“Go to sleep,” I whisper, and kiss her forehead.
“You too,” she murmurs.
I smile against her forehead, suddenly exhausted. It feels amazing to have her here, safe and whole in my bed. “Sleep, sweetheart. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow.”
* * *
The ranch is a damn disaster.
After just a couple hours of sleep, wrapped around Cara, I pulled myself out of bed to tend to the ranch. None of the guys got any sleep last night, and we have a hell of a mess on our hands today. I’ve sent half the guys out on ATVs to check the fences, opting to stay close to home, and Cara, today. Seth is gathering scattered branches and other debris and throwing it all in a pile that we’ll roast marshmallows over later.
All of the animals are safe and accounted for, thankfully.
I left Cara sleeping in my bed this morning, and I hope she’s still knocked out. She needs the rest. I scowl at my watch when I discover that I’ve been gone longer than I thought.
When I push inside the house, I see Cara sitting on the couch, still in my T-shirt and shorts, staring wide-eyed at the TV.
Fuck, she’s watching the news.
“. . . can see, the tree fell across the entire left side of the house. The fire chief tells us that if it had fallen just two feet to the left, the homeowner would have been killed.”
“Cara, don’t watch this shit.” I hastily turn off the TV and lift her into my lap, settling back on the couch.
“I’m too heavy,” she whispers, and plays with the buttons on my shirt.
“No, you’re not. How are you this morning?”
She shrugs and sighs. “I need to go into town and look at my house.”
“It’s being taken care of.”
“Josh, it’s my house. I need to go look at it.”
I don’t like it. I want to protect her, and I definitely don’t want her going anywhere near that house.
“It’s not safe.”
“What are you doing here?” Seth asks from the doorway, his face full of surprise.
Cara tries to pull herself out of my lap, and because Seth is here, I let her go.
For now.
“The storm did some damage to Cara’s house last night, so she came here. She’s going to be staying with me for a while.”
Seth’s solemn gaze turns to Cara and he walks over to her, watching her carefully. “Did you get hurt?”
“Just scared more than anything.”
“What happened?” he asks, sounding much older than his twelve years.
“A tree fell on my roof.”
Seth blanches and his face goes pale. He suddenly throws his arms around Cara and hugs her tight.
She blinks back tears as she pushes her fingers through his dark hair soothingly. “I’m okay, sweetie. The house will be fixed.”
“I don’t give a shit about your house! You could have gotten really hurt.”
I love this kid.
Cara gives Seth a quick squeeze and brushes a tear from her cheek. “Can I borrow some sweats, Josh? I need to get some clothes from my place today.”
“You’re not going back there alone,” Seth insists, scowling. “I’ll go with you.”
“You can come,” she agrees, and looks up at me expectantly. “Sweats?”
“Seth, go help Louie for a few minutes. I’ll come get you when we’re ready to go to town.”
Seth nods and runs out to help in the pasture.
“I have sweats you can wear.” I pull her back into my arms, tilt her head back, and gaze into her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I will be,” she whispers. “You help.”
“Good.” I nod and lead her to the bedroom to find her some sweats.
“Should I move into the spare room?”
“Fuck no. You’re with me, sweetheart.” I stare over at her, daring her to argue, but she smiles slowly and pulls my sweats over her hips, over the shorts. They’re at least five sizes too big, and I want nothing more than to strip her out of them.
“We’d better go.”
CHAPTER
Six
CARA
The house looks no better in the light of day, but the storm has cleared, leaving warm sunshine and a cool, light breeze.
Aside from the house being crushed by a hundred-year-old maple tree, and debris thrown all over the neighborhood, you’d never know the storm ever happened.
And with the sunshine, and a breath of fresh air, I’ve found my resolve.
“I need to go in and get some clothes.” I look up at Josh, standing next to me, his hands propped on his hips, and he stares down at me as if I’ve lost my mind.
“You’re not going in there.”
“No way,” Seth agrees, his hazel eyes glued to the house.
I’m surrounded by overprotective men.
“Hey, Charlie!” I call out to the tall, handsome member of the crew helping with cleanup, smiling at him as he approaches. “When did the tree come off the house?”
“Early this morning.” He takes off his hat and wipes his sweat-covered brow. “Now we have to clean up.”
“I need to go in and get some clothes and stuff.”
“I said—” Josh begins, but Charlie interrupts.
“Not a chance.” Charlie shakes his head. “It’s not sound in there, Cara. Plus, the insulation is all over your clothes and things.”
“So I’ll wash them.” I shrug.
“They have to be sent out to a special cleaner to make them safe for you. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in there.”
I just stare at him, processing. “So, I won’t have clean clothes for days?”
“At least we don’t have to throw them out.” Charlie shrugs and walks back to the house. “I’ll call you when I know more.”
“I don’t have a phone!” I call after him in frustration.
Josh is watching me with a half grin on his face, his arms crossed over his chest. Seth giggles.
“What is so damn funny?” I demand.
“You are.” Josh grins and that dimple softens me, just a bit, but I keep the scowl on my face. “I guess we’ll go shopping next.”
“I hate shopping,” I grumble, making Seth laugh even harder.
