Anticipation Read online

  His balls tightened with each tug and pull, and he found himself thinking how good it would feel to have her lips around his erection…just like this…aggressive, never-ending suction. When she ran her tongue around his in one long sweeping lick, a jolt of heated lust swept to his groin like a wildfire spreading in his veins.

  Having his cock against her skin but not sliding inside her became a painful, ball-busting, agonizing experience.

  Gritting his teeth in order to hold back, Jonas moved his kiss down her jaw and then nibbled at her collarbone before sliding his lips to her breast.

  As he circled his tongue around her taut, pink nipple, her moans of approval encouraged him more. Instead of taking the bud into his mouth, he moved to the other breast and treated it to the same attention.

  “Jonas, suck them,” she begged. She arched her back and her fingernails scraped his shoulders. He fucking loved it…loved being the man to bring out this raw, uninhibited honesty. He wanted to be the man to fulfill her every sexual fantasy…and to delve into new ones together.

  He captured her nipple and nipped hard at the bud before sucking the tip deep inside his mouth. Deidre’s hips rocked underneath him, a pleased moan rushing past her lips. Jonas flexed his stomach muscles and pressed the hard surface against her slick heat, giving her the friction she sought while relishing each new sound she made. Her hips undulated under him, and the faster pace told him exactly what she wanted.

  He slid farther down her body, his hands worshiping her curves and soft skin.

  When he placed a gentle kiss on the tuft of blonde hair on her mound, her body stopped moving even though her breathing still continued in soft, sexy gusts.

  Jonas glanced up and saw she’d elevated onto her elbows. Her blonde hair was a tangled mess framing her rosy cheeks and swollen lips. Her green-eyed gaze, full of desire, collided with his as he lowered his mouth to her mound and kissed the bit of blonde hair once more.

  “How can such a tender kiss make me want to scream?” she said.

  The awe in her voice made him kiss her again, but this time slightly lower. The rich, sweet smell of her sex was driving him fucking nuts. “Because you know how very close I am,” he replied as he slid his thumbs up her sex and pressed on the outside of her pink skin. His gaze stayed locked with hers while he ran his tongue along her folds.

  When her head fell back onto the bed and her legs dropped to the bed, her body’s full surrender told him she wanted more. Loving every second of her pleasure, he plunged his tongue inside her core, laving at her enticing flavor. She was a seductive combination of musky sweetness he couldn’t describe if he had to. All he knew was her taste made him hard as granite and ache like a virgin teenager.

  Sliding his tongue up her entrance, Jonas flicked her clit in teasing circles. “Jonas,” she panted as she rocked her hips and ground her sex against his mouth. He mouthed the bit of firm flesh, pressing his lips against it before biting at it gently with his teeth.

  Deidre’s body jerked and her breathing changed to frantic gasps. “God, Jonas. I can’t,” she said sitting up slightly to tug on his head and then his shoulders.

  “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

  She continued to pull at him. “I want you inside me. Now!”

  He moved to his elbows above her, setting his cock against her entrance. “Are you sure?” he teased, thrusting his hips slightly.

  Pulling him down on top of her, she spoke next to his ear, “I was sure the moment you said, ‘In another life’.”

  Jonas froze at her statement. After all these years, she remembered his last words to her. What did that say about her? It says she’s one helluva woman, you jackass, and if you keep her waiting any longer she may just tell you she’d rather wait for you in another life.

  He lifted himself slightly and captured her gaze as he pressed the head of his cock against her entrance. He didn’t say a word while he slowly slid inside her, just held her beautiful green gaze. As he seated his erection fully inside her slick, wet, he’d-died-and-gone-to-heaven folds, a sighing whimper crossed her parted lips.

  Jonas couldn’t resist as he withdrew and sank his cock deep inside her. He nipped at her lower lip then bit it again in a teasing kiss.

  Deidre was surprised by this sexy, playful side she didn’t expect to see from Jonas. Her easy-going cowboy with the teasing smile had returned. Her heart soaring, she wrapped her arms tight around his shoulders and kissed him hard as she began to rock her hips in a slow, tantalizing rhythm, a sexy counter to his thrusts that sank deep every time he penetrated her.

