He eased himself inside of her tight passage as her juices flowed around him, encouraging him to hasten his thrusts. Her moans tangled with the sound of the water splashing their bodies and he rapidly lost control. The combination of her silken, tight body, the thrumming of the water, and her breasts in his palms melted him.
The tightening of her muscles pushed him over his breaking point. With one deep plunge, he came.
CHAPTER TEN
STRYKER AND LESLIE were in his bed. She lay cuddled next to him, one bare leg thrown over his stomach and her naked body pressed against his side. His fingers tangled in her damp hair as he brought a strand to his nose. “You smell so good.”
“Mmm…” The sound vibrated her chest. She slid her fingers across his shoulder.
“You sleepy?” he asked.
“Some, but more relaxed than anything.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. I haven’t felt this great in years,” she mumbled.
He rubbed his thumb across the soft skin of her arm. “Can I get you anything? A glass of water, wine or a beer?”
“I’ll have what you’re having.” She rolled away from him.
He slid from the bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and left the room. The kitchen tiles were cold on his bare feet so he quickly grabbed two bottles of beers from the fridge and made his way back to the bedroom—and to the warmth of Leslie’s body.
She was covered up now with the blanket. Her long hair spilled over the pillow like black ink against white paper. Her cheeks were rosy and her lips were full. She was the loveliest thing he’d ever laid eyes on.
He popped the lid to both bottles and took two gulps from one. He especially could use one now. Maybe two or three. He wasn’t sure if the flipping of his stomach was a good or bad thing.
She turned her cheek and looked at him. The golden glow of the table lamp made her look almost angelic. He’d gotten a taste of her, and just like before, he would do almost anything to get it again. The sex had been great, but there had been more—much more. She’d roped him like no other and he had gladly fallen under her penetrating stare and beauty that ran deeper than skin.
“Is one of those mine because you sure look like you’re hoarding them?” She laughed and sat up, the cover fell to her waist, exposing her firm, round breasts.
He handed her a bottle and chugged the rest of his. The cool liquid didn’t even touch the heat scorching his insides.
“Are you okay?” She took a sip.
“Sure, why?”
One thin brow curved. “I know you and that twitching muscle underneath your left eye is always a revealing sign that something’s not right. Are you okay that I’m here?” She grabbed the blanket and covered her chest. Disappointment raced through him.
“I invited you, didn’t I?” His voice was thick.
“But you inviting me and me being here are two different things. Maybe you regret the decision.”
“No I don’t. Why would you think that?”
“It’s been a long time since I walked through the door. Maybe it brings back memories that are best left alone.”
He shrugged. “True, having you here reminds me that I once lost you, but I’m a grown man, Lesi. I don’t have an immature fantasy that you and I are forever…not anymore. I’ve learned that we make the best of each day and not expect tomorrow.”
There was a slight narrowing of her gaze, as if he’d hit a button. “At least you’re keeping it real.”
I know you didn’t choose to be in this circumstance, but Lilly needs us both.” And at one time I needed you more than my next breath.
“I’m her godparent. You’re her uncle. She needs you more, certainly. I may not have “chosen” to be with her from the beginning, but now, I have made the choice. This isn’t easy for anyone, especially Lilly. She misses her mother and I’m only a sliver of what she wishes for.”
He watched her bring the bottle to her lips. Her mouth wrapped around the rim and it sent chills of desire racing through him—more than a yearning for sexual satisfaction. The sadness he saw in her expression made him want to tug her into his arms and promise that everything would be okay. How could he make such a promise when he had no clue what the future held. Losing his sister put priorities into place. Life could end at any moment. “You made a promise when Justine named you as godparent and it was a long time—”
She threw her hand up in the air. “You don’t need to remind me. I know what I promised Justine and I was part of the family. I’m still not sure that I won’t screw things up, but I can’t deny that I care for Lilly and want to be in her life.”
