by Debra Holt
The night was going by too quickly. Josie found herself enjoying it all and smiling and laughing far more easily than she had in months. Chance’s attentiveness and his open flirting buoyed her spirits even more. Maybe dressing like a grown-up woman and realizing that just maybe she might be able to ignite a spark of interest in Chance…and, with a spark, a fire could grow into a full-blown blaze. Maybe she was getting ahead of herself a bit…but nothing ventured, nothing gained. And he did say it was up to her to make the next move…if there was one.
When Chance led her off the dance floor before the end of the last dance and passed their table, stopping only long enough to say brief goodnights and grab her coat, she didn’t object. She was more than ready to be alone with Chance. Her heart pounded at the expectation, and butterflies took flight in her stomach. When he slid behind the wheel of the sedan, put the car in gear, and then raised his hand to her, she read the invitation in his eyes. Grateful that nothing impeded the way in this expensive classic model, she slid across the seat. Josie nestled her side against his, the heat from their bodies fairly sizzling even through the layers of clothing between them.
Josie allowed a sigh to escape her lips as she settled her head against the strong shoulder, and he situated her even more comfortably in the crook of his arm. There was definitely something to be said for vehicles without the hindrance of consoles in the front seating area. His fingers drifted across the sensitive skin of the column of her throat and drew lazy circles along her shoulders, beneath the heavy coat. She allowed her hand to rest lightly on the muscular upper thigh beside her.
Was he as affected by the evening as she? She closed her eyes and breathed in the heavenly scent of him and pushed every thought away which did not end with them happily ever after. She chose to delude herself for just one evening. If she had one wish, it would be to stay just as they were in that moment in time forever.
The night was chilly, but there was a myriad of stars in the black sky, and a silver moon rose in the eastern sky. There were very few cars on the road at the late hour. Chance slowed the car and eventually pulled onto the road leading to the ranch, and Josie’s pulse skipped a couple of beats when the car slowed even more and finally came to a stop on the side of the road.
Raising her head from the warmth of his shoulder, she lifted her eyes to his, a question forming on her lips but quickly forgotten when she saw and felt the fiery gleam return.
“I tried but I can’t wait any longer for this.” His words were smothered against her mouth as he drew her into his arms, his lips hot against hers, his tongue searching and quickly finding the warm welcome he sought.
Josie returned his kiss with equal need, her hands sliding upward and looping around his neck, her body turned into his and strained to find the contact she craved. His hand slid between them, finding the release of her seat belt and then his own. The same hand hit a button and the seat whispered back, giving him room to move away from the steering column.
Once that was done, she felt strong hands sliding around her back to lift her against him. She used the moment to slide her coat off her shoulders and hastily pushed it away from her body. The windows of the automobile were already steaming over with the heat from the inside meeting the cold from outside. They were lost in a dark cocoon of total silence in the middle of nowhere.
Lips continued to draw upon each other, Josie’s soft mews becoming deeper moans in her throat as she gave in to a whirl of new desires. When Chance’s hands moved from her back and slipped under the front of her sweater, she caught her breath. Sure fingers grasped the hem and she raised her arms automatically as the material left her body and was tossed onto the dashboard.
The movement liberated something inside her, and she moved her hands over his broad chest, yanking the shirt material from inside his pants, her deft fingers trying to rid the buttons of their holes faster than she could manage. Once the material parted, she allowed her palms to feast on the solid flesh beneath them. Her mouth moved along the whipcord length of his neck, her teeth nipping lightly at the hollow of his throat, which brought his hands to tightly cup her bottom.
Her knees straddled his hips as his hands moved to find the clip at the back of her red lace bra. The sudden cool air hitting her bare skin caused her sensitized nipples to tighten into hard, aching nubs. His tongue flicked over each, causing sparks to shoot off behind her eyelids. Josie buried her fingers into the rich, silky hair at the back of his head, holding him tighter against her as he suckled her, drawing heated moans from deep within her. Her hips shoved against his, and his hot shaft answered against the zipper of his tight jeans.
“I don’t think I can wait to get you home into that big bed,” his mouth whispered against the slope of her breast.
“Beds are overrated,” she replied through clenched teeth, her fingers finding his zipper. Carefully, she drew the metal downward and felt his shaft respond under her fingertips, straining to be set free.
“I like how you think.” Chance’s eyes gleamed under lowered lashes as he fixed hers with his gaze while his hand easily arranged the jeans. Then his fingers slid under her skirt to quickly and easily move the wisp of silken material aside and allow the hot tip to seek her damp opening. At its touch, her head fell back on her shoulders, as her hips moved to take his entire length inside her, slowly and exquisitely, until he filled her.
His hands on her hips moved their bodies into a slow, syncopated rhythm, each one intent on giving the other total fulfillment. Slowly at first, then, as the fever pitch raced to a crescendo, Chance’s mouth caught a taut nipple between his lips, his tongue whipping it, as his hands at her waist held her against his thrusting hips. His guttural moan combined with hers until they exploded together, her cries echoing in the dark and his muffled against her skin. For long moments, their bodies shuddered in after-quakes, as they clung together, their breathing adding to the clouded windows.
