He swept his thumb over her temple. “My Sadie.”
She reached for him, bringing him down for a soft kiss. She pulled her knees up and out, planted her heels, and rocked her hips against his, taking him deep. “Love me,” she said against his lips.
Her eyes fell closed and she let herself go in a way he’d never felt from any woman. She gave herself over to him and he lost himself in making love to her. His body pressed down on her. Hers rose up to meet him. Every soft kiss, tempting touch, soothing sigh, and moan fanned the flames and stoked the fire building inside him. Her hands smoothed down his back and over his ass again. This time when he sank into her, she pulled him closer. The feel of her body against his drove him on. He needed more. He needed all of her. She gave it, rotating her hips against his when he thrust deep again and again. Her body tightened around his and he pumped harder and faster until she threw her head back and her body fisted around his cock, sending him over the edge with her.
Rory rode out her release, then collapsed on top of her, his head in her soft hair, his breath sawing in and out at her neck.
Her arms clasped his shoulders. Her hands rested on his back, her fingers softly caressing his skin.
“Now I know why people become sex addicts,” she whispered with a smile in her voice.
“I am completely addicted to you, sweetheart.”
“Oh good, then we get to do this again.”
He pressed up on his forearms and stared down at her smiling face. “All you want, sweetheart, but you’ve got to give me, I don’t know, half an hour to reload.”
Her giggle went straight to his gut. “Sure thing, honey.” She snuggled against him, her hands sweeping up and down his sides. “Uh, why are you staring at me like that? Is there a spider in my hair?” She raked her fingers through the long strands, which only made her look more beautiful.
He stilled her hands with his and shook his head. “No spiders. You called me honey.”
She bit her bottom lip, the plump flesh sliding free from her teeth. “You don’t like it?”
“I do. You just caught me off guard. You’ve never said anything like that.”
“You call me sweetheart all the time. I like it. It makes me feel closer to you. I want you to feel that way about me.”
He pressed his hips to hers again. “I can’t get much closer to you.”
“I like this, Rory. Us, here, together, nothing else in the world intruding. Just you and me.”
He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers. “You and me.” He kissed her, long and slow, like he had all the time in the world, because out here, right now, it seemed they did. He broke the soft kiss and planted one on her nose, each cheek, and her forehead.
“Honey, you’re crushing me.” She tapped her hands against his shoulders.
He chuckled, taking more of his weight on his arms than on her. “Sorry.”
“Believe me, I love having you pressed against me, but I need to breathe.”
He pulled free and rolled off her. He sat beside her, his knees drawn up, so he could take care of business. He stared down at the torn condom and everything inside him went cold. “Fuck.”
Sadie rolled to her side and laid her hand on his arm. He raked his fingers through the side of his hair and held tight, trying to figure out a way to tell her that didn’t make her panic the way he felt inside.
“Rory, honey, what is it?”
He stared straight ahead, but closed his eyes, savoring that sweet honey on her lips. “I don’t know how to say this.”
“You’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”
“Uh, the condom broke. I don’t know what happened.” He covered his face with both hands and scrubbed them up and down over his eyes. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Sadie.” He wanted her for the rest of his life, but he didn’t want to trap her into spending the rest of hers with him. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not this way.
Her hand contracted on his arm. He met her steady gaze. “Honey, it was an accident. A fluke. It happens.” She sat up next to him, her hand still on his arm. “It wasn’t in my immediate plans, but if I am pregnant, I won’t be upset about it. I’ve lost so much lately, but I found something amazing with you.”
“I don’t know what to say, except I will take care of you and our child. I promise.”
“If it happened.”
He nodded, but still felt he’d failed to protect her. After all she’d been through with her father and brother, she deserved a chance to do whatever she wanted. Not be tied down without choice. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders.
Sadie gave him a quick kiss, hoping to erase the last of the concern from his hazel eyes. She didn’t know what else to say to ease his mind. This could be huge—for both of them. A life with him and a baby would be such a joy.
Rory tugged on his clothes, pulled on his socks, and stuffed his feet in his boots. He’d settled back into his quiet intensity. She’d give him time to let things settle in his mind. He needed to mull things over, think things through, plan every possible scenario. He took responsibility seriously. One of the many reasons she loved him.
She dressed quickly, sat on the blanket, and put her own socks and boots back on while he cleaned up the food wrappers and packed up the containers. He tapped her in the shoulder with a water bottle. She took it, noting he didn’t really look her in the eye. She hoped by the time they got back to the ranch he’d have it all worked out in his head.
Rory packed up the rest of their supplies and readied the horses. It gave her a minute to think about being a mother. She’d thought about it in the abstract. She loved kids, and babies especially. She placed her hands over her lower belly and smiled, the image of a tiny blond-haired hazel-green-eyed bundle in her arms who looked just like his daddy filled her mind. The spark that image flared to life in her heart grew until her chest ached with wanting it.
