Wild: Wildfire (12 page)

Pressing her close to him, Jake slowly kissed her. She tasted her own musky scent on his lips. When he raised his head, he smiled. “For that ‘down under’ experience at the restaurant.”

“Oh. That.” Dee ran her fingers along the scar that made him seem almost dangerous in the moonlight. “I like your kind of revenge.”

After he fastened his belt and jeans, Jake helped Dee straighten her clothes. He closed the door of his truck, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and walked her to the house.

They started up the steps of her porch, and then he stopped and looked toward the buildings in the back. “Christ, Dee. I forgot about the ranch hands.”

“We were on the opposite side of the truck where no one could see.” She tugged on his hand and led him up the steps. “Besides, it’s Friday night. The guys always head into town, and the bunkhouse isn’t even close to the main house, so no one could have seen anything.”

Pausing and giving him a mischievous grin, she added, “Not to mention, it made it all the more naughty.”

The corner of Jake’s mouth turned up and he shook his head. “What am I going to do with you?”

They stopped in front of the door and she gave him a brazen look. “Anything you want.”

He placed his hands around her waist and nuzzled the top of her head. “I can think of lots of things.”

“Mmmmm. Me, too.” Dee reached up and kissed him. She was so tempted to ask him to spend the night, but that wasn’t in the plan.

What plan was that again? Oh, yeah. Enjoy the man and let him go when it was time for him to leave.

When she pulled away she unlocked the door, then turned back to him. “Thanks for an unforgettable evening.”

Jake glanced at the door and looked like he was about to say something, but then changed his mind.

He cleared his throat. “Ah, I was wondering…”

Dee raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Tomorrow I’m going to my mom’s for a couple of hours, for lunch.” He ran his hand over the stubble on his cheeks. “Would you like to go?”

Taking a deep breath, she asked, “To meet your mom?”

“Yeah.” He put one hand against the doorframe, glanced at his boots and then back to Dee. “Mom can be a bit much to handle in one sitting, though. She’s likely to embarrass the hell out of me, and probably you, too.”

With a grin Dee slid her arms around his waist. “This I gotta see.”

“You’ll come then?” He looked both relieved and worried at the same moment.

“Come?” She gave him her most sultry smile. “Is that a promise?”

Jake laughed and kissed her long and hard. “On second thought, it might not be such a great idea. I may not be able to keep my hands off you.”

“Sounds like a wonderful idea to me.” Dee stepped away and dug her keys out of her purse. “What time?”

“Eleven?”

She unlocked the door. “I’ll be waiting.”

He kissed her again. “Good night.”

“’Night.” Dee forced herself to leave his embrace. With one last smile, she slipped in the door and locked it behind her.

Chapter Ten

Blue barked, alerting Dee that someone was coming up to the house, just as she finished buttoning her blouse. A sense of mischief came over her as she thought about greeting Jake at the front door, absolutely naked. Yeah, one of these days, she’d have to do exactly that.

Instead, she left the top three buttons undone, just enough to show the red lace bra beneath her lipstick red blouse. She couldn’t wait until he got a look at her matching underwear beneath her short jean skirt—that ought to spin his spurs. She dabbed orange blossom perfume between her breasts, at her wrists and behind her knees. Her nipples were already tingling, and her panties wet at the thought of enjoying Jake like she had last night.

A sharp knock sounded. With Blue trotting at her heels, Dee hurried across the tile floor to the front door. Heart racing in anticipation, she flung open the door—but found Kev Grand on her porch, not Jake.

“Heya, Kev.” Dee managed to keep the smile on her face and the disappointment out of her voice. “What brings you to the Flying M this morning?”

Kev pushed up the brim of his straw western hat, his hazel eyes traveling over her breasts in a slow perusal. “Now don’t you look nice, hon.”

Heat singed Dee’s cheeks and she barely resisted the urge to button her blouse up to her throat. “I told you I’m not your hon. What’s up?”

“I want a word with you.” He braced one hand against the doorframe and ran his hand over his mustache and down his stubbled jaw. “I thought you and I were going somewhere with our relationship, but lately, you don’t seem too interested.”

