by Liz Talley
They both looked back at the red Mustang. The door was open, the interior light was on and the keys dangled in the ignition.
Kate pointed. “I found them.”
“Hell,” he muttered. He jogged to the car, grabbed the keys, pressed the lock down and shut the door with his foot. He returned and gathered her against him as he jabbed the key into the lock.
One twist and they tumbled into blessed warmth.
The house was dark, lit only by moonlight. And it felt appropriately intimate. Rick slammed the door, grabbed her hips and pulled her to him. “Do you know how much I want you, Kate?”
Her hand found him again beneath the zipper of his jeans. He was as hard as she’d left him. “I’m getting an idea.”
She dropped little kisses along the stubble lining his jaw. “Remember that day you brought me here? When you took the shower?”
“Yeah?” he whispered, sliding his hands so they cupped her ass. He pulled her firm against him.
“I’ve been dreaming of you beneath the water. Imagining the water sliding over your chest.”
“You want to take a shower?”
Her answer was to kick off her shoes and grab the hem of her sweater. One tug and it went over her head.
His laugh was throaty. “I’m taking that as a yes.”
He, too, started shedding his clothing, tossing the Turkey Trot T on the floor, revealing to her for the first time the ink that marred the smoothness of his chest. He had no hair, just smooth brandied skin with whorls and images that didn’t matter to her now. She’d have time to explore those later. He toed his tennis shoes off and unbuckled the belt at his waist.
Kate kept her eye on him as she shimmied out of her jeans and pulled the angora socks from her feet. He dropped his jeans to the floor and stepped from them, clad only in tented boxers with little hearts on them.
She paused, standing in her expensive lilac lace underwear.
Rick couldn’t stop himself from growing even harder when he saw Kate framed in the seductive moonlight in the most amazingly delicate and sexy bra and panties. She was like a sea nymph risen from glittering depths.
Then she became a siren, reaching behind her back and unhooking her bra. She dropped it to the floor and tugged the matching panties down.
He couldn’t even swallow. She was magnificent.
Lithe with hollows that rounded out to softness, Kate was all he’d ever imagined in a woman. She was perfectly proportioned with sweet upturned breasts, a sculpted stomach, trim thighs and graceful little feet. Even her bright red toenails were perfection.
“Well?” she said, and looked at his boxers. “Are you going to do the honors? Or shall I?”
He grinned. “Never afraid, are you.”
She cocked her head and lifted her eyebrows. “Are you telling me you got something in there I should be afraid of? ’Cause that’s getting my hopes up.”
Rick slid his boxers off and tossed them over the sofa.
“Oh, yeah. I’m afraid,” Kate said with a smile.
He couldn’t wait any longer. He grabbed her hand and tugged her behind him toward the single bathroom in the house.
Luckily, the cottage was small and it only took a few steps. He turned on only the inset light above the shower so that they were bathed in a soft glow, reached in and started the water, then used his hands to check out the hills and valleys of Kate’s body.
And she did some exploring of her own, sliding her hands across his body like a sculptor molding her subject. She knew how to tease, build anticipation, move him to greater need.
Soon steam curled around them as the tension reached new heights.
“In. Now.” Kate pushed at his stomach before sliding her hand down to grasp the length of his erection.
“Mmm?” he murmured against the sweetness of her upturned breasts. The nipples were small and shell-pink. He sucked one into his mouth just as he swept the hand stroking her hip around her bottom, reaching through to stroke the slick heat between her thighs.
“Eek,” she yelped, widening her legs before sighing.
He smiled against the sweetness of her breast before catching her nipple between his teeth again and tugging. He increased the rhythm of his fingers, teasing her, driving her crazy.
“No. Now.” She pushed against him, more insistent this time. And he complied, mostly because he loved the idea of soaping her up and running his hands over her skin.
He opened the glass door and stepped inside the tumbled stone-tiled shower. It wasn’t very big, but wrapped in each other’s arms they didn’t take up much space. Kate’s mouth met his as the warm water coursed down their bodies, washing away the uncertainty, melting away the questions, leaving only him and Kate and the magic that pulsed between them.
