Dalton Boys Box Set Books 1-5 (The Dalton Boys)

by Em Petrova

  As he slowed the four-wheeler, he tried to organize his thoughts and feelings. Part of him hungered to claim her right here on his land. But she was a tough woman to crack. She’d only let her guard down a couple times.

  With a plan in place, he cut the engine. She released her grip on his middle and leaned away so her chest wasn’t pasted to his back anymore. Cool air rushed over his spine, and he instantly missed her closeness.

  “Want to walk with me?” he asked quietly. Up here it seemed they were the only humans on earth. So isolated. If he wanted to strip her bare, lay her under the big Texas sky and ease between her thighs, nobody would interrupt.

  She climbed off the four-wheeler and he did the same. They faced each other. “I’ve never been to this part of the ranch.”

  “I don’t come here often.”

  She pressed her lips together. A heartbeat passed. “Will this be your land someday, Kade?”

  Calling him by his first name had to be a good sign. With a nod, he tried to catch her eyes, but she fixed her attention on the land.

  Leaning closer, he placed a hand on her nape just under her hat brim. Silky red hair against his fingers made his cock harden instantly. What he wouldn’t give to spread all that luscious hair on a pillow and bury his nose in it.

  She twisted from his grasp and took a few steps away. With her hands linked protectively before her and her eyes downcast, he could guess what was running through her mind.

  “You don’t really want to stop exploring this attraction between us,” he said, low.

  She tapped the toe of her boot. “I don’t know, Kade.”

  He burned to bridge the gap, grab her and wrap her legs around him. To roll to the high grass together and make her belong to him. But her body language screamed she didn’t want the same things he did.

  Nah, she’s scared. If he put himself in her boots, he’d think his job was on the line. That he’d be put off the ranch broke and homeless for sleeping with one of the owner’s sons.

  “You know this has nothing to do with your job, right?” He fanned the air between them.

  At last she met his stare. “You mean, do I know kissing you isn’t a job requirement?”

  “We’ll start with kissin’, but yeah.”

  One fine red brow arched. “I’m not on the same page as you are.”

  “No? Your body says otherwise.” He gestured to her breasts. Each nipple was a delectable gumdrop, clearly visible beneath the cloth.

  She folded her arms over her chest and gave him that defiant little lift of her chin. “Please stop this, Kade. We aren’t good together. We don’t even like each other.”

  Chest tight, throat tighter, he said gruffly, “I like you fine.”

  With a sharp move of her hand, she started pacing. The high grasses swished around her calves, drawing his attention to the lines of her legs. His desire climbed. “You hate how I hay the horses. How I lift sick calves. How I even know so much about your family.”

  “I never told you that.”

  “You didn’t have to. I see it all over your face when the subject comes up. The only time you do like me is when your tongue is in my mouth.”

  “Not true. I’m partial to your breasts too.”

  The flash of her green eyes warned him his choice to rile her was the wrong one.

  “I shouldn’t be up here with you, Kade. I don’t belong on this land.” She paced five steps away, six. It wasn’t until she was ten steps away that he understood she wasn’t coming back.

  “Give me one good reason why you won’t give us a chance,” he called.

  She stopped walking. Without turning, she responded, “I’ll give you ten.” When she spun to face him, his heart leaped. Yeah, he was as freaking in love with her as a man could be. So deep he could barely see the sun—she blocked it.

  “I’m waiting.” Taunting her seemed the best way to keep her talking.

  “One—because I hate you right now. You brought me to a piece of land you can’t have unless I agree to something I don’t want.”

  “I don’t believe for a minute you hate me.” A trace of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  She backed up a step. “Two and three—you tricked me into thinking we were just going for a ride.”

  “I’ll give you that, but you willingly got on that four-wheeler behind me, sweetheart. You didn’t care where we were going.”

  She raked her fingers through her long ponytail. It looked like fire licking her digits. “Four—I’m not staying on this ranch. I’m looking for another job tonight.”

  “I doubt you can walk away now. Not only from me but from everything here. You love my family. You fit right in with the women, the kids love you and the other guys respect you.”

