STORY EXCERPT

Bern and Lann came right away when Sunn explained what had happened. She introduced Lann to her dad. He already knew Bern.

“I’m not sure how you can help us. You have your own ranches to take care of, but Sunn insisted you be called.”

“Neighbors help each other, Andy. We have a lot of men and can certainly spare a few to guard your property. You also need to contact the sheriff,” Bern said.

“I did, and I explained you and Lann were coming over. He should be here in a few minutes.”

“Good. We’ll make a plan and get these guys the next time,” Bern reassured them.

“You think they’ll try again?” Sunn’s father asked.

“They must believe you have valuable minerals underneath this ranch. They’ve hired someone to scare you into selling,” Lann said.

“I’ll solve that problem. Todd Carrigan can buy my property. If he’ll still want it under these conditions.”

“We’ll see what the sheriff says. I see his car coming up the drive.” Her dad went to the door and waited for Sheriff Devon. Once he was inside they explained to him what had happened. Lann and Bern suggested Sunn and her father go to her apartment and stay while their men watched the ranch.

“I’m not leaving home,” her dad said emphatically. “I can help. I have a rifle and know how to use it.”

“If Dad stays, so will I.”

Sheriff Bud Devon held up his hand. “I don’t want any vigilante justice. I agree I don’t have enough deputies to guard the whole ranch, but I want your assurance that your men are well trained and not trigger-happy.”

“They are,” Bern said. “And Lann’s men have been well trained, too.”

“I like you, Bern, and you’ve been around a while so I’ll take your word. But as soon as things start to happen, I want a phone call.”

“We agree,” Bern said, and Lann nodded his head. “But I’d still rather you two leave the ranch.”

“It’s not going to happen. I won’t leave, and I imagine you’d have to carry Sunn off screaming.” He grinned and hugged his daughter. “She’s promised not to be a hero like she was today.”

“How many horses do you have?” Lann asked.

“We have eight.”

“We’ll send four men to patrol on horseback, two of mine and two of Bern’s.”

One of the firemen knocked on the screen door. Sunn’s dad motioned for him to enter.

“We’ve cleaned up the barn and entranceway. I’m taking the gasoline can to have it checked for fingerprints.” He glanced at Sunn. “What you did was very dangerous.”

“I know. Dad’s already lectured me.”

“In that case, I won’t say any more. Call us if you have any other problems.” He strode across the porch and soon the truck was headed down the drive.

“We have a good plan,” the sheriff said. “Let’s hope it works and we get these guys.”

“We’ll call our men and have them drive over before we leave.” Bern shook his hand.

“I’m sure the men trying to run us off won’t come back today.”

“Don’t count on it, Andy. We’ll sit on the porch and wait for our guys.” Bern and Lann followed the sheriff out and stood by his cruiser talking.

After the sheriff left, Sunn saw Bern and Lann making phone calls. “I guess they’re telling their men to come here. I feel much safer with them watching out for us. There’s a truck coming down the drive.” At first she didn’t recognize the dark-blue vehicle, but then she did. Todd Carrigan parked in front of the porch and got out.

He stopped and spoke with Bern and Lann. Darn, they’re telling him our business.

Todd took the stairs two at a time. He knocked on the door and her father went to welcome him.

“I just heard about your trouble and how Sunn saved the barn and horses.” He frowned at her. “You could have died.”

“Will everyone get off my case? It was a quick decision that I don’t regret, and you are not my father. He’s lectured me.”

“Sir, I think you need to get out of here for a few days. Come and stay at my place. I’ve recently had the house remodeled. There’s plenty of room for company. You’d still be close to your ranch.”

“That’s a kind offer. I’ll agree since I can’t get Sunn out of here unless I go along. I’ll be close to my ranch and can check on the house each day.”

“Dad, we’ll be fine here. There’s no need for us to put Mr. Carrigan out.”

“It’s no problem for me. I just arrived from Houston and heard about your incident. I came right over to see what you need.”

Sunn started to respond, but saw her father watching her closely. If she protested too much she’d arouse his interest. “I guess we can go over for a few days.” When her father looked away, she frowned at Todd. He grinned back at her.

ADULT EXCERPT

“My golden goddess.”

