the words, but she was overwhelmed, unable to speak. She could only show.

  Holding his face, she lifted up to kiss his temple, each eye, nose, and cheek, lingering on his lips, kissing him slow and long, reveling in the deep, sexy sound rumbling from his chest. He pressed her back down and pulled his lips from hers to make a slow pilgrimage over every inch of her body until she vibrated with so much need her body shook. And when he touched her where she ached for him most, it only took a few strokes of his finger to send her over the edge of that beautiful precipice only Stone could create.

  When she came back to herself and blinked the room into focus, he was grabbing a foil packet from the nightstand, his body rigid and hard. Just the way she liked it and loved to touch. So she did. She helped him roll on the condom, stroking his long, hard length, gripping him up and down, until he hissed a breath.

  “I love how you feel surrounding me.” His breathing was ragged, and a light sheen covered his skin, coating his magnificent muscles and hard lines.

  She smiled up at him. “I love how you feel inside me.”

  His gaze turned possessive. Feral. So damn delicious she flopped back down and spread her legs. He sucked in a breath and knelt between them, his hot gaze devouring between her thighs before making a slow sweep up her body, zeroing in on her breasts, making them tighten in anticipation.

  “Stone…” she begged. Didn’t care. She just needed him to touch her. All of her. And she needed to touch all of him, too.

  As if in agreement, he positioned his tip at her opening, then entwined their fingers before slowly shoving in her all the way. Breath funneled into her throat, and she squeezed his hands while her cry of pleasure mingled with his.

  “Always good,” he whispered. “So damn good.” Still holding her hands, he set their entwined fingers on the mattress on either side of her head, his magnificent body pressing into hers, making her toes curl.

  His lips brushed hers, his gaze so close and open he let her see the raw, strong, fierce emotions she felt in his touch. Then he began to move in a slow, sensual stroke that pulled their bodies together in a physical, emotional journey. Hip to hip, chest to chest…heart to open heart.

  Making love with Stone had always been intense and strong, but this time it was more. Special. Exceptional. It was as if he touched not only her heart, but her soul. She felt all of him. It humbled her. Empowered her. Made her feel whole. Strong. Invincible.

  Loved.

  This time it wasn’t playful. They didn’t talk. No need for words. Their bodies took over, communicated everything they felt. She hadn’t realized more tears spilled down her face until he bent to kiss them away. Then he was kissing her. She could taste the salt of her tears on his lips and love in his heart as he tenderly devoured her in a kiss so powerful she shook with need, ever so close to the edge again.

  Drawing back, he stared down at her as he upped the pace, the new angle making her moan. His gaze smoldered and her body was on fire, and when he dipped down to take her nipple in his mouth she cried out, the pleasure bubbling through her too much to keep quiet.

  “Stone,” she breathed.

  He released her nipple
and straightened his arms, gaze locked with hers. “I know. I feel it, too.”

  And when he pulled nearly all the way out, then pushed all the way in to the hilt, filling her so completely, she burst, whispering his name over and over as waves of such intense pleasure racked her body and spurred his own release.

  “Jovy.” He shoved in deep and stilled, those incredible gray eyes watching her as she shattered into a million warm, fuzzy pieces beneath him. With him. In the strongest orgasm of her life.

  She bucked while he thrust over and over at a crazy, frenetic pace that drew out the pleasure until they were too tired, too spent to move. He fell on top of her, but didn’t crush her, his breath hitting her neck in warm spurts. After several quiet, content minutes, he kissed her jaw, then pulled out.

  “Be right back,” he said before disappearing into the bathroom.

  She smiled and enjoyed a long, lazy stretch. That was the most incredible experience in her life. She couldn’t wait to do it again.

  He returned to pull her against him as he sprawled on his back, kissing the top of her head.

  “I’ve never been more boneless and satisfied in my life.” She sighed, running her fingers down his ripped abs, brushing her thumb over the sexy dusting of hair trailing south.

