He looked over at her. “Conversation getting a little hot for you?”
“Yes.” The scent of virile male combined with the thought of rubbing oil on his bare chest had created a persistent throbbing between her damp thighs.
Grinning, he leaned back in his seat. “Good to know.”
“We can’t get carried away, though.”
“I disagree. I intend to get completely carried away.”
She swallowed a moan. “I meant not until—”
“I know. Just teasing you. But the good news is that Gandalf’s about to doze off.”
She glanced at the cat, whose eyes were at half-mast. “I’ll go in first and get everything together. Then you can take him straight into the bathroom so he has no chance to bolt.”
“Right. Maybe he won’t even wake up.”
“He’ll wake up, probably when I stop the truck. Cats aren’t like little kids. They can look sound asleep when they’re only dozing. But I’m sure he’s exhausted from trying to survive on his own. If I have his new spot all organized and add in a can of tuna, maybe he’ll eat that and go back to sleep instead of crying for you.”
“I talked to him about the crying thing.”
“Oh, did you, now?”
“No, really, I did. He knows what’s on the line. He won’t bother us.”
“Have you been around cats much?”
“Mostly the barn cats when I lived at Thunder Mountain. They were easy, liked everybody.”
“Whereas Gandalf seems partial to you. If he isn’t happy with the separation, he’ll cry.”
Grady shook his head. “Nope, not gonna happen. Gandalf and I have an agreement.”
“What sort of agreement?”
“That’s between us guys.”
Damn, but he was adorable. “We’re about to find out if you’re right. This is my street. Oh, and once you’re closed in the bathroom with him, you should take off your shirt.”
“Hell, why stop there?”
“Slow down, cowboy. The shirt’s to tuck into the basket I’m planning to use for his bed. Your shirt will smell like you and might comfort him so he won’t cry.”
He winced. “I’ll bet it does smell like me, which is not a plus. I apologize for perfuming your cab with my sweaty body. My plasma torch gives off a lot of heat.”
“No problem.” If only he knew.
“In fact, I predict Gandalf will take one whiff of that shirt and refuse to set foot in the bed. Don’t you have a nice cozy blanket, instead?”
“I’ll use a blanket, too, but the shirt on top will make all the difference. Animals don’t have the same hang-ups about body odor as people do. They love it.” And when it comes to you, so do I.
“If you say so, but that brings up another point. The rest of me is pretty ripe, too. I could use a shower before we move on to the next stage.”
Over her dead body. “But that would disturb Gandalf.”
“Do you have another shower I could use?”
“My sister’s bathroom is upstairs, but—”
“Would it be okay if I showered up there? I’ll clean up after myself.”
“We’ll talk about it after we get Gandalf settled, okay?” She didn’t plan to talk at all. She’d grab the tea tree oil and a box of condoms out of her cabinet while she was arranging everything. Grady could wash his scratches in the kitchen sink and if she had her way, he’d forget all about that shower he thought he needed.
She pulled into the driveway of the two-story Victorian. “I think it’ll be less trouble if I don’t park in the garage.”
“Me, too.” He tipped back his hat and peered out the windshield. “Cute house.”
“It works for us. I took the master downstairs and Amethyst has the entire second floor. The landlady let her soundproof one of the bedrooms so she could have a small recording studio.”
“Accommodating landlady.”
“She’s the best, which is one reason we aren’t rushing to move.” She turned off the engine and hoped Gandalf wouldn’t wake up, but those blue eyes popped open immediately. Next thing she knew, he was fastened to Grady’s chest again. “Just stay put for now. I’ll get everything ready and come back for you.”
“We’ll be here.” Grady wrapped the cat in his arms and started talking to him, although he kept his voice so low Sapphire couldn’t discern the words. Maybe he was reminding Gandalf of their agreement.
“Be back as soon as I can.” She climbed slowly out of the cab so she wouldn’t startle the cat even more. “I’ll close my door just in case.”
“He’s not going anywhere.”
