Roman's Choice (Saddles & Second Chances Book 1) (9 page)

He slowly made love to her pussy with his tongue and mouth. Gliding his tongue over the swollen curves of her lips, lingering on the clit hidden beneath the silken sheath. Need pulsed through him, wave after wave, possessing his body. His blood boiled and there was a throbbing in his ears. The tip of his cock pounded. His balls ached.

He suckled her core, drawing long figure eights with the tip of his tongue until her cries became warnings that she neared release.

*****

Pippa would have screamed the roof off if she thought it would ease the tension building between her inner thighs. She’d never been given as much pleasure as now with Roman tucked between her thighs.

She could feel her juices flowing from her pussy into his mouth as he lapped her up, sipped her like a fine wine. How had she breathed, lived, survived without this feeling, this sensation?

In this moment, under his touch, she’d grown into a knowledgeable woman, finding parts of her that had been numb until now. He pierced her with his tongue, gliding in and out of her opening, making a silent promise of what he’d do with his cock later. She clenched his tongue as a spiraling heat swirled through her belly, stroking her with its magical hands. The invisible rope grew tighter until she thought she might pass out from the awe-inspiring feelings rocking her.

The release came fast and mind-blowing, ripping through her in a honeyed bliss. She sank her head into her pillow, her head thumping against the wooden headboard until the muscles of her core softened, leaving her a lifeless body with a heartbeat.

He continued to feast on her, her muscles involuntarily jerking as the last remnants of her orgasm left her body. He sucked up the remaining bit of her juices, rolling his tongue over the sensitive folds until he left her secret part and came back to her, face-to-face.

Clutching the front of his shirt, in one swift movement, she tore the material apart. Buttons flew and skated across the floor. He tore the material the rest of the way from his body. She skimmed her hungry gaze over him, taking in his broad chest and lifting her head to lick the flat, pink nipples. She grazed her teeth along the masculine beads, then trailed kisses across the smooth skin of his chest. Kissing his neck, she lifted her chin and suckled his ear lobe, drawing the soft flesh into her mouth.

Placing her palms against his chest, she pushed him back onto the bed, lifting to her knees, her hair falling over one shoulder. She worked his belt buckle, the metal clanging as she loosened it then tore the leather belt from the loops of his jeans. Carefully, teasingly, she undid the button and unzipped the fly, their fingers meeting on the jeans and together pushing them from his hips and thick thighs. “Just one second, sweetheart.” He reached into the back pocket of his jeans, pulled out his billfold and reached for the foil wrapped protection. “Don’t want to forget this.”

She took the package from him, ripped off the top and took out the velvety soft condom. Within seconds, she had him protected and was straddling him, her wet pussy spread over his torrid cock. He grabbed his erection and guided the fat tip to her opening and she sucked in a deep breath as he pushed himself slowly inside of her.

He was large and she was tight, so he took great care in stretching her, inch by inch, sliding his way inside of her. She closed her eyes, laid her head back onto one shoulder and allowed her body to go into auto-drive. She swirled her hips, clenching the muscles, milking him and drawing him deeper into her body.

Once he was fully sheathed, she opened her eyes and met his warm gaze. They fit together so perfectly that it was breathtaking.

“This is perfection,” he whispered. “Spread wider, slightly, give me deeper entrance, sweetheart.”

At his request, she swirled her bottom, spreading her thighs wider and his plump head pressed against her insides. She cried out at the erotic sensation. His lips thinned and his eyes glazed. He felt it too.

She lowered over him, kissing him, tongues dueling. He tucked his arms around her waist and, in one swift motion, he had her on her back, not breaking the connection of their bodies. He pushed her knees upward, wider, and he sunk an inch deeper.

He moaned.

She grinded her hips against his, pushing then churning. He easily shifted his hips, pulling out to his tip, then sinking deep again. Wanting closeness, she wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him, swirling her bottom in an erotic pattern that had him panting for breath.

He lifted himself high above her, holding her gaze, then slamming into her. Sweat beaded on his forehead and temples. His eyes glazed and the veins in his neck bulged. He was so close…

She reached between their bodies and cupped his balls, gently squeezing. He groaned and pressed against her, jerking. Once he stiffened, she knew he’d reached released.

