Wild Borders (11 page)

“You don’t really know me,” she said, her voice husky. “I barely know you.”

“Give it a chance. That’s all I’m asking.” Rick brought his mouth back to Lani’s, kissing her with a fierceness that surprised even him.

This time when she pulled away, she said, “I’ll only be here a short time. That’s not long enough to give anything a chance.”

“Pretend we have all the time in the world.” He brought up one hand and slipped it into her silken blonde hair. “Just let go, darlin’.”

“It’s so hard.” She lightly bit her lip and then added, “I’ve only been with one man. And he was the biggest mistake of my life.”

“You were with the
wrong
man.” Rick clenched his hand in her hair, lightly pulling on it as if that would draw her away from the bad memories and bring her into the present. “What I want you to think about is you and me. Right here, right at this moment in time.”

The moon shone through the oak leaves, shadows and silver beams of light dancing across Lani’s features. She gave a tentative smile and whispered. “All right.”

He cupped the back of her head in a possessive move and brought her mouth to his. This time she readily took him, surprising him with how intensely she returned his kiss. Suddenly it was her demanding, her needing, her wanting.

And he wanted to give her everything.

His cock ached and he longed to bury himself deep within her core. To feel her naked body beneath him, to taste her silken skin.

When he drew away, Lani gasped for air, her eyes bright in the silvery light. He clenched his hand in her hair and lightly pulled. She moved with him, tilting her head back and exposing the pale flesh of her neck. With one hand still in her hair, he slipped his other hand below her ribcage, holding her as he nibbled a path down her neck to the V of her blouse to the gentle swell of her breasts and flicked his tongue along her cleavage until she moaned.

Every touch burned like fire, searing her with every stroke of his fingers and tongue.

Rick slipped his hand from her hair and with deft fingers he unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse and settled his fingers at the front clasp of her bra. He paused, waiting for her to tell him to stop, but instead she slid her fingers into his hair and whimpered.

When Lani didn’t stop him, he unhooked it and freed her breasts, exposing them to the cool evening air and to his intent gaze.

“Damn but you’re beautiful, woman,” he said and then traced lazy trails with his tongue from her cleavage toward one nipple.

Lani didn’t know what she was doing and why she was encouraging Rick to go as far as he was. She just knew that she needed a man’s touch—no,
his
touch.

And god but he knew how to touch her. The fire he had started within her burned hotter and brighter. Her nipples tightened almost to the point of pain and her mons ached and flooded with moisture. She could think of nothing but wanting him and how it would feel to have nothing between them…his chest rubbing against her nipples, his hips between her thighs…

“What if someone sees us?” she asked, suddenly remembering they were in a park.

“We’re alone, far from the crowd, in the dark,” he murmured, his warm breath causing her nipple to ache even more.

When his tongue circled her nipple, she gripped his hair even tighter, holding onto him. She knew she shouldn’t be allowing this, virtually in public, but it felt wonderful to turn loose and just experience, just enjoy the feel of his hot mouth teasing and suckling her nipple.

That deep thrill she had every time she was around Rick intensified and headed down below to her mons. Her panties dampened and she ached so badly that she felt herself on the edge of an orgasm. But she couldn’t climax from him just sucking her nipples…could she?

“I want you so damn much,” he said and moved to her other nipple lightly nipping at it and causing her to gasp and bringing her closer to that fine edge of losing control.

Her other nipple felt cool and moist from his mouth and achingly hard. Rick cupped both breasts in his big hands, and they were large enough that she filled his palms. He brought her breasts up high, pressed them together and flicked his tongue back and forth over both nipples.

“I don’t know what you’re doing to me,” she started, “but I—I, oh god that feels good.”

Lani moved her hands to his shoulders and gripped him tight as her body started trembling. “What are you doing to me?”

“Come on, baby,” he murmured in between licks, “just let yourself go.”

Let go, Lani. Just let go.

Still holding onto Rick’s arms, she leaned back and focused entirely on his mouth and his tongue as he went back and forth from one nipple to the other. She lost herself in the sensation, giving herself up to it, and to him.

Her entire body vibrated. She whimpered, so on edge she could just scream.

And then he pinched one nipple at the same time he nipped the other and she did cry out. Her entire being shuddered and shook. A powerful orgasm stormed within as he kept his hold on her nipples. She heard booming and saw brilliant flashes of color and the moment he released her nipples, she collapsed against his chest.

“Oh. My. God.” She was stunned at what had just happened and shocked that she’d allowed it to. “I can’t believe I just—I just climaxed like that.”

He gave a low chuckle. “Darlin’, you have the most gorgeous and sensitive breasts. I could just eat you up.”

