The night was so much colder than it had been. In the truck, it had been on the verge of too hot. The soft breeze calmed the flame in her cheeks as she walked behind Matt, her fingers interlaced with larger ones. He drew her to the door and then they slipped into the darkness of Nora's house. She had been at the cottage for two days, but tonight it felt different. It wasn't a strange place where she didn't really belong, but was welcome. Tonight it was as if the whole feel was changed just by his presence. Just by Matt being here, she felt at home. Home. Something had changed. Irrevocably a switch had been flipped and she couldn't see her life or any place for that matter, without Matt.
He closed the door with a decided snap and he threw the bolt, why exactly she wasn't sure. They were out in the middle of nowhere after all. Still it was one less thing to interrupt this perfect moment. He took his hat off, dropped it on the coffee table, and continued towards her. His cowboy boots rang softly on the wood floor until he got to the rug. Her heart banged hard in her chest. It rose and fell in frantic anticipation. With two final steps, he was standing before her. She took her time looking him up and down. The only light in the room came from the bright moon outside and it was surreal in its measure. There was something desperately carnal in the way only shadows and lighted planes shown in the room. With one tilt of their features, either one of their faces was lost to the dark.
Matt stretched out his hand, one finger tracing the fine bones of her collar to the valley between her breasts. Andy swallowed hard, every ounce of her attention focused on the tip of his finger on her skin. Her chest rose and fell. Her breath quick and shallow. Every sense was begging for more. Even her core ached, readying itself for the sweet possession that would surely follow. She reached her hand out to touch him and met with his muscled chest. Tentatively her other hand found the buttons of his shirt and she released them from their fastenings. Fingertips met warm skin and she sighed. The wicked grin appeared on his handsome face again. Instinctively she lifted her lips for his to consume. He didn't though. He waited, suspending the kiss and increasing the tension. His voice broke the silence.
"This is going to change everything." It was matter-of-fact. It wasn't a question and she certainly couldn't deny it. They had slept together before. Bodies merging, senses satisfied and no expectations. This time it felt different to be sure. Andy raised her eyes to him, focusing on the half of his face bathed in the pale light. Stepping into him, her hands still pressed against his chest, Andy knew only the truth.
"I love you, Matt Johnson and yes, everything has changed." Her voice didn't shake, but her hands trembled. His were warm as they cupped hers. Her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her chest. Closing her eyes to still her quivering nerves, Andy felt Matt's lips press and tug at hers. She accepted. She begged to be lost in this all-consuming connection. Much to her relief, he did just that.
***
Was it possible to find heaven in the arms of another person? Matt wondered as he took in every inch of naked skin bathed in moonlight. Andy's eyes smoldered as she watched him watch her. He itched to possess her body as fully as he could and tonight she had said she loved him. Loved him! He pushed his jeans over his hips to the floor. Her sweet mouth fell open as her tongue moistened her lips. Tonight he was certain that she was the love of his life. His angel. With that filed away for action at little later date, Matt turned his full attention to the glory before him. Stepping forward until he met the end of the day bed in Andy's makeshift sleeping quarters, Matt reached out and took one small foot in his hand. He watched her eyes widen in surprise and he fought the grin that begged to spread across his face. Her eyes fell closed as he pressed firmly with his thumb against the arch of her foot. One foot in his hand and the other flat on the bed, he took his time to memorize every hill and valley of her lithe body. He knew she'd never believe him if he told her she was perfect, but she was to him.
Matt lowered his mouth to the delicate ankle bone and nipped at it. A sharp intake of breath was the only sound she made, but her eyes were on him again. Good. Slowly he made his way along her inner calf, up the soft sweep of her thigh and retreated just shy of the place she desperately wanted him. Instead of giving into her, he moved back down as unhurried as he had gone up. He smiled when he heard the frustrated groan when he didn't appease the ache that demanded the most attention. Releasing her foot to capture the other, Matt followed the same path he had made before. Again he retreated before reaching her pinnacle of womanhood and this time Andy was less inclined to groan as she was to act on her frustration. Pulling her foot from his hand, she placed flat on the bed to mimic the other. Lifting her hips up off the bed, Matt couldn't deny the less than subtle invitation and he chuckled.
