“A dare?”
“Yep.”
Lana snorted. “I thought you were spouting about taking charge.”
“And you’re balking at the thought of giving control over to me. I’m making it easy for you. Take what you want.” He settled with his hands under his head, watching her with clear expectancy. “Ride me.”
Lana eyed his erection again and clenched her thighs together. A liquid roll of desire hit her and she had to bite back a groan. Undeniable masculine interest and the wetness pooling between her thighs spurred her to action. She clambered over his legs until she straddled him, her pulse spiking. Heck, she’d done this before so why was she so nervous?
“Carry on.”
Arrogant so-and-so. Someone should teach him a control lesson. Without thinking any further, she leaned over to press a kiss to his lips, a brief skimming of mouths. Even that contact sent a bolt of lust rocketing through her, unraveling her restraint. Taking a deep breath, she settled in to kiss him. She nipped at his bottom lip, laving the sting with her tongue. Lana touched the tip of her tongue to his mouth, taking it slowly and going all out to seduce him. Increasing the pressure, she took advantage of his parted lips. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, licking along it with her tongue while her fingers burrowed into his dark hair. Gradually, she moved her mouth lower, kissing his jaw and trailing kisses toward his ear. He groaned when she licked the shell of his ear and nibbled his lobe, thrilled at the small sound from him. She craved his touch, but his hands remained at his sides. He truly had ceded control to her.
So she’d tempt him.
Lana licked the column of his throat and gave a little nibble at the juncture of neck and shoulder. His heartfelt curse brought surprise then a flash of panic. Fuck! What the hell was she doing? She needed to keep well away from the spot where feline shifters traditionally marked each other and made their mating official. No way did she want to give him ideas. This was a one-time deal.
Moving away from the trouble area, she rasped her tongue over one flat nipple, teasing it to attention. His fingers tangled in her hair, silent encouragement in the pressure of his hands. She knew her tongue rasped more than a human’s and loved it when he licked any part of her body. His husky appreciation and the buck of his hard body brought satisfaction and pleasure.
“Kiss and lick my cock,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
“I have a program,” she said. “There’s lots of good stuff yet. I don’t want to miss a thing.”
“And what if I die of heart failure before you get to the extra-good stuff?”
“You? A big, bad cowboy? I thought cowboys were tough. Besides, you said I could do what I wanted.”
“Nah, babe. I’m marshmallow in your hands.”
“Now why don’t I believe that? You want me to follow your orders, even though we’re only lovers for the weekend. And you’re bossy outside the bedroom arena too.”
Duncan blinked once before he grinned. “I love your strong, independent spirit. It’s very sexy.”
“And you’re avoiding the point of this conversation.” Lana nipped a pectoral muscle. “You’re bossy. All feline males are bossy because it’s part of your nature and you don’t like females who have aspirations outside the family home.” Oops, she hadn’t meant to lecture him. Besides, it didn’t matter. After this weekend she wouldn’t see him again for months.
Lana leaned over to lick his ribs and his splendid abs, allowing her hair to fall forward and curtain her chagrin. Bother Jamie and his old-fashioned rules about women. Babies. She wasn’t unnatural because she didn’t want children straightaway. One day she’d love to have children, and meanwhile, being on the Pill protected her from an unwanted pregnancy. Huh, that and abstaining from sex. She dipped her tongue into his navel before licking around the indentation, smiling at Duncan’s purr of pleasure. Just as she suspected. Males liked a little petting before getting to the main course.
She moved lower still, letting her fingers trail over his abs and work-hardened muscles. Lana knew he worked on farms and ranches between rodeos. His soapy and masculine scent curled through her while his rough purrs brought a deepening smile.
Instead of heading straight for his jutting cock, she kissed his inner thighs, breathing in his scent and dragging it deep into her lungs. Her hands skimmed with purpose and skill, driving both their arousals higher.
