“I’ll light the fire,” he said as he strode to the fireplace, opened the flue, removed the matches from the mantle, struck one then held it to the kindling. The flames took hold and wrapped around the logs.
“Thanks. I love the smell of it.”
“I always enjoyed hearing it crack and snap. The fireplaces in the other rooms are gas. Those are ventless.”
“You said they were in all the rooms?”
“Yes, except the loft and bathrooms.”
“I love the see-through one in the kitchen and dining room.”
“I do too.” He stared at her.
Who knew talking about fireplaces would make her hotter than an inferno? His eyes held hers, and she watched as he sauntered to her and she stared up into his handsome face.
“Holt?”
“I have to kiss you,” he murmured as he cupped her face in his hands, lowered his lips to hers, and kissed her. When she wrapped her arms around his waist, he pulled her close then deepened the kiss.
He slowly lifted his lips from hers and looked into her eyes.
“Don’t burn my steak,” she said with a laugh.
Holt blew out a laugh. “I didn’t even ask how you liked yours.”
“Not burnt. Medium rare, please.”
“All right. I’ll get them cooked then. Since we both like them that way, it won’t take long.”
“I can help—”
“Nope. I got this. Take a seat and enjoy the snow.”
“Yes, sir,” she said with a salute then laughed when he grumbled under his breath about her being a smartass as he headed back to the kitchen.
She heard him open the back door then she heard him yell about Buddy spraying him. Laughing, she entered the kitchen to see Holt rubbing the dog with a towel. He looked up at her.
“He waits until he gets inside then shakes, and I swear he does it on purpose.”
“Probably. He seems to love that towel. I think you spoil him.”
“Yeah, so?”
Sloane laughed. “Nothing. Just an observation.”
Once he finished rubbing Buddy dry, he straightened up and disappeared into a room off the kitchen then he came right back out. She raised her eyebrow at him.
“Laundry room. I keep the towels for him in there. I’ll have to run a load of them soon. He’s about out.”
Folding her arms, she leaned against the doorjamb. “Just how many does he have?”
Holt looked a little sheepish. “About a dozen.”
She sputtered out a laugh. “You do spoil him.”
“I didn’t want to ruin my towels, so I bought some cheap ones for him. With the weather so bad in the winter, he’d have to be dried off each time he came back inside.”
“Uh-huh. Okay, I’m going back to sit in front of the fire. Can I turn the TV on?”
“Of course. Make yourself at home, darlin’.” He grinned at her.
“Thanks, I will.” Sloane gave him a wave then headed back to the living room with Buddy on her heels to enjoy the nice fire while she waited for her dinner.
****
Holt blew out a breath. Damn, he wanted Sloane so much, but he knew he had to take his time with her. Although she’d told him she was past what had happened the last time, he knew she was skittish. He had never wanted to hurt her, but he had. Big time. This time, he wouldn’t. He hoped. His reaction to them being together had taken a wrong turn simply because he’d been so surprised at how good it had been with her. It wasn’t something he ever expected because he had loved Caro so much, but sex with Sloane was amazing. Possibly even more so than it ever was with Caro. Damn it to hell. He hadn’t wanted to feel as if he was betraying Caro, but he had and took it out on Sloane. He hoped he was past it now because he wanted this with Sloane. It was time to open up to someone else and let Caro go. He hoped he could do it.
After placing the potatoes in the microwave and setting the timer, he leaned back against the counter. Then gazed up at the ceiling as if to the heavens above.
“Caro, you know I loved you. I still love you, but…” He shook his head. “I really like Sloane. I want more. What the hell am I supposed to do?” he whispered.
He leaned down, opened the oven door, pulled the pan out, flipped the steaks over then moved them back under the broiler, and set the table.
