Stark Naked (8 page)

She could feel the orgasm building inside her, rising like a curling wave in the ocean until her entire body began to shake with the force of it. When she finally exploded he rode her through it, murmuring to her, his wickedly clever mouth and fingers knowing just where to touch and stroke.

She had barely caught her breath before he began driving her up the spiral again, touching her in all the right places, whispering erotic things to her. But this time when she climbed to the crest he was there, ready, and pushed his hot length inside her.

Ohgodohgodohgod.

Her entire body shuddered. She threw her legs around him, pulling him deep inside her body, pushing her hips up to him. Deeper, deeper, she wanted to shout.

But then his body tensed as hers did and they fell into space together. Tumbling, whirling, shaking with the force of the shared climax. He shouted her name as his cock flexed inside her again and again. Reenie clung to him, seeking an anchor in the erotic, sensual storm.

“Matt!” she cried. “Matt! Matt!”

“Matt!”

Reenie sat upright, eyes wide open, heart thundering, body covered with a fine sheen of perspiration. What the hell had just happened here? She felt sore everywhere—her breasts, between her thighs, even her ass. And she realized instantly what had happened. She’d just had the erotic dream of her life and it left her totally shaken.

When she could breathe evenly, she swung her legs out of bed and hurried into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She leaned against the tile wall, letting the hot stream of water beat down on her, but nothing could wash away the memory of that dream now burned into her memory.

Ohmygod! I am in such big trouble.

Chapter Five

Matt thought the week would never end. He tired himself out as much as possible, moving the calves to a new pasture, riding fence with the men, repairing a stretch of pipe that carried water to the cattle. Each night he stomped in the house, dusty and tired, swallowed his dinner and fell into bed. But as busy as he was, still each day dragged by.

Lying in bed at night, trying to will himself to sleep, instead he replayed every minute he’d spent with Reenie over and over like a video caught in a perpetual loop. Agonized over it. Chewed on it like a dog with an old piece of rawhide. And he wondered just when what he felt had turned into… Well, whatever it had turned into.

He was still mortified by his performance in front of both Amy and Reenie that first night. Embarrassing Amy that way was unforgiveable. And totally unlike him. He was, after all, a respectable businessman, a rancher with a reputation in the community. Oh, sure, he played hard, and was fortunate enough to pretty much have his pick of women. But he prided himself on always being in control. Always. All the time.

But that deal he’d sealed had been a real biggie. He’d had a few drinks with the buyers, then run into a couple of people he knew and had a few more. He should have taken time to eat dinner, but he’d been having too good a time and the hours had just slipped away. He was just damn grateful he’d had sense enough to talk one of the hands into a ride home.

What an ass. No wonder she keeps pushing me away.

But he hadn’t imagined the combustible heat that exploded between them last Saturday. She’d been just as aroused as he was, and it wasn’t just Saturday afternoon play time. Something very intense had happened between them. Matt had more than his share of experience to make comparisons, but he’d never, ever, had a sexual experience like the one with Reenie.

Just remembering it made him hard as a rock, painfully so. When even cold showers didn’t help, he found himself lying in bed stroking himself to completion, something he hadn’t done since he was sixteen.

But holy fuck, he could still feel the wet walls of the delicious pussy tightening around him. Still roll the taste of her around on his tongue. A flavor that made the alcohol he’d swallowed last week pale in comparison. He wanted to stroke her skin again, cup those warm breasts in his hands. Tease those sweet nipples until they grew and swelled and hardened and he could lick and nip at them.

Jesus! I’m doing it to myself again.

The problem was he couldn’t seem to get past that damned first impression. It wasn’t that Reenie was a prude whose sensibilities had been shocked. Far from it. She was a very sexy woman with a good brain, a smart mouth, and a chip on her shoulder bigger than his prize Angus bull. Someone had done a real number on her, bad enough to send her hightailing it from California to Texas. Matt wished he had five minutes alone with the jerk, whoever he was.

But that wouldn’t solve the problem. He thought he’d been pretty tricky hiring Orion for the big fundraiser and maneuvering Reenie into being in charge. At least it would give him enough contact with her to break down some of those walls she was so good at erecting. But it would be a challenge and he couldn’t afford to make a mistake.

