The Cowboy's Property (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  “I hope you have some interesting ways to pass the time.” Kayla loosened her grip on the sheet and let it drop to her waist.

  “I’m sure we can think of something.”

  Chapter Seven

  Morning sun streamed through the windows in Jack’s room. Kayla sighed and focused on the man sleeping beside her. So much had changed in the past week. True, he was only responsible for part of the change, but what a change it was. She’d never felt as free as she did when she was with him.

  Muscles protested as she stretched and climbed out of bed. A hot shower would help, but a glance at the bedside clock told her she was running late for the morning feeding. Uncle Jerry would be pissed if she didn’t get a move on.

  She just finished tucking her shirt into her jeans when someone knocked at the door. Jack rolled over in the bed but didn’t open his eyes. Kayla twisted the knob and pulled the oak door open.

  “You didn’t waste much time, did you?” Laura glared at her from across the threshold.

  “What?” Confusion swamped her as she stared at her former employer.

  Laura rolled her eyes and huffed angrily. “Oh, come on. Cut the act. The ink’s not even dry on the contract, and already you’re sleeping with the new boss.”

  The bottom dropped out of her stomach. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Laura.”

  “He hasn’t even owned this place twenty-four hours, and you’re in his bed.”

  Kayla turned and looked at the man in question. His dark eyes were open, and his face held a look of disbelief. “You?”

  He tugged the sheet around his waist and sat up. “Kayla—”

  “You lied to me.” Kayla’s eyes blurred with unshed tears.

  Jack shook his head, wrapped the sheet around his waist, and stood. “I paid to stay here, so technically I was a guest.”

  “Did you know the ranch was for sale before you got here?” Please say no. Please say no.

  The look on his face said all she needed to know. He’d come here to check out the business with the intent to purchase. He’d used her to find out about the inner workings and any trouble spots that she might know about. “You bastard.”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “Really? How is it, then? Just tell me one thing. Did you use anything I told you in your decision to buy this place?” Kayla held her breath and waited.

  Jack’s shoulders sagged. “It’s not as easy as that.” He took two steps toward her.

  “You’re wrong. It’s a very simple question that only requires one answer. Either yes or no.” Unshed tears burned her eyes. “Did you, Jack?”

  His gaze dropped to the floor as he whispered the one word she feared. “Yes.”

  Laura still filled the doorway when Kayla turned to leave, a satisfied smirk on her face. “You didn’t really think he wanted you for more than sex and information, did you?”

  “Fuck you, Laura.” Kayla pushed past her and walked quickly down the hall.

  “It’s the way of the business world, honey. Do anything required to get what you need to close the deal.” Laura’s nasty words followed her to the stairs.

  Anger mixed with the tears threatening to flow by the time she reached the tiny cabin she shared with her uncle. There was no way she could face being around Jack right now. Hell, she could barely tolerate being on the same ranch with him after what she’d just learned.

  He’d used her. Plain and simple. No doubt, she’d been as willing to have sex as he was, but she also never hid who she was and what she was doing here. Kayla hadn’t used their passion and lust for each other to gain insider information to give her the upper hand in closing a deal.

  Kayla grabbed a duffel bag from under her bed and started filling it with clothes. There was no way she was going to stay here. Not now.

  “Where are you going?”

  Her back went ramrod stiff as Jack’s whiskey-rough voice danced over her. She glanced over her shoulder at him filling the doorway of her bedroom. The events of the past week slammed into her. The things she had done with this man. Wonderful things she had denied herself for such a long time. All the feelings and emotions threatened to break free. Be damned if she’d let him see her cry.

  “I’m not very particular at the moment, as long as you aren’t there.” Another armload of shirts went into the bag.

  “Are you leaving because I’m the new owner?” He took a step into the room.

  “No, I’m leaving because you lied to me. You used me.” Her extra pair of boots was shoved into the bag. “And because you’re the new owner.”

