Big Game: Hunted Love #1 (7 page)

They lay in her bedroll long after first light, having made love again in the early dawn. God, he was something incredible. If only life could come to a standstill and they could stay there forever, in that perfect moment.

Kate took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "What next?"

"Mmmm, I can think of very interesting and very delicious things for next." The slight curve of Jakob's mouth drew her attention.

How could a man be so…
that?
Whatever it was, the indefinable quality made him special. "I have no doubt. But that isn't what I meant."

Jakob sighed. "I know. And I've been thinking about it. I have forty-eight days left before I have to make a final decision about re-enlisting. If it's okay, I'd like to spend at least part of that time here, getting to know you." He sat up and turned to face her, blatant in his maleness. "This seems incredibly stupid, even before I say it out loud, especially given that we just met. Regardless, I seem to have fallen for you and I'd like to see where that leads. If you're willing."

She'd never considered the possibility and wasn't quite sure how she felt about that. She certainly didn't have anything to lose, though. "I'm willing."

"In that case, I'm starving. Can we have breakfast?"

She couldn't help smiling. "You check the animals, I'll cook."

"Deal."

Getting dressed with Jakob turned out to be a losing battle. Each time she put a body part inside an article of clothing, he uncovered one she'd previously covered. Finally though, his stomach got the better of him and he generously allowed her to finish dressing.

"What's on the agenda for today?"

His mischievous grin brought up all sorts of possibilities. "Well, we can't really just stay out here forever, as much as I'd like to. I suggest we take the animals back to the ranch, and maybe we can take another little expedition? But first, there's something I'd like you to see."

She finally agreed on a short ride with him while leaving all the animals at the camp site. Not even begging convinced him to tell her where they were going, only that it wouldn't take long.

Mounted, they set off with Ajax leading the way with his animated running walk. Not even a mile later, they reached a broad meadow where her range horses often could be found grazing. None were there at the moment, however.

At the edge of the meadow, he pulled up and dismounted. "Trust me?"

"Um, I think so?" She swung down and waited to see what he had in mind.

With annoying boldness, he opened his pants to reveal his erection. "Let Sunny graze a bit? And come up here with me?" He stroked his hard-on and gave her an even bolder grin. "Just leave your jeans here with Sunny. I'm pretty sure you'll like what I have in mind."

She shrugged. What the hell? She might as well. Her boots and jeans came off in record time while Sunny eyed her with suspicion. God, she felt like an idiot, standing there naked from the waist down.

Jakob offered her a hand up and a lascivious grin.

"You're sure he won't dump me on my ass?"

He laughed. "I'm sure. Nothing much bothers Ajax."

She took his hand and let him help her up and get settled sidesaddle on his lap, that scorching erection pressing against her thigh. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"I'm pretty sure I do." He made a kissing noise and Ajax moved off at a fast walk. Another kiss and he picked up speed. "I'm going to help you turn to face me, okay?"

The operation was completed safely and Kate settled astride his hips. He moved slightly forward in the saddle and leaned back a little, thrusting his hips as he pulled her closer and impaled her.

The incredible sensation of having him inside her made her squeal with delight. He made another sound and suddenly they were flying across the meadow with the slight jolting from Ajax's gait providing the perfect rise and fall.

In a matter of minutes she came undone and Jakob followed, emptying himself into her. Once he caught his breath, he brushed the hair out of her eyes. "I feel like an idiot, Kate. All this, and still I can't believe you're real. I might be the biggest fool to ever walk the planet, but I really think I'm falling in love with you."

Kate's heart pounded at the cautious hope in Jakob's eyes. "In that case, I must be tied for biggest fool, since I seem to be falling in love with you."

He groaned and claimed her mouth in a hard kiss as Ajax swung a broad circle that carried them back to Sunny.

The End

The following is a BONUS CHAPTER, added after the initial publication date.

Big Game Bonus Chapter:

Kate couldn't decide whether to be relieved or sad as she rode Sunny into the open area before the main barn. Jakob and Ajax had already pulled to a halt and the hounds and other horses were closing the distance and stopping as well. It was good to be home, good to have the cougar problem taken care of.

But now she had to see how things would go with Jakob. Would he just load up and head out, satisfied with a job well and truly done? Or would he be a man of his word and actually stick around to see if there was anything real between them? The former would almost be easier. Then no one would have to know how big a fool she'd made of herself, at least.

Sunny reached the rail where the other horses were being tied and Kate swung down. Right into Jakob's arms wrapping around her waist and drawing her back against him. So much for no one knowing how foolish she'd been. The whole damn county would know within thirty seconds. When his lips nibbled along the nape of her neck, she couldn't care less what the whole county knew or thought.

Jakob turned her in his arms. "How long before I can have you in that pretty bed of yours?" The soft words sent a thrill up her spine and the way his mouth curved said he knew it very well.

"I have to see the animals taken care of."

He lowered his head to tease at her lips. "The hands will see to them."

