He smiled into her eyes as she moved beneath his hand. He could see she was almost there. He gently moved faster and faster, pulling and begging her to trust him to care for her as she rose to the highest peak and then drifted back again. He felt her tense as she flew. He rocked her and kissed her back to earth and then moved above her to kiss her again.
“I want you, Blake.” She arched against him. Pulled at him with her legs. Begged with her eyes. “I want you inside me.”
She was all he saw. All there was. “Kate, I love you.” He slowly slid into her. Warmth and need enveloped him. He wanted to drive deep and hard, but he felt it. He felt the tightness that said she’d never been with a man. He froze. “God, Kate, I didn’t know.”
“Of course you knew. I waited for you.” Binding her legs tighter she pulled him in, deeper into her, wrapping herself around him. She opened for him. “I waited for this.” There was no pain. Only need and urgency.
His vision blurred, his blood raced. He moved. That dive over the edge. They trembled with it. They rode with it. Rhythm with speed, with grace they moved toward sharp release. Wave after wave of tingling passion built and built until shattering between them, in them. Holding her breath, Kate willed the feeling to last forever. The waves smoothed out to ripples and the ripples to calm.
“Open your eyes, darlin’, so I can see you.”
Heavy lids lifted. Kate’s green eyes held lingering warmth.
“I’m glad you waited.”
“Mmmhm.” Kate snuggled in deep beneath Blake.
“I remember meeting this fun loving, beautiful girl who rode a fast horse in a cow town in Colorado.” Blake smiled and combed her hair with his fingers. “She was a wonder on the back of that animal. I’ll never forget her red hair flowing out behind her in the setting sun of the evening. I fell in love with her at that instant.”
“You did?” Kate whispered.
“Oh, yeah. I probably would have loved you my whole life and never talked to you if you hadn’t been getting your check from the rodeo secretary at the same time I was. It took all the nerve I had to ask you to dinner.”
“How come you waited so long to tell me?”
“I only figured it out a few days ago.” Blake smiled.
“Well, I fell in love with a cowboy that night too. You looked so brave and scared and beautiful on that back of that buckskin.”
“Beautiful?” Blake tickled her into a giggle.
• • •
“Yes, beautiful.” Kate remembered that night so well. It was her favorite memory of Blake. The Blake she met on that night long ago was tall and skinny with ruddy hair that fit his deep blue eyes shadowed by long lashes that shouldn’t have belonged to a boy. He smelled of the earth and horses and a new pair of Wranglers. He had drawn a rank horse for the rodeo that night and didn’t even blink. After the rodeo, he convinced her that they should eat dinner. He called her beautiful. Her sixteen-year-old heart melted.
“I missed you so much.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Why’d you go? I needed you.”
“Darlin’, I’m sorry. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I was weak and stupid.” Blake held her against him and kissed her until her tears stopped. “But I’m here now. I love you. I’m not leaving.”
“I love you too, Blake,” Kate whispered as her eyes fluttered closed.
• • •
Blake was beyond exhaustion, but the magnitude of what had just happened kept him awake. He held Kate in his arms, wanted to until morning. He wasn’t sure if he’d be able to sleep again. The need for Kate hovered at the edge of his senses, but fear gulped and tore at his heart. The fear of what could’ve happened with Luke. What if he had succeeded? What if Kate’s first — and only — time had been with that lunatic and not him?
The fear of it, even though it hadn’t happened, would never happen, kept Blake awake until the sun edged its way above the horizon.
CHAPTER 23
Every morning of the next few days was the same. Every night, too. Kate would wake to kisses instead of the alarm clock buzzing and every night she’d fall asleep in Blake’s arms. Tonight was Thursday. Tomorrow Friday and then Saturday, when they’d set the trap for Luke. Kate still didn’t know if her hitching a ride from Eugene to Cottage Grove would be enough of a lure for him or not, but she was willing to try. They’d practiced what she was supposed to say to get him to talk about his plans. So that the wire she would have hidden on her body could send the conversation to the people listening, which was basically everyone: Sally, the police, the girls, Blake and her mom.
“Hey, darlin’.” Blake looked up from reading the paper, feeling fine that he knew what it said this time.
“Hi.” Kate smiled as she walked in the door from work. She set her bag down next to the desk. “I saw Sally. She said she’ll come over in about an hour and bring Mom.”
“Did you have a good day?” Blake asked as he pulled her into a kiss.
Kate grinned against his mouth. “Yes.” She wound her arms around his neck. “You know, Sally put a tracking device on me. Do you want to find it?”
“No, she didn’t.” Blake molded her body to his. “That’s why she’s coming over. She wants us to understand how it works.”
“Maybe you’d better look anyway.” Kate lifted her shirt.
“You’re getting cute, are you?” Blake asked as he grabbed Kate’s waist and picked her up.
