A Cowboy in Paradise

by Shana Gray

  She nodded frantically. “I think so, yes. I’ve never been tied up before.”

  “It’s just your hands, and it’s loose—so if you want to pull them free, you can.”

  “I—I won’t,” she whispered, and shook her head. She gasped when he pulled her hands up and tied them to the headboard. Jimi had never felt so helpless yet so wonderfully empowered. She gave up her control to him because being bound by him, lying under him with him in charge, was so terribly exciting, and it felt glorious.

  When he dropped his gaze, she followed and saw what he was doing. Holding his cock in his hand, he slowly sheathed himself, rolling the condom down. Seeing his hands on his cock ramped up her arousal. Jimi was so ready for him. When he looked at her, she held her breath.

  “Did you like that? Watching me?”

  She nodded, unable to form coherent words.

  “Good.”

  His weight pressed down on the bed as he settled between her thighs. His cock, hard and impatient, jutted toward her. Just as impatient as she was to feel him in her. He leaned over her, running his tongue from her belly button along her hypersensitive skin to suck on each hardened nipple. She pulled on the scarf, desperately needing to touch him. But she didn’t want to be untied, so she lay still.

  “That’s it. Close your eyes...feel. Clear your mind and let your body speak to you as it does to me.”

  She looked at him as he spoke, next to her breast, before flicking his tongue over her nipple. Jimi moaned and closed her eyes, focusing on his touch. When she felt his cock at her opening, she drew in a breath and waited, lifting her hips. He pressed into her, and she sighed, a long, low sigh of ecstasy. Deep, slow and delicious. She raised her hips to him some more, meeting him, and their cadence began. His hand slid across her belly and down to her clit, where he swirled his finger in time with his thrusts.

  “O-oh, Dallas. Don’t...stop. So good.”

  He groaned and gritted his teeth. His sex sounds were so exciting to her, and she felt her orgasm build. Holding her breath, she tightened her legs around him, grinding against him so his hand was wonderfully trapped between them.

  Then it was on her. She sucked in a deep breath, suspended for that achingly sweet moment before her climax crashed through her body. Dallas loosened her hands and she wrapped her arms around him. As he did her, his face buried into her neck as he rolled them over until she was on top.

  Jimi arched her back and rocked her hips on him. His hands grasped her breasts, plucking at her nipples. She was going to come again! She felt him swell and fill her, exciting her already tingling nerve endings to new life. Another orgasm swept through her and she couldn’t stay upright, falling over him. He bucked his hips and pulled her down on him, holding her in place as he groaned, coming in great pulsing throbs deep inside her.

  Multiple!

  This man was a miracle and she hugged him as if never to let him go. Slowly they quieted. She rested on him, not moving for what seemed an eternity, before rolling to the side. He stretched out on his back.

  Jimi moved onto her side, propped up her head on one hand and placed the other on his belly. It quivered beneath her touch and she smiled at how the tables had turned now. His control over, hers just beginning. He turned his head and looked at her. The smile on his face was that of a contented man.

  “Happy?” she asked him.

  “Never more so,” he answered.

  Jimi dropped her head to the pillow and they stared at each other in comfortable silence for a few minutes as they both caught their breath.

  A few moments later, Jimi stood and grabbed a pareo on the chair, tying it around her. She walked to the window, feeling his gaze on her the whole time. She pushed the windows aside, and the warm, sweet sea air blew in. A sense of well-being filled her. It was a completely foreign emotion, one that she’d never imagined she’d feel. And all because of the man who had just made love to her.

  “Sunset is coming.” Jimi watched the sky streak in an array of colors she’d only ever seen in Hawaii. But tonight they seemed so much more vivid.

  “We have a thing for sunsets.”

  She turned to him. “I want to show you something.”

  “Do I have to get dressed?”

  Jimi laughed and stooped to pick up his shorts on the floor, then tossed them to him.

  “I think it might be a good idea. Now, hurry. There’s not much time.”

  Dallas bounded from the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. He was back moments later with his shorts on.

  Jimi grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

  She led him onto the deck and down the stairs into the soft sand by the sea.

  “Where are we going?”

  She pointed up the beach. “There.”

  They walked through the calm surf as it lapped lazily at their toes and the white sand. Hand in hand. She glanced at him and then back at the setting sun.

  “What is this place?” he asked as he helped her up the black lava steps.

  “Isn’t it lovely? Stand here.” She pulled him next to the tree and the outcrop of black lava rock that jutted over the blue water below them. “This is the Wedding Tree. Where Diana and Matt got married. Where I sat looking for you.”

  He glanced at the trees arching over them, then out over the water before settling his gaze on her. “You did?”

