She wanted this. She needed this. And the necessity of her desire had become essential, a crucial desperation. There was nothing trivial about the way she was feeling and when she suddenly felt herself tumbling headlong into an abyss of sensations that had her screaming his name, she shuddered straight into a climax that rocked her world. And when he finally let go of her mouth to throw his head back and let out a guttural growl, she was thrown off the edge all over again and together they went skyrocketing into another mind-blowing orgasm.
He tightened his hold on her, gripped more securely to her hips and locked their bodies into a bond of sensual fulfillment. She felt him totally and completely, and there was no part of her left untouched. Unconsumed. Not taken.
And when he leaned up to take her mouth again, she was very much aware of one major thing. He was breaking through her barriers and making her feel things that were emotional as well as physical. She had never intended for such a thing to happen. But it had, and as he continued to kiss her in a way that she felt all the way to her toes, he had proven that he could put a smile of satisfaction on her face all by himself.
* * *
Although he didn’t plan for it to happen, Ramsey slept later than usual the next morning. It was only when he heard the sound of a man’s laughter, namely his brother Zane’s, that Ramsey realized he was in bed alone. He didn’t recall Chloe getting out of it. Had exhaustion knocked him into a dead sleep? He’d never been a sound sleeper before and was known to be an early riser. But then he’d never had sex all night with a woman before either.
He slid out of bed. It was not his intent for Chloe to prepare breakfast alone and he had meant to help. It was the least he could do when his voracious sexual hunger had kept her up most of the night. Granted he wasn’t an ace in the kitchen like she was, but he could at least follow directions.
Before heading for the bathroom for a quick shower he glanced over at the clock on the nightstand and frowned. It was just a little past four, so what the hell was Zane doing here already? And if Zane was here that meant so was Derringer and Jason because the three were thick as thieves. And he wouldn’t be surprised if Callum wasn’t downstairs, too. The four had shown up early one day last week. The day they had walked in on his kissing Chloe. It had been a second occurrence for his brothers and is what had prompted him to start putting distance between him and Chloe. A lot of good that did.
And as he stepped in the shower he did know one thing for certain: He wouldn’t be putting distance between them any longer.
* * *
“Come on, Chloe, there’s no way that brother of mine is still asleep. Ramsey wouldn’t know how to sleep late even if it killed him,” Zane was saying. He held his coffee cup midway to his lips, looked over at Chloe a little too long to suit her, before a smile touched his lips. “Unless…”
Instead of finishing what he was about to say, his smile widened as he took a sip of his coffee and then continued eating. Chloe was grateful for that although she wasn’t sure what Zane Westmoreland was thinking at that moment. And she was grateful for the conversation going on between Jason, Derringer and Callum and the fact they hadn’t heard Zane’s comment. But because they knew Ramsey just as well as Zane, they had to be wondering the same thing. Why was he still in bed asleep?
She was beginning to feel uneasy. Had Zane or any of the others seen passion marks on her neck? Were they wondering why she was wearing a scarf of all things this morning? When she had eased out of bed careful to not wake Ramsey, and had gone back to her bedroom to take a shower, she had been appalled at all the marks Ramsey’s stubble had made all over her body. And then there were some he had intentionally made. Specifically, the ones on her neck. It was as if he had been determined to mark her as his and the very thought of that sent shivers down her spine.
“About time you got out of bed, Ram. What are you? Sick or something?”
Chloe heard the smirk in Derringer’s voice and turned to see that Ramsey had walked into the kitchen. He was wearing nothing but his jeans that hung low on his hips, and her breath stopped and her pulse leaped at the sight of his broad shoulders and bare chest. His feet were also bare and the thatch of dark hairs on his chest was damp, which indicated he’d just gotten out of the shower.
Ignoring his brothers, cousin and friend, his gaze was on her and without acknowledging their presence he made his way to where she stood. Before she could finally release her breath, he leaned over and kissed her in front of them.
There was what seemed to be shocked silence in the room. At least she thought there was, but the only sure thing she knew at that moment was that he was kissing her in front an audience. It wasn’t a long kiss, but if he’d intended to make a point, he most certainly had. And when he finally pulled his mouth away, she stared up into a face that was smiling in a way that showed both dimples.
“Good morning, Chloe.”
If the kiss hadn’t done her in, then his throaty and husky voice definitely would have. She forced herself to begin breathing normally and said, “Good morning, Ramsey.”
With his arms still locked around her waist, he turned toward the four men sitting at his breakfast table. “Is there a reason the four of you feel you should be getting preferential treatment for breakfast? Especially when three of you aren’t employed by me.”
Zane smiled. “But we’re family.”
Ramsey nodded slowly. “Just make sure you remember that when dealing with Chloe in the future.”
Derringer lifted a brow. “So that’s how things are going to be from now on?”
“Yes,” Ramsey said without a smile on his face. “That’s how things are going to be from now on.”
