Hometown Glory: Fox Creek Series #1 - A Sensual Romance Novella

by Danica Chandler

  His hips moved against hers and she could feel his hardness through his jeans. They needed to get this going. She couldn’t hold on much longer, but kissing in the rain was one of the most romantic things she had ever experienced. He pulled away, his eyes trailing down to her chest where she noticed her shirt was revealing her erect nipples against the cold air. The white fabric did nothing to hide them – it was as if she didn’t even have a shirt on, and his eyes slightly squinted, revealing a small smile on his lips.

  “So much better than skinny dipping,” he said, finally picking her back up and leading her to the motel room. Opening the door, he sat her down on the edge of the bathtub where he aided in pulling her soaked shirt over her head. “I am glad that this is the last time I’ll have to spend in this room, but most importantly, that you’re here to share it with me.” Kneeling down, he took her left breast in his mouth. He kneaded her other with his hand, pinching and pulling on it, making her gasp from the pain that she found she enjoyed. “I hope you’re ready for this…” he said as he laid her back in the shower. “This is all about you.”

  “Why?” she asked between pants, not wanting to argue, but her curiosity was running.

  Looking up, he didn’t say anything as his fingers danced over her pleasure spot, rubbing her heat hard, making her hips sway against his touch. He was so handsome, staring straight at her, his green eyes so damn sexy against his tanned complexion. His five o’clock shadow made him so rugged, and his wet hair plastered to his forehead was the final physical attribution that did her in. She loved his hair that seemed to have a personality of its own.

  “For helping me get the job. It’s time to get exactly what you deserve.”

  Annie’s eyes rolled in the back of her head as he focused back on her, this time his tongue took place of his fingers, and she felt his hair against her thighs as her legs tightened around his head. His whiskers brushed her skin, adding on to the arousal she was already letting get out of control.

  Speaking through clenched teeth, Annie breathed hard, “Oh yeah… Jace… Right. There. Don’t stop…”

  Chapter Six

  Jace felt nervous as Annie pulled the truck down the same ranch road she had earlier that day. He had already scored the job, but this was a whole new chapter starting up for him. He had a great woman by his side and finally, a steady paycheck that would allow him to stick around with her. He couldn’t remember his last real job, or if he every truly had one.

  The truck splashed through a mud puddle and she pulled the vehicle up alongside the same shed her dad had been in earlier. Rex, the German Shepherd who looked like he was ready to attack earlier, ran up to him when he got out, wagging his tail as he brushed up against Jace’s pants.

  “That’s unusual,” Mr. Martin said. “Rex usually takes a while to get used to someone.”

  Jace reached down and scratched the dog behind the ears. “I’ve always been good with dogs. He’s beautiful.”

  “I’m gonna let Daddy get you all set up. Congrats on the job, Jace.” Annie flashed him a heartwarming smile and he tried his best to hide the emotions searing through him.

  “Thanks for the help, Annie.”

  He gave her a small wave, trying to keep everything quiet. Just an hour before, he was making passionate love to her. He made a mental note to stop doing that right before he had to meet with her father. Though he wasn’t a mind reader, Mr. Martin was no dummy about things.

  “You two been hanging out a lot?” He asked.

  “I saw her out the other night. We caught up on things.” There was so much more meaning to the catching up on things line, but Jace left that to the imagination.

  “It’s always nice when old friends can get reacquainted. I’ll take you over to the bunk house. You’ll be sharing it with another guy. Most of my hands live off site, but it’s no problem staying here. Whatever your preference is. I know you don’t really have stable arrangements right now.”

  “No sir.” Jace hoisted his duffel bag over his shoulder as they walked across the pasture. The sun was starting to set on the horizon and Jace admired the view. He missed it. The smell of fall was thick in the air and he breathed it in. This was a life he could definitely get used to.

  Mr. Martin opened the front door. The other worker was at the table, scarfing down food.

  “Hey Flynn. This is Jace. He’s the new hand I hired. We talked about him earlier.”

  Flynn reached out and shook Jace’s hand. “Yes sir. I remember. Good to meet you Jace. I’m Flynn Hyatt.”

  “Jace Cooper.”

