A County Girl's Heart

by Dena Blake

  DJ touched Kat’s shoulders lightly as she came up behind her. “What’s wrong?”

  She turned her stare to the message machine on the counter, prompting DJ to reach over and push the Play button. DJ was surprised to hear Mark Hamilton’s voice spewing some sort of legal jargon about her father’s estate. Why the hell is he calling Kat? Her visit today must have stirred up something.

  DJ let out a heavy breath and let her arms snake around Kat’s waist. “You know you’re going to have to take care of that.”

  “I thought I hated that man.” Tears streamed down her face.

  It seemed they had something in common. DJ didn’t know if she could advise Kat to forgive her father when she hadn’t had it in her to forgive her own. She just knew she regretted not doing it. “You can’t deny he was your father.”

  “God. I wish I could.” Kat wiped a tear from her cheek and moved into the living room.

  DJ took Kat’s arm and swung her around to face her. “Please don’t shut me out.” Kat flinched when a sudden clap of thunder rolled powerfully in the distance. Her eyes were a deep sapphire blue now, more tears threatening to spill out again at any moment. DJ could see that the break from her family wasn’t as clean as Kat had forced herself to believe. She must have locked her feelings away, hidden the pain, and buried it deep. It seemed to be simmering inside, threatening to resurface at any time.

  Kat fell against DJ’s chest. “Why couldn’t he just love me?”

  “Sometimes people do things for reasons we don’t understand until it’s too late.” DJ hugged Kat close, wishing she could take it all away, that they’d met under different circumstances. DJ had come to the ranch to seduce her, to lure Kat to Austin. She’d never expected such a powerful connection or feelings like this to explode inside her.

  Kat pressed her mouth urgently to DJ’s, and the desperate need to touch her surged through her again. DJ had been with many women before, never looking past the one brief moment of gratification, but Kat was unlike any woman she’d ever known.

  Kat stared into DJ’s gentle, caring eyes. Was DJ really a woman she could depend on? It didn’t seem possible to find someone who didn’t care about her past, someone that made her feel innocent and pure again. There had been so many before, when she’d tried to return to a normal existence after losing Arizona. So many that sometimes it seemed like an endless game. Becoming this wrapped up in DJ was a mistake, she thought, resting her head against her chest. She pulsed with anticipation as DJ’s fingers tormented her with soft, heated caresses. She’d forgotten what it was like to let someone else take control, to let everything play out naturally instead of knowing how and when it was going to end. This particular feeling of domination was overwhelmingly intoxicating. Being this close to DJ made her feel alive again, as though nothing else mattered.

  The thunder clapped again. Kat stiffened and pushed DJ away. “I can’t do this.” She hated thunder. It reminded her of something she’d lost. Something very precious.

  “You missed me, didn’t you?” DJ held Kat firmly with one hand while the other slowly traced up and down her spine.

  “More than you’ll ever know,” Kat murmured, staring into her eyes intensely, searching for some sort of reassurance.

  “I don’t know how I ever thought I could resist you,” DJ said, her mouth making its way to Kat’s.

  Kat met DJ’s mouth in a heated frenzy, touching and baiting as she grabbed at the fabric left between them and the pearl snaps of DJ’s shirt popped open. Kat needed to feel her skin—now. She stopped for a moment and looked at the woman before her. Pinked cheeks and chest heaving, DJ was more stunning in this moment than Kat had ever imagined. She slid her hands across the soft skin of her chest before she pushed the shirt from DJ’s shoulders and let it fall to the ground. DJ tugged the cotton T-shirt loose from Kat’s belt, her hands making their way underneath, gently touching, caressing. Completely unprepared for the barrage of sensations coursing through her, Kat gasped as DJ’s hands skimmed her rib cage. Her thumbs swept up and under the fabric of Kat’s bra, and Kat’s nipples immediately stiffened. She let a throaty moan escape her lips before she pulled her shirt over her head, and tossed it aside, leaving her black, silken bra still intact. She urgently returned her mouth to DJ’s as DJ fumbled awkwardly with the clasp. Kat slid her hands across DJ’s tense muscular arms before she reached around and popped it open easily. One by one, Kat slid the straps slowly from her shoulders, revealing the breasts trapped just behind the cups.

