"It's a good thing tomorrow's Saturday. You're getting a massage from this cowboy."
"God, that sounds wonderful. But that reminds me, did I tell you Daisy's boyfriend moved in with her? He asked her to marry him, and they've set a date. I couldn't believe it when she called this week."
"Hey, that's great. Is she planning a big wedding?"
"She asked me to be her bridesmaid, but we didn't talk specifics yet. Anyway, my days of spending the night with Daisy are over."
He sighed loudly. "Oh, that's too bad. You'll just have to stay with me, then."
She laughed. "It's a sacrifice, but someone has to do it."
"I've already booked a room. Shall we see a movie again?"
This week and all her worry had really taken a toll. "Do you mind if we just have dinner and then go back to the hotel? I'd love to relax."
"Sounds fantastic. What do you want to drink?"
She told him then turned out the lamp and snuggled under the covers. "Entertain me. Tell me about your day."
"It was so exciting. Get ready," he said with a smile in his voice.
She listened, eyes closed. Dylan was worth every second of worry she'd endured. She didn't care that he was a Govain. She'd fallen in love with an incredible man.
Chapter Nine
DYLAN CHECKED HIS REFLECTION in the rear-view mirror and looked back at the gate to the apartment complex. He'd agreed to meet Lennie at the visitor parking near the entrance because of Daisy's changed circumstances. It was a safe place to leave Lennie's truck overnight, and they wouldn't be bothering Daisy and her fiancé.
A few moments later the iron gate slid back and Lennie drove through. Dylan's heart did a flip-flop. It didn't matter how many times he saw his girl; he always reacted that way.
She waved and parked, then stepped out, carrying her overnight case.
Admiring the swing of her hips and her blonde hair blowing in the breeze, he felt like the luckiest man in the world.
She tossed her case in the back seat of the truck and climbed inside.
Grinning, he reached for her. "Come here, gorgeous. Kiss me like you mean it."
She laughed and got up on her knees, pulling his face close and kissing him long and hard. When she pulled back at last, she said, "You're all mine tonight, cowboy. Get ready."
He growled. "I was born ready, woman."
Laughing, she sat and buckled up. "We'll see how tough you are."
"I like the sound of that. Lennie, you're something else."
He handed her a cold soda. "Where to for dinner?"
She popped the tab on the can and took a long drink. "Surprise me. I'm too tired to think. Anywhere with you beside me is perfect."
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Prepare to be surprised."
She curled her hand around his thigh, and he got hard in an instant. Did she know what her touch there did to him? Tingling, aware of her tiniest movements, he thought of the night to come. He wanted to make her body sing—to hear her call his name when he brought her to the brink of ecstasy. He wanted her to want him more than anything else in her life. He remembered the feel of her breasts in his palms and his hands tightened on the wheel. Damn, too bad they couldn't skip dinner and go straight to the hotel.
Talking lazily back and forth on the drive to Odessa made him realize how comfortable he was with Lennie. He could say anything to her—relax—just be himself. As a top rodeo competitor, girls had always expected him to be more, do more, say the perfect thing. Lennie wasn't in the least impressed with him. She saw him as just another cowboy, and that gave him permission to be just that.
He pulled her in for a slow, sensual kiss. "Don't lollygag over dinner. I have plans for you, too."
She grinned. "Yes, sir."
When the truck drew up to The Lost Cajun restaurant, he said, "Surprised?"
"Yum, I love Cajun food."
"It's not fancy but I like eating here. We can eat inside in the air conditioning, though. You've had enough sun for the day." He got out and opened her door, but before he let her go, he drew her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "Sweetheart, we're going to have fun tonight. You relax and enjoy yourself." Slinging his arm around her shoulders, he shut the door and escorted her inside.
The place was busy, but they found an empty table right away. Their server brought menus and took their drink order quickly despite how full the place was. Their table was a slab of mesquite wood highly polished with many layers of polyurethane and had matching benches on each side. The rustic décor added to the laid-back atmosphere, and it was just right for the evening.
Lennie studied the menu and he asked, "What sounds good to you?"
