That aside, Gabe thought he’d die waiting for her response.”
“If you had all the material things, what more could you offer me?”
He glanced at her with a rueful smile. “You don’t ask much from a guy, do you?” But he could see the look in her eye. She was challenging him to look beyond the materialistic and give her more of the man sitting next to her.
Still, he had to dig deep to find the answer. He’d shoved all thought of that type of man aside years before. All he really possessed were the things about him that he once believed in. Like the way his folks reared him. He wasn’t sure those particular things mattered much in this day and age, particularly with someone like Tess.
He glanced again and caught her soft gaze. If he had one lick of sense, he’d do well to make this woman believe he was her knight in shining armor. They could deal with the issue of the farm later. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m a pretty good dancer. My folks used to roll up that rug on Saturday night and dance around the floor to the radio. I remember watching them.” He tossed her a look, waxing nostalgic, and saw a gentleness in her expression that just about killed him.
“You are a good dancer,” she said quietly, “I remember.”
He looked across the yard, thinking of the years of dreams his father had shared with him. His dad wanted so much from this farm, but the disease that claimed his mind and then later his body didn’t allow him to see those dreams. To make those things happen in memory of his dad were now a part of Gabe’s dreams—dreams that remained unfinished for him.
“I love this place,” he admitted. “More than anything.” He wanted desperately to share with her all the dreams he had about making this farm a success. They were a little varied from his dad’s, but Gabe felt his dad would be pleased. But he had to get the farm back first and he was beginning to think if it came with Tess Graham, he’d work himself to death to make it happen.
“What about you, Gabe?” Her gentle prodding made him face the things that he’d shoved behind him. The good things that he’d let his failure in not keeping the farm, closet into obscurity. He’d nearly forgotten the simple things and he smiled because they probably sounded terribly old-fashioned.
“I’m honest, I like old ladies—”
“That explains Mrs. Crane,” Tess retorted dryly.
He grinned and was more relaxed at seeing her smile. Standing, he stretched his arms, pulling the creak that was slowly dissolving in his neck. With a sigh, he turned, and let his arms fall against his sides. He hadn’t wanted things to get complicated, yet he knew he’d already lost his heart to her. Though what she saw in him he wasn’t sure. “Tess, I’m no prize by any means. I can tell you that I’m a hard worker, and a good person. I like dogs. Aside from working this farm, I love home-cooked meals-your dumplings are to die for.” He clutched his hand over his heart emphasizing his point. “I like watching TV, sitting in front of a fireplace in the winter, and reading a good book.” He tipped his head toward the porch swing. “I love to have coffee every morning on that swing and I love this land.”
“Sounds like you’re describing a pretty nice guy.” She looked up at him and smiled.
Lord in heaven, there was the answer to his prayer. Her nose crinkled on one side. “You had me with the dumplings thing.”
His heart began to pound. “Can I tell you something and you promise me that you won’t think I’m weird?” He stuffed his hands in the back pockets of his jeans, quelling the desire to touch her just yet.
“Well, no guarantees there, Gabe.” She shot him a grin.
The simple gesture brought him to his knees, literally, in front of her. He swore she was flirting. At least that’s what his heart was counting on. Otherwise he was about to make a fool of himself. It wouldn’t be the first time, or probably his last.
“I am fascinated by this crinkle on the side,” he touched her face, mesmerized at the rose petal softness of her cheek, “of your nose.”
Tess smiled an unexpected, bright sort of smile, with an inquisitive expression. She closed her eyes and leaned against his hand. Her sigh as he kissed the object of his infatuation caused sensations he knew were going to be hard to stop, once started.
He kissed her closed eyelids, her cheek, enjoying the simple feel of her silky skin against his flesh. If he’d ever touched anything more precious to his heart, he couldn’t remember.
“I don’t lie. I don’t smoke.” He whispered as his lips touched her chin, leaving there to sample the soft sweet flesh of her neck. He wanted her to make the first move to kiss him, to prove that she knew exactly what she was getting. “Did I mention I even change toilet paper rolls?”