“Hey, guys!” Ty calls, and jogs across the street to us. He’s in faded blue jeans and a Metallica T-shirt, showing off the tattoo sleeve on his right arm. It’s easy to forget when he’s got on his lawyer suit that he’s very much the bad boy underneath.
“Hey, Ty,” I say.
He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me tight. “How are you, bird?”
“I’m better. What a mess.”
“That it is.” He nods, shakes Josh’s hand, and ruffles Seth’s hair. “Have you called your folks?”
“Shit, no!” I glance down at Seth and grimace. “Sorry, Seth.”
“I don’t care.” He shrugs.
“I don’t have a phone,” I remind everyone. “It’s in the house. I have to call Jilly too.”
“I called her this morning. I had to talk her out of jumping on the first plane out of LAX.”
I rub my forehead with the tips of my fingers and sigh. “My parents are going to freak out.”
Josh has moved up behind me, rubbing my shoulders with his big, strong hands, and I lean back into him, absorbing his strength and warmth.
“I can call them for you,” he offers, but I shake my head and cover one of his hands with my own.
“I’ll do it. I guess I’d better get a new phone when we go shopping.”
“You’re going shopping?” Ty asks incredulously, then chuckles. “That might get Jill on the plane after all.”
“Screw you.” I glare at him, then laugh. “I needed some new things anyway. I’ve been putting it off.”
“Why do you hate to shop so much?” Seth asks. “Don’t girls live for that crap?”
“Not this girl.” I shudder and push my hands through my hair, enjoying the feel of Josh’s hands stil
Seth’s eyes are now glued to Josh’s hands on my shoulders. “Why are you touching her like that?”
I go still just as Josh’s hands stop moving. Ty smothers a grin.
“Seth . . .” I begin as his hands form fists and he scowls at his uncle. Josh moves me easily aside and stands directly in front of Seth.
“What’s wrong?” Josh asks his nephew calmly.
Seth shrugs and looks at his feet, his hands crammed in his pockets, a scowl on his handsome little face.
“Talk to me,” Josh tries again.
Seth’s head comes up and he pins Josh with a harsh glare. “You shouldn’t touch her like that. She’s not like my mom.” He’s got tears in his eyes, but he fights valiantly to keep them at bay as his cheeks flush with anger.
I gasp. Ty swears under his breath, and Josh’s hands fist at his sides and his jaw clenches.
“Do you think I’m taking advantage of Cara?” he asks in a low voice.
“You better not.” Seth pushes his chin out defiantly and I want to hug him to me, so moved that he wants to protect me.
“Seth, Josh isn’t trying to take advantage of me,” I say. Seth watches us both carefully. “He’s being supportive and a good friend.” Dear God, what did he see when he lived with his mom?
“Seth, I care about Cara. Very much.” Josh relaxes his body and smiles down at the boy as he links his fingers with mine. “I like that you care about her too and want to protect her.”
Seth shrugs again and frowns.
I think I just fell in love with both of them.
“Just don’t do gross stuff in front of me,” he grumbles, and stomps off to the truck.
“Well, there’s more of his dad in him than he thinks,” Ty observes, and grins at Josh.
Josh looks over at me, his eyes roam over my face, and I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but I squeeze his hand with my own and offer him a small smile.
“Here are three words I never thought I’d say willingly: let’s go shopping.”
* * *
If he touches me one more time, I swear I’ll combust.
He’s had his hands on me all day: resting a hand on the small of my back to lead me into a store, holding my hand, brushing my hair behind my ear. And he keeps smiling at me, winking.
Flirting.
Dear God, I want him.
I finally have a few moments to myself, in the spare bedroom. I’m hanging the few new pieces of clothing I bought today in the closet, stuffing underwear, bras, and socks in a drawer and pulling tags off my new flip-flops and sneakers.
“What are you doing?”
Josh is leaning casually against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets. I take a moment to soak him in.
His long, jean-clad legs are crossed at the ankle; torso and shoulders are molded in a black T-shirt. His dark hair is messy and his lips are quirked in a smirk, his brown eyes happy and trained on me.
“I’m putting my things away,” I mutter, and turn back to the task at hand.
“You’re in the wrong room.” I hear him approach behind me, his bare feet quiet on the plush carpet.
“It’s better if I stay in here.”
He grips my shoulders in his hands and turns me to face him. “Why?”
“I’m much better, Josh. You don’t have to keep an eye on me.”
He jerks me up against him, pressing his pelvis—his erection—into my belly, and his hands grip me tighter.
“Me wanting you in my bed has nothing to do with your damn tree.”
I frown up at him and then look down, shaking my head.
“Why is it so hard for you to believe that I want you, sweetheart?” His voice is soft as he leans in and whispers in my ear. “Answer me.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe it.” My eyes flutter closed at the feel of his breath against my ear. “Hell, I can feel it. But we’ve known each other for ages, and now . . .”
“Now what?” His lips glide down my neck and back up to my ear.
“Now we have more to think about than whether or not we’re attracted to each other. There’s Seth to consider,” I whisper.
“Do you trust me?” He pulls back just a few inches so he can look me in the eye, and I swallow.
