by Anne Rainey
“Would you rather head back to the table?”
“No,” she said, firming up her resolve to have a good time, despite the creep. “We’re here to have fun. Screw him.”
Gracie smiled and went back to dancing. When another upbeat song started up, Catherine forgot her worries. The light-haired stranger no longer mattered. Dean’s distrust toward her even took a backseat. Everything faded as the music surrounded her and carried her away.
Catherine heard Gracie yell something about the tune being one of her favorites. She smiled and realized the romantic tune was one she loved as well. One more thing they had in common. The song was soft, with a woman’s lilting voice that made Catherine picture herself in the arms of a lover. She closed her eyes and imagined Dean. It startled her. Thinking of him that way made her remember the delicious kiss from earlier in the day. The music, the soft lights, all of it coaxed out her uninhibited side. She let herself float along with it as the rhythm took hold. In her mind, Catherine saw the planes and angles of Dean’s stern face, his soft, talented lips and the intense brown eyes that seemed ever trained on her. God, how she wanted his lips pressed to hers in that moment. If she were honest with herself, Catherine would admit that she wanted his entire body pressed to her. Since she couldn’t have that, then at least the music would help her fantasize a little. Her imagination would simply have to be enough for tonight.
As she swayed and moved, her eyes drifted closed. Catherine wondered how good his hands would feel, and soon her own hands were traveling down her body, barely grazing but enough to spark off an erotic thought or two. She touched her own neck, imagining his lips caressing her there. She wondered if he would take his time, kissing and nibbling on her before moving farther south.
Catherine’s fingers hooked beneath the hem of her skirt and lifted slightly, unaware that she was giving a tantalizing glimpse of her upper thigh. She felt the satin of her own skin beneath her fingertips. She quivered. Would his hands be calloused? A working man’s hands? As the song began to wind down, she wondered if she’d ever find out what Dean’s touch was like.
Dean didn’t need this right now. On top of her looking good enough to eat, Catherine danced like a goddess. Damn, he should’ve known the minute he’d kissed her that he’d have a hard time keeping his distance. He nearly salivated at the loving way her short black dress cupped her ass cheeks. Dean had to clench his fists in front of him on the table to keep from leaping out onto the dance floor and taking her into his arms. As he glanced around the room he noticed several other men watching her with lust in their eyes, and that alone had him wanting to drag her off. He’d take her somewhere private, somewhere he could get more than just his hands on her soft curves.
Wade nudged him, and Dean forced his gaze off Catherine long enough to see what he wanted. “Yeah?”
“So what’s this about Catherine coming to your place?”
Dean frowned, knowing an interrogation was coming. “It was no big deal.”
Wade quirked a brow and gave him one of those big brother “I can see right through you” looks.
“She wanted to clear the air,” Dean said, keeping it simple. The kiss they’d shared was no one’s damn business. “To see if she and I could form a truce or something.”
“And did you?”
He thought of how good she’d tasted and had to bite back a curse. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Oh, you’re here.” Wade sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “But I’m still trying to figure out if it’s because you came for the terrific company or simply to keep tabs on Catherine. Judging by the way you’ve been watching her dance, I’d say it’s somewhere in between. Am I right?”
“Look, you all want me to like her, to accept her as a part of this family, I get that. You’ve made your position very clear, Wade. But—”
“She is a part of this family,” Wade said, his voice rising over the blast of the bass and the roar of the crowd. “She’s Gracie’s sister and that makes her a really big part.”
Dean shoved a hand through his hair and leaned closer. “She’s still a virtual stranger. You and I both know that exchanging a few phone calls and e-mails doesn’t mean you know a person inside and out.”
“Yes, I’m aware, and that’s what this visit is for. So they can get to know each other.”
Dean was tired of banging his head against that particular wall. When he turned and looked at Catherine, his anger dissipated. She looked like a wood nymph. Her long red hair flowed down her back as she danced around the floor, completely oblivious to the riot of emotion inside him. Dean took another swig of his beer and placed it on the table, then sat back and watched the show. She swayed to the beat of the music, as if completely lost in it. She moved with passion. He wondered what was going through her mind. Was she imagining a lover’s touch? When her hands went on a journey over her body, Dean’s dick thickened beneath his trousers.
A movement to her right caught his attention, and he saw a man striding across the dance floor. He was headed right for Catherine. That quickly, his conversation with Wade was forgotten. All Dean could think about was keeping the other man from touching her. He heard someone call his name, but he ignored it. As he crossed the room, maneuvering his way through the gyrating bodies, Dean came up directly behind her and placed his hands on her hips. She went rigid.
He leaned close. “Come home with me.”
Catherine tipped her head back to look at him. “That’s it? You think I’ll simply surrender and fall into your arms?”
Dean barely noticed when the song ended and another, slower tune started up. All his concentration was on the softness of the woman beneath his hands. He wanted to feel the satin of her skin. He wanted the dress gone. “It’d be nice if you would, yeah.”
She shook her head and turned in his arms. “That isn’t a good idea.”
When she wrapped her arms around his neck, Dean wanted to shout in triumph. She wasn’t melting against him, but it was still a damn sight better than a knee to the crotch. “Not even if it’s what we both need? What we both want?”
