Cowboy After Dark Read online

  “I held off.”

  She looked into those incredible eyes. And the hat. She’d never forget the hat. “So gentlemanly!”

  “So practical. You’re going to come again.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Hey, we’ve been through this. You can do it. I, on the other hand, am likely to be out of commission for a while once I let go. So get with the program, pretty lady. You’re doing it with a hat-wearing cowboy. Make the moment count.”

  She stopped caressing his butt even though that was lovely, and cradled his face in her hands. “Hear me, Liam Magee. You are not just a hat. You’re a man I greatly admire. Got it?”

  He chuckled. “Are you making memories, Hope?”

  “Memories? What are you talking about?”

  “Never mind.” He began to stroke with a controlled intensity. “Just come for me. We’ll sort it out later.”

  She couldn’t resist his seductive rhythm. Sexual tension built with an inevitability she was beginning to associate with Liam. He seemed to know how to coax a response from her no matter what. If she thought about that too long, she’d become alarmed.

  So instead she abandoned herself to the erotic sensation of his talented cock bringing her to another shattering orgasm. This time he shared the experience, which made it far more satisfying. His deep groan, his shudders and the rapid pulse she absorbed in the depths of her body felt right.

  Mutual climaxes were special, and she hadn’t had all that many of them. She’d never considered the bonding that happened when two people enjoyed this pleasure simultaneously, their bodies linked together as spasms rocked them.

  With sudden insight, she realized Tom had been stingy about sharing the moment with her, as if he couldn’t allow himself to be that vulnerable. The minute thoughts of him intruded on her amazing experience with Liam, she pushed them away. They didn’t belong here in this beautiful setting.

  Gradually their breathing quieted, and Liam pushed himself up on his elbows to smile at her. “Nice.”

  “Uh-huh.” He was still wearing the hat. Looking up at him, she knew this image would live in her memory forever, no matter how temporary their affair was.

  “That was a first for me,” he murmured.

  “Climaxing at the same time?”

  “No. Climaxing while wearing my hat.”

  “Oh.” She had no business being jealous. At least she had the distinction of being the only woman who’d insisted on the hat. “I can’t speak for you, but I found it memorable.”

  “Good. Can I take it off, now? My head’s hot.”

  She laughed. “That’s not the only part of you that’s smokin’, cowboy.”

  His reaction was adorable. He blushed. “Thanks.”

  He laid the hat beside the mattress, brim up. “Wish I didn’t have to move, but I do.” He brushed a kiss over her mouth. “Condoms aren’t the most romantic part of a fantasy.” He eased away from her and crawled out of bed.

  “Rosie said she taught all her boys to be responsible.”

  “Oh, she certainly did.” He returned and stretched out beside her.

  She rolled over to face him. “You realize she expects us to end up together.”

  “Yeah.” He combed her hair back behind her ear. “Does that bother you?”

  “I can handle it. She’s not my foster mother. What about you?”

  “I want to have sex with you until neither of us can see straight.”

  Tension curled within her as she looked into the intense blue of his eyes. “I see.”

  “I hope so.” He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. “You’ve offered me a chance most guys would kill for. You were skittish at first, but now you seem like a woman ready for anything.”

  She vibrated with excitement. “I am.”

  “So am I.” Holding her mouth open with his thumb, he closed the distance between them and gave her a kiss that left no doubt how ready he was.

  14

  LIAM HAD NEVER been in a situation quite like this, and he found it liberating. Hope had asked him for a sexual adventure and nothing more. In the long run, he wanted it to become something more, but in the meantime, she needed an uninhibited lover to help release the tension of all she’d been through. At first he’d thought of her issues as a handicap, but now he saw them as an asset.

  Compared to her ex, he could do no wrong. She was eager for the escape from reality that he could give her with plenty of sex and multiple orgasms. That excited him. She excited him. Providing what she needed should be no trouble at all.

  Thrusting his tongue deep into her mouth, he tasted surrender. Her soft moan told him she was willing to give him whatever he asked. His blood heated and his cock swelled. He touched her, fondling her breasts, sliding his hand between her thighs, arousing her until she trembled with need.

  So did he. He’d had the foresight to grab several condoms and dump them beside the mattress. Maybe they’d use them all. He had no idea. But they were about to use another one. He lifted his mouth from hers and gulped for air. “Roll onto your stomach.”

  He wanted her. Wanted this.

  As he put on a condom, she did as he’d asked and lay with her arms out and her legs spread. Her golden hair was tousled, and her skin glowed with the moisture of arousal. Heart pounding, he moved over her and combed her hair aside to kiss her nape.

  She shuddered. “I need you again,” she murmured.

  “I need you again, too.” The ache in his balls was almost more than he could stand. Slowly he trailed kisses down the length of her back. Then he bracketed her hips in both hands. “Lift up.”

  Sliding her knees forward, she raised her sweet ass, and he almost came. But he clamped down on that urge so that he could lean down and kiss her bottom. The urge to take her nearly overwhelmed him, but he wanted to taste her first, to nibble and nip the smooth, perfect curves and listen to her quick gasps of pleasure. Inhaling, he drew in the rich aroma of a sexually aroused woman.