She caught the smell of chewing tobacco on his breath, but resisted wrinkling her nose. “We’ve only dated a couple of times.” Dee sighed and shook her head. “Where did you get the idea that we’d be anything more than friends? I’ve never led you on.”

“It’s Reynolds, isn’t it?” Kev clenched his jaw. “He comes into town and you’re all over him.”

Dee braced her hands on her hips and raised her chin. “I think you’ve said more than enough.”

“Did you ever stop to think that maybe Reynolds has something to do with your missing cattle?” Kev waved toward the rangeland. “Shit started happening not long before he showed up sniffing at your ass.”

Anger tinged Dee’s vision as crimson as her blouse. “You need to back off right now before you say something that’ll
really
piss me off, Kev Grand.”

He nodded. “All right. Just don’t come crying to me when the bastard dumps you again.” As he turned and headed down the steps, he tossed over his shoulder, “Or if you find out he’s the one screwing you in more than one way.”

Kev’s accusation about Jake’s involvement with the rustling didn’t even dignify a response, as far as Dee was concerned. What an asinine way to try to get her to mistrust Jake.

“Thanks for your concern.” Dee glared after Kev as he walked to his appaloosa mare. “So nice of you to be positive I’ll get dumped,” she added under her breath.

Well, so what if Jake did leave? At least she was getting what she wanted—sex, and damn incredible sex at that.

* * * * *

Jake lowered the visor, blocking out the morning sun as he drove down the dirt road to Dee’s ranch. Did she regret what had happened between them last night? All the way home, he’d wavered between wonder at the incredibly erotic evening with her, and berating himself for taking her like he did.

Outside, half in and half out of his truck cab.

Ah, hell.
What was the matter with him? Dee deserved better than to be groped in the driveway and then fucked like a teenager in the back of a car. Only they hadn’t been in the back at all. He’d had her bent over his truck’s leather seats, next to the steering wheel.

As he drove over the cattle guard and up to Dee’s house, he spotted a familiar form on horseback, heading across the rangeland.

Grand.
Jake gritted his teeth as he shut off the engine. What the hell was Grand doing at Dee’s? Again he wondered if the bastard had anything to do with Dee’s missing cattle. He’d talked with Forrester and Savage several times over the past couple of weeks, but no decent leads had turned up. The only new information was that damn near every ranch in the area had reported cattle missing.

He scrubbed his hand over his face, and then climbed out of the truck. His steps quickened as he neared the porch and Dee opened the door. Every thought of criminals and cattle dissipated with the breeze as she put her hand on her hip, giving him a smile that made him want to fuck her right there. Her auburn hair hung loose the way he loved it, and she was wearing a red blouse and short jean skirt that hugged her hips, showing her generous curves and long legs.

She cocked her head. “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to stay out in that truck all morning.”

In two strides he reached her, slipped his hands around her waist, and kissed her long and hard. “I missed you,” he murmured, trailing his lips to her ear. Her orange blossom scent flowed over him, his cock already hard from the feel of her soft body pressed to his.

She gave a husky laugh. “It’s only been a few hours.”

“Too long.” He captured her mouth again, and then with reluctance pulled away.

Dee’s mouth was red from his kiss, her nipples pebbled under her blouse. Her breathing came hard and fast. Damn, but he wanted to take her right there in broad daylight on her front porch.

His gaze dropped to the open neck of her blouse and his throat grew tight. She was wearing the heart pendant he’d given her their first Christmas together. Their only Christmas together. He’d chosen the stone because it matched the color of her eyes and it was her birthstone. And he had chosen the shape because she had captured his heart.

He reached up grasped the pendant in his palm. As his gaze met hers, he smiled. “I thought you might have thrown it out in the pasture.”

Lips curving into a grin, she gave a throaty laugh. “I gave that some serious consideration.”

“I’ll bet you did.” Jake released the heart and trailed his finger down to the red lace bra peeking out. “Mmmm, I like.”

“Wait ‘til you see what else I’ve got on.” She gave him a sexy smile and buttoned up her shirt leaving only the top button undone. “Can’t go visit your mother with my blouse open.”

“Damn, but I preferred it the other way.” Jake kissed her again and drew back. “You ready to face lunch with my mom?”

“You make it sound like going in front of a firing squad.”

“No, that’d be easier.”

