Second Song Cowboy (Second Chance) (21 page)

“You’re all I’ve thought about since you left yesterday. How the hell can I survive without you for the next
few months? I shall shrivel up and disappear.” She nibbled his neck, his collarbone then his nipples.

“We could just tell your mom the truth,” he said. Her body stiffened. “Or not.”

“I’m sorry, Dante.” She brought her gaze up to meet his. “I miss you…I really do.”

“I’m trying to understand.” He just couldn’t begin to tell her how much it stung to have married her only to be asked to step aside. He didn’t want to seem childish, so he kept his mouth shut.

“Make love to me. I can’t wait another second.”

He wouldn’t make her
ask twice. He turned her back to him and she spooned her ass against his hips, rolling the luscious swollen cheeks across him. Guiding himself into her opening, he sucked in a deep breath, filling his lungs with sweet air as she wrapped around him in tight pleasure. Gripping her hips, he buried himself deep inside of her moist sheath.

She stretched her arms high above her head, flattening her palms against the tiles, raising her bottom higher. The tip of him rubbed the wall of her slick pussy and a groan slipped from his parted lips.

He suddenly wanted to hold her close.

“Let me take you to bed, my love,” he whispered in her ear.

She melted against him. “I’d like that.”

Helping her out of the shower, he shut off the water, and climbed out beside her. He pulled the large towel off the hook and scrubbed her body dry. Next, he took great care in rubbing the warm cloth over her damp tendrils
. He didn’t bother drying his own body.

Lifting her into his arms, he secured his hands on her thighs as he made his way out of the bathroom.
Stepping out into the cooler hallway, goosebumps popped on her skin. She wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggled close and kissed his neck as they made their way to his bedroom.

He opened the door and once they were in, he gave it a kick with his foot, slamming i
t shut. A dozen or so glowing candles scattered the room. “You thought of everything.” He smiled.

“I tried,” she whimpered.

He laid her down in the middle of the bed. Her eyes blazed and her mouth reminded him of pink satin. She blinked and her long lashes fanned her rosy cheeks. “You’re beautiful.”

Reaching out, she took his palm into hers and pulled him into bed with her.

“I needed you, April. I can breathe again.” He smoothed his hand along her thigh and splayed his fingers along her waist. Licking her lips, he tasted peppermint.

She flicked each flat nipple and he groaned. “I still can’t believe you’re my husband. Is this a dream?”

“If it is, then don’t wake me. I want to stay here forever.” He nibbled her earlobe then dropped his head and planted a trail of kisses along her collarbone.

“Will you still find me attractive when I’m fat?” She looked up at him through thick lashes.

“Darlin’, I can’t imagine ever not finding you sexy and delectable. I can’t keep my hands off you.” He ticked his gaze lower over her body. Her nipples hardened and he gave them a reward with a sweep of his tongue.

Her back arched and she wound
her fingers through his hair. “That feels amazing.”

“There’s more where that came from.”
Sliding downward, he licked her satiny body until his tongue reached her most sensitive part. He gently extended her legs wide and she opened to him like a butterfly spreading its wings. Inhaling the intoxicating scent of woman, he knew he’d never get enough. Swirling his finger across the swollen nub, she jerked in response. Her inner thighs quivered against his cheeks. “Yes, my little imp. Relax and let me pleasure you.”

Suckling the silken flesh, she rode him, bucking her hips high and circling her ass. Burying his finger inside of her opening, he found her secret spot nestled in the slick muscles. Her deep moans and whimpers told him she liked his fingers submerged in the confines of her sweet body. When she tensed, he knew she’d reached her awaited abyss.

Lifting himself above her, he stared down at her angelic face. This was his wife. His love. Would she ever understand how much he ached for her…wanted her? How could he find the words?

Her eyes came open and one corner of her mouth curved upward. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. “I want you. Now!”

The second he slid deep into her cavern, he had no doubt that she would burst again with release. Her body quivered and pulsated, grabbing his cock from the inside with her rippled flesh. He thrusts and rolled his hips. Their breaths grew heavier, entwining limbs and heartbeats mating.

Together, they reached the highest of high.

****

“I have to go.” April kissed Dante on the cheek as she
slid to the side of the bed, putting her bare feet on the cool wood floor.

“I’m going to start feeling used.”

Catching a glimpse of him over her shoulder, she could see by his smile that he only teased her. She got up, grabbed her things from the chair and sighed. “I don’t want to leave you, but Mom should be finished with her appointment soon.” Dragging on her clothes, she was fully aware that he broodingly watched her.

“Still no chance of you telling your mom the truth?” His brow came up.

Guilt plagued her. “Time will fly.”

“Yeah, I guess it will
.” He got up and went to his dresser, pulling out a pair of jeans.

“Dante, please.” She went to him and placed her hands on his warm, muscular back. “
For the first time in a long time I actually feel like I have a mother.”

He turned and flashed
an understanding expression. “Don’t you know that I want you to be happy? But what will happen after the wedding? Will this new relationship that you have with her last?”

She took a step back as his words soaked in. “Of course it will. She’s even sugges
ted she might stick around for a while.”

His gaze narrowed. “That’s great.”

“You’re eyes say something completely different than your words.”

“I just find that difficult to believe.” He tugged on his jeans and disappointment slither
ed down her spine.

“Look, I realize she doesn’t like small towns, but she seems to be doing just fine here.” April went to the side of the bed and slid into her flip-flops. “I think she’s changed
.”

“I’m sure she has,” he said.

“She’s even offering to pay for everything with the wedding.”

