What Madeline Wants

by Linda Style

  “So, give her some time to go get it, Sheriff.” J.D.’s voice came from behind.

  “This doesn’t concern you, Rivera. Or you either, Miss Inglewood.”

  “I know she has a permit,” J.D. said. “She works for the La Mancha Ranch. She couldn’t work there without a permit,” he said pointedly. “Not unless someone was overlooking something.”

  The sheriff’s eyes narrowed to slits. “People lie all the time. Work permits expire, and some people don’t tell their employers. But I guess you know all about that.”

  The muscles on J.D.’s neck popped out, and his face got red. His hands were clenched at his sides, and Maddy was sure he was ready to punch the sheriff.

  But just then, Mariela held out a piece of paper. “Here,” she said. “Here it is.”

  “Great,” Maddy said.

  The sheriff barely glanced at it, gave a shrug and turned to J.D. “Keep your guard up, Rivera.”

  The tension between the two men was electric.

  “No worry there, Sheriff. I’m real comfortable knowing you’re here to keep the peace.” J.D. took Maddy’s arm. “C’mon. We’ve got some serious chili to eat.”

  Grady and Annie were waiting at one of the picnic tables near the chili stand and waved them over. J.D. acted as if nothing had happened, and they ordered bowls of chili and corn bread and a pitcher of beer. The four of them sat for over an hour—eating, drinking and laughing. Maddy couldn’t remember when last she’d had so much fun.

  J.D. appeared to be enjoying the company as well, and several times she caught his gaze lingering on her. Tonight she felt closer to him than ever, as if they shared something special.

  “C’mon, Mommy. Let’s dance.” Grady tapped Annie’s hand, and they both got up.

  When they were gone, Maddy looked at J.D. and on impulse placed her hand on his. “How about it, cowboy?”

  His hand, callused from hard work, stiffened underneath hers. “I can’t.”

  “You can’t dance? Or…you don’t want to? Two different things.”

  He averted his eyes, but after a moment his gaze came back to hers, and he said huskily, “Believe me, want has nothing to do with it. I just know better.”

  She frowned. “Why? Afraid you’ll find me so irresistible you’ll lose all control?”

  He laughed. “Could happen. Then you’ll be the one who’s afraid.” His hand went to his bad leg.

  “It’s a slow song. All you have to do is sway.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Chicken.”

  His head came up, his eyes glinting. “I promise you’ll be embarrassed.”

  “I’d love to dance with you.”

  He was silent. Finally, he sighed, got to his feet and extended a hand. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Weaving their way through the crowd to get to the dance floor seemed to take forever. And once they were there, the song ended and the band geared up for another. She caught a glimpse of trepidation in J.D.’s eyes, but it dissipated as soon as the music started and it was another slow song.

  Standing near the edge of the platform, he drew her close, snug against his chest. Her pulse quickened. He was warm, his muscles hard, and their bodies fit perfectly together. With her arms up over his shoulders and his hands clasped at her waist in the back, they swayed ever so slowly to the music, and the rest of the world suddenly fell away.

  All she heard was the poignant Mexican love song and J.D.’s deep rhythmic breathing. All she felt was his warm body molded against hers—and his heart thumping against her cheek. It was as if they were two high-school students in love and oblivious to the world around them. And Maddy wanted to stay like that forever.

  Too soon the song was over. They went back to the table and after more conversation and drinks with Grady and Annie and some other people who’d stopped by, it was time to go home.

  J.D. had parked his truck in the school parking lot and they walked the two blocks slowly, quietly. The moon was full, the air balmy, warmer than usual for September she’d heard people say. She felt mellow and wonderful, exhilarated and happy.

  She’d certainly never experienced anything like this living in Epiphany. But if J.D. had been there…maybe she’d have thought differently about her hometown? Maybe being with J.D. made the difference. The place, itself, didn’t matter at all.

  Her thoughts segued into a brief fantasy of what it might be like living in Los Rios—at the Tripplehorne with J.D.