She looked over his shoulder, and several seconds passed before she said, “You don’t understand.”
He took hold of her chin and urged her gaze back to his. “Then help me understand.”
“Dean, I’m not the type to give in to my wishes and wants,” she explained. “Flights of fancy aren’t me.”
He nudged her legs apart so he could wedge one of his between them. When he felt her shudder, he grinned. “Don’t you ever allow desire to rule the show every once in a while, sweetheart?”
She shrugged. “Not when those desires stand in the way of what is most important.”
Dean smoothed a palm down her hair, enjoying the silky texture. “And going home with me, letting me make you feel good, that stands in the way, huh?”
“Yes,” she muttered, “because you don’t trust me, and I can’t go to bed with someone who doesn’t trust me. Besides the fact you’re going to be Gracie’s brother-in-law soon.”
“You’re Little Miss Practical, I get it. Hell, I admire a quality like that in a woman.” His hand moved down her back until he was barely grazing her ass. “And you’re listing all the right reasons why we shouldn’t get involved. But none of it matters, not right now. Only you and I matter.” He coasted his hand lower until he felt one rounded buttock beneath his palm. “Can you honestly tell me that you don’t want me? That you don’t feel the chemistry between us?”
“Yes, I feel it,” she ground out. “But it scares me. You scare me.”
He hadn’t expected such a strong response, and he certainly didn’t want her afraid of him. “Why? I thought we already established that I’d never hurt you?”
“Actually I believe you said that if I hurt your family you’d do far worse.” He started to speak, but she held up a hand, halting him. “That’s not the point though. I’m leaving in a week, Dean. Getting involved now would be insane.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, then whispered, “So, take what you can get of me. Get your fill, sweetheart. Before it’s too late.”
The song ended then, and Dean watched her take a deep breath before looking up at him. She seemed to be studying him, and it made Dean uncomfortable. Her silent intensity washed over him. Catherine’s green eyes held so many secrets, and Dean wasn’t sure if he’d ever learn them all. The only thing he knew for certain was that she did things to him. Things no other woman had been able to do in a long time.
Dean dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers briefly, then murmured, “I want you in my bed. I want so many damn things, Catherine, but if it really isn’t what you want, then tell me and I’ll leave you alone. You have my word.”
Catherine dropped her head to his chest and muttered something against his shirt. He wrapped his hands around her upper arms and pulled her off him. “What did you say?”
“I said, I do want you.”
It dawned on Dean that the music had changed, the tempo was faster, the romantic tune was gone, but the mood was still there. He was still as edgy, still as ready, and Catherine was still standing in front of him, staring at him as if she wasn’t sure whether to run in fear or surrender to the passion arcing between them. And Dean wasn’t about to leave it to chance.
He took her face in his palms and touched his mouth to her soft lips. She moaned, and the sound went straight to his cock. The people surrounding them dancing to the music were forgotten. Her taste was like honey, and he wanted it. Craved it. Nothing was going to stand in his way of getting a great big helping of it either.
9
As Dean nudged her lips apart and delved inside, Catherine caved. She should’ve guessed that the man played dirty. Of course, she hadn’t really expected him to ask her to go home with him either. Geez, one minute he acted as if she was a nuisance, and the next he was making love to her mouth. Catherine thought she heard someone whimper. It took her a moment to realize the sounds were coming from her. She knew without a doubt that if she didn’t pull away he’d be able to have her right there on the dance floor. She wasn’t into public displays of affection, so why wasn’t she pulling away? Simple, her mind had taken a leave. Her libido now ruled the show.
She was giving in too easily and she knew it. So much for the thrill of the chase or putting up a little resistance. The knowledge that she was acting completely out of character should’ve had her yanking herself out of his arms. Instead she moved closer, bringing their bodies into full contact. She could smell his strong, masculine scent, and it was delicious. The rigid length of his cock was a heavy weight between them. She wanted more of him. She wanted to know what his muscled chest felt like beneath her curious hands. She ached to run her tongue over his salty skin.
Catherine understood now what it was about a man that made women lose their heads. It was that all-too-enthralling maleness. Dean’s aggressive attitude, the way he’d swooped in and all but ordered her to come home with him, it’d hadn’t been a turnoff. She’d liked it. For the first time in her life, Catherine imagined surrendering to a man. She wondered what it’d be like to let Dean have complete control.
She ran her tongue over his lips and felt his body stiffen. Rising up on her tiptoes, she took a better taste, licking and nibbling at him as if he were a candy bar. Catherine raked her fingers through his hair and groaned. God, she loved his hair, so thick and soft.
When she angled her head, deepening the touch, Dean tore his mouth from hers. “Home,” he growled against her open mouth.
Apparently he’d had enough of the PDA. The idea of being alone with Dean scared her a little though. He was so intense, and Catherine wasn’t sure she could handle him. “I’m scared,” she admitted.
He shook his head and frowned down at her. “You don’t—”
A deep, male voice broke into their intimate moment. When Catherine looked to see who it was, she cringed. It was the stranger that had been staring at her earlier.
