“Yeah,” he said, and then he sighed again. “Are you going to the bookstore today?”
She nodded. “I had planned on it.”
“Could you take the afternoon off?”
“Sure. Do you need me to do something? Is it regarding my case?”
He shook his head. “No, nothing like that. I’m going in to fill out my report, then I’m taking some time off. There’s something…someplace I want to show you. Will you come with me?”
Does the sun shine? Is Paris a city? “I’d love to.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up at the bookstore later on. Oh, and wear comfortable clothes, nothing fancy, and don’t wear those boots. They’d get ruined where we’re going.”
“Is this all yours?” Jane asked, her gaze roaming across the land surrounding a beautiful adobe ranch house. Mac had driven twenty miles out of town, to the verdant side of a mesa. Pike’s Peak could be seen in the distance, and he had pointed out the amazing Kissing Camels rock formation.
“About twenty acres of it is mine,” he said, and she couldn’t miss the obvious pride in his voice. “This place was a wreck when I bought it. The house was in shambles and the property was in foreclosure.”
“How long have you had it?” she asked, still pretty much stunned at this new facet of Mac’s life. He was a private man, with private thoughts, and the fact that he wanted to share this with her was nothing short of spectacular.
“About eight years. I’ve been working on the house in my spare time.”
Eight years? About the length of time Mac had been divorced. Jane wondered if he’d needed a place, something to rebuild, something to make his own, after his marriage failed. Perhaps working on the house, fixing it up had been a sort of therapy for him.
“It’s lovely.”
He chuckled and guided her forward. “Wait until you see it up close before you say that.”
Mac showed her in, and the massive ranch house instantly became a cozy refuge once she stepped foot inside. “I’ve got more work to do, but—”
“No buts, Mac,” Jane said, taking a leisurely walk around, making note of a stone fireplace, wood beam ceilings, an inviting sitting area, wide bay windows that brought the outside prairie land inside. “This is unbelievable.”
She turned to face him. He let out a deep breath and smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“What’s not to like?”
“Some people would think it too…rustic, too remote. It’s just a rural home.”
“It’s more than that. I love it. When do you have time to come up here?”
“Weekends when I’m not working. Vacations. It’s not so far that I can’t stop by in the evenings, either. Sometimes Duke and Daisy Mae get lonely.”
Jane raised her brows in question.
“My horses. Well, Duke is mine. I bought Daisy Mae for Lizzie. She comes up and rides with me once in awhile. I hired the neighbor’s daughter, Angie, to feed and ride them when I can’t get up here. She’s real good with the horses. I was hoping you’d like to ride today. Do you know how?”
Jane thought for a moment, unsure. “I don’t think so. But I’m willing to learn.”
Mac smiled.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she walked over to him. “I’m glad you brought me here. It’s a lovely home and I want the whole nickel tour.” Then she put her arms around his neck, tugging him down to her level. When he expected her kiss, Jane surprised him instead by whispering quietly near his mouth, “A tour that ends in your bedroom, Mac. Do you think the horses will mind waiting?”
Mac pulled her closer, her body meshing fully against his hard, tight length. He took her lips in a long, sweeping kiss that left her completely breathless. “We’ll give them extra carrots.”
This time Mac did undress her, and he took his own sweet time. He peeled one article off after another, with calculated moves that swamped her body with slow, simmering heat. He touched her, caressed her and kissed her with such unhurried deliberation that she wanted to scream out.
“Be patient with me,” he said, standing by his massive cedar-and-oak four-poster bed. “I want to know all of you.”
Jane stood before him, watching afternoon light cast him in sun and shadows, defining his strong jawline and dark intense eyes. And when she was fully unclothed, she reached for him, to begin unbuttoning his shirt.
“No, not yet,” he said, taking her shoulders and spinning her around. He brought her up against him, her derriere to his groin, her back to his chest. With a hand, he pushed her hair to one side and nibbled on her neck, planting light kisses there while the other hand held her hip, keeping her body firmly in place.
