Chapter 6

James

There were little things that had prodded my subconscious when I first began corresponding with JumpinGinger8. Something familiar that I couldn’t put my finger on. Then she’d talked about her experiences in the Olympics and the thought that it could be Ophelia Cooper popped into my head. I dismissed it until she told me the story of her grandpa.

It couldn’t be a coincidence. For confirmation, I searched the internet for more information about her, and the first thing that came up was an article detailing her last appearance in the Olympics.

They gave a brief backstory of her training, talking about how she’d quit just about everything to focus solely on her sport, determined to win a gold. With one exception. She’d taken the time to learn how to raise and train competitive horses, and credited her grandpa for teaching her how to run a ranch. It surprised me that she’d even learned how to care for her own horse, rather than paying someone to do it. Guilt crept in as I remembered some of the caustic remarks I’d thrown at her, alluding to my belief.

She’d been on the black horse I’d seen her out with on her ranch. They were competing in an obstacle course and were performing a combination. On the third jump, as the horse’s hooves hit the ground, something went wrong. Her whole body jerked and as they approached another obstacle, her saddle seemed to slide around. The moment the horse was airborne, the saddle flew to the side and tossed Lia off like a rag doll. Her hands clung to the reins and one foot was still caught in a stirrup, twisting it at an odd angle. She was hanging so low, that her hip slammed into the triple bar they were attempting to cross.

The horse landed and the impact, while hanging off its side, caused her to let go and she fell, her tangled foot-dragging her for a few feet until the horse came to a halt.

The article went on to explain that the cinch on her saddle had snapped, causing it be unstable and slide over the horse’s back. Her grip on the reins had broken several bones in one hand, she’d shattered her hip, and the angle at which the stirrup twisted her leg had caused a tear in more than one ligament.

I felt an ache in my heart for Lia, not only because of her injuries but for the devastation at having your dreams within your grasp, only to have it torn away in the second it took for the leather to break.

She’d had to have reconstructive surgery on her hip and it was unclear at first whether she would regain full strength in her grip. A year of rehab healed her and she entered another competition. But, minutes before she was scheduled, she withdrew.

Looking carefully at the date, I realized that she had shown up on the ranch two days later. Less than forty-eight hours after Nick had passed. It was a shitty way to kick her when she was down. Something I only added to with my stubborn refusal to see what was really in front of me.

Shame at my attitude toward her had filled me and choked my breath. I was such a fucking dick. So focused on what I wanted and my assumptions that she was nothing but a spoiled little girl who dressed up her pony.

I’d made the decision to redeem myself and gain her forgiveness. It felt unnatural to open up to someone, to share my thoughts instead of internalizing everything. I got used to it though and found that it often lifted a burden I hadn’t even realized I’d been carrying.

I was careful with what information I gave her though, wanting to keep my identity from her long enough to make her like LOCKEdheart34 enough that I would be able to convince her to give us a shot.

Confidence has never been something I struggled with, but waiting for Lia at the restaurant, my nerves were wreaking havoc on it. I wanted to heave a massive sigh of relief when she agreed to stay for dinner and see where things between us would lead. But, I held it in, attempting to hide my first crisis of confidence ever.

She looked unbelievably gorgeous and it was a struggle not to spend the whole meal with my eyes glued to her body. We ordered and after the waiter had taken our menus, it became awkward, neither of us knowing how to capture the easy friendship we’d developed online.

I cleared my throat and said the first thing that came to mind. “You know, you never did answer my question.”

“Question?” she parroted.

“About whether I would increase or decrease my goodnight rating by making it dirtier.” I leaned back in my chair, one hand in my lap, the other on the table, fidgeting with my fork.

A corner of her mouth kicked up in amusement and she cocked her head to the side, studying me with her emerald eyes.

“I suppose it depends on the situation,” she finally answered. “Maybe you’ll find out one of these days.”

Smiling, I raised an eyebrow and slyly asked, “In person?”

Lia’s cheeks turned pink, her blush impossible to hide on her flawless, pale skin. It crept down her neck and I wondered just how far it would go. “I think I need to digest this new James and make sure he’s real before I can make that decision.

I sat forward and captured one of her hands. “That’s not a no. I’ll take that.” I brought her hand to my mouth and brushed a kiss over the back. When I set it back down, I kept it in mine, my thumb stroking the spot where my lips had been.

The silence began to thicken again and I was afraid to lose the ground I’d gained, so I launched into a story about Rose. Lia’s face lit up and she listened attentively, suddenly reminding me that she and Rose had developed a friendship. This pleased me to no end because it hadn’t taken long for me to come to the conclusion that Lia was the one. She was it for me. Knowing she already liked and enjoyed being with my sister was one less obstacle that could have stood in my way.

