A Breath of Heaven (El Camino Real Book 1)

by Sable Hunter

  “I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Cade.” Abby had to be careful. He must never catch on to what had happened or how she really felt. The one thing she dreaded more than anything else was seeing pity in Cade’s eyes.

  “It’ll be fun. I’ll help. You just follow my directions and listen to my voice.” Cade lay spread-eagle on his bed with the covers thrown back. Just hearing Abby’s voice and knowing she was lying there listening to him was a turn-on. Helpless to do otherwise, he ran his hand over his cock and cupped his balls. “Take off your gown for me, Abby. I’m naked and I want to know you are too.”

  “Cade!” she protested. But the thought of him, naked, his beautiful male body warm and touchable from the shower made Abby shiver. God, she was tempted. He couldn’t see her. Besides, this was the most excitement she’d ever had in bed. Quickly, before she could change her mind, Abby took off her shirt, pushed down her shorts and trembled. “Okay, I did it.” God, her nipples were like ice chips and she’d never been wetter.

  “Good girl.” Cade smiled. He stroked his cock. It was still erect and aching. “Okay, listen to me. I want you to run your hands over your body. Close your eyes, and start at your face. Soothe your palms down your neck, and on down to your chest. Do it, Abby.”

  She couldn’t help herself. Following his command, she ran her fingers over her skin. It felt so good. It was almost like he was in bed with her. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend Cade was touching her. God, she’d give ten years of her life to know what it was like to be loved by Cade—even if he was worrisome.

  “Talk to me, Abby. What are you feeling?” He hungered to know, to feel, to imagine.

  “A headache coming on.” Not true, but she couldn’t let him know the truth. It would be like arming a nuclear missile. She’d tried to sound sarcastic. But her voice was too breathy, he had to know how he was effecting her.

  Cade smiled. “Believe me; this will make you feel better. An orgasm is the best headache medicine in the world. Touch your breasts, Honey. Cup them and rub all around, but don’t touch your nipples, not yet.”

  “Hmmmmm.” She sighed, she couldn’t help it. Her breasts were sensitive and what she was doing felt so good. Round and round her areolas she went. Abby wanted to touch her nipples. She wanted him to touch her nipples.

  “What color are they?”

  “Pink, a deep rosy pink.” She answered before she thought. Cade groaned.

  “Pull them for me, tease them, play with them.”

  “What are you doing?” She asked with desperation. Abby needed to know, she wanted to see him in her mind. “Tell me, Cade.” She begged, following his instructions, caressing her breasts. She wished they were bigger. If they were bigger, it might make up for…

  “You know what I’m doing,” he answered. Cade was pumping his cock, working it from root to tip. “I’m pretending my hand is yours. You’re stroking me.”

  “God,” she moaned, writhing. The idea that he imagined it was her touching him – turned her inside out. She couldn’t be still. Her hips lifted off the bed, and she was clenching and unclenching the muscles of her sex. Abby was so turned on, she wanted to cry. “Cade!”

  “Put your hand between your legs, Abby.” Damn, his imagination was working overtime. He could almost see her pink sex, how creamy she was. A little landing strip of dark down guided his eye and cock to paradise.

  Abby opened her legs wide. She slid her fingers into her slit. Damn, it felt so good. She couldn’t talk, she could only whimper. “Uh, uh, ummm.”

  Cade strained to hear every word she said, every moan she made. “You sound so sweet.” He was fisting his cock faster and faster. With his other hand, he gripped the sheet. If he didn’t hold on to something, he’d be out of this room and in her bed faster than a wink. Never had he wanted a woman more. “That’s it, Baby. Rub your little clit. Put your fingers inside that tight little hole. Don’t you wish I was lying beside you? Don’t you wish it was my cock filling you up?”

  “Please! Yes, God, yes!”

  He heard her call out. He could hear the squeaking of the bed springs as her body writhed in ecstasy. Mercy, he was about to cum. He didn’t want to do it alone. “I can’t stop, Abby. Swirl your fingers around your hot button for me, milk those sweet nipples. Let me hear you say my name. Cum for me, Abby. My cock is about to burst!” He bucked his hips and imagined he was plunging deep into her wet heat. He wondered if she could hear the slap, slap, slap as he took his self-pleasure. “God! Yes!” He was right there…right there.

