Surrender to Temptation (17 page)

“You look and smell great,” he whispered as he pulled out her chair. He had intentionally leaned closer to her as he spoke, his cheek grazing the side of her head.

“Behave, Chase.”

“I’m being a choir boy, Nikki,” he said, a sexy smile lifting the corner of his lips.

He really was yummy. As though she couldn’t help herself, her eyes went to his lips, remembering the way they’d tasted, the raw power in the way he’d held her. She had a normal sex drive and none of her ex-lovers ever complained, yet when in the presence of this man, all she thought about was touching his face, his hair, kissing him. The smile on his lips said he knew it.

“Do you want to play pool downstairs after dinner? I promise to let you win.”

“Hey, I’ve won a few,” she protested. “And you didn’t let me.”

He smirked. “Whatever you say, gorgeous.”

Nikki narrowed her eyes. “Next time. Tonight, Mrs. B invited me to join the men after dinner and sing something. She asked so nicely I gladly accepted.”

“Am I invited too?” he asked.

“It’s your ranch, cowboy. You can come and go as you please.”

Dinner in his presence was an adventure as usual, but she didn’t linger. The others were done eating. Tucker was smoking a cigarette while the others were either eating pie or drinking coffee. As soon as she walked outside, everyone started asking her about the songs she knew and offering her a place to sit. Tucker extinguished his cigarette and picked up his guitar. Winston grabbed his harmonica.

Nikki smiled at their enthusiasm, sat next to Little Joe, and started singing
Deep in the Heart of Texas
, an old cowboy tune. Tucker picked up the tune. Winston added his harmonica and stamped his feet. Mrs. B pulled Mac to his feet and the two started to dance. Laughing, Nikki stood, bowed before Little Joe, and requested a dance. A boyish grin lit up the young man’s face. Then he jumped up.

That was how Chase found them when he opened the door. Nikki didn’t stop. She may have faltered a bit, but she continued dancing and doing her thing. She thought the others might feel uneasy with the boss around, but they just offered him a place to sit and continued their singing and clapping. He watched them and sipped his drink. She knew the exact moment he left.

***

Familiar voices drifted into the den and interrupted Nikki’s work. She left the desk and walked to the window. Libby was talking animatedly to Chase. The woman was always coming to the ranch with one problem or another.

Nikki’s eyes shifted to Chase when he shouted something to Winston. He started for the house.
  

“Nikki?” Chase called as soon as he walked into the house.

Nikki met him in the foyer. “Is something wrong?”

“I need to go to Libby’s for something. I should be back within the hour.”

She frowned. “But weren’t you expecting the vet today?”

He rubbed his nape and smothered a curse. “Jon Vogel! He was supposed to have been here yesterday. His office called and said he had an emergency delivery but would be here today. Well, half the day is gone and I have no idea where he is.” His hand reached for hers. “Do me a favor, babe. Could you look out for him? Mac and Tucker took two of the mares out and I need Winston with me at Libby’s. So, please, keep an eye out for Jon’s truck. It’s a dark-green Chevy with his name and trade on it. If he gets here before we do, take him to see Philly. She’s in the north paddock.”

Chase sounded frustrated, and she was tempted to ask what Libby wanted. Instead, she squeezed his hand. “You go on ahead. I’ll look out for him. I’m done for the day anyway and could use some fresh air.”

He smiled and said, “Thanks, babe,” and then dropped a gentle kiss on her lips.

She frowned as she watched him go. She would bet he hadn’t realized that he’d kissed her or called her babe—twice.

Chase was riding away with Libby and Winston when Nikki stepped onto the patio. As she stared after them, the patio door opened behind her and Mrs. B joined her.

“Do you know what’s going on at Libby’s, Mrs. B?”

The older woman sighed and sat beside her. “I hear that old Hubbard’s son, Peter, has come home and is trying to evict Libby and her family from the house. That boy is pure evil. Libby got that land fair and square from Hubbard, but Peter refuses to believe it.”

