Flirting with Love (22 page)

“Ross,” she whispered, and spread her legs further. “Oh God. You. I want you.”

She tore at the button on his jeans and he had them off in seconds. He pulled her dress over her head and tore her thong from her body—literally shredding the seam. They fell to the bed and he drove into her hard and deep. Their lips met in a passionate, hungry kiss as deep and urgent as his thrusts.

“Jesus, Lis. You’re so hot. So wet.”

She moaned at his words.

“Come for me, baby.”

She wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted her hips. He grabbed her ass and helped her efforts, angling her back so he could push in deeper. Her inner muscles clenched around him as she cried out, a loud, indiscernible sound that shot fire through his body. He started to pull out so he didn’t come inside her and she clutched his hips.

“Don’t.”

“Lis.”

“Don’t pull out.” She pressed on his hips, squeezing her legs tighter around his waist.

Two deep thrusts took him over the edge, and his muscles corded tight as he pumped her full of his love. They were both breathing hard as they rolled onto their sides.

“Lis, you said not to come inside you.”

She smiled, eyes still closed. “I couldn’t help it. I wanted you in me.”

Still in a foggy haze of lust, they forced themselves to get up and showered together. Even if he hadn’t been able to see Elisabeth’s gorgeous body beneath the spray of the shower, her nipples hard and the sensual look in her eyes, he would still have had a hard time keeping his eyes off of her. There was an energy between them that heated the air and drew him to her like metal to magnet.

“You’re like a drug. How am I supposed to shower with you and not want to make love to you again?”

Elisabeth washed up as quickly as she could and smiled at the sight of his formidable erection, eagerly pointing upward again.

“Good, then I can count on a little loving later on.” She brushed her fingers along his balls as she stepped out of the shower.

“I’ll just stand under the
cold
water for a minute.” Holy Christ. Where had she been all his life?

VOODOO WAS A popular restaurant located at the north end of Trusty. The interior was decorated with a plethora of odd paraphernalia ranging from old-fashioned bicycles to trombones that hung on the walls like pictures. The hardwood floor was shiny and dark, as were the tables and booths. Music filtered in from the bar located down a wide hallway in the back of the restaurant. They waited in the lobby for Rex and Jade. At least they hadn’t been late. Elisabeth had visions of running in with flushed cheeks and Rex and Jade shaking their heads at them. Her insides were still reeling from the intensity of the orgasm she’d had. She was sure his cousin would know exactly what they’d done.

Ross’s hand clutched her waist, and she felt a heavy hand land on her shoulder. She and Ross both turned.

“Hey, cuz.” Rex stood eye to eye with Ross, with shoulders as wide as a linebacker, dark eyes that had to be a Braden trait, and thick black hair that hung over the top of his collar. He took his Stetson off and set his boots hip width apart. His thighs strained against a pair of faded Levi’s. “I’m sorry we’re late. We…uh…” He glanced at Jade, whose cheeks pinked up.

“Had trouble getting out of the house.” Jade raised her brows at Elisabeth and flashed a knowing smile.

Elisabeth breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little less nervous and wondering if there was an aphrodisiac in the Colorado air.

Rex embraced Ross, then opened his arms to Elisabeth. “And you must be Elisabeth. Nice to meet you.” He squeezed her tight against his rock-hard chest, then settled a hand on Jade’s back.

 “This is my fiancée, Jade.”

Jade’s long hair was as dark as Rex’s. She wore skinny jeans tucked into cowgirl boots and a black form-fitting tank top. She was built like Scarlett Johansson, but she was ten times prettier with almond-shaped eyes and higher cheekbones. She and Rex were the epitome of a beautiful Western couple. Hot cowboy, gorgeous cowgirl, and the way Rex looked at her was the same heated way Ross looked at Elisabeth. The whole scene was so different from LA that she wondered how she’d stayed there for so long. She’d seen more love pass between Ross and his family in just a few weeks than she ever had anywhere else.

Jade hugged Elisabeth. “It’s nice to meet you. Emily has told me a lot about you.”

“Emily was over last night. She’s designing my kitchen renovations.”

“She’s weaseling her way into Elisabeth’s life and eating all her baked goods,” Ross teased.

“Sounds like Em,” Jade said.

The waitress seated them in a booth. They looked over the menu and ordered a round of drinks.

“Emily said you moved from Los Angeles. Are you still in culture shock?” Jade asked.