“Relax, Jane,” he whispered in a husky tone.
Heart racing, Jane knew that was impossible to do. Her soft skin pressed against his rough jeans and she felt the heat of his hard, tight shaft. She took a deep breath and his heady musky scent enveloped her. “Mac,” she muttered, but no other words formed. None were necessary.
His hands came up to stroke her breasts, the twin round globes aching for his touch. He stroked her gently, almost reverently, and whispered on a breath, “You’re perfect, sweetheart.”
Jane’s legs nearly buckled, her body weakening at his touch. She rested against him, arching up, and Mac groaned, tightening his hold on her, rubbing her skin more fervently now.
He roamed over her body, splaying his hands, sizing her up, his fingers exploring every inch of her. With one palm on her belly, he let the other slide lower, and Jane felt a burning warmth between her thighs. Raw heat coursed through her, and when Mac finally found her core, cupping her, she moaned with relief, letting out a little gasp.
Mac kissed her neck again, moistening her skin with his tongue, while he continued to stroke her. Her body instinctively moved, and they swayed together as he continued his ministrations. His fingers parted her skin, and he found her center. Electric sparks flew, her body picking up the rhythm of his strokes. Her release building, Jane gave in, letting herself go. She moved without thought, without shame. Mac urged her from behind with sweet, sexy words that she felt more than heard.
Her climax exploded, shattering her and making every sensation become more vivid, more intense. Her pleasure heightened, but the love she felt for Mac wedged its way even deeper into her heart.
She collapsed against him, letting him hold her as she slowly recovered.
Outside, she heard the trees rustling and birds chirping, but inside, she heard only the beating of her heart.
Mac waited patiently, holding her without saying a word, as if he knew she needed this time. And when she was ready, she turned to face him.
His eyes sharpened on her, the brown nearly black and his expression unguarded, open. “I need you inside me now,” she said, whispering the same words he had said to her last night.
Mac smiled as he dug into his pocket, then removed a handful of condoms. He tossed them onto the nightstand. Jane took one glance and grinned.
She lay down on the bed and waited. Mac undressed in front of her, his body gleaming and more than ready. He came down beside her.
“I want to know all of you,” she said boldly, reaching for him.
Mac groaned as she took him in her hand. “I’ve always liked a woman with a thirst for knowledge.”
“Really?” Jane’s own voice was husky now. Unmercifully, she stroked the silky length of him. “Then relax and enjoy the ride, Mac. ’Cause there’s a lot I want to learn.”
Nine
Jane stroked Daisy Mae’s mane, the coarse hair sliding beneath her palms. “Hi there, Daisy Mae. You’re a pretty one, aren’t you?”
The mare nuzzled her throat in response, seemingly happy to be out of the stable and in the fresh late-afternoon air.
“Careful,” Mac said, “she’s good-natured, but she doesn’t know you yet.”
Jane smiled. “I think we’re going to be friends.”
Mac stared at her for a moment, then nodded. “She’s a chestnut quar
ter horse. Workhorses back in the Old West, but now she’s got it soft.”
Jane glanced at the ink-black horse that stood along-side Mac, nudging him occasionally for attention. “What about Duke?”
“Duke’s a gelding quarter and a great guy.” Mac stroked the horse’s snout with tender care, much like he’d made love to Jane, just an hour ago. For all his gruff ways, Jane couldn’t miss the gentle side to Sheriff Mac Riggs. He was hard as steel when he had to be, but Jane had seen his tender side, and both facets of the man fascinated her.
“Want to give it a try?” Mac said, gesturing toward the two saddles in a paddock to her right.
“Sure. As long as you take it slow.”
He nodded and cast her one of his killer smiles. “I can do that.”
Heat crawled up her neck. Jane remembered how well Mac could take it slow. So much so that her breath hitched as she recalled how controlled, how incredibly restrained Mac could be, just to ensure her own pleasure. “Okay, then.”
