Cowboy Payback

by Donna Michaels

  It took him a moment to realize the woman shaking against him was no longer crying, but laughing.

  “Way to clear the driveway.” She giggled against his chest.

  He slid his hands down to cup said ass and aligned their hips. “It’s the truth. Your posterior is sweet.”

  “Thanks,” she said on a sigh as she moved out of his arms. “But I’m not feeling so sweet. I feel like a jerk. I was mean to you, and you were only trying to help. I’m sorry. You deserve better.”

  “Come on.” Reaching for her hand, he entwined their fingers and led her across the property to his cabin. Once they stepped onto the porch, he turned to cup her face. “First of all, Trisha, what I deserve is you. What I want is you. You got that? Are we clear?” He stared into her watery gaze, and after she hiccupped an okay, he continued. “Nobody’s perfect. Hell, I’m so far from perfect my middle name should be Erroneous.”

  This garnered him a laugh and a hug as she burrowed into him and sighed, pressing her soft, warm curves against him, until the rest of his speech dissipated with his ability to think.

  She lifted on tiptoe and brushed his ear with her mouth. “Brett?”

  “Yeah?” he replied, voice shaky as she tugged his shirt from his pants and slid her hands underneath to stroke his abs.

  “Can I get you naked now?”

  He sucked in a breath, which left his mouth open for speech, but he was still drawing a blank, except for one thought, he wanted to get her naked, too.

  “I want you,” she said, dragging her mouth across his jaw to his lips. “So much.”

  Ah…hell, he had more he’d wanted to say, but couldn’t concentrate, could never concentrate on anything other than satisfying their physical need, whenever she touched him, kissed him.

  “Please…”

  Begged him.

  His control snapped. He brought his hands up to hold her head and kissed her long and deep, sliding his tongue against hers. God, he loved the sexy sounds she made and the way she trembled in his arms, like maybe she couldn’t get enough of him either.

  Sliding one hand down her back, he cupped her ass again and fumbled for the door knob with the other. The things he wanted to do to her luscious body were not legal in public. Mouth still devouring hers, he opened the door and brought them inside.

  The instant she opened her eyes, she stiffened, then drew back with a gasp. “Oh, wow, Brett…”

  Caught off guard, he blinked at her, having not deployed his “oh wow, Brett” tactic as of yet. That’s when the room came into focus, and he remembered the list he’d given to Stacy.

  “You did this for me?” she asked in a wobbly voice.

  He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I thought maybe we could do the rose petals and candles—and whipped cream—justice this time.”

  “Don’t forget the chocolate syrup and condoms.” She sniffed.

  His arousal twitched at her words. “Oh, believe me, I’ve not forgotten them. Nor the champagne. And this time, we have a lot less candles that we have to light ourselves. I didn’t want the place to burn down before we had the chance to heat it up.” He walked to the bottle chilling on the nightstand and proceeded to pour them each a glass.

  “We definitely don’t want that.”

  Laughing, she locked the door and closed the blinds as he lit the candles, wanting to get back to the part where she was scorching his body with her curves and dehydrating his brain.

  “Here you go,” he said, handing her a flute. “To the most beautiful woman in the world, thank you for putting up with me this summer.”

  “Are you kidding? Thanks for helping me, pretending to be my fiancé, giving me a place to stay…and multiple orgasms, of which I sure hope there are more to come.”

  “Oh, hell yeah, Trisha, you are going to come a lot more. Starting now.”

  He clinked his glass to hers, then drank his champagne straight down before setting his empty flute on the nearby fireplace mantel. The need to haul her close was too strong to take his time with the drink. He turned to find her sipping her champagne, watching him over the rim of her glass, desire flaming her eyes a brilliant blue.

  He nearly lost it right there.

  “You know what I like about that toast, Brett?” she asked, setting her half-empty glass near his on the mantel.

  Because he’d lost the ability to speak, he just shook his head, doing his best to remember how to breathe.

  “I like the ‘come a lot more’ part.”

  Yeah, that was his favorite part, too.

