Mended Hearts: Bad Boy Action-Adventure Romance (Renegade Series Book 2)

by Arabella Steedly

  "How? Tell me how you want to be fucked."

  She bit her lip and looked at him for a moment before reaching down to push her breasts closer together.

  "Fuck my tits. I want to watch you slip in and out between them."

  "Mmmm, that's a nice visual."

  Jake planted his throbbing cock between her breasts and let it slip in and out between them, oiled by her perspiration and his precum. He was in no danger of coming so quickly this time and enjoyed watching her lean forward to lick the tip of his cock as it appeared between the moons of her tits with each thrust.

  Even with his current level of desensitization from his previous orgasm, he soon found himself getting close again. Jake needed to be inside her. This time he didn't ask what she wanted. He pulled free and grabbed her by the waist. Flipping her over onto her stomach and up on her knees, he mounted her from behind.

  Vanessa let out a loud groan as he buried his massive cock into her center, thrusting into her until it felt like he was hitting bottom. Slowly, he pulled out, letting himself slip almost free of her before thrusting hard into her again. She began to whimper beneath him as their bodies rocked back and forth in perfect rhythm like two separate pieces that formed a well-oiled machine.

  Reaching between her legs, Jake began stroking her clit in long fluid movements that kept time with his cock strokes. She let out a low whine of ecstasy as her body began to shake again, giving up another orgasm to him. He moved his wet fingers and planted one on her asshole, rolling it about, loosening it up before inserting the tip inside and finger fucking her ass in rhythm with his cock gliding in and out.

  "Yes. Harder. Give me every inch," Vanessa screeched, bucking back against him like a wild bronco as he increased his thrusts inside of her.

  Their bodies slammed back and forth, fucking one another for everything they could give. Her body seemed to tense all over, then release as Jake felt another warm flood of come flow down his cock, and drip over his tightening balls.

  Vanessa reached back beneath her, kneading them, sending him over the edge as he slammed forward one last time and filled her with a surprising load for his second one in an hour. They lay against each other, enjoying the aftermath before curling up to go to sleep.

  "I love you," she mumbled against his chest.

  "I love you too." Jake stroked her hair as he drifted off into a peaceful sleep with her still in his arms.

  The following morning, they rose early and had a light breakfast at a little diner, treating themselves to a rare morning drink — delicious mimosas. They were all smiles as they headed back to the boat and settled in for the trip home. It was going to be perfect weather for the sail back up the coast and through the waterways that led back to their lake.

  Over the course of the next few days, Jake found himself on several occasions watching Vanessa as she leaned against the cabin of the boat, wearing nothing but a bikini that left little to his imagination. The clear outline of her perfect ass and rounded breasts made him want to park the boat somewhere and take her right there against the railing, but he held back. Instead, Jake waited until they arrived in the wee hours of the morning back in their lake to take her beneath the stars.

  An hour later inside the house, curled up against her in bed, he could feel himself getting hard again. Perhaps it was just having let go of their worries for a while that was causing him to want her so much. For the most part, they had always had a great sex life, but this was a bit much even for them. Still, she wasn't complaining as he woke her, kissing her neck gently as his cock pressed into her ass cheeks urgently.

  "You're going to spoil me," she whispered. Rolling Jake onto his back, she climbed on and rode him like a cowgirl.

  "I certainly hope so. God, you're beautiful." Jake watched her gorgeous breasts bounce up and down as she slipped down the length of his cock, and back up again. "I love you, Vanessa."

  "I love you too, Jake."

  It doesn't get much better than this, he thought.

  Chapter 10

  Jake put his suitcase on the bed and began packing the clothes Vanessa laid out for him. "Where's my winter coat? Tucker said it is already turning cold up there."

  "The weather is cooler here too. I'm glad it waited until we got home from our trip." Vanessa said rummaging through Jake's closet looking for his coat.

  "I can't believe a week has passed since our trip. Are you sure you don't want to go with me back to our old stomping grounds?"

  "Quite sure. All it will do is dredge up bad memories." She shook her head. “I have several appointments to catch up on, and it will give you and Tucker some guy time together."

