by Linda Bleser
As if reading his thoughts, Sue hammered home her point. “She’s only going to be in town another week. Don’t forget that.”
Max hadn’t forgotten. But he intended to make the most of the entire week. By the time it was over, he’d convince Kate to stay. He had to. He realized that he’d been lost all these years. He’d loved her for so long that he couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t love her. She wouldn’t slip away so easy this time. Now that he’d found her again, he’d do whatever it took to make her stay.
“That reminds me,” he said. “I won’t be home for dinner tonight.”
Sue glanced up and held his gaze for a long moment. “Be careful,” she said, lowering her voice. “She broke your heart once before. I just don’t want to see you go through that again.”
Max reached out for his sister’s hand. Now he realized why Sue was so upset about Kate. She was simply being protective. He could understand that. He’d feel the same way in her situation. “Things are different now,” he assured her. “We’re not kids anymore. And this time we know who the enemy is.”
Sue glanced away, her lips turned down in a frown. “You don’t want to mess with Ed Tate,” she warned Max. “He can cause a lot of trouble for us.”
Max got up from the table and carried his plate to the sink. Just hearing Tate’s name had spoiled his appetite. “Let him try. He won’t get away with it.”
Sue didn’t argue, but Max could tell by the look on her face that she wasn’t convinced. He didn’t have time to worry about soothing his sister’s fears right now. There were chores to do and a long day ahead of him before his date tonight.
“I’ll be out in the barn if you need me.”
*
Kate wasn’t sure what to do with the whole day ahead of her. It felt strange not to be going to the Tea and Crumpet Shop. In just one short week she’d started looking forward to sharing news and gossip with the regulars, working side by side with Nellie and the gang and, most of all, seeing Max.
But she’d see him tonight. And that thought kept creeping in, surprising her at unexpected moments. She wondered what she should wear for their date. She should have asked Max where they were going. What if he planned to take her someplace fancy? She only had casual clothes with her.
Luckily she’d gone shopping when she realized she’d have to stay a couple weeks. She pulled out a simple black skirt and white silk blouse. That would work. She could always dress it up with some of her mother’s jewelry. Then Kate remembered the lavender pashmina she’d sent her mother for Christmas. It would be the perfect accessory to her simple outfit.
Kate rushed to her mother’s room and threw open the closet door, then stopped, her eyes widening in shock. She took one step back, her heart racing.
There, hanging right in front of the closet, was the dress.
Not just any dress. It was the strapless, clingy, siren-red dress that her mother had made for the beauty pageant. The dress had fit her like a second skin, hugging her in all the right places then falling in a regal train behind her. Kate had felt beautiful and proud wearing it. She’d had no way of knowing that that dress would come to symbolize both the best and worst night of her entire life.
Trembling, she reached out and touched the clear plastic covering the gown. It seemed to whisper to her, carrying echoes from the past. If she closed her eyes, Kate could hear Aubrey Carlisle, the pageant director, breaking the news to her only moments after the ceremony.
“I’m sorry, Kate. We have to take your title away. You know the rules. There can be no hint of impropriety attached to the pageant. It’s come to our attention that you’ve been…indiscreet. I have no choice but to disqualify you from the competition.”
Kate nearly doubled over, feeling the same punch to the gut she’d felt hearing those words the first time. Indiscreet? Impropriety? They were wrong. So wrong. The dress she’d been so proud of had become a symbol of her disgrace—her own private scarlet letter.
She’d never worn the color red since.
Kate clutched a fistful of material. Her stomach churned and her head spun. She turned away from the closet, forcing herself to take slow, deep breaths as she tried desperately to bring her emotions under control.
She’d known coming home would bring back memories. She’d shored herself up and tried to prepare herself for the worst. And now that she’d faced it, she could admit that there was another side to the coin, good along with the bad. There was the quick rush of bittersweet remembrances that came at unexpected moments—the first sight of the house where she’d grown up, the way the air smelled uniquely like home, the familiar landscape and remembered faces. How could she have buried the most important years of her life? How could she have let one cruel memory tear apart the very fabric of her youth? And why had she waited so long to revisit her past and heal the wound?
Kate knew that healing was within her grasp. When she’d left town ten years ago, she’d been sure that Max had been behind the rumors—that he’d been the instrument of her final humiliation. Now she knew the truth, and that made all the difference in the world. They’d both paid a price.
But they could move forward from here.
Suddenly it didn’t matter whether she had the right clothes to wear for their date tonight. She decided that when Max showed up at the door, she’d be wearing as little as possible. She’d had half of her life stolen from her. Now the time had come to reclaim it once and for all.
She’d waited long enough.
*
Max had taken a long, hot shower until there was no trace of ranch left on him. Just to be safe, he’d added an extra splash of Old Spice. It wouldn’t do to show up at Kate’s door smelling like horse and sweat on the first date of the rest of their lives.
He’d dressed in his best duds. She was probably used to slicker-looking men in the city, but he couldn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t. He was a simple cowboy—no more, no less.
