KISS ME, COWBOY

by Maureen Child

  "Mike … I need – I need—"

  "I know, honey," he whispered, lifting his mouth just long enough to shift and taste her other breast. She rocked and moved beneath him again. She tried to pull her hands free of his grip, but Mike held her tighter. He didn't want her touching him now. If she did, he'd lose all semblance of control.

  While he tasted her breasts, he slid his free hand down the length of her body. Hooking his fingers beneath the edge of her panties, he pushed them down, over her hips, and as she lifted herself off the bed, he scooped them down and off her legs. Then slowly, teasingly, he ran his hand up the length of her leg, up her calf, past her knee and up along the inside of her thigh. His fingertips blazed a trail of heat and need and she responded eagerly, frantically.

  Twisting her head from side to side on the bed, she swallowed hard, licked her lips and gave up trying to escape Mike's strong grip on her wrists.

  "Please," she whispered, her voice carrying an ache that echoed inside him. "Please, I need…"

  "This," he said, rising up to look into her eyes. His fingertips found her center, damp and hot and ready. Her body jerked at his first intimate touch and a shuddering groan slipped past her throat.

  "Oh, Mike…"

  "Just feel it, honey," he urged, bending his head to kiss her mouth, her cheeks. "Let it come, then let go and enjoy the ride."

  "But … I … can't … breathe…"

  A slow grin teased the corner of his mouth. "For this, you don't need air."

  Her eyes flashed from blue to smoky-gray as she twisted beneath him. Planting her feet on the mattress, she lifted her hips, welcoming him deeper, faster.

  Nora forgot about trying to breathe. All she wanted to think about was what was happening to other parts of her body. She'd never known this wild, frenzied sense of anticipation. Nothing in her life had prepared her for the sheer, raw power of sex. Her brain blurred. Thoughts whisked in and out of her mind so quickly she couldn't have caught one if she'd been trying.

  His fingers, magical fingers, touched her, dipping into her body with a maniacal rhythm that pulsed and pounded deep within her. His thumb brushed against a single, unbelievably sensitive spot and Nora nearly screamed. Or would have, if she'd had enough air.

  Mike was everything.

  His touch.

  His kiss.

  His body, pressed to hers.

  He pushed her higher and higher, and when she thought she'd reached her limit, he pushed her over the edge and her body erupted into a startling burst of sensation that rippled and poured through her in a stream of pleasure so deep, so wide, her only choice was to sink into it and drown.

  "I'll be right back," he whispered huskily close to her ear.

  Nora couldn't move. Couldn't see. Oh. Open your eyes, Nora. She did and stared blindly up at the ceiling. It was spinning. No, she was spinning.

  "Mike?" She was pretty sure she said it out loud. But her hearing seemed to be gone, too.

  "I'm here," he said a second later, and she felt him join her on the bed.

  "Where'd you go?"

  "To get your purse."

  Her eyes widened and she turned her head to look at him. One dark eyebrow arched and his mouth was curved into that half grin she'd come to love. Instantly, her body went on full alert again. She wouldn't have believed it possible, but she was ready for more.

  "I want you inside me, Mike," she said, and watched his features tighten. "I want to feel you within me."

  He pushed one hand through her hair, scooping it back from her face, and his thumb traced a slow pattern on her temple. "You're killin' me, Nora."

  She smiled. "Oh, not yet."

  He grinned again. "Not through with me, then?"

  "Not a chance, cowboy," she promised, and rolled onto her side so she could wrap her arms around his neck and pull his head to hers for a kiss. She slanted her mouth over his and slid her tongue past his parted lips. She took his breath and was grateful for it. She smoothed her hands over his bare back, loving the feel of his hard, muscled flesh. She pressed her body close, smashing her breasts against his chest, and then moved, rubbing her sensitized nipples until spirals of newly awakened need erupted inside her.

  Mike took all she had and then offered it back to her. His hands moved over her body, defining every curve, exploring every valley. He couldn't touch her enough. Couldn't feel enough of her silky, flower scented skin. And when neither of them could wait another moment, he pulled away from her long enough to snatch up one of the condoms she'd brought with her and put it on.

