“I suppose we can try to use the calendar to postpone the unexpected arrival of babies, but once we are settled into our lives together, we could try for babies.”
Luke grinned. “My guess is that Eduardo and Susana are using that method. With four kids in about five or six years, I think we’d better be prepared.” She smiled, but he grew more serious since this was something they needed to agree upon. “How do you feel about being a momma?” She tended to blend her beliefs based on what worked for her.
“I would rather not inhibit what is meant to be if a child chose us as his or her parents, but I also do not think I would want to have that many children that quickly. Susana has chosen motherhood for her career and that is the right choice for her. But I will always need to pursue my art. It is what sets my spirit free and helps me to process things.” She smiled again. “Until I met you, anyway. You have a way of forcing me—in the nicest of ways—to face things I might otherwise avoid. Such as talking about menstruation.” She blushed again, and he allowed her to break eye contact.
Jeezus, she was cute when she blushed.
Suddenly, she faced him again. The smile spread slowly and he couldn’t help but see the mischief in her expression. “At least you have shown me that full intercourse is not always necessary in order to enjoy each other’s bodies.”
Lordy mercy. I’m a rich man.
“Damned right. But we are going to take a break while your body is preparing itself for whatever God and the universe have in store for us.”
“Thank you. I would not be comfortable having you touch me at this time.”
“Oh, darlin’. I intend to touch you, all right. In any number of ways. We just won’t be having intercourse during your period. Not my kink.”
“Kink? People actually do that as a kink?”
“People can do pretty much anything as a kink. Maybe I’d try it in the shower, but I—”
She reached up and cut off his words with her hand. “I think we will agree that this is not our kink—or desire—and move on. As you said, there are other things we can do. I might even learn to find ways of pleasing you more during those times.”
“Now that’s something I’d be open to trying.”
* * *
A week later, Cassie pulled into the lane and drove to the house. She did not know how to break the news to Luke that the mama dog and her puppies they had rescued up on her mountain had been claimed by their owner. She had hoped to surprise him today by bringing them to their new home, only to find every one of them gone. After all the visits she and Luke had made over the past two weeks since returning from Peru, when the new receptionist told her the owner had taken them this morning, she wanted to cry. She hoped they would keep a better eye on them than they had before. Of course, the mama dog might have been one of the many pets that wondered away from their homes during the wildfires.
Cassie blinked away the tears, feeling the loss as keenly as if she had just lost someone she loved. Now she had to tell Luke. Her phone buzzed seconds later.
Luke. “Meet me in the barn, Sweet Pea.”
She sighed as she opened the door and left the vehicle, a heavy weight on her shoulders. He would have to be told, but what a lousy birthday present for her today. When everything else in their lives had been going so well, too.
“We’re in the stall after Pic’s.”
We? She hadn’t noticed any other vehicles. Luke enjoyed surprising her—shocking her sometimes. No doubt he had something sexual planned for her now, but her heart was so distraught about the dogs that she did not think even her handsome husband would be able to coax her body to respond today.
The blood rushed through her ears as she thought about how to tell Luke. When she walked into the dark barn, it took her eyes a moment to adjust from the bright sunlight. Wanting to get it over with—and perhaps have Luke console her as he so often did when she was sad and hurting—she rushed down the barn alley to the last stall, slid the bolt, and shoved the door aside.
“Happy Birthday, darlin’.” He was not naked, so lovemaking was not to be her surprise—yet, anyway. Then he stepped aside to reveal the mama dog. She had a big green bow around her neck and five plump puppies vying for position to nurse.
“It was you!” Tears coursed down her face by the time she crossed the stall. She punched him. “I thought someone else had stolen them from us!”
“Hey, I asked Doctor Lewis to keep it on the down-low so I could surprise you. No need to go beating on me for that.”
She knelt down and ran her fingers through the scruff of the mama’s neck as she petted her. “We truly will be keeping them?”
“Yep. Doctor Lewis said most likely someone abandoned her because she was pregnant.”
“How could anyone do such a thing?” The mama dog stared back with such soul-filled eyes. “You poor thing. No one here would ever dream of doing that to you. You are safe now. Home.”
“Unfortunately, happens all too often. But this time, their loss is our gain.”
Luke hunkered down next to Cassie and placed an arm around her, enveloping her in love. “I couldn’t believe it when she called this morning to tell me they were ready to be discharged.”
“You told me your squad had a meeting when you left.”
“Well, we did, but then I ran over to the clinic to pick up this crew and snuck them inside the barn, hoping you wouldn’t peek.”
She turned to Luke and launched herself fully into his arms, burying her face in his neck. Soap and leather. Her favorite combination of scents.
“Thank you. It is the best birthday present I have ever received.”
He ruffled the mama dog’s hair. “Actually, this is just part of your present. The rest is waiting inside.”
Cassie smiled and picked up one of the puppies. As if the mama understood her puppies were safe with Cassie, the dog relaxed and closed her eyes and she petted her again. “Rest now, little mama.”
