Christmas at Twin Falls Read online

  He stood up with her in his arms and moved to the animal skin rug before the hearth. After he’d laid her down, he tossed another log on the fire and stirred it. Sparks flew, and heat engulfed Kaleena’s body. She reached for her pants, but Cody was back to brush her hands aside.

  “I want to discover what you have for me.”

  She raised her arms above her head and wiggled on the fur beneath her. Cody’s gaze caressed like a touch. He pinched open the button on her pants and yanked the zipper down.

  “Have you seen this?” he asked, and she glanced down at herself. He dragged her shoes off and took her pants and panties with them to toss aside. All she saw was her wide hips, thick thighs, and the tiny square of trimmed hair at her apex.

  “Seen what?”

  He kissed the delicate skin beneath her navel. His hands supported her ass and raised her hips for more exploration. The spots he caressed with this tongue sent new shivers through her, but not because of the chilled air. Cody’s touch brought her body to life when she hadn’t found the need to use her fingers for pleasure in a long while.

  He sat up and unbuttoned his shirt then pulled it off and threw it aside. His bare chest expanded firm and smooth. He slid up over her, one knee holding his weight on the floor. With a palm flattened over her pussy, he peered into her eyes. So much emotion stirred in his gaze, and she felt answering ones in her own, but she looked away. His shoulder with the reflection of lights flashing on it seemed a safer spot to focus on. Kaleena traced a finger along the skin there, and felt him shudder. She turned him on, and there was satisfaction in knowing that.

  Fingers teased her soft wetness, and she gasped. He didn’t dip inside like she expected him to.

  “I want to be inside you.” The roughness in his tone told her how far his desire had gone. She licked her lips.

  “I’m not stopping you.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. She parted her lips and met the tip of his tongue with hers. They held off delving deep into each other’s mouths. Her desire climbed to another height, and Cody tilted his head to kiss her hard. She moaned, gripping his shoulders.

  When he drew back, she bit off a complaint.

  “Hey.”

  “Hm?” she murmured.

  “I know I’ve come this far, and trust me it’s taking everything not to say fuck it and take you. I have to give you this chance, Kaleena.”

  She looked up at him. “What chance?”

  “You’re different. You know the sex life I’ve led. You saw a little of it last year, and that hasn’t changed.” When he broke eye contact, it surprised her. “Not entirely.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He moved his hand from her pussy, and she almost sobbed. “Do you know how beautiful you are? That soft chocolate skin, those nipples. Hell the whole package. I don’t think I’ve wanted a woman as much as I want you, and I have to admit I’ve never been with a black woman. Who knows if that’s a factor. You’re different than the others.”

  “Because I’m black?”

  “Because you’re you.”

  She said nothing.

  He dropped his head and swore. His lips touched her neck, and he rose a little to knee her thighs apart. “Tell me no, Kaleena. I screwed this up big time. Baby, tell me no now because I’m about to burst out of my pants.”

  “I-I don’t want to tell you no. I want you inside me.” She ran her toes along his pants leg, lifting her leg higher. He leaned back and watched her pussy lips part. From the swirling sea green in his eyes, she knew he got off on what he saw. Her juices were flowing big time because she desired him so much. “Take me, Cody. I’m right here waiting for you.”

  She didn’t have to ask twice. He shed the rest of his clothing in seconds, and she caught her breath at the size of his cock. Thick and long, it extended from his body as if ready to plunge inside her. Her mouth watered, and she reached down to skim it with her fingertips. Cody braced all his weight on his hip, allowing her to explore.

  “Protection,” she whispered, knowing she couldn’t hold off much longer.

  “Don’t move.” He rose and disappeared from the room, but he returned in seconds. Several packets rained on the floor beside her, and he selected one and tore it open with his teeth. Just how many times did he expect to go around?

  Cody positioned himself between her legs, and she sat up to take the condom from him. Carefully, she rolled it onto his cock, loving how his shaft jumped and twitched at her every touch. She peered up at him while she worked, and he captured her chin to kiss her lips. Their tongues met, and she moaned in his mouth. For a long while, the only sound in the room was there hungry kisses and the crackling fire.

  Cody broke their connection first and pressed her down by her shoulders. He didn’t lie on top of her right away but stayed where he was, just staring. Since he liked to look, she decided to give him something to enjoy. She raised her feet off the floor and reached between her legs. Easing a finger into her wet snatch, she gasped in ecstasy, all to drive him insane. With her other hand, she stroked her breast and pinched her nipple. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth, she arched and whimpered.

  “Kaleena.”

  In and out, she worked her finger, until her juices coated it. Cody pulled it free and stuck her digit between his lips. He licked every drop of her come away. The rumble of his moan sent chills racing from her hand to her arm and down to her core. She could tease him all she wanted, but any little movement on his part produced the same results in her.

  He pressed her hands to her sides and brought the tip of his cock to her entrance. “I’m going to take it slow.”

  “I’m not a virgin.”

  “I know.”

