"No. Get your butt to Texas!"
The animation in his voice sent chills skittering across her skin. How had three days waiting for his call felt like three months? With each passing hour, more doubt had crept in. But here he was, pushy as always. And she loved every demanding word he spoke.
"Nice invitation, cowboy.” Turning back to the table, she ran her finger over Chase's profile on the magazine cover. She'd begun to convince herself he didn't care. “What about your retakes?"
"I worked the crew overtime and finished. Start packing, woman. I want you here. Now."
She walked across the room and snuggled into a chair by the window, looking at the snow. “Is it warm there?"
"Hell, yeah! And if you're not warm enough,” his voiced dropped low and sexy. “I'll warm you up myself."
Her head dropped back onto the cushion as lust, pure and addictive, pulsed through her as it rushed full-speed to her pussy. She purred, “Promise?"
"Promise,” he growled in return. “Can you get away?"
"Hell, yeah!” Reno jumped on the next plane to San Antonio.
Reno deplaned in San Antonio, and practically ran through the airport, following the baggage claim signs. Riding down the packed escalator, she scanned the crowd standing outside the glass wall separating them from the secured area.
He wasn't there. She looked again, through the sea of cowboy hats and denim, then spotted him by his smile alone. The collar of his jean jacket was turned up, and he wore a pair of aviator sunglasses, but the flash of his grin was unmistakable and so dear to her, she could never see it enough. In one hand, he carried a dozen red roses, and his other hand lifted in a wave that looked more like he was reaching for her.
Delight had her breath catching in her lungs as happy tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill over. She stepped out of the secured area into his arms. The warmth of him pressing against her filled her with tenderness she hadn't experienced with a lover before. Was her heart really beating that fast? Or was it his?
He hugged her tight, the roses batting her on the arm. “Baby, I was lonely without you."
His admission set butterflies flapping in her stomach. “Oh, Ch—"
"No,” he said, then whispered in her ear. “Don't use my name. There are always people watching for me here."
She tamped down the urge to look around for paparazzi, and smiled up at him. “Billy Joe, I sure did miss you, too."
He shook his head and grinned. “I look like a Billy Joe?"
Reno slid her fingers along the nape of his neck, feeling the soft hair hidden under his jacket collar. “You look like heaven to me."
His brow furrowed. “Reno. There's so much I want to tell you.” He took a breath and broke the spell by stepping back. “Here.” Handing her the flowers, he turned them toward the baggage claim. “Let's get your suitcase and go home."
Home. She craved the comfort of being alone with him on his ranch. Staying there...indefinitely? At least until her class started.
With his arm around her shoulders and hers around his lower back, they walked through the crowd, Chase blending in as he never had in LA. After they found her bag, they walked outside. Reno expected to see a limo waiting, but he wheeled her suitcase across the street to the parking ramp, holding her hand and talking about all the preparation he'd asked his housekeeper and cook to handle.
"You like salmon and steak, right? I thought we'd have that tonight. Then tomorrow we can break out the lobster tails."
"Wow. I'm going to need my buffet pants if we're eating all that."
He smiled and lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss. “Don't worry. I remembered your Greek yogurt for breakfast."
She sucked in a deep breath and sighed. Amazing that he remembered all her favorites, and considerate of him to cater to her that way. “Thank you, Chase.” She glanced around. “I mean Billy Joe."
"Very stereotypical of you to pick that name, you know."
She glanced up at his face. His smirk told her he was teasing. “I'm looking forward to your breaking me of my preconceived notions about Texas."
He stopped behind a very large white pickup truck, opened the truck bed cover, and set her suitcase in, re-securing the top. Then he turned to her. “Baby, I'm looking forward to breaking you in like a wild bronco."
A sliver of delight pierced her, low in her belly, arrowing down to her pussy lips. “It's going to be a fast ride, cowboy. You'd better hang on tight."