She turned to Rory, spotted him staring at her. He held the reins to both horses. God, the man couldn’t look more gorgeous in jeans, boots, and that black Stetson. His eyes narrowed on her and she smiled, because deep inside she was happy. Under all the grief about her father’s passing, the worry she always carried for Connor, and the uncertainty about her future, she couldn’t deny the well of happiness building as dreams of her life with Rory and their child sprouted and bloomed in her heart and mind.
She closed the distance between her and Rory.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft with concern.
“Honey, I’m fine. You brought the condom. You used it. What happened isn’t your fault. Until we know for sure, don’t dwell on what was nothing more than an accident, or fate.”
He gave her another of those silent nods that said nothing, but spoke volumes. She took her reins, planted her foot in the stirrup, and raised herself up into the saddle. Her horse danced sideways.
“Careful,” Rory warned, his grip tight on the horse’s bridal, steadying the horse.
By the time they rode into the ranch driveway, the silence between them had grown deafening. Rory dismounted and walked to her. He grasped her hips and pulled her from the horse, setting her gently on the ground. The muscle in his jaw ticked as he stared down at her for a long minute, then turned and pulled the blanket and lunch sack from his horse.
“You two have a good time?” Ford asked.
“Great,” she said.
“Sure,” Rory said, still stuck in his head. Rory handed her the supplies and turned to walk the horses into the stables. “Take that up to the house. I’ve got work to do. I’ll be in later.”
“Uh, did you two have a fight, or something?” Ford asked. “I haven’t seen him like this in a while.”
“No, something else,” she said, her gaze locked on Rory’s retreating back. “Hey,” she called out to him. “Come back here.”
Rory stopped in his tracks and looked at her over his shoulder. She dropped the blanket and bag on the ground and planted her hands on her hips, staring him down.
“Is that how you say goodbye to me now? No kiss. No ‘See you soon, sweetheart.’”
“Sadie, I have to get the horses settled. We’ll talk more later.”
She swept her hands out, indicating the ground in front of her. “Do you feel the bricks you’re laying between us? I can barely breathe for the suffocating silence. Don’t do this. Don’t be the quiet, distant guy I thought you were. Be my Rory.” She couldn’t hide the tremble in her voice or the sheen in her eyes.
He rushed her, wrapping his arms around her waist, lifting her right off her feet, and kissing her like he did when he made love to her, like she was his everything. His mouth softened over hers and he took the kiss deeper, sliding his tongue along hers. He tilted his head, melded his mouth to hers and held her tight with his arms banded around her back. He kissed her again and again until she placed her hands on his cheeks and pressed her forehead to his.
“It’s all right, honey. Everything is fine. Make me a promise. Until I tell you one way or the other, let’s go back to the way things were. No worrying about what might be. Please.”
“I’ll try, but I want to know as soon as you know.”
“I’d never keep something like that from you.”
“I know.”
“For now let’s do the same thing we’ve been doing. We stick together. We keep working on us.”
“Us.”
“Yes. Us. You and me.”
“I like that.”
“Good. I’m starting to like you again.”
That made him smile. “You like ordering me around.”
“It worked. I got my kiss.”
“All you had to do was ask.”
She eyed him. “Right. Go do your work. I’ve got to finish an assignment for school. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Rory kissed her softly on the lips, lingering for a long moment, hoping that extra time he took showed her how much he loved her because even now he struggled to find a way to actually tell her.
He kissed her one last time, set her back on her feet, handed her the things she’d dropped, and watched her walk away. He hoped she didn’t ever leave for good.
Rory walked into the stables. Ford stood just down the aisle brushing down Sadie’s horse.
“What did you do to upset her?”
Rory rubbed his fingers over his lips, remembering their kiss and all they shared this afternoon. He hadn’t meant to upset her. “Nothing. Something happened. It was no one’s fault.” He believed that, but still the consequences weighed on him. “I went quiet on her, and she didn’t like it.”
“She’s the best thing that ever happened to you. Don’t fuck this up.”
“Thanks. I’ll take that under advisement.”
“Seriously, she’s perfect for you. She told you to come back to her.” Ford’s broad smile made Rory smile back. “That chick’s got balls.”
“No, well yes, but mostly she knows I’m at her beck and call.”
“Then why the tension?”
“Leave it alone for now. We’ll work it out.”
“Do it fast. With everything going on with her family, she needs to know she can count on you when things get crazy again.”
“Did something happen?”
“No, but I’m sure it will with her brother on the loose.”
Ford was probably right. Sadie had just lost her father. Her brother was wanted by the cops. The DEA was breathing down her neck. He’d overreacted about something they’d tried to do right, but went wrong. Or maybe it didn’t. She might not be pregnant at all. But the thought of having a baby with her didn’t scare him. It didn’t faze him in the least. In fact, as much as he’d fought the idea because of his granddad’s prodding, the thought of a beautiful blond-haired, blue-eyed little girl made him unexpectedly thrilled.
“There’s something wrong with your face.”
“What?” Rory cocked his head at Ford.
“You’re smiling. What are you thinking about?”
A wife. Not any wife, Sadie. Babies. A life here on the ranch that was more than hard work, but raising a family. He and his brothers used to run wild on this land. He’d love to see his kids, Ford’s, and Colt’s running around, riding the horses, playing and having fun.
