Texas Two Steps Four-Pack Bundle (6 page)

She plumped the pillows on the freshly made bed and placed a candle and a lighter on the bedside table. In the drawer, there was a brand new box of condoms she'd bought yesterday. Should she set the box near the candle? Maybe leave a couple of packets out? No, that wouldn't be romantic. Best to be unobtrusively prepared and not disrupt the mood.

Kristy smoothed the comforter and tugged the edge of the spread straight. She stood looking at the bed with a dreamy smile on her face. They were eating in tonight for a change. Steaks were marinating in the fridge and Jim was going to grill them. For dessert, there were strawberries and whipped cream. They could eat them in the dining room . . . or maybe they'd eat them here in bed. Her body tingled in anticipation at the visual that thought conjured up.

Hugging herself, Kristy glanced at the clock. Goodness, it was getting late. Jim said he'd be here at five and it was already a quarter to four. She headed to the bathroom. If she hurried, there was just enough time to take a hot bath, shave her legs and paint her toes. She planned to wear the new slinky sundress she'd bought earlier in the week.

At four-fifty, Kristy was dressed to kill. She took down the wine glasses and searched the kitchen for the corkscrew. As she rummaged through a drawer, her cell phone burst into song. Her tummy did a little somersault when she saw Jim's name on the display.

"Hello?" She pulled open another drawer and found the corkscrew hidden under the clutter of utensils.

"Hey, honey." Jim's deep voice sounded muffled. Noise and static buzzed in Kristy's ear.

What in the world? Where was he?

"Jim, are you all right? Nothing's wrong, is there?" She gripped the phone tightly in her hand.

"I'm fine. But I'm going to have to cancel our date. I was called out about an hour ago. A wildfire is burning north of town and we're having a hell of a time trying to contain it. I'm sorry, honey. I've got to go. I don't know when I'll be able to see you. I'm so sorry."

"Jim?
Jim?
" Only silence answered her. She ended the call and set her phone on the counter. She dropped into a chair and sat staring out the window. Sure enough, she could see billowing smoke towering against the blue West Texas sky.

Be careful, Jim,
she thought silently.
And please be safe.

****

Jim couldn't remember fighting such a hellacious fire any time during his career as a firefighter. The wind had picked up and flickers of flaming grass and twigs scattered and spread the fire. As soon as they had one fire contained, another would flare up and they'd have to start all over again.

The townspeople of Stone Creek had rallied and set up a checkpoint where cold drinks and food were served to the weary firefighters. Jim had come in several times and once or twice, he'd seen and talked to Kristy. Her smile kept him going as he plunged back into the fiery fray.

A week later, the fire finally burned itself out. Covered in sweat and soot, Jim desperately needed to go home and bathe and sleep, but all he could think about was seeing Kristy. Holding her, kissing her. He'd had close brushes with death before, but somehow this time was different. He'd found a woman he cared about and he wanted to feel alive again holding her in his arms. He wanted to make love to her. He wanted to make her
his
.

Jim stood on Kristy's front porch and knocked on the door. He hadn't bothered calling. It was Saturday afternoon and she should be home. He hoped like hell she was home.

The door opened. With a little squeal of joy, Kristy pushed opened the screen and flung herself into his arms. "Oh, Jim! Thank God you're safe." She sobbed and laughed and pulled him down for a hungry kiss.

Jim thought no man could have wished for a better greeting. He tasted her fully and relished the loving embrace. When they came up for air, he smiled. "Look at you. Your clothes are covered with soot. They'll never be the same."

Kristy smiled back, a radiant glow lighting her face. "Who cares? As long as you're safe and well. I've been so worried. Is the fire out? Do you have to go back? Come in! Come in!"

She untangled herself from his arms and taking his hand in a firm clasp, led him into the house. "You look so tired. Why don't you go take a bath and I'll fix you something to eat."

