Rugged Hearts (28 page)

He took off his hat, tossed it the counter, and grabbed her shoulders, planting a firm kiss on her lips.

“We need to talk,” she cautioned, though the next kiss, gentle this time on the side of her neck, caused her to rethink the idea. She accepted his mouth on hers and released a soft groan. She’d missed the taste of him, but they had things to discuss. Maybe after just one more kiss….

“We can talk later.” He nuzzled the sweet spot beneath her ear and unzipped her coat. It fell to the floor. “When you sang tonight….” His cool hands snaked under the hem of her shirt and she shivered with anticipation. “Was it only Sarah you thought of? Because I burn for you, Aimee. It started the night you showed up on my doorstep, and it’s been building ever since. I can’t get you out of my mind.” He tugged her shirt over her head, pinning her hands over her head as he kissed her soundly. He leaned his forehead to hers and gazes locked, let his fingers trail down her throat to her chest. With a flick of his finger, he unsnapped the front of her bra, setting her breasts free.

Aimee pressed her back against the door, her arms imprisoned in his grasp. His mouth left her skin on fire. “Wyatt,” she whispered through her desire.

“Bedroom.” He brushed his lips over hers.

She nodded and when he freed her hands, it was as though he’d freed the lust he’d built inside her. She grabbed his shirt, needing to touch his flesh, wanting him naked, feeling her body next to his and it didn’t matter if they made it to the bedroom or not. Buttons spewed everywhere as she yanked his shirt open and with a wicked grin, he helped her remove his T-shirt. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him fully, pressing against his hard muscle. His arms clamped around her and she leaped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. He slammed her against the wall, and his mouth captured hers.

“You’re sure about this?” He leaned back to search her eyes.

Aimee pulled his face to hers to show him she was damn serious. Somehow, they made it down the hall, where he tossed her on the bed. She sat up to unsnap his jeans and he brushed her hands gently aside and knelt to remove her boots. Surrendering to the moment, she lay back, waiting for him to finish before tugging her skirt down and tossing it aside.

Wyatt paused as he hooked off his boots and stared down at her. “You’re so damn beautiful.”

He shoved down his jeans and his boxers went with them.

Aimee swallowed, seeing this man of the earth, honed exquisitely by hard work. His erection hung thick and heavy as he sheathed himself and knelt one knee on the bed. He leaned down and touched her cheek, and kissed her slow, causing her to ache.

“Let me show you what I’ve wanted to do, Aimee.” He left a trail of kisses down her body and gently slid her panties down her legs. He nudged her knees and she parted willingly, accepting the gentle stroke of his touch. She fisted the sheets, her body rising with desperate need.

“Now, sweetheart,” he said quietly and entered her, pushing deep. A groan of pleasure tore from his throat even as an orgasm ripped through Aimee’s body. The friction of his rapid thrusts brought her up again. Her sighs quickened as he took command of her body. She hooked her legs around him, her fingers digging into the flesh of his biceps. He was rock solid, every inch flexing against her skin—hard flesh to soft. She screamed out his name, followed by a bout of laughter, riding out the mind-boggling climax and together they collapsed in an exhausted heap. He leaned up on his elbow, his breathing labored. “Good God woman, are you laughing? His smile warmed her heart. “I gotta tell you it’s not exactly good for a guy’s ego.” He shifted to his back, drew her under his arm, and pulled the sheets over them. Then he kissed her temple. “But I love to hear you laugh, and if making love to you is how I get to hear it, then so be it.”

“I laughed at my scream,” she confessed. “That’s never happened to me before, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to much worse coming from my neighbors having monkey sex. I guess maybe I realize how great it must have been.”

“Monkey sex, huh? Just for good measure.” He banged his fist against the wall, and then turned to face her. “You are amazing.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

“It was fun. Can we do it again?” She searched his face. This was it. His was the man she wanted to wake up next to every morning.

“Give me a few minutes and we’ll see what we can do to annoy your neighbors again.” He chuckled.

“You came prepared?” She crooked her brow at him.

“Damn straight. It was going to be your place or mine, if I had any say in the matter.”

Aimee rose to her elbow. “Wyatt, aside from the fabulous sex, you have to know by now how I feel about you. And I’m not looking to change the way you are, but I really need to understand what happened at the bar tonight.” She prodded gently and hoped he would open up to her. If he could do that, she figured they had a good chance at a relationship. She held her breath and waited.

