The Taming of Delaney Fortune (The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country)

by Michelle Major

  Instead she was the one who was surprised. And mortified.

  Her ankle slowed her down, and just as she got to the edge of the sofa, Cisco’s hand wrapped around her upper arm. “Wait, Delaney, please. You don’t understand.”

  “I think I do,” she said, and tried to wrench free, but he held her fast. “It was a stupid idea and I’m just a dumb girl from a tiny Texas town. Nothing like the kind of woman you’d want—”

  He spun her to face him. “You’re exactly the kind of woman I’d want. The only woman I want.”

  * * *

  Delaney seemed to relax at his words, so Cisco loosened his grip on her arm. He’d used more self-restraint in the past five minutes than he’d needed in his life to date.

  “You mean that?” Delaney’s big blue eyes still held a trace of doubt as she looked up at him.

  “Of course I do.” He lowered his head and kissed her bare shoulder. Her skin was impossibly soft and she smelled both sweet and sexy. Another wave of desire flooded through him, almost robbing him of speech once again. “You bring me to my knees. But I want to be worthy of you, Delaney. You deserve so much that—”

  She wound her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth to his. “I want you, Cisco,” she said against his lips. He forgot everything else as she tentatively stroked her tongue inside his mouth. Every part of her wound through his senses. His hands moved along the soft silk of her nightgown but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to feel her skin against his.

  The passion in their kiss exploded and it was all he could do to keep control of his need. He had so much to tell her, but right now there were no more words.

  He scooped her into his arms, careful of her wrapped ankle as he moved through the house to his bedroom. Flipping back the comforter, he laid her gently onto the bed, his heart constricting as he gazed down at her.

  “This is what you want?” he asked, wanting the decision to be hers.

  “More than anything,” she answered, and reached for him.

  He stood at the edge of the bed, loosening his tie as he did. Delaney helped him with the buttons of his shirt and he shucked it off, kicking off his boots at the same time. When he caught her gaze, hesitation flashed in her eyes. “What is it?” He lowered himself next to her. “If you’re having second thoughts...”

  “This is the first time I’ve seen you without a shirt,” she answered. “Your body is... You’re perfect. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

  “I’m honored and so lucky to have you here with me.” Slowly he traced one finger up her arm and hooked it under the strap of her nightgown. He tugged it off her shoulder, exposing the soft swell of her breast. “Nothing about you could disappoint me, Delaney. Tell me what you want. I want this night to be perfect for you. For us.”

  “I want to touch you,” she whispered.

  He moved closer as she sat up. Her palms were cool on his heated flesh as she ran them along his shoulders, then down his chest. He could see her chest rise and fall in shallow breaths. He practically groaned when her fingers grazed his nipple. Her touch was innocent and seductive at the same time. Cisco had never been so aroused by a woman. He watched her face as her hands moved down his stomach to the waistband of his dress slacks. “You’re still wearing too many clothes.”

  He barked out a chuckle. “Minx,” he whispered, but stood again. He undid his pants and pushed them to the ground. Even through his boxers, he knew there’d be no hiding how much he wanted her. The fact that her tongue darted out to unconsciously lick her bottom lip forced all the breath to hiss out of his lungs.

  All he could think was that he had this moment to treasure her, to show her all the ways she meant so much to him. “I’m going to worship every inch of you.”

  As he bent over the bed once more, her eyes clouded. “I’m still not sure I can measure up to what you’re used to. I don’t want you to compare me—”

  He placed a finger over her lips. “There is no comparison to you, Delaney.” He wasn’t sure where her worry came from when she was so confident in her life and who she was. How could she not realize she was perfect to him? Had some other man in her past caused her to doubt herself? The flickering thought made him want to hunt down the idiot. But right now his only priority was helping her to understand that every part of this night would be special to him. “Making love is like dancing—you need the right partner to make it good.”

  She studied him for a moment, and then her lips curved into a sexy smile. “We were pretty good dancing together.”

  “The best,” he confirmed.

  It was as if a switch had been thrown inside her. Her eyes lit with desire again and she laced her fingers behind his neck, drawing him to her. His mouth slanted over hers and the kiss turned immediately intense, hot and something more. She moved underneath him and he trailed kisses along her jaw in response, balancing with his hands on either side of her body as he moved his attentions down her neck and then lower, peeling the delicate nightgown off her as he went. He licked one breast, circling the sensitive peak, and was rewarded with a soft moan of pleasure from her. He divided his attention between the two, his touch both gentle and demanding.

  She breathed his name, and it was the most beautiful sound in the world.

  He moved lower, pulling the silk all the way off her body, nearly losing his control when he realized she wore nothing underneath. The fabric of her nightgown caught on the bandage that wrapped her ankle, reminding him what she’d been through today. What he’d been unable to control and how much the thought of Delaney in jeopardy had terrified him. He ran his hands down her leg, then lifted the injured foot and gently kissed the arch.

  “I will never let anything hurt you, cielo.” He ran his tongue along the back of her calf. She wiggled as he got closer to her knee. “A new discovery,” he said with a smile. “You’re ticklish.”

