Giving her up had been the toughest choice he’d ever made, but he hadn’t been able to provide what she’d wanted. Staying had seemed unfair to both of them. He’d been a little surprised that she hadn’t found someone else to fulfill that dream of marriage, a home and kids. He’d braced himself for that eventuality.
Yet here she was, still single. He didn’t know what to make of that. Right now his head hurt too damn much to make sense of anything. Thinking about Lexi’s hot body probably wasn’t helping.
He’d never told another woman that sex could cure his headaches. He didn’t know if it would work with anyone besides Lexi because he’d never tested it, as if doing that would be disloyal. Pretty stupid.
He had discovered that solo sex didn’t help much at all. Timing his orgasm to match Lexi’s, something he’d become fairly good at, had always eliminated his headache completely. Today he’d have to hope that aspirin would do the trick, although he didn’t have any. Maybe Lexi could scare up a couple of tablets for him.
“That’s it for the beds.” She glanced around. “Looking good in here. Want me to vacuum the floor?”
“I can do it.”
“I know, but I’ll bet you’re dying for a shower, and you can take one while I finish up. It’ll also give you a chance to see if the washhouse is fit for Damon and Finn.”
He grinned. “Don’t be so diplomatic. If I stink, just say so.”
That made her laugh. “Hit the showers, Gallagher.”
“Point taken. So will you still be here when I get back?”
“Sure. I’ll wait for you.”
“Good. See you in about fifteen minutes.” Still smiling, he grabbed a bar of soap, a towel and his duffel before taking the well-worn path to the bathhouse. She was right. A shower and a shave would feel good.
The washhouse could use a good scrub but he’d wait until Finn and Damon were here to help. And because Lexi was waiting for him, he didn’t linger. His hair was still damp when he walked back to the cabin carrying his duffel in one hand and his dirty clothes in the other. A close shave and clean clothes had gone a long way toward reviving him. He still had the headache, but he didn’t feel grubby anymore.
He’d expected to find Lexi sitting on the front stoop soaking up the sunshine, like the boys used to do when the foster program was still in operation. The laundry basket and the vacuum cleaner were there, though. She’d also shut the door, which was odd. She usually enjoyed this kind of breeze.
When he opened it and stepped inside, he paused in confusion. Lexi’s clothes were hanging over the back of a desk chair, and Lexi was...in his bunk. If he wasn’t mistaken, and he never was about such things, she was naked under those covers. He lost his grip on the duffel, which fell to the floor with a thud.
She smiled at him. “Let’s take care of your headache.”
His heart, which had stalled out for a moment, started beating in triple time. It rapidly pumped his blood south, seriously affecting the fit of his jeans. He gulped. “Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely sure. The only thing I don’t know is whether you’re packing. If not, then maybe oral—”
“I’m... I have... We’re good.” She’d short-circuited whatever brain cells had been functioning previously, but animal instincts must have taken over because he found himself ripping off his clothes as if they’d suddenly caught fire. His gaze never left hers as he plopped down on the desk chair and yanked off his boots. “How long have you been planning this?”
“Since we talked in the house.”
“Talked about what?” He couldn’t imagine how that conversation had led to this. Not that he was complaining. Oh, no. He’d just won the Powerball, and a guy didn’t question luck like that.
“You told me sex used to be simple. I didn’t see it that way then. But now I do.”
“You do?” He wasn’t buying it.
“Yes.”
“But—”
“Cade, do you want to have a philosophical discussion, or do you want to grab a condom and get into bed with me?”
He grinned. “Let me think about it.” He’d said it to make her laugh, which she did, but he wasn’t thinking about anything except Lexi’s sweet body. He might be making a really big mistake by having sex with her right now. But the spark plugs in his brain weren’t firing. And this had been her idea.
So he pulled a condom out of his bag, put it on and walked over to the bunk.
She scooted over to make room for him on the narrow mattress. “Watch your head.” Then she drew back the sheet.
He sucked in a breath. Dear God, she was glorious. He’d thought he knew how beautiful she was, but whatever picture he’d carried around for five years, it didn’t come close to the reality.
He drank in the sight of her full breasts, her rosy nipples and her narrow waist that flared delicately to hips that shifted under his stare, as if inviting him closer. He let out his breath in a long, reverent sigh. “You’re magnificent.”
Her voice was soft. “You’re not bad yourself.”
He glanced into her eyes and discovered she seemed as absorbed in him as he was in her. What a fool he’d been to leave, and an even bigger fool to stay away. They were made for each other. No one else would do for either of them. That’s why she hadn’t married someone else. She was a one-man woman, and he was a one-woman man.
She held out her hand. “Come on down here, cowboy. And watch your—”
He whacked his head on the top bunk before she finished the sentence. Lack of sleep and the mesmerizing sight of her lying there waiting for him made him clumsy.
“Oh, Cade.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Nothing mattered but this incredible moment. He climbed in beside her but kept a few inches between them. “Just lie still and let me touch you.”
“I want to touch you, too, you know.”
