The words had barely left her lips when Jonas reached out with both hands and grabbed the neckline of her sundress. He pulled hard, and buttons flew as he ripped her dress open. Lexi gasped as the air touched her fevered skin. Jonas pressed against her. She moaned at the touch of skin against skin. His fingers burrowed into her hair, loosening it from its bindings. He groaned, then took a step back. She pushed her hair back out of her eyes. The knife in his hand made a bolt of fear pierce through her desire.  Before she could think what he needed it for, he slit the right side of her thong, then the left. He closed the blade and dropped it on the ground.

With impatient movements, he unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans. His cock sprang free. It was thick, long, and red with need. He ripped open the condom she hadn’t even seen him get and put it on his bobbing shaft. Then he stepped forward and lifted her.

She threw her head back as she felt his fingers on her cunt. A grunt came from him, and then she felt the head of his cock filling her. He grabbed her hips and pulled her down hard on his shaft. A scream bubbled out of her. Lexi clamped her legs around him. Jonas growled and pumped. His cock scored her pussy walls.  The power of his thrusting made her hair catch beneath her and her back scrape along the post he was taking her against. She didn’t care.

Lexi put her hands over her head and clamped them around the post. In and out he thrust, each pump of his cock going deeper and deeper inside her.

“Jonas.”

Rotating her hips, Lexi pushed down to counter his upward momentum. His hard body pressed her harder against the post. Jonas’s harsh breath feathered against the side of her neck. Moaning, Lexi held tighter to the post. Hands covered hers, then tangled with her fingers. The sensation of being pinned heightened her desire.

Jonas’s thrusts increased. His cock created a delicious friction, going in and out of her hungry pussy.  A sensuous glide of his tongue caressed her skin, and then Lexi moaned at the slight pain as he bit.

Jonas grunted and nibbled up the side of her neck, along her jaw, and then her chin. Harsh breaths escaped him as he undulated his hips. The silken heat of his cock gliding in and out of her wetness brought tears of pleasure to her eyes.  His incoherent murmurings vibrated against her chin. 

“Harder!” Lexi wailed.

Jonas growled a loud rumbling from his chest. He nipped her chin. With a harsh sound in the back of his throat, he licked along her lips. Lexi ran her tongue along the same path as his. Jonas moaned.  Playfully, he intertwined his tongue with hers while he thrust with an urgency that was undeniable. Whimpering, Lexi locked her legs tighter around his hips.  Jonas sucked her tongue into his mouth and sealed his lips to hers in a carnal kiss. 

The taste of him tantalized her. The scent of their lovemaking surrounded them.  Jonas thrust hard, and then rotated his hips in a movement that made her breath catch.  Tightness filled the base of her stomach, and her pussy flooded with liquid heat. He repeated the movement, and it sent her over the razor edge into decadent pleasure.

“Jonas!”  Lexi screamed, caught in the harsh clutches of her release.

“Give it to me, Lexi.”

Still screaming, Lexi pressed down. Her pussy contracted around his hard shaft.  The look in his eyes was almost violent as he took her hands down from over her head. He jerked her closer to him as he stepped back. Jonas pulled her arms behind her back and held them there. Lexi’s legs started to slip from around him.

“Don’t loosen your legs.” 

She held onto him more firmly. The sensual yet harsh smile curving his lips caused a tingle of fear and need to race through her. Jonas took a step. His shaft abraded her aching pussy, setting off another orgasm. Each step he took set off more and more pleasure. Lexi moaned in time with his movements.  Jonas stopped.

“Let go,” he said in the same tone as before.

Unquestioningly, she did as he said. She let her legs slide down from around him. Before her feet could touch the floor, Jonas, in a quick movement, turned her around, then pushed her down onto her knees. Shock filled her, then fear, quickly followed by anger.

“No!”  Lexi screeched and bucked.

Jonas’s hold was firm. He gripped her hair in his fist as his body covered hers, forcing her down until her hands hit the floor.

“Do you want this, Lexi?” His seductive voice taunted her.

Lexi’s heart raced. Harsh breaths rattled her chest. Her fevered imagination thought of him riding her hard and fast from behind.  She couldn’t say the words of what she wanted. Jonas’s taking awakened a primitive need she did not want to face.  A sense of determination filled her. He would give her what she needed, and she would still come out on top of this.

Lexi turned her head, then felt a pull. Realization dawned that he had her hair wrapped around his fist. She met his hooded gray eyes. She smiled seductively and rolled her ass against his still hard cock. Jonas shuddered against her back, then bumped his erection along her open slit. His eyes darkened even more, and then the same cruel grin as before curled his lips. A taste of fear and anticipation blanketed her body. Jonas leaned closer to her until his lips were almost touching hers.

