Now that he was regaining his strength, however, her heart was more at risk than ever.
She’d fallen for him, hard, back when they were kids. And the few short days she’d spent with him had proven that it wasn’t something that had stayed in the past.
Even the way she’d felt abandoned by him after her father’s death wasn’t enough to keep her from feeling drawn to him now, emotionally, physically, sexually.
Especially sexually.
The man was positively drenched in sex appeal, from his tight-muscled body to the wicked glint in his eyes. And when that glint was focused in her direction—well, it was enough to throw her common sense right out the nearest window.
And she was tired. So tired of closing herself off from life, from experiencing all it had to offer. She had her apartment and her job, and precious little else.
Once, she’d been that daredevil who barrel raced on the far end of the ranch, just to experience the thrill of it all. Once she’d lived for the adrenaline rush of trying something scary and new. When had she lost her nerve?
Tempted beyond anything she’d felt in her adult life, she reached down and brushed the hair away from his eyes. He shifted at her touch, but didn’t wake. Sam bit her lip, wishing things could have been different between them.
Though it was getting dark, the air outside was still warm from the heat of the day. Deciding it would be best to let him sleep a little longer before bringing him back inside, she turned to go.
She stopped when his hand circled her wrist. “Cody.” Her voice was almost breathless. “I thought you were asleep.”
“I was. For a while.”
“Sorry I woke you.”
“I’m not.”
Swallowing, she said, “Do you need something?”
“Yeah.” Cracking one eye open, he looked at her through thick, dark lashes. “You.”
“What?” Her heart kicked up to double time at the sensual promise in his voice.
Lacing his fingers through hers, he tugged her down until she was sitting on the edge of the lounger. “We were interrupted earlier.”
“It was probably for the best.” She did her best to sound as no-nonsense as possible. “I don’t know what I was thinking then.”
“I do.” He slid his free hand through her hair, cupping the back of her head. “I was thinking, how in the world did I get so lucky?”
“Cody,” she said again.
“Sam,” he agreed.
“We’re outside,” she hissed, fighting her own desires as much as his temptation. “Anyone could see.”
“Doubtful.” He waved a hand at the railing. “You’ve got a corner apartment, and there’s a wall dividing this deck and the neighbors’. And it’s getting dark.”
“But what if someone else comes outside?” She knew it was unlikely; most of her neighbors had made plans for Labor Day weekend. She and Cody were alone in building.
“Let them,” he growled, his lips barely brushing hers. “I’ve got nothing to hide.”
It was an instinctive move. She glanced down, at his lap. Yep, he was right—Cody wasn’t hiding anything.
With a shout of laughter, Cody wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down so she sprawled across him on the lounger. “Ah, Sam.”
She pressed her face into his uninjured shoulder, trying to hide the fierce blush she could feel climbing her cheeks. “I can’t believe I just did that.”
“Hey.” He tilted her chin up. “I’m flattered.” Then, with a wicked grin, he took her hand and pressed it to his cock, straining against the fabric of his athletic shorts.
They both sucked in a breath at the contact, Cody’s smile fading as a stronger, more intense expression took hold.
Sam closed her eyes, wrapping her fingers around the hard length of him, sighing a little as he surged under her hand.
“Sam.” His voice was strained. “You’re playing with fire.”
“Oh, Cody.” She dropped her head, still stroking him through the thin fabric of his shorts. “I’ve already been burned.”
His face betrayed his confusion. But before he could ask, Sam made a decision.
Cody was offering her a chance she’d never expected to have. Sure, he’d be gone in a matter of days. But that was for the best. Heaven knew they’d never be able to have a real, long-term relationship.
But to touch heaven, even if just for a little while, was too tempting by half.
She’d wanted this for too many years to walk away now.
“Let me know if I hurt you,” she warned, scooting around on the lounger so she could get a better hold on the waistband of his shorts. “Remember, Dr. Miller only cleared you for mild physical exertion.” She winked at him. “So you just let me do all the exerting.”
