Tilting her head just a bit, she slid her lips across his, hearing him groan—a deep, rolling sound through his chest—and it spurred her on. This was the sound of a man being pleasured and who wanted more. Her fingers dug deeper into his shoulders, his leather vest providing a delightful, nubby texture beneath her fingertips. He smelled of pure male: the lime soap he’d used before coming over here, the scent of saddle leather, and a hint of alfalfa hay. His hands ranged from her shoulders all the way down her back, sending sparks of heat as he stoked an inferno to life within her lower body.
She smiled against his mouth as he settled his hands around her waist, pushing the chair back, not wanting to lose contact with her, then guiding her to sit down across his lap.
Oh! This was so wonderful! The last time Mattie had kissed Mark was when they were in high school. Back then, they had exchanged tentative, innocent, searching kisses, and Mattie had never forgotten them. Mark’s youthful desire had made her tremble with the need of something she had never felt, but wanted desperately to experience.
Now, she would—no more waiting for them! She lifted her hands to push her fingers lightly through his short, dark hair. Instantly, he growled with appreciation. Pushing him back into the chair, she wasn’t about to end their first kiss as adults. No way!
She was starving for the taste, the smell, the hard body that belonged to Mark. She wanted these to belong to her, starting now.
Mark obviously felt the same way about her as his arms wrapped around her body, crushing her against his chest. Instantly, her nipples hardened and his slightest movements made her cry out from the pleasure he brought her.
Now, she gloried as she felt his long fingers stroking her spine, caressing her, letting her know he loved what they were sharing. Her desire to feel all of him broke open a dam of need that had been building for so long, she was swept away, rocketing wildly out of control.
Briefly, she pulled away from his mouth, staring deep into his golden eyes, now burning with need for her. Her breath came in gasps, she slid her hands across his hair, trailing them down his corded neck and finally cupping his jaw.
“Mark, I need you. I need you so badly I hurt. Don’t tell me no. I want you to come home with me. I want to love you. I want you to love me.” Her voice, shaken and needy, dropped to a whisper. “Please? Will you?”
His eyes narrowed, and suddenly, she knew how it felt to be hunted, a predator’s delicious quarry. It wasn’t frightening to her. How could it be? A throbbing blaze pulsed between her thighs in response to his look. She moaned softly as he cupped her hips, drawing her tightly against his erection.
“Are you sure?” he demanded harshly, his hands becoming more firm on her hips. “Mattie?”
Gulping, she gave a jerky nod, unable to keep her fingers from moving across his tense shoulders, following the hard line of his jaw, starving to make him all hers. “I’m positive, Mark. I want you.”
Their passion was interrupted by a soft, tender look from Mark as he swept his hands up over her shoulders, holding her more gently, cradling her precious body.
“I never thought I’d hear you say those words, Mattie. I honestly didn’t.”
She sat up a little, on fire now, her skin riffling wildly beneath any stroke or light, grazing movement of his fingers anywhere upon her. “You heard right, Reuss. Now let’s get out of here before I take you down on this floor.”
He shot her a grin, then slid his fingers along her temple, pushing those curly strands aside.
“Okay … yes, let’s go to your house. Do you want to meet me there?”
“I don’t want us to be separated for even a few minutes,” she admitted breathlessly, unwilling to move just yet. “I’ve waited so long for this, Mark.”
“So have I, sweet woman.” He slid his hand around her nape, giving her a light kiss filled with promises to come. Pulling away, he said thickly, “Can you drive your truck home, Mattie? You’re looking a little dazed.”
She managed a squeak of a laugh, following the line of his broad shoulders as she sat upright on his lap. “I’m not sure. I feel all quivery inside, Mark. My knees feel weak and I’m not even standing up. I’m aching for you …”
Nodding, he said, “Let’s walk over to my truck, Mattie, and I’ll drive us to your house. Later, we’ll pick up your truck here at the school.”
