by Lise Fuller
But damn, doing that made her tired. Right now, she could use a man’s strong arms around her, one who held her, who would protect her and ease her sorrows. But in reality, it couldn’t be him. If Jake found out about her, it would challenge his position. He’d have to arrest her. Then there was Jesse. If the boy got hurt she’d never forgive herself. No, she pressed her lips together to reinforce her determination. Jake had a life here.
She didn’t.
She glanced at him. He’d watched her as she stood there. His eyes darkened as she peered in them. He looked concerned. After a moment, he took a deep breath and slipped behind her, reins and all, then rested his hands on the upper part of her arms, sidling his hard body behind her. His torso touched her back, barely. The sensation caused her lashes to flutter shut. She tilted to expose her neck to him, half conscious of the movement. God, what he did to her.
He bent to her ear. His exhalations caressed her neck. “Don’t worry,” he uttered, his voice thick with sex. “I won’t bite either.” His lips grazed the upper part of her ear. “Not unless you want me to.”
Her breath hitched. Her eyelids grew heavy. She looked at him over her shoulder. His masculine, sensuous lips were made for a woman to kiss. His mouth parted. She wanted to savor the taste of him.
You can’t, moron.
She bit her lip and stepped away. He released her as she moved. Marie turned when she’d taken a step and stared at him. “I’m not worried.”
The downturn of Jake’s lips spoke for themselves. He was disappointed she hadn’t played along, but instead of mentioning it he released a slow breath and eyed her from underneath the brim of his hat.
She scowled as she snatched the leather straps away from him, pissed at herself for getting into the intimate situation in the first place. “I’m just curious if he likes me. Domestic or not, I’ve seen guys get thrown off these things.”
Jake smirked.
Marie put a hand on her hip, defensive. She didn’t want to look stupid in front of him. “You know. Rodeo? ESPN?”
The roguish corners of his mouth turned upward. “So you’re a TV rodeo queen?”
“No.” Marie grimaced. “I watch sometimes, is all.”
The horse let out a loud snort. She flinched. The gelding’s eyes narrowed and stared at her. She swore the animal grinned, as if he mocked her. “What if he doesn’t want me on him?”
Jake ran a hand over his mouth. Humor danced in his eyes. He came to her, eased an arm around her waist and cradled her against the side of his chest as he pulled her closer and into his arms. “You’ll be fine.” He ran his thumb along her lower lip. She thought he would kiss her. Instead, he turned her. With his hands on her waist, he aimed her at the horse.
And impending doom.
The gelding winked at her. She jumped again. Right into Jake. His powerful arms circled around her and pulled her against him. He chuckled softly in her ear. “Old Red won’t throw you.”
His smooth voice titillated her, made her pulse race. “How do you know?” Her voice squeaked.
His murmurs skimmed her ear. “He’s too much like his owner.”
Her breath hitched. She closed her eyes, hoping to forestall the urge she had to beg him for a sexual release.
Jake pushed her to Old Red. “Now grab the saddle horn and give me your foot.” He bent down and grasped her ankle. She froze and tried to remember some old tale about taming a wild animal by staring in its eyes.
Jake cleared his throat and glimpsed up at her. “The pointed thing on the front of the saddle.”
“I can guess that much.” She huffed, irritated that she had let her mind wander, and grasped the rounded knob.
He grunted a reply then ran his hand behind her knee and pressed her onward. Her leg tingled with his touch. She frowned as he lifted her foot. His action forced her to place her free hand on his broad back to steady herself. Marie licked her lips, not really wanting their connection to end. She looked at him, grasped for some conversation to steer her mind away from what her hormones wanted her to do to his body. “What do you mean he’s too much like his owner?”
Jake looked up. The corner of his mouth twitched as the gleam in his eye returned. “Neither of ’em would throw a woman. They like the ride too much.”
“Oh.” Blood rushed to her cheeks. She should have known better. She gulped as he slid her foot in the stirrup. “And you’re the owner…” She winced. She shouldn’t have spoken but she couldn’t help herself.
