Page 35 of Wild Rose (Blue River Springs #1)

Wilder

I’m not thinking straight. Rose is in pain and hot and I’m having her lift a bucket of rocks.

If I’m not going to hell for fucking my best friend’s sister, I’m going to hell for forcing hard labor.

I hold the door open for her, watching her lug the bucket with two delicate hands wrapped around the metal handle.

The moment she’s within reach, I take it from her and set it down. She nearly tumbles from exhaustion, and I catch her. Then I shut the door, closing us in the dark shed with nothing but the light seeping through the siding.

I move her to a wall beside the door and cage her in between my arms. Goddamn, she’s a sight. Fiery, stubborn green eyes, dirt on her chin, forehead, cheeks.

I want to hold her, bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in. But all I can do is press her against the rough wall—and growl. “You trying to make me mad?” My tone is harder than intended.

“Why would I do that? You’re already mad at me.” Her voice cracks a little and it nearly breaks me in half.

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw the way you strode up here. I worked really hard today, I’m tired, I hurt everywhere and you’re nothing but scowls and orders, and—”

“You knew I didn’t want you out here today, and yet I hear you insisted on the bigger field, settled for no help, and let Randy talk to you like you’re trash?”

She frowns up at me.

“He’s been texting me updates. Said you’re a pretty little spitfire who thinks she can handle it all. Now I trust Randy as far as I can throw him, so I rode over here and heard him with you just before Dallas showed up. You know what I didn’t hear?”

“What?” she mutters like a teenager with attitude.

“I didn’t hear you telling him where he can shove those rocks. I didn’t hear you stand up for yourself and tell him he had every part in this.”

She rubs the tip of her nose with the back of her hand and sniffs. “I don’t need special treatment just because I’m a girl.”

“You’re not a girl. You’re a woman.”

You’re my woman.

“So act like it,” I snap. “Then you pull that shit with the apology? What the hell you tryin’ to do to me, Rose?”

“I suppose that pissed you off too?”

I lift her arms over her head, my face hovering over her pretty one. “It fucking turned me on.”

“Wilder .?.?.” she whimpers when I press my hips against her. I’m hard. Painfully hard. The combination of her fierceness, strength, and the sheer memory of her under me turns me into a damn caveman.

“Wilder, I’m dirty. You can’t possibly .?.?.”

“All I wanted to do was throw you over my shoulder, carry you in here, and shut that pretty little mouth up with my cock.”

Gasping, she looks down between us. Not that either one of us can see much in here, but I see her, between the thin beams of light cutting into the shed. And she’s stunning.

I stroke her jaw, bury my face in her neck, kissing the soft, dusty skin like it’s the only thing keeping me alive.

So it’s about time I tell her as much.

“I told you, you’re gorgeous in any light, didn’t I, baby?”

She nods, eyes fluttering shut, head thrown back.

“So hear this—you could be covered in all the dirt, dust, and muck this land’s got to offer and I’d still want you more than my next breath.”

She’s panting hard. But still no words from my angel.

I growl. “I’m sorry. I know you want to get cleaned up. Let me take you home.”

She sucks in a breath. “Unbuckle for me.”

I stare into her lust-filled eyes. “Rose.”

“ Please ,” she pleads. “Do it for me. I would, but my hands are—”

I tug on my buckle, loosening it, then pull down the zipper. My cock is straining behind my briefs.

Rose looks at her hands, raw and dusty.

“I’ll hold it for you,” I rasp out.

She falls to her knees and I slam my hand against the wall to keep from slamming my cock into her mouth as she opens.

I edge in slow to her hot mouth, hissing as I do.

Rose moans as she sucks me in, tasting the precum spilling out of me.

She drags her tongue up and down my shaft like a popsicle.

Then covers me with her mouth, relaxing her throat, taking all of me.

And fuck if I’m not impressed and irritated at the same time that she’s so damn good .

Since she can’t do much but grip my thighs to hold still, I buck my hips, slowly fucking her mouth. I rake my fingers into her hair, whispers of praise flooding out of my mouth. My cock vibrates with her moans.

I grip her hair tight. “Rose. Up,” I barely grit out, pressing my palm against the wall like it’s all I’ve got holding me up. She doesn’t stop, and I come hard. Unexpectedly and uncontrollably hard down her throat. She swallows every drop, licking me clean with a moan. “Fuck, gorgeous.”

I lift her off her feet and swipe my thumb under her bottom lip. “Think you can hold on to me real tight for a bit, so I can get you home?”

She nods, lustful eyes fucking me over before I even have a chance to come down.

“Good girl. Come on, baby.”

I lather the shampoo into her dark hair again, making sure it’s worked through every strand. She’s barely moved a muscle in here, and as much as I love touching her, taking care of her in here, I can’t wait to get her in bed.

