Her arms reached to pull him down as he switched off the night-light. The rain had slowed, making an easy listening music to their lovemaking.
It was her turn to explore him. She was shy at first, not wanting to look so eager, and yet unable to stop herself once she got started. He was so solid, so hard and warm; her tongue glided over him, making him shudder and growl at her. She had never felt so free to touch and to kiss. She knew she was sending him into a frenzy. Tension flowed from him as he held himself long enough to let her satiate her own appetite. Never had she experienced such giving and taking in such generous proportion.
Angela smiled to herself as she raised up over him to look at him. What freedom. What power.
Suddenly he rolled over and he was on top, staring down into her love-drugged face with an open smile. "I'm glad you came home like a nun. And I know this isn't very romantic, but in case you're wondering, I have a clean bill of health from the doctor. But no matter. If you want me to wear one of those confounded things, I'll go get one out of the bathroom. Problem is, I've had them so long I don't know if they're any good."
She giggled. "Sounds like a couple of teenagers."
"But we're not, are we?" he said, and sobered momentarily.
"No, we're not. Actually, I bought a package tonight but I didn't think I had any use for them."
Then as if something else occurred to him he added on a lighter note. "I wanted to rip that damned dress off of you tonight. But, I knew if I did, I'd be lost between making you wear something respectable, and making love to you myself."
She frowned at herself. "I felt very cheap. It wasn't me. I knew it was all wrong."
He played with her curls. "And now, do you feel cheap, with me?"
"No, strangely enough, I don't," she barely managed to say before his kisses exploded all over her. Lost in the moment, their bodies shook with the unspoken need of each other. His lips searched out her breasts once more, lavishing warm kisses in mesmerizing circles around the hard little nipples.
She moaned raggedly, and pulled his head back to hers. She looked deep into his eyes, trying to read him. "I know how this looks, but I didn't come here for..."
Before she could finish, his lips untiled hers, then ever so slowly he turned them loose. "I know you didn't, Angel. I know you too well, to think that. But I'm damned glad you did."
Then passion flared as he took the weight of her breasts in the cup of his hand and kissed the hollow underneath. Then back to taunt the peaks, his tongue waltzing over the tips.
Writhing beneath him, Angela let her hands seek out his pleasure points, knowing instinctively where to touch him.
He groaned aloud, and then his lips found hers once more. He tugged at her lower lip with his teeth. "Say my name."
"Coop," she barely managed before he smothered her with a warm wet kiss.
Minutes later he rose up over her, staring down at her with a wide smile. "You're like a piece of beautiful china. So fragile I'm afraid I might break you. But I can't resist you either," he gasped, his eyes melting over her with an appreciation she didn't quite understand.
She wasn't going to analyse this; she just wanted to feel. She giggled playfully. "Say my name."
"Angel," he muttered softly as his teeth sank into the softness of an earlobe. "Angel, my Angel."
She glanced at him and smiled.
"You don't know what a turn on that smile of yours is," he whispered.
She laughed gleefully. "I bet you say that to all the girls. Besides, my mouth is too big."
"Not for me, it isn't," he amended, quickly covering it with his own.
Overwhelmed with emotions she dare not express, she moaned violently as he began again a slow sensuous lovemaking, his hands following his lips as he explored every inch of her, touching her, kissing her, marvelling at her smallness.
But now he was taking his time, not rushing the inevitable. And he allowed her time to do the same, letting her feel her freedom, and her power over him.
"Maybe . . . you better use protection," she encouraged softly in his ear. When he raised up to look at her she added. "I tend to get pregnant pretty easy."
He smiled, kissed her nose and whispered, "I'll be right back."
And he was.
He began all over again, never tiring of this glorious foreplay. The giving outweighed the taking as he slowly, deliberately entered her, driving her to the heights of ecstasy, rousing her passions, sending her into some sort of spiralling reaction. Her body quaked to the tune of his as their love peaked in unison. The turbulence of their passion swirled about them and they collapsed with contented satisfaction into each other's arms.
A warm delicious sleep overcame them. They cuddled into each other.
Before dawn she awoke, wrapped in the cocoon of his strong arms. She leaned over him, delighting in the chance to observe him unnoticed. He looked so relaxed. Like a little boy.
It was a heady pleasure being able to observe a man without his knowing it. She purposely took time to gently uncover him and gaze at the length of him. Her hands itched to touch him, but she dare not. She didn't want to wake him.
Instead she sighed and rolled back into the circle of his arms. She closed her eyes, and savored the moments.
Love was such a strange commodity.
Love? Where had that word come from? But that was the only word that came close to identifying her real feelings for this man. When it had happened, how it had happened, she didn't know. It was simply a fact. She was in love with Cooper Johnson!
How could she tell him?
Should she tell him? Did he love her? Right now it didn't matter. Being able to admit to herself how she felt was important. Besides, it was doubtful he would believe her. She had come from another man's arms, into his. How could she possibly make him understand that only love would make her act so wantonly with a man?
It didn't matter. Not now. He might love her and leave her, but he wasn't going to forget her, she vowed, raising herself over him and staring down into his face with big wide eyes and a smile.
