Montana Ranger's Wedding Vow

by Elle James

  * * *

  Hours later, Dallas leaned back her head against the seat in Viper’s truck, smiling.

  “What are you smiling about?” Viper asked.

  “I can’t believe Chuck pulled everyone together on such short notice, after just being released from the hospital.”

  “Knowing Chuck, he made all the arrangements from his hospital bed. Not much keeps that man down.”

  “To honor us with the celebration was really nice of them.” Her smile slipped as guilt filled her gut. “The get-together was fun, but I feel like such a fake.”

  “Every one of the Brotherhood Protectors would do anything for each other. And they would absolutely understand the need for complete silence on this particular mission.”

  “I know.” She tilted her head sideways, a nice alcohol-induced buzz making her more relaxed and talkative. “They reminded me of what being a member of a military unit felt like. Everyone looking out for everyone else.”

  Viper’s mouth pressed into a tight line. “Is that how your unit was for you?”

  Dallas sighed. “That’s how my peers were before I signed up for Ranger training. And that’s how the men were to each other on the Ranger team I was assigned to.” She shook her head. “Not to me. Some weren’t ready to accept a female amongst them. I was their Achilles heel.”

  “I call bullshit,” Viper said. “Male or female, we’re on the same team. You went through the training just like they did and earned the right to wear the patch. They shouldn’t have ostracized you just because you don’t have a dick.”

  A chuckle rose up her throat. “I’d look awfully funny with a dick.”

  Viper’s lips curved upward. “You’re drunk.”

  “Maybe a little. But mostly just feeling good about the organization I belong to now. Hank’s got a good thing going with the best of the best. I’m honored to be a part of it, even if I don’t have testicles.” She giggled.

  “I, for one, am glad you are female.”

  “Oh yeah?” she countered, her heart fluttering in her chest. “Why?”

  “I’d feel silly kissing a guy dressed as a bride.”

  Dallas burst out laughing.

  Viper frowned. “Not that I have anything against guys who like guys, but I’m not one of them. I happen to like kissing girls.”

  She turned toward him, emboldened by alcohol and the good feeling of having been surrounded by people who cared. “Why did you kiss me back in the flower shop when no one was looking? And why did you kiss me on the porch when you didn’t know anyone was looking?”

  For a moment, he didn’t answer, his hands holding tightly to the steering wheel, his gaze on the road ahead.

  The bravado ebbed out of Dallas as the alcoholic haze wore off. Heat rose up her cheeks as she realized she’d just gone fishing for answers she might not like. “Never mind. Just forget I asked,” she muttered and turned away.

  “No. I’ll answer. I just…don’t know how.” He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “I hadn’t really kissed someone since Emily passed. I felt like such a gesture was betraying her memory. But when you came along all tough and ready to kick my ass, I couldn’t help sparring with you. And I liked it.” He faced her for a moment, taking his attention from the road. “I. Like. You. After you were nearly mowed over by Mrs. Davis’s Cadillac, all I could think was that you were safe and I had to kiss you. So, I did.”

  Dallas couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Viper liked her. Liked her enough to kiss her. “Why do you like me? I’m not even a whole person.”

  He frowned. “Sweetheart, you have to get over the fact you don’t have part of one leg anymore. The amputation doesn’t make you any less of a person than someone with two legs. You’re whole where it counts.” He touched his fist to his chest. “Here. You care about people, you work as hard as any man at the ranch, and I like the fact you could kick my ass, if I let you. Don’t think of yourself as anything less than what you are, a beautiful, smart badass female with eyes the color of emeralds and hair that shines like copper in the sun. You’re beautiful, and working with you is an honor. I consider it even more of an honor you didn’t knock off my head when I kissed you.”

  Dallas sat back, warmth filling her chest, radiating outward.

  They’d arrived at the Brighter Days Ranch and pulled up to the front of the house. She didn’t know how to respond to Viper’s declaration. Dating had never been something she was good at. All she knew was she wanted him to kiss her again. But how did she tell him? Should she be blunt and let him know he turned her on?

