CHAPTER TWENTY

 

 

 

Seren was entranced. She and Canyon were playing as if they were children. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” A giggle escaped her lips as she crept through the rooms looking for candy bars hidden around the house like Easter eggs. With her plastic pumpkin hanging over her arm, her cape flowing behind her, she felt a bit like Little Red Riding Hood tracking down the Big Bad Wolf.

“Oh, there’s one!” Seren skipped over to pick up a bright orange package containing two Reese’s peanut butter cups from behind a silk potted plant. “Oh, and another!” A Butterfinger peeked out from under a sofa pillow. “This is so much fun!”

When they’d first arrived, Canyon sent her to the guest room to rest while he set everything up. Once he’d completed whatever tasks he deemed necessary, he’d called her out and sent her on a scavenger hunt. This was so new to her. She’d always love to play, that’s why she’d been wearing this same type of costume the day she became visible to Canyon. Before today, however, she’d always played alone. Not anymore. While she rushed through the house following his carefully worded clues, Seren collected Halloween candy and small toys, making her laugh with joy. Her enthusiasm seemed to be contagious, for Canyon laughed as much as she did.

Now, they were playing Hide-n-Seek.

Hide-n-Seek seemed to be such a childish game, she would’ve never guessed it could be so much fun. While Seren hid, Canyon had laid trails of candy throughout the house. One of those trails led to more than just a prize. Somewhere in this house, Canyon hid just waiting for her to find him. “Say something! Give me a hint!”

There was no answer, of course. He wouldn’t fall for her ploy. Suddenly, a pang of remorse hit her when she remembered what a wonderful father he’d been to Matty. Her footsteps slowed as she considered her own circumstances. She still hadn’t been to a doctor, but everything within her told Seren she was carrying Canyon’s child. If things were different, he’d be an amazing father to their baby. The way things stood, he’d never know. She simply couldn’t afford for him to find out. Without telling him the truth of their past, he’d never believe he was the father. Since she couldn’t be honest with him about the baby, the time she could stay near him was sadly limited.

Whistle…

Seren froze, unsure of the direction from which the noise came. “Do it again!” she smiled, happy despite her sad thoughts. Regrets were for later. Right now, this moment was for storing up as many memories of the man she loved as she could. “I’m gonna get you, Brady!”

There were no further noises, so she continued to look for his trail of sugar clues. The house was dark as she moved through it. Shadows loomed larger than life. So far, she’d checked behind the couch, the hall closet, the broom closet, the appliance room, and the funny little room under the stairs. Next, she headed to the bedrooms. “I’ll share my candy with you…” The offer was made with a teasing, hopeful tone.

Moving slowly, the stairs creaked beneath her feet. The dim light from the hallway gave enough illumination for her to safely maneuver, catching sight of an Almond Joy wedged between two of the banisters. “Gotcha,” Seren whispered as she snagged the coconut candy bar. After stuffing it in the pumpkin, she paused to listen. There was no noise, only the sound of her breathing. Standing in the darkness, she shivered, her mind returning to earlier in the evening when the creepy clown had loomed behind Canyon with what looked like a knife in his hand. Seren knew she was safe, there was no threat here – still, she felt her breathing escalate. “Canyon!”

Inside the bedroom closet, it was hard for Canyon to remain silent. He smiled, anxious for her to throw open the door to expose his hiding place. Why he was getting such a big kick out of this, he didn’t know. He just wanted her to be happy. Holding his breath, he waited to hear her footsteps as she came even closer.

“Which way, which way…” she mused as she eased down the hall. “Which room should I look in first?” Just as she was about to turn into the room where she’d been staying, Seren caught sight of a rock candy bracelet hanging from the doorknob of Canyon’s room. “Aha!” she whispered triumphantly. “Won’t be long now, I’ll have you in my clutches.” The thought made her giggle.

Canyon heard that giggle. The sweet sound made his chest clench. “Just a little closer, hot stuff. Just a little closer.” He placed his hand on the door knob, ready to jump out and scare her when she neared his hiding place.