  She pushed him back against the wall before outlining his lips with her tongue, zapping brain cell after brain cell with each stroke. “Thank you for this…”

  Groaning, he sucked her tongue into his mouth, reveling in her hunger, matching her stroke for stroke. She was hot and hungry, and ah hell, so was he, kissing her solid, and frantic, and deep. When they drew apart for air, he realized their hands had been as busy as their mouths.

  Somehow, she managed to untie his bow tie and unbutton his shirt, and his hands had been busy, too, because when she stepped back, her dress slid to her feet, revealing the sexiest damn strapless bra and panties he’d ever seen.

  Black lace covered light blue satin, the same color as her dress, and when she turned around to grab her champagne, he sucked in air as his erection throbbed at the sight of the lace outlining two beautiful, round, mouthwatering cheeks.

  “I take it you like my surprise?” She smiled as she stepped toward him, glass in hand.

  “Hell, yeah,” he said, voice rough because his whole body was tight and throbbing. “Thank you.”

  Had he known she wore the sexy getup underneath her dress the whole damn day, he would’ve been an unfunctioning idiot, and he hadn’t been too far off that to begin with, not with her sexy glances and touches all day long.

  Her smile grew wicked. “I hope this tux isn’t a rental,” she said, and before her words had a chance to sink in, she tipped her glass and emptied the rest of her champagne on his chest.

  He had to admit, he was surprised the bubbly hadn’t evaporated on contact; she had him so hot the liquid sizzled as it slid down his torso.

  “Mmm…” Grasping his sides, she leaned in and proceeded to lick his body clean, dropping to her knees to pay special attention to his belly button.

  Damn…

  The sight of her kneeling in that sexy outfit with those high, do-me heels nearly shot off his rocket. He had to have her, had to taste her.

  Now.

  He hauled her to her feet and cupping those mouthwatering cheeks, drew her in close and thrust against her as he kissed her fast and fierce. She moaned and thrust back, and heaven help him, he could feel the heat between her legs through the tux’s thin fabric.

  “Condom,” she rasped out when they drew apart again. “We need a condom, now.”

  “No,” he said, lifting her up to set her on the trunk he used as a coffee table. “Not yet. I have to taste you.” Then he dropped to his knees and brushed his mouth down her neck, licking and tasting on his way to the two perky nipples peaking through the lace, trying to escape.

  He helped.

  Reaching behind her, he unhooked the strapless bra, watching her gorgeous breasts rejoice with a bounce at their newfound freedom.

  She leaned back on her hands and arched up in invitation. He was right on board, and cupping both beauties in his hands, he brought one tip into his mouth and rubbed the other with his thumb. A low, needy sound escaped her throat, and he felt it straight through to his groin. Switching sides, he did it again, readily admitting he’d never tire of hearing her moans.

  “Brett…I need…”

  She writhed in front of him as he hooked his fingers in the pretty lace at her hips and followed it down her leg with his mouth. Slipping the panties over her heels, he looked up and groaned.

  Warm, sexy, curvy, wet woman met his gaze. He grabbed her ankle and set her heel on the trunk, opening her up. “I’ve been ach
ing to taste you all damn day,” he said, gently brushing her glistening folds with his thumb before leaning in to take over with his mouth.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Trisha gasped and lifted her hips, and Brett couldn’t get enough. “You taste good, Trisha.”

  As he continued to taste and lick, her hands cupped his head and she rocked into him, the sound of her heels clicking off the trunk echoing her pleasure throughout the room.

  Sampling different spots, he loved the sexy, needy sounds he ripped from her throat. She murmured and trembled and demanded.

  God, he loved when she demanded.

  The woman hardly ever commanded in life, always gave. Never took. It was time she received.

  Loving how she looked spread out before him, damp and quivering and beautiful, he wanted to fulfill her every need. Give her the release she desired. Take her over the edge. Nuzzling and licking, he built her orgasm until she cried out and burst.

  After a few moments, her long, sexy moan subsided and grip on his head loosened, so he brought her down gently, stroking her hips with his thumbs before he slowly drew back.

