Break In Two (25 page)

When it was over, she reached her hands down and encouraged him to join her on the bed. He lay down beside her, brushing his fingers over her lush curves and sucking on her nipples again.

"You are SO good at that," Claire said when she finally recovered her senses. "That was fucking amazing. You win. I'll go out with you again," she said taking his chin in her hand and kissing him on the lips.

"Well then I did what I set out to do tonight." Cole said, smiling at her.

October

Cole woke up with the sun. It was Monday morning and he was too excited to sleep. He and Claire finally had a day off together for the first time in a month. The restaurant and the ranch had been growing busier as some of their marketing plans were starting to pay off. They had had more guests over the past two months than ever before. They hired another chef several weeks earlier, but it was still hard for them to keep up.

Cole got up quietly and went downstairs to make coffee, fruit and toast for them. He grabbed a tray and brought the food upstairs, placing it down on the center of the bed. He kissed her gently on the cheek, rubbing his face against her soft skin for a moment.

"Good morning, Gorgeous," he said as she blinked.

"Mmmm, good morning, Cowboy." she sighed, "Is that coffee I smell?"

"And toast and berries."

"I see you're still going with the whole 'being perfect' thing."

"If something works, you should stick with it," he laughed.

They ate their food and sipped at their coffees together in bed. Claire looked out the window, "It looks like a beautiful day for our ride!" she said.

"Yup! It's my favourite type of day. Crisp air and warm sun," Cole grinned.

"Let's get out there," she said, wiping her mouth, "I'm going to have a quick shower and then run over to the restaurant to get our picnic put together."

"I can't wait," Cole said, "Now don't get caught up checking on Lauren. She'll be just fine serving lunch and supper tonight without you. She's been here long enough to know her way around."

"I know that," Claire said, crossing the room to the closet and picking out some sexy jeans, a black tank, and a fitted royal-blue button up shirt.

"I promise not to spend any more time than I have to in the kitchen. I just want to get away with you for the day."

She opened her drawer and grabbed out a black push-up bra and lacy black panties and walked over towards the bathroom, twirling the panties on her finger while she looked over at Cole.

Claire brushed her teeth and then turned on the water and got undressed. She stepped into the shower and closed her eyes, letting the water rush over her hair. She didn't notice Cole coming into the bathroom until she felt his hands on her hips and his mouth lower over hers, kissing her passionately. She could feel that he was already rock-hard against her stomach. She opened her eyes in surprise and then wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her.

"I hope you don't mind if I join you," Cole murmured in her ear, "I saw you walk across the bedroom with that nightie on and I needed to have you now."

"My, aren't you presumptuous," Claire said, gliding her hands down his back, "Thinking you can just get naked and get into the shower with me without asking?"

"I'm pretty sure I can. I've been told I'm hot as hell."

"What I said last night has nothing to do with this," Claire said, slapping him on the ass.

Cole picked her up by her bottom and sat himself down on the shower bench with her on his lap with her legs spread over him. Claire took hold of his cock with her hand and guided it into her, swivelling her hips as she lowered herself onto him, "I'll let it go this time. But don't try it again."

Cole reached his hands up and grabbed her breasts, covering her right nipple with his mouth and sucking hard, then flicking it with his tongue. As he started working her left nipple, Claire lowered her mouth down to meet his. She flicked her tongue out and licked his tongue and her own nipple at the same time. Cole watched with surprise as she covered his hands with hers and she gave her nipple a long lick.

"Oh fuck, that's hot," Cole groaned, bringing his mouth back to her breast. Their tongues met each other and her nipple urgently.

Claire started to grind her hips into him, squeezing him forcefully with her pussy. Cole shoved his tongue into her mouth, mimicking the movements of his cock inside her. She pulled her face away from him to suck on his neck.

"Your cock is so big, I can hardly fit it in me," she whispered to him, "It’s so deep, you are going to make me come all over you."

"Yes, Claire. Come on my cock," he growled.

Claire rocked herself back and forth as Cole grabbed her breasts and started sucking on her nipple again. Claire brought her mouth down, joining him as she started to come. She cried out, "Yes, Cole! Yes! Give it to me!"

Cole could feel her orgasm rip through her as she tightened her muscles around him even more. He came on the last wave of her orgasm, as she lifted her knees off the bench, allowing her entire body weight to press against his core. When it was done, she collapsed onto him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I changed my mind. You don't need an invitation to get in the shower with me," Claire said.

An hour later, they were at the barn, walking their horses out towards the pasture. When they got outside, Cole helped Claire mount Nellie and then he got on Dudley.

Cole smiled over at her as they got going, "I want to take you up the mountain today. There is a spot with an amazing view where I thought we could stop for our picnic."

