Secret-Santa Cowboy: The Buckskin Brotherhood Read online

  Something he was holding pressed against her back. He broke away. “Let me get rid of the flashlight.” After setting it on the floor, he pulled her back into his arms with a groan.

  Their kiss took a while. The more it heated up, the less she was inclined to move from this spot. His talented mouth and strong arms erased her anxiety and replaced it with eager anticipation. By the time he lifted his head, she’d softened like wax to a flame.

  Breathing fast, he brushed his lips over hers. “Thought you were gonna wait in your bedroom.”

  “Not when you’re driving through a blizzard. I—” The wind rattled the door. “Leo! The—”

  He spun toward it, slammed his palm against the surface and twisted the deadbolt. “Damn.” He turned back to her. “Forgot.”

  “So did I. Quick reflexes, there, mister.”

  “Thanks. Good thing we didn’t go straight upstairs. You would have had a royal mess down here.” Taking off his hat, he ran his fingers through his hair. “Once I start kissing you, I can’t seem to stop. I just… forget everything else.” He sounded bewildered by his lack of control.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  He was silhouetted against the faint glow coming from the Moose. “It’s definitely a compliment.” His tone softened. “Scares me some, too.” A hint of vulnerability crept into his voice. “I’ve never…” Sighing, he shook his head. “I swear this isn’t a line. The truth is, I’ve never felt like this.”

  “Maybe because I didn’t call you back?” She said it gently but wanted to put it out there.

  “That’s not the reason.”

  “I doubt you’re used to that reaction.”

  “I’m not, but—”

  “I honestly didn’t mean to present you with a challenge.”

  “I know you didn’t. On the other hand, I’ve never worked so hard to…”

  “Get a woman into bed?”

  His shoulders hunched as if he’d winced. “I hope you don’t think that’s my only goal.”

  “Not your only one, but making love to me must be very important, or you wouldn’t have driven through a blizzard to—”

  “Point taken.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll admit I thought about it all the way here. I’m thinking about it now. I want you. I ache for you, Fi. But if I need to hold off to prove I care about more than sex… we can sit and talk, instead.”

  She blessed the shadows that hid her smile. “That wouldn’t work for me.”

  He was silent for a moment. “Okay, if you want me to leave, I can probably make it over to Nick and Eva’s place. They—”

  “I don’t want you to leave.”

  “You don’t?”

  “I want you to come upstairs and make love to me.”

  He exhaled. “Thank God.” He started toward her and stopped. “I don’t want to drip snow all over the place.” Returning to the door, he leaned against it, took off his boots and left them on the doormat. Then he left his damp hat on top of his boots.

  Finally he scooped up the flashlight. “Want this on?”

  “Don’t need it.” She held out her hand. “I can make it upstairs blindfolded.”

  He laced his fingers through hers. “Then lead the way. But it’ll be handy if we need it.”

  “I only have a queen. I think you’ll be able to find me without a flashlight.” She guided him to the back of the store.

  He laughed. “Not crazy about the flashlight?”

  “From what I could see, it’s a big one.”

  “Yep. This baby can light up a room.”

  “But the universe has gifted us with a blackout. Don’t you think that’s interesting?”

  “Sure, until I stub my toe.”

  “I’ll make sure you don’t.”

  “This thing has a dimmer switch. We could keep it turned down.”

  “But wouldn’t you rather embrace the mystery of the darkness?” She started up the stairs.

  “I’d rather embrace you without crashing into things.”

  “But then you’re not really experiencing a blackout. Making love in total darkness.” She couldn’t wait.

  “Never done that.”

  “Me, either, but I’m sure it’s possible.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Two blind people can make love.”

  “But they’re used to the situation. Their other senses are more developed.”

  “This stairwell is very dark. You haven’t stumbled once.”

  “I’m following your lead. And I can see a little bit in the light from the Moose. In your room I probably won’t.”

  “You’ll need to use your sense of touch, then, won’t you?”

  He sucked in a breath. “Okay. You have my attention.”

  “And taste.” She shivered in anticipation.

  “Mmm.”

  “And sound. Sound can tell you so much about… what’s going on.”

  “I’m getting the idea.” His grip tightened. “Do you have anything on under your bathrobe?”

  “You’ll find out, won’t you?” She topped the stairs and started toward her bedroom.

  “I hope you’ll let me take it off.”

  “I will. But first I want to undress you.”

  “You do?”

  “Well, duh.”

  “I should’ve known you’d have a plan.”

  “I’ve had time to think about this, too.” Darkness enriched the sound of his voice, sending arrows of sensation pulsing through her. She led him into the bedroom and paused. “Where are the condoms?”

  “What makes you so sure I have more than one?”

  “If you drove through a blizzard and back for one condom, you’re not the man I think you are.”

  “So I have more than one. Do you want to take charge of those?”

  “It’s logical. I know the room. I can put them in the bedside table drawer so we don’t lose them.”

  “We’re not losing them. I have a flashlight.”

  “We should put that somewhere safe, too. You’d better give it to me.”

  “Um, okay.” He handed it to her with obvious reluctance. “Sure is dark. I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”

  “Exciting, huh?”

