“I’ve never done it. I’ve been told it’s worth the effort of collecting the petals.”
“You did that?”
“I collected them. Garrett and Nick washed and dried them.”
“Oh. My. God.” Her eyes sparkled with laughter. “Those are Henri’s roses, aren’t they?”
“And her vase.”
“The candles?”
“Jake’s idea.”
“The bucket of champagne?”
“Jake, again. Kate provided the bucket and stand. I’ve never created a setup like this so I needed a little help from my friends.”
“Oh, CJ.” She stopped dancing and stood on tiptoe to give him a tender kiss. “We’re going to make love in a bed of roses.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What are we waiting for?” Wiggling out of his arms, she began pulling off her clothes.
He did the same. He’d learned that when Izzy took charge of the proceedings, he was wise to follow her lead.
She was naked before he was and that slowed him down considerably because he couldn’t stop looking at her. What’s more, she wanted him to.
“Watch this.” Standing beside the bed in all her glory, arms out, she flopped backward onto the bed. She bounced and so did the red petals. “Ooo. I like this.” Scooping up a few, she dribbled them over her breasts and stomach. “Hurry up, cowboy. Let’s play.”
He ditched the rest of his clothes in record time, letting them fall wherever. Holding her gaze, he approached the bed. “Have a game in mind?”
“I do. It’s called Driving CJ Crazy.” She scooted over and patted the sheet, making the petals dance. “Lie on your back right here.”
“Okay.” He started to clear a spot so he could sit.
“No, leave them.” She put back what he’d brushed aside. “See how it feels.”
He eased down on the scattered petals and began to laugh. “Tickles.”
“Lie down.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Grinning, he stretched out on his back. “They’re still kinda wet.”
“Wet and soft.” Rolling to her side, she held her closed fist over his chest. Opening it gradually, she dribbled petals over his chest.
The sensation itself was erotic, but he was even more turned on by her expression. Her gaze hot and her lips parted, she went back for more petals and decorated his abs, his crotch and his thighs.
Her breathing quickened. “That’s the sexiest visual ever.”
He reached for her. “How about if I—”
“Stay there. I’m coming over.” She straddled his thighs and hummed with pleasure as she settled her tush on the petals she’d scattered there.
Talk about a sexy visual. Her breasts trembled with the rapid pace of her breathing. His breathing wasn’t all that steady, either. If only she’d rise to her knees and edge a little bit forward, she could—
Instead she picked up more rose petals and let them cascade over his very erect cock.
He groaned.
“How does that feel?”
“Like butterfly wings.”
“Is that good?”
“It’s torture. I need—” He gasped as she dipped her head and bestowed an open-mouthed kiss on his bad boy.
“That?”
He clenched his jaw. “It’s a start.”
“How’s this?” She took a petal and stroked lightly and thoroughly—the tip, the underside, and his aching balls.
“Izzy.”
“The object of the game is to—”
“Mission accomplished.”
“Good, because I’m driving myself crazy. I want you so bad, you rose-petal-covered man.” Rising to her knees, she positioned herself and grabbed hold before taking him up to the hilt.
He battled the urge to come. Won the first round. “Iz…” The effort roughened his voice. “Hold still a minute.”
“A minute?”
“Five seconds.”
She counted them off, the little devil. Then she braced her hands on his chest and leaned down to lick his pecs and bite his nipples.
He spoke through gritted teeth. “You’re gonna make me come.”
“I don’t care.” Her voice was breathy, fanning his damp chest and moving the petals around. “I could come any second just looking at you.”
“Why?”
“That ripped body is reason enough. Then add in rose petals resting lightly on your massive chest…okay, that’s it. We’re going for it.”
“Thank you.” Hallelujah, she’d stopped kidding around. Grasping her hips, he held on for dear life, fighting to outlast her. He lost that fight. With a groan of surrender, he arched into her. “I…love…you!”
With a cry of triumph, she came, gasping as she leaned over him, her gaze locked with his. “I love you, too.”
There it was, the perfect exchange while making perfect love. They were going to be just fine.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Isabel had fully intended to stay awake long enough to make love to CJ again. Maybe they’d drink some of that champagne and she’d show him the cool gifts she’d received.
But sometime during the after-sex cuddling, a routine CJ loved as much as she did, she fell asleep. When he woke her with a kiss, he was dressed.
Confused, she propped herself on her elbow. “Is it morning?”
“’Fraid so. I have to go, but I promised not to leave without saying goodbye.”
“Did we go to sleep with the candles burning?”
“No. When you drifted off I blew them out and turned off my phone.”
“And didn’t set an alarm?”
“I did, but I was awake before it went off.”
She touched his bristly cheek. “You didn’t wake me.”
“I couldn’t bear to. You looked so peaceful. Besides, you and the baby probably need the sleep.”
“You’re a good man, CJ.”
“Who loves you very much.”
“I can tell. And I love you, too, but—”
“Gotta go.” He kissed her once more and started for the door.
“We didn’t drink the champagne.”
“We can take it over to the bunkhouse so you have something fun to drink with chuck wagon stew.”
“Will I see you before then?”
He opened the door and paused. “I’ll check the schedule and text you. I was so focused on last night’s plans that I can’t remember what I’m scheduled for today.”
“Just let me know.”
“I will. Grab some more sleep.” He put on his hat, touched two fingers to the brim and ducked out the door.
Sleep? Not likely. She climbed out of bed and hurried over to the window to peek out through a slight gap in the curtain. Off he went, his stride purposeful. Then he lifted both arms and punched his fists into the air.
The image stayed with
