Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy? (32 page)

A huff of laughter came from her. The sound gave him the strength to risk a glance, but he still braced for disappointment. Her green eyes held something much warmer. “I don’t have to go back to work.” Her voice had a low, husky tone to it that tightened his groin. “There’s no work for me to go back to. I sold my shop.”

“You did?” Her business had meant everything to her. “Why?”

She shrugged. “I’d done everything I wanted to do with it.”

“So what are you going to do now?”

She stopped, put her hands on her hips, and fixed him with a glare. “Did you or did you not just invite me to stay here?”

A jolt like lightning passed through his body. “Does that mean you want to?” He kept the words casual, while his heart pounded.

“For a while, anyway. Until I get tired of you.”

Happiness exploded in his chest and he wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up and swinging her around. He continued holding her but slid her soft frame down his body until her lips were even with his. She wound her hands through his hair, her hot mouth tasting his as their breaths mingled.

Much hotter breath blew on his cheek, followed by a knicker and a wet nose. Ainsley laughed and he put her on the ground to deal with his wayward horse.

“Someone’s jealous,” she teased.

“Let’s get him back to the stable. There’s something I want to show you.”

They could have ridden the horse back to the house, but the lingering walk gave Ainsley time to adjust to what had just happened. Riley had used the L word, but in the past tense. Did that mean he no longer felt that way? Even though he invited her to stay, maybe it was to see if something could be rekindled.

But she opened her heart to the possibilities of staying in Wyoming. And maybe, possibly, having a life with this man by her side. She believed that he was sorry for what had happened, but past experiences made her wary of it happening again. How could she believe he truly knew her?

When he had approached the van, she thought she had spied cuts and bruises on his face and hands. Now that she could study him closely, the discolorations stood out on his skin and his clothes were covered with a layer of dust. She slid a finger gently over the purpling skin under his eye. “What happened?”

“Letting Seth get out some aggression.” He stopped and took her hands, his hazel eyes gleaming down at her. “Thank you. Seth had been haunted by that day for a long time and refused to talk about it. I don’t know if he ever would have opened up without you helping him.”

“I think it was just the right time and I happened to be there. But I’m glad I could help.”

They stayed clear of the path, walking along the soft grass while an occasional car passed them on the way out of the ranch. Finally the bridal car drove by, the windows covered with “Just Married” announcements and little hearts, a cacophony of aluminum cans trailing behind. It was followed by other cars, honking and flashing their lights while they followed the happy couple away from the Crescent Ridge. Other guests went by on their horses, neighbors who never drove when they could ride.

They bypassed her cabin, the van gleaming white against the nighttime darkness. Riley headed toward the barn, but Ainsley stopped outside the door.

“I’ll be in the way in there.”

Riley shook his head. “In there is what I want to show you.”

She followed him to Westley’s stall. He entered it first, leaving the horse waiting while he brought out something wrapped in a blanket. Westley went in without any prompting once Riley was cleared.

“What’s this?” She lifted a corner to see what was underneath, but he held the blankets too tightly for her to tell.

“I got you something when you were here last. Before Edward and your mother showed up. I wanted to show you what I couldn’t say in words. To show that I know you, and to show I believe you. And believe in you.” He held out the gift. “I know you. And I believe in you.”

She moved the blankets aside. A strange noise escaped her throat, halfway between a strangled cry and a shout of laughter, and she sank to the ground, holding the present in her lap. “You bought me a tool box.” Tears streamed down her face but she smiled up at him. There was no longer a need for reserved emotions. She unlatched the box and removed a hammer. “A tool box. With actual tools.”

He crouched beside her, his large hand smoothing her hair from her face. “I couldn’t imagine giving you roses or chocolates or stuffed animals. They’re not you. They don’t represent how special and unique you are.” He leaned over, catching her lips. “I love you,” he whispered. “That isn’t ever going to change. Five Edwards could come to the ranch proclaiming their love for you and I’d fight every one of them to own your heart.”

