Not My 1st Rodeo (4 page)

There was no easing into this one. It was pure, unadulterated desire that pulsed between them. “I waited all night to do that,” she said on a soft breath, stepping back and gripping the lapels of his jacket. She pushed it off his shoulders and tossed it at a chair so that it draped there, lopsided. Her busy fingers fumbled at the buttons of his shirt while he simply pulled on the tie at the waist of her dress and it fell away, the wrap-style now gaping in the middle.

“I love that this is easy access,” he replied, his voice rich and dark. She was still working on the buttons of his shirt when he put his hand over hers and stopped her progress.

“This is what you want?” he asked, his blue eyes piercing hers. “You're sure?”

There was a moment of uncertainty and she paused. “You don't?”

“Oh, I do,” he confirmed. “But you need to be sure. We won't do anything you don't want to.”

She could see the hollow of his throat, a V-shaped slice of skin visible where she'd unbuttoned his shirt. She wanted to taste it, to touch it. She wanted to feel strong and feminine and sexy and not awkward and unsure. For some reason, Brett was able to make her feel that way. He had from the moment of the first combustible kiss.

“I'm sure.”

“Then, darlin', take that off for me.” There was so much heat in his voice, she could swear her uterus contracted in simple anticipation.

“The dress?”

He nodded, slowly. “The dress. But you might want to leave those shoes on.”

Melly swallowed. If that wasn't the sexiest thing she'd heard in a long, long time… She hoped her hands steadied as she found the fabric of her dress and eased it off her shoulders, letting the silky material puddle on the floor at her feet.

She was incredibly thankful that she'd had the foresight to wear good underwear. Her bikini panties were pale pink, with swatches of lace over the hips, and the bra matched, the plunge accentuating her cleavage. The look of bald admiration on Brett's face told her he approved.

“Your turn,” she instructed.

Brett lifted first one foot and then the other, taking off his boots. Then he pulled the tails of his shirt out of his jeans and her mouth went dry as he undid the rest of the buttons, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his chest and abs. God, he was sexy. Did he realize it? She didn't think so. There wasn't a trace of smugness on his face. Just longing—and intent.

“Come here,” he said, and she took the few steps necessary to stand in front of him. She put her hands inside his shirt and touched the hard warmth of his skin, loving when a muscle ticked in his jaw. Daring, she kissed the center of his chest, then slid her mouth over to flick her tongue over a small nipple, smiling when he swore under his breath.

She put her hands at his waist, unbuckled his belt by feel alone and slid the button from the hole so that only the zip remained fastened. To her delight, Brett shrugged out of his shirt and hauled her close, the heat of his skin soft and warm against hers as they twined together.

They kissed right there at the spot where the tile entry met the soft carpet of her living room. A little squeak came from her mouth as he picked her up and carried her to the sofa. He put her down gently and then lowered himself on top of her, his strong arms braced on either side of her head and the stiff fabric of his jeans pressed against her panties. She wrapped her leg around his hip and arched up, rubbing against him as their kisses grew more fevered. He slid down a little and bit at her nipple through her bra, and she cried out as pleasure darted through her body.

Despite the urgency, Brett took his time until she was hot, pliant and so ready she thought she might lose her mind. He reached back into his pocket for his wallet and she saw him take out a foil packet before dropping the wallet on the floor.

She sat up a little, put out her hand when he would have returned to the sofa. “Not here,” she said, her breath coming fast and hot. “Follow me.”

She took his hand and led him to her room, stopping only to click on a bedside lamp, giving the room a soft, warm glow. It had been so long since she'd had sex, so long since she'd felt this carnal and beautiful. She wanted to see him. And she wanted him to see her. She helped him take off his jeans, stripped off her panties and then nudged him down on to the bed, taking the condom from his hand and putting it on him herself.

“Mel,” he murmured.

