Rancher Dragon Read online

  “Come dance with me. I know this one!”

  “I… I don’t,” he replied, watching as the most confident dancers were already forming a small square in the circle, starting to move to the rhythm of the line dance. As they moved, others hopped in from the sides, and the group got bigger.

  “It’s easy. I’ll show you.”

  Beck imagined himself out there on the line, a full foot taller than most of the other people in the room, huge boots probably shaking the ground as he stomped and scared everyone off. The idea would have been comical if it were someone else.

  As it stood, the picture in his brain was horrifying.

  Mountain dragons did not dance.

  “It’s okay. Go on without me.” He used his softest tone, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

  Sierra’s expression fell a bit, and it almost broke his heart right there. “I guess so. If you’re not up to it, I guess I could ask Clancy.” She looked over her shoulder where Clancy had been a minute ago, but he was no longer there. “The only people I’ve line danced with before are strangers. I thought it would be fun to have a proper partner.”

  That kicked Beck right in the ass, and he stood up a little too suddenly, making the ground move and a family with small children nearby gasp up at him.

  “No,” he said firmly.

  Sierra couldn’t hide the delight in her expression as he took her hands. “No what?”

  “No, you ain’t asking Clancy or anyone else. I’m goin’ with you.” Even if he sent every person in this barn running and screaming bloody murder with his dancing, he wasn’t going to disappoint Sierra. He’d move mountains for her.

  Even if that mountain was himself right now.

  “Yay!” she exclaimed enthusiastically. “Over here.” She took him toward a corner of the now-larger throng, just a few paces away from the others, as she squared her body in the direction everyone else was facing and began to bob her head in time with the music.

  “It’s easy, just one, two, three, clap.” She showed him, moving perfectly with the rest of the dancers. “Then back the other direction, one, two, three, spin.” She did a little twirl that made Beck smile, and he found himself tapping his foot on the ground just watching her get into the rhythm of it.

  Before she’d even completed the full sequence, Beck was moving with her, memorizing the steps as he went, watching Sierra as she swung an invisible lasso high above her head, swayed her hips with the music, and stomped her little feet forward and back and left and right and all over again.

  By the time the song had hit the second verse, he figured he already had it all down, which allowed him to just enjoy dancing next to Sierra.

  “See, it’s not that bad,” she said loud enough so he could hear her over the raucous playing of the band.

  The “stomp” part of the sequence hit, and Beck’s foot hit the ground, rattling several of the floorboards as the whole room shook a little harder than when it had just been the humans in the lineup. A couple people that had lined up next to them sent him a strange glance, but he ignored it.

  He was having too much fun with Sierra to be bothered.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were a pro at this,” Beck said, nodding to Sierra at his side as he watched her curvy shape as it moved to the music.

  She just laughed.

  To their side, Beck saw a young man staring over at Sierra, his eyes moving a little too low and lingering a little too long in places they shouldn’t. So when the group turned and Sierra was in front of Beck, he shoved his arm to the side, pushing the guy out of the lineup and onto the ground with an oof.

  When the man stood up, annoyance in his eyes, Beck glared down at him and traced his index finger aggressively over his throat in a slitting motion, showing him exactly what he would do if the punk got any more ideas about checking out what was already his.

  The guy gulped, then disappeared.

  From this angle, Beck could also see Clancy lined up in the large square of people that was taking up most of the barn right now. To his surprise, Clancy was flanked by two enthusiastic women who looked to be in their sixties or seventies, and Beck watched as he leaned over to compliment one of them before turning to laugh charmingly at a remark the other one made, the three of them seemingly having the time of their lives together.

  Perhaps Clancy wasn’t the womanizer he liked everyone to believe he was.

  That held up with what a hard worker and kind person he was on the ranch.

  Beck continued to move with Sierra, soaking up every second of the dance until, with a holler, the band finished the song, then stood to bow. People milled about, some waiting for the next song, others going off to get a drink.

  And then a slow, moody country song started to play over speakers that had been installed in the rafters, and couples started to come out to the floor.

  “Might I have this dance?” Beck offered his hand to Sierra, and he tipped his Stetson.

  “What a gentleman,” Sierra said, beaming, taking his hand and coming up to meet him. “Of course I will.” And they shared a laugh.

  Even with her head at his chest, there was something so romantic and wonderful about just being so close to Sierra. And as the music continued, a classic song about love lost then reunited years later, time seemed to slow as Beck forgot all about the fact that he was a dragon and she was a human.

  That he was a monster and he’d somehow crossed paths with an angel and fallen in love with her.

  But as they swayed back and forth together, his hands on her hips, her arms wrapped around his neck. He didn’t think life could possibly get any better right now, with the woman of his dreams right here in his arms.

  Much like the lyrics that were being sung out over the speakers, Beck didn’t know how this story was going to end. But he damn well knew that as long as he was by Sierra’s side, he’d never stop wanting and protecting her.

  13

  By the time they were back at her house, Sierra was about ready to burst with happiness at how fun the evening had been.

