Cole Read online

  A soft sniffle came from below the blanket. Kensington wiped discretely at her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Cole. That must have been so hard on you all. I’ve never experienced anything like that, so I can’t even pretend to imagine how heartbreaking it would be to lose a sister.”

  “The worst part of having a famous dad was that we couldn’t just be left alone to get through it. We had the whole darn world watching to see how Nicky King was dealing with the loss of his daughter. Reporters will do anything to get a picture of a grieving rock star. They wouldn’t leave him alone.”

  Kensington wrapped her arm around mine and rested her head against my shoulder. “I’m glad Finley has found her way out of the anxiety issues. I really like her. She mentioned that I should visit her rescue barn.” She peered up at me. “I think that should be another date. If you’re planning one, that is.” She looked shyly away. “Maybe I’m being a little too presumptuous.”

  “I will definitely take you there. Presumptuous. Never knew big words could be so damn hot. Speaking of hot, are you warm enough?”

  “I’m just fine thanks to you. But just to clear this up, I’m not a pampered, frail kitten. In fact, my dad, who was sure I was going to be a boy, had me playing every sport growing up, soccer, softball, even karate. Much to his dismay, the only sport that really made me happy was riding horses.”

  “You are good. Not that I’ve been watching you like some kind of weirdo stalker or anything.”

  “No? Because I’ve been keeping an eye on the hot guy next door jumping his motorcycle. You’re good too.”

  “That’s probably Denver you’re seeing. He’s a pro. I’m only an amateur with just enough courage and just little enough common sense to pull off an occasional trick.”

  “Oh. Then I guess I’m sitting here with the wrong man.”

  “Probably, and in more ways than you realize. How long have you been riding horses?”

  “Since I was seven. Although I took a break from riding during my sophomore and junior years in high school.” She took a deep breath. “I’d taken a really scary fall. The doctor said I was just an inch from being paralyzed. My parents begged me to give it up. I was freaked out enough to stay out of the saddle for a few years. I got on the varsity track team instead. And, if I do say so, I was fast. Could have given the Flash a run for his money.”

  “Oh really? Huh? I was pretty good at track myself. And I do like a challenge.”

  “You’re in luck, buster, because so do I.” She pushed bravely out of the blanket and stood up. She immediately wrapped her arms around herself. “Did not realize just how warm it was under there.” Her smile gleamed white in the light coming from the house. Then her attention dropped to her cowboy boots. “These will not do. If I’m going to throw sand in your face, like you moto boys like to say, then these have to come off.”

  I watched with more than just casual interest as she stepped right in front of me and braced her hand on my shoulder to yank off each boot. As she lifted her leg to reach for her boot, the hem of her dress slipped back, exposing more of her smooth thigh.

  “This is turning out to be an even more exciting challenge than I expected.” I could no longer contain myself. I leaned forward and pressed my mouth against her thigh. She took a quick breath at my unexpected move.

  I peered up at her. “That’s the fee I charge for using my shoulder to take off boots.” I wasn’t completely sure if she was shocked or pissed or indifferent until she put the first bare foot on the ground and lifted her other foot, making sure that the dress slipped back farther.

  “Then, since I’ve got two boots . . .” She pulled it off and dropped it to the ground but kept her bare thigh in front of me.

  I took the invite without a moment of hesitation. I wrapped my hand around her calf and brought her leg closer. She kept her hand braced on my shoulder as I pressed my mouth against the inside of her thigh. A deep sigh floated down over my head. There wasn’t a damn thing about Kensington that didn’t have my head fucking spinning, and this quick erotic moment on the beach was only intensifying the effect. She wasn’t an uptight, prissy bore. On top of being sexy as hell, she was fun.

  I lowered her foot to the ground. She gazed down at me with a heated look that went straight to my cock.

  “Seems to me that you’re just trying to find an easy way out of that challenge because you know I’m going to beat you. And you don’t want to lose to a girl.”

