The Marine's E-Mail Order Bride (Heroes of Chance Creek Book 3) (15 page)

“Hello there, honey. I don’t recognize you.”

She looked up to see a man in his late twenties with dark curly hair, a day or two’s worth of stubble on his jaw, and sharp gray eyes.

“I’m new to town,” she said, trying to extricate herself from his grip.

“Well, I’m not new, but I’ve just returned from a long absence. I’d forgotten how beautiful the women are around here. The name’s Steel. Steel Cooper.”

Storm glanced around her for help, but Ella and Regan were deep in conversation several feet away with a couple she didn’t recognize, and Maya and Stella had left their drinks on the bar and headed toward the ladies’ room.

“It’s customary to return the favor when someone introduces himself.” The man moved closer.

“I’m Kenna North,” she said reluctantly. “Look, I’m waiting for my fiancé.” She wasn’t sure she liked the looks of this man and she definitely didn’t want his hand on her waist.

He captured her hand in his and lifted it. “I don’t see a ring… Kenna.”

Kenna’s name in his mouth made her even more uncomfortable. “I have to go.”

“Now, hold up a minute.” He didn’t let go of her hand when she tried to walk away. Instead he tugged her toward the dance floor. “I’m only trying to be friendly.” She tried to stand her ground, but he was far too strong for her to resist. In another moment she found herself pressed against the cowboy, his arms tightening around her waist.

If Zane was the one holding her, she’d be all too happy to be there, but she didn’t like this man or the smell of liquor on his breath. She didn’t like the way he kept looking back at the other cowboys in the corner booth and grinning like he’d done something to be proud of. When she glanced over at them she saw Darren laughing.

“I don’t want to dance.”

“Loosen up a little, baby. I’m just having fun.”

“No. I want—”

“Let her go.” Suddenly Zane was between them, his broad shoulders forming a barrier between her and the drunken man.

“Says who?”

“Come on, Storm,” Regan appeared at her side and led her away from the confrontation, but Storm didn’t go too far. It was her fault Zane was facing off with Steel.

“Shouldn’t we call the police?”

“Zane will handle it. And if he needs help, Mason and Austin will stand in.” Regan’s tone told her she didn’t think Zane would need any help.

“Says me.” Zane was quiet but firm. Around them the other couples on the floor moved away from the cowboys. “That’s my woman, and she doesn’t want to dance with you.”

“Hell, she wants to do more than dance. Did you see the way she was looking at my—”

Zane’s fist connected with Steel’s cheek with a crack that silenced the bar. Steel lobbed back a punch that glanced off Zane’s shoulder.

“Ohmygod!” Storm searched the rest of the crowd. Wasn’t anyone going to stop them?

Zane struck back with another crushing blow that sent Steel sprawling to the ground. The corner booth erupted with angry cowboys and in a second the dance floor was overrun with men making a beeline toward Zane. Mason and Austin jumped into the fray to meet them, followed closely by more cowboys she didn’t recognize.

“It’s the Turners! Maya and Stella’s brothers and cousins!” Regan pointed at the melee, pulling Storm back even further.

Storm narrowed her eyes when she saw Darren moving against the tide. What was he doing? For a moment she thought he meant to take advantage of the crowd to score an unfair hit or two on one of the Halls, but she quickly realized he meant to slip away out of the club altogether.

Good riddance.

Storm lost sight of him, and understood Regan meant the Turners were the extra cowboys who were fighting on Zane’s side. Twisting around, she saw the bartender punching numbers into his cellphone and she hoped he was calling the police, even as she feared if he was, Zane and his brothers would end up in trouble.

She shrieked when someone threw a chair and it splintered against the wall.

“Get back,” Ella cried, grabbing both of them and pushing them along the bar into the rear part of the club. “This is out of control.”

“Do they do this a lot?” Storm shouted over the din.

“I’ve never seen them do it before,” Regan said. “Mason’s broken up a couple of fights, but he’s never been in one.”

Storm didn’t like this one bit. “What if they’re hurt?”

Ella just shook her head and the three of them clung together while all around them chaos reigned. When several men in uniform burst in a few moments later, Storm gasped with relief. The shouting continued between the two parties of men, but the officers separated them and put a stop to the fighting.

