by Amie Stuart
Her only response was a tiny purr he felt more than heard as she snuggled closer.
They swayed in harmony. His hands on her hips, her body tucked against his, his nose buried in her silky hair, her fingers stroking the hairs at his nape. That moment was as perfect as the dream she’d shared with him. The only thing that would have been more intimate would have been making love to her, being buried deep inside her. And despite his slight erection, that would have to wait.
Their slow song ended, and the band segued into something faster. He reminded himself Skye could dance.
They twirled and dipped and shimmied their way around the tiny dance floor. She smiled up at him, her green eyes shining, and her dark hair flying this way and that.
They danced and drank and chatted with an older couple at the table beside them who were celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. They even swapped partners, and he gently danced the spry, white-haired lady around the floor while her husband danced with Skye.
The four of them closed the place down, finally leaving at last call.
Rowdy and Skye ambled along the still-crowded Riverwalk back to where he’d left the Bronco. He helped her in with a smile, leaning down to kiss her. “Have a good time?”
She cupped his face and leaned up to kiss him back. “The best. That old couple was cute.”
During the evening, when they’d struck up the conversation with the older couple who cooed like newlyweds, Ty’s words had come back to haunt him. He wanted that. Fifty years. “Yeah, they were.”
The drive back to Jade's was quiet, and he steered with one hand while holding her hand with the other.
There was never any question about whether he’d stay the night or not. They’d reached some sort of quiet understanding some time during the evening. Maybe even before they’d left her house.
ROWDY SMILED AT the sight of her bedroom—it was just as messy as the last time he’d been there, with clothes and shoes everywhere.
She stopped in the middle of the room, and he moved up behind her, until he could see her cleavage and the warmth of her body seeped through to his.
“I wanna make love to you, Jade,” he whispered as he lightly ran his fingertips across her bare shoulders.
He didn’t wanna fuck, he didn’t wanna mate, he wanted to touch every inch of her satiny skin and feel her respond. Listen to her pant and moan and feel her wriggle underneath him. Watch her eyes turn black with want.
His cock swelled and his skin hummed. “Did you hear me?”
“Huh,” she breathed, her head rolling back.
“I wanna make love to you, Jade Skye.” As he spoke, he worked her blouse loose from her skirt and lifted it over her head. Next went the strapless bra that had left deep gouges in her skin. He gently kneaded her back, working the marks out, and smiling when she moaned and curved her back into his hands. He pressed his lips to her neck, nuzzling the vulnerable pulse point.
She moaned again. Her fists found the extra material at the thighs of his pants, and she grabbed on while he ground his erection against her and growled with the primal urge to relieve the building pressure. Instead, he worked his way down her spine with his lips, pushing her skirt off her hips as he went.
The sight of her standing above him in only her high heels and a pair of black lacy panties made his blood flow a little faster. The sight of her a minute later in only her heels left him gasping for air.
He rested his head against her generous ass and let his fingers trail up and down her smooth, shapely legs, enjoying the feel and smell of her. The way her body reacted to his touch when he planted soft kisses on her rump while his thumbs gently worked at her damp, nerve-filled outer lips.
“Rowdy!” Skye arched her hips and bent over the tiniest bit, and he smiled at her automatic response. The scent of her arousal only made him want to taste her more. He parted her lips and blew softly. Her thighs shook, and her lips quivered under his fingers.
With a smile of anticipation, Rowdy stood and stripped while she kicked off her shoes and turned to help, her eyes sleepy and dark, her breathing shallow as she peeled his shirt off and pressed her lips to his chest.
Before he could get his pants off, Jade reached down to help, then gave him a sweet, hot kiss, her tongue exploring his mouth in a provocative play that left him feeling as if his skin were burning and he was trying to breathe underwater.
He reached for her, but she backed away and he watched her through lowered eyes, his limbs suddenly too heavy to move. Jade planted a soft kiss on his chest before dropping to her knees and taking his cock in her mouth in one swift motion.
