He leaned over and whispered into her ear. “Do you like it, baby?”
“Oh, Chance, it’s amazing. When did you have this done?”
Taking off his Stetson, he slipped past her, set it on a chair, and pulled the champagne out of the ice bucket. “I had a signal set up with the waiter. When I ordered the wine he knew to get the wheels in motion and set this up.” He popped the cork and poured two glasses of effervescent wine. He glanced at her, unsure for a moment. “I wasn’t sure who I was going to meet here tonight and well, if we hadn’t clicked I wouldn’t have wanted to put any pressure on you or whoever else it might have been. But if there was a spark, I wanted to be prepared. I just could never have guessed that I would have walked in to find you.”
“I still can’t believe it. I mean I submitted my application just a few days ago.” She shook her head and then sipped the straw-colored liquid.
“A few days! I’ve been waiting for six months.” Chance sounded almost disgruntled.
Laughter bubbled up from deep within. “Let me guess, you basically described me on your application? Because I absolutely requested an exact replica of you, at least what I could remember.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I did the same thing. I wonder how Selena Markam knew to wait? How she knew you would eventually seek out her services?”
“I don’t know, but honestly at this moment I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
“I agree.” He set his glass down and stalked toward her like a mountain lion hunting a deer. Cornering her against the bed, he pulled her flute from her suddenly nerveless fingers. “I want to taste your sweet lips again, Beth.”
A dull throbbing pulsed between her legs that matched the racing rhythm of her heart. Earlier she’d been so stunned at seeing him that their kiss floated like a light haze over her memory. His hands landed on her hips and pulled her in close. She slipped her tongue out to moisten her parched lips and slid her arms up around his neck. He stared directly into her eyes, leaving no question what he wanted from her. His tongue surged into her mouth, staking his claim. The dampness between her legs seeped into her lacy panties and her nipples hardened.
He touched, stroked, and tasted every crevice of her mouth in the most erotic kiss she had ever been party to. Had he gotten better at kissing? She would have sworn there was nothing to improve on before, but this… This assault could only be described as mind-blowing. Desperate for more, she pressed herself closer to him. His arms tightened around her and then they were falling.
With a little grunt from him, they landed on the bed and rolled so that his body pinned her beneath him. He broke the kiss and smiled down at her. “Now I’ve got you right where I want you.”
She giggled and pressed a kiss to his jaw, followed by another, and another. Craving the feel of his skin against hers, she began tugging his shirt out of his pants. “Shirt. Off.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He lifted up and knelt, straddling her hips. In short order his shirt disappeared, revealing a toned and sexy chest that cried out for her attention. Beth couldn’t help but lick her lips in anticipation of kissing every inch of his skin.
Before she could put into action her very lusty thoughts, he had the hem of her shirt in his hands, tugging it off. His eyes lit up when he spied her black lace bra. Warm masculine hands gently cupped her breasts on top of the lace and he flicked his thumbs over the distended nipples. Her breath caught in her throat, pleasure shooting from her puckered nubs to her pussy.
“I take it you have matching panties under that nothing of a skirt?” His voice sounded strained, almost a growl.
“Mmmm. I know one way you can find out.” Did she just purr at him? Something about this man made her feel ultra-sexy.
“So do I.” He slid off and stood her up at the side of the bed. With the flick of a wrist her skirt gapped open and slid down her legs. She stood before him in nothing but black lace and a pair of red cowgirl boots. “Dear Lord, give me strength,” he mumbled before suckling one lace-covered breast. Switching to the other side, he cupped her ass and kneaded. All the while, Beth fought the urge to shove him back and cover his torso with kisses. In the end she lost the battle.
With a little cry of frustration, she pushed him back on the bed and clambered over him. With his hips pinned securely under her, she ran her fingers over the flat, disk-like nipples that peeked out from under a light dusting of hair. “Sorry, I couldn’t wait my turn.” She waggled her eyebrows and bent over to trace the path her fingers took with her tongue.