  “Yes, ma’am, in an unnerving sort of way.”

  “Stay right here while I tuck this away.”

  “Tuck it where, exactly?”

  “Never mind.”

  “Is there a window in here?”

  “I drew the curtains to keep in the heat.” She opened the closet door and set the flashlight inside.

  “You put it in a closet. Which is on my left. Must be a wall there.”

  “See? You’re catching onto the tricks of operating in the dark. While I waited for you, I counted the number of steps between everything in this room.”

  “Which gives you home field advantage.”

  “I know.”

  His chuckle was low and sexy. “You’re a fascinating puzzle, lady.”

  Heart pounding, she drew closer. “Do you like puzzles?”

  “Always have.” Reaching out, he gripped her arm and pulled her close. “Bring it on, Fi.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Love in the dark. Leo handed over the condoms and Fiona transferred them to the bedside table drawer, along with his phone. The rasp of the drawer came from the right and slightly in front of him. If he’d calculated correctly, she stood between him and the bed.

  With all that pacing and planning she’d likely turned back the covers. His jeans pinched something fierce as she pushed his jacket from his shoulders and laid it… somewhere. Could be a chair or dresser to his left.

  His hearing sharpened, focusing on the changes in her breathing and the brush of her fingers as she unbuttoned his cuffs. “I wore one of the ugly shirts.”

  “That’s funny.” Her voice had a smile in it.

  “Yeah. Can’t see it.”

  She took a shaky breath as she started down the row of buttons. “Thank
s for the effort.”

  “Didn’t figure…” He cleared the tension from his throat. “Didn’t figure on a blackout.”

  “It’s the thought that counts.” She tugged the shirt from the waistband of his jeans and reached for the remaining buttons.

  “Just pull it over my—”

  “That’s okay. I’ve got it.” She finished with the buttons, slipped his shirt off and laid it wherever she’d put his jacket. “No T-shirt?”

  “I run hot.”

  Her breath hitched. “Uh-huh.”

  He caught her hands and brought them to his lips. “I’m going crazy, Fi.” He nibbled on the tips of her fingers. “Can you move a little faster?”

  “I’ll try. I’m… kind of shaky.”

  “Me, too.” He placed her hands on the waistband of his jeans.

  After unfastening the button, she worked the zipper down. He gritted his teeth as she edged past his aching cock. With no visuals to distract him, the needs of his package took center stage.

  She paused. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be. Keep going.”

  “Right.” She pushed his jeans to his ankles and he stepped out of them. While she was down there, she pulled off his socks, too.

  In the darkness that enveloped him, she was his touchstone. He was desperate to hold her. Grasping her by the shoulders, he drew her up. “I need to kiss you.”

  “I’m not fin—”

  He captured her mouth, instinct guiding him when eyesight could not. The connection anchored him, filled him with energy and purpose. He’d never craved a kiss the way he craved Fiona’s.

  He pulled her close and the supple material of her robe caressed his bare chest. Sliding his hand to her waist, he loosened the sash. The robe parted. He pushed it off her shoulders and she let it fall.

  Ah. Warm, silken skin. Plump breasts. Dizzy with anticipation, he cupped her breasts and squeezed gently. Her soft moan sent a signal straight to his privates. He lifted his mouth a fraction from hers. “Where’s the bed?”

  “Right behind me.”

  He guided her backward and she tumbled onto the mattress. He followed her down. Slowly massaging her breasts, he nuzzled the hollow of her throat. “Are we at the foot of it or the side?”

  “The… side.” Her breathing was even more ragged than his.

  Good info. He’d reposition them in a minute. But first… cradling her warm breasts in his cupped hands, he trailed kisses from her throat to the taut nipple demanding his attention.

  After a few swipes with his tongue, he began to suck. And Fiona came unglued, gripping his head and digging her fingertips into his scalp. The rich aroma of aroused woman encouraged him to slide a hand between her thighs.

  She was drenched. Accepting the moist invitation, he pushed two fingers deep and began an intimate caress that soon had her writhing against the sheets.

  He kissed his way back to her mouth. “Come for me, Fiona. Let go, pretty lady.”

  With a soft cry, she arched her back and abandoned herself to his touch. As her climax took hold in the velvet darkness, he longed for the light. Just enough to enjoy the rosy flush on her bare breasts, the pink on her cheeks, the glow of pleasure in her green eyes.

  Panting, she sank back to the bed. “Wonderful.” She gulped for air. “So good.”

  He feathered a kiss over her lips. “Only the beginning.”

  “Great… intro.”

  “Glad you liked it. Don’t go away.” Sliding off the bed, he stood and stripped off his briefs.

  Sheets rustled. She was on the move. “I can get the—”

  “Let me. I pinpointed the bedside table when you opened the drawer.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” He took two steps to his right and banged his toe on something solid. “Found the table.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “The table’s just fine.”

  “Your toe.”

  “Could’ve been worse.” He explored the area directly in front of him and discovered a good-sized table lamp with a base of artfully positioned horseshoes. “Could’ve caught something important on your lamp.”

  “Yikes. I forgot about—”

  “Dodged a bullet.” He opened the drawer. “Glad I won’t have to tell the doc I caught it on a horseshoe.”