Each of the five puppies had gained at least another pound or two each since they had rescued them. “I feel like a new mama myself.” She picked up another one that had fallen asleep and nuzzled her nose in its fur. “New puppy—my second favorite smell.”
“What’s first?”
She met his gaze and felt the heat rising in her cheeks. She still felt shy about telling him some of her musings. She smiled. “Luke.” Let him draw his own conclusions.
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“Oh, yes. Very much so!”
As the puppies she held began squirming and looking for their mama, she placed them inside the padded bed and watched them latch on again. “What on earth will we do with all of them?”
“Love ’em, I suppose.”
She met Luke’s gaze over the puppy’s back. “I think we can manage that.” She walked over to him and he wrapped her in his embrace. “You have such a big heart.”
“Hate to see anything suffer.” He broke away. “Next job will be naming them all.”
“Do you have any suggestions?”
“Only one. Since we live here at Fairchance and this is a place for second chances, I think Chance would be a good name for the momma.”
“Chance. Yes, I think that is perfect!”
“Great. Now we just have five more to come up with.”
She glanced down at them. “Let us wait and get to know them better. Perhaps their personalities will suggest the perfect names.” She could stay here and watch them all day. “How long before they are weaned?”
“Any time in the next couple weeks, Doctor Lewis said. I bought some puppy chow to start them on. Think we can coax Chance to come inside the house?”
“You have tried already?”
“Yeah, she wanted nothing to do with it.”
“Let her rest now. I will have a talk with her later.”
Luke wrapped his arm around her back and started out of the stall. “What if some of our friends want a dog?”
“I would not want to give them to an
yone we did not know, but if someone we know wants to raise one of the puppies, I think it would be a good idea to share the love. We should wait and see how they are around them first and whether they bond.”
* * *
At dinner, Luke tamped down his anxiety. He’d tried to prepare a vegetarian meal for her, but between the dried out baked potatoes and putting too much vinegar in the cucumber and onion salad, he was embarrassed to serve it to her. At least the penne pasta bake and corn on the cob came out unscathed. In retrospect, this meal was a little heavy on the starches.
“Next year, I’m taking you out for your birthday dinner. At Angel’s new restaurant.”
She giggled. “Oh, stop apologizing. I loved every bite!”
They had both dressed up for dinner. She wore several layered skirts in bold colors and an off-the-shoulder blouse. He had donned the clothes he’d worn on both their wedding days. On the table was a vase of pink Peruvian lilies he’d given her earlier. He’d even found some candles and a bottle of Chardonnay to set the mood.
Now it was time to give her the presents he’d made. Hell, he’d not been this nervous when unveiling some of his most intricate pieces of furniture. He hoped she liked them. He’d never carved anything so tiny before.
“Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea.”
Cassie smiled and accepted the flat rectangular box. “I have been wondering what it could be since you told me about it in the barn.”
“Just a little something I thought you might like.”
She tugged at the ribbon and lifted the lid. He waited, holding his breath until she reacted. “They are beautiful!” She pulled out the hair sticks first. “Peruvian lilies!” The seven-inch long sticks each had unique lilies carved into the ends. “It must have taken you forever to make these.”
“Not too long. I started soon after we returned from Peru.”
“The detail is amazing. You do such intricate work. Let me put them in.” She took her hair, twirled it behind her into a ponytail, and poked in the first stick, twisting it to hold the top of the knot in place. She then tucked and twisted the other one in the middle of the bun. “How does it look?”
All he noticed was the column of her neck as he leaned over to kiss her, placing little love bites on her skin. Her hand held him in place as if she wanted him to continue. “Keep that up and I will think I am on your menu as dessert.”
“I can’t think of anything sweeter.” He pulled away. “There’s one more thing in the box.”
“Oh, you distracted me!” She reached in and pulled out the matching tupu. She grew silent and when he searched her face there were tears in her eyes. “I will be right back.” She left the table and ran into the bedroom. What was wrong?
Minutes later, she returned wearing her shoulder cloth, the same one she had worn at their wedding, only this time the tupu holding the front closure together was the one he had made her. He stood and crossed the room to meet her.
“Luke, thank you for honoring me with such heartfelt gifts reflecting my heritage.”
“I’ve been doing a lot of reading about Peru lately. Fascinating culture.”
She smiled and he realized she was no longer at odds with her heritage. Even so, her next words surprised the hell out of him.
“I wish to dance the marinera for you, Luke.”
“You sure, darlin’?” This would be her first time since the night in the cantina five years ago.
Despite tears staining her cheeks, she struck a flirtatious pose and produced a lacy handkerchief that had been hiding within the folds of her skirt. He bowed and encouraged her to cut loose.
She walked over to her phone and the Spanish music began to play. Crossing the room to the doorway, she retrieved his Stetson and handed it to him. “Let me do the work, but I find your hat much sexier than the ones the men carry during the dance in my homeland.” She winked, and he grinned.
She thinks my hat is sexy.
As the music played, she struck a dramatic pose and then began to twirl around him, swishing her skirts, showing her tantalizing legs. He grew hard and couldn’t wait to get her into bed tonight.
