Page 16 of Falling For Her Cowboy (Silver Creek Ranch #9)

Chapter Nine

M elah didn’t know why she was so nervous. It wasn’t like she was a virgin or anything. She’d had consensual sex before. Even enjoyed it. But something about being at Ridge’s house was different. Was she expecting to have sex with Ridge tonight—no.

But it wasn’t off the table. If her opportunity came, she was going to take it.

She’d arrived, and he’d showed her around his home which was magnificent. It was tucked away on the ranch surrounded by lush and majestic trees on either side with the lake at the back. She was impressed with the beauty of Silver Creek Ranch.

The property looked as if it could be featured on one of those home and garden television shows.

With its weathered stone and wood in the design, it appeared as if they’d used the very trees that were rooted in the area to build it.

It had given her the sense of home the moment she’d stepped foot through the front door.

She glanced at herself in the mirror in the bathroom.

The only bathing suit she’d brought with her was a two-piece she’d picked up on the spur of the moment before coming to Ironhaven.

It was bright pink and orange and showed off her ample curves.

It looked really good on her, and now that she was seeing herself in it again, she remembered why she’d picked it up.

She was sexy as hell in it.

“You can’t hide in here forever.” She snagged her bag and draped it over her shoulder.

She navigated through the house until she came to the kitchen.

Her breath was immediately snatched from her as she saw the view.

The floor plan was open with the kitchen flowing into an eating area and then the living room.

Windows stretched from wall to wall, showcasing the alluring, vibrant South Dakota landscape that included the crystal-clear lake the house was built along.

The scent of hickory and wood filled her nostrils. She inhaled sharply, and her stomach growled.

“Something smells good.” Melah stepped out onto the wide cedar deck that stretched out over the water and shut the door behind her.

The late afternoon sun basked them in warmth. Ridge was dressed in swim trunks and a t-shirt. He shut the lid to the grill and turned to her. He paused, his heated gaze raking over her.

Something inside her clicked.

She liked the way he looked at her. She held her head high and walked over to one of the multiple cushioned loungers and dropped her bag down. Her skin prickled from Ridge’s stare. He’d set towels out for them to use for the pond. He hadn’t been playing when he’d said there was a pond in his yard.

She admired the scenery, captivated by the emerald shoreline on the other side of the water.

A few birds flew overhead while the water rippled slightly.

A gentle breeze blew, carrying the scent of pine and summer.

Ridge’s place gave the sense of healing, and it was no wonder the man was able to smile so often.

“Ready for a dip?” Ridge’s voice came behind her.

She turned and found him standing without his shirt, a towel perched on his shoulder and one in his hand.

Her mouth went dry as she caught sight of the fine planes of his muscular physique.

She swallowed hard, her gaze sliding down to his abdomen that had distinguished lines and a sprinkle of hair that disappeared underneath his shorts.

She tore her gaze from him and cleared her throat. Her core pulsed with the thought of what waited for her beneath those shorts.

“Yeah.”

He grasped her hand in his and led her to the stairs that took them directly down into the water.

It had been a while since she’d swum, and she looked forward to it.

She’d learned at an early age, thanks to her father.

With the hard work she’d been doing on the ranch, a swim was just what she needed to relax her muscles.

“We can hang the towels here. I put these hooks?—”

“Oh, what about the food?” Melah glanced back over at the large black grill with smoke coming from under the lid. What if the food burned? As hungry as she was, she honestly wouldn’t care about eating burned food. It wouldn’t be the worst thing she’d eaten.

“I just lit it. I want the coals to settle down. We can go for a swim first, then I’ll throw the steaks on.

” Ridge smiled and brought her flush to him.

He must have seen the longing in her eyes.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead then tipped her chin up to meet her eyes.

“Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of you. ”

“You better,” she teased.

A small smile appeared on her lips. His eyes darkened with something she couldn’t read, and her stomach quivered with anticipation. She had a feeling he wasn’t speaking of food, and neither was she.

Her heart skipped a beat at his confident smirk. He tossed their towels onto the large hooks on the railing. He turned quickly and lifted her by the back of her knees. She squealed and held on to his broad shoulders as he took a leaping bound and jumped into the air over the water.

“Ridge!” she shouted, but then they hit the water.

Even though it was warm outside, the water had a nice chill to it at first. She moved her arms through the water as she broke the surface. She turned and found him laughing. “Hey, you could have at least warned me.”

She couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips. She leaned back and allowed herself to float on her back while gazing at the lovely sky.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Ridge snickered .

He dove underneath the water out of sight. Her heart rate skyrocketed as she flipped over and tried to find him. She swam a few strokes away. Where the hell did he go? A hand snaked around her ankle and tugged her underneath.

“Hey!” Melah yelped.

She sank underneath, and arms wrapped around her.

There was no sense of fighting him off. If anything, she wanted to move closer to him.

She hadn’t felt this safe with a man in a long time.

Melah didn’t know what to think. Instead, she decided to live in the moment.

She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but she was going to accept the inevitable between her and Ridge.

They broke the surface with her still in his embrace.

Her smile widened at the look on his face.

This man was a goofball. How did she get so lucky to meet someone like him?

“Having fun?” she asked.

“I am now.” He grinned and brought her closer to him, not leaving any room between them.

