“I broke that habit a long time ago.”
“Then fall back into it.” She clutched his butt cheeks. “Show me what you were like at seventeen. Go for the gusto. I want to see you lose it.”
Temptation shot arrows of fire through his blood. “Oh, Sapphire.”
“I dare you.”
No one had dared him in a very long time, especially not a naked woman who was massaging his butt and taunting him to unleash the hedonist he knew he could be. Heart thundering, he withdrew. “Okay. Turn over.”
She looked surprised, but she did it.
“Get on your hands and knees.”
She did that, too.
He watched her through a red haze of lust. “Lean on your forearms and lift your hips.”
“How’s that?”
“Good. Move your knees apart. There.” Positioning himself behind her, he dipped his fingers into her entrance. She was drenched.
“Hurry,” she murmured. “I think I might come.”
That was all he needed to know. One thrust and he was buried to the hilt, his thighs touching hers.
“Go for it.” She sounded slightly desperate.
He turned himself loose, driving into her again and again. The slap of his thighs against hers blended with the liquid rhythm of each stroke. Their ragged breathing became moans that turned into urgent cries.
This wasn’t about making love. It was about raw, unfettered sex and he reveled in it. She’d given him permission to submerge himself in carnality and he welcomed it with each frenzied thrust of his cock.
He didn’t wait for her, because she’d said not to. He came with a roar of triumph as he slammed into her one last time and held himself there as he pulsed within her. Vaguely, he realized she’d come, too, and her spasms milked him until he sank against her, spent and panting.
She dragged in a breath. “Good.”
“So...good.” He steadied her as he eased them down to the mattress so they could lie spooned together. Eventually, he’d have to move and deal with the condom. Sooner or later the pizza would arrive. But for now he just wanted to hold her. He felt as if he could do that forever.
7
BY SOME MIRACLE, they managed to get out of bed before the pizza arrived, but Sapphire had wondered if they’d make it. Originally, she’d thought that an hour for fun and games was more than enough time, but she hadn’t counted on the level of erotic energy she and Grady generated. Their last episode had developed an orgy-like quality that could have gone on for hours.
She’d fully expected Gandalf to interrupt them but he hadn’t. Maybe his exhaustion had finally caught up with him and he’d zonked out. That would be great, because in spite of their last sexual episode, she and Grady weren’t finished with each other. The air still crackled whenever they exchanged a glance.
But as if by mutual agreement, they’d taken chairs on opposite sides of the kitchen table while they ate pizza and sipped cans of beer she happened to have in the fridge. They’d have to stretch to make contact. Grady’s legs were long enough to play footsie under the table but he didn’t do that, either.
She hoped the extra-large pizza with everything on it would be enough food. He was a big guy and he’d had an active day plus an even more active night.
“I have ice cream,” she said when the pizza was gone.
“Great. I’d love some.” He tipped back his head to get the last swallow of his beer.
She longed to go over and kiss the tanned column of his throat. Then she’d move on to his chest, where the little red dots were fading. He must be a fast healer, after all. She wouldn’t doubt it. He was a healthy, vital male with a lusty outlook on life. No wonder she craved him.
He set down the empty can and met her gaze. “Or maybe you’d rather have a different kind of dessert.” His eyebrows lifted and the corner of his mouth curved just enough to make him look like a rogue, especially when she caught the glitter of desire in his eyes.
Her body tightened in response. Oh, yes, she wanted what he promised with that subtle smile even though it hadn’t been that long since the last time. She couldn’t remember being this obsessed with a guy. Some restraint might be in order so she wouldn’t get carried away. “Let’s slow it down a little.”
“You sure? Just now you looked quite interested in another round.”
“I am.”
He scraped back his chair. “Then come with me.” He laughed. “Or come first and then come with me. It’s all good.”
“Yes, it is, but there’s something to be said for delayed gratification.”
He stood and walked behind her chair. “I’m not a big fan of delayed gratification.” Drawing her hair aside, he leaned down and nibbled behind her ear. “I love that you’ve left these sexy earrings in the whole time. They turn me on.”
Closing her eyes, she tilted her head to give him greater access to her sensitized skin. With a murmur of approval, he slid his hand under the collar of her robe to fondle her breast. “Come back to bed,” he crooned as he brushed his thumb over her nipple. “Unless you want to do it right here on the table. I tucked a condom in my pocket.”
She smiled. “You did not.”
“I did.” He nuzzled her throat. “I wanted to be ready when you were ready, whenever and wherever that turned out to be.”
“Grady...this is insane.” But she no longer cared about restraint. He’d thought to tuck a condom in his pocket in case they decided to do it on the kitchen table. And why not, when they both wanted to? Then her phone rang.
Grady’s caress moved lower and his voice rumbled in her ear. “Let it go to voice mail.”
“It’s my mother.”
“All the more reason.” He reached between her thighs, touching her with knowing fingers. “You’re in no position to talk to your mother.”
She groaned. “I have to. We scheduled this call. If I don’t answer, she’ll worry.”
“In that case...” He slowly withdrew his hand and kissed her cheek. “I’ll check on Gandalf.”
