“You looking for work?”

Jonas Coulter smiled and turned from the corral to face the man who had spoken. The lean cowboy came closer, his hat shading his face.  He stopped and pushed his hat back. Jonas took in the rugged face before him. The man’s reddish-brown skin and dark hair showed him to be Native American, yet his eyes were aqua colored. The man’s silky black braided hair rested over his shoulder, reaching down his chest almost to his waist. Jonas shook his head. At six-foot-three Jonas usually didn’t feel short compared to anyone but this man at six–six made him feel that way.  It wasn’t just the height but the way he carried himself.

“Trying to put me to work already?” Jonas rolled his eyes. “I just got home, Roan. At least let me go to the house to put my things away. How have things been? Did the cattle and horses I purchased arrive?” Jonas walked towards the house as he spoke.

“Hey, I’m the foreman of Magnificent C. It’s my job to find work for slackers like you, boss,” Roan Stone called, the teasing clear in his tone. “As usual you try to find a way out of working.”

Jonas stopped and turned back to face him. Roan smiled at him and rocked back on his heels. Jonas laughed shaking his head again.

“You’re so full of shit, Mr. Foreman. How many times do I have to tell you since you are one of the part owners of Magnificent C calling me boss doesn’t make sense,” Jonas said for the umpteen time.

Although he knew it was useless to tell Roan again about calling him boss he did it anyway. In the ten years he, his brothers and sister had taken Roan and the others on as partners Roan and his other partners called him boss. They didn’t call any of his other brothers or his sister boss. Just him. They did it to irritate him. He already knew what Roan’s response would be.

“You’re one of the majority holders of the ranch and it was originally your family ranch.  So, boss,” Roan, said with an evil grin, “things have been going on as usual. I see you had a successful trip. The horses came earlier this week. The cattle came yesterday.  We are branding them in the outer pasture. The house can wait. You can work for the day. Unless you’ve forgotten what real work is? Go to the stables to Theron. He’ll put you to work.”

“See that’s why we made you Foreman. You give orders so well. See, I’m shaking in fear and ready to run to do what you want.” Jonas grunted.

Roan put up his middle finger and then gestured to the right, turned and walked away. Jonas couldn’t believe Roan didn’t have anything else to say. Absently he glanced around at the busy, ranch and was grateful for Roan and his other partners’ help in making them what they were today. Thoughts of the past filled his mind.  It wasn’t until his father’s sudden death that he and his siblings had realized the ranch was almost bankrupt. They were going to lose everything they had worked for from time they were born.  It was a hard decision to let outsiders buy into the ranch and become part owners of their legacy.  Yet looking back now it was the best decision he, his brothers and sister had ever made. Roan and his other partners had brought an influx of cash and a new business venture—horse breeding. The combination had helped get Magnificent C back to the prosperous ranch it once was.

Those were hard years but we got through. Jonas shook off the memories that were best-forgotten and looked at Roan’s retreating back.

Jonas frowned.  “Aren’t there enough hands to brand the new cattle?”

As he drove in earlier to Carden Valley, Texas, Jonas had seen the town was bustling with the early morning crowd. He had waved to those he knew but hadn’t stopped, wanting to get home.  He knew if he had stopped he would be bombarded with questions from the other residents of Carden Valley. Magnificent C, besides being a cattle ranch, was known throughout Texas as one of the best horse breeding outfits. They had gained national recognition when they won not once, but twice, the Hampton Legion Award, which was the highest honor in horse breeding. Besides having the best horse breeding program, they were a working cattle and horse ranch with a well-respected reputation.  In his travels for buying more stock and horses, he had heard the praise from other ranch owners and workers about Magnificent C.

At Jonas’s comment, Roan stopped and glanced at him over his shoulder.

“You can either get to work or go slack off, boss. Either way I’ll speak with you later,” Roan continued, striding toward a bay-colored Mustang. Then, mounting the horse, he tipped his hat and rode away.

