Page 32 of Kentucky Nights (Dead Man’s Ranch #1)

After being pampered in the shower with amazing haircare products from Lorcan, including a lovely deep conditioning mask that I left on while Kentucky washed every inch of my body, I’m feeling better than I have…ever.

“What do you want, Dru?” Kentucky asks me as we sit on the rocking chairs on the porch while we have our coffee.

His just the way he likes. Black with an inch of blood inside. I like to give him extra rather than a few drops. I like knowing I’m feeding him, especially after what Lorcan told me.

It’s been hard keeping that a secret. To not let Kentucky know that I know I’m his mate. I want to spill the truth to him. I don’t feel right knowing this while he is respecting me enough to allow me to make my own decisions.

I have to. Lorcan is right. Kentucky won’t think I made the decision myself if I knew the truth, but I think I’ve always known I was destined for him. Even on the first day, when I was scared, I felt in my soul that I had no reason to be afraid of him.

“What do you mean?” I take a small sip of my hot coffee, careful not to burn my tongue as I watch the sun cast its brightness on the tall grass of the pastures where all of his cows graze. I can tell the sun won’t last long. In the distance, storm clouds are forming.

It’s rained every day I’ve been here, and I have to say, I don’t hate it at all.

“Out of life? What are your goals? Is there anything you want to accomplish? Do you want a big family?” The spurs of his boots reflect from the sun with every rock of the chair; the sharp points could kill someone, the longer I analyze them.

I wonder if they have?

“I would love a big family. Both of my parents were only children, and after my mom died, I remember growing up wishing I had siblings. Then, after my dad died, I became focused. I didn’t care about having a lot of friends because I didn’t want to get distracted.

I had a goal. I wanted to become a dentist. Eventually, I’d like to have my own practice. ”

“You could be a dentist here if you wanted. The town is small, and people have to go to the next town over to get dental work done. I think you’d be successful in this town.

If you know, you want to think about it.

And maybe, you could specialize in animal dentistry.

I don’t know anyone who does that, and there is a lot of farmland out here.

A lot of animals need care. I’m just saying, I think you could be successful. ”

“I’m not a veterinarian. I could only focus on the teeth.”

“That’s perfect. There’s a vet I know who comes when I need him. It’s been a while.”

“Can’t you give the animals a drop of your blood if anything is wrong?” I ask. “Like you did with Romeo.”

“Well, turning animals is kind of frowned upon in the paranormal community. There aren’t laws against it, so Lorcan told me, but they don’t celebrate it either.

I got a pass because I have the rare gift of speaking to animals.

Romeo let me know he didn’t want to die.

I had to give him a lot of blood, kill him, and then he came back as a vampire.

I try not to use my blood to heal any of my animals if they need help.

I know it seems cruel, but then I’d have dozens of cows with momentary enhanced speed and strength.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable selling my cattle either if they had my blood in them.

I take pride in my farm. I believe life is sacred.

The animal’s life is sacred. You’re born, you live, you die. I give them the best life possible.”

“Do you only have cows and Romeo? Why not more? Have you ever thought of adding to your farm? Maybe even a sanctuary of animals who are like Romeo? Who want to live? They could be a big happy family.”

His cowboy hat shadows his face when he dips his chin. “I’ve thought about it. It is only me here, so I figured that wasn’t what was best for them. Is that what you would want? To save animals and they could have good teeth?” he jokes, adding a smirk before hiding it in the coffee mug.

I toss my head back, laughing. “I mean, that doesn’t seem so bad, does it? Seems pretty great to me. We could have chickens, donkeys, peacocks, and dairy cows! We could sell milk. We could have more horses. Romeo is probably lonely.”

Shadows darken the sky again, the sun vanishing as a storm trickles in. A light fog stretches through the pasture, covering the grass in a large cloud.

I love the weather here. I could sit on the porch all day to watch the rain fall, the greenery sway, and the sound of the leaves being pelted by the water. It’s perfect.

It’s no wonder Kentucky loves it here so much.

“I love the sound of that. If that’s what you want, then I can make that happen, you know. I’ll give you everything you want.” He turns to me, placing his hat on top of my head. His eyes swirl into the ruby color I love so much. “You look cute with my hat on.”