She didn’t think so, either, but she shut her door anyway. A carrier would have made transportation easier, but it probably would have freaked out the cat. Despite Grady’s assurances, she wondered if Gandalf would sit on the other side of the bathroom door and yowl once they closed him away from his hero. That would pretty much cancel out having sex.
She had to laugh as she hurried up the porch steps and across to the door. What if it turned out that a cat threw a monkey wrench into her plans? If that happened, she should probably take it as a warning that she was making a mistake. But if Gandalf didn’t interfere, was that the universe blessing the idea of a fun romp with this appealing man?
She quickly arranged everything for Gandalf and was about to go back outside when she remembered the tea tree oil and the condoms. The lamp table beside her four-poster had no drawer. Rather than put the condoms on the table in the open, she shoved them under the bed skirt.
If Gandalf protested being closed in the bathroom, she didn’t want a box of condoms in plain view taunting them with what they weren’t doing. The tea tree oil, though, could go on top of the table. She planned to have a really good time doctoring Grady’s wounds.
The light was fading from the sky as she walked around to the passenger side of her truck. “Okay in there?”
“You bet. Open ’er up.”
She opened the door cautiously because she still had visions of Gandalf making a break for it. If she was right about his history, he’d been deceived by humans before and might decide freedom was his best option. But he stayed firmly attached as Grady eased out of the truck.
“Follow me.” She led the way to the front porch. She and Amethyst had spent many nights in the white wicker rocking chairs drinking wine. It was during one of those nights that Sapphire had promised her sister that she’d never date an artist again.
This wasn’t dating, though. She opened the door and let Grady go in first. Dating implied building something solid. They wouldn’t build a damn thing other than memories of great sex.
“Go down the hall and turn right,” she said. “That’s the master bedroom. The bathroom’s connected to it.”
“This is a first for me. I’ve never walked into a woman’s bedroom carrying a cat.”
“Then we’re both breaking new ground. I’ve never invited a man into my bedroom who was holding a cat.”
“I guess you wouldn’t, considering the allergy problem. I’ll bet your bedroom doesn’t usually smell like tuna, either.”
“No, but Gandalf is very interested in that aroma.”
Grady hoisted the cat a little higher on his shoulder. “I know. I can feel him quivering. Want something yummy, Gandalf?”
The cat meowed.
“Okay, then remember our deal. You get tuna and I get—” He paused to check out the bed. “Four-poster, huh?”
“I decided to buy something that fits the time period of the house.”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“Oh, just thinking.”
She caught an erotic undertone that shifted her pulse into high gear. “About what?”
“Never mind.” He glanced at her. “We can have that discussion a little later. But I do need to ask you about one item we’ll need. Do you have—”
“I do.”
“Good. I was hoping.” He walked into the bathroom with Gandalf. “Go ahea
d and shut the door. I’ve got this.”
After closing the door with as little noise as possible, she sat on the bed and waited while she tried not to think about what was supposed to happen next. It might or it might not, depending on Gandalf. Because of the uncertainty, she shouldn’t count on anything.
She shivered in anticipation anyway. Although the low rumble of Grady’s voice was muffled by the door, Gandalf’s high-pitched meows came through clearly. A conversation was taking place.
She couldn’t help smiling at the idea of this broad-shouldered cowboy communicating earnestly with a homeless cat. She didn’t think Gandalf would stay homeless, though. Through her volunteer work with the shelter, she’d seen enough instances of bonding that she expected Grady would take the cat. Perhaps the family would be found, but none of the lost-cat pictures she’d seen taped to light and telephone poles around town had resembled Gandalf.
Negotiations continued on the other side of the bathroom door. Then the strip of light shining under the door went out. More soft murmurs followed, interspersed with cat noises that were a blend of purrs and meows. Finally, all was quiet.
Moments later the door opened and Grady stepped out, shirtless. She took a moment to absorb the lust-inducing sight of his muscled chest with its light dusting of brown hair. Oh, yeah. She’d made the right decision inviting him here.
