“I’m taking off my shirt.”
The wet cotton parted to reveal his wet, muscular chest, then slid slowly down his arms. He tossed it onto the bank where it landed by her feet in a spray of water.
Lacy looked up to see his hand move down to the fly of his pants. “Now what are you doing?”
He waded toward her as his fingers flicked open the button on his jeans. “I’m taking off my pants.”
Her pulse skittered wildly. “Why?”
He offered up that devilish grin that never failed to make her knees weak. Metal rasped on metal as he dragged the zipper slowly downward. “Might as well wash up while I’m in here.”
Rivulets of water streamed down through the patch of dark curls on his broad chest, disappearing beneath the waistband of the briefs at the open fly of his jeans.
Her mouth went dry.
“I...I don’t think that’s a very good idea,” she argued weakly, unable to take her eyes from that damp, lean, very hard body.
His boots sailed past her in a spray of water.
“Cade,” she exclaimed.
A second later, his jeans landed at her feet.
Oh, God!
She became a part of the ground. Rooted there, unable to move even if she wanted to.
She didn’t want to.
Her gaze slid down to the clinging white briefs. No underwear model had ever looked that good, or filled them out so well.
Taking advantage of her preoccupation with his briefs, Cade reached out and snagged her wrist.
Lacy gasped. “What do you think...” her words trailed off. The bad boy gleam in his eyes said it all. “You wouldn’t dare!”
Her cries followed her into the water. This time it was her who came up sputtering only to be greeted by Cade’s all-too-sexy cowboy grin.
“Thought you looked a little hot yourself, Dalton,” he said with a husky chuckle. “Can’t have my employees getting all overheated. Besides, it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good pond on such a nice afternoon.”
She glared up at him through a curtain of wet, sagging curls. “That was a dirty trick.”
“Yeah,” he replied with a grin. “I know.”
“Remind me to make a note of that in my story. Cowboys don’t play fair.”
He arched a dark brow. “Wouldn’t that sort of be like the pot calling the kettle black? You pushed me in first if I remember right.”
“Yeah, but you deserved it.”
“Maybe so.”
She reached up to push the hair from her face. Big mistake. Now her vision was clear to move over Cade’s sun-browned skin. She wasted no time in taking in those broad, perfectly sculpted shoulders and then her gaze fell to that spattering of crisp black hair that ran down his chest, tapering as it disappeared beneath the straining cotton of his briefs.
“Funny, Dalton,” he said, his voice thick as he pulled her up against him, “but you still look hot.”
It was the same teasing manner she had used on him, but he was so right. Her body temperature had gone up so much it was a wonder the pond wasn’t steaming.
His hands moved down the curve of her back, searing her flesh. “Are you hot, Dalton?”
Do birds fly? Does the sun set in the west? Do leopards have spots? Oh, God, was she hot.
“Cade, you really shouldn’t be in here in just your...” Her gaze dropped down and her pulse quickened even more. “Your underwear.”
His smile widened. “You know, you’re right.” Releasing her, he reached down to hook his thumbs inside the waistband of his briefs.
With a gasp, she reached for his hands to still them. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Despite her panicked protest, he worked the water-soaked cotton down over his lean hips, tossing them to the bank. “I’m taking your advice.”
“Cade!” she exclaimed, wishing her hands weren’t brushing against his heated flesh...skin that felt incredibly hot in contrast to the cool water.
“What is it now, Dalton?” he asked, amusement flickering in his eyes. “If you want me to kiss you, just say so.”
“Ooh! You are the most arrogant...most...”
“Kiss you? My pleasure.” He dragged her up against him and covered her mouth with his.
She responded by clasping her hands about his neck and opening for him, giving him full rein to taste her mouth again, to feel her again as she brushed up against him. Bare flesh to nearly bare flesh. Cade was fire and she was so ready to burn.