After collecting the bracelet, she plopped it in her pumpkin and took hold of the knob, turning it slowly. Wincing when the hinges creaked, she eased through the door and into his room. Would he be under the bed? Nah, he was too thick. She giggled again. Behind the curtains? Nah, there’d be a big lump in the material. Canyon wasn’t a small man by any means. “Which…leaves only the closet.” As she turned, Seren noticed a trail of hard candies leading right up to the closed door. “This might be a trick to throw me off.” She bent to pick up the treats one by one. “I feel like Hansel and Gretel in reverse.” 

Holding his breath, Canyon carefully turned the knob. He could see Seren picking up the candies like a chicken picking up corn. Those bunny rabbit ears did something to him. Made him happy in a…nostalgic kind of way. He tried to think if he’d owned a toy rabbit when he was a boy. No, he didn’t think so. “Just a little closer, cottontail,” Canyon mouthed the words under his breath as Seren came a few steps nearer. As he waited for the perfect moment, he wondered how she could’ve reached her present age and seemingly missed out on so much. He also marveled at the idiot she’d given her heart to, the idiot who let her walk away from him. Well, his loss was Canyon’s gain.

“Boo!”

Seren squealed in a combination of delight and fright as a pair of strong arms caught her up, tugging her into the dark closet. “Canyon!”

“About time. What did you do? Stop to eat all the candy on your way to find me?”

“No.” She jiggled her nearly full pumpkin, sitting on his lap where he was sprawled on the floor next to his work boots, his shirts and jackets hanging overhead. “I was more interested in finding you than eating the candy.”

Her answer did something to him. “Well, you found me. What are you going to do with me?”

With her breath coming in shallow pants, Seren cupped his cheek with her palm. The day’s growth of beard felt so good, so sexy. She stroked him sensually. “I don’t know.” She giggled softly. “What can we do in a closet? Any ideas?”

“Actually, I do.” His voice was husky and teasing. “Want to play another game?”

“Yea.” Her fingers were still playing on his skin, feathering down his neck to the top button of the flannel shirt he wore so well. “What kind of game. A kissing game?”

“Can be.” He framed her face. “It’s called Seven Minutes in Heaven. Ever play?”

“Uh, I’m not sure.” She’d certainly spent more than seven minutes in heaven. Licking her lips in anticipation, she whispered, “Show me and I’ll let you know.”

“You like that ‘show me’ stuff, don’t you?” He leaned in for a soft kiss. “You wouldn’t happen to be from Missouri, would you?”

“Huh? No.” He was busy kissing her neck and she was finding it hard to think straight. “I think I’m going to like this game.”

“I guarantee you will.” Easing her around to straddle his thighs, Canyon pulled on the strings of her cape. “The rules are…that for seven minutes we can do whatever we want to do.”

“Anything?” Seren picked up his hand to press her mouth to the inside of his palm.

Canyon shivered, the innocent kiss taking him by surprise. The simple gesture was sexier than any he could imagine. “Yea, anything our heart’s desire.” Bending his head, Canyon was about to smother her lips with his when she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss so hot and sweet it blew his mind. For a few moments, he was too taken aback to react. The next, he settled his palms on her hips to yank her closer, notching his aching cock into the juncture of her thighs. When Seren gasped, her mouth slipping from his, Canyon gave her fair warning. “This is the treat in trick-or-treating, baby. Happy Halloween,” he muttered before claiming her mouth and kissing her with pure raw hunger.

Seren kissed him back with equal desperation. Wanting this man more than breath, more than life. Clinging to the breadth of his wide shoulders, she dragged her fingertips down his strong arms and across the hard slabs of his chest. She loved his beautiful body, forged from hours of physical labor. Touching him again like this was incredible. As his mouth savaged hers with hot, wet kisses, she caressed his abs, loving it when the washboard muscles rippled at her touch.

After what seemed like an endless flow of powerful kisses, he pulled his mouth from hers, and she whimpered when he stopped. “What’s wrong?”

