“What business is it of yours?” Jonas’s fists clenched.

“It is my business.  Instead of being in here attacking and making more of a mess of the stalls, you should be talking to Lexi. I know how it feels, knowing you can’t have the woman you want.”

“Let go of your damn control and go after her. And stay the hell out of my business,” Jonas growled.

Roan’s face went cold. “Stay out of my affairs. Lexi is my business.”

“Don’t push me Roan. “ Jonas took a step toward Roan.

“I am going to push.  I love Lexi. I love her with everything I am.”

In the years he had been at the Magnificent C, Jonas had never heard Roan speak with so much emotion. The passion was plain in his voice. Jonas felt his hope that he could get Roan to leave him and Lexi to figure things out washed away.

“I think I need to enlighten you again on why Lexi is my business. We had this conversation years ago.” Roan gestured for Jonas to come closer. “First, let me say, ’Eww’.”

Jonas was confused. Roan sighed, a long drawn out sound.

“That dumbfounded look on your face tells me all I need to know. If you tell me any details of what you and Lexi have been doing I will knock you on your ass. Listen up, shit head. Lexi is my sister and I love her.”

Jonas studied Roan’s reddish brown skin and black hair, his aqua-colored eyes and features.

“I know all this Roan,” Jonas replied.

“Don’t make me knock you on your ass, Coulter. You look like you need to hear it again. Lexi is my sister in every way that counts. We may not have been born from the same parents, but Lexi, Theron, Mastero, Savich, Dixon, Cheney and I are family. You know we grew up in foster care?”

“Yes, b—”

“Shut the hell up and listen. Lexi and the rest of us became a family when, one by one, we were placed with the wonderful woman named Ms. P who is now our housekeeper who makes those biscuits you love. She had one child of her own, yet she took each of us in and gave us a home. We all had been—” Roan paused, as if searching for the right words, then continued. “Let’s just say we all had a rough time growing up. Lexi was the last to come to Ms. P’s. She was a firecracker--ornery, opinionated, and untrusting.  Get that look off your face. She’s mellowed considerably over the years. Lexi trusted all of us before Ms. P. It took Ms. P a while to get through to her, but when she did, we became a family. When Lexi came up with this plan for us to buy into this ranch, we all backed her. Came up with our share of the funds, put our various talents into it and here we are today. There’s a reason I’m telling you all this, again. Are you listening, Coulter?”

Jonas nodded. He knew the general background of their growing up but not all the details. They were all close-lipped about where they had come from before becoming part of Ms. P’s family.

“Don’t give up. No matter what you do, don’t let her get away.” Roan straightened and walked away.

“Why are you really telling me this, again?” Jonas followed him.

Roan stopped and turned. “We’ve never seen Lexi act like this.” He shrugged. “Hell, if it was up to Theron and the others, partner or not they would have taken you out somewhere far away from here, stripped you naked, and left you there to rot. They would have made it look like an accident. I tried to tell them that your brothers and sister wouldn’t buy it but they were set on it. Me, I’m more kind.” Roan laughed. “Yeah, kind. I just would have beaten you to a bloody pulp. Since we couldn’t all agree on what to do with you, we were discussing it, but you got to her first. The first night you all were together in the barn.” Roan gave Jonas a look.

“You knew?” Jonas pulled his ear and grinned sheepishly.     

“Oh yeah, we knew, and we’ll not discuss this ever again. If you hurt her, I will kill you.” The threat was given in a silky tone.

Jonas raised his eyebrow and replied in kind. “You can try.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t ever hurt her. I love her too damn much.”

“You are so gone.” Roan chuckled and came over, slapping Jonas on the back.  “Good luck.”

He walked away.

“Hey, Roan?”

“Goddamn it. What do you want now?” Roan returned to him, exasperation on his face.  “Don’t you have someplace to go? Starts with an L and ends with an I?”

Jonas laughed. “Yes, when will Ms. P be back? I know there are seven of you here but I could swear Lexi told me there were more of you. She would never say for sure. But how many ‘brothers’ does Lexi have?”

“She’ll be back in a few weeks. Ms. P. went home to New York to visit our aunts. You know she keeps threatening to stay there, claiming she misses her urban Mecca. Yet she comes back every time. When we bought into this place only the seven of us came. You’d better have this stuff between you and Lexi straight before Ms. P gets back. If your stupid ass messes with Lexi and makes her as sad as she has been when Ms. P is here, I almost feel sorry for you. I’ll promise to plan you a nice funeral.”  Roan’s grin turned nasty. “There are seven more brothers. That is thirteen of us who will each hurt you if you fuck it up with Lexi. I’m the pussy cat of the bunch.”