He cupped her cheek in one hand and gazed into her eyes. They’d always reminded him of a mountain stream filled with grays and greens and the sparkle of the sun. “I would count it a huge favor if you’d hold off. I’m sizzling like a bottle rocket on the Fourth of July. When I come, I want to be deep inside you.”
“Right. Because that’s how we’ll cure your headache.”
“I don’t give a damn about my headache.” He leaned over and brushed his mouth against hers. “I want to come inside you because it’s been so long, and I’ve missed you so much.”
Moaning softly, she clutched the back of his head and pulled him deeper into the kiss.
And he was lost. He’d meant to go slow and reacquaint himself with all the special places he loved, but her tongue was in his mouth, and his was in hers. Before he quite realized it, he’d moved over her and parted her slick thighs.
She was drenched. For him. For him. He locked his gaze with hers and murmured her name. Then he plunged deep.
She gasped and rose to meet him, her fingers digging into his back and her eyes flashing fire.
“Lexi.” The blood roared in his ears as he thrust into her again and again.
She cried out as the first spasm claimed her. He knew that cry, and once more he drove home, cinching himself in tight, putting pressure where they both needed it. At the exact same moment, they surrendered to the storm. Holding on to each other, they rode it out. Together.
Vaguely he was aware of her soft murmurs as she eased away from him. He didn’t want her to leave. He tried to say that, but...he couldn’t seem...to stay...awake.
Five minutes later, or so it seemed, her breath was warm against his ear. “Time to wake up, cowboy.”
He groaned and stretched his legs. A startled meow and a thump told him he’d just displaced Ringo. Opening his eyes, he looked into Lexi’s smiling face.
She perched on the edge of the mattress. “I brought Ringo in a li
ttle while ago. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, that’s great. This is where he needs to be.” The gray tabby hopped to the windowsill and peered out the window. “He seems pretty calm.”
“He’s been no trouble. He let me carry him over here and once I put him down, he jumped up on your bed and settled in.”
“Yeah, I used to let him sleep in the bunkhouse in the winter. The guys said I was spoiling him.”
“Nothing wrong with that. So, want me to pick up Damon?”
He frowned. “Why?”
“So you can stay here and sleep.”
He was still groggy enough to be tempted, but he couldn’t let her do that. “I’ll get up. Just give me a minute.”
“You have at least fifteen.” She combed his hair with gentle fingers. “How’s your headache?”
“Gone.” He rolled onto his back and looked up at her. “I still can’t believe you engineered that.”
“You needed it. We both did.”
Reaching up, he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Thank you. That was—”
“Yeah.” She held his hand against her cheek as she looked into his eyes. “It was perfect.”
“No, not perfect, because that would imply we can’t improve on it. As good as that was, we can do even better.”
A flush tinged her cheeks. “You think?”
“I know, and so do you. This was a preview, an introduction, an appetizer.”
“So you want to do it again sometime?”
“Lexi, be serious.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind a repeat, but there are some complications.”
Cade sighed as reality intruded. “Yeah, I know.”
“Once the three of you are settled in, I might as well head back to my apartment.”
“And I’ll need to hang with Damon and Finn. Not to mention the main issue of supporting Rosie and Herb in this crisis. That’s the whole point of being here. No way am I forgetting that.”
“I’ll be helping support them, too, so we’ll be seeing each other, but we won’t have time alone.”
He took a deep breath. She was so beautiful. He couldn’t believe he’d stayed away so long. “So we’re shut down for the time being.”
“That’s why I decided to go for it now.”
He pulled her down until her breath caressed his face. “Thank you,” he murmured before capturing her mouth in a kiss that held all the longing in his heart. He could have kept kissing her forever, but she’d mentioned he had fifteen minutes before he had to leave. Reluctantly he let her go. “I’d better get dressed.”
“Guess so. You’re down to about ten minutes. Do you want me to make you a sandwich to take with you? You must be starving.”
He was, but he didn’t want her to leave. “That’s okay. I’ll grab something after I pick up Damon. Would you stay until I have to head out? It might be the last time we can really talk.”
“Sure.” She settled on one of the desk chairs. Ringo leaped to the desk and offered himself for petting. She obliged. “I don’t mind another ogling opportunity.”
“So you admit it!” He’d sure love to trade places with that cat.
“It’s not every day that a girl sees a virile man wielding a vacuum cleaner. Very arousing.”
“I’ll have to keep it in mind.” He eased out of the bunk bed with more caution than he’d used climbing in. In the process he glanced down and realized that the condom was gone. “Did you...?”
“Yep. You were out like a light, so I took the liberty. It’s not like I’ve never helped you dispose of one before.”
“True.” He searched the floor for his briefs.
“Looking for these?” She dangled them from one finger.
“Where were they?”
“Caught on the desk lamp.” She tossed them to him and went back to stroking Ringo, who was purring loudly.
“On the lamp?”
“You put on quite a show. Clothes flew in all directions. I thought about gathering them up, but I couldn’t resist letting you see the chaos you created.”