“Not a damn thing,” he growled. “Want to go to second base?”

Wanting anything he had to offer, Seren twined her arms around his neck, raking her fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what that means, but I’ll go anywhere you want me to go as long as we don’t stop.”

“No stopping, honey bunny.” Even in the dark, he found her lips easily, honing in for an erotic tease. She whimpered when he stroked the roof of her mouth with the tip of his tongue, the delicate touch bringing tingles to her entire body. Next, he used his talented tongue to trace the inside of her bottom lip causing the butterflies in her middle to take wing.

Again, Canyon eased away until their lips were barely touching, his breath coming in choppy pants much like her own. “I’m going to touch you now.”

Finally, she wanted to say aloud. “I’ll help.” She pulled the stretchy fabric of the body suit over her shoulders, shivering as he nibbled from her mouth to the soft place beneath her ear. “Bra too?”

Canyon’s answer was a throaty snarl. “Oh, hell yeah.” Glad of the dark, she reached behind her back to undo the clasp as he trailed fiery kisses from the pulse point in her throat all along the sensitive line of her collarbone. Every heated lick of his tongue, every tiny nip and nibble of his mouth sent Seren soaring higher. And when his hands found her breasts, cupping them – molding, kneading – she moaned, her nipples growing diamond hard. “Fuck, you’re perfect,” he growled, lifting her breasts, his mouth covering one nipple to suckle hungrily.

Using lips and tongue, he pleasured her breasts until she writhed with ecstasy in his arms. All the time he was feasting at her grateful flesh, she cradled his head, touching his back and shoulders, conveying the love she felt for him in every touch. When his hands moved from her breasts to push the body suit farther down, alarm bells sounded within Seren.

Canyon wanted to make love.

She wanted to make love.

As much as she craved this intimacy with him, she knew the act would complicate things in countless ways. Was she ready for this?

Her chances to be with him like this were dwindling fast. Seren felt her whole being surrender to her greatest desire.

Feeling her hesitation, Canyon placed a reverent kiss over her heart, then began to adjust her clothing. “You’re right. We agreed last night not to rush things. I’m sorry.” He rubbed his face over her bare chest. “You go to my head, beautiful.”

Seren started to argue with him – but she didn’t. She’d always been taught things happened for a reason. “Don’t be sorry. I enjoyed everything about tonight, especially this time in heaven with you.”

“Me too. This has been some Halloween.”

She held onto him while he felt on the floor for her cape, placing it around her shoulders, then straightened her seriously askew ears. “Will you hold me just a little more before we go, please?”

“Absolutely.” Canyon cradled her close. “I wonder what tomorrow will have in store?”

“Anything’s possible, I guess.” She sighed with happiness, savoring the moment, her head buried in the solid warmth of his chest. After all, here they were, living in a fantasy, keeping the real world at bay on the other side of a closed closet door.

 

*  *  *

 

“No. Sorry. You can’t stay here by yourself. You’re coming with me.”

As Canyon waited patiently at the door for her to gather her things, Seren wanted to stomp her foot in frustration. “I have to be on my own sometimes. I can’t stay with you forever.” She didn’t really know what she was saying, she wanted to be with him. She needed to protect him if she could. But – she also wanted to feel normal!

Frowning at her logic, Canyon shook his head. Adamant. “Not willing to risk it. Come on.”

Seren stood her ground. “Diego doesn’t know where you live!”

“We don’t know what Diego does or doesn’t know.” Canyon tapped one booted foot softly. “You wouldn’t be so cantankerous if we’d had sex last night.”

With mouth agape, Seren stared at Canyon. “I can’t believe you said that.” Yes, she knew she was being irritable, probably for the very reason he stated. She was also frustrated because of the extreme unfairness of her situation. Gone was her rosy outlook on life. Maybe the full extent of her humanity was kicking in. She’d barely slept a wink last night because she was too busy feeling sorry for herself. “For your information, I was ready to have sex with you when you called it a night in the closet.”