He must have left his hat in the bathroom, too, because he was no longer wearing it. His hair looked tousled, as if he’d been running his fingers through it. “Gandalf will be fine. He loves the tuna.” He seemed relaxed, but a second glance revealed that his eyes had darkened to the color of chocolate.
She picked up the small bottle of tea tree oil and stood. “Now we’ll go into the kitchen and wash your puncture wounds.”
He eliminated the distance between them. “What if I feel like kissing you first?”
When she placed a hand on his chest to keep him from doing that, the tactile pleasure of soft hair against her palm distracted her from her purpose. But then she noticed the little red dots tattooed on his warm skin by Gandalf. The wounds should be tended to right away.
Cupping her chin, he tilted her head up to meet his smoldering gaze. “The cat’s settled in. I’ve been waiting to do this all day.”
“Wait! We both know that once you kiss me, it’ll be all over.”
“All over?” He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his rapidly beating heart. “You insult me, lady. Yeah, I was a three-second wonder when I was seventeen, but I’ve learned a few things since then.”
His heat traveled from her palm to her entire body, leaving her quivering and oh so ready to find out what he’d learned. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers. “That’s a relief. I was afraid you’d talked to a couple of my old girlfriends. I didn’t do right by them but I didn’t know it at the time. Now they’re married and have kids. I don’t think it’s appropriate to contact them and say, ‘I’m so sorry that I didn’t last long enough for you to come.’”
“Yeah, that’s a bad idea.” The brush of his lips over her fingers left her short of breath. “I doubt their husbands would appreciate it.”
“For the record, I’ve developed a fair amount of stamina.”
“I’m sure you have.” God, how she wanted him, but she forced herself to be sensible. “Before you prove it to me, let’s go in the kitchen and wash your puncture wounds.”
“Not necessary. I’ll shower in a minute. I just need to kiss you first.”
“Humor me. I want to make sure we clean those scratches.” Tugging on his hand, she pulled him toward the bedroom doorway. “I thought you were looking forward to having me rub your manly chest with tea tree oil.”
“I’ve changed my mind. Now I have different locations where I want you to rub. After I get cleaned up, I’ll point them out.”
But he let her coax him into the vintage kitchen. Reconditioned antique appliances and lace curtains always made Sapphire feel as if she’d stepped back in time. Normally, she walked in here and had the urge to sip tea and do needlepoint.
Not tonight. “Stand right there.” She let go of his hand. “I’ll get soap and a dishcloth.”
“I can see you’re determined about this.”
“I am.”
He glanced around. “This house has character. I like it.”
“Me, too.” She liked it even better with him in it. Dampening a cloth, she squirted it with liquid soap, then walked back to him. “This’ll just take a minute.”
“Then I get my kiss?”
“Absolutely.” She rubbed the cloth over his chest.
“Yikes, that’s cold!”
“Sorry! Want me to wait for the water to warm up?”
“No, but give me that.” He took the cloth, rubbed it briskly over his chest and tossed it on the counter. “Good enough.” He pulled her into his arms.
“But you still have soap on you!”
“Don’t care.” He lowered his head.
“And we didn’t put on the tea tree—” She didn’t finish the sentence. His mouth came down on hers with an urgency that made her gasp.
With a low growl, he delved deep with his tongue. Moments later he grasped her bottom to tug her against his stiff cock while he ravished her mouth as if he couldn’t get enough. She couldn’t get enough of him, either. Holding his head, she kissed him back as frustration gave way to delicious passion.
He lifted his lips from hers for a second and gulped for air. “I could gobble you up.” Then he shifted angles and urged her to open wider for the sensual thrust of his tongue.
She’d never been kissed with such energy and power. Lost in a whirlpool of sensation, she clung to him as her heartbeat thundered in her ears and moisture sluiced between her thighs. His grip tightened on her bottom. Without breaking the kiss, he lifted her to the counter, freed her blouse from the waistband of her jeans and began unbuttoning it.