  “You’re wrong. I don’t mind losing to a girl. But I’m pretty fast.” I smiled. “Or I would be if—well—if kissing your thigh hadn’t caused an unexpected development.”

  She laughed. “Good, then my plan worked. To the water.” With that she spun around and took off toward the ocean. I pushed off the wall and ran after her.

  Kensington squealed as she felt me gaining on her. She hadn’t been kidding. She was fast. Her long legs carried her over the soft sand. I reached for her arm just inches before her feet touched the foamy water rolling onto shore. She laughed and turned toward me as I pulled her against me. Her green eyes glittered in the moonlight. Her lips softened, begging me for that kiss. My mouth covered hers. As her body pressed closer, my arms wrapped around her. Her lips parted and our kiss deepened. The coastal breeze was brisk, but heat swirled around us.

  I lifted my mouth from hers. Her expression was a mix of teasing and wild flirtation and longing. I’d been holding back, not wanting to send her scurrying off, but something told me that that had been a mistake. She was confident, a woman who was sure of herself and what she wanted. And hell if I wasn’t the luckiest damn bastard in the world to have her in my arms.

  I’d already grown obsessed with her smile. I knew every line around her mouth as if I’d taken a picture and glued it to my brain. “You surprise me at every turn,” I said.

  “Do I? I like that. Keeps you on your toes.” She hopped up and pushed her mouth to my ear. I could feel her lips against my skin. “Cole,” she whispered seductively.

  “Yes?” My voice had grown ragged in anticipation of what she might say.

  “My feet are freezing.”

  I laughed and took hold of her hand. “Then climb on my back, my quick-footed cutie. I’ll give you a piggy back ride to the house.”

  “But I don’t have my riding crop and spurs.”

  “As hot as that sounds, I’m sort of relieved about that.” I turned my back toward her.

  Kensington climbed on and wrapped her arms around my neck. She propped her chin on my shoulder. Her long legs went around me, and I looped my arms through them. I hiked back across the sand toward the beach house.

  “Can I just say that I was sure by this time of the date I’d be ready to go back home. I thought there’s no way this amazingly handsome guy is for real.”

  I wasn’t completely sure where this was going. We reached the yard. She lowered her feet to the ground. I turned around. Her long dark hair swirled about her shoulders, causing a long strand to curl up in front of her mouth. She brushed it back. “I’ve never connected with someone so quickly, Cole. I don’t know why I’m feeling the need to lay myself out there with these declarations but there it is. Guess I’m tired of looking back on relationships and adding up how much time I’ve wasted. And since you’re just standing there looking slightly stunned and possibly even thinking about how you might just make a run for it, I’m going to assume—”

  I reached for her and pulled her into my arms. “You kidding? What guy in his right mind would run from someone like you, Kensington?” As my mouth came down over hers, she threw her arms around my neck. I lifted her and she wrapped her long legs around me. Still kissing, I managed to get us through the sliding glass door and into the house.

  Chapter 13

  Kensington

  Cole smoothed his slightly callused hands up along my thighs to my panties. Ther
e was still a slight hesitancy in his moves, and I thought it was cute as hell. Something told me, it wasn’t in his nature to be hesitant when it came to seducing women. I devised a quick plan of encouragement. Something that was totally not in my nature, but everything about Cole seemed different. I was willing to take a chance and toss my heart out there. The worst that could happen would be my heart would get broken. Then I’d pick up the pieces and move on with the notion that real love would forever elude me.

  I pulled my mouth from his. Immediately he dropped his hands and worry crossed his face. “Moving too fast?”

  I shrugged shyly. “Maybe you could get my wineglass from outside. You know, to help loosen me up.” I nearly laughed at the words. Any looser and I’d be a puddle at his feet.

