Cowboy All Night (Thunder Mountain Brotherhood, Book 5) (12 page)

She trembled beneath him. “Nearly there.”

He thrust up and in. “How’s that?”

“Yes, more.”

He held her gaze and gave her what she asked for. Her eyes darkened and her body hummed as he thrust in again and again and—

“Now!”

He pushed hard and she exploded. The tremors set off a chain reaction and his cock responded with a climax that seemed to go on forever. Gasping, he buried his cock in her pulsing body and rested his forehead against her shoulder.

So good. So damned good. He’d known loving her would be special, but he’d never imagined a sensation like this. As she came and he came, the world sparkled and fizzed like a million bottles of champagne all opened at once.

She held him tight and he loved that. She wasn’t off on some private rocket ship enjoying the show all by her lonesome. She was sharing this experience with him. That was a gift he didn’t take lightly.

When their breathing eventually slowed, he propped himself up on his forearms and looked down to see how she was making out.

She gazed up at him and grinned. “I’m gonna want to do that again.”

He laughed, but he felt some pride, too. She’d enjoyed the experience he’d helped create. Apparently she’d enjoyed it a lot. “Maybe we should take a break and eat some of that pie you brought.”

“I had to guess at what you liked.”

“What’d you bring?”

“Cherry.”

He smiled down at her. “You have just become the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Cherry pie is my absolute favorite. How did you guess that?”

“I used my psychic powers.”

“Apparently.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Be right back.”

When he returned from the bathroom she was out of bed and wearing his shirt. It hung to mid-thigh so he couldn’t tell if she’d put on her panties or not. But a quick glance at the clothes they’d both tossed on the floor gave him the answer. Not.

She glanced at him with a cute little smile. “Do you mind?”

“Do I mind that you’re standing there looking sexy as hell wearing my shirt and nothing else? Yeah, I hate that.”

“I know you said I shouldn’t wear clothes at all, but this works better for me and it still makes everything...easy.” She rolled back the sleeves.

He pretended not to understand. “Like for eating pie?” He pulled on his briefs and jeans because somebody had to go fetch it and he wasn’t expecting her to.

She laughed. “Yeah, like for eating pie.” She gathered up her clothes and began folding them.

“Might be even easier if you took off the shirt, though.” He zipped his pants and decided he’d walk outside barefoot. The fewer things he had to put on and take off the better. “Then you wouldn’t have to worry about spillage.”

“I’m a very neat eater.”

“That’s too bad.” He watched as she set the folded pile of clothes on the dresser and the boots beside it. He wasn’t surprised that she liked things tidy. They were alike in that. He would have picked up his clothes except he was wearing half and she was wearing the other half.

She turned to him. “You like messy eaters?”

“Under certain circumstances.”

“Such as?”

“Eating cherry pie naked.”

12

W
HILE
B
RANT
HOBBLED
outside in his bare feet to get the pie, Aria explored her surroundings. Damon Harrison, one of the original Thunder Mountain boys and a master carpenter, had joined forces with his equally competent fiancée, Philomena Turner, to build the place for Cade. Damon’s and Phil’s combined talents with tools had created a beautiful little cabin.

The bedroom had a rustic look with an elegantly carved headboard depicting the Big Horn Mountains. The lamps on the bedside tables were frosted glass globes on wooden bases, a modern replica of an old-fashioned gas lamp design. She’d been rushed in here so fast she’d barely noticed the headboard or the lamps.

Heading down the hall toward the main part of the cabin, she discovered that the floor plan was simple. Living and dining areas were combined and a waist-high counter sectioned off the kitchen. Honey-colored wood was everywhere, from the walls themselves to the sturdy wooden furniture.

Aria decided on the spot that when she bought land for her home and cooking school, she wanted a house like this. She walked into the kitchen first and admired the gleaming appliances, all top quality, and the butcher-block countertops. She could have a blast cooking here.

The living area was basic and classy. Thick cushions upholstered in a forest pattern covered all the furniture. A large rag rug anchored the living room, but the hardwood floor was left bare under the oval dining table.

But no one had added personal touches like plants or framed photos. The walls were bare of art, too. As she wondered if Cade had been too busy to choose those things, Brant came through the screen door with the bakery box containing the cherry pie.

“It’s still a little warm on the bottom,” he said. “We could stick it in the oven for a few minutes and heat it back up.”

“Okay.” Aria opened the built-in oven and peered at the immaculate surfaces. “I don’t think this has ever been used. We’d better put some foil or a cookie sheet underneath so it won’t drip all over this pristine oven.”

“Cade wouldn’t care.”

“I’d care.” She searched the cupboards until she found aluminum foil. Judging from the scarcity of pots and pans, she wouldn’t come upon a cookie sheet. “He doesn’t use this kitchen, does he?”

“Doesn’t look like it. He’s never been what you call domestic.”

“Then it’s a good thing he’s planning to take my cooking class with Lexi.” She tore off some foil, placed the pie plate on it and rolled up the edges to keep any overflow from escaping.

“How come?” Brant leaned against the counter, watching her.

