The Gentrys: Cal

by Linda Conrad

  As Cal walked toward the kitchen door leading into the house where he'd been raised, he marveled at some of the things the coyote had told them about Bella. It seemed that she'd become a legend among the shadowy people trying to cross the border.

  The coyotes considered her a meddling saint. They claimed she could talk anyone into changing plans, no matter how desperate they might've been in the beginning. The stories about her had grown to nearly epic proportions.

  She was an advocate for the downtrodden, who were exactly the people the coyotes preyed upon. The human smugglers feared her power and imagined that God shielded her from harm. Have mercy, but Cal burned with need for her. He stepped through the door at the main house and his heart stopped. Bella sat on the kitchen floor trying to coax Kaydie into standing on her own. It was a normal, peaceful family portrait but something about the scene opened another gate inside him. Bella had been right when she'd said that abandoning his child would be worse than what his parents had done. He had a choice—they hadn't.

  Looking down at his precious baby, so happy and so beautiful, he realized now that nothing would make him leave her behind. He didn't need parties and late nights on the circuit. He needed his little girl.

  And he needed Bella to make the family picture complete.

  "Hello, Cal." She turned to look up at him.

  Kaydie spotted him then and her face lit up. "Da!" She raised her arms and bounced on wobbly knees.

  Cal's knees were every bit as wobbly as his daughter's. "Did she just call me Dad?" He reached down and picked her up, cradling her close.

  "Maybe." Bella smiled, but her eyes looked a little watery. "Or maybe that was just baby talk. Either way, I know she's glad to see her papa."

  Nuzzling Kaydie's hair, Cal watched as Bella got to her feet. He had to find a way to get her to marry him.

  He'd decided to try using his old charms. And he didn't mind trying to use her feelings for his daughter, either. But before anything else, he certainly planned to use the sexual pull between them to convince her to stay with him.

  Anything. Anything at all to make her say yes.

  "You missed the noonday dinner." Bella went to the refrigerator. "But Lupe left you a plate. Shall I heat it up for you?"

  He laid a hand on her arm, keeping her from opening the door. "No thanks, honey. I'm not hungry. I had a bite to eat in town with the sheriff." He hated the stiffness between them and vowed to put an end to it soon.

  She took her hand from the door handle and casually tugged her arm loose from his grip. "Did the authorities learn anything useful today?" Bella looked over at Kaydie and didn't meet his gaze.

  "Yeah, they've learned a few things. Uh … is Meredith back from making her rounds? I'd like to talk to you. And I want you to come with me." He tried to look sober and sincere when she finally glanced his way. "I thought maybe Meredith would watch the baby for a couple of hours."

  Bella's eyes widened and she tilted her head to study him. "Your sister-in-law is working in her office. She's had a crib installed there for Kaydie, so I imagine she wouldn't mind keeping an eye on her while she takes a nap."

  It didn't take much convincing to get Meredith to agree to watch Kaydie. And it didn't take Cal long to hustle Bella into a jacket and out the door.

  The clear, crisp autumn afternoon sun lay light as a cloud against the empty barnyards and corrals near the main house. The hands were out working on the range, while the rest of the animals rested in their stalls or pastures on other parts of the ranch. What a marvelous day for getting engaged.

  "Where are we going, Cal?" Bella looked confused, but he could still see the trust in her eyes.

  "I thought you'd like to come along while I pick up the laying hens from the cabin." He took a long breath and chided himself for using every trick he could think of. But when the prize was Bella, he didn't care about playing fair.

  Her face brightened. "Goodness, I almost forgot about the chickens. I hope they're all right."

  "They're fine." He grinned and slipped an arm around her waist. "Cinco sent a couple of wranglers out to pick up the mares this morning. I thought you'd rather be the one to put the hens into their cages for the ride back."

  "Oh, yes. Mabel would not like anyone else to touch her." Bella's mood lifted at the thought of going back to the cabin.

