by Candis Terry
“She sure loves that animal. I wonder if she’ll take her with her when she goes.”
Annie looked up. “Where’s she going?”
“She says she’s moving in with Martin. I guess they plan to get married in November.”
“What about the house?”
Jake shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “It’s mine now.”
“What?” Annie twisted her head around to look at him. Surprise widened her already big blue eyes.
“She doesn’t want to start her new marriage in the home she and my dad built together. So they’ll be living in Martin’s house. She said since the brothers already have their own homes, she wanted to give me Wilder Ranch.”
“Oh my God!” She grabbed his arm. “Jake, that’s such a wonderful gift. You love this place.”
“I know. I almost feel bad for accepting it.”
“Why? Your mom wants you to have it. And your dad would be thrilled.”
“It’s a lot of property. The cattle are a big responsibility. And I’m not even sure I can ride a horse anymore.”
“Well, you can’t ride one any less.”
“What?”
The sound of her laughter sent a funny tickle through his heart.
“Have you even tried to ride one since you’ve come home?”
“No.”
“Well, you big baby. Stop assuming you can’t do something before you even give it a go. Call your doctor first. Ask his opinion. If he clears you, grab a saddle, and get back on.”
He watched the dog playfully drop to his front legs and wiggle his entire back end in an invitation for Miss Giddy to play. She gave a little kick and complied.
“I’m not a big baby.”
“Scaredy cat?”
“No.”
“Chicken liver?”
“Hell no.”
When Annie grinned, it was near blinding.
“Then as soon as you show your nameless dog around the ranch, get on the phone and make the call.”
Stunned that once again, Annie seemed to know what he really needed, he remained silent. She, of course, did not, and started making chicken sounds.
“Okay. Okay. I’ll call.”
“Yay.” She jumped up and down a couple of times, which sent Max into another fit of giggles.
Then she kissed Jake’s cheek.
A small little gesture that didn’t feel so small when the tingling sensation traveled from his cheek down his neck and straight into his heart.
“Can I go too?” she asked. “I haven’t ridden in so long.”
Jake tilted his head, picturing exactly how she’d look up on a horse wearing that dress. “Do you even remember how?”
“Care to put me to the test?”
While there were a lot of things he wanted to do to Annie, testing her was the last thing on his mind. Getting her alone, however, sounded like a damn fine idea.
There was something about a man who wore jeans like they’d been made just for him—to lovingly caress all those spectacular body parts. A man in a well-worn straw hat with the tip lowered over his forehead and a pair of Ray-Bans covering his eyes was infinitely even more special to observe. A man who wore boots with miles and miles of walking on the heels, and who currently had them tucked into a pair of stirrups with hand-sewn leather made such a pretty picture, Annie could hardly maintain her breathing. A man who wore nothing but a simple white T-shirt that lay like a second skin over a ladder of stomach muscles, wide shoulders, and thick biceps then controlled a frisky horse like nobody’s business was truly something to behold.
Jake, in his current position atop Rocky, was manly perfection.
She should be thoughtful and take out her cell phone. Snap a shot to share with the ladies on Facebook who appreciated the male physique.
She should. But she wouldn’t.
Sharing Jake was the last thing she wanted to do.
Once he’d been cleared by the doctor for the ride with orders to not overdo, he’d spurred into action. Jana had offered to watch the new dog and Max, but before they rode away, Annie had taken Max for a little ride. Her baby loved it, and she hoped he’d have plenty of opportunities to grow up with the Western way of life. Living in a house in town probably wouldn’t cut it, but maybe someday she could sell enough chocolates and serve up enough burgers to save some money and find a little ranch to buy for the two of them.
Now, as she and Jake rode beneath the canopy of oak and cypress that trailed the creek, she could see the sheer happiness on his face.
This was what he’d been born to do.
How could he have forgotten?
And why would he have tortured himself by preventing himself such a small pleasure?
“So what are you going to name your new dog?”
He looked up, and though she couldn’t see his eyes from behind those Ray-Bans, she could feel the heat of them all over her body. Or maybe it was just the fact that she still wore the sundress she put on earlier that day and riding astride a horse in a dress—a short one at that—made for interesting circumstances.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “Most likely he had a name before.”
“Abby said he didn’t have a collar on when she found him by the side of the road. Maybe you could name him after your friend.” She hesitated to bring up the memory, but at some point Jake was going to have to learn to deal with the loss. Not that she wanted to be harsh; she just lived in the real world. And to her experience, tiptoeing around subjects just didn’t work.
“I’m not naming him after Eli. If I were to have children I’d probably name my first son after him. But that’s never going to happen.”
“Never?” This newsflash shocked her. “Why?”
His shoulders came up in a tight shrug, and his expression darkened. “Life got too complicated.”
From personal knowledge, she knew the Wilder brothers could beat themselves up for things that were completely out of their control. Reno, Jackson, and Jesse had already proven that point where their oldest brother had been concerned. So to know that Jake blamed himself for his friend’s death followed suit and didn’t surprise her at all. Still, she couldn’t help but sigh her frustration.
