"What? No, no, no! I'm so sorry. No. Not in a million years."
"I think you should tell me what's goin' on."
"Kiss me!" she abruptly demanded, her red-rimmed eyes gazing up at him. "Please, just one kiss, that's all I want. Just one."
It was the last thing he expected.
For weeks he'd wanted to sweep her up and lay his lips on hers, but now the look in her eyes was one of frantic desperation, not the longing that had been so captivating.
"Connie, you've gotta—"
"Never mind! This was a mistake!" she said hastily, and spinning around, she started to hurry away, but Caleb managed to catch her arm.
"No, you don't," he said firmly. "You're comin' inside and you're gonna tell me what's goin' on. And I'm not takin' no for an answer."
"I can't," she retorted. "I don't know how."
Her voice cracked, and as her face crinkled and a tear dribbled down her cheek, he felt his heart break.
"You poor girl," he mumbled, pulling her into his chest and wrapping her up. "You're in so much pain. Whatever is goin' on, things will be okay."
"Things will never be okay ever again. I hate myself. I'm so stupid."
"Let's get inside and straighten out that head of yours," he said gently, guiding her into the cabin with his arm around her shoulders. "Your horses are missin' you, and so am I."
"Caleb, I'm so embarrassed," she mumbled, sniffing into his shirt. "I should never have come here."
"Hush. I'm glad you did. Sit down, take a breath, and tell me what's goin' on."
"I don't think I can. I'm so humiliated."
"Did you love him that much?" he asked as they settled on the couch.
"Jerry? Good God, no," she said breathlessly, staring at him with wide eyes. "He had me twisted like a pretzel. I can see that now. No, this isn't about him. This is about me. I can't trust myself. I made two horrendously bad decisions. I'm nothing but a hopeless idiot."
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. We all have broken relationships. I've had my share of disasters, believe me."
"But I got married."
"Only once, and it sounds like you were the one who ended this engagement. Am I right?"
"Uh-huh, but I picked two guys who were liars and cheats."
"Tell me about the first one. What was his name?"
"Max. He was a race horse trainer. I should have known there was something wrong when he didn't want to have sex until our wedding night."
"Sounds noble."
"That's what I thought, but it was just an excuse. The bastard was gay."
"Holy crap. Why did he wanna marry you?"
"He didn't want me, he wanted my ranch. I bought it shortly before we met. He helped me fix it up, but he didn't want to turn the twelve stalls into six, and I soon found out why. He brought in a bunch of horses for training, along with a couple of creepy grooms. Then the owners started showing up. This place turned into a three-ring circus."
"Damn."
"A few weeks after the wedding he started staying late at the track. I was sure he was having an affair. Our sex life consisted of him watching me masturbate. He claimed it turned him on, but I knew his eyes were closed the whole time. It was absurd. Anyway, I went over to the track late one night, and…"
"And…?"
"This is just so bad. I saw him with two other guys in one of the empty stalls."
"I can't believe what I'm hearin'."
"I filed for divorce the next day, but I was scared of his grooms. I decided to hire a couple of security guards, then I told him the only way he'd get back on the property was to arrive with a trailer to pick up his horses and his stuff. My lawyer wanted to get a forensic accountant and go after him, but I had no interest in his money, assuming he had any. I just wanted the freak show behind me."
"Sounds like he was the idiot, not you."
"I don't understand."
"He must have known you'd find out. How long did he think he'd be able to keep up the charade?"
"You know what, you're right. That never occurred to me. Anyway, it was crazy, and I should have realized something was off from the start."
"On some level you probably did."
"There were days before we were married I had doubts, but he seemed like such a great guy. Why didn't I see him for what he was?"
"We all misjudge people. There was a girl I really liked at the show barn where I used to train. I dated her for three months before I found out she was married."
"Seriously?"
"Yep. I stopped into a pizza place and saw her snuggling up to her husband. I didn't know it was her husband at the time, but when I confronted her at the barn the next day, she just came right out and told me. Acted like it was no big deal."
"Oh, my gosh."
"Connie, I'm an old-fashioned kinda guy, and let me tell you, I was shocked. I felt like an idiot for weeks."
"I can understand why."
"Do you want to tell me about Jerry?"
"I'm still trying to figure it out. I know I'm missing something. He came after me with a vengeance. Totally swept me off my feet. He was flying me on private jets across the country just for dinner. He'd send me flowers all the time, and romantic cards, gifts for the house. It was unbelievable. Looking back, I can see how I got caught up."
"So, what happened?"
"After we were engaged everything started to change. It was weird, and then…"
"Then?"
"I don't know if I should say this. I, uh, I met you, and I felt things, things I didn't feel for him. There. I've said it, and now I'm totally embarrassed."
"Hey, Connie, you have no reason to be embarrassed. The attraction is mutual. Now I've said it too. Embarrassment over. If you hadn't had that rock on your finger, I would have given into temptation in spite of the other problems."
"What other problems?"
"Problems like, you're rich and I'm not, and I'm workin' for you."
"So what?"
"Let's get back to Jerry."
"Only if you promise we can talk about that, because it so doesn't matter."
"I promise. Go on, what else happened."