From there, our conversation slipped easily into the comfortable place we’d found in our chats. Only, it was so much better since I was able to see her cute facial expressions and admire her elegance, and, yeah, lust after her luscious curves. My cock had taken notice of them right away, but my brain was doing a decent job of staving off my instinct to throw her over my shoulder and take her somewhere to sate my desire.

At times, I’d relax enough that I’d forget to keep my guard up and it was obvious that she could see the hunger for her on my face. She would peek up at me through her long lashed and a flush would steal across her skin. It was sexy as hell and didn’t help the increasingly uncomfortable situation in my pants.

Bless the person who invented the table cloth.

Before we knew it, night had fallen and four hours had gone by. I paid the check and then contemplated my next move. Part of me was afraid to let her out of my sight. Worried that she would talk herself out of what was building between us. I wasn’t going to let that happen. She didn’t know it yet, but her fate was sealed. She was mine.

I took her hand as we left the restaurant and she smiled at me, her eyes soft. Tugging gently, I stopped her before we stepped off the sidewalk into the street. “I’m not ready for the night to end”—an idea struck—“How about dessert? There is a Ben & Jerry’s about ten minutes from here.” Lia had a weakness for ice cream, especially Cherry Garcia.

She licked her lips and I stifled a groan, completely jealous of her pink, little tongue.

“I see what you’re doing, James Locke,” she stated as her eyes narrowed playfully. “Using my weakness against me to gain points in your favor.”

“Evil plan discovered,” I shrugged dejectedly, then grinned. “But, is it working?”

Her green eyes danced with merriment as she pretended to think hard. “Yes.” She laughed heartily.  What can I say? Ice cream is my fatal flaw.”

“How ironic, mine is eating ice cream off of . . . stuff.” Lia had the sweetest blush and I couldn’t resist a swift kiss on her plump lips.

Deciding we’d return for her Jeep later, I led her to my truck and helped her up onto the seat. Leaning across to buckle her in, I stole another kiss. Then I jogged around to hop into the driver’s seat and held her hand all the way to our destination.

They were about to close, so we took our scoops to go and sat in the truck, talking and devouring our sweet treat. With each slide of the spoon from her perfect lips, my ice cream seemed to lose its flavor. My mouth watered for the taste of Lia instead.

Finally, I sent up a silent thank you as the torture ceased when she finished her last spoonful with a little moan of pleasure. All the blood in my body rushed to my groin and I couldn’t think straight. I leaned across the seat and pressed my lips to hers, licking the seam and groaning at the extra sweetness from her dessert.

Her mouth opened and my tongue sought more of her taste. Cherries, cream, chocolate, and . . . Lia. I was still holding my practically full cup of melted ice cream, preventing me from taking her in my arms. Tearing my mouth away with a distressed moan, I grabbed her empty container and hopped out of the truck to toss them in a garbage can, returning as swiftly as I could.

She was sitting in exactly the same spot, her fingers resting lightly on her lips, and her green eyes cloudy with desire. I hauled her across the bench seat and situated her on my lap, her back against the door. Our lips mashed together once again but this time, Lia took the lead. Exploring my mouth as I had hers just moments before.

She whimpered, and I felt the muscles of her thighs tense as she squeezed her legs together. My hand had been resting on her hip and I dragged it down until I reached the hem of her skirt. Slipping it underneath, I caressed her silky skin all the way up to cup her pussy. With nothing but a flimsy piece of fabric between her and my finger, I could feel how incredibly hot she was. I swiped across the center of her panties and found them soaked.

“You’re drenched, Lia,” I groaned. “Knowing you’re so wet for me—fuck. You’re making it very hard to be good.”

She squirmed and buried her face in my neck when my finger moved slowly back and forth across her clit, barely touching it.

I felt her head come up and then her hot breath bathing the shell of my ear. “Hmmmm, you’re rating is shooting up. I guess dirty does gain you points.”

In the blink of an eye, I’d flipped her around and laid her back on the seat, covering her with my body. My erection was cradled in the apex of her thighs and I rocked against her. She moaned and shoved her hands into my hair.

Her sexy little sounds were like my own personal brand of heroin. Every hit made me crave more. My hips took up a steady rhythm, soaking in her escalating cries of passion. “You’re killing me with your little moans, Lia. I’m dying to fuck you. But right now, I just want to see you come apart in my arms.”

Our eyes met and I watched hers darken until they were almost black, then her back arched and she cried out as her orgasm crashed over her. “So fucking beautiful,” I whispered reverently, brushing wayward strands of strawberry hair out of her face.

The rev of an engine as it entered the parking lot broke into my perfect moment. Shit. I’d completely forgotten where we were. Lia’s erratic breathing had slowed and I helped her sit up, placing a soft kiss on her cheek, both her eyes and last, her mouth.