  “I didn’t use you, at least, I never intended to. I came here to check out a prospective buy, meeting you was just an added extra.”

  She stopped stuffing clothes into the bag and turned to look at him. “An extra? I was just an added extra?” White-hot rage boiled in her stomach.

  Jack closed his eyes and held up his hands. “That didn’t come out like I wanted it to. Let me try again.” His eyes opened, and he took another step forward. “Meeting you wasn’t something I expected when I came here.”

  Kayla jammed her fists into her hips. “So, it was like a perk?”

  “Yes. No.” He rushed forward and grabbed her shoulders. “This isn’t coming out right. I’m trying to explain, but I keep saying the wrong thing.”

  “Explain what exactly? That you came to the ranch so you could better judge how to close the deal? How you had ample opportunity to tell me you were here looking to buy but didn’t? How you screwed me hoping I would tell you about the internal problems going on?” She shook her head and shrugged his hands from her. “I played right into that one, didn’t I?”

  Jack stood motionless. “You’re right. I did come here to get information about the ranch. No good businessman goes into a sale blind. The more intel you have, the better deal you can work, but it was never my intention to make you feel like I was using you to gain information.”

  “Right, that was just a perk.” How could she have been so stupid? She put herself out there and ended up burned. “I need to leave.”

  “I know you feel like I’ve used you, but that just isn’t how it happened.” He blew out a deep breath and backed toward the door. “I hope you know that you don’t have to go. I want you to understand you and Jerry have jobs here as long as you want them.”

  “There’s nothing to understand, Jack. You bought a ranch, but we both got fucked.” She swallowed hard in an attempt to rein in her raging emotions.

  Sinful chocolate eyes gazed at her from across the room. “What would it take for you to stay?”

  “I can’t make you leave, Jack, but if you think I’m just going to stand by and put on a happy face, you’re wrong.” Kayla turned and looked out the window.

  “If I have to leave so you’ll stay then that’s what I’ll do.” Muffled footsteps crossed the room until she could feel the heat of his body on her back. “The ranch needs you.” He drew in a deep breath. “I need you. I didn’t come up here with the intentions of hurting anyone. God knows I wouldn’t hurt you for the world. I’ve come to care about you, but if my leaving will make your life easier then I’ll do it in a heartbeat.”

  Her eyes burned as fresh tears brimmed and threatened to spill. “I think it would be for the best.”

  His breath tickled the side of her neck, sending a shiver of want through her body. How in the hell could she still want him after what he’d done? He’d lied and used her for his own personal gain. No amount of apologies could ever erase that from her mind and heart.

  “If you need to get in touch with me about anything,” he placed a business card on the dresser in front of her, “all you need to do is call.”

  Kayla didn’t need to turn to know he’d left the room. The soft click of the front door closing was confirmation enough. It was over. He was gone. So why did she feel like the one who’d just lost everything?

  “There are times when I wonder if you have any brains at all.”


  She turned to find Jerry standing in the doorway of her bedroom. “How long have you been home?”

  “Long enough.” He entered the room and sat on the edge of her bed. “So that’s it, huh? You’re just going to let him leave?”

  “He lied to me. He used me.”

  Jerry scowled. “Maybe he did, but you used him, too.”

  “What? I never used him.”

  “Bullshit. Tell me something, what did you stand to lose by sleeping with him?”

  Kayla swallowed hard and stared at her uncle. “My job.”

  He shook his head. “You already figured once the sale came through you’d be out of work. Care to try again?”

  Her mind raced to find a reason, but Jerry was right, she had used him. With nothing left to lose, she’d taken a chance on a man, a stranger, who made her feel alive. The thought of losing her place on the ranch, her home, had left her feeling empty. She’d grabbed the chance to make a few memories while she still had the chance, but it had turned into something more than just a fling. Apparently, it had for both of them.

