“One day I hope we’ll get to the point that you’d like to let me try, but if not, I’ll live.” His lips lowered to mine and he kissed me stupid. I forgot for a few minutes why we were arguing. In his arms like this, I was sure I’d allow anything he wanted to try, and it scared the hell out of me.
Breaking the kiss, I pushed on his chest again, and this time he set me free. “I thought we were taking a tour,” I said. I needed to think. There was so much chemistry between us that I was afraid I’d give in to everything. A part of me wondered if that would be so horrible, but the sensible side said relationships had to be equal to work. It reminded me that we both came from different worlds.
“Yeah. As much as I love enjoying you, I’m not in the right state of mind to use my other head right now.” He held out his hand, and I took it as we walked back to his truck. His comment wasn’t lost on me. Knowing I drove him as crazy as he did me made things seem more even.
We drove back to his house and then walked to the stable, where Marshall saddled our horses. I was secretly thrilled to ride Mabel again. She’d proved herself to be my ally. Brock helped me mount her, then got on Satan. “Just remember what we talked about the other day, and you’ll do fine,” he reassured me.
For whatever reason I wasn’t nervous as we rode off at a slow pace. I even managed to the nerve to do what Brock called a jog trot. The gently rolling land was flat in some places and had hills in other spots. He explained what some of the unfamiliar trees were, including mesquite, live oak, and post oak. They were all beautiful, but what really took my breath away was the water pouring in from the canyons and the waterfall that fed into the creek. My eyes widened in wonder as I gazed over the sight.
Brock led us in front of the creek, helping me dismount after he did. He tied our horses to rest under a shade tree. “It’s breathtaking,” I said, in awe. This was the most beautiful place I’d ever been, and I wanted to stay here for the rest of my life!
“Figured you’d enjoy this.” His hand found mine, and we walked to the edge. “We could swim, if you’d like.” His eyes were dancing with invitation, and the thought was definitely worthy of considering, except for one problem.
“I don’t have a suit.” The thought of swimming under that fall made me long for one.
“Sweetheart, the only person looking in on us here is the good Lord.” He came behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist before lowering his chin to my shoulder. The idea was so tempting I thought about it. “I’d love to take you skinny dipping,” he murmured.
“Maybe we could just strip down to our underwear?” The more I thought about it, I was determined to get under that fall.
Brock gave a sigh and then grinned. “I guess if that’s all you’re willing to do . . . ” He let his words trail off, released me, and started undressing. He didn’t stop with his shoes, shirt, and pants. Brock went full commando, making my mouth water, and I stood there frozen in place as I took in every glorious inch of this unbelievable man.
“I’ll be waiting in the water.” He took off running, and I kept my eyes trained on that perfection of an ass until it was hidden from sight. When he held out his arms for me, standing waist deep in the creek, I finally began stripping. I knew if I followed his lead and got naked, there would be no turning back from where it would lead. Part of me wished I was brave enough to do it.
That little voice of reason kept me covered in my bra and panties, and I walked out to join him. The water was freezing, and my nipples tightened into pebbles, rendering the covering of my bra almost useless. “Holy crap, that’s cold!” I gasped. It was a hot summer day, so it amazed me that it felt like I’d just waded out, ankle deep, into an ice bath.
When he stopped laughing, he walked back up to join me, showing off all his perfection. I tensed. He was 100 percent virile man, and I felt so vulnerable that for a moment the temperature no longer mattered. “It’s fed from the springs, sweetheart,” he explained, wrapping me in his arms. I wasn’t sure if I was trembling from the strength of his body or the sudden case of nerves that had made me feel small and unsure.
I considered myself a feminist, so showing weakness with a man was against everything I believed in. Instinctively I knew Brock would never use his strength against me. I’d slapped the man, and he hadn’t retaliated. So why was I so nervous?
“You still with me?” His words forced my eyes up to those intoxicating, whisky-hued orbs peering down at me curiously.
