Roped And Ready autor Marie Tuhart

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter One

 

Becca Dalton ignored everything else as she threw her suitcase on the colorful quilt in her cabin at the Quick Silver Ranch and dug out her sneakers. She needed to get outside. Now. Dispensing with her high heels, she strode from the cabin that would be home for the next nine days.

Turning right, she found the trail and began walking at a brisk pace. The fresh air brushed along her skin, birds sang in the trees and leaves rustled in the light breeze.

Her steps slowed. There was no need to be in a hurry here. Pausing, she drew in a deep breath and let it out.

Scents came to life. Clean air, not city air. Her shoulders dropped a bit as the tension of the last twenty-four hours began to melt away. She didn’t have a clue where the trail led and at this point she didn’t care.

Too much had happened in the last twenty-four hours, from finding her fiancé in bed with her boss, calling her wedding off, quitting her job, and setting up an interview in ten days for her dream job.

Becca wasn’t sure if she should be celebrating or crying. Nothing made sense, including this trip that her best friend, Angie, convinced her to take.

Hell, Angie had paid for it, saying it was a pre-wedding present, but now it was a chance for her to find herself and start over.

But a dude ranch? Which was less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco? A small laugh escaped her lips. While it would have been a romantic trip with her ex-fiancé, Alan, she was still surprised Angie had purchased this trip. It wasn’t like Alan was the outdoor type; he couldn’t stand the sight of an ant in his apartment.

Her fingers went to the pocket of her designer suit. Damn, no cell phone. Rules, she was told at check-in. And maybe it was a good thing. Alan couldn’t call begging for forgiveness, not that she’d forgive that lying, cheating rat. It was bad enough he cheated, but with her boss no less.

A week to chill out, explore nature and not worry about anyone or anything. Becca only hoped she could do that, she wasn’t one to laze around.

A strange noise caught her attention and she slowed but continued to follow the path as it turned. She realized what the sound was—a horse.

A wistful sigh escaped her. She always wanted to learn how to ride. She took in the fenced-in ring, and the man standing next to the brown horse moved closer.

Oh, what a man. Her gaze roamed over his midnight hair, past broad shoulders, down legs encased in denim to black cowboy boots. Reversing course, she settled on his large hands and long fingers as they stroked over the horse. And Becca wondered how it would feel to have those hands on her body, her breasts, to have those long digits in her pussy, pumping in and out, bringing her to climax.

Hell, she wasn’t dead, only broken hearted. Or was she? Alan hadn’t broken her heart, only bruised her pride—and that should say something. Like maybe she’d know all along Alan wasn’t the man for her. She’d never been emotionally invested in their relationship.

The man’s voice was low as he spoke to the horse, but there was something familiar about that deep timbre, as if she’d heard it before. Without thought her gaze traveled back down to the finest ass she’d seen a while, the material of his jeans caressing him when he shifted his stance.

“Would you like to meet Rose?”

Becca’s heart jumped and her gaze snapped up to his face. Darn, if the face didn’t look familiar, too. But she couldn’t place it.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she said.

His blue eyes locked on her. Her nipples hardened and her nerves tingled. She’d never had a reaction to a man like this before, not just from one look.

He turned and she noticed a hint of a five o’clock shadow, a long but slightly crooked nose and thick lashes any woman would kill for. His raven hair had a wind-tossed look to it.

“Hop over the fence and I’ll introduce you to Rose.”

Hop over? Yeah, right. “How does one hop over this fence?”

Masculine laughter swept over her skin and she shivered. Her breath caught in her throat when he strode over to her.

“It’s easy,” he said once he was standing in front of her. “Put your left foot on the lower board.”

Becca did as he said. “Now.” His tone became softer, almost intimate. “Stand up and throw your right leg over the top.”

“Isn’t there another way?” she asked, her throat tight as she glanced around for a gate.

“This is much more fun.” He took another step closer and she caught a woodsy scent mixed with pure masculine heat. “I’ll help.” His hands closed around her waist.

A squeal left her lips as she pushed up and he lifted her. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he lifted her over the fence.

“There. Wasn’t that easier than walking around?” He set her on the ground.

Becca tilted her head back and gazed into his twinkling blue eyes when he gave a chuckle, her body went on alert. She knew that laugh. Tyler Carson. The bad boy of Jackson High. And her college lover. Her knees went weak and her clit throbbed.

Her hand almost started to check her hair, but she quelled the impulse. Tyler had seen her tousled look after making love to her for half the night. And if he was still single…Oh, man how was she going to survive a week with him around?

****

Tyler Carson couldn’t prevent the grin that spread across his face. While he was aware new guests were arriving today, this was a surprise. A very pleasant surprise. As he lived and breathed, Becca Dalton had come back into his life.

