by Darcy Burke
A soft smile fluttered across her mouth. “Thank you. This morning when you introduced me to Paige, you called me your girlfriend. Is that true?”
He hadn’t given it any thought when he’d said it—the word had just come out. But it fit. “For me, yes. But you can tell me otherwise.”
She shook her head. “No. I think I’d like to be your girlfriend.”
Joy bubbled in his chest, and he smiled because he couldn’t not smile. He leaned forward and kissed her, a light touching of their lips. “Consider it done.”
She twined her arms around his neck and opened her mouth against his, kissing him with heat and fervor. He clasped her sides and massaged her through her jacket, then brought his hands around to push it from her shoulders.
She shrugged out of it and let it drop to the floor. Without breaking the kiss, she knelt up, rising over him. Her tongue plunged down into his mouth, teasing him. Every part of him ached for her.
Her fingers delved into his hair, her nails raking his scalp. She straddled him, her knees spearing into the couch on either side of his hips. He grasped her waist and pulled her down while he arched up. They both wore jeans, and they were too damn cumbersome to allow what he sought. He wanted her hot sheath bare and ready for him.
She moaned into his mouth as she ground against him. He dug his hands into her ass, desperate for more. She ran her hands down his back and grabbed the hem of his T-shirt. Her fingers grazed his bare flesh as she drew it upward. They pulled apart long enough for her to tug it over his head and throw it over the back of the couch.
They renewed the kiss, their mouths open and hungry. She gripped his shoulders as she plundered his mouth. Then her hands skimmed over his collarbones and down his chest, her thumbs flicking his nipples as they moved south.
Desire beat through him, taking him to new heights of arousal. This was more than sex. This was a connection he’d never felt.
She tore her mouth from his and kissed along his throat, pushing him back against the couch as she descended. Her lips and tongue trailed along his flesh. Again, she stopped at his nipples, teasing them briefly before she continued toward his waistband.
Her hands made quick work of his button and zipper, undoing his jeans with effortless precision. His cock was hard and ready, so eager for her touch.
She tugged at his jeans, working them down over his hips. He came up off the couch to help her, and she soon stripped them away from his quivering body. He watched as she settled herself between his legs and inched his boxer briefs lower, slowly exposing his aching cock.
She looked up at him, her tongue darting over her lips as she gave him a wicked little grin. He snagged his fingers in her hair and moaned her name.
Without bothering to pull his underwear completely off, she put her lips on him. Her wet heat surrounded the tip and then her mouth descended as her tongue stroked his length. He tried to hold himself in check but couldn’t. He thrust up into her, and she took him to the back of her throat. He felt her swallow, and the contraction sent blood screaming to his balls. This was not going to last long.
She seemed to realize this as she eased back and used her hand to work his shaft for several strokes. He squeezed his eyes shut as pleasure cascaded through him. God, the ecstasy was almost unbearable.
She took him deeper again, sucking hard. Lights danced behind his eyes. “Kelsey, I’m not going to—” His orgasm built, but she pulled way with an audible smack. He heard her breathing, hard and fast, and just barely managed to hold on.
“Should we move to the bedroom?” Her voice was dark and husky and so damn seductive, he couldn’t stand it.
He sat up and pulled her to straddle his lap. “I don’t care where we go. I just want you. Now.”
She pulled her shirt off and unfastened her bra, letting it fall between them. “So take me.”
With a grunt, he cupped the underside of her breast and pushed it up as he lowered his mouth to devour her nipple. She thrust her hands into his hair once more, tugging at the strands, but he was heedless of any pain—just a persistent, thrumming lust that only she could satisfy.
But it was more than lust. So much more. He couldn’t wait to come with her, but at the same time didn’t want it to ever end.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and stood.
She sucked in a breath. “Whoa. Luke.” She wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to the bedroom. He lifted his mouth from her breast and claimed her lips. Their tongues met in a deep kiss that seemed to speak all the words he couldn’t form just now.