He scrubbed his jaw. “She doesn’t h
ave to. I can pay.”

Dante had more pride than three men combined
, and she wanted to make him feel at ease. “Tradition is that the bride’s parents pay for the wedding. Anyway, I told her I’d pay.”

The creases around his eyes deepened. She watched him grab his T-shirt and drag it on. “Is there a reason why we should follow tradition?”

She shrugged. “It only seems right that I finance this shindig. The glamorous wedding wasn’t your idea. We both know I have the available funds—” His growl snapped the air as his jaw grew tight. Things headed south.

“Is that a reminder that I’m not an heir to a multi-million
dollar oil company? Or I don’t earn big bucks performing on stage?”

“You know I’m not suggesting that you couldn’t give me a wonderful wedding. And it seems that no matter what I say, I’m going to shred this conversation to pieces.” She stepped close and laid her palm against his cheek. “Will you plan our honeymoon? Take me someplace where we
can lie naked in each other’s arms, away from the world.”

His gaze softened some. “I’ll do that for you.”

“I’ll call you later. Okay?”

Leaving was the hardest thing she had to do. As she said goodbye, Dante’s smile
seemed forced. Tears filled her eyes as she climbed into the truck and headed down the lane. She didn’t like the feeling that coursed through her veins. Loving Dante was top priority, but she also loved her mother.

As a young girl, her mother had bought her all of t
he nice dresses, toys and sent her to the best schools, but never had April received the one thing she’d always wanted—her mother’s undivided attention. She’d seemed to have a long list of priorities that didn’t include her daughter.

Now, having her he
re away from the day-to-day demands, April had something she’d waited on a long time. Her mother’s affection. Last night, they’d sat and talked until the wee hours of the morning, and today, they’d gone to breakfast.

For now, she wanted to enjoy the bubble of joy
enveloping her. She had so much to be grateful for at this time in her life. A wonderful husband, good friends, family.

All she could do was hope things didn’t blow up in her face.

Chapter Twenty

APRIL KNEW THE second she saw Peyton’s face that something was wrong. Her stomach dropped. “What’s wrong? Is it Dante?”

Peyton stepped into the foyer and sighed. “I think you may have
some more damage control in order.”

“What do you mean?” April asked.

“There’s a huge problem.” Peyton lifted the newspaper she had in her hand. “You should see this.”

Bile rose into April’s throat. Any time someone produced a paper, it was never good, at least in her line of work.
She looked at the cover of
Celeb Tattler
and cringed. “April Rayne drops her career to wed Texas rancher. Private details exposed.” She quickly thumbed through the pages until she came to the black and white picture of Dante. “Oh no. Oh no!” She brought her gaze up to meet Peyton’s concerned expression.

“Not good, huh?”

April shook her head, feeling like she should go back to bed and wake up when things were better. “Not good at all. I knew eventually the scavengers would find me.”

“Look on the bright
er side, they don’t know that you and Dante are already married,” Peyton said.

“I’
m afraid to read what they’ve written.”

“Then don’t.”

“But I have to know what has been said if I’m to do any damage control.”

Peyton nodded.

Going to the porch, April sat in a rocker and read the article. When she was finished, she tossed the foolish trash to the side. Peyton, who sat next to her, had a sympathetic eye. “I should call Dante before he gets the surprise of his life.”

“I think it might be too late.” Peyton pointed to
his truck speeding up the lane.

“I guess you’re right.” April rubbed her temples, hoping the beginning of an ache didn’t spread.

Dante slid out of his truck and slammed the door. April could see his narrowed expression and locked jaw way before he stepped onto the porch. He pushed his hat back on his forehead. “April, can you tell me why in the hell there was some city boy on my lawn taking pictures?”

Clearing her throat, she handed him the paper. “Read.”

He took it and his lips thinned. He didn’t bother reading the article. “We knew it’d happen, eventually.”

“Were you followed here?” she asked.

“I kicked the camera fellow off my property. I showed him the shotgun and he ran like he’d never seen one before.” Dante smirked.

April buried her forehead into her palm. Things were getting out of
hand. “We need to make sure we don’t feed the gossip rags.”

“And they need to stay off private property,” Dante said in a ragged tone.

She stood. “I’m sorry, but you know this is part of the deal. I warned you it’d be this way.” She kept her voice lowered in case her mother was out of bed.

His brows lifted.
Peyton quickly left her chair and headed for the steps. “I’m sorry I was the messenger of bad news. I think you two need privacy to talk things over. I’ll see you both later.” She scooted toward her car.

Once the engine started to Peyton’s car, April shook her head. “I couldn’t keep my situation secret forever. I wanted to protect you—”

“Is that what you think the problem is, April?” He leaned against the wooden railing, his eyes heated and his shoulders tight. “Do you think I care what they say about me? I’m not one who has a reputation to uphold. I know you hate this shit, all of the rumors and half-truths. It’s for the best that you’re giving up this celebrity hoopla.” He tossed the paper onto the table.

She blinked. “Dante, I’ve never once said I was going to give up my career. I assumed you’d understand that once the baby is born
I’ll still perform, just not on the road all of the time.”

There was a lengthy pause. Then he slid his hands into his front pockets. “Did I misunderstand when you talked about how you hated the lifestyle and that it wouldn’t work for a child?” His tone was grave and cold.

Her stomach turned, threatening to lose this morning’s cereal. “Yes, I did say my past lifestyle on the road wouldn’t be appropriate to raise a child. But a professional can balance work and home life. I won’t perform as much and I’ll take back control of my life. You’ll see that it’ll work out.”