Black Hills Angel (Black Hills Series) (31 page)

"What would that be, my love?" His chest tightened in expectation and wondered if Nora had said too much.
Was she expecting him to propose tonight? Damn! I should have brought the ring.
Andy nodded her head and covered his hand with her own.

"The gallery that is wanting six pieces to sell. That is what we are celebrating. Was there something else?" Her other hand miraculously found its way into his lap. His mouth went dry and his brain was blank. Matt had never met a girl who could give him amnesia, but he was experiencing that now.

"I'm sorry, what?" Matt let out a ragged breath as she boldly brushed the growing bulge in his pants. She'd be the death of him, he was certain. If they weren't so close to town, he'd turn them around and head back to Nora's. He'd keep her there until neither one of them could see straight, let alone walk.

"I can't believe we made it out of the house tonight. You just look so damn good and I feel so lucky to have my very own cowboy." Andy smiled to herself, her touch still setting fire to the skin under his jeans. He tried to focus and found it was getting tougher to drive and continue this foreplay.

"Bet you never thought you'd be with a cowboy from South Dakota, did you?" He grinned, his eyes drinking in her face. She shook her head.

"I didn't. Of course so many things happened that I didn't think would. You just happen to be a delightful surprise." She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with her own. His heart clenched and he swore under his breath. She looked surprised when he pulled the truck off of the dirt road and put it in park. He unclicked his seatbelt and turned towards her. Spearing his hand through her long brown hair, Matt took her lips with all the force of a dying man and his last breath. He needed her. He wanted her. Not one day could go by that she didn't know how incredibly special she was to him.

Andy didn't hesitate for a second and clutched at his broad chest. Her tongue dueled with his in a mindless dance. He plundered and she coaxed. He pulled her closer, kissing along her jaw up to the small shell of her ear. He felt her shiver at the contact and he pressed her closer still. He had no doubt she could hear the fierce beating of his heart. Sliding his fingers up underneath her silver shirt, he marveled at the soft, warm flesh he found. He followed her ribs up to the rounded curve of her breast and his thumb wiped across her nipple. She hissed at the sharp intake of breath and her forehead tipped into his shoulder.

"I don't think we are going to make the bar in one piece, baby." Matt growled in her ear and Andy giggled breathlessly. Lifting her head to look in his eyes, she pressed another liquid fire kiss to his lips. Her fingers played with the longer hair at the back of his neck and he groaned with need into her mouth. She nipped; grazing his lower lip with her teeth. Leaning back against the seat, Andy looked every bit the siren he saw in her.

"Let's go home." The heat that smoldered in her eyes left him physically weakened. Such a simple command made him want to send his truck tearing up those dirt roads all the way home. Reckless and foolhardy, but unable to control the gaping need inside him. Amazingly, he locked his seatbelt back into place and turned the truck around. He might drive faster than he was supposed to, but he very much wanted them both to get there in one piece. Andy snuggled in next to him and kept her hand in his lap.

Chapter Twenty Six

Her blood was pumping as hotly as it had ever done, perhaps more so. She couldn't help but grin when Matt's Chevy truck came to a rolling stop in Nora's drive. The headlights shining on the dark house said that it was all theirs. Her head spun at the thought of spending an entire night
alone
with Matt Johnson. She hadn't shared a bed with him since the accident and the last time that they had slept together was tainted by his inadvertent betrayal and his crazy ex-girlfriend trying to kill her. So much had gone wrong in such a short amount of time and it was time to change their luck. No more secrets. No more
should haves
. No more
I wish I could have
. Now was the time for doing what felt right and what would be a start to something absolutely amazing.

Matt turned the key off in the ignition and clicked the headlights off. Andy could feel every inch of her body tingling where it was pressed against his; thigh to thigh, side to side. She desperately wanted to know what it would feel like to not know where her body started and his body ended.
Please, never let it end.
She bit her bottom lip in anticipation. Pure adrenalin pumping through her veins and she enjoyed the sensation. She wanted to remind him why they were there and cupped the ridge of his pants. She met those blazing blue eyes in the soft silver light of the moon outside.

"Just in case you forgot." Andy purred, leaning fractionally closer. His chin lowered an inch and he looked directly into her eyes. The silence in the cab of the truck beat like a bass drum. Her nerves were on end with wonder. Slowly, a wicked smile spread across his handsome face and her veneer of calm cracked. His hand slid up her bare arm over her shoulder and along the curve of her neck. His fingers wound into her long hair, tipping her head higher for his kiss. His lips claimed hers like a warrior claimed his woman. She might have taken exception to that, but it was so sexy. She liked the power in his grip, but she also knew that he would never use that power against her. Matt wasn't threatening. She thrived on his strength and pulled it into herself. By the time that he pulled back from their soul-searing kiss, she was panting for air. He adopted that wicked grin again.