  Jimi nodded. “I did. I was so let down when you didn’t come.”

  “But you know the reason why now?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Do you forgive me for not coming, or rather, for being late and not recognizing you?”

  “Of course I do. I just wished we hadn’t missed each other.”

  He smiled and she returned it, love blooming in her chest.

  “You’ve just said a whole lot of ‘I dos.’”

  She nodded. “Yes, I have, haven’t I?”

  “So how do you think we will make this work?”

  “I’m sure we’ll think of something.” Jimi was breathless with anticipation. What was going to come next? She wasn’t silly enough to think this was a proposal, but there was some thought to the future. Right?

  “I think I have an idea.”

  “And that is...?”

  “You need to set up shop here, in Hawaii.”

  She fell silent. She turned and gazed up at him. He looked concerned. Her hesitation had alarmed him and Jimi’s heart softened for him. “Dallas, I’ve thought of that. I’m not sure how it would work, though. I’m finally getting established.”

  “I understand.”

  “But that doesn’t mean I won’t consider it. In fact, it had crossed my mind when you took me to the ladies’ shop the other day. So maybe we can start looking at how we could try and make that happen.” Her heart burst wide open for him and the joy on his face.

  Dallas folded her in his strong embrace, and Jimi melted into him. She tipped her head back, waiting for a kiss. He didn’t disappoint, and their lips touched just as the sun kissed the horizon. Their kiss deepened, holding promises as the sinking sun painted the sky. Maybe dreams did come true in blue Hawaii.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from SIZZLING SUMMER NIGHTS by Debbi Rawlins.

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  Sizzling Summer Nights

  by Debbi Rawlins

  1

  “I’VE STAYED OUT of trouble for six years,” Hannah Hastings said, shaking her head, resigned and not nearly tipsy enough. “And now you’re going to make me do this, aren’t you?”

  “Of course I am.” Rachel grinned at her. “Get up there before someone beats you to the mic.”

  “Gee, that would be a shame.” Sighing, Hannah pushed back in the old oak chair. “No pictures.”

  “Yeah, right. Okay.”

  “I mean it. Put your damn phone away. We’re not stupid college kids anymore.”

  “No?” Rachel burst out laughing.

  “I haven’t taken a vacation in four years,” Hannah muttered. “And I decide to come all the way to Montana to see you. I’m such an idiot.” She drained the last of her watered-down margarita, then got to her feet, glaring at the small makeshift stage next to the jukebox. “What’s wrong with you people? Who does karaoke night anymore?”

  She glanced around at the good-sized crowd crammed into the rustic bar. The Watering Hole was supposed to be a nice, quiet place where they could talk, catch up with what had been happening to each other since their college days. Ha.

  Tears from laughing filled Rachel’s eyes. Sitting next to her, Jamie, her sister-in-law, only had a vague idea of what was going on but it seemed that laughter really was contagious.

  God help her. Hannah figured she might as well get it over with. She just wished this wasn’t her first night in Blackfoot Falls. She’d only be here a week. Not nearly long enough for these nice people to forgive and forget.

  Now, the tall, dark-haired cowboy sitting at the bar? He was the one she really cared about. Since walking in five minutes ago he’d kept his head down and nursed his beer. Bad break-up was Hannah’s guess. Poor guy showed all the signs of love gone wrong. Something she might’ve been willing to help him forget for a while. But what were the odds he wouldn’t turn around to see who couldn’t carry a tune with both hands and a two-ton pickup truck?

  Oh, and who had the nerve to get up in front of a roomful of strangers and completely humiliate herself. Sure, he’d be all over her. She wouldn’t be able to fight him off.

  Five stupid minutes. Rachel couldn’t have called in her marker before then?

  Hannah sat down again. “Is there an expiration date on that coupon? I bet there is.”

  Rachel grinned. “Nope.”

  “Let me see it.” Hannah stuck her hand out, wiggling her fingers. “Not that I don’t trust you.”

  “I’m not giving you this piece of paper. You’ll probably swallow it.”

  Hannah sighed. “Jamie, would you mind checking? And make sure it isn’t Rachel’s handwriting.”

  “Wow, she really doesn’t trust you,” Jamie said, grinning, as she leaned over for a look. “Sorry. I think it’s legit. Says it was for her twenty-second birthday?”

  “Okay, who holds on to something like that for six years? That’s just sick.” Most of the women in their sorority had been too broke to afford gifts, so they’d gotten creative with coupons. Everyone had cashed them in right away. No one would’ve thought to include an expiration date.

  “Better get up there before I feel inclined to make an announcement,” Rachel said sweetly.

