by Amy Brent
Leo’s mouth drew a teasing trail of soft kisses across my jaw and down my neck, making me writhe beneath him as a sweet languorous feeling filling my body until it felt like I was moving in warm honey.
I blinked my eyes half open at the feel of his warmth leaving but the heavy-lidded look he shot me heated me back up again. He started at my feet, easing off my boots before sliding his callused palms back up my calves, the back of my knee, the sensitive skin of my thighs. Leo didn't stop until he reached the button of my shorts, unbuttoning them with an infuriating slowness before sliding them down my hips.
Piece by piece he stripped me. His brows were furrowed in concentration and his dark eyes drank in the sight of every new inch of skin that was revealed as I lost my top, and then bra, and finally the little lace scrap of panties until I was completely nude beneath him.
I reached out to return the favor but he stopped my hands.
“Well, that’s not fair,” I pouted, “You get to see me naked. I should get to see you.”
“Not yet, sunshine,” Leo said on a hoarse chuckle. He looked up at me, wicked and so handsome it hurt, “I’m dying for a taste of you.”
I grew even wetter at his words, gasping as he bent down. He trailed kisses all over my body like I was the feast and he was starving. My shoulders, down across my chest. He paused to give special attention to my nipples, lathing them with his tongue until they were hard points before moving on.
He didn’t leave any patch of skin untasted as he continued his kissing, adding hungry nips as he made his way further south. This time he didn’t stop until he was wedged between my thighs as I writhed beneath him.
“Hell, Leo. You’re killing me.” My words were strained as I hitched my hips, begging silently for more.
He shot me a sinful grin, “Not yet, sunshine.”
His hands slipped underneath me, pulling me even closer to his waiting mouth and he didn’t give me a moment’s warning before his tongue swept over me, drinking me in. I threw my head back as the pleasure exploded over me.
Instinctively, my hips moved, trying to get closer to him or pulling away I couldn’t tell but Leo held me still as he lapped at my clit, every lick like an electric shock to my system. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, all the air in the world had evaporated and all that was left was Leo and his wicked mouth.
I groaned, long and loud when he thrust one finger inside my quivering pussy. A moment later he added another, all the while his tongue was still torturing me with wet lashes against my most sensitive bundle of nerves.
He pumped his fingers deep inside, just leaving them there as his mouth devoured me. The sudden lack of motion was driving me insane and I knew I couldn’t take another moment.
In one quick movement, I had my hands at his shoulders, pushing him onto his back as I straddled him. No more teasing. I wanted him and damn it, I was going to have him. Now.
“Hell, sunshine. If you wanted me all you had to do was ask,” Leo drawled, smirking up at me.
"I want you," I said softly, and Leo's grin slowly faded, replaced by a heat so intense it burned me. We were both tearing at his clothes then, desperate to get closer, to get rid of any barrier keeping us apart.
I barely waited to push his jeans and boxers down far enough before I was straddling him again, my thighs on either side of his and in one smooth move, I sank down on top of him. We both threw our heads back at the slow slide, the friction as his thick erection filled me to the brim.
I stayed there for a moment, feeling him stretching me, taking every hot inch as my muscles clenched deep inside, drawing him even deeper. And then I started to move.
Head back, eyes closed, I arched my back and rode him. My hips bruised against his as I slammed him inside me. Over and over, my pussy swallowed his cock, the sensitive muscles spasming with every slide until we were both breathless and desperate.
Bright lights like fireworks flashed behind my eyelids and my mind was nothing but a red haze centered solely on the spot where our bodies merged together. Pleasure so intense it was almost pain swept through me, stealing the last of my breath from my lungs as I cried out Leo’s name.
The orgasm shook my whole body, taking me along for a ride as Leo continued to thrust, waiting out my pleasure before grabbing my hips and flipping us over without ever losing contact.
Suddenly I was on my back, still reeling from the pleasure as he lifted my legs, bracing them against his shoulders before shooting me a dark, heated look.
“Baby, you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Leo gasped the words on a deep groan as he took me again, the new angle making me cry out in pleasure even as my climax still echoed through me.
“You’re not too bad yourself,” I managed, and he let out a gravelly chuckle but it faded fast as he pulled almost all the way out my body, only to ram home again.
“I’m going to make you come again, sunshine. You ready for that?” The sinful words sent chills racing through me, “I want to feel that sweet pussy of yours come all over me. I want to feel you come while I’m buried so deep inside you you’ll never forget the way my cock feels, taking you, filling you up.”
Leo punctuated every word with his body, thrusting as he spoke and it was enough to have me trembling beneath him once more. He didn’t stop. He didn’t slow down. He moved his hips like a piston, taking me harder and faster until all I could feel was the sharp pleasure at the end of each thrust and the sweet slide of friction before he was buried deep again.
This time, it hit me like a ton of bricks, my orgasm slamming into me, sweeping through my body so fast I couldn’t think. My pulse pounded in my ears, my pussy clamped down like a vice on Leo’s erection, holding it where it was nestled deep inside me.