  Jonas’ tongue parried with hers in a dominant thrust and pull, moving to the same building momentum of his hips rocking with hers. He was big and heavy, spreading her legs deliciously wide as he moved inside her.

  Breathing deep, Deidre started to push him over on his side, but she apparently pushed too far. She let out a yelp of surprise when he went flying down to the floor, taking her with him in the process.

  After the initial shock wore off, Jonas’ brow furrowed in concern. “You okay, sweetheart?”

  Glancing at the tangle of covers beneath them, she grinned. “Good thing you and the covers broke my fall.”

  Jonas’ warm hands clasped her bare buttocks and a sinful smile canted his lips. “Nah, I meant to do this, darlin’.” His work-roughened hands grabbed her rear tighter, and he used his hold to press her mound hard against his cock. “I’ve been dying to see how well you’ve learned to ride.”

  “Hmmm, that sounds like a challenge.” Deidre kicked the covers off her legs and slid her hands up his chest, enjoying the flex and play of his thick pectorals and the light sprinkle of dark hair under her fingers as she straddled his hips.

  Jonas captured her hands and planted a kiss on the beating pulse at each wrist. His gaze heavy with desire, he placed her hands on his shoulders. Running his hands down her sides, he palmed her thighs. “When you ride me, I want to feel every single muscle from here,” he squeezed her thigh muscles then ran his hands up her thighs until his thumbs touched her sex, “to here, gripping the hell out of me.”

  Jonas left her completely speechless. Deidre had never felt sexier and more cherished than she did by the man lying underneath her. Lifting herself up on her knees, she slowly lowered her body down over his shaft until his cock filled her completely.

  The full, stretching sensation felt so damn good, she just sat there for several seconds and closed her eyes, savoring the numerous emotions and physical responses running through her. Past yearnings, dream-filled nights, jerking awake sweating and throbbing. Lust, elation, building passion and mutual body heat merged, creating a sense of rightness and completion she couldn’t put to words.

  She opened her eyes when she felt Jonas’ chest rising and falling at a faster pace underneath her hands.

  “I’m sure I’m going to like how you ride, but damn, you’re beautiful just sitting astride.”

  She heard the tension in his tone, felt the tightness of his skin under her palms. Jonas was holding back for her. She flexed her inner muscles and grasped his cock in a tight pelvic squeeze. “But then it wouldn’t be called riding, would it?” She began to rock her hips in a steadily increasing motion. Every movement jammed him deeper inside her, sending jolts of exquisite pleasure shooting to her sex.

  “No, I guess it wouldn’t.” His voice sounded a bit strained as his fingers dug into her buttocks.

  Deidre shivered at the sexy picture he made with his wavy black hair all askew and the muscles in his tan neck flexing in and out. His eyes were half closed, watching her, and his nostrils flared as he took deeper and deeper breaths. Her gaze slid lower to his abs, flexing with each counter thrust of his hips. She decided she liked this position, if nothing else for the great view it gave her of his well-cut, hardworking body.

  When he reached up and rubbed her nipples with his thumbs, then tweaked the sensitive pink tips between his fingers, he said, “I’m not planning on coming alone.”
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br />   “You…you don’t have to worry,” she stammered as splinters of desire shot down her belly and straight to her sex with each bit of pressure he applied. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders and leaned closer as her climax approached in tighter and tighter spirals of erotic flexes.

  Jonas pinched her nipples hard and said in a husky voice, “Nothing compares to the feel of your warm body clasping me tight.”

  She was so close. The pleasure-pain he applied to her nipples sent tiny shockwaves rippling down her spine, but when he grabbed her hips and thrust upward at the same time he pulled her closer, his cock hit just the right spot on her clit. She almost missed his roar of pleasure as he came because her own scream of ecstasy lasted throughout her orgasm.

