Forever's Affection (Forever In Luck Series Book 3) Read online

  “How,” she cried frantically, turning to him. “I can barely think the way it is, how can I be in control of this?”

  He chuckled and reached for the little lamp on the nightstand, clicking it on, he looked at her, then gave her a little kiss soothing her. “Dani, you’re a pro at this, you don’t need to think about it. Come here,” he said reaching for her. “Let me help you, we need to lose the skirt though. Whoa Nelly, do you have an aversion to undergarments or something, because my mind is never going to be the same. Damn, you’re my kind of woman.”

  “No, I wear them,” she said with a sniffle, as she finished pulling off the skirt. “I just didn’t need any distractions tonight.”

  Off came his briefs. Kissing her, he said, “Nothing like planning ahead, I always knew you were smart. Come here.”

  Hands on his chest, she pushed herself back and looked at him strangely. “Wait, you think I’m smart?”

  “Ding, ding, ding, ding! Winner, winner, chicken dinner, give the girl the prize. Yes, I think you’re smart! You’re the smartest, most interesting person I’ve ever met, who just so happens to be a woman, remember? I told you that when we were looking at my gun collection, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

  “But I’m illiterate, you didn’t know that then, but you do now.”

  “Ah yeah, so what if I do. Sorry to disappoint you when I say, in my eyes, your ability to read or write has no bearing on your intelligence. I can’t steer a horse, or trick ride, or shoot mounted on a running horse, does that mean I’m not smart? There are so many things you can do, that others who can read and write can’t, that it just evens out in the end.”

  “Honestly, we’re all hoping your developing an affection for him, because we know he has for you.”

  Oh yeah, she definitely was. Looking in his eyes, she said, “I knew I left Wyoming for a reason.”

  Smiling, he wiggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh.

  Giving her a quick peck on the lips, he said, “Let’s see if we can give you another reason to stay.” Pulling her on top of him, he explained the rationale. “Now see, by being on top all those fears are baseless, you can move on and off, your arms aren’t held down, and you get to call the shots when it comes to us being together, if it hurts you can stop. And the best part, I’m free to enjoy these, and boy do I like these.”

  Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “So you’re into boobs?”

  “Hell yeah, and these are phenomenal.”

  “I guess I don’t get it,” she said unimpressed. “There just boobs.”

  He spluttered at her apparent lack of understanding. “Women don’t get it because they got them, men don’t and we want them. Plain and simple, and they’re not just blah, blah boobs, they’re more than that,” he said affectionately, then proceeded to illustrate his meaning with a demonstration. “They’re soft, and warm, and snuggly, and cuddly, and round. They jiggle, and bounce, and you can squeeze them, and kiss them, and hug them, and love them, and they have these cool little buttons on them you can fiddle with. You can taste them, and lick them, and suck them, and if you do all that, you hear really cool sounds that make other cool and wonderful things happen, which makes them the greatest invention known to man, and I love, love, love them, period, end of story.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh as he talked succinctly through his lust. “Well then, far be it for me to have them and deny you you’re heart’s desire. That would be downright cruel. They’re all yours, go for it.”

  Pausing a moment, he lie there looking up at her, then his face took on a slow and wicked grin. “Kiss me,” he demanded, flicking his head back, urging her forward.

  Grinning, she teased him by blowing him a kiss, knowing full well she was taunting him.

  Having none of that, he sat up quickly, holding her in his strong arms so she didn’t fall back, and darned if that didn’t position him right at heaven’s front door. All she had to do was lower herself onto him and the two would become one. He knew it, and he waited as the two of them looked into each other’s eyes. Putting one arm around his neck and a hand on his heart, she slowly went down, ensconcing him within, her mind reveling in the perfectness of him.

  She hadn’t ever imagined it could be like this, she’d always envisioned herself in the dark, pinned or held down, and it wouldn’t stop, she would yell for it to stop, but it never stopped.

