Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mila woke up slowly, cautiously. She wasn’t in her own bed, so where was she?
Oh. Cole lay facing her, sound asleep.
In the pale light filling the room, she studied his relaxed features — the arch of his eyebrows, the curve of his mouth and the shadow of his beard.
Amazingly soft, his close-trimmed beard added a roguish touch, especially when those talented lips were tilted in a cute little half-smile and he gave her a wink. She hadn’t noticed his long lashes until now, when his eyes were closed.
They’d made love two nights in a row, and yet she hadn’t really taken time to admire his solid physique in detail. But she remembered very well how his body felt.
She relived the sensation of his chest hair tickling her breasts as he moved, his gaze locked with hers. She remembered the tension, the tantalizing friction, the way he answered the deep ache within her, his sure strokes bringing her to a shattering climax.
Given the excellence of that experience, how in hell had she fallen asleep? If they spent the night together again, and she figured they would, she’d make sure to stay awake longer.
His lashes fluttered and he opened his eyes. His initial blink of surprise was followed by a glow of anticipation that grew stronger by the second.
She smiled. “Good morning.”
He sucked in a breath. “If this is a dream I don’t want to wake up.”
“It’s not a dream and I owe you an apology. After announcing I was ready to make love until dawn, I conked out. Some hot lover I am.”
He slid his arm around her waist. “Yes, ma’am. Hottest lover ever.”
“Nice of you to say, but—”
“You had a long day followed by a big party. You did an awesome job singing with the band, by the way.”
“I loved it, loved being up there with you. I’m so glad you talked me into it, but I must have been more tired than I thought.”
He smiled. “Obviously.”
“But I swear, in that moment, I really did think I could go all night.”
“How about in this moment?”
Color bloomed in her cheeks. “Hmm. Perhaps I can make it up to you for being such a party pooper.” She reached under the covers.
He gasped as she wrapped her fingers around his cock. “Careful. It’s loaded.”
She reluctantly let go. She hadn’t spent nearly enough time exploring the playground he offered. “Then how about rolling over and finding another one of those little raincoats for our friend?”
“Will do.”
When he turned away and reached for the bedside table drawer, she flipped back the covers and sat up.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Got plans?”
“I do. Give me the condom and lie back.”
He handed her the small package, stretched out and stuffed a pillow behind his head. “I’m beginning to understand what you meant by good morning.”
“It can be so much more than a greeting.” Ripping open the packet, she straddled him and rolled on the condom. “It can be a promise.”
“I can see that.” His words were casual, but the huskiness in his voice and the gleam in his eyes gave him away.
Her body thrummed with urgency, but she kept her hips elevated as she flattened her palms against his broad chest. Leaning down, she kissed him gently. Then she pushed up and gazed into his eyes. “Buenos dias, Cole.”
The gleam in his eyes intensified. “Buenos dias, Mila.”
Gradually she lowered her hips, swiveling them, brushing the tip of his cock, teasing him a little before she zeroed in.
His breathing roughened. “You know I want to grab you and get this party started.”
“But you won’t.”
“This is your show.”
“Do you like having me take charge?”
His chest heaved. “Very much.”
“Good. So do I.” Heart thumping, she settled into position, just barely making the connection. “Having fun?”
He gulped for air. “Fudge, yeah.”
She eased down a little more. “I have a question.”
“Okay.”
“When you soundproofed this place…” She took him a little deeper.
He gasped. “What about it?”
“Did you think of this?” She thrust downward, taking him up to the hilt.
He groaned. “Yes.”
“Was I part of that decision?”
“Always.” He held her gaze. “I knew—” He dragged in a breath. “If it ever happened, we’d be loud.”
She chuckled. “You were right.” He’d created this loft with her in mind. Knowing that made her giddy. And a bit wild. “Let’s test the limits.” Tightening her core, she began to pump. Sure enough, his low moans grew in volume.
She picked up speed, panting with the effort as his moans became cries that turned to straight out yelling. Success.
“Now!” Grasping her hips, he held her in place as he pushed upward. The strong pulsing of his cock sent her over the edge. Tossed in the rolling seas of a powerful climax, she added her hoarse shouts to his as the waves crashed against her trembling body.
The celebration deep in her core slowly grew quiet as she sucked in air. Cole looked as dazed as she felt. “How’re you doin’, cowboy?”
He swallowed. “This is the best morning of my life.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. No contest.” He met her gaze as he caressed her hips and slid his hands up her back. “Thank you.”
“I had a good time, too.”
He smiled. “I could tell. What does que alegria mean?”
“I said that?”
“A couple of times.”
“It means what joy.”
“What joy, indeed.” He stroked her back. “I have an idea. Let’s go saddle up Sparky and Sol.”
“Now?”
“If we hurry, we’ll have them back before feeding time. We can take carrots as an appetizer. I’m talking about a short ride to watch the sunrise.” His face was alight, like a kid’s on Christmas morning.
“Great idea, but I don’t have the right clothes.”
