Lipstick and Leather (Rough and Ready Book 7) Read online

“More napkins, please,” he said as the server set Anna’s second martini on the small table. Mark handed Anna some napkins and she used those to finish drying her tears. It wasn’t going to help anything to cry.

  “I even sent a text to Becky to see if I could stay with her and that cowboy tonight, but she didn’t respond.” Anna pushed her hair out of her face as she looked at Mark. Some of the strands were damp from her tears. “Tried calling her, too, but her phone goes directly to voice mail. She probably has it off.”

  Anna brushed remnants of tears from her eyes with the back of her hands. At this point she didn’t care if her mascara was smeared. “I don’t know what to do.”

  He was silent for a moment. “I have a large room. You’re welcome to stay the night.” He studied her as he spoke. “Let me help. I promise to be a perfect gentleman. Besides,” he added with a teasing grin. “I’ve already seen your panties so the mystery is gone.”

  She managed a smile as she wiped more tears off of her face and considered her options. She didn’t have many. The snow bound street or Mark’s room.

  “Okay.” The day was getting the better of her not to mention her situation. “Thank you.”

  He rubbed her back again. “Why don’t you finish that martini and we’ll head on up.”

  She picked up her glass and knocked back the entire thing. She shuddered as the vodka went down. A bit much, a little too fast.

  “Ready.” She set down her glass. She realized she should probably be worried about going to a strange man’s—hot cowboy’s—room, but she was beyond that right now. Between his willingness to help her all night, and the vodka, her anxiety went straight out the window.

  He put his hat back on and before she could get her suitcase, he grabbed it as well as his own and they walked toward the elevators. She felt mellow from the alcohol, but she’d only had two drinks so she wasn’t quite tipsy.

  When they reached the elevators, there was already a car open on the lobby level. They made it in before the doors closed and he pushed a button for the twenty-third out of twenty-four levels.

  They reached the floor and she followed him to a set of double doors. He opened it and they walked into an enormous suite.

  Anna’s jaw dropped. It was an amazing room with burgundy carpeting, a couch, loveseat, and chair, and a set of French doors to the left. Through a doorway on the right she could see that there was a small kitchen and a dining area. There was even a fireplace.

  “Nice.” She looked at Mark. “I guess you do have a little extra room.”

  He gestured toward the French doors. “You can sleep in there and I’ll take the couch.”

  “I’m fine with the couch,” she said, but he ignored her and took her suitcase and coat, opened up one of the multi-paned doors, and went into the room.

  Moments later, he came back barefoot and wearing only his jeans.

  She swallowed as she got a good look at his powerful body. He was cut, his muscles defined all the way from his chest and biceps, down to his six-pack and his waist that tapered into his jeans.

  He pulled on a white T-shirt and she found herself disappointed. Damn, take that shirt off again, cowboy. Talk about eye candy. She never knew cowboys could be so sexy.

  “Cold?” he asked.

  Not after seeing him walk around without his shirt. No, she was all warm and tingly.

  “It’s not bad,” she said.

  “Even a fake fire is nice to sit in front of.” He went to the electric fireplace and got it going.

  He was right, it was nice and she went to stand in front of it.

  “Up for another drink?” he asked as he walked to a wet bar in the corner.

  “Sure.” Why not? Earlier she did decide that she could use a drink or three.

  He raised a bottle with amber liquid. “Whisky or vodka?”

  “I’d better stick with vodka.” She sat on the couch and started tugging off her boots and socks. “On the rocks would be great.” When she was finished, she set her footwear aside.

  He brought her the drink and she took a sip and let the warm liquid slide down her throat. She seated herself on the floor in front of the fireplace, her back against the sofa. Mark sat on the floor beside her with the bottles of whisky and vodka between them.

  His nearness was unsettling and comforting at the same time. He was a sexy cowboy who had more charm than he probably knew what to do with. He was casual sexy and he wore it with ease as if he didn’t realize how attractive he was.

  He smelled good, of leather and fresh air, like how wonderful it smelled outside with the new-fallen snow. His chestnut hair was a little mussed and he had a day’s stubble on his jaw. His green eyes were amazing. She might just have to change her rule about not “doing” cowboys.

  The thought of doing this cowboy sent heat straight between her thighs and to her cheeks. She was utterly insane for thinking this way.

  He rested his forearm on one bent knee, his other leg straight as he looked at her. “Where are you from?”

  She lowered her glass. “Tucson.”

  “You’re in my part of Arizona, not too far from where I live.” He smiled. “I have a place outside Sonoita.”

  “Not far at all.” She returned his smile. He wasn’t really long distance like she’d expected, not that she needed a relationship right now. “From my house that’s ninety minutes at most.”

  He knocked back a drink of his whisky. “What brings you to Denver?”

  “It’s supposed to be a girl’s weekend out.” She shook her head and sighed. “Becky loves rodeo and we’re going to some big event. Bull riding, I think. She begged me to come and you know the rest.”

  The corner of his mouth quirked. “I take it rodeo is about as appealing to you as that party was tonight.”

  “That’s about right.” She brushed hair from her face. “You being a cowboy, you probably get into that rodeo stuff.”

