The Trailrider's Fortune (12 page)

And suddenly she
wanted that. She was dying to feel his hands on her bare skin. Hadn't she
wanted it, longed for it, even back in the hall earlier? Hadn't that been the
true reason she hadn't covered herself when he'd torn her dress? Hadn't some
wicked part of her yearned for his hands to reach out and claim her?

Admit it,
Sparkle. You want him. You've always wanted him, in the most unladylike way
possible.

She tore her lips
from his and stared into his eyes, which were open now and burning into hers.
"Would…would you lock the door and take your gun off?"

She didn't have to
ask twice. She blew out the lamp and they silently disrobed. Sparkle slipped
beneath the covers first and waited, her breath catching as Rafe stripped off
his jeans and she felt the mattress dip.

His voice was husky
with emotion when he spoke in the darkness. "Free mare ain't the same
horse once she's saddle broke, darlin'. You're offerin' somethin' only one man
can ever take from you. If I take it, nobody can ever give it back. You
understand that?"

"Yes."

"Most times
the gal wants it to mean somethin'. Reckon this time
I
want it to mean
somethin'. It will to me."

Sparkle swallowed,
thrilled yet a little daunted by what he'd revealed. "It's my first time,
but I understand."

"Do you?"
A rough palm reached to caress her cheek. "Ain't never had a steady gal.
You're already the closest to that, with folks thinkin' we're married. Things
won't ever be the same afterward. Don't be tellin' yourself this will quench my
thirst, cause there's a good chance I'll only want you more."

"Is that
bad?"

"It might be.
Maybe you should think on it. You're a damned pretty gal. There's plenty of
men."

"Did you
really miss me? Being close together and talking?" He didn't answer, but
reached to pull her into his arms. She felt the answer. Even half drugged and
in pain, he'd wanted to hold her. Even half angry and unsure what to do next,
she wanted to be there in his embrace. Her doubts began to dissolve; the
feeling this next step had been inevitable solidified.

"I think we're
already friends. You lied before when you said we weren't. I need my friend
tonight, Rafe.
You
."

He took a deep
breath. "Where'd you hide the sheepgut that gal from across the way gave
you?"

She hesitated,
realizing she'd completely forgotten about this bizarre part of the ritual.
"In my top drawer. But I don't…I mean…"

"What's the
matter? You change your mind? If you ain't ready…"

"No, it's
just…Wait—you surely must—Oh, how silly of me," she gushed in relief.
"Of course, you know what to do with it."

He snorted a soft
wheezing laugh and got up to rifle through her drawer. "Yep. I know what
to do with it. It's a man thing, won't bother you. I just can't find it. Ah,
here we go."

He was back in the
bed a moment later, lean hips pressed to her lower body boldly as he gathered
her against him and kissed her. It was incredible, this new sensation. Skin
rubbing against bare skin. Rafe's tongue stroking hers, his hands moving over
her, awakening her nerves, leaving her tingling and wanting more.

She gasped as his
lips left hers and moved down to tease one of her nipples. "
Rafe
."

His answer came in
a reassuring whisper. "Any gal who ain't afraid of my gun pressed against
her shouldn't be afraid of my lips, either. I won't hurt you, darlin'. You'll
like it. Relax and give me a minute to show you."

His tongue swirled
over the bud. Sparkle clenched her thighs together and gripped his shoulders
with both hands, relaxing her taut fingers as his mouth melted any last
resistance. The feel of his lips on her breast was foreign, but exciting.
Pleasurable. He'd been right. She liked the feel of his tongue sliding so wet
and hot over her flesh.

She stretched her
arms out at her sides and inhaled, lifting her ribcage. "You're right.
This is…
wonderful
. Don't ever let me forget how this part feels."

"Darlin', all
the parts feel damn good. But don't worry," he chuckled, flicking his
tongue across a taut nipple. "I'm real fond of this myself. You'll have to
fight to keep me away from your little beauties."

