Smoke. Fire. Cowboy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 3) (13 page)

He snorted, making the hairs on her neck erect. “But what if he did have the same feelings? Would it have been him you wound up cuddling up to last night?”

She blinked. “Your words are reeking of jealousy,” she shrilled, heat spiraling through her.

“Jealousy? Who do you take me for? Someone who cares?”

His goading penetrated her defenses. “Does it do well for you to hide your emotions behind all of that anger?”

“Isn’t it sleeping beauty’s bedtime?” He slammed his hands into his front pockets, dragging the waist lower on his hips and the crisp hair leading to his groin was visible.

“I was foolish for coming here.”

“That you were,” he said in a short tone.

Stuck in a whirlwind of emotion, she headed for the door, paused with her hand on the doorknob.
Go, Sofie. Move now.
Her darn feet were frozen to the wooden floor. Why couldn’t she just walk away? She dropped her hand and turned, meeting his curious gaze. “This time I’m not walking away. I came here for a reason.” She stomped across the space until she was upon him, tucked her fingers into the waist of his jeans and tugged him closer. His muscles clenched and he moaned deep into his chest. His eyes turned a sultry pale color.

“You sure about this, sweetheart?”

“Very. If you don’t want me—want this—tell me now and I’ll go,” she whispered. “If I stay, we’re going to release a scorching heat that I’m not sure either of us can handle. But I’m ready to be consumed.”

He stared into her eyes as his fingers moved up her arm, brushing along her shoulder where the sleeve of her shirt ended. Like a speeding train, electrical current moved through her, vibrating her core. He moved his hand away and she whimpered. Cold blasted over her. “I just need to know, to be sure, that this isn’t a scam to make Chase jealous. I won’t play games.”

“You’re more worried about Chase than I am. He’s the last cowboy on my mind.”

He sighed. “He’s my friend, and my boss, and I ain’t into triangles. Got that?”

His rich voice skimmed across her flesh. “I’m here aren’t I? When Chase rejected me, I left without qualm. You rejected me and leaving was the last thing I’ll do.”

His exhale tangled in her hair and he brought his hand to the back of her neck, pulling her close against his hard body. Goosebumps scattered her arms and his warm fingers sent heat trickling through her. She shivered and sighed, allowing her body to lean on him. He lowered his gaze to her lips as if he searched all of the reasons why he shouldn’t kiss her. She even thought he might turn away—deny the passion. Anticipation spiraled through her and she could barely breathe.

“Jared…I’m afraid. I lost trust and I’m not sure I can find it again. Tonight, I thought you and Jennifer…” She couldn’t give the pathetic words life.

“I don’t want Jennifer. Never. I think you’re severely lacking in giving yourself enough credit. If you didn’t trust me, you wouldn’t be here. You wouldn’t be looking at me with an expression that clearly tells me you’re giving yourself to me, willingly. Completely.”

She lifted her hands to his chest, his heat warming her fingertips. His mouth came to hers, hesitated, then he licked the seam open. She closed her eyes, reveling in the sensations washing over her. The first touch of his lips casually moved across hers, exploring, tempering her desire. She clung to him, sinking her fingers into his iron muscles.

Jared eased himself into the kiss, she could feel his restraint, not wanting to take things too fast. He rolled the tip of his tongue over her bottom lip, then drew it into his mouth, suckling the soft flesh. Sliding her hands further up around his neck, she lifted herself to her toes so that she could be closer. A moan worked its way up into the back of her throat and flowed against his mouth. He groaned in response.

Slipping his tongue inside of her mouth, he tangled with hers, sampling her sweetness. Another whimper came from her as she enjoyed his intrusion. He cupped her face in his palms, his callused hands scraping her skin deliciously. Soon she would have those magical hands over her sensitive flesh.

His hand drifted to her thigh, where the hem of her shorts landed on her quivering skin. He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her skin, slipping just underneath the material, but not taking any liberties—not yet.

The kiss deepened and he thrust his tongue in and out between the seam. Tremors passed through her, igniting every cell of her body, her inner vixen awakening. Through a haze, she realized he was unbuttoning her shorts, unzipping, then slipping the barrier below her hips until they fell to her ankles and she pushed them away with her foot. Shivers raced over her, not from the sudden cold, but the shattering yearning monopolizing her every cell. He pulled his head back, slightly, eyes glazed. “Are you cold?”

She gave her head a shake. “Not when I’m with you. I’m on fire.”

