by Gayle Eden
Her other hand took his and slid it in the V of her blouse. Her nipples were hard. She let his hand rest on the upper globe. “Why can’t a woman admit that? Why can’t we want to feel a kiss or a hand on our body?”
“Christ. I don’t know.” He closed his eyes and arched his neck a moment. “I’ve got to get control of this.”
She slid her hand around to the front of his arched throat. “You’ve got beautiful skin, Alex Croft. All of you—so warm.”
Corey moved his hand from her breast and sat up. Waiting for him to regard her again before she smiled slightly, saying, “It’s too bad there’s no word for it. Kissing and touching, feeling.” She sighed, “Go get that flask of coffee. We’ll pretend I wasn’t forward and brazen.”
Alex cupped her cheek. His eyes were darker amber. “It’s tempting. You— are tempting. A little bit of minx and a touch of wicked.” His smile wasn’t steady. “It’s all caught me unawares, Corey Landry, and I’m not quite sure how to handle it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I am attracted to you, Corey. I just don’t trust myself.”
“Ah, but I trust myself.” She smiled at him, but covered his hand and then stood.
She walked to the buggy and found the flask. Climbing up and sitting on the seat, drinking a few sips. He followed later, bringing the blanket and basket. After a bit, they were on their way back.
Before they reached the main road he pulled the buggy to a stop, gazing at the road a moment, then glancing where she sat, relaxed and lost in her own thoughts.
“How’s the woozy head?”
“I’m perfectly sober, I’m afraid.” She wrinkled her nose.
He hooked the reins around the brake and slid one arm around her back, the other hand raised to cup her cheek—then sliding back into her hair until his fingers were at the base of her skull. Staring into her eyes Alex drew her toward him as his head tilted and his own came forward.
Corey closed her eyes on contact, feeling the sleekness of his lips and moaning this time because his tongue eased in, and as soon as she was kissing back, he deepened it. A firmer hold, deeper delving, sensual tongues, and his teaching her things she liked. Heads moving, breath intense through their nostrils, as the kiss went on and on.
When he did ease up some, it was only to bite at her lip sensually and tease her mouth with the tip of his tongue. Corey’s one hand landed on his leg, her other grasping his shirt at the shoulder while her head spun and body tingled. Heat, a melting kind of honey thick fire just bathed her inside and out. The things he was doing with his lips and tongue, the way he held her head and sometimes took, sometimes gave, but teased too, just burned her up.
His movements were skillful, graceful in a hot sexual way, and Corey knew she’d underestimated Alex Croft. He kissed softly next, without tongues, then teased for entry with his tongue again. She gladly parted her lips. When he was inside he reached a little deeper—and it felt almost as if he was having sex with her.
Body arched toward him, Corey gulped in a breath when he left her mouth and bit her chin, kissed her cheek—then scored back to her ear. His breathing was thick and warm, masculine against it.
“Oh, God…” She tilted her head, giving him access to the side of her neck. Her nipples and sex tingling and aching while he bit and sucked the skin there. He kissed all around her neck, doing it in a slow and hot way that spiked a hunger in her, a kind of wildness, that made her want to do things back to him.
This time after he claimed her mouth again, she put her palm on his cheek and gave him some of that face kissing and neck nibbling. His fingers tightened in her short hair when she bit just under his ear then laved there.
His palm on the back of her head, he whispered thickly, “This has to stop soon.”
She rose to meet a rather hungry kiss, her hands now at the back of his shoulders, feeling his body heat and sensing that male animal arousal.
They were breathing choppy, more winded when that kiss ended. He pulled her so she rested her forehead against his neck, breathing and shaking. His arms were around her, though he was obviously trying to end the intimacy.
Corey shifted her palm to lie over his heart, finding it slamming as hard as her own. Scoring her lips to his ear she whispered, “Do we have to stop?” She eased her hand to take his own, putting it over her breast.
