ONCE IN A BLUE MOON (BLUEBONNET, TEXAS Book 2) (2 page)

After a few false starts with the sticky lock, I finally got the front door open and invited him in.

"Wow." Ty spun around in the dimly lit entryway, peeking into the dining room, then waving a hand at the realtor’s sign in my front yard. "You fixed it up to sell?"

"Yup." I smiled smugly and nodded, closing the door behind him. I didn’t bother adding that it’d been on the market for a year. Posh, upscale, or even nice are not words used to describe neighborhoods like mine.

"Where you going?"

"Someplace with smoothly paved streets and
curbs
, someplace with a pool and some place that doesn’t allow crabgrass."

Ty smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

"Want a drink, sugar?" I kicked off my heels at the door, tired of discussing my moving plans.

"No, Bettina. I’m fine."

Besides my mother, Ty was the only person to ever call me Bettina and had all through junior high and high school.

"Come on." I led him into the living room, my bare feet loud on the hall’s hardwood floors. I plopped down in the overstuffed, denim chair-and-a-half and patted the spot next to me.

Taking off his hat, Ty set it on the coffee table and slid down beside me.

"Are you sure...about this?" I softly asked. As bad as I wanted Ty, I didn’t want him feeling like he’d made a wicked horrible mistake come morning. "If not, I’d be happy to take you home. No hard feelings."

"I need this," he muttered, a funny expression I didn’t understand crossing his face.

Snuggling closer, I leaned up and touched his hair. Soft as a baby’s. I discovered it was also thick and bone straight, the top layer bleached a pale blond by the sun. He apparently had a bad habit of going hatless.

Running my finger along his jaw, I whispered, "Positive?"

His only reply was to kiss me. Like the last one, it was hard and deep, full of pain. He nipped at my lower lip, his hands tangling in my long hair. Mouths wide open, our tongues chased each other, dueling intently. The heat between my legs increased and my panties grew steadily damper.

I moaned and pulled away. "Condoms?"

"I don’t have any." His voice shook, and he looked worried. After being married forever, safe sex probably wasn’t something that would have crossed his mind.

Lucky for him, I adhered to Rule Number Six:
Be Prepared.

"I’ll be right back." I slipped out of the chair and darted down the hall. Through my bedroom and into my bath I went, pawing through maxi-pads, hair products and washcloths until I finally located a box of condoms in the back of the cabinet. Grabbing a couple, I paused to slip off my strapless bra and snatch a quilt from the foot of my bed. Even for Ty I couldn’t break Rule Seven and share my bed.

Back in the living room, Ty still sat right where I’d left him. I skidded to a halt and released my grip on the quilt, letting it fall to the floor. "Positive?"

He nodded. I flicked off the overhead light and threw the condoms on the coffee table. They landed next to his hat, which struck me as funny, but I bit back a giggle.
Nerves, just nerves.
The tiny, forty-watt table lamp was our only source of illumination.

I reached down and yanked his boots off one at a time, tossing them across the room, then straddled his legs, lifting the edges of my dress. I watched him watching me slowly raise it.

He smiled shyly as I settled on his knees. I playfully wrinkled my nose at him and continued to pull the halter dress up, knowing it would go over my head. His smile slowly faded, and at one point, he even licked his lips. I wanted to lean down and repeat the process for him but didn’t.

His breathing heavy, green eyes smoky with anticipation, Ty watched as I slowly tugged the dress over my head. Throwing it behind me, I proudly posed, breasts thrust forward. The only thing separating us was a pair of hot pink panties and his clothes, of course.

Reaching out, he touched me. I was mesmerized at the sight of his callused index finger gliding over my nipple, lightly rubbing it. It puckered and my back arched. I bit my lip, my insides tightening, not sure which was more erotic: his touch or watching the effects of his touch.

Ty kept his eyes on my face and slowly reached up with his other hand to caress both tips simultaneously. I moaned, shivers dancing down my back.

With a heavy sigh, his hands fell to his lap. "I’ve never...not with anyone but— "

But her.
Rhea.

I brushed my fingers across his lips, and slid in closer, cupping his face in my hands. "I understand," I whispered. And meant it. Kissing his forehead, I leaned back and waited to see what he’d do.

