That she’d found an incredible man was just an unexpected prize in the Cracker Jack box.
And she wanted to love Cole, to have him love her back. She wanted to let Birdie in. It might take a while, and she’d probably take a few missteps along the way, but she
wanted
it. Even if it meant quitting so Cole wouldn’t be breaking any rules. Rylan’s head snapped up at the thought. Quit? If it meant making things easier, she’d do it—move off the ranch, get a job in Greenbrook if it meant they could work on making their relationship into something more.
He was afraid that she was going to put Birdie through an emotional wringer, and Rylan didn’t blame him. It might even stop him from wanting anything more. She sighed and paired two more socks. This was pointless. Until she knew what he wanted, there was no sense in trying to figure out how to make it work.
Rylan hurried through the rest of the laundry, glancing down at her new red boots. A lump welled up in her throat every time she looked at them. Finally done, she went upstairs to check on Birdie and found her reading with Maeve. A wave of tenderness went through her at the sight of the little girl tucked into her grandmother’s arm.
“You okay if I go outside for a while?” Rylan asked. Maeve smiled, nodded, and waved her away. And then Rylan knew.
Chapter Sixteen
Cole reined his horse in behind the barn and pulled his gloves off finger by finger. Now that his tea party with Birdie was over, he was back to feeling ornery about going to the mountains tomorrow. And he couldn’t get Rylan out of his head. Day or night, it didn’t matter. His thoughts strayed to her with unwelcome frequency. He’d hoped to find someone again one day.
Just not someone with more emotional baggage than he had, that’s for damn sure.
He’d ignored all his own rules and for what?
He wanted to believe he was inching toward another heartbreak, like what he’d had with Livy, but he refused. What he had with Rylan seemed more real, more solid, than what he’d ever had with Livy. Trepidation was still a strong contender in his heart, but what was stronger was the certainty, the odd way that he knew that Rylan was
the one.
If she didn’t feel the same, there’d be no sense in worrying about it a minute longer.
The sky was cloudless and bright, but Cole knew that prettiness could turn deadly in the blink of an eye. They’d encounter snow when they made their climb up to the plateaus hiding in the mountain peaks tomorrow, and knowing Montana in August, she’d probably dump a few inches on them just because she could. If the weather turned shitty, there was no telling how long it might take to get back home. To Birdie.
To Rylan.
Cole’s forehead bunched at the thought just as he looked up and saw Rylan walking toward him. His breath caught, and he knew no matter how much he’d been thinking about her, he wasn’t ready for the rush of emotion making him tingle like a teenager.
She swayed a little as she sauntered over, the skirt of her blue chambray sundress swirling around the tops of her red boots. Her arms hugged a little white sweater close to her body, and her hair hung free around her shoulders like dark malt. Cole nudged his horse to meet her beside the barn. Her brilliant smile about unglued him right then and there.
“Hi.” She walked up to the horse, grabbed the left stirrup and nudged Cole’s foot out. He complied as curiosity burst through him.
“Hi,” he replied cautiously.
“Mind if I come up?” Rylan put her right foot in the stirrup and reached for his right hand. Cole pulled her up as she launched herself into the saddle and sat facing him. His heart fluttered all over the place, nearly choking him with the force of it. He scooted back until his ass hit the back slope of the saddle. Rylan moved in easily, placing her thighs over the tops of his. Hands on his waist, she scooted forward until their pelvises wedged together, and she settled between his body and the pommel. Her sexy smile stole his breath as she hitched her thighs low around his hips.
Cole swallowed hard, his cock jumping to life at their fusion. “What are you doing?”
Rylan leaned in until her cheek brushed the side of his neck. Her arms slipped beneath his to embrace him, and Cole’s blood roared. He glanced around, relieved to find they were alone. Trying to explain the “no fraternizing with employees rule” when Rylan was spread-eagled over his lap would be a little hard to do.
“Is there somewhere we can go?” she whispered, her lips brushing his earlobe once, twice before she took it between her teeth. “We have unfinished business.” Rylan gripped his left hand and placed it on her thigh just beneath her skirt. She leaned back to look into his eyes, and Cole knew he was completely lost. He could barely breathe. She could do whatever the hell she wanted and he wouldn’t say a word. She slid his hand up her silky leg, under the skirt and up, up until he cradled her round hip and followed the soft, panty-free curve of her ass. He searched her gaze as he felt her nakedness underneath. They did have unfinished business, but he’d imagined them talking about it, sorting it out. Rylan’s plan was so much better.
