by Sable Hunter
When she said she wanted to feed him, he hadn’t envisioned eating from her hand, but he ate it up, literally. She offered him a bite, then a kiss, a bite, then a kiss, punctuating them with sips of wine. Heath was dumbstruck. Cato was giving of herself to him freely, generously and with exquisite grace and elegance. Plus, she was sexy as hell. “Let’s take turns,” he murmured, taking a piece of melon and placing it between her lips.
Cato accepted the food from his fingers and licked her lips, relishing his touch. With joy and laughter, they shared the food until they were sated. “The sun’s going down, isn’t it beautiful?” Cato pointed to the western sky. For a few moments they marveled at the first evening star to appear in the sky, the afternoon sun’s rays playing on the waters of Lake Travis and the glinting of the coming twilight against the pink granite dome of Enchanted Rock.
“I’ll never forget this, Cato. Not as long as I live.”
“I hope not.” Eagerly, she sank down between his legs. “And I certainly don’t want you to forget this.” Every neuron in her body sizzled with needy anticipation.
Both laughed as their fingers got tangled up, both trying to get his belt unbuckled and zipper down. But Heath’s laughter faded into a growl when he saw Cato’s face at the sight of his erection. The hunger in her eyes, the way she licked her lips while she gazed at him was arousing as hell. “You want this.”
“Oh, yeah, I do.” She gazed up at him, Heath was big and powerful. He had his fingers tangled in her hair, massaging her neck. She knew in a moment, he would guide her every move. Cato felt utterly feminine, almost small and delicate. But she also realized another startlingly erotic fact—she was in control. Cato knew she was the source of Heath’s pleasure and that reality increased her arousal tenfold. She was almost drunk on the knowledge.
“Have mercy, baby. I’m about to come just imagining your lips on me.”
With a slight tremble, Cato grasped his thick shaft and stroked. Flicking out her tongue, she licked the tip, teasing him. Heath reacted by tightening his grip on her hair with one hand and reaching over to knead her breast with the other. Knowing another person was so close, made her feel a little odd, but not enough to stop. She needed to do this for both of them. Parting her lips, she took him inside her mouth, laving the thick knob of his cock and the sensitive glans underneath.
Cato took him as deep as she could, in and out, her hand pumping his sizeable girth in time with her mouth. Heath’s hips jerked sympathetically as she sucked him off faster and faster. Glancing up at him through her lashes, she was exultant to see the undiluted pleasure on his face. Suddenly she could take no more. “I can’t wait,” she murmured. “I need you, Heath.” Standing up, she saw his confusion. “Please…” she couldn’t take time to explain. Her whole body was shaking with the desperate need to feel him inside of her. Pulling up her skirt, she straddled his lap, pulled her panties to one side and rose up over him. “Help me, please.”
Heath was in lust-shock. His cock was throbbing—literally pulsing. But seeing the frantic, pleading look on Cato’s face and knowing what she wanted so desperately was him was an aphrodisiac that shot straight to his brain. Her eyes were closed in rapture as he guided his swollen manhood into her tight wet pussy.
“Don’t stop, please don’t stop,” she begged.
She had nothing to worry about. Heath wanted to give her relief as much as he desired it himself. “Fuuuuccck.” He sighed as he felt Cato sink down on him. There was nothing in the universe that even came close to the heaven of being inside this woman bare. Slick, warm, wet, snug—she was pure perfection. Heath had to clench his fist to keep from beating the thin wooden wall which separated them from the man steering their ride.
Cato moaned her relief. Clasping Heath around the neck, she began to rise and fall on his hard pole, impaling herself over and over again. “Feels so good,” she whimpered.
“Baby, baby, baby,” Heath chanted as he rubbed her back, then let his hands glide down to cup the luscious globes of her ass.
“I love fucking you,” she whispered in his ear. To give credence to her claim, Cato began clenching her inner muscles, massaging and milking his cock as she rode him.
Heath’s head spun with the pleasure. God, he didn’t have to move, he could barely breathe. Cato was in control, taking him, using him, owning him. “That’s it, baby, take what you need.” She might not have seen his lips, but she made a demand he gladly fulfilled.
