Patting his hips, she moved swiftly to a sock and pulled it off his foot.
He laughed. That little tease. She was grinning. Maybe she needed a spanking. His cock jerked again.
When his feet were bare, he bent and removed her boots, raising his brow as he met her gaze.
Her turn now, she turned her back and scooted toward him. Grasping the waistband of his briefs she eased to the floor, pulling them down behind her. With taps of her fingers, she made him step out of them, tossing them by his dresser.
He laughed again. The vixen. He'd show her. Turning her to him, he unfastened her Wranglers, pulled down the zipper and slid them quickly off her.
She moved in close, unbuttoning his shirt then yanking it off his shoulders. That went on the clothes rack, too.
Lifting her from her feet, he laid her on the bed. "It's all my turn now. I'm already naked."
Her eyes wide, she grinned and reached for him. "I should have made you put on a tie."
He took off her socks and looked at her tiny lace panties, tracing them with his fingertip. "You're a lovely wife." Lifting her fingers to his lips, he kissed them gently. He wanted this night to last forever. Hooking her panties, he eased them down her legs and tossed them on the floor.
Lying beside her, head propped on his hand, he gazed down at her.
She ran her hand through his short hair. "I love the color of your eyes. Do you think you'll pass them on to your children?"
He nodded. "I could. It's in our genes. My aunt has this shade of blue. Mom's are blue but not quite like mine."
Drawing a line from his nose to his chin, she said. "You'll make beautiful babies."
He leaned down and kissed her. "So will you." Sighing, he said, "But not tonight." He turned back and grabbed a condom out of his night stand.
She took it from him and opened it.
His cocked jerked, anticipating her touch.
Her hands felt like magic as she held him still and slipped it around him. When she finished, she clasped his face and pulled him to her, kissing him hard, thrusting her tongue inside and stroking him. She drew back and said breathlessly, "Make love to me, Caleb."
He growled and flipped her on her back, kissing her deeply, his leg across her thighs. Her breast filled his palm perfectly. Landing kisses along her jaw, he nibbled behind her ear, and she gasped. "Wife, I'm going to love you all night long."
Gripping his hips, she whispered, "Yes."
He slid down and lowered his lips to her breast, suckling tenderly.
She held his head and sighed.
Flicking her nipple with his tongue, he stroked it until she raised her hips and moaned. He moved his attentions to her other breast as he slipped his fingers to her cleft. She was warm and wet, and he inserted a finger.
Gasping, she arched her hips.
His body tensed, blood pumping hot. Her passion was pushing at his restraint. He found her sensitive spot and rubbed it in gentle circles.
She surged against him, panting, clutching at his back. "Caleb. Love me."
He kneed her legs wider, and she wrapped them around him. God, she was going to make him come!
As he eased inside her, she gasped.
He started his rhythm, slowly at first, then building. She clutched him, her eyes half closed. He loved looking at her as he fucked her—glad she hadn't asked that he turn off the light. Her mane spread over the pillow. Her breasts moved with each of his thrusts. Her hands gripped his shoulders with the strength of a lioness. No woman had ever felt so good, so perfect. He thundered into her like a storm. A fireball of pure bliss raged inside him.
When they came, it was with the heat of the desert sun. Their bodies shuddered, blasted by bombs of pleasure.
She held him to her chest and whispered, "Oh, God. I knew I liked you, husband."
He laughed, then remembered she was leaving and nearly cried.
Chapter Five
EVE WOKE HOURS LATER, sated, and lifted her head, looking at the bedside clock. She should go back to her room. Pulling the covers back, she sat on the edge of the bed.
Caleb's arm snaked around her waist. "Uh, uh. Get back here. The night is young."
Laughing softly, she said, "I don't want anyone to see me coming out of your room."
"Are you kidding me? They'll be ecstatic."
She snorted. "I'm serious. This is our secret, pretend husband."
He dragged her to him. "It's a long time until dawn. You're mine."
Giving in, she turned toward him and pulled his face in for a kiss. "You're sweet, Caleb Govain."
