Hard Impact: An Alpha Billionaire Romance Novel (27 page)

I stared at the beautiful view for several seconds and then glanced at Blake. I could tell by the expression on his face that he was proud of this property, as much as he had been of the Rocking J. He seemed to be waiting for me to say something.

“Where’s the ranch?” I asked.

He gestured with his hand. “A mile and a half down this road and around the bottom of the hill there, where the road disappears. See it?”

I nodded. As we drove down the dirt road, I stared out my window, surprised when I spied a small herd of antelope off to my right. “Blake, look!” I said, smiling as I pointed out the window, turned to him, and then back out the window again.

“That’s not all you’ll see,” he smiled. “This is open range, and you may see some cattle wandering around. In the morning and evenings, don’t be surprised if you see white-tailed deer, elk, and other wildlife.” He turned from looking through the window and glanced at me. “Don’t go wandering off early in the morning or just before dusk though, because bears have been sighted around here lately. And a mountain lion or two.”

I turned to stare at him, eyes wide. “And you’re not worried about your guests?”

He shrugged. “Most people out here are more than aware of the wildlife. Nevertheless, all of my guests will receive information, and when necessary, warnings if dangerous animals have been spotted. But mainly this ranch will cater to hunters who are more than aware of the risks as well as precautions to take not only during hunting season, but when out and about.”

That was certainly true, I knew. Back home in Texas, all the locals knew to watch for rattlesnakes, knew not to stick their hands into shadowed locations, or turn over rocks in the heat of day. I supposed it was true anywhere.

We bounced down the road in the F-150. I didn’t care what kind of vehicle he drove as long as it wasn’t an open-sided Jeep. I’d had enough excitement today to last me a lifetime. I grinned as I thought of what Melanie would say when I got back and told her everything that I’d done with Blake… well, not everything.

Just the reminder of that night at the Rocking J caused my nipples to tingle. I supposed that my blood was still high due to the lingering adrenaline from the sky diving, but who was I fooling? I felt so invigorated, so content at the moment, that I would’ve welcomed any advances Blake made.

Just then, I glanced at him, admiring the sight of his strong fingers wrapped around the steering wheel. I remembered the sensations those fingers caused on my nipples, the way they had cupped my breasts, strayed further below—

“Hello,” he said. “Did you hear me?”

I felt the heat of a blush warm my cheeks and quickly turned to look out the window, shoving images of his thick cock from my memory as I gathered myself and then turned to him with raised eyebrows. “I’m sorry, I was admiring the scenery and wasn’t paying attention. What did you say?”

“I said I don’t have to leave for the meeting right away. I can imagine after the excitement this of morning, you’ll look forward to a bit of relaxation. Maybe I can fix us some lunch before I go.”

“That… that would be nice,” I said. “Will anyone else be at the ranch?”

He shrugged. “Maybe the foreman and some of his crew taking care of the horses, but the workmen are gone, the renovations complete, or at least they better be, and no guests coming until the end of the week.” He paused to look at me. “Actually, we should pretty much have the place to ourselves, like we did at the Rocking J.”

I met his eyes, wondering at the look in them. Was he thinking the same thing I was? The more I thought about that, the hotter I got, even to the point where I felt a little damp down there. The looks he was giving me didn’t do anything to tamp down those feelings either. I said nothing but pretended to be totally captivated by the vista around us as Blake guided the truck down the dirt road. When we rounded the hill, I saw the ranch spread out down below.

I tried to quell my sexual desire for him. We didn’t have a relationship and wouldn’t have a relationship, so there was no point in playing fast and loose with him. Yes, it had been enjoyable, but I wasn’t here to enjoy his company. I forced myself to remember that I was here to do a job. The problem was, the more time I spent with Blake, the less I felt compelled to ask those oh so pertinent questions. In fact, I had yet to ask him any questions, and he had promised that he would if I jumped.

Recalling that promise, I sought to remind him of it as well. “You do remember the promise you made, don’t you?”

He said nothing for several moments as he pulled into the ranch yard. A cloud of dust settled around the vehicle as he parked the truck, turned off the engine, and then turned to me.