  In truth, Vanessa was tired and looking forward to some rest. After returning from the keys, they had been busy finishing up last minute projects preparing for Jake's borders and the return of Tamara and Apollo. And besides, she had a thing or two she wanted to do on her own.

  Jake chuckled when she handed him the coat. "Tucker and I had enough boy time over the years. I much prefer you to his unshaven mug."

  Sometimes Jake's too needy. It will do him good also to get away from me for a while. She thought.

  "Do you have a map? You’re no good using your phone for directions.” Jake was notorious for driving by exits and not realizing it until he was twenty miles away.

  "I don't need one. I remember the route. I take I-75 to I-10 to Pensacola and turn north —“

  "Okay, okay... I believe you," Vanessa shook her head following him out to his truck. He smiled and kissed her on the lips pausing to linger there for a few moments before he pulled away. She looked on while he put his suitcase inside the horse trailer’s storage area — a throwback to his rodeo days, she figured. With one hand on his cheek, Vanessa looked at him with a straight face. "Now, be careful on the road. I love you."

  "I love you too. I will."

  Vanessa smiled to herself when he slid behind the wheel, and she noticed a road atlas was laying in the passenger's seat. Standing in the driveway in front of their beautiful vintage Florida home, Vanessa waved and watched him go until he disappeared down the lane.

  Back inside, she busied herself clearing the breakfast dishes and dressing in a cute skirt and blouse instead of scrubs. This morning, she and Beth would finish their preparations for reopening the clinic, and she had a surprise planned for the afternoon. Vanessa draped her black sweater around her shoulders and grabbed her purse. Heading out the door, she was not surprised Beth's car was turning into the driveway.

  "Good morning, Dr. Morrow," Beth greeted her as she lifted Bethany from her car seat.

  "I told you to dispense with the 'doctor thing,' until we began seeing patients again. Now, let me hold my little sweetie so you can bring in her stuff." Vanessa held out her arms.

  "I was practicing... getting back into the routine before Monday," Beth said, giggling handing over her daughter.

  "How did she sleep last night?" Vanessa unlocked the door with her free hand.

  "Better, a lot better," Beth unfolded the stroller that converted into a bed and arranged the baby's blankets. Then she glanced up at Vanessa. "You can put her down. She won't wake up. We got an hour before she'll be hungry again."

  "If I must." Vanessa poked out her lip in a faux pout.

  Beth wheeled the stroller into one of the exam rooms not far away and left the door open. Then she got down to work confirming appointments while Vanessa restocked the supply cabinet. The morning passed in a blur, and Vanessa was surprised when she heard Beth's mother pull up outside. Martha had been coming to pick up the baby at twelve o'clock during the past week and would be keeping her all day starting Monday.

  After making polite small talk with Martha, and seeing her to the door, Vanessa sprung her surprise. "You know Beth, we have been working really hard for several weeks now, and I can't speak for you, but my back is sore." Vanessa scowled and rubbed her lower back like she was in pain. "How about you?"

  She studied Beth's expressions and tried not to
laugh as Beth thought about what to say. First, she almost rubbed her back too but stopped not wanting Vanessa to believe she was complaining or might be hurt. Then she paused and looked up at her boss. "No, my back is fine. It was kinda sore after I had the baby, but I'm feeling okay now."

  Vanessa shook her head. "Oh, that's too bad. I made reservations for a massage and facial for both of us this afternoon at the spa downtown."

  Beth raised her brows and gave Vanessa a sideways smile, wondering if she was teasing, but hoping she wasn't. Vanessa started laughing and said, "Go find your purse, it's my treat. Let's go have some fun."

  Beth squealed and put her hands to her cheeks. "Oh, are you serious? I've never had a facial before."

  "Oooh, you'll love it." Vanessa held open the door. "Let's take my bug." Then she glanced down at her watch. "Looks like we'll be right on time. First, we'll have a bite to eat out on their patio. Their luncheon menu is the best."

  Before they got into the car, Beth hugged her neck. "I can't wait... This is going to be so much fun," and ran around to the passenger's side to climb in.

