Hearts Unleashed Page 19

  “I didn’t feel anxious because I thought you didn’t know. You made me anxious by hiding whatever you’re hiding.” Her voice was quiet. “You don’t have to tell me, but—”

  “The reason I couldn’t tell you was because I thought there’s no way I’d be allowed to stay at the ranch if you had any idea what a failure I am.”

  “Failure?” She frowned at him.

  “Yeah.” He hesitated, but the woman in front of him had trusted him with her innermost self. Could he really hold back? “I’m the reason Dirk died.”

  “Dirk?” When she spoke her voice trailed slowly, like her words were unwilling to take flight.

  “He was my best friend, my brother in arms. We were heading out on a mission.” He hung his head. “I noticed Koda’s harness was loose on one side and I switched seats with him to adjust it. But I stayed. It’s my fault he died. I should’ve caught the harness issue before we loaded up. I should’ve switched back to where I was sitting. The IED should’ve killed me. I’m the one who should’ve died.”

  She put her hand on his. “All this time—that’s what you’ve been hiding?”

  He nodded. “I’m broken. I’m no good for the army. But that was the only thing I ever wanted to do. The only thing going for me now is people think I’m some kind of hero. If they knew the truth.” He took a deep breath. “So you see. I want to protect you, want you to feel safe.”

  “And you think after hearing your story, I would forget all the times you came to my aid? I saw you patrolling the yard the night the dogs got out. I didn’t think I’d ever feel safe in the house again after that night, but I did. And it wasn’t just because of Koda, John.”

  There was a trace of her usual stubbornness in her tone—but just a trace. “There’s something worrying you.”

  “What, apart from the missing cattle, the snowstorm, and everything else?” She hunched her shoulders. “The truck. John, I’m not being dramatic or anything, but I don’t think it was an accident.”

  “What do you mean?” As she described what she’d seen, his pulse built to a loud drumming that drowned out every thought but one. Nothing—nothing—was going to happen to her on his watch. Nothing.

  “You’re not surprised. Did you—” She stopped.

  “I suspected,” he admitted. “After that night when someone entered the farmhouse—it seemed a little too convenient it’d happen the one night you were alone on the farm.”

  “And you didn’t say anything? You let me think it was all in my imagination?” Her voice rose.

  “I didn’t want to scare you.” He held up his hands. “Didn’t realize how tough you were.”

  To his surprise, her eyes filled with tears.

  “Katie?”

  “I’m not tough. Not at all.” She wiped her eyes. “Look at me. I’m a wreck. If you hadn’t come along when you did, I’d probably still be there by the truck.”

  “You’re kidding. Without my elderly ass holding you back, you’d have the cattle rounded up and back at the ranch by now.”

  She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “What if something happens to you? No one else is here. I don’t want to be alone.”

  “Koda is here. Together we won’t let anyone get to you. I promise. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Ever.” The severity of his tone took him off guard. And he realized there wasn’t a line he wouldn’t cross to protect her. He swallowed hard. “You can trust me.”

  “I know.” There was a faint smile on her lips and a hint of her usual sparkle in her eyes. “I figured it out during our first sleepover. Even drunk—and God knows how much you had that night—you didn’t do anything. Most guys would have at least made a move. Especially with the bulge you had going on.”

  Heat crawled up into his cheeks. The woman actually made him blush.

  “It’s coming down pretty hard out there, isn’t it?” She looked past him to the window.

  He followed her gaze. He could just make out the shadowy shapes of the trees through the driving snow. Despite it being the middle of the afternoon, the day had already descended into darkness. “It is.”

  She took an audible breath, and when he turned back to her she was standing up, brushing her hands off on her jeans. “We’re probably going to have to stay here overnight, so I guess we should see about getting something to eat. Dad always keeps loads of canned stuff here. I’ll see what we’ve got.”

  “Sounds good. Do you need any help?”

