by Sara Orwig
His fingers laced in her short hair, and he groaned as she slowly licked his hard erection, drawing her tongue over him while she held him with one hand and caressed him between his legs with her other.
She heard the sharp intake of his breath, which excited and satisfied her because she wanted to steal his breath, make him lose control, cause him to remember this night, to stir him up as he did her. He pulled her up to look into her eyes. She leaned forward placing her mouth on his to kiss him, her tongue thrusting slowly in and out of his mouth again. He held her tightly with one arm, his other hand caressing her, running reverently over her bottom.
He bent lower to circle her nipple with his tongue while he stroked her other breast, his hand a feathery caress that made her quiver as he brushed a taut peak.
She gasped, closing her eyes, shutting away everything except his hands, his mouth and his tongue on her, working magic. Or was it magic because it was Luke holding her and kissing her?
He walked away, rustling hay with each step, to reach up and pull down a horse blanket that he spread on the hay-covered dirt floor. He picked her up and knelt to place her on it, and then, as he stretched out beside her, he drew her into his arms and kissed her, another long, heated kiss that shut out the world and left only the two of them.
While they kissed, he caressed her, running his hands over her until he shifted and moved between her legs to trail his lips up the inside of her thighs, planting slow, wet kisses. His tongue slid over her, hot and wet, moving up, causing her to arch and spread her legs for him. Kneeling between them, he propped her legs on his shoulders, to give him access to her as his hands fluttered over her in light caresses, his fingers drifting on her thighs, stroking between her legs, making her writhe with desire.
As he ravished her, his tongue thrusting, going over her intimately, she arched her back with pure, wanton need, craving more of him. She wanted him inside her, but if they were going to make love, she didn’t want to rush it, not after waiting all this time. The moment felt dreamlike because she had thought about it, imagined it, longed for it so many lonely, aching nights. But his hands and his mouth and his thick erection, his muscled body and strong arms weren’t a dream. They were real for her to touch, caress, kiss, memorize and pleasure herself with.
Shifting away, he kissed her ankles, running his tongue over her, caressing her long legs, watching her shift as he touched her and her need heightened. He drifted higher and she could run her fingers in his hair, gasp with pleasure as his hands and then his tongue moved up her inner thigh, first one leg and then the other.
“Such long, long, gorgeous legs,” he rasped, showering more caresses and wet kisses along her inner legs, inching higher, now a thrilling torment that made her want to spread her legs and draw him into her softness. He had moved up where she could kiss and caress him, stroking his manhood.
While his hands and tongue heightened desire and need, she closed her eyes, lost in sensations. She had yielded herself totally to him. She cried out, grasping his strong arms as he used his hands and his tongue to drive her wild.
“Luke, love me,” she whispered. “I want you now.”
“Wait, wait for more,” he whispered while his fingers continued to rub, building her need, carrying her toward a climax.
As she kissed and ran her hands lightly over him, she relished the moment. It was Luke in her arms, Luke kissing her, Luke taking her to paradise.
She tensed and clung to him, moving her hips furiously. “Luke, I need you now,” she gasped, wanting him inside her, holding her, consuming her.
“It’s too soon, Scarlett,” he said, picking her up and putting her astride his lap, so she sat facing him with her legs spread apart to give him access to her.
“We’re going to have some sexy fun. Hot, steamy, fun,” he said, trailing kisses lower along her throat, down to her breast, to take it in his mouth and tease and run his tongue over her nipple.
He paused to look up at her as he cupped each breast in his hands. “You’re breathtaking.”
He toyed with her, with one hand between her legs and his other hand caressing her breast, while he kissed her and she stroked his erection.
With his arm around her neck, Luke pulled her close to kiss her passionately, his tongue exploring her mouth. She kissed him in return just as feverishly, hungry for more of him, wanting him more than ever.
He kissed her again, pulling her into his lap while he ran his hands languorously over her. “You’re gorgeous. You’re perfect.”‘
“I’m not, but I want you to continue to think that way. You won’t need a condom. They said I can’t get pregnant.”
“We won’t take chances,” he answered. “We have a lot of catching up to do,” he said, putting on the condom and moving between her legs. His gaze swept over her. “Tonight you’re mine,” he whispered with a hoarse, grating whisper.
He kissed away her answer and came down between her legs to enter her. She gasped with pleasure, crying out and holding him. His mouth covered hers as he entered her, filling her completely.
She clung to him, desire driving her now with all reasoning gone. She ran one hand down his back, over his firm bottom, moving her hips against him, while they rocked hard and fast. Everything about him felt powerful and masculine and potently sexy. And then she was lost and couldn’t think about anything. Sensations swirled through her, and they moved faster, pumping wildly as she gyrated against him.
Suddenly, she climaxed. Waves of release and rapture washed over her when she moved with him, and then, dimly, she heard his low, guttural groan while he climaxed.
Still thrusting hard and fast, they moved together as ecstasy and joy swamped her. They both gasped for breath, their bodies glistening with sweat.
