StudinTexas (9 page)

“Oh, yes,” she insisted. “Maybe from the first time I saw
you. I can’t explain it. I was in such a horrible, hollow place inside myself
and then I saw you on your horse and everything within me brightened. The first
rays of sun hitting the frozen ground after a long, hard winter. I didn’t
question it, Sam. I just let it happen.”

His fingers skimmed her cheeks and he said, “I’m sorry about
Nashville, darlin’. That’s not ever going to happen to you again.”

She nodded. Sure, it was unrealistic to believe nothing evil
lurked around her corners when a dark shadow continued to chase her. Yet with
Sam, she really did feel safe. And cherished. From the very, very beginning…

Detangling herself, she climbed off him. She removed her
boots and socks, then shoved her jeans down her legs and straightened. He
reached for her hand.

Staring up at her, he said, “You are so beautiful.” His
smoldering gaze spoke volumes.

He released her hand and hooked his fingers in the sides of
her thong. He dragged the material downward. She stepped out of the panties. He
stood and Sky pushed his shirt off his shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.

Skimming her fingers over his sculpted chest and then the
corrugated grooves of his abdomen, she said, “You are so magnificently built.”

He truly was a powerhouse of a man, all wide-shouldered,
sexy and brawny.

“You’ve got me taking on a more aggressive workout regimen,
with all those desserts of yours.”

“You do have a sweet tooth.”

“Yes, I do. And a sweet spot for you.”

He bent his head to hers. As he engaged her in a sensual
kiss, Sky undid the buttons of his fly. Her fingers grazed his erection and his
hips bucked. Exhilaration raced through her.

He broke their kiss and toed off his boots, then quickly
divested himself of the rest of his clothing, while Sky admired the view.

Oh Lord, was she in for one sizzling ride!

Sam took his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans,
flipped it open and extracted a condom. He tossed the wallet aside. Then he
settled back on the sofa, pulling her down on top of him. Her hand wrapped
around his thick shaft and she slowly pumped.

“Damn, you get me going like nothing I’ve ever known before.”

She dropped her head and ran her tongue along the length of
him, then took him deep into her mouth.

In a gruff voice, he said, “Darlin’, that’s gonna put a
quick end to our fun. I’m lit up like a pinball machine.”

She smiled. “Amusing. But I’m enjoying this.”

Her lips skated along the smooth skin covering the hard
muscle, from base to tip. Then her mouth closed over him again and she sucked
him hard. His hips jerked in response and he plowed his fingers through her
hair.

Her head bobbed as she pleasured him, wrenching from him low
growls that echoed around them and turned her on even more. She would have made
him come this way, but wanted to feel him inside her.

Releasing him, she reached for the condom, tore open the
foil wrapper and rolled the latex down his shaft. She all but licked her lips
at how full and hard he was.

She straddled his lap and guided his cock to her opening,
stroking the tip along her vulva until she pressed her hips down slightly,
taking him in an inch or so.

He grunted. “Slow and easy there, darlin’. You’re putting my
control to the test.”

Splaying her hands over his chest, she drew him in a bit
further as her hips pressed down. He stretched her and it felt heavenly. She
lowered herself all the way, taking him in completely.

“Aw, damn,” he said in a strained voice. A harsh groan
escaped his parted lips and he gripped her waist, rocking her against him. “You
are so tight.”

She leaned toward him, whispering, “And wet. For you.” She
kissed him.

Then she sat up. So did he, and it seemed he swelled inside
her.

“You feel amazing,” she murmured, her lips against his neck,
her teeth nipping, her tongue soothing.

Sam’s hands moved from her waist. One palm flattened at the
small of her back. The other cupped her breast and gently squeezed. Her hips
rolled and undulated. Her fingers combed through his hair as he suckled her
nipple. The low burn in her belly spread throughout her body. He stoked the
fire with the way he touched her and made love to her.

