Lost in a Stallion's Arms (Kimani Romance) (10 page)

J
oanne rolled from one side of the king-size bed to the other, her hand brushing against the empty spot Luke Stallion had occupied just hours earlier. A wide smile pulled full across her face. She still couldn’t believe the last twelve hours had actually happened to her. She would gladly roll back the clock and do it all over again, she thought. She curled her body around an oversized pillow, hugging it tightly as she drifted back into the memories.

It hadn’t taken a rocket scientist to tell her that Mama Estelle and Marley both had been impressed with Luke. The man had taken a seat on Mama Estelle’s plastic-covered furniture, making himself comfortable in her living room. Without blinking an eye, he had the matriarch telling him about her family, her ties to Dallas and some secrets even she and Marley had never been privy to.

As the couple had headed out the door, Mama Estelle was still giggling like a teenager. Joanne couldn’t wait until she and her surrogate family were together again so that she and Marley could tease the woman.

The ride to the Briscoe Ranch had set the tone for the evening. Luke had been engaging, his easygoing nature making her quite comfortable in his presence. He had talked about his brothers and their wives, the pride for his family gleaming in his eyes. His excitement fueled her own, washing away the hint of anxiety that teased her senses. Her earlier reservations had dissipated into thin air, and Joanne could feel herself having a good time, enjoying the man and his company.

It wasn’t until the limousine pulled into the large estate, winding its way around to the banquet facility that Joanne had suddenly felt another quiver of apprehension prickle her insides. Only then did she start to question for the umpteenth time if she should even be there. Stepping out of the limo, Luke had grabbed her hand, entwining her fingers between his, and he held it like he’d been holding her hand all her life. Squeezing it gently as he’d smiled down at her, Joanne sensed that he wouldn’t let her go, that Luke Stallion would hold on to her for as long as she needed him to. Any angst she’d been feeling was gone as quickly as it had risen.

Their entrance did not go unnoticed. Before they’d gotten into the room good, his family had surrounded them, the introductions fast and furious. His sister-in-law Michelle had hugged Joanne warmly, whispering in her ear that she shouldn’t be nervous. Juanita Briscoe and her husband had been as gracious, making her feel exceptionally welcome. And his brothers had been engaging, the three beautiful black men standing tall and impressive in the tuxedos that fit them like well-made gloves. They’d given her the once-over and him a nod of approval. Their good-natured teasing about their younger sibling having arrived, and not alone, had made her smile, and for a brief moment it had made her laugh to see Luke standing uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

It had been an exceptionally long time since Joanne had attended such a formal event. As she’d scanned the room knowing that Luke would want to introduce her to his friends and business associates, she couldn’t help but fear that someone would recognize her or know her father. The expression on her face was disconcerting, and Luke had noticed and had sought to ease her discomfort.

“Hey, buddy, do you want leave?” he’d asked.

Joanne’s look had been incredulous. “We can’t do that.”

Luke had chuckled. “We can do whatever we want. We’ve made our appearance, said our hellos. Now let’s go have some real fun.”

And just like that they were back in the limousine headed back to downtown Dallas.

“What do you like to do for entertainment?” Luke had asked.

Joanne had chuckled softly. “Who has time for entertainment? Work takes up all of my time, and the center takes up whatever is left.”

Luke shook his head. “There must be something you like to do for fun. What’s the last thing you did that was the best time you’d ever had? And our date the other night doesn’t count,” he said, his eyebrows raised ever so slightly.

Joanne had thought for a brief moment, one evening in time standing out in her memory. “Bowling,” she’d answered, laughter flooding her spirit as she’d told him about one of her weekend excursions with Marley. “It was like we were kids again. We went bowling and to the movies and it was the best time,” she’d exclaimed excitedly.

Luke had nodded his head, a sly smile on his face, and within minutes they were pulling on matching red, white and blue bowling shoes with her formal gown and his tuxedo. Joanne had never laughed so hard in her life, the two of them drawing much attention to their absurdity.

