by Lauren Dane
“Kyle will be begging to know in a week.” Cassie laughed and then turned to Liv. “Date with who?”
“Rancher Bill. I also signed up with one of those computer dating places. Of course I got like six hundred emails this morning. Man. You should see some of the stuff they sent me. I wanted to hose off with Lysol afterward.”
“Well that’s what? Date number three with Bill? How’d it go? Any action yet?” Maggie stole a fry from Cassie’s plate. “It totally sucks that you’re healthy girl all the sudden, Liv. Less fries to steal. You do, however, look even better than you did before and that was pretty smokin’ hot to start with. Thank goodness I’m spoken for or I’d be jealous.”
Liv fluttered her lashes. “Why thank you. Marc has really worked me hard. Heh, okay that sounds dirty. Some action with Bill. He’s a very good kisser. There was, erm, third base type stuff going on.”
“Third base, huh? And how are his hands?” Cassie asked without a blush.
“Lawd you women are deviants. Sheesh.” Liv winked. “He’s fine. I mean, he’s got nice sized equipment. He seemed kind of shy about it.” Liv shrugged. “I’m sure when we do sleep together it’ll be nice.”
“Nice? Since when did you settle for nice? And what about Marc working you hard? What’s going on with that?” Maggie demanded.
“What about it? Look, I want to be married, damn it. I want forever. A house. Kids. Pancakes every Sunday. You have that, Maggie and your whole life changed. You’re having a child with the man you love. I want that too. I’ve wasted nearly thirty-five years on men who don’t fucking care about me enough to make a baby with me. It’s easy for you to sit there and judge, damn it. You have forever.” She looked to Cassie. “And you too. Yes, Marc is still wooing and all that but I have a plan. And yes, it’s sexy and flattering and he and I have major chemistry. I can’t deny it any more than I can stop looking because Marc Chase may be interested in fucking me. Letting myself be distracted by the shiny of hot men like Marc instead of focusing on men who are ready to offer me forever like Bill.”
The rigidity in Maggie’s spine eased and she sighed. “It’s more than that. Liv, I’ve seen the way he watches you. If all he wanted was to fuck, he’d have moved on by now because you haven’t given him any. He hasn’t dated in months. I asked Kyle. Don’t settle for heaven’s sake. You don’t have to choose Marc if that’s not what you want but if Rancher Bill doesn’t rev your motor, there are other men out there. Marriage is forever. If the sex is mundane, it’s forever mundane. You’re an awfully sexual woman to just accept mediocre.” Maggie stared at her, exasperated.
“I’ve gone that route. Chosen the hot guy with the great chemistry in bed. And it got me nothing but heartache. Maybe I need someone calm. Something calm.”
“Fuck that. You don’t need something calm. You’re lively and you need a man who appreciates that. A laid back man? Sure, given your level of activity and your personality, that might be a good idea. But Liv, you can have great sex and love. Maggie and I do. Dee and Penny do. Not with each other, that sounded dirty.” Cassie winked at Maggie, who laughed. “You don’t have to settle on forever. I understand you want to be married. I support your plan and I love you. But don’t just roll over and give up.”
“And has it ever occurred to you, Liv, that you wimp out when it comes to the men you choose? I mean, you choose the Rancher Bills of the world over the guys who could be the real thing for some reason? Protecting yourself or something?” Maggie sighed.
“And has it ever occurred to you that not everyone has a wham-pow connection like you and Kyle? Bill is a nice man. I said his hands were nice. He’s a good kisser. He hasn’t proposed, it’s just been three dates. Yes there are other men out there. I’m not settling. I’m simply asking myself if I’ve been looking for the wrong thing. And what, choosing a marriage minded man over a man like Marc is me protecting myself? That’s just dumb. I’m choosing better than I have before. People live without grand passion and have spouses they admire and respect and live quite happily.”
“I see your chin getting all stubborn, Olivia Davis. Stop it. We’re your friends. If we don’t tell you like it is, who will? All I’m saying is that you can have great sex, great chemistry and forever,” Maggie said, one eyebrow rising.
