Moonlight Beach Bachelors: Her Forbidden Cowboy

“You’ll go to the party?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m ready.”

They’d had their first real argument. Granted, it wasn’t much of one. A few minutes of tension was all. But she’d stood her ground, and she could feel good about that. One thing that loving Steven had taught her was never to turn a blind eye. From now on, she wanted to deal in absolute truth.

“You mind driving?” he asked.

“I should make you trudge through the sand all the way to Dylan’s place.”

“I’d do it if it would put a smile back on your face.”

“It’s tempting. But I’m not that cruel.”

Amused, Zane’s mouth lifted, and they seemed back on even footing again.

Whatever that was.

Six

Zane stood outside in the shadows, his shoulder braced against the wall of Dylan’s home. The setting sun cast pastel colors across the cobalt sky, and waves pounded the shoreline. The Pacific breezes had died down and no longer lifted Jessica’s blond locks into a flowing silky sheet in the wind. She stood in front of a circular fire pit on the deck. Her flowery summer dress had been a victim of the wind, too, and hell if he hadn’t noticed her hem billow up, every single time. And every single time, something powerful zinged inside him.

He couldn’t figure why Jessica had made such a drastic turnabout in her appearance. He wouldn’t have called her an ugly duckling before—she’d been perfect in her own natural way—but tonight, she’d bloomed into a beautiful swan and he feared he was in deep trouble.

He liked her. A lot. And he knew damn well she was as off-limits to him as any woman would ever be. The old Jess he could deal with. She was like his kid sister. But now, as he watched the predusk light filter through her hair and heard the sound of her sultry laughter carry to him as she spoke with Dylan and his friends, she seemed like a different woman.

Sweet Jess was a knockout, and every man here had noticed.

Dylan popped his head up from the group and gestured to him. “Come on over and join the party.”

Well, damn. He couldn’t very well stay in the shadows the entire night. He’d have to shelve his confused thoughts about Jessica and join them. He pushed off from the wall using his crutches for balance and made his way over to the fire pit.

“I thought Adam was the only recluse on the beach,” Dylan said.

“There’s a difference between savoring one’s privacy as opposed to hiding out from the world,” Adam said.

Adam Chase was his next-door neighbor, the architect of many of the homes on the beachfront and a man who didn’t give much away about himself. He’d been featured in Architectural Digest and agreed to a rare magazine interview, but mostly the man’s astonishing work spoke for itself. The one thing he’d learned about Adam in the time he’d known him was that he shied away from attention.

“He’s got you there, Dylan. Being someone who craves attention, you wouldn’t understand.” Zane zinged him because he knew Dylan was a good sport and could handle the teasing.

Dylan took Jess’s hand, entwining their fingers. “They’re ganging up on me, Jess. I need someone in my corner.”

Jess’s giggles swept over Zane, and he eyed the half-empty blended mojito she held in her other hand. She freed her hand and inched away from Dylan. It was hardly a noticeable move, except maybe to Zane, who was eyeballing her every step. “You boys are on your own. I’m staying out of this.”

Dylan slammed his hand to his chest. “Oh, you’re breaking my heart, Jess.”

Adam’s eyes flickered over Jess and touched on the valley between her breasts in the revealing sundress she wore. She was dazzling tonight, and Zane had a hard time keeping his eyes off her, too. He shouldn’t fault the guys for flirting, yet every inappropriate glance at her boiled his blood.

“You’re a smart woman, Jessica,” Adam said.

“The smartest,” Zane added. “She’s going home with me tonight.”

All eyes turned his way. Ah, hell. He’d shocked them, but no more than he’d shocked himself. He spared Dylan a glance, and the guy’s smug grin was bright enough to light the night sky. Adam’s face was unreadable, and the four others around the fire pit became awkwardly silent. “She’s my houseguest and she’s...”

“I think what Zane meant,” Jess chimed in, “was that I’ve had a tough time lately. I’m getting over a broken engagement and, well, he’s sweet enough to want to protect me.” Her eyes scanned the seven people sitting around the fire pit. “Not that I’d need protecting from anyone here. You’ve all been so nice and welcoming.”

They had. And now Zane felt like an ass for staking his claim when he had no right and for putting her in an awkward position.

“But I do make my own decisions. And I’d love to get to know each of you better.”