“Maybe this is a bad idea.” I wanted to hide from the fear that I wasn’t able to control myself around him. He made me feel too much, want more than I should, crave to be a person who didn’t have to think through every step she made.
I gasped as he picked me up, put me over his shoulder, and walked me into the deeper waters. So stunned I couldn’t move, I got a bird’s-eye view of that ass my hands longed to grab and squeeze. That thought was chased out of my mind when he dropped me suddenly into the frigid depths, and I came up sputtering for air.
“You think too much,” he said, grinning, and the fear I’d had earlier was gone, replaced with the need for revenge. My feet found solid footing. The water only barely covered my breasts so I treaded toward him through the water and splashed him in the face.
“Maybe you should try it sometime,” I teased. That began the most childish water fight I’d ever been in. I was laughing so hard my sides hurt and held up my hands for mercy as he came toward me to throw me across the creek for the tenth time.
Instead of tossing me, he adjusted my bra strap, which had slipped down my arm. The game turned serious then, because instantly I was thinking of having his hands on me instead of playing around. He seemed to pick up on my mood because his lips lowered to mine, and soon I was lost in a kiss that would stay in my dreams until time ceased to exist.
When he began trailing kisses across my chin then down my neck, my head fell back, offering him all he demanded. His hand pressed against my back as he lowered to suckle my nipple through my bra, and I was gone. As he bit down slightly, I let out a soft cry and couldn’t remember who I was or why we were here. All I could do was feel the pleasure this cowboy gave.
“Brock, please. I need more.” Who was that woman speaking so brazenly? My body ached to feel his fingers sliding between my legs and making the world tilt on its axis again.
“I’ll give you what you need, sweetheart, but anticipation makes everything better,” Brock promised. Lifting his head, he kissed me again, and his hands moved behind me to unclasp my bra. “You don’t need this. I want to see those beautiful breasts, to feel your sweet pink nipples disappearing in my mouth. I want to enjoy every moment of that too.” He tossed my bra away in the water, and I didn’t care if it was lost forever because his mouth did just what his words said he wanted. My fingers tangled in his hair as he suckled, and I felt white-hot pangs of pleasure shoot down toward my sex.
Those magical fingers slid under the waistband of my panties and cupped my heat, and I lost my balance. Thankfully I had a strong, agile man catching me before I could fall. “Sweetheart you have no idea how beautiful you are when you surrender to me.”
Lifting me into his arms, he walked us back to the bank of the creek and lay me down. I didn’t care that I was getting sand in my hair because his fingers slid back where they’d escaped from and stroked me like a kitten until I was whimpering helplessly in need. “I want to taste this incredible pussy,” he begged. “You’re soaking wet, darlin’, and I want to lap it all up.”
His words were vulgar, and I should have been disgusted, but it turned me on even more. Could I let him do that? When those magical fingers stilled, taking away the delicious friction, I knew I could. “Do it then.” My voice was breathless as I issued the demand.
“That’s my girl.” He quickly had my panties off, giving me no chance to think about what I’d asked him to do. His shoulders pushed my legs apart while he lowered his head to the junction between my thighs, and heaven fell across Texas. The first swi
pe of his tongue over that sensitive flesh had me crying out loud enough for the entire state to hear.
He took my body prisoner with determined licks and deep plunges, and he suckled my clit until I fell apart, sobbing at the orgasm so powerful it had me shaking.
“Unbelievably beautiful,” he groaned. He knew just when to stop, my body too sensitive to handle even the barest whisper against that flesh. He turned me over on top of him, and it was second-nature to straddle him. I felt his hardness against my stomach. It was almost like being dunked in the cold water again.
“Brock?” He’d just given me a slice of paradise but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to take things further. My voice was unsure, quivering in the aftermath of the passion he’d introduced.
“Stop, Dana. It’s fine. Just be still a minute until I get myself under control.” He was talking through clenched teeth, and I hoped he wasn’t angry. I didn’t know how it felt for men that way, but I knew how I’d felt earlier when I needed him.
