Page 72 of A Cowboy's Bride
He laughed, the sound turning into a hiss of pleasure as she pressed her hand over the front of his jeans and rubbed. “I don’t know where you’re going with this, but I approve so far.”
She unsnapped the button on his jeans and lowered his zipper, face inches away from his to admire his pupils dilating, anticipation rising. “You have this bad habit of not letting me touch you.”
“You have the softest skin,” he complained. “It’s distracting, and then one thing leads to another.”
She guided her hand under the waistband of his briefs and wrapped her hand around his cock. Aiden sucked for air, and his hips rocked forward slightly. Other than that, though, he stayed put. Waiting.
Watching.
Petra kissed him, hand moving slowly over his erection. Rubbing her thumb over the top, she gathered moisture to tease the sweet spot she’d discovered he loved. She tightened her grip and pulsed before returning to small strokes that made him gasp.
All the while she kissed him. Tangled their tongues, nipped his chin and his neck. Licked a heated line back up to take his mouth again.
But she was no longer in control.
She might have had her hand wrapped around him, giving him pleasure, but the kiss was no longer hers. They were falling into each other, moving together, trying for more.
Desperatefor more, and Petra’s head buzzed with the pleasure of it. Both the giving and the taking. Both were as right and as necessary as air.
“Petra,” he warned.
“Let me,” she whispered. “Let me,” she repeated, speeding up and pulsing harder until he shook. Staring into her eyes, pleasure making his lips fall open, wet from her kisses.
His hips jerked, and moisture washed over her fingers. Aiden clutched her shoulders and held on tight. They stood there, him quivering in her arms, satisfaction rolling over her in a heated wash.
He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. Gentle, controlled.
“I liked that,” he said softly, amusement rising in his tone. “Although I do have to complain about the mess.”
“Time to stop banging on that pipe and fix it, then,” she teased. She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek, pulling her hand free. When she would’ve stepped away, he curled his arms around her and brought them together, holding her as if he needed the assistance to stay vertical.
Petra didn’t mind. She laid her head against his chest and listened to the pounding beat under her ear.
Whatever was bothering her, this wasn’t it.
Small flakesof snow continued to fall, and Aiden sat on the porch swing, staring in admiration.
Winter had arrived with a vengeance the last day of October, and now two weeks later, everything was covered with a pristine layer of white. Clear paths in the snow had developed from where Sasha and Jinx had linked the neighbouring ranches. Trails led to the barn and artists’ studio, trails to the fire pit where they continued to meet most evenings, although Petra had suggested they might want to move inside on a regular basis.
Even the air felt different. The sounds of nature were more hushed, the quieter noises of wintertime without the buzzing and chirping of little insects. The occasional birdsong rang, and excited barking when the dogs spotted something to chase. The cows in the field to the north of them carried their own brand of music.
Aiden didn’t mind this time of year. There was something to be said for changing and doing the next thing.
He rocked again. One of those next things was going to happen today, and while he waited for their visitors to arrive, he pondered how to keep things rolling in the other elusive area of his agenda.
He and Petra felt right together, and he could honestly say they were friends. She had his back—his and his brothers’—and the amount of dedication she’d put toward High Water humbled him.
They were narrowing in on the next stage, getting closer to opening their doors to other people who needed them. Petra had kept her focus firmly on Jinx, making sure that the girl not only got her feet under her but bloomed.
And every night when he pulled Petra into his arms, it felt that much more right. Was it even possible that she still assumed this was temporary?
A question he didn’t want to ask.
Floorboards creaked, and Petra finally joined him. She was bundled up in her puffy coat with a long scarf and thick toque.
“Are they here yet?” she teased, landing on the seat beside him.
“Remind me never to go on a road trip with you.” Aiden linked their hands together, laughing when she tucked them both under her puffy coat. “Are you really that cold?”
