Country Lightning

Chapter 14

CJ carried the bags into the house, and Jillian let Sadie out of her kennel. The puppy pranced and bumped her head against Jillian’s hand, asking for attention. She took the Aussie out so the dog could pee and stretch her legs.

After Sadie was fed and watered, Jillian and CJ sat at the kitchen table to eat across from each other. Her diamond glittered in the light, and she smiled at the man she loved. It didn’t take long to eat and clean up.

CJ took her hands in his and pressed his body against hers. He kissed her, so long and sweet it stole her breath.

Desire stirred within her, and she could feel the hard ridge of his own need against her belly.

When they parted, he took her hand and led her down the hallway to his room. Her heart thundered, and her belly quivered.

He stopped at the foot of his bed and met her gaze as he brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. “I’ve been wanting this with you for a long time.”

“I have, too.” Her words came out low and filled with pent-up desire.

He kissed her with a hunger that nearly made her knees give out on her. She pressed herself against him, needing him more than she’d ever needed anything in her life.

CJ broke the kiss and fumbled with the top button of Jillian’s blouse, then worked his way down. He pushed it over her shoulders, and she let it slide to the floor. Her nipples were hard peaks, pushing against her bra cup. He reached around her and unfastened it, and it followed the same path as the other garment.

Her heart pounded faster as he cupped her breasts and rubbed his thumbs over her sensitive nubs. A moan rose within her, and she shuddered from his touch. He lowered his head and slipped her nipple into his mouth.

She gasped and gripped his shoulders so tightly her knuckles ached as he licked and sucked first one, then the other. She trembled and whimpered at the feel of it.

He knelt in front of her and pressed kisses to her belly. He took one of her feet, slid the ballet flat off, and tossed it aside before doing the same with her other shoe. The tile floor felt cool beneath her bare feet.

CJ moved his fingers to the button on her slacks and slid it through its hole. Her nipples, still damp from his mouth, puckered tighter. He pushed the slacks and her panties over her hips to her feet and held her hand as she stepped out of them. Those articles of clothing went the same way her shoes had.

She stood naked before him, still trembling, as he rose to his feet. He swept his gaze over her from head to toe before meeting her eyes. “You are so beautiful, Jillian. Everything about you is, from your big heart to your intelligence to your gorgeous body.”

Heat rushed through her at the way he said it—they weren’t just words, but something he truly meant and felt.

“It’s your turn.” She reached for his shirt and began unbuttoning it, her hands shaking.

He undid his belt buckle and pulled the belt from its loops as she tackled his shirt. The buckle hit the floor with a hard thump. He shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it aside.

“Let’s get those boots off.” Jillian pushed him back against the bed, and he dropped to the mattress, grinning.

He toed off one boot, and she helped him pull off the other. They made hard thunks when they hit the floor. She peeled off each of his socks, dropping them. He leaned back, his hands braced on the quilt as she unfastened and unzipped his Wranglers.

Her breathing grew heavy with anticipation as he assisted her in shucking off the jeans. His boxer briefs remained, his rigid cock pressing against the stretchy fabric. She hooked her fingers in the sides of the boxers and tugged them down to his feet, and he kicked them away.

She pushed between his thighs and wrapped her fingers around his length, and he sucked air through his teeth. His cock felt like silk-covered steel beneath her palm.

Jillian rubbed her thumb over the head through a drop of his fluid. She lowered her head and slipped him into her mouth. He groaned and slid his fingers into her hair. She looked up at him as her mouth traveled up and down his length, and his eyes reflected his pain in holding back his release.

She sucked and licked him, and he clenched her head in his palms. She loved that he seemed so close to losing control. She stopped long enough to say, “Do it. I want to taste you,” before she sucked him again.

His hoarse shout cut the air as his hips bucked, and he filled her mouth with his fluid. She continued to apply suction as she swallowed every bit.

“Stop, Jillian.” He groaned again. “No more. I can’t take it.”

She let him slide from her mouth and smiled up at him. “That was fun.”

He gave a low, pained chuckle. “I like your idea of fun.”

She squealed with laughter as he picked her up and twisted to drop her onto the mattress. He knelt on the floor, grasped her knees, and dragged her close to the edge. “Now I’m gonna get even.”

Her giggles died in her throat as his big shoulders spread her thighs apart, and he buried his face against her center.

Sheer pleasure engulfed her. He ran his tongue along her slick flesh, then concentrated on the sensitive nub, causing her to writhe beneath him.

The incredible sensations whirled inside her and carried her away to the precipice of an orgasm. He sucked, and she lost it. She screamed, thrill after thrill rolling through her. She squirmed as he erotically tortured her much the same as she had tortured him.

“That’s enough.” She had a hard time catching her breath, and her words echoed his earlier ones. “Please stop, CJ. I can’t take any more.”

He raised his head and grinned at her. “Fair is fair.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond and picked her up and moved her to the center of the bed.

His gaze softened. “How soon do you want kids.”

She caught her breath, surprised at his words. “Depends. When are we getting married?”

He nuzzled her ear. “How does tomorrow sound?”

She laughed. “Let’s give it a week.” She pressed her palm against his cheek. “As far as wanting kids, I’m ready when you are.”

“Then how about we start now.” He placed the head of his erection against her center, waiting for her response.

She nodded. “Yes, now.”