“Oh my God!”
Jade liked oral sex, flashed through his mind. He smiled, despite his burning skin, and allowed himself to enjoy the feel of her hands massaging his balls. The gentle pressure of her warm mouth sucking his cock. Her velvety tongue teasing the head.
With his legs splayed wide on either side of her, Rowdy cupped her head, pushed her hair back and watched, his eyes locked with hers. The erotic view combined with the feel of her warm, skilled mouth, and the mounting pressure nearly did him in as he whispered soft encouragements.
When her thumb gently probed beneath his sac, he grunted and his hips lifted off the mattress at the sharp pleasure. It was too much and way too soon. “No.”
He gently tugged at her hair and shook his head. “Not yet, not like this.”
Rowdy helped her up on her feet, his head nearly level with her breasts. He cupped one in each hand and tweaked her pouty nipples, smiling at her soft squeal of pleasure. He caressed her belly and delved between her thighs. She panted and wiggled against his fingers, her eyes locked with his.
“It’s my turn. I wanna taste you, Skye.”
“What’s my name?” She straddled his lap and rubbed against his erection. He grabbed a handful of her bottom with one hand and caressed every inch of her plump lips with the other, her growl of arousal vibrating low in his belly. Everything felt so sensual and surreal. They kissed, hot and deep while she rode his fingers.
“Your name is Jade Skye.”
Rowdy leaned back on the bed and brought her with him, pushing her to one side and crouching between her thighs. She tucked a pillow behind her head and watched him through half-lowered lids, a smile on her face. He pressed a kiss to her abdomen and dredged up everything he could remember.
All her secrets; all her fantasies.
“Touch yourself,” he gently ordered. Her eyes widened slightly as he pushed her thighs upward and outward. “Do it.” He blew on her damp curls for emphasis, smiling up at her as she shivered. He wanted her desire to override any embarrassment she might feel at touching herself in front of him.
Lower lip caught between her teeth, she reached between her thighs and found her clit with her middle finger. He heard her breath hitch and smiled again. He spread her outer lips wide so she was totally exposed and the scent of her sex tickled his senses.
He planned to do more than watch.
Rowdy leaned down and flicked his tongue across her damp fingers. She let out a long loud groan and he chuckled. He continued licking her fingers while she stroked herself, delving lower to rewet her fingers and back up again. He helped, kissing, sucking and fondling her with his free hand. Completely turned on at the sight of her fingers and his.
Jade’s excitement drove him on, and it took everything he had not to shove his aching cock inside her when her orgasm hit and her hips arched high off the bed. Instead, he latched onto her swollen clit. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and screamed, grinding against his face and he pushed deeper, sucked harder.
He tasted and teased with his tongue until she shoved him away and growled his name, begging him to stop. Then he kissed his way up her belly, stopping to rest his head on her breasts and catch his breath.
“Jade...Skye...my Skyebaby.” His.
She wore the barest hint of a smile; her fingers left a shiver-inducing trail down his back. “There’s condoms in the nightstand
drawer,” she whispered, her voice low and thick.
He reached over to get one, ripping the packet open and quickly rolling the condom on. “Get on your knees.”
“Huh?”
“Trust me. Get on your knees.”
Despite the misgivings he saw in her eyes, she did, curling her arms around a pillow and watching him over her shoulder. Rowdy tucked a pillow under her belly and spread her legs so she was almost in a crouch. He closed his eyes and slowly exhaled, mentally pulling himself back the tiniest bit. God, he ached. But he wanted to take his time. Savor every last ounce of what was to come.
He curled over her, covering her body with his and thrust inside. Skye thrust back with a short, hoarse cry.
She was as warm and slick as he remembered. He’d thought the two previous encounters had been a fluke. The first time because of her lengthy celibacy, the second over the excitement of having sex on a horse. Surely no woman could feel this good. Every time. But he’d been wrong. “You okay?”
