Hot Winter Nights (Made in Montana) Read online

  He rolled his tongue over the distended nipple before it disappeared into his mouth. He sucked, blew some air on the damp flesh, then sucked again. She could tell he was holding back. Probably still worried she was too sensitive.

  Clutching at his muscled arm, keeping his hand where she wanted it, she whispered, “Is that the best you can do, cowboy?”

  His short, rumbling laugh vibrated against her skin and all the way to her core.

  Clint did exactly as requested. And at the same time, inserted a finger inside her.

  Lila jerked at the sly move. A moan mingled with laughter spilled from her lips. “Wait,” she said.

  He lifted his head, but kept his finger right where it was. “What?”

  “I can’t reach you.”

  Ignoring her, he bowed his head. Switching to her other nipple, he sucked it deeply. As he worked in a second finger, his thumb found her clit. She couldn’t stay still, not with his thumb circling and circling, his fingers plunging in farther. But with every move, he stayed with her, increasing the pressure until want turned to a throbbing need.

  She closed her eyes, squeezing them tight, willing her body to slow down. Not react so swiftly. But she’d already lost control. The ache for release was too great...

  Her whimper of protest was cut short.

  The orgasm hit her full force. It gripped her with the power of a tornado, tossing her around like a rag doll as the fire inside her flared. She opened her eyes to slits, but couldn’t see through the red-hot haze.

  Beneath her palm she felt a cord of muscle. Her fingernails were digging into Clint’s arm. Unfazed by it, he stayed with her the whole time, easing back when it became too much, as if he had the ability to read her every move, her every moan.

  Finally the inferno became soothing warmth that washed over her body in slow languid waves.

  Her hands fell like lead weights to the mattress. She wanted to touch him, his shoulders and the muscles rippling with each tiny movement. She wanted to run her palms along the hard planes of his toned body. And she wanted to feel the long thick length of him, wrap her fingers around the smooth taut skin. But she couldn’t seem to make her hands or arms work.

  Clint shifted and claimed her mouth with a bone-melting kiss. “Hi,” he said, his smile strained at the edges, his eyes dark with banked desire.

  “Hi,” she murmured, barely having enough breath to get out the tiny word.

  He cupped the side of her face, and she turned her head to nuzzle his hand. A tremor passed through his body. Her shuddering response shot all the way to the soles of her feet.

  His hair was mussed and his lips damp. He slid down to place a soft kiss on her inner thigh.

  She widened her eyes, fully alert. He couldn’t possibly—

  He lapped at the moist, protective folds of her sex.

  Squirming, she tried to clamp her thighs together. “Clint.” Her mouth had gone dry. “Clint, stop.”

  His head came up instantly. “Too sensitive?”

  “No, it’s not that.” Shifting to lie on her side, she caught his arm. “Come here,” she said, patting the mattress.

  Surprise flickered in his eyes, but he did as she asked and settled next to her. Stretched out on his side, elbow bent, he propped his head and faced her. Their eyes met and she smiled at him. But then she got distracted by his bulging biceps.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”

  “Hmm?” she murmured, staring at the bunched muscle until she couldn’t stand it. She had to touch. “Nothing’s wrong.” She laid a hand on his arm. Beneath her palm, the rock-hard muscle tensed.

  His arousal stirred against her tummy.

  That’s what she really wanted.

  Reaching between them, she wrapped a hand around his hot hard length. One long stroke, and his groan nearly shook the bed.

  She got in two more pumps before he grabbed her wrist, keeping her immobile, while he blindly reached behind and almost knocked over the lamp. Cursing under his breath, he finally had to release her so he could search the top of the nightstand.

  He found a condom, managing to dodge her hand at the same time.

  “Wait,” she said when he tore the packet. “Not yet.”

  “Why?”

  “Just give me a minute. Three minutes. That’s all I’m asking for.”

  Clint looked thoroughly and adorably confused.

