Page 17 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)

B utterflies darted around in Ellie’s belly as they headed to the B&B. Was she truly going to spend the night with Tucker?

His callused palm felt so big and warm around her much smaller one as he gripped her hand on the console. She wished there was nothing between them so she could sit close and lean against his powerful arm.

They decided to stop at a pharmacy to pick up toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a couple of other items.

When they reached the B&B, her legs felt a little wobbly as they went inside, met the proprietor, and got the room key. He followed her as they climbed the steps, and her heart beat faster.

This was real. She’d decided to take a step that she hadn’t expected to. It had been eight weeks since the day they met, and it felt like they’d known each other for ages.

He inserted the old-fashioned key into Room 4's lock, and the hinges squeaked as he pushed the door open. He turned on the light beside the bed, revealing the room in a warm, soft glow.

Ellie followed him inside the large room, with its old-fashioned furnishings and double French doors on the other side of the queen-sized bed.

Tucker dropped their purchases on the bed as she walked across the room to the French doors. She opened them, cool evening air flowing over her as she breathed in the scents of the desert.

The sound of Tucker’s boot step told Ellie he’d followed her onto the porch. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, and she leaned back against his broad chest. She relaxed in his embrace as he rested his chin on her head.

She heard his deep inhale. “You smell so good.” His voice was a low rumble. “You feel soft and sweet in my arms.”

“You make me feel secure and safe.” She pointed to the sky as a light streaked across the blackness. “A shooting star.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Make a wish.”

“I have everything I could ever wish for.” She looked at the sparkling, inky sky. They were far enough away from the city that the stars were bright and clear. “I miss seeing stars like this now that I live in the city.”

Seeing the Milky Way stretched across the sky took her back to a nostalgic, happy place as he held her snugly in his arms.

They stood together on the balcony for a long while, quietly listening to the howl of a coyote and an owl hooting.

Ellie turned in Tucker’s embrace, slid her palms up his chest, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her heart beat faster as she pulled him toward her for a kiss.

His lips brushed across hers in a soft caress that made her sigh into his mouth. She pressed her body closer to his, feeling both his strength and gentleness. It made her feel safe, secure, and cared for.

He kissed her more deeply, and she answered him with a need so great that she didn’t know where it came from. She wanted him, yes, but inside she knew she needed him in some undefinable way that she wouldn’t question right now.

A low rumble vibrated in his chest as he tasted her, and moans rose inside her.

He shifted and swept her into his arms, catching her by surprise and causing her to gasp. She clung to him as he carried her into the room and kicked the door shut behind them.

Tucker brushed the bags off the bed, and they tumbled to the floor as he lowered her to the mattress. The glow from the bedside light illuminated her while he remained shadowed. She sank into the soft comforter, unable to take her gaze off his handsome face.

He knelt beside the bed, his gaze locked with hers, and he took her hand. His expression was so serious, so intent. He linked their fingers as he brushed hair from her face.

“You are so beautiful.” He traced one finger along her jawline. “Every single thing about you, inside and out. You are special to me.”

She shivered, every nerve ending in her body coming alive as he skimmed his fingers down her neck to the hollow of her throat. She could barely breathe as he released her hand and began unbuttoning her blouse.

Her heart thudded as he took his time. When he reached the last button, he pushed aside the fabric, revealing her pink bra.

He slid one finger down to her cleavage, then over one satin-covered breast. He rubbed the taut nipple through the fabric with his thumb and just that soft touch sent frissons of desire throughout her body.

“I need you, Tucker.” Her voice came out in a hoarse plea.

His eyes were dark and intense as he continued to take his time. He grasped the cups of her bra and pulled them beneath her breasts. Cool air stroked her nipples, making them even harder.

He cupped one breast, lowered his head, and licked her nipple. She gasped and arched toward him. He raised his head and blew softly on the wet flesh, her nipples aching with the need for more.

Tucker seemed to be enjoying her body as he cupped both breasts, which filled his hands. He licked and sucked first one nipple then the other. She moaned and squirmed with desire so intense that tears wet her eyes.

“Tucker, please.” She could barely speak. “Please. I need you.”

“You have me.” His voice was a low rumble that sent a thrill through her belly. He moved his hands from her breasts, down her belly to the button of her jeans. He unfastened them and drew the zipper down.

She started to arch up to help him remove her jeans, but he moved down to her feet and pulled off one boot, then the other, each hitting the floor with a thump. He took off her socks and tossed them aside.

“Let’s get you out of these.” He grasped the waistband, and she raised her hips so that he could tug down her jeans.

After he dropped them on the floor, he ran one finger over her belly, along the pink fabric of her panties.

Then he drew them down her thighs, over each ankle and foot, and let them fall, landing without a sound.

His smile was sinfully sexy as he met her gaze. “That’s much better.”

“It would be much better if your clothes were off, too.” She tried to smile back, but her nerves were stretched tight from need.

