“What are you up to and since when can you drive the sleigh?” She demanded, hands on hips, trying to suppress a smile.
“Well, I’ve been learning all winter for the winter carnival, Garrett said I was good enough to take it out on my own. We’re going to the lower pasture to go ice skating, and if you’re okay with it I thought we might spend Christmas in the cabin up there. It’s not fancy but we’ll be warm and dry.” He said, a hopeful look on his face.
Annabelle was thrilled, she couldn’t think of a better way to spend Christmas. “I love the idea.” She said, throwing her arms around him, not caring who saw.
“Okay then, we better be on the way. Where’s your bag?”
Annabelle handed him her bag and watched while he loaded it, she’d put on her warmest layers so when she stepped into the sleight it didn’t seem too cold. Once Michael covered her lap with a warm blanket and climbed in beside her, she was nice and warm. They rode in silence for the first few miles, Annabelle just enjoying the beauty of the mountains in winter.
Michael was congratulating himself on pulling off the trip, it hadn’t been easy to convince Garrett that not only could he handle the sleight but that he’d care for the horses properly, but in the end Garrett had given in. It was only a few miles of easy trail to the lower pasture and the cabin where they’d be staying plus he’d given Michael a satellite phone.
When they got to the pasture, Michael guided the sleigh over to the little one room cabin then together they unhitched the horses, brushed them down and fed them. Then without even unloading anything more than a shovel and their skates they were on the frozen lake. Although Annabelle had grown up in California, she’d been ice skating enough that she felt sure she wouldn’t completely embarrass herself.
Michael on the other hand, hadn’t ever been on a pair of ice skates and spent the first half an hour on his butt. But finally, with some help from Annabelle, he got the hang of it and they spent a wonderful afternoon gliding over the smooth ice hand in hand. It was a magical afternoon, only the two of them surrounded by the beauty of nature in winter, the high mountain peaks sparkling with their fresh coating of snow.
“Thank you for this, I didn’t realize how much I needed a break. I love the Terrells but they’re so different than what my family was like. I’m an only child so it was always just my parents and me. We had quiet holidays, nothing like what happens on the ranch.”
“My family’s not known for their family gatherings either. My mom died when I was only a few months old and my dad wasn’t much for holiday celebrations.” Michael said, with a wistful tone in his voice. “I always dreamed of big family celebrations with all the trimmings. A huge tree, roast turkey dinner, and presents around the tree.”
Suddenly Annabelle felt guilty, she’d taken him away from that kind of Christmas. “Michael we shouldn’t have come here then. You could have had that dream Christmas with your family.”
“I wouldn’t trade this Christmas for anything, besides that dream was always about my family, my wife and kids. There’s plenty of time for that to happen.” He said, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.
“Oh, okay.” She said, blushing, telling him that she’d understood the meaning behind his words. Annabelle understood perfectly well what Michael had been hinting at with his words, and liked the thought of her and Michael having the perfect Christmas with their own kids.
As the afternoon progressed, Michael decided that they needed to learn some tricks on the ice. Annabelle was happy to participate when she discovered that his tricks always involved a kiss or a hug. Most of the time they found themselves on the ice, laughing at their latest spill, but Annabelle had never felt so relaxed with a man, not the least bit worried that she might embarrass herself somehow.
Michael made it easy to laugh at herself, something she’d never been very good at, always too conscious of what people might be saying about her. It was probably her mother’s constant reinforcement of the idea that one always had to behave a certain way in public. But with Michael she could just be herself, a refreshing change from the way she’d been raised to behave.
Finally, when the sun began to set behind the mountain and the temperature began to fall, it was time to take off their skates and turn their attention to unloading the sled. When Annabelle stepped through the door to the cabin she was pleased to find that although small, the cabin was snug. There was a big bed in one corner, a little table for two and a huge fireplace with a towering stack of wood next to it.
Looking at the bed, her heart began to beat faster with a combination of nerves and anticipation, if she went through with this tonight, her life would be forever changed. Something deep inside her knew that once she’d crossed that line there would be no going back. She was already half in love with Michael and the physical act of making love would probably throw her over the edge.
Her thoughts were beginning to make her panic, so she turned her attention to making the cabin comfortable. Michael had brought plenty of food and supplies, including a huge stack of pillows and a plush comforter, she’d seen them when he’d pulled the tarp off. Shaking her head to chase away thoughts of sharing a bed with Michael tonight, instead she found a box of food and carried it inside.
The cabin was cold but Michael expertly started a fire. As soon as the blaze began to grow, the cabin began to warm and by the time they’d unloaded the sleigh and put the food away in the little kitchen, the cabin had become comfortable.
They had both been wearing their coats but as the temperature rose it became clear that they wouldn’t need them anymore. Annabelle was just about to take her coat off when Michael came up and unzipped it for her and slid it off her shoulders and hung it on the hook by the door where he’d hung his. She stood rooted to the spot, the look in his eyes when he’d slid the coat off paralyzing her, her heart beating heavy in her chest.