“Rylan.” Her name came out as a warning, an invitation, and a question all rolled into one. She touched his lips with one finger. A wild flame lit inside him with such intensity, he was tempted to throw her on the ground and fuck her right there. Cole paused for a breath, then another.
Rylan’s fingers raked along his ribs. “Please?”
He couldn’t deny her. Cole grabbed the back of her head and ground their lips together. Rylan moaned beneath the fury of his kiss, her short nails digging into his back. She pulled away to smile at him, and the desperation he experienced at the loss of her lips really was ridiculous. Her hands cupped his face, and she kissed him softly, lightly at first. Then longer, with growing pressure and full-bodied heat that made Cole sink into himself. The sweet slide of her tongue against his was gut-wrenching, and he wanted more.
Cole’s relaxed his grip, feeling anxiety morph into a delectable, deep ache. Her fingers flitted over his cheek, taking time to smooth over the planes of his face and curl under his jaw before branding fire down his neck. He pulled away from her lips, looped an arm firmly around her waist, and pulled her tight into him. One swift kick of his heels and the horse was off, taking him away from every reason he had to stop this now.
Rylan put her cheek on his shoulder and clung to him as they raced away. Time and miles passed with her soft breasts pressed against his chest, her strong arms curved around him in a warm embrace. The smell of her hair, the feel of her thighs on top of his—it was too much but not enough.
Cole slowed the horse as they came to the edge of a prairie lined with towering pines. Rylan reached for him as soon as the horse slowed to a walk, kissing him deeply, her lips seeking, tongue demanding. Her hips swayed in time with his to the gelding’s gentle, lazy walk. Cole slid his hands under the dress, gripping her full hips with both hands and pulling her in tight, pelvis to pelvis. He was so hard and sensitive the contact of her body over his erection had him nearly careening off the horse. Her fast intake of breath when she settled over his cock didn’t help. Cole threaded his fingers through her hair, made fistfuls. Her kisses turned softer, and he let her lead, wanted to follow so he knew just what she wanted. Just when he thought she was going to be gentle, Rylan crushed him in a bruising kiss—punishment of the most delicious sort.
Cole cupped her face and pulled back. Before this went any further, he wanted her to know that he understood her reservations, and how much he wanted to help her get past them.
“I’m humbled that you shared your past with me, Rylan.”
Her hands came up to his wrists. “You are?” Cole cut her off with a kiss. Her hands slid to his chest, fingers tugging the buttons of his shirt, her movements desperate. As though she couldn’t wait to get her hands all over him. Hell, he couldn’t wait. Pulling back from her hips, he grabbed her wrists to stop her from tearing his shirt free. He was on the edge of so many things right now—falling deeper for her, falling into the dreams of family and peace he had at night. Not knowing if her heart would ever be big enough for his daughter, though, held Cole right there on the crumbly precipice.
He brought her right hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, flipped her hand and trailed hot kisses over her palm. Her chest heaved with soft little pants, and when he loosened his grip on her, Rylan’s arms went right back to his shirt, ripping it from his chest.
Cole groaned, pulling her sweater off and tucking it behind the saddle with his shirt. The straps of her sundress lowered easily. Rylan simply shrugged the straps off and the dress fell to her waist. He exhaled in a rush at the sight of her full breasts, dusky nipples hard and ready for his touch. He palmed them both, squeezing and kneading the round flesh, awed by how incredible she felt in his hands. Rylan arched her back and leaned into him. Her fingers toyed with the back of his neck, running up into his hair and back down over his skin. Cole dipped his head to kiss her neck, her collarbone, and over her chest.
He pressed her back lightly, just enough that he could lift one breast in his hand. He took her nipple in his mouth, pulling it in deep. His brain rejoiced at the remembrance of her taste on his tongue. Rylan moaned, and his cock jumped in response. The taste of her skin made his tongue dance, the scent of vanilla perfume wrapping around him in sexy notes. He suckled the hard nub, pulling it gently with his teeth before swirling his tongue in slow circles. The steady motion of the horse rocked them both, Rylan’s body swaying gently.
Cole shifted his attention to her other breast, lavishing it with kisses as her hands began a slow exploration of his body. A fluttery touch traced his pecs and over his abs, sliding around to the muscles of his back. Nails scraped over his spine and side, curving around his waist and back to his belly.