“Oh.” The eagerness in his eyes faded. “Of course you don’t. I didn’t think of—”
“I just need ten minutes.” She wanted to bring back that happy expression she’d squelched. “I’ll run home and be back before you know it.” She eased away from him. “I’ll meet you in the barn.”
Grasping the condom, he sat up. “Are you sure? It’s not too much trouble?”
“It’s no trouble.” She noticed that her clothes, which she’d left on the floor, were neatly laid on an armchair in the corner. “Thanks for picking up my things.” She quickly pulled on her underwear.
“You bet.” He headed for the bathroom. “While you get changed, I’ll tack up the horses.”
“Alrighty.” She pulled her dress over her head and carried her boots out to the living room. “Don’t forget the carrots!” she called out as she put on her boots and picked up her coat from the living room floor. “We’ll need to bribe those horses to leave the cozy barn!”
“I know! Watch your step on the stairs!”
“Absolutely!” She hurried out the door but exercised care on those steps. The cold air was a shock that took her breath away, but her body hummed with heat and energy.
Claudie had left the front gate open and chances were good she was still dead to the world. Nevertheless, stealth was called for to make sure she didn’t wake up and slow the process.
After changing into jeans, a sweater and her riding boots, Mila grabbed a few clothes and threw them into a duffle along with her basic toiletries on the assumption she’d stay at Cole’s tonight, too. She wasn’t moving in, but it would be nice to have some of her stuff.
Then she was out the door again, wearing her red parka with the hood down because she’d put on her Stetson. She’d shoved her truck keys in the pocket for the trip to town later on.
Walking around to the front of the barn, she found Sparky and Sol tied to the hitching post. Sol was saddled and ready to go.
Cole appeared carrying Sparky’s blanket, saddle and bridle. “Wow, you’re fast!”
“Gotta beat the sun.”
“We will.” He carried the tack over to the hitching post. “Whatcha got in the duffle?”
“Just a few things. Don’t worry. I’m not moving in.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Who says that would worry me?”
“It wouldn’t?”
“Are you kidding? After what happened this morning?”
She laughed. “Don’t go thinking that would be a regular occurrence.”
“A guy can hope.” He flashed her a grin. “How about sticking the duffle in the tack room for now?”
“My thoughts exactly. The stairs take time.”
“The stairs need an overhaul. It was fine when I was the only one going up and down, but now….”
“We can toss around ideas on the ride.” She hurried into the barn and stowed her duffle in a corner. The horses were stomping and talking among themselves, stirred up because two humans had arrived but no food had been delivered.
“Breakfast will be served soon, guys and gals.” Her reassurance brought a few nickers and a couple of snorts. “Most likely Adam and Tracy or Luis and Jordan.” For sure it wouldn’t be Rio, Monty or Claudie. Or Zay. He’d thoroughly enjoyed himself last night, too.
When she walked out of the barn, Cole stood waiting, a hand on the bridle of each of their horses. “Thanks for indulging me.”
“Thanks for getting them ready. It’ll be fun. We’ve never taken a ride together.” Clutching a handful of Sol’s cream-colored mane, she placed her foot in the stirrup and swung into the saddle.
“I never dared ask.” He mounted up. “Thought it might be too pointed, too much like a date.”
“We skipped right over that phase.”
“Never liked it much, anyway.” He turned Sparky toward the path between the barn and the pasture.
She followed him to the electronic gate just beyond the barn and waited while he tapped in the code. On their left, the Flint Creek Range lay in shadow, backlit by the glow of the sun that hadn’t yet peeked over the snowy peaks.
She had a hunch where he was headed, and it wasn’t far.
He nudged Sparky into a slow canter, ducking under low branches as he led the way down a narrow trail through the pines. It hadn’t snowed in a couple of weeks and the path was clear, but snow still clung to patches in the forest that never saw sunlight.
About a mile down the trail, he took a fainter path that veered off to the left. A few yards later, the pines gave way to a meadow and a view of the mountains.
He pulled Sparky to a halt. “I found this spot weeks ago one morning when I wanted a good place to watch the sun come up. You probably knew where we were going.”
“I did. Great place to watch the sunrise. I used to do it a lot, but then we got busy.”
“I haven’t been out here much, either.” He glanced at her. “But I’m always glad when I make the effort.”
“I know what you mean. You watch the sun come up, and you hear the song from Annie in your head.”
He laughed. “Can’t say that I do.”
“But now you will. You’re welcome for the earworm.”
“I was about to get philosophical.”
“Annie is very philosophical. It’s about triumphing over adversity and beginning a new chapter.”
“Then I guess that song is appropriate.” He rested his gloved hands on the saddle horn and watched as the jagged edge of the peak began to glitter as if being painted in gold leaf by an invisible brush.
She appreciated the beauty of the scene, but she was more captivated by the image of Cole in profile, astride that magnificent chestnut horse, gazing at the mountains… and into the future. “I love that you suggested this.”
He turned to her. “You don’t think it’s corny?”
“No. It’s perfect.” Taking off her right glove, she held out her hand. Taking off his left glove, he laced his fingers through hers and looked into her eyes as the sun crested the ridge, bathing them in golden light.