“James?” The breathless way she said my name was like throwing gasoline on the fire. I was almost mindless in my need for her.

“What, baby?”

She looked around, her skin reddening as she too remembered where we were. “Um, do—do you want to spend the night. Um, with me?”

I cupped her face between my palms and held her head very still, staring intently as I asked, “Are you sure? Because once I’ve had you, there will be no going back. So you need to be damn fucking sure I’m what you want.”

She blinked a few times and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “Yes,”

I groaned. “That is the sweetest word in the universe.” I crushed my lips against hers for another soul-deep kiss. Then set her away from me, rapidly belting her in, starting the truck, and hauling ass from the parking lot.

As we reached the restaurant where we’d left Lia’s car, a road sign caught my eye. I sped on past and turned sharply where the signs arrow indicated.

“My Jeep was back—l”

“Can’t wait,” I growled. Coming to a hard stop at the valet station, I climbed out, tossed my keys to the attendant and waved him off when he started for Lia’s door. Opening it myself, I didn’t waste any time releasing her and lifting her to the ground. I grasped her hand firmly in mine and marched into the hotel lobby doors.

I secured a room for one night and scowled at the employee as he cast me a knowing smile, making Lea flush bright red. Snatching the keys, I tucked her into my side and led her over to the elevator.

Luck was on my side because the space was empty. I pushed Lia’s back into the wall and kissed her. My hands slid under her skirt, up the back of her thighs, to cup the firm, round cheeks of her ass. A growl rumbled in my throat as I met bare flesh.

The elevator dinged, and I held her tight to my body as I carried her off and down the hallway to our room. I fumbled to get the door open, blowing out a breath of relief when I finally managed the task.

“James.” Lia’s voice was hesitant and I froze, hoping with everything in me that she hasn’t changed her mind. I would stop, turning right around and take her home if that was what she wanted, but I prayed it wasn’t.

“What’s wrong, baby?” I gentled my tone as much as I could while fighting for control.

“Nothing—I mean, I hope it won’t be—I guess,” she babbled adorably. “The thing is, um, I’ve never done this before.”

Something burst inside me and started rapidly spreading. “You’re a virgin, Lia?” She nodded and the feeling multiplied. It was a mixture of intense joy and stark possessiveness. I’d felt these things for her already, but knowing she was mine and only mine, brought them slamming to the surface with a vengeance.

“Are you—does this change anything?”

I canted my head and smirked. “It changes everything.”

Her face fell and I chuckled. “It turns me the fuck on even more and I didn’t think that was possible.”

The dusting of pink over her cheeks and the sparkle in her jewel-toned eyes started my feet moving once again. I set to removing her clothing, kissing every inch as I uncover it. All the while, silently lecturing myself that I had to go slow. Be more delicate with her than I had intended. At least this first time.

I spent an indeterminable amount of time worshipping her body. When I couldn’t stand it a second longer, I threw off my own clothes and we met skin to skin. Her legs fell open as I settled between them, then they closed around my waist.

“Need to be inside you,” I rasped and rocked against her.

She hissed, “Yes.”

I managed to hold back for another second to ask, “Baby, are you on the pill? I want to go in bare, nothing between us.”

She nodded shakily. “Yes.”

“To the pill or—”

“Yes, to both.”

I lowered my forehead to press against hers and push in the tip. My cock was immediately coated by her slick arousal, hot and wet. Making a concentrated effort to hold back, I went a little deeper. “You’re so tight, baby. So fucking tight.”

“I feel so full,” she whispered and damn if that didn’t make me swell even more.

I reached her barrier and lowered my head for a scorching kiss as I thrust in and break through it. She stiffened but didn’t otherwise react. Still, I waited, letting her adjust and tell me when she is ready.

“I feel like I need you to move,” she murmured.

“Thank fuck.” I pulled out and drove back in, seating myself fully inside her. Then did it again and groaned harshly. Her hips lifted to meet mine as I started to move in and out with a building urgency.

Our rapid breaths were the only sounds breaking up the silence in the room. Until I shifted and I hit the perfect spot, causing her to scream out in ecstasy.

“I love it that your so vocal, baby. It makes me so fucking hot for you.” I wrapped my lips first around one peaked nipple and sucked, then did the same to the other. Repeating the process with little bites and slipping one hand down to where we were joined. “Let me hear you, baby. Tell the world who owns you, this body”—I pinch her clit—“this pussy.”

Lia tensed and sucked in a huge breath. Her walls clenched. “Fuck! I want more of that, baby. Squeeze me. Yes. Shit! Oh, fuck!” One more pinch of her little nub and she broke apart.

“Yes! Yes! Oh, James! Yes!”

It’s more than I could take and I roared her name as I followed her over the cliff.