  “No, thanks. I’ve got it.” She dug through the wooden cabinets in the kitchen nook at the north-facing end of the room, pulling out cans and boxes of non-perishable goods. She opened up a can of soup and dumped it into a pan. “You make sure the fire stays going.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He stood a moment watching her. Despite the stress of the last forty-eight hours and the tension of their current situation, she’d bounced back to her usual manner. How can she think she’s weak? He shook his head, tending to the fire.

  Before long, the soup was bubbling. She grabbed a couple of bowls and ladled out the soup. She brought in a tray with crackers and granola bars, and disappeared one more time and came back with two bottles of water. “Behold! I’ve made us a feast.”

  “Thanks for making this,” he said. He took a big spoonful of the soup and felt the warm liquid pour down his throat, warming his belly as it progressed. He let out a contented sigh. He could stay like this with her forever.

  She joined him on the couch, tucking her feet beneath her. “No problem. I actually don’t mind cooking. Not that this is really cooking. Although I do recall you claiming you can cook.”

  “I can,” he said to her, glad to see she was poking fun at him. It brought a smile to her face.

  He was suddenly aware how close she was to him. Aware of the vanilla and almond fragrance of her body lotion. And of the warmth radiating off her skin.

  He set down the bowl and his eyes searched hers.

  Licking her dry lips, she lifted her chin.

  “John. Kiss me.” Her voice was steady and clear.

  His heart pounded as he cleared his throat. “Are you sure?”

  “I wouldn’t have asked otherwise. Do you really need a second invitation?”

  He leaned forward, intending for this to be a simple kiss. As soon as their lips touched, he knew there would be nothing simple about it. He cupped her face as his mouth consumed hers.

  She didn’t pull away but met him with the same ferocity, sliding into his lap.

  He suddenly froze. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for this, ready to let her see him—all of him, even his ugly scars. This time, there would be no hiding anything.

  His hand wandered over the length of her body and his fingers hooked under her waistband. But she flinched and he withdrew his hand immediately.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, searching her eyes. “Katie, are you okay?” He shifted under her, and she leaned in and kissed him again.

  “I’m okay,” she confirmed. “It’s just been awhile.”

  Her fingers trailed down his chest and tugged his shirt from his pants. Her lips traveled down his neck as his hands slipped under her shirt and felt the heat of her skin. She was on fire.

  For me.

  She removed his shirt and unhooked his belt. His body instantly went rigid from fear, the hard flesh from healed gashes and shrapnel exposed for her to see. But they were nothing compared to the horror show she’d find beneath his jeans.

  But she only looked at him with the same concern he’d shown her. “John?”

  He gazed at the fireplace. “I was hurt bad. An IED. Burns. Not so pretty to look at.” Shame consumed him and he avoided eye contact. He braced himself for the disgust he knew was coming, or even worse—the pity.

  “You told me I could trust you. Well, maybe you can try to trust me?” Her tone was soft. Her lips gently kissed the side of his mouth. “From one fucked-up person to another?”

  He whipped his head up. “I didn’t mean that.”


  “I know. And now I know why you hide.” She tucked a strand of hair behind an ear. Her eyes rested on him. There was no pity in them. Just—compassion. “You don’t need to apologize to me. I just hope someday you’ll be able to trust someone with your scars the way I trust you with mine.”

  He breathed in deep and stood up. He took her hand and pulled her up, too. Then placed her hand on his chest. “I do trust you.”

  She gently trailed her fingers over his body, unbuttoning his jeans. He closed his eyes as he felt his pants drop. But he craved her warmth when she pressed against him and her lips gently kissed every part of his chest and belly.

  He allowed his eyes to open until her fingers hooked into his boxer briefs. Then they slammed shut again. Moment of truth. He felt her gently remove them. He didn’t want to see her reaction.

  “John?”

  His tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. He wasn’t certain if he was even breathing. The shame was almost too much. Not only of what he looked like, but because he was also aware of how flaccid he was.