She shook her head and laughed again. “Let me grab my purse and say goodbye to Blue.”

Jake had only planned to spend a couple of hours with his mom, but that wasn’t how it worked out. Dory and Dee had gotten along so well, laughing and joking—mostly at his expense—that they’d ended up staying for hours. Dory had brought out all the embarrassing photos she could find, and told Dee stories Jake had hoped she’d never hear.

By the time he and Dee climbed into his truck to head back to her ranch, it was early evening, starting to get dark.

Dee sat in the middle, next to Jake and buckled her seatbelt. “I like your mom.”

“Uh-huh.” He slid the key into the ignition and started the truck. “I noticed.”

Grinning, she said, “Most fun I’ve had in a while.”

He raised his eyebrows and looked at her. “Yeah?”

She ran her gaze down to his lap and back to his eyes. “Make that the second most fun I’ve had.”

Jake leaned over and kissed her. His stomach rumbled and she gave a soft laugh.

“Hungry?” she murmured against his mouth. “For food, that is.”

“Yes on both accounts.” He forced himself to pull away from her intoxicating lips. “Want to grab a bite?”

Dee laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. “Why don’t we pick up some drive-thru and eat it at my house?”

“All right.” His cock was already stirring at the thought of sinking deep inside her.

They went to a fast-food restaurant that served great fried chicken, rolls, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and jalapeños. The smell of all that food wafted out to the truck and Jake’s stomach rumbled even louder.

“Do they have any cheesecake?” Dee asked before he ordered, a wicked glint in her eyes.

Jake’s dick grew hard in an instant at the thought of the orgasm she’d had while he fed her chocolate cheesecake. He smiled, his gaze caressing her body, and was rewarded by the sight of her nipples puckering her light blouse.

“You and cheesecake are a dangerous combination,” he murmured.

After Dee let Blue out into the night to do his business, she joined Jake in the dining room where he’d spread out all the food on the long oak table. Smells of fried chicken and mashed potatoes filled the room and her stomach growled. He’d taken a couple of plates from the china cabinet and silverware from the buffet. It surprised her that he remembered where everything was kept after all these years.

The chandelier was on, the crystals casting rainbows of light around the room. Jake sat at the end of the table. She took the seat next to him, and dug into the meal.

In minutes, he finished eating another chicken breast and tossed the bones into the growing pile. “I’ll help you with chores since we’re late getting back.”

Dee shook her head. “My foreman said he’d take care of everything today. I asked Jess this morning since I didn’t know how long you and I would be gone.”

“How long has Lawless worked for you?” Jake asked in between bites of mashed potatoes and gravy.

“A couple of months now.” She spied a roll and grabbed it. “He was referred to me by a friend of Steve Wilds.”

Jake nodded. “Wilds is a rancher?”

“Yeah.” Dee sipped her soda. “You know him?”

“I’ve run into him a couple of times.”

“Catie is his sister.” Dee jerked her thumb north. “They own the ranch on that side of the Flying M. So far they’ve been lucky enough not to lose any cattle. Which is odd since pretty much everyone else has.”

She polished off a wing and discarded the bones. As she licked the remaining juice from her fingers, she glanced up and her eyes met Jake’s. He was watching her with a look that was akin to a man in desperate need. Slowly and deliberately she sucked each finger, never letting her gaze waver from his.

With a groan, he stood and drew her up with him. “You’re driving me out of my ever-lovin’ mind.”

“Am I?” She feigned innocence as she watched him from beneath her lashes, her eyes on his mouth.

“Uh-huh.” In a quick motion he shoved their plates and food containers to the middle of the table, and pulled the chair away from the end. “It’s time for dessert.”

Before she knew what was happening, he grabbed her around the waist, lifted her up and placed her on top of the table. He stepped between her thighs and cupped her face with his hands. But he made no move to kiss her, just smiled and traced his thumb along her lower lip.

Her body quivered and she couldn’t take her eyes off his mouth and the cleft in his chin. “Am I dessert?”

“Most definitely.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled his mouth toward hers. “Kiss me.”

She felt his smile against her lips and he gave her an achingly slow kiss. Too slow. She wanted him in the worst way, yet she held back from plunging her tongue into his mouth, letting him set the pace. He smelled so good, so musky, so male.

