by Em Petrova
Training it up meant Buck Jr. could keep it, and Mav wouldn’t become any more attached to the woman he should stay away from.
The moon streamed through the window of his quarters. His space was small and he had few possessions. If he decided to leave tonight, he could easily throw everything into a backpack. His brother wanted him to do just that, but Mav couldn’t leave the Calhouns. Over the years, the ranch had become home. The family became his, though he didn’t insinuate himself into their lives. He admired them all from afar.
Especially one.
Damn woman. Tormenting him every chance she got. Looking at his crotch, for Chrissakes. Sure, he’d blatantly stared at her hard nipples, but he was trying to teach her a lesson. Of course, that had been his mistake. Nobody tamed Wynonna Calhoun unless she wanted to be tamed.
The puppy was moving restlessly in its box. It whined a little, and Mav knew it was only a few minutes from climbing into bed with him. Maybe he should take it outside to do its business.
He got up and threw on a pair of jeans that hung over the back of a wooden chair. The pup was already pouncing at his bare feet. He didn’t bother with socks or boots—just went outside into the cool, dewed night.
The essence of hay and grass hung in the air, and he sucked in a deep breath. With all the enhanced smells, the pup frolicked from spot to spot, sniffing, tail sticking straight up. The moon would be waxing full in five or six days. Almost time for spring calving season.
A light came on in the upper floor of the Calhoun house, and Mav gazed at it. Wynonna’s room. In her girlhood, she’d taped pictures she’d drawn up there. Horses galloping with yellow manes flying and her name signed in big looping letters.
Over the years, she’d switched it up to beaded curtains in a bright turquoise color. When those had finally come down, she’d hung simple white sheer fabric that now glowed with the lamplight. She was awake. He was awake.
Shit, he had to stop these thoughts. It was harder with her home, but he didn’t want her going back out to rodeo anytime soon. And he sure as fuck didn’t want her going off with Austin.
As he stared at the pane of glass, a shadowed silhouette moved behind the curtains. He clenched his fingers into fists, heart thundering. What if he tossed a pebble at her window to summon her outside? What if—
He cut off the thought and looked around for the puppy. It seemed to have disappeared around the side of the barn, following the trail of a possum or coon maybe. He issued a low whistle to call it back just as the front door opened and Wynonna drifted outside.
From here, he couldn’t make out what she was wearing, but it was skimpy. Her long legs gleamed, moonlight sculpting them.
She saw him and stopped on the porch steps. They stared at each other. His cock jerked hard, and he was grateful he’d put on jeans. At least there was a thin barrier between him and losing all control.
The pup trotted around the corner with something in his mouth, and Wynonna came down the rest of the steps and into the yard. Barefoot, hair floating around her shoulders. Mav steeled himself. He couldn’t touch her. Not a single finger, not even a glance. He trained his gaze on the ground, but her bare feet came into view and moved almost toe-to-toe with his own.
Fuck, she smelled all sweet and dusky and damp. His cock throbbed heavily, but he still didn’t look up at her. One glance at her beautiful face and he’d be a goner. His fucking heart couldn’t stand up to it.
“Why are you awake?” Her voice was throaty, making him think of the rasping cries he could draw from her as he licked her sweet pussy until she was shaking and writhing.
“Why are you?”
“Couldn’t sleep. I was too hot.”
His gaze shot up the length of her body. White sleep shorts and a white tank top. A fucking angel come to rob his soul. He locked his jaw as he met her gaze.
“Pup needed out,” he said by way of avoiding the elephant between them. This attraction—it was bigger than anything he’d ever known, and here he’d thought he’d felt the strongest of emotions while at war.
The dog dropped what was in its mouth, and it appeared to be an old work glove. She crouched to rub the pup’s ears. Mav bit back a curse. She was so close, crouched ear his groin. One tip of her head and she’d be able to take him. He’d knot that red hair around his fist and slide into her hot mouth all the way to the back of her throat.
