by Jenn Roseton
“Night stand drawer,” he rasped, gently placing his hand over hers and taking a deep, shuddering breath. “If you do any more of that, I’m going to explode.”
Excitement surged through her at the thought that she could make Luke lose control. Angling her body to the right, she leaned forward and opened the drawer, grasping an unopened box of condoms.
“Let me.” Luke ripped open the box and deftly sheathed himself.
Cassie used the interruption to wriggle off him and remove the rest of her garments. She’d been so caught up in their lovemaking that she hadn’t even realized that she still wore clothes.
Only once she’d undressed did she realize her naked body was on display. She looked shyly at Luke, catching her bottom lip with her teeth.
“You’re gorgeous, sweetheart.” He held out a hand to her and she clasped her fingers in his, joining him back on the bed. Kneeling above him, she’d never felt so aroused or sexy before.
“Are you sure about this, Cassie?” Heated shivers stole through her at Luke’s gentle voice. “You have no idea how much I want you, but I don’t want to rush you.”
The raw need in his eyes told her in no uncertain terms how he hungered for her.
“I’m sure.” Emboldened by his desire for her, she kissed him softly, then started to lower herself upon him. Her slick folds teased the tip of him and his hands clasped her hips, helping her fit herself to him.
Cassie gasped once he was fully inside. She felt so full, so complete. Luke started to move slowly and she adjusted to his rhythm, loving this position. She gazed into his eyes as they moved together, each thrust becoming faster and harder.
Her secret nub throbbed with need as the friction of each stroke made her want more - and more. Luke grasped her hips more firmly as he surged into her, over and over. Finally, she cried out, her whole body quaking with ecstasy.
He thrust into her three more times, spasming inside her with a muffled shout.
Cassie collapsed onto his chest, unable to speak. She’d never experienced love-making like that before. Luke’s arms tightened around her as they lay there, catching their breath.
She finally stirred, attempting to wriggle off him. “Hey, where are you going?” He caressed her hips.
Cassie couldn’t believe that after what they had just shared, she could feel heat creeping along her cheeks. “I don’t want to be too heavy,” she mumbled, trying to hide her face in his neck.
“You’re beautiful, Cassie.” He lifted up her chin, gazing into her eyes. “I love your figure just the way it is.” He pressed a firm kiss across her lips.
Cassie smiled, all her feelings for him wrapped up in a slow, seductive kiss that she hoped would make his toes curl.
She giggled against his lips as a few seconds later, he flipped her over, taking control of the kiss as if he were never going to let her go. Ever.
Cassie sighed and wrapped her arms around his back. If she hadn’t already been in love with Luke before tonight, she knew for a fact that she was now.
###
Cassie hummed under her breath as she transferred the last remaining money from her old bank account in Seattle to the new one she’d opened in Coldwater Springs. The last two weeks had been the most incredible of her life. Ever since they had made love for the first time, she and Luke were seeing each other whenever they could. Cassie spent a few nights each week at his place, as well as on weekends. She’d also gotten more accounts work, which meant she’d had to cut down on her shifts at the diner. Although she missed Betty and the customers at the diner a little, it was wonderful not to have aching, tired feet every day.
When she had bashfully told Sarah and Libby about Luke, Libby hadn’t been able to wipe the grin off her face. “Told you!” she’d crowed. “Maybe I should become the town matchmaker.”
“There’s a frightening thought,” Sarah teased, before the discussion eventually turned back to her wedding that was taking place in a week’s time.
These days, Cassie didn’t often think about her old life in Seattle. When she did, it was to wonder how she could have been taken in by Phillip in the first place. In hindsight, she saw the signs that he was a controlling and potentially abusive man. But at the time, she’d been so flattered by his attentions she hadn’t wanted to look past his surface charm - charm that vanished once she’d moved in with him.
But Luke was totally different. A dreamy smile played on her lips. They’d only been together officially for two weeks, but what she really wanted to do was tell him that she loved him. But was it too soon? And what did he really feel for her?
Their sex life was amazing, and she knew he desired her. He told her repeatedly, through actions and words. And she always felt so safe and protected in his presence as well. With Luke, she felt a sense of completeness that she’d never experienced before.
Cassie turned off her laptop and got ready for a morning shift at the diner. She had some accounts work to do after lunch, and then she was going to have dinner with Luke at the ranch and stay overnight. Her body tingled at the thought of seeing him tonight, of his lips on hers, his hands roaming over her body, his husky whispers telling her just how much he wanted her…
She smiled to herself, running a brush through her shoulder-length hair. “Yep, I’ve got it bad,” she murmured to her reflection in the mirror.
###
“Cassie, coffee for the blond stranger.” Betty gestured to the end booth.
As she approached the man, Cassie flashed back to the day she thought Phillip had posed as a customer, and the freak-out she’d experienced. But if that hadn’t happened, she mused, then maybe she and Luke wouldn’t have gotten together.
Cassie set down the tray, half her mind on Luke, and half on delivering the coffee. “Here you…” her words trailed off as she got a good look at the stranger in the booth.
Phillip.
“Hello, Cassie.”