“Yes, ma’am.” Jake straightened and gave her a quick nod. His husky voice rekindled the heat in her belly.
She frowned. “I was afraid you would say that.”
He chuckled as he stepped behind her and put his warm, calloused hands on her waist. “When I count to three, jump up and lean into the stirrup. Then swing your other leg over the horse. I’ll help you the rest of the way.” She could feel her heartbeat quicken as he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Ready?”
She pressed her lips together. She wasn’t ready for this at all, but she nodded.
“Three.”
“What?” She gasped and pulled at the saddle horn as he lifted her. His strong hands slid underneath her rear and pushed as she struggled to throw her leg over the horse’s back.
“Oh.” She plopped in the saddle and stared at Old Red’s neck, surprised that she sat on top. Jake stood with his hands on his hips and a grin from ear to ear.
“I thought you were going to count to three,” she scolded.
He pushed the brim of his hat up. “I did.”
“Counting to three usually begins with one, Mister Colder.”
“Um.” He nodded. “Well, you can talk to my first-grade teacher about that.” He handed her the reins. “Hold on to these. If you want to go left, swing them to the left and put your right knee in his side. Do the opposite to go right. Pull both straps back past the saddle horn to stop and give him a good swift kick to get him in gear.”
Jake walked behind her then mounted his horse. “Normally I’d start you off in the corral but Red’s tame enough so we’ll start along the trail.” She stared like an idiot at the reins in her hand until Jake backed his horse up and came alongside her. “Maybe I’ll lead you first.” Her brows went up as Jake took the leather straps and looped them over Old Red’s head.
He clicked his tongue and kicked Ranger. Old Red followed close behind. She latched onto the saddle horn and tried not to bounce, praying she’d live through the experience.
—
Moon glow bathed the corral as they returned. Marie shivered. Without the sunshine, the air had grown much colder. She took a deep breath and caught the scent of sweet grass. She relaxed into the saddle. It amazed her how quickly Jake had gotten her to feel comfortable on a horse. The reins felt good in her hands and she led the gelding easily enough now. She felt better than she had in a long time. It was good to be in control of something in her life again. She leaned over and patted the horse’s neck, content with her newfound skill.
A light breeze blew a strand of hair into her eyes as Jake dismounted. An errant leaf brushed past her. The wizened foliage danced in front of her then landed in the dirt near Jake’s boot. She watched as Jake hitched his mount to the fence post and unsaddled the dark horse. He led the stallion into the corral then brushed his hands off on his pants. She slid off Red’s back and stood. A stiff ache pained her backside as she tried to straighten.
“It takes a little getting used to.” Jake came behind her and saw her rub her posterior.
Marie bit her lip to hide her embarrassment. “I think I’ll be all right.” She backed away from him to flex her legs then rubbed the ache in her knees.
“You want some help?” He pushed the brim of his hat up and sent her one of his quirky grins, as if he tried not to laugh.
She frowned. “I should be asking you that. What do you want me to do?” She pointed to Old Red.
He shrugged. “Come here and hold these while I take the saddle o
ff.” He pulled the reins from the pommel where she’d laid them and held them out to her.
She winced as she hobbled forward and took the straps.
“Remind me to get you some liniment when we get in the house.” He walked around her and grasped her waist then turned her toward the horse. “Stand right here and hold him.” His palms brushed across her back as he walked around her and reached for the saddle.
Her heart nearly stopped. Blast, she had to get over these reactions to him. Plenty of attractive men had touched her before but there was something special about Jake.
She examined the breadth of his back as he stood in front of her. Maybe it was because he was a big strong man and, after last night, she had fantasies that he’d protect her. She rubbed her face with her free hand to remind herself he wasn’t a knight in shining armor and that Prince Charming wouldn’t come along and steal her away from her troubles. She had to get out of those herself.
He tugged on the leather binding. “Come around here. I want to show you this.”
She scooted to his side by the head of Old Red. His biceps flexed against his rolled shirtsleeves as he pulled at the leather thong that held the saddle in place.