A second later, I felt him shudder over me, his cum erupting inside me, and it sent off another wave of aftershocks that drew out for a long moment while we both clung to each other.
I was still shaking as he collapsed on top of me, I breathed deep, inhaling and drawing his unique scent deep into my lungs before he rolled onto the grass next to me.
Our fingers were twined together and Leo drew our clasped hands to his lips, laying a soft kiss on my knuckles before laying back, eyes closed, a small satisfied smile playing around the corners of his mouth.
I didn't realize I wore the same smile on mine but as I looked over at him, exhausted and happy, it grew even wider. Pleasure arced through my body in aftershocks as the sun-drenched us both, the grass underneath me cool and damp. Perfect. The moment was perfect. I wanted more moments like these. A hundred more.
Before the thought had even registered, I was turning my head, opening my mouth, the words falling out into the air between us.
“What are we?”
Leo cracked his eyes open, glancing at me sideways. His voice was stilted when he finally spoke, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, what are we? What is…this?” I gestured between us, a part of me already regretting the questions as I watched Leo’s expression shutter closed and his eyes dart away.
“This is what it’s always been, sunshine. Fun.”
“Fun?” I repeated his word and it felt alien in my mouth, “Just fun?”
Leo froze beside me, growing stiff as a board before leaping to his feet.
“I, uh, I gotta get back to the bar. Stella said she needed help with…something.”
“Okay, sure. That’s fine.” I said softly, not believing either of our lies. “See you later?”
“Yeah, later.” And then he was gone. The sunshine that had warmed my skin just a moment ago now felt icy and cold and I hurried to put my clothes back on before racing inside. Work. That’s what I needed. Maybe if I work hard enough I’d be able to forget the look on Leo’s face. I could only hope.
Chapter 18
Leo
“Stella, can I get another beer?” At least, that’s what I thought I said. Judging by Stella’s look, it might have come out a bit more slurred
that I’d planned. But she must have still been able to understand it because a moment later she plopped another pint of beer in front of me before shaking her head.
“Are you going to drink your whole paycheck today, stud? Because you’re doing a pretty good job of it so far.”
“Just keep ‘em coming, sweet thing.”
“Your flattery is no good here, Leo. You know that.”
“I do. And I can’t tell you how disappointed that fact makes me.”
Stella snorted, still shaking her head as she slapped her towel at the bar top. “Uh huh. I bet you’re real heartbroken about it.” She was still chuckling to herself as she walked to the other end of the bar, taking orders and making drinks.
It was a shame. Her company had kept the thoughts at bay for a minute. I glared down at the beer in front of me. That was supposed to be the alcohol's job but damned if it didn't seem to be working. In fact, the more I drank, the harder it was to ignore Quinn's words. What are we? What is this?
And then my own answer. Fun. I snorted into my beer. Fun didn’t even begin to describe what they were. But then what the hell did? What was the right answer? Because I sure as hell didn’t have it.
I could still see Quinn’s face, the way her smile had faded like a flower withering away. I wanted to see that happiness again. I hated the fact that I had chased that smile away. I knew I was squarely to blame. But damned if I knew what to do about it.
I took another deep pull of the cold beer but it did nothing to still the restlessness inside me. Not the type of restlessness that normally tugged at me, demanding that I move on to the next place, pushing me away from a place.
This time it was different. Instead of running away from something, it was pulling me towards something. Like a magnet was planted deep in my chest, drawing me back to it again and again. Drawing me towards Quinn.
That revelation was still dawning on me when I heard boot steps clomping towards me a second before I felt a hard clap on my back. I glanced to the side as Jonah took a seat next to me and nearly threw my hands up in the air. Today just wasn’t my day.
Ever since that day in the tower, he’d been looking at me with a new light of suspicion in his eyes and it made my skin itch. But all I could do was force a grin to my lips and toss it in his direction.
"Hey, Jonah. Got off of work early today?"
“We finished up ahead of schedule. Boss let everyone take the rest of the day off.” Jonah gave me a long, considering look, “Looks like you started early yourself.”
I tilted my pint glass in his direction, slopping some of the amber liquid on the bar top as I shot him a hard grin, “I’m trying to drown my sorrows.”
“Well, when it comes to you, there’s only one type of sorrow. A woman?” Jonah raised his hand in a wave to Stella, waiting for his beer and his answer but damned if I knew what to say.
“Of course it’s a woman.” I finally spluttered, and Jonah let out a chuckle.
“It’s always the same with you, Leo. You’ll never learn.”
"Learn what? Please, enlighten me oh wise one," Sarcasm filled my voice as I egged Jonah on but he just grinned ruefully as he took his drink, setting it in front of him on the bar as he thought for a moment.
“You go through women like wine, but the problem is, you can’t survive on wine alone,” He finally said, “You need water to survive.”
I looked at him for one minute ticked into two, “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Look, just forget I even said anything, alright?”