“Well, this is going to take forever to sort out,” Ella said with the air of someone who’d seen a barroom brawl before. “We might as well find a table. I’ll grab you another drink, Storm.”

Her prediction turned out to be right. They sat for another hour before the Sheriff’s deputies sorted out the mess, collared a few of the men to take to the station and let the rest go. Zane shuffled over, battered but triumphant. “Steel will think twice before he tries that again.”

Storm just shook her head. His lip was split, his cheek bruised, and his knuckles were swelling. “I can’t believe you fought them.”

“What did you want me to do, stand back and watch him paw you?” He held up a hand and a passing waitress came by. “Get me a beer, would you?”

“Sure thing. Nice work, Zane.”

“Thanks.”

Storm rolled her eyes. “Nice work?”

“Honey, this is the country. It’s not all rules and etiquette here. Sometimes we just throw down and sort things out the old-fashioned way.”

“Been a long time since I was in a good fight,” Mason said. He looked downright cheerful, even though he was sporting a black eye.

“Wedding photos,” Regan suddenly cried. “Oh, my goodness—look at the lot of you. You’ll look a mess in those photos and you’re paying a pretty penny for them, Zane.”

Zane laughed. “That’s weeks away. We’ll be fine by then, and if not, we’ll just look manly in them.”

“Did someone say manly?” A cowboy Storm didn’t know pulled up a seat and joined them, trailed by several other men, and Maya and Stella.

“Storm, these are the Turner boys,” Zane said. “Noah and Liam are Maya and Stella’s brothers. Eli, Brody and Alex are cousins who’ve come to help run their ranch.”

“Hi.” Storm did her best to memorize their faces and names, but she’d had several drinks tonight and a moment later she couldn’t remember which of the tall, blue-eyed, dark haired men was Liam and which was Noah. Eli’s sandy-brown hair and mischievous smirk made more of an impression, but as for Brody and Alex—she’d already forgotten who was whom. Her head was spinning and she was feeling a bit unsteady. She noticed the music had come back on and couples were taking to the dance floor again. Eli glanced that way, then back at Storm. His grin broadened and he drawled, “Want to dance, little lady?”

Zane slugged him good-naturedly in the shoulder. “Back off, Turner. I think I’ve made it clear tonight she’s all mine.” He held out his hand to Storm. She took it and let him lead her to the floor. When he put his arms around her, she sagged against him.

“I think I’ve had a little too much to drink,” she confessed, pressing her cheek against his chest. She liked it here. Liked him holding her tight.

He drew her closer. “You’re perfect.”

Storm smiled against the fabric of his cotton shirt. “I can barely stand up.”

“You don’t have to do a thing. Just let me do all the work.”

He did, too, weaving them around the floor slowly, swaying in time to the beat, rocking her back and forth until Storm grew sleepy. Sometime later he murmured, “I think it’s time to get you home.”

“Mmm. Sounds good.”

He scooped her right up in his arms. Storm cuddled against him happily as he made his way back toward the rest of their party. “We’re out of here. See you all back at the ranch.”

“Night! See you later!” A chorus of good-byes washed over her, and then Zane turned toward the front door. Someone held it open for them and when they got outside, Zane helped her to a truck she recognized as Mason’s. He deposited her in her seat, got in on his own side and then pulled her close against him. She liked riding like this through the country night, her head resting on Zane’s shoulder. He felt strong and safe next to her. Trustworthy. The thought of ever leaving Chance Creek felt like it would break her heart.

“Come on, honey. Let’s get inside,” Zane said when they arrived. He helped her into the Hall and up the stairs.

As soon as they were in their bedroom, she turned to face him, teetering in her boots as the room spun. “Aren’t you going to kiss me?”

He chuckled and moved in closer. “Of course I am.” He bent down and captured her mouth with his and kissed her until her knees buckled. When he finally released her, she had to cling to his shirt to stay upright.

“Help me out of this?” She turned around and lifted her hair. “I’ve got something new on underneath,” she crooned. “I put it on just for you.”

“Then let’s see it.” The hunger in his voice made her smile. Zane was always hungry for her.

He smoothed a tendril of her hair aside and slowly unzipped her dress, peeling it off of her and letting it fall to the ground. Beneath it she wore a bra and panty set the other women had convinced her to buy. She was glad now that she had. She felt sexy. Wicked, even. Zane would definitely want to touch her.

