Safe in His Arms (7 page)

“I can’t take a chance on something going wrong.”

“Not that. The last part. You said she loves it there.”

“Yeah, she does. Her face lights up when she arrives, and she’s really bonded with Rocket Fuel and Saucy Lady. I’m afraid she’s attached to Bubba, too, but she understands about him. I’m hoping that soon I can get her up on Rocket Fuel and we can go for a ride. Not a long one, just a short little ride, to get her used to—”

“Adam, you’ve found a woman who loves your ranch. Why in God’s name are you going to cancel your evening with her?”

“She loves the
ranch
, William. But the
rancher
, who would be yours truly, could end up being a huge disappointment to her. If I avoid that by backing off, then she can continue to enjoy the ranch she loves. Do you see what I’m saying?”

Will shook his head. “It must be hell to be you. Listen, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you’re screwed. If you cancel tonight, she’ll be pissed, and you’ll lose her. If you mess up tonight, she’ll be pissed, and you’ll lose her. So your best option is to head on over there and do your damnedest not to mess up.”

“You’re just a basket of rainbows and butterflies, Will.”

His buddy smiled. “That’s what they tell me. Now get on your horse and ride over to Valerie’s place.”

“Right.” Adam threw some money down on the table because it was his turn to pay. “If this doesn’t work out, you owe me free counseling.”

“It’s always free, Adam.”

He left the bar and prayed that he wouldn’t end up sitting in Will’s office next week, pouring out his troubles.

Seven

What had she been thinking? Valerie had arrived back at her apartment at five forty-five after a mad dash to the grocery store. Adam would be at her door in forty-five minutes. She was about to risk having a man in her apartment again. More than that, she’d given him plenty of reason to believe they’d have sex.

Earlier she’d thought it was a fabulous idea. Now she realized that having sex involved giving up control, at least if you planned to do it right. For the past several months she’d been all about keeping things under control.

But she trusted Adam. He’d guided her through the process of learning to be comfortable with his horse, Rocket Fuel. He’d taken her successfully through her first elevator ride in months, and he’d protected her from suffering in a crowded elevator, which could easily have sent her into a panic.

She’d been fantasizing about him for three weeks, and their kiss during the second elevator ride had been hot enough to melt the buttons on the control panel. Inviting him to her place so they could explore this attraction on a deeper level was an obvious next move. Except she was having some of those pesky second thoughts.

Sometime this afternoon, when the glow from the elevator kiss had worn off, she’d started thinking about the fact that he wasn’t just any cowboy. As they worked with the horses at his ranch, that was how she tended to view him, probably because she wasn’t intimidated by a guy who wore faded jeans and scuffed boots. But he was also a billionaire.

This afternoon, Valerie had tried to convince herself it wasn’t important. Adam shouldn’t care what her apartment looked like or whether she’d cooked a gourmet meal. And he wouldn’t, if he was the kind of man she thought he was, the kind she could get serious about. But they’d always met on his turf.

Correction: They’d always met in his barn. The barn was functional, not fancy. On her first visit to the Triple Bar, she’d paid attention to the obvious display of wealth in the pristine pastures and the elegant two-story house on the hill. After that, none of it had mattered because she’d focused on Adam and the horses.

But ignoring his wealth, especially if she envisioned a possible future with him, would be naive. Tonight she’d find out how well he managed in a setting that was several notches down from what he was used to. That would be a good thing to know, right? If he was ill at ease, or if he patronized her, even a little bit, a relationship between them wouldn’t work.

Therefore she shouldn’t worry about how her place looked, but she wasn’t that strong. The first thing that stood out in her initial survey was a smear of yellow paint on her white living room wall. Her landlord had given her permission to repaint and she’d tested that cheery color with one ten-inch swipe of the brush. She wanted to cover it up.

Her bedroom closet yielded nothing but rolled up rock band posters from her younger days. Then she spied her collection of scarves. Twenty minutes later, thanks to the scarves and some pushpins, she’d created a fabric wall decoration that looked . . . weird.

But she was out of time to worry about that, so she left it. Next she made a sweep of the area, grabbing up newspapers and magazines, straightening throw pillows, and blowing the dust off her coffee table. It would have to do. She still had to get dinner started, set the table, and change clothes.

Damn! She’d forgotten to buy wine. She had a half-bottle of Chardonnay in the refrigerator. Yeah, that would be classy.
Here’s a glass of leftover wine. Hope you didn’t want seconds because that’s all there is.

Stopping in her tracks, she took several calming breaths. She could do this. Presenting a perfect scenario wasn’t in the cards. No matter what she did, the ambiance wouldn’t match what Adam had experienced while he was married to Elise.