“Sorry.” Pulling her robe back together, she glanced at him as she rose on wobbly legs.
His fly strained against the pressure of his erect cock, but he smiled as if that was of no consequence. “Unless you plan to kick me out within the next hour, we’ll have another shot at it.”
“I’m not kicking you out.” She wanted him to stay here for the entire week, but she hadn’t thought it through very well. Besides her pledge to Amethyst, she’d also promised her mother that she wouldn’t date any more artists. Her mom and her sister had taken the brunt of her angst after all four breakups.
“Then I’ll catch you later.” He left the kitchen.
Her phone had stopped ringing long before she made it to the counter. She took several deep breaths before calling her mother back.
Her mom answered immediately. “Hi, sweetie! I just left you a message.”
“I didn’t listen to it. Just called you instead.” She tucked the phone against her ear while she cinched the belt on her robe. Silly, but she felt the need to do it. “So what have you decided? The weaving or the sculpture?” A few local artists including her mom were donating finished works for the silent auction.
“The weaving. I’ve been thinking about Grady Magee.”
Sapphire choked and began to cough as she struggled to breathe.
“Honey, are you okay?”
“Fine,” she managed to say in a strangled voice. “Swallowed wrong.”
“You got that from your father. Scares me to death when he does it. Anyway, Grady’s the only other sculptor in the show, and while my work is totally different, I’d like him to have the honor of being the only one.”
“I’m sure he’d share the spotlight.”
“Probably. He was a nice boy in school, so I’m sure he’s become a very nice man.”
Oh, yeah. Sapphire swallowed carefully so she wouldn’t give a repeat performance.
“To think that kid became a successful artist. I
never would have predicted it, but he’s a great role model for my students, especially the boys. He came in yesterday, right?”
“He did, and I—”
“I assume you’ve spent some time with him, then.”
“I have, Mom, and that’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Please don’t tell me he’s arrogant. You were sort of quiet when I said he’d probably become a nice man, so maybe he’s turned into a jerk and you didn’t want to say so. Quick success can do that to a person. If he’s arrogant, then I won’t ask him to come back and speak to my students in the fall.”
Oh, boy. All hope of keeping the situation under control vanished. She’d never dreamed that her mom would see the potential in having a Sheridan High alum who’d made a name for himself speak to her art classes. “He’s not a jerk,” she said. “He’s great and you should definitely ask him.”
“Fabulous! I know he visits his foster parents every now and then, so I could coordinate with his plans. I was surprised when Molly Radcliffe told me he was staying with her and Ben this time. I thought for sure he’d be out at Thunder Mountain.”
“When the academy’s going, it’s crazy busy out there. He didn’t want to get in the way.”
“Then he could certainly stay here in the fall if he needed a place to crash. I’d love a chance to talk with him. If he’s willing, we could set up a visit each semester.”
“That would be terrific.” Now Sapphire felt greedy for keeping this paragon to herself. Had she really thought they could hide away and have sex all week without the entire town knowing about it? In the privacy of her bedroom, locked in his arms, she’d thought exactly that.
“I’ve heard via the art grapevine that he’s working on some top secret project and shouldn’t be disturbed, so I’ll wait until the welcome reception to talk with him about it. Of course, I could ask Ben and Molly if I could drop by some evening. I mean, the guy can’t be working all day and all night, can he?”
“Mom, he’s not at Ben and Molly’s.” She wondered if Grady had thought of calling them to explain the change of plans. Probably not, since he’d been as preoccupied with Gandalf—and sex—as she had.
“Then where is he?”
“Here.”
“You mean here as in your house?”
“Yes. A new cat arrived at feeding time tonight and he’s not feral. He took to Grady right away and Grady didn’t want to leave him at the shelter, so we brought him over here.”
“But your sister’s allergic!”
“I know, so he’s closed up in my bathroom.” She found herself talking very fast. “It should be okay if I keep him confined there. I checked him for fleas and mites and tomorrow I’ll take him to the shelter vet to make sure there are no issues. After that I may—”
“So the cat’s in the bathroom safe and sound.”
“Yes, and Grady wants to stay with him until we find out whether he has a home or not.”
“So Grady’s in your bathroom with the cat?”
“Um, sometimes. Right now he is.”
“He’ll come out with cat hair on him. You can’t let him roam around and sit on the furniture after he’s spent time with the cat. Or if you do, you’ll have to vacuum that house within an inch of its life.”
“Good point. I’ll make sure he doesn’t spread cat hair around.” Maybe she needed to keep him confined to her bedroom, after all.
Her mother was silent for a beat. “Sapphire Jane, what’s going on?”
“Grady and I are...involved.”
Her mom was silent for a moment. “But he’s an artist.”
“I know.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised that you’re attracted to him. I’ve seen him on TV and he’s a good-looking guy, exactly your type, or what used to be your type before you swore off artists.”
“I said I wouldn’t date them anymore. But we’re not exactly dating.”
Her mother laughed. “Guess not. You skipped right over that part.”
