“That makes sense, I guess.”
“But that’s a future fix, and this is now. I’d like you to be there tonight. We went through a lot of trouble not to muss you up so you could take part in the celebration without being embarrassed.”
“True.” She swallowed. “But the thing is, I still want you.”
“I know.” He touched her cheek. “It’s written all over your face.”
“See?”
“I do, although I still say nobody else would. But we don’t have to go inside yet. Let’s step into the tack room.”
Her breath caught. “Why? You said you didn’t have any more—”
“I don’t. I left the box in my truck, which is down by the cabin I’m staying in. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves.” Taking her lightly by the shoulders, he gently backed her through the door. Then he closed and locked it before turning to her. “That’s why I washed up.” He took off his coat and tossed it aside. Then he helped her out of hers. “I felt a little cheated this afternoon.”
Her heart raced and she had trouble getting her breath. “Because you couldn’t touch my breasts?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He laid her coat across a nearby saddle and hung his hat on the horn. “You have your fantasies and I have mine. Your beautiful breasts are a big part of my memories of that night.” He pulled her knit shirt over her head.
Of course she let him do it. Now that he’d begun, she wanted his hands on her, even if that didn’t lead to anything. “How will this help?”
“Trust me, it will.” After unhooking her bra, he took that off, too. Then he stepped back and sighed. “Even prettier than I remembered.” He swallowed. “I never saw you like this.” Closing the gap between them, he wrapped one arm around her waist and cradled her breast in his other hand as his hot gaze found hers. “We stripped down so fast and then didn’t put on clothes until morning.”
She slipped her arms around his neck. “I couldn’t get enough of you.”
“We couldn’t get enough of each other.” As he caressed her, he leaned down, his lips nearly making contact. “And this would be the moment when normally I’d kiss you and thrust my tongue deep into your inviting wet mouth. But I can’t.”
Desire poured like lava through her veins. “There are other places you can kiss me.”
“I know.” His voice was thick with anticipation. “That was my plan.” Releasing her breast, he hoisted her up and carried her to the shelf where she’d stacked the blankets. “Pull those down.”
“I just—”
“I know. Pull them down.”
She grabbed the bottom one and jerked so the entire pile tumbled to the floor.
“Perfect.” Crouching, he laid her against the mound of blankets. Then he dropped to his knees and braced his hands on either side of her shoulders. “You know what I remember? You giving me directions.”
She flushed at the memory of her boldness. “You didn’t need them. You know what you’re doing.”
“I still loved having you tell me what you liked. Tell me again.”
“You don’t remember?”
“I remember everything. Tell me, anyway.” His voice grew husky. “Hearing you say what you want gets me hot.”
Reaching up, she combed a lock of silky hair back from his forehead. “I’d never done that before.”
“Never?”
“That sexy person everyone thinks I am? It’s an act. But that night, with you, it wasn’t.”
His gaze searched hers. “And now?”
“I like letting go with you, Jake. You make me feel safe.”
“And you make me feel a hundred feet tall. I didn’t know. I thought...”
“Just you.”
Leaning down, he kissed her forehead, her nose and both cheeks before looking into her eyes. “I’m humbled.”
She smiled. “But now I’m going to get you hot.” Her voice became a soft purr. “Start with your tongue.”
His eyes darkened. “Yes, ma’am.” He slid lower. “Keep talking.”
“Circle slowly to the center,” she murmured.
He licked her so sensuously that she squirmed against the blankets and began to pant. “Now take...my nipple into your mouth. Suck gently.” She gasped. “Then harder...yes, like that, like that. And nip me, Jake. Tug on my...oh, yeah, do that...more...again.” The pressure began to build.
His breathing was ragged and his hot breath scorched her skin. “What else? Tell me what you want.”
“Make me...make me come.”
“Gladly.” He unfastened her jeans and pulled the zipper down. In seconds his hand was inside her panties and his fingers began working their magic as he continued to suck hard on her breast.
Oh, yes, she remembered the creative play of Jake’s fingers, how he would thrust and twist and press and massage until she lost her mind. She was moments away. “Jake...”
“Don’t scare the horses.”
“I won’t.” Gritting her teeth, she arched upward. Not making noise as her body convulsed in a Jake-induced orgasm was a challenge. She managed it with only a few whimpers and soft moans. Then she sank down to the pile of blankets in a grateful heap.
He’d said this would help, and it would certainly help her, but she was worried about how such a passionate episode would affect him. She’d spent many naked hours with this man and surely he was frustrated beyond belief.
After she’d recovered her wits, she asked him. “What about you?”
“Don’t think about that. I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“My main concern was you. I don’t want you to bail on the Christmas Eve celebration because you’re not sexually satisfied. Are you okay now?”
“I feel like a limp rag doll. Is that what you were going for?”
He chuckled. “More or less.”
“But that doesn’t address your condition. Unless I don’t know you at all, you have an erection the size of Devil’s Tower.”
“Not a problem.”
