Ginger held her breath as he kissed her nub like it was an honeyed flower bud. Passion blossomed from her center, and she arched her head back and pushed herself against his lips.
He licked and he sucked, keeping up a steady rhythm, driving her mad with desperation. She wanted more. Wanted him to fill her, to possess her, to take her with his entire being.
“Marsh,” she cried out as the edges of orgasm curled around her core.
At her cry, he rolled his finger into her entrance, surprising her with his ferocity. Her climax hit her like a freight train, and her hips jerked of their own volition.
All thought left her as pure pleasure rained down on her, smothering her in breathless ecstasy. She pulsed and pulsed, while he rose up over her and kissed her lips, giving her a taste of her own sweetness and holding her tight as tingles of pleasure sizzled over her entire body.
Oh, how she craved his touch and warmth as he cradled her, letting her catch her breath, painfully aware that his erection called to her, hot, large, and engorged.
“Marsh, your turn,” she said, still panting in the aftermath of her climax.
“Wait. Shhh …” He covered her lips and pulled the blanket over her. His entire body tensed. “Stay here. Someone’s in the barn.”
“Other than the animals?”
“Shhh …”
And he was gone. His footsteps clambered on the wooden floor and down the stairway. A light flicked on down below, and Ginger grasped at straws, afraid to get out of the comforter to find her clothes.
Chapter Ten
Marsh stepped outside, pulled the barn door shut, and locked it behind him. There was no intruder other than his traitorous heart. What was he thinking taking Ginger to the hayloft and making her scream?
This was supposed to be casual, and he should have made it quick, scratched his itch without getting too involved, and gotten her out of there.
And then, she’d said, “Your turn,” and the way she’d looked at him, all satisfied and purring, her eyes at half-mast, filled with a tenderness—that almost did him in.
He had an entire world of experiences out there beyond Sapphire Falls waiting for him. Places to visit, people to meet, and yes, women to party with. He was about to go to the Big Apple and have Valentine’s Day there. He’d go to a bar and check out the scene, feast his eyes on the beautiful women of New York. He’d play it cool and not get attached to anyone, just fill himself with adventures and thrills—collecting them like gemstones to savor and remember during the lonely cold winters on the farm.
And here came Ginger Myers, slapdash and back in his life to tempt him with forever, only to eventually run off with a more exciting man as soon as she’d locked his heart down.
Like Kerry had done.
Marsh rubbed his hands back over his hair and missed its shaggy length, before remembering Ginger had practically shaved the sides bald, leaving a quarter-inch long fuzz.
Eight years ago, he was one of those love-struck men, counting on the Love Potion curse to work its magic, busy earning and saving money for his honeymoon, only to be dumped for a guy who lived in a skyscraper.
This definitely wasn’t happening again. He stamped his feet in the crunching snow and blew on his hands since he’d left his gloves in the rush to leave the hayloft.
No woman was going to make him lose it in front of the town ever again. After Kerry left, he’d been the object of sympathy and the target for every blind date.
It had taken eight long years before the good people of Sapphire Falls had given up on setting him up with any of their good daughters.
And then, Ginger Myers happened.
No way was she going to get under his skin the way Kerry had done. And that meant, as blue as his balls got, he couldn’t let his cock get anywhere near her, especially inside that hot, wet, pulsating and oh so tasty pussy of hers.
A man trap—once he entered, he’d never want to leave. Hypnotized and enslaved to her, the way he was up in the loft, surrounded by her sexy sweet scent, touching her silky skin, relishing the music of her moans and pants, and glorying in his ability to pleasure her.
Fortunately, the spell was broken when she wanted to pay him back. His chest tightened at the thought of getting tied down, and the loft got stifling. He needed oxygen, fresh air to clear his head, and he’d gotten out of Dodge as fast as his panicked heart could take him.
Except she was still up there.
