“Are you sure about that?” Whispering in her ear, he reminded her in vivid detail how he’d used the syrup before and how many times he’d made her come. All the while he ran his tongue around the delicate curve of her earlobe. She was breathing faster and she let him go without another word of protest.
By the time he walked back into the bedroom with the towel and the pie, she’d turned on the light and climbed out of bed.
“I’ll take this.” She pulled the towel off his shoulder and spread it out on the mattress. “Now lie down.”
“I was thinking you’d be the one lying down and I’d be the one applying pie to your sweet body.”
“You got to do that already. I, on the other hand, only got half a turn. So lie down, cowboy, and let me juice you up where it counts.”
He stood there grinning at the transformation. Her tendency to be bossy was no different. She’d been like that from their first conversation. Her spirit of play was new, though, at least to him.
“I’ll take the pie, too.” She plucked it out of his hands. “And be sure to lie in the middle of that towel so I don’t have to worry about the sheets.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He stretched out on the nubby material and stuffed a pillow behind his head so he could see. Anticipation of what lay ahead had his cock standing as straight as a lodgepole pine. “What did you do with the condom?”
“Let me worry about that.”
“Okay.” Considering her cautious nature, he knew she wouldn’t forget.
Setting the pie plate on the towel, she lifted her arms and gathered her hair behind her neck. Then she looped it into a soft knot. Judging from how easily she did it, she’d gone through that routine a thousand times when she needed to quickly get her hair away from her face. She probably thought nothing of it, but he was entranced by the simple gesture.
She picked up the pie plate before easing onto the bed. “I believe I’ll go straight to the main event.”
“You won’t get an argument from me.”
She dipped her fingers into the pie. “And you’ve never had a woman smear cherry pie filling on your manly self before?”
“Nope.”
“Any kind of pie?”
“Nope.”
“Cake?”
“Nope.”
“Whipped cream?”
“Um, well, there was—”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to elaborate. I’m glad to be the first one in the pie and cake category, at any rate.”
He couldn’t help smiling at that. Her brother wasn’t the only competitive one in the family. Even in something like this, she wanted to be first.
“Where to start, where to start.” She licked her fingers absently as she surveyed him.
His breath caught. “You may not realize it, but when you lick your fingers, that’s...arousing.”
“Is it?” She dipped two fingers into the filling again. As they dripped with scarlet juice, she held them over the pie plate. Then she slowly sucked each one clean.
A surge of lust made his cock twitch. “You realize it.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Her violet eyes sparkled. “I learned from the best.”
“You’ve managed to outdo your teacher. I’m a wreck.”
“Thanks for the compliment. Maybe it’s time to do my teacher.”
“That would be very—” He gasped as her juice-covered fingers began to stroke up and down, around and around. Sticky, slippery and incredibly erotic.
But that was nothing compared to the sensation of her tongue licking him clean. She was thorough, oh, so very thorough. This morning’s episode out behind the barn had been a mere preview of what that tongue of hers could accomplish. He moaned and shifted on the towel.
“Don’t thrash around too much.” Her breath was cool against his wet shaft. “You’ll move the towel.”
“I’m the laundry guy,” he said through gritted teeth as she continued to drive him insane. “I’ll take care of... Oh, God...when you do that...”
“Glad you like it. There’s more.”
He watched in fascination as she located a whole cherry and placed it on the very tip of his cock. Then she took the tip in her mouth and rolled that soft cherry around. He clenched his fists and prayed that he wouldn’t come.
She seemed to enjoy that maneuver, since she repeated it a couple more times. Then she went back to licking, nipping and dripping juice, letting drops slide from the tip downward until she caught it on her tongue. His breathing was out of control and soon he would be, too.
He dragged in air. “Better get the condom.”
“Nope.”
“I’m going to come.”
“So do it.” With that she stopped playing and got serious.
He didn’t stand a chance. He came within seconds, yelling and cussing. He felt as if he might never stop coming. He thought his balls would explode. He was absolutely certain his eyes had rolled back in his head.
But he did stop coming eventually. He still couldn’t breathe well, but he could focus again.
She sat on the bed, facing him, with the pie plate in her lap. She smiled. “That was fun.”
“Mmm.” It was the only sound he could manage, especially in his bedazzled state. She was stunning. Her hair was coming loose from the soft knot she’d made and her mouth was stained red from all the cherry juice. She had some on her chin, too.
He loved looking at the juice stains and remembering the intense pleasure she’d given him, more than he could have imagined. But her eyes captivated him most of all. He could bask in the glow of their violet depths for hours.
“You look happy,” she said.
He cleared his throat. “Take happy multiplied times a million and you’ll be close.”
That seemed to please her. Her smile widened as she tightened her grip on the pie plate and climbed off the bed. “I’ll get a washcloth. Just lie still.”
“I don’t think I could move if a grizzly walked through the bedroom door.”
“I doubt that’s going to happen, but if it does, I’ll protect you.”
“I don’t doubt it. You’re mighty.” After she left the room, he lay there thinking about her strong protective instincts. Her campaign to save her brother from sinking into despair was fueled by that. In the unlikely event a grizzly walked into the bedroom, she probably would try to save him.
