Chiseled and Cherished (Moon Ranch Book 3)

by Em Petrova

  The minute Kinsey set eyes on Asher, her heart began pumping. What a wake-up call to the system. Many more early mornings spent with the man would eventually kill her.

  As he crossed the parking lot of their meeting spot at the old diner and climbed into her Jeep, she couldn’t help but note the dark shadows under his eyes.

  “Looks like someone didn’t get enough beauty sleep,” she commented before backing out of the parking spot.

  “I take it we’re not getting breakfast,” he responded, ignoring her comment.

  “No, we need to check those traps. If we caught a coyote, we need to take care of him, not linger over coffee and eggs.”

  “I was thinkin’ more along the lines of pancakes, but okay.” He hadn’t shaved, and his hat sat tugged lower this morning.

  Over the radio, their dispatcher and Branson held a conversation.

  Asher waved toward the radio. “Your partner must miss you, Puffy.”

  She bristled at his tone.

  “We work separately too.”

  He didn’t respond, and she looked at him closer. Seeing more than the jokester or seducer he normally presented to her, something was definitely different. The change left her wondering what to expect with this new side of Asher he hadn’t yet presented to her.

  “Maybe we should have grabbed breakfast—you seem like you could use the energy,” she said, hoping to prompt more from him.

  He grunted but didn’t remove his stare from the road.

  She continued on for a couple miles. Drover’s ranch sat outside Stokes, nestled in one of the valleys that charmed tourists to come and spend time here. As they approached the spot where their interlude in the back seat had taken place the day before, she gripped the wheel tighter, waiting to hear his demand to pull off again.

  It never came.

  She chewed at her lower lip.

  “You ever wonder what your purpose on Earth is?” His question blindsided her.

  Man, this really was a different side of Asher—one that intrigued her more than she cared to admit. Since the day she met him at Kelly’s party, she’d only seen life-of-the-party Asher or I-wanna-see-you-naked Asher. But now, with those masks torn away, she saw something more.

  He looked at her, waiting for her answer.

  “Well, I always thought working outdoors was my purpose. Then my mother got sick, and I started to wonder if I should rethink life.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your mother. Did she pass?”

  Kinsey bit into her lip again and nodded. “It’s been a year now. My dad’s still not even remotely recovered from his grief. And it’s hard to watch…”

  “I’m sure. What do you do besides worry about your father and try to save cattle from predators?”

  They were having an actual conversation, and she couldn’t be more surprised by how natural it felt to talk with Asher.

  She considered an answer and then chuckled. “That’s pretty much all I do right now. What about you?”

  He pushed out a sigh that sounded far heavier than even their topic called for. “Last night I tried to have a bit of fun, but my brother thought I had another motive.”

  Her brow crinkled. “What do you mean?”

  “He asked me what I’m hiding behind. Says I joke to cover up the way I really feel.” He lifted a hand and scrubbed it over his jaw. The rough rasp of palm on beard raised awareness in her, and her nipples pinched tight.

  He went on, “Hell, I don’t know why I’m still thinkin’ about what he said. He’s wrong.”

  She drove another half a mile in silence. Then she cut a look in his direction. “Is he wrong?”

  “What?” His mind seemed far away.

  “Is your brother wrong? Do you have something to cover up?”

  He made a noise in his throat like sandpaper over rough metal. “Not you too.”

  “No. We don’t even know each other, so I can’t say much about your character.”

  He gaped at her. “Don’t know each other? Sweet thing, what in the world are you talkin’ about? I know you pretty damn well.”

  “You do not.”

  “Hell I don’t.”

  “All right then. Tell me something about myself. Let’s hear what you have to say, Moon.”

  “For one, you call me Moon when you want to distance yourself from me. But when I’m pleasuring you, it’s Asher…”

  Heat clawed at her lower belly and then rocketed up to burn in her cheeks. He gave her that crooked grin that said he noticed.