She gave a nod. “Yes …”
“Let’s get some things out of the way before we leave. I don’t have any condoms on me. I never thought … well …”
“I’ve just finished my period, so I’m in a safe zone. I don’t want to use a condom unless there’s a reason. Is there?”
“I’m clean.”
“So am I. So we’re set. All I have to do is stand up and not collapse!” She gave a shy, girlish laugh.
“I’ll keep a hold on your arm, sweetheart. Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall,” he assured her.
Mattie knew Mark would take care of her. He always had, all his life. “Okay, here we go.” She slid off his lap, feeling his hand wrap around her upper arm to steady her as she got to her feet. Laughing a little giddily, Mattie looked down at her legs. “I’ve never felt my knees go mushy!”
He unwound like a lithe cougar coming silently to his feet, and slid his arm around her shoulders. “I’m none too steady myself, Mattie. You’re right, this has been a long time coming. Let’s get your coat and purse.”
She managed to make a sound of disbelief as they walked over to her dark-gray wool coat. “I can’t even think straight. My brain is in park.”
Chuckling a little, Mark kept one hand on Mattie’s arm and lifted the coat off the hook. “Yeah, you look a little blown, but on you it looks beautiful. Let’s get you into this coat.”
*
Mark felt as if he were in one of his torrid dreams as he eased the dress off Mattie’s head and shoulders, allowing her to pull her arms out of the sleeves. The wool felt wiry between his hands. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Mattie had a lush body, her hips provocatively flared, ending in those long, long legs of hers. She was a rancher’s daughter and was far more fit than most women because of her years of hard, physical work.
She had sculpted creamy flesh that looked like perfection to him. She took the dress, walking across the shining, pecan-wood floor, and draped it over the back of a chair near her dresser. When she turned, he was blown away by the shape of her breasts, captured in a lacy black bra. The sight of her in it made his whole body harden.
When he saw her tiny, lace bikini panties, his erection throbbed. Mattie reminded him of the women painted by the old masters of Europe: lush, full-breasted, their curves and softness accentuated.
“You,” he breathed, as she walked slowly toward him, “are incredibly beautiful.” He saw her smile, that glint in her darkening green eyes, the way she walked, that womanly sway of her hips as she approached him. Could he really be living out one of his torrid dreams about her? If so, he didn’t want to awaken. Not this time.
Reaching out, Mattie eased her fingers beneath his leather vest, spreading her fingers across his chest to slide the vest off his shoulders.
“And you look so incredibly handsome, strong, and sexy to me,” she whispered near his ear as she began to unbutton his blue flannel shirt. Her fingers were trembling—but so were his.
Streaks of pleasure coursed through his arms and chest as she opened his shirt and helped him out of it. Beneath it, he wore a white t-shirt. His breath caught as she slid her palms across his chest. He saw the satisfaction and desire on her face, her skin flushed, her eyes dazed with pleasure.
“I can’t handle a slow undress,” he rasped, moving away from her.
She laughed breathily, watching him sit down on the edge of the bed, haul off his cowboy boots and black socks, and toss them aside. Standing, he quickly opened his belt buckle, unzipped, and removed his jeans.
She gazed at him now, his erection getting all her attention. Her eyes crinkled and her smile deepened, li
king what she saw. A decade of life had separated them and she was no longer the young, inexperienced girl he once knew—but he wasn’t either.
“You are more than just sexy,” she said huskily.
“Likewise,” he growled, walking up to her, sliding his hands around her and unhooking her bra. “Your turn, sweet woman.”
Mattie gasped as he removed the black bra revealing her full breasts. It made him want to drag her off to the bed right now—but he also wanted to enjoy the wonder of savoring this moment.
“We’ve waited a long time for this,” he told her, sliding his thumbs beneath the elastic of her panties, slowly crouching in front of her and drawing them downward. Mattie placed her hand on his shoulder to balance herself as she lifted one foot and then the other.
