Riding Her Rancher Boss Page 13

  And if he didn’t cut the fantasy, he’d get hard.

  The sounds of hearty laughter and clanking bottles greeted him as he stepped inside. The ranch glistened, the polished wood reflecting the soft white lighting from the glittering chandelier in the reception area, and he had to admit, it was a welcome upgrade. He hadn’t expected the place to look this good and he was accustomed to luxury.

  The men were crowded around the living area and Burke waved him over. As much as he tried to keep Cassie off his mind, her absence bothered him. Taking a seat amongst them, he grabbed a bottle of beer and cracked it open.

  “Finally, you’ve stopped working. A sight to behold,” Luke remarked.

  “Save it. It’s a short break.”

  Burke chuckled. “Man, you don’t need to keep avoiding a certain photographer.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think it’s about her?”

  Luke pointed his bottle at him. “Even your father notices. When are you going to make it official?”

  “It won’t happen. She’s leaving tomorrow and, well, I’ll be going back to New York.”

  Warren flinched, sharing a brief look with the others. A familiar look that clearly showed they all believed he was making a mistake. “We knew this was coming, but didn’t want to accept it. Mountainbrook won’t be the same without you.”

  “Hear, hear,” said Randall.

  They all raised their half empty bottles.

  “To Jared. The hardest working cowboy in Idaho,” said Luke. “And a damn good friend.”

  Jared tipped his bottle in acknowledgment and took a long swig, letting his gaze fall. The moment of silence was broken by Randall’s compliment of the ranch’s patio, but Jared let their conversation drift into the distance. Leaving the ranch had been a decision he couldn’t back out from. His father knew that well.

  Still, he couldn’t relax. Cassie infiltrated his thoughts often and he needed to see her. Time to seize that moment before it slipped by. The uncomfortable stab to his chest only confirmed that he couldn’t deny what he felt. He couldn’t keep hiding away.

  Screw his sole fear of getting close.

  He rose from the table and headed for the hallway, knowing the others were watching him depart. Need drove him down the hallway right in front of Cassie’s door. What was she doing? Taking a shower? Thinking of her naked, her skin glistening and dripping with water, was almost enough to make him throw open the door.

  But, being a gentleman, he knocked. She answered within seconds, her eyes widening in surprise. She wore a yellow sundress that clung to her sexy figure, the mounds of her breasts providing a cleavage too abundant not to glance at.

  “Cassie.”

  He closed the distance between them, not knowing what to say, only that he needed to show her what he wanted. He cupped her chin, noticing how she didn’t flinch or reject him. No, she trusted and accepted him, that was clear.

  Just as he conceded he trusted her.

  Had fallen for her.

  Lowering his lips to hers, a passionate heat engulfed him, flaring brighter as soon as her soft lips embraced him. She pressed her slim body into him, a clear encouragement. He found the straps of her dress and peeled them down, hearing the fabric fall to the carpeted floor.

  Leaning out of the kiss, he took in the sight of her. “You’re naked under there.”

  “I was just about to enjoy the hot tub.”

  “Then let’s use it together.”

  Her eyes glittered and she offered her hand. He took it, guiding her to the door before telling her to stay inside while he got the hot tub started. As soon as the water was roiling with bubbles and giving off steam, he glanced up to see Cassie easing into the water, immersing herself until water lapped against her shoulders, covering the hot view of her body.

  She let out a sigh of contentment. Jared couldn’t wait any longer. He stripped off his shirt, aware that her eyes were fixated on him. He reached for his jeans, undoing them and sliding them down. Slowly.

  She shifted amidst the water and he liked that she was as tense with need as he was. He peeled down his boxers, revealing his hard cock, and as the full brunt of the cool air embraced him, he slipped into the steamy water.

  “I thought you were avoiding me,” Cassie remarked.

  “Didn’t mean to. Getting too close...reminded me of someone in my past.”

  “Heidi?”