She’d like nothing more than to probe the topic further. Make him realize that denying himself anything that might bring him joy was a bad idea. Instead, she took the pressure off an obviously difficult subject.
“Maybe you could name him after your favorite country singer,” she said.
“Interesting idea. But I just don’t see him as a Blake, Brad, or Keith.”
“No, he’s definitely not a Keith.” She laughed. “Who was Jared’s favorite?”
“Waylon Jennings.” His mouth broke wide. “Jared loved the good old boys—Johnny, Waylon, Willy, and Hank. I don’t know how many times he played those guys on the stereo at full throttle.”
“Any one of those would be a great name, don’t you think?”
“Maybe. He kind of looks like a Hank.”
“I agree.”
“Let’s just hope he isn’t as much of a hell-raiser.”
“If he is . . .” She slid him a deadpan look. “At least he’s in the hands of an expert.”
A bark of laughter left his lips and sent a twirl of happiness through her heart. It was good to hear Jake laugh. Darned good.
“You’re a pistol, Annie.”
“I do my best. So Hank it is?”
He nodded. “Hank it is.”
“You guys are going to have some great conversations.”
“Darlin’, I hate to burst your pretty little bubble, but dogs don’t talk.”
“Then please explain how out of all those other dogs, he got you to come over, fall in love, and take him home.”
“I don’t fall in love.”
“Liar.�
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“Don’t get your hopes up, girl,” he said, without giving her a glance.
She tried not to let his remark sting. She did know better than to fall in love with him. But it had happened so long ago, she couldn’t take it back now. A blatant lie seemed the best solution, considering the circumstances.
“How long have I known you, Jake?”
“Seems like forever.”
“Exactly. So what makes you think I’d put any kind of thought in that direction?”
“I don’t know. There’s something in the way you kiss.”
She grinned to throw him off the truth. “Maybe I’m just a good kisser.”
“Maybe you’re good at a lot of things.” The corners of his mouth lifted suggestively.
“Oh. I am.” She settled in the saddle a little more, which rearranged the short dress around her legs and lifted the fabric a little higher up her legs. Though hidden behind those sunglasses, she felt Jake’s gaze follow the fabric up. “Too bad you’ll never find out.”
“We’ll see.”
We’ll see?
On any other terms and with any other man, that might have sounded like a threat. Annie hoped it was more of a promise. Just like he’d said in his truck earlier.
They rode a little farther before he spoke again. “How about we take a break?”
“Does your leg hurt?”
He frowned, and she knew that even if his thigh screamed in agony, he’d never admit it.
“Nope. Just want a break.” He nudged his heels into Rocky’s flanks and headed toward a shady area near a wild tumble of rocks in the creek. Though it couldn’t really be classified as a waterfall, it was very scenic, and the water tumbling over the rocks was soothing.
Watching him swing his good leg over the horse’s back and putting all his weight on his bad leg made her cringe. But again, Wilder men had a tendency to take tough to the limit, and Jake didn’t flinch. In fact, he even helped her down from her horse, then snagged both sets of reins on a tree branch beneath the shade. He tucked the arm of his sunglasses into his white T-shirt so they hung down the front as they walked together to the creek. Instead of sitting down, Jake continued to stroll along the bank.
“Been sitting too long,” he said in way of an explanation. “Need to get some circulation going.” Then he let go a cynical laugh.
“What?”
“I sound like an old man.”
“I don’t see it that way at all.”
In front of a large oak, he stopped abruptly and turned. She bounced off his chest, and his hands captured her waist to steady her. “Then how do you see me?”
Me, he’d said. Not it.
She searched his face beneath the brim of that battered straw hat and watched as he briefly pressed his lips together. “I don’t think it’s wise of me to say.”
“Annabelle Morgan, when have you ever been shy about having your say?”
“Because sometimes it gets me into trouble. Even I realize that.”
“Sounds interesting.” He arched a brow over blue eyes that snapped with curiosity. “What kind of trouble?”
“Plenty. That’s what kind.”
“That’s not a kind. That’s an amount.”
“Same thing when you’re talking in terms of trouble.” She stepped back to break his hold on her waist and the tingles his touch sent down to her lower region. The ladies in the lingerie department were getting restless, and Annie didn’t have the courage to tell them that today they would not be able to ring up a big sale.
He didn’t release her. Instead, he dug his fingers in and pulled her closer. “How do you see me, Annie?”
A rush of air pushed from her lungs, and her mouth took the challenge before her brain engaged.
“Besides naked? I see you as smarter than you let on and ornerier than you need to be. I see you as someone who can have anything he wants because you’ve got the talent and the willpower to make it happen. I see you as a good brother, an amazing son, and a loving uncle. And I see you as a hero, Jake. Yes. I know things went bad in Afghanistan. Really bad. But any way you want to review it, in my eyes, you come out a hero.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “You happy now?”
He grinned. “You picture me naked?”
