Eight Seconds (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  “I have a few ideas.” J.C. winked. He had rethought his position concerning Danielle’s, uh, condition. If anyone would be her first, he hoped like hell it would be him. It would be him. He also hoped to be her last.

  “I’ll have a beer and join you, and then I plan to have you for dessert later,” Danielle said, somewhat shocked at her forwardness. J.C. had awoken a lioness in a matter of minutes. She was tired of being shy and tired of not going after what she wanted. She wanted him, no matter the consequences.

  J.C. growled. He might be a bastard, but tonight he was a lucky bastard. Hopefully his luck would continue into next weekend at finals. He hoped Danielle would agree to come. He would love to see her at the rail smiling then gripping it with all her might as the gate flew open for him. He needed to ask her, but he’d do that later. Right now, he just wanted to be with her.

  Something would eventually have to give or rather someone. She had a nursing career to pursue, and he had…Well, he really had nothing other than riding bulls and getting the hell beat out of him along the way. He had considered quitting altogether, staying on the ranch, and helping full time with the business and his planned venture, but until now, he had no desire to do that.

  He began to question everything as he walked with her toward a table. Were his feelings for her fueled by desire and the want of sex? Were these feelings he had for her moving along too fast? What if he scared her away with talk of more?

  They sat down at a table and giggled at Will and Stacy as they tried their luck at karaoke. They’d better not quit their day jobs.

  “They suck but are really cute anyhow.” Danielle laughed.

  J.C. was caught off guard, blown away by the simple beauty that radiated effortlessly from Danielle. He could see himself settling down with her, but what about riding? Currently, he was at the top of his game, the best in the nation. Money rolled in for endorsements and wins. Could he give all that up?

  Another laugh erupted from Danielle as Will and Stacy sung off-key. J.C. pulled Danielle close and kissed her on the forehead. He had some serious decisions to make.

  Will and Stacy returned to the table giggling. It was obvious they had a few beers in them. That explained their desire to make asses of themselves, Danielle surmised.

  “How’d we do?” Stacy asked, bubbling with enthusiasm and adrenaline.

  Danielle looked at J.C. and smiled. “Great, I’m wowed.”

  “You are such a terrible liar.” Stacy laughed and plopped down into a chair.

  Will pulled a fifty out of his wallet and laid it on the table. His blue eyes flickered effortlessly as a smug grin flitted across his face then he gave a nod of defiance. “Fifty bucks, J.C., if you get up there and sing.”

  J.C. raised a brow, taking note of the bill on the table. “Nah, keep your money. That’s chump change.” J.C. smiled as he slid the money back to Will.

  “Chump change? Dude, I think you’re a chicken shit and a pussy.” Will pulled another fifty out of his wallet. “Hundred bucks, pussy.” He knew J.C. would never back down from a challenge such as this and became cocksure of himself J.C. would bite the bait.

  “Them’s fighting words, little bro,” J.C. said, gazing at Will intensely.

  “Well, if the shoe fits,” Will blasted back while picking up the cash.

  J.C. smacked his hand down on top of Will’s, and a wicked smile played on his lips. “Hundred bucks, I’ll do it. When I’m done, bro, you can kiss my ass.”

  Will started to make kissing noises with his lips puckered up. J.C. gave a nod and got up.

  Danielle was at a loss for words. God, she hoped he didn’t suck as bad as Will and Stacy. Nervousness flooded her belly as she watched J.C. walk away. His walk was proud and effortless, a fine, fine specimen of the male sex. Broad shoulders moved and turned exquisitely with purpose through the crowd. Heat that hadn’t gone away increased again. Eye candy, that was what the man was, pure eye candy. Now if he could deliver his seductive, baritone voice over the mike as effectively as he could her ear, he’d wow the pants off of everyone. Either way, she would be impressed.

  J.C. talked with the guy manning the karaoke machine for a minute as whoops and hollers erupted from the crowd.

  Danielle started feeling a little nervous as she turned to see all the guests walking over to hear him. Please don’t suck.

  The music started, and Danielle let out a catcall. She couldn’t help it. J.C. stood with the mike, looking all sorts of hot.

