She nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
He lay back and put his hands behind his head, staring up at the clear blue sky. “I’m not totally sure why my giving up the business upset you. I’d hoped you might be pleased.”
“When I asked you to marry me, I pictured you traveling with your business and only coming home occasionally. I’d be busy with the two ranches. We’d have a modern, sensible marriage without all the turmoil.”
He turned toward her. “By turmoil, I assume you mean sex.”
“Well, yes.” She felt her face redden. He grinned at her with the sexy smile that always made her ache for his touch.
“And after being in turmoil with me a time or two, do you still feel that way?”
Not ready to admit that her feelings might be different, she quickly changed the subject. “Sit up and eat. Anna fixed this great lunch for us.” Even to her, her voice sounded tight and husky.
Jackson did as she said and faced her. “Feed me. I’ll have the chicken first.”
She started to protest but saw the lust shining in his eyes. Without a thought, she found her hand taking a piece of chicken and placing it in his mouth. He nipped at her fingers before she moved away.
“Good.”
Next she handed him a purple grape. This time he took hold of her hand and licked her finger. Fire traveled her nerve endings straight to her core. He reached for a peach and held it to her lips. She bit through the skin. The sweet juice ran down her chin.
He leaned forward and licked her lips, her chin, and neck. “Best peach I ever tasted.”
“Stop this, Jackson. We’re out in the open. Behave.”
Glancing around, he shook his head no. “We’re in the shade of a tree with several other trees around us. Hardly right in the open.”
“Nevertheless—” Before she said another word, Jackson had shoved the food to the side, pushed her down on the blanket, and straddled her.
“What are you doing? Get off.”
He leaned close to her face and took a deep breath. “You always smell tantalizing.” He kissed the shell of her ear and nuzzled her cheek. “I’ll stop if you really want me to.”
When she opened her mouth to say yes, he covered her lips, his tongue delving deep into the soft recesses of her mouth. Large, warm hands cupped her face. Her heartbeat sped up at his touch.
He pulled back. “Still want me to stop?”
“You don’t play fair.”
Jackson chuckled. “Not when I want something badly.”
His hands moved to her blouse and began to unbutton it.
“Stop.” She placed her hands on his. “I am not making love in the open where anybody can ride by.”
“There isn’t a person in ten miles. Wait.” He took quick strides to his horse and reached into the other saddle bag. He came back carrying a large towel. “If in the remote possibility a person comes by, I’ll throw this towel over you. I brought towels in case we wanted to take a dip in the stream.”
“You planned this all along.”
“Of course.” He tickled her neck with his breath and light kisses. She scrunched her neck and pulled away laughing.
“This is thirsty work.” Jackson opened a bottle of water, took a sip then poured a stream of the cool liquid on her chest between the opening of her blouse.
“That’s cold,” she said as she instinctively raised her upper body.
He pushed her back down. “Stay.” He quickly removed her boots, and her shirt and bra, pushing them aside so he could sip what water was left from between her breasts. The cool was instantly replaced by hot desire. His tongue licked around each breast and sucked on her tight nipples. His mouth followed his hands as he moved further along her body. He unfastened her buckle, her button on her jeans, and pulled the zipper down. Before she thought to stop him, he yanked all her clothing from the waist down off.
“Beautiful.” He kneeled at her feet in admiration. She tried to cover herself with her hands. He pushed them aside. “No one can see you, but me. If there was a crowd out there, they’d be yelling and cheering us on. Relax, honey. Look around. Breathe in the fresh air.”
Samantha lay still. Sunlight shone in between the leaves of the tree above. A cool breeze rippled across her sensitive skin. Shade from the large branches cast shadows across her body. She hated to admit there was a sense of freedom lying here open to the world.
Jackson leaned over her. She watched as his fingers separated her lower lips and his mouth descended over her clit.
His lips brushed along her clit, tasting, caressing, gentle as a butterfly’s touch.
Her arms and legs were sinking into the soft ground. Her blood turned to warm honey as he seduced every inch of her body. His mouth pressed more urgently, and his tongue swirled around her clit. He reached for her breasts with his hands, and his thumb and forefinger rolled her tight nipples between them.
Her body arched. She moaned and looked upward. The vast openness fueled her desire, sending her spiraling out of control. A wave of pleasure surged from her feet over her body as he lapped up her wetness. Her strongest orgasm ever flooded through her.
* * * *
Jackson raised his head and watched as her body arched and trembled. He bent and kissed her then moved to her side. Sitting up, he wiped his mouth on the towel. He took a long swallow of water. After he put the bottle down, he lay beside her.
“Now, help me out of my shirt and jeans then straddle me.”
Samantha unbuttoned his shirt, leaving it open but not completely off. She struggled with his large belt buckle but got it unhooked, unfastened his jeans, and moved to his feet where she tugged his boots off and then his jeans. He lay silently watching her every movement. Each touch of her hands sent heat sizzling along his lower body. When she had him nude, she put her leg over him and settled herself across the top of his thighs. Her fingers brushed across his chest and his nipples. His voracious appetite for her went soaring out of sight. He couldn’t not touch her.
