Held by You (23 page)

“You’ve talked about going into ranching after you leave the police force.” She bit the inside of her lip before continuing. “What would you think about taking over my ranch and running it? The place needs some work but I’ve kept it up for the most part and all we’d have to do is buy some livestock and necessities to get it back up and running like it was when my dad was alive. We could work on a plan together.”

John studied her. “I need to think on it, but truth be told, I know it’s something I would enjoy doing with you at my side.”

She felt a thrill go through her belly as he said the words. The fact that he wanted to do it at her side made her feel warm inside.

“Oh.” He reached under the tree for a large box wrapped in paper with candy canes on it. “I almost forgot.”

She took the box from him when he offered it to her. She glanced at him before tearing off the paper and opening the big box. When she looked inside, nestled in a bed of bubble wrap was a small red velvet box. Her lips parted as she picked up the small box and set the large box aside.

“Go ahead,” he said. “Open it.”

She slowly raised the lid and caught her breath. It was a diamond with tiny emeralds and rubies at two corners. They looked like tiny holly berries.

Heart pounding in her throat, she looked at John. He took the ring box from her and slipped out the ring.

“You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with,” he said with a look in his eyes that told her of unfathomable love. “I can’t imagine life without you.” He grasped her left hand and raised it. “Will you marry me, Hollie?”

For a moment she was too stunned to move. It was so soon…but it felt like they’d already lived and loved a lifetime.

Tears bit at the backs of her eyes and she nodded. “Yes. Absolutely yes.”

He slid the ring on her finger and she flung her arms around his neck and held onto him. When he drew back he wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. “You have just made me the happiest man in the world.”

Her lips trembled as she smiled at him. “I love you, John. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He cupped the back of her head and kissed her, the first of many in their new life together.

“Riding Tall” Series

Branded For You

Roping Your Heart

Fencing You In

Tying You Down

Playing With You

Crazy For You

Hot For You

Made For You

“Rough and Ready” Series

Silk and Spurs

Lace and Lassos

Champagne and Chaps

Satin and Saddles

Roses and Rodeo

Lingerie and Lariats

Lipstick and Leather

“Altered States” Series

Dark Seduction

“Dark Enforcers” Series

Night’s Captive

Lexi Steele Novels

The First Sin

The Second Betrayal

The Temptation

~Romantic Erotica~

“Seraphine Chronicles” Series

Forbidden

Bewitched

Spellbound

(Spellbound
includes bonus novella,
Untamed)

Possessed

From St. Martin’s Press:

“Night Tracker” Series

Demons Not Included

No Werewolves Allowed

Vampires Not Invited

Zombies Sold Separately

Vampires Dead Ahead

“Magic” Series

Forbidden Magic

Seduced by Magic

Wicked Magic

Shadow Magic

Dark Magic

Single Title

Moving Target

Chosen Prey

Anthologies

No Rest for the Witches

Real Men Last All Night

Legally Hot

Chicks Kick Butt

Hotter than Hell

Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romances

Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romances

Cheyenne McCray

Reese broke the kiss and Kelley found herself breathing hard as his gaze held hers. He cupped her face with one hand and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “You are something else, Kelley.”

“What?” she asked, her voice low and breathy.

“You’re so special to me.” He lowered his head and their lips met again.

She could almost swear fireworks sparked behind her closed eyelids as he kissed her. It was a kiss like nothing she’d ever experienced before, a kiss she never wanted to end.

He scooped her into his arms, catching her off guard. She clung to his neck and he swept her out of the kitchen and down a hall, his stride long and deliberate. When he reached what she guessed was the master bedroom, he pushed the door open and set her on her feet on a hunter green rug next to a rustic four-poster bed. He swept aside the pillow from the top of the plaid comforter and pulled the comforter back with one hand.

Her insides tingled and then he was kissing her again while exploring her body with his fingertips. His touch was gentle when it came to her shoulder, but he pulled her tight up against him so that she felt the hard ridge of his erection against her belly.

He picked her up by her waist and set her on the edge of the mattress. She watched him, hunger growing within her as he knelt in front of her and tugged off one of her leather shoes and then the other. His gaze met hers as he peeled off each of her socks.

When her feet were bare, he caressed then before sliding his hands up her calves, over her jeans, on up to her thighs. The heat of his palms burned through the denim to her flesh. His hands continued on to the button of her jeans.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him, her heart pounding faster with every movement he made. She braced her hands on the mattress and leaned back. Butterflies skittered through her belly as she raised her hips so that he could pull her jeans down.

Her breath caught in her throat as he removed her jeans, leaving her in her black panties. Still on his knees, he pressed his big body between her thighs, pushing them apart.

“Your skin is so soft.” He skimmed his palms along her legs, causing goose bumps to rise up on her flesh. “I didn’t know how much I wanted to touch you until this moment.” His blue eyes held hers. “And now I don’t think I can get enough.”

She shivered as he said the words and he moved his hands over her hips, sliding over the silk of her panties to the hem of her white T-shirt.

“Is your shoulder going to be okay if we take this off?” he said as he paused.

She raised her arms. “My shoulder is fine now.”

