“Nope. If you get caught kissing in the tasting room, you have to finish closing up by yourself.”
“Is that a rule?”
“Is now.”
8
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Oh, I like this.” Brodie reclined his seat just a little and settled back into it.
“Are you comfortable?”
“You know it, baby.”
Peyton shook her head. She liked how playful Brodie was. Kade was sometimes, but not very often. He was sweet, considerate, protective, and conversational, but not playful. Lang had been, but with him it was all play. Brodie balanced fun and seriousness well, and she liked that.
“Whatcha’ thinkin’ about?”
“You.”
“Now there’s an answer I like. What about me?”
“Hmm. Should I tell you, or would a little mystery be better in this instance?”
“You should definitely tell me.”
“A little mystery it is.”
“Oh, man. You got me. I have three older brothers, I should’ve seen that coming.”
Two. He only had two older brothers, but she knew what he meant.
“Come on, Peyton.” He touched the side of her face with his fingertips. “Don’t lose that smile I’ve been watching all night long.”
She looked over at him, and couldn’t help but smile. In Alex’s words, damn, but he was fine.
“There it is. Her smile is back ladies and gentlemen, and I think that means she likes me.”
Peyton drove south on Highway One until she came to Green Valley Road. She took a left, away from the ocean, toward Paso Robles.
“You giving me a lift home?”
“Patience, Brodie.” She heard her mom’s voice in her own. “Sorry, didn’t mean to turn into your mother.”
“I like it. But can we pretend you’re my teacher instead?”
“Huh?”
“You know, teacher-student fantasy.”
“Ew.”
“Guess that’s a no.”
“Relax and enjoy the ride, Brodie.” Peyton turned up the music, and Brodie closed his eyes.
About a mile in, she turned off on to a dirt road and parked where the hill they were on crested. “I love this view,” she murmured.
“Me too, especially when there are no clouds, and the full moon lights up Morro Bay.”
Brodie opened his door when she did.
“You wanna take a walk?” he asked.
“No, not really.” She walked behind the car, and popped the trunk. She reached inside and pulled out a heavy fleece blanket. “Mind if we sit?”
Brodie took the blanket from her and spread it out on the grass. She sat down, and he saw her shiver. “Are you cold?”
“A little. There’s another blanket in the trunk.”
When she started to get up, he put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll get it.”
Peyton pulled the fob out of her pocket and used it to pop the trunk. “Thanks, Brodie.”
He brought the blanket over and put it around her shoulders.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“Nah, I’m okay.”
“Liar.” She laughed, and held the blanket out so he could sit next to her.
“This I like, Peyton.”
He waited to see if she’d start their conversation. After a few minutes, she rested her head on his shoulder.
“What’s running through your pretty head, Peyton?”
“I don’t want to keep comparing you and Kade. You know?”
“Not sure. Am I coming out ahead or behind?”
That made her laugh. “It’s a toss-up.”
“Ouch! Woman, that was not nice.”
“I do it all the time. But it isn’t just Kade. I compare you to Lang, too.”
“I know I come out ahead of him.”
“Brodie, Kade and Lang are the only two men I’ve been with, and I took things pretty slow with both of them.”
“I can do slow.”
“That isn’t really what I mean. It took Lang a long time to win me over, and ultimately I think that’s all it was. Two babies later, he realized he missed the chase.”
“He’s a douche, Peyton. Forgive my language.”
She laughed again. “It’s okay. I’ve called him far worse.”
“What about Kade? Did it take him a long time to win you over?”
“It was different with Kade. We were friends. I had no idea he was interested in more than that. He kind of sneaked up on me.”
“And me?”
“What’s today? Friday? I have known you five days, Brodie, and I’m sharing a blanket with you. That isn’t slow.”
“Are you telling me you want me to back off a little?” Keyword little. He had no intention of backing off completely.
“No, not necessarily.”
“Good answer.”
“Slow hasn’t worked out all that well for me. As hard as I tried to avoid being hurt, in both cases, I was. And not just hurt, more like devastated.” She leaned forward so she could see his face. “Scaring you away yet?”
“Not even close.”
“You’re so easy to talk to. That’s part of it. It doesn’t feel like five days.”
“For me either.”
“You aren’t saying much.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’d like to hear what you’re thinking.”
“I’m not sure you do, Peyton.” Talk about being scared off. If he told her what he was thinking, she might get in her car and drive away, leaving him sitting here. Everything he knew about Peyton Wolf, he liked. When he learned something new, he liked that too.
“Brodie?”
“I really like you, Peyton. If I told you all the thoughts that ran through my head just now, you’d think I was nuts.”
“Maybe I said too much.”
“That isn’t it at all. And you didn’t. But I’m worried I’m going to.”
“This was your idea, Brodie. You’re the one who said we should talk, not just about my sex life with Kade, but all of it. Isn’t that what you said?”
Brodie took a deep breath, and then blew it out. “It is. So here goes. You ready?”
She nodded.
“When I said I wanted to talk, I didn’t mean we should talk about Kade, or your relationship with him. I want to talk about you and me, separate from him.”
