Jesse forced his hand up over her flat belly. Her soft flesh quivered beneath his palm as he moved higher, pushing her blouse aside until he uncovered one creamy breast.
His fingertips circled the rose-colored nipple, and he inhaled sharply when the already turgid peak ripened ever more. Leaning over, he touched his lips to her navel, dipped his tongue inside and swirled. She whimpered, the sound urging him on. He licked a path up her fragrant skin, teased and nibbled, until he reached one full breast. He drew the swollen tip deep into his mouth and suckled her.
He swept his hands downward, cupping her heat through the scanty V of her panties. Wisps of silky hair brushed his palm like licks of fire and his groin throbbed.
She gasped and then it was as if the floodgates opened. She grabbed his hand and guided him closer. Her pelvis lifted, coming up off the bed, searching, begging for his touch.
The sound of a car door outside pushed past the frantic beat of his heart and he noted the flash of headlights that spilled around the edges of the blinds.
“The door’s unlocked,” he pointed out.
“So?” she breathed and he knew she was beyond caring at the moment.
Satisfaction rolled through him, followed by a punch of lust as he slid a finger deep inside her warm, sweet body. And then he started to pleasure her.
9
GRACIE STARED UP at the man looming over her. His finger plunged deep and she closed her eyes for a long moment before he withdrew. Her eyelids fluttered open in time to feel him part her just a fraction before tracing her moist slit. He knew just how to turn her on.
He knew her.
Her heart.
Her soul.
Her.
Hardly.
If he’d been the least bit clued in to the real Gracie Stone, the one who wore sweats and ate healthy snacks and watched late-night reality TV, he would have dropped her just like that. That was who she was now. She was nothing like the wild and wicked girl who’d climbed into the bed of his pickup truck way back when.
Even if she had done something only a bona fide bad girl would do—she’d chased him down and now they were going at it.
Still...he’d been the one to issue the proposition, to make the first move.
She held tight to the notion. But then he pushed a finger deep inside and all thought fled.
She gasped, her lips parting, her eyes drifting closed at the intimate caress.
“Open your eyes,” Jesse demanded, his voice raw with lust. “Look at me.”
Gracie obeyed and he caught her gaze. He slipped another finger inside her.
Her legs turned to butter. Her knees fell open, giving him better access. But he didn’t go deeper and give her more of what she wanted. Instead, he stared down at her, his gaze so compelling that she couldn’t help herself. She arched her hips shamelessly, rising up to meet him, drawing him in.
The more she moved, the deeper he went. The pressure built.
“That’s it, sugar. Just go with it.”
She continued to move from side to side, creating the most delicious friction, her insides slick, sweltering from his invasion. She tried to breathe, to pull oxygen into her lungs, but she couldn’t seem to get enough. Pleasure rippled from her head to her toes, and the room seemed to spin around her. Her hips rotated. Her nerves buzzed.
Incredible.
That was what this was.
What he was.
Her head fell back. Her lips parted. A low moan rumbled up her throat and spilled past her lips.
He leaned down and caught the sound with his mouth. His hand fell away from her as he thrust his tongue deep, mimicking the careful attention his purposeful fingers had given her only seconds before.
Straddling her, his knees trapped her thighs. He leaned back to gaze down at her.
She touched his bare chest, felt the wisps of dark silky hair beneath her palm, the ripple of hard, lean muscle as he sucked in a deep breath. Her attention shifted lower and she grasped him, trailing her hand up and down his hard, throbbing shaft. His flesh pulsed in her palm and a shiver danced up her spine. She wanted to feel him. She wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything.
He thrust into her grip as she worked him for several long moments before he caught her wrist and forced her hand away.
And then he touched her.
His hands started on her rib cage, sliding over her skin, learning every nuance. He touched her anywhere, everywhere, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. As if he wanted to burn the memory of her into his head because he knew they would have only this one night.
That was it. She knew it and so did he.
If only the truth didn’t bother her so much.
Before she could dwell on that fact, he lowered his head and drew her nipple into the moist heat of his mouth. Suddenly the only thing on her mind was touching him. She slid her hands over his shoulders, feeling his warm skin and hard muscle, memorizing every bulge, every ripple.
He suckled her breast, his teeth grazing the soft skin, nipping and biting with just enough pressure to make her gasp. Her breast swelled and throbbed.
Jesse licked a path across her skin to coax the other breast in the same torturous manner. A decadent heat spiraled through her and she rubbed her pelvis against him.
“Please.” She wanted him, surrounding her, inside of her.
“Not yet,” he murmured. He slid down her slick body and left a blazing path with the teasing tip of his tongue. Strong, purposeful hands parted her thighs. Almost reverently, he stroked her quivering sex. “I’ve thought about doing this so many times. I never had the chance that first night.”
Their only night.
They’d both been so crazy with excitement that it had been fast and furious, and pretty fantastic.
But this... This went way beyond that night.
