Break In Two (6 page)

When she woke in the morning, Claire was sleeping in her bed, still with the blanket wrapped around her shoulders and fully dressed. She looked out the bedroom door and saw Otis laying on the floor. She stood up and called him over so she could pet him. As she did, she saw a note on the kitchen table, "
Claire, I left Otis so you wouldn't have to wake up alone. I hope that you don't mind sharing your cabin with a dog for the night. Rest up and come to the restaurant when you're ready. I'll get breakfast for the guests. Cole
"

She sighed gratefully as she read the note. She looked over to the couch and saw a pillow and blanket neatly folded.
He must have slept here in case I needed him
. The thought of it touched her deeply. Otis walked over and nudged her hand so she would pet him. As she made herself a coffee, she replayed the events of the last evening in her mind. She shuddered to think of what would have happened if Cole hadn't been there. As she looked over at the couch, she was flooded with the memory of him holding her in his arms and how completely safe she felt. Claire sipped her coffee, realizing that he must have carried her to her bed when she was asleep and tucked her in. The thought brought a mixture of emotion - embarrassment, gratitude and underneath a longing to be back in his arms, safe and warm.

"If only I could fall asleep like that every night, Otis," as she heard the words come out of her mouth, she knew it was a ridiculous thought.

"I'm not going down that road. I am not ready for anyone in my life right now."

Otis looked up at her and wagged his tail in response.

After having her coffee, Claire took a long hot shower and got dressed in jeans, a black long sleeved t-shirt and black ballet flats. She put her hair up in a ponytail and put some mascara on. Her heart pounded as she hurried past the spot where she was attacked. As she walked up the back steps to the restaurant, she sighed with relief when she saw Cole through the kitchen window. She opened the door and gave Otis a quick pet before she went in.

"Thanks buddy," she said.

Cole looked up from making scrambled eggs and pancakes. There was a strainer full of strawberries in the sink waiting to be cut up and arranged.

"Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"My head is a little sore, but otherwise I'm okay. I'm so embarrassed that I fell asleep on you last night. Sorry about that. Thank you for putting me to bed and leaving Otis for me," She smiled gratefully at him.

"It's the least I could do. I only hope that idiot didn't make you rethink being here. I sent him and his buddies off in a cab at 7 a.m. this morning. I didn't want you to have to run into him again," Cole didn't look up as he stirred the eggs.

Claire crossed the kitchen and touched his arm gently as she stood beside him, "Thank you Cole. You managed to make me feel so safe, even with what happened. I have no intention of leaving. Besides, there are assholes everywhere you go, really."

As she touched his arm, her shirt sleeve rose, exposing bruises on her wrist from the night before. Cole's stomach dropped as he looked at the purple marks. He put down the spatula he was holding and gently ran his fingers over her wrist, "Awe, fuck. That shouldn't have happened. I should have kept a better eye on that dick."

"I'm all right, really. You know what cheers me up? Cooking," she said as she picked up the spatula and flipped the pancakes on the griddle. She handed it back to Cole and walked over to the sink to cut up the strawberries. The two worked well together making breakfast for the remaining guests and the ranch hands. They seemed to find an easy rhythm as they filled the plates and served up the food.

When the meal service was over Cole smiled at her, "I have to run over to my office for a bit. You going to be okay here alone?"

"I'll be just fine now that numb-nuts is gone," She smiled bravely.

Cole started to walk toward the door and then stopped. "Alicia told me about the fridge. I took a look at it and I can't fix it. It's pretty old so I think it's time for a new one. Would you be up for going into town with me to buy a new one this afternoon? I think you should pick it out yourself."

"I sure am. Come and get me when you're ready."

Cole nodded as he put his hat on and headed out the door, "Will do."

*              *              *

Just after lunch was cleaned up, Cole walked into the kitchen, "Hi, you still feeling up for some appliance shopping?"

Claire smiled, "You bet, I just need to go grab my purse from my cabin."

"I'll walk you."

"Thanks." Claire felt better having Cole walk with her. Even in the sunlight, the memory of the night before was still too fresh for her to feel at ease along the path.

They walked into her cabin and Claire headed for her room and shut the door, "I'll just be a minute, help yourself to a drink or something to eat if you like."

She quickly washed her hands and face, put some BB cream on her face, touched up her mascara and threw on some tinted lip gloss. She changed into a royal blue yoga shirt with extra long sleeves and thumb holes to hide her wrists before coming back out of her room.

She found Cole studying a picture of her with her sister, taken in London a few years earlier.

"That's my sister, Janet."

"I figured she was your sister, you two look alike. Do you miss her?"

"Yeah, I do. But she's so happy in London and we talk and text all the time so it doesn't feel quite so far away."

They headed over to his truck and climbed in. The interior of the truck was clean and when Cole started it up, the Foo Fighters came on, an acoustic version of "My Hero."

Claire looked over at him, "This is hands down one of the best songs ever recorded."