  Having slid right in, she settled onto him with a stuttered breath. It didn’t hurt. He didn’t hurt, and she was so happy she fought back tears. She’d done it, she’d really done it! Actually, if she were to be honest, it felt kind of good, and that was so damn amazing in and of itself. She was reclaiming this part of her life here and now! Feeling triumphant, she leaned forward to kiss him, their positions naturally shifting and moving, sending a nice little tingle through her. Oh, was that ever nice. Wanting more, she moved again, sighing deeply at the sensation of pleasant friction.

  Voice strained, he checked in, “We good?”

  “Wicked good,” she answered with a breathy pant, and he grunted deeply.

  “Can I help you move, gorgeous?” He was practically begging. “‘Cause I really need us to move?”

  She nodded, biting her bottom lip. “Mmhmm, help…me,” she urged softly.

  “Oh yeah, on board with that.” His hands slid from her waist to her hips, and he helped her rock back and forth, timing his thrusts to match the rhythm.

  Her hands having moved to his shoulders, she was naturally pulled forward as he leaned back onto the pillows. This was way nice, she thought, better than she’d expected. She was free and could move easily. It was just as he said it would be and she loved it, because as he’d pointed out, she was a pro in this position. Getting into it, she rolled her hips to the rhythm he’d set and it was his turn to moan, making her aware of the power she held.

  Lifting his hands, he brought them to her breasts and regaled her with a rendition of his earlier demonstration, taking his time, doing things right, and she had to admit he wasn’t kidding when he said he loved, loved, loved them. Lucky her, because she’d won the jackpot with this one, that felt damn good.

  Looking up to her with a little smile, he stretched and kissed her passionately. Moving to her ear, he said softly, “You like?”

  Unable to speak, only feel, she nodded her head, then closed her eyes in an attempt to stay in the moment.

  Kissing his way down her neck, he went back to touching and feeling her up right and she began to work harder, struggling to reach the pinnacle of that ever elusive peak.

  Breathing heavy, the momentum progressing, he reached for her hips. “Gorgeous…I’m going to have to help you, okay? You’re so good I’m about to go. Stay with me, keep going.”

  Ohhhh, mmmm, he was right, this felt wonderful… Unable to talk, she nodded rapidly and kept swinging her hips as he’d told her to. Sliding a hand from her hip to her abdomen, he did something wild with his thumb and forefinger, and she snapped, her eyes slamming shut. The sensational release helping her express her appreciation for his skill and forte as she flew apart. “Ohhh—Kris—” A wonderful wave of “give me more of that, please” rolled through her, making her outsides tense up, while her insides pulsed with pleasure. Stretching, he found her mouth and kissed her deeply as she relaxed onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck

  Hands on her hips, he pushed himself onward, finding his release within her. Watching him amongst lidded eyes and panting breaths, she admired the cords in his neck and shoulders as he tossed his head back. He kicked inside her and she felt it…wait. Stop. No. Wait. Nooooo!

  Sitting up with a howl, she hopped off him and burst into tears. Jumping off the bed, she ran to the bathroom. Throwing open the shower curtain, she turned on the water and hurdled the side of the tub to get inside. Hop, hop, hopping up and down, she grabbed the soap and began scrubbing herself as she cried, unable to stop the tears.

  “Ahhh, gorgeo—,”

  She screamed. Whipping open
the shower curtain, she yelled, “Do NOT sneak up on me!” Then she snapped the curtain closed.

  Pounding on the wall, he said, “Fair warning, I’m coming in.”

  Stepping in, he reached and took the soap from her hand, set it down, then pulled her too him. She bawled and bawled.

  “Shhhh, it’s okay, it’s alright,” he said, comforting her. When her crying slowed, he said, “Tell me what happened, so we can work on fixing it.”

  “Too late,” she said with a sniffle. “Nothing can be done, I’ll figure it out.”

  Standing there in the streaming water, he held her saying nothing until finally he said, “What do you mean it’s too late, what’s too late, and why can’t anything be done?”

  Crying again, she looked up at him and said, “We didn’t use birth control.”

  His eyes popped open. “What?”

  Standing back from him and trying to be strong, she answered, “It’s my fault, I’ll…I’ll…I don’t know, I’ll figure it out.”

