by LuAnn McLane
“I guess I’m not used to big family dinners.”
“Cat, you and Sara are two peas in a pod, as my mom would say. You’ll bond instantly. My brothers Reid and Braden are as nice as they come, and Cody, Sara’s husband, is like a brother to me too. Addison is Mia’s cousin, so you already know her, right? Plus the grandkids Katie and Leah will take center stage. You’ll be fine, trust me.”
“I know.” Cat rolled her eyes. “Funny that I can sing before thousands of people but something like a Sunday dinner makes me nervous. Am I weird or what?”
“Yes, and before you ask it, I mean that in a good way. Mostly,” he added.
Cat pulled a face but then laughed. “I won’t deny it. I have some odd insecurity issues.”
“And phobias.”
“Hey, who isn’t afraid of spiders and bats?” She shuddered. “And clowns.”
“Me.”
“So what are you afraid of, tough guy?”
Jeff shrugged and appeared to consider her question. “I don’t know. Growing up on a farm, I had to face just about every kind of animal and insect and lots of snakes. Oh, and big green hornworms on tobacco leaves are pretty gross.”
“They sound horrid.”
“Sara hated hornworms and so of course I liked to toss them at her. She was so happy when our mom decided that we would no longer grow tobacco on the back forty. It was a great cash crop, but she hated that it was so harmful so we stopped growing it. We used to hang tobacco in the barn that I turned into the practice studio.”
Jeff pulled in front of the cabin and killed the engine. “Cat, I know you had an unconventional childhood, and if you ever want to talk about it just say the word. But my family is going to love you. Just like I do.” He reached over and ran a fingertip down her cheek. “You’re weird and crazy. You’re funny and smart. Gorgeous. And super sexy. And have an amazing voice. I can’t get enough of you.”
“Ah … you say that now.”
Jeff rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip, making her toes curl. “I know one thing: I’ll never be bored with you around.”
“We can agree upon that one,” Cat said and waited for him to come around and open her door. The one time she didn’t let him Jeff complained that his mother would have his hide. When he opened the door she missed the step down and tumbled into his arms. “I meant to do that.”
“And I mean to do this.” Jeff tossed both of their baseball caps to the side but she didn’t complain. He pushed her up against the truck, bent his head, and kissed her.
Cat put her hands on his wide shoulders, loving the sturdy feel of his muscles. But Jeff’s strength went further than physical. When he pulled back, Cat cupped her palms to his cheeks. “You’re a good man, Jeff Greenfield.”
Jeff smiled. “And remember that a good man is hard to find.”
Cat tilted her head to the side. “I thought it was the other way around.”
“What?” Jeff asked and then grinned. “I’ve got ya covered on that one too.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Cat said, and Jeff thought it was adorable when her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink.
“Well, how about a soak in the hot tub? I do have some rib eyes in the fridge that we can grill and cold beer or wine or I can even make you a martini. Whatever you like. I plan to wait on you hand and foot all day and all night if you’ll let me.”
“I’ll have to think about that one.”
“Me waiting on you hand and foot?”
“Are you kidding. That’s an offer I can’t refuse.” Cat squeezed his shoulder. “Oh, I’m down with that. I was thinking about what drink sounded enticing.” Jeff took her hand, but Cat held back. “Oh, I don’t have a bathing suit here.” She pointed up to her cabin. “I should go and—”
“No bathing suits allowed,” Jeff interrupted, tugging her forward. “It’s against house rules, at least if your name is Cat.”
“Or Jeff.”
Cat followed Jeff inside and couldn’t keep a smile off her face. “This day is so relaxing, so wonderful. Like that Bruno Mars song—‘Today I don’t feel like doing anything.’ It’s a total all-drift day.” She did a little dip and wave with her hand.
Jeff pulled her into his arms. “Oh, no, that doesn’t quite fit. I can think of a couple of things to do, starting with this.” He kissed her until Cat clung to his shoulders for support. She felt the ripples of muscle beneath her hands and moaned. She couldn’t wait to get him out of his shirt. “So … I get to order you around, huh?”
