Prairie Heat (Cowboys of The Flint Hills #1)

by Tessa Layne

  Jamey glared at Brodie, and pulling herself up tall, jabbed him in the chest. “Back off you arse weed. You might think you’re Mister Hotcakes, but if you can’t make soup outta chicken shit, you better not piss off the cook.”

  Brodie flushed and cast his gaze downwards. Looking back up, he winked and put on his best charmer smile. “Aww shit. I’m sorry, hon.”

  “Don’t you honey me. I will serve your balls for dinner if you cross me.” She turned on her heel and swept through the door.

  Blake shook with laughter, clapping Brodie on the back. “Better watch out. I think you just met your match.”

  He pulled Maddie close and stepped through the door to the cheers and catcalls of their friends and family.

  Corks popped, and Gunnar and Axel began to pass the champagne.

  First, the Hansen toasts came in Norwegian. Next, the Irish toasts offered by Jamey and her family. Finally all eyes turned toward his brothers and sister.

  Ben spoke first.

  “Blake, you’ve always been our rock. You’ve held us together through thick and thin.”

  “Through the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Emma added. Her reference drew a titter from the crowd gathered on the lawn.

  Brodie swallowed, clearly wrestling with emotion. “Through laughter and tears, you’ve sacrificed so we could thrive.”

  Maddie’s breath caught, and he fought the huge lump of emotion that lodged itself in his larynx. She squeezed his hand.

  Ben spoke again, his eyes glittering. “All this time we’d never dreamed that you would find your own rock.”

  “A life partner and soul mate,” Emma’s voice chimed in.

  “A beautiful woman with a heart so big she’d love all of us.” Brodie reached out and ruffled Simon’s head.

  Blake squeezed Maddie’s hand. Dammit. He would not let his brothers make him cry. His heart grew fuller with every beat.

  Simon pulled out a piece of paper and stood very tall. Looking out at the gathering, he grabbed a glass of water. “Please raise your glass.”

  Glasses, beer bottles, and soda cans all rose into the air.

  Ben stepped forward. “If our many greats granny was here she’d say the following: Shelter in the storm. Sunshine on your path. Wind at your back. And a heart to warm you by the fire at night.” He raised his glass and drained it.

  “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, your granny sounds Irish,” Jamey muttered behind them.

  Cheers erupted on the lawn and Blake swung Maddie into his arms, kissing her deeply. When they finally broke apart, someone had turned on the music and guests had started to move to the back yard where dinner would be served.

  Blake pulled her close, cupping her ass in his hand.

  Hmm…

  No panties…

  He couldn’t wait to get her alone.

  He kissed her gently, letting his lips linger on her sweet fullness. “Come, wife. Time to mingle, but then I have a surprise for you.”

  She smiled coyly. “Good. I might have one or two myself.”

  He leaned into her ear, nibbling just under her lobe. “I hope one is what I felt just now? Or what I didn’t feel?” He kissed her neck again, inhaling deeply, letting her fragrance fill him.

  “Mmm. Hmmm. Perhaps…”

  “Alright, alright, you two. Save it for the bedroom.” Brodie approached them with two glasses of champagne. “Right now we’ve got more important things to do. Like eat.”

  “And ogle Jamey,” Maddie muttered under her breath so only he could hear. He squeezed her hand in agreement.

  They made their way around back to the tables laden with barbecue, potato salad, cornbread and Irish soda bread, bison tenderloin sliders from the Sinclaire freezers, fruit salad, Caesar salad, and fancy finger food Blake assumed must be Jamey’s creations.

  Jamey and Dottie were everywhere at once, serving, refilling glasses, and directing people to the beer and soda coolers. Someone handed them plates, and the next few hours were spent in a whirlwind of eating, drinking, and laughing.

  As the sun dipped low and twilight descended, Gunnar and Axel launched fireworks they had stashed from previous Fourth of July celebrations.

  That was his signal. He squeezed Maddie’s hand and cocked his head toward the barn. “Come on.”

  Looking like a guilty teenager with mischief in her eyes, she nodded and followed.

  She hitched her dress up around her knees. He stopped, scooped her up and continued over to the corral. He was sick of waiting to be alone with her. Desire got the better of him and he stopped, covering her mouth. He flicked his tongue against her lower lip, and she opened to him with a small whimper, inviting him to go deeper. Deeper he went, sweeping his tongue against hers, letting her down gently so he could palm her ass, pulling her hips against his straining erection.

