Diamonds and Spurs [The Callens 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (13 page)

Relief washed through her. “Thanks.”

Ellen rejoined her group and Mandy spent the next hour enjoying Vince. The first day’s ride was only three hours, which included many stops. Each time the women rubbed their rears, but few complained. As soon as they reached their campsite, Trinity gave them a quick lesson on how to set up a tent and prepare for possible rain. Once the women decided on the two trees to string their rope between, they set up two A-framed tarps.

Mandy stepped next to Vince. “Where are you sleeping?”

“With you.”

She liked the idea but wasn’t sure it was appropriate. “I thought I’d be sharing a tent with Trinity.”

“Trinity always uses a one-man tent. We get the three-person one. That’s you, me, and the gear. You okay with that?”

“Like I have a choice?” She opened her mouth wide and planted a palm on her chest, acting as if she was a prude.

“I can be good if you want.” He moved close and looked down at her with lust in his eyes.

“We’ll see about that.” She smiled.

He tossed her a grin in return and retrieved the tent from the saddlebags. He handed her the shock-corded tent poles. “Let’s do this.” He winked. “We’ll have complete privacy.”

“I might like one of the open A-frames better in case anyone sneaks up on us at night.”

“Not to worry, darlin’. You got the number-one bull rider in your tent.”

She laughed. “Like that’s going to help?”

“I have a knife and a gun. No worries.”

That made her feel a little better. Trinity jogged over. “You two want to start dinner for the ladies while I help them waterproof the tent?”

“Sure.”

“There’s a laminated card with the meal choices packed with the stove.”

When Trinity left, Mandy stepped close to Vince. “I haven’t used a camp stove in ten years.”

He brushed her cheek. “Stop worrying. You’re with the pro.”

* * * *

After chef Vince prepared the beans-and-rice dish, Trinity had some of the women collect firewood while the rest were put in charge of cleaning the pots. Mandy offered to find and whittle the sticks for the marshmallows. They were going to make s’mores.

In less than twenty minutes, not only had Trinity built a wonderful fire, but the women had collected a stack of wood ready for burning. Most of the group sat around the fire. Some grabbed a ground cloth to sit on while others used ground-hugging camp chairs.

No surprise, many of the women took photos of the fire and of each other. Two had brought tripods and were trying to photograph the stars. When they passed around the camera to show the result, Mandy had to admit their shots were fabulous.

Shortly before bedtime, Trinity asked for the ladies’ attention. “As is the tradition at the Circle Bar ranch, we like to have each of you tell us one thing you’re going to remember about the trip. I call it a snapshot. No pun intended. I’ll go first. I’m going to remember how after Sarah, Ellen, and Carla finished putting up their tent, they went over to the other ladies’ tent and gave them guidance. Being in the wilderness to me is all about cooperation.”

The women nodded and murmured.

“We’ll go in a circle. Carla, you’re up next.”

“My favorite part was capturing the fading sunlight streaming through the trees.”

Mandy had seen the shot and had to agree.

“My memory,” Sarah said, “was when I was trying to work the water pump and Mandy came over to give me a hand.”

“Aw, thanks.” This was such a great group.

Ellen rubbed her rear. “I’ll remember how sore I am.” The group laughed. Many joined in with the same issue.

Around nine, the fire had burned low. Trinity stood. “Time to crawl into your sleeping bags. We’ll be getting up early tomorrow.”

A few of the women groaned. Mandy smiled.

After the women snuggled in their beds, the three leaders made sure the food was securely hung to prevent the bears and other varmints from stealing their next meal. Vince then made certain the horses were watered and fed.

“Good night, Trinity,” Vince said.

“Night.”

As soon as they entered their cozy tent, Vince and she blew up their air mattresses.

“You know, darlin’, it would be a lot warmer if we put your bag on the bottom, mine on top, and we snuggle.”

She laughed. “Like we’d get any sleep?”

He pulled out his bag and stretched it across their mattresses as if she’d already agreed. “Who says I want to sleep?”

“You have to get some shut-eye. Maybe we can take turns staying up.”

“I was only kidding. I’m a light sleeper. I’ll wake if anyone comes near. The horses will be the first to notice an intruder, anyway. You’ll be safe.”

She wanted to return to his first comment. “Are you telling me you could sleep next to me and keep your hands to yourself?” If he said, yes, she’d be disappointed. More than that, she’d be depressed.

“Just watch me.”

We’ll see about that.
She slid next to him, and he covered them with the other sleeping bag. Practicality intruded. “Where are your gun and knife?”

“By the flap. You’re safe. Now close your eyes and go to sleep.”

She didn’t want to sleep for many reasons. She’d never been afraid of the woods or its creatures until now. The gunshot had changed all that.

“Hold me?” Her voice wavered, but she didn’t care if he guessed she was scared.

Without a word, Vince pulled her tight and kissed her so gently her heart ached. He’d worked nonstop to discover who was after her. For that, she’d be forever indebted to him.

His lips trailed down her chin to the hollow of her throat. Forcing all objections from her brain, she let her body feel and enjoy the way he treated her with something close to adoration.

“Darlin’. It’s rather hot. Mind if I take off my pants?”

She, too, was warm. Once more she was faced with the decision. Even though their tent was at least fifty feet from the others, the women would hear every moan and groan. Mandy wasn’t sure she was capable of making love quietly.

Go for it.

“I’ll join you.”

“Is that an invitation, darlin’?”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

“We have to be quiet. Can you do that?”

No.
“I can try.”

“You’ve had a hard day. Is your butt sore? Or your inner thighs?”

