Love Note (Men of Sander's Valley Book 3) Read online

  “And my brothers.” Jack twisted to look at her. “Not just me.”

  The qualifier brought a smile to her face. The fierce protector was back. Did he think she wouldn’t acknowledge his brothers’ efforts too? “I plan on thanking everyone at dinner on Thursday, but only you’re here now for me to thank.”

  His pinched features eased. He rolled his shoulders and faced the window. “With the wedding this weekend, everyone’s busy handling the last-minute details.”

  More justifications for his family. She shook her head. At least Iona would have fierce protectors if she stayed in America. She deserved that. Blaine had never met a more loyal friend. Letting go would be hard even if it was only for the months they spent apart.

  “Iona’s been talking about her half sister’s wedding for weeks. It sounds as if Ronnie and Kyle’s wedding will be the event of the year.”

  Jack set the drawer he held on top of the others and opened the French doors, allowing a warm breeze into the room. “For our family, it will be. Come this weekend, this valley will be swarming with people. They’re having a second reception down by the lake. Don’t know how many people are coming to that, but there’s over two hundred invited to the main one.”

  She’d be one of them. Despite not knowing Kyle or Ronnie, Blaine had received a linen invitation at her town house in Russia. Hopefully, it wasn’t too late to respond.

  Blaine stepped next to Jack. The same view they’d enjoyed moments ago greeted her. “Too bad the wedding isn’t happening in the fall. A backdrop of fiery reds and warm oranges would make their wedding photos majestic.”

  “I have a great view of the lake from my bedroom. With the reflection of the colorful trees on the water, it’s absolutely amazing. I told Ronnie she should rent this place out, just for the view. She’d probably make enough in a few weeks to cover the taxes and utilities on this place for the rest of the year.”

  Or Blaine could rent it year-round. Then she’d always have a place to stay when she visited Iona. Blaine filed the idea away for consideration later and studied the strong profile of the man who’d commanded her body, leading her into a kiss that left her yearning for more.

  She stepped in front of him and laid her hands on his chest. “Do you think your view is better than this one?”

  He looked from where her fingers were splayed on his pecs to her face. Heat burned in his brown eyes, warming the ordinary color and bringing out details she hadn’t noticed before. Streaks of dark brown bisected his irises, stretching from the darker ring of brown around the edge to his pupil. His full lashes lowered slightly, obscuring his intriguing eyes but ensuring she wouldn’t look away.

  “Don’t know.” He traced her lower lip. “This is the first time I’ve enjoyed this view.”

  The tingling in her lips spread heat through her body. He’d barely touched her. She ached for him, though. Desired him. All because of a kiss. It had promised her passion. Then he’d yanked it out of reach.

  She trailed her fingers over the ridges and dips of his abs to his waistband. The length of his cock left an impressive bulge in his jeans. Her breaths deepened. Need built.

  Blaine covered Jack’s jeans-covered cock, fisting as much of his girth as she could. She wanted this inside her. He’d stretch her, reaching the end of her with every thrust. The deep thumps would build an orgasm that would whip through her body, leaving her trembling in his arms. He’d take her higher than any lover ever had. She knew it. Craved it.

  A whimper escaped her.

  She heard it but didn’t care how desperate the sound made her appear. She hungered.

  Blaine dropped to her knees and freed Jack’s cock. She wrapped her fingers around the thick, straight shaft before he grasped her wrist.

  “This shouldn’t happen now. I wasn’t planning on fucking you.”

  Jack’s words registered, but the reason behind them made no sense. She wanted him. He wanted her. What else mattered?

  “Scream, then. Sound travels, Jack. Your brothers will save you from me.” She flicked his hand off and bent closer to the glistening head of his erection. The first swipe of her tongue brought Jack’s taste to her. Salty and earthy, his precum teased her with another promise. She could make this man moan for her, begging for release.

  She shoved at his jeans, pushing them off his ass and giving her what she needed. Blaine pressed one hand to his ass and fisted his penis with her other hand. With him held in place, she licked from where her fingers encircled the root of his erection to the slit at the head. Silken skin stretched over his hardness. The flavor of man drugged her, leaving her crazed.

