Vacation Crush, page 4
“Yes, I know, but I rather enjoyed last night,” Jonathan replied.
“So did I.” She’d never had so many orgasms in one night. It was a heady feeling knowing he knew exactly how to please her without her saying a thing. She’d soared with the butterflies all night long. She would store this night away as a precious memory, an unbelievable dream, so that if it never happened again, she could keep it with her.
“I’m glad.” He placed his coffee mug on the nightstand. “It wasn’t my intention when I followed you to...”
“Take me to bed?” Natalie offered, gazing up at him with a grin. She needed to do something to ease the uncomfortable look on Jonathan’s face. What did he think she was going to do, ask him to marry her or something? She was a twenty-first-century woman and knew how to handle herself, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t as flummoxed as he was by the unexpected attraction that flared between them.
Jonathan smiled. “That’s right.” He walked toward her and Natalie couldn’t breathe. Everything stopped—her breathing, her heartbeat. She felt like she was suspended in time with Jonathan looking down at her with the strangest expression in his dark eyes.
When he brought his hand up and brushed the tips of his fingers against her lips, a soft sigh escaped her. “You’re so lovely...”
Then his head was lowering to hers and Natalie’s eyes fluttered shut as he covered her mouth with his. She relished his confident and hungry kiss and wanted it to go on forever. The shape of his lips fit hers and when the tip of his tongue parted her lips, she melted into him. She couldn’t help it. It was too good between them, and her body knew it. She released a throaty groan.
Jonathan intuitively understood and leaned her backward onto the bed until she collided with his body. She felt everything. His hot, hard chest, the flat muscles of his abdomen and the proud shape of his erection. Her hand spread over his behind, bringing him exactly where she needed him. His breath hissed and he plundered her mouth, consuming her with his kiss.
His hand rode up her thigh to snatch away the sheet separating them, and Natalie arched her breasts into his chest. When his hand went south and his fingertips unerringly found her plump, aching center and drew the slick folds apart, her breath hitched. When he added another thick finger, her muscles clenched around him. It was pure torture and she moved restlessly against him, desperate to have him fill her.
“Please...” she cried.
He reared back onto his knees and with a primal growl, wrenched off his jeans. He returned to the bed but not before putting on protection over his erection. Then he was back, settling his weight between her parted legs. She hitched her ankles around his waist as he guided himself home in one delicious plunge.
Pure pleasure coursed through her veins. It felt so good having him inside her, filling up every available space. Their mouths locked together as he eased in and out in a delicious rhythm that made her taut with tension. Natalie tried to fight it, but she couldn’t, not when his strokes became harder, deeper. He seemed as lost as she to this clawing need for satisfaction. After one final thrust, they reached the pinnacle together and released a long sigh of joy and contentment as they came tumbling back down to earth.
* * *
Jonathan felt a kick in his stomach. He hardly recognized the man he’d become. He’d done it again. Lost his mind in Natalie’s arms. When it came to sex, he’d never been insatiable before, but he was inexplicably drawn to Natalie. To the beautiful glow about her and her infectious spirit. So he’d given in to desire and slid his hands beneath the fall of her braids and brought his mouth down on hers. This woman spoke to him and filled every sexual need his libido had and then some. She was his match in every way.
And that was a problem. She had stars in her eyes when it came to him. She didn’t know him, not the real him. According to his ex, he was a cold and unfeeling bastard and only cared about the ranch. Jonathan was damaged goods and didn’t have his whole heart to give to a woman of Natalie’s caliber, warm and compassionate.
Emotions warred within him. He had never meant to make love to her, but now that he had, there was no way they could go back to being friends or casual acquaintances. Now he knew she was a real flesh-and-blood female with breasts and a behind that went on for days. She was a woman he could no longer gloss over. It was as if she’d suddenly snapped into existence before his very eyes.
But if she was looking for more, he couldn’t offer her that. Since Anne, he kiboshed serious relationships. Anne had burned him and Jonathan wasn’t altogether sure he’d ever recover from her betrayal. Or that he wanted to. Before this went any further, he needed to be sure Natalie understood that.
“Well, that was unexpected,” Natalie said, glancing in his direction.
“Yes, my intention was for us to talk and clear the air, so there are no misunderstandings in the future.” Jonathan glanced up at the ceiling.
“I understand perfectly,” Natalie said, and to his shock, slid away from him, wrapping a sheet around her bosom and standing to face him. “This was a onetime thing.” She paused as if considering her words carefully and said, “I mean, it was a one-off. Nothing more.”
He frowned. “Is that what you want?”
Natalie cocked her head to one side and regarded him. “You like your solitary life, Jonathan. I get it. I won’t disrupt it, not now or in Royal.”
Jonathan sat upright, pushing several pillows behind him. “I appreciate that...” His voice trailed off. He hadn’t been anticipating her easy reception. He thought she would want more from him than he was willing or capable of giving.
“Is there a ‘but’ in there somewhere?” Natalie asked.
“We’re both here for the week...”