“Definitely.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth, making her shiver. “Your wish is my command.”
“Mmm, just like a genie in a bottle?”
“Like that, but you get more than three wishes.”
“Off with the shirt!” she ordered and clapped her hands.
Jeff reached down and tugged the T-shirt over his head. “Done.”
Cat splayed her hands on his chest and then explored warm skin until she came to the belt buckle of his cargo shorts. She felt his ab muscles clench, and it was a heady feeling to know that she turned him on too. “You’re a beautiful man.”
“I prefer ruggedly handsome,” he said but sucked in a breath when she dipped her fingers beneath his belt, toying, teasing. “Are you going to order me to take off my shorts, I hope?”
“No, I’m going to take them off for you.”
“Ah, even better.”
“But first let’s get the hot tub warmed up. And I decided I want a super-chilled martini.”
“You’re getting into this bossing-me-around thing, aren’t you?”
“You’ve created a monster.” She leaned in and licked a nipple.
“God … Cat …” he said, but when he reached for her, she took a step backward and he came up with air. “You’re killing me.”
Cat only laughed. She wanted to work Jeff up into a frenzy, making the anticipation last for both of them. This was the first time in so long that she simply felt free of any obligation and could have a rare day of just having fun. Although she loved the music industry, it could be overwhelming.
“There are big towels in the linen closet in the master bathroom. I’ll do as ordered and join you in the hot tub after I make you a kick-ass martini. If we time it right we can watch the sunset and then cook dinner.” He arched a dark eyebrow. “Unless you can think of something you want me to do first, like make sweet love to you, for example. Just a suggestion, of course. You’re the boss.”
Cat gave him an impish grin. “Maybe.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Jeff said, but when he took a step in her direction she sprinted for the bathroom, laughing over her shoulder.
Cat’s resolve faltered when she took a look at Jeff’s big bed sitting there mocking her. She swallowed hard, thinking about calling him—no, ordering him to come in and make love to her, but she lifted her chin. “No, anticipation is the word of the day!” she announced and started humming the Carly Simon song. “Is making me wa-a-a-a-a-i-t.”
With one last look at the bed, she went into the bathroom and almost shrieked when she looked at her reflection in the mirror. “That just can’t be accurate.” She reached up and tried to tidy her messy ponytail and wished she had her makeup bag to fix her faded lipstick and eye shadow. “Ew.” She had a mustard stain on her shirt that she tried to get out with a damp washcloth, without much luck. “I am such a slob.”
A knock on the door made her jump.
“Yes?” She tossed the washcloth down and reached up to smooth her unruly hair.
“Can I come in?”
Cat gave her reflection a frown. “Okay …”
Jeff stepped into the bathroom and seemed to fill the small space with his bare chest. “What’s taking you so long? Did you find the towels?”
“I haven’t looked yet.” Cat pointed to her reflection. “Check this out. I’m one hot mess.”
Jeff tilted his head and smiled. “You got the hot part right.”
“Really?”
Cat met his eyes in the mirror. When she saw the admiration, the longing, she felt a warm rush of love for him.
“Are you fishing for compliments?”
“Totally.” She waved her fingertips toward her chest. “Have at it.”
Jeff wrapped his arms around her. “I love everything about you. I wouldn’t change one thing.” He kissed her neck but then shook his head. “Wait. There is one thing… .”
“My boobs?”
He cupped them in his hands. “Nope, perfection.”
“My butt?” She tried to glance over her shoulder but he held her tight.
“Hell no.” Jeff shook his head. “You have one sweet bum.”
She pointed to her mouth. “My lips? Do I need to have an injection?”
“You’d better not!” Jeff looked so horrified that Cat laughed.
“I wouldn’t do that.” Cat shuddered at the thought of a needle. “So what, then?”
“You’re wearing way too many clothes. I want you naked. In my hot tub. Or in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter where.”
“I thought I was the boss today?”
“You are.” When his hands went beneath her shirt, Cat felt goose bumps and sighed.