In the bedroom, he stood her at the end of the bed, then undid her jeans. Gently, he pushed them down over her hips, along with her underwear. She sat on the edge of the bed, and he knelt to take off her boots so he could get her completely naked. Realizing he wasn’t completely naked, he stripped his underwear off then pushed her legs apart and knelt between them.
She opened her eyes and there was a silent, still moment where they just looked at each other, their bodies barely touching. He stared into her pale-blue irises and gently touched her inner thigh, dragging his knuckles along her soft flesh. Her eyes narrowed infinitesimally, and her lips parted.
He worked his hand higher until he grazed her cleft. She opened her legs a little more, and he used his thumb on her clit, stroking and pushing then tweaking it between his fingers. Little pants escaped her mouth, spurring his need ever higher.
Keeping his gaze locked with hers, he slipped his finger into her. She wilted a little and clasped his shoulders. He slid in as far as he could go, then withdrew. Her fingertips dug into his flesh. This time, he put two fingers into her, thrusting slowly. She gasped, and her eyes finally closed. “Luke.”
He wrapped his other hand around her neck. “Open your eyes. Look at me when you come.”
He withdrew his hands until she acquiesced. Her eyes came open, and in their depths, he saw pleasure and awe and something he couldn’t define. He imagined he looked the same. At least, that was how he felt.
“Tell me when you’re close,” he rasped. He pumped into her faster now, his thumb flicking her clit. He brought his face closer as he held her nape tight in his grip.
Her breathing came faster as her hips moved with his hand. “Yes. More.”
He quickened his pace, driving into her as her impassioned cries filled the room.
“I’m close. So close.” Her eyelids fluttered. “I can’t.”
“Look at me.” He cupped her neck and brought his lips almost to hers. He could feel her breath.
Her muscles contracted around his fingers as she cried out. He claimed her mouth as he took her cries into himself, kissing her deep and hard.
After she quieted and her body subsided, he withdrew from her, going to his nightstand to grab a condom. When he returned, she took it from him and stood up from the bed. “My turn,” she said, her gaze dark and commanding.
He arched a brow. “What do you want?”
“You. On your back.” She pivoted and lightly pushed against his chest.
He fell back as he watched her. She was lean and beautiful, her nipples dark pink peaks atop lush, silken globes. Her waist tapered to slightly flared hips, and her long legs beckoned him to bury himself between them.
She came around to the side of the bed and leaned one knee down as she bent to slip the condom along his shaft. Her touch sent him to the stratosphere, reminding him of how close he’d been in the living room. Then she threw her leg over him and positioned herself above his hips. She gripped his cock and brought it between her thighs.
Slowly, she came down, her sheath taking him in. He tried to hold back, to let her take charge, but he just wanted to grip her hips and drive into her. Forcing himself to lie back, he directed his attention to her breasts. They swayed above him, tantalizing and gorgeous. He reached up and cupped them, his fingers tweaking and pulling on the nipples while he massaged the soft flesh.
She took him inside her to the hilt, her hips grinding against
his. Her inner thighs hugged his hips as she rocked against him, slowly at first, teasing him. Buried in her wet heat, her muscles clenching around him, Luke fought to keep a handle on himself. But then she began to move faster. He didn’t want it to be over. Not yet.
He rose off the bed and snaked his hand around the nape of her neck, drawing her down so he could kiss her. She held him by the shoulders and angled her head to kiss him, her tongue plunging deep into his mouth. After a moment, she broke free, gasping as her hips worked over him. He took her nipple between his teeth, tugging the flesh before soothing it with his lips and tongue.
She pushed him down, her palm flat on his chest as she rode him faster. She arched up and ground down, her hips snapping against his. He tried to hang on, but he was too far gone. Pleasure rushed through him and plunged him headfirst over the edge into pure ecstasy as his orgasm tore through him. He yelled and bucked and barely thought to touch her, putting his fingers against her clit and coaxing her orgasm forth.
She bored down on him so hard that it was like coming a second time. White lights danced behind his eyes as he rode the wave of bliss.
