Cowboy Jackpot: Christmas (9 page)

She slung her purse strap over her shoulder as a sweet
expression filled her eyes. "I thought you'd never ask." Her voice
was breathy.

He left cash on the bar and they strolled through the
casino. Her little hand in his felt too right. He'd missed this the few hours
they were apart.

In their suite, he took off his hat, kicked off his boots,
and waited for her to set the pace.

She set down her purse and hung the little gold-plated slot
machine ornament on their tree. Turning toward him, she held out her hand.

Boone took it, watching the tree lights reflect in her eyes.

"Bedroom?" Her sweet smile nearly broke his heart.

"Yeah, bedroom." He let her lead him in.

Housekeeping had been in and the bed was made.

Pulling her close, he ran his hands up under her shirt,
caressing her back. "I missed you."

Her eyes closed for a second. "I missed you, too."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Kiss me."

He chuckled. "Don't have to tell this cowboy more than
once." He pressed his lips on her soft, warm mouth, breathing in the
essence of her.

She sighed, and he inhaled her breath. His tongue did a slow
trace on her lips before easing inside her mouth.

She lapped at his tongue, building heat between them.

Her excitement drew on his, and heat flowed to his groin,
hardening his shaft.

She slowed her manic kiss and stepped back. "I would
like a birthday gift from you."

He blinked. Demanding? Hell, yeah! "Anything,
baby." And he meant anything.

"I want you inside me. Right now."

An earthquake of lust shook him. "As you wish,
ma'am." He tugged her shirt up and off her, unfastened her bra, sliding
the straps down her arms, and bent to kiss her nipple.

"Oh, Boone." She sighed the words as she ran her
fingers through his hair.

He suckled her other breast, the taste rocking him, raising
a desperation he'd never known. Kneeling at her feet, he unbuttoned and
unzipped her jeans and slid them down her curvy hips. "No underwear?"

A little laugh escaped her. "I couldn't find them this
morning when I was stomping around yelling at you."

He kissed her belly. He had her underwear in his pocket. He
might give them back. Someday. "You were magnificent, Gigi." He
glanced up at her. "A mix of anger and heartbreak that nearly paralyzed
me."

"Cowboy." She brushed a wild lock of hair from his
forehead. "I'm glad it all happened the way it did."

"You are?" After all she'd endured, how could she
be glad?

"If I hadn't lost you…" She sucked in a breath.
"I wouldn't have realized how much you mean to me."

"Aw, Gigi." He wrapped his arms around her and
pressed his cheek into her stomach. If his heart had any pull over his brain,
he'd never let her go again. He tugged her jeans off her and coaxed her to part
her legs.

Her scent filled his nostrils and he needed a taste. He bent
and lapped her pink pussy lips, sucking them into his mouth.

"Ahh." Her nails dug into his shoulders.

He loved it. Kissing her mound, he nipped at her, finally
finding her clit and sucking. The base of his spine tightened, radiating
vibrations up his backbone to his brain.

"No." She breathed. "Can't come yet."
Her body tensed. "I want you inside me."

Backing off was the hardest thing he'd ever done.
"Anything you want, baby."

He stood and tugged the front of his shirt, his gaze locked
with hers. The snaps popped open and he slid it off. Unfastening his belt, he
silently thanked the bulls that let him win the huge buckle that brought Gigi
and him together.

With a grin, he dropped his jeans and boxers, pulled off his
socks, and stepped out of the pile of clothes.

She lay back on the bed. "What's the smile for?"

He grabbed a condom and slid it on. "The way we
met."

She lifted her arms to him.

He'd never seen anything as beautiful. His chest ached for
this. He lay on top of her, his weight on his elbows. "Like all the forces
of karma coming together."

Gigi kissed him. "I believe in karma, too." She
reached between their bodies and grasped his cock, guiding it to her wet pussy.

He had one overwhelming thought as he slid his erection into
her tight slit. This was where he belonged.

Gieselle's mind blanked in and out in odd rhythms as Boone
slid his hot shaft into her core. Her whole belly heated as he filled her, and
her insides shifted to accommodate his length and width.