  Hannah hesitated. She had an idea that just might work. “Rachel…listen, you know I’m always up for a challenge, but there’s a guy in here that I—”

  “Who?” Rachel sat up straighter. “Where?”

  With a pitying look, Jamie shook her head at Hannah. “Are you nuts?”

  “She’s still that bad, huh?”

  Jamie nodded and signaled for their waitress.

  Apparently marriage hadn’t tempered Rachel’s annoying hobby of trying to fix up her single friends. If Hannah had stopped to think about it, she probably would’ve realized that the gold band on Rachel’s finger could never curb her enthusiasm, but only make it worse.

  Lord, it was hard to believe Rachel was married. Doing her dad a favor had prevented Hannah from attending the wedding. She hated that she’d missed it. And for what? She was no closer to pleasing the old man than on the day she’d been born the wrong gender. It was a lost cause.

  Ignoring them, Rachel surveyed the bar like a hawk circling its next meal. “Just tell me who he is and I might let you off the hook.”

  “I’ll take my chances.” Hannah purposely didn’t look in his direction.

  With that damn uncanny ability of hers, Rachel whipped her gaze around and hit a bull’s-eye. “Seth Landers?” she asked. “Because you’d like him. Nice guy. Has some issues. Nothing horrible. Just enough to make him interesting.”

  “I don’t know who you’re talking about. And just so we’re clear, I’m not doing a whole song.” Hannah took a couple of steps, and stopped. “Jamie, please tell the waitress to make my margarita full octane this time.”

  “You got it,” Jamie said, and laughed when Hannah made it another foot and stopped again.

  “It’s going to get bad, so if you want to step outside for a few minutes, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

  “And miss everyone’s reaction?” Rachel said. “Not a chance.”

  “I think I’m already missing something.” Jamie’s puzzled frown was aimed at Rachel. “You look positively evil right now.”

  “Don’t worry about Hannah. She’s fearless. Just wait.”

  Hannah tried not to look in Seth’s direction. Luckily, his mug of beer seemed to be the only thing that interested him.

  A perky little blonde finished her rendition of Need You Now, curtsied to the hooting and applause and left the small stage.

  Hannah decided she needed this to be over with and hurried to pick up the mic. The song she selected was an oldie. She’d given up karaoke nights right after college and didn’t know which tunes were the current faves. Although, in her case, it really didn’t matter.

  She rubbed a sweaty palm down the front of her jeans.

  Maybe she should just admit to Rachel that she wasn’t the same daring person she’d been in school. What good was pride if she ended up dying from embarrassment?

  On the other hand, maybe this was just what she needed to loosen up. What the hell, she didn’t know anyone here. Except Rachel. And now Jamie. Ah, and Nikki, sister-in-law number two, who happened to be the bartender at the moment. She was talking to Seth. Sure would be swell if she kept him distracted until Hannah finished making a fool of herself.

  The music started. Hannah knew all the words to the song but she k
ept her eyes on the small monitor and started singing her heart out. It felt pretty good, just like the old days. Before she’d discovered that getting through college was the easiest part of life.

  The guys playing pool in the back room left their game to stare at her. Even the waitress, carrying a full tray of drinks, had stopped between tables. People sitting with their backs to her twisted around in their seats, probably afraid it was a disaster drill. Hannah used to get that one a lot.

  She refused to look at Rachel, though, or the cowboy. Heaven forbid, she might get nervous and start singing on key.

  After the longest three minutes of her life, and likely everyone else’s in the bar, Hannah set down the mic. A brief crackle of static pierced the shocked silence.

  Oh, what the hell.

  She took a bow.

  Laughter and applause broke out. She even heard some boot stompin’, courtesy of two pool players. God bless cowboys. She’d never cared for them before but might have to rethink her position.

  Head held high, she walked back to the table and sat down, facing Rachel. “Happy?”

  “You have no idea.” Her cheeks were almost the color of her auburn hair.

  Hannah risked a peek at Seth. Huh. Had he turned around at all?

  “Lady, you’ve got guts.” Jamie slid the fresh margarita across the table. “This is on me.”

  “Thanks.” Hannah took a quick sip, realizing she should’ve asked for water, too. “Can you believe she made me do that?”

  “Oh, please.” Rachel dabbed at her eyes. “Like you haven’t dragged me over the coals plenty of times.”

  “Me? I would never!” The three of them laughed, then Hannah glanced over her shoulder at the pool tables. “Is there only one waitress?”

  “I don’t know,” Rachel said. “What do you need?”

  “Just some water.” Hannah rose, feeling a bit wobbly. Not from booze. She hadn’t drunk much. “Either of you want anything?”

  Rachel’s cell beeped. “I’m good,” she said, her gaze on the phone.