Million Dollar Cowboy

by Lori Wilde

  His.

  He was playing with fire and he knew it. Didn’t care.

  Ridge pressed a kiss against the light fabric, heard her sharp intake of breath, felt her thread her fingers through his hair, gently twist. Her body trembled against him.

  “Ridge,” she whispered. “I want … please … let’s—”

  “Gotcha.” He grunted, knowing exactly what she meant. If they didn’t get to the bed soon, they were both going to explode.

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and stood up, swinging her up into his arms as he went. He carried her to the bed, laid her out on the mattress, stared down at her.

  She sat up, reaching for his waistband, tugged him closer, fumbled with his belt buckle. He chuckled as she ripped and yanked, undoing the snap of his pants, tugging down the zipper.

  “Hang on,” he said, stripping off his pants and hopping around to pull them over his shoes.

  Kaia laughed, the sound choked with joy and frustration. “Hurry, hurry.”

  He kicked off the shoes, wrestled out of his pants, landed on the mattress beside her.

  Snatching his face between her palms, she laughed again and buried him in a greedy spree of kisses.

  He tipped her onto her back, straddled her, and gazed down at her, awestruck by the fact she was in his bed.

  “Protection?” she asked.

  “Right here.” He leaned over, grabbed his pants, found his wallet, and pulled out a roll of condoms.

  “A whole roll?”

  “I believe in being prepared.”

  Her giggle bounced around the room. “I like that about you. Now get that underwear off, mister.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said in a cowboy drawl and accommodated her, stripping off his boxer briefs and tossing them over his shoulder.

  Starlight drifted through the raised shade of the long window on the left side of the bed. Her breasts rose on each inhale, the nipples pink and peaked, shining in stardust glow. The lower part of her body lay cloaked in shadow, her hands cradled against her low abdomen, covering the scrap of panty.

  Her eyes grew solemn as she watched him watching her. Her breath was so slow and shallow it seemed she was scarcely breathing at all. The blend of light and shadow cast a spell, weaving wispy magic around them.

  He dipped his head, getting closer, peering into her face. Her full lips puckered, waiting for his kiss, and her dark chocolate eyes glistened.

  Tenderly, he sewed kisses over her mouth.

  Soft, light, teasing. He touched his tongue to her upper lip, and she parted her teeth, willingly, eagerly, letting him in.

  Eyes wide-open, staring into her. Visibly, Kaia gulped and shuttered her eyes close, allowing her lashes to drift down.

  Was she overcome by the intensity of their contact? Or was she trying to hide her feeling?

  He pulled his mouth from hers, gently traced his index finger in a small circle against her temple. “What’s going on inside that head of yours?”

  The ghost of a smile tucked her lips up. “Shh. I’m savoring the moment since it won’t come again.”

  Her comment startled him, but she was right, this was definitely a onetime thing. He lived in Calgary now, and she was wrapped around her family like roots. Long-distance romances failed.

  Especially since he worked eighty hours a week, fifty-two weeks a year. Lockhart Enterprises was his focus.

  Everything else took second place.

  For how long? whispered a quiet voice at the back of his head. For how long?

  He shoved that voice down the laundry chute of his mind. He’d been an overachiever all his life. It’s who he was. He couldn’t change that. When he had nothing to do, he grew listless and dissatisfied. He needed to be valuable, to distinguish himself, to be admired for his accomplishments.

  That’s what drove him. What would always drive him.

  Without his company, his job, he had no identity. He’d be a failure. And more than anything in this world, Ridge feared failing.

  Yeah? Try not to fail at giving Kaia a good time.

  Exactly, head in the game.

  He took one of her nipples into his mouth, suckled it.

  Kai shuddered beneath him, a hiss in her breath. “Is this really happening?” she murmured sounding dazed. “I’m in bed with big brother’s best friend?”

  “You’re here, sweetheart. Yes, you’re here with me.” He shifted, moved to stake her lips again, irresistibly drawn to capture her full bottom lip between his teeth, pull her into him.

