by Chloe Lang
The ice returned, and her nipples began to throb like crazy. Mick’s oral heating of her breasts came next. Back and forth, cold ice followed by a hot mouth.
When he trailed one of the cubes down to her pussy, her skin felt both hot and chilled, popping what she knew had to be a multitude of goose bumps on her body.
When he sent one of the cubes into her channel, she screamed with delight. The shock caused the building pressure inside her to tighten and expand. He traced another ice cube along her arms. He traveled it down between her legs and kissed her clit with his warm lips.
More delicious shivers came, not from the cold but from the fire he was calling forth from her body.
It, too, joined its twin inside her pussy. The sensations they created caused her to writhe in her restraints. She could feel them melting away to nothing from the heat of her body.
“That’s my girl.” He removed her dishtowel, the provisional blindfold.
She stared into his loving eyes.
“How are you doing, baby?”
“Sustained, Sir. Very sustained. I need you, Sir. Inside me. Please. Please. I beg you.”
“That’s all I need to hear.” In a flash, he unfastened her from her restraints, then he removed his belt, jeans, and her sheet. He pulled out a foil package from a pocket of his Levi’s. “You want me? Prove it. Put this on my dick.”
“I want you, Sir.” She ripped open the package and rolled the rubber down his rock hard cock.
He got on top of her, and she could feel his thick dick pressing on her wet pussy. Slowly, he sent his dick into her depths, filling her. Every inch he claimed caused her heart to skip a beat. She wrapped her legs around him. Her need to surrender to him was so powerful, so all consuming, that all that mattered at this moment was to be connected to him completely, to have him take all of her.
When his shaft reached her G-spot, liquid poured out of her. With his hand, he gently pressed on her clit and the pressure that had been building since he’d tied her to the bed poured forth from her like a molten flood of breathtaking pleasure.
“Yes. Yes.” Lost to the orgasm he’d given her, she held onto him with her arms and legs, squeezing him with all her might.
His thrusts came faster and faster until the last one came like a hammer into her very soul. His eyes narrowed, but never left hers. “Fuuuck. Yes.”
She could feel his cock pulsating inside her.
They collapsed together in each other’s arms.
He smiled and kissed her. “I’ve missed this so much.”
“So have I, Mickey. So have I.”
He held up a jar of honey. “More to come, baby.”
She took stock of the spread of items he’d placed on the bed next to them. “Quite an assortment.” She lifted them all one by one. “Whipped cream. Honey. Tongs. A banana. We already enjoyed this bowl full of ice cubes.” She giggled. “A blender?” She held it up to him. “My God, what do you have in mind with this?”
He winked. “You’ll see, but I just want to hold you now.”
“I want that, too.” Relaxing from their lovemaking, reality began to set in again. This is my last time with him. Oh God, it has to be. How will I bear it?
She closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry.
Chapter Eight
Dustin walked into Sam O’Leary’s office at 7:00 p.m.
The bald elderly gentleman looked up from the papers on his desk. “Have a seat on the sofa, Doc.”
Sam always looked so distinguished with his white beard and piercing blue eyes, and he had a kind and understanding face that made it easy for most to open up to him.
But not for Dustin, who found it hard to let his walls down with anyone, but he’d promised Paris’s dad he would at least try counseling with Sam. Also, knowing that Mick was going to propose to Paris pushed him all the more.
“I’m sorry I didn’t make an appointment, but I knew if I didn’t come now I never would.”
Sam nodded. “I understand, Doc. It’s very hard for some people, especially men, to ask for advice, thinking it is a sign of weakness. But it’s not. It’s a sign of courage and real strength. Remember, I’m eighty-five years old. Pretend I’m your grandfather, and we’re just having a nice talk. I’ve been around the block many times. And there’s nothing I haven’t experienced or heard in my profession. Whatever we say here is strictly confidential.” The man stood and walked to a coffee pot sitting on a table behind him. “I could use a cup of coffee. How about you?”
