The Ranch Series Book 2: Ranch At Heart
Author
D. M. Farrell
Reads
18.5K
Chapters
60
Ash and Cody return to the ranch with the same spark, the same stubborn streak, and a whole new set of challenges waiting to lasso them. Their competitive sides flare the moment Daryl unveils his bold plan to help the ranch grow, pushing the pair into tests that stretch their hearts as much as their grit. Emotions run high, laughter slips in at all the right moments, and teamwork isn’t always as easy as it looks. Meanwhile Allan storms back into the picture with fresh chaos, dragging Ernie into every wild idea he can dream up. Through triumphs, doubts, and mischief, Ash and Cody keep fighting for each other—and for the place that feels like home.
Chapter 1: Your Ass Belongs to Me
CODY
There are worse ways to wake up than the feel of soft lips on one’s skin. Little puffs of warm breath brush over my flesh, heating every fiber of my body from within. Hot desire thrums through my veins, following the path of her lips. First my forehead, then my cheek, peppering down to my chin.
I can’t help moaning softly at the sensual touch, needing more. So much more. This woman. I’m powerless under her touch. She has me by the strings, leading me to my undoing, and I’d follow without question. I’ve fallen too far. There’s no going back for me now. No passing go, no collecting $200. Just her. Always her. Only her.
Call me a sap, I dare you. Because I don’t give a damn. She could rip my heart out, stamp on it, and I know I’d never be able to love another as I do her. Not having Ash in my life would destroy me.
Turning my head ever so slightly, I chase her mouth for more of my girlfriend’s delicious contact. Hmm, girlfriend. I smile. Just when I feel her soft, luscious lips on my own, she pulls away. Don’t tease me, angel.
I almost quiver from her velvet-soft touch as she glides her hand up my body, over the ridges of my abs to my chest, while she hums in the crook of my neck. When she nuzzles my hair, my eyes flutter open.
Still half asleep, I blink until her gorgeous face comes into focus. This is my favorite part of the day, waking up with my gal. My morning wood agrees with me wholeheartedly, pressing deliciously against the sheets. When my eyes eventually focus, it takes me a moment to understand what I’m looking at. Big. Round. Black. Orbs.
What in God’s name? My own eyes widen in shock as I stare up at the creature known as Allan. You have got to be kidding. Okay, don’t panic.
The alpaca stills, and so do I.
It’s all right. It’s just a deranged alpaca in your bedroom. Nothing out of the ordinary. Stay calm. Don’t think about what just transpired. Don’t thi— I gag.
Pressing my head as far back into the pillow as I can, trying helplessly not to spook the intruder, I put some much-needed distance between us. Trying not to think about what I was about to do to that mouth, I hold back the gag. Just. How the hell did he get up here?
Just as I think of a plan to get the fucker out of our room calmly, Ash stretches, an arm flinging out of the covers. Quickly looking over at Allan in panic, I watch his ears fall flat to his head.
Oh hell. No, please no.
Before I can shield myself, Allan curls his lip back and, faster than you can say “oh shit,” tiny bullet-like pellets shoot out directly into my face. It is only then that I realize I haven’t closed my mouth. Oh, come on! Allan’s spit and half-masticated food is in my fucking mouth!
Sitting up quickly, there’s no holding back my gag reflex now. Nor the involuntary choking and dry heaving. All while trying to get to my feet. Allan jumps back, hitting the desk and knocking the lamp to the floor among other things, which just seems to piss him off further.
More chewed grass and saliva flies into my face as I scramble out of the bed. But now I’m blind because it is in my fucking eye! Please let this be a dream. Wake up, Cody! Just wake up and it will all go away.
There is a crash, a scream, and a thud all at the same time, which oddly sounds like Ash, who has just fallen out of bed in all the chaos. But this is no dream. This is a real-life nightmare.
“What’s going on? Oh damn.” My dad’s voice comes from the door.
