“This?” He removed the ring and held it in front of him, inspecting it at every angle as if it was the first time he’d seen it, although she felt it wasn’t. “This is a symbol of how much life sucks.”
“How much have you had to drink?”
He chuckled, turning the half-empty glass in his hand. “This is my second. Since you’re here, uninvited, would you like to join me?” She shifted, uneasy under his watchful eyes, and rubbed her arms. “You sneak it anyway when your dad’s not lookin’.”
“I should—”
“Go? Yes. You should, Miss Scarlett, before something bad happens to you.”
“That’s not what I was going to say.” She walked toward the kitchen, talking with her back to him. “And I don’t deserve the cruel tone in your voice, Wade.” She returned, placing a similar glass next to his with a thud. Her eyes stayed fixed on his features as he placed ice from the bucket in her glass, rum, then coke.
He was in a dark mood, and he looked different. His hair was unkempt, and there was a danger in his eyes that tugged at her nerves. His gaze raked over her in a heated, concentrated way she didn’t understand. She picked up the drink and sat on the edge of the couch, swiveling to face him. Her knees touched his, and warmth crawled down her leg.
She cleared her throat. “Thank you for what you did for me last night.”
Wade flipped the ring from finger to finger, and she focused on the movement.
“Did you come to any decisions?” He lifted an eyebrow and stared at her as she threw her head back and downed her drink.
She met his gaze when she lowered the glass.
The look in her eyes turned a knife in his heart. She looked lost, miserable…
“It’s not like I have many.” She stood. “I have to go look at weddin’ cakes tomorrow.”
That was his answer. She was still going to marry that asshole, and he was still going to see that she did… out of obligation and loyalty.
“We all have things we have to do, obligations… We don’t have to like em’, but—”
“I have to go...” She whispered her resign and straightened her spine, shaking her limbs.
Wade dropped the ring inside his glass, bubbles rolled to the top as it hit the bottom. He stood, and stalked toward her.
She continued to step back until her back hit the wall, and her palms flattened against its surface. Her chest heaved for air as his hand moved toward her.
His fingers found her hair clip and pressed the tabs, releasing her locks and letting them fall free in waves. He kept her eyes locked to his, and she swallowed hard.
“You’re right. We have obligations… ” She spoke louder, as if trying to make her words clear. “I belong to another man.”
“Sucks to be him right now.”
“Why?” Her eyebrows rose inquiringly.
“I’m going to take what’s his.”
“What?”
“I’m going to give you what you want, Carly. The chance to choose.”
He could tell exactly when she realized what he was offering. Her expression changed as she searched his eyes and her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
“I choose you.”
Her words touched him more than anything ever could. He’d felt honored to be her first real kiss, now this. But could he go through with it and take her innocence?
Chapter 12
Like a Band-Aid
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Although, we should stop now. This could go bad.” He fanned his fingers through her hair. “And what happens after we do this?”
She rocked forward with a nod, her lips making a firm line of understanding. “We follow through with our obligations. Like nothin’ happened.”
She nodded again as if she was trying to talk herself into it. “It’s a one-time thing.”
At least that bastard wouldn’t take her innocence and something deep inside her knew he’d make it more painful than nature intended.
Wade’s fingers skimmed her back, deftly finding the zipper to her dress. She shook as he lowered it one metal tooth at a time.
“This is going to hurt, isn’t it?”
“I’ve heard it does, but I wouldn’t know.”
“You never—”
“No, she never made it to me that night.” He dropped her dress to the floor and sucked in a breath.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry. Now you’re gonna be thinking of her—”
“No. Only you, darlin’. You’re the only one I’ve had on my mind.” He rubbed his palms over her arms. “How do you want it to start? Fast or slow?”
“Fast, I guess. Like a Band-Aid.”
“Fast I can do. It’s soft and slow I’m going to have a problem with.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Different meanin’ for different people, mine’s personal.” He placed his palms against the wall by her ears.
“I don’t understand.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Fuck… you’re killin’ me, darlin’.” His fingers skimmed across her cheekbone and disappeared into her hair. “Do you remember what I said about kissin’?” His hazel eyes trapped hers.
“It can be dangerous?”
“Yes. And slow… slow is very dangerous.” He leaned forward, brushed his lips across hers, and all the air left her lungs. Something strange started in the depths of her stomach, and her skin flushed. Her nipples tightened, growing to the point of pain as they rubbed against the cotton fabric of her bra.
His eyes flicked toward them, a deep grunt sounded from his chest, and his hand tightened in her hair. He held her with a firm grip and leaned his forehead back against hers. “Reach down, and undo my jeans.”
She was trapped. Even if she wanted to retreat, there was nowhere for her to go. He’d invaded her space. Intense eyes stared right into hers as if he was demanding her deepest secrets with one hand buried inside her hair and the other curled around her neck. A rock hard, well-defined stomach pressed against her belly. The skin-on-skin contact ignited a slow burn that was sure to grow into a wildfire any minute. If she weren’t leaning against the wall, she’d collapse.
