Dee raised an eyebrow. aUh, youare not going to spank me with that, are you?a Jake laughed. aNo, Iam not into pain.a He glanced around their hideaway and then led her to a young tree with fairly smooth bark. aStand with your back to the tree, Seorita.a Her heart pounded faster as she realized he was going to carry out his earlier threat and tie her up like a desperado taking a young seorita. He brought her arms behind her and around the small tree trunk, then loosely bound them with his belt.

She could easily have pulled her hands away, but the feeling of being tied naked to a tree in their mountain hideaway was dangerous, exciting and exhilarating. With her hands bound behind her, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s jutted forward, her nipples hard and aching.

When Jake came back around, he frowned. aIs that bark too rough for your skin?a aNo.a Dee shook her head and did her best to look meek. aWhat are you going to do to me, Seor?a Desire flared in his eyes. aI intend to ravish you until you scream, my little seorita.a Dee licked her lips.

Jake put his hands on the tree above her head and stared down at her, his c.o.c.k brushing against her belly. Dee quivered, dying for him to touch her.

He lightly nuzzled her hair, whispering endearments in Spanish, as though he was truly a Spanish lover. She breathed in the scent of their arousals as he caressed her ear with his warm breath, but still didnat touch her, other than his c.o.c.k brushing her bare belly.

aBesa me, por favor,a Dee begged. aKiss me, Seor.a Jake only brushed his lips lightly across hers. aYou must please me if you want me to make you come again.a aYes.a Her body was on fire, and she trembled with the force of her need. aIall do whatever you want.a He smiled and traced her mouth with the tip of his tongue. Dee parted her lips, but he didnat kiss her like she needed. Instead, he moved his mouth lower, lightly brushing the hollow of her throat. His hands were still above her, his body separated from hers, except for the occasional brushing of his c.o.c.k. He was driving her out of her mind.

Jake pushed away from the tree and just looked at her for a moment.

aPor favor, Seor.a Dee arched her b.r.e.a.s.t.s toward him. af.u.c.k me, now.a He took off his hat and tossed it on a boulder to the side. Dee sighed as he grasped her hips and pressed himself against her, his c.o.c.k hard against her belly.

Yes, that was what she needed.

No, she needed more.

Dee gasped as Jake captured her nipple in his mouth, lapping at it and then sucking it hard. He squeezed and kneaded her backside with his large hands, and started working his way down her belly with his lips.

Jake knelt in the leaves at her feet and pressed against the insides of her thighs with his fingers. aSpread your legs.a She widened her stance around his knees and then moaned as he slid a finger through the curls, and then between the folds of her p.u.s.s.y. She was so wet for him. She needed his mouth on her c.l.i.t now.

He pressed his face into her curls and then slid his tongue against her nub.

aJake,a Dee cried out, her hands straining against her bonds. She wanted to feel the silkiness of his hair as he devoured her, but it was so erotic being tied up by her desperado.

His tongue was warm and incredible as he lightly flicked it over her c.l.i.t. He lifted his head and looked up at her. aSay, make me come again, Seor.a aPlease, G.o.d, yes.a She could hardly talk, her breath was coming so hard and fast. aMake me come, Seor.a Jake grinned and slid two fingers into her slick core. He bent his head and a.s.saulted her p.u.s.s.y with his tongue, licking and sucking and lapping her c.l.i.t as he thrust his fingers inside.

Dee felt as though her body was flying into a thousand pieces as she screamed and shuddered with her climax. Rainwater fell from the tree onto her hair as the tree shook with the strength of her o.r.g.a.s.m.

After the last wave had subsided, Jake eased to his feet and kissed her long and hard. She tasted herself, mixed with his own unique flavor.

aAre you through ravishing me?a She asked when he lifted his head.

aNot on your life.a Jake went behind the tree and untied the belt, freeing her hands. aBring my hat, Seorita. Iam going to have my way with you some more.a Tingles skittered through Dee as she scooped up Jakeas cowboy hat and handed it to him. aYour hat, Seor.a Jake pulled a condom from inside the hat rim then put on his Stetson, and she shivered with l.u.s.t at the sight of him. So muscular, with his broad shoulders, narrow hips and powerful thighs.

aCome with me, Seorita.a Taking Deeas hand, Jake led her to a high, flat boulder beside the stream that was still wet from the rain. After he arranged the blanket on its surface, he sat on the boulder and brought her between his knees. aI want you to ride me hard.a She nodded, mesmerized by his stormy gray eyes. aS, Seor.a aBut first,a he paused as he gave her a sinful grin, asuck my c.o.c.k.a Dee smiled and knelt on the blanket. Holding him in one hand, she put her mouth over the head of his c.o.c.k. Jake groaned as she slowly eased her mouth down and over him, flicking her tongue over him until he grabbed her head and forced her to stop.