By the time Sunday rolled around he was more nervous than he’d been asking Raelene Johnson to his senior prom.

“Wow!” Amy lifted an eyebrow when he walked into the kitchen. “I didn’t know we were having company today.”

Matt filled a coffee mug and took a slow sip. He deliberately hadn’t mentioned Reenie’s visit to his sister. “What makes you say that?”

“Could the fact that Sundays you usually hang around the house in sweats and an old T-shirt but today you’re spiffed up have something to do with it?”

“Just trying to look decent.” He turned away from her so she couldn’t read his expression. Amy was too good at that. “Anyway, I’m having company, not you.”

“Excuse me? Explain yourself please.”

“Reenie might be stopping over this afternoon,” he mumbled.

“What?” She walked around to stand in front of him. “My friend is coming here and you didn’t tell me? Anyway, I was pretty sure after your spectacular display last weekend she’d never show up here again. So how did this happen? And how come I’m just now finding out about it?”

“Because she’s my guest, not yours.” He took another swallow of his coffee. “And I’d really appreciate it if you’d find someplace else to be.”

“Wait a minute. Wait just a damn minute here.” Amy reached over and set her mug on the counter. “Look at me, Matthew. I want to know what’s going on here, and I want an answer right this minute.”

He tried on a smile. “What’s the matter? Don’t you trust me with your friend?”

“No, as a matter of fact. Especially not after what happened. So give, or I’m planting myself on the front porch.” She snapped her fingers. “Wait. You never did tell me what happened when you went to apologize to her. And she’s been avoiding me all week. So let’s have it. Right now.”

Matt sighed. He loved Amy. They’d always been very close. Running the ranch together had made them even closer. But he was walking a high wire here and he really, really didn’t want Amy around watching him maybe make a fool of himself. Or telling Reenie what a bad choice he might be.

“Listen. I’m going to ask a huge favor here.”

Amy burst out laughing. “This must be very good. Begging doesn’t come easily for you. What do you want?”

“I want you to listen to me and not interrupt. Please. And then make yourself scarce.”

She hitched herself up on a stool at the island counter and picked up her coffee again. “Okay. My curiosity’s got the best of me. Talk.”

Matt went to stand at the kitchen window and stared out at the horses playing in the corral, something to keep himself calm while he spit out his words. As briefly as possible he told her about hiring Reenie for the barbecue, making the arrangements with Orion and signing the contract.

“Without talking to me?” Her surprise was evident.

“Yes, and I apologize. I know how hard you work on this every year and I had no business making a decision like this without you. But Amy, I want to handle this with Reenie myself.” He turned to look at her. “Please.”

She stared at him and her mouth turned up in a slow smile. “My God, you actually bit the big one, didn’t you? And with Reenie Davenport, of all people.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. I don’t know what happened last Saturday but if I had to make a guess, I’d say you’ve fallen way hard for Reenie Davenport. Oh my God.”

“You’re wrong.” He gritted his teeth. “I just… I only…”

“And I’ve never seen you at a loss for words before either. So let me guess. Reenie told you to go peddle your papers someplace else.” She threw her head back and laughed so hard tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, this is so good. The great playboy Matt Stark sniffing after a woman who won’t give him the time of day.”

Oh, but she did. And it was the best time I’ve ever had. Now I have to convince her not to stop there.

“Are you finished?” He gripped the mug so tight he wondered the handle didn’t break off in his hand.

“Oh, oh, oh.” She swiped at her face with the back of her hand. “Pardon me, but I haven’t had such a good laugh in ages.”

“Okay, okay. Enough.” He was holding himself together by a very worn thread and he needed to get Amy’s cooperation here. “Can we save the questionnaire for later? Can you just this one time do something for me because I ask you to?”

Her face softened. “This is really important to you, isn’t it, big brother?”

“Yeah, it is.” He’d rather have bitten off his tongue than tell her that, but he was in a very big bind. “And I promise, the three of us will sit down and go over all the details of the fundraiser. You can be as involved as you want. Just please give me this afternoon.”

