CHAPTER 24
Elaine slowly backed into the room, pulse racing. “I think you were about to very gently, without ripping my pretty dress, remove my clothes.” She turned around, and peeked back over her shoulder. “You might want to start with the zipper?”
Travis closed the distance between them, eyes hungry. She lifted her hair off her neck and his hand came to her waist. The sound of the zipper broke the silence and cool air hit her back as the dress split open.
“No bra?” he asked as the zipper paused.
No other things either. But he’d discover that soon enough. The zipper tugged again continuing down the curve of her back and exposing the skin all the way to her bare bottom. Travis hissed out a breath as his hand slipped through the opening and caressed a cheek. “Naughty.”
She loved the effect her little surprise had on him. And the way her body responded to the husky burr in his voice. Her clit pulsed expectantly and a needy ache blossomed between her thighs.
Travis slipped the dress down her arms and the dress pooled at her feet, a sea of pink chiffon. “Like Venus rising from the sea,” he murmured as he drew a finger along the bottom curve of her ass. “Widen your stance,” he said thickly. “And hold onto the chair.”
Grabbing the back of the chair, she opened her legs and gasped as his finger dove into her slippery recesses, rubbing over her clit. She leaned into his fingers, wanting more, and relishing the electric shocks moving through her. His hand came to her breast, and his breath was hot on her ear as he teased her nipple. “You’re so hot in nothing but a pair of heels. I want to fuck you hard and fast tonight.” His words incinerated her, and when he gently squeezed her clit she came undone with a cry.
He chuckled low and kissed the back of her neck. “We’ve just begun.” His tongue blazed a trail down her spine, starting another fire in her belly. Dropping to his knees, he slipped his fingers from her, replacing them with his mouth.
She threw her head back, moaning. He licked through her slit, flicking his tongue across her sensitized clit before sliding back and thrusting into her entrance. Her head swirled deliriously as the sensations ripped through her body.
“You taste so good, smell so sweet,” he groaned, starting his pattern of licking and flicking again.
“That feels so good, Travis,” she gritted out between gasps.
He squeezed her thighs, pulling her legs wider. “Come for me, sweetheart. Come on my tongue.”
She canted her hips into him pursuing the building ache, riding his tongue to a crashing release. Her knees buckled and he caught her, gently lowering her to the floor. Through a blissed-out fog, she heard his jacket hit the floor, followed by the jingle of his belt. Propping herself up on her elbows, she watched avidly as he stepped out of his pants, erection springing free. Her mouth watered at the thought of taking him into her mouth, tasting him. She flipped to her knees, drawing her palms up his thighs.
“Grab hold of the chair,” she said, turning his words on him.
He braced his hands on it and gazed down at her through hooded eyes which turned molten when she cupped his balls. His cock bobbed, hard and heavy in front of her. The scent of his arousal hit her, spicy and hot. She leaned in and sucked the top of his thigh where it met his torso, washing her tongue over his heated skin. Reaching up, she ringed the base of his cock with finger and thumb not quite touching and stroked up. He groaned and thrust into her hand. Delight at his reaction surged through her, stoking her own fire.
Then she dipped her head and drew her tongue from his balls to the base of his cock, then slowly up the underside of his thick shaft. He let out a feral growl and dropped his head. When she reached the engorged head, she flicked her tongue across the slit where a drop of pre-come sat. He tasted salty and sharp, and she loved it. Her body buzzed with anticipation.
Slowly, she licked around the head before drawing it into her mouth and sucking. “God, Elaine, you’re killing me.” His hand dropped to her head, fingers tangling in her hair. She swirled and sucked on him, her hips beginning to move in time with his. Then she opened wide and drew as much of him as she could into her mouth. His breath was coming in harsh pants now, muscles on his legs bulging with tension. When his cock hit the back of her mouth, she swallowed. “Enough,” he grunted, and pulled out. “I want your sweet pussy,” he said roughly, hauling her up and walking her back to the bed.
When the back of her knees hit the edge, she scrambled to the center while he rolled on a condom. “Shoes stay on.” His eyes were wild with lust as he climbed over her and pushed her back. “Remember, hard and fast.”