Reaching my hand down, I grasped his thick width and squeezed, then began pumping him. I wasn’t ready to make love to him yet, but I had no intention of leaving him longing. Sliding off him, I watched in fascination as pearly white drops appeared at the engorged head of his shaft. “I don’t know how to give a blow job,” I admitted. It felt like I was some naive girl instead of a grown woman as I spoke those words.
“Hell, sweetheart, your mouth on me will feel great no matter how you do it.” His chuckle was strained, and I knew he was in agony. That was the last thing I wanted. Lowering my mouth, I tentatively took him in, his size stretching my mouth wide. I had no idea how I was going to make this good for him, or even if I could take him in more than a few inches.
He fisted the base and began moving his hand up and down as I taught myself how to pleasure him. Feeling braver, I took more of him in my mouth, and he removed his hand. “Damn, sweetheart, that feels mighty fine.” Replacing my hand for his, I mimicked the rhythm he’d used and soon he was pushing his hips up to demand more.
I felt proud that I could take half of his long length and was enjoying the small grunts of pleasure he gave as I worked his shaft. When he took my chin and lifted me off, I was disappointed. I thought I was doing a pretty good job for my first time.
“Don’t look at me like that, darlin’, I was about to come.” He grabbed his shaft and started pumping furiously, and before I could say I wanted him in my mouth anyway, his pearly essence streamed over his six-pack abs. “You definitely don’t need any practice giving head, but feel free to do it anytime you want.” He grinned, stood up, and reached for my hand with his clean one.
I didn’t even remember I was naked until that very moment. Instead of taking his hand, I ran into the water until I was submerged, and he ran after me, chuckling loudly. “It’s not funny,” I protested. Of course it was, and we started the water fight all over again. We got ourselves cleaned off, at least.
“We’d better be getting back. I’m sure Mom is tired by now, and I didn’t mean to keep us out here this long.”
I felt horrible that he had to remind me that Jeremy was waiting. He helped me dress, which was not easy considering I was soaking wet and there wasn’t a towel around. I returned the favor, and we let the horses get a drink before we mounted up and returned to his house.
“Shouldn’t we head to the barn?” I knew we had to get the horses back, so I had no idea why’d we’d ridden here.
“I’ll take care of that.” Brock looked at my shirt with a huge grin on his face, and I glanced down. My nipples were poking through the thin shirt since I no longer had a bra, and I could just imagine what young Marshall would have thought. Blushing brightly, I managed to dismount on my own, and my embarrassment was forgotten as I smiled in pride.
“I’ll take care of them, then go pick up Jeremy. Why don’t you grab a hot bath and relax while you can?” At least he wasn’t demanding it, so I nodded. I hadn’t forgotten our earlier argument. It just didn’t seem to matter much now.
CHAPTER EIGHT
In Season
Brock
It was almost four in the afternoon when I got back with Jeremy. Time with Dana had flown by so quickly, but Mom seemed to understand exactly why I’d left my son for so long. After getting the talk about respecting boundaries while Dana was staying in my home, Mom told me Dana was a keeper. Getting Mom’s approval was a boon, but I don’t think anything would have kept me away from her after this afternoon.
It wasn’t just the chemistry between us, although that was hotter than the Texas sun. What really cinched it was the way she didn’t put up with my shit and how it felt like we belonged together. Dana was like no other woman I’d met. Innocent while demanding what she needed, sweet as tea until she got pissed off, and even when she was angry, she didn’t seem to hold a grudge long. She was great with my son and made me want to hurry back to her when I was away. I was falling head over heels in love with this woman and wasn’t going to fight it.
I walked in, and instead of resting like I’d suggested, she was cooking dinner. She’d obviously changed clothes, and I liked seeing her in the little tank top and shorts. That city girl I thought she was when she came here seemed to be fading away by the minute. I loved her all dressed up too, but this was how I wanted my woman to look. Comfortable and right at home.
“Was your mom upset?” She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear before flipping burgers on the electric grill. She looked cute enough to eat.
“Nope. I think Mom knows we’re into each other,” I replied. Jeremy started whining, and I knew he wanted his aunt. Switching places with her, I took over the grill. She kissed Jeremy’s little cheeks until he was giggling.