  “Have you ever seen such a fat old moon?” J.D. asked, making her pay attention.

  “I never imagined the desert was so beautiful.”

  They neared the entrance to the parking lot. “That it is,” he said. “But it can also be a desolate, unforgiving place.”

  Almost before he finished the sentence, they heard a loud bang and a crashing sound. “What was that?” Maddy grabbed J.D.’s arm, her old fears suddenly resurfacing. They stopped to listen.

  There was another crash and another and then a gunning noise, like a race car without a muffler, a screech of tires burning rubber, and finally, a big black motorcycle roared into view. It exited the lot, spun around in a circle and blasted off in the other direction. The rider was clad in black from head to toe.

  Maddy gave a sigh of relief as they watched the bike disappear into the night, but she didn’t let go of J.D.’s arm as they walked cautiously to where he’d parked.

  When she saw J.D.’s truck, Maddy’s hands flew to her mouth. “Ohmygod!”

  “Dammit all to hell!” J.D. spat out.

  The front windshield was completely bashed in, and the other windows looked like spiderwebs. The tires had been slashed and something was leaking onto the asphalt from under the engine.

  J.D. pivoted, his eyes scanning the area. “Son of a bitch.”

  “Look,” she said. A baseball bat lay on the ground near the front fender.

  J.D. picked it up, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the handle.

  “I can’t imagine who would do something like this.”

  Lips thin, J.D. passed the bat from one hand to the other, his rage barely contained. “I can.”

  “You think it was vandals? Teenagers out for some reckless fun? I know some kids who did something similar in Epiphany once. They broke into a gas station and trashed the place for no reason at all.”

  His eyes were as dark and hard as onyx. “Take a look around.”

  She searched the parking lot. “I don’t see anything. Just other cars.”

  “Exactly. All in perfect condition.”

  Maddy caught her breath and J.D.’s arm at the same time. “You think someone deliberately singled out your truck?”

  She felt his muscles tense.

  “I know so.”

  “But why?”

  He closed his eyes for a second, as if calming himself. Then he said, “Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t concern you.”

  But it did. If it affected him, it affected her. He didn’t know that, though. And now was not the time to tell him. “We should probably call the sheriff.”

  J.D. snorted. “Yeah, let’s call the sheriff. Maybe he can give us a ride home.” His words were bitter and dripped with sarcasm.

  Then he took out his cell phone and walked away to make a call. Obviously he didn’t want her to hear who he was talking to or what he was saying. She was disappointed. He didn’t trust her enough to hear his end of the conversation.

  When he’d finished, he came back and stood next to her. “Grady will be here in a few minutes. He’ll pull the truck to his station and give us a lift home.”

  “Did you call the sheriff? Won’t he have to fill out a report or something?”

  “No point to it.”

  Why? Did he think he knew who’d destroyed his truck and was he planning to take care of the matter himself? She didn’t like that idea at all. “I don’t understand. Wouldn’t the sheriff—”

  “You don’t need to understand. You’re n
ot involved. It doesn’t concern you, so just drop it, okay?”

  Annoyed, she felt her nose twitch. She didn’t like the way he said that, either—like an order, and she was through taking orders from anyone. “Excuse me? I’m standing here in the middle the night, in a parking lot miles from home with no way to get back there, and you’re telling me I should just drop it?”

  “I told you, Grady’s coming—he’ll take us home.”

  Just then, Grady’s red truck rumbled into the lot. Okay, she’d drop the subject for now—but not for good.

  She was concerned—and she was involved.

  Whether he liked it or not.

  “DAMMIT ALL TO HELL,” J.D. muttered aloud as he sat alone on the front steps at 2:00 a.m. tossing rocks into the dirt. He had no vehicle, no money, and now he was going to waste at least another whole day getting the truck fixed. Maybe two days.

