Page 48 of Cruelest Contract (Storm’s Eye Ranch)

CECILIA

“ W ait, not yet.” I tuck my Gemini necklace inside my shirt and then tighten my fingers on the reins.

There’s now a tiny scar on my right forefinger, courtesy of a pocketknife on my wedding day. My newest habit is to rub it with the pad of my thumb. As I do this, I think of Julian and summon a sense of calm.

I’d forgotten the intimidating height factor of being on horseback. This is like being precariously seated at the top of a step ladder.

Tye hangs his arms over the rail fence and wears a rascally grin. Getty stands beside his brother and casually waits to be entertained by the spectacle.

Luna stands perfectly still while Miguel keeps a firm grip on the lead rope. The jeans I’m wearing today feel too new and stiff but my long skirts aren’t really saddle-worthy. I resist the urge to squeeze my knees around the horse’s flanks in fear or clutch too tightly.

“I’m ready.” My heart is pounding but beneath a surge of anxiety, the muscle memory returns. I’ve done this before and I can do it again. Getting on a horse is just an ordinary part of ranch life and I live on a ranch now.

Luna is calm and dependable. Miguel promised he wouldn’t let go of the rope. All we’re going to do is one lap around the big corral.

The ranch foreman gives me a nod and starts slowly leading Luna. I hold my breath for the first few steps and then slowly exhale. Tye waves his phone in the air to record the moment for posterity. He whoops out some very loud encouragement. Getty rolls his eyes.

The shadowy shape of a tall man grabs my attention and I see Cass has emerged from the house. He stands on the front porch, the brim of his hat shadowing his expression.

“You’re doing great, Cecilia,” Miguel assures me.

Luna, accustomed to leisurely walks to accommodate jumpy children, has no problem with the pace. She is sure-footed and serene. I send her some telepathic gratitude.

We’re halfway around the corral now. The house is behind me and all the land in sight is part of Storm’s Eye Ranch.

I’ve learned my way around and I recognize the worn trail that leads to the creek.

I can see the peak of the cabin where I spent my honeymoon.

Beyond the hill to my left is the sacred place where Teresa is buried.

As I gaze at the sights that are now familiar, the stirring in my chest is somewhere between affection and pride. Julian promised the ranch would become my home. He was right. I wish he was here to see me sitting tall in a saddle. I want him to know that I found this courage because of him.

I’m so distracted by the scenery that I lose track of the audience. I’m startled to turn my head and see Fort hanging out at the fence beside Tye.

When in the hell did he get here?

But if he’s back, then maybe…

“Julian.” I breathe out his name and an invisible tremor unspools through every limb.

My husband waits at the corral gate. Unreasonably gorgeous, as always. His muscled arms are crossed over his formidable chest and he’s grinning as he watches me come closer.

Delight blends with desire. The way this man wreaks havoc on my mind and body has no precedent. All logic evaporates and I don’t even want it back. It’s a miracle I can remain in the saddle instead of jumping off and running into his arms.

Julian steps forward when we get close to the gate. His eyes remain fastened to my face and his hands reach for my waist. I slide down with eagerness, desperate to be close to him.

He hasn’t shaved in days. His hair is tousled and sexy. I’m not shy about seeking his mouth and he’s not shy about answering with his tongue.

I’m always in awe of his strength. He holds me easily with one arm and I circle my legs around his waist.

If this is obsession, I don’t care.

If it’s love, I want it.

Too much of my life has been wasted being cautious. Restrained. Orderly. I began changing the week I arrived here. Little by little, I’m starting to belong to this place. To this family. To Julian. And he belongs to me.

With reluctance, I unwind my legs before I do something reckless, like dry hump my husband in plain sight of the whole Tempesta family.

When my feet touch the ground, I wrap my arms around him and press my cheek to his chest. A desperate ache is already throbbing between my legs.

“I’m so glad you’re home.” I cling to him with no shame. Couldn’t stop if I tried.

Julian rubs my back and sighs. “I’m glad to be home, baby.”

I tip my face up to look into his eyes. “You surprised me. I had no idea you’d be back today.”

He smiles and drops a tender kiss on my mouth.

There’s no safer place on earth than in his arms. The need to be alone with him is consuming. I wish we could just return to the honeymoon cabin and pick up where we left off.

Too bad we’re surrounded by people. On the periphery, I catch sight of Sonny and his team of dark-suited Mafia soldiers gathered in a knot. Some wear visibly holstered weapons. They break into raucous laughter and I try not to shudder at the idea of what they might find amusing.

