Cassidy's Courtship - Cassidy's Courtship Part 24
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Cassidy's Courtship Part 24

He raised his head until his mouth touched hers, his fingers gently kneading the flesh of her full breasts, his thumbs at last lightly grazing across her nipples. Brenna's breath hitched. Her glance dropped to his hands touching her, his skin dark against hers. He teased the nipples again, loving the sounds she made, loving the way she pressed her pelvis against him, loving the way her feminine body looked beneath his hands.

She pulled his open shirt out of his waistband, and flowed back into his arms. The touch of his chest against her was wonderful, and she wound her fingers through his hair. The heaven of skin touching skin, unbroken from their mouths to their jeans soon became another form of torture. Cole shifted, rolling her to her side, cupping her derriere and pulling her against him.

He couldn't resist teasing her. He hooked a finger under her waistband behind the zipper. "Want to wait another couple of days?"

Boldly, she cupped his sex, hidden by his jeans, thrusting into her hand. Brenna trembled, savoring his blatant need. She traced a finger down the center of his chest, opened her eyes and smiled sweetly. "I can stand it if you can."

His answer was a groan as he ground himself into her teasing palm. His lips sought the valley between her breasts, and he nuzzled her velvet skin, lost in the sensation of her soft breast at his cheek. He traced a path with his tongue to the tip of her breast.

"Beautiful, so beautiful," he murmured the instant before pulling her breast gently into his mouth, just as the first rays of the sun burst from the horizon.

The sudden light streaming across them was no more intense than Brenna's response to his touch. Warmth shattered through her, pulsing, surging ever downward. Over and over she pressed her lips across his sunlit head in soft kisses. His gentle tonguing of her breast changed to more insistent sucking, and the ache inside Brenna intensified again. He nuzzled her other breast and gave it the same complete loving. She fumbled at his zipper. She wanted him naked. Now. Even so, her fingers trembled at the snap of his jeans.

Cole reluctantly left her breast, on fire from her artless response to him. He wanted to help her with the fastening to his jeans but he loved watching her free him from the denim. The snap popped open, and she sighed as she lowered the zipper. Impatiently she shoved his jeans and shorts over his hips. Her hands lightly tracing down his thighs and dancing across his stomach were absolutely the most erotic thing he had ever seen or felt.

A single drop from him appeared and glistened in the sunlight, which she caught with her fingertip and smoothed over his velvet skin, making him shimmer like polished amber. The achingly light pressure of her cool fingers against his hot skin caused him to jerk, then press himself more urgently into her hand, silently telling her he loved her touch. Cole tore his gaze away from her loving ministrations and unfastened her jeans. He lifted her hips away from the blanket and pulled her jeans over her bare feet, then finished kicking off his own.

Her body was dappled in sunlight and shade, but the most beautiful shadow fell at the apex of her thighs. She parted her legs for his hand. Trembling beneath the onslaught of sensation, she ached for his intimate caress. When his fingers at last reached their destination, she whispered, "Yes ... oh, Cole ... yes."

He wrapped her inside his arms, capturing her mouth in a kiss, wholly exploring it with the promise of completion. Brenna slid her hands up his back, absorbed in all his textures. The sleekness of his hair. The warmth of his body covering hers. The incredible sensation of his hair-roughened skin teasing each of her nerve endings into wonderfully alive pleasure points. Her breasts flattened into his chest, but she wanted even closer.

He kissed her, cherishing her lips as he cherished the vestibule of her womanhood, seeking the depths of her month as he sought the depths of her body.

"Please," she whispered.

"Please, what?" Cole's eyes reflected the same deep need that his loving hands called forth from her.

She had never wanted anything as much as she wanted to be one with him. She licked her lips and feathered her hands down his back. "Please love me. Now."

Cole rolled away from her, and for a split second Brenna was terrified he'd leave her in this aching vulnerability. When she saw the flat foil wrapped package he had pulled from the pocket of his jeans, she held out her hand.

"Let me." She took the package from him, opened it, and lovingly fitted its contents to his hard length. She smiled at him, urging him closer for what she suspected would be her last lucid thought. "Thank you," she whispered.

Her extra attention to make him feel desirable at the moment of sheathing was as brand-new as the day. He caught her mouth in a deep kiss, his fingers gently urging the bud of her femininity to again throb for him. She sighed into his mouth and her hands urged him closer, yet closer still. An initial tiny tightening of her flesh when he touched her told him she hadn't been this close to any man in a long, long time. It shouldn't have mattered, but the knowledge pleased him, excited him.

Brenna's soft exclamation was lost under his purring groan as he held both of them perfectly still, caught in an endless moment of exquisite beauty. Cole opened his eyes and gazed down at her, her face bathed in clear sunlight, her lips swollen from his kisses, her eyes dark with passion. For him.

