Double or Nothing (12 page)

He pressed his lips against her neck just below her ear and she shuddered. Pride be damned. He swallowed it and whispered hoarsely. “Don’t go.” He could feel her trembling and cursed himself. “Cherry?”

“You told me to go.” Her voice was so low he had to lean closer to hear her. “I made a mistake coming here.”

He couldn’t stand not being able to see her face so he carefully turned her around, his heart sinking when she wouldn’t look at him. He put his hand beneath her chin and applied pressure until she raised her head. There were tears in her eyes.

One spilled down her cheek and he wiped it away with his thumb. Her skin was so soft, but pale. “I’m sorry, darlin’.” He kissed her cheek, then her forehead. Big brown eyes stared back at him, brimming with emotion. “We can talk. Come sit down.” He brushed a soft kiss over her lips, almost drowning in her sweet taste. He’d dreamed of kissing her. He’d dreamed of doing a hell of a lot more too as memories of their time together mingled with his nighttime fantasies every day since she’d left.

“I don’t understand.” He could hear the confusion in her voice.

“You left.” Those two stark words said it all.

“I said I’d call. I tried, but you wouldn’t answer.”

“I was too angry.” He’d felt elated at first when he’d realized who was calling, but hurt and anger had kept him from answering. That, and the knowledge that no words could fix things. Cherry knew what they wanted from her. It was her decision to make.

“I’m sorry for that. I needed more time to sort things out on my own.”

That’s what he didn’t understand. He willed her to explain it to him in a way that would make sense. “Why? Why couldn’t you talk to me or to Wes about what you were thinking and feeling? Why wouldn’t you let us help you?”

She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I feel too much for you, for both of you. Whenever you’re near, I can’t think straight. Our relationship from the past gets mixed with up with what’s happening now and I can’t separate the two.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t try. You know who we are at our core. No woman has known me as well as you do.” And that’s what made her leaving him for the second time so hard. “For better or worse, you know the kind of man I am. I know I’m hard. I know I don’t open up as much emotionally as you might want. But you know I want you and I want you here with me.”

She gave a small laugh that sounded more sad than happy. “You want me to throw away the life I’ve built in Boston and come and live with both of you. That’s a lot to ask of any woman. People will find out and they’ll talk. That’s the way of things in a small town. I had to figure out if I was prepared to handle the fallout from that.”

Remy understood what she was saying even if he didn’t like it. He sighed and pulled her against his chest. He knew she was right. People would speculate about their relationship and they would talk. Oh, they wouldn’t say a word about it to either him or Wes, but they would treat Cherry differently. Some might even shun her or say nasty things. Human nature was what it was.

“I’m sorry, darlin’, but you should have talked about this with us instead of running away.”

She pulled back and frowned at him, her lips pulling into a thin line. “I wasn’t running away, I told Wes I had business to take care of in Boston. I put my life on hold when Daddy was ill and only did the basics to keep up with work. I do have a business to run. It might not be as big and fancy as the Double S, but it’s mine and I built it from nothing.”

It shamed Remy to realize he hadn’t considered how much of her own work she must have put aside in the weeks before her father’s death. “So you’re back now to do what? Pick up your belongings from your old ranch and head back to Boston?” Remy’s hands tightened on her shoulders. He wanted to toss her over his shoulder and carry her upstairs to bed. But that wouldn’t change a thing in the long run. He had to know Cherry’s plans.

“I’m wearing a skirt.”

Of all the things she could have said to him that was probably the most unexpected. He frowned. “I can see you’re wearing a skirt.” He tried not to imagine how easy it would be to slide his hands under it and remove her underwear. His cock swelled and he shifted uncomfortably.

Cherry tilted her head to one side and studied him intently. “You once told me you’d like me to wear a skirt.”

Holy fuck. This was the fantasy he’d told her about the last time they were together. He remembered it now. “I told you I wanted you to wear a skirt so I could toss it up and fuck you anytime I wanted.”

“I don’t want to go back to Boston.”

Remy yanked her into his arms, his mouth coming down hard on hers.

