“Did you spend the night here?”
“Yes,” Drina replied, not offering anything more.
“And?” Coco excitedly hurried to the coffee pot and grabbed a mug from the cupboard. “How was it?”
Drina turned sideways in her chair and threw her arm over the wooden back. “The sex?”
“Of course I’m asking about the sex. You and Zak have been playing this do-we-or-don’t-we game for several months now. If you spent the night with him—here—then I’m sure you were here for a reason.”
“That’s just it. I thought I was here for a reason.” Drina gnawed on her lip.
“And…”
“He turned me down. Flat.”
“What?” Coco’s expression was priceless. She grabbed the counter for balance or show—Drina couldn’t be sure which—and acted as if Drina’s words had delivered a damning right hook. “Zak—he turned you down?”
“Yes, and I can promise you it wasn’t a crowning moment in my life.”
Coco sat on the bench at the long picnic table running through the center of the Blaziers’ country kitchen. With her back to the table, she blew over the top of her mug before sipping her coffee. “That’s surprising. Then again, don’t take it personally. Brandon slept on the couch last night, belt in place, boots on, and even his dirty blue jeans. They worked their asses off yesterday.”
“So I heard.” Drina didn’t bother mentioning that Zak showered, dropped the towel at his bed, and was in the middle of a handjob when he decided to call her. Then again, she could see where Coco would find the whole thing amusing.
What the hell. She told her.
As expected, Coco laughed. When she regained control, she asked, “Then what went wrong?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You can come up with something better than ‘I don’t know’ here. I mean, we’re talking Zak Blazier for crying out loud.”
The door behind them slammed and in walked Zak and two of his brothers.
Zak’s grin was wider than the Nolichucky River. “There sits my two favorite women.” He added a little extra swing to those hips and worked his cowboy swagger. He bunched Drina’s hair in his left hand and pulled her back by her ponytail. Then he gave her the most sensual kiss she’d ever received in front of an audience. The kiss started out nice and slow. Then he thrust that wicked tongue of his deep inside her mouth and shards of excitement shot up and down her spine.
After lying in his bed the night before with near-drenched panties, Drina was pretty sure if he’d touched her below the neck during their heady kiss she might have ground out a begging plea right there in front of his brothers. Instead, she eased out of the kiss and returned to sipping her coffee, aware of her flaming hot cheeks.
“Now I see why Zak keeps you to himself.” One of his brothers walked right on over and took her hand in his. Brushing her knuckles with a gentle kiss, he said, “I’m Hales.”
As soon as his mouth met her skin, she saw trouble in the third degree. Hales looked too much like Zak. He had beautiful dimples running the length of both cheeks, green eyes, sandy-brown hair, and stood at least six feet tall with about two hundred pounds to throw around if he needed them.
Given her current mood, she might guess she’d need a few inches of that weight sometime in the near future. Unfortunately, Hales gave her one of those quick sultry sweeps like Zak often did. The gleam in his eyes made her feel like she was staring sex right in the face.
“Don’t get any ideas without sharing ’em with me,” Hales said, moistening his lips and shooting her a wink.
Zak didn’t seem to mind Hales’ flirtatious remark. Still, Zak took Drina’s hand and forced her to stand briefly so he could sit down and pull her to his lap.
Now they had a bit of a problem. She could feel his rigid length underneath her seat and all she could think about was how he’d stroked himself the night before, how she’d watched him squirt that lube all over his dick and work himself into a mighty fine—not to mention quite large and long—erection.
She fanned her face. Was it possible to have a hot flash at twenty-five?
“I’m Dallas, by the way.” The other brother came forward and almost caught a slap across his cock since he reached for her hand and she returned the gesture without paying attention to where her fingers were aimed.
“Drina,” she crooned, introducing herself and quite relieved when she avoided touching that nice bulge in his worn jeans. “I think we’ve…” She stopped midsentence. No, they hadn’t met, but she’d seen him at Paddles and Picnics. In fact, he’d seen her at the club, too. She specifically remembered him watching her during a play session.