“Yes, sir. That would be great, but won’t that be difficult if I’m lying down?”
Sam laughed. “You’ve seen too many movies about therapy, Doc. If you’d like to stretch out on the couch, that’s your choice, but I’m betting sitting up would be more comfortable for you.”
“You’d win that bet.”
“Cream or sugar or both?”
“Black.”
Sam came around the desk and handed him a cup. He took the seat next to the sofa Dustin was sitting on. “What’s on your mind, son?”
Dustin took a deep breath. He wasn’t sure where to begin.
“I’ll tell you what’s on my mind. Those cookies Ethel made this morning. My favorite. Chocolate chip. Delicious.” Sam stood again. “Would you like one with your coffee? Or maybe two or three?”
Dustin smiled. The old guy was likely just trying to put him at ease, and it sure was working. “Yes. Three would be great. Chocolate chip is my favorite, too.”
“I remember. Somehow you always knew when Ethel was making them and we got a knock on the door every time she fired up the oven. Now, look at you. You’re a grown man and an amazing doctor.”
“I don’t know about being amazing, sir.”
“Why would you say something like that, Dustin?” Sam handed him the three promised cookies.
“That’s actually why I’m here.”
“Oh, I see. Tell me more.”
“I don’t know, sir, where to begin. I’ve only shared this with Dr. Cottrell. In fact it was him who suggested I come to you.”
“Did Ed tell you why he thought you should come see me?”
“Yes, sir. He told me when his wife died you helped him immensely with his struggles.”
“You know the truth is, he actually helped himself, like most of the people I see do. Generally the answers are right in front of us, Dustin, but sometimes there’s this big door that blocks our view. Is that the way it is with you?”
“Maybe. Perhaps you can help me sort this out and open that door. When I was in residency—” His cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw the call was from the clinic. “Sorry, Sam. I need to take this.”
“Of course.”
“Hello.”
“Doc, this is Katy. Amber Stone just came in with her husbands. Her labor pains are one minute apart.”
“I’ll be right there. Call Paris.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dustin shrugged. “Sam, I have to go deliver Destiny’s newest citizen.”
“Amber’s in labor?”
“She is. May I come back to finish this?”
“Do you have any free time tomorrow, Dustin?”
“I’m seeing patients all day.”
“What about tomorrow night? Say seven?”
“I’ll be here.”
“And I’ll have a fresh batch of Ethel’s cookies for us.”
* * * *
Paris snuggled Mick, still shivering from the fifth incredible orgasm he’d given her. “Who knew you could do that with a blender?”
“I did.” He laughed, holding her close.
“You know so much, my powerful Dom.” She enjoyed the feel of his naked muscles next to her skin. “Sustained. Sustained. Sustained.”
“I love you so much, Paris.” His gorgeous green eyes remained fixed on her. “Won’t you please say ‘yes’ to marrying me? We belong together. I know it, and you know it, too.”
His words snapped her instantly back to reality, w
hich was breaking her heart. “Please don’t go there, Mickey.”
“Listen to yourself, baby. You called me ‘Mickey.’” He touched her cheek. “You love me. You told me so. We can make this work. I know we can.”
She sat up in the bed and grabbed his hand. “I do love you. I love you so much. But there is no way I can agree to marrying you. Please try and understand.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand. We’re in love. It should be enough. Why can’t you marry me, Paris?”
With every word that fell from his lips she could feel her heart ripping apart. “Yours and Dustin’s plan was to find a woman to share. I’m just not that woman. Dustin will never commit to me, as you and I both know. What you’re asking is impossible for me. I can’t be responsible for separating two brothers who I love with all my heart.”
“We have no choice, sweetheart. We’ve both tried. We’ve both waited. This is on Dustin. Not on you or on me. He’s the reason for this.” He cupped her chin. “I love him. You love him. But time has run out. I want you to be happy and I want to be happy. I wish he could change, but for some reason he just can’t. I’ll give you all the time you need to think about it, sweetheart, but please, don’t take that job in Wilde, Nevada. Okay?”