He returned to her, took her hands in his and silently looked into her eyes again. The sheer force of the desire she saw there made her breath catch in her throat. She’d been thinking about this moment for so long, but she couldn’t find the words to say what she needed to.
Michael must have been able to read the trepidation in her eyes, “Somethings wrong, tell me what it is.” He said, pulling her to him and wrapping his arms around her.
Standing there circled in his arms, she wasn’t sure where to start, with the fact that she’d never had sex before or with the fact that she never wanted him to see her scar. “Michael, I don’t know if you realize just what a geek I was in high school and college.” She finally found a place to start.
“And?” He said, waiting for her to explain.
“It’s just that I never really dated anyone. I mean I went out on dates but nothing serious, then I spent two years in a rehab facility. I’ve never.......” Annabelle just couldn’t get the words out it was just too embarrassing. Not only had she never had sex, she wasn’t really sure how the whole thing would work. The books had helped, but she was still embarrassed to think what was involved.
Michael was silent for so long, she pulled out of his arms and went over and sat on the bed. He followed right behind her, “Are you trying to tell me that you’re a virgin?” He finally asked, surprised but strangely pleased to hear that.
“Yes.” She mumbled staring hard at the floor.
“Annabelle look at me.” He said, pulling her face up and around to face him. “Did you think that would bother me?”
“I don’t know, it’s just embarrassing to be this old and so innocent.” Her cheeks were flaming thinking about him seeing her naked.
“Oh Annabelle, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about, it just means that you were smart and waited until the time was right. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman, but I’m willing to wait until you’re ready, it should be one of the most special moments of your life and I’ll be honored if you want to share it with me. But if not, I’m just happy to be spending Christmas wi
th you.” He said, putting his arm around her.
Annabelle’s heart leapt at his words, he was giving her all the space she needed, but she realized that she wanted to have sex with Michael more than she wanted anything else. She was almost sure she could trust him, but her scar was still looming large in her mind, if he acted repulsed by it she’d be devastated. He could sense her continued resistance and jumped to his feet and began rummaging through his bag.
“I was going to wait until tomorrow to give this to you, but I think now might be the perfect time.” He said, handing her a pretty little box.
She unwrapped it find a beautiful necklace with a pendant shaped in the Chinese symbol of trust, she’d seen it often enough since she had it tattooed on her ankle. Michael took the necklace from her and pulled her to her feet, then turned her around.
“Hold your hair up.” He said, then fastened the necklace on her neck.
Annabelle was close to tears, if she could just trust that he wouldn’t be turned off by her scar, life would be perfect. When Michael stepped back in front of her, one single tear slid down her cheek. He wiped it off with his finger and said, “I didn’t mean to make you cry, I just want you to know that you can trust me.”
Annabelle looked at the floor and mumbled, “I don’t want you to see my scar.”
“You mean from your injury?” Michael asked, another piece of the puzzle falling into place. When he’d realized that she was a virgin, so much had made sense, but he’d never thought about what her scar might look like. But one thing he was sure of, he didn’t care, he wanted her, scars or no scars.
“It’s ugly.” She said, quietly.
“Oh, sweetheart, you should have talked to me about this before. Look at me.” He said, tipping her chin up.
“I don’t care about your scars, they only prove how strong you are. I don’t care that you’re a virgin. I want you, all of you, the damaged parts and the innocent ones.” He said, cementing his words with a kiss that made her knees go weak.
“Promise me you won’t start getting all weird when you see them.” She said, when they paused to breathe.
“I promise, Annabelle those scars are only a small part of who you are, forget about them, they don’t matter to me.” He said, his fingers finding the buttons on her shirt.
With a beating heart she let him unbutton her shirt, their eyes locked as he pushed it off her shoulders. Her chest was rising and falling with the desire that was slowly blooming deep inside her as she watched Michael pull off his shirt to reveal his muscled chest.
Chapter 9
Taking a deep breath, she tentatively put her hands on his chest, feeling his heart beating under her hand, and the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. Michael reached for her, threading his hands in her hair to pull her face to his, he kissed her slowly and gently until she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him.
Her breasts were swollen with desire and when they came in contact with his hard chest, she gasped with pleasure. Even through Annabelle’s bra Michael could feel the hard peaks of her nipples on his chest, sending a strong wave of desire straight to his crotch, hardening him instantly.
“I want you Annabelle, but I need to know that you want this too. At some point it’s going to be hard for both of us to stop and I don’t want you to regret this later.” Michael said, looking into her eyes.
Annabelle didn’t trust her voice, so instead she unbutton his pants and lowered the zipper, unsure what she might find. Michael understood perfectly and took the lead, reaching around and unhooking her bra releasing her swollen breasts. Before she could even take a breath, he’d bent her back and taken one of her nipple into his mouth, making Annabelle gasp with pleasure.
Her knees were weak, the storm inside her sucking the strength right out of her, but before she collapsed, Michael released her breast and sank to his knees. When he reached for the button on her jeans, she stiffened, but Michael stopped and ran his hands down her leg then back up again, sending shivers down her spine.
