Текст книги "Make Mine a Cowboy"

Автор книги: Sandy Sullivan

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 10 страниц)

“For what?” He glanced her way, then out the windshield of his truck.

“For causing you two to fight.”

“He asked for it, Mesa. Besides, it’s not like it’s the first time we’ve fought. We’ve done it for years off and on. It’s what brothers do.” He banged his hand on the steering wheel. “You didn’t do anythin’. He treated you like shit and I won’t have it. He can be a nice guy when he’s not drinking, but get a little alcohol in him and he turns into a jerk.” He glanced her way again. “Why are you being so nice to him? He called you a piece of ass.”

“I’m not going to let it bother me, Joel. He’s a guy. It’s what guys do. Since I know it’s not true, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“But what about all the people at the bar? They probably think we’re having sex.”

“What do I care? I’ll probably never see them again. You and I know we aren’t.” She placed her hand on his thigh. “They are people. Nothing more.”

“You’re a better person than I am then. I don’t like worrying about what other people think but it’s in my nature, I guess. I’ve always had to fight to be an individual since I’m a triplet. It’s hard to make people realize you are who you are rather than just one of the Young boys and a troublemaker.”

“I suppose you got into trouble a lot as a kid?”

“Sometimes. I’m the middle of us triplets so it was pretty rough.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Nothin’ to be sorry for. It’s how it was.”

They pulled up to the gate of the ranch, the headlights reflecting off the wrought iron fence. Joel punched in the code and the bulky piece of metal slowly slid open.

“Where are we?” Josh asked from the back while they bumped along the road toward the house.

Joel slid the window on the back open. “Home, you jackass,” Joel called from inside the cab. “You’d better apologize to Mesa. What you said was totally inappropriate.”

“Sorry, Mesa.”

“I accept your apology. You know, if you act this juvenile when you drink, maybe you shouldn’t drink.”

“Wait a damned minute. I don’t act like a kid.”

She raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Are you sure?”

“All right maybe a little, but it’s only in fun.”

“It’s not fun when someone’s feelings get hurt.”

“Did I hurt your feelings, Mesa?”

“It’s not important.”

“Yes, it is. If Mom found out you acted like an idiot, she’d tan your hide,” Joel answered even though the question wasn’t directed toward him.

“I’m too old for a whuppin’.”

“Not from Mom. You know how she is about disrespecting women.” Joel stopped the truck before he went around to open her door.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Opening my door.”

“Sorry. I don’t think about it. It’s been ingrained in us since we were old enough to know manners.”

“It’s still a nice gesture and I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m headed to my place. If Mom sees me, she really will tan my hide.” Josh touched his chin. “Damn, dude! Did you have to hit me so fuckin’ hard?”

“Don’t think I’m not tellin’ her what you did and yes I did. You were an ass.”

“I already apologized, Joel. Let it go.”

She placed her hand on Joel’s arm to get his attention. “It’s fine. He did apologize.”

Joshua kissed her cheek before he headed off toward what she assumed to be his house. She could see a small, cabin like structure outlined in the distance. She’d have to check it out in the daylight although she didn’t want to encourage Joshua, only Joel. “Let me clean up the cut on your lip.”

He touched it and winced. “You don’t have to. It’ll be okay.”

“You were gallant in standing up for me the way you did. It’s the least I could do.” They walked toward the main lodge in companionable silence. She really wasn’t sure what to think with Joel. He acted like he was attracted to her, but then he wouldn’t go against the rules of the ranch it seemed. They could be friends only, she supposed, although she wanted him hot between the sheets.

As they walked in the side doorway, she caught a glimpse of a cowboy walking out through the front door and wondered who he was. She thought she’d met all of those working the ranch during dinner. “Do you have someone not in the family working as a wrangler at the ranch?”

“No. Why?”

“I thought I saw someone I didn’t recognize walk outside.”

Joel shrugged. “It was probably one of my brothers.”

“Maybe. He looked older.”