Canyon froze. “What?”

“Nothing.” Waving her hand in dismissal, Seren looked around the house. “Plus…if I stay here, I can have supper done when you get home. If I could borrow your computer, I could begin to make some plans. I’ve been thinking about taking Celine up on her offer and moving to Houston and…”

“What did you say?”

Seren almost didn’t hear the soft-spoken question. “I offered to stay home and cook supper and asked if I could borrow your computer.” She wasn’t sure she knew how to use it, but thought she might be able to figure it out.

“Did you say you were ready to be with me last night?”

Seren met his gaze. “Yea, I was ready. I want to be with you.”

Canyon exhaled on a laugh. “Well. All right.” He grinned at her. “You should have said something. I laid in the bed and ached for you.” Seeing her dumbfounded expression, he gave her a wicked grin and held out his hand. “Come on. You can’t stay here by yourself. I wouldn’t get a damn thing done today for worrying about you. Besides, we’re going to the movies tonight. Remember? We’ll get something to eat while we’re out.”

Seren didn’t know which one of his revelations to react to first. Deciding to go with the flow, she brightened. “I forgot about the movies.” Taking her purse, she moved toward him. “Is this a date? I’ve never been on a real date before.”

“That’s impossible.” Canyon locked the door behind them. “Were you raised Amish or something?”

“I lived in a…religious atmosphere, you might say.” Seren lifted her face to inhale the spectacular fall air, smiling at her own inside joke.

“And what about this guy you care about? What’s up with him? I don’t understand your relationship with this moron.” He was so envious of the man he didn’t know what to do.

Seren couldn’t help but smile at his grumbling. “Don’t judge him. It wasn’t his fault. Everything that went wrong can be laid at my feet.”

Helping her into the truck, Canyon mumbled, “I don’t believe that for a minute. I bet you’re being far too generous.”

Knowing this conversation was going nowhere fast, Seren leaned over to open his door, then introduced a new topic. “So, what movie will we see?”

Canyon didn’t get a chance to answer one question before she asked another.

“And where will we eat?” Her eyes grew big as she had another thought. “Will we come back here to change clothes? I don’t have anything really snazzy to wear. Can we dress casually?”

Catching on to her ploy, he started the engine, then held up his hands in surrender. “All right. You win. I won’t speak ill of Saint George.”

“Saint George?” Seren crossed her arms over her breasts, not because she was upset – sparring with him excited her. “His name isn’t George.”

Canyon shrugged. “He’s perfect, or you think he’s perfect. From everything I’ve heard, George Clooney is considered to be the perfect man. Hence…George.”

“Pfft.” Seren made a scoffing noise. “You’re a funny guy.”

Raising one eyebrow, Canyon gave her a look so heated her panties got soaked.

“Funny, huh? Just wait until tonight. I bet you won’t be laughing then.”

“I guess we’ll see,” she told him with a straight face. Inside, she was jumping up and down. She could hardly wait to be with him again.

Later that day

Reaching across the table to touch her hand, Canyon whispered, “Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine,” she assured him. “This is wonderful. The restaurant is perfect. The food is perfect.” Yet…she wanted to cry. Keeping the smile on her face, keeping her voice even was difficult. You’re perfect. 

“Okay.” He didn’t look completely convinced.

What she told him was true. Like the old song said, if she could save time in a bottle, she’d save every moment of this perfect evening for eternity to relive again and again. “Seriously, I’m having a wonderful time.” Seren looked around at the Legends Steakhouse. “I feel so special.” She smoothed the lace top she wore, hoping he thought she looked nice. “I don’t want the evening to end.”

Canyon ran his thumb over the linen napkin he’d laid by his plate. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” He couldn’t explain the way he felt – sort of desperate, full of anticipation. In a weird way, he felt like time was slipping through his fingers. He needed to do something to hold onto it, and he wasn’t sure what that could be. “So…tell me something about yourself. How did you end up in Kerrville? Just a convenient stop in the road? Destiny, maybe?”