A large thumb brushed away a tear, his touch streaking a heat that spread through her body. She flung herself into his arms and kissed him, hooking her legs around his hips. He spun around and pressed her against a support post, keeping her elevated while he devoured her in return, matching the pressure of her lips.

So what if they’d only known each other for two months? Ainsley’s parents had dated for five years and they hadn’t gotten their happily ever after. She wasn’t going to let hers go. “I love you. And my heart is yours for the owning.”

He kissed her again, claiming her with a masculine possessiveness that left no doubts about his feelings. She returned it with a passion she’d never imagined possible, giving herself over to the echo of forever.

His erection pressed hot against her but she could do little more than hold him tighter, letting his warm tongue slide over her lips while her hands dug into the hard muscles of his back.

“My cabin,” she groaned. “Now.”

Riley settled her on the ground but bent to kiss her again, holding her face in his palms. The shape of his lips molded against hers. “I have to go back to the house and get a condom,” he whispered, then took a step toward the door.

“Meagan gave us all some as part of our wedding party gifts.” Her face was flushed, but she fought back a grin. “As long as you don’t mind fluorescent green and ribbed for her pleasure.”

“Let’s go.” Riley held her hand on his way to the barn entrance. Her other hand clutched the tool box and her face held a smile so bright they didn’t need the moon to guide them over the land. He opened the barn door and peeked outside. “It’s clear.”

He pulled her along to her cabin. Once inside, he scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.

Ainsley expected him to place her on the bed and follow her, but instead he sat down on the edge and continued cradling her while he kissed her. She held onto him and kissed him back. His hand gently stroked the tops of her thighs. The stroking became more insistent and soon his hand traveled up her body to caress her breast through her shirt. Ainsley moaned against his mouth, and he took that as encouragement to lift her shirt off her body.

Ainsley shifted so she straddled him and let her shirt fall to the floor. He groaned at the unexpected action. She pressed herself against him, feeling how hard he was through the two layers of clothes that separated them. He caressed her stomach, then tapped those two freckles on her chest before replacing his fingers with his lips, and caressed her breast again. The rough texture of his thumb made lazy circles against her nipple and a tremor raced down her body to between her legs. She squirmed again, and this time Riley slowly, slowly, lowered himself on the bed, kissing her the entire way.

One hand kept a gentle pressure on her neck as the other one focused on her breast. He touched her lightly, and her breathing quickened with his touch. She reached up to run her fingers over his chin, the hint of a beard prickling their tips. The clean smell of man sent her senses reeling.

Riley moved his mouth on top of hers again, and his fingers danced around the waistline of her jeans, sending flicks of fire over her skin. Finally he made his way to the front and undid the button, then unzipped them and pushed them around her hips. She jumped off his lap to push them down and he raised himself on an elbow to watch. She stood before him in a bra and white cotton panties, then reached around to undo the clasp while she held his gaze, a heated flush covering her skin.

She shimmied out of the bra and Riley was on his feet in an instant, holding her tightly against him while he ravished her mouth, licking and sucking and stroking her tongue, flooding her senses with nothing but the thought of bringing him closer to her. One large hand slid down her smooth back and cupped her ass, then held her steady as the other dipped down to the front. He traced the outline of her panties, then ran his fingers over the juncture between her legs. Ainsley groaned and sagged at the pleasurable touch, but he held firm.

“Like that, do you?” Riley murmured. “Then I should do it some more.” His hand slid inside her panties to graze the sudden throbbing between her legs. She arched her back and Riley continued flicking against her, holding her upright and skimming his hot mouth over her neck. She held on to his shoulders and rocked against him, driving his touch deeper into her until she climaxed against him, her entire body shuddering her release. Riley lowered her to the bed and stepped away.

She was about to protest when she realized he was only standing up to remove his clothes. Quickly he kicked off his shoes and took off his socks, then made short work of his pants and dress shirt. His tighty whities did nothing to hide his arousal and Ainsley held her arms out to him. He stepped into her embrace and positioned himself by her side, able to kiss her and run his hand along her ribs. Her delicate fingers moved over his back, slipped under his waistband to caress his backside. He drew in a sharp breath.