From the bowling alley they’d gone to a small burger joint for a meal of grilled hamburgers laden with lettuce, tomatoes and extra cheese and a side of onion rings and two super-thick strawberry milkshakes. Joanne smiled as she remembered the laughter that rang so soundly between them, both of them thoroughly enjoying each other’s company.

She’d felt exceptionally comfortable with him, Luke moving her to expose more of herself than she’d shared with any man before. The conversation had flowed easily as they’d navigated one subject after another. Both of them had been taken aback by the level of ease they found with each other, and Joanne and Luke both were suddenly imagining where their new-found friendship could take them.

From the small diner, they’d moved to the movie theater. A debate had been waged at the ticket window, Joanne wanting to see the newest Will Smith movie and Luke more excited by some shoot-’em-up action flick. Joanne and Will Smith won the battle. The young girl at the counter had told them how cute they were together, making her blush profusely as Luke had agreed, gripping her by the shoulder as he’d casually leaned to kiss her cheek.

By the time they’d purchased their tickets, a large bucket of buttered popcorn and a gigantic box of Jordan Almonds, Joanne was floating on air. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun with a man who was clearly having a wonderful time with her.

The late-night viewing had been completely empty, the two having the theater all to themselves as they’d sat at the uppermost level of the theater beneath the movie projection booth. They’d propped their legs against the back of the seats in front of them as he’d held the bucket of popcorn between them.

Mid-movie, Luke had slipped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. The move was smooth as he’d stretched out both arms, pretending to yawn, then letting his right arm drop easily behind her back while his left hand had lifted away the chair arm between them. The gesture had made Joanne laugh.

“That was slick,” she’d said with a warm giggle.

“I know,” he’d responded, winking at her. “I’m good like that.”

Beneath the veil of darkness she’d leaned into his side, allowing herself to relax against him, enjoying the rise of body heat between them. Then Luke had softly nuzzled her neck, pressing light kisses along the length of her jawline, and Joanne felt her composure weakening.

“Thank you,” Luke had whispered into her ear, warm breath teasing her skin.

“For what?” Joanne had whispered back, fighting to maintain her decorum as she feigned interest in the movie screen before them.

“For the best night of my whole life.”

Joanne had grinned broadly, the wide smile filling her face as Luke had smiled back. His next question had only taken her by surprise for a brief second before she was nodding her assent.

“May I kiss you, Joanne?” he’d asked, leaning his face close to hers, his warm breath blowing waves of anticipation through her.

When he’d covered her mouth with his own, Joanne had known there would be no turning back. Clasping her face between his hands, his kiss had been heated and searching, his lips moving hungrily over hers. It was as if there were not enough of her to kiss. Joanne had returned Luke’s fervor with her own, opening herself to his invading tongue. She’d licked and sucked at his full lips, savoring his mouth with full appreciation. The abandon they were both showing proved to be a powerful aphrodisiac.

Luke had pulled away from her, staring down into her eyes. “We can’t be friends anymore,” he’d gasped, his voice deep and husky.

Confusion had washed over Joanne’s expression. “Why? I don’t—”

“Because I really want to make love to you, and if you tell me you don’t make love to your friends, I’m going to be devastated,” he’d said with a sly smile.

Joanne had laughed, and then he’d kissed her again, shifting his body in his seat to pull her against him. His tongue left her mouth and trailed a heated path down her chin and onto her delicate neck. He’d nibbled at her flesh until she’d heard herself moaning and cooing softly in his arms. Kisses had rained like water, a torrential wave of heat and passion rising out of nowhere. Before either of them knew it, the credits were rolling across the massive movie screen, the house lights rising softly in the room.

Neither of them could keep their hands off the other as they had sat in the back of the limousine, the SUV gliding nowhere through the streets of Dallas. Her beautiful dress was suddenly in the way as Luke slipped a large palm beneath the hem, drawing warm caresses against her bare legs. Joanne had pressed her hands to his chest, pulling at the white dress shirt that separated her touch from his flesh.