  “Cade! Oh, Cade!” she screamed his name as she shattered and shook.

  Cade groaned. “Abby!” he bellowed as his release erupted out, coating his hand and her baby blue sheets with powerful jets of his seed.

  Abby lay there panting, sweating, her heart pounding like she’d run a marathon. Through the wall, she could hear Cade breathing hard as well.

  “Thanks for getting me off, Darlin’,” he drawled, not wanting her to know how much this had touched him – not yet anyway. He felt raw and vulnerable – needy.

  Abby’s ire went up. Why did he have to ruin it? But instead of a snappy come-back, she felt the back of her eyelids begin to burn. “Whatever.” Wasn’t this just effing fantastic? The only way she could have sex with a man was with a wall between them.

  Knowing Abby and how she felt about him, Cade had practiced up on his sarcasm and disdain. She never failed to hold her own with him. He imagined if he tried to hug her, it would be like embracing a bramble bush. She might be as beautiful as a rose, but beware the thorns.

  And then he heard it. A hiccupped sob.

  “Abby?” Another one. Louder, this time. “Abby!” He heard her get off the bed. “Dammit!” He thought they’d had fun. Heck! He scrambled around, cleaned his cock and pulled on a pair of lounge pants. Well, he’d just see about this.

  Cade started out into the hall, planning on beating on her door until she opened it, when he saw a faint glow from outside. Going to the French doors, he saw she was sitting in a wrought iron chair, legs drawn up under her chin, hugging herself and shivering. Damn, it was freezing! What was she thinking? Grabbing a quilt off the bed, he headed out his door.

  “How will I ever face him again?” she muttered, remembering how she’d moaned and carried on when she came. What he must think of her? He’d probably done that just to make fun of her and she’d fell for it like a ton of bricks.

  One moment she was sitting there feeling sorry for herself, contemplating a career as an icicle, and the next, a warm blanket enclosed her and a pair of strong arms picked her up.

  “It’s cold out here. Do you want to catch your death?” Cade’s voice was serious, not a hint of sarcasm.

  Abby stiffened from surprise. “Hey! Put me down. Dying would be preferable to this!”

  “Tough!”

  “Let me walk.” She struggled in his embrace but it was fruitless. He held her easily and securely.

  “Stop wiggling. We’re going in.” Cade was adamant.

  Abby was struck with the ironic sadness of being where right she longed to be – in his arms - but for all the wrong reasons. Damn. “Take me to my room, right now.” She fumed as she realized they were heading to the guest room, his room for the moment.

  “Nope.” Cade was determined. Plop! Abby bounced on his bed. She immediately scrambled off, but he grabbed her foot, sat down and pulled her into his lap. “Easy, I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “I don’t want to be here.” Shame made Abby’s whole body warm.

  “Too bad.”

  He moved her hair to one side and Abby felt something touch her neck. Startled, her hand flew up and she realized it was a necklace. “What is this? I don’t understand.”

  “I bought it for you. It’s a thank-you gift for your hospitality.” Cade wasn’t letting this opportunity go to waste.

  “You did?” Awe was in Abby’s voice. She picked the piece of jewelry up. It was a flower pendant, as blue as the deepest s
ea. “It’s beautiful, Cade. Thank you.” Unbidden, tears began to flow again.

  “Hey, what is this?” He pulled Abby close. She was trembling. Cade had to steel his nerves not to shake right along with her. How many years had he longed to have her right here in his arms?

  “I’m embarrassed.” She mumbled low.

  He had to strain to hear her voice. “Why? What we did was the most natural thing in the world.” Cade softly caressed her neck, feeling her pulse beneath his fingers.

  Not natural for her. Abby stiffened in his arms, refusing to relax.

  “Are you afraid of me?” Cade asked, not liking that idea. Not at all.

  “Why would I be afraid of you?” She put as much sarcasm in her voice as she could muster.

  “Maybe you’re afraid of what I make you feel.”

  Oh, no. He was right. “You have the most massive ego…”

  Suddenly he just wanted to make her smile. “I have something else that’s massive,” he growled in her ear, his breath fanning her soft hair. “Wanna see?”

