Dusty shoved his arm. Tanyon shoved him back.
“You boys!” Ruth raised her voice to get their attention. “Straighten up. Don’t be a bad influence on this young’un.”
Tanyon laughed and draped his arm around Karis’s shoulder, whispering. “Hah, it’s already been done. Mom’s in for a surprise.”
His mom’s gaze landed on Karis’s forehead. “Did you get thrown from a horse?”
“It’s nice to see you again, Ruth. No. It’s just a bump and a little scratch. I’m fine.” Karis gave her a tight hug and Ruth returned it whispering how happy she was to see her.
“How are you doing, honey? I’m glad you came back up this summer. Missed seeing you around. I hope the kids and your mama are doing all right.” She glanced at her boys. “You’re all here, why not stay for supper? I got a lot of leftovers. I forget how to cook for only me and Jess.”
“I don’t like leftovers, Grandma.” Nadia folded her arms and took a defiant stance.
“You’ll eat them, child. Or go hungry. My leftovers aren’t like your mother’s.”
“Mom.” Cade shook his head. “Be careful. You aren’t talking to a toddler anymore. Besides, Faith is a great cook.”
Ruth had no qualms in showing her dislike of Cade’s ex-fiancée who had been rumored to have cheated on him. Rumor or not, Ruth stood firm in believing it to be true. Karis had believed Faith when she’d told her how the rumor materialized out of revenge. She’d recognized true pain in Faith’s eyes.
It hadn’t helped to gain Ruth’s approval when she’d kept the pregnancy from Cade until a couple months before their wedding. As the story goes, Ruth had been the one to insist he had a paternity test to prove the child was his before saying “I Do.” Turned out, seven months later, a bouncing baby Nadia came into the family with her dad at her mom’s side. By then, the family’s mistrust, and Cade not sticking up for Faith, had been enough to end their relationship. So, after knowing Ruth’s ability to quick-judge, it had worried Karis that Ruth might turn her back on her, but she hadn’t.
Around here now at Jesse and Ruth’s, the family had always come together in times of need. Karis smiled at the loving banter between them. Nadia had been such a delight to Cade and the family. It saddened her that Ruth had never given Faith a chance.
Dusty grinned at Nadia. “Hey, kiddo. Where’d you come from?”
“Mommy and Daddy made me.”
“Huh? No, I mean, uh, when did you get here?”
“Should’a said it, Uncle Dusty. Mommy dropped me off.”
On the way inside, Tanyon’s dad came up to Karis and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She slid hers around his thin waist. “Take care of that cut now. You don’t want a scar on your pretty face. Glad to see you back. Don’t stay away so long the next time. Bad things happen when lovers are apart.”
“Okay, I promise.” She glanced at Tanyon. She’d been lucky he hadn’t found a replacement when she’d… It wasn’t the time to dwell on yesterdays.
“None of us liked the woman he dated…what’s her name, a friend of Margaret’s? Well—”
Tanyon gave an overplayed eye roll. “Mom, not now.”
Karis gasped. Oh no. He had dated. Had it been serious? How idiotic of her to assume he’d remained alone.
Tanyon rushed to open the door, catching her hand after the others entered. He closed the screen and led her to the east end of the porch.
“How long ago did it end?” The mysterious look in his eyes frightened her. Had she returned only to break up a relationship? She had prepared for it, but now that it was a possibility, her insides burned with jealousy.
“Listen to me. It wasn’t anything. Mom’s crony friends saw me having dinner with Margaret and a friend. They called my mom. Margaret had left early, which I suppose had been their plan, anyway. It was nothing more than her trying to fix me up. Keyword, trying.”
“You dated though, apparently.”
“It’s no different from when we were kids! The way Mom’s friends flapped their jaws like I was a teenager. It was nothing. I wasn’t in the mood to date. Even if I had, you’d deserted me. I had every right.”
“You’re correct, but did you call it off before or after I came back?”
He paced. “We weren’t dating and only had two dinners together. She visited the ranch a couple times—enough times for my mom to figure her out, I guess. A ranching life wasn’t her thing. My family wanted me with you. No one else would’ve been accepted in their eyes.”