When he'd entered fully, she spread her legs farther and he
pushed inside another incredible inch. "Boone." She rolled her head
from side to side as tiny red lights blinked behind her eyelids.

"Gigi." He pulled out and pulsed back in again,
his hips quivering as he fought for each additional centimeter. "So tight
and hot."

She cracked open her eyes.

His eyes were unfocused, his pupils large. Easing out once
more, he locked gazes with her and pumped into her. His eyes rolled back for a
second and his breath panted hot on her face.

Bells rang in her ears and she slipped further into the
climax that pulled at her. "I'm almost there."

"Baby, let go. Come for me. I want to see your face
when you hit the top." His hips picked up speed as he rammed into her. He
slurped her nipple into his mouth.

The lovely jolt from her breast to her pussy tipped her over
and she tucked into a wild spin, traveling through time as alarms shimmered up
and down her spine, tremors gripped her core, and flashes blipped in her brain.

As she coasted back toward consciousness, the slide of his
cock in her rippling slit drew aftershocks that had her whimpering with
pleasure. Rolling her hips with his thrusts, she opened her eyes.

His gaze was still on her. "You're incredibly beautiful
when you come." He smiled and kissed her jaw. "But then, you're
beautiful no matter what you're doing."

She tipped her head, encouraging him to taste her neck.
"Coming for you is my favorite."

He slid warm, wet lips across her skin. "Coming in you
is mine." He sped his rhythm and his body tensed. "I want you,
Gigi."

She couldn't get enough of him. She bit his earlobe.
"Show me how much, Boone. Show me what I do to you."

He lifted his head and kissed her hard and desperate, his
tongue matching the thrusts of his cock.

Tingles raced through her as a quick-burning orgasm ripped
her out of reality.

He broke the kiss and shouted as his pumping hips drove into
her, his body tensed and shuddered. His hands gripped her with bruising
strength.

Her own body tingled and shook as she accepted his thrusts,
welcoming his pulsing heat inside her.

"Best ever…" His dark, heavy-lidded eyes locked
onto hers.

She cupped his cheeks. "Gets better each time."

"Might not live through the next one." He pulled
out and collapsed next to her, rolling onto his back and bringing her with him.

Her hand rested over his heart, feeling the rapid beats and
his labored breathing. "We'd die happy."

He laughed, a slow rolling rumble. "You make me happy,
Gigi."

She snuggled in as her stomach jittered with glee. "I'm
happy, too."

He sat up. "C'mon."

"No afterglow cuddling?" She faked a pout.

He stood and tugged her up with him. "On the
loveseat."

After a quick stop in the bathroom, they wrapped in their
robes and snuggled in front of the tree as the fireplace warmed the room.

Her head rested on his shoulder as she took in each one of
the ornaments sparkling in the multicolored tree lights. The little slot
machine they'd picked up at the gift shop had the casino's name and the year on
it, and she reached out and gave it a twirl, watching it reflect the lights.
One ornament seemed out of place. A plain black bag about four inches wide.

Boone's tension was the giveaway.

She bit back a smile. "Okay, what is it." She
gestured to the tree. "What did you go spending your money on?"

He laughed as he kissed her. "Took you long
enough." He bent forward and his long arm reached out and plucked the bag
from the branch.

The brand name on the front of it had her gasping. "Oh,
Boone. You didn't do anything crazy, did you?"

"It's Vegas, and I'm a rich man."

She pulled a three-inch square black box from the bag and
opened it.

A lovely silver bracelet rested on black velvet. On it, two
charms sparkled.

She lifted it out. "It's beautiful." Glancing up
at him, she was surprised by the intensity of his gaze.

"You like it?"

"Yes. I've always wanted one of these, but thought I'd
have to wait a while." She smiled. "A long while."

He touched the two charms and sent them spinning. "I
hope you like these."

She turned the bracelet to see what he'd chosen. "A
birthday cake." The silver three-tiered cake had a little gold heart at
the top. "And a Christmas tree." All silver except for the gold star
on top.

She brushed a kiss on his lips. "They're perfect."
A lump of emotion clogged her throat. "They'll always remind me of this
time with you."

