Her Lucky Cowboy (20 page)

Chapter 14

B
ell woke up by degrees, starting with the aches and pains in her body. She opened her eyes and stared at Dane, sitting in the chair he’d moved from the window to the bed. He was reading a book, with his bad leg propped on the mattress next to her.

The relief she felt just seeing him watching over her washed through her and melted her heart. Drawn to him, she took him in, from the dark T-shirt stretched tight across his chest, shoulders, and massive biceps to his lean legs encased in denim. His hair was raked back, his eyes intent on the book. She longed to get closer to him and all his strength and the comfort he made her feel.

“See anything you like?” His deep voice resonated in her heart.

“It’s strange waking up with a man, but I sure do like seeing you.”

Dane dropped his foot to the floor, closed the book, and leaned forward. “I’ll take it. How are you feeling?”

“Sore. How long have I been asleep?”

“A couple of hours.”

“What are you reading?”

“A book about harvesting healthy grains. I’m thinking about working one of the fields. I need to get the soil ready and figure out the best type of grain to plant for our climate and growing season. I thought I’d talk to some of the people I know who grow grasses and grains and see what’s worked for them, but I wanted to read up about it so I know what to ask.”

“Smart.”

“Yeah, I learned that from you. You read about everything. I thought I’d give it a shot. It passes the time while I’m laid up.”

“That’s quite a stack of books.”

“I’d forgotten how much I like to read. I’ve been working my way through some mystery crime series.”

“I’d like to borrow them when you’re done.”

“Sure. I called the clinic. They completely understood and asked another doctor to cover for you. Someone who probably owed you for always covering for them.”

“Thanks for taking care of that, and me.”

He set the book on top of the stack of others on the bedside table, then reached out and combed his fingers through her hair. “I’d like to take care of you all the time if you let me.”

“I could really use a hug.” She scooted back on the bed and made room for him. She patted the empty space beside her.

“You’re asking for trouble.”

“I need you to hold me.”

His dark eyes narrowed on her, but he leaned forward and slid onto the bed beside her. He reached for her, wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled close to his chest. She let out a heavy sigh, completely at ease to be enclosed in his strong arms. In fact, she wanted to feel him against her even more and scooted closer. She smoothed her hand up his back over all the taut muscles.

“Be still,” he grumbled.

She slid her hand down his back to his waist, dipped her hand under his shirt, and smoothed it up his warm, bare skin. God, the man felt so good.

“You’re playing with fire, sweetheart.”

Emboldened by the fact he’d said he wanted to take care of her and the sweet way he’d already done so after her accident, she said, “I’m kind of cold. Warm me up.”

He rolled and pushed her to her back, then leaned over her on his elbow and stared down at her. All he did was allow her to reach her other hand around him. Now she ran both hands up his shirt and over his smooth skin.

“You’re in no condition to play games like this.”

“Who’s playing?”

“I am not going to take advantage of you after you were hurt and scared this morning.”

“I’m perfectly fine now. You are not taking advantage.” She pulled her hands from his back and reached up to his face. She brought him down for a soft kiss. “You’re doing that chemistry thing again.” She kissed him, this time sweeping her tongue out to trace his lip and dive deep. She pulled back. “You know that thing where we both say, ‘Do it again.’ ” She kissed him long and deep, dipping her hands back up into his shirt and kneading her fingers into his taut muscles. She dragged the shirt over his head. He shook out his hair and stared down at her. “Make love to me.”

“You’re sure.”

“I have never wanted anything more in my life.”

Dane hoped he had the strength to do this right and not rush her. He’d never expected her to pull him into bed with her. Now that he was here, he meant to love her the way she deserved to be loved. He took things slow, kissing her until she melted into the mattress. Her hands swept up his back, down, around his sides and up his chest. She had strong, nimble fingers that stroked his body and enflamed his need for her.

She kissed her way along his jaw and down his neck. He dipped his hand inside the oversized T-shirt and spread his fingers wide over her smooth side, then inched his way to her breast and covered it with his palm. She sighed, and the hot air washed over his skin. She arched her back. He squeezed and kneaded the firm mound, plucking her hard nipple between his index and middle finger.

