Embracing Hope (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #5)

Chapter Ten

“Is it only your shoulder that hurts?”

Hope accepted the ice pack, painkiller, and water from Isaac. He’d investigated the house and property and found nothing amiss. She pressed it against her bruised skin, wincing in pain. She shifted her legs up under her on the couch. “Just my shoulder.”

“I still think we should take you to the hospital and have it checked out.” Isaac looked like he was fit to be tied. His hands were in fists, and his shoulders lifted and fell with each breath.

“I’m fine. It’s just a bruise. No reason to cause a fuss.” She also noticed his knuckles were red and bruised. “Did you get into a fight?”

He shoved his fists into his front pockets. “I’ll explain later. Now tell me again what happened.”

She drank some water, swallowed and got her thoughts into order. “I came downstairs and heard a noise coming from Daddy’s office. I went in thinking that he was working. I switched on the light and saw a man wearing a mask. He shoved me out of his way to the door. I fell against the wall and that’s how my shoulder got bruised.”

“Breaking and entering. Bodily injury. We need to find the asshole,” Isaac growled.

“Why don’t you have a seat.” She could see his anger in his tight expression.

Reluctantly, he sat beside her but stayed on the edge of the cushion. “Is anything missing?”

“Not that I can tell. I think I caught him while he searched for something on the desk. If I had to guess, I’d say he was watching the house, saw Liberty leave, and might have thought it was me leaving. It’s a theory.”

“Why don’t you want to call the sheriff?”

She lowered the ice pack. “The last thing this family needs is more time in the spotlight.”

“But this is serious.”

“Yes, but we handle things amongst ourselves here.”

He rubbed his eyes as if releasing some tension. “Fine, but I’m not leaving your side tonight.”

Without hesitation, because she’d been hoping he’d say that, she started to say, “The guest room—”

“No. I’m staying with you in your bed. We can sleep in one of the guest bedrooms if you prefer,” he said with authority.

Excitement rumbled through her. The prospect of sharing her bed with him made her body react, even at the most inopportune moment. “Okay,” the word came out in a peep.

“Why don’t you go do what you need to get ready for bed? I’ll take care of making sure the doors and windows are locked.” He was already standing.

“Thank you. I want to get out of this robe.”

“I’ll meet you in your bedroom,” he said calmly.

“You don’t know where it is,” she said matter of factly.

“I’m good at finding my way; I’ll find it.” He sauntered off to take care of the safety and security of the house.

Upstairs, she dressed in pajamas. She usually slept naked, but because she’d have company tonight, she chose her thickest flannels. It was almost comical knowing that she and Isaac had already explored each other’s bodies.

Crawling into her bed, she picked up her phone and skimmed a message from Jean.

“Did you make it home safely? Jean.”

Hope replied, “Sorry. I just saw your message. I’m home. Hope.” Leaving out the part about the intruder.

Then she silenced the notifications and placed the phone on the charger.

She sunk under the covers, and her mind wandered to the intruder. Obviously, she wondered who he was, but she also was curious about what he was searching for in Daddy’s office. Knowing that someone had invaded her home made goosebumps scatter across her skin. What if it had been Liberty that walked in on the intruder? Her baby’s safety could have been at risk.

Hope felt sickened by the thought.

Although she didn’t consider taking care of herself impossible, she was grateful that Isaac wanted to stay with her. She doubted the intruder would be brave enough to return, but so many unusual things had occurred with the family in the last year.

Tonight she would be sleeping with Isaac. She couldn’t say that she was mad, even though she would have liked it to be under better circumstances.

Would he have nightmares? Would he even fall asleep?

She would be finding out soon because she heard the thuds of his boots on the polished floor outside of her bedroom. He appeared in the doorway, looking tall and broad, almost warrior-like. “I checked the perimeter again. Nothing there that doesn’t belong,” he growled.

“Welcome to my bedroom.” Once the words were out, she wanted to reel them back in. Why was she so nervous? They were adults, and he was only staying all night because he liked to play the alpha male.