  Wanting blindly, they fell across the end table and onto the couch, knocking the lamp on its side and catapulting the throw pillows off onto the floor.

  Kat shifted on top and straddled DJ, clumsily trying to unfasten her jeans. “Damn.”

  DJ took Kat’s hands in hers. “Slow down, darlin’. I’m not going anywhere.” DJ sat up and removed her bra before she took Kat in her arms and traced the line of her shoulder with gentle kisses. Kat shuddered out a breath and pressed herself into DJ. The touch of DJ’s soft warm breasts against hers made reckless desire echo through her, and wetness gushed to her panties. The long-forgotten sensation only added to the intense confinement of her jeans.

  DJ lifted her from the couch, and Kat wound her legs around her waist as she carried her down the hallway. She pushed the first door open, backed out, and went into the next room. “Fuck. Which one is it?”

  Kat smiled at DJ’s urgency. “Last one on the right,” she said, eager to feel DJ’s hot mouth on her already blazing skin.

  After finally making it to the bedroom, DJ laid Kat on the bed and shed the rest of her clothes. Kat kept her gaze glued to DJ until she removed the last piece of clothing. She blinked at the sight. Long legs, muscular body, and small, perky breasts with nipples standing at attention. How could a body look so perfect? Kat swallowed hard and began tugging off her jeans.

  “Wait,” DJ said, moving Kat’s hands. “I want to do that.” Her strong yet gentle hands swept across Kat’s thighs, slowly sliding the jeans off before returning up her legs.

  Kat’s skin sizzled with each fleeting touch. DJ slid the remaining underpants down Kat’s thighs before she let her tongue move urgently between Kat’s folds, sending a sudden gasp of pleasure through Kat’s lips. The anticipation had gotten the best of her, and she couldn’t stop the thundering orgasm. Her mind spun into colors of pure bliss as she was instantly and completely consumed. Her muscles contracted with unimaginable strength, and the electricity pulsing through her made her tremble uncontrollably. The turbulent sounds of the storm were lost in the distance as sensations rocketed through her, each never fading completely before the next began. DJ took her to the very edge and back again. Her tongue moved exquisitely in rhythm from inside her to her intensely sensitive clit. Then she suddenly stopped, leaving Kat yearning for final surrender.

  Kat grabbed at DJ’s curls and growled. “Jesus. Don’t stop now.” She heard a soft chuckle and felt a quick breath on her center before DJ’s mouth went to work and pushed Kat over the edge into another surging orgasm.

  Kat was still reeling when DJ crawled up and sucked a nipple into her mouth. Kat motioned her up farther and met DJ’s mouth and tongue eagerly. Kat’s senses heightened as her need to touch DJ increased. She shoved DJ onto her back and straddled her as she took a breast into each hand, flicking the nipples with her thumbs and then her tongue. Kat felt DJ’s hand move between her legs and quivered as more than one finger explored her. Oh, my God. What are you doing to me? She rocked against DJ’s hand, stiffening as two fingers penetrated her, and she stopped before fully engulfing them.

  “Are you okay?” DJ asked.

  Kat shifted forward, blanketing DJ’s body with hers. “It’s been a while,” she whispered.

  “We’ll take it slow.” DJ sat up and held Kat closely to her as she eased farther onto DJ’s fingers, lifting her slightly when Kat let a gasp escape.

  Kat lowered and rose in a slow, steady rhythm until DJ’s fingers were fully insi
de, and then she let Kat manage the pace. She gradually adapted and quickened her pace as she indulged in the intensity of each thrust, plunging DJ’s fingers deeper inside. A jolt shot through her when DJ’s thumb pressed against her clit. She had to slow down.

  “Not yet,” Kat murmured as she stilled and stared into DJ’s dark-green eyes. Kat was incredibly wet, and DJ was taking her with such intensity, such hunger, her body was about to explode…again. She covered DJ’s mouth with hers and continued her rhythm. The taste of herself on DJ’s lips only ignited her desire more. One, two, three thrusts, and Kat was thrown into another staggering orgasm. She clenched DJ as she rode out the mixture of wildly intense emotions and sensations. She had no idea an orgasm that deep was even possible. When Kat collapsed against her, DJ withdrew her fingers and lowered Kat on top of her.