  With her flattened tongue, she licked him again, root to head, before opening her mouth and taking him in on a low moan. Her lips stretched around his thickness. Her tongue curled around him. She closed her eyes and relaxed her throat, swallowing him.

  Jack’s raw curse added to the moment, enflaming her. She tightened her hold on his ass and held him in place until her throat burned. The slow drag of his penis over her tongue tore another harsh sound from the man she pleasured.

  “Blaine, you’re asking for trouble.” He grabbed a section of her hair and tugged.

  Her eyelids fluttered. She groaned around the thick shaft she held between her lips, then bent closer. The bite of pain along her scalp spread through her. She dug her nails into his ass and closed her teeth around his thick cock.

  With Jack held exactly where she wanted him, she glanced up the length of his body. Wild brown eyes locked on to her. The sight of him on the edge skipped more energy along her spine. He was going to snap. She was sure of it. When he did…

  “I am not an honorable man.” His nostrils flared. “Do you hear me? If you keep this up, I’ll—”

  Blaine closed her eyes and swallowed the thick penis she held, taking him as deep as she could. Then moaned.

  He cursed a second time. Strong hands yanked her to her feet. Her back met the wall. His mouth covered hers. Their breaths mixed. Their teeth banged. So good. She couldn’t get enough. This man left her feeling alive.

  She needed more. All of him.

  Never breaking their crazed kiss, she pushed his shirt up and raked her fingers over his stomach, his back, anywhere she could touch.

  He reached between their bodies. The sound of a zipper coming undone surrounded her. He shoved her shorts to her knees. She wiggled out of the material and climbed Jack’s body, hooking her legs around his narrow waist. His cock slid against the wet barrier of her panties. He hadn’t taken them off.

  “Jack, please.” She squeezed her legs, tightening the slide of his erection along her panty-covered cleft, and rocked against him. “Fill me up.”

  “You’re going to kill me, Blaine. Don’t know if I’m that strong.”

  “Please, Jack. Please.”

  “Warned you. Remember that.”

  Before she could respond, he took her mouth on a powerful kiss that stole her breath and her sanity. Her panties were shoved aside. His cock slid along her wet cleft. He rocked against her, rubbing his length over her sensitive lower lips. Each forward stroke rubbed her clit. Tingles skipped from the sensitive bud to her womb. The emptiness inside her intensified the ache deep within her body.

  She squirmed against him, tempting him to push his shaft into her body. He adjusted his strokes each time his cock dipped into the opening and avoided filling her. The ache in her pussy morphed into pain. Her body was strung tight. Every brush of his penis to her clit added to the sensation. She needed him inside her. Nothing else would ease the emptiness.

  “I ache, Jack.” Blaine gripped handfuls of his hair and wiggled her hips until his penis breached her body. “Please fill me up.”

  “Blaine.” He groaned her name as he pushed deeper.

  Her inner muscles clamped down on his rigid length. Her breath escaped on a shaky exhale as he worked his cock inside her. Rolling thrusts loosened her body. Every forward drive allowed him to sink deeper. She clamped her legs tighter aro
und his waist and rocked into him as he seated himself fully.

  Jack filled her more completely than any man ever had. The awe of the realization left her trembling. She curled her fingers around his neck. “Oh God, you feel—”

  “Perfect. So damn perfect, Blaine.” Jack wrapped his arms around her and kissed her throat, working from the base to her ear. All the while, he stroked her from the inside out, setting her on fire. “Like you were made for me.”

  The romanticism of his words hit her. She sucked in a breath, but he moved before those words could kill this moment with emotions she had no desire to experience.

  She turned her head, seeking out his kiss and the oblivion his passion promised. In the face of ecstasy, reality and feelings had no place. Lust ruled.

  The heaviness built with his pounding drives. Warmth spread. Her scalp tingled, along with her fingertips and toes. She hooked her ankles together as the trembling in her legs took over. Her inner muscles tightened over the thick cock piercing her. Her breaths shortened.

  Jack grabbed her ankle and tugged. She clamped her legs around him as waves rolled through her. She trembled head to toe.

  “Blaine.”