“You don’t think I worry that I’ll mess up also? I wish I could simply wipe away the past, forget the pain you’d caused when you left.” The reality was, he harbored harsh feelings and he needed to find a way to rid himself of the anger. “I have to learn to trust again.”
“You’re having sex with someone you don’t trust?” Her bottom lip trembled.
“That’s not what I mean. I’m screwing this up.” He scratched his jaw. “Look, we’ve made no promises to one another, no talk of the future where we’re concerned, but Lilly does need stability. Promises are all she has at the moment.”
“And I guess my word isn’t worth the breath it slipped out on. I left you before the wedding and I can’t change what happened. Everyone makes mistakes and I’ve learned from mine. However, if you brought me here to rip me into shreds, I’ll gladly leave.”
He rubbed his brows with the pads of his fingers. “Hell, I didn’t mean for you and I to argue. The past is over and we must concentrate on the here and now. That means Lilly needs our help in getting over the death of her mother…or at least maybe we can find some resemblance of a happy childhood for her.”
“It won’t happen overnight, but eventually the pain will fade and won’t be consuming. It’s possible the best thing we can do is keep her mother’s memory alive. Celebrate in the love she had for her daughter. ”
“Justine loved her very much. It’s not fair that she is gone.” He sat down on the bed.
“I’m sorry.” She touched his shoulder. “I know this is painful for you. You lost your sister, a part of your family.”
He couldn’t talk. What would he say? He wasn’t only brokenhearted over Justine’s death, but he found himself spiraling down a path where he’d been before and vulnerability was as scary as hell.
He wanted another beer, but for all the wrong reasons. No matter what he did to numb his emotions, it wouldn’t help. He couldn’t resolve or fix the bitterness that still dwelled in parts of him at the bottom of a bottle. Right now, he needed to do something, anything, besides stroll down memory lane or his confused feelings. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head. “I ate on my way here. Fast food.”
“You still live by the junk food pyramid, huh?”
“Not as much, but still too often. I’m always on the go and sometimes a drive thru window can be a hungry woman’s best friend.”
“You’re out in the sticks now. No fake burgers and processed tacos clear out here. Everything’s cooked up fresh right in Stryker Mason’s kitchen.”
“That’s why I got my fix before I left civilization.”
“Are you saying you don’t like my cooking?” He was slightly offended.
She chuckled. “Are you kidding? I’d much rather have your grilled steak and burgers any day over fast food.”
“If you’re lucky I may make you a good meal while you’re here.” He winked. “Left field question, but are you wearing lipstick?”
Her gaze widened. “I was wearing shell gloss until you kissed it off. Wait, you’ve never cared what I wear on my lips.”
He took the bottle from her fingers and placed it on the table. “You’re right, I don’t. However, I can’t seem to stop thinking how good it tastes. Cherry maybe? It reminds me of the flavor of a red popsicle.”
She laughed. “It seems like you’
ve put a lot of thought in my lip tint. I don’t know if it has a flavor. I’d have to take your word for it.”
“Here, I have an idea.” He scooted closer until he was within an inch of her. “I’ll sample it again and let you know.” He leaned in and covered her mouth with his, running the tip of his tongue along the curve of her bottom lip. He swore her body trembled. He brought his head up slightly. “Cherry and beer, a heady combination,” he whispered.
“I’m glad you like.” She planted her hands against his chest.
He wrapped one arm around her waist, lifting her and pulling her naked body onto his lap. He lowered his gaze across her breasts, along her flat stomach and over the apex of her thighs. “You shave all of the hair off now. That was a surprise.” He swirled his finger over the soft, bare skin. She sucked in a deep breath. “Does it make sex feel better?”
“Yes.” Her voice was husky.
Sliding his digit further downward, she opened her thighs. Her pussy was already wet. “Does this taste like cherry too?”
“I’d have no clue.” She buried her face against his shoulder.