  Kat waited only a few moments before she pressed her mouth to DJ’s and kissed her again. She wanted to touch her all over, to taste her, to make DJ hers. She held one of DJ’s breasts in her hand and pinched the nipple before she took the other nipple into her mouth and circled it with her tongue. She lingered, toying with their pointed peaks, causing them to pebble hard. She moved her mouth slowly down across DJ’s stomach and felt her belly tighten. She went lower, trailing across her hip, then gently weaving back and forth, in and out of every crevice lightly with her tongue. She stopped and hovered just above the blond patch of curls that led to what Kat knew would be her own undoing. She took in her scent, and the heady haze it threw her into spun into insatiable desire. She had to taste her.

  She looked up across DJ’s stomach and took in the beautiful view before she dipped her tongue between the folds. She heard DJ’s breath catch, and she arched into her. Kat grabbed her ass and held her steady as she moved her tongue up and down, stopping to suck and nibble with each pass. She tasted incredible, which only succeeded in making Kat more wet. She plunged her tongue deep inside, and DJ responded with a low moan. She slid a finger in and then another as she focused her tongue on DJ’s clit, which hardened with each stroke. It wasn’t long before DJ’s breathing quickened and Kat felt her constrict around her fingers. DJ grabbed at the sheets and clamped her legs together as indecipherable words rumbled out of her mouth. Kat was totally turned on again.

  Her nerve endings still on fire, Kat lay in the crook of DJ’s shoulder, her face nestled into her chest, trying to keep her eyes open. They’d made love several more times during the night. The igniting passion that had coursed through her only a few moments ago had drained her to her very core. As her pulse finally began to slow, she thought about how gentle DJ had been with her, calming her, bringing her to a level where she could let go and enjoy the sensations spiraling through her. Arizona had been the only other woman who could do that.

  Kat looked up and watched DJ’s beautiful face as she slept. There was only one other woman she’d given herself to or taken so completely. She’d had sex with an array of women since Arizona died, but she hadn’t been this intimate with anyone. It was too close, too personal, but the connection between her and DJ was unmistakable. Kat had wanted to be as close as she possibly could to DJ. She took in a deep breath and hoped she hadn’t made a mistake.

  Having one true love in her lifetime had been a blessing, and now to have another come along was unbelievable. The storm had passed, and she was safe in DJ’s arms, completely and utterly content.

  Chapter Fifteen

  As the sun came up the next morning, DJ thought about the woman in her arms. She’d wanted to take her time pleasing Kat, but her control had weakened with each sensual sound Kat had uttered. Kat’s fingers had tangled in the curls of her hair, moving through them, tugging urgently as DJ continued to roam Kat’s body, exploring every crevice over and over again.

  DJ remembered how her body had quivered as she nipped at the flesh of Kat’s breasts, savoring the taste, teasing her nipples. When, with a groan of utter need, Kat had begged her for release, DJ had plunged her tongue deep inside. Kat had responded even more urgently than the first time, letting out a soft shudder as another wave of staggering sensations rolled through her. Kat was hot, steaming with desire beneath her, which made DJ want her even more than she’d thought possible.

  DJ touched her nipple. It was agonizingly sensitive. Kat had done that. She clamped her eyes closed. What the fuck am I doing?

  She slid her arm out from under Kat and moved to the side of the bed. How had she gotten here? She’d tried to keep her distance, but apparently not hard enough. Commitment had never dared cross her mind before, but Kat could complete her in many ways. The connection she’d felt with her was stronger than she’d ever felt with any woman. Was having a life with Kat possible? Could she bury all the pain she’d endured after leaving her family farm when she was younger? Would her family forgive her for the distance she’d put between them?

  “Where are you going?” Kat looked up at her through thick, sleepy lashes.

  “Shh. Go back to sleep.” DJ kissed her softly. “I have a couple of things to take care of this morning. Be back this afternoon.”

  “You’re not escaping that easily.” Kat tugged her closer.

