Wild for You Read online

  Sylvia smiled. “We pride ourselves on the best quality gemstones and crystals you will find in Sedona, and pretty much anywhere.”

  Dara and Jack spent time looking at various gemstones and crystals, along with their gorgeous selection of jewelry.

  Sylvia left to take care of other shoppers, but returned when the store was empty again, save for Jack and Dara.

  “I’ll take this citrine necklace.” Dara held the large pendant in her hand that Sylvia had just taken out of the case. The gold chain draped over Dara’s hand. “And the matching earrings.”

  “How about the bracelet?” Sylvia held up the gold bracelet with five citrine stones set amongst the links.

  Dara shook her head. “Any more than these pieces and I’ll shoot my budget all to hell. This will do it.” She so wished she could afford it.

  While Sylvia rang her up, Jack fastened the necklace around Dara’s neck, where it rested at the base of her throat.

  She took off the hoop earrings she’d worn and dropped them into her purse. She replaced them with the citrine earrings and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

  “Love these.” She looked up at Jack. “I haven’t bought myself anything this fun in a long time. After this it’ll probably be a good while before I do it again.”

  “They’re nice pieces.” Jack slid his finger over her collarbone, causing a little shiver to run through her. “I like them on you.”

  Sylvia wished them a nice evening as Dara and Jack started to leave, and they responded in turn.

  They held hands as they walked along the wide walkway, peeking in store windows as they strolled. Dara still felt as if Jack’s gentle fingers were on the soft skin of her neck and throat.

  Jack and Dara found commemoratives of Western movies filmed in Sedona, along with the cowboys in the movies. Bronze plaques with hand-or-boot prints of the actors had been embedded in red rock concrete. Jack told her some of the commemoratives were placed in different plazas.

  A lot of outdoor sculptures decorated the area and there were plenty of historic sites.

  They had a wonderful time shopping, enjoying a few of the sights, and soaking up the Sedona atmosphere.

  Afterward, Jack and Dara strolled to a restaurant, not far from where he’d parked his truck.

  They walked up the flagstone walkway to Prospector Jim’s, one of the best restaurants in Sedona. She loved the way Jack kept his hand pressed against her lower back as they walked.

  Jack nodded to the young man in Wranglers and a western shirt, who held the door open as they entered.

  A hostess greeted them, who Dara couldn’t place at first.

  “Hi, Alejandra.” Jack smiled at the woman, and it clicked who she was.

  “Been a good long time since we’ve seen you here in Sedona, Jack.” Alejandra turned her gaze on Dara and her smile broadened. “Hey, Dara. It’s been a while.”

  “It sure has been,” Dara said. “I didn’t know you’d moved to Sedona.”

  “Two years now.” Alejandra smiled. “I love this town.”

  “I can see why,” Dara said. “I love just visiting here.”

  Alejandra picked up two menus. “I reserved the perfect spot for you two.”

  She spoke as she led them through the packed restaurant. “You’ll be surprised to know my little sister, Esperanza, works here now.” She took them through the packed restaurant to a quiet corner and laid the menus on the table as Jack seated Dara and then himself. “Esperanza will be here soon to take your drink orders.”

  “Thank you, Alejandra.” Jack removed his western hat and set it on the seat beside him.

  The moment Alejandra left, a young man arrived and filled their water glasses. Jack thanked him before he retreated.

  Jack laid his hand on the table and Dara placed her hand in his. He gripped her, his touch so warm and comfortable. She found she couldn’t look away from him.

  So much about this man sent her mind spinning.

  Something pinged at the back of her brain. Too good to be true, Dara.

  “It’s been an amazing day,” she said to him.

  His smile rocked her world every single time. “That’s because it’s us. Together we can make anything pretty damned special.”

  This man had her smiling all the time. “I like the way you think.”

  Their server, Esperanza, arrived and looked from Jack to Dara. “Well, you two seem to have started your evening off right.”

  “Absolutely.” Dara settled back in her seat as Jack released her hand.

  He met the server’s gaze. “Good to see you, Esperanza.”

  “Drinks from the bar tonight?” she asked.

  Dara shifted in her seat. “I’d love a glass of wine. Riesling.”

  “If you enjoy a good Riesling,” Esperanza said, “I think you’d enjoy the Gold Gulch from a winery here in Sedona.”

  “Perfect,” Dara said.

  Esperanza smiled at Jack. “Or course, you’re a fan of dark beer. I think you would enjoy the Smiling Boar from a Verde Valley brewery.”

  “I’ll trust you on that,” Jack said.

  “Awesome. I’ll be right back with those drinks.” Esperanza left and headed through the crowded restaurant for the bar.

  Dara picked up her menu. “What’s your favorite meal at Prospector Jim’s?”

  Jack glanced at his menu. “They have a cowboy steak that is downright amazing.”

  “Steak sounds great.” Dara looked over the menu. “The cowgirl steak with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans would be perfect.”

  “We’ll make that two steaks,” he said.

  They set their menus aside for Esperanza to pick up when she returned.

  He leaned back in his chair. “How long have you been working at the Special Dreams Ranch?”