  This afternoon might turn out to be fun. Cal was being his old charming self. He looked marvelous in his dress jeans and plaid long-sleeved shirt. But then, his looks had always been spectacular as far as Bella was concerned. This afternoon he looked good enough to make any woman faint.

  Cal helped her into the truck's cab and then climbed into the driver's seat. He'd had to put his hands around her waist to lift her into the passenger seat, and Bella's heart thumped wildly in her chest at his nearness.

  As hurt as she'd been at knowing he didn't need her or Kaydie, she still wanted him. It seemed rather traitorous of her body to react to him this way, she thought briefly. But sitting here next to him, she knew if she had half a chance, they'd be back in each other's arms.

  Even if it was only to say goodbye.

  "What's in that pretty head of yours all of a sudden?" he asked as he started the engine and pulled out of the yard.

  His voice sounded gentle and concerned. Just like he'd been so tender and loving with Kaydie today. Bella couldn't imagine how he could be that way and still want to leave that sweet baby on the Gentry Ranch when he left.

  She'd realized that she didn't want to ever leave the little girl. If there was a way, Bella intended to help raise that child. Kaydie would always know that someone cared about her.

  "Oh, Cal. I almost slipped and told Meredith you'd be leaving Kaydie with them when you left to go back to racing. Have you told your brother your intentions yet?"

  He reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. "That's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about."

  Bella caught him sliding a wary glance in her direction. But his voice stayed even and he appeared to be casual and relaxed as he continued to concentrate on the road ahead.

  "I've changed my mind, honey. Or maybe it's that I've come to my senses." He pulled his hand back to the steering wheel, while his mouth turned up in an odd smile. "I was stupid not to realize I couldn't walk away from my own daughter. I have you to thank for making me see that."

  "You mean this?" she gasped. "You really intend to take Kaydie with you when you go back to racing?"

  He nodded. "Sure. Just like you said. I need Kaydie and she needs me."

  Bella couldn't find her voice, couldn't really get a grasp on the huge change in his plans. Her head suddenly hurt, and the flash of panic came quickly. What would that mean for her relationship with Kaydie?

  She'd already turned his marriage proposal down flat. And she didn't have the nerve to go back on all she'd said. He'd laugh at her for begging and then walk away.

  But Cal just couldn't take Kaydie from her now that she'd decided not to leave the child. It would be too cruel.

  Bella suddenly came to a life-changing decision. She'd find a way to get him to take her along with them as the baby's nanny.

  As they pulled up under the trees in the cabin's yard, she wondered what it would take to get Cal to agree with her plan. Hmm. Would he want her around even if he couldn't have her?

  Cal got out of the truck and came around to open her door, but she slid down on her own and was waiting for him when he got there. He hadn't worn a hat today and the sunlight made the reddish highlights in his hair look the color of rusty pennies. The way he was looking at her made her impossibly hot.

  The tingles began in her fingers as he took her elbow and lead her into the cabin. Convincing him would not be any hardship, she'd decided.

  Bella pulled off her jacket and gazed around the cabin as if it hadn't been just yesterday that she'd last seen it. She really loved this little house. She'd been so happy for the last month that she'd lived here. Actually, happier than she could ever reme
mber being before.

  She spun around in a circle, taking it all in. "We left everything so clean. It looks wonderful."

  Cal chuckled at how very alive she was. "You'd never have left last night if we hadn't washed down every speck." He wanted to keep her inside for just a little longer, until he had a chance to tell her the rest of his plans. "Did you leave anything behind that you might want to take with you?"

  She turned to him and smiled, standing there in the patch of hazy sunshine filtering through her sparkling clean windows. Bella was simply the most beautiful—and absolutely the sexiest woman he'd ever beheld. A few strands of her hair had been tousled by the wind and her skin was flushed with emotions.

  His vision blurred for a second. He'd been blinded by the expression of utter need he'd glimpsed on her face. But when he focused again, she was laughing as she twirled around the room.

  "No, I did not forget anything." She pulled the ribbon from her hair and shook back her head. Her hair looked like a soft black shawl as it spread out over her shoulders.

