***
Cade leaned back in the chair and sighed. "You’re a pretty mean cook, you know that?" He rubbed his belly to prove his point.
"Thanks. Essie made the salad so I have to give her credit too." Kate watched him from under her lashes. Together on the back veranda in the cool evening breeze, gazing over the river and rolling hills went a short way to sooth the tension that had made her insides churn anticipating the evening. Sitting here with Cade so close still sent jolts of electricity through her veins. The only thing that would make a difference, would be getting naked and having her way with the body she’d dreamed of since she was a teenager.
"Did you want anything else, Cade?" She asked the question innocently enough but as soon as he locked gazes with her, it became seductive and took her breath away.
"Only one more thing, Kate." He took his glass and drained the last of the champagne. With precise movements, he wiped his lips with the serviette before placing it on the plate. Cade stood and held his hand out, capturing her fingers in his.
Kate rose, her skin on fire, and let him lead her inside. He stopped at her bedroom door and she nodded. Cade pushed the door open and gasped. Candles lit the room in a romantic haze. Her beautiful big bed was for once clear of extra cushions and the bedspread was pulled back exposing the crisp sheets underneath. Kate had the pillows propped up at the head with rose petals scattered over the white sheets.
"Something tells me you were ready to have your way with me, young Kate." His voice was low and sexy.
"Heaven forbid you make me wait any longer for you, Cade. I was ready long before today." She tugged his hand and drew him into the room. The window stood open, letting a cool breeze float over the heat of the candles.
Kate put her hands on his chest, eager to tear off his clothes, desperate for the moment she’d waited so long for. This night would be burned in her memory for ever, and she hoped she didn't disappoint him. One by one, she undid the buttons. Parting his shirt, she pushed it from his shoulders and ran her fingertips over his chest.
Tweaking his nipple, she smiled when it pebbled under her touch and leaned closer to flick it with her tongue. Cade’s hands on her skin, trailing down her almost bare back, thrilled her. With gentle force, she bit his nipple, tasting the salt of his skin. The heat built between her thighs and with each stroke of his fingers, the pressure increased.
His fingers trailed down her back, skipping over her thighs before lifting the edge of her dress. She gasped as his palms rounded her bare butt cheeks and toyed with the elastic on her thong. Kate stepped her legs apart, giving him access. He slid a finger under the edge and slipped it inside her.
"Oh my God." She arched her back, thrusting her hips in rhythm with his fingers. Laying her forehead on his shoulder, Kate let her senses take over and rode his hand. The moment of her climax would forever be imprinted on her mind. Cade called for her to let go and she intended taking anything he was prepared to give.
Her breath came in short gasps as she clenched her muscles around his fingers. The lights imploding inside her head bloomed, alive with colour with each spasm of her sex. When she slowed, Kate drooped in his arms and Cade picked her up carrying her to the bed.
He laid her down and crouched over her, his legs either side of her body. "That went well."
She gazed up at him, with neither regret nor embarrassment. "You bring out such strong feelings in me, Cade. You always have."
"I don't know what to say. I never knew." He leaned down, resting his forehead on hers.
"I was too scared to share my feelings until now. And now, I want to shout it to the world." She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down. "Am I scaring you, Cade?"
"Funnily enough, no. I thought about this earlier. I feel it's time for me to settle down and coming home has been the best thing I could have done." He rolled over onto his back and placed his hands behind his head. "Everything is fitting together, like a puzzle and with each piece, I breathe a sigh of relief."
"I love you, Cade Williams. Now I plan to show you how much."
Kate sat up on the bed, lifting the dress over her head and throwing it to the side of the room. With her wild red hair hanging over her face, she leaned down and kissed him passionately.
Cade cupped her breasts, rolling his fingertips over her pert nipples while they tasted each other. He groaned when she backed off, sliding from the bed.
Kate stepped out of her thong, a feeling of freedom with him she hadn't found with anyone else. She pushed his legs apart and stood between them, her fingers at his jeans. She traced her fingertip up and down the erection straining the cloth and smiled.
"You torture me, Kate." He reached for her hands and she shook her head.
""No, don't touch. Let me do this." She undid the button and then the zip, letting his pants fall open to reveal straining boxers underneath. Kate grabbed the legs of his jeans and pulled them down, letting them fall to the floor.
Cade had a smile on his face and she questioned him with a look.
"You’d better take what I have in the back pocket since you’re leading the charge here."
Bending down, Kate retrieved the jeans and dove her hand into the back pocket. When she pulled out two foil packets, she wiggled her eyebrows. "Big night planned, I see."
He shrugged, his sexy grin getting larger as he looked at her. "I was hoping you were in the same frame of mind as me. Luckily you are, so I won't go home feeling frustrated as I normally do."
"Really? I make you that way?" Kate threw the packets on the bed beside him and reached for his boxers. She slid her fingers up the leg, touching the softness of him before sliding her touch up his shaft.
