Love Me Once, Love Me Twice (Montana Cowboys 1) Read online

  He couldn't help but smile. Mrs. Oliver's a feisty old bird and nothing would keep her down. "How are you feeling?"

  "Like shit. You?"

  He shook his head and laughed. "Nothin's gonna keep you down, is it, Mrs. Oliver?"

  "Nope. Been around too damned long to let it. Old Doc, God rest his soul, always said, 'There are two theories about arguing with a woman, neither one of them works.' Now, did you two have a good time at dinner? And when did you pick up your other hunk?" her grandmother asked when she noticed Kale standing behind them.

  "Grandma, don't worry about how my date went and so you know, Kale came to the hospital when he heard your address on his scanner. He was worried is all." Natalie tucked the sheet under the edge of her until her grandmother swatted at her hands. "You'll have to stay here overnight, the doctor said, so they can watch you for a bit."

  "Damn it, Natalie, stop mothering me. I'm a grown woman, and I can take care of myself. And don't be calling your mother and telling her about this. She'll end up flying her ass up here and then I'll have to deal with her too. The wet behind the ears doctor already told me I needed to stay."

  "Wet behind the ears, huh?" the very nice looking doctor said as he stepped up next to the bed and smiled.

  "Well, yes. You can’t be much older than Natalie there is, and she's my granddaughter. How old are you anyway? You married?"

  "Grandma! Will you stop trying to play matchmaker for me with every man in Red Rock!"

  "I love you, Nat, and I want to see you happy. Besides, I'd love it if you settled down with some nice man here." Her grandmother looked at the doctor again and asked for a second time, "Are you married?"

  "Yes, Mrs. Oliver, I am, happily married," the doctor replied, twirling his wedding ring on his left hand.

  "Well damn," she grumbled and Cade had to laugh. "You and Kale aren't, young man, so don't be laughing too hard. I'll have you hitched to Nat in no time if you give me half a chance."

  "Do you have a gag around here somewhere," Natalie said.

  Her grandmother's eyes narrowed. "Have you talked to your mother yet?"

  "No, Gram."

  "Then don't."

  "You know I have to call them and let them know what's happened."

  "No you do not, Natalie. They'll just worry and everything is fine. I'm a little weak, but with a little rehabilitation, I'll be like new."

  Cade saw Natalie glance at the doctor, and he shook his head. A deep sigh left her lips, and she sat down next to her grandmother. "Gram, listen, I have no doubt with your stubborn nature, you'll do wonderful in rehab, but you have to be ready if you don't regain your strength. What happens then? You won't be able to stay—"

  "Don't you dare tell me I'll have to move out of my home. Your grandfather built our house with his bare hands, to raise our children in, and I will be there until the day I die. If I have to hire someone to come in and stay with me, then I will."

  "I'll stay with you, Gram. You know that."

  "I appreciate the sentiment, Natalie, but you have a life too. You have the children you teach. You can’t leave them in a lurch."

  "I'm staying and I don't want to hear anymore about it. However long you need me, I'll be here."

  Cade liked the sound of that.

  A nurse strolled in a few moments later and said, "We'll be taking her upstairs to her room now."

  "You go on, honey, and have your men take you on home. There's nothing more you can do here. I'm going to be tucked in and sleep for the rest of the night."

  "All right, Gram. I'll come back first thing in the morning to see what they've decided and we'll go from there." She leaned over and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. "Behave yourself, please."

  "We have ways of making her behave," the nurse said with a chuckle.

  "Don't go getting carried away with the drugs. I don't take anything more than Tylenol for a headache now and then," her grandmother snapped. "Keep them sedatives in your pocket."

  "Yes ma'am."

  Once the nurse wheeled her grandmother away, Cade took her hand in his and kissed her palm. "Let's get you home and tucked in."

  "Thanks Cade. You too, Kale. You've both been lifesavers for me, and I can't thank you enough."

  "You're welcome, Nat," Kale replied. "We know you’re kind of alone here, even though this is your home away from home."

  "You have no idea."

