Chapter Nineteen
Cord grabbed a condom from his discarded jeans and rolled it on. “I wouldn’t last two seconds with your mouth on me right now.” And he wanted to last longer. He had plans. “Scoot back,” he said and helped, grasping Haley’s ankles and pushing her all the way onto the bed.
Then he worshipped her, starting at those ankles and making a slow journey up the wonderland that was Haley. Paying special attention to the curve of her hip, her breast, her delectable tips, loving her gasps and how her hands roamed over him on their own journey.
By the time his mouth found hers, she was trembling beneath him, making those noises he loved to hear. He needed more. He needed everything.
With their fingers laced together, he set their hands on either side of her head, he held her smoldering gaze and pushed inside her in a slow, sure slide that had them both sucking in a breath of raw, sheer pleasure.
Nothing ever felt better than being buried deep inside Haley. Not one damn thing.
“Cord…” Her eyes were full of everything he felt, and he drowned in her fierce, deep, whisky-colored gaze.
“Me, too.”
He felt it, felt it all to the depths of his soul and his guarded heart. With his needs and his wants blurring, he dipped down to connect with her everywhere, kissing her hard and deep as he began to move.
His body was on fire and aware, and it was fucking powerful. He’d never felt so engulfed. So needed. So wanted. So loved. He thrust into her, and everything began to make sense. There’d been no time for his indulgences in his life. Sure, he’d enjoyed an occasional fling, but he’d never sought a relationship. None of them affected him deeply. Not like Haley. Never like Haley.
He never would’ve pursued this if Drew were alive. But once he let go of his restraint, it’d happened in an instant. Their bond, their crazy connection, had strengthened with time, and now he didn’t want to be without her. He always wanted to be with her, always wanted some sort of connection. Whether they talked, or touched, or kissed hot and heavy or slow and sweet, or he was buried deep inside her warm, welcoming heat, she made him feel alive and held the darkness inside him at bay. With Haley, he yearned for things. The things he saw in her eyes: home, family, love.
She gave him that, willingly.
With her mouth moving under his, her body soft and warm, he had it all with her. It was real. And amazing.
“Haley,” he murmured, when they broke for air and she kissed each of his shoulders with soft tiny brushes of her lips.
“I love your freckles,” she murmured, her hands gliding up and down his back, ripping a groan from his chest.
He wanted to worship her some more, but their need was starting to take over. She wrapped her legs around his hips and he sank in even farther.
“Cord.” She arched into him, eyes closed, head back, lips parted, with a fierce craving etched on her face.
He kissed her throat then nuzzled the curve of her neck. She gasped, tightening on him. Tightening everywhere at once. Fire shot through his veins. And when she did it a second time, he closed his eyes and let it all engulf him. The feel of her, their scent, his name on her lips.
It was everything. And still, he wanted more.
Slipping his arms beneath her, he drew her with him as he leaned back on his shins. Fuck, yeah. This. This was what he’d needed. What he’d wanted.
“Oh…damn…Cord,” she choked out on a gasp as he slid deeper.
Her body was hot and trembling against his, everything connecting. She went a little crazy, rocking into each thrust, crying out as he gripped her hips and guided her movements, driving deeper, then deeper still.
She was brushing him everywhere, arms and legs banded around him, lush breasts with those gorgeous tight peaks grazing his chest, mouth open on his, saying his name over and over. Nothing separated them, not even air. They touched everywhere, and then she was coming, her sweet warmth gripping him like a vise while shuddering in his arms. It was too good. Too damn good. He gave up his control and let her guide him as she barreled right over the edge and took him with her.
Everything around him disappeared except for her. Her hungry gaze. Her cries. Her slick heat. Her trembling. Just Haley. Only Haley. That was the only thought in his head. Everything else disappeared.
His need to remain in control or unaffected. His trust issues even vanished, because he trusted Haley. Trusted her with everything, his body, his heart, his soul. And dammit, it felt good. So damn good…
She deserves better. Drew’s words echoed in Cord’s head. And he agreed, but he wasn’t strong enough to ignore his wants anymore. And he wanted Haley in his life. Bad. He just hoped she felt the same when he eventually found the courage to tell her the truth about Drew.
