“No answer?” His arrogance and husky tone was so arousing that she wanted to rip his jeans from his body and drag him between her lips. His naked torso was an ultimate temptation, each coiled muscle and flat nipples to the triangular patch of crisp hair. Weak with wanting him, she leaned against the door to steady her wobbly knees.
What would a man who prided himself on being a gentleman do if she pushed him back on the bed, demanded he kiss the hell out of her then explored every perfect inch of his burliness?
But she remained steady. And damn was it hard. “If you believe for one second that I’m playing a game with your emotions, or desires, you have no clue who I am.” Her voice shook, and she hated that she couldn’t hide her inner turmoil.
A menacing dark brow lifted. “If the shoe fits...but in this case, if the T-shirt is on your body…” His voice was flat.
“Fine!” Reaching for the hem of the shirt, she pulled it up and over her head. “Take it back!” Throwing it, he caught it against his chest. His eyes narrowed and his jaw ticked. Turning on bare foot, she stomped down the hall and into her bedroom, slamming the door in fury.
She wasn’t surprised when the loud rap came seconds later.
Pulling the robe from the end of the bed, she put it on and tightened the belt then tugged the knob. Deckland’s brows were tapered and his lips were thin. Silence governed for a long grueling moment. She wanted to slam the door in his face, but in truth, she’d only be running. She was tired of hiding from her emotions and needs.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“What?” She glued her gaze with his and her bottom lip trembled.
“Your bath?” His hypnotic eyes locked on her, steady and pensive.
She knew what he asked. “Yes, I did.”
“I’ve never seen something more lovely.”
Her heart raced. “Me taking a bath?”
“Pleasuring yourself. You’re beautiful. Your body…I’ve never seen anything better.” A smile played at the corner of his mouth.
Cheeks heated, she refused to back away from the lure. “I shouldn’t have left the door ajar. I didn’t think you’d be back until much later.”
“It’s possible you did it on purpose,” he drawled.
She squinted. “Why would you think that?” Yet, what he accused made sense. She grasped she was lying to herself. She knew fully well when she climbed into the bath that he could come home any time. With the realization, she clutched the robe close to her chest.
“Were you hoping you’d push me past the limit and I’d finally do what your eyes have begged from me since the moment we met?” He drew in a ragged breath.
Swallowing the tightness in her throat, her stomach rolled. She had no defense. “I think it’s best I go to bed now.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I think it’s the smartest thing to do. We agree there’s a connection between us, one that could easily get out of control.”
He took a step closer, his gaze full of need, and he brought his hand up to trace her jawline. “When will you ever allow yourself pleasure, from another person?”
She was startled by the truth of his words. His touch burned into her flesh, breaking through the walls she’d spent so much time erecting. “I wish I could explain,” she whispered. “I’m sorry that I’ve brought you unhappiness.”
His fingers dropped to the open V of the robe, brushing her bare skin with his knuckles. A touch had never brought her more longing—an urgency to break all of the rules.
He continued to stare at her with wicked craving, sending waves of yearning crawling through her. “Elsa, you must know that you being here could never bring me unhappiness. You fill me with desire, a need I’ve never known. Invisible chains bind me and I have no clue what I’m supposed to do. One minute I think you want me too, and then you push me away.”
His admission astonished her. Confusion marred his features. If he could open up about his feelings, so could she—at least some. “I like being here with you. I do. I feel warmth every time you’re near and my resistance is fading.”
“Resistance?”
“I’ve wanted to throw caution to the wind, but I have my own invisible chains.” The confession seemed right, but an alarm buzzed in the back of her conscious.
“I understand.” He sighed and pushed his hand through his hair. His shoulders slumped. “No, maybe I don’t—not entirely. I know since you’ve been here I’ve realized what I’m lacking. For that, I can only be grateful.”.
Impulsively, she reached for him, clutching his shoulders and leaning in. She brought her hand to his cheek, enjoying the raspy stubble of his beard against her sensitive skin. “What do you need?”
