Lost in a Stallion's Arms (Kimani Romance) (11 page)

He cut his eye toward John, his gaze pleading for some assistance. John turned his eyes to the other side of the room, a smug smile hidden behind a copy of
Fortune
magazine.

Sighing, Luke knew he was on his own, no help coming from any of the male members of their family.

Marah had just stopped berating him when Juanita picked up the rant. “I just don’t understand it, Luke Stallion. You weren’t there for ten minutes. You walked in and barely bothered to introduce your young lady to your family before you were dragging the poor thing out the door!”

“Did you get an introduction?” Marah queried. “Because I never got to meet the woman.”

“Her gown was gorgeous,” Michelle interjected, a wry smile pulling at her mouth.

“Wasn’t it pretty!” Marla exclaimed. “And she was so sweet.”

“And you didn’t take one picture!” Juanita chimed. “Not one of the family pictures is going to have you two in it. What did you think, Luke? That we hired that expensive photographer for the fun of it?”

There was a moment of thundering silence as the women stood staring down at him, hands clutching hips with vague irritation. Luke looked from one to the other, realizing that their silence was the signal that they were waiting for an explanation. They wanted Luke to make sense of what they didn’t understand.

Before Luke could think to respond, Edward became the voice of reason. “I swear, you women are like a pack of wolves.” He turned to face Luke. “Luke, did you have a good time with your lady friend, son?”

Luke nodded, a flash of memory flooding his bloodstream. He cleared his throat, trying not to let the emotions get away from him. “Yes, sir. We had a terrific time together.”

“Then that’s all that matters. Y’all leave this boy alone!”

The other men burst out laughing.

“Well, I don’t think it’s very funny. Not at all,” Marah concluded.

Juanita was still shaking her index finger at him. “And you missed Mark and Mitch’s announcement. They’re going to have a baby!”

Luke grinned, leaning over to pound fists with Mark. He winked at Michelle.

“That’s not the announcement he missed,” Mark chuckled under his breath.

Luke looked confused. “What? What else did I miss?”

“Yeah, tell him what he missed, Matthew,” John chimed.

Matthew rolled his eyes. “Vanessa’s expecting a baby, too.”

Wide-eyed, Luke stared at Matthew with his mouth hanging open. “Vanessa? How?”

Mark laughed. “I thought John explained how babies were made when you were twelve?”

“And I explained it to you again just last year,” Matthew teased.

Luke flipped a dismissive hand at both of them. “Who’s the father?” Luke asked, looking at Matthew a second time.

The whole room seemed to lean forward at the same time, anticipation waiting for Matthew to answer.

A bemused expression washed over Matthew’s face, but he said nothing, only shrugging his shoulders.

“We only found out by accident,” Mark said. “It seems Vanessa wasn’t quite ready for us to know anything.”

“And we’re all going to respect her privacy,” Juanita interjected. “I’m sure whoever that baby’s daddy is, he’ll do right by it and by Vanessa,” she said as she moved past Matthew’s chair and tapped the back of his head.

“Ouch! What was that for?” Matthew exclaimed, rubbing at the back of his skull.

“Just a love tap,” Juanita said matter-of-factly.

John, Mark and Luke laughed warmly, all of them remembering many a love tap inflicted by Juanita.

Luke leaned forward to stare at his brothers. “Well, I only have one question. Does this mean Vanessa’s not a lesbian anymore?”

S
neaking away from his family, Luke retreated to the front porch to call Joanne. He wanted to make sure the driver had gotten her home safely. He also wanted to invite her back to the ranch for some of the rodeo events. Most important of all, though, Luke wanted to tell the exquisite woman that he was already missing her.

And he was. Leaving Joanne’s side that morning had taken more than he had expected. She’d been sleeping peacefully in his arms, her back cushioned against his naked torso, and he’d been enamored with just how neatly they fit together. If he had his way, he would still be with her, still holding her, but his familial responsibilities had required his time and attention.

Luke heaved a deep sigh. Their high school petting had gone from the theater to the rear of the limo. Touching her had been all he’d wanted to do. Everything else had been a bonus he’d not expected. He smiled a wicked smile as he recalled their late-night rendezvous.

He had ignored the cell phone vibrating in the breast pocket of his tuxedo jacket. He’d also ignored the buzz from the driver seated at the front of the vehicle. All he’d been focused on was bringing Joanne pleasure. Clearly spent from his initial ministrations, Joanne’s eyes had widened with intrigue when he’d whispered that foreplay had officially begun.

