Chapter Twenty
The next morning, Retta slowly came to the surface. She’d slept like a log. She must have slept late because the sun was streaming in through the windows.
She tightened her arm around Travis’s waist and snuggled a little closer to him.
She smiled when the feel of his deep rumbly, laugh resonated through his chest.
“Mornin’, darlin’. I thought you might be asleep for a while yet.”
“Mm. I’m not sure that I’m awake.”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “Go back to sleep if you want.”
“I don’t want to, but I don’t want to move, either. I’m quite happy here – as long as you don’t need to get up.”
“I’m going nowhere.”
She closed her eyes again and let herself drift. She didn’t fall back to sleep, but she wasn’t quite awake. She was in that warm, wonderful place in between. After a while, she ran her hand over his chest. He was so warm, so solid. She loved the feel of his big body next to hers.
She was tempted to slip her hand inside his boxers, but she didn’t want to spoil the moment. She still hadn’t managed to talk him into making love to her. Now would be the perfect time, but she’d rather stay in this dreamy in-between state than try to convince him and have him turn her down.
It wasn’t as though he was turning her down completely, she understood that. But it was still a disappointment every time she started to hope that they might, and he wouldn’t.
She let out a little sigh when he ran his hand up and down her arm. He might not want to make love to her yet, but just the way he touched her made her melt.
Her eyes popped open when he slid his hand between her arm and her side, running it up and down from her hip to her ribcage. Hot waves of desire coursed through her when his thumb brushed the side of her breast.
She closed her eyes again, determined to enjoy the moment before it was over.
She bit down on her bottom lip when on the next pass, he stroked over her hip and kept on going until he was kneading her ass.
“Travis.” His name came out as a moan.
“Yeah, darlin’?” His voice sounded deeper than usual and husky.
She slowly lifted her head until she was looking into his eyes, and the desire she saw in them made all the muscles in her abdomen and lower clench.
“Travis?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, darlin’?”
“Are you …?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, darlin’. I am. It was all I could do to let you go to sleep in peace last night. You had me so damn horny for you with all your little kisses and giggles and clinging to me like you did.”
He shook his head. “If you hadn’t had one drink too many, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself. But I did.” He squeezed her ass and held her closer to him before letting go and taking hold of her hand. He guided it down inside his boxers and cocked an eyebrow at her.
“All that restraint last night left me with a little problem. It hasn’t gone away all night, and there’s nothing for it; I need you to help me with it.”
She licked her lips as she curled her fingers around him. He was so hot and hard; she could feel the heat pooling between her legs at the thought of finally making love to him.
“I wouldn’t call this a small problem.”
He smirked. “I’m glad to hear it. But do you want to help me with it?”
She moved her hand up and down his length. “You know the answer to that; I’ve done all but beg you.”
His smile faded. “I never meant to make you beg.”
“I don’t mean it like that. I’m saying that you should already know just how eager I am to finally do this.”
“Yeah? No doubts left?”
“I haven’t had any for a long time, Trav. What about you? I know that you’ve been looking out for me – not wanting to hurt me or my leg but do you have any doubts for yourself? Is this what you want? Am I what you want?”
“Retta, darlin’. You’re all I want – everything I want. I’ve had no doubt about that for a while now.” He cupped his hand around the back of her head and claimed her lips in a slow, deep kiss. It felt as though he was making love to her mouth. She clung to his shoulders and kissed him back. They’d done a lot of kissing since she started sharing his bed. They’d explored each other with their hands and mouths; he already felt so familiar. But this kiss held an element of something new, something powerful.
She felt as though she was at his mercy. He moved her where he wanted her. His big, powerful body made her feel small and fragile for the first time. But the last thing she felt was weak. He made her feel as though she was the one who held all the power. His mouth and his hands told her that he worshiped her. He handled her with such great care and respect that she finally understood it.
He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “You okay? You just had a thought, didn’t you?”
She smiled. “How can you read my mind so easily?”
“Because we’re in tune. Was it a good thought? Something we need to talk about?”
She shook her head. “I just … the way you kissed me. I think I understand now …”
“Understand what?”
“That you’re … for real. That the way you see me …”
He grinned. “Like you’re the most important thing in the world to me?”
Her heart felt as though it melted in her chest. “Yes. That. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“Glad you finally figured it out.”
“I am, too. I hope you know that I feel the same way. I love you.”
“I love you.” He grinned. “And now that we’re straight about that, can I help you get rid of that night shirt?”