“Okay.”
“You asked me if I thought it was too weird, that you had been with my brother. I guess if I let myself think about it, it might be. But I don’t let myself think about it. I don’t think it’s any different than me not thinking about anyone you were in a relationship with. That was then, and them, and this is now, and us.”
“I get that.”
“What about you, Peyton? Do you think about me and other relationships I’ve been in?”
“Not relationships.”
“Ah. So you think about me having sex with other women.”
“I didn’t say that either.”
“What do you think about?”
“Lang was such a player—”
He started to argue, but she asked him to let her finish.
“Alex and I talked about this the other night. I asked her how well she knew you. Her answer makes a lot more sense after tonight.”
“How so?”
“She talked more about Maddox than you. She said he was ‘charming’.”
“What did she say about me?”
“We just talked about whether you were, you know, a player.”
“I’m not crazy about where this conversation is going.”
“You should be, because I don’t see you that way. There is, however, a little voice deep inside screaming at me to be careful, take it slow, and not be so quick to trust you.”
“I like being with you, Peyton. When I’m not, I want to be. If I had my way, I’d be with you all the time. Every minute. It’s like I can’t ge
t enough of you.”
“Are you always like this?”
“Never have been before. So Peyton, would it be okay if we stopped talking now?”
“I guess so.”
She moved the blanket off her shoulder, as though she was going to get up. Instead, Brodie eased it off his shoulder too, and pulled her down on top of it with him.
“No talking now, just kissing.”
Peyton wrapped her arms around him, and pulled him closer. His arm cushioned her head from the hard, cold ground under them. He held her tight and rolled, so she was stretched out on top of him. “That’s better,” he said against her lips. His hands fisted her hair, his mouth devoured hers. He loved the feel of her on top of him. Her curves melded into his body, as though she was made for him. Brodie put both his hands on her ass, and pulled her closer. If he ripped her clothes away, he could slide into her warmth so easily. She shifted, rubbing against him. There was no mistaking she was feeling him the same way he felt her.
He brought his hands back up to her hair, and held her still. “Peyton, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted someone the way I want you.”
She slid lower, so her head rested on his chest. Her arms were tucked close to her sides, and her breasts were pushed into him. He could feel her pebbled nipples rubbing back and forth against him.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go.” He sat up and flipped her over, so her back was to his front, and then he stood, holding her in his arms.
“How did you do that?” Her arms were around his neck, holding on, but he had her, she didn’t have to worry. No matter what, he had her.
Brodie carried her to the passenger side of the car, released the arm that held her legs, and slid her down his body. When her feet hit the ground, he turned her around, and pushed her up against the door. He wrapped his hands under the back of her thighs, and brought them up to his hips. When he pushed his clothed body against her sex, she moved back and forth, rubbing against him. His mouth captured hers, and her thighs tightened against his splayed hands.
He held her there, trapped between his body and her car, and looked into her eyes. “This isn’t slow, Peyton, and it won’t be. It’ll be hard and fast. Do you understand?”
Her breathing hitched and she nodded her head.
“Is this what you want, Peyton?”
She nodded her head again, a stifled groan escaping her lips as she pushed herself against him harder.
“Say it. I need to hear you say it,” he demanded.
“Yes, Brodie, I want this.”
“What, Peyton? What do you want?”
“I want you.”
“That’s my girl.” Brodie released her thighs, and captured her mouth with his, probing, pushing as hard as his body was pressed against hers. “Let’s go home, Peyton.”
Home. What did that mean? Her home? Peyton’s eyes drifted over to the man driving her car. His light touch on the steering wheel defied the hardness of biceps so toned and powerful they strained the sleeves of his shirt. The glow from her car’s dash illuminated his hard, angled jaw, and the slash of his cheekbones. His tightened muscles held untold promise of the pleasure just his kissing her brought. When he looked her way, she saw the light dance in his deep blue eyes, his grin, and the dimples that cut into his beautiful face when he smiled at her.
His hand came over and rested on her leg, his powerful fingers squeezed as they slowly moved closer to the heat radiating from between her legs.
His eyes drooped, and his breath caught as his calloused fingers sought the peak of her beaded nipple. “I want my mouth on you, Peyton. Everywhere.” He pinched her hardened flesh. “Here.” He slid his hand down and palmed her sex. “And here.”
She was in too deep already, allowing herself to be drawn into the sensual spell he weaved around her. Logic and restraint fled. She could not deny the pleasure she sensed he could give her. It had been so long since she’d been taken, she could barely remember how it felt to have her body stretched, her flesh penetrated.
The lustful look burning through his eyes, the dominance she felt in his hands, was assurance that once he had her, his touch would be one she’d never forget. His heat would sear into her memory, and leave a mark that no amount of time would heal. His pull was so magnetic, she felt herself move toward him with no resistance.
Was she ready for this? Could she let herself go, and open her body to him? There was no way she could fight it. In five short days, Brodie Butler claimed her. He owned her body, her mind, and soon he would own her heart.