“I want you to come again,” he said against her breast, his
warm breath teasing her nipple tighter.

“So close.”

She rode him at a leisurely pace, and it was perfect.
Sensual and titillating. Making her even hotter for him.

Soft moans fell from her lips as the erotic sensations built
inside her. His wide shaft hit all the right spots, and pleasure ribboned
through her. He whisked the pad of his thumb over her nipple, then tugged on
it. The wicked touch sent fire roaring through her veins and intensified the
throbbing in her pussy, causing her to grind against him once more.

“Sam,” she muttered in a sharp tone. “God, the things you do
to me.”

The slow burn he’d elicited grew into a sexier rhythm as
they rocked together.

Heat and tension mounted within her, steadily increasing,
pushing her closer and closer to the ragged edge. She wrapped her arms around
his neck and held on as her hips gyrated with a quicker pace.

Sam’s teeth lightly scraped her nipple and all the
sensations inside her collided and erupted in a vibrant orgasm that made her
cry out his name. Her body trembled and her pussy clenched him as her inner
walls milked his cock. She felt the rush of her release from head to toe. Her
skin tingled. Hell, even her nose tingled.

Miracle of miracles, Sky finally felt whole again.

Her arms tightened around Sam’s neck as emotion coursed
through her, mixing with all the erotic sensations he evoked. “You brought me
right back to life.” Showering light on all those dark shadows she’d thought of
earlier.

“I’m not done making you come.”

Excitement rippled through her. “Okay.”

He lay back against the pillows piled in the corner. She
sprawled across his torso, her upper body pressed to his. Her nipples rubbed
against his smooth, hot skin as they continued to move together. Sam’s hands
shifted to her butt and he cupped both cheeks, guiding her into a steadier
tempo.

He kissed her as he thrust into her with full, confident
strokes. The fire inside her raged again instantly.

“Perfect,” she said as her lips grazed his throat. She
nipped at the skin, then flicked her tongue over the love bite.

Sam groaned. “You get me all worked up. So quick.”

She kissed him, then murmured, “I love how you feel inside
me. So hard and full.”

He held onto her as he thrust up into her, pushing the air
from her lungs.

“Yes,” she said in a raspy voice. “God, I’ve never wanted
anyone as much as I want you.”

Her emotions spiraled out of control. She’d known making
love with Sam would be incredible—something special that went well beyond
anything she’d ever experienced before. But she’d had no idea how crazed it
would make her, inciting a desperate and insatiable need for him and the
overwhelming urge to be even closer to him, as intimately connected to him as
possible.

As his tempo quickened, his fingers glided along the cleft
of her ass. He rubbed the sensitive area between where their bodies were joined
and the rim of her anus. Not something she’d ever experienced, but she found it
damn arousing. Her breathing turned harsh.

In between their searing kisses, she said, “I’m going to
come again.”

He pumped deeper into her just as his finger pressed into
the forbidden hole. Every wicked sensation he evoked crashed over her, making
her cry out as she came on a wave of heat and exhilaration. The most powerful
orgasm she’d ever had.

“That’s it, darlin’,” he encouraged in a hoarse tone.
“Squeeze me tight.”

Her pussy contracted around his shaft, clenching it fiercely
as her body went up in flames.

Seconds later, he gave a final, deep thrust and his cock
surged inside her.

“Sky,” he ground out. His body convulsed and the hand on her
butt held her pelvis more firmly against his as he rode out his climax.

Making him come was as exciting as her own release. Her lips
skimmed over his throat, up to his ear. She whispered, “I take it back. Maybe
you can save everybody, cowboy.”

Sam held Sky close while his breathing returned to normal.
Not that he ever expected to fully get his breath back when he was with her.
Everything about her knocked the wind right out of him.

Even the words she’d just said to him.

Still holding her to him, he reached a hand up and gently
tugged on the strip of leather holding her now-messy ponytail over one bare
shoulder. He released the thick mass and ran his fingers through her silky
curls. Her hair had a faint floral scent to it that he inhaled deeply.