  “Wow,” Danielle said quickly as J.C. sang the first line of Tim McGraw’s song, “Real Good Man.” He sounded fantastic. His deep voice resonated inside her. Just about the time she didn’t think he could surprise her anymore or turn her on anymore, he surpassed himself. His gait was easy as he walked. Confidence rolled off him in waves. The light bounced off his awe-inspiring blue eyes. Like sapphires, they were rich and bold, mysterious.

  J.C. sauntered through the crowd singing as whistles sounded from various guests. He made his way toward Danielle and held out his hand for her.

  Danielle stood and blushed as hollers began again. His large hand enveloped hers, and his thumb smoothed across the back of her hand lovingly but with promise behind it. Hmm. His warmth radiated throughout her while his words stole her breath away.

  J.C. sang to her, his eyes intense and burning into her. “I may have a reckless streak at least a country mile wide, girl, if you’re gonna run with me, it’s going to be a wild ride…When it comes to lovin’ you, I have velvet hands…I’ll show you how a real bad boy can be a real good man.”

  The warm air washed her with his scent, spoke to her, and pulled her in. Her mind was mesmerized, a fuzz of emotions and surging hormones that boiled with intensity. Danielle’s heart began to flutter. Oh yes, show me, she thought.

  J.C. kissed her hand then looked up at her with a grin. With a smooth turn, he walked through the crowd. His jeans hugged his perfect ass. Muscles flexed in his thighs with long strides. Mmm, honey.

  Danielle sat down, her heart racing and libido, of course, kicked into high gear. She wondered how quickly they could make their way out of here without being obvious.

  “I may be a real bad boy…ah, but, baby, I’m a real good man.” J.C. sang the last line as the crowd cheered and the music began to fade. J.C. bowed with his hat in his hand. Men slapped his back as he made his way back to the table. He sat down and reveled in the sexual awareness Danielle was radiating. Her smile said it all. Devious, I like it.

  “You proved me wrong, man. You’re a stud.” Will laughed.

  J.C. gave him a quick middle finger salute and turned his attention back to Danielle. “Sorry my brother is an ass. He can’t help it.”

  “Spoken like an expert,” Will hollered back and drummed his hands on the table. J.C. knew Will was aware of his singing ability. His little bro was just trying to help him out.

  “I think you have caused enough trouble for one night,” Stacy said as she kissed him. “Take me to bed, cowboy.”

  Will smiled. “Hot damn. Excuse me, y’all, I have business.” He plucked his hat off the table and winked.

  Stacy waved as she and Will left the table, her eyes dancing mischievously.

  Danielle leaned over and kissed J.C. on the cheek. “You were fabulous,” she whispered in his ear.

  “You think I’m good at singing, honey, I have much more to show you before this night is over,” J.C. purred back. Oh, the things he planned and all the places he wanted to explore.

  “Ooh, what next?” Danielle teased.

  “Come on, we are getting out of here,” J.C. said as he stood and extended his hand to her with promise in eyes.

  With a tug on Danielle’s hand, J.C. led her through the crowd at a hurried pace. His body needed to feel hers underneath him. Lust was in control and urging him on.

  J.C. opened his truck door for Danielle and slid in quickly behind her. He started his truck and flipped on the headlights then backed out and headed down the narrow dirt road
that led to his place on the other side of the ranch.

  The first few minutes of their drive were quiet. J.C didn’t know what to say. Were words necessary? Danielle’s sinful smile had him humming with excitement.

  J.C. nervously slid his hand up Danielle’s thigh and he felt his hand tremble. Damn, he had to get control. He felt like a junior high boy about to have his first kiss. He couldn’t figure out why he felt like this. Was it because for over four years he’d dreamed of this day or was it because Danielle had never had a man and he was about to be her first? He drove quickly and argued with himself mentally. He shouldn’t do this, but he wanted to. Damn, he wanted this, wanted her.

  Danielle felt a wash of hormones surge within her. Butterflies built, and she was wishing she would have said no to the pie as her stomach became queasy. She put her hand on his and squeezed it lightly. She was anxious but ready.

  J.C. glanced over at her while he thundered down the dirt road, leaving a wave of dust behind him. If anyone thought they were running out for ice cream at the local drive-in, they were sorely mistaken.

