Wild Borders (17 page)

Lani lowered her head and scooted further down his body. She flicked her tongue over his Adam’s apple then kissed the hollow at the base of his throat. With slow deliberate strokes of her tongue, she worked her way over his collarbone and down to his pecs. She bit softly at one of his nipples before licking her way across his muscular chest to his other nipple. Lower and lower she moved, licking, biting and kissing until she reached the curling hair between his thighs.

His breath hissed out. “You’re about to make me lose my mind, woman.”

“Good.” She looked up at him, a wicked glint in her eyes. “That’s what you do to me.”

The corner of his mouth curved into a sensual smile. “Witch.”

She gave a soft laugh. “I want to taste you again, like you’ve tasted me.” He groaned as she licked his cock like an ice cream cone, swirling her tongue over the head. Then slid him into her mouth, raking him softly with her teeth. He grabbed her head between his palms and clenched his hands in her silken hair.

Her head bobbed up and down as she slid her mouth along his erection and Rick guided her. He raised his hips to meet her, enjoying the sight of his cock thrusting in and out of her hot mouth.

When Rick couldn’t take any more without climaxing, he grabbed a foil package from the top of the nightstand. “I can’t hold off much longer and right now I want to fuck you, honey.”

Lani smiled and took the condom from him. She eased it onto his cock, her tongue leading the way, like fire licking at his soul. After the protection covered him, she moved up to straddle his hips. She grasped his cock with one hand and placed it at the entrance to her core. She slid down on him, taking him deep, as deep as it could reach, until it hit her G-spot.

“Yes, there.” She moaned as he filled her, as he thrust up to meet her. She wriggled her body and rode his cock, her breasts swaying as she rocked her hips. “I want all of you, Rick. Deeper. Harder.”

He grasped her hips, raising her up and down the length of his cock.

Keeping their bodies joined, he rolled over and brought her under him so that she was pinned beneath him. He plunged into her as she started to close her eyes.

“Look at me.” His voice was a demanding growl.

He wanted to see her passion, wanted to see her release. The rapture in her eyes nearly sent him over, but he held back, watching her as he rocked his hips against hers.

She gasped and her eyes rolled to the ceiling and he could see her losing herself to the sensations. Her body jerked hard beneath him and she bit her lip to hold back her cries. She trembled, her body quaking with the force of her orgasm.

Rick pounded into her, harder and harder yet. He loved to watch her, to see her face flushed with desire for him. He braced his hands to either side of her and held off as long as he could, wanting to draw out her orgasm as long as possible.

But his own orgasm wouldn’t wait any longer and he had to bite back a shout. Just as a powerful climax stormed his body and his cock released his seed, he felt the condom tear.

Shit.

His muscles clenched as his body pulsated. He held himself still, unable to withdraw from Lani’s body. It was too late.

He closed his eyes and relaxed between Lani’s thighs, still joined, not wanting to separate from her.

What was done was done. It was too important to be with her.

Lani could get pregnant.

The idea of Lani carrying his child gave him a heady feeling. But he wasn’t sure how she would take it.

“Mmmm,” she said, easing her hands into his hair. “This could be addicting.”

“I’m already addicted to you.” Rick propped his head on one hand and ran his other over her silky skin, drawing circles around her nipples. “What if I told you the condom tore?” he asked, not taking his gaze from her face.

Lani’s eyes widened and her body tensed beneath him. She dropped her hands to his shoulders. “Did it?”

“I’m almost positive.”

“Oh. My. God.” She closed her eyes, and he wished he knew what she was thinking.

Rick trailed his finger down the tip of her nose to her lips. “We could get married.”

Her eyes flew open. “No—I—no. Oh, god. We barely know each other. I can’t marry you just because I might be pregnant.” Her voice trembled like she was about to cry.

“We know each other pretty well.” Rick rained kisses on her face, hoping to calm her fears.

She remained silent, not meeting his eyes.

And then it occurred to him how eerily familiar the situation was, and he cursed himself for his stupidity. Lani’s SOB ex had convinced her to marry him in case she became pregnant after he raped her. And that’s what Rick thought of it. Rape. She hadn’t given herself to the man with her consent. The bastard had taken her virginity and used her.

Time. She needed time.

Rick eased out of Lani, and sure enough, the condom hadn’t made it. He disposed of it and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t worry. Everything’ll be fine.”

