Hot. Moist. Decadent. Images of Dustin drizzled in chocolate, her tongue tracing the path of the sweet, sticky substance, teased her brain. She nearly came. She wanted him, despite the war raging in her head, despite the stress of settling Gran's estate.
She looked into his eyes, popped a bite of chocolate into her mouth and slowly chewed. Her tongue snaked out to catch a crumb from her lower lip, and she moaned, savoring the dessert. She imagined sucking the brownie from his cock, smearing the frosting on her breasts and letting him lick it off...
"Mmm, you are absolutely right. I'll have to ask the cook if I can borrow some of that frosting for tonight.” Stew on that, Dustin Dumen.
She brushed past him and walked out of the lodge with as much calm as her racing heart could muster.
"Where are you going?” Bridgette called, catching up to her on the sidewalk.
Shannon shrugged. She didn't want to talk about her reawakened feelings for Dustin. “I'm tired, I need a nap."
"A nap?” Her cousin's nose wrinkled up in a confused scowl. “It's too late for a nap."
She fought back an impatient sigh. “You and the rest of the girls go out shopping and do what you planned to do for a few hours. It's been a long day, and I'm wiped out.” Not to mention she still had to deal with her mother at some point. Carolyn had left three messages on her cell phone. Gran would have been disappointed if Shannon didn't return the calls and face her demons head on.
Bridgette gripped Shannon's hand. “Honey, you know I'm here if you need to talk, right?"
Shannon laughed. “Oh, for pity sake, I'm tired, not suicidal. Get out of here."
They hugged and Bridgette turned on her heel and rejoined her friends in the main lodge. Shannon trudged up the sidewalk to her cabin. Once inside, she flopped on the bed and called her mother.
"Shannon, it's about time you called. We need to deal with this estate stuff."
"Hello to you, too, Mother. Why, yes, I did make it back safely from Paris.” She rolled her eyes. Carolyn Piermont had always had a one-track mind—and it was permanently stuck on money.
"Don't be a bitch, Shannon. I simply want to get everything settled so we can get on with our lives."
Shannon's mind automatically translated her mother's statement. I want to grab my inheritance and sell my portion of the farm so I can get even more money.
"As you've stated time and time again.” Her spine stiffened and her skin crawled with anger. “I take it you've seen the attorney about the will?"
Carolyn heaved a sigh. “That old crony refused to tell me anything until you were back in town. Now that you are, we'll go see him first thing in the morning."
Typical.The woman never bothered to worry about anyone else's plans or thoughts. The world was supposed to revolve around Carolyn. God, she missed Gran. “Fine. The sooner the better."
Shannon ended the call, her heart heavy. Not once had Carolyn asked about her life in New York or if she was happy. After all these years, she thought she'd be over Carolyn's lack of maternal instincts. But she wasn't and the woman's curt treatment still rankled.
A yawn overtook her, and she dropped her phone to the bed. There was over an hour before the bonfire, and if she had any hope of staying awake for any part of it, she needed a nap.
Swaying meadows and dancing butterflies gave way to cicadas buzzing under the hot Texas sun. Shannon sat on a checkered blanket by a babbling creek. A shadow blocked the sun, and Dustin stood there, a mouth-watering grin on his full lips. “I hope you don't mind me dropping in on you. I thought we could get caught up without an audience."
Shannon nodded dumbly and patted the blanket beside her in silent invitation. A quick peek revealed no one else lurking about. She studied him. Tight denim clung to his long legs, and instead of his typical wrangler shirt, he wore a snug navy T-shirt. Her mouth watered and her pussy clenched. God, he was fucking sexy.
He sank to the ground and trailed a finger down her cheek bone, bending so his mouth hovered above hers. Her body quivered with delight. “It's really good to see you, Shay."
He produced a basket from behind his back. It contained a bottle of wine, glasses, and a platter of assorted cheese and fruit. He set the basket on the blanket and uncorked the bottle. After filling a glass, he handed her the white wine along with a small plate of food. “I noticed you didn't eat much at dinner and thought you could use a snack."