She smiled and raised her hand to caress his cheek. He turned his head just enough to press a kiss into her palm.

Their eyes locked, he began to move, and she met him in a sensuous counter-dance. Their tempo increased and Brenna felt the first waves of her release begin to pulse from her depths. This had never happened within a man's embrace, nor with this kind of intensity. She wanted to open herself even wider to Cole's loving invasion of her body, in awe that it was possible for one person to give this much pleasure to another. Her eyes held fast with his, and she could not have looked away if she had wanted to. Nothing was as important as Cole moving within her, the only reality the surging rhythms of ecstasy bubbling from her core. One by one they burst through, each shattering with its completeness, each more intense than the previous one. The cry on her lips was Cole's name, the man she held passionately with her gaze and her body was Cole.

The surging sweetness of Brenna pulsing around him was an irresistible lure to him, pulling him more deeply within her velvet softness. Cole abandoned himself to the timeless rhythms of her body. Beautiful. Brenna. Beloved. His climax burst through him, as dazzling as sunlight sparkling in a profusion of diamond lights over a blue pond.

Chapter 17.

Brenna snuggled closer to Cole, her satisfaction complete. He held her securely within the crook of his arm, his breathing so even she assumed he was asleep. She raised her eyes to the firm outline of his jaw, then propped herself up on one elbow to study him more closely. She found his eyes wide open and as bright as the morning. His expression reflected a satisfaction as great as her own. "Your loving is the most wonderful gift I've ever had," he said, tracing a finger down the side of her face and neck, then following the contours of her collarbone. His statement both pleased and shocked her, answering her unspoken question. She knew how heart-shattering it had been for her. That he might have found it equally moving... "Yours, too. I've never..." Her voice faded as the words she sought escaped her. He grinned, lifted his head to kiss her temple, and pressed her head back against his chest. "You've never?" She didn't know how to tell him that his touch made her fantasies pale beneath reality. His confession demanded she be equally forthright. "You're the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me." Cole smoothed his hand over her hair. "I'm glad." He slanted her a teasing glance. "Maybe it's the place." She tilted her head against his arm and smiled at him. "Think so?" He caressed her with the flat surface of his hand from neck to waist, his fingers returning to curl around her breast, his palm accepting its weight. "We'll have to do some research to find out for sure." "What kind of research?" Brenna began her own exploration within the swirls of hair covering his chest. Cole rolled her off his shoulder and touched her nipple with his tongue, making it glisten, then softly blew on it until it puckered into a hard knot. "We'll probably have to try making love again right here, just to see if the results are the same." Brenna's breath caught in her throat as little separate shocks flickered to her core that had been wholly satisfied the moment before. "And if it is?"

He smiled. "Then we'll have to expand the scope of our study. Try a motel on the way home."

She arched into him, offering him her other breast. "And then?"

He took the offering of her silken skin, sucking deeply until the nipple on his tongue was as hard as its twin. Her question was forgotten, and the only thing that remained was to warm himself within the sunlight that was Brenna. His caresses became more urgent as his body responded to the memory of her sensual heat. Though he would have denied its possibility an hour before, he wanted her more now than he ever had.

"Brenna?" His voice was hoarse with the need that tightened his body.

She understood the question behind his ragged breathing. Her eyes rose to his, her expression full of wonder. "I didn't expect to want you again." Her hands traveled down his body. "Like this." She stroked the inside of his thighs. "So soon."

"Kiss me, Brenna," he commanded softly, rolling her onto her back. "Open your sweet mouth, and kiss me."

His words inflamed her, and in that moment she would have died rather than deny his sensuous request. She pulled his head down, her open mouth inviting his exploration. All thought fled, and her skin became a shimmering surface aching for his touch.

She pulled him close, needing him with an intensity that was almost frightening. Scooping her into his arms, he spread her legs with his knees, then held himself rigid, not ... quite ... touching her. She met his gaze, aching for him in a way she hadn't thought possible. His pupils grew very black, and he lowered his body the fractional inch required to complete contact. It felt good. So good.

He groaned, then sheathed himself within her, easing the awful ache. Almost at once, they both began to move, the rhythm escalating.

His rhythm broke for a fraction of a heartbeat as he brought Brenna more deeply within his arms. This is what she'd been dreaming of and hadn't known it. This is what she'd needed her whole life and hadn't known it. She wrapped her arms around him, fiercely, as though he might be wrenched from her embrace. She'd die if that happened.

Icy fear rose to the surface, and her conscience rose for one last stab at her.How could you do this to him?

