by Natalie Love
“Yeah?” His breathing didn’t seem to want to even out. That had been one hell of a kiss. He’d had to struggle to keep from doing something stupid like pushing her up against the wall and hoping that she’d wrap her legs around him. It still seemed like a good idea, actually.
“Don’t judge me for this, please.”
“For wh--” He didn’t have time to finish his sentence before her lips were under his again. She buried her hands in his hair and parted her lips for him, taking the kiss deeper and deeper until his control snapped.
His touch wasn’t gentle anymore, but that was fine with Val. She found herself sandwiched firmly between his muscular chest and her front door. When his thigh wedged in between her legs she heard herself moan as she flexed her body against his. She’d never had such instant chemistry with a man in her life and, as much as she wanted to turn the doorknob and tumble into bed with him...or even onto the floor with him...she knew that she couldn’t do it. She eased back and he responded instantly.
“I’d better go,” he said, his low voice now as ragged as his breathing. “Before you have to watch a grown man beg.”
She laughed breathlessly, straightening her dress. “All right. But you’ll have to come back soon.”
“Believe me darlin’, after that, you couldn’t keep me away,” he promised her, unable to stop himself for pulling her close for one more kiss. He liked the way her hands tightened on his shoulders when they kissed. He loved the way she gave herself over to the moment. Now he was more hopeful than ever that someday he might get to take her to bed with him.
When he finally released her, Val unlocked her door and stepped inside. Her shaking legs barely took her to the couch and she couldn’t help but giggle over that. It had been way too long since she’d felt this good after a date.
The feeling lasted until she checked her cell phone, which had somehow ended up set to silent. Something in her small purse must have pressed against it. The station had called. Twice. Her heart dropped to her stomach.
“Oh no!” She hit redial quickly. “Hey, it’s Val. What do you need?”
“Nothing now,” the night manager answered cheerfully. “There was a fire at the warehouse, but we got it covered. Don’t worry about it.”
Don’t worry about it? Val wanted to scream! “Okay. Well, thanks for calling me though.”
“Sure. See you tomorrow.”
She hung up with a disheartened groan. What had she done to deserve this type of karma? She was a good person, damn it! Her phone buzzed again and she answered quickly.
“How’d the date go?”
“Oh, it’s you.”
“Well, thanks a lot!” Becky said indignantly. “Does that mean it didn’t go well?”
“No, it actually went great. But while I was out, I completely missed the chance to cover a real story.”
“Oh yeah, the fire. Well, I know that isn’t what you like to hear, but what’s done is done. Tell me about your date! How did he take the speech? Did he stomp off vowing to find a woman who would settle down and bear his children? Hopefully in my general direction?” Becky teased.
“No,” Val informed her. “He took it well. No complaints.” In spite of her irritation that she’d missed out on what could have been a career changing story, she found herself remembering his kiss. She brushed her fingers over her lips as if he’d left a physical imprint on her. “It ended well too.”
“Oh really?” Becky sounded interested. “Spill it.”
“It’s not what you’re thinking. You know I don’t do that type of thing on the first date. It was...it was just a kiss.” Quite possibly the best kiss of her life, but she wasn’t obligated to tell her friend everything.
“A good kiss?”
“A very good kiss,” Val confirmed.
“You like him!” Becky gasped.
“That is why I went out with him,” Val said in confusion.
“No, I haven’t ever heard you sound like this about a guy. You didn’t even get upset with Jerry when he moved to Australia and you had been dating him for six months.”
“It was a great opportunity,” she answered. “I would have done the same thing.”
“Sure. Because you were hardly interested in the guy. What would you do if Cason moved to Australia?”
“I’d wonder why he was doing it when his farm is here. Honestly, Becky, you’re getting way ahead of yourself. I do like Cason. I would very much like to kiss Cason again. But I’m committed to my career and this conversation isn’t going to change that.”
“Okay, okay,” Becky said, realizing that Val was getting annoyed. “I’m glad you had a good date, and I’m really sorry you missed out on the chance to report something horrific.”
“Well thanks, and me too, even though you make me sound like an ambulance chaser. I’ll see at work tomorrow.”
“See you.”
Val walked to the kitchen and plugged in her phone. As she made a cup of tea and waited for her shower to heat up, she was surprised to find that she was thinking more about Cason than the missed chance at reporting some real news for a change. One good kiss and her mind turned to mush. She determinedly turned up the volume on her cell phone’s ringtone and shook the cowboy out of her mind.
She’d meant every word she said to him in the restaurant and to Becky during their phone conversation. She was a career woman. She was going to do her best to be just as good as her father had been, to follow in his footsteps and make him proud. Sitting at her kitchen table drinking tea and mooning over a sexy cowboy wasn’t the way to do it.
“I’ll just have to be more available at the station,” she said firmly, even though there was no one to hear her. “I’ll have to find more ways to let them know that they’re my first priority.”
With a determined nod, Valerie rinsed out her teacup, her mind spinning with ways to show her dedication. She ignored the hollow feeling the resolution gave her as headed for the shower and her bed.