She stared at her ex-boyfriend, her hands frozen on the tray. His patrician features looked exactly the same - aquiline nose, cold green eyes and thin-lipped mouth.
“I never thought you’d end up in a dump like this, but then again, I didn’t think you’d be so stupid as to leave me.”
Her first thought was to flee. Her second thought was to pour the hot coffee on his lap. “H-how - how did you find me?” Her mouth felt like sandpaper.
His barbs came flooding back to her. Are you sure you should be eating that? Your hips don’t need any extra flesh. Why are you so clumsy? How simple can it be to make me a cup of coffee?
Phillip smirked. “I asked my friend at the bank to tell me when there was any activity in your account. So when you transferred money from your old bank account to your new one, I knew exactly where you were.”
Cassie closed her eyes. She’d been so sure that it was safe to use her old bank account again. When Phillip hadn’t appeared in Coldwater Springs in the first two months she’d been here, she’d assumed he had no interest in tracking her down.
“So pack your bags and we can get back to Seattle tonight,” he said smoothly. “Oh, and you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve spoken to Sanderson and you can have your old job back at the firm. I was even able to get him to sweeten the deal. Once old man Smythe retires in six months, his job is yours. You’ll be head of your department.”
She shook her head. Once, the thought of being head of her department at twenty-seven would have delighted her. But since she’d gotten away from the large accounting firm and the city streets, she realized she’d never been comfortable with the backstabbing and bitchy gossip that was an everyday occurrence in that workplace.
She’d rather work full-time here, at the diner, than back at Sanderson’s. Even if she hadn’t met Luke, she liked working at the diner a lot more than at an accounting firm where people climbed up the corporate ladder with steel-capped shoes.
“No, Phillip.” She was pleased with how firm her voice sounded.
He spoke as if he hadn’t heard her
. “And I’ve booked an appointment with the top diet coach in Seattle for next week. There’s just no excuse for you not being as slim as all the other women out there.” He waved a well-tended hand toward the window, as if there were hordes of sylph-like women walking past the diner.
“No.” She put the cup of coffee on the table and picked up the tray. “Goodbye, Phillip.”
She turned to leave. Phillip’s arm shot out, his fingers clamping around her wrist. “Did you hear me, Cassie? I’ve decided to forgive you and you can move back in with me.”
“Cassie?” Betty hurried over to the booth. “Is this man bothering you?”
“Not anymore.” She shook off Phillip’s grasp. “This is Phillip, my ex-boyfriend.” She took a deep breath. “And he was just leaving.” Cassie stared unflinchingly at Phillip. What had she ever seen in him?
“Come on, Cassie.”
Phillip reached for her again and she stepped back. She didn’t want him to touch her ever again. “No, Phillip.” Her heart hammered, but her voice remained steady. Standing up to Phillip wasn’t quite as hard as she thought it would be.
“What do you mean, no?” he demanded. “Have you met someone else? I wouldn’t have thought that the two-bit cowboys around here would be your style. Or have you decided to go slumming?”
“Now, you look here--” Betty started to say.
“It’s over, Phillip.” Cassie’s cheeks burned with indignation. How dare he insult Luke! She straightened her shoulders. “Find someone else to manipulate.”
“You’re making a big mistake, Cassie.” Ferocity etched his face.
“You heard her.” Betty waved her hands in the air as if he were a troublesome dog. “Now shoo!”
“Cassie!” Luke entered the diner, hastening his stride as he took in the scene at the end booth. “Are you okay?”
She smiled up at him, delighting in the warmth and concern in his eyes. “I’m fine. Phillip was just leaving.”
“Your ex?” Luke scowled and turned to the man sitting in the booth. “Why are you still here? You’ve been dismissed.”
Phillip started to speak, then thought better of it. He surged out of the booth, almost jostling Luke’s shoulder as he stormed out of the diner.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Luke clasped her shoulders and searched her expression.
“I’m fine. In fact, I feel great. I stood up to Phillip on my own.” She smiled in satisfaction, her face flushed. She’d come a long way since her car had broken down in Coldwater Springs two months ago.
“My beautiful Cassie,” Luke murmured, drawing her to him for a long, lingering kiss. The few customers in the diner cheered and they broke apart. “Come on, let’s get out of here for a minute.”
He clasped her hand and led her into the break room. Relief had smoothed the creases in his face. “I wanted to take care of that smug jerk myself, but I’m proud of the way you stood up to him, Cassie. You’re safe, and that’s all that matters.”
He shut the door and drew her to him. Cassie sighed as he kissed her thoroughly, her hands clasping his shoulders.
Luke finally lifted his lips and looked down into her eyes, his expression grave. “Sweetheart, we need to talk.”
Her heart twisted. She’d never seen that expression on Luke’s face before. “What is it?” she managed to whisper. His large hands still clasped her waist. If he was going to break up with her, would he still be holding her?
“Cassie, if you want to be free, I understand.” His dark brown eyes were unfathomable. “If you want to travel or need some space, after what you’ve been through with your ex, you’ve got it.”
She blinked up at him, her breath skipping. “What are you saying, Luke?”
“I…just want you to be happy.”
Cassie frowned. “But I am happy,” she murmured. “Or I was, until three seconds ago.”