  Laughter rumbled in his chest, under her ear. “Me, too. I lost my vision for a few moments.”

  Satisfaction of a different kind warmed her body, knowing she had that type of effect on such a virile man.

  He rubbed a hand up and down her arm. “My damn ears are still ringing.”

  “Mine, too.” She laughed, lifting up to stare at him, then realized the sound was coming from the other room. “Oh, wait…I think that’s somebody’s phone.”

  He stiffened, and the smile disappeared from his face. “Shit. Not again.” He pushed her away, rolled off the bed, and rushed into the kitchen.

  Jovy followed, heart hammering at his serious expression. She’d never seen him so upset. So angry at himself.

  “Something must be wrong for Leo’s mother to leave me a message,” he muttered, putting the phone to his ear. Then what little color he had drained from his face. He closed his eyes and cursed. “Can’t believe I did it again.” His eyes snapped open, and as he slapped the phone on the table to yank the shirt over his head, his jaw clenched so tight it cracked.

  “What is it? What’s happened?” She stepped closer, chest tight with worry.

  Muttering another curse, he jerked the rest of his clothes on. “Leo’s missing.” He dropped onto the chair to jam his feet into his socks and boots.

  “I thought he was with his family.”

  “So did I, but apparently his mother hasn’t seen him since his grandmother’s birthday.” He stood and stared at her through a gaze so closed off she shivered. “I should’ve checked up on him. Been there for him. Jesus, if he…” Stone thrust a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “I can’t deal with this right now. I’ve got to go.”

  She set her hand on his arm. “I’ll go with you.”

  “No,” he ground out, yanking from her grasp. “It’s my mess, and I need to fix it. Without distractions.”

  She was a…distraction? Confusion clouded her mind and slowed her reactions, which was evident when he strode across the room, and a heartbeat later, she was alone.

  Chapter Twenty

  Leo was still missing.

  Last night, when Stone had rushed to the ranch to coordinate with the men and form a search party, all he kept thinking was he’d fucked up again. An invisible fist had rammed down his throat, through his tight chest, to twist his gut without mercy…and still remained.

  How many damn times was he going to fail Leo before his buddy ended up dead?

  “Go home, Stone. Get some rest,” Cord ordered, that damn Irish concern of his blatant in the grooves deepening around his eyes as they stood outside McGregor Feed late the next morning.

  “I’m fine,” he insisted, stifling a yawn. All he needed was another pot of coffee. Or two. Unfortunately, just because his friend was missing, it didn’t mean the world stopped. “Foxtrot has responsibilities.”

  One of the hardest things he’d ever done was to stop searching for Leo in order to go to work a few hours ago. At least Brick and some of the men were still out looking.

  “Yeah, and we’re upholding those responsibilities.”

  His buddy was right. They had crews at the Hastings job site and here. Foxtrot was meeting its obligations, and so was their bank account, thanks to the check from Jovy he deposited that morning.

  “The men are fine. You trained them well, but I knew you’d give me shit about leaving, so that’s why I’m here. I’ll stay and supervise.”

  Stone straightened, some of the fatigue evaporating from his body. If Cord stayed, that freed him up to get back to the search.

  “No. Go the hell home and get some sleep,” Cord growled as if reading Stone’s mind. “You’ve been up over thirty-one hours. This discussion is not open for debate. You can rejoin the search tonight.”

  Stone blew out a breath, truthfully too exhausted to argue with the stubborn guy. “Fine. I’m going.” He climbed into his truck and let go of the yawn he’d been fighting. Maybe two hours of shut-eye wasn’t such a bad idea.

  But first, he had to see Jovy.

  He wasn’t happy with the way he’d left things with her last night. Especially after the incredible time he’d spent in her arms. He owed the sweet woman an apology. In person. So he drove the short distance to the restaurant and parked behind the building, determined to make things right.