  Then he laid her back against the mattress and knelt between her upraised thighs, spread open for him. He looked down at her and touched her gently, gingerly, and felt her tremble from head to foot.

  He moved then, covering her body with his, pushing himself into her damp heat, claiming her as she wanted to be claimed.

  Nora dug her fingers into his shoulders and held on as she stared up into his forest-green eyes. She felt him take her. Inch by glorious inch. Slowly, deliberately, he moved deeper, closer. She rocked her hips, trying to accommodate him, trying to ease his passage, trying to ease the ache building all over again inside her.

  Then he paused for a moment and in one smooth, long stroke entered her fully, completely. A quick flash of pain rose up and was gone again. Nora winced, then shifted her hips and relished the amazing sensation of actually being joined with Mike. Having him a part of her. Locked together.

  "You okay?"

  "I'm way better than okay," she managed to say around the knot lodged in her throat.

  Lifting herself up from the bed, she kissed him. And when he followed her back down, she gave him everything she had to give. His hips set a rhythm that was fast and sure and solid. She moved with him, aching to feel that explosion of power within her again. This time, as it built and roared to a crest inside her, she knew what was coming and didn't fight it. Didn't fear it. Didn't hold back.

  She opened herself to the feelings. To him. This was what she'd been waiting for. This magic. This wonder. Electricity hummed through her veins. Anticipation swelled inside her. She held her breath when the first tremor shook her soul, then screamed as it tore through her with a wildness she hadn't known existed.

  "Mike!" She yelled his name, and her voice seemed to echo in the moonlit room.

  "Come with me," he murmured, levering himself up on one elbow so he could catch her gaze with his. "Come with me, Nora. Fly."

  "Take me with you," she said on a sigh that dissolved into a moan.

  He took her higher still, and when he felt her body's surrender, he gave himself up to the release that had been building for weeks. He shouted her name into the moonlight, and together they fell into the heart of the storm.

  * * *

  Chapter 11

  «^»

  "Wow." Nora's voice sounded froggy even to her. But she was pretty impressed with herself that she'd managed to get that word out, anyway. Of course, it didn't come close to describing what she was feeling.

  "Same to you," Mike whispered, and rolled to one side of her before lying there gasping for air like a dying man.

  Nora stared up at the ceiling and waited until the overhead beams stopped swimming before she spoke again. "I realize," she said, "that I have no frame of reference. But I think that was pretty good."

  He laughed shortly. "Yeah, I'd say so."

  "Oh, man, I never thought I'd hear myself ask this. I sound like some dumb old movie, but I just can't help myself, because I really want to know and how will I know if I don't ask, so it's not really dumb if you think about it and—"

  Mike held up one hand. "Nora, what?"

  "Was it good for you?"

  He shot her a look that told her plainly he thought she was nuts to have to ask. And that one incredulous stare did more for her than anything he could say. Still, it was nice to hear the words.

  "It was … great." He kept staring at her as if seeing her for the first time. "Amazing."

 
; He reached out and skimmed one hand down the length of her body and Nora's skin tingled expectantly. Her breath caught and a now-familiar aching want began to grow deep within her. "Oh, boy," she whispered, and moved beneath his touch, silently encouraging him.

  Mike smiled knowingly. "What is it?"

  Nora gulped in air, then blew it out again. "I just had no idea I could go from vestal virgin to wanton woman in the space of an hour."

  "Wonton woman?"

  She laughed. "Not wonton. Wanton. And I know that's a word."

  "Is it ever?" he groaned as he pulled her close and then maneuvered her until she was lying on top of him. Stretched out, skin to skin, heartbeat to heartbeat. His hands skimmed down her back and over the curve of her bottom.

  Nora closed her eyes as his fingers kneaded her tender flesh. Beneath her, she felt his body stirring to life again. Instantly, she flushed with a rush of heat so powerful, she was pretty sure the ends of her hair were singed. "Whoa."

  "'Whoa' as in stop?" he teased.

