Texas Wild: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 2

by Jean Brashear

  But she’d never made out at the bluff. And he’d promised.

  “Go,” he said through gritted teeth. “Please.”

  But no…she had to run her hands over his chest and down his belly first.

  “Rissa…” A strangled groan.

  She gave an evil smile before she turned and clambered over the console, waving that very fine ass in front of his face.

  “You are a mean, mean woman.”

  “I know.” She laughed breathlessly over her shoulder. Then she revolved and sat on the seat. “Okay. What do I do next?” Her face was all innocence.

  “Brat. Total brat.” God, she was magnificent.

  He made his way to her, only banging one knee, but the pain of the blow nearly doubled him over.

  “Mackey, are you okay? I’m so sorry. We’d better not—”

  He grabbed her and dragged her over his lap to shut her up. To distract himself. He held her head and proceeded to kiss the socks off her. And pretty soon he forgot his knee altogether.

  She sighed, all breathy sex, and he sent one hand cruising over her body, down her side, over her hip. Along one shapely thigh and back up.

  Then he cupped her.

  Her back arched, and her body spasmed. She was so damn responsive.

  “You are going to kill me,” he muttered. And started unfastening her clothes so he could get at her.

  Her hands didn’t stay idle, a frenzy of buttons and zippers being loosened. He skimmed her damp jeans down surprisingly fast and slid his fingers beneath her panties.

  “Mackey!” Her back bowed as one finger, then two slid inside her and she came again.

  She fell back in his arms, languid in repletion.

  But not for long. Soon she levered herself up, shucked one boot and one leg of her jeans, then straddled him. Had him inside her in seconds. Used her strong horsewoman’s thighs to ride him.

  Mackey gripped her hips and lost his mind, becoming only heat and need and speed, taking her mouth with his as her body drew him higher and higher—

  Her back arched when she came, and he rocketed high with her.

  Then she collapsed on his chest, her body plastered to his, head on his shoulder.

  She felt so good in his arms. So very right.

  And she confused the hell out of him. Made him reveal himself too much, and he couldn’t say how any of this would go.

  But maybe he didn’t have to just yet. He was here now, and so was she. Maybe that could be enough.

  He was pretty sure, though, that he would never have enough of her.

  Rissa fought the urge to throw her arms around him. Comfort him. Heal him somehow.

  But he didn’t want that. His eyes had silently begged her to leave his past alone.

  He was leaving soon. He didn’t need her to be his shrink or his soulmate. Just sex, just sex, just sex, she reminded herself.

  And that was okay. It was great sex. Flying through the stars sex. She wanted to do it again. A lot.

  With luck, by the time he left, she’d get tired of it. Of him.

  Please let that be what happens.

  His arms tightened around her, and she sank into them. Keep it light, keep it easy. So she nuzzled her nose against his neck. “Mmmm…”

  She could feel his smile. “High school was never like this. Sorry I couldn’t be more authentic.”

  She pushed herself back. “You mean because I got off? Teenage boys aren’t exactly renowned for their staying power.”

  “I beg your pardon? Maybe other teenage boys, but…”

  “How old were you, Mackey? When did you lose your virginity?”

  “Sixteen. She was older.”

  She leaned back. “Who was she?”

  “A gentleman never tells.”

  “And despite being Bad, Wild Mackey, you are a gentleman, aren’t you?”

  He shrugged.

  She cradled his face in her hands. “It can be our dirty little secret.”

  He grinned. “There are better ones. Wanna try some out?”

  She could do this. She could keep things light. That’s how it had to be. There was no future for them. She started to climb off.

  His hands gripped her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I figured I was heavy.”

  “You are one armful of woman, all right, but—ow!” he exclaimed when she smacked him. “That’s a compliment. I like your curves and all that muscle. You’re an interesting package, Red. I am up to my eyeballs in anorexic women.”

  “I’m sure not that.”

  His gaze pinned her. “Love this body, Rissa. I damn sure do. You’re about a thousand times more comfortable inside your skin than anyone I know in Hollywood. I like that.” He squeezed his hands on her waist. “Don’t you dare get girly on me.”

