Chapter Fifteen

Rachel

Later that evening, the front door slammed and Rachel startled. She’d just stepped out of the shower. The bathroom was lit by candles and she held her breath as Luke’s footsteps drew close. She watched the candles flicker. Her skin taut, sizzling with anticipation.

He stepped into the doorway, filling it with his immense frame, and smiled wolfishly at her.

“Thank you, Luke. I know you didn’t want them, but I did. I’m so grateful to have my own horses. It seems special.”

“It is special.”

She smiled, feeling awkward.

Luke continued. “Your granddaddy left you plenty of money. You can buy whatever you want.”

Tapping her chin, she pretended to think it over. “So, I can go next week and buy more horses. And chickens.”

He grumbled, something indistinct. “I put your babies to bed, Rachel. Bedded them down in my biggest stalls and fed them extra rations so we can get some weight on them.”

“Thank you.”

He moved closer. “I want a real thank you.”

She laughed softly as he tugged on the belt of her robe.

“I like to hear you laugh, Rach. I want to make you happy, sweetheart.”

“I am,” she said. “So happy.”

He slid the robe from her shoulders and let it fall to the ground. She gasped as the cool air hit her skin, sending a shiver along her body. Tilting her chin up, he kissed her, gently at first and then more firmly. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her fingers across the broad expanse of his chest, drawing a groan from him.

“I want you, Rachel. All of you.”

“I want that, too.”

“I’d do anything for you, Rachel. Anything. Help you with the ranch. Run into a burning building to get you out. And a few old-as-dirt horses is what gets me lucky with my bride?”

She traced her fingers over the bands of muscle lining his stomach. “Now you know. I still want chickens.”

He growled softly, stepped back and began undressing, stripping his clothes hastily while he gave her a hungry look. “Go get the candles. I want to watch you.”

She shivered at his commanding tone and the very idea that he’d want that, to watch her, but she didn’t protest. Maybe the idea appealed to her too. Watching her big, powerful cowboy strip in the candlelight wouldn’t bother her one bit.

Setting the candles on the mantle, she turned back to the bed, but before she could take a step, she was swept from her feet. She yelped and when he set her down, she gave a cry of surprise. He was on her in an instant, claiming her lips with his. This time the kiss was carnal. He brushed her lips with his tongue, until she submitted and parted her lips.

The kiss was urgent. Deep. Hungry. With a groan, he pulled away from her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck and to her breasts. His mouth felt hot on her breast. He sucked her nipple between his lips and nipped her. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her breast.

His tongue lashed the tight bud. The night of the storm he’d made her come hard. Now, she felt the same pleasure build. Was it possible to climax like this? Just with his mouth on her breast? Her body heated, white-hot beneath his touch. He descended, past her stomach. She felt her body respond to his touch as if by its own volition.

“I need to taste you. Make you come,” he growled. He slid lower and pushed her legs further apart, so she was open to him. “I like the candlelight.”

A wave of heat warmed her face, but she forgot her embarrassment in the next instant when he lowered to stroke her with his tongue. She flinched and gasped. He wrapped his arm around her hips and held her, pinning her to the bed and began his sweet torment.

Rachel writhed beneath him. His mouth was relentless. He pushed his tongue against her. She could feel him pressing against her innocence. What he did was wicked. Dirty. Her arousal built, pulsing tighter, pulling small, animal-like cries from her lips. When he rubbed her clit with his finger, an explosion of pleasure washed over her. She arched.

“Luke…”

Sparks lit her vision and she shook with the sensations. He rose, prowled the length of her body and settled between her thighs. The head of his erection pressed against her core. She felt swollen, slick, helpless beneath him. He pushed inside, cradling her head as he looked down. His gaze was intense. Fierce.

“You’re mine, Rachel.”

There was no denying it. She was his. “I am.”

“Not just for a year. Forever.”

“Yes, Luke.” She closed her eyes as the pressure built. He filled her more with each stroke.

“Open your eyes, sweetheart. This is us becoming one.”

She did as she was told and when he pushed past her barrier, a cry escaped her lips. She drew a trembling breath. The pain faded and in its place was a delicious fullness. She met his thrusts and dug her fingers into his shoulders as her pleasure climbed.

“So beautiful,” he murmured.

She opened her eyes and looked up to see him watching her. His eyes glinted with a possessive expression. Her body felt fragile and light as if she could float from the pleasure he gave her. Fly high and break apart into a million pieces. She clung to him, holding on desperately as he drove her higher.

He gripped her hips, crashed his mouth to hers with a devouring kiss. His hips rocked against hers and she lifted her legs to clasp him with her thighs. The movement drew a shudder from him.

“I’ve wanted this… wanted you… from the beginning,” he muttered.

Pleasure tightened her senses and made it impossible to respond. She arched beneath him and gripped his hips with her thighs. His gaze burned into hers. Slipping his fingers through hers, he clasped her hand.

“I want to watch you come,” he said. “I want to see your face.”

His words sparked a new burn of arousal. And from one instant to the next, the pleasure was too much. She gasped and bucked as her orgasm tore through her body. He snarled an instant later, following her pleasure with his own. Panting and holding himself over her, he lowered his forehead to hers.

“Amazing,” he said softly. “You’re amazing.” He rolled over, keeping his gaze on her. “Thank-you, Rach.”

She smiled and stroked his jaw. He’d thanked her and she didn’t know what to say to that. They’d slept together, side-by-side, but suddenly everything was different. Now they were not only lovers but husband and wife too. Sex had always been something that she’d perhaps not dreaded, but not especially looked forward to. But that was before Luke.

“First time is special. A gift.” He rose onto his elbow and looked down into her eyes. “I’m your first, but I’m going to be your only.”

He rubbed his thumb across her mouth. “Got it?”

“I got it,” she whispered.