And in that moment, she knew she’d made the very best decision by coming here. Whatever the connection was between them, whatever fate brought them together, it deserved to be explored and not forgotten.

*****

Roman lay beside Pippa, hearing her soft breathing. She’d fallen asleep and he was still awake, questioning if he was neck-deep in a dream because how had he gotten so damn lucky in real life?

He could hear the pounding of his heart in his temples as his body finally started relaxing from the fantastic, life-altering orgasm he’d experienced.

He looked down at her still profile. She was absolutely beautiful.

Tearing a hand through his hair, he sighed.

How the hell was he going to explain her to his brothers? They would be shocked at his revelation at first, but they’d be happy for him—wouldn’t they? Or would they think he was quite foolish to marry a stranger?

A part of him didn’t give a damn what they thought. He was an adult and didn’t need to explain himself to anyone.

And yet, he did care what his siblings thought, however, it really didn’t matter now. He agreed to stay married to Pippa, for how long, he wasn’t sure. They never did narrow down an exact date. Not that he needed one. He was partly to blame for this mess, and he’d never been one to cower away from anything. He planned to be here for Pippa. She was his wife.

Wow…his wife.

Most people would think he was crazy—insane. But whether it was the aphrodisiac of her magnificent body or she’d hypnotized him with her beautiful gaze, it all seemed right to him. A man only lived once and why not take the roller coaster ride of a lifetime?

She cracked one eye open.

“Hey, I thought you were asleep.” He captured her lips and she made a whimpering sound.

“I think this is what they call sexually comatose,” she chuckled.

“That good, huh?” He slid the tips of his fingers along the silken curve of her neck, stopping at the pulse in her throat. Goosebumps splattered her skin and he dragged her closer to his side. She shifted, turning to snuggle deeper into the crook of his arm and body. He couldn’t describe how good it felt to have her warm, soft body next to his.

“Don’t get the big head, but I’ve never met another man who could take me through heaven.”

He lifted his head slightly, looking down at her. “Just mediocre lovers in the past?”

“Or just one phenomenal lover who put the others to shame.” She twirled her finger through the patch of hair under his belly button, causing him to shudder. “We certainly have a connection.”

“Should’ve known a one-night stand wouldn’t be enough.”

She leaned on her elbows, looking at him. “Do you always follow impulse?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been known to jump and forget the parachute.”

“Tell me about this ex-wife of yours. I feel like I need to know more.”

“There’s not a lot to tell. We were married Saturday and come Monday she was enjoying side dishes.”

“Are you exaggerating?”

“A bit, but we were only married for a short time. We were both in it for the wrong reasons.”

“Like us?”

He gave his head a shake. “Remember, you’re not my ex and I’ve grown a lot since her.”

She walked her fingers up his abs to his chest. “I’m sorry. That must have been difficult.”

“Actually, it was a relief. But what about you, sweetheart. Why hasn’t your knight in shining armor come along and swept you up?”

“Wouldn’t you know that the person who has all of the good advice for everyone else, doesn’t have the answer for herself.”

“Nah, I think that makes perfect sense. With everyone else, you see things without bias, but with yourself, it’s personal. Now you just need someone to help guide you.”

“I have dictators. A manager and my fans. I do what they want me to do. Those are the rules.” She sighed and dropped her chin to his chest.

“Who the hell says those are the rules? You’re your own person and you’re the only one who has to live your life.”

“I see your point, but along with reputation comes responsibility. I have a responsibility to the people who rely on me.”

“I understand accountability, sweetheart. I was in the public eye once too.”

“It’s different for you though. Fans expected you to be rough and tough, to sleep with the buckle bunnies and come out the hero.”

He swallowed against the tightness in his throat. The way she made it sound he was an asshole. Guilty as charged. He’d done a lot of things he wasn’t proud of, but a man could change. “Am I the first cowboy you got caught up with?” he asked, watching several expressions flit across her face.

“The first
real
cowboy, yes. There’s a big difference.”

He laughed, rubbing his palm down his face. She watched him, absorbed in more than just his movement. “You wouldn’t be here without the responsibility to your people?”

