by Jill Sanders
“I’ve been thinking about getting naked with you all day.” She walked over and yanked his shirt open, sending buttons flying in every direction. They bounced and scattered all over the hardwood floor. He smiled and shook his head.
“You’re in trouble now.” He took her mouth and started to push her up against the wall.
“Mmmm, no. Shower first.” She pulled him towards the back hallway where the master bedroom held some of the best secrets of the small house.
When they walked into the bathroom that consumed the entire back wall, he laughed. “It’s bigger than the living room.”
“The sheriff claims he started to remodel it a few years back and went crazy.” She walked backwards and smiled at him. “There’s a Jacuzzi tub and the shower has thirteen shower heads.”
He moaned. “Bathroom of my dreams.”
She laughed. “That’s what I said when I saw it. One of the reasons I signed a six-month lease.”
She stripped off her pants and watched as he started to unbuckle his belt. When he sat down on the edge of the tub to remove his boots, she toed off her tennis shoes and wiggled her toes. It felt good, since she’d been on her feet for almost nine hours.
Then her mouth went dry as he started to slide his worn jeans down his narrow hips. His thigh muscles were bigger than she remembered. He was tall and lean, but still built like a boxer. Every muscle in his body was toned to perfection. She couldn’t stop herself from staring at him as he stood in front of her with nothing but a pair of boxers on.
“Well?” he asked, chuckling a little.
“Hmmm?” She couldn’t take her eyes from him.
“Missy,” he said, chuckling, “if you keep looking at me like that, this won’t last very long.”
She blinked a few times and realized she was almost drooling. Walking slowly towards him, she reached around for the snap of her bra, only to have him shake his head.
“No, let me.” He took a step towards her. “You make simple cotton look sexy as hell.” Then he reached for her and she started to shake. As his fingers lightly ran over her cotton bra, she was mesmerized by the fire in his eyes.
“Reece,” she whispered, not wanting to break the spell he had her in.
“Easy.” He used his hand on her lower back to bring her a step closer to him. When she felt his heated skin next to hers, she almost came undone. No man had ever made her feel so alive before, not by simply touching her.
Finally, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, melting her even farther. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he unfastened her bra. She watched his eyes as he looked at her.
When she reached for his boxers, he held still, and she could tell he was holding his breath in anticipation.
He was beautiful. Her eyes roamed over his naked body in wonder. Then he was tugging down her cotton panties and they were racing again. They walked backwards a few steps towards the large glass shower.
“How do you turn this thing on?” he said after a minute of turning knobs.
She chuckled and reached over to turn the right one, making sure to set the temperature to something that wouldn’t cool off the mood. “Here.” She pushed a button, turning on all the shower heads.
“Mmmm.” He leaned into the spray and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. “We may never leave this room.” She rubbed her hands over his chest as he claimed her mouth again. When he pushed her up against the cool tile walls, she moaned and took everything he offered.
His fingers gripped her hips as he turned her around. She held onto the tile walls as he ran his hands over her back until finally he reached lower to the place where she ached. Closing her eyes, she rested her head against the wall and held on until her toes curled.
“Tell me you want more,” he whispered into her ear. “Tell me you want me,” he said as he slipped on a condom.
“Yes,” she nodded, blindly. “More. Please. I need you.”
She gasped when he slipped into her. She felt her inner muscles scream with pleasure as he flexed inside her. Then he was slowly moving behind her as she gripped the walls. “Faster,” she moaned. “More.”
He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her shoulder, then gripped her hips and did as she asked.
“More,” she moaned over and over, tossing her head back and forth. She didn’t even know what she was asking for. All she knew was that she needed all of him.
He lengthened his strokes, went deeper, and still she craved him. Then he leaned closer, his slick skin against hers and placed a fingertip on her clitoris, and she exploded around him.
“My turn.” He chuckled and turned her around. He helped her place one leg up on the long tile bench along the back shower wall and spread her legs wide, holding onto her so she wouldn’t slip and fall. “Hang onto me, baby.” His fingers tightened on her thighs as he slid once more into her.
Her shoulders were up against the tile as the water massaged their bodies. She opened her eyes and blinked some water out and focused on his face. His green eyes were bright as he watched her face. He was building her up again and she found it utterly fascinating that she could recover that quickly. Throwing her head back, she succumbed to her desires and convulsed around him once more.
Her arms went lax on his shoulders, her knees and legs felt like rubber, yet he still held her up, pinned against the tile walls, one leg still on the seat, one barely touching the ground as he pounded in and out relentlessly.
“Please,” she asked when she felt herself building.
He laughed, actually laughed at her, causing her eyes to open. “I told you, you were in trouble.” He smiled, then leaned down and claimed her mouth in a kiss that had her climbing faster than before.
“Come with me,” she begged, feeling herself about to slip.
“Mine,” he growled out finally as she convulsed a third time.
Reece’s ears were buzzing. His hands and feet felt numb and even his heart betrayed him by skipping a few beats.
“Damn,” he said, still keeping his eyes closed.
