He took his time bathing her. First he shampooed her hair and then used her favorite conditioner. The scent of lavender filled the small space, heightening their senses even more. Then Luc grabbed her sponge and saturated it with shower gel. He used it to sensitize every inch of her skin from neck to toes. By the time he’d finished, her legs were so weak she could hardly stand.
“Now I want to pleasure you in a different way. Do you trust me, Sugar Dee?”
Deidre stared into his dark eyes. He only used his pet name for her when eagerness warred with wariness. “I trust you with my heart and soul,” she whispered gruffly. “Why wouldn’t I trust you with my body?”
Her declaration visibly shook him. She watched his eyes go turbulent with emotion, his features taut with desire. His big body quivered, his hands trembled as they reached for her breasts again, teasing and caressing.
He turned and reached for something, then pulled her into his arms again. “Hang on to me,” he insisted.
She clutched his hips as he bent to lap at her nipples with his tongue, drawing them taut with need. He reached one hand between her legs and slipped a finger deep inside her pussy and she caught her breath at the exquisite pleasure. Tilting her hips, she rocked against him as her body coiled with need.
Before she could recover her composure, he knelt in front of her. She felt a cool wet finger on his other hand sliding between her buttocks, testing the other opening. Gasping, she held her breath as he slowly slid a finger in that one, too, finger fucking her from both directions.
The feeling of fullness was incredible. All her muscles clenched and clung to his fingers. She locked both of her hands in his hair to anchor herself as he continued to bombard her with sensation. He slid a second finger into her pussy; his thumb working her clit while his other hand gently plundered her anus. Within minutes, Deidre was screaming and shuddering in the most violent orgasm she’d ever felt. It went on and on, pushing her to the epitome of pleasure. Legs trembling, she would have collapsed had he not been supporting her weight.
As soon as he released her, she slid to the floor in an exhausted heap while water poured over her. But he still didn’t allow her a reprieve. He sank down with her and drew her legs over his shoulders. Then he buried his face against her pussy and began to lap at her with his tongue. He contented himself with licking for a few minutes. But just when she thought she might survive, he began to suck in earnest.
“Luc, no! I can’t stand it,” she screamed, tangling her fingers in his hair and tugging viciously.
“Hundreds of times a day.”
He paused long enough to remind her that she could stand it, and then he grasped her clit between his teeth. The biting pressure was all it took shatter her control. She cried his name as he brought her to another staggering release.
Then he totally amazed her by standing, pulling her to her feet and pressing her back against the tiles. She barely had time to wrap her arms around him before he thrust his cock deep inside her womb, plundering the tender flesh with strong, powerful thrusts that quickly brought them both to climax again.
The sound of their sawing breaths mingled with the pounding of the shower spray. A new cloud of steam rose from the cool water hitting their scorched flesh. Hearts hammered and lungs struggled to suck in reviving oxygen. Deidre felt boneless, her muscles limp and unresponsive. If Luc hadn’t found the strength to turn off the taps and get them out of the shower, she’d have never been able to move.
He dried her hair and wrapped it in a towel, then dried the rest of her body.
“You said you couldn’t get it up again so soon,” she reminded, her tone drowsy, but accusing.
“I was wrong,” he admitted gruffly. “Pleasurin’ you makes me horny as hell.”
“Good.” She muttered and managed—barely—to stand still in one spot until he’d dried himself. Then he carried her back to bed and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
* * * * *
Luc woke when the sun had just started creeping over the horizon. It lit the room enough for him to study Deidre’s features. He turned more fully toward her and watched her sleep. Dieu! How he loved this woman. Sometimes the strength of that love made him feel more vulnerable than facing the wrong end of a gun.
He worshipped her body, adored her playful nature and was so damned proud of her creative talent. She’d become his life, his reason for getting up each day, his heart and his soul. If that made him a weak man, so be it, but her love made him feel strong and invincible.