He flopped to his back with a sigh and stared at the ceiling. “It’s something I’ve hung on to for far too long, probably. Rein said I’ve used it as an excuse so I wouldn’t get hurt, I guess.”

Aimee lifted to her elbow and looked down at him. “I would never hurt you, Wyatt. Not intentionally, not like Jess, or your mom.”

His gaze darted to hers. “Dalton, I take it, has filled you in?”

“I prodded.” Aimee shrugged. “They love you very much, you know. I don’t think they’d have told me if they thought for one minute I might hurt you.”

He toyed with a tuft of her hair. “You’re not like either of them, Aimee. I think I knew that the first time we met. I didn’t think I’d ever find someone like you. Hell, I’m not even sure I deserve someone like you.” He studied her face. “Truth is, I love you and I hope you can find some way to see potential in my stubborn, sorry hide.”

Any residual uncertainty she had about them dissolved. “You know, Montana, whatever else you may think about that silly class, you have a most powerful way with words.” She leaned down to kiss him. “And aside from thinking your hide is about damn near perfect, I’ve already fallen for you in a big way.”

“Not just because I can make you scream?” He tugged her hair.

“I won’t lie, Wyatt. That’s a gift.” She smiled at how relaxed, how natural it was to lie in bed and talk. “Welcome to my apartment, by the way.”

“It’s a might small.” He laughed and she punched his shoulder.

“First my coat, then my apartment. What am I going to do with you, Wyatt Kinnison?”

He raised his brow and turned her on her back. “I have some ideas.”

“I mean, after that.” She smiled up at him.

His gaze softened. “Marry me. Come live at the ranch. Sleep in my
much
bigger bed. Help me keep my brothers in line. Fight off mountain lions.”

“Is that a multiple-choice question?” Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. He kissed her, though once was never enough once they got started.

“It’s kind of a package deal.” He searched her eyes. “I told you I wasn’t into the dating scene. When I find something I want, I go for it.”

She curled her arms around his neck. “And what else do I get with this package deal?” Though deep down she’d made
her
choice the day he’d kissed her in the parking lot, she loved how his sexy smile could turn her bones to ash.

“I’m so glad you asked.”

Chapter Sixteen

Wyatt stepped out onto the front porch, coffee cup in his hand. The late May morning still held the sharp chill of winter, but the rain from the Northwest had cleansed much of the landscape and swept away the snow in the valley. He took a deep breath, unable to remember when a spring morning had smelled so good. The scene in front of him filled him with a familiar calm. He was a lucky, lucky man. There had been a number of changes in his life these past few weeks.

“Oh, I see you found the coffee.” With several bags and her travel mug, Aimee struggled to get out of the front door. Her sunglasses she had clenched like a pipe in her teeth.

Wyatt stepped to her aid and took her overnight bag with a heavy heart. “You know we have plenty of room here. Why can’t your folks just come here for the weekend?” The two of them hadn’t been apart for a single weekend since their engagement just after the New Year. For him, it was like someone had lifted the blinds to the real world. He never knew he could love someone so damn much.

Aimee glanced up and stuck her sunglasses on the top of her head. “We’ve been over this, Wyatt. I told you my dad is old-fashioned.”

“But they have to know we’ve been practically living together,” he argued in the slim hope to convince her to stay. Lying down beside her on a Friday night and waking with her snuggled next to him on Saturday mornings was like breathing.

“It’s for the weekend. The wedding is two weeks away, sweetheart. This will be their first time here. Go with me on this, please.” She took his chin and planted a slow kiss on his lips. “I’ll be back before you know it and then we’re going to have to discuss which side of the bathroom counter is mine.” She smiled. “Now, we’re set for dinner Saturday night, right? Steaks on the grill?”

Wyatt nodded as he walked her to her car. “Seven o’clock,” he responded, amused by her bossy tone.

“I’ll stop at Betty’s and pick up a pie and I’ll bring a salad.”

“I love it when you talk food.” He leaned in the window and kissed her.

“You’re trying to stall me.” She glanced at him.

“Guilty. Why don’t you call in sick and let’s go back to bed and talk more about food?”