Marsh glanced up at the barn. He couldn’t leave her there all night. And he couldn’t hurt her by telling her he didn’t want to see her again. They were stuck in Sapphire Falls together for another two days, and he’d promised her country cooking and the truck bed, although at this time of the year, they’d both freeze their asses off.
Which might work well to keep him from getting his cock trapped inside of her.
Mind made up, Marsh unlocked the barn door and headed back to the loft.
He’d just have to play it cool and tell her he’d interrupted a burglar, then drive her back to her sister’s place. Tomorrow evening, he’d take her down to the riverside—the freezing riverside, and they could sit on the truck bed and sip hot cocoa.
He’d never turned down a willing woman before, especially one who could easily wrap him up and put a bow on top.
This was messed up. Totally. He’d known her for less than two days, not counting the wedding where they’d been surrounded by family. There was no reason why Ginger Myers would tie him in knots.
Fortifying himself, he started up the stairs.
“Did you find anyone?” Her voice sailed from above. “Is it safe to come out?”
He almost let out a laugh. Had she been cowering up in the hayloft the entire time?
“Scared them away,” he lied, cracking his knuckles. The devil on his shoulder whispered that she could still be naked, while the angel on the other shoulder chastised him for lying, and added that since he didn’t want to do her, he might as well say he had no protection.
“Oh, good.” Her voice held a hint of snark when it should have been shaky. “I didn’t know there were prowlers here. I thought it was safe.”
“It usually is, but you never know these days.” He stepped around a beam and into the loft. Since he left the oil lantern on, he could see her still huddled under the comforter. Her shoulders were unclothed.
“I couldn’t find my clothes, and I was afraid the burglar would find me if I made any noise.” Her face was still tinged pink from the orgasm he’d given her, and for which he was mighty proud of. “Lucky he disappeared into thin air.”
Feeling guilty, he took off his coat and sat himself down on a bale of hay, facing her. “Do you want to go back to my place for coffee or wine?”
A smile slid across her face, and she tapped his knee. “It’s your turn to get naked. Let me show you what a city girl can do.”
“Uh, well, I, uh, don’t have protection,” he stammered, even as his cock jumped to attention and the devil on his shoulder said there was plenty that could be done without a condom.
“Your apartment’s right over there.” She jerked her head toward the walled part of the loft.
“Yeah, well, winters are long and cold here.”
“Seriously?” She sat up straighter. “You don’t have a stockpile?”
He rubbed the thin strip of hair she’d left on the back of his head. “I haven’t had time to hit the grocery store. My mom does the shopping, and I can’t very well ask her to pick up condoms for me.”
“Sure you could. Don’t tell me you’re inhibited.”
“Inhibited?” He spread his hands. “I’m daring and up for anything.”
She scooted closer, still holding the comforter around her. “It’s okay, Marsh. There was no intruder. You needed time, and that’s fine.”
What? Was she calling his bluff? That woman must have had the hearing of a cat.
“I’m not inhibited.” He stopped her from petting his knee. “I made you come apart, didn’t I? W
hat part of that is inhibited?”
She crawled up onto the hay bale next to him and encircled his shoulders with her arms. Leaning her cheek against his, she rocked him. “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
Whoa. Marsh swallowed as his heart lurched. She’d seen right through him. Not only was he not as experienced as her, but his techniques came from reading books about how to make women come.
His usual hookups were quick and dirty affairs, more for relieving his balls than for building any kind of relationship. The women were drunk and fast—nothing to write home about.
Marsh put his hand around Ginger’s waist and held her close, despite the danger. She was warm and comforting, and only here for a short time. He’d find out from Max what her plans were, and then he could rein in his heart and let her go when the time came.
Turning her cheek toward him, he kissed her, softly and tenderly. His body could be raging, especially his misbehaving cock, but he would do right by her and leave her untouched.
He would never be ready for her.
Chapter Eleven
“Hope you have your scissors sharpened and your trimmers cleaned,” Honey said the next morning when Ginger emerged from the guest room.