“Yes,” she gasped.
“Trust me?”
“Always.”
He rode her from behind, his hips playing in small circles and intermittent thrusts. One part of him wanted to rut uncontrollably. The sane side wanted to tease her until she lost control again, then follow.
She arched her hips and shook beneath him as he continued to stroke her, his cock caressing every hot silky inch of her. Jade pursed her lips, her head turned toward him so he could see every expression that crossed her face. Her smile of pleasure slowly faded and was replaced with a silent open-mouthed cry as she tensed up beneath him.
Rowdy groaned in pleasure as her walls fluttered around his cock in slow deep ripples, making him ache. Making him want to slam into her until he came. He held back and continued to dance inside her. She wriggled against him, her hips moving against his until he found that one sweet, tender spot that made her scream.
“Rowdy!”
He clenched his teeth and thrust a little harder, concentrating on hitting the same spot again. She bucked against him and screamed again, all semblance of stride or control gone.
“You ready to co—”
“Yes! Yes...yes,” she wailed, her hips taut beneath his.
He slipped one hand beneath her and found her clit, lightly stroking while his hips continued to make deep plunging circles.
She howled and swore, just like the first time. He gave himself a few sweet seconds to enjoy her orgasm before his own climax hit him with breath-stealing, heart-stopping force.
A few thrusts later, he collapsed against her back, sweaty and shaken, and wrapped his arms around her.
Somewhere nearby, he could hear Jade sobbing and laughing.
Shortly before dawn, he made sweet slow love to her again, allowing himself to enjoy every aspect of actually loving her. And making love to her.
The next time he woke up, he felt hung over from lack of sleep as he fumbled for the ringing phone. He growled a hello after finally punching the right button.
It hadn’t answered like his phone, and he didn’t recognize the voice on the other end. “Hello! Who’s this?”
Sounded like an old man but not Jerrod. Maybe a customer. “Rowdy, what can I do ya for?”
He rolled onto his back and scrubbed at his face. That’s when it dawned on him, he wasn’t at home and had just answered Jade’s phone. Dammitalltohell!
“This is Dr. Ballard. Why are you answering my daughter’s phone?”
Rowdy took another deep breath, forced his eyes open and made himself focus. The shower was running. “Jade’s in the shower.”
“I wasn’t aware you were...residing with my daughter. I’m not sure I approve.” Unlike Her Honor, the professor’s voice was more of a gentle scold.
“I-I’m not, sir.” Not yet, anyway. And there was no playing the hick this time either. Jade was already in deep shit with her mother. In part, thanks to him.
“I...see.” The professor sighed. “The reason I’m calling is to invite you two up for the long weekend. So you can meet the family.”
The engagement. Shit! “I’m afraid I have plans most of the weekend, sir. A family reunion.”
“Do you think you two could make dinner Friday night then? That would leave you time to drive home afterward or stay over and get up early. I’m very concerned about this rift between Trudy and Jade.”
Trudy? Rowdy frowned at the ceiling at the sound of the judge’s name. He didn’t like being the cause of problems between Jade and her mom. Even if her mom was a first class bitch. Even if their engagement was a fraud. A thought that made him frown again. “What time, sir?”
“You could meet us at the club about seven. Jade knows where it is.”
He should have known. Rowdy sighed and blinked at the ceiling. Great, an evening at the country club. Looked like he’d just have to take one for the home team—him and Jade that is. “We’ll be there.”
“I look forward to meeting you, Rowdy. Interesting name.” Rowdy relaxed at bit at the smile in the old man’s voice.
“It’s a nickname. Thank you, sir. I look forward to meeting you also.”
So much for morning sex.
Jade was gonna kill him. He hung up and went in search of coffee.
Rowdy was hunched over the kitchen sink, waiting on the coffee to finish when he heard Jade's footsteps on the stairs a few minutes later. He turned, ready to fess up when she entered the kitchen.