“Then take my shirt off.” When she clapped her hands twice, he frowned at her in the mirror. “I need to lose the hand clap, right.”
“Please.”
“But it’s so much fun.”
“I’ll show you fun.” A moment later her shirt landed on the tile floor. But Jeff didn’t stop there. With a flick of his wrist her bra joined the shirt. His hands, tan against her pale skin, caressed her breasts. Cat watched in the mirror, and when his thumbs circled her nipples her breath caught. “You’re right—this is … Oh …” He kissed the tender part of her neck, driving her wild with his warm mouth, strong hands. “Fun.”
And she watched.
Unzipping her shorts, he was able to tug them over her hips, revealing her new pink-and-black thong that she’d worn for him. With one hand still on her breast, he toyed with the pink lace, moving his fingers beneath the black triangle but staying just above, where she wanted him most. “Are you getting back at me?” she asked, her voice a hot whisper. “For the hand clap?”
“Yes,” he said, toying, teasing, until Cat arched her hips in silent invitation.
“You’re so mean …”
“Raise your arms up and hook your hands around my neck.”
“I’m the boss,” she protested, but did as she was told. He slid her thong to her thighs and she was fully exposed in the mirror. Her heart thudded and she watched while he touched her, caressed her, dipping his middle finger into her folds. She pressed her head into his shoulder and when he suddenly stopped her entire body throbbed with the need for him to continue. “Jeff …”
He raised his head and met her gaze in the mirror. “I want to watch you,” he said, and Cat knew he wanted to see her when she climaxed. This was so intimate, so erotic, and when he so slowly, just barely caressed her, it felt as if every nerve ending in her body craved release. He kept up the featherlight tease until her heart hammered, her blood pulsed, and when he finally dipped his finger deep and then stroked her harder in small circles, Cat gasped. “Jeff!”
Her mouth parted and her orgasm washed over her in hot waves of pleasure. She clung to his neck but then he wrapped his arms around her for support. “That was … I can’t … Oh God …”
Jeff’s low chuckle vibrated against her skin.
“I feel like I’m made of liquid,” she said, and her eyes fluttered shut. “Seriously, don’t let me slide down the drain.”
He chuckled again and nuzzled her neck. “I love you.”
Cat opened her eyes and when he lifted his head she gave him a shaky smile. “I love you too. More than I thought was even possible. I’ve had people taking advantage of me for a long time and I know I can trust you, believe in you. You make me feel so loved and so very safe. With you I feel like I can be my crazy self and you accept me as I am.”
Jeff kissed her cheek and held her tightly. “You can put your trust in me, Cat. I won’t let you down. I promise.”
“I believe you.” She turned around and wrapped herself around him. He held her and then tilted her head and kissed her sweetly.
“Are you ready for that martini?”
“After you make love to me in that big bed of yours.”
“Is that an order?”
“Do I have to clap?”
“No!” Jeff laughed and then scooped her up in his arms.
When he gently placed her on the bed, she smiled up at him and then tilted her head to the side.
“What are you thinking, Cat?”
“Just that this past year was so trying, so difficult, but it’s led me to being here with you, right here, right now.”
Jeff joined her in the bed and gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Tell me about it, Cat. I want to know your story. I want to know everything about you.”
She inhaled a trembling breath. “I was being pushed around, forced to do things I didn’t want or believe in. I trusted Matt Stanford, and all he cared about was money. I felt pressure because so many people’s livelihood depended upon my success. But I just couldn’t live a lie anymore.”
“I’d like to kick his ass.”
“I still feel guilty sometimes.”
“Don’t. Cat, I did the same thing when I felt I couldn’t leave the farm. You have to be true to yourself. You have to go where you want to go in this life and not where others want you. It isn’t fair. And in the end those who love you want you to chase your dream and be happy. Anything else just won’t work in the long run.”
Cat nodded. “I know. And it’s funny, but I wouldn’t be here right now if Mia hadn’t landed in Cricket Creek. She had to find herself too. I guess we all do at some point.”
“This is a special town with hardworking, caring people.”
