Rancher Dragon

by Terry Bolryder

  8

  Beck tapped the toe of his boot on the porch as he waited for Sierra. Damn, he was nervous. Not even the cool evening air could soothe him. He would definitely need a drink or two at dinner.

  Just at that moment, Sierra stepped out onto the porch, looking gorgeous as all hell in the waning evening light. Her sandy hair was curled and fell in soft waves around her beautiful face, and her eyes looked even bigger and bluer than usual, if that were possible.

  His eyes roamed down, taking in her V-neck, which was open and revealing cleavage above snug jeans that displayed generous curves. Suddenly, his lips were dry, and he wetted them with his tongue.

  “Wow,” he said. “Sweetheart, I think you might just be the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen.”

  She blushed and looked away. “Thanks. You look handsome as well.”

  He knew “prettiest” didn’t cut it, but Beck had never been very good with words, a trait that seemed to be backfiring on him now as they quietly walked out to his truck.

  All he knew was that after seeing her like that, he wanted her. His dragon wanted her.

  Bad.

  He eyed their reflections in the truck window as he held the door open for her. She looked fantastic. He looked, well, like Beck.

  He’d tried real hard to look nice. He’d even put on his cleanest, best pair of jeans, which were still work jeans, and a nice blue flannel Harrison had made him buy a while ago.

  As Beck jogged around the truck to hop in the driver’s side, he wished he had better boots. Dressy, clean ones. But Beck’s were for stomping ass, not looking fancy like Clancy.

  Beck frowned as he got in his truck. Maybe Sierra would like someone like Clancy, someone gentle and sweet. At the thought, his dragon growled angrily, and he pushed it away. It wouldn’t do any good to think about.

  As they pulled out of her homestead, she gave him a nervous look. “You okay? You’re quiet, and you’ve been glaring at the dash for a minute.”

  He loosened up his grip on the wheel, realizing he was probably scaring her.

  “I’m fine,” he muttered. “I just got a little flustered, seeing you like that.”

  She laughed. “I’m not some southern belle, Beck. You don’t have to flatter me.”

  “It’s not flattery,” he said with a grunt. “I ain’t ever seen anyone look as good as you do now, and I don’t want other men to see you.”

  A small smile crept onto her lips. “A bit possessive?”

  “Would it be bad if I were?” He gave her a gruff look.

  He knew he wasn’t being sweet or gentlemanly. That wasn’t who he was. He was part monster, bold and brash and tough and anything but soft.

  To his surprise, she blushed and shook her head. “No, it wouldn’t be bad. I would say it would be very hot. I like to feel wanted.”

  Hot?

  Beck hadn’t expected her to say that. She liked to feel wanted? By him? He wasn’t sure what to say to that either, so they rode the rest of the way to Dragonclaw in silence.

  When they pulled into the ranch, Harrison and Marian were waiting outside for them.

  “Look at you,” Harrison said as Beck got out of the car. “Handsome bastard.”

  “Language,” Marian said, slapping his chest playfully.

  Beck just scowled at his boss as he walked back around to get the door for Sierra. He held up a hand for her, and as she took it to get out, sparks ignited up his arm.

  Shit.

  It was a good thing they weren’t alone tonight.

  “I’m glad you could come,” Marian said, walking over to give Sierra a hug.

  “It’s a good thing you could make it, Beck,” Harrison said, stepping forward and clasping his shoulder.

  “Why?” Beck asked, narrowing his eyes.

  Harrison shrugged. “Without you, we’re missing our resident chef.”

  “And we wanted to be neighborly,” Marian said, shooting Harrison a look.

  “Right, right, that and no one else dared to wear his ‘Don’t Kiss the Cook’ apron,” Harrison said, rubbing the back of his neck. “My bad.”

  “Damn right, that’s my apron. Are the rest of the crew inside?” Beck asked.

  “Yup,” Harrison said. “Wrangled everyone up for dinner.”

  Beck muttered some curses under his breath. He was not looking forward to having any other men around Sierra, but he was excited for the chance to cook for her.

