by Various
CHAPTER TWELVE
Cord felt like he'd swallowed a bed of fire ants as he shuffled from foot to foot, trying to get the feeling back in his feet. His boots were the same size as they were yesterday, but today they felt tighter. His palms were sweating as he took Hope's hand in his and walked to stand before the man in the ill-fitting black suit and Christmas tree tie.
She seemed just as antsy. He could see the skirt of her white, silk dress bouncing, which meant her knees were probably shaking as badly as his own. His family closed in around him and the temperature in the room must've raised a hundred degrees.
Cord looked down at his nephew, who was standing at his left holding his grandma's hand. Cord’s father was on his right side, and he felt the heat of Dean's glare on his back. Even though he said he wouldn't be there, his brother showed up.
The kid smiled up at him, showing off the big space where his front teeth used to be. Cord pushed his lips up into what he hoped was a smile then turned his attention back to the Justice when he cleared his throat.
Sweat beaded at Cord's nape, and he felt it trickle down his neck to slide beneath his collar and travel down his spine to the waistband of his jeans. Was it just him, or did the preacher have the furnace in the small office set on hell?
Maybe the clergy was trying to give them a subliminal message about the perils of crossing the sacred vows they were about to take. Cord wondered if that included taking them with the full intention of ending the marriage in short order. He and Hope discussed the end of their marriage this morning. She brought it up because she wanted to make sure there wasn't any misunderstandings between them.
At the time, they were both cool and calm. Cord sure as hell wasn't calm now that the moment of lying before God and these witnesses was at hand. He just hoped he didn't pass out as the man opened a Bible and started to speak. His voice sounded like it was coming from the end of a tunnel. More sweat broke out on Cord's forehead and he sucked in a deep breath, hoping to find calm in the midst of the storm brewing inside of him. Hope squeezed his hand and Cord looked down into her eyes. He remembered it was Hope he was saying the vows to and he settled down a little.
He gave her a little smile then forced his attention back to the Justice so he didn't miss a cue. He must've hit them all, because within the space of five minutes, the preacher was telling him he could kiss her. That was something Cord didn't need to be told to do. He used her hand to pull her to him then wrapped his arm around her back and closed his mouth over hers.
Somehow it seemed appropriate that his Christmas elf tasted like peppermint, and the heady flavor was like a breath of fresh air to his dazed brain. She moaned, and his daddy cleared his throat, but Cord kept kissing her. Kissing Hope Carlis—Dixon was something Cord could do right, and he didn't want to stop. This was his reward for what he was doing for his family. She was his reward, but he knew he didn't deserve a woman like her. Not after how callous he'd been with all the women before her.
"Save it for tonight, brother," Dean said gruffly as he put a hand on Cord's shoulder.
Tonight. That word embedded itself in Cord's brain, sticking out above all others in the sentence. Cord's arms loosened on his bride and he stepped back from her. That was something they hadn't discussed. Consummating their marriage.
Cord wanted it, wanted her so much he ached for it.
He didn't know how Hope felt though. It would complicate things for sure, but they were both adults and should be able to separate themselves from the physical act and the emotions that went with it. He'd done it for years with other women, but he had a bad feeling he wouldn't be able to do that with Hope. Cord already had feelings for her that would make ending their relationship hard. Making love to her would just make that more difficult. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. Or wind up hurt himself.
But it would be amazing. They had plenty of chemistry between them. One taste of her would probably just leave him wanting more. No, it was probably better if they just kept things casual in the bedroom too. Pretend there, just like they were pretending here. He would talk to her about it later.
Right now, his friends were waiting outside so they could head to the Electric Cowboy for a quasi-reception. It was a good thing they'd eaten on the way to the Justice's office because Cord didn't think he could eat now.
"We're going to head home, sweetheart," his mother said, tiptoeing to put her lips near his cheek. Cord leaned down and she kissed him. "Congratulations," she said then looked at his father. "We're very proud of you." Her eyes drifted to Hope's and a bright smile eased her lips up at the corners. "Welcome to the family, Hope. We can't wait to get to know you better." She walked over to Hope and the two women hugged tightly.