“It’s okay. You owe me no explanations.”
“Then let’s drop it.”
“Please tell me… Did you end it because I came back?”
Tanyon sighed and turned his back to her. “Didn’t you hear me? There was nothing to end. I hadn’t seen her for months until at the bar with Margaret the other night. The night you and Max—”
“I remember what night. The night she had a beer sent to our table for you.” Karis smiled and touched his shoulder to turn him to face her. “It’s a small town. Let me go help your mom.”
He caught her arm before she got away. “Are we all right? You won’t let this go by so easily, will you?”
“I’m the one to blame for whatever happened. If you had found someone while I was gone, I deserved it. Besides, the night in the bar in front of everyone, you held me damn close when we danced and no one missed the almost kiss. I imagine you broke some hearts. Come on, I need to help your mom.”
He smirked. “Broke some hearts, huh?”
“You bet. Get in the house, Outlaw.”
“Don’t tell me what to do, Dr. Sutton, unless it’s in the sack.”
∞∞∞
Jesse said the blessing over dinner and dishes were passed. Nadia had no problem eating Grandma’s leftovers. Ever since Tanyon’s mom and dad had this place built, Karis had been at home here.
Jesse picked at his food but glanced up at his oldest son. “How’s Jody doing? Are there any changes in his condition?”
Glimpsing Cade, Tanyon set his fork down and leaned his elbows on the table. “According to my lawyer, he’s been more responsive lately. The doctor expects him to come out of the coma before long. No one knows what he’ll be like then. I don’t know anything else.”
“We’re here to talk, Dad,” Cade said. “How well do you know the West family? We have reason to believe Logan West got Jody drunk and put him on a bucking horse, knowing damn well Jody barely knew how to ride a horse let alone a bronco.”
Tanyon took a drink of wine, then another. “There’s a witness, but we can’t prove what happened without him. He’d worked on the ranch for a month. Nick was his name. The guy was a drifter passing through. We need to find him. That’s why I invited the chief to have dinner with us Sunday.”
Jesse had barely eaten anything, but he took a drink of chocolate milk. “We can contact ranchers to give them a head’s up. If any of them spot him, we’ll find out what he knows. Kevin will probably want to notify other police departments within a certain radius, and hell, maybe the county sheriff. If not, I’ll make sure he does. There’s no way in hell I’m letting this ranch fall into the hands of some money hungry city idiots. They have never fit in around here.” Jesse poked Nadia’s arm. “Forgive Papa for cussin’, darlin’.”
Cade pointed to Tanyon then back at himself, “We’re hoping this will happen. Without his testimony, we can’t prove Logan did this to Jody on purpose. It’ll get us off the hook when the truth comes out.”
Dusty grabbed a beer out of the fridge. “I have news. Rudy kept his mouth shut on the trail when I confronted him, but I think we can get him to talk. He isn’t as smart as Logan, and I’m sure he’s hiding something. If anyone has an inkling what happened, he does.”
“Good,” Tanyon replied. “That’s what I was hoping for. We have to get him to talk. That’s where Chief Ramos comes in.”
Dusty scooped out another plateful of mashed potatoes and a forkful of sliced roast beef. “Hey, this is
delicious the second time around, Mom.”
“Thank you, son.” Ruth smiled proudly. “Come on now, let’s finish dinner on a happy note.” She squeezed Jesse’s hand. “Eat those veggies, darlin’. Don’t fret. I know everything will turn out. God didn’t give us this property to take it away now.”
Karis’s heart warmed at the love and respect Jesse and Ruth had for each other.
∞∞∞
Karis hung up the dishtowel from drying dinner and dessert dishes and sat beside Tanyon on the couch.
A half hour later, he nudged her. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Sure.” Sitting here beside him with their thighs pressed together, the chemistry they’d shared and sometimes fought, couldn’t be denied. Her body twitched in places longing to connect with the man she loved. Had sex been what he’d meant when he offered for them to go for a ride tonight? Would there be a do over in the back of his truck? The ribbing in the bed sure was hard on the knees and behind. Wine put her in a sexy mood, and tonight she’d had more than she’d normally drink. “I’ll be right back.” Karis left for the bathroom. A do over sounded fun, but a comfortable bed to spread out and roll around on would be better.
