Her Western shirt unsnapped in front, and so did her polka-dotted bra. He spent endless minutes worshipping her breasts, kissing and licking, aroused by every helpless gasp and moan she emitted. She couldn’t lie still, pulling at his clothes until at last he yanked off his t-shirt. But he wasn’t in a hurry, not this time. He wanted to explore.
Unbuckling her jeans, he tugged them very slowly down her hips, revealing her sexy curves and the indentation of her belly button. Her long thighs were next, and at last he had her completely naked but for her thong, so lacy and delicate he wanted to stare at it a while longer.
And then he started at her feet and kissed his way up along her smooth, feminine muscles. He parted her thighs and mouthed her through the silk, and she cried out. Just a few strokes of his tongue, and he made her come, shuddering.
“Inside me,” she whispered, tugging at his belt buckle.
He stood up, said, “Be right back,” and went for a condom. When he returned, she was completely naked, reaching for him. Then he covered her body with his own, there in front of the heat of the fire, and entered her so slowly it drove them both crazy. He took his time, luxuriating in long kisses, rounding his back to lick her breasts, bringing her ever higher, until, when his thrusts increased, and she came again, he let go of his restraint and joined her.
When he could function, he eased to the side, propping his head on one hand and caressing whatever he wanted with the other.
At last she murmured, “I guess I should go. We’re taking the sleigh out to cut down a Christmas tree. Family tradition.” And then she winced, as if she regretted her words, and rushed on. “Nate suggested we take photos and use it for publicity for the sleigh rides.”
“You don’t have to explain,” he insisted. “I spent my life hearing about other people’s families. I’m used to it. And don’t even think about inviting me. It would make certain people suspicious.”
“You could get your own tree, you know.”
“I’ll think about it.”
When he closed the door behind her after a long kiss good-bye, the place seemed lonely without her. He didn’t think a Christmas tree would help.
The following Tuesday afternoon, Brooke stood inside the barn, waiting for Steph to arrive for her lesson. The wind blew like breath across ice, and snow, although light, was falling at an angle. She was tempted to call the girl and cancel, but then she could see the pickup and horse trailer come slowly down the winding road toward the ranch.
By the time Steph had her mount ready, the snow had only increased.
“Brooke, can we please ride?” Steph pleaded. “I thought about it all day.”
“Was your holiday that stressful?” Brooke teased.
When Steph only smiled halfheartedly, Brooke hesitated to press her.
“Okay, let’s give it a try. We haven’t had that much snow accumulation today.”
They began to ride toward the corral near the burned barn. They were both wearing caps and scarfs to bundle up their heads, and Brooke felt relatively warm. She glanced at Steph, whose face was lifted as if to take in the serenity of the Elk Mountains. Their bodies moved gently with the gait of the horses.
“So what happened at Thanksgiving?” Brooke asked, then added, “If you don’t mind the question.” She knew Emily and Nate had been there for lunch before joining the Thalbergs for dinner. She felt a little ache for her friend, who so desperately wanted her happily-ever-after.
Steph shrugged. “It was okay. I know you’re asking about Emily, and she was fine.”
“Please tell me she told you about bridesmaid gown colors, because curiosity is driving me crazy! You may not know it to look at me, but I love pretty dresses.”
That got a smile out of the girl. “Naw, we didn’t really talk about the wedding, and that was part of the problem.”
Brooke waited, when she wanted to say with exasperation, Isn’t that what you wanted?
“I felt like . . . it was my fault people don’t discuss it, and I don’t want to be the cause of all that tension. My mom said I wasn’t, but she’s my mom.”
Faith Sweet was smart about people and surely knew what her daughter needed to hear. Maybe Steph needed to figure things out on her own.
“Then if your mom said that, why don’t you just trust her and not worry about it? I saw