“I don’t know if I can explain it.” Or, more accurately, how to explain it. She could tell her mom that she was sleeping with Grady but she didn’t want to admit it was only about sex. Saying that to her mom felt weird.
“Honey, you don’t have to explain. You’re a grown woman free to do what you want in that department. I won’t hold you to that statement you made before he showed up and changed your mind.”
“He hasn’t changed my mind.”
“Not yet.”
“He won’t.”
“Whatever you say, sweetie. Anyway, I’d love for you to bring him to dinner tomorrow night.”
“I’ll ask him and let you know.”
“Good.”
“Oh, and if we come to dinner, could you please not tell Dad that Grady’s staying with me?”
“I won’t, but your father’s not an idiot. He’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah, well, I still don’t want you to tell him.”
“I won’t. Good night, honey.”
“Night, Mom.” She disconnected and stared at the phone. So her mother thought Grady would change her mind about getting involved with an artist. She couldn’t allow that to happen. This thing between them was spontaneous and fun. Avoiding any talk of future plans was the only way to keep it that way.
Her mother’s brainstorm of inviting Grady to speak at the high school could complicate matters. Oh, well, they could burn that bridge when they got to it. In the meantime, she had some things to discuss with the man of the hour.
She walked into the bedroom and over to the bathroom door, where light shone underneath. Once again cat and man were having a conversation. This close to the door, she could catch most of what Grady was saying. What Gandalf was saying was anybody’s guess.
“So good job on staying cool while you’re temporarily in lockup, buddy. I’ll be back to check on you next time there’s a break in the action, okay?”
She had a fair idea what action he was talking about. She knocked lightly on the door. “I hate to interrupt, but can I see you for a minute?”
His light chuckle tickled her nerve endings. “We covered this. A minute is no longer sufficient.”
“I’m not talking about having sex.”
“Thank God, because doing it is a whole lot better than talking about it. Unless you’re referring to phone sex, where you talk and do at the same time. I suppose that could be interesting for a change of pace, but it’s not my first choice.”
“Then since what I have to say has nothing to do with sex, we could just talk through the bathroom door.”
“Nah.” Rustling sounds were followed by a plaintive meow. “Sorry, Gandalf, lap time is over. She may think we aren’t talking about sex, but when you consider the past twenty-four hours, it’s clear that sex underlies everything. Go have a little snooze and I’ll be back later.” The light went out and Grady slipped through the door. This time he was wearing his hat. “You rang?”
“Take off your clothes.”
He grinned. “I like where this is going.”
“It’s not what you think. My mother pointed out that you’ll come out of the bathroom covered in cat hair and I shouldn’t let you walk around the house in those clothes.”
He unzipped his jeans. “So walking around naked is a better option? I’ve always liked your mom but now she’s a real favorite of mine.”
“That’s good, because she’s invited us both to dinner tomorrow night.”
“Oh, yeah? That’s great. I’m in.” He started pulling off his jeans.
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“No, it’ll be great to see her again. I only met your dad a couple of times but any guy who can make money with a saxophone has my admiration.”
“She already knows we’re having sex.”
“Oh?” He paused with one leg still stuck in his pants. “Does she have your bedroom bugged?”
“No, I told her.”
“Interesting. Is your dad gonna threaten m
e with a shotgun?”
“Not unless you say something insulting about his jazz trio.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He took off his hat and laid it brim-up on the dresser. “I didn’t want to take a chance Gandalf would chew on this. It’s old but we’ve been through a lot together.”
She found that endearing, but then, many things about Grady were endearing. Her previous lovers had been charming, too, until one day they weren’t.
He stripped off his briefs. “Are we supposed to burn these or what?”
“Would you let me?” Seeing him standing there in all his glory, she was tempted.
“If it’s that or give up sex with you, sure. Light ’em up. Just not my hat. I’m very attached to it. But take these.” He held them out. “They’re dead to me.”
“I think tossing them in the washing machine is good enough. Then you’ll have something clean to wear in the morning.” She tucked his clothes under her arm.
“And not a single thing to wear for the rest of the night. Oh, darn.”
She thought about letting him stay that way because he was so pretty to look at. Greek statues had nothing on him. But having no clothes meant he’d be naked in an emergency or when he went in to check on Gandalf. “I have another bathrobe.”
“Yeah, no. Not wearing a lady’s robe. Thanks, but no thanks.”
“It’s black and kind of big on me.”
“Does it have a sash like yours?”
“Yep. Very simple design. Velour. Not the least bit girlie.”
“Pockets?”
“I think so.”
“Then I’ll take it. I’ve been thinking we should sit out on your front porch while we have ice cream.”
“Really?” She thought he’d forgotten about the dessert she’d offered.
“Really. I live in a barn, literally, and we have no front porch, so naturally, I wish I had one. I’d have fun sitting on yours and watching the world go by, but I’d better not do it wearing just my hat.”
She laughed. “We don’t have a lot of traffic on this road and the neighbors are usually inside watching TV by now, but yes, sitting naked on the porch might be pushing it.”
“And there’s a chill in the air.”
Cowboy Untamed Page 8
