Dry-mouthed, she merely nodded and followed him inside. The sound of the door closing seemed to seal her fate. There was no going back now.
Once he deposited the pie on the kitchen table, he turned to her and reached out. “Come here.”
In a daze of desire, she took the few steps toward him and was immediately engulfed within his arms. “Can you feel it, sweetheart?”
“What?” The word barely made it past her lips.
“This.” He took her palm and placed it over his heart. “Never have I felt so terrified, so unsure of myself.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I want you so much, it hurts. It fills me up with a need so great I can’t think of anything else most of the time.?
?? He gently brushed the hair from her forehead and smiled. “I know you feel it, too. I can see it in your eyes, and how your body trembles.” His hands slid up her back, to her shoulders, and then cupped her cheeks. “My bed is merely a few steps away. However, if you don’t want this, it will be miles in the distance. I won’t force you, but be aware I will do everything in my power to convince you this is right.”
“I want it, too,” she whispered, leaning into him. “And I’m afraid I don’t need much in the way of convincing.”
She barely got the words out when his head descended and his lips covered hers. Softly at first, gently, small kisses, tender licks, then a full assault on her mouth that took away her breath and left her weak-kneed. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his flesh, twisting the soft cotton of his shirt.
His tongue slid along the seam of her lips, pushing softly, easing them open. He swept in like a warrior—conquering, plundering, taking his due. Her knees buckled, and he wrapped his arms around her back, holding her against his body, the strength of his desire so very evident.
He pulled back, but only far enough to brush kisses over her eyelids, her nose, jaw, and neck. It became harder to pull air into her lungs, to remember that breathing was important. Rusty’s lips continued down her throat to her chest, nipping, then soothing her sensitive skin. She was bent so far back, if he hadn’t been holding her firmly, she would have dropped to the floor.
Without a word, he scooped her into his arms and crushed her against his chest. He strode out of the small kitchen and bumped the bedroom door with his hip, pushing it open. Once inside, he carried her to the bed and laid her gently on the chocolate brown quilt, as if she was a prize possession that needed careful handling.
“I’ve dreamed about you being here next to me so many times I can’t believe this is real.” He continued to stare into her eyes as he released one pearl button, then two, then three, then all the buttons down the front of her dress. He glanced down as he opened the front of her bodice, then untied the pink ribbon at the top of her chemise, drawing it down, over her breasts.
The cool night air puckered her nipples. Rusty drew in a sharp breath. “You are so beautiful. Even better than my dreams could have imagined.” He bent his head and took one nipple into his mouth, licking the tip, then suckling, his hand covering the other breast, massaging, feeling its weight.
It had been so very long since she felt a man’s hands on her skin. Billy hadn’t been much for ‘warming up’ as he put it. A few kisses, a bit of handling her breasts, and then her nightgown was shoved up. While it wasn’t horrible, the experience hadn’t been very pleasurable, either.
Already wet from Rusty’s ministrations, she was more than ready to find out what she’d been missing all those years ago. She knew in her heart that Rusty could be the one to bring her the pleasure she’d been denied.
“I want to see all of you,” he whispered against her ear.
He tugged her dress off her shoulders, down to her waist and over her hips. She raised her bottom to allow the dress to slide from under her. His deft fingers removed the chemise, leaving her in only her pantaloons, stockings, and shoes. He grinned at the pink ribbons holding up her stockings. “Who would have guessed the very practical mother and ranch cook wears pink garters under her dress?”
Despite being halfway naked, the heat from Rusty’s gaze kept her temperature rising. Her eyes never left his as he slid his palm up her leg to her breast where he tweaked her nipple, then filled his hand with her soft flesh. His fingers trailed from one breast to the next, caressing, stroking. She should be embarrassed lying before him like this, but all she felt was a deep need so strong, her body ached.
After removing her shoes, he slowly peeled her stockings down, dropping them on the floor. He stood and removed his shirt, shoes and socks, then joined her on the bed, leaning over her on his elbows. His lips sought hers, taking them in a searing kiss. Shifting his mouth one way and then the other, he continued his assault until Rachel was bereft of air.
He pulled back and used his thumbs to caress her cheeks. “I will try to go slowly, but I’ve wanted you for so long, it might be impossible.”
“I never knew.” His words washed over her, the thrill of his acknowledged need strengthening her own desire. To hear this strong man admit to such a craving left her a bit dazed. She ran her hands down his back, the band of his trousers stopping her exploration. His flesh was firm and warm, his skin rippling as his muscles moved beneath.
Rusty traced the outline of her ear with his tongue, then moved down to kiss and tease the soft skin of her neck. He mumbled words of her beauty, how much he wanted her, how strong his desire was to enter her body. His hands trailed over her body, touching, caressing. The scent of his skin, remnants of the soap he’d used for his bath, and the hard evidence of his need pressing against her, shot straight to her core. Her woman’s flesh softened, causing it to weep in anticipation of his entry.
“Baby, I can’t wait much longer.” He used both hands to yank down her pantaloons and fling them off the bed. He rose and quickly undid his pants, removing them and his drawers in one quick movement. He hesitated for a moment, just staring down at her. She extended her arms, an invitation offered, and he joined her.
Once he settled next to her, his fingers found her wetness and he grunted his approval. “Since I believe in ladies first . . .” He played with her lips, teasing with his tongue as he worked the flesh between her legs. The sound of the moistness and feel of his attentions to her pleasure tightened her muscles. She became restless, reaching for whatever it was on the other side of Rusty’s ministrations.
“That’s it, sweetheart, relax, let go. Show me how you break apart in my arms.”
Not sure what he meant, all she knew was the feeling of heading toward something wondrous, like a caged animal finally set free. Her panting increased, and she pushed against his hand, seeking the relief only he could give. “Oh, please.”
“Shh. Easy.” He covered her breast with his mouth and suckled. Rachel’s world spun out of control and strong waves of pleasure rolled over her, one after another. She tossed her head back and forth until she was spent, languid, as if all the bones had been sucked out of her body.
Rusty shifted over her, easing her legs apart with his knee. “Ah, sweetheart, you look so beautiful.” He smoothed the damp curls from her face and cupping her cheeks, kissed her once more. Reaching down, he placed his hands under her bottom and shifted her up a bit. The feeling of him sliding inside of her brought her back from her languor, her earlier anticipation returning.