Chloe’s eyes were glued to Ramsey as her gaze ran over him. Her attention was directed to him so much that she missed part of what he’d said to the others. All she knew was that when she glanced at the men, they were staring at her as if with new insight. Subconsciously, she reached for her scarf to adjust it around her neck, wondering if they were seeing far more than she wanted them to see.
Deciding the mood around her had turned much too serious, she pulled out of Ramsey’s arms and said, “I suggest you go put on a shirt. I’m about to fry some more bacon and I’d hate for popping grease to hit you.”
She saw the grin on his face and was almost taken back at how different his attitude was from last week. It was a vast improvement. Would one night of mind-blowing lovemaking do that to you? She would be one of the first to admit that whereas she should feel tired because of the brevity of sleep the night before, she felt renewed energy running through her body. Although she had to force herself out of bed, after having slept wrapped in Ramsey’s arms, once she had begun moving around the kitchen she had actually felt rejuvenated.
“Thanks for the warning,” he said, and leaning closer he placed a sensuous peck on her lips before strolling out of the kitchen. The swagger on his walk was enough to give any woman heart failure, while making her wonder just what he could do with that swaggering body beneath the sheets. She knew the answer to that firsthand and remnants of pleasure flowed through her body from the memory.
Pulling in a deep breath she glanced at the four men who were staring at her. They had become a bunch of regulars during breakfast and lunch, always arriving earlier than everyone to chat with her and with each other.
From their conversations she knew about the horse breeding and training business Zane, Derringer and Jason were about to embark on, as well as the fact that Callum was in no hurry to return to Australia, although she hadn’t figured out why.
Clearing her throat, she asked, “Would any of you like anything else? More coffee?”
Before they could respond, she could hear vehicles pulling up in the yard. She was grateful her day was about to begin and welcomed the opportunity to stay busy.
* * *
“And you’re sure without Zane, Derringer and Jason’s spread that you’ll still have enough land for your sheep to graze?” Dillon Westmore
land leaned back in the chair behind his desk to ask his cousin.
Ramsey didn’t respond but looked as if he was lost in other thoughts. “Are you okay, Ram?”
Dillon’s concerned question snapped Ramsey’s attention back and he couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, I’m okay.”
After breakfast Ramsey decided to leave the house for a while, not to avoid Chloe, but to give her the time she needed to prepare for the noon hour. Had he remained he would have done everything he could have to get her back upstairs or better yet, he would have played his hand at enticing her into participating in a number of quickies. So trying to behave he had driven over to Shady Tree Ranch to spend time with Dillon and Pamela.
He could feel Dillon staring at him and looked up and met his gaze. “I understand things have turned somewhat serious between you and your cook, Ram.”
Ramsey didn’t have to wonder where Dillon had gotten that information. And today, Ramsey had no problem acknowledging that was true. Even when he had dated he’d never been into sex just for the sake of sex, which is why a casual relationship with a woman never appealed to him. And because he hadn’t been in the market for a serious relationship either, he’d been satisfied to remain a loner. It was only when things with him got so bad and sexual needs got the best of him, that he would seek out female companionship for a night. But those times had been few and far between. Now he couldn’t imagine not making love to Chloe on a regular basis, not waking up during the night with her beside him, their legs locked together, her delectable bottom curled up against him. His…
“Ram?”
He glanced up, realizing Dillon had caught him daydreaming again. “Yes?”
“You sure you’re okay?”
Ram leaned back in his chair, deciding to be completely honest. “No, I don’t know if I’m okay,” he finally said. He studied Dillon thoughtfully. “I can recall the first time you mentioned to me about meeting Pamela. I could hear something in your voice.”
Dillon chuckled. “Yes, and it was probably the same thing I could hear in yours that day you came over here and mentioned Chloe Burton was your temporary cook.”
Ramsey was taken aback by Dillon’s claim. “No way. I had just met the woman that day.”
Dillon nodded. “And remember, I had just met Pam that day when I spoke to you on the phone as well.”
Ramsey frowned, not sure he liked what Dillon was hinting at. He quickly stood up. “Trust me, Dillon, it’s not that kind of party.”
A smile curved the corners of Dillon’s lips when he said, “I didn’t think it was that kind of party for me either, so I can understand you wanting to be in denial. When you figure out it is that kind of party, make sure I’m one of the first to get an invitation.”
* * *
Chloe slipped off her shoes before easing onto the sofa. Breakfast had been crazy and she needed to grab a private and quiet moment before preparing lunch. At times she wondered if she was growing men. There seemed to be more of them showing up for meals every day.
She smiled and inwardly admitted that she was becoming attached to each of them. They were good men, hardworking men, family men who often would talk about their wives and children and their love for them. Working for Ramsey was more than a way to keep food on the table. From the bits of conversations she’d been able to pick up, she knew they considered Ramsey a good employer, the best. He was fair and provided them with a means to provide for their families. She looked forward to seeing them every morning and didn’t mind taking the time to prepare all the foods they liked.