The back of her hand smoothed down the surface of his stomach, and she felt his muscles constrict from her touch. She slid four shaky fingers inside his jeans and stroked the button closure with her thumb. Her other hand shook vigorously as she arranged it next to the other. The thought of what was underneath the jeans she now clutched with her fingers made her light headed.
“Breathe, darlin’.”
She inhaled deeply, just as he instructed. The lightness in her head dissipated. She’d never been more nervous in her life. You can do this… She brought her fingers and thumbs together, pushed the round button through the hole, and felt the tension release in the fabric. Proud of her boldness, she smiled but couldn’t stop shaking. When his lips found hers, the world stopped. The kiss started soft as before, but this time she felt a hunger behind it that had things melting between her thighs. The man could kiss, and now she fully understood the dangers of it. Because right now, she’d give him anything he asked for. Her moan sounded foreign as it bounced off the walls of his mouth, and he answered with a sound of his own. When his lips left hers all the warmth went with them, and her body rocked through a chill.
“Carly.” He eyed her with concern.
“I’m okay.”
He grabbed her wrists and pulled her fingers from the hem of his jeans. “Are you sure about this?” He placed her arms above her head and held them against the wall with one hand.
No. “Yes.”
“Don’t lie to me.” His eyes narrowed.
“I’m just nervous.” Good Lord who wouldn’t be? Had he looked at himself in the mirror? His stomach alone made her want to bale hay for a week simply to try to match his toned physique. He was drop-dead-gorgeous. The kind of man that’s so hot you squint your eyes when you look at him so he doesn’t burn you like the sun. And he had her pinned against the wal
l staring at her as if she was the only woman on Earth. She knew nothing would come out of this except what she’d asked for, and she had to pull herself back from the depths of Wade Dawson. One night, Carly. That’s all it is.
Dropping her arms, he cupped her hand inside his and tugged her forward. “C’mon.” His voice was low as he walked her to a blanket spread out in front of the fire. “I was restin’ here earlier, watchin’ the fire.” He tugged her hand toward the floor, and she lowered herself onto the blanket.
She watched his fingers close around his zipper and lower it making his jeans fold in a V. When his thumbs pushed the fabric past his hips, her breath hitched. Heat flamed her cheeks, and the warmth that covered her skin contradicted the gooseflesh rolling over her.
She’d never seen a man naked, in person, and seeing Wade standing in front of her—commando—was more than her heart could take. She felt dizzy from its rapid beats. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her, and she was sure he saw her reaction when his erection bounced free. Her nerves kicked up at the size of him. Leaning forward, she swallowed with some effort.
He still hadn’t spoken, which was making her more nervous. He grabbed his pants from the floor, removed his worn leather wallet, and took out a small square packet. She knew exactly what the balloon looking thing was from overhearing people talk when she was in school, but watching him roll it on took sex education to an entirely new level. She cleared her throat, pulled her knees to her chest, and turned her head toward the fire. Damn, he was bold standing before her as he was. She could never do something like that, and it made the tiny bit of confidence she’d felt earlier shrivel.
“The fire is beautiful.” She looked back toward him when she felt his hands on her knees.
“Not as beautiful as the flames dancing in your eyes.”
She trailed her gaze from his chest to his eyes, and her nerves lodged in her throat. “Wade.”
“Unhook your bra, and slide it down your arms.” His hands reached forward and grabbed the sides of her panties. “Lay back.” He pulled the undergarment down to her ankles as she followed his instructions.
She couldn’t stop shaking. She quickly thanked her mama for always telling her to shave, no matter what. Her courage left when her panties fell free from her skin. They were ordinary cotton panties, nothing pretty or sexy like she’d seen in the magazines. How could she ever please this man in front of her? Her mind stuck on that thought, and her shaking turned into a shudder. She covered her private parts and flushed. When did this become about his pleasure? This was about her becoming a woman with someone she chose, not pleasing Mr. Hot-as-Hell-cowboy perched between her thighs.
His brows drew together. “Darlin’, it’d be a shame if you took your beauty away from me.” He sat back on his heels and stared at her. “Has no one every told you how beautiful you are?”
She shook her head.
Wade’s fingers stroked her thigh, moving down toward her ankle. His index finger circled her anklebone with a feather touch. When he brought her leg to his lips and kissed where his finger had been, she gasped at the intimate touch. His tongue followed the invisible line his digit made causing her hands to fall to the blanket and fist the material. She felt his grin against her skin.
“Wade, if you’re doing all this to make me feel—”
“Shh.” He nipped her thigh, and she jerked.
“I just mean, you don’t have to go through all the tender stuff—”
“Darlin’, you may like bossin’ people around and being in charge on the ranch, but in the bedroom, I make the rules—always.” He crawled up her frame and held his weight on his forearm, leaning to the left. With her left leg bent, her center was exposed, and his erection tapped against it. He cupped her face and turned it to meet his probing stare. “You.” A light kiss landed on her lips, and then his mouth hovered above hers. “Are.” Another kiss; longer with more pressure followed by the same intense stare. “Hot.”