  She moaned heedlessly, arched her back, and pressed into him. “Oh yes. More.”

  “Whatever you need.”

  He drew her bottom lip deeper into his mouth, flicked his tongue along it with sweeping strokes, stoking her engines, revving her up.

  She ran her tongue over his upper lip, exploring him the same way he explored her—fervently, all-in, holding nothing back.

  Ridge chuckled at her enthusiasm. But of course, that was Kaia. She did everything at full tilt. What a woman!

  Her palms cupped the back of his head and she coaxed him deeper into the kiss. Her lips held the promise of exciting things to come.

  More.

  He had to have more—more of her taste, her smell, the daring thrust and parry of their tongues dueling together. More of the nimble slide and glide of heat and moisture.

  Each kiss, each moan, each touch sent escalating fever burning brighter, hotter, bolder. His body urged him to rush, to push, to gush toward the pinnacle, but he would not.

  This moment was special.

  Kaia was special. He was determined to take his time. He wanted … no he needed … to travel every inch of her, explore her, fully experiencing her delightful dips and curves.

  He would memorize every dip and curve, every angle and plane. To find what made her hiss or giggle or sigh. When he should push, when he should back off.

  But all that required strength of character and a depth of self-control he wasn’t sure he possessed.

  “What is it?” Kaia asked. “What’s wrong?”

  It was only then he realized he’d stopped kissing her and had shifted off to one side.

  She sat up, looking confused and disappointed, ran a hand through her mussed hair. Her shoulders tensed and she bit down on her bottom lip, that lush bottom lip that had just been tucked between his teeth. “Have I done something to upset you?”

  “No,” he said fiercely. “Never.”

  “Then why did you stop?”

  “Taking my time.”

  “Making me lose my mind.” She feigned peevishness, screwing up her face in a pout that managed to look wholly seductive.

  “You’re not the only one losing your mind.” He growled.

  “So let’s go crazy together.” She reached for him.

  He moved back. “We have to slow this down or you’re not going to get a thing out of it.”

  “Don’t have much faith in me, huh?”

  “Don’t have much faith in myself.”

  “You underestimate us both.”

  “No, you overestimate my self-control. Especially when you look and smell and taste so good.”

  She lowered her head to hide a shy smile, and even in the dim light he could tell she was blushing.

  Throbbing need hit him harder than ever. Bent him over like a willow tree in a windstorm. Whirled him around. Dusted him up. Sending him to a place he’d never been before and where he wasn’t quite certain what to do, even as every cell in his body vibrated with energy and vitality.

  He was kidding himself. He could no more slow this down than he could hop a speeding freight train. Either way he went, he was going to get obliterated.

  They were both sitting up now. Tailor style. Face-to-face on top of the covers. They locked eyes. Their lips lightly parted.

  Tension stretched taut.

  Kaia reached out and placed her palm on his chest, fingers spread. A beautiful starfish of a hand, the back of her knuckles pressed securely into
his skin.

  Slowly, she sent her fingers crawling down his torso, tickling and teasing him with each deliberate stroke. Delight lit her eyes, her fire within blazing hot and ready.

  She might be eager, and willing, but when her hand reached his waist, she pulled back and cast him a sidelong glance, canting her head, evaluating, trying to gauge his reaction.

  He wondered how experienced she was. Archer had told him Kaia had not ever had a serious boyfriend, that she’d been too dedicated to her studies and her goal of becoming a veterinarian. That, he understood.

  But was she … could she be … He certainly did not want to take her virginity. If she’d waited this long to surrender her innocence, she needed to give herself to the right person. The man who would be her forever mate.

  “Kaia,” he said, surprised to hear his voice crack. “Is this … am I …” He swallowed hard. “Your first?”

  She laughed then, a sound full of amusement. “You think I’m a virgin?”

  Chagrined, he backtracked. “Archer told me you’d never had a serious boyfriend.”

  “Archer doesn’t know everything, but I’m twenty-six. What? Did you think I was waiting around, pining over you?”

  “No,” he said. “Of course not. It’s just that you seemed a little …” Oh crap, he was mangling this.

