Secret-Santa Cowboy: The Buckskin Brotherhood Read online

  “No, it won’t. When we get in there, I’ll hand you my little wastebasket. Easy peasy.”

  “I like to wash up after—”

  “I’ll do it for you.”

  “I’d rather handle that myself.”

  “Why not let me handle it? A little warm water, a soft washcloth. Could be nice.”

  “Oh.”

  She smiled as their connection down below tightened a fraction. “Want to consider my plan?”

  “Guess so.”

  “Then wait by the bed and I’ll be your guide.”

  He eased away from her and the mattress shifted as he got up. “Do you want your robe? It’s right here by my feet.”

  “No, thanks. Just nudge it aside.” Rolling to the edge, she used his breathing to gauge where he was standing. She climbed out. “I’m on your left.”

  “I know. You’re giving off lots of heat.” He reached for her hand and wove his fingers through hers.

  “You’re not exactly cool, yourself, cowboy.”

  “Not surprising. I was recently plugged into an excellent heat source.”

  “And will be again.” She squeezed his hand. “I’ll head out the door first. Then we’ll turn left. I’ll take it slow.”

  “I assume you’ve counted the steps to your bathroom.”

  “You assume correctly.” She started toward the door.

  He followed behind her. “How big is the bathroom?”

  “Small. Sink and toilet on the left as you come through, shower on the right.”

  “Ever done a trust walk, where you’re blindfolded and someone leads you around?”

  “When I was a kid.”

  “This reminds me of that. Although I wasn’t naked.”

  “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “And here I was hoping something would.”

  She laughed. “I meant nothing bad will happen to you. I’m stepping into the bathroom now. As you follow me, the tile will be cool on your feet.”

  “First cool thing since I walked into this apartment.”

  “Complaining?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Stay there.” She moved all the way to the back wall, picked up the small wastebasket and brought it to him, nudging his arm with the edge. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’ll scoot around you so I can get to the sink.” She hugged the glass door of the shower stall so she wouldn’t interfere with his task.

  “Smells like peppermint in here.”

  “I have peppermint soap.”

  “For Christmas?”

  “Yes. Beth gave it to me.”

  “You took a shower before I arrived, didn’t you?”

  “Uh-huh.” She plucked a washcloth from the towel rack.

  “Too bad I didn’t have time to do the same.”

  “No worries. Got you covered.” She closed the drain and turned on the left tap. “Oh, good. It’s still hot.”

  “So am I.” His arm came around her waist. “I heard something about warm water and a soft washcloth.” He drew her hair back and nuzzled the curve of her neck.

  The velvet brush of his mouth against her skin carried memories that made her quiver. “And that interests you?” She wrung some of the water out of the terry cloth.

  “Very much.” He nipped her shoulder.

  “Step back a little. I need room to work.”

  He moved away and bumped against the glass door. “Found the shower.”

  “Come one step toward me.”

  His breath quickened as he moved closer. “Never thought I’d be so excited by a woman with a washcloth in her hand.”

  “No one’s ever given you a sponge bath?”

  “No one ever offered.”

  “Then let me be the first. I’ll start with your chest.”

  “My chest? I thought you were planning to wash my—”

  “Oh, I am. But I’ll work up to it. Or rather, down to it. Hold still.” She started with his pecs, slowly massaging the warm, damp cloth over his lightly furred chest.

  He gave a low hum of pleasure.

  “I thought you’d like this.”

  “Why?”

  “Your choice when you climbed into bed. A man who decides to please a woman that way… it’s a very sensual impulse.” She put down the washcloth and pulled a hand towel off the rack, paying loving attention to his damp skin before dipping the cloth in the water again and wringing it out. “It indicates a very sensual nature.”

  “Says who?”

  “All the authorities on sexual response.”

  “Name one.”

  “Too many to count.” She began sponging off his taut abs.

  He sucked in a breath. “You’re making this up.”

  “Am I?” She put down the washcloth and picked up the hand towel.

  “Yeah, and I don’t care. That towel is soft, too.”

  “Organic cotton. Like it?”

  He exhaled. “I do. Pretty soon you’ll find out how much.”

  “The sponge bath is turning you on?”

  “You knew it would.”

  “Maybe.” The dark freed her to be more seductive than she’d ever dared. After dunking the washcloth in the water once more, she wrung it out and dropped to her knees.

  His breathing rasped in the small space. When she made contact, he gasped.

  “Too warm?”

  His soft chuckle had a breathless quality. “Too good. Take it easy, please.”

  “I’ll be gentle.” He was fully erect, magnificent in his arousal. She wrapped the warm cloth around his considerable girth.

  “And quick?”

  “Maybe not so quick. I want you to enjoy the experience.” She tenderly stroked the washcloth up, over and around his package.

  “I’m enjoying.” His voice was tight. “I just don’t want to—” He gasped again as she paid special attention to more sensitive areas. “I should have brought the other condom. I want—”

  “That’s for later.” She tossed the terry cloth on the counter, wrapped both hands around all that bounty, and licked moisture from the tip.

  “Fi.” His voice was hoarse. “I just wanted to… fool around. I didn’t mean for you to….”

