That was a damned big scar. A chill ran down her spine as she realized how close Jake had come to dying at his own brother’s hands. But Jake still stood loyally at his brother’s side. Her heart turned over in her chest. Damn him, why did he have to be so…perfect? “Did you
The corner of his mouth turned up in a wry smile. “Hadn’t considered it when I went to college. I’d planned to buy a spread next to my parents.”
“Ranching?”
He nodded. “Eastern Oregon.” Kallie followed his gaze to the glow on top of the mountains, the dark sky, and the stars popping into existence one by one. “But I would have missed this. And it suits me far better than ranching.” He added, “I miss the horses sometimes.”
A rancher. A soldier. No wonder he had an I-can-do-anything attitude. And even though his brother had attacked him, had left that scar on his face-something far, far worse than anything she’d ever done-Jake hadn’t abandoned him. Instead he’d changed his whole life to support Logan. Her heart wrenched, and she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his waist.
“Hey.” He stroked her hair, then tilted her head. “You okay, sprite?”
Her lips trembled.
His gaze stayed intent for a moment. Then he obviously decided to let her evade. He rubbed his knuckles along the line of her jaw. “You’re not going to play on my team?”
“Pfft, no way in hell.” She grabbed his hand and started toward the house. “I have a memory of someone beating on me very recently.” In fact, she could still feel the imprint of his palm on her butt. “You’re going to die. Uh…Sir.”
“Good luck, imp.” He caught her nape and pulled her close enough to murmur, “But you should know, I do take prisoners, and I’m looking forward to having you in my custody.”
The sheer carnal tone in his deep voice sent a shiver down her spine, followed by a blast of heat. She could feel the controlled strength of his hand on her neck-just enough to restrain, not enough to hurt. What would he do to a prisoner?
He chuckled, tugged a lock of her hair, and raised his hand to join the fray. Morgan tossed him a red vest. Looked like she’d wear patriot blue tonight.
Despite the sprite’s warning, the first so-called bomb took Jake by surprise. The water splashed across his vest and into the specially designed pockets that held water and determined the score, according to the rules Morgan had explained. If and when his vest pockets completely filled, he’d be considered dead and out of the war. He’d managed to evade most of the water from the pistols-all his military training should count for something-but nobody escaped the water bombs.
He eased around a stacked hay bale-and now he knew the reason for the scattered bales-and dodged back in time to escape a stream of water. Kallie’s army had slaughtered-well, drenched-his redcoats until only five or so remained, leaving them seriously outnumbered. And perhaps outplayed, he thought as another of his team fell over with an enthusiastic screech.
Catching a glimpse of Kallie edging around a hay bale, Jake took aim. Before he could fire, a balloon splattered over her, winning a yelp of surprise and then a low scream. “Ice water! Wyatt, you bas-you jerk.”
On the deck, Kallie’s cousin hooted and grabbed another bomb out of an ice-filled cooler.
Jake took advantage of her distraction and shot at her, catching her square in the back. She yelled and jumped out of sight, and then her infectious laughter mingled with the sounds of battle. Jake grinned.
Not much later, as the twilight faded to black, the bombers increased their activity to end the war. A barrage of water balloons killed Jake and another two soldiers. The last man standing was an adorable little girl, a patriot about nine years old, and the sneakiest minifighter he’d ever seen. As he ruffled her wet hair and congratulated her, his gaze went to the second sneakiest: his own little sub.
As Jake watched Kallie strip off her waterlogged vest, a surge of heat almost scalded him. The sprite was braless, and the ice-water balloons her cousin preferred had made her nipples contract into jutting points.
She didn’t notice, and he considered his choices. Let her stay clueless so he could enjoy the sight…but let others also enjoy?
Her puzzled expression made him chuckle despite the burning need to lift her shirt and warm those cold, thrusting peaks with his tongue. “No bra? Ice water?”
“Oh, shit.” She yanked her vest back on faster than a marmot hiding from a fox. “I forgot how tight my shirt is.”
“You know, you look beautiful today,” he said, moving close enough to slide a hand under her shirt without being seen. “And I’m enjoying your lack of a bra.” Although his cock had turned hard enough to break bricks.
“I’m surprised you even noticed. You know, life just isn’t fair, giving me tiny breasts and a fat butt. That’s-” Her mouth dropped open as she stared up at him. “I cannot believe I said that to you.”
He didn’t even try to keep from laughing.
She grinned. “You’re such a jerk. It’s not funny.”
He lifted her chin and frowned into her lovely dark eyes. “We’re not playing tonight, but I am keeping track of the insults you’ve given your dom. I will deal out your punishment accordingly.”
Hearing her soft inhalation and seeing her lick her lips shook his control. What was there about a submissive’s nervous anticipation?
Staring up at him, obviously reading the change in his face, she swallowed slowly.
He chuckled and pulled her against his chest. “Sugar, I don’t think you understand men. We might prefer various sizes and shapes, but that’s less important than liking who we’re with. And being guys, if you have breasts of any size or shape, we’re gonna like them.” Concealed by their bodies, his thumbs caressed her nipples before he slid his hands down to cup her ass.
“However, it so happens that your ass is just the size I prefer.” He squeezed, heard her muffled squeak. “Soft enough to cushion me, big enough to grip hard. It jiggles too-and when it’s up in the air and I’m pounding into you, that jiggle is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
He squeezed again and then nudged her back. “Those breasts are mine to appreciate. Go change.”
How many times tonight could he put that red tinge into her cheeks? He grinned. As he turned away, he saw Wyatt and Morgan staring down at him from the deck.
After Kallie put on a bra and another shirt from Rebecca, she brought out more
