That Night With the Rich Rancher (5 page)

“Shh, darlin’,” he said softly while he kissed her breasts between his words. “Lie down and turn over, let me kiss you,” he said, pushing gently.

She rolled onto her stomach and he picked up her foot to kiss her ankle lightly and then brush kisses higher up the back of her leg. He traced circles with his tongue on the back of her knee.

Digging her fingers into the bed, she raised her head slightly to look over her shoulder. “Tony, I can’t touch or kiss you this way.”

“You will soon,” he whispered, and returned to his tender ministrations, trailing his tongue slowly up the back and then along the inside of her thigh.

Aflame with longing, she twisted and rolled over, sitting up to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him, pouring all her hunger for him into her kiss, wanting to drive him as wild as he had her.

They fell back on the bed with Tony over her, his weight welcome against her. While she moved her hips against him, he kissed her as he rolled beside her. “Do you like me to touch you here?” he whispered, fondling her breast. “Do you want me to kiss you here?” he whispered, moving to brush kisses on her inner thigh, watching her as he did. “You’re beautiful.”

His words heightened the moment, making her more aware of him and what he was doing while she was lost in sensation and desire.

While he kissed her, his hand trailed up her leg to the inside of her thighs. When he stroked her she gasped with pleasure.

His hand moved against her, driving her to new heights. She didn’t think she could take more and she reveled in the feelings he evoked in her. Needing him, she reached out and took him in one hand as her other played over his chest.

She wanted him to feel the same heady sensations he was strumming in her, so she caressed him, eliciting a growl deep in his throat. He stopped her, but he continued to love her, driving her to the brink, lifting her to the precipice of release. And then, when she was about to fall over, he pulled his touch away, shifting his hands to caress her breasts as he also showered them with kisses.

Her fingers wound in his hair. “Tony, I want you. I’m ready,” she gasped, moaning with pleasure as he continued to kiss each breast, his tongue drawing lazy circles over each nipple. His fingers dallied on her stomach, but when they slipped lower, she arched against him, thrusting her hips and spreading her legs to give him access.

That was all the urging he needed. Or so she thought. He moved between her legs and she clutched his buttocks, pulling him toward her. “Tony, I want you now,” she whispered. But he didn’t enter her.

The warm, solid weight of him pressed against her as he stretched over her and kissed her with a hunger that made her heart pound even harder. She wrapped her long legs around him, wanting him more with each second that ticked past. Never before had she wanted to make love as much as she did now.

“Tony,” she whispered again, the rest of her words smothered by his mouth covering hers and his tongue entwining with hers.

How could she want him so much? She couldn’t answer her own question, she just knew she did. She ached for him, her pulse pounding. “Tony, I can’t keep waiting...”

“Yes, you can and it’ll be better than ever,” he said. He laved her breasts, teasing her nipples between his teeth, and she felt a tug between her legs. All the while, his hands caressed her, binding them in one night of lovemaking that she would always remember. Though this night could not be repeated, she knew this was the time to make memories she’d carry with her forever.

“I want you now,” she finally gasped, tugging him closer.

He stepped off the bed to open a night table drawer and then he watched her, his eyes burning her, as he stood beside the bed to slowly put on the condom.

As she caressed his thigh, her hips shifted slightly in anticipation. She wished he would hurry. Then, he knelt between her legs, his eyes still on hers, as he finally entered her. She wrapped her legs around him again, caressing his smooth, muscled back and hard buttocks, as he slowly thrust into her. She cried out, arching to meet him, wanting him to move with her to give her release for all the tension that coiled tightly in her.

Hot and hard, his manhood filled her, moving slowly, driving her to greater need as she clung to him and moved beneath him in perfect sync.

“Now,” she cried, running her hands over his muscled thighs. He obeyed her, and her hips moved faster, her head thrashing as she was lost in the throes of passion, until finally he gave one last thrust, deep and hard, and she cried out. Arching under him, her fingers raking his back, her hips thrusting against him, she found that elusive release and he followed her, bursting within her.

“Tony,” she cried.

“Ah, darlin’...” He ground out the words through clenched teeth as his body continued to move over hers.

Finally, satiated, they stilled.

“You’re fantastic in every way,” he whispered, kissing her temple lightly, trailing light kisses down her cheek and sighing as he lowered his weight carefully onto her.

