Chapter Twenty-Four

Dare was asleep the instant her head hit the pillow. When she woke, it was to an empty bed because Jesse had already gotten up. Neither a good night’s rest or room to stretch out were terrible things, but they didn’t put sex back on the table either, and frankly she was itching for Jesse in a bad way.

Last night—

Oh. My. God. If she hadn’t already been pregnant, the sight of Jesse holding Justin would’ve caused her to spontaneously conceive. What was it that Jaxi had said? Colemans made pretty babies?

They made gorgeous, mouthwatering men, as well.

Now they were on the road, headed back to Heart Falls to grab what they needed.

She was confused by how much she was looking forward to seeing her family, yet how much she couldn’t wait to return to Rocky. It felt as if she were tethered in the middle of an enormous, invisible game of tug-of-war. Uncertain which side would win.

Instead of worrying about what she couldn’t control, she let her gaze drift over the man at her side. It was warm enough he’d left his jacket and overshirt off, and his strong forearms were eye candy she was very willing to enjoy. His hands rested lightly on the wheel—hands she knew could bring her pleasure in all sorts of wicked ways.

She wiggled in her seat.

“You need a pit stop?” Jesse asked instantly.

Oh God, did she ever. But not for the reason he was asking. “I need to put my hands on you,” Dare informed him. “And you need to be naked.”

The engine roared briefly before he glanced her way with a warning. “Dare.”

She blinked.

Jesse’s eyes darkened in the second before he focused back on the road. “In this dream world of yours, are you naked as well?”

“Depends. I’m either naked, or wearing teeny panties and a silky bra. Whichever you prefer.”

He reached down and adjusted himself, shifting his hips awkwardly. “I didn’t know you had such a mean streak in you, Darilyn Hayes.”

She laid a hand on his arm, stroking gently as she let out an appreciative hum. “I’m not being mean,” she insisted. “Mean would be me doing something like putting my hand in your lap and curling my fingers around your cock.”

Jesse’s grip on the wheel tightened, but he kept his gaze fixed on the road as she put action to her words. “You’re asking for trouble.”

“We both like this kind of trouble,” she reminded him. She pressed her palm against him, rubbing the thick length. “I want you in my mouth. I want to taste you and get you all wet before I climb on top and go for a ride.”

Dare had been so intent on what she was doing she hadn’t noticed the change in vehicle sounds. He must’ve hit the turn indicator and the brakes sometime in the last thirty seconds because he was taking a right-hand turn off the highway down a narrow country road that led to nowhere.

“Side trip?” she asked innocently.

“You are so getting fucked,” he informed her in a cheerful voice.

He hit the brakes, positioning the truck in the middle of a thick batch of spruce trees. The next second he had her seatbelt undone and she was being hauled across the bench seat into his arms.

One hand dove into her hair, pulling her into position so he could ravish her lips. Hunger and need and fiery lust filled his touch. Poured over her in the way he took control and answered all of her teasing requests.

It wasn’t mindless pleasure, it was something more because he’d already learned where her hotspots were. Even now he tugged her hair lightly until she let out a groan of pleasure, then he coasted his lips along her jaw to the bottom of her earlobe and sucked.

She shivered, dropping her hand between her legs to press where an aching need teased.

His fingers wrapped around her wrist then he pulled her hand away. “That’s my job,” he warned.

“Then touch me,” she begged.

He pressed his knuckles under her chin until she was staring into his bright blue mesmerizing eyes. “I will. But first, I heard something about your mouth and my cock, and I really really like that dream-world idea.”

So did she. Dare wiggled off the bench seat to the floor, pulling him to the passenger side, his legs open so she could rest between them. He was already working on the button of his jeans.

She slapped his fingers away. “Mine,” she scolded.

A soft chuckle escaped him as he willingly lifted his hands and placed them behind his head, gazing down with an affectionate grin. There was no doubt that he planned to make her very happy, but she was equally sure he wasn’t about to let her get off the hook for her tease.

She lowered the zipper carefully, fabric falling to the sides as his erection swelled hard against his briefs. When she pulled that fabric away, his cock sprang free. An instant later she’d placed her mouth over the head.

A curse exploded from Jesse’s lips, and she smiled as much as she could with her lips stretched around his girth. Then she licked and sucked, holding him at the base with her fingers wrapped around him to keep him aimed in the right direction.