Like last night. Damn, but she’d made him feel ten feet tall and more the man than he’d ever experienced. His morning erection throbbed at the memory of her with that whip. His ass still smarted. She was strong, but soft, bold, yet modest. Everything a woman should be and so much more.
And she thought she was so plain. Mais, non! But, no! Reaching out a finger, he brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. She’d be all worried when she realized how disheveled it looked this morning. He loved its tousled beauty, too. The honey-colored tresses had the texture of corn silk. He loved running his fingers through it, sinking his hands in it and feeling the brush of it against his skin. He loved seeing it spread across the pillow.
Unable to keep his hands to himself, he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. Her skin was smooth and supple. Her high cheekbones gave her a look of ageless beauty. Her lashes were pale, but long and lovely, her nose small and elegant. And her lips. Ahh! His heart sighed. Her lips were made for kissing. And sucking. Dieu, she sucked with such eagerness and enthusiasm.
The thought sent more blood pounding to his cock. His balls tightened in sweet anticipation. Soon she’d wake and he could sink himself into her warm, welcoming depths. This time, he’d take her from behind. He’d curl himself around her and slide into her from a different angle, pleasuring her with his fingers at the same time. His muscles clenched at the thought.
Deidre stirred and he gathered her in his arms, turning her and tucking her back against his chest. Her naked flesh rubbed against his, setting his nerves on fire everywhere they touched. He spooned his body around hers, pressing his erection against the juncture of her thighs. Then he cupped both her breasts in his hands and started caressing their satiny softness. Ahh! Her nipples were so sweetly responsive. They grew hard like diamonds in his palms, so he gently plucked them with his thumb and forefinger.
Her breathing altered subtly, alerting him to the fact that she was waking, coming alive in his arms. He felt her pulse picking up speed as her senses awakened, too. She’d be feeling him against nearly every inch of her body, sharing his heat, and smelling their combined scents.
This is what he wanted for the rest of his life, this special intimacy, this coupling of heart and body. They still had a lot of work to do on other aspects of their lives, but she’d renewed his hopes with her unique efforts satisfy his darkest fantasies. He’d lost control, yet it hadn’t felt so much a loss as a sharing.
If he could just get her to share other aspects of his life, they’d be well on their way to happily ever after. He wanted her to care enough to get better acquainted with the traditions and people of his Parish. He wanted her to reach out to his friends more. To learn about his heritage and to accept a way of life that still seemed alien to her. He’d thought by now that she would have made the adjustment, but she hadn’t tried and had avoided discussing it.
Deidre moaned softly as he continued to pluck at her nipples. She began to wiggle her bottom against him, and he knew she was fully awake. His cock twitched restlessly, knowing it’s hot, velvety sheath lay within inches. She grabbed his hand and drew it toward her face, then sucked one of his fingers into her mouth, bathing it with heated moisture. Blood fired through his veins and pooled in his groin. Luc rocked his hips, his cock prodding until she lifted her leg and let him slide home.
Her cunt was so hot, so tight, so wet and welcoming.
Sighs of satisfaction mingled as their bodies locked in passion. He took his
time readying her with slow, easy strokes, but before long, his patience snapped. Rolling her onto her stomach, he mounted her from behind and pounded into her with increasing force. Deidre drew herself up on her knees and met each thrust with matching strength, driving his passion higher. He reached under her and found her clit, rubbing hard, knowing he couldn’t hold out much longer and wanting her with him.
She stiffened and cried out when she reached orgasm. Her cunt clutched at him, clenching and unclenching, and eventually milking him dry. He sank onto her warm, slippery body, trying not to crush her. It was several minutes before either of them spoke.
“Good morning to you, too, Sheriff,” she murmured, her face buried in the pillow.
Luc chuckled, an intensely satisfied male chuckle. Then he flipped her over and gathered her in his arms. “Good morning.” He returned her greeting and pressed a kiss to her lips. She kissed him back and snuggled closer.