He couldn’t get enough of her. Her hands were everywhere, frenzied and insistent.
“I can’t wait,” she groaned against his shoulder before nipping the skin there with her perfect little teeth. She lifted on her toes and hooked a leg around his waist.
“Kate, we can’t have sex without a condom.”
She dropped her leg and peered up at him with dazed eyes. “Huh?”
He ducked his head and allowed his mouth to explore the tenderness of her neck before working his way to her ear. “We need a condom.”
She rubbed her hands down his back, stroking him as she rubbed her belly against the length of his erection. “Oh.”
Rick grabbed the soap and spun her around, lathering up. He gently but quickly scrubbed her back, paying special attention to her delicious derriere. He finished the job on the rest of her body, giving her a sensual washing that left her nearly mewling. She slumped against the gray tile and watched as he made short work of washing himself. Her eyes were a caress and by the time he’d rinsed, he was as hard as a poker.
Kate reached out and grasped his erection. “You could put someone’s eye out with that.”
He laughed. “Oh, I’ll put something out all right.”
Her eyes glittered with humor and desire. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“Yeah? You do that to me.” He pulled the door open and stepped onto the gray mat, grabbing a fluffy towel. Kate stepped out and he didn’t give her time to dry off. He did it for her. A brief rubbing before capturing her lips again.
Man, she tasted good. Sweet, sweet, with a hint of spice.
She wrapped her arms about his damp shoulders and met the stroke of his tongue with her own. “Please, Rick. The bed. Now.”
She didn’t tease him this time. Simply flew by him as she ran toward the bed.
He laughed and padded to his room. He found her in the center of his bed, sprawled, digging through his nightstand. She pulled out a strip of condoms and waved them in the air. “I thought you weren’t planning on having sex until you were committed.”
He climbed onto the high mattress and crawled toward her. “I was never a Boy Scout, but that doesn’t mean I don’t follow their motto.”
She fell back against his pillows, arching her back, thrusting her pink-tipped breasts into the air. “Watch out for bears?”
“You were a Boy Scout?” He tugged her knee so he could walk his fingers up her thigh toward the sweetest temptation he’d known in a while. She had a small tattoo of a butterfly on her hip. He tapped it with one finger.
Kate laughed, then sighed as his fingers found where she needed him most. “Nope. I just taught them real survival skills. Like how to get to second base or how to sneak bourbon from the family liquor cabinet.”
“My wicked Kate,” he whispered against her lips before tracing her bottom lip with his tongue. She widened her legs to give him better access. He didn’t waste time accommodating her. Soon she was writhing, sighing and reaching out to touch him, stroke his shoulder, glance his jaw, tug his hair.
“Please, no more,” she said, twisting away from him.
“I can’t wait anyway.” He grabbed the condoms from the hand she’d pressed to the quilt, ripped one open and quickly
did the honors.
She raised on her elbows and watched as he sheathed himself with the condom. Her eyes were liquid pools, pulsing with desire. He knew he could get lost in them.
He rose onto his knees and moved toward her. She welcomed him, parting her thighs, and Rick knew it was a picture he would savor in the wee dark hours of the night when the taste of her skin had faded from his memory.
He entered her swiftly.
“Ahh.” She threw her head back and clasped his shoulders. “Rick. So good.”
He agreed, but couldn’t find the words. She was so hot and tight and it had been so damn long for him. He established the rhythm, capturing her head between his hands, holding her so he could cover her mouth with his. His tongue met hers as he plunged into her again and again. Soon he was lost in the magic of making love.
To his beautiful, wild Kate.
She slid her arms from his shoulders to wrap around his neck. Jerking him toward her, she twined her legs about his waist, locking him in place, causing his chest to brush the tips of her breasts. He could feel her tightening around him, could feel his release building.
