Authors: Paige Cameron
Tags: #Romance
When she leaned back and took a deep breath, he let her legs down, but held on to her until she stopped shaking. Lann touched her forehead with his. “Where’s the bathroom.”
“Just inside in the bedroom door.”
“I’ll meet you in the bedroom.” Lann took several quick steps and found the bath.
* * * *
Bliss stood where he’d left her. What had happened?
When he touches me I go crazy.
Her heart pounded like she’d been in a race, and her orgasm had taken over her whole body and went on and on. She didn’t think it was possible, but today had been better than last night. She could hardly wait to see how she’d be with Bern the next time.
Next time? Am I crazy? I don’t want to fall in love.
Still, no matter how many times she told herself not to do it, her body refused to obey.
“Darlin’, are you going to stand there all day? I have to leave in an hour or so. Time’s wasting.” His smile made her toes curl. This was not normal.
She walked toward him. “You know men called me cold. I don’t usually have orgasms and certainly not mind-blowing ones. Have you put a spell on me? There’s something not quite normal about you.”
When she stopped in front of him, he touched her face with his fingertips. “You are one smart lady. I am a little different. While we’re in California, I’ll explain a bit about me and my people and on the way back here we’ll stop at the Wyoming ranch.”
“I haven’t said I’ll go with you. There’ll be a lot of work to do before the opening.”
“Most of it will be after you get your orders. What else are you going to be doing in the next week or so? Bern and I will help you paint. The contractor doesn’t need you to do his job. He’s quite capable on his own. Look at all he did for me when I was still in Wyoming.”
“You’re a smooth talker. But we’ll see. It’s hard to go off and leave my shop unguarded, so to speak.”
“I’ll help you choose a security system for the shop and this little apartment.”
“I can’t afford all of that yet.”
“You can pay me back. Forget all this for now.” Lann swept her into his arms and took her to bed where he removed all of the rest of their clothing. He pulled her naked body against his warmth.
“Isn’t this better than talking so much?” He kissed the corner of her mouth.
“Talking is important in any relationship.”
Lann nuzzled her neck and tickled her. She laughed and scrunched up where he didn’t have easy access.
“I’ve found your ticklish spot. Where else?” He moved to her feet.
“Nope, only my neck.”
“I bet I can tickle you.” He proceeded to run his fingers across the bottom of her foot until she pleaded with him to stop. She’d squealed and laughed so much she was hoarse.
Lann moved up beside her. “It’s good to see and hear you laugh. I want to give you more joy in your life.”
His sincere words and serious expression almost made her cry. She forced a smile and rolled him to his back, then straddled him.
“Let’s see if I can make love to you.”
Lann grabbed the condom he’d placed on the bedside table and handed it to her. She rolled it on his already hard cock, placed his dick at her opening, and took him deep inside her.
“Ah, baby, that is good.” His eyes blazed with light.
She moved up and down at a steady pace, gradually sending a swell of desire rushing through her body. This was good. She had full control.
For a moment, she stopped and enjoyed the feeling of his fullness stretching her to the limit. Bliss ran her hands along his flat abdomen, across his six-pack, and rubbed his nipples. His cock pulsed in response, but he held himself still and let her explore in a way she’d never done before with any man.
At last, she began to move faster and faster until the tingling started and the heated wave of passion engulfed her.
He held her waist and pumped into her a few more times before yelling out as he found his release.
His heart pounded against her chest, and they both gasped for breath. He took hold of her buttocks and moved her closer then wrapped his legs around her. They lay entwined in each other’s arms. She breathed in his particular masculine scent that was all his. She liked being in his arms. It felt right.
“I hate to end this, but it’s time for me to shower and head out.” He tipped her face and kissed her mouth. “Can Bern and I pick you up later for dinner?”
“Hmmm, you have me in a weak moment. Yes.”
“Weak, my ass.” He slapped her butt. “It took me all afternoon to convince you.”
She watched him walk to the bathroom. “You have a pretty nice butt, too,” she said as he darted out of sight.
Bliss stretched on the bed. Tonight, it would be the three of them. She could hardly wait.
They’re making me into a sex fiend
. Then she laughed. Her friends, who had known her for years, would die laughing at that comment.
Lann came out with a towel around his hips and damp hair. He grabbed his clothes from the floor and dressed. “You look delectable. I’ve love to crawl back in bed, but then I’d miss my appointment. It’s taking all my willpower to get out of here.”
“You’ll be seeing me tonight. It can’t be so hard to leave me now.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “If you only knew. See you soon.” His long legs took him quickly out of the room and the apartment. She listened to his steps on the stairs. When his engine started, she sat on the side of the bed.
Her world had changed so fast. She felt like she was in a tumbling ball and couldn’t get her balance. When it stopped where would she be?
Lann pulled into Alan Meades’s driveway. Bliss had him in such a good mood. He hated to let her brother spoil it. It wasn’t quit five, but the man ought to know his mind by now.
He rang the doorbell. It was a few minutes, but finally Alan opened the door. “I didn’t expect it to be you. You’ve never asked to be let in before.”
“Sarcasm becomes you, Alan. Don’t you know a civil greeting?”
“Not for you. Come on in. You’re early.”
“I pass by here on my way to my ranch. So thought I’d stop and get your answer.”
“Come on in the kitchen.” Alan led the way. He got out two beers and handed one to Lann. “You know you have me in a hard spot.”
“No. You put yourself right where you are.” Lann sat at the table. Alan continued to stand.
“The one part I don’t like is giving Bliss the money to throw away on her stupid shop. I need all the money to get a head start in another town. Dad would want me to have it.”