Sliding a hand between them, she fondled him, something she’d loved doing when they’d spent the night together. “I think it is a problem. You’re erect and ready to rock and roll. What’s your plan for that?”
“I’ll control the situation.”
“Wrong answer. You just gave me a climax so that I could handle the evening without fixating on you all night. It’s only fair that I return the favor.”
“But you can’t. That would ruin your lipstick.”
“Believe me, I so regret not thinking ahead on that score. But help me figure this out, Jake. Tell me what I can do for you.”
7
JAKE WANTED AMETHYST with the heat of a thousand suns, especially now when he knew that her uninhibited behavior was a special gift only for him. He’d never dreamed that was the case. Later, when he wasn’t so jacked up, he’d take time to think about what it meant.
But at the moment he wasn’t thinking at all. She was right about his condition, although he hesitated to take the route that was staring him in the face. He’d waited for a discreet moment to dispose of the condom and rinse out the bandanna. He hadn’t had that moment until he’d sent Amethyst to the tack room with the caddy.
The damp bandanna was back in his coat pocket. If Amethyst insisted on somehow evening the score, the bandanna was available. He wasn’t sure how he felt about using it. Yet she’d been honest about her needs. Was he going to respond with some macho denial of his? That didn’t seem fair, either.
“Just a sec.” He got up, retrieved his coat and took out the bandanna. Asking for what he needed wouldn’t be easy. He hadn’t felt this vulnerable in a very long time. Dropping down beside her on the pile of blankets, he held out the bandanna. “I—” He paused t
o clear his throat. “I washed this out. You can—”
“Brilliant.” Her blue eyes shone. “I certainly can. Lie back.”
He stretched out on the blankets with a soft groan. Then he had to clench his jaw against coming as she pulled down his zipper and freed his aching cock.
“I felt a little cheated this afternoon, too,” she murmured as she wrapped her warm fingers around the base. “You’re magnificent.”
“And desperate.”
“I know.” She began to stroke him with a touch that was light but devastatingly effective.
In no time he began to tremble. Her lipstick issue was minor compared to his idiocy in packing one lone condom. He should have remembered that having her once would only mean he’d want her again, and soon. He should have learned that last summer.
His chest heaved. “Almost...there.”
“Don’t scare the horses.” A hint of laughter rippled through her words.
“Won’t.” He gasped and swore. “Now.” Fists clenched, he did his best not to thrust upward, not to yell and not to cuss. He failed in that last part as he came, and came, and came some more. The force of his orgasm was so overwhelming that he barely felt the cool bandanna.
Eyes closed, he lay panting and completely undone. He’d never asked a woman to perform that maneuver. He’d either foregone the pleasure or taken care of it himself once he was alone.
Her breath whispered against his ear. “Be right back.” By the time he figured out she was going to rinse out his bandanna, she was already gone. He wondered if she’d traversed the length of the barn topless. Even if she hadn’t, he hoped she wouldn’t run into anyone.
The horses already had been given their evening meal, which was why he’d decided fooling around in the tack room would go unnoticed. Because it could be locked from the inside and was normally left open, a closed and locked door had come to mean something specific to Thunder Mountain guys.
Zipping his pants and getting to his feet, he noticed that Amethyst’s coat was gone but her bra and shirt were still there. She’d obviously hurried to accomplish the chore. That touched him.
She walked in and gave him a smile. “Feeling better?”
He laughed and walked over to her. “Yes, ma’am. The patient is gonna live, after all. Thank you.” He caught her around the waist with one hand and reached behind her to lock the door. “Good thing you didn’t run into anyone while you were on walkabout.”
“I had my story ready. I was going to tell them I had a little motion sickness on the sleigh ride.”
“I remember that from high school. No Tilt-A-Whirl for you.” He unbuttoned her coat and slipped his hands inside to caress her plump breasts. “Pretty flimsy story, though. A sleigh ride isn’t exactly the Tilt-A-Whirl.”
“They might have believed me, depending on who it was. I can be very convincing.”
“Apparently.” He gazed into her eyes and watched them grow smoky with desire as he fondled her. “All along I thought you were way more experienced than me. It seemed so obvious from watching you perform. Your songs can be really hot.”
“Sex sells.”
“But then we went up to the room and you were amazing in bed. You suggested positions I’d never heard of.”
“Because I read.” She sighed and leaned into his touch. “With you, I could finally relax and try some of those things I’d read about. And if you keep that up much longer, I’ll want to do them with you right here and now.”
“So will I.” Reluctantly he let her go and stepped back. “We should get going. We’ve already been gone long enough that someone might start to wonder where we are.”
“And come looking for us.” She slipped out of her coat and reached for her bra.
She obviously wasn’t trying to be provocative by doing that. He’d told her they should get a move on and she was complying. But her unconscious sensuality fired his blood. He turned away, unable to watch her dress without reaching for her. Even the sound of her bra hooks locking into place got to him.
“You’re good for my ego, cowboy.”
