The Staying Kind

by Cerian Hebert

  Her true nature should have her on the road, away from this temptation, but she could no more leave her new life than turn away from Travis right this moment.

  “You sure?” she whispered. She had to give him one last chance to say no, so he’d think hard about how they’d change from this moment on.

  “I’m sure.”

  Rio drew in a deep breath and pulled her top off. She didn’t hesitate. One more step into unchartered territory. Yet despite how she trembled under his hot gaze, she felt incredibly safe with this man.

  Then she stood, keeping her gaze on him, and stepped out of her pajama pants. Safe with him, maybe, but oh, the desire burning her up scared the hell out of her.

  “Come under the covers,” Travis murmured and held the sheet up so she could climb in next to him. For a long moment she studied him. The sight of his naked body, well-muscled buttocks, and his powerful arousal made her own senses spiral almost out of control.

  Point of no return. She could pick up her clothes, say they were making a huge mistake. Leave. Or follow her desires, trust in him, and step forward into a place she’d avoided for so long.

  No, she wouldn’t run. If you run you won’t be able to face him again.

  Rio climbed onto the bed and nestled against him. Travis eased the sheet over her and drew her close, reclaiming her mouth. With languid passion, he slid his tongue between her parted lips and stroked hers to ecstasy. The length of his body against hers burned her with need and craving. She longed to touch him. For him to touch her.

  He complied, his hands caressing down her body, starting with her face, her neck. His mouth left hers and followed the path his fingers traveled, scorching a trail along her shoulder and then at last, to her sensitive breasts.

  He ran a circle around her tightening nipple, pinching it teasingly until she couldn’t stop a sigh from escaping her lips. When he took one peak into his mouth Rio didn’t think she could handle any more. With each flick of his tongue, each tease of his fingers she felt herself slipping away, a flood of want spinning and swirling in her belly, coursing down until it gathered between her thighs.

  God, she wanted him to touch her there too. Dying for him to relieve her of every bit of pent-up need, she let go of the death grip she had on the sheets. Sliding her fingers through his hair and down his shoulders, she kneaded his tight muscles.

  She was lost. Lost in a world of touch and breath. His palm covered her breast, and then ran further down her body, across her belly, over the swell of her hips to her thighs.

  Being so close made her moan. How could something that had frightened her for so long, something she dreaded, now sweep her up like a fiery wave into the unknown?

  No, it couldn’t always be like this. This man, this moment, held the power. She longed to see how far, how long it would last.

  Travis moved his way up her body, nibbling the soft spot on her neck, along her jaw, until he touched her lips again. His body poised above hers, and she parted her legs so he could settle in. Instead, he kept kissing her, stroking her.

  “Travis,” she whispered. She didn’t want him to stop his slow, tantalizing exploration, but she thought he should know. A part of her, through the thick, erotic veil of desire, was afraid of what would come next. Well, not afraid, really. More apprehensive, like she was about to step of a cliff and tumble into a thick mist.

  Oh, it would be fantastic. She wasn’t naïve. But the unfamiliar that would come first, what she’d heard would hurt, scared her.

  And what if it’s not so fantastic? What if her inexperience was a complete turnoff to Travis? She didn’t want to be a disappointment to him.

  She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him away a few inches. “Travis, I need to tell you something.”

  He paused and propped himself up so they were face to face. His hand stroked her face. “You okay?”

  Rio bit her lip. How awkward was this? Their bodies pressed together, no barriers between them, his arousal evident and strong. Waiting.

  “I’m a . . . I mean—well, I’ve never been with anyone before.”

  “What?” he asked roughly.

  “I guess you could say I’m a virgin.”

  “Rio.” Travis cupped her face with his palm. Her admission shocked him. More than shocked, it amazed him.

  Her gaze dropped away and she frowned, though she didn’t seem embarrassed. Instead, humor replaced the worry and she smiled slightly. “Silly, isn’t it? How much stock a person puts in virginity.”

  “No, not really,” he replied gently.

  She chuckled and kissed his jaw. “You should see the look on your face. I think you actually went pale.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Not something you’d expect a woman my age to say, is it?” she whispered. She traced the edge of his ear with her fingertip.

  “Well, no.”

  “It shouldn’t change things. Travis, I want this. I want you. Don’t let this stop us.”

  Travis drew in a ragged breath and inhaled her scent, so enticing, so feminine. Everything about her drew him in, made him want to lose himself in her. But her confession was like a thin rope that kept him tied to reality.

  “Maybe we should stop. Rio, we have no protection.”

  She laughed lightly. “It’s okay, if you’re worried about babies. Not the right time of the month. That fact I’m sure of.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you.” He touched her cheek. She was so beautiful, so vulnerable and innocent, lying there against his pillow, her soft, naked body beside his. Her admission hadn’t cooled his ardor. In fact, her boldness brought on another, stronger wave of need.