  She laughed. “You’re hopeless.” He nudged her backside with something which felt like a rolling pin. Dang, he was big. But she couldn’t stay. It would never work. “Let me go, Cade. I appreciate the gift and all, but—” Abby tried to get up.

  “Shhhh,” he whispered against her temple. “I think you need gentling.” Placing his hand on her knee, he began to pet her. Jesus, her skin was smooth. Cade caressed her kneecap, then slid his hand up her thigh. She flinched, but he didn’t stop. “It’s okay, Pretty Girl.”

  Abby thought she would combust. How many nights had she dreamed of this moment? Cade Tallbull was touching her. His hot breath was fanning on her cheek. All she’d have to do is turn her head a fraction and they could be kissing. Oh, Lord. He was pushing her hair to one side. “Stop,” she protested weakly.

  “I can’t, Abby. I want you too much.” He let his lips skim the soft skin under her ear. “You’re so sweet.”

  Abby moaned. What was Cade doing to her?

  “Give me that mouth.” He ran soothing kisses up her neck, over her jaw to the corner of her lips. “Perfect.” So far she was still in his lap. Good. Cade slipped a hand under her shirt, rubbing the silky expanse of her back, anchoring her to him.

  Abby’s whole body was throbbing. She was more excited than she ever thought possible. Feather-light fingertips were tracing magic patterns across her electrified skin. And then his mouth dipped to hers and he kissed her.

  A kiss. What a simple word for such a life-altering event.

  Oh, how she wished for expertise, some instinctual knowledge of the proper response. Could he tell she hadn’t kissed anyone since the day he’d given her a very hurried peck on the lips all those years ago? Abby shook like a leaf on an Aspen tree. A strong, firm palm held the nape of her neck gently, and her whole world condensed to the reality of his lips covering hers, tasting. She wanted to respond, to kiss him back, but she didn’t know how. Self-conscious at her lack of experience, Abby tried to pull away, but Cade stopped her.

  “Don’t you dare move.”

  He deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth, pushing his tongue in to coax hers to get acquainted. Abby never knew such intimacy existed. Tentatively, she returned the caress, holding his bottom lip between hers.

  Soft smooches, velvet indulgences. Abby could have kissed him forever.

  …Until the hand at her back moved to the front and he stroked the skin at the top of her shorts.

  No! Not there.

  She jerked back. “I can’t do this, Cade. Let me up.” This time he didn’t try to stop her. Blind to everything but escape, Abby fled.

  Chapter Three

  What the hell happened? Cade was confused and disgusted with himself. He’d made her cry. Their history was full of teasing and sparring. Years ago, when he’d wanted more, Abby had rejected him. Okay, he’d been hurt. He was human. But Cade had respected her wishes.

  Like Junior High kids, they now fought instead of flirting. While this wasn’t what he needed or wanted from her, he’d always settled for what he could get.

  Until now.

  But never in a billion years had he ever intended to make her cry.

  Following her, he went to her door. “Abby? Honey, I’m sorry. Let me in.” Nothing. He couldn’t hear a sound. He tried three more times, standing there, waiting. There was no noise at all coming from inside her room. It was like a tomb. Hell!

  Abby sat in the bottom of the shower with her knees drawn up under her chin. She could hear Cade speaking to her, but there was no way she could handle any more tonight.

  Tomorrow, she’d be stronger tomorrow…

  “Abby, please.” After long moments, he returned to his room. He wasn’t giving up, Cade was just biding his time.

  * * *

  Thank God, she had an inner clock. Abby hadn’t wanted to alert Cade she was leaving the house, so she’d turned off her alarm when she went to bed. There was no way she could face him anytime soon. Abby needed distance for a little while.

  Before daybreak, she was up, dressed in her personal uniform of jeans and a western shirt and was out the door. Like a coward, she’d exited from her bedroom patio, carefully avoiding getting anywhere near Cade. Years ago, he’d been a light sleeper and she suspected he still might be.

  Her breath clouded in front of her. Damn, it was cold. The temperature gauge read eighteen degrees. In her lifetime, she couldn’t remember a longer bout of freezing weather in East Texas. The grass crunched beneath her feet, each blade covered in ice. From across the yard, she heard a huffing bellow and a deep rumble. “Hello, Santiago. How’s it hangin’?” The huge Longhorn bull’s answer was an arrogant toss of his big head. Now, if any animal in the world had it made, it was him. He had plenty of food, a harem and no threat to his peaceful existence but time.