  Or should she play a little hard to get? Weren’t men turned off by women who came on too strong? For that matter, what was too strong?

  Her head spun with a multitude of different scenarios—all of which felt awkward and out of her skillset. At this rate, she’d be old and wrinkled before she told Viper how she really felt.

  The door on her side of the vehicle opened, and the man who’d been foremost in her thoughts held out his hand. “Want to go inside, or have you decided to sleep in the truck?” He smiled. “I’m sorry if I scared you with my long speech. I promise I won’t kiss you again, unless you want me to.” He held up two fingers on his free hand. “Scout’s honor.”

  Dallas put her hand in his but hesitated, her heart beating so fast she had trouble breathing. She swallowed hard and stared at where their hands touched. Heat radiated all the way up her arm and into her chest. “About that promise.”

  He tugged on her hand, forcing her to step out onto the running board. “The promise not to kiss you unless you wanted me to?”

  “Um. Yes.”

  “I meant every word,” he said softly.

  She squared her shoulders, as she did anytime she faced something that scared her so much her knees shook, and she looked into his eyes. “What if I want you to kiss me?”

  His eyes flashed surprise and then his mouth curved into a gentle smile. “Sweetheart, all you have to do is ask.”

  Having come that far, she couldn’t go back. “I’m asking,” she whispered.

  He cocked his head a little to the side. “A little louder?”

  “Seriously?” She drew in a deep breath and would have shouted that she wanted a kiss, now, if only to prove a point, but she didn’t get that far.

  Viper swept her into his arms, his lips crashing down onto hers, stealing away her words, her thoughts and her breath.

  He held her above the ground, crushed to his chest, his arms like vises around her middle. None of that mattered when his lips were on hers, drawing a response she’d only dreamed of giving. Dallas wrapped her arms around his neck and gave as good as she got. She opened to him and met his tongue with her own, tasting the mint he’d popped into his mouth on the drive back.

  Slowly, he set her on her feet but didn’t back away or end the kiss. He did allow her to draw in a breath so that she could kiss him longer.

  His hands slipped up the back of her shirt, his calloused fingers smoothing across her skin, kneading her flesh. Then he shifted the direction and slipped downward into the waistband of her jeans and panties to cup her ass.

  Other than how good he tasted, the only thing Dallas could think of was that she wore entirely too many clothes. She wanted them both to be naked, their bodies pressed together, her legs tangled with his.

  The sound of someone clearing his throat brought them back to earth. She broke away from Viper and glanced around.

  “Sorry.” Percy stepped down from the porch. “I didn’t realize you two were out here. I’ll just be going to the bunkhouse. Don’t let me interrupt.”

  But he had, and the moment passed.

  Dallas sucked in ragged breaths, her body on fire. She started to reach for Viper’s hand to drag him into the house and to her room where she could make love to him all night long. But then the reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks.

  Getting naked with Viper meant removing her prosthetic and then lying next to him with only
one good leg. Nothing was sexy about a woman with a missing leg. And she’d be damned if she let him have pity sex with her.

  A bitter mixture of longing and bile burned in her mouth. The truth was, she wasn’t ready to have sex with a man since losing her leg. She wasn’t even sure how she’d manage. “We’d better call it a night. We have chores in the morning and need to be ready to go when Sadie and Hank arrive.” Dallas turned away.

  Viper grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just tired.”

  He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “Not buying that excuse, but I’ll let it go for now.” He released her arm. “Go on to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Dallas would have run for the house, but that action would only have shown Viper how scared she was. And she didn’t want him to think she was scared. Instead, she took her time climbing the stairs. But the truth was, she was terrified of her feelings and too scared to admit she wanted more. Rejection was not something she was prepared to handle.