Before he could react, Kate wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She pressed her lips to his and slipped her tongue along his lips. Laughing, she reached deeper and wrapped her arms tighter around him. A shock ran through Blake as if a lightning bolt had struck. The kiss that began as playful turned to burning desire. Warmth like fire burned his skin. His arms banded around Kate’s slim body. Her curves molded to his hands. In just a few days he’d come to know her body well. He knew what his touch did to her. Hearing the soft purring coming from her throat, he smiled. He knew his fingers tracing the skin on her back did that. He closed his eyes against his hazy vision and pushed deeper into the kiss. A low moan filled with aching desire was heard and Blake knew it was his own.
Kate squirmed closer to his heat and twirled her fingers through his hair. Her want quickly turned to need and she tightened her legs around him. She loved the power she’d found. Loved it that he couldn’t keep his hands off her. She knew that if she moved her tongue along his neck, up to his jaw, they’d be in the bed in a second. Grinning, Kate kissed the edge of his mouth and moved lower to the base of his throat.
It would be so easy to just sink to the floor, Blake thought. It would be so nice to see Kate’s hair pool around her face and feel her soft breath caress his body like a warm summer breeze.
“What the hell?” Erin yelled as she and the girls came in the house. “Can’t you guys think of something else?” She laughed.
“Go away.” Blake kissed Kate again.
“You’re early.” Kate smiled and shimmied down Blake to the floor.
“We thought we’d come by to see if you needed help making dinner,” Ranae added with a smile.
“Dinner? I forgot,” Kate said, mentally going over what was in the kitchen. “I didn’t go shopping.”
“What a surprise.” Nichole’s eyes shined. “So I brought stuff for hamburgers. We can grill.”
“Great.” Blake nodded, wishing they’d just go away. “I’ll go start the charcoal.”
Kate giggled as she watched him walk out of the house with a bent, dejected look.
“How you guys doing?” Erin asked. “And don’t say, ‘we’re fine’ in your sweet voice. I want to know the dirt.”
“Yeah. We want to know everything.” Nichole began slicing tomatoes.
Ranae set out the plates and pulled out the silverware for the table. “Is he romantic?�
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Kate nodded and laughed. “He gives me a present every night.”
“I’ll bet,” Erin said.
“Quit.” Ranae elbowed Erin with her cast arm.
“Ouch. Stop doing that.”
“Well, stop being a creep.” Ranae laughed.
“What are the presents?” Nichole asked.
“Well,” Kate said as she mixed the ground beef and spices. “The first gift was post cards from Alaska. He’d written little poems on the back. Then he gave me toenail polish and painted my toes. Last night he gave me those little pots of modeling clay and we made flowers and stars and stuff. It was really fun.”
“God, what a sap.” Erin rolled her eyes.
“I know. I love it.” Nichole clasped her hands and jumped in place.
“I didn’t know it could be so cool.” Ranae swiped at the tears on her face. “I mean for real. He really loves you and it’s good.”
“Nae? Don’t cry.” Kate wrapped her arms around her. “Yeah, it’s good.”
“Uh-oh.” Blake paused when he came in the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nae’s just sad ’cause you’re so cool,” Nichole teased.
“What?” Blake asked.
“No. She’s happy because you make Kate happy.” Erin smiled.
• • •
Maggie could smell the hamburgers first thing and knew it was Kate who made them. When Kate was growing up, they were her favorite thing to eat. She worked out the recipe until they were perfect. The onion and garlic mixture sounded horrid, but the taste was wonderful.
“Mama!” Kate cried as she ran across the room. “I made hamburgers.”
“I know. I can smell them,” Maggie smiled. “Sally brought some lemonade and I brought rhubarb pie.”
“Great. The treadmill’s my best friend.” Nichole smiled.
“Let’s eat,” Erin hollered from the kitchen.
Blake smiled at everyone sitting around the table. He truly loved being, and feeling, a part of this family. He’d planned to wait until tonight to give Kate her evening gift, but it was something that would affect all of them.
“Kate,” Blake said. “I want to give you your gift now if that’s okay.”
Kate looked at him. He looked really serious. “Okay.” She smiled. “If you want.”
Blake handed her a small, silver cardboard box.
“It’s heavy.” Kate opened it and looked inside. “It’s dirt? You’re giving me dirt as a present?” Kate laughed.
“Yes it’s dirt. But it’s your dirt.”
“Great. I always wanted some. I know just where I’m going to put it.” Kate mimed dumping it on top of Blake’s head as she snickered. “Wait though. What do you mean by my dirt.”
“Do you remember at the rodeo in Wyoming where I wanted to talk to you?”
Kate nodded. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“This is what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The dirt is from Montana.”
“You’re giving me dirt from Montana. Why?”
“Because we own a ranch there or we will.” Blake hurried on. “I’m buying us one. I knew you’d want to hear about what it’s like before I sign the papers. I thought the paperwork would take longer, but the real estate agent says we’re all ready to go.”
“You’re buying a ranch — in Montana?” Kate stared at the dirt in the little silver box. “This is dirt from Montana?”
“Yes, Darlin’,” Blake replied hoping that her shock would eventually turn to happiness. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it before, but I wanted it to be a surprise. But if you want, we can go look at it before I make it final. And, if you don’t like it we can look for something else.”
Blake’s voice grew strained.