Mark gave her an appreciative gaze from head to toe, placing his hands on her shoulders as she stood proudly before him, naked. To his surprise, she was proud and confident—not self-conscious, and he loved her even more for that. Mattie was a strong woman in so many ways but he was going to have her, and she was going to be all his.
She locked her gaze with his, sliding her hands up across his chest, her fingers tangling in the soft, dark strands of hair spread across it. “You’re right, we have waited a long time,” she whispered unsteadily. “I feel as if I’m in one of my erotic dreams.”
His mouth pulled upward. “You too, huh? Did you dream of me, Mattie?” He glided his fingers in a stroking motion across her shoulders, watching her nipples pucker and grow hard, begging to be touched and suckled.
Laughing lightly, she said, “Oh, if you only knew how many dreams I’ve had just like we are now in this moment!”
He joined her laughter, sliding his hands down the length of her arms, capturing one of her hands. “I think we can probably compare and the number of times would pretty much match, don’t you think?” He tugged at her hand, leading her toward the bed.
“You’re right,” she admitted, coming to a halt and standing before him.
Mark wasn’t surprised when she placed her hands on his shoulders, pushing and guiding him down on the mattress. He liked her assertiveness because it suited her—Texas women weren’t shy! He lay on his back, watching her join him, coming to rest on her knees, and leaning over him. “Touch me all you want,” he invited, his voice guttural. He saw a feral look come to her eyes, appreciating her as never before.
“Oh, I’m going to touch you everywhere, Mark Reuss. I’ve waited too long and I’m going to love you completely, so I hope you’re ready …”
Her husky words, thick with emotion, flowed through him. He reached up, gently removing the comb from her hair, watching it tumble like a living flame down across her shoulders as she leaned down, kissing the column of his neck, trailing her wet, soft lips down across his shoulder, to his chest. Her hands were busy, gliding, seeking, caressing, and he groaned.
“Mattie … I can’t handle much more …”
She eased her leg across his narrow hips. “I can’t either,” she said, breathless, “I need you, Mark …”
His whole world turned into a blazing furnace of need as she slid her wet core against his thick erection. It was the most profound sensation she had ever felt—a meeting, a coming together, a celebration of so many years apart, and now, they were here, together at last.
He gritted his teeth as she eased downward, drawing him into her heated, tight body. He gripped her hips, beginning to move, thrusting his hips upward slowly, giving her body time to accommodate him. Mark met and matched the rhythm she was establishing for them. Little, happy sounds emanated from her throat. Her head was lifted, eyes tightly shut, lips parted, her fingers digging into his chest.
It took every bit of control for Mark not to explode on the spot, but to give Mattie a chance to luxuriate in the same silky sensations clasping him, sliding around him. Clenching his teeth, jaw rigid, he brought Mattie into firm contact with him. He heard her gasp, a little cry of surprise, suddenly tensing. Yes! More than anything, Mark wanted to give her an orgasm, bring her along and pleasure her as much as she wanted to pleasure him.
Suddenly, Mattie felt her whole upper body jerk backward, and she threw her head back with a feral cry. She felt her body clench around his erection, and then luxuriated in the flood of moisture surrounding his member. Mark kept up the rhythm, pulling her back and forth upon him, increasing the intensity of her release.
Never had he felt as joyous as he did now, sharing his body and soul with Mattie. Just as she began to emerge from the rapture of a climax, he allowed himself to release deeply within her. There was such a powerful sensation of fulfillment, of connection, and of being one with her, that all he could do was growl her name in gratitude.
The heat rolled down his spine, slamming through him and flooding into her receptive, welcoming body. Swimming through a hazy dream-like world, all he could see were lights exploding behind his closed eyelids. His whole body shimmered with heat, with relief, with a soaring happiness that overwhelmed all his senses.
Mark heard Mattie call his name as she sank down upon his torso, resting her brow against his jaw, her arms sliding beneath his neck, holding him, loving him. And nothing had ever felt so good as right now in the aftermath of their coupling.