  “Are you sure you want this?” J.C. couldn’t help but ask. He could feel the apprehension in Danielle.

  Danielle smiled. Of course she wanted this. She was just scared to disappoint him. She had no real sexual experience to speak of. What if he hated it?

  “That’s a silly question,” Danielle said as she leaned over and began kissing his neck. One by one, she began to undo the buttons of his shirt to reveal his powerfully built chest. She ran her hands down the smoothness of it and loved how his muscles contracted under her touch. Feeling the spark of desire and yearning deep down, Danielle allowed intuition to lead her and not her mind.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” J.C. said as he took a deep breath. Her scent was intoxicating. Having her hands on his chest was heaven and more as they trailed lower and lower still.

  Danielle ran her hand across his cock and marveled at its size. Yeah, scared was the emotion that skirted through her now but also excitement.

  J.C. groaned as he pulled in front of his house and slammed on the brakes. He cut the engine and jerked open his door. His heart raced erratically as he stepped out and waited for Danielle to descend into his waiting arms.

  Danielle smiled nervously as she got out. J.C. whisked her up off her feet and carried her to the door. She giggled at the sudden whoosh of air and marveled at how incredibly strong he was. He carried her like she was light as a feather, very impressive. Adrenaline like she had never experienced before coursed through her veins invigorating her muscles and skin.

  Once inside, J.C. placed her gently to her feet, unsure of how to proceed. He knew what he wanted to do, but that was out of the question at the moment. It was better to let her lead, show him what she wanted.

  Danielle threw her arms around his neck and kissed him anxiously. “Take me, J.C., take me now,” she said between quick kisses. Her passion bubbled up, and she allowed it to consume her, fuel her. It propelled her to abandon rational thought and become a slave to her built-up desire.

  That was all the encouragement J.C. needed when her tongue thrust into his mouth. His hands fell to her waist and pulled her tight against him. Her smooth curves begged to be touched and tasted.

  His mind raced with thoughts of all he wanted to do to her, with her. Mercy, her mouth was sweet, in more ways than one. Hunger pressed harder, and they worked clumsily at tearing one another’s clothes off.

  Danielle giggled as J.C. lost his balance trying to kick off his boot and fell into the wall with a hard thud.

  “You’re laughing at me?” He smiled and pulled her wanton body against his own, relishing how perfect it felt.

  “Kiss me,” Danielle rasped out, words beginning to clog in her throat.

  J.C. obliged and worked at unfastening her bra as he walked her backward toward his room. A bobble here and thud against a wall there, clumsiness reigned in their hurried pace.

  Danielle couldn’t get her clothes off fast enough. She struggled with her top for a moment before she threw it to the floor. Her hands reached for the clasp of her bra while J.C. kissed her neck. She stumbled and bumped her elbow on the wall while she continued to walk backward toward the hall.

  J.C. tripped down the hall, trying to kick his jeans off his ankles. Danielle couldn’t suppress her giggling as she watched him struggle with something as simple as clothing. Underneath those unforgiving clothes was a man ripped with muscle from head to toe. She kissed his chest and rimmed her tongue over his nipple with giggles still erupting sporadically as J.C. nudged his bedroom door open and walked her backward to his bed.

  “I will be replacing those giggles with moans momentarily,” J.C. said as he pushed her onto the bed and slid her panties down her legs.

  J.C. marveled at her silky, long legs that led up to forbidden territory…until now. The sight of her naked body draped across his bed sent a throbbing pulse throughout him and his dick. He wanted to take her hard, drive himself into her to the hilt, and shoot his seed into her womb. The animalistic desire to take her that way was pure instinct.

  Damn, he couldn’t do that, wouldn’t do that. He pushed those thoughts back. He needed to be gentle and loving. He took a deep breath and exhaled. This wouldn’t be easy.

  A rush of excitement built again in Danielle as she watched him stand at the side of the bed looking down at her while he began to remove his boxers. Oh have mercy.

  Danielle was sure his form rivaled any Grecian statue she had ever seen in books. His wide chest tapered down to a narrow waist and thick muscular thighs. Huh, the Greeks had nothing in the way of hardware either.