"Oh my God, everything!"
He grinned, "I know. I can't decide, either."
Eventually he ordered seafood gumbo and gator bites. "You ever had alligator, Lennie?"
"Nope, but I'm game."
"It's fantastic. You can have some of mine."
She ordered chicken and sausage gumbo and coleslaw. "You can taste my gumbo, too. It says its super spicy."
Their order was out by the time they finished their iced sweet tea. Nothing went better with Cajun food than that.
The first thing he did was offer her a bite of gator. As her lips opened to receive the morsel, he got hard, thinking of other things that mouth could do. Damn, he wanted her.
She closed her eyes, savoring it. "Oh, crap, that's amazing. I should have ordered some."
Eyes closed, with that look of dreamy pleasure on her face, he wanted to strip her clothes off and take her right then. "You can have as much of this as you want." And as much of me, too. He took a bite of gumbo, tearing his thoughts from a naked Lennie.
It was no good, though. His gaze caught her hand as she clasped her tea and he imagined her holding his cock. It jerked and he moved his hips, trying to make room in the crotch of his jeans. He'd be miserable if he didn't pull his mind out of the gutter.
At last Lennie leaned back. "I can't eat another bite. This was amazing, Dylan."
He set his spoon in his nearly empty bowl. "You're welcome. Hang on, I'll go pay." He stood, his state of arousal a little less obvious now, thank God, and headed for the cash register.
Once they left the Cajun place, it didn't take long to get to the hotel. Everything for their drinks tonight was in a cooler in the back seat, and they were ready to rock.
With reservations, they were in their room within minutes.
Case in hand, Lennie strode to the bathroom. "I'll be out in a minute."
He set the ice chest and his pack on the table before making them each a drink. His pulse beat double time as he imagined what Lennie might wear to bed. Would it be the little midnight blue nightie she'd shown him, or something else? He couldn't wait to find out.
He stripped his belt off and removed his boots and socks. Then came his starched dress shirt, which he hung in the closet. Unbuttoning his Wranglers, he let the zipper drop a couple of inches and was more comfortable. What was taking her so long? He pulled the covers down to the foot of the bed.
Striding to the window, he drew back the curtains and looked out at the lights of Odessa. It was so strange to see lights at night. Living on the ranch, he was surrounded by black on all sides when darkness fell. The bathroom door opened and he spun around.
Lennie walked out in a maroon silky thing with a deeply scooped neckline, showing him the beautiful swell of her breasts. Small muscles rounded her arms and her legs had the sexiest curves. Was he a leg man? It was something he'd never considered. He wanted to run his hands up those legs until they met her sweet spot in the center. Holding out his arms, he advanced toward her. "Come here, woman."
She smiled and headed for him.
Her little feet were so cute. He'd never noticed that before. She was hot. He picked her up and looked into her eyes. "Do you know what you do to me in that outfit?"
She wrapped her legs around his waist and grinned. "You like?"
"Damn right I like." He kissed her, thrusting deep, twining his tongue with hers, covering her mouth with his. He couldn't get enough of her.
She ran her fingers through his hair, holding him to her, giving as good as she got.
He strode to the bed and laid her on her back.
She watched, her eyes never leaving him, as he stripped off his jeans and briefs.
He dug several condoms out of his back pocket. Dropping all but one on the night stand, he opened it and set it aside. Grinning, he stood, jutting out, finally free of the constraints that had frustrated him all evening.
Raising her hands, she beckoned him to her, reaching for his waist as he settled over her. "You're a sight worth waiting for, cowboy."
"Ah, Lennie, you're gorgeous." He stared down at her, his gaze taking in every sweet detail. Leaning down, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I made you a drink."
He started to get up and she grabbed him. "Later. We have business."
He grinned. "We do?"
"Oh, hell yeah. Come here." Clasping his face, she pulled him down, tasting his lips, teasing him, sending chills up his back as she tenderly explored every inch of his mouth. Then she pushed him back. "How about you help me take this thing off?" Sitting up, she raised her arms.