“How can you say that?” She covered her face with her hands. “It never occurred to me the condom could tear.” Her voice was muffled behind her palms. “What if it happens again?”

“The odds are you won’t get pregnant from one time. And the odds are definitely against a condom breaking a second time.” He pulled her hands away from her face and kissed her. She stiffened then gradually melted against him as he deepened the kiss.

She sighed and slid her hands around his waist. “You shouldn’t be here when Trevor wakes.”

“I’ll be back in my own bed when the sun rises,” he promised, kissing her forehead. “And when my son rises.”

Lani smiled faintly and snuggled into the curve of his arm. Rain pattered on the roof as he held her. It felt so good holding her. Like he’d just come home from a long journey to find her there, waiting for him.

Rick waited until her breathing was soft and even, and she’d completely relaxed. He finally fell into a light sleep, dreaming of babies with sun-kissed hair and chocolate-brown eyes.

Lani woke alone, the bed cold and empty without Rick. As she stretched, she thought about their lovemaking last night and smiled.

Then she remembered. The condom had torn. Her smile vanished as she slid her hand to her belly. What if she was pregnant?

The thought heated her, a slow flush of pleasure that eased over her body like warm rain on a summer day.

A baby. Their baby.

Lani curled into a ball and hugged herself. Last night Rick had mentioned marriage—probably wanting to do “the honorable thing.” But she’d never marry him because he felt he had to.

A knock jarred Lani from her thoughts. She pulled the sheet up to her neck. “Yes?”

Rick slipped in the door and locked it behind him. He was dressed in jeans and a blue denim shirt that intensified the color of his eyes. The bed sank under his weight when he sat beside her and gave her a light kiss. His lips were warm and firm, and she couldn’t help but remember how it felt having those lips all over her body.

He nuzzled her ear. “Are you planning to sleep all morning?”

Smiling, she slid her arms around his neck. “I missed waking up with you next to me.”

“I’d like nothing more than to wake up with you every single day.” He smiled and gave a lock of her hair a light tug. “Now get up, before I decide to pull off my clothes and join you.”

She lowered her lashes and gave him a coy look. “Best idea you’ve had yet.”

He started to pull back the sheet when they heard Trevor’s frenetic chatter in the hallway. He sighed and kissed her forehead. “I’ll head off Taz. You get dressed.”

She threw the pillow at his back. “Slave driver.”

After he closed the door, Lani put on his robe, grabbed her clothing and then dodged into the bathroom for a quick shower. For some reason she felt utterly feminine that morning, and instead of dressing in jeans, she wore a silk blouse and a short skirt that flattered her curves.

When she walked into the living room, Rick’s low whistle caused a thrill in Lani’s belly. She thought he was going to kiss her in front of his family, so she dodged away, not ready for that kind of demonstrative affection in front of everyone.

“Your calendar clear?” he asked after breakfast, when they were alone in the kitchen. Sadie and Trevor were gardening and Chuck was feeding the calves.

Lani slipped her arms around Rick’s waist and hugged him. “I’m all yours.”

“I have something I want to show you.” He slid his knuckles across her cheek. “Then I’d like to take you to dinner afterwards.”

She smiled and brushed his lips with hers. “Take me away, cowboy.”

Late in the afternoon, they left in Rick’s truck and drove a few miles, past fields of cotton, corn, and alfalfa, past rangeland dotted with red cattle, to empty acreage that butted up to the low mountain range. After crossing a cattle guard, they traveled down a dirt road that was little more than a pair of tracks through grass and mesquite bushes. At the end of the road, they parked and climbed out of the vehicle. Rick took her hand and brought her around to the front of the truck.

“What do you think?” he asked, watching her expression.

Lani took in the rugged mountain that hugged the edge of the property and the high desert terrain. Mesquite bushes were green from summer rains, the earth dark brown from last night’s storm. A family of quail skittered into the bushes, their nervous calls a gentle sound in the desert quiet. The air smelled clean and fresh. The sky was a brilliant blue, but outlined by clouds building up over the mountain tops.

“It’s wonderful,” she said, and meant every word.

“This is my land.” Rick released her hand and went back to his side of the truck. He reached in and pulled out a brown tube from behind the seat then came back to where Lani was waiting for him. He withdrew a set of blueprints, unrolled and spread them on the hood of his vehicle. “These are the prints for the house I’m having built here.”