Dee slid her mouth off him then looked at him from beneath her lashes. aWas that to your liking, Seor?a aG.o.d, yes.a Jake grinned and pulled her back up, then sheathed his c.o.c.k. aNow straddle me.a With Jakeas help, Dee climbed onto his lap and rubbed her p.u.s.s.y against his c.o.c.k, aching to feel more of him. The blanket was cool beneath her knees and shins, but Jakeas skin was hot.

She wiggled her hips and reached for his erection that was pressed against her belly. aI need you inside me.a Jake lifted his hat and put it on Deeas head, then put his hands on her hips. aNot yet. Your nipples are in the perfect spot for me to ravish.a He nuzzled and licked and sucked her b.r.e.a.s.t.s until she couldnat take it another moment, and begged him to enter her. aNow, Jake. Now!a aRide me hard. Real hard.a He lifted her hips. Her scream of pleasure echoed through the small canyon as he thrust himself inside.

Dee grasped Jakeas shoulders, digging her nails into his muscles and taking him deep. Not caring how hard the boulder was beneath the blanket, she bucked her hips at a frenzied pace, using the boulder as leverage to lift up and then go down again. Jake clenched her hips as she rode him.

Arching her back, Dee felt her hair slide against her naked shoulders, Jakeas warm mouth on her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, his hands on her hips, and a cool breeze across her skin.

Her climax was so ma.s.sive that she screamed louder than she ever had before. Jake shouted as he came, and Dee felt him pulsating deep within her.

She collapsed against him, and they held onto each other, their sweat mingling, their breathing heavy, their hearts pounding as one.

When Dee lifted her head, Jakeas eyes met hers. aYouare my kind of desperado,a she murmured.

He laughed and pulled her close for a gentle kiss.

Sated by their lovemaking, Dee allowed herself to enjoy the comfort of Jakeas embrace. His earthy presence surrounded her. Filled her.

The stream gurgled nearby and birds chattered in the trees. Gooseb.u.mps erupted over her body as a cool breeze brushed her bare skin.

Jake leaned back and traced one finger from her heart pendant to a hardened nipple. aCold?a aNot with you to warm me,a Dee murmured in a teasing tone. The look in his eyes was too serious, and she was afraid he was going to say something she didnat want to hear.

Grasping a lock of her hair, he wrapped it around his hand. He took a deep breath, an uncertain look on his handsome face. aI need to know that youare ready to let me back into your heart.a G.o.d. Head said it.

Dee shut her eyes to block him out.

Why couldnat he just have left it at s.e.x and nothing more than that?

Then it hit her, and her stomach dropped.

Shead never stopped to consider Jakeas feelings. All shead been thinking about was herself.

aIa"Iave been so selfish,a she whispered as she opened her eyes and met his stare. aI shouldnat have pushed you intoainto a s.e.xual relationship.a aWhat are you saying?a His voice was rough and the scar along his cheek grew whiter as his jaw tightened.

She wanted to look away from his steely gaze, but found she couldnat. aI donat have it in me to go through it againasomeone I care about leaving me.a aIam not going anywhere.a He released his hold on her hair and rubbed his thumb along her jaw. aIam staying right here.a Dee shook her head. aWe can be friends, Jake. Thatas it. Just friends.a

Chapter Thirteen.

After leaving Deeas, Jake had gone into his storage locker, dug out his weight training equipment and hauled everything back to his apartment. He set it all up smack in the middle of the living room, and then proceeded to lift weights until his muscles screamed.

They were still screaming a couple of hours later. He was going to pay for that workout. The whole time head pumped iron, head worked over in his mind Deeas insistence that they could only be friends.

Well, she could think that, but he was going to make sure theyad be more than friends and lovers. And sooner rather than later.

Jake splashed cold water over his face and neck, washing away some of the sweat, then grabbed a towel from the rack. Water streamed down his neck and onto his bare chest as he dried himself.

