Redeemed Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Series Book 3) (8 page)

“But seeing people die, watching friends and coworkers get hurt on the job, and maturing, do a lot to change a person. He is a helluva guy. Just take things slow and make sure things are right for you, Teri. We don’t want to see you get hurt,” he insisted. Jacob felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Richard waiting with his beautiful bride. Jacob took Millie in his arms and whirled her away, eliciting a loud laugh from his bride as they danced off together.

Richard held out his hand to Teri on the dance floor. He watched as the lights shimmered and sparkled against her skin in the dim room. She looked as if she had stars caressing her skin and he wanted to touch every glint of light, tracing each curve. “May I?” he said softly.

Teri placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his hand and the roughness of his callused fingers. “
He’s got a heart of gold… we don’t want to see you hurt”
echoed in her ears. She didn’t want to be hurt, either. She wanted to live every moment and enjoy them all. She laughed gaily as Richard spun her around and pulled her back against him, his arms wrapped around her as if preparing to spin her again.

Richard held her for a moment, breathing against her neck. She was entrancing and fit perfectly against his body. Watching the chiffon of her dress float around her was giving him all sorts of explicit thoughts and all involved getting her alone.

“Let’s go outside. Want some air?” he invited softly in her ear. He wasn’t sure she had heard him due to the loud music. He saw her turn and give him a warm smile. He knew she had. He led her off the dance floor outside onto the veranda.

 
The refreshing, cool air hit Teri instantly and she gave a small shiver. Her dress was awfully thin but it was so nice to be out away from the crowds. The darkness was broken up by the multiple mason-jar lights hanging from the trees. It gave such a warm glow to the stone patio and surrounding area.

Richard took off his jacket and put it over Teri’s shoulders to help keep her warm. The temperature had dropped some and it was giving them privacy. Most of the crowd stayed inside due to the cool night air. “Want to go for a walk?” he asked.

Teri shook her head. “No, I am still barefoot. I honestly am going to need to go back inside. My legs are going to cramp up from the cold stones,” she said, pulling the jacket a bit closer to her.

Richard gave her a devilish grin. “Can I change your mind?” he queried mischievously. He had an idea to keep her with him. He watched as her eyes lit up and the corners of her mouth upturned. He saw a dimple appear on her cheek and knew there was no way he was letting her get away from him.

Teri grinned at him, intrigued. “What exactly do you have in mind?” she asked looking at him. Richard had loosened his collar and the bowtie hung loosely around his neck. His five o’clock shadow in the candlelight gave a sexy edge to his face that made her womanhood clench.

Richard didn’t explain, he just moved. He grabbed a giggling Teri and swung her onto his shoulder effortlessly. He heard her give a shout and then laughed as she held on to his belt. “Hang on baby! This is called a ‘fireman carry’ and we are getting out of here for a bit,” he explained, and swatted her bottom under the layers of chiffon.

Teri laughed hysterically when he swung her up on his shoulder and was glad she had his jacket on; her breasts threaten to pop out of her bodice when upside down on his back. She held on tightly and watched the stone pathway turn to grass as it got a bit darker as they stepped away from the church. “Where are we going?” she asked.

Richard slowed his pace as he neared his SUV. He reached into his pocket, grabbed the keys and unlocked the doors. He did not set her down, however, but opened the door and grabbed a couple of blankets from the back seat and a flask of bourbon he had thought to pack at the last second earlier this morning.

He hoped that he would have a chance to woo her and get to know her. He didn’t know how the night would go, nor did he know if he might want to slip something in his own drink if he needed it. Weddings typically were not his “thing” and a good stiff drink could help. Usually the ceremony had him feeling cornered but tonight was an exception. He was happier now than he had been in quite some time and it was due to the sweet piece of fluff tossed over his shoulder. “How are you doing up there,” he asked grinning and patted her bottom again.

Teri kicked her bare feet and yelped in response. “What are we doing? Are we leaving? My shoes and purse are inside,” she reminded him. She felt so carefree and honestly felt like a princess all dressed up and in the process of being swept away by the villain. Was he a villain, though, or was he Prince Charming?