“Sometimes, things happen that you want but didn’t plan on happening right now. It’s all good. At least, I hope it will be.”
He’d wanted more time with Sadie, to grow closer to her, solidify their relationship and let it build into something lasting. Now, the stone in his gut felt as if everything was on a nine-month timetable. Sooner than that really. If she was pregnant, he needed to put a ring on her finger, marry her, and prepare for their child to arrive.
“She’s really nice and thoughtful. She believes in doing the right thing. I’m sure you two can work it out.”
Ford’s words hit home. Would she marry him and be his wife and a mother to their child because it was the right thing to do, or because she loved him and wanted to make a life with him?
The question ate at him for the next couple hours while he caught up on work with Ford.
Rory walked into the house and smelled the chili Sadie had cooking on the stove. She took such good care of them, the house, her father and brother. Him. And he might have just given her someone else to take care of, too, just when her life was her own now, and she only had to look out for herself. Great. After the day he’d had, he hit the landing, worked up into a mass of tight muscles and a pounding headache.
Sadie set her laptop on the bedside table, stuffed her papers in a folder, stacked it on her textbook, and set them aside, too, just as Rory walked in the bedroom door.
“Hey, honey, all done working?”
“Yeah. You?”
“For now. I have some work to do on one of my papers, but it can wait until tomorrow.”
Nothing. Not a word. He stood there staring at her, his face a mask, hiding his thoughts and feelings. He’d fortified those walls she broke down earlier when he went quiet on her the first time. She loved him. She thought maybe he loved her, too. She hated to see him retreat on her again.
“Rory, honey, why are you looking at me so hard?”
He started and finally focused on reality and not the deep thoughts that stopped his tongue and made him so distant. “Sorry. Uh, I need to shower. I’ll be down for dinner in a few.”
She tipped her head and studied him. From the set of his mouth, the tic in his jaw, and the slouch to his shoulders, she thought he carried the weight of the world, planning all he needed to do if she was pregnant. The last thing she wanted was to build a relationship on responsibility. Oh, he’d do the right thing, no doubt. But she wanted something solid, built on love, understanding, and an openness with each other that she didn’t have to fight for every time things got tough.
Making love, the kiss they’d shared when they returned, well, she’d felt the depth of feelings Rory had such a hard time putting into words. He might have a hard time sharing his emotions, but he had no problem showing her how he felt. Rory spoke through action. She’d let their bodies do the talking for now to keep him close and break down those walls again. If she showed him how much she wanted him, loved him, maybe he’d open up and drop his guard for good because she couldn’t live being kept at an emotional arm’s length.
She put thought into action and grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and over her head.
Struck by her audacity, his eyes went wide. His gaze swept down her face to her lace-covered breasts.
Oh yes, she had his attention now.
She pulled the button on her jeans free, then ever so slowly pulled the zipper down. She reached behind her to unclasp the lace bra. He didn’t say a word, but his hot gaze roamed over her, heating her bare skin.
He stood mesmerized, then caught himself. He kicked his leg out, catching th
e bedroom door, and pushed it closed. “What are you doing?”
She dropped the bra at her feet on top of her shirt, looked him right in the eye, and walked toward him half naked. She went up on tiptoe, locked her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Not a soft, gentle coaxing, but a full-on, mind-blowing, take-what-she-wanted kiss. Sparked by her need, he dove in for more, taking over the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She rocked her hips into his, grinding on him until he was hard against her belly. She broke the searing kiss, grabbed his shoulders, and jumped up, locking her legs around his waist.
“Take me to bed, cowboy.”
“I’m all sweaty and dirty. I need a shower.”
“I need you.” She crushed her mouth down on his for another all-consuming kiss. She smoothed her hands down his back, grabbed hold of his shirt, and yanked it up. He let go of her ass long enough to hold his arms up so she could pull off his shirt. She stared down between them at his chest. “Now that is what I’m talking about.” She rubbed her hands over his shoulders and down his chest over his tight pecs. “You are so gorgeous and strong.” She scanned up his body and locked her gaze on his. “Make love to me the way we did under the trees. Let everything else go, and let it be you and me again.”
The tension left his big body and his hands softened on her hips. This time, he kissed her. Soft. Slow. Sweet. Like he had all the time in the world to be with her. She wasn’t going anywhere. She didn’t want to. She wanted to be with him. He finally got it.
He walked toward the bed, his lips brushing hers. His legs hit the mattress and he climbed up and gently lowered her onto the bed, his body covering hers. He stared down at her, his eyes filled with tenderness.
She cupped his face, her fingers gently brushing his skin. “You and me,” she whispered.
Nothing else mattered right now.
He dipped his head, kissed her lips softly, then trailed kisses down her neck and chest to her pink-tipped breast. He took the hard bud into his mouth, sucked softly, then hard. She sighed out his name and her fingers slid through his hair and held him to her breasts, feeling everything he put into touching her, loving her.
Stone Cold Cowboy Page 24