  He nodded, expecting the familiar stab of pain. But there was nothing. And the woman before him stared at him as if he were the only man she’d ever want. A look of pure adoration along with that sexy smile. Heidi was nothing but a ghost, a catalyst for all the torment he’d repressed over the years in relation to feeling unloved.

  But here, with Cassie, he found everything he’d longed for. The magnitude of that realization left him momentarily stunned.

  “Who spilled the beans on Heidi?” he had to ask.

  “Warren.”

  He smiled. Yep, no surprise. “A discussion for another time. So, I expected you to be out taking photos tonight.”

  “The only photos I want are strictly X rated.”

  He chuckled. “I can’t get enough of you. Stay as long as you want.”

  She smiled, leaning in for a kiss. “I’m liking you a lot, Jared Weston.”

  His throat tightened, the sensation of her warm, wet lips lingering. It was unavoidable, yet inevitable. He didn’t know how to make it work, but he’d figure out something. “It’s mutual. Come here.”

  She glided through the water and he grasped her waist, guiding her onto his lap. Her body was slippery, silky, so damn good. Those breasts were dripping water and her blonde hair was plastered to her soft skin. After touching the side of her face and brushing her hair aside, he pressed his nose to hers.

  Then let his lips brush hers. Teasing slightly.

  Cassie leaned into his kiss, feeling his mouth slant over hers, wet, wanting. Here she was in the hot tub with him, his hard thighs beneath her, his cock inches away. The bubbling water did nothing to ease the raging need between her legs. To know that Jared just wanted her like this, well, she couldn’t deny her former boss.

  His kiss was all consuming, taking her away from the warmth of the water and rising steam, drawing her into him and how his hands smoothed through her hair, his arms enclosing her to stop her drifting away. She let out a soft moan against him, feeling his hard, wet chest beneath her hands. So beyond sexy. And all hers.

  He gently pulled away, breathing heavily. “You get me hard just like that, Cassie.”

  She blinked. “And you only need to look at me and I’m hot for you.”

  “Is that right? I’ll use that to my advantage from now on.”

  “Oh no, this cowgirl won’t make it so easy for you.”

  “You saying you’d resist after feeling this…?” Jared grasped her hand and guided it beneath the water, right where he was…god, so hard.

  “Yeah, that look in your eyes, honey. You want me so much you can barely think straight. And I’ll fuck you so slow and long, you won’t be thinking at all.”

  “Right here, in the hot tub?”

  He smiled and eased out of the water, giving her full view of his body littered with droplets, beautifully tanned beneath the outdoor lighting and toned from indefinable hours of riding. Grabbing a towel from a nearby rack, he wrapped it around his waist before returning to her and offering a hand.

  She smiled and took it. He lingered on her breasts before finally meeting her gaze and she loved the glimmer in his blue eyes. He looked at her as if she was the sexiest woman he’d seen.

  “Come, let me dry you off.”

  That wicked grin of his almost ended her. He shut off the hot tub, slid open the door, and guided her inside. The regulated temperature was luxurious enough and she approached the bed, wet, but mostly between her legs. Turning around, she noticed Jared had stepped in close, undoing the towel from himself and proffering it.

  She gave a small nod, barely ab
le to tear her gaze away from him. He pressed the plush towel across her legs, bending down to kiss her inner thigh, moving upwards. She gasped. His lips felt so good on her freshly dry skin.

  Jared straightened, delving around her stomach, taking the time to massage her breasts, and his touch made her breathless. She lowered onto the bed, looking up at him.

  “I’m a lucky man.”

  Her breath caught in her throat to hear him say that. He ran the towel over himself then threw it aside. He stood before her, almost intimidating with his strength, and unbearably sexy. She shifted against the bedsheets, waiting, her clit throbbing.

  Jared leaned over her, capturing her lips and she surrendered to his kiss. The sensation of his hard, slightly damp body on hers, the way he gently moved his hands over her body, caressing lightly…it was becoming too much.

  Jared tore away. “Are you on the pill?”

  “Yes.”

