The Cowboy’s Innocent Wife (Silver Creek Ranch #16)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

RYAN

“Hey, do you want to get out of here?” Jo leaned in closer, so I had no trouble hearing her over the music at my friend Chase Harrison’s wedding reception. Her breath tickled my ear.

“What did you have in mind?” I asked, intrigued by the seductive invitation in her tone and the promise in her eyes.

“Head to my place.”

Her confidence was sexy as fuck. Her voice carried an edge of challenge, daring me to take her up on her offer. I couldn’t resist the pull, the way she owned the moment. It wasn’t just her words—it was the way she looked at me, like she already knew I’d say yes.

Even though she was already dancing in my arms, she pressed her body closer to mine. Her lush curves molded against me perfectly, and I barely bit back a groan. Her scent filled my senses, enveloping me in a heady mix of sweetness and warmth.

“So?” she asked.

Although I had just met her earlier tonight, Jo had been driving me crazy the entire time. My hands gripped her plump waist. She felt so good against me, and I would bet she would feel even better beneath me.

What was it about wedding receptions that made people want to fuck?

It was my turn to speak in her ear. I was certain what I was about to say would make me sound like an asshole, but I believed in transparency. Games were for boys. Men like me laid their cards on the table.

“Sure, just as long as you know, I don’t do gentle and won’t whisper sweet nothings in your ear. I’m going to take you hard and fast, and you’ll feel every inch of me. I’ll give you exactly what you need, raw and unfiltered, ‘til you are hoarse.”

She nodded, nibbling her bottom lip. “That’s exactly what I’m looking for.” Her answer was sassy and sensual. Her tongue peeked out slowly, trailing along her bottom lip.

I could think of all kinds of things to do with that sexy mouth of hers. We’re both adults and could both use a little fun.

Before I can change my mind, I tell her, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

I grab her hand and lead her to the edge of the dance floor. “Do you have to say goodbye to anyone before we head out?”

Looking at Harrison and her cousin Amara, the newlyweds, it was clear the building could blow down and they wouldn’t know.

“Nope,” Jo answered.

We made a beeline for my truck, both eager to get each other alone.

The moment we were in the cab, I reached over and cupped her face.

I’d been wanting to do this all damn night.

Her full lips had been taunting me. I leaned in and took her mouth in a searing kiss.

Shit! Not my brightest idea. I didn’t want to stop, but the cab of my truck wasn’t the place to take care of this woman in all the ways I imagined.

Once I pulled away, I instructed her to put her address in the GPS. It wasn’t far. We didn’t speak during the ride to her place. The air was filled with a mix of tension and anticipation.

“You have arrived.” The voice filled the cab of my truck as I pulled in front of her place; an apartment above her law office.

“My place is this way, upstairs,” Jo instructed.

“Lead the way.” I allowed her to walk ahead of me so I could enjoy the view. Her ass was perfection. It inspired all kinds of dirty ideas. At some point tonight, I was going to have to bend her over and see if it bounced for me.

She slipped off her heels as soon as she entered the apartment, and I followed suit, removing my boots.

“Can I take your hat?” she offered.

In testament to how distracting the woman before me was, I handed over my hat. The dress she wore hugged every one of her ample curves. Her hips were thick, perfect for holding on to. All I thought of was the night ahead.

“Would you like something to drink?”

I shook my head, eating up the space between us.

“Okay then.”

Before she smiled, I wanted to kiss her, but once it lit up her face and her dimples made an appearance, it no longer felt like a choice. I grabbed her nape and pulled her close. The kiss was sloppy and greedy. Yeah, I wanted to hear more of her sexy moans.

I am not a man of many words, so when I broke our kiss; I had a one-word instruction: “Bedroom.”

The look she gave me before spinning on her heels sent the blood galloping to my dick. The minute we arrived in her room, she looked over her shoulder.

“Can you help me with my zipper?” Jo pulled her hair over one shoulder, giving me unfettered access.

Hell yes! I thought. There is nothing sexier than a woman who knows what she wants and goes for it.

The sound of me pulling her zipper down filled the room. I wasted no time in helping her out of her dress. The thong left her ass cheeks exposed. I resisted the urge to sink my teeth into them, but not to give them a love smack.

Jo matched my energy. She turned around and held out her hand. “Jacket.”

No one can say I can’t follow instructions. In fact, I went above and beyond. Not only did I give her my jacket, but I unbuttoned my shirt and handed it to her too.

“I like your tattoos,” she complimented me, pointing at them.

I took her hands and place them on my chest.

“And your muscles.”

I flexed my pecs under her touch.

She raised one eyebrow and chuckled. “You’re overdressed.”

“You are very direct.” I reached for my belt, unbuckling it.

“Would you prefer I weren’t?” Jo challenged her nails tracing across my chest.

