Something's Gotta Give (Tempered Steel Book 3)

by Adams, Maggie

  Caught somewhere between friends and lovers, she felt safe. But it would only be a matter of time before Chance would want to take it further. When they were alone, and he was bringing her to a mind-blowing orgasm with his hands, and his mouth, she sensed his frustration. But he wouldn’t let her touch him. He simply wanted to please her. It was as if he wanted her to know how intense they would be once they were together, by showing her heaven time and again, and yet denying her the ability to reciprocate the feeling of completeness. He didn’t want her body alone; he wanted her complete surrender.

  But she was terrified to give in to him.

  She paused by the window. Looking out, she saw Chance and the older kids huddled around a football. He was trying to explain the game, but from the puzzled looks on their faces, he wasn’t doing a very good job of it. He leaned over, hiked the ball to one of the other children, and took off running. The younger children followed him, screaming and laughing. With a jump and a twist, he caught the ball Caleb had thrown, then turned and ran over an imaginary touchdown line. The children continued after him, tackling him to the ground and trying ineffectually, to take the ball. His laughter could be heard through the open window.

  Over the past few weeks, Chance had shown Georgia exactly how much he cared for her, not only with the stolen kisses and lovemaking, but with honest work. And patience. Lots and lots of patience. Now the children worship him, Missy Dee adores him, and me? I don’t know what I feel for him.

  Who am I kidding? I’ve been in love with him forever.

  “He’s such a gentle man,” Georgia murmured to herself. “If he was the way his reputation painted him, it would have been easy to resist his charm. But he’s not. He’s passionate and sexy, but he’s also tender and caring. How can anyone help but fall under his spell?” Georgia shied away from that thought, too fearful of the consequences of surrendering to such a dynamic man.

  “What is it honey?” Missy Dee came up behind her. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”

  Georgia turned away from the window with a sigh. In essence, she guessed she had seen a ghost. The ghost of her parents and their disastrous marriage hovered in the back of her mind whenever she thought about Chance. “My ankle’s almost healed, Missy Dee. There’s really no need for Chance to continue to help us. His brothers need him.”

  “You need him more, Peaches. And that man would walk on water to be with you. Why are you so afraid? Because of what happened with your mother?” Missy Dee sat on the faded floral sofa and patted the seat beside her. “Come over here and sit down. I want to tell you what I remember about your mother and father.”

  Taking Georgia’s hands in her wrinkled ones, she continued, “Your mother was a fine woman. There’s no doubt about that. She told me all about your father when the two of you came to live with me. She knew she was dying, Georgia. The doctors hadn’t given her much hope on that score. But she wanted to know you would be looked after when she was gone. As a social worker, she knew I took in foster children for the state. She came to see me, find out what she could, so she could provide a decent home in the country for you. I’ve got to tell you, when I saw you standing there so solemn and sweet, my heart went out to you. From that moment on, you became like my own child, and I told your mother I’d look after you like you were my own.”

  “I know Missy Dee. I love you so much. You’ve done a fine job, too. I’ll always be grateful for all the love and help you have given me, not only when momma died, but now too.”

  “Honey, I’m not so sure I did you a favor by keeping you with me after your mother passed on. Through the years with me in the foster care program, you’ve met some fathers who weren’t the most ideal parents for a child. I’m afraid they only reinforced the rather low opinion your mother instilled in you about men in general.” Missy Dee patted her hand.

  “Your mother, God rest her soul, she told me your father was a handsome rogue. I can well believe it, because she said you were the spitting image of your father. She said he was all smiles and charm, just like Chance. He swept her off her feet and into marriage. She was only eighteen. He promised her the world, and she said he gave it to her in the form of you, baby girl. You were the sun and the moon and the stars to her, darling.”

  Missy Dee’s voice lowered to a whisper as the sad memories came back. “But apparently, sugar, your father didn’t feel the same way. After the initial joy of becoming a daddy wore off, he didn’t much care for the idea of your mother growing big with you. And she was so sick with the pregnancy. His eyes began to wander. She knew. But she thought she could tempt him back again with a slimmer figure once you were born. But by then, honey, it was too late. Your father wanted to be free.”

