The Army Ranger's Surprise (the Men of At-Ease Ranch)

by Donna Michaels

  Leo glanced down at the saw in his hand. Unlike the tool belts and tools they each kept in their trucks, the bigger tools had their own barn for storage and a log to track movement should an emergency arise and a tool be needed in a hurry.

  He chuckled. “But it is a tough decision.” He placed the saw down on a shelf, then checked it in on the log.

  “Right. Sure it is.” Brick scratched the bridge of his nose with the thumb of his free hand, a smile tugging at his lips. “Ranks right up there with picking out china patterns and table gunners or runners or whatever the hell they’re called.”

  Leo grinned. “Ah…Beth has you helping her fill out your registry.”

  The wedding was two months away, and no doubt, the most important one of the woman’s career as an event planner.

  “Yeah, but she’s putting extra pressure on herself,” Brick said. “Worried it won’t look good for business if she can’t coordinate her own perfect wedding. That’s why I’m not sure I should be helping. Hell, I’m the last person who knows a Hedgewood from Crouquett—”

  Leo was pretty sure those names weren’t correct, but it was fruitless to point it out to the clueless man.

  “—or cares if lemon goes with periwinkle,” Brick continued. “I just want her to be happy.”

  “My guess is that you helping her pick things out for your house makes her happy,” Leo said.

  His buddy put the tile cutter down in the corner with a sigh. “Yeah. Exactly. I’m hoping to end the torture tonight. We’re finally on the last damn page.”

  “So I take it you’re not staying for the group session?”

  Brick looked up from the logbook and shook his head. “Nah. Gonna get this registry nailed down tonight if it’s the last thing I do. What about you?”

  “Can’t make it tonight.” As it was, Leo had just enough time to grab a quick shower and get to Dallas around the time Kaydee should return from dropping her grandfather and his grandmother off at bingo.

  His buddy fell into step as they walked toward the door. “Heading up to Dallas to see your grandmother?”

  “Yeah.” He locked the barn but didn’t bother to enlighten the man about Kaydee.

  There wasn’t time. Not if he wanted to beat the traffic and spend an hour or two with her. Alone. Which he did.

  So he showered, changed, and rushed north, holding a piece of barbecue chicken Vince shoved in his hand on the way out the door. By the time he pulled into his grandmother’s driveway, the chicken was gone and Kaydee was home.

  Instead of going into his grandmother’s house, he strode across the street and knocked on Kaydee’s door. The fleeting urge to run, to play it safe and steer them back into the friend zone, flickered through him. But as soon as the door opened and her warm, welcoming smile met his, he relaxed, wanting to do more than exist, wanting to feel again. And damn, Kaydee sure as hell made him feel.

  “Hi.” She stood back to let him in, her voice a little breathless, as if maybe he made her feel, too. “You made good time.”

  Holding her gaze, he stepped inside and grinned. “I was motivated.”

  “You were?” Her eyes rounded, and a pretty blush colored her cheeks.

  Damn, she was beautiful.

  “Yep.”

  She cleared her throat, but the grin remained, while she waved at the boxes stacked near the stairs. “I wasn’t aware that hanging tile could be fun.”

  “Oh, it can be. Trust me.”

  “I’m…ah…not sure we’re talking about the same thing,” she said. “So I’ll take your word for it.”

  They stood there smiling at each other, and he knew if he didn’t move, the tile wouldn’t make it upstairs tonight.

  He stepped past her and grabbed a box. “I didn’t think you’d have trouble finding it in stock.”

  On Wednesday, he’d figured out how much of the standard white subway tile she’d need for her shower so she could buy it and have it ready for him to install this weekend. Thankfully, she’d listened and hadn’t tried to carry the tile upstairs herself.

  “They had plenty.”

  After placing the last box in the bathroom, he turned around to find she’d followed him upstairs and was smiling at him in the doorway.

  “What?”

  “Those boxes were damn heavy, and you haven’t even broken a sweat.”

  Oh, he was hot all right, but not from lifting tile. The way desire deepened the brown in her eyes was making him even hotter.