  Jack moaned her name. He slammed his hard length deep. Her body seized. His jerked. Heat spread inside her, kicking off another powerful orgasm that danced spots over her eyes. She clung to him as her release shattered her.

  Finally, the waves slowed. Her breathing returned to normal. Jack’s hold on her never wavered. He pressed kisses to her closed eyelids, her cheeks, her lips. She sighed with his worship. That was what his kisses felt like. She felt treasured.

  She wasn’t supposed to feel this way.

  They’d fucked. Hard. That was it.

  “Are you okay, Blaine?”

  “Mm-hmm.” She pillowed her head on Jack’s shoulder while she fought the onslaught of emotions choking her. “I’m very okay.”

  “Even okay with what just happened? We got carried away.”

  She rubbed her cheek against his shirt. “Um…I’m sort of the one who started this.”

  “Yeah.” Jack smoothed his hand over her ass. “But I’m the one who came inside you.”

  Blaine stiffened. She’d had sex with a stranger. Without a condom.

  Jack stilled his hand on her bottom. “I’m clean. Just had a checkup. I swear it.”

  She dug her nails into Jack’s shoulders and closed her eyes. Slow breaths eased the anxiety gripping her. This was going to be okay. She was a big girl who’d basically seduced a stranger. Talking about STDs was the responsible thing to do. “Me too. I haven’t been with anyone in a very long time.”

  Did that make her sound desperate and horny? Or pathetic? She didn’t know. At the moment, she didn’t care. Slinking away and hiding until she dealt with the feelings twisting her up sounded like a wonderful idea. Too bad she couldn’t. When you didn’t ask permission to suck a man’s cock, you didn’t get to bow out of the after-sex talk.

  “What about—”

  The sound of a shrill beeping cut through the air. She jerked her head back and met Jack’s eyes.

  “The mattress.” They spoke the words at the same time.

  She smiled. Jack chuckled.

  He brushed his lips over hers. “Thank you, Blaine. I don’t think I’ve ever quite had an afternoon like this one.”

  Neither had she, and that worried her. Sex with strangers wasn’t supposed to leave her shattered. This encounter with Jack had ruined her, however. She was sure of it. No other man would make her feel the way she had in his arms.

  As if only he could complete her.

  Chapter 4

  With a death grip on the handles of her seat, Blaine squinted against the dust kicked up by the ATV. She leaned when Kyle did and squeezed her eyes shut each time they hit a bump, but the ATV never tipped on the trip down the mountain, despite the deep grooves in the path and the steep slope. The ease with which Kyle handled the ATV no doubt came from experience. Reaching the level field behind Wyn’s house relaxed her shoulders, however.

  Next time, she’d pass on the offer of a quick trip just as she’d passed today on Kyle’s suggestion she hold on to his waist while riding on the ATV. Hiking down the mountain or taking the long way around wouldn’t leave her awkwardly trying to keep space between her body and another woman’s boyfriend.

  Kyle brought the ATV to a stop in front of his house and cut the engine. “If you want to use the bathroom before we head up to my mom’s house, go for it. Otherwise, I’ll yell for Ronnie and we can take off.”

  “On this?” Where would Ronnie sit?

  “No.” Kyle snorted. “We’ll take Ronnie’s car. We have to pick up Levi.”

  “Will there be room for Jack too?”

  “We’re not stopping for him.”

  “Oh.” She hadn’t seen him since their unexpected tryst. They still hadn’t finished their after-sex talk. Not that she wanted to delve into that box again. Spur-of-the-moment encounters demanded it, unfortunately. “He’s still coming right?”

  Kyle climbed off the ATV. He cut a quick glance at her. His brows pinched. “Not sure. All I can say is that when I asked if he wanted a ride as I was bringing you too, he passed.”

  Frozen in place, Blaine fought to keep her expression neutral. The immediate punch of hurt from Kyle’s news churned her stomach.

  She pulled the hair tie free and tossed her hair, loosening the strands before an unnatural kink from the elastic band distorted her waves. The deliberate action gave her a chance to slow her quickened pulse and get herself together.

