by N. J. Walter
Derek could taste Kaitlyn’s desperation and it worried him, but he knew she didn’t want to talk. He reached behind her and turned off the taps. With the rush of water gone he could hear her breathing.
“Kaitlyn.” He said her name and nothing more. There wasn’t anything to say. Not now. Not yet.
Her hair was slicked back from her face. Whatever makeup she’d had on had been washed away. She looked as fresh as a daisy and just as lovely. Her looks weren’t showy, but they drew him and he knew he’d never tire of staring at her.
He held her head with his hands, leaned down and kissed her. He poured everything he was into that kiss. She made a small sound of desire and kissed him back. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and she pressed against him until there wasn’t enough space between them for even a ribbon of air to slide through.
He ate at her lips, tasting them, learning their shape. She plunged her tongue into his mouth, taking what she wanted. His balls tightened to the point of pain. He needed to be inside her again. He wasn’t kidding about wanting her long legs wrapped around him.
Derek managed to move them toward the shower door, but got no farther. Kaitlyn was busy nibbling on his jaw and his neck. Her hands weren’t idle either. She had his cock in her hands and he was in dire straits. He didn’t want to come in her hands.
Even though he wanted to stay where he was, he managed to pull away from her. “Bedroom.” They needed to get to the bed.
She shook her head. “Here.”
She surged against him again and he knew he’d lost the fight. Not that he’d put up much of one in the first place. He lifted her and pressed her back against the shower wall. She smiled at him and he had to kiss her. Damn, she was sweet and sassy. He liked that about her.
He kissed her as if there was no tomorrow, because there might not be. Derek knew he wanted her in his life forever, but had no idea what she wanted. Tomorrow would be time enough for talk. Tonight was all about loving her so hard she wouldn’t want to leave him.
He lifted her until her pelvis was aligned with his. To his delight, she twined her legs around his flanks and hooked her ankles together over his butt. He rubbed his hard shaft against her slick mound.
She moaned her approval. “That feels so good.”
He did it again. He wanted to slide his cock into her snug little channel, but there was one problem. “No condom,” he gritted out.
“I don’t care,” she countered. “I’m safe and it’s the wrong time of the month.”
Derek was shocked he didn’t shoot his load right then and there. The thought of being inside Kaitlyn bareback almost did him in. “Are you sure? I’m safe,” he added. He’d never had sex without a condom. Never.
“I’m sure.” She was gasping as she rubbed her breasts against his slick chest. Her hardened nipples felt so damn good against his skin.
He angled his body and adjusted his cock, lining it up with the opening of her pussy. Then he pushed inward, squeezing his way inside. She tilted back her head, exposing the long, delicate line of her throat. Then she closed her eyes and moaned. It was music to his ears.
He was breathing heavily by the time he was seated all the way. Kaitlyn’s fingernails were making crescent-shaped imprints on his shoulders and the heels of her feet were pressed hard against his butt.
He peppered her face with kisses. She looked at him, a dazed expression on her face. “I can feel your cock pulsing inside me.” She licked her lips and squeezed her inner muscles.
He swore and began to rock his hips, pulling out a mere inch or two before plunging back in.
“You feel so hot. So big.”
“Jesus, Kaitlyn.” A man could only take so much. He held on to her and began to fuck her hard. The steam surrounded them, cocooning them in their own sensual world. The slap of wet skin. The heavy moans and breathy sighs. He heard and felt all of it.
And his dick thought it had died and gone to heaven The sensation of fucking Kaitlyn was much more intense when he wasn’t wearing a condom. Every squeeze of her pussy went straight through his shaft and down to his balls.
He hammered against her and felt her lifting into each thrust. “I’m coming.” He wanted to give her time to change her mind if she didn’t want him to ejaculate inside her. She tightened her legs around him and he lost it.
His orgasm started in his balls and rocketed through his shaft. She cried out when he came, pumping his seed into her. He drove hard one final time, going as deep as he could get. It would never be deep enough.
He loved Kaitlyn. Had for years. And after tonight, he knew he always would.
Kaitlyn heard the desperation in Derek’s voice, felt it in the way he began to thrust. She was in the middle of a sensual storm, her body buffeted by the winds of desire. His shaft felt warmer and larger without a condom. There was the thrill of the elicit, the possibility of a child even though it really was the wrong time of the month.
Her pussy clamped down hard on his cock as he came. She felt warmth flood her and then she was coming too. Not as hard as she had before but more of a gentle ride. This orgasm was more emotional. She felt connected to Derek in a way she hadn’t before. To anyone.
When he collapsed against her and buried his face against her shoulder, she wrapped her arms around him and held him to her. The plink of the showerhead and their slowed breathing were the only sounds. Neither of them spoke as he pulled out of her, leaving her feeling empty and sorrowful. She unwrapped her legs from around his waist and leaned heavily against the wall when her feet hit the floor.
Derek grabbed a wet cloth and cleaned them both. When he was done, he ushered her out of the shower stall and wrapped her in a large fluffy white towel. He scooped her into his arms and carried her back to his bed.
