Saving His Soul (Serenity Springs Series, #3)

by Dawn Sullivan

  “Okay?”

  “Yes,” she laughed, “okay.”

  It didn’t take them long to get their clothes on and get to the house. They cleared the rooms quickly, making sure they were alone and that all windows and doors were locked, and then they went upstairs to her room.

  “There’s something you need to know,” Rayna said, slipping on a pair of shorts and a tight tank top that scooped low in the front, cupping her breasts just right. Ryder bit back a groan as he forced his gaze away from the tantalizing sight before him, raising his eyes up to hers when she spoke. “I talked to one of my contacts tonight. Diego knows who I am, Ryder. He will be coming for me.”

  Ryder drew down the comforter, waiting while she slid into bed, and covering her with it. “Then he will have to go through me.”

  Smiling shakily, Rayna whispered, “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  Ryder leaned over and kissed her gently. Taking the gun she placed on the end table, he opened the drawer and slipped it inside. “This way it will be near you, but you won’t be able to grab it and aim for me in the middle of a nightmare,” he explained. After one last kiss, he drew his own gun and walked over to the window. Lowering himself to the long bench in front of it, he put his back against the wall, and his legs out in front of him. Placing his gun on his lap, he glanced back to her, “Get some rest honey. I will protect you.”

  As Rayna’s eyes drifted shut, a small smile appeared on her lips. For once, someone was taking care of her, and it felt wonderful.

  Chapter 21

  The sun was just barely coming up over the horizon the next morning when Ryder heard Rayna begin to stir. As far as he could tell, she’d slept soundly, with no signs of a nightmare plaguing her. He watched as she turned from her side to her back, reaching her arms above her head to stretch languidly. Fighting back a groan at the sight of her nipples pressing against the light blue shirt she wore, Ryder reached down to adjust his rapidly growing erection. He made himself stay where he was, even though what he really wanted to do was join her in that bed and wake her up himself. But, he wasn’t some horny teenager just out to get laid. No, he cared about Rayna. He was beginning to more than just care about her, but that was something he would keep to himself right now. He did not want to scare her off when she was finally starting to open up to him.

  Rayna turned on her side, pulling her pillow close and snuggling into the covers with a small, sleepy smile on her lips. She looked happy. Not only that, but she looked at peace. So sweet and innocent. So different from the hard, determined FBI agent she normally appeared to be.

  Just when Ryder was about to rise and stretch out his own aching muscles, Rayna’s eyes opened, and she stiffened visibly when she saw him. “Hey beautiful,” he said softly, grinning at the slight blush that covered her cheeks. “Good morning.”

  A tentative, answering smile crossed her face, before she murmured, “Good morning, cowboy.”

  Damn, he really wanted to crawl into that bed with her...so.fucking.bad. Remembering the feel of her skin against his the night before, the way she moaned when she came, had him hardening even more.

  “Have you been sitting there all night?” Rayna asked softly, as she sat up and tucked the comforter around her breasts so just a small amount of cleavage was peeking out.

  What had she asked? “Not all night,” he rasped, rising from the bench. After putting his gun back in its holster, he walked toward her, hiding a grin at the sight of her eyes glued to his dick. He didn’t even bother trying to hide how aroused he was. “I made a few trips through the house, just to make sure we were still alone.”

  Her gaze met his, her dark eyes wide. “You really did stay awake all night to protect me?”

  Placing one knee on the bed, Ryder leaned forward, gently grasping her chin in his hand. “When I tell you I’m going to do something, sweetheart, I do it.”

  “Thank you.” The words were spoken so softly, he almost didn’t hear them.

  “Guess what?”

  Her lower lip trembled slightly as she whispered, “What?”

  “We got through the whole night without you trying to shoot me.” Ryder laughed at her look of shock. Leaning down, he kissed her lightly on the lips. “Not once did you reach for your gun. You know what that means, don’t you?”

  Rayna shook her head, and Ryder placed a small kiss between her eyes, right where her brows were wrinkled in confusion. “What?”