His nostrils flared and his body tensed. Then he took her wrist and walked to the passenger door, hiding them between vehicles. “Goddamn, I want you, woman.” He pulled her against him then slid his hands down her back to her ass and lifted her, pressing her against the evidence of his need. His hard rod jutted into her mound and she groaned as her body responded with flashes of desire.
"I want you too, Chase. How far is your ranch?” she breathed and pressed her lips to his.
He kissed her, hard and hungry, his tongue relearning her mouth, searching urgently for her response. She kissed him back just as fiercely. Her arms locked around his neck, the kiss so physical, they tapped teeth a couple times.
Chase pulled back. “It's too far to the ranch. Let's get a hotel."
She giggled. “I happen to know that it's only an hour."
He stared at her face as if memorizing it. “That's about fifty-nine minutes too long, but if you can wait...” He drew in a dramatic breath. “I guess I can, too."
As he released her and she slid down his body to stand on her high-heeled boots, she said, “Let's see what this big, new truck can do on the freeway."
Forty-five minutes later, Chase pulled into the first stall of his five-car garage and looked into Reno's huge, round eyes. “What?"
"This is a mansion."
He nodded. “When my first record went platinum, I got a little crazy, I guess.” Scratching his scalp under his hat, he said, “I had it designed based on seven episodes of a TV show about the rich and famous’ homes."
She stared, silent. Was she overwhelmed? He had to get her back on solid ground.
He jumped out of the truck and came around to her side, helping her down from the high seat. She held her purse and black wool sweater, which she'd shucked on the ride here, and her pink t-shirt and jeans molded over her delicious curves. No, he wasn't going to kiss her in the garage when they were two minutes from his bedroom. He grabbed her suitcase and they stepped into the foyer.
"Wow,” she said, looking around the gold-hued marble entry. High ceilings and walls of windows facing the Gulf could easily intimidate a country girl like Reno. But he knew what to do to get her mind off the different lifestyles they led. And it had to do with a king-size bed, her laying naked on it, and him pressing down on top of her. The visual sent an immediate surge of blood to his cock, and he grabbed her hand. “Tour can wait. We can't."
He hauled her suitcase and her through the foyer to the foot of the stairs.
She laughed. “I like the caveman routine."
"Oh, yeah?” He set her suitcase on the floor and turned to her, grinning as he bent his knees and lifted her arm over his head to toss her on his shoulder.
"Chase, no!” she cried, just as his cook and housekeeper entered from the back of the house.
"Uh...Mr. Tanner,” his cook said, removing his white cap. Next to him, the housekeeper's cheeks turned red as she busied herself smoothing the pocket on her apron.
Chase froze and straightened then put his hand on Reno's back, sending her an apology with his expression.
Her face was bright red, but he still saw laughter in her eyes.
"Reno Linden, I'd like you to know Sue Lynn Becker and Sam Weston."
The employees smiled and nodded politely at Reno, but in her unpretentious style, she stepped forward and shook each of their hands, saying, “It's good to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you."
Sue Lynn's hesitant smile spread and took over her face, and Sam looked at Reno like he was surpr
ised that a woman Chase brought home had actual manners.
True, the last woman he'd invited here was as nasty to his workers as she was to him. But Reno wasn't like Jorjia. Not one damn bit. Except for her IQ.
"Mr. Tanner?” the cook asked. “When would you like lunch served?"
Chase grinned at Reno and took her hand. “In about an hour, Sam. Thanks.” The staff disappeared into the back of the house, and he picked up her suitcase and led her up the stairs, his boots making good time on the thick carpet, and Reno's jogging just as fast behind him.
He pulled them into his bedroom, shut the door, and locked it.
Reno was already at the high bed, skimming her fingers over the navy silk comforter. She walked to the patio doors facing the Gulf, then she turned back to the fireplace and the big white leather sectional couch spread out in front of it. She glanced at him. “This is so beautiful.” She gestured to the water. “Everything. The house, the view.” She smiled. “It's like a fairy tale."
Damn, it was good having her here. She fit just fine, like she could make this her home. With him. And maybe a few little ones later.