She didn’t object when he pulled the covers over them. Nor did she even mention leaving. She was right where she wanted to be.
Chapter Five
Kaitlyn woke and slowly stretched, wincing as several muscles in her body complained of misuse. She was going to be sore for a few days, but it was a small price to pay for the pleasure of last night. But the morning was here and it was time for her to go home.
The sun was shining in through the window. She had no idea what time it was but suspected it was still early. There was no sign of Derek. That was probably for the best.
She ignored the pang in her heart as she dragged herself out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. Kaitlyn studied her reflection in the mirror. Her appearance might not have changed, but she wasn’t the same woman who’d come here last night.
That woman had been ignorant in many ways. Now she understood what it could and should be like between a woman and her lover.
She’d woken just before dawn with him sliding into her from behind. Holding her in his arms, he’d slowly rocked them both to a gentle climax. She’d shed a few tears and was grateful he hadn’t known.
Derek really had ruined her for other men.
There was no time to dawdle. Kaitlyn got a quick wash and used his comb to get the tangles out of her hair. She wished she had a toothbrush but settled on using some of his mouthwash.
She went back into the other room and gave Derek a silent thank-you when she saw her clothing stacked neatly on the chair in the corner. Her boots were sitting next to it.
It only took her two minutes to dress and stamp her feet into her boots. Taking a deep breath, she took one last glance at the bed and left the room, closing the door behind her.
She really didn’t expect to see Derek. Almost hoped she wouldn’t. What do you say to someone after a night like the one they’d just spent? “Thanks, it’s been nice.” Kaitlyn shook her head. There was nothing to worry about. He’d be long gone, out and about and hard at work. It took a lot of sweat, hard work and coordination to run a spread as big as the Double M.
But, to her surprise, Derek stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting for her with a steaming mug of coffee held in his right hand. “Here. Figured you could
use this.”
She could smell the coffee and her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten much last night before she’d come here, too afraid her nerves wouldn’t allow her to keep anything down.
“Thanks.” She reached for the mug, but he pulled it just out of her reach. He leaned down and planted a quick kiss on her lips.
“Good morning.” His husky voice had her body stirring to life.
She did her best to ignore it and reached for the coffee. He handed over the mug and she took that first life-giving sip of the morning. Closing her eyes, she savored that first hit of caffeine as it flooded her system.
Derek chuckled. “I see you need coffee first thing in the morning. Good to know.” Before she could begin to wonder what he meant by that, he motioned her toward the kitchen. “Come on. Breakfast is ready.”
“I need to get going.”
His gaze narrowed. “Afraid, Kaitlyn?”
Her spine straightened and she tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I’m not afraid of you or anyone. Last night should have proved that.”
“Last night was incredible.” The low, intimate tone made her hands tremble and she took another mouthful of coffee to try to hide her reaction.
Knowing he would stall her until she ate something, she stalked into the kitchen. A part of her was glad to have these final moments with him, while another part of her knew it was a mistake to get any closer than she already had.
Two skillets were on the stove, one filled with eggs, the other with bacon. Toast was waiting to be put down in the toaster. He held her chair while she slid into it. “I didn’t expect breakfast.” No man had ever cooked for her before.
“What did you expect? For me to open the door and say ‘it’s been fun’?” He went to the counter and pressed the lever down on the toaster before turning off the burners on the stove. He turned and studied her intently for a brief moment. “You did, didn’t you?”
“This was one night to pay off a debt,” she reminded him.
“A debt that wasn’t yours to pay.”
She set her coffee mug down as worry filled her. “You said the debt would be paid.”
He slowly nodded. “And it will be.”
A sharp knock sounded on the back door. A second later it swung open and a young man walked into the kitchen. Kaitlyn’s eyes widened and she jumped out of her chair and went to him. “Daniel? What are you doing here?”
Her brother stopped in his tracks and yanked off his cowboy hat. “Sis? What are you doing here?” He frowned even as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. “You’re trying to pay off my debt, aren’t you? Trying to ‘handle’ the situation for me.”
“It’s not what you think,” she began, knowing she was lying because that’s exactly what she was doing.
Daniel’s gaze cut to Derek. “Mr. Montague and I made a deal. I work off my debt, and then, if everything works out, he’ll take me on full-time. I’m a grown man now, Kaitlyn. It’s time I started acting like one. There was no need for you to come out here.”
“A deal.” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Derek had made a deal with her brother. What was last night all about if not paying off the debt? “Why didn’t you tell me?” Her brother had been so vague about what he’d been doing. She’d worried it was something illegal.
“Wanted to make sure everything was going to work out okay before I did.” Daniel turned to his employer. “Barney sent me to tell you that the mare you were worried about had her foal last night. Beauty too.”
Derek nodded. “Thanks. Tell him I’ll be there momentarily.”
Daniel nodded curtly and then turned to his sister. “I’ll call you later. We’ll talk and I’ll explain everything.” Then he was gone, leaving her totally at a loss for words.
