Roped Into Love: A Cowboy Romance (Kennison Ranch Book 1)

by Elisa Leigh

  My eyes brim with tears, but I hold them back. He’s right. This is a time to be strong, and I can do this. “For the recipe?” I ask, trying to make light of this heavy situation.

  “Fuck the recipe. I’m here for you.” He says, and I hear every single honest tone flowing through that statement.

  He leans in close and just when I think he’s going to kiss me and my heart pitter patters at the absolute wrong time to be wanting a kiss from a man, he kisses me on my forehead. I’m disappointed, but I get it.

  “Come on. Let’s find out what the damage is.”

  Leland helps me out of his truck and then walks beside me, holding my hand.

  “Jesus Abby. When the tones came down, and they said your address I about had a heart attack.” Chief Warren exclaims as soon as he sees me walking up. I see the look he gives Leland after looking between us and at our clasped hands. When I think he’s going to pull away from me, he holds on tighter.

  “Chief.” He says and nods at the older man.

  Six

  Leland

  “Mr. Kennison. I didn’t realize you knew Ms. Ryland.”

  My back stiffens, not liking the tone in his voice and the way the fire chief is looking at me. I know I’m not the most well-liked man around town, but I wouldn’t say I’m thought of poorly.

  “We recently connected over our shared love for sweets,” I say in the nicest way I can.

  “Chief Warren, what’s going on?” My beauty asks.

  He sighs, and I know whatever he has to say we aren’t going to like. “There was a fire in your apartment Abby. We don’t know much yet, we just got it out a few minutes ago. From what we can tell from initial observations is that it started in the kitchen.” He tells us, slowly walking in the direction of the house.

  “Is the damage only to the kitchen or-” She gasps as Warren moves to the side and we see what’s left of her home for the first time. Clapping her hand over her mouth, she sobs. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her into my side. “There’s nothing left.”

  “I’m so sorry Abby. We tried to put the fire out as fast as we could, but it went fast.”

  Sniffling, Abigail dries her cheeks with the palms of her hands and takes a deep breath. “Is Mrs. Scott okay?” She asks in a shaky voice.

  “She is the one who called it in. She went outside to put the garbage out and saw the smoke coming from the windows of your apartment. The fire was contained to the garage and upper apartment, so her house is safe.”

  “Is there anything you need from Abigail at this time Chief?”

  He shakes his head. “We are going to be here for a few more hours working on containing any hot spots. When the final report is filed, I’ll get you a copy, so you can send it off to your insurance.”

  “Okay, thank you, Chief Warren. Do you think I will be able to go in there to see if anything is worth salvaging?”

  “I will call you tomorrow to let you know when one of my men can meet you out there to do a walkthrough. Don’t go in on your own, it won’t be safe.”

  “I understand. Thank you.”

  “Hell Abby, you don’t have to thank me. This is my job. I’m only sorry we didn’t get to it sooner.”

  Someone calls for the Chief. He says his goodbyes to us and walks away. “Come on Beautiful. It’s late, we can worry about all of this in the morning.” I say, turning and walking us back to my truck.

  “Can you drop me off at Hal’s?”

  I stop short, knowing there’s no way in hell I’m allowing her to sleep anywhere but under my roof.

  “What for?” I hedge.

  “Never mind, I’ll need my car. I’ll get my car when I get back to your house.”

  “Hold on Abigail.” I turn on her and grasp her shoulders. “What are you talking about?”

  “I need somewhere to sleep since I won’t be sleeping in my bed. I figured I would just sleep on Layla’s couch until I can get this all sorted out.”

  “I have plenty of available bedrooms at the ranch, why don’t you stay with me?”

  “Leland, I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I couldn’t do that to you.”

  I think quickly, trying to figure out what I need to say to get her to stay with me. “How big is Layla’s kitchen? Does she have the things you need to keep up with your orders?”

  Abigail folds her arms in front of her chest and quirks her head to the side looking at me. “You’re going to let me bake in your kitchen?”

