Her fingers curled around the mound, the thumb and index finger pulling at the darker skin, rolling the tip. The woman had haunted him during countless lonely nights.
“Both hands?” he encouraged with a hoarse whisper.
She moved her hand from under him, cupping the other breast, presenting the image he’d lost hours on. His cock grew incredibly full as he followed every move, every twist and tug.
“What did you picture me doing?”
“We-we were riding out together.”
Yeah. She’d gotten payback for all the teasing. “Those damn buttons have been haunting me.” The more he’d thought about her, the more he wanted her. He’d spent the next day nursing a raging hard-on. “If I’d done what I wanted…” He slipped kisses down her shoulder, his lips running over her soft skin. Her whimper brought him back to lap at the curve of her breast. The very spot his eyes had been glued to while they continued their search for Damian.
Inching across the delectable mound, he found the edge of puckered skin, nosing away the fingers holding her flesh so tight. He dropped kisses around the spot, returning for a taste.
Four sharp little nails tucked into his shoulder. He didn’t have to check to know her eyes were on him. Maybe even edged with that killer look. Satisfaction filtered through every pore. His cock pressed against her, sending a shiver through his gut, pushing him closer to his limit. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of her.
The hard tip swayed with his tongue’s first pass, returning expectantly for further attention. He was happy to oblige, with long licks and short dashes alongside the base. Lips parted, he settled over the tight bud, barely touching her skin, then inhaled through his mouth. Her sudden gasp pressed her firmly against his lips. He latched on, capturing her between tongue and teeth, sucking hard.
“Annn-dres.” Her body tightened, arching in response.
They rolled so she was on top, straddling him, freeing his hands to touch her. Soft jet-black hair slid across his shoulders like a whisper, enclosing him in a flowery-scented cocoon. She ran the back of her fingers down his face, then went on to caress his chest. Fuck. Every time he wanted to give her pleasure she turned it around on him. He tongued her cleavage, nuzzling the spot that teased him, before moving on to the other breast.
Reaching behind her, he cupped her ass, tightening on the firm mounds before exploring the smooth skin at the back of her thighs. Her hands moved along his shoulder and chest as her hips moved against him. Did she think he’d forgotten her screaming that she needed him moving inside her? Not likely. His cock would rebel if he even thought about it.
Reaching down, he palmed the smooth skin of her thigh then followed up to where she sat astride him. The sudden hitch of her body pulled her nipple from his lips. He drank in the sight of her, pleasure washing over her features as his thumb played at her center.
Her lips parted. “Andres,” she pleaded.
Satisfaction surged through him; her body responded to his slightest touch. He swallowed her surprised gasp, enjoying the taste of her. “We’re not done here, sweetheart. In fact, we’re missing the best part.” He pulled her right hand down, threading his fingers over hers, then settled between her damp thighs, ignoring the protesting groan. “Is this…what you were…doing?” He dropped kisses at her pulse point.
“Uh-uh.” Her voice vibrated against his lips.
“No?” He pressed her fingers into the wet folds. Pushing himself up on his elbow, he slipped his hand away to enjoy the view he’d arranged. Long hair pooled on the pillow, eyes closed, her left arm draped over his shoulder. One set of fingers dug into his hair, the other moved through her damp curls.
Too many nights and a vivid imagination had set up an array of images. There was little she could do that he hadn’t already imagined and fantasized about. But none of it was as good as the real thing.
He gave her a long, leisurely lick across her breast while he nudged her thighs open then moved to kneel between her legs. His fingers trailed up to where she was pleasuring herself, moving along with her.
“Is this where you imagined my tongue?” His mouth watered at the thought.
“N-no.” She shook her head. “You’re inside me.”
Mmmm. His cock was going to explode. “Like this?” Cupping her ass, he lifted her hips and pushed into her wet heat.
“Don’t stop.” The swollen folds gave way, welcoming him with a tight embrace. “Missionary.” She shifted, letting him go deep. Wrapping her legs around his waist. “Dios. Th-this is better than—”
“Better than what, sweetheart?” Like his ego needed a boost. He was surrounded by her sweet pussy, her heels digging into the back of his thighs, while he watched her pleasure herself for his benefit.