  She slid down for a taste. Salty. Spicy. All male. She licked the head dry.

  With another groan, his hands tangled in her hair. He started to pull her away, and then his hold slackened. He gulped for air. Whispered something too raw and broken for her to understand.

  Closing her mouth around him, she sucked lightly at first, then harder. She moved her way down, stroking him with her tongue, but she only made it partway.

  “No,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Not like this.”

  Lila felt another tug at her scalp. This time he wasn’t fooling around. Too bad. She flicked her tongue and slid down to the base.

  “C’mon, Lila...” He cut off a groan and fisted a handful of her hair. “You’re killing me here.”

  Reluctantly she released him. “I didn’t make you stop.”

  He was already rolling on the condom. “Really?” he said with a cocked brow. “You’re going to pout?”

  “Maybe.” Tilting her head to the side, she licked her lips. He surprised her by rising, making her gasp as he laid her back against the pillows and pushed her legs apart.

  Slipping between them, he ran a finger along her slick wet lips. “Have anything more to say?”

  Watching his nostrils flare, seeing how ready he was, her heart pounded out of control. “Please?” she whispered, struggling for air when he slid his finger in partway.

  Clint leaned down for a kiss. The moment their lips touched, she felt him enter her. Just a little. He pulled back when her body tried to grip him.

  She narrowed her eyes in warning.

  He just smiled and rubbed her with the tip of his cock, teasing her, stroking her where she was most sensitive, small calculated movements, sliding up and down, in and out, and making her crazy.

  And pushing her too close to another orgasm.

  But he was torturing himself, too. She could see the strain in his face, the muscle flexing in his jaw. He wasn’t going to last...

  But then Lila wouldn’t, either. He slipped a little ways inside her, and she rocked up to meet him.

  Clint froze, his body tensing. His gaze seemed to scorch her to the core.

  He thrust into her. Hard and deep. His muscled arms shook with the effort of keeping his weight off her. He withdrew just a little, then surged into her again.

  Their moans tangled and filled the room as Clint filled her, stretching her beyond the border of anything she’d experienced before.

  “Ah, Christ,” he murmured, and pulled her legs tightly around his hips.

  She gripped him for all she was worth as he plunged inside her. He did it again and again, his hoarse groan echoing in her ears as she felt the first hint of her climax.

  Clint’s low primal cry was enough to trigger her release. Arching beneath him, she was beyond thinking, beyond speaking, beyond anything other than feeling him explode inside her. Or maybe it was her body that had burst into a million glittering pieces shooting into the darkness.

  A tremor racked her all the way to her soul. Her lungs burned with the need for air. And yet she felt as if she were floating...

  “Lila.” Clint’s ragged whisper penetrated the fog. He dislodged her legs from his hips.

  She felt his arm slide beneath her shoulders, and he hauled her up against him, chest to chest. He put his other arm around her and before she knew it, he’d rolled onto his back, taking her with him,
his cock still sheathed inside her.

  Of course he wasn’t hard anymore, but it amazed her that she could still feel his heft. All she seemed capable of was lifting her chin. He pushed back the tangle of hair that covered half her face, then slowly traced her bottom lip with his forefinger.

  She sighed with contentment, not even trying to move. “I see you’ve done this before.”

  Clint smiled. “Yeah, a couple times.”

  “Good Lord. I think you’ve worn me out.”

  Her breathing was too shallow for her to be talking. She had to rest and regroup. She wouldn’t turn down some water, either. A gallon would probably do it.

  “Where are you going?” With a hand cupping her butt, he stopped her from rolling off.

  “Water. The bathroom. And more water.”

  He nodded, looking so serious. “We’re not done.”

  Lila laughed and shivered at the same time. “No, we aren’t,” she agreed and gave him a quick kiss before she rolled off him.

  * * *

  AFTER BEING AWAKE a few minutes, Clint finally opened his eyes. Moonlight poured in through the window past the partially open drapes. Careful not to disturb Lila, he barely moved. He sure was glad tomorrow was Sunday and neither of them had to work. Even if he did have to share her for part of the day.