  Thirty minutes later, while munching on their salads and sipping chamomile tea, they were presented with a menu of all the spa's services and asked to select the type massage and facial they preferred. It did Vanessa's heart good to listen as the aesthetician explained the types of facials they offered and discreetly glanced over Beth's face and recommended an oxygen facial to refresh her skin. Vanessa thought of her mother, and how Mom had surprised her with a spa day on her sixteenth birthday. With that thought in mind, she said. "Your mom looks great. She must love keeping her granddaughter more often now that the clinic is reopening."

  Beth rolled her eyes and took a sip from the china cup. "Yeah, she's fine... but now she keeps suggesting I try and contact Bethany's father. She thinks he should start paying child support."

  "I can understand that."

  "There is only one problem. I have no idea where he is."

  "Oh, I assumed he was local, but I never asked because... well, you didn't offer." Vanessa blotted her lips with the linen napkin. "And it was none of my business."

  Beth's cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her plate. Now Vanessa wished she had kept her questions to herself. But after a moment or two, Beth looked up into Vanessa's eyes and cleared her throat. "I was drunk... I went to a party at one of the frat houses at the university. And, honestly Vanessa, I don't remember who the father is. I never told Mom, though. She thinks I dated him for a while, but I can't even remember his name. I couldn't pick him out in a lineup if my life depended on it."

  Before Vanessa could think of something appropriate to say, the massage therapists appeared and showed them to their rooms, and she didn't see Beth again until their appointments were over. But Vanessa did notice Beth seemed to have forgotten their conversation by the time they started for home.

  On their drive back to Renegade Ridge, Beth sat chatting about her first spa experience and how good it all felt; thanking Vanessa over and over again, until her phone chimed. She quickly grabbed it out of her purse and paused a second glancing up at Vanessa before she answered in a hushed voice. "Hi, I'm busy now. I'll call you back in a few."

  Beth must have known Vanessa wondered who it was because she sat for a moment and looked out the window before deciding to confide in her. "I'll tell you who it was if you promise not to tell my mom."

  Vanessa felt foolish like she was back in high school when she said, "I promise Beth, I won't let on.”

  Beth's eyes got wide, and she snickered. "It's a guy I just met."

  "How did you meet him?" Vanessa played along all the while wondering if she was doing the right thing.

  "The other day, after work, I stopped at the convenient store. The 7-Eleven right down the street from the ranch."

  "Yes." Vanessa nodded steering around a piece of debris in the road.

  "I couldn't believe it. When I pulled up and was taking Bethany out of her car seat, he walked up right behind me and asked if he could help. It kinda scared me at first, so I told him 'no' and went inside. But he followed me, and we started talking about the weather, and he kept playing with Bethany's finger... real sweet like. And, well, before I knew it, I gave him my number, and he's been calling me ever since. He wants to go out just to get to know me better since he's not from around here and doesn't have many friends."

  "He wants to go out, or you went out?" Vanessa bit her tongue wishing she hadn't asked her that.

  "Well, yes I snuck out of the house twice after everyone was asleep. I knew if Bethany started crying, and I didn't go to her room to pick her up, Mom would. Since I started back to work, Mom has been good that way, knowing I need my sleep.” Beth shrugged. "All we did was sit outside under a tree and talk."

  By this time they were back at home, and Vanessa pulled up in front of the clinic and turned to face Beth. "I want what's best for you and your family. I hope this guy is okay, so I have just one word of caution."

  "What?"

  "Take it slow."

  Just then her phone chimed again. Beth grabbed it but not before Vanessa got a peek at the name on the screen. When she held it to her ear, Beth mouthed the words, "See you in the morning," before she rushed to get out.

  Vanessa waved and pulled passed the clinic toward the garage. Gathering her purse, she locked the car door and shivered. Surprised at how the temperature had dropped since morning, Vanessa wrapped the sweater tightly around herself and walked up the sidewalk toward the house.

  Tiny... what an odd name for a man...