“I get the impression she’s looking for an equal partner who’ll share the housekeeping chores. And that usually includes fixing meals.” She slid the pie into the oven and turned it on. “She’d probably be thrilled if he learned to cook and made her dinner here.”

“You know what, I’ll bet you’re right. Maybe I should mention that to him, see what he says.”

“If he’s never thought to do it, and from the looks of this kitchen he hasn’t, that helps explain why Lexi thinks he’s not ready for marriage.”

“Then why doesn’t she just tell him that? Something subtle like ‘You need to learn to cook, bozo.’”

That made her laugh. “I can picture her saying that, too. Maybe she’s hoping he’ll come up with it on his own.”

“Oh. Then I won’t suggest it to him. I might muck it up.”

She sighed. “Who knows? Maybe saying something is a good idea. I shouldn’t be giving out advice.”

His gaze sharpened. “Why is that?”

Shoot. She’d promised herself that her frustrating conversation with Josh wouldn’t spoil tonight. Then she’d gone and made that dumb comment. “Oh, just because I’m no expert.” Her throat tightened unexpectedly and she searched for a distraction. “Let’s see what we have in the way of dishes around here.” She turned and opened a cupboard.

Brant’s response came a beat late, as if he’d taken a moment to assess her mood. “Sounds as if we’re going to get all prissy and civilized when we eat this pie. Next you’ll tell me we need forks.”

She dredged up a smile as she found plates and took them out of the cupboard. “And how were you planning to eat it? With your fingers?”

He closed the distance between them and took the plates from her. Then he set them on the counter and drew her into his arms. “Yes, ma’am. I was hoping you’d serve it to me on your naked body.”

She slid her hands up his muscled chest and laced her fingers together behind his neck. “Goodness, that’s—”

“Right after you tell me what happened with Josh today.”

She met his gaze. “Let’s not get into it.”

“Let’s do.” Holding her gently, he reached up and brushed her hair back from her face. “He’s the reason for Linus being born and the reason I met you. It’s no use pretending that he’s not a player in this drama. I know you were planning to talk to him after you left the ranch this afternoon.”

“I did talk to him.” She pushed the words past the lump in her throat. “But it’s not a cheerful subject.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

“No.”

“You sure?” His solid warmth was reassuring as he continued to look at her in that patient way that was so Brant.

She sighed, uncertain. “No.”

“Then tell me.”

“It’s a long story.”

“I have time.”

She blew out a breath. “Okay, but you should probably know the dynamic.” As she told him about Clara Simpson, she watched his mouth twitch. “You can laugh if you want.”

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but the image of you hiding in the bushes taking pictures...” He grinned and shook his head. “It wasn’t funny to you, though.”

“Actually it was funny after I got older. Then today Josh admitted he’d known about her and hadn’t cared, but because of me he’d felt obliged to end it.”

“I see.” He massaged the small of her back.

“I ruined his first sexual adventure. I feel terrible about messing that up for him. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“And you meant well.” He studied her with his kind eyes.

“That’s what he said today. He knows I mean well this time, too.” She took a shaky breath. “I think he wanted to make the point that I butt in when I shouldn’t and here I am doing it again.” Frustration tightened a knot in her stomach. “Damn it, Brant, this is a
totally
different situation.” She hesitated. “Isn’t it?”

“Definitely. A cute foal prancing around the pasture looks nothing like naked people having sex in the back of a pickup.”

“Okay, so pictures were involved both times, but—” She heard his soft chuckle and peered up at him. “You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”

“Just a little.” He smiled. “Aria, you’re a loving sister who wants the best for your brother. He’s not responding the way you wish he would, but that doesn’t mean he won’t ever come around. Maybe it’s time to back off and see if he’ll come to you.”

“But you said the sooner Linus gets used to the wheelchair the better.”

“I did, but—”

“Besides, if he’d come out to the ranch before the students get here, it would be easier all the way around.” Thank goodness she’d found out he didn’t want to advertise his disabled status to the world. That insight was important.

“But it’s not any good if he comes out reluctantly.”

“Even if he’s reluctant, he’ll change his mind once he sees Linus. I know he will.”

Brant opened his mouth as if to say something. Then he closed it again.

“What?”

“He’s your brother. You know that better than I do.”

“You were going to make a comment, though. I’d like to hear it.”

“Just that we don’t know yet how it will go and if Linus balks at the sight of the wheelchair...that could affect Josh’s reaction.”

“It could.” She understood that much better after Josh’s outburst today. He’d be humiliated if Linus turned out to be afraid of his chair.

“I’ve been wondering if I should rent a wheelchair and introduce Linus to it before Josh shows up. That might be smarter.”

“But what if it’s all for nothing?” The words slipped out and she hated the way they sounded, the way
she
sounded—fearful and despairing. “Forget I said that. I didn’t mean to be negative.” She went into planning mode. “Renting a wheelchair’s a great idea. I’ll see if I can get one in the morning.”

“It’s Sunday.”

“I know the people at the medical supply place and the owner is an early riser. If I send him a text first thing in the morning, he might let me pick one up before I drive out to the ranch.”

