Read Hot in the Saddle (Heroes in the Saddle Book 1) Online
Authors: Randi Alexander
“A little?” A sudden burst of anger rolled through her, and
her stare made her uncle drop his head.
“She thought that by killing you…” Steve met her gaze. “It’d
put your half of the company in my hands, and she’d stand to receive more in
the divorce.”
Delta’s knees started to shake and her world tilted a
little.
Treven stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her back,
taking her weight against his warm, hard, amazingly comforting body.
“How did you find out?” The words came out of her like
firecrackers going off.
Steve gestured toward Treven. “This guy here had the smarts
to get his friend involved. Rex, is it?”
Treven nodded. “Rex Tarrow. He’s an ex-marine, working
toward his detective’s badge.”
Delta had overheard part of the guys’ conversation when Rex
had been at the Rusty Horseshoe for dinner.
“Together they poked and dug until they got the truth out of
everyone.” Steve shrugged. “The private detectives I hired couldn’t find
anything. Thank God for these two.”
“But, that must have taken weeks.” She glanced at Treven.
His eyes softened. “I didn’t want to come to you until I had
something that would help.”
Steven gave a cough. “You mean, something that would save
her life? Again?”
Delta let the warmth seep from Treven deep into her heart.
The heart that had been in a state of suspended animation for the last 4 weeks.
Her uncle turned away. “We’ll talk later, but hon, know that
I’m desperately sorry.” He walked away, and she let him go. She needed to hear
the whole story, but right now, in Treven’s arms, she wanted to sort things out
with him. Desperately.
She’d already convinced their board of directors to put the
theme park idea on hold, and was taking a more active role in the company to
try to steer its direction away from projects that would displace dozens of
hard working people. Like her cowboy.
Glancing up at Treven’s face, she noted his eyebrow and
lashes had grown back over the last four weeks. Taking a chance that the time
apart had also softened him toward her, she took a chance. “Do you want to come
in?” Her words sounded stiff, but if he said no, she’d be crushed. Was he
holding her because he cared and wanted to be with her, or was his presence
only because he had news about her near-death?
Then she remembered the pit stop signs. “Since you gave me
such a unique apology.”
He smiled. “Lead the way.”
They stepped up into her little trailer and she shut the
door, sealing them in together, alone.
“Delta.”
She needed to be in his arms, but they had to talk first.
“You’re forgiven.” She completely understood his reaction all those weeks ago.
“I’d given up hope of seeing you again. And I still can’t believe you’re here.”
That night nine days ago, when she’d made herself face the fact that Treven
would never contact her? It had been the darkest of her life.
“I realized my mistake as soon as you’d left the ranch. But
I didn’t want to come to you unless I had something to offer you.”
Nearly leaping into his arms, Delta flung her arms around
his neck. “Just your handsome, brave face is enough for me. Not to mention your
perfect gentleman’s personality and your kindness to every living creature.”
Smiling, then frowning, he snorted. “I’m gonna have to work
on my image, I guess.”
“Uh uh. Not one bit.” She kissed his perfect lips. “And
before you say any more about the investigation, let’s clear one thing up first.
We have four weeks apart to make up for.” Wiggling her hips against his fly,
she smiled as she felt a solid chubby forming there.
The corner of his mouth jumped. “You sure you don’t want to
talk a while?” His hand ran down her back, pressing her tight against him. His
eyes darkened, signaling his preference.
“Talking seems like the smart thing to do.”
He nodded, looking less than happy.
Taking his hat from his hand, she set it on the table. Delta
needed the healing of being possessed by him completely, and giving him all of
her, proving in a sensual way that she’d forgiven him, and he’d forgiven her.
“I don’t feel like being smart right now.”
He threw his head back with a laugh and grasped her butt
with both hands, lifting her until her feet left the floor. “Delta, darlin’,
that should be the tagline for our relationship.”
