“I know we shouldn’t…but I want that, too. So much.” And they shouldn’t, they really shouldn’t. At least, she shouldn’t if she knew what was smart for her heart, the healing process, and her job. But no matter how she tried to rationalize all the reasons not to fall into Cole’s arms, the harder it got to justify why she shouldn’t. The lines got all blurry while her body simply ached for him more. Maybe it was a sign that she needed to stop overthinking and just let life happen.
God, would her therapist be proud of her.
Cole ran a hand over her cheek, his fingers lifting her chin for a gentle kiss. “You’re right. We shouldn’t. But I’m beyond caring about that right now.” He pushed away from the tree, leaving her bereft and empty. She hated that she felt so damn needy—that she couldn’t seem to shove that need far, far away like she did everything else. Coming to the ranch had loosened her ability to restrain her emotions, and she wasn’t sure how to handle this new
feely
Rylan.
Cole reached for her hand. She took it as he pulled her into an embrace. Desire flushed to the surface of her skin, jacking her heart rate again.
“You really need to stop doing this to me,” she uttered. “My heart is going to give out.”
He nuzzled her neck. “If you think the reasons we should are stronger than the reasons we shouldn’t, keep your bedroom door unlocked tonight.”
Flip, flip, crash
. Her poor, poor heart.
Let life—and great sex—happen.
Great sex, with her boss.
Her brow fell. He’d probably change his mind. And if he did, it would be
fine
. She wasn’t looking for a relationship—the possibility of intimacy with Cole was just a bonus. But if he did change his mind, this heat between them was going to boil over until one of them, maybe both, exploded from the buildup. If he didn’t, they could let it buck and see what happened. He wouldn’t want more than sex, and neither did she. And if he could push past the fact that he was her boss, then it wouldn’t matter to her either. They’d keep it quiet—go about their normal routine with no reason for anything to be different.
Nothing had to change. She didn’t have to get invested in his personal life, just worship his body.
Rylan fingered a lock of hair away from his brow. “It’ll be open.” A gravelly moan came from deep in his throat as he bent down to kiss her. At the same time, his cell phone went nuts. He hesitated before finally pulling away with a curse, his fingers taking their time sliding away from her back.
He read a message. “The vet’s here. I need to get back.” Rylan followed him out from under the tree to where their horses grazed. She mounted, Cole doing the same.
They cantered up and over the hill, leaving the rush of the river behind. Rylan reined up next to him as they slowed to a walk.
“I wanted to tell you… About the things I said last night…” She paused, and he looked over at her. “I’m sorry I spilled my sob story on you.”
Cole’s hand snaked out to grab her wrist, his fingers giving her a tender squeeze.
“Don’t be.” A slow grin hitched one corner of his mouth. The five-o’clock shadow on his angular jaw begged her to reach out and touch it. The blue of his eyes dared her to get lost. “Two things, Rylan. One: you’re an amazing woman with more backbone than half the men I know. Two: the judge was so unworthy of you. It pisses me off to think you wasted one tear on him. Understand?”
A sudden burst of emotion from his praise caused a lump in her throat. She could only nod, smiling like an idiot as they urged the horses into a run toward the ranch.
Chapter Eleven
Handbook, handbook, handbook.
He was going to burn them. Every single one. One hand on her doorknob, his heart pounding, his brain trying to rationalize common sense and failing, Cole turned the knob.
Unlocked.
Just as she’d said it would be. Anticipation flooded him as he pushed the door open and entered Rylan’s room. He’d pull off his plan and they’d talk, lay some ground rules. Decide what would happen between them and what wouldn’t. If the lines were crystal clear, his heart, his ranch, and his daughter wouldn’t be at risk.
Cole ran his hand along the curve of Rylan’s waist as she lay in bed. Her body was sleep-warmed and tantalizing under his palm. Sliding in next to her was so damn tempting, but he had different plans. He didn’t want to risk interruption and wanted Rylan to be comfortable enough to enjoy every second of what he had in mind. She’d never let loose under this roof.