  J.C. lifted her leg off the bed gently and smiled. His lips began their journey up the inside of her ankle. Soft kisses here, a swipe of his tongue there. He began to kiss up her thigh excruciatingly slow while holding her delicate foot in his large hands. Danielle watched with wonder and became slick each time his soft lips touched her sensitive skin. When he reached her pussy, he lightly flicked his tongue over her clit, causing her to moan and lift her hips wanting more.

  His tongue flicked again, eliciting more cries from Danielle. He knew he had to prime her. She was nervous and tight. He could feel the tension ease out of her with every lash of his tongue. His middle finger slid into her, causing her to cry out his name and buck her hips upward, wanting more.

  Oh, sweet mercy, but she was tight. The thought of hurting her combined with the excitement of the situation sent trembles running the length of his body, and his erection grew harder, if that were possible. Damn, she needed to relax, he thought, as he found her sweet spot and worked slowly while he sucked the sweet nectar her body produced.

  “Oh, J.C., don’t stop please,” Danielle cried.

  J.C.’s pace picked up as she bucked wildly. Her head thrashed as she neared her first orgasm. When it came, she screamed, and the muscles in her pussy tightened then loosened around his fingers. A wave of slick moisture coated his fingers as he tried to maintain his control.

  Slowly, her orgasm subsided into a quiet bliss. “Wow, oh, wow,” Danielle gasped.

  The high her body reached rivaled anything she had ever experienced or hoped to experience. Thousands of tiny shocks hit every nerve ending, sending her body into a frenzy of jerking convulsions. She sighed as she came down. When she opened her eyes, J.C. was above her, looking at her smiling.

  It was a proud smile and also a devilish one. Lust glazed over his sparkling blue eyes while his hand wrapped around his cock and slid up and down with a firm grip. The sight of him stroking himself sent another wave of excitement running through her.

  Danielle instinctively licked her lips at the vision before her, remembering how amazing it felt to take him into her mouth. She wanted to do it again and feel his hands run through her hair while she sucked and licked each and every ridge. She wanted to feel him rhythmically buck his hips toward her mouth and let deep moans escape him.

  J.C. wiped the hair out of Dani
elle eyes and kissed her gently while he continued to stroke himself. He was trying to calm himself as much as possible before the phenomenal occurred, sure that once inside her, he would lose control and prematurely let go before he could pleasure her completely.

  “Don’t tease, J.C., I need more of you, so much more,” Danielle said as she squirmed on the bed. Her hips were moving in anticipation, wanting him.

  J.C. reached over and opened the drawer to his nightstand and pulled out a condom. While Danielle fought to control her breathing, he opened the foil wrap and sheathed himself. His fingers trembled as he finished sliding it on.

  “Oh, please, I want you inside me,” Danielle said as she looked into his eyes.

  “I want to be inside you,” J.C. groaned and closed his eyes. He nearly came hearing her words. This moment surpassed anything he had ever experienced or hoped to experience.

  J.C. moved above her cautiously, braced himself with their skin barely touching, and kissed her softly. “I don’t want to hurt you. Please tell me to stop if I get carried away.” He nipped her bottom lip playfully.

  Danielle inhaled deeply, readying herself for the moment she always dreamed about. Her fingers traced the tense muscles of J.C.’s chest continuing down toward his abdomen. The man was a sight to behold. She grabbed his hips and pulled him closer, urging him to continue. His long cock stood at attention jutting away from his body. She needed him, now. The nervousness had now been replaced by a hunger for him she was unable to control. All she wanted was to feel him inside her, to join their bodies and ride the wave.

  J.C. angled himself to enter her. He pushed lightly at her entrance and smoothed his shaft up over her clit, eliciting a cry from Danielle.

  “Now, please,” Danielle pleaded.

  He kissed her softly as he pushed at her pussy again and eased in a couple of inches. His arms trembled in excitement. He waited for the initial shock to wear off and wait for his cue to continue.

  Danielle groaned. She expected it to hurt like stories she’d heard in her youth, but it didn’t come even close to pain. It was wonderful. She felt stretched and full and had only a small uncomfortable sensation at first, but it subsided quickly, and she wanted more. J.C. was large, and she could feel her body stretch more to accommodate him as he eased in farther.