"And how would you suggest we do that?"
His voice had softened and the hard look was fading from his face, the first sign that his defenses might be slipping. The pain was still there in his eyes, but layered with it was a need to believe her. Oh, please, God, let him be listening.
"I packed my suitcases.” The butterflies stepped up their tattoo. “There's no way you'd ever be happy living in San Antonio. You hated it the last time. So I want to see what your world is like, what life in White Tail is like. Paige loves it. She and I aren't so different, so why can't I?"
Morgan just sat and stared at her, saying nothing.
"I thought I could stay at the ranch. Paige and Ryan are still on their honeymoon but the Howells would put me up. And the newlyweds will be back before long."
She watched the muscles in his throat flex as he swallowed twice, saw the inner battle he was raging reflected in his electric eyes. Then he stood up. “That won't be necessary."
Allison felt her stomach turn over. He was throwing her out after all. Well, he could toss her out of his office but he couldn't make her leave town. And she was staying until she changed his mind. One thing she'd figured out during her long, miserable weekend. She wanted Morgan Cutter more than she'd ever wanted anything in her life.
"Morgan, I..."
But his hands were under her elbows, lifting her out of the chair. He gave her one of those penetrating stares again, as if he could look into her brain and see what she was thinking. Then he pulled her against him.
"I misread Paige and nearly messed up what she and Ryan have. Maybe I misread you, too, Allie. So, okay. It won't be easy, but I'm willing to stick my hand in the fire again.” He tilted up her chin. “But forget about going to the ranch. I'm taking you home with me."
She couldn't help the tears that ran unchecked down her cheeks. The steel band that had circled her heart since Saturday night sprang open and she leaned into Morgan's warm, hard chest.
"Oh, Morgan. You won't be sorry. I promise you."
He brushed at the tears with his thumbs. “It's okay, Allie. We'll just pretend none of the ugly stuff happened.
And then he kissed her, one of those deep, scorching kisses that curled her toes and made her pulse skitter. When he lifted his head, he looked as dazed as she felt.
"Let's go home, darlin'.” Leading her out through the main room, he paused at Stacy's desk. “I'll be out of pocket for a while. If anything comes up, call Jace."
"Yes, Chief.” She ducked her head to hide her smile.
* * * *
The woman parked her car down the street from the house on the opposite side of the street. Now that she was here, she was suffering a mild attack of nerves. She'd thought about going right to his office, but that seemed too fraught with problems. He could refuse to see her, walk out on her, any of those things.No, the house was the best place. She still had a key. The others she'd given back to him, but she'd forgotten about this one, stashed in her car in case of emergency. Well, this was damn sure an emergency.
So. Should she sit here like a bump on a log, with the neighbors peeping out the windows and maybe calling him about the stranger lurking on their street? Let herself into the house to wait for him? Leave and come back when she was sure he was home?
She'd been so anxious to get here and hide herself away she hadn't bothered to think this through as carefully as she usually did. Another instance where she didn't pay attention. Too many more of these and she'd be dead for sure.
The woman whose house she parked in front of peered out through the living room window curtains for what the blonde was sure was the fifth time. Okay. There weren't many places to hide in this town while she waited. Digging the key out of her purse, she was about to open the door and walk back to the house when she saw his SUV coming down the street. She slouched down in the seat, angling the rearview mirror so she could see what was going on, and watched him pull into his driveway.
Then her hand tightened convulsively on the key. Another car followed him, one that he waved to follow him to the rear parking spaces. She couldn't see the cars now, but she had a view of the rear door. When he walked up to it with a woman beside him, the blonde's stomach lurched. Had he remarried? No, this didn't look like a man and his wife coming home.
She waited until they were inside, then revised her plan of action. Nothing short of a legal wife was going to keep her from walking into that house. She'd give them a few minutes, then let herself in.
* * * *
Allison followed Morgan in her car, pulling up beside him in the wide parking space at the rear of the house.