I can’t see! My retinas burn from God only knows what. “I’m blind! What’s happening?” I yell.
“Allan! What are you doing in, oh my God, Ash!”
“Dad?! Is she okay?” I stumble around, reaching out blindly for her, only to stub my foot on the corner of the bed. “Ow! Crap!”
“Argh! Daryl!” Ash shrieks. “I need my clothes!”
“Shit, are you naked? Dad, get out!” I cry out, flinging my arms out in her direction, trying to shield her.
“I’m going! Didn’t see, er, much.”
I can hear the discomfort in his tone. I’m surprised his voice carries over the noise of the clutter. It sounds like our room is being destroyed by a bulldozer.
“Okay, I’m decent,” Ash says more calmly than I think she ought to be in this situation.
“Come on, Allan, you shouldn’t be in there,” Dad says.
“Argh!” I yell as something large and woolly shoves me backward into my desk. Falling over the chair, I crash to the floor with it on top of me.
“Oh no, Allan! Cody, watch out!” Ash screams.
As if I could do a damn thing. I can’t see! The weight of the chair is nothing compared to the size of a fully grown alpaca now sprawled on top of me. “Can’t breathe!”
And I’m still fucking blind! Allan wriggles, pressing his giant ass into my hip. His hooves flail and kick out as he tries to stand. The chair rolls off my chest, but Allan’s legs are still flapping about. “Argh!” I wheeze. “Fuck!” Right in the baby-making jewels!
Clutching my crotch in hopes of guarding them from another attack, I’m unable to move. And holy fuck, the pain. It feels like my junk has been hit by a, well, by a frigging alpaca. I’m going to kill him. If I live through this, that is.
“Come on, Allan, get up. That’s a good boy.”
Good boy? Good fucking boy? Has she lost her mind? I may never have children, and she’s praising him? Also, he’s cost me my sight! Good boy?! I suck in a deep breath. “When I get my hands on Allan, I’m going to BBQ him!”
“Aw, he doesn’t mean that. Come on, let’s get you back home.” Ash fusses over the animal.
“Mark my words, Allan, you’re dead meat! Literally!”
I roll to my side, still clutching my bruised dick. A calloused hand squeezes my shoulder. I flinch at the contact but quickly realize it’s my dad.
“Are you all right, son?”
“Do I look all right?”
He helps me to my feet and takes my face in his hands. I assume he’s trying to examine my eyes. His fingers carefully lift my eyelids, but I pull back, hissing from the pain.
“I need to bathe your eyes. Get the food out.”
I gag again, knowing I have alpaca spit mixing with my eye juices. Oh God. Gag.
“It will be okay, Cody, just get some clothes on first.”
Am I still naked? Oh, this is a nightmare. My dad’s seen me naked. And Ash! Allan is going to get it. “I can’t see!” I reach out with one hand while trying to cover my junk with the other. Relief hits me when my fingers brush something soft.
“Here you are, son.”
Dad hands me my robe. Turning around, I put it on before he helps me into the bathroom. Leaning my head over the sink, he runs cold water in my eyes while prying my lids open. Needless to say, my eyesight is saved, with only some minor discomfort afterward.
“How’s the patient?” Ash approaches from behind before kissing my temple.
“He’ll be fine. No damage done.”
“Say that to my genitals.”
“Oh my, is there going to be lasting damage?” Ash’s soft, concerned voice is a pleasure to hear.
“No, he’s just going to be a little sore for a while.”
The pain is already subsiding. Luckily, he didn’t kick me with full force, or I may have split a nut. “Where’s the soon-to-be BBQed steak?” I ask.
“Back outside,” Ash replies.
“He better stay clear of me today.”
“He’s had a stern talking-to. He didn’t mean it. He got spooked, that’s all.”
He got spooked?! Jesus, imagine the shock I was in finding out I was about to make out with him! Like full tongues and everything! Oh, the horror.
“What was he doing in the house in the first place?”