Chapter Six
“Hey there,” Cason said, propping against the fence a little after lunchtime. He’d called Val that morning, but she hadn’t answered, so he’d decided to try again. He didn’t care if he looked desperate, because after that kiss, he was willing to admit that he was.
“Hi,” Val said, sounding distracted.
“Are you busy right now?” he asked, suddenly remembering that not everyone worked like him. It was entirely possible that she was doing something that had an actual deadline.
“Yes,” she lied. In keeping with her resolution, she’d ignored his call the first time, but when his number flashed on her screen again she’d decided to go ahead and deal with it. She wasn’t being fair. “I’ve had a crazy morning.” She saw Becky raise an eyebrow at her, so she ducked her head quickly, pretending to be flipping through her day planner. The vast amount of free time there seemed to mock her.
“Oh yeah? Tell me about it.”
Tell him about it? She sighed. Her mother was right; sooner or later, your sin would find you out.
“Just a lot of little things,” she said vaguely. “You know how it is.”
“Sure,” Cason agreed, even though he had no idea what it was like to be a reporter. “I was calling to ask if you wanted to get together this Saturday. I’ve got an idea you’re gonna love, Blondie.” At least, he hoped so.
She found herself starting to smile at his confident tone. "Oh yeah?"
"Oh yeah. So what do you say? Saturday? I'll pick you up."
She was surprised to find herself saying yes. It seemed that she was no better at keeping resolutions than she was at inventing lies.
“Around seven?” he asked.
This time, she picked up on the relief in his voice. “Sure thing, cowboy."
She hung up and dropped her chin into her hands. What had she done? Actually, it wasn’t what she’d done that was the problem. It was why she’d done it that made no sense to her at the moment. She’d always been good at culling the parts of her li
fe that interfered with her job. People had even called her ruthless. Yet here she was, accepting a date from a person who had cost her a prime assignment just last night.
“But it wasn’t really his fault,” she muttered before taking a sip of her coffee. “I just need to be more careful about my phone. And if I don’t start getting out more, I’m going to turn into a crazy cat lady. Case in point, I am currently sitting here talking to myself. This is not good for my career.”
Having arranged it to her satisfaction, she gave in to her friend’s frankly inquisitive look and waved her over for a chat. It felt kind of nice to relax and be normal for just a few minutes. She didn’t want to acknowledge how good it felt to think about something other than her career.
Chapter Seven
Val chuckled when the truck came to a stop at the destination he’d been so cryptic about. She’d put up a token fight about his refusal to tell her where they were going, but she had to admit that she’d loved being surprised.
There was a real joy in being with Cason. He loved teasing her and surprising her. In other words, unlike so many of the people Val knew, he actually enjoyed living life.
“I haven’t been here since the park opened!”
“You’ve been here?” He’d hoped she’d enjoy the fun park, but he had expected to be the first person to bring her here.
“I did a story on it last year,” she said, a fond smile softening her features. “The owner is a really nice guy.”
Cason helped her down from the truck and pulled her close, pressing his lips to the top of her head in a quick kiss. “I’m glad you approve, Blondie.”
She looped her arm through his, looking down to hide her pleased smile. “What are we doing first?” she asked.
“Well, that all depends on whether you want to lose at racing or in the batting cages,” he said innocently.
Valerie quirked an eyebrow. “All right, mister. I’ll accept your challenge at the batting cages.”
“You’re gonna regret it,” he said, giving her a cocky smile that showed off an elongated dimple in his cheek. “When I was a kid I was convinced I was headed to the big leagues.”
“You mean you didn’t always want to be a cowboy?”
“No way,” he said, handing her a bat. “There was major league baseball player, astronaut, firefighter, police officer, and, very briefly, one of those people who makes desserts for a living.”
“A baker?” Valerie laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.
Cason pointed at her in mock seriousness. “Hey, some of the best chefs in the world are men.”
“That’s true. But you can’t even bake bread.”
He flashed her a grin and then stepped behind her, correcting her form and using the opportunity to kiss the back of her neck.
“But I like dessert. Not all of us knew what we wanted to be from first grade, you know. Swing, Blondie.”
His big hands guided hers and the bat connected with the ball in a way that sent tingles up her arms. Or maybe that was just from being so close to him.
He lowered his lips to her ear and she heard his deep voice rumble, “Good one, darlin’.”
She turned her head impulsively and pressed her lips to his. Cason’s hands slid down her back, pulling her closer and slanting his mouth over hers eagerly. He’d been waiting all week for another taste of Valerie Turner.
When he pulled back, she gave him a teasing smile. “Do I get one of those for every good hit?”
“Wouldn’t be fair,” he said. Her mouth drooped and he laughed. “To me, Blondie. You oughta know by now that you drive me crazy.”
“What is it they say?” she asked, tracing her finger down the buttons of his shirt as she looked up at him. “Turn about is fair play? You drive me pretty crazy too, cowboy.”
