Branding A Legacy (A Silver Star Ranch Novel) Read online

  I lift the bottom of her shirt, taking time to admire her perfect body. A silver necklace is hidden under her shirt. I immediately recognize the silver cross and look down into her eyes. She hurries to cover it from me.

  “Is that mine?”

  “I’m sorry, Marvel, here, you can have it back. I found it the night I cleaned up the ER and I…”

  She’s nervous again and trembling in my arms, steadying herself for my angry rage to explode. This will take time for me to earn her trust back.

  “Keep it.” Bending down, I kiss her lightly. “I want a piece of me always on you forever.”

  Our lips remained tangled with no more talking between us. Her pants come down easily and my hand finds the sweetest place on earth. Clover writhes under my touch, moaning and working herself on my hand. I have to see her face when she comes undone under my spell. I pull back, admiring her flushed red cheeks and delight beaming in her eyes. I work faster and watch her explode.

  I’m not a disciplined man when it comes to something I fucking crave, but I do know this needs to stop before I have her bent over, claiming all of her. I make a show out of pulling my fingers up to my mouth and sucking each one of them off.

  “Mmmm…dessert.” I moan, lapping up the rest of her juices with my tongue.

  “Marvel.” Her blush glows on her cheeks, making the bulge in my pants grow even bigger.

  I seal my lips to hers, taking my time enjoying her one last time for the night.

  “Hurry up.” A loud pounding on the door sounds.

  Clover startles, jumping up and biting down onto my lip, letting out a yell.

  “Shit.” I bend over, clutching my throbbing lip.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Clover bends down trying to see my lip.

  “What the hell is going on in there?” Merek hollers.

  Standing up, I gain enough bearings to open the door and tuck Clover behind me before I open the door.

  “What?” I hiss out.

  “I need to fucking piss.” Merek pauses for a second. “And why is your lip bleeding?”

  I watch as the realization dawns in his eyes.

  “You’re not alone,” he says slowly.

  I shake my head up and down hoping he’ll get the clue and go piss outside.

  “Jesus, if she bites your lip like that don’t let her get anywhere near your dick.”

  “Oh, my God,” Clover squeaks out.

  “Leave now, Merek.”

  “Clover, is that you, and did I just catch my little brother with his hand in the cookie jar?”

  He’s shamelessly staring at Clover’s unbuttoned pants.

  “Bye.” I slam the door in his face and lock the door. Merek’s not known for giving up easily, and I’m fully ready for him to give up a fight slamming on the door and begging for details. It’s what’s he’s done my whole life. As each quiet second ticks by, I’m stumped by Merek’s silence.

  “Marvel.” Clover’s timid voice draws my attention back to her. She’s clutched to my back, trembling.

  I whirl around, wrapping her up in my arms and holding her close. Flashbacks of me berating her in the hospital and her terror the night she found me reminds me just how fragile she is and how I’ve never been receptive to her.

  Each shiver my chest absorbs causes me to fall harder for her than I ever thought imaginable.

  “It’s okay.” I kiss the top of her head. “Look up at me.”

  “I’m embarrassed.”

  “Of what?”

  I feel her shrug as she keeps her head tucked into my chest.

  “Being caught with a stud?”

  “Marvel.” She finally looks up.

  “It’s fine.”

  “I’m here with Sterling and kissing you in the bathroom and letting you, well, you know what.”

  “I don’t see the problem.” I lift her chin up with my hand.

  “I do, for so many reasons.”

  “Clover.” I wait until she looks me in the eye. “I’m not your patient anymore. You help me feel alive, and I need that right now.”

  She doesn’t move or show any emotions as I stare down into her eyes. I need to tell her so many things and all the thoughts and demons I’ve fought but don’t say a word. My worries and problems are not hers. She’s been the gracious angel to save me around every single corner and melt my frozen heart.

  “It’s fine, baby.” I brush a lock of hair from her face.

  “It’s just…” I watch her stumble for words and give her time to process it all. It’s as if I can read the thoughts as they flash across her face.

  Gently, I lean down and place a tender kiss on her forehead and stand tall again, waiting for her to gather her thoughts.

  “It’s just, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way or have been treated this way, Marvel.” Clover reaches up on her tiptoes landing a tender kiss on my lips and pulling away quickly. “You’re my first, Marvel. My first heartbreak, love, and crush. Take it easy on my heart.”

  “I’m not here to break your heart.” I brush my lips against hers again, stunned by the way she makes me feel. It’s like the rest of my worries and pending doom are erased away with her in my arms.

  “But you already have.”

  And I’m left gutted after everything I’ve been through. This woman just tore me apart, leaving me desperate for nothing but her love and approval. Grasping her tender skin on her cheeks, I say the most important words of my life. “I’ll never be able to tell you sorry enough, Clover. You saved me that dark night and continue to rescue me with each touch of yours.”

  “Don’t hurt me again.”

  “I won’t.” My lips cover hers again. It’s a scent and embrace I’m not sure I’ll ever be willing to let go off.

  “Promise?” Her innocent eyes peer up into mine. “My heart can’t be broken again, Marvel.”

