Lassoing The Last Dance (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight Book 4)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Her lips against his skin caused a shiver. How could he shiver when his blood sizzled? He took in the red-hot sensations filling him up inside. Roxanne sat up. He focused on her breasts, each one round and full with budded pink nipples. “Baby, those kisses down there tickled. Do it any time you want. I said I wanted to make love to you. You’re not helping my cause after what I’d said.”

  “Forget about what you said.”

  He cupped her breasts. She pressed her hands against his hands cupping her breasts, until he squeezed them tighter. His body worked on instincts, now pressing up and against her. “Take off the rest of your clothes. Let me make love to you right now.”

  Her throat tightened, and he figured the answer would be no after all, and this was as far as it’d go tonight. Caressing her cheek with one hand, his other remained on her breast. “It’ll be all right, either way.” No, it won’t! His blood did more than sizzle right now. Soon a vein would break.

  “Take my clothes off.” She gave him a caring but wanton smile. “I want you, rancher. I have from the moment our eyes met. Ask Nora.”

  He lowered his hands to her thighs. “I don’t want Nora in my bed tonight, and I don’t need to ask her. Maybe you saw the same thing in my eyes. So, why’d we wait so long?” Breaths came in heaves now instead of in a normal rhythm. She panted too. Not needing an answer, he pushed against her and she moved her hips to match his movements.

  Roxanne stretched out beside him, and he slid her bottoms down. He passed them over her thigh, then below her knee and over her stump without removing his gaze from her face. A wince showed in her eyes when he ran his fingers back up her leg, and she closed those twinkling blues. He didn’t think the wince was from pain, but embarrassment instead.

  “Open your eyes and look at me. Watch us.” Randy eased his hand over her belly and lower. “That’s my girl,” he whispered. “I’ll make you feel real good.” He watched her watching him until she could no longer keep her eyes open, and gave in to the passion and magic of his fingers between her legs. She was as hungry as him. He wanted to pleasure her beyond what she could take.

  A long sigh slipped through her lips, and he rested his hand on her thigh for a second until she came back from her enraptured state—him grinning inside to have taken her there. She smiled and lowered her hand to caress him. Ahh, yeah. Randy’s eyes closed at the first delicate touch of her fingers. Her own magic was at work now.

  Without waiting, he lowered his body over hers before he became a slave to what she was doing to him. “Roxanne,” he whispered as he connected with her in a way they never had. Not only physically but mentally too. He lingered over kissing her breasts and flicked his tongue against her hard nipples. Slowly, he kissed and licked toward her neck, and he whispered against her ear, seriously meaning every word, “I’m so much more than crazy about you.”

  Her body seemed lost in passion that met his own. Her need mounted in rhythm with his. Sweet and soft sighs breathed against his ear. “Me too,” she muttered with a voice filled with persuasion. Her warm breath breathed across his cheek as she moaned in pleasure at nearly the same time he did. He collapsed atop her and stayed there for a short time, before gradually slipping to her side. Her naked skin against his was something he’d want a lot of for a long time.

  Roxanne turned to him and slid her hand around his waist.

  Yeah! “It’ll all be okay. We have each other now.”

  Roxanne hid a yawn behind her hand then leaned over to kiss him. She laid her head on his chest for a moment. “Thanks for not giving up on me after all this time.”

  He pulled her atop him again to stay for as long as it lasted. “It’s my pleasure.” I didn’t have a choice.

  ***

  An early morning call from Detective Daniels had brought them more news. The suspect gave no indication that Nate had been involved. She could go home and they’d continue their investigation.

  He and Roxanne had met her best girlfriend in Broken Arrow for breakfast before going to the airport. She was the one who moved in with Roxanne to help her out when she arrived home from rehab. He was proud to have met her. Roxanne remained quiet during the flight and he let her alone. In Phoenix, they got into his truck and headed out of the city. “Where do you want to go? My house or home?”

  “Can you take me home? Now that it’s all together, I want to sit down with a cup of coffee to enjoy it. Don’t be offended, but I’d rather be at my place right now.”

