Her Healing Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 5)

by Donna Michaels

  Eager, and just as hungry, she opened her mouth for him, sliding her tongue against his, thrilling at the deep groan that rumbled in his chest. He tightened his hands on her, and her body responded to the need she felt in his touch by making room for him between her legs and arching up to rock against him.

  “You’re killing me,” he said as they broke for air.

  She smiled. “Sorry.”

  He let out a chuckle and set his forehead to hers. “Liar.”

  The feel of him all pressed up against her was too much, and she couldn’t stop her hips from undulating. He muttered a curse and pressed back with his impressive erection.

  She cupped his face, loving the feel of stubble against her palm. “You drive me crazy, too.”

  Holly watched her thumb skim over his lower lip, trying not to panic at what she’d just revealed. It’d been a while since she’d felt so moved. In fact, she hadn’t really ever experienced this foundation rocking, earth slipping movement before.

  He whispered her name in a low, husky tone that had her insides quaking and told her he was feeling just as unnerved. That made her feel better. She wasn’t alone in this uncharted, emotional frenzy.

  Slowly, he lowered his head and kissed her again. Long and deep and wet. The sensual kiss shut down what little brain power she had left. And…damn, he tasted hot and bold and intensely male.

  “I want more than a kiss,” he murmured. “I want everything, Holly. So, if you don’t want to give it, then you need to tell me.”

  “No way I’m stopping…” she whispered, pulling his head back down. “Take what you want. I’m all yours, Jace.”

  Chapter Nine

  At this, Jace let out the sexiest damn groan and did as Holly said. His lips devoured, taking what he wanted without apology. Their embrace went from aroused to frenzied and wild; their hands touched everywhere as they took turns on top, her dress tangling around her legs. She kissed and licked and panted, enjoying the journey south, down his six-pack abs. Then, suddenly, she was flat on her back with her wrists clamped in his hand and pressed high above her head.

  She moaned. Couldn’t help it. He covered her completely with his entire weight. Crazy with need, she wrapped her legs around him, bringing him in tighter against her.

  “Damn, Holly,” he murmured against her mouth, then pressed hot, open-mouth kisses down her throat.

  She gasped when he bit the special spot behind her ear, then turned her head to give him better access.

  Yeah. There. Her eyes fluttered shut, so overwhelmed with sensations. The air changed. Amped up. It was crazy. Insane. Delicious.

  “Jace…”

  “Tell me.”

  “I want you.”

  The instant the words were out, he shot off the bed, shucked the rest of his clothes, then was back, leaning over her, barely giving her a glimpse of the glorious splendor that, moments ago, had pressed heavily between her legs. Jace slipped the straps of her sundress down her arms, tugging until the material slid to her waist. When he discovered her braless, he stilled and sucked in a breath.

  “Were you at the wedding all day without…?”

  “Yes.” She smiled, running her hand up his sleek chest.

  Holly watched as he muttered something and closed his eyes as if fighting to hold onto his control. A second later, he gazed at her, eyes dark and heated as he dipped down, kissing the curve of her neck, nipping her collarbone, then kissing the side of a breast, before gently sucking on the tip. The feel, the motion, was so wonderful, so perfect, she arched up, pushing more into his mouth.

  An incoherent sound rushed from her lips, full of need and hunger, which would have horrified her if she’d been alone in the frenzy. But for once, she wasn’t alone. Given the low, sexy sound that rumbled through his chest, conveying hunger and impatience, he felt it, too.

  Still teasing her nipples with his wicked tongue, he pushed her dress down and over her hips, bending so he could reach to yank it off. Never one to remain idle, she slid her hands down his sides and around to cup his fine ass. He made that rumble sound again and thrust against her before releasing her breast to draw back and glance down at the only piece of material separating them.

  Her blue lace, hi cut bikini panties.

  “Ah, hell…you had them on all day, too?” he asked, his smoldering gaze slamming into her.

