Single In The Saddle

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “I can’t imagine what sort of torture that will be. Maybe you should just go on back to the house and I’ll...” He swallowed. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “I want to be with you tonight.”

  He groaned.

  She leaned down and picked up the basket, in the process giving him an eyeful. “I’ll take this back to the house and meet you at the waterfall. Jolly Boy might be a little spooked by the whole thing, and I’ll help you keep him calm.”

  “While you turn me into a wild man.”

  She smiled again, and he had to clench his fists at his sides to control himself. Then she turned and headed out of the barn.

  “Better put on some coffee,” he called after her. “It’s gonna be a long night.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, an invitation obvious in her dark eyes. “Oh, it’s going to be a very long night.”

  14

  THE EVENING wasn’t working out the way Daphne had planned, she thought as she started the coffee perking and rinsed Stony’s dishes. The pretty table she’d set with candles and store-bought flowers would go to waste. But if Stony couldn’t go to her, she’d go to him.

  After making her decision in town today, she wasn’t about to let circumstances defeat her. Luckily she’d thought to tell Jasper that she’d be keeping Stony company in the barn tonight and he and the other hands wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. Jasper took the hint, she was sure. He’d even taken Chi down to the bunkhouse for the night. She and Stony would have complete privacy.

  Gathering supplies for a night in the barn, she thought about the look on Stony’s face when she’d told him of her intentions. A man who wanted a woman that much had to have some love wrapped in with his lust. As Daphne had packed up to leave Agnes’s house that morning, Agnes had reminded her that if Stony only wanted sex, he could have satisfied his cravings with another woman by now. Such options were available to a man as attractive as Stony, even in a small town like Rio Verde, Agnes had said.

  Daphne had put all the evidence together and decided that Agnes was right. Stony loved her, but with his background he certainly wouldn’t be the first one to say so. She’d demonstrate her love tonight and then tell him about it afterward. She doubted that he’d be unable to say those words back to her after the night she had planned for him.

  She piled her supplies on the front porch and got down to the waterfall just as Stony arrived, inching along so that he wouldn’t put too much strain on Jolly Boy’s leg. The horse flicked his ears forward and snorted when he saw the waterfall.

  “I’ll hold him while you take off your boots,” Daphne offered, walking around to the horse’s head.

  Stony turned over the lead rope to her. “You don’t have to go in the water with him, too,” he said.

  “I want to.” As she stood holding Jolly Boy, she nudged her shoes off. “I think with one of us on each side of his bridle as we walk slowly into the water, he’ll have less chance of spooking.”

  “You’re probably right. Okay, my boots are off.”

  “If I were you, I’d leave the hat and shirt behind, too. The closer we get him to the waterfall, the better, and you’re going to get wet.”

  He gazed across the horse’s neck at her. “So are you.”

  “Yes, but women aren’t as free to take off their shirts.”

  “You’re barely wearing it, anyway.”

  “I’ll keep it on,” she said, meeting his gaze. “For now.”

  “Tarnation, woman. I hope you know what you’re doing to me, teasing me like this. Did you really change your mind?”

  “Yes, I really did. Now, let’s take this horse into the fountain. That should ease his condition...and yours.”

  Stony muttered something she couldn’t quite hear, but his frustration came through loud and clear. Daphne smiled to herself and stroked Jolly Boy’s nose.

  As they eased the big bay into the water, Jolly Boy jerked his head up and trembled slightly.

  “Whoa, son,” Stony murmured. “This will be a good thing for that leg of yours. Just ease on down there. That’s right. Got him, Daphne?”

  “I’ve got him.” The water was cold, but she waded in without hesitation so that the horse would absorb her confidence and follow along. The water crept up to her thighs and finally lapped above her waist. “Make sure he doesn’t step on the motor.”

  “I’m trying to steer us around that. Okay, this seems like as good a spot as any. The water’s churning up pretty good right here. Easy, Jolly Boy. Just stand still.”