She clung to him as they slowed and began to breathe normally. Closing her eyes, she held him tightly. For this night, this hour, Luke was in her arms, loving her and letting her love him. This was her dream for so many lonely nights as a teen. When he left for California, she thought he had gone out of her life forever, and, in truth, he had. But for a few precious minutes tonight, her wishes had been partially fulfilled.
Realistically, she knew that this loving wouldn’t last, and it was meaningless for both of them. There was no way he would ever truly love her or want her in his life on a permanent basis. She wasn’t the woman for him in too many ways. But for tonight, she could forget the yesterdays and the tomorrows and just hold him and have hot, lusty rapturous sex with him.
“There’s no woman on earth like you, Scarlett,” he whispered and turned his head to kiss her lightly on her forehead.
“I could say the same about you. We’re good together in bed.”
“Damn good. I think you melted my bones.”
She flashed him a coy smile. “I know one way to help you recuperate. I can see to that.”
“I hope you do, but not quite yet. Let me catch my breath. This has to be the best night in my life in a long, long time. I hope the little calf survives—that would really make it the best night ever. It won’t be quite the same if the calf doesn’t make it.”
She rolled over to pull out her phone. “Toby will be here at 6:30 a.m. to transport the calf to the Royal Veterinary Hospital.”
Luke shifted to his side, still holding her close, showering light kisses on her temple, her cheek, her ear, her throat. “You’re marvelous, Scarlett. Marvelous, sexy, hot. I’ve melted.”
“I hope so,” she said sweetly and smiled up at him. “This is crazy, Luke, and we’ll both be sorry. I’ll be sorry. You know I can’t take sex lightly the way you do.”
“Who said I do?”
“Give me credit for an ounce of sense,” she scoffed. “This will be a roll in the hay, literally, for you and soon forgotten.”
“If you think I’m going to forget the past hour for a long, long, long time, if ever, you are s
orely mistaken.”
“Time will tell.” They grew silent, and she was content, trying to avoid thinking beyond the present moment. She was in Luke’s arms, and it felt right, and it finally chased away the memories of the sad and angry moments between them. The euphoria, the closeness, their making love—none of it would last, but she would relish this night with him and, right now, she didn’t want to think beyond it. She would be hurt again, but there was no way she could have said no to him tonight.
He held her close against him and she felt wrapped in euphoria and guessed that he did, too.
“ You’re an adorable mom,” he said, turning his head to kiss her.
She wrapped her arm around his neck to hold him as she kissed him in return. Tonight was all about them, not the past, or what would happen in the future. Luke was once again in her arms, kissing her, loving her, and she had already crossed a line, so there was no going back now. She snuggled closer and pressed against him, feeling his hard erection thrust against her. He was ready for love again, and so was she.
* * *
Saturday morning, Luke opened his eyes to see Scarlett gathering her clothes. He closed his hand around her ankle, and she turned to look at him.
“Good morning, gorgeous,” he said, smiling at her. “Come down here. And toss the clothes. I really like you naked.”
She smiled in return as she gave a reluctant shake of her head. “You forget—we have a sick calf, and Toby will appear before you know it. He’s up before the sun.”
Luke groaned. “Your brother. I’m glad he’s coming to get the calf, but he could give us a little time here.”
“I doubt if my brother views us being together as good news.”
“I’m lucky if he doesn’t slug me.”
“Toby would do no such thing,” she insisted. “Well, at least not unless he’s provoked by you. You’re smart enough to avoid that.”
He grimaced. “I hope to hell I am. How’s the calf?”
“Still pretty sick. I hate to take it from its mama, but we have to. Right now I’m going to the house where I hope the water still works and I can take a shower.”
Luke sat up and rubbed the back of his neck, stretching out his arms.
“Can I come with you? It’ll save time if we shower together.”
“I don’t know how you can even say that with a straight face. If we get in a shower together, it isn’t going to save time.”
“Might,” Luke said, standing and grabbing his clothes. “Let me show you,” he drawled.
She pulled her shirt over her head, stepped into her jeans and pulled on her boots. “I’m dressing to get from here to the house. You better do the same, in case Toby drives up.”
Luke nodded because she was right. He didn’t want to leave the barn naked with her and run into her brother. In minutes they walked through the house that was almost devoid of furniture and had graffiti on some walls, broken windows—a standing trash heap was all he could call it. Luke tried to avoid thinking about what used to be and the years when he was young and very happy here.
Scarlett took his hand. “Luke, I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how I would feel if this happened to our place.”
“You don’t ever have to spend one second imagining this in connection with your place. You have a super family. Toby’s a fine guy and a good brother. Your mom is a rock for her whole family. You can always count on her, and she constantly showers all of you with love and affection. Your place is one of those oases in the world where it’s a haven of love for the family.”
“I have to agree. I just hope I can give that to Carl the way Mom gave us so much. But I’m sorry for what you’re going through.”
“Thanks. I’ll go home to California and get on with life, and this will just be a bad memory I’ll try to forget. Last night is what I’ll remember. That makes up for a lot of hurt.”
She was silent, and he wondered if he had hurt her again. He didn’t feel he had because she was mature enough now to see his tainted family history for what it was. If he asked her to take him back, he was certain she would say no immediately. They weren’t in love, and she wouldn’t want to be any part of a family that let a ranch go to ruin like the Double U and abandoned the animals they owned.