  She cupped his face and grinned. “Yep. So…what are you going to do about them?”

  His chest was warm and deliciously hard against her as he lowered his lips to within an inch of hers.

  “Guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”

  His eyes were lit with heat and humor, and she had the sudden urge to taste him. As if reading her mind, he brushed his curved mouth over her, kissing her slow and languid, building a fire from all that simmered inside. When he finally lifted his head, he stared down with so much heat and intensity, she shivered.

  “I can’t wait to be inside you.”

  His words liquefied her bones, and she grabbed his ass again and rocked up, her good parts pulsing in anticipation.

  “Please tell me that’s going to be soon.”

  “In a hurry are we?”

  Jace chuckled and pushed with his thigh to open her legs farther, then settled in as if he’d been made for the spot. Holding her gaze, he slid his fingers between her thighs.

  When he stroked, she cried out, so damn ready and needy it was almost pathetic. But it was too good. His touch was so delicious, so perfect, a switch tripped somewhere deep inside, intensifying the feel so much she nearly lost it on the second stroke. Then he lowered his head and kissed her nipple, rasping his tongue over the tip, and then again, while her breath hitched in her suddenly dry throat.

  “Whatever you do, please don’t stop,” she panted, her body amass with sensations.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said against her flesh, sliding his finger under the lace and tugging the bikini panties down as he kissed a path over her ribs, her belly button, and hip. Lifting his head, he watched as he removed the final barrier, sucking in a breath at all he’d revealed. “So perfect.”

  “Jace—”

  He palmed her thighs and nudged until he wedged his shoulders between her legs and took in the view.

  Her heart was pounding ruthless in her chest. “I need…”

  What? She didn’t know for sure.

  He did.

  The deliciously intuitive man leaned forward and lapped at her, ripping silly, needy little mewing sounds from her throat, but she didn’t care. She sank her fingers into his hair and held on for the ride. Rocking into him, she cried out when he added his fingers.

  Damn. He was good. So good.

  She trembled, straining, every muscle taut and seeking release as she clutched him with shocking desperation, so close to the brink. It’d never felt like this. Like she needed him to bring her to climax more than she needed to breathe. In tuned to her needs, he held her at the edge for a beat before sending her over with a long, sure stroke.

  Fast and intense, her orgasm burst through with merciless speed. Jace cradled her, bringing her down slow as she shuddered against him. She would’ve asked if he’d gotten the number of the bus that just plowed her down, but that would require talking, and she still needed a moment to find her voice.

  He lifted his head and smiled at her. “You taste fantastic.”

  His words sparked heat low in her belly, shocking her that she could recover so soon. He drew back and fished a condom out of his pants on the floor. The play of light on his muscles and ridges had her itching to reach for her camera to capture his magnificence, but when her gaze got to his powerful thighs and…damn…all the glory in between, she lost coherent thought. A knowing grin curved his lips, and with efficient, precise movements, he was sheathed and looming over her within a few seconds.

  Jace ran a hand up her legs, and let out an appreciative groan when he slipped a finger easily inside her fold. “So wet.” Then he brushed his lips over her belly
, her breasts, to her mouth, and kissed her as he settled between her legs and entered her.

  Instinctively, Holly angled her hips, giving him further entry, and when he pushed all the way in, their twin gasps of pleasure echoed throughout the quiet cottage. Need hitting her fast and fierce again, she automatically rocked into him when he began to move, a delicious heat consuming her every pore. She’d never felt so good, so filled, so whole.

  “Damn…you feel good,” he whispered, his big hands cupping her head as he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue inside her mouth with the same delicious pace and intensity as his thrusts inside her body.

  She was done. Her body hummed. Fingers clutched, gripping his hips as she teetered on the blissful edge again, and when she came, he followed her over with her name on his lips.

  Unsure how long she laid there, eyes closed, dragging in air, holding the spent man to her equally spent body. He seemed to be in no hurry to go. Warm breath hit her skin in spurts as he nuzzled her throat, still rocking his hips, prolonging their pleasure.