“My dad?”

“Could have been I guess.”

“Let me grab your key from the office. Your room is upstairs.”

“Sure,” she answered although he’d already walked away. A chill raced down her back and she rubbed her arms. Weird. It’s still like seventy degrees outside even though her watch read eleven when she glanced at the dial.

Joel came back with a grin on his face but frowned the moment his lip started to bleed again. “Damn Josh. My lip hurts.”

“Poor baby. You’ll be fine. He got the worst part of the deal, I think.” She grabbed his hand and said, “Lead the way.”

They walked toward the wooden staircase at the back of the room hand in hand, but she stopped to look behind her for a moment.

“Something wrong?”

“I thought…” She shook her head and started walking again. “Never mind.”

He led her up the first flight of stairs to the door in front of them and handed her the old fashioned key on a tag. “Wow. I haven’t seen one of these in a long time. I didn’t think anyone used these anymore.”

“We do. We don’t have the fancy credit card sliders like most other hotels and motels. This is a small, family run dude ranch.”

“I wasn’t critizing, Joel. I think it’s cool you guys are regular country people.” She slipped the key into the lock and opened the door. Mesa walked over to turn on the lamp on the bedside table, bathing the room in soft, muted light. Dominating the smaller room stood a double bed with a beautiful wedding ring comforter. Her clean clothes sat in a nice neat pile by the pillows. A wooden dresser sat at the end of the bed and to the right. The single large window overlooked the garden behind the house. Something she would have to explore tomorrow. She loved gardens. Right now, it looked spooky bathed in moonlight but romantic at the same time.

“The garden is my mother’s favorite place to hang out. She’s got lots of flowers back there, a sitting bench, a swing, and a barbeque. We throw parties out there during the cooler months.”

“Texas does get warm in the summer.”

“It’s been pretty here this week. Not too hot and not too cold.”

“Just for me.”

He laughed. “Maybe.”

“Except for the rain shower today.”

“Those are normal for this time of year too.”

“Just my luck.”

“If you give me the keys to your car, I’ll grab your suitcase and bring it up.”

“All right.” She handed him the keys. “On one condition. You let me wash the cut on your lip.”

“Yes, nurse.”

She startled a little, and then smiled.

“What?”

“I always wanted to be a nurse.”

“Then why didn’t you?” He held up his hand. “Wait to answer that until I get back.” A moment later, he closed the door behind him, disappearing from sight.

Mute voices drifted through the wall. Must be some other guests in the room next door. The man’s voice rose in anger. She cringed knowing where those tones usually led. She heard a slap, and then muffled crying a moment later. The sound died away after a few seconds as if it had never been there in the first place.

Mesa frowned, rubbing her arms as the room dropped in temperature like the air conditioner kicked on, but it hadn’t. She shook her head and went to the connecting bathroom to fetch a warm washcloth to clean Joel’s lip. The bathroom was decorated in the typical old-fashioned way with wood accents. A claw foot tub with a shower curtain to one end, and a large showerhead reminded her of the rain showerhead she had at home. Maybe tomorrow night she would take a long soak in the huge tub. A soft knock on the door brought her out of her musings.

She quickly grabbed a washcloth from those hanging on the rack, stuck it under some hot water and went to answer the door. She opened it to find no one on the other side. After she leaned out, she glanced down the hallway to both the left and right without seeing anyone nearby. “All right, Joel. That’s not funny. You’re scaring me.”

“What are you talking about, Mesa?” he asked, coming up the stairs in front of her. “Who are you talking to?”

“Uh. No one, I guess.”

“I’ve got your suitcase.”

She stepped aside to allow him into the room. “Just set it on the bed and I’ll unpack it in a minute.” She told him to sit on the edge of the bed as she took a spot between his spread thighs. She exhaled forcibly through her lips so she could focus on the task at hand and not his hard thighs now encasing her lower half. The cut on his lip didn’t look too deep. With her finger inside the cloth, she dabbed at the cut.