“By all means.” He groaned and gripped her hips as she teased his nipples. His big hands slid around and gripped her ass, grinding her against his trapped erection. She moaned and swirled her hips. Moving down his torso, she found the impediment of his belt buckle. Dipping her tongue into his belly button, she worked the buckle loose and then opened his jeans.
Oh glory be! The man went commando. Eager now to fully unwrap her present, she yanked his pants down his legs and discovered that he still had his boots on. Double damn. For the moment she would work around it. Turning back to his exposed cock she licked her lips in anticipation. He was beautifully made—long enough to give her pause and thick enough that her fingers just missed connecting. And best of all, he was hers, at least for tonight.
She paused but pushed away the unwanted thought that maybe this could be a second chance at a future. For now she wanted a second chance at tasting the man himself. Leaning over, she slid her tongue over the head of his cock and dipped into the slit that leaked a drop of pre-come. The slight saltiness of the clear fluid teased her tongue and made her hungry for more.
Relaxing her throat and mouth, she sank down on his hard shaft, swallowing him whole. It was more than she’d ever taken like this, and she had to focus to let him slip into the back of her throat. But heaven help her, it was worth it to watch his eyes widen in shock and feel his hands thrust into her hair.
“Oh, baby. Yes,” he muttered, followed by a deep, chest-rumbling groan.
She lifted up and then repeated the process, sinking back down.
“Do you know how gorgeous you are? Damn, woman.” His hips thrust forward, meeting her downward stroke. “So sexy watching you take me like this after imagining it so many nights.”
She matched the rhythm he set, reveling in the taste of him and the sheer power she held in pleasuring him like this. After a few more strokes he pushed her away.
“So good, baby, but I want to come inside you with your sweet heat wrapped around my cock.”
Her pussy clenched in response to his words as her juices flooded her panties. She wanted that too. “Oh, Chance. Yes. Please. Now.”
“Soon. First I want to taste your sweet honey. Help me take my boots off.”
She climbed off the bed and straddled one leg with her ass facing him. She bent over and tugged on the boot. She had it halfway off when his finger slid up her aching slit and swirled around her entrance. “Oh, Chance.” She pushed back onto his finger, enjoying the delicious slide of his thick digit into her hot sheath.
“My boot, baby.” He withdrew his finger.
Looking over her shoulder, she shot him a nasty glare. Stupid man. Pulling the boot free, she switched legs and removed the other one before he could tease her further. Boots gone, she finished off his pants and socks, leaving him as naked as the day he was born.
Sitting down, she took care of her own boots, but before she could strip the black lace away, he stopped her.
“Hold on. I want to take care of all the lacy parts.” His wicked smile promised she would enjoy letting him have his way. He started by nibbling on her lips. His molten kisses soon trailed down her jaw to her neck and over her collarbones. Each touch of his mouth on her skin sent ripples of pleasure coursing through her body. Finally he reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting it slide forward to unveil her breasts.
“Baby, those may be the prettiest titties I have ever seen.” He reminded himself not to pounce on the poor woman
. Though at the moment, she looked as though she might welcome a little pouncing. He pressed her back onto the bed and straddled her hips so that he could feast on her pink-tipped breasts.
He could easily spend the next twenty or thirty years enjoying those luscious mounds and not get tired of doing so. The soft flesh molded to his big hands, and every stroke or touch seemed to cause her to shiver. Sucking in earnest, he loved that she knotted her fingers in his hair as though she might not ever let him stop.
Bound and determined to move south, he had to tug a bit to get her to let go. Sliding down, he knelt on the floor and spread her legs. With a smooth pull of her hips, he slid her ass to the edge of the bed and managed to pull her thong down and then off. He spread her legs wide and drove his tongue deep into her sopping entrance. Something primal clawed its way up from the depths of his soul and claimed her. Then and there it screamed out mine. She was his and no other would touch her again. Ever.
