by Various
Pulling on a simple black dress, she tucked her hair into a basic twist, applied minimal makeup and slipped into a pair of black open-toed pumps. She looked at herself in the mirror.
Basic and simple. It will do. And I’ll get out of there as soon as I can.
She glanced at the blue Stetson, still in the same place she’d left it on her dresser.
Don’t think about him.
With great deliberation she grabbed her coat and purse. She’d ordered a case of wine from a nearby wine shop. Tomorrow she’d put each bottle in a velvet wine bag with a big bow, attach a card, and over the course of the next two weeks, deliver them to clients. It made her life easier doing it this way, at home, rather than having the wine shop do it for her. She liked to take her time over each message.
Of course she hadn’t had a chance to do it until that morning and when she asked to have it delivered, they reminded that it was Saturday and it might be late. Maybe not until after the store closed. No problem. Her building had a doorman on the weekends. She’d have him let the delivery person in and stash the case in her kitchen.
Okay. Time to get this over with.
The party progressed as she’d expected. Everyone except her, in the holiday spirit, drinking a little too much, laughing a little too loudly. No ass pinching or anything like that, though. Jesse Grier ran his parties as he did his firm—with respect and decorum. But after an hour Bree felt her face cracking from the forced smile and tired from trying to explain why this year she had no plans for the holidays.
What if I just got on a plane to Austin, rented a car and showed up at Rafe’s? Would he be happy to see me? Have someone else there he was entertaining?
What a farfetched idea. She didn’t even know why she entertained it. Rafe Morales had been a hot interlude in her life, spicy because of the twist to it, but over and done with. She needed to move forward. Somehow.
She made her polite goodbyes to everyone and thanked Jesse. As he shook her hand he pulled her close enough to whisper in her ear.
"Big bonus, Bree. You’ll get it next week. And the partners and I are thinking of opening an office in Austin, Would you consider a move, with all the business coming our way?"
Butterflies did the jitterbug in her stomach and her heart leapt into her throat. Move to Austin? Could it be a sign?
"We’ll discuss it after the holidays," he told her. "Now go home and get some well-deserved rest."
The idea tumbled around in her brain during the cab ride back to her building. How could she move to Austin and not see Rafe? How could she move to Austin and be with Rafe? Would he even want her? Was she ready for the kind of relationship she knew they would have?
She’d exhausted her brain by the time she finally climbed out of the cab.
"Evening, Miss Donovan." Greg, the doorman, opened the door of the cab for her, then ushered her into the lobby. "Your package arrived. It’s waiting for you in your condo."
She wondered at the odd grin he gave her but thanked him and gave him a tip. More than usual, her one nod toward the Christmas season.
Riding up in the elevator she slipped off her shoes and coat, breathing a sigh of relief. Now, she could lock herself up for the rest of the weekend. The case of wine sat in her foyer, waiting for her to fiddle with tomorrow. She hurried to the bedroom, anxious to strip out of the rest of her clothing.
And stopped in the doorway, so stunned she couldn’t move.
The covers on her bed had been turned back and lying in the center, naked, with handcuffs dangling from one wrist and decorated with red ribbons, was Rafe Morales. Red silk ropes were looped around each ankle, the ends hanging and waiting to be secured wherever she chose. And he’d tied a thoughtful bow around his very swollen, very rigid cock. The trailing ends twisted around each of his thighs.
And resting on his head—her blue Stetson.
She dropped her shoes, purse and coat on the floor, frozen in place. Unable to find two words to put together. Shock immobilized her. Finally she found her voice, although when she spoke, it didn’t sound like her.
"Rafe?"
He grinned. "You remember my name."
"I—of course, But—I mean, what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean? I’m your Christmas present. All tied up in red ribbon for you."
She swallowed, trying to moisten her very dry mouth. "But why? I mean—and how? What—? The doorman grinned when he said my package waited for me, but—"
"After I proved to him I wasn’t a stalker, a big tip convinced him to be a co-conspirator in my little plan. I think you’d better come closer and I’ll explain." With his free hand he patted the bed next to him.
Bree walked over on unsteady legs. "Are you real?"