“I don’t fucking care what your dad would want or how much easier it’d be for you. As I said before, my terms are not negotiable.” Lann took a long swallow of the cold beer. He ignored Alan still standing with a red face and his hands clenched.
Lann put down the bottle. “What will it be? I don’t have time to waste.”
“I don’t want to take your deal, but it’s better than getting nothing.”
“At least you’re showing some sense. My lawyer is completing the contracts today. You know Sunn Handley?”
“You have a woman lawyer. Are you crazy, man?”
“She has a good reputation in town. I thought I’d give her a try. Being a woman doesn’t make her any different than a man lawyer.”
“Humph.”
“As I was saying I’m going to call her and arrange an appointment tomorrow at one o’clock with her, you, your sister, and me. The deal will be signed, and you’ll get your checks.”
“Let yourself out,” Alan mumbled.
“Sure will. I enjoyed our pleasant visit.” Lann heard Alan curse under his breath. He kept right on walking. He couldn’t wait to see Bliss’s face tomorrow when she found out about the sale, and she got the check for her portion of the ranch.
* * * *
Bern had worked hard all day. He hadn’t heard from Lann, but hoped Bliss had agreed to their dinner date. His muscles ached as he limped onto the front porch of his house. He heard a truck and turned to see Lann driving fast down the lane toward him. He squealed to a stop.
“You ought to be a race-car driver to get the speed out of your system.” Bern walked to the edge of the porch. “From your smile, I’d say today’s gone well for you.”
“Offer me a cold glass of iced tea, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“I’m hankering after a cold drink myself.” The inside of the house was cool. They headed to the kitchen, and while Bern poured the tea, Lann found the cookies Bern’s cook had baked.
“You can smell those chocolate cookies from the front door,” Bern said.
“I can. If she agrees to cook for both of us at the one house I’m going to pay her extra to bake some every day.”
“You’ll get fat.”
“Nope. Our metabolism is higher than the average earthling. We don’t get fat.”
“When you call us earthlings it gives me the creeps,” Bern teased. “I think you’re going to turn into a monster and eat us.”
Lann fell into the dining chair laughing. “I do it because you cringe. Are you sorry I told you?”
“No. I’m fascinated, and you know I’d never tell anyone. Nor will my men when they realize you all are different. We have our secrets and respect them in others. Is the dinner on?”
“We’ll pick her up around six thirty. She and I spent most of the afternoon together. It was super. You need to plan to have time alone with her.”
“I will. What else has you so excited?”
“Her brother took my deal.”
“That’s good for Bliss. Are you going to tell her tonight?”
“No, I want it to be a surprise.”
“I hope she’s not one of those women that hates to be surprised, or you may be in for a shock.”
“How can she not be happy?”
“Famous last words, we’ll see tomorrow. I’d love to be in the room when she finds out.”
“I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it. I’ve got to go check with Josh and change for dinner.”
“I’ll drive.”
“Coward,” Lann joked and waved as he strode out the door.
* * * *
Bern watched the interaction between Lann and Bliss. He’d sat across the booth from them.
Lann teased her, and she appeared to like it. They ordered their dinner, and the food was excellent. Soft music played in the background. Bern pretended to be enjoying himself, but inside the melancholy moods that occasionally plagued him had taken away his joy. Lann had glanced at him several times.
I’m sure he knows what’s happening with me tonight. He’s seen me in this mood before.
The waiter came to the table. “I’ll remove these dishes out of your way,” he said and gathered the empty plates. “Would you like to order dessert? Our pecan pie is said to the best this side of Texas.”
“I’d like to try it if someone will help me eat it.” Bliss looked from Bern to Lann.
“We’ll both help you,” Lann said.
“I’ll be right back with it.” The waiter walked off, balancing an assortment of dishes.
Bliss leaned back and smiled at Bern. “You’ve been very quiet this evening.”
“I’m a quiet man. Lann can outtalk me anytime. That’s why we make such good friends. We balance each other.”
She shook her head, and the light sparkled in her midnight-black hair. Bern wished he could reach across the table and run his fingers through the strands. But, he wasn’t the type of man to be demonstrative in public.
“You’re much quieter than usual. Are you worried about something?”
“No. I’ve enjoyed the good meal and looking at you. You’re a beautiful woman.”
“Both of you must need glasses. I’m very ordinary.”
“Not to us,” Bern said. “And someday when you look in the mirror you’ll see what we do.”
“Mom thought it was vain or naughty to look at yourself in the mirror.”
“Ah, so that’s where you got your first impression of yourself.” Bern reached across and took her hand. He ran his thumb across her knuckles. “It will be my goal to show you how wrong she was, if you’ll let me.” He let her hand go and sat straighter when he saw the waiter coming.
“You can try. I doubt you’ll have success.” Bliss bit the edge of her lower lip. “Between my mother and father I have a warped view of men, women, and their marriages.”
The waiter placed the piece of pie with whipped cream on top right in front of Bliss, but he had put three forks on the plate. “I’ll be back to refill your coffees.”
“All right, you two have to eat as much or more than I do.” Bliss handed them each a fork.
Bliss and Lann started eating right off. Bern took a few small bites. He thought he hid it well, but Bliss gave him a strange look.
“I am so full,” Bliss said as they walked to the car. “Thank you both for an excellent dinner. I’ve enjoyed the evening.”
“It was our pleasure.” Lann opened her door and slid in beside her.
Bern had gotten into the driver’s seat. When he drove out of the parking lot, Lann spoke up.