  Breathing heavy, she lifted up onto her elbows and stared at him, eyes deliciously dark with heat. “Please tell me you have that condom handy. The nightstand is too far away.”

  He dug his wallet from his back pocket and withdrew the foil wrapper a second before she slid off the trunk and pushed him so his butt hit the floor and back hit the couch.

  “I’ve been aching to do this all damn day,” she said, undoing his pants and freeing his heavy erection. “Something tells me you have, too.”

  He choked out a laugh. “Ya think?”

  Then she ripped the packet open and sheathed him, making him pant and sweat and cross his eyes by the time she was done.

  “No more waiting.” With her knees on either side of his hips, she positioned his tip at her center, then slowly lowered herself down, taking him all the way in.

  “Ah, hell, Trisha. You feel good,” he said, gripping the curve of her hips in an attempt to hold onto his control as her cry of intense pleasure filled the room.

  He wasn’t going to last long.

  Using her hands to brush his opened shirt aside, she leaned in to nip at his neck. Desire exploded down his body, heating every pore. Yeah, he was done. He’d wanted her too long. Sported the damn hard-on most of the day.

  Running his hands up her back, he wrapped his arms around her, loving the feel of her breasts pressed against him tight. Chest to chest, he held her heated gaze as they began to move.

  Thrusting. Bucking. Her sexy little moans and mewls had him driving harder, faster. Giving her everything. Feeling everything. From her. From him. Broken. Needy. Lost. Alive…found. Whole.

  Home.

  There was no way. No way could he let this incredible woman walk out of his life when she started classes next week. He wanted to keep seeing her. He needed her in his life. These were the things he’d tried to tell her outside on the porch, but then she’d touched him and, once again, his brain had shut down and body had taken over.

  Knowing now was the wrong time, he let go of the one brain cell in his grasp and gave himself back over to the sensations of her body engulfing his in sweet, liquid warmth.

  When she leaned down and bit his neck, he hissed a breath, so close to losing it. So damn close. He watched her soft, glistening curves grinding on him, her sweet, sexy sighs and moans telling him he made her feel just as good. Just as close to the blissful edge.

  “So good, Brett,” she murmured near his ear, licking his lobe. “I need you.”

  “I need you, too.”

  “I need you…there…”

  Catching her meaning, he ran a hand down her thigh and brushed his thumb over her center, giving her the slight pressure she desired. An instant later, his name ripped from her lips in an erotic, sensual cry as she arched back and flew apart, taking him with her.

  ****

  Brett woke a little while later. He’d carried Trisha to the bed and stripped them completely naked, loving the way she’d looked amongst the rose petals. Just as velvety. Just as beautiful. Just as soft. He’d lain down next to her, pulled her in close, and they’d dozed off.

  She was warm and curvy, and he ran his hand down the arm she’d tossed over his chest. Now that they were somewhat satiated and he could think, it was time to have that talk. To broach the subject he’d never, ever broached. The subject he avoided like a swarm of bees his whole adult life.

  To take their temporary status a step further, one that could quite probably change the fake ring he toyed with on her hand splayed over his thundering heart to a real one.

  Trisha’s breathing changed, and she snuggled closer. “Hey, you,” she said, voice sleepy and warm. “Whatcha thinking?” Her lips brushed his skin as she spoke.

  Pulling her in tighter, he kissed her head. “That I should probably say the things I wanted to say before on the porch.”

  She lifted up to stare at him and blinked, hope and anxiety mixing to no doubt reflect his own gaze. “Okay.”

  “I’m very new at this and not good at all, but…well…with you starting classes next week, I think we need to talk.”

  “Okay,” she repeated, looking as if maybe she wasn’t breathing.

  He cleared his parched throat, joining her in the not breathing part. “I’m hoping we can still see each other on weekends or something. I don’t want to interfere with your studies, but I do want to keep seeing you, Trisha.” He drew in a deep breath, heart pounding and pounding. “That is…if you wanted to…too.”