“Lord, “she sighed, “are you for real?”
He pulled back, curling his fingers around the calves of her legs, his gaze glued to hers. “What you see Tess, is what you get.” He lowered his head and kissed the exposed skin of her knee. Her fingers brushed over the top of his head. He straightened then to face her, unable to wait any longer. “Kiss me, Tess, I’m dying here.”
She lunged for him, her mouth zeroing in on his as she clamped her arms tight around his neck. He could no more have thought of changing his mind than flying to the moon, which was where she was taking him with her warm mouth.
“Tell me what you want, Tess.” He tore himself from her mouth long enough to ask. A wild fire coursed through his veins, the thought of kissing her again fanning the flames.
“I want what I see,” she whispered, her arms still secure around his neck. Her eyes searched his. “I want you, Gabe.”
He stood lifting her into his arms and headed inside. She grabbed the screen door and he caught it with his heel, kicking it open wide enough to pass through. Her delicate mouth nibbled soft kisses against his neck pushed him faster up the stairs. He rounded the bannister and stopped in front of the door to her room.
“Tess, honey, the doorknob. Can you reach it?” He wanted to get back to the delicious sensation of her mouth on his skin. The bedroom door swung open and he turned her in his arms as he sat on the edge of the bed.
* * *
“You’re sure about this?” The husky arousal in his voice melted her bones.
She fumbled with the hem of his shirt, tugging it from his jeans, her knees turning to jelly as he held his arms up and let her pull it over his head. She tossed it over her shoulder moving her hands over the muscled plane of his broad chest.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He chuckled quietly, taking her hands in his and bringing them to his lips. “Let’s slow this down. I want to make love with you, Tess…not just to you.”
He kissed her fingers holding her captive in his magnetic gaze, then slowly hooked her arms over his shoulders and tugged her close. “See what you do to me?”
Evidence of his arousal pressed against her as his hands slid down her back, cupping her butt, drawing her tightly to him as he bent down and took her mouth in a heated kiss. His long fingers caressed her, his kisses, slow and reverent, drugged her senses.
“Tess,” he whispered, pulling back with a hunger in his eyes that made her quiver with anticipation. He sat on the edge of the bed, tugging her to stand between his legs. Slow and methodical, he reached beneath her shirt, found the front clasp of her bra and flipped it open. His dark eyes sparkled as he held her gaze, his palms smoothing aside the fabric to free the weight of her in his hands. Pressing gently upward, he leaned forward capturing her tip through the thin cotton shirt, teasing until she was dizzy with need.
She slid her fingers through his hair, hanging on as best as she could to her sanity as a sigh escaped from her lips. There was something wonderful to be said for the slower pace of this cowboy.
Her body hung precariously on the brink of combustion, there was no reason, only glorious sensation. Her desire and his gentleness manifested something uncontrollable inside of her. Loving had never been this way with Richard. In the few times they’d had sex, he’d never produced the magic that Gabe was orchestra
ting from her body. Her heart faltered from the rush of seeing the appreciation in Gabe’s eyes.
“You’re so beautiful.” He pulled her down on the bed, covering her body with his and made love to her mouth. Gently, he coaxed her, satisfying her hunger one moment with slow kisses, then driving her blind as he concentrated on bringing her to the edge.
Her heart pounded in her ears so loud it blocked out all thought and sound.
Suddenly, Gabe pulled away, looking down at her with an inquisitive, tormented look.
It took a moment for her mind to refocus. “What?” She stroked his face, seeing the image as the possibility of an every morning occurrence.
“The phone? Are we going to ignore it?” He leaned on his side, his fingers brushing lightly against her ribs. His gaze followed his hand with a smile.
It was only then that she heard the insistent reality of technology vying for her attention.
“Ignore it.” She grinned, curling her hand around his neck to pull him into a fierce kiss. She was ready for him and it had been ages since she’d wanted to be with a man.