A thrill rippled through her as she dropped her knees. With a possessive growl he thrust home, mouth crashing to hers in a claiming kiss. He filled her completely and she nearly wept with the joy of it. She lifted her hips, meeting him stroke for stroke as their sweat-slicked bodies raced for oblivion. Travis’s ass clenched and he let out a long, low moan as he thrust deeply into her, his climax wracking his body. Two more thrusts and she chased him over the cliff, bright lights exploding behind her eyes.
He collapsed on top of her, and she welcomed his weight pressing her into the mattress. “I love you, Elaine,” he said softly, almost reverently. “It’s like we were made for each other.”
A fire glowed brightly in her chest, expanding to encompass her whole body. She brought a hand to his cheek. “I love you.” She lifted her head to kiss the corner of his mouth.
After a moment, he rose and disappeared into the bathroom, returning with a warm washcloth and curling her into his arms once he’d finished ministering to her. He kissed her temple and took a deep breath, chest expanding into her back. “About seven years ago, I was in charge of an op that went wrong. We ran into a teenager while we were in transit between locations. We should have taken him out. But the look in his eye…” He sighed heavily. “It was too much like my brother. I couldn’t pull the trigger. He must have alerted the insurgents in the area we were there and they must have tracked us to the next town, because in the middle of the night, the building we were sheltering in was compromised. We lost half our team.”
Her stomach dropped at his confession. She turned in his embrace and her heart broke for him. His face was tortured, eyes lost in the memory. “Oh, Travis. I’m so sorry.”
“I’ve never talked about it outside of the survivors, and when I made the report.” His voice was heavy, resigned. “But after the tornado I started having nightmares about that op again. Only this time, there were people from town in my dreams.”
Pain for him needled her. She didn’t know what to say. What could she say? It explained so much.
“I’d gone through counseling right after I got out, but Weston suggested I talk to this guy up here.”
“Did it help?”
He took a deep breath, nodding. “Yeah, it has.”
“What do you talk about? He’s helped me get a better perspective. Figure some things out.”
“Like what?”
“Like I want to return to ranching once I retire from law enforcement.” His eyes searched hers, and she met his gaze steadily. “I’ve learned a lot, working with Hope and Flipper. The physical labor is good for me. For my mind. It settles me.”
“Then shouldn’t you do it now?”
“Hard to be a rancher of one. And I’m a good police chief.” He stroked along her side, hand coming to rest on her hip. “A lot of small towns have crippling issues with substance abuse, and we don’t. I like to think it’s because I’m doing something right here. That we’re doing something right. And if I’m sheriff, maybe I can help other communities in the county.”
This man had her whole heart. She cupped his face. “I love you, Travis. I love your passion and your commitment to this community. I love the way you’re gentle with Dax and how every choice you make is driven by care for people.”
His eyes warmed. “I love that kid. You too.” He kissed her nose. “If no one’s told you this, you need to hear that you’re a great mom, and you’re raising a great son.”
“I haven’t always… Prairie gave us a fresh start.”
He pulled on her wrist, exposing her arm, and brushed tiny kisses along her scars. “Whatever caused you to do this,” he murmured against her skin. “I’m so sorry. If you ever want to talk about it.” He raised his head, eyes glowing intensely. “Whenever you feel ready. I’m always here for you.”
She shut her eyes against the hot sweep of emotion pricking her eyelids. “Thank you.”
He kissed her gently, brushing his hand through her hair, then settling it at her hip. “Tell me your dreams Elaine. You must have dreams.”
His voice wrapped around her, settling heavy in her bones. Calming her. “I was too concerned with survival to have dreams.”
“What about now?” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, thumb making lazy circles at her waist. “There must be something?”
Heat crawled up her chest. She’d never told a soul because saying the words would surely mean it would never come to pass. But she could share this much with him. “I always wanted to go to college.”
He tightened his embrace. “It’s not too late. The community college takes rolling admissions. You could start in January.”
She lifted her head and met his gaze. His hazel eyes sparked with excitement. With belief in her. Her heart constricted. She didn’t deserve this man. She tucked her head under his chin and burrowed into him. “I’ll think about it after the election.”