A soft caress drifted over her head. Jesse was stroking his fingers through her hair. “Gorgeous. You’re so fucking gorgeous, Dare. You blow my fucking mind.”

She lifted with a pop, tilting her head back to offer a cheeky grin. “And here I thought I was blowing your cock.”

“Right now, same thing,” Jesse admitted before growling, “take off your pants.”

Dare pouted. “But I wasn’t done.”

“Take off your fucking pants and get up here, now,” he ordered.

She hid her smile as she wiggled and squirmed to follow his directions. The instant her ass was bare he was hauling her over him, her knees resting on the cushioning on either side of his hips.

Jesse slipped a hand between her legs and stroked expertly. “Hmmm. Did sucking me off get you wet, darlin’?”

“So wet,” she admitted. “Oh. Yes, right there.”

He’d placed his thumb over her clit and rubbed. Hard enough that electric sparks shot from her core to…everywhere. Her toes tingled and her hands trembled. She clung to his shoulders as he used his other hand on her hip to pull her forward so he could line up his cock.

No hesitation. She sank slowly onto his length. He watched her the entire time, gaze pinned on her face. Clearly alert for any signs of trouble, which was sweet, but not necessary because all she felt was pleasure. When they were finally fully connected, satisfied moans sounded in stereo.

He tipped his head forward until their foreheads touched. “I missed you,” he said.

Dare snickered. “It’s only been a few days. Sex fiend.”

“Tell me you don’t feel the same so I can call bullshit.”

There were more important things to do. “Why don’t you fuck me instead?”

No further encouragement was needed. He caught hold of her hips with both hands and lifted. Dare levered herself over him, taking stock of every delicious sensation. Dropping over his thick shaft sent heat throughout her body, and pulling up was just as addictive. Over and over until pleasure rippled under her skin as if something momentous was about to happen. Explosions, tsunamis—earth-shattering.

He put his hand back over her clit and pressed, and that was the trigger.

“Coming.”

The hand on her hip tightened, but he kept going. Pumping up, rubbing her clit. She squeezed tight around him, the waves making her clutch him tightly as she let her head fall back. A second later he joined her, muscles tight under her hands, hips jammed together.

It seemed a long time later they both let out satisfied sighs, coming back to reality. Dare pressed the palms of her hands to his cheeks then leaned in and kissed him deeply. The instant before pulling back, she felt his lips move into a smile.

They were both still grinning by the time they reached Silver Stone ranch.

Jesse whistled, and Morgan came running at full tilt, ears flapping like wings. The dog got a hug and a head scratch from Jesse, then turned to Dare as if to say she’d been missed.

“I’m glad to see you, too, but I bet you had more fun here than you would have in Rocky. You wouldn’t have understood what was going on.” She knelt to give him a hug, and he sat, tail thumping as he accepted her adoration like it was his due, wide doggy smile in place.

“Joel said he’s looking forward to seeing Morgan again,” Jesse shared as he helped her to her feet.

“Of course, he is. Morgan’s a good boy, ain’t cha, pupper?”

Morgan panted, waiting patiently for someone to do something more exciting than just talk.

Dare chuckled. She should have warned herself against falling in love with his dog, but it was too late. “Yes, you get to come with us the next time,” she assured Morgan.

Jesse paused on the porch after dropping off the couple of bags they’d borrowed from the Colemans for her to transport her things. “You mind if I go track down Caleb? I don’t want to steal your thunder, but I feel as if I should let him know what’s going on in terms of work. I don’t want to leave him in the lurch, either.”

“Makes sense. You know where to find me if you need me.” In the distance Ginny was making tracks toward them like a bat out of hell. “I’ll be talking my sister off the ledge. And packing.”

“Look at you, multitasking goddess and all.”

He gave her a brief, intense kiss before taking off toward the barns, whistling as he walked, Morgan at his heels. Obviously happy, which was pretty much what the sensation in her gut said too.

Funny how a good bout of sex could do that to a person.

Ginny was on the steps an instant later, crowding after her into the cottage. “Start talking. I saw that smooch you just gave your baby daddy. I take it his ranking has moved up a notch or two out of the negatives.”

Dare headed to her bedroom and pulled open drawers to start packing. “He’s out of the hole, yes.”

“The Colemans? Are they approved Buckaroo material?”

“Definitely.” She turned to Ginny, T-shirt in her hand. “They’re not perfect, but they honestly care about each other. They already care about me and Buckaroo, which is kind of mind-boggling.”