…
For two days, Haley walked around with her head in the clouds, and she didn’t want to come down, because, hell, it was great up there. She never felt happier or alive or more cherished in her life. She wasn’t sure what exactly had happened, but Cord seemed to have come to some kind of decision or realization about them—about her—because when he touched her or looked at her now it was with everything in him.
And God, she couldn’t get enough. Could never even have imagined she’d ever feel so lighthearted and free. Free from the pain of her past. From now on, she was only looking ahead. Only looking at Cord.
“Well, that should be the last of it,” Stone said as he and Brick and Cord approached her porch where she sat with Jovy and Beth.
All afternoon, they’d had a great view of the men building her fence. In fact the view had been so great, she and the girls had settled in their chairs and watched the show for a good two hours.
“It’s a shame,” Jovy responded, running her hand over her fiancé’s chest as he leaned down to kiss her temple.
“What is?” Stone straightened with a frown. “That we’re done?”
Jovy nodded. “Yep.”
“Yeah.” Beth sighed, gaze eating up her man as he drew near.
“Damn shame,” Haley agreed. “But at least we got through some of that paperwork that was piling up.”
“True.” Jovy turned toward her. “The preliminary is always a pain. It should be just normal day to day stuff for you from now on.”
“Good. I like normal day to day.”
“Me, too.” Cord stepped up to her and smiled as he accepted the drink she offered. Tonight, she was going to come right out and talk to him about continuing to see him after the ranch opened for business next weekend.
Right now, though, there was something else she wanted to discuss. With all of them. She waited until the guys found a seat and a drink before sharing her idea. “Since you all have a moment, I’d like your opinion.”
Cord covered her hand she had resting on the arm of her chair and smiled. “What do you need?”
Brick lifted a brow. “On what?”
“I’d like to know your thoughts about me possibly hiring a few veterans to permanently help out around here.”
She watched the surprise and delight cross each of their faces and relief rushed through her veins. She didn’t want them to think she was trying to steal anything from At-Ease.
“That’s an incredible idea,” Cord said quietly next to her, bringing their joined hands to his lips.
“Yes. It’s brilliant,” Jovy gushed.
Stone nodded. “Drew would’ve loved this idea.”
Everything inside Haley stilled and her heart hurt for the guys, because their friend wasn’t as noble as they thought. She had to be careful. No way would she let them find out. So she nodded and forced a smile.
“I know several veterans who would probably jump at the chance,” Cord stated.
“Then here’s my next question.” She met each of their interested gazes, letting the adrenaline vibrate through her and wash away her anxiety over Drew. “What do you think about me building either a bunkhouse for them, or maybe a few separate little cabins? I kind of like the cabin idea. It’ll give them more privacy.”
“Wow.” Beth’s brows rose. “That would be amazing.”
“Where were you thinking?” Cord asked, pulling her to her feet to point out at the land. “Over by the north pasture?”
She nodded. “Yes.” Not surprised he was already on the same page as her. “The well isn’t too far from Pete’s cabin, so I thought maybe the electricity and stuff would be nearby, too.”
Stone and Brick glanced out at the land and nodded.
“After talking with some of the veterans this weekend, and watching them, I noticed how a few enjoyed working around the horses. It sparked the idea.”
Cord slid his arms around her from behind and pulled her back against his chest. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“No. I’m not.” She shook her head. “I just want to help. And I could use the help. Why not hire them? I’m sure you could recommend the ones you think would work out.”
The six of them walked the land then went inside and spent a few hours sketching up impromptu blueprints and coming up with a feasible plan. Since she was also hiring a few kids from the 4-H Club, they figured she should hire two full-time veterans to start, basing it off the number of horses she had signed up so far. As the number of boarders increased, she would increase her employees accordingly.
The tricky part would be the construction noise and trying not to spook the horses.
But all in all, it felt right, and she was happy, happier than she’d ever been in her whole life, and that scared her to death. Because anytime she got too comfortable, or too content with her life, it was turned on its ear. Never failed.