by Susan Arden
They entered a hallway off the kitchen. There was a large room with hooks and built-in shelves. Nearly empty except for essentials: a washer, dryer, and detergent.
Carolina started to undress as if nothing were more natural. After calving, they didn’t need to fill in the silence. The connection she felt to Matt powered up. Way, way up.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Matt emptied his pockets, setting his keys, wallet, and the roll of medical tape on the shelf. Glancing over his shoulder, he froze. Carolina leaned over, bare-chested, removing her jeans. He stared at the gentle sway of her large breasts. Without much thought, he pressed the cycle button and dumped detergent into the washing machine as it filled with water.
“No, not cold,” she huffed, “Hot!” Her round tits pressed tightly to his torso as she changed the temperature setting.
Not for nothing, the lead pipe housed in his jeans was about to burst. “What can I say?” Wearing a lopsided grin, he laughed. “Baby, I could watch you forever.”
“Yeah right.”
“I’m serious,” he promised, cupping her breasts. One day, he was going to fuck his cock in between these beauties.
Carolina grinned. “How many times have you said that to a woman covered in every possible fluid from a cow’s body?”
To him it didn’t matter that their clothes were beyond filthy; they could stand up in the corner. He hungered for Carolina regardless of whether she was decked out in a ball gown or covered in mud.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, darlin’.” He wanted to tell her his thoughts, demand that they come clean in a way that had nothing to do with water.
Don’t be a dick. Matt glanced away, rather than let Carolina in on what she was doing to him. He pulled off his shirt, socks, and shrugged out of his jeans. As he dropped his clothing into the washing machine, Carolina’s slender hands curled around his arm. Her warm breasts grazed his back making his whole body throb.
“I know what you mean, McLemore.” Her soft breath grazed his skin.
The washing machine started to cycle and he said huskily, “Give me your clothes, baby.”
They were naked and standing in his laundry room. He wanted nothing better than to bury himself in Carolina, but he also wanted to comfort her. She’d helped out in a way that meant a live birth, not another death. This wasn’t part of her contract. She stepped up to the plate, her arms deep inside a dam that would have died along with the calf. For hours, both Brandon and he had witnessed her working without complaint.
Without question, they had relied on Dr. Carolina Rodriguez. She didn’t just help, she saved their asses.
Being with her was beyond mind-bending. Sure, the sex was fucking off the charts, yet it was the quality of Carolina, some undefinable essence that he puzzled over, unable to find where it started or if there was an end. Inexplicably his chest felt as though it was weighted down. With an absolute expiration date on the horizon, it tore at Matt. This woman wasn’t just some dark-haired beauty he’d rolled around in the sheets with.
“I want to make love to you tonight if you’re not completely exhausted. If you are, then I’ll hold you until the morning. At which time, I’m going to have to be a complete beast,” he teased.
“I’m a vet and I love all sorts of animals.” Carolina winked, holding out her hand. “FYI, I’m not too tired.”
Matt interlaced their fingers and they strolled into his bathroom. “Bath or shower? Doctor’s choice.”
“Quick shower, then a hot bath.”
The shower stall was separate from the bathtub. He turned on the water in the tub, squeezing a bottle of shower gel under the tap. The tub filled and he observed Carolina, not liking that bright red blood edged her bandage.
“First, we’d better take a look at your wound.”
“After. First, let’s shower.”
He caught and held her, gazing into her stormy gray eyes. “Just a peek.”
“You’re soooo nosey, McLemore,” she sighed. “Fine.”
Matt removed the bandage. Not that she’d let him do much peeking.
“Got any tape?” she asked.
“Coming up.” He’d set it on the shelf in the laundry room along with his keys. “Need anything else?”
“You. Me. And that shower.”
He retrieved the tape and returned to find Carolina at the sink washing her hands. Their gazes met in the mirror and she intoned, “Please, tear off two strips.”
After they cleaned and butterflied her wound, he pulled her to him. It took control to lightly kiss her lush lips, while holding onto her naked and tantalizing body.
