Cyndi would have none of it. She grabbed his hips and pulled him in deeper, increasing the pace until he got caught up in the hunger. He couldn’t get enough of her. Every stroke had him wanting more…much, much more. Her heat was scalding him and he couldn’t endure it any longer. He picked up the pace, forcing them both closer and closer to the moment when it all became too much. Soon he felt himself building toward his climax, and when Cyndi tightened around him, he couldn’t stop the intensity of his feelings.
He finally lost the battle and pushed inside her one more time, letting the pleasure carry him over the edge. He groaned and captured her cries with his mouth as he wrapped her in his arms.
That was when he knew he never wanted to let her go…but he knew that soon he had to.
He rolled to one side and held her until she drifted off to sleep. He kissed her hair and wondered what he could do to keep her by his side. It was impossible. The day was fast approaching when she’d leave and never look back.
With his heart aching, Patrick resigned himself to savoring the moment.
Eight
Patrick hadn’t moved away from Cyndi and he never wanted to. Ever. His body was spent, but his mind was working overtime. She would be gone in a matter of days. But right now this woman was lying naked in his arms and he didn’t want to think beyond this moment.
Her hand moved over his chest as she stirred against him. “Tell me you’re not having regrets,” she murmured. It surprised him to hear an unsure tone in her soft voice.
He leaned over her. “I have a lot of regrets, but making love to you isn’t one of them.” He placed a kiss on her mouth. “I thought our first time together was wild, but damn, there were a couple times now I thought my heart had stopped.” He laughed and lay back down. “Aren’t we a strange pair? The actress and the rancher.”
This time Cyndi raised her head, her gaze on his. “Patrick…”
When he turned to her, she began, “It’s important that you know I don’t normally hop into bed with men I’ve only known for hours or a few days.” She drew her eyebrows together as her fingers began to move over his skin. “That’s the reason I’m so baffled that I can’t seem to keep my hands off you.”
He grinned to try and lighten the mood. “I guess Oregon cowboys just have a way with women.” Her touch was torturing him.
“You have a way with me, Patrick Tanner.”
“That works both ways, Cyn.” He turned her in his arms and ended up on top of her. He hadn’t wanted to care so much for her, but he couldn’t seem to stop it. Already his body was betraying him by wanting her again. He felt exposed and defenseless. Yet one look into her large brown eyes told him she was just as vulnerable.
Patrick lowered his head and captured her mouth, then began to nibble on her lower lip. He loved to taste her…all over. She circled her arms around his neck then drew him closer. He deepened the kiss as he rubbed himself up and down against her body. There was that catch in her breath as the familiar urgency took over. He rolled on his back, taking her with him, and positioned her on top of him…filling her. He shut everything else out of his mind. Nothing else mattered but her.
Right before dawn, Cynthia opened her eyes and immediately knew she wasn’t alone. She smiled, feeling Patrick’s naked body pressed against her back, his arm draped over her, his hand covering her breast.
Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t leave. But she had no intention of going anywhere. She was going to spend as much time as possible with the man she’d fallen hopelessly in love with. She’d been fighting the attraction for days now, but after last night there was no doubt about her feelings.
Now, if Patrick would only give her a clue as to how he felt. Her chest tightened and she closed her eyes, recalling the pleasure he had given her. He had to care about her.
His hand on her breast moved in a slow caress as his lower body shifted against hers, then he placed a kiss on her neck. She moaned as her need began to grow. She could get used to this, she thought as she turned in his arms.
The room was still dim, but she could clearly see his smile as he looked down at her.
“Good, you aren’t a dream.”
She smiled back. “You sure?” she teased as her arms circled his neck.
“My dreams usually end by morning,” he said, reminding her of how she’d left him in the hotel after their first night together.
She shook her head. “This is another dream. I even stay through the whole day.”
He kissed the end of her nose. “I like this dream. What’s next?”