They collapsed against each other, slowly readjusting clothing, Josie slipping her arms into the sleeves of her coat, not bothering to completely redress. Chance said it would save time once they got to their bedroom, ending with a wink, and then placing a long kiss on her lips. He put the car in gear and didn’t waste time getting them home.
Josie couldn’t keep the smile from her face or the blush from her cheeks as she remembered her wanton behavior. Totally out of character and not something she ever imagined herself doing. She was smugly pleased with Chance’s response. There was a euphoric feeling emanating from within her as if she could feel the glow’s warmth. The warmth was still on her cheeks and in her eyes as they came to a halt in front of the house. They had just made it to the front of the car when the sudden appearance of someone coming out of the shadows from the porch halted them. It was Dev. Only then did Josie note the sports car parked in the shadows at the far side of the house.
To say his appearance was like a blast of cold water on the sizzling passion would be an understatement. Josie bundled her coat around her more tightly and tried not to think how undressed she was underneath its folds. A quick glance over at Chance told her he had his jaw set into that familiar hard line, and the scowl on his forehead should have been a warning to their late-night visitor.
“What are you doing here, Dev? It’s late.”
“Hello to you, too, Chance. I had stopped by to say hi and find out the latest news since I had to be up in Lubbock for the last few days. I just about gave up when I saw the car lights coming down the road. Looks like you two have been out on the town. Celebrating?”
“Tonight was the dance at the…” she began.
“I suggest you stop by tomorrow or the next day…during daylight hours.” Chance was short on manners at the moment.
“I see,” Dev replied and the look he moved over Josie made her feel the heat rise in her cheeks. She was certain he had a good idea what they were about to do inside the house. Ridiculous. It had to be her guilty conscience coloring her perception. Guilty conscience? Why should sh
e feel guilty about anything? They were married for Pete’s sake. Still, it was awkward.
“I’ll stop by tomorrow sometime. You two have a really good night. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” With a wink, he turned and headed toward his car.
Chapter Seventeen
Chance didn’t bother to turn on the lights as they stepped inside the house. He secured Josie’s hand inside his and pulled her into the entryway. He paused long enough to lock the front door behind them. “Just in case anyone else wants to drop by uninvited tonight. I’ll invest in a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign tomorrow.” He didn’t wait for any response from her but headed toward the stairway, and Josie didn’t hesitate to follow.
Once they reached their bedroom, he let go of her hand, and set about ridding himself of his jacket, then shirt. Josie gave him a slow smile and headed into the bathroom.
“Hurry back.”
She paused in the doorway, giving him a slow grin over her shoulder. “Five minutes.” Once the door closed behind her, she shed the coat and made swift work of the rest of her outfit. Inside the closet, she opened one of the drawers and withdrew a couple of items she had purchased at the same time she bought her outfit for the dance.
At the time, she thought she was an idiot to do so. Josie never thought she would ever have the guts to buy such garments…much less actually wear them. But something had come over her in the car, and the new Josie was ready to throw caution and the rule book to the wind. Chance had said it would be up to her what happened when he returned home. Well, she would say that what happened in the car had definitely been a good start. Now it was time to heat things up and see where they might end up next.
When she was done, she finally faced the full-length mirror. She was both shocked and amazed at the woman staring back at her. The fitted black lace bustier pushed her breasts upwards, and the frill of black lace ruffle around the top barely concealed the tips of mounds already aching to burst forth. The wisp of a matching thong was scandalous and coupled with the black and red satin garter belt, the black lace hose, and red satin, super-high heels…well, the word vixen was probably the nicest word that went through her mind as she turned first one way and then another to give herself time to back out.
Only she wasn’t going to do that. There was a determination inside her that had grown since she opened the door earlier that evening and saw Chance standing there with the flowers in hand making her insides melt in an inferno of desire.
“Five minutes are up in thirty seconds.” The male voice filtered through the closed door. “You aren’t planning to stand me up, are you?”
Now or never. Josie shook her long mane of hair loose from the barrette that had held it back from her face at the dance. She wished she had more experience to pull off what seemed so easy in her mind…before Chance had arrived. There was nothing left but to let the chips fall where they may…she would follow her instincts. Don’t fail me now.
Opening the door, she paused on the threshold, hands on her hips, her head cocked to the side and a slow smile curved her lips. Chance hadn’t wasted his time alone. The trio of candles on the dresser had been lit and flickered shadows on the walls. The man reclined against the pillows of the bed, clad only in black briefs, and there was no mistake he was more than ready and waiting.
His grin faded. At the same time, the gleam in his eyes changed into a hot fire, as he fixed his very surprised gaze upon the sight before him. Chance sat up slowly, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed. Silence stretched as Josie watched and almost felt the gaze touch each part of her body as it raked her from head to toe and back again.