“Ouch.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

He winced as she dabbed again. It had to hurt, she knew but all she could think about was kissing those full lips. She wanted to see his eyes dark with desire. Feel his hands on her bare flesh. Have those lips on other places of her body like her breasts, her nipples, or her clit.

“You okay?” he whispered, glancing up through those impossibly long eyelashes.

“Yeah.” Her heart pounded behind her ribcage.

“Your pulse is fluttering.”

“I know.”

“Why?” His voice continued in a soft, coaxing tone reminding her of how he spoke to the horse while she gave birth to her foal.

“It’s nothing, Joel.”

“Do you want me to kiss you?”

She closed her eyes and licked her lips. God, do I ever want you to kiss me. More than my next breath. More than a winning lottery ticket. More than…

The next thing she knew, he had twisted her around so she lay flat on the bed with him hovering over her. He bent down and brushed his lips against hers so softly she wasn’t sure if he’d actually kissed her.

“You shouldn’t be doing this.”

“I know.”

He kissed her again, this time with his tongue softly brushing her lips as if to ask for permission to deepen it. Her lips parted of their own accord without her even thinking beyond how his lips felt against hers. The dip of his tongue tore a moan from her mouth. She tangled her hands in the front of his western shirt, wanting nothing more than to remove the barrier between his skin and hers.

The fire burning in her gut prompted her to return kiss for kiss, touch for touch. The caress of his fingers against the side of her breast brought her straight up on the bed, breaking the kiss.

“What’s wrong?”

“I…uh. We shouldn’t do this. Remember your mother’s rule.”

“I know, but I can’t help but want to touch you. Kiss you.” He ran his fingers down her cheek. “You’re a beautiful woman, Mesa. I’m not sorry.”

She touched her fingers to her lips as he turned to go.

“Goodnight, Mesa.”

“Goodnight, Joel.”

Chapter Six

“Stupid, Joel. Really, really stupid!” He threw the horse’s bridle across the tack room before he raked his fingers through his hair, knocking his Stetson from his head.

“Whoa. What’s got your panties in a twist?” Jacob asked, putting one of the saddles back on the rack. “You aren’t usually this strung up.”

“Nothin’.”

“It doesn’t sound like nothin’ to me. Throwing tack usually means you’re pissed.”

“Fine. I’m pissed.”

Jacob removed his hat and tossed it on the desk in the corner. “About?”

“A woman.”

“So?”

“It’s Mesa.” He paced from one side of the tack room to the other with agitated steps. The thing with Mesa had him wound up tighter than a string of barbwire.

“Ah.”

“I kissed her.”

“Yeah, we all saw it out by the bonfire.”

“No, after that. More than once.”

“I still don’t understand what the big deal is.”

“I can’t get involved with someone who is only going to be here for a few days. It’s crazy.”

“So you have a quick fling. What’s the problem?”

He stopped and turned to face his brother. “The big deal is she’s not the kind of girl you have a quick fling with, Jacob. She’s a nice girl. The kind of girl you settle down with.”

“Seriously, Joel. Settle down?”

“I’m not thinkin’ of settlin’ down, idiot, but she’s not the barfly type.”

“Maybe she is. You never know.” He picked up the bridle and hung it on the rack. “Maybe you should ask her?”

“Ask her? Really? What do I say? How about a quick fuck, Mesa?”

“Sure. Why not?”

Joel picked up his Stetson and put it back on his head. “Maybe. I mean she’s attracted to me from what I can tell. She definitely got into the kiss we shared.”

“Just fuck her already, would ya,” Jason added, coming in from the corral. “I’ll take her off your hands if you want. Not like she could tell the difference between us anyway.”

“I bet she could.”

“I bet she couldn’t.”

Joel stuck out his hand. “How much?”

“A hundred bucks,” Jason answered.

“You’re on.”

“Fine. After dinner, I’ll take her up to her room and turn on the charm. I bet she kisses me and lets me feel her up.”