  “The hell you will!” he barked, taking hold of her, trying to pull her back. “We’ll figure it out. Dani if you’re pregnant, I want this baby.”

  This made her cry more. “You…you…you’re not taking my baby. I won’t let you,” she sobbed, as she shoved against his chest.

  “Take your baby? What the hell...” his voice trailing off as he looked at her in total confusion. Tilting her head up with a hand, he looked into her eyes and said firmly, “Hello sunshine, listen up, I want the baby and the baby’s mother. Now come here, now.” Taking her hands from his chest, he wrapped them around his waist. “I hate that you’re crying. Don’t cry, please. This is not a bad thing—”

  Pulling back, she looked at him angrily and said emphatically, “Yes, it is!”

  Taking a deep breath, he looked over her shoulder at the streaming water. “Okay, okay, calm down,” he said, pulling her back to him. “Is hopping up and down in the shower after, a way to keep from getting pregnant? Because I don’t think it is.”

  “I don’t know,” she cried in frustration, “but I don’t know what else to do.” She started banging her forehead on his shoulder.

  He put a hand up to the back of her head and held her to him. “Stop, stop! You’re going to hurt yourself. Tell me why it’s bad.”

  Starting to cry again, she sobbed against his shoulder, “Because then I’ll be just like my mother.” More bawling.

  Shaking his head, he said calmly, “I don’t think you have to worry about that, something tells me you’re nothing like your mother.”

  Pushing back, she glared up at him. “I am when I’m an unwed mother who can’t support her children. The only difference is I’d know who the father is!”

  Taking a deep breath, he said calmly, “That’s easily fixed, Dani.”

  Her eyes popped open. “Oh no, noooo way! I’m not trapping you. Forever bachelor, no kids, remember? Nope, not happening.” She turned and shut off the water, pulled back the curtain, grabbed a towel and hopped out. “I’m not entering into a marriage of forced regrets, period.”

  Standing in the shower, dripping wet, he answered her, “I want you, I want it all with you.”

  She shook her head, then banged on the sides of it as if trying to get water out of her ears. “I can’t hear you,” she sang out loudly.

  “Dani—”

  “Braaawk, braaaawk, CUCKOO-DOODLE-DO!” She tore out of the bathroom.

  *****

  Okay, he had to give her props for using the code word. She was running scared, and he needed to slow this train down, now. How many women had there been over the years that had wanted something more permanent with him and he’d said no, only to find the one he wanted and she wouldn’t have him. Thing was, he couldn’t remember who any of them were, and yet, he knew he’d never forget Dani.

  Grabbing a towel, he wrapped it about his waist and went after her. He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten the condom. He never forgot the condom. Ever. What had he been thinking? Oh, that’s right, he hadn’t been, because one look at her and all manner of rational thought left him. He was back to trying to figure this all out. It had to of been a lightning strike, it just had to of been. The clincher though, was that he couldn’t find one thing wrong with his reality with her. He meant what he’d said. He wanted it all with her.

  Going to the bedroom, he froze when he saw her. Unable to stop the smile that pulled at the corners of his mouth, he stood staring at her. In stark contrast to one another, she had on what would be considered sexy lingerie, except that it was fashioned from hunting inspired, wilderness themed fabric. Did they carry that shit at the sporting goods store, because if they did, he was buying one of everything. Man she was sexy, and he was pretty sure he could go another round right now without waiting.

  “You’re staring, stop staring,” she said, her words clipped and cool as she ripped a brush through her wet and tangled hair.

  Ahhh, he knew this behavior, he needed to be patient. Walking over and stilling her hand, he said softly. “Be gentle. You’re beautiful.”

  “You need your eyes examined, my hair’s wet and wild, and I’m a hot mess.”

  She was back to her old self and back to not believing in them. “You’re hot, I’ll give you that, but you’re not a mess. I love the hunting inspired nightwear, let’s get more.” Finding a pair of shorts, he pulled them on.

  Stopping the brush, she watched him tighten the drawstring at his waist. “You need glasses.”