When she lowered herself onto him, his head went back, his eyes closed, and she hesitated a moment to enjoy the sensation of him inside her. But soon the urge to move took over and she started a slow rocking that picked up pace as his hands gripped her hips.

“You feel so good.” She sighed, bracing her hands on his pecs. “So good.”

“God…you…too.” His icy-blue gaze was on her, and he bit down on his lip when she gave her hips a sharp thrust. “God, woman…”

Crazy, that was what this was. Crazy and awesome, and she let all of her inhibitions go. She bent one knee up towards his ribs, straightened the other and levered her hips, feeling the orgasm building inside. Her hands were on the pillow on either side of his head, and as she moved he caught the tip of one breast in his mouth. That was all it took to light the fuse. Two thrusts later, her world came apart, her body shuddering over his as she cried out.

She was vaguely aware of hearing her name as Brett put one strong hand on her bottom and met her thrust for thrust. They were a tangle of limbs and sweat and sex as they came down from their climaxes, their breath harsh and satisfied in the quiet of the bedroom.

Melly shifted, he slid out of her, and she collapsed beside him on the bed.

“Whoa,” he said, a low sound of awe that made her feel sexy and accomplished and inordinately pleased with herself.

“Mmm,” she replied. The cool air in the room caused little goose bumps to erupt on her damp skin.

“I need to…uh…”

She chuckled into the pillow. “Bathroom's the door on the right,” she said. Funny how now that the moment was over, he was bashful. But then that was part of what she liked about him. He came across like this quiet guy, all manners and still waters, but then there was this intensity about him that hinted at the fire beneath the surface.

And so far, she'd touched the flame and hadn't been burned. She smiled to herself as he walked to the door, and she admired the rear view.

He was back moments later, his hair tousled, his skin flushed. Melly remained lying on her side on the bed, her elbow under her head, still catching her breath. Brett reached for his boxers and slipped them on before joining her on top of the bedspread.

He assumed a similar pose, propping up his head on his hand and he smiled at her. “Okay?” he asked.

“Very okay,” she replied, moving her foot and sliding her toe along the side of his calf. “I don't know what it is with us. It's like we touch each other and…well, it's like lighting a match.”

“I know. I hope you're not asking me to be sorry. I still feel like I'm having a slight out-of-body experience.”

She laughed. “Me too. That was good, Brett. Really good.”

“I don't usually move this fast. I mean, second date and all. Pretty sure my mama would flay me alive.”

“You're a bit old to be worried about your mama,” Melly laughed.

“Are you kidding? Obviously you haven't met mine.” But he was grinning. “Seriously though. I'd be given a lecture on respecting a woman and taking my time.” He frowned. “I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here, except this kind of thing isn't something I make a habit of.”

Clearly, if it was true that he hadn't been with anyone since his divorce. Her heart melted a little bit at his consideration.

“I wasn't exactly taking my time either, cowboy.” She ran her fingers over his ribs. “I knew the first time you kissed me that if it came to this, it would be good. Thanks for more than living up to the expectation.”

His eyes glowed at her. “Damn, I like you.”

“I like you too.”

There was another decision to be made, and that was where to go from here. Invite him to stay? The idea of waking up with him was enticing, but it might also be too soon. So far, it had been two dates and one major release of pent-up sexual energy. Yet she didn't want him to just get up and get dressed and leave.

“You want to stay a while? We could, you know, talk or something.”

“Or something?”

“Don't you need recovery time?”

He laughed then, a big, full laugh that warmed her down to her toes. She couldn't help but join in. Damn, this whole thing was surreal. Just a week ago, she'd been scared he'd be a no-show at the coffee shop. It had been slightly awkward, until he'd kissed her. That had been different. That had felt right from the start. Just like tonight.

Maybe their relationship was going to be based on sex. If that were the case, it would burn out soon enough. The idea was slightly depressing, and her laugh drifted away.

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked. And then he rolled to his back and stretched out his arm, inviting her to curl into his side.

