by Lola Rivera
He ran his tongue alone the inside of his bottom lip. “I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to bring someone home.”
For once, all those etiquette lessons and the finishing school her mother had forced her to attend the summer after high school proved useful. Daphne didn’t let her emotions show. She smiled warmly at him even though she was dying inside. “I think this is your home, and you should do whatever makes you comfortable.”
Feeling embarrassed for putting him in an awkward position, she lowered her fork to the table. “You know what? Kate left me the keys to her car. I’ll just take off after dinner and find a room at one of the B&B’s in town.”
Cord leaned forward in his chair. “I didn’t mean—I just thought—”
Daphne waved her hand dismissively. She plastered a smile on her face. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve been really patient hosting us for the last two weeks. I’m sure you’re used to your privacy. I’ll make myself scarce this weekend.”
No longer hungry, she gathered up her plate and glass and stood. She paused in the doorway to the kitchen. “There are brownies on the counter and ice cream in the freezer, if you want dessert.”
Her eyes prickled with heat as she cleaned off her plate and stowed it in the dishwasher. She had to get away from Cord. Humiliation left her cheeks blazing. She had been so naive to think cooking the man dinner and engaging him in conversation might have led to something else.
God, he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend he enjoyed her company. All he wanted was a piece of local ass to make his weekend better. Stupid didn’t even come close to describing how she felt. For a woman with a genius level IQ, she was an utter fool when it came to men. Apparently her book smarts didn’t translate so well to real life.
Practically suffocating with humiliation and crushed dreams, Daphne left out the back door. She skipped down the steps of the back porch and walked aimlessly across the back lawn. She skirted the edge of a small pond and found an inviting patch of grass beneath a shady tree.
Plopping down, Daphne rearranged the long skirt of her burgundy maxi-dress. The Indian inspired gold print was among her favorites. She leaned back against the trunk and closed her eyes. Sitting alone and feeling foolish wasn’t exactly how she had imagined spending her Friday night. Instead of riding that cowboy back in the house, she would have to content herself with TV and maybe a glass of wine at whatever bed and breakfast she ended up at later.
Never one to waste time, Daphne pulled her cell phone from the hidden pocket of her skirt and used the touch screen to surf the internet for bed and breakfast listings. As she looked at the available rooms in the touristy center of Fredericksburg, Daphne noticed storm clouds building in the distance. Thunderstorms had been exploding in the evenings due to the extreme daytime heating. Cord had been worried about the lightning igniting the dry grass that stretched as far as the eye could see. The drought conditions had yet to ease in the area. Daphne didn’t know much about ranching but she knew a grass fire was a terrible and threatening event.
The wind kicked up and a heavy gust slammed against her. The scent of rain hung ripe in the air. Daphne cast a wary glance at the darkening skyline. Deep grey clouds blocked the setting sun. She could feel the temperature shift on her bare skin. The sky would open up soon and drench the parched ground.
“You’d best get in the house.”
The unexpected sound of Cord’s voice startled her. She whipped her head in his direction, shocked to see him standing just a few feet from her. How the hell had he snuck up on her like that?
“I’m perfectly capable of deciding when to seek shelter. I’m not a child,” Daphne said, a bit more defensively than necessary.
Cord fixed her with a long, hard look. “No, you’re not. All the same,” he tilted his head, “I’d rather you not get zapped by lightning. I don’t think your parents would take very kindly to that. I’d hate to get sued. Might make things tricky with Derek and Katie.”
She fought the urge to roll her eyes at the stereotype that people like her parents had nothing better to do than waste money suing over frivolous things. “Shouldn’t you be heading out? I’m sure you’ll want to hit the bar early so you can scope out the scene and stake a claim.”
“Oh, I’ve already got my eyes on someone.”
“Really?” Daphne tried to ignore the punch of anguish that struck her belly. She should have known. A man like Cord probably had his pick of the beautiful faces in town. “Well, I won’t keep you.” She flicked her fingers. “Go on. I’ve got to pack my bag and pick one of these rooms. I’ll lock up when I leave.”