“I don’t know what to say.” Kate truly didn’t. Could it be true? Would the sun really rise on their own land? Would she be able to ride Little Lady across the hills of Montana?
“Kate, I promise if you don’t like it — ” Blake stopped when he saw tears glisten on Kate’s cheek. “Oh, Darlin’. I’m sorry. I wanted — ”
“Blake,” Kate whispered. “Don’t be sorry.”
“You’re not upset?”
Kate replaced the lid to the box of dirt. “Of course I’m not upset. What’s it like?”
“Well, let’s see.” Blake paused trying to figure out what Kate would want to know first. He smiled at his own nervousness. Telling her about the ranch was easy; all he had to do was start with the land. She loved it as he did. “The land has rolling green hills that meet the edge of the Bitterroot Mountain Range. A river winds its way through the property. The pasture land can sustain about two hundred cow/calf pairs.”
“Oh my God!” Kate exclaimed.
“Yes, we’ll have our work cut out for us. But I think I have a good man that can work as foreman. Anyway,” Blake continued, “the outbuildings include a chicken coup, calving barn, hay shed, storage for tractors and sprinkler system machinery. The house is white and has two stories with an attic that the previous owners turned into a studio for painting and other art type stuff.”
At that Kate smiled.
“Yes, I know,” Blake said. “Photographs, you’re thinking. Well, that’s fine with me. There’s a lot to take pictures of.
“How do you know about that?”
“Do you think I’m blind? You were crazy with a camera in the morning at the rodeos. You took pictures of the buckin’ chutes at so many different angles in the sunrise, I thought I’d scream. Then I’d look at them when they were developed and feel like a fool, ’cause they were really good.”
“Thanks.”
“I thought you’d like the attic, but I also thought I’d tell you about the arena.”
“Arena?” Kate couldn’t contain the excitement. “Really! What’s it like? Is it fenced? Does it have good dirt? Do we need to … sorry. You tell me.”
“Yes, it has great dirt. I checked it myself. In fact, you’re holding some of it.”
Kate looked at the little box she held and felt a swish of excitement pour through her.
“Yes, the arena is fenced. It’s fenced so well that it’s indoors and you have an entire stable area running the entire length of it on the right side.” Blake stopped. “Kate, darlin’, what’s the matter.”
Kate shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Tell me.” Blake took the box of dirt and placed it on the table.
Kate looked up into Blake’s blue eyes. “I don’t know what to say. This is my dream. You made my dream come true.”
“It’s my dream, too. I do need a place to keep my cow horse, after all.” Blake held Kate’s face in his hands. “If you want to look for another place together, we can do that. We’re partners in this.”
“I don’t want another place. I love that place this second like I picked it out myself. It’s just hard to believe. I don’t even know what to do.”
“You can say thank you, Dolly,” Maggie said as tears rolled down her own cheeks. Blake hadn’t mentioned marriage, but he’d already asked her permission to propose to Kate.
“Thank you, Blake.” Kate smiled.
“Now kiss him.” Erin said and laughter erupted around the table. “This is so damn cool.”
Nichole leaned over to Ranae who was crying for the second time that day. “It’s good isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” she whispered. “It’s good. It’s just what I need.”
• • •
It didn’t take Sally long to show everyone how the system worked that would track Kate on Saturday. A device was hidden in a pair of tennis shoes that she would wear and her movements could be seen on a small screen. Kate walked around the
house and everyone inside could see her steps. The wire that would transmit Kate’s conversation with Luke was hidden in a pair of earrings that Sally fastened to Kate’s ears. They were simple silver and gold wrapped studs. As soon as she saw Luke, Kate was directed to press her left earring. That would alert Sally that he was near and she could begin listening and recording their conversation. The plan was that as soon as Luke pulled over to pick Kate up, the police would move in and arrest him; it was up to Kate to keep him there long enough for that to be accomplished. Everything was to be public and as safe as possible.
Blake still hated the idea. As he waited for Kate to finish grading her final summer school papers, he mulled it over. Maybe he could just take Kate to the Caribbean or something until Luke was caught. He didn’t want to put their life together on hold, but there had to be something. Something different.
CHAPTER 24
“Good morning, Darlin’.” Blake kissed Kate’s sleepy eyes.
“Morning.” Kate smiled, trying to clear her foggy mind. “What time is it?”
“Early. Like five.”
“What’s the matter?” Kate sat up.
“Nothing, I just wanted you.” Blake kissed her long and deep until he felt her body respond beneath him. “You came to bed so late last night. I wanted you to sleep.” He smiled.
“That was sweet of you, but come here.” Kate wrapped her legs around him and kissed him back.
Tongues met tongues in an urgency that spoke of need. Fingers laced and pulled in passion. The control he’d kept such a tight rein on snapped. He wanted her. With the all the fire he had in him, he wanted to brand her as his own.
He rolled with her, not slowing his hands as they worked to have all of her. His mouth followed his hands. His tongue, his lips covered her breast. He felt her harden instantly beneath the cotton gown she wore.
The Wanting Heart Page 17