He just didn’t know how to feel about how good being with Sloane felt to him. No one doubted he loved Caro, especially her, but…he shook his head. Hell, he didn’t want to go there. How could he even think about it being better than it had with Caro? If he kept thinking this way, he was going to get pissed again and he didn’t want that to happen. He wanted Sloane to stay the weekend with him, and he knew if he acted like that again, she’d demand he take her home, bad weather and all, and then probably never speak to him again. That just didn’t sit well with him at all.
He had waited a while before he’d gone back into Clifton after their last night together. He had dwelled on his reaction, his feelings, and his fears, but he knew he still wanted to see her. He was sure he wouldn’t get a warm reception from her, and he’d been right. She hadn’t been happy to see him at all when he had shown up at the bakery. He’d had no plans to stop but when that car pulled out onto the street, he couldn’t help but park and go into the bakery. He grinned when he thought of how she had told him she was busy and ignored him. She was feisty, that was for sure.
Once the microwave signaled the potatoes were done, he pulled the steaks out of the oven, put each one on a plate, along with the potato then carried them to the table.
“Sloane? Dinner’s ready,” he called out.
Holt stood beside the table, waiting for her to enter the kitchen, and when she did, he couldn’t help but stare at her. She was just exquisite, and she didn’t seem to even know it. He smiled then held a chair out for her. When she sat, he kissed the top of her head and was rewarded with a big smile on her beautiful face.
“I didn’t know what you wanted on your baked potato, so I have all the fixings here.”
“Thank you. I like just about everything. Lanie will only eat butter, salt, and pepper on hers. We always tease her about it.”
“Butter, salt, and pepper…that’s all?” He shook his head. “That’s just wrong.”
“That’s what we all tell her.”
“I hope your steak is good.”
“I’m sure it will be,” she said as she cut into it, speared a piece, put it in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. She moaned. “Fantastic. You can cook for me anytime.”
“Deal.” He glanced down at Buddy to see the dog sitting beside his chair with a hopeful look on his face. Holt shook his head. “You know you don’t get table scraps. Go lay down.”
Sloane chuckled when the dog flopped down onto the floor, placed his head on his paws then let out a big sigh.
“No matter how many times I tell him no about begging, he never gives up,” Holt said with a shake of his head.
“He’s just hoping, isn’t he?” Sloane asked.
They ate and talked about everything, from the weather to her riding a horse tomorrow.
“I’m nervous about it. Won’t the horse know I’m nervous?”
“She’ll feel your tension, yes, but she’s so laid back, she won’t care.”
Sloane laughed. “Sounds like my kind of horse.”
“Skittles is ten years old. Nothing much bothers her.”
“Skittles?”
“Yeah, she was born here. One of my ranch hands named her because she kept trying to take the candy from him when he’d have a bag of it. He teased and said that should be her name. It stuck.”
“I’m looking forward to it, but I am nervous. Deidra, Lanie, and Rissa all know how to ride, but I just never learned. Lanie and Rissa used to barrel race.”
“I know. Does Lanie still work for Jake, training barrel racers?”
“No, she works with Stephanie Gentry now. Jake said he was done with training racers.”
“He didn
’t sell Misty, did he?”
“I don’t know who Misty is.”
“The horse he had riding in competitions.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Would he sell his horse?”
“Not sure. Misty is a champion barrel racer, so I doubt it. Maybe he just put her out to pasture. He’s had her a long time. Emma used to win a lot on her.”
“I don’t know who Emma is either,” Sloane said with a laugh.
He chuckled. “Well, she’s Gabe Stone’s wife, so that makes her Trent’s sister-in-law.”
“Oh, okay. I haven’t met her yet or Gabe for that matter.”
“I’m sure you will. You’ll probably meet all of them because I’m sure they’ll be into the bakery.”
“All of them? Who are the others? You introduced me to Jake and Becca, and you’ve mentioned Wyatt and now Gabe, but who else?”
“Well, I meant their wives, but I’m sure you’ll meet just about everyone in Clifton, Hartland, and Spring City. The three towns connect, so we are well acquainted with each other.”