She sighed and fully relaxed against Rick, her bare nipples pressing against the roughness of his shirt. “You make me feel fireworks. I can even hear them.”

Rick gave a low chuckle. “I’d like to take credit for that, honey, but looks like it’s the Fourth of July fireworks, you’re hearing.”

Lani opened her eyes as sparkling red and blue fireworks exploded above them, filling the dark sky with twinkling lights. They winked out one by one, like hundreds of fireflies blinking through leaves of the oak. Several more fireworks burst above them all at once in an even more brilliant display.

She shook her head and looked back at Rick. “Those aren’t the fireworks I’m talking about.”

He drew her closer. “Just say when, and I’ll give you all the fireworks you need.”

Lani shuddered with another sigh that mingled with the last sparks of her orgasm. “Rick, I—I don’t know. I don’t know that I could handle more fireworks with you.”

Rick leaned back far enough to catch both sides of her bra and fastened them over her breasts while he said, “Honey, all I’m asking you to do is give things a chance to develop.”

Her nipples tingled as he hooked her bra and it was all she could do to keep her voice from trembling with desire. “This is too fast for me. I can’t even believe I went this far with you.” She searched his features as he buttoned her blouse, but it was too hard to read his expression the way his Stetson shadowed his face. “You gave me an orgasm from just touching my breasts for goodness sake.”

When her blouse was buttoned, he raised his head and she could clearly see his purely male smile illuminated by the brilliant fireworks. “And I loved every minute of it.” His expression grew serious as he continued, “Don’t be afraid of what’s happening between us, Lani.”

She stepped back and smoothed down her blouse, just for something to do with her hands. “I need to slow down, okay?”

Rick gave a nod. “All right. We’ll just take this one day at a time.”

Lani sighed with relief mingled with regret that she couldn’t just let herself go. “Thanks, Rick.”

“Don’t thank me.” He moved so that his arm rested around her shoulders. He hugged her close as they started back across the park. “It’s going to be hell keeping my hands off you, sweetheart.”

Chapter Nine

“Have lunch with me,” Rick said to Lani at breakfast. “After your interview with Dee MacLeod, we could meet at the Monroe Café.”

“Sounds like a wonderful idea.” Sadie spooned scrambled eggs onto her plate. “If I didn’t have to run errands in Tucson with Chuck and Trevor, I’d drive to Dee’s with Lani and join you.”

Lani tried to hide the leap of excitement at the thought of spending time alone with Rick. “I probably won’t get back to Douglas until one.”

“Perfect.” Rick stood and grabbed his empty plate. “Need directions?”

“I’ll draw a map.” Sadie poured a glass of orange juice. “You get on to work.”

Lani couldn’t help watching Rick as he headed to the kitchen to slip his plate into the dishwasher and then leave for work. Was she making a huge mistake by agreeing to have lunch with him? Had she already made a mistake by what had happened last night?

For crying out loud, she actually came from a man suckling her breasts!

And not just any man. Rick McAllister, the sexiest cowboy on earth, the man who had already lassoed her libido.

Could she chance letting herself get involved with the man, even if it was short-term?

Especially
since it would be short-term. She’d only be there a couple of weeks more.

She must be out of her mind. Lani rubbed her forehead with her fingertips and tried to shove away memories of Rick’s kisses and the way he’d brought her to orgasm. It was hopeless. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d held her, his earthy smell, his gentle touch, his sensual mouth.

After buttoning up her blouse last night, Rick had kept her close as they strolled back toward his family. But before they crossed the street Lani had pulled away, not ready for his family to see them together.

He’d simply given an earth-shattering, sexy smile that made her knees quiver, and she almost grabbed his hand to steady herself. She wasn’t sure if she was disappointed or glad that he hadn’t pressured her for more.

Who was she kidding? She could do nothing but think about the man. How did he manage to get so completely under her skin?

As Lani drove Sadie’s SUV to the MacLeod Ranch, the twenty-five miles to Douglas scrolled by, the sky overcast with the threat of a monsoon storm. She glanced at the hand-drawn map on the seat beside her, and checked to make sure she’d taken the right exit.

Every few miles she passed a white and green Border Patrol vehicle. When she drove through Douglas, it seemed like it increased to about once every minute. Her heart beat a little faster as she thought about Rick, knowing that he was somewhere in that town.

“Get your head back to business, Lani,” she muttered.

Another fifteen miles east of Douglas, Lani turned off on a dirt road leading to the ranch. She drove past the well-kept barbwire fence, over a cattle guard, and down the primitive dirt road that caused the SUV to rattle and shimmy every inch of the way.