He plunged his tongue in and out, mimicking what he wanted to do with his cock. Her needy core clenched around him, trying to keep him with her. He slid two fingers deep into her heat as he switched to flicking the turgid little peak with his tongue. She moaned and thrust her hips against his mouth and hand.
“Please. Chance, I need more. I need you to be inside me.” Her husky pleadings grated on his tenuous control.
“Soon, baby. I promise; first I want you to come for me. Can you do that? Can you come for me?” He resumed working her clit with his tongue as he thrust his fingers deep into her pussy.
Her body tensed and she gripped his head. “Yes!”
“That’s it, baby, yell for me. Nobody can hear you but me.” Her cries, paired with the rapid thrust of her hips, told him in no uncertain terms that she was about to explode. And then she did. The walls of her sheath clamped down on his fingers as her juices flooded his hand. He kept stroking her clit, letting her cries ring through the room. After pulling his fingers from her, he proceeded to lick them clean. Her eyes tracked the flicks of his tongue as he lapped up every bit of her delicious offering.
Reaching to the floor for his jeans, he produced a little foil packet. Sheathing himself in the rubber, he spread her legs and pressed the tip of his throbbing cock to her entrance. He stopped. “Beth, baby. Look at me.” He waited until her gaze locked with his. “I won’t let you go again.” He pushed forward and buried himself deep in her body. His balls nestled up against her ass, surrounding him in her heat. Being inside a woman never felt so good.
Dragging backwards out of her body, he stopped short of full withdrawal, only to drive back in. He pistoned in and out of her, pushing them both toward the release only orgasm could bring. Her walls clenched and rippled around him while he strummed her clit with his thumb.
“Yes, Chance. Yours. I’m yours.” Her words shot clear to his heart and crumbled what little remained of his defenses.
As she shattered around him, it was all he could do to stop himself from declaring his newfound feelings. It was too soon to say it, but the emotions were real. His balls tightened just before ecstasy took over. His release shimmied down his spine and curled his toes. Sliding from her warmth, he tossed the condom and settled them under the covers.
“Baby, I meant what I said. This doesn’t end tonight.” He spooned her from behind, settling one hand on her breast. Lazily he stroked the nipple, enjoying the feel of her skin against his.
“I’m glad. I want to see where this leads. I can’t imagine walking away for a second time.”
“Good. Now get some rest; you’re gonna need it.” He kissed the top of her head and snuggled down.
***
Morning came bright and early after being up half the night making love with Chance. Beth rolled over and smiled. Somehow fate had intervened and given her another chance at love.
His lashes lifted and a grin split his face. “Morning, baby.”
“Morning, cowboy. Are you hungry for some breakfast? We could order room service.” She sat up and stretched, but was quickly pulled back into the bed and tucked against him.
“In a minute. First I need my good-morning kiss.” He pressed his lips to hers, sweeping into her mouth with his tongue. She moaned and melted against him. Pulling back to peck her lips a few more times, he released her. “Now, let me see to ordering us some breakfast.” He got out of bed and handed her a menu. “Tell me what you’d like.”
She scanned the menu. “Two eggs scrambled, bacon, and pancakes. I seem to have worked up an appetite.”
Chance called and placed their order. “In the meantime, we need to talk.” His heart raced as he watched some of the tension from yesterday ease into her features.
“Okay. What’s on your mind, cowboy?” Her nonchalance rang false and grated on his good mood.
“Don’t do that. Don’t ever hide your emotions behind a façade. I’ll always want to know what you’re thinking and feeling.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded. “I’m sorry. You’re right, that was rude of me. I can’t expect you to be honest with me if I won’t be honest with you.”
“It’s okay, baby. I just don’t want any barriers between us. If we’re going to be together, we have to be open to each other. No holding back. I want you to move in with me at my ranch. It’s about forty minutes outside of Houston, so you could go in to the office when you need to and I can give you an office to work from at my place.” He held his breath as he waited for her response.
