When that bull almost cost Clay his life, at least he’d had the added benefit of Veronica showing her true colors. And Sophie had become even more important to him. He would be lying if he said it didn’t hurt that Veronica dropped him because she didn’t want to be married to someone disabled. But he was lucky. Most men who played the part of a fool didn’t have a Sophie in their life when the rug was effectively yanked out from under them. After years, he had finally managed to seduce her and that was a night he would not soon forget. But there was so much more to Sophie than a romp in bed.
She was the first woman he wanted to be with because he honestly liked her. She was smart and he appreciated that part of her character. He liked the way she thought, the way she talked. He respected her views and that independent streak that shielded her from just blindly going along anytime a suggestion was made. Physically, emotionally, mentally, he wanted more of her and he would have it.
When they arrived at the club, they got out of the limo and made their way to the front steps. He turned his head and met her gaze. It was twilight with a beautiful sunset that part of the country was famous for and Sophie seemed to glow. She was exquisite. The fireworks be damned. He wanted nothing more than to find a dark, private place where he could hold her in his arms and sink into the fire he knew burned within her.
As if reading his mind, she blushed and turned away.
The food had been laid out on back-to-back tables that ran almost the full length of the huge new boardwalk. It smelled delicious. As they walked by, the waiters were just removing the silver domes from over the platters and ringing the tiny bell indicating dinner was ready. Taking their place in line, they were served their selection of meats, vegetables, salads and dessert. Clay then led her to a small table at the edge of the deck that would have a perfect view of the fireworks later on.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, unfolding his cloth napkin and settling it on his lap.
“Starved. But I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach because I don’t know how I’ll be able to eat all this. It looks delicious. What did you get? The ribs or the sliced beef?”
“I decided to try a little of both.”
The tables on the boardwalk were plentiful but they were already full by the time Clay was half finished with his plate. Sophie had already laid her fork down, indicating she could eat no more.
An announcer broke in telling everyone they were preparing to start the fireworks display, encouraging all who were eating inside to come outside for a better view.
Before he could turn the evening over to the team that would shoot off the fireworks, Shane Delgado, the owner of the Bellamy Hotel, stepped up onto the low platform stage.
“Folks,” he said into the microphone. “Before we get started, there is something important I wanted to share with all of you.” He turned and grinned at Brandee Lawless, the woman everyone knew had stolen his heart. “Brandee said yes!”
No one in the TCC had to be told who Shane was talking about. Or what. You could see the love shining from both of their eyes from two blocks away. A loud clapping, more like a roar, washed over the crowd, accompanied by whistles and plenty of calls of “Congratulations!” to the couple.
“Thanks. We hope you will join us on our special day. Gabe Walsh and Chelsea Hunt will be our best man and maid of honor.”
Sophie glanced over her left shoulder and saw Chelsea positively beaming, she was so happy for her friend Brandee. Chelsea was CTO of Hunt and Co., a chain of steak restaurants. And to Sophie’s right sat Gabe, owner of a security firm, his roots in the FBI. He was grinning ear to ear. It was too bad the two of them were merely friends, Sophie thought. They looked like they would be great together. The way Gabe looked at Chelsea from across the room, he maybe thought so too.
The applause erupted all over again. But before Shane could hand the mic back to the announcer, Toby McKittrick, drop-dead gorgeous millionaire rancher, grabbed it. “Since this is a night for announcements, for those who may not know, my wife Naomi and I are having a girl.” The broad grin reflected his pride in the woman who had become his life. He’d stolen her away from a thriving career as a as a stylist with her own local cable TV show, though it was rumored she might go back to work after the baby was born. Applause once again broke out along with oohs and aws and calls of congratulations. Their eyes met across the room and it caused a zinging sensation in Sophie’s heart.
No sooner had he finished his announcement than the first explosion brought everyone’s attention to the sky overhead. The fireworks came in every color in every design you could imagine as the orchestra played music in perfect rhythm with the display.