He pulled up in front of Kate’s house and hopped out of the pick-up truck. He was halfway to the front door when he remembered the flowers he’d left on the front seat. He ran back, grabbed the clutch of yellow roses and ran one nervous hand through his hair until he felt halfway presentable. At her front door, he took a deep breath, his heart racing like a prize-winning stallion, and rang the doorbell.
He heard the bell echo inside, saw a flicker of light as a curtain twitched in the window. Then the door opened and his pulse went from a trot to a gallop.
The room glowed with soft pools of candlelight. Romantic music played in the background. In the center of it all, Kate stood like a vision in white, wearing a long, flowing, silky nightgown that managed to be both sweet and seductive at the same time. A row of tiny pearl buttons drew his gaze downward.
Max felt the air rush from his lungs. He closed the door behind him then leaned against it, afraid his legs would give out beneath him. He knew he was staring, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
She lowered her gaze then peeked up at him in a way that made his stomach flip. “I couldn’t decide what to wear tonight.”
Max gulped. “Mighty fine choice.”
Her smile held more than a hint of flirtation. “Have I shocked you?”
He closed the distance between them and slid one arm around her waist. “A little,” he admitted. “But I recover quickly.” He brushed his lips over her forehead, whispering softly. “I thought we were going to take things slow?”
“I changed my mind.” She tipped her head, her eyes twinkling. “It’s a woman’s prerogative.”
He looked around the room. “You sure know how to set the mood.”
“Max, I’m a virgin, not a cloistered nun. I have cable television.” She slid her hand along his chest until her palm rested over his heart. “I know what sex is and how it’s done. I just haven’t made the leap to first-hand experience—yet.”
There was no mistaking the promise in her voice. It was a promise that Max was more than willing to explore.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against his chest, dizzy with need. Her mouth was soft and yielding beneath his, parting at the first brush of his tongue. He dove deeper, the heat of her mouth enflaming his desire for more. He held her tighter, closer, one part of his mind cautioning him to go slow, the other, more insistent part aching to bury himself deep inside her.
She wiggled against him, sending a spike of heat straight to his groin. He moaned and held her tighter.
“Max,” she whispered, a tremor in her voice. “There’s a thorn in my back.”
“Huh? Oh!” He loosened his grip. The roses he’d brought were nearly crushed in the heat of their embrace. He’d been half out of his mind with desire, like a randy teenager in heat. That’s what had gotten him into trouble the first time. He had to remember to go slow, to ease her gently into this. He handed her the roses with a sheepish smile. “Where should we put these?”
She took his hand. “How about in the bedroom?”
That was all the invitation Max needed. Dropping the flowers, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. She nuzzled against the side of his neck, her lips leaving a fluttery trail of heat along his skin that was pure torture. Slow, he reminded himself.
He draped her across the bed then sat beside her, wondering if he’d ever seen anything more beautiful in his life. Her skin glowed in the flickering candlelight. Her lips were full and inviting and her eyes dark with desire.
A moan escaped his lips as he leaned over and trailed a fingertip along her cheek. “You’re so beautiful, so perfect.” His hand traveled over skin as smooth as silk. He caressed her shoulder, her arm, tracing downward along her waist and over her stomach, then back up to cup the curve of a breast that fit perfectly in his hand.
Kate trembled, any doubts she’d had forgotten with the tenderness of his touch. A current of heat traveled from her chest to the pit of her stomach, making her weak. His hand slipped inside the bodice of her nightgown, caressing bare, sensitive skin. It was a man’s hand—strong and gentle, calloused and hard. She craved the roughness as much as the tenderness.
Her body bowed upward, wanting more. She’d spent a lifetime preparing for this moment, a lifetime of waiting for Max.
She reached up and unbuttoned his shirt. His skin was hard and smooth and hot. Acting on instinct alone, she brushed a fingertip across his chest, teasing his nipples. A moan escaped his lips and he leaned over her, capturing her mouth in a kiss that set them both on fire. She shifted to make room for him, feeling the mattress sink as he stretched out beside her. How many nights had she fantasized about having Max here in her bed like this? But no fantasy could ever compare with the reality.
Coolness touched her skin as he slid her nightgown upward, stroking the length of her leg, her thigh, her hip. Her skin tingled where he touched her, a flurry of vibrations that left her hot and weak and wanting. His mouth became more demanding, his touch more possessive. She moved with him, opening herself to new sensations.
He cupped her possessively, as if staking his claim. A sound—part moan and part prayer—escaped her lips. He dragged his mouth from hers and held her gaze. “Yes,” she whispered.
And then his fingertips slipped inside her—stroking, teasing, pleasuring in ways she’d never experienced before. She opened for him, giving him her body, her heart, her soul. He lowered his face to her breast, claiming it with his hot, demanding mouth and sending a shimmer of heat from her breast to her groin. She rose up, hungry for more. Her fingers slid through his hair, clutching him to her breast as the pressure rose to an aching pinpoint of need.
And just when she thought she couldn’t take another second of sweet torture, he brought her over the edge, sending her spinning in a rising torrent of pleasure. She arched against him, crying his name as he held her there, kept her strumming, aching, flowing under his touch. With a hoarse moan, he slid his fingers from her body and rolled on top of her, his weight pressing her into the bed. She gasped and cried out again, feeling the hard, throbbing bulge beneath his jeans pressed tight against her, intensifying the ache at her center. She gripped his bottom, rocking against him as she discovered for the first time what it was to really need a man with every fiber of her being.