His thoughts turned to the rustling problem, and his concern for Dee. After seeing that intruder on her property, he didnat like the idea of her remaining on the ranch alone. It was a good two hundred yards from the bunkhouse to the ranch house, and if she screamed the ranch hands probably wouldnat even hear her.

As far as Jake was concerned, Dee wasnat going to be alone much longer.

He tossed the towel onto the pile of dirty clothes in his bathroom and headed to the kitchen. For dinner he fixed himself a peanut b.u.t.ter and grape jelly sandwich with a gla.s.s of cold milk to chase it down. The mood he was in, the sandwich tasted about as good as construction paper and rubber cement must taste.

While he ate, Jake couldnat help thinking about his incredible weekend with Dee.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that she would go down on him in a restaurant, that theyad have s.e.x outside in his truck cab, or that she would fulfill his dining room table fantasies by making herself come while he watched. Or that he would tie her to a tree and f.u.c.k her mindless.

Okay, in his wildest dreams he had imagined that kind of wild s.e.x with Dee.

And he was harder than h.e.l.l thinking about it.

Great s.e.x aside, one thing had come through loud and clear this weekenda"he was over his head in love with Dee. In truth, he knew he had never stopped loving her.

But this time he wasnat going to walk away. He wouldnat let anything chase him offa"including Dee herself.

The day after shead told Jake there couldnat be anything more than s.e.x between them, Dee headed out to the barn. Almost mechanically, she brushed down and fed her horses Shadow and Whisper, and her sister Traceas old mare, Dancer.

When she finished, Dee stopped to check on the devil-eyed calf. Propping her arms on top of the stall door, she smiled at Imp, the little brat that had been such a challenge. But thanks to Jake, the calf was reasonably tame now.

A sad smile touched her lips as her thoughts turned to Jake, remembering that day head barreled into her barn wielding his gun, ready to defend her honor against Imp. Jeez, was that less than a month ago? It seemed so much longer. Like head never left all those years ago.

Imp b.u.t.ted his head against the stall door, jarring Dee from her thoughts.

aOkay, son of Satan, Iall get your treat.a She went to the big drum and scooped out a tin of the grain that smelled of oats and mola.s.ses, and poured it in the calfas trough.

aSee you later, big guy,a she murmured, stroking him on the nose as he ate. He really was the perfect calf. Each line, each curvea"head make one h.e.l.l of a stud some day.

Is that why someone loosened his latch? Dee backed away, surveying the stall. Because heall make fantastic breeding stock? Well, the h.e.l.l with that. This little b.a.s.t.a.r.d is mine!

With a sigh, Dee left the cool recesses of the barn and walked to the house, stuffing her work gloves in her jacket pocket. Overnight the weather had changed. The cool October day smelled of rain, and she wondered if they might be getting a fall storm.

She paused at the bottom of the porch steps to look off toward the mountain. What the h.e.l.l was going on? It was like the mountain was opening up and swallowing her cattle whole.

Dee jogged up the steps and headed through the front door of the house. Her boots tapped against the tile as she strode to the kitchen, shedding her jacket as she went. Thoughts of her life and the paths shead taken flashed through her mind.

And then it struck her.

Two paths. Two choices.

If she chose the first path, the path she was already on, she would remain alone.

If she gambled and chose the second, the future was less certaina"but she might have a chance at happiness.

With the man she loved.

Oh, G.o.d.

Dee sank down in a chair at the kitchen table and buried her face in her hands.

She was in love with Jake. In truth, she knew shead never stopped loving him, no matter how much shead tried to deny it.

And Jake had changed. Over the past few weeks head been there for her every time she needed him. Especially when she didnat think she needed him, head been around anyway.

Head promised to stay. This time he wasnat going to leave her.

The shrill ring of the telephone jolted her out of her thoughts.

Jake.

She s.n.a.t.c.hed the cordless off the bedside table and punched the on b.u.t.ton. Her voice was breathless as she answered. ah.e.l.lo?a aHey, Dean. Itas Catie.a The wave of disappointment that flooded Dee threw her off balance. She forced a bright note into her tone. aHi, Catie.a aAre we still on for this evening?a Dee frowned, trying to remember what she was supposed to be doing. aFor what?a aWeare scheduled to bring over Shadow Warrior to service Whisper and Dancer, remember?a Dee clapped her palm to her forehead. aOf course.a A man spoke to Catie, but Dee couldnat hear what head said.