  “Some.” He shrugged, the movement casual. “Have you ever watched professional bull riding?”

  “I’ve seen it on the news a couple of times.” She grimaced as she thought of the scenes she’d had a glimpse of. “I can imagine a cowboy would end up missing a whole bunch of teeth and breaking lots of bones. I don’t get the appeal.”

  His laugh was low, enticing. “Maybe you’ll change your mind after going tomorrow.”

  “I doubt it.” She rubbed her thigh with her palm. “Are you going, being a cowboy and all?”

  With a grin he said, “I’ll be there.”

  “Where are your seats?” she asked. “We’re sitting in something called the Gold Buckle seats. Becky says we’re near the chute, whatever that is.”

  “Nice seats.” He shifted where he sat. “I’m in that same area.”

  She felt a little stirring of something. Excitement maybe? “Maybe I’ll see you.”

  He nodded. “No doubt you will.”

  The effects of the vodka were coming on and she felt mellow and relaxed. “So what do you do?”

  She swore she saw amusement in his gaze when he said, “I’m self-employed.”

  “What kind of business do you have?” she asked.

  “Cattle.” He took another drink of whisky. “Why don’t you tell me what you do for a living?”

  She set her glass down on the plush carpeting and wrapped her arms around her knees. “I teach.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Little ones or big ones?”

  Anna laughed. “Big ones. High school English.”

  “Brave woman.”

  She gave a quick grin. “I love it. Comes with its challenges but it’s worth it.”

  “Have any children of your own?” he asked.

  “Not yet.” She picked up her glass and swirled the vodka and ice. “But that’s one of my dreams. Children.”

  “I wouldn’t mind having a few of my own.” He held his drink and rested on his thigh. “Married? Boyfriend?”

  “No to both.” She tilted her head. “And you?”

  �
��No strings.” He raised the bottle of vodka. “Ready for more?”

  “Sure.” She held up her glass and he tipped the bottle and filled it. “Oooh, that’s more than enough.”

  He set the bottle down and raised his glass of whisky. They clinked glasses and she took a sip of hers while he downed his in one swallow.

  As they talked, she wondered how she could have rebuffed him so many times. He was genuine, personable, an all-around nice guy.

  Not to mention he was hot. Why didn’t she say yes before now? She had turned him down three times yet here she was now, wanting him more than she could have imagined.

  She found herself sitting closer to him, close enough that she could feel his body heat and their shoulders touched. She didn’t know if he had moved or if she had but suspected it was her.

  At the same time they reached for their glasses and somehow his hand ended up over hers. They linked their fingers and he brought their hands up and kissed her knuckles.

  The touch of his lips sent tingles throughout her. She looked at their joined hands then met his eyes.

  They moved toward each other at the same time and she didn’t want to turn back.

  The touch of Mark’s mouth on hers was enough to melt her, to make her feel as if they had joined in some primal way.

  He nipped her lower lip then their mouths and tongues joined as their kiss deepened. He cupped the back of her head and drew her tighter to him. A soft moan rose up within her and she slid her fingers into his hair.

  It had been so long since she had been with a man. Now she was here with Mark and she wanted everything he could give her and more.

  They moved closer and closer yet and she heard the glasses clink and spill between them then smelled whisky as she felt liquid seep into the leg of her jeans.

  He shifted and caught her under her arms and drew her onto his lap so that she was straddling him. His erection was firm between her thighs, pressing through her jeans and she ground herself down on him as they kissed.

  She loved his taste, his scent, the feel of his hands as he gripped her hips. She knew she was tipsy but also knew that she wasn’t too far gone to make a coherent decision.

  And that decision was that she wanted him. She had wanted him all along.

  Wanted him more than anything.

  He moved his hands, sliding them under her sweater until he cupped her breasts. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples, through her bra and she squirmed with need. The intensity of his kiss grew in strength and she sensed his raw power and knew that he was holding himself back.

  She started to move up and down as if she was riding him with nothing between them rather than tough denim.

  He pulled away from her, moving her back as he did so. His eyes were dark, hooded, and the desire there was enough to send her overboard.

  “We need to stop.” His jaw was tight as he said the words. Nothing about what she saw in him told her that he really wanted to stop. “You’ve had a lot to drink. I won’t take advantage of you.”

  “I’m fine.” She cupped his face in her hands, felt his stubble against her palms. “I haven’t reached my limit yet. Another two glasses and then I’d be too far gone.”

  He stroked hair from her face. “I don’t want you regretting anything in the morning.”

  “I’ve wanted you all night long.” She stroked her fingers along his jaw. “Regretting is the last thing that I’m going to do.”

  Chapter 3

  Mark took Anna by her waist and moved her off of his lap before he stood. For a moment she thought he wasn’t going to continue but he reached out his hand. She took it and he helped her up and she felt the damp carpet beneath her bare feet.

  He pulled his T-shirt over his head and dropped it where the liquid had spilled to let the it soak up the alcohol.

  And then he brought her into his embrace and kissed her hard. It was as if something wild had stirred inside of him and made her lust for him grow. She responded by kissing him back just as hard as he was kissing her. He made a primal sound, deep and hungry.