Before she could answer, her cell rang. “Hello.”
“Paris, Amber is about to deliver.” Katy’s exuberance came through loud and clear. “Doc wants you here ASAP.”
“On my way.” She clicked off the phone. “I’ve got to go, Mick.”
“Amber, right?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
He kissed her. “I’ll take you.”
* * * *
“You’re doing great, Amber.” Dustin put on his rubber gloves. “It won’t be long now.”
Amber’s three husbands stood at the head of her bed. Emmett held her left hand, Cody held her right, and Bryant was stroking her hair.
Katy, who stood next to him, had everything ready by the time he’d arrived at the clinic.
Paris studied the monitor. “There’s another contraction coming. This might be it.”
He nodded. She was so capable. Why couldn’t she see what a great physician she would make?
There you go again, Dustin. No wonder Mick is ready to ask her without you. I’m still pushing her away. Sam, you have your work cut out for you.
But was it too late? He glanced over at Paris. Had he caused too much damage between them?
* * * *
The clinic’s waiting room was filled with Destiny’s most prominent citizens.
Mick wasn’t surprised. The town always showed up to welcome the arrival of the newest Destonians and to congratulate their parents. It had been some time since a baby had been born in town. Amber’s baby would be the first delivered in the new clinic. He and Dustin had been born in the old clinic that had burned down some time ago.
He knew everyone in the waiting room except for the bearded guy who had come in complaining about stomach pains. Doc’s receptionist, Kelly, had told the man to take a seat and fill out the paperwork.
Ethel O’Leary sat between her two husbands, Patrick and Sam. They were so good to everyone in town, but especially the eight who lost their parents in the plane crash September 28, 2001. Emmett, Cody, and Bryant were three of the eight.
Belle Blue, Amber’s sister, who was only two months away from delivering her own baby, sat near the O’Learys. Her two husbands, Shane and Corey, had just got up to go get her something to eat. They were members of Shannon’s Elite, a CIA team headquartered in Destiny, which was led by Easton Black.
Sheriff Jason Wolfe and his brother Lucas walked into the waiting room with their wife, Phoebe, taking a seat beside Jennifer Steele, Mick’s boss, who was sitting across from him.
“Where is your other husband, Phoebe?” Jennifer asked.
“He’s on the road for a big gig his band landed,” she answered. “Wolfe Mayhem will be performing at the House of Blues in Dallas Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They won’t be back until next week.”
Jennifer shook her head. “I bet Chance and Jaris will be fit to be tied without the band’s lead singer, Kaylyn.”
Mick laughed. “No doubt about that. Those three are inseparable most of the time.”
Phoebe smiled. “You know what they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And I know it’s true because I sure miss Mitchell when he’s on the road with the band. When did Amber get to the clinic?”
“About an hour ago,” Jennifer said.
“Perhaps we should break out a deck of cards to pass the time.” Lucas grinned. “Who knows how long it will be?”
“You’re a mess, Lucas Wolfe.” Phoebe shook her head.
“Very true.” Lucas leaned in and gave her a kiss. “But I’m your mess, baby.”
“Devil.”
Jason grabbed her hand. “And you’re our angel, sweetheart.”
Lucas folded his arms together. “If we’re not going to play cards, how do you suggest we pass the time, baby?”
“I thought I could get some work done.” Phoebe brought out her laptop.
“Honey, you never rest,” Jason said.
“The law can’t take naps, Sheriff. You know that.”
Mick and the whole town were happy that the Wolfe brothers and Phoebe had gotten back together. It gave him hope for him and Paris.
“How’s Jennifer’s ranch running, buddy?” Lucas asked him.
“Great. Me and the hands finished repairing the fences on the north pasture.”
“Do you miss the law, Mick?” Phoebe asked.
“Not at all. When I started working for Jennifer, I found my passion in life. Nothing is like being atop a horse and looking over the livestock as the sun comes up in the morning.”