“Dream. Woke up when you…”
Damn. His chest expanded, and his cock twitched. He fought the urge to drive into her. “Glad I didn’t disappoint.”
“God, no.” She stopped, tightening around him, moving what little the position would allow. “Knewwww.” She exhaled. “You’d be good.”
“Thought about it much?” He followed her hips down on the bed, going deep into her willing body.
Trembling hands reached out to his shoulders as he settled on top of her. “Once or twice. For inspiration.”
He chuckled, rocking against her. The tension in her leg muscles increased. “Inspired to move fast and hard?”
Her expression froze. “I…um…”
Hadn’t she spoken up before? Maybe she was used to a different pace. His balls were tight, needing an answer, pronto. As much as he didn’t want to leave paradise, he pulled out, then drove in hard. “I can’t hold on much longer. Yes or no?”
“Yes.” Damn, he liked her voice all breathless. Eyes wide and interested, she braced her legs and shifted her hips up to cradle him.
He let go, gathering every bit of frustration, anticipation, and lust to make sure he met the little doctor’s expectations. She’d have something new to think about when she snuggled in bed naked. Him. Them. The echo of their bodies coming together. Until he could be there with her for longer than a few stolen hours.
She tensed, ragged panting bouncing off his shoulder, and arched against him as she came. His pace slowed as he buried himself deeper, each thrust reaching farther into her core. Lowering his body, he closed his eyes, grinding his hips on hers, enjoying the way her pussy rippled on his cock until he exploded within her.
This moment would take him through a few nights—her damp forehead pressed to his neck, her hands grasping his back, the muffled panting against his shoulder, followed by a satisfied sigh.
He rolled, bringing her with him. Damn, he could easily die happy right now.
His gut fisted. He didn’t know if it was because danger lurked or because it was trying to keep him from walking away from Monica.
“What’s wrong?” She leaned away, following his gaze past the end of the shadowed hallway.
Getting out of bed he shook his head, having no ready answer. “This is gonna sound stupid, but I have a weird feeling.” She eyed him without saying a word as he found his clothes. Each second of silence made him regret the statement.
“I’ll go with you.” She started pulling on her nightshirt.
“No.” He wouldn’t let her walk into danger with him. “Just give me a few minutes to look around.” He stepped into the hall quietly, trying to keep ahead of her.
Swallowing hard, he glanced out at the shadowed apartment. A few cautious steps later, he stretched to check over the back of the loveseat. Nothing. To the right, the neat little kitchen offered a clear path to the far wall. Peering out the window, he saw her car sitting alone in the parking lot.
Instead of relief, his anxiety doubled.
The kitchen and living room didn’t strike any alarms. But the doorway heading downstairs to the office pulsed with unseen danger. Fear dug into his back, like talons slowly ripping him open. Someone was down there.
Doc stood in the
hallway to the bedroom, huddled in the shadows. He waved her back and motioned that he was going downstairs. He twisted the knob silently then pulled the door open a few inches, stopping when the hinges gave a tiny squeak of protest. Teeth clenched, he flattened himself against the doorframe and looked down.
Holding the door firmly in place, he squeezed through to the stairs, stepping down on every other one until he was at the foot of the reception area. That’s when he knew. Whoever was here was by the entrance. Could it be someone needing the doctor? But then, why break in?
He crouched, setting his hand on the wall for balance as he took care to cross the narrow coffee area. At the edge of the hallway he stopped, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to gather courage. Fists ready, he took a step. Two steps. A third.
His shoulders tightened until he wasn’t sure he could move his arms. His pulse throbbed in his throat, and the hair on the base of his neck stood on end.
He registered an image just as his left shoulder hit the wall. He punched, hitting what felt like a concrete slab, but he pulled back and slammed his fist into the dark shadow again. The floor slipped out from under him. A second later he crashed onto his back.