“You are a smart woman.” Dylan turned to Zane with genuine understanding. He and Dylan had had this conversation before. “And we all knew what Zane was getting at.”

Zane clamped his mouth shut for the moment. He’d said enough, and he had a feeling that Jessica wasn’t too thrilled with him right now. His big brother act had probably started to wear thin on her. He didn’t say boo when she walked down to the water deep in conversation with Adam Chase for a few minutes. He didn’t register an inkling of irritation when Dylan offered to give her a tour of his house. But darn if he wasn’t keenly relieved when Jessica made friends with three of the women at the party. She’d spent a good deal of time with them. He recognized one woman as an actress recently cast in a film about a Southern girl. She’d gobbled up a good deal of time asking Jess questions about Texas.

“You look like you could use a beer.” Adam handed him one of the two longnecks he clasped between his fingers.

“You read my mind. That sounds good.” Adam’s mouth twitched. The man didn’t often smile, but obviously Zane had amused him. “Right. How’s the restaurant coming?”

Zane had asked Adam for a recommendation of someone whose specialty was designing shoreline commercial establishments since Adam didn’t work with small restaurants. “We’ve broken ground. The framework is up, and we should open our doors in a few months. I’m hoping for Labor Day.”

“Glad things are going smoothly.”

He nodded. Last year, he’d opened a restaurant in Reno, and his friend and CEO of Sentinel Construction had overseen the building. But Casey’s business didn’t reach the west coast, and Adam had connections all over the world. He wound up hiring a builder Adam said was top-notch. “They seem to be.”

Adam sipped his beer. “Jessica seems like a nice girl. She said she’s indirectly related to you.”

Indirectly? Though those were true words, it still stung hearing them coming from her mouth secondhand that way. There was something painful in the truth, and if he was being gut-honest with himself, it was liberating, as well. “Uh, yeah. She was my wife’s little sis. She’s staying in Moonlight Beach for a while.”

“With you. Yes, you made that clear earlier.” Adam’s mouth hitched again. It was more animation than Zane had seen in the guy practically since he’d met him. “I’m going out on a limb here, but either you’re hooked on her, or you’ve got a bad case of Big Brother syndrome.”

Zane peered over Adam’s shoulder and caught a glimpse of Jessica speaking with a man who looked enough like Dylan to be his twin. “Who the hell is that?”

Adam swiveled his head and gave the guy a once-over. “Dylan introduced him to me before you arrived. That’s Roy. He’s Dylan’s stunt double.”

Roy and Jessica stood in the sand under the light of a tiki torch and away from the crowd of people beginning to swarm the barbecue pit, where a chef prepared food on the grill. Zane didn’t like it, but he couldn’t very well pull her away from every guy who approached her.

“So, which is it?” Adam asked.

“Which is what?” He watched Jessica laugh at something Roy said.

“Are you playing big brother? Cause if you’re not, I think you have to amp up your game, neighbor. Or you’re going to lose something special, before you know what hit you.”

Zane stared at Adam. The guy had no clue what he was talking about. Adam had no idea how hard he’d loved Janie. He had no idea how he couldn’t get past what happened. He’d tried over and over to put his emotions to lyrics, to gain some sort of closure in a song meant to honor his love for Janie, but the words wouldn’t come. “I’ve already lost—”

Adam began shaking his head. “I’m not talking about the past, Zane. I’m talking about the future.”

“Spoken by a man who rarely steps foot out of his house.”

Now Adam did laugh. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, that surprises me. Why are you?”

He shrugged. “I’ve got a temperamental artist painting a wall in my gallery. It’s going to be fantastic when he’s through, and he insists on complete privacy. I’m staying at Dylan’s for a few days.”

“Well, damn. You’re sorta here by default, then.”

“It’s not so bad. At least I got to meet Jessica and all her Southern charm.”

“Why, that’s very nice of you to say, Adam.”

A sweet strawberry scent wafted to his nostrils, announcing Jessica’s presence even before she’d uttered a word. He’d come to recognize her scent, and every time she approached, a little bitty buzz would rush through his belly. She took a place by his side, and he refrained from puffing out his chest.

“Just speaking the truth,” Adam said.

“Hey, Jess,” Zane said.

“Hey, yourself,” she said to him. He wasn’t sure if she’d been deliberately avoiding him since his dopey remark earlier, or if she was flitting around like a butterfly to make new friends. Either way, he was glad she’d come over to him.

