Second Round Cowboy (Second Chance Series) (11 page)

She laughed. “It’s okay
, Stryke. I realize what you meant. Take a shower.”

“Okay. If you want anything the kitchen is…shit, you know where the kitchen is.”

“I sure do and I know that I can help myself.” She dropped her gaze over his body again and his restraints popped—one by one. He couldn’t move too fast, not wanting her to think all he wanted was a bed warmer.

Inside the bathroom, he slid off his jean
s and boxers, climbing into the hot spray of water. His muscles were tired and the steam felt great. He’d stacked enough bales of hay to make any man sore.

He closed his eyes and submerged his head under the stream.

“Need help?”

He jerked his eyes open. Leslie held one side of the shower curtain open, peeking in. “I sure could
, unless you’d rather watch.”

“Stryke, you know I’m not one to stand back and watch. I like to get my hands dirty.” The curtain slid further, exposing her naked body.

His cock stood in record time. She stepped in and he took in every inch of her beauty—wide eyes, puckered bottom lip, erect nipples, flat stomach and long legs. “I’m glad to see you’ve gotten over your modesty.”

“I suddenly had a craving for a hardworking man.
Patience has never been my best virtue.”

“Patience is overrated
.” He couldn’t keep his hands to himself another second. He grabbed her waist and pulled her against his body, his cock wedged between her thighs.

She slid her palms along his chest. “My
, oh my, what large muscles you have.”

“Are you trying to give me a big head?” He forced the words through his tight lips.

“Yes, I am.” She dropped her hand to his erection and wrapped her fingers around his shaft. “Mmm…”

“Pump that too many times and I may embarrass myself, sweetheart.” He bent his face and planted kisses along her jaw.

She removed her hand, turned and splayed her hands on the wall. Her legs spread in a wide V, inviting him to sample her offering. He moved himself against her tight, round ass and entered her with two digits, testing her lips for moistness. Her hot, wet pussy was ready for him as he replaced his hand with his eager cock.

He eased himself inside of her tight passage as her juices flowed around him, encouraging him to hasten his thrusts. Her moans tangled with the sound of the water splashing their bodies
and he rapidly lost control. The combination of her silken, tight body, the thrumming of the water, and her breasts in his palms melted him.

The tightening of her muscles pushed him over his breaking point.
With one deep plunge, he came.

CHAPTER TEN

STRYKER AND LESLIE were in his bed. She lay cuddled next to him, one bare leg thrown over his stomach and her naked body pressed against his side. His fingers tangled in her damp hair as he brought a strand to his nose. “You smell so good.”

“Mmm…” The sound vibrated her chest. She slid her fingers acro
ss his shoulder.

“You sleepy?” he asked.

“Some, but more relaxed than anything.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you. I haven’t felt this great in years,” she mumbled.

He rubbed his thumb across the soft skin of her
arm. “Can I get you anything? A glass of water, wine or a beer?”

“I’ll have what you’re having.” She rolled away from him.

He slid from the bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and left the room. The kitchen tiles were cold on his bare feet so he quickly grabbed two bottles of beers from the fridge and made his way back to the bedroom—and to the warmth of Leslie’s body.

She was covered up now with the blanket. Her long hair spilled over the pillow like black ink against white paper. Her cheeks were rosy an
d her lips were full. She was the loveliest thing he’d ever laid eyes on.

He
popped the lid to both bottles and took two gulps from one. He especially could use one now.
Maybe two or three
. He wasn’t sure if the flipping of his stomach was a good or bad thing.

She turned her cheek and looked
at him. The golden glow of the table lamp made her look almost angelic. He’d gotten a taste of her, and just like before, he would do almost anything to get it again. The sex had been great, but there had been more—much more. She’d roped him like no other and he had gladly fallen under her penetrating stare and beauty that ran deeper than skin.

“Is one of those mine
because you sure look like you’re hoarding them?” She laughed and sat up, the cover fell to her waist, exposing her firm, round breasts.

He handed her a
bottle and chugged the rest of his. The cool liquid didn’t even touch the heat scorching his insides.

“Are you okay?” She took a sip.

“Sure, why?”

One thin brow curved. “I know you
and that twitching muscle underneath your left eye is always a revealing sign that something’s not right. Are you okay that I’m here?” She grabbed the blanket and covered her chest. Disappointment raced through him.

“I invited you, didn’t I?”
His voice was thick.

“But you inviting me and me being here are two different things. Maybe you regret the decision.
”

“No I don’t. Why would you think that?”

“It’s been a long time since I walked through the door. Maybe it brings back memories that are best left alone.”

He shrugged. “
True, having you here reminds me that I once lost you, but I’m a grown man, Lesi. I don’t have an immature fantasy that you and I are forever…not anymore. I’ve learned that we make the best of each day and not expect tomorrow.”

There was a slight narrowing of her gaze, as if he’d hit a button
. “At least you’re keeping it real.”

I know you didn’t choose to be in this circumstance, but Lilly needs us both.
”
And at one time I needed you more than my next breath.

“I’m her god
parent. You’re her uncle. She needs you more, certainly. I may not have “chosen” to be with her from the beginning, but now, I have made the choice. This isn’t easy for anyone, especially Lilly. She misses her mother and I’m only a sliver of what she wishes for.”