Jonas snorted with laughter. “Yeah, right. Why haven’t I met the others or at least heard of them.”

“You never asked and they have been traveling and working. Why doesn’t anyone believe that I am the pussy cat of the set?” Roan sighed.

“Are you serious?”

Roan gave him a look.

“Okay, so you’re not. One other question.”

“Hell, what now?”

“Eww?”

Roan’s face flushed, and then he took a threatening step forward. Jonas backed up, laughing.   Roan growled, then turned to leave.

“Hey, you said it!” Jonas called.

“You better clear up those tickets you have outstanding.”

The grin faded from Jonas’s face. Roan kept walking.

“Yeah, we know all about you. Being a business partner all these years doesn’t make you exempt from us checking to see who you are. I thought I knew everything I needed to know about you. I was wrong,” Roan said.

Jonas knew although it wasn’t obvious in his tone but Roan was hurt at not knowing about his wife.

“I couldn’t talk about it. Not even with you Roan,” Jonas said.

Roan paused and said quietly, “I guess there are some things a man keeps to himself.”

Although he didn’t say it, Jonas could hear the light teasing which meant he was forgiven in his voice.

Roan continued. “You’re lucky your more extensive background check came back clear or—”Roan trailed off.

“Background Check?”

Roan chuckled. “Did I forget to mention we have brothers in law enforcement?” Reaching the door, he glanced back. “Pay your speeding ticket. Lexi is at her house for the rest of the day. If you gather enough courage, go see her.” Laughing, he went out the door.

Jonas chuckled, then wiped off his face. Going out the opposite door, he strode across the yard and into the main house and up the stairs to his home. Quickly, he stripped and took a shower. He put on some clean clothes and went back outside. With an air of determination, he walked across the yard. He stopped as he saw Roan talking with Theron and his other brothers. Theron glanced at him and made a motion from his eyes to Jonas. Two other men glared at him. Another one stepped toward him. Roan grabbed the man’s arm and talked to him. Theron and the other men continued to glare as they went to the corral. Roan’s glance held a warning, and then he followed the other men.  

Jonas continued to the house to the right of his, then up the steps to the door. He knocked, then waited. After a few moments, he tried again, then waited some more. Frowning, he turned the door handle, surprised when it opened. Going inside, he locked the door behind him. He strode through the ground floor, looking for Lexi. He passed the office, kitchen, den, and family room, and checked the veranda. Retracing his steps to the foyer, he tried the steps that led upstairs. He stopped on the landing to decide which way to go. Choosing left, he reached a door. He started to open it, but a sound caught his attention. It came again. He followed the sound to the last door at the end of the hall.

Jonas opened the door, and the sound of a saxophone swept into the hall.  He took off his boots leaving them by the door. He stepped inside and looked around. The luxurious room was done in burgundy and gold. He noted the tastefully decorated sitting room. An entertainment center seemed to be built into one wall. He spotted the stereo system and walked over to shut it off. The sax shut off mid-wail. Continuing through the room to a closed door, he opened it and went inside. With a glance, he spotted Lexi laying on the bed with her back to him. He walked around the massive bed until he could see her face, which was soft and beautiful in sleep.

Kneeling beside her bed, Jonas kissed her soft, pouty lips. Lexi jerked, then sighed and kissed him back. He withdrew. Lexi smiled and jerked him to her. She slammed her lips to his, kissing him with a ravenous hunger. Her strong hands pulled him to her. Jonas came forward until he was covering her with his body. Lexi murmured, then loosened her hold.

“This time, I’m going to finish what we started earlier,” Lexi promised.

She pushed his shoulders and rolled until he was beneath her. With a wanton grin, she shifted to straddle him. Raising her hands over her head, she took off her golden chemise. His mouth went dry as her bountiful breasts came into view. Jonas leaned forward and captured one of the turgid tips with his mouth. He suckled, murmuring at the taste of her in his mouth. She was honeysuckle and silk.

“Uh-uh. It’s my turn this time. And I promise you, you will be too weak to walk away.” Lexi’s hands pushed him back.

Impatiently, she unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. She pitched it away, then went to work on his pants. Her fingers brushed his erection as she tugged on his jeans. He raised his hips to help her. She pulled off his pants and boxers in one movement coming to stand at the end of the bed. Jonas stared at her standing at the foot of the bed. Lexi licked her lips, then wiggled her hips, taking off her golden-colored tap pants. She put one leg on the bed, spreading herself.