  “Hmmm.” Dara tilted her head to the side. “Like Leslie, I worked part time at SDR while I was in high school. For a couple of years I worked where they needed me, like office work and janitorial.”

  She went on. “I left for six years to attend Northern Arizona University. After I graduated from NAU with a Special Education Masters degree, I took a full-time position at SDR that summer. That was a little over two years ago.”

  “What led you to that career path?” he asked.

  “When I worked at SDR while I was in high school, I loved being around the kids.” Warmth moved through her as she thought about those days. “Good times.”

  She settled her fingers around her water glass. “It became my passion to work directly with special needs kids, so I headed off to the university to pursue it. I got lucky that a position opened up at SDR not long after I graduated.”

  Jack smiled. “It’s good to work in a career you’re passionate about, and I find what you do admirable.”

  Esperanza stopped by and set a glass of white wine in front of Dara and the dark beer before Jack. “Ready to order?”

  “I’ll have the cowboy steak and Dara would like the cowgirl,” Jack said.

  Esperanza asked how they liked it cooked. Dara told her medium rare, and Jack said he preferred well done. Their server nodded, took the menus, and retreated.

  Dara picked up her wine glass. “What are you passionate about?”

  “Raising my daughter and son is top on the list,” he said. “Outside of my family, I believe in helping others and I’m in the position to do so. I donate to a couple of organizations that provide food and shelter for those who need assistance.”

  Dara finished taking a sip of her wine. “You went to the University of Arizona, didn’t you?”

  “Bachelor of Science degree, Agribusiness Economics and Management,” he said. “Then headed back home to start our ranch and grow our business.”

  “Did Lucy get her degree in Agriculture, too?” Dara had known Lucy, so she felt like it was a natural enough question to ask.

  He shook his head. “Education. She wanted to be a teacher, but she helped get the ranch going, and then we ended up starti
ng a family.”

  “I really liked Lucy,” Dara said. “Everyone did.”

  * * *

  Jack nodded as he thought about the woman he’d been with for so long. “Lucy was easy to like.”

  As the years passed, it had become easier and easier to let go of the difference in Lucy when she’d been around other people versus her alone time with him. No doubt about it, she’d always been a good woman and a good mother.

  But, there’d been ups and downs with her drinking and the way she’d treated him when she’d had too much. She’d become jealous when he was polite or friendly to other women.

  When they’d get home, Lucy would down a bottle of wine, and it had been hard to deal with the change in her personality. She’d never been like that before they were married. No one even knew she drank more than a glass of wine or two socially.

  At least she’d always been good with the kids, and he was grateful for that. He and Lucy had their good times, but over the years after their marriage it had become more difficult.

  Jack downed a good-sized swallow of beer. Enough of old memories. Time to make new ones.

  Enjoyable conversation continued between him and Dara, and their food arrived before he knew it. The steak was excellent, as were the mashed potatoes and green beans.

  Dara was so down-to-earth and easy to talk with.

  They’d had one hell of a great day, too. Oak Creek Canyon was always nice this time of year, and they’d had a nice picnic.

  Later, he’d had fun going to shops with Dara. She’d wanted to look at tiger’s eye, amber, and citrine pieces at one of Sedona’s numerous jewelry shops, and she liked widow shopping with him at a furniture store that specialized in handmade items.

  After sharing a slice of mile-high carrot cake and a couple cups of coffee, they left Prospector Jim’s.

  They walked hand-in-hand to the truck. Jack stopped just short of opening the door.

  Dara’s breath hitched as he cupped her face in his hands. He lowered his head so slowly and brushed his mouth over hers.

  A thrill ran through her belly, expanding throughout her.

  That brief touch of their lips was one of the sexiest moments she’d ever experienced.

  He raised his head and smiled before he opened the truck door.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jack and Dara sat for a long moment inside his parked truck, outside the resort front doors, where the valet waited. The motor still ran, the heater on to keep them warm.

  He studied her with so much intensity, it took her breath away.

  This man wanted her, and she desired him more than she could ever have imagined.

  He squeezed her hand and smiled. “Let’s go.”

  After Jack tipped the valet, they made their way through the wood and glass doors of the resort, anticipation tingling up and down her arms and lingering along her spine.

  All that had happened today had built up to this moment.

  She wanted him so much she could feel it to her toes.

  Jack grasped her hand. Dara’s heart beat a little faster as they reached the door of their two-room suite. He used the key card to let them in.

  Warmth filled her as he drew her into the living area between the two rooms. The door slid shut behind them as he led her to his room without stopping.

  The moment they crossed the threshold, he brought her into the circle of his arms. He felt so warm, so solid, so amazing.

  He moved his lips to hers and she moaned softly as he took control. He kissed her slowly, his mouth moving over hers in an erotic dance.

  “Let’s get rid of these.” He released her long enough to help her out of her jacket and he let his own slide down his arms before tossing both on a nearby chair.

  Flames grew inside her as he brought her close again and molded his body to hers. His body was so firm, his muscles big and strong and hard against her softness.

  His rigid length pressed against her belly. Feeling him so close sent butterflies skimming through her belly.