"I have to let Ray know we found the cougar." Seeing the simplest of thoughts through to the end was incredibly difficult with his tongue making such wicked suggestions.

"He knows we wouldn't be back so soon otherwise." One big hand came up to curve around the back of her neck.

"I need to—"

Further objections were futile under his possession of her mouth. "You have five minutes. Consider yourself lucky to get that."

Ray's disapproving scowl was easy to find and Kate dreaded facing him. And of course Jakob made himself scarce. She approached Ray where he waited just inside the barn.

"Miss Kate." The old man refused to meet her eye and spit on the ground.

She took a deep breath past the anger that suddenly threatened to clog her throat. "The cougar is taken care of."

He nodded. "Good. That all?"

"No, it isn't." Another deep breath. "Ray, I appreciate you looking out for me, I truly do. I might be a fool, and I might regret my choices. But right now I'm happy. For the first time in my life, truly happy. Please don't deny me that?"

Faded blue eyes met hers, startled. "Miss Kate, I only want the best for you. I couldn't think more of you if you were my own kid. I've worried over you since you were born. And I thought I knew you well." He shrugged a little. "I never knew you wasn't happy."

Kate reached for his calloused hand and took it between both of hers. "I got pretty good at hiding things, Ray. I had to."

"I guess you did." He gave a sad smile. "You go be happy, Miss Kate. But if that boy hurts you, I'll kill him."

Kate gave the old man a quick hug. "Thank you, Ray."

"Get out of here."

She nodded and turned away before the tears that pricked at her eyelids could actually gain traction.

Jakob stood with one shoulder against the barn, talking with Alan and Brady. When she started toward him, he straightened and said something to the other two men, then started toward her.

A tempting curve shaped his mouth as he held a CD case up for her to see. "I'm ready to collect my winnings."

A laugh bubbled up from somewhere she'd forgotten even existed. "You're seriously holding me to that bet? I hate to disappoint you, but there's nearly nothing in the house to cook."

"Yes, I'm seriously holding you to it." One long arm draped itself across her shoulders and he started them toward the house. "I have a very strong interest in seeing my woman well-fed and relaxed."

His
? Her heart pounded but she couldn't bring herself to call him on it, couldn't risk him taking the words back. "And what sort of interest is that?"

He paused long enough to bend down and nibble at her lips. "Once
my
woman has had a hot shower and a hot meal, I'm going to spend the rest of the night making love to her."

The pounding of her heart settled just under her belly button as he led her forward. He'd said it twice now, with enough emphasis the make sure she noticed. Not mentioning it was out of the question. "And just who is your woman?"

He chuckled. "You are, Kate. I don't play well with others and I don't share what's mine. While you and I explore whatever this is between, I won't tolerate any other men sniffing about." His green eyes glittered with something like danger.

Her pulse went lower and intensified. Possessiveness suited him. "That's good, because I won't allow any other women to come prowling around either."

He laughed full out. "Baby, this is going to be good. I've got all sorts of interesting and delicious things to show you."

***

Jakob followed Kate into her house, barely managing to contain his need for her. As soon as the door closed behind them, he reached for her arm and drew her against his chest. Finally, he could take all the time in the world and enjoy her.

Full lips beckoned and he couldn't have refused if he wanted to. Her jaw fit his fingers perfectly as he cradled it to tip her head back for a kiss. The risk of getting lost in her grew stronger with every touch, every sigh. Her lack of awareness only served to ramp up the effectiveness.

He ducked in to claim her pliant lips. The way they molded to his in soft submission pulled a groan from him. The drive to possess and dominate rose up to fan the fires of need. Common sense fled and he lifted her long enough to sit her ass on the edge of the kitchen counter.

Her boots came off easily and he kicked his own off to join them. "You wear too many clothes." Her shirt hung on relentlessly, trapped in the waist of her jeans.

She finally took pity on him and helped. "Better?"

He bent to lick along her collar bone. "Much." The little squeal she gave when he swung her into his arms again made his heart pound. God, everything about this woman intoxicated him.

Impatience made him rush but he managed to carry her safely down the hall to the bathroom. He needed a shower almost as much as he needed her.

Her toes curled on the cool tile when her feet touched it. "What are you doing?"

He released her long enough to peel his shirt off and drop it. "I need a shower and I'm not letting go of you that long, so you're stuck getting one with me." His jeans hit the floor and he turned his attention to getting rid of hers. With her help, they soon stood naked.

Determined not to get sidetracked, Jakob turned the water on and adjusted the temperature, then helped her into the shower. The hot water sluiced over her shoulders and ran down her chest, enticing his fingers to follow.

Kate sucked in a deep breath, but stood and let him explore. Her skin was like some kind of priceless fabric, made exclusively to please him. The texture, the color, everything, was utter perfection. She reached around him for the soap and lathered her hands before sliding them over his chest.

Dear God In Heaven. A tidal wave of heat rolled over him, following her touch. The way she looked at him, parted lips swollen with his kisses, seared him with desire. It wasn't easy, but he stood and let her wash him. By the time she reached his belly, his cock wanted to jump into her hands.

