"I'll do my best, sweetheart. That's all I can promise." Not for a moment did he think it would be slow and easy when they came together. It would be hard and fast. He adjusted his position on the vinyl seat of the booth, hoping like hell he could keep his promise.
Sarah Sue waltzed up to the table, carrying a loaded tray. She placed the plates in front of them. "Careful, they're hot. Anything else you need?"
"I don't think so," Cameron said. "Thanks."
Sarah Sue tucked the tray under her arm. "I'm glad you're back, Cameron McCade. And I'm so glad you brought Jessie to dinner. The poor darlin' doesn't get out near enough. Y'all enjoy."
Jessie groaned and Cameron smiled at the murderous look she shot at Sarah Sue's retreating back.
"Maybe you have the right idea about not living in a small town," she said. "I'd give anything to be in a large, impersonal restaurant right now."
"Oh, I don't know. I'm kind of enjoying the fellowship." He grinned, then took a bite of his steak.
Jessie smiled back. "Do I detect a change of heart?"
Cameron shrugged. "I can think of a couple of things I like about small towns. This town in particular."
"Such as?"
"Sarah Sue's chicken-fried steak," he said. "And a certain female mechanic, who took apart my brand new car when nothing was wrong with it."
Cameron watched the chin lift and the green eyes sparkle with mischief. His body instantly responded. It took an enormous effort not to lean over and kiss those moist lips.
Then Jessie smiled at him again--a secret smile, an intimate smile--before turning her attention to her dinner. Cameron's gut clenched with desire. He hadn't been this hot for a woman in years. Seventeen years, to be exact.
****
Jessie watched Cameron sigh with pleasure and push away his empty dessert plate. When he wiped his mouth with his napkin, her heart did a little skip. She wanted to feel that mouth on hers.
All during dinner, she'd been hyper-aware of the man sitting across from her. Their legs had brushed several times beneath the table, each encounter shooting sensual shock waves through her body. She felt on edge with expectancy. Like something important was about to happen.
Unlike Cameron, Jessie didn't believe in plans. In her experience, life was a crapshoot and the luck of the draw; life dealt you a hand of cards, and you made the best of it. Or not. No use planning anything, because something would invariably come along to upset all your careful arrangements.
Sarah Sue walked up to the table holding a steaming coffee pot. "Y'all want more coffee?"
Cameron nodded. "That would be great. How about you, Jess?"
"Yes, please."
After Sarah Sue filled their cups, Cameron settled back against the cushioned booth. "So, tell me about this clinic of yours."
"It's not my clinic," Jessie said.
"Well, that's what Mom calls it. She always refers to it as Jessie's clinic."
Jessie smiled. "That sounds like something Ruth would say."
"Yeah, Mom gets an idea in her head and it's hard to budge her from it. So, how'd you get on the bandwagon? Why is a medical clinic so important to you? No one's ever wanted to build one in Salt Fork that I've known about. Everyone's been content with the hospitals in Abilene and Lubbock."
"Seemingly content," Jessie said. "When Dad was diagnosed with cancer, it would have been so much easier if we'd had a resident physician in town."
"A country doctor couldn't treat cancer, Jess."
"I know that, but he or she could have treated him for pain and some of the other side effects. Instead, we were always having to pack up and go to Abilene for every little thing."
"I see your point. Eighty miles is a long way to travel to see a doctor."
"And that's just one way. Then there was TR's accident," Jessie continued. "If we'd had a clinic in Salt Fork, with a doctor and oxygen, maybe he could have been saved. As it was, the drive to Abilene just made his injuries worse. He was in a coma for two months. It was awful."
"You must have loved him very much."
"He was my husband. It was hard to see him die."
"I'm sure it was," Cameron said. "Life's dealt you some pretty hard blows: Your mom, your dad, your husband. I really admire how you've bounced back and moved on with your life."
Oh, if that were only true. Jessie shrugged. "I haven't had much of a choice. I've just rolled with the punches."
"So, when can I see this clinic of yours? You've got me curious about it."
