His Tattooed Virgin(Divine Creek Ranch 12)(58)

Jayne and Lily snickered and glanced at Grace as she nodded. “You could say that.”

Lucy’s jaw dropped as she put two and two together and yelled, “No shit?” When she realized how loud she was being, she covered her mouth and whispered, “No shit, really?”

Frieda gasped at the same realization and clutched her breasts in a hilarious fan-girl gesture. “You wrote The Rancher’s Lady! You’re Caressa MacFarland!”

Grace giggled and nodded. “That’s me.”

Lucy and Frieda peppered Grace with questions as Jayne adjusted her clothing. Lily perched beside her on the couch, giggling at Lucy and Frieda. “Seth seems happy since he’s been spending time with you, Jayne.”

“I hope so.”

“He’s always been so serious. I like seeing him smile more.” Jayne had noticed that his smiles came more easily in recent weeks. “You seem pretty happy too.”

“I am.”

She would’ve said more, but a knock sounded on the closed office door and Grace opened it, greeting her husbands, Ethan and Adam. Taller than Grace by several inches, both men stared at her as though it had been days since they’d seen her instead of just minutes. Ethan said, “Clay and Del were looking for you, Lily. Del just got a call from Chris. He said cattle broke through one of the fences.”

“Oh, shoot. I’d better go.” Turning to Jayne, Lily said, “If you ever want to talk, just give me a call, okay?”

Jayne nodded and said good night, and then her gaze was drawn to the handsome, raven-haired lover gazing at her as he leaned against the doorway. His blue eyes swept over her, and she felt a wave of heat at the intensity of his expression. She followed the rest of the women out of the office and slid her hand into his as he drew her to a halt in the hallway.

“Did you show them your tattoo?” His words whispered along her throat as he brushed his lips against her there in a tingling caress.

“Uh-huh. I also found out you’re famous.”

Seth scoffed as he continued teasing her with his lips. “None of that matters. I want you.” His husky tone and the hardening cock he rubbed against her hip sent a wave of corresponding heat to her dampening pussy.

“Mom will be heading back to my house soon, since she has to leave early in the morning.”

“Come to my place.”

“What about Lucy?”

“If knowing you’re there shocks Lucy, then she needs to be shocked more often. Besides, it looks like both she and your mom plan to ply your cousin with questions about her books for the rest of the evening.” Heat sizzled along her nerve endings as she glanced down the hall to see if anyone could see them. “I don’t think Grace would mind if we said our good-nights now. We’ll stop by your house and get whatever you need, and then I want you to stay the night with me.”





Chapter Fourteen




In the truck, on the way to Seth’s house, Jayne recalled what Grace and Lily had told her about Seth. “So, you’re this world-famous tattoo artist, huh? Globe-trotting tattooist to the stars?”

Seth chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Not quite. I made a few friends and met some influential people in my travels. Their friends like my work and come see me. It’s not a big deal.” He didn’t seem willing to say much more about it.

“Not everything about your days of traveling was a good experience, was it? You gave me the sanitized version before, at the lake.”

Seth’s gaze briefly rested on her before turning back to the road. “You’ve heard that old expression about horizons being broadened by experience? Not all experience is good. Not everyone has good intentions. And sometimes good intentions aren’t enough.” She watched his face in the dim glow of the truck dashboard and thought she saw regret in his demeanor. “I was grateful for the knowledge I gained of my craft in my travels. I studied and got training in styles and techniques that I couldn’t have over here, which makes my portfolio more versatile but…”

“There was other stuff that ruined it for you?” Seth’s silent nod made her regret her prodding. “I’m sorry if I brought up bad memories.”

He squeezed her shoulders, drawing her closer to him on the bench seat. “Good or bad, my experiences have brought me to where I am now. They brought you to me.”

“Or you to me,” she quipped as he turned into his driveway and parked the truck in the garage.

“Either way, you’re mine,” he murmured as he turned in the driver’s seat and pulled her to him. His touch was equal parts demanding he-man and gentle lover. Jayne liked seeing the side of him that wanted more of her. He was never arrogant or pushy, but she knew he was edging her inexorably out of her comfort zone, teaching her to explore the boundaries of what she’d thought of as her sexual limits. Doing so had another benefit.