Jim swiped a hand through his lank damp hair. "I'll take that bath, but I'm not hungry for food. All I want is you."

Kristy nodded. "Bath first, then bed."

Words every man should be so lucky to hear.

****

Jim bathed in record time. He combed his wet hair back and wrapped a towel around his middle. Dusk had fallen and the house was dark. He made his way down the hall wondering where Kristy was. A partially opened door revealed candlelight flickering in the dimness. The warm smell of cinnamon provided a much-needed relief from the acrid odor of smoke and charred wood he'd breathed all week long.

Soft music played in the background. Looked like Kristy had seduction in mind.
Thank you, lord!

Jim opened the door wide and stood on the threshold. He nearly came unglued at the beautiful sight displayed before his eyes. The big bed was made down and Kristy lay in the middle clad in the filmiest gown he'd ever seen. The white gossamer whispered against her womanly curves. The wisps of fabric enhanced the full breasts and rosy nipples. The panties formed a translucent triangle over her dark curls.

Kristy smiled and patted the mattress. "I sure am lonely over here. Why don't you join me?"

"Don't mind if I do." Dropping the towel, Jim walked over to the bed. His body was on fire and only Kristy could douse the flames. But not yet. Not yet. They had the whole night ahead of them.

Kristy's eyes widened as Jim stood naked by her bed. She was no shy virgin, but the sight of a thoroughly aroused male in the prime of life was certainly a sight to behold. His body was spectacular.
He
was spectacular. All muscle and brawn; lean and mean; not an ounce of fat or flab anywhere.

The man towered over her, his eyes turning feral as he raked her from head to toe. The bed dipped as he lay down beside her. He smelled of soap and musky male. Kristy inhaled deeply, soaking it all in.

Jim gathered her in his arms and took her mouth in a savage kiss. Plunging his tongue into her sweet warmth, he cupped one breast in his callused hand. He kneaded the firm flesh and brushed the pert nipple with his thumb. Kristy gasped in his mouth, pushing her body toward his hand, seeking more. He gave it to her. He ground his body against her softness, rolling on top of her never breaking contact with her mouth. He couldn't get enough of her. He wanted to thrust inside of her right now. He wanted release. He needed release.

Kristy's nails dug into his shoulders as she clung to him for dear life. She relished the feel of him heavy on top of her, but she needed more. Jim trailed kisses down her neck and latched onto her nipple and sucked hard. Kristy's body bucked beneath him and she held his head close to her breast, moaning in the back of her throat.

Jim kissed her mouth again and braced himself on his elbows. "I don't think I can take this slow. I want you too much."

Kristy rubbed his lips with the tip of one finger. "We can do slow the next time. Just make love to me. I want to feel you inside of me."

"Oh, sweet mercy. Yes." He kissed her nose, her eyelids, her chin, then claimed her lips once again. "I want you naked. I want to see you naked." He began to lift her gown, but her hand closed over his.

"Let me," she said softly. "You're tired. Let me undress for you. Just lie back and watch."

"Yes, ma'am." Jim punched the pillow and leaned against the headboard, his intense gaze focused on her.

Kristy didn't know where the idea had come from or how she dared do something so bold, but she wanted to do this for Jim. Men were visual creatures, weren't they? She wanted to give him a good show, make him frantic with desire. It made her tremble inside to think of all that muscle and brawn pushing her into the mattress, impaling her, pulsing inside her.

She'd had all week thinking about this night. Worry and fear for Jim's safety while fighting the wildfire made her want him all the more. When they finally came together, it was going to be fast and hard. A little bit of a delay would make it all the better.

And now would be the time to get out the protection. She opened the bedside drawer and retrieved a small square packet. She set the condom close to the table ledge within easy reach.

Jim nodded, his eyes heavy-lidded with passion. "Good thinking."

She smiled. "Yes. Now then, where was I?"