A knot of emotion formed in Cord's throat. Maybe his family would be the ones hurt when Hope left. They would get attached to her, because how could they not? She was so damned sweet to them, so helpful. So fucking loveable. They would get close and then she would leave. His family would blame him. Not a good way to rebuild a relationship with them since they already thought he was a flighty fuck-up.
Maybe he'd just made another mistake, one worse than leaving the ranch. His stomach rolled. Hope slid her arm through his and looked up at him with those mesmerizing emerald green eyes of hers. "Let's celebrate, Santa," she said with a grin.
Cord shook his head to clear it then smiled. "Lead the way, Mrs. Claus," he said as Hope took his hand. Somehow, his hand twined with hers felt right and it settled his nerves. She was in the same canoe he was, and they were paddling in the same direction.
Things would work out.
Two hours later, Cord sat at the bar nursing his fifth beer, feeling like shit while he watched his buddies take turns spinning his new wife around the crowded dance floor at the Electric Cowboy. Why the bar was crowded on a Monday night, he didn't know, but it was. And his single friends were in fine form, having a grand time.
His new wife was too. Without him.
Cord realized now that the new duds he'd bought for Hope while they were in town to buy her ring were a mistake. The blue jean skirt was too short, and the top rode up every time she raised her arms to spin. The black fringed boots brought attention to how long and shapely her legs were between the hem of the skirt and the top of the boots. And every freaking cowboy in the place noticed, including the ones he called friends.
Her face was flushed with excitement and happiness. After a few dances, she got the moves down, and she looked damn good out there. Too good.
Luke spun Hope as they reached the corner of the big dance floor nearest to Cord, and she laughed. The sound traveled along his nerve endings, setting each one on edge. Smooth, pale skin suddenly appeared between the hem of her top and the waistband of her skirt. The jewel in her cute belly button sparkled, and heat shot through him. Cord's tongue tingled to explore that smooth skin, including her navel.
But Hope was his pretend wife. And he wasn't going to have sex with her.
Bullshit, he thought, as he downed the last of his beer. His family was getting money out of the deal he'd made with her, and he was going to get a taste of the beautiful elf he married. More than a taste. He was going to soak up her goodness like his mama's bread pudding soaked up whiskey.
He knew she would taste just as delicious.
Cord only managed to have one dance with his bride so far, but that was about to change. He slammed the bottle down on the bar, and pushed up off the stool to wobble unsteadily toward the dance floor. Like divine providence, a slow song came on just as he reached the edge of the floor, and Luke danced her by in another pass.
Cord reached out and grabbed her arm to stop their forward motion. Luke's arms dropped to his side and he stepped back. "My turn, buddy," he said gruffly then jerked her against him. Hope gasped as she slammed into his chest. He swallowed it, closing his mouth over hers in a hot kiss that was only a prelude of what he was going to do to her once he got her out of the crowded bar.
She moaned an
d leaned into him, putting her arms around his neck. Cord waited for an opening then walked her backwards toward the center of the floor, but he didn't break the kiss. He devoured her mouth until he reached their destination. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her body against his to let her know what she was doing to him.
He ground his hips into hers, and a low moan rumbled in her chest. Cord loved that sound, and would be hearing a lot more of it before morning came. He swatted her ass, and Hope yelped then a shiver passed through her.
The rotating spotlight landed on her face, and he not only saw surprise, but excitement in her green eyes too. So she liked being spanked, did she? That surprised Cord, but as mad as he was at her for enjoying the attention of his friends so much, Cord could definitely handle doing that. "I hope you didn't wear yourself out with my buddies, Tinkerbell, because you're gonna need your energy tonight," he growled.
"You're drunk, Santa," she whispered back with a nervous laugh.