Laughing, he pulled the gown over her head and dropped it on the floor. "I like how you think." He rolled over and drew her on top of him. Her blue eyes sparkled with anticipation. Clasping her waist, he eased her onto his cock.
Her eyes widened and she smiled. Her hips moved and she rocked forward.
He sucked in a breath. The sensation was amazing. He closed his eyes as she rocked back and forward again.
She clasped his hands, using them for leverage, and rocked again.
He opened his eyes. "Lennie."
"Hm?"
"Come here." He pulled her hips closer and reached for her breasts. Their soft, weighty fullness filled his hands. Rising, he took one in his mouth, sucking gently.
She exhaled and arched into him.
Bringing her with him, he leaned back, circling her nipple with his tongue. He moved to her other breast and she moaned. Her sounds ramped up his excitement. His tongue caressed and circled her nipple as he sucked, knowing how it would please her.
She clenched his hand, her eyes closed, pleasure washing across her face. Suddenly, she pulled back and rolled to her side. "Your turn, cowboy."
His heart leapt. Did she mean what he thought she did?
Her hand slid down his belly and clasped him, enclosing him in her fist. He jumped in her hand.
She laughed. "Whoa, there."
He grinned. "He's saddled and ready to buck."
Slowly, she eased her hand up, holding tight, until his foreskin made her stop.
He might die it felt so good.
Then she lowered her fist to his pelvis and paused.
Dammit, hurry Lennie. I'm dying here.
She went faster this time—up, then snapping down.
He pulsed in her hand.
Was she teasing him? He couldn't take much more.
Her fist moved, flashing through the air, up and down so fast it blurred.
He couldn't take his eyes off her as she pumped him. Oh, God, the feeling, it was too amazing to be called pleasure. It was bliss, paradise, ecstasy. Her fist pounded his pelvis. Where did she find the strength to keep going? Shit, he was going to blow! He grabbed her hand. "Lennie! Stop!" Breathing fast, he drew her on top of him again.
She kissed him softly. "Love you."
Heart racing, he brushed the hair back from her face. "I love you, Lennie. Damn, girl. You're something."
Kissing him in the hollow of his throat, she trailed the tip of her tongue down his belly.
He sucked in a breath and grasped her shoulders. "Lennie!"
She moved lower and kissed his belly button.
"Dammit!"
He gasped as she slid her lips around him, tracing his head with her tongue. "You're killing me!" But he couldn't make her stop. He didn't have it in him.
She sucked hard, and he gasped again, holding her head.
She worked him as she sucked.
Within seconds, he clasped her, trying to pulled her away. "I'm gonna come!"
She stayed where she was, her hot mouth enclosing him, sucking him, as pleasure hit him with an intensity he couldn't bear. He let go and the wave crested in an incredible sensation, clearing his head of thought. He lay still, letting it go on and on until it faded.
She crawled up his chest and lay against him.
He cuddled her close, still weak with the remnants of intense gratification. How lucky he was that she loved him.
When his pulse had slowed, he rolled her on her back and raised himself on his elbow. She had a soft look in her eyes. Tracing his finger down her belly, he said, "Your turn."
She grabbed his finger and put it in her mouth, sucking on it.
His cock stirred. Damn, she could get him going fast. He grinned. "Oh, no you don't," and drew his finger away. Leaning down, he flicked her nipple with his tongue, running circles around it until it stood at attention. He sucked it in his mouth, caressing her breast with his tongue until she moaned.
He slid his hand between her thighs and slipped a finger inside. She was wet and hot—ready for him. Inserting another finger, he pumped her as he moved his mouth to her other breast.
She whimpered as his thumb found her sensitive spot. Tossing her head, she arched her pelvis.
His girl wanted him. Moving between her thighs, he trailed kisses down her belly and paused at her curls.
She clutched him, urging him downward.
Grinning, he complied, spreading her and finding the special place that would drive her crazy. Stroking it with his tongue, he listened to her panting breaths, taking his time. As he stroked and then sucked, she moaned softly. He thrust his fingers inside her.