"Thank you.” She accepted the offering in a daze. The gesture was thoughtful, and the whole scene was a bit surreal. How often had she fantasized about coming back to Bandera to be like this—all warm and romantic—with Dustin?
She took a sip of wine. Cool sweetness bathed her tongue. A bite of cheddar cheese followed the wine. “Mmm.” His presence intimidated her, looming, sucking up all the oxygen in the air. “So what do you want to talk about?"
He lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. “What else? I want to talk about us, the us that could have been if you hadn't walked out, and the us we can be now that you're back."
She barely kept her mouth from falling open. Did he really think they had another chance? The possibility threw her off guard. She had quit her job as a stylist in New York to come home and work for another house in San Antonio. She chewed absently on another piece of cheese.
She finally raised her gaze to find Dustin watching her, a smile playing on his lips. “What now?"
Hi smile grew. “You practically purr when you eat."
"I don't purr."
Hazel eyes sparkled in amusement. “You most certainly do, and it's sexy as hell."
"There's nothing wrong with enjoying food.” Shannon popped a bite of cantaloupe into her mouth for emphasis and washed the fruit down with a sip of wine. Sweet melon mixed with the slight tang of Riesling, the flavors blending and dancing across her taste buds. She couldn't help it when she moaned.
Dustin raised a perfectly arched sandy eyebrow. “That good, huh?"
Shannon nodded and treated herself to another bite and sip. Deep in fruit bliss, she chewed slowly and dropped her head back. “You've got to try it."
"Don't mind if I do,” he murmured and claimed her lips with his own.
Her eyes snapped open in surprise. She hadn't even noticed he'd slid closer. His lips were firm and warm, soft and commanding. He clasped the sides of her head and brushed a hand down her neck. Strong fingers splayed against her throat, the pad of his thumb brushing against her erratic pulse.
Her pussy throbbed with each beat of her heart. She curled her hands around the back of his head, driving him nearer. Her nipples pebbled in response to the heat of his torso pressed to hers. Strong hands grasped her hips and plucked her from the ground, depositing her on his lap. Needing to feel him against every curve, she shifted and wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. His denim-covered cock strained against her pussy, begging for skin-on-skin contact.
When he pulled back, his eyes were glazed. They were both breathing heavily.
"We shouldn't do this,” Shannon murmured as his lips whispered against the skin of her throat. Why the hell not? This is Dustin, the man with the perfect penis. It's not like you haven't slept with him before. But then, she didn't want to just sleep with him. Sanity reclaimed her and she leaned back.
Dustin tsked and captured her hand. “We should. Don't be afraid, Shay."
Her traitorous body ignored her brain's command to stay still, and she floated back into the circle of his embrace.
"You are so beautiful,” he breathed, the hot air tickling the tender flesh of her collarbone. “I've thought about you nonstop."
Shannon's body hummed, every nerve ending tingling with awareness. Her clit twitched against the satin of her panties, and moisture dampened the material. Hunger roared to the surface. She threaded her fingers in his hair and guided him back to her mouth, needing his heat. At that moment, it didn't matter if they only had the weekend, she wanted him. With Dustin she felt whole, felt like she was home. She needed that right now. “Don't
stop,” she breathed.
Dustin lifted her from his lap and slowly lowered her to the quilt. Excitement filled her. She wanted this, wanted him. Had dreamed of it since the day she left Bandera. Oh, God, was there anyone around to see them? Who cared!
Impatient hands tugged up her shirt to reveal her barely-there lace bra. He relented his torment on her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck and collarbone. With his teeth, he tugged aside the scrap of material and her breast popped out of its confines.
Dustin swirled his warm, moist tongue over the pale pink bud. Shannon gasped and arched into his mouth, begging for more. He bit the tip gently and then traveled downward, his tongue leaving a wet trail along her torso. With deft fingers, he unfastened her jeans and pulled them over her legs and off. Her heart rate sped up in anticipation as his lips brushed her bare thighs, creating goose bumps on her skin.
