Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) (13 page)

“You walked here? In those?” His admiration grew rapidly.

“Well, not the entire way. I was picked up by some man. I think he said his name was Dodge and he dropped me off. It makes sense that you don’t see the visitors on this side of the ranch. He was looking at me pretty funny.”

“Sweetheart, I would bet my eyeteeth that he was looking at you oddly for more than you being on the wrong side of the land. He was jealous, I’m sure.” Ben laughed, but it fizzled when her lips touched his neck. He exhaled slowly. “That’s nice.”

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him. Her eyes surrounded by a thick fringe of dark lashes. “Do you like it when I touch you?”

“Yes. Don’t be surprised, sweetheart. You’re incredible. It’s time you start to believe it,” he said on the tail of a harsh sigh.

Continuing her kisses on his throat, she stood on tiptoe and moved to his jaw. “I like doing this.”

He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Sitting on the edge, he placed her in his lap, holding her close and nuzzling his face against her hair. She threaded her fingers into his hair, pushing them deep and rubbing his scalp while her mouth did magical things. Her tongue swooped out and licked his earlobe and he sucked in a deep breath. “Woman, you’re going to be the death of me, I swear.”

She brought her hands to his face and cupped his cheeks, bringing her mouth to his and kissing him fully on the lips. “I want you, but I’m a little scared.”

“Sweetheart, why are you scared?” He touched her cheeks with his thumb, smoothing the pad across the velvety skin. “I’d never hurt you.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Ben. I’m afraid that I can’t satisfy you. My husband was the only one…and with him I felt like a failure.” She lowered her eyes and worked her teeth across her bottom lip, showing her nervousness.

He touched her chin. “Look at me.” She brought her gaze up. “That’s what he wanted you to feel.”

“I-I guess I’m a mess.” Her insecurity was evident in every delicate line of her expression and it tugged at his heart.

“Let me tell you what I see—a woman who has been dragged through hell and survived. There is nothing about you that is a mess.”

“You’re changing my view of men, Ben,” she whispered.

“I’m going to take that as a huge compliment.” He chuckled.

She looked through the veil of her lashes, studying him. “You should, but somehow I think you’re different than most men. A true gentleman.”

“What did he do to you, darling’? What did he do to blindfold you from the sweet beauty that you are?” He tangled his fingers through her hair.

“I can’t—not yet.” Her voice was barely audible.

“Okay, but understand, he wasn’t worthy of you,” he said staunchly.

He wouldn’t push her this time. He lowered his hand to her waist and could feel the warmth of her skin through the thin material of the shirt. She moved off his lap and came to stand directly in front of him.  The moonlight streamed in, setting her in its blue glow. “My God, you’re so beautiful.”

“I want to believe that.” She reached around, tugging at the hem of her shirt. The material rustling sounded loud in the silence as she removed it.  The bra cupped her breasts high, lifting the mounds and showing them off. He wanted to touch, but kept his hand on his thighs.

She was surrendering to her desire and he found that more desirable, beyond any words. The cool evening air coming through the open window brushed across them, not helping to ease the scorching heat.

The sweet torment continued.

She bent to her knees and removed his boot, his sock, then the same with the other foot, all while looking at him through the fringe of her long lashes, craving glazing her eyes. She stood and leaned close, sliding her hand over his chest, lower to his belt. The buckle was already unfastened and she loosened the button and zipper, rolling the tip of her finger along the band of his boxers. He sucked in a breath, holding it, waiting for her next move. She climbed over his lap, straddling him and he exhaled slowly. He could feel her heat as her inner thighs grazed his hard cock. He slipped his hand up her smooth thigh and she whimpered. Sliding his hand around to her tight bottom, he squeezed and pulled her closer.

He was intrigued by her beauty and seduction. She had him in the palm of her hand and he didn’t give a shit.

Their lips met in a desperate, hungry kiss while their bodies rocked. The sharp, aching pressure in his cock warned him that he’d have to lose the jeans or he’d have an impression of his zipper on his balls for life. While steadying her on his thighs, not breaking the thirsty kiss, he slid his pants low on his legs, as he continued focusing on the connection of their bodies.

She smelled good, tasted better. Ben could stay here with her forever, cloaked in a pleasure unlike any other. Even if they didn’t have sex, he’d still be the happiest man that walked the earth.

****

Cara’s body quaked with nervous sexual attraction. Ben’s kisses were like a sin she couldn’t resist.  His tongue stroked the inside of her mouth, tasting her, sampling her. Their tongues dueled and she didn’t want to ever stop.

She was letting him peel away layer after layer of her wall of protection. She was aware of the risks, and yet she couldn’t have stopped the spiraling emotion if her life depended on it.  Her inner thighs were swollen, hot with need. The arousal was a sweet poison, swirling her veins and boiling her blood. Lust spun around her gut as she gyrated her thighs around the thick bulge in his boxers.