  Her spirits sank. She’d never been girly. Not even when she tried. “Who would want to be?” she said more lightly than she felt.

  But he saw through her insouciance. “You’re not girly, but never doubt that you are all woman.” He tipped her over on her back on the seat. “But just so we’re clear, allow me to demonstrate.”

  He followed her down.

  And soon she was too busy moaning to do anything but luxuriate.

  As they returned to the ranch in the darkness, Rissa grew quiet once more. He couldn’t tell if it was second thoughts or the quiet of satiation, where you just wanted to be very still and let the eddies of bliss drift through your cells and simply…be.

  Those moments of peace were ones he’d seldom experienced, at least not until her. Rissa.

  He glanced over, saw her lovely profile in the light from the dash. What was he doing? Why could he not stay away from her, as he knew he should?

  She was so beautiful. Not glamorous like the women he was around constantly in the film business—though few of them were that stunning in real life, sans makeup and hair and wardrobes that cost the earth.

  But Rissa…her unstudied, natural beauty had the impact of a mule kick to the head once you started looking. Not that she wasn’t striking upon first sight—she was. Long, lean legs, full breasts, lips a man wanted to kiss…

  And that face, so lovely it hurt. That she so often had that lush profusion of red hair tied back or braided was a travesty.

  He dragged his eyes back to the road.

  And none of that took into account the passion she brought to the art of making love. She was so real, so present in her unfeigned enthusiasm. So fearless despite all the blows life had landed.

  What the hell was he going to do with her? he thought as he pulled up beside the barn. He turned off the engine, and still she made no move to go.

  He wanted to make love to her all night. Get up in the morning and start again.

  But he was in too deep as it was.

  Still…

  “Uh…are you…okay? I could stay.”

  He glanced over. Yes, he was about to reply.

  Then he realized the offer was motivated by worry. Concern. Maybe a little fear.

  Of him. Because he’d all but attacked her in the throes of his nightmare.

  “No.” His tone was too brusque, but no way was he having her stay the night to…watch over him or something. “I don’t need a nurse.”

  And he couldn’t bear that he’d put one second’s fear in her eyes.

  She stiffened, and he started to reach for her, but she flinched and was out the door so quickly his head was spinning.

  Better hurt feelings than an injured woman. He hadn’t had a nightmare like that in a long time. He’d been so sure he was done with them.

  He got out on his side. “I don’t want you afraid of me, Rissa.”

  She seemed genuinely startled. “What?” She shook her head. “I’m not afraid of you. I know you better than that. I just thought—”

  He damn well didn’t want pity any more than fear. “I’m fine. Go get some sleep.”

  She seemed reluctant to go. “I…I’ll just check the barn first.�
��

  “No!” he snapped, then halted. “Let me, okay? You’ve had a long day.”

  “So have you.”

  “I’m used to going for days without sleep. And no, it’s not that I’m so much tougher than you, just…for chrissake let me do this, okay?”

  A pause, then at last she nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Mackey. And…thank you for today. I had fun.” In her eyes was a welter of emotions that just might match the turmoil inside his own chest.

  “I’m glad.” He forced himself to turn away. “’Night, Rissa. Sweet dreams.”

  He was a few strides away before she spoke. “You too, Mackey. Sleep well.”

  Too much to hope for, Sugar.

  But…he would try.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning on her way back home from the feed store, Rissa glanced over at Ruby’s and thought about Mackey. About the picnic he’d asked Scarlett to prepare.

  She sighed. Probably she should go tell Scarlett herself how good the food had been.

  Probably.

  She’s hungry for family, and you’re her only girl cousin here, Ian had pointed out.

  All right, all right. She’d left the ranch too early to have breakfast, her head a jumble after a restless night. She’d offended Mackey with her offer to stay.

  She wasn’t dodging him. Exactly.

  But she didn’t know what to think. How to feel. He was a very complicated man.