He did groan, and she angled her head to look at him. The curve of her cheek beckoned, and he moved his hand to stroke it but pulled it back quickly.
She gained her feet in one fluid motion and walked to the old wooden bench outside his sleeping quarters. She couldn’t have chosen a worse spot. Inches from his door, feet from his bed.
She tucked her legs under her and lifted the puppy into her lap. Mav sat beside her just to keep from throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her inside.
“Austin’s a stupid name for a dog, isn’t it?”
He snorted before he could stop himself. “Kinda.”
“I talked to Austin tonight.”
He said nothing. If she confided her love for the man to him, what would he do? He still wanted her more than anything in the universe.
She stroked a long forefinger down the puppy’s spine. “I told him I need to think more on the engagement. I asked for more time.”
Mav’s head snapped up, and he met her stare. His throat felt hot and tight—words couldn’t be forced through it.
“He doesn’t want kids, and well, I do. Not yet, but someday. And he doesn’t want me to quit the rodeo.”
Mav’s mind tumbled over what she was saying even as his heart danced a country jig. He latched onto the lesser topic, though he pictured her round with child—his child. Blooming, glowing, all those things he wanted to see and be part of.
“You’re thinking of quitting the rodeo?”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I got to the top. No place to go now but down.”
“I know you don’t like being less than number one.”
“It’s not all about winning. I’m tired of the travel and the media. I want a life of my own, lived for myself. And that’s when I questioned whether or not Austin might fit into that vision.”
She rested her head against the rough wood wall and stared at the moon. Her naked shoulder radiated heat against his. They were already half undressed. Wouldn’t take much to come skin to skin.
The puppy curled up in her lap, and he reached out to tug its tail. It reared back to sink its sharp puppy teeth into his knuckle, and Mav chuckled.
“Why would you pull his tail?” Wynonna parted her lips in an O of outrage, and he could take it no longer.
He crushed his lips to hers.
* * * * *
“Oh God,” she mewled as Mav swirled his tongue through her mouth with the dizzying precision he did everything. Somehow they’d gotten to their feet, the puppy forgotten, and her body was sealed to Mav’s.
When she’d spotted him by the barn, his body carved out by moonlight, her heart had given a jolt. Tugged forward by an invisible cord, lured to his mussed hair, muscled chest and even his long, bare toes, she’d known her decision to put things on hold with Austin was right.
No woman who thought about another man this much should marry. And honestly, Austin hadn’t sounded that upset. She didn’t even need to see him again if she didn’t want—he said it was okay if she sent his ring back.
She clung to Mav’s shoulders, roped with hard work. He grasped her hips, fingers splaying so close to the crease between her thighs and pussy as he dipped his tongue into her mouth again and again.
Her dream surfaced, and she stepped backward until her spine hit the wall. He came with her and pinned her tightly with his body. She moaned at the feel of his weight, wanting more, more, more. Dark need throbbed between her legs, and she rubbed her breasts against his chest.
“Fuck, I shouldn’t be touching you.”
“It’s all you should be doing, Mav. Don’t stop.”
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“Hell.” His voice was rough-edged from fatigue and something else. She’d heard it before, and now she thought it was longing. Had he been wanting her for as long as she’d wanted him?
She raked her fingertips along his shoulders, and he issued a harsh growl into her mouth. She rocked closer, and then he did it—the move from her dream. He nudged her thighs apart and locked his thigh between hers.
Her head fell back, and small pulsations found a place in her core. She was so primed, so ready to be loved by this beautiful man. Would he back away from her as he had the other times they’d gotten to the kissing part?
She pushed into his thigh.
“Fuck, Wyn. Honey…” He opened his mouth over her throat and sucked softly at the skin over her pulse as she rocked against him. He didn’t move, but a few twitches of his muscle would send her shooting into the stars. She was soaked—could he feel it through her sleep shorts? She didn’t sleep in panties, and if he wanted her, all he needed to do was move the cotton aside…
Her breath came in short bursts, as she forgot how to draw air and then remembered again. She rubbed on that lean bulge of muscle, her clit swollen and aching. Her damp curls growing wetter.