“Why, what’s going on?” Ginger yawned and headed for the coffee machine. Even though she hadn’t gotten in too late the night before, her brain was still deliciously fuzzy from the additional orgasms Marsh gave her after they retired to his apartment.
Maybe being inhibited was a good thing for a man, if it meant he spent more time observing her and responding to her needs. But at the same time, Ginger itched to show him what she could do.
Honey’s husband, Max, glanced up from his tablet computer and set his coffee mug down. “As long as I’m first.”
Ginger wasn’t sure if he was speaking to her or not. She dumped a teaspoon of sugar into the coffee and mixed in a dollop of cream. Usually, she stayed away from the caffeine because they made her eyes twitch, but today she needed the extra kick.
“Sure, sure, Ginger, Max wants to be first.” Honey gave her arm a squeeze. “Then you can set up shop and get to the rest of the guys. I can call them and let them know when to start lining up.”
Ginger blinked, her gaze traveling from Honey to Max and back. Good thing the little ones were still asleep, because this was strange. A line of guys with Max first?
“What exactly are you asking me to do?” she sputtered, almost spitting out hot coffee.
“Cut and style my hair,” Max explained. He pivoted in his chair and showed her a set of images on his tablet. “I want to look like this actor.”
“I can give you the haircut, but I can’t guarantee you’ll be mistaken for him,” Ginger said. “That’s a curly undercut with a temple fade. I’d say it’ll look great for a businessman like you. Not too extreme, but still trendy.”
“Perfect,” Honey said, peering over Max’s shoulder. “I was worried you were going to get something extreme after seeing Marsh’s haircut.”
“Yeah, that one is like, wow!” Max chuckled. “I never knew my brother had the guts to look so cool.”
“Hey, he’s a pretty cool guy.” Ginger felt the need to defend Marsh. “I had a good time with him last night. He’s really quite an awesome guy.”
“Hmmm … I’ll be sure to quiz you once Max has gone to work.” Honey winked while texting on her phone. “I’ll tell the other guys you’ll be free at ten. Half the town wants you to cut their hair.”
“Isn’t there already a hair salon in town?” Ginger thought she’d passed a tiny shop in the business district.
“They give regular farmer cuts,” Honey said. “Hey, Candi says you’re looking for a job. Why don’t you go talk to the owner? I’m sure she’d be happy to take you on.”
“Except I’m taking her business away right now.” Ginger grabbed a slice of bread and popped it into the toaster.
“Call it a trial run. Make a little cash on the side, and let her hear about it, then she’ll be begging you to join the team.” Max gave his opinion.
“Okay …” All kinds of strange emotions ran through Ginger, as hope sparred with doubt. Could she truly be happy living in a town where everyone knew each other? Where the same people saw each other from cradle to grave?
But then, her two sisters, Honey and Candi, seemed to have settled in nicely. Honey was a romance writer and she headed the book club over at the library. She also belonged to a mother’s group and volunteered with the Blue Brigade. Meanwhile, Candi had set up her own dance studio and was actively involved in the decorations for the town’s festivals. Both sisters often told her about margarita nights with the girls, and how much fun they had working with the seniors at the community center.
On the other hand, Marsh wasn’t exactly forthcoming with his intentions—actually, he’d made it clear they were only in it for a few nights. And whether she wanted to admit it or not, it would sting to see him out and about with another woman.
“Wow, you’re deep in thought.” Honey put her arm around Ginger’s shoulders as she picked the toast from the toaster. “Everything okay with you and Marsh?”
“Couldn’t be better. He’s showing me around the town and I’m prepping him for his trip to New York.”
“Maybe you should go with him,” Honey suggested. “You still have those tickets to that Valentine’s Party in Times Square, don’t you?”
“Actually, Candi gave them to Kate Spencer to auction off on Saturday,” Ginger said. “I need the money, as you know.”
“Who’d pick up tickets to the city on Saturday for a party on Tuesday?” Honey asked. “The airfare would be horrendous.”
