8
" eye. “Let’s get one thing straight, Mia. You’re safe with me. No matter what. Whether you change your mind about this at the last minute, or you want to go full speed ahead, I promise you I’m going to keep you safe. But I’m not a teddy bear. You sleep with me tonight, and you’re not going to end up peacefully cuddled next to me. There’s nothing soft about me.” He tightened his hold on her wrist, pressed her palm more firmly against his length, and then drew her hand up to his stomach, across the flat planes of his ab muscles, and up to his well-defined chest. “And just because you’re a virgin, because you never met a man who made the kissing good enough to make all that other stuff fade into the background, I’m not going to take it easy on you. I’m going to demand a lot. But I’m going to give you a lot. And if you’re all right with that . . . Then yes, we’ll do this. But if you’re expecting me to turn the lights off and let you leave your nightgown on while I dispense with things quickly and easily, you have the wrong guy. "
― Jennifer Ryan , Snowbound at Christmas (Montana Men, #5.5)
11
" The lights went out in the dining room and Owen entered the kitchen, stopping several feet away. She leaned on her hands, her head bent nearly to her chest. She could only see his feet and legs.
“Claire, you’re exhausted. Why didn’t you just go up to bed?”
“The meds kicked in. Too tired to move.”
Unexpected and exciting, he plucked her right off the counter and settled her in his arms and against his broad, hard chest. Too tired to make a fuss and exert her independence, she gave in to something else entirely and snuggled closer, nestling her face in his neck and settling her head on his strong shoulder. His chest rumbled with a laugh. “You’re like a contented cat, snuggling in for the night.”
“Deep down, I’m fine on my own. The meds have made me mushy and weak.”
“Not weak. After the night you’ve had, you just need a hug.” He squeezed her to his chest. She tried to hide the wince of pain, but he felt her stiffen in his arms. “Sorry, overstepped.” They reached the top of the stairs, and he stopped.
“No, you didn’t. I didn’t realize how banged up I got. I feel like I got hit by a car,” she joked. “The meds are helping out considerably. My room’s on the right.”
Owen walked down the hall and entered her room, stopping just inside and looking around. “Wow. It’s like another house in here.”
“I moved in over a year ago, but I spent all my time opening the shop and running it. A couple of months ago, I started on the house. I spend so much time at the shop, the most time I spend here is sleeping, so I redid the master bedroom first. I’ve upgraded the bathroom, but I still need to add the finishing touches.”
“You added the flower pots on the back patio with the lounge and table set.”
“I like to drink my coffee out there in the morning when the weather is nice.”
“You spend a lot of time working, so spending the morning outside is relaxing.”
“Yes. Sounds like the same is true for you, too.”
He nodded. “I spend most evenings outside reading over briefs and preparing for court. I take care of the horses and barn cats. It gets me out of my head.”
“You can put me down now.”
“I knew you’d say that.” She laughed, and he set her on her bed.
-Owen & Claire "
― Jennifer Ryan , Falling for Owen (The McBrides, #2)
13
" I’m sorry if I made you think I don’t trust you.”
“You don’t. Not yet. And that’s okay. Just stop assuming I’m only out to hurt you, or take something you’re not willing to give. If you’re not interested, all you have to do is say so. I can’t say I won’t be disappointed, but I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want.”
“I am interested,” she said more boldly than she actually felt. “Please understand, my caution comes from experience. You’ve already proven you’re not like the asshole. I’m glad you came last night. I’m glad you’re still here this morning.”
“See, I’m not so hard to like,” he teased, putting her at ease after the tense moments they’d just shared.
-Claire & Owen "
― Jennifer Ryan , Falling for Owen (The McBrides, #2)
14
" Summer, Beth, and one of his ranch hands, Pete, came in with the Army medic bag.
“What the hell?” Pete gaped at Jenna.
Jenna opened her eyes wide and screamed, “No more!” She tried to get up from the bed, but couldn’t even manage to get her arms under her.
“Get out,” Jack shouted at Pete. He put a calming hand on Jenna’s head, encouraging her to lie down, and leaned close to her ear. “You’re all right. No one will hurt you. Stay still. You’re hurting yourself, baby. Please, stay still.”
Summer and Beth stood like toy soldiers at the foot of the bed. As he spoke, Jenna’s body relaxed and Jack’s knotted muscles unwound.
Pete left the room as ordered and Beth went after him. Jack overheard them on the stairs.
“What the hell was that all about? I ain’t never seen Jack look that way, or yell at me like that.”
“I know, Pete. I don’t know who that woman is, but Jack won’t let anyone near her. I’ve never seen anything like it. Did you see her back? What did that to her?”
“Not what. Who.” Jack heard Pete’s furious words, “A man. And if Jack gets his hands on the scum, he’ll kill him.”
Amen, Jack thought.
-Pete, Jenna, Jack, & Beth "
― Jennifer Ryan , Saved by the Rancher (The Hunted, #1)
16
" Do you have to replace the front door every day?”
Smiling at him, not a big smile, but a smile nonetheless. It warmed Jack from the inside out.
“What are you talking about? I told you, you’re safe here.”
“Are you safe here?”
“What?”
He didn’t understand what she meant, but he liked her sweet smile.
“Women. They must beat down that door every day to get to you.”
He cracked up with laughter.
“You think so, huh.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“I think you’re pretty damn beautiful yourself.”
“Yeah, right. I hear bandages and bruises are in this year.”
“You’re beautiful.”
They stared at each other, that invisible but undeniable something passing between them.
He wanted to touch her, but knew now wasn’t the time. As forward as she’d been joking with him about women beating down his door, she shied away from acknowledging this thing between them.
He broke off the look first and dug out his supplies. He wrapped a bandage around her thigh, trying not to think about the softness of her skin or the fact she was naked under the sheet.
Her eyes fluttered shut. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. She placed her hand on his cheek.
Such a simple gesture. He leaned into her palm, felt her fingers brush against his skin.
How long has it been since a simple touch affected him so deeply?
Reluctant to leave her, nonetheless he drew back and her eyes remained closed. He took her hand from his cheek and placed it on the pillow next to her head.
He nuzzled at her ear and whispered, “Beautiful. Believe it.”
-Jenna & Jack "
― Jennifer Ryan , Saved by the Rancher (The Hunted, #1)
