“How’s that?”
He blinked. She’d done it. Her tempting bottom had settled nicely into the curve of the saddle and her thigh muscles were no longer rigid. She moved in sync with the gentle rocking of Lucky Ducky’s gait.
Didn’t take much to imagine her rocking in sync with him. He cleared his throat. “Excellent.”
“Just following your directions. They’re very… descriptive.”
Was that amusement in her voice? Had she guessed where his mind had gone? “Glad to be of help.”
“Okay, folks.” Matt guided Thunder around so he faced them. Water dripped from the brim of his hat. “I don’t mind a little rain, but if we don’t start back we’ll be soaked to the skin. We might end up that way even if we turn around now.”
CJ dumped the water off his hat. “I’m with you, bro.”
“Okay.” Lucy smiled at her husband. “Not everybody is rain-toughened like Izzy and me.”
Izzy pulled her shirt away from her breasts, which clung to them in a damp caress. “I suppose there’s also the matter of decency. We can go back.”
Matt nodded. “CJ, take us home.”
“Will do.” He wheeled Sundance in a circle and started down the increasingly muddy trail. The rain came down harder, discouraging conversation, but he didn’t dare pick up the pace with Izzy so new at this.
“A ride in the rain!” she called out. “So appropriate!”
“Reminds me of a certain song!” he hollered back.
“Me, too!”
Her response warmed him. They had a special song he could reference and she picked up on it. He could build on that.
Nobody spoke again until they reached the barn. Unsaddling in a downpour wasn’t a picnic, but they got it done. They returned the horses to the pasture and wiped down the tack.
“CJ, I’ll give you and Isabel a ride,” Matt said after they’d toweled off a little.
Izzy peered out the partially open barn door. “Believe it or not, it’s letting up some. Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather walk back to my cabin.”
CJ glanced at her. “Want some company?” He held his breath and waited for the answer.
She met his gaze. “Sure.”
Chapter Fourteen
It could be the rain. Or the arousing sight of CJ in cowboy mode astride that big coffee-colored horse. Or his sexually charged examples while giving riding instructions. Or the hormones turned loose by the baby he’d helped create.
Whether Isabel blamed one factor or a combination of many, she couldn’t hold out any longer. If she didn’t make love to that cowboy soon, she’d combust.
Matt and Lucy exchanged a look. They’d likely guessed how that walk in the rain would end. Judging from the heat that flared in CJ’s eyes, so did he.
Matt put a hand on CJ’s shoulder. “I’ll take your evening barn duty.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be there.”
He would? Then again, maybe he’d walk her home, kiss her and leave. He was capable of it.
Matt frowned. “But—”
“I’ll be there, bro.” He glanced at her. “Ready?”
“Uh-huh.” She thanked Lucy and Matt for the ride and stepped through the door into what had become a misty rain.
CJ followed. “It really has let up.”
She turned to him. “When is barn duty?”
“About an hour from now.” He took her hand, laced his fingers through hers and started off. “Is this a Seattle kind of rain?”
“Yep. Perfect for walking in.”
“That I agree with. Especially since we’re already wet.”
“Yes, I am, CJ. Inside and out.”
His grip tightened. “Don’t tease me, Iz.”
“I won’t if you won’t. Are you coming in this time? Or will you kiss me and leave for barn duty?”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Come in.”
“I didn’t bring a condom.”
“As we discussed last time, we’re both healthy. We only used them in April for…” She started laughing.
“Yeah, birth control. Ironic, huh?”
“I want you to make love to me. Please.”
“There’s not a doubt in your heart?”
She groaned. “Oh, I have a million doubts. If that’s your requirement, then—”
“Ideally, yes. But after giving up the chance last night, I’d be a fool to turn you down a second time.”
Okay. She let out a gusty sigh. “But you’re not staying?”
“Depends on your definition. I’ll leave to handle my job, but I’m off the clock at six. What happens after that is up to you.”
“I want you to spend the night.”
“Then I will.”
Ahhh, the whole long night… top-drawer lovemaking… they’d need sustenance. “Come over at six-fifteen. I’ll have food.”
“I could pick up—”
“I’ll do it. I’ll go over to the buffet and use the to-go containers. Dinner will be waiting for you.”
“Can I make it six-twenty, instead?”
“Why?”
“Gives me time to shower and shave.”
“You don’t mind eating a cold dinner, then?”
“No, but five minutes shouldn’t—”
“If you walk through my door freshly shaved and showered, I’ll be compelled to lick every inch of your manly self.”
He gulped. “Better go for the cold cuts and salads, then.”
“Good idea.”
His pace quickened. “Can we move a little faster? I know this was supposed to be a romantic walk in the rain, but—”
“You’d prefer a romantic run in the rain?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then let’s go, cowboy!” She started off, clamping her hat to her head as her boots splashed water and mud everywhere.
He kept pace with her, laughing as he displaced his share of water and mud. His share was much larger.
Running up the steps to her porch, she gasped for breath and surveyed the situation. “Nobody’s around. Let’s strip down.” She laid her hat on the nearby Adirondack chair and toed off her boots as she reached for the hem of her shirt.
After pulling it over her head, she checked on CJ. He stood frozen in place, his chest heaving as he stared at her lacy black bra. “CJ! Strip! Nobody’s here now, but any minute they—”
“Right.” He blinked and started unbuttoning his shirt while continuing to watch her. “Got distracted.”
“Faster, dude.” Shivering in the cool air, she unfastened her jeans
