“You don’t scare me,” she whispered as she moved to his pec. Her mouth covered his metal piercing. He closed his eyes and hissed through his teeth.
“I should.”
She tugged on his jewelry with her teeth, making him wince at the combination of pleasure and pain. “I’m free now. You should be the one afraid.” Jenna smirked and pushed him down to his back, her naked body straddling him in the exchange of positions. Damn, she was beautiful and sexier than sin. Her blonde hair fell over her shoulders in a soft veil, her skin soft and milky white. A fucking angel, and what was he—a devil? Just looking at her made him more aware of his budding feelings. He wanted her, to own her, possess her. Some force deep within him demanded he protect her, to show her that he wouldn’t harm her like his father did his mother. Would he disappoint himself—did he dare to enter a relationship with his history? Sons were destined to commit the sins of their fathers.
After tonight she’d want nothing to do with him anyway. One night with Conner and women ran away faster than they rushed into his arms to start with. He was called sadistic, a heartless bastard—both true, he supposed. Not once had he cared about the women that shared his bed. They were there for one reason—they had a sexual appetite or a curiosity for what he did in his little forbidden cabin. Even Grace had dared to find him, and he’d given her what she sought. But, like all the others, she was gone before he woke in the morning. Who was using who?
“I’m gonna brand your ass now.” He tossed her off him, ready to give her another spanking, this time over his lap so he could play with her clit. But she fought him, like a she-wolf. Struggling, twisting, and wrestling him on the bed. He could snap her in two any time he chose, but he actually enjoyed this game of hers. She liked it rough. Maybe he’d met his match, the one woman that could handle him, tame him.
The little spitfire bit him and scratched as she struggled to free herself from his grip, using all her strength and not holding back. Her breathing was ragged as they toppled over each other in a vicious, erotic dance, both naked and pumped up on adrenaline. “You’re lucky I don’t have my rifle, cowboy.”
He pinned her on her stomach with her hands secured behind her back. Conner bent over and bit her ass. She managed to use the heel of her foot to crack a blow to his head, and the wrestling match was on again. He was tiring, and more than ready to fuck her sweet little pussy. Play time was over.
Conner used the weight of his body against hers, protecting himself from her hands and nails by intertwining his fingers with hers. Only after did he realize the intimacy of the act, especially when they were face to face, eye to eye.
“Won’t you kiss me?” she asked, still panting hard.
He didn’t do kissing. He’d tried it with her in the barn and lost all composure. “No kissing.”
She stole from him, reaching up to capture his lips. The contact turned a switch on inside him, and he couldn’t pull away like he should. He kissed her back, savoring the soft fullness of her lips, the delicate, feminine mewling sounds she made as she opened for him. He took the invitation and explored her mouth with his tongue until he was lost. Every muscle in his body went pliant, his fierce barrier lowered. He shifted slightly to the side to take some weight off her body and cupped her face with one hand. He’d never shared such a powerful bond with anyone. It only cemented the fact that he couldn’t lose her, not after giving her this piece of himself. Then again, love was supposed to hurt, wasn’t it? It had never been soft and sweet for him. As a child, nothing he did had ever pleased his father, and his mother carved out his heart every time she allowed herself to be victimized.
He wanted to blurt out that he loved her, like some lovesick fool. Instead, he positioned himself between her legs and thrust into her moist cunt. Her body hugged him like a tight glove. He pulled back and thrust back in, coating himself, priming her for his full invasion.
“Conner!” She arched up with a moan and grabbed the back of his neck with both hands, pulling him back to her mouth. Kissing during sex? She wrapped her legs around him in a tight embrace, forcing him to slow his movements.
They were making love. She wasn’t tied down or being dominated. They were just a woman and a man, enjoying each other intimately. He pumped in and out of her body in languid strokes, brushing hair from her face and kissing her eyes, her nose. Mine.