Jonas rolled his shoulders to loosen the tension, sighed then turned and strode toward where Roan had pointed. Absently, he glanced around at the Texas Longhorn and various other cattle. The Magnificent C lived up to its name.  The rolling hills of lush grass spread across many acres.  When he had driven under the Magnificent C sign, he had slowed at the sight of the detailed statue of an Arabian horse bucking.  The power and beauty of the statue almost made him believe it was real. The sun glinted off some sort of jewel embedded in its chest.  It hadn’t been there when he had gone on his buying trip a month ago.

As he continued on past the various houses scattered along the way, as usual the massive spread of land impressed him. He passed ranch hands, horses, cattle, and other animals. He spied a pond, then open stretches of land until he came over the ridge and saw the main part of Magnificent C.  A sense of pride filled him as he glanced at the huge split-level four-floor ranch-style house that was some distance away. The reddish-brown brick shone in the sun, and light bounced off the windows. The main ranch house screamed of homecoming. He was the only one living in the main house. The top two floors were his home. The bottom two housed the offices for the various partners and others who needed an office for their work on the ranch. The other houses inhabited by his brothers and sister and other partners were spread out behind the main ranch house.  They were close enough to walk to, yet far enough apart to give each of them privacy.

He passed the corral and observed the Quarter horses and Palominos. In the distance, thoroughbreds raced across the meadow. Cowboys were working at various tasks. A few rode up the range and out of view. The tension he had been feeling when he drove into Carden Valley eased with each step he took. The scents of the ranch filled his senses. It was great to be home. The miles of road he had driven to get here faded to a distant memory. Entering the barn, he glanced around at the horses in the stalls and the men working with them. He returned the greetings of “boss”.

“I’m looking for Theron,” Jonas announced.

“He’s in the back,” one of the men said, gesturing toward the direction he meant before going back to grooming a thoroughbred.

Jonas walked toward the back. A whipcord of a man stepped from around the corner, stopping Jonas in his tracks.

“Boss, welcome back.”  Theron’s voice was a deep, bass rumble.

“Don’t call me boss,” Jonas grunted.

Theron was also a partner in the ranch. Jonas raised an eyebrow, curious to know how Theron knew he was back. He didn’t seem surprised to see him.

“Roan called.” Theron smiled, his green eyes twinkling as he answered Jonas’s unspoken question.

Theron took off his cowboy hat and raked his long, lean fingers through his dark blond hair. He put his hat back on, and then said, “Come on. Let’s get started.”

Jonas followed him, listening as he explained what he wanted Jonas to do.

 

“Hold it down,” a voice ordered.

Jonas held down the squirming, bellowing calf. He smelled the burning flesh, and the calf bellowed louder. Glancing at the Magnificent C brand on the calf, he let it go and got out of the way. The calf ran to rejoin the herd. Jonas took off his hat and wiped his brow.

“Coulter!” Theron called. “That’s enough for today. Go see Roan at the main corral.”

Jonas nodded and went to his horse. He swung into the saddle and rode back to the ranch. Shifting his shoulders, he felt the ache of a hard day’s work. With a glance at his watch, he noted it was just turning five o’clock. Hopefully he would be getting home at a decent time for a change. He needed to relax after the long month on the road. Settling deeper into the saddle, he clicked his tongue and spurred the horse faster. He crested the rise, and then slowed as he rode into the yard. Jonas slid off his horse, handing over the reins to one of the stable hands then walked toward the main corral.

As he came around the corner, a sound caught his attention. Jonas stopped and stared at the beautiful chestnut Arabian stallion in the center ring. It bucked, and then stood on its hind legs. Jonas continued forward until he was at the rail. There was the same sense of wildness he had seen in the stallion when he had bought him for the ranch.