  “That makes sense. I have work to do at Jake’s ranch. I’ve been thinking about getting my barn in shape—move my horses to my own place. To turn it into a working ranch, then hire my own ranch hands to help out while I train horses.”

  “Sounds like a fantastic plan. It’d be terrific if you had a working ranch. I’d help. Can we ride soon? I want to get out into the desert and let the wind blow through my hair and feel a horse between my thighs.”

  “Whoa, that’s sexy. I wouldn’t mind being between your thighs—”

  “Randy! You’re making me blush.”

  “You didn’t blush last night or this morning. Wrap those thighs around my bike anytime you want. Better? I’ve been wanting to take some desert pictures anyway for a painting. Horseback riding is in our near future.”

  Roxanne gulped. “Wait, what? Painting? Those paintings on the wall are yours?”

  He chuckled to himself. She was too cute when making new discoveries. He hadn’t meant for that to slip out about being an artist. “You caught me. I don’t usually talk about my art. You know, if you get in the mood, Tristan has a couple real nice horses that would give you a good ride. Go on over there if you get a hankering.” Randy turned down her street and drove slowly toward her house. Upon arrival, he went in with her, more to check it out to make sure no one had come around. At the door before leaving, he took her into his arms. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. For your information, I plan on checking your paintings closer now that I know you painted them.” Her voice was low as she sank into his arms. “I’m just tired right now.”

  Randy glanced over her head at the way her home looked. Livable. Cozy in a female kind of way, he supposed, which was what she had needed. Smoothing his hand over the back of her silky hair, he closed his eyes to enjoy the feel of her. “Can I call you later? Sleeping with you two nights in a row will make tonight difficult without you.”

  “I’d love if you did.” She squeezed him tighter. “You feel too good to let go. Can you stay a while?”

  “I am too good to let go.” He backed away and lifted a brow to see if she agreed. Her smile said yes. Could he trust her this time? The woman had been truthful with him about it all, and he didn’t think she would’ve if she hadn’t planned on sticking around. He did trust her. “I can’t stay right now. I need to get my ass to work.”

  An adoring smile remained on her face. “We’ve come a long way, Randy. I feel closer to you than I’ve ever been. I’m thankful you were with me yesterday.”

  Good, because he was glad to be there. He kissed her good-bye, released her, and put his hat back on. “Talk to you later. We’ll ride in a couple days once I get caught up. You should go over to Jake’s with me sometime to watch me work with him and a potential safety horse.”

  She tenderly traced the nasty looking scar on his face. “Be safe out there, sweetie.”

  “Be safe in here.” Randy strolled out the door, looked back, then before getting into his truck, he winked. He should’ve told her he’d been looking at her fine ass strut away from him when the horse bit him. Not today, though.

  Chapter 9

  Roxanne listened for his truck until she couldn’t hear it anymore. In the kitchen, she made a cup of coffee. Hazelnut sounded good. While waiting, she leaned against the edge of the counter, reminiscing over the voice lineup procedure and identifying the voice of the bastard devil. She wasn’t going to let Nate make her afraid anymore. Eventually, she hoped, he’d get what was coming to him. The firs
t step was out of the way.

  Warmth shrouded her when she pictured herself entwined in bed, and making love with Randy. Her predicament had been far from her ponderings at the time. Crossing her arms around herself, she imagined the heat between them, the shudders and shivers from his touch. He made her feel like a woman again. How easily she had fallen in love with him over a year and a half ago, yet she had kept it to herself. How easily she could’ve lost him forever. Now, she honestly didn’t think she could take losing one more thing in her life at this point.

  The coffee had finished, so she went to settle on her cream sectional sofa. She gave a hopeful sigh when she sat, and removed her phone from her handbag to call Nora.

  Her friend picked up with a question right off, “What’s going on? You must be home by now?”

  She told her Detective Daniels continued to investigate her case. Nora and her dad had met him before she had at the hospital on the awful night it happened. “The man is nice looking, but he’s intimidating. I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of him.”