“Yes.”
His eyes flare and he smiles softly, cups my neck in his hands, and lowers his mouth to mine.
I love the way he kisses!
His full lips cover mine and he stills, not moving them, just breathing me in. I glide my hands up his shoulders and into his hair and press myself against him, my nipples puckering, and he growls as he sinks into me, licking the seam of my lips, asking for entrance.
I kiss him back, sucking and pulling on his lower lip with my teeth. His eyes narrow as he bends down and lifts me easily in his arms, carrying me out of the spare room and into his bedroom, never taking his lips from mine.
It’s as if he can’t get enough of me, and I feel the exact same way.
I need him.
I need this.
“Are you sure?” he asks, his deep voice heavy with lust.
“Yes.” He sets me on my feet and I immediately pull my shirt up over my head. “I want you.”
“Damn, baby.” His eyes are on my round breasts, and I’m shy for a moment. I move to cover myself with my hands but he pulls them away and kisses my palms. “Don’t.”
“You need to get naked.”
“I will.” He grins.
“Now.”
“Be patient.”
“No, I need you. Hard and fast, Josh.” I’m panting now and pulling at his jeans, but he stops me, his eyes narrowed and on my face.
“What’s the hurry?”
“I need to feel alive,” I whisper, and clench my eyes shut. He cups my face in his palms. I open my eyes to see him looking down at me so tenderly it makes me hurt. “I don’t need soft and slow, I need to remember that I’m alive and I need you to fuck me.”
He sucks in a breath and crushes his lips to mine, strips me out of the rest of my clothes, cups my ass in his hands, and lifts me the way he did the other night at my house. I don’t have time to be shy in my nakedness. He’s devouring me.
Claiming me.
And I fucking love it.
He braces me against the wall as I’m pulling at his T-shirt. He finally pulls his mouth away from mine long enough to yank it over his head and throws it to the floor.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he growls, and buries his face in my neck, kissing and suckling me. His hands cup my breasts and he lifts them to his lips.
“Oh my God.” I reach between us and unfasten his jeans, pushing them with my feet down his hips, unleashing his impressive cock. “This is beautiful,” I mutter.
He grins wolfishly and hoists me up higher against the wall. “I’m clean, I promise.”
“On the pill,” I mutter, and bite his neck. “Now, Josh.”
And with that he pushes inside me, all the way, in one long, slow thrust. His cock is long and thick and fills me perfectly.
As if he were made just for me.
“Damn, baby,” he growls. “Look at me.”
I open my eyes and bite my lip.
“Your eyes are so green.” He kisses me softly and groans. “You’re so snug, babe.”
“Move,” I beg, and roll my hips.
“Cara, don’t do that . . .”
“Fuck me,” I beg, and roll my hips again as he begins to pound in and out of me, hard. He reaches between us and thumbs my clit, and I suddenly see stars. I’m going to come, hard and fast.
“That’s right, sweetheart.” He’s panting hard now, moving faster and harder. “God, your pussy is so damn good.”
“Josh,” I mutter.
“Let go, Cara.” He pushes on my clit, just a bit harder, and my world explodes around me, scattering in thousands of pieces and then gathering again at the center of me. I cry out and grip his hair in my fingers, bucking my hips against him.
He stops, buried to the root, and leans his forehead against mine, breathing hard.
“How was that?”
“Holy shit,” I whisper, and open my eyes.
“I’m not done.”
He carries me to the bed, still inside me, and lays me flat on my back, my lower legs hanging off the edge. He kisses me, then pulls out of me, making me groan.
“Josh . . .”
“Shhh.” He circles a nipple with his tongue and then nuzzles the underside of my breast. “Just relax and enjoy.”
“What are you doing?”
“What I’ve wanted to do since you got out of your car two weeks ago. I’m tasting you.”
He drags his lips down my belly, over my navel, and to the small patch of curls that cover my pussy.
He kneels between my knees and lifts my legs over his shoulders, tilts my pelvis up with one hand on my ass, and pulls one finger down my slit from my clitoris all the way down to my ass.
“You’re so swollen and wet for me.” His voice is a deep whisper. He leans in and gently kisses that sensitive nub, licks it, then kisses it again.
“Josh,” I whisper, closing my eyes.
“Yes, baby.” Now I feel the flat of his tongue against me and he pushes it down into my folds and inside me.
“Shit!” I cry out as he sucks my lips into his mouth, and I feel him grin against me before he does it again, making me writhe and move against him, circling my hips against his face.
If he stops, I might kill him.
“Oh, God, I can’t.” My head is thrashing side to side, and the tension is coiling tighter than it ever has. This orgasm is going to kill me.
“You can,” he mutters, and pushes two fingers inside me as he continues to lap at my clit and lips. “I want you to come again, honey.”
I link my ankles over his shoulders and push my pelvis against his face and feel the world fall away from me as I come so hard I can’t breathe.
Through my orgasmic haze, I feel him kiss the inside of my thighs, my pubis, and up my torso. He sucks each nipple gently, and I frown at the change in him.
Minutes ago he was a man possessed, obsessed with taking me hard, and now he’s gentle.
Loving.
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