The phone continued to ring.
Tess considered yanking Bell’s invention clean from the wall.
He leaned back and grinned. “I suppose it could be important. Though I’d be hard pressed to think anything could be more important than what I have in mind at the moment.”
A shock ran through her system as he lightly brushed his thumb across her breast.
The phone continued its incessant wailing and she gave him a quick, deep kiss, and grinned.
“It better be the president.” She sprang from the bed hurrying to the phone table in the hallway. “Hello?”
“Tess? Where the heck were you?” Betsy’s voice sounded more concerned than normal.
Her guard went up. She turned and leaned against the wall, brushing the hair from her face. “Are you all right? What’s the matter?” Suddenly the reality of what she was doing washed over her like ice water.
“I just found something that I don’t think I was supposed to find on Jack’s desk.”
There was a tense silence and a hollow feeling formed in the pit of her stomach.
She felt a presence near her shoulder and turned to see Gabe leaning against the doorframe. He placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder and gave her a questioning look.
She glanced up at him with a smile, barely hearing Betsy on the other end.
“I’m coming down today, Tess. I need to show these things to you. Are you busy? I can be there in forty-five minutes.”
“Can’t you just tell me over the phone?” Tess traced her finger along Gabe’s jaw swallowing the intense desire to drop the phone and jump into his arms.
He turned her palm and kissed it sending shivers skating over her skin.
“I’m not sure, but I think Jack’s done something that he shouldn’t have. Perhaps with noble intentions, but not quite—I don’t feel comfortable discussing this here. I want you to read through what I found.” Betsy’s voice lowered to a fierce whisper.
Tess was pulled between the urgency in her friend’s voice and the urgency in her own body. “Okay, sure come on down.” Tess relented closing her eyes with a sigh.
“One more thing.”
“What?” She rubbed a hand over her forehead. What did anything that Jack did have to do with her?
“Is Gabe there?”
At that, Tess glanced at Gabe, wondering what in the world one had to do with the other. Still, with the mention of Gabe’s name, Betsy now had Tess’s full attention.
She straightened, her eyes narrowing as she anticipated an explanation.
“Um…he’s uh, doing some work around here, yes.” She rolled her gaze at the obvious lie. Raking her teeth across her lip, a niggling fear that she’d made another poor judgment in males filled her heart. “Why?”
“His name is mentioned in these papers.”
Deciding it was better to wait and make a determination on what she read, Tess chose to end the conversation. She picked up a pencil and tapped it against the table as she spoke.
“Okay. I’ll see you in a while then.” She swallowed again and replaced the receiver to its cradle. How was she going to tell Gabe that he had to leave? Moreover, why was Gabe’s name on any papers at her place of business?
“Everything okay? You look a little concerned?” He straightened and stood before her. The man had no idea how gorgeous his body was, or what it did to her to have to tell he had to leave.
“Betsy’s coming down to see me. It’s rather urgent business.” She wrung her hands, hoping inside that Gabe had nothing to do with anything Jack had done.
He covered her hands and spoke gently. “It’s all right.” He glanced at their linked fingers, raising his warm brown eyes to hers. “I’ll just have to finish this in my dreams for tonight.” He leaned down kissing the tips of her fingers.
Chapter Eleven
Gabe nearly didn’t make it out of the house. Every time he turned around, she stood right behind him. Then it was next to impossible not to take her into his arms and store up the kisses that would have to get him through the long cold night.
“I’ll be working on the barn tomorrow, barring weather.” He told her as he stood at the screen door.
She held his hat, then playfully plopped it on her head.
“You better get a lot done while I’m at work.” She arched an eyebrow and grinned wickedly.
“I may not get much sleep thinking about what I’d like to do when you get home.” He grinned and drew her into his arms. She felt so good. A perfect fit. He breathed deep, memorizing the soft scent of her skin. Visions of lazy Sunday afternoons on the porch swing popped into his head.