“I don’t see what’s mind-boggling about it at all,” Ginny said sternly. “You’re very care-about-able.”

Dare grinned and kept going. “I’m happy to report that I don’t have to go on bed rest, which is a good thing because even with Jesse’s millions of family members to distract me, I don’t think I could handle four months in the same room.”

“I’ve never felt so relieved as when you sent word you were okay.” Ginny sat on the edge of the bed. “But I do admit I’m concerned about your mental clarity. You just got back. Why are you putting things into a bag instead of out of it?”

Dare took a deep breath. “We’ve decided to move to Rocky, at least until Buckaroo is born. We’re heading back tomorrow.”

One of Ginny’s brows rose to her hairline. She just stared, and stared. Then she glanced over her shoulder to make sure they were alone before whispering, “Blink twice if you’re being held against your will.”

Dare snickered. “That’s rich—this is partly your idea. You’re the one who said that we should consider moving.”

“I thought consider meant taking more than thirty seconds. You’ve got to admit this is fast. You just went to check them out.”

“I did. And I like them.”

Ginny hopped off the bed and paced the room. “You really going to marry Mr. Sexy?”

“This isn’t about him. This is about doing what’s best for Buckaroo, remember? I feel as if being in Rocky is going to be a good thing for me up until the time he’s born, but especially the days after, because oh my God, Jaxi and Blake’s baby was adorable, but the idea of bringing something that teeny home and having to take care of it all by myself? Hell no.”

The pacing stopped. Ginny’s concern deepened as she folded her arms over her chest. “I can be here for you. You don’t need to move.”

“Ginny. No, I don’t want you to put your life on hold any longer. That’s not fair to you, and I’ll just end up hating myself.” Dare tossed the packing to the bed so she could catch hold her friend’s hands. “I love you, and I love that you would sacrifice your plans for me, but I won’t let you do that. Plus, it’s not necessary. The Colemans will be wonderful to Buckaroo.”

Her friend tilted her head. “What about you? Because all kidding aside, is there something between you and Jesse more than just this baby?”

“Of course, there is. We’re friends, at least I think we are.” She wasn’t going to mention their sexual compatibility was off the charts.

She probably didn’t have to considering the way Ginny was giving her that Spock impression again.

“Good friends. Okay. That’s why you’re packing your naughty underwear.”

Dare glanced at the bed, cheeks flushing as she realized what she’d abandoned in her hurry to confront Ginny. She rushed back and shoved the telltale garments away. “They’re comfortable.”

An inelegant snort escaped her friend. “Hey, I have zero problems with you doing a hot guy if he’s treating you well. Although anyone who can’t see beyond sex to what an amazing person you are doesn’t deserve slinky undies.”

“If he ever takes me for granted, I will make sure that Jesse’s not allowed to wear anything slinky,” Dare retorted softly before ducking away from Ginny’s fingers and the threat of death by tickling.

They ended up laughing the entire time Ginny helped her pack.

 

 

Ever since Jesse had found his mostly bare-assed picture slapped up on the side of the barn wall at work, it seemed forces had been conspiring to work out his future with or without his permission.

The forward rush of events had mostly been neutral or positive, but in the last two days he’d found himself wondering if he had a fairy godmother keeping an eye on him, because he certainly didn’t deserve the kind of good that was landing in his path.

Not only was he able to work with his family in Rocky again, he’d been assured by someone whose opinion meant a lot to him that he could let go of his long-held guilt.

Every time he looked at Dare he heard her words again, insisting it was time to move on.

Then today when he’d tracked Caleb down, the announcement that he and Dare would be moving to Rocky immediately was greeted with a short grunt, a quick nod and a distracted request for help reading some old breeding records.

After Caleb nodded he understood what the paper said, Jesse reached out. “I’m still on board to help Silver Stone going forward,” Jesse “We’d have to keep everything online, but if that would work, let me know.”

“Luke and I will talk about it,” Caleb promised. “I’ll go get Dare’s riding stuff together. Come on up to the house for supper.”

“Dare would love that.”

He returned to the cottage, transferring the couple of bags he found stacked on the porch into the back of his truck before going inside.

Dare and Ginny were in the office, looking perplexed as they stared at the computer screens.

“Need a hand?”

Ginny bounded toward him. It took great mental strength to resist throwing his hands up as a precautionary measure.

