Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas--A River Ranch Novel

by Soraya Lane

  He left them and jogged silently down the stairs, slipping out the door with his jacket and heading for her place. He let himself in and located the gifts under the most half-assed tree he’d ever seen. Cody looked around, going into the kitchen in search of a bag. There was a wineglass with a lipstick stain on it sitting on the counter, a letter from the boy’s school discarded nearby, and beneath it, peeking out, was the letter he’d found the last time he’d been alone in Lexi’s kitchen. He nudged the school letter aside and stared down at the other one, at the reality of what he’d done to so many people, his sweeping decision to close the retirement complex and the message that had been sent out at Christmas time. The same letter that had ruined what had been an otherwise perfect night with Lexi. Was he so cold-hearted? Or had he become used to having so much money at his fingertips that he’d forgotten the stress the holidays put on so many people? And all he’d done was add to it.

  He found a bag and carefully put the gifts inside. He was going to make this right. What he’d done was wrong, he’d reacted wrong, he’d seen Lexi’s decision to protest as a personal vendetta, when in fact all she’d been doing was giving a voice to everyone he was hurting by trying to make the biggest profit he could. How the hell hadn’t he been able to see that?

  Lexi deserved better. He stared around the little apartment again, wishing he could be the one to give it to her, wishing he could be the man she thought he’d been, the man she needed. But he couldn’t give her that. Now then, not now. Not ever.

  He finished collecting the things for Santa and bundled everything inside his jacket, flicking the lights off and heading back to the main house. He could make Christmas special for Harry, he would give as much of himself as he could to Lexi while he could—and then he was going home. To New York. To the place where he could hide everything that made him feel, and go back to being hard-as-steel Cody Ford; Fortune-magazine-list Ford; the-guy-who-jumped-higher-than-anyone-else-to-get-a-deal-done Ford.

  There was something to be said about staying in control, and being back home made him feel very, very out of control.

  * * *

  The Ford’s Christmas tree looked like something from a display at Barneys. It towered to the high ceiling, twinkling as if a million lights covered the greenery and filled with enough decorations to be worthy of an advertisement. And now the presents she’d wrapped only hours earlier for her son had been added to the piles of gifts lying beneath it.

  “Thank y—”

  “Don’t say it again.”

  Lexi smiled. “Sorry, I just seem to have so much to thank you for.”

  Cody had just returned from the kitchen, two glasses in hand, filled with an amber liquid that she guessed was whiskey.

  “Have this,” he said, standing close as he passed it to her. “It’ll help you sleep.”

  She took it from him, one little sip filling her throat and sending fire through her entire body as she swallowed.

  “Lexi,” Cody said, stepping closer, his gaze dropping to her mouth before slowly raising to meet her eyes.

  She swallowed, wishing she’d had more of her whiskey. The way he was looking at her, the way her body was tingling, pulsing just from staring back at him, this man she’d loved for so long, this man who’d found her son for her. Lexi bravely raised her chin.

  “Lexi, I’m not going to be here long,” he said, his tone low, voice gruff. “But I know that I want you.”

  She wanted him too. She lifted her glass and took a long, slow sip, before closing the distance between her and Cody. Harry was safe upstairs asleep, there was no chance he would wake after such an eventful night, and right now, in this moment, she wanted to take something for herself. And that something was Cody Ford.

  “Close the doors,” she said, so close to Cody now she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, could smell the intoxicating blend of aftershave and whiskey on his skin.

  Cody was holding his glass in one hand, the other at his side, but he didn’t reach to touch her. Instead he shuffled the space between them, their bodies brushing now, as his lips came down to meet hers, teasing at first, so soft she could barely feel his touch, but then he deepened the kiss, mouth moving hungrily against hers.

  He grinned when he finally stepped back, downing the rest of his drink in one gulp and sweeping the big doors shut. She was pleased to see he could lock them, clicking them and then turning to face her, his eyes hungry, his expression like a wolf finally closing in on his prey.

  “I want you too,” she whispered.

  “You’re sure you want to do this?” he asked, stalking back toward her.

  She downed her drink too, the fire in her throat almost making her cough. But she held it down and nodded. They were alone. The big living room was at the far end of the house downstairs; no one could hear them, no one was awake. Harry was safe.

  She’d wanted something just for her, and now she had it.

  “This is just for tonight,” Cody said as he reached for her, fingers sliding down the back of her head and then curling around her neck, his touch so light.

  She moaned as he pulled her closer, as he bent and kissed where his fingers had been, his other hand sliding around her lower back, drawing her closer to him. His body was hard, his mouth soft, his touch just … right. Everything about being with Cody now felt so right.

  “I remember how good I felt with you,” she whispered. “I’ve never forgotten.”

  His chuckle was low. “Honey, I was just a boy then.”

  She moaned as he pushed her harder against him, feeling just how much he wanted her. Lexi tipped her head back, Cody’s kisses like wildfire across her skin. “And now?” she whispered, not reminding him that he’d been anything but a boy the other night when they’d reconnected.

  “Now I’m a man,” he murmured as he dropped kisses, plucking at her skin ever so softly. “And I’m gonna make damn sure you’re satisfied.”

