by Sable Hunter
“Typical Texan.” His tenderness and concern soothed Desiree. “Let’s pick up our sticks and get back to camp. I’m okay now.”
“Sure thing.” He helped her and they made their way back together.
After he’d built the fire, they settled around it. “So, tell me about your plans for next year?” he asked, wondering at his need to torture himself with the fact they wouldn’t be together.
Desiree pulled on a blade of grass. “I’ve resisted making any plans beyond the concert that I have to tape in a few days. My sleep issues,” which were now almost nonexistent, thanks to Tanner, “and worry over when Stark would pop up prevented me from making too many commitments.” Feeling his eyes on her, she suddenly felt shy. “I have lots of offers, but I’m not really sure what direction I want my career to take next.”
Tanner longed to ask her more, but he couldn’t find the words. But when he had difficulties communicating with her verbally, he knew he could always use other means. “Still sore?”
Desiree didn’t smile, but she wanted to. Remembering what he’d promised to do, she would’ve claimed soreness even if it didn’t exist. “A little.”
Pulling one of his T-shirts and a bottle of oil from his saddlebag, he gave her some instructions. “Why don’t you undress, put this on and get comfortable. I’ll warm the oil and soon we’ll have you fixed up.”
Desiree hoped his definition of fixed up was the same as ‘sated and satisfied’. The sun was about to slip behind the trees. Darkness would soon be upon them. She couldn’t help but notice that the prospect of night arriving didn’t harbor the same dread it had a few days ago. “Will we have privacy?”
“Absolute.” Tanner assured her. “This is my land and there’s not another human being for miles. I wouldn’t ever risk your safety or your modesty.”
“I didn’t think you would.” Trusting him wasn’t hard. She took him at his word, noticing that as she undressed, so did he. Soon, she was wearing the top of one of his University of Texas lounge sets and he was wearing the bottoms. The fire crackled warmly and the tent was open and inviting, their sleeping bags making a love-nest just for them.
“After you, gorgeous.” He held open the tent flap for her to step inside. “Lay down and let me make you feel good.”
Desiree obeyed, shivering at the thought of what was about to happen. The intimate encounters she’d experienced before had been pale compared to being with Tanner. “You always make me feel good,” she admitted, tremulously. Her flesh felt tight and achy. The man had no idea how much she hungered for the touch of his hands.
He eased her down on the thick padding of the sleeping bag. “Hold your arms up,” he directed, then held his breath as her beauty was revealed to him. This woman’s body was a fuckin’ work of art. He didn’t think she had a clue how sexy she was to him. The nut-job who had stolen her confidence should’ve been horsewhipped. “Now lie down and let me rub some of the soreness out of those sexy little muscles of yours.” As she reclined face down, he missed the view of those luscious breasts, but the sight of her delectable ass was certainly a consolation.
Tanner poured some of the warm oil into his palms. With a hitch in his breathing, he put his hands on her. Beginning with her legs, he stroked from thigh to ankle. “Your body was created for pleasure. You tempt me almost beyond endurance.”
As he worshiped her with words and touch, Desiree found herself both relaxing and responding to his talented fingers. “I think I would recognize your touch over all others.”
“What others?” Tanner couldn’t keep a hint of jealousy from his voice.
Desiree had to laugh. “There are no others, I just meant I could get used to this. When you touch me, you give me more than pleasure, you give me a sense of well-being.”
Tanner had enjoyed success in most of his missions. But in none of them did he take more pride than in this one. He’d set out to restore her sense of peace, and maybe he’d succeeded in some measure. “That’s exactly what I intend. A man is supposed to provide what his woman needs.” He wondered how she’d feel if he told her that she made him feel weak – not in strength but in the ability to exist apart from her.
With a moan, Desiree acknowledged how he was making her feel. He was straddling her body, massaging her back and shoulders now. All of the tension from sitting on the horse had been replaced with a different kind of ache. She was hungry for him – on fire. Unable to be still, she writhed, raising her bottom in supplication.
