MATTEO: Wild Fire (Raging Fire Book 2), page 30
She took a deep breath. “The money was a lot better for us renegade women but, until yesterday, I don’t think I realized just how much things had changed for me as far as community goes.”
When she became lost in her thoughts, he waited a few moments before asking, “What happened yesterday?”
She stared down at their joined hands and didn’t make eye contact as she answered. “I ran into a woman bronc rider I’d competed against for the past few years. Struck up a conversation and”—she met his gaze, and he felt the pain she was feeling as if punched right in his chest—“she hardly remembered me. Hadn’t even wondered where I was when I didn’t show up for the first competitions a month ago.”
“Last night, I lay awake trying to figure out why that was.” She took another deep breath and let it out slowly, meeting his gaze finally. “I have to blame myself for a lot of it. I really hadn’t reached out to anyone last December. Nobody other than those at the Golden rodeo would have even known about my buck-off and injury.” She swallowed hard. “I realized that, as much as I thought of these people as being my people—my family, inside and outside the arena—I’d never invested myself in their lives and they hadn’t done so in mine, either.”
He stroked the knuckles of her hand, feeling the hurt in her words. Then he leaned closer. “Well, Sweet Lady, I’m glad you reached out to me last December. I assure you that you were missed by me this past week. And by Mama.”
Dakota’s eyes opened wider. “She knows I left?”
He nodded. “When I didn’t show up for her monthly dinner last Sunday, her radar went into overdrive.”
“She cares so much about you, Matteo. I hope you and your siblings know how fortunate you are to have a mother like her.”
The loss of Dakota’s mother and grandmother broke his heart for her.
“Was she upset that I ran off without telling her goodbye?”
He chuckled. “A little, but not at you. I think she knows her sons don’t always make the right moves when dealing with women, which is probably the reason only one of her four sons are married. Still not sure how Tony managed it, but I’d say it had more to do with Carmella setting him straight on a few things.”
His throat suddenly dry, he released her hand and took a sip of water. “The rest of my family didn’t know you were gone, but if they had, they’d probably have kicked my butt all the way to Utah for letting you go. Then there are the guys at the station. I think they missed you almost as much as I did.”
A tear spilled onto each of her cheeks. “They did?”
He nodded with a grin, hoping to lighten the mood and cheer her up. “And not just because you didn’t bring us ice cream this week, either.”
She smiled, which did his spirits a world of good too. “I promise to bring you guys some ice cream Monday after you start your next shift.”
Matteo sensed that they’d managed to jump over a big hurdle in this fragile relationship. She’d confided things to him she hadn’t before, probably because they hadn’t been clear yet to her before this weekend.
Time to see where he really stood with her.
“So you’ll come back home with me tomorrow?” His heart beat wildly as he waited for her answer.
She gave a slight nod. “If you’ll have me. Sorry I ran off in such a huff. I’m not very good at dealing with confrontation or anyone trying to—”
“—control you.” He nodded. “I got it. Will try not to do that again. Mama helped set me straight on some things. You had every right to be pissed at me.”
“I can’t wait to see her again. And I promise not to run off the next time you tick me off.”
“You make it sound like it’s a given that I will.”
She gave him a no-duh look.
“Okay, okay. I’m sure I will at some point.”
She smiled. “But I’ll try to give you the benefit of the doubt, even if you push my buttons. And we will talk things over, like we’re doing tonight.” She sighed. “Having a serious relationship—or strong connections to anyone—is new territory for me, though. I have a lot to learn about how to handle conflict and emotional stuff, Matteo.”
He brushed his thumb over the knuckles on her hand. “You’re my first serious romantic relationship, Sweet Lady. We’ll figure this out together.”
Next time he screwed up with her, he hoped to straighten things out without bringing Mama in to sort things out for him. Already, he understood Dakota a lot better.
They spent the rest of the meal talking about the horses and his plans to help Dreams Found Ranch by taking in some of their older rescue horses so they could focus on the new ones arriving this week. The Wilsons and Dentons had more horses than they could handle but with so many mustangs needing a safe place to heal and recover from all forms of trauma, they had a hard time turning any away.
The excitement in Dakota’s voice as she talked about working with more horses told him this might help her find a new purpose in life, along with continuing her own healing. He wanted nothing more for her than to build a bright future with him.
After dinner, Matteo drove them back to the rodeo grounds, and they made their way to her camper. She pulled out the key and put it into the lock but didn’t open the side door right away.
Dakota turned toward him. “I’ve never had anyone in here before, but you’re welcome to stay with me tonight if you’d like.” One thing was certain, they’d be cozy inside. But she needed to feel connected to him physically. Something major had shifted in their relationship today, and she, for one, wanted to explore whatever that was.
“Thanks. I’d love to.”
She swung open the door, and they removed their boots before she indicated that he could enter first, but he insisted she do so. Always the gentleman. Sometimes she wanted that.
Not tonight.
She wanted him buried deep inside her as quickly as possible.
Inside, she placed her boots in the corner, leaving room for his, and they both hung their coats on hooks. Before she turned around, he pressed his erection against her backside and pulled her by the waist against him, making her instantly wet and ready to ride. Clearly, he needed this too.
