Resurrection River: Men of Mercy, Book 2 (20 page)

“
N
ow this is
what I call a homecoming.”

Amy’s heart slammed into her sternum at high speed and her eyes flew open. Ranger stood in the doorway, a duffle bag in hand, black shirt and tactical pants practically painted on. His bulging biceps rippled. Her mouth watered.

“Where are your crutches?”

He let the bag drop to the kitchen floor and leaned against the doorjamb, crossing his arms over his massive chest. Her breath quickened and her stomach fluttered like a teenager. Ranger’s gaze drifted down her body then back to her face, locking on her eyes, communicating his desire with a scorching look. Her nipples beaded instantly.

“Doc said I didn’t need ‘em anymore.”

He pushed off from the wall, stalking around the island like a true predator. She couldn’t help but devour his wide shoulders and lean hips. The man was walking sex on a stick. Amy tensed, waiting for the familiar guilt to slam into her, but all she felt was a keen yearning.

“Where’s Artie?” Was that her voice all raspy and weak?

Ranger leaned in, his low deep voice sending chill bumps racing across her skin. “He’s spending the night with Evie and Hunter.”

Her mouth went dry and she grabbed her wine, tossing back the liquid in a desperate attempt to calm her nerves.

“Why?”

“The same reason Evie is here to pick up Chloe. To give us a night all to ourselves.”

“Hey girl, don’t worry about us. I got her bag and her formula.” Evie popped into the kitchen holding Chloe and gave her a quick wave.

“But...but...”

“No buts. You need this.” Evie cast Amy a look that clearly stated she better take advantage of the hot man standing in her kitchen. Amy offered her a weak smile.

“Now, little missy. It looks like I’m going to need to practice being a mommy with you.” Evie’s voice drifted away and then Amy heard the front door shut.

“You’ve been planning this.”

“Absolutely.” Ranger’s answer was swift and solid, leaving no doubt in her mind that he wanted her.

It was now or never. Amy carefully placed her glass on the counter. Her hands tingled and shook.

Was she really ready to jump off that cliff?

The answer flooded her immediately. Of course she was ready. She’d been ready. Amy took a small step back and Ranger frowned. “What’s wrong? Did you change your mind about us?”

She didn’t answer, couldn’t make her lips work. She wanted to show him how much he meant to her. They’d been talking and dancing around the subject long enough. Amy reached up and snapped open the top button on the front of her dress. Ranger’s gaze dropped to her finger and his nostrils flared. A white hot heat set up in her belly. Amy unbuttoned the next one down.

Ranger grabbed the counter beside him.

Her fingers shook so bad she almost couldn’t get the third one undone.

Ranger closed the gap between them. He didn’t give her a chance to talk. To think. His lips closed over hers and she gave herself to him. His mouth was hot, sweet and dominating. He took control of the kiss, slanting his head for better access. Nerve endings she didn’t even know existed lit up. The rasp of his tongue over hers sent heat flooding her core.

He didn’t stop. He lifted her onto the counter, wedging himself between her legs. He smelled of sweat and sex and pure man.

He broke the kiss and finished the task she’d started a moment ago, his large fingers surprisingly nimble as he swiftly unbuttoned her dress all the way down to her waist. His gaze lifted to hers, trapping her in those blue depths, as he slowly lowered the straps off her shoulders.

Amy sent up a silent thanks to Saline for helping her pick out new lingerie last week. The pale blue lace bra was completely see through, and the sexiest frilliest thing she’d ever owned. But if the look of worship on Ranger’s face was any indication-it was worth it.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Amy felt a flush creep up her chest. “Ranger, I’m nervous.”

“Me, too.” Ranger cupped her face between his large hands. “Do you trust me?”

Amy bit her lip, thinking hard and fast, but the answer was right there. “Of course I trust you.”

Ranger let his fingers trail down her shoulder, her chest. He tickled the skin just above her bra. Her nipples hardened almost painfully, seeking his touch. She wanted him to take her. To rip her bra off. But he kept his touch feather light, grazing her nipple through the thin lace with the back of his finger. Electric heat shot through her and she groaned, leaned back on her hands and let her head fall back.

Ranger continued his sweet torture, gently rasping over her nipples until she couldn’t sit still another second. Her hips lifted and he pulled her to the edge of the counter, her core coming in contact with him. His pants held him in, but she felt him. Hard. Big.

“Look at me,” Ranger commanded and she lifted her head, opening her eyes. His expression was dark with barely restrained lust. He slid her bra straps off her shoulder, the soft material abrading her sensitive skin.

Ranger pulled her bra down, baring her breasts. “You’re so beautiful.” He lowered his head, keeping his gaze locked with hers until his lips closed over her nipple, suckling her into the hot depths of his mouth. Lightening zinged down her body and she arched up, crying out at the sweet torture.

Never had she felt anything so intense. So consuming. Her entire body reacting to his touch. Amy threaded her fingers in his blond hair and held him to her, needing more. Wanting him to take more. Ranger cupped her breasts to his mouth and lavished his attention on her aching nipples until she was a ball of unrestrained lust.