  “Well, the news is terrific to an extent. I hope they can get more information from the culprit. I want to be at Nate’s execution. Want to come for dinner tonight?”

  Nora had fit the execution part in so casually it nearly slipped past. Unfortunately, no one would be executed for the crime. Roxanne peered out the window at a gorgeous sunny day. Windswept clouds scattered in streaks leaving a pretty blue sky to peak through, yet rain was predicted for tonight. It would probably be a monsoon thunderstorm after all, and ruin any idea of a ride. “I’m tired, Nora. I want to sit here and chill out, rest, and think of Randy.”

  “Did I hear you right?”

  “You did. The last two days have been a big turning point for us. I wanted to thank you for pushing me, and I know you or Tristan, or both of you, had something to do with him coming over the first night.”

  “Who me? Tristan? No comment.” Nora laughed. “I’m glad it’s working out for you two again. I told you he missed you.”

  Roxanne grinned. She was unable to hold it in much longer, but she’d only blab so much. “Uh huh, he showed me. I guess that’s why I’m tired.” She nearly sang those words. “We’ll talk more tomorrow, Nora. Give the kids a hug.”

  Nora’s voice got loud. “Wait one minute.”

  Nora had caught that one little clue. Roxanne’s knees would go weak if she continued blabbing, let alone thinking of their night together. “I don’t kiss and tell, even to my best friend.”

  “Liar. I want to know everything.”

  Roxanne laughed to herself. “Figure it out. You’re good at that, girlfriend. Love you.”

  “Wait—”

  “Another time.” Before Nora hit the end button, she probably had it figured out, and it’d kill her not to know the details. Roxanne enjoyed being mysterious, though she called her right back. “Hey, don’t tell Tristan what I said about Randy because I don’t want them talking, or knowing I talked. If it gets around the barns, he’ll be none too happy with me.”

  “Sure, if he doesn’t tell it first. Your, and his little secret is safe with me, if you’ll admit what you meant.”

  “Blackmail! Ooh, you’re so bad, Nora. You already know the answer.” She hung up immediately. Roxanne put another pod into the coffeepot, then carried her overnight bag into the bedroom, and turned the bed down. She liked the way it looked with her pretty floral sheets that now smelled like Randy.

  She unpacked and put things from her trip away, but went to the kitchen for her coffee. The next stop would be a relaxing breath amidst the porch and later a marmalade sunset. Before going to bed tonight, she’d call her dad. In the morning, she’d check with the manager of her business. It had become her full-time job now, and she’d have to treat it as such.

  Life today ran in a big circle and no matter what it was, it all came back to why she no longer danced. She closed her eyes, drew in a breath to release it in a sigh, and regrouped. The reflections tugged at her heart. For now, she’d not allow herself to wallow in worry. But in case wallow snuck up on her in the middle of the night, she’d call about installing sturdier back and front doors.

  ***

  The next morning on the way to the Double Dutch the long way, Randy drove himself nuts thinking about the abusive assholes who had done the unthinkable to Roxanne, with Nate Evers at the wheel of their little scheme. Seeds had been growing in his mind about ways to make Nate talk. Now, concerned about Nate coming to Canyon Junction, he could only imagine what Roxanne had lived with daily.

  He needed a reason for going to Oklahoma, and this morning while looking over auction papers, he circled one in Tulsa. He had money saved. For some time now, he had wanted to rebuild his own ranch and giving it a go on his own. His stomach roared as he drove up the road to Tristan’s boarder barn to get a high-spirited horse out in the corral today. Lying awake half the night and getting out of bed early, he needed another strong cup. Judy’s coffee would be hot.

  It was quiet when he pulled up to the barn, but Selva, the head ranch hand, walked out the barn door, and nodded toward the back of the house.

  “Hey, amigo, I’ve been instructed to invite you for breakfast if you came early.”

  “His stomach grumbled again as he opened the door. “Hold up. I’ll go in with you. I’m starved. Who’s here?”

  “Us, far as I know. Miss Judy said she was in the mood for cooking and whoever came could eat.”