He moaned as his hand tightened over one breast. "What would you like for breakfast?"
She giggled. And before he could reply she was dipping down to plant a more than friendly kiss on his lips. Then slowly she rose up. "This?" she chuckled softly, and then bent over him, sliding herself downward under the sheets, so that her lips could tease a taut nipple. "Or this?" she asked and smiled against the tightened nub. And when he would have raised her up for an answer, she lowered herself down further until, until he squirmed. "Or that?" she barely uttered as her lips did the rest of her talking for her.
He reached down and pulled her up, holding her close as though she were a precious stone. His breathing was ragged, his heartbeat quickening with every touch. For a long moment he did nothing but hold her in the circle of his arms. There were no words.
Then out of the quiet he added, "I'd never accuse you of being a nun!"
His lips found a home against the soft curve of her neck as his hands played leisurely with the curls on her head. "God, I love your hair. It's so funny," he paused for a moment. "I always thought I'd want a girl with long dark hair, and big boobs. Instead, I can't take my eyes off a little red head with soft bouncy curls and breasts like small mountain peaks."
She giggled playfully.
His eyes danced over her, glittering into her. "How early is early for Josh?" he asked as though it were a very important question.
She crooked her head, gazed out the window where a hint of dawn peeked through the thin cotton curtains. "Oh seven or eight on weekends, why?"
His hands splayed hers overhead as he rolled on top of her, his palms rubbing erotically. The friction ignited their lovemaking once more. "Because, I don't want to waste a minute of our time," he whispered as his head descended to kiss her throbbing lips.
And somewhere in time, Angela barely uttered the words aloud, "Oh God, I love you."
He stopped only for a split se
cond, absorbing her words, then smothering her with his lovemaking.
Later, she would think about this night, worry over it. But now was not that time. She was in love with Cooper Johnson and that was all that mattered. She felt so free to love him, and it was a good feeling. As though some great burden had been lifted from her. She was a complete woman. It had taken her nearly thirty years to get to this place; she wasn't going to waste it on repercussions.
Deep down she wondered how long she had been in love with this sensual man. Was this the face of her dream lover? It certainly surpassed all her dream lovemaking.
And so what if he didn't love her? He had given her more than a woman had a right to expect. He had taught her to love, to give.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
It was hard leaving Cooper, but when the sun filtered through the curtains, Angela succumbed and left his side when he drifted back to sleep.
She showered and dressed in a peach, cotton sundress, then merrily began making breakfast for Cooper and Josh as though nothing happened.
Last night she had become a free woman. Today things looked different. She realized the consequences. She wasn't sorry. She could never feel bad about something so beautiful. But, she had a working relationship with Cooper and she couldn't allow herself the freedom of pretending otherwise. There had been no declarations of love from him. She was adult enough to realize it, and accept it. She wasn't going to let it cloud her day.
When Josh arrived home no matter how hard she tried to conceal it, he seemed to realize there was a change in her. Perhaps it was only because she was humming a tune this morning and had a smile on her face a mile wide. Or the fact that she wore a dress as opposed to her regular jeans and T-shirt.
Cooper joined them at the table, his expression bland, unreadable. It was obvious he had just shaven and showered, for his hair was until damp. He was dressed in new Levis and a bright yellow shirt.
Funny, but Cooper seldom wore bright colors. Perhaps he too felt very good this morning, she mused.
"I've got to go to Kerens today," Cooper suddenly announced at the breakfast table.
"Can I go too?" Josh asked, his eyes big with anticipation, hoping he'd be allowed to go to the town
Angela glanced from one to the other. It wasn't right for Josh to hang on to Cooper, but she didn't blame him either. How could she tell him, she'd been guilty of the same thing? And this certainly wasn't the right time to speak to him about it.
"If your mother doesn't mind," Cooper raised a questioning brow as he rolled the sleeves of his shirt to a three quarter length.
"I…I suppose you could go if Coop doesn't mind. Are you planning on being gone long?"
"Half a day at most," Cooper answered grabbing a biscuit with his fork. "And no, I don't mind. I'd enjoy the company. You're welcome to go with us if you like."
Angela shrugged. "No, I've got a lot of work to do. But, Josh can go."
"Great! Hey, Mom, I'm letting Tim and Pete have a piglet if that's all right." Josh was smiling.
"It's okay with me. After all it was Pete's dad who gave Elmerine to you. He should have first pick, don't you think?"
"Sure. And Tim wants one, too."
"Have you named any of them yet?"
"Nope, don't want to get too attached to them."
"Good idea. There's plenty of time."
Cooper glanced at Angela several times during the meal but said very little. His glances were hooded. It was hard to tell if he was happy about last night or not.
When he was about to leave he grabbed his denim jacket from the back of his chair and moved toward her, but as though he thought better of it, moved away.
"We won't be gone long," he winked. He seemed to know she was disappointed, that she expected more from him, but not today. Good things need to simmer. Good things need time.
"Take your time."