  “I promise.”

  “What about Sterling?”

  “I’ll take care of him. He’s here watching over the family anyway.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I move one hand up and down her jawbone, and now that I’m addicted to her touch, I’m unable to leave it. “It’s complicated, but just know Maverik hired him to watch over us with the stuff I have going on.”

  “Are you safe, Marvel? I mean, I’ve heard lots and don’t know what to think.”

  “I am.”

  The pounding on the door increases, and it seems like a race to get this all out between us.

  “Why did you want to die that night, Marvel?”

  The hurt in her eyes nearly knocks the wind out of me and I know it’s because of everything I’ve done to her. “Because then I believed I was nothing but evil and worthless, but you’ve made me feel otherwise. You and my family and this ranch…I may just live again.”

  “With me?”

  It destroys me as her statement comes across as a question.

  “Yes, with you. I need you, Clover.” I kiss her again, not pulling away swiftly but taking my time, devouring all of her with each lick and bite of her flesh. When the knocking on the outer door becomes too loud, I tuck her behind me and walk her back to her seat.

  I make eye contact with Sterling, giving him a stern nod with the promise of a chat later.

  15

  Clover

  It’s been three days since the party and Marvel’s attack in the bathroom. My body relives the moment in the small room every single minute of the day, and I dream about it when I sleep. The heat and passion streaming from him has scarred my pure body.

  I’ve never ever regretted too many work shifts or homework assignments until him. Now, I find myself only wanting to be with him.

  My cell phone has remained silent, which is not much of a surprise since I don’t have his number nor does he have mine. I could easily ask Challis or Ella, but then again I don’t want to taint our memory together. What if it was a dream? Something I’ll never experience again.

  “Clover.”


  I look up to the nurse in front of me.

  “Can you cover my shift tonight?”

  Since I’ve covered two other shifts for other nurses, I now have the reputation of being the “girl to call to get off.”

  “What was that?” I ask.

  “Can you cover my shift tonight? My daughter has a softball game tonight, and I’ve only been able to go to three of them so far.”

  I have no idea who the nurse is without reading the name sprawled out on her badge, but she’s playing my heartstrings like no other. A mother attending her daughter’s event is something I’ll never be able to pass up or deny.

  Shit!

  “When is your shift and what floor?”

  I watch as her mouth begins to open, but it’s not her voice I hear, it’s another familiar one. One I’ve fantasized about for days now.

  “Nurse Nancy.”

  I whirl around to see Marvel walking up the hallway with Maverik and Merek on each of his sides.

  “You off yet?”

  I wait as he makes his way up the hall, and with only three days passing I can tell his strength has grown in supple amounts and can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

  “Clover.” I hear the nurse’s voice behind me but ignore her, keeping my vision glued to Marvel.

  I take my time admiring him and remember everything we’ve shared—the good, the bad, and the ugly, but my memory halts on the beautiful. The moments we shared kissing and loving each other are always the sweetest.

  “Um, sorry, I can’t cover for you.” I don’t even make eye contact when the words fly from my mouth. My shoes echo in the hallway as I walk toward Marvel.

  “Well, look at you.” I smile at him, unable to mask any type of emotion.

  “Like what you see, Nurse Nancy?”

  “Looks like you’re getting around.” Nerves take over as my fingers fidget.

  “You avoiding me or trying to earn a buck?”

  I don’t miss the sly smile he tries to charm me with or his two brothers who seem to be ignoring our conversation but are doing a shitty job.

  “Just working.”

  “The barn tonight at seven.”

  I glance down at my wristwatch and see it’s only four and then drink in his stunning eyes. My fingers itch to touch his skin once more, or better yet to feel him on me.

  “Is that an invite or a demand?” I ask.

  “Demand.”

  “Then I’ll be there.”

  Marvel turns from me and is off, and I wait for an assault or mean comment, but it never comes as he’s flanked by each of his brothers at his side.

  I’m barely able to focus on the task at hand while closing up charts and checking on patients, because all I can see is his eyes. Either the moon and stars were lined up that night for us or fairy tales really do exist. The cowboy on the stallion saving the damsel in distress—it’s the shit you read in your books.

  * * *

  Jesus, listen or rain on this damn parade now!

  “Cons, jeans, and hoodie—is this shit suitable for the barn at seven?” I say out loud to myself in the mirror.

  My hair is a messy bun piled on top of my head. I quickly transform it into a side braid, which leads to me throwing the hair tie out altogether and leaving my straight dark hair to drape over my shoulder. I zero in on the California symbol centered on my knitted jacket and wonder what in the hell I’m doing here.

  I have never fit in with my mother, have only tiny glimpses of where my father made me fit in before his death, and then a whole blank sheet of nothing. There was a gigantic black hole of nothingness bottled up deep inside me, and now I’m finding me. Finding Clover who’s been the thorn in sides forever. The awkward girl with nothing but a useless skeleton and last name to grant her acceptance into private schools. The same being who not only disappointed her own living mother but the rest of her family.

  It feels like a dream, and dreams always end with the cold reality of waking up, and that’s the last thing I want to happen.

