Like it was doing now.
He inwardly swore as he slammed his luggage shut. He wanted to feel the hardness of her nipples pressed against his chest. He wanted to fit her body to his, position her as close as she could get to relieve his ache, stop the throbbing. He wanted to kiss her again, slide his tongue into her mouth, devour her, savor every stroke as he feasted on her taste…or let her control things the way she’d done earlier that day by the stream. As inexperienced as she was, her technique had been flawless and had his loins blazing to the point the fire was still burning now. He had this connection to Casey that he just couldn’t shake. A man with a whole lot of sense wouldn’t act on it but around her he seemed to be senseless.
Even now he could picture her getting ready for bed, taking a shower, letting the water stream over her naked body. More than anything he wanted to be in that shower with her, take her against the tile wall, hear her call his name the moment he made her come.
Warning bells went off in his head, reminding him of the reason there could never be anything serious between them, but he dismissed the reason with a low, husky growl as he made his way out of his bedroom toward the back door. At the moment he was too far gone to even think straight.
* * *
Casey heard the loud knock on her door the moment she stepped out of the bedroom. She tightened the sash of her robe as she crossed the room, wondering if anything had happened to Prince Charming.
She glanced out the peephole and saw it was McKinnon and quickly unlocked the door and opened it. “What happened?”
“Nothing happened.”
Casey met his gaze, saw the unmistakable intensity of an aroused man in his eyes—a man who fully intended to get stimulated even further. She couldn’t decide if she should snatch him inside and have her way with him, or run for cover. She quickly recalled her talk with Savannah, and even more recent, the talk she’d had with herself while driving home. She swallowed hard, fighting the desire and the urge to give this man any and everything he wanted. She had to stand her ground and not make things easy for him. Well, not too easy.
She tilted her head back and tried not to focus on that look in his eyes. “Then, why are you here, McKinnon?” She couldn’t be more direct than that, she thought.
McKinnon stared at her. She was as he’d thought, still damp in some places from her shower and ready for bed. He reached out and caught her hand in his before she realized what he was about to do. He felt the shiver that passed through her, heard her sharp intake of breath. “I’m here because I’m leaving in the morning and I wanted to kiss you goodbye before I left.”
“Why? So you can have a reason to ignore me when you get back on Saturday?”
Her words were sharp and sliced right through him. She had taken his behavior after every kiss as a rejection of her, but he’d only been trying to preserve his sanity by not starting something with her that he’d known he couldn’t finish. He had seen putting distance between them as the only answer. Where he saw it as a positive, she’d taken it as a negative. But now he was past the point of trying to be noble. There was an air of intimacy surrounding them and they were both breathing it, being consumed by it, nearly drowning in it.
“No, that’s not the reason why. I want to kiss you so I can carry the taste of you with me.”
She inhaled sharply, thinking he knew exactly what to say to make her come unglued. When the warmth of his fingers closed around hers, she knew she was loosing the battle. But she refused to give in until she had the answers she sought. “Why? Why did you stay away after each time we kissed, McKinnon?” she asked softly.
He stared at her for a second and knew he had to be honest with her, as much as he could. “I didn’t see it as staying away from you, Casey. I saw it as distancing myself from temptation. It was either that or make an attempt to take you to bed every time I was around you. I wanted you just that much.”
“And you saw that as a bad thing?” she asked, needing to understand.
“I damn sure don’t see it as a good thing. You’re
Corey’s daughter, Durango’s cousin. To me the Westmorelands are like family. I can’t see starting something with you that would lead nowhere. I doubt any of them would appreciate it if I did.”
“And you’re sure it would have led nowhere?” she asked quietly.
“Yes. I don’t intend to ever get serious about a woman. Marriage is not in my future.”
“May I ask why?”
“No. That’s one topic that’s not up for discussion. Just take my word that it’s not and let’s leave it at that.”
His words were a sure sign that some woman had hurt him. Was that the reason he was still bitter and hell-bent on not giving his love to someone else? “So, why are you here, McKinnon? I’m still Corey’s daughter and Durango’s cousin, and you’re still not looking for anything permanent in your life.”
He released her hand to lean in the doorway and took a moment to let his gaze rake over her from the top of her head to the toes of her bare feet. She looked sexy in her short silk black robe. “Because,” he said softly, meeting her gaze again, “in addition to being Corey’s daughter and Durango’s cousin, I can no longer deny that you’re also a very desirable woman.”
He reached out and placed a knuckle beneath her chin, forcing their eyes to meet when he added, “And a woman I want in my bed.”
The huskily spoken words sent more shivers through her body, made the nipples of her breasts press tight against her robe and made heat stream down her stomach to settle between her legs. “And you made that decision, just like that?”
“No,” he said easily. “It took me almost three weeks and only after you took the initiative and kissed me earlier today, making me realize and accept that you’re a woman with needs, as well.”
Casey wondered what he would think if he knew that he was the one defining those needs, because the “needs” he was referring to had never been awaken until now. Not only had they been awaken, they were stirring to life and seemed to have a mind of their own. She nervously nibbled her lips.
“Wouldn’t you rather nibble my lips?”