  “That isn’t knowing someone. That’s observing a reaction during…sex.” She swallowed hard against the wispy tone her voice took on.

  “Uh-huh. Go on and lie to yourself, sweet thing. I know the truth.”

  “Fine, then tell me something else you know about me.”

  “You’re a tough girl, but you try too hard to show people that you are.”

  She took the turn toward Drover’s place. “I don’t know what that even means.” Or if she should be insulted.

  “I’m sure it comes with your line of work. Being a woman in a man’s field and all that.”

  Now he had her attention. She dealt with her share of chauvinistic pigs who refused to listen to her when she tried to reason with them. But the minute Branson stepped in, the men straightened up with a yessir.

  She sighed.

  “You know what I mean,” Asher said.

  She nodded. “Unfortunately, I do. I guess I feel the need to take charge from the beginning and show people who’s writing them a citation or tossing the illegal fish they caught back into the stream.”

  Asher nudged his hat brim up to give her the heavy warmth of his stare. “You don’t need to do that with me, ya know. I already know who’s in charge.”

  She jerked her head around. “Who’s in charge?”

  “I am.”

  She barked out a laugh. “You’re more egotistical than I thought, and that’s saying something, Moon.”

  He reached out and stroked his knuckles over her cheek. The soft touch sent her into such a tailspin that she barely resisted leaning into the caress. She twitched out of his reach.

  “Just because you’ve made me come a few times doesn’t mean you own me,” she said.

  “No. My body owns your body. Don’t even try to deny it.”

  Without realizing it, she’d let off the gas and they rolled at a slow pace toward Drover’s. Once she discovered their slow pace, she had to ask herself some hard questions. Could she actually be trying to extend their time alone together?

  He trailed his fingertip over the shell of her ear and down her jaw. When he pressed on the corner of her mouth, she fought to keep her breathing steady. Showing him how much he affected her would only prove him right—that his body did own hers.

  Damn him.

  She stomped on the gas, and they bumped along so fast that he had to pull his hand back and hold onto the edges of his seat. In record time they reached Drover’s and she skidded on the gravel driveway when she parked.

  Asher’s chuckle both irritated and turned her on. She ignored him and climbed out of the Jeep to rummage in the back for the things she brought in case she caught a coyote, or if she needed to make one of the sets again.

  He lounged against the side of the Jeep, watching her, his rifle butt rested on the toe of his boot in the most manly pose she could ever imagine.

  Twisting her stare away, she set off across the field. From a distance, she could see her first trap was empty. But maybe the one by the creek would find the path the animals traveled at night.

  “Kinsey, look.”

  She didn’t glance around. “I’m not falling for your tricks again, Moon.”

  “No, seriously. Look.” This time he settled a hand on her forearm and pulled her to a stop. She tore from his grip.

  “Suit yourself if you don’t wanna see this lair burrowed into the side of the bank.”

  She stopped and whirled around to see his backside as he hunkered down
to peer at the dirt and rocks burrowed out. A tree root cloaked the front of the den, camouflaging it from sight.

  “Let me in there to see.” She crowded next to him, but he didn’t budge. He raised his weapon, and she grabbed the barrel to push it aside. “Don’t you dare.”

  “Smell that? Definitely coyotes.”

  She did. The strong scent of animals and urine blew around her on the breeze. “We missed this before.”

  “Yeah.”

  “How many do you think the den can hold?”

  He cocked his head. “Hard to say, if there are young’uns too. Up to a dozen?”

  She nodded. “That’s my thinking as well. They’re nocturnal, so they’d be inside right now.”

  He eyed her. “Want me to fire a shot in and see?”

  “No,” she said in a furious whisper. “You know my thoughts on the matter.”

  “I also think you’re nuts, but that’s beside the point.”

  “Nuts?” She spun on him.

  “And beautiful when you’re mad, especially at me.” His drawl tipped her senses into another hemisphere, as far from her excitement over finding the coyote den as north was from south.

  “Moon.”

  “Yeah, sweet thing?”