  “It’s fully stocked with food and kitchen equipment. I couldn’t tell you what is in there, but Donna will be able to help you out when she comes in tomorrow morning. Once we figure out what I don’t have, you can put a list together, and we’ll pick up what you need to get started again.”

  “Why are you being so nice to me Leland? What is this about?” It upsets me that she thinks I want something in return, but I know I haven’t given her a reason to trust me yet.

  “Abigail, you are the first person to enter my orbit that I care anything about. I know I screwed it up a week ago, but hell I’ve been trying to make up for it ever since.”

  “And the recipe?” She asks, biting her lip trying to hold back her smile.

  “Jesus woman, I don’t even want the recipe. As long as you don’t stop making those rolls we’re good.”

  When she starts giggling something breaks loose inside me. This woman is mine, all mine. “I’m taking you home,” I say before picking her up in my arms. Her arms go around my neck automatically. I carry her back to my truck bridal style. Once there I buckle her in. I stop and send a text before getting into the truck to drive us home. I turn on a Country station and listen to the soft melodies being sung. By the time we make it back to my ranch, she is snoring softly in the seat next to me. My heart hurts for her and everything she has lost. Not just tonight, but what life keeps raining down on her.

  “Abigail, we’re here. It’s time to wake up.” I whisper, gently rubbing her cheek. After a couple tries, she final stretches awake and smiles over at me with a sleepy look on her face. I’ve never seen her look this unguarded around me, and I promise myself to keep her this comfortable with me for the rest of her life.

  I walk Abigail to the room I had Donna prepare for her while we were on our way home. Makes it convenient to have her rent one of the cabins I have on the property for the farmhands, she’s always here whenever I need her. “I hope this room is all right. I picked it because it’s the only other room that has its own bathroom. If there’s anything you need, please let me know. My room is right there.” I say pointing across the hall. She yawns and nods her head as I’m talking. “Everything you need should be in the cabinet or under the sink in your bathroom. I’ll bring you something to sleep in.”

  “I really don’t know how to thank you, Leland. All of this is too much.”

  I nod and make a swift exit to lock up. If I stayed any longer, I might not have been able to hold back from making her mine. Abigail is making my willpower I pride myself on, go straight out the window. There’s nothing I want nothing more than to strip her out of her clothes and see how beautiful her body really is.

  When the house is closed down for the night, I walk back to my room passing Abigail’s closed door. I can hear the shower and the faint sounds of her singing. I reach for the door handle and turn the knob, if only just to hear her voice better. I smell my shampoo in the air, and it makes me hard instantly, knowing it’s my scent she’s lathering her body with. I must be a caveman to want everyone to know she’s mine. Smiling, I listen to her finish her song about what she would do “For A Boy.” When the song ends I let myself out of her room, making sure to close the door as if I were never there.

  Walking into my room, I leave the door open, secretly hoping she walks in for her clothes and sees me changing. Shamelessly, I pull my shirt over my head and slowly undress. I grab a pair of sleep pants and pull them over my aching dick, this is more than I usually sleep in. I find a t-shirt and a pair of boxers and wal
k back to Abigail's room. Knocking, I’m surprised when she answers wrapped in a towel. Her hair is combed but is dripping over her shoulders. I watch as a drop of water travels down her chest and between her large tits. Wetting my bottom lip with my tongue, I bite my cheek and continue to stare, my give a fuck gone for the night.

  Abigail clears her throat, and I blush, embarrassed for staring so blatantly and hoping I didn’t piss her off. “Are those for me?” She asks.

  I hand her the clothes and get a good look at her face, memorizing every curve and dimple. I push her into the room and up against the nearest wall. Grabbing the clothes, I just gave her, I toss them on the bed and grab her wrists. Raising them above her head, I clasp her wrists in one of my hands. I’m working on instinct, not knowing what I should do next. That’s a lie, I shouldn’t even be in here right now. I should be leaving her alone, at least for tonight, but I can’t.

  “I can’t stay away from you Abigail. Ever since I met you, you’re all I can think about. I toss and turn each night replaying our first day together pissed that I fucked it up. Then wake up early to beat you to Hal’s hoping you’ll give me another shot at showing you that I can be a better man.” I lean down and kiss her nose, then her cheeks, her forehead, and her chin.