Cherry could barely breathe, but she didn’t care. She was where she wanted to be—Remy’s arms. Oh, nothing was settled, but she no longer cared. When she thought he was going to let her walk away it was the worst moment of her life after her father’s death.

It was only when she thought she’d lost him that she realized how much she loved Remy. He was a hard man, physically and emotionally, but if he committed to a relationship with her then she knew he would never stray. It wasn’t in him. But she’d hurt him by leaving. More than she’d thought possible. That had to mean his feelings for her ran deep. Didn’t it?

None of that mattered now. All that mattered was she was in his arms where she felt cared for, where she belonged. He tasted like rich, dark coffee, hot nights and even hotter sex. Like promises and tomorrows. His tongue dueled with hers, challenging, enticing.

She dug her fingers into his shoulders and the muscles bunched and rippled beneath her touch. Remy tore his lips from hers and spread passionate kisses down her jawline and neck.

“I missed you so damn much,” he growled. His nimble fingers plucked open the buttons of her blouse and he spread the material wide. Calloused fingertips traced the edging of lace that decorated her bra.

“I missed you too.” Her bed had felt so empty and big. And she, who had never minded spending time by herself, suddenly felt lonely.

Remy’s dark-eyed gaze met hers and he traced a finger over her collarbone, making her shiver. “I’m glad.”

“Remy.” She said his name, wanting to say more, but afraid to spill her emotions before he said anything. She felt vulnerable and afraid. Yet, she was willing to take the risk. She cupped the side of his face, loving the way he turned his head inward and kissed her palm.

He reached down with both hands and slowly lifted her skirt, pushing his hands beneath the material. She bit her lip to keep from moaning when his hard hands slid up the fronts of her thighs. The crotch of her panties was already wet with need. Breathing was getting to be more difficult, but the waiting was even worse.

“Remy.” This time his name was barely a whisper, but all her pent-up passion resonated in that one word.

He softly rubbed one thick finger over the material between her legs, the light touch making her gasp when he brushed her clit. She groaned when he did it again, pressing a little harder this time.

“That’s it, darlin’.” Remy slipped his fingers beneath the elastic band and stroked hot flesh. “Come for me.”

Cherry moved her hips, craving more of his touch and Remy gave her what she needed. He slid one finger into her tight, wet sheath where it was quickly joined by a second. He pushed deep before withdrawing and stroking her slick folds.

She buried her face against his chest and the material of his shirt brushed her cheek. She wanted to feel his hot skin against hers and she ripped at the buttons of his shirt. Remy laughed, low and deep, but it quickly turned to a groan when she spread her hands against his magnificent bronzed chest.

Remy swore and then whirled her around, half dragging her toward the table. She leaned against the wood for support as he ripped her panties down her legs and off. Warm air brushed against her thighs and teased her pussy when he tossed her skirt up around her waist.

She could feel his eyes on her. “You’re mine.” His blunt words made her shake inside and out. There was no going back.

She nodded but couldn’t manage to speak. Her mouth was dry and her body primed. She heard the sound of a belt buckle opening and the rasp of a zipper being lowered. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity rather than a few seconds, she felt the blunt head of his cock pushing against her opening.

In the days since she’d left his bed, she’d dreamed of this moment, of having Remy inside her again. He pushed inward and she gasped, her hands sliding over the tabletop.

“I like you like this.” The deep growl of his voice sent sparks flying through her veins, heating her blood. He rocked his hips, slipping a little more inside her. “Hot and wet. So fucking tight around my dick.” He reached around her, shoved her bra up and cupped her breasts. Her nipples were already tight, but seemed to pucker even more at his touch. “You’re mine and I’ll fuck you whenever I want. Every day. Every night.” He gave one final push and seated himself fully inside her.

Her pussy stretched to take all of him and it felt so good. She clung to the edges of the table and gave a little backward nudge, urging him to continue. Remy stilled and, then like a bucking bronco let out of his stall, he exploded into motion.

He fucked her hard and fast, his hips slamming against her butt, his balls bumping against her clit. Remy swore and shifted her so her upper body was flat against the table, her legs splayed, her fingers curled around the edge for support.