  He’d been so much fun—and yes, so…hot. H-O-T Hot. Wow. He could be an actor himself, he was that handsome. He oozed sex appeal. Mackey smoldered like no one she’d ever seen. Women would go crazy over him.

  She snorted. Women already did. For good reason.

  Never doubt that you’re all woman. Just so we’re clear, allow me to demonstrate…

  Her stomach fluttered.

  But behind all those teasing smiles, those killer sexy grins, there was an edge to Mackey, a darkness. He suffered. He was like one of her troubled horses, but he had the skill to disguise his pain, she now understood.

  He’d sure done an about-face after his nightmare.

  Did Mackey need help? The notion would once have seemed far-fetched. If she’d ever met a man more in control of himself and his world, she had no idea who that might be. Ian, maybe—Ian was quietly confident in who he was and felt no need to bluster or prove himself.

  Mackey didn’t bluster, either, but he played a role, she now knew. His insistence on returning to Flirting Mackey was troubling. Was there no one in whom he could confide?

  I’ll be okay. I’ll get back to Mackey.

  He’d raced toward that role, double-time. And she’d let him lure her.

  Partly because he seemed so desperate to dodge any further discussion after he’d explained the tragedy at the root of his nightmare.

  She understood not wanting to dwell on misery. Not wanting to talk about things that couldn’t be changed.

  But that was a lonely place, that isolation. That’s why she’d reached out to him when they got back to the ranch—because she knew how long the nights were when your thoughts were in a dark place.

  He’d all but slammed the gates shut in her face. Run in the opposite direction from any hint of an emotional tie between them.

  She thought she understood. No sense in it when they would part soon.

  But sense wasn’t everything. She’d had a restless, lonely night. Had he?

  “What’s the frown for?” asked Ruby. “Welcome, stranger. Don’t often see you around here in the mornings.”

  Other people stopped her to say hi or nodded from across the room. It was past the usual breakfast hour, but the regulars at the coffee table were still mostly present.

  “Hello, Rissa,” greeted Arnie, Ruby’s long-suffering boyfriend. “Mackey helping you out around the place like he should?”

  It wasn’t a surprise that Arnie knew about Ian’s arrangement to house Mackey at Rissa’s. Even if Ian weren’t crazy in love with Ruby’s granddaughter, not much stayed secret in Sweetgrass—or not for long.

  “He’s good with the horses,” she said. “He’s a hard worker.” He sure worked my pants off quick enough.

  Oh, lordy, her redhead’s skin could not hide a blush.

  Arnie cocked his head and looked at her quizzically.

  She rushed to counter anything he might be about to say. “So…Ruby agreed to marry you yet?”

  Chuckles sounded around the table. Arnie squirmed and forgot about whatever he’d been about to say. “I’m working on it,” he muttered.

  “You and Ian need to form a support group. Men Who Can’t Close the Deal,” interjected Raymond, one of Arnie’s oldest friends. “What is it with those Gallagher women?”

  “As one of the Gallagher women, I think I’ll just move along now. Enjoy your coffee, guys.” She squared her shoulders and moved toward the kitchen.

  Scarlett looked up. “Yes?”

  Rissa squirmed. “I, uh…just came to tell you the food was pretty good.”

  Scarlett’s black eyebrows rose. “Pretty good? That’s all you can say?”

  “Didn’t know what half that crap was, but it tasted all right.”

  “Why Cousin Cr—Rissa,” Scarlett said in a dulcet tone. “How you do go on. I do believe I am blushing with pride.”

  “I said it was good, didn’t I?”

  Scarlett wiped off her hands after plating a meal, then strolled over. “Pretty good is not good. It’s sure not fantastic or delicious or—”

  Rissa shrugged irritably. “You know you’re a good cook. Don’t need me to tell you.”

  Scarlett studied her too closely. “I think I might. I’m taking a minute, Nana,” she called over her shoulder.

  “Go ahead, honey. I can manage fine.”

  Scarlett led the way to the back door, then opened it. “Come outside, would you?”