He chuckled, more from deep within his chest than his vocal cords. “Then let’s see what we can do about that.” He bent and lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the bed and placing her in the middle of the cold, wrinkled sheets.

Wasting no time, he dropped his jeans. Her body melted into the mattress, her skin prickling with need.

Admiring his hard length and the size, she licked her lips and her insides throbbed in eagerness. She brought her arms around her waist, hoping to still the butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

A number of expressions flickered across his features as he stared at her. Seconds ticked by until he finally leaned over her, slid his thumbs inside the elastic of her panties and tugged them down her quivering thighs, but he didn’t discard them. He tucked them inside his front pocket. “Sofie, touch yourself for me. Ready yourself for my body.”

Warmth spread over her cheeks. She’d never pleasured herself in front of anyone before. The idea titillated her senses, but she shyly shook her head. “I can’t,” she whispered.

“Don’t be shy around me, sweetheart. When we’re together it’s only you and me. Your secrets are safe with me.” His soft voice coaxed her.

Coyly, she lowered her hand to her inner thighs, spreading her knees slightly to allow her fingers into the weeping nest. She dipped one finger over the moist seam, following the warm trail, jerking from her own touch. Her body was micro-sensitive, already filled with lust. He continued to stare at her hand as she slipped her finger between the lips, finding the swollen bud behind silken flesh. Having him watch her doing one of the most private things excited her, and soon all of her inhibitions slithered away. She rolled her fingers urgently over the fleshy head, moving slowly, then fast, just as she liked it—just as she’d done earlier that day in the discretion of her office.

She closed her eyes, thrashing her head on the pillow as the tingles pressed through her, landing solidly in her core. She whimpered, but they came out as spurts of groans. The bed shifted and she fluttered her eyes open. Jared joined her, coupling his fingers with hers and together they moved across her heated flesh. He slipped one broad finger into her opening, stretching her, preparing her for what would come next. She spread her legs wider, making room for both of their hands. Her juices covered his knuckles, covered both of their hands, and she’d never witnessed anything so pleasurable—so erotic. Tingles started at her toes, moving languidly along her legs and darting to her center. The orgasm built to mountain height, nurturing taller and wider paths, stronger and tense until the feeling burst like fireworks. She moaned and butted her hips, riding his finger, pushing his knuckles against her clit.

“Look at me, Sofie,” he demanded.

She fluttered her eyes open, barely seeing him through the blurred haze of release. He brought his hand to his mouth, still slick with her moisture and he licked her from his finger. He groaned heavily and his erection stood proudly, bouncing across her thigh. A pearl of pre-cum glistened on the purple, mushroom-shaped head.

“I want to have a taste myself,” she said, pushing herself up from the bed and sliding down to her knees, leaning over him, her hair brushing against his belly. “Tonight, I’m going to show you how proud I am to have gotten to know you, Jared.”

****

Jared tensed as Sofie’s sweet mouth wrapped around his torrid cock. Seeing her mouth fold over him, around him, her cheeks sunken as she took him deeper made him grow another inch or two. Her hair fell down, hiding the action and he tangled his fingers in the strands and held them. He didn’t want to miss a glorious second.

He’d been on the receiving end of a lot of blowjobs over the years, and it wasn’t that Sofie was the best, not that she was bad—not bad at all—because she was damn good, but there was something more in the act than simple satisfaction. A lover of art not only appreciated the painting, but also respected the artist. If this was another woman he would have closed his eyes and enjoyed the entertainment, but he didn’t dare close his eyes. Seeing how she suckled him, how her lips moved over his solid muscle, and how she looked at him up the line of his body, was part of the act—a big part of the pleasure. Every time she whimpered, the sound vibrated his tip and he jerked involuntarily.

He could burst, hard and fast, but he was no longer the selfish man who emptied himself in a woman’s mouth and be content. He wanted to give Sofie pleasure too. He wanted to hold her soft body and have her writhe under him, calling his name.

“Damn, Sofie. You’re going to send me over the edge too soon. I want to still sink myself into that sweet body.”

She lifted her mouth to his very tip, her glowing eyes on him, her lips swollen. “Just a little longer. I love this.” Then she plunged him into her mouth, drawing him to the back of her throat where she swallowed. The feeling almost drove him over the brink, but he quickly gained control. He played a tune in his head, counted backwards, thought of everything he could to force back the urge to burst inside of her mouth. He had plans of sinking himself inside of her real soon.

And then she pulled away…

Had she sensed his dire urgency?

