Six Pack Ranch: Books 1-3

by Vivian Arend

  He chuckled. “You mean I only needed to offer a massage all this time to get you into my evil clutches?”

  She returned his grin and winked. “I’m easy that way.” The instant heat that smouldered back made her sex ache. Beth closed her eyes and sank into the water, enjoying his touch far more than any massage she’d gotten since the accident.

  The last couple of times they’d come to the pool, Daniel had been all about the kids. Oh, he’d been courteous and helped her get where she needed to go, but he’d kept most of his attention on the boys, enticing them to try a few floats and swimming strokes. Playing tag and generally wearing them out. She’d relaxed in the warm water of the kiddie pool, clapping and waving every time the request “Look at me, Mommy” echoed.

  Something warm had sprouted in her heart as she watched him with her sons, seeing him without any agenda except to have fun and enjoy their company.

  It gave her hope, far more than she wanted it to.

  Now he turned all that focused attention on her. He rubbed and caressed her feet, one at a time, then switched back and did her calves. By that time she was boiling alive between the heat of the water and the heat of his touch. Her breasts ached, and the core of her body felt hollow and empty. When he tugged her by the hand, she shook herself alert, slightly dazed.

  “Come on.” Daniel helped her out of the hot tub, draping her towel around her neck before offering his elbow. She limped at his side, leaning on his arm for balance. He carried her crutches in his other hand, the ones she used to get around in the change room until she put the brace back on.

  “Where are we going?”

  “For some non-vanilla.”

  She stumbled and he steadied her quickly. “You’re not serious,” she hissed.

  “Never been more serious in my life.”

  Holy cow, he was too.

  He nodded politely at the ladies as they manoeuvred past the deck chairs. One woman eyed him hungrily, and Beth wanted to hang a sign around his neck saying Taken.

  Where the hell had that come from? She beat down the feelings of jealousy as fast as she could. Daniel and her were…friends…although it appeared they were about to enjoy some benefits. Sweet Jesus. The heat racing over her skin had nothing to do with the hot tub they’d just left.

  Daniel took the side hallway between the men’s and ladies’ change rooms, glancing behind them cautiously before opening a door and leading her in. It was one of the family change rooms. The rectangular room held a small wall-mounted bench and a larger shower enclosure at the far end. He leaned the crutches against the far wall then closed the door. The click of the lock echoed loud in the room.

  “Daniel, what—?”

  He spun her in his arms, and swallowed the question. He took control of her lips, clutching their bodies together tightly, kissing her madly. She gave in, the need for him having built too high over the past days to try and deny anymore.

  Teeth and tongues, wet touches, simmering need. All she could do was feel, all she could think about was the way her body reacted. He peeled off one shoulder strap of her tank-top suit and fastened his mouth to her breast. Sucking the tip hard, he nipped and licked and drove her mad. He leaned her back on the wall and peeled down the other strap, one hand cupping the round of her breast before feasting on it in turn. Every nerve in her body sang. The constant ache in her leg faded to nothing as pleasure rose higher and higher. She ran her fingers through his hair, holding his mouth to her intimately. The repetitious tug of his lips teased and ramped up her need.

  It only took a second for him to strip away the rest of her suit, and her hands flew upward in an attempt to cover her torso.

  “Darling, you’re gorgeous. Don’t hide, don’t let yourself doubt how fucking incredible it makes me feel to see you naked in front of me.” Daniel spoke quietly, his hands clasping her fingers gently and tugging her arms to the sides. Beth planted her palms against the wall for balance, her legs spread wide.

  “Sweet mercy, woman.” He drew a finger down her torso as he knelt at her feet, and her belly fluttered under his touch. He leaned closer and took a deep breath in through his nose. “I can smell your desire. You’re wet just thinking about what we’re going to do, aren’t you?”

  Her legs trembled. “What are we going to do?”

  His wicked grin flashed. “I already told you. Non-vanilla. We’ve got forty-five minutes left.”