“Cat got your tongue?” She tried to hide her nervousness with a bit of wit.
A slow shake of his head accompanied his reply. “Just wondering what you did with the Josie I left three days ago.”
“Well, you did say I needed to do some thinking and then it would be up to me to make things happen next time. So I guess I did my thinking, and now I’m doing something to make things happen. Any objections?”
A slow grin began to form on his mouth, and a devilish gleam set those blue eyes on fire. “Absolutely none. I can’t wait to see what’s on your mind. You have my undivided attention.”
“Well, I do want your undivided attention and your participation. I figure you’re a lot more experienced…in certain areas…than I am. You might need to give me some pointers along the way.” As she said the words, she moved slowly toward him, stopping a couple of inches from where he sat. One hand raised, and her fingers trailed lightly along his upper arm, across his shoulder, and then a couple of fingers lightly played with the lobe of his ear.
Muscles tensed across his chest, and she noted his breathing became more contained. So far so good. “I should be upset with you.”
“Upset with me? What did I do?” His gaze stayed on hers, even as she felt his fingers begin to lightly tap dance their way up the sides of her thighs, to play along the tops of her hose…something that was increasing her pulse rate exponentially.
“For three days, not one word. Guess you didn’t miss me all that much.”
Fingers curled around the snaps of her front garters and then they were open. “I gave you time to think about us. It wasn’t because I wasn’t thinking about you every second.”
“What were you thinking?”
“Surprisingly, a lot of it was along these same lines…what I want to do with you in our big bed.”
A rush of heat sprang from her core, and her stomach clenched. His voice was deep and slow, and he used it, along with his hands, in perfect unison. The garter belt was easily slid down her thighs to pool at her feet, where she stepped out of it and kicked it to the side. Her hands rubbed over the muscles of his shoulders as she stepped forward, and his legs easily parted to situate her between his knees, his fingers moving upward over her bottom and then hooking themselves into the waistband of her thong.
“I hope I’m not overdressed for the occasion.”
In a surprise movement, she felt his warm tongue flick out and circle around her belly button, sending goose bumps across her skin, catching her breath in her throat. At the same time, his fingers lowered the thong over her hips, and it soon ended up much the same as the garter belt before it. His hands cupped her bottom to hold her steady, as his tongue moved downward, very slowly, his intent being allowed to soak into her fevered mind. The anticipation overwhelmed her. Fingers automatically dug into the smooth flesh of his back as his breath blew warm across her feminine opening, and her breath caught in her chest at the exquisite torture that he began to rain upon her, as his tongue touched and tickled and brought her hot and wet within moments…a low moan escaped her and only served to fuel his intent to bring her to a complete, blissful orgasm, which he did.
Josie’s legs went limp, yet he held her steady and supported her body, as the waves of intense pleasure subsided, along with her soft cries. “That’s my beauty. Now that you mention it, you might be just a bit overdressed. Allow me to fix that. But the red stilettos have to stay. They are just too sexy.”
Slowly, the black ribbon front closure of the bustier was dealt with. His fingers worked to rid her of the garment in a way that was super sexy in itself. Soon she was left with only the lace stockings and red high heels.
Josie sank onto his lap and then he drew them both back onto the bed, his hands at her waist. Those same hands lifted her and moved her to slide forward until his mouth was able to capture a throbbing nipple, and he worked sensual magic on her body once more, awakening feelings she never knew she possessed. She wanted more and knew she needed to go for it.
Rising away from his touch for a moment, she slowly slid her body downward along his, allowing their skin to have contact, until her hands found what they sought.
“You’re the one who is way overdressed now. But not for long.” Her fingers captured the waistband of his briefs and they joined her clothing on the floor next to the bed. He lay in all his male glory, watching
her enjoy the view. She didn’t waste a lot of time in claiming the prize she sought. Slowly, yet determinedly, her warm wet opening took possession of his hard cock and slid him inside her as far as she possibly could. Then she followed her womanly instincts, giving him pleasure as she took hers at her own pace. Reaching climax together, their cries intermingled with each other. He rolled her beneath him and claimed her mouth.
Twice more, they pleasured each other, Chance being the teacher and Josie proving a most apt pupil. They stayed locked in their dark, safe cocoon until, finally exhausted, they fell asleep….Josie cuddled against his side and his arm around her.
Josie slept so soundly that she opened her eyes after the sun was filtering into the room and the bed beside her was empty. She lay for a long time, her mind running over the previous night’s memories, which both shocked and excited her at the same time. The one fact she was certain of in that moment…she had no idea what to expect when she next would see Chance.
She had only one thing that was still a secret from him…she hoped. The fact that she had fallen in love with him. It was as if something inside her knew that would be the ultimate power to hand him and, in their current predicament with the “agreement” …that was something she needed to hold onto…for her own peace of mind. Walking into the bathroom, her eyes fell on a piece of paper propped next to her makeup case. She picked it up and saw Chance’s familiar handwriting. Her heart took flight at just the simple sight.
