Hakan’s eyes were heavy lidded, and he took deeper breaths. She knew he was trying to hold on longer. It gave her a glorious feeling to see the control she had, if only momentarily, over this strong man.
Impatient now, he took control. His hands held on to her hips as he pushed in and out faster. He clutched her to him and sucked on her nipple. Her pussy responded with a spasm deep inside.
She rode him harder. Her back arched as she welcomed his masterful thrusts. A wave of heat and ecstasy started at her feet and rolled upward, flinging her into a sparkling, blissful place. He plunged several more times before she felt the warmth of his release. Hakan shouted out, “My love.” She immediately collapsed against his body. “If we keep this up, there’ll be nothing left of me by tomorrow.” He kissed her and moved her gently to the side.
“Pansy,” she needled him.
“Give me a few minutes, and I’ll make you sorry you said that word.”
“I hope so.”
After they’d regained their energy, they started back to the campsite. The sun was setting and spilling rainbow colors against the canyon walls.
“We’ll have Nick design your cabin. He’s the best, and I want to make sure there’s room for Rex and me.”
“Lonato and I have to talk before I decide about him. I won’t be bullied.
“When we saw him at the hospital he was vulnerable and scared, so he lashed out at me. It hurt me, and it took me a while to realize what he was feeling and why he said what he did. He was partially right. But if a person really loves and respects you they don’t hit you verbally or otherwise when you’re down. He has a habit of snapping back at others, too. He’s going to have to change for good for it to work between the three of us.”
“I told him the same.”
“We’ll go back tomorrow and see how he’s doing. At this time, he needs family and friends close-by.”
Hakan nodded. “You do care about him, or you wouldn’t have suggested us leaving so soon. I agree. I’m worried about his recovery.”
“Then we’ll leave early. I want to stop briefly at Nanna’s and purchase some of her healing tea.”
“She’ll give it to you. He’s one of her grandsons.”
Kira warmed a can of vegetable soup, and she made biscuits with water and a mix Daren had put in her supplies. She rolled the dough, flatted it with her hands, and put them in the bottom of a pan. “They won’t be perfect biscuits, but hopefully they’ll be edible.”
Hakan looked at all the supplies she had left. “Daren expected you to be gone longer.”
“I thought I might be. But then you arrived.”
“No, you’d have worried about Lonato and come back sooner anyway.”
“Probably. I was mad at him and trying to push thoughts of him away. It wouldn’t have worked for long. I’m glad you all knew the right surgeon to call to do the repair on Lonato’s arm.”
“Rex knew him from medical conferences, and he’s been a friend of Lann’s for a number of years. I’m not sure how long. He lives and works in Texas. Lann apparently has been very quiet about his vacations to Texas. His decision took Garth by surprise, and they’re close.”
“From the time I met him, Lann didn’t seem to fit. His heart wasn’t in being a leader. He was chosen, and he’s a responsible person, so he did his duty. But this time, he’s following his heart. We should all do the same.”
“You are so smart, sexy, and my soul mate.”
“I’ve tried to ignore the feelings, but I’m almost certain you’re right.”
“What more do I need to do to convince you?”
“We’ll see after we get back.”
“I won’t let you go.”
“I can always fly away.”
He took her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. “You won’t.”
She tried to tip her head downward, but he held on firmly. “No, I can’t.”
Hakan picked her up and sat holding her close while their dinner cooked. His heart beat steady against her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cuddled against him. He would always be her rock, her stability, and every tiny atom in her body adored and loved him.
But what about Lonato? Could they marry and leave him behind if he couldn’t see himself changing? Or would he be the wedge that separated them? Sadness turned her joy to melancholy.
“Don’t worry, honey. He’ll come around.”
“Are you a mind reader?”
“Where you’re concerned, yes. I see your emotions in your body language and in your face.”
“No one’s known me so well, except Averil.”
“Times are changing.”
“Yes and very fast.”
“Let’s eat and snuggle in your tent.”
“I’m hungry for food and for you. I have to be well loved and rested before I tangle with Lonato.”
Hakan stood and made a bow. “I’m at your service for whatever my queen desires.”
“I’m not a queen. I’m barely royalty.”
“You doth protest too much. You’re our queen and our desire.”
“Speak for yourself, not your hardheaded friend. He’ll have his chance to speak, and I’m not giving in easily, if at all.”
“You ought to let him recover first.”
“No, I want to get him while he’s not so strong. He might hear me then.”
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall when the two strongest personalities I’ve met bump heads.” Chuckling, Hakan picked up two bowls and dished their soup into them.
Chapter Sixteen
Lann closed the door behind the last of his men and turned to Chandler. “I’ll get us a brandy and we can talk.” He went to the wet bar and poured cognac in two small crystal glasses.
He handed one to Chandler and sat in the cream-colored leather chair across from him.
“What did you think of my men?”
“You have an interesting assortment of men moving with you to Texas, your own doctor, an accountant, and Josh, your foreman for the ranch. Then there’re several cowboys, who I suspect are very talented, a cook, a trained fireman, and a few others that didn’t talk much. I don’t know their positions.”
