Page 82 of Savage Rancher
A second later, the orgasm rolls through me like a tide, slow and deep and overwhelming, and he follows me over, his body shuddering as he comes inside me.
For a long moment, we just lie there, tangled together, breathing hard. His weight is comforting.
Eventually, he rolls to the side, pulling me with him so I'm tucked against his chest.
His hand strokes my hair, gentle and rhythmic.
For the first time in weeks, I don't think about the Circle H, my dad, the Turners, or what comes next. For the first time, I just breathe.
83
JAKE
The phone vibrates on the nightstand.
I'm awake before the second buzz—some soldier's reflexes never die. My hand moves automatically, grabbing it before the sound can wake Emma.
0347.
Jim Blocker's name on the screen.
I answer, already sitting up. "Callahan."
"Jake—" Jim's voice is ragged, panicked. "Circle H is on fire."
The words hit like a punch to the chest. I’m already moving out of bed. "Where?"
"The main house. It's—Christ, Jake, it's engulfed. I called 911, but?—"
"How bad?" I ask, grabbing my jeans off the floor.
"Bad. The whole structure. Fire department's on the way, but—" His voice cracks. "It's gone, Jake. The house is gone. I got in my truck and rushed over the second I saw the blaze, but it was too late."
My mind starts running the tactical assessment even as my chest tightens. This isn't random. This isn't an accident.
This is an escalation.
This is Cole Turner.
"Anyone hurt?" Thank fuck Emma was here. I close my eyes, my knees a little weak with the sudden rush of relief.
"No. I got up to get a drink of water and saw the flames through the trees."
"Don't go near it and don’t let any of the hands think they need to be heroes." I'm already pulling on jeans, one-handed. "Fire department will handle it."
"Jake, I'm sorry?—"
"Not your fault." I end the call.
Emma stirs beside me, her voice thick with sleep. "Jake?"
I turn to her, and the look on my face must say everything because she sits up immediately, eyes wide, the sheet falling away. "What happened?"
"Circle H is on fire." I keep my voice steady, controlled. "Jim called it in. The main house is burning."
For a moment, she just stares at me. Like the words don't make sense. Like her brain can't process what I'm saying.
Then the color drains from her face. "What?Myhouse?"