Melah leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn’t want to leave the warmth of his embrace. A shiver rippled through her at the feel of his naked chest against her. She inhaled and basked in the moment .

A warm, late summer day. A sexy cowboy who had a heart of gold and loved working with animals.

And whose attention was on her.

She tightened her hold on him and didn’t break his gaze.

“I love it when you smile,” he murmured.

Her breath caught in her throat. Their legs brushed each other as they moved to keep them afloat.

“You’ve certainly given me something to smile about,” she whispered.

Life had been getting her down. She was determined to not let it, and when she was around him, he was a wonderful distraction. She’d thought hard work on a ranch would do it, but funny how it was the devilishly handsome vet who filled her thoughts.

“Good.” His head swooped down, and his lips covered hers.

The kiss was the sweetest thing she’d ever experienced. His warm lips coaxed hers open to allow his tongue to sweep inside. She welcomed him, his presence and everything about him. Melah didn’t want today to end.

She slid her fingers along the nape of his neck and entwined them in his thick hair. She pressed closer to him, wanting to feel all of him .

And she certainly could feel the large bulge that rested against her belly. She gasped and tore her mouth from his. He may want to see her smile more, but he just didn’t know how competitive she was or how she always got her revenge.

She moved back to kiss him again. His eyes closed, and she took her opportunity to use her weight to dunk him underneath the water. A laugh tore from her as his arms flailed out when he went under. She spun around and swam away as fast as she could.

She hadn’t felt this free in ages.

“That’s what we do?” he hollered behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder. He was cutting through the water at a much faster speed then she’d anticipated.

Shit!

He’d been in the Navy. Of course he moved like a fish in water.

She shrieked and tried to go faster, but she was no match for him. Just as he reached for her, she slipped beneath the water and ducked out of his grasp. She took the chance and swam back toward the house, but her plan didn’t go the way she’d imagined it .

Arms wrapped around her and brought her to the surface.

“Hey!” she shouted.

Her laughter bubbled out of her. His chuckles rumbled by her ear. He bent his head and nipped her ear.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he said.

Melah’s core clenched at the deep resonance of his voice. Her back was flush against his chest. His strong arms rested along her waist.

“What are you talking about? That was payback for you throwing me in the water,” she said.

They were drifting back to the deck of the house. She looked over her shoulder at the twinkle in his blue eyes.

“I assisted you into the water.”

“You tossed me?—”

“I was holding you as we went in together.”

“Same damn thing. You threw us into the water.” She finally was able to turn toward him.

His arms tightened around her and kept her near him. At the moment, she didn’t want to be anywhere else. Ridge didn’t have to worry about her leaving the security or warmth of his embrace.

“Tomay-to. Tomato.” He shrugged. His lips were in his infamous crooked grin .

She wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her head back to watch him.

“Why me?” she whispered. Doubt always had to ruin shit and creep into the back of her mind.

She was a broken soldier trying to find her way in life after retirement.

What could a man like Ridge want with her?

He was where she wanted to be in life. Living out his dreams, secured plans for the future, and a place to call home.

She, on the other hand, had a concept of a plan.

“Why not you? Melah, you are beautiful, headstrong, determined, intelligent. I’m drawn to everything there is about you.” He gripped her chin. The smile disappeared from his lips as he studied her.

She swallowed hard. Her heart rate jumped up drastically at that moment.

His thumb ran across her bottom lip. “I want to know everything there is about you. You’ve said you don’t know how much time you have here in Ironhaven, but I’m telling you now that I want all of it. Each minute you are here. However long that may be, I want to spend it with you.”

“Ridge…” She was left speechless.

She shook her head, but he pressed a finger to her lips.

“I’m serious. I want you, Melah. However or whatever that means.”

“But I’m broken. That’s why I’m here at Silver Creek.

You may not know what it feels like to feel lost. For so many years the Army dictated where I went, what I did—so much of my life, and now that I’m no longer that person, I’m trying to figure out who Melah Battle is, the civilian. ” Tears clouded her vision.

Dammit, she was not going to cry. Not now. She had been an emotional mess since arriving at Silver Creek. What was going on?

“I get it and I want to be with you while you figure it out. You never know, maybe Silver Creek is where you’re supposed to be.”

Somehow, they’d made it to the ladder that led up to the deck.

Ridge’s blue eyes were wide, and there wasn’t a speck of deceit that she could see.

Ridge Harvey was a good man. Hell, she knew his father, and Andy was one of the best men she’d ever met, and his son was as well.

Even Draven, with his big scary ass, was someone she could depend on.

The Harveys were upstanding men who’d give a person the last of what they had.

Melah glanced up at the sky and sighed.

This man before her was already claiming a small piece of her heart. She hadn’t come here looking for love or relations, she had come to find herself.

“I’m not going to promise anything, Ridge.” She glanced back at him. There was no question there was something between them. One thing she had promised herself was that she was going to live life to the fullest once she was out of the military.

Ridge gave a slight nod. His large hands were a distraction at the moment, screwing with her thought process. One rested on her waist while the other made its way down to her bottom.

This man was dangerous.

But it wasn’t like Melah hadn’t been in dangerous situations before. She’d run headfirst into plenty of hostile situations in the Army.

This was no different.

Only this time, her heart was at stake.

Melah leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.