Mac saddled both horses, giving her quick directions. “Mount from the left, hold the reins loose, but with enough tension to let Daisy know you’re in control.” He ran his hand along Jane’s upper thigh, the simple touch enough to make her heart race. “Use this part of your body to lean in and let her know which way you want to turn. Horses understand body language. Don’t solely rely on the reins.”
Jane nodded, peering up into his dark eyes. “Okay, I think I’ve got it.”
Mac helped her mount, handed her the reins and looked up at her. “Don’t let Daisy know you’re worried. Ride with confidence. I’ve got your back, Jane. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Jane let out the breath she’d been holding. For all she knew, this was the first time she’d ever been atop a horse. “I trust you, Mac.”
His brows rose and something powerful flashed in his eyes. “Okay, here we go.”
Mac mounted Duke, and Jane was amazed at how much taller he sat on his horse. She pictured him as a sheriff in the Old West, ready to lead a posse out on the range to capture a villain. Silently she laughed at the thought, but her amusement caught his eye.
“What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s just that you look like you belong here, Mac. This place suits you.”
He leaned over and kissed her quickly, the familiar warmth of his lips sending her heart racing again. “Let’s go.”
Mac led the way, and Daisy seemed to follow Duke without any help from Jane. Before long, Jane forgot that she sat upon a horse, instead enjoying the scenery and Mac’s comments about the land and history of the area. They rode the perimeter of his property as the sun began its descent behind the mountain range.
Mac had them back at the house before dusk, Jane insisting on helping him bed down the horses for the night. Daisy Mae didn’t seem to mind Jane’s unsure hands as she used the leather-handled body brush, making sure she cleaned the brush with the curry comb. She worked as hard as Mac, giving Daisy a good brushing as Mac explained it helped to keep her skin clean and open up her pores. Then, with great care, she sponged Daisy’s eyes and nostrils, cleaning them and washing her down.
“I’m impressed,” Mac said as they entered the house.
“You are?”
He nodded. “Lizzie hates the clean-up part. Especially using the water brush on Daisy’s tail.”
Jane laughed. “I can see why. It’s dangerous back there.”
Mac chuckled, too, swinging his arms around her. He locked his hands behind her back, trapping her against him. “You’re grimy, Jane. I think you need a shower.”
“You’re a mess, too, Mac.” She lifted her nose in the air. “And is that horse dung I smell on you?”
“There’s only one shower,” he said, eyes twinkling.
“That’s all we need.”
Their clothes were off by the time they reached the bathroom. Mac entered first, adjusting the temperature, getting the water just right. “It’s safe to come in.”
Jane stepped inside, realizing that Mac’s big muscular body took up most of the space. “I’d hardly call this safe.” She gulped, staring at him as water rained down on her.
Mac didn’t respond. Instead, he took the bar of soap and began lathering her all over. His slick hands soaped her up and down, his palms both smooth and a little rough on her skin. Raw need rippled through her body as Mac touched every part of her, his hands moving on her possessively.
She went through periods of holding her breath, then letting it out in a pleasured sigh. Mac massaged her backside thoroughly, the scented soap slipping and sliding. Then he turned her around and worked her upper body, his hands skimming her breasts, the quick brief touches enough to make her cry out. He moved lower, soaping her belly, and lower yet, his hands spreading her legs, to clean her inner thighs. Every now and then he’d kiss her, sometimes on her lips and sometimes on the very part of her he was washing.
Hot water rained down, creating steam enough to fog the glass panes. Jane was sure that they’d be encased in their own cloud of passion, regardless. And when Mac had finished, he handed her the soap, claiming it was her turn.
Jane took hold of the soap and worked up lather on Mac’s formidable chest, her hands spreading the tiny bubbles across it until he was richly coated. She slid her hands up and over, curling her fingers in the chest hairs, grazing his flat nipples until they peaked.
Neither could ignore Mac’s full erection, which stood like a barricade against Jane’s body, but she continued on, soaping him up, giving as good as she’d gotten. She lathered his strong thighs and bent to do his calves, eliciting a deep groan from Mac when she went higher to work her hands over that area of his body that had grown hard and tight.