Seren fiddled with her own napkin. “I was walking down the interstate and stopped when I was too tired to go on.” Mostly true.

Canyon’s face darkened like a thundercloud. “Are you glad you’re here? Is there anywhere you’d rather be?”

Reaching out to cover his hand with hers, she assured him, “There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

“Who’s better looking?”

His question caught her off guard. “What?”

Canyon pressed his lips together, feeling foolish. “I asked who was better looking. Me or George? And I don’t mean Clooney.”

Him seeking reassurance from her made Seren’s heart clench in her chest. “I think you know how handsome you are. You have no reason to ever doubt your appeal.”

“My wife turned to someone else.”

“Your wife made the wrong choice.” For the wrong reasons. “Grief will do funny things to us.” Wanting to see him smile, she squeezed his hand. “Tell me what makes you laugh.”

Canyon could see what she was doing. “Oh, I don’t know. My friend Bull can usually crack me up. His sense of humor is so dry.” He shook his head. “I’m not much for slapstick. I don’t like silly movies or comedians.”

“I bet you like kitten videos.”

This made Canyon laugh. “I do, actually.” Pinning her with a stare, he whispered, “You’ve been spying on me, haven’t you?”

Recalling their conversation right after he brought her home from the hunting trip, she laughed. “Oh, yea, I have cameras and bugs rigged up all over your home. I know everything about you.”

“And I know next to nothing about you.” This thought sobered Canyon. “You dole out smidgens of information like rare coins. Did George know everything about you?”

Seren’s face fell. “Yea, he did. And that’s why I couldn’t stay.” The moment the words left her lips she knew they were a mistake. He wouldn’t let this go.

“What do you mean?” He leaned forward across the table, recapturing her hand when she tried to pull it away. “What could he possibly know about you that would force you apart?”

“Don’t do this,” Seren muttered.

“So, why aren’t you with him? Are you over him? Will you ever be over him? If we’re together tonight, am I just a substitute?”

“God, no.” The irreverence slipped out easily. She could never let him believe that. “Don’t ever think that. I think you’re absolutely wonderful. I am so attracted to you. I want you for yourself, don’t ever think otherwise.”

Yes, she was saying all the right things. But what wasn’t she saying? “So…why?”

Seren closed her eyes and hung her head. What could she say? She swore she wasn’t going to lie to him – not about this. And she couldn’t tell him the truth. “He knew everything about me and he loved me anyway. But because he knew everything…I couldn’t stay.”

“Well, that makes perfect sense,” Canyon grumbled. “What did he find out about you?” Narrowing his eyes, he studied Seren’s face closely. “What? Are you married?”

“No,” she scoffed, wondering why this didn’t feel awkward. If there was another man, she’d feel differently, she supposed. But there wasn’t…Canyon was her all in all. “No, I’m not married.”

“Are you a thief?”

“Oh, yea. A jewel thief.” She tugged on her top. “That’s why I have so much money to spend on clothes.”

“Are you an alien?” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial level. “Come on, you can tell me.”

“I didn’t cross the border illegally, no.”

He gave her a disarming grin. “Are you an ET?”

She spread her hands. “Bingo. You got me.” Sometimes the truth is the best policy, especially since there was no way he would believe it.

“I knew it.” Canyon raised his hand to call the waitress over. “I think we have time for dessert before the movie. I can’t believe you chose the horror film.”

Seren breathed a sigh of relief when he seemed to let the subject go. He seemed relaxed now. “The type of movie didn’t matter. I just want to make out with you.”

Her words pushed the idea of dessert completely out of his mind. When the waitress came, all he had to say was, “Check please. We’ve got to hurry to the theater. I want to get good seats.” He winked at Seren. “In the back row.”

…Despite her bravado, once they were seated in the theater, Seren stared straight ahead. She was nervous and she didn’t really know why. Canyon was as familiar to her as the back of her hand. Yet…after existing in the background for so long, being the focus of his attention was still new to her and very overwhelming. Before the house lights went down, as the moviegoers were filing in, she took deep breaths to calm herself.