“Having fun?”

“Sure am. I’m meeting some great people here. It was sweet of Dylan to invite me. Sorry if I abandoned you.”

He raised his beer bottle to his lips. “No problem. I spent my time keeping Adam amused.”

Jessica shot a questioning glance at Adam.

“He’s quite a party animal these days,” Adam explained, tucking his free hand into his trouser pockets.

Zane gulped the rest of his beer. He wouldn’t be here if Jessica hadn’t changed her mind about coming. “C’mon Jess. Looks like the meal’s being served. I’ve got me a hankering for some barbecue chicken.”

“Adam, will you join us?” she asked.

Adam shook his head. “I’ll see you over at the table later. I’m going to have another drink first.”

Zane began moving, and Jessica kept by his side as he headed for a table occupying the far corner of the massive patio. “Chances are we won’t see much of Adam tonight. He keeps to himself pretty much.”

“Does he?” she asked. “Why?”

“I don’t really know. We got friendly when I leased the house from him. And we had some business dealings, but I sensed he’s a loner. It’s probably why he was standing with me, over against the wall.”

“Well, he was cordial to me.”

“Yeah, I know.” Zane dipped his gaze to the swell of her breasts teasing the top of her frilly sundress. Her skin looked creamy soft and—Lord help him—inviting. With that blond hair flowing down her back and her eyes as green as a grassy meadow, she made his heart ache. “I saw the two of you walking out to the water.”

“All I did was ask him about his designs. Architecture has always fascinated me.”

“Yeah, that’s probably why he spent time with you. He loves talking shop.” Lucky for him, Jess didn’t notice the sarcasm in his voice. He managed to pull a chair out for her, crutches and all.

Man, he’d be glad to rid himself of them.

It couldn’t happen soon enough.

* * *

They’d stayed at the party a little too long. Zane was smashed, going over his liquor limit an hour ago, and now she struggled to get him out of the car. He obviously didn’t take his own advice. Hadn’t he warned her of not drinking too much, because in his handicapped state, he wouldn’t be able to help her? Well...now the shoe was on the other foot. “Hang on to me,” she said, reaching inside the car.

“Glad to, darlin’.”

He slung his arm around her shoulder, nearly pulling her onto his lap.

“Zane!”

An earthy laugh rumbled from his throat.

“Not cute.”

“Neither are y-you,” he said.

After a few seconds of maneuvering, she managed to get him upright.

“You’re b-beautiful.”

Oh, boy. She rolled her eyes and ignored his comment.

He swayed to the left. Sure-footed he was not. She leaned him up against the car. “Here.” She shoved a crutch under his arm, tucking it carefully but none too gently. “Please, please, try to concentrate.”

Maybe she should’ve taken Dylan up on his offer to drive Zane home. But Zane wouldn’t have any of it, insisting he could manage.

Men and their egos.

Now she had two hundred pounds of sheer brawn and muscle to contend with. “Lean against me, Zane. Try not to topple. Ready?”

He nodded forcefully, and his whole body coasted away from her. “Whoa!” She gripped him around the waist and tugged with all of her might to bring him close. Letting him go right now would be a disaster. “Don’t make sudden moves like that.”

“Mmm.”

He sounded happy about something. She was glad someone was enjoying this. When he seemed secure in his stance, she took a step and then another. With his body pressed to hers and one shoulder supporting his arm, she managed to get him through the garage and inside the house. By the time she made it to his bed, her strength was almost sapped. “Here we go. I’m going to let go of you now.”

“Don’t,” he said.

“Why? Are you feeling dizzy?”

He shook his head, and his arm tightened around her shoulder. She was trapped in his warmth, his heat. And as she gazed up into his eyes, they cleared. Just like that. The haze that seemed to keep him in a woozy state was gone. “No. I’m feeling pretty damn good. Because you’re here with me. Because I can’t get you out of my head.”

As if his own weight was too much to bear, he sat down, taking her with him. She plopped on the bed, and the mattress sighed. Streaming moonlight filtered into the room, and their reflection in the window bounced back at her. Two souls, searching for something that they’d lost. Was that what the attraction was?

“Are you drunk?” she asked.