  “I’m prepared. I don’t believe in all those horror stories anyway. Travis, I’ve waited for the right time, the right man. I would’ve been okay if it never happened, if the right man didn’t come along. From a young age I promised myself I’d never give my body for the sake of having sex.”

  He smoothed her dark hair away from her forehead. “Do you want to wait?”

  “I don’t want to wait.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Travis, let me tell you this. I’m dedicating myself to Sadie for the winter and probably for all of next year because I love riding. If it works for her and me over there, I won’t run off. What it means for you and me, we’ll have to find out. One thing I promise though, I’m no starry-eyed romantic.” She kissed him softly on the cheek. “I don’t believe in that kind of love and I’m not expecting to have my mind changed. No matter what happens from here on out, I’m not going to put any expectations on you.”

  “So, this is just a physical thing?” Somehow her confession disappointed him greatly.

  She kissed him again, on the lips this time, long and lingeringly before pulling back. “I already told you I wouldn’t have sex for the sake of having sex. No, I’ve become very, um, fond of you. Fonder than I’ve been of any other man, ever. I like you very much. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me when you could very well have run me out of town. You opened your home to me, and while I understand your original motives, you don’t know how much that means to me. And . . .”

  This time her tongue traced his lower lip. She nipped it lightly. “And, I find you incredibly attractive. All this adds up to a man I want to—to sleep with. Please, Travis.”

  Rio slid her hands down his shoulders, over his back until they rested on his hips. Gradually she applied pressure until his arousal was poised at the juncture of her thighs. How could he stop now? She was ready for him and he surely wanted her as much as any woman he’d known. He didn’t fill her yet, but kissed her nose.

  “You give quite a speech.”

  “I’ve been quiet for so many years. I guess a dam broke.” She stroked her hand up and down his buttocks.

  “I’ll be gentle,” he
whispered and kissed her eyelids, the tip of her nose again, and then her lips, feeding off the smoky, intoxicating passion.

  He wanted to distract her from the pain that would come as soon as he slid into her. The moment was more emotional than he ever could’ve imagined. He had taken Laura’s virginity a million years ago, at the same time he’d lost his. He’d been too scared and excited and apprehensive to realize how important the moment should be.

  Well, he wasn’t a horny teen anymore and this woman, no matter how briefly she’d been in his life, meant a lot to him. He wanted to make this as special as possible for her.

  When he reached the barrier of her virginity, she moaned against his mouth. He paused for a moment, then pushed past it, quickly, smoothly. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, and he gladly let her transfer some of the pain to him.

  Every muscle in her body tensed. He held himself still inside her, let her become accustomed to him, and when she started to relax, he began to move within her, slowly.

  There wasn’t any way he could promise her fireworks, not this time, but he planned to at least try like hell to make it a good first experience. Since she put her trust, her body, into his hands, she deserved the best he had to give.

  After a minute he noticed her moans had changed. Now he heard pleasure and animal desire from low in her throat. Her hips started to move with his, a provocative, perfect rhythm. He pulled away and gazed at her. Her eyes were half closed, her lips parted.

  He seized fierce possession of her mouth, before feathering kisses along her neck and shoulders. Taking one hard nipple into his mouth, he suckled it tenderly. As he swirled his tongue around the taut peak, her sighs became more urgent, more jagged, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Travis,” she moaned, her voice faint and choppy.

  He released his hold on her breast and moved to her lips again. “Shh.”

  He struggled to slow down his tempo. His instinct was to go faster, delve as deeply inside her wonderful, welcoming, sexy body as he could, but not at the risk of hurting her.

  “Travis,” she repeated, stronger, ragged. She clung to him, raised her hips high to meet and hold him. Then drew in a deep, shivering breath and cried out.

  As her body tensed with her release, he felt it flood around him, hot and heady. He couldn’t hang on anymore. The look on her face, so swept away, sent him over the edge. He pushed deep within her, and buried his face against her neck, as his orgasm carried him away with wave after hot, silky wave.

  When it had subsided, he remained inside her. He didn’t want to give up the feeling of her body enveloping his yet. He inhaled deeply, savoring her scent, then kissed her jaw before propping himself up on one elbow. Rio kept her eyes closed. Her heart still beat furiously under the palm of his hand. A smile crept over her face.

  “Wow,” she said with a rough sigh. “My sister told me about her first time. I was only twelve and pretty much thought boys were gross. She told me it hurt like hell—her words—and it was slimy and messy. I’m sure it got better for her, but she didn’t talk about it after that. I said I’d tell our mother if she shared any more of her experiences with me. I decided sex wasn’t something I wanted to be a part of.”

  “Hmm. And was it slimy and yucky?”

  She laughed and wrapped her arms around him. “Well, it did hurt. Not like hell, anyway. At least I can only go through that once. The rest? No, not slimy or yucky at all.”

  A silence fell over them. He caressed her shoulder and stared at the ceiling.

  “Thank you,” she said huskily.

  “For what?” He glanced over at her. She stared upward, too.