"I think so too. Have you ever seen them live?"

"No, but I'd love to."

"I saw them in Denver once. They were unreal. Maybe if they come back, a few of us could go," Cole replied, trying to sound casual.

On the way into town, the pair chatted and laughed together. It felt very much as comfortable between them as it had on their ride out to the river. Claire told some funny stories about the more memorable clients at her restaurant back in Seattle, loving to hear the sound of Cole's laughter as she talked. It was deep and genuine. When they reached the appliance store, Claire was having so much fun she was sorry the ride was over already.

As soon as they walked in, a sales lady with a name tag that read "Tanya at your service" zeroed in on them. She strode over with a too-wide smile, looking like a crocodile about to have lunch. "Good afternoon, you two! What can I help you with today?"

"We need to get a new refrigerator," Cole said.

The sales lady turned to Claire and asked, "So do you know what type you are looking for?"

Claire smiled, "Something with a large capacity, a sub-zero would be best."

"Oh," Tanya practically jumped with glee, "Now does your husband here know what that's going to run him?"

Cole gave Claire a playful grin, "It doesn't matter, nothing's too good for my little lady."

He grabbed her around the waist with one arm and drew her into him. Claire breathed in his aftershave, feeling suddenly giddy with delight.

It took about 45 minutes for them to pick out a Viking Sub-Zero that would be delivered in two days. As they were about to leave, Tanya looked at Claire and said, "Now, honey, this one's a keeper. It's a rare man that will spend that much on an appliance to make his wife happy and still have a smile on his face! You hang onto him!"

"Will do, Tanya!"

When they got back to the truck, Cole opened the passenger door for Claire and offered her his hand, "Your carriage awaits, Mrs. Mitchell."

She took his hand and climbed into the truck, putting on a regal air, "Thank you darling."

Cole started the truck and looked over at Claire, "It’s just you and I for supper, everyone else has the afternoon off. Alicia and Ben went into town to have dinner at her mom's place. Would you like to grab a bite somewhere before we go back home?"

"I'd love to. I'm famished."

"I know the best burger place in the state."

"Oh yeah, I'm in."

*              *              *

Later, when they got back to the ranch, Cole parked beside the barn.

"It looks deserted here," Claire said.

Cole got out of the truck first and came around to open Claire's door. She jumped down, using his hand to steady her. Claire stood with her back against the truck for a minute as he locked it up. She stared at him, willing him to touch her.

He gave her a sexy grin and a peck on the cheek, "Good night, Mrs. Mitchell."

Immediately greedy with lust, Claire reached out and tugged on Cole's shirt with one hand, "You can do better than that."

She locked eyes with him and dared him to kiss her with her steady stare. It was too much for either of them. All common sense was tossed aside as their lips met urgently. Cole grabbed her ass with both hands and squeezed hard, pulling her to him and pressing his body against hers. Claire parted her lips, inviting his tongue into her mouth. His kiss was even better than she had imagined, it was like nothing she had experienced before and it made her instantly desperate to have him.

Cole stopped suddenly and pulled away, holding her face in his hand, "Is this okay for you?" he breathed heavily.

"Only if you don't stop," she answered.

Claire slid her hand off of his collar and rubbed his chest, thrilled to find that it felt every bit as muscular as it looked. She ripped his shirt open, grateful that it had snaps instead of buttons. As she ran her hands over his smooth skin she felt herself becoming immediately wet. He reached his hands up from her ass and pulled her shirt up over her head, revealing her in her bra. They were both completely oblivious to the fact that they were outside and that anyone could pull up and see them.

Cole's hands slid over her breasts, he squeezed them gently, groaning with pleasure at having his first chance to feel their ample size and firmness. His large hands were more than full. He moved one hand up to hold her face while the other explored her breasts. His touch moved from her jaw to her hair, as he wrapped it around his hand and pulled her head back so he could kiss her full on the mouth. He could hear her breathing becoming heavy and she gave a little gasp when he gently pulled her hair again. Letting go, he slid both hands back down to her ass and in one quick move picked her up so that her legs were straddling him. He gave a low moan as he felt her pressed up against his cock through their jeans.

Claire wrapped her legs around his waist and pressed herself against him, feeling his erection for the first time. She wanted nothing more than to have him inside her right then. She felt as if she might burst out of frustration if he didn't fuck her. She had never known this much need for any man, certainly not for Antonio. Her head was spinning as he carried her to the back of the pick-up, holding her up with one hand under her ass as he opened the tailgate and carefully set her down on back of the truck. She urgently reached for his belt and struggled to open it, their mouths never parting. He helped her with the buckle and then moved his hands to pop open the buttons on her jeans while she quickly tugged his pants down to reveal him standing in front of her, shirt open, in boxer briefs, hard as a rock.

"I wish you were wearing a skirt," he murmured into her ear.

"Me too," she breathed.