She felt hurt and betrayed, by both men. Which was totally stupid. The toaster popped, sounding loud in the dead silence between them.
“I told you it wasn’t your debt to pay, Kaitlyn.” Derek’s words were like a dagger to her heart.
“Then what was last night all about? Was this your idea of a joke?” She felt like a fool. She blinked back tears. She would not cry, but she sure as hell wanted to get out of there and go home.
“Kaitlyn.”
She wasn’t going to listen, was through listening to men. Derek and her brother could both go to hell. She whirled around and took off for the front door. She didn’t get far before a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her to a dead stop.
“Let me go, you bully.” She slapped at his hands and kicked at him, landing a blow to his shins.
“Settle down, wildcat. Let me explain.” He captured her hands and spun her around until she was facing the wall, his big body crowding hers. She was captured, plain and simple.
“There’s nothing to explain. You made a fool out of me.” She’d given him her body and her heart and he’d only been having fun. Why would he even suggest such a bargain when he’d already agreed to let Daniel work off the debt owed?
“No, never that.” There was pain in his voice and she wondered why he was so upset. He’d gotten what he wanted. The damage to his property would be paid off and he had an entire night with her in his bed. It was a win-win situation for Derek.
“Kaitlyn, it wasn’t like that.” His breath was warm against her neck when he sighed. “I’ve wanted you for years, but you always pushed aside any offer of help, any overture I made. I saw a chance to get what I wanted and took it. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do, but it was the only thing I could do.”
She tugged her hands out of his grip and slowly turned until she was facing him. “What do you mean?” Derek had wanted her for years? She felt slightly lightheaded. Surely she hadn’t heard him right.
He cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “God almighty, Kaitlyn, I’ve dreamed about you since that day I came to buy your land. You were so young, but so strong, so determined to do what was right for you and your brother. I figured I’d give you a year to grow up some and get used to your new life. But you shied away from me after that.”
“Of course I shied away. You’re Derek Montague. Your sexual exploits are legend around here and everyone knows you never keep a woman around for long.” And now she was just one of the many.
“Damn it, Kaitlyn. You ever wonder why I didn’t want any of those women around for long?”
She shook her head. “No, I tried not to think about it at all.”
He took a step back and raked his fingers through his hair, leaving the front tousled. She tried not to notice how handsome he looked with a lock of hair falling over his forehead. “Well, that puts me in my place, doesn’t it?”
Derek’s eyes were dark with emotion as he leaned in closer. Her back was against the wall. There was nowhere for her to retreat. “I didn’t keep them around because I knew they weren’t the right woman for me.” He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip and she sucked in a breath, desperately trying to ignore how her nipples were puckering beneath her shirt. “None of them was you.” He kissed her, gently, softly. “It was always you, Kaitlyn.”
She felt as though she’d somehow stepped into an alternate universe. Was Derek saying what she thought he was? “I don’t understand.”
“It’s easy, darlin’.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and then stroked them down her back. When he reached her butt, he pulled her into the cradle of his body. He was aroused, his cock hard against her stomach. “I want you in my life. Permanently.”
“Permanently?” she parroted.
“Yeah.” He rocked her lightly in his arms, their bodies swaying together. It was comforting. “I know it’s a lot. Probably too much too soon but, Kaitlyn, I love you. I always have. That’s what last night was about.”
Her thoughts were totally jumbled, but the one thing she did hear loud and clear is that Derek Montague just said he loved her. “But you don’t even know me,” she blurted.
He laughed and shook his head. “I know everything about you. I’ve watc
hed you for years. Sweated every time you dated a guy. I’d decided I was through with waiting when you strode into my office with your checkbook in hand, offering to pay off your brother’s debt. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.”
“You took advantage of me,” she pointed out.
“I know and I can’t really say I’m sorry. Not when it led to this.” He kissed the top of her head. “Give us a chance, Kaitlyn. Give me a chance.”
She’d known he’d be trouble, but she’d had no idea just how much. With three simple words he’d changed her life. “I think I love you too.” There was no way to hold back the words, not now, not when he’d said them.
“You think, huh?”
She gave a small laugh and shrugged. “I know I have feelings for you, but it’s so much, so fast.”
Derek scooped her into his arms and started toward the stairs. “Guess I’ll have to work harder so you can make up your mind for sure.”
She hooked her arms around his neck. “What about work?” Everyone who knew Derek knew that nothing short of death would keep him from his daily chores and especially from his horses.
“Work will keep. This is more important.” He carried her into his room and set her down on the bed.
She sat there stunned. Everyone knew the ranch came first with Derek. “You really do love me.”
He yanked off one of her boots, then the other. “I really do.”
The next hour was a blur as they stripped off their clothes and made love. It was like the first time all over again. This time they both knew what was at stake and it was more than a debt. It was the possibility of a lifetime.
He touched her everywhere, stroking, licking and murmuring praise. She returned the caresses, learning every inch of his strong, hard body. And when they’d both orgasmed and were lying, sweaty and spent in each other’s arms, she raised her head and looked down on him.
“Okay.”