"Dustin,” she sighed, trying to pull him back up to cover her body with his. She didn't want him to stop kissing her, but she wanted all of him covering all of her. They'd been apart too long.
Hot, moist breath ignited a fire deep in the pit of her stomach as Dustin lavished kisses down one leg and up the other. His wide shoulders eased her thighs apart. He sucked at the delicate skin of her inner thigh, and her legs parted, allowing him better access. His tongue swirled from her knee to her pussy, flicking over the satin-covered clit. She sucked in a breath through her teeth and arched toward his mouth. She'd forgotten how quickly he could have her burning. Even at eighteen he'd been a skilled lover—her first and most memorable. She wanted him to be her last.
His hard body nestled between her thighs, his face just inches from her hot, wet mound. She moaned and lifted her hips toward him, needing, aching.
Dustin ran a finger down the crotch of her panties. “So wet,” he murmured and touched his nose to her clit. “Mmm, like honey and musk. Your scent makes me hard, baby.” Dustin placed both hands on her hips and held her down. “Stay still,” he growled against her pelvis.
"But—"
He pinched her hip. “Trust me. Stay."
Sense flew out the window when he pulled aside the crotch of her panties and thrust one finger deep in her core. She moaned against the pressure, the pleasure building through her pussy, and fought against arching. Her spine tingled, and more little moans escaped. He blew lightly on the wet material, and she nearly came. The skillful, rhythmic stroking had her quickly spiraling toward a climax. Her body soared. God, he was good.
His tongue ever so slightly touched her engorged clit. Shannon practically shot off the blanket at the sensation of tongue and finger, stroking, caressing, teasing. He pressed hard with his tongue, drawing little circles around the swollen flesh.
She pushed herself up on her elbows and drew her knees back to give him further access. Tension curled tight in her belly, each slow, tantalizing lick sending her closer and closer to the edge.
Dustin sucked hard on her clit, and Shannon flung back her head and cried out. Her pussy clenched and tightened. “Oh, God, don't stop.” One hand squeezed his muscled shoulder while the other wound in his soft hair.
He moaned against her mound, the vibrations sending her over the brink of sanity. Her hips pumped against his mouth, riding wave after wave of the mind-blowing orgasm.
With a shattered scream, Shannon sat up in bed, panting, her legs spread wide. Sweat dripped down her back.
"Wow, must have been some dream,” Bridgette teased as she strolled out of the bathroom.
A dream? No, no way that could have been her imagination. Her eyes darted around the room. Sure enough, she was still fully dressed and in her own bed, and the picnic and Dustin had melted away into dreamland when she woke. Disappointment and embarrassment stabbed her in the gut. And her body pulsed with the residual waves of orgasm. “Fuck."
Again Bridgette giggled, heading out of the cabin. “Think you've already done that."
Shannon scowled. “Why are you in my cabin?"
Her cousin shrugged. “I wanted to borrow your perfume.” She spritzed the air with the flowery scent and walked through the mist. “By the way, the fire's starting and I think Dustin is waiting for you to come...er, he's waiting for you to show up."
The door clicked closed behind her cousin, and Shannon flopped back against the pillows. The dream had been so real. He had been so real.
Was there any possibility he still wanted her? True, he'd been flirty all day, but that didn't mean anything. His job was to be flirty with all the guests. Yet, instinct told her he wasn't treating her as just another guest. Despite the careless way he had dismissed her hopes and dreams, she felt safe with Dustin. And if her dream was any indication, she wanted him as much now as she had back then.
What would it hurt to find out if the dream could become reality?
"Just so you know—if you hadn't come, I was never going to speak to you again,” Shannon said, tossing her hair back as she popped a roasted marshmallow into her mouth.
Her friend, Charissa, settled on the bench next to her and smiled. “Sure you would have. But I'm glad I saved myself the interrogation from you and Bridgette."
"Yeah, that wouldn't have gone well.” Bridgette was definitely known for being the nosey cousin.
