by V. A. Dold
Joe took her into his arms, his breath warm on her face as their gazes locked. She had been waiting for this moment the entire night. As he covered her mouth with his, she closed her eyes and pressed her body to his, and gave herself over to sensation. When his hands molded her closer a needy moan escaped her throat. She had decided tonight was the night she was going to seduce Joe Christian. There was no way she was going to bed hot and bothered again.
Like every other night, he ended the kiss much too soon. This was it. She had to say something to convince him to stay. It was now or never. Her heart hammered out of control. Taking a deep breath, she said. “Please come inside. I want you to stay.”
He cupped her face and brushed his thumbs across her cheekbone. There was genuine warmth in his eyes. “Are you sure, sweetheart? After the progress we’ve made, I don’t want to do anything that might cause a setback in your recovery. I can wait if you’re not ready. Waiting to make love to you isn’t going to change the way I feel about you.”
She shook her head. “Making love to you won’t cause a setback. That was never a problem. I want you, Joe, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Searching her face as if he was trying to make up his mind, he ran his hands up and down her arms, finally linking his fingers with hers. She moistened her lips, and his gaze immediately darkened to a dark chocolate hue. He gave her hands a squeeze and leaned in for another kiss. “I want nothing more than to stay with you tonight.”
Before he could change his mind, she unlocked the door and pulled him inside.
“Sweetheart, before we take this any further, I have to tell you—”
She covered his lips with her finger. “Shhh. Love me now, talk later. She wrapped her arms behind his neck and pulled him down for a kiss she hoped would wipe all thoughts of conversation from his mind.
He really needed to take a breath and make her listen. He was about to take a step back when she started kissing his neck. Shivers shot down his spine, and he was instantly rock hard. When she started to nibble his brain shut down completely, and his body took over.
He tipped his head to give her better access and moaned. She continued her way down his neck as he unbuttoned the front of her blouse. Her skin was soft and warm against his knuckles as the fabric parted.
Carol was kissing her way across his chin when he brushed the underside of her breast and higher to cup the lacy globe. She sucked in a breath, pushing her peaked nipple against his palm. His thumb brushed her nipple, the lilac lace, pretty though it was, it needed to go. “Tell me again that you’re sure,” he demanded, his voice guttural with need.
“Yes,” she panted, “I’m sure.”
He slid his hand from the small of her back up under her gaping shirt. With a quick flick of his fingers, the bra clasp popped free. Raw desire intensified the heat in his eyes.
Holding her gaze, he gently brushed the blouse and bra down her arms. Then he lowered his head to her right nipple, drew it deeply into his mouth, and traced the peak with his tongue.
She arched into him and clutched his shoulders. “Joe,” she whimpered.
He released her breast and claimed her lips again. Vaguely, he felt tiny fingers working at the buttons of his shirt.
When she parted his shirt, the cool air of the room felt good on his heated skin. She tried to push it from his shoulders, but couldn’t get the shirt down his arms. He broke the kiss for a heartbeat.
“Let me help you with that,” he growled and tore the shirt from his arms, before pulling her against him again.
More blood left his brain and headed south when her fingers began a thorough inspection of his body.
She knew he was fit, but as she stroked the strong muscles of his chest, her fingers brushed the rough, dark hair on his chest and she was in heaven. There was nothing sexier than a hairy chest. Her fingers skimmed his flat stomach and inched toward his belt. Mouthwatering muscles trembled under her questing touch. Every new hill and valley of his sculpted body sent another degree of heat through her.
Her eyes flashed open when he captured her hand, pressing a kiss on her palm. “If you keep that up, I’ll be finished before I get my jeans off.”
“Then we better get rid of them.” She grinned and took his hand. She walked backward, taking him with her until her calves met the edge of the bed.
She nibbled her lower lip. Who knew that watching a cowboy shuck his clothes could be so dang hot? With eyes locked on hers, he toed his boots off and tossed his socks aside. He unbuckled his belt, popped the button of his jeans, and slowly eased the zipper down.
