The Rough and Ready Rancher (11 page)

Without warning, he swung her up into his arms and headed for the stairs. “I've had about all this torment I can take.”

Her arms circled his neck as she allowed Flint to carry her to his room. When he set her on her feet, Jenna stopped him from turning down the covers.

Reaching out, she unsnapped his jeans, but instead of lowering the zipper, she traced the metal teeth with the tip of her fingernail. He started to pull down the tab, but she shooed his hands away. Her gaze meeting his, she slowly brushed her hand across the straining, faded fabric.

“I have a fantasy,” she said huskily. “Do you mind?”

“Not in the least, darlin'.” His smile was dazzling. “Go right ahead.”

Jenna had never played seductress before, but Flint didn't seem to mind her lack of experience. His gaze had turned smoldering, and his breath came out in short puffs. With every move of her hand across the tight denim, she could see the hunger build in his eyes, feel his need for her grow.

“Woman. You're going to drive me out of my mind.”

She toyed with the zipper tab. “Do you want me to stop?”

He shook his head and seemed to have trouble finding his voice. “H-hell, no!”

She smiled and knelt to tug off his boots and socks, then slowly lowered the zipper and removed his jeans. She cast them aside, but when she noticed the way his briefs outlined his heaviness, the magnificence of his erection, her smile faded into one of utter amazement. “Wow.”

Her hand trembled as she touched the hard ridge, and her own arousal built. When she heard him swallow, felt his body pulsate at her touch, power and triumph flowed through her. Never had she been more aware of her femininity than at that very moment.

Guiding her hands to the elastic band, his smile made her feel as though she might just melt into a pool at his feet. “Don't stop now. This is just starting to get interesting.”

When she lowered his briefs and circled him with her hand, his smile faded and his breath hissed out from between his clenched teeth. He clasped her wrists to stop her exploration.

“This isn't fair. I want to touch you, too.”

He tried to pull her to him, but she stepped back. “Not yet, cowboy. This is my fantasy, remember?”

Jenna had never stripped a man. But she enjoyed the feeling of control the experience gave her.

With a seductive glance she turned and bent over to remove her boots and socks. The denim stretched to define each curve and, rewarded by his harsh intake of breath, she smiled and turned to face him. Reaching for her own zipper, she lowered it with painstaking care.

The feral light in Flint's eyes inspired her and, undulating her hips, she placed her hands on her flat stomach to slowly let them glide down beneath her jeans and panties. Her breath caught at the heightened need etched in his handsome face, the fine sheen of perspiration glistening on
his bronzed skin. She reveled in the knowledge that she'd caused that look and, inch by slow inch, she revealed herself to him.

By the time her clothes had been tossed on the floor with his, Flint looked like a man in pain and she felt little better.

“Come here,” he commanded.

She proudly walked toward him and into his embrace. But when he tried to pull her to him, she shook her head. She had no intention of ending the performance before she'd exhausted every bit of knowledge she'd ever heard or read about seducing a man.

Her voice a sensual purr, she scolded, “Not yet, cowboy. There's more.”

Flint's groan of frustrated pleasure delighted her and, remembering something she'd read in a book, she lightly brushed the tips of her breasts against his hair-roughened chest. Never allowing their bodies to touch completely, she wrapped her leg around his and slid her foot along the back of his calf.

When it came to the next step, her courage threatened to desert her. She wasn't sure she could do what the heroine in the book had done, but she'd gone too far to turn back now. Besides, Flint hadn't complained so far.

Swallowing her inhibitions, Jenna bumped the lower part of her body to his, then arched her back to bring them into full contact. The jolt of torrid desire that resulted had them both gasping for air.

“Enough, woman!”

His reaction far exceeded Jenna's expectations, and her confidence blossomed. “Then lie down, cowboy.”

Flint had no idea what Jenna intended next, but her wide, gray eyes promised ecstasy, and he found her taking the role of seductress excited the hell out of him. Reclining, he watched her gaze caress his body. She was as turned on as
he was, and he knew it would be like nothing he'd ever experienced when they came together.

She straddled him, her body consuming his, slowly, completely, and he felt as if his head would come right off his shoulders. Flint wanted it to last forever, but he was close to the point of no return. He grasped her hips to keep her from moving, in an effort to fight the wave of need that urged him to end the sweet torture.

When he finally felt a degree of restraint, he gazed up at her. “Ride me, darlin'. Ride me like you ride Black Satin.”