"We have all night." His eyes focused on hers as he felt the mattress shift under his weight. Andy pressed her lips together and her hand cupped the side of his jaw as he leaned closer.
"We've been dancing around this for quite some time." Her fingers inched up his neck and burrowed into his hair. Gently, but insistently, Andy pulled his face closer to hers. "I want you more than I've wanted anyone in my life. I need you." The last words were punctuated by the nip of her teeth across his bottom lip and then she pressed her mouth against his. His entire body leapt at the words she spoke. Sweet desire flamed through his veins straight to his erection. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to refuse her request, Matt pulled her legs around his. He pressed open mouthed kisses to her stomach, his tongue delving into her belly button. She arched her back and lost herself in his attentions. Slowly with some mind to her torture, he navigated to her abdomen and along her feather soft inner thighs. Positioning himself at her core, he slipped first one finger in and followed it by another. She was wet and so very ready for him. He couldn't control the groan that rumbled in his throat.
Andy arched into his fingers, her hips moving in time. Her panting breaths grew shallow and frantic. Her tight sheath only grew wetter at his play. It was time. He couldn't wait much longer. She was so sweet and so sexy! Pressing the tip at her entrance, Matt met her lidded gaze. He paused a second, taking a deep breath and then he plunged into her. The primal need and desperate rhythm took him totally by surprise. It nearly shattered all control and he hurried to grab the reins. He had always been in control, but with Andy, nature took its course. There was something greater here than he could ever have known and it sent them rocketing for the oblivion just over the rise. All thought was lost. They navigated only by feeling and soon it had them reaching for the sheer moonlight and the last bits of stardust.
He stretched, his body more relaxed and sorer than he remembered ever being. He grinned at the sleeping woman resting in the crook of his arm. Her long hair thrown over his arm. Her lashes lay like dark crescents against her white skin. Andy looked so peaceful and happy. Their night had been one mindless coupling after another. Each time he had tried to go slowly, taking his time to build their passion, but then a frantic frenzy would take over from there. She had been there with him, so in sync with their orgasms. Thinking about it was mind boggling and amazing. Andy stretched against him, her eyes fluttering open. She smiled before kissing his lips.
"I was just dreaming." She said as she traced the outline of his nipple. Matt tilted his head.
"Were you?" He wanted to know what she had been dreaming. He wanted to be let into that inner sanctum. She nodded, pressing her lips to his bare chest.
"Mmmhmm. I was dreaming that Harper and I got our happily ever after." Andy settled back into his arms and he hugged her to him. He loved the feel of her warm skin against his own. Matt looked out the set of windows where it had been dark and was now bright with sunshine. He was sure it was midmorning.
"Can I be part of that ending, do you think?" He wasn't sure he should ask, but something compelled him to. He wanted to give her their happy ending. Matt shifted his body so she could see into his face. "I talked to my dad about the therapy school and he has offered to help. I want to make this dream work and I wan
t you and Harper to stay here with me." He knew it surprised her.
"I am happy that you are going to follow your dreams, Matt. Of course, I am." Her mouth open and closed as she tried to grasp exactly what to say. He waited. "Are you sure you want us stay?" Her green eyes were a bit troubled in the asking of that question. They both knew that they loved each other. Certainly there was no doubt. He recognized her fear of laying too many hopes on one person. Taking her fingers in his, Matt prayed for the right words.
"I want you both with me for as long as you will stay. My world wouldn't be complete without the both of you in it." He hoped she was ready for all he wanted to say. Laying naked in bed wasn't quite the ideal proposal scene so he refrained from spilling more of his true feelings.
"We'd like to stay." Andy smiled, lifting her shoulders a bit. "Um, can we not live with your parents?" Her slightly worried eyes made him chuckle and it brought on a full laugh. Realizing how funny that had sounded, Andy laughed too. Cupping the side of her cheek, Matt kissed her until the laughter was gone.
