Spare Hearts

by Dorothy F. Shaw

  “Yes, you do, baby.” She unhooked her bra and slid the straps down her arms.

  Sterling cupped her breasts in both hands and took a nipple into his mouth.

  She moaned as the heat of his mouth spread over every inch of her skin. He made her body feel too much, and all of it had started settling in her heart.

  He unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them down her legs then removed his own clothes.

  Candy climbed onto the bed and he followed. She wrapped her body around his and kissed him. Sterling made her feel like she was tiny and petite, like she was precious, and it did more to heal her battered heart than she’d ever dreamed possible. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up handing it over to him before this night was over. Maybe she already had.

  Candy let herself go with it, throwing all worries of protecting her heart to the wind, as he took his time exploring every inch of her skin and each curve of her body. She explored him, too, reveling in the hard planes of his chest, the tight ridges of his abs.

  Sterling rolled Candy to her back and settled between her thighs. Raising her knees high on his hips, she linked her ankles at his lower back, holding him tight against her body.

  Every inch of their flesh touched, sending ripples of tingling sensations through her. She raised her head and sucked at the tender skin of his neck.

  Sterling drew in a shuddering breath when she nipped the edge of his ear then ran his large calloused hands up her arms, raising them above her head. Candy arched against him, causing the hard points of her nipples and full breasts to slide against his bare muscled chest.

  She looked up at him and he pressed his forehead to hers, meeting her gaze as he entered her swollen sex with deliberate measured thrusts. Candy moaned as her willing flesh gave way, accepting his swollen crown and thick shaft.

  Seating himself fully within her channel, he closed his eyes, panting, and then kissed her. Candy sought his tongue and sucked it into her mouth, and he rolled his hips, moving inside her.

  This was far different from the sex they’d had before. Slow passion; careful intense touches. It felt a lot like making love, and she turned herself over, caught in the undertow and dragged under willingly. Candy let herself be swept away in the current of power holding her captive named Sterling Dey.

  Candy woke in the cocoon of Sterling’s arms. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand and cringed. It was already past ten. They needed to get moving and check out of the room.

  Careful not to wake him, she moved from his arms and tiptoed into the bathroom. She needed a little time to sort out her feelings, and the shower was the perfect place to do that. Last night she’d made a choice to push away her own fears while trying to soothe his.

  Did he know she was starting to have feelings for him? Not likely, and it was probably better in the long run if he didn’t. She didn’t want to distract him from his goal; his dream of a comeback was priority for him. She wanted that for him.

  One more week. Candy had one more week to enjoy her bowling cowboy and then he’d be gone. She’d let him go, because that’s what he would need her to do.

  * * *

  Heading out to Fort Worth was the second smartest thing Sterling had done since he got to Strawn. Finding Candy was most definitely the first. She supported his desire to succeed and had him smiling every time he so much as caught a glimpse of her.

  He stepped up his practice schedule as the tournament loomed closer, careful not to leave out his physical therapy for his shoulder. Yet every evening he made a point of seeing Candy before her shift started to wish her a good night. Somewhere in the last few weeks, the importance of turning pro again took a backseat to wanting to make Candy proud of him.

  Focus wasn’t the problem. He stayed determined to win, but this little small-town girl made an impact on him. As the date of his departure closed in on him, he found Candy on his mind more often than not. Knock it off. Tournament, remember?

  Thursday night he decided to surprise Candy with food for her lunch break. He pushed through the entry doors with his shoulder as he balanced a drink carrier in one hand and a bag of sub sandwiches in the other. Setting his haul on the rental counter, he scanned the alley for her and waited.

  Candy walked out from the door on the far side of the building that led to the pinsetting machines behind the lanes. As she walked toward Sterling at the front counter, her eyes sparkled and her full lips spread into a smile.

  “Well, ain’t this a sweet surprise. What are you doin’ here so late?”

  “I thought you might appreciate something different than bar food tonight.” Sterling held up the bag. “I hope you like subs.”