As if sensing she wasn't quite with him, he captured her mouth, an invasion of heat, sweetness, and unbearable pleasure that banished conscious thought and brought her right back with him. He held on to her even more tightly. She gloried in the fierce pressure of Cole's embrace and wrapped her legs around his, pulling him even closer. Each thrust brought her piercing pleasure until she wanted to be lost forever within the sensual tide of ecstasy that was Cole.

The top of their wanton climb thundered over them. Cole collapsed on top of Brenna, too exhausted for the moment to do anything except gasp for deep clearing breaths. Brenna's breathing was no less labored, but she made no move to ease herself from beneath his body.

He smoothed her love-dampened hair away from her face and pressed his lips all over her face in soft caresses. She smiled, and Cole wanted to see that particular smile again and again for the rest of his life.

Cole didn't want to move. Never had making love felt this good. Not the first time, or even the second, when he knew how good it would feel. Not ever. Briefly, he wondered what it was. A difference in physiology? Maybe. But he'd made love with enough different women without it ever remotely feeling like this to doubt it. Or was it as simple as being in love with her? If so, he'd never been in love with Susan.

He finally raised himself on his elbows to look at Brenna. Her skin glowed. Her dark hair caught the sunshine, radiating color he hadn't noticed before, gold and red and coppery glints. She opened her eyes and his breath caught. Her normally clear eyes were smoky, serene. She smiled and reached to trace the outline of his brow with her fingers.

He turned his face and kissed her hand, wanting to tell her he loved her. Remembering the way she'd run every time he pushed her, he remained silent.

Making the deliberate choice to lighten the intensity of the moment, he grinned. "So much for the first part of our research."

"I forgot what you said the second part was supposed to be." She rested her fingers lightly against the pulse beating at the base of his neck.

He planted a hard kiss on her mouth. "Make love in a new location." He stood up and offered his hand, then led her toward the water.

"In the pond?" Her tone was dubious.

"Nope. This is simple skinny-dipping with a boy from Nebraska." The look he gave her was as fun-filled as his voice. "Ever been skinny-dipping with a boy from Nebraska, Brenna?"

"No."

"Good." He led her across sun-warmed stones that jutted into the pond. "Then this is a first." He released her hand and made a shallow dive into the water and surfaced a moment later with a shout of exhilaration. His invitation was irresistible, and Brenna followed him into the water. It was a cool counterpoint to her flushed body, and instead of cooling her desire, offered her sensitive body a whole new plane of sensuous delights that kept her intensely aware of her sexuality.

She and Cole frolicked in the water like a couple of kids, though she had never felt less like a child. When Cole held her in his arms a few minutes later, he was clearly as aroused as she, but he made no move to deepen their embrace from love play into something more.

They climbed out of the water and lay back down on the blanket, simply holding hands and letting their bodies dry in the warm sun. Brenna angled her face toward the sun, and a smile of contentment spread over her face. If a genie had appeared, she knew exactly what she would ask for. To let this moment extend for the rest of her life. Her conscience made a feeble struggle to be heard, but she firmly banished it. There would be time to listen later. Just not now.

They arrived back at the house an hour later, ravenous and teasing each other about the exercise that led to that state of hunger. Brenna almost hoped the hour would be late and everyone would be off with the many tasks of running the ranch. She wasn't ready to face anyone, just yet. However, Grandmom, Norah, and Jack were just sitting down to breakfast as they came through the door.

"Beautiful morning, isn't it," Cole announced, giving both his mother and grandmother a kiss before sitting down between them. "I'd forgotten how great being up in time to see the sunrise is."

"Did you enjoy it, too?" Norah asked.

"I loved it," Brenna answered, accepting the serving dishes to bacon, eggs, and raisin toast, helping herself, and passing them one by one to Jack.

"Still want to go out and check that fence along the east ridge?" Cole asked his dad.

"The help would be great, but I figured you'd want to show Brenna around."

"Don't worry about me," she said, catchingGrandmom's glance. "I have a date with a hoe."

"I was teasing-" Grandmom said.

"I know," Brenna interrupted. "But I wasn't. It's a gorgeous garden, and I want to know your secrets for getting it to grow like that."

"Wrong," Cole teased. "She wants that last piece of pie we didn't eat last night."

Brenna met his eyes across the table. Accepting his light banter in the presence of the amused attention of his family was easier than she had thought it would be. "Well..."

Cole mockingly shook his finger at Grandmom. "If she eats my piece of pie while Dad and I are out-"

"I'll just have to make another one, won't I?" Grandmom finished.

"I'm sort of in favor of a chocolate cake," Jack said.

Cole flashed his dad a dirty look that was returned in kind until they both laughed. "Okay. If that's what Dad wants, I guess I can stand it." He glanced back at Brenna, his eyes full of sensual promise. "Just expect retribution if you eat my pie. On second thought, I probably should stick around to keep an eye on it."