  When they got inside, Reno and Clancy were chatting while Dallas leaned in the corner.

  After a moment, Clancy’s bright-green eyes found Beck’s, and he nodded, tipping his fancy, spotless Stetson.

  “Howdy.” He had a classic southern drawl, and he’d gone full fancy Clancy tonight. Boots, duds, a flashy shirt, the works. His wheat-colored hair was pulled back beneath his hat.

  Beck couldn’t help but feel a little insecure as Clancy’s eyes roamed over to Sierra, then back to him.

  Reno, a wolf shifter and newest addition to their team, turned around and grinned mischievously at them, his light-blond hair shifting as his blue eyes took them in.

  “Hey, Beck, wanna introduce us to your savior?” he asked.

  Without saying a word, Dallas, a tiger shifter with raven hair and amber eyes, reached over and smacked Reno in the arm.

  “Ow,” Reno said. “Neighbor, I mean.”

  Beck scowled. “Sierra, meet the rest of the Dragonclaw Ranch.” Each of the guys raised a hand as he said their names. “Clancy, Reno, and Dallas.”

  “Hi,” she said nervously. It made him feel better that she stepped closer to him as she waved to each of the guys. “Nice to meet y’all.”

  “Glad to see everyone’s getting acquainted,” Harrison said, stepping into the room, arm around Marian.

  “So what, am I cooking?” Beck asked.

  “If you want,” Harrison said. “But we got all the supplies there, and we figured we could cook together.”

  Beck shook his head. “Nope. In that case, I’m cooking.”

  No way was anyone else going to cook for her when he had the chance to.

  “I can help,” Sierra offered.

  “Don’t worry about it. I got this,” he replied. “Go sit yourself down and rest.”

  “But you’ve been working all day,” she said, cocking an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

  He scowled. “Yes, I won’t have you doing any work right now.”

  She looked like she wanted to object, but instead, she just shrugged and went to sit at the counter next to Marian.

  Curses. Now she was across the room from him.

  “Get up here, wolf,” Beck said, in a bad mood for some reason. “You’re helping me cook.”

  “Right,” Reno said, standing up to help. “No problem.”

  As Beck and Reno fixed the meal, everyone chattered and talked. Everyone except Dallas. He rarely ever spoke, but he seemed to be enjoying himself all the same.

  Beck himself mainly just watched Sierra, enjoying her smiles whenever they appeared, wishing he could make her laugh and smile like that.

  “So,” Reno said, cutting vegetables next to him. “How’d you end up needing to be saved? Harrison hasn’t told us anything.”

  Beck grunted. “It was a bad storm. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  Reno knew better than to push him, so he just shrugged and went back to chopping vegetables.

  At that moment, however, Clancy moved over and leaned against the counter next to Beck.

  “Fine woman you brought with you, Beck,” he said. “Very sweet.”

  Beck gritted his teeth. “Yeah, she is.”

  He wanted to punch Clancy in the face for that remark, but it wasn’t really fair. She might have been the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on, but they weren’t together. He was just doing her a favor, and a monster like him could never be with someone as sweet as her.

  “Did you show her your sandwich-making skills?” Reno asked, grinning.

  “Maybe,”
Beck replied with a grunt, his face heating. “Maybe not.”

  “Is that right?” Clancy asked amusedly. “From what I hear, it was pretty outstanding. Listen.” He pointed across the room to where Sierra was telling Marian about everything that had happened so far.

  Beck only caught a few words. “Hardest worker,” and, “Best sandwich ever.” He couldn’t help but grin that she thought his sandwich was the best.

  He also caught Marian’s reply as she wiggled her eyebrows at Sierra. “See? What did I tell you about dragon talons?”

  The two women laughed as Beck turned back to his cooking.

  Sierra had been alone for quite some time. It was nice to see that she was getting along with Marian.

  “See, Beck? She doesn’t just like your sandwiches. She thinks they are the best,” Reno said with a grin.

  “Who knew you were such a charmer, Beck?” Clancy mused. “What was that about never giving your dragon talon to anyone?”