It dropped its hooves, and then bucked again.  The cowboy astride the horse held on effortlessly, despite its attempts to unseat the rider. With seemingly utter calm and a firm hand, the rider moved along with the frantic motion of the stallion. Dust flew around the corral, covering rider and horse in a cloud of illusion. The rider hung on and rode out the horse’s anger and fear. The Arabian continued to buck wildly, turning in circles, lashing out with strong hind legs. Jonas felt the vibration against his palms, which were gripping the rail.  The horse galloped to the other side of the ring and continued trying to throw its rider. The rider kept their seat and coaxed the horse using the reins. After a while, the animal calmed, and the rider cantered around the ring with the now calm horse.

“You do good work, Coulter,” Roan said, coming to stand next to Jonas at the rail.

Jonas glanced at him and snorted.

“The other boss wants to speak with you.” Roan continued to watch the show in the corral.

After his comment Jonas realized who the rider was. Following his gaze, Jonas saw the cowboy dismount, take the reins of the horse, and give it to one of the waiting cowhands. The rider tugged down the cowboy hat, then walked toward Jonas and Roan in a long-legged stride.  The boss paused and said something to one of the cowhands, then continued toward the rail. Reaching it, the hat was pushed back with a glove-covered finger. 

Jonas clenched his fist in shock as a shaft of heat ran through him as he stared at thick, curly lashes framing eyes the color of whiskey. In a glance, he took in the full nose, sharp cheeks, biteable lips, and rounded chin. He couldn’t stop himself from continuing his perusal down a curvy body. Her black button-down shirt was slightly opened, showing off a lickable neck. The shirt hugged her full breasts, and it was tucked into a set of dark blue jeans covered by chaps. He knew she had lush hips and a sweetly rounded ass. The chaps gave him an unobstructed view of where he wanted to be buried. His cock stood at attention, pressing hard against the zipper of his jeans. Mouth dry, he cleared his throat and jerked his eyes away from temptation.

Whoa. What the hell is wrong with me? Oh my god I can’t be looking at her like that. She’s one of my friends. Pull it together.

The woman eyed him coolly. It only made him want to fuck her more. Jonas jerked and stifled a curse. This can’t be happening, not with her.

“Well, well look who’s back. What’s up Coulter? I see your trip was good. I should thank you for the good horses you got me but I won’t. You left me with your brother Jaxxass for a month. A god damn month,” Lexi Raines growled.

Her voice rolled over him. It was like molasses followed by the punch of moonshine. It left him dazed and aching. Jonas shook the buzzing in his ears to clear it.

What the hell is wrong with me? This is Lex my friend. Get it together.

“I see the ranch is still standing so you and Jaxx did all right,” he replied, pulling himself together.

Roan coughed. He looked at him and saw the smile on his face. They both rolled their eyes. Jaxx liked to rile Lexi. Jaxx liked to say it was his therapy. Rile Lexi and no doctor in the morning. Lexi knew it too but still fell for it. The two acted like big brother and pesky little sister.  Jonas stayed out of it as long as there was no bloodshed. Since that hadn’t happened for a few years it was more a playful prodding from both of them nowadays.

“Coulter, your brother is a pain in the ass. Bowers and Michelson I can take but Jaxx is just a …” She waved her hand without finishing the words. “Anyway, if you leave me with him again I won’t make any promises of the ranch being standing when you return,” she warned, taking off her gloves as she continued. “Your brothers and sister—Robyn—have all gone to Oklahoma to check out some more horses and cattle. They left yesterday and said don’t expect them back for a few weeks.  I’m going back to work. See ya.”

She turned and walked away from him, tapping her gloves against her dusty chaps. Jonas watched her ass as she walked. His mouth ached to take a bite out of each firm globe.  Her voice came to him.

“Some of these new hands we hired find it hard working for a woman. They are learning.”

I want to fuck you raw, he thought. Jonas couldn’t understand why after all this time he was suddenly attracted to Lexi. She had been one of his business partners and a friend for years. He didn’t think he could handle being around this woman who was now the ultimate temptation. He didn’t know what was wrong with him.