Carol refused to blink. She didn’t want to miss a second of his sexy show. He tucked his thumbs into the waistband, widening the gap to reveal a thick hard bulge under the white cotton of his briefs. Very slowly, he stripped both his jeans and briefs down his muscular thighs.
She licked her lips. Joe was an Adonis! A body like his should be immortalized in marble.
Her appreciation of his delectable form was interrupted when she felt the pressure of his fingers under her chin.
“I love that you find me desirable, but I need to see the rest of you.”
She stood very still as he popped the button on her slacks and lower the zipper. He knelt before her and hooked his thumbs inside the waistband and slid both her pants and panties over her hips and down her thighs, then carefully worked each foot free. When she stood naked before him, he rocked back and stood.
“My God, Carol. You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his unsteady fingers tracing the soft skin of her hips. She was perfection. Her skin was smooth, and lightly tanned. Her breasts were full and flushed, and she had hips that were rounded and full, made for a man to hold onto long into the night. He licked his lips as he drank her in.
Joe pulled her close. Her incredible curves molded to his hard frame. Their bodies fit together perfectly, like they were made for one another. His arousal eager for contact.
Ever so gently, he laid her on the mattress and followed her down. He stretched his body next to hers and gathered her in his arms. No woman had ever felt this perfect in his embrace, not even Janice. He slid his palm down the length of her body, rejoicing in every inch of her.
When she moved against him, it was almost his undoing. He pulled back far enough to look into her gray eyes, darkened with passion. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make this good for you. I want to erase every man from your mind who has touched you. You’re mine. They can’t have you, not even as memories.”
“You’re nothing like those men. I know you would never lie to me or hurt me.”
Guilt rode him hard. “Carol—” But she interrupted him again.
Her finger rubbed at the crease he knew laid between his brows. “Shh, whatever is bothering you, we can talk about it later.”
He swallowed hard and nodded. If she wanted loving, he would love her like no one else. Then he would beg for her forgiveness.
He trailed his finger down the valley of her breasts. Softly raking his nails across her nipples. Not to cause pain, only hard enough to heighten her pleasure. Her eyes closed and lips parted, as she shuddered under his touch.
He leaned forward, her hard buds straining for his attention. Joe slowly laved her left nipple. His teeth and tongue teased. He caressed the right with his thumb and forefinger. She arched, pressing the taut peak into his mouth. He followed her lead and suckled deeply. Releasing the left breast he switched his attention to the right, not wanting to leave a spot of her lovely skin untouched. He was making love to her with his entire being.
Joe smiled around the hardened peak. He loved the sounds coming from her throat, his name on her lips. Her body was flushed with need. All were a testament to her desire for him.
Beneath his caressing palm, her stomach muscles fluttered and her hips moved hungrily. His arousal jumped in response.
Carol rewarded him with a needy whimper and arched her back, begging for more. “Please, Joe.”
Yes, he
would. He was up for anything she desired. He flicked her lightly and twirled his tongue around the tip. Joe skimmed his hand slowly down her body, whispered over her thighs, and touched her intimately. She squirmed beneath his hand as he brushed her folds with soft sure strokes. Another moan escaped her lips, one so long and breathy, it hardened him to the point of pain. He fought his need to sink into her heat. This was about Carol, the woman he was falling in love with. He meant to do everything in his power to make this night unforgettable. He wanted her moans of pleasure and screams of passion filling the silence of the room.
Carol couldn’t think, heck she could barely form one-syllable words. Joe’s kisses and talented hands had the ability to shut down her brain until all she was able to do was feel. She was so worked up she might set the bed on fire.
“Joe, please. I want to touch you.”
“Darlin’ if you do, I’ll go off like a bottle rocket. For this first time, just lie back and enjoy yourself. You can touch all you want next time.”