He wasn’t inclined to move. In fact, he considered reaching
for the blanket and tossing it over them again. He just wanted to stay put with
her and enjoy the feel of her body on top of his.

But then Sky shifted and sat up, her palms splayed over his
pecs. Staring down at him, she said, “I’m glad you invited me in.”

He brushed a few strands from her face, then his fingertips
grazed her temple and her cheek.

“I feel the same way.”

They weren’t talking about the same thing, he knew. She
meant the tour he’d offered to give of the cottage. He referred to something
entirely different.

She got the gist, though. With a soft smile, she said, “I
think my instincts have improved significantly since Nashville. I finally feel
like I know what I’m doing. Like I can finally have something moving and
meaningful in my life. Some
one
,” she added pointedly.

Sam grinned. “You can, darlin’.” He kissed her, then said,
“You just have to accept that it’s okay to lean on someone from time to time.”

“I still don’t know what to do about the ex, so how can I
ask for help?”

He nodded. “Fair enough. But maybe we can come up with a
solution together.”

She seemed to give this some thought, then said, “I’ll make
a decision in the morning. I know I’ve got to take action. I just don’t know
what that’s going to entail.”

“I’m happy to work through it with you.”

Leaning forward, her lips brushed his and she said in a low
voice, “I really do owe Reese a huge thank-you for being such a pain in the
ass.”

“Yeah, me too.” He kissed her, his tongue sweeping over
hers, twisting and tangling in that sexy way that got him all worked up again.

When they finally came up for air, he simply said, “I want
you in my bed.”

“Told you I wasn’t saying no to you.”

She climbed off him and stood. Sam got to his feet as well
and then promptly swept her off hers and carried her down the hallway.

“Do you have a favorite side?” she asked when they entered
his room.

“The middle.”

With a giggle, she told him, “Guess I’ll just sleep on top
of you, then.”

“That’d be all right by me.”

When they finally settled under the covers, though, she lay
on her side and he spooned her.

“I like your arms around me,” she said. “All those muscles
and heat surrounding me. And damn do you smell good.”

“Not like horses?”

“I’m sure you cleaned up before dinner.”

“I even put on cologne for you, darlin’. I’m just sorry I
was running so late. Lot of paperwork and phone calls go along with bringing
horses out to the ranch.”

“I can imagine.” She was quiet a moment, then asked, “What’s
the new horse’s name?”

“I’m not going to tell you that.”

“Sam.”

He sighed. “I don’t want to give you any chance of getting
attached, Sky.
I’m
already attached and it’s hell on me. Worse for
Caleb, since he’s now the vet in charge of the case.”

She squirmed in his embrace and rolled over to face him.

“Thought you liked being surrounded by my muscles and heat,”
Sam said.

Her fingers grazed his jaw. “You and your brother are
wonderful people. When I first came here, I didn’t really think about how
traumatic it could be for y’all to treat abused horses. Especially since so
many of them that I see are on the mend. But I haven’t witnessed a new case
come in, so I don’t really know how much more emotionally challenging it is.”

“Doesn’t get any easier,” he told her.

“I understand that. I saw the white Arabian, of course. But
Caleb had already begun treating the cuts from the barbed wire and he’s not
nearly as mentally disturbed as Bells or Midnight. Or some of the others.”

“We’re lucky to have a few that just need time to heal
physically, not mentally.”

“I really admire you,” she said. “Everyone at the ranch, to
tell you the truth. Even the volunteers and security guards are concerned about
the horses’ wellbeing.”

“Well, that’s one of the finer points about Texas, darlin’.
Plenty of horse lovers who just want to keep them safe.”

“You make a damn good cowboy.” She kissed him.

Against her lips, he said, “You keep kissing me and we’ll be
saddlin’ up again. In about two seconds.”

“Okay.” And her mouth covered his once more.