Casey swallowed against a massive lump in her throat. His question had her imagining such a thing taking place. She was suddenly aware that she was losing ground with him. He had a way of stirring up her emotions and her passion. She drew in a shaky breath and took a step back He followed, closing the door behind him.
He stood tall, broad-shouldered. His muscular chest was covered in a tan shirt that seemed to highlight his golden-brown skin. His mane of hair flowed around his shoulders and the dark eyes staring at her had an intensity that nearly took her breath away. McKinnon Quinn was definitely any woman’s fantasy.
Before she could take another step he reached out and snagged her arm, bringing her closer to him. “When I said I wanted to take your taste with me, I meant it.”
Then McKinnon leaned down and captured her mouth with his, swallowing her sigh of pleasure in the process. With the sound, a fission of heated desire flowed through his veins and he intensified the mating of their mouths, erasing the physical distance they had endured the past weeks, as well as the one they would encounter over the next three days. He devoured her mouth like a hungry man who needed the taste of her as much as he needed to breathe, and when he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her luscious curves closer to the fit of him, he pressed against her, wanting her to feel just how much he needed her, wanted her.
She reciprocated, as if wanting him to know the same by slipping her arms around his waist as he continued to feast on her mouth. The taste of him always amazed her. He had the scent of man but the taste of sweet chocolate.
She felt herself being lifted into his arms but instead of taking her into the bedroom as she assumed he would, he carried her over to the sofa and gently placed her there. He stood back a
nd looked down at her. She looked back at him, seeing the thick bulge behind the zipper of his jeans as well as the dark look in his eyes.
He slowly eased down on his knees in front of her and leaned over and opened her robe to discover she wasn’t wearing anything except her panties. His gaze met hers just seconds before he lowered his head to capture a nipple into his mouth, feasting on it with as much intensity as he had with her mouth earlier. Each pull on her nipple sent a sensuous tug through her abdomen and heat escalating in her center. He braced his hands on both sides of her as he continued a hungry path down her body with his mouth. When he reached her stomach, he kissed her navel, drew circles around it with the tip of his tongue, before moving lower.
She assumed her panties would stop him but she soon discovered he didn’t intend for them to be a deterrent. She stiffened when he used his hands to ease the flimsy material down her legs, exposing the area of her that he sought. Then he touched her there and the moment he did, she shuddered as intense heat consumed her.
His fingers moved through the dark curls, teasing the sensitive nub, testing the wetness between her legs before he slid a finger inside and began stroking her.
“McKinnon.”
She said his name on a sensuous purr as he continued to stroke, sending shock waves of pleasure straight through her, making her incredibly aroused and filled with a need that was mind consuming.
He lowered his head and she made a move to get up until she felt the sharp tip of his tongue invade the area where his fingers had been. The sensations that single swipe of his tongue made were so potent she thought she would pass out. And when he gently lifted her hips to position her closer to his mouth, she moaned out his name from deep within her throat.
He relentlessly stroked her with his tongue, stimulating every sensory nerve within her, making her tremble all over. He had started a fire within her that she doubted could ever be extinguished. And just when she thought she was about to burn to a crisp, sensations overtook her, making her cry out before she could stop from doing so.
She closed her eyes, thinking that would soften the impact, but it made it that much more forceful, turning her entire body inside out. A heartbeat of a second later, something inside of her exploded and her body shattered into a million sensuous pieces.
When he finally removed his mouth from her, she opened her eyes and met his gaze. Before she could say anything, he kissed her, letting her taste herself on his lips.
Moments later when McKinnon pulled his mouth free, he stood as he gazed down at her. His body was throbbing and ached to be inside of her but he knew tonight was not the time. She had to accept him on his terms before that could happen.
“McKinnon?”
He leaned down and gently pulled her up to hold her in his arms. When he released her, he met her gaze. “Before we can go beyond this, Casey, I need to be sure that you understand that this is all we can ever share. I have to know that you can be satisfied with that. Think about it while I’m gone.” His mouth then came down on hers as if he was branding her; kissing her with a desperation that had her moaning all over again.
He pulled back and not saying a single word he turned and headed for the door. And without looking back he left.
Chapter 9
“McKinnon, you’re back,” Morning Star Quinn said, surprised and smiling up at her oldest son. “We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow and thought you’d miss the party altogether.”
“I was able to wrap everything up a day earlier,” he said, glancing around. This wasn’t a small party. His mother and Abby had definitely done things up on a larger scale than he’d expected. But then he really shouldn’t have been surprised.
As he scanned the room he was looking for one person in particular—the honoree, the woman who’d been on his mind every day since he’d been gone. He smiled when his gaze was snagged by Stone Westmoreland. Evidently Stone had arrived in Montana while McKinnon had been away.
He nodded at Stone, then moved his gaze on. A group of invitees standing in a crowd parted briefly, allowing a better view, and McKinnon’s body stiffened when he saw Casey hemmed in a corner by Rick Summers. She looked simply beautiful in a latte-colored skirt and matching blouse.
“McKinnon, would you like something to drink?”