“Maybe I won’t go into town tonight.”
Daphne’s gaze snapped to his. Something flashed in his eyes, something so primal and real she shuddered under its power.
Cord took a step closer. “Are you cold?”
Daphne shook her head and slipped her phone back into her pocket. Before she could stand, Cord offered his hands. She stared at them a moment, not trusting herself to let go when the time came. His warm, dry fingers wrapped around hers. Rather gently, Cord pulled Daphne to her feet. The bottom dropped from her stomach as she came into contact briefly with his hard chest. Cord stepped back immediately and let go of her hands. He seemed to be fighting some battle within his mind.
Daphne started to speak but the oddest sensation overcame her. The hairs on her arms and the back of her neck rose suddenly. The very air she breathed seemed electrified. A split-second later, a bolt of lightning struck nearby—too close for comfort—and rattled the ground beneath her feet. Screaming, Daphne flung her hands over her head.
And then the strongest arms were wrapped around her shoulders and under her knees. In one swift movement, Cord lifted her from the ground and hustled her back to the porch lining the rear of the house. She clung to him like a terrified child. Thunder rumbled around them, threatened to shatter her ear drums. Fat raindrops gushed from the saturated clouds and soaked through their clothing.
When they reached the safety of the covered porch, Cord carefully set her down. He gently pulled her arms from his neck and swept a searching gaze over her body. “Are you all right?”
Gulping, she nodded. Her limbs shook wildly and teeth chattered. “I can’t stop shaking.”
Cord gathered her close, his heat and strength soothing her overexcited nerves. He tenderly touched her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. Daphne’s eyelids lowered at the sensation of his callused hand on her face. She had imagined this moment so many times. Fantasy didn’t come close to the real thing.
A tiny whimper escaped her throat when Cord’s lips finally brushed against hers. She fisted the damp fabric of his shirt and lifted on tiptoes to encourage his kiss. She wanted him to kiss her, to really kiss her. He didn’t disappoint.
Like a seasoned lover, Cord kissed her so deeply her knees threatened to buckle. His tongue darted between her lips and flicked against hers. Daphne opened wide and surrendered completely to his passionate kiss.
Cord broke away from their kiss and stepped back. His shoulders lifted and fell as he breathed heavily. He ran a hand through his now wet hair. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”
Fire coursed through her veins. She didn’t know whether to scream or faint. “What?”
“You and me.” He gestured between them. “This. It can’t happen.”
She was at a loss to understand what was happening. “Why not?”
“You’re not the woman for me, Daphne. I can’t offer you anything more than this.” He spread his arms wide and indicated his ranch.
Regret tinged his voice. She suddenly realized why he had been so aloof. He thinks he isn’t good enough for me, the proud, stupid, sexy man…
Not wanting to lose this chance, Daphne reached out and cupped his cheek. His stubble rasped her palm. “Maybe this is exactly what I want.”
Cord went rigid. He stared at her intently, his gaze searing her skin. Finally he spoke. “Daphne, you’re not the kind
of girl I could love and leave. You better be damned sure you want me because once you’re in my bed and in my arms, I’m not letting you go.”
Daphne couldn’t breathe. Hot and cold torrents rippled through her body. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. Vaguely Daphne understood this was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. If she didn’t act now, she would lose him forever.
Boldly, Daphne wound her arms around his waist. She pressed her lips to his. “Take me to bed.”
Chapter Four
Cord growled and lifted her into his arms. His resolve crumbed. There was no denying the attraction between them a moment longer. Daphne wasn’t the type of girl to toy with him. She wanted exactly what he did—something more than a one night stand.
He carried her into the house and kicked the door shut behind him. His lips crashed down upon hers as he carted her through the dark house. She tasted of sugary iced tea. He couldn’t get enough. He was practically dizzy with need.
Flashes of lightning lit up the house. The relaxing patter of raindrops against the tin roof created the perfect soundtrack for their night. He gently placed her on his bed and crawled over her, his knees on either side of her waist. Pinned to the mattress, Daphne stared up at him with those bright, wide eyes. Her tongue stole out and licked her lower lip. An image of that pink tongue on the head of his cock rocked Cord’s mind.