Throwing his leg over her hip, he scooted her against him. "Sweet, am I? You're the one who tastes like sugar, and I want some." He kissed and nibbled her neck until she squealed.
"Stop it! We're going to wake someone up."
"Like I said, they'll be ecstatic."
"Damn." She ran her hands across his chest as goosebumps appeared. Flicking his nipples with her thumbs, she made him gasp. "Oh, is he a little ticklish?"
"I'll show you ticklish." He dug his fingers into her waist, and she screamed and shot across the bed. Laughing, he dragged her back. "I'll stop, come here." Wrapping her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head as his hands rubbed softly up and down her back.
She sighed, her body melting under his touch. "That feels good. I can see a definite advantage to having a husband."
"Only one advantage?"
"Okay, maybe two."
He laughed, patting her butt, then kissed her gently, and it went on and on as he put his whole heart and soul into it. This time, when they made love, it was like the first rain of spring, gentle yet magnificent.
WRAPPED IN A TOWEL, she rubbed her hair dry with another in front of the mirror. She'd left Caleb's room at dawn and taken a shower. Fear nipped at the edges of her mind. Leaving here—leaving Caleb—would hurt much worse than she’d imagined. If she worked hard today, she should be able to complete her recommendations and present them to him. Driving the four hours to El Paso wouldn't be a problem after that. She could get a hotel. She'd left her return flight open, as she usually did. She'd book it later.
Caleb was at the breakfast table when she arrived. Avoiding his gaze, she poured her coffee. Without looking at him, she sat down. "I should be able to finish up today." She told him her plans then forced herself to meet his gaze.
Frowning, he said, "Why drive back tonight? Do you know how many deer are on that road? Stay here, and leave in the morning. Book a flight for tomorrow. Please, Eve, don't go today."
His tone was almost pleading, and it nearly broke her heart. She turned away before he could read her confused emotions. "I need to go, Caleb. I shouldn't stay."
He reached for her hand. "Eve, we have another day. Don't take that from us."
Just then, Millie walked in. The expression on her face showed that she'd seen and understood enough to know something was going on between them.
Millie said briskly, "Good morning. Eve, Annie and I are making a special dinner for you tonight since you'll be leaving us soon."
Oh, hell. Eve sighed and put on a bright smile. "That's so sweet of you. I was just telling Caleb I'll finish up today. I'd love to stay for dinner."
He grinned. "Thanks, Mom."
Millie smiled slyly. "You're welcome, son."
After breakfast, Eve went into the office and shut the door, plunging into her work, preparing and typing her final recommendations. At four thirty, she called Caleb. "Do you have time to come see me? I'm ready for you."
"I can be there in about thirty minutes."
She placed the two stacks of papers on the desk and went upstairs to her room. She'd been anxious all day, worried about leaving in the morning. Damn, she'd made a mess of this job. She'd never, not once, gotten involved with a client. What kind of a moron was she? She went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth then put on more lipstick. She'd chewed her lips all day, and they were chapped.
As she headed down stairs, the front door opened.
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Caleb came around the corner and looked up at her. He smiled and the joy and hope in his eyes melted her resolve to keep her distance.
"Hey, Caleb. How was your day?"
He held out his hand and helped her down the last couple of steps. "Okay, but much better now that I'm here with you."
A weight settled on her. They were both sunk. Once in the office she sat next to him and handed him his set of papers. "I have some suggestions for your hunting business. It's a big part of your cash flow each year, and you aren't nearly maximizing what you could make off it.
Basically, my proposal is two-fold. With a little outlay, you can change the guest cottages into places for your hunters. You have antelope season, which is only nine days, but you can make $4,500 plus extras for a three-day hunt. If you put three hunters per cottage, you'll have nine more hunters that you can cycle through three times during the season at $4,500 per hunter. You've just put over $121,000 in your pocket by making use of those three cottages. Not to mention you can use them for mule deer, white-tailed deer, turkey and quail hunting, too."
He smiled. "That's fantastic."