  That shut her up. Her face mottled red and she looked a little teary. His heart broke a little. He took a step toward her.

  “F-five.” She sputtered, took a deep breath and shook her head. “Six.” She looked into his eyes.

  He was five steps from her. “What? No reasons for five and six?”

  “S-seven. I crossed a line I can’t cross again.”

  Being within arm’s reach of her and not being able to touch her sent a searing pain through him. “That line only exists in your mind, sweetheart. Here, with me, there are no lines. No boundaries.”

  “Eight…” Her voice faltered as he closed his hand around her upper arm. He tugged her close enough to feel her trembling. “You’re…a jerk. But you’re one of my best friends, Kade.”

  The smile in his heart transplanted itself to his face. “More reason to stay. Friends make the best loves.”

  When she tipped her head back to search his eyes, she whispered, “Nine—did you say love?”

  He nodded. “I did.” Closing the space between them, he claimed her lips with a growl. She opened for the invasion of his tongue, and they shared a groan as hot need dumped into his system. Ryan’s passion flowed into the kiss, and he knew he had her. Even if her stubborn mind hadn’t wrapped around the inevitable yet, it was only a matter of time.

  And maybe an orgasm or two.

  He cupped her breasts, thumbs against her distended nipples. She cried out, arching. With a single swipe of his thumbs over each, he started pressing small kisses down her neck. As he clamped his teeth around one nipple through her top, she locked her hands around his head.

  “Do you have a ten?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” she panted.

  “What is it?” He mouthed her nipple, wetting her shirt.

  “Don’t stop.”

  It wasn’t an admission of love, but he’d take it.

  * * * * *

  As Ryan melted into Kade’s arms and kisses, her mind reeled. It shocked her that she was allowing his touch at all, but more eye-opening had been her admission that he was her best friend.

  He stroked his tongue over hers, and she knew it to be true. Even while arguing in the field, a strong camaraderie lived between them and friends did make the best loves. Not that she knew—she’d never been in love.

  Lust? Hell yeah. And she was about to act on that, big time.

  Curling her hands into his buttocks, she rocked against his huge erection. His Wranglers barely harnessed his desire and her panties were soaking.

  “Slow down, sweetheart. I won’t last.”

  Angling her head, she sucked on his tongue. A growl ripped from him and he palmed her breasts. The aching weight in his hands was the most decadent pleasure. She moaned into his mouth. He swallowed it and fed her his tongue. Long, dizzying kisses as she went on tiptoe to get closer. Slowly melting into him further.

  She didn’t realize he’d dragged her to the ground until the tall grasses tickled her hands. As she looked at him—really looked at him—her breath caught. Strong man silhouetted by land and sky. But the blazing expression on his face really stole her resistance, if there had been a single shred left.

  “I want you.” Her voice was a rough whisper.

  T
he hint of a smile quirked his lips at one corner. Then he caught her in his arms and bore her onto her back, cushioning her with his hands.

  As his cock settled against her throbbing pussy and her arms filled with muscled cowboy, she forgot about being the ranch hand, that he paid her wages or how many times they’d argued. Right now it all seemed like foreplay. Fight, kiss. Argue, fondle. When tempers flared, they seemed to be hiding the underlying problem—passion.

  And more. His eyes said more.

  She lost herself in his stare as he rubbed against her. Easing his hand under her shirt, he found her right breast. Squeezed it lightly, flicked his thumb over her straining nipple. She cried out but his touch was gone too fast, moving to her left breast.

  He pinched her nipple hard enough to leave her gasping and she bit his shoulder in response. A rumble of a laugh vibrated his chest. “Wild little cowgirl. I love the way you fight back. We’re well-matched, love.” Holding her gaze, he did something totally unfair, he rolled his hips, dragging his cock over her clit. Even through her jeans it left her weak and trembling.

  “I’ve been dreaming of your scents on my fingers. But it’s not enough, sweetheart.” One dark brow lifted—a wing of question.

  She knew what he was asking. Barely able to control the small squeaks of need, she nodded.