“Are you blushing, Jonah?” I teased, slapping him on the shoulder, “Makes me think my women troubles are nothing compared to yours.”
Jonah rolled his eyes, identical to Quinn’s, “I’m not going there. Don’t even bring it up.”
I threw my hands in the air. I knew he had some sort of complicated relationship but he never talked about it, and I was more than happy with that arrangement. I had always been content to let Jonah keep his business secret, and I would keep my business my own as well. But something was different now, just under the surface. I had known him long enough to know when something was eating at him.
“Well, I won’t bring it up,” I finally said, “But you know I’m here if you need anything.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate. It’s not going to fucking happen. But I still appreciate it.”
I shrugged, turning back to my beer and we both drank in silence for a moment but then the memories were back. Like an itch I couldn’t scratch. What Quinn had said, what she’d asked me. What I’d answer. I’m such a fucking asshole.
“You got that right,” Jonah said on a chuckle and I realize I must have spoken that last thought out loud. “But what are you being an asshole about this time?”
For a full minute, I thought about blowing off the question. Not answering. It would be better that way. Safer that way. But then a sudden thought struck me, probably induced by the several beers I'd already sucked down. Jonah was the perfect person to ask about Quinn. If only I could figure out a way to do it that didn't end up with me bleeding out on the floor of Lucky's.
With a deep breath, I turned in the barstool until I faced Jonah, laying it all out. Well, as much as I could without inciting my best friend to murder, of course.
“Listen, I have this…problem. There’s this woman I’ve been sort of seeing.”
"Uh huh. And what? Did she catch you with another girl? Found out you really are an asshole?"
“No, no, uh, nothing like that. It’s just that, I like her. She’s fun and sweet and generous and sexy as hell,” I shook my head, unaware of the small goofy smile that was curling up one corner of my mouth as I spoke, “I like being around her. But she asked, you know, what we were. What the fuck does that even mean?”
“What did you say to her?”
“Well, that it was fun. That we were just having fun.”
Jonah burst out laughing, and it wasn’t a kind sound.
“You know what, fuck you. I don’t need your advice anyway.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just that no woman wants to hear that she’s ‘just fun’.” Jonah shook his head, “I wouldn’t worry about it though. Another week and you’ll be on to the next one.”
“It’s not like that, man,” I said, struggling to explain it to Jonah. Hell, I couldn’t even explain it to myself, “I don’t…I don’t want to move on to the next one. I want to try and make this right with her. I like being with her, you know? I fucked up, I just don’t know how to fix it.”
Jonah went silent and it wasn't until I glance over at him that I realized he was staring at me wide-eyed.
“Shit. You’re serious.” He said slowly, “You’re actually serious. Leo Delaney, asking me for relationship advice. Hell, Leo Delaney in a relationship. I think hell just froze over.”
“Shut up, man.” I started to turn away but Jonah stopped me.
“No, sorry. It’s just surprising, that’s all.” Jonah’s expression grew thoughtful, “If you’re really serious about her, just be honest, you know? Tell her the truth about how you feel. That you care about her.”
I looked over at him, “That’s it? That’s your big advice?”
“What were you thinking? Chocolates and diamonds and flowers?”
“Well, yeah,” I said on a shrug, “basically.”
“You can’t bribe her, Leo. Believe me, just tell her the truth. Tell her how you feel.”
“What if I don’t know how I feel?”
“Well, figure it out then, Sherlock.” Jonah drank the last of his beer before turning to him with a questioning look in his eyes, “So, who is she?”
“What?”
“Who’s the mystery girl who’s got you wrapped around her little finger?”
I took a long drink, not answering Jonah’s question. Anything I say could tip him off.
“You gonna keep it a secret from me? Your best friend?”
Jonah shook his head, getting to his feet and slapping a bill on the bar, “Alright, fine. Keep your secret. But I’m going to keep digging until I find out who she is.”
“You probably shouldn’t do that,” I finally managed, but it was too late. Jonah was already gone. That was exactly what I did not need, Jonah uncovering the truth about me and Quinn. And now, I’d sent him down that path. Great. Everything was just fucking great.
Chapter 19
Quinn
I ran my hand along the rows of books as I walked down the shelf-lined aisle of the library. It was the same as it had always been. Just like everything else in this town. Nothing seemed to change. Except for me.
I wasn't the same girl who use to run wild with her brother through the springs anymore. I wasn't the trouble-making teenager who didn't know how to say no to a dare anymore. Neither was I Quinn Moore, college graduate and successful entrepreneur, like I thought I would be when I finally made it back to this place.
No, I wasn’t any of those people. To be honest, I didn’t know who I was anymore. I knew what I wanted. I wanted to turn the ranch into a successful bed and breakfast. And damn it, I wanted Leo. And that was the problem.
Because he doesn’t want you. The insidious whisper had dread seeping through me, the same dread that I’d been carrying around with me since yesterday in the garden. He does. Just, maybe not as much as I want him.