Max raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat. “Some of the residents have private jets at their beck and call. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the Spencer brothers picked up the tickets. Why, if they fought over the tickets, you could make a pretty penny.”
“I hope so.” Ginger slathered butter on her toast and took a seat at the kitchen table. “I thought about giving them to Marsh, but I do need the money.”
“What exactly is Marsh going to do when he gets to New York?” Max asked. “I don’t know that he’s even booked a place to stay yet. He’s got some vague notions of seeing all the sights and going to clubs.”
“He could stay at my apartment,” Ginger said. “Rent’s paid until the end of the month because I didn’t know I was going to be fired.”
“Hey, good idea,” Honey said. “Then maybe he can sublet it from you. Max, is he seriously thinking of moving out there for a job?”
“I can’t see what he’d qualify for. He’s a farmer with dirt under his nails.” Max huffed, sounding superior.
Max, the eldest of the Wolff brothers, was the only one in his family who’d left town and gone to college. Sure, he was a hotshot investment banker, but that didn’t necessarily put him above his two brothers who carried on the family tradition.
Miffed somewhat at Max’s snobbery, Ginger decided to make his haircut a more disconnected undercut with a severe fade in the back where he couldn’t see it.
Marsh was a good and honorable man, and as far as she could tell, they didn’t make many of his kind, even here in wholesome Sapphire Falls.
Chapter Twelve
“You get any last night?” Marsh’s brother Mike ribbed him while the two of them walked around the base of the wind turbine checking the cables and anchor mounts.
Marsh cranked the wrench and clenched his teeth. He never asked his brother about the women he dated, and he wasn’t about to spill a word of what he and Ginger did.
“What happened after you two left the diner?” Mike continued, as he always did. He was the chattiest of the three brothers.
“We hung out and I dropped her off at her sister’s place.”
“Heard you’re going to have her cook a casserole tonight.”
“Yep.” Marsh moved the wrench to the next bolt.
“Isn’t it kind of cozy to cook together? I mean
, that’s practically engaged in my book.”
“Not in mine,” Marsh said. He flashed back to him and Kerry always getting into each other’s way in the kitchen. Look how well that turned out.
“You think she’d actually stay here in Sapphire Falls?” Mike could be a persistent little bugger when he wanted to pump information.
“You mean permanently?” Marsh tried to suppress the spark of hope flickering in his chest. “I don’t think so. She’s a city girl through and through.”
“Then you ought to move to the city.”
Marsh bobbled the wrench and almost dropped it. “Why would I want to do that?”
“Come on, you know. She’s the one for you, isn’t she?”
Marsh didn’t reply. His heart was beating too fast, and cold sweat spread on his brow. Was it that obvious to everyone that he thought about Ginger night and day?
They must all be pitying him by now, because Ginger had made it clear they were only hanging out to help each other make the transition from city to country life and vice versa. In forty-eight hours, he was due to board a plane for New York City.
When he asked Ginger about her return flight, she’d been vague, saying only that she’d planned on staying over Valentine’s Day. She was looking forward to the town’s annual dance and no doubt, her sisters had clued her in on the bachelor’s auction, which would be held on Saturday, three days before the dance.
“Your silence tells me she’s the one you’re thinking about,” Mike said, knocking him from his musings. “Is she going back to New York with you?”
“Nope. She’s staying here and I’m going there. We’re like two ships in the night, and that’s all that it will ever be.”
“Too bad,” Mike said. “I like her. She gave me a short quiff this morning and showed me how to use wax to get the hair to stand up.”
“Yeah, well, you’re staying late today, since I covered for you this morning while you were out getting that quiff. The tractor needs an oil change and new spark plugs. I have to get ready to cook with Ginger and pack afterwards for my trip.”
Sapphire Falls: Going Hearts Over Heels (Kindle Worlds Novella) (My Country Heart Book 3) Page 6