“Yes, I remember. And I’ll keep my promise. You’ll find that I keep all of my promises.”

His direct gaze caused me to squirm, but I couldn’t figure out why. Because of the way he was looking at me? The way his eyes kept darting down to my lips and a couple of times toward my breasts? Not long, lingering, or lecherous glances, nothing like that, but enough to cause me to start tingling all over again. “But they can wait until tonight,” I said. “Is that okay with you?”

He nodded as he turned to open his door. I did the same. As he rounded the hood of the truck, I glanced around but didn’t see a living soul. Blake headed directly for the front door, solid wood on the bottom, glass with crisscrossed moldings on top. When he opened the door and gestured for me to enter before him, I did, not sure what to expect.

As with the Rocking J, I was impressed. A little more rustic than the ranch in Oregon. Lots of wood furniture. Chandeliers and light fixtures made of deer antler. A spotted cow hide on the floor. A brick fireplace, a flat screen TV mounted on one wall, and another bookcase, this one fronted with glass shelves.

The structure was one story, the massive entryway separated into two open yet distinct living spaces by a foyer. On the left stood a small reception desk much like you would find in a hotel lobby. Behind the desk, mounted on the wall, hung a framed map of the Camp Robber property boundaries.

The space to the right was a little less rustic and hunting-inspired than the open room to the left. It looked more like a sitting and gathering room, with plaid upholstered furniture, a couple of rocking chairs, a smaller fireplace, and what looked to be like an old cable wheel that could double as a card table, a dining table, or a whatnot.

“Welcome to the Camp Robber,” Blake said and pointed. “You’ll find the kitchen down there, first door on the right. The dining room beyond it. Around the corner are a number of rooms. Six of them. Take your pick. Mine’s the last one down the hall on the right.”

“Aren’t you concerned about getting overbooked?”

He shook his head. “This is just the main house. A number of camping and hunting cabins are scattered throughout the property. Lots of privacy for families, hunters, fishermen, or newlyweds.”

I turned to him in curiosity. “Newlyweds?”

He grinned. “So Ruby, my social media miracle worker, tells me.”

I began to wander around, admiring the furniture, my fingers tracing along the glossy, highly polished wood. I was deliberately trying to put some distance between us, hoping to tamp down the sudden surge of desire I felt for him. I wasn’t sure I was succeeding.

“I’m going to take a shower real quick. Make yourself at home.”

And then he was gone, moving quickly down the hallway and disappearing around the corner. I took advantage of the alone time and pulled the satchel from my shoulder before sitting down on the plaid sofa in the smaller of the main rooms, thinking that whoever chose his furniture certainly knew how to pick comfortable pieces.

I opened the flap of my satchel and pulled out my laptop, then placed it on the makeshift coffee table/cable reel. I turned it on, hoping that he got WiFi out here. To my surprise, I was able to pick up a signal. I didn’t have much battery life and reminded myself to plug in my computer tonight. Oh well, I only needed to be online for a few minutes. I quickly tapped the keys, and in seconds had the address for the Precious Greens Nursery. Then I searched for the number of a local cab company, which I was sure would come way out here to the ranch. It was a resort after all. I also took a few moments to gather some information about Jackson Hole.

I’d just closed my laptop, stuffed the piece of paper with the nursery address and the phone number to the cab company into the pocket of my slacks when I heard a door down the hallway and then padded footsteps.

I looked up and gaped in surprise when Blake stepped into view, towel-drying his hair. He was naked except for a towel tucked around his waist.

Oh God.

Every nerve in my body came alive. My heart fluttered and my nipples automatically hardened. How could anyone be so good looking? His biceps rippled, his six pack abs perfectly delineated as he turned and froze when he realized I was sitting on the sofa, staring at him, my mouth open.

He stopped toweling his hair as I stared. Of their own accord, my gaze slid downward. Just a glimpse in the direction of his cock elicited movement down there. I quickly glanced from his groin back to his face, and then automatically back down again. To my dismay, a tent began to form under the towel.