His mother’s question momentarily pulled away his attention and he glanced down at her and forced a smile. “No, I’m fine. I think I’ll mingle.” Mingle hell, he thought, moving straight to the area where Casey and Summers were standing. Neither of them had noticed his arrival.
“McKinnon. I thought you weren’t returning until tomorrow,” Durango said, appearing out of nowhere and blocking his path.
“Not now, Rango,” McKinnon all but snarled. “The only thing I want to do is put my fist in Summers’ face.”
Durango lifted a brow. “Why would you want to do something like that?” he asked in a low tone.
“Because Rick Summers is a—”
“Bastard,” Durango said, finishing the sentence for him. “That’s nothing new. Come on, let’s grab a couple of beers and go somewhere and chill.”
McKinnon narrowed his gaze at Durango. “I don’t want to chill. I want to—”
“Smash Summers’ face in, I know, but you need to cool down and tell me why seeing Casey with him has gotten you all worked up. She’s my cousin so I have a valid reason to be interested in the proceedings—especially knowing the ass Summers is—but whether you’ve noticed or not, I’m not the only Westmoreland here tonight. Stone’s here. So are Corey, Clint and Cole.”
McKinnon glanced around. “Clint and Cole are here?”
“Yeah, but maybe they’re keeping an eye on the wrong man. Maybe they should be keeping an eye on you. The last time we talked you claimed you weren’t falling for Casey. If this isn’t falling, I’d like to know what it is when a man wants to smash another’s face just for talking to a woman who means nothing to him? Maybe instead of smashing up Summers’ face, you need to give what I just said some serious thought.”
Then Durango walked off.
* * *
Casey quickly concluded that she wouldn’t be able to hide her annoyance much longer if Rick Summers continued to deliberately hog her time. In less than twenty minutes she’d discovered the man was so full of himself it was a shame. He had an ego a mile long and at some point during his lifetime, some woman had convinced him he was every female’s ideal man.
She glanced around. Where were Clint and Cole when she needed them? She’d been hoping one of them would come and find some excuse to take her away, but so far that hadn’t happened.
She continued to glance around the room when her breath suddenly caught as her gaze locked with McKinnon’s. Adrenaline was mixing with surprise and making all kind of weird things happen to her body. She hadn’t expected him back until sometime tomorrow but seeing him now, standing across the room talking to one of her brothers while slowly raking his gaze over her, was only increasing her adrenaline level. It didn’t take much to recall the intimacy that had transpired between them the night before he’d left. Just thinking about it sent a quaking shiver through her body and caused heat to settle in one particular place between her thighs.
“Would you like to go outside with me for a spell?”
Rick’s words invaded her thoughts, which was a good thing since she was about to melt from all the heat McKinnon’s look was generating. She broke eye contact with McKinnon to glance up at Rick. “No, I don’t want to go outside, Rick. I like being inside much better. Besides, I’m the guest of honor and it wouldn’t look good if I went missing.”
He shrugged. “Who cares about these people.”
Her frown deepened. “I do. Most of them are friends of my father’s.”
Seeing he had ticked her off, Summers tried to backpedal into her good graces. “I
didn’t mean it that way…” he protested. “I can certainly understand if now isn’t a good time, but before the night is over maybe we can slip—”
“May I have this dance?”
The deep, husky voice had both Casey and Rick turning around. Rick’s surprise quickly transformed into annoyance. “Where did you come from, McKinnon? I thought you’d be out of town until sometime tomorrow.”
McKinnon gave a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “See what happens when you think, Summers,” he said. He turned to face Casey and held out his hand to her. “Will you dance with me, Casey?”
“No, she won’t dance with you. As you can see, she’s with me,” Summers all but snarled.
“Is that a fact?” McKinnon asked, holding Casey’s gaze.
Knowing there wasn’t a decision to make, Casey placed her hand in McKinnon’s. “Welcome back, McKinnon, and I’d love to dance with you.” She then turned to Rick. “Excuse us, please.”
Casey could feel the heat of Rick’s anger burn her back when she walked off but at the moment she could care less. And when McKinnon pulled her into his arms, threaded his fingers possessively with hers, Rick was nothing more than a very blurred memory.
It seemed McKinnon had timed it right; a slow number was playing and she couldn’t imagine being anywhere but here, in his arms as they swayed slowly to the rhythm of the music. That wasn’t true, she decided quickly. She could imagine being somewhere else with him—in his bed. After he’d left that night, after doing all those wondrous things to her body, she had laid there, too overwhelmed to move.
She had done a lot of thinking over the three days since he’d been gone. She wanted McKinnon Quinn. Pure and simple. There didn’t have to be promises of forever-after or any pretense of something that wasn’t there. At least not on his part since she knew how she felt. She loved him. All it took was waking up that next morning, remembering that special intimacy that had taken place the night before and knowing he was somewhere miles away that made her accept what she’d been trying to deny. Regardless of how he felt about her, she could admit that she loved him and unlike her mother, she wouldn’t pretend about what wasn’t there. Instead, she would accept what she could and be happy.
Dreams of Forever: Seduction, Westmoreland StyleSpencer's Forbidden Passion Page 10