Dane's Restraint (8 page)

Taking her in his arms, he kissed her, feasting on her plump lips, drinking her in. Tongues tangled, teasing, promising.

She leaned back and cocked her head toward the bed. “So you going to get back in those cuffs or what?”

“I’m not.” He hugged her close, enjoying the feel of her soft curves.

Sara pouted and ran a finger down his chest. “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to play with me?”

Dane growled low in his throat and gripped the seeking finger. “No. I don’t want to play.”

She scowled and stepped away. “Fine. I can take a hint.”

He caught her wrist and tugged her back to him. “I’m tired of playing.”

He cupped her pussy, allowing his middle finger to tease her wet slit. She gasped and spread her feet apart.

As excited as she was, vulnerability and uncertainty lightened her eyes and tugged at his heart. Through her bravado, he saw the innocence and exuberance for life. God, he was falling hard and fast for this woman.

“No more games. No more experiments.” His thumb traced the hard bud of her clit, making slow teasing circles. “I want you, Sara, without the props. Let me have the real you.”

She struggled against his hold, but he refused to let her withdraw. Not this time.

With his free hand, he stroked her cheek. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

She sighed. “That’s what Ben said.”

Damn, he didn’t want to be compared to the bastard who cheated on her.

Dane inserted a finger into her hot pussy and stroked her into a panting, quivering mess. He withdrew his finger and gently traced her clit. Sara whimpered and rocked against his hand.

“Dane…” Her whispered breath teased his face, and his cock jumped in response.

“Feel this,” he murmured against her earlobe. “Trust that I’m going to make you come. And when you fall, I will be here to catch you.”

Dane guided her to the bed and eased her onto her back, then he donned a condom and spread her thighs. Slowly, like a jungle cat stalking his prey he crawled over her, fitting himself between her legs. Sara’s heart quickened with excitement, and her gaze feasted on his very hard cock. She licked her lips in anticipation.

Sara hooked her ankles around his waist and urged him closer. Dane pulsed his hips, sheathing his cock with her pussy.

With exaggerated slowness, he made love to her. Each time he entered, he ground his pelvis into hers, hitting her G-spot. He cupped her breasts, pinching and rolling her nipples into little pebbles.

To show her appreciation, she dug her fingernails into his ass, holding him as he pounded into her. Spirals of desire started in her belly, travelling to her clit. Her juices flowed in excess coating his rock hard cock. Heat flared in her pussy with the building orgasm. She matched him thrust for thrust, until finally, she came with a scream. Stars flashed before her eyes and she collapsed against the pillows. His own cry shortly followed.

Dane shifted to the side so he wasn’t crushing her with his weight and rested his head on her breast. She toyed with his sweat-clicked hair and stared at the ceiling.

It pained her a little to think that after tonight she wouldn’t see him again, at least not in this capacity. Sure, they’d most likely run into each other in town, maybe they’d even hang out at Shannon’s on the weekend—if her cousin got back with his brother. It just wouldn’t be the same.

“Things don’t have to change,” he murmured against her bare skin.

Her fingers stilled. “What?”

“This. Us. It doesn’t have to change just because you are leaving the ranch tomorrow. We could date; get to know each other better.” He propped up on his elbow and peered into her eyes.

Sara shivered from the intensity of his stare. What was he saying? What happened to agreeing on the weekend fling and nothing more?

“No. No, we can’t.”

“Why? There’s nothing stopping us from going a step further. You’re the one who set the limitations of the weekend.”

She sat up and clutched the sheet over her breasts. They were not having this argument. “You agreed. It wasn’t like I set the rules by myself.”

“And we aren’t allowed to change our minds?”

“Sure, but…” Sara covered her face with her hands. “Dane, you’re a great guy, and I have enjoyed every minute with you. But it doesn’t change anything.”

The bed shifted and she peeked through her fingers to see him pulling on his jeans.

“I get it. I’m good enough to fuck, but not good enough to see socially.”

“That’s not it at all,” she protested.

He pinned her with an angry glare but then his shoulders drooped and the bluster seemed to melt out of him. “I’m sorry, you’re right. We both agreed as adults to enjoy each other’s company for just this weekend.” He yanked his T-shirt over his head and then put on his boots. “It was fun while it lasted.”