Ah, there was her other hidden fear. While at work this afternoon, she’d Googled a picture of his ex, who was poised, blond, stunning, and dripping in expensive jewels. He might not want to be married to her anymore, but she was still the type he was used to. Elise would never offer him leftover wine and spaghetti sauce from a jar.

Screw it!
Valerie rolled her eyes, impatient with herself. She’d taken this step, made this plan, and she might as well see it through. At six twenty-seven, she turned on the burners under the pasta water and the pan for the spaghetti sauce. Then she ran into her bedroom and changed into a green and blue patterned dress that was on the slinky side and looked sort of hostess-like.

Her doorbell rang before she’d decided on shoes. Shoving her feet into some sparkly flip-flops, she took a deep breath, left her bedroom, and went to answer the door.

He stood in the hall holding a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers. His silver gaze was intent, his smile a little tense. She hoped to hell he wasn’t having second thoughts, too.

Her heart thumped wildly. They were about to be completely alone for the first time since they’d met. So much hinged on tonight. So much.

He hoisted his gifts. “I know I’m a walking cliché, but—”

“No, it’s sweet. Come in.” She stepped back and he walked through her door, into her world. She was so nervous she could barely breathe. “Let me . . . let me take those.”

He handed her the bouquet and the wine. “You look beautiful, Valerie.”

“It’s just—” She caught herself before she dismissed his compliment. He’d made it with a soft reverence that told her it was more than an offhand remark. Even though he’d moved in circles where women wore designer clothes, her quickly chosen outfit had dazzled him. That touched her. “Thank you.”

He took off his hat. “Where should I put this?”

“On the coffee table’s fine.”

He set it there without spending any time looking at the table, or the sofa and chairs, or any part of her living room, including her scarf wall art. His hot gaze came back immediately to rest on her. “Could you put those down for a minute?”

“Sure.” Her heart beat faster as she laid the bouquet on the coffee table next to his hat and set the wine bottle beside the bouquet.

“I know you have dinner going. I can smell spaghetti sauce. But I need—”

“Me, too.” She stepped into his arms with a moan of happiness. “Oh, me, too.”

His hungry mouth on hers swept away her misgivings. He was desperate for her, and she was equally desperate for him. He crushed her to him, sending her racing pulse into overdrive. Yes, oh,
yes.

Lifting his mouth from hers, he gripped her tight, as if afraid that ending the kiss would make her vanish. “Can dinner wait?”

She had no idea, but the ache building deep in her body answered for her. “Yes.”

“Good, because I can’t.”

“Come with me.” Wiggling out of his arms, she caught his hand and led him back to her bedroom. The sun hadn’t set, and light filtered through her gauzy curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow. There would be no hiding in the dark this first time.

She didn’t care. His obvious need for her made her bold.
And puts you in control,
whispered a little voice. She ignored it. Turning back to him, she pulled her dress over her head and tossed it aside.

He sucked in a breath. “Hold it. Don’t move.”

She paused, but she couldn’t be completely still. She quivered in anticipation of what would come next, and what would happen after that, and how it would be when they finally . . .

“I don’t want to forget how you look. You’re outlined in gold, Valerie. You shimmer.”

“Because I’m shaking.”

“So am I. I want you so much that it scares me.”

“I’m a little scared, too.” She stepped toward him. “But the closer you are, the less I’m afraid.” She rested her palms on his chest and felt the rapid beat of his heart.

His voice was husky as he wrapped his arms around her. “Then I’d better stay real close.”

“Yes, please,” she murmured. Holding his gaze, she began unfastening the snaps down the front of his shirt. “Otherwise, how can I undress you?”

Excitement flashed in his eyes. “You want to do that?”

“Very much.” She finished with the snaps and pulled the shirttails out. “Remember on hot mornings when we’d both get sweaty?” She stroked upward from his waistband, massaging his sculpted abs and muscled chest.

He trembled beneath her fingertips. “I remember.” His gaze locked with hers. “I’d watch a trickle of sweat slide into your cleavage and wonder how I’d ever manage to keep my hands to myself.”

“And I longed for you to take off your shirt so I could see these manly pecs.” She moved her hands in circles, loving the springy texture of his chest hair.

“You could’ve asked. I would have been happy to oblige.”

“You could have touched me. I would have been thrilled.”

“Maybe, but I couldn’t make that move.”

“You did today.” She traced the strong line of his collarbone.

“I couldn’t think of any other way to keep you from being scared.”