  “John. Open your eyes, please,” she said softly.

  He swallowed hard and looked at her, allowing the tears to fall down his face. She reached up, kissed him, and stepped back. Away from him.

  She doesn’t want me.

  “I don’t see anything wrong with the man in front of me. You volunteered to sacrifice yourself to protect your men and your country. Nothing could be more honorable. No one could be more perfect, wounds and all.”

  Nothing could have made him love Katie more. No one had ever made him feel more accepted, as if there was no standard to live up to, because to her he was already everything he needed to be.

  Before he could respond, to let her know what her words meant to him, she removed her shirt. Her pale skin glowed against the backdrop of the snowy light. Even through his tears, he couldn’t help gazing at her perfect body.

  She stared back at him. “Are you going to make fun of me?”

  The question threw him for a loop. “I’m standing here naked. Limp. Fucking crying. And you ask me if I’m going to make fun of you. For what?”

  She unbuckled her own jeans and pulled them off. Standing in front of him was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Topless. Hands on her hips.

  In Superman underwear.

  From deep inside his chest came a great shaking motion and his face muscles grew tight. The laugh erupted like a busted water main arching into the summer sky. He massaged his cheeks, the muscles aching from the wide grin.

  She frowned.

  “Sit,” she commanded, pushing him onto the couch with her fingertips. He watched as her lips parted and her pupils dilated at the sight of his suddenly straining erection.

  “And to think I was going to wear my lacy pink panties.” She straddled him, grasping his rigid length as she invaded his mouth, their tongues entwining.

  He groaned as she stroked him, gently swiping her thumb over his head of his cock to spread the slickness. His hips jerked up in response and he grabbed her thighs.

  He released his grip and his hands traveled against her smooth skin. He wanted to touch every inch of her body but his need was too strong. He stood up from the couch, lifting her off of her feet.

  She gasped and wrapped her legs around his waist. She ran her hands through his hair, scratching her fingernails along his scalp and neck.

  “God, Katie!” He wanted her so fucking badly. He pressed her up against the rough wooden wall, pinning her body with his own. He felt her buck against him, as if her body wanted to challenge his strength.

  “I need you inside me.” She scratched her nails down the length of his back.

  Growling with desire, he laid her on the thick woolen blanket they had been eating on. She thrust out an arm, knocking aside the bowls of soup and crackers. He frantically pulled off her panties, stopping to gaze at her. She was perfect.

  “You’re so goddamn beautiful,” he whispered.

  She smiled up at him, her dark hair pillowing around her face. “You’re not so bad yourself.” She lifted up her hands and pulled his face to meet her own. “Now shut up and kiss me.”

  And kiss her he did. Their lips met frantically, as if each were starving for the other. Her tongue flicked in and out of his mouth, prodding and exploring. He groaned, his dick almost painful from the swelling. He pushed against her, feeling the wetness that had instantly sprung from her pussy.

  He kissed her neck and stomach, pausing only for a moment to take a rosebud-pink nipple in his mouth. He sucked and swirled his tongue around it, feeling her writhe underneath his weight.

  As he kissed his way to her belly toward her wetness, he grabbed her hands in his own and entwined his fingers around hers. He wanted to make her feel beautiful. He wanted to make her feel safe.

  When his mouth finally enveloped her pussy, she cried out with pleasure. He flicked and stroked his tongue around her clit, feeling it swell within his mouth. She clutched at his hands, bucking and dipping with every flick of his tongue. She tasted so good, like vanilla and soft leather and pine and sugar, all at once. He could taste her innermost wetness forever. But she couldn’t last as long. She gave one final thrust toward his face and went rigid as an orgasm shuddered through her body. He slipped his tongue inside of her, wanting to feel every muscle ripple and roll as she came.

  By the time she had finished, his dick felt like it would explode.

  “Katie—condom,” he managed to get out.

