Maverick Holiday Magic (Montana Mavericks: Six Brides For Six Brothers Book 5)

by Teresa Southwick

  Heat poured through her and she ran her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. His breathing was uneven and she could feel his heart pounding as hard as her own. When he stopped kissing her she thought he was just coming up for air. But that wasn’t it.

  He stepped away, then took her hands in his and squeezed them gently before letting go. “Merry, I’m—”

  “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry.”

  The strong fragrant pine scent surrounded them and the glow from the Christmas tree highlighted his surprise. “Okay. Then I’ll just say this is all my fault.”

  “Fault?” She blinked at him. “You kissed me. I kissed you back. Fault implies there’s something wrong with that.”

  He rubbed a shaking hand over his face. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “If someone has to take responsibility for something, an argument could be made that it should be me. Because I hugged you first.” She glared at him. “And, for the record, I’m not sorry. At all.”

  “I’m not asking you to be. Your caring nature is one of the qualities I like most. It’s why you’re so good with my daughter. And you shouldn’t have to change that.” He let out a long breath. “But I need to maintain a higher standard.”

  “So you’re ashamed of this?”

  “I’m disappointed in myself for not being stronger.”

  She stared at him for several moments. “Should I be flattered or insulted?”

  “For God’s sake, Merry. You work for me. I don’t want to put you in a compromising position.”

  So he was being noble. “That’s really sweet.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “It’s the right thing to do.”

  “So this compromising position...” She couldn’t believe she was going to do this. But some instinct warned that if she turned her back now she would regret it for the rest of her life. Instead, she closed the space between them and looked up, needing him to see in her eyes everything she was feeling. There was no trying to hide it now. “It’s not a compromising position if that’s where I want to be.”

  He resisted for a second or two and then his face softened. “So, that’s a yes?”

  She laughed and took his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. “Affirmative.”

  Without another word they walked upstairs to his bedroom and closed the door behind them. Hunter flipped a switch on the wall and a nightstand lamp went on.

  Merry had no doubts about this but that didn’t mean she wasn’t nervous. Gripping his hand a little tighter she said, “I feel it might be a good idea to manage your expectations—”

  “Have you changed your mind? It’s okay—”

  “No. I’m very sure. It’s just—” She couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “I haven’t had a lot of experience.”

  He nudged her chin up until she met his gaze. There was a gentle smile curving the corners of his mouth. “I’m the one who should be warning you about expectations. But I do have protection even though it’s been a long time for me.”

  That hadn’t occurred to her and she was grateful he had thought about it. “Okay.”

  Something must have shown on her face because any trace of teasing disappeared from his. “That’s not why I want you. This is not something I take lightly.”

  She smiled. “I wouldn’t be here if I thought you did. So, let’s turn down the bed.”

  She walked to the far side and they dragged the top of the comforter to the foot of the bed, then folded it over one more time. Hunter opened the nightstand drawer and took out a square packet, setting it aside. Never letting her gaze stray from his, she knelt on the mattress. He did the same on the other side and they came together in the center of the king-size bed.

  He reached for the hem of her sweater and she lifted her arms, letting him drag it up and over her head. She tugged his shirt from the waistband of his worn jeans and unsnapped the closures, one by one. Before she was halfway done he pulled on the sides of the shirt, opening all the snaps before quickly shrugging it off.

  With trembling hands, Merry unhooked her bra and he brushed the straps off her shoulders, then tossed the scrap of white somewhere. With the light behind him, she couldn’t see the expression on his face, but his breathing was ragged and his hands shook a little when he touched her.

  He cupped her breasts in his palms and caressed them with his thumbs. “You’re beautiful—”

  “You make me feel beautiful.”

  “Merry—”

  He sucked in a breath when she put her hands over his to hold them in place on her bare skin. He kissed her then, and pulled her against him, tunneling his fingers into her hair. His chest was wide and muscular and the dusting of hair scraped her skin in the best possible way. She opened her mouth to him and their tongues dueled as he explored while she did the same to him.

  The room was filled with the sounds of their harsh breathing. Then she reached for the buckle on his belt as he undid the button on her jeans. The rest of their clothes came off and were tossed carelessly aside. He settled on the mattress and pulled her down on top of him. Finally she was in his arms, bare skin to bare skin.

  Rolling her to the side, he slid his hand down her back, over the curve of her waist, and came to rest on her hip for a moment. He squeezed gently then moved his palm between her legs and slid one finger inside. Her muscles contracted as an ache cracked open and the need to be filled grew unbearable. A yearning that she’d had almost from the moment they met became too much to resist. Her hips arched toward him, telling him without words what she was asking for.

  He moved away and grabbed the condom, then put it on. Seconds later he was kissing her again, angling his mouth over hers, trailing kisses over her cheek, jaw and neck. Taking his weight on his forearms, he covered her body with his own and gently nudged her legs apart. When he slowly entered her, she lifted her hips to meet him and take him deeper inside.