Her breasts were heavy and soft when he cupped his hands around them. Her nipples pebbled. Moving upward, she rubbed herself across his aching dick, then arched her back and stared at the sky while her body trembled in response. Her long golden hair fell down her naked back, and his cock jerked, impatient to be deep inside her hot pussy. She looked like a golden goddess sitting above him. He wanted to bury himself to his balls inside her wet, tight heat.
He reached for his jeans where she’d thrown them beside him and took a condom out of his back pocket. “Open it, cover me, and put me inside your hot pussy.” If his erotic words shocked her, she hid it well. He wanted her so desperately, he’d probably stick his thumb through the condom if he tried to put it on himself.
Her small, soft hands positioned him and rolled the condom along the length of his throbbing cock. She stared into his eyes as she sat firmly, taking him smoothly inside her in one long stroke. Pulsing heat grabbed him. When she wiggled, his temperature rose straight to boiling. She licked his nipples as she began to move slowly up and down. Leaning across his chest, she nibbled at the edge of his jaw. He forced himself to lay still and let her mouth and fingers explore his body.
Suddenly, her one hand moved to cup his sac.
“Damn, that feels good,” he managed to grit out through clenched teeth. Grasping her hips, he moved her up and down, again against his hard cock, and a rush of electricity shot straight up his spine, sending shock waves spreading across his body. He held her hard against him as the wave of pleasure, almost pain it was so intense, rolled over every inch of his skin.
Seeing her begin to shudder, a look of joy on her face, intensified his pleasure, and he held her hard against him until she collapsed on his chest. Their pounding hearts beat against each other.
When her breathing had slowed, Samantha moved her leg over him and stood. She brushed her hair off her neck. Sunlight sent a glow to her skin and brightened the already golden color of her hair. She’d never looked as magnificent
, and he’d never loved her more.
She reached for his saddlebag and retrieved another bottle of water. After taking several sips, she handed the bottle to him. He sat up and pulled her close to his side while he drank. His hand curved around her waist, his fingers brushing the underside of her breast.
* * * *
She hadn’t expected to ever be naked outdoors, much less make love. For this one glorious moment, she didn’t care. She relished the touch of the breeze and the warmth of the sun on her skin, and the hot, lustful look in Jackson’s eyes only increased her own desire. What was happening to her? Even after all this she wanted him more, now.
He must have read the message in her face and body because he pulled her down and flipped her under him.
“Do you care about the damn condom?” he asked as he ripped the old one off. “I want to feel closer to you.”
“Go ahead.” They’d be married in seven days, and she was on birth control anyway. A wicked wildness washed over her. She spread her legs and threw her arms open.
Jackson, already hard, surged into her. His mouth ravished hers, and he took her hard and fast again. The tide of pleasure grabbed them both at the same time and left them shaking in each other’s arms.
Chapter Eight
Samantha had been relaxed all afternoon. Janice had teased her about the distant look in her eyes. Now, dressed and ready for Jackson’s cocktail party, she glanced at herself in the mirror.
Her strapless black dress fell loose to just above her knees. She added the diamond earrings and necklace Jackson had given her. High-heeled patent sandals and a matching purse completed her outfit. Janice had arranged her golden hair in a twist with long curls brushing the nape of her neck.
“Every man at the party is going to envy Jackson tonight,” Janice said as she came back into the room. “It’s time we left. Jackson sent a car for us.”
“You look very good yourself,” Samantha said. “That color of emerald green is stunning on you. Are you dressing for anyone in particular?”
“Nope. Not dressing for anyone but myself.”
“Liar,” Samantha whispered. She followed Janice down the stairs.
Gramps spoke to them from the door of his study. “Two beautiful women.” He smiled at Janice and kissed Samantha’s cheek. “Have fun.”
They waved and hurried out to the long limousine waiting to whisk them to the party. They’d barely gotten settled before the chauffeur was opening the car door at Jackson’s. Lights shown from all the front windows. They rang the doorbell, and Anna came to the door.
“Welcome, Miss Riley. Mr. Stone is out on the terrace with some of the guests, and the rest are in the family room.”
“Mrs. Murphy, this is my friend, Janice Dedrick. We’ll join the group in the family room.”
Mrs. Murphy smiled at Janice. “Pleased to meet you. I’m sure I’ll see you again. I’m Mr. Stone’s housekeeper and cook.”
She waved them in and hurried back to the kitchen. Samantha and Janice strolled around the living room and into the crowded adjoining room.
“I like his house,” Janice said.
“Miss Riley, it’s nice to see you again.” Mr. Greenlee came forward with a small, dark-haired woman at his side and two small boys following them. “This is my wife, Beth, and my sons, Charles, who is six, and Frank, who is four. Beth, Miss Riley is engaged to Mr. Stone.”
“You’re a lucky lady. He’s a very nice man and has been good to my husband and me. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, he made sure I saw the best specialist and gave my husband time off to be with me and the boys. I told Charlie that he’d better work extra hard to pay him back.”
Mr. Greenlee blushed but added, “He is the best boss I’ve had.”
“Thank you for telling me. I’ve known Jackson since I moved here at ten years old. He’s always been good to me, too.”