  * * * *

  The three of them walked out through the waiting room hand-in-hand. Surprised looks and blatant stares followed them out the door. The hostile glances made Natalie shiver.

  "Wow. Can we say uncomfortable?"

  "Don't worry about those people. They don't know what's goin' on with the three of us, and they’re being rude," Cade replied. "It's none of their business, and I personally don't care what people think."

  "Me either," Kale added. "I'm going on home. Cade will make sure you get back to your grandmother's safe and sound. I'll check with you later on this week about our date Saturday. Okay?"

  "Gosh, Kale. With everything going on, maybe we should rain check?"

  "We'll see, honey. No worries."

  "Thanks."

  "Of course," he said, brushing his lips against hers. "I'll call you in a day or two."

  Cade's eyes narrowed into agitated slits and a frown pulled down the corners of his lips.

  The two of them had been snapping at each other when they were in the waiting room and she didn't like it. Jealousy came as a hard pill to swallow, and she didn't want to come between two friends.

  Silence enveloped her and Cade once they settled into the cab of his truck and headed back to her grandmothers. She'd been all ready to let him take her home to get down and dirty. Now, she wasn't sure what she wanted. Oh, she wanted Cade. No doubt about it, but could she have nothing more than a short-term, quick roll in the hay? It would be so unlike the Natalie anyone knew. Her family wouldn't believe it. Her friends would think she lied because it wasn't the Natalie they know.

  A short time later, Cade pulled into her grandmother's driveway, turned off his truck, and came around to her side to hold the door.

  "Such a gentleman."

  The sexy grin he gave her sent tingles down her arms as he pulled her close and escorted her toward the front.

  She fished the key out of her purse, slipped it into the keyhole and opened the door. Paper, plastic, and miscellaneous other objects lay scattered about the living room from when the paramedics work on her grandmother. "What a mess."

  "I'll help you pick up. It shouldn't take long. There really isn't too much here."

  "You don't have to do—"

  The brush of his warm lips over hers stopped her words.

  "I want to."

  Ten minutes later, the living room was spotless again, and she gave him a silly grin.

  "I know it's getting late."

  "Yeah, I should probably go," he replied, tucking a curl behind her ear. "I enjoyed spendin' time with you. Thank you for going out to the house with me."

  "I loved it, Cade. Thanks for showing me. It'll be beautiful when you're finished."

  "I guess our sleddin' date tomorrow is out of the question, huh?"

  She nodded and said, "Yeah. I need to be at the hospital first thing so I can find out what the plan is for Gram."

  "I’ll tell you what. After we get things settled with your grandmother, we'll go sleddin'. It's less crowded around noon anyway." He took her hand and pulled her down on the couch with him. "I need to tell you somethin', Nat."

  "You look so serious. It can't be that bad."

  His hand slid into her hair, tugging her closer. The brush of his lips against her cheek made her sigh and close her eyes.

  "I want to make love to you, Natalie." The feel of his tongue on her earlobe sent shivers down her spine. Tiny nibbles on the soft skin below her ear made her squirm on the couch. His two strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her onto his lap. His thumb brushed over her nipple and she felt it tigh
ten into an aching bundle of nerves. He continued his trek down her neck with his lips as he unbuttoned the front of her blouse and pushed it aside. "Tell me you want this."

  "Oh God yes. It's been way too long."

  He lifted his head, and stared into her eyes. The blue of his gaze bore into hers while his hands cupped her face. "You're beautiful."

  Unable to continue to look at the intensity of his stare, she dropped hers to his lips. Sensual, full, and delicious, she wanted them on her body. Everywhere.

  "Kiss me."

  "Oh, I plan to, darlin'." He kissed her eyelids. "Here." He kissed her cheeks. "Here." He kissed her nose. "And especially here." His tongue swept across the seam of her lips, coaxing her to open for him. The moan coming from her mouth didn't sound like anything she’d ever heard before—part animalistic and part inhuman, the sound took her by surprise. "You taste good. I could eat you up."