Before Miguel returns Luna to her stall, I detach from Julian long enough to give the horse a soft pat of affection and a promise that the next time I visit her, I’ll bring a pocket full of apple slices.

Julian and I hold hands on the way to the house. I’m keenly aware that Cass watches us with a peculiar, intense expression. Sometimes I’m glad I don’t know what’s going on inside the head of my father-in-law.

Cass greets his sons in the manner of a general inspecting the troops. “Boys, we’ll have a meeting now,” he says and starts heading to the door, expecting to be followed.

“We’ll talk later,” Julian says, standing his ground. His tone is mild but the refusal is definite.

The air shifts. Slowly, Cass turns around. Behind us, Julian’s three brothers have come to a halt on the porch steps.

Julian and his father face off. I’m not sure why the hair stands up on the back of my neck but instinctively I move closer to my husband.

Cass’s eyes swing to me. The glint of cold ferocity within their dark depths is disconcerting.

I recognize the stamp of ruthlessness. I’ve seen it in my grandfather whenever his authority is challenged.

If my father had lived and assumed control of the Grimaldi family, he likely would have acquired it too.

Perhaps Julian will as well.

Cass blinks and the warning flash disappears. I can almost convince myself I’d imagined it. Almost.

“See to your wife for now,” he says to his son. “We’ll handle business after dinner.”

“Fair enough,” Julian replies.

I’m not expecting him to sweep me into his arms and carry me over the threshold but this is exactly what he does.

Giggling, I hang onto his neck as he proceeds right to the stairs.

Mel happens to be passing by in the middle of some mission that probably involves the two silver candlesticks clutched in each hand but she pauses long enough to give us the happiest of smiles.

Julian carries me straight to his room. Our room.

It doesn’t look the same as it did when he left.

I’ve replaced his grey comforter with a cheerful floral quilt.

Painted vases crafted by a local artist occupy the new larger dresser and the two brand new nightstands.

The watercolor painting of downtown Vigilance hangs on the formerly empty wall space opposite the bed.

Dried flowers preserved in glass and framed have joined the iron ranch brand on the wall.

He notices none of it. The instant the door shuts his hands roam everywhere on my body.

I couldn’t be more willing to be ravaged.

I pull at his belt and he swiftly removes his holstered gun, tossing it to the desk chair.

I kick off my boots and open his pants while he loses patience with the buttons on my shirt.

I don’t even care when half of them pop off.

His hands cup my ass and his cock, restrained only by his briefs, grinds against my belly.

“I fucking need you,” he hisses in my ear and sucks at my neck.

“Harder,” I gasp, craving to be marked up by him no matter who sees the evidence.

Julian seizes my jaw in his hand and the way he kisses me it’s as if I’ve done something unforgivable and now he’s going to inflict a tortuous punishment.

Sex has never been rough with anyone else. Before Julian, I would have recoiled at the concept. Now I hunger for it.

My bra comes off. My jeans have been successfully pushed down to my ankles. And my panties will be soaked by the time I take him inside me.

Julian breaks the kiss. His fingers still have a grip on my jaw. I can’t even turn my head.

This, I can see, pleases him. He enjoys the fact that I’m under his control. Good. I want to please him.

“Did you think about me while I was gone?” He fires the question like a dare and seductively tastes my lips with his tongue.

“All the time.” I can’t suppress a moan when the fingers of his free hand tease outside my panties.

“I bet you touched yourself, didn’t you, Cecilia? Tell me the truth.”

“I did. Right there in our bed. And I always tell you the truth, Julian.”

His eyes are so dark and intense. If he were a stranger instead of my husband, I’d be alarmed.

“I tell you the truth too,” he says with a hard edge on each word. “When I say that you’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to marry, don’t doubt me. You’re all I fucking want. Now and forever, YOU ARE MY WIFE .”

I can’t hold out any longer. My knees are about to buckle.

“Then fuck me like I’m your wife. Don’t hold back. And DON’T pull out.”

A gleam of surprise flickers in his eyes.

This victory twists my mouth into a smirk.

But there’s hardly time to savor the triumph of shocking him.

He suddenly lifts me like my body weight is nothing and throws me over one shoulder.

I can hardly keep track of what’s happening before I’m dropped on the bed.

My panties are clawed off. I’m flipped to my belly and my hips are hauled up until I’m on my knees.