“Suck my tits, Heath. I need your mouth on me.” Pulling at the ends of the small bows, she let the bodice of her dress fall and Heath bowed his head, his mouth descending on her breasts, growling as he began to devour the succulent, tender flesh. Licking the underside, he nuzzled the quivering feminine mound until small hands grasped his head and guided him to suckle at the nipple.
“God, yes, yes, yes!” Cato screamed as she began to cum.
Heath moved his mouth up to cover hers, muffling her ecstasy even as his own orgasm slammed through him. Holding her tight, he felt his cum shoot up inside of her as wave after wave of pleasure hurdled through him. At that moment Heath surrendered and he let the bonds of doubt which had bound his soul float free.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Heath never knew balloon rides could be erotic, he only knew he’d never forget this one as long as he lived. When they sailed over Enchanted Rock and the Highlands, he pointed out landmarks, enjoying how excited she became. It might have been the night air, the incredible view or just the irresistible woman in his arms, but Heath couldn’t keep his hands off of her. After they’d come down from their mutual climax, he turned Cato in his arms and pulled her back against his front. No words were necessary. He kissed her neck, seeking only to make her feel appreciated and warm. But soon his passion flared again and his hands began to move over her body. Seeing the afghan Cato brought, he grabbed it and draped it across her so he could play to his heart’s delight.
The little bows had to go and he pulled the white flouncy skirt up above her thighs. Her response thrilled him. Instead of pulling away, she leaned into him, lifted her arms to caress his neck and shoulders and spread her legs in open invitation. Holy Fuck! How had he lived without this?
Pressing back against him, Cato wiggled, enticing him with a twist of her hips on his lap. “Touch me, please.”
God, she didn’t have to beg. Heath was so revved up, he felt like he could fly without the benefit of the balloon.
When he ran his work-roughened fingers over her skin, up to rub her nipples and down to pet her vulva, Cato shivered. Every fiber of her body was painfully aware of him. It was hard to draw breath into her lungs.
Heath pushed his rigid erection against her hips, loving the way she writhed in his arms as he played with her body. God, what a damn treat this was. He took both hands to her tits and each one cupped a breast, molding, thumbs caressing the peaked nipples. “More,” she whispered. Every fantasy Heath had ever entertained came to life. With hands flat, he massaged her breasts, circling, loving the feel of her nipples against his palms. She arched her back, laying her head on his shoulder, lifting her hips in supplication. Rubbing his face against her cheek, he wordlessly urged her to turn her head. She understood and their lips met in a hot desperate kiss.
The beginnings of a climax sizzled through her. Cato could feel it coming, rushing toward her. She undulated in Heath’s arms and he steadied her, his fingers leaving her breast to slip under the cotton eyelet skirt. The tiny pair of bikini panties was no barrier in his quest. Heath pushed his hand beneath the elastic to find her creamy wet. Recapturing her mouth, he mounted a dual assault, tweaking a puffy nipple and swirling his fingertips around her swollen clit. Cato would have cried out, but Heath captured his name even as she breathed it. He didn’t relent but pushed her to the edge, demanding that she accept all the pleasure that was due her. Over and over again, he pulled at her nipple—long, luscious draws—while he rubbed the sweet spot between her legs until she shattered. Heath witnessed her rapture
, he could feel the quivering of her body. A ferocious satisfaction filled him and Heath did something he hadn’t done since puberty.
Heath came—long, hard, shuddering—his arms wrapped around her. She was amazed that he’d climaxed without any stimulation except her in his lap. Cato turned in his arms and kissed him, loving the way his orgasm made him powerful and vulnerable at the same time. “I love…” Cato said before she caught it. “I love knowing you came too.”
Heath chuckled, kissing her on the cheek. “I messed up my shorts.”
Cato looked over the side. “Isn’t that Canyon of the Eagles?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “I can shower and change. We can get something to eat. Where is he going to land?”
“Right on the shore of Lake Buchanan, almost at your door. I’ve arranged for a cab to take us home when we’re ready to go. All I have to do is place a call.”