“You better go so I can get dressed.” She grabbed his hat and placed it on his head. She wore only her t-shirt and jeans. Her bra, discarded in their passion, left the fabric of her T-Shirt playing havoc with her bare breasts.
* * *
His feet felt like lead, not wanting to walk away from such a gift. Just one more kiss and he’d be on his way. “I better go, or you’ll be getting undressed.” He kissed her soundly on her pert little, crinkled nose.
Tess waved to him as he drove past the porch. Her outline silhouetted perfectly in the light behind her. The puppies ran circles at her feet and he could hear her laughter as she tried to wave, swatting playfully at the joyous pups. It was the sexiest damn thing he’d ever seen. He waved back, his eyes darting from her to the lane and he laughed as he swerved to avoid an apple tree.
Gabe considered he had it pretty bad. Whatever it was. He drove through town, past the corner grocery store and thought a moment about stopping, but he was much too keyed up to try to cook a meal tonight.
The twilight sky turned the sleepy little town to a monotone blue-gray. Had he ever noticed how serene it looked at dusk? He spied Velda’s Diner, with its friendly, red neon lights, beckoning to him and he tugged at the wheel, turning into the short gravel parking lot. He wasn’t quite ready to go back to his silent, colorless apartment, not after experiencing the dazzling rainbow brilliance of Tess.
“Gabe, my boy, come on over here. Sit down and talk to an old man.” Roy Powell waved him over to one of the five cracked and peeling vinyl-covered booths.
Gabe was glad for the distraction; perhaps it would help him take his mind off Tess. Yeah, and pigs can fly.
He scooted into the seat across from the old farmer. “How’s it going Roy? What’s good tonight?”
“You look like a mighty happy camper. Truth is, I haven’t seen that look on a man’s face since—” He paused as though thinking hard, “a week ago last Saturday and it’d been mine.” He grinned and raised his bushy brows. “The Mrs. and I celebrated our fiftieth last weekend. That was a night for the record books!”
“Well, congratulations.” Gabe grinned, then gave the man back a taste of his own ribbing. “So why aren’t you at home tonight with Mrs. Powell?”
Roy waved a fork in the a
ir. “The church women are having a meeting over to our place. I’d rather not be around when they start their talking about what repair projects need to be done on the church. Fortunately, Evelyn takes notes, so she keeps me updated.”
Gabe laughed, grateful the waitress decided to show up next to the table. Suddenly he had an appetite. “Two eggs, over easy, bacon, side of hash browns and toast. Coffee please.” He finished and caught the old farmer’s wolfish grin. “What?”
“That’s a power meal there, boy.” He pointed his butter knife at Gabe and narrowed a jaundiced eye at him. “You must’ve been working pretty hard to build up that kind of appetite.”
He grinned wishing that were so. “I haven’t eaten all day.”
“Uh huh.” Roy sliced his hot turkey sandwich, then glanced at Gabe. “Sold those last two black lab pups the other day. A nice little gal, a right pretty little thing she was. Think her name was—” He looked over Gabe’s shoulder narrowing his gaze.
“Tess?” Gabe answered squinting at the old man. He leaned back and studied the old man, beginning to realize that this guy was much wiser than he let people think.
“That’s it.” He stuffed a fork of potatoes into his mouth.
Gabe watched him chew.
“You know her?” He didn’t bother to look up. The old fart.
Not quite as well as I’d like to. He looked at the old farmer and smiled. “I’ve heard a thing or two about her.” Gabe averted his gaze instead staring out the front window. But he caught the old man’s reflection in the glass, gazing back at him. The look was hard to decipher.
“Heard she lives at your folks’ place. Don’t suppose you happen to know that either?”
“Yes, Roy. I’ve been doing some repair work over there.” Gabe turned to meet the man’s steady gaze, “Like you don’t already know that as well. You happy about that, you ol’ matchmaker?”
“The point is—are you?” Powell retorted, tipping his head to the side, “I know how much you love that place, Gabe.”
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