  “And I’m still more naked than you.”

  At that he laughed. “Is it possible to be more naked?”

  “You know what I mean,” she said, then gasped as his teeth grazed the inside of her thigh. “Cisco!”

  “Yes, Delaney?” His voice hummed against her skin and he felt her shiver.

  “Take your boxers off.”

  He nipped at her, then raised himself up, removing his boxers as quickly as he could.

  As he lowered himself over her again, his gaze tracked to her face. He expected her to still be watching him, but instead her eyes were squeezed shut, the tension on her face pulling at his heart. Some guy had done a real number on her. Cisco settled himself next to her, propped on one elbow, his fingers tracing a slow path along her belly. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

  One blue iris squinted at him. “It’s good,” she whispered. “It’s all good.”

  “Are you trying to convince yourself or me?”

  She opened her other eye. “Both.”

  “We are going to be better than good, Delaney. This is going to be perfect. For you. For me. Together.”

  She gave a jerky nod and opened for him as he kissed her. As the kiss deepened, he let his fingers explore lower until he brushed her warm center. She whimpered and he caught the sound in his mouth, levering himself over her as he continued to touch her, the rhythm becoming faster as she finally relaxed enough to let pleasure take control of her body. Her fingernails grazed his back as she pulled him tighter, then broke apart in his arms, crying out his name.

  “I need you so much, Delaney,” he told her as he grabbed a foil packet from the nightstand drawer. “I need to be inside you.”

  “Yes,” she whispered, her eyes still glazed. She lifted her head and kissed him again, nearly pushing him over the edge.

  He’d known her for weeks, wanted her almost immediately and felt as though he’d needed her for his entire life. Understanding that this moment would change what
was between them, he drove into her, needing to be enveloped in her. But only when her eyes flew open, pain flashing in their blue depths, did he truly understand how much things had changed.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Delaney...” Cisco spoke her name on a harsh breath. She felt him begin to pull away but had no intention of allowing her first time to end before it even got started. She wrapped her arms more tightly around him, pressing herself against him.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered, and he moved again, his whole body rigid from his attempt to keep the motion gentle.

  As the initial pain eased, pressure began to build inside her once more. Similar to when he touched her but deeper, as if her whole body were on fire. She raked her fingers through his hair and whispered into his ear, “More, Cisco. Now.” Then she sucked his earlobe into her mouth, grazing his skin with her teeth in a move she’d learned from him minutes before.

  He groaned and increased his speed, hooking his hand around her leg, holding it in a way that made her understand he was trying to protect her injured ankle. The fact that he was still trying to take care of her, keeping his own passion in check for her, only made her more frenzied.

  She moved against him, telling him with her body what she wanted. She felt herself about to fall over the edge and clung to him with every ounce of strength she had. “I love this,” she told him, the words as ragged as her breathing.

  “I love you,” he whispered in response, and that was all it took to drive her the rest of the way. She shattered and every fireworks display she’d ever seen seemed to go off in her mind at the same time. She felt him shudder before going still against her. His breath was warm against her neck and eventually it steadied to the same pace as hers.

  He slipped out of her, tenderly kissing the hollow of her throat. He lifted onto his forearms, then used his fingers to spread her hair across the pillow. She watched him but he seemed completely focused on his gentle ministrations. It was a shock when his gaze slammed into hers. There were so many emotions swirling in his dark eyes. She couldn’t begin to read them all.

  “Surprise,” she whispered.

  “Delaney. Cielo.” He pressed his forehead to hers, then lifted again, studying her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “That I was a virgin?” She rolled her eyes. “It’s not something that lends itself to casual conversation.”

  “How about serious conversation? I’ve told you before that you are precious to me. What you gave me tonight is a gift, sweetheart. If I’d known...”

  “If you’d known, you probably wouldn’t have made love to me, Cisco. Beneath that polished get-the-deal-done exterior, you are a gentleman.”

  He shook his head. “I could have made it better for you.”

  “Since it was perfect, that’s highly unlikely.” She drew him to her for a slow kiss. “But you’re welcome to try. I just hope it was good enough for you...that you aren’t disappointed since—”

  He lifted one hand to cup her face and eased his thumb back and forth across her cheek. “That was the most powerful experience I’ve ever had, Delaney. I’m not exactly a novice, but I didn’t know it could be like that.”

  She released a breath. The fact that he’d been as affected as she was gave her the confidence to continue. “What you said...during... I know sometimes things get blurted out in the heat of passion. It’s okay if you didn’t really mean it. I understand.”

  “I love you.” His gaze never wavered from hers as he spoke the words. “That may have been the first time I said it, but it certainly won’t be the last. I intend to be a part of your life for a long time, Delaney Fortune Jones. You are mine now.”

  She pushed him to his back and leaned over him, letting her long hair cover them both. “That goes both ways, Cisco Mendoza. You are mine right back. There is no one else, no one I want to share this experience or my life with other than you.”