“These straps are called the latigo,” Jake instructed. “This first tuck keeps the end from flopping around. The rest of these,” he inched the long leather thong out from the knot, “are made real tight so the rider doesn’t fall off. I’ll show you how to strap this down tomorrow.” He unfastened the last loop.
“Tomorrow? I don’t know if I’ll recover by then.” She rubbed a rear cheek with her free hand.
When Jake looked at her, a humorous glow lit his eyes. He lifted the corner of his sexy lips and smiled, gazing at her for a second before he reached to pull the saddle down.
But that second was enough to undo her.
“You’ll be fine,” he said.
Marie tried to get a grip on herself. “Can I do that?”
His brows rose as if to question her decision. “Sure.” Jake released the saddle and let it fall back in place. He took the reins from her then stepped under the horse’s head and hooked them over the fence post. In a moment, he stood behind her. “Go ahead.”
She rubbed her palms on her pants and inched toward the horse. “Just lift it off?”
“Yep.”
She’d watched Jake. He’d tossed the other one away easily enough. She could do this.
Marie grabbed the horn and the back of the saddle then jerked the seat down. The weight of the thing almost yanked her arms out of their sockets. She thought she’d drop it until Jake reached around her and caught the edges. His arms pinned her between the saddle and his muscled chest. “Like I said,” his rich voice whispered in her ear, “it takes a little getting used to. Let go. I got it.”
Her skin heated against his firm body. She released her hold. When she turned in his arms, his mouth came within inches of hers. She rested her palms against his pecs, ran the tip of her tongue along her bottom lip. “I didn’t think it was that heavy,” she said with uneven breaths.
His heady gaze deepened. A sigh eased from his parted lips. He used the weight of the saddle to pull her closer. Her breasts perked as he held her against him.
“Darlin’,” he rasped low, “you keep licking your lips like that and I’m going to have to do something about it.”
She leaned into him, lifted her head closer to his, drawn by an unspoken need between the two of them. “You will?” Her voice grew breathy.
Marie felt the muscles in Jake’s arms flex as he tossed the saddle behind her. He slid his hold around her body and pulled her close. “Yeah.” His mouth brushed hers then he nipped her lip.
She tried to think, tried to remember why being here with Jake like this was a bad idea but somewhere between the heat in his embrace and the tenderness in his lips, she forgot the reason. Her body quivered. The ache for him burned through her like a shot of whiskey. Her nerve endings fired. Her clit hummed with sexual heat. She ran her palms over his shirt, feeling the hard taut muscles underneath.
His breaths were heavier, more uneven. Her fingers inched their way along his broad shoulders. When he pulled back, the color in his eyes deepened.
Before she realized it, the tip of her tongue licked her mouth again. She bit her bottom lip to stop herself. Jake grinned—slow, seductive this time. He came to her, outlined her mouth with his.
Then penetrated her with his tongue.
She gasped as he pulled her hips flush against his, against his hard body—and his even harder erection.
“Oh,” she whispered. Her body trembled and soared with need. Her resolve to restrain herself around him fled. She wanted to be with this man. And right now, there was no mistaking he wanted to be with her too. Would it matter? One night of sexual ecstasy?
Jake’s labored breaths increased with her own. She stroked the nape of his neck and ground her body against him. His hand slid down her back and her senses reeled, drunk with passion. She lost track of time until his mouth released her.
He pulled back a moment, stared at her, his blue eyes intense. Jake’s gaze asked what she wanted.
Marie used her body to give him his answer. Her thumb outlined his strong chin. She stood on her toes to reach him. Her hands circled the nape of his neck and pulled him closer.
Jake’s soft rugged exhalations brushed her lips. She groaned, not knowing and not caring if she was still breathing, the intoxicating scent of leather and Jake filling her, pushing her erotic desire higher.
She rubbed her hips against his large, hard cock once more.
His eyes closed. His breaths quickened. She listened to Jake exhale again, felt him shudder.