“No, I like it.” I didn’t waste any time getting out of my pants.

“Oh, my.” Jo pressed her hand to her chest after looking down at my dick saluting her.

The compliment is flattering, and not unwarranted.

Shitty as it was to think of it, fuck, I didn’t have protection with me. I had no intention of hooking up at my buddy’s wedding.

I can’t think of a time I’ve ever been so distracted by a woman that I’ve forgotten the essentials. Despite how breathtaking she was and my state of readiness, there was no way we could proceed without it.

“Tell me you have protection.” I could hear the plea in my tone.

“Yes, of course!”

Yahtzee! Our night wouldn’t be cut short. Not that I would have left right away. We certainly could have enjoyed each other without the main event. However, this outcome was far better. After she retrieved the packets from her bedside, I guided her onto the bed.

Jo lay back, using her elbow to prop herself up. Her mahogany-coloured thick thighs fell open without my prompting. The entire time she kept eye contact with me. Have I mentioned what a turn-on a woman with confidence is?

As eager as I was to slide into her, I needed to make sure she was ready to take me. There was no better way to do so than to bring her to release. What can I say? I’m a giver. Fuck, I hope she is super vocal.

The image before me was enticing. A neat trim covered her mons and plump nether lips. I licked my lips in anticipation, and I made myself comfortable between her thighs. The scent of her arousal greeted me.

“Mmm, do you taste as good as you smell?” I wondered aloud.

I swiped at her folds. A moan of approval encouraged my exploring tongue.

“You taste so good,” I groaned between licks.

Her taste was a delicious cocktail of tangy sweetness.

She was so wet, and it was all for me. I lapped up all the delicious goodness.

I could have gotten lost in enjoying the flavour all night if not for the telltale signs she was getting close to coming.

Jo’s breathing hitched, and her thighs shook ever so slightly.

My tongue contacted her already hardened pearl.

“Oh, shit. Ryan!” Her hands delved into my hair. “Just like that.”

There were no thoughts of teasing her. I wanted to hear and feel this woman come. I continued with the same rhythm as I drove her closer to the edge.

“Oh, oh, oh!” she cried, tugging at the roots of my hair. “Please don’t stop.”

Although it was appreciated, I didn’t need encouragement.

There was no way I could stop until her release bathed my tongue.

My head was sandwiched between her thighs before she even told me she was close.

I could feel the tension building in her body, her grip tightening around me.

Her breath grew shallow as her body trembled.

Then she released a sexy grunt. “Oh, Ryan,” she sighed.

It felt good knowing I had brought her to that moment. I planned to bring her a few more releases before the night was over, but first I wanted to be balls deep in her sweet pussy.

As if hearing my thoughts, her thighs fell open, releasing me. She gave me a tired, sexy smile as I rose from between her thighs.

“That was… um, nice.” She tilted her head and nibbled on her forefinger.

“Let’s see if we can do better than nice.”

“I’m sure you can.” Her voice deepened.

I ripped open the packet and then rolled on the condom. For the briefest moment, something flickered in her eyes as I joined her on the bed, but it was gone before I could identify it. It was enough to sound an alarm, though. There could be no room for uncertainty when consent was concerned.

“You good?” I asked, gripping her thighs.

“Of course.” She nodded.

“And our sleeping together is what you want?”

Under my watchful gaze, she nodded again, putting to rest any hesitation I had. My arms bracketed her head as I leaned down to kiss her.

Her warmth circled the crown of my cock as I gently eased inside her and pushed forward an inch until I met with resistance. A resistance I shouldn’t have been feeling.

I broke the kiss immediately, looking down at her. My brain refused to believe what both of our bodies were telling me. How was this shit possible?

“What?” she squeaked.

“Is there something you want to tell me, Jo?” I asked, finally rolling to the side. My gaze remained trained on her.

The last conversation I expected to have was about the alluring woman I encountered at the reception being a virgin. Especially not after my intimate moment with her.

“Well, what do you mean?”

“Don’t play innocent,” I said, shaking my head. “Although I suppose you aren’t playing innocent, are you? What the hell, Jo?”

She rolled her eyes at me. This woman, who was going to let me take her virginity without giving me a heads-up, was looking at me as if I were annoying her. Her dismissive attitude only added to my frustration, leaving me questioning who the hell I was in bed with.

“Listen, let’s not make a big deal out of this.”

Jo couldn’t be serious. The last time I took someone’s virginity I was eighteen, and she had been my high school sweetheart. It was awkward as hell the first time. I swore I would never do it again. I had done so successfully avoided it for twenty-eight years.

“No, this is a big deal,” I insisted. “Why would you do this?”

Jo stared at me blankly.

It was at that moment I decided it didn’t matter what Jo said. “The night is over.”

“Wait, it doesn’t have to be.”