His hair-roughened skin brushed against hers sending tremors of delight rippling through her body. Like a man starved, his mouth sought hers over and over. And when he pressed closer, she could feel the undeniable evidence of his desire as he moved against her.
A low groan sounded deep in his throat and it was then Lacy realized he wasn’t the one moving. It was her own traitorous body, silently pleading for more of what she knew only Cade could give her.
As if in answer to her pleas, his hands moved down to cover her backside, holding her to him as his hips rocked slowly against hers, his erection trapped thick and hard between them. The sensual movement sent shards of pleasure splintering through her.
Cade was sure he was dreaming. He’d never been so mindless with passion. Ever. He shouldn’t want her this much. Shouldn’t need her like the earth needs the rain, like...
“Lacy,” he groaned.
She grasped his face between her hands, eagerly returning his kiss, opening her mouth to the urgent, teasing strokes of his tongue.
His hands skimmed the gentle curve of her hips and the sliver of material that ran across them. His thumbs caressed her skin. “Your skin is so smooth.”
She caught the lobe of his ear between her teeth and suckled it gently as she moved against him like a cat, begging to be stroked.
“You’re killing me, Dalton.”
“Is it possible to die from wanting?” she asked, the words a whisper against his lips. Her trembling hands found their way between them, flattening on his chest.
He closed his eyes as those same hands moved over his burning flesh. His control was dangling precariously at the edge of no return. And when her fingers stopped to explore the hard, flat male nipples that control nearly shattered.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?” he gasped.
She looked up through half-lidded eyes, dark with passion. “Yes. I’m trying to make you burn the way I’m burning for you right now.” Her tongue replaced her fingers.
“Dalton, all I have to do is think of you and I catch fire.” He slid the slender straps of her bikini top down over her shoulders, freeing her breasts. “Prepare to feel my heat.”
Cupping them, he caressed their puckered tips until she whimpered and arched into his touch, begging for more. He gave her what she wanted, lowering his head to close his mouth possessively over one of the rosy peaks, alternating between suckling it and circling it with his tongue.
Her fingers curled over the tops of his shoulders, her long nails digging deep into his flesh as she arched toward the pleasure his mouth so freely offered.
“I need to touch you,” he whispered huskily as he pressed the evidence of his need into the cradle of her hips.
“Yes.”
His hand moved between them to slip beneath the skimpy lavender bikini bottom. Cade forced his eyes shut. She was so damn hot...so wet...so ready.
“Cade!” Burk’s voice carried through the distant trees.
With a startled gasp, Lacy pushed away, struggling to right her bikini top with shaking hands. Cade moved in front of her to shield her from Burk’s view as his friend burst from the trees on his horse.
“This had better be important,” Cade growled.
“It’s the hay shed,” Burk said, his breathing labored.
“What about it?”
“It caught fire.”
“What the hell do you mean it caught fire?” he moved toward the bank and vaulted out of the pond, leaving Lacy behind.
/> Burk paid no mind to Cade’s nakedness. “When I got back to the ranch I saw smoke coming rising up from the hayshed.”
“How bad is it?”
Burk swiped a sleeve across his sweat-dampened brow. “I got it out, but had I gotten there any later it would have caught and we would have lost it all.”
Cade muttered a curse. “Same as the fence?”
Burk nodded. “The sheriff’s on his way.”
The fire had been started on purpose. He grabbed for his wet clothes and began pulling them on. “Get dressed, Dalton,” he called back over his shoulder. “Playtime’s over.”
CHAPTER TEN
Lacy painted on a smile as she started down the narrow hallway to the kitchen. She had spent a better part of another night tossing and turning, trying to figure out a way to fight her growing attraction to Cade and do what she’d come to do. She should have gotten her story and been gone by now. Home in time for the holiday. Maybe that was the reason for her stalling. It would be her first Thanksgiving without her grandmother. Her first holiday all alone. But she’d get through it somehow. She always did.