Liv waved it away. “I’m not stubborn. I have to get back to work. I’ll see you all Friday if not before.”
“Not stubborn my ass,” Cassie murmured. “I only know one person more stubborn than you and I’m married to him.”
Liv drank the last of her tea and stood. “I am not even in Shane’s league, stubborn wise. You however, are right up there, missy.” She kissed the top of Maggie’s head and blew one to Cassie. “I’ll see you all later. I appreciate the honesty. I do.”
And she did. They were right, she knew. But it was just three dates with Bill, she’d see him again if he called. It wouldn’t kill her to give the man another chance.
The Pumphouse was packed to the gills, which only agitated Marc more than he already was. He kept looking toward the front and seeing Liv there, laughing with his sisters-in-law.
He also kept seeing various men stop by the table to flirt with her. Oh how he hated that. Everywhere she went she turned heads with that smile. And the bright red, very small top and the white pants she wore that night only highlighted the pale beauty of her skin and the darkness of her hair, which she’d changed again; this time it stood up in a sort of spiky disarray. A bit rock and roll. One of her shoes, a high heeled slide, dangled from her toes as she slowly kicked her foot back and forth under the table.
“You look like a lovesick puppy. I’d be snickering that a woman finally turned the tables on you but I feel too sorry for you. What’s the next step in Plan Woo?” Matt clapped him on the shoulder.
“Picnic. I’ve got the stuff out in my truck. I want to take her out to the lake under the stars. Good heavens, look at Frank Gillchrist. He’s making a damned fool out of himself with her. Practically taking up residence in the front of her shirt.”
“Go on. Get out of here. You’re miserable and you’re going to start a fight with someone if you don’t just make your move already.” Shane took his shot and bumped Marc hip to hip.
“If it brings you any comfort, she’s been sneaking looks back here for the last hour.” Matt smirked.
“Some. Okay, I’m gone. Wish me luck.” Marc put his cue back on the wall and headed toward her booth, single mindedly ignoring the women who put themselves in his path.
She looked up at him with a tentative smile. “Hey there, Marc Chase.”
“You and me, picnic under the stars. What do you say?” He held out a hand.
A moment passed and he wanted to kick himself for putting it that way until she grabbed her purse and took his hand. “All right then.”
Well, that was pleasant. If only she let him have his way in everything. Maggie looked up at him through her lashes, a smile playing on her lips. Retribution lay just beyond the encouragement. If he damaged Liv, Maggie would kick his ass. And then Cassie would have a go.
Marc smiled at Maggie and blew her a kiss and, as he didn’t play favorites with his gorgeous sisters-in-law, he sent one Cassie’s way as well. “See y’all later.” Placing Liv’s hand in the crook of his arm, he escorted her out and to his truck.
“What is it with you boys and these trucks? I mean, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you all were overcompensating for other things that weren’t so big.”
Surprised, Marc snorted a laugh. “How do you know better, Miz Liv? You been peeking into the men’s locker room?”
Opening the passenger door for her, he watched appreciatively as she scrambled up into the seat.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Liv replied with a smug smirk, making him laugh again. Damn he liked her attitude.
He jogged around to the driver’s side and got in. As they drove away from the center of town, he snuck a look at her. He’d like to know, hell yes. But he’d show her h
imself and he hoped like hell it would be soon or his cock would fall off from disuse.
Liv sat in the giant truck, watching the skies darken into evening. She should not be there with this man. A picnic under the stars alone was a very bad idea. Alone with him was a bad idea but when he’d stalked over and got all bossy, it made her weaken inside. Something about it when he took charge made her all gooey.
He’d looked commanding in those snug jeans and the cowboy boots. His brothers didn’t wear boots very often but he did and she thought it was sexy. His shirt flowed over the muscles of his upper body like a caress. Not tight, that would have been tacky, but the material definitely showcased his strength.