Filled with him, Jenna's eyes locked with Flint's, and she slowly rocked against him. Her body tightened when the pressure inside her quickly built to a throbbing crescendo and she fought to prolong the feeling even as she raced to end it.

She was suddenly there, and she moaned Flint's name as her muscles contracted around him. But moments later, when his body stiffened, then gave up his essence in great, quaking spasms, Jenna gasped at the pleasure rippling through her a second time. And she responded yet again to the man she loved.

 

Flint held Jenna close. He felt as if he could move mountains. He'd heard it was possible, but he'd never before incited a woman to such heights of passion. Nor had he ever reached them himself. At least not until today.

He hugged her tight. He wanted to tell her what he was feeling—how much she'd come to mean to him. But she suddenly jerked from his embrace, sat up and grabbed for the sheet.

“What's the matter, darlin'?”

She eluded his grasp, got out of bed and scrambled to pull on her clothes. “Good grief, Flint. We didn't even close the door. What if Ryan or Whiskers had walked by?”

He propped his hands behind his head and regretfully
watched her cover her delectable body. “You don't need to worry. They left before dawn. They've gone to visit Whiskers's sister.” He left the bed to give her a quick, hard kiss, then pulled on his own clothes. “After the trouble with the saddle and the fire last night, I couldn't be sure Ryan wouldn't be a target.”

She pulled her shirt over her head. “I'm going to miss them, but I think you made the right decision.”

Before she could tuck the garment into her jeans, Flint stepped behind her and reached around to cup her breasts. Damn, but the woman could even drive him wild putting her clothes
on.

“I want you in here with me tonight, Jenna,” he said, nuzzling the side of her throat.

“Okay. But on one condition.”

He nipped at the hollow behind her ear. “What's that?”

She turned, grabbed him by the shirt collar and drew him down for her kiss. “You strip for me tonight, cowboy.”

Delighted with her playfulness, Flint lowered his lips to plant tiny kisses at her temple, her eyelids and the tip of her nose. Leaning back, he grinned. “Another fantasy?”

The ringing of the phone interrupted her answer. Irritated, Flint snatched the receiver from the cradle. “Rocking M.”

He listened a moment, then covered the mouthpiece and turned to Jenna. “Could you go down to the study and see if I left my truck keys on the desk?”

Waiting until she'd left the room, he asked, “Is he still alive?” Flint listened to the answer, his gut twisting into a tight knot. “We'll be right there.”

Flint pulled on his boots, a mixture of fear and dread racing through his veins. Meeting Jenna on her way back up the stairs, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Darlin', there's been an accident. We have to go to the hospital.”

Her face bleached white. “Ryan?”

Flint shook his head. “Cooper was gored in the back by a bull at the rodeo in Amarillo.”

“Oh, God, no! Not again.”

Her knees buckled, and Flint caught her to him. “He's hurt pretty bad, but he's still alive.”

Trembling against him, her tears wet his shirt. “I can't lose him. Not like this. I can't go through this again.”

Flint gave her a little shake as he tried to get through to her. “I said he's alive, Jenna. He's in surgery.”

He led her out of the house and helped her into his truck. Her reaction bothered him. If there was one thing he'd learned in the past few weeks it was that Jenna wasn't prone to panic. He'd seen her give a good accounting of herself in several emergency situations, and she'd handled each one with calm efficiency. But the way she stared straight ahead without seeing things, the way she stumbled along beside him without seeming to care where he took her, scared him as little else could.

Putting the truck in gear, he formulated a plan. Maybe if he could get her to talk, she'd come out of the disturbing lethargy. “What did you mean you can't go through this again? Are you talking about your father's accident?”

“Yes.” Her voice caught. “I lost Dan at the same time.”

“Dan?”

She turned to look at him as if she hadn't been aware he was even in the truck with her. “My fiancé.”

Flint felt as if he'd taken a sucker punch to the gut. She'd been engaged? She hadn't mentioned it before and neither had the investigator's report.

His hands clenched the steering wheel. “What happened?”

“Bull riders didn't wear flak vests like they do now,” she answered, her voice flat. “Daddy was one of the bull-fighters that day. He did his best to draw the bull away
from Dan. But after the bull injured Daddy, it turned back to Dan. Dan died in the arena.”

Flint felt as though he'd taken another punch. No wonder she was in a state of shock. She knew this nightmare all to well.

Reaching over, he unfastened her seat belt, then pulled her into the center of the bench seat. He hugged her close, offering her his strength. “Dan Tyler?”

She nodded. “Did you know him?”