  “Shut up.”

  * * * * *

  He loved getting her all flustered. Seeing that pink flush climb her cheeks and the lights flash in her olive eyes. She pushed a strand of sandy hair away from her face and walked around the site, staring at the ground and following the few tracks there.

  He watched her for long minutes, letting her movements get him stirred up and watching the sway of her ass and bounce of her breasts.

  Suddenly, she stopped walking and sent him a glare. “Stop staring at me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “You know what, Moon. Now help me set some traps here.”

  “That won’t work, sweet thing. We’re better off moving away from the den first. They’ll scent us and won’t even bother visiting the traps, no matter how much bait we throw down the hole.”

  She tipped her head, considering. “You may be right.” She pointed to the bank. “Down there might be better.”

  “It is. Give me that bucket and I’ll get started.”

  She paused. “You’re going to set the traps?”

  His brows pinched. “Yeah, why?”

  “Because you’re all about shooting, not catch and release.”

  “Quit harassin’ me, woman, and hand over that bucket.” He reached out to take it from her, catching her grin as he did.

  Damn, she really had the most beautiful smiles, but they were pretty rare. Did she just reserve them for anybody but him or did it have to do with those stressors she’d mentioned in her life—her lost momma, her grief-stricken father, and her criminal brother, locked up with Asher’s help?

  As they agreed on their plan, he carried the bucket about quarter mile away before setting to work on the first set. Back at the den site, Kinsey walked around snapping photos on her phone. When she joined him, he had the first hole dug.

  She watched him for a long moment and then finally nodded once he had it set to her liking. “Nice, Moon.”

  “I ain’t only a good shot, baby.” He winked at her just to see her blush. She didn’t disappoint. Damn, he wanted to peel that ugly uniform off her and show her just how right he was about their level of attraction. Her body couldn’t deny it. Right now, he knew she wanted him, just by the way she folded her arms over her chest or shifted restlessly from foot to foot.

  When he straightened, he caught her staring at him.

  “Like what you see?” He rubbed a dusty hand down his abs.

  “You’re so conceited.”

  “No, just observant.” He dropped the shovel into the bucket and reached out for her. She danced out of the way, and then it was game on.

  He chased her for all of half a minute before his longer arms benefitted him enough to capture her. With a hand on her lower spine, he yanked her against him, letting her feel every inch of his arousal.

  “Making coyote traps gives you a hard-on?” she threw out at him.

  He chuckled. “Hardly. But the minute I smell that peach lotion you wear, I’m instantly hard. Give me a whiff, darlin’.” He buried his nose against her throat and inhaled deeply. She gasped and tried to pull free, but he cradled her face and tipped it up for his kiss.

  The moment he touched her, he knew that surrender would be sweet. Her soft moan sealed her fate.

  Slowly, he teased the seam of her lips with the point of his tongue. She quivered in his hold.

  “Asher…”

  “Told ya you call me Asher when you want me.”

  “Moon,” she made a more stern attempt.

  Chuckling, he teased her lips apart and swirled his tongue inside. The sweet flavors of woman and toothpaste had him burning in a blink. As she wiggled closer to him, he slowly lowered them to the bank. Light streaming between the trees dappled her lovely features, and her coloring fit right in, giving her even more of an appearance of a wood nymph. He moved his lips over her skin, tasting each spot.

  “You liked showing off for me yesterday. Don’t deny it,” he rumbled against her ear.

  She clamped her fingers on his shoulders. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  He swished his tongue over her earlobe. “When I asked you to finger your pussy for me to watch. When you watched me shoot all over my fist for you. You had me so worked up, baby doll.”

  “What am I?” she panted. “Baby doll, darlin’, sweet thing…”

  He raised his head and pierced her in his gaze. “All of them. Now get outta this ugly uniform.”

  * * * * *

  Waves of fire crisscrossed Kinsey’s body. Even the brush of her own hair on her neck heightened the other sensations…of Asher’s hands on her ass…his tongue on her nipples. And the sounds of her own gasps as she rode him with wild abandon.