She didn’t like to be bossed around and she hadn’t met a man who could ably take charge of her in the bedroom. She managed her life quite well and was happy being an independent woman. That didn’t mean a very in charge, dominant man wasn’t the most delicious fantasy she had. And an unfulfilled one too.
He pulled down a long road toward the lake and parked. “Those are some pretty shoes so I won’t make you walk too far. It’s just down the path. I saw this little spot when I came out to row the other day. Shane and Cassie’s place is just across the way.”
Rowing must be why his upper body looked so damned good. “Well, it’s working for you. Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime. I’ve only used the machine but it seems like it’d be fun.”
“It is. The water is nice and if you come out early enough, it’s quiet and beautiful and the water is smooth as glass. Hang on a sec.”
He got out and grabbed the ice chest from the bed of the truck and met her around on her side where, he was pleased to see, she’d waited for him.
Instead of waiting for her to get out, he banded her waist with his arm and pulled her down, sliding her body against his until her toes touched the ground.
“Mmm, you feel good,” he murmured, nuzzling the hollow of her throat instead of kissing those lips. He’d wanted to but he’d save it. Savor it. “Come on.”
She took his hand and they walked down a path to a grassy slope that led to the shoreline. He spread a blanket down and she kicked off her shoes before sitting.
He joined her, sitting next to her instead of across from her. With a small smile, he unloaded the cooler, placing the food out in front of them.
“Wow. Impressive. Did you make all this?” Liv swept her hand, indicating the array of goodies.
“Hell no. I wish. This is from that new deli that opened up on Elm and Fourth. Roasted vegetables, fresh feta cheese, fruit of all kinds, I got the bread from the bakery, it’s some sort of flatbread the guy said. Turkey, olives and oh…” he pulled out a white bakery box, “…cupcakes. Two of them. Butter cream frosting. Because if you can’t splurge, life isn’t worth living.”
“Cupcakes?” Liv sighed dreamily. “I love cupcakes. My goodness, you’re perfect. And you got to me just before the food came so I’m starving.”
Insanely pleased she’d liked such a small gesture, he grinned as he pulled out some bottled water. “I have wine too if you’d prefer. But when I kiss you, and I will, I want you to be clearheaded.”
“Awfully sure of yourself.”
He nodded, making himself a sandwich. “I am. Because I want you so much it makes my skin itch. And because I know you want me too.”
Her only reply was an intake of breath. He let her hide from answering. For now.
They ate in companionable silence as the night deepened. It was clear and warm and the stars and three quarter moon gave off plenty of light.
She took a sip of water, nervous. What an effect he had on her! No man had ever made her speechless, not even Matt and she had loved him. But this man pushed every button and she wasn’t sure why or how. Six months ago he’d been a pretty face she liked to see every few weeks here and there around town and all the sudden she thought of him all the time. Imagined his hands on her, his mouth, wondered about how the heat of his naked skin would feel against hers.
In truth, she should be running back to that truck of his. But her body and libido had firmly refused to comply with her brain and she decided to ride it out, see where things went.
He shifted beside her and her heart kicked in her chest.
“Liv,” he said softly and it was as if another woman’s hands screwed the top of the water on and placed the bottle aside. She turned to face him and couldn’t stop a gasp when she found him so very close.
“There you are.” He smiled lazily. “You’re damned sexy I don’t quite know where to start. But I figure the lips are the best first step.”
Surely, he moved, closing the last few inches between them. Warm, lush lips covered hers. His hand slid up her back, fingertips teasing her spine and then to her neck and into her hair. He cradled her head, holding her just how he wanted as he deepened the kiss from slow exploration to hungry plunder.
His tongue feathered the seam of her lips and flowed inside when she opened to him. Warm and sinuous, his tongue slid along hers. He wasn’t aggressive, but Marc Chase knew what he was about and he kissed her without hesitation. He took what he wanted and gave back in spades.
Liv wasn’t shy sexually, she believed very strongly that women had to be in charge of themselves and their pleasure and to demand it if necessary from a partner. But Marc needed no guidance on that score. No wonder the women on his arm always looked happy.