He hadn’t seen her since he left San Francisco State for Humboldt. While she was only a few inches shorter than is six-foot-three frame, she seemed tiny to him. And she weighted next to nothing when he lifted her over the fence.

His body went on alert the second she walked into the clearing, as most guests didn’t venture to the stables until at least the second or third day after their arrival. When he caught the scent of jasmine, his cock hardened in response. The reaction had caught him off guard.

Even now he was having trouble making his body obey his commands. He needed to remove his hands from her waist before he did something foolish like carry her into the stable, throw her into a freshly bedded stall, and thrust himself deep into pussy.

He had to behave. If she was here then she must be a guest, and with a partner. Guests were off limits, and he didn’t mess around with other men’s women.

Fighting his instincts, he released her and stepped back. “It’s been a long time, Becca.” Too long.

“Good to see you again, Tyler.”

“Ah, so you do remember me?” He sauntered back to Rose, as if he didn’t have a care in the world, but his fingers itched to remove the clip holding her light brown hair to see it tumble around her shoulders. His lips tingled with anticipation of tasting her rosy red mouth.

“How could I forget the bad boy of Jackson High, and the captain and quarterback of the champion San Francisco State football team?”

Tyler nodded, and wondered why she didn’t mention him as a former lover. In the past he was all those things. Now he was just a man carving out a living doing a job he loved.

“Have you ever been around a horse, Becca?”

“Not unless you count a pony when I was ten.”

“When you’re ready, come to my side.” He’d let her decide in case she was afraid of the horse. “I’ll introduce you to Rose, Becca.”

Why did he keep saying her name? Maybe because somewhere inside, he couldn’t believe she was here. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to taste her sweet mouth and remind her he was her first lover.

Reining in his libido, he fought to remember why people came to Quick Silver Ranch. Was she married? Glancing at her hand—no ring. But she had to be here with someone. Singles never came to the ranch.

His eyes narrowed as he took in her tailored, dark blue suit. Dressed for success, his ex would have called it. Another reason he should keep his distance. City women were not for him.

Heat radiated off her, soaking into his skin when she slid next to him. Tyler inhaled and caught her jasmine scent once again. Memories rushed back and he let them soak into his psyche, reliving the good times they had together.

“Rose is a beautiful horse.” Becca’s voice was soft with a little bit of hesitation in it.

Forcing his mind back to his task, Tyler reached down and snagged Becca’s hand. “She’s a beautiful four-year-old and has impeccable bloodlines.” He could feel Becca trembling beneath his touch. Was she afraid of the mare or him?

Raising his arm, he placed her palm against the horse’s shoulder, his palm covering the back of her soft hand. “Stroke her back and forth with easy gentle movements.”

Images of him stroking Becca to climax as he did years ago came to mind. Would she still make the same little whimpers today as she did then? Or would she be more vocal?

Rose snorted and Becca jumped away, slamming into him.

“Easy.” His arms automatically slipped around her waist, anchoring her to him.

She fit. There were so few women who really fit against him as well as she did. It had been like that in the past as well.

“Did I hurt her?” Becca asked.

“No, she liked it. She was only blowing out some air. Go ahead, pet her again.” Keeping her anchored against him, he watched her hand raise, and she patted Rose again.

His cock jumped as he remembered those same fingers stroking him, up and down, varying the pressure as she went from base to tip. His cock twitched. This is not good. He shifted his stance.

“She’s very soft.”

“I brush her every day. It keeps her coat shiny and smooth.”

“It must be nice to be brushed every day.” There was a wistful tone in her voice, and Tyler almost told her he’d brush her every day if she’d give him the chance.

“Rose likes it.” He glanced at Becca’s hair. She had it bundled up in an uncomfortable looking bun. He wondered if it was as long as it had been in college, or longer? When they made love would it brush against his skin like before? The silky strands teasing his chest and his cock.

He almost reached up and removed the pins to see, but at the last second he stopped himself. There had been beautiful women at the ranch before, but he’d never been tempted to make a pass at any of them. Even when they’d indicated they were open to having him as a lover. With every ounce of strength he had, he made himself release her waist and step away.

“Who would I see about taking riding lessons while I’m here?” Becca asked.

“I can teach you.” Oh yeah, his cock shouted in approval. He’d teach her to ride all right. “After dinner, we’ll set something up.”

You’re digging yourself one hell of a hole, Tyler, he mused before glancing down at his watch. “Speaking of dinner, I need to put Rose back into her stall and clean up.”

“Yes, of course.” She slid away from him, and Tyler missed her already. Get a grip, man, she’s just a woman.

“I’ll help you back over the fence.” He escorted her to the railing and helped her climb back over, his body protesting every second.