  "You look so handsome today," she said as she waltzed over to him. "I must tell you about the dream I had of you last night."

  She put her hands on his chest and stood on tiptoe to place a kiss on his cheek. He automatically reached for her, but she spun just out of reach.

  "I…" He'd lost his voice, and he struggled to give her the space she apparently needed.

  "It's very warm in here, don't you think?" she asked. "Will we be here long enough to open the windows?" She fanned herself with her hand and then undid the top button on her blouse.

  "Uh. Open the windows if you want." His throat was hoarse. His mind was blanking out again.

  At this moment he wanted her more than he had wanted anyone or anything in his entire lifetime. She was so perfect. He tried to tell himself to go slow but it was useless. Deep inside, his heart wanted to believe she'd never hurt him—never leave him.

  "Oh, I wore too many clothes for such a warm day." She rolled up her long sleeves and wiped up a drop of sweat as it trickled down her neck.

  The sight of her touching her own body made his blood pressure go through the roof. He took a step in her direction.

  "You don't have to keep your shirt on if you're too warm in here," he gulped. "It's just us. I've seen you without a shirt before."

  Bella chuckled and slowly undid the rest of the buttons on her shirt. One at a time. The material inched apart, exposing the honey-colored swells of her breasts peeking over her white bra.

  He swore under his breath and reached for her once more.

  Laughing, Bella slipped away from his fingers and dropped her blouse on the floor. "You mustn't touch me, Cal. I want to be the one. It's my turn." Kicking free of her shoes, she unzipped her jeans and quickly shucked them.

  "Yeah?" He saw the mischief in her eyes … and the raw passion. "Whatever turns you on, babe."

  "Good," she said and picked up his hand. "I want you to be crazy for me. I want you to want me so much that you beg." She lifted his hand and pressed it against her heart. "I want you, Cal. Feel my heart beating fast for you?"

  He sucked in a gasp as she placed her own hand over his, trapping both on her breast.

  It was like taking the fourth corner on the last lap of a five-hundred-mile race, he thought. Staring into those deep brown eyes was like winning the cup. She took his breath away, shot adrenaline to every inch of his body, and caused his temperature to rise to the boiling point.

  He couldn't have answered her if his life depended on it. Everything else faded away but his darling Bella.

  Her eyes widened and darkened when she finally settled her gaze on his. "Uh … don't you want to hear about my dream?" She raised her chin and combed back her hair with her fingers.

  Without a word, he grabbed her up, plundering her mouth and claiming the sizzle of heat and joy that she yielded. As he pulled her to the floor, her laugh sent pleasure through every pulsating nerve in his body.

  * * *

  Eleven

  « ^ »

  "Oh no, you don't," Bella said, giggling.

  She rolled on top and straddled him. "I want to do the things to you that I did in my dream." Her eyes were nearly black with passion as she licked her lips.

  "Have mercy on me, Bella, please?" Cal was too ripe with need for her.

  "I do intend to please you," she laughed.

  He clamped down on his desire as she reached behind her, undoing her bra. Slowly she drew it aside, revealing full breasts and hardened tips.

  Biting back the rush, he vowed not to hurry her. His hands slid up her torso, cupping her breasts. She filled his palms. Hot, bursting with pleasure, smooth as glass.

  She lowered her lips to his, but lingered a half inch away. "No hands, remember?" she whispered.

  When he dropped them to the floor, her lips brushed his. Teasing, nibbling, nipping. He groaned and she changed the tone. Angling her mouth across his, she pillaged with an intensity that spoke of her urgent wants.

  He punched his fists against the rug. Every muscle in his body ached with the strain of holding back.

  "Good. That's good," she mumbled. "I want you to beg."

  She placed quick, greedy bites down his neck and found his nipples. Sucking. Licking. Kissing lower still.

  She reached for his waistband, undid the button and took her time lowering the zipper. He was being destroyed, slowly but surely. He lifted his hips when she tugged against the denim, and she slid his jeans off and pitched them aside.

