by Lacey Wolfe
“I’d like to take a little taste.”
Before he could let her words register, his cock was in her mouth.
“Whoa, sweetheart.”
She glided her lips along his shaft several times before kissing her way back up his body. “Just a little taste this time. I’d like to spend more time there soon.”
“Damn it, if you keep talking like that, I’m gonna be done before this starts.”
She sat on the bed and pulled him with her. She opened the nightstand and removed a condom. His breath caught...this was it. His nerves had melted away. It felt right.
“Now, cowboy, in those fantasies, what position was I in?”
He chuckled. “Many, but I think for my first time, I’d like to be on top.”
She tore the wrapper open, but didn’t remove the condom. “First, tell me about the positions.”
“I liked to imagine you on all fours with your ass in the air.”
“Oh, Braden.” She lay out with her legs open.
He took the condom from her and rolled it on. He positioned himself at her opening.
“Wait,” she whispered.
“As long as I need to.”
“I want you to know that I noticed you long before you asked me out. I’ve had a secret crush on you too.”
“You don’t have to say that.”
“I do, because I wanted you to know. Now kiss me.”
His mouth met hers as he glided into her wet opening. He paused to collect himself as her body hugged him tight. He thrust lightly, feeling all the ridges that were made just for his pleasure.
He wasn’t sure he could move or if he was paralyzed. It was taking everything in him not to spill his seed. This was much better than he imagined.
“Braden,” she said softly. “Take me, please. I’m on the edge. I’m right there with you, baby.”
He stared into her green eyes, love stared back at him. Understanding, and a woman who would be there through thick and thin.
He pumped, finding a rhythm that was pleasurable but wasn’t going to send him over the edge just yet. Courtney was amazing, and he wanted to make sure she received just as much pleasure.
She dug her nails into his ass, squeezing and urging him. “Hard. I like it hard.”
He had a feeling he would too. He’d give her just what she wanted. He thrust faster. Oh fuck, this was it. He couldn’t last.
“Braden!” she called out. Her back arched, and her walls squeezed around his cock.
“Courtney!” His release hit him with a force. He pumped several times, not believing how good it felt to be inside a woman. Fuck, this could become addicting. No wonder men thought about it all the time. He’d never experienced anything like this.
He stilled his movement and gazed down at the gorgeous woman who had given him an amazing gift.
“Well…” she said.
“I want to do it again.”
“Me too.” A small smile spread across her beautiful face.
He rolled off her and pulled her close. “Was I okay?”
She kissed his cheek. “Fantastic. You’re a passionate lover, I can tell. You tried your best to put my needs first.”
“Can you pinch me?”
“Why?”
“I’m worried this was just another fantasy.”
She pinched his arm and he jerked.
“Wow, sweetheart. This really did happen.”
“It did. How about we have some more wine and do it again?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Chapter 14
Courtney rolled over and wrapped her arm around Braden’s waist. Last night had been something. A good something. Braden had kept her busy much of the night and she worried if she’d be able to walk today. He was a natural lover. Kind and compassionate. Making sure her needs were always met before he took his own. She’d been crazy to be freaked out about being Braden’s first lover. He had blessed her with the best sex she’d ever had.
As she stared at him sleeping soundly, a realization hit her. She loved him. Her heart desired him, and even the thought of seeing him with anyone else made her want to puke. Braden was the prince she’d always been looking for. He’d opened her heart and made her feel again. Her daughter adored the man. He’d make a great father.
He stirred and rolled onto his back. She caressed his bare chest, letting her hand dip lower before coming back up.
“That’s the kinda alarm clock I could get used to, sweetheart.” He grinned and turned on his side toward her. “Good morning.”
“Good morning to you too.” She kissed his cheek. “I was just about to get up and make coffee. Need me to turn the shower on for you? I’m sure you have duties at the ranch.”
He wrapped his strong arm around her waist. “It can wait. My brothers showed up late for years. It’s my turn.”
She giggled. “I don’t want your family to dislike me any more.”
“Fuck them. Go turn the water on and join me. We both need to get cleaned up from last night.”
She rolled away from him and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. “I have a feeling we’ll need this.”
“You might want to grab two.”
“You’ll be pleased to know I couldn’t handle you twice this morning. Hell, I can hardly walk.” And it was true. As she went toward the bathroom, her thighs ached; not to mention her vagina. A hot bath sounded a bit better than a shower.
She turned the water on and set the condom on the ledge. As the water heated up, she pulled out two towels from under the sink and laid them on the counter. She sensed Braden the moment he entered the bathroom. He wasn’t shy at all as she glanced at his naked body, his morning wood still prominent—for her.
“I think the water is warmed up.” She led him into the stall. The hot water cascaded down her body first before she stepped back, letting him in. Her gaze stayed locked on his. Unable to contain herself, she wrapped herself around him and kissed him hard, wasting no time to deepen the kiss. He lifted her, pressing her against the cool tiled wall, his hard cock right at her opening. She stroked it as she teased herself with the tip.