  Lexi knew she should feel guilty, that she should never have let Cody lock the doors, but this was just one final night. One night for her to feel good and block everything else out.

  He stroked her shoulders and edged her top down, kissing her exposed shoulder before glancing up at her.

  “Tell me what you want,” he said.

  “I want you,” she said simply. And she did. She reached up and cupped his face, one hand slipping to cup his skull as she lifted her face and kissed him, sighing into his mouth as he took charge. Cody kissed her gently, he kissed her hard; he paused, stroking her face, before kissing her all over again, tongue teasing her, sending shivers of desire through her body as she soaked up every second of being in his arms.

  Cody’s fingers expertly worked the buttons on her shirt, leaving her in the tank top she had underneath, and then he slid the straps down, his mouth following everywhere his fingers traced. But when he went to take off her jeans, she stopped him, reaching for his belt buckle and taking it off him. He grinned down at her and she loved the look on his face, the desperation she could see that was the perfect mirror of how she felt inside. She slipped her hands beneath his T-shirt, pleased that he’d already discarded his heavy shirt earlier. Her palms slid against his bare skin, against firm muscle, his stomach sucking in as she explored.

  And when she gripped the hem and tugged it up, Cody complied, lifting his arms and letting her pull it the whole way off. He didn’t wait for her to fumble with his jeans, stripping them off himself until he was wearing only his briefs and then setting his sights on her.

  “Your turn,” he murmured, reaching out for her and skimming his fingers down her top until he reached her jeans again. Back to where he’d been before, ready to unbutton her until she was standing as naked as he was.

  She wanted him to do it, standing as he pulled her jeans down, lifting her feet for him to take them off her completely. And then she let him pull her top all the way down her body too, until she was standing, shivering despite the heat from the fire. And the heat from Cody’s g
aze.

  * * *

  Cody swallowed hard as he stared at her body, bathed in the flickering light from the roaring fire behind her. She was almost bare now, standing in her panties and bra, her long hair tumbling down her back, skimming past her bra, and all he could think about was how she’d look without her underwear, whether her hair would fall over her breasts far enough to cover her nipples. She was so beautiful standing there, and he reached for her, taking her hand and tugging her gently forward.

  Her body moved against his, not as warm as he was as she pressed into his chest and looked up, mouth parted, just waiting to be kissed again. He leaned in to claim her mouth at the same time as he reached for her bra and unclasped it. She moved back slightly and it fell between them, so this time when she pressed to him, her bare breasts crushed against his chest.

  Longing swelled inside him and he skimmed his hands down her back, wanting her full breasts in his hands, needing to feel every inch of her to satiate himself.

  But Lexi wasn’t as demure as he’d expected her to be this time.

  “You’re sure the door’s locked?” she whispered.

  “Positive,” he murmured back, kissing her before she could ask any more questions.

  Hell. Her hand slid down his thigh as her mouth moved to his chest, sucking as she touched him, nails scraping ever so slightly against him, moving down to the front and … fuck. Her fingers slid inside his briefs and closed around him, just the lightest of touches that had him groaning as she took charge.

  Cody battled the primitive need to turn her around, to pin her against the wall and take her from behind, to take charge, but it was obvious Lexi was enjoying the control and he didn’t want to take that away from her. If she wanted to take the lead, then he was damn well going to enjoy the ride.

  There was something different about her tonight, more confident, determined maybe. Or maybe it was just that they both knew it was only this one last night and they had to make the most of it.

  She traced her fingers back up his leg then, up his side, reaching for his face, cupping his cheeks, and leaning in to kiss him. He’d expected fast and rough, but she took her time, kissing him so carefully, so softly, as if they’d changed gears to slow down. Cody took her into his arms, held her close as he kissed her back. Their lips were brushing, so tender, her tongue touching his, exploring, tasting him like it was the first time they’d been together. The spark between them hadn’t dulled, the electricity like a current that just continued to burn despite the years.

  “I’ve been dreaming of a repeat,” she told him, one hand still to his face, her legs tangling around him as he started to walk her backward.

  “I know the feeling,” he whispered back, lips on hers again before she could say anything else, carrying her until they hit the sofa and slowly putting her down on it.

  He covered her body with his, pulling her panties down and then discarding his briefs, but he didn’t push her. Their kisses were endless, unhurried. Cody had no idea whether minutes had passed or an hour, but for once his impatience didn’t get the better of him when it came to Lexi. He reached behind her, took his weight off her completely so she could arch her back and let him unclip her bra. It was lacy, like all her underwear seemed to be, and he slowly took it off her, savoring her body like a Christmas present he got to slowly unwrap and discover. The best damn Christmas gift he’d ever had.

  Cody reluctantly stopped kissing her, moved away from her lips and down her body, trailing kisses across her breasts instead. He cupped one, loved that it fit perfectly in his hand. He licked and sucked her nipple, smiling to himself when her toes clenched against his leg, her moans only spurring him on more. Lexi’s fingers were in his hair, tugging, trying to encourage him back up, but he was on his way down her body and he wasn’t planning on stopping.