“The promise I want from you is that you won’t trash her like you do with most of your women.” She shook her head. “God only knows why they keep coming back for more.”

“Let’s hold the discussion of my love life for another time. Okay?”

She studied his face for so long he wondered if she’d actually do what he asked. Finally she nodded. “Okay. But only because I sense Reenie is different for you than all the others. But, Matt, if you do anything to hurt her, the fact you’re my brother won’t be enough to keep me from killing you.”

He nodded. “Point taken. And thanks.”

“Oh, one other thing.”

“Yes? Now what?”

“Try to keep your clothes on this time.”

“Ha ha ha.”

She grinned at him as she headed upstairs.

Matt didn’t realize exactly how tense he was until Reenie’s car headed down the long drive and pulled into the graveled parking area. He let out his breath and stood up from the porch steps where he’d been waiting. Amy’s last words still echoed in his mind.

“Try to keep your clothes on this time.”

If things went the way he hoped, both he and Reenie would be naked before the afternoon was over. Amy had promised him clear sailing until seven o’clock. If he couldn’t accomplish what he wanted by then he might have to give up women altogether. And that was a sobering thought. Especially for him.

She looked so good walking toward him, slim legs encased in jeans, the soft fabric of a tank top caressing her breasts, a tailored shirt open over it and knotted just beneath those mouthwatering mounds. Her hair was caught up in a smooth tail, leaving her ears exposed to show tiny golden hoops dancing in the sunlight. Matt wanted to nibble on her earlobes for hours, tasting their texture. He wanted his mouth on other parts of her body, too, but today he would take things slowly. He hoped.

“I’m glad you didn’t change your mind,” he told her, reaching for one of her hands. He lifted it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I’d have been real disappointed.”

“I almost did. I’m not so sure this is a good idea.” Reenie looked around. “Where’s Amy? I thought she’d be here too.”

I’ll bet you did. Your safety factor.

“She’s busy this afternoon. Won’t be back until early evening.”

She frowned. “Did you pay her to make herself scarce?”

“Would it be so bad if I did?”

She sighed. “Matt, listen—”

“Reenie, Reenie, Reenie.” His hands slid smoothly up her arms and cupped her chin. “Why don’t you just relax for this afternoon. Forget about everything else. Let me show you the ranch and we can talk about the fundraiser.”

“Okay.” Her forehead creased in a frown. “How will we get around? You aren’t going to make me ride a horse, are you?”

He laughed and something inside him eased. “Not today, darlin’. But before too long. No, today I’ve got something special for you. Come on.” He took her hand and tugged her along. “I promise you’ll like it.”

They detoured through the house so she could leave her purse and Matt could pick up a cooler. Then he walked her through the area where the fundraiser would be held.

“We set up a double tent here in the backyard,” he explained, waving his hand at a vast expanse of rolling meadow just beyond the corral. “Dance floor, tables and chairs, bar. Tables for the silent auction. We rent all of that but you can take care of it, right?”

“Of course. We can even use the same vendor if you’d like.”

“Why don’t you see who gives us the best price and we’ll go from there.” He walked her back to the parking area. “The one thing I don’t need help with is parking. We use the field over there that isn’t fenced in and I hire high school kids to park the cars. Gives them a chance to earn some money.”

“And work for a project that helps them at the same time.”

He nodded. “That too.”

“What do you use for power? And lights?”

“Generator. We keep one in the barn in case the power goes out. It’s important to have a controlled environment for the horses and for the breeding barn. We used to rent the lights but decided it was cheaper to buy them and store them.”

Reenie cocked her head and gave him an odd look. “You pay for all of that, don’t you? I mean, the ranch does.”

“We make a good livin’, darlin’. I believe in giving back to the community.”

She looked around slowly, gauging the amount of the space and what could be done with it. “How many people usually attend?”

“We always get a good turnout,” he told her. “Probably about three hundred people. But the’re mostly just from this county and the next one. Members of the Association. This year we talked about extending it into San Antonio, and that’s where the website will help.”