But she wasn’t quite through with Mac yet. She spun him around and massaged his broad shoulders, working down his back with the soap. Its citrus scent permeated the room as she continued on, moving lower, to caress the slope of his buttocks, and causing her a deep intake of breath. But before she could finish, Mac spun around abruptly, shaking his head. “Can’t take much more, sweetheart.”
Jane braved a glance downward and nodded, the sheer, massive power of him overwhelming. He bent his head, taking urgent claim to her lips, his tongue probing. The hungry kiss led to more caresses, more urgency, until Mac maneuvered Jane against the tiled wall of the shower. Out of the steady stream of spray now, he lifted her up and impaled her with his shaft, entering her in one long, full thrust.
“Oh, Mac,” she cried, holding his shoulders and wrapping her legs around him.
“That’s it, baby,” he rasped, his hands behind her urging her on, and together they rode the wave of their passion.
Eyes closed and heart racing, Jane reeled with the heady sensations of slick bodies, heat and steam. She met each of Mac’s thrusts, oblivious to all else, until one niggling, unwelcome thought struck. She stopped and opened her eyes. “Mac, wait.”
He halted, his eyes dark with desire, but wide with curiosity. “What’s wrong?”
“We have no protection,” she said, her breaths labored.
Mac froze for a moment, deep in thought, then he shrugged. “Doesn’t matter,” he said, and the implication was clear. He wasn’t speaking of health issues here, but the thought of conceiving a child. And Mac didn’t seem to think it a problem. His quick admission told Jane in so many words that what they had went beyond a summertime fling. Her heart soared with the notion, and she tossed her reservations away. No matter what her other life might have to offer, Mac had to be in her life from now on, she knew.
“It doesn’t?” she asked, only for clarification.
Mac shook his head. “Not to me,” he said. “I want you to know that. But you’re right. You can’t afford to get caught up in something that might be bigger than both of us. You have another life somewhere out there, Jane. And it’s my job to protect you.”
Jane tugged him closer and brought her mouth to his in a long hot kiss. “Thank you, Mac.”
>
He lifted her in his arms and brought her to the bedroom, protecting her from everything but the one thing that he couldn’t control—her unquestionable love for him. They joined bodies once again, finishing what they had started, but their hot, urgent mood had suddenly changed to reverent caresses and sweet indulgence.
Mac woke in the early morning with Jane in his arms. He lay curled around her body, the fit and feel of her something he would never forget. Her freshly showered scent filled his nostrils as sunlight poured into his bedroom, casting golden light on her honey-blond hair. He tightened his hold on her, bringing his body even closer. They’d spent the night here, at the ranch, and Mac held close to his heart the memories of sleeping with her last night and waking to the soft sounds of her breathing. Aside from Lizzie, he hadn’t brought another female here, to his refuge, his home away from home.
He smiled, thinking of Jane atop the horse, hanging on for dear life, and then later, her attempt to groom Daisy Mae. She’d been happy to learn, eager to participate. Mac hadn’t met too many women like Jane Doe, the mystery lady with the unknown past.
He sighed deeply, the sound resonating inside the room. Jane turned in his arms and opened her pretty, lavender-blue eyes. “Hi.”
“Morning,” he said, kissing the dimples at the corners of her mouth. “It’s a workday, sweetheart. I need to get going.”
“Mmm.”
“I’ll see what I can find for breakfast. Must have some cereal and dry milk in the pantry.”
“I’m not hungry, Mac.”
“No, neither am I.” He flopped onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. He let out another long sigh, one he couldn’t contain. He had something to tell Jane, something that he should have told her yesterday.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her hand gently caressing his wounded arm. He turned to look into her eyes, finding concern there. “Did we overdo it yesterday? Is it your chest?”
She slipped her hand onto his torso, her fingers splaying across his ribs with tenderness.
Dynasties: The Elliotts, Books 1-6 Page 76