Done a Runner (Wanted Men of Bison Bluffs Book 1)

by Cynthia Knoble

  “You’re in for the ride of your life,” he promised as he scaled the steps two at a time.

  19

  Ducking to ensure she cleared the doorframe, Ethan entered the bedroom and Zoë squirmed, eager to see her surroundings, her view quite limited by her position.

  “Put me down so I can see your room.”

  Instead, he tightened his grip on her and then turned in a complete circle. She craned her neck to see the room as it passed by and was impressed. The exposed logs of the exterior wall were warm and inviting, the other walls painted a dark blue. The mahogany bedroom set was stunning and the bedding sumptuous. She slapped his ass hard.

  “Why is your room nicer than mine?”

  “Because you’re the hired help,” he quipped and then laughed heartily when she whacked him again.

  She squirmed vigorously, wanting down, and was shocked when he quickly, and seemingly effortlessly, pulled her from his shoulder and then gently tossed her onto the bed. As the mattress bounced beneath her, his strength astounded her. Sure, he was a large man, but the ease in which he’d tossed her was one part frightening and four parts sexy as all hell. Sitting up, she ran her eyes down his clothed body.

  “Strip.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He shed his T-shirt in a flash and then pushed his pajama pants down to his ankles. After kicking them away, he stood tall, ready for her visual inspection. She took her time, her eyes trailing up his muscular lower legs, pausing when she spotted the large scars on one thigh. They were deep and, while not fresh, still spoke of a severe trauma. The longest one, on his inner thigh, was particularly nasty and ran from a few inches above his knee to just under his groin. His dick was impressive, not as long as she’d expected with his height, but thicker than she’d imagined. Practically feeling it stretching her already, she squirmed a bit in anticipation and grazed her teeth along her bottom lip as she took in its enticing upward bend. Sweet Jesus, she was going to have some fun with that!

  Scanning up his lightly haired treasure trail, she almost moaned at the sight of the prominent ‘V’ shaped by his pelvis, and then sucked up the sight of nicely defined abs. Some hours at the gym, in addition to his hard work on the ranch, undoubtedly contributed to his formation, and she sure appreciated his effort. Slowly, she drank in the sight of magnificent pecs, lightly covered with black hair. His strong, wide shoulders gave way to bulging biceps which ran into thickly muscled forearms covered in that beautiful dark hair. He was a stunning specimen of the ideal male form and she couldn’t wait to explore his body fully, using her hands and mouth. When she met his eyes, his eyebrow arched dramatically as a grin took hold of his lips.

  “Like what you see?”

  Knowing damn well he knew she did, she shrugged. “Meh. You’re okay.”

  “You’re bad for my ego.”

  “But I’ll be great for your cock.”

  He feigned shock, and then chuckled. “Nice mouth.”

  “If you’re looking for a lady, you’re out of luck, cowboy.”

  “You’re my type of lady,” he countered.

  “Oh? Do tell.”

  After climbing onto the bed, he then covered her with his body when she reclined back, holding his body weight on his forearms, and pressing gently against her. His stiffness dug into her inner thigh and it was all she could do to not line up under him. Safety first, she cautioned herself, certain he had condoms, and truly wanting to hear what he was about to say.

  “You really are my type of lady,” he confirmed, “smart, confident, foul-mouthed, and sexy as hell.” He delivered a soft kiss to her lips. Feather-light in its gentleness, it had her craving more. “You’re funny, compassionate, and talented.”

  “Do you really see all that in me?”

  “Most of it,” he responded with an easy shrug, “but you cook well enough to make up for what you lack.”

  “Nice,” she commented as she narrowed her eyes. He was joking, and she enjoyed his new, playful mood.

  “I do see all that, and so much more.”

  Kissing her again, he delivered a more insistent one, a kiss that spoke of his desire, and promised a fulfillment of her fantasies about him. The man could certainly kiss, and she returned it, with an insistency she hoped related her desire to get the party started, moving her hips beneath him, feeling his hardness against her, wanting him within her. He pulled back, just enough to lock gazes with her.

  “Tell me what you want,” he whispered. “Tell me what to do.”