“I don’t know. Wish I could answer that. They seemed to have been my focus for everything the last few years.”

He felt a stabbing sensation straight into his chest. Was he risking his heart and emotions being with her? Didn’t she just admit that she was here to save her career? Yeah, she had while sitting at the table. He needed to keep that in mind.

Then why didn’t his emotions close off like a water faucet? He’d been with women before without emotions. He dipped his nose into her hair and inhaled. She smelled so good, felt even better, and that’s why he couldn’t pull away.

She lifted her chin, kissing him on the cheek. “No, once wouldn’t have been enough. We’d have found each other again.”

He smiled, feeling on top of the world. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but he was for damned sure going to take her sunlight and let it brighten his darkened world. “Just know, darlin’, I got your back. We’ll send those trash talkers straight to hell.” He winked.

One corner of her mouth lifted and her eyes dazzled. “I don’t know you very well, but I believe you. I trust you.”

“You should. I’m a loyal, trust-worthy cowboy.” He swept the pad of his thumb along the slight dip of her chin. “If you have any questions, be sure to ask.”

CHAPTER NINE

ROMAN STEPPED INTO the building of Second Chances Securities, better known as SCS, greeted Susie, their receptionist, who was busy filing her nails. She gave him a half-hearted response and he continued down the hall to his office. He switched on the light and saw the pile of paperwork sitting in the center of his desk. “Fuck!” He’d forgotten to skim through the numbers before the staff meeting this morning—in a few minutes to be exact.

His brain wasn’t on business mode, but who could blame him? In a matter of days, he had met a woman and made her his wife. Most people at least got a honeymoon.

Rounding the desk, he took a seat in the comfortable leather chair and opened the folder, trying to see passed his personal thoughts and onto the financial aspects of the company he and his brothers opened. It wasn’t as if they needed the money, or the extra workload. The ranch kept them busy enough, but when a close friend of theirs was retiring and selling the thriving business, Roman and his siblings decided they should buy it as an investment and rename it.

Sometimes they could rub each other the wrong way, as all siblings do. But they were family and that meant they’d take care of each other through thick and thin.

They each played a role to keep SCS running smoothly.

Weston was the leader, natural born. Penn and Hugh both took on more of the high profile jobs that involved private investigation and undercover work. Urban worked well with his hands and did the inside jobs—installing security panels and systems. Roman had taken on the financial side of business with SCS and the ranch, as well as being a peacemaker when his brothers got out of hand. Sometimes he deserved a damn medal for tolerating the bickering.

His mind automatically drifted to Pippa. After making love again last night, they’d finally fallen asleep, too exhausted to move. When he awoke this morning, she was sprawled across the bed, the sheet barely covering one soft, naked hip. He’d stood staring for the longest time, getting his fill of this new woman who’d practically accidently fallen into his life—like a fallen angel. And as he stood there, he was overcome with a heavy load of realization that he could fall for her. All of his walls were crumbling.

He grabbed a pen from the horseshoe shaped cup Brie had made him and clicked the top repeatedly in restless energy. The numbers blurred on the paper and he sat back into his chair, the springs popping in resistance. He knew what he was facing. He had to tell his brothers about Pippa while they were all in one spot.

He blew out a long breath.

“Ready?” Weston poked his head inside of the doorway.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Roman pushed back the chair and stood, following his brother down the hall and into the conference room where Penn, Urban, and Hugh were already sitting at the square, pockmarked table talking about the security job that Hugh was handling later that day. Something about a gentleman’s club. Out of all of his brothers, that’s who Roman most saw himself in. They both had a go-with-the-flow attitude and didn’t like arguing, although they weren’t to be messed with.

Roman took his seat beside Penn and dropped the file down. Several papers slipped from the folder and he pushed them back into a neat stack. Once Weston sat down and they got the greetings out of the way, Roman tapped his fingers on the table which brought everyone’s attention onto him.
It was now or never
. Four sets of similar eyes all stared at him. His heart kicked up in speed and he swallowed against the constriction in his throat. “I have something to say—”

“It’s okay, bro. I already know,” Urban said with a shit-eating grin.

