Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “Jase…”

  He covered her lips with his, stroking his tongue against hers in a needy and hungry battle. He straddled her hips and took her face between his hands, kissing without stopping until neither of them could breathe.

  She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed up. “Jase, what are you doing? Hi, welcome back, by the way.”

  “Making up for lost time. Hi.” He reached behind her and unhooked her bra, slipping the straps down and the bra away, her breasts exposed to his lips, fingers, his gaze, and he couldn’t get enough of her. His hungry aggression surprised even him, but there was something about this woman that he needed. Her comfort, touch, her soul. “Brenna…Bren.” He dropped his head to her shoulder.

  “I’m here.” She pulled his t-shirt over his head and ran her nails down his back and up again, pulling him tight against her.

  “I need you right now.” He raised up and unhooked the button on her jeans and slid the zipper down. “Slow, just I described, at least the zipper part.” He scooted off her and wriggled them over her hips, down her legs and tossed them to the floor, stopping to look at her in nothing but yellow panties. “You’re spectacular.” He ran a slow gaze over scars that she saw as an atrocity.

  Jase leaned over in the semi-dark room, and traced his fingers along the long lines up to her thigh. Brenna’s body tensed. Leaning forward, he kissed the way back down the scars. “Relax, honey.”

  He dropped his head back and exhaled loudly but peered down at her. “Don’t fear me, I’m not taking you that way yet. Aghhh, I hate being a gentleman sometimes.” He took one finger and started between her breasts and went straight down until he touched her hot center, and he gently swiped his finger over her, changing to two.

  Watching her squirm excited him. Her last, yes, that’s what I’ll be. And her first. Jase was out of breath, imagining it, owning what no one else ever had. He leaned forward and kissed her breasts, one and the other, slow with sensual suckling. Moving lower he licked around her navel, kissing and nipping her skin while her fingers played with his hair.

  The front door slammed and he sat up in a hurry, his heart slamming into his ribs. Dammit!

  “Bren, where are you? Is that the dude’s truck out there?”

  Brenna leaned on her elbows, nodding toward the door. “I’m in here, Chloe. Lock it, Jase.”

  He got off the bed, eased the door closed, and flipped the lock. The room darkened without the light from the hall.

  Chloe came to the end of the hallway. “Bren, can I get something to eat with Davy?”

  She gulped, trying to speak. “Y-yes, it’s okay. I’ll be right out.”

  “Don’t bother. We’ll be back soon.”

  “Don’t stay out late.” The front door slammed again. Brenna curled to her side.

  He stood beside the bed, his chest heaving with deep breaths, waiting to see what she’d do. He could barely breathe seeing her there on the bed with her perfect breasts hidden beneath her folded arms, and nothing else but panties. I ache for her! Sonofabitch.

  “There’s a candle on my dresser if you want to light it. Matches are right beside it.”

  He did and when he came back to bed, she held her arms out to him. He dropped back beside her and did a once over of her body, again. Astride her, he picked up where he’d left off, right at her navel, and going lower. He pulled the waistband of her panties down and kissed her belly, yet, glanced to her face. Her eyes were closed, lips barely parted, and her look spoke of pleasure.

  “I want you, baby,” he whispered before removing her panties. Jase kissed his way back to her lips and took her kiss in a frenzy. “I want you, sweetheart.”

  Brenna opened her eyes and met his stare. “I know, Jase, I want you too. It’s okay. I’m excited to have you.”

  “Oh, girl. What the hell are you saying?” He took her face between his hands. He shouldn’t have come here like this. Right now everything about him was like a wounded animal and he wanted to be put out of his misery.

  “I’m saying I want us to make love. It’s time.” Candlelight captured tears sparkling in the corner of her eyes.

  Using a thumb to wipe a tear away, he asked, “Why are you crying?”

  She gulped. “I don’t know.”

  “Are you sure?” Was it real? Did he have another dream? The glow in her eyes told him it was real this time. Her hot flesh beneath him said reality.

  “I’m sure.”