Gasping for breath, she clung to him while her heartbeat and breathing returned to normal. Tony rolled to his side. He kept her with him, his legs entwined with hers.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

“You don’t have to right now. I want to stay here in your arms, against you. Tony, this has been a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime night.”

“I agree,” he said, hugging her lightly and kissing her forehead. “Our lives have changed.”

“Not really. It may not ever again be as bad or as hateful, but tonight doesn’t really change what we’ll face tomorrow. My water problems, you telling me what I should or should not do, not to mention the next thing that’ll come up between us.”

There was silence while he toyed with locks of her hair. It seemed to her that many minutes went by until he finally spoke. “There’s one question I’d like you to answer. Is water what was behind your high bid tonight? You wanted something from me, Lindsay, and I haven’t heard one word about what it is.”

Three

A
t his question, she felt her very core stiffen. She didn’t want to get into that with him lying beside her and her wrapped in his arms. She didn’t want to say anything that would upset him and break the spell that had been woven around them.

“We’ll talk about that tomorrow. Tonight is special, Tony. I want to keep it magical until the sun rises and brings the reality of our regular lives back to us. Is that okay with you?”

“Sure, because I have plans for the rest of this magical night. Big plans.”

“I do hope they involve me and your sexy body and your wild kisses.”

“My sexy body and wild kisses? Wow. Definitely back to my plans for tonight,” he said, leaning down to kiss her again. In minutes he propped his head on his hand to look at her again.

She couldn’t tell from his eyes what he was thinking. “What?” she asked him.

He toyed with a strand of her hair as he answered. “At this moment I can’t imagine ever returning to the way we were. All I’ll have to do is remember tonight. All of it, darlin’.”

“You better stop calling me darlin’ when we go back to real life.”

“I can call you that if I want.”

“I suspect you won’t really want to, but it’s very nice tonight under the circumstances.”

He smiled at her. “As you said, this is a magical night. One giant surprise after another. And deep down, I know you’re right. We’ll go back to our ordinary lives and our usual fights, except maybe they won’t be quite so bad. After tonight I’ll listen, I’ll try to cooperate with you and maybe even do what you want.”

She couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Like hell you will!”

He chuckled, a deep throaty sound that she could feel in her hand as it lay on his muscled chest. Her fingers traced the solid muscles in his shoulders, chest and arms. Occasionally, she would feel the rough line of a scar. His daily outdoor work not only showed in the strength of his fit body but in his scars, as well.

He pulled her close against his side. “Do you have to go home tomorrow? I hope not. I want to stay right here.”

“I suppose I don’t, until late afternoon. I’ll need to be home early Monday morning,” she answered, thinking more about his flat stomach, hard with muscles and dusted with hair, over which she ran her fingers.

“Good. I have plans and they involve staying right here and not talking to anyone except each other.”

“I have to check out of the hotel tomorrow by noon, though. That room was paid for by the auction board.” She drew another circle slowly on his stomach.

“I’ll call and have tomorrow night put on my card, so you can get your things whenever you’re ready,” he said, rolling over and stretching out his long arm to retrieve his phone. “What hotel?”

“I can do that.”

“Don’t argue. We’re not going to disagree with each other this weekend.”

She smiled as she told him the name of her hotel and watched him get the number on his phone. Once again she thought his take-charge attitude was delightful when he focused on her. When he finished and she had the room for another night, he turned to take her into his arms again.

“Thanks, Tony. That was nice of you,” she said, running her fingers over the dark stubble on his jaw. “I have to say, I didn’t know I could ever be quite so fascinated by a cowboy’s body.”

“I guarantee you, I’m totally fascinated by a cowgirl’s body,” he said, trailing his fingers lightly over her breasts. Even though she had a sheet pulled up over her, she felt his feathery caresses, and her rapidly heating body responded to them.

“A beautiful blonde cowgirl,” he continued, as his eyes seemed to feast on her. “I want you here with me as long as possible.”

She felt the same way and had no desire to get up and leave him. Though her heart wished the night could go on forever, she couldn’t get her head around the fact that she was in Tony Milan’s bed. “My family would never believe we’re together tonight. No one would.”

“All those people who heard what you paid for a night with me will believe it.”

She laughed. “I suppose you’re right.” She rolled over and sat up slightly to look down at him. “You’re really amazing, you know that? Tonight is astonishing. I never dreamed it would be like this.”