  “Fuck yeah.” He plunged his tongue between her lips, ran it around the interior before pulling free and kissing down her throat, between her throbbing breasts and to her waist. Her top was hitched up to reveal a patch of freckled skin. He hesitated a moment and her breathing stuttered.

  “It’s the freckles, isn’t it? They’re a turn-off.”

  “They’re damn cute. Besides, nothing about you could turn me off, cowgirl.” As if to prove his point, he opened his mouth over her flesh. Having his rough beard and scorching lips over such an untouched area made her writhe. She sank her fingers into his hair, aware both of their hats had fallen off somewhere.

  He sucked her skin. Goosebumps pebbled her arms. They fanned over her shoulders and right down to her nipples, puckering them. She longed to bring his mouth back to them but he was scraping his rough jaw lower, lower as he unbuttoned her jeans. The zip followed and finally he wiggled the denim and her panties down.

  “I’m still wearing my boots.”

  “Damn, that’s a problem. Guess I haven’t had much practice.” The thought of this gorgeous cowboy not having a lot of experience sent an even sweeter ache to her heart.

  He pushed upward, biceps flexing with ropes of muscle. As he removed her boots and socks, his gaze licked over her. Under his gaze, she felt beautiful and precious. In a hard tug, he divested her of her jeans and panties.

  “You’re still going about this wrong, Dalton. My pants are off but my top’s on.” She used her sassiest tone she’d use while working.

  “I’m not too proud to admit my mistakes. Won’t happen again, Greenhorn.” He attacked her. Ripping her top over her head, practically tearing her bra in his eagerness to get at her breasts. Once she was bared, his eyelids lowered to half-mast.

  She waited.

  His throat worked. Finally, he grated out, “I’ve never seen anything so fine in my life.”

  Her heart turned over and began to beat a new rhythm. With emotion fueling her, she yanked him down for a kiss. As their mouths dueled, she worked off his shirt and opened his fly. Slipping her hand inside his boxers to pull his velvety cock into her hand pulled a primal groan from him. Good thing they were outside—Kade Dalton could get purdy loud.

  Sinking her teeth into her lower lip, she ran his cock through her palm. And again. Learning each vein riding the hard steel. Swiping her thumb through the wetness pooling at the tip. Mouth watering, she brought her thumb to her lips and tasted him.

  His eyes squeezed closed. “Woman, you’re killing me.”

  “Good.” She grasped his wrist and brought his fingers where she wanted them most. As callus met her slickness, it was her turn to be too loud.

  “I’ve gotta taste you.” With that, he eased down her body, skipping her freckled torso and going straight for her pussy. He splayed his finger over her inner thighs and parted her just as he covered her wetness with his mouth.

  She dug her nails into the earth. The rich scents of loam and grass surrounded them, and she couldn’t think of anything more perfect as he loved her with his lips and tongue. Sucking, nibbling, lapping her bottom to top. Drawing mind-blowing circles around her clit before thrusting two fingers into her pussy.

  She cried out, juices flowing over his fingers. Her walls clenched and released madly around him. His tongue swirled over her clit too many times to count. She was melting, couldn’t figure out if she was part of the ground or the sky that filled her vision above.

  Then her orgasm rushed up, a bright fire-burst like a comet shooting across her soul. Her pussy pulsated as a deeper need took up residence in her belly.

  Panting, she touched his soft hair, riding her release. No, she didn’t belong to the earth or sky—she belonged to Kade Dalton.

  * * * * *

  Thank God he had a condom. The fact he did surprised even him, because he hadn’t had sex for too many months to count. As he knelt over her and rolled the rubber on with shaking hands, Ryan’s tongue flicked over her lower lip.

  He growled. “Keep doing that thing with your tongue and I won’t last, sweetheart.”

  She’d always been gorgeous, but now that he’d fallen hopelessly in love with the little vixen, she stole his breath.

  Fighting to recover it, he eased between her round thighs. As she wrapped one leg around his hip, he leaned in for a kiss. Savoring her flavors and the feeling she injected into their caress. With a hand clenched in her silky hair, he ran the head of his cock through her slippery folds.