“Tell me we have the whole weekend to stay in bed if we want,” she insisted sleepily.
“We have the whole weekend,” he assured her, cradling her head in his hand and pulling her head to his shoulder. “I’m off duty, and I warned Deke his life wouldn’ be worth mud if he bothered me.”
“Good.”
He felt her smile against his chest and it warmed his heart. He didn’t want to ruin her relaxed mood, but it seemed easier to broach sensitive issues when they were so attuned to each other.
“We did get an invite to a little shindig this evenin’, though.”
He’d refused dozens of invitations over the past few months, and he was tired of making excuses. People were speculating about the disintegration of his marriage. Behind his back, he knew they mocked him for marrying a Yankee. He didn’t like being the subject of gossip or having Deidre take the brunt of the blame for the unsociable behavior. Still, he couldn’t very well show up without his wife, and she’d flat-out refused to leave the house.
“Now that you’ve met your deadline, I’d like to get out a little more.”
He intended the words to sound casual, but his tone rang with steely determination. Deidre went still in his arms.
“Where’s the shindig?”
“Over at Bill’s uncle’s place on the pier.”
Luc held his breath. So much depended on her response. It pleased him that she didn’t pull away, but rubbed her cheek against his chest.
“It’ll be hotter than hell,” she muttered.
“The bayou is always hotter than hell.”
“You promised I’d get used to it.”
“That’s only if you leave the air-conditionin’ once in a while,” he admonished gently. “You won’ never get used to it if you stay cooped up inside the house year ‘round.”
Deidre didn’t respond right away, and he wondered if he’d really pissed her off. He didn’t like pushing her to do things she didn’t want to do, but she couldn’t keep isolating herself. It was one thing to be dedicated to a career, yet altogether wrong to lock out the rest of the world.
His heart sank when she wiggled out of his arms and slid across the bed. He prepared himself for worst, expecting an argument. Instead, he got a mischievous grin from his lovely, naked wife.
“Think I should wear my new outfit?”
Luc blinked. Had he heard her right? Was she capitulating and taunting him at the same time? Apparently so. His chest constricted, his heart pounding with joy. Hot damn!
She picked the leather skirt up from the floor, and waved it at him. His mind’s eye saw her plump, bare ass split by a leather thong. He’d kill any man who dared to look at her that way. The thought immediately darkened his mood.
“Hell no, you can’ wear that for anyone but me,” he growled, lunging for her. She dodged and ran toward the bathroom, laughing flirtatiously.
“It’ll keep me cool,” she teased.
“That outfit is private property,” he grumbled, stalking into the bathroom behind her.
Deidre turned toward him, and challenged,“and the woman who wears it?”
He knew his expression was fierce, but he was a fiercely possessive man, and he loved her beyond reason. “Damn straight. She’s mine, too.”
“Prove it,” she taunted.
He didn’t need any more encouragement. He pressed her against the wall and took her sassy mouth with hard, searing kisses, using his tongue to plunder her sleepy depths. They kissed until they were both trembling and panting for air. He locked his fists in her hair and tilted her head so that he could kiss the curve of her cheek. Then his lips scoured her slender neck. He licked and sucked, groaning when he felt her hands clenching on his buttocks. He kept licking and sucking before he took her mouth again. He couldn’t get enough of her.
He could never get enough of her.
* * * * *
The party started at eight when the sun had set and the temperature was a little more bearable. Still, Deidre knew she’d be roasting in short order, so she put on a minimum of clothes. She wore a mint green sundress with a peasant style bodice and narrow shoulder straps. The skirt was really full and swirled around her legs. If she got too hot, she could do a couple of pirouettes and stir up her own little whirlwind of air.
Her skin was too pale, but there was nothing she could do about that. Panty hose would have been an improvement, but she didn’t even consider them. Her skirt fell to mid-calf anyway, so high-heeled sandals were her only concession to fashion.
