by Em Petrova
He kissed her gently, and her throat ached at the sweetness. Was he feeling the same connection as she was? When he broke off the kiss, he held her gaze with every…slow…thrust.
Callused hands slid under her ass, raising her to meet him. Sliding her up the bed. Deeper. Gazes clinging. His pulse wild in his throat and her heart a drum in her chest.
She loved this man. Stranger turned husband turned lover turned love. Tears prickled her eyes, and she plucked at the hair on his nape, drawing him close for another kiss.
As the planes of his back strained, she knew he was close. Digging her fingers into his ass, she dragged him in. The head of his cock passed over the perfect spot, and suddenly she was there.
Screaming out, she let go. Ecstasy blinded her. Contracting around his length, she felt him harden to steel before hot juices splashed her inner walls. His hips churned, and she met him thrust for thrust as they rode out their release.
When he kissed her this time, she tasted his passion. Love words jumped onto her tongue, and she swallowed them down. She wasn’t ready to say them, and he couldn’t be ready to hear them. They’d only known each other a short time. She didn’t want to sound like a fool, even if a warm fire had been kindled in her soul.
As she watched him clean up and get dressed a second time, her feelings for him swelled.
At the door, he picked up the garments she’d thrown at him and neatly laid them over a wooden crate holding horse tack. “I’ll take care of them later, I promise.”
She smiled. “I know. See you at second breakfast.”
Chapter Seven
“You seem quiet today, Cash.” Manny had joined him and Hank at the construction site. “I hope married life isn’t troubling you.”
Cash eyed the man. Didn’t he know Cash adored his daughter? In a short time, she’d become his whole world. He worked hard and fast to get back to her. He lived to spot her crossing the yard with a basket of chicken feed or sit down beside her at the supper table.
He hammered two nails before speaking. “It’s not Maya. She and I are getting along great.”
“So I hear.”
Hank burst out laughing, and Cash felt the tips of his ears redden. Yeah, his wife was a screamer in bed. He’d tried to kiss her at the right moments, but it didn’t matter. She was loud, and he liked it.
He shook his head. “Guess you know that’s going well.”
Manny chuckled. “None of my business, but it bodes well for the rest of the relationship, yes?”
Cash nodded and buried a few more nails.
“So what’s troubling you?” Manny pressed.
Cash shot a look at his brother. “It’s being in the trailer. She needs more space—deserves it.”
“You know the place she had in Mexico was smaller, don’t you?” Manny asked.
He pushed out a breath. No, and somehow knowing made him feel worse. Like he wanted to give her a damn mansion to make up for it.
“What’s wrong with the trailer? Surely it’s better than a bedroom in the house,” Hank said. He too stood under the guns. With brothers on the opposite side of one wall and their parents behind the other, he and Charlotte couldn’t make a peep let alone scream their hearts out.
They exchanged a look of understanding. Still, Cash wanted more.
“The trailer’s hot, and the fans don’t do much. In the winter, we’ll have space heaters. Then it will be stuffy. And the damn sofa bed squeaks.”
Manny and Hank cracked up laughing, but Cash wasn’t feeling the humor in the situation. The pressure was on to get Hank’s home built so he could begin work on his own. Right now, that dream seemed far off.
“At least you’ll have applied for the green card by the end of the week.” Hank set a few more pieces of lumber out in the configuration they needed.
“True.” Cash and Maya were traveling into the city soon to take care of that business. Also, he wanted to make a trip to the bank and speak with someone about a construction loan. Living on the ranch with no expenses, he’d saved his small wages from sales of hay and beef. He had enough for a down payment—he hoped.
He kicked up the pace.
“Feeling the urge to work faster?” Hank drawled.
“Yes. Where the hell are our brothers?”
“Witt and Kade went to town for more wood for me. They took the flat-bed trailer, and I told them to load it.”
Sweat ran into Cash’s eye, stinging it. He squinted at his brother. “And Beck?”
“He’s in Vixen.”
Another glance of understanding passed between them.
“Another brother on the marriage market?” Manny asked, gathering a handful of nails. “Where on earth will they sleep?”
“Have to clean out a stall in the barn, sounds like,” Cash grumbled, but Hank laughed.
At least one of us is good-natured about the situation.
* * *
“Cash.”
He looked up to where Maya stood in the kitchen doorway, hair loose and shining on her shoulders, eyes sparkling with mischief. His heart gave a lurch—a telltale sign of how smitten he was.
“Supper’s on.”
“I’ll be right—” He cut off as the telephone in the front room rang. Damn, he hoped he wasn’t trapped in a conversation with Aunt Diane. He nodded at his wife and strode to answer the phone.
“Daltons.”
“Thank Christ it’s you, Cash. I need help.”
“Beck, what the hell’re you up to? That’s one long trip to Vixen.”
“I’m not in Vixen.”
Cash shook his head, trying to make sense of a brother who never raised any hell—except recently at the wedding, but they’d all let loose. Beck was one of the quieter Dalton brothers, always weighing consequences before acting.
“Where are you?”
“Sabrina asked me to bring my guitar up to this club in Ashton and play.”