“Is that all you got out of what I just said?”
“Pretty much.”
She let go a combination growl and sigh. “Then yes. I picture you naked.”
“Then I’m happy.”
“Should I call CNN?”
He shook his head. “You should unfold those arms.”
“Why?”
“Because if I let go of you to do it myself, you’ll run like a rabbit. Hell, I can feel your heart pounding out of your chest all the way over here.”
“You are so full of it.”
“Maybe. But I’m not wrong.” He tugged her closer. “Unfold your arms, Annie. So I can kiss you.”
“Okay.” She did as he asked. Simply because she wasn’t a stupid woman. If Jake wanted to kiss her, she had no choice but to make it very easy for him to do.
“Now wrap those pretty arms around my neck.”
She did.
“Now . . .” He lowered his head. “Don’t say stop.”
Stop?
The word wasn’t even in her vocabulary. Not when it came to him.
Foolish?
Yes.
Crazy?
Absolutely.
But when he pressed his mouth to hers, she really didn’t care about foolish or crazy.
Jake lost all thought the moment she parted those pretty lips and their tongues met. The only thing he knew now was the heat of passion, her sweet scent, and the need to lose himself inside her warm, luscious body.
Whatever she thought of him was wrong.
He wasn’t anybody’s hero.
If he had even a spark of such, he wouldn’t be having the single-minded thought of slipping her panties down her legs and losing himself altogether. For an hour, two hours, however long it took to forget what had happened and to try and remember who he’d been.
Filling his hands with the delectable curve of her rear end, he pressed his erection into the soft center of her thighs. Her moan filled his mouth and, if it was possible, he got even harder.
Switching their positions, he backed her up to the tree, leaned in, and pressed against her harder. Thought halted and sensation took over as he lifted his hands to her face, kissed her thoroughly, then filled his hands with her luscious breasts.
Beneath the pretty blue sundress, Annie wore no bra.
Hallelujah.
She was both firm and soft. Heavy and light. She felt like heaven in his arms.
Desire pulsed through his veins and arrowed down into his cock, which throbbed and ached with lust. Not just for the first time in a long time.
He lusted for her.
He lowered his mouth to the sweet arch of her throat, ran his tongue slowly down the length, and nearly exploded when she quivered in his arms. Her head dropped back to give him better access, and he took full advantage, kissing his way down, lifting her breasts in his hands, then sliding his tongue along the plump flesh that rose above the fabric of her dress.
“More.” Her breathless plea turned him on. Raised the bar. Made him eager to please.
“Tell me you’re interested,” he said, throwing her denial back at her just so he knew they were on the same page.
“Interested.” She moaned when he opened his mouth over the skin just above where her nipple hid beneath the dress. “Very. Very. Interested.”
“That makes me happy, Annie. Really fucking happy.” Using his thumbs, he tugged the blue cotton down until her breasts came free of the material. Then he swirled his thumbs over her tight, hard nipples just before he lowere
d his head and gently sucked one into his mouth.
“Oh my God.” Her pleasure was expressed in a lusty sigh. “Do that again.”
He loved that she appeared to be as verbal when it came to passion as she was the rest of the time. So he complied. This time he took hold of the other tightened nipple and rolled it between his lips before he sucked it into his mouth. She rewarded him with a long, breathy moan.
She’d been grabbing onto his T-shirt with both hands. Now, she reached up, took off his hat, and tossed it aside. Then her hands explored his chest. She yanked the bottom of the shirt from his pants and her hands were all over him—touching, tweaking, lightly scratching.
God, he couldn’t wait to be inside her. Might even be driven to madness if it didn’t happen soon.
“Touch me, Annie.”
She took his meaning and lowered her hand below his belt to his zipper. Just her touch nearly sent him over the edge. But when she curled that palm around his cock and squeezed, his eyes nearly crossed.
Resting his forehead against her, he closed his eyes. “Fuck that feels good.”
She gave him an extra squeeze. Then her fingers slipped down behind his belt and her warm, soft hand was on his bare, rock-hard flesh.
“Is that better?”
He couldn’t speak, so he just nodded as she stroked him inside the constrictive quarters of his jeans. Her fingertips brushed the head of his cock, then wrapped around him again with a long, slow stroke.
He could come.
Right now.
Right there in her hand without any further encouragement.
But he didn’t play that way.
No matter how hard he might be, no matter how much he ached, no matter how long it had been or how bad he wanted it, a man always took care of his woman first.
“Baby, take your hand out of my pants.”
She complied quickly. Almost too quickly, as the final squeeze and slide of her palm nearly undid him. He groaned. Loudly.
“Oh!” Concern puckered her forehead. “Does your leg hurt?”
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “But not the one you’re thinking of.”
Annie’s knees went weak as Jake kissed her again. She lost herself in the heat of his mouth. The warmth of his skin. And the fact that after all these years, she was finally in Jake Wilder’s arms. Against a tree. In a forest. Then he made his descent, kissing, licking, and sucking his way down her neck and across her breasts.