Roman snapped a look down the table. “You do?”

He nodded. “I saw the car in your driveway this morning. It’s about time you had overnight company.” His words sent Penn and Hugh laughing, but Weston didn’t cock one hint of anything but a narrowing of eyes. He was very observant and knew Roman had more to add.

“Let him finish.”

Urban grimaced and shrugged a shoulder. “Be my guest,” he mumbled.

Roman’s gaze fell to the folder, then back up, looking at each of his brothers. There wouldn’t be an easy way to break the news so he just went for it. “While I was in Vegas I got hitched.”

There was a long ten-second silence until Urban burst into laughter. “Good one, bro. You almost had me there for a second.”

“And me,” Hugh chimed in.

“Who the hell is she?” Weston said, causing the other men to pipe down.

Roman rubbed his chin. “Her name is Pippa Wilder and that’s whose vehicle you saw this morning,” he said to Urban.

“Holy shit! Are you kidding me?” Penn grumbled. “That’s the woman from the rodeo.”

“Damn, bro. Why’d you go and do a thing like that?” Hugh sighed.

Shrugging, Roman dropped his hands to the table with a thump. “I don’t want an inquisition, you hear?”

“When do we get to meet the bride?” Weston asked.

“I’d like to give her a few days to get the feeling for the place before she comes into contact with you heathens who might scare her away.”
And give me some time to get to know her myself first.

“Understandable, but you can’t keep her hidden long, Ro. We’re your brothers and we have the right to give her the popular Jericho welcome into the family.” Penn elbowed Urban in the ribs.

“Yeah, that can wait. Now, let’s turn things over from my personal life to business.” Better to leave it sweet and simple. “You should all love to hear that we’re up ten percent in earnings.” He reached in, grabbed the stack of papers and passed one copy to each of them.

After they scanned the specs, they nodded agreement.

“Sorry to barge in, fellows,” Susie popped her head in the open doorway. “But I have a woman on the phone by the name of Harley Tate who wishes to speak with Penn, immediately. She doesn’t sound too happy either.”

“Hey, isn’t that the girlfriend of our client, Marshal Reed?” Weston asked.

“What the hell does she want?” Penn narrowed his gaze.

“Marshal probably showed her the pictures you took. No one likes to be caught cheating.” Urban whistled and shook his head. “Well, at least she didn’t show up with a broom ready to knock your head off your shoulders like the last woman who was caught with her panties down. This one has the decency to call.”

“Tell her I’m in a meeting,” Penn said.

“Sure will, but you should know that she said if you don’t call her back, she’ll come here.” Susie’s flip flops clicked loudly all of the way down the hall.

“I thought we were going to mandate that she wear different shoes to work. That’s worse than snapping gum and fingernails down a chalkboard,” Penn grumbled.

“We’ve always said this is a casual working environment,” Weston added.

“Not a stressful environment,” Penn added.

“Come on, bro. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” Roman laughed. “She’s a damn good receptionist. Maybe we should concern ourselves more with the issue of this Tate woman. Sounds like this could be a problem.”

“Did you do something that pissed her off? Something outside of the usual snapping shots of her with her tongue down her lover’s throat.”

Penn shook his head. “You know I could sneak into a church and not be seen. And it’s no one’s fault but her own that she was caught red-handed.”

“Call her and remedy the situation ASAP. By the way, keep in mind we have two new ranchers starting today. I’ll be busy showing them the ropes for the next few days.” Weston lifted his booted feet onto the corner of the table. “Any more thoughts on buying another two hundred head of cattle?”

“Depends on how much it’ll set us back,” Hugh said.

“Roman, you’re the man who can answer that.”

He stared at the numbers. “We’re in a good place. I say we do it now.”

Weston dropped his size twelves to the floor with a loud
thwap
. “Just what I wanted to hear. Everyone understand what’s on the to-do list?” He looked at each of them.

With no questions or further business, they departed the conference room.

Roman was glad his marriage details went better than expected. One weight lifted from his shoulders.

*****

Pippa had awakened to an empty bed. Roman warned her that his day started before sunrise here at the ranch.