He nearly fell over when she tackle-hugged him, squeezing tight for a moment before letting go and stepping back, her chin raised high. “But just because you haven’t screwed up until now that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.” Ginny lowered her voice and tried to look intimidating. “I’m watching you, Wazowski. Always watching.”

Dare pushed past her sister. “Oh, please. By no stretch of the imagination is Jesse a big green eyeball monster.”

“But I swear I heard you call him Pookie-Bear.” Ginny ducked as Dare threatened her with a pillow. “I know, get back to packing. I just don’t know what else you want.”

“Is everything out front all you need?” Jesse asked.

Dare gestured toward the office. “I’m trying to figure out what I need out of here, but until we’ve got more room there’s no use in me taking much more than my laptop.”

Jesse shrugged. “It’s not like we’re getting on a ship and travelling for three months. If you decide you need something else we can come down for the weekend and grab it.”

“Or I can bring it up,” Ginny offered. “Jesse’s right.”

“See, Dare? Even your sister knows I’m always right.”

Ginny glared at him, but her eyes flashed her amusement.

Jesse caught Dare by the hand and pulled her closer. “If you’ve pretty much got what you think you need, let’s go for a ride. We can visit all your favourite spots before we head out tomorrow.”

Dare slid next to him, her hand resting on his chest, a pleased smile on her lips. “That’s a sweet idea. I’d love to.”

Ginny made a few gagging sounds, but the two of them ignored her, heading out to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

He enjoyed the evening surprisingly well, too. Sasha spent every minute she didn’t have food in her mouth asking Dare questions about the new ranch, and Emma—

Well, Emma just about melted his heart by insisting she wanted to sit with him. She didn’t say anything, just crawled into his lap and refused to move until it was time for her to head off to bed.

That night as he held Dare in his arms, the two of them sleeping in her room for one last time, the image of Buckaroo drifted through his mind like it had begun to do on a regular basis. Only this time, instead of a sturdy little boy he saw a sweet little girl with lots of red hair and a sassy smile.

Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.

Jesse gave it more thought as they headed back to Rocky the next day, both driving their own trucks and pulling a horse trailer. The quiet hours it took to head north were awesome at first before turning strange.

He missed having Dare in the truck with him.

It didn’t take long once they were back in Rocky to get everything tucked away at Joel and Vicki’s. He and Dare shared the dresser and the closet, and he barely had to fight for space.

“Are you sure you’re a girl?” Jesse teased, eyeing the half-dozen hangers she’d commandeered in the closet, which were less than he’d used by the time he was finished.

Dare played dirty, kicking the door shut behind her then stripping her top over her head. “One word.” She gestured to her body. “Boobs.”

“Hmmm.” He caught her by the hand, backing up until he was sitting on the mattress, Dare tucked between his open thighs. Happily, Joel and Vicki wouldn’t be home for hours, so it was the perfect time to get carried away. “I don’t know that I should accept those as the real McCoy without testing. Just to make sure.”

“Of course. I’d hate to think you were fooled by an imitation.”

He skimmed his hands up the sides of her body, pausing to rest his fingertips on the growing swell of her belly. The curves added to her sexiness, and he leaned in and kissed her right smack dab in the middle of her torso while his fingers slipped around to undo her bra.

Dare acted coy for a moment, holding the cups against herself. One shoulder strap slipped off, then the other. “It’s very good for my ego.”

Jesse damn near had to wipe the drool from his mouth as he waited anxiously for her hands to move. “What is?”

“The expression on your face right now.”

She was taking too damn long, so he caught her by the wrists and guided her hands away. The lacy fabric fell, landing on his thighs before sliding off onto the floor, but he didn’t care because, well, as she had so elegantly put it—

“Hello, boobs.”

He cupped her, gently lifting while he made sure to keep the deep red circles of her nipples visible. That let him play with them, brushing in circles with his thumbs, pinching lightly between thumb and the side of his forefingers. The peaks hardened, crinkling in as he teased until he couldn’t stop from leaning closer and licking. Once, then again. Tickling the tip of his tongue around the hard nub before switching to using the flat.

His favourite part of sex with her—if it was possible to pick a single thing he liked best—had already begun. The noises. The music of her pleasure. The fucking awesome sounds of fucking…

Dare moaned as he touched her, threading her fingers through his hair. She arched her back to press her breasts closer when he teasingly backed away.

