The Lucky Heart

by Devney Perry

  Silas walked us backward, and when my ass hit the counter, I broke away from his mouth and pulled at his coat. I worked it frantically over his broad shoulders, and as he shrugged out of its sleeves, his mouth came to the sensitive skin underneath my jaw, sucking and kissing.

  His fingers yanked at my navy sweater until they finally found its hem. Leaning back, he whipped it over my head before reaching to the base of his own gray shirt and doing the same. When his lips fused with mine, my hands rubbed all over his muscled chest. Feeling his chiseled abs brush against my stomach sent another jolt of heat to my core.

  “Baby,” I whimpered when he pulled back.

  “Up,” he ordered, grabbing my ass and sliding it off the counter. My legs swung around his hips and my ankles crossed at his back as he started walking. His tongue trailed along my neck and collarbone as he carried me upstairs.

  “To the right,” I panted when we reached the landing. He obeyed and entered my dark bedroom. The faint light from the streetlights outside gave my white bedding a soft glow. When my back hit the mattress, Silas went to the button on my jeans. I wriggled my hips as he slid them down and off. I pushed up and went straight to the buckle on his belt. While I worked it open, he twisted the clasp on my bra.

  My hurried fingers couldn’t get the zipper down fast enough on his jeans and I let out a frustrated groan. Silas’s deep chuckle filled the room as he stared down at me, his brown eyes so dark they looked black.

  “Hurry,” I begged, letting him work his jeans off while I slipped off the straps of my bra.

  Silas tucked his thumbs into the waistband of his jeans and off they came. Holy hell, he was going commando. That was so fucking hot. I stared at his thick, hard cock while he tugged off my satin panties and sent them flying over his shoulder.

  “Mouth,” he ordered and I tossed back my chin just in time to catch his crashing lips. Holding tight to his shoulders, I stroked my tongue with his as he moved me further into the bed by the backs of my knees.

  “Condom?” he asked.

  I shook my head and felt his grin. Silas and I had never used a condom. He was the only man that I’d ever had inside of me bare. Some of my serious boyfriends, including Wes, had asked but I had always refused. Even though I was on the pill, I had required that barrier.

  But not with Silas.

  I didn’t want anything between us.

  He lined his cock up with my slit and teased me, sliding himself up and down through my wetness. When it grazed my clit, I moaned and tipped my hips up to meet his.

  “Please, baby.”

  “What do you want, Lis?” he whispered.

  “You. I want you.”

  With one hard thrust, he drove into me to the root. “Fuck,” he groaned as I cried out.

  I closed my eyes as I stretched around him. He filled me completely. Perfectly. I throbbed around him and pressed my hips up, urging him to move.

  When he didn’t, I opened my eyes. He was staring down at me. The intensity of his gaze and the seriousness of his face surprised me. I lifted a hand to his cheek and caressed his stubble with my thumb.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Nothing.” His eyes softened. “I just want to remember what you look like tonight. You’re so beautiful, Lis. And all mine.”

  My heart swelled into my throat and I drew in a jagged breath. “Silas,” I choked out. I didn’t know what else to say. That was the sweetest thing I’d heard in a long, long time.

  He dropped his forehead to mine and slowly eased his cock out, stopping when the tip was barely inside. I groaned at his loss and again lifted up my hips. My hands went to his sides and his muscles tensed as he slid back inside, inch by inch.

  When I was full again, he lifted his head and looked into my eyes. “Ready?”

  I nodded. Yeah, I was ready. More than ready.

  He went from slow, restrained glides to powerful, frantic thrusts in an instant.

  “Silas,” I gasped. My legs were shaking as he brought them up to his sides. His muscled thighs drove his hips and cock, sending me higher and higher with each powerful stroke.

  With a rush of heat, I moaned and threw my head back into the pillow. “I’m com—” Before I could finish my sentence, my climax peaked and I exploded around Silas, pulsing and squeezing as it washed over me. Every muscle shook as my long and hard orgasm rendered me completely helpless.

