His To Claim (The Westmoreland Legacy Book 4)

by Brenda Jackson

  “Yes, and we need to reach an understanding in our marriage.”

  He pushed the wet hair from her face after he turned her around to look at him. “Taking you or our marriage for granted is something I’ve never wanted to do, Teri, and if I did do that, then I’m sorry. I do understand your feelings, trust your decisions, respect what you do while I’m gone. I will get better but don’t expect me to change overnight. Please accept me as ‘work in progress.’ I promise to do better but I’m human, I might make mistakes along the way.”

  “I’m human, too, and I might make mistakes, as well, Mac.”

  “Good, now we understand each other and agree to work together to improve our marriage.”

  “Yes, but I need to tell you what I bought while you were gone. You’re not going to like it.”

  “It doesn’t matter this time. Considering what you’ve gone through, what we’ve both gone through, it doesn’t matter to me now. Whatever it is you bought without talking it over with me, I’ll forgive you for it this time. Consider it a pardon.”

  She raised a brow. “A pardon?”

  “Yes. Everyone is entitled to at least one during their lifetime.”

  “But you don’t know what I bought or the cost.”

  He shrugged as he reached above her head for the shampoo. “Doesn’t matter. We still have a roof over our head and food to eat, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then whatever you bought didn’t put us in the poorhouse.”

  “You sure, Mac?”

  “Positive. And you can tell me all about it later. Better yet, surprise me.”

  “Surprise you?”

  “Yes. Surprise me. Right now, the only thing I want to think about is doing other things.”

  “Other things like what?”

  “Making love to my wife. And don’t worry. I stopped by a store to grab a few condoms.” There was no need to tell her he’d gotten the economy pack of a dozen.

  She smiled up at him. “Why aren’t I surprised?”

  “Not sure. Why aren’t you?”

  Instead of answering him she raised up on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth against his.

  * * *

  Joy filled Teri.

  Mac was giving her a pardon. That meant even if he hadn’t agreed with her purchase of the ranch, this time he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it. But still, she knew moving forward he had to agree to trust her more to handle things when he was gone. They would both be works in progress and she didn’t have a problem with that.

  He broke off the kiss and reached up to fill his hands with shampoo from the dispenser. “Turn around. I know you’ve already lathered your hair but I want to do it again. I love washing your hair.”

  She turned her back to him and sighed deeply at the feel of his fingers working lather into her scalp. That, coupled with her backside resting against his groin, sent a multitude of sensations all through her.

  Teri was convinced nobody could wash her hair the way Mac did. He had the best fingers...for everything. She recalled those same fingers touching every part of her body, especially when he worked those same fingers inside her, making her reach an orgasm of gigantic proportions.

  “You like the way that feels, baby?”

  “Hmm,” she said, not able to say the words, yet knowing he knew what she meant.

  “Now for the rinse-out.”

  He tilted her head back under the spray and she felt warm water rushing through her hair and down her back. After squeezing excess water from her head, he said, “Now to clean the rest of you.”

  Then, filling his hands with soap, he used his hands to lather her body. The feel of his hands on her body made her moan because he knew exactly what areas to touch.

  “You shouldn’t stir me this way, Mac,” she said, when he turned her around to face him.

  “Why not?”

  Did he really have to ask her that? “I can’t think straight when you do.”

  He began lathering her front and said, “It wouldn’t bother me in the least if you were to stop thinking at all. Or if you think only about me.”

  Little did he know she did that anyway. He didn’t know how lonely her nights were without him in bed with her. “How can you be so sexy and so annoying at the same time?”

  “It’s a gift, babe,” he leaned in and whispered before placing a kiss across her lips.

  Then, using the sprayer, he washed the suds from her body and then ran his hands all over her. “You’re squeaky-clean now.”

  She believed him. He had washed her hair and her body. “Now for me to wash you.”

  Lathering her hands with soap, she began rubbing them all over his body. Her husband was well-endowed and his erection was showing her how loaded he was. Touching him made sensations flood her insides, made a tingling sensation settle between her thighs. No part of his body missed her care and attention.

  When she heard him moan, she glanced up and met his gaze. Held it and felt desire and love in the very depths of her soul. Holding him in her hand always did this to her, empowered her as a woman.

  His woman.

  “You’re killing me, you know.”

  She shook her head and smiled. “You’re a SEAL. I heard they don’t die easily. They’re too rough and tough.”

  “Then why do I feel like putty in your hands?”

  Teri threw her head back and laughed as she continued to hold him. “Trust me, this does not feel like putty. Not one single inch of it.”

  After figuring she’d tortured him enough, she used the sprayer to wash all the suds from his body. No sooner had she done that than he suddenly backed her against the shower stall. “Now I’m going to take care of you, Teri Anne.”

  “You always take care of me, Thurston.”

  He smiled and she watched him retrieve the condom packet from where he’d placed it earlier. He made quick work of sheathing himself. Returning to her, he asked, “Now, where was I?”