  Muffled laughter was followed by a choked apology. “It’s not funny.”

  “Sure it is.” He tore open the condom and rolled it over his intact equipment. “Since it didn’t happen.”

  “I was worried about your bare toes. I didn’t think about your bare—”

  “Which extends well beyond my toes.”

  “Clark Leopold Marston, are you bragging?”

  “Just stating the facts.” He turned toward the bed. “Where are you?”

  “I’m here. Come find me.”

  He put his knee on the bed. “In the middle, or did you move all the way over? I don’t want to accidentally—”

  “Come find me.” Her voice lowered to a soft purr. “Follow my voice. Come kiss me, Leo.”

  Climbing onto the bed and robbed of sight, he focused on her breathing. And her body heat. His skin prickled in awareness as he drew near. Her scent drove him wild. He adjusted his direction, leaned down and placed a kiss on her thigh.

  “You missed.”

  “No, I didn’t.” Grasping her knee and coaxing it toward him, he kissed her again, this time on her inner thigh. “You didn’t say where you wanted that kiss.”

  Her breath caught. “Guess not.”

  “Do you have a footboard?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” Moving between her thighs, he stretched out on his stomach, slid his hands under her firm tush and pulled her toward his waiting mouth. “I choose this spot.” And he settled in.

  Her quick gasp was soon followed by a soft cry of pleasure, then a deep throaty moan, the sound of a woman in a very happy place. In moments she was even happier. And calling out his name. He loved that part.

  Her climax was a noisy affair with some salty language thrown in. Some laughter, too. He stayed where he was, savoring the taste of her until her breathing slowed and she stopped trembling.

  “Hey.” Her voice was soft and slightly hoarse. “Come here, you.”

  He trailed kisses up her body as he put himself in position for what his not-so-patient cock wanted. “What can I do for you, ma’am?”

  She cupped his face in both hands and took a shaky breath. “I hesitate to say.” She brushed her thumbs over his cheeks. “Your ideas are spectacular.”

  “Liked that, did you?”

  “If you couldn’t tell, you weren’t paying attention.”

  “Oh, I was paying attention.”

  “I got a little… carried away.”

  “My favorite was when you started laughing.”

  “I couldn’t help it! It felt so damn good. You know how when something is terrific and then it gets even better? And you just have to laugh because it’s so amazing?”

  “I’m not sure I do know.”

  “First time it’s happened during sex.”

  “Oh?”

  She chuckled. “You’re smiling, aren’t you?”

  “Might be.” Grinning like a fool was more like it. He’d given her a peak experience.

  “I could hear it in your voice.”

  “Hm.” Darkness. Who knew it could be so sexy?

  She stroked his chest. “Your heart’s beating fast.”

  “That’s a fact.”

  “You said you wanted it all.”

  “So I did.”

  “I think it’s time.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Dropping his hips, he probed once and pushed deep, sheathing himself in her warmth. He almost came. “Wow.”

  She swallowed. “That’s… very nice.”

  “Understatement.” He sucked in a breath and struggled for control. “I’ll just… stay like this for a bit.”

  “Fine with me.” She slid her hands down
his back and cupped his ass. “Mm, mighty fine.”

  He choked on a laugh. “Thanks.”

  “Darkness rocks. I’m totally focused on you nestled inside me.” Her core muscles tightened.

  He gasped. “Fiona…”

  “Let yourself come, Leo. Don’t hold off like some macho guy. Enjoy yourself.”

  With a groan of surrender, he began to thrust. Cocooned with Fiona as the storm howled outside, welcomed by the moist tension of her warm sheath as he pushed deep again and again, he reveled in a world saturated with pleasure.

  As the sensations intensified, she urged him on, rising to meet him, crying out for more. He plunged into her with abandon, letting the glorious friction stoke the fire until he couldn’t hold back any longer.

  Bellowing her name, he buried himself one last time and let go. Her climax milked his pulsing cock as he shuddered in the grasp of a spectacular release.

  Reentry took a while. He gulped for air and trembled in the aftermath as the haze in his brain gradually cleared. “That was… incredible. Better than incredible.”

  “Sure was.” She caressed his sweaty back with lazy movements of her hands. “I’m glad you didn’t get tangled up with a horseshoe.”

  He laughed. “I’ve been waiting for that line.”

  “Really? How come?”

  Leaning down, he gave her a soft kiss. “Just seems like a Fiona thing to say.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “That’s good. Very good.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “I’m in love with the dark.” Fiona lay in a state of bliss, still snugly connected to Leo. “I’ve never felt this sexy in my life.”

  “And I love hearing that.” He gave her another gentle kiss. “But now comes the unromantic part. I need to navigate a route to your bathroom to get rid of the condom.”

  “No worries. I’ll take you.”

  “Sorry, not happening. There are some things—”

  “We’ll be in the dark. Trust me, it’ll work out fine.”

  “That flashlight in the closet would work out fine, too. I’ll dim it down and turn it off the minute I finish with this chore.”

  “You’ll break the spell.”

  “Walking me to the bathroom will be a major spell breaker.”