  He was too good to be true, and if his kisses were any indication of his sexual abilities, she was in for the ride of her life, as he’d promised. Catching her bottom lip between her teeth at the penetrating lust that burned in his eyes, she held back the moan she wanted to release, trying to save them for later, hoping he pulled a multitude from her.

  “Lick me,” she rasped. “Lick me until I forget my name, and make me scream yours.”

  “That was so damn hot.” He kissed her lips fleetingly, and then flashed his lop-sided grin. “Yes, ma’am, your wish is my command.”

  Expecting him to slowly make his way down her body, she was surprised when he rose on all fours and then scuttled down the bed. He grasped her legs under her knees and then pressed them against her chest. His mouth covered her, and she gasped loudly. Oh, dear God did Ethan know what he was doing! The moan that escaped her lips was loud. Good thing there wasn’t anyone else in the house, as he’d left the bedroom door open. Adding fingers to the party, he picked up his pace. She’d asked him to make her scream and was certain he would. He was good at the act. Too good. She writhed, and moaned loudly.

  “Ethan, oh, I’m going to ... yeah, I’m going to—”

  Releasing a piercing scream, she threw her head back against the pillow. He continued to work her as she writhed. Her legs shook, and she gasped loudly.

  “Okay, enough.”

  He released his hold on her. Panting, she tried to meet his eyes, but they were glued to the place between her legs.

  “Your girl is beautiful,” he said.

  “My girl?”

  “What do you call it?”

  “My pus—”

  “Jeez,” he interrupted, “do you need to be crude?”

  “I thought you liked my foul mouth.”

  A broad smile accompanied his head shake. “You’re something else.” Then his eyes moved to examine her again. “Seriously though, your girl is beautiful. Small but plump lips. It’s like she’s calling to me. I could stay down here all night.”

  She bit her lip. All night? He dipped a finger into her and moaned. “You’re so wet. For me. Do you know what a turn on that is?”

  No, but she sure as shit knew what a turn on his words were. She’d never had anyone describe her ‘girl’ to her before, and never would’ve thought it could be erotic, although maybe it was only him who made it so. He dipped his head forward.

  “No,” she said, her voice raspy, “I want you inside me.”

  “Later. Right now, I want more of this.”

  “Sex first.”

  Was she nuts? He was willingly going to please her again. Most women would love that. But she needed to feel his body against hers. She’d fantasized about it for a week, and couldn’t wait any longer.

  “Is this a Mexican standoff?” His brow arched again, sexily so.

  “More like a Canadian compromise.”

  “Except I’m the only one making a compromise.”

  “Oh, did you not want to have sex?”

  “You’re too much.”

  He chuckled, rose from the bed, extracted a condom from the bedside table, and tore it open. The sight of him covering his length had her writhing again, practically dying to feel him inside her. When he covered her with his body, she wrapped her legs around his waist. He was so warm, his muscles hard, a more intense hardness pressed against her thigh. He smiled, that crooked smile of his, and this time it caused a pang in her chest. Sex only, sex only, sex only.

/>   “You seem eager.”

  “Ethan, please, stop teasing. I need you inside me.”

  He shifted, and his erection poked against her. Moving his hips slightly, he slowly rubbed over her sensitive flesh, drawing a deep moan from her. Propped on his elbows, his chest pressed to hers, he tenderly stroked her cheeks as he stared at her intently.

  “You’re so beautiful. I’ve thought of this so much this past week. I wanted this so much. I’m going to go slow, draw this out, and make it the best you’ve ever had.”

  Torn between wanting him to take her and wanting to hear him talk to her longer, she bit her lip. He hadn’t entered her yet and she felt another orgasm building. Employing some unknown and indescribable power, he was in full control, a position she’d never allowed a lover. Why did she like it now? No, she didn’t like it. She loved it.

  “Take me in your hand,” he coaxed, his voice just above a whisper, “use me to please yourself.”

  Complying, she took hold of him, amazed at his girth. She had rather large hands for a woman, and, wrapped around him, her fingers weren’t anywhere near meeting. As she rubbed him against herself, she moaned loudly. It felt so, so good, her arousal and the condom providing a slippery and oh so incredible sensation.