His erection jerked and hardened even more. Lexi watched his cock move, licking her lips. She ran her hand over her chest and down her breasts. She played with her nipples. Her eyes lowered to half mast, and she moaned softly as she plucked at her hard buds. Then she ran her hands down the flat plane of her stomach. She stilled just above her pelvis.

“Do you want this?” Lexi whispered.

“Yes.”

With a vixenish grin, she continued down, burying her finger in her glistening pussy. Lexi moaned, then added another finger and pumped it in and out. The sweet sound of her wetness as she fingered herself came to him. The scent of her arousal made him hungry for a taste. Jonas scrambled to his knees to go to her. Lexi stopped.

“Uh-uh. Not one movement or sound unless I say so, or I will stop. Back on the bed where I put you.” Her voice lashed out harshly.

Jonas gulped, then thought of overpowering her and taking her. As soon as the thought formed, he dismissed it. He would wait to see what Lexi had planned.  He lay back on the bed and motioned for her to continue. Lexi’s eyes narrowed, and then she smiled. The decadence of her smile made his penis quiver in anticipation.

Lexi raised her fingers to her mouth and licked them clean. Jonas opened his mouth to protest, but swallowed what he would have said when she wagged a finger at him, saying no. He subsided. Lexi put her fingers back into her cunt and pleasured herself. She moaned. Jonas jerked his eyes from hers and watched as she stroked her fingers in and out of her weeping slit. The glistening juices ran down her legs and over her fingers. He licked his dry lips.

In a swift movement, Lexi climbed onto the bed and up between his legs. She sucked his cock into her mouth. Jonas arched and groaned harshly as she swallowed him in. He felt a brush on his lips, then the scent of her pleasure. Opening his mouth, he sucked in her fingers. Licking them, he rolled the taste of her on his tongue.

Lexi created a vacuum with her mouth, sucking him harder. Jonas groaned, letting go of her fingers. He gripped the rails for leverage, then pumped into her mouth. She took more of him. Through a feverish gaze, he watched her swallow his cock. She sucked, then let it go. The combination drove him insane with passion. Pumping, Jonas felt the tightening of his balls. He arched. Lexi gripped  the base of his cock.

“Uh-uh. Not until I’m ready for you to come,” Lexi purred.

Harsh breaths escaped him. When his vision cleared, Lexi was holding the base of his shaft, stopping him from coming.

“Lexi…” Jonas pleaded.

“Shh…no sound, or I’ll stop.”

“Fuck you, Lexi.”

“I’ll fuck you, Jonas. I’ll fuck you until you scream yourself raw saying my name.” Lexi smiled.

She climbed up his body, then impaled herself on his shaft.

“Lexi!”  

“Shh…no sound, or I’ll stop.” She stilled.

Jonas bit his lip and locked his hands tighter around the bed railings. Lexi rose off him, then slammed down. Then she rapidly repeated the motion, over and over again. Silent, she kept his gaze locked with hers as she rode him. Jonas strained to stay quiet, wanting all the pleasure she could give. Lexi rolled her hips on his cock, her wet pussy squeezing around him, keeping him trapped in its silken clutches. She jerked back and forth against him. Her harsh grunts were in time with each of her thrusts.  She plunged up and down against his shaft.

“Scream for me, Jonas.”

“Lexiiiiiiii!”

His sac pulled up painfully, then jerked as his release slammed out of him. He went blind as the pleasure racked him. Jonas yelled and jerked. Lexi continued to ride him up and down, prolonging his pleasure.

Lexi screamed as her own orgasm filled her. The release made her quake.

 

 

“Lexi.”

The cords in Jonas’s neck stood out. His face was harsh with his need, and his breathing was fast. She rolled her hips, reveling in the feel of his cock stroking her inner pussy. This man had unraveled her with his tenderness and wanton seduction. He made her want to give him all she was.

“Jonas.”

He locked his hands around her and pulled her to him. His lips closed over hers, and his tongue stroked into her mouth.  Lexi struggled and got her arms free from where he had pinned them between their bodies. She ran her fingers into his hair, cupped his head, and kissed him. Jonas arched his body, rubbing himself against her clit.  She gasped as her orgasm continued on and on.  Her hands went limp, and then she collapsed against him.

“Not yet,” Jonas murmured.

Still part of her, he rolled them until she was beneath him. He was hard again. He stroked once, twice, and again.

“Jonas.”