  “Green?” she supplied.

  “Inexperienced.”

  “Granted, I’m not the most worldly woman in the world,” she said. “Which is part of what’s got me hesitating. You’re used to sleek, sophisticated, city women. You’ve dated a lot. You know your way around the bedroom. Me? I’m a farm girl with no pretentions of being anything more than I am.”

  “That’s what I lo … er … like about you,” he said, catching himself before he said the word love. Why did that word burn hot in his throat?

  “I’m afraid I won’t be enough for you. I’m pretty simple when it comes to sex. I’m not much into toys or outlandish bedroom outfits or fetishes or … oh who am I kidding. I’ve never tried any of those things. Maybe I would be into them.” She shrugged. “Who knows?”

  “We don’t need any of those things,” he said. “I don’t need any of those things. Hell woman, those white cotton panties of yours have me twisted inside out. I don’t think I could handle you with whips and chains and a black bustier.”

  “I do know how to crack a bullwhip,” she offered. “If it’s a bedroom skill you prefer.”

  “The only thing I prefer is you. Just as you are.”

  “Really?” Her smile was so authentic, so genuine, so full of relief, it melted his heart to a hot puddle in the square center of his chest.

  “Sooo …” She blew out her breath through puffed cheeks. “Where do we go from here?”

  “Where do you want to go?’

  She reached over for the roll of condoms he’d dropped on the nightstand. Ripped one open with a quick, tearing motion, cleared her throat and positioned herself on her knees in front of him.

  Her fingers were hot as they manipulated the latex over his erection. She met his gaze, her eyes brilliantly dark and inviting.

  Groaning, Ridge wrapped his arms around her, flipped her over onto her back beneath him.

  They stared into each other. He moistened his lips. She licked hers.

  “I’m so ready for you,” she whispered.

  He peeled off her panties, touched her, testing. She was moist and swollen, her delicate tissues engorged with desire.

  She parted her legs, letting her knees drop to each side, welcoming him in.

  Clouds outside the window shifted and an opalescent slice of moonlight draped fresh light over her succulent figure, showing him exactly what she was offering.

  Heaven.

  He saw clearly her pert, round breasts, nipples ripe and hard with need. Ridge gave those lovely peaks his full attention, each sweep of the tongue, each brush of his fingers spinning her further and further into orbit.

  Who was he kidding? He was spinning too. Buzzing. Humming. Whirling with need.

  His lips caressed her velvety flesh, smooth and supple and salty. Skimming down her body to the place that made her quiver and shiver and mewl his name.

  The dark triangle of hair at the apex of her thighs was a lovely place to lay his head and breathe in the scent of her. She smelled like a mermaid, briny and sunbaked.

  “Do you mind that I don’t shave down there?” Kaia asked. “I know a lot of women do. Probably most of the women you’ve been with do, but I … well, I’m a natural kind of girl.”

  “I know that,” he said. “And I don’t mind. Not in the least. In fact, it’s womanly.”

  “I could wax, if you prefer. I’d do it. For you.”

  “No. Be yourself. Don’t twist yourself up trying to be right for any guy. A man should appreciate you for who you are or take a hike.”

  “Well.” Her breath hitched. “Well.”

  “Stop worrying about what I like and don’t like,” he said. “Just relax.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’ve probably done this a thousand times.”

  Ridge sat up again, knocked gently on the top of her head. “What do you take me for? A man whore?”

  “C’mon. You’re gorgeous. I know women fall at your feet. Are you trying to tell me you don’t hook up constantly?”

  “I don’t hook up constantly. I’m too busy.”

  “But you’re a guy. A very virile guy …”

  “Who doesn’t get out as much as you might think.”

  “Oh no?” She rose up on her elbows, leaned over to claim one of his earlobes between her wicked little teeth.

  Tenderly, he pressed her back down on the bed and used his mouth to enter her sweet moist threshold, touching the center of her femininity with his tongue.

  Her body tensed, tight as a bowstring drawn taut. A soft moan of sheer pleasure slipped over her teeth as she bit into her bottom lip.