With one last weak smile, he left the cabin.

Her stomach twisted in knots. She’d thought they’d gone into the arrangement with eyes wide open, and she’d fought all weekend to not get emotionally involved. So why did she feel like she’d betrayed him and ripped her own heart out?

Shit!

Chapter Seven

A knock roused Sara from restless slumber. The clock read just after eight a.m. She dragged out of bed and wrapped herself in a terrycloth bathrobe. She flung open the door, blinking against the brilliant sunlight.

She glared at Ben. Her ex had actually flown from Las Vegas to Texas to convince her to come home? To what? Him? Hardly. She was happy here, happy with Dane. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Ben ran a hand over slicked-back blonde hair and gave her a grin. “I told you I would come for you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. “You’ve wasted your time and money. Go away.”

He shouldered past her and entered the cabin. He took in the sex toys and such scattered around. Damn, she should have cleaned up, but after Dane left, she hadn’t felt much like doing anything but crawling in her bed and pulling the covers over her head.

Anger flared in his eyes. “What the hell is going on with you, Sara?”

She drew her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “I don’t have to explain anything to you.” She sighed. “Look, can’t you just accept that we were not happy together? We have nothing in common, the sex sucked—”

“Sex only sucked because you wouldn’t experiment.”

“No,” she corrected, holding a finger in the air. “I didn’t want to share my man with a group of women. I want a monogamous relationship. I want to know that I am enough to make my man happy.”

He tsked. “You really are a spoiled brat, aren’t you?” His eyes glinted with annoyance. “You think the world should revolve around you and your wants. What about me?”

His words held no sting for her. His hold over her happiness—or lack thereof—was broken. “Go home, Ben.”

He picked up a condom wrapper. “Are you willing to give up everything and everyone you love?”

The beauty of it was, she wasn’t giving up anyone. Her parents and brother would always be in her life, and they knew she loved them. What was there to give up?

“I brought your ring back.” Ben retrieved the solitaire from his pocket and slipped it on her finger.

She gaped at him. The man just couldn’t accept no for an answer. She yanked off the ring and put it back in his hand. “I’m not yours anymore. You need to move on.”

His handsome face contorted into an expression of disgust and disbelief. “Do you really think this guy,” his hand swept around the room indicating the toys, “can make you happy?”

Ben stumbled as she pushed him out of the cabin and onto the small porch.

“Yes, I do.” This admission brought her up short. She and Dane were compatible sexually, that was a given, but it was more than sex. He’d made her feel, really feel, for the first time. She was comfortable with him, could open up about anything and he didn’t judge.

Sara wasn’t ready for marriage, but she couldn’t see her future without Dane in her life. God, she’d screwed up royally. She had to fix this and fast. But first, she needed to get rid of her asshole ex.

****

Dane fought all morning to avoid Sara’s cabin. He didn’t want to run into her and suffer another ego bruising. And yet, he found himself walking down the gravel path toward her door. Last night, for the first time in a long time, his heart was light and he was in love. Not the I-only-want-sex love, but the I-can’t-stand-to-be-out-of-your-sight love.

He wasn’t quite ready to pop the question but he wanted more. He was tired of bouncing from woman to woman, tired of one night stands. With Sara he saw a future—as girly as that may sound. He didn’t care. Not that he’d told her as much last night. All he could do then was tuck tail and run when she’d stuck to her guns. He’d thought for sure if he offered an opportunity to see each other again that she’s jump at it. Who was he fooling?

As he rounded the corner of the building, he heard an unfamiliar male voice. His pace slowed to a crawl, and he peeked around the side. A man stood, holding Sara’s hand, but Dane couldn’t see the expression on her face.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he murmured to himself. “Who the hell is this joker?”

“You don’t deserve me and you’re going to look back and regret walking away. No one wants a cold fish.”

The anger in the other man’s voice stopped Dane in his tracks. Spots danced in front of his eyes. All he could think was he needed to step in and protect Sara. Forgetting the need to be quiet, he stomped across the porch and wrapped a protective arm around Sara’s waist.