Her movements were not lost on Tanner. He was attuned to this woman, their connection like nothing he’d ever known before. Moving to one side, he gave her a preview of delights to come, dipping his finger between her legs to find a creamy warmth that set his cock to throbbing. “Oh, you feel so good. I can’t wait to slide into this tight little pussy of yours.”
Desiree loved how he talked to her. When he said the words, the explicit language didn’t sound crude – they just excited her. “Can I turn over now? Please?”
“Oh, yeah. Roll over.” When she did, he showed immense restraint, beginning at her feet again and working his way upward. “You have the silkiest, smoothest skin. Your legs are a mile long.” Moving to capture a kiss, he inhaled the little moans slipping from her lips. “My favorite place for them to be is wrapped around my waist as I ride you to heaven and back.”
Stroking. Caressing. Rubbing. Petting. Soon, Desiree was mindless with arousal. Breathless with arousal, she lifted her breasts to him. “I need your mouth on me.”
As if by magic, his mouth was right where she wanted it to be, licking her sensitive, distended nipples. Grasping his head to ensure he stayed right where he was, she arched her back as flares of white-hot pleasure tore through her.
Plumping her tits, pushing them together, Tanner pleased himself by moving from nipple to nipple, sucking deep. He used his teeth to ante up the excitement, nipping and teasing, loving it when she thrust her breasts into his face with a small feminine growl.
Her hands moved over his body. She didn’t have the lotion, but she kneaded his muscles, memorizing the contours of his body. More than conscious of his every action, she was aware when he began kissing his way south. As much as she enjoyed when he went down on her, that wasn’t what she needed right now. “Fuck me, Tanner. I need you inside me.”
Pure male pride flooded his loins. “I’ve got just what you need, baby.” For Desiree to find her pleasure was far more important to him than his own. Any man worth his salt believed the same thing. But what she asked for, what no arduous task. He ached to bury every hard inch of his cock as deep inside of her as he could get.
Desiree felt wild and wanton as she lifted her hips, needing their joining more than she needed food or water.
“Roll over, get on your hands and knees.” His voice grated with emotion and hunger.
Desiree did so. This wasn’t a position that she fantasized about, but with Tanner she was willing to try anything. Rising on all fours, she thrust her bottom in the air, feeling like a mare in heat.
Tanner stroked his cock, the sight of her offering herself to him was unbelievable. In a move he hadn’t expected from himself, he slapped her bottom with the flat of his hand. The pinkening of her flesh and her gasp of surprise turned him on even more. “You are a sexy sight to behold,” he muttered, running his hand down the sleek line of her spine.
“Don’t just look – touch!” she demanded.
“Patience, baby. Good things come to those who wait.” Prolonging their pleasure, he dragged the head of his cock through her slit, spreading the cream he found there.
When she felt his manhood nudge her clit, Desiree laid her head on her folded arms, opening her legs even wider. The idea that he could see all of her, open and vulnerable, pink and glistening, was its own kind of excitement. “Tanner, don’t make me beg,” she pleaded.
“I need this more than you do, believe me,” he growled as he placed the head of his cock to the small opening of her femininity.
/> Desiree clutched the sleeping bag as he pushed in – hot, throbbing – stretching her, filling her - - - “Oh, God! I love this!”
Tanner bit his lip, wrapping an arm around her waist as he worked himself deeper. Her tight little pussy was sucking him in. “Nothing, nothing in the world compares to this,” he groaned.
As he thrust in and out, Desiree couldn’t be still. He knew exactly what she needed, palming her breasts, teasing her clit. She gripped the material beneath her and canted her hips, working her pussy in a rhythm to give them both pleasure.
“Ah, fuck, baby!” Tanner panted as he felt her sex massaging him, doing her best to keep him inside when it was time to pull out. He was past thinking – now the focus of his entire world was the need to drive his cock deep – bury it to the hilt, then slide it back out, her greedy little muscles squeezing him every inch of the way.