“Yes, I handpicked most of them. But a few approached me and after giving it some thought I decided to take them along. What about Nate?”
“Ah, he’s one of the quiet ones. It’s hard to know what he’s thinking. But I had a chance, after dinner, to ask him about the son someone mentioned. I liked his answer.”
“What did he say?”
“Leaving his son will be a sacrifice, but he doesn’t want to disrupt him right now when he’s just settled in at his grandparents’ home.” Chandler took a sip of his cognac. “This is good.
“Nate wants a chance to redeem himself. He didn’t say much, but I got the idea that many of the people here still look at him with suspicion. My gut feeling, he’ll serve you well.”
Lann nodded, agreeing. He sipped his cognac. “He basically told me the same. He tries to hide it, but the pain of leaving his son behind runs deep. I’ll see he gets chances to make frequent visits, albeit short ones, to visit Nathaniel. He’s named after his dad.”
Chandler stared into the fireplace. “This is the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time. It’ll be good to have you living in Saddlespur. I’ll make an effort to come home more often and see what’s happening at your ranch.”
“The door’s always open for you.”
“You’re really excited and happy about this move. It’s such a big change for you.”
“I’ve wanted to do this for several years, but I couldn’t leave my people before now. Kira will take my place, and she’ll take good care of them. I feel free to step out into a different future.”
“Good for you. Not everyone gets a second chance.” Chandler finished his cognac and stood. “Show me which room I’m to use. I’m going to check Rex once more in the morning and head to Houston afterwards. Next time I see you, you’ll
be in Saddlespur, Texas.”
* * * *
Kira and Hakan got an early start. They didn’t stay long at Nanna’s. By eleven, they were parking at the hospital.
“I’ll go see Lonato while you check your patients.” She kissed Hakan lightly on the lips and walked quickly into the front entrance. At the elevator, she greeted several nurses she’d met, and they got on with her.
“Janice, do you know which room Dr. Rexford was transferred to?”
“He’s on the rehab floor.” She grinned. “From what I’ve heard, he’s his usual pleasant self. You’ll be going into the lion’s den to visit him until he knows whether his arm is going to be all right.”
“I’m ready to tangle with him,” Kira said with defiance.
“Brave woman. He eats up nice people like you for lunch,” Janice said, but her eyes twinkled.
“You like him.”
“I’ve worked with him for six years. He has an amazing talent. He doesn’t suffer fools lightly, but if you’re competent in your job, you earn his respect. Do I like him? I think I could. I definitely respect him.”
“When I’m through with him, a lot of people are going to like him.”
The elevator door opened and Janice stepped out. “Good luck. Wear your best armor for the battle of your life.” Laughing, she waved just as the elevator door closed.
Kira punched in the number for the rehab floor. I hope I wasn’t bragging about an impossible feat. But I won’t give up on him. I have to dig through the hard shell he projects and get to the real Lonato. I’ve done it briefly before, but this time it has to stick.
The ding of the elevator brought her attention back to reality. The door opened, and she walked through. Janice said he was in room nine. There it was, two doors down. She knocked and heard a growl. Squaring her shoulders, she walked in to do battle.
Lonato had his back turned to the door. “Go away, whoever you are.”
“I’m not going. You’re acting like a spoiled child. I’m going to set you straight.”
He rolled to face her, one eyebrow raised and a mocking look on his face. “You and who else?”
She frowned at him, but her heart beat faster. She’d caught a glimpse of a smile lurking deep in his eyes.
“Has Dr. Chandler been in today?”
“No. But the last time I called the desk, the nurse said he was reading my chart. He’s slow. It’s been thirty minutes.”
“But who’s counting? You have all day.”
“I see you came back in a good mood. You like being alone.”
“Sometimes. Yesterday, Hakan came to visit. I showed him the property I’m going to buy.”
“You aren’t returning to California?” He watched her intently.
“My home is here.”
The door pushed open, and Dr. Chandler strode in. “Hello. I see you have company. Is this Kira, the lady I’ve heard so much about?”
“Yes.” Kira put out her hand. “Who was talking about me?”
“Lann. I stayed at his place last night. This morning, after I check you”—he nodded at Rex—“I’m flying home to Houston. I have work to catch up on.”
“I appreciate you dropping everything and coming to help me.” Rex spoke sincerely. “Can you tell me my prognosis before you leave?”
“That’s what took me so long. I read the reports from your first rehab session yesterday afternoon, studied the X-rays and other reports. It’s amazing, but you are completely healed from the surgery. I’ve never seen anything like it. I haven’t wanted to be too optimistic with you. I thought it would be months before we’d see you healed like this.”
“Then I can operate again?”
“I want you to continue rehab for another week or so, mainly flexibility exercises. You will have to practice and see how your fingers and wrist work, but my guess is you’ll be as good as new. If that claw had cut you a centimeter closer, the prognosis wouldn’t be good. You were lucky in that respect and in having your incredible healing abilities. Someday, I hope you’ll trust me enough to tell me how you do it. For now, good bye.”
