“Who knew undressing could be a cardio workout?” CJ asked.
Annie raised a hand. “You’ve obviously never tried on skinny jeans in a dressing room stall.”
He shook his head, eyebrow raised in obvious question.
Annie rolled her eyes, hands opening before her in a story telling spread.
“Oh my God. So you’re jumping up and down, wiggling, spinning, grunting, yanking and stretching, all the while praying that they will button when you’re done. And that’s just getting them on. Taking them off by yourself is like trying to wiggle out of an anaconda’s mouth while trapped in a coffin with it. You stumble all over the stall, hopping on one foot, bouncing off each wall, hoping you don’t spring the door and end up sprawled sweaty and half-dressed on the floor in front of a judgmental hoard of teenagers,” she babbled breathlessly, giggling at her own description.
CJ shook his head desperately, eyes begging her to stop. His helpless laughter only made her giggle harder.
“That, along with the not so secret horror known as shapewear, is the scary truth of what’s happening under the glare of bad florescent lighting in department stores everywhere,” Annie said, trying to sound serious. “Be glad you don’t have to participate.”
“Oh my God, woman. The way you describe things…” He shook his head, trying to catch his breath. “And I’m going to take a pass on skinny jeans. I don’t think the world is ready to see that.”
“That’s good. The rugged look works for you,” Annie said, hands drumming lightly on his barrel chest.
“No one has ever referred to me as rugged before. I think I like it,” CJ said, grinning and still trying to pull himself together.
Annie frowned for a moment, thinking over the possibilities. “You’re handsome, an outdoorsman, burly and bearded with muscles and calluses created by hard work. I’m not sure what else they would call you.”
“You’re so adorable,” CJ said nuzzling her neck.
The tickle of his beard made her squirm against him. “Sorry. I think it’s a writer thing. I’m always describing people in my head, looking for those words that would capture them.”
“Don’t be. I think your love of words is sexy.”
“Said no man ever,” Annie said, biting her lip at the returning laughter.
“This rugged man just did,” he said, pushing her down into the mattress.
The look in his eyes chased the hilarity away. Her heart leapt, bouncing off her ribcage like a bumper car. She squashed the half a dozen stupid jokes that skittered through her mind. This was it. Was he sure? Were they only doing this now because she had to leave early?
“If you’ve changed your mind—”
CJ’s finger pressed against her lips.
“Do I look like I’ve changed my mind? Have you?”
There was that sexy intensity in his baby blues. She mutely shook her head.
“I’ve been thinking about this since we made cocoa the night of the rehearsal. Enough thinking.”
His words send a thrill through her. She was a little tired of thinking this thing to death. CJ’s lips replaced his finger seconding that thought. The absence of clothing changed the game. CJ’s chest hair rubbed against her nipples, hardening them to aching nubs that seemed to quiver with the tension rolling through her. Neither of her other partners had had chest hair. The difference between men and boys. His tongue tangled with hers. He tasted of coffee and s’mores, like he’d been made just for her.
His mouth trailed over her jaw before sucking slow kisses down the side of her neck. She briefly worried he’d leave a mark and then brushed it away. What were turtlenecks or scarfs for? He shifted, treating the other side of her neck to his tantalizing attentions. The soft scrape of his beard lit her skin on fire. A soft nip to her collarbone drew a shiver. Palms flattening against his broad back, she relished the feel of him over her.
Kissing the brawny swell of CJ’s shoulder, she pressed her nose to the side of his neck. Even after all these hours indoors, the crisp mountain air still clung to his skin. She loved that. He dropped his head, soft lips enveloping one nipple. Her body arched on its own accord. A soft rumble of pleasure rolled through him. The vibration seeming to shoot straight from her nipple to her core. A strangled sound escaped her throat. She drew her knees up around his hips, pushing up impatiently. CJ chuckled, the feeling drawing another gasp. He didn’t waste time bragging, just put his newfound knowledge to work, alternating breasts before working down her body.