  Maddy had gone to bed right after Grady had brought them home. It’d been close to midnight and she’d been working at the festival since early morning. She hadn’t said a word the whole way back—not since he’d told her to mind her own business. He hated being such a jerk, but he couldn’t let her get involved in something she might regret.

  She was leaving in a few weeks, anyway. The thought made him even more depressed. Having her here had changed his life. He’d gone from not caring about anything to caring more about someone than he’d ever believed possible. And because of her, he found himself thinking about a lot of other things. Like family and friends. Like permanence and having a place to call home. Like love.

  He heard the creak of the front door, the clink of ice in a glass. “Are you okay? Did something else happen?” Maddy asked, coming to stand on his left, her mouth tight with concern.

  He nodded. “No. Nothing else has happened.”

  She frowned. “Are you sure? You’re not just telling me that because you don’t want me involved, are you? Because I’m going to find out anyway, and if you think you can keep me from being concerned or involv—”

  “Shh.” He pulled her down beside him. “Trust me. Nothing’s wrong that wasn’t wrong before.”

  The tightness in her face eased. “Would you like some iced tea?” she asked, handing him her glass.

  Wearing an oversize pink T-shirt that she’d apparently slept in, she looked so innocent. So trusting. So different from him.

  “Sure. Thanks.” As he took the glass, their fingers touched, driving a hot jolt of desire through him. Their eyes caught and held, and she leaned closer, her shoulder against his arm.

  He took a sip, but his gaze never wavered from hers. There was something in the air tonight, something that was making him crazy. He wanted her more than he could stand, even though he knew there was no future for them. They both knew that. But tonight…was tonight.

  He set the glass down, reached up and laid his fingertips against her cheek. “Madeline,” he whispered. “Sweet, beautiful Madeline.”

  She wanted this man. Oh, how she wanted him. And seeing the hunger in his eyes, feeling the controlled gentleness of his touch told her how much he wanted her, too. And this time, she wasn’t going to let him stop.

  When his fingers trailed slowly from her cheek to her neck and ever so slowly down to her breast, Maddy knew he wasn’t going to.

  With a shiver, she took his hand and kissed his scarred knuckles, and with the desire growing more intense inside her, she slipped his finger into her mouth.

  He drew a quick breath.

  She tasted one finger and then another, liking the salty, sweaty flavor of him. She smelled soap and shampoo and sandalwood mixed with the heat of the day and that of his body. She inhaled deeply, loving his scent. At that moment, she couldn’t think of anything except making love with him.

  As if he’d read her mind, he said, “Let’s go inside.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  WHEN MADDY TOUCHED HIM, the whole world seemed to wash away. It was easy to forget all the reasons he shouldn’t make love to her, why he shouldn’t love her.

  With her, it was easy to forget that he was scarred and flawed and undeserving. It was easy to feel whole again, and right now, he needed that. Needed it desperately. Even if it was just for a little while.

  He stood up, took her hand and led her inside and toward her bedroom, but she urged him in the other direction toward his. “You sure? It’s a mess.”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

  Once inside, he sat on the bed and she sat next to him, curling her smooth legs and slim bare feet underneath her. As if it was the most natural thing to do, she leaned in and kissed the side of his neck. Man, she was perfect, so desirable and sexy, she took his breath away. It astounded him that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  But would she still feel that way when he took off his pants? Would she still feel that way if she knew everything about him? He should warn her. He had to warn her. Because he couldn’t stand it if she looked at him with disgust—the way Jenna had.

  But she was kissing his neck and breathing in his ear and his heart raced. He closed his eyes as her fingers trailed across his chest and she gently pushed him back to lie on the bed. “Maddy.”

  “Shh.” She came closer, her chest against his.

  “Maddy,” he said again, his voice strained. It was all he could do to stay focused. He had to tell her. Warn her. “Maddy. My leg.”

  “Oh.” she pulled back and sat up. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  “No, no.” He shook his head.

  “It’s just that…” He sucked in some air. “It’s really ugly.”

  “Does it prevent you from having sex?”