Melly got off the bed, went to a chest at the foot and took out a soft blanket. She spread it out and then got under it and covered them both as she cuddled into his body. Mercy, he felt good. All heat and muscle and lean strength.

“How about you tell me what you've been up to?”

“Just the regular ranch work. It's not that interesting. Besides, you probably have some school stories that are more entertaining.”

“A few that would curl your hair.” She chuckled. “You know, I love teaching literature. And this can be such a great age. But oh my God, the hormones. The drama.”

He chuckled. “I remember my sisters at that age.”

“Oh, it's not just the girls.” She turned her head and looked up at him. “Boys are almost as bad.” She grinned. “Almost.”

She sighed. “But you know, sometimes I envy them. At that age, the world is your oyster. There are no limits, only ambitions and dreams.”

“And you've given up on dreams?”

“I don't know.” She pursed her lips, considering. “It's not even that. It's more…I don't know. The world changes. Things that you count on that disappear.”

He shifted his weight a little. “You mean your marriage?”

She supposed she did, in a way. But lately, she'd been thinking more and more about her mom and dad. They'd been her one constant through everything. Home was always home. The idea of the ranch not being a place to go home to anymore…

If only her cousin Dustin could get approval from the bank, at least it would stay in the family. But this week her mom had confessed that they'd had an offer and they were tempted.

“Mel?”

She liked how he called her Mel, not Melissa or Melly. It was like the shortened version of her name was only for him. Once more, she sighed, feeling weary. “It's my mom and dad's place. Dad's heart won't let him work it anymore, and to be honest, they can't afford to keep it. It's up for sale. And I know they've had an offer and it makes me sad.”

“Of course it does. It's your home.”

“Yeah. It's kind of…well, it's not just a house. It's a whole way of life, constant and secure. Only it's not. That freak storm last year? It cost Dad a quarter of the herd. Between that and his illness… But I thought it would always be there for me to go home to.”

She was mortified to find her eyes had watered and her voice wobbled.

“I'm sorry.”

“No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get emotional on you.” She lifted her hand and scrubbed her eyes. “Honestly, I'm kind of mad. I don't even know who at. Circumstance, maybe. Shit, Melly Carmichael is supposed to be tougher than this.”

Brett's hand had been stroking her arm, but suddenly he stilled. “Did you say Carmichael? I thought your last name was Walker.”

“Walker's my married name. I never changed it back.”

“And your parents live where again?”

A little bit of unease trickled through her. “Just east of Lincoln.”

“Christ.” Brett shifted, sat up a bit. “Not Jim and Becky Carmichael?”

She pushed herself up on the bed, clutching the edge of the blanket to her chest. “Wait. You know my parents?”

“We've met. Mel, I'm the one who put in a bid on the ranch.”

She stared at him. “You? But…” God. Little things started racing through her brain. Was it all a coincidence? That out of all the girls on the dating site, he'd picked her? That he'd just happened to mention a purchase over coffee last week? She knew for a fact that her parents had turned down his offers. Three of them, to be exact, but they were weakening. He wanted the property, and he wanted it badly. The question was how far was he willing to go to get it?

Enough to use her? She scrambled off the bed, snatching the blanket and wrapping it around herself, leaving him exposed. “You need to go.”

“Mel.” He had the audacity to look surprised. “Look, I had no idea…”

“Really? You really didn't?” She lifted her eyebrow in a cynical arch. “Was this all part of your plan? What was the idea, get me talking and find out if my parents were softening or what it would take to get them to say yes? I'll answer that right now. Never. You are
never
going to buy our ranch.”

Forget the nerve to be surprised, he was actually angry if the thin slash of his lips and furrowed brow were anything to go by.

“What exactly are you accusing me of? Sleeping with you to…what? I didn't even know who you were.”

“So you say.” She was naked under the blanket.
Naked
. She thought she might actually be sick. “My
sister
set up my profile. My
sister
contacted you first.” She shook her head as she mimicked him. “You really expect me to believe that?”