by Cara North
One Hot Momma
Cara North
TEASE PUBLISHING
www.teasepublishingllc.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
One Hot Momma
A Tease Publishing E book
Copyright© 2009 Cara North ISBN: 978-1-934678-74-9 Cover Artist: Stella Price
Interior text design: Stacee Sierra Editor: Heather Spence
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
Tease Publishing LLC
www.teasepublishingllc.com
PO BOX 234
Swansboro, North Carolina 28584-0234
Tease and the T logo is © Tease Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.
Thank You
First and foremost let me thank the readers who have e-mailed me about this book. I really hope I do not let you down. This includes my friend Paula Kight who has reminded me consistently to finish this book.
I would like to send a special thank you to my editors; Heather and Gail, and to Amanda Turnbow for giving me an advanced reader perspective.
For the readers and fans of the series, I promise not to make you wait so long for Lucky’s story.
Cara
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
About Cara North
Other Titles by Cara North
Chapter 1
Layla sighed as she opened the door. Rafe was on her couch, the two kids on either side of him, their heads propped up on pillows resting against each of his thighs. His long arms stretched across the back of the couch, and his head lay back. All three of them were sleeping. The soft glow of the television provided the light. She turned and locked the door. Shaking her head, she turned back into the living room and then almost jumped right out of her skin.
“Rafe,” she quietly scolded. He was wide awake and looking at her.
“What?” he asked and gave her an innocent look.
After tugging off the raincoat, she hung it on a nail by the door. If she didn’t look at him, he couldn’t affect her. Though God knew she loved to look at him. She would love to touch him, to taste him, to wrap her arms around him and have him hold her the same. “I told you, no more movie nights. They can’t get used to you spoiling them.”
“Grab Savannah, will ya?” He lifted Brice into his arms and stood once she had Savannah in hers. “She’s older but he’s heavier.”
“Rafe.” She wasn’t sure if she said his name as a warning or if she called it out because she liked to say it. “This isn’t working.”
She followed him down the narrow hallway to the room the two children shared. She hated that he saw her apartment and how poor they were. She worked as much overtime at the shelter as possible. Truth be told she couldn’t afford not to work overtime. Montana was far away from Georgia, but the cost of living was an adjustment.
Meeting Rafe was another adjustment altogether. You cannot allow him to penetrate your senses… defenses dammit! Stop thinking in terms of touch.
“She likes the bear,” he told her as he tucked Brice into his bed. Then he walked over and tucked Savannah into hers. “She also likes the blankets tucked in all down her sides.”
It irked her that he knew more about the children than she did. With annoyance clear on her face she said, “Thanks.”
She followed him out and into the hall. He shut the door to the children’s room, something he never did before. “Is that something they like now, too?”
“No.” He turned. Suddenly she was aware of how small the hallway was. He didn’t back up or give her any space. The scent of warm male spices filled her nose and almost stole her breath away. “You said this isn’t working. I agree. I’ve been trying to talk to you for the last three months, but you keep brushing me off.”
“Are you quitting?” Her heart almost exploded. Rafe was such an important part of the children’s lives now. If she allowed herself an instant of honesty, he had become important to her, too.
“Far from it.” He stepped forward and caged her in by placing his hands on either side of her head and against the wall.
“Rafe, you’re making me a little uncomfortable here. We have an arrangement.” Her voice whispered what she should have shouted at him.
“I’m making a new arrangement.” He nuzzled her nose with his.
It was as if he poured gasoline on her and threw a match. Her body flushed with pure heat. Sparks shimmied up and down her spine. All of it just from a nose to nose touch. His lips moved closer, and the soft flesh slid back and forth over hers. The fingers on her hands grew a mind of their own and walked their way to his waist. As soon as she gripped the material of his T-shirt, he kissed her.
Gentle but deep, his tongue stroked over her lips and then swept into her mouth. He tasted like cinnamon, hot and sweet. Her mouth surrendered. Her tongue found his as her arms found their way around his back. She didn’t know she had it in her anymore, but she pulled him closer when she should have been pushing him away.
Rafe stepped forward, his large muscular thigh pressed between her trembling legs. His erection was prominent in the front of his jeans. His entire body was warm and welcoming, all of it pressed against her as tightly as they could fit against the wall.
His lips pulled away, and she instantly missed his kiss. He trailed his fingers along her neck. His lips kissed hers again briefly, then her cheek, then right below her ear causing her to moan. She wanted to be shocked and embarrassed, but from the moment she laid eyes on him, this was all she dreamed about. His lips continued to her throat. His fingers trembled as they slid over her collarbone and then to cup each breast.
“Rafe?” a small voice called from inside the bedroom. “Rafe, I need some water.”
“I’ll be right there, Baby-girl.” His eyes closed, and he pushed away from her. He visibly took a breath and collected his senses. “I’ll be right back.”
