And those hands. Strong, large. She thought of the texture of his skin against hers, how it felt when he’d held her face in his hands and kissed her, his calluses rough against her cheeks.
Kelsey glanced from Kade’s hands to his face and froze. He was watching her with the same hunger in his eyes that must have been apparent in hers. Yearning curled in her abdomen like molten fire, and for endless seconds, she couldn’t tear her gaze from his. Then a fish tugged on Trent’s line, and Kade turned back to his son.
God help her, but she wanted him. Needed him.
It took all her effort to stop staring at Kade. She fought to compose herself, gazing out at the midnight blue of the lake, listening to the soft lap of the water against the shore. His husky voice washed over her as he spoke to Trent in a low, even tone. The boy’s answering voice, so high and sweet, took hold of her heart, never to let go.
With her eyes closed, she focused on the wind whispering through pine and juniper trees and drank deep of the scents of rich loam and pine. The breeze caressed her face as softly as Kade’s touch, and she ached for him, wanting his fingers sliding over her skin.
Kelsey opened her eyes, forced the thoughts away, and scooted to her feet. After brushing stray pine needles from the seat of her shorts, she strolled to the edge of the lake just as Kade helped Trent reel in a fish.
“It’s a big one, Kelsey.” The boy hopped along the water’s edge while Kade added the fish to the stringer. “It’s really, really big. It almost pulled me in. It’s a catfish. Do you like catfish?”
“Love ‘em.” Kelsey put her hand on Trent’s shoulder.
“I think that’s enough.” Kade pulled the stringer out of the lake and tossed it into the ice chest they’d brought for that purpose. “We need to get back for cake, ice cream, and fireworks.”
“Okay. But first I wanna show Kelsey how to make a wish in the lake.” Trent scooped up a small rock and held it up to her. “You take a rock and squeeze it real tight.” The boy wrapped his fist around the stone. “Close your eyes, make a wish, and throw the rock into the lake. But you can’t tell nobody what you wished for or it won’t come true.”
Kelsey laughed, delighted in the boy’s enthusiastic instructions.
Trent gripped the rock in his hand and shut his eyes even tighter.
His lips moved, then he leaned back and threw the rock into the water. He opened his eyes and pointed to the ripples. “I threw it really, really far, and I made a great wish. Your turn.”
She knelt and selected a flat round stone, then stood. Trent bounced up and down on the shore with unbridled energy. “Come on, Kelsey. Close your eyes and make a wish.”
What did she wish for? She shut her eyes, feeling the smoothness of the stone against her palm.
Kade. His name popped unbidden into her mind, and a flush heated her body. But then the thought of Davis chased away the warmth, leaving only cold. Reminding her that she shouldn’t make herself vulnerable again.
“Kelsey,” came Trent’s sweet voice. “Are you going to make a wish?”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice too hoarse, filled with the pain of longing and the emptiness of regret.
And then it came to her, as clear as that July summer sky. She wanted a child as wonderful as Trent to call her own. With her eyes still squeezed tight, she brought the stone to her mouth and kissed it, feeling its smooth contours with her lips, then pitched the rock into the lake.
“Wow, you can throw far,” Trent shouted.
Kelsey opened her eyes to see Kade beside her, his intense blue gaze boring into her as if he could see her dreams and know her thoughts. She shivered, longing to ease her arms around him and feel the comfort of his body next to hers.
Trent bounded between them and crinkled his freckled nose. “Why’d you kiss the rock? Do you think it’ll make your wish come true?”
She shrugged and tried not to look at Kade. “With all my heart, I hope so.”
Trent tugged on his dad’s sleeve. “Dad, your turn. Make a wish before we go.”
Kade scooped up a rock and gazed at Kelsey. Her stomach somersaulted again, and she wanted to touch him, to be near him. He closed his eyes, brought the stone to his lips, and kissed it. For a moment, Kelsey had the wildest thought, that she was the stone, and that he had his lips pressed against hers. He leaned back, the muscles in his arm rippling as he flung the stone into the lake.