  He didn’t need to say it had been a while. They both knew. She shut her eyes, and her heart raced. Should she stop him? No, she couldn’t now. He’d lose it. Going this far, letting another man make love to her meant no going back. Of course she knew she couldn’t return to the past, but this.

  “Baby.”

  Her fingers spasmed, and he released her wrists. She opened her eyes slowly to find Cody moving to the side. He pulled her with him and wrapped his arms around her. There had to be an end to this man’s patience and his understanding. She rested her head against his chest. His cock throbbed against her belly. Before she changed her mind or he stopped her, she wrapped a leg around his waist, grabbed his cock, and pushed it between her folds. A slight ache and then pleasure assaulted her as his tool stretched her pussy.

  “Don’t,” he groaned, obviously fighting his pleasure. “You shouldn’t do anything you don’t want to. In the morning, you’ll only regret it.” Even as he said that, he grabbed her ass and held her in place as he sank his shaft deeper.

  Kaleena’s jaw grew slack. She took time trying to form words. He felt good inside of her, so thick and hard. Rotating her hips, she took it all, drew back, and came in again for more. Cody rolled to his back, and she straddled him, riding for all she was worth. She braced herself with her hands on his stomach and leaned forward to feel him slide out. Then she came down hard. Pleasure erupted from all points. Her core muscles tightened. She threw her head back and rode him faster.

  “Yes, oh, it feels so good,” she moaned.

  “Easy, my beautiful little filly,” he encouraged her. “Don’t hurt yourself.

  “More, Cody. Please give me more!”

  He lifted her off his cock and made her get on her hands and knees. When he threaded his cock into her heat from behind, she screamed his name. He held onto her hips and pounded deep. The slap of their bodies coming together heightened the enjoyment. Kaleena dropped down to stick her ass in the air. Cody took what she’d almost denied them both until an orgasm began to build. Kaleena keened and bit her lip. She reached between her legs and pinched her clit. Cody thrust harder.

  “I’m not going to be able to hold this much longer,” he growled.

  “Let’s do it together. I’m so close.” She hadn’t gotten the word
s past her lips before he took her over the edge with a powerful climax. A heartbeat after, Cody’s hips jerked against hers, and he shouted his release. They pumped together for a few moments until the sensations eased. Then he pulled out. He helped her onto her side and lay behind her with his arm around her waist.

  “Was that good for you, baby?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  He chuckled, and it was the first time she’d ever heard it. His voice, so deep and sexy, made her snuggle closer to him.

  “I’ll take you again in a few minutes.”

  She sat up. “Okay, I’m going to bring cookies for you to sample.” Before he could answer, she jumped to her feet and headed for the kitchen. All the way, she felt his gaze on her and decided to add a little more swing to her hips. When she returned with an assortment of the three kinds of treats she’d made, Cody lay on his back with his hands behind his head. His cock had already stiffened, and she wondered if he’d wear out her poor little kat before the night ended.

  She dropped down on the carpet beside him. “Hm, I think I had much less time than I thought.”

  His smile had been replaced with his usual pensive expression. “It had been a while for me as well.”

  She raised an eyebrow but made no comment. Discussing his love life didn’t interest her. With all the women who must throw themselves at his head every time he went to town, she didn’t exactly believe him.

  “Peanut butter,” he announced.

  “Hm?”

  He nodded toward the plate, which she’d set on the table.

  “One can’t have enough peanut butter.”

  She grinned and broke off a piece to feed him. When his lips touched her fingers, an arrow of desire pinged her core. She took another small piece and popped it into her mouth, then leaned down to kiss him. Just as she hoped, Cody’s tongue shot out and snagged the morsel from her mouth to his. They moaned together and kissed, Cody’s arms encircling her.

  What did she feel for him, and why did he let her stay? Did he bring other women out here on a regular basis? She turned over to face him and ran a finger along his cheek. The silky dark hair drew her attention next, and she didn’t resist running her hand through it. The man’s sexiness knew no bounds and should be against the law. She scooted in closer, allowing her nipples to just graze his chest. His cock stirred between them.

  Kaleena kissed his neck and trailed the caress to his shoulder. She breathed in the heady scent—all male. The glow from the fireplace lit his skin from this angle, and the smooth, taut texture drew her lips again and again.

  “I get the feeling you can’t keep your hands or lips off me.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him. “Do you want me to?”

  “Never.” He skimmed fingers over her back and tucked her into his embrace. “I should get covered because I’m losing the ability to wait.”

  “You lost that long ago. Cody?”

  “Hm.” His gaze dropped to her lips.

  “Why don’t you celebrate Christmas?”

  He stiffened.

  “Don’t do that. I know it’s something painful, but I think you know you can tell me. I went through hell, and you were there. I want you to—”

  “My parents,” he interrupted. “When Beau and I were eighteen, they were killed in a car accident, driving on an icy road. It was on Christmas Day.”

  She gasped. “Oh no! I’m so sorry. How terrible. You’re legally adults at that age, but you still feel like kids, dependent on your parents to take care of you.”

  His expression registered surprise. “Yes, that’s how it was.” He stood and left the room then returned with a blanket. He sat down and patted the space in front of him as he leaned on the front of the couch. She scooted between his legs and lay on his chest while he covered them both with the blanket. “It’s been sixteen years.”