“It’s definitely different, but I spent time here in the summers when I was younger, so I knew what I was getting into.”

Ross pulled her against him. “Well, mostly, anyway.”

Elisabeth’s insides warmed. She had hoped and dreamed of meeting a man like Ross, but being with him was so much better than those dreams ever were.

“You can’t elude fate.” Jade gazed up at Rex with eyes full of adoration. “Look at us. Our families feuded for forty years before our love conquered it.” She looked at Ross and Elisabeth. “True love can’t be stopped, and when it touches you, you’re flooded with so much emotion that you don’t know whether you’re sinking or swimming, or floating. I know this sounds corny, but I swear it’s true. I was in love with Rex for fifteen years before we finally got together, and still, to this very day, when I look at him he takes my breath away.”

Rex brought a big, strong hand to her cheek and gazed into her eyes. “I’ll always breathe for you.” He pressed a loving kiss to her lips and Elisabeth felt her insides melt.

She glanced at Ross and saw every bit as much love as she felt in her heart.

Their dinner came, and the conversation shifted to the Braden ranch and Rex’s brother Treat’s baby, Adriana, who was named for their mother. Rex’s mother, Adriana, had passed away when her children were young, and as Rex spoke of her, it was clear his love for her still flourished.

“I want to be next,” Jade said.

“Next?” Ross asked.

“A baby. I want to be the next one to have a baby. I’m so ready, and Rexy isn’t getting any younger.”

“Hey. We’ve got to get married first.” Rex’s smile told Elisabeth that a baby was not a bone of contention between them. He shifted his eyes to Ross. “You’re coming to Josh and Riley’s wedding, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Ross turned his attention to Elisabeth. “Josh is Rex’s younger brother. He’s a fashion designer in New York, and he’s marrying Riley Banks, his business partner and childhood crush. The wedding is in New York in the spring. We’ll get someone to watch the boys and your animals and make a vacation of it.”

Elisabeth felt her eyes widen and tried to quell her excitement. Spring was months away. Ross was planning a future with her. She realized that she hadn’t even considered
if
they stayed together. She assumed they would. With the few other men she’d dated, she was constantly battling the things she didn’t feel comfortable with about them. With Ross, that hadn’t happened even once.

“Elisabeth, you’ll love Riley,” Jade said. “She’s my best friend in the world, and you’ll meet all the girls. I can’t wait!”

“Do you two have a date for your wedding yet?” Ross arched a brow at Rex.

Rex tightened his grip on Jade. “We’re deciding on the location first. I wanted to plan the whole thing and surprise Jade, but so far she’s not going for it.”

Jade rolled her eyes. “He’s the most romantic man on earth, isn’t he?”

“I think you should let him,” Elisabeth said. “He knows you, and he loves you. Who better to plan your big day?”

Jade’s gaze softened. “I hadn’t thought of it in those terms. Maybe so. Hm.”

“Not to change the subject or anything, although I am…” Elisabeth was itching to ask about the business opportunity Jade wanted to talk about. “Ross said you wanted to talk about my pet-pampering business.”

“Yes. Tell me about what you do. I do horse massage, and a lot of my clients have cats and dogs and have asked about my doing massages for them. I can, and I have, but horses are really my specialty—”

“And cowboys,” Rex added with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Only one cowboy.” Jade touched his cheek. “Anyway, I thought maybe we could discuss referrals and maybe share client lists, that sort of thing.”

“Gosh, I’d love that
if
I had a client list. Unfortunately, I’m so new to the town that I don’t think many people here trust me yet, and they don’t seem that interested in grooming their pets. Although I did get a call from someone named Cherry about grooming her shih tzu.”

“Cherry Macomb. She’s a client of Ross’s, but I know of her.” Jade laughed. “She acts like she’s some kind of movie star and dresses like she’s Peg Bundy, but she’s really good to her animals.”

“Well, I know how to handle film stars, so that’s good.”

“Why don’t we do this,” Jade offered. “How about if you come with me to see a few of my clients and talk with them? You can give them your information, and maybe that will get things started for you.”

“Really? You haven’t seen me work yet. Do you want to watch me do a pet massage or grooming first?” Elisabeth’s heart was beating so fast she could barely hear past it.

“I heard about what you did for Gracie, and word has spread as far as Allure about you picking up the Wynchels’ dogs and grooming them. If Ross trusts you, which he obviously does, then I trust you.” Jade sipped her drink. “And I’d imagine that all that talk will eventually lead to more business for you.”