Cara’s sex turned hotter, wetter. He was rock-solid, every inch of his body built iron-hard. Her head was spinning and she wanted him more than she was prepared for. She wanted sex. Needed sex. Ben could ease the pain of need buried like a hidden treasure in her body.

Her mind whirled as he ran his tongue along her ear, flicking the lobe and suckling. He followed the length of her neck and kissed her collarbone, working his way to the tops of her tingling breasts. His palm was on her back, supporting her, as his lips sizzled her bare flesh. Being here with him seemed much like a wicked act, and she loved it.  Nothing was more tantalizing to her than doing everything against what she’d normally do.

Although she had conflicting thoughts rushing through her fuzzy mind, she brushed aside all logical reasoning and went for the side that urged her to live scandalously…even if only once in her lifetime. She could almost hear the iron links rattling, breaking, as she released herself from the chains that bound her years ago. It was a liberating feeling.

Nothing she was feeling now was familiar. It was all new ground, a new place, where she was exploring a paragon of raw emotion.

This was shocking—overwhelming, exciting. Here with him, their bodies close, entwined, their mouths together, it was all truth.

She leaned on his chest, wrapped her arms around his back and moaned. “You taste good,” she muttered against his lips.

He groaned and the exquisite sound vibrated her breasts and her nipples tightened. His hand unhooked her bra and the material slipped away as he slid his palm around to one breast, cupping the mound in his large palm. She watched him through the veil of her lashes…the flaring of his nostrils, the glaze in his eyes. He looked like a wild man, driven to the edge of reasoning. She knew he took things slow for her well-being, and she found it sweet, not unlike what she’d expect from a gentleman like Ben.

Smoothing her hands over his broad shoulders, she placed her palms flat against his warm chest. He blew out a short sigh, as if to let some steam out, and she got a whiff of mint. She breathed him in, wishing she could take in this moment and relive it over and over again when the night was lonely.

He cupped both breasts, his callused fingers rasping her sensitive skin, her nipples tingling. The receptors of her brain fired and every cell of her body charged.

His hands slipped to her bottom, squeezing. She realized for the first time she wasn’t worried whether her butt was too large, too flabby or too stretch-marked for his taste. The way he touched her, without inhibition, put all of her silly concerns to rest. He made her feel…beautiful.

She’d never been one to spend money at the salon on expensive hair styles, manicures, and pedicures. She’d never shopped in designer boutiques or wore stilettos. As far as the gym was concerned, it was a place she passed every day on her way to her shop, not somewhere she debated pumping iron, although she had to admit it wouldn’t hurt for her to do some pampering for herself occasionally. But what amazed her, Ben still wanted her.

His hand skimming around to her bare thigh rocketed pure scorching heat through her body, driving a missile-like force into her core and straight into the pit of her stomach. Goosebumps marred her skin and his eyes darkened dangerously. Could he read her body language and know just how much she wanted him?

“I think it’s time we lose all of our clothes,” she smiled.

“I think you’re right.” His gaze twinkled.

She moved from his lap, her knees were weak and her breathing labored, and he stood up as the cold void brushed her skin. She shivered, but warmth returned as she skimmed the passion in his eyes. His jeans were already at his knees and they easily fell to his ankles. He gave them a kick across the room and they landed against the wall. She liked his pale blue-striped boxers. Were they silk? They looked like the expensive ones she saw models wearing on the billboards. Ben could be one of those models, no doubt. A self-conscious thought blistered through her mind of her own body, but she forced away the negativity weighing on her mind. By the bulge in his underwear, it was obvious that he found her very attractive. That was enough to help her forget the pain of years ago.

Goosebumps blanketed her flesh as his fingers went to the waistband of his boxers. Excitement tightened her throat and a soft whimper fell from her lips. Soon he’d be naked, something she’d fantasized about. She parted her lips as she watched him, her own private striptease.

He was taking his time. Teasing her. Tweaking her anticipation.

She glimpsed the head of his penis, purple with lust as it popped out of the material of his underwear. A smile flirted with her lips and she licked them, wondering what Ben tasted like. She was still too shy to give him a blowjob, although she wanted to have her mouth around him. She didn’t even have a clue how to give one, not without being forced. Heat scorched her veins, spiraling between her legs. If she didn’t stop staring she was going to set the place on fire.

Bringing her gaze upward, their gazes met and she sucked in a breath. My God, he looked at her with complete, utter need. Her belly did a flop and her pussy lips twitched. Oh for heaven’s sake, she was in big trouble with a man like Ben. She didn’t even know his last name.

And it didn’t deter her one bit.  Bring on the trouble.

His boxers were gone and his sex stood straight, pointing toward the ceiling. She blinked and sighed languidly.  She stared without hesitancy. Wow…so that’s what a man looked like fully erect? Her mouth watered and her breasts tingled.