"I'll find us something." He said, searching her eyes for any more doubts. She kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his neck. He silently promised her that they would never be apart. This was not the end of all he wanted to ask her. For now, he let himself be pulled back into charms and he gladly gave himself to her.
***
Nora looked at her cell phone buzzing on the countertop while she fed Harper some warm cereal. The little girl's blue eyes blinked several times as she'd glance from the phone to her bowl. Nora shook her head and reached for the phone. Swiping the screen with her thumb, Nora let out a howl that caused Harper to widen her eyes and look as if she was going to cry. Realizing she shouldn't have been quite so loud, Nora set about cooing and feeding Harper more cereal. Lacey came running down the stairs into the kitchen and nearly slid around the end post before she came to a halt. Her hair wild about her face.
"What's wrong?" Her mom took one look at Nora and she narrowed her eyes. "What the hell was that for, Sonora?" Lacey pushed her hair back from her face while she stared her daughter down.
"You know I hate that name!" Nora growled, scraping the last of the cereal from the bowl. "I'm sorry. I was just caught a bit by surprise, although I shouldn't have been. I know better." Nora rambled on as she began cleaning the leftover bits off Harper's little fingers and chubby cheeks. Lacey screwed her face up in confusion waiting for her daughter to explain.
"Please don't tell me we are canceling this wedding too! Nora, we can't keep doing this." Lacey whined as she headed for the coffee pot where a fresh pot was brewing. Thank the Lord for coffee!
"No, no it's not that. Randy and I are still getting married tomorrow. It's just that...well," Nora picked up the empty bowl and carried it to the sink along with the wash rag. She met her mother's raised brows. "If things go right, you'll have another wedding to plan for!" Nora did a couple of dance steps and deposited the bowl in the sink. Lacey stared blankly at her daughter and then her eyes widened. Nora couldn't contain the gleeful giggle that bubbled out.
"You mean that Matt has..." Lacey gestured absently with her hands. Nora went back to Harper taking her position back in the chair.
"Harper's going to have a daddy!" She playfully pinched the baby's cheeks until she got a giggle out. Harper was a sweet, loving little girl. Nora couldn't wait to have her as a niece. She'd spoil the heck out of this little one. Lacey was quiet for a moment and then took out a mug to pour coffee into. Once she had her steaming cup, she pulled out a chair at the table and sat down.
"He proposed to Andy." Lacey said to herself, taking a sip. Nora rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"He hasn't proposed yet. He wants to do that today. She said they would stay with him if he moved here." Nora looked pointedly at her mother. "Which means, mother dearest, that Andy loved him, because she's sure as heck thinks you hate her." Nora leaned back in her chair.
"I don't hate her. I don't know her. It seems I was going about this in the wrong way." Lacey mused, taking another sip of coffee and letting out a sigh. "I knew he wanted to propose. I gave him your grandmother's engagement ring." Lacey met her daughter's blue eyes and saw the surprise.
"Grandmother's ring? You love that old thing. I can't believe you would give it to Matt." Nora shook her head. Lacey shrugged her shoulders.
"Why? Matt is entitled to it." Lacey set her mug down on the table. Nora smiled softly.
"I didn't think you liked Andy either. I'm just surprised that you'd give the ring to Matt knowing that he would give it to her." Harper began to fuss sitting in the high chair. Nora unclipped the tray and set Harper on her lap. The baby waved her arms in the air.
"He loves her, Nora. I'm thinking I made a mistake. Now, the question is how am I going to fix it?" Lacey looked at Harper and smiled. She had always loved babies. For all intents and purposes, Harper would be Matt's daughter. Her granddaughter.
"Well we might be able to do something about that. They are on their way over here. I think little brother could use a push in the right direction. Besides I am an extremely busy bride to be. I could use some help too." Nora grinned, the wheels already turning in her head. Lacey shook her head and sat down to listen to the plan.