Richard locked his rig and carried her back towards the chapel. Instead of going inside, he headed for the trees where the lanterns hung suspended. He attempted to shake out a blanket under a tree while holding Teri and sighed.

“Teri, I need both arms. I’m no good at spreading a blanket one handed. Hang on for a second, okay? I don’t want to have to set you down in the cold grass, baby,” he explained. He felt her grab his body tightly in response and he let go of her, quickly placing the blanket under a tree farthest away from the church in a spot that was illuminated. He then pulled Teri over his head and set her barefoot on the blanket. “There you are, Sunshine. I have another one for you to cover your feet if you get cold,” he said thoughtfully.

Teri beamed at him. He was so very considerate and this was terribly romantic. The music was playing faintly in the background, the lanterns were overhead and the blanket was placed on the far side of the tree so if someone looked outside they would not be immediately visible, but within earshot. “Are you trying to seduce me or steal me away?” she asked shyly and a bit embarrassed.

Richard took his seat on the blanket by her feet and hooked a finger under her skirt, lifting it the barest hint. “Both,” he acknowledged lightly with a smirk as she stepped away diligently from his hand. “Is it working? If not, then I thought maybe we could just get to know each other,” he said patting the blanket next to him.

Teri was not sure what to think. He was brutally honest with her and giving her options so she could decide. He was trying awfully hard, though! Sweeping her off her feet, literally into a candlelit forest, under a moonlit sky, was certainly a nice touch.

Teri gracefully sat down cross-legged beside him, her skirt pillowing around her with all of the pleats and chiffon. She still wore his tuxedo jacket over her bodice. Thankfully her breasts stayed tucked in the bodice of her gown while she was upside down.

Teri patted down the ballooned skirt with a laugh. She noticed that he watched her every move with the most seductive smile. “So Richard, what shall we talk about? What did you think of the wedding? I did pretty good today in those cursed heels,” she quipped.

Richard’s eyes glided over her candlelit face as they sat together on the small blanket. She had the loveliest smile when she looked at him and it made him want to touch her. He had restrained himself all afternoon for the sake of the gathering there at the church, but they were alone now and he did not see a reason to fight his urge much longer. He wanted to touch her and, judging her body language, she wanted the same from him.

He leaned forward towards her, placing a hand on the blanket beside her gathered dress. Richard watched as her eyes dropped to his mouth, awaiting him unknowingly. “You did great tonight, Sunshine,” he whispered softly catching her lips in a gentle, coaxing kiss.

He heard her breath hitch at the contact and felt desire stir in him. He wondered if the rest of her succulent body tasted as good as her sweet lips. He broke the kiss gently and looked at her expressive visage. Her lashes rested against her soft cheeks and she had the most mystified expression, those soft lips uplifted on one corner in a silent approval. “Can you hear the music?” he invited, his breath mingling with hers as they remained still. Neither wanting the moment to end.

Teri could not imagine a more perfect setting for romance, nor could she imagine a more perfect partner. Richard was everything she had stopped looking for long ago. It was intimidating and exhilarating at the same time. He was strong, chivalrous, tender and sensual all rolled into the most decadent form. If he was a slice of cheesecake she would be licking the fork until the silver came off!

There was something about him that spoke right to the center of her desire. His lips did crazy things to her mind and she could not help her racing thoughts as she pictured them elsewhere. It was insane how fast she was falling into his web, like he was a spider.

Teri opened her eyes, expecting to find something to make her run away. Isn’t that what she should do if he was as horrible and such a playboy as she had been warned? Instead, her gaze found the warmest and most inviting expression on his face- complete with a tender smile. She found herself watching him, returned it. “Yes, I can hear it,” she replied absently.

Richard stood, holding out his hand towards her. “Dance with me, away from it all. Just you and me, no heels and no interruptions,” he requested. He watched as she placed her hand in his and stood beside him.

It wasn’t enough for her to just stand. He wanted to feel her beside him, against him. He pulled her gently against him, marveling at the pull she held him in. She was enchanting and he could not put his finger on what was so very mysterious about her that drew him so very strongly. She was magical.