The breath rushed from her lungs when she felt his damp mouth against the inside of one thigh. Then his lips danced across her skin to the part of her that burned the fiercest.
She gasped as his tongue parted her. He eased his hands under her buttocks, tilting her to fit more firmly against his mouth. His shoulders urged her legs apart until she lay completely open. He nuzzled her, drinking in her scent before he devoured her with his mouth. Every thrust of his tongue, every caress of his lips, felt like a raw act of possession. Complete. Powerful.
Mine.
As soon as the thought pushed its way into her head, she pushed it right back out. There was no hidden meaning behind his actions. It was all about pleasure. About instant gratification. Sex.
His fingers parted her slick folds and his tongue swept her. Up and down. Back and forth. This way and that.
Heat drenched her. She bucked and her body convulsed. A rush of moisture flooded between her thighs, and he lapped at her as if he’d never tasted anything so sweet.
When she calmed to a slight shudder, he left her on the bed to rummage in his pocket for a condom. A few seconds later he slid the latex down his rigid penis and followed her down onto the mattress. Pulling her close, he kissed her long and slow and deep. She tasted her own essence—wild and ripe, bitter and sweet—on his lips. Desire spurted through her. Her blood pounded. Her insides tensed and she clutched at his shoulders.
He wedged a thigh between her legs and positioned himself. Thrusting, he joined them in one swift complete motion. The air rushed from her lungs and she gasped.
He pulsed deep inside of her for a long decadent moment before he started to move. He withdrew, only to push back inside, burying himself deep.
Over and over and over.
She skimmed her hands along his back, wanting him harder and faster, racing toward the bubbling heat of another climax. She clutched at his shoulders. She cried out his name.
H
e buried himself one last time deep in her body and went rigid. A groan rumbled from his throat as he gave in to his own release. He stiffened, bucking once, twice, before collapsing atop her. He nuzzled her neck, his lips warm against her frantic pulse beat.
She cupped his cheek and felt the roughness of his skin. The faint hint of stubble tickled her palm and she had the sudden thought that this—this closeness—felt almost as good as everything leading up to it.
The notion sent a rush of panic through her because tonight wasn’t about getting close to Jesse. She’d had that once before and it had been even more addictive than the most decadent brownie. No, this was all about sex. About hooking up with him this one last time and building another sweet memory to add to her store before she took the oath and said goodbye to her past once and for all.
Mission accomplished.
She barely resisted the urge to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him again. Instead, she slid out from under him and started snatching up her clothes.
He leaned up on one elbow and eyed her. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Leaving. I need to be up early in the morning. Really early.”
“Gracie—”
“That was nice.” Nice? “I mean, great. Really great. Thanks,” she blurted for lack of anything better to say.
And then she headed for the door before she gave in to the wild woman inside who urged her to turn around and jump his bones again.
And again.
And again.
She wanted to. She wanted it so bad that it scared her and so she moved faster, shrugging on her skirt and blouse in record time and stepping into her shoes.
It wasn’t until she heard the voices from the walkway outside that she slowed down. Her hand stalled on the doorknob.
“This has to be the room. The maid said so.”
“Knock, then, and we’ll find out.”
The wood rattled against her grip and Gracie jumped. Jesse was on his feet in that next instant. He peered past the edge of the drapes, a tight expression etching his face.
“Who is it?” Her voice was a breathless whisper.
“A couple of guys I’ve never seen before,” he told her. “One of them has a camera.”
“Reporters,” she murmured. “Trina said there were a few checking in today.” Her gaze locked with his. “What am I going to do?”
A dark look carved his face for a long moment, but then his expression softened. “Wait a sec.” He grabbed his jeans and pulled them on just as another knock sounded. A third knock and he reached for the doorknob. “I’ll distract them and you can slip out.” He pressed his lips roughly to hers, urged her back behind the door and then hauled it open.
“What the hell, dude?” He glared at the two men before stepping outside. “I’m trying to sleep.” The door closed behind him.
“We just have a few questions—”
“That you can damned well ask at a decent hour. I’m filing a complaint with management.”
She peeked past the edge of the drapes in time to see Jesse start down the walkway and disappear inside the motel lobby a few doors down. The reporters trailed after him, snapping a few pictures along the way. In a matter of seconds, they’d piled inside after him, their attention fixated on Silas Chisholm’s oldest son, and the coast was clear.
Gracie drew a deep, calming breath, but it didn’t help. Her heart still pounded, her blood rushed and her nerves buzzed, and none of it had anything to do with the fact that she’d almost been caught red-handed by the press. She was worked up because, despite the damage it might do to her reputation, she wanted to rip off her clothes and hop back into bed to wait for another round of hot, mind-blowing sex.
Jesse was dangerous to her peace of mind because he made her forget all about what she should do and reminded her of what she wanted to do.
Of the girl she’d been so long ago and how she’d lusted after him with a passion she hadn’t felt in the twelve years since.
A passion she would never feel again after tonight.