  Missy Dee frowned in anger. “Holding down a job with a young wife and baby was just too much responsibility for him to shoulder. One day, he just left. With hardly any money and a child to care for, you know your mom went to work at Social Services then tutored children in the apartment during the evening hours. You remember that?”

  “I remember Missy Dee. She looked so tired and yet, when she saw me, she’d smile and suddenly, she wasn’t so tired anymore,” Georgia reflected. “I know all this, Missy Dee. It happened a long time ago.” And her momma was gone now. Georgia stifled a sad sigh.

  “But it’s affecting you now, Peaches. And that’s why I’m talking about it.” She tucked a stray piece of Georgia’s strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. “You’re a beautiful, caring, young woman, Georgia. And you deserve someone who knows this and respects you and loves you because of who you are. But you are never going to find that special someone if you continue to hide away from the world, and from men in particular.”

  “I’m not hiding, Missy Dee. I’m just cautious. I think I have a right to be. Chance’s reputation--”

  Missy Dee interrupted her. “Now just a minute, Georgia. I’ve been around that man for over three weeks now, and I’m inclined to believe that his reputation was embellished upon by a bunch of old, scraggly women who knew he wouldn’t look twice at them because of their black hearts.”

  “He feels indebted to me, Missy Dee, because of the fire,” Georgia complained. “He’s not really wanting me.” She knew that was a lie, but she was feeling cornered.

  Missy Dee pulled Georgia off the sofa and pushed her to the window. “Now don’t you be lying to me child. You’re afraid of what you feel for him. But you look out there. You tell me, young lady, if that looks to you like the kind of man who would love you, then leave you to raise his children on your own? He is not like your father, Georgia.”

  Georgia felt tears form as she looked out the window. Chance sat under the apple tree, one child on his lap, two others snuggled on each side of him, and the rest in a circle around him, listening intently as he regaled them with a story.

  “Does that man, in any way, resemble your father?” Missy Dee asked, then walked out of the room to leave Georgia with her thoughts.

  As if he sensed her presence, Chance looked up to the window. He raised his right hand, and blew her a kiss. Georgia shivered. Did he resemble her father? Her mother had said her father had been a handsome rogue. Her mother had been taken in by charm and a vibrant personality, blind to her father’s true nature. Was this what was happening to her? Was Chance weaving his magic, luring her to him simply because she was the one woman who would spurn his advances in the past and he saw the opportunity to make her pay for it?

  No, she couldn’t believe he’d be that mean. It wasn’t in his nature. Still, every reputation had to have a basis of fact. He never denied that he had been with lots of women. And even more were willing to be with him if he would give them the opportunity. How could she compete with those women?

  What it all boiled down to was could she take this chance on love? If not, she needed to break it off as soon as possible, before it was too late. Georgia turned from the window with a heavy heart. She had a feeling it was already too late.

  ***

  On Fr
iday evening, Georgia called Chance into her tiny office off of the kitchen. He closed the door quietly, then swiftly took her in his arms. “Free at last, Peaches. Kiss me woman, I’m starved for you.” He tried to reach her lips, but she evaded him with a frown.

  “Chance, please, we have to talk.” She struggled in his arms, pushing against his chest until he reluctantly let her go.

  She looked into his questioning eyes and felt a sadness steal over her. She would miss him so much. Chance’s smile quickly vanished. He reached up and cupped her neck, bringing her closer to his chest and laying her head on his shoulder. “Georgia, honey. What is it?”

  His softly worded query quelled the statement forming on her lips. She had fully intended to tell him their time together was at an end. He couldn’t go on feeling indebted to her and she couldn’t stand being near him and not knowing how it would be to make love with him.

  But she just couldn’t do it.

  With a small sigh, she snuggled closer to his warmth. Just this one more time, she promised herself. Then I’ll let him go.

  She answered evasively. “Nothing. Everything. I don’t know.”