  Chapter 11

  No amount of icy cold water would chill Viper’s desire. He went to bed as hard as he’d been when he’d stepped into the shower and lay there all night, wishing he could go to Dallas and find out why she’d been so hot and pliant in his arms one moment and then shut down the next.

  Granted, being caught making out by the ranch foreman had to have put a damper on her libido. But the interruption had done nothing to chill his.

  He’d finally fallen asleep only to wake with the first rooster’s crow. He’d even beaten Cookie to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. He’d need the infusion of caffeine to make it through the day.

  Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Dallas entered the kitchen, fully dressed and ready for chores. When she spotted Viper standing by the coffee she came to a complete stop, her eyes wide and her cheeks turning a bright red.

  Viper couldn’t leave it the way they’d parted the night before. They were partners, so they needed to be able to talk. “Dallas, about last night—”

  She held up a hand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come on to you like that. You don’t owe me anything, and I didn’t want you to feel obligated to kiss me.”

  He closed the distance between them and gathered her into his arms. “Are you kidding? I wondered if I had come on too strong and scared you away.” His arms tightened around her. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

  She stiffened. “I’m not afraid of you, Vince Van Cleave. I just didn’t want to continue something that couldn’t go any further.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, we need to leave our connection at a kiss. I want nothing more.” She looked away, leading him to believe she wasn’t sharing the whole truth.

  He clasped her chin in his hand and tilted her face upward, forcing her to look him. “Tell me you didn’t feel anything when I kissed you and I’ll leave you alone.”

  She closed her eyes. “I didn’t.”

  His chest tightened. “Look at me and say those words.”

  She opened her eyes, her jaw tightening beneath his fingertips. “Why kid myself? I’m not good at this kind of thing. I’m not the right woman for you.”

  “Tell me you didn’t feel anything and I’ll leave you alone,” he repeated, his tone softer. Her answer meant more to him than he wanted to admit to himself.

  “You’re pretty arrogant, aren’t you?” she countered.

  He lowered his mouth to hover over hers. “Shall I remind you?”

  She opened her mouth, and when she did, Viper swooped in and claimed her lips, slipping his tongue past her teeth to caress hers. God, she tasted so good, and her body fit perfectly against his.

  The clump of footsteps pierced his haze of lust. He stepped away, muttering, “Too damned many people live in this house.”

  Cookie entered the kitchen, chuckling. “Save it for the wedding night. I have breakfast to rustle up.”

  “And I have chores to do.” Dallas ducked and hurried for the door.

  Percy blocked her exit. “Not today, you don’t. I understand Sadie McClain is taking you shopping for your wedding dress. You concentrate on that. We’ll cover your chores.” He tilted his head toward Lori standing behind him. “And I hear Lori’s going with you. She’s excused, as well. Now, don’t you have to go put on some makeup or something?”

  “I could use some help moving feed bags from the storage area to the bins this morning.” Gavin Blackstock stepped up behind Percy. “Viper, you up for that?”

  “I can do that,” Dallas protested.

  “I know you can, but today’s a big day for you. From what Lori’s been telling me, wedding dress shopping is a big deal.” Gavin winked. “I won’t have you chipping a nail or something before you go.”

  “I don’t give a rat’s ass about my nails, and I can haul feed just like any one of your men.”

  Viper chuckled. “Dallas.”

  “What?” she answered, her voice curt.

  Viper grinned. “I think they’re yanking your chain.”

  Dallas glared at Gavin and Percy. “You are?”

  Percy crossed his arms over his chest. “Would I do that?”

  Gavin raised his eyebrows. “Me?”

  Dallas glared a moment longer and then relaxed. “You had me going for a moment. But since you’re both a couple of jerks, I’ll take you up on the day off from chores. I think I’ll go paint my nails.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and marched out of the kitchen.

  Viper laughed, admiring the way her hips swayed as she left.

  “You’ll have your hands full with that one,” Gavin said.

  Percy nodded. “Yeah, but she’ll be one to work alongside you. She won’t need to be pampered and babied.”

  “No,” Gavin agreed. “But you better treat her right.”