“More,” she demanded on an exhale.

Oh, he had more for her. Lots more. He tore her shirt off over her head. He stared down at her creamy skin and pink-tipped breasts. Perfect. “God, you’re beautiful.” He dipped his head and kissed a trail down her neck and chest to her nipple, taking it into his mouth and sucking soft, then hard. Her fingers raked up his back and combed through his hair. She held his head to her breast, and he feasted on the bounty.

“Ah God, Bell, I want you so damn bad.”

“I want you. Stop holding back.”

She read him so well. He was holding back for her sake and his. He wanted this to last, but he felt the need gnawing at his insides.

“Now who is thinking too much,” she taunted.

“You asked for it.” He took her other breast into his mouth and sucked hard at the same time he smoothed his hand down her belly, under the sweats, and cupped her in his hand.

“Yes, I did.”

He rubbed against her center, brought his hand up, and rubbed his fingers over her soft folds to her wet center, thrusting one finger deep. He pulled free and she raised her hips, seeking more. He gave it to her, sliding his finger back in, rubbing his palm against her clit. She moaned and made him want more of those sexy little sighs and groans she let loose every time he kissed, licked, sucked at her breasts and pressed his finger deep inside of her.

He kissed his way down her belly and pulled his hand free from between her legs. She stared down at him, nothing but trust and desire lighting her sparkling blue eyes. He hooked his fingers in her waistband and drew the pants down her legs. She never hesitated or stopped looking at him. Instead, she raised her hips to help him and settled back into the mattress. He smoothed his hands up her legs to her hips and back down her thighs. He replaced the caress with his mouth, kissing his way up one leg and down the other. She relaxed again. He shifted over her leg and lay between her spread thighs. He held himself above her on his hands and planted soft, wet kisses down the center of her belly, all the way to heaven.

“Dane?”

“Trust me.” She’d never had a man love her like this. Well, he aimed to show her what making love was all about. He rarely did this with any woman, but with her, he wanted to share everything. He settled back on the mattress, planted his hands on her thighs, spread her legs wider, dipped his head, and licked her soft folds. With her on his tongue, he planted his mouth over her center and thrust his tongue deep. Her hips shifted and came up to meet his mouth. He loved her until she was writhing on the bed, rising up to the edge, but he didn’t let her fall. He wanted to soar with her.

He kissed the inside of her thigh, and she squeaked out a protest that he’d left her on the brink of exploding in his arms. He rode that line hard but took a deep breath and tried to calm his body even as he undid his jeans and freed his swollen flesh. He pushed his jeans down his legs and pulled his good leg free. The brace hampered his movements, but nothing would stop him from making love to this woman and making her his. Forever.

He leaned up and kissed her hard and deep, reaching over to the bedside drawer and fumbling for a condom. He grabbed one, tore his mouth from hers, ripped open the package, and leaned to the side to slide it on. He rolled back on top of her. His chest met hers, and she pressed her breasts against him, her hips circling to find him and take him in. He settled between her thighs, pressed the thick head of his penis to her entrance, and joined their bodies in a long, slow glide that made him clench his jaw and close his eyes on the sheer pleasure that washed through him. She was so damn tight he needed to wait a few seconds for her body to adjust. She didn’t wait at all. She rocked her hips into his, and he lost it.

Bell felt the shift in him the second she pressed her body along his. He pulled out and thrust deep, and she met him. That something shimmery and hot built inside of her again, gathering in intensity. She rocked her hips back when he pulled out and met him when he thrust into her again. His mouth crushed hers, his tongue glided in. She tasted herself on his lips and sucked his tongue. He groaned, broke free of the kiss, gave her a feral look, and buried his face in her neck as his body slammed into hers again and again. He shifted, grinding his hips to hers. She caught the wave of pleasure, spread her legs to accommodate his big body, dug her heels into the bed, grabbed his hips, and pulled him closer. The sweet friction their bodies created sparked something new. She found the spot that made it flame to life. Dane matched her moves. Her whole body went tight. That flame exploded with Dane’s next deep thrust, and she held her breath as waves of heat and pleasure raced through her nerves. Dane pulled out and thrust deep again, his body tensing with hers. He shuddered against her. She wrapped her arms around his back and held him close.

