“Are you all right?” Colt asked softly. With a gentle finger to her chin, he turned her gaze toward his.
“It’s nothing. It’s just that my mom and I used to do the same thing. We would lie under the stars and make wishes together. And now it seems you and I did the same thing too … without even knowing it.”
“I’m sorry you can’t share that with her anymore, Brielle…” His voice turned husky. “But maybe you and I can share it together now…”
She gazed deeply into his eyes, seeing the same look of longing as the day before. “Are you gonna kiss me now?” she asked nervously, hopefully, though she didn’t know what had possessed her to ask such a bold question.
One corner of his mouth curled slightly upward. “If that’s all right with you?”
Holding her breath, she nodded slightly.
Colt’s half-smile faded as he leaned forward and kissed her tenderly.
Brielle welcomed his kiss. His soft lips. His chocolate-flavored tongue. And when he circled his arms around her waist and pulled her close to his body, a sensual ache awakened deep within. Yearning for more, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer to him.
The faint sound of an engine and the crackling of tires over gravel interrupted their intimate moment. They both jolted away from one another as if they’d just been caught doing something they weren’t supposed to.
Through deep breaths, Brielle managed to clear the euphoria and focus in on the red sports car. “It’s Jack.”
Jack got out of his car and made his way toward them.
“What are you doing here, Jack?” Brielle asked as he approached.
Colt nodded nonchalantly. “Good morning, Jack.”
Jack gave a quick nod to Colt. “Morning.” Then he looked at his sister. “Dad told me to come over and help get the place running.” Turning back to Colt, he pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. “I can run the tractor and get these weeds cleared if you want.”
“Only if you’re sure it’s not a problem,” Colt said.
Jack tipped his hat back and raised his eyebrows. “Trust me — I’d rather be here helping on my days off than back at the ranch.”
Colt grinned. “I really need the help. Thanks. Now I can get started on the remodeling.”
Brielle was glad that her brother wanted to help, but disappointed that she and Colt would no longer be alone. She grabbed another doughnut, this time chocolate, in an attempt to extinguish her unsatisfied desires. Taking a huge bite, she stared out over the fields, watching as the dandelions danced gently in the breeze.
“Quit daydreaming and hand me that bag of doughnuts.” Jack nudged her shoe with his boot.
“Don’t kick me!” She glared at him and swiped at his leg with her shoe, but he quickly jumped back.
Colt smirked and handed the bag to Jack. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” Jack grinned. He reached in and grabbed a maple bar.
“Before you hop on that tractor, would you mind helping me unload the supplies in the back of my truck?” Colt stood and headed for his truck parked halfway down the drive.
“Sure.” Jack tossed the bag to his sister and began to devour the maple bar as he followed Colt.
Brielle caught the bag and watched them walk away, admiring the way Colt’s jeans hugged his rear end. A sudden desire awakened again. Sighing heavily, she took another bite of her chocolate doughnut and reluctantly went back into the house to scrub the entire upstairs.
SIX
Colt tossed the last of the kitchen cupboards into the pile accumulating next to the barn. He grinned at the progress Jack was making. It wasn’t even noon yet and he’d already mowed the front yard and half of the back. Though there were slight rolling hills to contend with on the back half, a clear-cut path to the creek would be visible before sundown. He was sure of it.
“Looks great!” Brielle approached from behind and stood next to him.
“It does,” Colt agreed. “It’s just like I remember it.”
He envisioned how his mother would let him run through the sprinkler in his underwear during the stifling heat of the summer. When he’d had enough, she would carry the picnic lunch of peanut butter and honey sandwiches to a grassy spot under the shade of a tree, then spread out a quilt where they would eat and relax and catch grasshoppers to use as bait for fishing. When his father had come home, they would all make the trek to the creek to fish.
His cell phone rang. He pulled it from his shirt pocket and checked the number. It was Steve, his former co-worker — the one who’d taken over renting his old house while he was in jail. He pressed ignore and shoved it back into his pocket. He wanted to talk to Steve, but now wasn’t the time. He needed privacy while he sorted out his life.
Brielle was silent as she eyed Colt’s cell phone peeking out of his shirt pocket. She quickly turned her attention back to Colt. “Well, the floors are all clean. And the upstairs bathroom is disinfected. And thank you for cleaning the toilet before I got here.” She smiled knowingly. “Are you gonna paint before you move all your stuff in?”
“Yeah, it’d be easier that way. I guess I’ll go shopping for furniture and such. You could go with me and help if you want.”
“Of course I’ll go with you. And I’ll help you move your old stuff too. I know I’m a woman, but I’m stronger than you think.” She proudly made a muscle.
He looked at her flexed bicep. “Impressive. But I don’t have any old stuff. I left it all back in Dallas.”
“All of it?” she asked incredulously, lowering her arm to place her hand on her hip.
“All of it,” Colt replied matter-of-factly.
“Even old pictures and keepsakes?”
He nodded, wishing he hadn’t been led down this road of discussion.
“But why?”
He hated to keep things from her, but he wasn’t ready to divulge every squalid detail of his past. It brought about too much pain. For now, it was easier to forget.