“Tell me about their wives. You said Emma is married to Gabe. Who is Wyatt married to?”
“Wyatt’s wife is Olivia.” He stopped and chuckled. “A very beautiful woman who has one hell of a potty mouth. Liv will not hesitate to tell anyone what she thinks. She’s Becca’s best friend, and she came here to be with her. They’re very close. Like sisters. Now, Liv gave Wyatt a run for his money, I’ll tell you that. He’d had his heart broken by Stephanie and had no desire to get involved with Liv, but she didn’t let that stop her.” He shook his head. “He did almost lose her because of his stubborn pride though, but he came to his senses before she left Montana.”
“You said Stephanie…do you mean Stephanie Gentry? Who Lanie works with?”
“Yes. Have you met her?”
“Yes, she came into the bakery one day with her husband, Bonner. So, she was once involved with Wyatt?”
“Yeah. They were engaged at one time, but she called off the wedding. It tore him up, but he was never as happy with her as he is with Liv. He adores her and spoils her and their son rotten.”
“Good. I love a good happily ever after.”
Holt smirked. “Most women do.”
“Don’t you?”
He shrugged. “Sure, but we don’t always get them.”
He’d thought he’d had a happily ever after with Carolyn but then she got sick. He didn’t think they existed—not really.
“I suppose you’re right,” Sloane murmured then continued to eat.
After they finished, Holt stood, picked up their plates, took them to the sink to rinse them off then loaded the dishwasher.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” he asked with his back to her as he opened a cupboard to take cups down.
“No, thank you. I want to go to bed,” she said in a low tone of voice.
He spun around so fast that he almost dropped the mug in his hand.
“What?”
“I believe you heard me,” she said, smiling.
Setting the cup down, he reached her in two strides, cupped her face in his hands, lowered his lips to hers, and kissed her. When she wrapped her arms around his waist, he picked her up then carried her to the bedroom.
“God, I want you so much, Sloane,” he whispered into her ear and felt her shiver.
“I want you too,” she said.
“Buddy, no,” Holt said then entered the bedroom, kicked the door closed then carried her to the bed, and placed her in the center of it. He straightened, pulled his T-shirt off over his head, and threw it to the floor. When she sat up to remove her sweater, he shook his head.
“Wait. Let me do it,” he said as he unbuckled his belt, unsnapped his jeans, then lowered the zipper.
He was lucky he got it down since his dick was so hard, it was stretching the material of his fly. He started to push them down then realized he still had his boots on. Damn, she could make him lose his head. Holt turned around, took a seat on the bed, and toed them off. He pulled his socks off, stood, and shucked his jeans but left his boxer briefs on then got on the bed and moved close to her. He pressed his lips to hers, forcing them open then slid his tongue inside. He groaned when she moved hers against his.
****
Sloane was burning up. It didn’t take much with this man. He could make her hot with a look, but his touch scorched her skin.
“Holt,” she whispered as he moved his mouth to her ear.
“Sit up, baby,” he said.
She sat up and smiled. When he grinned at her, she almost swooned. His hands went to the bottom of her sweater, then he slowly rolled it up, and off over her head then he tossed it. She watched as he looked at her black demi-cup bra and swallowed hard. He ran his fingertip across the top of her breast.
“You are so unbelievably beautiful,” Holt whispered, then moved off the bed, walked to the bottom of it, and pulled her boots and socks off. He leaned over her, unsnapped her jeans, lowered the zipper, and tugged them down. He dropped them to the floor, leaving her in nothing but her panties and bra.
She leaned back on her elbows and stared up at him then ran her eyes down his hard pecs, six-pack stomach, and to his hard cock stretching the material of his boxer briefs. She wasn’t sure if it was common for men his age to look so amazing, but she was glad he did.
“Take those off,” she said as she nodded at the briefs.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a grin.