With shaking hands she reached behind and unsnapped her bra, tossing it behind her. She was completely bare from the waist up and Ranger took full advantage.

“I want to touch you.” Amy said, her voice a throaty whisper. She’d always been so passive with Shane. The chemistry from early in their marriage had quickly fizzled out. Shane had started putting sex with her on the back burner, choosing instead to go out and drink. Something Ranger would never do.

Amy wanted to drive Ranger as crazy as he drove her. She wanted to give him the same pleasure. She’d never felt this consuming edge of need.

Ranger bit down on her nipple and she cried out, arching into his touch. Then he stood and tore off his shirt, his abs rippling and rolling with the movement. God he was gorgeous. But he didn’t give her enough time to savor the sight of him, instead he yanked her to him again, crushing her breasts against his bare chest and taking possession of her mouth again. And she was helpless to do anything but respond. His touch turned her to liquid.

She rubbed her hands down his arms, around his chest and back, learning his contours. Needing to drive him as crazy, she broke free of his lips and trailed kisses down his thick neck, stopping to nibble the curve of his shoulder. Ranger groaned and heady pleasure filled her. The skin of his chest was so soft, a contrast to the granite hard muscles beneath. Amy flicked her tongue lightly over his nipple, enjoying how he jerked at her caress.

His taste filled her. His scent invaded her. She wanted all of him. Amy leaned back, letting her legs fall further apart and grabbed his belt. She ripped it free in seconds, despite her trembling hands. His pants buttons followed, but before she could reach inside and grab him he shackled her wrist and held her away. “It’s my turn now.”

Ranger placed a hand on her chest and pushed her down. The cold granite came in contact with her bare back and she arched up, sure she was about to go up in flames.

R
anger stared
down at the goddess before him, laid out for his pleasure. Her heavy breasts bare. Perfect pink nipples begging for his touch. Long red hair spread out around her. His chest ached with love for this woman.

He’d been so scared she would change her mind. Knowing if she did it would shatter him. But she gave herself freely and fully to him. Spread out before him like a feast. Her chest rising and falling, tapering into a flat tummy and small waist. The yellow sundress pooled around her hips, hiding her core, but still so sexy he couldn’t speak.

She trusted him. The thought made his chest expand, his heart near burst with pride. She chose him. And dammit he wanted her more than he wanted his next breath.

Ranger grabbed the dress and Amy lifted her hips, helping him slide it down her legs, revealing matching baby blue panties. He let the dress fall from his fingers. His mouth completely dry, his cock ready to explode. Ranger hooked a finger in her panties and slid them down, baring her completely.

His heart stopped beating all together. Never in his life could he have imagined anything so perfect. So sexy. Her hips flared out, the curve generous and heavenly. Ranger gave in with a groan and dropped to his knees. She was completely bare. Her pussy wet and glistening. He lifted a shaking hand and grazed the small nub nestled in her folds. “When did you do this?”

Amy cried out and his cock jerked in reaction. He wanted to bury himself so deep inside her she’d never forget him, but he promised himself he would take it slow this time. Woo her. Love her. Cherish her.

“Today. I-I shaved today.”

Amy’s scent pulled him in, dying to taste her, he leaned forward and flicked his tongue over her clit. She jerked, her legs closing around his head. Ranger grabbed her thighs and pushed her legs apart. “Open.”

He held her that way and resumed tasting her. One long slow lick and his eyes rolled back in his head. She was heaven, pure unadulterated heaven. Ranger devoured her, teased her, driving her forward until she was riding his tongue and clutching his hair, pulling him to her.

“Oh God, don’t stop. I’m so close.” Her plea was music to his ears. Ranger felt the pre cum drip from his cock, knew he couldn’t hold out any longer. He rose, ripped his pants down and lined his shaft up with her entrance. Amy’s head was back, her eyes closed, her lips parted as she gasped and panted.

“Look at me,” Ranger commanded, his tone harsh with need. He wanted to see her eyes when he took her. To know she was thinking only of him.

She complied immediately, her normally dark brown eyes a dark honey drenched with desire. Desire for him. He reaffirmed his need for control and clenched his teeth. He had a mission to complete. He held on to his cock and fed it to her entrance. He had to grit his teeth and force himself to go slow. She clenched around him, nearly his undoing.

Sweat broke along his forehead and neck, but still he held himself back, easing inside her inch by torturous inch. She was so fucking wet. So fucking perfect. So fucking his. “You’re mine. Say it.”

Amy nodded and lifted her hips. Ranger held back. “No. Give me the words.”

She groaned then, her lips parted. “I’m yours, Ranger James. Yours. Please.”

Her words destroyed his control. He grabbed her hips and rammed forward, bottoming out inside her tight depths. Amy’s scream mixed with his own yell of pleasure. She spasmed around him, squeezing him until he almost came right there. Ranger called on every single ounce of training he possessed and forced himself to take his time. Drive her crazy.