“Ashton?” That was a long way from Paradise Valley. “Who’s Sabrina?”
“Look, I need help. Just come get me. And…bring some clothes.”
“What?” A grin spread over Cash’s face. Was this really Beck? Their voices were all close, and he’d mistaken one for another more than once. But no, Kade and Witt had returned from their lumber run hours ago.
“Just don’t ask questions,” his brother said tightly. “Come get me.”
“Where the hell’s your truck?”
“Sabrina has it. Now, Cash…please, bro. I’ll owe you one.”
“Good. I’ll be cashing in on all my favors to get my house built fast.”
“I’ll work all night. I just can’t be found like this.”
Cash got the location, which was difficult enough. “At the third tree, turn left” wasn’t exactly clear. He poked his head into the kitchen and told his family he was leaving.
Maya glanced up, crestfallen. Warmth bloomed in his chest. She got up and crossed the tile floor to him. “What’s going on?”
“I need to pick up Beck. Truck problems. He was just on the phone,” he said loud enough for all to hear.
“Need some help, bro?” Kade half-stood.
“Nah, I’ve got it covered.” He pinched a long tendril of Maya’s hair between his fingers and rubbed, imprinting the soft feel into his skin. “I’ll be back soon, darlin’. If you’re tired, don’t wait up for me.” He brushed his lips over her earlobe. “I’ll wake you up.”
She shivered and clutched his shirt front as if stabilizing herself. “I—” She stopped as if biting off what she’d wanted to say.
He looked at her in confusion.
“I’ll see you tonight, Cash.”
He kissed her properly. Pa grunted. “Girl’s food’s getting cold.”
“Oh Ted. You remember how we were,” Momma said.
Cash released his wife and sent her back to the table with a pat on her luscious bottom.
The ride to Ashton was a long one, and he had too much time to think about work he hadn’t finished ar
ound the ranch as well as the mounting need to build a house. Two houses, actually. Plus, he hadn’t gotten dinner.
At least it didn’t sound as though Beck was marrying anytime soon. If this Sabrina had taken his truck and left him in a compromising position, he probably wasn’t headed down the aisle.
As Cash approached the third tree in a row between dirt road and backwoods Texas, he swung his head left and right. The sun was setting, but he spotted his brother straightaway.
Laughter burbled past his lips as he drank in Beck’s situation. Needed clothes, for sure. The man wore nothing but his guitar. Slung from the strap around his neck, it covered his parts, but his bare legs stuck out the bottom.
He stopped the truck and got out. Beck ran awkwardly toward him.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“What the hell took you so long?” He ducked under his guitar strap, and Cash turned away from the sight, but not so fast that he didn’t see red love bites all over Cash’s thighs.
“Clothes are on the seat. You don’t even have boots? I didn’t bring any of those.”
“It’s okay. I’ll ride barefoot.”
“When you said you needed clothes, I expected to find you covered in manure or paint or something. Not really in need of clothes.”
“Hardy-har,” he said dryly, tugging his jeans over his hips.
“You gonna clue me in as to why you’re all the way out here in the sticks, buck naked with a guitar? And why some girl named Sabrina has your truck?”
“I made her mad. So she took all my clothes and stole my truck. Good thing she left my cell phone.”
“Let me guess. You were in a compromising position at the time.”
“I got the ropes off.” He yanked his shirt on and grabbed his guitar to the tune of Cash’s cackles. “Shut up and drive me into Ashton. I need to get my truck.”
“And settle with the girl?”
Beck’s face was hard with anger. “No, I’d say that’s over.”
“Probably for the best, brother.” He clapped Beck on the back, and they set off to recover his truck.
* * *
Maya sat among the Dalton family, with her father seated across the table from her, sharing one of Mrs. Dalton’s amazing meals. Roast beef with baked potatoes and slabs of home-churned butter.
“Charlotte baked apple fritters for dessert, and Maya whipped the cream and made the baked beans.”
“Delicious,” Ted said around a mouthful from his seat at the head of the table.
Maya smiled. The family had welcomed her with open arms, and even her papa seemed at ease. They shared a smile, and he tucked into her beans with an approving lift of his brows.
She missed Cash’s presence though. Now that she’d admitted her feelings to herself, she was experiencing some pangs at his absence.
“I hope Beck’s truck isn’t in the same shape Charlotte’s car was,” Hank commented.
“He’ll be calling if that’s the case.”
“Why don’t we pack up the fritters and go up to Hank’s house to eat them?” Mrs. Dalton suggested.
He nodded. “Could use the help, for sure. A few hours of daylight left.”
“Sounds good,” Kade said.
“I’m in.” Witt polished off a fat yeast roll.
After plates had been cleaned and the table cleared, Maya and Charlotte packed the fritters and whipped cream into a big basket. Maya’s papa put her onto horseback with him, and they headed up the valley.
“Did Cash show you which plot of land is yours?” he asked.
She jerked in surprise. “No.”
He pointed, and she followed his long brown finger toward a pretty little patch of sunlight, trees and green field.
Her heart tumbled, and those tears she’d felt earlier jumped to the surface. “I wonder why he didn’t show me before.”