  Thunderous, unrelenting vibrations contracted her walls around him again and again. She rocked against his thick cock, riding her climax until her arms and legs shook so hard she collapsed on his chest.

  As her body rose and fell with his heavy breathing, Deidre reveled in the sheen of sweat that coated both their bodies. Jonas ran his fingers across her hair, pushing the damp strands away from her face. She smiled at the tingle of excitement his slight touch evoked within her, knowing she’d never get enough of him. From his strong sense of right and wrong, to the way he made her knees threaten to give way whenever he stepped into the room, the man more than fulfilled every fantasy she’d ever had…and then some.

  While his heart rate slowed to its normal pace, Jonas inhaled Deidre’s alluring pear-blossom scent. He relished the feel of her weight blanketing him and the sensation of being deep inside her. He could see himself with this woman forever. The thought made his stomach knot and deep-seated mistrust rush to the forefront of his mind. Not to mention fear. He didn’t want to be hurt again. He felt so strongly about Deidre, she had the power to destroy him.

  He knew Deidre had done nothing to deserve his judgment, but some wounds never healed. She deserved a man who could completely give her his trust and his heart. His body tensed and his grip around her waist tightened at the thought of Deidre kissing, let alone having sex with another man.

  She lifted her head, concern etching her brow. “What’s wrong?”

  His gaze searched hers. “Nothing. I just wish I’d met you eleven years ago.”

  Her fingers brushed his jaw as a half smile tilted her lips. “Our pasts are just that. Never regret it. Instead, be proud of the decisions you’ve made. They are the building blocks of who you are.”

  He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Yeah, mistrustful, hard, unyielding.”

  Surprise lit her gaze. “Is that truly how you see yourself?” Shaking her head, she slid to his side and leaned on her elbow to stare at him. “I see a one-in-a-million man, a man who walked away from a magnetic attraction due to his own moral standards. I see a man whose calculated thinking landed him the well-respected role as the town sheriff.”

  “A man who will never trust another woman,” he interrupted in a cold tone. She didn’t need to know fear was the driving factor.

  She raised her eyebrow at his narrowed, suspicious gaze. “Really? You wouldn’t trust a woman who ached to touch you, who felt your desire, knew you wanted her, a woman who had no personal relationship or binding commitment holding her back?”

  She rolled away, stood and stared down at him. “Men aren’t the only ones who own the right to start a relationship, Jonas.” Pointing to her chest, she continued. “This woman walked away because of her moral standards.”

  Before he could respond, she grabbed the shirt he’d tossed onto the chair beside the bed and walked out of the room.

  Jonas sat up and rested his elbow on the bed, staring at the open doorway…speechless. Leave it to Deidre to put it all in perspective. He knew he’d fallen in love with her spunky, tell-it-like-it-is self for a reason. He no longer had to deny his attraction to her. She was right. She had walked away and never pursued their mutual attraction. Like him, she’d never forgotten. She had always cared…all these years.

  Once he’d pulled on his jeans, he found her in the living room. She stood wearing his shirt, her back to him as she stared out the window. His cock hardened instantly when he mentally acknowledged she was naked beneath his shirt.

  His woman.

  He approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Gathering her close, he nuzzled her neck. “Would an apology for being a complete ass earn your forgiveness?”

  She folded her arms over his and sighed. “I can’t change the past.”

  He turned her in his arms and planted a kiss on her forehead, his heart thumping hard. A lump formed in his throat, but he had to ask. “Are you offering me a future?”

  She grinned and snaked her arms around his neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she spoke next to his ear in a husky voice, “I know you said you’d never ask a woman to marry you again. If you plan to stick to your vow, because men do silly things sometimes, I hope that you’d at least consider the alternative of accepting a woman’s marriage proposal.”

  Jonas’ heart jerked and he set her away so he could meet her gaze. He couldn’t dare hope. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

  Deidre laughed and shook her head. “No. I’m not. I’m just asking you to consider the possibility that the male isn’t the only one who can propose marriage.”