Natalie nodded and understanding crossed her features. She somehow knew what he was asking without him having to say it. “I’m open to a no-strings-attached vacation fling if you are.”
“Really?”
“You sound surprised.”
“You’re just...”
“The kind of girl you marry?” Natalie inquired. “Us nice girls know how to have fun, too. We’re not all waiting for a man to put a ring on it.”
Jonathan chuckled. “I suppose that was presumptuous of me.”
“Yeah, it was. So what’s it going to be?” She put her hands on her wide hips.
“It’s going to be a hell yes!” Jonathan roared. “Now get back in this bed and let’s pick up where we left off.” He held the duvet open and to his surprise and delight, Natalie tossed the sheet and slid in beside him so he could gorge himself yet again.
* * *
As she sat across from Jonathan at one of the famous seafood houses on Galveston’s pier, Natalie’s mind was reeling. Reeling from the whirlwind of emotions she’d experienced the last twenty-four hours. The shock and disbelief that Jonathan Lattimore, the beautiful, sexy rancher she’d crushed on for as long as she could remember, was her lover—and not for one night as she’d thought when she woke up this morning, but for the entire week! Although she was ready for more, she was willing to accept this time with Jonathan because she’d always wanted him and this week allowed her the opportunity to live out her fantasies.
Natalie felt as if someone had truly sprinkled fairy dust over her and brought her in full Technicolor to Jonathan. She’d been nervous dressing for the evening, but eventually she settled on a blush off-the-shoulder cap-sleeve dress with a ruffle detail from the waist to the knee. Why was she nervous? Because he was looking at her. Truly looking at her for the first time. Hell, he hadn’t just looked, either. He’d kissed, licked, touched, tasted every inch of her until she was putty in his hands. When he mentioned they were going to be here the week, she realized he wanted a fling while they were in Galveston. She had enjoyed their night and morning together. Was it wrong to want it to last for a little bit longer? It was risky because of her long-held feelings, but it was worth it.
“What would you like to eat?” Jonathan asked, disturbing her wayward thoughts.
Natalie swallowed. “Umm, I don’t know.” Her eyes glossed over the menu. She quickly rattled off something and while Jonathan ordered, she simply drank him in. He’d showered and changed into black pants and a black silk button-down shirt. He looked scrumptious! When he ordered appetizers and a bottle of Dom Pérignon, she raised a brow.
“I’m hungry, woman, you wore me out.” Jonathan gave her a smile. The way it altered the planes of his face made a whole flock of butterflies swarm in her belly. “I need sustenance so I’ll be ready for night two.”
Natalie blushed. She wasn’t used to the intense physical intimacy they shared. At first their conversation was a bit stilted. She felt awkward and could only respond with short phrases. When he asked her about her job and if she enjoyed it that’s when Natalie blossomed. She shared how she and her partner, Brent White, got started, opening the firm with a small investment from both of their families. Her grandparents believed in Natalie’s dream and wanted to help in any way they could. Once she and Brent found a space in town, they were on their way.
She was thankful when the waiter returned with the champagne because it gave her something to do other than stare at Jonathan. As her flute gradually emptied, Natalie found she could relax and enjoy the evening.
Jonathan loved talking about the ranch and the latest innovations they were making to help the cattle operation run smoother. They also bred horses, which they sold to private owners and polo players.
“You’re very passionate about ranching.”
“It’s in my blood,” Jonathan said, sipping his champagne, “and it’s what we Lattimores have been doing for generations.”
“You’re lucky to have a close family,” Natalie replied. “I’m envious.”
He leaned back and looked at her. “Why is that?”
Natalie shrugged. “Because it’s always been me and my grandparents. My mother wasn’t interested in being a parent, at least not in the long-term. She dropped me off with them when I was six years old.”
“I’m sorry, Natalie. I had no idea.” He reached across the table and placed his large palm over her hand.
“It’s okay. It is what it is.”
“That may be so, but it has to hurt not feeling wanted,” Jonathan responded.
“It does, but I made my peace with the situation a long time ago. It doesn’t affect me like it did when I was growing up being motherless—hell, fatherless, too. But then my grandma and grandpa stepped in and took care of me. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
“Sounds like you love them a lot.”
“I do,” Natalie said with a warm smile. “They’re the only parents I’ve ever known.”
“That’s how I feel about my grandpa,” Jonathan said. “He’s ninety-six now and still physically fit, though sometimes he’s forgetful of people and places.”
“The era he lived through and the stories he tells must be amazing.” She loved hearing her grandparents talk about how they first met in the sixties, participating in the Civil Rights Movement and getting married.
“It is. My fondest memories are of riding side by side on our horses as he regaled me with the history of the Lattimore family in the 1900s and our long friendship with the Grandins. But then again, you know about that. You and Chelsea are pretty tight.”
“Yes, when we met, we became instant best friends,” Natalie said as the waiter arrived with their mouthwatering appetizers. They dug into the meal all while enjoying panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Chelsea is good people,” Jonathan said, responding to her earlier statement as he munched on calamari. “The whole family is the salt of the earth and have been entwined with mine for years. It’s why we were so surprised by the allegations from Heath Thurston. Did you hear?”
