by Chandra Ryan
He could only imagine how much the death of this animal would hurt her, but the time for mourning would come later. After they’d saved what they could of the barn. He knelt next her and gathered her into his arms in a hug. But he couldn’t carry her out of the building as he had the sick calf no matter how much he longed to. He’d bet money that someone had set the fire intentionally to make her look negligent on the report and in front of her people. She needed to show everyone that this hadn’t broken her. She had to answer this new threat with a show of strength. “Come on.” He took her hand in his and stood, bringing her up with him. “We need to get out of here.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the barn through the back door of the stall. Once they reached the pasture he turned and pressed the bypass button without comment. She needed to be strong but he refused to be the heartless bastard who made her push the button that would surely kill one of her favorite animals.
The heavy, metal fire doors slammed down with enough force that they made the ground shake under them. As soon as the barn was sealed the sprinklers would stop so a thick layer of suffocating foam could blanket the entire barn and choke the fire. There wasn’t anything they could do now but wait. He took off her mask and then his own before pulling her into his embrace again.
Small tremors shook her body but instead of leaning into him for comfort, she tried to push away. He only tightened his grip on her. “It’s okay. You need someone to lean on right now.”
“No. I won’t have anyone accusing me of influencing the report.”
He smiled as he rested his chin on her head. Stubbornness seemed to be a common trait on this ranch. “There is no report, remember? I’m your future husband as far as anyone else is concerned.”
“But we both know the truth. I won’t have anyone saying I manipulated you.”
He ran his hand over her hair in an attempt to soothe her. “The truth I see is a young woman grieving. Don’t tarnish that by implying it’s something it’s not.”
As the ranch hands started to make their way over to them, their private conversation had to be put on hold. She told each person what she needed him or her to do and then went over the next day’s schedule while tucked safely into Jasper’s embrace. When she’d covered everything that needed to be addressed, she sent them on their way. Realistically they could only accomplish so much that evening. The sheriff had been apprised of the situation but his men would be able to do a much more thorough investigation in the morning, after the suppression system had the fire completely out. It wasn’t ideal but as long as no one tampered with the site it would work.
When everybody else had dispersed, he leaned down and whispered, “You look tired. How ’bout I escort you back to the house?”
She answered him with nothing more than a slow nod.
They walked in comfortable silence. He’d learned a lot about this woman and her ranch in the past day. Much more than he had imagined possible when he stepped off the shuttlecraft. And, as he examined everything he’d learned, he was surprise to find that what had started out as respect for her strength and dedication had deepened into admiration over the past couple of hours.
“Thank you for rescuing Blackie,” she said softly when they stepped through the back door into the house.
“I’m happy I could help.”
They took off their fire gear and hung everything neatly in a tall cabinet near the door before continuing into the house. He planned on making his way to the guestroom, but she stopped him by wrapping her arm around his waist and then directing him toward her room. His pulse picked up at the possibility of being invited to spend the night with her but he quickly dismissed the idea. Although it held a lot of appeal for him, she hadn’t so much as flirted with him. The notion that she’d proposition him seemed a bit far-fetched. Her hip brushed against his as they walked, sending a delightful tingle up his spine.
Then again, maybe the idea wouldn’t be so far-fetched if he gave it a little nudge. A couple of kisses, maybe a strategic caress or two and they’d be on the same page.
When she sniffed quietly and buried her face into his side, though, he quickly shut down the train of thought. Yes, he wanted her. But he was leaving in a couple of days and she’d just been through a traumatic experience. He refused to take advantage of her.
“You seem like an honorable kind of guy,” she said as if reading his thoughts. “For the most part.”
He didn’t try to stop his laugh. After the night they’d had, they needed some humor. It dulled the ache not kissing her created. “Thanks. That’s a lofty compliment coming from you.”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “You laugh, but it’s a big improvement from how I felt about you earlier this evening.”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
At her door, she turned and looked up at him. “I know you’re not looking for a wife but I do think you’ll make a good husband someday.” Her shoulders were drooped in fatigue and probably a little defeat. It made her seem somehow vulnerable.
“And you’ll make an excellent wife and partner to whomever answers your next ad.” Was he imagining it or did his chest just tighten with that thought?
“That may be, but for tonight I’m no one’s wife and you’re not a husband.” She reached up and ran a fingertip down the side of his face. “I know why you’re here. I understand why you lied to me. But it still hurts.”
The tightening in his chest had just become painful. “I am sorry that I hurt you.”
She placed her fingers on his lips to silence him. “The thing is, that fire near tore my heart out. After that, one little lie doesn’t sting so bad.” She paused as if working up the courage to finish her thought. “I love this life, but it does get kind of lonely and I really don’t want to be alone right now.”
His heart stopped. He wouldn’t take advantage of her or seduce her, but if she wanted his company as much as he wanted hers, that was something else completely. “Are you sure?”