It didn’t help matters that Cade had been avoiding her. Had been for days as a matter of fact. Ever since that afternoon at the pond. It was clear what happened between them had shaken him up as much as it had her. Maybe even stirred up old memories, ones Cade wasn’t prepared to deal with. His silence towards her was proof enough of his regret. She was no fool. It was clear that no woman would ever measure up to Karen in Cade’s eyes and he regretted his actions down at the pond.
“Thanksgiving,” Cade muttered, the word carrying into the hallway from the kitchen. “What’s there to be thankful about?”
The bitterness in his voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
“Come on, Cade,” she heard Burk say.
“I’m serious,” the man who’d been plaguing her thoughts replied. “Am I supposed to be thankful that I’ve got a rundown ranch, lousy hired help and a pain in the butt reporter breathing down my neck?”
Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a cry. His angry words cut deep. Was that how he still saw her? Like one of those vultures that dragged his dead wife’s name through the mud?
Lacy sagged against the wall, her legs threatening to give way beneath her. What happened to the man she’d nearly made love with? Where was his laughter? That undeniable desire. Had she only imagined the feelings that had passed between them that day?
She’d been so caught up in her own need to be desired, wanted, loved that she’d only seen what she wanted to see. Tears filled her eyes. How had she allowed it to happen? How could she love a man who thought of her as one of the ‘bad guys’. She would always be a reporter to him. Nothing more.
Heart aching, she backed away from the kitchen. A moment ago she had convinced herself she could handle her emotions, but that was before Cade’s words had pierced her heart.
She slipped quietly back to her room where she grabbed the pen and tablet she used for penning notes and, fighting back a fresh assault of tears, scribbled a message for Cade.
Don’t hold dinner for me. I’ve got errands to run. I won’t be back until late, so don’t wait up. And in case you’re wondering, I intend to be up in time for tomorrow’s chores.
Lacy
Taking the note with her, she grabbed her purse and slipped unnoticed out the front door.
* * *
Cade walked over to the cupboard and yanked the cabinet door open as another holiday commercial preached about being thankful at that time of year.
“Yeah, I’m real thankful,” he muttered as he reached for a coffee cup. “I can hardly wait for Christmas to roll around.”
“I’ll tell you what you can be thankful for,” Burk grumbled as he crossed the kitchen. “You can be thankful the bank hasn’t snatched this ranch out from under your nose. Thankful you’ve got yourself a good friend who’s gonna make you a good ol’ home cooked turkey dinner Thursday. And did I mention a pretty little reporter who’s willing to put up with your mood shifts to get your story? One that will bring the Flying T some much needed publicity if you’re not so much of a pain in the ass that you send her running back to Denver.”
Cade growled his displeasure. “When I want your advice, I’ll ask for it. And as for my Thanksgiving dinner, feel free to give it to Domino. You know I don’t do holidays anymore.”
At the mention of its name, the dog lifted its head to look up at Cade, its tail thumping happily against the hardwood floor.
Burk reached down to scratch the dog’s ears. “Well, this holiday is going to be different. Looks like we’re gonna have company.” Straightening, he walked over to the fridge and opened the door.
“Dalton’s not company.”
“Okay, go ahead and be a Scrooge. I can’t wait to read all about it in Lacy’s article. That ought to help boost sales.”
Burk was right. Everything he did was under the scrutiny of Lacy’s magazine. He wasn’t about to give them more to gossip about. He relented with a deep sigh. “You’ve made your point.”
“Good.” His friend turned, his attention returning to the portable television on the counter. “It’s Thanksgiving week. Who in their right mind wants to watch football? Why can’t they put a rodeo marathon or something good like that?”
Cade sipped at his coffee. “I reckon it’s tradition.”
Burk sighed as he flipped through the channels. “Some tradition.” He pointed at the screen where It’s a Wonderful Life was showing. “Now there’s a movie you could learn from.”
Brow arched, Cade stared at his friend over the rim of his coffee cup. “How’s that?”