  “The world is giving me this chance with you, and I’m not going to mess up this time.” I skim my nose up her neck and into her hair. “You smell like me,” I say gruffly, sucking her earlobe into my mouth and nipping it before licking a path down her neck. “And you taste even better.”

  She moans and writhes her sexy body against mine. I give in to temptation and grip her waist in my hand, her hard nipples pressing against my chest. I step even closer to her, rubbing my hard length against her soft belly. The towel she was wearing lying on the floor by our feet. She’s pressed against me, naked, the only thing keeping me from taking her is my threadbare sleep pants that are wet with my precum. “Are you a good girl Abigail?”

  She moans and nods her head, but it’s not enough. I need her words. “Did you save yourself for me like I did for you?” I’m sure she wasn’t expecting me to say that, hell I had no intention of ever mentioning it to anyone.

  Her eyes go wide, and she bites her lip, staring up into my eyes. “I’m a v...v... virgin.” She stutters. “There’s never been, anyone.”

  I kiss up her neck, sucking and leaving nibbles, that people will be able to see if they look hard enough. “That’s right Beautiful. I will be your only one, and the same goes for me. There’s only ever going to be one woman I give myself to, and she will be my wife. Do you understand what I’m saying to you, Abigail?”

  “Leland, we just met. It’s too soon to know. This is too fast-” She manages to get out before I kiss her soundly. I kiss her again, and this time I lick the seam of her lips until she opens for me. I kiss her slowly, owning her with every swipe of my tongue against hers. I pull back and place one last kiss against her lips. “It’s not too fast if you know, and I’ve known for a week now. To me, it’s been way too fucking slow.”

  I wait for her to agree, to say something, maybe tell me I am crazy for wanting her so bad this soon. Her eyes snap to mine, and I see it the moment the walls crumble to the ground. “Okay.” She whispers.

  That one word is everything I needed to hear. I release her wrists, and she lets them fall to my shoulders. “You need some sleep Beautiful, you’ve had a long fucking day. Get into bed, and I’ll tuck you in.”

  She fidgets and finally whispers, “Leland, I’m naked.” Her modesty coming back in full force.

  I chuckle before closing my eyes and turning around, giving her time to get dressed. When I hear her get into bed, I turn around to find her lying there with the blanket pulled up to her waist. I walk over and drop a kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight Beautiful.”

  “Goodnight Leland.” She whispers as I turn out the light and walk out her door. I leave our doors open, just in case.

  Seven

  Abigail

  The sun is shining onto my face, and I sit up in bed, worried I overslept and didn’t get my orders in today. Then I remember how I went to sleep last night and a big smile spreads across my face. All of it seems like a fairy tale, well a naughty fairy tale with a sexy cowboy prince. I giggle and roll over, pressing my face against my pillow so no one will hear me. I can’t believe I let him touch me like that. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. It seems so wrong, but it doesn’t feel that way. It feels right, more right than anything ever has. Why the heck shouldn’t I see where things go with Leland? My gut tells me he’s genuine, that he won’t ever hurt me.

  Then I remember why I am really here, and my heart sinks. I feel horrible knowing I inadvertently caused damage to Mrs. Scott’s property. What I don’t get is how it happened. I was gone all day. If I left the stove on because that is the only thing I can think of that would have caused the fire, wouldn’t it have started sooner? Why did it take so long to ignite?

  I get out of bed and make it immediately, not wanting to seem like a slob. When I’m done, I go into the bathroom to brush my teeth and find more toiletries that are made for a woman, like deodorant and lotion, even some perfume and makeup. Once I’m ready, I go to change into my clothes from yesterday and find that they aren’t there. Before I panic, I see a bag on the dresser that wasn’t there last night from one of the boutiques in town. I sit down on the bed and pull out items wrapped in lavender scented tissue paper. The first item is a pair of white lacy panties and a bra that matches, both in my size. Next, I pull out a beautiful summer dress.

