by Somer Hayes
“It’s okay, I’m awake.”
“I’m sorry if I woke you,” she whispered, her breath tickling my chest.
“It’s stopped storming. Do you want me to go?”
“No, please stay.”
Then without warning, she reached up and kissed me. Her tongue darted into my mouth, and she climbed on top of me, straddling my waist. I was a goner. I reached for her face and claimed her mouth as my own. Then I was touching her, running my hands down her back, her legs, and squeezing her perfect ass.
She broke our kiss long enough to sit up and pull her shirt over her head. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and I reached up greedily to cup her breasts. Her skin was so soft, her flesh filling my palms perfectly. I sat up so I could take one perfect pink tip into my mouth and then the other. She threw her head back and moaned, driving me wild.
I flipped her onto her back and kissed her deeply. Her hands roamed my chest and arms, over the planes of my back, and down to the waistband of my boxers. She paused for a moment, and then her hands dipped below them and pushed them to my knees.
I hissed in her ear when her hands found my shaft and began rubbing me slowly, softly. I dipped my hand into her pants and almost came when I found her wetness there. I delved into her supple skin, caressing, exploring. When I had her whimpering, I ripped her pants from her body and covered her with mine.
“If you want me to stop, you need to tell me now.” Even as I said it, I wasn’t sure I could.
“Don’t stop,” was her breathy reply.
I pinned her to the bed, kissed her deeply, and let my head find her entrance. I pushed forward gently, slowly, gritting my teeth as her tight sheath accepted me inch by inch. When I was buried deep inside, she cried out. Her sexy whimpers lit a fire within me, and I lost all conscious thought. My body took over, thrusting into her depths. She wrapped her legs around my waist and met my rhythm.
“Come for me,” I growled in her ear. “Come for me right now.”
She cried out at my demand, and I felt her spasms grip me claiming my own release.
“God, Hannah,” I grit out, shocked at the strength of my climax. “You are amazing.”
She covered her face with her hands and shook. Was she crying? Panicked, I pulled her hands away and felt relief swell when I realized she was laughing at me. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
I laughed with her loving the light in her eyes. God, she was incredible. “Where did that come from?”
“Honestly, I’ve been trying not to touch you all night.”
“That makes two of us,” I told her and rolled over, so she was draped over me. She propped herself up on her elbows and kissed my chin, my nose, my forehead.
“What will I do with you now?” she asked.
“Well, my initial thought is… whatever you want.” I winked. She grinned.
I felt happy for the first time in a long time.
16
Hannah
Whatever I want…
Tripp’s words bounced around in my head that morning as I prepared breakfast for what I assumed would be extra hungry cowboys since they’d been left to fend for themselves the night before.
He’d woken up with the sun after making love to me for a second time only much slower and sweeter. He had kissed my lips and whispered that he’d be back in time for breakfast but didn’t want any of the guys to see him there. “The dummies gossip worse than a knitting group at church,” he’d told me with a wink.
I’d complimented his butt on the way out, and he wiggled it adorably in my direction. “At your disposal.”
I smiled to myself, loving his sense of humor, his need to protect not just me but my reputation, and the way my body felt so deliciously sore. My eyes flew to the door each time it opened, disappointed every time it wasn’t Tripp.
“Here’s some freshly made biscuits, boys,” I said and delivered them with an assortment of jams. I caught the looks of disappointment and laughed. “Just kidding. I made gravy, too.”
A round of cheers rang throughout the room, and I shook my head.
“What’s all this?” A deep voice asked from behind me sending shivers down my spine. I spun and faced Tripp in all his recently showered glory.
“They’re just excited for my fresh biscuits and gravy.”
He leaned into my ear. “I hope you’ll let me sample your biscuits again later.” He straightened and winked, a devilish grin claiming his face.
I smacked him with my towel. “Go on and sit down now. I need to plate the bacon and sausage.”
“Thank God,” he replied loudly. “A man needs his strength around here.”
I ducked into the kitchen to hide my blush.
“So what’s the damage, boys?” I heard Tripp ask the group.
Voices piped in with such upsetting things as “totally washed away,” “lost several heads of cattle,” and “damage to the barns and fences.”
I put the plate of breakfast meats on the table and rested my hands on my hips as I listened to the list of damage the ranch sustained. I could see the weight of their words weighing on Tripp, and I wanted nothing more than to go to him and wrap my arms around his neck. I wanted to tell him it would be okay. I wanted to offer to help.
But instead, I grabbed the coffee pot and gave refills all around, brushing my fingers across Tripp’s shoulders as I did. He caught my eye and gave me a slight nod, all the humor and levity gone from his eyes.
I heard a phone ring and saw Tripp dig into his pocket. He looked at the screen and muttered a curse before answering. “Yeah?” As the caller delivered whatever news they had, Tripp’s face fell further and further until he was squeezing the bridge of his nose. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
He shoved away from the table. “Okay, boys, we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. Some of our oil rigs to the north took some pretty heavy damage, so I’m headed out. I’ll do what I can to get some temporary workers up here to help with the cleanup and repairs.”