Still, he carefully eased the T-shirt over her head and arms. When the shirt was off, he set it aside, and he looked at her, taking in her black panties and matching satin and lace bra.

She bit her lower lip as he traced the line of her bra, skimming her breasts with his callused fingers. Her entire body grew sensitized, his every touch making her want him that much more.

He watched her as he cupped her breasts and ran his thumbs over her satin-covered nipples. They tightened and ached and she wanted nothing more than to feel the warmth of his mouth on them.

Unable to move her gaze from his, she arched her back, pressing her breasts against his palms. His eyes seemed to burn like blue flame as he reached behind her and unfastened her bra. He slid the straps down her arms and bared her breasts.

Cheyenne McCray

She had just finished her third mojito when Cody asked her to dance. He took her by the hand and led her to the dance floor. She felt a little tipsy and warm inside but was still steady on her feet.

It was a slow song, and Cody brought her in close to him as she put her hands on his shoulders. A fluttering sensation batted around in her belly and her heart beat a little faster as she felt his body heat even though there was a good inch between them.

His beautiful warm brown eyes studied her. “Enjoying yourself?”

She hoped he couldn’t see the sudden nervousness that gripped her. “Yes. I like your cousins and their wives.”

The corner of his mouth tipped up. “There’s plenty more where they came from.”

She smiled in return and he brought her in closer so that their bodies were touching and she caught her breath. She linked her hands around his neck as he moved his own hands to her hips.

Heat rose inside her and her throat grew dry as their gazes held. He looked at her lips as if he wanted to kiss her. She wanted him to more than she’d ever wanted a kiss before. Her tongue darted out to touch her lips and he brought her body flush with his.

The hard ridge of his erection pressed against her belly. An ache grew between her thighs and her nipples grew taut. She had the sudden desire to take him by the hand, lead him out of the club, and tell him to drive home as fast as possible.

She wanted him. And she wanted him now.

Someone ran into her from behind and she fell forward against Cody. She looked over her shoulder but the couples around them seemed to be paying attention only to their partners. It was the second time that night that someone had run into her, but this time there wasn’t a guy trying to apologize to her.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Cody said as she looked back at him. He was grinning as he held her tight. “But you don’t have to throw yourself at me.”

Heat warmed her cheeks. “Someone bumped into me.”

He just smiled, a slow sensual smile that curled her toes.

The slow song was winding down and she didn’t want it to stop. Without realizing that she was doing it, she moved up onto her tiptoes and he lowered his head.

When his lips met hers, it was like fireworks went off in her belly and in her mind. Vaguely she was aware that a faster tune had started playing, but still Cody kissed her. It was a long, slow kiss that sent thrills from where their lips met straight to her toes.

She was breathing hard when they parted and she looked into his eyes that glittered in the low lighting.

His throat worked as he held her gaze. “Ready to go home?” His voice was husky.

She only hesitated a moment before she gave a single nod. He put his palm on her lower back and guided her through the crowd of dancers.

Cheyenne McCray

The afternoon was growing long as she reached a stock tank, not too far from a small thicket of oak and mesquite trees. She dismounted and let Poca drink from the tank.

Ella felt a prickling along her spine and looked around to see a horse and rider approaching. Clint. A strange combination of irritation and pleasure traveled up and down her spine. Irritation that he had followed her, and pleasure that he was there. Then irritation at her pleasure.

Frowning, she turned her attention to Poca, ignoring Clint. Out of the corner of her eye she watched him dismount Charger when they reached the tank and then lead his horse to the water. She noticed a blanket rolled up on the back of Charger’s saddle.

She glanced at him. “What are you doing out here?”

“Checking up on you.” He said the words casually.

She scowled at him. “What right do you have—?”

In the next moment he gripped her upper arms so tightly that she caught her breath in surprise. The look in his brown eyes caused her heart to pound and she dropped Poca’s reins to brace her palms on Clint’s chest, ready to push him away.

He had never looked as handsome as he did that moment, his expression so intense that she felt as if she might be consumed by the need she felt emanating from him. A raw, powerful need that she shared with every part of her being.

She swallowed as flutters traveled through her belly. “Let me go, Clint.”

His expression turned serious, but he didn’t let her go. “I have one question for you. Whether or not I let you go depends on the answer to that question.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And that would be?”

“What’s your relationship with Johnny Parker?” he said slowly.

Confused by his question, she blinked. “We’re good friends. Why?”

“That’s all I needed to hear.” He dragged her up against him and his mouth came down hard on hers.

Completely caught off guard, she let out a startled gasp, but he swallowed it with his kiss. It was powerful and demanding as he slipped his tongue into her mouth and he gripped her ass in his big hands. His cock was hard as he held her tightly to him.

The thought of struggling came to a quick death as she fell into the kiss. She gave a soft moan as he ground his erection against her belly and she felt an answering tingle between her thighs. Not just a tingle but a full on explosion of need and desire. She thought about the night he had touched her and brought her to orgasm and she gave a soft moan.

She grew lightheaded, as if she needed more oxygen. When he drew away she stared up into his eyes. “I need to finish checking the fence line.” The words came out in a husky whisper, as if she wasn’t sure about herself, not at all like she’d intended.