I want her. She’s not like other women, his inner voice said. Silently, he acknowledged the validity of it. No woman had affected him like this before, created this primal reaction that made him want to lay her down and fuck her right there. It didn’t matter that there were others around. He wanted her with an urgency that bordered on pain.

“Give them hell, Lex,” he called hoarsely.

The daring look she gave him over her shoulder made him chuckle. She waved her hand, nodded once, abruptly, and then walked away. His tongue was heavy as he watched the sway of her hips and bob of her ass.

“What the heck is wrong with you?” There was suspicion in Roan’s voice.

Unable to draw his eyes away, Jonas replied, “Nothing. Just tired.”

He couldn’t let on about these newly developed feelings to Roan.

“The new men seem to have problems with her not only being a woman but because she’s African-American.” Aggression leaked into Roan’s tone.

Surprised, Jonas blinked, realizing he hadn’t thought of her being black in a long time. She was just Lex - his friend and business partner. He looked at her honey-colored face, partially turned to him. His mouth tingled, wanting to lick all of her honey skin. She raised a delicate-looking hand and took off her hat. A dark brown braid tumbled free, dropping to trail over her shoulder to just below her belly. Jonas clenched his fist and took a breath. He dragged his eyes from her and looked at Roan.

“It doesn’t matter that she’s a woman or African-American. Even if she was lavender, they must still respect and listen to her. Anyone who doesn’t you get rid of,” Jonas stated firmly, looking at Roan.

Roan’s smile was fierce. “I will.” He studied Jonas.  “Keep that look off your face unless you want it removed for you.” Roan’s warning was delivered with a silky viciousness.

Jonas winced realizing he hadn’t hidden the desire he was having for Lexi.  He bit back a snarl. Jonas nodded abruptly. Roan grunted and walked away.  Jonas walked behind him, and then glanced back. Whiskey eyes stared at him. Her expression was impassive. Then she turned and went back across the corral. Returning his attention forward, Jonas bit off a curse. It couldn’t matter. He didn’t need any entanglements. He wouldn’t get involved with his friend, no matter how tempting she was. 

Liar! I still want to fuck her raw.

He passed Roan, who held the office door open for him.  Jonas tried to think of why after all this time his libido decided to wake up.

I’m just tired from my trip. Yeah that’s it. I’ll get some rest and be back to normal tomorrow.

 

I want to rip his clothes off and screw him senseless.

Lexi Raines went into the stables, not seeing anyone as she paced back and forth, swearing. She had only been twenty when they met. He had been twenty-eight. Jonas was her friend and she wanted him badly. They had known each other for over ten years. In all those years she had never once thought of him in a sexual way. When she had seen him across the corral today the sudden need had taken her by surprise. With a sigh, she leaned against the wall outside the stall of Indigo, her prized stallion. The image of Jonas Coulter’s deceptively youthful face was etched in her mind. Sun-kissed skin flowed over rugged features. Strong forehead, carved cheeks, full lips, and a firm chin blended together to create a masculine perfection that was irresistible. Yet all that paled when she looked into his light gray eyes surrounded by curling lashes. His eyes were shadowed with pain and a maturity. The intensity of his eyes made her ache in places she hadn’t in a long time.

Her nipples had hardened under his perusal, and her pussy had clenched as if he had caressed her. She had seen the hunger in his eyes and felt a flare of lust that almost brought her to her knees. Only her strong will had kept her standing. When she had looked at him the expression was gone. She knew she had imagined it. Her own need was making her see things. The visceral reaction he created in her was dangerous to all she stood for.