  Beck, in spite of himself at the beginning, had accompanied her in practically every line dance for the rest of the night, picking up the steps and joining her in doing something that she’d only been able to do alone with strangers for so long. And in between, they’d slow danced, getting closer and closer until she wanted nothing more than to tear Beck’s clothes off and get her hands on him right there in the middle of the dance floor.

  Maybe it was the three or so beers she’d had, but all she felt was a light buzz, lowering her inhibitions as she took in the sight of Beck’s magnificent pecs as he stopped the truck and put it in park.

  “Thank you for this evening. I had a wonderful time,” she said, running a hand through her hair as the tension inside the truck was beginning to reach a boiling point.

  “The pleasure was all mine, seeing as I got to enjoy the finest company in the state of Texas,” he said, getting out and getting the door for her like he always did. Such a gentleman, so much kinder than any man she’d met before.

  Just the proximity of his big, warm body as he helped her out of the truck made her nerves twinge. And when she stumbled a bit, perhaps from all the dancing she’d done, he picked her up in his arms like she weighed nothing, carrying her toward the door.

  “All that dancin’ back there got me thinking about a different kind of way we could be movin’ together,” she said, emboldened by the fun evening and the way Beck’s eyes roamed over her hungrily

  He smirked at her, gray eyes more silver beneath the light of the full moon as he unlocked the door and opened it for them.

  “A private dance for two?” he asked.

  “Something like that…” Just her body rubbing against him was warming her insides faster than a bonfire doused with lighter fluid.

  He ran his tongue over his lower lip, reminding her of the many times he’d done delicious, devious things to her with it. But to her surprise, instead of making f
or the bedroom, he headed past the kitchen and went out the back onto the little patio at the back of the house.

  Only a few days ago, the patio had been a total wreck, with cracks in the wood and cement and the overhang about ready to collapse. But under Beck’s care, everything had been fixed, spackled, replaced, and repainted with utter efficiency, making everything appear newer than it ever had in her whole life.

  “Where are we…?” she asked over his shoulder, then looked up to see him smiling as he glanced out at the distance.

  “It’s a pretty night outside.” He stepped toward the big hanging bench she used to sit on to watch the moon rise. “I reckon the only thing more perfect than being with you in there would be getting to be with you under the stars.” He nuzzled her neck, then bit lightly down on her ear, making her muscles jump. “Watching while I make you scream my name.”

  His low, growly words got her wet right there, and Sierra practically melted in his arms.

  He sat on the bench, and it groaned slightly but held fine since he’d replaced practically every part of it, including the upholstery, in his quest to upend her life and make it better.

  She turned her body to straddle his hips, and he placed his hands on her sides, running beneath her shirt and up her back. The callouses there only teased her skin more, making Sierra feel alive and wanted.

  Beck was right about being outside. The air was cool and fresh. The night was silent except for a few crickets. The sky was clearer than a looking glass, and the way the pale light of the moon carved Beck’s granite features into handsome relief was even more devastating than she would have been able to picture by herself.

  Sierra could see a life with him, loving and working together like this. Hot days and even hotter nights.

  But this was all temporary. Beck had said so even as he’d insisted on staying by her side as much as possible. And she’d told her heart that it was so, though she was falling more deeply for him every day.

  The best she could do was just sink into his arms and enjoy it all while she could.

  “So beautiful,” Beck said reverently as he pulled her shirt higher, kissing her neck and brushing his lips across her sensitive skin while his hands reached up to squeeze her breasts. Even under her bra, her nipples hardened at his touch, reaching for more stimulation by this overwhelming man.

  “The moon?” He pulled a soft gasp from her lips as he sucked down at the sensitive spot near her throat.

  “No.” When his silver eyes met hers, they were deadly serious. “You, Sierra. Nothing I ever saw in my years wandering this land could compare to you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself to him, taken aback by his sweetness. If he kept talking like that, she’d fall in love for sure. How could she not?

  “This wasn’t supposed to be permanent. But sometimes, Beck, I get the feeling…” She trailed off.

  “I know,” he said softly. “I can’t say where this is going either. It’s not fair to you. But having you in my arms is the damned closest thing to heaven I’ve ever felt.”

  That was enough for her right now, knowing that the same stubborn, impossible monster of a man she’d encountered bleeding out on the range could somehow also be this kind, thoughtful lover. Thorough and protective and possessive.

  “I feel the same way, Beck.” It was her turn to growl as she kissed the side of his face, body buzzing with anticipation. “Just take me there with you.”

  “I will, every time.”

  With that, he finally pulled her shirt off, exposing more of her skin as cool air kissed her body. Then he undid her bra and set it beside him on the bench before squeezing her ass in his huge palms and lifting her slightly so he could take one nipple into his mouth, sucking hard and sending sparks flying through her.

  Sierra moaned loudly, and only utter silence answered as he kept her propped up, kissing and licking and grazing his teeth lightly over the taut tips of her breasts. By the time he was reaching for the button on her jeans, Sierra was panting, holding Beck close to steady herself.

  To her surprise, Beck picked her up first and turned her around so they were both facing the range and the setting moon. She could feel his thick bulge against her ass, and he wrapped his arms around her as he leaned into her ear.

  “Thought you could enjoy the view while I have my way with you,” he growled, and his tongue trailed down from the bottom of her ear to the back of her neck, making shivers of pleasure tense inside her core.