“That would be great.” He continued to rub her back.

“I’m glad you had the idea. It’s one more hurdle we can eliminate so that if... I mean
when
Josh comes out, it’ll be smooth. Or smoother. I promise the wheelchair training won’t be for nothing.”

“But for the sake of argument, let’s say I go to the trouble of teaching Linus about wheelchairs and Josh still doesn’t want anything to do with him. I know how much that would upset you, but—”

“It won’t happen. I’ll get him out here.”

“I’m sure you will, but don’t worry that I’ll be upset if he refuses to cooperate.”

She stared at him. “How could you not be upset after putting so much thought and effort into the project?”

“That’s not how I roll. I’d hate to see you get disappointed because I know how much you want this to work out. For me, though, it’s just...life. Linus will have a good start, no matter what.”

She gazed at him, unsure how to respond to an attitude so different from hers. “Don’t you let
anything
get to you?”

“I saw someone mistreating a puppy a few months ago. That got to me, but it was easily settled. I took the puppy.”

“The person just let you do that?”

“As a matter of fact, they did.” He grinned. “That’s where being big as a house comes in handy.”

“Did you keep the puppy?” She imagined this big guy cradling a little puppy and wished she’d been there.

“I move around too much. But I happened to know of a little girl on another ranch whose dog had just died. I checked with her parents to get the okay and now she has him.”

“So you rescued a puppy and consoled a sad little girl.” It was a touching story. As if she needed one more reason to like him.

He shrugged. “You asked if anything got to me and that came to mind.”

“Okay, puppy rescuer, you can eat cherry pie off my naked body.”

“I can? Hot damn! What will you let me do if I saved a kitten from a tall tree?”

“When was this?”

“Never happened. But if that kind of story gives me special treatment, I’m sure I can dredge up another one for more points. Let’s see, there was the time—”

“Save it for later, Sir Galahad.” Laughing, she wiggled out of his arms. “That was the oven timer you just heard. The pie’s ready.”

“You’re right. I should wait until after I claim my first good-guy reward before I hit you up for another one.”

“Smart man.” She found a couple of pot holders in a drawer and took the steaming dessert from the oven. “Incidentally, I’m not clear on how you planned to do this, but I’m not letting you smear pie on me until it cools a little.”

“Gotcha.”

She glanced around for a place to put the pie. She didn’t want to damage either the butcher-block counter or the round wooden table. “Could you grab one of those plates and put it on the table so I don’t scorch the finish?”

“Sure.” He picked up one of the blue pottery plates and set it on the table. “These look brand-new. Not a scratch or a chip.”

“Too bad everything’s going to waste.” She set the pie down.

“Seems like it to me, too. I can’t cook, but when I look at that kitchen, I almost think I can.”

She smiled at him. “Of course you can. You just never had a reason to figure out how.”

“Still don’t.”

“True.” If she’d had a sudden impulse to teach him, she could forget about it. His jobs came with room and board.

He pulled out a chair and gestured toward it. “Have a seat, ma’am.”

“I’m curious as to how you plan to work this without making a god-awful mess.” She took the chair and he scooted her in.

“I’m not sure yet. I’m making it up as I go along.” He sat in the seat next to her. “But that pie smells mighty good.” He broke off a piece of the sugary crust and offered it to her.

“You’re really going to eat it with your fingers?”

“It can be done, you know. Want this piece of crust?”

“You’re welcome to it.”

“Okay.” He popped it in his mouth and chewed. “Mmm-mmm.”

“How do you know it can be done? Wait. I don’t want to hear about you licking cherry pie off some other woman.”

“I’ve never done that before. But a few times the brothers and I raided the kitchen and made off with some leftover pie, which we’d eat with our fingers.” He broke off another section of crust and this time red cherry filling oozed from the jagged opening he’d made. “Now that’s sexy.” He dipped the crust in the filling. “Want this?”

“You go right ahead. This is your fantasy.”

“When we’re done, it’ll be yours, too.” He winked at her. Then he ate the gooey crust with relish and licked his fingers. “Now I’m getting inspired.”

She wasn’t ready to admit it, but so was she. The sight of a half-naked, muscular cowboy eating with his fingers was erotic as hell.

He turned to her. “Let’s take off your shirt.”

“Technically your shirt.”

“Whatever.” He began unfastening the snaps.

“There’s a faster way.” She lifted up so she wasn’t sitting on the shirttails and pulled it over her head. “How’s that?”

“Oh, lady.” His gaze raked over her as she sat beside him. “You have cherry pie written all over you.”

The anticipation in his eyes fired her blood. “When I brought you a pie, I never expected to be wearing it.” Then she had another thought. “If this is such a great idea, why can’t I eat my dessert from your naked body?”

“Want to?”

“Yes, I believe I do. Strip down, cowboy.”

“Okay, I’m game.” Taking off his jeans and briefs revealed that he was more than a little interested in this plan.

She glanced at his rigid cock. “I see a place that needs to be decorated with some cherry pie filling.”