“Probably looking for Ash. You know he has a soft spot for her. And vice versa.”
“Don’t I know it,” I say.
“Aw, but you’re still my favorite human. And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about your little bestiality fetish.” She winks.
“He assaulted me! I’m the victim here!”
“But he didn’t know what he was doing.”
“I thought it was you!”
“Are you comparing me to an alpaca?!”
“Of course not, I was half asleep!”
“Okay, you’re forgiven.”
“Nice…to… Oh, gross.” Trying to speak in between finding chewable pieces of old alpaca food in my mouth is not how I expected my morning to go.
Dry heaving into the sink, I feel Dad press a glass of water into my hand.
“Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth. It will help.”
Nodding, I take the glass and brush for a good five minutes.
“Right, you’re all done. I’ll have your breakfasts ready in ten minutes.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
As he leaves, I reach for Ash and bring her to my lap, carefully avoiding my groin. She inspects my bloodshot eyes. I can see; it just stings a little.
“Aw, poor baby,” she says sweetly, kissing each of my eyelids.
“That’s more like it. I thought you were only worried about your secret admirer.”
“I could never forget about my boyfriend.”
“Yeah, boyfriend. And don’t you forget it.”
“How can I make you feel better?”
“Hmm, a few thoughts cross my mind.”
Her lips hover just over mine. Her warm breath tickles my skin. I lean forward, but she pulls back with a giggle.
“Oh, like that, is it?”
“You’re injured; best we keep our hands and other body parts to ourselves for now.”
I stand up and take her with me, forcing her to hold on tight. “Let me be the judge of that. I seem to be feeling much better.” Reaching around to the back of her neck, I lightly caress her skin, loving the way her breath hitches. Then I pull her forward, fully encasing her mouth in a possessive kiss.
“Are you happy here?” I ask her.
“More than happy.”
“Would you ever want to move back home?”
“Why? Besides my friends and my dad, there’s nothing there for me. I’m exactly where I belong.”
“Damn right,” I growl, holding her even tighter to me and kissing her with fervor. When I pull away, she looks dazed. Glad to know I have this effect on her.
“You are feeling better.”
“Mostly, but I’ll feel even better when I’m buried deep inside you. But that will have to wait. I smell bacon!”
Ash scoffs as I put her down.
“Nice to know bacon comes before this,” she says, slapping her ass before disappearing into our room.
Oh hell no, she didn’t. “Trust me, angel, I will make it up to you. That ass is mine,” I say, pulling on my jeans.
“This ass is yours if you catch it before I get downstairs.”
“You little—” The sharp buzzing of my phone interrupts me, and by the time I’ve read the message, she’s already hauling her sweet ass over the bed.
Avoiding my grasp, she sends me spinning in a circle, and I end up falling on the bed, contemplating what the hell that text from an unknown number is supposed to mean.
Unknown
how well do you know your woman?
What the fuck?
“You’re slacking, cowboy,” she teases.
Jumping the piece of furniture, I tear after Ash. She lands on the ground floor with only two jumps down the stairs. The thud I make as I do the same has my dad running into the living room. Ash almost crashes into him, but she twists in the most angelic way, sliding past him in her socks as I race around him.
“Is everything always a game with you two?”
“I win!” Ash says as she turns around. “Cody?”
She bobs her head and looks around, but I’m nowhere to be seen. Dad enters the kitchen, shaking his head.
“Where’s Cody gone?”
Dad raises a brow, then points at her. She stiffens and turns slowly around to face me, waiting patiently at her back.
“Gotcha,” I growl, grabbing her waist and hauling her body to mine.
“Damn it! How the hell did you get there?”
“That would be telling now, wouldn’t it?” I say, kissing her nose quickly. “And I do believe your ass now belongs to me.”
She giggles in that sweet tone I love so much. But something is nagging at me. Reaching for my phone, I pause our little game to read the strange message again, only to find no evidence of such a text.