  His eyelids drooped. “That feels amazing, don’t stop.”

  She couldn’t if she wanted to. Increasing her movements, her hips seemed to move of their own accord, and her breath came in sharp gasps. Her orgasm broke with an astounding intensity. She threw her head back on the pillow as a litany of “Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit,” spilled from her lips. She let go of him to grab his shoulders, her fingertips digging in roughly, as the tail end of her climax arrived in a beastly fashion, threatening to tear her apart as it delivered a potent delight.

  “Holy shit!” She screamed. Breathing heavily, she met his eyes. Gleaming in the dim light, the want in them was unmistakably primal. It triggered a powerful aftershock that ripped through her, causing her to grunt loudly and jerk beneath him.

  He bit his lip. “Damn, that was intense.” He kissed her, his tongue slipping between her lips, and then sweeping her mouth. It spoke of his need and his promise to fulfill hers. With an intensity that stole her breath, he kept kissing her, an act that thrilled her, and calmed her, stoked her passion, and soothed her trembling body. Shivering with the contrasting sensations, she didn’t know how much more she could endure. He broke the kiss, pressed his forehead to hers and, looking deeply into her eyes, entered her.

  His slow movement drew a loud groan from her. Swollen from two orgasms, her ‘girl’ accepted him with a breathtaking, stretching sensation. Sweat broke out on her forehead and upper lip. He inched inside, deepening the stretching feeling. She swore she would come again, despite having just done so. Twice. His languid movements, coupled with the intensity of his hot stare, had her muscles contracting brutally. He bit his lip.

  “Ah, shit. Zoë, oh my God, Zoë, you feel so good. You’re squeezing me so tight.”

  With a grunt, he began to move, leisurely, employing a pace that excited and frustrated her. Once more, the onslaught of contradictions had her writhing. Grasping his shoulders tightly, she snapped her hips up under him.

  “Harder,” she demanded, “faster.”

  His arms snaked under her and he closed his hands over her shoulders, pulling her against him as he thrust, his movements increasing in speed and force. Moaning, she savoured each impalement of his steely length, swearing it swelled more within her, and damn if he didn’t keep up the eye-contact, driving her wild. She was so close again.

  “Ah, harder!”

  With a deep groan and a shudder, he stilled, his head dipping to rest in the crook of her neck and shoulder, his hot breath blasting against her inflamed skin. The knowledge her demand had pushed him to his climax turned her on something fierce and, though she should give him a moment to relax, she greedily circled her hips, drawing a growl from him. Straightening up to lock eyes with her again, he reached over her to grasp the headboard. With a renewed vigour, he drove into her, his body slapping noisily against her.

  She matched each thrust, the sounds of his soft grunts, echoing each time he hit home, propelling her closer to her release. They were both sweating with their efforts, and the slight muskiness of his, intermingled with that manly soap smell had her panting heavily. She was riding the edge, needing just a little more—

  “Ah, fuck!”

  Shrieking, she thrust her hips wildly, her fingertips hooking into his pecs, and threw her head back repeatedly. Unable to think, only feel, the pleasurable jolts of her orgasm ripped through her with an almost painful ferocity. Scream after scream left her lips as she bucked, twisted, and writhed beneath him. All the while, he kept up his pace, prolonging her pleasure, pulling powerful aftershocks from her.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” An incredible reverberation tore through her, making her gasp. “Oh, stop, stop!”

  He slowed, allowing her to calm. Her breath issuing in ragged gulps, her eyes squeezed shut, she clung to his chest. What the hell had he done to her? Somewhat coherent thought was back, enough to realize she’d just experienced the most intense orgasm she’d ever had, and it wasn’t over. He circled his hips slowly and each rotation set her off again, bucking, shaking, and moaning. As the strength of the aftershocks lessened, so did her grip on him. He kept up his languid movement as he tenderly kissed her lips, licking along their seam occasionally. Lacking the energy to kiss him back, she enjoyed his attention, even as she couldn’t tell him. She couldn’t move. Not voluntarily, anyway. Little electric shocks continued to pummel her, making her twitch. She didn’t feel in control of her own body and couldn’t care less.