"How about tomorrow? No, wait, not tomorrow. I have to go to Lubbock."
"Lubbock?"
"I have some business to take care of. How about the day after tomorrow? I can take a long lunch and show you around."
"Sounds good, Jess. Where is it, by the way? I didn't see it on the main drag."
"It's over on Elm Street, by the high school. Why don't you meet me there around twelve-thirty?"
"I'll pick you up. I will have my car back by then, won't I?" he said with a teasing lilt to his voice.
"Of course," Jessie said with a smile. "You could have picked it up this afternoon."
"I could have picked it up this morning, if the engine hadn't been scattered all over the floor." He winked and her tummy fluttered in response.
"I told you I was sorry about that."
Cameron leaned toward her over the table. "Hey, I was kidding. I think it's great you're so enthusiastic about your work."
"And you're not?"
Cameron sat back, exhaling a long breath. "I used to be. Not lately, though."
"Why is that?" Jessie asked. "What happened? From what Ruth's told me, all of your plans have worked out so far. And now you're up for a dream promotion. All should be right with your world."
"You'd think so. I thought moving away from the ranch would cure my restlessness, but it didn't."
He stirred his coffee and placed the spoon on a paper napkin. "For so long, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. But lately, I feel like all my plans were wasted. I still don't know what the hell I want. I shouldn't be telling you this. You've had enough to deal with and don't need to hear me whine."
Without thinking, Jessie reached across the table and placed her hand over his. "Sometimes, talking helps you see things in a different light. I'd like to think we could be friends, Cameron."
He reversed positions of their hands, with him holding hers in a tight clasp. His sapphire-blue eyes suddenly glittered hotly. The intensity in Cameron's eyes would be her downfall, she was certain of it.
"I'd like to think we could be more than friends," he said, squeezing her hand. "In fact, I think we're already more than friends."
That bubble of expectancy grew in Jessie's stomach. She tried to retrieve her hand, but he wouldn't let her. "I've never been good with the male/female thing," she said.
He grinned at her, showing that tantalizing hint of dimple. Jessie braced her feet on the floor so she wouldn't slither under the table into a puddle of mush.
"If I remember correctly, you were quite good at the male/female thing. Up on Lover's Point, even though it was your first kiss, you learned very quickly. Oh God, Jess, you don't know how close I came to changing my plans after kissing you."
Jessie pulled her hand back, and this time he let go. "Obviously, I wasn't that good. I never saw you again except when you stopped by the garage for gas on your visits to the ranch."
"You were too young," he said. "I was too young. I had to go with my plans, Jess. I never wanted to be a rancher or farmer like my father and brothers. I always wanted to be a doctor."
"I know, Cameron. I understood, even back then."
"I'd like to see you while I'm here," he said. "Let's explore this thing between us, find out where it takes us."
She took a deep breath and nodded, wondering how and where it would end and whether she would survive this time around. "Okay. Sure, I'd like that, too."
****
Cameron and Jessie walked out of the café and i
nto the clear cool night. Millions of stars twinkled brightly in the velvety black West Texas sky. The breeze whipped Jessie's hair across her face. Before he could help himself, Cameron brushed the tendrils back over her forehead. Her skin was smooth and warm, her hair like satin. He needed to pull her against him, right here, right now. He didn't care who the hell saw them. He was dying a thousand deaths from wanting, needing to taste her.
Jessie froze under his touch. Her eyes held a wary expression, plus something else. A latent passion, an awareness of the crackling energy flowing between them. It had been there all during dinner.
Cameron nudged her forward, away from the cafe's neon light. He splayed his hand on the small of her back and kept it there, not letting it slide down the curve of her sexy bottom like he was itching to do.
"Where are you parked?" he asked, his voice harsh with desire.
"Way in back."
Frowning, Cameron guided her along the side of the cafe. "Don't you know it's not safe to park behind buildings?"
She looked up from digging in her purse for her keys. "Not safe? What could possibly happen?"
"You could be mugged or worse."
"Don't be silly. This is Salt Fork, not Houston," she said with a smile. "No one's ever gotten mugged around here."