She danced with abandon. Once she regained her power on their wedding night in Peru, her natural sensuality had exploded. Tonight, though, she was downright seductive as she teased and flirted with her hanky and the lift of her skirt.
Whoa! That last flounce revealed she wore no panties.
Hot damn!
Luke donned his hat and moved toward her, but she evaded him and continued to dance with abandon around the living room. At one point, she came close enough for Luke to reach out and grab her by the waist. Her smile faded. Well, hell. He’d triggered her.
Breathing heavily, she came to a standstill before him. Figuring the night’s entertainment had come to an end, he reached for the phone to turn off the music. When he faced her again, she was pulling the tupu from its hold and opened her shoulder cloth to reveal she had removed her blouse—and bra.
Her nipples protruded, begging for his hands, his mouth. She began to sway again and the smile returned to her face. When she danced within his reach, he wrapped his arm around her lower back and pulled her against his chest.
His hand reached up to cup her breast. “You’re so beautiful. And you’re mine.”
“All yours.”
He lowered his face and captured her lips in a searing kiss. He would never grow tired of this woman or her many surprises.
When she broke away, she grabbed the pockets of his shirt and sashayed as she pulled him toward the bedroom door behind her. The expression on her face told him tonight would be another turning point for them.
Hot damn!
Maybe he would get to claim her in a way she hadn’t surrendered herself completely yet.
Inside the bedroom, she stopped and began to unbutton his shirt. He reached for his belt and she stilled his hands and shook her head.
“You’re in charge.” Instinct told him he needed to surrender and let her take the lead. She smiled, promising all kinds of carnal delights.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cassie’s heart soared. Luke giving her control over their time in bed unleashed a vixen in her she did not know existed. I will not hold back tonight. While they had enjoyed intense moments together, including many orgasms for each of them, she had not allowed him to “go all the way,” as Americans called it. Tonight, she wanted to show him how much she loved him by going all the way this time.
Dancing for him her beloved marinera had shattered another barrier on the road to reclaiming and owning her sensuality. At last she was ready to lay claim to her sexy husband’s body. She had a lot of lost time to make up for.
Sliding his shirt down his arms, she discarded it on a nearby chair and reached for his silver longhorn belt buckle. When she had commented on it earlier, he told her it was from his days playing football in college.
Luke also seemed more at peace with his past, after the events of this summer. They were healing together.
Sliding the belt from its loop, she gave in to the urge to wrap his belt around the back of his neck and draw his head toward her breast until he captured her peak. A thrill rushed through her at her boldness. She threw her head back and swayed to music only she could hear. When he nibbled at her tender peak, she gasped.
“Yes, Luke!”
He let go but cupped her other breast and then moved to take that nipple between his teeth. She swayed and danced, causing slight pain when she strayed too far from his mouth and he did not let go. She felt herself grow wet in anticipation—and preparation. Burrowing her fingers in his hair, she held him close, but his height made this an uncomfortable position for him.
Better to be horizontal.
She nudged him away. “Strip off your jeans, cowboy.” She wanted to see him naked again. He obliged, taking his boxers, too, leaving her staring at his erection.
Mine.
Taking his penis in her hand, she smiled and lured him toward the bed. She
reached for the waistbands of her layered skirts, but he stilled her hands. “Leave ’em on.”
Confused, she asked, “But I want you to make love to me.”
A spark lit his eyes. “Darlin’, I can do that just fine with you wearing those skirts.”
Her face grew warm as the image of him taking her while partially clothed flashed across her mind.
Pedro stood between her legs and lifted her skirt.
As if doused with cold water, she fought her way back before letting the memory ruin their time together.
“Where are you, darlin’?”
She blinked and saw Luke standing before her. “With you, Luke. I am sorry, but…” Tell him what you need. She nibbled at her lower lip, and then gathered the courage to speak, letting the words out in a rush. “I would prefer not to wear the skirts, if you do not mind.”
A look of frustration crossed his face, making her regret saying anything.
“Jeezus, I wasn’t thinking.” He wrapped his arms around her and the beat of his heart against her cheek reassured her. At least she learned something that he enjoyed that she could try to work on sometime.
“You give me so much. I want to be able to do this, but I’m afraid of triggers.”
He pulled away and framed her face gently between his hands. “Darlin’, you turn me on no matter what you wear or don’t wear. We’re probably going to hit a few other bumps as we navigate this new road, but I’m proud of you for speaking up, baby girl.”
“I am sorry I did not use my ‘yellow’ word.”
He grinned. “You said what you needed to say to got my attention. Over time, the use of safewords might become second nature, but you just keep talking to me and everything’s going to work itself out.” He paused a moment, then grew serious and pointed to her skirts. “Now, take ’em off.”
The pressure off, she felt giddy—and emboldened that Luke would welcome anything she would like to do. She reached out and pushed him gently toward the bed. “Lie on your back, cowboy.”
A slow grin spread across his face as he complied. As if surrendering himself to her—or preparing for a show—he bent his elbows to tuck his hands behind the back of his head. “I’m all yours, darlin’.”
Nobody's Dream (Rescue Me Saga #6) Page 66