"Just in case you forgot." The depth of his voice drifted over her skin like a sliding piece of silk. She was desperate for more. Andy leaned her breasts against his chest, wishing his hands were on them. Matt smiled again, leaned forward and whispered huskily in her ear. "It will be so much better inside." She watched him from the corner of her eye and grinned shyly as he pulled back. His hand reaching to the door panel, he opened it and helped her out.

The night was so much colder than it had been. In the truck, it had been on the verge of too hot. The soft breeze calmed the flame in her cheeks as she walked behind Matt, her fingers interlaced with larger ones. He drew her to the door and then they slipped into the darkness of Nora's house. She had been at the cottage for two days, but tonight it felt different. It wasn't a strange place where she didn't really belong, but was welcome. Tonight it was as if the whole feel was changed just by his presence. Just by Matt being here, she felt at home.
Home.
Something had changed. Irrevocably a switch had been flipped and she couldn't see her life or any place for that matter, without Matt.

He closed the door with a decided snap and he threw the bolt, why exactly she wasn't sure. They were out in the middle of nowhere after all. Still it was one less thing to interrupt this perfect moment. He took his hat off, dropped it on the coffee table, and continued towards her. His cowboy boots rang softly on the wood floor until he got to the rug. Her heart banged hard in her chest. It rose and fell in frantic anticipation. With two final steps, he was standing before her. She took her time looking him up and down. The only light in the room came from the bright moon outside and it was surreal in its measure. There was something desperately carnal in the way only shadows and lighted planes shown in the room. With one tilt of their features, either one of their faces was lost to the dark.

Matt stretched out his hand, one finger tracing the fine bones of her collar to the valley between her breasts. Andy swallowed hard, every ounce of her attention focused on the tip of his finger on her skin. Her chest rose and fell. Her breath quick and shallow. Every sense was begging for more. Even her core ached, readying itself for the sweet possession that would surely follow. She reached her hand out to touch him and met with his muscled chest. Tentatively her other hand found the buttons of his shirt and she released them from their fastenings. Fingertips met warm skin and she sighed. The wicked grin appeared on his handsome face again. Instinctively she lifted her lips for his to consume. He didn't though. He waited, suspending the kiss and increasing the tension. His voice broke the silence.

"This is going to change everything." It was matter-of-fact. It wasn't a question and she certainly couldn't deny it. They had slept together before. Bodies merging, senses satisfied and no expectations. This time it felt different to be sure. Andy raised her eyes to him, focusing on the half of his face bathed in the pale light. Stepping into him, her hands still pressed against his chest, Andy knew only the truth.

"I love you, Matt Johnson and yes,
everything
has changed." Her voice didn't shake, but her hands trembled. His were warm as they cupped hers. Her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her chest. Closing her eyes to still her quivering nerves, Andy felt Matt's lips press and tug at hers. She accepted. She begged to be lost in this all-consuming connection. Much to her relief, he did just that.

***

Was it possible to find heaven in the arms of another person?
Matt wondered as he took in every inch of naked skin bathed in moonlight. Andy's eyes smoldered as she watched him watch her. He itched to possess her body as fully as he could and tonight she had said she loved him.
Loved him!
He pushed his jeans over his hips to the floor. Her sweet mouth fell open as her tongue moistened her lips. Tonight he was certain that she was the love of his life.
His angel.
With that filed away for action at little later date, Matt turned his full attention to the glory before him. Stepping forward until he met the end of the day bed in Andy's makeshift sleeping quarters, Matt reached out and took one small foot in his hand. He watched her eyes widen in surprise and he fought the grin that begged to spread across his face. Her eyes fell closed as he pressed firmly with his thumb against the arch of her foot. One foot in his hand and the other flat on the bed, he took his time to memorize every hill and valley of her lithe body. He knew she'd never believe him if he told her she was perfect, but she was to him.

Matt lowered his mouth to the delicate ankle bone and nipped at it. A sharp intake of breath was the only sound she made, but her eyes were on him again.
Good.
Slowly he made his way along her inner calf, up the soft sweep of her thigh and retreated just shy of the place she desperately wanted him. Instead of giving into her, he moved back down as unhurried as he had gone up. He smiled when he heard the frustrated groan when he didn't appease the ache that demanded the most attention. Releasing her foot to capture the other, Matt followed the same path he had made before. Again he retreated before reaching her pinnacle of womanhood and this time Andy was less inclined to groan as she was to act on her frustration. Pulling her foot from his hand, she placed flat on the bed to mimic the other. Lifting her hips up off the bed, Matt couldn't deny the less than subtle invitation and he chuckled.

"We have all night." His eyes focused on hers as he felt the mattress shift under his weight. Andy pressed her lips together and her hand cupped the side of his jaw as he leaned closer.