He bent low and captured her mouth again, nearly ravenous for her. Her skin was silky and soft. He nuzzled her neck and nipped at her throat. She mewled like a kitten and arched beneath him. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons lining the front of his shirt. Between his sensual kisses, she managed to work her way through the buttons and push the shirt off of his shoulders. Cord moved away just long enough to remove his shirt and toe off his boots and socks. He returned to Daphne.
“You’re so soft, sugar.” Cord’s hands roamed her lush body. He needed to get her naked as quickly as possible. Cord rolled off of Daphne and sat up. He hauled her off the bed and settled her across his lap. She straddled him, her ripe breasts jutting against his face. Her pebbled nipples poked through the thin cotton. He grasped handfuls of her dress and tugged hard. She lifted her arms as he swept the garment over her head and tossed it aside.
For a long moment, he simply stared in awe at her luscious form. She had incredible breasts. He palmed them both, making her gasp, and brushed his thumbs across her dark and pebbled nipples. His hands drifted over the curves of her waist and full hips. A pair of hot pink bikini type panties rode low on her body giving him a perfect view of the unexpected belly button piercing. Sparkling diamonds dripped from her navel. He playfully flicked the piercing, wondering all the while how many thousands of dollars’ worth of diamonds she so casually wore every day.
“Touch me.” Daphne took his hand and brought it to her breast. She sighed as he palmed the full orb and tweaked the nipple. Immediately he latched onto the enticing peak, drawing the nipple between his lips and rolling his tongue over it. Daphne’s fingers were in his hair, her head thrown back as she cried out at his suckling.
He wanted to hear her scream, wanted her shouts to ricochet off the walls of his bedroom. He moved swiftly and pressed her back to the mattress. Taking his sweet time, Cord explored every inch of her delectable body, licking and kissing and nibbling until she trembled. He slid to his knees and pulled her toward the edge of the bed. He slowly parted her thighs and ran an appreciative hand along her mound. Her panties were soaked, and his mouth practically watered for a taste of her.
Her underwear were whisked off and thrown aside. He peppered noisy kisses along her inner thighs. She quivered with anticipation, her legs shaking slightly beneath his lips. The tantalizing scent of her arousal filled the air. He slid a finger through her dewy lips and circled the pink nub hidden there. She gasped and rocked. “Cord!”
He lovingly petted her sex. He had always been man who liked to be in control, especially in the bedroom. As feisty and confident as Daphne had proven to be, he wasn’t quite sure whether she would agree to that or not. Deciding it was time to find out, he swiped her slit with his tongue and growled, “This is my pussy now.”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly and without reservation. She rocked her hips. “Yours. All yours.”
Smiling, Cord bent low and tugged her clit between his lips. She cried out and bucked against his mouth. Holding tight to her thighs, Cord traced the folds of her sex with his pointed tongue. Up and down, then side to side, his tongue slid through her wet pussy. He teased her clit with slow circles then dipped down and thrust his tongue inside her. He tongue-fucked her dripping core before paying special attention to that juicy little berry of a clit.
She responded so beautifully. He’d always loved eating pussy, especially when his woman reacted like Daphne. He groaned and hummed hungrily as he gave her pleasure. She tasted even better than he had ever imagined.
When he went wild between her thighs, Daphne cried out at his enthusiasm. She threaded her fingers through his short hair and swiveled her hips. When he licked circles around her clit, she moaned and pressed against him. He found the right rhythm and intensity and concentrated on making her explode. He focused solely on her reactions, on her deepening breaths and clenching thighs. He was determined to make this amazing for her. He wanted her to know just how good things could be between them.
“Cord!” Daphne shattered, her pussy pulsing against his lips. As she started to come down from her climax, he slipped two fingers into her impossibly tight channel and began to thrust. She gasped as his tongue returned to her sensitive clit. He wanted to see what kind of girl Daphne was. Some women could come fast and hard right after the first climax. Others needed more time between orgasms.