“Thank you, Tyler.” She tilted her head and looked up at him. “I’ll see you around.” The sway of her hips as she strode away made him want her even more.

“It’s impossible,” he muttered.

****

Becca thought about Tyler on her way back to her cabin. What were the odds of running into him? Astronomical, but that didn’t stop her from thinking about how delicious he looked. More filled out than in their college days, more handsome, more muscular and damned if he didn’t make her panties wet.

But she had to wonder if she was acting on the rebound. Yes, finding Alan in bed with her boss was difficult, so was calling off her wedding and quitting her job, yet it caused her to make decisions she’d been putting off for a while now. Decisions that needed to be made by the end of the week.

She’d known Alan wasn’t quite the right man for her, but she’d gone ahead with the engagement party and the planning of the wedding.

A gentle smile curved her lips. The surprise on Alan’s face when she calmly took her ring off, placed it on his dresser and told him the wedding was off and for him to have fun.

They would have made each other miserable. She’d been lonely, came the other realization. She picked Alan because he was a good companion and safe, but as a lover? Hell, they’d never slept together. And after Thursday she knew why.

Finding herself back at her cabin door without realizing how she got there, Becca decided she needed to quit thinking so much. Thinking was what got her engaged to Alan in the first place, and her brain wasn’t exactly doing a great job with men. Maybe she should follow her body’s desires.

Tyler. Her body desired Tyler, and she did too. Glancing at the clock, she had an hour to get ready for dinner and make some choices. Did she follow her mind or her desires?

****

At six on the nose, Becca strode into the dining room of the main ranch house. She couldn’t believe how quickly time was slipping by now that she’d come to some conclusions about her life.

Pasting a smile on her face, she greeted the six people milling around the table. They all looked like couples, and Becca fought against squirming. Her stomach tightened and she had to remind herself that she didn’t need to feel uncomfortable because she was single. There was nothing wrong with it.

She was about to pull a chair out and sit when her nerves tingled, just like they had this afternoon.

“Allow me,” said a husky male voice.

Tyler. Only his voice could make her pussy cream this way.

“Thank you.” Her words were breathless as he held the chair for her.

“You are quite welcome.” His breath brushed against her ear, causing a shiver of excitement to travel through her body.

He was arousing her with his voice, something that hadn’t happened in a long time, not since she was twenty and with Tyler. He took his place on her left, at one end of the table. She noticed another man at the other end, grinning as the other people were seated. He was dressed much like Tyler, in jeans and a western button down shirt.

“Welcome everyone,” said the man at the opposite end of the table. “I’m Jared, and at the other end is my business partner, Tyler. We want to welcome you to Quick Silver Ranch.”

Jared glanced around the table, his gaze lingering on the empty chair beside Becca for a moment. “If there is anything you need while you’re here, all you need to do is ask. We will do our best to provide you with whatever you desire.”

Laughter flowed into the air, but Becca wasn’t sure why everyone was laughing.

“I can’t wait to try out what you’re providing,” said the man sitting to Tyler’s right, which produced more laughter.

“We’ll do our best to keep up with you. Tonight is a chance for everyone to become acquainted, for tomorrow, your adventure starts.”

As if on cue, a large man walked into the dining room carrying bowls and platters of food. The smell of roasted beef and fresh bread caused her mouth water. When was the last time she ate? Last night?

Plates were filled, and everyone began to introduce themselves over the wonderful food. Becca found she was right—the others were all couples, and from different locations, and one couple had been to the ranch before.

Then all eyes were on her. “I’m Becca. My best friend gave me this trip to the ranch and I’m looking forward to the experience.”

“Is your partner joining you later?” asked Jared.

“Partner?” Her gaze sought out Tyler’s before returning to Jared’s. “I’m here alone.”

Silence descended. Becca drew in a deep breath, her gaze still on Jared’s face. Was there something wrong?

Yes, there was. She could see the concern in Jared’s eyes, and felt it in the air. Her gaze traveled around the table to each person and each face held some element of surprise or shock.

Oh, no. The food in her stomach turned into a lead ball. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Becca swallowed trying to stop the panic that welled up in her. She wanted to have this week away from the stress and tension, to explore being reunited with Tyler, and now…

“Excuse me.” Pushing back her chair, she fled from the room, all the while fighting back tears.

****

Tyler rose, then dropped back down onto his chair. He couldn’t go after her, not until he and Jared talked. But a part of him was ecstatic she was alone on this trip, this meant he didn’t have any competition for her time, regardless of the problems it could cause.

“Oh, my,” said Emma, one of the guests. “The poor thing.”