"We've been dancing around this for quite some time." Her fingers inched up his neck and burrowed into his hair. Gently, but insistently, Andy pulled his face closer to hers. "I want you more than I've wanted anyone in my life. I need you." The last words were punctuated by the nip of her teeth across his bottom lip and then she pressed her mouth against his. His entire body leapt at the words she spoke. Sweet desire flamed through his veins straight to his erection. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to refuse her request, Matt pulled her legs around his. He pressed open mouthed kisses to her stomach, his tongue delving into her belly button. She arched her back and lost herself in his attentions. Slowly with some mind to her torture, he navigated to her abdomen and along her feather soft inner thighs. Positioning himself at her core, he slipped first one finger in and followed it by another. She was wet and so very ready for him. He couldn't control the groan that rumbled in his throat.

Andy arched into his fingers, her hips moving in time. Her panting breaths grew shallow and frantic. Her tight sheath only grew wetter at his play. It was time. He couldn't wait much longer. She was so sweet and so sexy! Pressing the tip at her entrance, Matt met her lidded gaze. He paused a second, taking a deep breath and then he plunged into her. The primal need and desperate rhythm took him totally by surprise. It nearly shattered all control and he hurried to grab the reins. He had always been in control, but with Andy, nature took its course. There was something greater here than he could ever have known and it sent them rocketing for the oblivion just over the rise. All thought was lost. They navigated only by feeling and soon it had them reaching for the sheer moonlight and the last bits of stardust.

He stretched, his body more relaxed and sorer than he remembered ever being. He grinned at the sleeping woman resting in the crook of his arm. Her long hair thrown over his arm. Her lashes lay like dark crescents against her white skin. Andy looked so peaceful and happy. Their night had been one mindless coupling after another. Each time he had tried to go slowly, taking his time to build their passion, but then a frantic frenzy would take over from there. She had been there with him, so in sync with their orgasms. Thinking about it was mind boggling and amazing. Andy stretched against him, her eyes fluttering open. She smiled before kissing his lips.

"I was just dreaming." She said as she traced the outline of his nipple. Matt tilted his head.

"Were you?" He wanted to know what she had been dreaming. He wanted to be let into that inner sanctum. She nodded, pressing her lips to his bare chest.

"Mmmhmm. I was dreaming that Harper and I got our happily ever after." Andy settled back into his arms and he hugged her to him. He loved the feel of her warm skin against his own. Matt looked out the set of windows where it had been dark and was now bright with sunshine. He was sure it was midmorning.

"Can I be part of that ending, do you think?" He wasn't sure he should ask, but something compelled him to. He wanted to give her their happy ending. Matt shifted his body so she could see into his face. "I talked to my dad about the therapy school and he has offered to help. I want to make this dream work and I want you and Harper to stay here with me." He knew it surprised her.

"I am happy that you are going to follow your dreams, Matt. Of course, I am." Her mouth open and closed as she tried to grasp exactly what to say. He waited. "Are you sure you want us stay?" Her green eyes were a bit troubled in the asking of that question. They both knew that they loved each other. Certainly there was no doubt. He recognized her fear of laying too many hopes on one person. Taking her fingers in his, Matt prayed for the right words.

"I want you both with me for as long as you will stay. My world wouldn't be complete without the both of you in it." He hoped she was ready for all he wanted to say. Laying naked in bed wasn't quite the ideal proposal scene so he refrained from spilling more of his true feelings.

"We'd like to stay." Andy smiled, lifting her shoulders a bit. "Um, can we not live with your parents?" Her slightly worried eyes made him chuckle and it brought on a full laugh. Realizing how funny that had sounded, Andy laughed too. Cupping the side of her cheek, Matt kissed her until the laughter was gone.

"I'll find us something." He said, searching her eyes for any more doubts. She kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his neck. He silently promised her that they would never be apart. This was not the end of all he wanted to ask her. For now, he let himself be pulled back into charms and he gladly gave himself to her.

***

Nora looked at her cell phone buzzing on the countertop while she fed Harper some warm cereal. The little girl's blue eyes blinked several times as she'd glance from the phone to her bowl. Nora shook her head and reached for the phone. Swiping the screen with her thumb, Nora let out a howl that caused Harper to widen her eyes and look as if she was going to cry. Realizing she shouldn't have been quite so loud, Nora set about cooing and feeding Harper more cereal. Lacey came running down the stairs into the kitchen and nearly slid around the end post before she came to a halt. Her hair wild about her face.

"What's wrong?" Her mom took one look at Nora and she narrowed her eyes. "What the
hell
was that for, Sonora?" Lacey pushed her hair back from her face while she stared her daughter down.

"You know I
hate
that name!" Nora growled, scraping the last of the cereal from the bowl. "I'm sorry. I was just caught a bit by surprise, although I shouldn't have been. I know better." Nora rambled on as she began cleaning the leftover bits off Harper's little fingers and chubby cheeks. Lacey screwed her face up in confusion waiting for her daughter to explain.