  She touched his broad shoulders, slid her palms over his muscular biceps and met him thrust for thrust. Her breathing grew shallow and harsh as he took her higher and higher, right to the edge. After hovering there for a moment an explosion of pleasure ripped through her and she trembled from the force of it.

  “I’ve got you,” he whispered against her hair as he held her.

  When she came back together again, she smiled up at him and said, “I’ve got you, too.”

  She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him to her as he started to move again. He thrust once, slowly, then increased the pace, finding their rhythm together and igniting her desire once again. And then he groaned and tensed. Reaching her own climax once more, she held him close and they clung to each other until their shudders slowed and finally stopped.

  Merry didn’t know how long they stayed in each other’s arms without moving. She just knew this was a perfect moment in time and moving would mean it was over.

  As if suddenly coming to his senses, Hunter rolled to the side. “Oh, God, I’m crushing you.”

  “No—”

  But he slid away and off the bed. Seconds later a light in the bathroom went on. She missed the warmth of his body, his arms around her. And as quickly as that thought formed, he was back. He lifted the covers and slid in beside her, drawing her against his chest.

  She stretched her arm over his abdomen and snuggled close. “I’m speechless.”

  “I don’t believe that.” There was laughter in his voice.

  “It’s true. I’m sleepy, but most of all very happy.”

  Silence stretched between them longer than it should have. He didn’t move a muscle but his tension was obvious. “Merry, we need to talk.”

  Those were words no one ever wanted to hear, especially after sex. “Okay. What’s on your mind?”

  “I’m thinking that we should keep this...change in status to ourselves.”

  “I see.”
She tried to keep her tone light in spite of the jab that statement gave to her heart. “Although you should know I wasn’t planning to broadcast this on social media.”

  “I didn’t mean that.” He brushed his thumb over her shoulder. “It’s just that our arrangement is delicate and I don’t want any fallout for you.”

  “I appreciate that.” He was being noble again. She tried to read his expression but his face was in shadow. “We’re not doing anything wrong, Hunter. We established that downstairs, before—”

  “I know. It’s just...” He sighed. “If anyone figures out our relationship has changed, there’s no way Wren won’t find out. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t look forward to those questions.”

  She realized that was a joke. He was trying to ease the tension and she appreciated that. And, of course, he was right. His child was their number one consideration. “I agree that Wren should be protected.”

  “I knew you’d understand.”

  She understood what he was saying but sensed there was more he wasn’t. He wanted to keep the two of them a secret and she would bet anything that it wasn’t all about his daughter. He was holding something back and she couldn’t shake the feeling that it had something to do with protecting himself.

  * * *

  A few days after the best night Hunter could remember in a very long time, he kept his promise to help Merry move. At her house, he and Wilder picked up a recliner and carried it to the enclosed rental truck backed into the driveway. They tucked it snugly between a full-size mattress and the small dinette set.

  “This is the last thing going in here.” Hunter’s cell phone pinged and he glanced at the text message. “It’s from Wren.”

  “Is she okay?” Wilder asked.

  He looked at it. “Yeah. She and Gramps are decorating his tree.”

  “I know she wanted to help Merry move. How did you get her to stay at the Ambling A?”

  “I didn’t.” Hunter smiled at the memory. “Somehow Merry convinced her that she was helping with the move more than anyone by keeping Gramps company.”

  His brother lifted his Stetson and then set it more firmly on his head. “She sure has a way with your daughter.”

  Not just Wren. Hunter couldn’t forget holding Merry in his arms and making love to her. And the questions shadowing her eyes when he’d asked her to keep their secret. The last thing he wanted was for his brother to know.

  “There are still some boxes in the kitchen and garage,” Hunter said. “Why don’t you go on ahead and drive this load to the storage unit. Everything that’s left will fit in her truck and mine.”

  “Here she comes now.”

  Hunter saw that Merry was carrying a square, clear glass platter. And she looked very close to tears.

  “Can we put this in the truck?” she asked. “I found it when you guys moved the hutch in the kitchen.”

  “What is it?” Hunter asked.

  “My mother’s serving tray. It has her initials etched in the glass—IMM—Ina May Matthews. Dad gave it to her on her last birthday and she loved it.” She was talking a lot, a sure sign that she was trying too hard to be in good spirits. “It’s an awkward size, though, and didn’t fit in the cupboards so Dad stood it up behind the hutch. I’d forgotten all about it until today.”

  Hunter could see the emotional strain in the dark circles beneath her eyes and the tightness in her mouth. He took it from her. “Sure, we’ve got room for that. But I think if you’ve got some towels handy, or sheets, we should wrap it up. Keep it from getting chipped or scratched.”

  She nodded and brushed a hand across her cheek. “There are some towels in that box in the garage.”

  After she walked away Wilder shook his head. “This has to be really tough on her. Moving out so soon after losing her dad. In a couple of months her whole life has changed.”

  “Yeah.”

