by Paige Yancey
He flexed his arm and hid a wince. “Someone did a good job bandaging me up. I can manage.” When her chin lifted, he sighed. “I’ll take the bags if you can gather our weapons.” At last, she nodded and trudged back to the rifle she’d dropped. Then she bent to snag the 9mm from the ground.
He gathered the packs and, together, they walked to the large barn door. Tyler preceded her out of the barn and glanced around before they walked the short distance to the cabin. Inside, the cabin smelled of cedar and dust. He placed the bags he’d brought on the floor near the door, and Jeanie put down the weapons and moved toward the back of the cabin and the back door. Just outside the back door was the generator, it was checked multiple times throughout the year and would be ready to go. She turned it on and it started up with a loud hum. Closing the back door and securing it she turned back to the kitchenette to begin putting away food items. Tyler had locked the front door behind them when they came in. She watched as he moved around the cabin inspecting the windows and making sure the weapons were easy for them to get to quickly if needed.
“You need to sit down and conserve your strength,” she said, eyeing a chair beside the table. “Hank and his guys can’t get to us before the morning, so you need to conserve your strength. I brought some sandwiches. Would you like to go ahead and eat, and then we can set up for the night?”
Tyler was amazed at how calm she was as she went on about her business after the shooting, and then what he’d done to her as well. “Jeanie, we need to talk about what happened.” Again, tension gripped his body as he walked toward her.
Her expression softened. “I know you had a PTSD episode, and that for a moment, you didn’t know who I was. But even then, you weren’t completely out of control. You were still you, Tyler. You weren’t going to hurt me.”
She glanced away, but not before he saw her lower lip tremble. He moved closer. “Look at me,” he said and put his hands on her shoulders to gently turn her to face him.
Her eyes were pools of unshed tears. Pulling her into his arms and holding her seemed to be the only thing he could do. He was going on instinct. Providing comfort.
Their bodies weren’t close enough, so he tightened his embrace and tipped up her chin. When his lips touched hers, a quiver shook her body. Tyler felt his walls coming down. He’d never needed anyone. Never opened himself to another person for fear of hurting them or being hurt, but he needed Jeanie.
The kiss deepened, and her tongue touched his lips. They both drew back a space then he delved in to her mouth to explore. When he pushed his leg between hers, she seemed to climb his body. Their mouths drew apart, and both gasped for air.
“Wow,” Jeanie said between gasps.
“That’s one way to put it.”
Not able to let go, Tyler brought Jeanie’s face back to his and devoured her lips again—this time with more fervor then reaching under her shirt to get to her warm skin.
She put her arms between them and pulled his shirt out of his jeans. Her fingers worked their way upward, freeing buttons.
Thankful he wasn’t the only one feeling desperate, he cupped her breasts and squeezed gently. Breaking the kiss, he pulled off her shirt off. She lowered her arms and put them around his neck to bring his lips back toward her. The room seemed to heat up and his clothing felt too warm on his skin. Gingerly, he pulled off the flannel shirt and let it drop. Jeanie’s hands roamed over his body. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been with a woman, and Jeanie was special. Stumbling back for a moment, he gripped her arms and dragged her gently into the little sitting room .
Jeanie giggled and started working on her own pants. She kicked off her boots. Seeing what she was doing, Tyler reached for the button at his waistband.
“Do you need help with that, cowboy,” she said, her voice sultry. Standing there, she wore only a teal-colored cotton bra and panties that were lined in lace and still had her socks on. She pushed him gently onto the couch, and he fell back as she stood over him. Her hair fell forward as she went for his boots.
Laughing, he said, “I would love some help, darlin’.”
She got the first one off in record time, and then the second one went flying across the room. She straddled his legs, and he could feel the heat of her core against his jeans. With nimble hands, she undid his belt buckle then his jeans. With lightning speed, she stripped him. When she had him nude, she encircled his pulsating cock with her warm hands. His head fell back on the couch as she glided up and down his length.