“Chelsea mentioned it, but didn’t go into detail,” Natalie said.
“I appreciate her discretion. Anyway, Heath is claiming he was given oil rights that just so happen to be beneath both the Lattimore and Grandin ranches. Sounds absurd, right?”
Natalie’s brow furrowed. “Is there any truth to it?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” Jonathan responded. “We’ve hired a private investigator to look into the matter and my sister Alexa is representing both families.”
“Sounds like you have it under control.”
“We do, but needless to say, it has us all up in arms,” Jonathan responded. “For me, the ranch is my whole life. I have so much sweat equity in the place, not to mention it’s our family legacy. We won’t let some outsiders come in and take what’s ours, what we’ve all worked so hard to build.”
“Of course not. You’re a fair man, Jonathan. It’s who I’ve always known you to be,” Natalie replied.
“How can you say that? You hardly know me.”
“I know that you’ll step in when teenagers are bullying a young girl because she’s a few sizes bigger than everyone else.” His brow furrowed, so Natalie spilled the story. “You don’t remember, do you?”
He shook his head.
“I was thirteen and some boys were making fun of me in the diner. You stepped in and told them they should pick on someone their own size. And if they didn’t, they’d have you to deal with.”
Jonathan laughed. “Did I really say that? I had mad swag.”
Natalie couldn’t resist smiling, too. “Oh, don’t get full of yourself. I’m merely saying you have integrity, and I haven’t met a lot of men like you, Jonathan Lattimore. It takes a special person to step in and help someone else.”
“Now you’re going to make me blush.” When the waiter came back to their table and asked if they wanted dessert, Jonathan looked at her. “What do you say we share the blueberry cheesecake?”
“I’m absolutely on board.”
* * *
Jonathan was surprised at how easy Natalie was to talk to, but that didn’t mean he was ready for anything more after this fling was over. Thus far, she had proven to be an amazing lover and conversationalist, but he liked his life as it was. He only did casual relationships because there was no chance of anyone getting hurt. Rather than talking about the past, he moved to work and shared with Natalie his mother’s plan to branch out her culinary business.
“My mother is an amazing cook. We’ve been telling her for years that she needed to share her recipes with the world, and she did. She got a book deal for a cookbook.”
“That’s fantastic,” Natalie said, beaming across the table at him. “Is she going to do more than cookbooks? I mean, if you look at the celebrity chef market, she can have her own line of cookware, dishes, spices and so much more.”
“I know. Alexa told her the same thing, but it wasn’t until her agent mentioned it that she’s finally listening. Anyway, she’s going to be entertaining proposals soon for marketing firms to help with her products.”
“If there’s anything she needs, let me know. I’d be happy to help.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that,” Jonathan replied, and he meant it. “If you’re ready, how about a walk?” He patted his stomach. “To walk off some of this meal.”
“Sounds lovely.”
They took a stroll along the pier past half a dozen restaurants. The pier was alive with nightlife and people milling around. Without consciously thinking about it, Jonathan reached for her hand and laced their fingers together. He heard her suck in a deep breath as she fell in step beside him.
Natalie looked up at him and smiled but didn’t say a word. He wondered what she must be thinking with his hot and cold responses. He never envisioned this scenario in his mind when he thought about visiting Galveston. He considered he might meet someone, which is why he bought a pack of condoms. But he and Natalie had already finished the pack.
He’d quickly remedied that situation when he’d gone back to his room. He made a pit stop at the small sundry shop within the resort. Now he couldn’t wait to get her back to the room so he could indulge himself in her luscious curves.
Natalie was a surprising but not unwelcome distraction. His life had become rather mundane of late. Work and more work. If he wasn’t at the ranch, he was spending time with his family and the Grandins, but lately given the commotion Heath Thurston caused even those gatherings had become rather unpleasant.
And a love life, well, that was nonexistent. It had been years since his divorce from Anne, and Jonathan still had trust issues.
He kept his relationships casual, and it suited him. There were no misunderstandings or hurt feelings because Jonathan explained from the get-go exactly where he stood on a long-term scenario. He didn’t show emotions, so he was better off alone and indulging with a partner when time allowed. This way he’d never let anyone down as he had Anne in their marriage.
He knew everyone in Royal probably thought him some sort of playboy, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. He was discriminating about who he went to bed with and often preferred spending time with women outside of Royal, but this thing with Natalie was in his own backyard. Would she be able to handle the end of their fling when it was over?
“What’s on your mind?” Natalie asked when they suddenly stopped. Those big brown eyes of hers were staring up at him questioningly.
“I’m wondering if this going to be enough for you,” Jonathan answered honestly.
“I thought we agreed to what happens in Galveston, stays here.”
“We did.”
“But?” Natalie’s brow rose a fraction. “You don’t believe me?”
“I believe you have feelings for me that you haven’t fully sorted out. You don’t know me as well as you think you do, and I don’t want to lead you on, Natalie. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