She put her hands down on the tailgate to prop up her body so he could pull her jeans off. He stepped out of his jeans and as he paused to look into her deep blue eyes, his stare was predatory. He gently slid one hand inside her panties to feel her ready, wet pussy. He rubbed carefully along her sex at first. Claire rocked her hips forward to push his fingers inside her. She grabbed at his boxer briefs and pulled them down to unleash his long, thick cock pointing straight at her. A small gasp escaped her mouth as she got her first look at him this way. He was magnificent.

Cole's mind was reeling now and that little gasp caused his cock to twitch with excitement. He had never wanted anything as badly as to feel her pussy around him. He picked her up with both hands again and moved her panties aside as he found his way inside her with his cock. She wiggled her hips from side to side to help him work his way deeper. He lifted her up and down, rubbing her body on his length as she squeezed him with her pussy. He was so large and so hard that it was almost too much for her, but as she looked at him, she wanted everything he had.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he said to her as his eyes locked on hers again. She had never felt so feminine, so sexy, so turned on in all her life. The smell of him, the touch of his skin on hers, his chin, slightly rough with stubble as he kissed her, all had her wild with desire.

His strength amazed her as he continued lifting her up and down with his powerful hands cupping her ass. Their breathing joined up in the same rhythm as he thrust himself into her and she pushed down on his cock with her entire body. He was in so far and was so big, it was almost painful at moments, but it was such an exquisite pain she didn't ever want it to stop. She leaned back in his arms and pulled her bra down under her breasts, exposing her hard nipples. He exhaled as he took in his first view of her ripe, pink nipples, and lowered his head down to her full breasts, sucking on her left nipple, gently at first and then with increasing intensity. He moved his mouth over to her right breast and flicked her nipple with his tongue, then plunged his mouth over it, sucking hard, the entire time, rubbing her against his mid-section. This sent Claire over the edge, an explosive orgasm erupting from inside her. She squeezed hard on his cock with her tight pussy, drenching him as she came. She had to bite down on her lip to keep from crying out in case they were discovered there. She made little circles with her core as she came.

Cole could feel her coming on his rock-hard cock. She was so unbelievably tight and wet. He watched her face as she came, and when she bit her lip he couldn't take it any longer. He surrendered to his own orgasm, his entire body shuddering with its strength.

"Fuck! Oh fuck, fuck, fuck!" is all he managed to say as he came inside her. He held her up around his waist, kissing her and pressing her body to his firmly until long after he was finished.

"You're amazing, Claire."

He didn't ever want to put her down, he didn't ever want to let her go and this realization suddenly terrified him.

Claire was, for the first time in her life, completely satisfied. She gave him a flirty little smile as she gazed into his perfect hazel eyes, "I knew you could do better."

He grinned back and leaned against the tailgate of his truck, holding her for a moment longer before placing her down gently to stand in front of him.

"I've been wanting to do that since I first laid eyes on you," Cole said as he lowered his head to kiss her again.

"Me too," Claire said in a breathy voice.

"You don't know what you do to me. I've never been this irresponsible in my life, anyone could have pulled up here," Cole said, trying to catch his breath, "Next time we should probably try to make it at least as far as my cabin."

"Hmmm, that's a little presumptuous, don't you think? Maybe I'm a love 'em and leave 'em kind of girl. Have my way with you and then move on to the next cowboy? Or maybe that just wasn't that good for me?" Claire wrinkled her nose up disinterestedly.

Cole's eyes widened with surprise, "Not possible. That was amazing for you," he said as he tapped her on the bottom with his hand.

Claire giggled, "You can do better than that, Mr. Mitchell."

She watched Cole pick up her panties and jeans. He dusted them off and slid her panties onto her legs and into place, then did the same with her jeans. A little tremor went through her body as his hands slid up her legs, the combination of his thoughtfulness and his touch had her wet again.

"Mmmm, you keep doing things like that and I might give you another chance to impress me."

Claire buttoned up her jeans as he reached for his own clothes and started to dress.

She reached over and grabbed him by the shirt again, and started snapping it shut for him.

"Why am I putting your shirt back on for you? There should be a law against you wearing anything that covers up the view of your chest from me."

Cole laughed, "I was thinking the same thing about you, except your whole body."

Cole pulled her in close and started kissing her again. First her lips, then her neck, then he nibbled on her ear lobe, causing a little moan to escape Claire's throat. She could feel him getting hard again and was shocked at how quickly he had recovered.

"Already, Cole? You're a machine," her eyes were wide with surprise.

"Only you can do that to me. These last few weeks have been torture for me. Having you around but not being able to touch you. I have never wanted anything so bad."

Claire bit her lip, "Okay, I just decided. I'll give you the chance for a round two, but that's probably going to be it."

"Well, I better make the most of it then, if it's going to be the last time." Cole picked her up in a fireman carry over his shoulder, causing Claire to squeal with laughter.