  His shoulders seemed to shrink in disappointment as he walked back out to the yard. I had to move quickly before I chickened out. I whipped my dress up and over my head. I dropped it on the sofa and standing in just my bra and panties, waited for him to return. It took him longer than I’d expected, and suddenly, I wondered if this whole plan was just going to end in major embarrassment. I was seconds from reaching for the dress when he stepped back inside with the wineglass and blanket. His expression assured me taking it off had been a good option.

  A frisson of nerves went through me, but I took a long, steadying breath and held out my arms. “Just so you know, I don’t normally do this kind of thing.” I waved my hand in front of my scantily clad body. “This, I mean. Especially not on a first date.”

  “Damn, just when I thought this night couldn’t get any better.” He crossed the room in three steps. His arms went around me. He lifted my hair from my neck and trailed kisses along my shoulder and over the swell of my breasts. His fingers dragged the straps of my bra down my shoulders. I held his head against me as his tongue licked and teased my nipple. Moisture soaked my pussy as his hands pushed below my panties and smoothed over my bottom.

  He grunted and pulled his mouth from my breast. “Damn, Kensie, I can’t slow down. I knew I wanted this. I knew I wanted you badly, but I was holding back.”

  I unfastened my bra. “I could tell. Thought you just needed a little encouragement.”

  I could see his throat move with a hard swallow as he watched the bra fall away from my breasts.

  “What a night.” He swept me up into his arms and carried me down the hallway to a bedroom. I pushed the door open with my foot, and he carried me inside. There was a slight dusty smell inside the room as if it had been closed up for some time. The walls were whitewashed to go with the nautical theme, which included an oil painting of a ship over the bed. A polished telescope stood in front of a large window that overlooked the beach. In the opposite corner, in complete contrast to the coastal decor, sat a shiny black drum set surrounded by a wall covered in framed, handwritten music sheets.

  With me still wrapped around him, Cole leaned down and yanked the sea shell print bedspread back with one hand. He kissed me once more before lowering me down on the center of the mattress. As he was carrying me down the hall, I’d had about two seconds of mind debate that I was jumping into this too fast. But my ‘you only live once’ side had won out. Staring up at the incredible man towering over the bed and the look of heated desire in his hazel eyes, I knew I’d let the right side win. I could live with regrets later, but for now, I just wanted to be in Cole’s arms.

  Cole yanked off his shirt. A myriad of tattoos crossed his muscular chest and arms. Looking at him sent a rush of heat through me.

  “Hmm,” I said in a light tone, but inside, a flutter of urges were overwhelming me. “Not bad.” I was dying to smooth my hands over his naked skin.

  “Not bad. Guess I’ll have to live with that. Maybe I can excel in other ways.”

  I sat up on my knees and reached for the button on his pants. “You know, of course, that I’m teasing you.”

  I unzipped his pants as I pressed my mouth against the muscular ridges of his stomach. His fingers tangled in my hair as he held my face against him. I trailed kisses down his flat stomach as I pushed his jeans down around his thighs. His cock pushed free, thick and glistening with moisture.

  I wrapped my fingers around him and peered up at him. Cole gazed down at me from beneath heavy lids. He reached up and ran his thumb across my bottom lip and pushed his finger inside my mouth, coaxing me to taste him.

  I held him firmly in my grasp as I pushed the slick, fleshy tip against my lips. My tongue swirled through the salty moisture. He groaned as I took him deeper into my mouth.

  “No,” he groaned.

  I lifted my mouth away and peered up at him.

  “Your mouth feels too good.” He pushed his pants to the floor, making sure to grab a condom from his pocket. I scooted into the center of the bed and leaned back against the pillows. Cole knelt next to me, watching me with a hunger that made my pussy ache with wanting him. He slid my panties down and off my ankles. Then he knelt between my legs, pushing my thighs wider with his hands. His gaze lingered on my pussy before lifting his eyes to my face.