  Jase lowered his hand and tenderly ran his fingers over her, softly, precisely with featherlike touches, and he took his time giving her pleasure. “Are you afraid?”

  “No…and yes, but I’m not afraid of you.”

  “Trust me, honey.” He moved to his side and leaned on one elbow, taking in the total sight of her. He had to calm himself down. Her fingers went to his button and she undid it, her gaze glued to his. That wasn’t what he needed to calm down. She lowered his zipper and he moaned, the touch of her fingers grazing him was searing and unbelievably exciting.

  He got off the bed and took his wallet from his pocket, removing a condom before dropping his pants onto the floor. He got back on the bed and moved to his back.

  “Touch me,” he whispered. “Feel me first. Know me.” Jase could hardly speak when her fingers so tenderly stroked him, getting to know how he felt. “Mmm, baby you have no idea how magical your touch is. I don’t know if I’ll even make it.”

  “Jase…I, God, I love…I—”

  “Are ya trying to say you love me? I love you.” He finally said again what he’d been feeling since he drove into that school parking lot. Yes, he admitted it. He fell in love with her. How much longer could he deny it? “I have loved you, Brenna.”

  Brenna turned to her side. “I love you, Jase Carlson.” A smile broke out on her face. “You’re my first at everything.”

  “Yeah, I am, almost. Know that I fell in love with you before you would even believe it. I don’t know how that happened. I didn’t want to.” Jase eased his fingers over her skin, over her thigh, using his fingers to gingerly entice her…for his…love. He eased her to her back and dipped his head lower and gave one swipe of his tongue against her, savoring her sweet taste. When her body shuddered, he smiled to himself, and went back for another.

  He continued touching and playing, and he watched as she floated away to oblivion, her body bucking through her passion. Her climax almost brought him to his, but he’d let her calm down a minute before he brought her a minute of pain when he promised he wouldn’t hurt her. He took the package from the bed and unwrapped it. He put it on and moved partially on top of her.

  “Jase. Oh, you’re such a marvelous man.” She held his face with both hands. Her chest swelled with each labored breath.

  “Baby, you haven’t even begun to know, yet.” He eased on top of her, and ever so gently and slowly probed against her, moving as easily as he knew how, taking his time until she was comfortable. He wanted to scream out at their first connection but he held her and gave one easy push, feeling her body wince beneath his as she fisted the blankets.

  Her teeth sunk into his shoulder. He kissed her lips and let her tears flow as he savored each cell this woman had in her body. He loved her, loved her when he thought he’d never be able to again. “Oh, Brenna, I’m sorry to hurt you.” He held there in a still position until she was used to his body, giving almost all of him, and then…the last, and he screeched, “Honey, I love you.”

  Her heart beat swiftly against his chest, her body still tense. “Relax… Relax and breathe. Take a deep breath.” Jase sighed in pleasure when she barely made a movement, but it was enough and all he needed. It had been so long. “Oh, darlin’!” He clenched her hands and entwined their fingers, collapsing against her. “I’m sorry it went so quickly.”

  Her fingers wrapped around the back of his neck and she peered into his eyes. “Extraordinary either way. I want more. Teach me to do what you like.”

  “Oh, Bren, no problem, but it’ll come natura
l. Give me a minute or two.” Her arms held him and he sunk into her being, her comfort. She set his heart into a whirl and this woman was exactly what he needed.

  “Jase…thank you.” She clutched him tight against her and his heart melted as she moved her hips beneath him.

  He moaned in a pleasant sigh. “Mm…I’m speechless right now.”

  “I have a million things to say, but all I can think of is, wow.”

  He moved partially off her, clinging still against the side of her body. “You haven’t seen anything yet. There’s a lot more where that came from. I’m glad you like it,” he whispered.

  “Love it. The fact that I waited, for you, makes it complete. This is absolutely the most perfect moment.”

  Jase could’ve been floating on a cloud. This experience was one he’d never had and overwhelmed him both physically and mentally. To think this woman gave herself to him blew his mind, and he loved her even more than he thought possible. “I didn’t know this would affect me like this. The fact you…never mind, no words are needed.”