Kira walked out with the doctor. “He’s fully healed? He can’t hurt his arm lifting or stretching or whatever?”
Chandler grinned, leaned close, and whispered. “Nothing you two do together will hurt him. He’s healed.”
She watched him walk away as her face turned red with embarrassment. At the elevator, he waved, and then disappeared inside.
She’d been given the go-ahead to work her magic on Lonato. With a spring in her step, she went back in the room and closed the door tight behind her.
“You and I are going to have a serious discussion.” Kira walked to the window. She didn’t want to sit too close and have his alluring scent weaken her resolve. “You hurt me when you attacked me with angry words. You were right, I did hesitate. I value life, and I had never killed anyone before. I hadn’t used my fire darts except once, when I accidentally started a fire in the woods. I’m like a baby learning to walk. The abilities I’ve used since coming to the ranch, I haven’t had to use before.”
“I know it doesn’t help or excuse me, but I’m very sorry I shouted at you. I’ve had time to do some soul searching while lying in bed. Your mother told me I wasn’t good enough for you. No one had ever confronted me like she did. I was offended, but deep inside I knew what she meant. My father had recently talked with me also. But nothing got through to me like remembering the look in your eyes when I took my anger and the fear of possibly losing my profession out on you. I saw the hurt and the sadness.”
Kira paced around his bed. “I love Hakan. He’s determined to marry me. Hakan is your best friend, and the two of you always planned on marrying the same woman. He’s willing to marry me without you. That’s a big sacrifice, to give up on his best friend.”
She watched Lonato’s expression and caught the look of sadness in his eyes and saw the slump of his shoulders. “I saw another side of Hakan. He’s a warrior and a doctor. And I also know his career doesn’t define him. Tell me why it’s all you have.”
“It’s a long story.”
“We both have plenty of time.”
Lonato stared at the ceiling and began to tell her about his life after Pearce came to their home. “I never dreamed he had my parents under any spell. He was so small at first.”
“I think his mother cast the first spell when your parents went to get him. She had the stronger skills, and her spell would have lasted for a long time. When it began to weaken, Pearce must have been old enough to redo it. At least, that’s my guess,” Kira said.
“I think you’re right. Anyway, I put up a wall so no one else could hurt me. All my energy went into studying. I knew early on that I wanted to be some type of doctor.”
“But you and Hakan had time to get into boyish pranks and have fun.”
“Yes.” He smiled, and her heart raced. “If not for him, I’d really be an asshole.”
“Oh, I don’t think he managed to stop that from happening.”
His loud laugh shocked her. His gray eyes sparkled and his mouth stretched wide. He looked different, even more handsome.
She went to the bedside and touched his face. “It didn’t crack.” Her hands stroked his cheeks. “If you do that more often, women will be chasing you down the street.”
Lonato took hold of her hand and kissed her palm. “I only want one woman to chase me around the bedroom.”
“I’m not an easy woman. You’ll have to prove yourself.”
“How can I do that? I don’t want to wait months before we marry. I want you to marry Hakan and me very soon.”
“We’ll see. I’ll be watching your actions and listening closely. I don’t want to wait months either.”
“I may slip up occasionally at first, but I promise each day I’ll get better.” He pulled her head down to him and kissed her mouth. “And I won’t ever holler at you again. I need you, I love you, and my world will never be the same without you.”
>
“Dr. Rexford, you’re almost poetic. I…”
Someone knocked. “Come in,” Lonato called out.
A young man in a green uniform opened the door. “I’m from rehab. The doctor ordered a session for you before you leave. Afterward, you’ll be discharged.”
Lonato had started to frown, but quickly switched to a more pleasant expression. “Thank you for coming to get me so promptly. I’m anxious to get home.”
The young man smiled. “I can’t blame you. It’s hard to lie in bed when you’re used to being active.”
Lonato eyed the wheelchair the man had brought in with him. Kira waited. She knew how he’d usually react.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to walk.”
“Rehab is on another floor. It’s hospital policy, Dr. Rexford.” The man looked worried. He expected an explosion of anger no doubt.
“Hmmm.” Lonato glanced at Kira and flashed the half smile she loved. “I suppose I have to be a good example.” He sat in the chair. “Will you wait here for me?”
“Yes.” She bent and kissed him. “Take him away and make him work hard.”
“I’m biting my tongue.”
She laughed as he was rolled out and down the hall. She’d just sat when Hakan came in.
“You’re all alone.”
“Lonato got good news, but he still must do rehab for another week.”
“He’s going to be able to operate?”
“His doctor believes he will.”
“Did you all have a chance to talk?”
“Some, but he knows he’s on probation.” She grinned. “He actually laughed when I teased him. I mean, laughed out loud.”
“I’m glad. Look, I’ve got work to catch up on and patients to see in my office. I won’t get back home until early evening. Why don’t you and Rex take this time for just the two of you?”
“Exactly what I was thinking.” She went to him and wrapped her body tight against his. “You will come home tonight. I want to enjoy both of you together.”
“With such an incentive, I’ll make sure I’m finished by six and home by seven.”
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 16