Part 1: No Regrets(Divine Creek Ranch 2)(76)

He placed another small bundle in her hand and said in a low, husky voice, “Put this on after you’ve dressed and wait for me here. I won’t be long.” He kissed her cheek and left her to dress.





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174

Heather Rainier



Rachel couldn’t wait to put it on and hoped it would fit as she checked the label to see what size it was. The sleek black satin nightgown was trimmed in silky-soft ivory lace around the neckline. The same lace adorned the hem line and the deep slits on the side. The bodice was held up by thin black spaghetti straps.

She smiled, discovering the gown was a plus-size extra large, exactly what she would need. She noticed the manufacturer’s label and realized he had made more stops than just an adult toy store today. This was an expensive designer gown he must have shopped for in an upscale

department store. He’d probably talked to Grace because Grace knew all the best-kept secrets for where to shop for sexy plus-sized clothing.

She gathered up the gown and slipped it over her head. She stifled a gasp as the cool satin slithered over her warm skin, falling in a smooth sweep to her shins. The lace was as soft as silk, another sign that this was not a cheap nightgown. She moaned softly as she picked up the matching bundle made from the same silky-soft material. Holding up the robe as it unfolded, she slipped her arms into the deep sleeves. The satiny fabric caressed every inch of her body it touched, and she closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around her middle, and felt beautiful and precious. She knew that had been his intention, and she was surprised by the arrival of tears behind her eyelids. She wiped them quickly away and smiled again, not wanting her eyelids to become red-rimmed.

She reached for the other small bundle and unfolded it. Her lips popped open as she realized what it was. A black satin blindfold with satin ribbon bindings. She used the blow-dryer quickly and brushed out her long hair.

With shaking hands, she placed the blindfold to her eyes and tied the ribbons at the back of her head. She straightened and stood there waiting for him. She could hear him moving back and forth between the kitchen and bedroom, then after a short time, he stopped at the bathroom door and knocked softly.

A couple of stuttering breaths passed over her lips as he asked softly,

“Are you ready, angel?”

Her breath rushed from her lips. “Yes.”

She smiled, thinking it sounded more like she whimpered than actually spoke. She knew if she didn’t get her pounding heart and raging hormones



Her Gentle Giant, Part 1: No Regrets

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under control, she would go off like rocket the first time he touched her intimately. She took a deep breath as the door knob turned and opened with a metallic whisper. Blindly, she turned to him and smiled softly at the sound of his breath as it caught in his throat.

“Rachel, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life. I swear,” he said in a husky, strangled voice that sent shivers straight to her clit. Her breath caught in her throat when his warm hand made contact with the exposed flesh above the lace bodice and slid just a little inside the robe. Her abdomen quivered, and the strong pull of desire raced through her body.

“The blindfold is heightening all my other senses, Eli. Your hand…it feels so warm and gentle. Thank you for the lingerie. It feels so soft on my skin.” Every nerve ending in her body tingled as he slid his other hand alongside her breast and over her ribcage to her hips. Wherever he touched her, the satin caressed her body, sending her senses that much closer to overload.

Rachel reached out and her hand landed on his broad chest. He had changed out of his clothing into his robe, judging by the feel of soft fleece under her fingertips. She came close and laid her cheek against his chest as he slid his arms around her and enveloped her in his warm, woodsy-scented warmth.

“Does the blindfold bother you?” he asked as he slid a fingertip over her cheek then down to her lower lip. Without thinking about it, she licked her lip and caught his thumb with the tip of her tongue.

“No, it doesn’t. I–I like it, actually.”

“Good. Come lie down on the bed with me.” He slid his big hand into hers and led her carefully to the bedroom. He lifted her in his arms and crawled with her to the center of the bed, laying her on the cool sheets and fanning her long, wavy hair on the pillow. She lay completely still as she waited for him to settle down beside her.

“Rachel?”

“Yes, Eli?” she asked in a shaky voice. He sounded unsure of himself.

“You would tell me if I was…overwhelming to you, wouldn’t you?” He brushed a stray lock of hair back from her cheek.

“Overwhelming…how?”