He sat on the bed, and although it was a firm mattress, his weight made her lean closer to him. He toed off his boots and stretched out, rubbing the lines out of his forehead. He looked tired and indecisive.

“So? What happened to your hand?” she asked once he was settled with his back against the headboard.

“First things first. More importantly, any idea who it was that broke in?” he asked.

She gave a slight shrug of her shoulder. “No clue. It came in a blur. He left in a flash.”

“You keep referring to the intruder as a “he”. Are you sure?”

“I’m not completely positive but the person stood at least a foot taller than me.”

He gazed at her, worry forming lines between his brows. “Perhaps you’ll recall something if you rest.” He lowered himself onto the mattress and shut his eyes.

“Hold on there, cowboy. What happened to your hand? I can spot raw knuckles from a fight. You don’t have any other injuries, so it seems your opponent didn’t struggle much.”

He flicked his eyes open and rubbed his forehead. “I might have punched one of the hands.”

She raised her brows. “Might have or did?”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Impatience.”

“Why?”

“He made a poor choice.” He frowned.

“Please clarify.”

“Wheeler was curious about my relationship with you. He overstepped a boundary. Let’s leave it at that.” He closed his eyes as if drawing a line through the conversation.

Recognizing he had finished, she turned over, switched off the lamp, and settled down.

But she couldn’t go to sleep.

She tumbled over to face him, and the moonlight spilling through the window cast his face in a glow.

“Are you going to stare at me or spit it out already?” he grumbled, keeping his eyes closed.

“Why are you here, in my bed? I thought you didn’t spend the night with anyone.”

“Protecting you,” he said simply.

“You could have protected me from down the hall.”

“So you say.” He yawned.

Rolling back onto her side, she buried her head into the pillow and jerked the blankets over her shoulder. “Are you cold?”

“No,” he grumbled.

“I can share the blanket,” she offered.

The bed creaked as he shifted to cover himself. “Goodnight.”

She lay there for another few minutes, counting sheep, singing random songs silently in her head, trying to sleep, but it wasn’t happening.

Before she knew it, she had backed her bottom against him, soaking up his heat through her pajamas. It was completely innocent. Maybe.

“Stop that,” he growled.

“Stop what?”

“Wriggling your behind. Women do that to tease a man.”

“I’m not wriggling anything and I’m certainly not teasing you.” She shifted her hips. And then laughed. “Oh, I guess I am. It must be a habit.” She forced her body to be still. “I mean, would it be that bad?”

“Would what be bad?” he mumbled.

“You know, us having sex a second time.” She was going out on a limb, way out on a limb.

“Not happening.”

She sighed. “You’re no fun.”

“I’m here to make sure you’re safe. I’m glad you called me.”

“It seemed natural. Thank you for coming.”

“Nothing would have stopped me.” He rolled over and faced her. Their faces were six inches apart. “How is the shoulder? Did the painkiller help?”

“It did. I’ll be as good as new tomorrow.”

“Are you always this chatty at this time of night?” he said with a bit of humor.

“When I can’t sleep, yes.”

“You should know that the rumor is swirling among the crew that you need to find a husband.”

“Should I start taking applications?” she teased.

“Every crew member might want you, but no one would know what to do with you once they have you.”

She absorbed his words. “What do you mean?”

“Okay, Chatty Cathy. I’m saying you need someone who isn’t going to melt every time you flash those baby blues in his direction. Or show a little leg. You need a man. A real man who can stand up to you. Who wants more than that sweet body.”

“And you’re not that man?”

“You fishing?”

“Yes.”

“The more I get to know you, the more I think I might be the only man.”

She quivered in delight. “I do like a man with confidence.”

“It’s not that simple, Hope. I can be difficult. I suffer from PTSD and struggle with sleep. Sometimes, I distance myself from others because I crave solitude. I know that’s unfair to those around me, especially someone I want to keep safe.”

“Two people who love each other keep each other safe, through the good and bad.”

“I’m damaged, Hope. I’m not saying I’m a lost cause, but I’m a bit disoriented regarding emotions.”