  “But I did.” She gripped him more firmly. “I intended to clean you up and have my way with you.”

  He gulped. “I should… stop you.”

  “Should I stop?”

  “No.” He shuddered. “God help me, I want you to.”

  “And I will.” By a twist of Fate, she was grasping one of the most sought-after, free-range cocks in the county, probably in the state. She intended to give Leo the time of his life.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The moment Fiona took charge was a defining moment in Leo’s life. Oral sex would never be the same. His attempt to keep his cool was a losing battle, mostly because of her unpredictable approach. If she had a playbook, it wasn’t obvious. Her devotion to the task quickly robbed him of control and he came in an embarrassingly short time.

  Her soft swallow humbled him. Drawing her to her feet, he kissed her slowly and thoroughly, letting her know without words that he’d loved every second. She’d raised the bar to impossible heights.

  Then he took her hand. “Follow me. I’m taking you back to bed.”

  She resisted. “Don’t you think I should lead us—”

  “You’re not the only one who can count steps.” He tugged on her hand. “My turn to do the trust walk.”

  “I just don’t want you to hurt yourself.” She sounded doubtful.

  “Trust me.”

  “Okay.”

  He managed the journey back to her bedroom without incident. Another night in this apartment and he’d have it down. But they hadn’t talked about another night, had they?

  He didn’t want to talk about it now, either. Caressing, kissing, snuggling—that’s all he cared to do for the time being. Rolling around with her on the rumpled sheets, he concentrated on the sil
ken expanse of her skin under his fingertips, the heady aroma of desire, the husky tone of her voice, the taste of salt on her skin.

  The chance to explore her eager body was a gift, one he’d nearly lost. He drew out the fooling around part because it was a fascinating adventure. Besides, he only had one condom left.

  As a bonus to the make-out session, he discovered the spots where she was ticklish and the places where a light touch nearly brought her to orgasm. She wasn’t shy about giving directions, either.

  When he couldn’t stand waiting another second, he made love to her again, savoring the increased richness as he deployed everything he’d learned so far… until his brain stopped working. With a groan of surrender, he submerged himself in the ecstasy that flowed between them in those final moments before they both let go.

  Afterward, she lay with her head pillowed on his outstretched arm, her hand resting on his sweaty chest. “In case I didn’t say it enough when I was coming, you’re amazing.”

  “In case I didn’t say it enough when I was coming, so are you.”

  “No more condoms, huh?”

  “Sorry. I miscalculated.”

  “Maybe we should get some sleep so we won’t be zombies in the morning.”

  “Probably should. Wind’s letting up.”

  “Is it?” She lifted her head and listened. “You’re right, although I can still hear the snow hitting the window.” She nestled into the crook of his arm again. “What if you can’t get back to the ranch to do… whatever you do there?” A touch of worry colored her words.

  “I’ll leave before it gets light, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “I’m not. Well, not exactly. But if your truck’s buried in—”

  “I’m pretty good with a shovel.”

  “I’m sure you are, but I doubt you can shovel your way back to the ranch.”

  He laughed. “Not in time to do chores, anyway. But Apple Grove has the best road crew in the county. They’re probably out there right now. I’ll text Nick before I leave, see if he wants to drive tandem back to the ranch. We’ll get there.”

  “Okay.” She sounded relieved. “Thank you for going along with the blackout.”

  Clearly it wasn’t a random comment. Was she wondering what came next? If so, he’d help her out. “Whatever works, Fi. If that means we meet in your darkened apartment at night, then I’m fine with it. Just so I get to keep making love to you.”

  Her breath caught.

  Uh-oh. Maybe she didn’t want that. He rolled to his side to face her, even though he couldn’t see her face. “Fi?”

  “You’re… um, willing to keep doing this?”

  “Willing and eager.”

  “Oh.”

  “That surprises you?”

  “In a way. I didn’t get my expectations up. You agreed to go along with the darkness routine tonight, but then I thought you’d want to move the action into the light.”

  Which he’d love, but clearly she wouldn’t. He had a split second to choose his path. “But you’re more relaxed in the dark.”

  “It’s sort of unusual, though.”

  “No more unusual than a guy putting on a Santa suit so he could get to know you.”

  “Yeah, can’t say I’ve ever heard of that before.”

  “I want to keep seeing you. Well, or not seeing you. I want to keep kissing you, touching you, making love with you. And I’d rather do it in a darkened room than wear an itchy beard and a Santa hat while we’re getting it on.”

  She gave a little snort of laughter. “Now there’s a picture.” She took a breath. “What… what do you have in mind?”

  “Sharing your bed as often as you’ll have me. Under whatever conditions you set.”

  The seconds ticked by as he waited, nerves on edge.

  At last she spoke. “Can we take it one day at a time?”

  He exhaled. “Absolutely.”

  “Or rather, one night at a time.”

  “Right.”

  “Are you free tomorrow night?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  She responded with a soft, sexy laugh. “Around eight?”

  “I’ll be here.”

  “You shouldn’t have to battle a blizzard this time.”