She had taken care of everything. Heath was touched. He hadn’t had to lift a finger. She had planned a wonderful date, fed him and satisfied him in every way. Now it was his turn. “You’re on my turf now, baby. The rest of the evening is on me.”
They held hands while the balloon descended and touched down gently. Heath tipped Mr. Dickinson, who winked at him and smiled.
As soon as he had service, Heath called Stella and asked if the Honeymoon suite was available. It was. He told her to ready the room and to tell the chef to go all out.
“This place is gorgeous!” Cato said as she pivoted around, trying to see everything at one time.
Heath proudly showed his place off. “There are sixty-five private guest cabins. We have a world-class chef, a nature preserve, a beautiful lake and all of it is green. Come on, let me show you the lobby and my office.”
Cato went with him and marveled at what he’d accomplished. “I can’t believe you have this on top of the ranch. How do you keep up with it all?”
He was honest. “I have help. Lots of it. Especially with Highlands Energy.”
“Highlands Energy, the oil and gas company, that’s you?”
“Yea, it is.”
A shiver of unease crept up Cato’s spine. Celebrity friends, a cattle ranch and his own oil company. No wonder he only wanted a fling. When Heath ever decided to settle down, he deserved a woman who knew how to help him benefit the most from his social position—not a chubby, deaf, swamp rat. Suddenly the day seemed a little dimmer. “You’re so easy to be with, sometimes I forget how far out of my league you really are.”
Heath was about to refute her ridiculous statement when his phone vibrated. “Hold on, I have something to say to that.”
But he didn’t get the chance.
Heath listened and turned white as a sheet. Hanging up, he announced. “We’ve got to go. Jaxson’s had an accident at the ranch. He’s re-injured his leg. Bad.”
* * *
He didn’t have Red, but there was a Highlands vehicle at the resort. Soon, they were on their way. Cato was worried. Heath was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were white. For miles, he didn’t say anything and Cato was quiet. She didn’t want to distract him. Finally, she couldn’t stand it. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“He was helping load up a horse. One of the hands backed the damn trailer into him and pinned him against a fence, the leg he broke riding the bull bore the brunt of the blow.”
“How bad?”
“I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling.”
Knowing he needed to talk, Cato asked, “Tell me about Jaxson.”
Heath dry-scrubbed his face. “Jaxson is third oldest, Ten’s younger, Philip’s older. He’s always been the one I could depend on to step in and do things that needed to be done without being asked. Jax is solid. He’s even tempered and loves animals.” Heath smiled. “But the man can’t be still. I swear, if he had to sit at a desk, Jax would shrivel up and die. He loves the outdoors and working the land. Mama always said he was the one she wanted to leave Belle Chasse to…” Heath’s voice trailed off.
“Couldn’t he rebuild the operations at least?”
“Sure, we’ve talked about it. Daddy’s the hold-up, Jax doesn’t want to hurt him.”
“What would your mother want?”
“Mom was a hoot. She would have never wanted us to leave. No, I take that back, she would have wanted us to run both ranches. Carolyn McCoy thought her children could do anything. She was the most optimistic sweet person I’ve ever known.”
“A southern belle?”
“No, not at all.” Heath laughed. “Mom was a tomboy. Granted, once she was a Queen of a Mardi Gras Krewe but she said she wore jeans under her gown for a quick escape. My mother never met a stranger and she didn’t see race or class differences. Her ancestors owned slaves but Belle Chasse had a reputation of treating their people with respect. After the civil war, most of the folks who had been at Belle Chasse opted to stay even after they were freed. In fact, when my grandmother was still alive, many of her friends were descendants of people who had once worked the plantation.”
“She sounds wonderful.”
“She was.”
“I think I may hunt my father someday,” she offered lightly. “He hasn’t been around since I was a baby.”
“I think you should.”
Cato kept him talking for the duration of the hour and a half drive into Austin to the hospital. When they arrived, Heath raced in, anxious to find out what had happened with his brother. Philip met him. “Dad’s here. Hello, Cato.” Cato nodded.