Joel squinted and snapped, “I bet she calls a halt to everything after the first kiss if not before.”

“You know very few people outside of the family can tell the difference between us, Joel. I bet she can’t.”

“I think she’s more into me and will be able to tell right away.” Joel kicked a rock near the toe of his boot back out into the corral. He sounded confident to his brother, but he wasn’t so sure. What if Mesa couldn’t tell the difference? What if she liked Jason better than him? No, this is nuts. I know what our kiss was like. We could set the sheets on fire if I could get her between them. “I know what I felt when we kissed.”

“She’s just a woman, Joel. Nothin’ special.”

“You’re wrong there, Jason. She is special.”

* * * *

The dinner bell clanged and Mesa frowned. She hadn’t seen Joel all day. Was he avoiding her? Probably. Men didn’t take well to being put off when they had sex on the brain. Stopping their kiss the night before wasn’t a bad idea, but maybe he felt like there wasn’t anything to gain now by hanging out with her.

As Mesa made her way down the stairs to the dining room, the sound of voices got louder. A bus full of tourist had arrived earlier in the day, making the whole place buzz like a swarm of bees. Many of them went riding earlier, leaving her the run of the ranch house to herself. She’d taken her laptop into the main hall, set it up on one of the tables and managed to type out the beginning of a new novel called Mission: Cowboy. She cringed. She wasn’t sure she liked it, but she figured a new title would come to her when the characters started adding their voices to the storyline. She wasn’t a plotter when it came to her stories so everything depended on what they said.

Stopping on the stairs, she looked over the group. All the tourists were back and the place was packed to the gills. The family waited at their table for the group to be served while they chatted about their day. Joel sat at the end of the table next to an empty chair she hoped might be for her. Or was it Joshua? Maybe Jason? Damn. From this distance she wasn’t sure which one was which? Damn it.

“Mesa, come sit by me, darlin’.” One of the three waved from the end of the table.

She chewed on her lips a moment and then started down the stairs. Okay. Joel? Shit. I’m not sure. She took the seat he held out for her, dropping into it with little grace. Nice, Mesa.

“How was your day?”

“Great. I got a lot of writing done in the main lodge.”

“Awesome.”

The rest of the group had been served, so the family got up to get their own plates, which included her. Joel or whichever one of them this was standing next to her, grinned and motioned for her to take the spot in front of him. His cologne drifted to her nose. It seemed different somehow. She looked closer. No, she couldn’t really tell if it was Joel, Jason, or Joshua. Well, yes she could because Joshua had a small cut near his chin and Joel had a small abrasion near his bottom lip from their fight at the bar last night. This must be Jason. But what was he up to? Was he deliberately playing like she didn’t know the difference? Surely they didn’t think she was that stupid.

“I enjoyed our kiss last night,” he whispered near her ear.

Okay, she didn’t like this game. What the hell was going on? “Really? I’m glad.”

“Me too. I want to take you out in the moonlight tonight after dinner. You game?”

“Okay.” She frowned. Really? She grabbed a plate in order to get her dinner as the conversation lagged. Discussing this in front of his family wasn’t a great idea. She glanced around looking for Joel. He stood at the back of the line frowning. What kind of game were they playing?

She returned to her place at the table, setting her plate down first before she retrieved a glass of lemonade and a dessert. Jason slid his hand along her shoulder as he took the seat next to her. Now she knew why the cologne was different, he wasn’t Joel. Why was Joel giving her the cold shoulder? What did they plan?

The conversation around the table focused on the day’s labors. They’d moved cattle from the south pasture to the north pasture. Several of the cattle had dropped their calves already making everyone worry it might be too late in the season and they would suffer without extra feed. She could hear many of the tourists talking about their ride on the horses that day and she mentally planned to do some riding of her own tomorrow. Horseback riding was one of her favorite past times. She wanted to explore the ranch more with Joel, though. Not on a strict trail ride.