Then, with a gentle tug, she pulled his shorts down, avoiding his damaged knee as she removed them completely.
He hissed in a breath as his cock sprang free, jutting up from the dark curls. Sam dropped the shorts on the wooden deck and wrapped one hand around him, her thumb smoothing a drop of pre-come across the broad head.
She glanced around. The sun had slipped below the horizon, casting them both in shadows. The small lawn behind the tiny apartment building was empty, and the woods beyond dark and quiet.
Taking a quick breath for courage, she ducked her head and took him in her mouth.
“Ah, Christ, Sam!” Cody’s hips lifted involuntarily, thrusting into the wet heat of her mouth.
She pulled back, stroking him from root to tip. “Everything okay?”
He glanced at her through narrowed eyes. She was toying with him, dammit.
And he couldn’t have been happier.
“Perfect.” He groaned as she wrapped her lips around his cock once more, her tongue exploring the ridges and curves as her fingers stroked the base.
Honestly, he’d expected her to run again. Every time they got close, she found a reason to break away. But for some reason, today she’d taken the reins.
Her other hand slid lower, cupping his sac. He squeezed his eyes shut as she ran her fingertips lightly over the taut skin, making his balls pull tight. Her mouth slid up, catching on the rim of the broad head, then plunged down again, taking as much of him inside as she could.
He tunneled his fingers into her hair, holding on as she bobbed up and down on his aching cock. Too soon, he could feel his orgasm approaching, his balls pulling up as she swirled her tongue around him.
With a muffled shout, he came, pulsing in her mouth as wave after wave of pleasure washed over him. Shuddering, he collapsed back on the lounger, every muscle in his body going slack.
Sam lifted her head, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Come here,” he coaxed, reaching for her.
Dropping her hand, she smiled at him, lacing her fingers with his as he urged her onto the lounger with him. It was a tight fit, but just what he wanted, his arm draped around her waist, her curves molding perfectly to his body.
Closing his eyes, he tucked her head into the hollow of his shoulder, resting his chin on the top of her head.
He couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else.
Chapter Eleven
The chill of the night air finally drove them back inside, where they ordered pizza for dinner and watched the rodeo finals on the local public-access channel. And if Cody noticed that Sam had a sudden need to check on the laundry when the bullriding event began, well, he was considerate enough not to mention it.
Sam sat down in the laundry room until she was reasonably sure that the bullriding was over. Then, carrying her basket of neatly-folded clothes and sheets, she went back to the apartment.
“I threw your stuff in with mine,” she said as she walked back into the family room. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Clean clothes? Yeah, that’s a sure way to piss me off.” Cody got up from his seat on the couch and walked over to her, just the slightest limp indicating his recent injury. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No big deal,” she said, ducking her head.
He lifted her chin so she was looking in his eyes. “It’s a very big deal.”
“Laundry?”
Cody took the basket out of her hands and put it on the floor. Then he slipped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Everything. You gave me a place to stay, took care of me when I needed the help. Thank you.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay,” she whispered.
He stepped back and smiled at her, then reached down to pick up the laundry basket again.
Shaking her head, Sam grabbed it first. “You’re still recuperating, mister,” she said with a smile.
“Well, then, I suppose I need some one-on-one care.” He waggled his eyebrows. “And I have it on good authority that you have an excellent bedside manner.”
Just like that, she went up in flames. Sucking in a breath, she looked him in the eye and nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.”
Then she dropped the laundry basket back on the floor and tugged him down the hall to the bedroom.
Dammit, he hated being injured.
The impulse to pick her up and carry her to bed was almost overwhelming. Only the knowledge that if he tried he’d end up dropping them both on their asses kept him from giving it a try anyway.
Instead, he had to limp along, holding them both to a speed that was way too slow for his taste.
Sam was too nice to let her impatience show, but he knew instinctively she felt the same way.
The heat, the need had been with them all evening, a sort of unseen presence hovering over the room while they ate and watched TV and did all the little things couples would do.
Not that they were a couple.