  “That means you trust me.”

  “Of course I do. I told you that last night.”

  Chuckling, Ryder placed a kiss on the tip of her cute, little nose. “It also means that I get to come back and stay again tonight.”

  “Ryder,” she began.

  Running a hand down her soft hair, Ryder gave her one last, gentle kiss on the lips. “I need to get back to the ranch. I have to check on cattle, and feed the horses. I have a few other things to do too, but why don’t you come by later today? You can see Heaven, and we can take a ride. Maybe have a picnic?”

  He watched her eyes mist over slightly. “You named the foal Heaven?”

  Ryder ran a finger lightly down her cheek, “No, you named her Heaven.” Ignoring the tears in her eyes, knowing she would not want him to bring attention to them, he pressed her, “So, how about that picnic today?”

  He watched the indecision on her face, before she nodded slowly. “Okay. Around noon or a little after?”

  “I’ll be waiting.” Ryder stood, making his way to the door.

  “Ryder?”

  Turning back, his heart clenched at the breathtaking sight she made in the middle of a bed that was much too big for just one person. “Yes?”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer?”

  Allowing his eyes to roam over her, he slowly shook his head. “Baby, I want nothing more than to stay here and make love to you all morning.”

  “Then why don’t you?”

  Ryder groaned as her gaze moved slowly down his body, her skin flushing a pretty pink. “Because, Rayna, as much as I want to feel you against me, to hear you scream my name when you come, I want something else even more.”

  Rayna’s eyes widened, her gaze flying back to meet his. “What?” she breathed.

  “You.” Not quite ready to explain to her exactly what he meant by that, Ryder turned and left, letting her jump to her own conclusions for now.

  Chapter 22

  Nathan rubbed a hand over his face, glad to finally be back to his cabin where he could get some rest. After spending the night in the hills above Rayna’s farm, peering through a sniper rifle, and making sure she was as safe as she could be, he was exhausted. He was used to being up hours on end while undercover, because you never knew who you could trust. But after one of his personal contacts he had keeping an eye on things back in D.C. called him and told him that Cortez knew where Rayna was, he had spent the past two nights watching over her, and worked all day on top of it. He needed a break. Thank God he had the day off at New Hope Ranch today. Rayna would be on full alert since he passed on his information to her, and he’d seen that Caldwell had spent the night with her too.

  After slipping into a pair of dark grey jogging pants, Nathan brushed his teeth and used the restroom. It was just after eight in the morning. With any luck, he would be able to sleep until late afternoon. Unfortunately, luck was against him. Just as he was getting ready to slip into bed, there was a knock on the door. It could only be one of two people. And since one was out of town visiting his son for the weekend, it had to be his sexy-as-sin boss, Harper Daley. She had been one hell of a surprise when he’d shown up at New Hope Ranch. His file said she was forty-six years old, but the woman didn’t look a day over thirty-five. She was gorgeous, with blonde hair, light blue eyes, and a figure he could not keep his eyes off of. He’d caught himself staring more than once, hoping she never saw. He did not know what it was about the woman, but damn, he liked her...a lot.

  Shoving a hand through his messy hair,
he went to open the door. There on the other side stood Harper, in a snug white tank top and a pair of jeans that hugged her curves just right. “Morning, boss lady,” he said with a grin. “What can I do for you?”

  Harper smiled, “I need your help when you have time. The damn water heater went out in the main house last night. I tried to fix it, but can’t figure out what’s wrong. I’d ask Henry, but he’s gone this weekend.”

  Against his better judgment, he unlocked the screen door and opened it. “Come in while I put some jeans on.”

  Harper strode past him, stopping in front of the rumpled bed. “Busy night?” she asked, turning to face him. Placing a hand on one hip, she cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow.

  His gaze went from the bed to the pissed off woman. Hell, he hadn’t even made it to bed yet, but he could not tell her that. “You could say that.”

  “You know the rules, Nate,” Harper snapped, her eyes flashing in anger, “no women are allowed on the ranch!”