“We haven’t met.” He was seemingly aware of a memory, also. “We’ve been at some of the same parties. I’ve seen you around.”
There was a dark and haunting look in his eyes. Had he ever talked about her to Zak? Did Zak know that prior to meeting him, she’d seen Dallas on several different occasions, occasions where she had outwardly flirted with him, danced with him, and damn near fucked him at a holiday party two years ago?
The man could work a woman into a screaming orgasm just by letting her watch him move. She studied his arms then, remembering how his muscles had flexed around short cuffed sleeves one hot summer night when she’d spotted him at a party.
God bless, the man had a body and he knew how to move it. She easily recalled those tapered hips swaying to the music, those arms pumping, that tight butt grabbing every woman’s attention.
The room was quiet then and it was rather uncomfortable so she smiled up at Dallas who seemed to be in the middle of another recollection as well. He let his gaze wander and since he was on tour, she might as well take one, too.
Dallas wasn’t looking away and no one was bothering to interrupt their heated exchange. In fact, Coco had already drawn Zak and Hales into a conversation about the youngest brother, Mason, stating Brandon was ready to flog him with a bushel of turnip greens because he had apparently been on some kind of spending spree.
As if the whole world was in freeze-frame mode, Drina took the time to gape at Dallas. Three or four inches taller and more muscular than Zak and Hales, Dallas had dark hair, a darker complexion, and wore his short black hair trimmed close to his head and high above his ears. The slight sideburns were more attractive on him than they might have been on another man and they gave him a distinguished look.
Zak was thirty and one of the older Blazier brothers so she guessed Dallas at about twenty-six. Regardless of age, he looked like he was packing experience when it came to gaze-groping a woman. And she was already picturing him tossing hay—or maybe her—over his back.
A good twenty to thirty pounds heavier than the other two, Dallas must’ve been a physical trainer or a wrestler in his former life. Then again maybe he was the enforcer. Considering the Blazier family’s former ties with undesirable criminal elements, she could see where Dallas could be appropriately used. And used was a good word indeed. A woman could look at Dallas and immediately wish for that sort of pleasure, just a down and dirty romp with no questions asked, no promises guaranteed. A trashy one-night stand and that would be enough.
She fanned her face with a quick flick of her wrist. No, once with Dallas would be like one time with Zak—never enough.
“Are you warm?” Zak moved her hair out of her face and peered around as if to tease her.
“It’s this new medicine I’m on,” she said, believing that might be true.
“What medicine?”
Coco smirked.
“She’s on the pill,” Hales said, sniffing. “The stiff body language should’ve given her away.”
“This bunch around here won’t let you get by with much,” Coco said.
“Might want to ask your woman what she’s doing on the pill if she ain’t fuckin’ you.” Hales waggled his brows and went to the refrigerator and retrieved a water bottle.
“You told them?” She didn’t know if she should be offended
or relieved.
“He didn’t have to,” Hales said. “A man his age gets sexually frustrated when a woman isn’t—”
“Women have those same problems,” she bit out, immediately interrupting him.
“You don’t say.” Hales unscrewed the cap on his bottle and took a drink of water. “Who would’ve thought?”
“It’s a basic need,” Dallas said, never averting his gaze away from her.
“Something like that.” She mashed down on her hips and Zak shifted his weight. She felt his cock lengthen against her bottom and her pussy dampened as if her body had already gauged the likelihood of a forthcoming fuck.
She and her body needed some serious intimate attention from Zak. She glanced at Dallas. Maybe another Blazier brother would lend a hand.
“I like you,” Hales said, pointing the tip of his bottle in her direction. “You take everything in stride. Don’t you?”
“She better learn to do just that if she’s hanging around this bunch,” Coco said.
“Coco’s right about that. Put your helmet on, honey.” Dallas winked. “There’s a reason why Zak wouldn’t bring you around until now.”
