His Firefly Cowgirl (7 page)

When he went back outside, Sophie stood by the car, her back to him, arms crossed. He wanted to scoop her up and carry her to his bedroom. There he could take his time tasting, teasing and pleasuring her for the rest of the weekend.

It was clear she didn’t want it or she would have said something. Instead she stood waiting for the keys, eager to put Tanger—and Dax—back in the past.

“Here you go.” He handed her the keys then put his hands on his hips to avoid kissing her. Even if every fiber of his being told him to taste those lips one more time. “Gas tank is full. Myron will give you a call when your starter is replaced.”

Dax had to step back, away from her and any thought of this relationship, whatever it was, from continuing.

“Thanks.” She opened the car and put her things in the backseat. “I appreciate the loan.”

He shrugged with no casualness whatsoever, completely faking it. “I should’ve thought of it last night.”

But I was too distracted by the thought of you, the taste of you, the anticipation of having you
.

“Well, bye then.” She climbed into the car and started it, backing out with care. Sophie waved as she pulled away.

He didn’t see tears in her eyes. It was just the sun reflecting on her glasses. It had to be. She wouldn’t cry over leaving, not when she wanted it.

Dax watched the car until it disappeared over the rise by the gate. She was gone. Again. He blew out a breath and pressed a fist to his chest. It still hurt, goddamn it.

He thought about changing into swim trunks but no one would be at the pond this time of day. With a heavy step he walked to the pond alone. It would have been better if she never had returned.

Maybe then he wouldn’t have another broken heart.

Sophie drove with the windows down, the wind whipping through her hair. It was so loud, it drowned out all other noise, but it couldn’t quiet the ache in her heart or the certainty she’d just made a very big mistake.

She traveled to the edge of town to the four-way stop. As she braked, she reached up to find tears rolling down her face. Why should she cry when there was a very real man who’d been kissing her not six hours earlier? He was real. He was there.

She loved him.

Sophie swung the car around, heedless of the speed limit. There was no time for dilly-dallying. If she wanted him she had to claim him and that meant opening herself up to pain. Or potentially to joy.

Either way, she couldn’t leave Tanger without telling him how she felt. He was probably at the pond swimming. She pulled the car back under the carport and left the keys on the seat. She ran as fast as the cheap flip-flops could carry her through the tall grass.

The worn path was so familiar, so dear, she smiled at it. She’d definitely lost what was left of her sanity, but that was okay. Love was the very definition of insanity.

As she rounded the bend and ducked into the woods, she noted how much the trees and bushes had grown. The lush, green woods that ringed the pond were an oasis in the sometimes dry heat of the summer.

She breathed in deep of the rich Texas scents and her mouth curved into a smile. This was the right choice. For the first time in a long time, she made a choice that felt right.

When she stepped onto the bank of the pond, she saw Dax on the rock formation above the water. He executed an impressive cannonball into the water.

And he was stark naked.

Her pulse thundered through her ears. The decision to return hadn’t involved him being nude when she spoke to him. She could hardly think with all that male lusciousness in front of her. He cut through the water back to the rocks to apparently jump into the water again.

Sophie toed off her flip-flops and pulled off her clothes, leaving them in a heap on the ground. She walked into the water, the soft mud squishing through her toes. The coolness of the pond was welcome. He reached the top of the water and leapt into the air.

That’s when he spotted her and his cannonball turned into a near belly flop. “Soph—“

Oh, that was going to hurt. She swam over to him and reached him as he broke water. He shook his head and his hair swooped up across his forehead. His gaze was full of confusion and what she sincerely thought was hope.

“You came back.”

She treaded water, her heart and soul light. “I had something to say.”

“That included saying it while you’re naked?”

She laughed. “You were naked.”

He smiled. “I was swimming.”

“So am I.”

He moved closer, cupping her cheek. “I thought you wanted to say goodbye.”

“I thought I did too.” She blinked back tears. “I was wrong.”

“I can’t talk when your boobs are right there. They’re distracting. I want to lick them.” He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her flush against his very hard, very aroused, male body.

Her nipples were already hard, but now they ached. “I want that too.”

“Then let’s get out of this water before we drown trying to see just how hard we can make your nipples before you come.”

Her body roared from aroused to needy in an instant. They swam side by side to the shore where he’d left his clothes and towels. As they walked out of the pond, he took her hand. As his fingers laced with hers, she could hardly believe how wonderful it felt.

He shook out the towels, making a bed of sorts on the soft grass of the bank. He turned to look at her, his cock standing straight at attention. She licked her lips at the sight. It twitched, slapping against his belly.

“You start that and we’re liable to be finished before we get going.” He lay on the towels and crooked his finger. “My lady?”

She joined him, her body tingling with anticipation. He pushed her on her back and his mouth found hers. He kissed, licked and nibbled at her lips, taking his time to thoroughly explore her. It reminded her of many erotic moments in his arms.

She leaned back and reveled in his skills. He kissed his way across her jaw to her ear while his hand found the nipple awaiting his attention and plucked it. When he reached her ear, he blew into the pink shell, sending goose bumps down her spine.

“You like that?”

“Mmmmm.” She turned her cheek to give him better access.

He sucked at her earlobe before kissing his way down her neck. A slow, sweet trail on her skin. When he reached her breast, he licked around the areole making her near frantic with need. His hand continued its journey down her belly to her aching pussy.