“Do you want this, Lexi?” His breath puffed along her lips with each word.

He wanted her to say it, but she would not. Lowering her eyes, she looked at him steadily, then threw down the challenge.

“The better question is, can you handle it?”  The breathless hitch in her voice surprised her.

Licking her lips, she saw him follow the movement. His breath came faster. Lexi stifled a chuckle of triumph, then pushed further.

“Or are you afraid you can’t fulfill my craving?” Her tone was soft and husky.

Jonas’s eyes snapped back to hers, and he studied her for a moment. A devilish grin curved his lips.

“You’re not controlling this like you do everything else, Lexi. When we’re done here tonight, you’ll know what control is all about.”

With those words, Jonas thrust into her pussy, hard and sure.

“Yes, please. Take me!” Lexi screamed.

He stilled, and then his whisper came in her ear. “No sound, Lexi, or I’ll stop, and then I’ll punish you.”

Unsure of what he meant, Lexi pushed back against him. His cock sank deeper as he covered her body, holding her in place.

“Fuck me. Now.” The quiver in her voice pissed her off.

“This isn’t fucking, Lexi. I’m going to make you come so hard all you’ll think about is me. Let go of your control and just feel.” Jonas chuckled seductively.

You want this. Stop fighting and enjoy it, her sexual inner vixen admonished.

No! I can’t let him control me, her rigid inner voice countered.

This isn’t about control. It’s about pleasure, her sexual inner vixen chided.

Ignoring the conflicted emotions racing through her, Lexi went with her primal need. With a sigh, she pushed back against him again. Jonas’s hands stroked down the side of her face, and then a soft kiss brushed her cheek. The scent of potent male and leather filled her senses.  Jonas’s hands tightened on her hips.

A hard thrust made her gasp. He stopped.

“Don...” She cleared her throat, then continued. “Don’t stop. Fuck me, Jonas.”

“No sound, Lexi. Now, I’ll have to punish you.”

Her heart beat a rapid tattoo. She didn’t know what he meant.  All she wanted was him.

“Your stopping is punishment.”  She beat her fist on the ground.

The smack of flesh came, and then the sting registered. Lexi gasped, then glared back at him.  Jonas’s hand was raised, and he brought it down again on her ass. The skin he had smacked burned, yet wetness flooded her pussy.  A moan ripped from her, and then she turned her head forward. Jonas continued to paddle her, each blow making her cunt gush and undulate around his cock.  Lexi whimpered and blearily looked at the bed a few feet away from her.

The smacks changed, and he stroked along her ass. Resting her hands more firmly on the ground, Lexi moaned loudly.  She wanted him to spank her. The thought of it turning her on so much had never entered her mind before.

“G… Yes…. Give it to me…” She ground her hips against his hard shaft.

Jonas’s hits became more forceful, causing her to go forward then come back onto him. Lexi grunted and bucked against him. Wetness flowed down her legs.  The more he paddled her, the more inflamed it made her. Guttural sounds came from her throat, and she pushed back against his cock. Sharp talons of pleasure gripped her as she went over the edge into a harsh orgasm. It rolled over her, coating her in shivers. Her pussy clenched once, twice, and then a final time. Lexi swayed, and her arms went weak. 

“Don’t fall, Lexi.”

At the harsh snap of Jonas’s voice, she put her hands more firmly on the ground. Surprised, she realized he was still hard. Jonas pumped into her forcefully. Her hands scraped the wooden floor. Lexi ignored the sting of pain, enjoying the carnality of his taking. Hard hands gripped her in place while he thrust urgently. Rolling her hips, she pushed back on him.

“Give it to me.”

 

The hunger and demand in Lexi’s tone drove Jonas on. All thoughts of her being his friend had left his mind. All he saw was the woman who he had wanted for weeks and was now having. He gripped her hips more firmly and pumped forward. Her pussy clenched around his cock in a sensual vice he didn’t want to ever leave. Lexi’s back shifted with her movements. Her honey skin was coated in sweat. He held her hair more firmly in his fist. Lexi moaned, a sweet, lush sound that made his cock harden even more.

Pumping forward, he watched her ass move as he sank into her wet flesh.  He ran his hand over the firm globes of her ass, noting they were a little red from his spanking.  Stroking into Lexi, he licked along her spine. She whimpered and rocked against him.