  Glasses and bottles clattered together as their feet hit them but neither of them paused. He gripped the bottom of her sweater and tugged. She held up her arms so that he could pull it over her head.

  Static crackled as the sweater went over her hair and she imagined it was the electricity they were generating that caused it. He dropped the sweater and moved his fingers to the button on her jeans and unfastened it before drawing down the zipper and pushing her jeans to the floor, leaving her in her black satin bra and black panties.

  He reached behind her and unfastened her bra, then tossing it aside before tugging down her panties and getting rid of them, too.

  Then he grabbed her by her ass and drew her up so that his hips were between her thighs and she could cross her ankles behind him. She looped her arms around his neck and he carried her across the room then set her on the dining room table. The wood was cool beneath her ass but her body was hot.

  He stripped off his jeans and boxer briefs and ditched them before moving his body tight between her thighs, his cock pressing against her.

  She braced her palms on the table behind her, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders, her breasts thrust forward. He leaned down and pinched the base of her nipple before holding it and licking it.

  He slid his other hand down her belly and over her mound. She sucked in her breath as he slipped his fingers into her slick folds. He thrust his fingers inside her and she caught her breath at the amazing feelings as he pounded his fingers in and out, down to his knuckles.

  Her breath stuck in her throat as he sucked her nipples at the same time.

  He moved his lips to her mouth and kissed her then started rubbing his erection over her folds.

  “Inside, Mark.” She met his eyes. “Please. I need you inside me.”

  “Not yet, sweetheart.” He kissed her then knelt on the floor, his head between her thighs. He slid his hands beneath her ass then buried his face against her.

  She cried out as he licked from her clit down to her center. He slid his fingers in at the same time and started thrusting them in and out as he pleasured her. She watched him as he went down on her, which sent more thrills throughout her. Seeing his head between her thighs and feeling the soft slide of his hair against her legs made it all the more erotic when he looked up and his eyes met hers.

  That moment set her on fire. Their gazes held as he licked her and she knew she couldn’t hold on much longer.

  Her orgasm was coming at a rush and it sent vibrations throughout her. Her legs started to tremble from the power of what was coming. He sucked her clit and her vision nearly went black as her orgasm slammed into her.

  She gave a loud, keening cry that she was barely aware of. It seemed like she might never come back to the present, that she would always be flying over some distant plane. When she finally came down from that lofty place she had been in, her whole body went limp even as her core spasmed.

  He started all over again.

  This time she came within moments. Her body was so sensitive that her second orgasm was even more powerful than the first.

  “Noooo,” she cried out as she thought he was going to start again. He gave a soft laugh against her folds that sent shivers throughout her.

  “Enjoy that?” he murmured.

  She looked at him and couldn’t hold back a smile. “Much more enjoyment and I might just pass out.”

  He pressed himself against her folds. “Not before I bury myself inside you.”

  “Wait.” She rose, barely able to because her limbs felt as solid as jelly. He offered a hand to help her. “I want to taste you.”

  “Not now. I can’t wait, sweetheart.” He brushed his lips over her hair. “I’ve got to be inside of you.”

  “No way.” She gave him a gentle push and slid off the table.

  He took her by the shoulders and brought his mouth to hers for an intensely passionate kiss. He tasted of her along w
ith a masculine flavor. When he drew back, she went down on her knees.

  His long and thick erection was in front of her face. She wrapped her fingers around it and licked it up from the base to the head. He hissed out a breath and slipped his hands into her hair. She slid her mouth over his erection and took him as deep as she could.

  She loved giving head. Especially on a man who had gone down on her so perfectly. She lightly moved his skin on his erection up and down as she licked and sucked him. She loved the salty taste of his pre-come and her body still spasmed as if he was inside of her now. With her other hand she cupped his balls and felt them draw up.

  When she looked up she saw him watching her, his jaw set, his eyes burning hot. “Stop.” The word came out almost as if he was choking. She didn’t want to stop until he came, but something in his tone made her. He helped her to her feet and kissed her before picking her up and setting her on the table.

  Carefully he pushed her down so that her back was against the table. It was cool and smooth beneath her. He parted her legs and moved between her thighs. He hooked her legs over his arms then pushed up and held on to her beneath her knees.

  He met her gaze as he readied himself. She held her breath, waiting for him. Then with a hard thrust, he began taking her. The power in his strokes was as if he was riding her, taming her. She didn’t want to be tamed but right now she didn’t care. It was so hot the way he was taking her.

  His thrusts grew more intense as did his expression, which multiplied the eroticism of the moment. The power in his presence was like a man who mastered things and was used to getting what he wanted. He thrust in and out and her body bounced up and down on the table.

  Another orgasm came charging toward her like a bull. She came with a jerk and a cry. He didn’t stop even as her core was spasming around him.

  Tears wet her eyes from the incredible sensations that weren’t stopping.

  She came again and it felt like her head was going to float off this time. Black spots floated before her eyes.

  He came with a shout and thrust in and out a few more time. He stopped and let her legs slide down from how he’d been holding them.