  “I know what you mean. It’s so special for me that you are, indeed, my first.” Brenna laughed out loud and cried at the same time. “I’m so in love with you.”

  “The next time will be better, and the time after that, even better. I promise.”

  “I’ll make it better for you, too. I want you again so badly.”

  “Me too. Tell me when.”

  “Now,” she whispered. Her fingers stroked him and he didn’t know how he’d handle this second time because he felt like a wild stallion raring to go. “I’ll try to be gentle…the rest of the night.”

  “I need to learn.”

  “We’ll take it slow,” he whispered reaching into his jeans pocket. Her first…her last.

  ***

  “Brenna are you coming up for air?”

  Jase rolled over and looked toward the door, getting his bearings after falling asleep, worn out from three…maybe four sessions of extraordinary lovemaking. Hell, maybe it was five.

  “Yes, I’m breathing just fine, Chloe.” Brenna ran her fingernails over his chest.

  She tapped on the door. “You still didn’t tell me if that was the dude’s truck?”

  “Yeah, it’s the dude’s truck,” said Jase.

  “Thought so.”

  “I’ll be right out,” said Brenna, curling against him.

  “Didn’t you say that earlier?” Chloe ended it with a big laugh.

  “She knows. Knows what I did in here.”

  “When I came here tonight, it wasn’t my intention to make love to you like this. I needed to be with you and my animal came unchained.”

  “I encouraged you, so I’m as guilty. I’m not sorry, Jase. Not one bit. Are you?”

  “Hell no, sweetheart. I wanted you to know I wouldn’t have gone all the way with you, if you hadn’t approved.”

  Brenna cupped her hand around the side of his face. “I know.”

  “Good, I’m glad you trust me. It’s important to me that you do.” He slid his arm around her waist, still lost and in a dream-like state. “It still feels like I’ll wake up and find this a dream.”

  “It isn’t.” Brenna sat up in bed. “We should get out of the bedroom. I’m sure Chloe is pissed at me. She’s never experienced catching me with a man before.”

  “Not even your old boyfriend?” Jase ran his finger up and down her arm.

  “Not in the bedroom. Everyone can’t be trusted, Jase.”

  “Jerk! I’ll kick his ass for you.”

  Brenna laughed. “No need. I never gave him the chance.”

  “Lucky for me.”

  “Yes,” she said, getting out of bed. She pulled the top blanket off and wrapped it around her. “I have to get dressed and go out.”

  Jase peered at his watch. “I’m starved. Let’s order something to eat. I wonder if Davy’s here.”

  “Good question. I hope not. It’ll be embarrassing enough to face my sister.”

  He lifted her chin. “You’re a grown woman and didn’t need permission from anyone but yourself.” Jase kissed her before reaching for his jeans. “I’ll go out first.” He yanked them on and pulled his t-shirt over his head. “Come out when you’re ready. I’ll get the first blast.”

  “Be prepared for anything.” She headed for the bathroom. “I’ll take a shower and join you. Order anything you want to eat. I’m starved now, too.” Brenna winked at him before closing the bathroom door, but she came back out and hugged him. “I do love you,” she said, smoothing out his hair. She left his arms again and disappeared into the bathroom.

  She’s so gorgeous. “I’m a lucky man,” he mumbled. He opened the door and walked out into the hallway and dropped his boots by the front door. Chloe waited on the sofa watching TV. He took a deep breath and wondered how he could be intimidated by a seventeen-year-old girl.

  He eased into the recliner. Chloe lowered the volume. Shit, here it comes.

  She faced him. “Did you find your kids, Jase?”

  Huh, Chloe is being considerate? “Nah, nothing. Pretty disappointing.”

  “I’m sorry.” She glanced at the TV but turned back and pierced him with a stare. “Is my sister coming out?” Her eyes narrowed. “Is she okay?”

  He narrowed his eyes in return. “Yeah, she’ll be right here. She’s fine. Why?”

  “Just checkin’.” She snickered when she took her attention back to the TV.