"Probably." Brenna knew just what kind of punishment he had in mind, and she couldn't wait. She was tempted to tell him he would just have to take the shirt off her back, but the only answer she gave him in front of his parents and grandmother was a silky smile that he answered with a wink.

"Good idea, son," Jack said. "Might as well help with the weeding. We can check the fence later."

Brenna and Cole followed Grandmom outside after breakfast, where she donned an old-fashioned calico bonnet with a wide brim that shaded her face. Brenna stared at her, again caught in memories of following Nonna down a long row of green beans. The calico bonnet was a reminder of times gone by. Times more leisurely than the hectic pace that filled Brenna's days.

She and Cole and Grandmom moved down the rows of vegetables, making short work of the few weeds that dared make an appearance in the well-tended garden. Cole shared his childhood memories, surprising Brenna when he was able to coax a few from her.

Her best memories were from her grandparents' farm, and at one time she had thought she'd never recall them without feeling a profound sense of melancholy. Today she remembered happier times. Riding in a wheelbarrow with her grandfather pushing. Collecting worms so they could go fishing. Counting snails in the bottom of the brook.

For the first time in years she also remembered good times with her parents. Learning to swim in the ocean with her father in Hawaii. Playing softball with her mother and brother in West Germany. Watching an eclipse with her father. Sitting on his lap and listening to baseball games. Helping him water fledgling tomato plants.

Where had it all gone so wrong?She had no answers for that and found herself left with bittersweet memories. With effort she brought her attention back to Cole and Grandmom.

He was teasing her about the bright empty seed packages stapled to stakes at the end of each row. "Not a chance that you'll pick corn and think you have peas."

"Not me," Grandmom returned. "But mighty helpful for a young man who used to help me in the garden."

Cole straightened and looped his arms over his hoe. "You're not going to tell Brenna about the time I pulled up all the corn seedlings, are you?"

Brenna chuckled, easily imagining him doing just that.

"I wouldn't, but since you brought it up-"

"That was before I could read," Cole said to Brenna.

She caught his glance, wondered for a second if his simple statement had any hidden messages, but his eyes revealed nothing more than the pleasure of memories shared with his grandmother.

"And he couldn't tell the difference between corn plants and grass, either," Grandmom added.

Brenna laughed. As she came to the end of the row, she paused to look at the empty package. Most of the others she had recognized from the words alone. This one she didn't. She stared at the package, unable to identify the plants even by the picture, then recited the letters in her mind, unable to get them to form a word she knew. S-P-I-N-A-C-H. Brenna began hoeing around the plants.

"I do love fresh spinach," Grandmom said. "Though I never acquired a taste for eating it raw."

Brenna glanced again at the sign."I lovespinachsalad ."She glanced back at the small plants, which suddenly looked more familiar. "Cooked is good, too."

A few minutes later Grandmom left Brenna alone with Cole to finish up the weeding.

"She works too hard," Cole said when the back porch door closed behind her.

"I think it's what keeps her young." Brenna stopped at the end of the row of radishes.

"What keeps you young?" he teased. "Is that what you need to keep you young? A garden?"

Brenna smiled. "It wouldn't hurt. I'm not sure I'd be this neat, though. I always wanted one of those wild-looking English cottage gardens that look overgrown and lush and beautiful." "Kind of tough to have in an apartment."

"Yeah."

"I have room for a garden like that," he said. "Maybe that's what my place needs."

Brenna looked up, squinting against the sunshine behind him. "With the way you love weeding, I don't

think that's a good idea, Cole. You'd end up with a yard full of thistles."

He stepped across a row of lettuce and a row of beets, bent to her, lifting her face, and kissed her.

Thoroughly. "I thought maybe you'd like to help me with a garden. Now that you're not working nights all the time, we'll have time to get you out to my house." The implied promise made Brenna's breath hitch. From the back porch, Grandmom called, "Lemonade, anyone?" Cole's gaze swept over Brenna's face one last time before he stepped around her, answering his grandmother. "That's what I like about you, Grandmom. You always know just what I want." Her answer was lost beneath another taunting onslaught from Brenna's conscience. Gardens and spending time at this house and this visit to his childhood home and making love with him. Each one of those had taken the relationship to a new level. It was all consummately alluring to her. She wanted this.

Lord, how she wanted it. "Brenna!" Cole held up his glass of lemonade. "I'm gonna check on my dad. Want to come?" Her emotions in turmoil, she shook her head. "You go on ahead. I promised I'd finish this, and we're almost done." "I'll be back in a bit." He waved and headed across the yard. Grandmom came back down the steps with another glass of lemonade in her hands. "This one is for you."