“I hope so.” He kept his back to her while he took a steadying breath. “Because you’re hell on my package.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to slip away and drive to my place later tonight?”
His laugh was strained. “That’s a priority.”
“Did I give you the address last summer?”
“Yep.”
“You can turn around. I’m covered up.”
He faced her and blew out a breath. “You were right about not having sex in the sleigh. I should have listened to you.”
“Why? Do I look mussed, after all?”
“No, you look perfect. That’s not the problem. Until we got friendly in the sleigh, I’d convinced myself that having sex with you was great but probably not as great as I remembered. Time plays tricks on us sometimes and we imagine something was better than it actually was.”
“But that’s not true with us.”
“No, it isn’t. Which means that instead of throwing myself into this Christmas Eve party, I’ll be counting the minutes until I’m in your bed.”
She held his gaze. “Me, too, Jake.”
* * *
AN HOUR LATER Jake felt reasonably in control of himself. He’d managed to hold up his end of conversations without constantly searching the room for Amethyst. As if by mutual agreement they’d spent very little time together but awareness of her was a constant stimulant, as if he’d had way too much caffeine.
Early in the evening Grady Magee had showed up with Amethyst’s sister, Sapphire. They were clearly in love and Jake was happy for them, but talking to Sapphire turned out to be a challenge. Certain mannerisms reminded him of Amethyst and as they talked he couldn’t shake the notion that she knew about the episode last summer. He couldn’t blame Amethyst for confiding in her. In a way it was flattering that she’d wanted to, but that didn’t keep him from feeling slightly uncomfortable.
A second beer would have helped, but because of the drive he intended to make after the party wound down, he’d decided not to drink much. He didn’t think anyone had noticed until Cade drew him aside.
“Been watching your alcohol intake, Fireman Jake. Or rather, your lack of it.” Cade’s smile was teasing but there was brotherly concern in his eyes. “Can’t help concluding that you have plans tonight.”
“I might.”
“That sleigh sat empty for quite a while this afternoon.”
“Guess so.”
“Listen, I get the attraction, bro. Any guy would. But she has big plans.”
“I know that. She’s very talented.”
“Then you’re just having a little temporary fun?”
“That’s right.”
Cade sighed in obvious relief. “Glad to hear it. The way you look at her, I was afraid it was more than that.”
“Nope.” Jake clapped him on the back. “Not everyone is as focused on that walk down the aisle as you and O’Roarke.”
“I know. I wasn’t worried that you were that far gone. But you seem to like her and I overheard her telling Chelsea she was seriously thinking she’d give LA a shot.”
“Huh.” He hadn’t seen that coming. The distance between Jackson Hole and Sheridan was an obstacle that could be managed. LA would put her out of reach, but it would definitely give her more opportunities to land the recording contract she wanted.
Putting his selfish motives aside, he should be all for it, but thinking of her going to LA by herself made him uneasy. Did she know anyone there who’d watch out for her and show her the ropes? She was beautiful, and even though her sexy persona was a bluff, it could get her attention from the wrong kind of guy. Sure, that could happen anywhere, but he considered Wyoming a safer bet.
“I take it she hasn’t mentioned that to you.”
He realized he was scowling and forced himself to relax. “No, but why should she?” He shrugged. “Like you said, we’re just having fun. No commitment whatsoever.”
Cade studied him. “Are you sure? Because I don’t think this LA news is sitting well with you.”
“Nah, I’m good.” He managed a smile.
“Time for presents, you two.” Lexi, who’d sprinkled silver glitter in her short, curly hair, walked over and slipped her arm through Cade’s. “Everyone’s curious about all those hardware store bags, Jake, but since you stapled the top together we can’t peek.”
“You’re not supposed to peek.” He gave her a mock glare of disapproval. “You’ll ruin the surprise.”
“I’ll bet I know what it is.”
“Bet you don’t. So why did you put glitter in your hair? That doesn’t seem like a Lexi thing to do.”
“Exactly. I wanted to shake things up, be a little more festive this year. Turns out it makes a hell of a mess. I’m shedding glitter everywhere.”
“I can testify to that.” Cade brushed it off his sleeve.
“Think of it as me showering you with my love.”
Cade grinned at her. “Nice save. Now let’s go see what Fireman Jake bought us at the hardware store.”
Traditionally for the opening of presents, everyone sat on the floor in a wide semicircle around the big tree. Jake felt he could risk choosing a spot next to Amethyst for this part of the evening. The LA plan had cooled his jets somewhat, anyway. He’d thought they’d have a lot more time together in the coming months but maybe not. He’d have to take that into consideration going forward.
Damon brought over a chair for Philomena, although she didn’t seem happy about using it. “I appreciate the added comfort,” she said, “but I feel kinda funny perched up here above all of you.”
Damon gazed up at her from his position on the floor. “I could say you look kinda funny from this angle, too, but—”
“But he won’t,” Lexi said, “because in his eyes you are the most beautiful, glamorous, mommy-to-be in the world and the queen of his heart. Isn’t that right, Damon?”
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