His rich, hearty laugh, rolled from his mouth. "Come touch me and find out."
She reached out a tentative hand and brushed his thigh. The heat of his flesh nearly burned her skin. Oh, yeah. He was real.
"I-I don’t understand."
"Simple. I spent a lot of time thinking about us and that weekend after you left. That’s not like me. I move on too easily. But I finally understood why. What had been missing from all my other relationships. The intrigue of switching places with you, watching you, a strong Domme, submit to me, and then realizing I could do the same." He reached for her wrist, the handcuffs bumping against her. "I want what we can have, Bree. I think you do, too, if you’ll open your mind and admit it. Give us a chance. We can always work out the geography."
She managed to draw a calming breath. "My boss says we’re getting a lot of business from your area. That he might want to open an office there."
"A sign," he told her. "We are meant to be. And here I am all tied up for Christmas for you. Tell me we can be tied up together."
"It might not be so easy," she pointed out.
"Easy is overrated. Come on, Bree. Take the leap."
"Yes." The word jumped out before she realized it. "Yes, yes, yes." She climbed onto the bed with him and wrapped her fingers around his beribboned cock. "And to celebrate, this time I get to be in charge. And on top."
He held up his wrist with the cuffs. "Already waiting for you, darlin’. All you have to do is tie me up and celebrate. I’ll be your present for Christmas and forever."
*The End*
BREATH OF HEAVEN
Sable Hunter
© Copyright 2013
Chapter One
"If you think Cade Tallbull can sleep in my house, in the room next to me, until the wedding—you’re crazy!" Abby flung a stalk of celery at her favorite brother.
Jase caught the celery and took a big bite. Chomp. "I agree. He should be staying in your room. You two have danced around each other for years."
Abby blushed. "I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. You know we can’t stand one another." Dang, her nose itched. She was elbow deep in a pan of dressing, crumbling the cornbread and mixing the chicken broth with the vegetables. Just because they were celebrating her brother’s wedding to the Land Shark on Christmas Day didn’t mean they couldn’t have their traditional dinner before the hanging, uh, ceremony. Abby was a stickler for tradition.
"I think thou both doth protesteth too much." Chomp.
Abby rolled her eyes. "No, Shakespeare, the dislike is real and very mutual." Actually, Abby wouldn’t have admitted to Jase the truth of how she felt about Cade if he held her upside down over a bed of fire ants.
"Well, you’d better get over it. He’ll be here any second. With Mom and Dad coming in and all of Pam’s relatives here, there’s not an empty room at the main house or a motel vacancy for 30 square miles. Lots of places don’t even have electricity. We’re lucky to have the generators. Do you realize this is the coldest winter in decades? Hell, we’ve got ice on the ponds. This reminds me of what Granddad used to tell about Jane Long and the bear. Do you remember? She wrote in her diary when Galveston Bay froze over and they watched a bear walk from the mainland to the island."
Abby r
olled her eyes. Jase and his fascination with family history. Abby wasn’t worried about the cold or a bear. Cade was a different story. "You do realize we’ll kill each other."
Jase held up his hands in the same defensive posture he’d utilized for their entire history as siblings. Abby was small, but feisty. As the only sister of five brothers, she’d learned early on to talk loudly and carry a big stick. "He understands the situation and he knows you well. I’m sure he’ll arrive in a helmet and body armor."
"Cade had best wear a cup if he knows what’s good for him. I’m gonna knee him in the nuts if he messes with me," Abby grumbled just as a blast of icy wind swept through the house.
"Now, is that any way to greet an old friend for Christmas?"
Cade. A thousand emotions hit her like a tsunami. Longing. Lust. Regret.
"Are you glad to see me, Abilene?"
Damn his ornery hide, he knew she hated the name Abilene. "Glad is not the best word for it, Cade. Irritated would be a more appropriate term." She didn’t know which was worse, being rude or lying. As far as Cade was concerned, rudeness was Abby’s mode of self-defense. Lying to him was preferable. It was better than embarrassing them both with the truth.