  Moaning, she lifted even higher. Her blatant invitation shattered his restraint. Grasping her hips, he straightened and probed her channel with the tip of his cock. She was slick and hot.

  She quivered. “Please.”

  With a guttural cry he barely recognized as his own, he drove forward and she came, wave upon wave of contractions that tore groans of pleasure from her throat. When her spasms slowed, he continued to thrust steadily, the breath hissing through his teeth as he fought against the orgasm that demanded release. Not yet, not yet, not yet.

  Then he felt her tighten, heard the change in her breathing. “Again,” he murmured.

  “Yes.”

  Her triumphant reply galvanized him. His thighs slapped hers ever faster. He was going to come. Very soon. Quickly sliding his hand over her hip and between her legs, he cupped her drenched curls. The cabin filled with their harsh breathing as he slipped one finger into her sensitive cleft.

  As if he’d touched a live wire, she erupted. Her climax triggered his and he pushed deep, anchoring himself as his body shook and his ears buzzed. She might have been swearing, but he’d been temporarily deafened by the roar of his blood and the pounding of his heart.

  Gradually they untangled themselves, and he got up to toss the condom in the wastebasket. When he returned to the bed, she was sitting up.

  She glanced at him and smiled. “That was intense.”

  “No kidding.” He climbed in and sat facing her. Terrific view. Her breasts moved seductively as she worked the tangles out of her hair with her fingers.

  “Great,” she said.

  “Uh-huh.” She had outstanding breasts. A man lucky enough to see her naked every night would be a lucky SOB. Hard to imagine some idiot throwing that privilege away.

  “Sweaty.”

 
; “Goes with the territory.” He noticed a bead of moisture caught in the hollow of her throat. “Hold still.” Leaning in, he licked it away. Then he moved along her collarbone, tasting her salty skin. “Lie back and I’ll give you a tongue bath.”

  She caught his head and made him look at her. “And we both know where that will lead.”

  “Maybe, maybe not.” He grinned. “I might be out of ammunition. You never know.”

  She glanced down at his cock, which was already responding. Meeting his gaze, she lifted her eyebrows.

  “I can’t explain it,” he said with a shrug. “I touch you and up it goes. That hasn’t happened since I was seventeen.”

  “Very flattering.”

  “Makes me feel pretty damn good, too. Judging from my recovery rate, I have a real shot at being your fantasy man.”

  “I never doubted it.”

  “Thanks.” Smiling, he brushed his thumb over her nipple. “Lie back,” he murmured. “Let me lick you all over and see where that takes us.” He cupped her breast and began a gentle kneading motion.

  Desire lit her gray eyes, and her breathing quickened. “Like there’s any question.”

  “You’re right, there’s not. My tongue and your body are an explosive combination.”

  “And I would love every minute of it. But...but I—” She closed her eyes. “Damn, that feels good.”

  “Think of how great my tongue is going to feel.” He drew closer and settled his mouth over hers. Kissing her softly, he started easing her to her back.

  To his surprise, she put her hands on his chest and pushed. He lifted his head. “Hope?”

  “We need sleep.” Her voice was soft and breathy as she rubbed her palms over his sensitized skin. “I should go.”

  “You don’t seem very sure about that.”

  “Because you have awesome pecs. And you’re a great lover, damn it.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” He nibbled on her bottom lip and enjoyed the feel of her hands on him. He wouldn’t mind if she moved them a little lower.

  “It is if I fall asleep in the middle of Phil and Damon’s wedding.”

  He stopped nibbling and looked into her half-closed eyes. “Are you worried about that?”

  “Aren’t you?” Her hand wandered south, and she wrapped her fingers around his now very erect buddy.

  “Didn’t think of it.”

  “Me, either. I expected we’d do this once, maybe twice.”

  “I see. Now that we’re heading into round three, you’re wondering if you’re in for a marathon that lasts until dawn.”

  Her breath caught. “Could you really keep going that long?”

  “When you’re holding my cock, I feel like I could go all week.”

  “I know that’s an exaggeration.” She fondled him as she held his gaze.

  “I’d be happy to test it.”

  “I have an idea.”

  “Me, too. If you keep that up much longer, you’ll be able to guess what it is.”

  “Can you reach a condom?”

  He leaned back and grabbed one off the floor. “Am I putting this on or are you?”

  “Me.” She held out her free hand. “But we need to make a pact.” She tore the wrapper open with her teeth.

  “Name it.” He tightened both fists and held his breath as she began rolling on the condom.

  She snapped it into place and put her hands on his shoulders. “Stay right where you are. I’m climbing aboard.”

  “Works for me.” Oh, man, did it ever. When she braced her knees on either side of his hips and began sliding down that fire pole, he felt his eyes roll back in his head. He just prayed he wouldn’t come right away. She was the one moving and he wanted time to enjoy the visual, although watching her would likely put him over the edge.

  Once she was firmly ensconced around his rigid cock, she massaged his shoulders and gazed into his eyes. “You look happy.”

