“You really think we’ll need them?”
“I might not, but you will if you want thrusting to be going on. You’ll be the one lying on the ground.”
“Oh. Good point. Look, I’m two seconds away from jumping you, so please head on up to the house, okay? I’m getting really frustrated. I didn’t used to understand this feeling but now I do.”
“Are you sorry about that?”
She wrapped her free hand around the back of his neck. Then she kissed him hard on the mouth and knocked both their hats off. “I’m not sorry. Now git.” She made a shooing motion with the broom.
“Yes, ma’am.” Smiling, he picked up his hat and left the tack room.
Chapter Ten
Two hours later, Cody pulled in behind Faith in front of the cozy two-story frame house on Wagon Wheel Lane. They’d worked out their game plan after some debate. He hoped everything went smoothly.
Jim sat on the front porch as he had the first night. Last time he’d been working on a frayed bridle, but tonight he was sipping from a bottle of beer. Ever since meeting him, Cody had been trying to place who he looked like. Now it hit him—a younger version of Clint Eastwood.
He smiled when Cody and Faith got out of their respective trucks. “Evening, you two! Are you sure you don’t have time to sit for a spell and have a beer?”
“Maybe next time, Dad.” Faith went up the steps ahead of Cody. “Tonight we need to find out if Cody’s saddle fits Bert and whether Cody likes riding him.”
“Oh, you’ll like Bert, son. But if for some reason the saddle doesn’t fit right, you’re welcome to try Ernie. He’s built a little different.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s mighty generous of you considering you don’t know me very well.” Cody couldn’t decide which startled him more—Jim’s use of son or his offer of Ernie.
“I may not know you, but if Faith trusts you with her horse, that’s good enough for me.”
“I appreciate it. But I’m sure Bert will work out fine.” Guilt gnawed at him as he thought about the evening’s plans. He wished Jim wasn’t being so damned nice.
If Cody were Faith’s father, he wouldn’t be pleased about this setup. He wouldn’t want his daughter having her first sexual relationship with someone who was only in it for the short term and had the loan of a valuable horse as part of the deal. Viewed from that angle, Cody was making out like a bandit and Faith was getting the short end of the stick. Cody felt a little bit that way about it, too, which was why he had such difficulty interacting with Jim.
“By the way, Dad,” Faith said, “Kendra asked if you and I could come to the ranch for dinner tomorrow night. She thought you’d like to see the place and finally meet her.”
“That sounds nice, honey bun.”
“It would be great if you could come,” Cody said. “Mom puts on a great spread.”
“Oh, and Deidre will probably be there,” Faith added.
“Oh?” Jim blinked. “Are you talking about our real estate agent?”
“One and the same. I gave her a riding lesson today, her first ever, and Kendra asked her to come to dinner since without her, I wouldn’t have the job at Wild Creek Ranch.”
“Deidre doesn’t ride?” Jim glanced at his daughter in obvious surprise. “Was she afraid?”
“Not that I can tell. She just never tried it, but she’s ready to learn, now.”
“Because of you,” Cody said, gazing at Faith.
“Me?” She looked confused. “That makes no sense.”
“It’s true. I talked to Mom about it today. Deidre was too embarrassed to learn from Mom, who’s one of her best friends. It’s easier on her ego to take lessons from you.”
“How funny. I had no idea that was the situation.”
“But I get it,” Jim said. “Deidre’s a fireball. It must kill her to be bad at something.”
Faith’s attention swung immediately to her dad. “You think she’s a fireball?”
“Don’t you?”
“I do, but…anyway, never mind. Is that a yes? Can Cody tell his mom we’ll be there?”
“It’s fine with me, honey bun. I’d like to see where you work.”
“Great,” Cody said. “Then I guess Faith and I better get down to the barn and saddle up.”
Jim lifted his beer. “Be careful.”
Cody met his gaze. “We will, sir.” He helped Faith into his truck.
The minute they started off she turned to him. “He thinks Deidre’s a fireball? What’s that about?”
“I have no idea, but he nailed her personality. She hates being bad at anything. Divorce was hard on her because she saw it as a failure. She’s dated some guys since then, but Mom says Deidre won’t remarry because she’s terrified that she’ll fail again.”
“Then she’s single. I thought so, but I wasn’t certain. I mean, not that it matters.”
Cody wasn’t so sure. He’d seen Faith’s reaction when her father had made a personal comment about Deidre. He’d been accurate, which meant he’d been paying attention. A man who paid attention usually had a reason. What an interesting development.
Turned out Cody’s saddle fit Bert like a dream but he wasn’t surprised. Ever since meeting Bert, he’d figured the tall chestnut would be making the journey with him.
They worked quickly to saddle up and tie a camping mattress behind each saddlebag. Cody took the blanket and added it to his bundle. Although Jim could wander down at any point in the preparations, his be careful comment indicated he planned to stay on the porch.
At last they were ready to mount up. Their bed wouldn’t compare to what they’d enjoyed last night, but Cody was okay with that. He was glad the first night had been in a special setting with plenty of creature comforts. Tonight’s venue would be more primitive, and maybe that was appropriate. He’d been having primitive urges all day.
