She toyed with his fingers, interweaving and sliding them, flattening their palms together. “You could have come to New York."
"And you could have come back to Texas to visit."
She frowned. It surprised her that Gran hadn't told him about her visits. “I did. I just didn't come to the Double D. I didn't think you'd want to see me."
He sighed, still stroking her hair with gentle fingers. “It's probably for the best. You had your career, but right after college graduation, I was ready to settle down and have a family."
"You don't think a woman can have a career and a family?” Of course, based on Carolyn's example of a mother, she understood his hesitation. But, that had been her childhood, not his. His mother raised four boys and ran a successful ranch. Sure, she'd been working alongside her husband, but she still worked.
He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Sure, but I want my wife to be able to come home at night and not worry that I won't see her for weeks or months at a time because she's jet-setting to Paris for a fashion show."
His words hit her in the gut. He didn't want a wife who traveled for long periods of time, which meant if she still worked for the New York house, they wouldn't be together. The design house in San Antonio gave her more freedom, but there were no guarantees she wouldn't have to travel occasionally, and that travel could include being away for a week or two during the various fashion weeks around the world.
"What if her job required her to do some type of travel?"
"I guess it would depend. Are we talking frequent trips to Europe, or one to two days out of the quarter to New York?"
She met his stare. “What if it were both? Sometimes a trip is required to Europe and at other times the trips could be day trips."
"I think the person needs to consider carefully what is more important—the family or her career."
"Why can't she have both?"
He lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “She could, but I know some women who don't know how to juggle a career. I want my woman to want to be with me. I don't want to have to worry about if she is going to walk out on me the second her job comes calling."
Did he really think she'd bolt the second the job asked her to? Of course, he did. She'd done it before at the first opportunity of her career.
Looking back, she regretted the decision to leave Dustin, but at the time, she'd needed to go. What could she have offered him at nineteen? Carolyn had only shown her how mothers ran away, and his mother had been such a perfect wife and mother, she made Shannon feel inferior as a woman. Her career had helped her learn about herself, and she'd grown up emotionally.
After this weekend, Shannon knew she wanted to be with Dustin, but after years of guarding her heart, she didn't know if she could fully let go and give in to him.
She needed some space to think and process so she pushed off the bed. “I'm going to take a shower."
"Shannon, wait."
Repressed tears clogged her throat, making it impossible to answer. Once inside the bathroom, she closed the door with a soft click. After all this time, they finally had another chance together, and it was crumbling right before her eyes. He was right there within arms’ reach, and as panic welled in her chest, she worried she was going to pull a Carolyn and bolt. Why, all of a sudden, when they were talking about family and serious relationships, did she feel trapped? Maybe she really was like her mother.
Would his opinion change if he knew she wasn't going back to New York? With her taking the job in San Antonio, he'd probably still hate the idea of a career wife. But why couldn't she have both the job and the man she loved? Probably because neither of them trusted she was strong enough to stay.
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Chapter Six
In the master bathroom, Shannon fiddled with the dials until the water temperature was just right. She slipped out of her clothes and stepped under the spray, cool water sluicing over her body. Finally the tears came. Tears for Gran, tears for her broken heart.
The glass door opened with a pop and Dustin climbed in. “Shannon, we should talk."
She shook her head, keeping her gaze on the dials. She didn't want him to see her red, puffy eyes. “There's no need. You want a forever family, and I've got my career. I don't know that I'm the type to be a forever person."
He sighed and ran his wet hands down the curve of her spine. “Can we not think about the future right now?” He palmed her ass, gently caressing the flesh before letting one finger slip between her cheeks to tease the puckered hole.
Despite her mental torment, her breasts ached with desire and her clit twitched. She wanted Dustin, wanted to experience every tasty bit of him—again.
"Ignoring it won't do us any good, Dusty. You know it and so do I."
