Claimed By Him: (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

by Alexis Winter

  The day is long and slow, but finally, five o’clock rolls around and I’m able to clock out and leave. I climb behind the wheel of my truck, turning over the engine. Instead of heading home, I go by my mom’s place a few towns over. Pulling into the drive, I roll my eyes at the overgrown yard and the trash cans that are overfilled with glass vodka bottles.

  With a deep breath, I climb out and walk to the front door. The second the door opens, Benny, the cat, darts out.

  “Mom?” I yell, walking into the messy kitchen and dropping my purse onto the table. I look at the mess around me. The sink is filled with dishes, and I automatically walk over to fill it with hot, soapy water to soak. The table is covered in mail, old newspapers, and magazines.

  “Mom!” I yell again, walking down the hallway and into the living room to find bottles all over the table and floor, but the room is empty. I walk further into the house, peeking into the bathroom and then into the bedroom, where I find her sprawled out on the bed. I walk closer, inspecting her to make sure she’s breathing. Her chest rises and falls slowly. I roll my eyes and head back to the kitchen to start cleaning.

  Two hours later, the dishes are washed, every surface is wiped down, the floors are swept, and the trash is picked up and taken out. I go back into her room, leaving a bottle of water and some painkillers on the bedside table, then a small trash can beside the bed.

  I hate seeing her this way. Her dark hair is starting to gray at the roots and her face, once beautiful and smooth, is now covered in deep wrinkles. She has dark circles under her eyes and her body looks thin and frail. Years of heavy drinking are weighing on her.

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath, pushing away the urge to cry. I know it won’t do any good. I’ve cried, begged, pleaded, and threatened her to get her to go to rehab. But nothing ever does any good. However, I haven’t been able to uphold my threats either. I said I would stop coming by and taking care of her, and yet, here I am. I can’t give up on her. She raised me. She did the best she could for me. It’s only fair that I do the same, right?

  Shaking my head, I stand and make my way out of the house. Climbing behind the wheel, I shift into drive and head back to town, intending to go home. But when I look up and pull myself from my thoughts, I find myself in front of the local bar.

  I bite my lip as I think it over. After seeing my mom, this is a place I really should avoid. But I’m not a raging alcoholic; I’m just a normal drinker. I drink to have fun or when I’ve had a shitty day. I’ve for sure had a shitty day and could use some fun.

  That’s the only thought that runs through my head. I grab my purse out of the passenger seat and walk inside the nearly dead bar.

  “Hey, Sarah,” I say, taking my seat on the barstool as she pours drinks behind the bar.

  “How’s it going today, hon?” she asks, quickly looking up at me before fixing her eyes back on the drink she’s pouring.

  “Long day. Can I get a drink?” I reach into my purse, pulling out a crisp twenty and placing it on the bar. By the time I leave, that twenty will be gone.

  “Sure, one sec,” she responds, handing the drink over to a man sitting a couple barstools away from me.

  I’m lost in my own thoughts when she sets the vodka tonic down in front of me. I grab it quickly and drink nearly half of it before pulling the glass from my lips. She stands back, watching me with wide eyes.

  “Whoa. You must’ve had a bad day. What’s going on?” She places her forearms against the bar, leaning in toward me.

  I wave my hand through the air. “Oh, you know. Work sucked. Vesper hired this new vet to fill in her position while the new clinic is going up, and he’s a total douche. Then I had to go by my mom’s house and clean up after her week-long bender.” I roll my eyes. “I just wish I could catch a break, you know? I want to take a vacation and find some drop-dead sexy guy, and just spend an entire weekend shacked up with him in some sleazy motel room.” I laugh. Big dreams.

  She smiles wide. “That doesn’t sound too bad. When you go, let me know and I’ll ride along with you.” She stands, grabbing a towel and wiping down the bar top.