  As Abby walked to her truck, she looked out over her beautiful home. Even in the harsh weather, the rich green winter grass was hardy and abundant. Oh, it was frost covered this morning, but when the sun melted the fine covering of ice, the Bermuda and the oats would be thick and ready for the herd. As far as the eye could see was El Camino. From the air, it looked like a lush green quilt, crisscrossed by fences. Pecan orchards, peach orchards, even a vineyard dressed up the rolling pasture land. They raised Santa Cruz cattle, quarter horses, Longhorns and an assortment of wild deer for hunting excursions. Her veterinarian office was near the highway frontage. Justice had built it to her exact specifications.

  Justice was her favorite brother. Only Justice knew the whole truth of what happened that day, and he’d helped her keep the secret. He didn’t approve but he loved her, so he went along with her story.

  Climbing in the truck, Abby rubbed her hands together, encouraging circulation. Inserting the key, she turned it. Nothing. After two more tries, she finally got the engine to turn over. The drive was short, so she didn’t even bother to turn on any heat but she did turn on the radio full blast, anything to drown out her thoughts. The day would be full, but first thing was the breeding of Chris’ mare to Shane’s stallion. This was not one of Abby’s favorite things to do. The animals were unpredictable and she had to ensure neither one was injured during the process. Parking to the side of the paddock, she saw Chris’ rig and knew he was already waiting on her. Climbing out, she fished a pair of gloves from her pocket. “Is our girl ready?”

  The middle-aged horseman walked to the back of the pickup and took a rope from his tool box. He was a transplant from Kentucky, bringing some of the Bluegrass state’s finest horseflesh to Texas. “She’s in full heat, Dr. King. Of course, I bow to your expertise.”

  Abby nodded and together they unloaded the mare. She would ascertain her readiness and introduce the stallion to her slowly. Supervised breeding was the best way. If left to their own devices, hooves could fly and they could hurt one another before you knew it. “Easy, girl.” She led the animal to the barn. “There are things I need to do before Shane arrives with Ca
esar.”

  Chris helped secure the mare and then Abby set out to prepare for the procedure. She looked for the obvious signs. When a mare comes into heat, she will flash her vulva repeatedly, squirt copiously and assume the mating stance. They’d know for sure when they put the two of them together. If he nuzzled around on her and she didn’t outright reject him, they’d be in business.

  “First, I’m going to wash her. Next, I’ll tie her tail.” While the owner watched, she made sure the horse was clean and used an adhesive bandage to hold the tail out of the way. Sometimes a mare was just too inexperienced to know to swish it to one side. Abby smiled. No more inexperienced than she was. Would Cade enjoy teaching her about sex?

  “Are we ready?” Shane walked up. Abby had been so busy, she hadn’t heard her neighbor arrive. “I know he is.” He pointed to the prancing stallion who’d already picked up on the scent of the female.

  “Almost.” Abby answered, finally taking the time to answer. She took some lube from a cabinet and applied it to the mare. “Hold on, Lady. We’re getting you all ready. In a few months, you’ll have a baby to love.”

  * * *

  “What in the name of God?” Cade hadn’t expected this. Abby was guiding a huge stallion into a holding pen where a mare danced in waiting. Another man stood idly by, watching. Anger swept over him. He knew her job could be dangerous, but this was fuckin’ ridiculous. She was tiny! He knew exactly what could go right and what could go wrong in situations like this. Holding his breath, he watched, his heart pounding in his chest. She brought the horse in diagonally, keeping a tight rein on him. The animal had to be convinced she was the stronger of the two. If the stallion ever suspected for one moment he had the upper hand, there would be no holding him back. Abby took him closer, allowing the big horse to nuzzle the mare’s vulva, nickering to her. She moved forward, unsure of her new suitor.

  “Whoa.” Abby set back on the reins, maintaining the necessary tight hold. “We’ll get there, Caesar. Just hold on.” She let him sniff her for a few moments, until she saw the mare spread her legs and push backward. “It’s a go.”