Her Secret Ranger (The Men of at Ease Ranch) Read online

  Rachel squealed and clapped her hands.

  Grasping bravado with two fists, Beth set her shoulders, lifted her chin, and marched after the hot guy striding away from her down the fairway. So what if she’d decided he was part of her past? The opportunity was too good to pass up. Things like this never happened to her.

  Zigzagging around fairgoers, she avoided running into two children wearing a blue coating of cotton candy, and closed in on her prey. Her confidence rose with each step. Not only had she received her first ever dare, she was actually in the position to have the upper hand on the challenge.

  A flicker of guilt and a touch of anxiety mixed with excitement. She pushed them both aside and smiled when the cowboy suddenly stiffened and came to a halt. It was as if he could feel her presence as sure as she could feel his. Not wanting Rachel to see the guy’s expression, Beth didn’t give him a chance to turn around. She slid in front of him, her anxiety fading at the pleasure curving his mouth into a sexy grin, dimpling his cheeks.

  “Hello, Brick,” she said.

  Then she cupped his deliciously scruffed jaw, pulled his face down, and kissed the ever loving heck out of him.

  Best dare ever.

  …

  The best damn fantasy Brick Mitchum ever had hit him in the middle of the Braxton fair, of all places…and he was in no hurry for it to end. The gorgeous, green-eyed woman from two weekends ago miraculously appeared out of nowhere and laid a lip-lock on him that sent all the blood storming straight to his crotch.

  She had to be a figment of his imagination. How else could he explain how they were both back in Braxton today and happened to bump into each other at the fair in a town of over forty-thousand people? The odds of them being there at the same exact time was not only impossible, it was improbable. It sure as hell wasn’t a coincidence. He didn’t believe in them.

  And yet, here she was.

  The sweet little thing nibbled and tasted and let out a breathy sigh of pleasure that had him harder than the sledgehammer used in the strongman game down the fairway. Part innocence and part hot-as-hell in a lacey peach sundress, Beth was already halfway to ringing his bell. Doing his best to keep cool and let her run the show, he tried to concentrate on the fact Cord was waiting for him at the auction, but then she went and brushed his bottom lip with her tongue.

  During the eleven years he was in the Army—the last eight as a Ranger—Brick had planned and carried out enough missions to know that if you wanted something to happen, you made it happen. And, hell yeah, he was making this happen.

  With a low growl, he shoved his hands into her soft caramel-colored waves and held her head while he took over the kiss. Deep, long passes with his tongue brought her essence to him and a soft whimper to her throat. He loved how she clung to his shoulders, practically climbing his body in a show of need that rivaled his own. Brick knew from their hot weekend they had a killer chemistry, but the way this simple kiss morphed out of control in the space of a heartbeat shocked the hell out of him.

  All too soon she drew back, staring up at him with heat smoldering in those incredible eyes he hadn’t been able to get out of his head the past two weeks. He’d tried. Oh, he tried. After all, they’d had a fun, no-strings-attached fling. Nothing more. Hell, they hadn’t even exchanged last names. No need. They’d kept it light. Fun. Hot. He might have broken his one-date rule with her, but he wasn’t sticking around Texas. Once the ranch was in the clear and the veterans’ barracks were completed, he was Vegas-bound to work in his former commander’s security firm.

  Didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy the moment at hand, though.

  “Well, hello to you, too.” He grinned as his hands made themselves at home at her waist. They certainly knew every inch of her delectable body. And itched for a reunion. “I’m not complaining, mind you, but what was that for?”

  Color increased in her cheeks. “It was a dare.”

  A dare?

  He raised a brow. The woman was full of surprises. “Someone dared you to kiss me?”

  “Sort of. I was supposed to kiss the next cowboy to walk through the gate. I’m just grateful it was you.”

  Well, hell. “You were willing to kiss a stranger?”

  “No.” She released him completely and stepped back, a flicker of unease clouding her gaze. “I refused until you strode in and I saw an opportunity to make this work to my advantage.”

