Caribbean Cowboy: Under the Caribbean Sun, Book 4 (9 page)

“It sounds so much simpler when you say it. But I don’t think—”

“Don’t think, Princess.”

His lips were on hers and she melted into the kiss, into the promise of not thinking. Suppressing her feelings took so much energy, it was easier to let go, to fall into him. But then her real fantasy kept creeping in when she thought of him. The idea of belonging, being part of a family that was proud of her, having someone love her because of who she was, not out of obligation. And ruining that fantasy was more terrifying than any pleasure he could bring with a flirty game of
Catching the Cowboy
.

She released his hold and stood, pulling her mind to lighter things. “Let’s try
Seducing the Soldier
. With that haircut, you look the part.”

He braced his forearms on his thighs and glared up at her. “Don’t do this.”

She placed her hands on her hips and pulled her shoulders back. “You have something against me charming you horizontal for an all-night sexathon?”

His voice dropped to a deep grumble. “I agreed to slow things down, not to letting you freeze me out. This isn’t what I want.”

She eyed his jeans. “Your cock disagrees with you.”

“You’re a bad friend, Janny Baird.” He rose and grabbed his hat.

“You’re leaving?” She spun as he made his way to the door.

“I know where I’m not wanted.”

“Wait, I want you to stay.”

“If you want me, I’ll take you into your bedroom and make love to you right now. But if you want to seduce the soldier, your vibrator will have to fill that hole in your life.”

His words smacked her and she took a step back. “Last night you said you we could play.”

“I thought I could. Right up until I had to pretend not to know you in my sister’s kitchen. I’m a grown-ass man and I’m not going to sneak around like a horny teenager. It turns out, I prefer the real you to the person you pretend to be. I’m up for playing any kind of bedroom game you want, after we’re together. Because until then, it just feels like I’m the one getting played.”

“How do I know you’re not playing me?”

“Because I’m the one who gave up everything to come here and see how this plays out. You’re worried about your friends and family and job—I already left mine behind. I get how scary this is. I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it to chase a woman I’d known for a day. It doesn’t make sense, and yet I did it anyway.”

“You’re here because Holly asked you to help with the ranch, not for me.”

“To magically make dirt from dust? I would never have agreed to try that if I didn’t want to be on Anguilla anyway.”

Tears prickled at her eyes. She didn’t cry, and never would, not in front of someone else. She couldn’t remember a time when she didn’t have this longing to be really loved. Her mother had done her best, but there had always been something missing, a resentment that got in the way. And here was Nik, reaching beyond the walls she’d built, and he saw her. This amazing man who deserved a woman who could trust what he said instead of one who looked for ulterior motives in the shadow of every word. She wanted more than a night, more than a day. More than she’d ever dared hope for. She stepped to him, wrapping her arms around him and held on, pressing her head to his chest to hear his heart beat.

He rested his chin atop her head and wrapped her in an embrace that both soothed and excited. She was in the eye of a hurricane that tossed about twisted emotions and dreams.

“I want you,” she whispered into his T-shirt. “But I can’t share this. Not yet. Not while all of this stuff with Sebastian is going on. People are going to pick me apart, and I don’t want that happening with us.”

“I want you too. But I won’t pretend we’re strangers.” He reached beneath her chin and tilted her head up, his deep gaze peering into her soul. Like a key to a lock never before opened, the chains on her heart loosened. Just a bit, but it was enough to let him in.

She lifted his T-shirt and placed her hands on the warm skin of his back. It might have only been a day since she’d explored his body, but this seemed new, different. His taut muscles tensed beneath her exploring fingers.

He dipped his head, covered her mouth with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and moaned while her tongue danced with his. He pulled her closer, his calloused palms gripping her as he pressed his hard cock against her. She rocked her hips, showing him they were on the same page, only she’d prefer to take this tango horizontal.

He released her and sank to his knees, his rough hands gripping her hips. He spread his fingers, his thumbs reaching the juncture of her thighs. He rubbed her there, teasing her arousal. He stared up at her, his dark eyes shining with desire and something deeper, unfamiliar and yet welcome.

He leaned in and placed fluttering kisses against her belly as he slipped her boy shorts over her hips and down her legs. She placed her hands on his shoulders for balance as she stepped out. She tugged at his T-shirt, but he pulled away, grabbing the back of it with one hand and pulling it over his head and off before sending it the way of her panties. She hoped she appeared as confident as she took off her tank and added it to the growing pile.