What did that have to do with making love? “You have no idea.” As soon as she opened her mouth, her comment registered. Was he talking about anal sex? She wasn’t sure she was ready for that. “I meant it.”

He chuckled softly. “I’m sure you did. I need to know where to start the massage.”

“Oh.” She hoped he didn’t know what she’d been thinking.

He rolled her onto her stomach and straddled her. Vince was wearing pajama bottoms and a long-sleeved T-shirt, but he didn’t take either off.
Hmm
. The two-inch air mattress wasn’t thick enough to support both, but she didn’t mind the roots pressing into her if it meant she could make love with Vince. The warmth from his inner thighs along her waist and hips relaxed her.

His strong fingers began at her shoulders and rubbed out the tightness.

“That feels wonderful.”

“I’m just beginning. I have big plans for making you moan.”

She’d never be able to keep quiet. “Go for it.”

Her forehead might have been resting on hands, but she could picture Vince smiling. His hands told her. When he finished with removing the tension from her shoulders, he slipped his hands under her T-shirt and stroked her back.

Boldness grabbed her. “You want me to take off my top?”

“Does a bull buck?”

The man had a knack for making her laugh. “You’ll have to move.” She needed room to roll over.

He lifted onto his knees, allowing her to flip over. His head nearly touched the top of the tent. The only way to get her shirt off was to sit up. He’d placed a headlamp at the back of the tent and pointed it away from the campsite to prevent shadows. The glow allowed her to see everything about him. He must have taken his shirt off when she was facedown.
Nice
.

She propped herself on her elbows but needed more room. Vince lifted her shirt over her breasts.

He grinned. “I thought you could use the help.”

“You’re right.” She dropped back onto the mattress and lifted her hands above her head. “Pull.” The moment he removed her shirt, the cold air pebbled her nipples. “It’s chilly.”

“Won’t be for long.” He planted his hands on her bare tits.

He was right. Warmth spread down her body. “You have hot hands.”

“Only for you. Mmm. Darlin’, you are one fine woman. I’ve been dreaming of your breasts, your body, and of exploring your mind from the second I saw you in the barn.”

She silently laughed. “Why do I think you just added on
the mind
stuff?”

“Smartie.” He leaned over and kissed her, his tongue demanding entrance. His hands slipped off her breasts and replaced them with his naked hard body. She swooned.

His feet slid backward until their lengths matched. The top sleeping bag pooled around his waist, but being cold no longer was a concern. His hard cock dug into her pubic bone. As if he could sense her discomfort, he moved down two-inches, still giving him lots of kissing room.

He tasted all man, a sweet combination of chocolate and coffee. Their tongues swirled and twisted, battling to explore the other. When he pulled up for air, she threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled him down for more. He lifted his head and, using his teeth, tugged on her bottom lip. His playful and sensual touch made her body sizzle.

“Didn’t you promise to take care of the soreness in my thighs?”

“Trust me. I haven’t forgotten. We’ve got all night.”

Perhaps he was trying to keep her from worrying. “Are you really planning to stay up so you’ll be ready for the boogie man if he should come?”

He nabbed her chin and licked his way down to the hollow of her throat. “I will do whatever it takes to protect you.”

Gone was the joking manner. In its place was a man intent on keeping his promise. She hadn’t seen this side of him, but she liked it. Hell, she loved it.

His cock ground against her body, but the pressure disappeared as he lowered his hips and captured her nipple in his mouth. With his other hand, he palmed her breast. The first pull had her twisting beneath him. She closed her eyes and tightened her jaw to keep from making any noise. She wished she could let loose and moan and groan, but she’d be totally embarrassed tomorrow if everyone knew they’d made love.

“You are so beautiful.”

His compliment sounded sincere, so unlike Craig’s. Being herself was much easier when other people accepted her quirks and failings.

“You are, too.” That slipped out, but it was the truth.

“You are so overdressed. I thought you said you wanted to take off your pants?”

“After you take off yours.”

Vince leaned back on his knees and tugged down her bottoms. “I will in a sec.”

He dragged his backpack near and withdrew a condom from the side pocket.

“You planned to seduce me?”

“Shh. Hell, yes. As I said, I can’t get you out of my mind.”

That worked for her. She grinned. He moved to the side and the two of them removed the rest of their clothes. She wished the light in the corner had been brighter, as his cock was shrouded in shadows.

Her wet nipples had puckered, and she wrapped her arms over her chest to keep warm. He pulled the sleeping bag over his shoulders, slid her arms to the side, and returned to the business of adoring her breasts. With one swipe of his tongue, goose bumps rippled up her arms. She shivered and he palmed her shoulder to warm her. With her free hand, she clasped his biceps and squeezed, loving the texture of his skin and the way the muscles moved even as he breathed.

Vince dropped his mouth to her belly, dragging the blanket over his head as he travelled. “So much of you I want to taste. So little time.”

She tucked the bag up to her chin. Seeing his back lift and drop the bag prevented her from knowing exactly what he was about to do. When his thumbs parted her lower lips and his tongue swiped her pussy, she moaned and immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.

“I heard that, young lady.”

The whole camp probably heard his comment. “Shh.”

He nabbed her clit, and her mind splintered. Perhaps it was the forbidden nature of the act, but every sense heightened. He licked and sucked. She lifted and bucked. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms to keep from making a sound. No way could she remain still once he impaled her. Part of her wanted to urge him to give her his cock now, but the other half adored the way he incited a riot in her body. He plunged a finger in her wet opening, and her stomach tightened. She milked his finger.

He curled the meaty digit that was pressing on her most sensitive spot, and her back arched. She wrapped her legs around his shoulders and lifted her hips. Her head thrashed.