  With one hand he separated the curls of her body, touching her slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. Again and again he circled a finger along the sensitive skin of her sex, her labia and her clit pulsing in time with her heart. A single finger slipped into her depths, and he licked her clit and she moaned.

  “You can make some noise, but no screaming, okay? I’ll take you somewhere for the screaming sex another time.”

  “Jesus, Daniel, shut up already and…hell.” He bit her clit and the top of her head nearly blew off, it felt so damn good. Another finger joined the first, and he stroked and teased her, inside and out now, his tongue moving rapidly against her throbbing clit. His fingers plunged into her faster and faster until there was no hope of holding back, and her orgasm flashed like a wild fire. He slowed his strokes, drawing out the waves until she grasped his head and dragged him away from her now-too-sensitive center.

  He rose, and those eyes caught her in his spell. He stripped off his swim trunks, and she swore at the size of him, his erection slamming into his belly as he stood. He pulled a condom from the towel on the counter, rolled it on and stepped closer.

  “Daniel, how are we going to—?”

  He kissed her wildly, that massive cock caught between their bodies, the heat of it branding her belly. When he finally pulled away, they both gasped for air.

  “Fucking need to be inside you. Now.”

  “Yes, please…yes.” She would have begged for longer but there was no need. Her desperation was reflected in his eyes as well. He stood her on her good leg and took hold of her injured one.

  “Tell me if this hurts.”

  He lifted her thigh slowly, cautiously, watching her face the whole time. The angle took the pressure off the nerves that were usually pinched and sore, and she tugged his hips to get him closer to where she needed him. “It’s good, it’s good. Oh God, now, please.”

  He lined up the head of his shaft, nudging against her labia, slowly opening her. He rocked his hips a few times, slipping against her, and it felt so amazing she panted for air, clutching him in an attempt to pull him farther in.

  He clasped her chin with his free hand and, as their eyes met, powered into her body.

  Full.

  Stretched apart.

  Aching and wanting and—damn, it felt amazing. She watched his eyes flicker for a second before he dropped his forehead to hers. “That is about the hottest sensation I’ve ever felt. Fuck.” He took a deep breath. “You good, darling?”

  There was no way on earth she could speak. She nodded.

  Slow, even, tortuous, wonderful. He withdrew, paused, then thrust in again. Her breath shot out as his cock rocketed in, and she clutched his shoulders, closing her eyes to let the sensations take control. Let him take control.

  He filled her completely, his girth stretching her more than she ever remembered. Maybe it was the angle, maybe it was because they were both panting with desire. Maybe it was the fact that outside the door there were people innocently swimming laps, but she’d never been so turned on before in her life. Every plunge rubbed spots inside that in turn lit nerves on fire in chain reactions throughout her body. Her breasts bounced as he rammed himself deep into her core, the broad expanse of his chest rubbing her now screamingly sensitive nipples on every stroke he delivered. Beth’s world diminished to the sensory overload enclosed in the small chlorine-scented space.

  Everything moved in slow motion as she opened her eyes and gazed into his. He returned her stare, his dark pupils mesmerizing, his wicked, sinful grin breaking at the corner of his mouth.

&n
bsp; “Fucking against the wall. You ever done this before? Feel the cold of the concrete behind you, feel the heat of my cock as I ream you in two. It’s good, ain’t it darling? All for you. Every succulent, desirable…” He drove into her harder still, and alarms went off in the back of her brain. This wasn’t going to be just an orgasm; it was going to be cataclysmic. “…every fuckable inch of you.”

  Her climax drew closer, hovering out of reach.

  “Come for me again. I’m going to…” a deep-seated thrust, “…take you with me…” another, “…you feel so fucking good squeezing my cock…” another, “…come on, darling.”

  She came undone. Between the relentless strokes, the dirty talk and the whole naughtiness of the situation, the earth unraveled and took her with it. His mouth clamped down on hers as she started to cry out, the need to express the pleasure tearing her apart, overriding the logical sections of her brain. His tongue slammed into her mouth as his cock drilled her once again, and he jerked within her, his release shaking them both as he pinned her to the wall with his weight. Their kisses changed slowly, turning gentler, wet pleasure passing back and forth as their air exchanged—open mouths gasping against each other.