She moaned and shifted as he slipped the quilt off her body. Cole lifted her easily, and her head lolled against his shoulder. She sighed as her eyes fluttered open. He whipped a small blanket over her and strode to the door. She tried to sit in his arms, her hands grabbing his shoulders as though she might fall.
“Just be still.” He kissed Rylan’s temple as she came fully awake.
“What the hell is this?” Her breathy voice made his heart leap.
“Me kidnapping you.”
He followed the hall around the kitchen to the back door. Outside, the warm summer breeze rippled the ends of her hair across his face. She tried again to sit up, gasping when she saw his horse waiting by the back porch. Flickers of surprise and joy and want crossed her face, and to his relief, not a single sign of hesitation. Still, he had to be sure. His lips found the hair just above her ear.
“You can tell me to stop right now.”
Tell me to stop before I lose myself in you.
“Don’t stop.”
Cole set her in the saddle and swung up behind her. His hand found her chin to turn her his way for a soft kiss before his arms banded around her, and he kicked the horse into a canter. Her hips rocked back against his groin as her body softened against his. Perfection. He couldn’t wait for more.
Moonlight beamed a silver path through the darkness, and Cole’s horse went easily across the flat and over the hills. The war in his head over the sanity of letting this happen between them made peace with itself, leaving him to enjoy having her in his arms, her head against his chest. Her face lifted at the first sparkle of golden light. She sat a little straighter, her hands looped around his neck as the luxury tents came into view. He’d come out here earlier and prepared the farthest tent on the left. Strands of light over the front peak were lit, the door flap open so the kerosene lamps inside cast flickering light into the night.
Rylan’s excited intake of breath made sneaking up here totally worth it.
“Surprised?” He palmed hair away from her forehead and ran his fingers down the silky strands.
“Yes.” Rylan shivered. He ran his hands over the bare length of her arms before jumping down to open the gate. He led the horse through, latched the gate again, and willed his heart to slow down as the horse followed him to the tent. His gut was in knots when he reached for her, pulled her down into his arms, and kissed her. Her hands clenched on his shoulders as he took her mouth hard and deep. Waiting was no longer an option.
Rylan pulled back. “Take me inside.” When her fingers fumbled with the top button on his shirt, Cole couldn’t move fast enough. He carried her up the steps and inside, setting her down at the foot of the bed. Awash in the soft light, Rylan was sexier than any woman he’d ever seen or could have imagined—nightshirt clinging to her curves, her hair messy and loose, lips swollen from his kiss. Even sexier was how she looked at him and didn’t stop, not even to look around the tent he’d remembered she loved so much.
She was focused on him alone, and it inflamed him to near combustion.
He gently pushed her backward, their eyes connected in a battle of passion and restraint. The sound of crickets and rustling leaves mixed with the sound of Rylan’s heavy breathing. The music made his groin ache. He watched her lips, focused on the rise and fall of her chest to keep his passion under control.
He pushed her back another step until her ass pressed against the foot of the bed. His hand slid against her thigh as she moved back, glided up to the curve of her hip—the naked curve.
“No panties,” he said with the arch of one brow. Rylan in bed, nightshirt hiked up to her belly, naked underneath—
She grabbed the back of his head with one hand, his fantasy coming to life in her words. “I was dreaming about you and they got in the way.”
Jesus. Christ. His cock swelled as he pulled her against him. “Fuck.”
“Yes, please.” Her nipples pebbled against his chest, her head tipping back, leaving the column of her smooth throat open to his lips. Cole’s mouth burned to taste her.
Not yet
.
He whipped off his hat and threw it across the room. He lightly gripped her wrists, pressing her between the bed frame and his body. Her thighs were hot against his. Knowing she was naked under that shirt made him wish he could blink and make his own clothes disappear so he could be naked and tangled with her, long legs wrapped around him, pulling him in.