Missy chuckled. The rich sound vibrated in the tile shower. The warm water still hit him in the middle of the back, both of his thighs, and several other spots that felt too good for him to want to move just yet.
“I’ve really got to install one of these in my new place.”
She pulled back quickly, almost causing him to slip on the wet tile.
“Your new…Did you get the Jones’s place?”
He nodded and a smile crossed her face. “Well, congratulations are in order.”
“I thought that’s what we were just doing.” He smiled.
She playfully pushed him on the shoulder. “Here, we need some soap.” She grabbed a handful of creamy liquid from a rather large bottle and began scrubbing her wet hair.
The smell of her soap was intoxicating. He took over for her and started to rub the bubbles in her long honey hair. She turned away from him and leaned her head back, enjoying his touch. He ran his eyes over her and couldn’t help but smile. She was so different than any other woman he’d ever been with. He’d never showered with anyone before, never gone on a picnic, or even spent the whole night with someone else.
He’d never thought to do those things before. Until now. When she turned around and started rubbing the soap over him, his thoughts came back to being with her right now.
When they stepped out of the shower and dried off, he wondered how he’d convince her to allow him to spend the night. She’d pulled on a pair of tight gray cotton pants and a red University of Texas shirt, making him remember who he was with and the lines that separated them. She was an educated woman who had spent years becoming a nurse. He had barely graduated high school and had gone on to ride in the rodeo. The plans he’d been dreaming about in his head came to an abrupt halt.
“Have you had dinner?” she asked him after he’d pulled on his shirt and jeans.
He looked over and shook his head no. “I was working on fixin
g the corral so I can start busting tomorrow.”
“So soon?” She frowned a little.
He smiled. “I did get clearance from my doctor. Even if the nurse doesn’t agree with him.”
She pouted a little and crossed her arms over her chest. “I still think you could use another week.” He shrugged and reached for his boots.
“What do you say to some food?” She walked over and took his hands before he could put his boots back on.
“Sure, I guess I could eat,” he said, casually trying to hide the fact that his stomach had been growling before their shower.
“Great. I’ve got a new recipe that I’ve been dying to try out.”
“Are you a good cook?” he asked, following her into the small kitchen.
“I won’t burn it, if that’s what you’re worried about.” She smiled at him, looking over her shoulder. She took two bottles of cold beer from the fridge and popped the top on one and handed it to him. “Sit. Drink. Watch.” She nodded towards a bar stool.
“I could help.” He took a large drink from the bottle and smiled.
“No, I got this. Sit.” She smiled as she put on a Texas star apron and got to work.
She moved around the small kitchen with quick and fluid motions. She was as efficient as a chef as she was as a nurse. No motion was wasted. Soon the small place smelled wonderful, and he felt his stomach begin to growl even more.
“I can set the table,” he said, taking the dishes and silverware from her.
“Okay, have at it.” She leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek.
When they finally sat down at the table to a large spread of garlic chicken, spiced rice, mixed veggies, and a pan of corn bread, he realized it was the first time a woman had cooked him a meal. He was happily surprised to find that the food was as good as what you get at Mama’s.
Over dinner, they chatted about his plans for his new place.
When both of their plates were empty, she took his hand and whispered, “Stay the night.”
And for the first time in his life, he knew exactly what he wanted.
Chapter Eight
Reece was covered in sweat. That night, he’d received the worst beating his father had ever delivered. Blood had dripped from his nose and lip, and he had avoided looking at himself in the mirror for fear of passing out. he had no idea what he’d done to set his father off. Other than existing.
Ryan typically avoided the worst of their father’s wrath, but this time, his brother had stepped in and taken a worse beating than he had.
They had talked about ganging up on the old man once, but fear had overridden their plans. Their father wasn’t beyond taking a belt to them the next time if they stood up for themselves, even if they were sixteen.
Now, his entire body shivered as he heard his father return home. After the beating, he’d jumped in his beat-up truck and driven into town, no doubt heading to Ray’s Bar to drink away his guilt. Both boys knew that it didn’t mean the beating was over and feared for his final return that night.
When the truck door slammed shut, both boys jumped in their beds.
“Do you think he’ll come in?” he asked Ryan.
“I don’t know. Shhh,” he said, as they listened to their father struggle to open the front door.
Reece lay there breathing hard and listening to his father stumble around the house. When their bedroom door opened, it was dead quiet. He felt his heart skip as his father sat on Ryan’s bed.
He waited with his eyes squeezed shut for the sound of his father yelling or the crack of his hand on Ryan’s flesh, but instead he heard his father start to cry. He peeked his eye open and watched his father lift Ryan from his bed and hug him.
“I’m sorry, boy,” he cried over and over again. Even then, Reece didn’t chance moving. He knew that the bond between his brother and his father was different than the one he and his father shared. While his father might apologize to Ryan, he had no doubt that he’d turn around and slap him.
So, he lay there in his bed and listened to his father apologize to his brother for the beating they had both received, and when their bedroom door shut, he cried himself to sleep silently.