"He started getting nasty a couple of months ago. It was a side of him I hadn't seen. Then I went to Dream Horse Ranch with Domino and met you. Do you remember the morning you and I shared those cookies in the barn?"
"Are you kiddin'? I'll never forget that mornin'."
"I won't either," she said softly. "When I left and walked up to the house, I realized I was about to make another huge mistake. I was about to tell him things were over and we started arguing. I said I couldn't pretend anymore, and he immediately apologized. Would you like to know why?"
"Of course."
"He thought I'd found out he was sleeping with someone else."
"Connie!"
"I don't think he ever loved me, but I don't know why he came after me so aggressively."
"I expect you'll know soon enough."
"Why do you think that?"
"The truth will come out. It always does."
"It hurts so much. Not breaking up with him, but how I feel now. I hate myself for being such a frickin' moron."
"Connie," he said, lowering his voice, "why did you come here to see me?"
"Martha's been worried about me. She called my mother, and my mother called me. After I told her what happened she insisted I talk to you. Reaching out to you was hard. I'm so embarrassed."
"But you plucked up the courage."
"I did, but if I'm being really honest, I had another motive. There's something I've wanted from you for ages," she murmured, dropping her gaze to stare at her hands. "I decided I had nothing to lose."
"Hey, look at me."
Scarcely breathing, she slowly lifted her gaze.
Slipping his hands into her hair, he leaned in.
She couldn't believe it.
She was afraid to believe it.
Then she did believe it, and closing her eyes she waited for his kis
s.
His warm, moist mouth glided over hers, and she was sure her heart would burst.
"There," he said softly, pulling back. "Is that what you've been wantin?"
"Uh-huh."
"Did it help?"
"Uh-huh."
"Would you like another?"
"Uh-huh."
With her butterflies fluttering, her heart pumping, and a hot flood between her legs, the simple response was all she could manage.
"Connie, if I do that again, I'm gonna wanna hold you, and if I hold you, I'm gonna wanna lay you down, and if I lay you down, I'm gonna—"
"Please, stop talking," she said breathlessly. "Stop talking and kiss me."
CHAPTER NINE
Slowly unbuttoning Connie's shirt, Caleb lovingly planted his lips across her chest, then moved languidly up to her neck, but when he sought out her mouth the weeks of desire flowed fervently through his kiss. She responded in kind, her arms clinging around him as she returned his urgent passion.
Finally breaking away, he slid the shirt off her body, and deftly swooping her up, he carried her through to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he pulled off her boots and socks, then slid her jeans down her legs, but left her pink lace bra and matching panties in place. Feasting his eyes on the luscious sight as he quickly stripped, he stretched out beside her.
"I'm gonna ask you somethin'," he said softly, tracing his fingers across the exposed top of her breasts. "You've gotta promise to tell me the truth."
"I promise."
"This sexy underwear you're wearin'—did you put it on thinkin' maybe we'd end up here?"
The pink blush crossing her face spoke volumes, but he waited for her reply.
"Not exactly, but a girl likes to be prepared."
"Good answer. You know that's the kinda underwear that can drive a guy crazy, right?"
"Only if he can't take it off."
"Another good answer," he said with a wicked grin. "That tells me you're feelin' better."
"How could I not? I'm here with you. Caleb, what's this," she murmured, tracing her finger across a tattoo above his ribcage. "You don't seem the type to have a tattoo."
"Read what it says out loud."
"Respect. Love. Trust."
"Yep. Remember those three words dealin' with horses and they'll be returned three times over. Use them in life, you might suffer an occasional disappointment, but you'll always be able to sleep at night."
"I've thought about being with you like this so many times."
"Me too," he whispered, nuzzling her neck. "I've imagined moving my hand behind your back and unsnappin' your bra," he purred, reaching behind her and popping the fasteners. "Then slidin' it down your arms and tossin' it on the floor, and suckin' on your gorgeous tits."
Lowering his mouth to her nipples, she raised her chest and let out a long soft moan—then suddenly gasped. His tongue and teeth were sending sparks through her body.
"Caleb, that's amazing."
"You ain't felt nothin' yet."
Traveling his kiss to her stomach, he leisurely moved his mouth between her legs, lightly brushing his lips over her velvet fold, then teasingly kissed her inner thighs.
"Please, Caleb, please. I can't stand it."
Neither could he.
Promising himself the next time they were together he'd make her wait, using his thumbs he parted her wet petals and tickled her clit with his tongue.
Letting out whimpers of pleasure, she wriggled an urgent request for more, but when he closed his lips around her sex, her whimpers became squeals and her fingers clutched the bed covers. Wild tingles were shooting through her womanhood. She was sure she was going to orgasm, but each time she drew close, he backed off. When he finally began sliding up her body, her clit was throbbing and she was breathless.
"You gotta condom?" he asked huskily, gripping her breasts and sending his mouth back to her cherry tips.
"I, uh, no," she managed. "I mean, not here."
"You wore that underwear and didn't slip a condom in your pocket?" he asked, raising his head and grinning at her. "Then I guess I'll have to make a quick withdrawal, or at least try."
