Tangled in Divine(Divine Creek Ranch 14)(22)

Teresa was about to rise when Julián came around on Gwen’s side of the comfy-looking double recliner and held up a hand to Teresa. “Stay there and relax, Teresa.” Tilting his head toward the kitchen where her men were conversing quietly, he added, “They’re concerned about you.”

Teresa smiled and relented, shaking her head with a resigned smile. She reached for a box of tissues and handed them to Gwen. “Take these. You may need them since those tears keep threatening.”

He didn’t like the sound of Gwen hurting so much. Leaning down, he scooped her up out of the recliner, taking her a little by surprise, judging by her soft yelp.

Over her head, he winked at Teresa, appreciating her concern for Gwen. Teresa mouthed, “She’s tired.”

Julián nodded as he walked from the room with her in his arms.

“I’m not used to being carried around like this,” she whispered as she held on to his shoulders.

Entering the den, which was lined with windows facing the wooded acreage out back, he headed for the overstuffed recliner near the lit fireplace. In the opposite corner there stood a tall Christmas tree, festooned with tinsel and garland, and surround by a mass of gaily wrapped gifts. He and Chris hadn’t even bothered with a Christmas tree. “I’d like nothing better than the chance to get you used to being carried.”

Angel came in behind them with a woolen throw blanket in his hands. “Teresa said you might need this. The big windows and stone floors make this room chilly on days like this.” He put the blanket on the table by the chair and then knelt in front of the fireplace and put another log on it.

Warmth from the renewed fire reached them, and Julián nodded his thanks as he turned and carefully sat in the recliner, with her still in his arms. She looked up at him as they settled in the deep chair and a hard lump pressed against his ribs between them.

Gwen bit her lip as Julián sighed and reached in her heavy barn jacket, which she still had on, and pulled her handgun from her coat pocket.

“My .38. The safety is on. I forgot it was in there.”

Julián sighed as he verified the safety was in place. He handed it to Angel as he rose from the hearth after closing the screen, a look of mild consternation on his face. It was an unavoidable reality that Gwen needed to carry protection when she was on the road. It would be foolish for her not to have it. That didn’t mean that Julián could pretend he liked the fact. Angel was evidently on the same page.

“I can put it in the gun safe for now, if you’d like, Gwen,” Angel offered quietly. “You can have it back whenever you want it, but that way it’s out of reach of inquisitive little boys.”

“Absolutely,” Gwen replied with a nod. “I want them to be safe. I’d never leave it out where they could reach it.”

Angel nodded with a gentle smile directed at her. “I know you wouldn’t.” To Julián, he said, “Our earlier item of discussion is a ‘go’ if she’s interested.”

Julián nodded as Angel left the room with the handgun and pulled the door closed, giving them privacy.

“Are you mad about the gun?”

“Of course not. I prefer you have a means to protect yourself if you need it. Obviously I’d rather you weren’t placed in a position to need it at all. Sit up for a second.”

She did as he asked, shifting her lush curves against his lap and awakening his cock in the process. Her body was the perfect combination of toned muscles from years in the saddle competing on horseback, and soft, womanly curves.

He pushed the collar of the coat from her shoulders as he chuckled. “Any other surprises in this coat?” She shook her head silently, exhaustion apparent in the shadows under her eyes. Fatigue must’ve been catching up to her now that she’d sat down and begun to relax in a safe place.

After the coat was off of her, he pulled her cowgirl boots from her feet, and coaxed her to recline across his lap with her left cheek pressed against his pectoral. He took the dark blue blanket from the table, unfolded it, and draped it around her, tucking it in under her ass and around her shoulders.

“Sorry. I need a shower. I probably don’t smell my best right now.” A slight tremor ran through her as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

“You have nothing to worry about at all. To me you smell good. Very good, in fact.” If I keep breathing her in, she could seduce me without a single word. He kissed her temple and tried to dial back his arousal as his cock continued to harden. They had a conversation to get through.

“Want to tell me what was going through your head, Gwendolyn?”