  Beck flushed at that, then shrugged. “I thought I was dying, and I told her to give the talon to Harrison. Then Harrison gave it to her.”

  “That’s why he’s the boss,” Reno said. “He knows what he’s doing.”

  “Setting us up for disaster?” Beck muttered under his breath.

  “No, looking out for you,” Clancy said, nudging him. “Come on, you want this woman, and she wants you. It was as plain as day as soon as you walked in.”

  “I don’t, and she don’t either,” Beck replied stubbornly. “I’m just paying my debts is all.”

  Clancy raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you wouldn’t mind if I made a pass at her?”

  On the contrary, Beck would mind a lot, but there wasn’t anything he could say without confirming that he did, in fact, feel something for her. And him feeling that way wouldn’t end well for anyone.

  He gritted his teeth. “Not my business.”

  Beck hated the words as soon as they left his mouth and wished he could have them back, but it was too late. Clancy had shrugged and walked back over to the table to sit next to Sierra and the others.

  From there, Beck’s bad mood only simmered, and Reno slowly retreated to the edge of the counter while he helped Beck cook the meal.

  As Beck watched Clancy flirt with Sierra, possessiveness and anger welled up in his stomach. So much so that he looked down to see he was making dents in the cutting board.

  “Uh, Beck?” Reno said nervously. “You all right?”

  “Fine,” Beck said, shoving a dish into the oven. “Just fine.”

  The rest of his time cooking continued this way, Beck slowly getting more and more possessive, until it finally came to a head at dinner.

  It started when Beck, still flustered, sat down at the table without pulling the chair out for Sierra. Clancy was quick to swoop in.

  “Beck, where are your manners?” he chided, clicking his tongue. “You have to be gentlemanly to the lady and get her chair for her. Not to mention, ladies always sit first. Then men follow.”

  Sierra looked amused but also slightly uncomfortable as Clancy pulled her chair out for her. “Um, thanks, Clancy, but you really don’t have to.”

  “It’s no problem,” Clancy said. “It’s what gentlemen do.”

  Beck nearly growled at that but realized it probably wouldn’t help his case with Sierra, compared to Clancy. Instead, he reached down, grabbed the leg of her chair.

  Slowly, while glaring at Clancy ominously, Beck dragged the chair until it was almost touching his, leaving no guessing as to whom she was sitting with.

  Panic hit him right after, and he looked down to see if she was mad at him for this possessive display, but to his surprise, she simply beamed up at him.

  He could feel heat crackling in the air. His dragon pacing.

  And he couldn’t help giving Clancy a smug look.

  Instead of being angry, however, Clancy just laughed, gave Beck a thumbs-up, and sat down across from them.

  After everyone began to eat, Sierra leaned over to Beck.

  “What was that about? she asked.

  “Sorry,” Beck muttered. “That probably wasn’t very gentlemanly.”

  She laughed and fanned herself. “No, but it was manly; that’s for sure. I’m good with just that.”

  Beck couldn’t help but grin at that. As dinner went on, he relaxed a little bit, knowing she was next to him and no one else. Still, it irked him whenever Clancy would catch her attention.

  Deep down, he couldn’t help but wonder if Clancy would be a better fit for her, being the kind gentleman that he was. Beck was gruff and rude. He’d proved that from the moment that he’d woken up and seen the dragon talon in Sierra’s hand.

  The beautiful woman next to him deserved so much more, and he knew that.

  But that didn’t seem to stop him from wanting to take her and make her his own and have her forever. Didn’t stop him from hoping that maybe, just maybe, she wanted him too.

  Harrison’s voice pulled him back to reality. “Well, if everyone’s done, we’ll head on out to the bonfire.”

  With that, everyone got up from the table except Beck and Sierra, and she cast him a worried look. “Bonfire?”

  He smirked. “Don’t worry. We here at Dragonclaw know how to do it right.”

  With that, they stood up and followed the others out into the yard.

  9

  Sierra couldn’t believe how much fun she was having.