The route she’d chosen allowed them to ride side-by-side, which was a bonus. She smiled at him. “This is a treat, being able to take them out together.”
“Your dad won’t even go on easy rides?”
“Nope. The horse that rolled on him was spooked by a piece of paper that blew across a very gentle trail. It was a freak accident that never should have happened.”
“Maybe that makes it even scarier.”
She sighed. “I think it does. His takeaway was that riding is unpredictable no matter what the circumstances.”
“I’m glad he hasn’t managed to transfer his fears to you.”
“I was determined that wouldn’t happen. I wish I could get him back on a horse, though. Having someone to ride with is fun.” She looked over and gave him that endearing, gap-toothed grin. “How’s Bert treating you?”
“He’s a great horse. But I don’t have to tell you that. You’re doing me a huge favor.”
“Backatcha. The clearing’s just ahead.”
“We’re there already?”
“I didn’t want to waste a lot of time riding around the countryside, so I picked a spot close to home.”
She was so enthusiastic. A guy couldn’t do much better than a good-hearted, beautiful woman who couldn’t wait to get it on. He stood in his stirrups to survey the landscape and spied some cattle in the distance, but not a single critter was nearby. ”Who owns the cattle?”
“There’s a ranch not far from here. They have grazing rights on this land.” She swung down. “We can ground-tie those ol’ boys. They’re used to it.”
“I’ll bet they’re not used to what we’re about to do.” He dismounted and dropped the reins to the ground. She’d cleared an area about the size of a queen bed. It was dry but not dusty yet. It would be in a couple of days, though.
“I hadn’t thought of that.” She took off her hat and hung it on the saddle horn. “Do you think we might spook them?”
“That depends.” He followed her lead and left his hat on his saddle. Then he eliminated the distance between them and wrapped her in his arms. Ahh. This was what he’d been craving
for hours. “How much noise are you planning to make?”
“I don’t know.” She snuggled against him. “How much did I make last night?”
“You hollered like a cowpoke on a Saturday night bender.” Keeping one arm around her waist, he drew her braid over her shoulder, slipped the elastic off the end and tucked it in his pocket.
“Did not.” She ran a finger along his jaw. “You shaved. When did you do that?”
“When you banished me to the house this afternoon.”
“I’ll bet you did that so you wouldn’t scratch me when you kissed me and turned me into a puddle, hint, hint.”
“I’m not going to kiss you, yet.”
“Last night you unwound my braid and then you kissed me.”
“Remembered that, did you?”
Her green eyes grew smoky. “I remember everything.”
“So do I, and I’m not going to repeat myself and risk becoming boring. No wash, rinse, repeat for you, milady.”
She laughed. “You’re not going to let me forget that, are you?”
“No, ma’am. I intend to make you eat those words.” He combed her hair with his fingers and let the tresses catch the golden light of the setting sun. Last night these silky strands had tickled his bare chest as she’d leaned over him, gasping from her climax.
Thanks to that memory and her sweet body pressed against him now, his cock was already hard and they hadn’t untied the camping mattresses or the blanket. If he made the mistake of kissing her, they’d end up rolling in the dirt, the very thing he was trying to avoid.
“Guess I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.” She pulled his head down and pressed her mouth against his.
A gentleman didn’t back away from something like that, especially when the lady in question turned a regular kiss into a French one. He couldn’t believe that yesterday she hadn’t known how to do such a thing and today she’d developed it into an art form.
In seconds, he was hotter than a campfire. Cupping the back of her head, he shifted the angle and took the kiss a notch deeper. He would get the mattresses, but first…
Oh, hey, now she was multitasking. While her tongue was turning him inside out, she’d unfastened enough snaps on his shirt to slide her hand inside and massage his pecs. He didn’t know how she’d managed that, but damn. Good stuff.
Mattresses. He had to get the mattresses. He forced himself to stop kissing her. “We’re not…we’re not set up.”
She gazed at him, her mouth wet and her breathing rapid. “I don’t care.”
“I do. Sort of.” And he went back to kissing her because he couldn’t stay away from those plump lips. Or the buttons of her shirt. He made a guess that her bra fastened in the back and he unhooked it to gain access.
Stroking her warm breasts made him groan with frustration and he broke the kiss again. “Listen, we have to—”
“The thing you did last night.” She gulped for air. “Oral sex.”
“I could do that.” He saw where she was headed and he was hot enough that he wanted that for her. He could kneel in the dirt. It would work. He’d get the mattresses later.
“No, I mean, can I? Would you let me?” Her eyes gleamed.
He gazed at her in stupefied silence.
“It works both ways, right?” She dragged in a breath. “I mean, you must like it as much as I do.”
He nodded, still unable to form actual words.
“Then can I?”
“Yes.” The word came out as a harsh croak.
“Oh, good.” She unbuckled his belt with trembling fingers. “You’ll have to tell me how.”
He swallowed. “You can’t do it wrong.”
“I could.” She unfastened his zipper and shoved his jeans and briefs to his knees before stepping back. “Oh, my. I think it’s bigger than before.”