“No. But I remember reading about his death. That was up in Oklahoma City, wasn't it?”

“Yes.” She shuddered. “That's why the money is in the Oklahoma bank.”

“You were the beneficiary on his insurance policy,” Flint stated. He felt lower than dirt. Last night and this morning, he'd all but accused her of acquiring the money from selling his cattle.

She nodded. “But I'll never spend a penny of it.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The last thing I wanted was to profit from his death,” she said, her voice dull. “I wanted Dan, not the money.”

Flint's gut twisted and his guilt increased. He wasn't proud of it by a long shot, but he felt a stab of jealousy at the thought of Dan Tyler holding Jenna, kissing her. But the more Flint thought about it, the more precious he realized the gift of her virginity had been. She'd been engaged to the young man, but she'd chosen Flint to be the first man she made love with.

They rode in silence for a time before Jenna spoke again. “When Cooper came by the ranch, he told me this was his last rodeo.” Her voice caught on a sob, and she buried her face in her hands. “Why didn't he quit sooner? And why wasn't he wearing his flak vest?”

“I can't answer that, darlin',” Flint said, tightening his arm around her.

“Do they think he'll make it?” she asked, her voice reflecting her fear.

“They didn't say,” Flint hedged.

He wished he could tell Jenna everything would be fine, that Cooper would be okay. But he couldn't. The hospital had informed him the man was in critical condition and they wanted the next of kin notified immediately.

“Thank you for being here with me.”

“I wouldn't be anywhere else, darlin'.”

He didn't want to leave Jenna. She needed him. And whether it was due to the guilt he felt or the fact that he felt more for her than he had any woman, Flint needed for her to need him.

I
f she lost Cooper, she'd have no one. No family left at all, Jenna thought as she paced the length of the empty waiting area, then stopped to stare out the window.

“Would you like some coffee?” Flint asked, coming to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her back against him.

Within the security of Flint's arms, she drew strength and tried to chase away the chilling numbness. She couldn't imagine life without her brother. After their mother left, their father had more or less lost interest in life, and Cooper had taken it upon himself to help her through the difficulties of growing up.

A ghost of a smile touched Jenna's lips. She could remember the time he'd taken her to a discount store, and together they'd tried to pick out her first bra. Neither one of them had any idea what to look for, but they'd done their best. And not once had Cooper teased her about hav
ing to stuff the cups. Then, a year later, uncomfortable and blushing furiously, Cooper had done the best a seventeen-year-old boy could to explain how her body was changing, and that it didn't mean she would die just because she'd gotten her first period.

Cooper had been with her the day of her father's and Dan's accidents, too. He'd held her while her world fell apart, then had seen her through the difficult days following Dan's funeral and her father's hospitalization.

Whether real or imaginary, there had been so many times Cooper had helped her over the hurdles of life. And even though she knew he'd been disappointed by her reluctance to watch him ride, he understood why she couldn't.

Dear God, what would she do if something happened to him?

Flint tightened his arms around her. He'd heard the broken sob she tried to hide. “Why don't we sit down, darlin'?” he asked gently. He led her to the couch, settled her beside him, then gathered her into his arms.

Normally he got as far away from a teary female as he could. He never knew quite what to say or do when the waterworks started. But each one of Jenna's quiet sobs tore at his heart, and he felt her pain all the way to his soul.

He held her close and rocked her while her tears wet his shirt and burned his skin beneath. “Jenna, is there anything I can get you?”

“No. Just hold me. Please.”

Flint hugged her close and brushed his lips across the top of her head. “Don't worry. I won't let you go, until you tell me to.”

 

Several hours later a man in surgical blues appeared at the door of the waiting room. “Are you here for Mr. Adams?”

“Is my brother going to be all right?”

Flint tried to judge the doctor's expression, but the man's stoic look gave nothing away. Bracing himself for whatever would come, he took Jenna's hand in his.

“Mr. Adams made it through surgery,” the man assured them. He sat down in the chair across from them. “I'm Dr. Langston. I was the surgeon on call this weekend.”

“Is my brother going to make it?” Jenna demanded. She gripped Flint's hand as if it were a lifeline.

“I'm not sure,” Langston answered honestly. “He's suffered some very serious injuries. We had to remove his spleen because of the puncture wounds, and he had several broken ribs. One of them pierced his left lung and, due to compression on the heart, we had to administer CPR before we got him into surgery.”

Jenna gasped and Flint put his arm around her. “How soon will you know?” he asked.