“Why can’t she call the police?” Nikki asked. Why call Chase? What if he got hurt?

“Because quite a number of people around here still believe that the Indians should only live on the reservation. They forget about the ones who own properties outside the reservation, like Libby’s family, those that marry outside their race and inherit properties, or children from such unions, like Dean’s father. No, the police are not likely to listen to her.” Mrs. B sighed.

“But what can Chase do?” Nikki asked.

Mrs. B looked at her and smiled. “Libby said that Peter was drunk and throwing their belongings outside. Now if that’s true, then Chase or Winston could restrain him until he calmed down. Maybe they could reason with Peter or be a witness to his deeds. They are more liable to believe Chase and Winston than three Crow Indian women.” Mrs. B shook her head. “It is interesting that he picked a day when Libby’s brothers are gone and she’s alone with her mother and grandmother. Young Peter is a big man, too. The women are no match for him. It is a good thing Libby has us to turn to for help.”

What if the man turned on Chase and his eyes got injured again? Nikki bit her lower lip and sat on the patio. Mrs. B sat down beside her. For once, Nikki didn’t question why she was worried about Chase. She just was.

***

The sun was setting when Chase and Winston rode back. Nikki found herself following Mrs. B to meet them as they neared the barn.

“How did it go?” Mrs. B asked.

“We calmed Peter and convinced him to leave before the police could be called. Dean drove him back to Dillon.” Chase was rubbing his temple. He reached under his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes. “Did Jon show up?”

“No.” Were his eyes bothering him?

“Do you want me to call his office, boss?” Winston asked.

Chase shook his head and got off his horse. “We’ve already started treating the mare. I might just consult with a different vet if Jon doesn’t show up. Is Tucker home yet?”

“Yes. He’s in the barn,” Nikki said, following him and Thunder. “Do you do this sort of thing a lot?”

“What thing?”

“Rescue damsels in distress,” she said.

Flashing a grin, Chase stopped. “Now I know why you’re dogging my steps while chewing your lip. You were worried about me.”

The grin said he was pleased, but she couldn’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses. Nikki rolled her eyes. “Of course I was worried, for purely selfish reasons. If you’d gotten hurt, you wouldn’t help me with my riding lessons or help me finish the website.”

He tilted her face toward him, ignored her explanation, and smiled. “Peter is a drunk and a fool, but he’s no match for me, even if I were blind as a bat with my hands tied behind my back.” He looked up at the sound of an approaching truck. “Jon! Do me a favor, sweetheart. Take Thunder in and give her some water. Jon and I have a few things to discuss.”

Sweetheart? She turned to look at the man Chase was about to confront. Jon Vogel had just jumped down from the truck. He had a receding hairline, a protruding belly, and a reddish-blond beard. He didn’t look remorseful for being late for his appointment. His beady eyes studied the farm. Nikki shook her head, shrugged, and walked the mare into the barn to wipe her down.

***

Chase cleared his expression as he approached the vet. This was the last time he was asking for Jon’s services.

“Howdy, Fitzgerald,” Jon said, though his eyes were on the barn entrance where Nikki had disappeared.

“Nice of you to stop by, Jon,” Chase said as he shook the older man’s hand. “I heard about the foaling at Randal’s.”

“Yes, one of his mares had some difficulties—a breach birth. How is Wind Dancer?”

“She needs a pelvic exam to confirm that the infection is gone.” Chase indicated for the older man to walk ahead of him. Wind Dancer was corralled on the north side of the farm.

“Did you follow the instructions I gave you over the telephone?” the vet asked.

“Yes, we used one of the tubes and placed the saline solution with the antibiotics into her uterus. I think she is okay now, but I need confirmation—another culture, if possible, before I can take her near a stallion,” Chase explained.

“Are you breeding all of them at Circle R?”