“It’s okay. Trust me.” He said, reaching again for the button on her jeans. Annabelle shut her eyes while he unbuttoned her pants and slid them down her legs. She could feel the cold air on her bare skin, and then Michael’s gentle touch as he traced the scar across her hip, then placed a kiss on it. “Now, that’s the last I want to hear about your scar.” He said, getting to his feet again and pulling her into his arms.
Annabelle was trembling with both excitement, and relief. Michael released her just long enough to strip out of his pants, then pulled her down onto the bed. The plush comforter was warm on her back as she snuggled down into it and with Michael’s body covering hers, she felt safe and confident.
Michael found her mouth with his, searing her with a kiss that only promised more. She relaxed into his arms, opening herself to him in every way. His hand began roaming over her body, teasing and caressing until she thought she couldn’t stand it. Her body wanted more, but she didn’t know how to make Michael understand that. Whimpering, she spread her legs for him, an invitation he couldn’t refuse.
He slid his hand down her stomach to the juncture of her thighs and began to rub her through her silk panties. The feelings that came rushing though Annabelle were like nothing she’d experienced so far, her panties were wet with her need for him, making Michael growl in his throat as he broke the kiss and moved his mouth to her breast.
Annabelle didn’t know which felt better, his hot mouth teasing her nipple or his finger rubbing her swollen clit. Then Michael pushed her panties aside and slowly slid his finger inside her, stretching her as he did, making Annabelle writhe beneath him. When he slowly slid his fingers out of her, she cried out in frustration, the building pressure suddenly gone.
Michael sat up and slid her panties off and threw them on the floor, his eyes traveling over her body, seeing all of her for the first time. Annabelle was curvy and soft in all the right places, none of her bones sticking out like so many women today. Her eyes were heavy with desire, her lids half closed as she watched him.
He pulled off his boxer shorts and laid back down next to her, turning her to face him. “I want you to touch me like I touched you.” He said, his hand sliding down her leg to her knees, then pulling it up and placing her foot flat on the bed.
Annabelle blushed feeling completely exposed to him, but when his hand drifted down the inside of her leg, desire flooded through her, erasing all the embarrassment she felt. When his fingers slid between her folds and began to stroke her clit, Annabelle thought she would explode with the rush of pleasure that flooded her body.
Gasping for breath, she grabbed Michael’s arm, her world suddenly turned upside down. Michael stilled his hand, then grabbed her wrist and guided it to his throbbing penis. She wrapped her fingers around him, amazed at how big he was, suddenly afraid that he’d hurt her. But then she moved her hand and Michael moaned with pleasure making her realize that she could bring him as much pleasure as he brought her.
There was a small drop of cum on the tip of his penis, she rubbed in into the tip, Michael’s growling reaction made it clear to Annabelle that Michael’s pleasure center was in her hand, giving her the power to please him. Stroking him she marveled that such a simple movement could bring him such pleasure.
But Michael knew he couldn’t stand much more, her reaction to his erection had pleased him almost as much as her hands had, but if she didn’t stop he’d lose it soon. Grabbing her hand, he said, “That’s enough, it feels good, too good.
He rolled her onto her back and his hand slid down her body to spread her legs again. She willingly opened her legs for him, knowing what was to follow, but instead of touching her, he moved between her legs, pulling them over his until she was spread open to him. His erection was just inches from her opening and she stiffened expecting him to take the next step and penetrate her.
She closed her eyes, embarrassed to be so exposed, but they flew open aga
in when Michael said, “I want you Annabelle. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you right now, but this might be uncomfortable at first.”
Annabelle was suddenly afraid of what was to come, but then Michael used his thumb to stroke her clit, he rubbed her in little circles until she felt the pleasure begin to build deep inside her. When he used the other hand to gently slide a finger inside her, she felt only pleasure and a satisfying full feeling. As the pleasure built inside her, Michael slid another finger inside her, stretching her further.
Michael continued to rub her clit, while he slid his fingers in and out of her, she instinctively spread her legs farther for him as waves of pleasure washed over her. As her orgasm built, Annabelle felt herself disconnecting from the world around her, only aware of the passion swirling between them. When the coil of pleasure became almost overwhelming, Annabelle crested, the heat in her loins exploding, making her entire body quiver with the force of her orgasm.
Michael gave her only long enough to catch her breath, then slid inside her as far as he could. Annabelle felt him filling her and a sharp pang of pain, but as her body stretched to accommodate him, she felt the desire begin to build again. It took all of Michael’s restraint not to move inside Annabelle, but once he felt her relax, he pulled out of her and slid back in.
She gasped with the intense pleasure his movement sent rushing though her. She’d never imagined it would feel this good, but with each gentle thrust it only got better. Her body had adjusted to Michael and as the pleasure built she wrapped her legs around his waist, opening herself to him even more.
Michael, unable to resist any longer, thrust himself into her once more, filling her deeper than ever before, grinding his hips into her as he did. Annabelle dug her nails into his shoulder as her orgasm ripped through her, wave after wave of pleasure radiating out from where Michael was joined to her.
I'll Be There: BWWM Romance (Brothers From Money Book 5) Page 9