  “I just want to forget all my problems for a little while. Forget that my mom relies on me for everything. And work, that used to be my escape. I love helping animals and spending all day with my best friend. But now that she’s gone and I’m forced to put up with Dr. McAsshole, it’s just another shitty part of my day.”

  “Why don’t you find a new job?” she asks.

  I pick up my glass and take another drink. “I can’t. Vesper needs me. If I quit, that’ll just leave her shorthanded.”

  She narrows her blue eyes on me. “Take it from me, if you don’t find something to make you happy, you’ll always feel this way.”

  “What way?” I nearly whisper.

  “Empty.” Without another word, she turns and walks back down the length of the bar to wait on more customers.

  Chapter 2

  The hours pass, and my money has long been spent. The bar picks up and a crowd gathers: lining the bar, filling the tables, and swaying on the dance floor. The quiet bar is transformed to the town’s only hotspot.

  I’ve done nothing but sit at the bar, drinking glass after glass, and thinking about what Sarah said. Do I feel empty? I mean, what is my purpose in life? I don’t have a life-long career—not unless you count being a receptionist a dream job, and I don’t. But could I leave Vesper? And if I did, what would I do? This town doesn’t really hold many options. Would I have to move? Moving to California and becoming a professional beach bum sounds pretty good right now. And I want to do it while I’m still young and can rock a bikini. With that thought, a laugh slips past my lips.

  “What’s so funny?” a man asks as he takes the barstool next to mine.

  I turn to find myself face to face with Tyler, the ranch hand that Vesper went out with once. This is the first time I’ve seen him in a while. I completely forgot how sexy he is. He has an intimidating physique—thick, broad shoulders and large developed biceps. His shirt struggles to contain his broad chest, the sleeves straining at his biceps. His thick dark hair highlights his sparkling eyes and his matching facial hair frames his plump lips perfectly. I can’t help but get caught off guard by his tongue darting out and wetting those delicious lips.

  I wave my hand through the air, dismissing the thought. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

  “If it’s as funny as you think it is, I do want to know.” He shoots me a sexy grin.

  I roll my eyes. “I was just thinking about moving to California to become a professional beach bum.”

  He laughs. “Yeah? I hear the pay’s great.”

  “Right. Maybe not in money but in experience,” I joke.

  He bumps my shoulder with his. “What’s going on, Amy? You thinking about running away or finding a new job?”

  I shrug. “I just don’t feel very fulfilled. I think I need to make some changes to my life. Find what makes me happy.” I look over to see him bring a beer bottle to his lips. “How’d you do it? How’d you know you wanted to become a rancher?”

  He presses his lips together tightly, thinking it over. “Well, it was just something that I enjoyed. I’ve always loved animals and working with them. Being a ranch hand isn’t exactly my dream job. Owning my own ranch is. But you gotta start somewhere. You know?”

  I nod once. “At least one of us has it all figured out,” I mumble.

  “You look like you could use some fun.” He stands, holding out his hand.

  I look from him, to his hand, and back. “What?”

  “Dance with me,” he demands.

  Dancing is the last thing I feel like doing, but I can’t deny him. His dark eyes lock on mine, burning with passion and desire.

  “What?” I ask, feeling the heat rise up my cheeks.

  “Come on. What are you scared of?”

  I push my dark hair behind my ear. “I’m not scared.” I stand, giving him a smile and slipping my ha
nd into his.

  He pulls me behind him, across the hardwood floor, until we’re standing in the center of the dance floor where he spins around and pulls me against his firm body. When my chest presses against his, the force knocks the air from my lungs and our eyes lock. My lips part with my heavy breathing. I knew he had an effect on my body, but I didn’t expect this burning tingle to take over from such a simple touch.

  The corners of his lips turn up just a bit, like he knows he’s getting to me. As I force my body to sway to the slow music, I can’t keep my eyes off his plump lips. When his tongue glides across his bottom lip, wetting it, something inside of me takes over and I lean in, pressing my needy mouth against his.