Chase stopped at the fence. “Just some of them. Wind Dancer is going to Duncan’s.”

“You are using Zeus?”

“Yes.” Duncan Parker ran a stallion farm in the north and had some of the best Arabian and Thoroughbred stallions in the state. His prized stallion was Zeus, an Arabian.

“How did you manage that? Duncan is expensive and very particular about mares he mates with Zeus. A lot of farmers around here have tried for years to get a booking and gotten nowhere.”

They stopped and watched as Wind Dancer grazed comfortably in the paddock. “We talked last year right after I bought Wind Dancer,” Chase said. “He’s expecting the mare soon.”

 
“You’re related to Hawk. I’m sure that made a big difference to Duncan.”

Chase didn’t let the vet’s comment about Dean’s father bother him. It would take a while before the people around here believed he was a good horseman in his own right and not just because his uncle was wealthy and well-known. He hadn’t used Dean’s family to get the booking with Duncan. Chase had paid Duncan a visit and found out they had a shared interest—an appreciation for fine cuisine and fine horseflesh. The man had been impressed by Wind Dancer and her cousin, Philly.

“My uncle is too busy with his own farm to meddle in mine.”

The vet brushed his thinning blonde hair and stared curiously at Chase. “So you really plan to stay in Montana and breed mares?”

Chase frowned. “Of course. Why else would I be here?”

“Passing time as most city folks with too much money do. When I drove up, I saw a pretty young lady. Is she one of the girls that keep flying out here every few weeks to keep you
entertained
?”

Chase’s hands clenched. He didn’t give a rat’s ass whether the entire county thought he was on vacation, but he resented the implication that Nikki and the women Uncle Mo had sent were call girls. “She is a business associate.”

Jon laughed. “Business associates? Assistants? They have nice rings to them. Very legit.”
 

“I don’t know what you are implying, Jon, or where you’ve gotten your information.”

“Hogan.”

Chase gave a humorless laugh. “Don’t believe the words of a disgruntled ex-employee.”

“But he’s a local man most of us have known all our lives.” Jon smirked, the implication being Hogan couldn’t possibly lie. “Have you checked to confirm the mare’s heat cycle?”

If it weren’t for the damn cultures, he would throw the man off his land. “Yes. Wind Dancer should be ready to breed in a week.”

Tucker led Wind Dancer from the paddock. Chase and the vet followed them back to the grooming area. They stopped by Philly’s stall and watched the expectant mother.

“Philly’s will be Zeus’s first foal on Eagles Hill,” Chase said.

“Oh. I thought you used one of Dean’s stallions.” The vet checked Philly’s swollen stomach and her flanks. “Her udder is enlarged. That’s a good sign.”

Chase smiled. Jon didn’t sound patronizing now. “Philly has been swelling on and off throughout her pregnancy.”

“She’s a first timer, so that’s expected,” Jon said. “Just make sure you record everything; when the udder fills and how long she carries the foal. She will be ready to foal when her flanks are sunken in. If she’s still rounded, that may spell trouble, so call me.”

Chase wasn’t going to call Jon for anything. Dean and Winston had enough experience with difficult foaling. Between them, Philly should be fine. The only reason Jon was on his farm now was because of Wind Dancer’s infection. He would never put up with the vet’s unsolicited advice on horse breeding, his smirking expression, or his derision.

Jon spent hours getting samples for a culture and checking on the other horses. It was going on to four hours when he left Eagles Hill. Chase made sure the check he gave the vet covered all his services.

What a day
, Chase thought as he wrote in Wind Dancer’s journal. First it was Libby and her problems, then Jon. His head was pounding relentlessly. He finished the final entry, left the tack room, and headed for the house and Nikki.

Talking to her often relaxed him.

Nikki was in the den, working. He paused by the door and studied her. The slope of her cheek. The silky dark hair flowing to her shoulder. She didn’t look up and was gnawing on her lush lower lip. A sudden wave of longing washed through him, burning desire mixed with a need to just hold her in his arms and rest his eyes.