  “And I trust you’re clean.”

  “I am. Same with you.”

  “Damn, I can’t wait to cum inside you, Cassie.”

  He kissed her slow, filling her mouth with his tongue. How could kissing be this intoxicating? She arched her back, letting her tongue taste his. He grasped her ass, pulling her flush against him. Feeling his thick cock right there made her groan.

  Jared broke the kiss. “Let me be inside you.”

  “Please.”

  She watched as he guided himself to her pussy, the tip of him wet with precum, and he slid across her lips. Her eyes involuntarily closed from the sensation. Oh God. He slid into her, filling, stretching her wide and she tightened around him, already slick with cum. He felt so good. Long and hard.

  He began thrusting his hips in an achingly slow rhythm. Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she cried out for more. He pumped in and out and she clung to him. It was building within her and she couldn’t hold back. Her muscles tensed.

  Jared was above her, trailing his lips across her skin. He squeezed a breast, running his thumb across her nipple, adding to the pleasure. Having his rough hand on her soft skin was so satisfying, driving her to the edge.

  “Love how responsive you are,” he murmured.

  He captured her lips with his, silencing her moan of response. His kiss was long and passionate. He wasn’t changing his steady thrusts. She took him in deep and completely, tilting her back so she could feel more of his hard chest against her.

  It hit her in a rush. Pleasure-drunk, she looked up at Jared, her eyes half lidded as her orgasm overcame her. She was shaking, and her inner muscles tightened around him, pulsing.

  Jared tore his mouth from hers. “Yeah, that’s hot…”

  It didn’t take long for him to find his release. She felt him throb before his cum filled her, so deep, the sensation making her come again. She gasped, pressing her forehead to his.

  Jared was breathing hard. When they both stopped shaking, he withdrew and lay beside her. She was blissfully unaware of anything else as she maneuvered to face him, wrapping an arm around him before resting her head on his chest.

  She couldn’t think. Barely wanted to. But hoped she wasn’t making a mistake by giving her heart to him.

  Chapter Ten

  Hearing the door creak, Cassie opened her eyes, blinking against the glare of sunlight filtering in through the windows. Jared entered, holding a tray adorned with delicious looking food, and her stomach rumbled in response.

  “A creaking door? Thought it was all renovated,” she teased.

  He smiled. “Adds to the charm. Don’t know if you like coffee, so I added a glass of apple juice.”

  His thoughtfulness evoked a smile. “Thank you. I’m more of a hot cocoa lover, but I appreciate it.”

  He set the tray on the bed and seated himself beside her. Grasping a cup of steaming espresso, he raised it. “And I’m addicted to this stuff. Habit during New York rush hour.”

  “You’re actually having breakfast at a reasonable time.”

  “What can I say? Someone’s made me change my ways. For the better.”

  She melted. And mentally shook away the last fragments of sleep, remembering the heated passion she’d shared with him all night. She had to repress the enticement to drag him back to bed again.

  Returning her attention to breakfast, she popped a few berries drizzled in cream in her mouth. “This is good.”

  “Part of the new menu we can test out in bed this morning. Among other things.”

  Her eyes widened. “You aren’t concerned what the others think?”

  “They read between the lines a while ago.”

  That flooded her with relief. She didn’t want to elicit tension between the ranchers or to disrupt the day’s routine while they indulged themselves. Thinking over her minor criminal blunder that led her to this point, she asked, “You’re not going to consider telling them I was the trespasser?”

  He paused, his gaze lingering. “Would you want me to?”

  She didn’t want them to think less of her but couldn’t bring herself to admit it. “It doesn’t bother me.”

  “If they learnt the truth, they’d think no different of you. They accept you, as you accepted me.”

  He seemed confident about his statement. Warmth flooded her chest to be surrounded by good people, and to have Jared looking out for her.

  “Anyway, I’m curious to know what else I can learn about you. Any desires…?” he asked.

  She bit her lip. “You are my main desire.”

  “Good answer.”