***
Andy felt keenly reborn in a sense. Last night she had admitted, under no duress, that she loved Matt. He had asked her and Harper to stay here with him. She had agreed. It was going to be big adjustment, but something called to her here. The length of unending prairie, the beautiful pine trees, and the air so fresh and crisp that it cleansed with every breath. She wanted to stay. She wanted Matt. She wanted a home. Pressing her lips together, she tried to sit still on the truck seat. They bumped down the dirt road back towards Matt's childhood home.
Smoothing a hand over her jeans that were tucked into her tall suede boots, Andy tried to calm the butterflies flitting around in her stomach. She couldn't decide what to wear to a rehearsal for Nora's wedding and being that it was somewhere on the ranch, Andy felt she should at least be practical. Being that it was starting to get colder, she had chosen a black and silver top with a turquoise half sweater. Hair washed, blow dried, and straightened only took thirty minutes, but the look was chic and soft. Silver dangly earrings rounded out the outfit. She had gone back and forth hoping she wouldn't be under dressed or overdressed. Matt was no help at all, but he was wearing dark jeans and a white button up shirt. Andy felt a bit better.
"Would you stop fidgeting? You're beautiful and I love you." Matt reached across the seat and set his warm hand on top of hers. Andy smiled nervously, praying it wouldn't show once she was out of the car.
"I love you too. I'm just not very good at public functions and especially one as intimate as a wedding." Andy glanced down at their hands and she tipped hers palm up to thread their fingers together. Matt squeezed her hand in reassurance.
"I won't let you out of my sight. Besides Nora adores you and she'd be so disappointed if you weren't there." Matt turned into the driveway up to the ranch house. Andy took another breath and smiled. Matt's right. Nora is my friend and I need to be there. Glancing down to make sure she had grabbed her camera case for the candids Nora had asked her to take, she looked back at Matt.
"How are all the guests getting out the wedding site? Nora and Randy are getting married at the crossing pines spot in your story, aren't they?" Andy asked, wondering how far they'd all have to trek to get out there. As far as she knew it was out on the prairie somewhere.
"Yes, they are getting married at the crossing pines, where Samuel saw the light and bought the ranch. It really isn't a long way out there. There aren't any roads though. We usually go out there on horseback. I imagine with the thirty guests that are coming, someone will be ferrying them out in the wagon." He grinned, shrugging his wide shoulders. "I haven't been around for the wedding planning, so I'm as much in the dark as you." He chuckled at Andy's mock horror. She squeezed his hand.
"I think it’s romantic
really." Andy half whispered as she stared out the window. She missed Matt's thoughtful glance across her features. When she looked back, he was parking the truck in his normal spot near the fence. Squeezing her hand again, Matt opened his door and stepped out. Andy picked up the black camera case and did the same.
"Wonder what Raven and Miss Sioux are doing all saddled." Matt smiled down at her and captured her hand with his. Andy looked where he had indicated. Sure enough! The inky black Raven and the very patient black and white Miss Sioux stood next to the barn with their tack and saddles on. Andy shrugged her shoulders and followed him up the path to the porch and into the house.
Andy was insanely aware of the chaos exploding around them. Harper was sitting in her high chair, happily munching on what looked like flavored toddler puffs. Nora was standing on a short stool in her wedding dress with a wild expression on her face. Andy bit back a grin as Nora mouthed, "Get me out of this!" Matt wasn't so inclined to be nice. He laughed himself silly. Lacey was busy pinning the hem of the gown and scolding her daughter to hold still. Garrett was making himself a sandwich and Travis was leaning against the door frame between the kitchen and the living room.
"Little brother, if you don't stop that laughing, I am going to make you escort Randy's parents out to the crossing pines!" Nora glared at Matt, shaking her fist at him. Matt sobered up long enough to see that she wasn't kidding and he broke out in a roaring fit again. Garrett chuckled himself.
"Nora, stop twitching! I'm almost done." Lacey spit out as she shifted from knee to knee on the hard wood floor. Andy grimaced. This is crazy. She walked over to Harper, careful to stay out of the way and kissed her daughter on the head.
Black Hills Angel (Black Hills Series) Page 30