Cole’s mind clouded with the density of complete and primal need. He grabbed Rylan’s hips and tipped them up, encouraging her legs to relax so her thighs could fall farther apart. His lips found the soft curve where her neck sloped into her shoulder as he dipped one finger inside her. She was slick and hot and bucked so hard at his touch that Cole had to hold her tighter to keep her from falling. Intently, Cole ran his finger down her clit and back up, then again and again as Rylan melted in his arms. Her head rolled back, hands gripping his shoulders to keep steady.
“Cole!” Her eyes flew to his, and he grabbed her gaze as he pleasured her. He wanted to see every nuance cross her expression. A heavy veil of ecstasy clouded her eyes but she didn’t look away. Rylan’s eyelids twitched, her kiss-swollen lips parted in an expression of bewilderment that rocked him. He swore and stroked her faster so he could watch her come undone. He wanted to kiss her, hold her close, run his mouth down the length of her. But the craziness of doing
this
on the back of his horse left his brain cataloging all the things he’d do to her when they had more space, more time.
Rylan leaned back as far as she could, using his shoulders for support, her legs braced around him and her lower back pressed against the saddle horn. He felt a slight tremor in her thighs as her hips rose to meet his touch. Each movement of her pelvis rubbed against his cock, sending electric shocks through him. She was bared to him save for the bunched dress around her middle, the sight of her full breasts and open thighs the beauty of his dreams. But she was here, in his arms, coming under his hand, begging him with her body for more. Oh, and he’d give her more. Fuck, he’d give her anything right now just to see the passion cross her face over and over.
Her head flew up, and she crushed into him with a cry. Cole embraced her with his free arm, cradling her against his chest as her thighs clenched. Her body closed around his hand as deep, tangible tremors pulsed through her and quivered against his fingers.
“God, Cole!” Rylan’s eyes closed, her head falling back just enough that he could see her expression as the orgasm rocked her. He’d never seen anything so sexy in his life. Before he could catch his breath, before he could think, her hands were unbuttoning his jeans and sliding the zipper down. His cock sprang free into her hand. Rylan rolled the tip between her fingers before stroking his length.
“Jesus,” she said, palming him and wrapping her hand around him. “I want this now. Right now, Cole.” He opened his jeans as far as they would go and hitched her up by her hips. With a frustrated growl, he stopped.
“No condom.”
It took her a second to process why he’d stopped, her lips curved in protest. Then a flutter of her eyelashes. “I’m on the Pill.” Their eyes caught and held. The reassuring nod she gave him was all he needed.
“Bend your knees over my thighs.” Supporting her with his hands, Cole helped Rylan straddle him. She settled over him, meeting his eyes as he brought her down, his cock driving into her slowly, inch by inch. He bit his lower lip to keep from crying out. She was tight and slick, her sex stretching around him and cradling all of him until he was buried to the base. Rylan’s arms encircled his neck, her cheek hot against his. Cold shocks scattered over his body like a spray of ice water that froze and burned on contact.
“Wait,” he growled. God knew he needed a minute. “Feel the horse. Let it rock you.” Cole held back the nearly uncontrollable urge to thrust. He took a deep breath, felt her relax. Goddamn, she felt so good. He sank into the rocking of the horse’s gait, feeling Rylan’s hips do the same. When he knew she had her balance, Cole gently lifted her hips, bracing himself as he brought her back down. Her hands gripped his shoulders for support as she settled into the sway of the horse. Her body found a rhythm, moving tortuously slowly up and down his shaft. Their motions were a little awkward in the cramped saddle with his jeans and her skirt in the way, but it was perfect. It was goddamn perfect.
He brought a hand to her hair. Rylan’s head was tilted back, her lips parted and eyes closed with a flushed abandon that squeezed his heart. He wanted her to have every sweet sensation possible, didn’t want that look to ever leave her face. He ran his fingers through her hair, left her just that amazing way.
Her body tightened around him, the cadence of her passion music to his ears. He must have made music of his own because she rode him faster, deeper, grinding down and encouraging him with perfect timing until his cock swelled so hard it rippled with pleasure-pain. Her face tipped down; she caught his eyes, her perfect pink lips quivering.
Rylan cried his name and he lost it. He gripped the back of her neck with one hand, the other digging into her hip, holding her steady as he thrust up hard and pulsed into her body. Cole’s mind went black with the force of his body releasing in hard, rocking waves. Rylan’s soft murmuring brought him back to the sweet reality that he was still buried inside her. She snuggled up against him, warm and soft. The horse stopped and they held each other, chest to chest, breath to breath.