Hanging onto his shoulders, she kissed him, their tongues
teasing, their breaths merging as it panted from their lungs. Treven broke the
kiss and peeled off her fire suit, then her long-sleeved fireproof undershirt,
and her sports bra, while she unbuttoned his shirt and ripped it open,
revealing his perfect chest. Then she remembered. “Your hands.” Grasping his
wrists, she looked at them. Red in some spots, scars that were barely
noticeable. “They look so good.” She eased his palms up to her bare breasts.
“Feel so good.”
He sucked in a breath and palmed her nipples. “They are
healed, thanks to you.”
In a burst of speed, he pulled down her fireproof pants and
lace undies, and dealt with her boots, as she tore his jeans down, along with
his briefs, and yanked off his boots. They stood naked, breathing hard and
looking at each other.
“I didn’t dare hope, Delta.” His brow furrowed.
“I still think I’m dreaming.” She went to him and he picked
her up, stepped forward, and pressed her against the polished wood wall. With
one hand on her bottom, he used his other hand to lift her leg and slid his
hand up her thigh to her pussy, which she gladly arched upward for him, hot for
him.
Heat spread along her core and her belly contracted. When he
brushed her clit, she sighed and shuddered. “Together? Like the first time?”
He bent his head and suckled her breast. “Yes ma’am.
Anything you want.” The motion of his tongue on her tight peak shot lovely
chills down deep into her belly.
Lifting his head, he frowned. “Shi… Crap. I didn’t bring any
protection.” He looked like his world had just collapsed.
“I’m protected. And I trust that you’re as perfect,
healthwise, as you are in every other aspect of your life.”
He smirked. “Perfect? Hardly. I let you walk out of my
life.”
“Talk later.” She wiggled against his fingers. “Now, sex.”
He chuckled. “Cavewoman. I love it.” Lifting her higher, he
positioned himself with his cock just at her opening. Their eyes met for a long
moment before he pushed his long, hot shaft deep into her, making everything
inside her shift and heat.
“Yes, Treven. I’ve missed this.” She gasped for air as her
body burned with desperation. “I’ve missed this. Missed you.” Her head lolled
to the side as he withdrew and entered her again, pulsing and thrusting, slow
then fast, until his teeth clenched.
Her mind raced in circles as the pleasure in her core
escalated to a frenzy. “Yes.” Her shout sent her whirling on a wild ride across
a silent universe that had her fingers digging into his shoulders, her body
shaking, and her nerve endings buzzing. Fast and frenzied, the climax tore
through her soul as she fought to feel every thrust, every movement Treven made
inside her.
Shouting her name, his muscles stiffened then shook for a
second, his eyes opening to look into hers. “You’re back in my arms.” He
continued to thrust inside her as warm wetness flooded in pulses deep in her
core.
On a sigh, she whispered, “I’m right here, Treven. Don’t
ever let me go.” She meant so much more than just her body. Her heart, her
soul, needed to be right here, right now.
“Darlin’.” He breathed fast for a few seconds, his eyes
growing serious again. “Bed?”
She looked toward the back of the trailer. “Yes.”
Still inside her, he walked the length of the trailer and
eased her onto the bed, sliding his still-hard cock out of her and lying next
to her. Touching and kissing, they stayed silent for a few minutes.
“I want to hear all about your investigation.” Delta’s curiosity
sobered her out of the lovely afterglow. “But not right now.”
He shook his head. “No, right now, I want to apologize for
asking you to go that day.”
“Forgiven.” Staring into his beautiful eyes, she touched his
cheek. “And I want to apologize for not telling you, from day one, that my
uncle thought I was there to buy land.” She dropped her hand and glanced away.
“I’m not one to keep secrets, but I was afraid you’d send me away before I got
a chance to help you.”
“Forgiven.” He brushed her hair from her face.
“What now?” How would they make this work?
“Let’s figure that out together, one day at a time.”
She smiled and ran her hand along his big biceps. “Today,
we’re here in…” Why couldn’t she remember the name of this place? “Whatever
town this is in Florida.”