He slid his hands down her sides and let them rest on her hips as she put her back to him again and raised the bat. He drew her close and leaned down.
“Swing.”
She missed when his teeth closed gently on her earlobe. “You did that on purpose!”
“Sure did.” His lips traveled down her neck, pressing roughly on the hollow of her throat. Val leaned her head back against his shoulder with a sigh of pleasure. “Missed again, Blondie.”
“I’ll get you back when it’s your turn.”
“Looking forward to it,” he murmured before his lips met hers once more.
As they drove back home, something occurred to Cason. “What did you want to do when you were a kid?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not a hard question,” he said with a half laugh. “And I told you all my secrets.”
“Just a reporter.”
“No way,” he said flatly. “No little kid wants to be a reporter!”
“This one did,” Val said with a laugh at his astonishment.
“You really didn’t want to anything else? For your whole life, all you’ve ever wanted is to be a reporter?”
Val sighed and leaned back against the seat. “Okay, if you must know, for a while I wanted to be a writer.”
“What did you want to write about?”
“Oh, Cason, I don’t know. It was so long ago.”
He only waited patiently. Val squirmed on the seat.
“Okay, fine. I wanted to write…” she paused and then went on. He’d asked, after all. “Stories that make people happy.”
“And now you get to tell stories that make people happy,” he said, but Val only shrugged, looking a little down.
Chapter Eight
Cason sat down to a lunch of warmed over pot roast and vegetables and started eating quickly. The sooner he got through with it, the sooner he could call Valerie.
They’d left things a little strangely after the batting cage date, but things had smoothed back out since then and the thought of seeing her brought a smile to his face even as he shook his head at himself. Seeing her these past few weeks had left him acting like a teenager. He’d had an idea while he worked and he couldn’t wait to see how she felt about it.
They’d gone out consistently for the past five Saturday nights and she usually came over on Wednesday nights too and watched a movie with him. He remembered what she’d said about dating him only casually and he was trying not to get too attached to her, but it was hard. Talking to her was fun and challenging and kissing her was damn near addictive. It was getting harder and harder not to fall for her.
He thought back to the look of delighted surprise on her pretty face when he’d showed up at the station with flowers when she got what she called a prime assignment, interviewing some guy about a new airstrip being built at the edge of town. It was supposed to bring a lot of jobs to the community. Cason was only happy that she was happy.
Once he’d swallowed down the last bite of his hasty lunch he dialed her number. She’d told him that she had the day off, but there was always the chance that she’d been called in. That had happened during their last Wednesday night date right when he had her underneath him on the couch. The only good thing about that night was that she’d seemed just as sorry to leave as he was to see her go.
“Val Turner,” she said out of habit when her phone rang, even though she knew that it was Cason.
“Cason McDaniel,” he said, making his own voice serious and professional. “I called to ask about the possibility of seeing the well known and extremely famous Ms. Turner this afternoon.”
“She’s not sure she can see you,” Val said, making her voice airy and slightly snooty. “She’s a very busy lady, Mr. McDaniel.”
“Well, how about if I settle for you then? You sound kind of sexy.”
Val giggled, losing her hold on the façade. “I guess that could work. This afternoon though? Not tonight?”
“Nope,” Cason said firmly. “I was thinking in about half an hour.”
“What are we going to do?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out, Blondie.”
“Luckily for you,
I like a mysterious gentleman.” She stood up and then glanced down at herself. “Can we make it an hour? I need to change.”
“Only if you tell me what you’re wearing right now,” he said, and she could hear the sinful smile in his voice.
“Jeans and a tee shirt.”
“In that case, you can’t change.”
“But you said--”
“I’m not always a gentleman. Come on, I’ve never seen you in jeans. I want to know if it matches the picture in my head.” She was silent, so he sweetened the deal with some flattery. “The picture looks damn good.”
“Okay fine.” She was nervous about it, but she was also really comfortable in her ratty old clothes. Anyway, if he dumped her over an outfit, it would prove once and for all that she needed to be more focused on her career.
“See you soon.”
She hung up and stuffed her phone down into her pocket, making sure that the ringer was turned to full volume before she did so. Cason was waiting for her on the front porch when she arrived.
He gave her a hug the minute her sneakers touched the porch steps and she snuggled in against his chest for just a moment before she smiled up at him.
“So?” she asked. “What are we doing?”
“I’ll show you in just a second. First, let me check this out.” He spun her in a circle and then gave her a smile. “I like it. Is that paint on these jeans?”
“Yeah,” she said self consciously. “I helped Becky paint her living room in them a few months ago.”
“Her living room is purple?” Cason questioned, eyeing the stain on the back of her thigh.
“It’s an accent wall,” Val said defensively. “And it was my idea. It looks great.”
“I believe you, darlin’,” he said quickly. “I bet it looks just as good on her wall as it looks on you.”
“It certainly does,” Val confirmed, linking her fingers through his. She liked his hands. They were so rough from all the work that he did, and yet somehow they were still so gentle against her skin.
“So, you want to see what you drove all the way out here for?” he asked.