She placed her hand on his cheek, sensing that his eyes were open in the darkness, though he remained silent. She felt the tension in his jaw beneath her touch. “You haven’t discovered the right person yet. She will be strong enough to face challenges with you, serving as your anchor during turbulent times and holding you close when nightmares come. You’re not damaged, Isaac. You are a good, caring man.”

“You’re awfully hopeful, sweetheart.”

The clock on the nightstand ticked loudly.

“What if I fail you like all those women and children?” His voice was low and raw.

“And what if you don’t? What if you find happiness, and she helps to release those demons clinging to your doubt?”

“Hope…”

“Isaac, it's all right to let someone in. Love is truly wonderful. Many of us desire to find our special person.”

He laid his hand on her hip, gently squeezing. “You can’t imagine how much I’ve suffered. That day…the bomb. The darkness. The pain. The loss. It all plays on a reel inside my head. If I had just taken the shot—”

“Shh. It’s time you stop being the judge and jury at your trial. The terrorist. He’s the guilty one. It's just like the man who broke in tonight. That’s like saying if I hadn’t come downstairs, I could have prevented what happened to me.”

After a long pause, he said, “You should know I want you. Very much so.”

She smiled but knew he couldn’t see the expression. “Well, that’s good to know. A woman doesn’t like to feel rejected. I’ve practically thrown myself at you.”

“It was never rejection, and you know that, right? I feel obligated to tell you that when CJ learns about Sam’s illness, he might want to pull out of the merger.”

“What about you, Isaac? Do you still think Marcum Livestock should pull out?”

She could practically hear his brain churning.

“I must admit, since I’ve been here, my mind has changed a bit.”

“I knew it would,” she felt a wave of excitement.

“Slow your roll, sweetheart. I said a bit. There are still some issues I need to work through to know if it will be a good fit for both parties. I’ll need to sit down with Sam.”

“And tell him that I told you about his cancer?”

“I won’t do that, but I’ll need a trajectory, some kind of game plan on what the future of Sagebrush Rose looks like.”

“I like you, Isaac Marcum.”

“I really like you too, Hope Rose. I’d love to show you how much, but tonight, though, is not the right time. I’m here to keep you safe and not think with my dick.”

“Fine.” She bounced over and backed her bottom against the scoop of his hips. His growl echoed off the walls. “Sorry, not sorry.”

“You always a smartass as well as Chatty Cathy?”

“Yes and yes. But something tells me you like it.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” He laid his hand on the indention of her waist. “Let’s get some sleep.

*****

The gun blast rang out through the small village.

Screams reverberated through the thick, warm air.

Isaac dug through the embers, burning his hands, feeling the hot ashes singing his skin.

The smoke cleared, and a young boy stood watching Isaac. He walked forward, but the boy kept getting further away. “Why?” Isaac asked. “I shouldn’t have made it out alive.”

“It wasn’t your time.”

“Isaac?”

He heard Hope’s voice. What was she doing there?

He searched through the smoke. His lungs ached but he kept going.

“Isaac. It’s okay,” her soft voice broke through his haze.

He came awake, realizing he was still in Hope’s bed and her arms were wrapped around him.

“You’re safe,” she said to him, holding him close.

He clung to her, holding her close. His ear was pressed against her chest and he could hear the comforting sound of her heart beating. “I was back over there.”

“You’re here, with me.”

He lifted his chin. “Hope…” his voice trailed off.

She cupped his cheek, planting a kiss on his forehead, his temples and each cheek. “You did everything you could to save them.”

He threaded his fingers through her hair. Their faces were close. “I feel like I failed.”

“Let me help you, Isaac. Let me love you.” She caressed her way down his neck to the neckline of his shirt. He sucked in a gasp.

A lump formed in his throat. He’d done his best to stay a gentleman. To keep his hands to himself but the last thread of reserve frayed. And when she peeled her pajama top off her body, he knew there was no longer any way he could refuse the temptation.

She shifted against him, making him achingly aware that her breasts were firm against his chest. He’d been racked with wanting her, images replayed in his mind of their naked bodies united.

She brought her hips up in a grinding movement and rocked the apex of her thighs against him. His cock was so hard he thought he might burst.