"Drunk on you, baby," he replied, holding her hips tighter to his. He thought about the key in his pocket that Ryan had given him earlier. A hotel room within stumbling distance. A suite with a hot tub. "Let's get the hell out of here."
"Okay," she said, nuzzling her cheek against his.
Her heated scent drifted up to his nostrils and they flared as he inhaled deeply and his dick got harder. Cord found her hand then pulled her through the crowd to lead her across the dance floor and out the front door. His buddies would figure out where he was headed. If they couldn't figure it out, they must be drunker than he was.
The cool night air on his face parted the alcohol in his brain, but even clearness of thought didn't change his mind. A woman didn't tease a man like she had done to him and not pay the piper. It probably wasn't intentional. He didn't think she was that kind of woman. Hope was just being friendly and having a good time. But his friends wanted her.
Even though he knew they'd never step over the line, Cord had been forced to sit and watch their hands all over his beautiful new wife far too long. And Hope hadn't discouraged them. They might want her, but he was going to have her. All night long, and probably twice again in the morning.
Pulling the key out of his pocket, Cord glanced at the room number then dragged her across the deserted lobby to the elevator. The doors had barely shut behind them when he shoved her into the metal wall and pressed his aching body into hers. He covered her mouth with his and her sweet taste made his head spin.
Hope moaned and wrapped one of her long legs around the back of his thighs. His rock hard dick fit right into the cradle of her thighs and Cord groaned. He devoured her mouth as he shoved up her skirt to squeeze the round globes of her gorgeous ass. Her gorgeous naked ass, he realized and tightened his grip. She whimpered, and he felt her heat through his jeans. At that moment, Cord wanted nothing more than to lift her skirt higher and bury himself inside that heat. Let her know she was his right there.
But he had plans.
The door opened with a ding on the seventh floor. Breathing hard, Cord stepped back and smoothed her skirt back in place then grabbed her hand. Her green eyes were as glazed as he felt. Cord stumbled with her out of the elevator toward their room. At the door, his hand shook so badly he couldn't get the key into the slot.
Although he noticed that her hand shook too, Hope took the plastic card from him, swiped it in the slot, and even managed to get the door open. He pushed the door wider, and she tried to walk inside first, but he stopped her.
"Uh uh, Mrs. Claus. I have to carry you inside." Cord bent to scoop her into his arms, and she laughed as she slid her arms around his neck. He hesitated a moment to take a deep breath to find some control. He kissed her gently then stepped over the threshold and let the door snap shut behind them.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Cord's eyes met hers as he eased her down to the ground. Her fingers went to the buttons of his shirt and she slowly undid the top two then fumbled to quickly release the rest. She pushed his shirt open, and Cord shrugged out of it. She shoved her hands under the hem of his t-shirt and his stomach quivered as she pushed it upward. He grabbed the hem and jerked it over his head then dropped it to the floor.
Her needy eyes tracked over his chest, down his stomach, then stopped at the front of his jeans. Cord flicked open the button of his jeans, and unzipped them to give himself more room. If she kept looking at him like that, he was afraid the zipper might bust. She took a short breath, and he saw the pulse pounding at her throat.
"Tinkerbell, you have too many clothes on," he told her gruffly, stepping forward to grab her arms and raise them above her head. He found the hem of her tight shirt, and yanked it up to her elbows and stopped. Shock rocked through him and his heart stuttered in his chest. The woman hadn't worn a bra either. With nothing covering her perfect breasts, her nipples stood at attention at the center of her peach-colored areolas, begging for his mouth.
No wonder his friends had been holding her so close at the bar. He owed them all an ass whooping. They knew. Hope giggled, and gyrated her body as she tried to get the shirt over her head, but he stopped her.
"Be still," he said roughly.
Cord flicked the button on her skirt then eased down the zipper, knowing she hadn't worn underwear either. Half the fucking bar had probably gotten a glimpse of her round ass. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of her skirt and shoved it down to her knees, and it slithered down to her ankles. Only bare skin and a belly button ring met his eyes, and his heart skidded to a stop.