Chapter Eleven
The sunlight cut a line across Jenna’s face. She shifted in the bed, her body pleasantly sore. Conner’s warm body was under her arm, asleep. She leaned up on her elbows and watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest. There were no harsh lines on his face. Jenna ran a fingertip along his jawline, smiling to herself. Something happened between them last night, something monumental. Trevor and Conner were now hers, marked on her soul. It was still left to be seen if they’d forget her, or if they only wanted her body and nothing more. But she saw an alternate future for herself now, one that included love and forgiveness. Would they want her if they knew her other secret? She pulled away and sat up, the sheet slipping down to her lap. The common twist of disgust churned in her gut. No way could she tell them, even if the truth ate her alive.
She flicked the little loop on his nipple playfully. They’d slept in, and there was work to be done on the ranch. No more reflection.
Conner licked his lips and squinted open his eyes. He looked shocked to see her, as if she were a ghost or a nightmare that shouldn’t exist.
“You’re still here.”
“Where else would I be?”
“I thought you’d leave in the night.” His face remained calm, a sleepy boyish quality that she could get used to waking up beside. “I’ve never woken up with a woman.”
“Really? That’s surprising.” Conner wasn’t a playboy like Trevor had been over the years, but he took his fair share of women to this exact bed. A possessive fire flared inside her. No more. She didn’t want to share her men. If they were only using her, it would kill her to watch them bring girls back to the ranch or disappear into town on their weekends off. But as much as she’d like to, she wouldn’t scare off the women with her rifle. Conner and Trevor were free to do as they pleased. She couldn’t force them to love her any more than she could change the past.
“Seems that after a night with me, I scare them off.”
“Good thing I don’t scare easily.” In fact, she wanted more of his punishment—more teasing, more spanks, more dominant orders that made her pussy pulse. She kissed him on the lips, just once. “Get up, cowboy. A busy day awaits you.” Jenna would love to spend the day with him, learning about the man under the tough exterior, and sharing more wild romps. But, like she told him, there was work to be done.
After dressing, she slipped out of the cabin, hoping no ranch hand would spot her. She took the long way to the main house. Compared to the night of Grace’s wedding, she felt so much lighter, hopeful. Conner and Trevor helped ease her burden by making sex enjoyable, something to share, rather than a weapon. She had butterflies in her stomach just thinking about seeing Trevor again.
She entered the kitchen to find Pete cleaning up from the last breakfast run. He refused to let Mr. Wagner hire a helper for him, insisting he could handle everything in the kitchen from preparation to cleanup.
“You’re late. That’s not like you, Jenna.” Pete scrubbed down the griddle, only glancing at her from the corner of his eye. Jenna and Pete were like two peas in a pod.
“I had a busy night. I’m not hungry though, just looking for Mr. Wagner.”
“He’s reading the paper in the other room.” He dropped his dish sponge and wiped his hands on his apron while turning around. “Something wrong?”
She denied anything was wrong, even though Pete had a sixth sense about these things. Everything was great—too great. It was bound to blow up in her face.
Mr. Wagner was on the sofa in front of the fire. She came up silently behind him, walking on the assortment of area rugs, watching the flames lick the cord of wood in th
e fireplace. The warmth was enough to ward off the morning chill in the open concept living room.
Her boss read a paper, sitting back casually in his flannel and blue jeans. “Not polite to sneak up on a man.”
She rubbed his shoulders briefly before joining him on the sofa. “How are things going with Ms. Scarlett?”
“Wonderful. She’s gone off to town with Brittany. Apparently girls need to shop as much as they need air to breathe.”
“Ah. You’ve been spending a lot of time with her. Anything I should know?”
He folded his paper neatly and set it on the arm of the sofa. Mr. Wagner twisted slightly to face her. “She’s a good friend. What about you, darlin’? My foreman can’t keep the smile off his face these days. I think you’re the one to blame.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because I see the same twinkle in your eyes that I see in his. It’s something I haven’t seen in either of you since coming to the ranch.”