He glanced around. “My God.” His shirt hung from the top bunk. His boots had ended up in opposite corners of the room, and his jeans were over by the door. “Where’s my hat?”
She pointed to Damon’s and Finn’s bunks, where his hat had scored a ringer on the bedpost.
“I must have been out of my freaking mind.”
Her smile was pure feminine triumph. “As a matter of fact, I think you were.”
She was so cute about it that he had to laugh. She’d nailed him, no question, and she had a right to gloat.
But he had something to say, and he didn’t want to leave the cabin without saying it. “Okay, so here’s the deal.” He began pulling on his clothes. “Right now circumstances are preventing us from continuing what we started. Or more accurately, what you started.” He paused to look at her.
“I’ll own it. I was definitely the instigator.”
He nodded, satisfied they were in agreement on that point. “So you started something, but it isn’t finished. Not by a long shot.”
She met his gaze. “I hope not.”
“Count on it.” He’d walked away once. He wasn’t planning on repeating that mistake.
6
WHILE CADE FINISHED getting dressed, Lexi remade the bed. Ringo must have taken that as an invitation because he returned to his former spot, curled up and closed his eyes.
Lexi smoothed the wrinkles from the pillowcase. “There. Nobody will be the wiser.”
“Except me.” Cade pulled on his boots. “I’m a hell of a lot wiser. Two people who make love like that should not be living hundreds of miles apart.”
That was the second time he’d hinted at changing his situation. She turned to face him and risked asking the question. “Does that mean you’re considering moving back?”
He stood and walked over to retrieve his hat. “It’s been on my mind. How would you feel if I did?”
“Herb and Rosie would love it.”
Holding his hat by the crown, he settled it on his head, completing the picture of a rugged cowboy. “I assume they would. That isn’t what I asked.”
She hesitated. Now might be the time to set the record straight. “There’s something you should know. I’m not the same person I was five years ago.”
“So what? I’m not the same person, either. We’ll get reacquainted. Could be fun.”
“In my case, my focus has changed. I’m extremely dedicated to my career as a riding instructor.”
“I think that’s great. You were always good at it.”
“That’s nice to hear, but it’s not the point I’m trying to make.” She gazed at him. “Five years ago, I built my schedule, my whole life, really, around you. I’m not willing to do that anymore. Not for you or any guy.”
He frowned. “Okay, but we’d see each other, right?”
“Sure. When it’s convenient.” She was saying it as much for her benefit as his. He was potent, and she couldn’t allow his charisma and sex appeal to turn her into the dependent woman she’d been five years ago.
“You’re still ticked at me for leaving. I don’t blame you, but—”
“I’m not upset about that anymore. In retrospect, it was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
He looked as if she’d slapped him. “Is that so? Then maybe I’d better reconsider the idea of moving back. I’d hate to cramp your style.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I only meant—”
“If you see me as a potential problem, why the hell did you climb into my bunk this morning?”
“Because I thought it could be simple like you said. No expectations, no agenda, just...”
“S
ex.” Hurt shone in his green eyes.
“No, it was more than that.”
“Damn straight it was. Look, I have to get to the airport, and we both need to concentrate on Rosie, anyway. If and when that settles down, and I have to believe it will or I’ll go crazy, we’ll compare schedules. Maybe you can fit me in.”
“Damn it, Cade! You’re being ridiculous.”
“Me? You’re the one who was wild for me a few hours ago but now you’re saying we’ll get together when it’s convenient.”
“I was just—”
“Look, I gotta go. Thanks for...everything.” He left, closing the door behind him.
Stupid man! She followed him out, making sure the cat stayed inside. Fortunately Ringo seemed uninterested in escape. “I’ll probably come to the hospital later,” she called out.
“Suit yourself.” Cade didn’t break stride.
Lexi sighed and leaned against the doorjamb. “That certainly went well.” How ironic. Five years ago they’d fought because she’d wanted to marry him and have his babies, but he’d been determined to keep his lone-wolf status.
Now she was the one setting boundaries and he had the hurt feelings. Maybe she shouldn’t have used the word convenient, but in the end, that was the bottom line. She would no longer drop everything when he beckoned as she’d done during their dating years. He might not have demanded that of her, but it was her pattern. She’d thought they should have an understanding from the get-go that things had changed.
But she’d upset him, and he’d stomped off. Not a good beginning. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything while his nerves were so raw with Rosie in the hospital. He hated hospitals, but he was making himself go there, anyway.
So maybe climbing into his bunk had been a big mistake, except he’d seemed so miserable. Because she’d wanted him, too, she’d thought sex would do them both good. Now she wasn’t so pleased about the outcome.
The cabin had an excellent view of the Bighorns from the front stoop, so she stayed where she was and focused on the scenery until she heard Cade’s truck drive away. He’d said that their relationship used to be simple. In a flash of insight, she knew why that had been absolutely true. He’d led and she’d followed. Whatever his plan, she’d fallen in with it, at least most of the time.
Harlequin Blaze June 2015 Box Set: Midnight ThunderFevered NightsCome On OverTriple Time Page 6