Her breath came in short, tremulous gasps. “I want you!” She slid her hands up along his back, fingernails raking his skin. “I need you!” Her mind was a jumble of emotions, but she knew that to be true. She’d never wanted anything or anyone as much as she wanted Max Connors…in her bed and in her life. She knew that giving herself to Max meant more than simply a one-week affair. It had to be forever—body and soul and ’til death do us part.
In answer, he eased off and stretched out alongside her. He reached for her hand and placed it against his body, holding it tight to his jeans. Her eyes widened, feeling the extent of his need, the throbbing heat of him. Along with that need came a sense of power, and an awareness of her own blossoming sexuality. She became bolder, dragging moans from his throat as she touched and explored the length of him and found she still wanted more. She wanted all of him, naked and hot and ready. Her fingers fumbled at his belt buckle, desperate to uncover more.
He reached down and helped her, slipping out of his clothes, then sliding her nightgown over her head until they were twined together, naked and hot. Although his body quivered with need, he took his time, kissing every inch of her, teasing her with words of love and the long, hot slide of skin on skin. And then he was over her, between her, easing into her with a tenderness that nearly broke her heart. He held her gaze, his movements achingly slow, crooning soft, comforting words as he slid smoothly inside. She gasped at the incredible fullness, holding her breath when he met resistance.
He stopped, his entire body trembling, holding her gaze with an intensity that was more intimate than the physical joining of their bodies. Then he whispered the words she’d waited a lifetime to hear.
“I love you, Kate. I’ve always loved you.”
She sobbed, arching upward to meet his thrust, breaking through every barrier between them. They moved as one, completing the journey as if they’d made love like this in a thousand lifetimes, then coming together in a blazing heat that rocked her to her very soul, spiraling out of control until she couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t remember a time when she wasn’t loving Max.
And even when they were both spent, he continued to move within her, as if he still couldn’t get enough. He cradled her, rocking slowly, sending ripples of pleasure through her entire body.
She drifted then slowly floated upward through waves of awareness, only now realizing what she’d been missing for so long. She reached up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead, staring at him in wonder. “Is it always like this?”
His lips turned up in a lazy smile. “It’s never been like this before.” He brushed his lips over hers, slow and sweet. “I won’t lie to you darlin’. I’ve had a few sexual relationships over the years. Not many, but enough.” He laced his fingers through hers and brought her hand to his lips. “But that’s all it ever was—just sex. I’ve never made love before. Not like this. Never like this.”
He rolled over, taking her with him until she was lying on top, their bodies still joined together. She thought she could stay like this forever. With a sigh of pure contentment, she melted into the comfort of his arms.
Chapter Sixteen
As it turned out, she and Max had had their first date Monday night, after all. First they’d showered together then driven to an all-night diner about midnight. After refueling, they went back to her house for dessert. She couldn’t get enough of him. Luckily he had plenty of stamina because she had every intention of making up for lost time.
Max had stayed with her until dawn. He’d had early morning chores to get to, but promised to be back as soon as he could get away. Before leaving, he’d assured her that she wouldn’t have any problems opening the shop. He was right. There had been no more suspicious incidents and Deputy Ed hadn�
��t showed his face. Whatever Max had said to him had apparently done the trick.
But Kate wasn’t ready to let her guard down yet. She still had the property dispute hanging over her head. She realized that she’d forgotten to talk to Max about the clues that seemed to point to his mother. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t had the opportunity, but talking to Max led to kissing Max and kissing Max led to wanting Max and wanting Max left room for nothing else.
She’d spent the next couple days with a smile on her face. The time flew by—days filled with tea and crumpets and nights filled with passion. By Thursday, Kate had settled into a routine that felt comfortable, a routine she could easily envision stretching out to fill the rest of her life. But she didn’t have the rest of her life. She only had the rest of the week. Her flight back to New York was scheduled for Sunday…only three days away. How could she leave now with so much left unfinished? Her life in New York was becoming nothing more than a distant memory. Her reality was right here in Easy.
She couldn’t put it off any longer. She had to call her boss and ask for an extended leave. She waited until things were slow in the shop, then closed the office door and placed a long-distance call to New York.
She tried to explain the situation to Lester Crumb, but he wasn’t interested in her personal problems. He told her that if she wasn’t back at her desk Monday morning, she wouldn’t have a job to come back to. His inflexible demands made the thought of going back to her menial job at Stoller, Crumb and Crumb even less appealing.
As he blustered and threatened, Kate realized that her pompous, overbearing boss reminded her a whole lot of Ed Tate. She hung up the phone and drummed her fingers on the desk. Now what? Jeff and Sally would be back Sunday to take over running the shop. There was no reason for her to stay in town.
No reason other than Max.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Max poked his head in the doorway. “Am I interrupting?”
Kate glanced at the phone then back at Max. She shook her head. “No, not at all.” She pushed away from the desk and met him at the door. She’d worry about her job in New York later. Right now she didn’t want to waste a minute of the time they had left.