He flipped her around and pressed her onto the mattress, lying atop her. “I think we’ll both be more comfortable in the horizontal position.” His lips nibbled against hers and she opened for him as he deepened the kiss, but then he pulled away. “Do me a favor?” he asked after kissing her into a frenzy.
“Anything.” Her voice came out breathy with a hint of huskiness. She began opening his blue plaid shirt, figuring whatever it was would involve them both being naked. His shirt had snaps rather than buttons so she wasted no time, ripping it as she pulled. He might have to buy a new one, but who cared.
“Wear your chaps for me tonight. Nothing else.”
A slow grin spread across her face. “I left them on the backseat of the truck.”
“I’ll be right back. Strip down while I’m gone.”
“Yes, sir!”
She might not like him ordering her around career-wise but had no problem taking orders in the bedroom—or camper, as it were. She was out of her sweater before he exited the door, then remembered that the truck was locked and grabbed the key fob to unlock it before he’d need to come back and ask her to do so.
She’d shimmied out of her Wranglers and removed her socks by the time he came back inside carrying the chaps. “Let me just get out of these panties.”
“Glad I got back in time for that. Stand up first.” He sat down on the mattress.
Standing would be no small feat in the cramped space, but she did as he instructed. His gaze zeroed in on her peach-colored underwear. As he watched, she hooked her thumbs inside the silky fabric and undulated her hips while shimmying them down her legs. She remained laser-focused on his face, and the momentary appreciation she glimpsed in his eyes made her even hotter.
As she pitched the wet panties in his direction, he caught them in one hand and tossed her the chaps with his other. He brought her panties to his nose and sniffed her scent. “God, you smell good. Leather and spice—a heady combination.” The crotch of his jeans bulged; she couldn’t wait to get him out of them.
Making eye contact, she wrapped the band of the chaps around her waist and buckled it into place before reaching for the zipper.
He stayed her hand. “I’ll do that. Spread your legs.”
His hands reached between her thighs to pull the flaps through, the backs of his hands brushing against her short hairs, leaving her tingling.
He zipped each leg, then stared a moment at her curls framed between the chaps, breathing in her scent. If he didn’t throw her on the bed and enter her soon, she’d die. But he didn’t seem to be in such a hurry any longer.
He glanced up at her. “Turn around.”
She did so, bending over to give him a full view of her ass cheeks framed by the turquoise leather.
“Sweet Jesus. Better than I imagined.” He cupped the curve of her ass with each hand, letting her panties fall to the floor. Then he stood and pulled her upright, her butt rubbing against his erection.
Did he plan to enter her from behind too, rather than let her ride him? She was game for whatever, as long as it happened soon. Thoughts of them entangled on that mattress in whatever position he asked for made her even wetter. She waited for him to express his wants.
“We’ll fit together perfectly.” Matteo planted a quick kiss on her ass cheek. “Bend over and hold on tight.”
Oh God! Her knees nearly buckled at the command, but she managed to bend again at the waist and keep her legs straight.
His hand wasted no time finding her sex. “So wet for me. I’ve missed you, Sweet Lady.”
“I’ve missed you too.” She hoped her voice conveyed how badly she needed him inside her—now!
“Glad you parked away from the other campers.” He trailed more kisses down her back. She felt like a teenager in the backseat of a car.
“Why’s that?” Her mind barely worked any longer. When was he going to enter her?
“Because we’re going to be rocking this camper and you’re going to be screaming, and I’d prefer not to have anyone banging down the door to check on you.”
“Oh!” Three fingers plunged inside her, taking her by surprise. He wasn’t going to take this slow after all.
Thank God!
Chapter Twenty-Six
“I have a better idea,” Matteo said. Dakota missed his fingers when he pulled them out of her, but hoped his plan was to remedy that soon with his cock. “Turn around. Help me get out of these clothes.”
Dakota ran her fingers through the springy hair on his pecs and bent to take a nibble at his nip. Hard. Just like his cock pressing against her sex. Her hips ground against his erection.
She took a step back, locked gazes with him, and removed his belt, tossing it aside.
“Lie back. I’ll be gentle.” When he did, she unbuttoned and unzipped his fly. After pulling and tugging the Wranglers off his hips, she wasted no time freeing his erection from his boxer briefs. But when she would have lowered her mouth to him, he pushed her away.
“I want the jeans off before we go any farther.”
She complied in a matter of seconds. “Better?”
He grinned. “It’s a start. Let’s try this.” He scooted to the edge of the mattress then turned around to move the pillows sideways to the center of the bed. Matteo stretched out, resting his head on the pillow. His penis rose proud and hard. She knew what she wanted to do but had decided to let him call the shots tonight. He beckoned her forward with his finger, still glistening from being inside her moments ago.
“I want you inside me, cowboy fireman. Now.”
“Turn around and spread your legs for me, cowgirl.”
Her clit throbbed, but she did as he ordered. Apparently, tonight was all about his seeing her ass in these chaps.
His hands on either of her butt cheeks, he squeezed, slapping one then the other. Hot! Then he pulled her onto the mattress.