  “That sounds perfect.” She beamed. “I can only eat deep fried anything for so long.”

  “Besides, it’s a good excuse to see you before I have to head off to bed.”

  “I don’t remember you ever needin’ an excuse before.” She leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  Even a quick kiss from Candy sent his heart racing. “Lead the way, beautiful.” Sterling grabbed the food and drinks off the counter.

  He followed her back to the office and started pulling the sandwiches out of the bag as she cleared space on the desk for them to eat.

  “How are you feelin’ about this weekend?” Candy pulled a straw from its paper wrapper and placed it in one of the soda cups.

  “Better than I have in years.” He handed her one of the sandwiches then unwrapped his. “Plannin’ on headin’ out Saturday morning nice and early.”

  “I was wonderin’ what the plan was. I’m really excited for you.” She removed the paper from her sandwich and took a bite. “What are you gonna do for your last day in Strawn?”

  “Funny you ask. I was hopin’ this hot little cowgirl I met might be up for some company tomorrow night.”

  “Hot little cowgirl, huh? Do I know her?”

  “You might. Sexy little number, ’bout yay high.” He motioned with his hand. “Full of spit and vinegar.”

  “Drawin’ a blank. And this is a small town.” She sipped her soda. “Might have to give me a better description.”

  Sterling chuckled, almost choking on his sandwich. “Oh, I’m sure you’ve seen her around.” He took a quick sip of his soda to clear his throat. “Think you might be interested in seein’ me before I leave?”

  “Aw, honey, you know I have to work tomorrow night.”

  “I know. How ’bout I meet you here a bit before you close the place up?” Sterling took another bite.

  “I got a better idea. Meet me at my house after I’m off.” She nudged him under the table with her foot. “We can watch a movie together.”

  “Deal. And baby, we can do anything you want.” Sterling finished the last of his sandwich.

  “I’m glad you decided to visit me tonight.” Candy wrapped up the remaining portion of her sandwich. “I’m sorry, but I gotta get back to it now, though.”

  “So soon?” He picked up the trash from their meal and tossed it in the nearby wastebasket.

  “Yeah, I rarely take a full-blown lunch break. But I’m happy I did tonight.”

  “Perfect. Me, too.” Sterling stood as she walked around to his side of the desk. He pulled her body in close to his and kissed her. “Then you should probably stop slackin’ and get back to work.”

  “Tomorrow night then?”

  “Absolutely, I can’t wait.”

  Candy moved things back into their place on Mason’s desk then returned to Sterling’s arms. Her head was at the perfect height to lean against his chest. “Let’s plan on that then.”

  “I’ll see you soon.” Sterling kissed the top of her head. “Have a great night, baby.”

  They walked out of the office and Sterling headed for the exit. On his way out the doors, he looked back over his shoulder with mixed emotions and watched her as she walked behind her counter. Excited to have Fort Worth finally on his doorstep, yet sad that his amazing month with Candy was at an e
nd. Really, though, it could have been six months, even a year. Still too short. Still not enough. How was he going to do this without his Candy? My Candy?

  Chapter 21

  Candy pulled into her gravel driveway next to her trailer with an ache in her chest. Sterling wasn’t there yet, which was good because it’d give her a little time to freshen up as well as get her head on straight.

  She’d thought about him constantly in the last week. Things had changed for her during that little overnight trip she’d taken with him to Fort Worth. Her heart had double-crossed her mind, and now she was stuck. She’d fallen head over heels for him.

  Sterling was leaving tomorrow morning, and even though her belly burned in disappointment at the prospect of never seeing him again, she knew it was for the best. Candy took a deep breath and rubbed the spot on her chest that kept up its ache. Suck it up, girl. You can do this.

  Stepping into her trailer, she left the door unlocked for him and headed for the bathroom. She pulled her hair in a high ponytail, took off her makeup, and donned a pair of comfy pants and a T-shirt.

  Candy headed back out to the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee and found Sterling leaning against the counter with a single red rose in his hand and the coffee already brewing.

  “Hey. Whatcha got there?”