"We'll get your suitcases later,” he told her, almost pulling her from the car into his arms. “I have other things on my mind first."
"Me, too,” she said breathlessly.
But Cochise had his own ideas about that. As soon as the cars pulled in he set up a frantic joyous barking, recognizing Morgan and the SUV. He ran back and forth along the fence, tail wagging, ears perked up. Morgan gritted his teeth and took a minute to calm the animal.
"It's okay, fella.” He rubbed his head. “This is Allison. You'll love her, I promise.” He turned and reached out to Allison. “Give me your hand, darlin'."
She put her hand in his and he held it out for Cochise to sniff. “I want him to see that you're no threat to me, and to get used to your scent."
"It's a good thing I like dogs.” She let Morgan rub her hand on the dog's coat while he murmured soothing phrases.
Morgan stood up. “He'll be okay now. Come on."
"Thank God.” She could barely get the words out.
By the time he unlocked the back door she was in a frenzy of desire. Her nipples were hard, the pulse in her sheath was throbbing like a wild thing and she could feel moisture seeping into her panties. Inside she threw herself against him, but he picked her up in his arms.
"The wall episode will be an interesting anecdote to tell each other when we're ninety, but for what I plan to do to you, I need a bed."
He carried her upstairs, his mouth glued to hers again with a ferocity that indicated the intensity of his hunger. When his tongue slipped past her lips into the hot, open well, a delicious shiver raced through her. His scent wrapped itself around her, a tantalizing blend of spice and outdoors and pure male. Her breasts were crushed against the hard wall of his chest, his heat radiating through his shirt into her body. She wanted him to hold onto her and never let go.Against his lips she whispered,” I'm sorry, Morgan. I'm so sorry."
"Ssh. No more apologies. You showed up here, left everything behind you, just to make this work. That says more than any words."
Then, as if a switch had been thrown, they were ripping each other's clothes off, touching skin as their hands moved, tasting, licking, pressing kisses in stimulating patterns. Naked, they fell onto the bed, hands moving everywhere on each other's bodies. Her heart was beating so hard she could hear it and every inch of her felt as if she were on fire.
She licked the side of his neck, loving the salty taste of him, her hands threading through the soft hair on his chest, feeling the hard wall of muscle beneath. But when she reached between them for his hot shaft, stroking it, her fingers gliding on the silk over steel, he clamped a hand on her wrist.
"No.” His voice sounded strangled. “I want to be inside you. I have to. Right now."
"Yes. Oh, God, Yes."
He pinned her to the bed, separating her legs with his own lean, muscular one, and slipped two fingers past her folds and into her hot, tight sheath. She was embarrassed at how wet she was, her fluid already gushing into his hand.
"I want...” His voice was husky with desire, and he struggled to get the words out. “I want to take my time and love every inch of you, but darlin', I can't wait."
"Neither can I.” Her hands gripped his arms so hard her nails dug into the skin. She needed to feel his hot, hard length in her. “Now, Morgan."
He moved over her, positioned himself and slid into her
with one thrust.
"Allison. Oh, God...” His big body shook with the effort at control. “Darlin'..."
She shifted, pushing her hips at him and that was all it took. He began moving in and out of her, her hips rising to meet him. Little mewling sounds escaped her lips punctuated by Morgan's heavy groans. The need built inside her, clutching at her, pulling at her, the friction of his large, powerful body setting every nerve end jumping. Everything fell away except this man inside her body, taking her higher and higher.
And then she caught the wave, riding the crest, tumbling in its rolling motion. And Morgan was right there with her, shouting her name as her body convulsed around him. The spasms gripped her from head to toe in one continuous motion as if they'd never loosen their grip on her. Until finally they collapsed together, spent, lungs bursting for air, pulses racing. She could feel Morgan's heart thudding against her breasts as it slowed to a steady rhythm.
He lifted his head and brushed his lips across her mouth in a gentle caress.
She looked up at him, smiling. “Wow."