A dozen agonizingly slow heartbeats later he leaned forward and closed his mouth around one of my nipples. I sucked in my breath as his warm mouth insistently tugged at the hard, sensitive peaks. His callused hands ran up and down my back, and I tangled mine in his hair, pulling him closer, giving over to every intense feeling running through me.

"Ty," I moaned, long and low.

Settling on his crotch, I squeezed him with my thighs and ground against him. The denim of his jeans was rough against my thighs, and even through my damp panties, I could feel his erection. My body begged. His insistent lips moved almost frantically from one breast to the other while his hands kneaded the pair, squeezing them together. The soft hairs of his goatee tickled, exciting me more.

"Ooo, Ty! I wanna come," I panted, lips pressed to his hair. Turned-on would have been an understatement Every inch of my skin was on fire.

Ty stopped. His breath came heavy as he frowned up at me. Sadness? Confusion? "Already?"

I bit my lip to keep from screaming and nodded. He ducked his head and slipped his finger in my panties. Something changed, shifted slightly, but I was too wound up to figure out what.

Skillfully, he found what he was looking for and proceeded to rub my clitoris with light insistent strokes. I leaned in and kissed him hard, pleased. My hips moved with his fingers, my teeth nibbled at his lips, and I moaned, lost, "I want you so bad, Ty."

Kissing him again, I rubbed against him like a cat, the chambray of his shirt chaffing my tender nipples. "Ty, please," I begged, my hips moving faster. His fingers expertly kept pace while his eyes remained tightly shut, his head now turned away from me. I was so close.

I went for his neck, sucking and biting my way up to his earlobe.

"Ty, please!" I panted in his ear, begging him not to stop. My whole body primed, I lost myself in heaven when his fingers pinched my nipple. The exquisite pain coupled with his other hand teasing my clit was the final straw. I came, hard, clinging to him and screaming, my hands buried in his hair. Afterward, I collapsed against him panting, spent and weak.

He gently removed his hand and pushed me away. Eyes lowered and his expression unreadable. "You wanna take me home now?"

"You wanna leave...now?" I panted, shocked at his words and still dazed from my orgasm.

He paused, a frown of obvious confusion on his face. When he spoke his voice shook. "I thought...that’s all you wanted. You were done."

In that moment I caught a glimpse of what Rhea had done to him and hated her with a passion.

"Baby, we’re just getting started," I drawled, smothering my anger.

Chapter Two

SATISFACTION

Ty saw the brief flash of anger in Bettina’s eyes before it disappeared. Her sassy, husky voice curled around him, reassured him his decision hadn’t been a bad one. He relaxed as she kissed him slow and deep, as if to prove her point.

He melted at the touch of her soft tongue and felt a little embarrassed at his need, very obvious beneath his tight jeans. Four months since his ex-wife walked out; even longer since they’d had sex. And never anything like this.

Never this hot.

He felt like he was drowning but knew he’d die a happy man. And happiness wasn’t something he’d experienced a lot of lately. But tonight he was gonna be happy come hell or high water. He shoved his anger and a twinge of guilt aside, refusing to look at them.

He’d rather look at Bettina.

Intrigued with her boldness, her sexual confidence, Ty grew even harder. She reminded him of a marble goddess with her creamy, golden skin and lush hips. She grabbed a throw pillow from the couch, spread out the quilt, then slipped her panties off and crooked a finger at him.

She lay naked and waiting, a tender smile across her lips. He stood up, taking in the extraordinary length of her, the long blonde curls and sleepy green eyes, her plump, rose-tipped breasts, slightly rounded belly and natural blonde pubic curls so different from Rhea. Mentally he shook himself, blocking out thoughts of the last twelve years. Reminding himself to forget as Bettina patted the spot next to her on the blanket.

"On the floor?"

"Right here," she whispered with a smile.

"Alrighty then." Ty shed his clothes, startled at the admiration in her eyes, a little embarrassed and plenty nervous. He smothered his nerves. She wanted him here and he needed this.

Ty lay down expectant and strangely relaxed. The last of his resistance disappeared as she leaned forward and caught his lower lip with her teeth. Her incredibly long legs rubbed against him, all of it stoking the fire in his belly.

Breaking the kiss, he whispered, "I want you." He wanted to roll her onto her back and slide deep inside her but it wasn’t in his nature to be aggressive. And he already felt far enough out of his element.