Heat emanated from his body as he stepped closer, fitting the length of his cock between her ass cheeks and along her now sopping slit. “I'm not going to lie and say I don't still have feelings for you, Shay, but I don't want to spend our last night together arguing. I know I said I don't want a weekend fling, but I will take whatever time I can get with you. Even if that means just tonight.” His lips pressed to the nape of her neck. “Let me love you just for tonight."
She nodded. With her head and heart in turmoil, maybe one night was all she could handle right now. She, too, would take what she could get of him. Later, she'd figure out how to deal with the hurt of seeing him around town, knowing she couldn't have that future. “Just for tonight."
Shannon, wanting to experience every solitary inch of the man who'd always rocked her world, braced her hands flat against the tiled shower wall on either side of the dials. The water ran over her head and down her back. She imagined the liquid was Dustin's caress, fingers stroking the skin of her back, down her thighs and calves. The heat of his gaze on her back burned. Inhibitions out the window, she tilted her head back, giving the stream access to her breasts.
A moan rumbled from his chest against her back. He wanted her, and he could enjoy the show for a minute. She cupped her breasts, lifting them to the water, and pinched her nipples. A softer moan escaped her lips, and her hands slid lower over her body. One hand dipped to her mound, rubbing ever so softly over the engorged nub. Her hips jerked forward, and she pressed harder against her clit.
"Damn, woman, you're driving me crazy.” Dustin's lips teased a tender earlobe, his hips ground against her backside.
With two fingers, she spread her pussy lips and toyed with the velvety flesh between. His hand followed her every movement, mimicking, adding to the sensation—calloused and smooth skin teasing. One of his long fingers pressed past hers and into her slick folds. She bit her bottom lip, holding back a cry of pleasure. Her hips bucked toward his hand, wanting more, wanting a stronger, faster motion.
"What do you want, Shannon? Tell me,” he whispered against her neck. Teeth nipped and tugged at the delicate flesh of her nape.
Tension coiled deep in her stomach, an orgasm inevitable. “I...want...you...inside..."
"Inside where?” His right hand spread her ass cheeks, and he inserted a finger deep into her puckered hole. “Here?"
"Oh, God,” she moaned and leaned farther forward, jutting her hips toward him, giving him better access. Pressure built from the tips of her nipples to deep in her belly and on to her throbbing clit. The finger withdrew. “No, don't stop."
Quickly, he stepped from the shower, and she heard him fumbling in the medicine cabinet, then the tear of foil. When he returned, his cock was sheathed with a condom.
He grabbed a bottle of shower gel and squeezed the liquid in his palm before rubbing his hands together to create a lather. Again he spread her cheeks. He smoothed the soap down her butt, between her cheeks, and slipped a finger into her hole for lubrication. She looked over her shoulder and watched through lowered lids as he rubbed the soap over his thick cock. Her mouth watered at the sight of him touching himself. He made her so hot. Shannon reached back and cupped his balls, squeezing and scrapi
ng the skin with her nails. Then she wrapped her hand around his and urged his motions faster.
"I thought you wanted me inside you,” he moaned with a crooked grin.
"I do, but you looked so fucking hot I couldn't resist helping out a little."
He bent forward and kissed her, trailing his tongue around the outside of her lips. “Turn around."
With one last tug on his cock, she did as told, spreading her feet further apart to give him better access. Unhurried and deliberate, he nudged his engorged cock into her tight hole, inch by inch, allowing her to get used to his girth and length. The slight burn turned to pleasure. She gasped and adjusted her hips to meet him.
Slowly at first, he pumped in and out. As he upped the pace, he reached around her hips and flicked a finger over her clit, then buried it deep in her core. Little squeals of pleasure filled the shower. Between him fingering her pussy and sliding his cock in and out of her ass, she couldn't hold back the skyrocketing orgasm surging through her body. Nor did she want to. Shannon cried out and grabbed his hips, urging him to go faster.