The next kiss was devastating. With a hand buried in her hair, he held her lips captive. His tongue demanded entrance, and when she parted her lips, he moved in to conquer. She felt the hardness of his shaft glide between her wet folds, and she tensed. This was happening, and he was making her head spin. He must have felt her body go taut because the kiss slowed, and he pulled his face back. Eyes laced with desire locked with hers.
She couldn’t breathe. He moved his hips, aligning himself against her frame, and his cock pressed against her entrance. Her heart hammered, and she moved her arms to his broad shoulders.
“Relax, darlin’. I’ve got you.”
“I’m good.”
“No, you’re not.” He smiled down at her, and she melted underneath him. His left hand moved under her back and anchored on her shoulder. “That’s better. This is your last chance… are you sure, Carly?”
She nodded.
“That’s not an answer.”
“Yes,” She said weakly.
“That didn’t sound to convincing.”
“I said yes. Stop being hardheaded and—”
He lunged forward, impaling her with his cock and crashing his mouth down onto hers simultaneously. She screamed from the force of his entrance, her nails digging into his shoulders, the painful pinch from inside her spread down her legs in a rolling heat.
Then the shakes started. Wait. Was she shaking?
She opened her eyelids and met with an unreadable gaze framed by an aching expression. His forehead was hot against hers, and it felt as if like his body would burst into flames from overheating. All of his weight now balanced on two powerful forearms, and he was motionless.
“Are you okay?” She placed her palm against his cheek, and he leaned into her touch.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“You’re shaking.”
“We’re both shaking.” He tilted his head and pecked her lips with his. “Just be still for a minute, and let your body adjust to mine.”
Wade’s gaze was transfixed onto her crystal blues. He watched the water recede from the pain of his entrance. The fire bounced off the glossy shine making her eyes look like gems in a high-priced jewelry display. He couldn’t move, and his face contorted in an effort to control his seed that piled to the head of his cock as if his balls were on fire. He felt his control slipping, and wetness seeped from the head of his shaft. Not since he was young and dumb, had he been this close to coming simply by entering a woman. She moved beneath him, and he sucked in a breath through his teeth.
“Are you okay?” he asked, moving a hand to her hip to still her movements.
“It hurts a little. Yes, I’m okay.”
“Then please, don’t move, darlin’.” When his heart stopped hammering in his ears and he mastered his domain again, he pulled his hips back. Her hands dropped to his forearms.
“Oh my…” Her tone dropped to a low purr.
He continued to rock, gliding his hand along her thigh. He hooked the bend in her right leg and looped it around the back of his leg. Slow, gentle strokes where pulling at his sanity. He slid his hand back to cup her breast. Bringing his mouth to its peak, he licked around the base. Her panting increased along with his pace. When he took her nipple into his mouth, her body arched, and she moaned. She was stripping him of more than the mere control of his seed.
He relaxed his weight and placed his lips next to her ear. The echo of her sighs was more than he could bear. His strokes deepened. He couldn’t tell if he was hearing her breathing or his. Everything was blending, melting into each other. Slow was ripping him apart. He moved faster, and she tightened around him. Her breath was hot in his ear when she moaned.
“Wade.”
“Mmm, you goin' to come for me, baby?” He kept his pace steady, but knew by her body, he was a lucky man. She was giving in to him, completely surrendering. There was no tension as he’d seen her display in the past. Her body was his, and her mind was letting go.
“Oh God… Wade!”
She threw
her arm around his neck and held on as if she was drowning.
He placed a hand under her lower cheek and adjusted their position. Deeper. Faster. Her hot breath continued rolling in his ear, blazing a trail inside him all the way to his balls. The heat from their bodies created a fine sheen of perspiration between their flesh. With a look of sheer amazement, her body tightened.
“Come for me, darlin’. Take me over the edge with you.” His breath blew against the shell of her ear, and he felt her before he heard her come undone beneath him. She came with abandonment, like no other he’d ever seen, and he shattered right along with her. A deep long thrust spilled his seed. He grunted and cried out.
Breathless, he sagged on top of her. The unity he felt with her body was a new experience. She fit him like a pair of his favorite jeans, and he wasn’t prepared for the emotions flooding him or the feeling of home.
Chapter 13
What If It Was More
Carly rolled to her side and watched Wade walk back from the bathroom. The man was a sculpted God, plain and simple. And she didn’t think he had a modest bone in his body. She felt her skin flush as he lowered himself beside her and placed a warm cloth between her legs. He regarded her expression.
“Would you rather do this?”
“It’s not that. Well, it may be, a little.”
“What is it then?” He reached across her to the coffee table, grabbed two glasses, and filled them with soda.
“I think I’m in trouble.” She sipped from the glass he handed her. “I won’t fit in with the hens at all.”
“Why?”
“If that’s what sex is supposed to feel like… I like it.”
The laughter that poured out of him made her body glow, and she noted a devastating dimple she hadn’t noticed before. Of course, she’d never seen him smile that wide either. His large palm rested on her stomach, and he tugged her closer to him.
“I hope I didn’t hurt you too much. Was that fast like a band-aid?”
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