He moved his face into her fragrant hair, inhaling, feeling her softness and at the same time, her womanly strength as she wrapped herself around him, body and soul.
Tears leaked from the corners of his tightly shut eyes as he slid his arms across her back, crushing her against him fully, hearing musical sounds in the back of her throat as she nestled against his neck. This moment would indelibly be branded into his thundering heart, his memory, and his essence for the rest of his life.
“I love you, Mattie. I’ve always loved you …” He choked, fighting back the tears, holding her as tightly as he could.
Mattie sobbed, pressing her face against his neck, her arms tightening around his shoulders. “And I love you so much, Mark … so much … oh, God, and for so long … so long.”
Her broken words were filled with anguish, and relief flowed through them both. Now, he was inside her, where he belonged. She was a vessel of love in every possible way, and Mark was lost in a landscape of endless beauty floating past his closed eyelids. Mattie was so warm, her flesh velvety against his sweaty skin. She was all curves to his linear body. Time didn’t exist—only Mattie existed.
There was nothing more Mark would ever need or want in his life except the woman he now held in his arms. She lay like a warm, wonderful blanket over his body. Her breasts pressed into his chest, their hips joined, his arms holding her and never wanting to let her go.
Opening his hand, he skimmed her back, caressing her. He loved the mewing sound of pleasure vibrating within her over his touch, his adoration. Pressing a soft kiss against her temple, he rasped, “I love you Mattie. I’ll never stop loving you. You’re mine and I’m yours for as long as you want me—hopefully, forever.”
CHAPTER 13
Mattie slowly opened her eyes. The clock on the bed stand read five a.m. She had never felt as wonderful as she did right now. Mark lay spooned around her, one arm beneath her neck, his other arm draped across her waist. She felt as if she was now, finally, his—deeply desired and perfectly loved.
She closed her eyes again, absorbing the feeling of Mark behind her, wrapped against her backside. She felt his slow, moist breath against the nape of her neck, her flesh tingling.
Mattie was, for the first time in her life, utterly satisfied. How she loved this man! Despite the depth of his wounds, Mark still had so much goodness in him. He fought daily to break free of the mental and emotional prison that Jeb had placed him in. She was so proud of him, loving him even more, if that was possible, for his personal courage. He would not allow his toxic past to taint what they had now with one another.
Mark groaned and mumbled something into her hair. Then, Mattie felt him press his hard, lean body against hers, his arm tightening momenta
rily around her, drawing her closer to him. As if he couldn’t live without her. She felt his lips nudging her nape, kissing her—she’d never been so deliriously happy.
Slowly, she extricated herself, turned over, and faced him. His eyes were barely open, filled with drowsiness, and perhaps, for the first time, she saw Mark without any defenses in place.
The relaxation in his face was remarkable, making him seem even more handsome than he already was in her eyes. She smiled and whispered, “I want to wake up every morning just like this with you.” Mattie threaded her fingers through a few strands of black hair, easing them off his unlined brow.
Mark lifted his hand, catching hers, guiding it between them. He pushed upward on his other elbow, leaning down, capturing her lips, a lingering, love-filled kiss shared between them. Drawing inches away, he looked deep into her eyes. “We will,” he said, his voice deep with promise.
Sighing, she caressed his stubbly jaw, her hand resting at the crook between his neck and shoulder. “There’s so much we need to talk about, but I have to get ready for school.”
“I know. And your dad is expecting me at eight this morning to help him move a bull to another pasture.”
She smiled up at him, caressing his cheek. “There will be time at night when we get back from work … and weekends.”
Nodding, Mark said, “I want to live with you, Mattie. And if you want the same thing, and I think you do, we need to let your family know.”
“Yes … maybe at Sunday dinner when we all get together. We could invite Sage over, too. Would you like that?”
“I would. I think she’ll be very happy to hear our news. Until then, we’ve got evenings to talk about details.”
She eased out of his arms and sat up, her hair tumbling forward across her shoulders. “Yes … the details … but the important thing is we’re together now.”
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