Love at Second Chance Bonus Scene
Zane
Five Years Later
Ruby’s not in a mood for listening. Just as stubborn as her mama.
She wants to be smack-dab in the middle of the barrel racing competition, even though I’ve explained to her she needs to be patient and wait until she gets older.
But the tempestuous little raven-haired beauty won’t listen, even after I promise her a funnel cake before the bullriding starts.
Her bottom lip’s sticking out now, and it’s hard to be angry at her because she’s Rebecca’s doppelganger. The result? I spoil her too much, something that my wife points out on the regular. But honestly, all my girls have me wrapped around their fingers.
Rebecca meant it when she said Rough & Ready Ranch needed a woman’s touch, and so far, that’s come in the form of three adorable, quirky, hell-raising daughters. Ruby’s the oldest at four, followed by two-year-old Milly, and six-month-old Stephanie. Steph’s asleep in a baby carrier on my chest because Rebecca’s down at the alley with her barrel racing students who are competing in the Ophir City Rodeo.
We’ve got our usual box seat, only it’s another world from the one I think back to five years ago, before Rebecca and I quit being fools and finally got together.
Instead of couples, single adults, and thick tension, the box is jam-packed with little ones. Dmitri, Alex and Maksim’s blond, curly-haired five-year-old is throwing a loud tantrum because his balloon animal accidentally popped.
“My doggy!” he cries until Alex is fit to be tied. But Maksim remains cool and relaxed as he takes his son aside, kneeling in front of him and talking in low, calm tones until the little boy smiles again.
It has been a trip watching my much younger brother become a dad, but he’s excellent. Firm and clear with boundaries, affectionate, and always ready to give his full attention.
Alex enjoys the momentary reprieve, stroking their two-year-old daughter Sofia’s ebony mane. The little girl lies halfway in my sister-in-law’s lap and somehow manages to sleep despite the commotion swirling around her.
Ruby’s still sticking her lower lip out, pouting. But her little sister’s not having any of it. Milly’s got her best pink and white cowboy boots on, and she’s hellbent on braiding Ruby’s hair, no matter what her older sister has to say about it. I can’t blame Ruby for feeling less than enthused, considering Milly’s toddler hairdressing skills.
Logan’s doing his best to wrangle and entertain his two-year-old son, Oliver, who’s another house on fire. He holds him up, swinging him around and tossing him lightly in the air while Jess shakes her head.
Chris and Cricket aren’t exempt from the kid craziness, either. They “decided” to get things out of the way by having triplets. Cricket said twins always ran in her family, but three babies proved a shocker even for her kin. As for my older brother sheriff, he likes to tease with a shrug, “I’ve always been a straight shooter.” No matter how many times she hears this, Cricket’s cheeks predictably redden at the pronouncement.
I still shake my head, thinking about how exhausted they both looked the first six weeks after leaving the hospital. Cricket’s mom ended up moving in with them temporarily to help out, and she took over running the bakery for a while again, too.
Now, the little boy, Cooper, and two girls, Callie and Cassidy, are four years old, and all I can say is they’re very good at entertaining each other. They sit in a circle around Grandpa Wyatt playing Rock Paper Scissors tirelessly. Every time Grandpa wins, they think it’s the funniest thing in the world. Their pink cheeks flush, and high-pitched peals of laughter ring out.
Needless to say, there’s not a lot of rodeo spectating going on, but this is so much better. Rough & Ready Country’s never been more lively, and Dad has gotten a second wind with all the kids around.
Rebecca wraps her arms around me from behind, nuzzling into my neck and kissing my earlobe.
“Steph’s still sleeping?” she asks in a whisper, and I nod, trying to keep her that way.
But Ruby’s oblivious to all of that. She lets out a dramatic scream—“Mama!”—running into Rebecca’s arms. Fortunately, the baby’s even more oblivious.
Rebecca sits down, pulling the girl into her lap. Ruby asks a million questions about everything related to barrel racing and how each of her mama’s students did. Then, she pouts, tattling on me for not letting her compete.
“Daddy’s right, baby. You’ve got to be patient,” Rebecca replies gently. Milly snuggles between Rebecca and me, still trying to angle herself to play with Ruby’s hair.
And Grandpa Wyatt throws in his two cents. “Well, she’s almost old enough. Have you seen the stories about the little eight-year-old who competes in barrel racing? I can’t remember her name right now, but word is, she’s pretty good. Ruby, you’ll be there sooner than you think.” He finishes with a high five.
Turning to me, he observes, “I don’t know if it’s the name you gave her, but she’s the embodiment of Ruby Jean. All sass and spirit.”
“And stubbornness,” I grumble. “But I know that comes from her mama.”
Rebecca side-eyes me, and I lean in to kiss her. “Sorry, darlin’, but facts are facts.”