She nodded. She couldn’t breathe much less talk. Her body was liquid fire. The wall was the only thing keeping her on her feet. Layla took a few deep breaths of her own as he got Savannah a glass of water. She could hear him telling her not to drink it all or she would need to get up in the middle of the night to pee. Savannah agreed to just take a sip.
“I can’t believe I forgot that,” he said as he re-entered the hall. “Now, where were we?”
The space between them was enough for her to gather her wits. “We can’t do this.”
Fighting every instinct she had, she walked away from him.
“Yeah, the hallway is a little too risky.” He followed her to the living room.
“No. I mean we can’t do this at all.” She began gathering up the remains of their movie marathon mess. “I know you might like me and you really like the kids, but I can’t have sex with you.”
“Is that what you think I want?” He gathered up the rest of the trash and followed her to the kitchen. The entire apartment was small. She was never more aware of how small it was than when he was in it. He took up a great deal of space. Six foot something, two hundred something she was sure, all lean muscle; he had just one dimple in his c
heek, which drove her crazy every time he smiled. He wasn’t smiling now. In fact, he looked a bit perturbed.
“I don’t know what you want. But whatever it is, you can’t have it.” Layla threw the popcorn in the trash and leaned against the worn old counter next to the sink.
“I want you.” He set the cups in the sink beside her.
“You want sex,” she corrected.
“That too,” he admitted.
She wanted to protest more and tell him all the reasons this wouldn’t work and how the children would be the ones hurt in the end, but he didn’t give her a chance. His arms wrapped around her, and his lips claimed hers with masculine demand. Feeling ready to swoon she grabbed his neck and allowed him what he wanted, at least for right now.
“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life,” he whispered.
She could laugh; Rafe Johnson wanted her more than anything in his life, right. He could have any woman who traveled through Montana and all the ones living there if he chose to. Then a thought hit her. Maybe if she slept with him once, he would get over his silly infatuation and move on. Her heart hurt just thinking about the day he would indeed move on. It was better to think about the here and now. Especially since he now had her blouse unbuttoned.
He trailed kisses down her neck and over her chest to her breast. One large hand pulled her closer, lifting her toward him as the other pushed her right breast up and into his mouth.
“Ohhh.” Against her will her hands gripped him harder, pulled him closer. She straddled his thigh and rocked her hips forward. The rough rubbing of her skirt against his jeans made a swishing sound. He growled against her skin, tugged her tender nipple gently with his teeth, then switched to assault the other nub with the same torturous pleasure.
“Shhh,” he cooed. “You’ll wake them.”
Biting her lips to avoid making more moaning sounds, she allowed him to continue his exploration of her body. Rafe was skilled in the art of lovemaking, as evident by his current display of affection. She doubted he would want more after tonight since she knew her lack of sexual prowess would turn him off.
“Where are you going?” She gripped his hair and shoulder as he slid to his knees.
“Right here.” He smiled up at her. His handsome face was flushed, his eyes heavy with arousal. He licked his lips and lifted her skirt tucking the material around her back and securing it with her body against the sink.
“Rafe?” Her heart was thundering in her ears, her lungs breathing quick shallow breaths.
“Shhh,” he said against her thighs. His lips and nose stroked her left thigh then her right. Up and down. Inhaling, licking their way to the juncture between them. She tried to close her legs knowing her panties were now soaked. He held onto her and gently rubbed circles at the back of her knees in a soothing way. His nose stroked the soft cotton of her panties, and then his warm mouth breathed against the cotton, making the hot flesh beneath burn and cry for more. “I always wondered what this would be like. How you would taste.”
His tongue stroked the material, and she could feel it. She wanted to feel it against her flesh. Her embarrassment faded behind the desire. Letting go of his head and shoulder she hooked her fingers into the sides of the skirt and her panties and then pushed them down for him.
She bit her lip again as his fingers moved to meet hers. He stroked her fingers gently as he took over the removal of the clothes. She stepped out of them, and with his guidance spread her legs farther apart. The kitchen counter was short enough for her to lean on for balance without digging into her back.
He lifted one hand and spread her tender flesh. Her fingers twined in his chocolate brown hair again. His mouth opened for a more intimate kiss, and Layla fought hard not to cry out. He was an expert. He took his time licking and exploring, pushing his tongue inside her, testing the pressure on her clit until he knew exactly when and where to touch her. How fast, how hard, and what rhythm she needed. It took her years to master it with her hands, and Rafe figured it out in a matter of moments.
“God, you taste good. Hot and sweet, just like I imagined.” He growled then pressed his middle finger deep inside her.
A low moan escaped her efforts to be quiet.
Rafe held her open with one hand, finger fucked her with the other, and sucked her clit until her legs trembled and her body wound tight for the release. One of her hands covered her mouth and the other pulled his head closer against her. Never in her life could she remember being so free with a man, or herself for that matter. Nevertheless, in those moments, nothing mattered; no thoughts entered her brain except finding the release her body craved.
