Cowboy 12 Pack
Page 88
“What if I…” She nodded to the bear rug and big pillows on the floor in front of the fireplace and pitched her voice low and slow. “What if I seduced you, Drake?”
His eyes widened.
She sashayed across the floor as the microwave beeped.
He laughed. “You wouldn’t even attempt it. Reno Linden, seducing a married man? Ha! You’re far too conservative to even contemplate it.” He laughed again, his guffaws sounding genuine.
Reno bit back a smile, startled by her impetuous behavior. Yeah, he was right. She’d never go in that direction. Even as revenge. She growled and headed back into the kitchen to make their tea. “All right, tell me about this teaching job, so you can get out of here before you’re snowed in.”
They talked for three hours, and by the time he was ready to leave, the roads were closed and they were officially stranded. She let him sleep in her guest bedroom and in the morning, called her brother to drive his tractor over and plow them out.
At the front door, Drake kissed her on the cheek before she could move out of his reach. “Think about what I said.” His face sobered. “About Chase Tanner.”
She opened her mouth to speak.
Holding up a hand, he cut her off. “Just think about it, okay?” He turned and headed across the porch and down the steps.
She closed the door and went to the window. Drake stood in the driveway in the blinding morning sun chatting with her brother. After a few minutes, the two men shook hands and left, Drake in his SUV, Cody on a tractor with a snow blower attachment.
Reno was surprised and overwhelmed by Drake’s offer to help her acquire a teaching position. It was something she desperately wanted to do, but it would mean more time away from Chase.
She got a pot of coffee brewing and unplugged her cell phone from the charger. No calls. She sat at the table with a bowl of cereal and the tabloid, recapturing the emotion that ran through her when the photo was taken. She picked up her phone to call him then set it down. “No.” She needed to let him lead. Three days had passed without a word from him. Maybe she needn’t worry about Chase Tanner. He could very well have forgotten her.
Chapter Ten
‡
“RENO, GET ON a plane,” Chase demanded through her phone ten minutes later.
Joy clogged her throat and her laugh came out shaky. “Just any plane?” She pushed her chair back from the kitchen table, stood, and set her cereal bowl in the sink. Had her thoughts of him conjured the call?
“No. Get your butt to Texas!”
The animation in his voice sent chills skittering across her skin. How had three days waiting for his call felt like three months? With each passing hour, more doubt had crept in, but here he was, pushy as always. She loved every demanding word he spoke.
“Nice invitation, cowboy.” Turning back to the table, she ran her finger over Chase’s profile on the magazine cover. “What about your retakes?”
“I worked the crew overtime and finished. Start packing, woman. I want you here. Now.”
She practically floated across the room and snuggled into a chair by the window. Looking at the snow, a huge smile spread across her face. “Is it warm there?”
“Hell yeah! And if you’re not warm enough,” his voiced dropped low and sexy. “I’ll warm you up myself.”
Her head dropped back onto the cushion. Lust, pure and addictive, pulsed through her as it rushed full-speed to her pussy. “Promise?” She purred the word.
“Promise.” His voice growled in return. “Can you get away?”
“Hell yeah!” Reno jumped on the next plane to Texas.
*
RENO DEPLANED IN Houston and practically ran through the airport, following the arrows pointing to the baggage claim. Riding down the packed escalator, she scanned the crowd standing outside the glass wall separating them from the secured area.
He wasn’t there. She looked again, searching through the sea of cowboy hats and denim, then spotted him by his smile alone. The collar of his jean jacket was turned up, and he wore a pair of aviator sunglasses, but the flash of his grin was unmistakable and so dear to her, she could never see it enough. In one hand he carried a dozen red roses, and his other hand lifted in a wave that looked more like he was reaching for her.
Her breath caught in her lungs. She stepped out of the secured area and right into his arms. The warmth of him pressing against her filled her with tenderness she hadn’t experienced with a lover before. Was her heart really beating that fast? Or was it his?
He hugged her tight, a low rumble escaping his lungs. The roses batted her on the arm. “Baby, I was lonely without you.”