“That’s the good part. You get to chose how your dream plays out. You can make me disappear or…have me stay.”
He groaned. “What do you want?”
She lowered her eyes. “It’s your dream. You choose.”
“Give me a minute to think about it.” Patrick liked the game-playing, he also liked waking up with Cynthia in his arms. It wouldn’t take much to get used to her being around. He’d never realized how lonely he’d been until she ended up living in his house, sleeping down the hall from him.
In reality, he knew she was leaving in a matter of days, and he wasn’t crazy enough to think she’d stay after her lessons were finished. Besides, he couldn’t get any more involved than he already was. This couldn’t lead to anything permanent. They only had now.
“How about we spend the day in bed?”
She smiled at him in that sexy, playful way she had. “I’d like that, too, but wouldn’t your animals get hungry?”
He stole another kiss. “Not as hungry as I am for you.” He kissed her again, this time a little longer, a little deeper. “And I’m definitely hungry.” He went back for another taste as his body shifted over her. He was breathing hard when he broke off the kiss. “What about you?”
“Me, too,” she whispered as she rose up and kissed him, her mouth hot, promising wild things.
Patrick thought he was going to explode from waiting, but he needed more from her. “You, too, what?” he asked.
Those sexy bedroom eyes of hers locked on his. “I’m hungry for you, Patrick Tanner. And if you don’t make love to me right now, I’m going to go crazy.”
“Let me see if I can do something about that.” He groaned as he slipped into her and began to move slowly.
He drove aside all his fears and doubts. They only had a short time together. The last thing he could think about was a future with Cyndi. It just wasn’t possible.
Over an hour later, Patrick made his way to the kitchen, wanting to be upstairs with Cyndi. After they’d made love in bed, they ended up in the shower. When lathering up, they discovered their appetite for each other hadn’t diminished at all. It took the water turning cold and the waiting chores to make them get out.
Whistling, Patrick pushed the button to start the coffeemaker, then he pulled eggs and bacon from the refrigerator. He lit the fire under the skillet and started on breakfast. He was still amazed how easily Cyndi had made him forget everything. If there had been one thing he’d always done, it was take his responsibilities seriously. He glanced at his watch. He was an hour late to feed the stock. Yet he was sure that Forest could handle things this one time.
Patrick had never had a real childhood. As the oldest child, and the only boy, he’d had to do endless chores, mostly because his dad had gotten drunk and was passed out in bed. It had gotten progressively worse over the years, and by fifteen, Patrick was running the ranch, trying hard to keep the place from going under. There hadn’t been time for him to date or go out for sports during high school. He’d been needed at home.
Patrick felt his body tense as he cracked the eggs in the skillet. He’d never resented having to work, but he sure as hell had resented his old man for inflicting his brutality on his family. The life he’d forced on his wife, daughters and son. People said he was sick, but Patrick had only known Mick Tanner as cruel.
Cynthia stood in the doorway and studied Patrick as he worked in the kitchen. He wore jeans
and a blue plaid shirt and his hair was wet from their shower together. The one that had nearly flooded the bathroom. Just the memory of the wonderful things this man had done to her under the spray of water had her stomach doing a flip-flop.
How was she going to be able to leave him? She pushed the sad thought out of her head. There were only a few days remaining with Patrick, and she was going to enjoy them. Even if they would be all she had.
She walked up behind him and snaked her arms around his waist. “There’s nothing sexier than a domesticated man, especially when he’s cooking for me.”
He turned around and grinned. “It’s only fair since you washed my…back in the shower.” He leaned down and kissed her. A short one that only left her wanting more. And she did want more from the man. So much more.
Patrick set her aside. “Now go away, woman. You’re distracting the cook.”
“So the truth comes out. Food comes first.” She headed to the cupboard and took out plates and mugs.
“A man has to replenish his strength.”
He glanced over his shoulder and sent her the look. The look that made her want to stop what she was doing and strip out of her clothes and make love to him right here.