Faster. Harder. Deeper. Tanner covered her back, his teeth finding the soft flesh at her throat. Taking a bite of her, he nipped, then soothed the spot with his tongue. When he felt her stiffen, her breathing increase – Tanner let himself fly. As her pussy muscles rippled and fluttered around him, he surged into her one more time and held, his cum pulsing out of him in long jets. “I want you,” he whispered. Forever. He kept that word to himself.
“You’ve got me.” Desiree sank down, unable to hold herself up. As he pulled her close, molding his body to hers, she’d never felt more at peace, never knew such happiness existed. She’d brought her drugs with her, but decided not to take them. In Tanner’s arms, she had no need of anything more.
–CHAPTER SEVEN–
“What should I wear?” Desiree muttered to herself as she gazed into the closet. She really hadn’t packed anything but comfortable clothes.
The moment he walked into the bedroom, she knew it. It wasn’t his scent or his footsteps, every cell in her body just woke up when he was around.
“How about this?”
She whirled to greet him with a smile, finding him standing there holding a garment bag. “What did you do?”
Removing the bag, he held out a silky winter-white sheathe dress with a matching wrap. “Oh, how beautiful!” She threw her arms around him. “What am I going to do with you? You give me so much!”
He held her close. If she only knew…he wanted to give her everything. “I can’t take all the credit for this. I called Jessie with your size and told her what I wanted and she picked it out for me. Notice that, in honor of the day, there are ten turquoise gems sewn into the bodice. We turned the boutiques on their head, looking for something like this. Jacob dropped it off this morning. And to show off how beautiful you are in it, we’re going to a date tonight.”
With reverence, she touched each of the ten turquoise. What other man would even think of something like this. “I’m so touched. Where are you taking me?”
Her beautiful doe eyes shone with excitement. “Well, that’s a secret for now.” He didn’t want her worrying. Tanner had a plan and he hoped everything came together. “You just get ready and let me work out the details.”
“There’s never a dull moment with you,” she marveled as she checked out the dress one more time. “It has no back!” She glanced at him in alarm.
“Hey, I’m no fool. My hands are going to be caressing your soft skin all night.” Tanner gave her a kiss. “I’m going to check on Leon. I’ll be back soon.”
Desiree’s eyes followed him as he left. Time was passing too quickly to suit her. She didn’t like to think about leaving. Tanner was so good to her and she enjoyed being with him so much. Although he’d continued his daily gift giving, it wasn’t the presents that made the difference. He acted like she was the center of his world. Desiree hadn’t expected any man to ever make her feel that way. And true to his word, he’d helped her get over her problem. When she’d arrived at Lost Pines, just the thought of closing her eyes to sleep frightened her. Now that she slept in Tanner’s arms, all the feelings of dread had dissipated. He never failed to show her how important she was to him – yet he’d never said one word about love, except in the song he’d wrote for her - Head Over Spurs. Placing her hands over her warm cheeks, Desiree admitted she was definitely head over heels in love with him. Could they make it work? “Damn!” Sometimes she just wanted to chunk her career and be a regular human being.
Going to the window, she caught sight of Tanner heading into the barn. Rubbing her arms, she grinned to herself. Just looking at the man turned her on. What would it be like waking up beside him every day for the rest of her life? Now, that would be the ultimate gift. When he stopped to tickle a barn cat under the chin, her heart turned over. The man constantly amazed her. She never knew what he’d come up with next.
After her shower, she selected her underwear for the evening. Going for a black lace bra, there was never a question about the panties. On day seven, he’d given her a week’s worth of sexy underwear. Instead of the days of the week, the were adorned with words he said described her perfectly. Sexy. Sweet. Tempting. Delicious. Hot. Desirable and Exquisite. She’d worn one every day since, and loved it – but the fun part was when he’d take them off, making love to her with more passion than she ever believed possible.