  Normally, he’d turn tail and run like hell the other way from a manipulating female. Not today. No. In fact, he wanted to get closer. Even took a step, which was damn strange. What was wrong with him? He should be annoyed.

  He wasn’t.

  In fact, he was pleased. Beyond pleased. Hell, judging by the euphoria warming his chest, he’d almost say he was giddy. Who would’ve thought Brick Mitchum was capable of such a girlie emotion? Thank God the guys weren’t around to see him.

  A smile pulled at his lips. “Do tell.”

  She returned his grin. “My friend doesn’t know you’re not a stranger, so I’m betting her jaw hit the ground when I actually went through with kissing you. And if I’d have had the good sense to keep my eyes open, I would’ve witnessed the phenomenon firsthand. But…you tend to swamp my senses, cowboy.”

  He liked the sound of that. “Are you spending the day with your friend at the fair?”

  “No.” She shook her head, fidgeting with her purse strap. “I’m in town on more business. I have an appointment this afternoon.”

  “Too bad. How about later? Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

  The invitation—out before it registered in his brain—was as unexpected as bumping into the enchanting woman. If she said yes, this would be a milestone for Brick. His first ever third date. The crazy thing was, he really wanted her to say yes. He actually wanted to get to know her beyond the bedroom.

  Uncharted territory.

  Hang on there, Romeo. Do you know what you’re doing?

  No.

  He watched as the same shock he felt ricocheting through his body rolled over her pretty features—followed by a wave of pleasure, if the reappearance of her smile and flushed cheeks were anything to go by.

  She opened her mouth and hesitated, making him rethink the spontaneous invitation, until she nodded. “Okay.”

  He let out a breath and grinned. “Is six o’clock good for you?”

  “Perfect. I’m staying at the same hotel, but in room 132.”

  Nodding, he pulled out his phone, added a new contact then handed it to her. “I have to go, but not before we exchange numbers.”

  Another first for him. Brick never let a woman get anywhere near his phone. The last thing he usually wanted was to remain in contact. This time, however, he wanted to keep in touch. Yeah, he wanted a whole lot of touching.

  “Okay.” She swapped phones, glanced at the one he handed her and her expression softened. “My Angel? Aw, that’s sweet, cowboy.”

  “Yep. Like you.” He took her cell, added his number, and then handed it back.

  Her gaze dropped to her screen again, and she grinned. “Secret Cowboy, huh?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He winked. “Well, I’d better get to that auction before my buddy starts spitting bullets.”

  Or demands my head on a platter.

  “And I need to get back to my friend before she becomes suspicious. See ya later, Secret Cowboy.” She shoved her phone in her purse and walked away.

  Hot damn, that woman sure knew how to walk away. That pretty peach sundress hit her curves in just the right spots as she swayed. He hoped she wore it for their date, because he was going to spend the whole afternoon fantasizing about removing the frilly thing from her sweet body…with his teeth.

  Giving his head a shake to clear his mind, he rushed to the auction. Cord would definitely be wondering what happened to him. Brick didn’t care. The guy didn’t need him to bid on a horse—he knew more about them than anyone at the ranch.

  A few moments later, he caught up to Cord walking in a busy
pathway from the stalls to the auction arena. “Something catch your eye?”

  Without slowing his steps, his buddy glanced sideways at him. “Yeah, and I’m guessing same goes, or are you this late because you decided to park in Oklahoma?”

  Brick fell into step alongside him and grinned. “Can I help it if I’m irresistible?”

  “Full of shit, too. That’s why your eyes are brown.”

  He chuckled. “You’re just jealous.”

  Cord snorted, his normally tight lips twitching. “Not hardly. I’m here to find a horse, not a woman.”

  “That’s too bad, cowboy.” A stacked redhead winked, sauntering up to his buddy to set a hand on his chest. “I’d be happy to save a horse and ride you.”

  Brick laughed. Not because it was a great line, but because of the expression on Cord’s face, stuck somewhere between shocked and foolishly uninterested. It was a shame. His buddy needed to lighten up. Let loose.

  Get laid.

  Ever the diplomat, Cord detangled himself from under the woman’s clutches and tipped his hat. “Thanks, but I really am just here to find a horse.”