He laughed. “You don’t even know where you are?”
“Nope.” A burst of sweet emotion raced through her. “But I
think I finally know where I belong.”
“I do too, Delta.” He touched one finger to the spot over
his heart. “There’s a place for you right here.”
Tears welled in her eyes as her world finally stopped
wobbling and spun easily on its axis.
####
Ready
for the second book in the Heroes in the Saddle Series? Rex’s book,
Badge and a Saddle, will be released in the spring of
2016 in the Cowboy Justice 12 Pack, along with eleven other books from eleven
awesome authors. Connect with me at any of the sites below to be kept informed
of new releases. And here's a sneak peek:
Rex and Mina’s story:
Badge and a Saddle
Chapter
One
Rex Tarrow set his
badge and gun on the night table next to his bed and sat down on the mattress
behind him. Dropping his head, he ran his fingers through his dark hair, which
had needed a cut for the last two weeks.
This missing
persons case, though. It had consumed him, kept him awake nights, drew his
attention away from his other duties during the day. Nothing about it made
sense. Doctor Mina Cooper, an astronomer at the U of Texas at Austin. Why would
a woman like her, single, young, beautiful, go out on a turkey hunt on a ranch
just outside of Dallas/Fort Worth and disappear? And the woman was a friggin’
vegetarian.
The neighbor’s dog
barked. After midnight, and the darn animal was outside?
A beam of light
flashed through the room. It had to be the neighbor. Was that raccoon back
after the garbage cans?
Rex stood, even
though every muscle, tendon, and bone in his body told him to lie down and get
some sleep. Hell, what would one more night without rest matter? He trudged through
the house to the back door as footsteps clomped up the porch steps and the
flashlight beam caught Rex in the eyes.
“It’s Jeb from
next door.” The man’s gruff voice nearly rattled the pane of glass out of the
door.
Shielding his
eyes, Rex opened the back door. “What’s going on?”
Jeb’s flashlight
redirected to a woman’s face, partially shielded by blonde hair and…sunglasses?
She held her hands up at her shoulders as if in surrender.
“The lady here,
she says you know her.” Jeb shifted his shotgun away from its deadly aim at her
back.
Tipping her head
up, she stretched to her full height of nearly six feet, just a few inches
shorter than Rex.
He snapped on the
porch light as she removed her glasses.
“Holy fu…” Rex had
to swallow. Twice.
Dr. Mina Cooper
stood right in front of him, living, breathing, and lifting an eyebrow at him.
“Are you gonna keep a girl standing on the back porch all night?”
####
Connect With Me
Firefighters have a very special place in my heart. Two of
my uncles were firefighters, and one became a paramedic after he broke his hip
during a rescue. The hours they spent protecting their communities, the days when
their families didn’t have them with them at home, the knowledge that every
time that alarm rang, there was a chance they wouldn’t make it back to the
station. We owe these men and women a resounding shout of thanks for risking
their lives for us.
I'd love to hear from you. I've listed all the places I hang
out, and I hope you'll connect with me at one or more of them.
All my best,
Randi
"Rode Hard and Put Up Satisfied"
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Randi
Alexander knows a modern woman dreams of an alpha cowboy who takes the reins,
and guarantees they’re rode hard and put up satisfied.
Published with Cleis Press, Wild Rose Press, and
self-published, Randi writes smokin' hot romance with heroes who'll have you
begging to ride off into the sunset with them. When she's not dreaming of, or
writing about, rugged cowboys, Randi is biking trails along remote rivers,
snorkeling the Gulf of Mexico, or practicing her drumming in hopes of someday
forming a tropical rock-band.
Forever an adventurous spirit with a naughty imagination,
Randi is also family oriented and married to the best guy in the world, her own
cowboy, Kick. Give in to the allure of erotic passion, strong but vulnerable
heroines, and irresistibly seductive cowboys, as Randi's emotional love stories
sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless with passion.
Saddle up! And prepare yourself for the sexier side of
happily ever after.