  Jerry smiled a slow smile and nodded. “I see it’s all starting to sink in now.” He stood and moved to stand in front of her. “Do you really want to spend the rest of your life wondering? I know he made you happy, and I know you feel like he lied to you, but I think, if you really think about it, you’ll see that what started off as just selfish reasons for each of you turned into a whole different beast all together.”

  Kayla stared after her uncle as he silently left the room. Damn it to hell, but he was right. They’d both been in the wrong, but somehow it had turned out so right. She’d never let herself really feel free and wild with a man before. Never felt like she could. There were always too many other responsibilities crowding her mind to let her even think about a man, much less a long-term relationship. But somehow with Jack, she could see a future. Assuming he was still willing.

  She needed to find him before he left. Before it was too late.

  Kayla grabbed the duffel bag from her bed and raced from the cabin. With any luck, he would still be in his room. She could still catch him.

  She made her way through the lodge and up the stairs to Jack’s suite. Kayla tapped on the door and tried to tamp down the nerves threatening to eat her alive. She rapped again, but still no answer. Maybe she’d missed him.

  She twisted the knob and pushed the door open. His suitcase lay open on the bed, filled with clothes. The only sound in the quiet came from the shower. Dropping her bag beside the bed, she closed the door and made her way to the bathroom.

  Even with the thick steam billowing around her, she could make out his naked form through the frosted glass of the shower enclosure. Need coiled deep within her. She wasn’t sure which was more powerful just now, the need to work things out, or the need to wrap her legs around his waist and fuck until neither of them could walk.

  Fear crept up her throat and threatened to choke her. What if he’d changed his mind and didn’t want to see her? He’d said she could call if she ever needed him, hadn’t he? Shit, maybe she should have called first. Instead, here she was standing in his bathroom without his knowledge while he showered. Naked. Soapy.

  Hell, she needed to get out of here before she made a bigger ass out of herself. All she needed to do was make it out of the room without getting caught. Then she could go back to the cabin and call him. Yep, sounded like a plan.

  With her mind made up, Kayla turned and eased toward the doorway. Slow and easy. Her right foot had just touched the carpet when she froze.

  Chapter Eight

  “Were you just going to leave without saying anything?”

  Tingles raced down her spine and settled directly in her pussy, making her muscles pulse and jump. Damned if that man didn’t have a voice that could send her careening to near orgasm with just a few simple words. Slowly, Kayla turned and focused on his fuzzy silhouette through the opaque glass. His hands roamed over his chest and down to his cock as water splashed over him.

  Kayla bit her lip to keep from moaning out loud. Mere hours ago, she’d been the one running her hands over the ridged planes of his body. Her skin prickled at the memory of the heated flesh beneath her fingertips. “I figured I’d come back when you weren’t busy.”

  His deep chuckle resonated in the tiled room, bouncing off every surface and surrounding her. Jack turned off the water and opened the door. Damp rivers raced over every mouthwatering inch of his flesh, tempting her. He stepped from the enclosure and grabbed a towel off the counter.

  She drew in a shuttering breath as he rubbed the fluffy material across his body, erasing the traces of moisture she desperately wanted to taste on her tongue. Cream flooded her pussy while her eyes tracked his movements. Precise. Methodical. They were designed to tease her, and she knew it.

  Jack pushed the towel down his chest and cupped his cock through the material. His hands worked the cloth around his balls and back up the semi-erect length, tossing it to the side. He stood before her, breathtakingly nude and looking like he loved every minute.

  Kayla gripped the marble counter behind her as he took determined steps toward her.

  “Looks like some time just opened up.” He stopped inches from her and braced his arms on either side of her body, cutting off any escape.

  Not that she wanted to leave, but it was difficult as hell to form a rational thought with him so close. The spicy scent of his soap saturated every breath she took, weaving a web of desire around her that had her knees threatening to buckle. Given the state of her arousal, even that might not be so bad. His cock would be right at mouth level. Just the right height for her tongue to slide across the silky head, dip into the small slit, and taste his arousal.