"I heard you saw Dillon earlier.” At least she wasn't the only one being tortured by a Dumen brother this weekend.
Charissa nodded. “Yep."
"And? How'd it go?"
"Fine."
Shannon arched a brow and pursed her lips. “No fireworks?"
"Well, maybe some sparks,” her friend admitted with a grin.
"And? What are you going to do about that?” she asked, sliding another marshmallow onto her stick.
"I don't know. What are you going to do about Dustin?” she countered.
Shannon turned wide eyes on her. She thought she'd learned better to not wear her emotions on her sleeve. “What?"
"Oh, please. Like all of us haven't noticed the smoldering looks passing between the two of you? He's watching you from over there right now,” she said, casting a glance across the bonfire where Dustin leaned against a tree trunk.
Her insides jangled with excitement. Grinning, she shrugged and got busy toasting her next treat. “What can I say? You know the history between us. Chemistry doesn't go away just because you want it to.” And man, right now, she wanted it to.
Dustin stood off to the side of the circle, watching Shannon pretend to have a good time. Even dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, with her hair pulled back in a pony tail, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
While everyone around her roasted marshmallows and drank beer, she stared into the flames with a pensive look on her face. What was going through that pretty head of hers? Regret over returning to Bandera, even if it was just for the weekend to settle Gran's estate?
He pushed away from the tree and strolled over to her. She didn't even flicker a glance in his direction. Must be some heavy duty thoughts.
"Is this seat taken?” he asked and dropped to the bench beside her.
Her hazel eyes widened and her mouth made a perfect “O” as she met his gaze. “It's your bench,” she retorted, a spark coming back to her eyes.
"I saw smoke coming from your ears and figured you were thinking something to death."
Her lips pursed and she fiddled with her fingers. Oh yeah, she was definitely over thinking something.
He bumped his knee against hers. “Fair warning, I'm about to get sappy."
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, God forbid."
Dustin chuckled. He missed her sarcasm. “I know. But here goes. I'm glad you came home, Shay."
Shannon leaned against his shoulder briefly and then straightened. “Me, too."
"So?"
Her eyebrow rose, and she cast a quick glance at him. “So what? Am I supposed to give a dissertation?"
"I know you well enough to know something is bothering you. We may not be dating anymore, but I'm pretty sure I'm still a good l
istener."
"Knew,” she corrected. “You knew me. A person can change a lot in fourteen years, Dusty."
How well he knew that. “Still."
Shannon sighed, her shoulders rising and falling with the exhale. Her lower lip stuck out in a full pout, and his cock twitched. He wanted to kiss that mouth, to throw her down on the bench and fuck away her worries.
"I talked to Carolyn this afternoon."
Ah, the evil mother. After Shannon's dad died, Carolyn Piermont turned psychotic. She abandoned Shannon with Gran, only to come back when she needed money. The woman never showed an inkling of warmth toward her only child.
"And?"
"What else? She wants money. We meet with the attorney tomorrow."
He already knew the meeting would not bode well for Carolyn. Gran had explained the will to him, and she expressed her dying wish—that Shannon stay in Bandera where she belonged. And he agreed one hundred percent. No matter how much they wanted her to relocate permanently, they both knew it had to be Shannon's decision. And he would be damned if she felt forced into anything with him. “What if Gran left everything to you?"
She chewed on her lip. “I guess I'll take care of it. I mean, the ranch should be owned by someone who wants the small-town life."
His heart lurched. Was she trying to say she didn't want that? Was she more like Carolyn than he thought? Gran, we might have a bigger fight on our hands than we thought. “Would you like me to go with you?"
Shannon didn't answer for a minute, just stared into the fire. A muscle twitched in her jaw. He felt an urge to take her into his arms.
Finally, she turned to him. “I appreciate the offer, but no. I need to do this on my own.” She stood and smiled down at him. “Good night."
He watched the sway of her hips as she walked away, and with each step he grew harder. Damn. As much as she didn't want him at the meeting and, knowing how viperish Carolyn could be, she would need him afterward.
Dustin's Gamble Page 2