“Really?” She wondered what it would be like to be part of a
family that didn’t judge you by your appearance. She never felt like
she measured up with any of the women in her family and only a few
of the men.
“As for what I personally think about your attributes? I think your
ass is just about the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, except for maybe all the beauty I tried not to see tonight while I helped you change clothes.
My only regret was that I couldn’t enjoy the experience because you
were in pain. I think you’re a knockout, and anyone who can’t see that
must be the dumbest ass in captivity.”
She chuckled at the disgruntled snort that punctuated his
statement. “Cowboy, you sure do have a way with words.”
“I call ’em like I see ’em, darlin’.” He stroked her hair, drawing
his fingers through it and smoothing it back from her forehead and
temple.
“That feels so good.” Her heart ratcheted up a notch when she felt
his full lips and the tickle of his moustache on the nape of her neck as
he stroked her hair from her neckline. She tried not to fidget as an
aching rush of desire flooded her core, wishing his fingers were
stroking her pussy like that right now. She felt awash in need for him.
“Your hair feels like silk under my fingers. You’re beautiful, and I
hope you never doubt it again.”
48
Heather Rainier
“Ash, you keep this up and I’ll be putty in your hands. Hell, I
already am,” she whispered shakily, choosing to be honest about how
he affected her.
He brushed his lips against her jawbone. “I won’t take advantage
of an injured woman, and you need your rest. If it helps, I’ll keep
doing this, but if it’s keeping you awake—”
“Oh, don’t stop. I love it.”
“My hands aren’t too rough?”
“They feel just right. And, Ash, thanks. You’re good for a girl’s
ego.”
“I aim to please. You rest and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“What about the ranch? I know you have a lot of responsibility.”
“Joaquin and Angel are going to cover for me in the morning like
they did this evening. Sometimes you have to take a little time for the
important things, and you’ve become important to me.”
“You’re extremely forgiving,” she said humbly.
“I’m a good judge of character.”
Spurs and Heels
49
Chapter Five
No, Ash couldn’t make love to her like his cock was screaming
for him to. He couldn’t touch her tonight the way his fingers itched to.
He couldn’t put his mouth on all the places he’d fantasized about
kissing. His body ached with the need to be inside her. His cock
hadn’t stopped throbbing since he’d climbed into her bed. His balls
were in insistent agony at her close proximity. Her scent and her body
heat permeated the sheets and comforter around her, warming him as
well.
But he could lay here with her and it was enough—just to be close
to her. This was not how their first night together should’ve been, but
he was proving to himself and maybe to her that he was a man of
worth, like his father and his brothers, that he would be there for her
and take care of her.
In the dark of the night, he could be honest with himself and
accept that he was falling in love with her. Her auburn-red hair had
drawn his eyes the moment she’d walked into the room at the ranch
Christmas party. When he’d realized they were friends, he’d quietly
asked Grace if she’d mind introducing him to her.
He smiled, remembering the twinkle in Grace’s knowing eyes
when she’d invited him over to make the introduction. Juliana had
turned her clear, sky-blue eyes his way, appearing completely
undeterred by his height and size. He’d lost his heart to her right then.
She’d smiled at him and drawn him into a conversation, asking him
about himself and then actually listening when he answered her
questions.
50
Heather Rainier
She’d stepped outside when the room had gotten crowded, and
he’d taken advantage of the opportunity. In the course of their
conversation, she’d mentioned her now former boyfriend and his
inexcusable absence on Christmas Day. It was then that he’d stuck his
foot in his mouth the first time. He was just as responsible for setting
Juliana off as she was for losing her temper.
Resting his head in his right hand, Ash continued to stroke her
hair and her cheek, even though he could tell she was sound asleep.
He was greedy, and if this was all he could do tonight, he would get