“It’s all I’ve thought about,” she said softly. “All the things we did. And the things I want to do again.”
Images of last night floated through his head. His nostrils flared and his body stirred with need.
Amusement danced in her eyes. Oh, yeah, she’d known exactly what she was doing with that little comment.
“Yes, I’ll join you. Go run your stuff back to the cabin. I’ll see you soon, my sexy tech cowboy.”
Tech cowboy. Kind of a weird endearment, he mused as he made his way outside.
Tech cowboy.
He kind of loved it.
The days were going too quickly. How was it even Thursday already?
Katie curled herself closer against Hunter’s side, her body still aching in all the right places from their earlier lovemaking.
Darkness filled the cabin, and she knew it had to be pushing midnight. They were a breath away from Friday. They only had three days before he left. Her stomach roiled and her throat tightened. Something akin to panic hit her, but she smothered it back down.
These past few days had been a blur. Hunter had become a mainstay on the ranch, just as much as anyone else. He helped with the cattle, the cleaning, and whatever else he talked them into letting him doing.
They’d gone on horseback rides daily together. She’d showed him every inch of their land. They’d even made love down by the river while on a picnic lunch. With the sun shining and the water gurgling. It would be off the charts on any woman’s list of most romantic experiences.
She’d loved every moment with him on the ranch. What she hated was the silent countdown to the day he drove away from Marietta again.
“You know people pay sometimes hundreds of dollars for that sound.”
Her brows furrowed and she paused in the act of tracing his chest. “What sound?”
“The sound of crickets. They have all kinds of noise machines to make people fall asleep at night. Some can be crazy technical and expensive.”
A lazy smile curled her lips. “Hmm. I don’t even notice the crickets anymore. They’re so much a part of this place.”
“Ah, but you’d notice if they suddenly stopped making noise. Like when you were in Seattle for college, I bet you noticed.”
It came back to her immediately. “Yeah, you’re right. I’d forgotten about that. It took a lot of getting used to. The sounds of the city. Traffic.”
“I’m still not used to it.”
That surprised her. He’d been gone for close to ten years, probably. “Really?”
“Really.” He was silent for a moment. “So did you just hate Seattle in general, or was there more to it?”
She knew where this was going. He was feeling her out to see if there was a chance she’d ever consider living there again. She had to shut him down.
“Both. I hated it but, yes, there was more to it.” The last thing she wanted to do was explain her awful first-time story again, but she wanted to say something. Since she’d opened up to Claire earlier in the week, she felt a little more comfortable talking to Hunter about her experience. Though maybe without all the details.
“It wasn’t just the city, it was the guys. Dating them. They were different. I had... a bad experience with one.”
Hunter stilled. “Did he hurt you?”
“Just emotionally. Which still sucks but, hey, I survived.”
His heavy sigh had her heart clenching. “I’m sorry, Katie. I can imagine. I wish I couldn’t, but I can.”
“Thanks. I know Marietta isn’t immune to men behaving badly, but guys around here can’t get away with it as much. Word gets out in a small town when you treat women deplorably.”
“Sure does.” Hunter stroked her arm. “I think that may have been what bugged me about this place. How fast word gets out.”
“That’s only because you were getting into trouble back then,” she teased. “You’re different now.”
“Not that different.”
Her amusement died. And just like she’d done to him, he was shutting down her attempts at convincing him Marietta wasn’t that bad. She was starting to wonder if the only thing Hunter liked about Marietta was her.
“Why do you hate Marietta so much?” She propped herself up on her elbow and stared down at him. “Is it just the small-town thing?”
“No, it’s not just that. Some people here are great, some really aren’t.” He hesitated. “I was picked on a lot for being weird. I don’t really fit in here.”
Her breath caught and her heart ached for him. “You mean you were bullied.”
She’d suspected some of the kids in town had been kind of mean to him, but she didn’t know the extent of it.
“Were you ever hurt?” Her gaze searched his.
The shuttered expression that closed over his face surprised her. “Nothing that didn’t heal in a couple days.”
Oh, Hunter.
“I’m sorry. People can be awful, especially kids and teenagers.” She touched his scowling brow. “Nobody deserves that. I can see why it would be hard to come home with that kind of history.”
He shook his head, as if to clear the memory. “Doesn’t matter anymore. It’s history, just like you said.”
She wanted to ask more questions. What exactly had happened? Who had beat him up? Had they gotten in trouble?
“So, I think Eddie has a big crush on that teen girl who does your housekeeping.”
Hunter wasn’t in the mood to discuss it further though. She nodded, trying to keep up on the subject change.
“Oh right. Jane. Yeah, I’ve noticed. It’s actually kind of sweet.”
“Agreed. Think she’s interested?”
“She’s definitely interested. Offering to work extra hours or help out in the main house too. And I caught her watching Eddie when he was out working in the stables.” It was all pretty charming and sweet, really.
“You’ll have to let me know what happens between them after I leave.”
Ouch. She really didn’t want to think about that right now. She got the impression he hadn’t meant to add that last part, but had kind of stumbled into it.