CJ slid inside her, stretching her. Jillian’s eyes widened as he filled her completely. He began sliding in and out at a slow, steady pace. She arched her hips, pressing herself against him, then moved in tandem with his strokes.

It felt so good having him inside her, this man she loved with everything she had. The heady knowledge that they would soon marry and start a family filled her heart and made the experience mean even more.

He thrust hard, and his rhythm increased. She matched his urgency, the need for completion with him inside her, making her feel whole.

A fine sheen of perspiration coated their skin, and a flush of heat stole through her as they charged closer to orgasm. Harder, faster, and more intense with every moment.

She could barely think past the pleasure and nearly lost it. She held back, wanting to climax when he did.

“Are you ready, beautiful?” His words came out strong but filled with the tension coiling in his body.

“Yes.” She nodded, her hair sliding on the quilt.

“Come now, Jillian,” he shouted. “Come now.”

She shrieked with the orgasm that slammed into her, and he shouted his own release. They moved together, drawing out their orgasms. Her core clenched down on his cock as it throbbed inside her.

They stopped, both of them breathing hard. He rolled onto his side and brought her with him so that they were facing each other, their legs intertwined.

He stroked damp hair from her forehead and smiled. “My beautiful love.”

She rested her left hand on his hip, the diamond sparkling on her finger. She smiled. “My handsome man, whom I love with all my heart.”

He returned her smile and sealed the moment with a kiss.

Jillian sat across from CJ in front of the small bakery in Bath, England. They had spent the day at Stonehenge and had explored Windsor Castle, and now they were enjoying a relaxing English tea.

After a whirlwind wedding in Las Vegas with all her family in attendance, CJ had whisked her off to Western Europe, and sadly, their trip was almost to an end.

She broke off a piece of the scone on her plate, slathered on clotted cream, then spread strawberry jam on top of that. She took a bite and enjoyed the smooth thickness of the cream and the sweetness of the jam.

CJ watched her with amusement as she sighed with pleasure. “When we get back to the U.S., I’m going to miss tea and scones,” she said.

He swept his gaze over the square in Bath City Centre, the people walking from shop to shop on the pavers, and the imposing church on the opposite end. He met Jillian’s eyes. “I’m going to miss having all this time with you to myself.” He leaned closer. “A month hasn’t been nearly enough. What do you say about spending another week in this part of the world? We could go to Vienna or Prague next. I know you’ll love either one.”

“As long as I’m with you, I’ll enjoy any place in the world.” She broke off another piece of scone. “But don’t tempt me. I need to get back to my store—my sisters have been holding down the fort, but I shouldn’t be away too long.”

He watched her add the clotted cream and jam to the piece on her plate. “Haylee and Leeann wouldn’t mind.”

Jillian picked up her teacup of Lady Grey tea with milk. “You’re right, but that doesn’t mean I should stay away.”

He smiled. “Am I at least tempting you?”

She sipped her tea, then set the cup on its saucer with a light clink. It was her turn to look amused. “Yes, but we should probably go home.”

“Aha.” He leaned back in his seat. “You said probably. That means there’s a chance you’ll say yes.”

She laughed. “I need to bring in more revenue so that we can enjoy more of these trips.”

He smiled. “The ranch will be up to full speed soon and start turning a profit, and I have plenty saved up from my time in the service that we can take an annual trip.”

“Ah, but we’re working on a family.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “Kids equals more money. Lots. Believe me, I’ve heard about it from all my siblings, save Leeann.” She tipped her head to the side. “Even Haylee has talked about the expense of preparing for a child, and their baby isn’t due for another two months.”

He looked amused again. “We’ll do just fine, beautiful.”

Her heart burst with love. This wonderful man had come into her life and would do anything for her, and she would do the same for him. She’d never dreamed she could be this happy.

They chatted about their day at Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. They had plans to go to an authentic English Pub in Lacock, near Cotswold, on the way back to London. Jillian was anxious to see the place where scenes from the Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey had been filmed.

“Our kids will learn all about the magic of Harry Potter,” she said as they strolled through the Centre.

CJ grinned. “And the One Ring, the Force, and travels to where no one has gone before.”

“Yep.” She peeked through the windows of a glass-makers shop. “Let’s go in here. I bet we’ll find something handblown for our future ornament tree.” They had purchased ornaments from every location they’d visited in Europe and had decided to buy a small tree to put them on in addition to their regular tree and have both up at Christmastime.

They explored the small shop, and Jillian loved all the handblown items that had been created. She and CJ picked out a heart ornament with a colorful design.

Next, they went to an antique market, a shopping arcade, and a silver jewelry store, where CJ bought her a charm bracelet. He had been spoiling her with jewelry the entire trip.

As the day wound down, they decided to head to Lacock for dinner. CJ was adept at driving on the left side of the road, so they had rented a car.

They walked hand-in-hand to the parked vehicle, and she looked up at CJ. “You know what?” she said.

He looked down at her. “Yes?”

“I’ve decided I don’t want our time here to end.” She beamed at him. “I’ll call Leeann and see if they can watch the shop for another week.”

His face split into a grin. “I’ll get ahold of the foreman I just hired to make sure he can go another week alone. I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“Good.” She swung hands with him. “I hear Prague is gorgeous.”

He nodded. “It’s one of my favorite places in Europe.”

“Let’s go there next.” Jillian leaned into him. “Being honest, though, any place with you is my favorite place.”

CJ put his arm around her shoulders. “Honey, that makes two of us.”