Soon.
“What do you want from me?” Cole gripped her arms tighter. Her expression was sultry, lips slightly parted and eyes wide with a dark haze that turned them the color of campfire smoke. She didn’t display a lick of inhibition—instead she radiated the pure sexuality of a woman who knew what she wanted.
“I want you to kiss me…everywhere.” She squirmed. A thread of resolve snapped, and he dipped his head to place little kisses over her jaw. She inhaled a sharp breath, pressed her breasts up against him.
“No.” He nibbled her ear. “What do you want besides this? Besides sex?” Hell, what did he want? When his mind was quiet and let him dream, he wanted the slide of her hand in his palm, the sound of her voice filling his home, the exquisite warmth of her body in his bed each night. Yet every time he awakened to the real desires of his heart, the betrayals of the past made the idea of ever falling in love again a dark, terrifying notion.
Rylan’s lashes fluttered. “What do you mean?”
Cole licked the outer shell of her ear as her body stretched out beneath him. “What do you
want
, Rylan?” Leaning back, he appreciated the beautiful swell of her breasts with their hard, dark-rose nipples. Shit, the way they tasted on his tongue. His mouth trailed along her neck, stopping to trace her collarbone. His free hand caressed her ribs and the side of her breast through the shirt.
She shuddered hard. “Can’t we just have this?”
Bingo.
It was all the cue he needed. He found the bottom of her shirt and pulled it up, smoothing the fabric up over her hips to her ribs, watching as each movement brought more of her incredible figure into his view. She didn’t hesitate to raise her arms as he bared her breasts—holy shit, they were perfect—and pulled the shirt free from her body. Cole cupped her breasts and thumbed both taut nipples. She bucked hard against him. Damn, she was so ready. Cole wanted to replace his fingers with his lips, but he knew the minute that little pebble was in his mouth, he’d come undone.
“This is all I can offer you.” Cole took her hand and led her around the bed, following her as she lay back, putting one knee between her thighs, and bracing himself on his arms. The inky darkness of her hair spread over the lace pillow, her golden skin shimmering in the candlelight.
“This is all
I
can offer you. Experiencing you is all I want.” Her hands found the buttons on his shirt. His cock pulsed so hard he clenched his teeth against the pain.
His lips found her jaw. “I’m an experience?”
“Are you kidding me? Do you even look in the mirror?” Rylan tipped her chin, her luscious lips begging for his kiss. “You’re gorgeous, strong, and sexy. The way you take care of Birdie, your dedication to your family and this ranch. What woman wouldn’t want to experience you?” She leaned up, but Cole couldn’t let her go. He traced her cheek with his fingers, the ache in his chest unfamiliar and excruciating. It didn’t just hurt—it clenched and milked the essence right out of him.
He needed to put himself back into place. “Just blowing off steam.”
“Yes.”
Rylan grabbed big handfuls of his hair and arched up for his kiss. His lips slammed into hers, taking possession of her mouth the same way he knew she could easily take his heart. She was kindhearted, caring, and real. He didn’t want to be putty in her hands but he was. He completely was, and this “blowing off steam” bit might be harder to rein in than he’d thought.
Her body was all soft curves and heat-flushed skin under his hands, the perfect fit against his palms. Rylan pulled him down so hard he had no choice but to comply. Cole sank into her, holding himself up with one hand while the other traced every inch of her he could reach. His tongue slid along hers, warm and wet, nipping the tip gently until she moaned and pulled him even closer. He wanted to feel her mouth on him. Streaks of heat stroked his ribs as she pulled up his shirt, her fingertips racing along his sides. He’d barely pulled the shirt off when her hands were on his jeans, working the button. Cole grasped her hands.
“Sweetheart, slow down,” he drawled. “I want to take my time.”
She shook her head, eyes wide and smoky silver. “No. I want you now.”