She ignored the depressing thought and held tight to the fact that she’d yet to start her acceptance speech and she still needed to come up with a strategy to get past Big Earl’s dogs.
She drew a deep breath, pulled open the door and did a quick check to make sure the coast was still clear. And then she made a beeline for her car parked several spaces down.
Climbing behind the wheel, she gave one last look at the main lobby, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesse through the glass doors. Instead, she saw Hazel Trevino, the motel’s manager, gesturing wildly while on the phone and she knew the woman was calling the police to report the disruptive reporters.
Which meant Deputy Walker would be responding any second and the last thing Gracie needed was to be seen sitting outside the local motel, her hair mussed, her lips swollen, her cheeks pink.
Talk about fuel for gossip.
She fought down a wave of regret, shoved the key into the ignition and headed home.
* * *
“SHOW’S OVER, FOLKS.” Deputy Walker waved a hand at the small crowd gathered in front of the check-in desk in the motel lobby. “You two, get out.” He motioned to the reporters.
“But we’re staying here.”
“Then get back to your rooms and leave everyone alone.”
“But we just have a few questions—”
“Which you’ll be asking from jail if you don’t get going right now.” Deputy Walker pulled open the door and motioned the two men outside. “I’ll see you back to your rooms myself.”
“Sorry about that, Mr. Chisholm.” Hazel Trevino was in her late forties with black eyes to match her dark hair. “Hope you won’t hold the disturbance against us. We usually run a nice quiet place here. But with all the hoopla about this whole Famous Texas Outlaws episode, I guess it’s to be expected.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“It’s not yours, either.” Hazel smiled. “I know how folks treat you around here, but you ain’t your pa. Some of us are smart enough to know that.”
“Thanks, Miss Hazel.”
“None necessary. You’d think folks could just let sleeping dogs lie.”
“Not when they think money is involved.”
Her eyes took on an eager light. “You really think all that money went up in flames?”
Jesse shrugged. “If not, someone would have surely found it by now.”
“Probably. We had more than our share of treasure hunters the first time it aired. Why, I remember watching it on TV. Wilbur and I had just got married. Even thought about looking for the cash ourselves. Would have made a nice little nest egg to raise our boys, but then his daddy passed and left us this place and just like that, we had our hands full.”
“It’s a nice place.”
“Lord knows we try to run a tight ship.” She reached into a drawer. “I hope you won’t let tonight spoil your visit. Here’s a free voucher for the Rusty Pig. Your next plate of barbecue ribs is on us.”
He nodded at the motel manager and headed back to his room. A wave of disappointment swept through him when he walked inside to find the room empty. Not that he’d expected Gracie to wait for him. The whole point of throwing himself to the wolves had been to give her a chance to escape.
Still, a part of him had held out a tiny sliver of hope. The part of him that had longed to fit in all those years ago. To belong to a town that had never given him the time of day, to befriend the very people who’d turned their backs on him.
Which was most people.
There were a few, like Pete and Hazel, who’d refused to hold him accountable for someone else’s sins. They’d always treated him decent.
But Jesse had wanted more.
He’d wanted to walk into church every Sunday wi
thout half the congregation staring at him as if he’d forgotten to wipe his boots. He’d wanted to walk down Main Street without people whispering behind his back. He’d wanted to spread out a blanket at the town picnic and share a slice of apple pie with Gracie Stone in front of God and the Ladies’ Auxiliary.
He’d wanted to fit in.
Like hell. Fitting in was just a pipe dream he’d come to terms with a long, long time ago. He never would and that was okay. He was okay. Healthy. Successful. Happy.
He didn’t give a shit what anyone thought.
But she did, and damned if that didn’t bother him even more than when he’d been the one eager to fit into a town that had long ago locked him out.
He fought down the feelings and debated climbing back into bed and trying for some shut-eye. That was what he would have done after a pretty incredible sexual encounter. What he needed to do right now. He had a busy day tomorrow. He had two more bulls to sell and then he needed to get the rest of his stock shipped off to Austin, and he needed to make plans for the bachelor party.
He didn’t need to feel so on edge, his muscles tight, his mind racing. As if he still sat poised at the starting gate rather than at the top of the scoreboard after a wildly successful ride.
Crazy.
The whole point of sleeping with Gracie was to give him some relief. So that he could stop thinking about her. Stop wanting her. Stop fantasizing.
Stop!
He snatched up his keys and his gaze snagged on a scrap of black lace peeking from between the sheets. He leaned down and scooped up the forgotten lingerie. His fingers tightened as a detailed memory of the past few hours washed over him. Her body pressed to his, her hands touching him, her voice whispering through his head, each syllable softened with that honey-sweet drawl that had haunted his dreams too many times to count. She tried so hard to hide her passionate nature, but it was there, bubbling just below the surface, waiting for the chance to fire up and boil over.
She hadn’t even come close tonight.
Sure, she’d exploded in his arms, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d still been holding back.
Texas Outlaws: Jesse Page 8