  He almost laughed. “No. Not much interferes with that.”

  She kissed him then, soft and intoxicatingly slow. He felt as if he was drowning in the sweet softness of her lips and the warmth of her body. He wanted to lose himself in the silkiness inside her and forget who he was. Forget what he’d done.

  With her, he could forget. If just for tonight.

  He started to lift her T-shirt up from the back, but she sat up again and took it off herself. She wore no bra and only the skimpiest pair of white bikini panties. Her skin glowed in the dim light, and he reached to touch the delicate underside of one breast. She gave a sudden inhalation of pleasure and after gently touching his face, her hand moved down his chest until she came to the waistband on his sweatpants.

  For one brief moment, he wanted to stop her. He didn’t want her to see him as he was. Didn’t want her to regret her decision. But her fingers were fast, tugging his waistband farther and farther down on his hips, and then she leaned forward again and her mouth covered his in a breathtaking kiss that melted all his resolve.

  He helped her then. Kicking off his pants and rolling over her, he slipped her panties down, too. Her spiky blond hair stood out in contrast with the dark navy of his sheets, and her pale blue eyes gazed up at him with all the trust in the world. Her lips parted and the heat in her eyes said yes. Definitely yes. Now.

  He kissed one pink nipple and then the other. He caressed her face with his fingertips and then brought his hands down between her thighs. He wanted to be gentle and not rush her, but he wasn’t sure how much he could handle himself.

  Maddy shifted her hips underneath him, pressing against his arousal. She liked being in his bed, and lying on sheets that still held his scent. Being here, in his sanctuary, she felt closer to him than ever.

  She opened her body to him with reckless abandon, surprising even herself. For once in her life she wasn’t going to hold back, wasn’t going to deprive either of them the pleasure they both wanted. But there was more than that. He’d given up no small amount of pride in mentioning his leg, and to do that, she knew he had to feel something for her. It wasn’t just sex. It couldn’t be just sex.

  If it was, he wouldn’t have warned her, wouldn’t have tried to take it slow and gentle. No, J.D. Rivera was as involved as she was, whether he wanted to admit it or not
.

  “Touch me, Maddy,” he said, his voice low and husky.

  She brought her hand to him. “Like that?”

  “Mmm. Exactly like that.” His breath came hard and ragged and then, as if he’d just thought of something, he pulled back, a slight panic in his eyes. “You’re not a…”

  She laughed and kept caressing him, all the while kissing him on the chest and neck, working her way upward to his mouth, and when her lips were almost against his, she whispered, “No. But I’m not very experienced at some things, either. And I want to do it right. Which reminds me, do you have…uh—”

  “Protection?” He nodded, then fumbled inside a drawer on the nightstand. Then she felt him relax under her, and in that moment it occurred to her just how much they didn’t know about each other. But she knew the important things. He was honest and kind and loyal and he was true to himself. His integrity was above reproach.

  Though he’d said differently, she believed he was capable of great love, too. He just had to believe in it himself. Yes, she knew the important things.

  How all those feelings fit with her plans to go to New York didn’t matter right now, either. All that mattered was this moment with J.D.—and she was going to enjoy every single second.

  As she stroked him, he gave a low moan of pleasure. “That’s probably enough for now,” he said, his voice raspy. He lifted her hand to his lips. “If you keep doing that it’ll all be over in a flash.”

  She laughed. “I’m glad I affect you that way.”

  “You affect me all right,” he said, nestling himself between her legs. “In far too many ways.”

  Hearing that, all her feelings coalesced into one all-encompassing emotion—love.

  She helped him with the condom and then he was inside her. She felt as if she was going to burst with happiness.

  Their bodies found the same rhythm, slow at first and then faster and faster until their skin was slick with sweat and tingling with pleasure and suddenly the world rose up and exploded around her. “Ohhhh,” she called out in exquisite pleasure, and seconds later she felt his muscles tighten. He thrust hard into her and she responded again and again until he called out and his body stiffened and released.