“Is there a problem here?”

“Dane!”

The softening in Sara’s beautiful expression made his heart lurch. How could he have walked out on her? He should have stayed and fought. Well, he’d fight now. No one talked to his woman like that.

“Is this him?” Ben glared, his hands clenched into fists.

Bring it on, bastard.

Sara waved a hand between the two men. “Ben, this is Dane. Dane, Ben.”

He assessed the man wearing dress pants and a pressed long-sleeved shirt. This Ben guy looked like a shifty-eyed weasel. What the hell had Sara seen in him? “I have to admit I didn’t expect to see your ex on my ranch.” His tone indicated he’d be more than happy to escort the asshole off the property.

Sara relaxed against Dane’s side and hooked her thumb through one of his belt loops. “You’re no more surprised than me.” She turned on Ben. “Go home, Ben, and get over it.”

Ben whistled through his teeth and faced Dane. “You should cut your losses and run. Ice Sara will never keep you satisfied.”

Dane never wanted to hit someone as badly as he did Ben. “Maybe we should continue this conversation inside. Shit, maybe you should wait out here so we can clean up a bit.” He smiled down at Sara. “I hope you remembered to hide the restraints before you opened the door this morning.”

She gasped. “I knew I forgot something.” Her fingers curled around his bicep and her breasts pressed into his pecs. “I’m so worn out from last night, I’m surprised I can even move.”

“Like you would even know what to do with a set of restraints,” Ben scoffed.

Sara smirked. “You can’t fault the horse for the rider’s lack of knowhow. Maybe you should take some lessons.”

Her ex sputtered. “You bitch.”

Sara didn’t respond, but Dane took a threatening step forward. “You need to get off my property while you can still walk. And don’t ever contact Sara again. If you do, I will make certain you regret it.”

Ben’s skin paled and his mouth flopped open in shock. Without another blustering word, he scurried to his rental car and drove away.

Sara retreated to her cabin. Seeing her with the jackass, he was even more convinced she was the woman for him. She hadn’t backed down to Ben’s pressure and accusations. Somehow he had to convince her to give them a chance. Slowly, he opened the door. She stood in the bathroom doorway, taking down the restraints.

“Are you okay?”

“Just fucking fantastic.” Her gaze narrowed. “What were you doing sneaking around my cabin?”

“This is my ranch, and I wasn’t sneaking.”

Her lips pouted and she looked adorably annoyed.

He said, “I overheard part of your conversation with Douche—uh, Ben, and thought you could use some backup.” Who was he kidding? He wanted to be her knight on the white charger.

Her chin lifted and tears glimmered in her eyes. “I don’t need protection.”

Dane crossed the room and traced a finger down her velvety cheek. “Maybe not, but I needed to be there.”

He folded her into his arms and when she didn’t resist, he brushed her lips with his. “I know you don’t want to hear this but I realized this morning, just how attached to you I am. I am not normally the jealous type, but to think of you with him…”

She released a shuddered breath and sniffled against his chest. “I’m such an idiot. I let you walk away from me last night and I didn’t even put up a fight.”

Dane chuckled. “I know.”

Her arms stole around him and she pressed more fully against him. “When we got together I promised myself I would stay emotionally detached, that I wouldn’t turn into one of those clingy, possessive women. But I felt myself growing attached and it scared the shit out of me. And last night when you said we should see each other beyond this weekend, I think I panicked. I’m sorry.”

He released his hold on her but took her hand and led her over to the bed. He sat down beside her and met her stare. Her cheeks were flushed, probably from embarrassment at being so open.

Leaning forward, he caressed her mouth with his tongue, then took her fully. She exhaled, the peppermint-scented air washing over him in the sweetest embrace. With his kiss, he coaxed her to relax, to open up to him. When her fingers tangled in his hair, he knew he had succeeded.

Pulling back, he once again looked into her eyes. “Sara, when I first saw you I was immediately attracted to you. All I could think about was getting you naked and in my bed. But after we started talking I found myself falling deeper. You enchanted me. Yes, I agreed to a weekend fling, but the more we were together, the more I knew I wouldn’t be able to let you go.”