  Chance hugged her a little tighter. She could feel his smile. “I see. Friday night blues. Well, you’re in luck, Peaches. Dr. Chance has a cure for what ails you.” He led her over to the small loveseat and sat down with her on his lap. When she immediately tried to scramble off, he held her down firmly with his arm across her midsection and began nibbling her ear.

  “Chance, be serious. Stop that.” She swatted at the hand making lazy circles on her midsection, climbing closer and closer to her breasts. Even to her ears, the plea sounded halfhearted at best.

  “Why? All the kids are gone and Missy Dee went into town to play bingo at the church hall. We’re all alone,” he whispered seductively as he drew her hair away, nibbling on her neck.

  His breath sent shivers of desire down Georgia’s spine as he traced a path of kisses along her collarbone. Surrendering for the moment, she wound her arms around his neck, ruffling his black hair. She pressed herself against him. He kissed her, his mouth slanting over hers, again and again. Part of her brain vaguely recalled that she had made the decision to stop doing this with Chance. But her body now controlled her mind, and she found herself rejoicing that she was once again in his arms. This time, there would be no reason to stop their love play.

  Chance’s hands were lightly massaging her breasts through her faded cotton shirt, his very touch igniting a fire she didn’t try to extinguish, while his kisses branded her as his woman, if only for the night. His tongue invaded her mouth to mate with hers, reenacting the intimate act of love.

  Chance was driving her to the brink of sexual insanity. Would it be so bad just to give in? Just for one night? If only she could have just one night of making love with Chance, just one fabulous night to always remember, to hold dear to her heart and keep close in her memories, forever. She knew she’d never find this kind of rapture with another man, so why not take advantage of the special time they had together? Her body caught fire, as her mind let go of her worries and inhibitions. There was only tonight and this wonderful man. The man she loved. She’d worry about the consequences tomorrow. With a sigh of surrender, she reached down to caress him through his shirt.

  “Georgia?” Chance felt the change in her body. She was soft and willing. “I want you to want this freely and willingly. No regrets and no recriminations. Only then, can I show you how wonderful making love can be.”

  Georgia looked up into his questioning eyes, and nodded quickly, afraid she would lose her nerve if she voiced her acceptance out loud. Instead, she scooted off his lap and took his hand.

  She led him up the stairs to her bedroom. Once there, she wasn’t sure what to do, so she concentrated on turning on the bedside lamp. She felt totally awkward. She plumped the pillows and rearranged the covers. She could feel Chance staring at her, but he never said a word. What exactly is normal protocol inviting a man to bed? Georgia’s mouth felt dry, her palms sweaty. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea at all.

  “Honey, look at me.” Chance put his hands on her shoulders and she stiffened, but he turned her around to face him. Tilting her chin up, he tenderly kissed her lips, then her cheeks, and finally, her forehead. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I want you, but I can and will control myself until you’re ready. We have all night, and more, together. Don’t be nervous. Just relax.”

  He massaged her shoulders gently, but she was still stiff as a board. He needed to calm her down. “Hey,” he said softly, “I’m going to make love to you, eventually. We can just sit here all night long, and I’ll hold you,” he hugged her to him, “and kiss you,” he kissed her nose, “and touch you,” he ran his hands down her back, “until you’re ready to trust me for more. I’m in no hurry, Peaches.” He laughed ruefully. “Well, maybe a bit of a hurry. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you. But I promise, I’ll be good.” He massaged her shoulders and felt her begin to relax.

  Chance tenderly kissed her cheek. “Did I ever tell you how I felt when I first saw you?”

  At the shake of her head, he continued. “It was at your mother’s funeral luncheon. You were standing near the stairs in this very house. You looked so sad. People just kept walking up and talking to you, telling you this and that, trying to make you feel better I guess, but I could tell it wasn’t working.”

  “I was twenty years old then and you were just a kid of fourteen. But in that moment, I wanted to shove all those people away from you. I wanted to be the one to protect you. I never wanted to see that look on your face again. So much pain. So much sadness. It broke my heart, Peaches. You stood there looking at those people, while the tears ran down your face, trying desperately not to break down. You were so brave. I couldn’t help myself. That’s when I walked up and handed you my handkerchief.”