They reached the bedroom door before he could puzzle that out, and all rational thought flew out of his head as she climbed up on the bed and crooked a finger at him.
“Better get off your feet, cowboy,” she said, her voice low and husky. “We wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
“No pain, no gain,” he countered, stripping his T-shirt off slowly so he wouldn’t jar his shoulder. The avid look in her eyes as she gazed at his bare torso sent a rush of heat to his crotch, his cock pulsing with the need to be buried inside her hot, wet sheath.
Her mouth had been amazing, but now he wanted more. He wanted all of her.
Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of his shorts, he slid them off, stepping out of them as her attention traveled down, her eyes locked on the erection jutting out from his curls. “Your turn,” he said as he stepped closer to the bed.
Within moments, her clothing was gone, flung across the room with an enthusiasm that made him smile. Any amusement fled, though, as he got his first look at her naked body.
Damn, but she was amazing, with sleek golden skin over curves that made his mouth water. Luscious breasts tipped with dusky brown nipples, a softly concave stomach that quivered as she drew in a shaky breath, the tangle of curls between her thighs. He crawled up onto the bed beside her, stroking her from shoulder to hip as she shuddered under his touch.
Leaning over, she kissed him, a hot, open-mouthed caress that quickly spun out of control. His fingers tugged at one taut nipple, drawing a groan out of her. He stretched out on the bed as she straddled him.
“I want you,” he said bluntly. “I want to be inside you. I want to take you every possible way, some more than once. I want you screaming out my name as you come, over and over again.”
“Cody,” she moaned, one hand splayed on his chest. It was broad and toned, a light dusting of hair covering the tanned expanse of skin. She gently traced a path down his chest to the taut muscles of his abdomen, careful to avoid his healing bruises. His stomach quivered as her fingertips skated over the sensitive skin. “God, you’re beautiful,” she breathed, leaning down to press a kiss to his sternum.
He reached out and grasped her hips, tugging her forward. “Come here,” he urged. “I want to taste you.”
She gasped, her eyes bright and heated.
“Hold on to the headboard,” he instructed as she straddled his head, knees on either side. Bending forward, she clung to the carved wood.
Sam was panting now, her breasts rising and falling with ever-increasing frequency. From his vantage point he could see the dampness between her legs, her lips glistening with her juices. Lifting his head slightly off the pillows, he touched his tongue to her.
Her thighs tightened at the contact, the muscles contracting as a wave of moisture flooded her thighs.
“Damn, you’re ready,” he murmured, taking her hips in a gentle grip and swiping his tongue through her curls.
Sam moaned, clutching the headboard in a death grip as he licked his way to her clit, then sucked it into his mouth. With soft, gentle pulses he worked the sensitive spot, bringing her to the edge of orgasm.
Taking one hand off the headboard, she lifted it to her mouth and bit down, trying to hold back the cries that ached to escape.
She was close, so close, that when he pulled back she almost screamed with frustration. He reached up and took her hand from her mouth, kissing the fingers one by one. “Don’t hold back,” he murmured, wrapping her fingers around the headboard once more. “Hold on tight, and just let yourself go.”
Closing her eyes, she nodded once, gripping the headboard tightly. Then her eyes flew open as he pressed one long finger all the way inside her.
His tongue lashed her clit, a second finger joined the first, pumping in and out of her, and she shattered, her back bowing as she screamed out her pleasure. On and on he went, alternately licking and sucking at her, while his fingers plunged in again and again as she shook above him, fingers digging into the hard wood behind his head.
Finally, he withdrew, wrapping his arms around her hips as he gently lowered her to the bed beside him. She drew in a shuddering breath, willing her heart to slow.
Cody stroked her back tenderly, caressing the curve of her hip, until she was somewhat under control. Then he cupped her face in his hands. “Sweetheart, will you do something for me?”
Anything,
she thought, nodding.
“Ride me.”
Just like that, she was ready again, her body aching with the need to hold him deep inside her. With a wicked smile, she straddled him again, scooting down his body until she could wrap her fingers around him.