Cat nodded. “I do miss my parents but Cricket Creek feels like where I belong.”
“Once they come for a visit maybe they’ll move here too. It seems to happen a lot. But if not, we’ll have to visit.”
“You just want some deep-dish pizza and to go to a Cubs game,” Cat teased, but she felt a tug of emotion that he’d said we instead of you. She smiled, then said, “I command you to remove your pants.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Like that’s gonna happen,” she said and he laughed.
“Good point.” A moment later his shorts hit the floor.
Cat sighed when Jeff slid his naked body against hers.
“That was a good sigh, right?”
“Of pure bliss,” Cat said. “I don’t want this day to end,” she said and snuggled against him.
“We’ve got tonight,” he sang in her ear and Cat sang the next line.
“Wow, I would love to do that song with you. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers did an amazing version. It’s timeless. I love it.”
“Let’s bring it up with Rick and Maria,” Jeff agreed, making her wonder whether he was warming up to the duo idea too. Could she possibly be lucky enough not only to fall deeply in love, but to fall in love with someone who could share both her life and her career?
Cat certainly hoped so. But for right now she was going to live in the moment, and as moments went, this one rocked …
22
She Loves You
JEFF PULLED OPEN THE DOOR OF MY WAY RECORDS AND was greeted by the smiling face of Teresa Bennett, the receptionist Rick had recently hired.
“Hello, love,” Theresa said in her English accent, which never failed to make Jeff grin. “Rick is on a conference call but he’ll be with you in a couple of minutes.” Teresa also had a great voice and filled in as a studio backup singer when needed. She and Rick went way back to his rock and roll days and Jeff just bet that Teresa had been a bit of a wild child. “Can I get you anything? Coffee?”
“No, thanks.” Coffee would only jack up his nerves even more. He i
nhaled a calming breath and glanced out the window.
“Lovely day outside, don’t you agree?” Teresa asked.
Jeff nodded, although in truth he’d been too distracted to notice.
“Am I boring you with my chitchat, love?” She arched one eyebrow and waited.
“Teresa, you know I could listen to that accent of yours all day long,” Jeff said and relaxed just a little bit.
“Ha, like you don’t have one yourself.”
“Not as cool as yours,” Jeff said and smiled. “How do you like living in Cricket Creek?” he asked, glad to get his mind off his meeting.
“I need a London fix once in a while but just adore this little town. I’m so glad that I took Rick up on his offer to work at this studio,” Teresa said.
“You’ve got an amazing voice. We’re lucky to have you.”
“Ah, I go way back with Rick.” Teresa shook her head. “Had you asked me fifteen years ago if he and I would end up in Cricket Creek, Kentucky, I would’ve laughed my ass off. We had some crazy times back then, but it feels good to put down roots and settle in,” she said, then picked up the phone. “Rick is ready for you, darling.” She gestured toward the door. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks, Teresa.”
Jeff opened the door and walked across the plush carpet.
“Hey, Jeff. Thanks for coming in on such short notice. Have a seat.”
“No problem.” Jeff shook Rick’s hand and then sat down in the chair in front of his desk. He knew what this meeting was going to be about, and it made his heart thump hard in his chest.
“Can I get you anything? Water? Soft drink?”
“Teresa already offered.” Jeff blew out a sigh. “But is it too soon for a shot of bourbon?”
Rick chuckled. “There was a time in what I like to call my previous life when I would have said hell no and tossed back a shot with you, but those days are done, I’m afraid.”
“Well, then, I think I’m good,” Jeff answered.
“I guess you know what this is all about.”
“Yes.” Jeff nodded. “It’s decision-making time.”
“I’m afraid so.” Rick sat up straighter and nodded. “So here are the facts. The ‘Second Chances’ duet hit the country Billboard charts at ninety-one with a bullet. You and Cat have a hit on your hands and it’s starting to get some airplay on Top 40 radio stations, just like Maria and I thought it would. So congratulations. We’ve got interest in having you two on CMT Insider and Second Cup Café. We’re really pumped, Jeff.”