Kristy bent her head and untied the silk ribbons at her breast. Slowly, she eased the sheer fabric over one breast, then the other. The gown caught on a nipple, hanging in the balance, off one shoulder. Jim hissed an intake of breath. Feeling very naughty, Kristy moved a lazy finger over the curve of her breast, almost touching the fabric and nipple, but not quite. Repeating the tantalizing movement of finger trailing over skin, she finally flicked the fabric past her nipple and shrugged the gown from her shoulders, allowing the silky material to slide down her body to fall in a heap at her bare feet.

Jim watched with bated breath as Kristy stood before him clad only in those tiny filmy panties. When she tucked her fingers inside the elastic band and slowly pushed the panties down over her smooth thighs, wiggling and jiggling with the movement, his body flexed and throbbed.

He couldn't stand it anymore. He lunged off the bed and grabbed Kristy and kissed her with brutal force. Lifting her in his arms, he lay down with her on the bed, shoved the panties the rest of the way down her long legs and flung them to the floor. He kissed the juncture of her thighs and licked her most intimately. Flicking his tongue against the sensitive bud, he pushed a finger inside her hot wet channel and began a rhythmic dance, sucking, licking, sliding in and out. Kristy moved against him, her body undulating in time to the sensual beat until suddenly she exploded in climax.

Grabbing the condom, Jim tore it open and quickly sheathed himself. He straddled Kristy, wedging a knee between her legs, positioning himself for the thrust home. With eyes locked on hers, he held her shoulders in a tight grip and probed her entrance. Kristy wrapped her legs around him, lifted her hips and pulled him closer.

Jim plunged into her, burying his shaft to the hilt. He felt her wetness and heat take his full length and he began pumping hard, in and out, in and out. His body acted of its own accord, going on automatic, seeking the primal release. Kristy met thrust for thrust. She touched his face, his neck and shoulders, raking her fingers across his chest. When she lifted her head to suck one of his flat male nipples, Jim lost all control. He slammed his body harder into hers, plunging in and pulling back, only to slam harder until finally he erupted in an orgasm so strong he thought he'd die with the pleasure.

His last waking thought was never had anything felt so good, so right. He'd never felt this way about a woman.
Ever.
He fell into an exhausted sleep holding Kristy close in his arms.

Kristy snuggled against Jim, her body still tingling from the aftermath of their lovemaking. She smiled and blushed at his reaction to her naughty boldness and drifted off to sleep with his steady heartbeat thumping beneath her ear.

****

The next morning, Jim blinked away the sleep in his eyes and stretched fully awake. He reached out next to him only to find the bed empty.
What the hell? Where was Kristy?

Before he had time to jump out of bed and search for her, she walked into the bedroom carrying a tray. "Oh good, you're awake," she said. Her bright smile warmed Jim all over. They'd spent the night alternating sleep with making love. He couldn't remember ever enjoying a night more.
Or a woman.

She set the tray on the table and handed him a steaming cup of coffee. "Here you go. I thought we'd have breakfast in bed. There's eggs and bacon, hot rolls and some of your honey."

Jim grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, his eyes twinkling. "What more could a man desire than a hot roll in bed with his honey."

Kristy laughed. "Funny. Very cute. And here I thought you were such a shy man."

He set the coffee aside, pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. "Not with you, Kristy. Never with you."

###

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***

MELANIE AND BLAKE

A Short Story

by

Anne Marie Novark

***

Blake Chambers is the president of the Lone Star Cattle Ranchers Association, and it's time for the Annual Christmas Ball. Blake doesn't know the first thing about organizing a holiday dance. Lucky for him, Melanie Woods does. The sexy Meeting/Events Manager at the Coyote Lake Resort Hotel takes charge and all goes smoothly . . . until Blake's date cancels at the last minute. Melanie can't resist when the ruggedly handsome rancher asks her to step in and be his escort for the night. A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do, right?

***

Texas Two Steps: Melanie and Blake

Copyright © 2011 by Anne Marie Novark