His admission set butterflies flapping in her stomach. “Oh Ch—”
He cut her off with a kiss. “Don’t use my name.” He kissed her hair over her ear. “There are always people watching for me here.”
She tamped down the urge to look around for paparazzi, and smiled up at him. “Billy Joe, I sure did miss you, too.”
He tipped his head and grinned. “I look like a Billy Joe, huh?”
Reno slid her fingers along the nape of his neck, feeling the soft hair hidden under his jacket collar. “You look like heaven to me.”
His brow furrowed. “Reno. There’s so much I want to tell you.” He took a breath and broke the spell by stepping back. “Here.” Handing her the flowers, he turned them toward the baggage claim. “Let’s get your suitcase and go home.”
Home. She craved the comfort of being alone with him on his ranch. Staying there…indefinitely? She smelled the lovely roses. At least until her class started.
With his arm around her shoulders and hers around his lower back inside his jacket, they wound through the crowd. Chase blended in as he never had in LA. After they found her bag, they went outside into the warm, bright sunshine. Reno expected to see a limo waiting, but he wheeled her suitcase across the street to the parking ramp, holding her hand and talking about all the preparation he’d asked his housekeeper and cook to handle.
“You like salmon and steak, right? I thought we’d have that tonight. Tomorrow we can break out the lobster tails.”
“Wow. I’m going to need my buffet pants if we’ll be eating all that.”
He smiled and lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss. “Don’t worry. I remembered your Greek yogurt for breakfast.”
She sucked in a deep breath. Amazing that he knew all her favorites, and considerate of him to cater to her that way. “Thank you, Chase.” She glanced around. “I mean Billy Joe.”
“Very stereotypical of you to pick that name, you know.”
She glanced up at his face. His smirk told her he was teasing. “I’m looking forward to your breaking me of my preconceived notions about Texas.”
He stopped behind a very large, pearly-white pickup truck, opened the truck bed cover, and set her suitcase in, re-securing the top. He turned to her, his eyelids drooping sensually. “Baby, I’m looking forward to breaking you in like a wild bronco.”
A sliver of delight pierced her, low in her belly, arrowing down to her pussy lips. “It’s going to be a fast ride, cowboy. You’d better hang on tight.”
*
CHASE’S NOSTRILS FLARED and his body tensed. Looking around, he didn’t spot anyone, so he took her wrist and tugged her toward the passenger door, hiding them between vehicles. “Goddamn, I want you, woman.” He pulled her against him and slipped his hands down her back to her firm, round ass. Lifting her, he pressed her mound against the evidence of his need. His shaft pulsed hot and hard against her softness.
She groaned and her body responded with shudders. “I want you too, Chase. How far is your ranch?” She pressed her lips to his.
He kissed her, hard and hungry, his tongue relearning her mouth, searching urgently for her response. She kissed him back just as fiercely. Her arms locked around his neck, the kiss so physical, they tapped teeth a couple times.
Chase pulled back. “It’s too far to the ranch. Let’s get a hotel.”
She giggled. “I happen to know that it’s only an hour.”
He stared at her face, memorizing it. “That’s about fifty-nine minutes too long, but if you can wait…” He drew in a dramatic breath. “I guess I can, too.”
He released her and she shimmed down his body to stand on her high-heeled boots. “Let’s see what this big, fancy truck can do on the freeway.”
Forty-five minutes later, Chase pulled into the first stall of his five-car garage and looked into Reno’s huge, round eyes. “What?”
“This is a mansion.”
He nodded. “When my first record went platinum, I got a little crazy, I guess.” Slipping his fingers under his hat, he scratched his scalp. “I had it designed based on seven episodes of a TV show about the rich and famous’ homes.”
She stared, silent. Was she overwhelmed? He had to get her back on solid ground.
He jumped out of the truck and came around to her side, helping her down from the high seat. She held her purse, the roses, and a black wool sweater which she’d shucked on the ride here, and her pink t-shirt and jeans molded over her delicious curves. No, he wasn’t going to kiss her in the garage when they were two minutes from his bedroom. He grabbed her suitcase and they stepped into the foyer.