A sparkle flashed through his gaze. “I want to slip this—” he gently tugged at the fabric of the robe “—from your body.”
She dropped her hand boldly to the waist of his jeans, dipping her fingers in, inspired at the sensation of his warm skin under her fingertips. A thought blared in the back of her mind that falling into his arms could be a mistake, a risk. Her body screamed that giving into the lure could ruin her, but she wanted him more than she could even understand.
And knowing he reflected those same emotions gave her a power she never wanted to relinquish. No one had ever looked at her in a way of complete hunger.
“I want to hold you, make sweet love to you. Do you want me to pleasure you?” The husky tone of his voice made her heart flutter.
Lust rose to the surface of her flesh. He smelled good, and she guessed he’d taste even better. Kissing his chest, she darted her tongue out, lapping up masculine saltiness.
“Answer me, Elsa.” He slipped his hand down her arm, circling her wrist with his fingers. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of her knuckles. “Tell me what you want from me?”
“I’m frightened,” the words slipped easily from her.
“Of me?” His gaze met hers, questioning.
“No, never of you. You’re kind and giving, but these feelings raging through me are new.”
“Same here, sweetheart.” His desire was written all over his face. She could sense it. His thumb smoothed over the pulse point under her thin skin as he studied her mouth, as if he debated if he should kiss her. “I’m afraid of this blast of emotion too.” He brought his free hand up and cupped her nape, his long fingers splaying wide and tangling in her hair. He gently tilted her head back and stared down at her with a smoldering gaze. “I should be angry that I can’t get you out of my mind—out of my blood. I’m battling a storm between right and wrong. You’re a sweet poison that has seeped into my body, controlling me. It’s painful, yet the best feeling I’ve had in years—hell, if ever.”
His words were a driving force she couldn’t deny. She melted against him and looped her arms around his neck, her breasts pressed against his chest. Her nipples tingled. “Kiss me, Deckland.”
A breath dragged through tight lips before he lowered his mouth and captured her with tense passion. His tongue rolled across her bottom lip, nibbling the flesh gently between his teeth. A groan escaped her as she moved her tongue, tangling with his.
Everything around them disappeared, all barrier. Only need remained. He held her in his embrace until all she knew, all she could focus on, was his touch, his smell, the deep desire.
CHAPTER SIX
HE THREADED HIS fingers through her damps locks, rubbing her scalp as he buried his tongue deeper, swirling in her sweetness.
Her body against his made him tremble with pent up agony that searched for release. Her soft, sexy lips on his and the throaty whimpers floating from her throat fueled him with passion.
The need to have her, to be inside of her, drove Deckland. Her scent filled his nostrils and he couldn’t get enough—he could never get enough. He pushed at the satin fabric until it fell from her shoulders and dropped at their feet. The hard tips of her nipples brushed his chest and he moved his hand to the firm mounds.
Her
movements became greedier, her breathing heavier, as she darted her tongue in and out of his mouth. He rolled his thumb along one pert bead, again and again, until she stood on tiptoes against him in invitation.
Grabbing her thighs, he lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her to the edge of the bed and easily placed her in the center of the comforter. She stared up at him through her lashes, her chest rising and falling with each breath, her inner thighs trembling as she parted them slightly, revealing slick, pink pussy.
A groan escaped him and his cock, rock-hard, threatened to break through the zipper if he didn’t release the tension.
Pushing off his boots, he loosened his jeans, yanking them and the boxers down his thighs and to his ankles, giving them a kick across the room. Her eyes dipped to his erection and the tip of her tongue darted out to roll across her bottom lip.
“You’re so freaking beautiful.” His cock stretched to its fullest and saluted the ceiling.
A naughty smile curved her mouth.