“Would you like to go riding tomorrow?” Jason asked.

“Um, yes I would.”

“Great. I’ll saddle a couple of horses. I can meet you at the stable around nine in the morning.”

“Okay.” What the hell? This whole thing stinks.

They finished dinner in silence while the rest of the family talked about different topics. The moment she finished, Jason grabbed her plate to deposit it into the dirty dish bin.

“Walk with me.”

“All right,” she answered, deciding to see where this whole thing might be leading. Did Joel push her off on his brother because he didn’t want to hurt her feelings by saying he wasn’t attracted to her? Did Jason think she wanted him?

She let Jason take her hand and walk her out the front door of the main lodge to the chairs lining the porch. Even though the full moon happened the night before, it still shone bright enough to see the walkway.

“You look beautiful in the moonlight.”

“Thank you.”

“You know, the kiss we shared last night blew my socks off. I wish you hadn’t made me leave.”

Frowning, she opened her mouth to tell him she knew he wasn’t Joel, but he bent his head and kissed her full on the mouth. She quickly stepped back and smacked him across the face. “How dare you.”

“What?”

“Do you think I’m stupid? Do both of you think I wouldn’t know the difference between you, Jason?”

“You knew I wasn’t Joel?”

“Hell yes! Even if I hadn’t figured it out at dinner, I would have known from the kiss.”

“Most people can’t tell the difference between us.”

“Joel has an abrasion near the left side of his mouth from where he got in a fight with Joshua at the bar last night.”

“Damn.”

“What the hell is going on here? Why the ruse?”

“I’ll tell you, Mesa,” Joel said, coming around the side of the house. “I was pissed off at myself this morning because of what happened last night. Our kiss, I mean.”

“Well you know what? Fuck both of you! You want to play these sillyassed games, you can play them on some other unsuspecting woman. I’m not doin’ it.”

“Mesa, listen,” Joel implored, holding out his hand to touch her arm.

She jerked back and slapped at him. “No. This is childish. I can’t believe you two! I thought I might have meant a little more to you than this, Joel, but apparently not. What we shared last night was special to me, but not to you. I’m just another girl to you.”

“No, you’re not, Mesa.”

“Yeah, whatever.” She spun around to head back into the house. Maybe it was time to go. Head back to Los Angeles and lick her wounds.

“Mesa, please.”

“What Joel?” She turned back around.

“Let’s talk about this.”

“What the hell is there to talk about? You and your brother were playing me for the fool. How many times have you three switched places on a girl, huh? I bet a lot.”

“No.”

“Yes.” During her discussion with Joel, Jason had disappeared either back into the house or whatever. At this point, she really didn’t care. He probably slinked back into his hidy hole. Man, if she ever became a permanent part of this family, she’d…what? Those are crazy thoughts.

Joel slipped his hand along the side of her face before burying his hand in her hair. He dragged her in closer with a fistful of her hair at the back of her neck. “I want you.”

“You made a fool of me.”

“No, I wanted to make sure it was me you wanted.” His lips whispered over hers. The softness skimmed across her cheek to her ear. “I need you.”

“Need is a powerful word.”

“It’s totally what I’m feeling, but I can’t promise you anything beyond tonight.”

“I don’t need anything more.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, listing his head to look into her eyes. The blue glistened in the moonlight like a beacon for her lost soul.

“Yes. I need you. I need this.”

“Your room or my place?”

“You have somewhere we can go?”

“Yeah. I have my own cabin a few miles up the road.”

“Make love to me, Joel. Fuck me.”

He pulled her head back as he raked his teeth along her neck. Shivers raced down her arms as a soft moan escaped her mouth. “Come home with me.”

“Yes, please.”

He looked deep into her eyes for a moment as if judging whether she was serious or not. Little did he know, she’d wanted this from the first time he’d kissed her or maybe it was when she had her breasts squished to his back as they rode in the rain back to the house? Who cared?

“Let’s go,” he said, grabbing her hand and half dragging her to where his truck stood in the parking lot behind the main lodge.