“Take these off,” she muttered, wanting to feel him beside her. He eagerly complied, then gently stripped her of her damp underwear until they lay down again, naked and ready. His large hands gripped her waist and rolled her over so she was on top. He lifted and she lowered herself onto him, slowly, torturing him and making him groan. “God, sweetheart, what you do to me.”

“You’re not alone in that.” Ainsley leaned forward to whisper in his ear, and he took the offered breast, gently licking the already hardened nipple before taking it in his mouth. She increased her movements, and Riley used his other hand to hold firm around her hips. He rolled her over and slowed the pace.

“I told you, when I have you beneath me, it will take all night.” Riley told her, and silenced any protests by kissing her once more. Torrents of passion thrummed through her blood, building the tension inside her. She squirmed beneath him, groaning when he hit her sweet spot. Waves of tingles coursed through her body. Ainsley’s world exploded and stars danced behind her eyes. Riley held on until her rapid breaths eased and her trembling stopped, then continued his slow, unhurried pace. Her slick wetness caressed his length, and each rock of his hips drove her wild with intense sensations. He groaned with one last thrust, throbbing within her as she climaxed a second time.

He gazed down at her, the intensity in his eyes so fierce that the heat of embarrassment rose in her cheeks. "You're beautiful," he whispered, then slid to the side and tucked her in his arms. Shifting slightly, he drew the blanket over them. “Let me know when you’re ready to go again,” he murmured in her ear, sending another thrill down her spine.

Sunlight peaked in through the window blinds, shining on Ainsley’s face and waking her up. She stretched, cataloging the places in her body still pleasantly sore from last night’s activities. So that’s what it was like to make love to someone. Not just sex, not solely nocturnal recreational activity. They had made love. She peeked a glance at Riley, who’d been cradling her in the small bed against his solid frame. His hazel eyes were open, watching her every move, and her stomach fluttered under his scrutiny.

“Hey, Fairfax.”

“Good morning.” She reached a hand up and rubbed the stubble of his jaw. When they had been together before, it hadn’t spanned the entire night. Seeing that he needed a shave was a new experience for her.

He pressed into her hand and nuzzled her wrist, his rough skin sending delicious pulses of heat through her body. He leaned over to kiss her.

She blocked his attempt. Another new experience. If she let Riley kiss her, he’d most likely be repulsed by her rancid morning breath. “I haven’t yet brushed my teeth.”

He detoured to her jawline and began nibbling, almost making her forget her protestations. “I plan on waking up with you a lot, Fairfax.” His low voice vibrated against the tender skin of her ear and increased the quivering in her belly. “Are you telling me you’re going to jump up and head to the sink every morning without letting me do this?” His hand covered her breast, adding darts of desire to her already aroused body.

She arched into his touch and he gave a huff of laughter. “I guess not.”

He rolled half on top of her and smoothed her hair away from her face. His kiss was much more gentle this time. “There’s something else.”

Panic tore through her at his tone and the flutters turned into a coiled ache. The night had been too perfect, and now the fairy tale was over. Forget the whole making-love thing. He had used her again, and she had let him.

No. No, she knew him. Last night he had bared himself raw. Plus he’d given her a flippin’ tool box. Surely he hadn’t been holding onto that gift for two months, hoping she’d stop by for a casual visit, just so he could get into her pants. “What is it?”

He kissed her hand and slid off the bed. “Get dressed. We’re going to the greenhouse.”

The one place she had avoided last night because of all the memories it held. She took a deep breath and slid on a pair of jeans while watching Riley put on his dress pants, the muscles in his back rippling with the movement. She realized she could face those memories again, and make new ones, with him by her side.

With a gentle tug, he led her away from the cabin, over the rolling hill. The greenhouse came into sight, the glass walls shining in the rising sun like a fire in the field. He paused for the briefest moment before going in, then stopped again as the door closed behind them.