"You deserve a spanking, Tinkerbell." He heard a little whimper and smiled.
Hope's body trembled as excitement skittered along her nerve endings at Cord's dark, sensual threat. Her senses were on high alert because she couldn't see a damn thing with the tight shirt over her head, trapping her arms. But she could feel. And she felt Cord's hot gaze raking her body. Felt his own excitement charging the air around her. Heard it in his words.
"Am I on your naughty list, Santa?" she teased, her voice a little shaky.
Hope had never seduced a man before, but that is what she set out to do tonight with her handsome new husband. She wanted Cord to make love to her, and thought seducing him would be easier than just coming out and asking. His friends had thrown a kink into that plan by monopolizing her time all night while Cord sat at the bar drinking.
And watching, evidently.
He pinched her nipple and Hope whimpered. Holding the pressure, he asked gruffly, "What did you think would happen when you went to that bar with no underwear on, Hope?"
The darkness in Cord's tone scared her a little. A chill snaked down her spine, but she swallowed down her fear to reply, "I hoped you would notice."
"Oh, I noticed," he said with a short laugh. "My friends did too," he added brusquely as he covered her breasts with his large palms and squeezed. "Did you want that too?"
Another shot of fear coursed through her. She hadn't come on to his friends. She only danced when they asked, but judging by his words, Cord thought that's what she had done. His hands left her body as he asked again more forcefully, "Did you, Hope?"
Her skin was alive, sensitized to his touch, and her nipples ached to feel his hands on her again. When he didn't touch her again, she ground out, "No—only you."
He must've been pleased by her response because Cord gently cupped her breasts again. Hope sucked in a shuddering breath, arching into him. She wiggled, trying to free herself from her shirt shackles, but stilled when he released her breast to trail one finger down the center of her stomach. Her muscles rippled and the moisture in her body followed that finger downward. He stopped at her navel to slowly circle it, and Hope quivered.
"Nice," he said, flicking her piercing.
That piercing and the butterfly tattoo on her butt were her hidden rebellion against the world in which she was raised. They represented the freedom of expression she was never allowed. Jason never even noticed the tattoo because he was so damn vanilla he had never seen her naked
backside.
She had a feeling Cord Dixon would see it. And like it too.
Both of his hands went to her knees and he pushed them apart then dropped down in front of her. She could feel his hot breath on her skin and flames shot up to her core. He dropped a kiss on the inside of her knee and Hope whimpered. His tongue trailed wet heat up her thigh to the top. Hope's knees went liquid, almost buckling.
His fingers gripped her thighs. "Let me see," he said, pushing her legs wider. His hair tickled her there as he leaned in closer. "I think this is where your elf stockings were ripped." She felt the tip of his tongue rasp over her inner thigh and trembled. Cord laid his cheek against her skin, rubbed his beard stubble against her, and she moaned. "I wanted to lick you here that day at the mall." The vibration of his voice sizzled up her leg to the top of her thighs.
Cord sighed, and his breath wafted under her skirt to tease her folds. She lost her balance, but he wrapped his arms around her to guide her to the ground. The rough carpet dug into her back as he skimmed his hands down her leg to take off her left boot. She heard it thud onto the tile of the entry way before he removed the other one.
His fingers burned her skin as he tugged at her skirt. Hope lifted her hips and he slid it the rest of the way down her legs. She sat up and tried to wriggle out of her shirt.
"No," he said as he shoved her back to the carpet. "I'm going to teach you a lesson for teasing me," Cord informed darkly. Hope's blood felt like it was transporting champagne bubbles through her body.
Surprise filled her when he nudged her shoulder to turn her over onto her stomach. She struggled to get to her knees. Being blind and vulnerable to what he was doing to her frontally was one thing. This was another. She fought to get the shirt over her head, but his hand on her shoulder stopped her. He pushed her shoulders back down to the carpet then his fingers dug into her hips as he lifted her so she was on her knees.