Annie’s fingers closed in his hair and she couldn’t help pushing him away.
“Shit! Sorry! That tickles,” she gasped as his beard grazed her hipbone.
“Mmmm, sorry.”
His strong hands gripped her hips holding her steady for open mouth kisses over her belly. She jumped when his thumb brushed over the sensitive spot again. CJ looked up and adjusted his grip.
“It that okay?” he asked softly.
She blushed. “Sorry. Yes, that’s fine. It seems a firm grip is good. Light touches, not so much.”
His dimples popped. “Did you just say you need a firm hand?”
A hand clamped over her mouth couldn’t stop her laughter. “I might have.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
His mouth moving on to more sensitive areas derailed any witty response she might’ve managed. She started to protest, but suddenly couldn’t think of the words. Oh, God. That didn’t tickle. His shoulders kept her knees apart. Her thighs trembled. The hands in his hair weren’t pushing away this time. Annie opened her mouth to beg and a croak came out. She wasn’t a blushing virgin, but she couldn’t think. He was way too good at what he was doing.
She didn’t know whether to cry hallelujah or just cry when he finally moved back up over her. CJ rubbed against her with a groan. Her hips jumped at the intimate touch. She was aching. It had been way too long, and CJ was proving she really didn’t play all that well by herself. One of his big hands slid under her tailbone, tilting her hips. Nervous, not sure what to do with her hands, Annie linked them behind his nape, fingers stroking the close shaved hair there. She held her breath at the almost forgotten pressure, and then he was filling her.
Their eyes remained locked as he pushed inside her. Forcing her clasping knees and muscles to relax, Annie let out a shaky breath. Everything still worked. Lifting her hips, she took the rest of him. He seemed to get the message and started to rock into her with slow steady thrusts. Matching his rhythm, her lips curved in a grin. God, the feeling was amazing. She tugged his head down for a kiss. CJ moaned into her mouth, his tongue slipping in to tangle with hers. Their combined taste was going to take some getting used to, but to Annie’s surprise she wasn’t self-conscious. Nothing seemed uncomfortable with this man.
She bucked as the hand from under her suddenly slid between their bodies. CJ’s thumb strummed and teased her sensitive nub forcing a keening whine from her dry throat. After days of foreplay, this wasn’t going to take long. His breath was harsh against her lips and jaw. The thrusts came harder and faster. He was close. Biting her lip, Annie arched higher, meeting each plunge and focusing on those talented fingers. She whimpered. Feeling his gaze like a physical caress, she opened her eyes. Desire flickered in his, tempered with a tenderness that threatened to turn her heart inside out.
Her body tensed, a shudder that seemed to start at her toes ripped through her. As many times as she’d laughed at other writer’s firework analogies, stars exploded behind her clenched lids. Blood roared in her ears and her nails gouged into CJ’s back. His bellow was strangled and harsh just moments later. She thought she heard her name among the guttural sounds. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest. CJ slumped over her, his bulk pressing her down into the heavenly mattress. Annie fought to catch her breath, lungs burning. Trembling arms wound around her and he rolled, dragging her up on his heaving chest.
CJ stroked soothing circles over her spine, but it was the rumble of his voice in her ear that grou
nded her. The words were nonsense to her addled brain, but the tone wrapped around her like a fuzzy blanket. It was like coming home. Whether it was the reverberation against her ear, the exertion, or just the hour, Annie yawned. CJ tilted her face up.
“Do you want to get cleaned up and grab at least a t-shirt before we fall asleep?”
She nodded, yawning again. CJ tightened an arm around her and slid them both to the side of the bed. Her legs were still pleasantly wobbly when she tried to stand. Snagging his Mossberg t-shirt off the floor with a stumble, she then wrapped her arms around his waist and let him lead her blindly into the master bath. She caught him staring at her in the mirror while they washed.
“What?”