  God, this opening up part sucks.

  His chest hurt and the invisible vice squeezing it increased with her silence, until a big smile crossed her face and lit the whole damn room.

  “Oh, I want to, Brett. So much,” she said, stretching up to kiss his lips. “So very much.” Lifting up slightly, she stared into his eyes. “God, I thought you were about to say, thanks for the fun, when can you be out of here.” She shuddered against him, revealing just how much she had not wanted to hear those words.

  “Christ, no. The last thing I want is not to see you,” he reassured with a squeeze, tracing the curve of her face as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know you’ll need a week or two to get settled.”

  “Yeah.”

  She sighed and ran her hands over his body, teasing his skin, and, once again, he started to lose a grip on his thoughts.

  “I have orientation this Friday and have to move in, so I wouldn’t be able to come back here until the following weekend.”

  He rolled them over and leaned in to drag his mouth down her throat, swirling his tongue in the spot where her neck and shoulder met. “Want me to come get you?”

  “No,” she murmured, squirming as he continued to kiss her neck. “I-I can drive. It’s l-less than an hour away.”

  That was sixty minutes too long.

  “Yeah,” he said against her skin as he began to kiss his way down her curves, loving how her breathing changed and her grip on his head tightened.

  “So…we’re doing this?”

  He chuckled, kissing the swell of her breast as he ran a hand down the curve of her hip. “Affirmative.”

  “Not, this, you goof.” She choked out a laugh. “I mean…a relationship.”

  Brett lifted his head and smiled at her. “Yes, but it’s all new, so please be gentle with me.”

  Her smile widened. “Yes, sir.” Then her wicked hand caressed his abs and stroked farther south, until…hello, her fingers closed around his erection and eyes widened. “Ready, again?”

  “Yes,” he needlessly replied, thrusting into her hand as he brought his mouth to hers. “I always seem to be ready around you.”

  He just hoped, after their visitor tomorrow, Trisha still wanted him around.

  ****

  Brett woke again later, much later, in the middle of the night, unsure what had stirred him. Then he heard it, a strangled sound coming fro
m Trisha’s throat.

  Damn nightmare again.

  God, they had to stop. She needed to seek help because, otherwise, they wouldn’t. They’d get worse. She’d get worse.

  And she was. The reception yesterday was living proof. He’d had to do what he did. Had to make the call. He just hoped to God Trisha accepted the help and didn’t hate him.

  But he couldn’t stand back…wouldn’t stand by and watch her suffer.

  Like now. Doing what he’d always done whenever she thrashed about, he drew her in close, and stroked a hand down her damp back, risking injury, because, yeah, she was one tough marine. Thrashing, elbowing him in the ribs a few times before his strokes and low spoken words managed to stop her struggles, she eventually settled down and relaxed in his arms.

  “It’s okay, Trisha,” he reassured quietly against her temple. “I got you.”

  He’d take the beating, the black and blues, the knee he sometimes took to the groin, in order to get her through.

  Tomorrow, his heart would find out if it was going to suffer the same beating.

  ****

  When Trisha woke, Brett was gone. A pang of disappointment rushed through her, but she knew he always started Sundays early to catch up on paperwork.

  She only had three left. Three more mornings before she headed back to Texas to grab the things she’d set aside for the college apartment she’d already leased until next May, spend a night with her parents, then leave for Colorado to start her new adventure.

  An adventure that she now knew was going to include a relationship with Brett.

  Her heart swelled, erasing the disappointment that had lingered from his absence. She was going to have to get used to not living and breathing the man day in and day out. Her life was going to change but in a good way. She’d adapt. She was a marine.

  Her phone vibrated on the nightstand with a text.

  Morning, beautiful. I left you a present on the table. Meet me in my office in thirty?

  With a smile on her face, she texted him back. Absolutely.

  She rolled off the bed and stretched, her sore body protesting. A smile tugged her lips. She hadn’t been sore before she’d fallen asleep. The marathon of being made love to must’ve caught up to her this morning. Even her elbow was sore.