“Next time, I’m going to lick that hot pussy of yours and bite your ass. “

Lexi moaned, then grunted as he thrust harder. Gripping her hair, he pulled her head back to him. Lexi growled, then jerked her head.  He leaned into her and whispered against the side of her face.

“I need you to give over your control to me. I won’t accept anything less than total surrender,” he warned.

“I … ca…n… please... Jonas.” Lexi shivered.

He held her, continuing with his demanding strokes. The sound of flesh hitting flesh filled his ears, while the sensation of her silken heat enveloping his erection made him quiver. Lexi slammed herself against his cock. A painful tightening of his sacs warned him he was near.

Loosening some of her hair from around his fist, Jonas covered her body with his. Her moan matched his groan as her back met his front.  Still thrusting into her, he put his hands on the floor next to hers.  Jonas kept a hold on the edge of her hair.  Lexi tried to turn her head toward him and stopped. 

“Let go of my hair.” Her eyes narrowed threateningly.

“Lexi.” His tone held a warning.

Tightening his hand around her hair again, he thrust deeper. Lexi moaned. He leaned in and kissed her, swallowing the sounds she was making.  He jerked back at the feel of a sharp nip. He tasted blood in his mouth. Playing with his tongue, he pumped into her. Lexi growled and countered his movements.

The defiance in her eyes made his heart race.  The fire and passion in her drew him. It was an aphrodisiac that made him weak with lust each time she spoke. In the last few weeks with every accidental touch, he craved a taste of her. And then there was the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn’t paying attention. That barely concealed need mixed with haughty defiance unraveled his control. He kept reminding himself she was his friend and business partner.  Made excuses that he was imagining it since he wanted her so much. Now that he was having her, he wanted her to see him as a man and not just a friend or business associate. 

Harsh ecstasy was on her face. The sounds she made in the back of her throat made him crazy. He licked along her jaw and stroked urgently inside her. Lexi contracted around him, and then a gush of her cream coated his shaft as she came.

“Jonas!”

She pushed back against him and rolled her hips again. The combination of her squeezing pussy and her wanton sound of pleasure sent him over the edge.

“Lexi!”

Caging her beneath him, he stroked into her greedy cunt as his release held him in an angry grip. His cock pulsed out his seed.

I wish I could come inside her. Make her have my c-

Jonas cut off the thought before it could complete.

Shaken, he continued to pump into her.  Lexi purred and moved her hips in that same devastating way. His breath caught. Pleasure continued to flow out of him. His arms wobbled. Jonas wrapped his arms around Lexi and collapsed to the side, keeping himself in her. Lexi murmured, then sighed, relaxing against him. He stroked along her hair and the side of her face partially turned to him.

After some time, he shifted. His heart clenched as his cock came from inside her. Jonas ignored the need to be a part of her. He stood, then bent and picked up Lexi.  She cuddled into him and sighed. With a glance at her, he realized she was asleep. His eyes traced her lovely features. The friend he had been close to for over ten years had become the woman who he had just taken with unrestrained abandon. A few steps took him to the cot, and he put her down. He took off the condom and discarded it in the trash. Bending down, he stroked his finger along her cheek. Lexi opened her eyes, then smiled a sultry invitation.  Getting into bed, he kissed her. He released her, then shifted until her back was against his chest.  Lexi’s hands rested over his on her stomach.

She sighed, then relaxed in his arms. Jonas held her as she slept, listening to her soft breaths.

I want to mark her as my own in every way, but I don’t know if I’m ready for something permanent. What have I done?

The thoughts continued to echo in his mind as sleep overcame him.

A sound woke him. Groggy, Jonas opened his eyes. Lexi was at the stall door with her back to him. Her hair was wild, and she had on her yellow dress clutching the front together. She glanced back. He closed his eyes and pretended to sleep as he watched her.  Illuminated by the lights behind her, the indecision was clear on her face. He wanted to say something but had no idea what there was to say. The ramifications of what they had done were too much for him to even think about. Her hands were clenching and unclenching the front of her torn dress. She left quickly.

Jonas sat up, put his elbow on his knee, and cupped the side of his head.  The need to call her to come back was on his tongue, but he knew he couldn’t.  He stood, grabbed the pitcher by the bed, and flung it against the wall. 

“Oh God. What am I going to do? Her being my friend isn’t the only problem. I can’t afford to get involved. It’ll only lead to pain. I can’t withstand the pain if I lose her. I can’t!” The raw grief in his soul echoed in his voice, shaking him to the core.