He decided to appease her with a brief explanation. “I was away when my mom died. But when I returned, I couldn’t go back home.” His voice deepened. “It was just too painful and too soon to go back. So I came here to build a new life. The one I should’ve had all this time … The one she should’ve had.” He cleared his throat.
“I’m so sorry, Colt. I understand why you couldn’t go back home…” Her voice was gentle. “But you have to go back and get your keepsakes. Her keepsakes.”
Colt swallowed hard to suppress his tears. He decided to turn the focus on something else. “I know. I’ll get them back. But for now … I’ll settle for some lunch. How about you?”
After a few seconds her concerned expression finally softened. “All right. I’m hungry too.” She patted her stomach. “Do you wanna try Joe’s Barbeque? They serve the best steak and ribs around.”
“Sounds good.” Colt’s stomach grumbled at the thought.
They both watched as Jack hopped off the tractor and headed across the cropped grass toward them. “Sorry, I got a call. I have to go. But if I’m done early enough I’ll come back and finish up.” He took a red rag out of the back pocket of his jeans and wiped the sweat from his brow.
“All right. There’s water in the ice chest.” Colt nodded toward the blue plastic box sitting on the back porch.
“Too bad for you, little brother.” Brielle smirked. “We’re going to Joe’s for a steak.”
Jack’s expression fell. “You’re a brat. See y’all later.” He hurried to the ice chest and grabbed two water bottles before disappearing around the side of the house.
Brielle backed away from Colt, heading toward the back porch. “I’m just gonna freshen up before we go.”
“Hurry up, I’m hungry,” he grumbled playfully. With lust in his eyes, Colt watched her perfectly rounded rear end sway back and forth as she sauntered away. He decided to go into the kitchen and douse himself in cold water.
After freshening up in the bathroom, Brie
lle hurried back downstairs. She found Colt in the kitchen splashing water on his face. She grabbed the roll of paper towels next to the sink and tore off a piece. When he was done washing she handed it to him.
“Feel better?”
“Sort of,” Colt replied in a neutral tone as he dried his face and hands.
“Good. My turn.” She stepped in front of the sink to wash her hands.
Returning the favor, Colt handed her a paper towel when she was finished.
“Thank you,” she said with a flirtatious smile.
With that, Colt wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close. Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed her.
Brielle’s heart fluttered as his lips touched hers. But when his tongue slid into her mouth her senses began to swim in a pool of desire. Never had a man swept away all her defenses before, and she liked it.
They kissed gently at first. But before they knew it their passion intensified.
Kissing her fervently, Colt let his lips slide down her neck, to her shoulder, sending a wave of chills down her legs.
Mindlessly, Brielle ran her hands up his chest, to the back of his neck, entangling her fingers in his soft tousled mane.
With one arm still around her waist, Colt slid the other up to cup her breast, gently caressing it, while his lips made their way back up her neck to her lips again.
Brielle moaned as a titillating sensation awakened her nipples, and a desirous ache awakened deep within her womanhood. She hungered for more.
For some reason, Colt’s passion started to ease. He pulled away, breathing raggedly.
But she wasn’t ready to stop yet. She’d finally found her prince charming and nothing was going to stop her from fulfilling her desires — desires she’d fantasized about since she was sixteen. She cupped the back of his head and pulled his lips to hers again. Without thinking, she wrapped her leg around one of his, pressing her mons against his hardness. And just like that, their kiss exploded into fiery passion.
Colt kissed her fervently. He rested both hands on her waist and slowly slid them upwards, taking her tank top with them. He discarded it on the floor. He eyed her lacy lavender bra and her breasts spilling out over the top. Lowering his mouth to the creamy mounds, he gently kissed them.
Tilting her head back, Brielle moaned with pleasure, fingers dug deep in his hair. His hot tongue on her breasts sent chills down her limbs. She clenched her fingers around his shirt and pulled it up over his head, and she tossed it aside.
Colt’s mouth made its way from her supple breasts, up her delicate neck, and back to her full wanton lips. He kissed her hungrily, passionately. He pressed his swollen manhood against her.
She moaned at the blissful throbbing deep within as he rubbed his hardness against her.
Colt pulled her tighter, closer, feverishly kissing her lips … her neck … her luscious breasts. With one swift flick of his fingers he unlatched the clasp nestled under her bosom and slid her bra off her shoulders. Her full rounded breasts were now his for the taking. Gently, he caressed them both as he kissed her.
Brielle moaned with pleasure as his strong yet gentle hands finally made contact with her bare skin. Her pink nipples were instantly erect and tingling with desire. Her womanhood now demanded the same attention. Throbbing, aching, yearning to be touched.
As if Colt could read her mind, he unbuttoned then unzipped her jeans, sliding them, along with her panties, over her full hips, down her thighs, and to the floor. He cupped both hands under her plush bare buttocks and lifted her from the ground.
Swirling her tongue around his, she worked her sneakers off with her toes and kicked her jeans free from her feet. Then she wrapped both legs securely around his waist.