  “I’ll let you two get to know each other. Show up to breakfast around six thirty. We’ll go from there.” Mr. Martin also shook Jace’s hand, his facial expression speaking volumes. Jace wanted to say, ‘I hear you loud and clear. I won’t let you down.’ He just let the silence hover as their superior left.

  “Have a seat. There’s plenty of food for you. It’s chili.”

  Jace sat across from him and spooned some of the thick soup into a bowl. It was tasty, with an after taste that had quite a spicy kick to it.

  “Kevin tells me that you’re from Fox Creek.”

  It was strange hearing someone refer to Annie’s dad as Kevin. It was always Mr. Martin with him. Maybe Flynn had a different relationship. Jace wondered how much he had revealed to Flynn. How many of the guys would know he was an ex-convict? That was a detail he didn’t want to let be known unless it was necessary.

  “Yeah, born and raised.”

  Flynn nodded and wiped his face with a napkin. “I guess what they say is true.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Everyone wants to leave this small town, but for some reason, they all call back.”

  Jace thought about Annie and how she was the main reason he wanted to stay. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  They both ate in silence, and Jace was thankful that his bunk mate wasn’t full of questions like he thought he’d be. After supper he put his belongings in his room, realizing that his first paycheck would need to go to more clothes.

  Walking out onto the back porch, he sat in a rocking chair and took in the stars. The blanket of bright bursts was more magnificent than any view he had seen in any photograph. Fox Creek might be small, but it had some of the biggest skies he had ever seen. The hilly and tree covered terrain added to the rugged beauty of the Texas Hill Country.

  Most of the people had treated him cold since he got back. It didn’t matter if one hundred people treated him like shit. All it took was one of Annie’s beautiful smiles to make it all go away.

  As if she was reading his mind, she walked up onto the porch, a grin painted on her face. “Get settled in?”

  Jace smiled back as a flitter of butterflies shot through his stomach. It felt good when he truly felt happy, rather than forcing it like he did in the past. “So far so good.”

  She leaned down and kissed him. Her hair tickled the side of his face. Her perfume was light, but noticeable, and he took in every second.

  “How’s Flynn?” she asked, peering through the window that led into the living room.

  “He seems nice. I think he went over to his girlfriend’s house in town.”

  Annie arched her eyebrow and sat on his lap, leaning against his chest. “So we’re alone?”

  “Unless your dad comes over for some reason.”

  “Not a chance. If it’s after eight, he’s dead to the world. Seriously.” Lifting off of his chest, she stood back up and grabbed his hands. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  “You’re wearing me out, Annie. After… everything today, I’m gonna sleep like a damn baby tonight.”

  She pulled him up and led him out into the yard and into the woods. Stopping under a large oak tree, she pushed his back against the trunk and kissed him. The cool breeze was rejuvenating and Jace let her lead.

  Pulling away, she pulled her hair out of her face and looked up at the branches that hovered over them. “You remember this tree?”

  Jace fo
llowed her eyes as memories flooded his mind. “Our first kiss happened right up there.”

  “Wow, I’m impressed. And they say men don’t remember things like that!”

  “It was one of the best moments of my life.” He held her body against his.

  Giggling, she reached up to the closest branch and climbed up, yelling his name out as she made it up to a thick limb that supported her weight.

  “Come on up, Jace. The view up here is amazing!”

  He hesitated at first, but with a groan, he pulled himself up. His boots scraped against the bark, sliding a few times before he caught grip and was able to get his body high enough to get to where she was. The tree was big enough to hold both of them, and he sat beside her, looking out across the gorgeous sky. It was as if they were close enough to touch the stars.

  “The second best piece of scenery I’ve ever seen,” Annie whispered, holding on to his hand.

  “Second?”

  She brushed the hair off of his forehead and kissed his cheek. “You come in first, Jace.”

  Her soft lips sent a tingle down his spine. “I think you win over me.”

  Her face grew serious and she looked down at their hands. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Anything.”

  “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  Jace guided her face back with his hands, looking her in the eye. “What do you mean?”

  “You said earlier that Fox Creek hates you. Do you want to stay here and work this job? Am I keeping you back from something else you want to do?”