“Oh. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought we’d date and see where this goes.”
“Maybe I’m just being greedy, but I want to go to sleep with you in my arms at night and wake up that way in the morning. I want to watch you brush your teeth while I shave, see your socks and panties in the drawer next to my shorts, and I want to eat every meal with you across the table. I told you last night I wasn’t ever letting you go, and I meant it.” He reached out to trace the line of her jaw.
She said nothing for a few moments, and he watched the myriad emotions flicker across her face. Finally, something won out, but he wasn’t sure what. “I want that too, but I’m not ready to jump in blind. I’ll move in with you, but I’m keeping my place for a while. Just until we’re both sure this arrangement will work. Can you live with that?”
“Yeah. I don’t like it, but I can live with it. For now. Don’t think I won’t be working hard to convince you to make it a more permanent arrangement.” He resisted the urge to pout. Apparently the hardheaded woman didn’t realize that what they had was special. But he’d show her once he got her home. If he had to tie her to the bed, he’d make her see that she wasn’t going anywhere.
“I look forward to being persuaded.” A sultry grin curved her lips up.
“Well then, I should get started right away.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her like he’d never let her go—mostly because he wouldn’t.
Epilogue
Beth rose from her desk and wandered through the house she shared with Chance. Everything in her wanted to latch on to the man she loved and never let go. But despite the idyllic six months they’d lived together since their one-night stand, she hadn’t truly been able to commit. She was beginning to suspect that she could only do it if she let her apartment go. Though she had yet to say the words, she knew she loved him with all her heart. It terrified her that because of that love she was so vulnerable.
As for Chance, he’d been nothing but patient, wooing her over romantic dinners and with creatively erotic lovemaking. It seemed he’d left no stone unturned in his campaign to prove to her they belonged together. All except saying the words. Neither of them had strung those three most-important words together. She’d been as remiss as he in not being honest about her feelings. It was time to correct that oversight. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the house, determined to go find her man and stake her claim for the final time.
It was time to take her Chance.
The sun sat low in the afternoon sky, even as the heat of t
he day still simmered in the air. She plucked at her tank top and headed toward the barn. Inside, she found Chance bare-chested, spreading fresh hay in the stalls. Licking her lips, she resisted the urge to pinch herself. He belonged to her, and she to him. Now she needed to make sure that it would be a permanent arrangement.
“Hey there, cowboy.” Her voice came out thick and husky with desire.
He stopped and turned around. His smile alone sent moisture pooling between her thighs and made her knees weak. “Hey there, baby. How’s your day going?”
“It’s getting better and better,” she said and walked toward him.
“How so?” His eyebrow quirked up in question.
“Mmmm… Well, I was lucky enough to stumble upon a half-naked cowboy who looks like he could use a rub-down.” She pulled up in front of him and rubbed his rapidly hardening cock.
“Rubbing sounds good. But let me go clean up first.” He stepped back.
“I don’t think I want to wait. Beside, you smell good. Like sweat and man.” She flicked her tongue out and slicked it up his damp pectoral.
He groaned. “Woman, what has got into you?”
“Hopefully you.” She tangled her arms around his neck.
“You are playing with fire, baby. Are you prepared to get burned?” His voice sounded as though it croaked out of a throat as dry as dust.
“As long as you put out the flames.” She pulled his head down so she could plant her lips on his and proceeded to lay claim to him. Sliding her tongue inside, she tangled with his, battling for control.
Breaking the kiss, he pulled back. “Oh, baby, you’ve no idea what you started. But I’m gonna show you.”
“Please, Chance.” Her whimpered words were all she could manage after that blazing hot kiss.
“Strip. I want you naked. Now.” He stepped back from her and stripped his work gloves off. Leaning against a saddle stand covered with only a blanket, he watched.
Taking Her Chance Page 2