She crawled up his body, slowly, spreading her thighs wide over his aching, throbbing erection. She took him into her slender hand, pumped him twice, guiding him to the glistening slit between her legs, yet she didn’t put him out of his misery just yet. She held him as if he was a video game controller, sliding his aching tip through her folds. He watched her play. His breathing was hard and damn how he wanted to drive deep inside of her, but he also enjoyed seeing her move his cock around her pussy. He rubbed the thin patch of groomed hair on her treasure, following it to the seam and found her clit, engorged with need. He flicked his thumb across the nub and a whimper fell from her lips. She lifted her hips higher, still holding him, as she lowered her body, taking him slowly inside of her. He could feel every slick inch of her as she brought her body around him. She became wetter as he stretched her muscles, her slick, tight body adjusting to his large one. When she finally had all of him inside of her, she began moving, lifting and lowering herself over him, her actions becoming jerkier and faster.

She laid her head on his shoulder, her hair cascaded over her chest in a silken blanket and her scent floated to his nostrils. She went back to a sitting position and the tangled mass fell across her T-shirt.

He hadn’t removed her top.

He couldn’t miss the opportunity to play with her lovely breasts. Grabbing the hem, he easily lifted it over her head. She wasn’t wearing a bra and her nipples were peaked and distended. He cupped one mound, then the other, bringing both hands up and kneading them, flicking the pink tips. She opened her eyes meeting his gaze and he could see the passion in the depths, lost to the feeling of him inside her. He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her down and sealing his mouth against hers. She moaned and he swallowed the sound, sweeping his tongue inside of her mouth. Her breaths were heavy, her chest rose and fell, her beaded nipples brushed his chest as an electrical current shot through his shaft and nestled into his aching balls.

There was no holding back any longer. Release nudged its way from the tip of his toes until reaching his shaft. He jerked and he released himself inside of her.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sofie smiled as she looked outside from her office window, feeling more alive than she had in months—years. For days now, she and Jared had been meeting in his cabin at dark, making love until they fell exhausted into each other’s arms. She would always wake early and sneak out before anyone else was awake.

Whatever she and Jared were doing had become her every thought—her every breath. She’d never wanted anything more.

Soon the guests would be arriving and he would be busy. They both would be. Would he still want to see her at night? She swallowed the doubt in her throat.

How much longer could they keep their secret hidden from the others?

This morning was a close call. She’d slipped out of Jared’s cabin just as the sun was rising and she’d heard boot steps on the gravel lane. She had just enough time to slip around the corner of the cabin before Maverick popped up around the bend. Thankfully, he hadn’t seen her, but two seconds later and she would have come face to face with him.

Her mind had spun resolution after resolution on how to end the secret, but each time she contemplated stopping the sweet madness, a pain like none other shot through her, reminding her that some things were out of her control. Her emotions were lost in a sea of desire. She didn’t think she had the power to end this tryst with Jared. The one night she’d gone back to her cabin immediately after they’d made love, she’d laid in bed, tossing and turning, missing Jared’s arms and the beating of his heart in her ear as she slept. 

Outside her window, she watched as Chase and Jared greeted each other. Both men were sinfully sexy, but only one of them played her heartstrings like a banjo. Jared. She kept her eyes glued to him as he laughed at something. She smiled too, not needing to hear the sound to know that it was deep, rich and amazingly nice to her ears.

Jared and Sofie laughed a lot over silly jokes and playful banter. They played poker, which she lost miserably. Once he turned on cheesy music and performed a strip tease. Best night of her life. Several nights ago, they had snuck down to the waterfall and skinny-dipped. She was acting like a teenager and she loved the feeling.

One thing they didn’t do together though, was talk about the heavier things—relationships, family, and the past. She’d attempted to start a conversation with him about his childhood and he’d abruptly teased her question right from her lips. He’d seduced her with his mouth and magical touch until she forgot about talking and wanted only to feel.

It bothered her now. They’d gone into this clandestine affair, knowing nothing would come of it but simple pleasure for their bodies. Yet she ached to know Jared more. What he was like growing up. Did he play football? Or was he more of a scholar and focused on education? He surprised her with his intelligence. He had so many thoughtful and brilliant ideas.

Outside, Jared started for the narrow lane toward the barn. She watched him move—stealth and attentive. He looked good enough to eat. From his white hat tucked low on his forehead. The layer of beard on his chiseled jaw. He’d shaven his goatee recently, stating that he needed a change. The tight black T-shirt with the ripped neckline hugged his upper body and she was a bit jealous.