Reaching for his cell phone he’d placed a quick call, securing a room at the Ritz-Carlton. Then he’d sent the driver in that direction as he’d helped Joanne readjust her clothes. She’d giggled when he’d noted that doing so was a complete waste of time, since he fully intended to have her out of them by the time they made it up to their hotel room. Color had risen to her round cheeks as she’d blushed at the implications.

Stepping out of the limo, his hands were still holding her, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist as he guided her up to the penthouse suite. He’d been half right about having her out of her clothes before reaching their room.

The elevator doors had barely closed, securing them in the conveyor, before Luke had dropped to his knees before her. Reaching beneath her dress he’d grasped her lace panties and tugged them down toward her knees. Joanne had inhaled swiftly as he’d gestured for her to step out of the silk garment.

Pressing lace and silk to his face, he’d inhaled her sweet aroma, his eyes widening with anticipation as he gazed up at her. The look was sultry, burning hot through Joanne’s spirit. Instinct moved her to lift the skirt of her dress to her waist, exposing herself fully.

Smiling, Luke reached behind him, pushing the elevator’s Stop button. Joanne’s smile melted with his as the conveyor came to a quick halt somewhere between the fifteenth and sixteenth floors.

Taking his hands, Joanne had guided them over her abdomen and across her hips, directing him to gently stroke the building ache that was rising with her desire. Luke could feel the heat drawing him to the door of her satin crevice. Widening her thighs to give him access to the moist petals, Joanne groaned as Luke probed her opening, stroking the slippery wetness of her excitement.

“Oh, Luke!” she’d cried as he’d fondled the soft, delicate flesh, his fingers darting into her with ease.

But touching her hadn’t been enough. Luke had yearned for more. Clasping her behind the cushion of her thighs, he’d moved his head between them. When his tongue had lapped at her hungrily, Joanne lost all control. Biting her lip, her breath came in a heated, gasping rhythm. She moaned deep in her throat as Luke continued to flick the tip of his tongue over her feminine spirit.

Joanne was a sweet delicacy, the appetizer before what would prove to be a very satisfying meal. Luke savored the taste of her as he sampled her slowly, appreciating the nuances of her taste, her texture and the maddening scent that had him rock hard in his slacks.

The elevator resuming its trek upward was the only thing that had stalled him from bringing her to orgasm a second time. The unexpected shake of the enclosure moved Luke to come to his feet. Pulling down her dress, the man had stuffed her panties into his jacket pocket just before pulling her into another heated embrace, his mouth locking with hers.

Inside the exceptionally chic guest suite, Luke had practically ripped the dress from her body. Pushing her back against the bed, he’d stared down at her, drinking in the scent of her excitement. The voluptuous view took his breath away, Joanne wearing nothing but her red high-heeled shoes.

Standing above her, he’d stripped down naked, barely pausing to unbutton buttons to get out of the monkey suit that was keeping his flesh from hers. Joanne had gasped with ardent appreciation at the sight of him.

Kneeling before her, Luke had tried desperately to maintain control, but he couldn’t hold back. He had to taste her again, wanting to savor the incredible treat that seemed to be teasing him. His mouth enveloped most of the treasure as he sucked her in. Joanne felt a wave of heat like nothing she could ever imagine race from her crotch to deluge her brain. When Luke’s tongue swirled around her rigid love button, a wave of heat exploded in her head, and her hips shot up toward the source of all that pleasure.

She’d chanted his name over and over, the mantra fueling his ministrations. “Luke…Luke…” she’d murmured, squirming beneath his hold.

Luke’s tongue pushed deeper into her, lapping and licking at the wetness that flowed from her fountain. Joanne cried out again, pushing herself even harder against his face as she succumbed to the desire. As his tongue lashed back and forth over her steaming sex, she couldn’t take anymore. She was desperate for the sweet culmination of his loving.

The back of Joanne’s head dug deep into the pillows as she arched her spine. For a brief moment she thought of pulling away, but Luke grabbed her thighs and held her still, his eager mouth never losing connection with her body. Joanne’s thighs clamped tightly to the sides of the man’s head as she rode the waves of sheer delight that had consumed her.

“Don’t…stop…I’m…” Joanne had screamed, her body quivering with the wrenching convulsions of an extreme orgasm. Her pelvis shuddered as she arched her back again. Her mind seemed to explode, as well. As she bucked against the mattress, Luke held her firmly, feeling her writhing and twisting against the sheets. Then as her orgasm had slowly begun to die away, he pulled himself from between her thighs.