  He stepped toward her. “Why do I get the feeling you’re thinking of something else now?”

  “Because I am.” Her grin widened. “The guy at the store told me my taste in tile was common, and I can’t help but think about how your taste is anything but common.”

  Shit.

  He inhaled as awareness spiked through his body. “Kaydee…damn…you shouldn’t say things like that.”

  “Why not?” She smiled. “It’s true.”

  That did nothing to lessen the need rushing through him. “You’re making it hard for me to concentrate on working. The tile—”

  “Can wait,” she said, cutting him off, more color infusing her cheeks. “I mean, if you want.”

  Jesus.

  “Oh, I want,” he said, brushing her heated cheek with the back of his knuckles. As much as he wanted to take things further, he needed to be certain she understood the risk. “I want very much, but are you sure, Kaydee? You’re my grandmother’s neighbor, and your grandfather is…seeing my grandmother or something. I just don’t want to make anything awkward for you.”

  She ran her hands up his chest and shifted closer. “I appreciate it, but I’m done fighting this crazy attraction between us. So if you’re done fighting it, too, then yeah, I’m very sure.”

  Chapter Eight

  Her words and the feel of her soft curves barely brushing his body washed away the last of Leo’s caution. With his heart beating hard in his chest, he cupped her face in both hands and kissed her without holding back.

  Being with Kaydee may turn out to be a mistake. A damn big one, but right now, at this moment, Leo didn’t care. Everything faded away when he touched her.

  The weight on his shoulders.

  Guilt.

  Shame.

  Worry.

  It all disappeared in her arms. And heaven help him, it was damned addicting. And although they’d only kissed and touched a few times, each embrace was incredibly better than the last.

  Tonight was proving no exception.

  The beautiful woman’s reactions to his kisses and touches made him starve for more. So much so, he was barely holding it together as he crushed her closer.

  A soft moan rumbled in her throat, and she pressed him against the door, then rubbed her sweet curves up and down his body.

  Son of a bitch…she felt good.

  “Leo,” she uttered when they broke for air, her fingers fisting his hair before pulling his mouth so close her lips brushed his as she spoke. “I want you so bad I can taste it.” Then she kissed him, again and again, moaning into his mouth as if he were the best thing she ever tasted.

  Holy shit, the woman had him hard and throbbing like no other.

  With need calling the shots, he bent and swept her off her feet, uncaring that her flip-flops fell off when he carried her into the hall. “Which is your room?”

  “Last door on the left,” she replied near his ear before sinking her teeth in his neck.

  Son of a…

  Reaching the room, he set her feet down and immediately pressed her against the nearest wall, where he captured her wicked mouth. She moaned again and wrapped her leg around his thigh, tugging him closer.

  Damn woman was trying to kill him.

  After he entwined their fingers and held her hands against the wall on either side of her head, he slowed the kiss, brushing his tongue just inside her bottom lip. She let out another of her sexy little sounds and squeezed his hands.

  Taking that to mean she wanted more, he swept his ton
gue fully inside her hot mouth and slowly, thoroughly explored every delicious inch. She tugged her hands free to shove them under his shirt while her tongue brushed his, upping his already-erratic pulse.

  Her responses were amazing, and he noted she was far from alone. His stomach quivered where she stroked, and he was still wrapping his brain around that when she broke the kiss to push his shirt up.

  Always happy to lend a hand, he stepped back and yanked it over his head, then stopped breathing when she inhaled and stared at him with a crazed hunger heating her gaze.

  “Jesus, Kaydee, if you don’t stop looking at me like that I’m going to burst.”

  “Don’t do that.” She shook her head and stepped past him. “Not yet.”

  He twisted around and was about to respond when she turned to face him, grasped the bottom of her tank top and ripped it over her head, presenting him a mouthwatering view of generous curves spilling out of a lacy white bra.

  “Damn,” he breathed, heart rocking in his chest when she popped the hook on her bra, and two seconds later, stood before him in nothing but her cutoffs.

  Then she unfastened her shorts and they fell to her feet, leaving her in a sexy scrap of white lace.