“Don’t stop,” she begged breathlessly.

“I’m no damn fool,” he murmured. “But right now, I’m hungry.”

“How can you—?”

Her complaint cut off as Jesse caught the edges of her sweats and ripped them off her hips along with her panties. He lifted her into his lap, hands tight on her bare ass as he squeezed. “Need more directions? Climb up here and give me something tasty.”

Jesse rolled back on the mattress, tugging Dare into position over him.

She glanced down, gaze playing peekaboo past the curves of her breasts and belly. “Your eyes are on fire.”

“I’m starving,” he complained. “Get up here.”

His grip on her ass was enough to move her the final inches he needed to center her pussy over his mouth. He licked softly at first, teasing. Small motions over and over as her sweetness filled his mouth and made him eager for more.

Dare leaned forward and pressed a hand to the wall for balance. “Your tongue is magic,” she whispered.

“Your pussy is fucking delicious,” he answered back. “Hold on tight, darlin’, this is going to get wild.”

He took control then, locking her in place with his hands so his tongue could explore. Leisurely at first, slipping through her folds as if he were on a casual exploration. Licking with tiny motions over her clit. Her hips quivered as he increased pressure, stabbing his tongue deeper. Fucking her with it as he caressed her ass and stroked her smooth skin.

His cock was hard, his balls buzzing, his mouth watering with the taste of her. Every time she moaned it encouraged him, and he fucked her harder. Licked more. Teased and taunted until her clit was all but vibrating under his tongue.

He stroked a finger between her ass cheeks and teased there as well. All of her. He wanted every fucking bit of her.

Dare threaded the fingers of her free hand through his hair then clenched them into a fist. “Oh, God. I’m so close.”

Jesse hummed his encouragement, licking greedily. Needing to hear her go over the edge. Needing to send her there.

Another sharp tug at his head was joined by a low gasp, and she rocked over him, grinding down on his face as she came. He didn’t slow, didn’t ease off, and she swore, wiggling to get away from his relentless mouth.

He rolled her to the side, ripping open his jeans so he could haul his cock into his hand.

Dare relaxed into a puddle in front of him, legs open, wetness from his mouth and her orgasm painting the lips of her pussy. Her heavy breasts moved with every hard breath she panted out even as her satisfied smile turned her into an erotic statue before him.

“So freaking gorgeous.” Inspiration hit, and he reached between her legs, rubbing as gently as possible when everything in him screamed to go hard and fast. Heat and wetness covered his palm as he stroked, and Dare groaned again, her eyes widening as she realized what he was up to.

“You’re a dirty bastard,” she whispered. “You’re going to make me hot all over again.

“Yup,” he agreed. He stroked his fingers into her, shaking with need as he pulled back and covered his cock with her moisture.

“Much better.” He pumped hard, stroking over the head and using his thumb on the most sensitive spot as he let his gaze drift over her. “Touch your tits for me. Hold them up. That’s it. Now open your legs, darlin’. God damn. So fucking right. Every inch of you is perfect and so fucking delicious, and later I’m going to fuck you from one end to the other, but right now…?”

He was seconds away from losing control. The sight of her all sexy and sated made him sweat. A pretty flush coloured her cheeks, partly from her orgasm and the rest from watching him jerk himself off. Her gaze was fixed on his fist where the head of his cock appeared over and over.

She licked her lips, and lightning sizzled up his spine. Dare wiggled upright, her breasts shifting, and he let loose a long, needy moan. And when she reached for him, fingers dusting his thigh, that was it. That was all it took to shove him over the edge.

Semen exploded from his cock to land in stripes over her breasts and belly. He knelt on the bed, determined to mark her all over, like a fucking caveman, branding her with his come.

Asshole move, maybe, but Dare didn’t seem to mind. Instead she hummed happily, dragging a finger through a streak of white, and another hard jolt hit.

“You’ve fucking killed me,” Jesse complained as he collapsed to the mattress beside her, happy but spent.

“Hmm. You’re a messy creature,” she teased, rubbing her palms over her naked curves and covering herself with his seed. “Since I’m all sticky and messy—what else can we do that’s dirty? I’ll have to go have a shower before bed, anyway.”

She knew exactly how to bring a dead man back to life. His blood heated to boiling and his heart pounded. “I have a few ideas,” he offered, crawling over her and taking her lips.

Round two, starting now.