Clay stole a glance at Sophie’s face. With her chin resting on her palms, she seemed totally captivated by what was happening up above. He took his time to really look at her. She was positively drop-dead gorgeous. Her features were near perfection, so delicate. Her lips were full and sensuous. Her neck long and slender. In almost slow motion she blinked, smiled and turned to him. He watched as the light blush covered her ivory skin, the smile faded but the sparkle in her bright blue eyes told him all he needed to know.
His body was running hot, his erection straining against his jeans. He pushed back the chair and stood up He took her hand and pulled her to her feet.
“Do you want to dance?” he asked.
“Really, no.”
“The fireworks are about to end. How about if we get out of here before the other cars make it impossible?”
She nodded her agreement.
Still holding her hand, he headed to the front of the building. His limo was immediately brought around. Clay helped Sophie inside then sat beside her. He said nothing. He couldn’t make small talk. He’d been in her presence far too long without taking her in his arms. Once he did, it wasn’t dancing he would be doing. He needed to be inside her. Until that happened he couldn’t retain a rational thought.
“We’re going to my house,” he told the driver.
“Why?” Sophie asked in a surprised tone.
He glanced at her. “You know why.” The long car propelled them forward like a streak in the night. It took fully five minutes to reach the destination, which was four and a half minutes too long. When they reached the ranch house, Clay exited the limo, came around and opened Sophie’s door and held his hand out for her. Interior lights had been left on in the house, which made it look even larger than it was during the day. No employee greeted them at the door.
“Where is your staff?”
“Everyone is off for the night.”
Clay turned to Sophie. Waiting another minute was too long. He pulled her to him, his lips coming down over hers. She immediately opened to him, accepting the deep kiss and inciting him further with her tongue. His hands found her zipper and rolled it down her back. He began to push the spaghetti straps from her shoulders then realized they were still in the public eye. Knowing Sophie would call a stop, he scooped her into his arms and all but raced up the stairs and into his master suite.
He set her down and made away with the dress. He slid the jacket from his shoulders then began to take off his western shirt, unfastening button by button while remaining focused on her; on what they were about to do. Next went his boots, then his jeans. Standing before him in a beam of soft moonlight, Sophie was exquisite. His hands cupped her face and his lips returned to hers. She was his. And he was not going to let her go for a very long time.
The adrenaline rush slammed his system in much the same way it did seconds before the gate was swung open letting a bull he was riding out of the chute. Clay lifted Sophie and laid her on the bed, his mouth never leaving hers. Her arms came around his neck and he heard her moan as she pushed her lower body against him. Then it was his turn to moan, which came out more of a growl.
“Are you ready for me?” he asked in between nips and kisses to her neck. “I don’t think I can hold back any longer. You make me insane, Sophie Prescott.”
She opened her legs to him and Clay didn’t hesitate. Reaching down, he pushed two fingers inside her, feeling the wet heat that almost seared his hand. With a moan she tilted her lower body upward, impaling herself on his fingers. She was damn close to cresting. He touched her most sensitive spot with his thumb and she went off like one of the fireworks at the July Fourth celebration. He worked her, making it last as long as possible. Then he gently removed his hand and positioned her to take him.
She was breathing hard and he knew she was beyond communication. He grabbed the small foil packet from his wallet and quickly put the condom on. With his hands he pushed her legs farther apart then cupped her hips in preparation for entry. He felt the tip of his erection meet the core of her body, the wet heat so hot it almost burned, and without any further delay, he pushed inside.
Five
Sophie moaned and there was an instant of hesitation when she pushed against his shoulders. “Clay...”
“You can do this, Sophie. Try and relax, hon.”
She wanted to take him. She wanted Clay, period. She wanted to feel him filling her, stretching her tender muscles. She raised her head and kissed and licked the sweat from his chest and neck. A distant drifting memory that she’d sworn she would not do this a second time flitted across her mind. Then it was gone as the intensity of their mating began to grow yet again.