He stepped around the side of the bed and, with a gentle touch, he placed his hands under her arms and gently lifted her to the center of the blanket. She laid her head onto the pillow and he joined her, stretching beside her.

He kissed her—his lips were perfectly made—firm, the bottom lip slightly fuller and warm. He slipped his tongue inside and she parted her mouth, allowing him deeper entry. After all, who would protest a man who kissed this good? He could stick his tongue anywhere and she’d gladly oblige. The thought made her moan and the pressure of his tongue increased.

She tangled her fingers in his hair, loving the feel of the satin locks. She cupped his cheek with the other hand and the layer of stubble tickled her palm.

And then he broke the kiss…

She squirmed and whimpered in protest.

“Your turn. I want to see all of you.” His eyes were heavily lidded.

“What…?” She couldn’t quite wrap her brain around his words.

His lips were on hers again, cradling her neck and her head held in his big hand. His tongue plundered her, sipping at her, enjoying her.

Driven by a need she neither understood, nor ever felt, she slid her hands to his back and splayed her fingers over his broad, muscled back. Following the path of rippled flesh, she found his wide shoulders and nicked her nails along the warm skin. His deep moan vibrated through his body and she arched her back, rubbing her nipples against his chest.

Tingles cascaded down her spine, through her weakened legs to the tips of her toes, where she curled them.  Lights brightened inside of her mind, dancing like flickering candles. The kiss stopped again and she gulped air.

****

“Ben,” Cara whispered his name. Her long dark hair hung in a cascade of loose curls on the pillow. Her lids were lowered and her lips were moist and pink from his kisses.

She widened her eyes as a soft smile plucked the corner of her luscious lips.

Oh, shit!

He knew he’d do anything to keep that smile from ever fading.

Cara marveled him in the most unsettling ways. In one sense, she was worldly, far beyond her years. And at the blink of an eye, she was the most vulnerable woman he’d ever met. No one could ever call her weak or a damsel in distress. He saw strength in her. She had the skill of wrapping him around her pinky, and he couldn’t stop the pull.

Ben wanted her now, hungered for her like a starving man.

If this was lust, he could handle that, but he had to be careful. He’d been in lust before and it had never been this complex—this invigorating. This was more than longing and it scared the hell out of him.

She lifted her arms high above her head, clasping her hands together. He got a strong scent of woman and musk—teasing him and dragging him in. A growl escaped his tight lips and seemed to bounce off the empty walls like a ping-pong ball—much like the emotions bouncing around inside of him.

He throbbed and ached, wanting to bury himself into her sweet, little body. But taking his time was important. He had no doubt that she wanted him, he could smell the need, but he also knew she was a precious wine that needed time in aging, so when the moment came when they connected, it would be the best for her. Her tongue came out and flicked across her bottom lip. The art of seduction. He knew she’d never skilled it to perfection, but somehow that made it very sexy—almost dangerous.

“Your body is big and so warm. So nice being here,” she whispered.

Her words struck every chord of his body. He slid his hands to her back and smoothed his hand down the smooth line. He stared at her breasts and his breath was trapped in his lungs.  He’d never seen a better set. Neither too big or too small, they were perfectly swollen. Her nipples were the palest of pink. The buds were engorged and he lowered his head, taking one erect tip into his mouth and circling his tongue. She arched her back and pressed the apex of her thighs against his knee, tilting her hips and rolling. He could feel her sweet, warm heat and it almost sent him over the edge. The tip of his cock tingled and he blew out a long breath.

He wanted to be tender with her, but he felt so out of control, so laden with desire that he knew he wouldn’t last long if he took her right now. He had to dig deep and find enough restraint to give her the pleasure she deserved.

She raked her fingers down his back and he growled.

She kissed his chest and neck, then nibbled behind his ear. He returned the favor and kissed her eyelids, her ears, her cheeks, the corners of her mouth, all while massaging her back.

He lifted on his knees and helped her out of her shorts. He slipped his fingers into the elastic of her panties, tugging them over her lean hips, down her shapely legs and she pushed them off her ankles.  “Best body ever,” he whispered.

“You always say the right things.” She touched his chin with the tip of her finger.

“I have a tendency to say exactly what I’m thinking.” He kissed her neck, lower to suckle each breasts, kissing a path down her stomach, taking the time to nibble the silken flesh of her belly button. She arched and cried out, threading her fingers into his hair and tugging. “Ben…” His name seemed to fall from her lips like honey.

He knew the sound, he was there too. But he had to take her to a place she’d never been.

Cool air breezed in from the window, across his back, helping ease the boiling heat in his limbs. He positioned his hands on her bottom, spreading them over the firm tight muscle, tilting her at an angle so that her knees parted wide. He had the eagle eye view of her most sensitive spot, nestled in a thin layer of groomed, dark hair, and it almost made his heart stop.