  She was laying on her side, curled toward him, one leg thrown over his, her pale hair spilling across his chest.

  In a matter of weeks she’d be gone, and he didn’t know if he’d ever see her again. She had a bright and busy future. Too bright to be sneaking off with a cowboy for a weekend here and there. Hell, that wouldn’t be enough for him, anyway.

  The notion was worrisome. That sort of thinking would only lead to trouble. So far they’d had sex twice since he’d arrived for their date. He glanced at the clock. It was 2:20 a.m. Technically, already Sunday. They’d stopped fooling around to eat cold fried chicken and cornbread. He smiled thinking about the staggering amount of honey she’d used to drown her cornbread. The woman sure loved her sugar. Maybe that’s what made her hair and skin smell so sweet. And man, the way she tasted...

  Shit.

  What was wrong with him, anyway? Having those sappy thoughts? He’d never been that kind of guy.

  She snuggled deeper against his chest, and the flood of warmth that flowed through his body was unlike any other feeling he’d ever had.

  “Are you awake?” she whispered.

  “Sort of. You?”

  Her laugh was husky with sleep. “What time is it?”

  “Two-thirty-ish.” Tightening his arm around her, he kissed her hair. Damned if he wasn’t getting hard again.

  Lila sighed. “It’s Sunday. No setting the alarm. Yay.”

  “What time is the barbecue?”

  “Around three. But I told Erin I’d go early to help.”

  Maybe he’d drop her off and run home, shower, change. “I should’ve brought extra clothes.”

  She lifted her head and looked at him with sleepy blue eyes. “Why didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t want to jinx it.”

  “Jinx what?”

  Clint touched the tip of her nose. “Don’t give me that innocent look. Anyway, I should run home at some point. Won’t take me long. I wonder what we should do in the meantime...” he said, cupping her breast.

  She shivered and swelled to his touch. “Hmm, I wonder,” she whispered, slowly stretching out on top of him.

  12

  THE WEATHER WASN’T half bad for a barbecue. Well, considering it was December, Lila thought. Red jumped to his feet and opened the patio door for her. Juggling two large platters, she smiled her thanks and braced herself before she stepped out onto the patio.

  A light gust of cold air greeted her, but that wasn’t the reason she paused by the door. She smiled as she watched Clint flip steaks and burgers on the massive stainless-steel barbecue. He looked right at home, sipping from a bottle of beer and keeping close tabs on the progress of the meat.

  About half the crew had shown up. The wranglers were wandering around the barns and stable. Some of the guys were watching a televised football game in Spencer’s den. With the exception of Rhonda, Davis and the new camera assistant sitting around a fire pit at the other end of the patio, the rest of the crew had gathered in the rec room to gripe about one thing or another.

  Lila was having fun helping Erin in the kitchen. Mostly it was the other way around. Lila loved to cook and bake, and Erin was always much happier to have no part of it whatsoever.

  Clint had dropped her off at Shadow Creek, zipped home and still arrived ahead of everyone else. Erin had put him to work assisting Spencer. The two men had hit it off right away, which made Lila stupidly happy. What did it matter? Sure it made for a more pleasant afternoon. But to expect anything beyond today? She knew better.

  “Wow, you’re in some serious like.” Erin had come up behind her, a beer in each hand.

  “No.” Lila rolled her eyes and slid another peek at Clint. “Maybe.” She sighed. “Okay, I’m pretty screwed.”

  Erin grinned. “Why? He’s a good guy.”

  Clint must’ve heard them because he turned and smiled.

  Lila smiled back. He returned his attention to the grill, and she sighed. “What difference does it make?” She’d lowered her voice. “I mean, I do like him and we’re having fun. But you know how it is in this crazy business...” She looked her friend directly in the eyes. “What about you and Spencer?”