“He’s right,” Zak said tightly, his erection much firmer as he bracketed his arm around her middle and held her close. “I knew if I brought you around these two they’d do exactly what they’re doing.”
“Which is?” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the handsome man who had somehow wiggled his way into her life without worming his way in between her legs.
“They’ve already got you stripped down to bare bones trying to figure out what you look like in a bikini.”
“Oh, I see,” she muttered, wishing Zak would drag her back upstairs and do her dirty for a few hours. Otherwise, she’d sit there and ogle Dallas and she didn’t feel comfortable lusting after one of Zak’s brothers. In fact, she was pretty sure her need and desire had more to do with her sexual frustration than the desire to fuck one of his brothers.
“I wasn’t thinking bikini, Zak,” Hales said, interrupting her thoughts. “I was thinking along the lines of a smolderin’ red-hot thong.”
“All righty then,” Drina said, rubbing her palms over her jeans and standing to leave.
“Don’t go on our account,” Dallas said, swinging his arm around Hales’ neck and rubbing the back of his head with a closed fist. “I’ll keep him busy for the rest of the day. Thanks to Mason, we all have plenty of fences to mend out there.”
Coco grinned. “Drina and I are going riding later so we’ll stay out of your way, too.”
“Riding?” Hales clucked. “I’m starting to like you better and better all the time, Drina.”
“That’s it,” Zak said, scooping Drina up in his arms and carrying her in a cradle fashion. “You boys have had your fun. Now I’m going upstairs to have mine.”
“Can I watch?” Dallas moistened his lips. “Or maybe participate?”
To Drina’s surprise, Zak said, “Soon.”
Drina curved her arm around Zak’s neck and held on tight as he took long strides across the kitchen. Before they made it to the door, Coco called out, “Take your time, Zak. Your brothers can cover you and after last night, my sister probably needs a rain check.”
“Couldn’t keep that to yourself, huh?” He pinched her hip. “That’s gonna cost you.”
“I hope so,” Drina said, practically whimpering at the thought of some sort of illicit punishment.
Behind her, she heard Hales probing Coco. Were Drina and Zak serious? Was she in love? Was he? How long had they been together? Were they in the scene? Had they been playing at Paddles and Picnics, the fetish club which apparently appealed to most of the Blazier brothers? Ironically, she didn’t hear much from Dallas and she couldn’t help but wonder. Were Dallas and Zak close? Had Zak confided in Dallas? And was Dallas serious when he’d asked to watch, suggested participating?
“Did you hear that?” Zak asked, smoothing his hand over her thigh as he carried her. “Hales is giving Coco the third degree.”
“Hmmm. Maybe you should keep that in mind next time you turn me down for a good romp.”
“Honey, the main reason I turned you down was because I was exhausted.” He stopped for a minute and kissed her gently on the lips. “And I have something special in mind for you.” He continued walking.
“Are you tired now?” she asked, nicking his earlobe.
“Not at all,” he said, laughing. “But I told you last night. I’m interested in making an honest woman out of you. And that hasn’t changed.”
“You’re serious.”
“I wouldn’t joke about this.”
“Don’t you think we should discuss this more than just casually and in passing?”
“What are we doing right now?” He topped the stairs and took a quick left, taking long strides to his room.
“Talking,” she said, wishing his lips were on hers, devouring her, moving lower, hovering over a nipple, teasing and taunting her.
“We’re gonna do a little more than talk today, pretty lady.” He squatted low and turned the doorknob with the hand he’d used to support her back. Then, he carried her across the threshold.
Oh God. She was thinking threshold, wedding, honest woman, and all of it was beginning to make her jittery. In fact, she couldn’t think in those terms.
She had been the Baldini sister who had always vowed she wouldn’t marry. Marriage had ruined her parents’ relationship. If her mother hadn’t married her father, she wouldn’t have ended up face down in the swimming pool.