He bent his head to meet her lips. His mouth moved along her jaw, his tongue teased the skin underneath. Jake nibbled her earlobe as his hands dropped lower and grabbed her ass. “Marie…”
“Mmm.” She loved the feel of him against her, his stiff cock against her pussy.
His palm outlined her hip, moved up her waist to her breast. He curled his hand and with the back of it brushed along the side of her breast. His fingertips circled the nub of the mound then slid into the deep vee of her shirt. The tips of his fingers skimmed the skin underneath then moved forward so that they slipped under her bra and brushed her nipples. “Marie,” the huskiness in his voice mesmerized her, “I want you.”
She let a hand slip to the buttons on his shirt. “I know,” she said against his lips as she undid the top one.
He growled low in his throat. His hands grasped her rear then his palms slid to her upper thighs. He lifted her against him then curled her legs around his hips. She hooked her ankles behind him as he grabbed her ass again and pushed her crotch snug into his erection.
“God,” Marie muttered as she draped her arms over his shoulders. She nestled her head into the curve of his neck to taste him, nipped the skin, licked his flesh, savored the salty flavor of him.
Jake groaned. Swerving, he carried her to the barn.
“What about Jesse?” she murmured against his strong chin.
“He’s inside. He’ll be fine.”
“Jake…” She wanted to tell him this wasn’t a good idea. Worse, some crazy part of her wanted to confess all that had happened to her.
He stopped. Stared at her. “Marie, if this isn’t what you want, tell me now. Otherwise I’ll go insane lusting after you.”
She pressed her lips together. She couldn’t lie. She did want him. Marie pasted on a smile to hide the gloom that threatened to overtake her, the thought that there could be no future with this man. “I can’t say that, Jake. Because I want you too.”
He kissed her. Deeply. Then strode to the barn door and grasped the handle while he held her.
The hinges squeaked as he pulled it open. The smell of hay permeated the air. The moonlight cast its white glow through the entrance in the otherwise pitch-black interior. Jake set her on her feet, slid her body down his. His fingers raked her ass then her back as
he lowered her.
“God, woman…” He spoke through his heavy breaths. “I should take you in the house. Make love to you all night like I want to.” His hands cupped her face. He bent to her, took her mouth with his and claimed her.
“It’s okay,” she whispered between the interplay of their lips, needing him in this moment, desperate for his body in hers.
Jake ran his hands down her neck and over her shoulders, across her chest to her breasts. He fondled them, teased the nipples with his thumbs. Little by little, he bunched the cloth of her blouse in his fists and tugged the ends loose from the waistband of her pants.
Her breath caught. Marie fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. Managed to get a few undone. She wanted him naked too. Now.
When he’d raised the blouse a few inches, he splayed his hands across her abdomen, covering it as his work-roughened hands teased her skin. The contrast from Jake’s heat and the cool air made her shiver. Her desire surged. His mouth claimed hers again as Jake circled his palms around her waist then moved higher, taking the blouse with him to her breasts. Her hands gave way to his advances. She rested them on his shoulders, letting him do as he wanted. Her lashes lowered. Her mouth watered in anticipation.
He squeezed her breasts then ran his hands to her back and unsnapped her bra. Cool air hit her warm skin. Her nipples stiffened.
She looked at him. His eyes lit. She could see the moonlight dance in them. He pushed the bra off her. His thumbs alighted on her breasts, caressed the turgid nubs a moment. Then his hands clasped her sides. Jake lowered his head and arched her to him, to his warm, waiting mouth.
He lifted her to her toes. Their hips met. Marie rubbed her clit against his erection as he licked one nipple, then the other. Slowly. He encircled the nub with his lips, suckled her, used his teeth to tease her flesh.
She moaned, drunk with need for him. He wrapped one arm around her ass and the other around the small of her back. He raised her up then pressed her crotch onto his hard cock. The fire stoked her. She creamed. She could feel the wetness soak her thong. “Jake,” she whimpered, and ran her hands through the dark tresses of his hair as he laved her other breast.