“I need to shave,” he said running a hand over his chin. “You have beard burn.”
Leaning closer to the mirror, Annie looked at the light pink rash on her chin, neck, and breasts.
“That’s not so bad and kind of sexy.” She tilted her face, checking different angles. “Do you use anything in it?”
“Sometimes shampoo instead of soap or body wash.”
“Do you use a conditioner on your hair?”
CJ shook his head.
“Maybe try a conditioner in your beard. There have to be other options.” She reached up to stroke his damp cheeks. “I love your beard. If you want, I’ll research it tomorrow. I’m the queen of Google. Obviously, we’re not the only one with the problem, and shaving should be a last resort.”
“You’re amazing.”
“Looking at this pretty pink rash I’d say you had an active role in our amazingness.”
He shook his head, his grin shy. Snatching up his t-shirt she’d carried in, he rolled it in his hands tugging it over her head.
“Are you going to be warm enough in just this?”
She pressed back to his chest. “If you don’t mind me snuggling.”
“I don’t mind at all,” CJ said, backing her out of the bathroom.
At the bed CJ turned around, dropping onto his back before tugging her down with him. Letting her get comfortable in the crook of his arm, he pulled the covers securely around her with the other one. Annie could just see his outline in the gloom, but she thought he was smiling.
“Happy?”
“Who wouldn’t be after that?” he asked, the smile definitely evident in his voice. She ran her fingers through his chest hair. “And I can’t tell you how okay it is to me that you want to do a little research on beards.”
“Why’s that?”
“That means you want to kiss me again.”
Like his unraveling of her clumsiness issues earlier, CJ’s answer was simple. He was a perceptive man. Annie leaned up and kissed him. She wasn’t sure who finally broke it, but they were both gasping for air.
Running her thumb over his full bottom lip, she let her head fall back to his chest and whispered into the dark, “Kissing is just one of the many, many things I’d like to do with you, CJ Barrett.”
He loved the sway of her hips when she walked. It wasn’t exaggerated, or put on for show, just a soft natural thing that got his heart pounding. Annie glanced back over her shoulder and smiled as she stepped through the saloon doors that led to the restrooms. CJ leaned back and looked around to see how many people were witnessing the sappy grin on his face. Not that it really mattered. He didn’t care who knew how gone he was over this woman.
They’d spent a good portion of the day in the Jeep. With most women, he’d have thought that a recipe for disaster, but with Annie it had been fun. Snug in the close confines of his Wrangler, they’d talked about everything from favorite books to family vacations as they visited Devil’s Tower and cruised around Crook County taking in the sights. Her admiration for the marvels of Mother Nature matched his own.
Sipping his coffee, he tried to focus on the menu in front of him. It was a lost cause with snapshots of Annie flashing through his mind. Last night had been perfect. He smiled to himself. So there’d been a few mishaps along the way. The way she’d laughed them off had made her all the more beautiful. This morning had started with sleepy, lazy sex that had only ended because Annie was starving. Different than the night before, but every bit as amazing. Making love to Annie had connected the final piece of the puzzle. Nothing in his whole damn life had felt so right. There was no doubt about it. He was in love.
“CJ!”
The exuberant shout startled him. Hot coffee sloshed on his hand. Wincing, he shook it off just in time to catch the leaping five-year-old. Arms went around his neck in a stranglehold.
“I’ve missed you!”
Scooting his chair back so they wouldn’t jostle the table, CJ hugged the little boy.
“Hey, bud! I missed you too. Did you have a good Christmas?”
Pushing back on his lap, Austin nodded vigorously. “I got a whole bunch of PlayStation games and my new shelf is so awesome! Mommy said Santa had you make it for me with my name on it.”
“Yeah, well, Santa thought you could use somewhere to put all your games and movies so they’re not on the floor getting stepped on. I’m glad you like it. I had fun making it for you.”
“It makes walking through his bedroom less of an adventure. No more trips to the ER for stitches.”
