Page 10 of The Rancher

According to Hollywood, men are only after one thing. From what I can tell, Stone should be stripping me naked already. But he says he wants to make sure I'm comfortable first? Take things one step at a time? It makes me want him even more.

This time when he kisses me, I feel like I'm falling…not just into a pool of deep feelings, but of comfort. Peace. My fingers trace along the tops of his shoulders, exploring every dip and curve of muscle, then wander down his sculpted chest.

"I love the way you touch me," he whispers. "But I'm going to have to stop you right there, or I'm going to lose my mind."

Dipping my head, I kiss an arc straight over his heart. "What if I want that to happen?"

He yanks me against him, the entire length of our bodies grinding together. "Pretty girl, when the time is right, it will, don't you worry. I'm already crazy for you. I'm going to go crazy with worshipping your luscious body." He shifts to nibble under my ear, then down my throat as he murmurs, “I'm dying to lick your hot pussy. To hear the sexy noises you make when you come. To feel your softness wrapped around my cock as you cry out my name. I want to feel you lose yourself, baby.”

I can't breathe. My heart is racing as Stone places a palm over it. "Soon, beautiful. I'm going to make you mine. But right now you have to prove to me that you're truly here on vacation and have a really amazing night’s sleep." His lips brush against mine. "Ready for the sleep snuggling?"

Honestly, when he starts speaking like that, I'm ready to have him tear my clothes off and do anything he wants to me. It triggers a feeling deep inside me that I've never felt before – wild, raw and perfect. And totally overwhelming, in the best way.

"Sure."

He flips me so my back is against his chest, arranges the pillows and blankets, then drapes his arm over my hip and loosely around my stomach. "Comfy?"

"Very. Thank you."

He plants three kisses along the back of my neck and my shoulder blade, so sweet as to make me shiver, although I'm perfectly warm. "Sweet dreams, beautiful."

We lie there together, my body gradually relaxing. Stone is good for me. Comforting. Solid. He makes me feel like he genuinely wants to be in my life.

I relax even more, almost at the edge of sleep. Stone’s breathing deepens to a slow, regular hum against my shoulder. I've never felt safer than I do wrapped in his arms.

At the same time, there's a slight tickle in the back of my mind. It's been over twenty-four hours since I've turned anything around to my second job. I know for a fact they have three freelancers. What will happen if the other two start doing more work than I do? There's always a chance they could stop sending stuff my way entirely.

Sure, I could live on only one job, but that wouldn’t get me to my goal of freedom from the basement.

It takes me a few minutes, but I slowly slip from the thick arms holding me. Then I gradually slide out of the bed, careful not to let the mattress lurch.

I sneak to the guest room and dive straight into work for ninety minutes. It's like falling into a trance. But when I come back to reality, I don't feel like I've checked something off my list. I honestly wonder if I'll miss that hour and a half of sleep in the morning. For the first time I can remember, I feel guilty about working instead of not working.

I slip back into Stone's bed and he immediately pulls me into his arms, cuddling my back against his chest as he spoons me. His breathing is still low and even. Did the man actually reach for me in his sleep?

Then he sighs out a long exhale. "Sleep, baby. Please. Rest," he mumbles softly. "Need you healthy and strong."

"I am," I whisper.

His chin drifts up and down my shoulder, then he pulls me even closer. "I want it to be my place to worry about you," he breathes. He sounds half asleep. Then he kisses the top of my head. "My beautiful baby."

His muscles relax as he conks out completely again. The only sounds are his breathing, and the whisper of wind through the trees out the open window.

I stare into the dark for several more minutes.

His place to worry about me.

His baby.

It's the polar opposite of the total freedom I've been dreaming of, and yet…

I've never wanted anything more.

7

STONE

Iget out of bed silently so that Remy can sleep, then grab some clothes and tiptoe downstairs to get dressed.