He rose, standing over her, and toed off one boot, then the other. He unbuttoned his western shirt, then let it slide over his shoulders and arms, dropping to the floor with all the different clothes scattered about.

Tucker was magnificent. His muscles flexed in the dim light that played over his broad shoulders and muscular abs.

Ellie decided to take matters into her own hands. She sat on the edge of the bed, grasped the waistband of his Wranglers, and managed to unbutton them without too much difficulty. She looked up to see him watching her, his eyes glittering in the low lighting.

She slowly drew down his zipper, taking her time like he’d been doing with her. His jaw tightened as her knuckles brushed the hard bulge beneath the tough cotton. She pushed the Wranglers over his strong thighs, down to his feet, and he kicked them aside.

He clenched his hands at his sides, muscles tightening in his forearms as he seemed to be battling to maintain control. She reached behind to unfasten her bra and let it fall from where it had been beneath her breasts.

She met his gaze again, cupped her breasts, and played with her nipples as he watched. He flexed his hands again, and she smiled. “Come and get me.”

The man had been in total control until she taunted him. In a fast motion, he scooped her up, tossed her in the middle of the bed, and in the next motion, covered her body with his.

Her eyes widened in surprise at how fast he had taken her down. He pressed his hard, muscled body against hers and pinned her. He met her gaze and smiled. “Don’t tease the bear.”

She managed to catch her breath. “Maybe I like to tease the bear.”

His lips quirked. “Then you pay the price.”

He eased down and moved his shoulders between her thighs. She gasped, but he gave her no time to consider what he planned to do next. He slid two fingers into her heated core and licked the taut nub between her thighs.

Ellie cried out and nearly came off the bed. Her breath came out in a harsh rush at the unexpected spike of pleasure. He grasped her hips and pressed his face tightly against her and sucked.

“Tucker!” She cried out and squirmed as he licked and sucked.

Everything spiraled and surged inside her, and she rose toward the peak.

She climaxed hard and started to scream, but clamped her jaws shut as a part of her still remembered where she was.

She thrashed against him as he mercilessly drove her on.

It took a moment to realize he had stopped. She breathed hard as she looked at him, now kneeling between her thighs. Perspiration dampened her skin, and she wanted him inside her so badly she didn’t think she could wait.

But she held up her hand as he started to move toward her. She pointed to the bed. “Lie down.”

He raised a brow but gave her a smile of amusement. “If you’d like to be on top, I’m good with that.”

Tucker lay on his back, and she straddled him, still breathing hard. She eased down his body until her lips were over his rigid cock and slowly slid her mouth over the length of him.

He sucked in his breath. She met his gaze and watched him as she slowly moved up and down his rigid flesh.

His face looked pained, as if the pleasure was too much, so much like how she’d felt only minutes before.

Ellie loved the feel of him in her mouth, and she lightly fondled his balls. He slid his fingers into her hair and clenched the silky strands. The pull against her scalp felt erotic as she went down on him.

Tucker’s rumbling growl was her only warning that he intended to take control. He grasped her upper arms and dragged her up his body and held her close to him.

She smiled, braced her hands on his chest, and pushed herself up so that she was straddling him. “You said I could be on top.”

The sexy curve of his lips made her quiver inside. “The lady can be in charge.” He grasped her hips. “One thing, first.” He shifted her so that she was high enough on his chest that he could pull her down and suck her nipples.

She cried out from the pleasure and squirmed on him. Every suck and pull was like a tether to her core. She didn’t want him to stop, but she wanted him inside even more.

Her breathing became more ragged. “I need you inside me, Tucker. Really, truly, now .”

He allowed her to shimmy down but held her a moment as he grasped a condom from the bedside table and in moments had sheathed himself with it.

She rose above his cock and sank down its length. Her eyes widened, and she gasped as she felt the hard thickness of him deep inside her. His gaze was dark and smoky as she began riding him.

He gripped her hips as she moaned with her movements. She cupped her breasts and played with her nipples as she rode him. She wanted to climax so badly her mind screamed with it, but at the same time, she didn’t want it to end too quickly.

Both her and his skin were damp with perspiration as he rose to meet her, thrusting into her even more deeply.

When she couldn’t take it any longer, when she had to climax or she would lose her mind, she allowed herself to topple over the precipice.

“Tucker,” she cried, then bit her lip to keep from screaming.

He continued thrusting even as she couldn’t move anymore, drawing out her orgasm. Then he gave a hoarse shout, restraining his voice like she had.

She collapsed against his chest, her harsh breathing matching his. His flesh was warm against hers. He took her right hand and linked it with his left one. With his other hand, he stroked damp hair from her forehead.

“You’re so beautiful.” He skimmed her flushed face with his fingertips. “Everything about you is amazing and special.”

She sighed and snuggled against him. “I think you’re pretty special, too.”

He rolled her onto her side, catching her off guard, and faced her. Their gazes met and held, and they drank in one another. She smiled then cuddled up to him, feeling secure and cared for as he brought her into his arms.

She drifted to sleep, the happiest she had felt in a very long time.