He guided her back to the blanket, his upper body settling against hers. His teeth nipped her bottom lip in short succession, once, twice and then again, his tongue laved the sting away.
She slid her hands under his shirt, exploring the miles of hot, hard muscle there, loving the flex and bunch as she touched him. This was dangerous. Marc wasn’t some jovial hunk like Brody had been. This was happening at his pace although he wasn’t forcing anything, he was firmly in charge. She normally held the sexual upper hand in the relationship. Damn, perhaps that was why Brody cheated and Matt walked away. Okay, that wasn’t something to think on at that moment.
Marc broke the kiss, looking into her face. “You okay? You with me?”
Breathless, she nodded and grabbed his hair, pulling his mouth back to her own.
Marc had to hold his lower body away from hers. If he touched her with his cock she might run away. No, gauging by the way she kissed back, she wouldn’t run. But he wanted to fuck her right then, press himself deep into her body and ride her until she begged him to let her come.
And it wasn’t time for that just yet. They’d make love, he had no doubt of that. But not out there. He wanted to explore her first. Take his time and make it good. He couldn’t do that where they were even if the idea of being caught didn’t turn him right on.
Her lips were sweet. Made for him. She was incredibly responsive to his touch, returning his kiss with abandon. And she knew her way around a kiss. This was not some young woman waiting for him to make all the moves. Olivia was not just sexy, she was a woman who enjoyed sex, that much was obvious in her response.
He’d never actually been with a woman he could truly loose all his sexual energies with. The thought that he might be able to with Liv was alluring.
Her hands moved to the waist of his jeans and then to his fly. Sweet baby Jesus. He groaned when she grasped his cock, sliding her thumb through the slickness at the head.
“Holy shit. Liv wait.” He didn’t want her to stop but they couldn’t go at it out there.
“Why?” She looked up at him, her face colored by moonlight, a smile tipping one corner of that luscious, kiss-swollen mouth.
“Because when I fuck you, I want you spread out on my bed so I can lick and touch every damned inch of your body. Once you stroke me, I lose all sense of proportion and I don’t want the first time you make me come to be out here. I want to come in your mouth, Olivia,” he murmured and she shivered and moaned softly.
Gently, he pushed her hands away and sat up, putting the food and trash away. “Come on back to my place.”
It
wasn’t so much a request as an enticing order. Liv’s entire body was on fire for him. She needed him inside her so badly her thighs trembled. The truth was, he’d been a surprise. Who’d known he was capable of such control and deep sexuality? He came off as playfully sexual but the comment about coming in her mouth wasn’t a line, it was a truth, delivered in a desire-roughened voice, and it set her aflame.
So it wouldn’t lead to picket fences but she’d lay good odds it would lead to multiple orgasms and she liked Marc. A lot. What harm could it do at that point to take a little enjoyment in each other until the attraction wore off?
She looked up at him where he stood, cooler in hand. Making up her mind, she grasped his outstretched hand and let him pull her to stand. But he didn’t stop there, he grabbed her around her waist and pulled her flush against him.
Lips just a hair’s breadth away from hers, he whispered, “I’m going to make you come so many times you’re going to pass out by the time I’m finished.”
Her heart raced as shivers worked through her body. “Okay.”
Chuckling, he let go to grab the blanket and they headed back to his truck where she settled in, looking out over the water while he tucked the cooler into the back and came around to his side.
The quick drive back to town, back to where his apartment sat over a shoe store, was quiet but not uncomfortably so. He pulled into the alley at the rear and parked.
Before she knew it she was in his lap, her body straddling his. She didn’t even know why she’d done it but there was certainly no reason to waste her situation.
“That’ll do nicely, Liv,” Marc said with a wicked grin as his wide palms slid up her legs, stopping at the back of her thighs just below the swell of her ass.
Her lips found his with almost desperate joy. His taste roared through her system, enticing, seductive, making her tremble with need. She swallowed his groan, the sound sliding down her throat as she suckled his tongue. It was probably the lack of sex, but she was pretty sure she’d never wanted a man that desperately before.