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  “No, I was thinking how happy I’ve been without you and your lies in my life anymore.”

  “Kel, I think we need to talk. I have no clue what you mean. Never once did I lie to you. You left, ignored my letters and broke my heart. I was a kid but I also knew what love was and it was you.” Afraid to look in his face and see that he’s telling the truth, I focus on our dinner.

  “What letters?” I ask harshly. Never once did I hear from him. I had figured if he really did love me, he would have tried to reach me. “What about Penny? I saw you two together when you were supposed to be with me. I know a brush off when I see one.” His hand wraps around mine, pulling the pan from my grasp. His other hand grabs my chin, pulling my face to his. Looking in his eyes, I see the pained expression of confusion and truth. I try to look away, but he holds me there. As his lips crush down on mine, I feel my resolve slowly slipping away. He kisses me with more passion than I’ve ever felt. His lips caressing mine, his tongue licking at me, begging me to open for him. Wrapping an arm around my waist, he pulls me close to him as he falls to his knees. Opening my lips, I allow him to take my mouth.

  When he lets me go, I’m panting, and my body is betraying me. I’m quivering, wishing he wouldn’t have stopped.

  “Well, at least you got better at that over the years. Lots of practice huh? Yea, I know a cocky ladies man when I see one.”

  “Now Sugar, you and I are going to eat these beans and be civil. No snide little remarks, you’re going to tell me what happened. Because Penny showed up and I kept trying to get her to leave so that I could come to you, and when I finally got her to leave, you walked by. The way you looked scared the shit out of me, but you wouldn’t even look at me. When I tried to come to your house, your mama sent me away. I was ready to kill whoever was responsible for your face.” Pulling my legs up in front of me, I rest my chin on my knees. How the hell am I supposed to tell him that his brother attacked me? Not that they were ever that close, but its family. That’s something I’ve come to learn is important no matter what.

  “You still see Cameron a lot?” I ask him, trying to avoid the topic as long as I can.

  “No, and I have a feeling he had something to do with why you cut me out of your life. He wouldn’t tell me, so you will. Do you love him? Is that it? Did you and Cameron go behind my back?” I stare at him wide eyed.

  “Are you kidding me?” I sputter out, “I couldn’t stand him. He’s a scum bag. An asshole and I would have never gone behind your back with anyone, let alone your brother. You’re the one who was only trying to get in my pants. I didn’t mean anything else to you than that.” He stands and begins pacing, running his hands through his dark hair, his muscles tensed.

  “Where did you hear that nonsense from? Kelli, you know damn well that I wanted to be with you, for more reasons than that. I went against my parents and everyone else. They wanted me to be with Penny, which is why she thought she could snake her way in. You were more important than a quick lay. I loved you. I still do.” His words are like a slap to the face. But can I believe it? Can I believe him?

  “Bullshit. Cameron told me I was just fun for you. He told me that the night he tried to rape me. The night he hit me. The night I went to our spot, and waited and waited for hours, only for you to not show up. The same night I got lost trying to come back in the dark. Oh, and don’t let me forget finding you and Penny about to kiss.”

  “Shit Kel, why didn’t you tell me that night? I was so scared for you. I got held up with my dad and told Cam to let you know I couldn’t meet you. He said he would. Then Penny showed up and I couldn’t get her to leave. My mom kept yelling at me about manners. When I found you, I wanted to hold you tight and never let go. But you pushed me away and that was the last I ever saw of you. It took me two months of begging for your mom to finally give me an address to write to you. I sent a letter every day for almost a year. Then I finally gave up. I got it, you didn’t want me. I just figured it was my brother you wanted. So when I confronted him, he told me that when he told you I wasn’t going to make it, that you tried to get him to go with you. But that was all he said about it. He wouldn’t say anything else. I wanted to think he was lying, but I couldn’t tell. Him and I actually got in a fight about it. I beat the shit out of him over you and we barely talk now.” Looking into Mitch’s eyes, I can tell he’s serious. But do I want to let this shit back into my life? With him comes his family no matter what.

  “It’s always been you Sugar,” he whispers, his back to me.