“A little horny are we?”

“Hell yeah. A lot horny. You’ve had me wound up tighter than a damned spring from the moment you climbed up behind me to rest those gorgeous breasts against my back.” He opened the door on the driver’s side of his truck, practically shoving her inside the cab by the seat of her pants. “Sorry, baby.”

Oh I love the little endearments coming from his mouth now that we’re going to have sex. “You can call me all the little pet names you want.”

He grinned as he turned over the truck and shot gravel behind it as he tore out of the drive. “You have no idea how much I want this.”

“If I’m judging your craving to mine, I bet I do.”

“How long has it been since you’ve had sex?”

“Several months. You?”

“Me too.”

“You do have condoms, right?”

“Yeah. A few.” He grinned.

“I hope you plan on using several tonight.”

“Oh, no problem there, babe.”

Damn, he almost sounds cocky. Well, why wouldn’t he be? He could probably have any woman he wants. She frowned, feeling a bit self-conscious at her rounded little stomach and even rounder hips. She wasn’t a skinny woman by any means.

“Why the frown?”

“Nothing.”

“No, baby. Tell me. No secrets tonight.”

She bit her lip.

“Come on.”

“I’m just not the skinny little cowgirls you’re used to.”

“I’m not into skinny.”

“Younger?”

“I’m not into jailbait either, Mesa. I like you the way you are. Rounded curves and enough softness for me to sink myself into. I don’t plan on coming out until tomorrow mornin’. You okay with that?”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive, babe.” He grabbed her hand to place it on his groin.

The hardness behind his fly let her know he wanted her…needed her. God, he’s huge!

“I hope you plan on goin’ easy on me.”

“Why?”

“Like I said, I haven’t had sex in a bit and you aren’t exactly small.”

“I’ll take care of you.”

Within moments, they pulled up to a small cabin with a porch around the front. It wasn’t anything huge by any means. Just small enough for a single man, or a couple maybe. Get those thoughts out of your head. You’re only here for a few days.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks. It’s not much, but it’s got a king sized bed.”

“That’ll do for tonight then.” King sized bed and Joel for the night? Hell yeah!

No lights shone from the windows. White curtains blew in the breeze of the one open to the left front corner. The house wasn’t decorated at all. No woman’s touch anywhere.

“Sorry. It’s kind of a mess.”

“A bachelor lives here. I wouldn’t expect anything else.” Dishes were piled in the small sink to her right as they walked through the door. He had a stove, refrigerator and a few cabinets to hold dishes, she assumed. The couch in front of the fireplace would make for great cozy nights. She shook her head. She didn’t need to go there.

“This way.” He took her hand and led her back down the hall to the first door on the right. “There’s a bathroom to your left if you need it.”

“Thanks,” she said, walking through the small doorway and shutting it behind her. The florescent lighting over the mirror showed her wild hair from Joel running his hands through it. Her eyes were bright. The pupils dilated. Her lips were puffy from his kiss. All in all, she looked like a slut. “Great.” She ran her fingers through her hair to try and straighten it out a little before she went back out there. “Okay, really Mesa. I don’t think he cares what your hair looks like except if it’s the hair between your legs.”

Oh, crap! I didn’t shave my legs this morning. What if they are stubbly? I didn’t shave my bikini line lately either. Shit!

“Mesa? Are you okay, babe?”

“I’m fine, Joel. I’ll be out in a second.”

“I’ve got some wine. We can sit and relax for a bit. No hurry on this.” It sounded like he ran his knuckles on the door. “I mean, we can talk a while or whatever.”

“Okay.” Could he tell her nerves were shot? Probably. He definitely was trying to soothe them. She used the restroom, washed her hands, and then opened the door. Joel stood on the other side with a little smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

“Better?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“Come with me,” he said, taking her hand. With his hat now gone the light reflected in a blue-black sheen on his curls. “We can watch television, talk or whatever you want to do. We don’t even have to have sex if you’ve changed your mind.”