“Cool.” Trent grinned at his dad. “You threw it even farther than Kelsey. How come you kissed your rock like she did? You’ve never done that before. Do you think your wish will come true?”
Kelsey’s gaze met Kade’s and her throat grew too dry to swallow.
Kade tousled Trent’s hair and smiled, but never took his eyes from Kelsey’s. “I hope so, Trent. I hope so.”
By the time they reached the ranch, it was late afternoon and Kade was starving. “We’ll head on up to Bisbee for fireworks after dinner,” he said as they piled out of the truck. “And, of course, after birthday cake for the birthday boy.”
“All right.” Trent clutched pinecones in his hands that he’d gathered in the forest. “Grandma makes the best cakes in the whole world,” he said to Kelsey. “She always bakes a red velvet cake for my birthday with blue and white frosting on account of it’s the Fourth of July, and it’s my favorite.” The boy dashed off, then stopped. “What about presents, Dad? Do I get presents, too?”
Kade rubbed his chin. “Hmmm, presents? I knew there was something I forgot.”
“Daaaad.”
With a grin, Kade pointed toward the house. “Why don’t you go inside and see.”
Trent whirled and tore off like a mini tornado.
Kelsey grabbed the picnic basket and thermos while Kade took the ice chest full of catfish, and they walked together in companionable silence. The house smelled wonderful when they walked in, of fried chicken and hot biscuits.
“No catfish for dinner tonight,” Sadie was saying to Trent when they walked in. “We’ll have it tomorrow.”
“Ahhh, Grandma, why not?” Trent pouted, his lower lip thrust out, and Kelsey almost laughed aloud.
“Not enough time to clean the fish and fry it up before the fireworks. That’s why.” Sadie turned back to the stove. “Besides, I made your favorite. Fried chicken.”
“It looks awesome, Grandma.” Trent peeked under foil covering a plate mounded with fried chicken. “Mashed potatoes and gravy and corn on the cob, too?”
Sadie nodded. “That’s right.”
Trent hugged her. “Thanks, Grandma.”
She waved him off to the bathroom. “Go on and wash your hands.”
Holding out his palms, Trent said, “They’re clean. I cleaned them in the lake.”
Sadie planted her hands on her hips. “Get into that bathroom and wash with soap and clean water. Do it before I cloud up and rain all over you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Trent spun like a little whirlwind and headed for the hall bathroom.
Kade laughed and Kelsey snickered. Sadie brandished her spatula at the two of them, but with a smile. “That’s enough out of you kids. Go clean up.”
Chapter 11
Before dinner, Kelsey took a quick shower and put on a button-up pink blouse with a short jean skirt. After cake and presents, Kelsey and the whole family headed to town.
They reached the park in Bisbee just before dark and crowds had already gathered. Kade parked in their favorite spot near the old ballpark where years ago he used to play Little League, and they set up lawn chairs around the SUV. Trent settled between Chuck and Sadie. It was no surprise that he was so excited he could hardly sit still.
“When’ll the fireworks start?” Trent was like a Mexican jumping bean in his seat. “I can’t wait.”
“As soon as it gets dark.” Chuck patted Trent’s knee. “Can you hold your horses that long, pardner?”
Trent wiggled out from under his grandpa’s hand and stood. “I hope it hurries up and gets dark really soon.”
“How about a walk in the park while we’re waiting for the fireworks?” Kade asked Kelsey, hoping he would have some time alone with her.
She smiled and said, “Sure.”
After Kade let everyone know what they were doing, he and Kelsey strolled across the street into the park, the way lit by an occasional streetlight. The night smelled of fresh-cut grass, charcoal, and barbeque, and the air was filled with chatter and dogs barking.
As they walked past folks sitting on picnic blankets and lawn chairs, they dodged the occasional beer cooler and avoided being trampled as laughing children raced past them. Kade noticed how Kelsey’s gaze followed the kids, a soft smile on her face. He remembered when Kelsey had told him how she’d always wanted children, but how her bastard of a husband had been so cruel in his response.