“Every time I had dinner with your family at this table,” he whispered as he lifted his head, “I fantasized about fucking you on top of it.”

“You did?”

“Uh-huh.”

God, how that made her hot and wet.

His hungry mouth moved to her earlobe and she gasped as he nipped at it. “Right underneath this chandelier. I’d picture you naked, wearing only that heart necklace.”

Shivers raced through Dee as he slipped his hands into her hair and slid his tongue into her mouth. He tasted spicy and wild, and she couldn’t get enough of him.

Dee pulled Jake’s black T-shirt out of the waistband of his jeans. “Now, baby. I want you to fuck me now.”

Jake captured her hands in his, and then kissed her knuckles. “Let’s take it a little slower this time.” He put her hands in her lap and started unbuttoning her blouse.

She whimpered in frustration, but let him take control.

It seemed to take him forever to get to the last button. “Now in my fantasy, you’re sitting here completely naked, just waiting for me.”

He pushed her blouse off her shoulders and down her arms, then tossed it onto a chair. The air felt cool on Dee’s exposed skin, and she quivered with anticipation.

Cupping her breasts with his palms, Jake ran his thumbs over the lace bra covering her, and she moaned. He moved his hands to the front clasp and undid it, releasing her aching breasts.

After Jake slid the bra off and tossed it aside, he didn’t touch her pussy like she was dying for him to do. Instead, he crouched down to remove her shoes. When he finished, he stood and unbuttoned her skirt, the touch of his hands against her belly burning her like wildfire. She leaned back, bracing her palms on the table and lifting her hips so that he could slide the skirt off.

When he’d dropped them to the floor, he moved between her thighs and pressed himself against the crotch of her lace panties. His jeans felt rough and erotic against the insides of her thighs, and he felt so damn hard against her.

“God, you’re sexy.” He moved back and traced a finger down the damp center of her pussy. “And so wet for me.”

Just that light touch almost made her come. Dee’s breathing grew heavier, her heart pounding in her throat. She wanted to beg him to fuck her, yet she was so incredibly aroused by what he was doing.

The table felt cool and smooth to her naked bottom as he eased her panties over her hips. He tossed them over his shoulder, then pushed her thighs apart. But still he didn’t touch her pussy, just stepped back and raked his gaze over her body. She was completely naked with only her heart pendant on, and he was fully clothed. She’d never been so turned on.

The chandelier cast rainbows of light across her breasts and her nipples grew impossibly harder as he studied her. His gray eyes were smoky, his gaze filled with such intense heat that her skin burned wherever it rested.

She felt raw and exposed. The slightest movement of air brushing across her skin just about made her scream.

“I want to watch you touch yourself.” Jake’s voice was rough.

Dee swallowed, her eyes widening and her lips parting.

“That’s part of my fantasy,” he murmured. “Touch yourself.”

She moved her hands to her breasts, keeping her eyes focused on his and ran the tip of her tongue along her lower lip.

Jake groaned and clenched his fists at his sides, his erection straining against his jeans. “Move one hand lower.”

The fact that he was obviously as turned on as she was, gave Dee the courage to shed her inhibitions. If he wanted a show, she’d give it to him.

She eased one hand from her breast, down her belly, closer to her thighs.

“Yes. Lower.” He groaned again. “Tease your pussy.”

She parted her thighs even wider and reached the curls below. Jake looked like he was in mortal pain as she slid her finger into her hot center. She was so wet. So hot for him. With her other hand she continued to knead her breast while she stroked her clit, widening her legs so he could see her dampness. Smell her desire.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “Lick your nipple.”

Dee stilled for a second, but the lust in his eyes made her wonder if her breasts were large enough to comply. Her eyes still locked with his, she lifted her breast and bent her head down to flick her tongue over her own nipple while still stroking herself. With him watching her, the feeling was so erotic that she nearly reached climax.

His next words came out in a growl, “Come for me, Dee.”

Dee’s eyes widened. Her fingers slowed for a moment, and her cheeks burned. But Jake’s eyes. Oh, God. He was fucking her with his eyes, watching each slow circle as she rubbed herself.

“Yes,” he whispered as she picked up speed again, barely able to keep her eyes open.