His brow furrowed. "I'm not ready to end this,
Gigi." He hefted out a breath. "I know we said we'd give it a little
more time, but I know what I want." He took her hand. "I'll be out
east for a few rodeos in January. I'd like to have you there for as many as you
can."

She nodded. "I'd love to, if my schedule allows."
She crinkled her nose. "I do have a lot of work to do before I
graduate."

"I understand. And if it works better for you, I can
come to you."

"To New York?" She'd never pictured him in her
little on-campus studio apartment.

"Yeah, to New York." He frowned. "They don't
allow cowboys there?"

"They do." She laughed. "But only in limited
quantities to save the women from melting into lusty pools."

"Okay, then. We'll compare calendars later."

"Okay." So much excitement, she didn't know where
to start. Rodeos and college visits. Life would be complicated but she'd make
it work. He'd make it work. She held up her bracelet. "Will you help me
put this on?"

He sat up. "Sure."

He took the jewelry and opened the clasp. "Here's the
thing." He slid it around her wrist and worked to fasten it. "I want
to be able to fill this with charms." He looked at her. "Tokens of
times we've spent together."

The sweetness of the moment washed through her and moisture
gathered in her eyes. "Could take a long time." She held up her
wrist. "To fill this, I mean."

He kissed her, pulled her close, and rested his chin on top
of her head. "I'm hoping it does."

She closed her eyes and gave in to the joy that filled her.
A couple tears escaped, and she let the emotion carry her off into dreams.

Banging sounded and Gigi startled awake.

"What the fuck?" Boone sounded groggy, too.

More banging on the suite door.

He stood and strode over. Even in a robe, he was all macho
studly. He opened the door.

Kira burst in and dropped her suitcase. "I'm leaving
this town right now." Her voice sounded frantic.

Gieselle raced to her, took her arm. "What
happened?"

"Dallas." Her lips tightened.

Boone took her other arm. "What happened? Is he
okay?"

"He's fine, besides being an asshole." She shook
off both of them and walked to the bar. "That phone call I got
yesterday?"

Gieselle sucked in a breath. Something bad? She'd been so
involved in her own drama, she'd never asked Kira about it.

Boone led her over to the bar.

Kira found a shot glass. "I'd left a message and asked
my dad's attorney to run a background check." She grimaced at Boone.

"On me?" His brows furrowed.

"Sorry. I was worried, with this whole jackpot
thing." She smiled at Gieselle. "He's squeaky clean."

She nodded. "I could have told you that."

Boone wrapped his arm around Gieselle's shoulder and kissed
the top of her head. "That doesn't explain why you're leaving."

"I got another call today." Kira downed a shot of
tequila, choked, then waved a hand. "I don't want to talk about it."
She strode to the door. "I'm sorry to leave like this, Gieselle, but I
booked the last seat on a flight out in…" She checked her watch.
"Shit, I've gotta run."

"Wait." Gieselle grabbed her wrist. "Stay
here in the suite tonight and we'll fly back tomorrow."

She snorted. "Right, with you two banging the headboard
all night?"

Boone fought a grin. "You're welcome to stay, Kira.
We'll keep the banging to a minimum. I'll even keep the asshole out. Jayden,
too."

"Thanks for the offer." She smiled at Boone.
"I'm leaving, though." Kira gave her a fast hug. "We'll talk
when you get home." She opened the door and did a finger wave at Boone.
"Have fun. Merry Christmas. And happy birthday, Gieselle."

Gieselle took Boone's hand. "You can call me
Gigi." She glanced his way. "It's kind of growing on me."

Kira turned and stepped out the door. "What have you
done to her, Boone?" A laugh softened her words.

He closed the door and took her into his arms. "What
have I done to you, Gieselle?"

She pressed her hands to his chest, admiring her beautiful
bracelet. "More than you can imagine, cowboy."

His stomach rumbled. "We need room service."

"We do. Then more banging of the headboard."

Boone shook his head. "I wonder what that goddamn
Dallas did."

"I'm worried about the phone call. Something about
him?" She sighed. "I'll find out tomorrow when I get home."

He frowned at her. "About that. I was thinking."

"Uh oh."

"Mom's doing Christmas dinner for the family tomorrow
night."

"And you're driving home tomorrow." The thought of
saying goodbye stung like a million wasps.