  A shudder racked them both. Need mounted. It crossed his mind to let her know this wasn’t a one-time event—once he filled her, she belonged to him. But then she arched and made a mewling sound and he forgot the words.

  One steady push and he forgot his own name. Tight, wet heat encased his entire length. His cock bumped a spot that made her cry out. And he forgot everything else. Good thing he had a brain stem to keep him going.

  “Hell, Ryan. You fit me so fucking perfect.”

  “Kade.” Soft fingers bracketed his face as she drew him down. The kiss they shared flooded him with feelings he was pretty damn sure no other Dalton had ever felt. He loved Ryan more than anything. He’d do anything, give anything to see her happy.

  He shook with the effort to remain still inside her, but he just wanted to cling to the moment and to make it something she’d remember when they sat in their porch rockers talking of their grandbabies.

  Her inner walls clutched him briefly, and he issued an involuntary growl.

  As her smile spread under his, their gazes locked. “Move, Dalton.”

  “Nothing could stop me.”

  He withdrew with exquisite slowness. Watching her face ripple with pleasure was almost better than the sensations of being inside her.

  Oh hell, yes. Almost.

  Flipping his tongue slowly over hers, he sank back into her pussy. Inch by inch, desire shooting him skyward. At this rate he’d never give her release before him—he needed her too bad.

  “Kade.” Her voice sounded as wrecked as he felt. “More. Faster.”

  With a hard shake of his head, he grated out, “Can’t. Gotta make this good for you first.”

  Eyes like green and gold fire locked on his as she wrapped her other leg around him. God, he couldn’t…dammit, how was he…

  He plunged deep. Pulled back out. Wild lust pounded his system, powered by the real need to claim her body and soul. Her second orgasm swept her, and he focused on the way her eyes darkened and the fervent cries escaping her kiss-swollen lips.

  He ran his hand from breast to hip and back up, maddened by need. Pressure grew in his body until he could hardly make room for a gulp of air. She angled her hips and he
slid his hands under her ass to draw her into his pounding thrusts.

  A tingle at the base of his spine sent him spinning faster. His balls drew up tight. He had to have her. On this land. In his life forever.

  Throwing his head back, he roared as hot come jetted from his body. The feel of her hands on his chest, the sweet scents of her surrounded him, and he gave himself up to her care.

  Long moments later he opened his eyes to find he’d somehow managed to get onto his side and she was snuggled against him. One creamy thigh thrown across his body, her fingers relaxed on his chest.

  “I don’t know how I’m going to live without this for twelve-hour days while we work,” he said.

  He thought her breathing hitched. Pivoting his head, he looked down at her but couldn’t make out her expression. She hid beneath a ton of red hair and against his chest muscle. Gliding his fingers down her spine, he said, “Sweetheart?”

  “Hm?” Oh no. Not the monosyllabic noises.

  He caught her chin with his knuckle and lifted her face. She looked at the sky, the land and some far-off point that scared the hell outta him. His chest caved in a little. “What’s wrong, Ryan?”

  She rolled away and got to her feet. He sat up, heart thumping. Fuck, had he hurt her? He didn’t think so. And he didn’t want to consider she had regrets. He passed a hand over his face.

  While he looked on, she sorted their clothes into his and hers piles and began to put her garments back on.

  “Where are you goin’?” he asked around the lump in his throat.

  “Got night chores, don’t we?”

  Somehow he didn’t think they’d work alongside each other, teasing and talking about how they’d made love earlier. Tension rolled off her. When she had her panties, bra and top on, she gathered her hair into a thick bundle over one shoulder. He stopped breathing. If she walked away from this—

  “Sweetheart, we need to talk.”

  “Not much to say, is there?”

  He got to his feet, bare-assed. “You’re having second thoughts then?”

  Her eyes were dead—flat without the light of love shining there. He knew she’d felt it before—he’d seen it. As he reached for her, she sidestepped and hopped on one foot to put on her jeans.