“It’s okay, Emma,” said Tyler, smiling at her. “I’ll go and talk with Becca in a bit. We’ll get this straightened out.”

Emma nodded, but Tyler barely held his impatience in check while dessert was consumed and the couples began to wander off.

“My office,” said Jared.

Tyler followed his business partner down the hall. He needed to explain. Hell, explain what? That he wanted Becca to stay so they could pick up where they left off in college?

“This isn’t supposed to happen,” said Jared, running his hand through his brown hair.

“I know.” Would she consider staying with him as her partner? Tyler rubbed his chin. “I’ll go talk with Becca. It’s not like we can’t handle a single person wanting to take advantage of a regular dude ranch.”

“True, but we are an adult ranch, Tyler. What happens if she wanders upon another couple? Or into one of the special cabins?”

“The cabins are locked for a reason. As for spying on another couple, some might like it.” Tyler tried to make light of the situation, but Jared had a right to be concerned. When they went into this business five years ago, they had agreed the ranch was couples-only—fully consenting couples, at that.

Jared stared at him and Tyler was aware he needed to explain better why he wanted Becca to stay. “I know her. We attended the same high school and then college together.” He wasn’t going to lie or conceal anything from Jared. They’d come too far together. “And we were lovers.”

“I see.” Jared nodded.

“I know we have a hands off policy with the guests, but…”

“You want her, don’t you?”

Tyler inclined his head. Oh, yes, he wanted her.

Jared blew out a breath. “Go and talk to her. Tell her about the adult part of the ranch, but don’t offer yourself up. I’d rather she make her own choice without pressure.”

“Thanks.”

“But Tyler,” warned Jared. “If she wants to leave, let her go. We’ll give her a full refund.”

“She’ll stay.” Even if Becca didn’t want anything to do with the adult side, he’d convince her to stay. He wanted to explore the sexual attraction between them, especially after all these years.

****

“Angie, I’m going to kill you,” Becca muttered, leaning her head against the back of the sofa. In her lap was a book that not only had a map of the ranch but outlined the activities. Adult activities. Becca shot to her feet and began pacing. Angie sent her to an adult ranch, where the activities were strictly sexual. Why? Her best friend knew she hadn’t been intimate with Alan. Alan had wanted to wait until they were married, what a joke that was.

But then again, this was set up as a pre-wedding trip, maybe trying to loosen Alan up? But once they broke up, Angie had encouraged her to take the trip anyway. So that had to mean Angie didn’t know it was couples only?

Or did it? Angie was always pushing her to chill out and have more fun, so now here she was footloose and fancy free.

And Tyler? What was he thinking? She was here alone, all alone. Could he be thinking…A crazy idea popped into her head. How would Tyler feel about being her partner this week?

Her mind went over the activities from the book and her body heated. But Tyler was one of the owners, and there were probably strict rules about being involved with a guest. Hell, this whole thing was geared toward couples in a relationship, not for once-upon-a-time lovers.

Her choices were very limited—stay for the dude ranch activities or leave. Her body wanted her to stay, but her brain knew the risks. It was better to play it safe and leave. She didn’t really want to go; she’d played it safe with Alan and look where it got her.

Indecision kept her from going into the bedroom and packing. A knock sounded. Crossing the room, she pulled open the door.

“Hi,” said Tyler.

Her insides melted. Liquid heat flooded her pussy and her nipples grew hard. Damn it, it wasn’t fair he could do this to her after all this time. “Come in.” She left the door open and retreated, wrapping her arms around her waist.

The door slid closed with a quiet click. She paced around the room. “I didn’t realize—I mean—Oh, hell.” Her arms waved in the air as she tried to explain. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”

“You don’t have to.” He crossed the room to stop in front of her.

The heat coming from his body singed her skin. “Its couples only, Tyler. I didn’t know about the adult part either, until I read the book here in my cabin.”

“Yes, it usually is couples only. But you do have a choice in the matter.”

“I don’t see how.” She tilted her head. Did he want her to stay?

“We do have regular dude ranch activities. I’m sure you read that in the brochure. I can teach you to ride, if you decide to stay. I’ll be your guide for the week.”

“That would be nice.” Who was she kidding? It would be torture. He’s asking as a friend, not as a lover. She wanted the lover. After Alan’s rejection the unwanted, unlovable feelings overwhelmed her. And now here was this uncontrollable reaction to Tyler, giving her more proof the wedding to Alan was nothing but a shame. She needed to feel like a woman, again. And Tyler could do that for her, she was confident he could. But only if he was willing.

“Your choice, Becca.”

Her hazel gaze clashed with his blue one. Stay or go? She wanted to stay.

Her mind was made up. Stepping closer to him, she asked, “Will you be my guide for the adult activities as well, Tyler?”