  “You ditching me?”

  I watch as my reflection throws a stiff left jab toward the mirror as the familiar stranger stares from behind me.

  “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I just shit myself.”

  Marvel lets out a hardy howl as I cover my chest and whirl around in his direction. My heart races out of control thudding against my chest. It takes several moments for me to catch my breath and control my trembling fingers.

  “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Why are you out of bed? Have you taken your meds?” My fingertips are on the width of his wrist and counting his pulse before I realize what I’m doing.

  He tugs me into him and then a sharp and piercing sensation lands on the top of my earlobe.

  “I’m here for my date, not my fucking health.” His voice is a growl as his teeth remain sunken deep in my flesh. He has all of my attention.

  “Why are you…”

  He cuts me off before I can finish.

  “You’re not my nurse. You’re my damn date, Clover.”

  Date…barn at seven…all stream through my head and once again I second guess what in the hell I’m doing.

  “Marvel, I’m not sure this is a good idea.” I step back from him, pulling my hands into the sleeve of my sweater and avoid eye contact.

  “What’s going on here?”

  “I just don’t think…”

  “You don’t think what, Clover? Spit it out already.” The tone of his voice reminds me of the Marvel from the hospital, the mean and cruel patient, but when I finally look up into his face, it’s not pissed or fuming. A concerned expression blankets all of his features.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Clover.” He holds out a hand for me to take.

  “I’m just not a typical girl. I have never been in a relationship. I don’t want this to end, but I’m just weird.” I throw my hands up in the air out of frustration. I’m even fucking unable to express one simple thought.

  “Hear me out, Clover. Just listen. Turn off your mind for a second and all those racing doubts.” I hear the click of his boots step closer to me and then he props my chin up. “I’m just going out on a limb here, so don’t get offended, but we are both broken people brought together by fate on a dirt road, and that’s something I don’t think we should waste because of our own doubts.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut as I hear him say the words I’ve felt since I kissed his forehead the night the ambulance rushed him away. I thought I was just going crazy with the pull and attraction toward him.

  Opening my eyes, I see Marvel in a whole new light. He’s not my patient or the angry man who hated me for saving him, but rather a lost soul just like me, trying to find his way in life.

  “Together maybe we can find each other.” I want to say so much more but embarrassment strikes.

  “I think we can, Clover.” He reaches down and kisses my lips. “But we are forgetting the past. You’re not my nurse, and you have to let me handle the shit I’ve gotten myself into.”

  I nod, agreeing. “You’ll have to put up with my clumsy ass and awkward tendencies.”

  “I adore those things about you.”

  “Marvel.” I clutch his hands that are now framing my jawline on each side. “I want to know everything about you. You can’t keep it all from me. I’m here for you.”

  “I’ll share as much as I can.”

  “Promise?” I squeeze his hands in mine.

  “I promise.”

  I reach up this time and kiss him. A heated flush races up my spine and I wonder if I’ll ever feel comfortable in my own skin or around him.

  “Oh and, Marvel, I’ll never quit worrying about your health…just so you know.”

  “I figured, Nurse Nancy.”

  “Quit calling me that.”

  “Make me.” He smiles down at me with a devilish grin, and in this light I see so much of Merek in him.

  I surprise Marvel by leaping forward, catching his bottom
lip between my teeth and applying pressure, causing him to groan. He has me by my hips, hoisting me up on the bathroom sink. I spread my legs, allowing him room to settle in. I grasp for his shirt as I clutch to his shoulders, letting him kiss the hell out of me.

  The promise of a love story lingers between us, with pent up passion and determination to hold onto each other as long as the universe allows. With each assault of his lips on mine, I fear my heart will never be the same after this Slatter is done with me.

  16

  Marvel

  We walk up to the barn hand in hand. I have to force myself to quit staring at Clover’s swollen lips. An animalistic urge has been lighted inside of me. I crave nothing but her and also marking her as mine. In the past, I’ve had girlfriends and plenty of one night stands, but it was always the ranch that was my priority. Things have shifted. I need her in my life to keep me going to save the ranch.

  I grip her hand tighter in mine and am determined to show her every single day just what she means to me. The odd thing is that I don’t even fully understand the extent of what she means to me, but I do know it’s more than I can comprehend.

  “What exactly are we going to do?”

  It takes everything in me not to stop in the middle of the gravel lot, pull her into me, and kiss the hell out of her again. Her taste and smell are better than any painkiller or whiskey I’ve ever consumed.

  “You’ll see.”

  As we get closer, the sound of Maverik and Merek arguing comes from inside the barn, and it’s just one more thing that makes me feel at home. My body aches more than it ever has, but being home on the ranch has been the best thing for my soul and attitude.

  As we enter the barn, Maverik tosses my saddle blanket on my horse, Arsine. He’s a tall black gelding that I’ve worked cattle on since graduating high school. It’s the one thing my dad gave me. Being loyal to that bastard will always be my greatest downfall. It’s the one reason I wanted to get back at Saint. He’s the one who led my dad away, which also drove our mother off. She just may be the luckiest of all of us right now.