A mutt streaked by, almost tripping Kelsey. Kade caught her hand, helping her balance, then laced her fingers with his. She stopped and studied him, emotions flickering across her features.
Fear? Longing?
Kade squeezed her hand. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
She paused as if considering his response and then said, “I don’t know about that, Kade Owen.”
They walked farther into the park, as far away from the crowds as he could take her. Finally Kade pulled Kelsey under the shadows of a huge old oak tree and brought her close, resting his back against the tree, shifting so that his second handgun didn’t press into his spine. She hesitated, then leaned closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Desire stirred in him as her warm body pressed to his. He brushed his lips over her hair, drinking in her honeysuckle scent. His cock hardened even more, and he was afraid she would draw away if she felt how much he wanted her.
He’d just have to take that chance, because right now, he wasn’t letting go.
The sound of voices and laughter in the distance dimmed as the world narrowed, focused, and Kade’s only thoughts were of Kelsey. She stirred against him, and he sucked in his breath as her innocent movement hardened him even more.
“Kelsey,” he said against her forehead. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” She lifted her face, and he stroked a soft wave of hair away from her eyes.
She smiled. “Tell me.”
He pressed her closer to him. “You can’t feel it?” It was too dark to tell if she blushed, but he would’ve bet she did.
Kelsey bit her lip and then said, “Um, yes. Hard to miss.”
“It certainly is.” Kade raised his eyebrows at the double meaning of her words.
She groaned. “I didn’t mean that. What am I going to do with you?”
“Whatever you want, darlin’, I’m yours.” He cupped her face with his hand, her skin soft and smooth against his palm. The thought of kissing her, holding her, loving her, stoked the fire that burned for her, that heat he knew could consume them both. “It’s been too long since I’ve tasted you.”
Her lips trembled against his thumb as he ran it over her mouth. “Not that long, cowboy.”
“Definitely too long.” Kade moved his thumb from her lips, trailing it over her chin, then along her jaw to her earlobe. She shivered and moved her mouth to his palm, the caress of her lips shooting liquid fire through his veins.
He moved his lips to her ear. “You’re like honey on my tongue.” Kelsey made a sound that could’ve been an answer, or a groan. There was no doubt she’d been hurt in the past, no doubt she was scared of becoming involved in any kind of relationship. Hell, it almost scared him how badly he wanted her. But there was one thing he did know, one thing that was absolutely clear in his mind.
He wanted her for keeps.
Kade kissed the tip of her nose. “Tell me what you want,” he murmured, his voice hoarse with all his pent-up desire for this woman. His woman.
“Kiss me,” she whispered. “Please.”
In a slow, tantalizing movement, he brushed her forehead with his mouth, then trailed kisses over the elegant arch of her eyebrow, down to the tip of her nose again. She trembled as Kade traced her lips with his tongue, teasing one corner until she moaned and parted her lips.
His tongue darted inside, lightly running along the serrated edge of her teeth before slipping deeper into her mouth. Her tongue met his in a tentative movement, as if she was afraid to show him how much she wanted him.
“You taste even better than I remembered,” he rumbled against her lips, then pulled away so that he could look at her.
She moved her palm to his face, and for an endless moment she stroked his cheek and gazed into his eyes. “I lose my head with you. I can’t afford that—I can’t afford to lose myself again.”
Kade kissed the corner of her mouth and moved to her earlobe. “If you get lost, I’ll help you find your way back.” He nipped at her lobe. “I need you, Kelsey. I’m not whole without you.”
“You don’t really know me,” she said, her voice husky. “I barely know you.”
“Give it a chance. That’s all I’m asking.” Kade brought his mouth back to Kelsey’s, kissing her with a fierceness that surprised even him.
This time when she pulled away, she said, “I’ll only be here a short time. That’s not long enough to give anything a chance.”
“Pretend we have all the time in the world.” He brought up one hand and slipped it into her silken blond hair. “Just let go, darlin’.”