  “If I was any happier I’d be airborne.” He cupped her bottom in anticipation. Oh, yeah.

  She smiled. “I’ll keep you from flying away.”

  “Or maybe we’ll both have liftoff.”

  “Speaking of liftoff, don’t make me come twice this time.”

  He squeezed gently, loving the feel of her beneath his fingertips. “Well, shoot, where’s the fun in that?”

  “I mean it. When I come, you come. Saves time.”

  “This is an exercise in efficiency?”

  “Yes. We each get one more orgasm and then we leave this cozy cabin so we can get some sleep. That’s the pact we have to make.”

  “Or what?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Are you gonna give me trouble, Magee?”

  “No, ma’am. I never give pretty ladies trouble. Just orgasms.”

  “Then why did some woman bite you?”

  “We shouldn’t be talking about this when my cock’s buried in your—”

  “Sure we should.

  “I was kissing her when she came.”

  “And she bit you?”

  “She came really hard. Said she got carried away because it was the best...well, never mind.”

  For a woman who claimed she didn’t want to get involved, Hope didn’t seem to like hearing any of this. She appeared jealous, which made no sense.

  “Do you still see her?”

  “Sure. She’s one of the rafting guides.”

  “Do you still...”

  “No. She’s married to one of the other guides now.” And damned if Hope didn’t look relieved.

  She touched the scar. “Does her husband know how you got this?”

  “He hasn’t heard it from me. I’m guessing she wouldn’t mention it.”

  “I’m guessing not, either.” Leaning forward, she gave him an open-mouthed kiss.

  He might be imagining it, but the kiss felt a little possessive. And a lot sexy. She sucked on his tongue as she began rotating her hips in a tight circle. Their discussion had taken his mind off coming, but he was right back to it now. Squeezing her soft bottom, he groaned and thrust upward.

  Lifting her mouth away from his, she took a shaky breath. “Easy, cowboy,” she murmured.

  “I thought you wanted this over quick.”

  “Not that quick.” Her breath was warm on his face. “I want to make sure I get my ride.” Using his shoulders for balance, she eased upward.

  He decided it was no coincidence that she paused at the exact point where her nipples were within licking distance. “Stay like that for a minute.”

  “I thought I would.”

  “Maybe two minutes.” He cradled a breast in each hand and paid attention to both. When he began to suck, her core muscles clenched. He could make her come this way, but then they’d be done. So he went back to licking and massaging. Again he felt the constriction of her impending climax.

  He leaned back and gazed up at her. “If I keep this up you’re going to—”

  “I know.” She gulped. “And I said only one, but—”

  “Rules were made to be broken.” He drew one tight nipple into his mouth and rhythmically sucked as he pinched and squeezed the other.

  Trembling and gasping, she dug her fingers into his shoulders and claimed her release. Somehow he managed to hold off, although with her tremors massaging the tip of his cock and her breast filling his mouth, that wasn’t so easy. Still, the idea of breaking her rule gave him extra motivation.

  He continued to kiss her breasts as she recovered enough to stop digging her fingers into his shoulders. He loved the weight nestled into his palms and the incredibly soft texture of her skin. He tried not to think about the day he wouldn’t be allowed this close, the day she called a halt to everything.

 
He’d been arrogant to think he could change her mind, especially in a week. But he did find her jealousy fascinating. There was no other word for the way she’d reacted when he’d explained why he had the scar.

  With a sigh of pleasure, she sank down onto his cock again and looked into his eyes. “Thank you for being flexible.”

  His burst of laughter apparently surprised her, because she blinked.

  “Sorry.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “It’s just that nothing about me is flexible right now. I’m stiff all over, especially the part of me that’s intimately connected with you.”

  Locking her hands behind his neck, she leaned back. “Would you say, then, that you’re thick and firm?”

  “Very.”

  “We weren’t just talking about fries tonight.”

  “I know.”

  “Liam, thank you for indulging me in this fantasy. Some men would tell me to go to hell, but you didn’t.”

  “I can’t imagine any man stupid enough to tell you to go to hell.”

  “I can.” And she began to move, treating him to the incredible sensation of her sliding up and down his very thick and firm cock.

  “Yeah, well, too bad for him.” He wondered if that jerk had ever appreciated her. Unlikely. But for the next week, the only time he’d been given, he’d appreciate her to the depths of his soul. “I’m here and he’s not.”

  15

  HOPE HAD WORRIED she might be wired, but she slept better than she had since Tom left. She could tell by the angle of the sun that she’d stayed in bed longer than she ever had at home. Apparently Liam-induced orgasms had a beneficial effect.

  While she showered and dressed, she naturally thought about that tall cowboy. Judging from the mutual pleasure so far, ending the affair after a week wouldn’t be easy on either of them. She’d likely still see him when he picked up or dropped off rafting clients.

  She’d set up the rules, which meant she could break them just like she’d broken one last night. They could keep dating after they returned to Cody. And then what? Nothing ever stayed the same, so they’d either get sick of each other and break up, which would suck, or they’d get more attached and move in together.