Lexi threw her hands back and latched onto the bed rails. Jonas’s hands covered hers. He kissed her urgently and plunged into her. Suddenly, he stiffened, then released her lips.

“I love you, Lexi.”

His hot seed continued to fill her. Arching her back, Lexi pushed down and took all of him. Jonas shuddered, then collapsed. She loosened her grip on the rails, and instead gripped his sweat-soaked shoulders. Jonas groaned, then nuzzled her neck. A kiss brushed her neck, and then he sighed, going limp. His soft snore filled her ear. A pleased grin curled her lips.

Let’s see you walk away from me now. She chuckled.

Yawning, she fell asleep.

 

A sound woke her. Lexi opened her eyes and smiled at Jonas. He was dressed. Confused, she sat up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving, Lexi.” Jonas’s smile seemed bittersweet.

Her heart clenched. Pain lanced through her, but she refused to let it show. She remembered how he had said earlier that he took trips to get away from the memories and pain. He might say he loved her but he still loved his dead wife more. She promised herself she would not ask him to stay.

“All right.”

“Is that all you can say, Lexi?” Jonas frowned.

Please let him go before I break down, she thought.

“I can’t force you to stay.” She laughed bitterly. “I learned that lesson a long time ago.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.” She rolled away from him.

She gasped as he jerked her back around to face him.

“Talk to me.”

“What is there to say? My parents died and left me.” She shrugged. “None of my foster families wanted me. I’m used to being left.”

“What about Ms. P and your brothers?”

“They are the only ones who stay. At least for now.” Narrowing her eyes, she watched him.

“Ms. P and your brothers love you. I—”

“They’ll leave me too, eventually,” she said, cutting him off.

The shock on Jonas’s face made shame coat her throat. She had never admitted to anyone her fear of everyone leaving her. Jonas went to hug her.  She scrambled back.

“Go on. Leave. I understand. Please just go.” She hated herself as her voice trembled.

“One day, you’ll learn that the people around you love you and won’t ever leave you. Yes, people die, but they’re still with you.”

“Pot calling kettle black. You should talk, Jonas.” She lashed out.

Jonas was silent then stood and looked at her.  “I love you, Lexi, and that will never change.”

He turned and left. Tears burned her eyes. Lexi tried to hold them back, but a harsh sob broke from her. She put her hand over her mouth. Another sob came, and then another. It took a moment for her to realize she was crying.  Images of Jonas laughing with the other hands and her brothers filled her. Jonas kissing her tenderly and holding her, the understanding and the love shining in his eyes.

“I’m an ass.” Groaning, she flopped down on the bed.

Don’t just lay there. Go get him!

Lexi rushed out of bed and to her closet. Dressing quickly in jeans and a tee shirt, she ran out of her room. Racing down the hall, then down the stairs, she pulled open the coat closet and got her boots. She glimpsed the rope out of the corner of her eye, and she grabbed it before closing the door. Quickly, she sat on the stairs and put on her boots, then picked up the rope.

Running down the porch stairs, she sped across the yard. 

“Hey!” Roan called.

She ignored him and continued on. Still moving, she fixed the rope into a loop. Spotting her target, she waved the lariat over her head, then let it fly. It lassoed its target.

“Hey! Wh—”

Lexi pulled hard before Jonas could finish his sentence. Jonas tumbled back and landed on his butt. He groaned loudly, then cursed. Running to him, she straddled him, then grabbed his hands, quickly tying him up. The sound of running feet came behind them. She glared at Roan and the rest of the men.

“Back off! I’m keeping him. He’s not going to run away from the ranch to escape as he usually does.”

Roan and the others put up their hands and retreated a few steps.

“You’re keeping me?”

“Yes, I…My God! What happened to your face?” She touched his blackened eye, then the cut on his lip.

Jonas winced. “Roan decked me, and then I think it was Theron who busted my lip.”

She turned to glare at Roan. He grinned, unrepentant. She moved to get up.

“Careful. My ribs are sore.” Jonas’s groan stopped her.

Still glaring at Roan and the rest, she yelled, “I might have decided to keep you all too, but I’m going to teach you a lesson for hitting him!”

Roan laughed and blew her a kiss.

“They wouldn’t listen until I knocked Savich on his ass,” Jonas said.

“It was a lucky punch. He’s lucky Kline or Ash weren’t here, or he wouldn’t be walking! I need to tell them to come for a visit so we can pound on Coulter!” Savich called.

“Savich, not you too.”  She got up.

“It was before I told them I was only going to town,” Jonas added.