He brought his finger to his lips and licked her juices. “Not cherry. Blueberry. Makes me crave blueberry syrup and pancakes.”
She brought her arm up around his neck. Her breathing was warm against his skin and her body shuddered against his chest. He smoothed his palm across her stomach. “My hands are calloused,” he said.
“I like your hands.” She slipped her hand in his, entwining their fingers. “I was always amazed at how this was a perfect fit…and yet your hands are much larger than mine.”
“Your skin is soft, like satin. The first time we made love I worried that I would hurt you. I was this big awkward fellow and you seemed fragile. I wanted to satisfy you, but I couldn’t control myself. I still can’t sometimes, not when it comes to you. ”
“I knew you cared for me. You never forced me or made me feel pressured to take our relationship to the next level. I don’t remember you complaining once because I made you wait until I was eighteen.” She slid her hand from his and touched his cheek. “You’re a good man, Stryke—better than good. I had wondered many times what you ever saw in me. I was a screwed up kid.”
“You’re not screwed up because you made me wait until you were an adult to get some. I believe that’s pretty upstanding.”
She tucked several strands of hair behind her ear. “I was cold. I didn’t want to give too much of myself away. I knew that night, though, that I wanted to have you.”
“I saw something in you that you didn’t see in yourself. Yet you’ve grown into that person I knew was there all along. A beautiful, intelligent, talented woman.” He kissed her again. She opened her lips and he tasted her sweetness. He’d never get enough. He lifted his head. “Now I ask what you see in me?”
“I’ve always admired your freedom to love and enjoy life. Even when things were tough, you picked yourself up and moved on. When I’d worry, you help me see that I was only hurting myself. When I cried, you held me. When I ran away from home, you sheltered me in your bedroom. Do you remember the time I snuck out of my house because my mother and father were arguing and I knocked on your window? You brought me in, wrapped your blanket around my shoulders and promised me that you’d never let anyone hurt me. Even at ten, you were heroic.”
“I let you down.”
“How can you say that? You lifted me up.” She swept her fingers through his hair.
“But how could I not realize how scared you were about marrying me? Why couldn’t you tell me? How did I not know about the baby?” He splayed his palm across her stomach.
“You had gone through so much after losing your mom and dad within a short period of time. You were working the ranch and Justine was following down the wrong path with Lilly’s father. We each were enveloped in our own emotions.” A sigh escaped her moist lips.
She had the look of a woman who needed plucked. He could do just that for her. “Would you mind if I kiss parts of your body?”
“I think I’d complain if you didn’t.”
That was all that he wanted to hear. He gently laid her back onto the bed, admiring her beauty. “I could stare at you all night.”
“You won’t make a girl wait will you?” she teased.
“I’m a gentleman, sweetheart.” He stood up, took off his pants and lay down beside her.
“There’s something I’ve missed.” Her gaze twinkled.
“Is that right?”
She lifted herself up on hands and knees. “I’ll show you.” She undid the button and unzipped his jeans, sliding them down his hips. He pushed them off with his foot, tossing them. She situated herself above him and slid her mouth around his cock. He thought he’d burst when she suckled his head at the back of her throat. “Sweetheart, this is one of those moments I don’t have much control.” He was heading over the edge, and as good as her mouth felt on his most sensitive spot, he wanted to be inside her.
He brought his hands to her shoulders and gently laid her back onto the blanket. Her mouth was pink and her eyes were welcoming.
“Just a second, love.” He pulled open the top drawer of the nightstand, grabbed a condom from the unused box and made haste in tearing open the package. Protected and ready, he slid his hips between her thighs. Her fingers dug into his back as he slowly penetrated her. “My God you’re on fire.”
“For you,” she whispered.
He tangled his hand through her silken hair and buried his face into the locks, inhaling the sweet scent. He could lose himself here…with her. Her legs came up around his hips and he gained deeper access to all of her. He paused, demanding his body to stay in control, but the throbbing of her wet muscles drove him over the brink.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
LESLIE FLUTTERED HER lids and opened them. Sunlight streamed through the open window, but she didn’t want to move from the warmth…
Warmth?