  “Lis.” His voice was rough and on edge. I was just coming down when his thrusts lost all control. Pounding into me, I opened my eyes just in time to see Silas’s corded neck tighten. His hot release spilled inside me.

  His sweaty chest collapsed on mine and we held tightly to each other, panting for breath as our hearts thundered between us.

  The after-sex with Silas was almost as good as the sex itself. Almost.

  I loved that he would lay on me right after we came and our combined heartbeats drummed between us. The rhythm resonated across my arms to my fingertips and down my legs to my toes. It was like my body was saying, “This one. This one is the right one.”

  My eyes closed as I enjoyed this closeness, this connection. He was heavy and he wouldn’t stay here for long, just enough to give me what I wanted.

  “Are you okay?” he asked into my hair.

  I hummed and wrapped my legs around his thighs, pulling him deeper.

  He propped himself up on an elbow, brushing away the hair that had fallen on my forehead. “Lis?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I need to ask you something important.”

  My eyes popped open and I searched his for a sign of anything bad. But they were happy, full of warmth and light. “What?”

  “Did you throw all of the cookies?”

  I giggled. “There’s probably a couple left.”

  “Good. I’m hungry.” He slid out and rolled off the bed.

  With one hand, he tugged me out too. He bent and grabbed his shirt, shaking it out before pulling it over my head. While I pushed my arms in, he stepped into his jeans, leaving his belt buckle hanging and the top button open. I could see a light dusting of hair at the zipper that traveled up his happy trail to his belly button.

  Sexy. Damn sexy. I was ready to go again.

  “If you keep staring at my cock, we’re never going to make it back to the kitchen.”

  “Fine by me.” I let my eyes linger as they climbed his abs and chest to his handsome face. “I ate dinner.”

  He smiled and captured my hand. “Come on, babe.”

  After a quick pit stop in the bathroom, we walked downstairs hand in hand. I refused to let cookies be Silas’s dinner, so while he leaned up against a counter, I whipped him up some scrambled eggs.

  “Sorry about coming over like I did.”

  I looked over my shoulder and smiled. “I’m not.”

  He sighed. “Fuck. I feel bad for getting physical with Pax.”

  “He’s not doing well, Silas. He’s been coming over to talk to me about some stuff from the army but I don’t know what to say. I think you should try and talk to him. Maybe see if there is somebody in town that he could talk to, like a professional.”

  “Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. He hasn’t talked to me, but he is jumpy as all hell. I cracked a whip at one of our bulls the other day and he dropped to the ground for cover.” He raked a hand through his hair. “And then I tried to fight him tonight.”

  “What were you thinking? Did you really think I’d go for him?” I set his plate down in front of him.

  “We’ve been in a weird place lately. I didn’t know what you wanted.”

  “Do you now?”

  “I’ve got a pretty good idea.” His eyes twinkled, and when he smiled, my knees wobbled.

  “Good. I’m glad we don’t have to have a big discussion. That we can agree we’re better off as just friends,” I teased.

  His fork fell to the counter and he lunged at me. I squealed and darted around the island, running up the stairs but I was too slow. He caught
me at the hips and started tickling my sides.

  “I’m kidding! Stop!” I laughed and begged but he was relentless.

  “Are we friends?”

  “No!”

  “That’s right.” He stopped torturing me and bent low, shoving his shoulder in my belly and hauling me up into a fireman’s hold. My shirt flew up and my bare ass felt the cool air. “We’re friends with benefits.”

  “Silas!” I said, smacking his butt. I knew he was joking but I couldn’t resist giving him a smack. That gorgeous behind was right in front of my face.

  “Payback.” His hand cracked against my ass.

  I yelped and started laughing again as he carried me upstairs and tossed me down on the bed. Off came his jeans and he proceeded to show me that we were definitely not just friends. Two orgasms later, we were both exhausted and ready to sleep.