Lips locked with hers, Colt carried her into the living room and gently laid her on the new painting sheet piled in a heap. As his eyes roamed her beautiful naked body, he quickly took off his boots and discarded the rest of his clothing. Swiftly, he covered her body with his and kissed her hungrily.
Brielle closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his hot bare skin on hers. She let her fingers roam his muscular arms, his strong back, and his taut buttocks.
Colt slipped his hand between her thighs, to the soft mound of curls, to the entrance of her moist womanhood.
Brielle tensed at the electrifying pleasure. She sucked in a ragged breath and bit her lower lip as she ached for more.
Colt reached into his jeans pocket and grabbed his wallet, fumbling for a condom. When it was securely in his grasp, he paused to look her in the eyes.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Brielle?” he asked breathlessly. “I think we should stop. Especially after what happened last—”
“Shhhh,” Brielle hushed as she placed a finger to his lips. “I want to, Colt. More than anything,” she whispered through heavy breaths.
Colt took a moment longer to study her eyes, before he nodded slightly and crushed his lips to hers again. He pulled away just long enough to grab the corner of the package with his teeth and tear it open. Then he covered her mouth with his again, while he worked the condom over his stiff member.
Brielle kissed him hungrily, her body crying to be released from her aching torture. She felt him position his hardened manhood over her opening. She tensed slightly as it touched her, before she relaxed and pulled his head back to hers. Slowly, he slid his shaft deep into her womanhood, filling her completely, replacing her wanton ache with pure pleasure.
She moaned, arching her back to take him in deeper.
Colt groaned huskily. He pulled out, and then slid back inside of her, deeper, harder, over and over.
Brielle moaned and writhed under him, arching her back with each thrust, her entire body shouting for more each time he filled her, each time he hit over and over the one spot of pure pleasure. It finally screamed its release with an explosion of sheer ecstasy followed with waves of contractions.
Colt grunted as he lunged one last time deep inside of her. With a heavy sigh, he relaxed himself on top of her and kissed her softly before resting his head next to hers.
“Colt,” Brielle whispered breathlessly, still reeling with pleasure.
A slight smile crossed her face. She stared dreamily at the textured ceiling, softly running her fingers across his back.
He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. Their hot breaths mingled into one. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Hmm?”
“I don’t know what came over me. I just knew I wanted it … I wanted you … and I couldn’t stop.”
She swallowed hard and eyed the dimple in his chin. She reached her finger up to toy with it. “I don’t usually do this sort of thing.” She didn’t feel ashamed exactly, just surprised at her brazen actions.
He closed his eyes and sighed heavily before opening them again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let it go so far.”
She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I mean. I wanted you to. I’m not sorry.” She pulled his head to hers and kissed him.
Colt indulged in her kiss before pulling away again. “I don’t think less of you for this, you know — if that’s what you were thinking. You’re beautiful, and desirable, and this strange ache fills my chest every time I think of you — especially when you’re gone. And I love kissing you.”
He lowered his head and stole another kiss. “And now I know what else I love doing to you.” He chuckled deeply and kissed her again.
She giggled and kissed him back. Then she playfully pushed him away. “I’m glad to know all that, Colt, but that’s not what I meant either. I meant … that I usually don’t do this sort of thing … ever.” She began to nervously toy with his chin dimple again.
“So you’ve never had sex so soon in a relationship? It’s okay, Brielle. It was only a matter of time before neither of us could fight this strong attraction to each other anymore.”
“Oh, I’m not sorry I did it, Colt.” She sighed heavily. “I guess I just wanted you to know that it was my
first time … ever.” She smiled nervously.
Colt tensed. He drew upward, resting on his fully-extended arms, staring at her in disbelief. “You mean you were a virgin?”
She nodded timidly and looked away from him, biting her lower lip, suddenly fearful of his reaction. “I just thought you should know is all,” she whispered.
“Brielle…” he whispered with a tone of regret. “I wish you would’ve told me sooner. I would’ve planned it better. Made it more special for you somehow. Loved you slower … More gently … Or better yet, waited until I was sure you were fully ready.”
Relaxing to rest on his elbows again, he gently cupped her face to turn her gaze toward his. “Did I hurt you?” he whispered and held his breath.
“No.” She shook her head, still not able to look him in the eyes. “I felt … pleasure,” she whispered back.
Utterly relieved, he smoothed her hair from her forehead and kissed it tenderly. Then he kissed the tip of her nose and then her lips again … After a brief yet loving kiss, he withdrew his lips from hers.
“I’m glad I didn’t hurt you. I wish you would’ve told me it was your first time though.”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t wanna go through with it if you knew,” she replied honestly.
“After you wrapped yourself around me, nothing was gonna stop me from loving you. Well, except you, of course, if you had wanted to stop.”
She smiled. “Good, because I wanted you. All of you. And nothing was gonna stop me from getting what I wanted.”
Ever since she was sixteen she’d dreamed of what it was like to make love, and it was better than she had ever imagined. Her mother had always said that she should wait until she felt ready. That her whole body would react desirously to a single kiss when she’d found the man right for her, and that’s exactly the way she felt every time Colt kissed her.
“Good, because I wanted you too.” He grinned with pleasure.
Under the Midnight Stars Page 7