“Wow.” She looked around the gold-hued marble entry. High ceilings and walls of windows facing the Gulf could easily intimidate a country girl like Reno. He knew what to do to get her mind off the different lifestyles they led, and it had to do with a king-size bed, her laying naked on it, and him pressing down on top of her. The visual sent an immediate surge of blood to his cock. He grabbed her hand. “Tour can wait. We can’t.” He gestured toward the curving stairway. “Up.”
He got them moving and hauled her suitcase through the foyer to the foot of the stairs.
She laughed. “I like the caveman routine.”
“Oh yeah?” He set her suitcase on the floor and turned to her, grinning as he bent his knees and lifted her arm over his head. “I’m gonna toss you over my shoulder and carry you to my cave.”
“Chase, no!” Reno laughed, trying to get away.
Chase started to pick her up just as his cook and housekeeper entered from the back of the house.
“Uh…Mr. Tanner?” The cook removed his white cap. Next to him, the housekeeper’s cheeks turned red as she busied herself smoothing the pocket on her apron.
Chase froze and straightened then put his hand on Reno’s back, sending her an apology with his expression.
He still saw laughter in her eyes despite her sexy blush.
“Reno Linden, I’d like you to know Sue Lynn Becker and Sam Weston.”
The employees smiled and nodded politely, but in her unpretentious style, she stepped forward and shook their hands. “It’s good to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you.”
Sue Lynn’s hesitant smile spread and took over her face, and Sam looked at Reno like he was surprised that a woman Chase brought home had actual manners.
True, the last woman he’d invited here was as nasty to his workers as she was to him. Reno was not like Jorjia. Not one damn bit. Except for her IQ.
“Do you live here in the…house?” Reno had hesitated. Was she going to call it a mansion?
Sue Lynn shook her head. “I live in town, and Sam has a place out by the roadhouse.”
Reno glanced at Chase, and he could almost read his mind. She planned to get loud and wild, and he couldn’t wait to get her started.
“May I put those in water for you?” Sue Lynn gestured toward the roses, and Reno handed them over with a smile.
“Mr. Tanner?” The cook resettled his hat on his head. “When would you like lunch served?”
Chase grinned at Reno and took her hand. “In about an hour, Sam. Thanks.” The staff disappeared into the back of the house. He picked up her suitcase and led her up the stairs, his boots making good time on the thick carpet, Reno’s boots jogging just as fast behind him.
He pulled them inside the double-doors of his bedroom, shut them, and turned the lock.
Reno was already at the high bed, skimming her fingers over the navy silk comforter. She stepped to the patio doors facing the Gulf then turned back to the fireplace and the big white leather sectional couch spread out in front of it. She glanced at him. “This is so lovely.” She gestured to the water. “Everything. The house, the view.” She smiled. “It’s like a fairy tale.”
Damn, it was good having her here. She fit just fine, like she could make this her home. With him, and maybe a few little ones later. The thought startled him a bit, but he pushed it aside for now.
He strode over to her, pulled off his hat, and tossed it onto the couch. “I wanted you to like it.” Sliding his hands up her arms, he settled them on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
“What’s that look for?” She pressed her palms to his chest.
He shrugged and wrapped his arms around her, focusing on what he held right now. “It’s good to have you here.”
“I’m hungry.” Her voice purred low and sexy. She grabbed fistfuls of his t-shirt and yanked the bottom up out of his jeans.
“Whatever you want, baby.” His mind switched to sex just that easily, and his body juiced up, ready to show her how much he’d missed her. After pulling off his jean jacket, he let her tug his shirt over his head.
Her hands landed on his ribs and she traced them to his abs, where she slipped her fingers down his stomach to his low-riding jeans. She looked up at him as she snuck her fingers beneath his waistband, touching the head of his hard shaft.
“I want you inside me, Chase.” Her face turned deadly serious, and he couldn’t hold out any longer.