  Confusion settled within him. As much as her statement made his aversion to commitment and opening himself up to being hurt jump front and center in his mind, his stomach twisted into knots. For a split second he’d experienced joyous acceptance of the idea of having Deidre to himself, ’til death did they part.

  A wide grin spread across his face and his spirits lifted as he locked his fingers together at the base of her spine. “If the right woman asked me, I think my answer would be a definite ‘yes’.”

  Grabbing his hand at the small of her back, she laced her fingers with his, a sexy smile on her face. “I’m glad to hear you’re open to the possibility.” She tugged him back toward the bedroom. “Now, about that soft bed calling to us…”

  Jonas quickly scooped her up in his arms and chuckled at her squeal of surprise. As he carried her into the bedroom, he planted a kiss on her throat. “You really don’t think you’ll actually sleep in that bed as long as I’m around, do you?”

  When she responded with a seductive “I’m counting on it, cowboy”, he felt the tension in his chest he’d constantly carried around like a coat of armor start to give way to something akin to relaxation.

  Anticipation

  Chapter Six

  A couple hours later, Jonas awoke to the sound of his cell phone ringing. Dawn’s light streaked through the green and white curtains as he quickly got up and pulled his phone from his jeans back pocket.

  Flipping open the phone, he glanced at the caller ID and spoke in a low voice. “What do you have, Jeff?”

  “Heya, boss. I roused Jamie at Kicks Footwear and got him to check his records. Good thing for us this particular style of shoe was recently released in the market. Because the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty, the store keeps track of sales. Only three people have bought the boys’ tennis shoes that match both the size and the shoe tread we lifted near the barn.”

  Jonas straightened his spine as he shifted to sheriff mode. “Give them to me.”

  “Joey Randall, Chaz Blackstone and Aaron Shomar.” Jeff paused for a second and continued. “Motive and connection come to mind. Know what I’m thinking, sir?”

  Jonas’ gaze narrowed. The Blackstones owned the Blackstone B&B that had opened in town a little over a year ago. He knew the Blackstones were friendly with Deidre’s parents, but their son Chaz was a bit of a hothead. There was only one way to find out if He was responsible for the vandalism and destruction on the Flying Wind property. “I think we’re both on the same page. I’ll stop by and pick you up on the way to the Blackstone B&B.”

  “Think Chaz’ll be up that early?”

  Anger festered within him at the thought Deidre cou
ld’ve been hurt because of a teenager’s stunt. “I don’t give a rat’s ass if he’s up that early or not,” he shot back before he closed the cell phone with a determined snap.

  “You have to go.”

  Deidre’s sleepy voice drew his attention. She looked so sexy sitting up on her elbow, her tangled, wavy blonde hair framing her face. Understanding reflected in her green gaze as she held the sheet around her breasts and stared at him intently.

  Jonas nodded while pulling on his underwear. “We’re chasing down a lead in yesterday’s fire.”

  Deidre sat up, her expression alert. “I hope you find who did this. I really don’t want to leave my parents behind with someone still lurking out there who’s elevated his pranks to deadly activities.”

  Jonas’ heart constricted at her casual mention of leaving. “Your parents will be back today?” Damn, he’d been so caught up in Deidre, he’d lost track of time.

  She nodded.

  Mixed emotions shifted within him like a sandcastle being eaten by the ebb and flow of an inevitable incoming tide. While he shrugged into his jeans and shirt, his gut told him to ask her to stay, but old wounds kept the words locked deep inside.

  Setting his jaw, he gave her a curt nod. “I’ll have a report to them by the end of the day.”

  A half smile curved her lips. Sexual tension and unspoken words flowed between them while they stared at each other for several seconds.

  She tilted her head as if she sensed the internal battle going on in his head. “You’d better get going.”

  Snapping to attention, Jonas squared his shoulders and pulled on his socks before stepping into his boots. He turned to go, but cast his gaze back her way. Before he could speak, she made a shooing motion with her hand. “Go.”

  Jonas grabbed his Stetson from the dresser and set it firmly on his head. As he walked out of the room, she called after him, “The sheriff always gets his man.”