She laughed. “Please do. And you might as well deal with the panties while you’re there – it’ll be quicker if you do it.”
He pulled the T-shirt that she wore to sleep in over her head and then grinned at her before he dove under the covers. He struggled trying to get her panties down for a few moments before he popped his head back out and asked, “Are you attached to these things?”
“The panties? No. Why?”
He disappeared again, and she didn’t know how he managed it, but the next time he emerged from under the covers, he had a big grin on his face, and a strip of torn pink cotton that used to be her underwear between his teeth.
She had to laugh. “I wish I had a camera right now – you look so damn pleased with yourself.”
He nodded happily. “I am.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and he dropped a kiss on her lips. When he lifted his head, his eyes twinkled as he asked, “You ready for this, darlin’?”
“So much more than ready.”
“I’ve been thinking about this ….”
“And you know I have, but it’s finally time to stop thinking – and talking – about it. Please?”
“Patience. I’m not talking about waiting any longer. I’m saying that we need to figure out how this is going to work.”
She laughed. “I think we both know that – and in case you’ve forgotten, it’s just a case of inserting tab A into hole B.”
He rolled his eyes. “And here I was hoping to make this something special. I’m not talking about the mechanics. At least, not those mechanics. I mean your leg. I thought maybe we should put you on top, but that’s not going to work, is it?”
She shook her head slowly. “No. I wouldn’t be able to …” She rolled onto her back and spread her legs. “This would work though.”
He gave her a rueful smile. “This is getting less romantic by the minute.”
“At this point, I’m way past romance and finesse, I just want … I want … you.”
His expression was so gentle as he propped himself up on one elbow. “And I want you. I just don’t want to hurt you.”
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again when he trailed his fingers down her throat and continued to her breasts. The sight of his big hand and tattooed forearm against her pale skin sent goosebumps racing over her skin. When he teased her nipple, she closed her eyes and moaned.
Then, he trailed his fingers down over her stomach, and when his fingers traced her entrance, she bit down on her bottom lip.
“You’re wet,” he breathed.
“You sound surprised.”
“I thought …”
“That I might need warming up? I’ve been simmering on the edge of boiling over for the last few weeks. I … Oh!”
She gasped when he dipped his finger inside. He started to pump in and out and her hips moved in time with him. It felt as though every nerve ending in her body came alive as her inner muscles gripped his finger.
He cocked an eyebrow, and she shook her head.
“I’m not saying that this doesn’t feel wonderful – it does. But I want you. All of you.” She touched his hot, hard length, but he shifted away from her.
“I …”
“If you’re about to say that you won’t last long, and you want to save it for when you’re inside me, then you’ll understand how I feel.”
“I thought I could …”
“I don’t need any warmup. I haven’t had sex in a long time. I want our first time together to be … together.”
“Well, since you put it that way.” He smiled as he positioned himself above her. “How’s the leg?”
“It’s fine. And at this point, even if you crushed the cast and broke a couple more bones, I wouldn’t care. I need you, Travis. Now.”
He squeezed his eyes shut and threw his head back as he slowly lowered his weight onto her.
She could see a muscle ticking in his jaw as he guided himself to her entrance. The heat of his big body seeped into hers, and she felt as though she really might boil over if he took much longer.
“You ready for this, darlin’?”
“Yes.”
She wrapped her arms around his back and clung to him as he slowly eased inside. He was big, and she could feel the heat of him as he pushed inch by inch inside her body. She was grateful that he was going so slowly, the pinch and burn as she stretched around him was an exquisite kind of torture this way. It might have been painful if they’d taken things faster.
He stopped and held her gaze. “You good?”
She nodded, glad that they were finally connected in the way she wanted – and needed.
He smiled and then thrust his hips, and she gasped.
“You still okay?”
She nodded, unable to form words for a moment while she panted.
“You sure?”
She swallowed. “You took me by surprise. I thought you were in.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips and rocked his hips slightly. “I am now.”
She grasped his forearms. “You feel so good.”
“You feel …” He smiled. “Like home.”
“Aww. I love that idea.” She pulled him down so that she could kiss him. She could feel herself pulsating around him while their tongues tangled. When his hand came up to her breast and he rolled her nipple between his finger and thumb, they both gasped as she clenched him tight.
When he lifted his head and cocked an eyebrow, she nodded.
“Make love to me, Travis.” She smiled. “Let me welcome you home.”