  She almost couldn’t believe Jack would be inside her soon.

  Inside me. Soon.

  The thought sent thrills through her abdomen, down to the juncture of her thighs.

  Dara grew dizzy as he kissed her so long and deep. He moved his hands down her back to her waist, before he let them slide to her ass. He rested his hands there and pulled her tighter against him.

  He felt so good. His sent was intoxicating, his touch electrifying.

  When he finally raised his head, she wasn’t sure she’d ever catch her breath as she looked up into his eyes. So blue, so captivating.

  “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.” He said it in a way that made her believe he meant every single word. “Everything about you.”

  She shivered as Jack slid his palms over the curve of her hips before sliding them to her breasts. She gave a soft moan as he rubbed his thumbs over her nipples.

  He interlocked his fingers with hers and they moved to the bed. “Sit,” he said before guiding her down until she was on the edge of the mattress. He knelt in front of her and took her booted foot in his hand and eased the side zipper down to her ankle.

  It amazed her how gentle he was as he took his time with her. He eased off the boot and peeled down her long sock. He grasped her foot in one hand and circled the inside of her ankle with his thumb.

  That simple touch was one of the most sensual things she’d ever felt.

  His gaze held hers as he stroked her skin. He eased her foot so that it was on the carpet and removed her other boot and sock in the same deliberate fashion. He paid as much attention to that foot as he had the first.

  Jack slid his palms up her calves to the hem of her sweater dress that lay just below her knees. He slid the dress up as deliberately and slowly as he’d removed her boots. He pushed it to her upper thighs before he leaned forward to kiss the inside of each knee.

  Dara sucked in her breath as he trailed his lips along her thigh, moving closer to her center. Every slow movement made her want him so much she could barely stand waiting.

  He paused and inhaled deeply. “You’re so damned sweet.” His voice sounded rough, as if he held part of himself back when he wanted to break free.

  She ached for him so badly she squirmed on the bed. She needed him now, but she didn’t want this to end.

  In all her life, she’d never felt so cherished.

  She wanted this. Needed this.

  He pushed up her dress even farther, and she shifted her hips so that he could ease the sweater material over her waist, then her breasts. She helped him pull it over her head before he laid it aside.

  “I can’t get enough of looking at you.” He slid his fingers along the waistband of her panties. “I can’t get enough of touching you.”

  She had wanted to look good for him and earlier in the week had gone to the boutique and picked out chocolate-brown satin panties and bra for this night. But, he made her feel like he would have been just as pleased if she’d worn any old thing she already had.

  No matter his good intentions, she’d known they would be here together. In her dreams, she’d never imagined a moment like this.

  His fingers felt like magic as he trailed them down, over her panties. She gasped as he slid his finger along the center between her thighs.

  The slow, erotic touch was like nothing she’d ever felt before.

  He spread her thighs apart so that he could move closer.

  And kiss her.

  Magic.

  Yes, he made her believe in magic. That anything was possible.

  She moaned as he moved his mouth over hers. At the same time, he reached around her and unfastened her bra.

  He drew away from the kiss and slipped the straps over her shoulders and down her arms before laying it on her dress.

  Her nipples were impossibly hard as he cupped her breasts and looked at them. “Beautiful.” He smiled and met her gaze. “You are stunning.”

  He me
smerized her with every touch, every word. He lowered his head and slid his mouth over her nipple.

  Dara moaned and slid her fingers into his hair as he trailed his tongue around the hard nub before he sucked. She didn’t remember her nipples ever being so sensitive.

  He slid his mouth down the side of her breast while he still cupped them. He flicked his tongue over her skin, making a path to her other nipple. He licked and sucked until she squirmed, out of her mind with need.

  “Jack,” she whispered. “You’re making me feel like I’m going to go insane from wanting you so much.”

  He raised his head and gave her a sensual smile. “Then you feel like I do.” He kissed her again.

  She shifted her hips as he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of her panties and tugged them down. He broke the kiss and concentrated on her body as he eased them over her hips and thighs to her ankles, then feet, before setting them aside.

  “Let’s get you undressed.” She reached for his shirt collar.

  “Hold your horses.” He smiled at her. “I need to taste you first.”

  The way he said the words, the way he looked at her, made her belly swoop.

  He lightly pressed her back. “Lie on the bed.”

  She scooted to the middle and rested her head on a pillow. She felt almost shy as he grabbed another pillow and tucked it under her ass, raising her up so that he’d have better access to her.

  He pressed her thighs wide with his shoulders and lowered his head. He inhaled audibly before brushing his lips over her center in a light touch that struck her so powerfully she cried out.

  “You make me feel like I’ll shatter,” she said. “Like I’m going to break into a million pieces.”

  “I hope that’s a good thing,” he said against her mound.

  She groaned. “An incredibly wonderful thing.”

  “Good.” He dipped his tongue into her folds and her eyes widened as she sucked in a breath.

  She watched while she tried to cling to sanity.

  Jack. His head between her thighs. Tasting her.

  The way he made her feel was like a live wire snaking through her body. The sensations snapped and cracked, whipping through her like a living thing.