  “If you change your mind, give me a call.” She swiped the pen sticking out of Cord’s shirt pocket and scribbled her number across his buddy’s palm. “I promise I’m a lot more fun in bed than any horse.” With that parting remark, she returned the pen and walked away.

  What was with the females at the fair today? Brick glanced around to see if anyone was watching. Maybe Beth’s friend.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “Just wondering if someone put her up to that.”

  “Guess you’re not the only one women find irresistible.” Cord shoulder-checked him on his way toward the crowd funneling into the arena. “Come on. The auction starts in five minutes.”

  He caught up to his scowling buddy. “No, it’s not that. I’m wondering if it was a dare.”

  “A dare?” Cord glanced sideways at him like he had two heads.

  How much was he willing to disclose? He settled on truth with a side of vague. “Yeah. That’s why I was late. A woman ran up to me and kissed me and said it was a dare.”

  Cord stopped dead and blinked, then a second later his head snapped back as he laughed his fool head off. Brick nearly tripped over his own feet. He hadn’t seen his friend full-out laugh in so long he’d forgotten what it sounded like. It was great to hear. Damn great.

  Although, he probably should be offended.

  “Not sure it was that funny. In fact, it was hot.” He left Mr. Chuckles and sprinted up a set of bleachers to a great observation spot at the top.

  “Hot, huh?” Cord settled next to him.

  “Yeah.”

  “Then why the hell are you here with me?”

  “She had work.” He grinned. “But I’m taking her out to dinner later.”

  Cord nodded as he surveyed the arena. “Didn’t figure you’d blow the opportunity.”

  “It’s not like that.” Brick eyed the guy, wondering how much of the truth he was ready to reveal. His feelings for Beth were…strange. And strong. He didn’t understand them.

  “Oh?” Cord turned that shrewd gaze on him again. “What exactly is it like?”

  Chapter Two

  Cord was a good friend. An old friend. That was the only reason he’d entertain telling the guy anything about Beth.

  Over a decade ago, Brick met the resilient, tough, stubborn guy at boot camp and survived hell with him during several deployments. A few years later, they joined the Rangers and went through RASP—Ranger Assessment and Selection Program. Since then, they’d weathered battles, dodged bullets, saved lives, lost buddies, basically gone through so much shit together—on and off the battlefield—he considered him a brother.

  Bottom line, Cord’s opinion mattered.

  “She wasn’t exactly a stranger.” There, he said it, and after a beat, it must’ve registered in Cord’s brain because his gaze narrowed.

  “You’ve been with her before?”

  “Twice.”

  Dawning widened his buddy’s eyes. “The girl from a few weekends ago?”

  “Yes. Shocked the shit out of me. I didn’t expect to see her again. We never exchanged last names or numbers, but I have to admit, I’ve thought about her a lot the past two weeks. So when I ran into her here, and she kissed me, I thought…what the hell, why not go out on a third date?”

  “She really must be special. Or exceptional in bed.”

  Both. But Brick wasn’t about to discuss either with anyone, even Cord, which was another first. And huge red flag. He didn’t care. “I got to thinking…”

  “That’s dangerous.”

  He shoulder-checked the jerk. “Very funny. I’m serious. Stone got me thinking, you know, the way he’s changed since Jovy came to Joyful.” His brother had been closed off, not unlike Cord, but something happened when their new tenant arrived last month.

  “You mean how he’s actually happy?”

  “Yes. And did you see that shit he did today? Professing his feelings for her in front of the whole damn ranch?” Not something Brick would ever do—bare his heart like a sentimental fool—but it was great to see his brother fix the mess he’d made with the woman, who obviously adored the idiot.

  “I like Jovy. She’s good for him.”

  “Me, too. I thought he was going to get in his own way.” For some reason, his brother blamed himself for not being around when their buddy Leo washed a fistful of pain pills down with a bottle of booze last year. He’d been taking it out on everyone since.

  “We’re all responsible for our own actions,” Cord stated.

  “I agree.”