  “Just a little somethin’ I thought you might like.”

  “My heart.” She pressed her hand to her chest. “That’s so sweet.”

  Candy couldn’t remember the last time anyone had brought her flowers. They had joked about it on their date, but she hadn’t paid it much mind. Now here she was feeling all giddy and like a schoolgirl because he’d thought enough to bring her a rose.

  “Not sweeter than you. And to be honest, I can’t tell if you look better in those little outfits you love to wear or how you look right now.” He pulled her into his arms.

  Her cheeks tingled as a blush crept up her neck to her face. “Sterling Dey, have you lost your marbles?”

  “Not a chance.” Setting the rose down, he kissed her. “I know beauty when I see it, and you, Candy Jameson, have it in spades.”

  The heat that had taken over her cheeks spread down through her body, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Why did he say these things to her? It only made her want him more. And that couldn’t happen. Dammit.

  Smoothing her hand up the back of his neck, she pulled him down for another kiss.

  He sucked her bottom lip then gently nibbled it. Moaning, she melted against him as longing replaced the warmth. How could she let him go?

  Pulling away, he gazed down at her. “You okay, sweetheart?”

  She couldn’t speak for fear that all the thoughts rolling around her mind might come tumbling out. She nodded instead.

  “All right then.” He kissed her forehead. “Coffee’s ready.” Stepping aside, he motioned to the counter. “I brought something else.”

  Hiding behind him were two grocery bags. “Ooh, what’s that?” Candy opened the sacks. “Ice cream? Oh, my word, and chocolate syrup, too?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Let’s not forget this.” Sterling pulled out a can of whipped cream. “I can think of lots of fun things to do with this.” Popping the cap, he tilted his head back and squirted a generous amount into his mouth.

  “Sterling Dey, what on earth?”

  “C’mere, baby,” he said with a mouthful of cream.

  Candy giggled as he took her into his arms and kissed her. All that sweet, fluffy cream flowed between their lips as their tongues stroked against each other. Images passed through her mind of licking the sweet treat off his body, and her nipples hardened at the thought.

  “Mmm.” She broke the kiss and cocked one brow. “Fun indeed.”

  Gazing down at her, Sterling grinned. “Candy Jameson, did you just have a dirty thought?”

  “Not me. Nope. Never.” She widened her eyes and cleared her throat.

  “Well, damn. I’d kinda like it if you did.” Stepping away, he pulled two bowls from a cabinet and set them on the counter.

  “I bet you would.” Bumping his hip with her own, she grabbed two spoons from the drawer as Sterling found her ice cream scoop in the other drawer.

  “Just sayin’.” He chuckled and popped the lid off the ice cream then scooped a generous amount into each bowl.

  Candy sat back and watched in awe as he topped both with the chocolate syrup and then the whipped cream. This amazing man had carved out a little place inside her home… and her heart.

  Sometime in the last month he’d become so familiar to her and with her that she couldn’t imagine not having him here. What the hell was she going to do? The ache returned in full force, and she rubbed her chest.

  “Hand me the jar of cherries, sweetheart?” Sterling turned and put the container of ice cream in her freezer.

  Swallowing past the lump that had formed in her throat, Candy fished the jar from the bag and set it next to the bowls. Her eyes burned and she blinked, trying to force back the tears that had started to form. Shit. Shit. Shit.

  “Thanks, honey.” Opening the jar, Sterling glanced at her. “How many do you—hey, what’s wrong? You look like somebody just kicked your puppy.” He reached for her, but she shrugged and picked up the forgotten rose.

  “I’m fine. Everything’s damn near perfect.” Except you’re leaving. She pressed the petals to her nose and drew in a breath. “I need to put this pretty thing in water.” Grabbing a bud vase from the cabinet, she filled it with water. “I love roses. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, baby.” He kissed her cheek. “Why don’t you go pick a movie and I’ll pour us some coffee and bring our treats into the living room.”