Laughing, Sunn undid Chandler’s shirt and pushed it off. His broad, tanned chest had dark hair across it and a line of hair disappeared under his waistband. She unfastened his thin, black belt and unbuttoned his pants. He took over and kicked his shoes off before removing his pants and underwear. Then he held out the condom to Sunn.

His tall, lean body made her mouth water. He had a wide chest, a tight six-pack, and long, muscular legs. She took the condom from him. When she started to roll it on his cock, she heard the hitch in his breath. She glanced at his face and his blue eyes flashed with an inner fire.

As soon as she’d finished, he helped her remove the rest of her clothes. “Now I get to look at you. Compared to me, honey, you’re tiny.” He cupped her face and kissed her gently. Gradually the kiss deepened and his tongue slipped inside to tangle with hers. He pulled her body tight against his. His hard cock jerked when it came in contact with her stomach.

“He’s hungry for you,” Chandler whispered in her ear.

Sunn put her arms around his neck and nibbled at his earlobe. “I want to feel him deep inside me.”

“Not before we have some fun.” He lifted her and threw her to the middle of the bed, and then he followed her down. His body lay over hers. “I have you at my mercy.”

She bucked suddenly and threw herself against him. Chandler rolled and she was on top. He grinned. “I like this, too.” Being stronger he soon had regained his position.

He moved down and kissed her peaked nipples, and then he ran his tongue around each one. His hands cupped her breasts. “They’re soft, tasty, and you smell delicious.”

Chandler kissed her midriff, her abdomen, and his nose brushed across her mound before he parted her lower lips. He caressed her clit with his tongue. Her body arched closer to him. Her pussy throbbed with hunger and her juices flowed out.

“You taste wonderful and smell like raspberry.” Without stopping, he continued his exploration of her body. His lips kissed the inside of each thigh and a sensitive spot behind her knee. He rubbed his hands over her lower legs and feet.

Her heart fluttered in her chest as he stoked the growing fire in her core. She squirmed under his intent gaze.

“I can’t get enough of you.” He worked his way back to her lower lips, and while his tongue worked magic against her clit and along her labia, his fingers rubbed across her nipples.

A zing of pleasurable delight went up her spine. Her legs parted further when all her muscles lost the tension she’d been carrying all day. She wanted to touch him. She reached out and ran her fingers through his thick, black hair.

Chandler raised his head and his eyes smoldered with satisfaction. Her breath quickened when he put his cock at her pussy opening. He rose over her like a warrior of old taking control of his conquest. His dark-blue eyes shimmered in the light from the bedside lamp.

“I want you and need you.” His voice sounded husky to her ears.

Then he thrust into her pussy, stretching the walls to their fullest. Her pussy pulsed against his throbbing cock. A salacious shiver sparked a need deep inside her. She took him in further, and her pussy walls tightened around his dick.

“Ah, baby, that sent a shot of euphoria straight to my brain.”

Chandler took hold of her hips and pulled them up. He plunged in and out of her pussy until she made a keening sound. He thrust once more against her womb and held tight as her pussy rippled around him. She screamed his name and after a few more thrusts his cock made spasmodic movements taking her up on a wave of bliss and over.

He kissed her mouth before rolling to the side. Chandler had hardly caught his breath when the phone rang. “Good, just leave it at my front door. I’ll leave the money out.”

Sunn watched as he grabbed his pants, took out money and raced off. She got up and walked to a closed door that she hoped was a bathroom. It was. A huge shower took up one end, and then there was the Jacuzzi-type tub, and two sinks, with the toilet in a small room off the rest of the bath. The colors were a deep maroon and white.

“I see you found the bathroom.” Chandler walked behind her and circled his arms around her waist. “I’d love to play in the shower, but the pizza has arrived. I’ll grab my robe out of the closet for you.”

“I have to take a shower and dress. If we don’t go to the hospital soon, I’ll miss seeing my mom and dads.”

He glanced at his watch. “I’m afraid you’re right. We’ll leave the shower play for later. I’ll get our dinner on plates and pour our tea while you shower. Then I’ll get a quick one while you clean up the kitchen.”

She grinned. “You mean throw away our pizza box?”

“That and our paper plates and cups.”

He left and she showered quickly and redressed. She glanced at the bed on her way out. The feelings he and Todd brought out in her when they made love were different, more intense than any she’d felt before. In spite of trying to go slow, her heart was jumping right in and opening itself to possible hurt. But it was like a roller coaster. Once it started, you had to ride it to the end.