  “If you have to ask, then maybe we—”

  He didn’t give her a chance to finish. Mac lifted her onto him at the same time he captured her mouth in his. And when he began thrusting hard into her, Teri was convinced that, considering his ferocious sexual appetite, he intended to make up for lost time.

  Thirteen

  Mac opened his eyes to find Teri sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed, staring at him. Seeing her flooded his mind with memories of how they’d spent the last few hours. They had made love in the shower, dried off and made love again in the bed. Dinner had arrived in their room and afterward they’d taken a walk outside only to return to their hotel room to make love again. All night long.

  It was morning and the sun was shining brightly through the window shades. It was a beautiful day and he had awakened to the face of an even more beautiful woman. A woman sitting in the middle of the bed with a huge grin on her face. A stunning smile. It was even a mischievous smile. For a minute, she looked like the cat that ate the canary.

  “Good morning, Mac.”

  Instead of responding, he reached out and cupped his hands behind her head to bring her face closer to his. And then he did something that he’d done a lot of lately. He kissed her, getting the feel of her that he definitely needed.

  It was strange how things worked out. He’d left Virginia to come after his wife. There began an adventure, one he could certainly have done without, but possibly one that was needed. He couldn’t recall when the two of them had spent so much “us” time together. They missed their girls, he knew that, but they were enjoying the time they were spending here with each other. He and Teri would return to the cabin to go through the rubble and sometime later today they would be returning home.

  By the time the kiss ended, he was ready to pull her deeper into his arms for another kiss, but she pul
led back and said, still smiling brightly, “Today you get your surprise.”

  He lifted a brow as he reached out and gently rubbed up and down her arm, needing the contact and loving the feel of her smooth skin. “My surprise?”

  Her smile got even brighter. “Yes. I’ve made all the arrangements.”

  He was trying to keep up with her but failing. “What arrangements, sweetheart?”

  “To take you to see your surprise. Mac, please keep up,” she said jokingly.

  He was trying. He leaned up and kissed her again, this one just as thorough but not as long. “I’m trying. How about you start from the beginning since I’m sure there is something I missed.”

  She didn’t say anything at first. It looked as if his kiss had left her dazed. He wanted to take advantage of that look and tumble her back into bed with him and make love to her all over again. He was about to do just that when her next words stopped him.

  “Your parents have agreed to watch the kids, which works out since they hadn’t expected us back until Sunday anyway. I’ve called the airlines and booked the flight. We leave this evening.”

  Whoa, things were now moving so fast his head was spinning. He pulled himself up in bed. “Where exactly are we going?”

  “Texas.”

  “Texas?”

  “Yes.”

  He ran a hand down his beard. “Why?”

  “To show you what I bought and that’s all I’m saying about it. The rest is a surprise. And when you see it, you’ll be okay with me buying it because it was a pardon, remember?” she said grinning. “Now I’m going into the bathroom to get ready for our day. We’ve got a lot to do.” Before he could say anything, she’d slid off the bed and rushed into the bathroom.

  As soon as the door closed behind Teri, Mac eased to sit on the side of the bed. Damn, he needed a cup of coffee. Black. A little gin in it wouldn’t hurt, either.

  What on earth had his wife bought in Texas? A purchase he’d pardoned. Had he spoken too soon?

  He remembered the smile on her face and how excited she was to share this surprise with him. He wanted to share her happiness, but that feeling of doom wouldn’t go away.

  Getting out of bed, he went to the coffeepot in the room and got it started. By the time he was sipping his first cup he’d figured it out. Teri had bought Tia a horse. That had to be it. He recalled her bringing up the subject of doing that last year, saying how well Tia was doing with her riding lessons.

  Mac had squashed that idea when he’d made Teri see that not only did they not need a horse but they had no place to keep one. She’d come back to say the stables where Tia’s lessons were held kept horses for other owners and for Tia to have her own personal horse to ride would be wonderful and a great ninth birthday present. He hadn’t agreed and he had pretty much told her he hadn’t wanted to discuss it any further. And they hadn’t.

  Had she gone behind his back and purchased the horse anyway? Knowing how he’d felt about it? Tia’s tenth birthday was coming up in a few months and usually whatever gift they gave their daughter was a joint decision. Had Teri made that decision without him?

  Mac pushed back the anger he felt, remembering he’d decided that when it came to Teri and any decisions she made without him, he wouldn’t sweat the small stuff. But there was nothing small about owning a horse. Not the boarding of it or the cost of shipping it from Texas to Virginia.

  “I’m back.”

  He turned around. An ache slipped through him and the lower part of his body hardened. She was standing there after having showered, a towel covering her middle. Barely. His wife was definitely acting the part of a seductress this morning. A very happy and elated seductress.

  Had buying a horse for their oldest daughter and now knowing he wouldn’t be blowing a gasket about it put her in such a happy mood? At that moment he knew if that was the case, then he would let her play out her surprise. Just seeing that huge smile on her face, something he hadn’t seen in a long time, was worth it.

  Placing his coffee cup down he slowly crossed the room to her and drew her into his arms. “Had I known you were taking another shower I would have taken it with you.”