A moment later, she bent over him, her breasts grazing his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close as he pressed his lips to her temple, then her cheek. She turned her head and kissed him, her lips moving gently over his. Her breath, soft and sexy, mingled with his, and he could only think that he never wanted this moment to end.
He brushed her long hair back from her face and cupped her head, kissing her as he rolled to his side. He stroked her cheekbone, her jaw, and she sighed into his mouth.
Reluctantly, he left her. “Be right back,” he whispered.
After disposing of the condom and cleaning up, he came back to the bed. She’d crawled under the bedcovers, her body curled up and her hair tossed carelessly over the pillow. He climbed in behind her and gathered her close.
She sighed again and pressed a kiss to the back of his wrist. “Good night.”
Contentment filled his soul. “Good night.”
Chapter Fifteen
Kelsey practically floated into the library on Thursday. Being Luke’s girlfriend was amazing. He was kind, considerate, sexy as hell, and even cooked. She’d gone back to her apartment to pick things up a couple of times, but had now spent a week living with Luke.
Living with him? They hadn’t discussed the situation long-term, but yeah, for now, they were living together.
Part of her said they needed to have that conversation, that it was important to make sure they were both on the same page. But another part of her said to shut up and just enjoy what was happening in the moment. For now, she was listening to that part. As well as to her therapist, whom she’d finally seen a few days ago. She’d been supportive of Kelsey’s take-it-slow approach with Luke and had helped her work through some of her lingering fear.
As Kelsey opened up the library, her assistant, Marci, arrived. Marci was a grad student at nearby Williver College, studying education. She planned to teach elementary school. “Morning, Kelsey! What’s going on today?”
“The usual,” Kelsey said. “Can you handle story time today? I have a few things I’d like to work on upstairs.”
Marci nodded as she locked her purse in a cabinet behind the counter. “Sure thing. How are plans coming for the Halloween event?”
Earlier in the week, Kelsey and Luke had come up with an idea to host a library event at West Arch Estate next weekend. Luke and his partners would open the pumpkin patch, offer hayrides, and, of course, pour wine for the adults. Meanwhile, Kelsey would host a cookie-decorating area and story time with a craft. She and Marci had brainstormed what to do on Tuesday.
“Good. Barley and Bran said they’d donate the cookies for the decorating. We just need to get the decorating supplies.”
Marci flipped her shoulder-length brown hair over her shoulder. “Sounds great. I hit the craft store yesterday and picked up a bunch of stuff. Today I was planning to print off coloring sheets.”
Kelsey grinned. “We will be more than ready come next Saturday. Would you shelve books while I check my e-mail?”
“Sure thing.” Marci took off while Kelsey sat at the desk to the left of the counter and pulled up her e-mail. She scanned it quickly and saw a message from Darryl Gray, the historian.
Kelsey’s pulse sped as she read. He’d found some information about Bird’s Nest Ranch. They were still waiting for the results from the testing the archaeologist had done in the hope of finding out when the house had burned down. But Darryl’s findings had nothing to do with the fire.
She reread what he’d written: “I’ve found evidence from 1894 that the Bird’s Nest Ranch was a brothel.”
Marci appeared at the desk. “Everything all right?”
Kelsey realized she’d gasped and that she was staring, wide-eyed, at the monitor. She shook her head to clear away the surprise. “Yes. It’s fine.” She pulled out her phone and texted the others—Crystal, Brooke, and Alaina—to tell them the news.
Their responses were almost immediate. To a person, they were shocked and dismayed.
Crystal asked if Dorinda still owned the ranch at that time. Kelsey couldn’t tell from Darryl’s e-mail, so she dashed off a response asking for more information.
He got back to her within a few minutes saying that he didn’t know. He’d found a newspaper article with a line mentioning the “Bird’s Nest Brothel above Ribbon Ridge.” He said he would continue to research it because his interest was piqued. He’d no idea there’d been a bordello in the area.