CHAPTER 12

“I thought we agreed you’d only work in the early mornings and afternoons,” Chase said, entering the den.

Nikki looked up and smiled, her insides melting. She didn’t know what it was about Chase that captivated her. He exuded an aura of raw sensuality, well-toned muscles rippling whenever he moved, then there was the patient, confident way he did things. Confidence was sexy in a man.

No matter how hard she fought him, the crazy pull toward him persisted, growing stronger and mocking her. What was she running from anyway? She was giddy around him and her heart felt lighter. It wasn’t just a physical attraction. It was more. Deeper. Powerful. Special.

Instead of walking around the desk to where she sat, Chase dropped onto the chair across from her and slouched. “You shouldn’t work too hard, Nikki. Take time to relax and enjoy yourself.”

Nikki closed her laptop and stood. It wasn’t what he’d just said that made her pause but the tone he’d used. He sounded drained and a little sad. And he was wearing his sunglasses indoors again, something he hadn’t done in the last several days.

“Is he gone?” Nikki asked.

“Jon? Yes, at last.” He closed his eyes.

“Does that mean you won’t be calling his office again?” she asked, rounding the desk. He opened his eyes and glanced at her, the corners of his lips lifting in a sexy smile.

“You got that right! I’m going to take an online course in basic veterinary. I’d rather do things by myself than depend on people like Jon,” he murmured softly to himself.

“Good for you. Mrs. B filled me in on that man’s attitude, and I think you’re doing the right thing. I just can’t stand people with attitudes like that. Wait and see if he doesn’t come begging to take care of your mares when you ditch him. People like that love to act smug until you don’t need their services anymore.” She stopped behind his chair.

He looked up at her and smiled. “You’re a tiger when you defend people you care about, aren’t you?”

She grinned back and quipped, “Don’t let it go to your head, cowboy.” Then she reached for his glasses and pulled them off. “How are your eyes?”

“Give those back!” He reached out as if to grab them, but she lifted them out of reach. He sank back in his seat. “My eyes are fine.”

She ignored his growled words and placed the sunglasses on his desk. “What about the headache?”

“Who said I had a headache?” Chase asked defensively. He waved. “My glasses, woman,” he ordered.

Nikki faked a shudder. “You sound downright scary when you bark, cowboy.”

“Yeah, you’re trembling with fear,” he said sarcastically.

 
“I guess you’re one of those men who’d be on his death bed before admitting he’s not feeling well. I’m going to give you a massage first, to ease that headache. Then you can have your sunglasses back.”

“I don’t need a damn mass—”

“Shh. Close your eyes and let me take over,” she whispered and covered his temples with her hands. She gently pulled his head backward until it was resting on the back of the chair. “Just relax. Breathe in and out, slowly and deeply. Think of somewhere you’d rather be or something you’d rather be doing than sitting here. Let me perform my magic,” she finished in a whisper.

Chase let out a rugged breath. “Do you know what I really need?”

“My magical hands.” She gently stroked his temple.

“You, Nikki. I need you.” He spoke softly, yet he sounded sincere and a little puzzled as though he was amazed.

Nikki paused and swallowed. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I’m just stating a fact.” He smiled, eyes still closed, his ridiculously long lashes forming a canopy over his cheekbones. “Okay, have your way with me, tigress,” he said.

She wanted to have her way with him. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and make his sadness go away, after ripping his clothes off and shamelessly riding him to exhaustion.

“I plan to.” He tried to say something, but she laid her finger across his lips and added. “Hush, now. Stop distracting me.”

Ten minutes later Chase sighed in contentment and Nikki smiled. She was enjoying touching the velvet smoothness of his skin. She kneaded and stroked it, loving the roughness around the chin, the smooth sculptured muscles on his shoulders, and the soft skin behind his ears. She messaged his temples and leaned closer to inhale more of his musky essence. He smelled nice, a mixture of soap, aftershave, horseflesh, and natural male scent that was intoxicating. She sighed and leaned even closer, unconsciously answering a call from him.