“It worked. And now see what you’ve done.” Reaching down, she unfastened his belt buckle. “I’m determined to have my way with you.”

His throat moved in a slow swallow. “You know you’re driving me crazy with this slow undressing routine. How about if I just take off my own clothes? Then you can have your way with me that much faster.”

“It’ll be more fun if I do it.” Grasping the waistband of his jeans, she gave him a nudge in the direction of her bed. “In fact, I like the idea of you flat on your back, helpless to stop me from seducing you.”

“I’m already pretty damned helpless to stop you, no matter what position I’m in.”

“Humor me, Adam. Lie on my bed and let me play seductress.”

He smiled. “A guy would have to be stupid to pass up an invitation like that.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She walked him backward. When he reached the edge of the mattress, he let her push him down. “Excellent.” She climbed onto the bed and leaned over him until her mouth was nearly touching his. “Prepare to be seduced.”

“Valerie, sweetheart, I’m all yours.”

* * *

Adam had finally figured out what was going on. He might be a little afraid of his intense feelings for her, but she was
really
afraid. She hadn’t been intimate with a man since the fire, and obviously giving up control freaked her out.

So he stretched out on the bed, his booted feet still on the floor, his shirt on but unfastened, and prepared for the sweet torture of having her work him over as his climax hovered ever nearer. After giving him a kiss involving lots of tongue, she moved on to his chest. He hadn’t thought his nipples were sensitive, but she proved him wrong about that.

Breathing became a real challenge as she eased him out of his jeans and briefs. She only pushed them to his knees. He realized that was all the undressing she needed for her purposes. She’d effectively hobbled him by doing that, which might give her an even greater sense of being in control.

When she wrapped her slender fingers around his cock, he didn’t much care whether he was hog-tied by his jeans and underwear. He just hoped to hell he wouldn’t come too fast. Between his lust for her and a long period of abstinence, he wasn’t ready to bet on his staying power.

“You’re . . . magnificent.” Her comment was satisfyingly breathless.

He could live with heartfelt comments like that. “Glad I pass muster.”

“Oh, you do.” Still wearing her black bra and panties, she straddled his thighs while she caressed his pride and joy.

“FYI, I have two condoms in my jeans pocket, right side.”

She cupped his balls and massaged gently. “Is that a hint?”

“Let’s call it a request.” He dragged in air. “Much more of touching me like that, and it’ll become a desperate plea. It’s been a long time, Val.”

She smiled. “You called me Val. I like that.”

“I’ll call you anything you want me to if you’ll grab one of those condoms.” He was trying to let her be in charge, but if she didn’t make a move soon . . . but he wouldn’t take over. That could be disastrous. She needed to direct the action.

“Pretty soon.” With one last squeeze, she let go and reached behind her back. “I need to finish taking my clothes off.”

He wanted to see her breasts. He did. He wanted to fondle them, too, and take them into his mouth. But sensory overload was a real danger in this situation.

She slipped her bra free and flipped it backward onto the floor. “That’s better, don’t you think?”

“Mm.” He wasn’t capable of coherent speech. The glory of her breasts beckoned to him. They hung there—full, round, and tipped with lush burgundy nipples. He reached for them.

“Easy, cowboy.” She caught his wrists and leaned forward, pinning his arms to the bed as her breasts dangled inches from his mouth.

“You’re diabolical.”

“Just having fun.”

“I dare you to give me a taste.” He easily could have wrenched free, but he’d agreed to play her game, so he let her tease him. If this made her feel safe, then he’d go along. He had to admit the novelty excited him, but sooner or later, he was going to explode, and he worried it would be sooner.

“I never could resist a dare.” Dipping lower, she allowed him to capture one tight nipple in his mouth. As he sucked, he felt his orgasm shouldering its way closer. But she wasn’t immune to her needs, either. She moaned softly and rubbed the crotch of her panties against his thighs. The material was soaked.

He increased the pressure as he drew her breast into his mouth. She began to pant. Good. This torture could work both ways. He wanted her to be as frantic as he was.

Then maybe she’d abandon her need to control and surrender to the joy of the experience. He wanted that for her. He longed for her to trust him enough to let that happen.

Raising up, she deprived him of the plump breast she’d offered, but when she scooted back to rummage in the pocket of his jeans, he nurtured the hope that she was ready for the main event. He lifted his head to check on her progress. His cock was stiff as a fence post. “Now? Please?”

“Yes.” She maneuvered herself out of her panties and threw those to the floor, too. Then she ripped open the condom package. As she rolled the condom on, her fingers shook, but she got the job done.