"Really? That sounds wonderful!" Claire grinned back, "I can't wait for you to see what I made for lunch. I think you're really going to like it."

"I know I will. So far you haven't made one thing that I haven't loved," Cole replied, "Every man should have his own sexy chef. It really is the best."

"How about a sexy massage therapist?"

"Nope. Not nearly as good," Cole shook his head, "Unless she was also a chef."

Claire laughed and then grew quiet for a moment, "I've been missing you lately. We haven't had nearly as much time together as I'd like."

"Me too, which is crazy in a way, because we're never far from each other."

"I know," Claire replied, "I'm so greedy when it comes to you. I want to be right with you every minute. All day at the restaurant, there is a part of me that is waiting for you to come walking through the door. I am hopelessly in love with you, Cowboy."

"I'm glad it's not just me. I must look at my clock one hundred times every morning waiting for lunch just so I can see you."

He rode his horse close to hers and then took hold of Nellie's reigns. He stopped both horses easily and then leaned over to her to kiss her.

Claire lifted her hand to his cheek as they kissed for a long time. When they stopped, Cole looked at her, his hazel eyes shining with love, "God, you're beautiful," he said, "I will never get tired of looking at your face." He paused to stare at her, "Although, I do like your ass too."

"Who could blame you? I've been told it’s flawless," Claire replied laughing.

They rode for a while in silence. Claire took in the beautiful view of the blue sky set against the rugged mountain, the sounds of the gurgling creek, the birds singing and the feeling of the fresh, crisp air on her face. She felt completely at peace and in love as she turned back to look at Cole.

He had been watching her for a while, "You know one of my favourite things about you, Claire, is how you enjoy the simple things. You never miss out because you are always open to life."

"I get that from my mom," Claire smiled thinking of her, "She could never walk past a lilac bush without stopping to smell it. And she never seemed to be in too much of a rush to let us pick dandelions or chase butterflies when we were little."

"I wish I had met her. Your dad too," Cole said.

"Me too, Cole. It sometimes seems hard for me to believe that my parents will never meet the most important man in my life," she said, her voice breaking. She rode for a moment and then turned back to him, "They would have adored you."

"I hope so," Cole said, "I hope I can be everything they wanted for you."

"You are," Claire said. "This might sound nuts, but sometimes I think they handpicked you for me."

"That doesn't sound nuts to me. I hope they did," Cole said.

They turned onto a trail that started up the mountain. Claire turned to him, "Is this one of the trips you make on trail rides?"

"No," Cole said, "Some parts are pretty steep and the weather has to be just perfect. If it's at all wet, it can be a bit dangerous. We should be okay today, I checked the forecast and there's no sign of rain. I'll stay behind you on the way up and go ahead on the way back, just in case though."

"So you can stare at my ass on the way up and I can stare at yours on the way back?"

"I get the better end of that deal," Cole replied, chuckling.

"I don't know about that. Have you ever seen your ass?" Claire asked.

As they rode along up the mountain, Cole became quiet.

"You okay back there?" Claire asked.

"I'm great," Cole replied,
"Just mesmerized by the view."

Claire stood up in the saddle and gave her hips a little wiggle.

Cole gave a low whistle, "You better stop that, Ms. Hatley, or you're gonna get us lost."

Claire laughed, turning her head to face him, "Maybe I should try a little strip tease, horseback-style?"

"On second thought, knowing where you're going is highly overrated."

A few minutes later, they reached a grassy clearing on the mountainside. A small waterfall trickled down, leading to a pool of water and then to another waterfall. Claire stopped and turned her horse back to Cole, "Please tell me this is where we are stopping for lunch. This might be the most beautiful place I've ever been."

"Yup. We're here," Cole said, getting off Dudley in one powerful move. He dropped the reigns and walked over to Claire, holding his hands out to ease her down from her saddle. He untied the rolled up picnic blanket and the cooler bags containing their lunch and walked over to a spot next to the pool of water. The horses followed, stopping to drink from the cool, clear pool.

Claire walked over and helped unload the food. Cole sat down and watched in anticipation to see what she had brought. First she took out two bottles of Strongbow cider, followed by brie and crackers, two apples, a knife and small cutting board. She handed the knife and board to Cole, "Would you mind slicing the apples for us?" she asked.

"Not a bit," he said.

Claire took out two plates and some cutlery and then a small container of red pepper jelly. She arranged the crackers and apple slices on the plates in an artful display, then cut the brie and placed it on the crackers, topping it with the red pepper jelly.

"Your appetizer, sir," she said, handing him a plate.

"So this lunch has more than one course? Good thing I wasn't in charge of food. It would have been a can of baked beans and some potato chips."