Catie laughed. aSteve seems to think there was something in the deal about enchiladas for dinner, too.a aEnchiladas will be ready at five.a Dee smiled. aBring your appet.i.tes.a aDonat worry. Iall have Steve with me, so there wonat be any leftovers.a After Dee said goodbye to Catie, she dialed Jakeas number before she lost her nerve. Shead invite him over to have dinner with them, and then shead get him alone and tell him.

I love you.

Her hands trembled and her heart fluttered as the phone rang. And rang.

Jakeas answering machine didnat even pick up. Disappointment ebbed through her as she hung up and went to get dinner ready for the Wilds. Shead just have to try to get a hold of Jake later.

aWell?a Catie picked up the salad bowl in one hand and two bottles of dressing in the other as she helped Dee set the table. aIs Jake still a good f.u.c.k?a Heat rushed to Deeas cheeks as she pulled the oven door open to retrieve the enchiladas, but it wasnat the heat from the oven warming her face. She grabbed a pair of potholders, withdrew the pan and set it on the counter, closing the oven door with her hip.

Dee met her friendas expectant gaze and laughed. aOh, my G.o.d, is he ever.a aYou go, girl.a Catieas short blonde hair bounced as she grinned and carried the salad and dressing into the dining room.

Dee opened the fridge and searched for the hot sauce, sour cream and guacamole. When she had gathered the items, she grabbed the bag of blue corn chips off the counter and took everything to the dining table.

The slamming of the front door and male voice alerted Dee to the approach of Jess and Catieas brother, Steve.

aI invited Lawless to join us if you donat mind,a Steve said as they entered the dining room.

Catie gave Jess a s.e.xy grin. aI sure donat mind.a aPlenty to go around.a Dee gestured toward the table. aYou three go ahead and sit down and Iall grab the enchiladas.a Dee dodged into the kitchen, then returned with the ca.s.serole dish and placed it at the center of the table. The spicy scent filled the dining room as she spooned generous helpings of enchiladas onto everyoneas plate and added servings of crisp salad along with it.

When her friends were taken care of, Dee took her seat and they dug into the meal. Laughter and chatter went on through dinner, Catie openly flirting with Jess. By the glint in his wicked blue eyes, the foreman seemed to enjoy Catieas attraction, although he made no move to pursue it.

Dee only wished that Jake could have been there to enjoy the dinner with her friends. She could barely focus on the conversation around her. All she wanted was to be with Jake.

aThese enchiladas are terrific,a Jess said as he took a second helping.

aThanks.a Dee spooned a pool of salsa onto her plate and added a few corn chips next to it. aMexican food is my favorite thing to make and eat.a aNot me.a Catie reached for the sour cream. aI like it, but my fave is anything Italian.a Cool liquid slid down Deeas throat as she took a sip of iced tea. She set the gla.s.s down and turned to Steve. aDid you lose any cattle when your fence was cut?a Steve nodded. aA few, but nothing like you or Kev Grand.a He looked at Jess. aHeard Deputy Forrester stopped by. Any word from him? Are they close to catching these d.a.m.n rustlers?a aHe came by yesterday, while Dee was off with Reynolds.a Jess shook his head. aEither Forrester doesnat know anything about whatas going on, or heas not saying. The manas real hard to read.a aSo whatas next?a Catie asked, her dark brown eyes focused on Jess.

A hard look came over Jessas handsome features. aClues are adding up. Weall catch the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds.a aHowas everything with you?a Dee asked Steve as she dunked a chip into the salsa on her plate.

He shrugged and took a drink of iced tea. aAbout as good as always.a Steve set his gla.s.s down and picked up his fork. aThe other day I ran into Jake Reynolds. Looks like heas been offered a big promotion for the work heas done. Iave heard around town that heas one of the best agents that Customs has.a A warm rush of pleasure went through Dee as she heard about Jakeas success.

Steve stuck his fork into his enchiladas. aToo bad he has to transfer to California to accept the promotion, though.a Deeas smile froze and she felt blood draining through her body to her toes. aOh,a she managed to say before lowering her gaze and dropping the tortilla chip onto her plate.

Her head buzzed and she was painfully aware of Catieas silence.

The truth struck Dee like a storm. Shead told Jake she didnat want anything past s.e.x. And now, Jake was leaving.

Again.