  One hand palmed her breast and teased the nipple through her bra. With a quick flick of his fingers, the material parted, and the ache intensified with the look in his eyes. Hunger, raw desire, and need sparkled in the blue depths.

  He closed his lips over her nipple, sucking it deep into his mouth.

  Her back arched and yearning rushed through her. Red-hot longing spiraled from his suckling straight to her clit. She wanted this man—needed him with everything inside of her.

  "Cade, please," she whimpered, threading her fingers in his hair.

  "Where's your room?" he asked after lifting his head.

  "Up the stairs and to the right. First door."

  With a powerful flex of his muscled thighs, he lifted her high in the air and cradled her against his chest. Swift steps took them upstairs and to her temporary bedroom. A small lamp on the bedside table gave her just enough light to see the wicked smile on his lips and the shine of desire in his gaze. He dropped her legs, sliding her down his body. Every rock hard inch of his tempting flesh skimmed over hers. Nipples tightened and ached as they scraped over the material of his dress shirt and jacket.

  "You're still dressed," she murmured. Her lips met his whiskered jaw and slipped over the surface. Her tongue circled his ear, her teeth nipping at his earlobe.

  "Why, yes I am. We'll have to rectify the situation quickly." One hearty moan spilled from his lips. "If you don't knock it off, this is gonna be a short ride, darlin'. It's been a while."

  "We don't want that, now do we?"

  "Hell no. I want to love you slow."

  "Sounds like a plan to me. By the way? You talk too much."

  "You won't hear another peep out of me."

  A challenge? I like challenges.

  "No?"

  He shook his head, and she cocked an eyebrow, letting a wicked grin play across her mouth. The slow unbuttoning of his shirt didn't garner a sound—pushing it and his jacket off his shoulders…nothing.

  Oh, I don't think so.

  Unbuckling his belt while her teeth nipped at his pecs and grazed his nipples, got her no response, and she smiled.

  It's on baby!

  His pants and boxers fell to the floor with a slight nudge of her hands. The full length of his cock sprang free, standing tall and proud against his stomach, just begging for her touch—her mouth. A quick peek through her lashes revealed his clenched jaw, the firm line of his lips as he fought the sounds in his throat, blue eyes sparkling like sunlight on the open ocean.

  "Do you want to say something?"

  The jerking shake of his head gave her the answer.

  His fists clenched at his sides. Touching her would give him away, she knew.

  She flattened her palm on his chest, slowly sliding it over the valleys and planes of his body. Goose bumps followed the path of her hand, while crisp chest hair tickled her skin. Saliva pooled in her mouth with the need to taste him. Every tempting piece of flesh called her name, urging her to bring her mouth closer still. The path of her lips followed the trail of hair from the center of his chest, across his washboard abs, to the tip of his cock. Pre-cum glistened on the slit. His breathing sounded short and raspy. She dropped to her knees, grasped both of his ass cheeks in her hands, pulling him closer. Musky male, mixed with his arousal, met her nose. She licked her lips, opened her mouth, and took the head of his cock between her lips. The swirl of her tongue around him got the desired response. A hearty moan spilled from between his lips, and he threaded his fingers through her hair.

  "God, Nat," he growled.

  "Mmm," she hummed against his flesh. His hips rocked toward her, taking up the rhythm of her mouth.

  Several shaky breaths later, he said, "Natalie, honey, I don't wanna come in your mouth." He pulled her up in front of him and crushed his lips over hers. His tongue swept inside, tangling with hers in a dance older than time. When he freed his feet of his jeans, he walked her backward toward the bed. The edge hit the back of her knees, and he followed her down in a tangle of arms and legs. Raspy breaths flittered across her cheek and then to her ear.

  "You make me crazy."

  "Cade, please. I need you to make love to me."

  "Oh, I will."

  "Now."

  "Nope. My turn to play."

  Before she knew exactly what he meant, the warmth of his lips slipped down her neck and latched onto her breast. Uncontrollable desire rushed through her. Want for this man. Need for him to make her his, even if it was only for tonight. The rough calluses on his palm chafed her skin when he slid it over her belly. The sensation drove her crazy. His hand nudged her thighs apart. The material of her jeans kept them from skin-to-skin contact, but the pressure of his touch through the barrier of material had her groaning low in her throat.