“Not possible.”
“Maybe it’s the light.” She sank to her knees in front of him and lifted her head so she could look him in the eye. “How do I start?”
She’d given him many unforgettable moments in a very short time, but she’d have to work hard to top this one. She wanted instruction and he couldn’t remember his name. He cleared his throat. “Wrap your hand around it.” His voice sounded like a rusty hinge.
“How about both hands? There’s plenty of room.”
“Okay.” As she did, he sucked in air and gritted his teeth. Erupting in her face would not be cool.
Immediately she let go. “See? I hurt you.”
“Nope. Felt too good.”
“Oh.” Her frown of concern changed to a smile of triumph. “You’re on the edge?”
“Mm-hm.”
“Cool. Now what?”
“Take hold again.” This time he was braced for it but he still thought it would be a very short lesson.
“And?”
He felt dizzy. He hoped he wouldn’t pass out. “Lick, suck, whatever you want.”
“Let me try that.”
He quickly discovered he couldn’t watch or he’d be toast. Instead he stared at the mountains and clenched his fists and his jaw while she did things with her mouth that she shouldn’t know how to do. He didn’t doubt that this was her first time. But she had instincts.
“Cody, you’re panting.”
“I know.”
“And sweating.”
“I know that, too.”
“But are you having fun?”
“You have no idea.”
“Me, too. Are you close?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What happens then?”
“Either move aside…or swallow.”
“You’ll warn me?”
“Yep.” As she went back to work, he began to shake. “Almost there. Almost…now.” He choked back a roar of pleasure as release claimed him. He was working so hard not to yell and scare the horses that at first he didn’t realize that she was still there. He heard her swallow. Then she licked away the drops of his orgasm.
He struggled to remain standing in the powerful aftermath. As if she knew he was about to collapse, she pulled up his briefs and his jeans. In moments, she’d tucked him back inside his clothes.
With a sigh of gratitude, he sank to his knees facing her. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
She blushed. “I doubt that.”
“Don’t. You are, and I’m not saying it because I just had an incredible experience, which I did.”
“Really? It wasn’t lame?”
He smiled and cradled her face in both hands. “I can’t picture you doing anything lame. You have such a zest for life. You’re willing to try something you’ve never done before and risk screwing it up.”
“I knew you’d forgive me if I did.”
“Did you? Because it would make me happy if you trusted me that much.”
“Like I said, I asked around. I knew you were beautiful, but when I found out you were also kind…search over.”
“Lucky, lucky me.” He kissed her gently and drew back. “You taste like sex.”
“Is that okay?’
“It’s more than okay. It’s making me hard again.”
“Good, because that oral action made me plenty juicy.”
“You liked doing it, then?”
“Oh, yeah. I liked making you happy.”
“You did.”
“But I also have to admit that I went on a little power trip. It was awesome having the ability to make you quiver and moan. I’ll bet if I practiced, I could get really good at it.”
His brain went on tilt. “You can practice on me.”
“You’d let me?”
“I would.” Somehow he kept a straight face.
“That would be great.”
“You’re telling me.” He cleared his throat. “Ready to lay out the mattresses and blanket so we can try some thrusting and see how that goes?”
“Can’t wait.”
He couldn’t help it. He was grinning like a fool but she did
n’t seem to take offense. He almost had been a complete fool. To think that two days ago, he’d decided to refuse her request. Thank God for vanilla.
Chapter Eleven
Cody was looking at her as if he thought she was a goddess. Faith didn’t object to that, but her outfit didn’t feel particularly goddess-like. She helped him lay out the mattresses and link them together with the strap he’d bought. They put the blanket on top and finally had their horizontal surface in place.
Now she got his point about using more than a blanket. In a book, it sounded spontaneous and romantic. Maybe it would be on a grassy knoll in England. On a scraped-off piece of rangeland in Montana, a blanket spread on the ground might leave bruises on her backside and Cody’s knees.
That’s where his experience came in handy because he knew these things. But she continued to block any thoughts of him with other women. He had it easier, assuming he had similar issues with jealousy. He might not, but if he did, he had no one to be jealous of.
Considering the type of outfit she’d accepted as her uniform for most of her life, it was no wonder men hadn’t asked her out. What man would be attracted to her when she was dressed that way? When Mandy had taken a tape measure to her this morning, Faith had been forced to think about why she’d chosen to wear clothes that were too big.
She hadn’t had to search far for the answer. For most of her life, she’d wanted to be accepted by the cowhands at the ranches where she and her dad had worked. They’d been her extended family.
She’d copied their movements and their attitudes as she’d attempted to be as much like them as possible. But she’d grown up and developed curves. The only way to hide her blossoming figure had been with oversized clothes.
She might have dressed this way for the rest of her days except for three things—her dad’s accident, a box of books, and a glimpse of Cody McGavin. Now that she had him here in the clearing she’d created for their sexual adventures, she wanted her baggy clothes off. She started stripping them away.
“Hey!” He caught her arm and pulled her close. “What’s the rush?”
“I’d rather be naked.”
“I’ll vote for that, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to peel them off myself.”
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