Rylan stretched like a cat, her glorious body inviting and open. Cole slid out of his jeans, remembered to dig a condom from the back pocket before they fell to the floor. He knelt between her legs, relishing the tremor that went through her as his hands ran up the insides of her thighs.
“I’m going to make you wait,” he teased. “And you’re going to lie here and enjoy it.”
“But—”
Cole kissed her long and hard. “One more word and I’ll leave you naked and wanting.”
She shivered. “Yeah, righ—”
“Naked. And. Wanting.” Cole bent to her belly and swirled little circles there with his tongue. She squirmed, her hips shifting as he worked lower until his mouth rested right above her curls.
The night was quiet and wrapped them in the heady scent of pine and sage. It was perfection. She was perfection. He was looking forward to wrapping her in his arms and holding her all night as much as he wanted this, right now. By the time the night found morning, he’d be so far gone from the exquisite feel of her body he’d need a map to get back.
Her curls were soft and tickled his fingers as he ran a hand between her legs. She arched, her fingers winding in his hair. He’d meant to torture and tease her, but he was gently parting her and dipping his tongue inside her intense heat before he could stop himself. Rylan cried out, holding his head tightly while her legs went wide. She was so wet and sweet and exactly what he’d imagined. Her clit was hard and swollen when he loved it with his tongue. Cole’s hands moved from her hips to her breasts, teased her nipples in time with his tongue until she shook and raked her short fingernails over his scalp.
He loved her nub with flat, purposeful strokes, finding the pressure, the rhythm that made her tense and shiver. The sensual slide of her body beneath him inflamed the desire he’d been holding back since the first day he’d seen her drinking coffee on the porch in the morning sunlight. Cole ran his hands down the length of her body, cupping the backs of her thighs. He brought her legs farther apart as his tongue stroked hard down her center. His name flew from her lips in a deep, shuddering sigh.
“Cole!”
God, he loved how she said his name. Her hands pressed against his temples as she urged him up. Cole tilted a glance at her, a wicked need pounding in his chest. Her face was flushed, her eyes heavy and lost, and it drove home every moment he’d waited to have her this way. He pushed up on his arms and grazed his body over hers, his length sliding along her center. Rylan’s hands stroked his chest, his shoulders, her fingers drawing sparks everywhere she touched.
A flutter trailed over his middle as her fingers traced his skin right before her palm went flat and smoothed down, until she held him in one fast, hard grip. Cole jerked as she made an appreciative sound low in her throat. Rylan’s hand began to stroke him with torturous, slow movements.
She made little circles with her thumb over his tip. Cole put his head to her chest, his back arched to press his hips deeper against her hand.
“Now, please. Now.”
Her plea broke him. Cole flipped her onto her belly, one arm supporting her middle as he drew her onto her knees. His right hand moved between her legs, finding the pressure and rhythm that had sent her into a spiral before while he ripped open the condom packet with his free hand and teeth. Rylan looked at him over her shoulder, backed up against him with a moan, lowering her upper body. The invitation pushed him over the last edge of restraint. Her silky hair spread around her shoulders, the rusty red highlights flickering in the candlelight as he grabbed a handful and slid inside her. She pressed back against him, her sex tensing and quivering around him, urging him faster. Within her fully, Cole dipped his forehead to her back, forcing his hips to hold so he could absorb every electric shock rocketing through him.
Rylan’s moans of urgency turned to fast, seductive pants as he worked her clit with his fingers. Her soft flesh heated under his touch, grew wetter as she shuddered violently.
“Please!” The word dripped off her moans. Cole pulled back, clenching his eyes at the sensation of his cock moving through the velvet of her soft heat. Teasing her, loving the tension rolling off her tight muscles and flushed skin, Cole held his tip precariously close to leaving her completely. She uttered something that sounded a lot like begging. Her need thrilled him, tortured him, and he fucking loved it.