She tried to sit
up. "Oh. They're small, though. The other girls are all so buxom. Mine are—"

"Perfect."
He drew first almost an entire globe, then just the stiffened crest between his
lips. He latched onto the nipple, tugging slightly as his tongue teased the
nub. Sparkle caught her bottom lip between her teeth. "Sensitive and
perfect," he murmured. "Don't hold your reactions in, Sparkle. Show
me. Tell me when you like somethin'. There's so much to like."

He kissed and
caressed every part of her. He was patient, teaching her delights she hadn't
guessed were possible. Then he rolled onto his side and turned her to face away
from him. "The way we were sleepin' last night, like two spoons. Lie just
like that. Be easier on you this way."

Sparkle remembered
too vividly the feel of his hardness against her bottom. It was there again,
but this time the tip of his arousal probed and separated her flesh. Now she
knew exactly what Rafe had secretly imagined as he lay beside her the night
before. He'd imagined making love to her this way. The thought made her
tremble.

His breath was warm
on her shoulder. Coaxing her softly, he began to tease her nipples once more
with both hands. She moaned openly and arched her back, unable to stop herself
from wantonly offering her backside. Rafe bent one knee and forced his muscular
thigh between hers. Cocking his hips, he sent his erect manhood up to stroke
her lower region, making her tissues swell and stretch. Her body wanted to
close around him, she knew it instinctively, yet the thought frightened her.
She knew the first time brought pain.

He teased and toyed
with her nipples, commanding her to wrap her leg up over his. His lips branded
fiery kisses on her shoulder and neck. She heard the insistent low growling of
a mountain lion and discovered the sound came from her own throat. Her hands
rose to grip his as they clasped and massaged her breasts, but he pulled free.
She felt his hands move down to her hipbones.

"Ease back
against me now." He held her pelvis and guided her, pulling back and down
as he thrust forward and up. She sobbed as something tore and he abruptly
filled her, stretching her, worsening the ache.

"Rafe,"
she hissed his name in something close to terror.

"It's all
right, darlin'. Stay still, I'll help ease it." He didn't move his hips,
but used his fingers—God, but they were talented fingers!—to renew her desire.
The pain of his bold intrusion dissolved in moments, lusty need taking its
place.

Need for what, she
couldn't have said. She only knew she wanted something desperately and only he
could give it. "Rafe, I feel so peculiar. Bunched up. It doesn't hurt now,
but I want to tear my own skin off. Am I crazy? Is it supposed to be like
this?"

"Just hang on,
sweetheart." He began to move then. Easily at first, sliding smoothly in
and out until Sparkle picked up the rhythm and began to move, too. His languid
strokes brought heightened arousal rippling through her body from its very
core. Every inch of her tingled. And
there
, where Rafe was rubbing so
sweetly, so hotly…Sparkle gasped as unexpected spirals of pulsations burst from
the center of her body.

Rafe pivoted
slightly and kissed her deeply. He waited until her climax subsided, then
cajoled her onto her back. "You still with me, darlin'? Hurt gone?"
He was lying fully on top of her. His arousal hadn't abated, she discovered as
his pelvis rocked against hers once more. He withdrew completely, then filled
her again. "Sparkle?"

"The pain's
gone," she whispered. "I feel like…kissing you in the dark alone here
in my bed all night now," she teased, recalling how she'd forbidden it
before. Her arms slid around his neck and she kissed him wantonly, feeling
braver, more sure of what was happening now.

Rafe had never
tasted a sweeter woman. Hadn't felt this hot and randy since his teens. His
strokes were harder and deeper now. She didn't resist, but moaned and clung to
him, arching upward. He'd waited so long, wanted her so much, but she was worth
it. Better than his torrid dreams back at the ranch in his bunk. Hotter than
he'd dared to imagine.

She slid her hands
over his lean flanks and he cursed. He'd lose control soon. He wanted to
pleasure her, ensure she wouldn't fear a man's needs. He'd given her a climax,
but held his own back. He wasn't sure he could rein in his passions much
longer. She was ready for him, meeting his thrusts, clutching at his ass with
both hands.