In the morning, he made her a loaded omelet and hash browns.

She slid onto a stool at the breakfast bar. “And he cooks,”
she mused.

“Pretty handy at the grill too,” he said with a wink.

“No surprise there. I’m starting to think you’re some sort
of Superman.”

“Hardly.” He set a plate before her, then settled on a stool
across from her. “I’ve made love to you twice and I haven’t even taken you out
on a real date.”

“At least you’re feeding me.”

He chuckled at her playful banter. They had an easy, natural
rapport. Not something Sam had encountered before. He and Caleb had spent most
of their lives trying to discern the intentions of the female persuasion.

When one had as much money as the Bennetts did, ulterior
motives were the order of the day. Ferreting them out had become a necessity
early on for both Sam and Caleb—and it’d created a lot of internal and external
conflict when dating. One of the reasons Sam hadn’t bothered with it since
coming to Wilder. That and the fact no one had caught his eye or captured his
interest. Until Sky had come to town.

The woman enjoying breakfast in his kitchen was not one
whose motives he questioned. He had enough experience to be able to tell the
difference between fake and genuine. What she wanted from him didn’t come with
a price tag. They already shared an emotional connection. Now an intimate one.
If she was after anything, it was his heart and his body.

He laughed again.

“What’s so funny?” She eyed him over a forkful of omelet.

“Just thinking about how much I want to make love to you
again.”

She put the fork down. “So take me back to bed.”

* * * * *

After their early morning romp, Sky drove to Luckenbach,
showered and dressed. If there really was a Cloud Nine, she was on it.

Her night with Sam had her believing a person’s bad luck
could change on a dime. And to top it all off—as if landing a studly cowboy
with a hearty sexual appetite wasn’t enough to make a cowgirl ridiculously
giddy—she hadn’t received a voicemail message from Mac in twenty-four hours.

She wouldn’t completely get her hopes up, since today was a
new day. But it was the first time in months that he’d left her alone.

She’d surmised from the beginning that he must have enough
of his own money to cover whatever payments he arranged to make while trying to
con her out of additional funds. So maybe now that he’d gone silent, he’d
either paid the debt in full or he’d found some other way to come up with the
sixty grand. Probably by swindling another sucker.

Yes, she felt like ten kinds of fool, but Sky had to admit
that Mac had been the one to get her the audition with Casey James. So he’d
been on the up and up at some point.

Too bad she’d gotten him on the tail end of his winning
streak.

But she refused to let her poor judgment spoil her day. She
stopped off at the general store to say hey to Luckenbach friends, most of them
milling about the area, going about their business before the evening’s concert
and dance started. Then she headed back to the ranch.

Sky’s day got even better when she found a beautiful bouquet
of wildflowers in a glass vase sitting on her counter. She unfolded the
accompanying note and smiled.

You made my night. (And my morning.) I want to take you
dancing. Jack’s saloon, after you wrap up this evening. Sam

How could she possibly resist?

She launched into a new batch of desserts for the
Friday-night dinner crowd. Reese had already told her it’d be fine if she took
the weekends off, because that’s when most of their events were held, and the
clients currently booked had secured bakers in advance for their respective
festivities, since the inn hadn’t previously had a pastry chef on staff or on
call.

Given that Sky missed making her wedding cakes, she
considered calling Lucy at the dance hall and letting her know she was still
available, having turned over all of her business to another cake maker.

She hadn’t previously known what the job at the inn would
entail, but she now suspected she could enjoy the best of both worlds. At least
until things really got rolling at the inn. Then she’d probably be making cakes
for the brides and grooms tying the knot on the event lawn, and for the other
clients Reese and Liza were bringing in. Not to mention, once Reese hired a
marketing director, things really would get hopping out here at the ranch.

Despite her initial reservations—and some of the more
disheartening aspects of the Painted Horse, where the mistreated horses were
concerned—Sky was thrilled she’d given the job at the inn a chance. Her whole
life had changed because of it.