  “For not making it slimy and yucky. It was better than I ever could’ve hoped for. I knew I could trust you.”

  “You’re welcome, Rio.”

  After a minute, Travis shoved away the covers and climbed out of bed, stepping into the bathroom. One of the luxuries he gave himself was a Jacuzzi tub to soak away a long day at work. He turned it on and filled it with hot water, then went back to the bed. Rio’s eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, as if she’d fallen asleep. When he picked her up in his arms, her eyes opened and she inhaled sharply.

  “Where’re you taking me?”

  He didn’t reply. He kissed her lightly and carried her into the bathroom. She giggled when she saw the tub filled with water. “You’re crazy.”

  He lowered her into the tub and climbed in behind her. With her resting against his chest, he loaded a cloth with body gel and tenderly washed away the signs of her lost virginity.

  His simple act seemed to arouse her body again. As he moved the cloth against her inner thighs she arched against his hand, pursuing the pleasure he could give her.

  He complied, careful not to hurt her any more, and discarded the cloth. With one hand, he cupped the soft, ripe swell of her breast, teasing one of the distended peaks, while the other sought out the slick bud hidden within her center. She bucked against the swirl of his fingers, whimpering as she pulsed under his touch.

  Slowly he brought her down to earth with soothing whispers and kisses. Having her naked buttocks pressed so firmly against him did nothing to ease his own swelling desire. He wanted her again, especially now he could see her passion-filled eyes in the light from the bathroom. He had the impression he would want her a lot now.

  Maybe she read his mind, or his erection got her attention. Rio nimbly spun around so she faced him. The tub was certainly big enough for two, and she was so petite that nothing kept her from straddling his lap. Without hesitation she lowered herself down onto his straining cock.

  Oh, I’m definitely in trouble.

  Chapter 12

  “Rio, where’s your head this morning?”

  Sadie’s sharp words drew her back into the here and now. Guiltily, Rio forced thoughts of Travis and their night together out of her mind and switched her concentration to Dante, ignoring how her body felt.

  The dull ache between her thighs made it difficult to do what she needed to do in the saddle, but she would work through it. After all, she only had herself—and Travis—to blame for how she felt this morning. Still, she smiled, because she wouldn’t trade last night for anything.

  If she had to pay for it this morning, then so be it. She’d been mounted up for half an hour and Sadie had her doing her drills, cantering a figure eight over and over again.

  Then the sadistic instructor put down rails and told her to do her figure eights over them. As much as Rio hated figure eights, she knew why she had to practice them, and in time figured she’d appreciate the repetitive exercise. Even without her meager help, Dante could handle his lead changes. The exercise was more for her.

  “There’ll come a time,” Sadie had told her, “when you’ll come across a horse who doesn’t change leads so beautifully as our Dante. You need to know how to make the horse do it.”

  Once again there was Sadie, talking about the long term.

  After about three thousand of the maneuvers, Sadie had Rio ride Dante over a pair of foot-tall cavalettis, her introduction to jumping. Rio had a feeling this kiddie stuff bored the heck out of the horse.

  They’d been working with the small jumps for a week now. Lots of repetitive work, and Rio appreciated every moment of it. Sadie wanted her entered into a show by May, riding Fleur. Rio had begun working with the mare every day, too.

  For the first time in her life, planning something that far in her future didn’t scare the crap out of her. Any other place and time she would’ve been thinking, “Oh hell no,” and moved on.

  And now look at me. Who’d have thought? She took a lover, a man who was grounded and stable and blessedly normal, not to mention handsome and caring, and now she actually trained to do something that felt right. Important.

  “Okay, Rio. Drop your
stirrups and do it all over again. Over the trot poles and the cavaletti. Do it at a trot, circle the ring and do it again. Then repeat at a canter. No stirrups.”

  Rio pulled the stirrups over the saddle and moved Dante to the rail in a trot. Thank goodness the horse had a smooth trot. She was becoming more comfortable with posting at the trot, especially with Dante’s easy gait.

  Sit deep in the saddle. Let your thighs and rear absorb the movement. Don’t yank on the reins or use them to help maintain balance. Sit up straight. Sadie had told her pretty soon she’d have to post to a stirrup-less trot and Rio already grieved for her thigh muscles. Nevertheless, she refused to complain. She looked forward to it. She was a sponge, soaking up Sadie’s knowledge and encouragement.

  “That’s good,” Sadie called from the center of the ring. “It’s amazing what some concentration will do for you.”

  Sadie kept the lesson at an hour before letting Rio send Dante into the paddock for a little R and R. She’d be riding Fleur after lunch, and she had plenty to do before then. Sadie had a part-time stable hand come in, a boy named Tyler from down the road, to clean stalls and put horses out. Rio gave him a hand.

  She could’ve returned to Shadow Oak. Travis was working and Jessa remained at her friend’s house. Rio didn’t want to go back to an empty house. Being alone would only make her think about the previous night, with a distinct possibility those thoughts would be much too giddy and girly for her comfort.