“Can I get you anything? I should’ve asked on the way in, but you had me distracted.”

Canyon’s whispered admission was welcome. “I could use some water or a soft drink.” Her stomach felt a bit uneasy. Seren didn’t know if it was from the previous conversation – or from the baby.

“No problem. I’ll be right back.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“I won’t.” She eased to one side as he moved by her. Once he was gone, she immediately missed his comforting warmth. Closing her eyes, she counted to ten. The prospect of the baby was never far from her mind, but she still needed to go to the doctor. Seren remembered there was a free clinic in Kerrville. Tomorrow when Canyon was occupied, she’d make an appointment and beg a ride from Doris. She didn’t really need confirmation, Seren could sense the baby’s presence, a part of Canyon residing beneath her heart.

Placing a hand over her belly, she acknowledged the inevitable. Soon, she would need to leave. As badly as she wanted to stay, explaining the unexplainable to him would be impossible. With a sigh, she wondered at all that had transpired. If she could, would she wish none of this ever happened? Would she be happier as Canyon’s watcher, never having known the miracle of his love?

“No.” As sad as it made her, she wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Lord Tennyson was right. Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

When the time was right, she’d know it. Walking away from him would be hard, but knowing – that even then – she would be protecting him would make the pain easier to bear. She could also take comfort that it wouldn’t hurt him – not like it would hurt her. Canyon wouldn’t fall in love with her this time. She couldn’t expect – nor did she deserve – a second such miracle.

“Here you go.”

When he rejoined her, Seren took the cup and gratefully sipped the soft drink. “Thank you so much.”

“I got you some chocolate covered raisins too.”

With a surprised giggle, she held out her hand. “This makes up for the missed dessert.”

“Huh. I thought my kisses would be sweet enough.”

He was right – they were. When the lights went down, he took the half-emptied cup and candy from her and set it aside. “I can’t wait any longer. I need you now.”

Seren melted into his arms. “Will anyone notice?”

“Yea. And they’ll be so-o-o-o jealous.” Placing a hand on the side of her face, Canyon was aware of her excitement. Her breath was coming fast and those amazing tits of hers were rising and falling in an erotic rhythm. He would’ve stared at the enticing sight, even if it hadn’t been rivaled by her beautiful face and gorgeous eyes. “You’re unbelievable. I can’t look at one part of you without worrying about what I’m missing.”

“You aren’t missing anything. We have all night.”

Her soft breath on his cheek convinced him she was right. “I know and I’m going to make every moment count.” Covering her mouth with his, he parted her sweet lips with his tongue and kissed Seren the way he’d dreamed of doing all day. When she let out a soft little moan, his cock came roaring to life. No one had ever done it for him like this woman. Without even trying, she made him feel like a raging bull. His body craved her like a drug, like he already knew how fuckin’ unbelievable it would be to make love to her. “Closer,” he mumbled, pulling her tighter into his embrace. Pushing his tongue roughly into her mouth, he gripped her hair in his balled fist. Kiss followed kiss, each one deeper and hotter than before. Canyon intended to make damn sure this woman never forgot him.

When they needed to breathe, he feathered kisses down her neck, easing up on the pace a little. Seren rested her hand on his chest. Canyon knew she could feel his heartbeat. “You taste so good.” Her mouth had been sweeter than wine, but her skin was extraordinary. Creamy. Delicate. Feminine. Grazing his teeth over the tender cords of her neck, he nuzzled the soft spot beneath her ear. When she shifted restlessly in his arms, letting out another of those desperate little moans – he knew making love with Seren would be the highlight of his life. 

Returning to her face, Canyon kissed her again – sucking on her lips, tracing the delectable bow, drawing her bottom lip into his mouth and biting it gently. “Oh, Canyon,” Seren moaned softly as she ran her hands over his shoulders, his arms, and his chest. “Take me home.”

