Sunset West

By Charlotte Winters

When Diana met Nathan it was love at first sight. So when he asked her to live with him at his ranch located in the rural Rocky Mountains of Colorado, she couldn't be happier. Then why is it six years later and no ring to show for it? When tragedy strikes suddenly at the ranch, Diana is forced to make the hardest decision of her life- leave everything she has known for almost a decade or fight for the thing she loves the most. Along with the help of Crayton, Nate's estranged brother, Diana overcomes her fears of starting over and learns to love in the wake of her trials. Sunset West will take you on an adventure that leaves you wanting more page after page. A cliffhanger to the very end, filled with twist and turns, heavy romance and unexpected characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlotte Winters
• Release date: Mar 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311356383

Book preview

SUNSET WEST

Charlotte Winters

Published by Charlotte Winters at Smashwords

Copyright © 2014 by Clara Green

All rights reserved.

Cover design by Libby Murphy / BookAlchemyInc.com

Editing by Libby Murphy / BookAlchemyInc.com

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Charlotte Winters

Visit my website at www.charlotte-winters.com

This book is dedicated to somebody I used to know.

Big thanks to my parents, especially my mom Leslie and my sisters Lauren, Seanna and Marina for believing that all my story telling would pan out someday.

All my love and thanks to my husband Beau who put up with late night keyboard clicks.

To Libby- who basically made this book a reality, words can’t thank you enough for your help.

Chapter One

You can smell it coming… Nathan said as he grabbed Diana by the waist.

The storm, you mean?

Yes, the storm, He said, pulling her closer to him.

Diana laughed at his gesture. Nathan was always joking with her. It was one of the reasons she fell for him to begin with. And one of the reasons her life with him wasn’t all it could be.

Change…it’s what I like about storms, she said coyly. You can always tell when a big storm is breaking—there’s a hint of change in the wind.

Nate just smiled and held her close. Standing in the open field, they both looked out to the Colorado Front Range. The hills were emerald and when the sun shone throughout the blanket of clouds, they gleamed. They sparkled as if they really were jewels, presents from the good Lord Himself, presents to His children on earth below.

Diana’s thoughts were soon crippled by past weeks’ memories of Nathan in his usual drunken state after too many with the boys. Him coming home drunk, calling her names, before finally turning into a blubbering child confused as to why life had dealt him such a hard hand of cards.

Diana knew he was broken. Even though he was beyond loving to her, a hard worker, and smart, as life would have it, his demons were often stronger than him. Diana always told herself it was a small price to pay for being with him. She would love him through the tough times—hold him through the nights he couldn’t sleep. She would love enough for the both of them. After all there was no such thing as a true happy ending.

I’m going inside, I’ll start dinner and get a load of laundry on, Diana said after a moment.

Mmmm I don’t think so… Nathan said as he drew her closer.

Before Diana had a chance to escape, he ran his fingers through her dark hair, continuing down to the nape of her neck, where soon his soft lips followed.

Oh baby, please it’s going to start raining soon. You don’t want to get all wet, do you?

Nathan smiled. Diana took that as a yes. She grabbed the waistline of his jeans. His body was warm and he breathed heavily as he kissed her and touched her chest gently.

His hands were rough from years of working with them, and he smelled of cologne and sweat. They felt good on her tender skin, his touch made her wince with sensation. While pulling his shirt off with one hand and undoing his jean buttons with the other, Diana kissed him up and down his chest, running her hands over his backside and then to his front. She could feel how excited he was and this only made her body pulse with pleasure.

Nathan laid her down gently on the moist earth. He was completely naked and soon Diana was, too. He was always a gentle lover, but in this moment Diana didn’t want gentle. She wanted to feel him, and every bit of him. She looked up into his big hazel eyes, his dirty blonde hair falling naturally into his face. His tan body looked god-like in the setting sun.

Thunder cracked across the sky and Diana sat up in fear, but before she could render the moment over. Nathan grabbed her arms, pinning her back down to the ground, while thrusting himself inside her.

Diana let out a sigh of pleasure, wincing with slight pain from his forceful entrance. She took in a deep breath and kissed him hard.

Nathan moved his tongue over hers and began to thrust his body back and forth, their bodies finding a natural rhythm. He moaned as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and she arched her back, allowing him to push deeply. He groaned, looked at her, and smiled.

While Diana was always the lady, she knew what her man liked. She pushed him back a little, to motion that they move into another position. She sat on his lap, legs crossed around him, and his around her. They were still connected and now more than ever felt the immense joy of being intimate with the one she loved.

Soon Diana felt the warm rush come over her body, and let out a carnal scream as her body climaxed. Nathan followed soon after, and the two fell into each other’s arms, their backs to the ground, their bodies exposed to gray sky.

Just as they caught their breath, the sky opened up and poured the hot summer rain. They laughed; their laughter grew and grew, until they both were in a drunken state of euphoria.

Diana paused and looked at Nathan lying on the ground, mud now covering spots on his chiseled body. He’s perfect. I wish nothing more than to spend every moment of my life with him.

You’re thinking again, aren’t you? Nathan said.

No I’m not, she said in defense. I am only thinking that we should get out of the rain, before we both get pneumonia and die.

Ha-ha-ha. See? You are always thinking, and taking care of me. He rolled over onto his side, smiling like he wanted to go for round two.

Oh no you don’t, Diana said sternly as she quickly got to her feet. Last one to the house does dishes! With that Diana took off running toward the house.

You better run, he said laughing. As Diana reached the porch, she turned to see Nate picking up their clothes. He picked up her shirt and shoes, her bra, and undies. Diana was now leaning on the house, her naked body almost an art form. He rolled her shirt up and buried his face in it, inhaling every scent on the fabric. She loved him more than life itself, but