  Was there such a thing as satisfaction overload? With Jace, she was beginning to think it was possible. He just took her out of herself, on some incredible pleasure trip, and she was still gasping for breath like she’d just skied across the whole damn state of Colorado.

  “You okay?” he asked, rolling onto his side, lifting his weight off her.

  She blinked at him. “Not sure. Can’t really feel my legs.”

  His grin, loaded with pride, was lopsided as he traced a line from her bottom lip, down her throat to a breast. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “You would.” She snickered, smacking his shoulder. “What the hell just happened, Jace?”

  He shrugged, gaze suddenly serious. “No idea. My mind sort of blanked once I sank inside you.”

  “Well, Doc…” She cleared her throat, while running a hand down his hot, damp chest. “I may need more while I’m in town. How about it? Think you can fill that prescription?”

  Heat entered his gaze, and his erection thicken against her leg as he brushed her nipple back and forth with his thumb.

  “Yes, ma’am. As a matter of fact, I think I can fill that for you right now.”

  Two days later, Holly stood with Tanner at the rental shack where they returned their boards and paddles after meeting him for an enjoyable afternoon at the lake. She was still wearing the smile brought on by what she labeled as her orgasmic weekend with Jace. Turned out, the good doctor was an expert with more than just his hands. The things he’d done, and she’d done, Saturday night and all day Sunday, left her sore and so damn satiated she was good for several weeks.

  Although, if he was to show up on her doorstep again, she wouldn’t turn him away.

  After slipping her shorts and tank top on over her bikini, she joined Tanner at a picnic table, eager to tear into the lunch they’d bought at a refreshment stand. She was a little surprised they were still open. Summer officially ended almost four weeks ago. Heck, back in Colorado, a few places kicked off their ski season in mid-October. Sitting in her bathing suit in eighty degree weather at this time of the year wasn’t exactly the norm for her.

  Then again, she’d been acting out of the norm a little lately. Images of a certain sexy doctor leaning over her all naked and hard flashed through her mind.

  “All right, I’ll bite. What gives?” her friend asked halfway through his burger. “You’ve been wearing that grin ever since you showed up this morning.”

  She shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just happy, that’s all.”

  “Ahuh.” His gaze narrowed. “There are happy grins, and there are happy grins. And you, my friend, have the latter.”

  Not one to kiss and tell, she just smiled before returning to her own burger.

  His low chuckle filled the air. “I’ll have to give props to Jace for putting that smile on your face. It’s nice to see you happy and relaxed.”

  She was certainly that. Lord knew she was still riding the satiated train from the weekend. “It’s nice to feel it,” she said, reaching for her bottle of water without admitting his friend had been the cause.

  “Hol, if you were any more relaxed, you’d be asleep.” He snickered, then leaned closer. “So, does that mean you two are a couple now?”

  She probably shouldn’t have gasped while drinking her water. Coughing and sputtering, she pounded on her chest in an attempt to clear her airway. “No,” she croaked, wiping the wetness from her face. “We’re just friends.”

  “Having sex.”

  She lifted a shoulder. “What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head and sat back. “I think it’s great. I just never pegged you for the casual type.”

  She wasn’t. Not normally.

  “It can’t really be anything more than that, can it? Not with me leaving soon, and Jace planning to join DWB next year.”

  “No reason you can’t keep it going from a distance.”

  She swallowed another bite of her burger, then narrowed her gaze on the persistent man. “Is there a reason you’re pushing for us to be a couple?”

  “I happen to think you two are good for each other. You have a hell of a lot in common. You’re both hard-working over-achievers who put family first.”

  She shrugged. “Lots of those around.”

  “Not really. But, even so, you’re good for Jace. He hasn’t had it easy, not since his father contracted HIV after a blood transfusion from a car accident when we were kids.”