Cade sauntered to the fireplace to warm his hands, inspecting the family photographs on the mantel. "I told you this wouldn’t work, Jase. Frankly, I’d rather room with a cranky skunk than put up with your sister’s snarly attitude. Why isn’t my photo up here? I’m family."
"Your photo’s on display at the Post Office." Abby braced herself to face her nemesis. She steeled her resolve to react in the manner to which they’d become accustomed. Wiping her hands on a dishtowel, she turned. Slowly.
Wham! There it was.
No matter how often she laid eyes on him, no matter if it was from the rodeo arena stands, watching him on TV or sitting across from him at the dinner table, the effect was always the same. Her knees went weak. Her heart pounded. Her nipples hardened and her pussy creamed.
Cade Tallbull was the sexiest man alive. Bar none.
Also, no one could make her madder faster than this egotistical, arrogant, sanctimonious Don Juan in spurs. "Skunk? Snarly?" Abby put her hands on her hips, flung her hair over her shoulder, narrowed her eyes and threw back her shoulders. "I’ll have you know I’m an absolute living doll. I’m sweet, thoughtful and kind. And if you don’t quit grinning at me like an idiot, I’m going to brain you with this skillet." She picked one up off the stove and weighed it in her hand.
"Ah, that’s my cue to leave. I’m glad to see you two enjoying each other’s company, just like normal." Jase began making his way toward the front door, stepping lightly as if traversing a mine field.
Cade stood behind the leather sofa with arms folded, facing Abby as if he were contemplating a duel. "Catch you tomorrow, Jase, and thanks for abandoning me in the enemy camp."
Abby noticed Cade and Jase exchanging a knowing look. Jase slapped his best friend on the shoulder. "Be careful. She’s armed."
Cade snorted. "Your sister is lethal. But I do enjoy a challenge. Taming flighty, feisty fillies is my specialty."
Jase put on his coat, easing out as Abby grumbled. Cade ducked and a rosy red apple bounced off the door. "Tame me?" She picked up another apple and considered her target. "You don’t have the balls, Tallbull." Even as she threw down the gauntlet, she knew she’d made a mistake. Abby had just waved a red cape in the face of the biggest bull Alpha in Texas. Damn! Why did he have to be so good-looking? Every time she was near him, her whole body went into sexual shell-shock. Six-foot three, two-hundred forty pounds, perfectly ripped, wide shoulders, coal black eyes, dark hair and enough scruff to make him look like an old west desperado. Yea, he was gorgeous and she wanted to run for the hills.
Cade began to move toward her. Slowly. Abby was no fool. She started backing up.
"Au contraire, my dear." He cupped his oversize package and bucked his hips toward her. She jumped. "Do I make you nervous, Buttercup?" Cade wanted to lick the fluttering pulse point at the base of her neck so badly, he could taste it. "I’m hung, Abby. I have a yard of hard, a battleship full of balls and enough hair—"
"Stop it!" She couldn’t take anymore! Before Abby knew it, he had her backed against the wall. "You Are Out Of Line," she growled.
Placing one hand on either side of her head, Cade leaned over and looked her right in the eye. A scant quarter of an inch separated their bodies. Her nipples were straining to touch his chest. Lowering his voice, he whispered in her ear. "A moment ago, when you thrust your shoulders back, did you know it made me want to suck your nipples?"
"Jerk!" Abby wasn’t as brave or disinterested as she pretended.
He licked his lips and winked at her. "I bet I could make you tremble. Remember that kiss we shared all those years ago? You sure enjoyed it. I can still remember how you whimpered and clung to me, pressing those sweet tits into my chest."
"The kiss was a mistake." He could never know the truth—never.
"The kiss was amazing," he countered. Cade sighed. "I’ve never understood what happened to change your mind or why I get your panties in such a twist. But let me put your mind at ease, Shortcake." He gave her an evil little smirk. "As far as I’m concerned, spending time with you is like going to the dentist. I want to be here with you about as much as you want me here."
His words stung. If he only knew.
"Fine." She grated, pushing on his chest. His hard, muscled, manly chest. "Just stay out of my way. Now, move!" She pushed again—hard—and he smoothly stepped to one side.