We stared at each other for several more seconds before Blake took a step further into the room, apparently not at all self-conscious about his growing arousal. I stood, thinking that maybe I should run or do something to break the sudden tension, but all I could do was stare, my gaze taking in every inch of his gorgeous frame, admiring his muscles as if I had never seen a naked man before.

I had, though none as fine as Blake. He was extremely fit, but not like a bodybuilder who spent hours in the gym lifting weights, nor one who injected anabolic steroids. Fit and trim from a life living outdoors, living large, and experiencing everything that nature had to offer. I could imagine those muscles rippling as he stroked a kayak against rapids, or his muscles bunched and strained as they sought a hand or foot hold while rock climbing.

“Misty…”

His voice jarred me out of my reverie. Unconsciously, I took another step toward him. And then I was in his arms. I didn’t know why I’d done that, stepped forward instead of away, but the minute I did, I knew that I didn’t want to leave. I should. God knew I should. I had no business— and then his lips were on mine, gently at first, exploring, caressing before growing more demanding, insisting on my response. I gave it and then some.

I moaned low in my throat as I opened my lips and allowed Blake’s tongue to sweep into my mouth. Our tongues caressed, then his began to play tag with mine. He gently sucked on my lower lip for a moment, then released it, his mouth once again rough and devouring. I wrapped my arms around his waist, slid my fingers downward, and realized the towel was gone. It had fallen in a heap to the floor, leaving his thick, hard erection to press against my lower abdomen.

My legs lost their strength and I clung desperately to him as he bent over me, one arm braced around my back, the other caressing my waist. In the next instant, I was swept into his arms. He headed down the hallway, glancing down at me with a questioning look in his eyes. I knew what he was asking. I licked my lips, met his gaze, and wrapped my arms around his neck. I said one word.

“Yes.”

What the hell? I had experienced one exhilarating thrill today, why not another?

Why not indeed.

Blake carried me down the hall, completely naked and apparently not caring in the least. I felt incredibly safe and secure in his embrace, and the hard muscles holding me close. While I wasn’t exactly a featherweight, he didn’t seem to be exerting much effort. The thought made me smile. And then he was pushing his way through a half open door at the end of the hallway. His bedroom. He kicked the door shut with his foot.

I didn’t get much more than a glimpse of the interior before he lowered me onto his bed. I waited, but he did nothing else but stand beside me, staring down, as if giving me another chance to bolt and run. I wanted to, but at the same time, I didn’t. I didn’t understand it. I knew better than this, knew that whatever we were about to do would serve no purpose other than momentary pleasure.

But I yearned for that pleasure, not just physically, but emotionally. There was something about Blake Masters that called to me, pulled me to him. It was irresistible. Call it charisma, charm, seduction, I didn’t know and at the moment I didn’t care. Maybe I was feeling the lingering effects of my adrenaline rush from the skydive. Maybe I was just feeling especially daring and adventurous — reckless even. Maybe I was engaging in a little thrill seeking of my own. And why not? I was a grown woman.

I could make my own decisions. I had no illusions about what this was. It was just sex. I knew that Blake was not interested in a relationship. The fact that he found me attractive, sexually alluring, and desirable filled me with an immense sense of pleasure and joy. For now, I would enjoy the close contact.

I looked up at him, then once again allowed my gaze to drift down his body, past his broad shoulders, his pecs, his six pack and narrowed waist before my eyes dipped lower toward his cock. That beautiful, thickly veined cock, almost pointing directly at me, throbbing with a life of its own every time I looked at it. His legs, hard as a rock, with thick, rope like musculature… then back to his dick, which again bounced gently as my gaze fastened on it.

“You little vixen,” he laughed.

I laughed as well, and in the next instant, he was laying on the bed beside me, kissing one cheek and then the other.

“You have the most adorable dimples, did you know that?”

While I certainly knew I had dimples, no one had ever complimented me on them before. The fact that Blake made me smile again, deepening those dimples and making him sigh filled me with pleasure.

My fingers stroked through his hair as he slowly unbuttoned my blouse. His fingers moved leisurely while his lips nuzzled my cheeks, the corners of my lips, and then dipped down along my neck below my ear. Goosebumps erupted over my flesh.