A Fallow Heart (Tommy Creek #2)(57)

The expression on his face said, yes, they needed to consider every reservation she had. But instead of being the typical gentleman and forcing her to step back away from the heat brewing between them to think logically, he jerked his head back and forth on an uncertain shake.

“No. We don’t have to think about it right now. But you do have to be absolutely certain you want this. You’re not allowed to regret it afterward.”

“I’m absolutely certain. I want this. I want you. And I won’t regret it.”

Without questioning her again, he took the condom from her hand and set it aside so he could return to her and gather her into his arms. When he pressed his forehead to hers, simply holding her. Jo Ellen relished the sensation.

“You can back out at any time.”

He rocked back and forth with her until she whispered, “I won’t.”

“Then you better not.” With a groan, he set his mouth against hers.

Backing out was the last thing on her mind when his tongue traced the seam of her lips. She opened for him and little explosions of anticipation ignited in her belly.

Between kisses, he stripped her, one piece of clothing at a time. Jo Ellen held her breath once he got her down to her underwear. As his fingers brushed the straps of her bra off her shoulders, she lowered her chin, uncertain. What if he didn’t like what he saw?

He dipped his face down to kiss her throat, just under her jaw, forcing her head back up. All the while, he unhooked the back clasp and slid the frilly lace away.

She smiled, amused by his playful tactic to keep her from growing timid. She wanted to touch him, but still didn’t have the nerve, so she buried her fingers into the cloth of the sleeping bag under her and lay down when he urged her onto her back.

Cooper caught her wrist when she tried to cover her exposed breasts.

When she glanced at him, he grinned, the twinkle in his eye mischievous. “You’re not going to deny me a glimpse of heaven, are you?”

When she settled, letting him gaze upon her unrestricted, he leaned down and licked a pert nipple. She gurgled out a cry of shock. Chuckling, he moved his attention to the second breast and gave it a single quick lick as well. Jo Ellen shivered when her body tightened with need.

Cooper eased her torment by taking one into his mouth. Jo Ellen dug the heels of her bare feet into the sleeping bag under her. Her fingers found the crown of his soft hair as he moved to her other breast.

When she didn’t think she could take any more of his oral assault, he moved on, sliding south, over her abdomen, across her naval and to the waistband of her panties. He toyed with the lacy elastic band, letting his tongue flick at the soft flesh just above. But he didn’t remove the cloth. Instead, he lowered his face to the apex of her thighs.

Startled, she tried to close her legs, but he caught one with a large palm, staying her gently, and buried his nose in the juncture of her panties.

Her eyes flew open as his hot breath fanned her through the damp material. Her mouth worked but no sound emerged. Trying again, she barely got out his name “Coo…Cooper.”

“Hmm?” he asked.

“Wha…!” Her back arched off the hayloft floor. “What’re you…?”

“I’m inhaling heaven,” he finally answered, lifting his face to grin at her. Then he closed his eyes and his nostrils flared as he drew in a deep breath. “Nothing smells better.”

Her mouth fell open as she watched him grasp her panties and peel them off. She thought she’d be even shyer as he exposed her, but the awe on his face as he unwrapped her completely overrode any timidity she’d feared. He looked pleased to take in every inch.

“Jo Ellen,” he breathed her name, his lashes fluttering closed as he once again lowered his face. “My God.”

She tensed, excited to feel him there again. But instead of simply smelling her, he brushed the stubble on his jaw against the inner, tender part of her thigh, like a cat rubbing against its owner’s leg. Shivering from the experience, she nearly jolted out of her skin when he next flicked out his tongue, tasting her in the most intimate place she had.

A sound rose from her, full of needy demand. He answered it by stroking her again and opening her legs wider. Her body grew restless, her head began to thrash, and her breathing lost all semblance of order and calm.

With both hands planted in his hair, she unconsciously undulated to the rhythm he set and moaned until her keen became a cry. Reaching her peak, she rolled on a wave of pleasure. It claimed her for longer than she thought possible, and Cooper was right there to urge her through it.

As her body drifted from her high, she realized he was crawling out of his jeans. He sat up and ripped his shirt over his head. Jo Ellen gulped, remembering him dunking his head under the water pump earlier.

Had that only been hours ago? When she’d been spying on him, never would she have guessed she’d get an up-close-and-detailed second viewing before the night was over.

Not for the first time, she wanted to reach out and touch him, but wasn’t sure if she could. Would he mind? She bit her lip as he peeled down his boxers. What sprang from between his legs made her eyes bulge.

Oh, dear.

Her breathing chopped faster from her lungs. Maybe this whole sex idea wasn’t such a good idea after all. Travis wedging himself into her had been uncomfortable enough. But Cooper seemed twice as big. No way would he fit.