Chuck had taught her some ranch terms the day before, so she actually knew what a cattle guard was. She even recognized the breed of cattle grazing on the northern pasture of the MacLeod’s ranch as Black Angus, the same breed as the few head Chuck still kept on the JL Star.

Unlike the JL Star, only a few mesquite bushes dotted the Flying M’s expansive rangelands. Tawny mountains rose like earthbound sentinels behind the sprawling ranch house, a stark contrast to the endless yellow field of grass at its feet.

After Lani parked, she jogged up the steps to a porch crowded with beautiful green houseplants. Before she could knock, a willowy redhead opened the front door, a Border collie at her side. “You must be Lani, Trace’s friend.” She held out her hand. “I’m Dee Reynolds.”

“It’s great to meet you.” Lani smiled and shook Dee’s hand, noticing her strong grip. “Trace shared a lot with me about growing up here on your ranch.”

The woman gave a brilliant smile, and with her classic beauty, Lani could see that Dee must turn more than her fair share of heads. “Trace is in Texas with her husband Jess, but she hopes to make it here before you head back to San Francisco.”

Lani nodded as the dog nuzzled her hand. “It would be great to see her before I leave, and to meet her husband.”

“Well Blue certainly approves of you,” Dee said with a laugh as she looked at the dog.

“You’re beautiful, Blue.” Lani allowed the Border collie to sniff her hand then rubbed his head.

A man stepped through the front door, and Lani almost stumbled over Blue in surprise.

“Pardon,” John Stevens said around the toothpick in his mouth, touching the brim of his cowboy hat as he paused in front of her.

“No problem.” Lani smiled. “Are we still on for our interview?”

“Uh, yeah.” He turned to Dee. “Gotta be on my way, Dee. Thanks for letting me use the john.”

Dee smiled. “We’ll talk later, Bull,” she said as he headed down the steps, and he turned back just long enough to give a quick nod in acknowledgment.

“Hope I wasn’t interrupting anything,” Lani said as John Stevens climbed into his truck.

“Nah.” Dee winked at Lani. “Bull only stopped by for a minute. He’s off to the cattle auction, trying to rebuild his herd. Wanted to know if I’d like him to buy a few more cattle for our herd. Rustlers made away with a good number of them last fall.”

Lani raised her eyebrows. “Rustlers?”

Dee gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “The bastards are in jail now, so it’s old news.”

Blue followed at Lani’s heels as Dee led her into the sunny interior of the home and offered Lani a glass of ice water. She gladly accepted, taking a long draught to quench her thirst. She opened her laptop and booted it up at the kitchen table, set her recorder out, and turned it on.

“So.” Dee folded her arms on the table and leaned toward Lani as if sharing a secret, her peridot green eyes sparkling. “Tell me how you’re enjoying your stay with one of the most gorgeous eligible bachelors in these parts? In any parts, for that matter.”

The question came just as Lani took another drink of water. She choked and came close to spraying a mouthful of that water all over her laptop and the lovely Mrs. Reynolds. For at least the millionth time, Lani cursed the flood of red rushing to her face.

“Ah. Rick has charmed you, too.” Dee grinned and sighed like a schoolgirl. “I had a crush on him from the time I was fourteen until I met Jake eleven years ago. No one would ever do for me again once I met Jake.”

Lani managed to keep her tone casual. “So, Rick turns on the charm for all women?”

“Nah.” Dee shook her head. “He was born with it. He doesn’t have to do anything but walk into a room and you can just see the women drool. Part of his charm is that he doesn’t even realize the effect he has on females.”

A perverse desire to know more about him rose up in Lani, even if it shattered her illusions. “A lot of guys would take advantage of that.”

With a little snort, Dee said, “Not Rick. I don’t think he’s dated more than a couple of women in the five years since his wife died.”

Dee smiled and twirled a diamond and peridot wedding ring around her finger, and Lani noticed the rancher was also wearing a peridot heart necklace. “Sadie keeps thinking Rick will eventually find his soul mate,” Dee said. “He may be a grown man, but his mama can’t help but worry about him. She’s hoping Rick might be more than a little interested in you.”

“Yes. Well.” Lani’s face burned as she turned to her laptop and brought up the list of questions she’d prepared for the interview. “We’d better get started so that I don’t take up too much of your day.”

“Take your time.” Dee leaned over and scratched her dog behind his ears. “It’s another hour or so before Blue and I have to head off to feed the horses and check the stock tanks.”

“Thanks.” Lani glanced at the first question on her list. “Can you tell me how the traffic of illegal aliens affects ranchers?”