  He tore his mouth away. “Can you wait a bit longer, my love?”

  “Are you serious?” She panted. “I’ve been waiting all day.”

  “Just a bit longer, I promise. Besides, don’t you have surprises for me?”

  Her eyes glittered mysteriously in the twilight. “Yes, but I was waiting for the right moment.”

  “This isn’t it?”

  She shook her head. “Not yet.”

  “Well, then. I have something to show you.”

  Her hand snaked out, grabbing the waist of his denim. “Oh yes please. Tell me it’s time for show and tell.”

  He gathered up the silky folds of her dress, diving underneath. Bingo. She’d gone commando. His cock twitched against his jeans. His fingers found her slick folds and opened her, diving into her wetness. “Jesus, Maddie. You’re always so ready.”

  She let out a breathy laugh. “It’s all your fault.”

  “God I want my mouth on you now. I don’t care who sees.”

  She laughed again. Low and sultry. “Hold on there, cowboy. It’s so much better when we’re alone.”

  “Then let’s get the hell out of here.”

  He pulled her over to the rails where Blaze waited patiently, saddled and ready. Lifting her up, he helped adjust her dress, then mounted behind her. He pulled her close, remembering the last ride they’d shared and where they’d ended up. Spinning Blaze around, they headed around the barn and headed out toward the north pasture.

  The noise of the revelers and fireworks faded behind them, and soon they were surrounded by the rising sounds of evening. The first stars glittered in the twilight. Maddie relaxed into him and he sighed contentedly. Only a little further. Just over the next rise. He held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

  As they crested, she gasped. “What is this?”

  Only a few yards in front of them stood a canvas tent, glowing like a beacon in the fading light. In front of the entrance, a crackling fire danced and flickered. Just outside the ring of light, but still discernible, stood a very large telescope.

  Maddie quivered in his arms, covering her mouth in surprise. “Someone was very busy today.”

  “I had a little help.”

  He dismounted and turned, pulling her into his arms. He placed a tender kiss on her upturned face. “Come see. I’ve been waiting for days to show you this.”

  “When? How?”

  “I asked your new boss for a recommendation, then Ben and Brodie drove to Kansas City to pick it up.”

  She hitched her skirt up and practically skipped over to the telescope, circling it.

  He rattled off the stats nervously. “It’s a fourteen-inch Celestron with all the trimmings. You’ll have to show me how to use it. I’ve never looked in one.”

  “I’ll show you Andromeda, our nearest galaxy. And the Globular Cluster. It looks like a magic globe.” She came back to where he was standing and ran her palms up his chest, leaning into him.

  “I want to tour the universe with you, but first I want to take a tour closer to home. Right. Here.” He brought his hands up behind her, undoing the pins of her veil. Tossing it aside, he buried his fingers in her hair, tilti
ng her head to expose her neck.

  Her lips parted and her tongue flicked out as she dropped her gaze.

  Everywhere her body connected with his, tendrils of lust snaked down, binding him to her. He lowered his head, stopping to let his lips brush back and forth across hers, savoring the ripples of passion that flowed between them.

  “Maddie?” He lowered his lips to hers, tasting, exploring, savoring. He began to undo the buttons at her back, slowly exposing her to the warm spring air.

  “Mmm?”

  “You said you had a second surprise?”

  Her lashes fluttered and she smiled coyly as she inserted her fingers into his waistband, fumbling with the button of his denim.

  “Well, it might take awhile… About seven and a half more months to be exact.”

  His hands stilled.

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “Are you okay?”

  Joy burst in his chest, and he threw his head back, laughing. He picked her up swinging her around.

  “Yes. Perfectly okay.” He lowered her to the ground, keeping her flush against his body, and resumed undoing her buttons. The sooner she was rid of this dress, the better.

  “But when did you know for sure?”

  “A week ago. But by then we’d already planned for today, and I wanted to tell you when we could savor it together.”

  He reached the last button, and gently pushed the dress off her shoulders, baring her to the night sky.

  Her skin glowed in the firelight. He sank to his knees, trailing kisses down her chest to her belly. He tenderly kissed the slight curve. Keeping his mouth above her soft curls, he quickly doffed his shirt and pulled her hips to him.

  “Yes. Savoring is good.” Planting one last kiss on her belly, he stood, sweeping her into his arms and stepped into the tent where a mattress covered in soft furs waited for them. “I think we should begin savoring right now.”