“What do you think?” She stretched luxuriously and something in his eyes darkened. He kissed her again, tangling a hand in her hair and circling her waist with his other hand.

“You’re beautiful. As always.”

“I’m still wearing too many clothes.”

“You need help with those, too?”

She nodded. He carefully undid the clasp of her bra and pushed the straps off her shoulders. Storm closed her eyes, let the bra fall away, and leaned into his touch, desperate to feel his hands on her skin.

When he whispered, “Time for bed,” a few moments later, Storm moaned in anticipation. Yes, that was exactly what she wanted—to be in bed with Zane. She watched him pull the covers off and shimmied out of her panties. When he held up the covers she climbed in, desperate to pull him close.

He removed his close and sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress sinking beneath his weight. “Why hasn’t some man snatched you up before now?”

“I’ve been too busy.”

“Lucky for me.” He cupped both her breasts, smoothing his palms over her nipples. Storm leaned back against the pillows as he bent to take one into his mouth. He toyed with her until she arched her back. When he moved to her other breast, Storm moaned. She couldn’t get enough of this. She thought she could make love to Zane for all eternity and still want him again.

Lying back against the pillows, her head spinning, she made a resolution. She wouldn’t give Zane back to Kenna. She wouldn’t leave Chance Creek. She wanted this life; Kenna didn’t. Kenna could find her own husband.

Zane pressed himself against her so she could feel how much he wanted her. She angled herself to meet him, sliding her hands over his hips and digging her fingers into his skin. When he kissed his way lower—much lower—she surrendered to his touch with a little cry. Burying her hands in his thick, short hair she allowed him access to the innermost parts of her. She was never shy with Zane. She shifted underneath him, moaning as he teased her.

When it was clear she was close to losing control, Zane moved to settle himself between her legs, but when he reached for a condom, Storm caught his wrist. “No.”

“Storm—”

“No. I want this to be real. I want to be your wife. I want your baby.”

“Honey, you’re drunk. You have plans for your life—big ones.”

“I’m changing them right now, with you. I want this more.”

He hesitated. “You know that’s what I want, too, but I’m not going to let you—”

“Who said I was giving you a choice?” Was he going to deny her what she really wanted? Why did the world always conspire to stand against her? When had she ever done exactly as she pleased?

“Storm?” Zane was concerned.

“I want you. Please. Don’t make me leave you.”

“No one’s ever going to make you leave if you don’t want to,” he assured her, gathering her in close.

“Yes, they will. You don’t understand.”

Storm didn’t wait for Zane to make up his mind. She shifted beneath him until he was close to entering her. She gripped his hips and tugged at him, trying to pull him inside her.

“Storm.” He captured her wrists, pinning them against the mattress. He was far too strong for her to fight. “You have to tell me this is what you really want.”

“It’s what I want,” she said.

“To be with me forever?”

“Yes.”

“To have my children?”

“Yes.”

“To be my wife?”

She nodded, wanting him with every fiber of her being—wanting everything he was offering, too. She wanted to be tied so tightly to him that nothing could tear them apart. And if nothing else, she wanted to feel him inside her with nothing between them. She deserved that much, at least.

Zane hesitated so long she thought she’d lost him and she closed her eyes, a tear escaping from under her lids, so when he pressed inside her, she gasped and arched her back. Zane pulled her close with a groan. “I want you too. I want you so much.” He kissed her hungrily, stroking into her again. He’d always turned her on, but with nothing between them, the sensation was wholly new. Just knowing that he could make her pregnant tonight made her throb with need. His ragged breathing was loud in her ears and she gripped the comforter as he plunged deep inside her. He felt so right between her legs. As she whispered encouragement, he began to move.

He started slowly, but Storm wasn’t having any of that. She wrapped her legs around his waist and begged him for more. He thrust faster, deeper, increasing his pace until she could barely hold on.

When she came, Storm cried out and buried her face in his neck, her breath rasping in and out with her smothered words. Heat and sensation exploded inside her and Zane bucked against her, his own muffled grunts coming fast and hard. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over her until she didn’t know where she began and Zane ended. When he was done, Zane collapsed on top of her and they both fought to regain their breath.