But he didn’t want her doing all the work. Gunshot wound or not. He leaned forward slightly and reached around her to pop open her bra. Then he pulled the straps down her arms, revealing her soft, round breasts. She let go of his cock and shook the bra off her arms onto the clothes starting to pile up. Before she turned back, Tyler took both of her breasts in his hands and squeezed. Then he leaned forward and took her left breast into his mouth and sucked.
Jeanie moaned. Her back arched. He switched to the other breast, taking it in his mouth while his hands glided toward her panties. He slid his right hand under the fabric and reached for her sex, separating the moist folds and inserting his index finger.
She bucked, and then settled onto his hand as he moved inside her.
He let go of her breast to settle back and watch her riding his hand. “You are so beautiful,” he said, and took her mouth again in a frenzy.
Her hand moved back to his cock and stroked him several times, and then her hips bucked again. Unable to wait another second, he gently removed his hand and slid sideways to lay on the couch.
With her breaths short and harsh, Jeanie pushed down his jeans pants and his briefs with him lifting his ass to help get them out of the way. Again, she stroked his cock again while it pulsed in her hand.
Tyler gripped her shoulders to pull her down for a kiss. He rubbed her lips, glanced down her neck, then nibbled at her breasts. She was breathing deeply now, and her breasts quivered with each ragged inhalation. He slipped to the side and pushed her back to the seat cushions.
Ignoring the throbbing pain, he kissed a path down her body until he reached her hips. Then gently gripping her panties, he pulled them over her hips and down her legs. She kicked them to the floor and spread her legs as he kissed the curls atop her mound. Her body shivered as he blew warm air over her core. Jeanie pushed her hands through his hair and pulled him closer to her opening. He flicked out his tongue and licked the dew as it leaked out of her body. Pushing his tongue in further, he stroked inside as she bucked and tugged his hair. Tyler moved his hands around to her buttocks to hold her still as he continued to feast on her.
“Tyler,” she moaned.
He lifted his head. “Yes?”
“I need more.”
Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyelids half-closed. But it was her soft, swollen mouth that made his cock jump.
With a soft chuckle, he roamed up her body, suckled each breast again, then reached over to grab his wallet from the back pocket of his pants. He always kept a fresh condom, just in case. Almost like good luck charm. He ripped the condom package open and rolled it down his cock. Then he positioned himself over Jeanie’s body, leaning on his good arm. “Jeanie are you sure about this?”
“Oh, yes. Don’t stop, Tyler.” She gave another little moan, and her body bucked again, which caused her to lift her hips. Her wet folds touched the end of his cock.
Tyler almost came just from the slight pressure. Not wanting to hurt her, he slowly entered her body. The tension in his body caused him to shake because he was fighting himself, holding back so he didn’t ram inside her waiting heat.
“Faster, Tyler. I need all of you in me, now.” Her voice held a note of desperation. She put her hands on his hips and tried to pull him deeper into her body.
Tyler gritted his teeth. “Slow down and enjoy this, Jeanie. I don’t want to hurt you.”
She sucked her bottom lips between her teeth then released it. “You’re not hurting me, but if you
don’t hurry, I’m going to shatter.”
Her voice, so husky, so freaking sexy, broke his control. Tyler gripped her hips and slammed into her body. Jack-hammering in and out of her.
“Oh. My. God. Yes!”
Her hair shivered over the cushion as her body jerked up and down with his movements. She met each stroke as he brought his cock surging in and out. Finally, he felt the surge building to a crescendo and felt blessed release wash over him. With his orgasm pulsing, Jeanie screamed out his name, and her body spasmed around his cock.
Chapter 7
Jeanie’s eye fluttered open. As she stared up at the rafters, she couldn’t believe everything that had happened in the short time Tyler had been with her on the ranch. She was falling for him. As well, she was scared for him because of all he was going through. They were two broken people, and, sometimes, a broken person wasn’t the best thing for another to be around. She knew in her soul that Tyler was an amazing person, and that he would do anything to protect her. She just wished they could quickly find this person who kept attacking her. Then they could sort through whatever it was happening between them.