  Leo’s attempt to silence the memories of an op gone bad—an op that had landed the guy in the hospital with a bullet to the chest and another of their Ranger brothers, Drew, in the ground—wasn’t Stone’s fault. It wasn’t anyone’s. Thank Christ Leo finally set Stone straight. He also talked about therapy, and they’d all agreed to do the group kind with him. That op plagued them all. The whole damn mission had been a clusterfuck. No one walked away unscathed.

  Brick wasn’t sure how talking about it was going to benefit, but hell, if it helped Leo, and possibly Cord, who had been at Drew’s side when he’d died, Brick was happy to do his part.

  “What’s this girl’s name?”

  Cord’s question pulled Brick’s mind from dire thoughts. He smiled as an image of the beauty flashed in his head. “Beth.”

  His buddy’s eyebrows disappeared under his hat.

  Brick frowned. “What?”

  Cord shrugged. “I thought you’d say Bambi or Kiki.”

  He snickered. “Nah. Nothing store-bought about her. She’s beautiful and smart. Just…different.”

  That all-knowing Irish gaze of his buddy’s bore deep. The Warlock stare, infamous in battle, especially interrogations. Warlock—Cord—never met an insurgent he couldn’t intimidate. Brick resisted the urge to squirm. What the hell was the guy looking for? “If you’re trying to figure all this out, Warlock, good luck. I don’t understand it myself.”

  “What about Vegas?”

  “What about it?”

  “I thought you had plans to work for the commander.”

  “I still do.” That hadn’t changed. “But I’ll be here until At-Ease and Foxtrot are running in the black, and I fatten up my bank account. No reason not to see Beth.”

  “Exclusively?”

  “No…yeah. I don’t know. Stone and Jovy made me think maybe dating the same woman a few times isn’t so bad.”

  To his surprise, Cord nodded. “Like Drew and Haley.”

  Memories of their fallen friend and his wife, now a widow, flooded Brick’s mind. The couple had been inseparable when Drew was on leave.

  Guilt clawed at his gut. “How is Haley?”

  When they’d first returned to Texas after retiring, they stopped at her ranch, to fix what needed fixing, and offered to stay and help run the place. She’d refused wit
h a smile. The woman was strong and a little bit stubborn, but Brick suspected being around them reminded her too much of Drew. They respected her wishes, but not until she agreed to exchange numbers with Cord and to call if she changed her mind.

  “According to her, she’s fine and we need to stop worrying about her.”

  He snorted. “Like that will happen.”

  “Exactly what I told her.”

  He laughed. “How’d she take that?”

  “Can’t repeat it. Your ears might fall off.”

  “Haley never was one to mince words.”

  “Nope.”

  Total opposite of her fun-loving husband. “She was perfect for Drew.”

  Cord nodded, his jaw tight and lips thin. The expression he usually wore when they talked about their fallen friend.

  It was time to change the subject.

  “So…you going to call that redhead?”

  Cord glanced at the number on his wrist and shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Liar.” He snorted. If that were true, he’d be sitting at the auction alone, taking care of business, while his buddy took care of the redhead. “And you say I’m full of bullshit.”

  This brought a slight quirk to Cord’s mouth before he turned his attention to the auctioneer and the first horse up for bid.

  …

  All afternoon Beth found it hard to concentrate. A first.

  Normally, she lived and breathed work, and took great joy in the planning and execution of events. And this one was personal. It was her best friend’s wedding.

  Still, she found herself reliving the incredible kiss she’d shared with Brick at the fair. In front of Rachel.

  Heat rushed into her cheeks at the thought of what they must’ve looked like devouring each other in public. At least, she’d felt devoured. And wanted. Oh man, she certainly wanted more, but she kind of always had the impression he was a bit of a Casanova.

  So when he’d actually asked her out to dinner, her mind completely blanked.

  “Earth to Beth.” Fingers snapped in front of her face, bringing her mind to the present and the fact it was late afternoon and they were sitting in Rachel’s kitchen, drinking iced tea. “There you are. Although, I’m pretty sure I know where you were. Back in that cowboy’s arms. You two were hot.” Rachel pulled out her phone. “See?”