“You’re so beautiful.” His deep voice vibrated through her body. His hands gripped her hips and pulled her closer. She leaned her back against the wall as he kissed her belly button, his tongue teasing skin she’d never realized was so sensitive or connected to her core. She stepped her legs wider to brace herself as his kisses trailed lower.

He kissed her inner thigh while his fingers toyed with the delicate skin behind her knees. She moaned and reached for him, but his freshly shorn hair gave her no purchase. Her body melted into arousal, everything languid and hot.

“Nik, I’m falling.” She gasped as his kisses neared her core. “Let’s go to bed.”

He grinned up at her. “I want to watch you fall for me. Over and over again.”

She gasped as he reached behind her knees and lifted her leg onto his shoulder. He shoved her farther up the wall until only her toes were on the floor. She wanted to protest, but with his big hands on her hips and her leg braced against him, she actually felt more secure. Until his mouth pressed against her pussy lips and his hot tongue found her clit.

She pressed a palm against the bare wall, the other hand anchoring his head to her. She didn’t want to slip and she didn’t want him to stop. The sound of wet suckling filled the air, mixing with her moans and his. The hard coolness of the wall against her back, the soft heat of his mouth on her pussy and the wicked friction of his tongue lit her up, her climax shimmering on the horizon.

Feasting on her like a man famished, she watched him with wonder. Almost voyeuristic, watching him get so much delight from pleasing her. Her desire sank lower, like the sun setting on the water, growing brighter at her core as the rest of the world dimmed. And then she came, bright colors spreading through her as she rode wave after wave of pleasure.

He released her leg and stood, catching her as she began to slump down. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

Chapter Seven

Janny arched her back as she stretched atop her bed where Nik had laid her down. He froze the moment in a mental snapshot. He’d never experienced anything so beautiful as her dark curves against the white linens. She sighed and stared at him, a satisfied grin playing on her lush lips.

“Where were you when I was studying physiology? You have the most lickable inguinal ligaments.” She rolled to her side and propped her head on her hand.

“I take it that’s doctor for get naked?” He worked off his boots and socks, loving the way she watched him.

“Most men never get cut enough for them to show. Some people call it the Adonis belt.” She reached out and traced a finger along the ridge of muscle that led from his hip and under his jeans. “You’ve lost weight.”

He stood and undid his belt buckle. “Does it make you want to make love to me or feed me more brownies?”

“Both sound delicious, but I’m out of chocolate.”

“You are chocolate.” He pulled two condoms out of his back pocket and tossed them on her nightstand.

She rolled to her back and propped herself up on her elbows. “With your tan, you’re darker than I am.”

He pushed off his jeans and turned to step out of them. She laughed and he glared at her over his shoulder.

“You are gluteal perfection, but I didn’t notice the tan line in the dark last night.”

He checked out his ass before turning to face her again, when his cock grabbed her full attention. As it should. He could hammer nails with it this hard. “We’ll have to do some naked sunbathing so you don’t laugh every time I drop my pants.”

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and then shifted one lean leg to the side, opening herself to him. “I burn in the sun.”

“But you do like sex on the beach, so I’ll cover you and tan my ass under the Caribbean sun.”

“I like the way your mind works.”

He grabbed a condom and then lay beside her on the bed. She curled into him and took the packet with her slim fingers.

“Shall I do the honors?” She sat as she broke the seal.

He lay back, lacing his fingers behind his head. “I think you should love me now.”

The erotic double entendre wasn’t missed. Her light eyes flashed with awareness. She didn’t reply, just focused on the condom. Her shaky hands were torture, but the view as she straddled him was pure bliss.

She nudged her pubic bone against the underside of his erection, pressing his cock against her smooth belly. She lowered her lashes and dropped her voice to a husky whisper. “Look at how deep you’ll be inside of me.”

His cock throbbed. He’d never heard anything more erotic in his life. She rose up and wrapped her tiny hands around him. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she tilted her hips and slid his cock along her slick folds. Pleasure softened her features as she worked herself against him.

“Princess, I—”

“Shhh.” She hushed him with a sex dampened finger to his lips. She leaned forward, trapping his cock between their bodies. “You deserve this, you know. Always teasing me until I beg.”