"Oh, yes, darlin'. I second that.” He rolled over and took her with him, holding her close to him. “I'm sorry about the fight."
She touched her fingers to his lips. “We're through apologizing, right? What goes for me, goes for you. Anyway, there's plenty of blame to go around, so let's just move on from there. Okay?"
"Okay with me.” He brushed damp curls from her forehead. “So you really want to give life in White Tail a try?"
Allison licked her lips, wondering if she should say what was really on her mind, then thought, what the hell. “Morgan, I think I'm in love with you. Maybe I already am. I know how you feel about the city, and I realized suddenly it's just a place to live. I like the Riverwalk and certain other things, but White Tail's not the end of the world. The highway goes in both directions."
"Honey, are you sure?"
She grinned. “About loving you? What else could make me turn my world upside down? About White Tail? I guess we're about to find out."
"We'll figure it out. Okay?"
"I never argue with the chief of police."
They lay there, content just to be in each other's arms, the sweat slowly drying on their skin but neither of them wanting to break the closeness that wrapped around them. Finally Morgan leaned over her and gave her a teasing kiss. “Have you had lunch?"
"No. I was so uptight I couldn't eat at all today."
"Okay. How about if we take a shower, then I'll fix us something to eat.” He made a face. “I think bacon and eggs is about all I can offer at the moment. My cupboard's pretty bare. We'll go grocery shopping later."
"Bacon and eggs sounds fine. So does the shower."
Which took much longer than they intended, what with one thing and another.
Morgan picked up his uniform and dropped it on a chair, pulling on a pair of jeans but leaving his chest bare.
Allison scrambled to gather her jeans and tee shirt and yanked them on. Putting her arms around Morgan, she grinned up at him. “If you feed me I might be able to get my energy back."
"Sold. Come on."
Morgan was placing bacon strips in a frying pan and Allison was scrambling eggs when Cochise began to bark wildly, not the friendly sound from earlier, but vicious, punctuated by harsh growls.
"I'd better see what's going on.” Morgan set the frying pan aside and headed for the back door.
"Don't bother. He saw me come up to the house. That damn monster never did like me."
The voice made them both jump. Allison nearly dropped the bowl she was holding as she whirled around. She stared at the tall blonde standing in the doorway, a look of pure insolence on her face.
Morgan looked as if he'd just swallowed vinegar. “What the hell are you doing here? And how did you get in?"
She held up a key. “Had an extra one I forgot to turn in."
He snatched it from her hand and stuffed it in the pocket of his jeans. “Now you can just march your miserable butt out of here. I'm sure you won't be surprised if I tell you I can't stand the sight of you."
"Really,” she drawled. “I'd hoped you might feel a little differently by now. So, how's life, Morgan?"
"Better without you in it. You know where the door is. Use it."
Allison looked from one to the other, at the rage in Morgan's eyes and the greedy look in the woman's. “What's going on here?"
A muscle jumped in Morgan's cheek and his hands curled into fists. “Allison, meet Amber. My ex-wife."
Chapter Fourteen
Allison froze, unable to move a muscle. Now she knew what people meant by a deafening silence. The absence of sound in the room was louder than a clash of cymbals. She looked at Morgan, anger in his eyes so vivid she expected to see thunderbolts shoot out. Amber still lounged in the doorway, an expectant look on herb face.
Moving to stand closer to Morgan, she took the opportunity to give his ex-wife a thorough once-over. The woman had the longest legs she'd ever seen, and a narrow waist, both emphasized by the tight slacks she wore. A soft, short-sleeved sweater fell loosely against her ample breasts and long blonde curls, like rivers of silk, fell to her shoulders. Her eyes, emerald green, blazed from under thick, long lashes.
But it was her face that drew most of Allison's attention. Amber Whatever-her-name-was-now looked like life had been very hard on her, but she'd given back as good as she got. She could see why Morgan had fallen for this woman, a practiced seductress if she'd ever seen one. But the big question was, why? What could she have possibly wanted from Morgan?