She went up on her tiptoes to kiss him. Her lips were firm and hungry against his, awakening a raw need deep inside him. “I’m sure.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. Her warm breath caressed his neck as he leaned over to nibble on her earlobe and he reveled in the sensation. She was so tiny next to him. She had to be a full six inches shorter than his six-three but he hadn’t realized it until just now. Her personality made her seem larger—tougher. And, though he really liked her strength, he found he craved her vulnerability.
He ran a hand down her hip to pull her closer to him. His cock was already hard and he needed her as close as possible. She arched her back and rested her head against the door as she tugged her shirt off. He couldn’t ignore that invitation. His hand glided over skin so smooth that it left him with the craving to feel and taste every inch of her body. She seemed to have the same thought as she leaned forward to lick the sensitive spot behind his earlobe.
He cupped one of her breasts in his hand and she whimpered softly. The sound made a shiver race down his spine and caused his skin to break out in goose bumps. He dropped his head so he could take one of her nipples into his mouth and she rewarded him by wrapping a leg around his so she could grind against him. Without releasing her breast, he moved his hands to her waist and lifted her so she could straddle him. It didn’t hurt that that position also made it easier for him to have access to her lush breasts. He was content to kiss, lick and nip at the creamy mounds while she moaned and rocked against him for a few moments, but then he needed more.
“My room,” she suggested, her voice husky with desire.
He opened the door without any hesitation and carried her into the room. After he pushed the door closed with his foot, he crossed the room and then laid her gently on the bed. He wanted to stare at her for hours but her jeans blocked his full view. Thankfully that problem had an easy solution. After taking off her shoes, he quickly stripped her of the piece of clothing and then he could admire her l
ovely body.
Her work clothes hid the lean, yet very defined, body earned by hard work. Every inch of her showed the demanding nature of her life and he wanted to taste it all before the night ended. But no area caught his attention more than her clean-shaven pussy. He tingled with anticipation at the thought of feeling the silken skin against his face. But that would have to wait.
“You have a remarkable body,” he said as he leaned over to claim a kiss.
“And you’re wearing too many clothes.”
Damn the woman for being right. He wanted to touch her, run his fingers over the planes and curves of her body. Undressing seemed like a waste of time. “Your state of undress is much more interesting to me right now.”
“Fortunately for you, I’m pretty good at buttons,” Kat said as she moved to kneel on the bed.
“That is fortunate.” He nuzzled into the crook of her neck while she started taking off his shirt. And, as it turned out, she did have a gift for undressing people. Her fingertips caressed him with each button she undid. She didn’t press hard enough for it to be a touch, just a whisper of sensation that drove him mad with wanting more. While her fingers tormented him, her mouth tempted him with sultry kisses. By the time she reached his chest, his hands were impatiently exploring the flare of her hips and the curve of her ass. And when she finally undid the last button, he was running a finger along the desire-slicked lips of her sex.
Heat radiated from her skin, beckoning him, but he did his best to stand still as she continued. As soon as she tugged his pants and briefs over his hips, though, he pushed her back against the bed. It only took him a couple of seconds to get his clothes the rest of the way off and then he stretched out over her.
She’d had her turn to play. He wanted his. And he knew just where to start. Collecting both of her wrists in one of his hands, he stretched her arms above her head and then held them against the bed. Now he could do whatever he wanted with her. And there was a lot he wanted to do.
Desire tried to rush him, but he held it at bay. Everything about this moment, especially the woman under him, deserved to be savored. But she squirmed as she spread her thighs for him and the friction of her skin against his sent a delicious shiver of need through him. His body shook with hunger from the onslaught of sensation, but he gritted his teeth against it.
“If you don’t want this to be over before it starts, I’d suggest you hold still.” His voice was husky but still managed to hold an authoritative edge. At least he thought it did. Right up until the moment she arched her back to rub as much of her body against his as she could. “Did you not hear what I just said?”
“Oh I heard you. You feel good though.” She pressed her body against his again. “If you want me to stop, you’re going to have to make me.”
He dropped his lips down to her breast and pulled the nipple into his mouth. The move had the desired effect as her whole body went taut and she moaned softly. Before she could regroup and launch another assault on his control, he made his way over to her other breast, making sure to leave a smattering of kisses across her skin on his way. As his mouth closed over her other nipple he captured the first breast in the palm of his hand and began massaging it.
Her throaty moan went straight to his groin and made his already hard cock pulse painfully. But he ignored his own condition in favor of stoking her desire to new heights. He released her wrists and she immediately buried her fingers in his hair but she didn’t try to stop him as he nibbled and licked his way down her body. She didn’t wear perfume or expensive lotions but the light scent of water and soap mixed with a hint of smoke that clung to her had an intoxicating edge to it.