  She levered herself upward, drawing up the length of his hard shaft before easing down with a slowness that pulled another moan from her lips. He released her nipple and moved to the other. What had he done to her? He’d made her into a voyeur like him. She couldn’t quit watching him tongue and nibble her breasts. Watching what he did to her only ramped up her lust until her pulse pounded deep in her core with a driving beat.

  She moved her hips faster, bucking on him when the head of his thick cock stretched her at the deepest point. “You make me…crazy.”

  He shot her that upward twist of his lips that showed off his dimple to its full, devastating effect. “Give me your mouth, woman.”

  A rush of desire stole all thought, and she leaned in to obey him. Their tongues tangled for long minutes as she rose and fell on his shaft. The pleasure rippling up and down her spine tripled.

  He latched onto her hips, helping her fuck him, and she sat back to enjoy the ride. The angle allowed him to penetrate her deeper, and they shared a rough moan.

  “Fuck, you feel good, sweet thing.” His gaze burned up at her. “Right there.” He moved his hips. “Feel that?”

  “Oh God…yes.”

  “So deep. Buried inside you. I’m gonna make you come like this, aren’t I, baby doll?”

  “Ash…”

  “That’s it. Squeeze my cock with that pussy. Yessss.”

  At his blistering words, she shot up so fast and so high that she barely knew what hit when her orgasm rolled over her body. He pumped his cock faster, harder, pounding up into her. When he stiffened, she opened her eyes and looked down at the bliss crossing his rugged features.

  Who’s the voyeur now?

  Several more contractions drew soft moans from her. He slowed his movements and cupped her face. As she leaned in again to kiss him, she realized he hadn’t demanded it from her—she chose to kiss him for her own reasons.

  Crap. She was beginning to like Asher. The man who put away her brother and opposed her views on how to deal with the coyotes s
omehow edged himself into friend territory.

  Did that mean she could no longer call it enemies with benefits?

  She met his stare, and something warm and liquid passed between them. Her belly tightened, and she rolled off into the bed of leaves on the ground. While she located her clothes and dressed again, he didn’t move to get up. He crooked an arm underneath his head and watched her every move.

  “You know, sweetheart…”

  “I’ve got work to do, Asher.”

  “I’ll help you. Gimme a minute to get dressed.” He sat up, giving her a view of every muscle in his torso. Damn, the guy had more chiseled cuts than a bodybuilder.

  “Don’t throw that condom on the ground.”

  He leveled a look at her. “I’m not irresponsible.”

  She could see the insult she’d unthinkingly given him etched on the lines of his forehead. “I’m sorry. Of course you’re not. Meet me by the traps I set yesterday.”

  As she walked away, she knew she had to find a way to make Asher go against the ranchers’ coalition and stop searching for the coyotes. Because each moment she spent with him, she liked him more. Who knew what a few more days might do to the state of her heart?

  * * * * *

  “Oh my God! It’s Melody! My daughter!”

  The black hair streaming across the pavement. So much blood.

  Asher jerked awake and bolted upright. He swung his legs over the side of the sofa where he’d fallen asleep. A dream. Nothing but a dream.

  Breathing hard, he dropped his head into his hands.

  Hell, would these dreams ever leave him? He’d seen worse. Low-lifes hiding behind their women and children, houses crawling with vermin and dirty needles hanging out of people’s arms. And he’d seen enough bad shit in his own family—Zayden bleeding from a cut put there from their old man, needing stitches he’d never get.

  Yeah, he’d seen some shit. What was one more horrific moment in the long list of memories?

  But I never felt responsible before—not once.

  A quiet creak of the floorboards made him lift his head. He knew that step.

  “I’m all right, Mimi,” he rasped out.

  She drifted into the living room in her white nightgown that swallowed up her small form. “I heard a cry and came to see what happened. I thought you might have finally caught that mouse I saw in my kitchen.”