“I promise you that I didn’t, either.” His face took on a sheepish look. “When I stepped out on that auction stage earlier, I didn’t really think anyone would bid for me.”

“Now that is ridiculous.”

“I’m just a cowboy.”

“A cowboy named Milan—a name that’s well known in these parts. And a very wealthy rancher,” she remarked. “With all the ranches and businesses owned by your family, I think you could count on someone bidding for an evening with you.”

“Who bid against you? I couldn’t see either one of you because of the lights in my eyes, not until you stood to come to the stage and a spotlight picked you out. As soon as I laid eyes on you, my attitude about the evening did an immediate reversal.”

She smiled at him. “I don’t know who bid against me. There were people from Dallas and Lubbock there, and from other places, as well. Probably one of your old girlfriends who wasn’t ready to say goodbye,” she said.

“Let’s not discuss my old girlfriends,” he said through a grin. “I’d much rather talk about you anyway. I still say if you’d wear a dress to town, you’d have a slew of guys asking you out.”

“I don’t want a ‘slew’ of locals asking me out, thank you very much.”

“Why not? There are nice guys out there.”

“Sure there are, but they’re ranchers and cowboys. I don’t want to go out with ranchers or cowboys.”

“You could’ve fooled me. You paid a small fortune to go out with a rancher tonight, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“I won’t ever forget you,” she said, hoping she kept her voice light, but a shiver slithered down her spine because she suspected she had spoken the absolute truth. This had turned into the best night of her life because of Tony. He’d charmed her, seduced her and become the most appealing man she had ever known—as long as she didn’t think about him as a rancher.

He didn’t let the subject drop. Instead, he questioned her. “Why don’t you want to go out with ranchers or cowboys? We’re nice guys.”

“I know you guys are nice. It’s just that—” She stopped, hesitating to tell him the truth. But Tony deserved an answer to his question. “I’m a ranch owner, remember? I’m not a party girl out for fun. I’m also not a sweetie who’ll go dancing and come home and cook and have a family and kiss a cowboy goodbye every morning while he goes out to work and listen politely to him at night while he tells me bits and pieces about what he had to do at work. Even worse, I don’t want to fall for another rancher and have him tell me how to run my ranch.”

“I should have guessed. Two bosses can’t run a ranch.”

“Not my ranch,” she said.

“If you don’t marry a rancher or a cowboy, the guy is going to want to move you to the city.”

“Now you’re beginning to get the picture—the complete picture—of why I never wear dresses. I can’t imagine marrying a city guy, either, so there you are.” She gave a nod of her head, then shrugged. “I have a nice life. I have my nephew, Scotty, who stays with me a lot, and soon there will be another baby in Mike’s family.”

“But, Lindsay, you were meant for marriage in so many ways. I hope some guy comes along and sweeps you off your feet and you can’t say no. Rancher or city guy.”

She giggled. “My, oh, my. Is this a sideways proposal?”

He grinned. “You know better than that. We’re doing well together tonight, but for a lifetime...? Would you want that?”

She studied him, knowing she had to make light of his question, but another shiver ran down her spine and she couldn’t explain why. She squeezed his biceps. “Mmm, you do make good husband material. You have all your teeth and they look in good shape and you’re healthy and strong and light on your feet. And you’re incredibly sexy.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “Given our past and probably our future, I think I have to answer...no.”

“Incredibly sexy? Oh, darlin’, come here.” He drew her closer, but she resisted and placed her hand against his chest.

“Whoa, cowboy. Don’t let that compliment go to your head...or other parts,” she said, and he grinned.

“I told you our future will not be like our past.”

She had to agree. “I don’t think it will, either.”

“Right now I want to relish the present. How about a soak in the tub?”

“A splendid idea,” she said, already eager to be naked in the water with him.

He stood and picked her up. She yelped in surprise as she slid her arm around his neck. “I never dreamed you could be so much fun or so charming.”

“I promise you, I have to say the same about you. And, to boot, you’re breathtakingly beautiful and hot and sexy. I guarantee that sentiment will not end when morning comes,” he added with an intent look that made her heart skip a beat.

He carried her to a huge two-room bathroom. One room held plants, mirrors, two chaise longues with a glass-topped iron table between them, plus dressing tables, a shower and an oversize sunken Jacuzzi tub.

Soon they were soaking in a tub of swirling hot water while she sat between his legs, leaning back against him.