  Blaine had no reason to expect anything from Jack Sander. Neither of them even mentioned the sex after her mattress was dropped off. They’d made a second trip down the mountain to get her luggage and a bag of food Iona had prepped for her, then he’d left her to unpack. No kiss. No promise of a repeat performance. Nothing.

  “Jack mentioned he was coming tonight. Said something about how he’d be a fool to pass up on his mother’s cooking.” Blaine smoothed her hands over her thighs. Dust covered her. She brushed at her arms. “I wonder what came up to change his mind.”

  “I know he’s been fighting with Levi a lot lately. Maybe that’s it.” Kyle shrugged. “Or he could be out with Brenna. Never know.”

  Pain radiated along her jaw. “Brenna?”

  “His date for the wedding.”

  The front door opened. Ronnie, the woman she’d met briefly on her first day in Sander’s Valley, stepped out. Two plastic grocery bags hung from one arm. A purse dangled from the other. And a large cake pan obscured most of her face.

  Kyle rushed forward and took the items from his fiancée while Blaine stood completely still. Hands fisted to hide the trembling, she focused on her breathing and fought the urge to claw out Brenna’s eyes.

  “Is everything okay at the cabin?” Ronnie hurried toward where Blaine stood fuming for no reason.

  So what if Jack was with another lover? What he’d done with Blaine had been a spur-of-the-moment thing. Nothing more. She wanted it that way.

  “Yes.” Blaine eased the pressure in her hands and stretched her fingers. “Everything is fine. The view is absolutely beautiful, and it’s so very peaceful up there.” If not a little lonely. The cable had yet to be turned on, and her cell phone only worked when she stood on one section of the deck.

  “And the well pump worked okay?” Ronnie stepped next to her.

  “Of course.” Blaine flashed the bright smile required for small talk, though the topic Ronnie chose left a lot to be desired. The weather offered a wider range of responses. What could you say about a well pump other than it worked?

  “Good. You looked upset for a moment. I thought something might be wrong.”

  Darn Jack. He’d unsettled her. Hopefully, he did skip out on dinner. In her mood, simply looking at him would ruin her night. How would she manage small talk while her blood boiled? “No. Everything is fine. Really. I’m just angry with myself.”

  “W
hy?”

  Grabbing the first reason that came to mind, Blaine linked her hands and dipped her chin. “You sent me an invitation to your wedding, and I didn’t respond. I meant to, but honestly, I didn’t know where I’d be this weekend. It would’ve been even ruder to accept then not show up.”

  Ronnie rounded the classic sports car and climbed into the back. Blaine joined her while Kyle stood texting next to the driver’s door.

  “Nonsense. It’s not too late, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ve planned for late RSVPs and no-shows.” Ronnie set her purse on the floor and turned to face Blaine. “But don’t feel obligated to come either. It’s completely up to you. I’m just glad Iona has you close for a little bit. She talks a lot about you.”

  Kyle opened the driver’s door and slipped behind the wheel. “I texted Jack. He’s out at Brenna’s place. Said he’s busy. Doesn’t know how long he’ll be or if he’s even coming.”

  The memory of being held between the wall and Jack’s hard body flashed before her. They’d been busy too. He’d given up his whole day for her.

  A heaviness settled in her chest. Blaine glanced out the window. The car moved, and the house Jack had pointed out as Levi’s came into view. A leanly muscled blond man in jeans and an open white dress shirt jogged toward them. He buttoned the shirt as he approached.

  The man hopped in the passenger seat and tipped his head in her direction. “Welcome to the valley, Blaine. I’m Levi.”

  “Thank you.” Blaine took in Levi’s lighter hair, blue eyes, and defined features. He was beautiful where Jack was rugged with his beard and tanned skin. He could’ve been a mountain man. “You don’t look anything like your twin.”

  “Nope.” Levi laughed, but the bitter sound didn’t convey amusement. He faced the front. “We’re fraternal. People still mix us up anyway, though.”

  His tone didn’t invite discussion. Blaine didn’t push it. Kyle had mentioned Jack had been fighting with his twin. If their disagreements stemmed from working together, she could relate. Avery was the best brother a woman could have. Her love for her sibling didn’t translate into blind acceptance of his wishes, especially where her private encounters came into play.