  “No, ma’am.” And he’d bring more condoms. “By the way, Garrett knows I drove here tonight and soon Nick will, too. I hope you don’t want to keep this a secret.”

  “Pretty tough to do when I live on the square and people recognize your truck.”

  “Just checking.” And good to know she didn’t want to hide their relationship. That was a plus. Eventually they’d have to move beyond this private fantasy, but now that he had his foot in the door, he’d happily give her all the time she needed.

  * * *

  Fiona drifted off to sleep and he dozed a little, too. But he didn’t allow himself to fall into a deep sleep. He took his job seriously and his decision to drive into town wasn’t going to interfere with carrying out his duties at the ranch.

  After ten years of waking early to begin the chores, his body clock was finely tuned to ranch rhythms. The room was still pitch black when he eased out of bed. Fiona didn’t wake up.

  He dressed quietly, listening for signs of the storm outside or Fiona stirring. Silence. Fiona slept and the storm was over. The electricity wasn’t back on, though. He’d leave her the heavy-duty flashlight.

  If he took off without waking her, she could get some undisturbed rest. But he needed his phone. And the drawer made a scratching sound.

  No help for it, he’d have to open the drawer. When he did, the sheets rustled.

  “Are you leaving?”

  Her sleepy murmur stroked his nerve endings. If only he could crawl back into bed with her. “Yes.” He took out his phone. “Sorry I woke you.”

  “I’m glad you did.” More rustling. “I wouldn’t have wanted you to go without telling me. Do you have two shovels in your truck?”

  “Why?”

  “I could help you dig out.”

  “That’s generous, but I only have one.” And he wouldn’t let her do it no matter how many shovels he had in his truck.

  “Wish I had one, but the town clears my walk so I never saw the need. Do you know if my robe’s still on the floor?”

  “I laid it across the end of the bed.”

  “Thanks. I can at least walk downstairs with you.”

  “Hey, I can manage the—”

  “I’m sure you can since you have a flashlight on your phone. But I want to go down so I can listen by the door and make sure you can get out. Wait, you need that ginormous flashlight.”

  “I’m leaving that for you. My phone’s charged but yours isn’t.”

  “If you insist, but you can use it to see while you’re shoveling and bring it back to me when you’re done.”

  “I guess that makes sense.”

  “I’ll get it.” Her bare feet whispered across the floor and she opened the closet door. “What time is it?”

  “Four-thirty.”

  “Yikes. That’s early.”

  “Don’t know how much snow I’ll need to shovel.”

  “Do you have gloves?” Her footsteps moving in his direction sounded different. “I don’t remember seeing—”

  “I left them in the truck. Did you just put on slippers?”

  “I did. See how perceptive you’re getting?” She took his hand. “I have your flashlight. I’ll lead the way downstairs.”

  “Okay.” He wasn’t going to stop her if it meant spending a little more time together. And the flashlight would help him get the truck out faster.

  He counted steps to the stairway, though, for future reference. “Listen, I had an idea. You can nix it if you want.”

  “What?”

  “You’ve never had a Christmas tree, right?”

  “Never.”

  “What if I bring you a small one in a pot with just a few lights, maybe a couple of ornaments, and we set it in the corner of the bedroom?�
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  “That’s a very romantic idea.”

  “I thought so.”

  “Would you want to keep the tree lights on during the night?”

  “Up to you.” But he hoped she would. It would be a start.

  “Clever idea.”

  “What do you say?”

  “I’d love a tree.” She guided him toward the front door. Pale light filtered through the iced-over front windows. “The Moose’s generators are still going.”

  The light allowed him to see her, but not well. “Can’t risk spoiled food.”

  “That light should help you, too.” She let go of his hand.

  “Sure will.” He located his boots and hat by the front door and put them on.

  “I think I can risk unlocking the deadbolt. I don’t hear the wind anymore.”

  He cocked his head. “But I do believe I hear snowplows.”

  “So do I, now that you mention it. I hope they’ve plowed the two-lane out to the ranch.”

  “There’s a good chance they have.” He stepped toward her. “I’ll take that flashlight, now.”

  She handed it over. “You don’t have to bring it back in. Even if the power isn’t restored, I can manage until the sun comes up.”

  “What if I want to bring it back so I can kiss you goodbye?”

  “Oh.” There was a smile in her voice. “That’s different.”

  “Move away. I’m going to open the door.” He waited until she’d shifted to the side before giving it a tug. “Frozen shut.” He put his back into it and the door came open with a loud crack. Cold air hit him in the face as he stepped into the snowdrift blocking the door.

  Quickly pulling the door shut, he forged a path through the drift and out to the street. He was in luck. The wind had blown the snow toward the building. The sidewalk was impassable, but the street, at least the part behind his truck, was relatively clear.

  The driver’s side door was frozen shut, too, but it eventually gave way. Climbing into the frigid cab, he set the flashlight on the passenger seat as he coaxed the engine to life, sending clouds of smoke out the tailpipe.

  He left the truck running while he trudged back through the snow with the flashlight. “Stand back, Fi.” he called out. He hurried in and pushed the door closed.

  She came toward him, a shadowy figure in her robe. Looked like the collar was turned up. “You can’t be done already.”