Judging by Daphne’s response, she belonged to the first camp. He alternated sucking her clit with tonguing it fast while his fingers pumped inside her over and over again. She bucked her hips and cried out his name. He increased the speed of his flicking tongue, pushing her over the edge of one orgasm and onto another.
“Oh, God! No more!” Daphne inched away from his mouth finally. Her breasts rose and fell as she panted heavily. She clutched at her belly and gulped loudly. She was shaking, her limbs trembling and her breaths coming fast.
He ran his hand along her thighs and up along the curve of her hips to her stomach. “You okay, darlin’?”
When she rose up on her elbows, she looked dazed. She gazed down at him in awe and breathlessly said, “It’s never worked. Not with the others.”
Bemused, he tilted his head. “What?”
Her cheeks flushed. “I’ve never been able to come during sex.”
Her frank admission stilled him. How had any man been stupid enough to leave her wanting more? She exuded such passion it simply boggled his mind to think her other lovers had failed to show her the full potential of her body’s ability to climax.
He rubbed her thighs and grinned up at her. “Let’s make a deal, Daphne. When you’re with me, you always come first, sugar.”
At his statement, Daphne’s eyes flashed with excitement. Cord wiped his mouth on her lower belly. His cock ached for release and strained against the cotton and denim. He was hard enough to fuck through a brick wall. He wanted to bury himself in her tight, wet heat.
Heart pounding against his chest, he stood and removed his jeans and boxers. He found a condom in a bedside drawer and tossed it onto the bed. Daphne sat up, her feet dangling above the floor, and reached for him. She kissed his stomach and flicked her tongue over his navel. Her short nails scratched lightly down his thighs as she brushed her lips side to side over his happy trail. His dick twitched at her nearness. Pre-cum dripped from the head.
Cord breathed her name when she licked the droplet from his skin. He’d dreamed of this moment, had stroked himself to orgasm by fantasizing about her sucking him off. Her plump, slick lips enveloped the head of his cock. Her tongue fluttered over the sensitive crown. His toes curled when she moved even lower and licked hi
s sac. She sucked one ball and then the other between her lips and rolled her tongue across them. His jaw clenched at the overwhelming sensations she evoked with her skilled mouth.
His eyes widened when she licked her palm and used it to stroke his rigid length while sucking on the purpling head. Her other hand worked his sac. He slid his fingers through her hair and watched his cock disappear into the warmth of her mouth. She made little noises of pleasure. The humming sounds vibrated through his dick and filtered into his stomach and chest.
When she deep-throated him without warning, Cord saw stars. His knees threatened to buckle. Her cheeks hollowed as she sucked hard and moaned around his cock. His calves tensed. If he didn’t stop her, he would come too soon.
With a loud groan, he wrenched free of her mouth. He closed his eyes and counted to ten, terrified to move or breathe for fear of coming. When he regained control, Cord cupped her face. “You’re amazing.”
Daphne grinned impishly. “You’re rather wonderful yourself.”
Cord laughed and helped her stand. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, darlin’.”
He shoved her back onto the bed. She giggled madly as he nipped at her neck and bit her earlobe. Moving between her thighs, he hastily applied the condom. Holding his shaft in his hand, he ran the blunt tip up and down her slit. He drew lazy circles around her clit. “Do you like that?”
“Yes!” Her hips rotated as she tried to milk every last ounce of sensation from his teasing movement. She clutched at his sides. “Fuck me, Cord. Fuck me hard.”
How could he possibly deny her request?
Cord entered Daphne with one swift thrust. They both groaned at the sudden meeting of their bodies. He savored the feeling of being buried in her tight channel. He claimed her mouth and pumped his hips. His fingers spanned her waist as he sat back on his heels and pounded into her. Her nails bit into his forearms. She wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her heels into his ass, urging him to take her with more force. A small voice in the back of his mind told him to slow it down, to take his time and enjoy every second of their first coupling but his rampaging hormones demanded he kick up the pace and make her scream.