  Leo almost swallowed his tongue. Almost. But he had plans for it and her. He stepped right up to those soft, supple curves and tugged her against him. She was too damn gorgeous for him to keep his distance any longer. Capturing her startled gasp with his mouth, he gave in to the hunger only Kaydee inspired.

  And he was inspired. So damn much.

  After several glorious moments, he released her lips to drag in air while he kissed a path to the curve of her neck.

  “Damn…Leo.” She gasped again and raked her fingernails across his back. “Your jaw…”

  He stilled and drew back, frowning at her reddening skin. “Christ, Kaydee. I’m sorry.”

  “What? Why?” She blinked. “No. Don’t be. It feels amazing. Please don’t stop.”

  Relief washed through him. He hated the thought of hurting her.

  She reached for him and grinned—a wicked grin that wrecked his pulse while her hand slowly trailed down his body to strum his abs and brush the waistband of his jeans. “You have more clothes on than I do. We should rectify that.”

  He captured her wrist and brought her bold hand to his lips. “Oh, we’re going to rectify a lot of things.”

  Her grin broadened, and she ran her free hand down his chest and abs again. “Good to know,” she said in a low, breathless tone, then traced his erection through his jeans. “I hope freeing you is one of them, because damn, I’m so ready.”

  Ah hell. She was definitely trying to kill him.

  “Sit on the bed,” he said in a rough voice.

  Heaven help him, her eyes flared with the same fierce need rushing through him as he stalked her the whole way. The instant the back of her knees hit the mattress, she sat down, and her gorgeous breasts bounced, beckoning his attention. He gave it willingly, dropping to his knees to cup each one, delighting in the way her nipples puckered under his touch.

  The woman was absolutely breathtaking.

  “Leo.” Her deep, throaty tone and the way she arched into his hands had blood whistling through his ears and a shaft of heat shooting straight to his throbbing groin.

  Fierce hunger ruled his thoughts and actions, sharpening his focus to just the two of them. All that mattered was pleasing Kaydee and giving in to the heat consuming them.

  Leaning forward, he sucked a delicious peak into his mouth and rolled the other between his thumb and forefinger, tugging both until she moaned and arched her body again. Wanting to up her pleasure, he removed his mouth from her nipple and blew on her wet skin, smiling at her hiss of breath. He switched sides, needing to hear her sexy sounds some more.

  Leo pressed her back to the mattress, then brushed his lips over her ribs and belly to nip at her hips. He wanted to lick and bite and taste every inch of her gorgeous body. And would. Later. Right now, his mission concerned the paradise waiting for him beneath her lace. He hooked his fingers under the sexy material and tugged it off, then kneeling in front of her, he placed a hand on each leg and spread her wide.

  Every last part of him tightened while his mouth watered, longing to taste the exquisiteness before him.

  “Leo…” Her plea was full of need. “Are you going to stare or do any of that rectifying you spoke about?”

  He grinned. “Both.” Holding her gaze, he ran a hand up her trembling thigh to lightly stroke her glistening folds.

  She jumped and sucked in a breath.

  “Definitely both.” He placed her legs over his shoulders and tugged her sweet ass to the edge of the bed. “And taste, too,” he said before leaning down to put his mouth on her.

  Another of her throaty sounds met his ears while her hands went to his head. The more he experimented and explored, the tighter her fingers dug into his scalp. He didn’t care. He reveled in her reactions, and continued until he discovered the rhythm and length of stroke that did her in. It stuck in his memory, as did the sight of her, the sound and taste of her.

  She rocked her hips. “Damn…your beard…it feels amazing.”

  Beard? He didn’t have one. Not really. Not a full one, although he hadn’t shaved in over a week.

  Her head lifted off the mattress, and she met his gaze. “So amazing.”

  What was amazing was her taste. But he didn’t tell her. That would require him to remove his mouth from her sweetness, which wasn’t happening. Not until she was thoroughly satisfied.

  After making several more passes with his tongue, he curled it and dipped inside, upping his pace. Kaydee’s hold increased, and she moaned his name as she arched off the bed.