Maybe he was a mind reader as well as a talented kisser, because her breasts ached for the sweet tug of his mouth. Reaching behind her, she unfastened her bra, and in seconds both items lay on the counter. Only then did he end the kiss and step back.
She reveled in his hungry expression as he gazed at her. Cradling a breast in each hand, she brushed her thumbs over the aroused nipples while she watched the fire blaze in his eyes.
“Magnificent,” he murmured.
“Touch me.”
“Oh, I intend to.” Stepping forward, he cupped her hands as his gaze burned into hers. “I imagined doing this in the kitchen at the barn.” He slowly drew her hands away. When he replaced them with his own, he closed his eyes and sighed. “Like silk.”
Her heart pounded so fast she grew dizzy. “Only warmer.”
“Much warmer.” He opened his eyes and looked into hers as he began a slow massage. “When I saw your work, I knew...”
Her breath hitched. “Knew what?”
“That you’d be sexy as hell, ready for anything.”
“Oh, yeah.” She let out her breath. She’d been so afraid he’d say something about fate or kismet.
Instead he watched her eyes as he kneaded her breasts. “You’re sensitive here.”
“Mmm.”
“I thought you would be.” His breathing roughened. “Lean back.”
Bracing her hands behind her, she tilted away from him and propped her head against the cabinet door.
Still holding her gaze, he unfastened her jeans and drew the zipper down. “Lift up.” When she did, he deftly peeled her jeans over her hips and shoved them to her knees.
She trembled with need. “I thought this was only going to be a kiss.”
“Ah, but I didn’t say where I was going to kiss you. A guy would be crazy to limit himself when there’s so much to enjoy.” His glance traveled from her mouth to her breasts and finally to her moist panties. Then he returned his attention to her mouth and leaned in to brush his lips over hers.
“Where should I start?”
She swallowed. “Anywhere you want.”
“Good answer.” He began fondling her breasts as he kissed his way along her jawline.
Her earrings tinkled as he nuzzled behind her ear and ran his tongue over the tender lobe. When he caught it in his teeth, he pinched her nipples and a tremor rippled through her core. She drew in a quick breath, unable to believe that she was that close to a climax.
Then tension eased as he nipped and nibbled his way along her collarbone, but when he reached her breast and licked the pebbled surface of her nipple, another tremor shook her. Slowly, he drew in the tip. Opening his mouth wider, he took in more as he began rhythmically sucking.
“Grady...” She began to pant. She was close now, so close. Almost...
Sucking harder, he slipped his hand under the elastic of her panties. One thrust of his fingers and she arched off the counter with a sharp cry as her orgasm crashed through her. Struggling to breathe, she begged him to hold her before she fell.
Strong arms came around her and she rested her head against his broad shoulder. “That was some...kiss.”
He chuckled. “Needed to give you something to remember me by while I took my shower.”
“Please don’t shower.”
“No, really, I need to.”
“You don’t.” Raising her head, she looked into his eyes. “On the way over, I got turned on just breathing in the raw masculinity of you. Don’t shower, Grady. Just take me to bed.”
6
GRADY WASN’T ABOUT to argue. After pulling off Sapphire’s boots, jeans and panties, he carried her back to the bedroom, which was a trick because his cock felt stiff as a welding torch and he couldn’t walk worth a damn. But having her naked in his arms was worth the pain in his crotch.
No woman had ever told him she loved the smell of his sweat. His job left him that way every day and he’d always assumed that he’d better clean up before he climbed into bed with a girlfriend. Apparently, Sapphire didn’t care about that. In fact, she actually wanted him to take her without showering off the evidence of his labor. One more reason to assume they were right for each other.
He laid her on the bed and once again his thoughts went to the possibilities of a four-poster. Now that he knew Sapphire had sexual adventure in her soul, he had a feeling she’d like some of his ideas. But as he pulled off his boots and shucked his jeans and briefs, he only cared about the basics for now.
Cowboy Untamed Page 6