Her eyes glazed, her heart thudding in her chest, Joanne reached her arms out to him, wanting to feel him next to her. Moving above her, Luke eased his body gently over hers, allowing his flesh to slowly kiss her flesh—thigh to thigh, belly to belly, torso to torso. He began to kiss her, his lips caressing her lips, her neck, her shoulders, her face, inserting his tongue into her mouth.

Luke didn’t think it possible for it to get any hotter, but it did, desire rising with a vengeance to sweep between them. She had slumped into soft compliance beneath him. The familiar ache between his legs raged with fury, desperate to possess her. Sensing his need, Joanne had reached between them to pull pulsating steel into her hand, wrapping her fingers tightly around his manhood.

Luke had inhaled swiftly, leaning his head into her neck as he’d relished the sensations sweeping from his groin. When it had become too much to bear, he’d grabbed her wrist to stall the rhythm of her strokes. “I want to be inside you,” he’d whispered softly, reaching for the condom he’d pulled from his wallet. “I want to feel you wrapped around me.”

Joanne had looked as if she were holding her breath in anticipation as she’d watched him sheathe his manhood. The engorged protrusion seemed to be moving with a mind of its own as it reached for its target. Gliding her body against him, her pelvis had rotated with want against an erection that had risen full and hungry for her.

His gaze moved up the length of her body until he was staring deep into her eyes. Tears misted his dark orbs, a wealth of emotion gleaming down at her. She had pressed a palm to the side of his face, lifting herself up just enough to meet his mouth with her own.

They held the kiss for just a brief moment, but the connection was the sweetest thing either of them had ever experienced. And then his body had melded with hers, Luke easing himself inside her as he pulled her legs up and around his back.

As they moved in perfect sync, time stood still. Luke pushed and pulled himself from her, his steady plunges pushing them both nearer and nearer to an abyss that they had never known possible. The feeling was too much, moving her own tears to spill past her lashes and dance against her full cheeks. As they’d ridden the last waves of their orgasm together, Luke had held her close, holding her tightly in his arms, vowing to never let the woman go.

Luke took a deep breath as he palmed his crotch with a heavy touch. Just thinking about the woman had him hard all over again, a raging erection pulling tight in his jeans. But something else was weighing down on him, as well. Something he had never experienced before. Whatever it was had a tight grip on his heart. There was no denying that Joanne Lake had him totally and completely spellbound.

H
er laughter was music to his ears, as Luke laughed with her. Joanne was doubled over, salty tears puddled at the edge of her eyes as she neared the point of crying from laughing so hard. Luke shook his head in amusement.

“It really wasn’t that funny.” He chuckled as they stood in the storage room of the community center, taking an inventory of the supplies.

Joanne nodded her head. “Yes…yes, it was,” she gasped, trying to catch her breath. “You should have…should have seen your expression!”

Luke knew the moment had been funny. His brothers were still teasing him about it. He imagined it would take some time to live that moment down. Joanne had joined him at the rodeo, the duo having a grand time watching the many events that had pitted horses and their riders against each other. Trying to show off, Luke had jumped into one of the paddocks, determined to give Joanne a display of his horsemanship. The horse he’d chosen to ride, though, wasn’t having any part of Luke’s plans. As Luke had tried to settle himself atop the massive animal, the horse had reared down on his front haunches, tossing Luke to the ground.

Luke had looked completely befuddled as he was suddenly sitting butt deep in a pile of horse manure, the horse turning an about-face and swiping the man with a wave of his tail as he eased himself over to the other side of the enclosure. The impression Luke had made was hardly the one he’d hoped for.

“Okay, so maybe it was a little funny,” Luke admitted.

Joanne swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath of air, filling her lungs, and then a second, blowing warm breath past her lips. “At least you weren’t hurt,” she said finally. “I wouldn’t do that again if I were you.”

Luke chuckled. “Not to worry, baby. Matthew can keep his horses.”

“Your family was very sweet. I really had a good time.”

“I’m glad, Joanne. I had a great time, too.” Taking a glance over his shoulder to ensure no one could see them, he leaned to press a light kiss to her lips. “A very nice time,” he whispered seductively.

Joanne could feel her cheeks warming, a faint blush washing over her face.