  She reached down and dragged his jeans over, pulling a condom from his wallet. As he rolled the latex over his cock, she kissed him, licking at the wetness that clung to his lips.

  He pushed her back down and thrust his cock inside of her. Her slick, warm pussy felt like heaven. As he thrust, her muscles clamped tight around his dick. It was like a fist squeezing him as he ground against her.

  The corner of her mouth curled into a devilish, sexy smile. “Harder,” she panted. “I need you.”

  He hammered into her, watching his length disappear. His thumb circled her clit and her nails dug into him again as she gasped. He felt a strong surge travel through his stomach, down his legs, and up his neck, as if his whole body was prepared to come. He rubbed her clit with more insistence.

  “Come with me,” he moaned. “Katie, come with me.”

  When her body bucked and shuddered in response to his commands, John felt himself explode in wave after wave of pleasure and relief. He moaned, clutching her legs as he came before collapsing on top of her, panting and smiling.

  She brushed her hand against his cheek and smiled. “I don’t think it will be so bad being snowed in together.”

  He laughed and leaned over to kiss her.

  Chapter 27

  Katie woke the next morning, a chill blowing over her exposed skin. For a moment, she was confused about where she was—and a small sigh brought the previous night rushing back.

  John lay curled up against her, an afghan wrapped around his body. Did he actually sleep? Really sleep? He looked like it, more peaceful and content than she’d ever seen him.

  There had been no terrible dreams last night.

  She looked around the cabin. The fire had died down to embers. The furnace, though she could hear it chugging away, wasn’t doing enough to keep the cold at bay. They’d have to move and get dressed quickly. With the cows still missing, they needed to get back to the ranch for reinforcements.

  “Hey,” she whispered into his ear.

  He opened one eye and looked at her. Then he squeezed his eyes shut. “Five more minutes?”

  “Five more minutes. Then time to get to work, buddy.” She leaned down to kiss him. She hadn’t been happy in so long that the sensation actually felt strange.

  But he groaned and extracted himself from her arms, shivering as he stood to put on his jeans. “I’ll see if we can get this fire going again.”

  “Sounds great,” she replied.

  While he lit some fresh kindling, she op
ened the door for Koda to run outside.

  “Want first shower?” she asked.

  “There’s a shower?”

  “You’ll find soap, shampoo, and towels in the little closet,” she called to him, rolling her eyes as she plopped into a chair with her phone to check her email and social media. “About the only thing we don’t have is phone reception.”

  He grunted. “I’ll take hot water over checking Facebook any day of the week.”

  He paused as if about to say something else, then disappeared into the bathroom.

  Her fingers punched in the phone’s code and she opened the app. It would take time before he was fully able to trust she wasn’t going to be frightened off. Now that she understood why he hid, she no longer felt threatened

  The sound of ferocious barking made her jerk straight; her phone slid through her fingers and hit the ground. “Koda?”

  The bathroom door slammed open behind her, and she whipped her head around to see John hastily pulling his jeans back on.

  “What the hell could that be?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. Go get dressed,” he said.

  She yanked on her sweater and jeans, her heart slamming into her chest as if it were a boxer looking to knock out its opponent. Dammit! Won’t this ever end?

  “Maybe it’s just coyotes. She hates it when they come around the house.” She pulled the sleeves of her sweater over her hands.

  “Hey, dog! Get back!” It was a man’s voice.

  “Oh, my God,” she said. “That’s Peter!”

  John’s arms went rigid, muscles and veins popping out from under his skin. “Yeah. Koda was right. A skulking coyote. But she and I will take care of it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Go in the bedroom and lock the door.”

  “But—”

  “Go. Koda and I will take care of this.”

  She took a couple of small steps back as he strode across the room. She spun and hurried into the bedroom. She closed the door and stood with her ear pressed against it.

  The front door creaked open.

  “Koda! Come!” John called.