  Daniel lowered her leg slowly. She let out a squeak of pain, the return of weight on the limb a stark contrast to the endorphins of pleasure racing through her. He soothed her, stroking his hand over her hip, kissing her forehead.

  They were still connected intimately, his chest crushing her breasts. She swore his cock swelled even larger inside her, the skin of her passage unaccustomed to hard use for months. Hell, for years. Daniel kissed her again, dropping a line of tender caresses behind her ear, down her neck. His work-callused hands massaged her butt in smooth, rhythmic circles.

  He let out a slow sigh. “We’ve got ten minutes’ grace. I’m gonna head onto the deck. If you want to hit the change room, I’ll round up the boys and herd them in your direction when they’re done.”

  She still couldn’t speak. He kissed her cheek, kissed her lips. When he pulled from her body, she shivered, sad at the loss of his heat. He twisted her around and sat her on the bench, stroking her cheek with his knuckles.

  “You might want to hop in the shower for a minute.”

  She looked up at him, confused. Damn, he was fine. He dealt with the condom and pulled on his trunks, arranging his ample girth strategically.

  “Beth? You gonna be okay?”

  She pulled her towel over herself slowly, the rush of heat from the experience flushing her skin. “I’m fine. More than fine.” She made herself speak. “Daniel?”

  He turned in the act of unlocking the door. “Yeah?”

  “Thank you.”

  He shook his head and grinned, and something inside came dangerously close to melting.

  “Thank you. I’ve got to run.”

  She watched him walk out the door, then mustered up the strength to lock the door behind him before collapsing back onto the bench. Her head touched the wall behind her as she sucked in deep breathes of air. She’d really done it. They’d done it.

  Non-vanilla.

  9

  “So you going to be able to make it to both the wedding and the party afterward?” Daniel tossed a few coins in the tip jar and turned to carry the coffees back to their table.

  Their table, sheesh.

  She was doing it again. She’d been fighting to make sure she kept her head on straight and didn’t read too much into Daniel’s attentive behaviour. He’d picked her up every day when she was done with classes and taken her out for a coffee. They had just enough time for a quick conversation to unwind before heading home to meet the bus at the gate. She still didn’t feel comfortable talking in public about her past, but they seemed to have enough to chat about anyway. Now that October had begun, it seemed everyone was starting to get ready for the coming winter. They vented about her daily trials in the classroom and his on the ranch and in the Colemans’ furniture workshop.

  The adult company kept her sane. Oh yeah, hello, the addition of sex had rocked, and he was mighty easy on the eyes, but the companionship was another component she hadn’t realized she craved so badly. This whole deal with Daniel was supposed to be about friendship and fun, not forever.

  The part of her soul that occasionally wished that she’d found a man like Daniel in the first place? She wrapped that part up in ropes and tied it off real tight. It wasn’t allowed to mess with the fantastic reality she was experiencing.

  “Beth?”

  She gazed into his eyes in confusion. “Sorry, wool gathering.”

  “No troubles. I asked if you’re able to come to both the wedding and the reception. The boys are welcome.”

  Hadn’t she told him? “Are you talking about Blake and Jaxi? This coming weekend?”

  “Of course. The wedding is at—”

  “Daniel, the boys and I are headed to Calgary on Friday after school lets out. We’re spending Thanksgiving with my parents and my sister. I’m sorry, I thought I’d told you.”

  By the expression on his face, she hadn’t, or he’d forgotten.

  “That makes sense. You drive safe, and I’ll see you when you get back.”

  He switched topics to describe a woodworking project he was making special order for a hotel in Canmore, and she fidgeted with her cup and tried to stay alert. She usually loved to listen to him, the rough timbre of his voice teasing all the spots in her psyche that needed a man’s attention and sharing. In such a short time a piece of him had wrapped its way around her, and she was worried it would soon be impossible to not let it show.