She shifted closer when he opened his arms in invitation. “I’m confused.” Leaning into him always felt like the most natural thing in the world to do. He was her rock, her savior. “Conner found out about my secret and told Trevor. One thing led to another, and now I think I have feelings for both of them.”
“Love triangles can be complicated, but not necessarily destined to failure.”
A love triangle? That didn’t sound good at all. They’d both shared her, but that was lust, a moment of passion. What man in his right mind would refuse a naked woman after a long day of work?
“I’m scared. This is Conner and Trevor we’re talking about here. They aren’t the commitment type. I’d be the first to admit that they’re no-good womanizers. What was I thinking?”
“You can’t help who you fall in love with. I’m sure Grace didn’t come here expecting to find love, but she found it with Scott. Now look at them—married and ready to spend the rest of their lives committed to each other.”
“Scott’s like you.” She wanted to say Trevor and Conner would take after their own drunken fathers, but bit her tongue. “They’re different.”
He ran his hand up and down her back as she sank against him, breathing in the comforting scent of his musky cologne. It was amazing how a scent could trigger so many emotions and memories. “Not so different. You’re like a daughter to me, Trevor like a son. I want the best for the both of you.” He chuckled, a deep, rich sound. “If anyone can handle those two cowboys, it’s you, darlin’. They’re green broke. I think they need a strong woman to tame them proper.”
“I just don’t want to get hurt.” She fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. Mr. Wagner was the only human on Earth she dared to confide in.
“If someone has a problem with one of the cowboys, what do I tell ’em?”
She thought for a moment, and then smiled up at him. “You tell them that Jenna’ll handle them.”
“That’s a girl. If you love those two men, claim them and make sure they know how you feel.”
She stayed wrapped in his arms, enjoying the crackle of the fire for awhile longer. Love? Was it love? Real love? “How do you know when you’re in love?” she whispered.
“If you’re asking me, I think you already know.” He kissed her atop the head before slowly walking down the hall to the kitchen to talk with Pete. She sat there alone, reflecting. Yes, she loved them. Trevor was a close friend, a good-spirited cowboy that she respected. Conner was all male, hard-working and no nonsense. She’d just been so busy building barriers over the years that she let herself slip into the shadows.
* * * *
Even getting nearly no sleep the night before, tossing and turning in bed, Trevor was up at sunrise ready to work. He had ridden half a mile out into the open fields with his thermos of coffee after his morning shower. Watching the sunrise was worth the effort. It started by transforming the black sky to navy blue, then, as the sun rose, the colors appeared. Like magic, or some divine artist’s brush, the sun emerged from its hiding place beyond the horizon and gifted him with the beautiful sight. He loved this land. Loved working it and appreciated every acre.
But there had to be more than just work and love for the land. He was a man, and one day he would need to settle down and start a family. He’d admit that he gave it all little thought, but now that Jenna had entered his life as more than just a friend and coworker, he had to reevaluate everything. She had secrets. He knew that. But she’d softened for him, let him under her tough skin, and he liked everything he found. He was determined to win her heart. Jenna was the one woman he was willing to change his ways for.
He finally found a woman he could actually give his heart to, and he had to share with another man. Of all the men on the ranch, why not Conner? Trevor was close with most of the ranch hands, but he’d developed a special bond with Conner ever since they went to the city together to find Grace. They shared a hotel for a few nights, reminiscing about their travels in life. They weren’t much different from each other, both coming from abusive homes and alcoholic fathers. The difference between them was how they handled their lot in adulthood. Trevor felt he did well at moving on from the past, choosing to start fresh when he arrived on the Wagner Ranch. Conner took everything internally, breeding hate and barriers.
Jenna was the perfect woman for both of them. She knew where they were coming from because she also had a damaged past. She also wouldn’t put up with any of their bullshit, which was refreshing. He knew it would take a hard-core cowgirl to get him to submit. Before returning to the barn, he headed to the front gates of the property to check the mail. As he passed the house, he saw several cowboys entering the kitchen for the first breakfast run, laughing and pushing one another. The pickup trucks were parked in the front yard of the house, soon to be off getting shipments or used to run errands. What didn’t belong was the white pickup under the Wagner Ranch arch.