  Chapter 7

  Mitch

  Leaning against the rocks, I want nothing more than to bury myself deep inside of Kelli. Her body is calling to me. My heart is hurting for her. This woman, who’s been the one constant in my heart and mind, looks so tortured, so confused. Scaring her away is the last thing I want to do. Her bombshell about what my brother did to her is eating at me. I didn’t realize what a piece of crap my brother really is. I can’t believe he would attack Kelli like that. He knew how much I loved her and wanted to be with her. My whole family, except him, were pushing me towards Penny back then. Her family was well off also. Her father was the town Mayor. Her mother was almost as pushy as she was. But I hadn’t wanted her or that life. I didn’t just want to be some pretty husband to a rich girl, a toy her family thought they could buy off for her. Even after Kelli left, I told Penny I wanted nothing to do with her. Not that I haven’t spent years reaping the benefits of being a soldier and Ranger. True, women throw themselves at us, but it was never anything meaningful like Kelli. I haven’t had more than a one night stand since her. Growling, I give in to my body. Kneeling before her, I grab her by the neck, dragging her towards me. Latching my lips on to her mouth, I kiss her with a hunger I haven’t felt with any other woman before. Not since her and I had been years ago. I push forward with my tongue, wanting to taste all of her. My hand loses itself in her hair, twisting the long blonde locks through my fingers. My tight hold keeps her from pulling away, though her moans tell me she doesn’t want to anyways. Climbing into my lap, she straddles me, her core spreading its heat across my cock. My body trembles at the thought of her. I’ve dreamed of this moment, wanted it for almost my entire life. She deserves the perfect moment though, and this isn’t it. With a groan, I pull myself away from her mouth, releasing her hair. I run my hands down her back.

  “Kel, you deserve more than this. More than some cave while we’re running for our lives. I want this to be special for us. I’ve dreamed of you for years and I want you to be happy about this decision.”

  “Shut up and take me Mitch. You’re right, we are basically running for our lives and if we die, I want it to be after a night of bliss with you. I want to feel you inside of me, taking me. You owe me that much. Please, I need you now.” Her soft voice is like an aphrodisiac. I can’t stop now. Groaning at her, I spring forward, pushing her down onto the sleeping bag she had opened up to sit on. Propping myself up over her, I stare down into the face of an angel, the face of the woman I have always loved. Her eyes bore into me, and I feel something change inside of me. It’s as if something that’s been missing, has been found.

  “You know I don’t have any protection, right Sugar?” I ask, kissing her lips.

  “I don’t care,” she says, wrapping her legs around my hips, pulling me towards her. Protection be damned, I need to feel myself inside of her or I’m going to combust. Licking my way down her neck, along her chin, I pull her shirt up, exposing the milky white flesh of her breasts. The pink bra she wears has me smiling. My tough warrior has a soft girlie side.

  “What are you smiling about there, cowboy?” she asks me softly. I answer by kissing her hard and deep as my fingers make their way under her back. Unclasping her bra, I move the material aside, taking a bronzed nipple into my mouth. Lapping at the bud with my tongue, I suckle on it, relishing in the squirms and moans from her. Moving to the other one, I repeat my assault until she screams out, begging for more. The sound of my name being shouted
from her mouth is almost unbearable. Music to my ears. I’ve been dying to hear that from her lips.

  Her hands make their way between our bodies as I try to grind myself against her. I can feel her heat, smell her arousal. She’s got to be soaking wet, and it’s all for me. She fumbles with the button on my jeans, but finally pulls the material aside, freeing my throbbing cock. She quickly sucks in air, seeing me for the first time. It definitely boosts my ego.

  “My God, is this what I’ve missed out on?” she laughs. Running her fingers down my chest, tracing the lines of my muscles, each touch a feathery tickle.

  “Sugar, that’s all for you. Always has been, always will be.” Nipping at her neck, I slide my hands down the soft planes of her stomach, resting right before her jeans. Slipping a finger between the material and her warm flesh, I slide it along her waist.

  “Mmm, more, please, Mitch. I’ve waited too long. I need you now, I want you.”