  "We need to get rid of these. I want to feel your skin."

  The snap gave way to the insistence of his fingers, and she lifted her hips. He grasped her pants, tugging them down and off her feet. Her silky little thong did nothing to hide anything from his intense gaze.

  "These are so sexy," he whispered with his lips against her belly. One finger slipped down the edge of her underwear, between her thighs, and to her pussy. The whimper trapped in her throat escaped on a sigh. Her legs parted and he chuckled softly.

  "Do you want me to touch you?"

  "Please," she moaned.

  "Where, darlin'?"

  "My…um…"

  "Tell me, honey. I don't know what feels good for you." He moved to between her thighs, and she could feel his warm breath on her pussy. His tongue wet the silky material still guarding her from his touch.

  Breath hitched and legs trembled.

  "Here?" he asked, sliding two fingers under the elastic.

  Talking became impossible. Thoughts fled, except for knowing he now lay between her thighs, and his breath felt heavenly against her goose bumped flesh.

  Not waiting for her answer, he stood up, grabbed the edges of her underwear, and slipped them off. Seconds later, the moist pad of his tongue returned.

  "Ah God, Cade!"

  "Easy, honey," he coaxed.

  In none of her previous relationships had her partner done this. Granted, she hadn't been in many. She hadn't lost her virginity until she went to college, and the guys there didn't care. It was all about them and their needs.

  Slick and wet. That's what she felt when he licked from slit to clit. A moment later, he stiffened his tongue and toggled her clit.

  "So sweet."

  Two fingers slid into her pussy, and she thought she’d die. Her whole body tingled. He drove those tempting digits in and out, in and out, sending her to the brink and pushing her over when he flicked her clit with his tongue at the same time.

  A hearty moan spilled from her lips when her climax exploded through her belly.

  "Cade," she whimpered.

  One…two swipes of his tongue and he kissed his way back up her abdomen. Her trembling eased, and she opened her eyes mere slits. The wicked grin on his face made her shake her head.

  "What?" he asked.

  "You."

&nb
sp; "Me? I only did what I thought you wanted, although, you never really said for sure." He looked almost unsure. "You didn't like it?"

  "Of course, I did. How can a woman not like that?"

  "Just checkin'," he murmured against her lips.

  Wanting to feel his tongue deep inside her mouth, she opened for him and moaned when he slipped it inside along hers.

  The rock hard length of his erection nudged against her pussy.

  He lifted his head and said, "Hold that thought. I need to grab something."

  Within seconds, he returned with a condom between his fingers.

  "Anticipating?"

  "Hopeful."

  Her gaze dropped to his chest, and she fiddled with the hair there.

  "Nat? You're okay with this, right?"

  When she didn't lift her eyes back to his, he put a finger under her chin.

  "I…mmm. I don't want you to get the impression I do this all the time. I've only ever been with three men my entire life and—"

  The kiss he placed on her lips stopped her words. The brush of his tongue against her lips forced a groan from her mouth. After a few moments of heart-stopping kissing, he lifted his head again.

  "Darlin', I don't care how many men you've been with, and no, just because you are willin' to let me love you, doesn't mean I think you're loose. I'm thrilled we’re here right now. I've wanted to get you like this since I helped you out of your car out there on the road. Whatever happens after this, we'll take one day at a time."

  Her heart lightened with his words. This meant something to him. It had to. How could he love her like this if it didn't?

  He tore the condom open with his teeth and rolled it over his impressive erection.

  "Open for me, honey."

  Both legs went around his waist and he eased inside her pussy.

  "You feel like heaven."

  She hissed between her teeth.

  "Are you all right? I'm not hurtin' you, am I?"

  "No. It stings a little. It's been a long time."

  "I'll go slow," he whispered. "Even if it kills me."

  A soft laugh left her lips. "It's okay now. Fill me up."