Once she’d slipped on the beautiful dress, Desiree admired her reflection. “Not bad.” She passed a hand over her face. “Not too many wrinkles.” Just a few at the corners of her eyes. Like all women she fought the age battle. The young up and coming crowd of country music singers made her feel old sometimes, but at least it was an industry who didn’t toss their stars as they aged. Loretta Lynn and Dolly were proof of that. Still… was that what she wanted? A few nights ago, she’d dreamed a little girl had come bouncing on the bed between her and Tanner, demanding a morning hug. The memory tugged at her heart.
But was about what Tanner wanted? She wished he’d give her some kind of a sign. Going to the dresser, she surveyed Tanner’s eighth day gift. He’d given her eight small bottles of French perfume – swear to God, the man was a keeper. That same night, he’d taken her to a restaurant in Smithville, a local place where people recognized her but no one interrupted them. The food had been great, but it was when he pulled her close on the dance floor that made her heart pound in her chest. Afterward he’d taken her on a tour of his hometown, ending up at the beautiful McCollum home where Hope Floats, a movie starring Sandra Bullock was filmed.
What happened on day nine took the cake. As she applied one of the wonderful scents, Desiree recalled being awakened in a most delightful way, with Tanner under the covers, his mouth between her legs. And during the day, he proceeded to give her eight more orgasms. It was as if he couldn’t keep his hands off of her. They did it everywhere - from the shower, up against the wall, to the kitchen table where he’d feasted on her with more relish than the homemade waffles she’d whipped up. This was followed by a make-out session on the couch in the early afternoon where he’d fingered her, to a marathon session of afternoon delight in his bed. When she’d asked what had prompted the unusual gift, he’d grinned and said he wasn’t crazy.
In a few minutes, she heard Tanner return. She’d all but moved into his bedroom, very few of her own things were left at the other cabin. When he came through the bedroom door, he was already speaking to her. “Just give me a few minutes to shower and I’ll be…” Stopping in his tracks, his mouth dropped open. “Fuck, baby… you have to be the most beautiful woman ever to walk the face of the earth.”
Desiree wanted to cry. “I think you need your eyes checked, but thank you.”
After some long, slow, drugging kisses, she let him dress. Now, they were on their way to Austin and Desiree didn’t know what to expect.
“Since Stark is no longer a threat, I thought we’d go out on the town, return to your old stomping ground.”
Desiree chewed on her lower lip. “Knowing there’s no one stalking me is a relief, I have to admit it.”
“That’s right.” Tanner agreed. “I want to be the only one doin
g the stalking.”
“Any woman in their right mind would be chasing you.” Desiree grabbed his hand and held on to it.
“Do you think so?” At that moment, Tanner made up his mind. He wasn’t about to let Desiree go without a fight. Their paths had crossed for a purpose. And while he was thrilled he’d been able to help her, maybe fate was being kind to him also.
“I know so.” She squeezed his big strong hand. “Why do you think I’m holding on to you so tight? I don’t want some younger woman wiggling her hips and luring you away from me.”
“Not a chance,” Tanner stated. “I’m all yours.” He waited to see what she would say to that, but the next song coming across the radio waves was hers. The DJ’s words drew their attention. He announced her appearance at the upcoming concert, and he also reported about the arrest of Elliot Stark and how the police set up the trap in New York. Now, there was speculation as to where Desiree Holt really spent Christmas. “Word got around, I guess,” Tanner observed.
“Yea, sometimes I wish the paparazzi weren’t quite so attentive.”
“They’re a necessary evil, I presume.” Glancing over at her, he stated the obvious. “Your presence won’t go unnoticed tonight. Are you ready for that?”
Desiree sighed. “Yea, there’s not really any escaping it…unless I opted to become a recluse.”
As long as she hid away with him, that would be fine with Tanner. But a choice like that had to be hers. Could they find a way to make it work? Honestly, he’d given himself a headache thinking about it.
When they drove into Austin, Tanner headed to West Oltorf off Interstate 35. The place he’d chosen to make reservations was highbrow, certainly not a dining establishment he would’ve frequented before, but he now had a lady to entertain. Turning on Live Oak, he waited for the question.
“Where are we going?” She’d been gone from Austin too long to know the restaurants.