Memories best forgotten filled him. He knew that nothing lasted. For years, he had been running from the pain of loss and hiding from the memories. Jonas opened his eyes, determination in his heart. He wasn’t about to go down that road again, no matter how enticed he was by Lexi Raines. He picked up his pants and put them on, then sat on the edge of the bed, putting on his boots. Her scent and his combined on the sheets wafted to him, tantalizing his senses. His cock hardened painfully, pressing against the zipper of his jeans. A low groan came from him. His hand lowered to touch the pillow. Jonas stopped and stood quickly, ignoring their fragrance.

He turned and walked out of the small room. Jonas suddenly stopped. Her scent was all over his skin. A shudder racked him. He rubbed along his jeans against his bulging member. The memory of the sensation of Lexi’s pussy clenching around him made his knees weak. Stumbling against the rail, Jonas continued to stroke his cock. A warm wetness teased his finger.

“No, I won’t do this.” He snatched his hand away from his aching shaft.

Determination filled him. He straightened away from the wall, then strode over to where he had left his shirt. He snagged it from over the stall wall.  Unconsciously, he looked to where Lexi had stood the night before watching him so hungrily. Clenching his fist, Jonas bit off a curse.

Get it together, Coulter. Stop mooning over a woman who is way out of your league. A woman who will only bring you heartache you don’t need. With rapid strides, he went to the barn doors and stepped outside. He glanced at the blushes of red and orange streaking across the morning sky.

“Work will get my mind clear of thoughts best left alone,” he muttered.

Going across the yard to the bunkhouse, he opened the door. A sensation of being watched overcame him, and he looked back. Surprised, he saw a figure who could be only Lexi watching him from the side of the barn. The pale yellow dress accentuated her lush figure, while her long hair blew around her. A shaft of desire coursed through him.  He took a step in her direction. She went around the building, disappearing from view.

“She’s already under my skin.” Jonas growled softly. So what am I going to do about it? He closed his eyes and prayed he would figure out what to do.

 

 

 

Days later, Jonas still didn’t have things figured out. He had taken the jobs around the ranch that kept him away from the main buildings, avoiding Lexi as much as possible. But he could still feel her taking him inside her sweet cunt, and taste her rich, addictive kisses on his tongue. Although he knew it was just in his mind, her scent still seemed to be on his skin. The sound of her voice demanding he take her rang in his ears. At night, he was tempted to sneak out of his own house and go to hers to take her again.

Jonas shook off the thoughts of Lexi as he strode into the stables. Then he stopped, cocking his head to listen as a familiar voice floated to him. His cock lengthened at her husky voice. He stepped closer to make out what she was saying. 

“You’re so handsome,” Lexi’s smoky voice said just out of view.

Jonas stood stock still, listening as she continued to speak.

“Don’t try to show off. I know how strong you are.”

His fist clenched at the admiration he heard in her tone, anger building as he wondered who the recipient of her attentions was. His member softened as he imagined her with someone else other than him. She’ll only be with me.

“Are you ready for me?”

At the wanton invitation, Jonas rounded the corner on silent feet to confront them, then stopped short as they came into view.

Lexi’s eyes were closed, and she was utterly still. Her palm was resting flat against the chest of Indigo, her prized stallion. The horse neighed softly. Lexi still didn’t move. A dreamy smile curved her lips.

“No. You’re not ready yet, but soon.”

Jonas jumped at the sound of her voice. Lexi turned and looked at him. Lust gripped him as he stared into her whiskey eyes. His erection hardened again. Lexi’s gaze dropped. She licked her lips, then jerked her eyes back to his. Hurt flashed in her eyes then her expression blanked as she studied him. Shifting, he tried to think of something to say.

Clearing his throat, Jonas gestured to Indigo. “What’re you doing?”

She regarded him silently, then beckoned him closer. He went to her.  She motioned him to her left side. Without a word, Lexi took his right hand in her left one, then placed it where her right hand had been on Indigo’s chest.

“What—”

“Shhh, just listen.” Lexi spoke softly.

Her hand pressed against his more firmly. The scent he had already come to know so well distracted him. Lexi shifted closer to him and pushed his hand flatter on Indigo. He waited. Lexi closed her eyes again. After a few moments, the same dreamy look came over her face. He wanted to kiss her until the look turned to passion. His mouth watered, needing to have a taste of her.

“Do you hear it?” Lexi asked in the same soft tone.

He focused on what she was showing him and listened, then replied, “I don’t hear anything.”

“That’s okay. Most people don’t.” Lexi lifted her hand off his.

“What should I have heard?” He was curious.

“If he was ready to breed for this season,” Lexi answered matter-of-factly.