The two had spent most of their time together over the weekend talking. Joanne had wanted to ensure that Luke didn’t think she just randomly jumped into bed with every man who showed her an ounce of attention. It had been important to her that Luke understand that the time they’d shared had been exceptionally special, that her attraction to him had not only taken her by surprise but had her feeling something she had never ever felt before for a man. She’d been relieved when Luke had admitted that he was feeling it, as well, wanting her like he’d never wanted any other woman before.

His teasing only served to remind her that she had thrown caution right out the door, engaging in activity, and in places, she had no business. She could feel a full grin pulling at her mouth. Shaking her head, Joanne couldn’t begin to explain what had gotten into her. Luke, however, hadn’t been at all dismayed by what they had done and where they had done it.

As if he could read her mind, the man pressed another kiss to the back of her neck, allowing his lips to linger there longer than necessary.

“We could lock the door,” he whispered, warm breath teasing her earlobe.

“No, we can’t.” Joanne giggled, turning to face him as she met his mouth in a quick kiss. “Don’t even think about it.”

Luke laughed. “Oh, I can think about it. That’s half the fun.”

“Luke Stallion, you are trouble. I can see that now,” she said, gliding her index finger along the line of his profile.

He smiled. “Yes, I am,” he said, winking. “Think you can handle me?”

“The question, sir, is can you handle me?” she said, her demure tone causing a ripple of heat to pierce his insides.

The man’s eyes widened, a full grin spreading across his face. “Oh, baby, that sounds like a challenge.”

Joanne laughed warmly, moving out the large door. “Something tells me you’ll have no problems with being up for any task, Mr. Stallion. No problems at all.”

“I’m up, all right,” Luke chimed, following behind her. “Girl, I’m definitely up!”

Time flew. It had taken no time at all before Luke and Joanne had established a comfortable routine with each other. Joanne couldn’t begin to imagine herself going back to how it was before Luke had come into her life. She relished the time they spent each evening sharing what each had accomplished during the day.

She was moved by Luke’s dedication to the rejuvenation project. His commitment to the community was inspiring, the man moved to restore the area to its original glory. He frequently sought out her opinion, and Joanne was flattered that he respected what she thought and believed in. His interest in her business was encouraging her as well, as Luke pushed her to think outside of the box, allowing her to bounce her ideas off him as he fueled her creativity with his own.

The two were having such a good time together that Joanne hadn’t given a second thought to telling him about her father or her history, and Luke hadn’t pushed for information that he saw that she was uncomfortable sharing.

Luke understood that there were things in Joanne’s life that hadn’t always brought her joy. Every so often a look of dismay and hurt would cross her face when he’d ask about her family and her friends. So Luke vowed that if he could avoid it, he would never say or do anything to put that pain in her eyes.

Both were enjoying how their new relationship was developing. Both were awed by their new couple status, never having fathomed that being one half of a whole could have happened so quickly.

The two were seated on the oversized sofa in Luke’s bedroom, a raging fire burning in the fireplace. The day had been long and strenuous and Luke was glad to finally be finished with it. He was also glad that Joanne was there with him, listening to his concerns and readily offering him words of encouragement and advice.

He looked up from the laptop resting on his thighs to stare at her as she pored over dress designs on the other end of the couch. They sat facing each other, their legs entangled across the length of the upholstered cushions. Watching her had become habitual, with Luke stealing glances every opportunity he could. He loved watching her from a distance. Loved how her brow furrowed in concentration when something was challenging her. He adored how her eyes lit up when she was happy, the wealth of it shimmering across her face. Luke found himself reveling in the feeling of deep contentment he was feeling whenever he was with Joanne. Loved feeling like he would be happy to spend the rest of his life lying right there near her. Luke suddenly saw himself holding tight to that feeling forever, never wanting it to end.

He closed his eyes, taking delight in how she caressed the length of his leg with her bare foot. Her touch had provoked every nerve ending in his body to fire with anticipation. Easing his computer to the floor, he leaned back against the armrest, falling into a feel-good moment that had captured his full attention. From the other end of the sofa, Joanne was watching him as intently, her own desire igniting like a brush fire out of control. A sly smile pulled at the corners of her mouth as she drew a heated path from the cusp of his groin down to his ankles.

“Girl, what are you doing to me?” Luke suddenly asked, his voice dropping to a loud whisper. He opened his eyes, staring at her keenly with a look of sheer lust.