Luke’s only reaction was to tighten his hands on her waist, his expression unreadable.
She took a deep breath. Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to tell Luke what her feelings were - if she had the courage. “I’m in love with you, Luke. Coldwater Springs is my home now. Even if we weren’t together, I’d still feel the same way. I love living here.”
“Thank God,” he muttered, crushing her to him. He drew back, looking deeply into her eyes. “You’re the woman of my dreams, Cassie. I was trying to be noble.” His mouth twisted wryly. “I didn’t want you to think you were trapped here. I wanted you to love me of your own free will, just as I love you.”
Joy lit her heart. “You love me?” His molten brown eyes gave her the confirmation she searched for.
“I think I fell in love with you the day you spilled those eggs on my lap.” His finger traced a path along her cheek. “I don’t know what I would have done if you said you wanted to spread your wings.” He grimaced. “I would have coped somehow, but I’d be counting down the days until you came back.”
Her smile blazed with happiness. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His lips seared hers, promising love, desire and tenderness as he molded her body to his. Cassie wanted to remain in his embrace forever.
###
“Toss the bouquet!” A wedding guest called out, as Sarah and Chase stood on the porch of the Grant farmhouse. Smiling, Sarah complied, turning around and throwing the bouquet over her shoulder.
Libby jockeyed for position, jumping in the air, but barely grazing a petal with her fingertips.
Cassie instinctively put her hands out in front of her face as the bouquet seemed to head straight towards her.
Cheers rang out as she caught the bouquet. Startled, Cassie looked down at the pink and white roses in her hands and inhaled their heady scent, before looking across the garden at Luke. His heated gaze held a promise of future and forever, and her heart melted with love.
“Why couldn’t I catch the bouquet?”
Cassie was barely aware of Libby beside her, mock-pouting. She bent her blond head over the flowers and breathed deeply, before lightly punching Cassie in the arm. “Your turn next.” She smiled.
Sheriff Jake Morgan strode toward them, and Libby whispered, “Hurry up and marry Luke. And make sure I catch the bouquet when you do so it will be my--”
“Excuse me, Cassie.” Jake effortlessly lifted Libby into his arms and carried her off, Libby giggling against his broad chest as they headed toward a secluded part of the garden.
The last words Cassie heard were a muffled, “Don’t forget, Cassie,” before Libby and her boyfriend vanished out of sight.
###
EPILOGUE
One year later - Aruba
Luke carried her over the threshold into the honeymoon suite. Cassie gasped at the gauzy canopy bed amid the opulent décor. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.” Heat stirred within him at the faint blush on his bride’s face. This beautiful woman was his - and he was never going to let her go.
The tropical breeze stirred the curtains at the open window. “Put me down, Luke.” She smiled up at him. “I want to see the view.”
He reluctantly released her and followed her to the balcony. People sunbathed on the white sand, while the frothy ocean waves lapped at the shore.
“Mmm.” Cassie closed her eyes and basked in the warmth of the sun. He slipped his arms around her, cradling her against his chest. Drawing her hair back, he placed a kiss on her neck, his body tightening with anticipation.
“I think you should book all our honeymoons.” She moved her head slightly, allowing him greater access to the sensitive spot on her neck.
“You mean we’re going to have more than one?” he teased, his breath fanning her ear.
She shivered and placed her hands on top of his. “I think we should have a honeymoon every year.”
His body ached at the promise in her words. He turned her around and ravished her lips, need sizzling his nerve-endings. The honeymoon was going to start right now.
“What a great
idea,” he murmured thickly. Luke picked her up and carried her to the large bed, knowing he was going to spend the rest of his life demonstrating just how much he loved her.
THE END
About the Author:
Jenn Roseton believes that romance and happy endings go together. When she's not writing, she indulges in delicious gourmet chocolate.
I hope you enjoyed reading this sexy contemporary romance. If you believe this story is worth sharing, please consider leaving a review and/or telling your friends about it so they can enjoy it, too. On the last page of this book is a Tweet/Share link. By clicking on this link, you can tell your friends immediately that you've just finished reading Curves and the Rancher, and I will be very appreciative if you do so.
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A special free short story featuring Chase and Sarah from Curves and the Cowboy is now available through my website at www.jennroseton.com/free-reads/
I hope you enjoy it! (Note: it's a little spicier than Curves and the Cowboy, Curves and the Sheriff, and Curves and the Rancher)
The next book in the Coldwater Springs series should be available in December 2013.
Connect with Jenn Roseton:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JennRosetonauthor
Blog: http://jennroseton.blogspot.com
Other Titles by Jenn Roseton on Amazon:
Curves and the Cowboy (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 1)
Curves and the Sheriff (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 2)
Hot and Sexy 1: Seductive Persuasion - should be free on Amazon. If it isn't, please visit www.JennRoseton.com to find out where you can download it for free
Hot and Sexy 2: Bridal Jitters
BBW Needs Hot Sex (BBW Erotic Romance)
Seduced by the Boss 1: Pent-Up Passion
Seduced by the Boss 2: Spanking Miss Jones
Seduced by the Boss 3: For Her Pleasure