  He kissed her, running his hands up and down her body, and desire flared in her again. Unfortunately, the moment was somewhat ruined by a loud growl from her stomach.

  “Ignore that,” she told him.

  Cisco laughed, easing her head away from his. “Are you kidding? I’ve heard stories about you. From what your family says, you and hunger aren’t a good combination.”

  “True,” she admitted. “But I bet you could keep me happy.”

  “I’m going to make you happy.” He turned her onto her back again but slid out of the bed before she could stop him. “I’m also going to keep you well fed.”

  As if it understood his words, her belly rumbled again. “Probably a smart idea.” She sat up as he turned and pulled on his boxer shorts. The back view of Cisco was just as yummy as the front.

  He glanced over his shoulder. “I can feel you ogling me.”

  “You have to admit I’m one smart cowgirl. When I decided you would be my first, it helped to know you were easy on the eyes.”

  With a laugh, Cisco clutched at his chest. “Should I feel taken advantage of?”

  Delaney waited until his eyes met hers to speak. “I would never use you, Cisco. That isn’t how love looks where I come from.”

  For an instant a shadow crossed his face. Then he leaned down and took her mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. “Right now I want you to stay put. Let me take care of you.”

  “How can I argue with a request like that?”

  When he disappeared into the bathroom, Delaney let her eyes drift shut. Her body was a little sore, but she mostly felt happy and satisfied. The way Cisco looked at her when he told her he loved her made her feel certain she wasn’t just another notch on his belt. They had something real, and Delaney couldn’t wait to start building their life together.

  She could hear water running as Cisco returned to the bedroom. “How do you feel about a hot bath while I heat up dinner?”

  “You ran a bath for me?” Pulling the sheet around her, Delaney scooted to the edge of the bed. “Seriously, Mendoza, you have to stop being so perfect.”

  He’d put on a T-shirt and a pair of athletic shorts over his boxers. “My goal is your total satisfaction,” he said with a wink.

  “I can live with that.” She stood and moved toward the bathroom, stopping to give him a kiss as she passed.

  “Do you need help with your ankle?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve got it.”

  The bathtub was oversized and after unwrapping her ankle, she sank into the warm water, quickly washing before turning off the tap. Steam rose and her tired muscles appreciated the soaking. Normally she could spend a long time relaxing in the bath, but tonight all she wanted was to be near Cisco again. She dried off and rewrapped the bandage, then noticed the robe Cisco had left for her draped over the sink. She inhaled the scent of him as she slipped into the thick cotton, then padded to the kitchen.

  He was at the stove, his back turned to her. She watched him in silence for several minutes, enjoying the easy way he moved. He looked as comfortable in the kitchen as he’d become on the ranch. She could imagine he fit in just as well in a boardroom. He flicked off the burner and turned, grinning as he noticed her.

  “You look good in my robe.”

  “I feel good in it, too.”

  He motioned to a tall seat at the island with his elbow. “Have a seat. I’ve got plans for you later and want to make sure you keep up your strength.”

  She laughed and climbed into the chair. “Wicked plans?”

  “Always.” He set a bowl on the counter in front of her. “It’s a simple pasta recipe.”

  “Carbs,” she said on a contented sigh. “My favorite.”

  Cisco uncorked a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass, then came to sit next to her. “To us,” he said, raising his glass to hers.

  “To our future.” She took a sip of wine, cool and crisp on
her tongue, then picked up her fork. “This smells amazing.” It was a penne pasta with a light sauce of olive oil, mushrooms, garlic and spices. “And tastes even better,” she told him after taking a bite.

  “I aim to please.”

  Which could be the understatement of the century as far as Delaney was concerned. They talked and laughed as they ate. It gave Delaney great comfort that as physically attracted as she was to Cisco, their connection was much deeper than that. He was a friend, someone she wanted to share the details of her day with and hear about his from. It still bothered her that he hadn’t shared everything about his business in Horseback Hollow, but that was bound to change now that they’d taken the next step in their relationship.

  Being with a man wasn’t a decision Delaney had made lightly, but she knew she’d picked the right partner with Cisco for many reasons.

  As they cleared the dishes into the sink, he glanced at the clock on the stove. “It’s getting late. Do you need to call your parents? I wouldn’t want them to worry.”

  She shook her head. “I told my mom I was spending the night at my sister’s and asked Stacey to cover for me.”

  “You shouldn’t have to deceive your parents for me.”

  “It’s not like that. I’m an adult. They respect that...sort of.” She shrugged. “But I live at home and that makes things complicated. I was nervous enough coming over here.” She flashed a smile. “The added stress of worrying about what my parents might think didn’t seem like a great idea.”

  He took the wineglass from her hands, set it on the table and wrapped his fingers around hers. “So you came here for the express purpose of seducing me?”

  “Did the candles and nightgown give it away?”

  He tipped back his head and laughed. “How did I get so lucky?”

  She squeezed his hand. “I have no idea. You’re arrogant, a player, a know-it-all, way too confident...”