He held out his hand. "Give me your keys. I'll open the door for you."
"Boy, you have been gone a long time," she said. "Nobody locks their car, even in town. Remember?"
Muttering under his breath, he started to open the truck door, then changed his mind. He wrapped his fingers around her arm and pulled her against him. She dropped her purse and stared at him, then his lips.
"Unlocked doors. Parking in the back. It could be very easy for someone to grab you," he said. There was no fear in Jessie's eyes, only awareness.
Cameron gripped her bottom and cradled her body into his. She fit perfectly, smelled wonderful. He forgot all about taking things slowly. Her mouth was too close, too inviting.
He intended to have just one quick taste as he lowered his mouth to hers. Jessie melted into his embrace. When she sighed a sexy little sigh, something snapped inside of him. He pushed her against the truck, his hard thighs pressing into her softness. He clasped both sides of her head and slanted his mouth, plunging his tongue deeply into her sweet warmth. His fingers slid into her silky hair as he trailed hot kisses along her cheekbone and down her neck.
Jessie tilted her head and arched her body. Cameron felt her hands digging into his shoulders, as if hanging on for dear life. A soft whimper in the back of her throat fueled the desire raging in his veins. He took her mouth again, cupping her breast in the palm of his hand. Blood pounded in his temples and his groin. He couldn't get enough of her.
Jessie's body was on fire. Every nerve ending screamed for more of Cameron's touch. His lips burned a path wherever they roamed. She pulled him closer and felt his hardness pushing against her stomach.
Standing on tiptoe, she instinctively rubbed against him, seeking to ease the raw emptiness inside. Skimming her fingers over the powerful shoulders and neck, Jessie felt the corded muscles bunch up and the tendons grow taut. The coiled tension in his big body begged for release; her own body pleaded for more.
He sought her mouth once again, his tongue thrusting inside, his thumb brushing her nipple. Pressing closer, Cameron covered the length of her body with his. Every stroke of his tongue, every touch of his thumb carried Jessie higher into a maelstrom of sensation, building to such a crescendo she thought she might die from the scorching pleasure.
Cameron tightened his hold on her. The soft warmth of her skin beckoned to him from beneath the woolly sweater. "I need you, Jess. I'm burning up for you. Let me follow you home."
"I don't think that's a good idea," she managed to say.
He searched her face. "Why not?"
"This is happening too fast. I thought we agreed to take it slow and easy. Besides, I'm not ready." She shrugged away and turned to open the truck door.
He couldn't let her go. Not yet. He pinned her against the truck again, supporting himself with his hands on either side of her, pressing his body against the supple curves of her back and bottom. "You're ready," he breathed in her ear. "You want me as much as I want you. Don't deny it, Jess. We'd be good together and you know it."
She closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the glass of the window. His voice was low and seductive. Jessie felt delicious shivers skitter over her skin where his body touched hers from behind. Cameron nuzzled her ear lobe, his strong hands reaching around to caress her breasts. She desperately wanted to give in to the desire surging between them. It would be so easy to invite him home. But afterwards? There would be no afterwards. He was returning to Houston, and she was staying in Salt Fork.
Jessie turned around. Before she could explain, Cameron swept her into his arms again, crushing her mouth with a deep hot kiss. All logical reasons to deny him disappeared as physical sensation took over, carrying her on the waves of desire.
Loud voices and the thud of heavy boots brought Jessie crashing down to earth. She placed her hands on Cameron's chest and pushed with all her might.
"Damn." He gave her one more quick kiss before stepping away.
Jessie hurriedly smoothed her hair into place and held her breath, hoping that whoever it was would just get in their car and drive away. She wasn't so lucky.
"Hey, Jessie. Is that you? You all right?"
Picking up her purse, she straightened. Parker Hendricks and Jason Turner stood by their trucks, craning their necks to see who she was with. "Yes, Parker. I'm okay."
"Who you got with you?" The two lanky cowboys strolled over. Their eyes widened and two grins split their suntanned faces. "Well, I'll be damned," Parker said. "How you doin', McCade? Been a long time, ain't it?"