“Thank you, Jade. You can’t imagine how much this means to me.”
Is this really happening?

Ross touched his forehead to hers. “And as far as trust goes, give it time. No one will be able to resist you.”

ROSS AND ELISABETH cuddled on a lounge chair beneath a blanket and watched the sun rise Saturday morning while Storm, Ranger, and Sarge played in the yard. Knight sat beside them, his black fur rising and falling with each sleepy breath. He had become as attached to Elisabeth as Ross had, and since Elisabeth was lying in Ross’s arms with one hand stretched out as she stroked Knight’s back, he knew she’d become just as attached to Knight. Storm had awoken at five o’clock, and rather than try to go back to sleep, they’d taken all the dogs out and decided to greet the rising sun from the back deck of Ross’s house.

“Why do you think Storm was up so early?” Elisabeth asked.

 “Who knows. But Trout did say he had trouble sleeping. I’m hoping it’s just a fluke. Trout thought he was lonely.” He slipped his hand under the back of her camisole. Her skin was warm, despite the chilly morning air. She was wearing a pair of his flannel pajama pants folded down at the waist to make them smaller, and they still nearly fell off her hips.

“Did you suggest moving the crate closer?” Her eyes narrowed.

Ross kissed her. “I did, and I brought him a toy that makes a soothing sound for Storm to sleep with.”

“That should help. I think there’s comfort in numbers, and dogs get lonely just like we do.”

“I have a feeling you’ll be one of those mothers who jumps at every cry your babies make.”

He felt her smile against his chest.

“Probably, but don’t even try to pretend that you’d be any different. You’re a big softie. I see how you are with the boys. Don’t think for a second that I don’t know you’re giving them the cookies I give you at the rate of about three a day.”

“You noticed that, huh?”

“I notice everything, like the way you take extra time to pet them before bed, until each one finally lays his head down and their eyes get sleepy, and the way you smile when they do something cute like push their noses against each other. You can pretend to be caught up in the fundamentals of taking care of animals, but you have a bigger heart than you let on. The same way you do with me.”

“I’ll admit I’m caught up in you.” There was no denying the way he felt about her. “I’ll set up your awning before I go into work this morning. Are you sure you’ll be able to pick up all seven dogs for grooming today? All six of Wren’s dogs and Cherry’s? Do you want me to ask Luke if Daisy’s free, or Callie or Emily?”

She kissed his bare chest. “Oh no, don’t bother them. I can do it. I’ve got it all figured out. I’ll put the Wynchels’ dogs in the hatchback with the backseat down, and I’ll put Contessa’s crate up front with me. You’re so thoughtful, and you take such good care of me. I wish I could do something to take care of you.”

“Babe, you take care of me by just being with me. I’ve never been happier than when we’re together. And you love my boys, and you put up with my sister. It’s all good.”

She laughed. “I love Emily. She calls me almost every day to talk about the renovations and we end up talking about everything. It’s nice to finally have a friend here.”

“You have me.”

“Yes, and you’re the best boyfriend ever. But there’s a big difference between a boyfriend and a close girlfriend.” She pointed out over the mountains. “Here comes the sun.”

“I haven’t watched the sunrise in forever, and I may not have ever done it again if we hadn’t met.”

“Oh, come on. You’d have done it eventually.” She leaned up and grinned down at him. “It just wouldn’t have been as wonderful without me.”

“Damn right about that. Come here.” He pulled her into a delicious kiss.

He couldn’t think of a better way to start the morning, or a better way to end the day, since they’d been spending every night together.

PICKING UP THE dogs turned out to be more time-consuming than Elisabeth had counted on. At Wynchels’, one of the dogs took off after a rabbit, and it had taken her nearly thirty minutes to wrangle him back to the car. And true to Jade’s description, Cherry Macomb was a Peg Bundy lookalike from her bouffant hairdo and sky-high heels to her leggings, wide belt, and tight shirt.

“Okay, Tessie, Tessie. Mama will see you soon.” Cherry kissed Contessa on the nose and handed her to Elisabeth. “Her full name is Miss Contessa Macomb, but we call her Tessie.” Contessa weighed only about fifteen pounds. She had fluffy white fur and a few black spots on her back. She had the sweetest eyes and demeanor. Elisabeth fell instantly in love with the little cuddle muffin.