She came back in with a washcloth and a hand towel. Obviously she’d made a detour and had left the pie plate in the kitchen. “I need to clarify something.”
“What’s that?”
“I should probably tell you that I haven’t the faintest idea how to deal with a grizzly. I’ve only seen one in the wild and that was from a long distance. So if you want me to protect you, you’ll need to tell me how.”
She was absolutely adorable. He cleared his throat. “Well, now, some experts advise standing as tall as possible and making lots of noise. Others say curl up in a ball and play dead. But everybody agrees you don’t run away. They’re way faster than you are.”
She sat on the bed. “I’m not the type to play dead.”
“I believe you. So you’d better stay true to character and go with the loud noises and standing tall—ahhh.” He closed his eyes in ecstasy as she began sliding the warm, moist washcloth over his privates. “I should probably do that for myself, huh?”
“You could, but isn’t this nicer?” She finished with the washcloth and began rubbing him gently with the hand towel. Once again, she was extremely thorough.
“Definitely nicer.” He would have said she’d finished him off with the last episode, but apparently not. The warm washcloth had awakened his sleeping giant and the hand towel made it rise and shine. He gestured toward her work area. “Was that what you had in mind?”
“I wasn’t sure what would happen.” She nodded toward the bedside table as she continued to massage him with the towel. “But the condom is lying right there, and I got a little excited while I was having fun with pie filling.”<
br />
“Say no more.” He reached over for the condom before sitting up and capturing her wrist. “I’m well and truly dried off. So here’s an idea. You lie down, I’ll put this on, and we’ll see what happens next.” He slid over to make room for her.
“I should take the washcloth back to the—”
“How about this?” He snatched it away and tossed it over the glass lampshade. “It’ll dry in a jiffy, and we have instant mood lighting.”
She glanced around the room. “Everything looks sort of greenish.”
“You don’t like greenish?” He ripped open the packet and rolled on the condom.
“As it turns out, I love greenish.” She stretched out beside him. “I’ll pretend you’re the frog prince.”
“You can pretend I’m the King of England for all I care.” He moved between her thighs. “Choose whatever royalty makes you happy.” He leaned down and kissed her sweet mouth.
“I don’t need royalty,” she murmured against his lips. “I just need you.”
14
ARIA LEFT BEFORE DAWN, promising to be back at the ranch after breakfast with a rented wheelchair. She longed to head down to the barn to peek in on Lucy and Linus, but she wasn’t ready to advertise her overnight stay at the cabin. Brant had said he’d mentioned it to Ty, and Herb had probably guessed, so it wasn’t exactly a secret.
But having them know and meeting Herb in the early morning at the barn were two very different things. Brant understood that, thank goodness. He understood so many things without being told.
The drive back to Sheridan gave her a chance to think about this complicated man. He might be the kindest person she’d ever known, and yet he’d been given such a rotten start in life. Her heart ached when she thought about a twelve-year-old who’d essentially lost both parents, although his mother must not have been much of a parent. That Brant had retained his sunny disposition was a testament to his inborn optimism.
At one point during the night she’d gently asked about his dad. Apparently the guy had been so engrossed in his work that he’d been oblivious to both his wife’s and his son’s needs. Rosie and Herb had been a godsend, but that couldn’t have made up for having two neglectful parents for twelve years.
Brant had been conditioned to keep his connections with people loose and cheerful and she understood why. Despite the great sex and the bond of friendship they seemed to be developing, he wasn’t interested in maintaining contact after he’d finished with Linus. She’d suspected that from the beginning and at first she’d liked the idea because she didn’t want to be tied down any more than he did.
She didn’t like it so much anymore. The thought of losing contact with him in a few weeks filled her with sadness. He was becoming important to her and she couldn’t believe the reverse wasn’t true.
That didn’t mean she wanted a forever commitment from him. She had things to do and so did he. But if he’d consider keeping his sleeping bag stashed behind her couch, she’d be fine with that. And she would be there for him. He might not believe in that kind of relationship now, but if he’d give her a chance, she’d prove that it was possible.
At her apartment she showered and changed clothes. Before leaving the complex she glanced at Josh’s door and wished things were different with him. But they weren’t and taking a wheelchair out to the ranch today was actually more important than convincing Josh to go.
Getting the wheelchair had been easy. The owner of the medical supply place had taken several of her cooking classes. He let her in and handled the paperwork even though the sun had barely peeked over the horizon.
On her way out of town she stopped at her favorite bakery for a half dozen doughnuts. Then she picked up a latte at Rangeland Roasters, Sheridan’s newest coffee shop. It wasn’t the kind of healthy breakfast she usually had, which made it more fun.
Eating her sugary treat and drinking her coffee on the way out to the ranch, she smiled in anticipation of the day ahead. She looked forward to being with Linus and Lucy again, but she had to be honest with herself. Brant was the big draw.
And he really might leave after he finished training Linus. Her smile wobbled as she made herself face the possibility. He’d given her every reason to believe that he would end their relationship once his job was done.