Feeling off-balance, she tried to turn around first, but he kept a firm grip on her hips. He scooted a little further onto the bed, allowing her to get her knees on either side of his hips.
Reverse cowgirl? Dakota’s heart skipped a beat, then she smiled, happy to oblige.
“Lower yourself onto my cock slowly, cowgirl. I don’t want to hurt you, and this might be a little tricky at first.”
She shook her head and did as he told her to do, positioning herself above him before slowly easing herself onto his thick cock. She had to lean back toward him a little before being able to fully seat herself on him.
“So wet.”
“You made me wet. Now, what are you going to do about it?”
“Cowgirl, question is how hard do you want to ride this bull?”
Dakota giggled and raised her left hand high over her head. He grabbed onto her hips and lifted her up and down as they increased their pace. “Giddy up, cowgirl. Only I’m going to give you a helluva lot more than eight seconds.”
She’d never felt so full. Her thighs squeezed his hips, and Matteo grabbed her hips and bucked up into her heat. Each time his cock pressed against her G-spot, she lost control and let herself be consumed by the sensations rolling through her body. She leaned forward a little, and he groaned. She wasn’t sure if she’d hurt him or if it felt good, but he didn’t tell her to stop, so using her legs and hips to lift and fall, she was able to increase the pace even more.
“Sweet Jesus. I’m not going to last long, Dakota.”
“Don’t hold back! We can slow it down next time!”
With that, they both increased their thrusts and lunges. His hand slapped her ass until she screamed for more.
Her mewling cries increased as he sped up the tempo again.
I’m so close.
“I need you to come for me, Sweet Lady. Now!”
“I am!” Even without any added stimulation, the spasms roiled through her body until she lost her mind. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“God, yes!” Matteo cried. “Don’t stop!”
As if I could.
Her heart raced as they neared the peak, then he exploded inside her, thrusting several more times to milk his orgasm for all it was worth. Dakota continued to ride him long after her own orgasm had begun to fade. She’d never felt more connected with him as she did in this moment.
His hands grabbed her hips again and slowed her down.
“So damned hot. Remind me to rent a mechanical bull sometime. Not in public.” He fought to catch his breath. “In the barn…Just us.”
She stretched out her cramped legs and collapsed backward on top of him, not wanting to break the connection with him yet. She gasped to fill her lungs too.
Suddenly, he pulled out and rolled her onto her back. She stared up at him and saw a look of horror on his face. “We have a problem.”
What? The fact that I can’t fathom what you’re talking about? She couldn’t even formulate the one-word question to ask him what was wrong.
He stroked her face. “I’ve never been careless with a woman. I’m sorry. I got so caught up in the moment…”
He hadn’t put on a condom! Not that she’d thought of one, either. Surely with her absence of periods most of the time, they had nothing to worry about. Still, it only took one slipup.
She brushed her fingers through his hair. “I’m sure it will be fine. I probably only have three or four periods a year. What are the chances?”
He rolled onto his back, looking up at the ceiling as he raked his fingers through his hair. “God, I can’t believe I did that.”
“I’m serious. Don’t worry about it.”
Although an unwanted pregnancy would certainly put a damper on her rodeo plans, she didn’t truly think anything would come of it. How could she get him to put that behind them?
“Can we just bask in the glow a little while? That was incredible.”
He didn’t smile, still hung up on the fact that she’d ridden him bareback.
“Matteo, we both had a responsibility to think of it, and neither of us did. I am not going to beat myself up about it, and neither should you. I assure you, it’s nothing, but I can take a pregnancy test in a few weeks if you’re worried. And if it’s an STD you’re worried about, I’m clean. How about you?”
“Same. I’m more worried about you getting pregnant. I want you to know I’m not trying to do that to get you to stop riding broncs—or bulls.”
That thought hadn’t even occurred to her. Was he being truthful? After all, he had been very careful up until…no way. He would probably worry even more about her becoming pregnant and the risks involved with that.
“I know you wouldn’t do that. Let’s clean up and forget about it.” The deed was done, after all. And, again, what were the chances?
She turned onto her side and reached for paper towels and wipes. Having a sink in here would have been nice right about now, but they’d have to work with what they had. They could go over to the showers later if they wanted to do a better job. Which they did.
Hours later, Dakota lay awake long after Matteo had dozed off, curling herself up against his side with her head against his shoulder. Not the best position to sleep in, but she couldn’t get drowsy anyway.
What a day—and night.
She couldn’t believe they’d only been together four months. In some ways, it felt as though she’d known him her entire life—not just the year and a half in high school and the time she’d been at the ranch since December.
He made her feel comfortable in ways she’d never been with another man. Dakota could get used to having someone looking out for her, even if he sometimes got overprotective and bossy. Tonight, he’d been bossy in all the right ways.
She’d always heard that Italian men liked to rule the roost in their homes, although she hadn’t noticed Matteo’s brother Tony bossing Carmella around. Maybe they’d come to a truce, just as Dakota and Matteo had tonight. Then again, his mama might have tried to raise more progressive Italian sons, rather than traditional ones.