  “I think this is perfect,” Daphne said. Water splashed down on her until her hair dripped and her blouse was soaked, but she was in the shadow of the falls and no one would be able to see her in this light, anyway. She could barely make out the outline of Stony’s head and shoulders as he stood on the other side of Jolly Boy. “It should really take the swelling down.”

  Stony chuckled. “On both my horse and me.”

  “That’s probably a good thing,” Daphne said. “Trying to fool around while we’re holding this horse in the pool wouldn’t be too bright.”

  “I had no intention of that,” Stony said. “Fortunately I can’t see you worth a darn, anyway. I’m sure by now that blouse is...”

  The moon peeked up over the roofline of the house, bathing Daphne in silver light.

  Stony gasped. “Good Lord, woman,” he said, his voice husky. “I can see right through that material. Can’t you...do something?”

  She glanced down at the transparent cloth. Sure enough, she might as well have been standing there naked. She shrugged. “I can’t very well turn off the moon.”

  “You could turn around.”

  “You could look away.”

  Neither of them did either as the tension grew thick between them.

  He spoke in a whisper. “Every blessed night I lie down in my bed, I can remember what you looked like stretched out on those sheets. I loved looking at your breasts. I love looking at them now, even if it’s killing me.”

  “I remember the touch of your hand on them,” she murmured as her nipples tightened in response. “The way you stroked me. The way you knew just how to—”

  He groaned. “The cold water isn’t working anymore, Daph.”

  “I think Jolly Boy’s had enough of the water treatment for now, don’t you? We can bring him back again later on tonight.”

  “And what will you be wearing then?” Stony asked in a choked voice.

  “That depends.”

  “God.” He took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s turn him around and get him back out. I want to walk him to the barn just as slow as I brought him over here, so we don’t wreck what we just accomplished.”

  “I’ll take the coffee and...other things over to the barn and wait for you.”

  “What other things?”

  “Supplies.” She wasn’t about to reveal all her secrets. She wanted him to be thoroughly curious and thoroughly aroused. From the look of him as they led Jolly Boy out of the water, she had a good start. Good thing he didn’t want to walk fast. It would have been painful for him.

  As Stony started leading Jolly Boy back to the barn, Daphne put on her shoes and retrieved her pile of goodies. She beat him to the barn by quite a while. He’d left his battery-operated lantern on in Jolly Boy’s stall, probably so he wouldn’t have to use the harsh overhead lights and disturb the other horses when he returned.

  Quickly borrowing the light so she’d be able to see, she scattered a deep bed of straw in the empty stall just opposite Jolly Boy’s. She wouldn’t keep Stony from checking frequently on his horse, but he needed a break now and then, and she intended to give it to him. She spread a large blanket on top of the straw. Then she experimentally draped a red bandanna over the lantern. Perfect. She pulled the bandanna off again and tossed it where she’d be able to reach it easily.

  Her luck must be running, she thought, because the stall happened to be in the love-and-marriage sector of the barn. She set the v
ase of pink roses in a corn of the stall, scattered some stray petals over the blanket, picked up the lantern and walked out, latching the door behind her.

  She was waiting in Jolly Boy’s stall by the time Stony led the big bay in. He’d put on his hat and shirt, but he hadn’t bothered with the buttons. One look at him and desire seeped heavily into her body, making her ache with a ferocity that almost scared her.

  “His leg looks much better,” she said, somehow managing to sound as if she weren’t ready to throw herself into Stony’s arms.

  “I think so, too. That was a real brilliant idea of yours.” He gave her a brief glance. “But seein’ as how your blouse isn’t dry yet, I’d appreciate it if you’d step outside the stall until I get his leg wrapped up and back in the ice bucket.”

  “Then would you like a coffee break?” Her heartbeat quickened as she thought of what she had in mind.

  He crouched down to wrap Jolly Boy’s leg. “A coffee break?”

  “I’ll have a cup poured and waiting when you’re finished.”

  He knelt beside the horse and glanced up at her. “I like it hot.”