  “Now Harper,” he drawled, loving the way her name rolled off his tongue, “I have never brought a woman here, and I never will. I promised you that the day I started, and I always keep my promises.” He loved the fiery glint in her eyes, and her take-no-shit attitude. Harper Daley was one of the strongest people he had ever met. She lived for the kids on her ranch. She would do anything for them, and he highly respected her for that. He had also never been so attracted to a woman before. That part was becoming a problem.

  Harper’s gaze broke away from his, landing on his bare chest. A dark flush covered her cheek bones, and her gaze lowered more still. “Thank you,” she said, her tongue slipping out to trace her lower lip.

  Oh fuck, he thought, as he felt himself thicken and harden. He couldn’t help it. He wanted more than just her eyes on his body, he wanted that tongue licking where her eyes were wandering.

  When her gaze rested on where his jogging pants hung low on his hips, a soft gasp escaped as she saw his obvious arousal. Turning away quickly, she crossed the room to stand by the window facing the pastures in the back of her property. There were several cabins on the ranch. Four of which housed the children ages twelve to seventeen. His was set apart from theirs, and was just two rooms. One large one with a small kitchen area and a place with his bed and a television, and then there was a small bathroom.

  Unable to stop himself, unsure where the hell all of his self-control had gone, Nathan followed her across the room. He stopped right behind her, their bodies barely touching. Harper jumped when he placed his hands on her hips, stepping closer. He watched her hand tighten on the windowsill, a shudder running through her.

  “What, you didn’t get off last night?” she snapped.

  Nathan smiled when he heard her breath quicken. “I wasn’t with anyone last night, Harper,” he said softly.

  “Don’t lie,” she muttered. “You may not have done anything here, but I know you didn’t come home, Nate.”

  How the hell did she know that? He was good at covering his tracks. Really good. “And how would you know that?” he questioned, lowering his head next to hers. “Did you come looking for me, Harper?”

  Harper leaned her head back on his shoulder, another shudder running through her body. “Maybe,” she murmured.

  “Maybe?” he echoed, chuckling softly, as he slid his hand up some to rest on her rib cage, just below her heaving breasts. “Did you, or did you not, come looking for me, Harper?” he growled, nipping at the silky skin between her neck and shoulder with his teeth. He had never been this close to his employer before. Never talked to her like this. And she’d definitely never given off any vibes at all that even hinted she was attracted to him before. He had no idea what was going on, but there was no way he was going to stop it.

  “I came because of the water heater,” she gasped. “I tried to light it, but it wouldn’t work. I didn’t want to call anyone late at night, and Henry’s in Dallas.”

  Thank fuck for broken water heaters, he thought, scraping his teeth lightly up her neck. Harper moaned, tilting her head to the side. There were so many reasons this should not be happening, but right now, he could not think of a single one. He traced the shell of her ear with the tip of his tongue, before tugging on her earlobe, and sucking it in his mouth.

  “Oh God,” she moaned. “Nate!” Harper pushed back against him, rubbing against his erection, as she reached back and slid her fingers in his hair. Clutching it tightly, she held him to her, gasping, “Nate, we can’t do this. We can’t.”

  He knew they couldn’t, knew they shouldn’t, but he did not give a damn. Tugging her shirt from the waistband of her jeans, he slid his hands up and cupped her firm breasts in his hands, flicking the nipples with his thumbs.

  “Nate, please,” Harper moaned, reaching behind to slip her hand inside his jogging pants and grasping his hard cock. Nathan groaned when she began to stroke him, thrusting into her hand. He felt like a fucking teenager when his orgasm began to build quickly. Refusing to come without her, he flicked the button open on her jeans, and slid down the zipper. Slipping his hand inside, he slipped two fingers inside her, and began rubbing her clit with his thumb.

  Nathan sucked on her neck, as he began to thrust into Harper’s hand matching the rhythm of his fingers moving inside of her. “Oh, Nate. Nate!” she cried out. “That feels so good. It’s been so long!”