Kelsey sent the information to her friends along with her disappointment at learning that Dorinda’s homestead had become a house of ill repute. Everyone shared her chagrin and looked forward to finding the truth. Crystal was particularly passionate, texting that she was more committed than ever to finding out Dorinda’s story. They all wanted to know if she’d somehow been driven to open a brothel or if something else had happened to oust her from the home she’d built.
Kelsey set her phone aside to respond to a few other e-mails. A few minutes later, it rang. She expected it to be one of the girls, so she didn’t look at the screen before picking it up and saying hello.
“Kelsey?” The feminine voice was a bit familiar, but it wasn’t Brooke or Crystal or Alaina.
“Yes? Who is this?”
“It’s Lisa Putnam.”
Shit. Noah’s mother. Kelsey’s stomach dropped to the floor, and her mouth went dry. “Um, hi.”
“I know you must be surprised to hear from me. How are you?”
Kelsey had always liked Lisa. She’d often wondered if she’d been aware of her son’s violent nature, but nothing the woman had ever said or done had led Kelsey to think that she was. That made Kelsey ponder whether Lisa had been abused by Noah’s father. But they’d divorced when Noah was twelve, and he’d simply vanished from Noah’s life. In retrospect, that should’ve been a huge red flag.
“I’m fine.” Kelsey didn’t ask how Lisa was. She didn’t care. She didn’t want these people—Noah’s family—in her life.
“I’m so glad to hear it. I’m sure you know that Noah got out of jail.”
“Yes.” And I already have a restraining order. The judge had granted it for a period of one year. It had been easy to get, and renewing it wouldn’t be difficult.
“He’s staying with me. I wanted you to know how sorry he is. He’s in counseling and doing really well. I just thought you’d want to know.”
Actually, she didn’t. Anxiety tripped through her, and she began to shake. “Lisa, I’ve moved on with my life.” She couldn’t even bring herself to say she was glad he was doing well. She didn’t want to feel anything where it came to him—good, bad, ugly. She’d worked damn hard to push him out of her life, and she needed him to stay there.
“I understand,” Lisa said quietly. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
“Thank you, and please—” Kelsey swallowed her apprehension and s
ummoned the steel she’d strived to hone. “Please don’t call me again. Good-bye.” She hung up without waiting for a response, then went into the settings on her phone to block Lisa’s number. In fact, she’d blocked Lisa ages ago. It must’ve been a new number.
Kelsey stood and went to open the box of books, which patrons had ordered from other libraries. As she busied herself with shelving them in the pickup area, her adrenaline settled and she began to relax. She forced herself to think of something other than Noah. Dorinda and the ranch. Rather, the brothel. Ugh. Okay, not that.
Luke, duh. Luke would cheer her up. Just conjuring his handsome face with his super-sexy stare made her smile. Much better. She finished the shelving and planned to go upstairs to work on the exhibit for a bit. Story time was in full swing, and Marci had it handled.
As if he’d been summoned right out of her brain, Luke walked into the library at that moment. Kelsey’s heart tripped as she caught sight of him. He wore dark jeans, his scuffed work boots, and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows over a blue T-shirt. He scanned the interior before his gaze landed on her. His eyes lit, and his lips curved into a smile.
She met him in front of the checkout counter. “You finally made it in.”
“Technically, I came in the other day, but I think we’ve agreed to forget about that.”
Because that was when he’d brought the stupid flowers. She winced. “Sorry. Well, I’m glad you’re here now. Do you want a tour?”
“Of course.” He arched a sexy brow at her. “I hope it includes your office.”
She laughed. “I don’t have an office. There’s a conference room and kitchen upstairs. Will that do?”
“I don’t know. Let me check it out.” He raked her from head to toe with a provocative stare that made her shiver.
“Come on, I’ll show you around before you thoroughly distract me.” She linked her arm through his and took him on a tour of the downstairs. When she was finished, she led him toward the stairs. “I’ll take you up to show you the Ribbon Ridge exhibit space.” She gave him a sidelong look. “Not the conference room.”