"Too damned long." Cameron shook both their hands.
"Visiting the old home place, are you?" Jason asked. "Shouldn't forget all your old friends here in Salt Fork, just 'cause you live the good life in Houston."
"I'm beginning to think you're right," Cameron said.
"What are you boys up to?" Jessie asked, her heart still racing. She glanced at Cameron. He was breathing hard and his dark eyes still blazed with hunger.
Jason shrugged. "We were just gonna grab a bite to eat, then get on back to the ranch. Working at the C&L, you know."
Parker frowned at Jessie. "Did you and Cameron eat dinner together? Are y'all on a date?"
Jessie cringed inwardly. Already, speculation would be running rampant in town. People would talk, and when Cameron left, everyone would look at her and feel sorry for her. "We didn't come together," she said.
"She wouldn't let me pick her up," Cameron told them. "And she won't let me see her home."
Jessie frowned at him. Cameron seemed to be enjoying her predicament.
"Aw, Jess," Parker said. "How many times have people told you to go out and have some fun? Cain't bury yourself, just because old TR passed on to his reward. You're young, girl. Let McCade see you home." He winked at her and smiled at Cameron. Jason nodded in agreement.
Jessie wanted to bash their heads together. Cameron stood there waiting, challenge gleaming in his blue eyes. He'd quickly turned this interruption to his advantage. What had happened to his promise to go slowly?
"We came in separate cars," Jessie said. "I wouldn't want Cameron to go out of his way."
"Hell, your place is right on the way to the Diamondback Ranch. You let McCade see you home." Parker turned to Cameron. "How's old Dallas doing, anyway? Ain't seen him in a couple of weeks."
"Everyone's fine," Cameron said. He opened the truck door for Jessie, ignoring the murderous look in her eyes. "Thanks for your help, fellas. I'll follow Jessie home now. Nice seeing you both."
"Anytime, McCade. Don't be a stranger, you hear? Take care, Jess." Parker slapped Cameron on the back and winked again.
Jessie started the engine and threw the truck into reverse. She had no int
ention of waiting for Cameron. Maybe he'd change his mind and go home. He'd better change his mind, because she wasn't going to let him in her house tonight. If he couldn't slow things down, then she would have to do it. Putting the truck into drive, she left the three men standing in the parking lot staring after her.
Parker pushed back his Stetson and shook his head. "What made Jessie so mad? She sure left in a hurry."
"You going after her?" Jason asked Cameron.
"No, I don't think so," he said. "See you around, Parker. Jason. It's time for me to head on back to the ranch anyway. Good night." Cameron turned and walked toward Dallas's truck.
How could he have lost control like that when he'd kissed Jessie? He was the master of control. But standing with her alone under the bright stars--he hadn't been able to resist temptation. Damn, she'd felt good in his arms and she'd tasted hot and sweet.
Cameron looked down the road at the rapidly vanishing taillights of Jessie's truck. That was the second time she had fled from him. Like she was running scared. That was not what he wanted. Not what he wanted at all.
Chapter Four
It was late afternoon the next day before Cameron picked up his car from the garage. He and Dallas had gone to Abilene to buy their mom's birthday present. Dallas dropped him off at Kincaid's on the way back to the ranch.
A quick look in the empty garage sent Cameron to the small office. Fire kindled his blood at the thought of seeing Jessie again. The bell on the door tinkled a friendly greeting, but Cameron didn't feel the least bit friendly when he saw Sam Garza sitting behind the old oak desk.
The glass door swished closed behind him as he glared at Garza. "Where's Jessie?"
Sam didn't look up from the receipts he was sorting. "She had business in Lubbock this morning. Then she called and said she wouldn't be in today."
Cameron stepped forward. The man acted like he owned the place. What kind of relationship did Garza share with Jessie, anyway?
"Is something the matter with her? Is she sick?" He kept his voice calm, putting a lid on his rising hostility. If he didn't know better, he'd say he was jealous, which was ridiculous. Wasn't it?
The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance) Page 5