“Sure.” She forced the word out, as her stomach was already clenching with the idea of Sunday’s arrival.
Hunter propped himself up on his elbow and touched her cheek. “I’m sorry. That was a little crass. I’m trying not to think about it either. I just can’t even believe how fast the week’s gone.”
She nodded, not sure how to reply to that. She just really didn’t want to think about Sunday anymore.
“So, we’re still on for camping tomorrow?”
Good call on the subject change. She relaxed a little. “Yeah. Claire’s happy to take over with the meals, said Wyatt will help out too.”
“Wyatt cooks okay?”
“Well, he can cook steak as you saw. And sometimes baked potatoes. He either blows them up or gets them perfect. There’s never an in-between.” She smiled. “But Claire’s kind of awful at cooking dinners too. So they’ll make a good pair.”
Hunter grunted. “She’s a great baker though.”
“Mmm-hmm.” She slid her gaze to the door.
He noticed. “You’re getting ready to abandon me again?”
Despite the fact that he was teasing, she could hear the hint of disappointment in his tone.
“I have to get up early.” It was the same explanation she’d given every night since she’d starting coming to his cabin.
“That won’t change if you sleep here or your bedroom.” He traced her collarbone. “Stay the night for once.”
“They’ll talk.”
His low, knowing laugh had her body warming again.
“Sweetheart, they’re already talking.”
It was true. She’d told Claire, and even though she knew the other woman hadn’t said anything to Wyatt, it was clear he knew.
When Katie passed her brother throughout the day, he’d give her an intense, questioning look. As if he were trying to discern tha
t she was okay with this new relationship with Hunter. Or whatever it was. Sex. Fling. Boyfriend for a week.
She sighed.
Maybe she didn’t want to spend the night, because that made it even more intimate. Made that bond between them thicker.
“Your bed can’t compete with me.” Hunter’s gaze turned knowing, his lips curling into a sexy smile. “Your pillow isn’t nearly as fun as this.”
When he leaned down to trace her nipple with his tongue, she gasped and held his head against her breast.
“You can’t be ready for another round?” Her laugh turned into a moan as he drew the hardening tip into his mouth. She gasped. “Umm... oh, maybe you can. I’m not sure I am though.”
He slipped a hand between her legs and touched her most intimate spot.
“I don’t know, feels like you may be ready too.” He eased a finger into her.
“Hunter.” She clutched his shoulders, her body tightening around him. Oh, Lord, he drove her wild.
“I love it when you say my name like that.” He switched his attention to the other breast. “Maybe you need more convincing though.”
When he slid down her body, she couldn’t protest anymore. She closed her eyes, trembling at the feel of his beard scratching against her inner thighs. Then his mouth was on the most sensitive part her, doing all kinds of wonderful things.
She arched her back, lifting her hips against the sweet torment. He brought her so close to the edge, teasing her with pleasure. She moaned and gripped the sheets, perched on the edge of paradise.
“Stay the night.” He’d paused from his ministrations to give another husky command. Or maybe a threat to stop if she didn’t agree.
“Yes.” She clutched his hair, nearly crying with frustration. “Please, Hunter. You win, I’ll stay.”
His grow of triumph ended as he claimed her again with his mouth, and then she was truly lost. She would’ve agreed to just about anything right then.
She belonged with him. Body, mind and soul. And only when she was drifting back from ecstasy, did she let herself think about how scary that was.
“I’m heading into town to grocery shop after lunch. Don’t suppose you’d want to join me?”
Hunter paused at the question and glanced over at Katie. They’d taken their morning ride and were just finishing up tending to the horses.
He shut the stall door and turned to face her. “Yeah. I could do that.”
“I mean, only if you need a break from hiking and fishing and stuff,” she said quickly, her cheeks flushing. “I know you’re not totally fond of downtown Marietta.”
It didn’t matter where he went if she were with him. At this point, with the days ticking down, he was resenting any moments they weren’t together.
“I’d be happy to go.”
Joy flickered in her eyes. “You sure?”
“Absolutely. Haven’t really hung out in town all that much since arriving.”
Or at all. Just a visit to his parents’ house, but other than that he’d avoided going into town.
She nodded and wiped her hands on her jeans. “Great. We’ll leave after lunch. Which is just about a half-hour, so I’ll see you soon.”
“All right.” With a small nod, he turned and made his way to his cabin. He’d woken up too late to shower this morning, and intended to remedy that now.
By the time they’d finished lunch and had driven in to town, the first bit of discomfort slid through Hunter. It was Friday in the middle of the day. There’d be plenty of people milling about. People who might remember him.
Katie turned off the truck and her hand closed over his. “Stop.”
His brows furrowed. “What am I stopping?”
“Being nervous.” She turned in the seat to face him. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Katie already had the ability to read him that well. He didn’t dwell on that thought, and whether it should disturb him or not.
“Come on, we’ll grab the groceries first—just a few things, nothing needs to be refrigerated—the we’ll grab a beer and snack at Grey’s.”