“Miss, would you care to dance?” The polite question would normally get a polite rejection, but Catherine was still creeped out by the way he’d watched her. When she started to speak, Dean spoke over her.
“No, she wouldn’t,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.
The man’s eyebrows rose, but his gaze didn’t waver from hers. “The lady can speak for herself, can’t she?”
Catherine squirmed under his scrutiny, but his rudeness didn’t sit well with her Southern manners. “My dance card is full, thanks.”
Dean’s arm tightened around her. It was a possessive move, as if he were staking a claim. Catherine should’ve been perturbed, but she was too busy being grateful for his presence to think about her need for equality and independence.
When the guy still didn’t get the message, Dean said, “The lady’s with me. Get lost.”
Okay, that was going too far. Her anger came rushing to the surface, and she oh-so-casually stomped on Dean’s foot. He simply frowned down at her, completely unfazed. Mental note, the man was made of stone. Still, Dean was a better alternative than the man standing in front of them. So, she stayed silent. For now. She’d have a little talk with him later about his poor choice of words.
Finally, the stranger turned his attention to Dean. “I don’t see a ring on her finger.”
Dean dropped his arm from around her middle and stepped closer to the man who seemed to be itching for a fight. “You really don’t want to push me,” he warned.
Catherine could practically feel the tension mounting. She was about to intervene in the hopes of heading off a fight when Wade and Gracie suddenly showed up by their sides. She felt instantly better at having Gracie there. The stranger, who was clearly a few bricks shy of a full load, appeared not to even notice Wade’s big, menacing form. When he turned to her and smiled, Catherine felt sick to her stomach.
He inclined his head. “Maybe some other time then.”
As he walked off she heard Dean call him a not-so-complimentary name. She poked him in the ribs and he glared at her. “Don’t give me that look,” she said, pointing a finger at him. “What’s with the ‘the lady’s with me’ craip?”
“The ass wasn’t going to stop until he knew you were off limits. I sort of got the feeling you wanted him gone.” He quirked a brow. “Was I wrong?”
Catherine felt a headache coming on. “No, you weren’t wrong,” she gritted out. “That’s why I chose not to dance with him.”
“I—”
“Dean.”
Wade’s tone had them both going silent. Dean looked over at his brother and said, “I’m a little busy, bro.”
Catherine didn’t know Wade well, but even she could see he wasn’t a happy camper. Whatever he had to say, it wasn’t going to be good.
“I can see that.” Wade looked at Catherine for a second before going back to glaring at Dean. “But we need to talk.”
“It can wait,” Dean said, stepping closer to Wade, which effectively cut off Catherine’s view of Wade’s face.
“No, it can’t,” Catherine heard Wade reply, his tone rising.
She could well imagine Dean’s anger in that moment. When she felt a soft hand on her shoulder, Catherine looked to her left to find her sister standing there, concern causing her brows to scrunch together.
“Maybe we should let the guys talk a minute,” Gracie said into her ear.
Catherine nodded. There was simply too much testosterone for her peace of mind. She was about to let Gracie tug her to the other side of the room, back to their table, but Dean stopped her with a hand on the back of her neck. She glanced back at him in question.
“Don’t go too far,” he gently ordered, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. It was the sexiest thing Catherine had ever seen. After she nodded, he released her. When he began walking toward the restrooms with Wade, Catherine found she couldn’t look away from his drool-worthy body. There was something completely wild and untamed ab
out Dean. It turned her on something fierce. She sighed as she realized her night wasn’t quite going to turn out the way she’d hoped.
Catherine turned her attention to Gracie. “Okay, what’s going on?”
“Come on,” Gracie persuaded as she dragged her to the stools they’d vacated earlier. Once they were seated, she said, “Wade thinks Dean might not have good intentions where you’re concerned.”
Catherine rolled her eyes. “Dean asked me to go home with him, if that’s what you mean.” Gracie’s eyes widened. “But I’m a big girl, Gracie,” she rushed to say. “I don’t need Wade’s permission.”
Gracie looked troubled. “No, it’s not that. It’s just that Dean has made it clear how he feels about you being here. Wade is worried that he’s not thinking clearly. He doesn’t want you to get hurt in the cross fire.”
After being an only child her entire life, Catherine wasn’t terribly comfortable with having a pseudo big brother butting into her private life. “If you’re concerned that Dean is using me, don’t be.”
“No, it’s not that. Well, maybe it is.” Gracie threw up her hands. “I’m not sure. It’s just that Dean’s been acting so strangely since you arrived. And then out of the blue he acts like he can’t keep his hands off you.”
Catherine sighed. “Yeah, he’s confusing me too, but I can deal with it. Dean isn’t trying to charm me or anything. He’s been completely honest from the start.”
“But you said yourself he doesn’t trust you. Is it wise to start a relationship with him?”
Catherine didn’t even have to think about the question to know the answer. “No, it isn’t. But I’m sort of tired of being the wise one.”
Gracie crossed her arms in front of her on the table and leaned closer. “What do you mean?”
She thought about her parents’ death and dealing with all the details of their estate. “For the last two months I’ve been working my tush off to get things straightened around since my parents died. There hasn’t been a whole lot of me time. I figure I’m due.”