He strode over to her, pulled off his hat, and tossed it onto the couch. “I wanted you to like it.” Sliding his hands up her arms, he settled them on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"What's that look for?” she asked as she pressed her hands to his chest.
He shook his head and wrapped his arms around her, focusing on what he held right now. “It's good to have you here."
"I'm hungry,” she said, her voice low and sexy. She grabbed fistfuls of his t-shirt and yanked the bottom up out of his jeans.
"Whatever you want, baby,” His mind switched to sex just that easily, and his body juiced up, ready to show her how much he missed her. Shrugging out of his jean jacket, he let her pull his shirt over his head.
Her hands landed on his ribs and she traced them to his abs, where she slid her fingers down his stomach to his low-riding jeans. She looked up at him as she snuck her fingers beneath his waistband, touching the head of his hard shaft.
"I want you inside me, Chase,” she demanded, her face so intense, he couldn't hold out any longer.
With coordinated agility, he pulled off her boots while she undid his belt and jeans. And he tugged her t-shirt over her head while she wiggled out of her jeans. Then his boots were off, her bra was gone, and they stood naked, admiring each other in the sunshine flooding through the windows.
"You're beautiful.” He cupped her breasts and bent to kiss them, then sucked a hard nipple into his mouth. Nothing felt this perfect, or tasted this sweet. And the sounds she made drove him wild.
Picking her up in his arms, he walked to the bed and laid her carefully on the comforter. The dark silk highlighted the creaminess of her perfect skin. He ran his hands along her thighs, and she watched him through heavy lidded eyes, her breath fast and loud.
He should finesse her, love her with his mouth, make her come with his tongue. Twice. But the need to push his hard cock inside her hot slit consumed him, and when she bent her knees and spread her legs for him, the way she knew he loved, it was out of his control.
His bed was tall enough that with a slight adjustment to his stance, he could slip his rod into her pussy so easily. His fingers played in her curls, finding the hard nub of her clit and tapping gently, then the scent of her arousal hit him and there was no more playing around. He slid his hand down her pussy lips, finding them wet and hot for him.
As he slid one finger in, she arched off the bed and cried out, her hands gripping the fabric on each side of her. Then he slipped two fingers in, and her squeak of pleasure registered in his balls, tightening them to the point where he was ready to shoot his load.
As he withdrew his fingers, her hot cream dripped onto the bedspread, and he wanted to spend the rest of the day staining every inch of the damn thing.
"Condom,” she said. “There's a box in my suitcase."
"Sure.” He didn't blame her for being careful, even if she was on the pill. He'd never had sex without a condom, his whole life, but with Reno, as soon as he could convince her to move in, he'd bring up the subject of relying on just the pill.
Goddamn, the idea of sliding his big dick bareback into her tight little cunt...His balls pulsed again, and he had to get his mind back on the condom search before all his blood flew south and left his brain useless.
As he unzipped her bag, she called, “Left pocket."
He found the box and had his rod sheathed in some kind of tickler, for-her-pleasure, extra sensitive, whatever. At least it wasn't purple. But he'd wear anything she asked, as long as he could be inside her.
She lay on the bed watching his every move, her arms above her head, her knees bent and her beautiful cunt open and waiting for him.
Her pouty pussy lips gleaming with moisture, luring him in. He could look at her for hours. Days. Even years, if she'd let him. Standing between her legs again, he kissed her knee, then the inside of her thigh.
"Please,” she whispered as his mouth lingered over the opposite thigh. “Fuck me, Chase."
He smiled, knowing he was the man who taught her that naughty, sexy language, but his face sobered as he lifted her legs straight in the air, pressing them against his chest, the touch of her silky skin ramping up his desire. Then the head of his cock touched her slick lips, and it was all over.
"Say it again.” He nudged her cunt with the head of his cock, the pressure building at the base of his spine nearly overpowered his self-control.