  After finishing their sundaes, Candy laid her head in Sterling’s lap. Pulling her hair free from the tie, he ran his fingers through it for damn near the whole rest of the movie. She didn’t pay much attention to the TV, though. How could she? This was it. Her last night with him.

  Damn near a month ago she’d told herself she’d just enjoy him and have fun, then when it was time for him to go, she’d send him off with a sweet kiss and a good luck wish. She turned on her back and gazed up at him. How could she let him go now?

  He stroked his fingers through her hair once more.

  “You ready for bed?”

  “I am.” He traced her nose with his fingertip.

  Candy sat up and faced him. “Take me to bed, please?”

  “Candy, I—”

  “Shh.” She placed her finger against his lips. “Don’t. Just take me to bed and make love to me.”

  He stood, took her hand in his, and led her to her bedroom. She didn’t want to talk about it, didn’t want to waste their last night talking about what she was feeling. She wanted to have these last hours and just feel him.

  * * *

  God above, this woman is amazing. Sterling caressed her silky skin and full curves as he let his senses drink in every ounce of her. Even as they lay together in the dim light filtering in through her bedroom blinds, the image of her beautiful body stayed imprinted in his mind. Any parts that remained hazy, his hands and lips were more than eager to clarify. He paused long enough to retrieve a condom from his pants pocket. Tearing open the foil package, he rolled it on his erection and climbed back into bed.

  He balanced himself on one elbow as he let his other hand trail from the edge of her jaw, down her throat to her collarbone. Dipping his head, he pressed his mouth to the side of her neck, taking his time as he placed kiss after kiss down the top of her breast.

  She arched into him, moaning, when he closed his lips around her tight, budded nipple. Everything about this woman drew him in. The sexual attraction was obvious from the moment they met, but this had become something more.

  As they both lay skin to skin in the dark of her bedroom, he found he wanted to know even more about her.

  She shifted her body under him, her full breasts pressing against his chest, and pulled him between her inviting thighs. Her arms
wrapped around his back, scoring him with her nails, then moved down his spine to his ass as she adjusted her hips and spread her legs farther to receive him. She reached between them then, fisting her small hand around his shaft.

  With a growl, Sterling tangled his hand in her hair and bit down on her shoulder. He thrust his hips forward, sliding within her grip, as white-hot heat snaked up his spine. “Fuck, your hand feels amazing.”

  “I want you inside me.” She bit his bottom lip, stroked him again, and his prick throbbed, growing thicker in response.

  Sterling pulled her hand away and slipped inside her sweet channel, shuddering when her tight heat encased his length. The struggles and hard-fought battles had brought him to this place in time; all else seemed minor in comparison. He had found a little piece of heaven within this moment.

  “Sterling,” she whispered against his mouth.

  They moved in perfect unison as their lips met. Bodies pressed together, slick with sweat and lust. No fighting for control, no walls to scale; this was a fire, a passionate, sensual cauldron melting down two and creating one. The heat of it scalded him to the bone.

  His breathing grew heavy and he slowed his movements, desperate to gain some measure of control in the presence of his building climax.

  The little moans and gasps escaping Candy grew louder as she pulled him closer, shifting her hips to take him deeper and grind her clit against his groin. Sweet God. The grip of her tight cunt and sting of her nails in his back, as his pace quickened, shared how close she was as well.

  She bit his shoulder, hard, and his control shattered.

  They climaxed together, their moans dancing in the air above them before she let go of the bite she had on his shoulder and took his mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. Her tongue tangled around his own with a fevered intensity he’d never experienced before. He wanted more.

  He trembled, her legs still wrapped around his waist. Leaving her lips, he rolled their bodies to the side and pulled her tight to his chest, savoring the feel of her body against his.

  Sterling got up to dispose of the condom. Getting back in bed, he pulled the sheet over the top of them. She released a soft purr as she nuzzled into his chest and he kissed the top of her head. The faint smell of jasmine drifted up from her thick tresses as he ran his fingers through it, and it wasn’t long before he felt her body relax into sleep. His chest swelled at the sheer contentment of having her in his arms as his eyes closed.