She stopped and returned her attention to Jonas.

“What?”

“Yeah, I was coming right back. When I get back I’m going to seduce you until you can’t walk and get you to admit you love me.” Jonas grinned, then winced as blood welled up in his lip.

“Hey! That’s our sister!” Roan roared.

“Shut up, Roan!” Lexi screamed back. Then turning back to Jonas, she asked, “You’re coming back? Why the hell were you leaving?”

“I was going to town to pick up something.” Jonas stroked a finger along her check.

Shocked, she looked at his freed hands.

“You’re good, but as you know my brother Jaxx is better, and he taught me a few things about getting out of ropes,” Jonas said in explanation. He laughed.

He wrapped his arms around her, and his soft groan reminded her he was hurt. She ran her hands over his side and he winced.

“We have to get you to the house so I can take care of you. Roan, you sorry ass, come help me get him to the house. Wait un—”

“Marry me, Lexi?”

Jonas’s words stilled her and made her heart thump. The love shone in his gray eyes. Tears clogged her throat.

“I love you, Jonas,” she whispered.

“I know.” He grinned.

“What do you mean, you know?” She smacked him playfully on the shoulder.

“Don’t hit me. I’m injured.” He groaned.

“Oh God, I’m sorry.” She winced and stroked the spot.

“Lower.”  Jonas groaned again.

“What? I didn’t h—”

His devilish grin made her know he was kidding. The grin faded.

“Will you marry me, Lexi?” he asked again.

Joy filled her as she saw the love in his eyes.

“Don’t you want to marry me, Lexi?” His expression was growing uneasy.

“If I say yes, do I still get the seduction?”

“Every day and night for the rest of your life.”

“In that case, yes, I’ll marry you.”

Jonas laughed and kissed her.

“I’m too young to be seeing this shit,” a voice growled.

“Please, Theron. You’re only a year younger than me,” Roan countered.

Jonas and Lexi were oblivious to the others, his fingers stroking her nipples.

“Break it up, Coulter, unless you want to lose your hand!” Roan yelled. “He’s lost his ever loving mind,” he growled.

“Hush up. He’s in love,” Theron replied.

“If I ever get it, shoot me and put me out of my misery,” Roan pleaded.

“It will be my pleasure.” Theron laughed.

The sound of tires filled the yard. Door slammed closed and the sound of footsteps came.

“What the hell is going on here?” a voice demanded.

“Jaxx ’bout time you all got back.  It’ll take a while to explain,” Roan said. “Your brother has lost his mind. I’m about to kill him.”

“Your sister is sitting on him not the other way around Roan.” Jaxx countered.

“Now, J—“

Lexi ignored the sounds of her brothers and Jonas’s brother and sister arguing.

Lexi pulled back, putting her face against Jonas’s neck. “Let me get you home where I can take care of you. They won’t leave us alone here.”

“I don’t care. I want you to have my babies, Lexi.”

“Christ, she’s pregnant,” Roan roared.

Scuffling could be heard.

“Calm down, Roan. That’s not what he said. They want babies. Not that she’s pregnant,” Theron roared.

“Christ, Roan. Chill the hell out. We’re going to be family.” Jaxx started laughing. 

“Oh fuck. Don’t say that.”

“You’re looking mighty pale, Roan.” Jaxx chortled. “Come on let’s have a drink people. Time to celebrate.”

Absently she heard the footsteps walking away from them.

A warmth filled her as she whispered. “You didn’t use anything when we—”

A shocked look flashed on his face, and then a pleased grin spread across his lips.

“So you may already be pregnant with my baby.  Would you want to give me a child, Lexi?“ The concern was plain in his voice.

“Yes. Oh God, yes, I want a child with you,” Lexi answered unhesitatingly.

“Thank you. I love you, Lexi.” His eyes glinted with tears. He rested his forehead against hers. Lexi sighed and stroked his cheek.

“We’ll have to try to get pregnant right away.”

He grinned. “I can see I’ll still be chasing you around the rocking chair even when we’re eighty.”

“And I might let you catch me.” She laughed.

“It was faith.”

“What was faith?”

“From the minute I saw you, I knew my life was about to change. For a long time I convinced myself it was a change for the ranch but I was wrong.  It was only a matter of time before I made you mine. I’m going to love you, orneriness and all, for the rest of my life. I want to be taken by you everyday of our lives.”

Ignoring the fading voices of her brothers’ and his family bickering, with tears flowing down her cheeks, she cupped Jonas’s face and kissed him.