When she came to her senses, she managed to say, “Well, then, let’s eat.” Her hands shook as she poured coffee. Handing him a cup, she carried hers to the table. She needed some distance from him before she did something foolish.
A few minutes later Patrick brought their breakfast to the table. He sat down across from her and concentrated on eating, making the silence stretch between them. Cynthia tried to push aside the uncertainty of this relationship, but it kept intruding. There was so much Patrick kept to himself. If she’d been wise, she would never have invited Patrick into her room last night. But it wouldn’t have mattered if she’d locked him out. He’d already gotten into her heart.
Suddenly Patrick reached across the table and took her hand. “Now it’s my turn to ask. Having regrets?”
She blinked. He was just as insecure as she was. She shook her head. “No.”
He released an exaggerated breath. “Good. If you were, it sure would have messed up my plans for this morning.”
“And what are those?”
Patrick shook his head. He took another bite of egg, then after he swallowed, he said, “If I told you, it wouldn’t be my surprise.” He ate some of his bacon. “You feel up to going for a ride this morning?”
She nodded. “Sure.”
“Good, pack some sandwiches for our lunch while I go do chores. I’ll be ready to leave in about an hour. How about you?”
“I think I could handle that.”
He winked. “Good, I want to spend the day with you.”
There it was again, the tightening in her chest. She was in big trouble.
That morning at the Healthy Living Clinic, Dr. Richard Strong was waiting in the wings while the audience filed in. He still had trouble believing his popularity. Not that he hadn’t earned it. He’d worked hard to get to the top and he was enjoying every bit of it. The fame, the fortune…and the women.
People trusted him. He could see it in the faces of nearly every person who filled the auditorium. The women who stared lovingly at him. That was because they respected and trusted him. The men, too, were impressed with him. They even emulated him with similar hair-styles and gray suits.
Richard was flattered. In fact, he liked the gratitude he’d gotten from several lovely ladies. If he so desired, the famous Dr. Richie could have a different woman every night of the week. But after a while he’d found it had gotten old. He didn’t remember names, but there hadn’t been anyone special. It had been a long time since he’d truly cared about someone. Along with the fame came the loneliness. No one special to share all this with.
He thought back to a time when life had been simpler…when he could go out, have a beer and play a game of pool. Just for fun. And back then there had been a woman who’d stood by him. Who’d loved him. At the time Richard hadn’t thought she was enough.
In the meantime he’d have to settle for fame. He straightened his tie and strode to the podium.
As promised, Patrick returned to the house on time. Together, they went to the barn where Daisy and Ace were already saddled. After he’d put the food in saddlebags, they mounted and started off on the trail.
Once in the pasture, Cynthia checked the way she held the reins, wanting to do everything just right today. She knew Patrick was critiquing her as he rode beside her.
He turned in a different direction from their last ride and asked, “You ready to pick up the pace, or are you too tired?”
He was goading her. “I think I can handle anything you dish out, Mr. Tanner,” she said.
He tossed her that sexy grin again. “I have no doubt.” He kicked Ace’s side and shot off.
Cynthia rode hard to keep up. “Come on, Daisy girl, we can’t let the guys outdo us.” The horse seemed to hear her and picked up speed. She loved the feel of the wind in her hair and against her face. She’d never felt so free, so alive.
“Whoa, fella.” Patrick slowed Ace, then turned in the saddle. Cyndi wasn’t far behind. He found he enjoyed watching her. She had been a quick study. A natural. He only had to help her get over her fear.
“What’s the matter, we wear you down?” Cyndi asked as she stopped beside him.
He leaned toward her and kissed her. “No, I just don’t want you to spend all your energy on riding.”
She blushed. “Don’t worry about my energy. Now, where is this place?”
“Not far.” He flipped his reins and changed direction. “Just follow me.” They walked the horses through a thicket of trees. The shade cooled off the sunny summer day. Patrick was grateful there wasn’t any rain forecast to spoil their picnic.