  She laughed. “That shower gets us in trouble, Mac.”

  “But it’s trouble we can handle.”

  She didn’t look too convinced but eased closer to him anyway. “Did you forget we’re supposed to go to the cabin today and look around?”

  “No, I didn’t forget,” he said, pulling her closer to his naked body. “We have time and we will still make the flight to Texas.”

  “In that case...”

  She reached up and cupped his face in her hand, leaned up and kissed him. He decided to let her do her thing before taking over. Mac liked the way she was using her tongue to entice him and when he was certain he couldn’t handle it any longer, he swept her up into his arms and headed back toward the bed.

  * * *

  Teri squeezed Mac’s hand as they stepped off the plane in Dallas, Texas. She glanced over at him. He’d slept on the plane during most of the fight and a part of her wanted to believe she’d worn him out that morning. If so, it would have been a first during the ten-plus years of their marriage.

  After making love, they’d dressed and breakfasted downstairs in the hotel restaurant before leaving for the cabin. Seeing the wreckage had nearly broken her heart since she’d liked the cabin and enjoyed the days she’d spent there.

  The tornado had flattened it, but Mac’s duffel bag was located practically intact in a tree not far away. Most of Teri’s stuff had been destroyed but she was happy when Mac had come across her driver’s license and her house keys.

  They had gone back to the hotel, packed and headed for the airport. Instead of heading for home they had caught a flight to Dallas. It was late and she’d booked reservations at a hotel. It would take an hour to drive to Terrell in the morning.

  She still hadn’t told Mac where they were going and he seemed okay not to ask questions. He was going to accept the surprise she had in store for him. Now, as they drove to the hotel in the car they’d rented at the airport, she glanced over at him to ask, “You okay?”

  “I’m fine. How long will we be in Dallas?”

  She chuckled, wondering if he was trying to get her to spill her surprise. “Not long. You’ll get your surprise tomorrow, after we get a good night’s sleep.”

  She could tell from the look on his face that a good night’s sleep wasn’t something either of them would be getting.

  “I miss the girls,” he then added.

  She missed them, too, but she knew what she had to show him and share with him would change their lives forever. And regardless of his so-called “pardon,” she wanted to believe that after analyzing the benefits of owning a ranch he would see it was a win-win situation for them.

  Once the pressure of having to tell him about the purchase had been lifted from her shoulders, she’d been able to closely examine the advantages of moving the kids from Virginia to Texas. And with Mac retiring in a couple of years, she could see him becoming a rancher. He could handle a horse just as well as she could and he would be his own boss. She couldn’t help getting excited at the prospect, and a part of her felt she was insuring their future and their kids’ futures.

  They arrived at the hotel in Dallas, where she’d been able to get a suite, unlike the one they’d stayed at in Cheyenne. The moment the door closed behind them, he pulled her into his arms. The move surprised her. She had figured that, pardon or no pardon, he would be asking her questions by now, but he hadn’t. It seemed as if it was her rodeo and he intended to let her ride it like she wanted.

  And speaking of riding...

  She liked riding horses but she liked riding her husband even more. Deciding to let him take control for a while, she accepted his kiss with the same hunger that he was showing. And when he broke o
ff the kiss moments later to lift her into his arms and head for the bedroom, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head into his chest. His masculine scent aroused her, made her want him in a way that had all kinds of sensations sweeping through her, rushing through her bloodstream.

  And then every so often, he would lean down and devour her mouth with those barely-touch-your-lips kisses that literally curled her toes. When they reached the bedroom, he stood her on her feet and plowed her mouth with another kiss that made the earth feel like it was tilting on its axis.

  “Mac...”

  “What do you want, baby?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I want to show you what I can do.”

  He smiled at her. “Then do it.”

  Having him give her the word emboldened her and she stripped off her clothes while he watched. She wanted him to watch. When she was totally naked, he began removing his own clothes.

  “So tell me, Teri. Do you have a plan?”

  Oh, boy, did she. Now if she could stop staring at his body long enough to regain her senses and put her plan into action. She followed the movement of his hands as they went to the zipper of his pants. She continued to watch as he removed his jeans to expose a pair of sexy black briefs. It was then that she saw he was every bit as aroused as she was. When he had completely stripped, she drew in a deep breath. Regaining her senses, she pushed him down on the bed on his back. Then she quickly straddled him.

  “I’m about to put my plan in action, Mac.”

  “Baby, go for it.”

  She did.

  Lifting her body, she eased down on his shaft, loving the way it felt inside of her. As soon as he was snugly there, to the hilt, she smiled down at him. She began moving, up and down, withdrawing in a way to set a rhythm that had him moaning, growling her name, as she rocked down on him with an intensity that drove her deeper and deeper with each downward plunge.

  She’d become an expert horsewoman at sixteen and she was showing him just how well she could ride. It wasn’t the first time she’d done so and it wouldn’t be the last. She loved when she was in control like this, with him beneath her, taking her body while she took his. Just the way she liked and the way he wanted.