“You don’t want to see the rest of the movie?” he asked with a teasing tone.

“What movie?” She nipped him on the chin. “The only thing I want to concentrate on is you.”

That was all he needed to hear. “Let’s go.” With a few mumbled excuses, they made their way out of the back row and down the aisle to exit the theater.

Once they were in the truck and headed home, Canyon chuckled.

“What’s wrong?” she asked with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She knew he didn’t remember them from before, so for Canyon this was his first time in a long time.

“Not a damn thing.” He reached over to take her hand. “This should probably be awkward, but it’s not. It feels right.”

“It is right.”

“You won’t be sorry,” he muttered as he managed to keep the truck between the ditches. He forced himself to slow down. Getting them there in one piece was necessary to the success of the rest of the evening. “This is going to be perfect. I promise.” Canyon took a deep breath. The way he was shaking, he just hoped he lasted long enough to give her the pleasure she deserved.

Seren held his hand tightly until they reached his home. For the first time, she didn’t wait for him to come around to help her out, she flung open the door, launching herself into his arms as he came even with her. “Let’s go, Brady. Wow me.”

“Good thing I work well under pressure.” He chuckled as he carried Seren in, balancing her on one knee as he unlocked the door. “Prepare to be amazed, my lovely.”

Seren giggled happily as they moved through the door. Once he set her on her feet, the game seemed to change. Winding her hair around his fist, Canyon pushed her against the wall, tilting her chin up so she’d look him full in the face. “I want you. I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you.”

“I want you too.”

“Me? Not George?”

“George who?” She rested her hand on his forearm which rested near her cheek. His muscles were so hard, flexing beneath her fingertips, seeming to vibrate with excitement.

“Good answer.” As he leaned in, the grip on her hair tightened to tug her head back. Sliding his other hand down her side, he curved it around her waist to lift her up. “Wrap your legs around me.”

When she did, Seren smiled as she felt his hard, thick cock press into the valley of her femininity. Even though several layers of fabric separated them, she could feel how much he wanted her. Moving forward slightly, Seren rubbed against the formidable erection. Thanks to the hall light, she could see the tanned flesh over the pulse in his throat jump in excitement. “I want to go first tonight.”

“Of course.” Releasing her hair, his hand slid to the back of her neck to stroke gently. “A woman always comes first.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“No?” His fingers stilled and Seren missed his touch.

“Don’t stop.” She twisted her hips so her pelvis rubbed against his cock once more. “God, you feel so good.” At her praise, he bucked his hips forward as his hand at her neck pulled her in tighter. He was so big, so warm. As she strained to get closer, her nipples peaked. Her pussy clenched on itself, feeling empty and needy. Locking her ankles behind his hips, she ground herself against his groin. The pressure against her clit felt so good she almost passed out. “I love how you’re made. Hot, hard, and so damned big.”

Her flattering words were almost his undoing. “Keep up with that trash talk, this will be over before it starts, honey.” Contrary to his warning, he moved her body again, letting his cock burrow into her tender region.

“Canyon,” she whimpered, convulsing at the surge of pleasure shooting through her. “Please…”

Nipping her lip, he leaned down. “I’ll please you, baby.”

The first thing that registered with Seren was the loss of the sweet pressure of his cock between her legs. It took her a moment or two to realize she was standing on the floor. “Oh well, this will work better.”

Seeing her happy face, he reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “Your smile is so sexy.”

“Really? You think so?” she asked as he caressed her cheek with one gentle finger. There were delicious calluses on his skin. Masculine. Rough. She knew from experience how good they felt on other parts of her body.

He said, “I do,” as his hands went to the fastening of her pants.

“What are you doing?”

“You said you wanted to go first.” He gave her a wicked wink. “Your wish is my command.”

Seren stopped his hands. “Uh. No. Not what I meant. I want to touch you.” Going upon her tiptoes, she began to scatter kisses all over his throat as her hands went to his waistband. “Help me unbuckle your belt.”