Tanyon was on his feet nearing the door when she came out. He grasped her hand urgently, squeezing dominantly. Her stomach tumbled.
“Mom, we’re taking off. See you on Sunday.”
“Well, it better be at church, young man.”
“Can’t make it this week.” He glanced at his brothers and Nadia. “See you at home. I’ll take her booster seat out of my truck. Make sure she buckles it correctly.” He winked at Nadia. “Remember how I showed you?”
Nadia stuck her tongue out then gave him a six-year-old smirk. “Uh-uh. Bye, Aunt Karis.”
Karis glanced around the large living room with two worn couches from the big house because Ruth had been so attached to them, and a loveseat and two recliners for the family’s reaction to Nadia’s rudeness toward Tanyon. Nadia’s comment hadn’t drawn any weird expressions. However, Cade gave Nadia a cautionary glance. Karis knelt in front of Nadia. “Good night, sweetheart. See you tomorrow.” She whispered, “Uncle Tanyon only wants to keep you safe.” Before they exited Nadia had said bye to her uncle. Karis smiled at the girl who resembled her mom with her Brazilian roots, more than her dad.
Outside at the truck, Tanyon pinned her up against the door. His gasps came in fast breaths. “You torment me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I want you.”
Ooh. Smiling, Karis draped her arms over his shoulders. “Mmm, I hoped. Wanna come to my bed tonight?” He took her hand and walked around the truck to the dark side. He unbuttoned her blouse. She grasped his hands. “What are you doing? This is your mom and dad’s driveway.”
“I don’t care. We don’t have anywhere to be alone. I’m in a hurry here.” He pulled her blouse apart and out of her waistband, flipping the hook on her bra then cupping her breasts.
“You aren’t serious. We can’t here.” She removed his hands and crossed her arms to cover her breasts, but doggone if her body hadn’t betrayed her. Her own hunger ruled.
“Dead. Serious.”
She didn’t object when he unsnapped her pants and lowered the zipper. Karis clenched his shoulders and took in a breath, slowly releasing it. Too far gone and too damn needy, she couldn’t stop him now. Breathing heavily, she whispered, “Our chemistry is dangerous.”
“I know. You drove me nuts sitting beside me. I missed you and have a year to make up for. I don’t have any condoms. Do you care…tonight?”
She wanted to scream no, not without protection, but she honestly didn’t care. She never wanted to go back to a lonely place without him. She’d never wanted to be with anyone else. Had he? She damned herself for spoiling the moment with illogical thoughts. “I don’t care. I haven’t been with anyone else. Have you?”
Frowning, he held her at arm’s length. “You think I slept with someone after you ripped my heart out?”
“It’s a good reason to rebound.”
“I haven’t. I’m disappointed you asked.” Tanyon yanked up the zipper on her jeans, eased away, and tilted his head back. His shoulders dropped as he went for the door handle. “Get in the truck.”
“Wait. If we aren’t using protection, don’t you think we should know if…” No, an argument wasn’t happening. Karis kicked off her heels and took down the zipper but held up a moment to see if he wanted to continue or leave. The sorrow in his eyes told her not to push him.
They stared at each other in the dark. He wet his lips. She did too but added a seductive grin and bared a shoulder. He pulled her into an embrace giving her the perfect opportunity to snuggle in his strong arms. “Can’t you know I haven’t been with anyone since you’ve been gone? Dinner twice was the extent of me being with another woman. Darlin’, my heart ached.”
“Yes, I know. I’m so sorry.”
He lowered his lips to her ear and whispered, “Get your pants off.” Karis lowered hers while he pulled off his boots and dropped his, slipping them off. The fact they weren’t using anything turned on a switch inside—a switch lighting her body on fire. “I want to feel the real you. Now.”
“We can be in my bed in fifteen minutes if I drive fast.”
She spotted his pants on the ground. They were at his parents’ house. But she loved Tanyon. She’d almost destroyed them. She wanted him. “I’m sure.”