“I missed you, Little Man. Yes, I did,” Dana said. Her ignoring me while she played with my son made me long for some more attention, but I was father now and couldn’t be selfish. “I hope she doesn’t know what we were doing?” So she was paying attention. The flush on her cheeks was as adorable as my boy.
“I told her I tried to have my way with you, and you slapped my face.” I hadn’t, but her mouth falling open as she gasped was worth the little white lie. “Kidding! Sheesh, woman, my mom would skin me alive if she thought I’d taken advantage of you.” Chuckling at Dana’s heated expression, I turned my attention back to the burgers.
Her phone started ringing, and she pulled it out of her pocket to answer it while giving me the stink eye. It was that prick again. I could tell by the way her lips tightened and how her hand clenched the phone until her knuckles were white. “I don’t know what to tell you,” she was saying. “I can’t change the fact you aren’t his father . . . Yes, I filed for those papers.” Her tone was growing exasperated, and I held out my hand for the phone. She held up a finger for me to wait. “I’m not having this conversation with you. Talk to Brock.”
I was pleased when she finally listened to me. I turned off the grill because at this point I didn’t care about the food. I took the phone and walked out of the room. I didn’t want Jeremy hearing any nasty talk.
“I’ve raised that boy, and if you think just because my cheating-ass wife fucked around with some backwoods cowboy I’ll let you keep him, you’re fucking crazy,” Derrick spat. If I didn’t have knowledge of his history from Dana, I might have felt sorry for the bastard. Knowing what I did, I didn’t care what he felt.
“I’m going to make this real easy for you,” I said. “Jeremy is mine, and soon I’ll have the papers to prove it. Until that happens I suggest you act like you were raised with some manners and talk with a little respect.” I didn’t need Dana’s back story to know that any man who talked about his dead wife that way was a piece of shit. No matter what she’d done.
“Don’t fuck with me. I’m flying out tonight and I expect to see my kid. That stupid-ass lawyer may have given Dana temporary custody, but I will fight to make Jeremy mine,” Derrick snarled. “Any judge will agree that I need to be in his life. He doesn’t even know you!”
> The man in me wanted to tell Derrick to show up here and I’d blow him off my land, but I knew what my lawyer would say. Derrick had the right to see my boy.
“I’m going to try and be reasonable because I’m sure this is a shock to you, but let’s get a few things clear. My son will not be leaving this land. You will respect me and Dana while you’re visiting. If you do one thing that crosses the line, I will have you arrested,” I warned. “Do I make myself clear?” Only my mama’s raising gave me the ability to not blow my stack, but I figured I deserved an award for it.
“Fine. You just make sure I can have my time with him, and I’ll try and forget you fucked my wife,” Derrick bit back.
I didn’t bother telling him that Danielle hadn’t told me she was married, because it didn’t matter.
“What time will you be here?” I attempted to be reasonable, keeping all the cursing out of the conversation. My heart sure wasn’t in it.
“I’m sure he’ll be asleep by the time I get in, so eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”
I was shocked at Derrick’s consideration for Jeremy. It wasn’t something I expected. “We’ll see you then,” I confirmed.
He hung up, and I was amazed things hadn’t blow up. If the shoe had been on the other foot, I’m not sure I would have been that calm. Granted, he’d let off some agitation, but nothing like I’d expected.
I explained to Dana what was going on, and her beautiful face paled. “I don’t trust him.” Her words were whispered, and I knew it was because of Jeremy. I could see the fear in her eyes.
“I’ll never let him hurt you or my boy, sweetheart.” Walking over to hug them both, I vowed that I’d move a mountain if need be to keep them safe. I honestly didn’t think he’d be a problem.
“You don’t know him, Brock. He doesn’t play fair. I know you have no reason to trust Danielle, but she told me how underhanded he was in his dealings. Derrick doesn’t think like a sane person.”
Cowboy Sanctuary (The Dixon Ranch) Page 11