His fingers flexed, mouth touching her temple. “I don’t trust myself. You are young Corey, only what…nineteen? And I’m not prepared for thi—”
Her hand left his to cover his mouth, fingers on his lips. She leaned back. When he raised his head too, tawny eyes looking into hers, she husked, “You’re more intoxicating than wine, Alex. Warmer tasting and warmer flowing inside me.” Her eyes felt fogged, head light, and body so aroused that she confessed, “This isn’t about age for me, or what’s proper or wanting to catch you off guard. I want to feel good like this. I’m not trying to tease you or—”
He eased her fingers from his lips. “Regardless of your…free spirited and curious nature, regardless of the fact I’m likewise intoxicated—you’re not the kind of woman a man should play fast and loose with. I don’t know, Corey. I never expected—this attraction—”
She searched his face, seeing his battle between hunger and control, a tinge of utter surprise. “You’ve a woman in town?”
“No.”
“Visit the brot—”
“Most definitely—not.”
She arched her brow. “Why not?”
He smiled strained and released her, finger combing his hair as she settled back in the seat. “I’m just of another mind, I suppose, than the men who partake of those favors. I haven’t the—inclination, to pay for a woman’s intimacy.”
She found that vastly interesting. “Not ever?”
“No.”
“But you’ve—”
He glanced at her then untied the reins. “I’m not giving you details, Corey. It’s simply my preference not to buy a whore, and not to talk about women I have slept with.”
“Ah—so there was more than one?”
He laughed and shook his head. “In my university days, yes.”
“You mean you—not since—that—”
He shot her a dry smile. “You’re stuttering.”
“Well—I thought, assumed that—”
“No. Don’t assume with me,” he advised as he got the horses going. “I’ll make it simple for you. Firstly, I was a young heir, wealthy and obviously prey for matchmakers. Secondly, I was vulnerable to blackmail, because my family was wealthy. Thirdly, my father knew everything I did. Fourth—I bedded my first woman for the pleasure of learning how to pleasure a woman, and the second because she bluntly asked.”
“That makes sense. Although—given that men may indulge and be free to do whatever, I just took it that they all did.”
“I don’t.”
She blew out a breath. “If I knew her name I’d certainly send the first woman a card of thanks. You kiss potent enough to leave me breathless—”
He was laughing. “Oh, Corey. You are unique.”
She laughed too. “Yes. Well. I don’t see any reason not to be honest.” She waited a moment, then said more serious. “You’re not going to avoid me now, are you?”
“Absolutely not. I’m going to drag you along as I build this house…and figure out what the bloody hell I can do, besides law.”
“Anything you want.”
He reached over and took her hand a moment. “That’s why I like you so much. You really believe that.”
“Thanks. I do. “
They were near the main gates of the ranch. It was dark out. He murmured, “You’re going to cost me sleep tonight.”
“Good. I’ll be tossing all night too.”
His grin at her was a little sexy, even by moonlight. “This is a dangerous flirtation.”
Corey arched her brow. “I’m not flirting. “
“I know. But I don’t know what to call it… yet
.”
She reached over and pat his thigh. “You worry too much, Alex. You think too hard. We make each other feel good. I don’t see what is wrong with just calling it that.”
He deliberately halted the buggy in the darkness, just off from the lantern hanging on the porch post.
Under the cover of that darkness, Alex’s hand came up to touch her cheek, his thumb touching her bottom lip. “Did I mention your kisses taste a bit like you, a little untamed and a lot of spice? I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything that shot to my head so fast, or quickened my blood like that.”
His voice lowered to a whisper, “Despite teasing about it, I don’t want to do anything to compromise our friendship, or the relationships, with our families.”
“That’s assuming everyone would know.” Corey covered his hand and held it a moment. “It’s no one’s business but ours.”
“All intimate play is risky, Corey.”
“I know that. I told you, I trust myself.”
