Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Heat

“Blake, you ain’t told me yet what you think.”

“About…?”

“Jaxi and Jesse and me.”

Blake stopped and stared at his little brother. “Why are you asking me? She’s the one that’s got to decide if she wants you.”

Joel glanced quickly at Daniel before he spoke. “We like her, and we want to see if she likes us. But if you ask, we’ll wait until you get a chance first.”

“What? What makes you think…?” This conversation had taken a turn for the worse, and fast. “Just because I’m the only one in the family who hasn’t kissed her—”

“Blake, I know you care for her. A lot.”

“She’s too young for me. Be my guest and go for it, I don’t think of her that way.” Sweet mercy, what a bunch of bull . He thought of little but Jaxi. It was no use though. She was too young. She still looked up to him as a big brother, and he wasn’t going to step over that boundary like some hormone-crazed animal. Blake ignored his aching gut and turned to head out the door when Joel called after him.

“You’re lying through your teeth.”

Blake paused and shook his head. “Am I now?”

“Damn right, you are. You remember camping in the back fields during calving season?”

“Yeah.”

Joel jostled past him and paced backward for a few steps to stare Blake in the eye. “You talk in your sleep. You haven’t kissed the girl, but don’t lie about how sweet she is to you. Think on it and let me and Jesse know when you’ve made up your mind. Only don’t wait too long or we’ll decide for you. One way or another.”

“Oh God, oh God, yeah .”

Matt groaned out his agreement as Helen dragged her nails down his back, her body writhing under his. “Come on, baby. It’s good, isn’t it?”

She whimpered lightly, a sheen of sweat glowing on her skin from their fooling around, and Matt smiled. Yeah, she was close. After nine years together, off and on, there was no mistaking the signs. He knew by the tightening of her neck muscles, the soft moans escaping her lips, along with the increase in pressure where her nails dug into his shoulders.

He canted his hips to the left on the next thrust, opening up enough room to slip a hand between their bodies. When he touched her clit she jerked, then let loose a cry of approval as her sheath squeezed his cock tight.

“Matt, ohh …”

He dropped his head to her shoulder and buried himself deep, welcome relief and intense satisfaction hitting as his release jolted from his body.

It had been too damn long.

He was still brain-fuddled when Helen squirmed and pressed him away. “I need to pee.”

Matt laughed. “You’re so romantic.”

She wiggled her brows. “I try.”

The mattress dipped as he rolled and collapsed onto his back, muscles quivering. Helen scrambled upright and off the bed, and he watched her butt flex as she moved away from him toward the bathroom. Every curve of her body so familiar and attractive. He hadn’t had enough of her yet.

“You want to grab some dinner at Casey’s?” Helen asked, her voice carrying from around the corner.

No. Heading out was the last thing he wanted right now. “I already ate with the family. I can make you something here if you’re hungry.”

“I’d love a burger, and there’re none in the freezer. I need to go shopping in the morning. Karen was supposed to stock up before she left.” The toilet flushed and the water in the shower turned on.

Matt sat up, a rumble of discontent hitting as he dealt with the condom. After two months apart, he wanted a little more time alone with her before he had to start sharing again. He’d been thrilled to see the message she was back in town, rushing over as soon as he could get away from the family. “I don’t mind hitting the store. Want me to run out quick and bring something back?”

There was no answer. She was probably under the water, the noise interfering with his question. Matt shoved off the bed and strolled to the door of the bathroom. Hmm, there were other ways to get her attention. He tugged the curtain aside, admiring how her muscles flexed as she washed, swirling the sponge over her tanned skin. There were all kinds of things he could do to her wet body. “Want some company?”

She shut off the water, already reaching past him for her towel. “Nahhh. I’m starving, and I promised the gang we’d meet them in a bit.”

Frustration made his words harsher than he intended. “Shit, Helen. You’re back in town for a couple hours and we’re already heading out? I hoped we’d get some more time to catch up.”

She stopped in the middle of rubbing her hair with the towel, her mouth arranged into a delicate pout. “You sex fiend. Haven’t had enough yet?”

Fuck . He hadn’t come over with the intention of falling into bed. At least not first thing—that had been her idea. “That’s not what this is about.”

Helen pressed her naked body against his, and his instant response put lie to his words. She stroked a hand over his cock and raised her brows, the smooth arcs perfectly in place. “It’s okay. I’ll be game for more later. I just want to see the gang. I’ve been gone all summer working, and I missed them.”

His sigh escaped involuntarily. “I missed you .”

She relaxed against him, all familiar curves and well-known touch as she reached out to capture his waist. “I missed you too.”

They stood for a moment, and the tension between them faded slightly. Matt breathed in deep, soaking in her scent, the rightness of having her back in his arms. The awkwardness was normal after being apart. And since neither of them was any damn good at emailing or phoning, not with the ranch chores or her remote summer job at the kids’ camp, it had been a long time.

He had to show more patience, although that’s all he ever seemed to do with Helen. Even making the moves on her the first time—he’d planned it for days before getting up the nerve. It had been worth it. Their first kiss had been magical, stolen by the bleachers at the high school between football practice and chores.

He smoothed her wet hair away from her face, “You remember our first time?”

Helen kissed his chest, running her fingers lightly over his ass. “Sweet sixteen and fumbling around in one of the trailers in the back of the ranch. You were so scared we were going to get caught.”

That wasn’t all of it. “I was scared I was going to blow before I got in you, let alone make sure you enjoyed yourself.”

She scratched him as she pulled away, mischief in her eyes. “I always enjoy myself with you, Matthew Coleman. First time to now, you are one fine lover.”

Happiness welled inside, covering some of his earlier frustration. “I love you, you know. Not just love having sex with you.”

She blinded him with her smile. “You’re kinda my favourite fellow as well.”

A sharp tug hit his gut. She never said the words. Never said I love you back to him. “Someday you’re going to forget and actually admit you’re crazy in love with me.”

Helen yanked on her clothes, her mischievous expression teasing him. “Now, Matt, they’re only words. I don’t deny you turn me inside out with lust, and spending time with you is one of my first choices. But I don’t think love—”

“Is real, or forever? I know.” He dragged a hand through his hair and headed for the shower. Since it seemed they were heading out on the town, he’d better get cleaned up as well. He couldn’t leave this conversation at that, though. She had to get past this issue at some point. “Just because your parents called it quits doesn’t mean love isn’t real. Look at my folks. Look at lots of couples right here in Rocky.”