I pinch the brim like he does and give him a tilt. “Maybe I can get my own one day, Mr. Jones.”

His nostrils flare. “I think I’d rather have you wear mine. It means you’re taken. No other cowboy will talk to you, and if he does, well, they might find themselves in the grasp of my claws.” He flexes his fingers, his nails growing and darkening to show his shift.

“What if I want to wear my own while you’re wearing yours?” I place my hand on his knee, needing him to relax. I want him to know that no other could possibly take me away from him when I know there is no other for me.

“I’ll have to figure out a way to show the world you’re all mine, then.”

The side of my neck heats with the thought of his mark there for all to see, for all to smell, and arousal soaks my new panties.

I don’t even want to know how Lorcan got those, and I’m sure Kentucky won’t be happy about another man buying me underwear if we talked about it, so I’m going to keep my lips shut.

A growl comes from Kentucky. “You can’t be smellin’ that good, Dru.

You need to go inside, lie down, and I’ll get a heating pad for your cramps.

I’ll get anything you need. I have to go out and do the chores.

Later, I don’t think I’ll be able to wait.

My body is on fire for you still.” He stands, downs the rest of his coffee, and sets the empty cup on the arm of the rocking chair.

He cages me in, each arm gripping my chair, and he tilts me back. I gasp, worried I’ll fall backwards.

“Don’t worry. I won’t ever let you fall. I’d catch you before you ever hit the ground.” He leans in, his breath riddled with a hint of coffee and iron.

We fall into a sexual tension-filled silence. Seconds turn to minutes, our gazes locked, and his tinted eyes have a sparkle of happiness to them that I haven’t seen before.

Without saying a word, his palm reaches for my face. His thumb glides across the edge of my jaw, taking his time drinking me in. Kentucky exhales, tilting his head while he traces the other side. It’s as if he is memorizing me.

“If a constellation-decorated sky is what the world sees as beautiful, then they have never met you,” he admires, never once taking his attention away from me.

“Kentucky.” I become shy, breaking our gaze.

He lifts my chin up with his index finger, forcing me to look at him. “I’m serious, Dru. Never in my entire life have I ever seen someone or something so fucking breathtaking before. I need nothing else as long as I’m surrounded by you.”

I lean forward, placing his hat on top of his head, and give him a long, soft kiss. Our lips move in slow, deliberate skims. I’m weightless. I’d float away if it weren’t for his arm wrapping around my waist to pull me closer to him.

“I could kiss you until the sun goes down,” he mutters, breaking the kiss so we can catch our breath. “I’d better go before I lock us inside this house.”

“Can I come with you?”

He straightens, hooking his thumb through his belt loops.

He looks like a cowboy. He has on dark jeans, a belt with a big, gold belt buckle that says, ‘Dead Man’s Ranch’, and his button-up shirt is tucked in with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.

His black boots round at the top, and the only speck of color on them is the silver spurs in the back.

“Darlin’, I never expect you to work the ranch. I want you to have relaxing days. I want you to do whatever you want. If you want to work, great. If you want to stay home, great. If you?—”

I stand next, grab the lapels of his shirt, and haul him in for a kiss to silence him. He groans, sinking into my embrace. He cups my face, then places his free hand on the base of my neck. I nibble his bottom lip, giving it a gentle tug, and lean away from him.

His eyes are still closed. His lips are puffy and a bit red.

I never expected love to find me like this, yet here I am, wanting to completely change my life.

“You better listen to me, Mr. Jones. And listen well. I will not ever stay cooped up in that house. I’m ambitious.

I have goals. I like to work. That hasn’t changed since meeting you, do you understand?

It’s important to me to work. I’ve come too far to give it all up now—especially for a man—no offense. ”

The muscles in his neck tense when he laughs, a big, bright smile taking over his face. His shoulders shake with all the humor he is experiencing. Kentucky even pinches the bridge of his nose, then wipes under one of his eyes.

“What is so funny? I’m serious.”

“I know. I know, Dru. Hey, I don’t mean to make it seem like you aren’t or that I’m not taking you seriously.

I am. I’ve lived through so many different times where women didn’t have the same rights as you do now.

I’ve been isolated, and it’s refreshing to see how times have changed; that’s all.

I love that you have dreams and want to work.

I support you always, no matter what you want to do. ”