He pulled out, savoring the feel of her around him, slow and easy. Then he rammed back in, hard and fast. He kept that pace up, until she cried out, clawing at his chest, grabbing his arms. “Ranger, I’m about to come.”

“Yes, baby. Let go. I’ve got you.” He drove forward again, slamming into her, faster now. She screamed, her entire body arched off the counter. Ranger threw his head back, her response pulling his own release free. The entire world shattered around him, there was nothing left. Just Amy. Just his woman.

He fell forward, spent, and braced on his elbows, unwilling and unable to pull out. The small aftershocks from her orgasm still rocked him. He wanted to spend the rest of his life right here. Right now. “I love you.”

H
er breath caught
at the look of complete adoration in his gaze. She caressed his cheek, lifting up enough to gently kiss his lips. “I love you, too.”

“Say it again.”

“I love you, Ranger James.” Amy’s heart caught up in her throat. Saying the words out loud seemed to free her. “I’m ready.”

Ranger swept a sweat soaked strand of hair off her forehead. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to take care of you. I want to take care of Chloe and Artie.”

Tears stung her eyes, his words piercing her heart with their sweet sincerity. He brushed away the tears tracking out of the corner of her eyes. “Why are you crying?”

“Because I’m happy. I don’t deserve you.” She didn’t. He was too good to be real. And she was scared to death she would wake up and discover this was only a dream.

“I think you have that backwards. I don’t deserve you. But I promise to try to make you happy. I will never hurt you. Never lie to you.”

“You won’t ever leave me?”

“Never.”

Amy pulled him down to her, needing his mouth on hers. Her body was limp and useless, but still she wanted him. Her satisfied repletion morphed into frantic desire and she deepened the kiss, pulling on his hair. As if sensing her desperation, Ranger wrapped her legs around him and lifted her, never breaking contact with her lips. He carried her to the bedroom and laid her gently back on the bed.

“I want to make love to you,” Amy’s entire body trembled. She pushed him over to his back and quickly straddled him. His eyes flared and his hands went immediately to her breasts.

Amy nearly got lost in his touch, but pushed his hands away, determined to give, not take.

She started at his neck, nibbling and licking and learning his taste. His skin was salty with sweat and when she felt his racing pulse, she smiled against his flesh. Emboldened by his reaction, Amy worked her way down his body, laving at his flat nipples until he shuddered beneath her touch.

Never had she ever felt such sensuous power. She could trace the hard lines mapping his abs with her eyes closed. Every part of him was contoured. Ripped. Practically begging her fingers to trace each groove.

She traveled lower, flicking his navel, and loving his sharp intake of breath. She reached his cock, already hard and ready for her, and paused. Ranger groaned and grabbed the sheets, bowing up. He was so big. So perfect. She wanted to savor this moment.

Amy flicked him with her tongue and Ranger jerked completely off the bed. Again she repeated that, barely making contact. Ranger was sweating and shaking. She wrapped her hand around his base and took him fully in her mouth, loving the way he stretched her lips wide. He felt like hot satin sliding over her tongue. Ranger’s hands buried in her hair and he thrust up to meet her mouth.

Exquisite power flooded her. She closed her eyes and groaned around him. She’d never received such pleasure by simply giving. Ranger’s fingers tangled in her hair, forcing her mouth from him. Before she could utter a protest, he lifted and settled her on his length, impaling her fully in one stroke. Amy cried out, the intense sensation stealing her breath.

“God, yes. You’re perfect. So damn good.” Ranger’s voice was thick and raspy with pleasure, scraping across her sensitive flesh.

Full. He filled her so full she felt ready to burst. Her heart. Her soul. Her body. Though she was on top, he stole her control. “Ranger.”

“That’s it baby. Love me.”

His words spurred her into action, driving her into a frenzy of need. Amy rode him hard and fast, the need to take it slow completely obliterated. Ranger grabbed onto her hips, helping her move, connecting them in every way possible, until the pleasure became unbearable and she came, screaming out his name.

Ranger’s yell mixed with hers and she felt him swell even more inside her, filling her. She collapsed onto him, breathing hard and sweating from her exertion. Her only consolation was Ranger’s harsh breathing matched her own.

Never had she felt so much pleasure. Such a connection, as if their souls merged into one. Lying on top of him felt...right. Like he was the missing piece to the puzzle of her life.

R
anger had never
felt anything as perfect as Amy sleeping on top of him. Her body curved to his perfectly. She was so small, but so vibrant and full of life. And she trusted him. He knew that now. He’d waited for what seemed like eternity for her to love him. He’d almost given up hope, but he’d soldiered on, never stopping. Always fighting for her. In the end, it had paid off. Amy Carter was his.

As if sensing his thoughts, she snuggled deeper into the curve of his shoulder. Ranger squeezed her to him like a man possessed. He was hers, had always been hers, and now, finally, she was his.

Ranger slept that night, uninterrupted with nightmares. He slept and dreamed. Dreamed of his new family, dreamed of his bright future, dreamed of growing old with Amy at his side.