The Gamble (Colorado Mountain 1)

“Max.”

“What do you like best?”

My attention was elsewhere so I had to ask, “What?”

“What do you like best? About me.”

“Max.”

“You want it, Nina, you gotta –”

“You know how I take my coffee,” I said swiftly and when his body didn’t move, indeed, when he stared at me like I’d grown a second head, I desperately went on. “And you bought me buffalo burgers, you call me ‘honey’, you kiss my forehead, you took me to your bluff and the ring is beautiful and thoughtful and may be the best gift anyone’s ever given me, now, please –”

He didn’t let me finish, he drove inside and he kept doing it, not a slow, sweet rhythm this time, but fast, hard, rough with his mouth locked to mine and our tongues clashing.

My legs tightened and my fingernails stopped grazing and started digging as it built back up and then, without warning, overwhelmed me.

“You’re there, baby,” he muttered against my mouth and he was right, I was there, my lips parted in a silent moan and I heard him go on. “Christ, Nina, your pu**y feels so f**kin’ beautiful when you come.”

“Max,” I whispered as the cl**ax he gave me continued to engulf me.

“Right here, honey.” He kept driving deep, hard and fast but his breath was ragged.

My arms and legs locked around him because he was right there, as close as he could get and I wanted him there forever.

I came down, holding him close, kissing him deep as he kept thrusting until he planted himself to the root, stayed there and growled in my mouth.

Yes, I wanted this forever.

I kept Max locked in my limbs as he started drifting in and out of me, he kissed my mouth, my jaw, my neck then rolled to his back, taking me with him and keeping us connected.

His hands glided along the skin of my back, over my bottom, aimless and soothing and I lay on top of him, my face pressed into his neck. I gave him all my weight not because my recent decision weighed on me. No, that made me feel weirdly free. I gave it to him because I couldn’t hold it and I knew he was strong enough to take it.

I liked that about him too.

“Duchess?” he called.

“Mm…” I answered and his fingers tensed into my skin then they started gliding again.

“When you were sick, saw birth control pills in your bag.”

“Yes?”

“You on the pill?”

“Yes.”

His hands stopped gliding and his arms wrapped around me. “Next time, baby, don’t want anything between us. Yeah?”

I had missed two pills while I was sick so I doubled up for two days after. I had no idea if this strategy would work and I didn’t care. Max didn’t want anything between us, I didn’t either.

“Yes.”

His arms gave me a squeeze.

I raised my head and looked down at his content, amazingly handsome face that, if this worked between us, could be mine.

This thought washed over me in a way that was so gorgeous, so warm, I automatically lifted up further and put a hand to his face, using my fingertips to memorize the contours of one side, his cheekbone, his temple, his hairline, his lips. It didn’t feel as good as it looked but it was close.

I was sliding the backs of my fingers along his stubbled jaw when he spoke.

“You okay?”

My eyes went to his and I saw his were searching.

“Mm hmm,” I answered.

His mouth twitched and he muttered, “I got morning but na**d Nina Zombie sittin’ on my cock.”

I shoved my face in his neck again.

“Mm,” was my response.

I felt his body move with silent laughter then he said, “I’m gonna shift you off me, darlin’. While I’m gone, you move from this bed, I’ll –”

“I won’t move,” I murmured my assurance.

He was silent a moment before his arms gave me a squeeze and he called my name. “Nina?”

“Yes?”

“You sure you’re okay?”

I nodded. “I’m good,” I cuddled closer, “very good.”

I felt his body grow still under mine then his arms got tighter.

“How good are you?”

I snuggled even closer and answered, “Max, I’m very, very good.”

He was silent again then his hand slid up my spine and sifted into my hair, cupping the back of my head and holding my face close.

“Thank, f**kin, Christ,” he muttered, keeping me close for awhile before he rolled me to my good side, pulling out at the same time. He got up on an elbow but leaned down, kissed my temple and then he left the bed.

I was curled on my side, parallel to the pillows and I crawled back under the sheets and curled again with a pillow held to me.

I watched Max walk out of the bathroom na**d and I decided I liked that too.

He pulled the covers up a bit, yanked the pillow out of my arms, tossed it to the head then replaced it with his body.

This was much better.

He gathered me in his arms, sliding a thigh between my legs so I hooked one on his hip and pressed close, my hands at his chest.

“What happened?” he asked.

“What?” I asked back.

“You’re different,” he observed.

I was. And maybe he wouldn’t like me different. Maybe, when the thrill went out of the chase because there was no chase, he’d lose interest.

All my contentment vanished and I felt my body get stiff.

“Shit, there she goes,” he muttered.

I stuffed my face in his throat and lied in order to cover my sudden fear. “I just remembered what’s on this morning’s agenda.”

He was quiet a moment then his arms gave me a squeeze. “Fuck. Yeah. Jesus, I forgot all about that.”

I tipped my head back to look at him and he dipped his chin down to catch my eyes.

“Maybe we can go on the lam, head to Mexico,” I suggested.

He grinned at me but replied, “Nothin’s chasin’ me off my mountain, Duchess, not even your dick of a Dad.”

I sighed and then pressed my face in his throat again. “It was just an idea.”

Has fingers slid through my hair before he told me, “You say what you gotta say and then we’ll get the f**k outta there.”

I nodded. “Okay.” Then tipped my head back and noted, “Since what I have to say will take approximately five seconds, we should eat breakfast here. Do you know what time we’re supposed to be there?”

He rolled, taking me with him and twisting his head to look at the clock then he rolled us back into place and said, “Eight o’clock.”