“Oh,” she breathed against his mouth. Their bodies moved faster. He tilted her hips so she could take him deeper. He watched Kate as she caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes were closed, her face screwed up in concentration.
Her hands slid to his ass as she urged him to increase the tempo. He obliged, driving into her, moving her across the bed, bumping her head against the pine headboard.
He felt her tighten around him. Then her eyes flew open.
He caught her scream with his mouth as he tumbled over the edge to join her. Wave after wave of pleasure seized him, pounding into him. Until it finally subsided.
He fell to the side, pulling Kate on top of him.
She panted as if she’d run a race, and for a moment they lay utterly still.
“Wow,” she breathed against his chest. “That was fantastic.”
He chuckled as he smoothed her raven hair. “Yeah, pretty damned awesome.”
She lifted her head. “I mean it was fantastic. Like something I’d never felt before.”
He grinned. “You say that to all the fellows.”
She shook her head and he could see she was serious. “No, what I meant is that has never happened before.”
The realization smacked him in the head. “You mean you’ve never come before?”
Heat stole across her cheeks. His wild, cosmopolitan Kate had never had an orgasm? Something akin to self-satisfaction stole across him, swelled inside him.
“I’ve come before. Just not with a man.” She sounded defensive. And embarrassed.
He dropped a kiss on her upturned nose before capturing her sweet little bee-stung mouth with his. “Well, then. I’m assuming the other has been battery-operated?”
She smacked him on the arm before rolling off him. “Smug, aren’t you?”
He smiled. “No, honored.”
She ducked her head and rested it upon his outstretched arm.
“Hey,” he said, tugging a dark blade of her hair. She looked up and the honesty in her blue eyes rocked him. This was Kate naked, literally and emotionally. “Guess what?”
“What?” she whispered.
He lifted himself upon one elbow and tugged her to him, nipping her silken shoulder. “My batteries don’t ever run out.”
She laughed. “That’s an upside.”
“Better believe it.” And then he kissed her.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
RICK KEPT KISSING HER for the next five days. In the kitchen of Phoenix. On the back patio of Cottonwood. Below the statue of Rufus Tucker in the center of Oak Stand. And around the corner of the Longview Regional Hospital stroke center where her father was recovering.
No matter where they were, Rick didn’t pass up the opportunity to pull her into his arms and let her know he wanted her. In fact, they made out like teenagers every chance they got. It would have been embarrassing if it hadn’t felt so good.
For once in her life, Kate enjoyed being someone’s—dare she say it?—girlfriend.
It was a title she’d never tolerated before. Oh, sure, she dated, even went out for second and third dates, but never had she wanted to feel like part of a couple with someone. Surprisingly, she liked it, so she indulged the little fantasy she’d created in her mind. The one where she was normal, like any other girl. The one where she didn’t go back to Vegas. Where she expected a happy ending. Where she planned for weekend getaways, a princess-cut ring and a white lace veil.
The whole thing was a sham.
But she went with it anyway, mostly because she didn’t want to think about this being a fling. She didn’t want to think about her and Rick being over in less than twenty-four hours. She only wanted to savor the time she had left with the man who made her feel comfortable in her own skin.
With him, she didn’t have to think. She simply was.
“Penny for your thoughts,” he said, jarring her from her musings as they drove down Interstate 20 in his Mustang for yet another visit with Justus. It would probably be her last—her flight left tomorrow afternoon.
“Not even worth a plug nickel,” she said. “What is a plug nickel, anyway?”
“Something people use to fool vending machines, I think.”
They’d spent so much time on this stretch of highway that the landmarks were familiar. She’d miss sitting beside him while he took the twists and bends of the road. She’d miss a lot of things.
But she wasn’t supposed to think about that.
“Nellie said she’d take me to the airport. I think it might be for the, um, best.” The words rushed from her mouth. Damn. She didn’t want to bring up leaving. Why had she?
“Why?” The word was spoken softly, shaded with hurt.
“I—I’m not sure I can—” She was afraid she’d say it—that she wouldn’t be able to get on the plane. That she wanted to stay with him and pretend to be something she wasn’t—a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend.