"The second part is adding night-time predator hunting to your offering. There is basically no additional outlay for this service, except the cost of employees to man the vehicles, unless the hunters want meals provided. Predator hunting is huge. You'll make $1,750 to $3,000 per hunter depending on whether a hunter books a three or five-day hunt. They'll be going after coyote, bobcat, fox, racoon, mountain lion, opossum, ringtail, badger, and rabbits, and you'll be charging extra for javelina and hogs. This is all new revenue that you can bring in between the other hunting seasons when the cabins are normally empty. And there's the added benefit of killing the predators that prey on antelope calves and the calves from your herds."
Caleb leaned back in his chair. "Cash flow has been a growing problem as the drought has stretched on and on. These proposals will be a huge help.
The only thing that can limit me is the number of antelope permits I'm given. The drought means less grass and shorter grass, allowing predators to easily find the hidden antelope calves. Fewer adult antelopes are being added to the herds. Fish and Game allow a smaller quantity of hunting permits every year."
Picking up the first paper, she began to go over the figures in detail with him.
An hour later, when she'd finished, Caleb wrote her a final check for her services. "Eve, I don't know how to thank you. This ranch is back on track, thanks to you."
Smiling, she reached out her hand. "You're welcome. I'm glad I could help." She stood, "Well, I think I'll go pack as much as I can before dinner."
He stayed sitting. "Eve, can you sit for a couple minutes, please?" His eyes, dark with emotion, beseeched her.
Her pulse picked up. Did he know how those beautiful eyes of his affected her? "Okay."
"We have tonight together. Don't shut me out." He held her gaze, his heart exposed for her to see.
She couldn't do it. She couldn't be the hard, cold person she knew she needed to be. Clasping his cheek, she said, "Tomorrow, when I drive down that road, it's going to kill me."
He covered her hand with his and kissed her palm. "I can't bear to think about it. How can I let you go?"
She pressed her lips together a moment. "We have tonight." Cupping his face with both hands, she said, "Husband, I have to go pack."
Raising from his chair, he grinned and said, "Wife, hurry back," and he popped her butt as she walked out the door.
In her room, her heart was lighter than it had been all day. She changed into a turquoise silk tank, freshened her makeup, and headed down for dinner.
Millie met her as she entered the dining room. To her surprise, Millie wrapped her in a hug. "Eve, honey, I'm going to miss you. I want you to come back, and I mean soon."
She stared directly into Eve's eyes, and Eve could swear Caleb's mom knew exactly what was going on between Eve and Caleb. But, how could she? Did she read minds?
Millie poured Eve a glass of iced tea. "Caleb said you're going to save us a ton of money and make us even more. I'm tired of seeing my son worried about this ranch. You're a Godsend." She patted Eve's hand. "I mean it about getting you back here. Believe me when I say I'll make it happen." She smiled that sly smile of hers.
"I wouldn't bet against you, Millie. You strike me as a woman who gets her way."
Millie laughed and raised her tea glass. "You'd better believe it, young lady."
Roy and Caleb were talking as they walked in. Caleb looked at Eve. "I was just telling Dad your ideas."
Roy said, "You're a smart young woman. I'm impressed. I hate to see you leave tomorrow, though. You sure you can't stay another day?"
She glanced at Caleb and then back at Roy. "I'm sorry, I need to prepare for my next job."
Caleb kept silent, taking his seat at the table.
"I've already told her, I'm having her back, and that I always get what I want," Millie said.
Roy smiled. "That you do, my love."
As dinner was served, Millie kept a bright conversation going, even making Eve laugh.
Eve sat back as she finished her food. "Millie, this was fabulous. I ate entirely too much. It's a good thing I have a fast metabolism or I'd have gotten fat while I was here."
Caleb snorted.
Millie laid her napkin beside her plate. "It's nice to see a girl who likes to eat. I can't stand women who pick at their food, afraid it might make them look bad."
It was Eve's turn to snort. "I'm always too hungry to pick."
Caleb clasped Eve's hand under the table. "We never got that ride we talked about. Let's take a walk down to the barn. I want to show you my mare."