"Damn, that's the next two courses."

Cole tried to open the bottle, realizing it wasn't a twist off.

"Oh crap," Claire said, "Those aren't twist offs? Sorry babe, I didn't even think of that."

"No problem," Cole said, grabbing a butter knife and popping the tops off, "Good thing I'm here or you'd be thirsty all day."

"Oh no, I'd be fine. I can open a bottle with my eye socket, but I don't like to do it around men I'm dating. I've been told it's not that sexy."

"What! Seriously?" Cole asked.

"No, not seriously," Claire laughed, "That would be gross. I would have been thirsty all day."

He had a long drag on his drink and then tasted the appetizer, "Mmmm, that's good. What kind of jelly is that?"

"Red pepper," Claire replied.

"You should serve this at the restaurant."

"If you like it, I will. Except, I'll bake the brie first and put it on toasted French bread maybe."

"Your mind works fast when it comes to food," Cole said, admiring her.

"And other things..." Claire replied, taking a bite of her food.

"Oh I know. I can hardly keep up," Cole answered, "But I'm willing to die trying."

He leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss, sucking a little on her bottom lip as he pulled away.

Claire opened her eyes, "Ummm, where are you going? You can't just give a girl a kiss like that and then expect her to go back to eating."

"That was just a sex appetizer. I made it myself. You'll get the main course later."

"You're like a sex genius. You definitely know how to whet a girl's appetite," Claire said, licking her lips suggestively.

"Mmmm," Cole groaned, "Don't give me that look. I'm really hungry."

"Suit yourself, Cowboy, but I may have to ride back down the mountain and wait for the UPS guy," Claire pouted, getting out the muffaletta sandwich she had made. She unwrapped it and put a quarter of it on Cole's plate, mumbling under her breath, "He's supposed to be at the ranch sometime between three and five, so I could definitely make it if I leave soon."

"That's it. I'm switching to Fed Ex," Cole said with exasperation.

Claire grinned at him," I was hoping you'd say that. I've heard they're even hotter."

Cole growled at her and then took a bite of his sandwich, "Fuck me - that is delicious!" he said.

"Oh, I'll fuck you all right," Claire said, taking a bite of her part of the sandwich.

They laughed together and then sat quietly eating and feeling the sun warm their skin.

Claire got two more bottles out and handed them to Cole to open. He popped the tops off and handed her one. He took a swig of his and then set it down, staring at her.

"I want to meet your sister and her husband," he said suddenly.

"Yeah? Where did that come from?" she asked.

"I should meet the family of the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with."

Claire gave him a big grin and leaned in to kiss him, "You want to spend the rest of your life with me? You sure? I'm a bit of a nightmare. All I think about is food and sex."

Cole nuzzled his nose along her neck, "Well, when you love someone, you try to overlook their flaws."

"True. I totally try not to let it get to me that you wear clothes most of the time," Claire replied in a strained voice as Cole gently nibbled on her earlobe.

"When could we take time to go to London?"

"Hmmm, well, things are usually pretty slow in November and January. Could we plan a trip then?" he asked as he unbuttoned her shirt.

"Sure. It's not the best time of year to see London though," Claire said, putting one finger in the top of his shirt and sliding it down in one quick move to open his snaps.

"Well, I want to go soon and I'm not really going there to see the sights. I want to get to know your family."

He slid her shirt off of her shoulders, leaving him still with her tank top and bra to contend with.

"Dessert time," Claire said, as Cole lifted her shirt over her head and started to unbutton her jeans.

"Exactly what I was thinking," he said, lowering his mouth over hers.

She pulled away, "No. I meant, I made dessert for us."

She stacked the plates and put them and the empty bottles in the cooler bag as Cole took off her boots and socks. He took off his own boots and socks and then shrugged his shirt off, watching her take a container of whipping cream and another container of strawberries out of the bag.

She folded their shirts, making them into a pillow and placing it on the blanket, "Here, lie down for a minute."

"You lie down," Cole said, "I know how I want to eat my dessert," he said, taking the containers from her.

Claire laid her head down, her hair falling over the makeshift pillow. She watched him open the containers. He took out one strawberry and dipped it in the cream, then brought it over to her lips and dabbed the cream on. She licked the cream off, then he offered her the strawberry to take a bite. He popped the rest in his mouth and then put the container down.

He put both hands on her jeans, hooking the waistband and her panties with his fingers, then pulling them off, leaving her lying on the blanket in her bra. He looked her up and down, sighing with satisfaction. Leaning his body over hers, he teased her with his mouth, coming close to kissing her but backing away a little each time she tried to meet his lips with hers. She shivered with pleasure as he ran his big hand down her body and then back up.