Dustin complied, pounding into her. Her breasts jerked back and forth with the impacts. Stars exploded behind her eyes as the orgasm hit full force. With a guttural cry, Dustin came at the same time.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist, holding her upright, keeping them joined. They were so good together, couldn't he see that? And not just sexually, but as a couple—always had been. What a shame he needed a woman who would be a stay-at-home wife.
When their breathing slowed, he slid out of her, ripped off the condom, and rinsed off. After she rinsed, he reached around her and shut off the water.
Toweled off, Dustin sat naked on the king-sized bed, watching as Shannon gathered her clothes from the floor. “You're not running off, are you?"
She flashed a guilty smile. She'd thought of it earlier, but now, she couldn't force herself to leave. “No."
He cocked an eyebrow. “Right. What's the matter, Piermont, you chickening out on me?"
She'd agreed to be with him for the night, and she wasn't going back on her word. Not this time. And damn if his teasing didn't make her hotter than Las Vegas in the dead of summer. The clothes she'd retrieved fluttered from her hands.
All inhibition gone, she dropped to her knees in front of him and spread his legs. His cock jutted from his body, still semi-erect and begging for attention. She looked up, met his desire-filled gaze, and winked. Her tongue poked out to lave at his tip.
Taking pleasure in his sharp intake of breath, she enveloped him fully in her mouth and moaned in satisfaction. She licked up and down his length, tracing the bluish veins, swirling around the mushroom-shaped head. Opening wide, she lowered her mouth to close around him, and then sucked hard. Over and over, she bobbed, slowly, never breaking eye contact with him. He swelled in her mouth to a rock-hard erection, releasing a drop of salty semen.
Again, she moaned low in her throat. His body jerked forward, and she smiled around him. She sucked him from hilt to tip, secretly enjoying the way he twitched with every pull of her deep throat. With her long fingernails, she teased his sac, tickling, massaging.
Dustin entwined his fingers in her hair and growled. Moments later, he tugged her away. “Enough."
He dragged her to her feet and kissed her savagely. Her nipples beaded into tight points, and moisture pooled at her thighs.
"I want you again,” she murmured against his mouth and lifted a leg over his thigh, putting her pussy in direct contact with his cock.
He raised her legs around his waist, lay on his back, and pulled her fully astride him, his hazel eyes naked with hunger. “Ride me."
Shannon grabbed a foil packet off the nightstand and ripped it open. With a slow, steady hand, she slid the condom over his cock and scraped his balls with her nails. She planted her palms on either side of his head and leaned forward until the tips of her nipples barely brushed his chest. Her hips lifted so only the tip of his erection was inside her, and slowly, deliberately she lowered. Over and over, she tortured him, savoring each pass.
"Tease.” Dustin pushed her so she was sitting up straight and thrust into her.
Shannon groaned, threw her head back, and rocked against him. She dragged his hand to her breast, and like she'd hoped, he squeezed. He captured the nipple between his thumb and forefinger, mercilessly pinching the tight bud. Through her desire-induced haze, she reached behind her and gripped then kneaded his balls.
Suddenly, he stopped thrusting and held her in place. Confused, she met his smoldering gaze. The thumb of his free hand stole up her thigh and brushed against her clit. His touch was like a jolt of electricity, and she jerked at the contact, rotating her hips again.
"No, don't move.” Again, he pressed his thumb against her engorged nub, harder and faster. He drew circles over heated skin, pinched, and pulled. “I want you to come first. Don't look away. I want to watch you.” His gaze never left hers. Challenging. Demanding.
She shifted her hips slightly forward to give him better access and met his stare. “Make me scream, Dustin.” She had no doubt he'd do just that.
Lifting his ass, he slid his thick cock into her. The rigid flesh felt like heaven on earth. As he teased her, she rotated her pelvis, matching him caress for caress. That familiar tingle burned its way through her core, igniting her clit into a frenzy. “Dustin!"
Again, he surged into her, pumping, sliding. She ground against him. The orgasm stole her breath and sent her soaring, but she couldn't stop moving. Clenching her muscles around him, she rode him for all she was worth. Dustin's hips jerked up and stilled. His cock-pulsing orgasm sent another shock wave coursing through her.