Fine, she couldn’t reach below his shoulder so she writhed against him, rubbing his long, thick erection with her body. The friction caused him to suck in a breath. He groaned and trailed kisses over her belly as he slid down her body.
She felt his callused finger part her folds. All she could do was hang on for dear life. She buried her hands in his hair as he worked her body into a frenzy. The cowboy had some mad skills, that’s for sure. His combination of plunging and stroking mixed with flicking her nub had her body coiled like a spring and her head spinning. She teetered on the edge of ecstasy, praying for release.
A gasp escaped her lips. “Joe, please.”
“I plan to, darlin’.”
Just when she thought she couldn’t take any more, he pressed a second thick finger into her and stroked her nub with his thumb. Carol cried out as bright lights flashed before her eyes and her inner muscles clenched in hard rhythmic spasms. Head flung back, she cried his name as powerful waves of pleasure crashed over her.
He held her gently until she floated back to earth. “That was incredible,” she breathed.
“Good. Incredible was what I was aiming for. But I’m nowhere near done with you. Now it’s my turn. I have to taste you,” he growled.
“Oh, God. You’re going to kill me.”
“Not hardly.” He chuckled, sending a warm gust of breath over her thighs. “I’m going to make you feel good.”
Stroking his hand up her inner thigh, he gently widened the gap. He needed room to work his magic. Then he settled his shoulders between her legs ready to pleasure his woman.
“Joe.”
There was a hitch in her exclamation as he ran his tongue through the flowering moist seam. He drew his tongue over her core a second time and then pushed his tongue inside with slow yet powerful strokes. He took his time enjoying her unique taste, as her hips moved in time to his loving.
He heard her whisper his name. That was good, but he wanted her screaming it. He gently suckled her tiny bundle of nerves as he inserted a finger. He stole a glance at her face and caught her biting her lip to suppress her screams. That would not do. “Let go for me, Carol. Scream for me.”
She gripped him hard and cried his name, cradling him to her as pleasure erupted.
Her pleasure was music to his ears. Joe lowered his head again to devour every drop of essence she offered with another long, slow lick from bottom to top.
He grinned when she tugged at his hair and pressed into his mouth. He loved the way she responded to him, and she definitely liked what he was doing. That was good, very good.
She tasted tangy and spicy. He drove his tongue deeper, needing more. He pushed her climax higher and higher, lapping and teasing until she was sobbing for release.
Joe wanted to pound his chest like Tarzan when Carol cried out and arched her back in climax a second time. He loved the sensation of her orgasm gripping his fingers in waves and couldn’t wait to be inside her. He slowly brought her back down. He waited until her quivering had mostly subsided before he kissed a trail up her body, stopping to pay attention to each breast. She was so beautiful with that sated look on her face.
He rested his weight on his forearms and settled his hips in the cradle of her thighs. He was painfully aroused and he needed relief as he rubbed his thick, hot shaft through the slick lips of her opening.
She gazed at him with passion evident in her beautiful dove gray eyes. He dipped his head and gently kissed her, but didn’t attempt to continue their lovemaking. “Are you sure? Because if you’ve changed your mind you have to tell me now. Once I’m inside you, there’ll be no stopping.” he rasped.
He felt pressure from her arms behind his neck as she pulled him close again. “I’m positive, Joe. I want this. I want you.”
He kissed the left side of her neck. “Sweetheart, I want you, too. More than anything,” he whispered in her ear and then nibbled the lobe. “I’ve been dreaming of this since the first time we had tea,” he growled and claimed her lips.
He watched her face as he gently eased into her body. He shook with his fight for control. He stretched her slowly determined not to hurt her.
“You feel so good.” She was hot, slick, and so dang soft. Gripping him like a vice. But he would never voice those thoughts. Carol was a lady. Crass talk was not something she would appreciate.
“You’re killing me, Joe.” She moaned, and he felt her heels digging into his backside as she thrust her hips to meet him.