He grunted and leaned to kiss her brow then as she stepped down he murmured, “You’re not the one I’m worried about.”
“Stop worrying.” She whispered back. “You’ll take all the fun out of it.”
* * * *
Watching her go in once she reached the porch, Alex groaned and muttered a few curses on the way to the McCabe ranch. His body had that strange sensation of having his blood rush and burn and then forcing it to slow. It was a tense and aware feeling, that didn’t help clear his head of her moist, kiss swollen, lips, or those hazel eyes glittering with passion. It didn’t help thinking of her age, who she was, the whole bit, either.
His blood rushed every time he thought of independent and untamed Corey. When he remembered that soft breast and hard nipple, that tongue sexually taking what she wanted from his mouth. Women he had known were silks and perfume, ivory skin and softness. They weren’t autumn hues, earthy and unaffected. He had noticed—hell yes he had noticed, her taut rounded ass and strong legs. He noticed something wild and untamed, fearless and restless.
She was a heady and dangerous combination. An agile and attractive young woman, who made her own rules, was blunt and too bloody honest about sexual curiosity, and hungers. Such a creature didn’t exist in his experience. She was tempting beyond measure. He had been caught unawares and needed to sort through what parts were just himself, needing something, or someone who liked him for himself. He had not been with a woman in so long he had to consider that too. Making this decision about the land kept his adrenaline up. It was just too complicated. He liked Corey. Hell, he liked all the Landry women. He didn’t want to do something they would both regret.
After he arrived, and saw to the buggy, Alex walked. Ambling, and shoving his hand through his hair. He felt drawn to that piece of land. He wanted to build on that spot. He felt good there, good today, away from the office, and town. He felt good around Corey too. Yet—the explosive chemistry shook him a little.
“Put in another long day?”
Alex looked up, finding himself by the bridge leading to Morgan’s house. Morgan was on the porch; his boots propped on the banister.
Walking across Alex called back, “No. I’ve been out looking at land.”
When he reached the porch Morgan asked him up, offered him a coffee and Alex accepted. Taking a chair, he thanked him after it was fetched. They sat, sipping a moment, looking at the moonlit vista.
Morgan asked, “Land?”
“I’m buying a place. I want to build a house. Own something.”
When Morgan asked where it was, and details, Alex found himself talking about it. The more he described it, the more drawn he felt to it. It seemed—right.
“Anything you need help with, just ask.”
“Thanks.”
A moment past before Morgan rested his cup on his thigh, and murmured, “You know much about broken hearts, Alex?”
“I’ve never had one,” Alex arose and sat on the banister, regarding Morgan, and finding his expression interesting.
“Thing is,” Morgan scraped a hand through his hair. “I didn’t realize Rose felt like that.”
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
Morgan told him. Starting with how he favored Rose, thought of her, stuck up for her. He explained his “perception” and talked about the days he was down after that bull got him. He talked about what Rose did, his reaction, and the past year. Then, ended with the argument, and what Corey said.”
Alex mulled that over. “It sounds like both you and Rose had your own perception of each other. Just how many conversations— real ones—have you two had?”
“None.” Morgan grunted and shook his head, his green eyes touching Alex before he looked beyond him. “Thing is, I don’t know how to start anything—. I knew soon after…Lucas already told me that Doc Codwell said that bull had some kind of bore worm. Got into the brain, and made him loco. He’d have to have been put down. It’s beside the point... Hell, I’m not even sure it was about the bull…”
Perceptively Alex murmured, “It’s not easy for a strong man to find himself flat on his back. Being bed bound, and being dependent on a woman, he cares to impress. It’s likely not easy living with scars either, although I doubt Rose sees them.”
“Damn right it’s not.” Morgan breathed.
“Part of that was your pride, Morgan. Part of it, was that you were taking baby steps around Rose beforehand, and before you could build up to something she was comfortable with—in your mind at least, there you were, busted up and dependent.”
Morgan’s scarred jaw flexed. “Yeah. Likely.”