As his fingers sank into the depths of her core, he finally pulled the nipple into his hot mouth. Her breath caught and she closed her eyes. He circled her clit, then plucked it, and pinched it, then stroked it.

“Oh my God, you’re good.”

He chuckled against her skin and continued his work by moving to her other breast. As he continued to play her like an instrument, his cock pulsed against her hip.

“I’d like a bit of that, please.”

This time he raised his head. “Wait right here.” He grabbed for his jeans nearby and produced a condom from his wallet. “This ain’t new but it will work.”

She watched impatiently as he got to touch his cock and she didn’t. “Please, Dax. I can’t wait.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Good.” She sat up and pushed him onto his back then threw her leg over him. “I want a ride, cowboy.”

He smiled and grabbed her hips. “I’m all yours, Soph.”

She guided the tip of his staff and sank down on its length. She moved inch by inch until he was fully embedded within her. Sophie paused, the moment so poignant, so perfect, she wanted to stop time and savor it.

“You feel so good.” His fingers dug into her hips as she began to move.

“You aren’t so bad yourself.” Her hair hung down in wild disarray but he smiled up at her as though she were the only person in the world. Love made her ride him, passion made her tease both of them by going slow, then fast, over and over.

He thrust up as she pushed down until they found a forgotten rhythm. She gasped as he found her breasts again, tweaking one nipple than the other while his other hand flicked her clit. Her body pulsed and moved with need, with an eagerness to find that release she craved.

Faster. Faster.

She slammed down onto him as her orgasm raced through her. It began somewhere in her past and moved to her present, and to her future. Waves crashed over her and she shouted his name, the ecstasy sharp. He shouted her name, thrust deep within her depths until they were truly joined as one.

Sophie collapsed onto his chest, spent and breathing heavily. She’d never experienced such pleasure with anyone else. Sophie knew she never would.

Dax was hers, and she was his.

They lay on the towels for another half an hour while their passion and bodies cooled. Dax was happy. It was a lame term to describe what he felt, but there it was. He had been lucky enough for a second chance with the woman he loved.

The sunshine played on her skin and he traced the pattern of the leaves with his finger.

“I’m sorry for not coming after you in Houston or visiting you in college. I was afraid you’d find another man, another life, better than me.” He got the words out before he lost his nerve.

“And I’m sorry I didn’t see what I had was far more important than what I didn’t. I should have chosen you.” She sat up and looked at him with her wild, knotty hair. “I think we should go swimming again.”

His heart twisted at the sight. “Last one in is a rotten egg.”

They scrambled to their feet and raced for the pond. He jumped in like a madman, laughing and splashing her. Their horseplay was cut short when someone shouted his name.

He wiped the water from his eyes and spotted Clint and Hannah standing on the shoreline. Both of them had their arms crossed and scowls on their faces.

Shit.

Sophie slicked her hair back and glanced at him. He didn’t want to see regret in her gaze, and thankfully he didn’t. She waited for him to say something to them.

“Hey,” he called to them. “I’d invite you in but we, ah, forgot our swimsuits.”

Hannah shook her head. “I came down here to ask you about the fire because I knew you’d be here. Clint was the one who told me about the possible arson. At
my
restaurant. Worse, now I find you here with Sophie. You forced me to end my friendship with her. You told me she was dead to me and refused to let me even text her.”

Sophie stiffened beside him. He couldn’t look at her.

“My heart was broken, Hannah. I couldn’t be around anyone that talked to her.”

“You made me choose between my best friend and my brother. Now you’ve conveniently forgotten all those promises you made to yourself and to us.” She shook her head. “I think I made the wrong choice five years ago. I’m sorry for that, Sophie. My brother is an asshole.”

Sophie swam toward the opposite end of the pond where her clothes were. Dax stared at his family, wondering how everything had gone so horribly wrong.

“I came to tell you the fire marshal is in town. I’m going to work with him on the fires so you can spend your time with afternoon frolicking.” Clint turned and gave Dax his back.

This time Dax made the choice to follow Sophie. By the time he reached her, she’d pulled on her clothes and ran down the path barefoot. He’d fucked up big time.

He lost the one perfect, beautiful thing in his life. There was no excuse for what he’d done, or hadn’t done. And now he’d lost her.

Dax nursed a beer by taking small sips. He really,
really
wanted to get drunk but he’d driven himself to the bar outside town so he needed to be his own designated driver. He sat in a corner booth, away from any chance someone would speak to him.

He wanted to wallow in self-pity all by himself.

It had been twenty-four hours since Sophie walked out of his life again. He’d blamed her for so long, he had forgotten how much he expunged her from his life five years earlier. Forcing his sister to break off her friendship? He winced.

Hannah was right. He was an asshole.

“You know hiding at this bar doesn’t mean we won’t find you.” Lucas’s voice cut through the din of the noise.

Dax’s head snapped up from the amber brew to find Hannah, Lucas, Kyle and Clint at his table.

“Fuck off.” He spoke without any real heat. Misery was a heavy blanket on his shoulders right about then.

They didn’t take heed. In fact, they slid their asses right into his booth and trapped him with two on one side and two on the other. He looked at them, his closest friends, and saw the concern on their faces.

“I fucked up.”

Hannah patted his shoulder. “Yeah, you did.”

“Ain’t the first time.” Clint was so helpful.

“Won’t be the last.” Kyle had to chime in too.

“Why are you all here?” He had been enjoying the wallowing, as much as he could anyway. Self-pity was weirdly satisfying when you wanted to punish yourself.