“Don’t rush this, sweetheart. The last thing I want for our first time is a quickie.” He was grateful when she slowed her frantic hips.
She ran her hands over his chest, her fingertips tracing over and around his hardened nipples. “Slow,” she panted. “I can do that.”
Joe’s eyes fluttered shut as sensation flowed over him. “God, I love the feel of your hands on me,” he groaned as he made love to her in slow deep thrusts.
With each stroke, her moans became louder. She clung to his shoulders, digging her nails in.
Sparks flashed behind her eyelids like the sparklers she loved as a child. “Oh, God,” she moaned. She lifted her hips and tried to increase the rhythm. “I lied, I can’t do slow.”
“Then I had better do something about that.” He gripped her hips and pulled her toward him in a powerful thrust. He gloried in the pleasure of making love to the woman who had managed to claim his heart in a few short days. Burying himself over and over. Giving her the pleasure and satisfaction she was desperate for.
Every cry of pleasure from her lips pushed him higher. “Sweetheart, I can’t hold out much longer. Come for me, baby,” he said through gritted teeth.
He felt her body tighten on him further. Her back arched as she screamed out her orgasm. Unable to hold out any longer, he joined her in release.
“That was incredible. You’re incredible,” Carol panted.
“Thank you, darlin’. But rest up and catch your breath. That was only round one.”
Joe rolled to his back, taking her with him. He tucked her against his chest and pressed her head on his shoulder.
Once he was able to move again, he gave her a sweet kiss and gazed into her eyes. He saw love reflected back at him.
He kissed her deeply and brushed her hair from her face. “Give me fifteen minutes, and I’ll show you round two.”
Chapter 7
Joe gazed at the sleeping beauty snuggled against his side. What had he done to be blessed with such an amazing woman?
He’d kept her up into the wee hours of the morning and didn’t have the heart to wake her. Carefully, he eased his arm from under Carol’s pillow and propped himself on his forearm. She looked so peaceful, like she didn’t have a care in the world.
He always thought love at first sight was a ridiculous notion. He couldn’t have been more wrong. He fell in love with Carol that first night when he saw her on her porch with Kensie. From that moment, she had quickly become a vital part of his life.
He want
ed to spend the morning loving her, but the cattle and horses weren’t going to take care of themselves. Besides, his kids were coming home today. He really needed to tell Carol about them before someone else did.
She sighed and snuggled closer. “Mmm…you smell good.”
Joe smiled and ran his hand down her arm sticking out from under the tangled sheets. “If you think sweat and sex smells good, wait until I’ve showered. I just might drive you out of your mind.”
She grinned and opened her eyes, a sleepy smile on her face as she stretched. She looked up at him, eyes full of love and contentment. Then she wrapped her hand around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.
“I love you, Joe,” she whispered against his lips.
He kissed her hard and then whispered back. “Thank God. Because I love you, too.”
Long minutes later, he eased back a few inches. “I have a little time before I have to get to work. Do you have coffee and eggs? I’d like to make my queen breakfast in bed.”
“Yeah,” she yawned. “I picked up a few things the other day. Are you sure you wouldn’t like some help?”
He grinned at her and kissed her nose. “I can handle a coffee pot and fry pan, sugar.”
It was simple enough finding what he needed. The kitchen consisted of a few cupboards with a coffee maker on the countertop, a small refrigerator, and a two-burner cooktop. There weren’t many places for a fry pan to hide.
“Carol, there is something I have to tell you.”
Before he could finish her phone rang. She held up a finger as she checked the caller ID. “Hold that thought, I have to take this.”
“Good morning, sunshine,” Kensie said cheerfully.
“Hey, boss lady. What’s up?”
There was a pause. “You forgot we had patients this morning, didn’t you.”
“Crap! Sorry. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Okay, I’ll hold down the fort until you get here.”
“Sorry, Kensie. I’ll get there as quickly as I can. Bye.”