  “You okay?” he questioned. There was a definite sliver of humour in his voice. Maybe he was proud of what he’d done to her. He should be. She managed a nod. “I’ll be right back.”

  The bed dipped as he left it, and she could no more protest his leaving than she could open her eyes. Her entire body crackled with electricity, her muscles still jerking periodically. Holy shit, that was amazing.

  When he returned from the washroom, she still hadn’t moved. Completely satiated, she remained still, her eyes closed, enjoying the remaining, albeit greatly diminished electric waves that hummed through her. He slid into bed beside her, and called her name softly. When her reply was a lazy grunt, he chuckled.

  “Did I break you?”

  She nodded and then slowly opened her eyes to see him stretched out on his side facing her, one arm bent, his head on his hand, grinning. With effort she turned onto her side, mimicking his pose to face him.

  “I’m worn out,” she said. Her throat felt raw from all the screaming she’d done.

  “Yeah, um, you came like a demon. I’ve never seen a woman orgasm like that before. Ever.”

  “That was all you, cowboy.”

  “Ha! I appreciate the ego boost, but I seriously doubt that. You’re something else, Zoë Pennell.”

  “As are you, Ethan Collins.”

  “You can just call me ‘Sir’.”

  “Fat chance.”

  “Kinda figured,” he replied and then frowned exaggeratedly.

  She chuckled at that and then darted her head forward to kiss his nose affectionately. He smiled and then dipped his head.

  “Rest up a bit, then I’ll go make us something to eat before round two.”

  “Round two?”

  “Oh yeah, definitely. There might even be a round three.”

  “Yeehaw! I think I’m going to enjoy having a cowboy lover.”

  He laughed. She loved his new relaxed, playful mood. It was as if he’d pulled down a shield and she supposed he had. Her behaviour had undoubtedly had him guarded and he seemed to be himself around her now. Too bad she couldn’t do the same. They remained as they were for a few moments, with him gently stroking the curve of her hip.

  “Are you getting a bit more energy back?” he questioned.

  “Ye
ah, a little.”

  “Good, then go make me a sandwich, woman.”

  He followed up his joking command with a light slap on her ass. Laughing, he embraced her and continued laughing even after she elbowed him in the ribs.

  “Seriously though,” he continued, “rest up some. Then I’ll go make us something to eat.”

  “You don’t have to, you know. I can do it.”

  “No way. You don’t work on weekends, remember?”

  “Wow, yeah, I could get used to this chivalrous cowboy thing.”

  “I do aim to please,” he returned, suggestively.

  “And boy did you ever please me.”

  The endearing crooked smile was upon his lips again. She could get used to the sight of it, and could get used to his new, and decidedly warm, mood. As long as he stuck to his promise to not hound her about her past, she thought this arrangement would work perfectly. She enjoyed her job and, if she spent more nights in Ethan’s bed, preferably every night, it would be a breeze passing time on the ranch. As he held her close, softly kissing her lips, she snaked a leg over him to caress his calf with her foot. His kisses were gentle, and carried a sweet promise of a return to his breath-taking kisses of earlier. Oh yeah, she could definitely get used to having a cowboy lover.

  20

  Opening his eyes and squinting at the bright sunlight that flooded them, Ethan grasped it was well past his normal early waking time. He jerked upright into a seated position, awakening Zoë beside him.

  “What’s wrong?” she questioned.

  “Nothing, I just overslept is all.”

  He looked past her to the alarm clock on the nightstand. “It’s almost ten! What the fuck!” Scrambling out of bed, he was about to race to the dresser for clothes when her voice stilled him.

  “Um, I’m sure Skip must have fed the animals by now,” she ventured.

  Her tone was tentative, and it calmed him. There was no need for him to act like an idiot, especially after the great night they shared. Skip would have fed all the animals by now and released them into the paddocks. While he didn’t like the fact he’d inadvertently dumped all that work on Skip without notice, there was nothing he could do about it now.