His breath whooshed out, and his head buzzed, a series of images flashing before his eyes. A leather glove in place as a bull bucked. Rayo. Grandpa. Mom. Alex. Monica laughing. She wore the pretty white dress from the rodeo. Calm settled over him. He didn’t care if he died, as long as he saved her.
He dragged in a breath while a bear of a man came into focus, looming over him. The steel band of a forearm dug across his upper chest while his other hand locked around Andres’s throat in a death grip. “Where is she?” he growled.
Was this the killer? And what did he want with Monica? He’d expected someone would pull a trigger on him, but this man with the cold eyes would likely strangle him to death. The calm voice and deadly control made him fucking terrifying. No doubt he was the type who could tear through Guerrero’s men and walk away from the massacre.
Blood rushed, leaving him lightheaded. Good God, Monica didn’t stand a chance.
He stretched out his arm, hoping to get enough momentum for a punch to the liver. Then the light switched on. Confounded woman. What was she thinking? Anger fought fear, and his instincts kicked in. The bear looked up, and Andres aimed toward his face, but his fist ended up bouncing off a shrugged shoulder.
With few options left, he reached over, pushing his hand under his attacker’s belt, and yanked down while trapping one of his legs. “Run, Monica! Run!” He held on to the leather strap, dragging in a breath as the guy’s weight landed on him.
Hopefully the few seconds would give her a chance to escape.
“Dios mio,” she cried. His blood went cold. She hadn’t run. “Let him up!”
What? Andres dragged his face from under his attacker. The damn stubborn woman was down on one knee by the doorframe, tugging at the man.
“It’s not me,” the guy explained. “He’s got me trapped.” The weight over him shifted as he pushed himself up.
“Andres, please.” She shuffled over, kneeling beside him. “It’s okay.”
He forced his hands to uncurl. Three knuckles popped as he straightened his stiff fingers.
“Are you all right?” Her voice was sweet, coaxing him for an answer.
“I’m fine.” He dragged in a breath, but his lungs couldn’t seem to gather enough oxygen. “Just knocked the wind out of me.” She helped him to the couch in her office, then turned.
“And you? What is this?” As angry as she sounded, she still threw herself in the guy’s arms, holding him tight.
Andres jerked back. His chest collapsed inside him, igniting a fire that mushroomed up his body. Every muscle tensed. What the hell was happening? Just a few minutes ago Monica had been making love with him and now she was throwing herself into another guy’s arms?
As Monica leaned back to look up at the giant, the man’s gaze settled on Andres for a moment before looking down at her. His voice was low but carried far enough in the small apartment.
“We need to talk…alone.”
Andres turned away, pushing the growing knot down his throat. “Don’t let me stop you. I was just leaving.”
Chapter Ten
As the town faded into the darkness behind him, he tried to reconcile the woman he’d been chasing with the one who watched him leave tonight. How could he have been so wrong about her? Why didn’t she just tell me there was someone else? I wouldn’t have touched her…never gonna repeat that mistake.
He shook his head. It just didn’t fit. She hadn’t given him a single come-on, he’d gone after her every single time, while she’d tried to act all professional. She’s a doctor and I’m wrangling horses for a living…
His hands tightened on the wheel. He couldn’t believe how wrong he’d been, again. In the end she was a cheat, just like Susana. He should just chalk it up to another lesson learned and be thankful he’d found out sooner rather than later.
What would keep a woman like her in a town like Copas anyway? All the exciting nightlife? He snorted.
He headed down the ranch road, not bothering to slow down or drive around the ruts. The truck leaned back and right. He slammed his heel onto the brakes, but not before the entire frame shook. Fuck. He had to focus. Guerrero hadn’t had the sense to maintain the road in the years since he’d taken over.
Pulling off the road, he parked in front of his place, scattering a few of the ranch dogs. Better to avoid coming up on anyone. He’d take a quick look in the stable then get a pot of coffee on. A shower wouldn’t hurt, but then he’d lose the light, flowery scent of her that still clung to him. Once it was gone, it would be an illusion. Just like her.