Joanne giggled, her manicured toes grazing the wealth of an erection that was pressing heavily against the confinement of his sweatpants. “Want me to stop?” she asked, as she stroked him with the ball of her foot.

Luke shook his head, leaning his head back against the sofa as he closed his eyes. What she was doing was feeling much too good for him to stop her. Luke didn’t notice when Joanne reached for her glass of iced tea on the end table.

A sly smile spread across Joanne’s face. Reaching into the liquid, she pulled out a single ice cube. Pulling it to her mouth, she kissed it, sucking it in slowly as she adjusted to the freezing texture against her lips.

Moving up the length of his body, Joanne slowly pushed her hands beneath his T-shirt, moving the fabric to expose his naked skin. Sucking the ice cube into her mouth, Joanne leaned to kiss Luke’s bare nipple, allowing the frozen water to snake past her lips and graze his erect nipple. The sudden chill moved Luke to sit upright, wincing ever so slightly. Joanne’s gaze met his stare, her palm pushing him back down as she moved to his other nipple, encircling the dark bud with her cold lips. She felt his body jump, his erection pulsing against her abdomen.

Luke clasped his hands together above his head, fighting the urge to push her from him, relishing the intense sensations of hot and cold that were sweeping through his body. His legs shifted against the sofa as he moved to wrap them around the back of her thighs.

Joanne continued to trail a hot-and-cold path down his torso, pausing to sink her tongue into his belly button. Ice water dripped from her mouth and she lapped at it with her tongue. The melting ice caused droplets of water to dribble across the taut muscles of his abdomen, down to the tight curls that peeked from the waistband of his sweats. Luke’s head bent backward as he felt a shock of pleasure burn through him. He felt himself stiffen even more, his flesh harder than concrete.

Clasping him around his hips, Joanne pushed at his pants, moving him to lift his hips as she drew the garment over his buttocks. With freedom gained, his erection strained and bobbed with his runaway pulse, begging for attention. When Joanne took him in her mouth, his brain went numb, all coherent thought lost to him.

The sensations were overwhelming, pleasure beyond his comprehension. Joanne rotated her head when he bottomed out in her throat, his engorged member filling her mouth. Luke gasped at the woman’s aggressiveness. Joanne had attacked his manhood as if it were necessary for their survival, her ministrations urgent. Luke didn’t know how he would be able to last under such an onslaught, his whole body starting to tremble and quake. Every muscle in his body suddenly tensed as Joanne pleasured him like he’d not been pleasured before. His heart was beating heavily in his chest and then his whole body exploded, every one of his senses leaving him a second away from unconsciousness.

As Joanne sat back against the sofa, her gaze still locked on his face, Luke fought to regain his composure. His breathing was erratic, sweat beading across his brow. He opened his eyes and met her stare. Joanne’s smile filled him.

“You are staying the night, right?” he finally managed to ask, still gasping for air.

Joanne laughed, tossing her head back against her neck. “Should I stay?”

Luke nodded. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The smell of coffee invaded Joanne’s consciousness. For a brief moment, she wondered where the decadent scent was coming from, and then she remembered the personal coffeepot Luke had set on a timer the evening before.

Sleep had come in the early hours of the morning, their late-night antics keeping them up well past their usual bed times. Luke’s naked body was curved warmly around her own nakedness, and Joanne had no desire to rise from where they lay. Luke’s breathing was still deep and heavy, and Joanne knew that he was as reluctant to pull himself from the throes of sleep as she was. She heaved a deep sigh.

The man had become a sweet addiction, a craving that she couldn’t seem to get enough of, and Joanne was completely enamored with him. Luke Stallion had unleashed a wealth of emotion that Joanne hadn’t known she possessed. She felt a sense of freedom with the man, all her inhibitions melting away when they were together. Joanne couldn’t begin to fathom the effect he’d managed to have on her usually reserved and conservative personality traits. But Luke had set her inner tiger free, and Joanne had no desire to cage that beast.

She rolled her body against the padded mattress, turning until she was facing the man. She pressed her face into his chest, inhaling the scent of him. Without opening his eyes, Luke wrapped his arms tightly around her torso, hugging her close. His touch was easy and gentle as he slowly caressed her back and shoulders. Joanne snuggled down into the warmth of it.

Whatever was happening between them had taken on a life of its own. Joanne didn’t have the words to define what she was feeling for Luke, but she knew that whatever fate might have in store for them, she could easily stay lost in that Stallion’s arms forever.