Her momentum caused her to gallop out into the middle of the floor, much to his amusement. "Steady, Abs, you’re gonna fall on that delectable tush."
Abby growled. Cade chuckled.
"Let me show you to your room. And I hope you stay in there!" She ground out her words. "Follow me."
"To the ends of the earth, Darlin’."
"Yea, right." He grabbed his luggage and she led the way. There was only one guest room and now she wished it was on the far side of the house. "God, I hope you don’t snore."
"Same here. Is this your room?" Without asking for permission, he walked into her sanctum. He didn’t say anything, just looked around.
"What are you doing?" She tapped her foot, waiting for him to finish.
"Just checking to see where your bed is located. The headboards are against the same wall. We can whisper to each other during the night." He winked at her.
"Oh, joy." She huffed.
Looking up, he asked, "So, you still sleep with the ceiling fan blowing?"
Abby grimaced. "Yes, you know I can’t sleep without it. It keeps me company."
"I think you need something else to keep you company."
"Hush." She urged him to his room. "There are towels in the bathroom and you can adjust the thermostat however you want. I hope you’re comfortable."
Cade snickered. "Don’t lie. At least you didn’t have time to put itching powder in my sheets." He placed his suitcase on the bed and opened it. "What time’s dinner?"
He was baiting her and she was falling for it—hook, line and sinker. Damn him. "In about a half hour." At the door, she looked back, and added, "If you’re brave enough to eat it."
Abby slammed the door so hard, Cade winced. But it didn’t keep him from smiling from ear to ear. He’d rather poke this little she-cat and hear her spit and sputter than eat a fine steak. Course he’d rather make her purr, but all of Cade’s dreams of a future with Abby had ended a decade ago, and he still had no idea why. As always, Miss Abilene Grace King was determined to keep him at arm’s length. And it was killing him. The pain of losing Abby would hurt his heart till the day he died.
Cade unzipped the side pocket of his suitcase and took out a little gift he’d bought for his reluctant hostess. He smiled. Despite their battles, he still thought the world of her. She was something else. Abby wasn’t a lazy little rich girl, she was an exceptional woman, one of the most respected veterinarians in
East Texas. Growing up on one of the prime ranches in the state, Abby was as entrenched in the cowboy way of life as he was. By all rights, they should be married now with a houseful of kids, not be at odds like two cantankerous cur dogs.
Lying back on the bed, he studied his peace offering. The stone reminded him of her eyes. He rubbed the large piece of lapis lazuli carved in the shape of a morning glory flower. Smiling, he imagined how it was going to look hanging around her neck.
Buzz. Cade opened his phone. It was Jase. "Hey, Groom. I’m still alive. What’s the plan?"
"The weather’s not cooperating. Shiloh will be here in the morning, but Trace and Trevor won’t make it here till the afternoon. I have to keep Pam happy, so I’ve promised her the dance at the lodge is still on."
"Sounds good to me. Not even a blizzard’s going to keep people away from El Camino. Good times here are legendary." Hanging up, he let his mind wander...
Abby and her brothers ran the ranch since their parents had retired to a smaller spread in Colorado where they raised Palominos. El Camino was a special place. For all practical purposes, this was his home. The Kings had taken him in when his father had been gored by a bull at a Wyoming rodeo. Cade had been thirteen and alone. He hadn’t seen his mother since he was eight when she’d been deported back to Mexico. Even now, not a day went by that he didn’t remember. He’d kept a PI on retainer to locate her, but so far no luck. By rights he should give up. It had been years.
Cade could still remember the day Sam King had called his wife and told her to set another place at the table. The big rancher had brought him home, a scared gangly teenager and they’d made him welcome. Oh, it hadn’t been easy. Even though the Kings treated him like one of their own, there were still folks who took a sick satisfaction out of reminding him he was a half-breed and not quite as good as they were. Some women had gotten their jollies out of teasing him, then pulling back, saying he wasn’t their kind. Of course, things changed when he’d made it big on the circuit. Now he couldn’t fight the buckle bunnies off with a stick. The only problem was he didn’t want the buckle bunnies—he only wanted Abby Grace.