She’d pulled her hair into a chignon at her neck and foregone any jewelry except pearl studs in her ears. Makeup wouldn’t survive the humidity, so she settled for a light brushing of eye shadow and the ruby red lipstick that had always excited Luc.
The party was in full swing by the time they arrived. A mixture of aromas hit her as soon as they climbed from his pickup truck. The heavy scent of the river and the lush vegetation was ever present. Steaks sizzled on an outdoor grill as well as roasting corn. The sweet, tangy smell of peppers added to the mixture.
Japanese lanterns and bug zappers vied for space around the huge covered patio. The mood was festive, with a blend of laughter and rowdy Cajun music played by an accordion, a fiddle and a triangle. Those with the energy danced in a lively circle. Others sat in lawn chairs and cooled themselves with bamboo fans. Several large, ceiling fans stirred what little air could be circulated.
Luc kept his arm around her waist as he guided her through the crowds. Deidre had met most of the locals in the Parish, but didn’t remember them all well enough to greet them by name. She just kept a smile on her face.
As usual, everyone wanted a minute of Luc’s time— everyone from the Parish elders to the youngsters and every age between. They wanted to update him on problems, discuss their concerns, and share news about family and friends. His peers wanted opinions on their latest projects. Women of all ages wanted to smile and flirt a little.
Deidre didn’t blame them. He’d paired his favorite faded jeans with her favorite of his button-up cotton shirts. The blue plaid brought out the sapphire brilliance of his eyes. His hair shone like dark black satin, his sensual mouth was curved in a relaxed smile and his jeans hugged him like a lover. Who could resist looking at him and wanting to get closer? It would take a much stronger woman than she.
During one lengthy discussion with the Parish priest, Luc shot her an apologetic glance, and it stabbed Deidre right in the conscience. When they’d first married, she’d been too insecure and jealous of the time he spent on his job. She’d resented having to share him at events like this and had griped about the demands on his time. In hindsight, those arguments made her feel lower than dirt.
Now she realized that Luc was their hero, and a badly needed role model. He was decent, dependable and passionate about his Parish family. He really cared about the community and his duty to its citizens. It was that same passionate nature that had attracted her to him from the beginning. Then she’d harangued him for being the kind of man anyone would admire.
She knew the weight of r
esponsibility he carried was heavy and that sometimes it exhausted him. Instead of sharing his burden, she’d added her petty concerns to the weight on his shoulders. She’d grown more reclusive and distant. As a life-partner she was a miserable failure.
He’d proven, repeatedly over the past year, and then again last night, that he still had the time and energy to share a passionate relationship with her. She didn’t doubt that he’d find even more love to shower on their children.
He’d make a wonderful father.
“Sorry, chère,” he whispered when they snatched a minute alone.
“You don’t have to apologize.” She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “I’d forgotten how your Parishioners adore you.”
His dark gaze studied her intently. “And how much you hate it?”
“No!” Deidre swiftly corrected him. “I don’t hate it.” Her heart was filled with pride, but she didn’t want to discuss that here. Instead she said, “It just takes some getting used to.”
Luc seemed happy to drop the subject. “That it does.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side. “I’m starved. How ‘bout we find some food?”
“Sounds good.”
They moved toward the food-laden tables and started to fill their plates. Deke, wearing a chef’s hat and apron, nodded to them from behind the grill, reminding her of yesterday’s excitement. Deidre felt a blush rise up her neck. She’d seen speculation in many people’s eyes, but she tried not to wonder what they’d heard about her bogus arrest and incarceration. Luc just gave her a wicked grin when he noticed her embarrassment.
“You realize that your little game has caused a ten-day wonder,” she told him.
“If gossip is slow, it could be the talk of the Parish for months,” he said. “Then if they’re desperate for news, I could always spread word about that little shop in Randall City. That might keep things lively a while longer.”
Cajun Sheriff Page 6