He watched her bring the bot
tle to her lips. Her mouth wrapped around the rim and it sent chills of desire racing through him—more than a yearning for sexual satisfaction. The sadness he saw in her expression made him want to tug her into his arms and promise that everything would be okay. How could he make such a promise when he had no clue what the future held. Losing his sister put priorities into place. Life could end at any moment. “You made a promise when Justine named you as godparent and it was a long time—”

She threw her hand up in the air
. “You don’t need to remind me. I know what I promised Justine and I was part of the family. I’m still not sure that I won’t screw things up, but I can’t deny that I care for Lilly and want to be in her life.”

“
You don’t think I worry that I’ll mess up also? I wish I could simply wipe away the past, forget the pain you’d caused when you left.” The reality was, he harbored harsh feelings and he needed to find a way to rid himself of the anger. “I have to learn to trust again.”

“You’re having sex with someone you don’t trust?”
Her bottom lip trembled.

“
That’s not what I mean. I’m screwing this up.” He scratched his jaw. “Look, we’ve made no promises to one another, no talk of the future where we’re concerned, but Lilly does need stability. Promises are all she has at the moment.”

“
And I guess my word isn’t worth the breath it slipped out on. I left you before the wedding and I can’t change what happened. Everyone makes mistakes and I’ve learned from mine. However, if you brought me here to rip me into shreds, I’ll gladly leave.”

He rubbed his brows with the p
ads of his fingers. “Hell, I didn’t mean for you and I to argue. The past is over and we must concentrate on the here and now. That means Lilly needs our help in getting over the death of her mother…or at least maybe we can find some resemblance of a happy childhood for her.”

“It won’t happen
overnight, but eventually the pain will fade and won’t be consuming. It’s possible the best thing we can do is keep her mother’s memory alive. Celebrate in the love she had for her daughter. ”

“Justine loved her very much
. It’s not fair that she is gone.” He sat down on the bed.

“I’m sorry
.” She touched his shoulder. “I know this is painful for you. You lost your sister, a part of your family.”

He co
uldn’t talk. What would he say? He wasn’t only brokenhearted over Justine’s death, but he found himself spiraling down a path where he’d been before and vulnerability was as scary as hell.

He wanted
another beer, but for all the wrong reasons. No matter what he did to numb his emotions, it wouldn’t help. He couldn’t resolve or fix the bitterness that still dwelled in parts of him at the bottom of a bottle. Right now, he needed to do something, anything, besides stroll down memory lane or his confused feelings. “Are you hungry?”

She
shook her head. “I ate on my way here. Fast food.”

“You still live by the junk food
pyramid, huh?”

“Not as much, but still too often
. I’m always on the go and sometimes a drive thru window can be a hungry woman’s best friend.”

“You’re out in the sticks now. No
fake burgers and processed tacos clear out here. Everything’s cooked up fresh right in Stryker Mason’s kitchen.”

“
That’s why I got my fix before I left civilization.”

“Are you saying you don’t like my cooking?” He was slightly offended.

She chuckled. “Are you kidding? I’d much rather have your grilled steak and burgers any day over fast food.”

“If you’re lucky I may make you a good meal while you’re here.” He winked.
“Left field question, but are you wearing lipstick?”

Her g
aze widened. “I was wearing shell gloss until you kissed it off. Wait, you’ve never cared what I wear on my lips.”

He took the bottle from her fingers and placed it on the table
. “You’re right, I don’t. However, I can’t seem to stop thinking how good it tastes. Cherry maybe? It reminds me of the flavor of a red popsicle.”

She laughed. “It seems like you’ve put a lot of thought in my lip tint.
I don’t know if it has a flavor. I’d have to take your word for it.”

“
Here, I have an idea.” He scooted closer until he was within an inch of her. “I’ll sample it again and let you know.” He leaned in and covered her mouth with his, running the tip of his tongue along the curve of her bottom lip. He swore her body trembled. He brought his head up slightly. “Cherry and beer, a heady combination,” he whispered.

“I’m glad you like.” She planted her hands against his chest.

He wrapped one arm around her waist, lifting her and pulling her naked body onto his lap. He lowered his gaze across her breasts, along her flat stomach and over the apex of her thighs. “You shave all of the hair off now. That was a surprise.” He swirled his finger over the soft, bare skin. She sucked in a deep breath. “Does it make sex feel better?”

“Yes.” Her voice was husky.

Sliding his digit further downward, she opened her thighs. Her pussy was already wet. “Does this taste like cherry too?”

“I’d have no clue.” She buried her face against his shoulder.

He brought his finger to his lips and licked her juices. “Not cherry. Blueberry. Makes me crave blueberry syrup and pancakes.”

She
brought her arm up around his neck. Her breathing was warm against his skin and her body shuddered against his chest. He smoothed his palm across her stomach. “My hands are calloused,” he said.

“I like your hands.” She slipped her hand in his, entwining their fingers. “I was always amazed at how this was a perfect fit…and yet your hands are much larger than mine.”

“Your skin is soft, like satin. The first time we made love I worried that I would hurt you. I was this big awkward fellow and you seemed fragile. I wanted to satisfy you, but I couldn’t control myself. I still can’t sometimes, not when it comes to you. ”

“I knew you cared for me. You never forced me or made me feel pressured to take ou
r relationship to the next level. I don’t remember you complaining once because I made you wait until I was eighteen.” She slid her hand from his and touched his cheek. “You’re a good man, Stryke—better than good. I had wondered many times what you ever saw in me. I was a screwed up kid.”

“You’re not screwed up because you made me wait u
ntil you were an adult to get some. I believe that’s pretty upstanding.”

She tucked several strands of hair behind her ear. “I was cold. I didn’t want to give too much of myself away. I knew that night
, though, that I wanted to have you.”