All morning she wondered about his trip to Kerens, but she dared not ask. If he wanted to tell her that was one thing, but she wouldn't pry. He was entitled to his own life, his own privacy. Perhaps he would have preferred it if she had made Josh stay home. Cooper seldom had time alone, and now that she thought about it, it was probably her fault. She definitely needed to have a talk with Josh about it.
She busied herself with housework that needed catching up on. She didn't want to spend time thinking about last night. She couldn't think past the next two minutes.
Then Maxine called.
"Hi, is that handsome hero of yours around?"
Angela bit her fingernails. "Uh, no Maxine. He and Josh went to Kerens this morning. They should be back this afternoon. Want me to have him call you?"
"Please. I want to make sure our date is until on for this weekend."
Angela's heart fell to the floor. Date! She had forgotten all about it. "I'll have him call you."
"Thanks, sweetie, see you later."
"Yes, bye."
Of course he had a date with Maxine. That's all Maxine had talked about for the last week. How could she forget?
Weird things rolled around in Angela's head. She until wasn't sorry for the night they had shared. But she had never taken such things lightly. She wasn't used to going to bed with a man, especially without a commitment. Even so, she knew exactly how she felt about Cooper. But how did he feel?
There was no commitment between them. Cooper hadn't said he loved her. He said she was the first. First of how many other women? Was he still the 'love 'em and leave 'em Johnson'?
She had to stop fretting about it. So there were no words of undying love. So what? She was a mature adult. She could handle this—somehow.
When Cooper returned, he and Josh disappeared into the fields. And it was well after dark before they showed up at the supper table.
"Well," Angela cleared her throat as she served the chicken fried steak and cream gravy. She had outdone herself with the meal, preparing fresh vegetables and a big salad. "Did the two of you have a good time today?"
Josh's face turned a little red, and all he could manage was a nod. Normally, Josh would have spilled his guts by now, but for some strange reason he was being as mysterious as Cooper about the day in Kerens.
Cooper smiled and nodded. "Yeah, we did."
Obviously they weren't going to expound on the subject so Angela thought it best not to quiz them. "While you two were gone Ed Martin came over and offered me a real fair price on the farm."
"Really, I didn't know you were ready to sell out so soon." He was frowning now as though he hadn't liked the idea of her selling out. Was she reading too much into his expressions or what? Darn his beautiful hide for not saying what he meant.
Angela shrugged. "I'm not. I just said he offered." Why was she testing him so? Why couldn't she just blurt out that she loved Cooper endlessly and she wasn't about to sell the farm, now or later?
"Maybe you ought to consider it, Mom. I mean, if we're going to be moving into town soon."
Angela's mouth fell open. Josh was actually agreeing to sell the place from under them. What had Cooper been telling him all day? Had he given another, 'accept your mother's decision' speech? Perhaps last night meant nothing to him. Perhaps it simply relieved him of his celibacy.
"There's no rush."
Josh's look of surprise said everything. Cooper hadn't mentioned a word about last night. Well, of course he hadn't. Had she seriously expected Cooper to say anything to Josh about their new relationship? And Josh until thought she was going to marry Greg. Should she tell Josh? Was it the right time? Things were quickly getting mixed up. She opened her mouth, and Cooper changed the subject completely.
"That reminds me, Gertrude's not laying any more. We'll have to watch her. If she's sick we'll have to separate her from the other hen."
"Oh, man, I thought everything was going so well." Josh frowned.
"It is, but these things happen. It's a minor setback. The trick is to stay on top of things. This is what I was telling you about knowing your stock, Josh. When there's a p
roblem you have to be able to spot it ahead of time. Before it creates more problems. It's no bigee."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Sure . . ."
He was rattling on and on about the farm and stock, and Angela realized she had lost the opportunity to say anything to either of them.
Later that evening, when Josh went into the dining room to do his homework, Angela drifted out onto the front porch. Cooper was sitting in the swing, his boot rubbing gently against Partner. Partner's tail flopped occasionally to show his approval.
"I made an apple pie. Would you like some?"
He barely glanced at her. "Not now. Maybe later."
She edged out onto the porch slowly, hesitantly. She couldn't stop the awkward feeling that was swamping her. She didn't want to give the impression that she was smothering him with her affections.
"You know, I've been thinking, Coop. Greg's going to be traveling about country on his campaign tour, so I'll have more time to be home with Josh. You've been so good to him, with him. But I don't want you to think you don't have a social life. If there is something you need to do, want to do, then feel free to take some time off. I mean, you've been working around the clock, without a lot of time to spare."
"I took some time today. I did a little. And I had Josh with me. He doesn't get in my way, Angela. I keep telling you I like him around. Because he's a nice kid. I don't understand why you don't believe me. Josh does. I guess you don't understand that, but he's the closest thing I've ever had to a kid of my own, and when you get my age, you think of those things a little more."
"The feeling is mutual." She almost choked on her words when he turned to look directly at her. Those eyes! So probing. What was he looking for?
"You aren't going on tour?"
Angela shook her head, and moved to the opposite rail. "No, I never planned to. Maxine is his executive secretary. She'll be going with him. There's until a lot to do at the office, but there should be no late night work now."
Wandering Heart Page 13