  She took his face between her palms, and looking him square in the eye, she said softly, "Don't you dare." Then she bent her head and kissed him. Mouths melded, tongues explored and twisted together, joined in a dance designed to stir bodies into life. Nora moved atop him, straddling him, and as their kiss deepened, she slid her hands down, across his chest, loving the feel of his hard, strong body.

  Loving.

  She loved the way he touched her. She loved the sound of his voice. His booming laugh. She loved his tenderness with Emily. The strength he'd shown in rebuilding his life. She loved his sense of humor and his sense of responsibility.

  She loved him.

  That thought hit her with a startling blast of clarity just as his hands swept down her body to once again explore her intimately. Breaking their kiss, she went up on her knees and watched him watching her. She saw his green eyes darken with desire, passion, and her breath caught at the rush of female power that swept through her.

  She wiggled her hips and saw him gasp, closing his eyes as if praying for strength. But his hope went unanswered as she moved again, deliberately lifting her hips high enough to take his body into hers again. Slowly, proudly, she lowered herself onto his length, taking him deep within her. He filled her, reaching into the dark, empty parts of her heart and soul that she'd once feared would always be left wanting.

  Her breasts ached for his touch. Her heart ached to hear words he wasn't willing to say.

  Nora moved in a slow, rocking motion that set off sparklers of pleasure inside her. She felt the glorious bursts of sensation exploding inside, and even while her brain focused on the pleasure, she tried to memorize it all, to put it down in stone somewhere in her brain. Because she never wanted to forget this moment. The moment when she'd realized her love for Mike and celebrated that love by taking him deeper inside her than she'd ever believed possible.

  Mike's hands swept up and down her body. Tweaking her nipples until she arched into his touch, demanding more. In the bright moonlight, her hair shone like silver, her skin gleamed like porcelain, and when she moved on him again, she looked like some otherworldly goddess. His blood boiled, his body ached and his brain shut down. All he could think about was touching her, feeling her, tasting her. He wanted her flat on her back and under him. He wanted to part her legs and taste her secrets. He wanted it all. And he wanted it with Nora.

  He'd thought that tonight, he would be the teacher. But instead, she'd taught him just how much he still had to learn. He'd never felt this way before. Never experienced this … connection with any other woman. And now was not the time to try to make sense of it.

  Dropping one hand to the spot where their bodies joined, he rubbed her most sensitive spot with a delicate touch that nearly sent her through the ceiling. Her body tightened around him, squeezing him hard and sure in a warm, velvety grip.

  And when he couldn't take it another minute, he flipped her onto her back and stared down into her wide, surprised eyes.

  "Mike—"

  "Nora," he said with a tense smile, "do us both a favor and be quiet."

  "Right," she said, and lifted her legs to lock them around his hips. She pulled him against her, moving with his rocking hips, holding on to him, digging her short nails into his back. He felt it all, relished it all. And when the first tremor started inside her, he gave himself up to the same wonder and, with one long thrust, pushed them both over the edge into oblivion.

  *

  An hour or two later … who could be sure? – Nora stumbled from the bedroom into the kitchen. She needed water. And maybe food. She'd never felt so energized and so tired and so … sore in her life. Sex was probably the best exercise in the world. She wondered why no one ever mentioned that in all of those videos and books.

  She shivered and pulled the edges of Mike's tattered terry-cloth robe tighter around her waist. She'd found the worn black thing hanging on a hook in the master bathroom, and since Mike was still snoozing, she'd helped herself. Nora stubbed her toe as she crossed the hall and did a little half dance as she waited for her toe to stop aching.

  "Serves you right for not leaving another light on," she muttered as she rounded a corner into the still brightly lit kitchen. She headed right for the refrigerator and pulled the door open. It was pretty well stocked, considering a man did all the shopping. And what a man, she thought as she reached for a fried chicken leg and a bottle of water.

  Shutting the refrigerator, she carried her prize to the kitchen table and sat down. She reached for a napkin, then uncapped the bottle of water and took a long, satisfying drink. Her body was still humming and her brain was still trying to decide what to do about the whole "I love Mike" situation when the back door flew open.