She inhaled and her lungs were rewarded with oxygen mingled with the manliest scent. And it belonged to the man who brought her passion. As she snuggled up closer to the wall of iron muscle, a sigh escaped her. Her head rested against his shoulder, her leg was thrown over his hips and her hand lay at his waist.
His palm, splayed naturally across the small of her back, did wonders for her nether lips that responded with a quiver. She could go for another round with him and wondered if she was becoming a nymphomaniac. She chuckled at the thought.
He moaned deep in his chest and the husky sound lifted the hairs on the back of her neck.
She slowly crept her fingers to the crisp hair trail leading to pure bliss. He was hard and standing straight up. Another sound erupted from his throat.
Lifting her chin, he didn’t appear to be awake and she most certainly liked what she saw. He was as sexy asleep as he was awake. A layer of beard had grown overnight, and his hair was finger combed. The man was good to look at…and even better at other things.
Yup, she’d lost all bounds and had crossed over to a world of wanton sex.
All she could think about was his cock and skill—and she headed to a danger zone at a jet’s speed, and for heaven’s sake she couldn’t fight the sensation.
No denying, laying underneath him, stretched and willing, wasn’t a bad place to spend a few days. She could think of far worse places. Better than hanging out on a ranch, hand inserted into a horse’s ass and giving a rectal exam. That was the only thing she’d had planned this weekend. Being here was also better than cooped up alone in her house flipping through the channels looking for a sappy drama to fulfill her needs for romance.
She sifted her fingers through her mass of hair, finding more knots than silken strands. It was all worth the time she’d spend on combing it out.
Her thought track ambled down to the newly energized parts of her body and the fast beating of her heart, which hadn’t slowed since smooth-talking, charming Stryker Mason strolled back into her lonely existence. He’d been her every de
sire…and damn, he still fit that definition. She wanted him more, though. This was no longer two childhood sweethearts finding their way through a relationship. This had blossomed into two adults taken over by a magnetism that grew instead of vanishing.
Without a committed relationship, where would they land? Things could get sticky and the last thing she wanted was for Lilly to be stuck in the middle.
Lilly!
The little girl was sleeping down the hall. Was she awake yet? Catching her uncle in bed with the vet probably wouldn’t be a good impression on a young mind.
Hell, how could she not think of these things?
Carefully moving away from the hard male body, she slid to the edge of the mattress, dropped her feet to the floor, and quietly stood up, glancing over her shoulder for peering eyes. Nope! He was out of it. She must have worn him out.
She grabbed the first thing she came to, which happened to be Stryker’s long sleeved button down. She hesitated, but remembered how she loved wearing his clothes back in the day. There was just something about donning a man’s clothes that she liked—the smell of his cologne, the larger fit.
Sliding on the oversized shirt, she quickly buttoned it, tugged on her wrinkled jeans and crept toward the closed door. At the threshold, she turned and looked at the six-foot tall burly man. Toned from head to toe—a gift of years of working on a ranch—she guessed he could make every girl within a hundred miles swoon. So why hadn’t some farm girl come along and snagged him?
There was a lot more to him than a hard, skilled body. He could make her laugh, even when she didn’t want to. He’d brought her flowers on every birthday, rode horses with her, cuddled with her and watched chick flicks when he’d wanted to see a thriller. He’d been the only one to ever treat her with such kindness.
She’d left, even when she’d had an amazing man.
Would he ever forgive her? Could she ever forgive herself? Probably not.
Although she didn’t do things the right way by taking off without a word, she realized she couldn’t marry Stryker then. She was young and confused. Maybe in the end, she’d taken off without talking to him because she hadn’t been brave enough to end their relationship.
Second Round Cowboy (Second Chance Series) Page 8