She climbed out of the truck, leaving him no choice but to follow. They went inside the store and Hunter glanced around, noting very little had changed. An ache crept into his chest, and he swallowed hard, thinking about the alcohol he’d stolen from here a couple of times. Well, only once was he caught.
Katie touched his arm. “I’ll be quick, if you just want to hang out here.”
He nodded and she was gone in a second. To kill time, Hunter grabbed a book from the tiny book section and read the back.
“I thought you might’ve left town already.”
The soft words had him turning. His mother walked toward him, a small basket full of groceries.
“Mom, hey.” He hugged her, flashing a guilty smile. “I’m still around until Sunday.”
She nodded. “Anxious to get back?”
Now there was a loaded question. His smile tightened.
“I can understand.”
The way she said it had him giving her a closer look. “Actually, if anyone could, I always figured it’d be you.”
Her brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
“Just the whole being stuck in a small town thing. I know you hate it, Mom.” He searched her gaze.
Her shoulders crumpled and she sighed. “Oh, Hunter, I don’t hate Marietta. Not at all. I absolutely love this town.”
Hunter shook his head. “But you always seemed so miserable.”
“I missed my career. I won’t lie. I missed having a job and something to do besides being a mother.” She grimaced. “Not that I regret being home with you guys, I just... I’ve always been a bit restless I guess you could say.”
Struggling to take this revelation in, he drew a deep breath. “I didn’t realize.”
Concern crinkled her eyes. “I’m so very sorry to hear you that you think I hated it here and that I was miserable. That must’ve been a heavy burden on your thoughts. Maybe some days I slipped into a funk, but mostly, I was just enjoying being a wife and mother—no matter how challenging both could be.”
And he’d definitely made it hard on her.
“I need to meet your father shortly for lunch, but I think we should talk more.” She squeezed his hand. “Please try and come by before you leave.”
“Actually, I’d really like that.” He gave a small nod. “I’ll try and come by this weekend.”
“Wonderful. I want to hear all about your week.” Marie Richardson glanced down the aisle to where Katie was approaching. “And I want to hear all about her too.”
His ears burned red as his mother greeted Katie, made small talk for a minute, before making her way to the register.
“Your mom is sweet,” Katie remarked, as they made their way back to the car a few minutes later to drop off the groceries.
“Agreed.” He was still trying to process what he’d just learned. About how wrong he’d been.
“Now how about that beer?”
“Sounds great.” Without realizing it, he caught her hand in his as they walked down the street toward the saloon.
“Hey there, Jeffrey.” She nodded to an older gentleman they passed.
The man grinned and glanced from Katie to Hunter.
“Afternoon, Miss Marshall. Mr. Richardson.”
Shit. Was this someone he should’ve known?
When they moved several feet past the man, Katie leaned close.
“He taught fifth grade for years. Retired about four years ago.”
“Right.”
It was beginning to click into place. Had he been a nightmare for that teacher too? Probably.
They reached the door to Grey’s, and he held it open, gesturing for her to go inside first.
She squeezed his hand, before releasing it and stepping inside. He moved quickly after her, letting his gaze sweep over the interior.
All gazes slid their way. Conversation died, before resuming in hushed whis
pers.
Nothing to worry about, huh?
Katie made her way to a booth and slid in. His mouth flattened into a grim line as he sat down across from her.
“You ever been in here?”
“No. Wasn’t old enough to drink when I left town.” He glanced around, vowing to stare down anyone looking at him.
Most people looked away. Some smiled. One scowled.
“Don’t let them get to you,” Katie said softly. “Your return is just about the most exciting thing to happen all week in Marietta. Of course they’re going to talk a bit.”
A waitress came over to take their drink orders, her gaze full of curiosity as it lingered on Hunter. Once she disappeared, he released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
Heat stole up the back of his neck and glanced out the window. He hated attention. Loathed it, really. Which was why he preferred to keep a low profile at his company and let everyone else do the talking.
“I’m sorry. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.”
The uncertainty in her voice had Hunter glancing back at Katie.
“It’s fine. I promise. It’s just”—he hesitated—“the only place I’ve been to in Marietta since leaving it is your ranch and my parents’ place. This is my first time coming back into the actual town.”
Her mouth rounded and her brows rose. “I didn’t know.”
“I didn’t say anything to anyone. Not even Lance.” He grimaced. “It shouldn’t matter really. It’s good we’re here. Ripping off the bandage and all.”
Their beers arrived along with an order of fries he didn’t remember ordering. He lifted a brow and glanced at Katie.
“They know me here. Just always bring me fries if I order a beer. I don’t even need to ask anymore,” Katie explained, reaching for one. “I know we just ate, but these things are kind of my weakness.”
He grabbed one, ate it, and then washed it down with his beer. Something about the combo relaxed him a bit more.
“Hunter?”
The sound of a man’s voice, laced with incredulity, had Hunter stilling. It was entirely too familiar.
“I’ll be damned. It is you. Hunter Richardson in the flesh.”
Hunter turned in the booth to look into the face of the closest friend he’d had in high school, and couldn’t stop the grin that spread.
Falling for the Hometown Girl Page 15