She chuckled. “Very tempting, but I do have students showing up in my classroom in thirty minutes and with any luck, barring any impromptu deer crossings, I should slide in with ten minutes to spare.”

“You might be surprised what I can accomplish in that time.”

She tipped her head and smiled. “I love you.”

“Love you more. See you tomorrow night.” Wyatt stepped back and watched her circle around the drive. “Check your book bag,” he called to her and she waved.

“Seriously, are you two leaving notes for each other? How old are you?” Dalton trotted down the steps and headed toward his truck. “I’m going down to cabin four to help Rein get those cabinets in. How’s our mama today?”

Wyatt had completely forgotten to check the stock cow. “I haven’t had a chance to check on her yet.”

Dalton eyed him with skepticism.

“Sue me. I’m not going to have any alone-time with Aimee for three days. I slept a little later this morning.”

“I doubt sleep had anything to do with it.” Dalton paused before he climbed in the truck cab. “You want me to check on it, Romeo?”

Wyatt pointed his cup at his brother. “You wait until the real deal happens to you, my brother.”

He snorted and shut the door behind him, then stuck his head out of the window. “I sure as hell hope not, ’cuz I about gag from watching you two.”

Wyatt raised his cup. “And
that’s
why you’re my best man.”

He climbed the porch steps and eased himself into one of the rocking chairs. Just a few more minutes of the view and then he’d get on with his day.

“Hey,” he called to Dalton, who stopped his truck in front of the porch. “Don’t forget we have dinner tomorrow night with Aimee’s folks.”

His brother nodded. “Got it. As long as I don’t have to cook, I’ll be there. And oh, if it wouldn’t tear into your mooning-over-your-woman time, you might get up off your dead ass and give us a hand down at the cabin.”

Wyatt flipped him off and Dalton laughed. “Hey, look at it this way. The faster the cabins get up and running, the sooner Rein and I can move out and leave you two lovebirds the run of the house.”

Wyatt considered the possibilities. “I’ll be down as soon as I check on things in the pen.”

The phone’s shrill ring caught his ear, and he raised his cup to Dalton as he hurried to answer it. Maybe Aimee had left something behind, though it wouldn’t be a hardship to run whatever it was to the school. He reached for the phone and his smile dissolved when he saw the unknown telephone number showing on the caller ID. He hesitated before picking it up. “Hello?”

There was a marked silence on the phone, but he could tell the caller was on the line. “Hello?” he repeated, becoming less happy to play this little game. Still, no response. “I think you must have the wrong number.” Wyatt started to hang up.

“Wait.” The female voice was urgent.

His heart stilled as though a ghost had passed right through him. He eased the phone back to his ear. “Who is this?

“I’m sorry. Is this the Last Hope Ranch, owned by the Kinnison family?”

Wyatt’s curiosity was piqued. “It is.

“Are you Wyatt or Dalton?”

Wyatt’s gaze narrowed. He set his cup on the table. “I’m going to ask one more time. Who is this?”

“I apologize. My name is Liberty.”

His gaze darted to the answering machine, checking again the “unknown” status. “I’m sorry, I don’t know anyone by that name.”

The woman chuckled and it had an eerie, too familiar sound to it.

“That’s because few people have a mother who would name their kid Liberty. She had a unique gift for naming her children.”

Wyatt remained silent. He sensed the other shoe was about to drop.

It did.

“Kind of like Wyatt and Dalton.”

“I don’t understand.” Wyatt raked a hand through his hair.

“Eloise was my mother. She had me about two years after she moved out here with my father.”

Wyatt nearly dropped the phone. He reached for a chair and sat down to process the news. “So, what you’re telling me is that you’re my…sister?”

“Well, half sister, technically.”

“Right.” He frowned. “And how do you know about us? How to reach us?”

“Mom talked about you guys and the ranch all the time. She painted such a wonderful picture of it.”

“Odd, since she didn’t stick around to live here.” He didn’t bother to hide the residual bitterness inside him.

“She died a couple of years ago. Someone should have called. I realize that now, but I wasn’t sure what to do. My father didn’t like my mom to talk about you or the ranch. She only talked to me about it in private. For what it’s worth, I think there might have been times she regretted her choices,” Liberty replied softly. “But I can understand why you’d be angry with her.”