  “You think you’d like one?” he asked, and Beth stumbled to give an answer.

  Somehow she got to the end of the visit without making too much more of a fool of herself. The tiny seed of hope in her heart she buried deep again, not letting it see any hint of light to encourage it. It was too soon to be thinking about getting seriously involved with another man. Heck, it hadn’t even been a year since Samuel’s death.

  And although Daniel had been nothing but friendly and supportive, she hesitated to take it any further. She needed to stay in control. Call the shots.

  It was the only way she knew she and the boys would remain safe.

  Wasn’t it?

  The bright fall sunshine hit his eyes as Daniel passed another round of drinks to the tables then headed up the hill to spend some time alone, pondering why he wasn’t particularly happy today. He found a seat on the warm grass, breathing in the scented air as he tried to relax. The crowd below him was loud and boisterous, celebrating the end of another growing season but more importantly the wedding of his oldest brother to their next-door neighbour’s little girl. Jaxi was all grown up now, although it had taken a bit for that information to sink through Blake’s thick skull.

  Thanksgiving weekend was as appropriate a time as any for them to have held the wedding, only there was a pit in Daniel’s belly. He should have been pleased. All his family was around, and it looked as if everyone was getting along. With six brothers, there had always been tough moments as they dealt with the reality of belonging to a big family. As six individuals they didn’t always see eye to eye—yet for the most part they were tight.

  The fact Beth had hauled her family back to Calgary for the weekend—that was the part that sucked. He hadn’t realized how much he would miss her and the boys. He kept spotting things he wanted to show her, and his frustration made him irritable. He forced a smile on his face and tried to put her out of his mind.

  “You planning on doing anything other than moping today, big bro?”

  His youngest brother smirked from where he had dropped by Daniel’s feet, joining him on the grass. Joel wore that wide-eyed expression that made the girls flutter around like butterflies.

  “Stick it, Joel.”

  Another chuckle sounded on his other side and Daniel groaned. Great, his quiet retreat space been invaded by the twins.

  “Methinks someone is in love. His sweet princes
s is not here and he’s got no one to dazzle.” Jesse poked Joel in the ribs, the two of them sprawled lazily on the ground.

  Daniel was tempted to smack their two heads together. “Idiots. Don’t you have things you’re supposed to do?”

  Joel pointed to the outdoor dance area. “All set to go. Can’t start anything else without the stars, and they’re taking a powder break.”

  With a wiggle of his brow, Jesse gave a snort. “Probably trying to figure out a way to work in a quickie before they have to—”

  “Do you mind?” Holy shit, but Jesse was annoying at times.

  Joel whacked his twin on the arm and rolled him down the hill in the direction of the bar. “I see more customers for you. Quit being a jerk, if you can help it.”

  Jesse scrambled to his feet, then brushed himself off. He flipped Joel the bird behind his back as he good-naturedly headed to the bar area. Daniel shook his head and Joel laughed out loud.

  “He’s a pain in the ass, ain’t he?”

  Daniel raised a brow. “Like you aren’t?”

  “I know…two peas in a pod.”

  Daniel had to smile. Of all the six brothers, he was probably the closest with Joel, even with the whole twins-living-in-each-other’s-pocket deal.

  “You do seem like you’re not all there today, and I don’t think it’s because you’re upset Jaxi’s joining the family.” Joel pulled at the grass like a kid.

  “I’m not the one who wanted to get involved with her. How are you doing?” Daniel watched the crowds of community folk that had come out for the wedding wander over the lawn area outside the sprawling main house of Six Pack Ranch.

  Joel laughed. “Don’t try to change the topic. We were talking about the fact the lady you’ve been visiting with daily isn’t anywhere to be seen.”

  Daniel shrugged. “Couldn’t be helped.”

  “You really like her, don’t you?”

  Daniel thought about it. First reaction? “Yeah. I do.”