Duncan sighed, his hips canting upward when she nuzzled his balls. She’d half expected him to take over again, but instead, he watched her through heavy-lidded eyes, his thighs spreading to give her better access. The velvety head of his cock brushed her cheek and Lana swallowed, excited by his trust and her rising desire. She dragged her tongue along his length, kissing the curving glans at his tip.
“Lana,” he whispered.
He packed a lot of meaning into the one word, a lot of need. A hungry little noise emerged from deep in her throat and she licked the length of his cock again before repeating the kiss. This time she sealed her lips around the head and sucked. His entire body jolted, driving him deeper into her mouth. The musky taste and his scent him filled each of her breaths.
“Take more,” he said.
She wanted to please him and obeyed, even before she realized he’d wrested control from her. Didn’t matter. All that mattered was the pleasure that rippled between them, the passion that sprang to life when they touched. Lana took him deep and swirled her tongue over the head while she scraped her fingers over his balls. They drew tighter with her ministrations and tension swirled between them. Her sex throbbed, and as if he could read her mind, Duncan seized her by the shoulders, lifting her head from his cock.
“Take me inside you. Ride me. I want your snug pussy gripping my cock. I want to watch your beautiful breasts bounce while take me. And I want to see you rubbing your clit. I want you to take your pleasure. I want to watch your face when you come.”
“What about you?”
“I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself.”
Lana didn’t doubt that for a moment. Trembling, she lifted her body and guided his cock to her entrance. She impaled herself, closing her eyes to savor the stretch as his cock parted her sensitive tissues. The brush of fingers over the curves of her breasts made her smile dreamily, but the caress of her marking spot had her eyes flying open. They stared at each other, silent messages gliding back and forth between them. Lana swallowed.
Too much. Too intimate.
She rose off his cock and sank down again, keeping each move slow and purposeful while her mind screamed at her to do something, to flee the temptation that had seized her by the throat. Another swallow shifted the lump of apprehension. Duncan was temporary. She could not, would not mate with him.
Chapter Five
Something shifted between them when he touched her shoulder. A new awareness pulsed in her expression and Duncan fought past his urge to act caveman. He trailed his fingers across the smooth golden skin again, her shiver bringing a sense of satisfaction. Jamie would have marked her although it had faded. It was only a matter of time before she bore his mark. He could wait. He would wait until Lana accepted him readily.
Lana rode him with a steady rise and fall, pausing each time he was fully seated to squeeze her inner muscles. Hot, easy glides followed by a viselike squeeze set the pattern. His balls tightened and drew up, his cock lengthened and started to throb. She licked her lips, an unhurried and sexy moistening of the plump, pink curve.
“Touch yourself,” he said when he didn’t think he could hold back his orgasm for much longer.
Her chin shot up in defiance until the beginnings of a grin twitched at his lips.
“Do it,” he ordered.
Her cheeks flushed as she slid her hand over her stomach. One finger slipped between her folds and she massaged her clit.
“Good girl. Show me your finger. Show me how wet you are.”
“You can see I am,” she retorted.
“I want to taste you.�
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Her eyes widened, but she dipped her finger into her juices and removed it, leaning forward so he could take the digit into his mouth.
Duncan heard her gasp and felt the subtle clamp of her pussy around his width. He sucked on her finger and watched her eyes widen. When he licked the pad before releasing it, she moaned.
“Hot and spicy. Beautiful.” He leaned forward to tongue her breasts, giving her a hint of teeth and glorying in her open pleasure. It was clear she enjoyed sex as much as him, which boded well for the future.
After one final lick, Duncan settled back on the bed, encouraging her with a grin. “Make me come.”
Instantly the tension ramped upward. She hastened her pace, her head falling back as she swayed above him. Sounds of fucking filled the air along with soft sighs and moans. Faster and faster, she went, her tight channel squeezing him. Her finger slid across her clit while she pinched one of her nipples with her other hand. She came in a rapid explosion, her pussy pulsing around his dick. Duncan loved the play of emotions on her face, the rush of pleasure and dazed expression.