She watched as he hooked his thumbs into the waistband then pushed them down and off. When he straightened up, his cock protruded out. How was it possible to want a man this much? She got to her knees, then moved close to the edge of the bed. She looked up into his eyes, wrapped her hand around his hard cock, and squeezed. He groaned and closed his eyes. She leaned forward, kissed the head, and his eyes flew open, then he looked down into hers.
As she held his gaze, she placed her mouth down over him, making him moan, and his fingers gripped her hair. She never cared for doing this for Doug. He was so selfish that he never did it for her but expected her to do it. She wanted to taste every inch of Holton James but seeing as he was a big man, she didn’t think that was possible. She put her fingers around him and stroked him as she sucked on him, then cupped his balls in her other hand and gently kneaded them. His hips moved in rhythm with her hand.
Looking up at him, she saw his head tilted back and knew she wanted to take him over the edge. She knew he’d give back, and they had all night.
“Get a condom out of the nightstand,” Holt suddenly said through clenched teeth.
“I’m not done with you yet,” she said when she removed her mouth.
“For now, you are. Get the condom. I want to fuck you.”
A shiver of desire ran over her because hearing him say that really made her hot. Doug had never talked like that to her. Mentally shaking her head, she knew he was the last thing she wanted to think about, so she pushed it from her mind. She slid across the bed, opened the drawer, got a condom, ripped it open, sheathed Holt with it then she gazed up at him again.
He gently shoved her to her back but when she started to slide up the bed, he shook his head then leaned over her, unclasped her bra, and tugged her panties down. He dropped them both on the floor, then he grabbed her legs and pulled her to the edge of the bed. She was about to wrap her legs around his waist when he spoke.
“No. Get on your stomach,” he demanded.
“My stomach?” She had never done it that way before.
“Please. If you don’t like it, we’ll stop.”
Taking a deep breath, she rolled to her stomach, and he tugged her closer to the edge.
“Get on your knees.”
Thank God Holt couldn’t see her face because she knew it had to be beet red. She did as he asked. Asked? No. Told. She moaned when he ran his finger along her slit.
“You’re wet,” he said, and she groaned.
“Please,” she begged.
“Yes, ma�
��am,” he said as his hands gripped her hips, and he thrust in hard, making her gasp. “You okay?”
“Yes, yes, please move.”
He chuckled and started to pump in and out of her. God! It felt amazing. His finger touched her clitoris, making her jerk. He picked up the pace, and she started thrusting her hips back at him. He pushed her shoulders down. Her face was on the bed, and he began to slam into her hard. With his finger on her clitoris and him going deeper each time, it wasn’t long before she knew she was going over.
“Holt,” she groaned out.
“I’m going to come, Sloane. I want you with me,” he said in a gruff tone, and it threw her over.
She screamed into the bed covers as she came hard then she heard him grunt as he pumped even harder and she felt him throbbing inside her. Her knees were rubber, so she fell flat onto the bed, and he fell on it beside her. They both worked to catch their breaths, so neither moved for a few minutes. His hand ran down her back to her ass, then back up. He sat up, stood, and headed for the bathroom, and she was sure it was to remove the condom. She still didn’t move. She heard him chuckle when he reentered the room.
“Is that where you’re going to sleep?”
“I don’t have the energy to move. That was unreal. I’ve never had sex like that before.”
“Are you fucking serious? Your husband really is an idiot.”
“Ex, ex-husband, and yes, he is.”
“Come on, darlin’. You have to move so we can get some sleep.”
“Can I take a bath first?”
“Of course.”
She rolled to her back, scooted to the end of the bed, gathered her bearings then stood, and headed for the bathroom. She stopped at the doorway and looked over her shoulder at him.
“You could join me.”
Sloane laughed when he grinned then followed her to the bathroom.
Chapter Six
The next morning, after breakfast, they put on their coats, hats, and gloves then trudged through the snow to the barn. Holt held her hand as he led Sloane down the aisle.
Holt Men of Clifton, Montana Book 12 Page 11