He put his arm around her as she leaned closer to get a better look. “I bet it’ll be incredible.” She traced a line with her fingertip.

“A split-level house.” Rick pointed to the blueprint with his free hand. “Here, on the bottom floor, is where the kitchen will be, the living room, study, library, guest room, and family room.” He moved the top page aside and showed her the one under it. “This is upstairs. Trevor’s room will be here, a couple more bedrooms here and here, and this is the master bedroom. The master has a covered balcony that faces the mountain.”

“Perfect for enjoying summer rainstorms.” She smiled up at him.

He trailed his finger down her nose to her lips, and held her gaze with his intense blue eyes. “Perfect for raising a family.”

Chapter Fourteen

Lani stopped breathing. The way he looked at her. The way he mentioned raising a family. Like he was asking a question with his eyes. Nervousness rose within her like a flock of panicked birds.

“The builder’s scheduled to break ground in August.” He took his arm from her shoulders and focused his attention on rolling the blueprints and shoving them into the tube.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm the tremors in her hands. No, he wasn’t asking her anything. He was just sharing his plans. She knew better than to start thinking that way.

“What does Trevor think of it?” she asked.

Rick shrugged. “I haven’t told him yet. He’ll miss living with his grandparents, but he’s old enough now, and they don’t need him underfoot all the time. Mom wants to continue watching him when I’m at work. They love that kid.”

“He’s a wonderful little guy.”

“Yeah, he is.” He put the tube into the truck. “You ready for dinner?”

“Absolutely. Where are we headed?” she asked as they climbed into the vehicle.

Rick started his truck and the powerful engine roared. “There’s a popular place in Douglas that serves excellent Mexican food.”

Lani smiled. “My favorite. Anytime. Anyplace.”

He raised an eyebrow. “With anyone?”

She laughed and buckled her seatbelt. “Especially blue-eyed cowboys.”

When they arrived at the restaurant, it was almost dark. Most of the parking was taken, but they managed to find a space not too far away. The restaurant was located in one of the older buildings in downtown Douglas. “Downtown” consisted of a single street lined with ancient two-story buildings and a historic hotel.

“
Los Dos Hermanos
means ‘the two brothers’ in Spanish,” Rick explained as they walked to the door, his large hand engulfing Lani’s. “The García brothers opened the restaurant twenty years ago, and then sold it to Montaño a few years back.”

“Montaño?” That same sense of unease tickled at her belly. She held her purse a little tighter to her chest. “The mayor?”

Rick stopped at the door, his hand resting on the wooden handle. “You’ve met him?”

She nodded. “I interviewed him a few days ago. I didn’t realize he owned this restaurant.”

Rick pulled open the door and guided her inside. As they entered the cool interior, smells of Mexican food and sounds of voices, clinking plates and mariachi music swept over Lani.

The interior was dimly lit, but decorated in splashes of vivid colors.
Serapes
and
sombreros
graced the walls, and baskets of colorful gourds were arranged artistically around the room.
Piñatas
in red, green and white hung from big metal hooks anchored into the ceiling’s exposed beams. Wood-bladed fans stirred the air, the
piñatas
dancing in the breeze they made.

To the right of the hostess station was a larger than life plaster statue of a matador, the color chipped and peeling. It stared ahead with sightless eyes where the paint had apparently flaked off.

“The man sure likes matadors.” She glanced from the statue to Rick. “Has tons of them in his office, too.”

Rick frowned. “He does?”

She nodded. “I saw his collection when I interviewed him.”

A trio approached them from inside the restaurant, and Lani saw that it was John Stevens, Dee MacLeod, and a good-looking man she didn’t recognize.

Seeing Stevens reminded Lani of the interview she hadn’t finished transcribing yesterday, and she wondered if she should mention to Rick the phone conversation she’d inadvertently recorded.

“Lani, Rick, it’s wonderful to see you both.” Dee smiled and gestured toward the handsome man beside her. “Lani this is my husband, Jake.”

“My pleasure, Lani” Jake said to Lani and nodded. He turned to Rick, “Haven’t seen you around much lately.”

Rick nodded. “Been busy as hell.”

“McAllister,” John Stevens said as he chewed on a toothpick. He tipped his hat at Lani. “Ma’am.”

