Chapter Sixteen

It wasn’t yet five in the morning. Carolina stirred. Officially he was late. Yet instead of throwing off the sheet, Matt gazed at her reflection in the mirrors on the ceiling and grinned. For years, when it came to sex, it had been an enjoyable pursuit—for a night. Afterwards, he was on his own. But Carolina was utterly captivating lying in his bed and he couldn’t stop staring.

Sex last night had been inflamed by urgency and need, yet it was more. This woman was so different. He brushed a light kiss against the back of her neck. She shivered, softly moaned, and bumped her bottom against his cock.

Carolina pushed against him, seeking the warmth of his body. The room was chilly and he pulled up the comforter that had gotten kicked off. He inhaled her exotic floral scent. It reminded him of Miami that first time they’d met. Matt nuzzled her neck, her jaw, her lower lip and goose bumps instantly appeared on her skin. He wrapped her in his arms and covered her body against the morning air.

She turned in his arms and smiled. Caro’s gray eyes were still sleepy and soft and he kissed her full lips. Her hands caressed him all over, stopping only when she took hold of his erection.

“Hmm,” she moaned.

Pumping his hips, he whispered, “Baby, just like that.”

She released him and pushed his shoulders back against the pillows. Carolina awoke without any inhibitions, so it seemed. Her expression changed from sleepy to wanton. Matt clasped her waist and in reply his little firecracker arched a brow.

“Keep your hands still, Cowboy. I’ll be giving the orders this morning.”

A smile quirked his lips. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied with a laugh.

She hoisted herself up and over his hips. “I’ve always wanted to ride a bucking bronco,” she whispered.

Carolina lifted up on her knees, grasped his cock, and in one swift motion came down on him. Talk about pure pleasure! Unencumbered, her breasts bounced inches from his face. This was the sexiest morning view he’d ever witnessed: Carolina, naked, riding him hard.

“That’s it, baby. Fuck me.” His breath came out in spasms.

Her silky heat clamped around his cock and squeezed every thought from his head. With wild abandon, Matt gave into what his body wanted. This woman’s moans had him moving her hips back and forth. Her body was an oasis and if he could hold on, they’d both find release.

“Come for me!” He felt the tightening convulse of her body. The perfect sheath on his erection. Her slippery silk glided up and down. Her eyes were half-closed and she breathed out quick pants. Yeah, she was there, all right.

Now, it was his turn.

At the point of no return, Matt was buried inside her softness. He rimmed her entrance so tight and hot. Then he pounded his entire length as pleasure shot up his spine and he shot his load. A brilliant firework exploded in his head. He thrust hard, devouring the feel of her, planting himself so deep, pleasure rebounded off every nerve he owned.

After following Caro over the edge, Matt inhaled the scent of her neck as she lay draped over his torso. They were still connected. She whimpered, soft and sensual. He had no desire to disengage. Another first. For moments, they lay entangled. His arms were around Carolina’s waist and his face was buried in the soft curtain of her hair.

If Carolina hadn’t been such a puzzle at the wedding, he probably would’ve come right out and laid bare his past. They might’ve sat and talked further into the night, but they had not. Still, at some point, it would do them both good to get it out of the way. She was the first woman with whom he candidly discussed his business. What their private conversations evoked that was the world of difference. The more they talked, the easier it got. It didn’t require an aeronautical engineer to connect the dots.

He wanted to get to know her, and talk about her life, throw light on the shadows of her personality as well as his. He could easily recall the color of her eyes, the sound of her voice. But hungrily, greedily he wanted more. And in wanting more, maybe he’d tell her about himself.

She twisted in his arms and they lay cuddled up against each other.

“What are you thinking?” she asked, threading his hair between her fingers.

“About us. Does that ‘freak’ you out.” He used one hand for the air quotes.

“Why would it? This is new. For both of us in lots of ways,” she replied. “I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

“What do you mean?” He brushed her hair back from her face.

“Climaxing. Coming.”

Matt stared at her for a beat, sure he’d missed something. “But you’ve had orgasms?”

“On your desk. That was the first.” She regarded him with what he would swear was a weary look.

“Was that the first time you’ve had an orgasm?” he asked quietly.

“Y-es.” Carolina’s voice quavered. “Last night seems almost mythical.”

“How the hell is that possible? Sweet Jesus, were you in a coma?”

She tensed. “I guess I shouldn’t have said anything. Not a cool admission.”

He’d better do something fast or he’d never experience another orgasm with Caro. He pulled her closer. “That’s not what I meant. It’s different with women.” Still he couldn’t conceptualize that she really meant never. “Do you mean never, not once before?”

“You’re very good with math. Yes, not once means zero,” she sassed, her cheeks starting to turn pink. “I get it that it sounds odd. Believe me, it’s odd to live this long and from the way you’re looking at me, I’m feeling odder by the second.”

He stroked his hand over her hip, making her wriggle. “Carolina, what about when you’re alone? Relaxed, at ease with yourself. Maybe it’s being uptight and nervous.”

“Do you think I’m frigid?”

“Unequivocally, no,” he said. “After yesterday and this morning, baby, you’re molten lava. Volcanic. A new universe could form from our explosive orgasms. You’re what I’d classify as the opposite of frigid.”

Carolina released a sigh and — thankfully — she smiled. How was it possible that she’d never orgasmed? Her sensual nature had to be the eighth wonder of the world.

“Are we going to ride out this morning?” she asked, trailing her fingers along his chest.

That’s what they needed. A little fun. “Hell yeah, woman. I’m going to show you around the place. Best way to see the ranch is on horseback.”