But she was none of those things. Not really. She was Kate Newman. And Kate Newman was a Vegas business owner. A hard-ass ballbuster with an attitude and towering stilettos. She was a good time party girl with no ties, no mortgage and no dependents on her tax form. She was an island and she didn’t need anyone.
His eyes met hers. “That’s fine. For the best.”
Silence fell, hard and bitter.
A lump formed in Kate’s throat, and she stared out the window at the scenery whizzing by. The past few days had been wonderful. Why had she ruined it by bringing up her flight tomorrow? She was a dumb-ass.
Just this morning she’d awakened to find him watching her sleep. She’d always thought that was something a character did in movies or words in a song by Aero-smith. Honestly, it had always seemed a bit hokey. But Rick’s soft brown eyes had caressed her, reflecting the morning light and something she couldn’t quite grasp. He’d given her a sheepish grin.
She’d stretched. “Are you watching me sleep?”
“Maybe.”
“Why?” She’d curled her toes into his somewhat scratchy new sheets.
“It sounds lame, but you’re always moving, always running that smart-assed mouth. It’s nice to watch you curled up, like a little girl. You look almost innocent.”
She smiled. “After last night, you know that’s not true.”
Rick wouldn’t let the tender moment go. “I thought I’d take a mental picture.”
Something sweet filled Kate at his words. And she’d taken a mental picture herself. Rick, bare-chested in a pair of striped pajama pants sitting in a rustic rocker framed against an awakening sky. His hair clipped short, his jaw whiskered with stubble, his feet crossed and propped on the end of the bed. The sun behind him cast shadows on his face, but she could see his eyes, see the way they moved over her and loved her.
She patted the still-warm spot next to her. “How about creating a mental video?”
/> He smiled and unwound his body, joining her. He pulled the quilt to their chins, tucking her close to him, spooning her. One hand curled round to rest securely on her ribs, and they lay together, each feeling the other’s heart beat.
Her invitation had been for pleasure, and he gave her that by holding her in the still morning light.
She’d never savored such feeling before, simply being held in the arms of a man, and it surprised her how much she loved being secured in his warm embrace. Such ease. Such comfort.
The exact opposite of what she felt now as they approached Longview, caught in that horrible moment of regret. A moment she’d prayed wouldn’t come.
“I didn’t mean I didn’t want you to take me. I just don’t know if it would be a good idea. I don’t think—”
He held up a hand. “Not a problem. I know the score, Kate.”
He sounded hurt. That big guy who had sent shivers down her spine the first time she’d seen him in the post office. He’d been almost threatening, and she remembered how she’d hurried to her car, thinking him dangerous. And now here he sat, vulnerable, because of her.
“Rick, I have to go back. I don’t have a future here.” She touched his shoulder and felt him stiffen.
“That’s nice. Remind me of why I should have said no to you. No future. Exactly.”
“I don’t mean with you, I mean here.” She waved her hand at the outskirts of Longview. A feed store with gleaming orange tractors lined up like toys on a shelf. A run-down gas station. A fast loan place. A nail salon. It was a far cry from the glitz of Vegas. “I have a business, friends, a life somewhere else. I can’t throw who I am away because I have a hunch.”
He whipped his head around. His eyes sparked. “That’s what we are? A hunch?”
Kate sighed. She wasn’t going to win. She’d hurt him, and for that, she was sorry. But she wasn’t staying in Oak Stand. She wouldn’t go back to being Katie Newman. She wouldn’t embrace a life she didn’t want. “No, we are what we agreed to that night on the way home from Longview. We’re a moment in time. I thought we said there would be no regrets.”
He didn’t say anything else. His face hardened as he stared at the traffic. Minutes later, the facade of Longview Regional peered gloomily at them as they entered the drive. Or maybe it wasn’t the hospital that was depressing, it was the rotten mood in the car. Un-spoken words. Fissures in the foundation of something fleeting.