He groaned. “You’re torturing me.”
“Don’t worry, I’m being tortured too.”
Braden lowered her to the ground and fisted the foil wrapper before tearing it open. She expected him to lift her again, but instead he spun her around. He spread her legs open with his knee then pulled her waist toward him.
He rubbed her ass before going low and letting a finger tease her entrance. Thankfully, he only toyed a moment. His erect cock pressed against her and with a hard thrust, he was buried deep inside. He was made for her. This man filled her in a way she’d never been before. It was like he was a missing puzzle piece.
“Braden,” slipped out in a whisper.
He held her tight against him, pumping in a rhythm that was going to bring her to the edge quickly. This man could make her come. She didn’t worry about ever faking it.
She bit her bottom lip and squeezed her eyes closed as she moaned. He drove harder, and that was it. She cried out, bracing herself against the wall as her release tore through her. Braden groaned and followed her in the pleasure spiral.
He slipped out then pulled her up so her back rested against his chest. “Fuck, I’m addicted to you.”
She nodded. She was satisfied in more than one way. She wasn’t sure how long they stood under the hot water, but there was nowhere else she wanted to be but in his arms.
* * * *
Braden set his empty coffee cup down. “I hate that I have to leave.”
Courtney took the last bite of her pancake. “It’s fine. I need to get a few things done around here before I go to work.”
She crossed the kitchen to set her dirty dish in the sink and turned back toward him. He laced his arms around her. “Is it too much to ask to come back tonight?”
She poked his chest. “Nope. In fact, I insist. I might have an addiction to you too.”
>
“Right back at ya. We might need a support group.”
“I hope we’re the only two in it.” She kissed his cheek. “Now get the hell out of here. I can’t have sex with you again, even if I wanted to.”
“I might need an afternoon nap to recharge my batteries.”
“Take two. I won’t get one. After I get stuff done around here, I’m going to see Anna and my dad.”
“If she’s staying with your dad, does that mean no horse lessons tomorrow?”
“I forgot about that. It’s up to you. I can get her or you can stay in bed with me.”
He traced small circles on her lower back. “I really enjoy your daughter, but the latter option sounds the best to me.”
She kissed him once more. “Get out of here now. You have animals waiting on you, and I have laundry to do.”
“I like this.”
“Me too.”
He hugged her tight before releasing her. “See you soon, sweetheart.”
* * * *
Braden parked in front of the horse pasture. He was surprised to see Tucker hadn’t been there yet. It was almost ten in the morning and no one had been down there. Go figure, they just expected him to be here first like usual.
He dug through his duffle bag to find the phone he’d tossed in there last night. He was going to call Tucker and give him a piece of his mind. He was tired of being taken advantage of by this family.
He had about fifteen missed calls and several texts. Shit.
Where are you?
Call me, it’s urgent! I don’t want to text it.
Damn it, quit ignoring us!
His heart raced. What the hell was going on? He dialed Tucker right away.
“What the fuck, man? Where the hell have you been?” his brother snapped.
“I didn’t have my phone.”
He groaned. “Thankfully, Mom is okay, but she’s in the hospital.”
“What! Why?” Guilt took over and he couldn’t think straight.
“She thought she was having a heart attack last night. She wasn’t, but she’s being kept for observation as they run some cardiology tests.”
Oh, shit. Heart disease ran on her side of the family. “I’m on my way.”
“I’m headed back to the ranch at the moment. I left Lauren there. Are this morning’s duties done?”
“No. I just got here.”
Tucker chuckled. “Dude, where the fuck were you? It’s hard to be mad at you when I think I have an idea.”
“We’ll talk about it later. I’ll get started with the horses then head to see Mom.”
Thirty minutes later, he stepped off the elevator and followed the signs to the room his mom was in. He pushed the door open. Nathan and Angie stood by the bed with smiles.
“Braden.” His mom sat up. “Where have you been, honey?”
Spending the night with an incredible woman you dislike. “I’m sorry, my phone was dead.” He kissed her cheek. “I hear you’re going to be okay.”
“I am. They think it was a panic attack, but they’re running tests just in case.”
“What were you panicking about?”
Nathan patted his back. “We’re going to go down to the cafeteria.”
“Me too.” Lauren stood. “Come on, Mack.”
The four left, chatting amongst themselves. Braden sat in the chair nearest the bed. “What’s going on?”
“I feel terrible. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He held her hand. “Why are you worried?”
“It’s just...I was wrong to treat your girlfriend that way. This year has been crazy between two new daughter-in-laws I love and two grandbabies coming. Now you’re settling down. I’m just not ready.”
“I’m not getting married tomorrow or anything.”
She placed a hand to her head. “We didn’t know Nathan was, so how do I know?”
His mother had a point. “I don’t even know if Courtney is the one.”
“She is.”