“He’s worried about getting the house built.”
She hated to hear Cash was worrying at all. She had a burning need to ease him, but he was far away. “What can be done to hurry the building along?”
Papa sighed. “Nothing as far as I can see. We need to finish Hank’s first. Soon enough you’ll be in your home, daughter.”
“I’m not too fussed about it, but I know it bothers him. Is there no way to build faster? Hire a construction crew?”
“That would be costly, and it’s a long way for a crew to travel daily. Having all the Daltons pitch in is best.”
Spirits dampened, she let her gaze travel over the land she and Cash would someday call home. The place where they’d raise babies and grow old. Suddenly she couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Daughter, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Papa tightened his hold around her, and she rested against his broad chest, taking comfort.
“I love him, Papa.”
The horse rolled under them, trotting along without a care for Maya’s turmoil. Finally her father chuckled. “I’m glad, Maya.”
“I haven’t told him. I just realized it today. It’s too soon to say the words.”
“Maybe not. I fell for your mother in two days. The third day I asked for her hand, and by week’s end, you were growing inside her.” He patted Maya’s stomach, where she and Cash’s baby could right now be taking shape.
She covered her father’s hand, glad to have him near.
* * *
The Daltons were in a rush to get out of the house and up to Hank’s construction site. Forks were flying and napkins being thrown down on empty plates. Maya stared at her husband, who’d seemingly devoured a whole chicken thigh in one bite.
Every night for two weeks, they’d been working on the house. The walls were erected. Kade was running wire while Witt worked on plumbing. Maya had been watching Beck since Cash had told her about his escapade, and he seemed subdued though he’d been working on the roof without complaint.
Maya picked at her food, not feeling very hungry. She and Cash weren’t going to help Hank with his house today. They were going to town to apply for a green card.
“Best stop at the lawyer’s office while you’re there, Cash.” Ted pushed back his plate, and Mrs. Dalton—or Maggie, as Maya now called her—beamed.
Cash looked up. Maya examined his profile—square jaw, full lips. The things those lips could do to her… Heat stirred low in her belly.
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“Gotta sign the deed for your land, boy. Congratulations.”
When he shot a look at Maya, her heart squeezed at the pure joy on his face. She’d helped him get a piece of the ranch he loved, and in turn, he’d given her security and a family. She’d never been around such loving people, or spent so much time with her father. While Cash finished nightly chores, she and her father had been taking walks, and she cherished her newfound relationship with her papa.
“Thank you,” Cash said to his parents, then directed his gaze at Maya. She skimmed her knuckles over his beard-rough cheek and nodded. Together they could make that land into a home.
She scooted away from the table and cleared her plate, then Maggie’s. The woman thanked her with a smile.
As Maya cleaned the kitchen, putting away food items and pan lids, she found herself looking around.
“Where does this go?” She held up a portable mixer.
Maggie opened her mouth to tell her, but Cash got up and took the item from her. The brusque way he plucked the mixer from her hands from her made her mouth fall open with surprise, but the way he nudged her aside raised her fury.
“I’m capable of putting things away, Cash Dalton.”
“I can do it.”
“So can I.”
The room fell still, all eyes on them.
“No one said you couldn’t put it away, Maya. I’ll do it though.”
“Do I come into the paddock and tame your horses for you?”
“You’re more than welcome.”
“Well, I don’t welcome your help. A simple answer about where to place the mixer
was all I needed.”
Maggie put her hands together and clapped.
Cash tossed his mother an insulted look and shoved the mixer at Maya. “It goes on the top shelf. See if you can reach it yourself.” He stomped out of the kitchen, his footsteps echoing in the walls of her heart.
“’bout time someone put Cash in his place. He’s been taking over and bossing us all since we were kids. I’m sure happy not to share a room with him anymore,” Kade said.
Maya’s stomach churned. She hadn’t meant to start a fight, but she was used to doing for herself and making a place in the family was important to her.
She looked up at the shelf, and Beck came to her rescue. He placed the mixer up high.
“Thank you,” Maya said quietly.
He tipped his head near hers. “He’s not upset with you. He likes to be in control, and not having a clue as to how to get that house built is wearing on him.”
She nodded. “I’m glad you told me. I guess we aren’t totally functioning as a couple yet.”
His smile was small, his eyes a little sad. “You’ll get there, I have no doubt.”
She wanted to ask about the woman who’d stolen his truck and left him helpless in the middle of nowhere, but no one else knew about the moment, and he probably wouldn’t welcome her question even if they were alone.
Maya went to find Cash. He leaned against the truck, obviously waiting for her. “You ready?”
She nodded and climbed in. He shut the door behind her. When he walked around the truck to get behind the wheel, she was reminded of their first meeting. How far they’d come. Countless smiles and a lot of laughter. A few arguments. And a wagonload of passion.
She waited until he was seated and placed a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”
He met her gaze, and his mouth softened. “No need. I shouldn’t try to do everything for people. My family’s complained about it for years. I thought Witt was bad.”
“I need to let people do things for me. It’s sometimes hard after being on my own for so long.”