  She opened her mouth to say the best view was when she was facing him, but she didn’t have time as he deftly flicked the button of her jeans open and slid the zipper down before reaching beneath her panties and stroking her clit directly. She gasped, whole body arching back, head propped on his shoulder behind her.

  Okay, Beck has a point, she thought to herself as she looked out at the beautiful, empty, wild landscape swathed in moonlight. Above them, thousands of stars sparkled, twinkling even as her vision blurred while he worked up her slit with perfect rhythm.

  If Beck was the best thing to look at, this would certainly be the next best thing.

  She felt free, as if they were the only people on the face of the planet, like two lone settlers making it together out in the Wild West before it was tamed.

  And his fingers…the way they parted her folds and glided wetly over her most sensitive spots, quickly building a release that was going to tear through her like a wildfire when it came.

  “Perfect. Keep holding it,” Beck said low, continuing to kiss the back of her neck, then leaning forward to take her earlobe in his mouth. Meanwhile, he had one hand down her pants, flicking and stroking her senseless, while the other hand cupped her breast and tweaked her nipple between his fingers.

  “So much….” she said with a gasp. She arched again, Beck’s broad body enveloping her with warmth and strength, keeping her steady.

  “Wait just until the moon hits the mountains,” he said, looking out as the full, white orb millions of miles in the distance neared the dark silhouette of the mountains.

  The best she could muster was a nod, and for the next few minutes, she just gave in to the heady, almost euphoric sensation of riding the edge of her release. Beck would pause, making little circles with his finger on her clit while she calmed. Then he’d get her riled up and soaking wet with his hands and his kisses on her skin wherever he could reach, pushing her close, close, almost all the way before pulling back. All the while, the thick bulge in his jeans pressed into her backside, making Sierra’s hips clench with anticipation for when she’d get to feel him come inside her.

  Then finally, just as the lower edge of the moon dipped behind a solitary peak far away, Beck uttered a lascivious oath into Sierra’s ear just as his finger met her tiny nub with perfect precision, and she finally came.

  It was like being caught in an avalanche of pleasure, all her senses turning upside down as her vision blurred while she came on top of him. The moon and mountains and sky all seemed to meld together as she watched them, and she screamed at the top of her lungs the name of the only man that made her feel this way, over and over.

  She was pretty sure it was a two-for-one when he lightly teased her clit mid-release, making the pulsing thrum of her entire body go a second time, higher and longer until she finally slumped against him, breathless.

  “Now that’s the most beautiful sight I ever laid eyes on,” he said as he nibbled her ear.

  She moved to turn around, wanting to feel him, to feel all of him now after literally coming beneath the stars. Beck, somehow always a step ahead of her, helped her turn in his lap so they were facing each other again.

  “That was so hot I want to do it again sometime. But right now, I want to see you.” See him lose control. Watch as his eyes rolled back.

  “How could I not oblige such a request?” He smirked, then helped Sierra pull her pants and underwear down past her ankles. Beck then pulled his shirt off, giving her the utterly memorable sight of his ab
s and chest and bulging arms lit by moonlight before undoing his pants and putting a condom on.

  He’d barely rolled it all the way down before she was raising her hips, positioning herself over his cock. He was slow, gentle while he held her sides, guiding her down until he was seated deep inside her, making Sierra’s sheath clench from arousal.

  “Let me do the work. You just focus on not coming too fast.” With his hands on her hips, he picked her up easily, withdrawing and stimulating her G-spot for a fraction of a moment before thrusting her down over him faster. The delicious ache between her legs only got stronger.

  “Would that be a bad thing?” she asked, barely able to talk as he moved them together again.

  He chuckled. “Oh no, not at all, sweetheart. I’ll just have to make you come some more if you do.”

  That sounded like only a win-win in her book. But then a lot of things regarding Beck were.

  But she couldn’t give another second of thought to it as he continued to fill her again and again, stretching her to the limit from the inside with his thick, velvety hardness. To make things worse—or better—he reached one hand between them and started to stroke over her clit while he easily moved her body up and down with his other hand.

  In seconds, she was coming, screaming so hard she’d probably be hoarse tomorrow. But it was the tiniest consequence compared to the white-hot, blinding pleasure electrifying her insides while she came with him still inside her.

  She was panting, holding Beck with her arms while he just smiled like a cat caught in the cream.

  “No fair, you said—”

  “I know. I changed my mind. Seeing you come is too hot to wait sometimes.”

  She knew the feeling.

  It was her turn to not wait any longer to see the same thing.

  As Beck moved her again, Sierra mustered whatever strength her legs had in them to push her hips down over him. Beck let out a surprised grunt, then flashed a satisfied smile at her as they shared a knowing look.

  Like a tornado touching down on the prairie, Beck was a whirlwind around her, one hand on her ass while the other squeezed her breast, his mouth crashing over hers in a dominant, possessive kiss even as he thrust deep into her. Her entire body coiled around him, burning from arousal so hot it was like touching the sun, but she just listened to the way their bodies met even as Beck’s tongue clashed with hers and consumed her muffled moans.