He stopped his horse by the driver’s side door. The last person he expected to find was Steve, one of the greenhorns that tried to attack Jenna the night before the wedding. Trevor adjusted his cowboy hat as he steadied the horse with his free hand. “You have business here?” he asked.
“Trevor. Come on, you’ve gotta give me a break. I need this job. All the other ranchers in the area have their hired hands for the season. Could you talk to Mr. Wagner and ask him to give me another chance?”
“Mr. Wagner doesn’t do the hiring. I do.”
Steve ran a hand through his hair and took a breath. “You can’t believe what Jenna said. I was drunk. I didn’t know what I was doing. She’s just overreacting.”
“You put your hands on her. If Conner hadn’t shown up, what were your plans?”
“I was just playing. You know I’d never actually do anything.”
No, he didn’t know. Trevor wanted to dismount, pull the kid from the truck, and beat him senseless. He looked at him through a cloud of red, only remembering how another man dared to touch his woman. Trevor’s horse began to dance, sensing his irritation. He had to remain professional, rein back his anger.
“You’re not welcome here, Steve. Get off the property, and don’t come back. We don’t need anyone we can’t trust.”
Steve’s sad puppy dog face transformed into a sinister scowl as he revved his engine and scattered gravel as he barreled off the property. Trevor had a feeling he’d see that kid again.
He proceeded to get the mail pouch and headed back to the house. Mr. Wagner was sitting on the front porch in the old wooden rocking chair, one of the cow dogs obediently lying a foot away.
“You’re up bright and early,” said Trevor as he landed on two booted feet. He carried the mail pouch to the porch and dropped it beside Mr. Wagner.
“Just enjoying the morning, watching everything come to life.”
Trevor sat on the top step and leaned against the porch rail. There were a lot of things he wanted to talk with Wagner about, but didn’t know where to start. Cowboys weren’t supposed to talk about things like
love and the muddle of emotions making him dizzy. “That greenhorn, Steve, was at the entrance to the property looking to get his job back. I told him to take a hike.”
“I heard about him. We don’t need that kind of man on this ranch. He’s lucky he’s still walking after trying to mess with Jenna.”
Trevor remembered the evil gleam in Steve’s eyes. “He looks like trouble. I don’t like it.”
“Make sure the dogs are out at night for awhile.”
Trevor nodded and stared down at his hands. He didn’t know what to say.
“Jenna’s a good woman.”
Trevor looked up, surprised that Wagner knew exactly what was on his mind. “I know.”
The rocker creaked as it rocked slowly back and forth. “She’s been through a lot in her life and deserves to be happy. You may be like a son to me, but she’s like a daughter. Are your intentions honorable?”
“Yes, sir. At first I didn’t think much of it, but now—” Trevor took a breath. “I might just love her.”
“Love’s a big word, son. It can ruin a man just as easily as it can make life worth living.” Wagner smirked, that crooked smile that could calm the most hostile man. “If you believe she’s worth the effort, don’t give up.”
“I can’t stop thinking about her.” Trevor couldn’t help but smile as he envisioned the blonde firecracker. Then he thought of Conner and his mood soured. “It’s just so complicated.”
“If you’re talking about Conner, I know about him, too. Ain’t much on this ranch gets by me. You should know that by now.” Mr. Wagner stood, the chair continuing to rock on its own for a few moments. “Conner’s one of a kind, but you know yourself, I don’t keep cowboys I don’t trust.”
Mr. Wagner bent to clap Trevor on the shoulder before returning into the house, the screen door smacking against the frame. The dog sidled up to him and licked his cheek, but he was too lost to complain. It was time for him to man up and claim what was his before he lost it.
Taming Jenna [Sequel to Saving Grace] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 9