With an explosion of power, he moved, turning their bodies and fucking her hard and fast with rapid thrusts of his cock. Orgasm hit him like a rodeo bull intent on revenge. He groaned at the rush of pleasure while his semen splashed deep inside her. For an instant he stilled, his pulse fast and choppy. Hell, sex had never been this good. Closing his eyes, he rolled so Lana curled against his chest. Neither of them spoke, and that didn’t matter. Duncan relaxed, comfortable and at home for the first time in his life and knew the woman in his arms played a large part in the situation. This was right, and he looked forward to a future with Lana.
* * * * *
Lana played the coward and pretended to be asleep when Duncan left the next morning. She knew he’d need to get back to the campground and check his equipment. When the front door closed and his steps had receded, Lana opened her eyes and turned over to flop onto her back. Her body ached in a good way and although tired, vigor danced through her veins. A little sex and hey, presto, energy zapped through her. She felt good, really good. A smile curved her lips. Who needed pills and tonics when a man like Duncan Ross was there for the taking?
A light knock jolted her upright. She clutched the sheet to her naked breasts and frowned at the door.
“Lana? Are you awake?” Emily asked.
“If she wasn’t before, she is now,” Saber murmured.
Lana heard feminine amusement before she replied. “I’m awake.”
“Good, come and have coffee with me. I’m starved for feminine conversation.”
“You talked to her yesterday and last night,” Lana heard Saber say.
“I’ll have a quick shower to wake up and be there in ten minutes,” Lana said, climbing from the bed.
“A woman on time,” Saber said when she walked into the kitchen and dropped into a chair beside Emily.
“I’m used to quick showers.”
“Did Duncan get away all right?” Emily asked, shunting a mug of coffee in Lana’s direction. “Do you need milk?”
“Um, no,” Lana said, unsure of where to look. Finally she gave up and grinned back at Emily. If she’d thought Duncan wouldn’t get the wrong idea, she might have asked if they could meet up every six months, but she didn’t want to encourage him into thinking they might have something permanent. No, this way was better. She got to have fulfilling sex with a hunky male and kept her independence. Once she returned to Queenstown, she’d be flat out with the renovations to her restaurant and planning the new season’s menu.
Emily’s eyes twinkled over the top of her coffee mug. “Did you and Duncan have a fight?”
“Sweetheart, leave the poor woman alone. We know Duncan was here last night,” Saber said. “And I doubt there was much fighting.”
“Pooh, you’re no fun,” Emily said. “What time are we going to the rodeo? Do we want to watch the kiddies and novice events?”
“If we go early, we’ll find a good place to watch the action,” Lana said.
“I agree. I’ll load the umbrella and the chairs into my vehicle as soon as we eat,” Saber said.
Two hours later Saber left her and Emily settled in a shady spot with a good view of the rodeo arena. Country music blared through loudspeakers, a song where the male singer tried to cajole his ladylove into marriage. Lana could see a bright red-and-yellow bouncy castle on the other side of the arena and heard the shrieks of excited children. A mini Ferris wheel spun lazily while a bouquet of hot dogs, chips and meat pies filled the air.
Cattle in pens mooed and horses neighed. Cowboys sauntered past dressed in faded jeans and chaps, hats pulled low over their faces while they entered events, paid their fees at the office and concentrated on the job to come.
Emily handed Lana a glass of sparkling wine and orange juice before returning the wine and juice bottle to the chiller box. “It’s a pity Saber’s brothers are away this weekend. The single ones. I could have set you up with one of the twins, or not, since you’re with Duncan.”
Lana groaned. “No matchmaking, Emily. I have no intention of marrying again. I enjoy my independence. Besides, the twins are too young for me.” She spotted London Allbright and Gerard Drummond on the other side of the arena and waved when they looked in her direction.