“Some of her reaction is pride too. You already know she’s not the shy Rose you thought. Despite her self-consciousness, I don’t think she is that way with you. I suppose, my advice, for what it’s worth, is that you have to start over. In my opinion, it’s better that the both of you do it with eyes opened and without all the prior suppositions.
If what Corey said was true, and it may or may not be. It could just be her impressions, but it is entirely possible for a woman to be romantic and strong, and it is possible for her to admire the strong things about a man, and still respect his vulnerabilities. You’ll only keep guessing, and you’ll only know if what you and she feel is anything—or nothing—if you don’t start again.”
Morgan stared at the tips of his boots and then lowered his feet. “Thanks.” He stood and considered Alex. “Why don’t you just take the guest room? I’m pretty good with breakfast.”
Alex accepted and went in with him, rinsing his cup. He took a bath and padded downstairs in his trousers, spying Morgan sitting in the living area with his bare feet up, a brandy in his hand. He poured himself one and joined him. Sipping, and after studying the brooding expression on his nephews face, he let his gaze skim down that powerful torso, having seen the scars before, and amazed as most of the family and hands were, that Morgan had survived tangling with a bull.
Moonlight spilled here and there in the room and lit on Morgan’s face when he murmured dryly, “Facing Rose is requiring more courage than the thoughts I had of facing that damn bull again.”
Alex’s teeth flashed. “I imagine so.” He lifted his drink. “Good for steadying what ails us.”
“It would take a whole bottle.” Morgan finished his and rested the glass on his thigh. “That woman scares the hell out of me. Truth be known, she always did.”
“Um. I suppose so. Sometimes, the softer side of a woman is more intimidating than the strong side. Men are good with sparks and anger, but that mystique, the silken, scented, and intimate side of a woman—can buckle your knees.”
“I knew that about Rose. You can’t look at her and not see all that feminine…I don’t know what you call it, but it’s the stuff that turns you a little inside out.” Morgan shook his head, and then leaned it back against the leather-cushioned couch with a weary sigh. “She’s got me confused as hell.”
Alex laughed low and stood, setting his e
mpty glass down. As he passed Morgan, before going upstairs, he touched his broad shoulder. “I’m only a bit older, and not a ladies man by any stretch. I wish you luck, though. “
“Thanks.”
Alex went up but lay on the bed for a long time with his hands stacked behind his head. He was not much of a gentleman either, it seems. If he were, he would not have invited Corey to help him. Christ, but she was young. She made his blood hot. She was too damn young, and too close and entangled in the family. Yet— he was not saintly enough to set a boundary and pull back.
Resting his lashes closed, he breathed in deep and let it out slowly. She was the most naturally seductive and erotic woman he had ever met.
Chapter Eleven
Morgan looked for an excuse to go to the Landry spread. He didn’t find one for four days. That forth one, he happened to have supper in the big house with Lucas and Falon. They had made all sorts of changes to it, warmed it, and Falon decorated it in a more cozy and relaxed manner.
Sitting on the porch after supper, smoking a cheroot with Lucas, Morgan was half sitting on the banister when Falon came outside. Her hair half-up and wearing a dove skirt and white summer blouse, she had a paper in her hand.
“Darn it. I forgot to tell Rose that Henry needs that magazine illustration of wedding cakes. He’s got to order the decorations by tomorrow and I’d—”
“I’ll drop over there and get them.”
Falon smiled at him. “Would you, Morgan? If you have time, ask Uncle Ryder if he will come by soon. We have to tailor a suit for him. I’ve a man coming by train to do it.”
“Don’t you think you should do that?” Lucas laughed. “I’ve a feeling that frown he was wearing when you asked him to give you away meant, I hope she don’t expect me to wear a suit.”
“It’s not a fancy one. Definitely in his style.” She went and plopped down on Lucas’s lap, her grin mischievous. “As was yours—in blue stripe.”