  Hunter knew the changes had started when her father was diagnosed with cancer. There were appointments for treatment and eventually she gave up college classes and a boyfriend to take care of him. And finally planning a funeral and selling the house. He had no idea how she stayed so darn positive and cheerful through it all and admired the hell out of her because she managed to.

  She came back with a couple of blue bath towels and a roll of duct tape, then took the tray and wrapped it up securely. After climbing up into the rear of the truck, she wedged the bundle between the mattress and box spring.

  Smiling sadly, she said, “Mom and Dad are together again.”

  “That’s a nice way of looking at it,” Hunter said.

  “I think so.” She pressed her full lips together, probably to keep the grief from spilling out.

  Hunter wished there was something he could do or say to make her feel better but he came up empty. In the end he reached out and put his hands at her waist, lifting her down. If Wilder hadn’t been there, he’d have pulled her into his arms and just held her. But he couldn’t, since he was the one who’d insisted they keep the personal turn in their relationship a secret.

  Wilder cleared his throat. “So, Merry, Hunter suggested I drive this stuff over to your storage unit while he helps you put everything else in the pickup trucks. Then you can meet me there.”

  She looked concerned. “But we’re going to be a little while. You can’t unload this truck by yourself.”

  He shrugged. “I’m going to grab something to eat and I’ll make some SOS calls. Logan. Knox. Xander. Finn. One or all of them will give me a hand.”

  “I’ve already inconvenienced one third of the Crawford brothers. I feel bad asking for more help.”

  “You’re not asking. I am,” Wilder insisted. “Although I will drop your name because they’ll do it for you, not me. They like you.”

  “If you’re sure...” She looked hesitant but he waved a hand in dismissal of her concerns. “I don’t know how to thank you. Both of you.”

  She met Hunter’s gaze and he knew he would do anything for her if she kept looking at him that way. The powerful feeling rocked him to the core.

  “Don’t mention it.” Wilder looked at him and held out his hand. “Do you have the keys to the truck?”

  “Yeah.” Hunter had picked up the rental and driven it here. He fished the keys out of his jeans pocket and handed them over. Then the two of them pulled down and latched the truck’s rear sliding door. “When we’re finished here, we’ll meet you there.”

  Wilder hesitated a second, then gave Merry a quick hug. “We got this, Mer.”

  “It’s really sweet of you to help. Thanks again.”

  The smile she gifted his brother with actually made Hunter jealous. He knew Wilder was just being neighborly, supportive, but for reasons he didn’t want to explore that didn’t seem to matter. Some primal part of him turned green with jealousy at the thought of any man touching her. Even his brother, who he knew was just being a friend. What the hell was wrong with him?

  These thoughts scrolled through his mind as he and Merry stood in the driveway and watched the truck slowly rumble away down the street. Almost everything she had in the world was going into storage. It was like stepping into limbo. He had experienced that feeling in Texas when he’d packed up for the move to Rust Creek Falls. But for him it was a fresh start.

  Life as Merry knew it was ending. Her second job with him helped make ends meet. That and the roof over her head were dependent on him. He felt the crushing weight of that responsibility, especially because he’d crossed a line and slept with her. Every night since had been a test of his willpower not to have her again. He resisted the temptation because it had been more than physical and he didn’t want to get in deeper emotionally. And the thought went through his mind one more time: What the hell was wrong with him?

  “I’m going to back my truck into the driveway.” Merry was looking up at him.

  �
��Hmm?” He forced his thoughts back to her.

  “To load boxes.”

  “Right. I’ll do it for you.” He held out his hand for the keys and she dropped them into his palm.

  “Thanks. I’ve got cartons scattered in different rooms. I’ll move them all to the garage.”

  “Okay.”

  Hunter moved the truck, then began to load up the rear bed while Merry brought out the rest of the things from the house. One by one she carried cartons to the tailgate and let him arrange them, maximizing space. More than once he saw her lift out a book, or a framed picture and stare sadly before replacing it and folding the flaps of the box. Every time, he could swear that it was like a sharp stab in her heart. And every time, he wanted to take her in his arms and tell her it was going to be fine.

  She lifted a box up to him. “This is the last one.”

  He took it and rearranged some cartons, nodding in satisfaction when he finished. “It’s all snug in there. Nothing is going to slide around.”

  “Good. The Realtor is setting up a cleaning before the new owners move in so I guess this is it.” She looked up. “I’m going to walk through and make sure I didn’t miss anything.”

  “Okay.” He watched her go into the garage and disappear through the door and into the house.

  She looked fragile and heartbreakingly alone and his instincts were urging him to comfort her somehow. He understood the heartbreak of losing a loved one. Part of him wanted to keep his distance. He didn’t want to care about her, not deeply. But he cared enough and just couldn’t stand back and let her face this final goodbye all by herself.

  Hunter found her standing in the center of the empty living room staring at the corner. “Merry.”

  She jumped. “I didn’t hear you come in.”