With steam filling up the bathroom, they entered the shower together. They soaped and kissed each other beneath the hot water. She stroked his cock with both of her hands, stopping just short of his swollen crown. A low hiss expelled from his mouth. How Caro handled his dick was beyond provocative.
“Come with me,” he ordered, seizing her wrists. “Or I’m going to, right here in the shower.”
“Well, when you put it that way,” she murmured, with a seductive smile.
They moved to the bath. He got into the tub and sat behind her, just as they’d done while birthing the calf.
Carolina leaned back against his chest. “This feels wonderful.”
Using a sponge, Matt squeezed water over her shoulders as his chin rubbed against her hair. “I like us this way,” he said. More than liked, he relished the feel of her glistening skin under his hands, savoring the sight of her tight nipples.
“Wet and naked, pretty nice view, cowboy.” Her fingers glided down his legs, massaging his calf muscles.
When she moved, her bottom bumped across his engorged cock. The skin of her shoulder was warm and flushed under his lips. Her breasts rode in and out of the water, pink from the heat, firm and large in his hands. He squeezed them, lightly pinching each tip until Carolina moaned his name. This was so intimate, so erotic he fought the urge to pull her up and onto his erection. Having this woman ride him, hips swaying as if she were on a saddle was a fantasy come true.
Matt’s voice came out hoarse, “Ride me, cowgirl.”
Carolina twisted in his arms. Their gazes locked and he felt that electrical connection that ran between them race in his bloodstream. It was like touching a live wire.
“Help me,” she whispered, rising out of the water. Her full round breasts slid across his chest.
She flicked her tongue across his jaw, then they were kissing. He held onto her slick body. Bubbles clung to her in provocative patches. Matt was speechless, watching his pin-up fantasy come to life. Fully aroused, his erection crested the surface of the bathwater as Carolina straddled his lap. There was no holding back. He entered warm soft silk and she began to rock her hips.
He wasn’t going to last, still he growled, “That’s it. Ride me, baby.”
Uninhibited, they moved in tandem. Carolina smiled, her eyes half-closed. She held onto his shoulders, taking and giving in abandon. She rocked faster, taking him deeper.
Her breasts bounced and he gripped her hips. He took over and moved her, fucking her. She was all his. “Get there,” he ordered. “Now, Carolina!”
“Babe, I’m coming. That’s it!”
She rode him, consumed his hunger, fucked him until his orgasm was a blinding light behind his eyes. Pleasure shot up his spine, imploding in his head. Matt closed his eyes, feeling the radiating rush that corded his muscles.
For seconds, both of their ragged gasps echoed off the bathroom walls. He brought her flush to his torso, and lifted her chin. The feel of her sweet lips melted his resistance. “Carolina,” he murmured against her mouth. He wanted to tell her more, tell her she was fast-becoming everything to him. Only the words required refused to surface.
Matt rose and pulled her up with him. Deep in thought, he brought a towel around her body. Not wanting to cover Carolina from his sight but unwilling to have her cold or uncomfortable
.
She was so lovely his chest ached. His gaze dropped to her arm, and he saw a trickle of blood. He tied a towel around his waist, then grunted like a caveman, “Hold on. Not so fast, Dr. R. Let’s have a look at your arm. Does it hurt?”
She gazed at him. “Not one bit.”
Without asking, Matt picked her up and carried her to the bed. “Stay put. I’ll be back with a first aid kit.”
“Sounds reasonable,” she replied in a sultry voice.
“Ibuprofen or aspirin? Anything for discomfort? Didn’t you once tell me to spill the truth or you’d imagine worst-case scenario?”
Carolina laughed. “Tea would be nice.”
Tea? That was unexpected. “I think I’ve got some.” He dressed in shorts and didn’t have a hope in hell on finding a tea bag down in his kitchen. But he had a cell and favors he could call in.
After scouting through cabinets, drawers, and under the counters, he came up empty-handed. There wasn’t much in the house except for the basic necessities. Cell phone in hand, he called the cavalry. “Mom, do you have any tea?”