“Good.” Heath looked over Philip’s shoulder. “What about Jaxson?”
Philip looked down and Heath’s heart stopped. Cato grasped his hand. “He’s…”
“No.” Philip shook his head. “He lost the leg. The doctor had to amputate.”
Heath felt the ground fall out from under him. “What?” He held Cato’s hand tighter. “I want to see him.”
“The doctor will come get us once he’s been taken to the recovery room.”
“God! How did this happen?” Heath let go of Cato and began pacing up and down the corridor.
“Joe just didn’t see him. He thought Jax was out of the way.”
Cato could see that both men were tortured with the thought of their brother suffering. Heath walked back to Philip. “How far up on the leg?”
“A few inches below the knee.”
Heath directed his next comment to both Cato and Philip. “He’s not going to take this well.”
Both men turned to the right and Cato looked to see what alerted them. She expected to see the doctor, instead it was a distinguished looking man in a wheelchair. No one needed to tell her, this was their father Christian. “Jaxson will be fine. He’s a McCoy.”
“Dad…” Heath went to his father and knelt down. “I’m so sorry.”
“We’ll make it. I’m moving home and bringing Olivia with me. She’ll have Jax on his feet in no time.”
Cato saw the older man swallow hard.
Heath stood. “I think that’s a great idea.” He reached for Cato. “Dad, this is my friend Cato Vincent. Cato, this is my father Christian McCoy.”
“How do you do?” Cato approached him.
The elder McCoy smiled. “Why, aren’t you a pretty little thing? Heath?” His dad raised an eyebrow at him. “You’ve been holding out on me.”
“Didn’t mean to,” Heath explained. “I would have introduced you at the BBQ, but you chose not to come.”
“I was busy.” Christian looked over his shoulder, then back. “But I think it’s time I moved back.”
“Well, of course,” Heath answered. “I didn’t think you felt well.”
Cato could see both concern and relief on Heath’s face.
“I’m feeling much better, actually.” Christian’s face brightened. Cato turned to see what he was looking at and saw a very attractive red-head speaking to Ryder and Pepper who sat in a small waiting room about twenty feet down the hall. “Olivia has worked wonders with me.”
> Heath glanced at Cato and widened his eyes and she pressed her lips together, trying to hide a smile.
Philip knelt down by his father. “We’d love to have you back home, Dad.”
“Yea,” Heath agreed. “I’ll move out of your suite so you and Olivia can be in adjoining rooms again.”
“Good.” Christian nodded. “But put Jaxson in the blue room, Olivia shares my quarters now. She can keep an eye on Jax from there. Do those monitors still work?”
When he asked that question, Cato inhaled sharply, causing her to cough. Heath patted her on the back, a slight smirk on his face. “Yea, Dad, the monitors still work.”
From the left, a gray-haired man in a white coat walked up. “Are you the McCoy family?”
“Yes, we are.” Christian rolled forward.
“Jaxson is out of surgery and I have every reason to believe that he’ll be fine.”
“I have some questions about the injury.” Heath folded his arms. Cato felt uneasy, this was family business.
Before the doctor could answer, she went up on tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “I’m going to go speak to Ryder and Pepper.”
Heath nodded and Cato eased away. She felt so sorry for the family and knew they needed to make sense of what had happened in private. As she drew nearer the girls, she could see they’d been crying. Christian’s Olivia sat between them. Clearly, they were comfortable with her. Pepper looked up and noticed Cato standing there.
“Cato!” She patted the chair next to her. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Ryder smiled at her. “Hey, Cato. We were sorry to interrupt your and Heath’s evening.” It was obvious she was attempting to sound normal when worry and heartache was weighing her down.
“Please, this is where Heath belongs.” Cato wondered if the family had known Heath was with her or only figured it out after they’d shown up together. Oh, well. That wasn’t an issue now anyway. “Jaxson is the one who’s important right now.”
“Yes, he is.” Olivia stood. “I’m Olivia Young. So, you’ve snared Heath? I never thought I’d see the day.”