  Erin blinked and took a sudden interest in the bottles she was holding. “Oh, here,” she said, trying to pass a beer to Lila.

  “You can’t tell me you haven’t been wondering what’s going to happen once we wrap up here.”

  “Of course I have. But am I going to discuss it now? Here?” She glanced around, mostly for effect. “No.”

  “You always were a bad actress.” Lila grabbed a bottle and twisted off the top.

  “Never claimed to be one at all,” Erin replied.

  Clint glanced back at them. “The meat’s done. You want to hand me that platter?”

  “Coming right up,” Lila said, and then to Erin, “To be continued.”

  “I can hardly wait.”

  Ignoring her, Lila moved close to Clint and kissed his jaw.

  He lifted a brow in surprise.

  No one had asked why he was here. Besides Spencer and Dusty, who worked at Shadow Creek, Clint was the only other outsider.

  She took a whiff of the sizzling steaks. “Oh, my God, I think I’m going to faint.” At his look of alarm, she grinned and set the beer aside. “These smell crazy good. How about I hold the platter while you transfer the steaks over?”

  “What about the burgers?”

  “I don’t care what you do with those.”

  Clint laughed. Leaning closer as he reached for the tongs, he murmured in that low, raspy tone she loved, “I want to kiss you all the way into next Sunday.” He straightened and returned to his normal voice. “Pick out a steak, and I’ll set it aside for you. Medium is on the right.”

  She’d thought for sure he’d been about to bite her earlobe. “Thanks, now I’m one big goose bump, you rat.”

  His mouth curved in a self-satisfied, purely male grin. He glanced behind them before going to work filling the first platter. “Why do all these folks think I’m here?”

  “Because Erin invited you.”

  “That’s all?”

  “I’m sure there’s been talk...”

  “You do realize you kissed me.”

  “On the jaw.” She grinned and pressed her leg against his. “Only because I couldn’t reach your mouth.”

  “Warn me next time. I’d be happy to cooperate.”

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to desert yo
u.” Spencer’s voice came from behind. “I got cornered by—”

  Lila hastily moved away from Clint, as if she’d just been caught raiding the Christmas candy. She couldn’t explain her reaction. Reflex?

  “And now I’m interrupting.” Spencer hesitated, even when Lila turned to smile at him.

  “Of course you aren’t. As a matter of fact, you’re just in time.” She held up the platter piled high with steaks. “Mind taking this to the kitchen?”

  “No, ma’am. It’s the least I can do after leaving Landers here to do the grilling.”

  Clint chuckled, and as soon as she’d lifted the second platter, he started loading that one, too. “This is a damn nice barbecue. Makes me wonder why I’m still using charcoal and an old barrel.”

  “Because you aren’t lazy,” Spencer said, laughing. “Want me to wait for that other platter?”

  “Thanks, but I can manage,” Lila said, but almost dropped it when Clint pushed the steaks to the side to make room for the burgers. It weighed a ton. “Didn’t know you were feeding a whole regiment, did you?”

  “Good thing I’m in the cattle business,” Spencer said with a grin and started toward the door. “Clint, you want another beer?”

  “Maybe later.”

  “Oh.” Lila nodded to the bottle she’d taken from Erin. “That’s for you. I took a couple sips.”

  “Thanks,” he muttered, focused on scraping the grill with a spatula. “You know if there’s anything else to go on here?”

  “Erin didn’t say.” Lila could tell something was wrong, and she hated that she might’ve made things awkward between them. “I’ll go ask.”

  He caught her arm as she turned. “I understand why you’d want to be cautious around the crew. I’ve got no problem with that,” he said, and then with a self-deprecating smile added, “Not that you should care what I think.”

  “I’m not trying to downplay anything, but I knew you’d think that and I’m sorry. I can’t tell you why I...” Lila sighed. “Half the guys have already hooked up with locals. It’s practically a tradition when a movie’s on location, but I never do, so...”