He moved slowly at first, and she was grateful. She struggled to move with him to start with, but they soon found a rhythm. He picked up speed, but it was more of a deep, unrepentant drive toward release than a frantic coupling. Every thrust of his hips drove deeper and harder. Every time he pulled back, she wanted to cry at the loss of him, and then he was there again, filling her, stretching her, leaving her grasping at his back and shoulders as if she could somehow hold onto enough of him to make him a part of her.
He was carrying her higher and higher toward to the point of no return. It felt as though all her nerve endings were like fuses burning their way toward the inevitable explosion.
She loved the expression on his face as he held her gaze. He was as lost in her as she was in him.
On the next thrust of his hips, he rocked against her before he pulled back, making her moan. He smiled and picked up the pace, and all she could do was ride the wave as he carried her away.
“Oh god, Trav, yes!”
She clung to him as her orgasm crashed over her. It hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her gasping for breath as it pulled her under before lifting her higher and higher on a current of pleasure that made her see stars. Just when she thought she’d crested the wave, Travis growled and drove deeper and harder, then held still. Their bodies melded into one as they carried each other away until the wave finally receded and left them both panting, clinging to each other while they recovered.
Eventually, Travis lifted his head and grinned down at her. She smiled back, still not able to form words.
“We were worth the wait, darlin’.”
She nodded happily.
He chuckled. “There’s something I need to tell you, though.”
“What’s that?”
“Not only am I done waiting, but I’m going to want to make up for lost time.”
She ran her fingers through his beard. “I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”
He winked at her. “Good, because I think I’m already addicted.” He ran his hand down her side, sending an aftershock rippling through her.
He grinned. “Yep. Totally addicted. You going to be okay with that?”
“I am. I think I might be addicted to you, too.”
“Enough to want to spend the rest of your life with me?”
Her heart felt as though it filled up and overflowed. “Yeah, Trav. If you want me for that long.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “I do. I’m going to love you forever.”
She chuckled. “Isn’t there a song about that?”
“Yeah, it’s like me – an oldie but a goodie.”
“You’re not old.”
He shrugged happily. “Maybe, but I’m not young enough to be able to go at it again just yet.” He rolled off her and disappeared into the bathroom. When he came back, he climbed onto the bed again and held up a washcloth. “I’ll carry you in there to clean up if you want, or you can use this – or I can.”
She took it from him. She was a little bit overwhelmed that it even occurred to him that she’d need it.
He chuckled. “I figured you wouldn’t want me on the cleanup crew.”
She had to laugh. “No. I feel closer to you right now than I think I’ve ever felt to another human being in my whole life. But I don’t think we need that kind of closeness, do we?”
“Nah.”
When she was done, he sat with his back against the headboard and helped her up so that she could lean against him. She smiled down at his big, tattooed arms wrapped around her waist.
“You happy, darlin’?”
“Happier than I’ve ever been.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Me too.”
~ ~ ~
Travis felt as though he hadn’t stopped smiling since he woke up this morning. He’d woken with a smile on his face because he’d finally accepted that he didn’t want to wait another day to make love to his woman.
It’d been everything he’d hoped for and more. He felt bad that he hadn’t even asked about her leg until later – but she’d reassured him that it hadn’t been an issue.
They’d gotten a slow start to the day when they finally got out of bed, and they hadn’t made it over to the cabin until after lunchtime. It was three o’clock now, and he’d stepped outside to give Mav a call. He was hoping that his friend wouldn’t have changed his mind or decided to be busy.
Just as he was about to dial Mav’s number, his phone rang with an incoming call. He frowned when he didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Hello, handsome. You sound just as sexy over the phone.”
He laughed when he realized who it was – Retta’s neighbor from Georgia. “Hello, Mrs. Simmons.”
“Oh please. Call me Adelaide. You make me sound like an old woman when you say Mrs. Simmons. I’m not claiming that I’m not one, but I don’t need reminding of it.”
“Alright then, Adelaide. It’s a pleasure to hear your voice. Are you calling to say hello, or is there anything I can do for you?”
Her laugh sounded so girlish that it made Travis smile. If he could brighten her day, he was all about it.
“As a matter of fact, sugar, I’m calling because there’s something I can do for you. But I realize how that sounds. Don’t worry, I don’t mean it that way. I’m calling because I saw that Jamie driving down the street last night. It was late, or I would have called you then. I was drawing my curtains – that’s how I noticed her. She was driving real slow, and she went even slower past Retta’s place. She was looking real close, too. If I saw someone else doing what she did, I would have thought they were planning a robbery. I do not like that woman, but I don’t see her as a burglar.”