Wind blasted across the yard, carrying an eerie wail. He dug his chin into his chest and continued, letting his hat shield his face from the dust and bits of hay. The clang of a metal gate intensified as one of the bulls tried escaping into the pasture. The ranch hands should start milling around pretty soon. He’d tell Alex to have one of the guys go—
The unmistakable stench of smoke cut through his annoyance. His head shot up as a chill ran down his back. Rayo, Bailarina, and the other horses… He pushed forward, bolting across the uneven ground. The few yards to the building stretched out like miles. Please, not the stable.
In the sierra a fire could run through acres of scrub if left unchecked. The only place to remain relatively safe would be the main house. His mother had insisted on a quarter-mile clearance for a pool and garden that never came to be. The guards’ endless footsteps had killed off any grass and plants long ago.
He careened into the stable, his heart slamming against his chest. His gaze ran across the stalls on either side. Wide-eyed horses snorted and bumped up against their enclosures. Thankfully, the danger wasn’t around the animals.
He jogged through the stable, frowning as he got a clearer view out the open archway. In the distance, the house was outlined in the morning light. Only the sunrise was in the wrong spot. Fire. The house. The propane tank.
A flash of light, bright as the sun, erupted behind the house. The blast shattered the night, slamming him shoulder first into the ground. A fireball mushroomed over where the roof had been. Heat and debris rolled past him in slow motion.
Thoughts jumbled by the ringing in his ears, he staggered to his feet. The scene in front of him warped. Reeling from the blast, he stumbled, catching the doorframe until the world stopped moving.
Ranch hands poured out of their bunkhouse. Alex ran from his cabin’s porch in a gray tank and worn jeans, his gaze riveted to the flames licking the sky.
The corner of the house buckled with a deafening crack as wooden beams and shingles collapsed into the living area. No. No. No. Even if he somehow succeeded in getting the ranch back, the house was gone. Numb, he tightened his hold on the weathered wood. Dad had built their home for Mom. She’d loved it, and now it was crumbling before his eyes. All the years together.
The family. Holidays. They were gone, and nobody would ever be able to replace them.
Andres dragged in a breath, squeezing his eyes shut for a few seconds. What about the occupants? Dr. Treviño had his old room on the other side of the house, farthest from the explosion. He untangled his feet and forced them to move. One step. Two. Three. The next few were stronger but still unsteady. He followed the edge of the stable, needing the wall for support as long as possible before pushing himself off. Dr. Treviño, Lourdes, Maria, Susana and her son—all innocent bystanders in this situation. He had to see if they survived, then he’d check on Guerrero and the guards.
Got to get to the door. The path up to the main house hadn’t ever seemed this steep. He trudged through a few more steps when a movement caught his attention. A deformed shadow took a wide path around the fire.
One of the dark-clothed guards materialized from the darkness, Pablo Guerrero leaning heavily on his shoulder. The older man favored his right leg. Somewhere along the way, he’d torn the sleeve of his pink shirt and lost a shoe.
Guess the old saying held true: only the good die young.
Dr. Treviño came up behind them, clutching his medical bag like a lifeline. Thank God. “Doctor. Are you all right?”
“Andres. Hijo.” Dr. Treviño reached out to steady him. “What happened to you?”
He took a deep breath. “Got knocked off my feet.” They looked each other up and down. Andres gave him a crooked smile. The tank had exploded, the house was on fire, crashing down on him, and Dr. Treviño was dusty but impeccably dressed. His dark slacks were pristine, his belt in place, and his cuffs were buttoned tight. “I was coming to check on you.”
The older man’s arm tightened around him. “Carlo,” he called out to Guerrero’s newest goon. Carlo stopped halfway down the hill, swiveling with Guerrero still hanging off his side. “Wait.”
“Take Pablo to Andres’s cabin.” He headed after them, glancing back over his shoulder at the chaos they’d escaped.
Andres followed the group, his stomach roiling with every step. Alex rushed over with Susana beside him, cradling her screaming child. She hesitated, but Alex pulled open the screen door and pressed her forward, following her into Andres’s home.
Secrets and Seduction (Dangerous Desires) Page 12