  When his hands came up to grip her hips, she batted them away. "No. My turn," she murmured and reached for his shaft. The gleam in her eyes changed to self-indulgence.

  Cal took in the scent of her—mixed with sweat, stirred with lust. He'd never had a woman take him before. But Bella was certainly taking everything he had.

  Her hair spilled over both of them and added to the erotic sensations that were slowly killing him.

  When she clamped her mouth over him, sucking deeply, he bucked under her and fisted his hands in her hair. The sensations caused chaos in his body. Every quaking, quivering muscle screamed that he'd just run out of patience.

  With his hands still gripping her hair, he dragged her head back to see the dark burn in her eyes. "Enough!"

  "Beg," she panted.

  He ripped her panties off with one forceful swipe. "I need you," he growled. "Now! I'm begging you."

  She helped him when he lifted her hips this time. Then he drove himself into her warmth and wetness. Bella cried out as completion came quickly, surprising both of them.

  Throwing her head back, she screamed. "More," she shuddered, arching against him.

  Cal reached one hand down between them and pushed her over the edge once again. The speed and violence which rocked her body as she climaxed a second time shoved him past all good reason. He pumped his seed into her while a rain of sensations jolted through them both.

  She collapsed down on top of him, and he marveled as the aftershocks rippled through her. He locked his arms around her and waited for his head to clear.

  Bella's body felt weightless. Numbed, but wallowing in the internal pleasures of Cal, she realized she'd gotten what she'd wanted. He'd said he needed her.

  He pressed a kiss to her hair, murmuring about how wonderful she'd made him feel. And she felt the tears backing up behind her closed eyelids. It wasn't enough.

  Who would've guessed? Fantastic sex. Tender moments. They weren't nearly enough.

  Cal had finally admitted that he needed her, but he hadn't said he loved her. He was everything to her and she wanted to be everything to him in return. She managed to swallow past the lump in her throat and wondered how she'd come to be so greedy.

  Rolling out of his embrace, Bella drove her hands through her hair, pushing back the wild strands so she could study him clearly. Cal opened his eyes, and she saw him trying to focus on her face.

  He reached out for her. "I need you desperately," he whispered. "
Marry me, Bella. Come away with me and Kaydie when we leave. Take care of us."

  Shaking her head, Bella backed away from him. "I can't marry you, Cal. I can't put myself through that much pain."

  She grabbed her clothes, stood and gazed down on him. "I want very much to continue being Kaydie's nanny. So I intend to consider going with you to care for your child. But I won't be your wife … or your lover."

  "Bella," Cal began as he stood up. "I don't understand. What we have is so good. Better than good. And you want me—I know you do. I feel it every time you look at me."

  Turning her back to him, Bella stepped into her jeans and slipped them over her hips. "The sex is the best of a lifetime," she admitted. "But it's not enough."

  "I need you. What more do you want?"

  "I'm sorry. I can't explain it. I just know I want more … I deserve more." She fled into the bathroom before the flood of tears threatened to drown them both.

  Bella still felt weak and weepy several hours after they'd returned the hens to the main ranch. On the way back and all through the dinner meal, Cal sat stone-faced. She hadn't had any clue that loving someone this much could hurt so deeply.

  It was getting late when Cal stuck his head through the kitchen door. She'd just finished drying the last dish that Meredith washed and handed to her. "Can you two come into Cinco's office for a few minutes?"

  "Sure," Meredith answered, and dried her hands. "What's going on?"

  "We've got Ray on the speakerphone in there," Cal told her. "And he wants Bella to hear something. Then he has something to say to all of us."

  Bella reluctantly followed them through the house, wondering what the family attorney might have to say to her. Cinco showed her to the chair next to his desk when they arrived at his office. Meanwhile, Meredith and Cal arranged themselves on the couch.

  Bella took her place and listened to Ray over the speakerphone. "Sit tight a minute, Bella," he said. "I have someone here in the office and I want you to listen to him speak."