To her surprise, and she was sure to his men as well, Ramsey had spent time with his men this morning. Of course they had teased him mercilessly before settling down to the huge meal she had prepared. And on the invitation and insistence from Ramsey, after everyone had been served, she had sat down with him at the table and had a cup of coffee when he conversed with his men. During that time she felt like a member of Ramsey’s working-crew family. She felt as if she truly belonged. And she was learning more and more about Ramsey from those who knew him the best. It was great information she could use in the article she wanted to write on him.
The article she would not be writing now.
She breathed in deeply. She had come here with only one goal in mind and that was to convince Ramsey to pose on the cover of her magazine and to also obtain information to share with her readers. Considering everything, there was no way she could go through with doing that now. She had crossed over the line of what was professional, of what was right.
She did not want him to think she had gone to the extreme and shared his bed only as a means to an end. Therefore, she needed to tell him the truth and would do so tonight when she had his complete attention, and somehow she would convince him not to send her away, but to let her work through the end of the week because his regular cook would return on Monday.
She didn’t want to think about how he would possibly feel once he learned the truth. It hadn’t been her intent for things to work out this way, but they had and now their time together was about to come to an end and she could feel her heart breaking. Things were beginning to get complicated. She was not only deceiving Ramsey, but she was deceiving his family as well, at least those she’d met. She needed to get out of dodge before drowning in her sea of lies.
She heard a quick tap and then the front door opened. She stood when three women walked in and she found herself under the intense gaze of three pairs of eyes the exact color of Ramsey’s. She knew immediately these were his sisters.
* * *
Ramsey cursed under his breath when he pulled into his yard, recognizing the three vehicles haphazardly parked there. For his sisters to come calling at this time of the day and all at the same time meant curiosity had gotten the best of them and they were here to check things out for themselves.
He glanced in his rearview mirror, surprised Callum wasn’t pulling up behind him. The man seemed to have some kind of built-in radar where Gemma was concerned. Whenever she showed up at his place, Callum homed in on her and would find just about any excuse to show up.
As he got out of his truck, the rich scent of something delectable cooking filled the air. This was Chloe’s last week and he wondered how his men were going to readjust when Nellie returned. He had called and left a message on her cell phone letting her know they needed to talk before Monday. Chloe had raised the bar of expectations and although he knew Nellie was a darn good cook, she hadn’t displayed a lot of that skill lately. And her attitude toward his men definitely needed improving.
But still, just the thought that this Friday would be Chloe’s last day did something to him. He refused to believe what Dillon had hinted at earlier that he was developing feelings for her. Yes, he had enjoyed sleeping with her last night and intended to do so again, but he had no intention of progressing to anything remotely serious between them. He was a loner. He preferred things that way.
He heard the sound of feminine voices the moment he walked into his house. He paused and noted the chatter, the laughter, the downright friendliness in the conversations being shared. It seemed the four women were getting along, and for some reason that pleased him. Why it would, he wasn’t sure.
Following the sound of the voices as well as the scent of food cooking, he headed toward the kitchen and then leaned in the doorway at the sight that greeted him. His sisters were sitting down at the table, sampling whatever was smelling so damn good, while Chloe stirred something in a big pot. If he didn’t know better, by the way they were carrying on, he would have thought they had known each other for years.
“Forgive me if I’m interrupting anything,” he said when it became obvious no one had noticed him.
Four pairs of eyes turned his way, but it was only one pair that he sought out. And the moment Chloe’s gaze met his, he felt it, a deep stirring within the pit of his stomach, and it had more depth than just a sensual ache. He was tempted to do what he’d done this morning in front of Zane, Derringer
, Jason and Callum, which was to cross the room and take Chloe into his arms and kiss her, ignoring their audience. But there was no way in hell he could ignore the three sitting at the table who had huge smiles on their faces like he’d cut muster about something. And he couldn’t help but notice they were watching him closely.
“You’re not interrupting anything,” Bailey said sweetly, smiling with too much saccharin on her lips to suit him. “We were just sitting here chatting with Chloe, trying to get to know her better.”
He lifted a brow and almost asked why they saw fit to do something like that when Chloe would be leaving this Friday, but he refrained from doing so. “Suit yourself. If you will excuse me I have work to do.”
He moved to walk toward his office wondering why he was doing the very thing he said he would no longer do where Chloe was concerned. But then he knew that putting any ideas into his sisters’ heads would be dangerous. They wouldn’t take it and run, they would take it and rush off in a mad dash. Besides, by retreating he was saving Chloe from being interrogated later, not that his nosy sisters hadn’t probably tried pumping her for information already.
When he reached his office he eased down in the chair behind his desk wondering how long his visitors intended to stay. His men would be showing up in a few hours for lunch and he hadn’t had any private time with Chloe since they’d last made love this morning. He at least wanted to kiss her the way he had wanted to do without an audience.
He picked up the folder on his desk. He would try to get some work done and hoped like hell his sisters would leave in a timely manner. Otherwise, he would be tempted to ask them to leave.
Brenda Jackson The Westmoreland Series Books 16-20 Page 24
