Heat Wave (27 page)

Our steeds fell into step as the wind and sun carried us away. There was something magical about the warm horseflesh underneath us as the golden fields roared by, a sense of perfection in an imperfect world.

As if they guessed where we would end up, the horses steered themselves to the back field, where the old oak tree that knew us so well stood like a calm green sentinel. We drew to a stop, and Tanner looped the reins of both horses over a nearby post before lifting me down.

Still breathing heavily from the ride, I slid into his arms and we wandered over to the oak. ‘Wow, if this tree could talk …'

‘It would probably say, “Put some clothes on, you randy teens”!'

I laughed, the sound buzzing in the vibrant air around us. ‘No way, Mr Tree! I wouldn't change a thing about the time I've spent under you.'

‘Me or the tree?' My cowboy had a mischievous glint in his eye.

‘Both.'

‘I was hoping you'd say that.' Tanner led me around to the far side of the trunk, where an old tartan blanket lay on the soft grass. It was like stepping back in time
—
except for the bottle of champagne and glasses chilling in a fancy cooler nearby.

Heat suddenly flooded my centre, a soon-to-be-filled need crying out. ‘Why, Mr Tanner! I do believe you're trying to get into my jeans.'

‘You better believe it, missy,' he growled, swiftly scooping my legs out from under me and causing me to squeal in delight.

He laid me on the rug, and our lips found each other, the only sounds around us the soft footfalls of the horses and the buzz of happy bugs. With Tanner's body melding into mine, and my back pressing down into the earth, I felt surrounded in the most blissful way possible. I opened my mouth wider, breathing in his essence, his unique mix of sunshine and earth.

Every part of my body thrummed in anticipation; fluid built in my core as my body wept for his. Tanner groaned low in his throat as my fingers deftly unbuttoned his shirt before tugging it away. Every inch of him was flawless, from his tanned shoulders to his deep abs. I gave thanks every day I was home for Tanner's penchant for going shirtless around the house.

And even greater thanks for his distaste for wearing underwear. Racing ahead, I popped his fly open, sliding sneaky fingers inside his jeans, capturing his hardened length inside my palm. His moan was ragged as he reached down to restrain me. ‘Maddie-girl … my turn first.'

Responding to my need, he dragged my tee over my head, causing me to shiver as my flat belly was exposed to his hands. He traced the lines of my stomach with his rough fingers, dipping into my belly button and skimming the underside of my pretty bra. I whimpered, thrusting my chest towards him, desperate to feel his touch on my nipples.

He bit my lip softly, reminding me that he was in charge for the moment, that my turn would come. I submitted, and as I relaxed back to the rug, Tanner unsnapped my bra and stripped it away in one swift movement. I gasped as my breasts bounced loose, only to cry out as his mouth dipped to close over a swollen nipple.

‘Oh … Tanner …' It was the most I could manage as my insides liquefied, every nerve crackling in exquisite tension. He pulled the taut bud with his lips, then sucked hard, drawing even more blood swirling into my aching areola.

His hands were working on my zip fly, and he released my nipple as he divested me of my jeans. It took a moment for me to realise he'd taken my panties along for the ride, leaving my flaming core exposed to the warm summer air. Immediately, he reattached to my left nipple, nipping at it lightly until it stood as turgid as the right.

I lay beneath him, naked and defenceless, completely under his spell. My back arched, my hips reaching towards him, my head lolling from side to side as he lavished my breasts with attention. My nipples were sending tsunamis of pleasure rolling down my torso, and I felt a burst of wetness between my thighs as my core ached in delicious agony.

Tanner lifted his head and lay beside me, staring into me as his fingers danced lower … and lower … I held my breath as they skimmed over my most sacred folds, my clit already throbbing and ready.

‘Tanner,
baby …
' My throaty moan didn't sound like me; it was the lustful plea of a woman who'd abandoned all her defences.

‘I've got you, girl.' Pinning me to the blanket with his molten chocolate eyes, Tanner didn't let me escape from myself. As he stared into my soul, he spread me delicately, and I mewed as a fresh breeze threaded its way along my boiling core.

His fingers parted my lips, my desire flowing freely. For an age, he gazed into me, telling me the story of our future without speaking a word.

Then, as I almost broke and wept, he tapped his finger firmly against my clit as he brought his lips crashing against mine. Sensation slammed into me like a wall of water, sucking the breath from my lungs as I fell boneless and overwhelmed.

My eyes were closed as Tanner's lips left mine. ‘No,' I moaned helplessly, needing his mouth. When he reconnected, it was between my thighs, his tongue dancing over my scorching seam. ‘Yes!'

I began to weep with ecstasy as my lover traced every inch of my folds with his dexterous tongue. A rolling climax was building and I was powerless to do anything but allow myself to be carried away. As he pulled my clit into his mouth and slid a strong finger inside me, I tipped over the edge. The world detonated around me as I cried out his name to the sky, my core tremoring in spasm after spasm of mind-altering pleasure.

When I finally came back to myself enough to open my eyes, I looked up to see Tanner smiling proudly, his expression filled with love and lust to come. ‘My turn,' I said, raising up on shaky thighs and pushing him down to the blanket. ‘Mine.'