  He grasped his loosely fitting pastel blue shirt and pulled it free, exposing every inch of his solid, nicely tanned chest. She could make out every curve of muscle and the enticing V down to the outline of his cock straining his jeans. Oh, yes, he was definitely ready. And she was completely enraptured. She watched as he undid his jeans, freeing himself, and he was hard, big, and she couldn’t stop thinking of how it’d feel to have him inside her again.

  The intense emotional pull to him wasn’t fading, and the more she saw of him, the less she wanted to avoid their connection. But after last night, she needed a breather. She’d never been pleasured so fully and she doubted Jared was as eager to embrace these feelings as her, that is, if he felt the same. It was hard to decipher the intensity glimmering in his blue eyes.

  He joined her in bed. They were both naked. She preoccupied herself with a mouthful of pancake draped with syrup. “When do the guests arrive?”

  Jared’s slow perusal of her portrayed another intention in mind, but he relented. “My father didn’t tell you the details?”

  “Not until I meet with him later. I guess there’s no harm in you telling me now.”

  She shifted against the sheets and her bare leg brushed against his coarse thigh. Her breath caught in her throat.

  Jared’s nostrils flared. “The opening…starts late afternoon. The ranch is fully booked tonight and for the next two weeks.”

  “Great! You’ll all be kept on your toes.”

  He smiled. “I heard several guests learned of us through your blog. Don’t know how we could’ve done this without your help.”

  “I owed you for trespassing, didn’t I?”

  His hand met her waist and he ran his fingers across her skin. Teasing. Torturing. “You did, and I’m happy for the success you’ve found. Sure has been a unique turn of events.”

  She stared at him, not wanting to divulge her thoughts. She’d been holding back on accepting the job in Spokane...for him. It was foolish, but she couldn’t leave Mountainbrook until Jared was certain of his future, until she was comforted in knowing he would be okay. At the very least, that’s the way she wanted it to be once they parted ways. He’d changed her life irreparably. She had too much to give in return.

  “My, uh, father’s interested in buying some landscapes off you,” he said. “He thought it’d add to the ranch’s decor.”

  She studied him. “Was this solely his decision or did it have input from you?”

  “His.�
�� At her prolonged look, he shrugged. “Okay, I admit, I had most of the say in it. This place needs more personal touches. I grew up with him drilling me about the family ranch and how it needed to endure. It was a lot of pressure to deal with. That fate loomed over me constantly. I spent hours in that hay loft, looking down at the horses, knowing this was my inescapable responsibility.”

  After taking a long drink, he continued. “I rebelled, probably a lot more than I should’ve. But when the divorce happened, I didn’t want to deal with the ranch. The memories. It tainted it all.”

  “So you left?”

  “I graduated with an MBA in New York. The big city, as far from here as possible. It was a new start to my life, going in the direction I wished it to.”

  “I can imagine your father was disappointed.”

  He shook his head, setting his drink aside. “I thought he would be, but he supported me. He paid for all my college fees, everything from his savings that was meant for the ranch. When I became CEO, I earned enough to pay him back and more. I couldn’t back down, not after everything he’d sacrificed for me. Soon as the accident happened, I wasn’t just abandoning what I’d worked for, but the opportunity he’d allowed for me.”

  Cassie squeezed his hand, understanding the turmoil he would’ve faced. “I’m sorry.”

  “I threw everything I had into the ranch. Couldn’t stand the horses, the musty hay, the physical work. Not when my life in New York was a luxury in comparison and a culmination of my intentions.”

  “You don’t seem to feel that way now.”

  His eyes held hers. A soft blue. “Well, things are different.” He turned away. “Now you understand. I won’t reclaim the ranch. I can’t waste all those years and pretend to be a fallacy of who I am.”

  “But what if you’re denying your true passion? I’ve followed my heart my whole life. It hurts to see others ignoring what they love for the sake of money or the expectations of others. Whatever brings out your happiness shouldn’t be disregarded.”