She gulped down a good dose of awareness. How would she feel once the visitors were at Nirvana and women were flirting with him? Definitely, he always had the ladies’ attention. She had no right to feel anything. He had a job to do. They were here to make this a pleasurable vacation for guests. But all she wanted was for them to bring pleasure to each other.

“Sofie?”

She jumped, not realizing she wasn’t alone. Dade stood in the doorway, his straw hat pressed against his chest. “I didn’t hear you,” she said.

He smiled and shuffled his worn boots. She liked him and respected his energetic personality. His wide, toothy smile was as sweet as punch and he always wore his hat at an angle as if to reflect how he saw the world. His sparkling eyes were always bright, and he wore his emotions on his sleeve. “Sorry, Sofie.”

She let the curtain fall back into place and stepped to her desk. Dizziness washed over her and she steadied herself, holding onto the edge until the feeling went away.

“You okay?” Dade asked.

“Oh, yes, I’m fine. I haven’t been sleeping very well.”

“I set up all of the tables for the party tonight. Need me to do anything else?” he asked, his smile contagious.

She was flattered that the young man had a crush on her, but she had responsibly kept her distance. One day he would find a sweet woman who would give him the love he deserved. She often wondered why he was here at Nirvana. He didn’t fit in around the other hands, their rough and tough attitudes, and she’d often seen the men tease Dade. The hands verbally tormented each other often, yet they also cared for each other a great deal, like brothers instead of co-workers. “Do you mind taking a list to Deke? He’s preparing the food and I want to make sure everything’s just right.”

He scrubbed his jaw and flushed. “Don’t mind at all. I’m here to cater to your needs.” Realizing what he’d said, his cheeks turned brighter red. She turned and pretended interest in finding the list to give him the time to recover.

“Here it is. The list.” She took the scrap of paper and handed it over to him. “Thank you, Dade. You’ve been a great help today.”

“Maybe you’ll dance with me tonight?”

The question caught her off guard. What was the harm with one dance? “Sure.” After all, it would only be the staff at the party and there were far fewer females in ratio to the men.

His eyes dazzled. “Okay, Sofie. If you can think of anything else you need, just radio me. I won’t be far.”

“I think everything is almost finished. Thank you.”

He left, closing the door behind him and she sat down at her desk, prepared to get the last minute work done on the guests’ itineraries. She hoped to complete them before the party. It was the first event she’d planned at Nirvana and she was anxious for the annual event—not for the roasted hog or the bonfire. Not even the dancing. She wanted to spend time with Jared outside of his cabin. No, they couldn’t hold hands or steal kisses when no one was looking, but she hoped they could sit together and have a conversation like two people did when they were dating.

Dating? Was that what they were doing?

Her stomach turned. She reached inside of her top drawer and saw the dildo sticking out of the cloth pouch. She chuckled. “You’re out of commission, my friend. I have the real thing.” Chuckling, she moved past the vibrator and grabbed a package of crackers from the snacks she kept stashed in the back. Opening the package, she took a bite of the crisp wafer and chewed, hoping it would help. She didn’t have time for getting sick.

Another knock came at the door. Wiping the crumbs from her desk and mouth, she took a gulp of now cold coffee to wash the cracker down. “Come in.”

The door swung open and Jared peeked around the corner. “You alone?”

Her heart kicked up in speed and her legs turned to jelly. Good thing she was sitting down. How could she still get this uncontrollable when she saw him? “Yes.”

He slipped in, locking the door behind him. “Awesome.”

“I thought you had gone to the barn.” She couldn’t begin to describe the sensations of joy washing over her. He was the best surprise.

“I started that direction as a ploy, then I went into the woods, back tracked the quick way here without anyone the wiser.”

“Ooh, I love your 007 side.” She wagged her brows.

He slipped off his hat and dropped it on her desk. “I wanted to see you before I got all sweaty and dirty.”

She smiled. “I sort of like you all sweaty and dirty.” Her inner thighs throbbed in agreement.

He laughed. She could never get enough of the sound. “Ah, sweetheart, you’re adorable.” His eyes twinkled.

“Uhh…adorable?” She worked her bottom lip.

“Forgive me. You’re a sexy vixen who has moved into my body and I can’t seem to get anything done but think of you.”

“Okay, now that’s a revelation. You poor man. What can I do to help?” She stood and came around the desk. Every part of her tingled, remembering how he’d held her last night and made sweet love to her. She brought her fingers over her lips to keep from whimpering at the memory. There had been a difference in how he held her, kissed her, made love to her, but she couldn’t quite understand. Had his feelings changed? That was dangerous—and forbidden.