He tore his mouth from her throat and looked into her eyes. “You need loved by a real man.”
“Yes.” Please don’t say it’s not you. We both know that isn’t true.
He ran his hands up to her waist, tracing the lines of her ab muscles as if he’d memorized them long ago. She sucked in a gasp, lost in his eyes. Dark, glittering with lust. He cupped her breasts and thumbed her nipples, swishing back and forth with a slow laziness that was so at odds with his personality.
But maybe this was the Mav who would be her lover. Slow, deliberate, a man who took his time.
“Touch me,” she begged.
His face hardened, and she feared she’d pulled him from this trance, but he swooped in and claimed her lips. A hard, urgent kiss that stole her mind. He closed his fingers over her nipples and she cried out, rocking her hips faster.
“Can you come this way, honey? Move against me. Take what you need.”
His dark words only spiked her urges. She rolled her hips, her clit chafing against cotton, denim and thick muscle.
“Please, Mav. Make me come.” Sobbing breaths filled the night, and she didn’t know if they belonged to her or him. He gazed down at her, hard lips gleaming with wetness from her kisses. She intended to kiss him all over, but first, she needed this… this…
She bit back a cry as juices flooded from her. She needed his fingers, those rough calluses set against her most sensitive part.
She gripped his wrist and guided his hand down between their bodies. The instant he cradled her pussy, his groan vibrated her. “Fuck, so wet. All this wet heat for me.” He eased a finger under the edge of her shorts and went dead still. “You’re not wearing panties.”
“No.”
“Fuck,” he burst out at the same moment he thrust a finger deep. She stretched around the invasion, didn’t think this could get any better.
Then he pressed his thumb to her bud.
She came apart with a throaty moan. He pinned her to the wall and kissed her screams out of her as he drew her orgasm on and on with his touch.
“Fuck, are you still coming, honey?” He finger-fucked her five more times, and her body responded with more contractions. Wet noises rose up, and it spurred another grunt from him.
Shaking in his arms, she tipped her face up for his kiss. This was the real test—would he walk away or give her what she needed?
He pulled his fingers free and searched her eyes. “Are you sure about this, Wyn honey?”
She bracketed his face with her hands and touched the strong jaw that called to her daily. “It’s all I want. Take me, Mav.”
Chapter Five
He couldn’t be doing this. His fingers couldn’t be tangled with hers as he led Wynonna to his bed. Yet he was wide awake, not dreaming. She’d just come on his fucking thigh. His fingers were still damp with her juices.
His cock ached beneath the denim trapping him, and he fought to control his breathing. When they came up against the mattress, he turned to her.
“Are you really here?” he whispered, reaching to brush her red waves from her beautiful face.
She caught his hand and stared into his eyes. “It’s been a long time coming, Mav.”
Hell, he didn’t want to start thinking about all the reasons he should turn her away. Her brothers would kill him, he was breaking her momma’s trust. If her father were here, he’d shove his boot so far up Mav’s ass that he’d be talking around the leather.
But at least she was no longer engaged. On hold. Whatever the hell that meant. He didn’t give a damn. He was going to peel off her white pajamas and kiss, lick and suck every inch of her.
He eased his fingers under her hair, surprised by the weight of it. Thick, soft red waves trickled over his forearm. He had one last chance to warn her off him.
“I’m no good for you, honey.”
She pushed onto her toes, her sweet breath washing over his lips. “Shh.”
When she brushed her mouth over his, he swallowed hard. So many fantasies about doing this, but could he?
She flicked her tongue over his closed lips, and how the hell was he supposed to stand strong against that? With a growl, he slid his tongue into her mouth. She moaned and inched closer so her full breasts rubbed against his chest. She was no little girl anymore, but a sexy, experienced woman.
