Lifting his ass, he slid his thick cock into her. The rigid flesh felt like heaven on earth. As he teased her, she rotated her pelvis, matching him caress for caress. That familiar tingle burned its way through her core, igniting her clit into a frenzy. “Dustin!”
Again, he surged into her, pumping, sliding. She ground against him. The orgasm stole her breath and sent her soaring, but she couldn‟t stop moving. Clenching her muscles around him, she rode him for all she was worth. Dustin‟s hips jerked up and stilled. His cock-pulsing orgasm sent another shock wave coursing through her.
Spent, she fell to his chest. “Oh, my.”
After all that, how could she even think of walking away from him? Yet, knowing he wanted a woman who would guarantee her career never got in the way of their relationship, how could she, in good conscience, stay?
****
Shannon woke, blinking the sleep from her gritty eyes. She rolled over to see Dustin gazing down at her. His eyes sparkled, and his hair stood up in random spikes all over his head. “Mmm, good morning.”
A devil-be-damned grin split his face, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Morning. I don‟t have to ask how you slept last night. You didn‟t move a muscle.”
She snuggled against his solid chest and peeked at him. “First good night‟s sleep I‟ve had in a long time.” His hazel gaze grew serious, and it didn‟t bode well for what she wanted to say to him. “Dustin, I—” He laid a finger against her lips. “I know what you‟re going to say. I had a great night, too, and I‟m sorry it can‟t be more. You‟ve got your career, I‟ve got the ranch, and it‟s not that easy to pack up everything and move to New York. I can‟t see the longhorns living on Park Avenue.” He brushed a kiss over her lips and climbed out of bed, giving her one last view of his gloriously naked body before pulling on his jeans. “It was great seeing you again,
Shannon. I‟ve got to get to work before Dillon kicks my ass.”
The breath whooshed from her lungs as the bedroom door closed behind him. Her eyes narrowed, her lips thinned. It was great seeing you again? He wasn‟t even going to ask her if they could see each other again?
“You know what?” She threw the blankets across the room. “There is no way you‟re leaving like that.” She yanked on her clothes and ran down the stairs just as Dustin was walking out the front door. “Hold on.”
He looked over his shoulder with a frown. “I really have to get to work.”
“No, you pompous ass. You need to stand there and listen.” She stormed up to him and poked him in the chest. Standing toe to toe, she planted her hands on her hips. Her nostrils flared in fury. “I‟m sorry that you‟ve got a bug up your ass about women with careers. I‟m sorry that I hurt you when I moved away. But mostly, I‟m sorry you can‟t get over yourself long enough to hear that I love you and that I‟m back in Bandera to stay.”
His eyes widened in shock.
His surprise didn‟t deter her. She was on a roll and would get out what she needed to say before she lost her nerve. “Yes, that‟s right. I gave up New York to move back to Gran‟s ranch, but I didn‟t give up my career. I joined a design house in San Antonio so I can work mostly from home. Turns out, I am nothing like my mother. I am a strong enough woman that I can balance a career and a family, and I would like to do so with you.” She stepped back and gestured to the door. “But you‟re such a stubborn ass, you would rather walk away than try to work through our issues. So you go work with your brothers, Dustin. I hope you find a woman who lives up to your standards.”
Blowing out a harsh breath, she pushed past him and stomped down the sidewalk.
“Shannon.”
Do not turn around, Shannon Piermont. Do not
let him see you cry.
“Shannon, wait.” Boots pounded the cement behind her, and his hand caught her around the bicep. He urged her to a stop.
Chin held high, she whirled and glared at him. “What?” The word snapped out through clenched teeth.
“Why did you leave New York?” He searched her face, for what she didn‟t know.
She rolled her eyes. Now he wants to talk? “I told you, I wanted to take care of Gran‟s ranch.”
“What if you decide you want to go back?”
“I made my choice. I spent fourteen years in the big city. I belong here, in Bandera.” With you, she wanted to add but bit back the words.
His expression softened, his hands cupped her cheeks. “You said you loved me.” His voice held a ragged edge.
Of course, she loved him. Hell, she didn‟t think she‟d really ever stopped loving him. Her shoulders sagged. “It‟s not enough, though, is it? You want Sally Homemaker. I‟m not her.”
“I wanted you to stay in Bandera,” he admitted, the pads of his thumbs caressing her cheekbones. “I wasn‟t going to ask, though. I didn‟t want you to feel guilty for leaving again.”
Despite the turmoil of emotions raging through her, hope swelled. “What about my career?”
Dustin bent and covered her mouth, kissing her breathless, making her chest heave. “Gran and I wanted you home, but you had to make that decision for yourself, not because we wanted you here.” He slid his hands down her arms to catch her fingers in a loose hold.
When she looked into his eyes, she saw right into his soul.
“I love you.”