Dee smiled at Lani, her green eyes sparkling. “How’s your feature?”

“Terrific.” Lani smiled in return. She couldn’t help but like the redhead. “The information you provided has been invaluable.”

“You just missed Sal,” Dee said to Rick. “John was bullshitting with him at the bar when we got here.”

After Stevens and the Reynolds said their goodbyes, the hostess arrived. She was beautiful, with high cheekbones, dark hair, and skin like flawless beige silk. Her nametag read
Isabel.

As they followed the hostess through an archway to a nearby booth, Lani wondered if Rick noticed the woman’s beauty and how slender she was. The insecurity that had developed during the five years of James’ss emotional abuse crawled up her throat, threatening to surface. Threatening to suffocate her. Why couldn’t she let those old feelings go?

When they reached the booth, Rick slid next to Lani on the padded bench. Isabel left them with two menus. “
Buenos noches
,” she said in a lilting Hispanic accent.

Lani watched the hostess leave. She was so elegant, the gentle sway of her hips probably as natural to her as breathing.
She’s gorgeous
, Lani thought, and then realized she’d spoken the words aloud.

“Who?” Rick glanced up from his menu.

“The hostess.” She picked up her own menu and chanced a look at him.

He gave her that slow sexy smile that made her knees tremble. “You’re the most beautiful woman here, and I bet you don’t even realize it.”

Warmth eased through her, but she shook her head. “You’re a good liar, cowboy. But I think I’ll keep you around.”

He took the menu from her and captured her hands in a movement so fast she caught her breath in surprise. “Lani, I’ve never lied to you and I never will. That’s one thing you can count on.” The intensity of his gaze trapped her, and she didn’t know how to reply. He brushed his lips over hers, and then released her hands. “Don’t ever forget that.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

They decided what they wanted, and then Rick ordered in Spanish from Dora, their waitress, who wore a flowing red skirt and a white peasant blouse with colored ribbons woven around the neckline and sleeves.

Dora left, then returned minutes later with their iced tea and a basket of tortilla chips that were so hot they burned Lani’s fingers when she put a few on her plate. This time she didn’t make the mistake of dipping one into salsa before asking for the mild version.

When the platters of food arrived, they were heaped with beef tacos, cheese enchiladas, Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole and sour cream. Rick’s food vanished, while Lani managed to eat less than half the contents of her plate.

“No, I’m stuffed,” she complained when Rick said she needed to eat more. “If you’re still hungry, you finish it.”

She grabbed her purse and excused herself to go to the ladies room. Her sandals clicked on the tile as she walked through the archway, past the matador at the front entrance, and through a door marked
Baños
.

The hallway was dark, and she blinked to adjust to the dimness. There were three more doors, and she went into the one labeled
Señoritas
. After using the facilities, she washed her hands and touched up her pink lipstick.

When she finished she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her brown eyes were warm and expressive, her honey-blonde hair flowing in soft waves to her shoulders. Maybe Rick was right, she was pretty. She’d let James’ss verbal assaults eat at her for far too long, and it was time she let them go.

Live for now, Lani. Enjoy your time with this wonderful man and then move on.

When she returned to the table, Rick had paid the bill and was ready to head out into the night.

With his arm around Lani, Rick opened the front door and led her out of the restaurant. As soon as they stepped into the warm night, she stopped and wound her arms around his waist. Her fingers brushed the gun at his back and she froze.

“Why do you have your gun?” she asked, her voice muffled against his shirt.

“Just my line of work, honey. I always carry it.”

“Oh.” She gave him a worried look. “I keep forgetting what a dangerous job you have.”

“Don’t worry so much.” He rubbed her shoulders and all he could think about was getting her alone. “What do you think about heading up to Bisbee? There’s a nice bed-and-breakfast we can stay at. A good friend of mine, Nicole, owns it.”

“Yes.” She looked up and smiled. “I’d love to.”

On the way to Bisbee, Rick used his cell phone to call Nicole to see if she had an available room. Fortunately she did have one left, and said it was all theirs.

He also called Sadie and let her know that he and Lani wouldn’t be back until the following night. He could hear the smile in his mom’s voice when she told him to have a good time. Sadie was delighted with Rick’s interest in Lani, and if he knew his mom she was probably working hard to finish that wedding ring quilt. More and more, Rick was finding he hoped she would need to.