"Go on and
take me," he panted. "All of me…Take me, Sparkle. Deeper. Put your
legs around my waist." Her legs encircled him. She clasped him to her, and
Rafe had never felt so weak and mortal—or been so glad of it. Her bed would be
a fine place to die.

"Tarnation,
but you're an incredible place for a man to lose himself, LaFleur." The
first pulsations of his orgasm took him plummeting over the brink of sanity. He
gulped for air, shuddering, and gave a final deep thrust.

Sparkle's fingers
tensed on his buttocks and she cried out beneath him. He moved to lave a taut
nipple, then collapsed, gathering his wits and breath.

His voice was rough
to his own ears. "You let me put my brand on you. That makes you my woman
now. Catch you pantin' and moanin' like that under anybody else, I'll aim
straight for his heart. And I don't miss like Bowlegs Barker."

"You're
crazy."

"Yeah, about
you. But you're too damned fine to share." He patted her hip and rose from
the bed. "Be right back." He unlocked the door and slipped into the
hall.

He returned moments
later and pulled her back against his side. "You sorry, darlin'?" His
hand absently stroked her upper arm and shoulder.

Sparkle heard an
edge in his question. He was worried. "No, happy." She rolled
slightly and pressed a soft kiss to his bare chest. "Did you feel
that?"

"Yeah."
There was a pause. "Thanks. Sparkle?"

"Hmm?"

"Means a lot
that I was your first. Sorry for hurtin' you."

"This morning
or just now?"

"Ever."

Sparkle came up
from the depths of slumber with a peculiar dull achiness between her thighs.
Then she remembered why, and opened her eyes to find Rafe still asleep beside
her. She felt an instant rush of tenderness as she stared at his face in
repose. This violent man had taught her about loving. She'd been overwhelmed by
the pleasure she experienced at his hands. Her recall of the night before was
intensely sensual. She smiled, despite the vague discomfort, and stroked Rafe's
bare shoulder with her fingertips. He'd been right about all of it, even
consummation being no cure for the desire. She still wanted him.

"Rafe?"
He was instantly awake, as might be expected of a man in his profession.

His features
softened. "Oh. Mornin'. Sleep all right?"

Her cheeks flushed.
She nodded, inexplicably shy. After all they'd done and some of the things
they'd said last night, she should have no modesty left.

"Wasn't too
rough with you, was I? Tried to go easy, but I hurt you, anyhow. Ain't had much
experience breakin' gals in. I usually…"

She silenced him
with her index finger over his lips. "Isn't this like when someone falls
off a horse or something? I've heard the best answer is to get back on and try
riding again."

"That why you
woke me?" She gave a helpless shrug. Rafe's rumbling chuckle echoed off
the walls as he gave one buttock a light squeeze. "Guess I did well
enough, if you're already wakin' me up for more. Thing is, darlin', I tossed
that bit of sheepgut while I was usin' the facilities down the hall last night.
We need to get you a pisser."

"A…What are
you talking about?"

"A thing gals
use. Your friend across the hall would know." He began to dress.
"I'll go to the drugstore. Reckon you'd feel funny goin', since that Joe
Brooks fella works there. Like I said, you got a real habit of throwin'
yourself at me. But I could get used to it." He winked at her.

"Oh, you
could, eh? Well, I'll admit I
did
like last night. And I woke you up, so
I guess that makes me a strumpet."

Rafe snorted and
drew on his weathered boots. "Likin' what we did doesn't make you a
strumpet. Takin' money for it would."

Sparkle sat up.
"But liking it must mean something."

He reached over and
tweaked the coral nipple peeping out from the covers. "Means you got a
passionate nature, which is fine, unless you take to sharin' it with every
fella who rides through here. But we both know you ain't about to do that.
Cause you
do
recall what I said about my Colt," he emphasized,
buckling his gunbelt. "And I ain't strollin' to the pharmacy to stretch my
legs. I'll show you more to like later on."