“Matt? What did you say?”
“I need a tea bag. You know, for a cup of tea.”
Silence. “Of course, we’ve got tea bags. Are you feeling sick? Your brother is about to leave. I’ll send a box over.”
“Tea’s not for me.”
“Do you have cream? Lemon?”
“I don’t know.” He had zero ideas about tea, in general. Why he was even opening the refrigerator was a waste of time. There wasn’t much except light and lots of white. A few beers, eggs, butter, bread. He didn’t see cream or anything bright yellow, and reported, “I haven’t got either.”
“What about honey?” his mom asked.
Sweet. That’s what Carolina was besides golden skinned, glistening in their bath...
“Son? Hello? Do you want some honey?”
“Yes, ma’am. Please, I’ll take whatever you suggest when it comes to making a cup of tea,” he said, almost forgetting. “Oh, Mom?”
“I’m listening.”
“Thanks.”
“Goodness gracious, it’s my pleasure. You take care. Give my regards to Carolina.”
Matt heated water. He went to his Jeep and had to unscrew the first aid kit bolted to the tailgate. This would be one of the few times he’d used it over the years. His brother and cousins and the ranch hands rarely used bandages. Lights flashed on the driveway and the motorcycle engine cut. He met Stephen at the front steps.
His brother flipped up his visor and held out a brown paper bag. “As requested, hot stuff. Are you serving cupcakes, too?”
Matt flipped him off as he took hold of the bag.
“What else is brewing up around here?” Stephen pulled off his helmet.
Matt snorted. “Why are you asking?”
His brother rubbed his jaw. “In truth, wish it were me.”
“Any advice?”
“About women?”
“What else?”
“You’d better consult Miss Louisa. I’ve got nothing to go on.” Stephen shrugged. “Are you happy?”
Matt rubbed the back of his neck. Being with Carolina made him feel at home. That restlessness he’d always known seemed to spread out and want to dig into the land all around. Matt didn’t know how to explain it; except, he didn’t want to let her go. It sounded crazy.
“We’ve only really known each other a few days but I’m tripping. It’s like I’m standing at the brink… Guess, you know what I’m talking about.” He gave his brother an appreciative look for what he had to be going through. Not that they spoke about it. It was a closed subject where Stephen was concerned.
Their eyes met.
Stephen whistled. “Take it easy, brother.”
“I’m trying. But this isn’t exactly easy, if you get my meaning.”
“Never is.” Stephen pulled his helmet on and gave Matt a thumbs-up. His brother cranked his motorcycle and gunned the engine. In his customary fashion, Stephen tore off down the road, out the gate, more than likely out to some bar to drink beer and dance and carouse. Stephen as the second eldest McLemore brother, might seem like he was the wildcard of the bunch, on the prowl, but deep down his brother was waiting, biding his time. For tonight, Stephen would more than likely end up with some woman, short-term.
That wasn’t the life Matt wanted anymore. He pulled open the front door. Carolina was more than in his house. The sense of satisfaction he felt eased his impatience, held his attention, and forced his thoughts to the future.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A week later.
Seated at his parents’ dinner table, it was difficult to listen and make conversation while Matt’s fingers moved up her leg. Ohhh, she felt herself start to melt. A line of fire spread from his fingers right to Carolina’s core. Desire swirled through her body. She wanted to give in but she couldn’t, not here!
In lieu of sipping, Carolina gulped the wine from a glass that she held in a death grip. Matt’s hand traced a path from her knee, between her thighs, and she shot him a warning look. Of course, he ignored it! Another inch and the tremble in Carolina’s shoulder worked its way down her arm.
Her hand shook as she set the wine glass on the table. All the while the devil in blue jeans beside her wore a blank expression. Well, two can play this game. Just like that she crossed her legs, clamping his fingers in a tight hold. Matt winced. This time, she was the one laughing, low and short, before releasing her grasp.