Then why imagine that he might change his pattern for her? That kind of thinking led to heartache and disillusionment, which wouldn’t help her bolster Josh’s spirits. She’d be better off assuming he wouldn’t remain in her life.
He came out to meet her when she pulled up to the barn just as he had the morning before. But this time he nudged back his hat and kissed her the minute she climbed out of the van. Holding her close, he gazed into her eyes. “Missed you.”
“Missed you, too.” He seemed to be quite attached for a guy who didn’t do commitment. But until he announced a change in attitude she’d be a fool to place importance on the fact that he’d missed her.
“I see you got the wheelchair.”
“Yep. Told you I would. Are we okay with kissing in public?” She knew that ranch people were out and about at dawn. “Where is everybody?”
“Ty and Whitney are down at the bathhouse working on the showerheads. They had some issues yesterday and had to go back twice to the hardware store. They’re determined to finish today. Herb and Rosie are up at the house having breakfast. Cade and Lexi aren’t here yet. So I get to kiss you again.”
“Sounds like fun.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she vowed to enjoy the kiss for the temporary pleasure that it was and not read anything more into it. That worked for about two seconds. Nothing about his kiss felt temporary and in no time she’d resurrected her fantasy that he would stay.
He eased back. “Gotta stop now.”
“I know.” Good thing she was having trouble breathing or she might have asked him straight-out if he expected to leave her in a few weeks.
“You taste like doughnuts.”
“I have doughnuts.” It was a welcome change of subject. “Want some?”
He smiled. “It’s a poor substitute, but I’ll take it.”
“Turn me loose and I’ll get the box.”
“I’ll get it.” Releasing her, he leaned through the open driver’s door and picked up the box from the passenger seat. “If you keep bringing treats I’m gonna get fat.”
“Not if you stay active.”
He straightened. “What sort of activity did you have in mind, as if I didn’t know?”
“Laundry.”
He laughed. “It’s done, so you can relax.”
“Were the sheets a mess? They were, right?”
“Let’s just say that every cherry juice stain reminded me of you. If I had my way, I wouldn’t have bleached them out, but the sheets don’t belong to me.”
“Thanks for doing the laundry.” So he would have liked a permanent reminder of making love to her? That didn’t sound like a man who planned to ride off into the sunset.
“You’re welcome. Thanks for bringing doughnuts.” He opened the box. “Well, if it isn’t raised glazed. My favorite.”
“Are you sure you don’t just automatically say that about everything?”
“I don’t, I swear! I’m a real traditionalist when it comes to doughnuts. You can have all your frosting and jelly-filled and sprinkles. I like this kind best.” He pulled one out and took a generous bite. “Mmm.” He chewed and swallowed. “Super fresh. They must have just come out of the oven.”
“They did. My timing at the bakery was perfect.” She gestured at the two that were left. “You can have those. I had all I wanted on the drive out here.”
“You ate nine doughnuts all by yourself? Go, you!”
“No, I bought six and ate three.”
His hazel eyes gleamed. “Aw, come on. Nobody goes into a bakery and buys six doughnuts, especially on Sunday morning. You get a dozen. That’s how it’s done. It’s okay if you ate nine. I won’t judge.”
“But I didn’t!
I only... You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
“Would I do that?” He licked the glaze from his fingers.
“Here, let me.” She took his big hand in both of hers and swiped her tongue over his thumb. Then she sucked on it.
“Oh, I see how it is.” His voice grew husky. “You’re a lady who believes in payback.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Very effective.”
“Mmm.”
“But you’ll need to stop now.”
She wasn’t about to. She didn’t care if his jeans were getting tight. Nine doughnuts, indeed. Moving from his thumb to his forefinger, she resumed her licking routine.
“Really, you’ll want to quit.”
“Why?” She drew his finger slowly into her mouth.
“Because my dad’s coming down from the house.”
She pulled his finger out so fast it made a popping sound. Her cheeks burned as she scrambled away from him. “Do you think he saw me doing that?”
“If he did, he won’t say a word. If it had been Cade, we’d never hear the end of it, so count yourself lucky.”
She gulped. “Let’s go get the wheelchair.”
Chuckling, he put the doughnut box back on the passenger seat and shut the door before following her to the back of the van. “Want me to make up a story about having a splinter? I could do that.”
“No stories. We’ll just pretend he didn’t see a thing.” She unfastened the brackets holding the wheelchair in place.
“Here, let me get it.” He stepped in and lifted the wheelchair down. “Could have been worse. You were really into that sucking business. No telling what you might have done next.”
“Nothing,” she said in an undertone. “We’re going to forget all about it, okay?”
“Easy for you to say. You weren’t the one being sucked on.”
“Brant.” She started to giggle, which was so unlike her. She wasn’t the giggling type.
“I see you have a wheelchair,” Herb said as he approached. “Is your brother here?”
Maybe he hadn’t noticed anything since she obviously wouldn’t leave her brother sitting in the van while she sucked on Brant’s finger. Another wave of giggles threatened as she turned to face Herb. “I rented this from the medical supply place.” She managed not to laugh but she couldn’t erase the grin.
Cowboy All Night (Thunder Mountain Brotherhood, Book 5) Page 14