Dr. Langston rested his forearms on his knees and squarely met Flint's gaze. “I'd say if Mr. Adams can make it through the next twenty-four hours, he has a fair chance. He's strong and in good physical condition. That's in his favor. And he seems to have a pigheaded determination to live. Otherwise we'd have never made it to surgery with him.”

“When can I see him?” Jenna asked.

“He'll be in postop for a while, then we'll move him to intensive care.” Dr. Langston stood up. “I'll make arrangements for you to see him as soon as he comes out of recovery. After that, I'd like to keep the visits to short intervals every few hours. Right now, rest is important. His body needs time to get over the trauma of the accident and start the healing process.”

Flint rose to shake hands with the man. “Thanks.”

Dr. Langston smiled as he pumped Flint's arm. “I'll have someone show you to the ICU.”

 

“Miss Adams?”

Instantly awake, Jenna jerked from Flint's arms. “Is it Cooper? Is he all right?”

“As far as I know, your brother is still doing fine,” the woman said. She smiled, but it wasn't friendly. “My name is Miss Hart. I need to talk with you in the business office.”

“Can't it wait?” Flint asked, coming to his feet. “Miss Adams isn't up to dealing with this right now.”

Of medium height, the woman managed to look down her nose at the man towering over her. “Are you a relative?”

“Friend of the family.”

Jenna noticed Flint's tone matched the same chilling degree as Miss Hart's.

The woman sniffed and turned back to Jenna. “There are papers to be filled out and method of payment to discuss.” She waved her hand and walked toward the door. “Follow me.”

Entering a small office, the gray-haired woman seated herself behind a desk. She motioned to the only other chair in the office. “Sit down, Miss Adams. Your brother wasn't capable of furnishing any information last night.” Miss Hart turned to her computer keyboard and entered Cooper's patient number. “I understand he's a bull rider?”

“That's right,” Jenna answered, sitting down.

“And I suppose the only insurance he carries is the standard policy issued when he became a professional cowboy?” Miss Hart asked.

Jenna nodded. “He rides the rough stock. It's the only insurance he can get.”

“I'm well aware insurance companies won't write policies for people in so foolish a profession.” Miss Hart keyed in the information. “If he expires there will be the death benefit. Does he have a savings account?”

“That's none of your business,” Flint said flatly.

“And
this,
sir, is none of yours,” Miss Hart retorted.

Jenna jumped to her feet. “Don't worry about the bill. What insurance doesn't pay for, I will. Show me where to sign.”

Miss Hart looked dubious. “Are you employed, young lady?”

“Gainfully!” Jenna pointed to Flint. “If you don't believe me, just ask this man how much I'm charging to train his horse.”

When Flint nodded, Jenna grabbed an ink pen, signed her name to the paper the woman shoved across the desk, then slammed it on the polished surface. “You'll get your money, Miss Hart. But I'd better get an itemized statement listing everything that's done for my brother. And I don't want to see the word miscellaneous anywhere on it. If a nurse so much as combs his hair, I'd better see it listed on the bill.”

“Now see here—”

“No!” Jenna planted her hands on the desk and leaned forward. “You see here. Cooper is the only living relative I have. He means the world to me, and I'm worried to death that I'll lose him. But his life means little or nothing to you. All you see is a six-foot dollar sign in that bed.”

“Well, I never—”

“That's probably what's wrong with you,” Flint interjected.

Miss Hart stood up. “Every time a rodeo comes to town, one of your kind gets injured in his quest for eight seconds of glory. Then I'm stuck with working out a payment plan.”

Flint didn't normally throw his weight around, but this woman had it coming. And he was more than glad to give it to her. “Have you heard of the Rocking M Ranch, Miss Hart?”

“Of course.” The woman's chin rose haughtily. “It's one of the largest ranches in the panhandle, and Mr. McCray has been quite generous with his donations to our hospital.”

Flint stuck out his hand. “I'm very glad to meet you, Miss Hart. The name's McCray…Flint McCray.”

Miss Hart peered at him through her glasses, then suddenly looked as if a bee had flown up her skirt. “Oh, dear! I didn't recognize you in—” she pointed to his clothes “—in that attire.”

Satisfied he had her attention, Flint smiled. “Appearances can be deceiving.” He put an arm around Jenna's shoulders. “Take this lady, for instance. She has enough money to buy and sell
you
several times over. But just because she's wearing jeans and boots, you treat her like a second-class citizen.”