When she and the others had bought into the ranch over ten years ago, people expected them to fail. The combination of all of them and a woman turning around an almost bankrupt cattle ranch in Texas, even in these modern times, was unlikely, especially so with her being African-American. Add to that them starting a horse-breeding program.  People thought they were crazy. Since the horse breeding was her idea, she had taken it as a personal challenge and worked long and hard to build a reputation of quality for Magnificent C Ranch, starting from nothing. Jonas and his brothers and sister handled the cattle and other parts of the ranch while Roan, as foreman, handled the actual day-to-day running of the ranch. They all left her alone and gave her time to do what she loved--work with the horses and the breeding program. Three years ago, when the Magnificent C had won the HLA-- Hampton Legion Award -for the first time, there had been grumbles of disbelief.

For the last three years, the other breeders had doubled their efforts to win the award. When the announcement was made that the Magnificent C had won the award again this year, for the second time, it had made all her hard work worth it.  No other breeding program had ever won the award twice in a row, and none so new. The other top horse breeders in the world had called, asking to come to Magnificent C to see their program. She had let them come. Each one tried to understand what made Magnificent C so different.

She didn’t enlighten them. They would not understand. It was something instinctual with her and the horses she bred. Now, all those naysayers sent her their horses to crossbreed and train.  The many men she had dealt with thought she was an easy mark to get into bed. They had all failed. The more persistent she had cut down with cold words. If necessary, she was also good with a knife. It usually dissuaded the most amorous of suitors.

Yet that one look at Jonas Coulter earlier made her ache with need, on which she could not act. Lexi knew getting involved with her friend and business partner would be a huge mistake. No matter if he was sin in jeans. No matter how much she wanted to see the look in his eyes when he came hard and fast inside her. Her pussy pulsed as she imagined it. Moaning, Lexi shifted, making her aching slit rub together.

“Sex drive why did you decide to notice him all of a sudden? Damn it.” Her voice echoed in the silence.

A soft neigh tickled her neck, and then a horse’s head came over her shoulder. She patted him and turned to face him. The black Arabian stallion neighed again and butted her in the chest. Lexi stumbled back, barely keeping her footing.

“Greedy beast.” She chuckled and reached into her pocket for a sugar cube.

He took it from her hand, and then trotted to the corner of his stall. Lexi closed her eyes and prayed she could withstand the temptation of Jonas Coulter and those damn gray eyes.

 

 

Weeks later, Lexi glanced out at the still night. Fingering the button of her yellow sundress, she shifted on the window seat. She was restless and horny. For her own peace of mind she had started to avoid Jonas. The need she felt for him wasn’t abating. It wasn’t until a few days ago she realized he had been avoiding her also. Usually she would have gone looking for him and demanded an explanation but she couldn’t afford to get near him. She feared what she would say or do.

She flattened her hand on the glass. The few times she had to be near him she had been enthralled by his manner and confidence, which was extremely sexy.  It was the way he carried himself, coupled with something in his eyes that portrayed experience and pain. Although they were good friends Jonas had never confided in her about the pain in his eyes. When they first became friends she had asked but he hadn’t wanted to talk about it and she hadn’t pushed. In the last few weeks she wished she had. It was those glimpses of pain in his eyes that made her want to soothe him.

“You’re a fool Lexi, longing after a man who is a friend.”

She sighed and let her hand drop to her side. Each encounter with him only made her desire increase. It took everything in her not to jump him every time she saw him.  She could feel his eyes on her whenever they were together. Yet, when she looked his way, his expression was as it always been. The laughing and teasing of friends. 

Too restless to stay inside, she turned and made her way outdoors. The sound of an engine caught her attention. From where her house was located off to the right of the main house she could see the bunkhouse, and Jonas’s truck heading down the road. Only a skeleton crew worked on the weekends. From the direction he was going, she could tell he was heading into town, as he did every Friday night these last few weeks. It was new for him to go into town so often. A shaft of jealously gripped her. She knew this new pattern of his. He would be gone for the weekend and return late on Sunday. Lexi wondered who he stayed with in town. Her fist clenched as she imagined him screwing some woman.