“Ah,” Mrs. Greenlee said. “Most everyone thought this was so sudden, but none of us realized you’d known each other that long. How romantic.”
“Beth, we better move on. Miss Riley hasn’t had time to get a drink, and I’m sure others want to meet her.”
Samantha watched them blend back into a group standing near the open door to the patio and pool. Glancing around, she realized Janice had slipped away. She’d get a drink and find her.
“You really think this marriage will work.” Lunette walked up behind her. “It may take me a while to convince him he’s made a mistake, but he will come to that realization.” Her eyes shot darts of anger at Samantha. “Don’t underestimate what I will do, to have whatever it is I want.”
“Excuse me, Lunette. I’m going to get a glass of wine.” She deliberately walked in the opposite direction from the woman and her cloying perfume.
Samantha felt the heat of Lunette’s glare burning between her shoulder blades. She forced herself to show no reaction. There wasn’t anything the woman could do but talk, and she suspected most people would disregard what she said as the ranting of a jealous woman.
A waiter came by carrying a tray of white wine. Samantha took a glass and headed outside. She spotted Jackson’s head in a group of men standing by the far end of the pool. To the right was the large lounge chair where she and Jackson had made love under the night sky. Her face warmed at the memory. To take her mind off those thoughts, she looked for Janice.
Janice stood in a shadowy corner with Drake. He towered over her friend and appeared to be conversing seriously about something. Janice shook her head, stepped around him, and walked toward the lighted area. Samantha waved, and Janice headed toward her.
She grabbed a glass of red wine from a waiter’s tray and handed it to Janice. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“That man is the most egotistical, arrogant—well, I won’t go over all the superlatives to describe him. He’s annoying and makes me angry quicker than anyone I’ve known.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you really angry.”
Janice stopped a waiter and took a small plate of roasted oysters and grilled mushrooms off his tray. “Let’s sit here.” She pointed to a round table right behind them. “We’ll eat some appetizers and maybe feel better.”
They stepped back to the table. Samantha grabbed a plate of cheese and apple slices and joined Janice. The delicious fragrance of roast beef came from the kitchen area. “Jackson is busy socializing. His cook obviously has everything under control so we get to relax and talk. The rest of the weekend will be full. He’s planning a huge barbecue tomorrow. His staff is doing a wonderful job, which frees me from having to do much.”
“You can be lazy tonight, but we still have your invitations to send out, and we have to complete all the plans for your wedding before next weekend,” Janice reminded her.
“Keep her at it, Janice,” Jackson said as he leaned down and brushed a kiss across Samantha’s cheek. “Are you two enjoying yourselves?”
“It’s lovely, Jackson,” Janice said.
“Mind if I take Samantha away for a few minutes?”
“Not at all. I’m going to sit here and enjoy the sunset.” Janice smiled as Jackson pulled out Samantha’s chair and put his arm around her waist.
“I’ll see you inside shortly,” Samantha said.
Jackson pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. “Let’s walk around the side and go down to the barn. I want to ask you to do me a favor.”
She looked at him, puzzled by his words. “You had most of the afternoon to ask me.”
“True.” He smiled. “But my attention got diverted to other matters.”
They slipped out a side door and walked briskly across the yard to the stable. Inside, except for a dim bulb in the back, the area was dark and smelled of horses and hay. A pleasant odor to Samantha.
Jackson turned her toward him and kissed her forehead. Samantha stepped out of his arms.
“If we get started, you’ll forget to ask me your favor.”
“Sad, but true. I’
d like you to watch my associates and their families tonight and tomorrow during activities. Next week I’ll be making my decision. I’d like your input.”
His words pleased her. “I wasn’t sure you were serious about wanting my opinion,” she said.
“Why not?” He hugged her close again. “I’ve always considered you observant and smart about people, except for your poor choices in male friends. That is except for me of course. I have three senior associates. You’ve met two. I’ll introduce Paul Thomas to you tonight, although he’s too close to retirement. I’m really considering either Charles or Lunette.”
Samantha hesitated. She already knew where her vote would go. “I think you should ask someone else for input.”
Jackson leaned back, trying to see her expression. “Really? Why?”
“It’s a woman thing. She irritates me. I’m sure it’s mutual. My vote would definitely go for Mr. Greenlee. I liked his family a lot. They’ll keep him grounded.”
“Interesting. Has Lunette said something to upset you?”
“Let’s just leave it with what I said. We’d better go back. I’m sure the efficient Mrs. Murphy has dinner on the table.”
Jackson started to speak, but instead he put his arm through hers, and they strolled back through the dark to the lighted house.
The dinner went well. All the guests chatted happily, and the food was delicious. When Samantha thought enough time had passed, she found Jackson to tell him good night.
“I’m tired. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”
He pulled her outside and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m going back with Drake Sunday. There’s a lot to be done before I can pick a CEO and resign. I want it finished before our wedding.”
Samantha leaned her head into his chest. She breathed in his scent. Her lips kissed his chest where his shirt was unbuttoned. He pulled her tighter, and she felt his arousal.
Lifting her head, she smiled. “You’ll miss me?”
Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 8