  As she fell into bed, it hit DJ again how wonderful it felt to be with this woman—to kiss her, to touch her, to spend the night in her arms. Fear fleeted through her. This wasn’t just for fun anymore. DJ was getting attached.

  Kat must have seen her expression change as she stared up at her. “Oh, no, you don’t. We’re way past second thoughts.” Kat buried her face into DJ’s neck, tickling her until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “Stop,” DJ squealed in a breathless laugh.

  Kat sat up and held her tight, pressing her forehead to DJ’s. “No second thoughts.”

  DJ let out a long, slow breath. “No second thoughts.”

  She fused her lips to Kat’s in a long, slow kiss. The overpowering heat washed through her again. This was crazy, but she never wanted to move from this moment in time.

  * * *

  “Kat,” Virgil shouted, pulling open the screen and pushing through the door. Like every other day, he took a cup out of the cabinet and went straight to the coffeepot. After pouring himself a cup, he wrinkled his face in disgust as he swallowed the cold, day-old coffee. He dumped the liquid into the sink, rinsed the pot, and then set it on the burner before crossing to the refrigerator for the can of coffee.

  He glanced into the living room as he opened the refrigerator door and panicked. When he saw the lamp on its side and the couch pillows strewn across the floor, he rushed down the hallway, slowing only when he noticed the trail of clothes on the floor leading to Kat’s bedroom.

  “Kat, you okay?” he shouted.

  “Be right out,” she said from the other side of the door.

  Virgil let a wide grin spread across his face as he gathered the scattered clothes and turned into the living room to straighten up. DJ hadn’t told her why she was here. If she had, Kat would’ve already been up and in the kitchen spittin’ fire when Virgil came in this morning.

  “You feelin’ all right?” Virgil asked when Kat came through the doorway into the kitchen.

  “I’m fine, Virgil. Why?” She took a seat at the table and tugged a boot on.

  “You just seem to be running a little late this morning.”

  “I must have forgotten to set the alarm.”

  “You haven’t used that alarm clock in years. What’s going on, Kat?” he asked calmly, observing her uneasiness.

  Kat let out a deep breath and sank into the chair. “You know DJ came back last night.”

  “You and she…?” Virgil stopped without finishing his question.

  “Yeah.” Kat averted her eyes as the response blew softly out of her lips. She bit her lip nervously as she shifted to tug her other boot on.

  In her heart, Kat knew she shouldn’t feel guilty. Arizona would want her to be happy, but Virgil was Arizona’s father, and his opinion mattered. Life had been pretty rough after Arizona died. At t
imes it had seemed unbearable. In a few of her weaker moments, Kat had thought seriously about crawling back to her parents. Whenever she began to question herself, Virgil would point out all that she’d accomplished, reinforce her confidence, and give her the strength to go on. If it weren’t for him, Kat never would’ve made it.

  The screen door swung open, and Victoria Maxwell strolled into the kitchen.

  Kat bolted to her feet. “Get the hell out of my house.”

  “Settle down. I just came to give you a little information.” She looked around the kitchen. “Place hasn’t changed much. Bedroom still the same?” Victoria asked as she raised her brows.

  Kat narrowed her eyes and gave her a hard stare. “It’s been disinfected twice since you’ve been here.” She slid down into her chair. She knew her remark was juvenile, but the woman provoked that type of reaction in her.

  “Now that hurts, Kat. All I was trying to do was help you out, just like I am now.” Victoria moved closer, took a swag of Kat’s hair, and rubbed it between her fingers. “Did your new girlfriend tell you why she’s really here?”

  Kat slapped at Victoria’s hand as she reared her head, jerking her hair from her fingers. “Who are you talking about?” She knew perfectly well who she was talking about.

  “DJ Callen.” Victoria glanced at Virgil.

  “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s here on vacation.” Kat slapped her foot to the floor, seating her heel into the boot.

  “Not according to these, she’s not.” Victoria dropped a manila envelope on the table in front of her.

  Kat drew her brows together. “What’s this?”

  “I found it in her room.”

  “What do you think you’re doing going through my guests’ things?” Kat flipped her stare to Virgil. They’d just had all the codes to the rooms changed. Now they’d have to do it again.