To Scarlett, Luke knew he could never mean anything more than a fun night in bed with an old friend. She would never want to be seriously connected with a man like him. He really didn’t blame her. He wished he could disconnect himself. He wouldn’t ask her for a binding relationship because of the possibility he would turn into a man like his dad.
“It’s good for everyone in this area that you’re going to keep the ranch and rebuild. It’ll thrive with you in charge, and you’ll have a fine working ranch again.” She patted his shoulder. “Just think about what will be, and try to let the past go.”
“If I can keep my dad from wrecking it again. I don’t really think he’ll be back on the ranch, anyway. I’ll get him a house in Royal if he wants one, but from the reports I’m getting, I don’t think he’ll ever be able to leave the facility where he is now, unless it’s straight to the hospital.” He told her all this because it was obvious she was trying to be sympathetic and thought he was quiet, lost in thoughts about his dad and the ranch. He didn’t think he would get sympathy if she knew he had been thinking about the two of them.
Only there really wasn’t any “two of them.” He could never really be a part of Scarlett’s life, and if he ever started thinking he could, all he had to do was remember the condition his dad had let the ranch sink into because of his drinking addiction.
“I have a beer, especially on hot days or out partying. I probably should cut the alcohol and view it like poison before I end up like my dad.”
“You’re not going to do that,” she said. They had reached a bathroom with a working shower, and she turned to put her index finger against his chest.
“I get to shower first so I’ll be ready to meet Toby.”
Luke smiled at her and put his hand on the wall over her head to lean closer to her. “As I told you before, we can cut the time in half if we shower together. If I promise to stick to just getting a shower, everything should be fine. C’mon, Scarlett, we’re wasting time.” He stepped closer, reached past her and turned on the shower.
“Luke, I mean it, Toby will be here—”
He turned to catch the hem of her T-shirt and pull it over her head.
“Luke—” Her muffled protest stopped as he pulled the shirt away and unbuttoned his shirt to pull it off.
“Skin out of those clothes, sweetie. Let’s hurry it up. I don’t want Toby finding me in here with you.” Luke stripped as he talked and stepped into the shower, turning the water temperature down to try to cool himself down, because he was saying one thing, but he was feeling another. Scarlett was naked, gorgeous, sexy and enticing. He was instantly aroused, ready to make love and wanting her.
“Don’t you dare touch me,” she admonished. Her hazel eyes flashed fire, and he knew he’d better shower fast and dress, but it would be the worst kind of torture. Scarlett just made him want to pull her into his arms and kiss her from head to toe.
“I’m hurrying,” he said in a husky voice, “but we’re coming back here to do this again later and do it right.”
He washed, stepped out, dried and started dressing, watching her intently. She was breathtaking, and he was rock hard with desire. He needed to dress and get away from her and cool down fast, because he knew Toby McKittrick well enough to know he was protective of Scarlett and unhappy with Luke from his earlier years.
Reluctantly, Luke walked outside to wait for Scarlett. Images of her in the shower tormented him, and he promised himself he would coax her into showering with him again. He kicked a rock with the toe of his boot. He might not be with Scarlett much again after Toby picked up the sick calf.
“I’m r
eady,” she said, coming outside and joining him. They walked back to the barn, and she knelt to check the calf over. Her jeans tightened across her trim, sexy butt, and once again he wanted her in his bed.
“I’ll get our things packed up,” he said, stepping into the next stall and gathering her things to get them stowed first. It took only minutes because they hadn’t brought much. He closed the stall and carried their things to his pickup to place them in the back.
He heard a motor and saw dust stirred by an approaching car that was hidden by trees. “Your brother’s coming up the road,” he told Scarlett. “Our things are in my pickup, and we better get our stories straight.”
“I slept with the calf. You slept—”
“Next stall. Stay as close to the truth as we can.” He left to meet Toby.
Toby was big and tough, a great guy and they had been friends until Luke left for college and abandoned Scarlett. His relationship with Toby haad been cold since that time. Since that time Toby hadn’t wanted him around his sister and Luke couldn’t blame him.
Toby parked beside Luke’s pickup, walked around the back of it and paused a second to look at it. He picked up Scarlett’s things and carried them back to put them in his pickup.
He returned. “Scarlett’s inside with a calf, isn’t she?” Toby asked as he approached Luke.
“Good morning to you. Thanks for coming, and, yes, she is. She has saved my horses and some of the cattle, and she’s kept this little calf alive.”
Toby stepped closer. “Weston, I don’t give a damn that you’re on Forbes’s list or what you’ve done in Silicon Valley. If you hurt Scarlett again, the way you did before, I promise you Royal will have another missing person’s case on its hands. You stay away from my sister. You broke her heart.”
“I’ve never meant to hurt your sister,” he said, knowing Toby was just a protective brother. He waved his hand and glanced toward the wreckage that had been his home. “Look at the house and the ranch and see the results of the family I come from. I don’t think you want me to propose to her. Not then, not now.”