"You're killing me here, Kate."
Wrapping her hand around him, she slid it up and down, her breath coming in time with the movement.
"Kate, don't ! No more." Cade grabbed her wrist, pushing her away. He reached for the packet and pushed down his boxers, letting his erection spring free.
Kate's mouth went dry and she licked her lips. "Let me." She took the packet from him and ripped it with her teeth. Sheathing him as fast as her shaking fingers would allow, she rolled the condom down before meeting his gaze.
He beckoned her with his hand. She scuttled up his body and poised herself over the top of him.
Cade gripped her hips and positioned her before pulling her down onto him.
Kate let out a soft mewling noise and closed her eyes. He filled her perfectly and they paused to let the magic sink in. When she opened her eyes, Cade was watching her, a faraway look in his eyes. With gentle movements, she started to move on him. Rocking her hips in sensual movements, Kate let her body take over.
Cade held her hips and moved with her. Gentle at first, he thrust into her, the intensity of the moment gradually building, and they moved faster in time with their bodies’ needs.
Kate gasped and gripped his shoulders, stars pushing the backs of her eyelids as he flipped her onto her back, still buried deep inside. Her hair flared across the sheets and she gazed into his eyes.
Cade leaned on his hands and watched her as he made love to her. "Keep watching me, honey. Don't close your eyes. I want you to see what you do to me."
She gripped his butt with her hands, digging her fingers into his toned flesh. With each thrust, she met him, with each pant of breath, she raced toward another climax.
"Oh Kate, you are perfect." Cade leaned down onto his elbows, placing his forehead on hers, pale blue eyes fixed intently on hers.
"I can't hold it much longer, please hurry." Kate cried out as she peaked again, wrapping her legs around his thighs to hold him close.
With a final thrust, he cried out, his body going stiff and a guttural moan rang out, loud in the small cottage. He tucked his head in the crook of her neck and held her while they panted in exhaustion.
When her breath slowed, Kate turned her head to him, brushing her lips over his. "You’re amazing, Cade."
"So are you, b
eautiful girl. My very own beautiful girl. I can't believe it took me all this time to realise what was right under my nose.
Her laughter rang out in the bedroom. "Welcome home, Cade. I'm so glad you're finally here."
The End
Other books by Ann B. Harrison
From the Outback
Although desperate to get out of her dead end job, Sami is cynical when she hears of an inheritance from the grandfather she never knew. But once she and her young brother arrive in the beautiful valley, she discovers they are not wanted...especially by the sexy vineyard owner next door.
Will she persevere and make a home for them, or give in and take the easy money when the going gets tough?
Outback Thunder
Zoe left home at the age of twenty when she found Jonas, the love of her life, in the arms of another woman.
Ten years later she returns from London to help her brother keep their outback property in the family and out of the hands of the major shareholder—Jonas
But they each hold a secret. Jonas has called her back under false pretences and Zoe’s secret has the potential to destroy their love for ever.
Will their love survive?
Outback Gold
Stacey Peters is passionate about saving the old family pub and the unique outback from the voracious mining company. Morgan Taylor, owner of the mining company comes to town and is less than honest about his intentions...with the mine and with Stacey. Can they resolve their differences or will they be torn apart as the gold is mined?
Taming the Outback
Libby is set on taming the outback as she takes over Quincy Station, but can she tame her rough neighbor, Nathan's, hardened heart as well?
Nathan Miller rattles Libby's nerves more than she cares to admit. He is the one person that stands between her and the family home that has been left to her. So why then does the man stir her up to such an extent, her body pulses with the need to have him? They do nothing but clash and snap at one another, and he makes no bones about the fact she shouldn't be Quincy's Station's new owner, but back in the city where he thinks she belongs.
Having had an unpleasant clash with a "city girl" once before, Nathan does not think Libby has it in her to stick it out. He refuses to give in to his urges. But when Mother Nature brings chaos to Quincy Station and threatens Libby's children, he'll either be proved right in his assumptions or find his barriers taken down by a stubborn woman and her kids.
Mistress for Magnus
Is Kate prepared to trade six months as Magnus' mistress to save the home and people she loves?
The death of Kate's mother sends her father on a gambling spree that he keeps hidden from his family. When the will is read after his death she finds out how bad things are and can see no way out, except one.
In a desperate attempt to save her home and the people she loves, Kate offers her neighbour water rights to the largest dam in the area that also happens to be on her land. What follows is an introduction to a world of passionate sex that she doesn't want to give up after the contract ends. Kate also didn't expect to fall in love with him.
Magnus is intrigued with Kate after years of having women drop at his feet and granting him his every desire. On a whim, he adds an extra clause to the contract—she is to be his mistress for six months.
Instant Families
Sara falls for Jake a father of two. Can breaking her rules give them a chance at love?