“Reece?” Someone was shaking him. “Are you okay?” He reached out and took the comfort that was given to him, wrapping his arms around Missy and pulling her close. “It’s okay,” she kept saying in his ear. “I’m here.”
He must have fallen back to sleep holding her. When he woke again, her hair was smothering him. He brushed it aside and looked over at her. She was beautiful in the early morning light. Her hair was tangled and a mess, but it still smelled wonderful from their shower. When he ran his hand over it, it was silky smooth. He felt her stir in his arms and smiled when her blue eyes opened.
“Good morning,” she said, leaning up and placing a kiss on his lips. His heated blood began to boil.
“Yes, it is.” He reversed their positions until he was looking down at her. Now her hair was fanned out over the white pillow; her smile grew and her eyes sparkled.
He leaned down and took her mouth again and wondered if he’d ever tire of the feel and taste of her. When he slipped into her, she moaned and wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer.
They made love slowly as the sun heated the room and then enjoyed showering each other once again in the large shower. She grabbed a clean pair of scrubs and tied her hair up and looked as fresh as could be as she toasted him some bread and chatted about her plans for the day. He sat there in his dusty jeans and shirt, thinking about how his first horse was arriving in less than an hour. He couldn’t explain the excitement that ran through his veins.
“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?” She smiled across the table at him.
“Hmm?” He looked at her, his mind snapping to attention. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head.
She laughed. “It’s okay. I’m sure you’re totally pumped for today.” She shook her head. “It takes a strong man to be a cowboy, but busters are a different breed.” She reached over and took his hand. “Just don’t let me catch you visiting the clinic again.” She squinted until he finally answered with a “Yes, ma’am.”
When they stepped out on the front porch, he was happy to note that there wasn’t a soul around. Hopefully, he could walk her to the clinic and get back to his truck, which he’d parked half a block from her place last night, without anyone seeing them together. He really did care what people thought of her. He didn’t want the whole town talking about them.
They were half a block from the clinic when he spotted the sheriff’s truck around the corner near the diner. He groaned inwardly and held onto Missy’s hand tighter.
“What?” She stopped talking about horses and glanced at him. When he nodded to the sheriff, who was now slowing down and rolling his window down to talk to them, she smiled.
“Did you really think it would remain a secret?”
“I had hoped,” he said right before the sheriff called out.
“Morning, you two.” He stopped his truck right in front of them. “Lovely morning for a walk.” The old man didn’t miss a beat. Reece saw him notice his day-old clothes and he knew without a doubt that Stephen Miller was no fool.
“Morning, Sheriff. They say we’re supposed to get a spring storm in the next few days. We have to enjoy the blue skies while we can,” Missy said. Her smile was extra bright this morning.
“I’d heard you were back in town, Reece. Also heard you made a bid for the Jones’s place.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be closing the end of next week.”
“That soon?” The sheriff pushed his Stetson farther back on his head. “Whew. They sure do move things fast nowadays.”
He nodded. “The place has sat empty for over a year.”
“Has it been that long?” He smiled. “I can hardly believe how time flies. It was just yesterday I was picking Melissa here up off the road after she’d scraped her knees running too fast.”
Reece saw the loo
k the sheriff gave him and got the man’s meaning clear enough. He was treading on thin ice and the good sheriff wanted to make it clear that he was watching out for her.
He nodded, since no other words were needed.
“Well, I’ll let you two kids get back on your way. Melissa, tell your folks Jamella and I would love to come to dinner this weekend.”
“Will do.” Melissa smiled and waved as the sheriff drove off. “Whew. I think you got off easy.” She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
He laughed. “Considering the man carries more ammo than most Texans, I guess you could say that.”
“So…” She looked up at him through her eyelashes. “What do you say to dinner this Friday?”
He smiled and pulled her close. “Your place or mine?”
“I was thinking my folks’ place.”
He stiffened and frowned. “Your parents?”
“Sure, it’s a standing offer every Friday night. I think Grant and Alex are coming with the baby this weekend.”
“Well, I don’t…”
“Don’t go turning skittish on me now. If you can stare down a mean bronc, then you can have one dinner with my family.”
“And the sheriff,” he added.
She laughed. “Yes, and the sheriff. And don’t forget Jamella.”
He shivered. “I don’t know who’s worse…”—he took her hand and started walking towards the front door of the clinic—“your dad, your brother, the sheriff, or Jamella.” He turned to her and placed a kiss on her nose. He smiled when she laughed.
Melissa was in over her head. She knew she needed to call for backup, but she didn’t dare waste the time. It had been two days since Reece had stopped by her place and they’d spent what she was starting to think of as the best night of her existence.
Now she was down on her hands and knees and wishing she had a man around more permanently. She tossed her gloves down and glared at the betrayal that was her new yard.
When she’d moved in, the grass had been green and all of the flowers had been in early spring bloom. Now, however, the grass was quickly turning brown and most of the flower bushes were black and shriveled up. How was it that she could keep a human alive with no issues, but she took one look at anything green and it shriveled up and died on her?