“Mick, you came to my ranch right when I needed you.” Jennifer smiled. “My husband built Steele Ranch with blood, sweet, and tears. I did my best to keep it running.”
“And you did an amazing job, too.”
“Yes, but it was struggling until you agreed to help me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. Thank you so much.”
“No, thank you.”
“Have you given any more thought to my proposal?”
Proposal. The word evoked an image of him on his knee in front of Paris in his mind. But that wasn’t what Jennifer was talking about. She’d sell him the entire Steele Ranch, carrying the note on his behalf. He’d put her off, thinking the price was too low and her offer was too generous. But now, knowing he was about to marry the love of his life, he had to reconsider.
“I am thinking about your proposition, Jennifer, but we need to adjust some of the details if we are to move forward.”
Phoebe looked up from her laptop. “What details are you talking about?”
“You know about this?”
“I’m Jennifer’s attorney, Mick. Of course I know.”
“Good. The price isn’t right.”
“You want her to lower it?”
He shook his head. “No. I want her to get a fair price for it. It needs to be adjusted up by at least fifteen percent per acre. And the loan terms need to be raised as well to a fair market level.”
Jennifer laughed. “Hold on, Mr. Ryder, are you worried I’m going to be destitute after this deal?”
“No, Jen. Not at all, but—”
“I couldn’t spend the money Bill left me if I lived five hundred years. This is what I want. This is what I need.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Yes, ma’am. We have a deal. Same price. Same interest rate.”
“Good.” She held out her hand and he shook it. “Phoebe, can you draw up the papers for us?”
“I’ll have them ready by tomorrow, Jen.”
Jennifer sat back. “Tell me something, Mick. What changed your mind about this? The last time we talked you were on the fence about it.”
“It’s a big step. I needed to think about it.”
Ethel walked over, grinning. “Sorry, but I
couldn’t help but eavesdrop on your conversation. I’m glad you came around, Mick Ryder. You were born to be a rancher.”
He looked at the silver-haired woman. “Yes, I was.”
The dear lady smiled. Then her face turned a pale white, her eyes went wide, and she collapsed to the floor.
Chapter Nine
Paris applied a cold cloth to Amber’s head. “Hang in there, sweetie.”
Mick ran in. “Ethel just passed out in the waiting room.”
Dustin nodded. “Katy, you’re with me. Paris, I’ll be back as soon as I can. You know what to do.”
“Go. Make sure she’s okay. I’ve got this covered.”
“Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening, Emmett.” Amber closed her eyes. “This is our first baby, Bryant. Cody, now I’m without a doctor. This can’t be happening.”
Paris looked at the monitor and saw Amber’s blood pressure was climbing fast from fear. “Relax, Amber. You’re in good hands.”
“Paris, I think you’re wonderful, but you’re only a nurse.”
She had to calm Amber’s fears, and the only way she knew how to do that was to be honest with her. “Amber, look at me. I need to tell you and your husbands something.”
“What?”
“I’m not just a nurse. I actually am a doctor, a surgeon to be more specific.”
“You’re a what?” Amber asked. “Oh. That hurts. It really hurts.”
Paris moved to the position Dustin had just vacated. “Sweetie, it’s time for you to push. Are you ready?”
Amber nodded.
“Emmett, you take Amber’s left leg and hold it up. Cody, you take the right. Amber, the next big pain, I want you to push while Bryant counts to ten.”
“Okay. Ohhh.”
“Now. Push, push, push, push, push. Breathe. Relax. Again, push, push, push, push. Breathe. Relax. Here comes a sweet head with black hair. Can you do that for me just one more time? Ready, bear down as hard as you can, push, push, push and here he comes. You have a very handsome cowboy.”
The baby cried, and the waterworks started with the new parents.
Paris placed the baby on Amber’s stomach, handing a damp cloth to her to wipe him off with. She got the big scissors. “Who’s going to cut the cord?”