In one swift move, Luke had lifted her from her seat, pulling her into his lap. Joanne had slipped her arms around his neck, their mouths still locked together. Luke had groaned as he’d pulled at the zipper to her dress, pushing the top of the silk garment down toward her waist. Sliding his hands over her naked back, his fingers ignited every nerve ending through Joanne’s body as he caressed the bare skin of her shoulders and back, tracing a path down to her full waist and crest of her buttocks. She’d suddenly wanted him with a fervor she’d never known for any man before.

Breaking the kiss, Luke had stared into her eyes, desire smoldering in his own dark orbs. In that moment, both of them had no reservations about what they were craving. Luke had wanted her with every fiber of his being. His eyes wide with appreciation, he’d gently cupped her large breasts in both palms, gently exploring the chocolate peaks. Cradling his head against her chest, his mouth slid wetly over her nipples as he’d suckled one and then the other, his tongue lashing at the lush buttons that had hardened like rock candy at his touch.

Joanne had squirmed against him. The sensation of his lips latched around her flesh, sucking her in, had sent tendrils of pleasure through the core of her body. She’d threaded her fingers across the low-cropped cut of his hair, pulling him closer to her. Throwing her head back against her neck, Joanne had moaned, a hiss of pleasure filling the midnight air.

Luke had kneaded the flesh between his lips, savoring the silkiness of her skin, the hardness of her nipple on his tongue. Pleasuring her was all he could think of, was all he wanted, as Joanne rocked against his lap, giving in to her carnal desires. He could feel her heat pulsing through the fabric of her skirt, igniting a pounding through his lower extremities. He’d suddenly been consumed with tasting every square inch of her body.

“If you want me to stop, you need to tell me now,” Luke whispered, his voice husky with desire. “Tell me now, baby, before we take this any further.”

Joanne had pulled back to stare into his face, meeting his intense gaze with one of her own. There was no denying the rush of emotions sweeping through them both. Stopping him was the last thing on her mind as his hands skated across her thighs.

“Make love to me,” she said out loud, leaning back to capture his mouth with her own, kissing him eagerly.

With those words, Luke gently eased his large hand beneath Joanne’s thighs, pressing two fingers against the entrance of that sweet spot between her legs. She gasped loudly at his touch, her expression expectant and crazed with lust as he eased his fingers beneath her panties. His digits were slowly swallowed up by the hot, tight, velvet sheath of her body. Both of them moaned loudly as every lingering inhibition about where they were and what they were doing was thrown to the wind.

“Oh, yessss,” Joanne hissed. She slowly began to rock her hips back and forth, her body clutching and clenching the man’s fingers.

With his free hand, Luke grabbed her buttocks, gripping a cheek as she shamelessly drove herself up and down against him. Her breath was coming in sharp gasps as she moaned his name over and over again, the sweetness of the chant like music to his ears.

Luke had watched as Joanne had rotated her hips against his hand. Her body was lush and full, the suppleness of her pelvis enough to rival the most seasoned athlete. Perspiration dampened her skin, glistening like gold against her complexion. She was beautiful, and he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman before her.

With wild abandon, Joanne had moved faster, her hips becoming a blur against him. Luke moved to steady her against his lap. Understanding that she was at a point of no return, he opened his mouth and quickly drew one of the large breasts past his lips. He swirled his tongue around the plump fullness, grazing the hardened nipple with the edge of his teeth. When he did, Joanne had thrown back her head and screamed.

Incomprehensible words of lust had spilled from her mouth, and then she’d bucked her body skyward as an orgasm ripped through her. Her body had shuddered and thrashed in his arms, her private chamber clutching his fingers even tighter. And then she fell forward against him, gasping heavily for air.

As her breathing normalized, Joanne had stared at him, her curls tangled, her dress wrinkled. Her gaze had been just shy of vacant, her lips swollen from his kisses, her face flushed. She’d been beautiful, and Luke had said so. Leaning his face against hers, Luke had chuckled softly, whispering into her ear. “Foreplay has officially begun.”

Remembering, Joanne now quivered against the mattress. The man hadn’t been teasing. It had been the beginning, and what followed had left her body aching delightfully with pure, unadulterated pleasure.

Luke was shaking his head. No one was saying anything, his brothers all silent to keep the attention diverted away from them. Luke was under attack—not one of the women in the family happy with him.