Crawling over her, he braced himself on elbows , connecting gazes. Their quick breaths mingled, he could hear the beating of her heart. “Elsa,” he whispered her name, needing her permission to continue. Her pale eyes turned turbulent, her moist lips were swollen from his kiss as she reached for him, wrapping her fingers around his girth. He sucked in a ragged breath, all restraint gone.
With tenderness he didn’t know he was capable of, considering the lust raging through him, he smoothed his hand over her chest and lower until he reached the steamy warmth at the apex of her thighs. He parted her moist lips and eased two fingers over the slick heat. Her back arched and he hungrily roved his eyes over long, slender neck, delicate collarbone, mouthwatering breasts and further down where his dark hand looked stark against her pale flesh.
Shudders passed through him and settled in his gut. He couldn’t imagine ever getting enough of her, no matter how much he touched, licked, made love to her. But it was possible this would be their only time together. Good things didn’t come with a guarantee.
“I’m on fire,” she whispered, drawing his mind back on track.
The frightened, reserved Elsa was gone in exchange for a sultry siren who wielded power in her sexuality. She brought every part of him alive, even the parts he’d buried long ago.
Sliding one finger into her opening, she spread her legs wide. Damp petals glistened against his callused hand. He inhaled sharply, dragging in pussy fragrance and spicy scent. No woman could be sweeter or hotter.
Wrapping his free hand around her waist, he pulled her closer, her ass pressing against the tips of his fingers. She wound her arms around his back and he lowered his head, kissing the tender skin on her neck. Her moans teased his ear.
“I need you now,” she demanded.
Pushing through his cluttered mind, he pulled away. “I’ll be right back.” He left the room, grabbed an unopened condom from the top drawer of his nightstand and hurried back to Elsa. Ripping open the package, he quickly rolled the sheath over his cock and lowered his body back to the goddess who awaited him.
She brought her legs around his hips and gyrated her sex against his erection. Pleasure tumbled through him, seizing him in its grip. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d rubbed against a woman, and he probably wouldn’t remember anyone except for the livewire clutching him in her lustful power.
Elsa was different, he’d known from the start. He didn’t want to just fuck her and find satisfaction. He wanted to rock her body, take her down a forbidden road that only lovers found together. Driving her wild in hunger was his only goal.
She slid her hand between them and her fingers grasped his cock, guiding him to her core. With a gentleness that rugged cowboys weren’t supposed to have, at least admit to having, he eased himself into her, slowly and carefully, not wanting to hurt her with his size. Her tight muscles told him it’d been a while for her too, which sent him closer to the edge.
He took on a rhythm, pumping her and rubbing her clit with his thumb until her body tensed with orgasm. Control dissipated and he jerked as he reached release.
****
The sun came up too early for Elsa. She rolled an arm across the empty bed and sighed. Deckland was gone. If her inner thighs didn’t ache and her nipples weren’t tingling, she’d almost believe last was a dream. After they’d made love, he’d pulled her into the crook of his arm and that was where she’d stayed, until he’d left.
A chill sprinted through without his warmth and she wrapped her arms around her body.
And her mind swirled with a cocktail of confusion and bliss.
She realized she could fall for Deckland. He was so giving, thinking of everyone before himself. And for the first time in her life, she was beginning to believe she deserved happiness. Guilt had plagued her for the mistakes she’d made, but she’d grown from the blunders. It didn’t matter how a person started, as long as they finished at their best.
Smiling, she climbed from bed, stretched and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.
When she returned, her cell was vibrating with a missed call and text. Reading the screen, all air left her lungs.
How long did you think you could hide?
Dropping the phone back onto the table, she sucked back a sob. She didn’t doubt who the message came from.
A gathering of emotion spiraled through her. She’d changed her number twice over the last year, and it never did any good.
Rubbing her forehead, her thoughts raced to Deckland.
Would he understand her past?
To give herself to someone meant opening up completely, and was she ready?
She didn’t think so.