"Fuck me. Fuck me hard.” Her voice broke as she shifted her hips, trying to get more of him inside her.
Then he pushed in, but as much as he wanted to go slow, it didn't happen, and he buried himself to his balls. “So fucking tight. Hot and wet. Goddamn, I can't...” Every nerve buzzed as if he would implode. He reached between them, his thumb immediately finding her clit.
She screamed his name and closed her eyes, her muscles quivering and her canal contracting around his cock. His blood boiled and his hips pumped faster, each thrust deeper until he couldn't contain the pressure, and he shot a jet of cum so powerful and consuming that his mind shut down, and he had to brace himself on the bed, his hands beside her breasts. Each spurt of ejaculate sent a fire racing up his spine into his brain, weakening him,
He rolled to the side pulling her with him, his cock still half inside her jerking with the last traces of his epic climax.
With her eyes closed, she made a grumpy face and threw one leg over his hip and pulled his body closer, sliding his still-erect cock back into her. “I don't ever want to be empty again."
He smiled and kissed her forehead. Could this mean she was thinking about long-term as well? When should he ask her? How? He made his living with words, but this was different. These words weren't meant for millions to hear, they were meant for only one perfect woman, and he had to get it right the first time.
He shook off the tension building in his shoulders. When the time was right, he'd know it, and the right words would flow from the poet side of his brain. For now, he was damn happy just having her in his arms.
After lunch, set at a cute patio table beside the cowboy boot-shaped pool, Reno finally relaxed. Chase had sent Sue Lynn and Sam home, and busied himself playing the perfect host. He refilled her glass with ice and sweet tea, and offered her another cookie, her favorite oatmeal raisin, baked that morning by Sam.
She could see a nervousness in his eyes and hear it in his words. Something was going on with him, but she was too afterglow-happy to delve into it. Making love to Chase had been wild and manic, and both of them had come too fast, but they had lots of time to work on their stamina. When he was ready to talk, he'd unload.
Taking her hand. Chase gave her a tour of his home, and she could barely come up with words to describe the opulence. Rich wood floors covered by thick, contemporary rugs. Lots of leather furniture in colors matching each room's decor.
"It's like I'm in a museu
m,” she whispered in the billiard room as she gently rolled the queue ball across the red felt table.
"It's fancy, but it just needs a woman's touch to make it cozy.” He walked up behind her and pulled her back against him. “Do you think...” His voice cracked.
She turned her head and looked up at him. His eyes held an intensity that was either determination or fear. Or both. “Don't ask me for any decorating advice. I'm useless with pillows and tchotchkes.” She craned her neck to see his face.
"No. I wanted to know what you think of it. If you could see yourself...” He closed his eyes for a second, then stared at the ceiling. Looking for the words?
She turned in his arms and hugged him around the waist. “What is it, Chase?” It seemed serious.
With a look of frustration, he shrugged his eyebrows. “How about a ride?"
"On a horse?” The panic in her voice conveyed only half of what she felt.
"We'll start with a four wheeler, and work our way up."
Chase tucked Reno behind him on a four-wheeler and showed her the ranch, his chest swelling with pride at her excited comments. The next morning, he gave her a riding lesson then they rode horses along the beach. The second, they sailed out into the gulf. In the heat of the day, they made frozen drinks and floated in the pool for hours, talking. But each evening they took long, quiet walks, holding hands and watching the sunset. He even picked wild Bluebonnets and tucked them in her hair. Shit, he was a total fool for her, and he didn't care.
The third afternoon of her visit, Chase walked into the house from the barn and found Reno in the library, sitting in a chair typing on her laptop.
He leaned over behind her and kissed her neck. “Am I interrupting?"
She clicked save, and turned her head, kissing him on the lips. “Nope. Just finished."
"Good.” He resettled his cowboy hat on his head. “Let's go for a ride."
"Okay.” She shut down the computer. “Let me get my purse.” She stood and looked at him, and uncertainty crinkled her forehead. “Um..."
Chase and Seduction Page 9