“That’s enough,” Chase muttered hoarsely. Then, with a stronger voice, he added, “I feel better, thank you. You were right, you do have magical fingers.”

“Thanks. Feel free to ask for them whenever it gets unbearable,” she said, picked up his glasses from the desk, and slipped them over his nose. “Here you go.”

She didn’t guess his intentions until his hand closed around her wrist. She squealed in shock as he tugged her onto his lap. Then she looked into his eyes, and her mouth went dry. The raw need sent her heart racing.

“Chase?”

“Shh, I just want to hold you,” he murmured. “And kiss you.” He claimed her lips then her mouth and tongue and made them his.

The kiss was hot, fierce yet gentle. It was hard to describe. Thoughts disappeared from Nikki’s head and sensations took over. She burned with need. His hand held her head in place while the other went around her waist.

She stroked his silken hair, loving the way the curls slid between her fingers. Nikki moaned, welcoming the heat of his mouth. Chase groaned. Like a starved man, he drank from her lips. When her hands wrapped around him, he pulled her legs over the armchair and held her even closer. The chair was uncomfortable, but it didn’t stop them.

When their lips separated, both of them were gasping. Her lips felt wet and swollen. He swept a hungry look over her. “So beautiful. So damn desirable. I could kiss you all night, Nikki. Love you all night.”

His hand closed around her nape and pulled her head toward him. There were caresses, sighs, and sounds of hungry lips as they assuaged their hunger. He reached for her breast.

It was a while before they stopped. Chase tucked her head under his chin and leaned backward. He held her like he never wanted to let her go.

Reality hit Nikki as she listened to Chase’s thundering heart in her ears. Or was it the blood pounding in her head? She didn’t know whether to curl against him and absorb his heat or bolt upstairs to analyze what had just happened. She couldn’t dare deny that she hadn’t enjoyed every minute of it. She closed her eyes and decided she didn’t want to think. She was staying.

It was a long time before she said, “I thought I said there will be no more kissing.”

Chase chuckled. “I decided I didn’t like your rules.”

She smiled at his arrogance. “Don’t I have a say in it?”

“No. We’ve played by your rules so far. Now we are following mine.”

“Which are?”

“We make love whenever and wherever we feel like it.”

She didn’t know how to react to his boldness and tried to sit up, but his arm tightened around her. “I need to finish my work, Chase,” she whispered.

“The computer can wait.” Chase murmured as he caressed her neck again, moved down, and brushed her taut nipples.

She shivered, wanting him to do more. His erection was nestled perfectly between her butt cheeks. “Someone might walk in on us.”

“I don’t care. I want to touch you. I need to touch you.”

God, he made it so difficult to resist him. She answered him by cupping his face and pulling his face to hers. She kissed him, showing him.

He let her take charge for about five seconds then took over, ravishing her mouth, his tongue bold and commanding. His hand crept slowly down her thigh. The dress was no barrier to the heat from his hand. He reached the hem of her dress and touched her knee. Nikki sucked in her breath. He slipped under her sundress.

Nikki’s knees fell apart. She was helpless against the fire burning through her, his effect on her. He accepted the invitation, fingers stroking her thighs, moving up to her hip. Not wasting time, he followed her silk panties to the apex of her thighs. Nikki squirmed, his erection pressing urgently from behind while his fingers delved inside her feminine folds. She trembled, trying to lift her hips to meet his gentle exploration. He plunged a finger inside her. Then another.

Nikki hissed, his name escaping her. His fingers were nimble, gentle one second, firm the next, driving her insane. Then his fingers were gone.

She wrenched her lips from his and cried, “No, don’t stop.”

He chuckled. “I don’t intend to.”