Teri gazed up at him as she felt his arm slip around her waist under the coat she wore. She felt him pull her against him, his body warmth felt so inviting. She could not think of a more romantic setting than the two of them under the canopy, in the candle light, dancing alone in the darkness together on the blanket.

Richard held her gently and began to move slowly to the music. He felt her wind her arms around his neck as she looked at him silently. “You are breathtaking tonight,” he marveled, lowering his head to hers and capturing her lips again in a kiss. It still amazed him how perfectly their bodies seemed to fit against each other as they danced. It was like she was made only for him.

Teri held her arms around him for some time, just reveling in the feeling of his mouth on hers. She could feel his arms tighten around her waist, crushing her to him. She could feel heat pooling in her groin as he licked and nipped at her lips softly, eliciting a small sigh of contentment from her.

“Touch me,” she pleaded mindlessly, wanting more. She was surprised and relieved those words slipped from her without a thought. She did want more from him and was not scared. She did not see in him what others did. She felt a bond almost instantly and it was a bit intimidating. She wanted to be touched, to feel desire.

Richard was more than happy to accommodate her request. He was not sure if he could pull away. She sparkled in the dim light like an ethereal fairy and he felt compelled to touch and taste her. He drew his lips along the curve of her chin, dropping small kisses and nipped at her collarbone. He grinned as he heard her gasp again and noted they were still swaying gently to the sounds that carried on the night air. Her body was meant to be loved and touched by him.

Richard marveled at how responsive she was to him. He felt her pulling at his arms as he kissed her shoulders, tasting the perfumed powder that accentuated her soft skin. He wanted to strip her bare there under the trees but was afraid it would be too cold and break the moment. Instead, he settled for touching and tasting what he could, leaving him wanting so much more. He ran his callused fingers over the edge of the bodice of her fitted gown, traveling under his jacket. “That coat is making me jealous,” he whispered, licking her ear.

Teri was mindless at the ministrations. Her heart was clamoring in her chest and she knew she was pulling at his shoulders, silently begging for more. “What do you mean?” she trembled. She felt him nibble on her ear and felt his breath on her neck, as she arched to make her throat available to him.

Richard could not pull away. He wanted to taste more of her. “That coat is doing exactly what I want do to you. Heat you up and wrap myself all around you,” he said brokenly as he slipped his hand alongside of her dress, unzipping it slightly allowing enough room for him to sample her sweet breasts.

The cool air hit her body slightly, but that was not what drew Teri’s attention. It was the shot of lightning to her loins that caused her gasp as she felt him begin to loosen her snug gown. She threaded her hand through his hair, pulling his lips back to hers as she silently begged for more. She felt their tongues meet and dance erotically. Dazed by the desire, she pulled at his shirt freeing it from his dress pants.

Richard grasped the front of her dress, almost laughing at his shaking hands. He felt so eager to touch her. He captured her lips again, keeping her mindless as he freed both small globes. He flicked her nipples with his thumbs and muffled her moan of desire.

“Shhh…” he commanded quietly and was pleased to see her nod. His head dropped down and he studied the twin peaks in front of him. Her breasts were full, but tiny, perfectly matched to her body. Each rosy peak leaped forward begging for the first touch of his mouth. “Sweetest, little breasts I have ever had the pleasure to see,” he growled as he tasted. He tugged, pinched and licked both, drawing mewling sounds from her as she tried to keep quiet. He felt Teri pulling at his head wildly, crushing his face to her breasts.

Teri could not focus from the desire racing through her body. She was trembling and felt so hot under her gown. She felt his tongue tasting and teasing each peak, every touch more powerful than the first. “Richard,” she gasped raggedly, her body on fire. She knew she was begging but had no idea what she was asking for. She wanted more of everything and did not want it to stop.

Richard smiled at the carnal sound of his name on her lips. Her body was begging to be touched and sampled. “Teri, I want to touch more of you” he said pleading as he knelt down in front of her, giving her hot breasts relief. He watched as the cold air made the sweet tips pucker even more. He wanted to spend all night tasting her body under the stars.