It’s only two in the afternoon, but Rose isn’t doing anything else today.

When we got back, there was a large paper bag sitting on her porch bench. Food from The Shack.

Dallas must not have been too far from sight, since he texted the minute we got to the cottage that lunch was on him and that he’ll see to the ranch the rest of the day.

Rose didn’t put up much of a fight when I insisted on feeding her before the shower.

She groans. “Wilder, I’m tired. And I’m clean, really.”

“Almost done.” I turn her and rinse off the conditioner, watching as the suds trickle down her smooth back and round ass.

I run my hands over it again, fingers slipping between those cheeks and then reaching her slick pussy. She groans in pleasure. “Wilder.” It’s a tortured breath. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can, or you wouldn’t be so wet now, would you? One more, baby.”

She grins over her shoulder.

“Hands on the tile.”

She does as I say and rocks against my touch. I rub circles against her clit, applying pressure.

“Oooh,” she breathes, her head falling back.

“That’s it.”

She rocks faster. “Oh God, Wilder.”

“Let me hear you scream.”

She opens her mouth, and I cover it with mine, swallowing the moans I’ve become addicted to.

The woman I’ve become addicted to.

I turn off the water and dry her off, then wrap her in a clean robe. Her lips curve into a grin, satisfied and amused as she watches me.

I thought she was stunning before, but the way she’s looking up at me now .?.?. it’s enough to ruin a man.

Rose knocked out in minutes after I settled her in bed.

Closing the drapes, I leave her alone for a while and step out to the living room.

I check my phone for any messages from Dallas.

He’s on edge about tomorrow, when we meet Ellie and her grandfather, Cole, at the hospital.

He said he doesn’t want anyone with him.

But Dad and I are both going. Hell, if anything, it would be good for Mr. Hartly to see that Dallas has help and support.

Albeit, there’s no female to be a mother figure—unless you count Ginger—but we’ll take care of that little girl like our blood runs through her.

And it sure as hell looks like it does.

I had my doubts about how Dallas would take it, but that visit changed my brother. Woke him up.

But what happens if she isn’t his?

Will he go back to being no good to anyone? Least of all himself?

Rose’s phone rings, and I curse. It’s the second time it’s rung since she’s been asleep. I lift it off the counter to silence it.

Willow.

This is the friend that checks on her daily. I should probably let her know she’s all right.

Tired and hurting, thanks to me .?.?. but all right.

“Rose’s phone,” I answer.

“Oh, um, hi.” The voice sounds feminine but mature. “You’re not Wesley.”

“This is Wilder, Rose’s—boss.”

I can hear the smile in her response. “Like cowboy bossman?”

“I suppose.”

“Well, howdy. Do you guys say that?”

I laugh. “Rose is asleep.”

She gasps. “Are you at her house? Why? Is she all right? Why is she sleeping now?”

Something about her protectiveness warms my heart. “She’s good. Just had a long day. I’m making sure she stays asleep for a while.”

“Oooh. Well then. Tell her I tried calling her this weekend to see where I should forward her mail, but she didn’t return my call, so I mailed it to her brother’s apartment.”

“Thank you. I’ll give her the message.”

“Wilder?”

I try not to sigh as I answer. “Yeah?”

“She likes tea, shaved chocolate, tulips, and Tetris.”

“Tetris?”

“Sorry, that’s not relevant. Thoughtful surprises.”

“Um .?.?. OK.”

“Cozy bookstores. Keep her away from thrillers, she reads those so she’ll be too afraid to go to sleep.”

I add to the mental notes I keep on this girl, but don’t say as much.

“The message, just the mail thing, that’s it?”

“Do you have a good sense of humor? We need that. I mean she .?.?. she needs that. We’re just a team in many things, so I always say ‘we.’”

“Thank you, Willow. I’m going to go. It was nice meeting you.” I think.

“But whatever you do, don’t give her a cutesy nickname.”

That one makes me pause. After the smudge on her cheek, I’ve been calling her Blue . She seemed to like it.

“Eh .?.?. that one’s more me than her,” she adds.

I smile. “Bye, Willow.”

There’s warmth in her voice and another obvious smile. “Bye .?.?.”

I shake my head as I hang up and finish scrubbing the dirt off Rose’s boots. I twist them in my hands, inspecting every inch. Could use some shine.

I know Millie used to keep leather polish around here. I dig around under the sink and find a small bottle with just enough to get these looking like new.

Few minutes later, I set them down by the door and pull out my phone. I’m about to send a message to Ginger to see if she’s been able to find blue cowgirl hats for the shop, when a message pops up.

Dallas: Changed my mind. Come with me tomorrow?