  Kayla gave herself a mental shake. “I wanted to talk to you.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Talk?”

  “Y-yes.”

  “Is this the kind of talk that I should be dressed for, or is my present state acceptable?” He bent his elbows, bringing his torso slightly closer. His body heat scorched her from chest to thighs.

  “Whatever you like.”

  His gaze roamed over her face. “I like this just fine.” Jack brought his right hand to her face and trailed a finger down her cheek.

  Kayla closed her eyes and reveled in the rasp of his callused finger against her skin. Her pussy quivered in anticipation. Lust swamped her, threatening to overwhelm her already muddled brain.

  Moist breath teased her earlobe. “What do you want to talk about?” He sucked the tender flesh gently.

  “Um...” How in the hell was she supposed to think while his fingers were dancing across her skin, drifting closer to her breast? “Need to talk about…about—,” she gasped as he grazed the side of her neck with his teeth. She tilted her head, allowing him more access to the sensitive skin. Oh, fuck, that feels good.

  What had she been saying? Talking. Right. They were supposed to be talking about everything that happened this morning. Kayla moaned as his hand closed over her breast.

  His erection pressed against her stomach as he brought their bodies flush. She tightened her grip on the marble. There was nothing she wanted more than to wrap her fingers around his thick shaft, to feel the silken skin, to draw out a drop of pre-cum and spread it across the head. Talk? No, she had an entirely different four-letter word on her mind.

  As if sensing her thoughts, he grabbed the hem of her T-shirt and tugged it over her head. “Fuck it. We can talk later.” He speared both hands into her hair as his mouth crashed down on hers in a fierce, demanding kiss.

  Lips, teeth, and tongues clashed against each other in a desperate frenzy. Her clothes disappeared in a matter of moments, leaving no barrier between passion-heated skin. Jack sank two fingers into her pussy, gathered her cream, and spread it across her clit. Lightning bolts of pleasure ricocheted through her at his eager assault.

  Breaking the kiss, he spun her around to face the mirror and stroked on a condom that he retrieved fro
m inside his shaving kit near the sink. Their gazes locked in the reflection before them. A totally erotic sight. His eyes filled with lust, her cheeks flushed with need. Both panting with desire. This would be no tender coupling, but that wasn’t what she wanted. Raw, primal sex. She wanted him to demand, to take, to fuck her endlessly.

  He applied pressure between her shoulders and urged her torso to the marble counter. The cool surface brought her nipples erect instantly, almost painfully. Kayla cried out as he gripped her hips and thrust his cock into her slick channel. Filling and stretching her in the most delicious way.

  Jack groaned and stilled, his fingers digging into her soft flesh. “Damn, you feel good.” He pulled back and slammed into her again. “So fucking tight.”

  The tension deep within her pussy coiled tighter as every plunge he took caressed her G-spot, pushing her toward the edge. Every forceful entry was a small decadence, heavenly and sinful at the same time, stealing her breath but heightening her passion.

  Kayla wrapped her fingers around the bronze faucet and rocked back against his driving force, matching him stroke for stroke. Her knuckles turned white as her grip tightened on the anchor. At this pace, she wasn’t going to last long, and she didn’t care. Her need for him was powerful.

  Rising up on the balls of her feet, she changed the angle of penetration to allow for an entirely new barrage of sensations. He stroked her deeper, harder, touched places within her that had been sadly neglected before Jack.

  Her gaze focused on the reflection of him behind her. His expression was a mask of euphoria. At this moment, there was nothing between them. No complications, no unanswered questions, no doubts. Now was all about the tremendous pleasure they could give to each other.

  His left hand slid to her shoulder, securing her in the perfect position to receive his thrusts. Cream trickled down her thighs as he drove his cock into her pussy again. Her orgasm built inside her, growing in force but not breaking free. She fought off the impending bliss, denying herself the pleasure of release. She wanted more. More of his cock, more of him, more of everything.