“And here I was thinkin’ you weren’t the type of girl to put out on a first date,” he teased, kissing her good morning.
He couldn’t resist. She looked so cute with a towel turban and an old fuzzy purple robe belted at her waist. He wouldn’t let himself give in to the urge to check and see if she was naked underneath.
They had more important matters to deal with.
DEBUTANTES DO WEAR FLIPFLOPS
I JUST COULDN’T SEEM to wipe the grin off my face as I stepped into the kitchen. Last night with Rowdy had been the most absolutely amazing night of my life. From dinner to dancing to our incredible lovemaking session. “Morning,” I shyly whispered, hoping he’d kiss me again. He looked so cute with stubble on his cheeks, leaning up against the sink, dressed in only his pants.
“I uh, did something.”
“I see that, thank you.” I pointed at the perking coffee and reached up in the cabinet for cups. I also took full advantage of the opportunity to wrap an arm around his neck and press a good morning kiss against his jaw. He caught me around the waist and kissed me back, and I shivered at the tickle of whiskers on my neck.
“Not that. I answered the phone earlier...while you were in the shower.”
“Huh? That’s fine, honey. Did you take a message?” I rattled on while turning to dig in the ‘fridge for creamer.
“It was your dad.”
“Oh, I’ll call him back later.” I set the creamer beside the cups and smiled up at him. Was it too late for morning sex?
“He wants us to come up for dinner Friday night.”
Apparently so.
I felt my jaw sag open, then clicked my teeth shut as he continued. “He thinks it’s time your fiancé met the family.”
My face went numb at Rowdy’s announcement. I couldn’t seem to suck in enough air. He’d agreed to dinner with my family? Something I only endured under extreme duress—like Christmas.
Ho’shit!
I’d nearly forgotten about our fake engagement. After the fight with HH, I’d assumed it’d be Thanksgiving or the year after never before I saw my family again.
I swallowed and blinked a few times.
“Your dad sounds really nice.”
“He’s the bestest,” I gasped.
“I’m sorry, Skyebaby, I...I was half asleep and—”
“It’s alright.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him, burying my head in his chest so he wouldn’t see the horrified look I’m sure I wore.
This had to be my worst nightmare come true—another trip
to the club. Woodhurst was a private country club—membership by invite of a member in good standing only. And as such, the epitome of everything Her Honorable was. Just a regular old jewel of the Texas Hill Country.
Despite my queasy stomach, I busied myself pouring us both coffee and adding sugar and creamer to mine.
He gently sandwiched me between the counter and himself, his hands kneading my shoulders. “Do you have to work today?”
I’d completely forgotten it was the middle of the week. “No. And only a couple hours tomorrow.”
“I have to play tonight. Wanna come up to the dancehall?” He picked up the spoon I’d set on the counter and added sugar to his own coffee.
What I wanted was to go back to bed and try to think up some excuse to give my father. “Sure, but don’t you have to work today?”
“I’m all caught up and no one’s called. Once school is in full swing and the holidays get a little closer, I’ll get really busy.”
OVER A BREAKFAST OF French toast, he apologized again, a frown on his face. “If I hadn’t answered the phone, you could have just told them we called the engagement off.”
My big mouth had put us in quite a bind.
“I guess I can handle another night at the club if you can.” I smiled at him and popped another bite of butter and powdered-sugar covered French toast in my mouth. I needed a chocolate chaser.
After last night’s incredible lovemaking, I’d almost come to believe that we could have something long-term. Even if neither of us were ready for a real engagement. But he’d called me a snob once before. Would dinner at—gag—the club scare him off for good?
“Do I need a suit?”
“A jacket and tie would work.” I also didn’t want him having to shell out any extra money on my account. I’d already put him to enough trouble. Speaking of which... “I’ll run up to Wal-Mart or Target this afternoon for a ring.”