  He gave her more of what she was sighing for. Circling and swirling, paying attention to places that gave her goose bumps.

  When she was ready, fully wet and open and begging for him, he slid into her soft, yielding, womanly body, and thought insanely, home.

  He’d finally come home. It was crazy, and he knew it, but he couldn’t stop thinking it. Home. Home. Home.

  She squeezed him, hot and slick and tight.

  He struggled for control and a scrap of skill. He was good at this. Or thought he was. But with Kaia, he felt brand-new, a fumbling teenager who didn’t know where to start.

  Desire drove him. Need seized him. Gnawed and clawed and scratched. Instinct pushed him hard and fast. Mate. Claim her as his. Shatter her defenses. Dismantle her until she lay quivering and spent in his arms.

  But he wasn’t a beast, despite his Neanderthal urges. She deserved the best he could offer, and a rough quickie wasn’t going to cut it. Not with Kaia. Not with the woman who felt like home. He held his breath, fought to slow down, lessened his movements.

  “How are you doing?” His voice sounded deep, alien, raw, and rough. It shocked. The primal quality, the way need had him growling.

  “Fine. Fine. More than fine …” She laughed shakily. “I’m rapturous.”

  “Already?”

  “I am hoping for more.” Her cheeks darkened prettily and her expression turned shy, vulnerable. She lowered her eyelids, sent him a soft smile. That look, so sweet and special, seemed designed for him and him alone.

  With a mewling noise, she twined her arms and legs around, pulling him deeper into her, sinking her fingernails into his back, urging him on.

  “Please,” she whispered. “Don’t stop. I want all of you.”

  That’s all he needed to hear. He gave her everything he had, sinking into her with powerful thrusts. She let out a cry of speechless glee. A sound that stoked his blood and set his cells singing.

  He cradled her as he drove into her, his arms around her waist, hands cupping her fanny. She moved with his rhythm as if they were made for
each other. As if they’d been doing this for years. As if they’d do it for the rest of their lives.

  They gathered speed, rocketing together at an impressive rate, riding, gliding, sliding down the splendid spiral of escalating joy.

  Pleasure.

  All he wanted was to give her the maximum amount of pleasure. Wanted to leave her wrung out and shaking and thrilled to the core. Wanted to leave her aching and longing to come back for more.

  They twirled and spun, caught up in a tornado of their own making, their own whirlwind world. It howled through him, a wild wind—blasting, blistering, blustering, buffering.

  He could not speak, could not blink, could not think, save for one inevitable instinctual command. Make this woman his. Brand her. Bind her. Ruin her for any other man but him.

  Belong.

  He wanted to belong to her. Wanted her to belong to him. Not in a grasping, controlling, possessive way, but in the perfect way two puzzle pieces fit together. Meant to be.

  Meant for each other and no one else.

  They’d crossed a threshold and no matter what happened from here on out, there was no going back. No undoing what they’d just done.

  The thought hit him just as he flipped into the apex of sensation shooting through his body, tearing and ripping at him, pulling him into a million little pieces. Was she shattering with him?

  Shambles. He was in glorious shambles.

  But he wasn’t going to allow himself to completely let go until he was sure she’d achieved her ultimate release. She was his main concern. Her pleasure was his pleasure.

  He stared down into her face, their bodies locked around each other. “Look at me, Kaia.”

  Her eyelids fluttered open.

  They peered into each other. Felt the heft and weight of being together like this. One. Joined. Fused. Inescapable.

  She moored him, even as she spurred him to the pinnacle, sharing and surrendering and submitting completely. Her delicious scent mingled with his, the smell of the passion, hot and musky and sublime.

  He could feel the vibrations rising up her and he captured her mouth with his. Her back arched against him as he dove as deeply into her as he could dive. He drank in the taste of her, inhaled the flavor of her ecstasy—sweet, divine, perfect.

  And a second after she cracked, he followed, tumbling after her, his release explosive, shaking him to the core until he was nothing but rubble.