  His hands that were grasping my hips move upward, fingers tangling into my hair as he deepens the kiss. I can taste the beer on his breath and it mixes with his strong, sweet scent, causing my head to feel like it’s floating away from my body. I wrap my hands around his neck while our bodies continue to move to the beat of the music. With every brush of his tongue, with every nip his teeth deliver to my bottom lip, my head gets further and further away. I’m not thinking about anything other than taking him back to my place for the night where I can forget all my troubles and get wrapped up in only him.

  I pull away and our eyes lock, both of our chests heaving from the kiss. “You want to get out of here?”

  He offers up a cocky grin. “Where we going?”

  I play coy by pulling my eyes away and shrugging. “My place…that is, if you want to.” I bite my bottom lip, waiting for his answer.

  His callused hand lands softly on my jaw, tilting my head back until my eyes meet his. “Are you sure?”

  I can’t keep my smile from forming when I look into his dark eyes that have a fire burning behind them. “Absolutely.”

  The whole ride home, my stomach is in knots and my heart is pounding. I don’t know if I’m nervous or excited. This isn’t the first time I’ve brought a guy home after drinking, but this is the first time I’ve brought this guy home. A guy who had a thing for my best friend. Quickly, I wonder if Vesper would mind, but then I think of how happy she is with Liam and dismiss the thought completely.

  I park my truck and climb out just as Tyler pulls up behind me. He shuts off the lights and climbs out, slowly closing the distance between us. He grabs me by the hips, pulling me against his body as he presses my back against the bed of my truck, his lips finding mine. His tongue slides into my mouth and I thrust my fingers into his dirty-blond hair, pulling him closer.

  His right hand slides down my hip, holding firm at my thigh as he picks it up and pulls it over his hip, where I feel his hardness press against my core. A soft moan escapes my lips, causing him to break the kiss.

  “Are we going to take this inside or am I going to have to fuck you in a parking lot against the side of your truck?” His dark eyes seem to gleam in the darkness, and his cocky grin is back in place.

  “I’ll take it any way I can get it,” I joke.

  He lets out a soft laugh and rolls his eyes. “Show me your apartment, Amy,” he demands in a hushed whisper.

  I push him away by placing both of my palms on his chest, then turn and walk toward the building with him closely following along behind me. Peeking over my shoulder, I see the darkness of his eyes growing more intense as he slides his hands into the pockets of his jeans, like he doesn’t trust himself to keep his hands to himself.

  I quickly let him into the building, then lead him into the elevator. When he’s standing inside, I reach out and press the button for my floor. I lean against the wall, secretly checking him out. My eyes start on his boot-covered feet, then move up his tight Wranglers and gold belt buckle to his red flannel shirt. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, showing off his tan, muscular forearms.

  “Keep looking at me that way and I’m not sure we’ll make it to your apartment,” he drawls in his deep Southern tone.

  I bite my bottom lip to keep from smiling. “I won’t mind, but my neighbors may not be too happy if they try to get on the elevator,” I tease.

  The elevator dings and the doors open before he can reply.

  I step out and walk down the hallway to my apartment. Taking my keys from my purse, I unlock the door and step inside the kitchen. I drop my purse on the table and when I turn around, Tyler is already directly in front of me. He pulls me against his chest in the blink of an eye, his lips finding mine as he picks me up by my ass and places me on the table. My legs automatically wrap around his hips, pulling him closer.

  His lips move quickly with my own as his hands massage my thighs and hips, then work their way higher to my waist, pushing my shirt out of his way. His hands aren’t the only ones that are greedy. I’m desperately needing to run my fingers over his abs. I want to feel each defined muscle as it hardens with my touch. My hands pull his shirt loose as they make their way up over his belt. I gasp when I finally find his warm, soft skin under his shirt.