Dark need slithered through him, and he caught her up in his arms, turning for the bed. He cradled her as they fell, and she hooked her thighs around his hips to drag him down. His erection pressed to the warm heat of her pussy.
“No panties,” he repeated, as if suprised, and she hummed a laugh against his lips.
“I don’t wear any to bed.”
“Jesus, woman.” He took her mouth again even as he pulled her up to meet his grinding thrusts. She shook in his hold, her short nails set in the skin of his shoulders. On the floor, the puppy dug at the box before settling, and then it was only the soft coos coming from Wynonna.
He sank his tongue into her mouth again and again. She followed the lines of his shoulders to his biceps and around to his chest. When she stretched her hands across his pecs, he reared back to look at her.
“Sure?”
“Stop askin’ me. I’m not changing my mind.”
The corner of his lips flashed upward at her sass. He lunged for her neck and sucked on the spot that he’d been keeping an eye on for so many long, hungry years. A silky area of skin just under her jaw that was made for his lips. She arched her neck to give him total access, her smooth calves riding up and down his hips.
He continued his kisses down to her collar bone, lightly bit her shoulder. Testing… questing.
She bucked into his touch, and his balls clenched tight. Damn, he’d known she’d be this way—all needy, eager woman. She required a firm hand, and for a long time he’d been aching to show her how a real man took care of his woman.
He trailed his stubbled jaw over her skin. What he wouldn’t give to see his pink marks raised on her flesh. Maybe they’d still be there tomorrow in the light of dawn.
He nibbled a path across the tops of her breasts, inhaling her fresh scent, filling his lungs to bursting. When he snaked his tongue into her cleavage, her breath hitched. Passion flooded, and he hooked his finger into her tank top and yanked it down to expose her breasts.
“Fuck, you’re more beautiful than I imagined.” Her breasts rode high and proud, the centers blush pink and hard, begging for his lips and tongue.
She sank her fingers into his hair and drew him down. He opened his mouth over the tip and looked up into her bright gaze.
“Go on, Mav. Take all of me.”
Did she have to be so damn encouraging? He was fighting a losing battle, one he’d succumbed to long ago when he realized she was the one for him and he could never
have her.
But she was under him, practically begging.
He sucked her nipple into his mouth. She cried out, digging her nails into his skull. So good, so fucking good. As he swirled his tongue around the puckered bud, he lost himself in her little moans of pleasure. He moved to the other, and she moaned. Good thing they were far from the house, because he intended to draw many more screams from her.
He cupped her breasts and worked from nipple to nipple, sucking, raking his teeth gently over each crest. Goosebumps spread over her skin, and he ran his hands over every inch. He wanted to remember this moment forever, because it would never happen again.
She squirmed as he dragged her tank top up and over her head. Her eyes glowed when he trapped her hands in one of his and searched her gaze. “I want to make you come so many times that you beg for mercy.”
A shudder went through her. “God, yes.”
“As long as we’re on the same page.” He gave her another crooked grin before he ducked his head to the spot between her breasts and began working his way down her body. When he got to the waist of her shorts, he used his jaw to drag the cloth down. She bucked into his movements and when he didn’t strip her fast enough, she shoved at the cloth herself.
“Easy, honey. We have all night,” he rumbled.
“Mav. Fuck, your mouth’s so good.”
Spurred by her words, he moved down to the mound of red curls begging for his kiss. Her aroused scents struck him hard, and his cock jerked. The tip throbbed with the need to burrow deep inside her hot, tight sheath. But first he had to taste this honey he’d been denying himself for ages.
He nuzzled her mound. She let her legs fall open, her breaths rasping in the night. He looked up at her face as he settled himself where he most wanted to be—his mouth a breath from her liquid heat.
“Mav. Please.” She wiggled her hips, bringing her pussy against his mouth.
A growl left him, and he dived in, pressing his tongue flat against her clit. Juices spilled from her, and he zigzagged down her wet seam to gather every drop. With his tongue bathed in her sweet warmth, he closed his eyes and let his instincts take over.