  “So you’re thirty-four?”

  “Mhm.”

  “It must have been hard. I can’t imagine the pain you must have felt. I never knew either of my parents. My mother died in childbirth, and she never mentioned my father. She didn’t tell anyone his name, or I think Uncle Cornell would have looked into finding out who he was. I did dream of having a big family of my own some day, but that won’t happen now.”

  His hold tightened for a moment. “You’re…”

  “Twenty-nine.”

  “Young enough to have babies.” He stroked her belly, and she bit her lip, closing her eyes. For an instant, she imagined having a set of twins but brushed that stupid thought out of her head.

  “But I’m not willing to open myself up to the kind of relationship I had with Jeff. We were soul mates.”

  “You believe in that?”

  “You don’t?” She twisted around to look into his face.

  He shrugged. “I suppose I should, given my parents decided it was fate that they found this place. They believed everything about their relationship and each other was meant to be.”

  “How so?”

  He nodded toward the back of the house as if they had a clear vision of what he referred to. “At the end of our property, where it leads up into Cloud Peak, there are hot springs. Two of them. When my dad found the place, they’d just discovered my mom was pregnant with Beau and me. They decided it was fate and called the ranch Twin Falls to represent us.”

  “Wow, that is so romantic. Can I see the springs?”

  “If you like.” He hesitated. “Some other time.”

  She figured out that he thought she wouldn’t be able to handle it right now what with the way Jeff died. Her heart warmed at his thoughtfulness, and he might be right.

  They settled into silence, and Kaleena grabbed a few more cookies. She ate the chocolate chip and fed Cody the peanut butter. Every time she held up a piece, he used it as an excuse to suck her finger along with the treat.

  “Seriously?” She laughed.

  “Yes, I’m very serious about how good you taste.”

  She trembled in delight. “Why did you let me barge in here and stay without any notice?”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  She smacked his arm. “That’s it? Then any woman would do.”

  He shrugged again, and she resisted strangling him. Cody made it clear he would not answer any questions he didn’t want to, and no amount of goading on her part would change his mind.

  “Well if you’re going to be like that, I’m going to clean the kitchen.” She moved to stand, but he pulled her back into his arms and kissed the sensitive area behind her ear.

  “No…you’re not.”

  Chapter Six

  Kaleena rushed through most of the work she had to do that day. Excitement bubbled up inside her until she felt like running through the house singing Jingle Bells at the top of her lungs. Every time the urge hit, she had to laugh at herself. One night in a man’s arms, and she’d gone psycho. One would think she was the kind of woman who needed a man, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Kaleena prided herself on taking care of her own business, and until last year, she’d lived on her own, had a job, and never asked anyone for anything.

  After she left Wyoming, she’d planned to start her life anew and just put one foot in front of the other until the pain eased and her joy returned. Uncle Cornell was the one to encourage her to stay with him a little longer and to work temp assignments until she felt stronger. She’d seen it as a good idea. The gung-ho plan had meant nothing without the energy, and energy was the one thing she lacked back then. At last, it appeared she’d broken free of the gloom and doom, and Christmas would be a happy time if she had to beat it into submission.

  “What are you so happy about?” Cody grumbled when he entered the room where she vacuumed. Kaleena shut off the machine. Sometime in the middle of the night, Cody had carried her to bed, but he hadn’t joined her. She woke up alone, and at first the depression descended like a beast. She’d fought it, and then she found new ammunition against it for her and for Cody. He on the other hand apparently l
ost the battle.

  “I found a party,” she chirped.

  He cringed.

  “A Christmas party!” She dug into her jeans pocket and fished for the flyer. Cody’s gaze strayed to her breasts, but when he caught her watching him, he looked away. Kaleena bounced over to him. “Check this out. It’s on Third and Apple. Do you know where that is?”

  He frowned. “I’m familiar.”

  “So we can go, right?”

  “I’m not going to a barn party.”

  Her eyes widened. “Barn? Like with animals?”

  Cody seemed about to turn away and walk out of the room. She latched onto his arm and pressed close. His expression morphed from angry to questioning, but then he shifted it to indifference, one he wore too often for her liking.

  “There are no animals there, and as far as I know there never were. The place is built to look like an authentic barn, all wood with a large area of floor space for dancing or tables. People rent it out for Western weddings or any other type of party. This time it happens to be a Christmas party. I’m sure they had a Halloween one in October.”

  “Nice! It sounds perfect. So it’s at seven, and I think we should leave at six to get there on time. Do you have something good to wear?” She touched a finger to her lip, wondering if people out this way dressed up for barn parties, or if it was casual. The flyer hadn’t said. She’d been thrilled to find it on the porch that morning when she stepped out to get a breath of fresh air.

  “I’ve already said I’m not going, Kaleena. I allowed you to set up all this crap around my house, but I won’t spend an entire evening pretending to be all cheery around a bunch of people doing the same thing.”

  “My decorations are not crap, and how do you know those people aren’t happy?”