  Hand at her throat, Nora jumped to her feet just as Rick shouted, "Mike!"

  "Oh, my…" Nora's voice trailed off into an embarrassed silence. Not only was she naked under Mike's robe, but the robe was ratty and threadbare and – oh, for heaven's sake. Did it really matter how tacky the robe was?

  An instant later, he noticed her. Snatching his hat off, Rick looked her up and down and then quickly ducked his head and shifted his gaze to anywhere but at her. "Sorry, Nora. I uh … didn't know you were here and I…"

  Why was he embarrassed? At least he was dressed!

  "What the hell's all the shouting about?" Mike grumbled as he rushed into the kitchen. Bare-chested, he'd taken the time to pull on a pair of jeans, but they were unbuttoned and he was barefoot. His dark hair was ruffled from Nora's crazed fingers and he looked … well, she thought, he looked like he'd just been doing a happy dance on her.

  Could this get any better?

  Rick looked at Mike and scraped one hand over his face. "I'm sorry about interrupting you and – look, I just wanted to tell you that Donna's in labor and we're headed to the hospital. Probably won't be here in the morning."

  Mike's gaze shifted from Rick to Nora and back again. Slapping the other man on the back, be said,

  "That's great, Rick. Give Donna a good-luck kiss from me."

  "I will." Rick deliberately kept his gaze from Nora as he turned and headed back to the door. Before he stepped outside, he said, "'Night, Nora."

  Once the back door was closed and they were alone again, Nora glanced at him. "Well, that was fun."

  A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. "You know, even if he hadn't seen you tonight, he would have spotted your car first thing in the morning. He'd have known you spent the night."

  "Yeah," she admitted. "But he wouldn't have a mental photo of me in your robe." She ran her fingers down what used to be a lapel. "And speaking of robes, cowboy … you really ought to splurge and buy a new one."

  "Why?" he asked, and moved toward her slowly. "From where I'm standing, it looks pretty good."

  "Really?"

  "Oh, yeah," he assured her. When he stopped directly in front of her, his hands dropped to the knotted belt at her waist. Tugging it open, he pushed the edges of the r
obe wide and cupped her breasts in his palms.

  "Oh, my," Nora sighed, and leaned into him, loving the feel of his fingers on her nipples. The light, teasing touch. The gentle pull and tug on her flesh that brought a wild response to completely unrelated parts of her body.

  "You were hungry, huh?" he asked, glancing at the now-forgotten chicken leg on the table.

  "Mmm-hmm…"

  "Me, too," he murmured, and before she could wonder what he was up to, he'd picked her up and plopped her down on the edge of the table.

  "Mike…" Nora's heart rate quickened until she thought it just might leap from her throat – and then where would she be? As he dropped to his knees in front of her, she fought for breath. What was he…? She fought for strength. Fought to keep from reaching for him. "Mike, what're you—"

  "I told you," he said, and gently parted her thighs, "I just want a little snack."

  She gasped as he bent and took her with his mouth. Incredible sensations pooled at her center and then sent long, winding ribbons of need spooling throughout her body. Air staggered in and out of her lungs. She couldn't look away. She watched him as he gave her the most intimate of kisses. She saw him taste her, savor her, and felt herself dissolve in a fresh explosion of desire.

  Nora clutched at the edge of the old oak pedestal table. She rocked into him and nearly fell over when she felt his tongue slide across her flesh and dip into the heart of her. Too much, she thought. Too much and not nearly enough. Never stop, she silently pleaded. She moaned frantically as he lifted her legs and rested them on his shoulders. His arms came around her bottom and held her firmly in place while his mouth took her places she'd never dreamed existed.

  And this time, when she shattered, she wasn't thinking clearly enough to keep her mouth shut. This time when she shouted his name, it changed everything.

  "Mike…" she called out, "I love you."

  *

  A few minutes later, the words were still hanging in the air like a neon sign. They couldn't be ignored. Mike helped her down from the table, then turned and walked across the room, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't hurt her. But there wasn't a thing he could do to ease this.