“How do you know?”
“A mom knows these things. All I have left is Melissa, and she’s a wild one like your brothers. I hate to think about it.”
His sister did have a thing for the opposite sex. “Where is Mel?”
“She was here earlier. She went to help Tucker.” She squeezed his hand. “Were you with Courtney last night?”
This was awkward.
“If you were then I’m happy for you. I just got myself too worked up. My life is flashing by me lately and it scares me.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not going anywhere. If I do marry Courtney, I’m sure they’ll come live on the ranch. Anna is in love with the horses and wants her own.”
His mom smiled. “I hope I can fix this with Courtney. I was a real bitch.”
“The first step is talking to her…once you’re better.”
“I know. I’ll also need a bigger dining room table with the way this family is expanding.”
He smirked, imagining the whole family together when the babies arrived, plus Courtney and Anna. “Maybe I can build one.”
“I’d love nothing more. Come hug me, please.”
He embraced her and she whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
Chapter 15
“Did you hear the news about Gail Carver?” Candy tossed her bag down on the bar.
“Nope.” It couldn’t be anything too serious or Braden would’ve called.
“She was rushed to the hospital last night. She thought she had a heart attack, but didn’t.”
“What?” Courtney set down the glasses she’d been holding. “Who told you this?”
“Mel.”
“Crap. What happened?”
“Turns out it was a panic attack. She’s home now, resting.”
It must’ve been a serious one to put her in the hospital. “What made her panic?”
“Not sure. Mel didn’t really tell me.”
A shiver swept down her spine. Had his mother sensed that she had been with Braden? Surely not. His mom wouldn’t get that upset...would she?
“I’m surprised Braden didn’t call you.”
She was too. “He wouldn’t, I guess. His mom dislikes me.”
“Why?”
Courtney shrugged. “She seems to not like the person I am.”
“Damn. What are you going to do?”
“Keep seeing Braden. She’ll come around—I hope.”
“So, it’s serious? Mel said it was.” Candy twirled a lock of hair.
Courtney scrunched her nose. “Are you two gossiping about us?”
“A little. You didn’t answer my question. Is it serious?”
“Who wants to know? You or Melissa?”
“Me, of course. I guess Mel wants to know too.”
She rolled her eyes. “You can report back that it is serious.”
Her co-worker’s eyes widened. “How serious? Like marriage?”
“I don’t see us walking down the aisle anytime soon, but I can see myself with him. Does that make you happy?”
“Very.” Candy grinned.
“Get to work before I fire you.” She grabbed the cups she was adding to the freezer.
“You wouldn’t! You need me here so you can run off with Lover Boy.”
Courtney smirked. “Don’t press your luck.”
After she finished getting the glasses in the freezer, Courtney grabbed her phone and plopped down in a chair. She wanted to talk to Braden and find out how his mother was. She couldn’t decide though if she should text him or call.
If it were her father, she’d want to hear Braden’s voice, even if her dad was going to be just fine. A text wouldn’t suffice.
She dialed his number and waited.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
She loved when he called her that. “Hey. I heard about your mom. How is she?”
“She’s good. I just left there. Nathan and Angie are headed to t
he airport now. They had to reschedule their flight. She’s resting with Dad.”
“Good. I feel bad, as though I kept you from her.”
“Nah, it’s my own fault for putting my phone on vibrate and leaving it in my bag.”
“What happened?”
“She had a panic attack. I guess a pretty severe one.”
“What about?”
He didn’t say anything at first, which made her feel like panicking. “We’ll talk about it later. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
Something ached inside her. “It wasn’t about me, was it?”
“Not really.” He paused. “Don’t worry about it.”
She sighed. “Maybe we should take a break if your mom is really that freaked out.”
“We are not taking a break.” His voice was stern. “We’ll talk tonight, okay?”
“I don’t think tonight’s a good idea. I’ll call you in the morning.” She disconnected the call before he could reply. If he’d said anything to convince her he needed her tonight, she would’ve caved.
The last thing she wanted was to give his mother panic attacks that would land her in the hospital. She sat back in the chair. It really hurt that the woman didn’t like her. How could she have fallen in love with a man, and his own mother would be the one standing in the way? She’d never do that to Anna—ever. Unless the guy was a total creep. She wasn’t a creep.
* * * *
Braden sat in his parked car, feeling almost like a stalker as he waited on Courtney to get home that evening. Sure, she’d told him to stay away tonight, and maybe he should’ve listened, but he hadn’t.
On schedule, her headlights lit up the back of his car. She parked next to him, but didn’t glance in his direction. Hopefully they weren’t about to have their first fight. He climbed out of his car and met her in front of her steps.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “I’m exhausted. It was a long, shitty night.”
“I wasn’t going to let you just dismiss me. And I didn’t want you feeling terrible about my mom. It wasn’t your fault.”
She fidgeted with the keys in her hand. “You made it sound that way.”