He’d been hoping the little man was here with his grandparents. No such luck. Was she in cajole or castrate mode today? Only time would tell.
“Hello, Teresa.”
The squint of her dark eyes wasn’t promising, but her arms were folded under her breasts, pushing her assets into play. It was anyone’s guess at this point.
“We haven’t seen you in a while.”
Her words carried an edge. Accusations floated under the surface. CJ sighed but tried to keep his expression friendly. He didn’t deserve this and really didn’t feel like dealing with it in the middle of a restaurant.
“I’ve been busy.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible this time of year unless you’ve come to your senses and went back to the oil fields,” she said, her drawl syrupy sweet.
There it was. That hadn’t taken long.
“Nope. I’ve been working at the lodge between guide jobs. My cousin, Tyler, had his wedding up there last week and there were things Mom wanted done beforehand.”
“Did you go snowmobiling?”
CJ looked back down into Austin’s dark chocolate eyes. “I sure did. A friend and I went out a couple of days ago and enjoyed all the fresh snow.”
“Can I come over and go riding with you?”
“I’ll have to talk to your mommy about that. Hey, look who just walked in.”
The boy’s eyes lit up and he wiggled off CJ’s lap. “Grandma!”
The older woman waved to CJ before corralling the bundle of energy greeting her.
“Smooth. First, you pass the blame to me that he never sees you, and then you pawn him off on my mom.”
“I don’t want to have this discussion here, Teresa. I really don’t want to have it again at all.”
“Every time he sees you it breaks his heart.”
“You made the decision, and you’re the one that can’t move on.”
“Like you’ve moved on? You jumped at the chance to make that entertainment center for him and then wouldn’t even take money for it.”
“I did it for Austin, and you told me you’d pay me when you had the money. How many times have I heard that? It was easier to tell you it was a gift. And, yes, I’ve moved on,” he said, spying Annie out of the corner of his eye.
Her approach was hesitant, like she wasn’t sure of her welcome. That wasn’t the way to keep a great day rolling. He stood and offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile. Introducing Annie to Teresa wasn’t something he’d anticipated at this stage of things, but he didn’t see a way out of it.
“Is she your idea of moving on?”
CJ winced at the animosity in Teresa’s tone. No, this was definitely not how he’d seen dinner going.
“Annie Brand, this
is Teresa Owens.”
How in the hell did you introduce the woman you’d just figured out you were in love with, to the woman you used to sleep with? Was there a protocol for this? The two women openly sized each other up. Obviously, neither needed to be clued in on past or present relationship status. CJ held his breath. Annie was the first to extend a hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Teresa stared at the offered appendage like it was a coiled snake. Her lip curled.
“You must be new around here.”
“I am,” Annie said, slowly dropping her hand.
“Where did you two meet?”
The question was directed to him. CJ ground his teeth. She’d decided to dismiss Annie for now.
“We met at the wedding I was just telling you about,” he said, reaching over to lace his fingers with Annie’s. She squeezed hard.
“Hooking up at a family reunion. Not worried she may be related?”
“She is related,” he said with a tinge of sarcasm. “To the bride.”
“Cute.” Teresa sneered and then flicked her eyes back to Annie. “When does she leave?”
“I’m trying to convince her to stay and she’s right here, Teresa. You’re being rude. We were over a long time ago. There’s no reason to be a—there’s no reason for the hostility.”
“No reason to be a what, CJ? You can’t even say it,” Teresa said with a mocking smirk.
He ground his teeth together. The stroke of Annie’s thumb over the top of his hand kept his mouth shut. Thankfully, Teresa’s mother waved to get her attention.
“Call me after she leaves and we’ll talk about you seeing Austin.”
Watching her walk away was welcome, but nowhere near as enjoyable as watching Annie. Filling his lungs and slowly blowing the breath out, CJ looked down at the woman holding his hand.
Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) Page 10