  “Uh-huh,” Percy said.

  “Or she’ll kick my ass,” Viper finished. “I know. She’s one in a million, and I’m lucky she picked me.”

  If only.

  Viper could learn to love a woman like Dallas. He enjoyed showing her what being appreciated by a man who knew her worth was like.

  Gavin jerked his head toward the door. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I could use some help moving sacks of feed.”

  “Lead the way.” Viper followed Gavin and Percy out to the barn.

  “I’ll have breakfast ready in twenty minutes,” Cookie called out as they crossed the threshold. “Don’t go too far.”

  Viper helped Gavin move twenty bags of grain and sweet feed from one side of the barn to the other. They finished with a couple minutes to spare before Cookie yelled out the door that breakfast was on the table.

  Franklin, Vasquez and Young hurried out of the bunk house, wearing clean T-shirts and blue jeans, their faces freshly washed. Percy had mentioned something about going into Bozeman for the day to purchase fencing supplies, and the guys were game to ride along.

  Breakfast was noisy as usual, consumed quickly, and the dishes were washed in record time. Dallas disappeared into her room immediately after the last plate was stacked in the cabinet.

  Viper wanted to go after her and finish the kiss that had been interrupted earlier, but he needed a shower before Hank and Sadie arrived.

  He was just stepping out of the bathroom, clean, shaved and dressed when Percy called out, “The Pattersons are here!”

  Dallas emerged from her bedroom, wearing Sadie’s green dress, her hair combed neatly, mascara enhancing her thick lashes and lipstick coloring her lips. She looked like a model stepping out on the runway.

  Viper swallowed hard to free his vocal cords. “Wow. You look amazing.”

  “You’ve seen me in this dress before,” she said.

  “Yeah, but something’s different.” Yes, he’d seen the dress, but that had been before he’d kissed her and felt her skin beneath his fingertips. That act had changed everything.

  * * *

/>   Heat flooded Dallas’s cheeks. “Must be the lipstick. Is it too much?”

  “No, but it makes me want to kiss you.”

  Her pulse quickened.

  “Dallas?” Lori called out from the front door. “Are you ready?”

  “I guess that kiss will have to wait,” Viper said.

  Dallas nodded and then hurried out of the house.

  Lori met her on the porch wearing cream slacks and a powder-blue top. She’d pulled back her blond hair and secured it in a loose messy-bun.

  Sadie and Hank stood beside the SUV. Sadie wore a peach dress that fit her top to perfection and flared out in soft chiffon around her hips and legs. She looked like the movie star she was, her hair hanging down around her shoulders in soft, golden waves.

  Dallas couldn’t begin to compete with someone that stunning, and she had no intention of trying. Her only hope was not to trip in the heels.

  “Since your wedding planner had to work, it’s up to us to find your wedding gown,” Sadie said.

  “Between the three of us, we should be able to find a dress.” Dallas forced a determined grin to her face. “Let’s do this.”

  The women climbed into the back of the SUV, giving the men the front.

  Sadie brought brides magazines with her and talked about styles and materials all the way into Bozeman.

  By the time the men dropped them at the bridal shop, Dallas felt as if she knew a little more about wedding dresses and wouldn’t be completely ignorant or overwhelmed.

  Still, she’d rather have been on the M240 machinegun range, shooting holes in old refrigerators. Trying on wedding dresses seemed so foreign to a girl raised by her father who shared hunting, fishing and riding four-wheelers. The closest thing to a dress she’d owned had been the black skirt she’d been issued as part of her formal Army Service Uniform when she’d graduated Basic Combat Training.

  Until Sadie had given her the green dress, she hadn’t seen a need to purchase a dress, or wear one.

  Walking into the bridal shop was like walking into an alternate universe. One in which Dallas Hayes was an honest-to-goodness female kind of female. Not a graduate of the all-male club of Army Rangers. She left the selection choices to the dress consultants, Sadie and Lori.