With impatient strides, she walked across the yard to the stables. Opening the side door, she walked to Indigo’s stall. She was surprised it was empty. A sound came from around the corner. Following the sound, she stopped. Her heart raced while her pussy flooded with wetness. Silken, sweat-soaked, sun-kissed skin moved as Jonas threw hay back and forth. He stopped and wiped his forehead. Suddenly, he stiffened and glanced back. Pale gray eyes impaled her. Mouth dry, Lexi tried to remember how to speak.

He turned to face her, and she clenched her fist as she hungrily took in his bare muscular chest. His nipples were a cherry brown. His muscles were full ridges along his ribs, and his stomach was flat. She wanted to lick his navel and nibble upward to suck his nipples.

“Lex, the horses are outside.” His tone was sharp, capturing her attention.

She met his eyes and saw the sheen of disgust there. Ashamed of her ogling him Lexi stiffened, raised her head and gave him a cold look in return.

“What’re you doing here? I saw your truck going to town.”

“I lent it to somebody.” He shrugged, making his muscles ripple.

She nodded and turned. A barely discernible whisper reached her. Unable to believe what she’d heard, she turned back to face him.  Lexi strode forward until she was a hairsbreadth from him.

“What did you say?”

“You should never look at any man like that.” Jonas looked her in the eyes, a challenge on his face.      

Fury filled her, but she held it down. “First of all, Coulter, you don’t have any say in what I do.”

“This isn’t about—”

She cut him off. “Coulter, you are out of line.” She poked him in the chest after each word.

His eyes narrowed in reaction. 

“Don’t you ever talk to me like that again, or I’ll blacken your eye,” she said. “Do you understand me?” Lexi put her hands on her hips.

“Yes, ma’am,” Jonas replied between clenched teeth.

Lexi glared at him, and then turned to leave.

“Stop looking at me with your hungry eyes.” His voice was silken.

Rage bubbled up in her, overcoming her sense. Turning, Lexi slapped him. She regretted it even before the sound of her hand meeting his flesh had faded from the air. His eyes went glittery with anger and purpose. Fear swelled inside Lexi, and she turned and ran out the door. Rounding the corner, she saw the open door leading outside. Reaching it, she gasped, then screamed as hard arms grabbed her around the waist, wrenching her back inside. The door slammed, and she was jerked backward. Squirming, she scratched at his hands and fought to get free.

Suddenly, she was spun around, and her back hit the wood. She felt the rails and knew she was just inside the doorway of one of the rooms the hands used to sleep in when needed. A hard body pressed against hers.  Lexi glanced into furious gray eyes.

“Let me go!” she demanded.

“When I’m ready.” His look was arrogant.

He swooped down and covered her lips with his. Lexi stilled, expecting an assault. Instead, he unraveled her with a tender, sensual teasing of her senses. His tongue swept along her lips, seeking entrance. She gasped, slamming her eyes closed, and he took advantage, stroking his tongue into her mouth. His taste rolled over her. It was sweet, musky, and all man. His arms caged her as his body pressed against hers. The hard ridge of his shaft ground against her. Her pussy flooded with need.  With a moan, she locked her hands around his head and held him. His groan vibrated through her. He laved his tongue along hers, setting off a pulse of sensation that went straight to her aching slit. With a murmur, he pulled back. She opened her eyes and saw the hunger in his gaze. A hunger that she had been feeling for weeks and had no idea he felt too. Shock held her speechless. This was Jonas, yet his face etched with need was that of someone she hadn’t seen before.

“Do you want this, Lexi?” His voice was rough with desire.

The sound of her name on his lips made her pussy clench. She opened her mouth to respond.

“Shh…” he said. “Be very sure you want this, because I want to fuck you so bad I don’t know if I can be gentle.”

His words only made her ache even more. Lexi knew she should walk away. Knew that their friendship would change after this yet she wasn’t sure if she cared. Jonas waited for her decision. She went with her instinct.

“Fuck me, Jonas.”