Dee ran a careless hand through her auburn hair and settled back in her chair. “In more ways than you might realize. Take Bull Stevens for example. Illegals cut his fence and he lost thousands of dollars when his herd strayed through the fence and got into some bad feed and died.”

Frowning, Lani said, “No wonder he hasn’t looked pleased when I’ve mentioned talking to him about illegal immigrants.”

The rancher gave Lani a wry smile. “That’s putting it mildly.” Dee jerked her thumb toward the window. “Then there’s Kev Grand, who lives across the way from us. His loss has also been in the thousands.”

Lani cocked her head as she remembered the name. “It’s been some time, but I read an article in the New York Times that Mr. Grand is one of the vigilantes who took matters into his own hands.”

Dee nodded. “You might say that, though he’s really not the vigilante the papers have made him out to be. He just got tired of all the destruction to his property, as well as the drug traffic. So he set up sensors, started patrolling his own property, taking illegals into custody and calling the Border Patrol to escort them off his land.”

Lani asked a few more questions about Kev and then asked, “Do you know how many agents work this area?”

“Up until a couple of years ago, there were only fifty Border Patrol Agents in this sector, rotating in three shifts. And yet thousands of illegal immigrants crossed the border every day. They’ve increased the number of agents from fifty to something like five hundred.”

Lani raised her brows. “What a difference.”

Dee nodded. “Yes, and believe it or not, it’s still not enough.”

“You mentioned destruction,” Lani said. “What kind?”

“Like most ranchers around these parts, including the Flying M, Kev has had a lot of damage, with fences being cut in places the illegals passed through.” Dee sighed. “This is a bigger problem than you’d think. Not only will cattle cross from one rancher’s property to another, they could also end up in Mexico.”

Lani’s fingers flew over the laptop’s keyboard as she took notes, questions flying even faster through her mind. “What other damage has been done?”

“Kev and other ranchers have had problems with
coyotes
shooting holes in fifty-thousand-dollar water tanks, as well as cutting water lines, just for the sake of getting drinking water.” Dee clenched her jaw and shook her head. “What makes this even more frustrating, is that they could find open stock tanks anywhere around here, every mile or so, where these people can drink without the
coyotes
destroying property.”

Lani checked the next question on her list. “Do you have illegals cross your property or come up to your home?”

“Dozens of them cross our rangeland every night, and we’ve had groups of thirty to forty camp out in the pasture.”

“Do you ever feel like you’re in danger?”

Dee tilted her head in consideration. “Well, for the most part, no. These tend to be people coming to the U.S. to make a better life, and earning more money than they could in Mexico. But I’ve heard a few stories that have made me uncomfortable.”

The rancher drummed her slender fingers on the table. “Now those
coyotes
are nasty. Real bad news. There’s one in particular whose name keeps coming up. His name is Gordo, and from what little I’ve heard, he’s a real SOB.”

“Gordo? That means ‘fat’ in Spanish, correct?”

“Yes.”

After Lani had interviewed Dee for a while longer, Blue bounded to the front door and back. He gave a low ‘woof,’ nuzzled Dee’s hand again, then trotted back to the door with an expectant look on his expressive face.

Dee laughed. “Time to feed the horses. Any more questions?”

“I’m set.” Lani shut down her laptop. “You’ve been terrific.”

“No problem. Call me if you have more questions, or send me an e-mail.” Dee gave Lani a business card then walked her to the front door with Blue dancing at their heels.

As Lani turned to leave, Dee placed her hand on her arm. “I know it’s none of my business, but if Rick is interested in you, don’t let him slip through your fingers. He’s a good man. One in a million.”

Lani swallowed and attempted a smile. “Ah. Thanks.”

Butterflies invaded Lani’s stomach while she drove down G Avenue, Douglas’s main street, to the Monroe Café. She parked the SUV in front of the row of buildings crammed side-by-side along the street. Gold letters announced the café’s name, along with the proclamation that it was the oldest restaurant in Douglas.

Wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans, Lani took a deep breath. It was only lunch with Rick, for goodness sake. Not a date.

Sheesh. She’d let the man give her an orgasm last night by sucking her nipples!

Then she saw him walking toward her on the sidewalk. His sexy smile. His walk, so fluid and powerful. No man should be allowed to be that gorgeous.

Lust. Pure and simple. She lusted after the man.

Another deep breath and then she grabbed her purse, got out of the SUV, and joined Rick where he waited in front of the café.

“Hello, darlin’.” Rick smiled down at her, his azure eyes caressing her with a glance. He didn’t even have to touch her, and she felt like she’d been kissed.

“Hi.” Her voice was breathless and she couldn’t think of anything else to say.