She could tell by the way he stilled that she’d shocked him. “You want to…”

Seren knew he’d forgotten what they’d done before. All he could remember was the times his wife refused him. “I want to please you. Pleasure you. Go down on you.” Part of her was aware the roofs in heaven were probably getting ready to cave in at her colorful language. At the moment, she didn’t care. This was an opportunity to show the man she loved how desirable she found him to be.

“Damn.” Holding her gaze, he took her hand, turned it in his, then raised it to his lips to kiss the tender palm.   

“Lose the shirt too. I get off looking at your chest.” While he made quick work of his zipper and belt, she pulled apart his white western shirt one snap at a time.

“You are definitely a surprise, angel.”

Hearing what he chose to call her could’ve been a deterrent. She didn’t find it to be so. Seren was proud of the chance she’d had to protect him. Now, she was ready to give him another kind of gift. When he dropped his drawers, kicking aside his pants and underwear, her gasp wasn’t feigned. Yes, she’d seen him before. No matter. She never grew tired of looking at him. “You’re so beautiful,” she whispered as she took him in her hand. A sigh slipped from her lips. She’d forgotten how it felt to hold him in her hand. He was so big. So thick.

“One sec.” Just as she was about to drop to her knees, Canyon stopped her. “One kiss.” He caught her to him, kissing her like she mattered. “You are hotter than hell, honey.”

Seren didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing. Instead, she closed her fingers around his hard shaft and dropped awkwardly to her knees.

“Oh, God,” he groaned as she began to pet his length, wrapping both hands around his staff, marveling how her fingers didn’t meet around his girth.

“Feel good?” she asked as she stroked him – up, down, up, down. Pumping. Squeezing at both the tip and the root.

“Oh, hell, yes,” he hissed, his hips bucking helplessly as white-hot pleasure flared through his manhood, robbing him of the power of speech.

“I’m glad.” Because she loved how he felt, so smooth and warm. “I love how you pulse in my hand.” Seren ran the tip of her tongue along the vein running up the underside. Supporting the heavy weight in one hand, she traced the broad crest with one finger. When she found the tiny slit at the tip, she rubbed the clear bead around the head, then brought it to her mouth to taste.

“Sweet Christ,” he moaned at the sight.

“Language,” she cautioned him with a smile as she leaned closer to him, soothing the head of his cock while continuing to pump him up and down. “Ready for more?

“More?”

Holding his gaze, she moved her lips to envelop the wide crest, swallowing his shaft an inch at a time.

“I won’t survive,” he groaned as he reached out to touch her face reverently. “So fuckin’ beautiful. Beyond my wildest dreams.”

His admission made her even wetter. She was on the very edge of coming just from giving him pleasure. Her clit throbbed as she suckled the head of his cock, sliding her circled fingers from the root to the tip. As she teased him with tiny licks of her tongue, Seren pleased herself even as she pleased him. Relearning his taste, the scent of him, the feel. She loved everything – his hair roughened thighs, the way he grunted and cursed, the way he couldn’t be still as she worked on his cock, her hand increasing the speed and building to a rhythm that had him swearing, his breath coming in harsh pants. 

As she balanced the tip of his cock in the middle of her tongue, he gripped her hair and growled, “God, honey. More. Faster. Almost. Fuck!” Canyon felt the come boiling in his balls.

Determined to give him what he needed, Seren pumped him hard. Feeling him pulse in her mouth, she milked him in time with the contractions making his cock throb.

Canyon locked his knees to keep them from buckling as come jetted from his cock. The ecstasy was so extreme it was torture. A harsh bellow was ripped from his throat as Seren pumped him dry. Even after he was spent, she took his entire length into her mouth, swallowing around him.

“Stop, baby, stop.” He palmed the top of her head. “I can’t…Too much.”

Reluctantly, Seren let him go. Licking her lips, she gave him a hopeful smile. “Good?”

“Wow.” He winked at her. “You slew me, baby.” Canyon pulled her to her feet and kissed her wildly, his hands tangling in her hair. “It’s my turn now.”