  He breaks the kiss, his dark eyes meeting mine as he pulls my shirt over my head and tosses it to the floor. He licks his lips as his eyes take me in. I take a deep breath that makes my chest rise and my breasts press together. Almost like he can’t stand looking at me without touching me, he leans in and presses his lips to the swell of my breast while his hands get to work on unclasping my black lace bra. He kisses and licks and gently sucks his way down to my exposed nipple, causing a loud gasp to escape from my lips.

  My fingers thread into his hair, pulling, but also keeping him right where he is. I need his touch. I need him, so I can forget the awful way I was feeling earlier. I need him, so I can forget everything except for the way he causes my body to buzz, the way he makes my legs shake with need, and the way he leaves goosebumps prickling my skin after he’s run his hand across it.

  He removes his mouth from my chest and sweeps me up off the table in one swift motion. “Where’s your bedroom?” he asks as he carries me through the living room with determination painting his expression.

  “Through there,” I nod my head toward my door in the hallway we’re now walking through.

  He pushes through the door and softly drops me onto the bed. As I scoot my way up the mattress, he stands there, watching me as he slowly unbuttons his shirt.

  I lift my hips to push my jeans down my legs, but he shakes his head. “That’s for me to do. I want to unwrap you like you’re the toy I’ve been begging for, and it’s Christmas morning.” He tears his shirt from his chest, exposing his massive tan chest and climbs his way up my body, pressing his growing erection against my thigh as his lips find mine once again.

  My eyes flutter closed as he kisses me deeply and passionately, his hands pushing my jeans away from my body. I can’t do anything but lie back and enjoy the pleasure he’s bringing to my body as he kisses his way down my neck, chest, stomach, and finally to the junction between my legs.

  His hands massage my ass and hips as his mouth works me over. I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster and the only thing I have to hold on to is the sheet beneath me. He pushes me to the edge before pulling away and leaving me begging for more.

  “Tyler, please,” I beg, fisting the sheet with both hands.

  “Are you begging already, Amy?” He sounds amused. “I’m nowhere near done with you, baby.” He runs his tongue between my folds once again, causing me to jerk with the sensation. “There’s nothing that’s going to pull me away from you until you can’t move another fucking muscle.” When the last word leaves his lips, his mouth is back on me, tongue flicking against my hard nub as he slides his fingers deep inside my core.

  I wake in the morning with a big smile on my face just from remembering last night. I force my eyes to open, straining against the sun shining brightly through my window, watching as the dust dances around like glitter in the early morning light. I pull the sheet tighter around my body and roll over. My heart stops when I find the empty spot next to me. He must have left after I had fallen asleep. I feel a heavy sigh leave
my lips as disappointment washes over me. But why? I’ve never been the clingy type. In fact, I usually prefer when a guy leaves without me having to ask. The awkward walk of shame has always been my least favorite part of a hookup. At least this way, I don’t have to worry about asking him to leave.

  I pull the sheet up over my head and sigh, wishing I was happy about this, and completely confused as to why I’m not. Am I wanting something more with Tyler? I mean, I hardly know the guy. Not to mention, he had a thing for my best friend at one point in time.

  I groan when the alarm clock goes off at my side, meaning it’s time to stop thinking about Tyler and the things we did, and get up and go to work. I toss the sheet from my naked body as I roll back to my side to turn off the annoying beeping that’s coming from the clock.

  Chapter 3

  I pull up to the clinic an hour later. I’m surprised to see that Vesper is already here. I climb out of my truck and walk inside, the bell above the door ringing as I enter.

  “Good morning,” Vesper says from behind the counter. “I’ve already turned on all the computers and shut off the answering service for the day.” She smiles, proud of her achievements. “But the coffee I saved for you, because you make the best!” She points toward the corner that holds the coffee pot for anyone who wants it.

  I laugh and shake my head, dropping my stuff next to the counter and making my way across the room to start up the coffee. “So, what did you do last night?”

  “Nothing much. Liam and I had a quiet dinner at home, then snuggled on the couch and watched a movie. I ended up passing out and he carried me to bed. I think I’m really overdoing it lately with all these jobs I’ve managed to pick up.”