The men stood and began clearing their plates. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it today,” I said.
Tripp stopped by me on his way to the door and slipped a key in my hand. “Use my truck until you can get your Jeep replaced.”
I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet and was touched that he had.
“I’ll call you,” he said, then squeezed my arm.
“I’ll be sure to have lots of food on hand for you guys while you’re working through the cleanup,” I called as they began to file out.
That day before I headed to the bakery, I rounded up all the leftovers and put them in the fridge. Then I made a bunch of sandwiches and two kinds of soups for lunch. I even had some freshly baked bread on hand. That should keep them filled until dinner. Then I cleaned up the kitchen and headed into town.
Tripp’s truck was big but surprisingly easy to drive. As I made my way toward the main house, I couldn’t believe how different the landscape looked. It seemed as though everything had been moved and left to lie in a new home. I couldn’t imagine what the buildings must look like. I was pleased to see that the main house seemed mostly intact as I went by. Their perfectly manicured landscaping had taken quite a beating, but the house seemed okay.
The story was the same on the way to town. Power lines were down, trees lay scattered, and parts of roofs were missing. I prayed for everyone’s damage but also that the bakery had sustained the storm. I couldn’t afford another setback.
I parked in the alley behind the building and let myself in. I flipped the light switch, and the bakery came to life. Relieved, I set my things down and went straight to work. I didn’t have any deliveries that day, so I just needed to replenish my supply for the front of the store. Sweet Beth offered to volunteer to watch the place when I couldn’t be there, so she’d be arriving shortly, and I’d have plenty of time to make a big meal for the Maverick hands tonight.
I wouldn’t be much help with all their hard work ahead, but I had every intention of ma
king sure they were well fed.
17
Tripp
“Dad, are you listening?”
“Yes, hire temps. I’ve got it.”
He didn’t seem like he had it slumped in the couch the way he was.
“Repeat it to me.”
His eyes moved to mine. “What did you say, boy?”
“You heard me. I’m taking care of everything else. I need to know you’ve got this covered.”
He stood and moved to face me. “I made this place what it is. I don’t answer to you.”
I was under too much pressure and in too big of a hurry to deal with an ego right then. “You do now because you put me in this position. You want to put your glass down and get back to running things? Be my guest. I’d like nothing more. But until that time comes, someone has to keep things moving, and lucky me… it’s me. Now repeat.”
He clenched his jaw but did as requested. “Livestock and barns take priority. All hands on deck for those. Call our human resources firm about getting some temporary labor to clean up the rest of the mess and make repairs.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow night at the latest. I expect it to be handled by then.”
“I don’t think I like your attitude,” he told me.
“Yeah, well. I don’t like yours either,” I retorted and jammed my hat on my head. Then I stomped through the house, out the back door, across the stone patio to the open meadow behind where a helicopter waited patiently. It wasn’t my preferred method of travel, but I needed to get to our north border quickly, and I was already anxious to come home.
I hated leaving my ranch for any reason, but especially when she was in such a mess. It should be me lovingly repairing her, not worrying about stupid oil rigs in the-middle-of-nowhere Montana.
But if I was honest with myself, there was an even bigger reason I didn’t want to go.
Hannah.
Last night had been one of the most incredible of my entire life. She was cute and sexy, fun and flirty, smart and sassy. A deadly combination, and I worried I was already a goner. Selfishly, I’d wanted to bring her with me on this trip. I had a feeling she could make anything feel lighter, less stressful. But I knew she had her bakery to run, and I also knew she’d be working extra hard at the bunkhouse keeping everyone fed for the long days ahead.
How had I let this happen? The last thing I needed was a distraction, and she was already consuming most of my thoughts. I wanted to get to work as soon as possible, so I could turn right back around to get back to Hannah.
Determined to make this trip as short as possible, I loaded myself into the chopper and gave the pilot a thumbs-up.
Though I always felt like a yuppie brat taking the family helicopter out, even I couldn’t deny it provided the most breathtaking views of my Rocky Mountains. Their beauty, of course, brought Hannah to mind. I wondered if she’d ever had an opportunity to see her home state from this angle. I doubted it and thought I should take her up sometime.
Dammit, there it was again.
Distraction.
I had to get this under control before it took over my entire life. The goal was to get back to my ranch full-time. I had to stay focused on what was important. I repeated it to myself like a mantra.
Focus.
18
Hannah
Focus, I repeated to myself for the millionth time that day. I had a business to run and a second job keeping me afloat. I could not afford to be distracted by thoughts of Tripp all day. And yet, unbidden images of his face, his back, and his arms kept intruding into my mind.
There was no denying I was attracted to him, or that I may have accidentally developed feelings for him, but I couldn’t let that take away from the one thing that mattered most to me. The only thing I’d ever wanted. My bakery.