  His expression was silently asking me if I was sure about this. “Cole, I want this.” A nervous laugh crumbled from my lips. “Heck, I don’t know if I’ve ever wanted it this badly. So—” I pointed up at him. “No pressure, but don’t disappoint me.”

  A crooked smile tilted his mouth as he leaned down over me. “You’re lucky that I work well under pressure.” He pressed his hand against my face, and the tender gesture only increased my need for him to be inside of me.

  I spread my legs wider. He kissed me deeply as he reached down and slid his thick callused fingers through the slick folds of my pussy.

  “God, baby”—His voice was deep and gritty—“you feel like hot, wet silk. I knew you’d feel like this, like fucking heaven.” As he slid his fingers inside of me I rocked against the pressure of his hand, rubbing my taut clit against it with each movement.

  I clutched at his arms realizing that I’d been so ready, I was on the teetering edge of an orgasm with just his fingers inside of me. He sensed how close I was too.

  “That’s it, sweetie, I want to feel your pussy tighten around my hand.” He moved his fingers deeper, making sure to keep contact with my clit. I tightened my bottom and pushed my hips higher to take in more of his hand. He lifted his head and stared down at me, waiting for me to roll off the cliff into ecstasy.

  “Oh, Cole,” I cried out. My thighs tightened around his hand as my pussy dissolved into shuddering waves of pleasure.

  My body still trembled as he slid his hand beneath my ass, lifting my pussy higher. He leaned down and kissed me as he slid his cock inside of me. He moved deep and forward hitting a remote spot inside of me that made my pussy once against explode with a second orgasm. I clutched his strong arms as he thrust inside of me. All the while, my entire body trembled.

  I wrapped my legs around him, and he drove hard against me, my pussy tender and aching from multiple orgasms. I shuddered with the urgent, intense feel of him filling me hard and fast.

  His muscular body tightened, and his head dropped back with a low groan as he came. He lowered himself down next to me and pulled me against him. We sat in silence as our ragged breathing slowed to normal. I pressed my face against his chest, already growing fond of his soapy scent.

  “So? Any disappointment?” he asked cockily, knowing damn well that he’d brought me to orgasm twice.

  I sighed. “Well, I’m used to three or four, but two in a row will do.”

  A deep chuckle rolled up from his throat. “Three or four? Hell, I’m going to have to hone my skills then.” He reached down and tilted up my chin to face him. “In case it isn’t obvious, Kensington, I’m having a really great time.”

  I lifted my mouth to his and kissed him. “Me too.” I had every intention of keeping my head about me with this new relationsh
ip, but Cole King was going to make that difficult.

  Chapter 14

  Cole

  Denver put a hand on my shoulder. “Remember, keep your momentum going at the same speed as the bike but if somehow it gets away from you, try not to land on it. Or worse, let it land on you.”

  “Really? That’s your pro advice?” I shot him an annoyed look. “Shit, you’re as fucking helpful as an umbrella in a windstorm. And this little fatherly talk is only going to shred my confidence and enthusiasm, so go sit on the wall and watch.”

  I’d mastered a few of the easier, less dramatic freestyle tricks, including the Superman, a trick that Denver could probably do in his sleep, but then I hadn’t been at it long. Once Denver and Rodeo had talked me into putting up a metal jump ramp and foam pit for their practice sessions, I couldn’t resist shooting my bike off the lip and trying some of the tricks. Denver had helped me modify a race bike for jumping. Recently, I’d moved on from the security of the foam pit to landing on a resi mat. But after a few falls on the mat, I’d come to the painful conclusion that gel material might work in shoes, but it doesn’t absorb the impact of a fall from the sky. Today, I was practicing a trick that, so far, I’d had luck with, some bad, some good. Letting go of the handlebars for a seat grab to extend my superman kick was like losing the training wheels off your first bike. It meant temporarily letting go of the bike and relying on the science of physics to keep both man and machine synchronized. And, I was never big on science. In fact, I vaguely remembered failing physics altogether.