Finally they reached the edge of the rise, and he brought Ace to a stop. Cyndi came up beside him and looked down at the perfect rows of vines below.
She couldn’t hide her surprise. “I didn’t know you were in the wine business.”
“I’m so new at it that I’m not sure I am. Forest and I just planted the rootstocks last spring. So far the Tanner Vineyard is an expensive venture. We eventually want to clear and plant more acreage, but we need to put in the trellis systems.”
Daisy shifted, and Cyndi easily brought her back.
“What kind of wine grapes are you growing?”
“Pinot noir and chardonnay.”
“This is the reason you agreed to teach me to ride.”
Patrick nodded. “Starting a vineyard is expensive. The ranch does well, but I didn’t want to borrow money from the operation just in case this venture didn’t work out.”
She smiled. “I’m glad I could help.”
No matter how badly he needed the money, Patrick still felt bad about the amount she’d offered to pay him. “About the money. I can’t take that much from you.”
“So, I’m not the spoiled, pain-in-the-butt actress you first thought I was?”
He enjoyed the playful bantering. “You’re a pain in the butt, but it’s a cute butt.”
“I’m glad you think so, but I’m still going to pay you what we agreed on. I don’t renege on anything. Since you helped me with my dream, I’m happy to help you with yours.”
“I’m not taking your money.” He wasn’t angry, just stern. He tugged Ace’s reins and turned around, then took off.
Cyndi was right on his heels, and by the time he reached the creek, she was nearly beside him. He slowed, then climbed down. She did the same and walked her horse to the water. “I’m going to pay you. We had a deal.”
“That’s before we made it personal.”
“It was personal from that first night.”
“I don’t care. Dammit, I’m not taking your money.”
She was silent for a long time, then said, “Would you take the studio’s money?”
“What do you mean?”
“If I get this part in the movie, I
’ll make sure that it’s put in my contract that you get paid for my riding lessons.”
He frowned. “You can do that?”
She nodded. “Yes, I can. In fact, if you like, I can use your name as a reference and send you all kinds of business.”
“Oh, no.” He raised a hand. “I don’t think I’m ready for that.”
She looked him in the eye. “You mean you wouldn’t want a bevy of Hollywood beauties hanging on your every word?”
No. He only wanted one beauty. He was itching to have her in his arms again. He couldn’t touch her yet, or it would be all over. “I think one is plenty for me to handle.”
“Oh, yeah? You think you can handle me?” She walked up to him with that dangerous, totally feminine rhythm that made his heart race.
He was in big trouble. “No, but I’m willing to give it one helluva try.”
Cyndi stood close enough that he could smell her. Hot, sexy and all female. She made him hurt. She slid her hands around his waist, then stood up on her toes and pressed a kiss on his mouth. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
It only took Patrick seconds to secure the horses, take the rolled blanket from his saddle and spread it on the grassy slope. Then he turned to her and held out a hand.
She didn’t hesitate, and let him lead her to the blanket. He peeled her T-shirt over her head, then she removed his. He wanted her so desperately it frightened him. He could lie and say that it was because he hadn’t been with anyone in a long time, but it was all Cyndi. He finished stripping off her clothes and laid her back, eager to get another taste of her.
Cynthia welcomed the kiss, taking everything he gave her. She couldn’t explain what was happening and hated to analyze things. That was Kelly’s job. Even knowing Patrick could break her heart, she trusted him as she had trusted no other man. As much as he kept to himself, he didn’t seem to have any trouble giving to her. His kisses grew more intimate; they traced from the soles of her feet up her legs to the heart of her. Patrick was taking her to that special place where no one else had ever taken her. She felt a rush of sensation when he moved over her and entered her body. Her spine arched, her pulse rushed as the feeling escalated within her. What she’d thought was only lust was so much more.
What a Man Needs Page 10