"Sure." Eve nodded to Roy and Millie, and, as she followed Caleb from the room, she didn't miss the pleased look that passed between Millie and Roy. It broke Eve's heart that they were getting their hopes up for nothing.
Caleb led her to a box stall with the top door open. As they approached, a beautiful chestnut mare poked her head out. Caleb reached up and scratched her muscular cheek. "Hey, girl, how are you?" He took a halter and lead rope from the wall and entered the stall, emerging again with the mare following behind him. "Eve, meet Misty Bar," and he walked the tall mare down the alleyway.
Eve examined her gait and conformation. The mare's deep, heavily-muscled chest was all Quarter Horse. Long, well-muscled, yet surprisingly dainty legs tapped the ground as the horse kept up with Caleb's long strides. Caleb turned and the mare's neck arched, her waving golden mane flashing in the evening sun. Her wide-jawed head tapered to a delicate muzzle. Her large, muscular rump was also a signature Quarter Horse trait. Eve said, "Your mare's beautiful, Caleb. Have you bred her yet?"
"She's in foal now to Freckles."
Nodding, she said, "She's light on her feet. Do you do anything with her? Cutting? Reining?"
"I've done a little of both, just to see what she's good at. She's better with cattle—loves it. She's got a real easy gait—smooth as glass.” He headed back toward Eve. “Of course, I don't ride her now that she's in foal. She's got it made. The stable hand puts them out to pasture in the morning and brings them into their stalls at night. In between it's just lazing around for her."
"Well, she's gorgeous. I can see why you're so proud of her."
He put the mare back in her stall and walked over to Eve. "I had an ulterior motive in asking you out here."
She smiled. "I figured."
"I wanted you all to myself."
Biting her lip, she slid her arms around his neck. "I'm yours."
He grabbed her butt and lifted her to his waist, putting her face on level with him. "Better. I hate scrunching."
Wrapping her legs around him, she covered his lips with soft little kisses, moving across his jaw to whisper in his ear, "Husband, all my kisses are yours tonight."
Groaning, he pushed her against the barn wall. "Wife, they'd better be."
She touched his lips with a playful finger
. "I'm a faithful wife."
His eyes darkened, and he sucked in a breath. The playfulness left his face. "Eve ...." Then he shook his head and smiled half-heartedly, kissing her hard, thrusting his tongue deep, pressing her into the wall.
She clutched him with every muscle in her legs, feeling his arousal now. God, he was a sexy, amazing man. She pulled him close, returning his kisses with all her heart. This one night she wouldn't care what it cost her to feel this way. Scooping his lip in her mouth, she nipped it.
He moaned, drew back, and looked at her. "I'm going to take you right here if we don't stop."
She laughed. "Please stop, then. I don't want hay prickles on my private parts."
Laughing, he set her down, examining her hair for anything that shouldn't be there. "You'll do."
"Thanks. Making out in the barn like a couple of high school kids. We should be spanked."
He grinned. "I can arrange that. Hey, hand me your phone and unlock it." When she did, he leaned his head next to hers and snapped a picture. "Now, mine." Handing hers back, he did the same with his phone. "Now I can see my gorgeous wife whenever I like."
Looking at the photo, she asked, "How come guys are always so photogenic?"
"Pft. Not hardly. Come on." He settled his arm around her shoulders and headed to the house.
Roy and Millie were in the family room when Eve and Caleb arrived. Millie took one look at them and said, "Roy and I were just heading to bed."
Roy glanced up from his American Quarter Horse magazine. "Huh?"
She stood and held her hand out to him. "Come on. We're sleepy."
Roy raised his brows. "We are?"
Millie wiggled her fingers. "Yes, we are, dear. Let's go."
Roy looked at Caleb and Eve. "Oh, yes, it's been a long day. I'm tired."
Caleb rolled his eyes at Eve. "Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad."
They both said, "Goodnight," as they left the room, holding hands.
Eve watched them until they disappeared. "They're so sweet. I guess you know how lucky you are."
Caleb laughed. "I am. But, hell, this gives you an idea of what my high school years were like."
The Cowboy's Fate (The Govain Cowboys Book 1) Page 4