“We’re fortunate Nicole had an available room,” Rick said as they walked into the bed-and-breakfast. “Couldn’t get into this place normally. We’re in historic Old Bisbee. A real tourist magnet. Tomorrow, I can show you the sights—all two of ‘em.”

He signed the old-fashioned guest register with the plumed pen provided by a man who looked like he came straight from the sixties. He wore a faded tie-dye T-shirt and frayed jeans, had a flowing beard, and long blonde hair held back with a leather strap.

“All we have is the honeymoon suite.” The clerk handed them a set of brass keys, rather than a modern key card.

“Where’s Nicole?” Rick asked. “I’d like to introduce her to Lani.”

The clerk shrugged. “She’s out with her cousins Lily and Sabrina.”

“Maybe we’ll catch her in the morning,” Rick said as he took Lani’s hand and led her up the stairs.

A paisley carpet runner covered the polished wooden staircase, and every step creaked. Old-fashioned gas lamps lit the stairwell and hallways, and the walls were painted a deep mulberry. At the top of the staircase, their room was the first to the left.

When he opened the door, Rick thought it was a nice room, as far as rooms went. But Lani seemed enchanted.

“Oh, look! All the furniture is at least 1800’s, and this pitcher and wash basin are fabulous.” Lani tossed her purse on the bed and then dodged into the bathroom. “This is so wonderful. And the tub is enormous.”

She peeked around the corner and gave him a sexy smile that made him hard in a rush. “Big enough for two.” She went back into the bathroom. “Oooh, and champagne bubble bath, too.” He heard the pop of a cork and then running water.

“Right behind you.” After he pulled a foil package out of his wallet, Rick tossed the wallet into the top drawer of the dresser, slid his gun next to it, then peeled off his clothes. An ice bucket with a chilled bottle of champagne sat on the vanity, along with two crystal glasses and a note that read
Compliments of the staff for your honeymoon
.

Rick smiled at what he was sure was Nicole’s mischievousness. He had dated her a couple of times, but they’d decided they enjoyed being friends more than they liked dating one another.

He opened the bottle, poured two glasses full and managed to carry both and the bottle to the bathroom. By the time he joined her, Lani was chest-deep in bubbles. She was leaning back in the tub with her eyes closed and total relaxation on her face. He set the champagne bottle on the vanity beside the tub before he climbed in.

Water and bubbles rose and splashed over the side as he settled next to Lani, his naked body sliding along hers. He pressed one of the chilled glasses against her left nipple and her eyes flew open.

“That’s cold,” she murmured as the nub grew taut and he brushed the glass across the other nipple, making sure it had equal attention. “You naughty boy.”

He winked and handed her the glass. “How about a toast?”

“Mmmm, champagne.” She took the crystal stem and held it up. “To what?”

“To us.” Rick brushed his lips over hers. “And to first times.”

“First times?” Her breath was warm on his mouth.

He took his glass and slid it to the sensitive spot between her breasts. “First time making love in bubbles.”

“Oh, my.” Lani gasped and shivered at the feel of the crystal sliding over her skin. “I’ll toast to that.”

Rick clinked his glass to hers, the sound like the sweet chime of a bell. Feeling utterly content, Lani took a single swallow of the golden fluid, the bubbles tickling her nose and her throat.

He drained his glass and set it on the vanity beside the tub. “Drink up, sweetheart,” he said with a glint in his blue eyes. “I want to take as much advantage of you as I possibly can.”

Lani couldn’t help a giggle. “All right.” She raised her glass. “Here’s to being taken advantage of by the hottest cowboy in the west.”

The corner of Rick’s mouth quirked as he watched her sip from the champagne. “Come on now, down it, honey.”

She took the challenge and tilted her head back and swallowed the rest in one long draught. When she handed him the glass, she was already feeling a bit woozy from the champagne.

He set her glass on the vanity with his then grabbed the bottle of champagne. When he brought it towards Lani, she raised her eyebrow. “What are you going to do with that?”

“I like dessert with my champagne.” Rick tipped the bottle and Lani gasped as he poured some of the sparkling fluid over one of her nipples, washing away the soap bubbles from the hard pink nub and her breast. He lowered his head and licked the champagne with long strokes of his tongue.