He settled on top of her, his breath sawing in and out against her neck. She hugged him tighter, trying to figure out what this feeling inside of her meant. She felt so full. She didn’t know what to say or do except hold onto him.

Dane felt the change in her. He felt it in him, too. He’d expected making love to her to be different. He hadn’t expected it to be life-altering. He slid down her body, shifted to her side, and pulled her over to her side to snuggle against his chest. She lay facing him, her head tucked below his chin, her cheek pressed to his heart. She held onto him for dear life and he held her, giving them both time to figure this out.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” she whispered.

He wanted to reassure her, but he didn’t know if he had the words to explain.

“I feel it, too. It’s the connection you have to me now, sweetheart. I can’t explain it except to say that you are so special to me, Bell, that I took a piece of you into me, and I gave you a piece of myself.”

She looked up at him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. He didn’t know what to say or do besides kiss her to seal the promise they’d silently made to each other to hold sacred the pieces of themselves they’d shared. He pressed his lips to hers in a soft caress that lasted only seconds but held all the feelings he had inside of him for this strange, beautiful woman who’d come into his life unexpectedly and changed it for the better in so many ways.

They lay there in the silence, holding each other, and settling into this next step of their relationship.

“Dane.”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

“I’m starving.”

He hugged her close and kissed her on the top of her head. She’d come up with the perfect ice breaker for them to get up and move on after that cataclysmic event.

“You didn’t get to have that cup of coffee. How about we go downstairs, and I’ll make you a sandwich and a cup of joe. We’ll sit on the couch and watch Looney Tunes.”

“The ‘What’s up, Doc?’ reference.”

“You got it.”

“Sounds good.”

He released her and sat up beside her, untangling his jeans from around his brace. She didn’t move beside him, so he glanced down at her. Bad idea. All that creamy skin over taut muscles and curves. His mouth watered, but he reined in his renewed desire.

“It’s kind of weird knowing you’ve seen me naked,” she said with a shy smile.

“Well, it probably won’t make you feel any better to know I’m going to see you naked again. And again. And again. It’s my new favorite thing.”

“That just means I get to see you naked again. And again.”

“And again. All you want, sweetheart.”

She rose up and kissed his shoulder. Her hand smoothed down his side. Her finger traced the scar on his hip. “How did you get this?”

“I was seventeen and working with my dad, branding cows. I helped push them into the chute. One ornery cow got stuck. I jumped off my horse to help. She got unstuck and knocked me into the gate and a broken pipe. It stabbed me and left that half-moon scar.”

“It’s kind of cute.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I like you.” She shifted, took his hand, and pulled his arm out to trace the feather tattoo. “When did you get this?”

“On my eighteenth birthday. I never forgot you, sweetheart.” He reached over to the table, picked up a glass object, and handed it to her.

Bell traced her finger over the feather encased between two glass panes. “You kept it.”

“Always, like the picture I have of you in my mind.” Dane caressed her cheek, sliding his fingers into her hair and rubbing them against her head. “Reality is so much better.” She leaned into his touch, turned, and kissed the tattoo on his forearm.

“I don’t want to lose this feeling. I don’t ever want to lose you,” she confessed.

“You won’t.” He leaned down and kissed her softly.

She shifted on the bed, winced in pain, and set his treasure back on the table.

He laid his hand on her knee. “Is it bad?”

“No. It’s actually much better. The ice took down the swelling. You made everything else feel better.” She gave him a shy smile.

He pressed his palm to her belly, leaned over, and kissed her softly on the lips. “I can’t stand to see you hurt.”

“I feel the same way about you. How’s your leg?”

“Stop worrying about me. My leg is mending fine and you know it.”

He turned back, pulled his jeans loose, and stuffed his foot down the leg. He shifted to the side of the bed, stood, and pulled them mostly up his hips. “I’ll just be a second.” He walked to the bathroom.