“Not too much anymore.” He pushed aside her hair at her nape, his touch as gentle as a Texas breeze. He nipped her there, his teeth scraping around to the top of her throat and the sensation claimed all the breath in her lungs.

“You sobered up fast,” she whispered, barely able to form a coherent thought. Having his delicious mouth taking liberties on her neck was pure heaven.

“I know when I want something.”

His nips were heady, and she tilted her head to the side, offering him more of her throat. “Wh-what do you want?”

With his good hand under her chin, he turned her head, and then his lips were on hers, pressing firm against her softness, igniting fireworks that started with her brain and rushed all the way down to her belly. She turned to him, roping her arm around his neck, kissing him back. He smelled like pure male animal, his scent mingling with whiskey and heat. Her breasts perked up, and her nipples pebbled against the silky material of her dress.

“I want to kiss you again and again,” he rasped over her lips. “I want to touch your body and have you touch mine. I need you, too. So badly, sweetheart.”

Oh, wow. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. A fierce physical attraction pulled at her like a giant magnet. She couldn’t fight the force or the combustible chemistry between them. And Zane didn’t give her time to refuse. With his left hand, he began unbuttoning his shirt and did a lousy job of slipping the buttons free until she came to his rescue.

“Let me.” She shoved his hand away and quickly finished for him. With his shirt open now, his chest was a work of art, muscled and bronzed. She itched to touch him, to put her hands exactly where he wanted her to. She inhaled, and as she released a breath, she spread her palms over his hot, moist skin. From the contours of his waist up his torso to where crisp chest hairs tickled the underside of her fingers, she savored each inch of him.

A guttural groan exploded in the room, and she wasn’t sure if she’d made that sound, but one look into Zane’s eyes darkened by desire and she knew it wasn’t her.

He was on fire. His skin sizzled hot and steamy, his breathing hitched and all of that combined was enough to blanket her body with burning heat. “We can’t,” she said softly.

She had to say it. Because of Janie. Because of Steven. She and Zane were both trying to heal, but none of that resonated right now. None of it seemed powerful enough to derail the sensations whipping them into a frenzied state.

Maybe this was what both of them needed.

One night.

His mouth claimed her again as he lay down on the bed, tugging her along with him. She fell beside him. Promptly he snaked his arm under her waist and flipped her on top of him.

She had his answer. Yes, they could.

His good hand cupped her cheek, and his eyes bored into her. “Don’t question this, Jess. Not if it’s what you want right now.”

That was Zane. The man who didn’t plan for the future anymore, the man who’d said it was better sometimes not to know where you were going. And Jessica certainly didn’t have a clue what her future held or where the heck she was going from here.

But she knew what she wanted tonight.

How could she not? Her breasts were crushed against Zane’s chest, her body trembling and so ready for whatever would come next. Zane was a good, decent man who also happened to be sexy as sin but he had also been her sis— She stopped thinking. Enough. She might talk herself out of this. “It’s what I want.”

He gave her a serious smile and kissed her again, his lips soft and tender, taking his time with her, making her come apart in small doses.

In the moment, Jessica gave herself permission to let go completely. He pushed the straps down on her dress and her breasts popped free of restraint. Zane caressed her, running his hand over her sensitive skin, lightly touching one wanton crest that seemed made for his touch.

A deep moan rose from her throat. She closed her eyes and enjoyed every second of his tender ministrations. “You have a beautiful body, sweetheart,” he said, then rose up to place his mouth over one breast, his tongue flicking the nub, wetting it in a flurry of sweeps. He moved to the other side and did the same, a little more frenzied, faster, rougher. She squealed, the exquisite pain sending shock waves down past her belly.

Zane reacted with a jerk of his hips. “Get naked for me, Jess.”

She pulled her dress over her shoulders, and he helped as much as he could to lift it the rest of the way off. She gave it a gentle toss to the floor and straddled him, bare but for her panties, and looking into eyes that seemed distant for a moment. “Are you sure about this?” he rasped, his brows gathering.

He was giving her a way out, but she was in too deep now. Her body hummed from his touch and the promise of the pulsing manhood beneath her. She wanted more...she wanted it all.

She was the new Jess.

“I’m sure, Zane.”

He nodded and blew out a breath in apparent relief, but there was something else. A part of him seemed undecided. It was only a feeling she had, a vibe that worried her in some small part of her consciousness. Don’t think. Don’t think. Don’t think.