He removed his hand from between her legs and she wondered what he’d do next. Carolina didn’t have to wait long. With greater aplomb, he moved his arm to the back of her chair. “More wine?” he asked in a low husk of a voice. The glint was back in his blue eyes.
“I’m fine,” she replied, holding his gaze.
“Don’t I know it,” he murmured.
She tried not to shiver as his fingers caressed her hair, neck, and shoulder. Fine, she thought and put her hand on his arm. As if a victory had been won, he let go a chuckle and took her hand.
It had been less than two weeks and from falling fast, Carolina was very certain she was there. Infatuation, plus some. Ever since the calving, she and Matt were constantly touching. Before arriving for dinner, she’d suggested that maybe they should try some restraint. They’d been caught kissing, not a peck. Deep, over-the-top on more than a dozen occasions. If he was near, she couldn’t resist and to his credit, Matt seemed to be in the same boat headed up a river called denial.
“Carolina, Rory said you were there for the birth of the calf. Not many women are up for that sort of ordeal,” Cory exclaimed. “You’re brave, more than most men, I reckon.”
As casually as possible, she replied, “Difficult calvings aren’t hard to come by, believe it or not. They’re the norm for a mobile vet.”
Wade and Sarah had heard about the calving and after that, it was an easy skip to why, what, how, and that she was a vet. It had come out when Rory told his twin sister and Cory mentioned it to an aunt, who promptly reported it to Sarah. Not that Carolina minded—it freed her from being undercover, which had felt altogether wrong.
“Really. So, you treat all sorts of animals in your mobile office?” Cory asked. “I wish you would’ve brought your van here.”
“Time, I didn’t have. That’s the only drawback when it comes to mobility. Which is pretty much the life for large animal vets willing to travel.” Carolina was hoping to extend her boundaries, but finding customers wasn’t as easy as she had hoped. She’d gotten a few replies. Then today, she’d sent out another newsletter doing what Matt had suggested, lowering her prices.
Brandon chimed in. “Like Doctors Without Borders. A vet without a border.”
“Very much so,” she mused. “It’s why I’m broadening my client base. But it’s slow going.”
“You’ve got a client in Louisiana,” Matt said, squeezing her hand. “Others will follow.”
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br /> “Yes,” she murmured in agreement.
Then he turned to Stephen who’d asked a question. Carolina gazed at his profile. A muscle clenched along Matt’s cheek. He was aware that she’d received a request for vet services in Louisiana. A referral from Jeff, not that she’d heard from him directly. The ranch owner had mentioned it, telling her it was short-term. Small-time for Dr. Haverty. A ranch interested in buying stock wanted a vet on hand and required her ready to roll on-site within the next week.
She took hold of Matt’s forearm. His muscles relaxed under her fingers and he covered her hands with his large calloused palm. His burning gaze held her steady. The conversation around the table receded.
They’d agreed to give his family the bare facts. It was the truth that they’d met because of her profession. No lie there. Not knowing what the lab report would say and how it might be interpreted placed her in the hot seat of being the person to point a finger. Yet even if she had a story formulated on the variables, everything was changing fast.
Matt had hinted at wanting to know her schedule and future plans. He turned away without saying a word, removed his palm, and slipped his forearm from her grasp. Matt picked up his glass and tipped it back against his lips. His throat worked, muscular cords, and her heart stuttered. Was he as twisted and tore up as she, realizing the end loomed closer and closer?
When they were alone together, making love, his body next to her, everything was perfect. Complications arose amidst the outside world, namely her future work schedule.
“The calf is running about, suckling, stable. What more could we ask for?” Rory stated, jarring Carolina from her thoughts. He was looking right at her. “You’re good at what you do. Best vet, we’ve all seen.”
“I wish I’d known is all,” Wade said.
“No one asked,” Matt interjected. “Since when do we get a curriculum vitae from anyone’s better half?”
Cory laughed. “None of my dates come and deliver a calf, big brother.”
“That’s only because you’d scare them off before a birth could occur,” Stephen said.