If you like this online read you'll enjoy Rita Herron's books!

Anything for His Son
 £2.68
 £3.15

Justice for a Ranger
 £2.68
 £3.15

Victoria’s heart lodged in her throat as she stumbled into the hospital room. Her father’s pale face turned to her, tears filling his eyes as she relayed the news about Nugent’s attack. But relief softened his features when he learned the man was finally in jail where he belonged. And he seemed to have regained some strength, at least in his voice.

“I...was afraid he’d come after you.” Hoffman’s voice broke. “I wanted to tell you the truth so many times. I used all my business investments to pay him off, to keep you safe.”

Randolph stood in the background, his primitive scent and presence reminding her of the night they’d spent together. Of the fact that he’d used her.

“Where’s my father’s body?” Randolph said, his tone brittle.

Hoffman’s expression turned grave. “Nugent buried him in the garden. I...” He coughed. “I’m sorry, son. I wanted to tell you, to give him a proper burial.”

Victoria’s anger dissipated slightly at the anguish twisting Randolph’s face. Her father had kept these awful secrets to protect her. But Randolph’s family had suffered for it.

She turned back to her father, sad and wanting to blame him. Yet he looked so frail. And she’d waited so long to reconcile with him. What if he’d died and she’d never had the chance?

“All this time I thought you blamed me for Sally Jo’s death,” she whispered.

He gripped her hand, his eyes cloudy. “No, sweetheart. I blamed myself. I loved you so much... I let your mother and Sally Jo down. I had to protect you.”

Tears streaked her cheeks. He did love her.

But his lies had hurt Randolph.

No wonder he’d come back for the truth. He had hated her father. And he’d had good reason.

But had he slept with her just to get revenge on her dad? * * * His father was buried in the rose garden? Randolph’s stomach knotted at the thought, but at least he knew now that his father hadn’t deserted him. He stepped sideways to leave the room, but Hoffman motioned him closer.

“I’m sorry, son,” Hoffman mumbled. “Please forgive me.”

Randolph searched for the bitterness that had driven him all these years, but couldn’t find it. Somehow, between the time he’d met Victoria and almost lost her, he’d lost his taste for vengeance, as well. Hoffman looked tired, had suffered, too. Had done what he had to do to protect his daughter.

He glanced at Victoria, saw the sadness in her expression and emotions flooded him. If he had been in Hoffman’s shoes, what would he have done?

Hell, he’d have done anything he had to do to protect the ones he loved. Just as he would Victoria now.

“It’s over.” He reached out, cleared his throat then shook Hoffman’s hand. “Now get better, sir. I believe you have some making up to do with your daughter.”

An odd look came into Hoffman’s eyes, almost a twinkle, as if the burden of guilt removed had given him new life. “You’re right. I feel much better now.”

Victoria squeezed her father’s hand, but any trace of gentleness faded when she turned to Randolph. “I’d like to talk to you in private.”

She fled to the hallway and he followed, backing her into a corner when she tried to escape. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said in a gruff voice.

She chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m sorry about your father, Randolph. But you got what you came for, now you should go.”

“But I don’t have what I want.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. “I’ll have Dad draw up papers to give you Falcon Ridge -”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

Her gaze swung upward, her eyes flickering with emotions. “You want Falcon Ridge. That’s what this was all about. You even slept with me to get it -”

“This is not about Falcon Ridge anymore,” he said between gritted teeth. “It’s about us.”

She shook her head as if she had no idea what he meant, as if forgiving him was impossible.

He refused to accept it.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you.” He braced his hands on each side of the wall, leaning closer to her as he penned her in. “But making love with you wasn’t about the past. It was the beginning of the future.”

She quivered beneath him. “We don’t have a future, Randolph.”

“Dammit, you can have Falcon Ridge,” he growled. “I just want you, Victoria.” He lowered his head until her breath brushed his cheek. “Did you hear me? I want you. I’ve never wanted a woman like I do you.” He swallowed again, his voice gaining conviction. “I don’t care where it is or what time of day, I just plain damn want you.” He brushed his lips near her ear, teasing. “I want you naked beside me, on top of me, under me, on the floor, in the bed, outside in the wild on the snowcapped mountains...”

She squirmed, and he trailed his lips across her cheek. “I want you right here. Hell, anyway you’ll have me.”

A soft sigh escaped her, breathy and aroused. “No man has ever talked to me that way, Randolph.”

He slid his tongue over the seam of her lips. “And no man ever will again.”

Then he lowered his mouth, claiming her again, stamping her with his taste, making her feel his hunger as he pressed his sex into her belly. Some birds of prey mated for life.

Randolph Falcon had found his own mate, and he intended to keep her forever.

The End



chapter: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20