Jonas eyed the black Arabian stallion a minute, then returned his attention to her.

“I really don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

“Sorry. I get lost in my head when I am thinking of horse breeding.” Lexi laughed, then continued. “Indigo isn’t ready yet to sire a good offspring for the upcoming season.”

Realization dawned at what she was trying to show him. He shook off thoughts of getting her naked and focused on what she was saying. “No matter how many times you show me this I still don’t get it.  How do you know?”

“I just know. It’s something innate that makes me know.” She shrugged, an uncomfortable look on her face.

Jonas though of all the quality horses they had in the stables. They had all been bred on the ranch. Since Lexi started the program, he had seen other ranchers and horse owners coming to the ranch to see Lexi. Usually, Roan or Theron talked with them. Many had been turned away without even seeing Lexi. She turned and petted Indigo on his forehead, murmuring soft words to him.  He knew she had a way with horses but he had been so busy with the other parts of the ranch it never occurred to him what she was. After all these years it finally dawned on him what she had been doing.

“You’re a horse whisperer,” Jonas said, astonishment clear in his voice.  “Is that how your breeding matches all these years have been so extraordinary? How we have been able to win the Hampton Legion Award two times in a row? You can tell when a horse will sire a good foal.”

He knew about whisperers. He had even met a few in other places. There had even been a movie on it. Jonas shook his head.  His brothers and sister were right. They often commented that he had his head so filled with ways to continue to make the ranch even more prosperous he didn’t see anything else. He didn’t enjoy the fruits of all their hard work.  Jonas studied Lexi. With all he knew about her and the things they shared he couldn’t believe he hadn’t known she was a whisperer. Hell, no one had even hinted at Lexi being a whisperer.

Lexi laughed a husky sound. “Oh God, no. I’m not a horse whisperer. Roan is. He can take any abused or wild horse and make them trust him. He has a gift. I’m just lucky.” She winked.

He frowned thinking of Roan being a whisperer. He had seen Roan with horses and thought he was good with them as he thought Lexi was.  There was a lot he was learning today about his friends and business partners.

“The types of cross-matches I’ve seen here tell me you’re being modest. You’re a sort of horse whisperer, in your own way. Something like a matchmaker,” he teased.

She blinked, then chuckled. “So I’m like Cupid for horses? Wait until I tell Roan.”

Although he knew it was stupid a shaft of jealousy went through him at the familiar way she said Roan’s name. Lately every time he saw them teasing and laughing together, it made him want to put his fist through Roan’s face.

You don’t have a claim to her, you ass. You let her run when you should have kept her with you.

“Jonas, are you okay?” Lexi’s sharp tone brought his attention back to her.

Focusing back on her, Jonas answered, trying to get his bearings. “Umm… yeah.  I’ve been meaning to ask since I got back but haven’t gotten around to it. Who made the statue out front? The one of the bucking stallion.”

“Theron and Mastero made it. They conspired and had it made since we won the Hampton Legion Award again because of Indigo. Theron carved it, then cast it in marble. He asked Mastero to get him the diamond that’s in the chest.  I don’t know how they made it look so much like Indigo, but I love it. It was delivered while you were gone and when I said let’s put it out front, they thought I was nuts and said someone would steal it.” She rolled her eyes. “To appease them, I let Savich install some security around the base of it. Did you get out of your truck to go close to it?”

He shook his head. Mastero and Savich were also partners. They usually handled the security of the ranch.

“If you had, you would have seen a sign that advised not to touch it unless you want a nasty shock.” She laughed again. “That was Roan’s contribution to the project.”

Jonas gritted his teeth at the sound of Roan’s name again.  Lexi went back to petting Indigo and whispering to him.

Why does it bother me so much when she talks about him? I know there is nothing between them, his inner voice asked. 

She should be talking about me in that loving way, not him, damn it, Jonas countered.

Why? his inner voice insisted.

Because I l-

Shock stilled the thought before it could form.

Jonas stared at Lexi’s profile, unable to believe what he was feeling. As if she felt him studying her, she turned to him. Panic filled her gaze, and then she glanced away.

“I…um… have to get back to do some paperwork.” Lexi left rapidly.

Jonas leaned against the stall and shook his head. “Christ! I’m already in love with her.”

A nudge at his shoulder almost knocked him over. Indigo neighed. Jonas glanced at him. The breathtaking horse stared at him with intelligent eyes.  The stallion shook his mane and moved his head forward, as if telling him to go on. Chuckling, Jonas touched the horse’s forehead and went after Lexi.