"Try?" she squeaked. "You mean—"
"I was kiddin', babe. Don't worry. I'll make sure I pull out in time."
"But should we use a condom anyway?"
"You're the kinda gal who would've hightailed it to your doctor the minute you found out your man had been cheatin'. Right?"
"How could you possibly know that?"
"I rest my case."
"What case."
"You're not an idiot," he said softly, "and neither am I. For that matter, neither is Jerry. He may be a dirtbag, but he's no dummy. He's not gonna take any chances. As for me, I got tested right after bein' with that married woman, and I haven't had sex with anyone since."
"So…?"
"I'm okay with it, but if you wanna wait until—"
"No, we're fine. You're fine. We're both fine. I'm on the pill."
"Damn, girl, you're just full of good news. I hope you're ready," he growled, placing himself at her entrance and sliding home, 'cos I've gotta feelin' I'm gonna be ridin' you into next week."
It hadn't been an idle comment.
She didn't know if it was her pent up need, or how he'd seasoned her pussy, but as he grabbed her wrists, pinned them on either side of her head, and began to thrust with slow, powerful strokes, she found herself being swept away.
Caleb's unfortunate incident with the married woman had shaken him. The question—How could I have been so stupid?—had not let him rest. But Connie had made him smile, then laugh, and he loved being around her. As he closed his eyes and relished their coupling, the mistake felt like ancient history. Connie's fingers were digging into his back, she was panting with pleasure and bleating his name. He accelerated, plunging into her divine pussy with abandon, but as he felt his climax looming, he slowed, then carefully withdrew. She groaned her disappointment, then squealed as he flipped her over and grabbed her hips, but as he was about to thrust inside her, he paused to gaze at her plump, round backside.
She waited, barely able to breathe, her mind racing.
Will he spank me? Should I ask him to? Please, do it, Caleb. Don't hold back.
As if he'd been listening to her wicked thoughts, he huskily growled the magic words.
"Stay real still. If you don't…"
He pushed forward.
She wriggled.
The hot slap landed.
Squealing, she wriggled again.
He delivered two stinging swats in quick succession.
"What do you say?" he demanded.
"Thank you, Sir."
The starving submissive and deprived Dominant had found each other.
Grasping her tightly, he vigorously ravaged her, bringing her to the brink, then pausing to tweak her nipples, or spank her, or torment her clit. Many times he was ready to explode, but gritting his teeth he held himself at bay, staying buried inside her and savoring the exquisite sensations. Not until he'd turned her bottom bright pink and she desperately begged, did he ride them into their powerful orgasms. Drained and spent he collapsed next to her, and pulling her into his arms he heard a long soft sigh. Closing his eyes, he let out a heavy breath of his own.
Connie sank into the crook of his shoulder. She'd felt drawn to Caleb when they'd met, and after her first lesson on Domino he'd won her trust and respect, but it had been more than that. She'd felt connected to him, and when they'd talked in the quiet intimacy of his truck, the connection had been sparkling. As she began to emerge from her hazy euphoria, she realized that moment had changed everything.
"You okay?"
His voice was soft and warm, and shifting in his arms, she gazed into his hazel eyes.
"So far beyond okay."
"No regrets?"
"About what exactly?"
"Damn, girl, you are so…"
"So what?"
"If I had any energy left, I'd pro
bably be able to think of the word, but I've got nothin'."
"What about you? Regrets? Second thoughts? Anything?"
"The only regret I have," he said, moving on to his side and propping himself on an elbow, "is that I can't do it all over again."
"That's disappointing. I thought you were a superhero."
"You're a gorgeous brat, that's what you are, and you'd better be careful. I just might tie you up and pull out my toy box."
"You have a toy box?"
"Look at those baby blues light up," he said with a chuckle. "I sure do. I just might let you have a look-see if you're a good girl."
"Okay, that's it. This is a dream. It has to be. I am having the best lucid dream in the history of dreams."
"Then I guess we both are," he purred, and resting his lips on hers, he lingered a kiss that seemed to last forever.
"I wish we could stay here, but I suppose I have to go through my stack of mail," she said woefully as they broke apart. "I haven't opened anything since that day."
"Which day is that?"
"The day you left to pick up Neon and your things. The day I realized Jerry was a total jerk and threw him out."
"You haven't checked your mail in three weeks? Or is it four?"
"Three I think. My accountant has left messages, but I just couldn't deal with anything, especially if it involved Jerry and the investments he put me in."
"Hey, I get it, but you'd better see what's what."
"Sad, but true," she said with a resigned sigh. "I'd much rather stay here with you for the rest of the day. Screw that, the rest of the week."
"Your horses wouldn't be happy."
"We can't have that."
"Nope, in fact, why don't we get up and go on a short trail ride? Assumin' your butt's not too tender."
"It is a bit."
"So much the better."
"Why?"
"A tender backside will help you behave."
"Good luck with that," she said with a giggle. "I'll run up to the house and get changed."
"I'll meet you in the barn, and I'll be sure to bring my paddle with me."
"What? Okay, I'll be good!. Heavens. One kiss, and look at where we are. I must have known."
"How's that?"
To Kiss A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 1) Page 6