“It’s so hard.” She lightly bit her lip and then added, “I’ve only been with one man. And he was the biggest mistake of my life.”
“You were with the wrong man.” Kade clenched his hand in her hair, lightly pulling on it as if that would draw her away from the bad memories and bring her into the present. “What I want you to think about is you and me. Right here, right at this moment in time.”
The moon shone through the oak leaves, shadows and silver beams of light dancing across Kelsey’s features. She gave a tentative smile and whispered, “All right.”
He cupped the back of her head, feeling entirely possessive, and brought her mouth to his. This time she took him with no hesitation, surprising him with how intensely she returned his kiss. This time it was her demanding, her needing, her wanting.
And he wanted to give her everything.
His cock ached and he longed to bury himself deep within her core. To feel her naked body beneath him, to taste her silken skin.
When he drew away, Kelsey gasped for air, her eyes bright in the silvery light. He clenched his hand in her hair and pulled lightly. She moved with him, tilting her head back and exposing the pale flesh of her neck.
With one hand still in her hair, he slipped his other hand below her rib cage, holding her as he nibbled a path down her neck to the V of her blouse to the gentle swell of her breasts and flicked his tongue along her cleavage until she moaned.
Every touch burned like fire, searing her with every stroke of his fingers and tongue.
Kade slipped his hand from her hair and with deft fingers he unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse and settled his fingers at the front clasp of her bra. He paused, waiting for her to tell him to stop, but instead she slid her fingers into his hair and whimpered.
When Kelsey didn’t stop him, he unhooked it and freed her breasts, exposing them to the cool evening air and to his intent gaze.
“Damn but you’re beautiful, woman,” he said, and then traced lazy trails with his tongue from her cleavage toward one nipple.
***
Kelsey didn’t know what she was doing and why she was encouraging Kade to go as far as he was. She just knew that she needed a man’s touch—no, his touch.
God, but he knew how to touch her. The fire he had started within her burned hotter and brighter. Her nipples tightened and her body ached. She could think of nothing but wanting him and how it would feel to have nothing between them... his chest rubbing against her breasts, his hips between her thighs...
“What if someone sees us?” she asked, feeling dazed, remembering they were in a park.
“We’re alone, far from the crowd, in the dark,” he murmured, his warm breath causing her nipples to ache even more.
When his tongue circled her nipple, she gripped his hair even tighter, holding on to him. She knew she shouldn’t be allowing this, virtually in public, but it felt wonderful to turn loose and just experience, just enjoy the feel of his hot mouth teasing and suckling her nipple.
That deep thrill she had every time she was around Kade intensified and headed down below her belly button to between her thighs. She ached so badly that she felt on the edge of an orgasm.
But she couldn’t climax just from him sucking her nipples... could she?
“I want you so damned much,” he said, and moved to her other nipple, lightly nipping at it and causing her to gasp and bringing her closer to that fine edge of losing control.
Her other nipple felt cool and moist from his mouth and achingly hard. Kade cupped both breasts in his big hands, and her breasts were large enough to fill his palms. He brought the pair up high, pressed them together, and flicked his tongue back and forth over both nipples.
“I don’t know what you’re doing to me,” she started, “but I—oh, that feels good.” Kelsey moved her hands to his shoulders and gripped him tight as her body started trembling. “What are you doing to me?”
“Come on, baby,” he murmured in between licks, “just let yourself go.”
Let go, Kelsey. Just let go.
Still holding on to Kade’s arms, she leaned back and focused entirely on his mouth and his tongue as he went back and forth from one nipple to the other. She lost herself in the sensations, giving herself up to them, and to him.
Her entire body vibrated. She whimpered, so on edge she could just scream.
And then he pinched one nipple at the same time he nipped the other and she did cry out. Her entire being shuddered and shook. A powerful orgasm stormed within as he kept his hold on her nipples. She heard booming and saw brilliant flashes of color and the moment he released her nipples, she collapsed against his chest.
Kade: Armed and Dangerous Page 10