  She quivered with the need to hold him. “It’ll be hot. Bring your lantern with you.”

  A fire of unholy intensity burned in his blue eyes. “Damn if you aren’t the most provocative woman I’ve ever known. Now get. Please.”

  She crossed the aisle of the barn and entered the stall on the other side. The interior was fairly dark, but fortunately she didn’t have to see well to accomplish the next part of her plan. She started working at the damp knot keeping the front ends of her blouse together.

  AS STONY THOUGHT ABOUT what Daphne was planning, he had trouble keeping his hands steady as he wrapped Jolly Boy’s leg. No doubt about it, the tumbling water had helped. He’d make sure to get in at least one more session before daybreak. God knew what else might happen that night, judging from the signals he was getting from Daphne.

  He had no idea what was going on with this woman who had caused such confusion in his life. But for some unknown reason, she’d given up her virgin plan and was coming on to him in no uncertain terms. He probably should be more cautious, but damn, she had him so worked up he couldn’t think straight

  After he’d repositioned Jolly Boy’s leg in the bucket of ice, he stood and rubbed the gelding’s nose up under his forelock where the bay liked being scratched. “Take it easy, son, okay?” he said. “Stand quiet, like I know you can. I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit. Right now I need to see what’s going on with that feng shui lady.”

  With a final pat on the bay’s silky neck, Stony picked up the lantern, went out of the stall and latched it. He glanced around, wondering where Daphne had disappeared to. He called her name softly.

  “In here,” she replied, her voice pitched low and sexy.

  A shiver went up his spine. He noticed the door to the stall across from Jolly Boy’s was open a crack. With his heartbeat pounding relentlessly in his ears, he stepped forward and slowly pulled the door open. As the glow from the lantern lit the interior of the stall, he caught his breath.

  She lay on a blanket, propped up on one elbow. The delicate scent of roses, the earthy tang of fresh straw and the punchy aroma of coffee swirled around him as he stared at her. She was absolutely, gloriously naked.

  With the blood roaring in his ears, Stony ceased to hear the night sounds of horses moving in their stalls, the crickets in the hayloft, an owl in the woods. In a daze, he stepped inside the stall.

  She lifted a steaming mug toward him. “Coffee?”

  He was so completely mesmerized by the gentle movement of her breasts as she lifted the mug that he couldn’t organize his brain to give her an answer.

  “I warned Jasper to keep everyone away tonight,” she said. “But maybe you should latch the stall door, anyway.”

  Without taking his gaze from her, he closed the door with a soft click that seemed to echo through the barn. Then he walked forward, knelt on the blanket and set down the lantern. Slowly, so as not to spill hot coffee on her delicate skin, he took the mug she held out.

  Keeping eye contact with her, he took a sip. “Good coffee.” He could have been drinking motor oil for all he knew.

  “Can I have a little?” she asked.

  Silently he passed her the mug. She turned it around so that her mouth touched the spot where his had been before she took a drink. Her gaze never left his.

  She lowered the mug and ran her tongue over her lips. “I wonder if you’d like to try an experiment?”

  His voice sounded rusty. “What?”

  “I’ve heard that it’s a nice sensation for a man if a woman takes a little warm coffee in her mouth and then...” She glanced significantly at the fly of his jeans.

  “Is that right?” His erection pushed painfully against the wet denim.

  “You look uncomfortable.” She set the coffee mug down and eased herself to a sitting position. As she draped a piece of material over the lantern, the stall took on a rosy glow.

  He couldn’t believe it. She’d turned a stall in his old barn into the sexiest place he’d ever seen.

  “Those jeans seem way too tight,” she murmured. Gazing at him, she got to her knees and started unbuttoning his fly.

  He’d love to abandon himself to this, red light, roses and all, but he had to know just how complete her preparations had been before he lost his ability to reason. He caught her wrist. “What sort of...supplies did you bring?”

  “Everything we’ll need.” Her voice was like velvet. “But you aren’t going to require any supplies just yet.”