  I put on the panty set and pull the dress over my head. I don’t know if I’ve ever worn something that feels this soft and looks so pretty. I’ll need to make sure to thank Leland and pay him back as soon as I’m on my feet again. Before walking out the door, I find two boxes, one much bigger than the other. The smaller box has a pair of strappy sandals that I could see myself wearing with anything. When I open the larger box, I squeal in excitement. In the box is a pair of Justin Cowboy boots with teal stitching. Oh, my goodness, I’ve wanted a pair of Justin’s forever, I’ve just never had the money to spend on them. I put on the thin pair of socks that are in the box before I slide first one and then the other foot into these beautiful boots and stand up.

  I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. Seriously, that’s the only way to explain how good I feel right now. It’s nice for someone to take care of me when for so long I took care of myself. These gestures mean the world to me. I’m done giving Leland the cold shoulder. He’s proved he’s interested in more than what he can get from me. I feel foolish now for the way I have treated him this past week.

  Walking out, I glance into his room and find his bed made. It stinks he’s not in there, but I wouldn’t expect him to be. He’s probably been up for hours working his ranch. The fact that he even thought of me when he had so many other things to do makes his gesture even sweeter. I need to say thank you, and I know exactly how I am going to do that.

  When I get to the kitchen, I see a woman sipping a cup of what I hope is coffee and reading the newspaper. She’s looks to be a few years older than me and is very beautiful, this must be Donna.

  “Good morning,” I say, stopping in front of the woman and holding out my hand.

  “You must be the woman giving Mr. Kennison a hard time this past week.” She says looking over her cup at me, leaving my hand hanging.

  “Uhh… I guess.” I say lowering my hand and shrugging one of my shoulders.

  She bursts out laughing and sets her cup and newspaper on the table. Standing, she walks over to me and wraps me in a big hug. You know the kind that makes you melt into whoever's arms you’re in. The type of embrace full of comfort and has you hugging them back. “I was just giving you a hard time Abigail.” She says when she releases me.

  “My friends call me Abby.”

  “Abby it is then. I’m Donna.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. Do you have any coffee left?” I ask, eyeing her cup.
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  She smiles wide, and I know that Donna and I are going to be great friends. There’s just something about her that draws me in.

  “You betcha. You need cream or sugar?” She asks while pouring me a cup.

  “Do you have creamer?” Hoping beyond hope, there’s some Italian Sweet Cream in that fridge Donna’s standing next to.

  “Only what I drink.” She pulls out a large bottle of the good stuff and shakes it at me.

  I nod eagerly. “You are an angel.”

  She laughs again. “Don’t go saying that too loudly around here. I have an image to keep up.”

  I pull my fingers across my lips in a zipper motion then lock it and throw away the key.

  “You are too much. No wonder that man is crazy about you. You know he had me at the shops this morning before they opened to get you these clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind. All I’m saying is, he’s not going to let you go too easy, so if you’re not sure about him, let him know now, so it’s easier. The longer you give him hope, the harder he’s going to take it.”

  There’s something about the way she’s looking at me that makes me think she has experience with this. I grab her hands in mine and squeeze. “As long as he’s the man he’s proving himself to be, I am never leaving.” When she smiles, I know everything is going to be okay. “I wanted to do something nice for him. Do you think you could help me out?”

  Eight

  Leland

  I didn’t get much sleep last night knowing my sweet Abigail was right next door. I might have been hard as rock, but I refused to rub one out and waste my cum that is meant only for her. I’ve been dying to go in and check on Abigail all morning, but I have held back, barely. The only thing that has kept me working was the promise Donna made to me before I went to work. She promised she would call if Abigail left. I can deal with a lot, but it would kill me if she were to leave.

  Walking into the mudroom, I’m hit with the smell of cinnamon and butter. I know that scent, know exactly what it belongs to. I quickly take off my cowboy hat, hanging it on the hook, and wash up before walking into my kitchen. Abigail has her back to me and is swaying her hips and singing along to whatever song is on the radio while frosting my cinnamon rolls.