“I haven’t. Have you?” she asked, taking a seat next to him on the couch.

“No, but I don’t want you to think I’m some kind of caveman. You’re comfort means everything to me.”

She wiped her sweaty palms along the thighs of her jeans.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yeah, a little,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve never had casual sex before.”

He ran his fingers along her jaw. “I’ve never been in a relationship, so I guess it makes us even.”

“Never?”

“Well, nothin’ serious anyway. I’ve dated a couple of women for a period of time, but it never got serious on my part.”

She frowned. He smoothed his thumb between her eyes.

“What’s the frown for?”

“I was thinking about my ex.”

“A hint here, Mesa. Guys don’t want to hear you’re thinking about your ex when they’re about to have sex with you.”

She turned to face him as she placed her hand on his chest. “No, nothing like that. I wasn’t comparing you by any means. There’s nothing to compare with. I mean, you’re lean, muscular and drop dead gorgeous. Those eyes could melt chocolate and you know how much women love chocolate. He didn’t have any of those things.”

“What were you comparing then?”

“I wasn’t comparing anything. I had a thought about how my relationship with him seems so different than this with you. When I went out with him, things moved very slowly. We didn’t have sex for six months after we met. Even then, it wasn’t anything to write home about.” With a giggle, she covered her mouth. “Not like I would write my mother about my sex life, but you know what I mean.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I do. There’ve been a few women I wouldn’t make love to twice.”

“Really? I thought all guys were just in it for the end result. You know, gettin’ their rocks off.”

“Not if they are any good, they aren’t. It’s more fun for me to make sure the woman has several orgasms when I’m with her.”

The lump in her throat almost choked her. “Several?”

He leaned in and ran his tongue along her jawline until he reached her ear. “Yeah, several.”

Holy shit, he’s got one sexy voice. The lower rumble of his voice threw her heart into overdrive. The slow seep of moisture between her thighs surprised her. She never got this wet with her ex. Not from only a whisper in her ear. Those were things she wrote about in her novels, not something she experienced for herself. She swallowed hard.

“Um, Joel?”

“Yeah?” he asked, sliding his tongue around her earlobe.

“Damn, you’re good.”

He chuckled softly as he nipped the fleshy part of her ear between his teeth. She closed her eyes, letting the feelings overwhelm her. Hooking up with him probably wasn’t a good idea, but every time he got close to her, she couldn’t think of anything except getting him between the sheets to see how good he really was.

One hand slipped up her stomach to cup her breast. Two of his fingers plucked at her nipple through her bra and her whole world tilted on its axis. She’d always known her nipples were sensitive, but the slight pain of his pinch sent her body into a spiral of need.

His hand disappeared, reappearing under her shirt, pushing her bra out of the way. The warmth of his hand on her breast brought a moan to her lips. Seconds later, her shirt found its way over her head to leave her sitting on his lap in just her bra and jeans.

“God, you’re gorgeous. All curves.”

“You mean fat.”

“No, curves. I love curves on a woman. I’m not into skinny like a rail. I want something to hold onto when I’m pounding my cock into your sweet heat.”

“I want you to.”

“Shall we head into the other room where it’s more comfortable? Not that I wouldn’t love to make you come a dozen times right here on the couch first.”

“A dozen?” She gulped a lungful of air as shivers raked her body.

“Oh yeah.”

He stood with her in his arms and headed down the small hall toward the bedroom. She hadn’t got a good look at the bedroom when they came down here before, but she did now. He didn’t have a lot of furniture. Just a bed, a small nightstand, and a dresser. The deep blue comforter on the bed seemed typical guy décor. A shade on the window gave him privacy, but did nothing to soften the room. No curtains hung there. Nothing to indicate a woman had ever called this space home. Someday, one would, though. When, she didn’t know and didn’t want to think about right now, but yeah, someday he would bring a wife here until they could build a bigger home for children.