Love at First Rescue Bonus Scene
Cricket
Four Months Later
My pulse races as I watch Christian walk up the long driveway to our cabin—tanned, tall, and breathtaking in his crisp sheriff’s uniform and white Stetson.
The front door swings wide, and he strides in, his face unreadable. If anything, there’s a grimace. My heart sinks into my stomach.
What Christian confided in me after the rescue lightened his spirit, but a shadow still loomed. The shadow of wondering when and how the person who texted him for money would make another move.
I encouraged him to go public with the story surrounding his birth. After talking it out and weighing the pros and cons, he decided on a sit-down interview with Jess, Logan’s wife, who freelances for the Chronicle.
The article came out over the weekend, but this was the first day Christian had to face the people of Hollister after its publication. His face tells me more than words ever could.
I step forward. He wraps his arms around me, and the world stops.
“How was work today, baby?”
He shrugs. “Didn’t get much done, if I’m being honest.”
I put a hand on his cheek, feeling the rough stubble that shows up in the afternoon. “Did anyone talk about the article?”
He nods almost imperceptibly. “Everyone, actually.”
I wait.
Silence.
Finally, I ask, “What was the response?”
He looks down to the right, thinking for a moment. Then, leveling his eyes on me, he replies, “Supportive … and surprising. The office got some calls for interviews with other publications. I’m not sure I’m up for that. And Jess texted, saying she’s received lots of positive feedback, especially from others with similar stories.”
“You’re my hero, Christian. Always giving of yourself to others. This story is just another example of that.”
He shrugs. “I’m just a guy trying to do my job. But one thing’s for sure. I’ve taken the wind right out of the blackmailer’s sails. Haven’t heard a peep from them even though this story has turned into a bigger deal than I imagined.”
I nod gently, taking in his face, trying to read what’s really going on inside his head and heart. “Are you still okay with everything? I hope you don’t feel like I pushed you into this.”
He threads his arms around my waist, pulling me tightly into him. Bringing his forehead to mine, he replies, “You were right, Cricket. I needed to man up and do this for myself, for you, for Gold County, for our future family.” After a pause, he repeats something I recently said to him. “Darkness flees at the sight of light … goes for dark secrets, too.” Despite the words, his face bleeds exhaustion.
“Did anybody act differently with you?”
He lifts his head, kissing the crown of my head and breathing me in. “Not really. But honestly, the only person I care about not treating me differently is in my arms.”
I tilt my head up, covering his mouth with mine, relishing the relaxed way we can bask in each other’s touch now.
“Can I get you a beer or something? You want to kick off your boots and watch some TV?”
“Nope,” he sighs, his mouth moving to my ear. I shiver at the feel of his hot breath on my cheek and neck. “Everything I need and want is right here.”
I giggle as his mouth descends to my neck, covering it with open-mouthed kisses that curl heat low in my core. “I could get into this.”
“Oh, could you now?” he murmurs into my shoulder, pulling my pale pink crocheted cardigan down over my shoulder with one hand, making a pathway for his lips to follow while he traces a trail of fire down my arm with the fingertips of his other.
“You know how much I like a man in a uniform.”
He teases the sensitive spot behind my ear before showering my earlobe in more kisses, sucking and nipping until I let out a whoosh of air.
“There’s only one man in a uniform you’re allowed to like.” Bringing his other hand beneath my apron and tank top, he squeezes my breast possessively, stroking my pebbled nipple.
My voice shudders. “Yes, only one man. Christian McLeod.”
“You know,” he growls. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I like a woman in a uniform, too. Too bad I didn’t take more advantage of it while you worked for me. But this’ll do. And it is much sweeter.”
He grabs the front of the pink half-apron I still wear from the bakery, pulling me against his firm arousal. My panties are dripping, thoughts of last night only compounding my need. When he ripped a lacy pair off me, smelling and licking them before diving into my arousal.
“Cricket, I need you so bad.” He’s got his hand in the ties of my apron, locking my soft curves against his hard, angular planes. “The only thing that got me through today was you—this. I don’t want to think about anything else but making you scream.”
His hands fumble with the apron, pulling up my shirt with a neediness that thrills me. His warm fingers rove over my back and ribs before settling on my breasts. He squeezes them while his thumbs tease my nipples until I gasp.
My hand cups his cock, and I pant, “And I had to work all day through a throb between my thighs because … last night.”
“Last night?” he says, slow and steady, eyebrows arching.
“Last night was inspired.”
“You’re my muse.” He lowers his head to suck my nipple. My back arches against the silky heat of his tongue and lips, and I grind against him, begging for release.
Suddenly, he stops, turning me around and ordering, “Put your hands on the couch and bend over.”
“Oh,” escapes my lips on a sigh.
He comes up behind me, pressing his heat against my lower back as he finds the front of my pants, unbuttoning them. In one move, they pool around my ankles.
“Step out of your pants and spread your legs,” he orders, and my heart flutters into my throat.
I obey, and he lets out an appreciative groan as he stops to admire my choice of underwear—a purple and black lace G-string. Smacking my ass, he slides his other hand between the front of my legs and beneath the slick, wet lace.
“You weren’t lying when you said how wet you were.”
“No,” I exhale over my shoulder. “And it’s all your fault.”
He’s past words, letting out a throaty moan. Circling my slick clit with his finger, he finds the rhythm and speed I need, his hot breath dancing across my back as he promises, “I’ve got to get inside you, Cricket. Right this fucking second. But after that, I’ll take my time, spend the whole night worshipping your body.”
“Yes, Christian. Please,” is all I can manage.
He pulls my G-string to the side, plunging into me. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he whispers.
“What is it, baby?”
He’s motionless for a moment, holding his breath before he thrusts again. “You feel so good, Cricket. So very good. You’re going to make me come, you naughty girl.”
He pounds into me again and again. Until I’m submerged in a dizzy ecstasy, until every frustration of the day winds into a tight ball of desire. I exhale sharply when I break, spasming around him.
My legs shake, my hands gripping the couch for balance.
With a throaty groan, Christian explodes, pulsing heat with each wave of release. He grabs me around the waist, resting his head on my shoulder—taut, raw, sweaty.
“Thank you, Cricket. Thank you for always giving yourself to me, never holding anything back. I don’t know how I’d get through a single day without you.”
His words catch me off guard, and I bite my lower lip, fighting back tears. He stands up, steadying himself by holding my hips and slowly slides out.
Turning to take him in my arms, I reassure him, “And you’ll never have to find out.” My burly, tough-as-nails cowboy wraps himself around me, burying his head against my neck.
No matter what life throws our way, together we can stand against any storm.
The history runs long and hot when it comes to Rebecca “Birdie” Jenkins. I remember when we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Now I can barely stand to look at her. Let alone see her every day at Rough & Ready Ranch, working as my dad’s home healthcare nurse.
My brothers think I’m being stubborn. That I should give her a break. But the break she gave my heart years ago is something I’m still not over…and not about to repeat. Problem is, she’s sexier than hell, and while my heart may say no, my body’s got other ideas.
If you love rugged western landscapes, a sexy small-town cowboy, a curvy girl who knows how to get what she wants, and a steamy second-chance romance, one-click now to pre-order Love at Second Chance.