"I want you too, but not yet," she replied. The knowing expression on her face and her words triggered a spike of desire that traveled from his belly to his sac, which tightened almost painfully. Bettina leaned into him and nuzzled his neck, her lips planting light kisses down his jaw. He caressed her back, enjoying the feel of her silky, warm skin and happy to let her take the lead.

"Bettina," he begged, more insistent now. She had the most amazing lips.

"Not yet." She leaned over and nibbled on one of his nipples until it became puckered and hard. Watching her, Ty moaned. Her free hand wandered down his chest to his groin. Lips followed and he felt his control slipping.

He gasped, mesmerized at the sight of Bettina’s fingers surrounding his cock. Her thumb glanced across the soft tip then gave it a slow, firm stroke.

"B’tina."

She leaned over, blonde curls slipping along his belly, and took him in her soft, warm mouth, tasting him. Slowly torturing him with her mouth and tongue as if she were savoring an ice cream. Her velvety tongue took his breath away and shredded his restraint.

"B’tina, stop!"

"What’s the matter, baby?" she whispered, his cock still held firmly in her grasp. The sight of her sleepy eyes and damp rosy lips curved into a smile made his balls ache for release.

"I wanna...You’re gonna make me—"

He groaned as her pink lips formed a beatific smile. Voice husky, she purred, "Come? Don’t you want to?"

He nodded and his cock twitched.

"You’re ready?"

Panting, Ty nodded again and watched as she sat up and grabbed a condom off the coffee table. Slightly embarrassed, he turned his head as she deftly ripped the package open and slipped it on him.

"Top or bottom?"

Momentarily confused, he just stared for a moment then sputtered, "Bottom." His need had reached such a pitch he couldn’t think, couldn’t catch his breath.

He watched as Bettina straddled his hips and engulfed him. All of him. Ty groaned loudly as his cock touched her womb and she squeezed him. Already he wanted to come. His eyes rolled back in his head as she began moving her hips in long, easy strokes. He sank back on the pillow and his head thrashed from side to side as he moaned Bettina’s name, deep and low in his throat. Neck arched, his hips matched hers thrust for thrust. She leaned over, her head in the crook of his neck.

Skin to skin now, she felt rich and smooth as twenty-year-old scotch. He could feel the slick sheen of sweat coating their skin as his hands continued kneading her ass, begging for more. For all of her. Ty was completely overwhelmed by the orgasm gathering force in him. He clutched her lush hips and bucked against her, losing control as her teeth sank into his neck.

"Hurry B’tina," Ty begged at the top of his lungs. Her pace increased as she tried to keep up. But suddenly it was too late.
No, damnit! Not yet!
His hips never let up under hers until he was completely drained and he sank back with a long loud groan, swallowing angry tears of frustration.

He expected Bettina to stop but instead, she kissed him hard and deep, distracting him. It was as decadent and sensual as the sudden feel of her orgasm milking him. So intense, so deep, so different from anything he’d ever felt.

Above him, she panted as her thighs relaxed, both of them sweaty and sated they lay curled together, heavy breathing the only sound in the house. His hands caressed her back. "Bettina."

"I know...I’m heavy. Gimme a sec."

"Don’t move, please, baby. I’m sorry." He could still feel her pulsating around his cock.

"For what?"

"You just...felt so good," he whispered, his voice harsh, amazed at how relaxed he felt. A slow lethargy crept over him, through every inch of bone and sinew. "I...I was too fast."

"There’s always round two." Bettina giggled and nuzzled his ear but didn’t move.

Round two?
The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine.

 "I have to get up," she finally whispered, easing off him.

"Where’s your bathroom?" He felt the heat rise in his face, unused to the gritty little details of sex. Condoms weren’t required when you’d only ever been with one woman.

"First door on the right." She smiled, grabbing up her dress and slipping it over her head.

When Ty returned, he found her in a t-shirt, curled up in the big denim chair and covered with the oversized quilt. He sank down beside her, barely able to move, and quickly dozed off with her head tucked up under his chin.

* * *

Ty awoke with a start and checked his watch. Five in the morning.
Damn!
He should already be at home, getting ready to feed cattle. Easing his arm from under Bettina’s head, he went in search of the phone and called Tim, then quietly gathered his clothes up and slipped into the bathroom to clean up and dress.