  “Are you still hungry?” I asked.

  “Too tired. You can make me a big breakfast.”

  I hummed my agreement. “This is nice.” I was tucked into his side while he lay on his back. My leg was thrown over his and our feet were gently playing. “We’ve only ever spent one whole night together. You always used to leave after. I could get used to this.”

  He leaned down and kissed the top of my hair. “You better.”

  “Morning.”

  I smiled and nuzzled Silas’s chest with my nose. After a quick kiss on his pec, I lifted my chin and looked into his beautiful eyes. “Morning.”

  I’d only been awake for ten seconds, but I already knew this was the best morning I’d ever had in my thirty-four years.

  “Do you have anything you need to do today?” he asked.

  “Nope.”

  “Do you feel like hanging out with me?”

  “Hmm.” I looked up and pretended to think about it.

  “I’d make it worth your while.” He reached beneath the sheet and trailed his fingers down my bare back. Shivers broke across my skin as they skimmed down to my ass.

  “I’m sure you will.”

  He rolled me onto my back and lined his lips up with mine. When his mouth came down, his tongue and cock slid inside in unison.

  He proceeded to make it worth my while. And then again in the shower.

  By the time we walked downstairs so I could make us a big breakfast, I was sated and famished.

  “No showings today?” Silas asked as I scrambled eggs for omelets.

  I sighed. “No. Prescott’s real estate market isn’t exactly booming right now.”

  Since buying into Jamison Valley Real Estate, I’d only had one client meeting and I didn’t have another lined up until the middle of next week. Though I was still excited and loving the job, adjusting to the slower pace had been difficult.

  “It will pick up when the weather gets warmer. People don’t want to move when it’s snowy and cold.”

  “Yeah. You’re probably right. I’m just anxious to get a couple of deals under my belt. This is such a change for me, I just want to know that I’m doing a good job.”

  “You’ll be great, babe.”

  I ducked my head to hide my smile and blushing cheeks. “Thanks.”

  He pushed away from the counter and pressed his chest against my back, wrapping me in his arms. “I love that you get all shy when I give you a compliment,” he said into my hair. “But don’t hide that smile from me, Lis. I live for it.”

  My chest swelled and I had trouble breathing. Sniffing away the sting in my nose, I said, “You’re going to make me cry and then we’ll never eat breakfast.”

  “We can just have cookies.”

  I shook my head. “All those muscles of yours need protein. I can’t have you getting weak on me.”

  “Good point.” He kissed the back of my head and stepped away. “I’ll just have a couple of these anyway”—he nabbed a cookie—“before they end up as weapons.”

  I stuck out my tongue as he laughed. God, that sound.

  Best morning ever.

  “So what are we doing today?” I asked as we parked outside the barn an hour later.

  “I thought we could take a drive through the calving pasture. You can see all of the cute little calves, then we can do whatever you want.”

  I stared at his firm butt as we walked to the door. “I’ve got a few ideas.” All of them involved a bed and a lack of clothing.

  “Pax?” Silas called when we pushed inside. Paxon answered from the living room and we walked in to find him zipping up his large duffel.

  “What are you doing?” Silas asked.

  “Well, princess, time has come for me to find a new home.”

  “Listen, man, if this is about last night, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten physical.”

  Paxon grinned and winked at me. “That’s too bad for you, Felicity. I thought for sure he’d get physical after I left.”

  “Oh my god, you’re a child.” I tried not to laugh but failed.

  Paxon chuckled and clapped Silas on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I would have done the same thing if I’d been in your boots.”

  “Thanks.” Silas sighed with relief. “Then why are you leaving?”

  “This is your place. You should be able to bring your woman over and not have a third wheel. I’m just going to crash at the motel for a while until I find a permanent place in town.”

  “You’re staying in Prescott?” I asked hopefully. “No more California?”

  He smiled. “Montana has grown on me. Figured I’d help out the dipshit here until something better comes along.”