  “Listen, Chloe…I want you to know that I’ve fallen in love with your sister. She’s safe with me. I won’t hurt her.” He glanced at the scar on Chloe’s wrist. What kind of hell did these girls go through?

  Chloe held up her arm when she saw him looking. “Do you want to ask about it?”

  He questioned himself. “No. I mean…when you all want me to know, you’ll tell me. Brenna told me a little. I know it wasn’t good.”

  “Bren will tell you more. But, for me, I almost lost my hand. I didn’t, so this is what’s left.” She flexed her fingers and twisted her wrist. “I can use it almost perfectly.”

  He didn’t know what to say. “I’m about to order something to eat. Interested?” He took his phone from his pocket. “How were things at the ranch when you were there? Is it still standing?”

  “You have some pretty horses. I sat on one and liked it, too.”

  “Which one did you sit on?” he asked, scrolling through his phone.

  She brought her legs up under her. “Shadow this time. Davy said it was your son’s horse. Was it okay?”

  “Yeah, not the best choice to be sitting a beginner on. Consider going over to my mom’s and she’ll show ya a lot about horses and riding.” He looked up at her. She was as pretty as her sister with the same look of cocky innocence. “I can help at my ranch to get you started if you want.”

  Brenna came out and sat beside Chloe on the sofa. “Did you order?” she asked to Jase.

  He shoved his phone back into his pocket. “I don’t know what to order.”

  “How about something from the restaurant we went to on the 60?” She turned to her sister. “Will you eat with us?”

  Chloe shrugged. “I had something light with Davy. Maybe.”

  He had to turn away because he didn’t want to see Chloe stick her tongue out at Brenna, or whatever teenage girls did when they were mad at their big sister. Instead she looped her arm through Brenna’s and pulled her close. It kind of choked him up.

  Chloe rose from the sofa. “I’ll grab my laptop and look.” On her way to the loft, she said to her sister, “Brenna, can I talk to you for a sec?”

  Brenna glanced at Jase and scrunched up her nose as she stood. “Uh oh.” She headed upstairs.

  Jase turned and watched her go up, and winked when she glanced over at him. While waiting for them to return he called his brother, Tristan.

  “Double Dutch—”

  “Hey, it’s me. I’m in town. How are things?”

  “I’m at your place,” said Tristan. “Where th
e hell are ya?”

  “I’m at Brenna’s. We’re about to get something to eat, carry-out.”

  “Everything’s fine. Her little sis was out here with Davy. What’s up with those two?”

  Jase heard the horses in the background. Warrior probably knew it was him on the phone. He chuckled to himself, and listened to the grunts and neighs. “Nothing I hope for his sake.” How’d he know Davy and the kid would hook up? Or whatever they called it these days.

  “Ya got that right. How’d it go in Yuma? Find out anything?”

  Jase stood and wandered to the window. “No, but listen. I ran into Gary Strong there. He acted damn weird. You know he moved to Fortuna Hills?”

  “I wondered why I hadn’t seen Gary around. What’d ya mean weird? Ain’t Gary weird anyway?”

  Tristan must’ve been filling water buckets because he heard the water splashing. “Fidgety, jumpy. Not himself. Can you do some checking around? See if you can find out why he took off?” It bothered the shit out of him now that he had more time to think about it. “I did some checking while in Yuma. I didn’t come up with anything, but maybe you can think of something I didn’t.”

  “All right. When you coming home?”

  “I don’t know. Later I guess.” Jase glanced toward the upstairs.

  “Ya got it bad for the blonde, huh?” asked Tristan.

  Jase closed his eyes a moment, snickering to himself. “Yeah, but I don’t know how that happened.” For sure it was something he had never expected. He was done with women before that Mustang sat in the parking lot. “You know I never planned it.”

  “Well,” said Tristan. “Go with it. Like Selva told me not long ago. Something like that might only come once in a lifetime.”

  “I thought that the first time, but…this is different.”

  “Yep, ya got that right. I get it, bro.”

  It was time to change the subject. “Nora okay?”

  “So far so good. Therefore, so am I.” Tristan chuckled. “Hey I’ll get the hell home. Max has everything taken care of around here.”