  “Come for me,” he ordered roughly, biting down gently on her shoulder as he increased the pace of his thrusts. He was so close, but he needed her there with him. “Harper, now!” he ordered.

  A muffled scream tore from her, and he felt her begin to pulse against his fingers. Unable to wait any longer, he erupted in her hand. Lifting his head slightly, he looked down at her, where she lay panting on his shoulder. Her eyes slowly opened, looking so sexy clouded with passion.

  Nathan saw the moment the regret began to creep into her face. Before she could speak, he covered her lips with his. He needed to taste them just once, before she shut him out. Just this one time, he wanted to feel them against his. Holding her head in place, he gently stroked at her lips until she opened for him, and he slipped inside. It was even better than he had imagined. But, soon, she was pushing him away. “No, Nate. We should not have done this.”

  He knew she was right. There were so many reasons on his end as to why this could go horribly wrong, but it felt so right at the time. Slowly, he removed his hands from her jeans, and adjusted his jogging pants.

  “Nate, that can never happen again.”

  What the hell was her problem? He knew why it would be wrong for him to give in to the need to have her again, but why was she so against it?

  Falling into his Nate persona to hide his true emotions, he grinned, “Why not? It seemed to have worked out great for us both this time.” That was not even close to what he really wanted to say, but it was what Nate would say. “I would think the next time would be even better.”

  “There isn’t going to be a next time,” Harper insisted. After adjusting her clothes, she looked at him, “First of all, you are so damn young. I’m pushing fifty.”

  Nate laughed. If she only knew how old he really was. “Age is just a number.”

  Shaking her head, Harper said, “I’m way too old for you.”

  Nate grinned, “Honey, if that’s all you got, it’s definitely not enough.”

  “It’s more than that,” Harper said. “This ranch means everything to me. New Hope Ranch, these kids, it’s all I have. You are here now, but you will be moving on.”

  “I don’t understand,” he told her, even though it was a lie. He knew exactly what she meant. He spent all of his life avoiding relationships, for that very reason. He’d never been able to settle down in one place for too long. “I’m here now.”

  “That’s just it,” Harper said, slowly shaking her head. “I’m not the kind of woman who just hops into bed with a man. When I give myself to someone, there needs to be a relationship. I don’t sleep around. I can’
t afford to. I can’t have that kind of reputation. Not when I own a ranch like New Hope.”

  “What makes you think I will leave?” he asked curiously.

  Harper smiled, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “You have that look about you.”

  “What look?”

  “The one that says you are looking for something, but you haven’t found it yet. You will roam until you find it, if you ever do.”

  Nate watched Harper turn and leave the cabin, shutting the door quietly behind her. She was right. He had spent his whole life looking for something that was always just out of reach. And now, he was wondering if he’d finally found it. If he had, could he keep it once Harper found out about all of his lies and deceit?

  Chapter 23

  Rayna grabbed the large insulated cooler bag filled with cold fried chicken, watermelon, potato salad, and bottled water off her kitchen table, sliding the strap over her shoulder. It was just past noon, and she was in a hurry to get to the Caldwell Ranch. She knew Ryder wasn’t expecting her to bring lunch, but she wanted to surprise him.

  After locking the door, Rayna left the front porch, heading for the barn where her car was parked. Her thoughts on Ryder and Heaven, she almost missed the fact that her barn doors were slightly ajar. She knew they were shut tightly the night before when she and Ryder left the building. She’d double checked them herself. There would have been no reason for Ryder to visit the barn before he left this morning, so that only meant one thing. Diego’s man was close.

  Quickly scanning what she could of the barn in front of her, Rayna slipped her hand over the butt of her gun letting the cooler fall to the ground. Sliding the 9mm from its holster, she sprinted across the lawn, stopping to the left of one of the barn doors. Her back up against the wall, she slowly made her way over until she could just barely see through the small opening between the two doors. Pressing her ear against the wood, she listened carefully, before sliding the doors open just wide enough to allow her to slip inside. She had a feeling that she was not going to find anyone hiding in the barn, but she needed to be cautious just in case.