  Blood pounded through his ears, and his heart nearly burst from his chest. She could make him bald for all he cared. He’d never felt so alive.

  But as much as he loved holding her on the brink, he knew he hovered much too close to the edge himself. He was reaching it. Fast. But it wasn’t time for him. Not yet.

  Drawing back, he blew on her wet flesh in short concentrated bursts.

  “Leo…”

  Sliding a finger inside her, he leaned forward to gently take her back into his mouth. That sent her over. Kaydee burst and cried out his name in a breathy, erotic tone forever burned in his head.

  No one had ever said his name like that.

  Damn…it was exhilarating.

  He brought her down slowly, barely hanging on to his control. She was so much better than he’d imagined. And he needed to be inside her, because that would no doubt be better than he’d imagined, too.

  Drawing back, he put her legs down, then shot to his feet to quickly shed the rest of his clothes. The beauty watched him fish a condom from his jeans and roll it on. Her face was flushed, and her expression was satiated. Warmth spread through his chest. He put that satisfied look on her face.

  She lifted up on her elbows and smiled at him. “That was…you were…wow.”

  He liked “wow,” and the fact that she had trouble talking.

  A wicked gleam entered her eyes. “Now it’s time we take care of you.”

  Chapter Nine

  Kaydee scooted up the mattress and spread her legs.

  Leo’s heart stopped for a full beat, then nearly rocked out of his damn chest. How the hell had he gotten so lucky? Because, yeah…hell, yeah. That was exactly where he wanted to be.

  Without hesitation, he crawled over her, bending down to kiss a path up her soft curves, paying special attention to her sensitive nipples on his way to her neck. She sighed and ran her hands down his back, then clutched him as he guided his fingers between her legs. So wet. He swallowed. Hard. And clenched his jaw in an attempt to keep his cool.

  “So good.” She rocked into his strokes. “How can you have me ready so soon? But I am, Leo. I need you inside me.”

  Ah hell. He was done. Straightening, he positioned his tip at her slick entrance, grabbed her hips, and pus
hed slowly inside.

  So damn perfect.

  He knew she’d feel perfect.

  “Oh…wow.” Her voice was but a whisper.

  He clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to drive the rest of the way in. “You okay? Still with me?”

  “Yes. All the way,” she said on a hitched breath, and proved it by lifting her hips until she took in every fucking inch.

  Damn. That felt good. She felt good. So damn fucking good.

  For the first time in over two years—no…ever—Leo was in heaven. He felt amazing. At peace. Just…good.

  He felt good.

  It’d been so long. He’d nearly forgotten how wonderful good felt.

  “I’m with you, Leo,” she murmured. “So with you, but I need you to move.”

  He choked out a laugh. He needed that, too. “Your fault,” he said. “You feel…”

  “Rectified?” she teased.

  God, she had this amazing way of making him smile, too.

  “Working on it.” He dipped down to kiss her quick before pressing his palms on the mattress on either side of her head and locking his elbows. “I’m working on it,” he repeated, holding her gaze as he began to thrust.

  Slow, at first, wanting to enjoy the feel of her warmth engulfing him. The drag and pull of their bodies was already nearly too much. Hunger and tenderness washed through him. He could take her hard and fast, or slower and savor the bliss.

  He aimed for something in between.

  Leaning down, he captured one of her beckoning nipples in his mouth, while he lifted enough to slide a hand between them to stroke the spot that drove her wild.

  “Leo…I…” Kaydee moaned beneath him, trembling and bucking and tightening around him while she burst.

  He watched her face as she went over the edge. Her eyes closed, she threw her head back, and her lips parted with a moan that nearly took him with her.

  Damn, that was hot.

  He was going to hold on to that image forever. It was honest, and pure, and real. As real as the heat spiraling down his back and tingling his balls. He straightened and grasped her hips, pulling nearly all the way out before plunging deep, calling her name as he let go of his control and came with her. As he pumped in and out, he closed his eyes, and his whole being centered on their connection and the feel of warm, slick heat hugging him tight, embracing him as she continued to coax out the fiercest release of his life.