With coordinated agility, he pulled off her boots while she undid his belt and jeans. He tugged her t-shirt over her head while she wiggled out of her jeans. In seconds, his boots were off, her bra was gone, and they stood naked, admiring each other in the sunshine flooding through the windows.
“You’re beautiful.” He cupped her breasts and bent to kiss them, then sucked a hard nipple into his mouth. Nothing felt this perfect or tasted this sweet. The sounds she made drove him wild.
Picking her up in his arms, he strolled to the bed and laid her carefully on the comforter. The dark silk highlighted the creaminess of her flawless skin. He ran his hands along her thighs, and she watched him through heavy lidded eyes, her breath fast and loud.
He should finesse her, love her with his mouth, make her come with his tongue—twice—but the need to push his hard cock inside her hot slit consumed him. When she bent her knees and spread her legs for him, the way he loved, it was out of his control.
His bed was tall enough that with a slight adjustment to his stance, he could easily slip his rod into her pussy. His fingers played in her curls, finding the hard nub of her clit and tapping gently. The scent of her arousal hit him and there was no more playing around. He skimmed his hand down her pussy lips, finding them wet and hot.
As he eased one finger in, she arched off the bed and cried out, her hands gripping the fabric on each side of her. He slipped another finger in, and her squeak of pleasure registered through his belly and all the way to his balls, tightening them to the point where he was ready to shoot his load.
As he withdrew his fingers, her hot cream dripped onto the bedspread. He wanted to spend the rest of the day staining every inch of the damn thing.
“Condom.” She gestured behind him. “There’s a box in my suitcase.”
Chapter Eleven
‡
“SURE.” HE DIDN’T blame her for being careful, even if she was on the pill. He’d never had sex without a condom, never in his whole life, but with Reno, as soon as he could convince her to move in, he’d bring up the subject of relying on just the pill.
Goddamn, the idea of slamming his big dick bareback into her tight little cunt… His balls pulsed again, and he had to get his mind back on the condom search before all his blood flew south and left his brain use
less.
He unzipped her bag.
“Left pocket.” Her voice rolled softly, a seductive tune.
He found the box and had his cock sheathed in some kind of tickler, for-her-pleasure, extra sensitive, whatever. At least it wasn’t purple. Hell, he’d even wear purple if she asked, as long as he could be inside her.
She lay on the bed watching his every move, her arms above her head, her knees bent and her tempting cunt open and waiting for him.
Her pouty pussy lips gleamed with moisture, luring him in. He could look at her for hours. Days. Even years, if she’d let him. Standing between her legs again, he kissed her knee then the inside of her thigh.
“Please.” She whispered the word as his mouth lingered over the opposite thigh. “Fuck me, Chase.”
He smiled. He was the man who taught her that naughty, sexy language, but his face sobered as he lifted her legs straight in the air, pressing them against his chest, the touch of her silky skin ramping up his desire. The head of his cock touched her slick lips, and it was all over.
“Say it again.” He nudged her cunt with his shaft. The pressure building at the base of his spine nearly overpowered his self-control.
“Fuck me. Fuck me hard.” Her voice broke as she shifted her hips, trying to get more of him inside her.
He pushed in, but as much as he wanted to go slow, it didn’t happen, and he buried himself to his balls. “So fucking tight. Hot and wet. Goddamn, I can’t…” Every nerve buzzed as if he would implode. He reached between them, his thumb immediately finding her clit.
She screamed his name and closed her eyes, her muscles quivering and her canal contracting around his cock. His blood boiled and his hips pumped faster, each thrust deeper until he couldn’t contain the pressure. A jet of cum shot from his staff, so powerful and consuming that his mind shut down. He had to brace himself on the bed, his hands beside her breasts. Each spurt of ejaculate sent a fire racing up his spine and into his brain, weakening him.
He rolled to the side pulling her with him, his cock still half inside her jerking with the last traces of his epic climax. His brain rallied slowly, one cell at a time, until he knew where he was again, and who he miraculously held in his arms once more.