  Davy sauntered out of the barn to join them. “Hey, guys. Good timing on my part.”

  Randy asked him, “Is Dane’s blasted horse I’ve been working with still putting up a fuss? I didn’t mean to leave you short of help, but I had to take care of some business.”

  Davy peered at Randy’s beat up face while holding the back door open to Judy Carlson’s kitchen. “That rowdy beast misses ya.”

  Selva bumped Randy’s shoulder as he pulled a chair out at the table. “Morning, Miss Judy. Look who I found out there.”

  “Hi, Judy,” said Randy. “The kitchen smells delicious. It’s nice of you to offer up breakfast this morning. I skipped it at home.” He reflected on the reason he skipped breakfast this morning. Instead of cooking, he worked on the painting he’d started a while ago.

  “You’re welcome, Randy, and you know you’re invited to chow down with us anytime. You, too, Davy. If it isn’t one of my cooking days, make yourself a bowl of cereal.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” Randy removed his hat and set it on the chair beside him. It didn’t matter what it was, he’d eat it. “Where’s Tristan this morning?”

  “He has to run Destiny to school. Nora isn’t feeling well today.” Judy wore a smile when she said it. Usually a woman not feeling good in the morning meant one thing, or so he’d heard. He glanced at Selva who grinned. Everybody must’ve heard a rumor he hadn’t. A couple days away and the whole place could change overnight.

  “You men come over here and fix your plate now. We’re eating buffet style this morning.” Judy set plates stacked with pancakes and bacon on one end, returned to the kitchen for a big bowl of scrambled eggs and toast. “Y’all want jelly? Juice? I’ll grab it.”

  “I’ll get it.” Randy stood and made his way to the buffet as Jase pulled up in “Big Red.” He chuckled to himself. Jase loved his mother’s cooking.

  “Good morning!” Jase stepped inside, beaming as his gaze skimmed the room. Jaelle and Joey streamed in behind him. “I brought the kids. Brenna called in sick. She isn’t feeling well this morning, so I’m taking them to school.”

  “Grab y’all something to eat real quick if you have time. They can’t go to school with an empty tummy. You should call Tristan. He’s taking Destiny to school.”

  “We ate, Grandma.” Joey removed his boots before entering. “Dad fixed us cereal. I’m older now and I know I can cook if they’d let me try.”

  Brushing her hand toward the table, Judy took extra plates from the cupboard. “Take anything you want. We’re just
sitting down to eat. Joey, my boy, you come over any time and Grandma will let you loose at the stove.”

  Jase pulled a chair out for his daughter. “We’ll go in a minute, sweetie. Both of you go ahead and eat if you want.” He nodded Joey toward the chair beside Randy’s hat. “Neither of you finished your cereal.”

  “What’s wrong with Brenna?” Judy fixed a plate of pancakes for the kids, but Randy caught her reading her son for a giveaway about Brenna, more than likely.

  Judy had been the only one with nerve enough to ask. Randy went about fixing his plate and sinking into the woodwork. He didn’t like rumors, or being in the center of family business, yet if he hadn’t seen his birth certificate, he might swear he was a Carlson.

  “I don’t know for sure, Mom. Maybe the same thing that’s making Nora sick this mornin’.” Jase smirked at his mother and grinned at Randy and Selva.

  Judy glanced at the kids and all who sat at her table. “We’ll talk later, son, like when you get back from taking the kids to school. Unless you want me to call Brenna to check on—”

  “No, don’t, Ma. I’ll stop back on the way home.” Jase glanced at Randy and winked while sticking a piece of bacon into his mouth. Oh, yeah, he had a secret to tell.

  This was the opportunity Randy needed, but first he removed his hat from the chair and hooked it over a peg by the back door. “Jase, I see an auction over in Tulsa next week. You interested?”

  Jase poured more syrup on his daughter’s pancakes and winked at her, getting a big toothy smile in return, then he gave his attention to Randy. “As a matter of fact, I was looking at the same auction this morning, but damn, it’s bad timing. Maybe the next one, eh?”