Taking a shower, drying on a soft towel and dressing, she went downstairs to the kitchen, readying herself to learn the ropes of being the wife of Roman Jericho. She had a feeling she was going to have fun finding her way.

Opening the window above the sink, she stared out into the field at the tall grass blowing in the wind. She inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent of the outdoors, everything she didn’t get in the city. In the distance she heard the low hum of a tractor. Birds chirped from a nearby branch.

Crossing the room, she looked out of the screen door into the backyard. The flower gardens along the house were overgrown and needed tender loving care, but further along the cobblestone walkway was a large vegetable garden that looked well maintained.

Stepping out onto the back porch, she found a wicker basket and walked barefoot through the dew dampened grass. She laughed at the feeling. She hadn’t gone barefoot outside since she was little.

Standing at the edge of the garden, she looked down row after row of tall, green plants bursting with vegetables.

After she filled her basket with green beans, potatoes, squash, corn, and turnips, she headed back toward the house, stopping to wash the dirt from her feet with the water hose. She noticed Bojangles stretched out under a tree, watching her with curiosity. “Hey there, fellow.” He popped his head and ears up. “How long has it been since you’ve had a bath?” Not that she expected him to answer. She could guess it had been a while by his matted fur. Smiling, she decided it was time he met water.

An hour later, back in the kitchen with Bojangles on the floor beside her drying on a towel, she laid her treasure of garden goodies out on the counter and stared…and stared…

Unfortunately, she wasn’t much of a cook.

Cooking for one wasn’t any fun.

She did remember her mom making stew with whatever ingredients she had on hand. From fresh vegetables, to meat, to beans, and pasta. She always liked to experiment and Pippa never complained. Every meal tasted great.

Opening every cabinet until she found what she was looking for, she cleaned and chopped all of the vegetables, dropped them into the pot with tomato sauce and spices. She turned the heat on low to simmer and placed a lid on top. Wiping her hands together, she smiled proudly.

Turning on her heel, she spotted a bowl of fresh apples sitting on the counter.

Pulling up a recipe app on her phone, she scrolled down the list of ingredients and grabbed everything that she needed to make a pie. Men liked pie, at least that’s what she’d heard—and by the way Roman ate three slices last night, he should be happy if she made him one herself, although Pippa doubted she could get anywhere close to the delicious peach pie the neighbor had shared.

Laying her phone on the table, she sighed. “This could be a challenge.”
Even if the recipe attested to how easy it is.

Measuring the flour and butter, she concentrated on cutting the ingredients together while thinking about her own situation that needed the same careful attention. Life wasn’t how she’d expected it to be, but a woman who’d been thoroughly made love to by a handsome cowboy couldn’t do too much complaining. In fact, she had the chafing on her inner thighs and the tenderness of her nipples to prove she found herself a wild man in bed. She continued to mix the butter into the flour mixture with a new fervor.

She was bound and determined to make the most of the situation.

If her man gave her multiple orgasms, then the least she could do was give him the nutrients of a good meal to make sure he kept his stamina up.

Marriage shouldn’t be too hard. Her mom and dad had made it look easy enough. Her mother stayed at home and took care of the family, had a warm meal on the table for dinner, and freshly laundered clothes every day. And, although Pippa had no desire to be, or ever could be, the traditional wife that her mother was, she did want to please her man. After all, if she only had a few months here at Second Chances Ranch, and she did promise to be his wife in every way, she should be able to manage.

Out here in the country, she would have plenty of quiet time to write. She’d found a nook outside along the flower garden that would make a perfect place to start writing her fourth book—as long as she managed to convince the public that she was a happily married woman.

A sense of excitement rolled through her at the prospect of adding a feminine touch to this place. She could paint. Add a vase or two of fresh flowers. And make the garden outside full of beautiful flowers. She’d never had any other goal besides finishing another chapter or conference. This was a change, and she liked it.

She looked from the bowl of white chunks of flour to the step-by-step picture on her phone, sighing in frustration. They looked nothing alike. “Where did I go wrong?” she whispered.

“I’d say the flour is supposed to be in the bowl and not the counter top and floor.”