“Well…I, uh…you see—”

“I'm afraid I do, Miss Hart,” Flint interrupted, his smile turning to a deep frown. “But, just so we have things clear between us, let me spell it out in terms even
you
can understand. Cooper Adams is a rodeo rider, but he's also a personal friend of mine. He'd better receive the very best care this hospital can provide, or the gravy train will dry up. There won't be any more ‘generous donations' from me. Is that understood?”

“Yes, but—”

“Good. Because if my contributions to this hospital cease, I can guarantee my old friend, Nate Bolinger, will contact me to find out the reason.” Flint steered Jenna to the door. Turning back, he smiled. “And we both know damned good and well I'll be obligated to tell him…Miss Hart.”

Jenna stepped out into the hall. “I could buy and sell her? Where did that come from?”

Flint grinned and fell in beside her. “I was on a roll.”

“Who is Nate Bolinger?” she asked.

“The hospital administrator,” he said, grinning.

Walking along the quiet corridors, Jenna jammed her hands into her jeans pockets. “I shouldn't have lost my temper with Miss Hart, but she really knows how to push a person's buttons.”

“Darlin', the only heart that woman has is her last name.”

“Miss Adams?” The intensive care nurse coming toward Jenna grinned. “Your brother's awake and asking for you.”

Jenna was only vaguely aware Flint followed her when she rushed into the room where Cooper lay hooked up to an IV and monitors. Gently touching his dark-blond hair, she searched every inch of Cooper's face. He had several bruises, and his blue eyes were clouded with pain, but otherwise he looked good for all he'd been through.

“My number wasn't up yet, little sister,” Cooper said, his voice weak. “I'll be fine. I promise.”

“Oh, Cooper, why didn't you wear your protective vest?”

“Must…have lost it. It wasn't in my riggin' bag.”

When he reached up to take her hand, she couldn't keep a tear from rolling down her cheek. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

“Enough.” Cooper noticed Flint standing at her shoulder. “Have you two…been here all night?”

Flint smiled. “Couldn't think of anything better to do.”

“You couldn't think of a better place…to spend the night with my sister?” Cooper asked, his voice little more than a hoarse croak. “You must not…get out much, McCray.”

Jenna noticed Cooper was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. “Just rest. We'll be here when you wake up.”

Cooper shook his head, then looked directly at Flint. “Take care…of her, McCray.”

“I will,” Flint promised as Cooper lost consciousness.

 

After scanning the same entry five times without an inkling of what he'd read, Flint shoved the ranch books aside. His thoughts went back to the scene in Miss Hart's office a week ago. He still couldn't get over the way Jenna had signed the paper accepting responsibility for Cooper's medical bills. Without having to think twice, she'd put her own dreams on hold, in order to see her brother taken care of.

She'd do anything for Cooper. Would she do the same for Flint? Would she be willing to base her training business at the Rocking M and stay with him?

When he heard a truck pull up the drive, Flint abandoned his speculation. A smile spread across his face, and his mood lightened. Switching off the desk light, he left the study. Jenna was back from the hospital, and the endless hours he'd spent trying but accomplishing nothing were over.

“Hi, darlin',” he said, opening the door and taking her into his arms. When she snuggled against him, Flint tightened his embrace. “How's Cooper?”

“They moved him out of intensive care today.” Jenna smiled up at him. “Dr. Langston said if he keeps improving at this rate, he'll be released in a few days.”

“Great.” Flint nibbled a path of kisses from her temple down to the hollow of her throat. “He can use Whiskers's room just off the kitchen. That way he won't have stairs to climb.”

Jenna drew back to look at him. “Flint, do you mean it? You want Cooper to come here?”

“Of course.” Flint gazed down at her, his body tightening at the feel of her in his arms, the herbal scent of her
hair. “He'll need somewhere to convalesce. What better place than the Rocking M?” He kissed her until they were both weak. “Besides, you'll be here to take care of him.” He kissed her again. “And I'll be here to take care of you.”

The hours she'd been gone had stretched out like an eternity, and Flint wondered how he would survive if she left the Rocking M. But Jenna was in his arms now, and the magic of her touch, her response to his kiss, fueled the hunger that had gnawed at him all evening.

Jenna gave a startled squeak when Flint scooped her up and headed for the stairs. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. He had been so wonderful the last few days, so loving. He'd understood her need to be at the hospital, and even though he couldn't always go with her to visit Cooper, there wasn't a night he hadn't waited up for her.

“I bought a new T-shirt today.” Nibbling on his earlobe, she asked, “Do you want to know what it said?”

“What?”

“Texans like it hot and spicy,” she whispered, allowing her words to feather over his ear.