As intense as Allison's feelings were for the man, as much as her mouth watered for him and her body strained, Morgan was a small town chief of police, and Amber had big time written all over her. No wonder the marriage had lasted barely three months. The wonder was it had survived the ceremony at all.
Morgan looked at Allison. “Don't move, darlin'. I've got to see to the dog for a minute.” Cochise was still barking loudly.” I'll be right back."
"All right.” She forced a grin she didn't feel.
Morgan went out the back door, leaving Allison and Amber staring at each other.
"So.” Amber's voice had an acid edge to it. “You and Chief Cutter are playing house. How cute. Does he restrain you with his handcuffs to add a little spice?"
"What Morgan and I do is none of your business,” Allison spat. She turned and rummaged in the cupboards for a glass, then filled it from the tap at the sink. She drank it slowly, giving herself time to collect her thoughts. Of all the damn bad luck, having this piece of trash show up at exactly the wrong time.
"I'll say this for him,” Amber went on. “He was damn good in bed."
Allison whirled. “I hardly think he needs your endorsement."
Amber opened her mouth to reply, but whatever she was planning to say disappeared as the back door opened and Morgan came in.
"You're right,” he told Amber. “He never did like you. I should have paid more attention to his opinion. But I told him you'd be gone in a minute and he quieted down."
"That might not be exactly the situation.” Amber skimmed her eyes over his face. “I'll have to change your mind about that."
Morgan placed a possessive hand on Allison's shoulder. “What do you want, Amber? I thought you pretty much said it all in your note."
Amber gave Morgan a predatory smile. “Maybe I found out I made a mistake, and came back to try again."
"Not gonna happen.” His grip on Allison tightened. “Not even if hell froze over right now. I want no part of you. I have company, so just get out of here and go back where you came from."
Amber studied Morgan and Allison, appearing to note his proprietary hold on her, her posture as she stood next to him, and sighed. She sat down at the table. “Okay, you're right. I didn't think you'd welcome me with open arms. But I did come to ask your help."
"My help?” His voice was like tempered steel. “Why in hell would I want to help you with anything
?” He moved away from Allison and clamped a hand on Amber's arm. “Let me help you out the door. You're not welcome here, Amber, and I don't know how to make it any plainer than that."
"Please listen to me.” She tried to pull her arm away. “This is important.” One tear tracked down her cheek.
Oh my God, Allison thought. Give me a break.
"You've got ten seconds before I throw you out."
"Someone wants to kill me."
"Kill you.” Morgan repeated the words as if they were in a foreign language.
"Yes. You know, murder me."
For a moment Allison thought she saw actual fear on the woman's face, then it was gone.
"And you came here because—?"
"I have no place else to hide until I can figure out what to do."
Allison saw every inch of Morgan's body stiffen.
"Come on, Amber.” His voice was edged with sarcasm. “Can't you think of a better line than that?"
She fisted her hands in front of her. “This isn't a line. I swear to you. A man is after me, and if I can't hide I'll be dead."
Allison moved to the counter and began looking through the cupboards. “Why don't I make us some coffee?"
Morgan slid his glance toward her and she nodded, giving him a tiny smile of encouragement. It's all right, she telegraphed. Just hear her out and get rid of her.
"Fine. Good idea. I think we could all use some.” He folded his arms across his bare chest, leaned his hips against the counter and pinned Amber with his gaze. “All right, give. What's going on? And don't give me some fairy tale, all right?"
Amber looked down at her hands. “I was in—Dallas—and accidentally saw something I shouldn't.""Just what was it you saw?"
Amber twisted her hands. “I ... I can't tell you."
"Jesus, Amber.” Morgan exploded, and for a moment Allison thought he might kill the woman himself. “You can't tell me? First you walk out on me and leave me a letter that singed the paper. Then you show up out of the blue, bust into my house, tell me someone wants to kill you, and you can't tell me why? What the hell is this?"
Cutter's Law Page 15