“Tony, this is decadent. It feels wonderful.”

“I suspect you’re referring to the hot water and not my naked body pressed against yours. Right?”

“I won’t answer that question.”

“An even better choice than I expected from you. Also, I seem to remember a short time ago hearing you say something about my sexy body and wild kisses,” he whispered, fondling her breasts as he kissed her nape.

“That I did and I meant it,” she concurred, running her hands over his strong legs.

In no time, desire overwhelmed her, and their playful moment transformed. She turned to sit astride him. Placing her hands on both sides of his face, she leaned forward to kiss him, long and thoroughly, her hair falling over his shoulders. He was ready to love her again, too—she felt it. His hands caressed her breasts, then slid down over her torso to her inner thigh. His fingers glided higher, stroking her intimately until she closed her eyes and clung to him, her hips moving as he loved her.

“Tony, you need protection,” she said, her eyes flying open.

“So I do,” he said, reaching behind him for his terry robe on the footstool. He took a condom out of the pocket and, in seconds, he was sheathed and ready. He pulled her close again, lifting her so he could enter her in one smooth stroke. She locked her legs around him and lowered herself onto his hard shaft.

Her climax came fast, as if they hadn’t made love earlier, and she achieved another before Tony reached his. When he was sated, he watched her with hooded eyes and she wondered what he thought.

She picked up a towel to dry herself, her gaze running over broad shoulders that glistened with drops of water. “I’ll see you in bed,” she said, leaning close to kiss him. His arm snaked out to wrap around her neck.

“I want to keep you right here in my arms,” he said between kisses. Damp locks of his hair clung to his forehead and he felt warm and wet.

“I’ll see you in bed,” she repeated with amusement. “You’re insatiable. When do you run out of energy?”

“With you, I hope never.”

She laughed, snatching up another towel to wrap around herself as she got out of the tub and headed to bed.

She felt as if she was having an out-of-body experience. The night continued to shock her—Tony continued to shock her. She couldn’t believe he’d given her the best sex of her life, three bone-shattering orgasms—and the night wasn’t over yet.

She walked into a big closet and looked at his clothes so neatly hanging. Boots were lined in rows. She found what she wanted—a navy terry robe—and she pulled it on, belting it around her waist.

She climbed into bed, detecting a faint scent of Tony’s aftershave, wondering how long it would be before he joined her.

In minutes he walked through the door and her heart skipped a beat. With a navy towel knotted around his waist, he oozed sex appeal as he crossed the room.

“I couldn’t wait to be with you. You look more gorgeous than ever,” he said, discarding his towel and scooting beneath the sheet. “Want a drink? Something to eat? Music and dancing?”

She laughed out loud. “You’ve got to be kidding. Relax, Tony. Sit back and enjoy the moment.” She sobered and ran her fingers over his smooth jaw. “You shaved.”

“Just for you.” Turning on his side, he pulled her close against him. “This is better. I like your hair down best.”

“I rarely wear it that way, but I’ll keep that in mind.”

“No, you won’t. You’ll forget.” He ran his fingers through the damp locks. “You know you never gave me an answer to my invitation to go to dinner next Friday night.”

She was silent, mulling over his question. She had wanted to accept instantly when he had asked her the first time, but reluctance had filled her. It still did. “I think when we go back to our real lives, you’ll wish you hadn’t asked me.”

“Not so.”

“Call me next week and ask me again if you still want to go out. I don’t think you will.”

“Darlin’, if I didn’t want you to go, I wouldn’t ask you.”

“Just call me next week.”

He gave her a long look and she wondered what was running through his mind. Had their mild clash reminded him of the big fights they’d had? From the shuttered look that had come to his eyes, she suspected it had. She didn’t want any such intrusion on this night. She scooted close against him. “In the meantime, I intend to keep you happy with me,” she said, hoping for a sultry voice.

The shuttered look was replaced by blatant desire, and she guessed she had succeeded in making things right between them again. When he turned to kiss her, she was certain she had.

* * *

It was midafternoon the next day when she walked out of the shower. Wearing the navy robe again, she roamed through his sprawling condo into a big kitchen that had an adjoining sitting room with a fireplace.

Exploring the refrigerator and his freezer, she saw some drinks, a few covered dishes and an assortment of berries. She had leaned down to look at the lower shelves when Tony’s arms circled her waist to draw her back against him. He nuzzled her neck.