Spent, she fell to his chest. “Oh, my."
After all that, how could she even think of walking away from him? Yet, knowing he wanted a woman who would guarantee her career never got in the way of their relationship, how could she, in good conscience, stay?
Shannon woke, blinking the sleep from her gritty eyes. She rolled over to see Dustin gazing down at her. His eyes sparkled, and his hair stood up in random spikes all over his head. “Mmm, good morning."
A devil-be-damned grin split his face, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Morning. I don't have to ask how you slept last night. You didn't move a muscle."
She snuggled against his solid chest and peeked at him. “First good night's sleep I've had in a long time.” His hazel gaze grew serious, and it didn't bode well for what she wanted to say to him. “Dustin, I—"
He laid a finger against her lips. “I know what you're going to say. I had a great night, too, and I'm sorry it can't be more. You've got your career, I've got the ranch, and it's not that easy to pack up everything and move to New York. I can't see the longhorns living on Park Avenue.” He brushed a kiss over her lips and climbed out of bed, giving her one last view of his gloriously naked body before pulling on his jeans. “It was great seeing you again, Shannon. I've got to get to work before Dillon kicks my ass."
The breath whooshed from her lungs as the bedroom door closed behind him. Her eyes narrowed, her lips thinned. It was great seeing you again? He wasn't even going to ask her if they could see each other again?
"You know what?” She threw the blankets across the room. “There is no way you're leaving like that.” She yanked on her clothes and ran down the stairs just as Dustin was walking out the front door. “Hold on."
He looked over his shoulder with a frown. “I really have to get to work."
"No, you pompous ass. You need to stand there and listen.” She stormed up to him and poked him in the chest. Standing toe to toe, she planted her hands on her hips. Her nostrils flared in fury. “I'm sorry that you've got a bug up your ass about women with careers. I'm sorry that I hurt you when I moved away. But mostly, I'm sorry you can't get over yourself long enough to hear that I love you and that I'm back in Bandera to stay."
His eyes widened in shock.
His surprise didn't deter her. She was
on a roll and would get out what she needed to say before she lost her nerve. “Yes, that's right. I gave up New York to move back to Gran's ranch, but I didn't give up my career. I joined a design house in San Antonio so I can work mostly from home. Turns out, I am nothing like my mother. I am a strong enough woman that I can balance a career and a family, and I would like to do so with you.” She stepped back and gestured to the door. “But you're such a stubborn ass, you would rather walk away than try to work through our issues. So you go work with your brothers, Dustin. I hope you find a woman who lives up to your standards."
Blowing out a harsh breath, she pushed past him and stomped down the sidewalk.
"Shannon."
Do not turn around, Shannon Piermont. Do not let him see you cry.
"Shannon, wait.” Boots pounded the cement behind her, and his hand caught her around the bicep. He urged her to a stop.
Chin held high, she whirled and glared at him. “What?” The word snapped out through clenched teeth.
"Why did you leave New York?” He searched her face, for what she didn't know.
She rolled her eyes. Now he wants to talk? “I told you, I wanted to take care of Gran's ranch."
"What if you decide you want to go back?"
"I made my choice. I spent fourteen years in the big city. I belong here, in Bandera.” With you, she wanted to add but bit back the words.
His expression softened, his hands cupped her cheeks. “You said you loved me.” His voice held a ragged edge.
Of course, she loved him. Hell, she didn't think she'd really ever stopped loving him. Her shoulders sagged. “It's not enough, though, is it? You want Sally Homemaker. I'm not her."
"I wanted you to stay in Bandera,” he admitted, the pads of his thumbs caressing her cheekbones. “I wasn't going to ask, though. I didn't want you to feel guilty for leaving again."
Despite the turmoil of emotions raging through her, hope swelled. “What about my career?"
Dustin's Gamble Page 6