The next second, he swept her into his arms in one smooth motion. Nikki grabbed on to his shoulders. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying you,” he murmured and kissed her.

“I’m too big to be carried.”

He cocked his eyebrow. “Says who?”

Her ex-boyfriends. “It doesn’t matter who. I’m not petite and—”

He captured her lips in a kiss, swallowing the rest of her words. When he lifted his head, he warned, “Don’t ever insult me by saying I can’t carry you, Nikki. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than cradling you. Now, stop talking and kiss me.”

She kissed him with abandonment, reveling in being able to express her feelings. She kissed his neck, tasting the saltiness of his skin and loving his tantalizing male scent. His sharp intake of breath told her he liked it. She grew bolder, turning his head and nibbling on his lips greedily and boldly, caressing his tongue with hers.

When their lips parted, she hid her face in the crook of his neck and hung on tight to his broad shoulders. How she wanted to please him. This man who treated her like she was a precious gem was already erasing her past pains. Her height wasn’t a problem with him. He didn’t complain about her stubbornness. He listened and valued her opinions. She wanted to love him until he forgot about his personal demons.

Chase entered his room, kicking the door shut with his foot. He lowered her to the floor, kissing her, one hand looping around her waist and pulling her closer.

“I’ve ached for you for so long, baby,” he murmured, trailing hot kisses to her ear. He took a nip and chuckled when she cried out. He pushed the strap of her dress off her shoulder, lips following. He moved to her chest and burrowed in the valley between her breasts. Nikki’s hands sunk into his hair, gripping his head and guiding his lips to one nipple then the other.

Nikki’s knees almost gave out. She had nothing to hang on to but his head. He slipped lower, nuzzling her stomach, kissing her belly button. He was on his knees, pulling the sundress lower. The neck was tight around her hips and an insane thought rushed through her head. Why hadn’t he just pulled it over her head? It restricted her movements.

“Your scent…” He cupped her butt cheeks and buried his nose in her nether hair. “Headier than the best aged cognac.”

He gently probed her aching flesh, picking up where he’d left off downstairs. Nikki wiggled, but the dress trapped her thighs together, making it impossible to open her knees and give him better access.

“So wet and hot,” Chase whispered.

A slight nudge and she toppled onto the bed, her thighs still trapped by the neck of the dress. She tried to push it down, but he grabbed her wrists and trapped them above her head.

“Not yet,” he said.

“You’re not being fair. I can’t move.”

“That’s the idea, sweetheart. Let me love you.” He kissed her, his hand running down her body to find her again. The position was crazy. With each stroke, he slid inside her and brushed over her aching clit. Pressure built. Pleasure rocked her body with each rub and swirl.

Nikki bucked as he intensified the sensual torture. She thrust against his hand, trying to escape the confines of the dress.

“Chase, please,” she begged.

“Almost there, love.” Warm kisses on her throat and shoulders, the mind-numbing strokes of his fingers sliding in and out of her. Chase played by his own rules. Not just around the ranch. In bed, too. His movements sleek, calculated to drive her crazy.

Nikki pushed against his hand, bucking as he played her like a fine-tuned instrument, the roughness of his jeans against her, the incessant strokes pushing her higher and higher. He wouldn’t even let her touch him. His hot mouth closed around her nipples one at a time, gnawing with his teeth and soothing with his tongue. Suckling her. Nikki arched her back as the sensations became overwhelming.

“Chase,” she screamed his name as an orgasmic wave hit her hard.

He lifted his head to lick his fingers, and then he yanked off her dress. Blue flames leaping in his eyes, he stared down at her with raw hunger.

“My God, you’re gorgeous!” he muttered reverently. Reaching down, he traced a line from her belly button to her nipple.

“Please?” she begged and reached for his shirt. While she fumbled with the buttons, he explored her body, murmuring how long he had imagined her in his arms, how gorgeous she was, how soft her skin was, and what he was going to do to her.