She cried out, bending her knees and raking her fingers through his hair.
He sucked and rubbed her sensitive spot with his tongue and she arched, calling, "Dylan," and spasmed hard around his fingers. Rising over her, he kissed her hard. "I'm here, sweetheart." With deft movements he slid on the open condom and then thrust inside her.
She grabbed his hips, raising her knees high.
He slammed into her, the intense rush of it overwhelming him. A shiver ran down his spine as he thrust again. He was in her to the hilt. He wanted to kiss her so she would know how much loving her meant to him but she wouldn't thank him for stopping. Building his rhythm, he stroked her, filling her with everything he had, pounding home as she clutched him, eyes closed in pure bliss. She felt so fucking good! Oh God! His muscles clenched and he stilled—exploding inside her. Seconds passed. Loving her filled his soul. It changed him. He knew then. This was the woman he would marry.
Chapter Ten
A WEEK LATER, LENNIE turned her ear toward the front of the house, dropping her fork in her eggs. What was a vehicle doing pulling up outside? She checked her watch. At seven twenty in the morning, it wouldn't be Randy or Dylan and his boys. After wiping her mouth with her napkin, she scooted her chair back from the breakfast table. Heading through the living room, she opened the front door and looked out. Shock hit her like a sledge hammer. Then pain flooded her chest.
Nic rounded his black Mercedes sports car and started up the walk.
Her first impulse was to slam and lock the door. She'd let him destroy her self-esteem. It had taken more than a year to relearn who she was. She wouldn't go back there.
He smiled and waved. How could he be so nonchalant after what he'd done to her?
Frozen, she stared as each step he took increased the panic building inside her. God, she thought she was over this—over this damn smiling man so calmly walking toward her.
He stepped up on the porch and in two long steps he faced her. Looking through the storm door's glass, he said, "Hello, Lennie. You must be surprised to see me."
He hesitated and his A
dam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.
This had to be a nightmare. He wasn't really here.
Licking his lips, he continued. "I realize now that I made a huge mistake. You're all I've been able to think about, Lennie. I'm staying in town. I know you have to work today, but would you have dinner with me tonight? Just hear me out. That's all I'm asking. Please?"
She couldn't make sense of this. Now he'd changed his mind? The pain he'd inflicted was all a mistake? She wanted to call bullshit, but that wounded, destroyed Lennie from college cried out for a reason—why had Nic fallen out of love with her? She licked her lips. Shutting the door was an overwhelming urge. Without conscious thought, her head nodded. "Just dinner." What? She was going? Oh, hell, Lennie!
Nic clasped his hands together. "Thank you, thank you, Lennie. I'll pick you up at, what, seven?"
Hell no. "Uh-uh. When I'm done working, I'll call and set a time. You can tell me where to meet you in town. Do you have something with your number on it?" She'd long ago erased him from her contacts.
He produced a business card, and she opened the storm door an inch so he could slip it through to her. Without a word, she backed up and all but slammed the door in his face.
The strong, smart part of her knew this was a mistake, but the hurt, insecure girl that she'd shoved way down deep a year ago yearned for her answer. Thank God her mom was back in the bedroom with her dad. Her parents despised Nic.
Shaken, she couldn't finish her breakfast and scraped the remnants into the trash. Worrying about the evening would drive her crazy today. This was just another instance of her mouth getting her into trouble. What would Dylan think of her going to dinner with an old boyfriend? Knowing cowboys like she did, he wouldn't like it one bit.
Dammit to hell, she should call the whole thing off right now. But when she yanked the card out of her back pocket, she couldn't do it. The old Lennie wouldn't let her. She grimaced and stuffed the card back in her jeans. She'd have to go through with it. Jaw clenched, she headed out to the barn to feed.
Now that the barn roof was finished, they'd spread out the chores. Sparky would be handling getting the tires changed on the mobile head gate today, and Dylan, bless his heart, was paying for the new ones. Randy and Johnny were working on cutting and welding pipe at the pasture pen. That would take a few days.
The Cowboy's Wish (The Govain Cowboys Book 3) Page 10