Breaking Free: A Colorado High Country Crossover Novel, Pamela Clare [i can read book club .TXT] 📗

stupid grin off his face, his mind all over her. Had he been wearing this same grin earlier when her brother had stopped by? Maybe that’s why Chaska had looked like he wanted to punch Jason in the face.

Still, Jason couldn’t be too hard on himself. He’d just gotten the best head of his life. He’d been surprised that he’d been able to stand upright and speak in complete sentences after Winona had finished with him.

God, she was amazing—both in bed and out.

She’d come back inside from her little chat with Chaska, worry in her eyes. Jason didn’t have to ask what was wrong. Chaska didn’t like the idea of Jason sleeping with his little sister. But Winona was an adult woman. She didn’t need Chaska’s approval to take a man to her bed.

He’s not wrong to worry about her, is he, pendejo?

That thought wiped the grin off Jason’s face.

Chaska wanted to see his little sister with a man who’d stick around and be a part of her life, not someone who was just passing through or using his sister to get off. He didn’t want her to get hurt.

Well, Jason couldn’t fault the man for that. But the last thing he wanted to do was hurt Winona. He’d been transparent with her. She knew he couldn’t make a life with her here in Scarlet Springs. Their time together was a gift, and they both knew it would end.

Why did that leave him feeling desolate?

He pushed the question from his mind and spent the morning doing things around the house. He wiped down the counters and the stove, swept the floors, took out the trash and recycling, and brought in the plastic coffee can lid she’d used as a spirit plate for breakfast. Then he started a load of laundry.

Needing to stay busy, he sat down with his laptop to catch up on email. Then he brushed his teeth and took a shower. He’d just put on his jeans when Winona ran through the door, calling for him.

“Jason?”

He stepped out of the bedroom. “What is it?”

She was almost breathless with excitement, her brown eyes wide. “The Cimarron donated twenty-five thousand dollars to the clinic. That covers my operating expenses for the rest of the year and beyond. Can you believe that?”

Jason was impressed. “They said they’d make a donation. Those Wests never do anything half-assed.”

“There’s more. Someone dropped this through the front door.” She held out an envelope. “It’s for you from the Cimarron.”

Jason read his name on the front, saw the Cimarron stamp on the back, and opened it. Then it was his turn to be surprised. “It’s a check for two thousand. They didn’t have to do that.”

There was a letter, too, a short, handwritten message signed by Jack, offering their thanks, praising him for his skill, and inviting him to visit the ranch anytime.

“Maybe that money will help you deal with the month of unpaid leave.”

“I’ve got enough saved up.” When he got back to Sells, he would deposit the money and donate it to Winona’s clinic. “How are things with the animals?”

“The critters are doing well. My volunteers did a great job of keeping up with cleaning and feeding while I was out. I examined the beaver, raccoon, and fox, ordered some supplies, and called Dan, the game warden, to let him know we can schedule the eagle’s release. He told me they’ve been looking for the wolf but so far haven’t seen more than tracks. They’re busy with that and want to wait to release the eagle until next week. Maybe you can be there.”

Jason saw the hope in her eyes, a fragile hope that he would still be here in Scarlet Springs. “I would love that.”

Her face lit up. “I thought we could maybe grab lunch at Knockers and then go to the climbing gym. The Team usually trains there on Thursday afternoons.”

But Jason had a better idea. “How about we skip lunch, skip the climbing gym—whatever that is—and get naked. I have some things I’d like to do to that sweet body of yours if you’d let me.”

Her pupils dilated, but she feigned disinterest. “Hmm. Like what?”

He grasped her waist, drew her near. “I thought I could start by stripping you naked and then kissing every inch of you.”

She looked up at him through big brown eyes. “And then what?”

“I could tie you to the bed and do my best to make you scream.” He ducked down and nuzzled the skin beneath her ear, inhaling her scent. “Or I could go down on you and make you wait for it like you did to me this morning. Or bend you over and fuck you from behind. I promise you won’t need to read a book.”

She slid her hands over his ass, her touch arousing even through denim. “Well, I do enjoy reading, but if you think you’re up for all that...”

He ground his pelvis against her, let her feel his erection. “Oh, I’m up for it. The question is can you take it?”

“I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

“My thoughts exactly.” He scooped her off her feet, laughing at her shriek of surprise, and carried her into her bedroom.

Wrists still bound with her bandana, Winona lay face down on her bed, out of breath and spent, little tremors of pleasure washing through her as her climax slowly faded. Jason rolled onto his back beside her, and she felt him moving around—probably to get rid of the condom. Then he reached over to unbind her, warm lips pressing kisses against her shoulder.

She rolled onto her back, opened her eyes, found him smiling down at her. She tried to speak but had to swallow first, her throat dry from all the noise she’d made, all that moaning and crying out. “You are so good.”

How could she go back to her sexless existence after this? How could she ever desire any man other than Jason?

Don’t think about it.

He chuckled, kissed her forehead.