Page 150 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“Kiss and make up?” he asked. He had Bella in his arms and she was soft and pliant and, unless he’d missed something, ready.

She gazed at his mouth, deep longing in her eyes, and he let out a quiet groan. She was vulnerable right now, and he wouldn’t take advantage of that, but everything about her seemed to need the exact same thing he needed. To touch, to kiss, to forgive.

“Bella,” he whispered right before he claimed her mouth. Both sucked in a breath at the joining of their lips. His heart raced and his body pinged. This woman made him ache. He deepened the kiss, unable to stop, unable to release his hold on her.

She kissed him back gently and then, as if something snapped inside her, desperation seemed to take hold. She gripped his shirt, nearly climbing up his body, demanding more of his kisses, more of him. There was a spark, a connecting energy that couldn’t be ignored. It demanded. It crusaded. It conspired to bring them together.

“Forget lunch,” he said between fiery hot kisses. “Come with me, Bella.” If his ribs had been slightly more recovered, he’d have lifted her into his arms. Instead he put his arm over her shoulder. Her head automatically rested against his chest as they strode to his bedroom.

This time there was no hesitation. No quiet, intimate words. Once inside the bedroom, they climbed upon the bed fully clothed. The clothes were a minor nuisance, something that could be taken care of later. All that mattered right now was touching each other, kissing, bringing their need and desire to be together, to make up, to give in, to ease the pain that seemed to scar them both.

He touched every part of her through her clothes, kissed her lips, cheeks and chin. The need inside him was strong and potent and so very real, it half scared the life out of him. Nothing much did, but this...this thing between him and Bella was driven and wild and blissfully uncontrollable.

Soon kissing wasn’t enough and their clothes were off quickly. He couldn’t describe what it was like being skin-to-skin with Bella. It was off-the-charts good. She tasted like sugar all the time, her body so sweet and delicious. He cupped her perfect pert breasts, not large by any standard, but luscious, and suckled one then the other. The little cooing sounds she made were so damn enticing he was halfway to oblivion already.

She nearly finished him off when she circled her hand around his shaft. His hips jolted upward. Surprised and pleased, he leaned back, absorbing the feel of her hand on him, the way she moved, the beautiful vision she made in the minimal light coming into the room as her long black hair streamed down her body.

Shewashis angel, because he was surely in heaven.

“Bella,” he breathed. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her what he was feeling inside, but he held back. It wasn’t the time to claim her as his. She deserved better than a bedroom declaration, but he knew in his heart where this was heading.

“Jared, please. I need you.”

Oh, man, he needed her, too. It took only a few seconds to sheath himself with protection, and then Bella was straddling him, her olive-skinned body glowing above him. The sight of this woman straddling him, ready to make love to him, would be forever embedded in his mind.

“I’m ready, sweetheart,” he said, placing his hands on her hips and guiding her onto him. Their joining stole all his breath. He couldn’t utter a sound. She was breathtaking and he was about as turned on as he’d ever been in his life.

They moved in unison, giving and taking. Her pulse-pounding erotic movements spurred his endurance. He never wanted this to end.

But when they’d finally reached the pinnacle of their desire, Jared wasn’t sorry. They splintered apart at the same time, drawing out the last fragments of pleasure for each other. Unselfishly giving whatever they had left to please each other.

For Jared, it had been the best, most satisfying, sex in his life.

It was also something else, as well. Bella was systematically erasing Helene’s betrayal from his mind and perhaps giving him a second chance at hope and faith and trust.

A little later, Bella lay in Jared’s arms. The baby monitor he’d so thoughtfully brought into his bedroom showed Sienna napping soundly. Jared stroked Bella’s hair, absently weaving his fingers in and out of the strands.

She cuddled up closer to him, breathing in the scent of his skin, feeling the steady, solid beat of his heart under her palm. She was in a different world when she was with Jared. He made her forget the bad things. It amazed her how quickly she’d become attracted to him, how quickly his presence in the room brightened her day.

Even though she’d been totally pissed at him about his recklessness on the horse, he’d managed to appease her with an apology that had come straight from his heart. Bella believed him to be sincere and earnest. There wasn’t a deceptive bone in his body. He was the real deal. Score one for Jared.

Too bad she couldn’t say the same about herself.

But she wasn’t going to think about that now. These precious moments with him would soon be over when Sienna woke up. Right now, she just wanted to concentrate on being with him, guilt-free. “This is nice,” she murmured as he absently stroked her arm, his touch creating tingles.

“It is. The best way to spend an afternoon.”

She could hear his smile. “For me, too.”

“I never thought...”

He stopped himself from finishing the sentence and she got the feeling it was going to be profound. “You never thought what?”

He sighed deeply and held her a bit tighter. “I never thought I’d ever feel this close to a woman again.”

“What does that mean?” she asked quietly.

“It means that my ex really screwed me for relationships. I’ve been with a few women since, but it was never like this. It never lasted.”