Remembering how she’d wrapped her mouth around him, sliding her lips and tongue over him like an ice cream cone made him groan deep into his chest. She’d taken him deeper until he’d felt the entrance of her throat.

He had a thought that if he didn’t have her soon, he’d wither away.

“I’m supposed to be protecting you tonight,” he said in a low growl.

“Tonight, I’m protecting you from the nightmare,” she said in a whisper. “Touch me.”

If his life depended upon denying her request he would have been a dead man.

He cupped her breast, kneading the soft flesh, slowly at first. Then he plucked at the nipple. The bud enlarged. She had beautiful breasts.

There, in the quiet of the bedroom, with the brewing storm outside bringing thunder in the distance, they were in a cocoon. The only sound was their labored breathing.

He felt the tips of her fingers brush over his cheek.

“I’m going to be here for you,” she said.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” His voice rumbled from his throat.

“I’m a Rose. We never make a promise we can’t keep.” She kissed each corner of his mouth.

She was seducing him in a way that he was a slave to her desire.

“How did you do this to me?” he said against the silken plane of her neck.

“What did I do now?” She gave a little snicker.

“Made me lower all my protective walls. I think I’ve cared for you since I laid eyes on you straddling that mechanical bull. So full of confidence and so damn sexy.”

She arched her back, lifting her breasts; he lowered his mouth and suckled her nipple, which was almost as wide as his thumb. She gyrated her hips against his fly and he sucked in a breath. “You keep doing that and I’ll break my zipper.”

“You can’t deny how much you want me. I feel it.” Her breath caressed his cheek. “And I want you.” She took his hand and lowered it to the apex of her thighs. The thin material of her bottoms was damp with her need. He inhaled the tangy scent of her.

Clutching the fabric, he dragged the bottoms down her hips and thighs and she kicked them off the rest of the way. He slammed his mouth over hers while he sunk two fingers through her slick pussy. He loved hearing her tormented cries while she rocked her pussy against the heel of his hand.

He sucked in her heavy breaths and soft whimpers.

He shoved his hard cock against her, sheathed by his jeans.

They seemed like their bodies were made for this. Sharing each other. Giving each other pleasure.

He slid his fingers in and out of her sticky wetness, curling his thumb over her plump clit. With each swipe of his finger, she jerked her hips as though he alone held the cord straight to her pussy.

*****

Hope couldn’t remember ever being so turned on. His touch sent her to the edge of release and they hadn’t gotten far. His thick digit slid into her soaked body, and he joined the first with a second. She slid her narrow opening down his fingers to his knuckles and slowly rolled to the tips. She did this until she felt the first tingles of climax building in her inner thighs.

His gaze latched onto her, watching her. “That’s it, baby. Give it to me. Give it all to me,” he coaxed.

She shuddered and clutched him with her body, rolling over him, wishing it was his cock inside her. “I need you,” she whimpered. “I need you inside of me.”

In record time, he rid his body of his jeans and boxers until he lay naked next to her. She reached down and wrapped her greedy fingers around his cock, stroking him in movements full of fervor.

With her free hand, she pushed him back onto the bed and crawled across his lap, situating her wet opening onto his thick tip. She rolled him around her passage, getting him slick with her juices, before she slowly eased over him—inch by inch—until she bumped her ass against him

His hands were on her waist now and he guided her up and down, in and out.

She’d never been with a man who wasn’t wearing a condom. The feeling was intimate—felt so good she didn’t want it to ever stop.

She lowered her mouth and kissed him, thrusting her tongue inside. A sensation so strong fluttered alive in her center, taking her hostage. She rocked her hips faster, his low moans encouraging her. Hope could feel the first strains of his building orgasm.

He bucked hard against her, burying himself to the hilt. Like an uncontrollable force possessed her, she clamped her teeth down on his neck, not hard enough to draw blood, but firm enough to make him groan. She trailed her lips along the corded column of his neck, leaving nips along warm skin. She pounded faster, with each thrust, she pressed her clit against his body.

Her body shattered in his arms.

Holding each other close, they came together.

And everything changed.