  “Oh.” With the wild excitement surrender brings, he released her wrist. As she resumed her careful unbuttoning, he closed his eyes and battled for control. “Daphne, just the slightest... I’m...not going to be able to...hold out for very...”

  “I’m not asking you to, cowboy. It’s been a long, dry spell.”

  Her hands against his skin were like a match to a fuse. When her fingers encircled his election, a low cry came boiling up from deep in his chest.

  “Time for your coffee break,” she murmured.

  He opened his eyes and discovered that she’d put the mug to her lips once again. “You’re really going to—” Then he lost the power of speech, because she really did.

  The warm liquid of the coffee and the sensuous movement of her tongue were like nothing he’d ever experienced in his life. His control was going, and fast. He tried to pull away but she held him tight, and he didn’t have the willpower to resist It felt too damn good. Soon there was no stopping, and she loved him right to the end.

  He cried out and might have lost his balance if she hadn’t wrapped both arms around him and gradually eased herself up along his heated body, kissing and nibbling as she went Gasping for breath, he filled his arms full of her. Her nipples slid tantalizingly against his bare chest, and he promised himself he’d explore the delights of her full breasts before long. Removing his hat and tossing it in a comer, he sought out the tender mouth that had so recently taken him to paradise.

  She tasted of passion, and he grew hard again just remembering how she’d used that mouth on him. She might have played the innocent the first night they’d made love, but tonight she was all wanton sexuality. And he wanted her again.

  She reached between them and wrapped him in her clever fingers once more.

  He groaned softly against her mouth as she caressed him. She was going to kill him with pleasure. He needed to even the odds, but he was still all tangled up in his wet jeans and boots.

  He lifted his mouth from hers. “Let me get rid of—”

  “They’re not really in the way.” She ran her tongue over his lower lip. “And you’ll just have to pull them back on when you go check on Jolly Boy.”

  Jolly Boy. With the way she was stroking him and planting little kisses all over his face, it took a couple of seconds before he remembered why he was spending the night in the barn in the first place. “I can
just put my jeans back on. But I’m all tied up here. I can’t move.”

  “Then I’ll move you, big boy.”

  He wasn’t sure exactly how it happened, but she shifted her body and he temporarily lost his balance. The damp jeans clinging to his thighs made him nearly helpless to maneuver, and before he knew it, she’d toppled him to his back on the blanket. He was definitely not in charge.

  When she brought out a condom and rolled it over his throbbing erection, he ceased to care who was in charge. She kissed him thoroughly on the mouth before easing herself over him. He gazed up into her beautiful face as she lowered herself slowly, taking him inside her body with an expression of pure happiness. He felt the same way. At last they were together again.

  He cupped her face. “Come here and kiss me,” he whispered, guiding her down. As her lips met his, he wrapped his arms around her. He held her there, buried deep inside her warm body, chest to chest, mouth to mouth, and knew a sense of completeness he’d never felt in his life. Gratitude for being able to hold her like this surged through him. If he died this instant, he’d have no regrets.

  Gradually she began to move, but the sense of oneness didn’t leave him as she rocked her hips, increasing the pleasure for both of them. He loved the friction of her body against his, the catch in her breathing as she grew more excited. Soon it seemed as if their two bodies were no longer separate, as if they rode the same wild mount. He imagined his breath became hers, his heartbeat hers, going faster, faster, faster. Straining for the prize... reaching...needing...

  Mouth seeking mouth, they poured their groans of pleasure into each other as the climax rushed upon them at the same moment. Then she lifted her head, gasping for breath in the same rhythm as he did. She leaned her damp forehead against his and he held her tight, tighter than he’d ever held anyone in his life. He didn’t want to lose this miracle, this feeling of being totally with a woman.

  Her lips brushed his and then she nestled her head against his shoulder. One arm wrapped around her, he cupped the back of her head and held her there as their hearts thudded in unison. He closed his eyes. He never wanted this to end, never.