The weight of Tyler’s body on her own reminded her they should probably get up and eat something since they’d left the food out.
With a smile, she wiggled and tried to move Tyler off her. “Tyler are you awake?”
He grunted. “Just enjoying the feel of your body, babe.”
Babe. She liked the way he said it—low and sort of growly. She gave a soft laugh then wiggled harder, finally dislodging him.
Playfully, he rolled softly to the floor. “You’re gonna get it now.” He jumped up but tripped over the pants still around his thighs.
She leaned over and looked into his eyes that were sparkling with mischief. “Ha ha. Looks like you’re all tangled up.” She jumped over the back of the couch and sprinted into the kitchenette.
Faster than he probably should have, being careful of his sore arm. With a quick movement he kicked off his pants and out of the corner of her eye she saw him follow her like a cheetah after its prey. Tyler bounded into the kitchen. He stalked her then pressed her against the countertop and took her lips, his body snug against hers.
A moan left her lips, and Tyler growled into her mouth. After a few moments, they stopped kissing and panted, their chests colliding with each breath.
She felt a little chill and shivered. Night had descended, and by the sound of the wind against the walls of the cabin, the storm had arrived.
Tyler pulled away from her, strode to the couch, and returned with a quilt to drape over her shoulders. “We should probably put a few clothes on and settle in for the night.”
“Afraid I’ll tempt you?” she asked, arching a brow.
“Yeah, and frankly, I don’t want to greet company in the morning in my birthday suit.” Tyler moved back toward the couch and dragged on his boxers, leaving them low on his hips.
She gave him a wry smile. His definition of “dressed” didn’t match hers. Not that she’d complain. Her gaze strayed toward the stark white bandage high on his shoulder, and her tummy did a little flip as she remembered how close he’d come to being killed.
He waved a hand in front of her face. “Hey. I’m all right. Let’s eat the food you brought for tonight. Then I’ll report back into Hank and Gavin, so they know we’re good until the guys come to check out the area tomorrow.”
“Ok, give me a minute.” Walking over to the clothes she’d dropped on the floor, she collected them and started pulling them on. She turned as she shimmied her jeans up her legs, and her gaze collided with Tyler’s. He nostrils were flared like a feral animal’s, and she could see a bit of wildness in his eyes.
“You know you don’t have to get fully dressed,” he said with a grin like the Cheshire cat’s.
She rolled her eyes. “It’s a little cold in here. Besides, where’s the fun if they’re already off?” She picked up the socks from the floor and sat on the couch to don them. With a little more sway in her step than usual, she walked back to the little kitchen. Once she was going through the food, he turned away from her and went around to the doors and windows. She was glad he was making sure they were safe and that he was keeping an eye out. The sandwich’s she had prepared, had little bits of crisp green lettuce peaked out of the sides of the bread. The smell of spicy mustard wafted up to her nostrils. In a medium size bag held waffle chips and another small container had fresh fruit down to eat. They sat down to eat the meal. Their arms brushed often, and every time, Jeanie felt a shiver go up her arm. Tyler’s arm had goosebumps, so she wasn’t sure if he was cold or if he felt the little zap.
She gave him a smile. “You should probably put a shirt on, don’t want my protector to catch cold.”
“Yeah, it’s finally cooling down after getting all steamed up.” He walked over to the spot on the floor where his bag and pulled out a clean shirt and rolled up his torn bloody flannel and put it next to his bag on the floor. They finished eating the sandwiches and some chips, and then went about unpacking some of their gear.
“I’m pretty sure looking for cattle is out of the question right now, but I’m going to check in with Hank and Percy,” Tyler said over his shoulder. The satellite phone they’d brought was the only way to contact the ranch this high in the foothills away from cell towers.