Travis rubbed his hand over his beard. “Thanks for letting me know.” He had no idea what Jamie’s deal was. He could see her having a problem with Retta while she was still there, but there was no reason for her to keep it up now that Retta had left town.
“You’re more than welcome. I’ll give Retta a call for a chat and tell her, too, but I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to hear your voice.”
“Well, I appreciate it. I meant it when I said that you can give me a call anytime.”
She sounded more serious when she said, “That’s kind of you, but for all I like to joke around, I wouldn’t impose without a reason.”
Travis frowned as he wondered if she had any people of her own. He’d have to ask Retta if she had family close by or people who looked out for her. He hated the idea of her being lonely and having lost Retta as her friend and neighbor.
“It’s not an imposition.” He smiled as he added, “It’s what friends do.”
“Go on with you – I told you before, you don’t need to go humoring an old woman. I’m going to hang up now. You tell Retta I’ll give her a call, and don’t either of you forget that I’m here if I can help with anything.”
“Thanks, Adelaide. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Bye now.”
Travis checked his watch. He wanted to talk to Retta about why Jamie might be driving by her house, but he had to try Mav while he had a chance of getting ahold of him. He dialed his number and waited.
“Travis.”
“Hey, Mav. Thanks for picking up.”
“Yeah. I don’t want to talk about my shit, but I want to hear about you and Retta – and whatever else you want to tell me.”
Travis chuckled. “Has Ace told you that I’ve been whining?”
“No. For one thing, he wouldn’t and for another, you don’t whine. It hit me after we texted last night – you like to share your good news, and I haven’t exactly been available to listen, have I?”
“No. I know why but …”
“Yeah. Like I said, I don’t want to talk about that. I’m not mad at you. I was for a while, but it’s not your fault that Libb wanted off the ranch. Instead of being mad at you, I should be thanking you that she’s going to be at your place and not somewhere else. So, we’re done with that subject. Tell me about you.”
Travis smiled to himself. That was the most he’d get out of Mav, and he knew it. “I know you’ve met Retta, but I hope you’ll be home sometime soon and get to know her. She’s it for me, Mav.”
Mav chuckled. “You guys are dropping like flies. First Deacon, then Ace, now you. Who’s going to be next, do you reckon? Trip’s been dead set against having another woman in his life since his divorce, but I’d still put my money on him before Emmett. I’m not sure Emmett will ever be open to another relationship after Emily died. Maybe Blane, but he’s so damn grumpy; I’m not sure that there’s a woman who’d put up with him.”
Travis laughed. “I’m never sure when Cash calls you guys Grumpy and Grumpier which way around he means it.”
“It’s a close call, but I think I take the crown.”
“Only because you don’t like to be beaten at anything.”
“Yeah. Maybe so.”
“I notice you didn’t include yourself and Cash in the list of who might be next.”
Mav let out a short laugh. “Because neither of us are in the running. And if you think about it, you all give me a hard time about the way things ended up with Libb, but he screwed up worse than I did, and he’s still fucked up over it all these years later.”
Travis frowned. “There’s no point in us giving him a hard time. He’s never going back. And we don’t exactly give you a hard time – no one dares do that – but we still hold out hope for you and Libby. That’s the difference.”
“Hmm.”
“What does that mean?”
“That you don’t know Cash as well as you think you do if you believe that he’d never go back.”
“I probably should have said that differently; whether he would or not, it’s never going to happen, right?”
“Who knows. But tell me more about you and Retta.”
“She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Mav. She was kind of closed off to start with – not just closed off to me, but to life. She’s opening up more and more by the day, though. It’s like she’s a flower and now that she’s here, she’s starting to blossom.”
Mav laughed. “Only you would describe it that way – but it works, I get what you mean and I’m glad to hear it. Hang on …”
Travis could hear him talking to someone else but couldn’t make out what he was saying.
He came back on a minute later. “I gotta go, Trav.”
“Okay. Any idea when you might be home again?”
“I may come with Cash next time – whenever that is. I’m going to have to take another look at the ranch now that Libb’s not going to be there anymore.”
“Fuck it, I have to say it. It’d be good to have you home – and I don’t mean just for a visit.”
The line was quiet for a long few moments before Mav said, “I’m starting to think it might be time. See ya.”
Travis smiled to himself when the call ended. Mav might not have said much, but he’d told him all he needed to know. He’d be coming home, maybe not soon, but he’d be coming.