Zak reached behind his hips and locked the door before he slowly released her. For a minute, he just stared at her like he could eat her up and then his expression changed from raw and masculine to kind and gentle.
In front of her stood the rarest of men, the kind of man who could give a woman a look and she could instantly read him, understand what he was thinking, what he was plotting and scheming. Then again, if the looks didn’t do it, his body would give him away every single time.
“Is that package for me or are you saving it for a special occasion?” Her mouth watered. Her gaze dipped. Good Lord in heaven above, he had a nice frontal bulge and she wasn’t about to play it safe with Zak now. They’d been dating long enough, playing this do-we-or-don’t-we game. She wanted to play by different rules now. The kind of rules that left everyone a winner.
“Come here,” he said, a guttural edge in his voice.
It was then when she realized she’d begun to back away, cowardly search for some space. And she was anything but a coward, especially where Zak was concerned.
“Drina,” he said evenly. “I said come here.”
Her skin heated. Her nipples spiked. What the heck was happening here?
“Under normal circumstances, if a man said, ‘I said come here’ to a Baldini woman, he would be considered lucky if he kept his nuts.”
He lifted his head and narrowed those beautiful eyes. He wanted to train her. She could see it, feel it, and damn near taste it.
Instead of arguing or making a smart comment, she went to him. She went to him with eagerness driving her, remembering how he’d made her feel the night before, how she’d watched him pull at his cock, wear his prick out with an eager and rough hand. When he couldn’t achieve results, he’d called her, dialed her number and discovered she’d been right there with him, watching him, wanting him more than a pregnant woman craved a pickle smothered in mustard.
Her mouth puckered and watered at the comparison.
That’s sort of where the fantasy ended. He’d done very little in the way of settling that wild and crazy lust, the need he’d instilled in her was downright criminal. Soon, her desire for him would roar to the surface and she would sound like a man making her demands. Women had desires, too. And if a man didn’t satisfy them, he couldn’t blame her if she started looking somewhere else—like in his brother’s direction as an example.
Zak cupped her neck and kissed her into a state of pu
re arousal without so much as another word between them. He thrust his tongue between her lips, wedging it inside her mouth. One minute, his soft tongue fluttered across hers and the next, he smoothly explored her mouth, deepening their kiss as he passionately embraced her.
“God bless, Zak,” she whispered, pulling away from him and catching her breath.
“What’s the matter now?”
“You!” She walked around his room, noticing the see-through gown she’d worn the night before now neatly folded on the rocking chair next to his bed. She wondered then. Had he held the material to his nose, smelled her perfume and longed for her in a way similar to how she’d longed for him? Had he closed his eyes and pictured her dressed in the gown, imagined how he might have stripped it from her body and made love to her instead of turning her away?
Zak gave her one of those cute little lopsided smiles. “Driving you crazy makes me crazy.”
“Apparently so,” she whispered, frustrated. “I’m not reading you right or maybe I’m the problem here. Either way, you’re driving me mad one minute, and turning me away the next.” Which nearly angered her, but she didn’t bother saying so. Guys didn’t like common teases and she understood why.
He gave her another one of those grins that made her weak in the knees. Her heart melted then. God bless. Did she love this man? Would she do anything to please him?
The answer frightened her.
“You’re not in control. That’s the problem.”
“I don’t…” She stopped.
He cocked his head and arched his brows. “You don’t what?”
“I don’t feel like I need to be in control when I’m with you.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“I don’t know.” She dragged her hands through her straight hair and went to the window, noticing Brandon below. He was standing next to one of the eighteen-wheelers, pitching a fit and shaking his finger at its driver. She wasn’t about to mention it. She didn’t want Zak to abandon her to fix another Blazier dilemma.
Drina went to the bed and sat on the edge of his mattress. Smoothing her palms across the comforter, she asked, “Do you know how long we’ve been together?”
Sexual Affection [Contemporary Cowboys 3] (Siren Publishing LoveEdge) Page 4