She breezed through her afternoon, then spruced up before
meeting Sam outside at his truck. He wore jeans and an untucked black
button-down shirt. The hem of the short sleeves hugged his bulging biceps and
made her mouth water. He wore his black Stetson and boots.

There truly wasn’t a finer sight than him, she decided.

“You look devilishly handsome,” she said with a kiss. Then
added, “Thanks for the flowers.”

“Just hoped you’d look at ’em during the day and know I was
thinking about you.”

She smiled up at him. “You’re very sweet.” Her gaze lingered
and her smile faded. His eyes were clouded, not nearly as vibrant as usual. Her
heart sank. She said, “Please don’t tell me that Caleb had to put the new horse
down.”

“Not yet. He’s hanging on.”

She swallowed down a lump of emotion. “But not by much,
right?”

“The humane thing to do at this point, darlin’, might just
be to put him out of his misery.”

Her breath caught. “There has to be something Caleb can do.”

“He’s going to stay with the horse tonight. He’s given him
painkillers. But if there’s no sign of improvement come morning…”

“I know. I get it.” Though facing the reality of the
situation did nothing to keep the prickle of tears at bay. She gave him another
kiss, then said, “Maybe dancing’s not such a good idea tonight.”

“No,” he was quick to say. “It’s a great idea. I need a
break and a change of scenery. Get the horse off my mind for a few hours. You
could probably use the same from all your worries.”

“What’s his name?” she asked once more.

Sam shook his head. “Told you not to go there, darlin’.”

She shoved her hands into the front pockets of her jeans and
asked, “What color is he?”

A flash of something dark and dreadful in his eyes made her
stomach coil.

“Sam?” she prompted.

His jaw clenched briefly. In a reluctant tone, he told her,
“Darker than a bay. A much deeper, reddish-coppery color. Kinda like your
hair.” His gaze locked with hers. “First time I saw you, I thought I’d never
seen hair that color. Now I’ve seen it twice in less than two weeks.” He reached
a hand out to her and his fingers curled around her neck, the pad of his thumb
gliding slowly over her skin. “Despite all his injuries, he’s still a beautiful
horse. Makes me think about you.”

She covered his hand with hers. “It’s just a coincidence,
Sam.”

“I know.” The haunted look in his eyes lingered.

“I’m sorry about what I said the other night. About you not
being able to save everyone. I didn’t mean it callously.”

“You don’t have to tell me that. I know it already.”

“And you changed my mind about it last night.” Still, she
let out a long sigh. “There has to be something I can do to help.”

“Go dancing with me.”

She hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” he said with conviction in his tone. “Look, Sky,
there’s nothing I can do for the horse. This ball’s in Caleb’s court now,
because I don’t possess the skills he does. If I hang around, all I’ll do is
create more tension.”

She could tell by his edgy tone that he felt powerless in
this situation. She hugged him and said, “Caring about him helps, Sam.”

He held her tight for a minute or so, then told her, “I know
you understand how I feel.”

“I do.”

Sam released her and escorted her to the truck. He helped
her into the cab.

When he slipped into the driver’s seat, she said, “Maybe my
good news will cheer you up a little.”

He slid a glance her way. “Just seeing your pretty face
cheers me up.”

She leaned over and kissed him. Then she hooked her seatbelt
and told him, “I haven’t gotten a single call from the ex in almost two days.
He’s been leaving messages nearly a half-dozen times a day for months. But the
last thirty-six hours?
Nada.
That’s a good sign, don’t you think? He’s
either found a way to pay off the debt, or he’s given up on me handing over the
cash.”

Sam nodded. “That does make me feel better.” He started the
truck and they headed off the property. “But don’t let your guard down,
darlin’. Not for a while, anyway.”

“I know. Though…it is a nice change of pace to not
repeatedly see his number on my cell phone. Kind of a relief, actually.”