“You know, that guy thought his life was all messed up, too. But he was lucky enough to realize how good he actually had it before it was too late.”
“Luck? If it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any at all! I’ve gotta go grab a shower.” Setting his coffee cup down on the table, Cade walked out.
* * *
On her way into town a flashing neon sign caught Lacy’s eye. CASH FOR CARS! WE BUY AND SELL NEW AND USED VEHICLES. TOP DOLLAR PAID!
She slowed her car in front of the large lot and bit at her lower lip. She had to be crazy for even considering this, but it was something she needed to do. Driving around in her grandfather’s ‘Vette was too painful of a reminder of the family she no longer had. She didn’t want to remember. Not anymore.
She turned into the lot and parked just outside of a small building that served as the sales office. Climbing out of the car, she turned and looked at the sporty red convertible for a long time. Sporty no longer suited the person she had become. Riding in a fancy car didn’t excite her nearly as much as riding in Cade’s truck had.
“Some car you’ve got there,” a man said behind her.
She turned to find a short, stout man standing there. He was dressed in a western shirt, black dress pants and a matching black cowboy hat. One of the salesmen she guess, judging by the way he was eyeing her car. “Thanks.”
“Looking to trade it in?”
She glanced back at her car and knew without a doubt that was what she wanted to do. Maybe she could even use some of the money she’d get for her car to help Cade out and maybe make up for some of the pain her ‘kind’ had caused him.
Lacy nodded. “Yes, I am.”
She knew her grandfather would understand her decision. He’d always believed in helping those in need and Cade needed. Maybe not her, but that didn’t change the fact she had fallen hopelessly in love with him and would do anything to see him happy again.
Less than a half an hour later, she drove out of the used car lot in an older Ford pickup. It had been repainted an ungodly shade of baby blue and there were a few specks of rust starting on the back bumper, but other than that it was a solid truck. And it was hers. The biggest plus about the trade was that it had left her with a good chunk of cash. Enough to pay off her bills and maybe ease Cade’s financial worries for a few months or so.
Her next stop was the bank where she made a sizeable payment toward Cade’s mortgage. Then she headed back out to her newly purchased truck and headed for the only other place she knew in town, with the exception of jail, the Blarney Stone.
The parking lot was empty except for a few dusty old pickups. Her truck fit right in. She parked and shut off the engine, rubbing her eyes. They were still burning, not that the crying she had done since leaving Cade’s place had helped anything. But it was more the combination of the air freshener that hung from the rearview mirror and the bits and pieces of straw on the floor of her pickup that had stirred up her allergies.
Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the box of allergy medicine she had picked up a few days before and popped one of the capsules into her mouth. She swallowed it quickly, hoping it wouldn’t take too long to kick in.
Purse slung over her shoulder, she headed for the bright green door at the entrance of the Blarney Stone.
“Hey, Lacy,” Katie greeted with a smile when she stepped into the bar.
At least she wasn’t shooting her daggers like she had the first night they’d met and Katie learned she was a reporter. “Hello.”
The bar owner looked past her. “Where are the boys?”
“They were busy.” Avoiding me. At least Cade was. “I thought I’d stop in and grab a bite to eat.”
“Sure. What can I get for you?” she asked with a smile.
Lacy eyed the dry erase board that hung behind the bar, listing that week’s specials. “Can I get half of a turkey sandwich?”
Katie laughed. “I can see living with Cade and Burk hasn’t rubbed off on you yet. Those men practically eat me out of stock when they come in for dinner.”
She forced a smile, unable to speak as another rush of tears threatened to let loose. Katie couldn’t be more wrong. Coming to Deep Creek had brought about a lot of changes to her life. Her aching heart included.
“You look like you could use a drink,” Katie said.
“I think you’re right.”
“Wine cooler?”
“Please.”
“Are you okay?”
Capturing the Cowboy's Heart Page 14