  “I’ve said all I need to.”

  Though so petite that Rissa felt huge in comparison, Scarlett’s small body hid a will of steel. “But I’m not through talking to you.” She gripped Rissa’s elbow and drew her out the door, then closed it. “So, spill.”

  “Spill what?”

  “There’s something going on between you and Mackey.”

  “He’s just helping out. Or I’m babysitting him for Ian, I’m not sure which.”

  “You are blushing, Cousin Rissa.”

  She scowled. “I am not.”

  To her surprise, Scarlett’s eyes went soft with sympathy. “I like him a lot. He’s a good man. I wouldn’t have thought of pairing you two, but—”

  “Nobody’s pairing anyone. He’s here for a week or two, then he’s gone. End of story.”

  “Did you have a crush on him before? When you were kids? I would have.”

  “He never noticed me. I was Jackson’s kid sister, six years younger.”

  “He’s noticing you now.”

  “He is not.” Rissa shifted uncomfortably.

  “He asked me to make you a special picnic. That’s not a hired hand. Where did he take you on the picnic?”

  “I don’t—” Want to talk about it, she started to say. But then she realized she did. That there was no one in her life with whom she could discuss Mackey and the welter of feelings he evoked. “It’s no big deal. We…swam. Then we went to the bluff.”

  “And?”

  She shot Scarlett a glance she hoped would quell her.

  “C’mon, dish. Mackey’s yummy. Did you skinny dip?” At Rissa’s double take, she laughed. “You did! Oh, man…” Scarlett fanned herself. “Mackey naked, dripping with water…”

  Rissa’s eyebrows slammed together. “You love Ian.”

  “Well, of course I do, and Ian is seriously gorgeous naked, but—” she shrugged. “I didn’t lose my eyes when I fell in love with him. So…lots of muscles?”

  She couldn’t believe she was so eager. “Acres. His back…his arms, his…”

  “Whew!” Scarlett fanned herself again, then broke into giggles. “Lo
ok at us. Two grown women.”

  “You started it.”

  Scarlett’s eyes shone. “I never had a girlfriend to giggle with. We moved around all the time. You must have had a best friend, though.”

  “Not really. After Mama died and Jackson and Pen were gone, nobody came around much.”

  “You’re my cousin. My blood.” Scarlett gripped her arm. “And we could be friends. Do you know how great that is?”

  To Rissa’s surprise, she was beginning to. Scarlett’s joy was difficult to withstand. “I guess.”

  But Scarlett didn’t take offense. “It’s great, and you know it.” She squeezed again. “So, just how gone over him are you?”

  “I’m not—” Rissa closed her eyes, tried to regroup. “I won’t be. I can’t.”

  When she looked again, Scarlett’s eyes were soft. “Love doesn’t care what we’re ready for.”

  “Love? No! No, I’m not—” But her eyes filled. “It would be crazy to fall in love with Mackey,” she whispered.

  “Oh, Rissa…”

  But it might not matter. Her heart sank at the thought that she could be so foolish. “No,” she protested again softly, even as her mind ranged over the time they’d spent together.

  “I’m enjoying some time with him, that’s all. He’s a lot of fun to be with.” She frowned. But he’s troubled. She couldn’t break his confidence, though. He wouldn’t thank her.

  “You need some fun.” Scarlett nodded. “You deserve that. You deserve it a lot. You work so hard.”

  Her eyes stung at the thought that anyone noticed—though Mackey had.

  “Let me fix you a really great breakfast, okay? Would you let me?”

  “I’ve got feed in the truck.”

  “And it won’t run away.” Scarlett gripped her hand. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Oh, never mind. I can see I’ve exceeded your tolerance for being gooey.”

  “You got that right.” But Rissa knew her protest for the falsehood it was. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had anyone to confide in.

  Scarlett saw right through her, she had the sinking suspicion. She laughed. “I like you, Cousin Crankypants. Come on back inside and grab yourself some coffee. You can sit in the kitchen with us while I fix you a breakfast that will make your taste buds weep with joy.”