“Really? Hmm, you could be right about Joe and Sly. We don’t see them often.” She cocked her head, reminding Lana of a curious bird. “Don’t you want a man to keep you warm during the cold winter nights? And children?”
“I don’t need to be married to do either of those,” Lana pointed out.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but there are so few feline women of marriageable age. What about the pressure to mate?”
“First off, I loved Jamie. Things changed because we clashed about children. During the last three months of our marriage, we’d started to argue. Jamie wanted to start a family. I wanted to keep growing my business. Before we married I told him my plans and he agreed to wait to have children. Jamie had grown tired of waiting and was pressuring me. We argued before he left to go skiing.” A wave of memories hit her—the bitter words between them and the pain at knowing the last time they’d seen each other had been on bad terms. Recalling their last argument always brought guilt.
“Oh Lana. I’m sorry. That can’t have been easy. Not all men are the same though.”
Lana shrugged. “I’m not marrying again. It’s better that way.”
Emily smiled even though her eyes remained somber. “Maybe I should send Saber’s twin brothers to your restaurant. I swear you won’t be able to resist either of them.”
“I met them at the wedding, remember. Yes, they’re both nice and very sexy. I’m not interested.”
“They’re bad boys through and through, you mean.”
“I was being polite,” Lana said. “They would need a lot of training.”
“Their future wives are lucky. I’ve started training them already,” Emily said with a smirk. “Or at least I do when they deign to come home.”
Both women laughed before an announcement on the loudspeaker drew their attention to the arena.
The morning passed quickly with the children’s sheep ride, the skillful barrel racers and the novice bull riders. Saber returned along with several friends and neighbors. Lana looked for Duncan and saw him at a distance talking to two scantily clad women in shorts and bikini tops. One even had the effrontery to kiss him on the lips.
“Lana? Something wrong?”
Lana jerked her gaze away to stare at Saber. “Huh?”
“You were growling,” Emily said.
“Oh! I was thinking about work and one of the companies I deal with,” she said, hoping her pitiful save would work. This jealousy had to stop. First, she had no right. And second, Duncan came in the temporary entertainment category and didn’t owe her anything. She accepted a chicken salad wrap from Emily and a glass of straight orange juice from Saber before she risked another glance. He was
n’t in sight now and the two women were chatting up another cowboy. Funny, when they both kissed this man she didn’t experience the zing of jealousy.
“When is the open bull ride starting?” she asked.
“Duncan’s event?” Emily glanced at the program. “One o’clock.”
One of Saber’s friends settled beside Lana and started chatting. The glint in his eyes told Lana of his interest. He seemed nice enough except her thoughts drifted to Duncan. Instant attraction. It had been the same with Jamie. She’d taken one look and wanted him.
These days she had grown smarter and knew all the love in the world didn’t make a successful relationship. Marriage was hard work and an added stress came for shifters—the pressure to have children. Not that she didn’t like kids, because she did. It was just there were other important things in life such as personal fulfillment.
Echoes of Jamie’s last words, calling her a selfish bitch, propelled another wave of guilt through her. Perhaps she was selfish. All the more reason to stay single and concentrate on the business she loved.
The parade of nations opened the afternoon’s events with horses galloping around the arena, their riders bearing flags of the countries who promoted rodeo.
A brief lull followed before a voice over the loudspeaker system announced the start of the open bull ride.
“First out of the chute today is William Edwards on Demon Express,” the announcer said.
A brindle bull exploded from the chutes with a loud bellow of displeasure, lethal horns catching Lana’s attention. Demon Express tossed his rider with one vicious corkscrew buck, sending the cowboy hurtling through the air. He hit the dusty ground, and the bull charged over him, catching the man with a glancing blow in the middle of his back. One of the two rodeo clowns sprinted over and drew the bull’s attention while the second helped the stunned cowboy to his feet and to safety.
“A quick ride,” the announcer said as the pick-up riders herded Demon Express from the arena.
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