9
Peyton whimpered softly as Brodie’s tongue slid in, tangling with hers. Hot, pulsating pleasure spread down his body. He had her pinned between himself and her kitchen counter, nuzzling the soft skin on her neck, and breathing her in. “You smell so good.” He crashed his mouth into hers again, and fisted his hand in her long, blonde hair. Even if he climbed inside of her, he still wouldn’t be close enough.
He lifted her until her behind rested on the counter, and trapped her legs between his. Both hands splayed over her breasts. His hands were big, but not enough that he could hold all of their fullness.
“Let’s take this off.” He pulled her shirt out from where it was tucked into her jeans. “Unbutton it.” If she didn’t hurry he was going to rip it open, sending buttons flying across the kitchen. She shimmied out of it, and started to unfasten her bra.
“Hands on me, Peyton.” She rested her palms on his arms. “That’s my girl.”
Brodie left her bra fastened, but pulled the front down, so her breasts fell over the cups. Back and forth he went, kissing, nibbling, sucking, and laving. It was the little nips that took her breath away. Her fingers dug into his arms, and then relaxed when he soothed her with his tongue.
“Brodie, you’re torturing me.”
In between nips, he kissed and licked, going from one shoulder to the other. “You wanted me to go slow, baby. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“No, God, not anymore. Please, Brodie.”
More kissing, more nipping. “Please what, Peyton?”
“More, Brodie. I need more.”
“More what?”
“Of you,” she whimpered. “God, I’m begging you.”
“All right, sweetheart. Let’s see if Brodie can take care of whatever it is you need.”
His hands went under her, pulling her to the edge of the counter. “Wrap your legs around me, Peyton.”
Her legs went around his hips, her arms around his neck. “I’m not little, Brodie.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Peyton. But I can tell you this, I’m not little either.”
“I’m heavy.”
“You’re kidding, right?” He carried her in front of him. “Tell me where, Peyton.”
“Down the hall. Last door on the right.”
Brodie rested her on the edge of the bed. “Lay back for me, baby.” He unfastened her belt, unzipped her jeans, and pulled them off in one tug. Her eyes closed, then opened. He watched as her breath caught, her body flushed with need.
“Open your legs for me, Peyton.” He lifted her knees, and knelt between them, resting her legs over his spread thighs.
“You have too many clothes on,” she whined.
“I’m takin’ it slow, Peyton. Just like you wanted,” he teased. He slid his hands to her hips, and pulled her body forward. Her hips tilted then, and the hardness trapped inside his jeans kissed her sex. He could feel her wetness, and groaned as pleasure shot through his body.
Her black, lace bra was the only thing left on her beautiful body, and he intended to leave it there. He ran his hands from her still-beaded nipples, down her taut abdomen, and back to her knees. He lifted her just slightly, so he could kiss the tender skin on the back of her knee. He ran his tongue from there, up the inside of her thigh. When he reached her warmth, he pulled away, and kissed the soft backside of her other knee.
Peyton writhed and whimpered, but nothing she did would change his course. Tonight was
about making her his. Every inch of her body would learn the touch of his hands, his mouth, his body.
Her green eyes glowed in the moonlight streaming in through her bedroom window, sweat glistened on her bare skin. He’d never seen anything more beautiful than the woman spread before him.
He rose, and reached behind him to pull his shirt over his head, and at the same time, toed off his boots. When she sat up and reached for his belt, he grasped both her wrists with one hand, and held her still.
“I want to help.” She pouted.
“Not yet, Peyton.” With his other hand he unfastened his belt, and tore at the button on his jeans. He clenched his jaw, and took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to rush this. They had all night, and he planned to make good use of it.
She gasped when his jeans slid down his legs, and he knelt back between her thighs. “You still want it slow, Peyton?”
“No, Brodie. I never wanted it slow.”
He laughed, and reached over to where he tossed his jeans. He pulled a condom out of his wallet, and breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure he had one with him. He looked into her eyes and saw heat, need, and longing. His body rested close to hers. As much as she wanted him to hurry, he couldn’t allow it.
“Oh, God.” She tried to tighten her thighs, pull him in closer, but he wouldn’t relent.
“Look at me, Peyton. I want to see your eyes the minute we come together. I’m going to make you mine, Peyton. Do you understand?”
She nodded and whimpered as he eased in and back with maddening slowness. He was mesmerized by the need he saw as he entered her. He stopped and let the feeling of her warmth spread over him. And then he came undone.
His restraint was lost as he took her harder, his fingers digging into the flesh of her hips as he held her as close to him as he could.
“That’s it, baby,” he breathed as she clenched and jerked against him. He wanted to enjoy watching her pleasure spread over her flushed skin, to savor her. He fought to regain his control, but when she tightened around him, he exploded in a sea of sharp, intense, and overwhelming pleasure.
Peyton stiffened beneath him, and gripped his shoulders. “Come with me, baby. Right now.” Her fingers dug into his skin as he watched her unravel beneath him.
The Promise (Butler Ranch Book 1) Page 9