The new Jess wasn’t a thinker. She was a doer.

She bent to his mouth, her sensitized nipples reaching his chest first. He bucked under her. “Oh, man, babe.” She smiled at him and opened her mouth, coaxing his tongue to play with hers. His strokes made her dizzy, and her desire for him soared. She was almost ready. She reached for his zipper.

“No,” he said. He gently rolled her to her side and leaned over her. “There might be something I’m good at with my left hand.”

A smile broke out on her face, but Zane wiped the smile away the second his fingers probed inside her panties. He cupped her there, and a melodic sigh escaped her throat. He kissed her, swallowing the rest of her sounds as he stroked her with deft fingers. Her body moved, arched, reached as he became more and more merciless. “Zane,” she cried.

She climbed over the top immediately, her limbs shaking, her breathing quickened and labored. A drawn-out, piercing scream rang from her throat. She was cocooned in heat. Zane held her patiently while her tingles ebbed and she came down to earth.

“Reach over to the bed stand, sweetheart,” he said as she caught her breath. “Dig deep in the drawer.” He nuzzled her ear and said softly, “It’s been a while.”

Seconds later, with a little of her help, he was sheathed. She reeled from the passion she witnessed in his eyes. It wasn’t lust, but something more. Something she could feel good about when she remembered this night. They were connected, always had been, and right now all things powerful in the universe were pulling her toward this man.

“Ready?” he asked.

As she nodded, boldly she lifted her leg over his waist to straddle him. Both of his hands came around her back, encouraging her to lean down. She did, and he pressed a dozen molten kisses to her mouth before he set her onto him.

Instinctively she rose up, and he helped guide her down. The tip of his shaft teased her entrance, and she closed her eyes.

“So beautiful,” she heard him say softly as he filled her body.

They moved together as one, his thrusts setting the pace. Her heart beat rapid-fire; she was in the Zane zone now and offered to him everything he wanted to take.

He was all she could ever hope for in a lover. His kiss drove her crazy, and he was more adept with one good hand than the men she’d known in the past who’d had the use of both. He explored her body with tender kisses and bold touches, with harmonious rhythm and unexpected caresses. He was wild and tender, sweet and wicked. And when he pressed her for finality that he seemingly couldn’t hold back another second, her release astonished and satisfied her. “Wow,” she whimpered, her body still buzzing. She lay sated and spent on the bed.

“Yeah, babe. Wow.” Zane sighed heavily, an uncomplicated sound telling her how much pleasure she’d brought him. She wasn’t sorry. She had no regrets. But then, she hadn’t let her mind wander since she’d entered Zane’s bedroom. She didn’t want to think. Not now.

Zane wrapped his arm around her, tucking her into him, and soon the sound of his quiet breaths steadied. With all that he’d consumed tonight, there was no reason to hope that he would wake soon.

She closed her eyes, savoring the safety and serenity the night brought to her.

* * *

Zane’s eyes snapped open to the ceiling above. It was funny how the crater-like texture seemed odd to him this morning. He’d never noticed it before. Back home, solid wood beams supported the house. The rich smell of pines and oaks and cedar lent warmth and gave him a true sense of belonging. He missed home, longed for it actually, but how in hell could he complain? He lived in a rich man’s paradise, on a sandy windswept beach with dazzling pastel sunsets and beautiful people surrounding him.

He didn’t have to look over to know Jess wasn’t beside him on the bed. He’d heard her exit the room in the wee hours of the morning. He should’ve stopped her. He should’ve reached out and tugged her back to bed. If he had, she’d be here with him now, and he would nestle into her warmth again.

Sweet Jess. Sexy Jess.

Oxygen pushed out of his lungs. He was still feeling the effects of last night. The alcohol, the soft woman—the entire night played back in his mind. He was in deep now.

He hinged his body up and swiveled his feet over the bed to meet with the floor. He made a grab for his crutches that lay against the wall and luckily hung on to them. Rising, still wearing the pants he’d worn last night, he ambled from the bedroom to the living room. From there, he spotted Jess pressed against the deck railing in a pair of sexy shorts and a ruffled blouse, gazing out to sea. It was just after dawn, and the beach was empty but for a few seagulls milling about. Low curling waves splashed against the shore almost silently. It was a beautiful time of day.