While cleaning up the kitchen, she listened as Tyler talked into the phone just outside the open door, so that the phone could have direct contact with satellite to work. Percy’s voice crackled through the small space of the cabin. They discussed what had happened, Percy relayed that Hank had already called Gavin to let him and the other ranch hands know what was happening and to stay clear of the high meadow.
“They’re sending out some Brotherhood Protectors tomorrow to search the surrounding area,” Tyler called out to her, “but we’re to report back to the ranch first thing and not stop to look for cattle.”
Jeanie turned to respond to Tyler, only to find him now standing right behind her. He placed an arm around her shoulders. She moved closer and rested her head on his chest.
“I think that’s probably the best thing to do,” he murmured.
“I hate that all this is happening, and I’m ready for it to end. I came up to Montana to get away from everything and the memories of what happened when I was kidnapped.”
“Jeanie, I’m here for you,” Tyler said into her hair. He kissed her cheek and held her.
Tyler seemed to know she needed him to listen, because he held on to her and as if it was natural for them to seek solace in each other’s arms.
She blew out a shaky breath, hoping she wouldn’t cry. “I was kidnapped by a human trafficking ring that was connected to a dating website. I was taken from my home and kept unconscious for most of the time I was held, so I don’t remember everything that happened, but I have dreams almost every night.” She started to hiccup, and then a sob broke from her lips.
“Shhh, it’s ok,” he said, rocking her gently side to side. “You can talk or not, but you’re safe with me,” Tyler said, his deep voice rumbling.
She could feel his warmth soaking into her bones and relaxed into his arms. “In my dreams, I can see the other women and hear the men who took us. Sometimes, I can even see some of the men.” She shivered at the memories.
He rubbed her back and cuddled her closer to him.
Jeanie took a long breath. “Sometimes when I wake up from my nightmare, I seem to have remembered things, but as soon as I get up, they disappear. It’s so frustrating.”
His cheek nodded against hers. “I have nightmares, too, about what happened when I was in deployed to the desert in the middle east, and sometimes everything is clear and sometimes it’s like I’m in a fog.”
Nodding her head in agreement, she sighed. “The same thing happens to me.” Feeling better, she drew back. “We should get settled for the night.”
He kissed her forehead. “I need to check around the cabin and the security
of the building and call Gavin really quick. Just give me about five minutes, and then I’m all yours.”
Smiling, she walked toward the kitchenette to grab a fresh water bottle. Tyler picked up the satellite phone and walked out the door.
“Hey, Gavin,” she heard him say. “Yes, we are fine. I figured Hank had let you know what happened.” His shoulders raised up and went down with a deep breath.
She poured some of the fresh fruit into a mug she took from the cabinet , and then she put the perishable food in the ice chest they had brought. She rested her arms on the counter and watched Tyler talk to Gavin, as she munched on the fruit.
“We’ll wait for the Brotherhood protectors in the morning, and then we’ll head back to the ranch. Alright, see you then.”
He clicked off the phone set it aside, then turned to face her. “I’m sure you heard most of that. We’re to remain here until the Hank’s guys come in the morning to investigate. They’ll escort us back to the ranch.”
“Well, we have plenty of food, and I even brought a deck of cards, so we can play a few rounds of whatever games you can think of.”
He chuckled. “Always ready for anything.”
“My dad was Army, too, and he raised my sister and I to always be prepared.”
Tyler rose from the couch and came toward her. She couldn’t help but admire the way the muscles of his arms and legs flexed under his shirt and tight jeans. She remembered what they felt like against her skin, and her face started to heat up. Jeanie reached for him as he took her in his arms. They fit together so perfectly a sigh escaped her lips.
Tyler chuckled under his breath. “You’re like a kitten.”
“I enjoy you holding me, and I feel safe when I’m with you,” she said and let out another sigh.
“I love to hold you, but maybe we should move this to the couch.”
They settled on the couch and placed their feet on the coffee table in front of them almost in tandem.
“You know I could get use to this,” she said, turning her face toward his and looking up into his eyes.