  Chapter 11

  Approaching the outskirts of Jonesboro, Jake steered into the truck stop. Tired and sore, he breathed in the crisp air and stretched his legs while lifting the nozzle on the gas pump. Vanessa would be proud of him. During the two day trip, he only missed one exit. Distracted by a phone call, he had driven thirty miles too far. The gentleman, a college professor, had spotted Jake's ad on Craigslist for ranch hands and wanted information for his students who needed hands-on training.

  Their conversation had lasted over thirty minutes while he questioned Jake's knowledge and his experience as a rancher. Finally, he convinced the professor he would provide as many hours of work as he could, so he agreed to post Jake's contact information. Within an hour, four students had made an appointment for an interview.

  Inside the store, he grabbed a six-pack of Coors and a bag of chips. While standing in line, he noticed a teenaged boy with red hair meandering down the aisle next to him. Startled, Jake edged closer to the counter. Lowering the brim of his Stetson, he turned up the collar of his coat.

  Jesus, that kid is Agatha Selman's son. What the hell is he doing back in town? Jake thought.

  With quick strides, he crossed the pavement heading back to his truck. In the reflection of the glass on the driver's side door, Jake noted young Selman was now old enough to drive. He watched as the kid slid in behind the wheel of a Mazda and pulled away. To Jake's delight, it appeared he had gone unrecognized by the teen. Now, he understood why Vanessa stayed in Florida. Arkansas had too many bad memories.

  Not far up ahead, Jake turned down the county road that bordered his old homestead. He was pleased the new owners had painted the house and paved the driveway. Bittersweet thoughts flooded in, though, but most of all it reminded him of his heritage — or what his family had always assumed. At a young age, Jake knew his kinfolk had come from Native American blood.

  In fact, that very notion had inspired the tattoo of the chieftain that covered his arm and shoulder. Grandpa Morrow named the ranch Renegade Ridge because an Indian burial mound was located at the rear of the property. Jake could still remember the time his Grandpa gave him a hard look and shook his finger in his young face. "You leave that mound be, son. It's a sacred place."

  Maybe I'll do a DNA test to find out for sure... Or maybe not... I might lose my excuse for behaving like a modern-day renegade...

  Jake drove passed the fence row that separated t
he ranch from Tucker's property and turned down the dirt road. As he approached the cabin, an overly excited chocolate lab came bounding out the front door and pounced on him as soon as he got out.

  "Welcome back." Tucker waved descending the steps. The two men hugged and clapped each other on their backs while the dog jumped up on Jake and licked his hand.

  "Right. I understand you missed me. I missed you too." Jake rubbed Apollo between the ears. "No... down boy!" The two men laughed as the lab tried to sit on the ground obediently, sweeping his tail back and forth over the grass.

  "Sorry, I tried to hold him back, but... no way."

  "He hasn't seen me for months. A small army would have trouble stopping him." Jake picked up a stick and threw it across the yard and chuckled when the dog dashed to fetch the prize.

  "The old boy looks healthy."

  "Yeah, he eats like a horse instead of a dog."

  In a flash, Apollo came back holding the stick in his mouth. Eyeing both men, daring them to try and take it away.

  "Now, do you mind if I go tell Tamara 'hello?'"

  "Follow me. Your mare is in perfect shape... been riding her almost every day out there in my new exercise ring." Tucker pointed to a white boarded area covered by a metal roof built after he had moved to Florida.

  Jake was overjoyed to see Tamara and lead her out of the stall. For a moment he stood and ran his hands over her before he examined the leg she had injured during her last barrel race. "You're as good as gold, gal." He turned to face Tucker. "You can't imagine how much I missed this horse. She is a part of me, just as much as you and Vanessa are. You're a good man. You have no idea how much I appreciate your taking care of my kids, Tucker, while Vanessa and I got settled." Jake shook his head. "And resettled after the hurricane."

  Tucker poured a scoop of oats into the mare's feed box. "I got your back, brother. Now come on in and relax. Let's crack open a few brews and order a pizza... pepperoni with cheese, right?"

  Jake nodded. "Yep, you remembered. I'll meet you inside. I got to find my bag and bring in the beer I picked up on the way over."