  Jace scoffed. “If I didn’t want to be back in Fox Creek, I would’ve never come back after being released. I could’ve easily gone to a bigger city like Austin or something. Yes, this is what I want to do. I am here for us and because I like Fox Creek, aside from the judgment. You are not keeping me from anything else. You are what I want.”

  He cupped her cheek and she closed her eyes, leaning into his palm. Her skin was so smooth.

  “It took me a long time to realize you were what I was searching for, but here I am. Here you are. Here I’ll stay. This is my hometown. You are the glory.” Winking, he was content with the surreal moment they were spending alone, in an oak tree, enjoying the beautiful fall sky as if it were painted just for them.

  “Such a smooth talker, Mr. Cooper. I guess I’ll keep you,” Annie replied, leaning back into him. “You got your freedom, a good job, and a woman who has never given up on you. What more could a man need?”

  Annie’s words put it all into perspective. She was right. For all of the stupid mistakes he had made, he didn’t deserve all of the things he had going for him. He couldn’t ruin it. He had been handed a second chance and he was going to make damn sure he put it to good use.

  The uncertainty of the future was terrifying, but with Annie by his side, Jace felt like he could take on anything.

  Want to read more about Jace Cooper and Annie Martin? Fox Creek Series #2, #3, and #4 are available in the Amazon store!

  Private Desires: Fox Creek Series #2

  For Jace Cooper, life has never looked so promising. His time spent in prison is quickly becoming a distant memory and he is finding pride in the honest work he is putting in as a ranch hand. After a few short weeks of returning to Fox Creek, he realizes he is growing attached to Annie, the daughter of the ranch owner. They have re-discovered their passion for each other and Jace can't imagine a life without her. There is only one problem - Annie's family and their harsh disapproval of them ever having a future together. His troubled past is one that many can't forget, including her father, who fears he will break her heart again. Jace realizes that he can't continue to hide his feelings for the only woman he has ever felt such devotion for. Should he tell her family and risk being run out of town, or keep it a secret and hope no one finds out?

  Follow the link below to purchase:

  http://amzn.to/Gzyp3x

  Building Trust: Fox Creek Series #3

  Jace should be on top of the world with a job doing what he loves, a roof over his head, and most of all, the love of his life by his side. Only one thing is spoiling his new found happiness--the rift between Jace and his father. He can't forget the hateful words his father had said to him before Jace was sent to prison, and now, he can't face the man. He can't risk knowing for sure that his father still hates him. Confronting him might give Jace the truth he is not yet ready to face. He is left wondering what it will take to work up the courage to see him and what it would take to gain his trust back. Annie urges him to make amends because nothing is more important than family. Putting his anger and fear aside, Jace takes a chance when his father is put in a dangerous situation. Is it enough to gain his respect, or will he and his father forever be estranged?

  Follow the link to purchase:

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IVC0FOA/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_8h1gtb0MHRRTC

  Dangerous Threat: Fox Creek Series #4

  A year ago, Jace would have never imagined his life going the way it was. His and Annie's relationship no longer has to be hidden, Mr. Martin and his father trust and respect him, and his reputation with everyone in Fox Creek is getting better every day. The ex-convict label that stained him before is now becoming a thing of the past. An unwelcome blast from the past catches him off guard and turns his and Annie's life upside down - an old friend involved in the robbery that landed Jace in prison shows up in town. Rather than just assume that the man is up to no good, Jace is gracious in giving him a chance, much like many others had given him. Is Jace's pal back to change his ways or is he in Fox Creek to cause more trouble?

  Follow the link to Purchase:

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K9TL7Y0/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_7a.Btb1Z3EQ12

  A prequel in the Fox Creek Series will be available soon, giving the reader a chance to see Jace and Annie's relationship before Jace went to prison, as well as the events that happened right before Jace was sent away. Jace and Annie's story will also continue in Fox Creek Series #5, which will be available soon! To check on the status of my writing and completion of these novellas, as well as other reader news, ‘like’ my Facebook author page at:

  https://www.facebook.com/WriterDanicaChandler

  Or you can follow me on Twitter

  @Danica_Chandler

  Much love to you all!

  I love hearing back from readers, so if you have time, leave a review on the product page or write me at: AuthorDanicaChandler@yahoo.com. I appreciate all of you!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Fox Creek Series #2 will be published soon. I am planning on making this a series with several novell...