  “Your wish is my command Sugar.” Tugging at her jeans, I yank them down off her legs, sliding her boots off. Throwing them aside, I stand, freeing myself completely of my clothing. As I pull the shirt over my head, I wince, pain shooting through my arm. Not stopping to think about it, I kneel down in front of her. Running my hands up her smooth legs, I grab onto her hips. Splaying my fingers across her skin, I close my eyes, relishing the fact that she’s mine. Forever. She’ll never belong to anyone else.

  Bending down, I inhale deeply, loving the smell of her.

  “God you’re so fucking beautiful Kel.” Slipping my finger inside of her, I twist it around, loving the way her hips buck.

  “You’re so wet for me Kel.” Sliding a second finger in, I stroke the insides of her pussy, feeling the muscles clamp down on me. My cock is throbbing so hard it almost hurts. Bringing my face down to her sweet, sweet spot, I lick her clit, loving the sounds she makes, almost like a purring kitten. Her fingers thread their way into my hair, holding my face close, begging me to not stop. Lapping harder at her core, I wiggle my fingers inside of her quicker, trying to match pace with my mouth. Her legs go rigid as she screams out, pulling my hair, screaming my name. Too bad I couldn’t see her fall apart at my touch, I’ll have to make sure I get her off again.

  “Mitch, oh my God, Mitch,” she rasps.

  “Yea Sugar, anything for you,” I say to her, crawling up her body. Without giving her time to come down from her orgasm, I slam my cock between her juicy lips, pressing in as deep as I can go. She arches her back, wrapping her legs tightly around my body. She sighs contentedly, as if I just made her whole. Her hands run down my arms, sliding her long graceful fingers along the lines of my biceps. I rock my hips and she groans, closing her eyes, relishing the feel of me buried deep inside of her. Propping myself on my uninjured arm, I slide the other one between us, thumbing at her clit, watching as her whole body shudders. Slowly, I pull almost completely out of her, she cries out, reaching for me, trying to pull me back towards her, back inside where I belong.

  “Open your eyes Kel, look at me. Look at what you’re doing to me,” I command her. Her beautiful eyes pop open, gazing at me as slam myself back into her. She bites her lip and it’s just about the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

  Thrusting into her, I feel her hands grab at my ass, her nails digging into my flesh. Moving quicker, I pound into her warm, wet pussy. The feel of her tightness around my cock almost drives me insane. Staring at each other, I’m lost to the world. It’s just her and I, nothing else matters anymore. Twisting my hips a little as I’m fully inside of her, I make sure my body rubs continuously up against her clit. The fire in my stomach builds quickly and I hope I can hold on long enough to watch her crumble beneath me. As she begins to climax, I enjoy the show as she shatters beneath me again. Gone is the tough warrior and all that’s left is the beautiful woman who has stolen my heart once again. Her grip on my ass tightens and I feel the walls of her sweet pussy closing in around my dick, sucking me into her further. As she screams out with her pleasure, it pushes me over the edge. Pounding into her frantically, I still, feeling myself pulsate as I spill myself inside of her. If this were any other woman, I’d be afraid of getting her pregnant. But this is Kel. If it happens, it would be the happiest day of my life. Because then, no matter what happens between us, I’d always have a part of her with me. Pumping in and out, making sure I’ve fully emptied myself into her, I lean in silencing her moans with my lips. Kissing her with a frenzy I’ve never known before, I hold her head in place with my hands. Pulling her mouth from mine, she looks at me smiling. My heart beats faster, and the air around us feels charged, vibrating. It’s as if the universe is fully aligning properly and everything is as it should be. Things feel right. Me and her, us. We fit.

  “That was, oh man, I don’t even know. That was great, but there’s one problem.”

  “What’s that Sugar? I need a few minutes before I can give you more.”

  “Yea, that’s not it,” she laughs, “There’s a rock poking into my back, can you get off of me?” she smiles at me and I melt. Quickly I jump off of her, helping her stand. Wrapping her in my arms, I nuzzle my face into her hair. She smells intoxicating and I realize I can’t lose her again. Not after this. She belongs with me.