‘Yours,' he agreed, watching me with a heavy lidded gaze as I tore his jeans off. He was magnificent, a marble-cut figure with a silky length pointing skyward. Leaning forward, I gripped him tightly with my fingers, using my thumb to spread the tiny pearl of moisture over his tip.

Tanner melted, handing me the reins to his body. I crawled forward, allowing my nipples to drag up his muscled thighs, then pausing as his shaft pressed between my breasts. Teasing him, I kept moving until I straddled him firmly, the rigid cock poised at my weeping entrance.

I lifted his hands, placing them over my breasts, my nipples sparking in delight against his rough palms as I paused for a long moment. The heat of his length radiated between us, and when I could hold off no longer, I lowered myself on to him.

We both gasped as Tanner pressed inside me. His immense length meant that I always felt as though my passage stretched to accommodate him, and the sensation was blissful, an exquisite fullness. When I finally sat flush against him, a long husky moan escaped me, my eyes rolling backwards.

Slowly, so slowly, I began to rock, allowing Tanner to move inside me. His grip tightened on my tender buds as he said, ‘Maddie-girl … Maddie. Ride me, Maddie. Ride me, girl.'

Answering him, I shifted my weight faster, in controlled abandon. Sweat beaded along my thighs as I ground against him, our flesh slick and scalding. I reached for Tanner's biceps, pulling on his rock-hard arms for leverage, and as my pelvis shifted, his shaft hit just the right angle.

‘Tanner, oh
God!
' A second, more intense orgasm was building like a dark itch inside me. Thrusting faster still, I released myself, and the climax washed through me in wave after wave of explosive pleasure.

Tanner called out my name, lifting his hips and pouring himself into me. The sweetness of his release caused my body to respond and I screamed as my passages milked him, drawing out every last drop of his pleasure.

On and on, we rocked and rolled, our bodies joined in an ancient rhythm, our souls blended on the same palette. ‘Maddie, Maddie …' Tanner's voice was awash with helpless wonder, the same sensation flowing though me as I collapsed against his chest, completely satiated.

We lay moulded together for an age, allowing the world to revolve around us for a while. When Tanner made a move to slip out from inside me, I growled. ‘Where are you going, cowboy?'

He kissed me lovingly. ‘It's going to fall out eventually, darlin'.'

‘I bet I can convince him to harden up again.' I grinned. I reached between us and stroked him, and sure enough, his shaft was already semi-firm again.

Tanner laughed. ‘I bet you can, but I want to save something for later. After all, we might have something to celebrate.'

He pulled on his jeans, making the simple act of getting dressing like a hot, reverse striptease. Resigned, I stood and shucked on my clothes as well. ‘You can't blame a girl for trying. Hey, what do you mean, celebrate?'

As I turned back to my cowboy, I noticed the way he was kneeling, and the look of pure love and hope across his face. Fingers shaking, he extended a small box up towards me. ‘Maddie-girl, my first and only love … will you marry me?'

A vision hit me, as clear as the delicate band of diamonds and moonstones in front of me. I saw the field around us, covered with tables and fairy lights. Our friends and family sat laughing and conversing, drinking from flutes.
Our wedding.

Greg and Sumara would be there, her belly tight with the baby they'd conceived after their wedding on the beach in Fiji only a month after we'd left the ship. Ricky would be in flying form, trailing around after my mother, his new muse, and she'd be lapping up his adoring attention, regaling him with stories of the Middle East and her exotic ways.

Mama Ruby would sit off to the side, watching us all with a knowing expression, keeping an eye on proceedings. Natalie would sit across from her, gas-bagging, the makeup artist a welcome guest. In the days after filming wrapped, she'd visited us on the island and fallen to her knees in apology from what Callie had tricked her into doing. We'd talked for hours, making peace, and making friends along the way.

Tara and Clara would dance wildly, their loving husbands watching from their table, minding bags and babies. Lars and his girl would sneak off to make out in the tall grass, while Callum would be smooth-talking some pretty young waitress.

Maybe Maxine might even be there. I could just about picture her standing beside the bar, looking aloof. Perhaps one of the local famers might ask her to dance, and she'd blink in utter surprise before accepting. A smile would cross her features as she'd take his hand and follow his lead in time with the music that would be echoing across the Texan night sky.

And in the middle of the dance floor, I saw Tanner and I rocking to a romantic tune, his arms interlocked around my white lace-wrapped waist, my head resting rapturously on his shoulder. And maybe I might trip once or twice on the long train of my dress, but I'd simply laugh and get up and keep going, because that was what life was supposed to be like.

As the vision faded, I turned to my cowboy, who waited patiently with adoring eyes, and gave him the answer we both knew was coming. ‘Yes.'

Thanks for reading
Heat Wave
. I hope you enjoyed it.

If you'd like to know more about me, my books, or to connect with me online, you can visit my webpage
katejsquires.com.au
, or like my Facebook page
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You've just read a book in my
Real Heat
series. The other book in this series is
Taking the Heat
.

This book was published by Escape Publishing. If you'd like to sample some more great books from my fellow Escape Artists, please turn the page.

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