I kneaded the dough on the counter a little harder than necessary, but if I didn’t somehow work out all this nervous energy, I was afraid I’d scream. I was pulling double duty so I could fill my inventory at the bakery, but also take some good, filling carbs back to the bunkhouse so the guys could stop in whenever they needed to.
I glanced up at the clock and cursed. I pulled my phone out to text Beth.
Hannah: I need to get back to Mavericks. Can you be here from three to five today?
Beth: You bet! I’m bored anyway. Being a housewife is overrated.
Hannah: You’re a lifesaver. I’ve got some loaves of bread in the oven. Just pull them out when the timer goes off and place them in the baskets up front when they’ve cooled. You know how to lock up. I’ll call you later. Love you!
Beth: Love you, too.
I hadn’t told Beth about what had happened between Tripp and me yet. Everything had happened so fast, and my feelings for him were too confusing. I told myself I would tell her once everything had calmed down a little, and I’d had some time to think. But for now, I needed to make sure I had dinner, and lots of it, ready at the bunkhouse.
I went out the back door and locked up behind me. Then I went to Tripp’s truck and hopped in. His scent hung in the air, and an unfamiliar ache rose in my chest. I realized with a start that this must be what it feels like to miss someone.
Beth was probably the only person in the world I cared about enough to miss, but she was never far from me. Now I cared about another person, and he had to go away. This hollow ache was for him.
I lowered my forehead to the steering wheel and pulled in several deep breaths. Emotions like the ones Tripp elicited in me were entirely new, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t manage them. Just keep everything in perspective, and I’d be okay.
I squared my shoulders, put the truck in drive, and headed to the Maverick Ranch all the while trying not to dwell on the fact that Tripp wouldn’t be there.
No one was at the bunkhouse when I arrived, and I was glad for that. I had a lot of work to do. I let myself in the back door and was met with the smell of the six cuts of roast I had put in the ovens. I set the basket of freshly baked loaves of bread on the counter and went to check on the roasts. They had another couple of hours to cook, so I got busy cutting up carrots, onions, and potatoes to add to their pots. Then I went to the stove to start on creamed corn and green beans. As an extra treat, I’d made cobbler earlier. I decided I could wait to warm those and make coffee while they were eating dinner.
I was just beginning to pull everything out of the ovens when the first few men started trickling in.
“Need any help with that, ma’am?”
“Not at all. Please, go sit down. I’ll have everything out in just a minute.”
Their weary, muddy forms moved to the dining room, and I couldn’t help but notice how tired they looked.
“How bad is it?” I asked.
“Bad. Nothing we can’t get fixed, but it’s still bad.”
“Is there anything I can do, you think?”
“I think keeping all these bellies full is plenty.”
I smiled. “That much I can do. Here, get started on some bread and butter.” I pulled each dish out of the ovens and delivered them to the tables. Typically, they’d all arrive at or before six o’clock, but that night it was a full hour before everyone got in and fed. I kept the food warm, offered dessert, and poured endless mugs of coffee.
When the last cowboy had left to go back to work, I started cleaning the kitchen, not a light task after all that. But still, I was glad to stay busy and feel useful.
An hour later, I had the pots and pans scrubbed and both dishwashers packed to the brim and whirring softly. I was glad I’d thought to bring muffins, scones, and donuts for the earliest breakfast arrivals, so I didn’t feel like I had to bake that night.
Rolling my neck on my shoulders, I went to my quarters and closed the door quietly behind me. I peeled off my flour-covered clothes and tossed them in the hamper. Then I went to the tub and turned the knobs until the water was flowing at just the right temperature. This luxury wasn’t one I would squander while I stayed here.
I pulled my hair on top of my head, sank down into the warm water, closed my eyes, and breathed deeply. I hadn’t been there long when I heard my cell phone buzz. Probably Beth with an update on the bakery. I let out a little pout and considered letting it go to voicemail, but my conscience got the best of me. She was working for me for free. The least I could do was pick up the phone when she called.
I sat up and reached for the phone on the counter, and when I saw the name on the display, my heart leaped into my throat.
Tripp.
I pushed the green button. “Hey, how are you?”
“Tired, grumpy, and craving a cup of your coffee.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll have a whole pot waiting for you when you get back.”
“Sounds good. How’s everything going there?”
“Okay. Everyone is clearly exhausted, but they’re trudging along.”
“They’re good men. Dad said our hiring firm should have several more hands on their way by tomorrow. How are you holding up?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Happy to be here and feel like I’m helping in some small way.”
“You’re helping more than you know. I’m getting reports of the best meal some of them have ever eaten.”
“They’re sweet.”
“They’re actually not.”
I laughed. “Enough about me. How’s it going with you?”
I heard a muffled sound over the phone, and I could picture him dragging a hand down his face. “We took a beating up here, but so did everyone else. Looks like turnaround on getting crews here to fix the rigs might take longer than I’d like.”
My heart sank. “Does that mean you’ll be staying longer?”
“I hope not. I’ve got my foreman working on bribing some of the locals to get us back up and running before anyone else. Heh. So I’m still planning to be back by tomorrow evening.”