The porch light came on. Karis widened her eyes. The decision had been made. “Oh no. Dusty has to come this way to his truck.”
“I didn’t get the booster seat out. Shit.” He released her and shook out then yanked on his jeans. Tanyon smiled while running his fingers over his hair. Breathing hard, he dropped his head to her shoulder. “I have to get the seat out.”
While he went to the other side of the truck, she pulled up her pants and buttoned her blouse over her hard-pounding heart. Karis brought her hands to her face and shook her head then rushed to put on her shoes. Acting as casually as possible, she walked around the truck to join him. He rushed the seat over to Cade’s truck. Upon his return, he grinned, opened the door for her, and they both got in. Tanyon drove away with his gaze on his outside mirror. “We escaped unscathed.”
“As long as your daddy didn’t install cameras. I can’t believe we did that, but babe, it would’ve been good.” Karis sizzled inside. She brought his hand to her upper thigh. He slid his fingers to the center of her legs.
“Nah, he didn’t install cameras. We can try again next time. You sure are hot down there.”
Karis giggled and opened her legs. “Tonight’s not over. We have time to make up, as you said.”
“Yeah, all night. Before long, Geri and Annette will think I abducted you. They’ll be questioning me on where I buried you. Annette already accused me of dumping your body.”
“What?”
“Yes, ma’am. The first morning you didn’t make the ride, she asked me if I buried you in my barn.”
Karis peered out the side window and smiled. The ladies had her back. “Remember her thought when you get angry at me again.”
“You remember.”
Karis widened her eyes then remembered to hook her seat belt before she cracked her head again. Her body had not yet cooled down. If he didn’t kiss her before the night was over, she’d tie him down spread-eagle on the bed and have her way with his mouth before using hers on him.
∞∞∞
Back at the house, Tanyon stopped in the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine then took her hand. She almost fell up the stairs. Fortunately, it happened here where no one could see and not at his parents’ house. “I don’t need any more wine, Cowboy.”
“Yes, you do. We got all night.” She stopped him outside her door and took the key from her pocket. “Kiss me good night.” Yes, it was a damn dare.
He laughed. “Yeah, right.” Instead, he tugged her arm toward his door.
“Wait. Have you seen
my car keys?”
“You aren’t driving tonight, darlin’. You’re drunk. If you don’t want to become a spectacle in the Outlaw hallway then I suggest you come with me before you end up naked right here. Dare me?” He handed her the bottle of wine and carried her to his bedroom. He let her go once inside the door, taking the wine bottle to set aside.
She took a step around him. “Your room looks like I pictured it.”
Tanyon tugged her arm and pinned her against the door. His lips went to her neck with soft kisses along her throat. She inhaled and released a pleasant sigh, surrendering to him.
“For many nights, I dreamed of sleeping with you. I had a lot of cold showers because of you, woman.”
Karis hooked her fingers around the back of his neck and smiled. “I’m truly sorry. I never meant to hurt you. When I left you in the driveway, I had every intention of returning. I didn’t know Rory’s death would hit me so hard.”
Tanyon quieted her words with a finger against her mouth. “I know. You don’t have to keep apologizing.” He drew up the back of her hair as he tilted his head. “Stay with me tonight.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Stay.”
Kiss me, dammit! Karis lowered her hands to wrap her arms around his waist and held him tight for fear of him escaping if this blew up in her face. “I will.”
Tanyon unbuttoned her blouse while she undid his shirt. She laid her palms against his chest and slowly caressed his firm flesh. She tiptoed her fingers to his jeans button, but he stopped her. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” he replied with a smile. Tanyon removed her blouse and took her hand. They moved toward the bed where he dropped his pants, remaining in the black trunks he wore beneath.
Karis eyed his movements as she removed her pants, bikini underwear, and bra. She scooted under the covers on his unmade bed. “I pictured you making your bed each morning. Is the housekeeper slacking on the job?”
He sighed, picked up his shirt, and hung it over the chair. “I don’t have a housekeeper to clean my room. Nobody has a right to view my sheets, if you know what I mean?”
Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1) Page 13