  Holly stilled at that piece of news. Jace’s desire to join Doctors Without Borders made even more sense now. She’d read somewhere how the humanitarian organization treated people stricken with the disease in third world countries. It was no stretch at all imagining Jace driven to help.

  “After that, life was a constant struggle for the Turners,” her friend continued.

  She wished she could get him to stop. Hit the mute button. Put her fingers in her ears. Personal information about her temporary lover was not a top priority for Holly. In fact, she’d specifically resisted asking Jace anything personal during their romp the past weekend. Much easier to keep things casual when you didn’t know each other’s life story. Easier to leave when you didn’t get personal.

  “Then his father died of complications from pneumonia a few years ago while we were deployed.”

  Her heart squeezed. “How horrible.”

  Ah, hell. Now her heart was involved.

  Tanner nodded. “I was with him when he got the call. I’ll never forget the look on his face, Hol. The guilt and torment and loss…” He slowly shook his head. “He hasn’t been the same since. It’s almost as if he’d stopped living for himself…until lately. Until you. Some of that old spark is back. He’s not so stuffy.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that, so she decided it was best to say nothing.

  “And you definitely seem a lot happier.”

  An orgasmic weekend will do that.

  Trying desperately to come up with a subject change, she was saved by the bell when Tanner received a call about a structure fire. He shot to his feet, tossed his garbage in the nearby trash, then came back to the table and frowned down at her.

  “Sorry. Got to go,” he said. “See you same time next week?”

  “Yep.”

  But she hoped not. She needed to be back in Colorado…because she was beginning to not want to leave.

  And that was bad. Very bad.

  As she watched her friend hop on his Harley and head to the fire, she couldn’t help but relate. This thing between her and Jace could get out of control, real fast. And damn if she wasn’t drawn to it. To him.

  And that was bad. Very bad.

  Every time Jace tried to see Holly that week, life got in the way. His crazy, hectic life. There were times, he hated to admit, that he needed a break. His spine hadn’t been the only thing to melt in the beauty’s arms. The world, and all its expectations and problems seemed to disappear when he was buried deep
inside her warmth. And he liked it. A lot.

  After spending twenty-six straight hours of pleasure with the woman, he thought he’d have to drag his ass home, but instead, he’d left her cottage, five nights ago, feeling alive. Rejuvenated. Ready to take on the world.

  Now…not so much.

  He blew out a breath and headed down the corridor in his office building, trying to decide how to spend what was left of his lunch hour. Crashed out on the couch in his office, or eating in the hospital cafeteria next door.

  Question was, what did his body need more? Sleep? Or sustenance?

  Holly.

  A smile tugged his lips. She was sustenance, release, and relaxation all wrapped in a soft, curvy, caring package. He could get used to that kind of lunch hour. Which, if he caught up on his sleep and was in his right mind, he’d know wasn’t smart.

  His curved lips slowly straightened, and he was back to being tired, overworked, stretched thin, dealing with his family, his patients, not to mention Doctor Parker’s, too, after the man had suffered a gallbladder attack early Monday morning. The older physician ended up in the hospital to have it removed the next day, and Jace ended up fitting in some of his colleague’s patients.

  His plans to make the most of whatever time Holly had left in Harland County had gone up in smoke. He just hoped she’d be around another week, and that he’d free up some time, because he already knew this weekend was shot. He had drill with the National Guard, and by the time he left the armory and got back to the ranch, he’d have just enough daylight to tackle one, maybe two chores off the growing list on the fridge—a list still noting chores he’d neglected last weekend due to the wedding…and his twenty-six hour rendezvous with Holly.

  “Hi, Doctor Turner.”

  He stopped and turned toward the vaguely familiar female voice to find Holly’s mother smiling as she walked toward him in a pair of jeans and pumpkin-colored shirt that brought out the brown in her eyes. And left him to conclude Holly had inherited her eye color from the father she rarely discussed.

  “Hello, Mrs. Phillips. How are you?”