  “Kel,” I whisper into her ear. “You know I can’t let you go after this right? You belong with me, you’re mine.” I feel her body stiffen in my arms.

  “Mitch, really, it was just sex. I’m not a toy you can claim,” she says, sounding exasperated. Like I’m a child she’s annoyed with. “Sure, it was good, but that doesn’t mean I’m about to make a lifelong commitment to you. I tried that a long time ago and look what it got me, a broken heart. Ten years of pain, of just letting myself be used and left because I didn’t want to give my heart to anyone again. I can’t do this Mitch. It was a nice distraction while it lasted, but now I think we need to focus on getting out of here alive.” Taking a step back, I slide my hand through my hair. Her words, felling like a slap to the face, had a quick sobering effect on me. What the hell is going on? I felt something, something change between us. Something good and real. Why can’t she just admit that she still loves me? Hardening my face, ignoring the pain beating at my chest, I turn back to her as I lean down to pick up my jeans.

  “You’re right Kel. My job is to get you out of here. Sorry to have over stepped that line.” Thrusting my legs into my jeans, I turn my back to her, bending to snap up my shirt. I refuse to let this woman destroy me again. Last time I was just a boy and couldn’t handle it. This time, I’m a man. If she wants to play this, I’ll let her. In the end, I’ll win. She will be mine.

  “That’s not what I meant and you know that,” she insists. I can hear her stepping softly towards me. Shrugging away from her, I bend, trying to shove my feet back into my boots. Standing, I try to avoid her gaze. I check the ammo on my weapon, shove it into my pants and head towards the mouth of the cave. Sliding around the fire, I look over my shoulder.

  “I’m going to make rounds. Get some sleep. We move out at first light,” I say to her, heading out into the dark wilderness surrounding us. Better to be out here, doing my job, protecting us, than to be in there with Kelli. I don’t think I can handle having my heart broke by her again. She doesn’t seem to understand how much she can hurt me. I may be the big tough Ranger, but I’m weak when it comes to Kelli. I had to leave that cave. If I didn’t, I would have taken her in my arms again and begged, pleaded, whatever it took to make her realize she’s mine.

  Chapter 8

  Kelli

  Watching Mitch take off into the darkness, I sink to my knees on the rocky floor. Tears flow from my face and I can’t seem to stop them. I don’t want to hurt him. The look on his face said I did. But he needs to understand how hurt I was and still am. I’m not sure if I can believe him when he says that there was nothing between him and Penny. I saw them, saw the way they were, when I came out of those woods, bruised and bloodied. What the hell is he talking about? Letters? After I left with J
eff, I never heard from anyone back on that ranch except my mother. Every time I even asked about Mitch, she would sigh and change the subject. I didn’t even return for her wedding. She ended up marrying Buck, the ranch foreman. I only get to see her once a year when she comes to visit me, and now I know what dad must have felt like, being away from me all the time but not wanting to go back. Shaking my head, I stand, steeling my back bone, determined to not let Mitch get to me. Turning, I look around and try to figure out what to do with myself while I’m waiting for him to return. I don’t want to be considered worthless.

  As I bend over the pack, I begin pulling on the sleeping bag he had grabbed and the blanket I had, spreading them out across the floor. Setting one of my Glock’s on the ground next to me, I refuse to let it out of sight. My father drilled that into me at a young age. We’re both going to need some rest if we want to get out of here in a hurry in the morning, so hopefully he will be back soon. Thankfully, we won’t be resting together, I think to myself, moving my blanket a little farther away from him. With the fire going to ward off animals, we have to worry about other predators seeing it and finding us. Hopefully the Gessatti’s aren’t that smart, seeing as how they came into the woods in dress clothes. My stomach starts feeling queasy. I know it’s not upset, but something doesn’t feel right. Standing, I turn my head to the side, trying to listen. I hear rocks moving, falling, as if someone is trying to walk quietly on them. The small pebbles on these ledges make that impossible. Slowly, I slide my hand down towards my blanket, trying to reach for my gun.