Her orgasm pulled hard in her womb and flexed its release around his fingers. He sucked hard at the perfect time, and the pulse intensified to a crescendo that left her speechless. She could scream but nothing would come out. Her body trembled in the aftermath.
Rafe slowly nursed each pulse until she was limp and panting.
He stood quickly, unfastened his jeans, grabbed his wallet from his back pocket, and removed a silver square. He ripped the package with his teeth as the wallet fell to the floor. She watched in wideeyed wonder as he sheathed an impressively large erection.
“This won’t take long.” He half laughed. “You’ll have to trust me when I say, I’ll be better next time.”
He kissed her before she could tell him there wouldn’t be a next time. However, she was already softening to the idea. He gripped her legs as she balanced on the countertop the best she could with shaking arms. He wrapped her legs around his hips then placed one hand on her ass and the other under her ass on his cock to position it.
Once he found his mark, he pressed into her. Slow, steady, and deep.
Rafe was in heaven. Right where he had longed to be for what seemed an eternity. It took more strength than he could muster to hold back for long. Layla made the most amazing faces as he pushed inside her. She was tight, wet, and already clutching his shaft from the inside on the verge of another orgasm. It was never this easy with other women, and he had been with his share. Of course, if she was anywhere near as desperate as he was tonight, coming was the easy part, holding it back long enough to make it count was the challenge. “Dammit. I can’t hold back.”
She bit his shoulder as he pushed in once, twice, then balanced them both against the counter as he let go. Pulses of pleasure throbbed throughout his cock; bursts of light crackled before his closed eyes. Layla’s teeth bit into his shoulder, and her pussy pulsed around his dick. If he were to die tonight, this was the way he wanted to go.
“Rafe,” Layla whispered. “My back.”
“Oh.” He almost dropped her but recovered in time. Clearing his throat and acting as if he still had strength left in his body, he balanced them both. “Sorry about that.”
He looked at her and she looked at him. He knew he was smiling ear to ear; her face blushed and she looked at the floor.
“Why are you looking away from me?” He tipped her face toward him.
“I bit you.” She looked at his shoulder; he looked and then looked again. “Is that… oh no.”
“It’s just a little… scratch; with a tiny bit of blood… it doesn’t matter.” However, it was beginning to hurt in the calm after the storm. “Marry me.”
The words slipped out. He had planned to woo her and take it one giant step at a time, but now he jumped three squares and stepped right in it. She crinkled her face and then laughed.
“For a moment there, I thought you were serious.” Layla giggled as she pulled her skirt and panties back on.
Feeling exposed he took care of the condom and re-fastened his pants. She was still giggling. Layla wasn’t a giggler. Something was wrong. “What if I am serious?”
“But you’re not.” She turned on the faucet and began splashing her face with the water.
He turned her. Water streamed down her face, smudging her mascara and wetting the hair that framed her face. She looked crazy. Almost as crazy as he felt.
“What if I am?”
She blinked, a lot, and then shook her head no. “I… you… no, no, no.”
“Layla,” he started.
“Leave.” She pointed. “Go, go now!”
“You can’t be serious.” He could feel anger replacing the bliss.
“Rafe, you gotta go. You have to go now.” She bent down, picked up his wallet, and handed it to him. She then marched to the door while fastening the rest of her shirt buttons. “I… no, no, no. You gotta go.”
“You’re freaking out, aren’t you?” She was acting like she did the day he suggested signing the kids up for scouts. She got all wide eyed and paced for hours then decided no, they could not.
“I’m not freaking out. You… you’re getting out. Go!” she snapped.
He let out a breath of exhaustion. Certainly, he had imagined he would at least be there in the morning after their first sexual encounter. Now, he was heading back to the ranch. “Call me in the morning.”
She went to say something smart; he was sure of it, so he leaned in and kissed her. The water on her lips tasted like tears. He tried to get a better look, but the moonlight shining in the door didn’t provide much for revealing the woman’s secrets. He shook his head and left.
Chapter 2
Layla leaned against the door and cried. The mix of emotions overwhelmed her. She slid against the door and sat on the cold floor sobbing. Rafe asked her to marry him. It was more than she deserved, more than she could handle. A man like Rafe would not let her keep secrets. He would want to know everything, and she couldn’t tell him. For their sake, the babies, she had to keep to the course. She knew in the beginning it meant she would sacrifice everything. She would never be able to have a relationship with anyone.
She wiped her tears, stiffened her shoulders, and pushed up and off the floor. She went to the kitchen, grabbed the telephone, and dialed the operator. When the electronic voice asked what city and state, she hung up. She couldn’t call her mother. Her parents had been through enough already. She didn’t want to call when she couldn’t hide the truth about things. Her mom would know in an instant she had been crying. Layla didn’t want to tell her everything; she just wanted reassurance that she was still doing the right thing.