  Georgia felt tears form in her eyes. “You didn’t say anything. You just took my hand and led me away to the tree out back. You sat down with me next to you and let me cry. You don’t know how much I needed that.”

  “I couldn’t even imagine what I would do if something happened to my parents, Peaches. And you were just a child. I had to offer you some kind of comfort.”

  Georgia pressed her lips to his. “That’s when I knew,” she murmured.

  Chance kissed her softly. “Knew what, baby?”

  “I knew that you were a good man, Chance Coalson.”

  Chance looked into her eyes. The moment had come. “Please, my sweet Peaches, let me love you tonight.”

  “Yes.”

  He saw her tears fall, and as he had done so many years ago, he wiped her cheeks. He felt Georgia reach for him with shaking hands. She opened the buttons on the front of his shirt, placing her hands inside, feeling the hair on his chest and his erection swelled. She lightly flexed her fingers, and he sucked in his breath. She explored his rib cage and his back, lightly tracing the scars left from the burns of the fire, then she lowered her head to kiss the places her hands had recently traveled and he couldn’t contain his ardor a minute more.

  Chance deftly removed her shirt and bra. He was inflamed with the beauty of her body. She was so soft and womanly. He wanted her closer and yet closer still, as she swayed against him, brushing her breasts against his chest. He was determined to make their first time together as perfect as he could, but her sighs and tender caresses were setting him on fire. It might very well kill him, but he vowed he would pleasure her completely before he found his own release.

  He pulled away slightly, and Georgia immediately reached for him, but he held her arms behind her back until she looked up at him. With a seductive smile, he took one turgid nipple in his mouth, sucking gently, his eyes never leaving hers.

  “I love your mouth on me.” Georgia whispered. “It will always remind me of our first time together.”

  “That was just an appetizer, baby. Tonight, I’ll feast on you until you cry ‘mercy�
�.”

  Georgia glanced at this slumberous eyes and knew he would have no mercy on her heart. When Chance Coalson was through with her, she would know exactly how it felt to be loved by him. No, not love, possessed. Don’t think about love. That way lies heartache. Just feel.

  Georgia forced herself to relax. There would be plenty of time later to dissect and analyze how she would ever let him go. Now, she wanted the pleasure, to feel like a true woman, to be everything to this man. Her man, if only for a time. She knew when this was over, she would spend her life alone, no more passion, no more roughened hands manipulating her soft flesh. She would have to figure out how to be content with memories. But for now, there was only the joy and warmth of loving Chance.

  Chance’s mouth closed over her left nipple in a wet caress while his hand plucked at her right. He licked and tongued, pinched and nipped, until she whimpered in need. Higher and higher, he pushed her to heaven.

  The intimacy of his touch and the warmth of his breath on her breasts, combined with his intense gaze, made Georgia feel seductively wanton. She cried out in ecstasy and arched closer to him, demanding more of the sensual torture. He released her arms and she combed her fingers through his hair as he greedily fondled both breasts. She pushed him closer to her body, aching now, silently demanding that he fulfill his promises.

  Georgia felt his hands tremble as he unzipped her jeans and drew them down over her legs, following with a trail of kisses down one of her long limbs and up the other. His fingers found the back edge of her panties and he slipped inside, cupping her bottom and pulling her closer to his wanting mouth. Georgia gasped when he inhaled the musky scent of her, kissing the curls hidden behind the tiny red satin fabric. When she flinched in erotic response, he rubbed his mouth against the silken scrap of material that shielded her sensitive flesh, wetting the fabric with his tongue in a frenzied motion.

  Georgia came completely unglued as the intimate things he was doing to her body careened through her to pool at her core. What he was doing felt so shocking, so wonderful, that she wanted to scream. But it wasn’t enough. Chance had turned her legs to jelly, and she knew if he wasn’t supporting her with his strong arms, she would’ve fallen to the floor. All her energy was centered on the spot that he was laboriously loving with his talented tongue.