She had him there. He reached up and filled his hands with her lush breasts. Two could play this teasing game. Her breath caught and she choked out a moan, grinding against him. He scissored her nipples between his fingers, wincing as she pressed down harder. He didn’t stop, and neither did she. The show playing in front of him was too intoxicating to slow down. She ground herself on him, her breath coming in staccato pants, her eyes glazing over in a fog of lust.

With her hands on either side of his head, she braced herself, taking her pleasure. He pinched one nipple hard and brought her other breast to his mouth, working it with his teeth. Her words blended into moans, the sound a blur of his name, yes, and a stream of naughty words he’d never imagined would come from her mouth. It turned out Janny was hotter as herself than any sexy role she could ever play.

Her legs began to quiver on either side of his, and she fell forward as she came. Her breast slipped from his mouth, her body resting atop his as her head hit the pillow beside him. He ran his hands up and down her back as she struggled to catch her breath, then he grabbed that perfect ass of hers and squeezed.

“What have you done to me?” she whispered in his ear.

“The same you’ve done for me, love. Brought your dreams to life.” He turned, placing the gentlest of kisses on her lips.

“I was supposed to love you.” She sighed, wrapping her hands around his biceps and pushing up. “My God, you’re handsome.”

“And you’re beautiful. But that doesn’t let you off the hook.” He squeezed her ass. “Love me now.”

She frowned. “My legs are shot and I have an orgasm buzz going on. It’ll be better for you if—”

“Keep making love to me. That’s all I want.” He reached up and touched her face. She turned her cheek into his palm and kissed it. The corners of her mouth lifted in a shy smile. That mouth, so sweet looking but delivering such devastating bliss. Looking at her this open, this vulnerable, echoing his every feeling, he knew he didn’t want to stop loving her.

She rose up to her knees, bracing herself with one hand on his chest. With the other, she squeezed his hard cock and guided him to her center. She slid down, inch by torturous inch, until he was seated to the hilt.

With his hands on her hips, he held her still, taking a moment to adjust to the rush of sensations threatening to ravage his soul. Nothing was more beautiful than this moment, no woman more perfect, no pleasure so intense.

His body began to tremble with the ferocity of it all. He wanted nothing more than to love her until they lost themselves in it, a desire so deep it could block out the rest of the world. Just be themselves without reality pulling them apart.

“You feel so good,” Janny moaned and moved her hips in a slow circle. She placed her hands on his chest and flicked her short fingernails over his nipples.

He arched his hips, masculine pride swelling as she gasped and her eyelids fluttered. He held her hips and pumped up into her fast and hard, the sounds of sex clouding the room. But he was supposed to let her lead, so he slowed his pace, finally settling her over him once more.

“Don’t stop.” She pouted, looking down at him with sultry blue eyes.

He shook his head. “I lost control for a minute. But you’re running this show.”

She pulled her full bottom lip between her teeth. “I want you to roll me on my back, pull my legs up and fuck me until I can’t think.”

He grabbed her ass and pushed himself deeper into her. “I love it when you talk like that. And I promise I’ll do just that. But first, I want to watch you come again.”

She leaned down, her breath hot against his face. “I’ll come when you’re on top of me.”

He slid one hand up her body, pausing at the base of her throat and pushing her to sit straighter. Her expression shifted from teasing to totally turned on. “Love me, Janny, and then I’ll love you senseless.”

With a roll of her hips, she began her dance. She wrapped her hand around his forearm, securing his grip on her throat. She lifted her hips on the upswing, a little at first and then all at once. He knew the moment she gave in and let the sensation take over, her movement losing rhythm and her breathing growing heavy. Her moans jumped an octave and her thighs began to quiver. She leaned forward, his grip on her throat the only thing keeping her upright.

The spasms in her legs squeezed him and her orgasm clutched his cock. Her body listed to the side and he pulled her against him so she wouldn’t tumble. He tried to chase her climax with his own, but it wasn’t quite enough.

“You promised,” Janny whispered in his ear before nipping the lobe.

No more motivation was needed to roll her beneath him and burying his cock into her slick center. He reached behind her knees and pushed her legs up and out, tilting her hips to welcome him even deeper.

