19. Rodeo

NINETEEN

RODEO

LEIGH

T hey opened the door to the guest house and Leigh became breathless as she looked at the exquisite foyer. The tall ceilings, the beautiful stone floor. She thought it could easily pass for one of those homes in a luxury magazine.

"Wow, this is…" she stared in awe.

"Overkill," Claude added quickly.

"Really? That's what you think of all this?" she asked as she twirled around the foyer with her arms wide open.

"I think I'd be just as happy, if not more, in a little dilapidated cabin in the woods with a fireplace, and a bunch of children running around not having to worry about one of them breaking a three-thousand-dollar vase." He laughed as he ran his hand over the mantle.

Leigh had a brief moment where she envisioned her, Claude, and a little one cozied up on the couch with a blanket watching TV. She felt a sudden sense of warmth toward thoughts of a future that involved Claude.

Claude reached out his hand to her. "Let's take the grand tour, shall we?" She accepted easily and enjoyed the feeling of her hand entwined in his.

They roamed through room after extravagant room – a library, a parlor, and a kitchen that could serve an entire army in one sitting.

"And the best for last." Claude grinned as he opened the final door. "The master bedroom. We'll be quite acquainted with it by the morning."

His impish grin had always set her soul on fire. She couldn't get enough of him.

She entered the bedroom and took in the sight of the huge four-poster bed and the bear skin rug in front of a fireplace. She thought it was one of the most romantic places she had ever been in. She felt at peace.

After Claude started the gas logs, he approached her and tucked her hair behind her ear. "You know this house is beautiful, but it doesn't hold a candle to you, Leigh." Her heart skipped a beat with the sweetness and sincerity of his words.

Leigh looked up to meet Claude's gaze. A soft blush colored her cheeks as his fingers gently caressed the side of her face. His eyes were sparkling in the firelight, reflecting an infinite universe of emotions so raw and real. She gave him a reassuring smile, and he gently pressed his lips on hers for a moment that was as sweet as nectar.

"I'm going to show you another kind of luxury tonight, my love," he whispered into her ear, the breathy sound of his voice making goose bumps rise on her skin. Slowly, intentionally, Claude began to undress Leigh. Each article of clothing he peeled away was like the shedding of old skin, leaving a new one that was freer and more receptive to his touch.

As every button was unbuttoned and every zipper slowly lowered, Claude would replace it with warm kisses that left trails of fire on her skin. He told stories with his touches, tales of romance that spoke volumes about their shared passion and intimacy.

The room was laced with anticipation as the last piece of clothing fell onto the polished wooden floor, joining the rest in silent testimony to their shared desire. Claude took a step back to appreciate the sight before him. Leigh had never felt more adored than she did in that moment.

She repaid the favor by taking her time as she undressed Claude, taking in the sight of the delicious man in front of her. All toned and muscular. He smelled of fire and sex, and she was taking it all in.

Claude wrapped her in his arms and carried her to the bed, softly laying her on the sheets that seemed made of clouds. She was in awe as she watched the beautiful man slowly ascend up to her in the bed.

"You are so beautiful, Leigh." Her heart leaped again with his words of affection.

His fingertips then traced a gentle and caring path along her body, each touch eliciting a gasp from Leigh's lips that echoed through the plush surroundings. The firelight danced on their forms, casting shadows and highlights that played an intimate tale on their entwined figures. Slowly he lowered himself onto her, his strength complimented by his tenderness.

From the moment their bare skin met, a rush of intense awareness washed over Leigh. It was as if they were two halves of a whole finally coming together. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer as the distance between them disappeared, leaving nothing but the magnetic connection that drew them to one another.

With a gentle yet passionate kiss, Claude began his exploration of her body. Leaving no corner unloved or untouched, he kissed her neck, trailed down to her collarbone, and farther down to her stomach. He seemed to pour all his passion into each caress, each kiss translating his feelings for her into a language only lovers could comprehend. Leigh was on cloud nine.

Claude's warmth spread through Leigh like wild vines sprawling over a stone wall, wild, unrestrained, yet delicate in its own way. She reached out for him, and their bodies moved rhythmically, their synchronized heartbeats sounding like a symphony under their skin.

She felt his firm yet gentle hands exploring her body as he continued to shower her with affection. His every touch was accentuated with a rush of heat that spread across her body, causing her to shiver with delight. With each shudder, he would quietly utter soothing words into her ear while his hands reassured her with their steady rhythm.

He moved slowly, deliberately, making sure she felt every stroke of his fingertips. Her heart pounded in response to his sensual exploration like drums echoing harmoniously in the silence of the night. Each pulse was an affirmation of their shared passion and desire, every whisper a promise of love professed.

When it came time to join their bodies, Claude did so with the tender care of a sculptor molding his masterpiece. He held her close, their bodies fitting together like pieces of a puzzle that were destined for one another. Their intimacy rang through the room like music in a symphony of love and passion that only they could hear.

Leigh closed her eyes and reveled in the sensation, lost in the pleasure that Claude provided with every movement. The pressure built gradually, starting from deep within and spreading throughout her body like ripples on water's surface. Every second was a new revelation, each moment more thrilling than the last. And when she was close to succumbing to the sensations, she started to cry out, "Claude, I…I…"

"Shhh," he said as he caressed her head. "You don't have to say it yet, but I know, I feel it too, Leigh." With the acknowledgment, she came harder than ever before. Claude followed quickly behind, singing her praises.

Their bodies, still wrapped in their intimate embrace, began to descend into a calm tiredness. The fire continued to flicker in the room, casting a gentle glow on their satisfied forms. Her head lay on his chest, feeling the soothing rise and fall of his breath as he cradled her gently in his arms. He brushed away a strand of hair from her flushed face, tucking it behind her ear as she sighed contentedly against him.

The room was filled with the soft sounds of their breathing, timed perfectly with the crackling fire. His thumb ran slowly over her forearm, tracing invisible patterns as they allowed their pounding hearts to slow down.

Claude's fingers drew lazy circles on Leigh's back, each stroke carrying the weight of unsaid words and unexpressed feelings. She clung to him, her fingers clutching at his skin as she nuzzled into his chest, melting into his comforting warmth.

They lay there for what felt like an eternity, lost in their shared embrace, utterly content and peaceful under the dancing shadows of the firelight. It felt like time stood still just for them, a moment etched out of eternity meant solely for them to enjoy.

Slowly Leigh's eyes grew heavy. She adjusted herself in an attempt to stay awake. Claude pulled her tighter into his chest. "It's okay, baby, just fall. I'll be right here when you wake up."

Leigh didn't know if he was aware of the double meaning in the sentence he left her with as she drifted off to sleep. But she held on to that feeling of bliss knowing she was falling for Claude, and he had every intention of catching her.