  They were outside by the campfire now, and the beautiful Texas landscape was lit by flame and shadow, casting dancing figures on the trees and grass nearby.

  She looked over at Beck, his handsome face silhouetted by firelight, and a warm feeling burned through her, hotter than the embers of the campfire in front of them.

  Everyone was on camp chairs except for Clancy, who was sitting on a blanket on the ground, leaning against a fallen log that had been dragged over as a makeshift bench.

  He was telling old gunslinger tales about the Wild West, which couldn’t possibly be true.

  “Now old Bill Wilbur, he was the fastest gun in three counties. But he was wanted on account of him killing his missus and three children. He shot down three deputies, so when they called me—”

  Sierra turned to Beck, who was listening in a relaxed posture like he’d heard these stories before. His long, muscled body was leaned back in the camp chair, and he looked utterly comfortable and at home.

  Until he looked over and met her eyes and sparks glimmered against the silver of his irises, and she felt heat rise between them once again.

  She wanted him. She bet he could tell she could.

  But did he want her also? Could a big, gorgeous man like that possibly want her?

  She didn’t have anything to offer. He definitely wasn’t after her land. Beck barely wanted to set roots down anywhere, according to his friends. He apparently even wandered away from Dragonclaw Ranch quite often. So she doubted he was looking for another commitment.

  But damn, Sierra couldn’t help but think about having that handsome face around to help her on the ranch. Seeing him come in every day. Hanging out with his friends.

  Watching him with Lasso.

  She could just picture it, and she knew such thoughts were dangerous.

  Heck, her thoughts had been dangerous ever since she heard Beck taking a shower downstairs while they were getting ready.

  Dangerous thoughts about him being naked. She was jealous of every water droplet sliding down his perfect, hard body. Over those huge, hard pecs, down rock-solid, defined abs, and down toward—

  “You ready to go home?” he asked gruffly but gently. “Clancy can go on and on.”

  Clancy was answering one of Marian’s questions, so luckily, he didn’t hear Beck’s comments.

  Sierra liked all of Beck’s friends, but Clancy was probably the nicest.

  “I guess so,” she said. But really, as they stood to say their good-byes and she hugged Marian and walked toward the truck with Beck, she thought that right
now she might be having the most dangerous thoughts of all.

  That they could be together. In that way.

  Because as he opened the door to the truck and gave her a warm smile as he helped her in, she couldn’t help getting the feeling that they were somehow meant to be here.

  That it all just felt right, her being with him.

  He shut the door and came around to the driver’s side, starting up the massive, growling engine.

  As they turned down the road toward her place, she felt herself getting increasingly nervous. She could feel her heart beating so loud she was sure he’d be able to hear it if not for the crunch of the gravelly road between them.

  She’d never been this attracted to a man, so she wasn’t really sure what to do about it.

  Make a move? Maybe that would be an ungrateful thing to do, given the fact that he’d already helped her and invited her to a lovely dinner with his friends. Maybe he would think she was trying to take advantage.

  But she did feel this electricity between them, and she couldn’t go much longer without finding out if those hungry looks he gave her meant he felt the same.

  It was quiet and tense for a few more seconds. Then Beck spoke. “What’d you think of my friends?”

  “I like them a lot. Y’all are nice people. I wish I’d met my neighbors sooner.”

  “Harrison likes us to keep to ourselves. Marian’s changing that a little for him.” He smiled at her. “Works for me, seeing as how I’m enjoying being neighborly with you.”

  “Are you, Beck?”

  “Am I what?”

  “Just being neighborly?” She felt her heart drop as she asked it, but she knew it had to be said.

  “What do you mean?”

  She copped out. “Nothing.”

  It was quiet again for a few seconds. Gosh, he’d looked gorgeous all night. Why did he have to cause these feelings in her when no man ever had?

  “What did you think of Clancy?” he asked with a grunt.

  “He was nice.”

  Beck let out a low growl.

  “But I like you the best,” she said, smiling up at him.

  He froze, looking over at her.