  Dragging in several deep breaths, he pushed aside his fatigue and strode through the back door into the building. He hated the feeling of life spiraling out of control. At least this was one mistake he could fix.

  He entered the restaurant and nodded to Cece, who was pouring a customer coffee at the counter. “Is Jovy here?”

  “Yes, she’s in the office in back.” Concern warmed the woman’s eyes as she stepped toward him. “Any luck finding Leo?”

  The tightness in his chest increased, along with the urge to yell, so he shook his head and continued into the kitchen where a very pregnant Leslie stopped chopping vegetables to glance up at him. He nodded but didn’t stop or speak, needing to escape the sympathy in her eyes, too. These women were killing him. He didn’t deserve their compassion, and if he hadn’t needed to fix things with Jovy, he would’ve turned around and hightailed his unworthy ass out of there.

  Just the sound of her voice as she spoke to Blanche in the adjoining office calmed some of his internal rage. Damn, he hadn’t realized how much he needed to see the woman. Touch the woman, just be near the woman he loved. Already, the stiffness in his shoulders and back started to dissipate as he neared the open office door around the corner.

  “Does your grandfather know about the money you gave to At-Ease?” Blanche asked, stopping Stone in his tracks.

  The stiffness returned in a heartbeat that rocked in his chest.

  “Not yet. But he’ll see it recorded in the books I turn in on Saturday.”

  “Do you think he’ll take your lack of profits into account when he picks his successor?”

  His successor?

  Fuck.

  The tightness in Stone’s chest increased tenfold. He marched the last three feet to stand in the doorway. “You’re here to prove you can take over Larson Industries?”

  “Stone!” Jovy’s face lit up as she jumped to her feet and rushed forward to hug him tight. “I was worried about you.”

  Blanche bounced her gaze between them. “I’m going to go help Leslie,” she said on her way out the door.

  He grasped Jovy’s arms and drew her back. “Answer me. Were you here to prove to your grandfather that you could run the company?”

  “I…” She blinked, and her face paled before his eyes. “Sort of.”

  Son of a bitch!

  He released her to thrust a hand through his hair and tried to dr
ag air into his lungs with little success. His chest was crushed under the weight of her admittance. Dammit. He had to get out of there. The walls in the small office were closing in. Fast.

  Unable and unwilling to talk, he twisted around and strode from the room, retracing his steps in need of fresh air.

  “Stone…wait,” she called, following him through the restaurant all the way outside. “Please, listen to me.”

  Halting in front of his truck, he turned to face her. “What for, Jovy? You lost because of me.” The money she gave him was already half spent on materials he’d ordered that morning. There was no way he could get it back into her account by the weekend. “You threw away your damn dream because of me.”

  He was so pissed at himself he could spit nails.

  “Bullshit.” She straightened her spine and jammed her hands on her hips. “You listen to me, you stubborn fool. I didn’t lose anything, but I gained a whole hell of a lot.” Warm fingers curled around his arm, her touch as soft as her gaze. “Don’t you get it, Stone? I love you.”

  Three words that should’ve made him the happiest guy in the world caused the opposite effect, adding to his numerous burdens. One more person to let down. Once again, her admittance crushed his chest.

  He shook her off and turned a blind eye to the pain etched in her face. “Then stop. I’m not worth it. I’ll only bring you down.”

  “No. That’s not true.” She stepped toward him, and with her mouth open and gaze blazing, she no doubt had more to say, but his phone rang.

  He pulled the cell from his pocket and stared at the caller ID. “It’s Brick.” Everything inside him seized tight as he answered.

  “Found Leo,” his brother stated. “He’s in the VA hospital in Dallas.”

  Stone’s mind grasped the fact that his brother hadn’t used the D word, and that Jovy hovered nearby, concern clouding her gaze. He glanced down at his boots. “Is he all right?”

  “I don’t know. They wouldn’t tell me. I called his mom. She wants me to pick her up on the way.”