  THE BEGINNING OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER

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  PRAIRIE PASSION – Brodie Sinclaire & Jamey O’Neill (On Sale Feb. 10th 2017)

  Out of the Frying Pan

  Brodie Sinclaire, the youngest and wildest of the Sinclaire brothers, has just been given an ultimatum. Settle down and run the hunting lodge his brothers have built, or find a new job – on another ranch. His first order of business is to find a cook who will last more than a week. He gets more than he bargained for when the cook he hires turns out to be his sister-in-law’s best friend, fiery redhead and Cordon Bleu trained chef, Jamey O’Neill.

  And Into the fire

  In the span of a week Jamey O’Neill has lost everything. Her boyfriend, her restaurant, and her career – thanks to a devastating health diagnosis. Broke, and desperate to make a fresh start, she agrees to help the Sinclaires get their hunting lodge off the ground. The last thing she needs is a deliciously handsome cowboy getting under her skin and bossing her in the kitchen.

  Can They Handle the Heat?

  They can’t deny their chemistry is explosive, and Brodie sets out to prove himself to the feisty chef. But can they handle the heat when Brodie is forced to face his past and Jamey wrestles with her future?

  Subscribe to my Newsletter for updates and release information for Prairie Passion and the rest of the Cowboys of the Flint Hills Series.

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  MORE BOOKS IN THE COWBOYS OF THE FLINT HILLS SERIES

  PRAIRIE DESIRE – Ben Sinclaire & Hope Hansen (coming in 2017)

  PRAIRIE STORM – Axel Hansen & Haley Cooper (coming in 2017)

  PRAIRIE OBSESSION – Travis Kincaid & Elaine Ryder (coming in 2017)

  PRAIRIE FIRE – Parker Hansen & Cassidy Grace (coming in 2018)

  PRAIRIE FEVER – Gunnar Hansen & Suzannah Winslow (coming in 2018)

  PRAIRIE ECSTACY – Colton Kincaid & Lydia Grace (coming in 2018)

  PRAIRIE LUST – Jarrod O’Neill & Lexi Grace (coming in 2018)

  PRAIRIE REDEMPTION – Cody Hansen & Carolina Grace (coming in 2018)

  Acknowledgements

  Books are not written in a vacuum. This one certainly wasn’t. There are many, many kindhearted, supportive, and generous souls who believed in me, and helped breathe life into this story. I am deeply grateful for all of you.

  Amanda at Razzle Dazzle Designs – you’ve made the most amazing cover. You perfectly captured everything I couldn’t verbalize but wanted, and I look forward to many more fabulous covers on my books.

  To the RDs and my Chatzy ladies – Thank you for welcoming me into your tribe, for your generosity of spirit, your filthy humor, your celebrations of small wins and encouragement when it’s tough. Nikki Haverstock – you’re the best whipper ever. Zoe York and Sidney Bristol, thank you for all the patient advice, handholding, and leadership. You’re a shining example of what it means to be community.

  To Cora Seton – I never expected when we reconnected that the course of my life would change. Thank you for your encouragement, feedback, generosity, and wisdom. And most importantly, for your friendship. You are a bright spot in this world!

  To Kimberly Troutte – Who I never would have met had it not been for Cora. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for your continued mentorship, encouragement, and your commitment to help me be the best writer I can be. You are the only person who sees my material hot off the press, and I’m immensely grateful for your straight shooting feedback when I’ve strayed, and your unbridled enthusiasm when I’ve nailed it. I couldn’t be luckier to have you on my team!

  To Genevieve Turner and Melissa Blue – Thank you for your expertise and feedback. Your willingness to be truthful has made this book so much stronger. I admire and appreciate you both!

  To Virginia – who read the scandalous pages I wrote as a teenager and still liked them. Someday you will get your hockey player named Logan. Or maybe he’ll be a baseball player Thank you for your feedback and encouragement on doing it for real this time!

  To my fellow lit nerds Jenny and Kara – Thank you for the wine, the comma splice corrections, the brainstorming, and enthusiasm when I needed a boost. Love you both.

  To Rebekah – Thank you for the countless skype sessions, giggles, and words of encouragement along the way.

  To my strong, magic daughters – May you learn every day that you are the authors of your destiny and that true love waits for you.

  Lastly (and most importantly), to the hero of my life, Mr. Cowboy – You keep all the balls spinning and never fail to encourage me when I need it most. I love you to the end of the universe.