When he reached her hip, he nipped her lightly. She tugged at his hair and rolled her hips in reaction as her skin broke out in goose bumps. But his goal lay just inches away. He wouldn’t let her distract him. Grasping her hips with his palms, he tilted her so he could admire the soft, pink skin of her bared sex. Her folds were slick with need and plump with desire. The sight was so breathtaking he could stare at her for hours. But staring wouldn’t get him what he really wanted. He looked up to catch her attention before lowering his mouth to her center. She gasped as he slid his tongue over her clit but kept her thighs spread for him.
He ran his tongue over her again but he kept the pace slow and the pressure light. He didn’t want to sprint to the finish. Every second of torment served to push them both higher. She whimpered as he rolled his tongue over her clit and then spread her thighs farther.
“Please,” she panted. “I need more.”
He wouldn’t give her the release she sought—not yet, at least—but he did take the invitation to push one of his fingers into her warm, slick pussy. She tightened her inner muscles around him and the sensation made him groan. He could too easily imagine how wonderful it’d feel when those muscles clutched his cock.
He crooked his finger so he could rub the top of her channel in search of the sensitive spot that hid there. She gasped as he passed over it the first time. The second time he sought it out, he sucked on her clit at the same time. She tightened her hold on the back of his head and groaned loudly but still didn’t crest. She teetered on the cusp of orgasm and he planned on keeping her there as long as possible. His own erection was becoming more difficult to ignore though. Especially since her spicy musk surrounded him. With every breath he brought her scent into his lungs and with every swipe of his tongue, he took away more of her addictive flavor.
He added another finger to the first and then pumped them into her at an agonizingly slow rhythm as he lapped up more of her essence. When she pulled his hair sharply, the last of his control slipped. “Condom?” The word was husky and rough as it left him.
“Nightstand drawer.”
It only took a moment to find the protection and to sheathe himself. He then thrust into her. Her body was tight and hot as her muscles clamped around him. He’d taken them both too close to the brink and he couldn’t hold back any longer. He pulled almost all the way out of her before thrusting into her again as he leaned down to lick one of her pebbled nipples. She arched her back in encouragement and ran her nails down his sides. Her thighs trembled against his hips and her breathing was harsh and shallow. Bracing himself on one elbow, he pushed his free hand between them. As he continued to thrust into her, he rubbed her clit with the pad of his thumb. When she called out and her sex contracted around him he allowed himself to let go and followed her into an intense release.
He continued rocking against her until the spasms faded and a sense of contentment flowed through him. Only then did he allow himself to roll off her and collapse on the bed. He took a minute to gather himself before he disposed of the condom. He’d never felt as alive as he did when in Kat’s company. And it wasn’t just the sex. He wouldn’t lie. The sex had been good. But this held more power than just sex, even good sex. He liked her honesty and her devotion, but he loved her compassion and her bravery.
He froze at the thought. He couldn’t really be falling in love with her already, could he? He barely knew her. But that didn’t seem to matter as he lay down next to her. His emotional state alternated between nausea and euphoria as she snuggled into him. His heart raced with panic but that didn’t stop the budding warmth that grew inside him.
He couldn’t let that warmth grow any larger though. He had a job to do and then he’d have to leave. And she lived for the ranch. She wouldn’t be coming with him when he left. They could enjoy what time they had together, but there was no future where they ended up together. He needed to remember that simple truth or he would end up as charred as that barn.
Chapter Three
Kat slept so deeply that when she woke up it took her a couple minutes to remember why there would be a naked, and very aroused, body snuggled up to her in the bed. Fortunately it didn’t take long for the memories to come flooding back. And when they did she couldn’t help but smile as she took a moment to stretch so her ass would rub against his erection.
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br /> “You’re killing me.” Jasper caressed her side as he leaned forward to kiss her neck. When she rubbed against him again, however, his touch changed from a caress to a light tickle. “But something tells me you know that.”
“What time is it?” Light already streamed through the window but the days started early here.
“It’s definitely after breakfast but sometime before lunch.”
She giggled and then quickly froze at the sound. She didn’t giggle. Hadn’t since before her family had moved out to the ranch. Actually, now that she thought about it, she couldn’t remember the last time she had giggled. She’d been much too cool to giggle even before the move. She rolled her eyes as she remember her secondary school self. So many wasted years trying to achieve a maturity beyond her years. Every girl needed a good giggle from time to time.
She rolled over onto her back so she could look up at the man responsible for her morning glow. He was so damn handsome. How could she have believed, even for a second, that he had come to her rough little settler’s planet looking for a fresh start? This man could have any life he wanted on any planet he chose. And the life he had chosen revolved around paperwork and bureaucracy. Their lives were as different as the worlds they called home. She sighed as the realization took some of the shine off the morning. “The sheriff is going to be here soon.” She hated bringing it up but ignoring the truth wouldn’t make it go away. “We should probably get up and dressed.”
He jumped out of the bed and for one moment she was upset with how easy it’d been for him to leave her naked and in a bed. But when she saw him lock the door, she forgave him. “If you get on your hands and knees, I bet I can make you scream before they break the door down.” His voice was husky as he issued the challenge.