Remy leaned over her, his cock powering in and out of her pussy. His breath was heavy and warm against her neck. He slid one hand between her thighs and found her clit.

“You are never fucking leaving me again. Do you hear me?” He fucked her so hard she saw stars. Her bare breasts were flattened against the table, the hard nubs aching. Her entire body was primed, all it needed was a little more to send her flying. She was so ready she hurt. She needed to come.

“Do you?” he demanded.

She nodded, her cheek rubbing against the worn wood of the tabletop. “Yes.”

There was little doubt that Remy was claiming her. Something fierce and strong rose up inside her. She was claiming him too. She clenched her pussy muscles around his cock, wringing a groan from deep inside him. She did it again and he pushed harder, his finger pressing on her swollen clit.

Cherry cried out as every cell in her body seemed to explode. Her orgasm ripped through her like a sandstorm, every nerve ending in her body exposed and raw. Her pussy clamped down on his cock, squeezing it tight.

No, she was never leaving him again.

Remy had never felt this wild, this out of control. If he could have branded his name on Cherry’s ass he might have done it. The only thing stopping him was the fact he’d cut off his own hand before he’d do anything to hurt her.

He loved her.

There was no denying it, no hiding it. This was the woman he’d been waiting for his entire life. She was the missing piece.

Her sweet pussy had him gripped so tight it almost hurt, but it was a sweet kind of pain, one he never wanted to end. His balls pulled up close to his body and his orgasm shot from the base of his cock and up his shaft until it was filling her.

He hadn’t used a condom. Not this time. She was his.

He almost wished she’d get pregnant. That way she’d always be connected to him. And, shit, that wasn’t the right way to do this. But it was much too late for second thoughts. He spilled himself into her hot depths and collapsed half on top of her.

Remy slapped one hand on the table beside her head to keep from crushing her totally. “God almighty,” he muttered. He sucked air into his lungs until he was sure his head wasn’t going to explode and he had strength enough not to fall on top of her.

He lifted himself away and reluctantly withdrew from her. It was torture. He wanted to stay inside her longer but was worried. Had he been too rough?

“Cherry.” He tucked his semi-erect dick back into his jeans and zipped them. His belt buckle was undone and his shirt open. He took a deep breath and slowly lifted her until she was standing. She groaned and he took most of her weight against him.

The yellow skirt fell, covering her from her waist to her knees, but her blouse was wide open and her pretty lacy bra was shoved above her breasts. Remy couldn’t resist and leaned down to lick one pert nipple.

Cherry groaned and lightly batted at his head. “Stop. I can’t take any more.”

He knew she could, but resisted doing more. He lifted her and sat her on the edge of the table. She looked totally mussed, her fancy hairdo half falling down around her neck, the clip she’d used to anchor it in place hanging off one thick lock of curls. Her lips were swollen and wet from his kisses and her eyes were slightly glazed. She looked like a woman who’d been thoroughly fucked.

Pleasure washed through him. Cherry belonged to him now. “You’re not leaving.”

A tiny smile played around the corners of her mouth. “Now you want to talk?”

“Cherry.” There was a warning in his tone. He was in no mood to be teased, not about this.

“I want to stay, but how is this going to work? What about Wes?”

Remy hadn’t thought about Wes while he was buried balls-deep in Cherry. And that was okay. They both needed to build a separate relationship with her as well as the one the three of them had together.

He carefully pulled her bra down to cover her gorgeous tits and slowly redid the buttons on her blouse. She sat there, looking slightly bemused and totally satisfied.

“Wes will have his time alone with you just like I will.” He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “We’ll figure this out as we go. It will be harder on you in some ways as you’ll have the two of us to contend with.”

She bit her bottom lip and worry pushed aside the soft glow in her eyes. Remy hated to see it disappear, but knew they had to settle this once and for all.

“So you want me to stay here, with you both?”

Why was she even asking after what they’d just done? “Yes.” There was no room for misunderstanding. “I told you that you were mine and I meant it.” He planted a quick, hot kiss on her sultry mouth.

Cherry swallowed hard and nodded. “Where is Wes?”