  “I’d love your help but I’m paying you from now on,” Silas insisted. Pax opened his mouth, but before he could protest, Silas talked over him. “Hear me out. Gus is coming off payroll. Last week he decided to take disability, retire and get back surgery. That leaves us shorthanded as we head into the busiest time of year. Dad and I already discussed it, and if you’re interested, the job is yours.”

  “I don’t know shit about ranching,” Paxon said. “You should hire someone with experience.”

  “You know plenty. Dad and I will show you the rest. What you lack in experience you make up for in hard work and trust. That’s huge. Please? Take the job.”

  I was on the tips of my toes, waiting for his answer. This place could be so good for Paxon. There was peace here with the outdoors and the animals, and maybe if he let it, some would settle into his heart and chase the demons away.

  “All right,” Paxon finally agreed and shook Silas’s hand.

  “Yay!” I cheered. “How great is this?”

  “Are you going to find me a house?” Paxon asked.

  I gave him a mock salute. “I’m on it.”

  The three of us visited for a while until Silas and I went to check the cattle and Paxon headed to the motel. When we got back, Silas helped me out of my coat, then bent to give me a light kiss. “Want to watch a movie and chill?”

  “Nope.” I grinned and started padding down the hallway and up the stairs. Silas’s hand gripped the back pocket of my jeans as he followed.

  I’d never been in Silas’s bedroom loft before, but by the end of the day, I was well acquainted.

  Especially with his bed.

  “Thank you, Felicity.” My client was shaking my hand with such abandon, my entire arm was moving up and down.

  “That’s enough, dear.” Her husband gently pried both of her hands away from mine. “Thanks, Felicity.”

  I smiled. “It was my pleasure.” We were at Maple’s, wrapping up an afternoon spent shopping for homes. I was helping this young couple find their first house before their baby was born in the summer. “I’ll draft your offer agreement right now and send it over so you can sign it. With any luck, we’ll hear back from the sellers this evening or tomorrow.” I waved good-bye as they left the coffee shop and sat back at my table, getting to work on their offer.

  I couldn’t have picked a better pair of clients to be my first. They were such a cute couple, with a little boy and a baby
girl on the way. Seeing her pregnant belly, plus being around Gigi’s, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of longing.

  Being this close to Rowen and Ben had really amped up my biological clock. I swear I could hear it ticking louder each morning as I swallowed my birth-control pill. Would I get the chance to have my own kids? Did Silas even want children? We hadn’t had the kid conversation yet, and as much as I’d like to know the answers to my questions, I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.

  I was enjoying the beginning of our relationship. We couldn’t keep our hands off of one another, any spare moment was spent together, and we laughed just about as much as we kissed. The serious family discussions could wait. Right now, I was happy we were together.

  Finally.

  After all these years.

  “Felicity?” Khloe Olson stood at my table, on the other side of my laptop.

  “Khloe, hi!” She looked so much better than the last time I’d seen her. Her cast was gone and this was the first time in months that her face wasn’t bruised and battered.

  “Can I sit?” she asked.

  “Of course!” I rushed to slide my computer and papers off the table.

  “You look nice,” she said. “Though you always do.”

  “Thank you.” I smoothed out my navy pencil skirt and gray blouse. “I had a couple of house showings today and I wanted to dress up.”

  “House showings?”

  “I got my realtor license a couple of weeks ago and went into a partnership with Rob Jordan. It’s all very new but so far I am really enjoying it.”

  She smiled. “I bet you’ll be great.”

  I smiled back. “How are you?”

  “I’m good. Really good, actually. I’m glad I ran into you today. I’ve been meaning to call and say thanks.”

  “Thanks for what?”

  She took a long breath. “For coming over on New Year’s. You really helped me that day.”

  “I did?” I’d only been there for five minutes.

  She leaned forward and whispered, “I left Derrick that afternoon.”

  “Oh.” I tried to sound shocked instead of elated.