He encircled his arms around her waist, dragging her against him and all thoughts vanished except for what he could offer her physically. He dropped his lips to hers, slowly and with great caution, and licked the seam, then turned his attention to her tongue. She forgot where they were, the barriers between them, and snuggled into him. Entwining her fingers in the soft, worn material of his shirt, she tugged as she walked backward, leading him with her until her legs pressed the edge of the desk. She slipped onto the top, not breaking the kiss as she hiked up her skirt high on her quivering thighs.

He drew his chin back, his breaths sweeping across her cheek. “You’re going commando.”

“It’s a little treat I give myself.” She smiled. “And now you. No obstacle. Just me.”

“Damn! I learn something new about you every day. That’s hotter than hell,” his words were forced through tight lips. He dipped one finger inside of her, swirling the knuckle around her trembling muscles. He rubbed the tip across her G-spot and she bent her head back, reveling in the stimulation. “That’s where you like my touch,” he whispered.

“Yes! Yes!” she cried out, clinging to him as a fog washed over her.

“Bring those knees up, baby. Part those thighs. Let me in.” She did as he demanded, spreading for him. He rewarded her sweetly by probing her with a second finger, filling her, coaxing her muscles to relax for him. “I could never get enough of this. Your feel. Your taste. Your scent. You’re an aphrodisiac.”

His words churned through her fuzzy brain. She hoped he never got enough. Always coming back for more because, God help her, she wanted more. There was danger in their relationship, but she would walk through fire just to feel his touch. To have him hold her in his strong arms and hear his husky voice whispering his desires.

His fingers moved up to stroke her cheek, then threaded into her hair. “There are moments I think you were created just to drive me insane.” He breathed out. “Perfectly mad. Up until a few weeks ago, I would have laughed if someone told me I could want anyone as I want you. Ah, baby. I want you. I can’t satisfy the hunger. I’m starving.”

“Perfect.” She brushed her fingers down his warm jaw. “Amazing.” She kissed his chin, his cheek, nibbled his ear lobe. “I’m all yours. Take me,” she whispered.

“Right here, sweetheart? Right now?”

“Yes, Jared. Now!”

“I don’t have a condom with me.”

She slid her hands inside of his shirt, along his tight muscles and rolled her thumbs over his hard, flat nipples. He sucked in a breath and she continued to play with the sensitive flesh.

He hurried and undid his belt buckle, the metal clanged, vibrating her thighs. Then came the raspiness of the zipper. She exhaled in anticipation and then a knock came at the door. They both clenched and Jared quickly pulled back, adjusting himself and fixing the belt. “Damn!” he whispered.

Sofie slipped from the desk, adjusting her clothing, but nothing eased in her body. She could only imagine how red her cheeks were. She met Jared’s gaze and brought her finger to her mouth. “Shh! I’ll handle this.”

With quivering knees, she crossed the office and touched the doorknob, looking over her shoulder at Jared who had moved to the window, out of sight. When he nodded, she unlocked the door and opened it.

Chase stood on the threshold, a worried expression marring his tanned features. “Chase? I wasn’t expecting you.” Her chest tightened.

“I need to talk with you. Do you have a moment?” he asked.

“Uhm…I-I need to make a business call. Is it okay if I come by your office in a few minutes? It won’t be long.” Her hands trembled and she tightened her hold on the doorknob.

“Sure.”

“Are you okay?”

“Peachy,” he said. “We’ll talk later.”

Once he walked away, she waited until he disappeared down the hall, then Sofie closed the door and locked it again. Jared stepped to the middle of the office. “That was close,” he said.

“I thought I’d pass out.” She clasped her shaking hands together.

He shrugged. “I’m surprised we haven’t been caught yet,” he said with such casualty that it unsettled her.

“But-but if we are, we could be fired,” she sputtered.

“Don’t look so solemn, sweetheart. The worse we’d have to do is leave Nirvana. I’m sure you could get a job somewhere else, and me, well, I’m used to traveling.”

She narrowed her eyes, allowing his meaning to soak into her brain. “So, you’re saying you’d be okay if you had to leave here?” Why did this hurt so much? Maybe because when he mentioned leaving, he didn’t say as a couple. That shouldn’t bother her, but it did, and that scared the crap out of her.

He grabbed his hat from the desk and laid it on his head. “I’m only saying that I’m not good with all of this sneaking around stuff. Growing up I had to do a lot of it. I don’t do anything that I’m ashamed of to have to sneak around.” His pensive gaze seemed to burrow deep into her core.