In self-defense, he grabbed the soap and lathered his own hands up. The texture of her suds-slicked skin under his palms was too much to bear. He let his hands slide around to cup her ass and dragged her against him.

Somehow, amid tortured sighs and ragged breaths, they managed to wash and rinse. The water went cool, putting an end to the shower far too soon. Jakob turned the spray off at the same time Kate's fingers circled the base of his erection and dragged a deep groan from him.

She gasped and stared up at him. "I remember that sound. Jakob, I thought something was wrong with you."

He chuckled. "Something was. I'd woke up from dreaming about you and thought a cold shower might help." He left out the part about watching her as she slept and dreamed. "It just made things worse."

Drying her off with the fluffy towel was yet another new form of torture and presented irresistible temptation to taste each of inch of glowing skin. He nibbled his way across the back of her shoulders and down her spine before turning her around with gentle hands.

Pink nipples beckoned and he bent to kiss first one, then the other. Kate's delicate moans acted as his guide to the exact touch she needed most.

Somewhere outside, a dog barked and the screen door on the back porch slammed, making Kate jump. The dog sounded furious. "Someone's here."

"They have bad timing." Jakob passed her jeans to her and pulled his own on, then handed her his shirt. "Here, take mine. Yours is in the kitchen I think." Rather than wait, he headed for the kitchen and the back door, where the visitor knocked heavily.

Whoever that was needed to move on right away. He stalked into the kitchen, aware of Kate following at a distance. The thin curtains over the glass in the top half of the back door revealed a bulky figure on the other side.

Jakob's right hand went instinctively to the butt of the .44 on his belt. He stood to the side and jerked the door open left-handed.

A heavyset man in his thirties stood there, hand raised to knock again. Surprise widened pale blue eyes. "Who are you?"

Instant distrust seized Jakob and he let the .44 slide into his hand. "Since you're the one knocking, how about you answer that question first."

Kate slid under Jakob's left arm and settled one hand on his chest. "It's okay. This is my neighbor's son, the one I told you about." The look she gave the man said she'd rather him not be there. "Alexander. What can we do for you?"

The man levered his bulk into the room. "You can start by introducing me to your…uh, friend."

Kate remained deafeningly silent, so Jakob answered. "I'm the man she's going to marry. I believe you were asked to state your business."

The visitor smiled, heavy jowls quivering. "Oh, really? That's news to me." He turned toward Kate. "Kathryn, my father said you were interested in my proposal. I took the liberty of drawing up prenuptials and various other agreements."

Kate shook her head. "I'm sorry, Alexander. Your dad must have misunderstood somehow, though I was clear on the matter. I told him I would
not
marry you under any circumstances. I won't subdivide my land and I can easily find other stallions for my mare."

He threw his head back and laughed. "I'm sorry, Kathryn, it's you who's misunderstood. I don't take no for an answer. Bub, you might as well head on to the next rodeo. She's not available."

Jakob bit back a growl and disengaged from Kate's hold. Putting her slightly behind him, Jakob moved toward the man and let the .44 rise a little. "Don't make the biggest mistake of your life, mister. I'm not going anywhere. You are. Your only choice is vertical or horizontal." The man started to laugh again, but Jakob raised the revolver a little more. "Now just who do you think the cops will believe? A sleazy ambulance chaser? Or a highly decorated member of the US military…a war hero, even?"

The man glared and his face went red, but after several seconds, he turned and marched out, leaving the door standing open.

Only when the car spun out of the driveway did Jakob breathe fully. He despised men like that, and not killing him had been difficult.

Kate closed the door and stood with her back against it, biting her lip. "I'm sorry. I had no idea he would show up like that."

"His idiocy isn't your fault. I doubt we've seen the last of him." Jakob closed in on her and bent to taste her lip, still swollen from his kisses. "I will never get tired of tasting you. Now, go get changed. I owe you a dinner, remember?"

***

Vanquished to her room to change, Kate stood naked in front of her closet for the first time in years, debating what to wear. It had been a long time since she cared much what she looked like, but now she found herself torn. Everyday common sense Kate insisted on clean jeans and work shirt. Frivolous Kate, who was more than half in love with Jakob, wanted to look the part.

In the interest of quieting any romantic tendencies, she pushed the jeans and shirts aside to reveal clothing from another lifetime, things she'd never expected to wear again. Only practicality had prevented her from throwing them out long ago. Dresses, blouses, skirts and slacks, the kinds of things a young woman might wear for fun or work.

A lifetime ago, Kate actually thought she might have a life away from the ranch, in the city. College had been the start of that life, and with it, she'd learned to party and keep up with everyone else. Work at a small ad agency had seemed like a dream come true, until it turned sour. Coming home wounded, tail between her legs, had been one of the hardest things she'd ever done. Harder than the endless surgeries of her childhood. Harder than the hurtful words of other kids. But she immersed herself in the ranch and work, and healed, slowly but surely.