  “Cody,” she murmured, fingers loosening their hold as he ran his mouth over her belly. Her skin was so soft, her flat stomach taut as he rained kisses over it, wanting to feel and taste every inch of her.

  “Slow,” he muttered, “tonight we’re gonna take it slow.”

  If tonight was all they had, he wasn’t going to make any mistakes. He wanted to pleasure her and make love to her, to enjoy every moment, because the memory was going to have to last him a lifetime.

  “Cody…” This time she hissed out his name on her breath as her knees lifted, her body quivering beneath his touch as he ran his fingers up her thigh, stopping when he reached the top of her leg and trailing the rest of the way with his tongue instead. He touched her so delicately he doubted she’d even feel it, but her body bucked, jumping away from him before resting down again, sensitive as hell.

  Cody smiled and tasted her again, carefully, slowly, wanting her to enjoy every sensation. Lexi’s moan only made him more determined to take his time, to push her to the brink and guide her to climax. He wanted to please her, wanted her to know that he was as interested in her pleasure as he was his own.

  “Cody, stop,” she begged quietly.

  He ignored her completely, her groans of pleasure telling him that she didn’t really want him to stop, legs locking around his head like stopping was the last thing she wanted him to do.

  Cody reached up and cupped Lexi’s breasts, loving the hard pebble of her nipple, trying not to laugh as she almost choked him when her legs tightened around his head.

  And then her body arched and he cupped her backside, caressed her with his tongue until she climaxed, her legs stiff around him one moment, then soft and supple the next.

  He kissed her thigh and then her belly, trailing his way back up her body and then staying poised above her, holding his weight with his elbows to either side of her, knees in between hers.

  “You’re wicked, Cody Ford.” Her eyes were still shut, lips moving and tempting him to kiss her.

  His willpower was in tatters and he did exactly that, covering her mouth with his and pressing down into her, showing her just how much he wanted her. He was still hard and he was ready to pleasure her all over again in an entirely different way.

  Cody nudged at her entrance, groaned at how slick she was, but he cursed as he realized what he was missing. He dropped a quick kiss to her lips but she pulled him down before he could move.

  “Do you have protection?” she asked.

  He groaned. “I was going to check my wallet but it might be so old it’s disintegrated.”

  “Anything I should be worried about?” she sucked on his earlobe and made it impossible not to slide back down on her again.

  “No.”

  “I’m on the pill,” she whispered with a smile. “Stop making me wait.”

  Cody growled as he playfully bit on her lower lip, before dropping more of his weight onto her; then suddenly her eyes were locked on his when he slowly slid all the way inside of her.

  Lexi’s nails dug into his back as she pushed her body up, meeting his thrusts with her own. She was making it hard for him to take it slow, but he did, determined to enjoy every single minute without rushing any part of making love to her.

  “Why the hurry?” he whispered in her ear, kissing her neck as he kept sliding back and forth into her.

  “Faster, Cody,” she begged, “please.”

  He ignored her wishes, wanting it to last, but eventually she wriggled so hard that he did start to move faster, slowing only when she forced him to.

  “Stop,” she said, voice firm.

  Cody stopped immediately, looking down at her with concern. Only he was met with a smug grin as she moved from underneath him and pushed at his shoulders, palms flat as she forced him to his back. She climbed on top, eyes twinkling as she stared down at him and positioned herself, head arched as her hair tumbled down her back.

  “Don’t move,” she murmured, sitting astride him and leaning forward, her hair covering his face now until she shook it away and kissed him on the mouth.

  He groaned as she lowered herself over him and started to rock back and forth. Her head was
tipped back again, long hair touching his thighs as she moved, brushing against him, teasing him. Lexi moved slowly at first, and he raised his hands to cup her breasts, loving the fullness of them above him, holding them as she rode him. Lexi’s eyes were shut, but he didn’t shut his for a second, wanting to watch every move she made, keep his eyes locked on the breasts that drove him crazy.

  Then she started to ride him faster, her body locked to his, and he cupped her backside instead, held on to her hips, and rocked hard inside her. Just when he started to lose control, knew there was no way in hell that he could hold back, Lexi slowed, her body more gentle, the intensity of her actions gone at the same time as he gave in to his own climax. Cody kept hold of her, not letting go of her butt until her body relaxed, then scooping his arms around her so she could collapse on top of him.

  He kissed her neck, held her tight, their bodies still fused together as they lay in silence.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “As beautiful now as the day we met.”

  She nestled into him and he stroked her shoulders and down her back, not wanting to let her go or stop touching her.

  “I needed that,” she whispered back with a giggle. “Best Christmas present I could have asked for.”

  “Hey,” he teased, leaning in for one more kiss. “I aim to please.”

  Cody stared at her, at her lashes against her cheeks as she shut her eyes, at the soft way she breathed, at the beautiful naked body stretched out on the sofa beside him. If he wasn’t so scared of getting close to someone, he’d have scooped her up in a heartbeat and never ever let her go.

  * * *

  Lexi could have laid there forever in Cody’s arms. They were warm, the fire still roaring nearby, and the only noise was the embers crackling and falling. He had one arm loose around her, the other was still stroking, thumb brushing back and forth against her skin. She sighed and nestled tighter against him.