After a bitter divorce, Sara moves to a new town and a new life. She meets Jake, a handsome widower. There's just one problem—he has two children. While Sara is attracted to him, she can't help her fear of becoming a mother. A fear ingrained in her due to a dysfunctional upbringing.
Can Jake convince her to give them a chance? Or will an unexpected turn from Mother Nature drive them apart forever?
Irish Seduction
Jasper has fallen for the young woman that invades his dreams every night and seduces him.
Little does he know she is the daughter of the gods that rule his part of the world. When he is called upon by them to teach their youngest daughter the elemental spells, he is horrified to find out who his mystery lover is. With the fate of his tenants and his own life at risk, Jasper must find a way to have her without bringing the gods wrath on them all.
Red Hot
A hot contemporary romance with paranormal elements.
Total honesty or hot sex? Will their love survive both?
To ward off his frustration, Red Douglas rides his motorbike up the coastal highway pushing the limits of speed and endurance.
When he crashes at the front door of local witch, Rhian Gallagher, she takes it as a sign the Fates have listened to her plea to end the man drought in her life. Determined to take the shy scientist under her wing and into her bed as soon as possible, Rhian patches him up after his accident.
Will the explosive sex between them be enough to convince Red his scientific view of the world can be reconciled with Rhian’s witchcraft?
LOVE AUSTRALIAN ROMANCE?
TRY THESE!
TREE CHANGE By Tea Cooper
Forced to choose between the life she wants and the man she loves, Cassia opts for fame and fortune. But it's not enough—one taste and she's hooked again...
Despite her success in the Sydney art world, Cassia yearns for the idyllic life she once lead with Jake in their shack over looking the Pacific Ocean. Seeking closure she falls, like an addict, straight back into his arms, and out again equally quickly. Not only has he taken up with his brother's wife, but it seems they have a child. Truth is, Jake's living a lie, sworn to secrecy, and hamstrung by the debt he owes his estranged family. But one glimpse of Cassia and he knows he cannot live without her. Her fey, artistic character and magical body possess his imagination and his heart. Can he convince her to trust him long enough to save the crumbling remains of their relationship?
THE PROTEA BOYS by Tea Cooper
Georgie can run but she can't hide from the man who stalks her dreams and throws her ordered life into a tailspin.
Emotional entanglement is not on Georgie Martin's to do list. She has turned her back on her sophisticated Sydney lifestyle, determined to renovate her parents old flower farm and her shattered ego. However, the challenges prove more than she bargained for until a madcap scheme comes to fruition and the Protea Boys are born. The team of handsome hunks solves her farming problems, but their leader presents a different kind of challenge - their first spark of attraction ignites a passion she cannot ignore. Tom Morgan likes his women "pretty and entertaining," not "efficient and driven," but the threat of being co-opted as a wine waiter or worse, chef in his brother's restaurant encourages him to take up what he sees as the highly amusing challenge of managing the Protea Boys. It is the perfect distraction while he waits for a new assignment - or so he thinks until he realizes he has found the one woman he cannot run away from.
PASSIONFRUIT & POETRY by Tea Cooper
When the famous Sydney fashion photographer Xander Fitzgerald takes a shot of Jeanie Baker, his ISO settings hit red alert and no one’s life is ever the same again.
Jeanie believes she is content - a small town girl happy running the Café Cinématique with her grandmother—but with Xander’s arrival her life takes an unexpected turn and she finds herself unwillingly thrown into the limelight. For a girl with few ambitions Jeanie’s new life is at once both terrifying and strangely liberating, and in Xander’s company she blossoms into a woman she hardly recognizes. But the sophisticated life of Sydney is full of smoke and mirrors and when her past comes back to haunt her all she wants is to head home, back to passionfruit pie and her grandmother’s warm hug. Xander discovers he can’t have his cake and eat it too. He has to make some serious decisions, but is he prepared to give away everything he has worked for to win the woman he first glimpsed through the lens of his camera?
MATILDA’S FREEDOM by Tea Cooper
An unconventional woman clashes with colonial society in this spi
cy and sweet Australian-set historical romance.
His carefree bachelor days over, Christopher Matcham returns to Sydney to take responsibility for his mother, two stepsisters, and the family property. Fortune smiles on him when he is introduced to Matilda Sweet, a woman in need of work. Though unusual, Christopher senses that her fresh ideals and positive outlook can only benefit his sisters, so he hires her as a companion. By the time they arrive at Christopher’s family home, the two are fast friends but Matilda’s unorthodox ways and her convict heritage make her a second-class citizen to the family. Christopher has responsibilities, and they include an advantageous match. A breeches-wearing, fish-pond-swimming, plain-talking convict’s daughter will never figure in. After all, romance is a luxury the upper classes cannot afford…
Coming Home (Williams Siblings) Page 23