Chris and Cricket’s trio make their way back to their parents, and between the two adults, they manage to contain all three kids. Chris’s knee bounces up and down with Cooper as he pretends to be one of the bronc riders in the arena below, and Callie and Cassidy stand on either side of Cricket, scoping out the action in the arena. Cricket’s got an arm around each of her babies to keep them from falling, and she laughs and talks with Chris as he gazes at her with love-filled eyes.
He wasn’t sure how he’d do as a daddy. Logan had concerns about becoming a father, too. But both are attentive, affectionate dads.
“What time did Faith and Travis say we could drop off the kids?” Rebecca asks, and I can see the anticipation on my wife’s face. It’s been a while since we got a night off, and I plan on making the most of it.
“You’re ready for a break?” I ask, warmth filling me as I think about all the ways I plan on capitalizing on our time together.
“I’m ready for some alone time with my husband.”
After thanking Faith and Travis for the umpteenth time for taking the kids for the night, we hop back in the truck, driving toward the ranch.
“What’s up next, Mr. Mackey?” Rebecca flirts, scooting closer.
I take her hand, kissing each fingertip gently before sucking her middle finger into my mouth. She lets out a sexy moan, and I’m ready to pull the truck over and have my way with her by the side of the road. But I have better plans than that.
“For starters, we’re going to ride our horses down to the crook in the river. And then, we’re going skinny dipping and seeing where this crazy full moon takes us.” I nod, looking out the window of the cab. “Next, I’m going to bend you over that big boulder by the willow tree, and I’m going to get down on my knees and lick your pussy from behind until you’re so drenched and shaky that your knees give out.”
I lick her ring finger suggestively, teasing it with my tongue.
She whimpers, warning, “You keep talking like that, and we won’t even get the horses tacked up. I’ll jump you in the barn before we ever get started with your naughty night.”
“Well, then, I’ll bend you over one of the stalls and sink my tongue and fingers into you, teasing and pleasing you until you beg for my thick cock.”
She lets out a sharp exhale as I move to her pointer finger, breathlessly asking, “And when I beg for your cock, are you going to let me have it?”
I grin, wickedly. “Eventually. If you’re a good girl.”
“And what does being a good girl entail?”
My mind wanders. “I want you to show me what you can do with that sweet little mouth of yours. You think you can handle that?”
I park the truck in front of our cabin and turn towards her. Grabbing her hair possessively, I wrap it around my hand, pulling her into me for a hungry kiss. My other hand roves over her curvy, sexy body as I think about all the ways I’m going to keep her up all night.
“I hate to break it to you, husband, but we’re not going to make it to the crook in the river. We’re not even going to make it to the barn with the way you’ve been talking.”
Thank goodness my truck has a bench seat. I’ve got the console back, and I’m not complaining about the spaciousness as I recline against the driver-side door, and she brings my legs up to rest on the seat. Sitting between my legs, she unfastens my Wranglers, eyes pooling with dark desire.
She takes my cock in her mouth, and I can’t hold back a throaty growl.
“Damn, darlin’.”
Licking and teasing until I’m begging for her pussy, she lifts up her skirt to straddle me, sinking down over me as I groan with satisfaction.
The truck cab’s a little tight with the steering wheel and all, but it takes me back to my youth and all of the horny teenage things I dreamed about doing with her while parked. As she rides me, and I grasp her ample hips, melting into the tight, warm heat of her pussy, I know I’m the luckiest man in the world.
Afterward, we catch our breath, laughing at the fogged-up windows. “Baby, that was so fucking good.” I sigh, wrapping her tightly in my arms.
“I’m sorry I messed up your best-laid plans. But with the way you were talking, I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“We’ve got all night, darlin’, and I’m not letting you off the hook anytime soon. But I would like a little more room than this truck cab affords. How about we relocate to the truck bed? Because the things I want to do to you require a lot more legroom.”
“Only if you have plenty of blankets handy. It’s a little chilly tonight,” she says in a low, sexy tone.
“Darlin’, I’m always prepared when it comes to pleasing my wife. I’ve got all the blankets you could want. Besides, with what I’m fixing to do, you’ll stay plenty warm.”
Classic car restorer. Wildland firefighter. Ladies’ man. All-around adrenaline junkie.
My plate’s full when it comes to work, fun, and everything in between, although it’s never hard making extra time for the sweetest, curviest girl in Hollister—Faith.
Something about her turns my world upside down and my body on fire, but I’m not about to admit it…or face the consequences of settling down. Until I find out she’s expecting my baby, and all of my best-laid plans evaporate, making me rethink what and who I’m living for. But is it too late for a chance at the family I’ve always secretly wanted but never thought I deserved?
Devour this steamy bad boy / good girl pregnancy romance about a risk-taking small-town firefighter who’s sworn off commitment, the curvy hometown sweetheart who won’t settle for less, and what happens when passions ignite and an unexpected delivery knits two wounded souls into one family. Read Love at First Baby now.