Nothing had ever felt better than this, Janny wet and open beneath him, her dreamy gaze focused on him. Not on the way he thrust his cock in and out of her or the way he reached up to squeeze her breast and press her dark nipple between his fingers. On him.

She reached for him, gripped the back of his head and pulled him close for a kiss. Her velvet tongue tangled with his, teasing his mouth with the same urgency that his cock thrust into her. She wrapped her legs around his back, her ankles locking him in place. Her embrace shortened his stroke, so he quickened it.

As if she were drowning, Janny broke the kiss and gasped for air. Her arms flailed, and she wrapped them around his shoulders, anchoring herself to him as if he could save her from drowning. Only her possession dragged them both deeper to the oblivion.

He came in waves, adrift on a sea of pleasure. He didn’t know when Janny had gone limp beneath him, only that she had. He released her arms and legs, staring down at her. She didn’t move, only sighed, a gentle smile playing on lips swollen from his kisses.

Sometimes, he thought her a fairytale princess come to life. Beautiful and adventurous, smart and sensitive and loyal ’til the end. Something he could relate to. He kissed her temple and whispered her name.

“Ssh,” she managed without opening her eyes. She tried to turn, so he helped her to her side, his body leaving hers. She curled herself against him and gave a contented sigh that made his chest squeeze. Maybe Anguilla wasn’t such a barren rock after all.

Janny tiptoed back to her bed, not wanting to wake Nik and invite the world in. Maybe she could convince him to take the day off, hide away and pretend there was no engagement party, no Sebastian, no ranch. Except Kristin would hunt her down, Sebastian never went unnoticed, and he’d just brought in two guys to help with the ranch set-up.

Damned reality. She slipped beneath the sheet and cuddled against Nik. As he slept, she took a moment to study his face, fascinated by his broad bone structure, the strong, sure jaw. Everything about him was thick, strong, solid. She’d never been one to lose herself so quickly, but something about Nik had her losing her mind along with her inhibitions. Her better judgment fell away into a hazy fog of lust whenever they were together. And she became someone else, a more vibrant, beautiful, exciting version of her former self.

She touched her fingertips to the stubble on his cheeks, dragging them through what was left of his hair. She hoped he’d let it grow out again, that he’d stay with her on Anguilla long enough that she’d be able to see it.

“Good morning,” he said without opening his eyes. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“How long have you been awake?” She ran her hand down his neck, over his biceps.

“Since you got up.” He wrapped his arm around her and rested his big hand on her ass. He pulled her closer, showing her she wasn’t the only early riser this morning.

She traced the thick black lines of the totem pole tattoo covering his arm and shoulder. “Tell me about this one.”

He opened his eyes and raised a brow. “You’d rather talk about my tattoo than properly welcome the day.”

“Oh, cowboy, I’ll go on any ride you throw my way. But I usually think to ask about it right before I get completely distracted.”

“Ah, I see.” He glanced at his arm and then back to her.

“Is this a bear?”

“Yes. I was twenty, when size mattered. Sometimes I wonder if it’s too big.”

“I like it. The clean lines and red accents. It must have taken forever.” She squeezed the muscles, studying the bird across his shoulder.

“Not as long as you might think. I knew exactly what I wanted. Drew it out myself.”

“Did it hurt?” She couldn’t imagine. She’d barely made it through getting her ears pierced.

“The ones on my back hurt. This was more of a rite of passage.”

“How did you decide what you wanted?”

“I’d been thinking about it for about a year. Totem poles tell a story in Native American culture. The owl is the wisdom of ancestors, the sea turtle represents coming out of the sea, the bear is for learning and the thunderbird means mastering your own life.”

“What’s a thunderbird?”

“A giant bird of our folktales. Thunder is the beating of its wings and lightning is the blinking of his eyes, which can strike anything dead, even whales.”

“So in rock, paper, scissors, it’s the bomb?”

He chuckled. “Pretty much.”

“And the circles on your back?”

“The emblems of the Hansen boats,
Lady Kaya
and
Bragging Rights
.” He tugged gently on her hair so she looked up at him. “But if you’re thinking about getting a peek at them right now, there is something you’ll need to take care of. I don’t think I can lie on my stomach like this.”

“Oh, you poor thing.” She grinned and he rolled her on top of him. She sat up and reached for the last condom. “You’re putting me to work this early in the morning?”

“I’m a hard-driving foreman. We’re just getting started.”