CHAPTER SEVEN
DECKLAND SAT CRADLING a cold longneck between his palms. His legs were stretched and his boots were relaxed on the table. He glanced around at the empty kitchen where Elsa had been scooting around that afternoon while getting the last preparations done for a client’s wedding today. The smell of sugar lingered in the air and embedded itself deep within his blood. He didn’t think he’d ever get the scent out of his nostrils, nor would he forget how warm and pleasurable Elsa was in his arms last night. His palms ached to touch her again.
Being near her was far more dangerous than he first thought possible.
He practically ripped his hand through his hair and sighed his worries away. Even working on the land earlier hadn’t eased the tension. He hoped the beer helped.
Soft music played from the radio, but the silence surrounding him was almost too much to bear. He didn’t like the hush that mocked him, reminding him that his brothers were gone, happy with their new families and, if Elsa stuck to her promise, she would leave soon too.
Disappointment slithered through his veins.
Hell, he couldn’t feel sorry for himself. Getting involved with Elsa was a risk.
He downed the beer, threw the bottle into the nearby trashcan, and the glass hitting metal cracked the calm of the night.
Laying his head back, he closed his eyes.
“Deckland?”
He opened his eyes, not sure how long he’d been asleep sitting in the chair. Turning his cheek, he dragged his gaze from pink painted toenails to pale eyes. Elsa looked as lovely as ever. Her hair hung straight and shiny down her shoulders and her cheeks were flushed, probably from working. The gauzy white blouse skimmed her firm breasts and the long flowing skirt accentuated her slender curves.
“You look comfortable. Am I interrupting?” she asked.
“Depends. If you’re here for the party, you’ve missed all of the fun. It ended with a bang,” he teased.
“A party? I’m always a day late and a dollar short.” A sweet smile spread her lips.
He sat up. “How’d the wedding go?”
“Magnificent. In fact, I was asked to bake a birthday cake.” Her eyes twinkled. “I couldn’t turn it down since I can use the money.”
“Of course. No one can resist Elsa’s Fluff.”
He smiled, but it quickly fizzled. He shook his head, hoping to dislodge some of his embedded irritation. He wasn’t sure what had come over him, but he guessed the woman standing before him was a good place to look.
She’d been quiet all day, skirting around any discussion about what they’d shared. He understood she was rushed, but he suspected she had been avoiding him. She’d seemed different—distant. He wouldn’t pressure her, but he also wouldn’t be played.
He didn’t know much about her past, but he had a feeling she wanted to keep it closed and away from anyone’s view. If he went out on a limb, he’d say a man was involved in helping her build her wall of protection. Each time they got close, the barricade came up.
Truth was, he saw a pattern here. Just as Elsa had pointed out, and his brothers, he was always there to pick the pieces up for the people he cared for. People needed to help themselves on occasion.
He had broad shoulders, but the last thing he needed was another person to fix. He’d gotten good at cleaning everyone’s troubles away, and he guessed it was time to stop, if possible. Sometimes it was hard for a cowboy to change his ways.
From the first time he’d met Elsa, he’d known she had a few sharp corners that needed filed. He didn’t mind that she had a past, everyone had a history, but when a person failed to empty the trash it made it difficult to move forward.
“You seem thoughtful this evening, Deckland.”
“Care for a beer?” He got up, went to the refrigerator and grabbed a cold one, holding it out.
“I—I don’t know—”
“It’s just a beer, not a kidney.” He winked.
“In that case, why not.” He popped the lid and handed it to her. She took a seat at the table and he sat back down. “No one likes to drink alone.”
He shrugged. “Are you hungry?”
“No.” She brought the bottle to her lips and took a long drink. He couldn’t help but admire how her smooth neck curved.
He wanted to kiss her skin, explore her like an ancient discovery. A long, slow repeat of last night. The scratches on his back were proof she’d enjoyed herself.
Second Burn Cowboy (Second Chance Series Book 6) Page 6