  He chuckled, she was testing him. “Not a bad idea, but not because I can’t see, but because then I could see your beauty better.” Well that got her going. She was off the bed and out of the bedroom in a flash. He followed her, taking his time.

  She was in the kitchen digging through a drawer. Going to the fridge, he pulled out the wine and removed the cork with the corkscrew he found on the counter. Pouring them each a glass, he went to stand next to her. Handing her the glass, she took a sip, then a swallow. Setting the glass down, she just stood staring at the roast in front of her.

  “I can’t cook,” she said, as a matter of fact. “All Jules said was to take it out of the oven and let it rest, then cut it and serve. If there’s a right way to cut this thing, she didn’t say.”

  Setting his glass down, he stepped behind her and took her hands in his. “Why don’t the rooster and the hen figure this out together?” Grasping the knife with his hand around hers, he used their other hands to stand the roast on its side. “Why don’t we start by getting rid of these old bones, they’re just in the way of us enjoying something great.” They sliced off the ribs and put them aside. Then he set the flat of the roast back on the plate and paused briefly, letting things sink in. “Now look at that, it’s perfect, any way we slice it, it’ll be perfect.”

  “In half.”

  Using the knife, they cut it in the middle making two. “Look,” he said. “Two halves that make a whole, and their perfect just the way they are.” God he hoped she was getting this.

  “But their raw! See, I ruined it,” she said despondently.

  “No Dani, it’s not ruined, it’s not raw, it’s rare, what we have here is rare, and it’s perfect.” Turning to him, she threw her arms around him and wept, holding him tight just like Junie did. Rubbing her back, he soothed her. “Why the tears, beautiful?”

  “Because—she hiccupped and sniffled—because I don’t deserve you.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Yes you do, you just think you don’t because you don’t know how to be loved. Let me love you, Dani, because I really do.” He felt her hold on him go tighter.

  Tilting her head back, she looked up at him. “Thank you for being patient with me.”

  He nodded and gave her a little kiss.

  “D.D. taught me a lot of what I know. He’d say, ‘Use your head, but listen with your heart, and you’ll find what you’re looking for.’ My heart is telling me he was the best man I’ve ever known, until now, and I think I’ve found what I’m lookin
g for, but I’m reluctant with reason.”

  Staring into her eyes, he saw her pain and knew his words had come back to haunt him.

  “Forever bachelor, no kids, remember?”

  If this was going to work, he needed to pony up and be honest. “Okay, you’re right. This is not what I was looking for, but it’s what I found, and it’s so much better than what I ever imagined for myself. I have no doubts, none. My statement still stands, I want you, and I want it all with you. The whole nine yards, love, marriage, children, a future, memories, all of it, the good and the bad.”

  “Oh Kris,” she said with anguish, as she closed her eyes and shook her head. “We have to talk. There’s stuff you need to know. Let’s eat first, I need the break.”

  *****

  Dinner eaten, dishes done, and wine finished, Kris took her hand and pulled her in close, giving her a kiss. “Can we talk now or do you need more time?”

  “Nah, let’s get it done and over with,” she said without much enthusiasm. “Then maybe I’ll be able to relax some.”

  “You want to sit at the table, on the couch, or somewhere else?”

  Oh no, she needed to be doing something physical to drain off the energy that came with opening this can of worms. “I want to go for a walk,” she said, moving to the laundry room and grabbing a robe, slipping it on, while he pulled on a shirt.

  “Ready?” he asked after sliding on boots and opening the door for her.

  Stepping outside, she looked up at the stars. Zillions and zillions of stars, she thought, then noticed some light, fluffy clouds sailing by here and there. A nice breeze bathed her face and she felt thankful for the needed oxygen. “The wind should be good for keeping the mosquitoes away,” she said, trying to grasp normal. “That’ll be nice.”

  “Mmhmm.”

  Where to start, she wondered, as they walked. Complete silence except for the crunch of gravel under their feet and the nearby noises of the night. She sighed, trying to blow off the tension

  He spoke first. “I already know you’re not Junie’s mother, and that the two of you are sisters, if that makes it any easier.”