Rekindling the Spark

by Hollister, Bridget

  "I didn't think you'd call," he said softly the moment the call connected. Maggie could tell he'd been asleep.

  "How did you know it was me?" she asked.

  "Caller ID. Plus, you are pretty much the only one who would call my sister's house in the middle of the night looking for me," Rhett reasoned.

  There was something comforting in hearing his voice, even if a part of her still hated him for what had happened. Knots of emotion stirred in her belly.

  "Rhett, I really think we should talk."

  "I agree. Come over?" he asked, sounding groggy with sleep through the phone line.

  "I'll be there in a few," she promised, wearily. Although Maggie wasn't sure whether they would actually end up talking or just spend the night making up for lost time with their bodies, she knew she had to see Rhett again. And it had to be tonight.

  ***

  The old farmhouse sat on over a hundred acres of land. When Rhett's sister purchased it, she vowed to restore it back to its former glory. She'd hired dozens of contractors and renovation experts, turning what was once a broken and battered building into something grand.

  As Maggie's beat-up pickup truck pulled into the brick-paved driveway, she couldn't help but smile. The place looked like a complete palace; much different than it had been years ago when she had first seen it. White rail fence stretched for as far as the eye could see, bordering the main house and separating it from the equine facilities that Rebecca added to the property. A couple of barns and a workshop sat off to one side, while the main house stood tall with gorgeous white columns emitting pure Southern charm.

  Sighing, she decided she was happy that Rebecca's dream had come true. Now she just wondered what it would be like to see her own broken dream in the flesh—Rhett.

  By the time she had parked and walked up the rest of the driveway, he was already standing outside waiting for her, leaning up against one of the massive stark-white columns. "Hey," he said, watching her move closer to the house.

  Maggie took the opportunity to drink in the sight of him. He was wearing only a pair of gray pajama bottoms, leaving his muscular torso exposed. She thought her body temperature must have soared to a thousand degrees and felt her panties dampen at the mental image of Rhett's athletic frame pressed up against hers. Wetting her lips with her tongue, she stepped forward and gave him a quick hug. "Hey."

  "Becca and the kids are in Texas for the week," he explained. "I've got this place to myself."

  Hearing that they were alone was all she needed. Maggie wasn't in the mood for small talk. She had come to see Rhett to have one last wild night, not to rekindle what once was, so she didn't waste any time. She angled up and brushed her lips over his, igniting the passion and fire they had both felt earlier in the bar.

  "Wow. Okay." Rhett nuzzled into her neck, his hands freely roaming her body. "That's quite an attitude change from earlier, darlin'."

  "Don't talk," she replied, placing two fingers over his mouth. Rhett said nothing, but flashed a confused smile that made her knees weak.

  Practically steering him from the front porch and inside the house, she could feel the dampness in her panties and a pool of passionate lava burning between her thighs.

  "Make love to me," she demanded in a soft whisper as soon as the front door had closed behind them.

  "You're joking."

  "I never joked about sex when we were married. And I'm not joking about it now. Fuck me, Rhett Lucas, or watch me walk back out that door."

  Rhett didn't need any more encouragement, as her brazen demand was clear enough. He scooped Maggie up in his strong arms and carried her through the old farmhouse to the bedroom.

  As he set her down gently on the antique four-poster bed, she couldn't help but notice the way he looked down at her. Maggie's soft green eyes locked with Rhett's deep brown ones, sending chills down her spine. Any old feelings for him she had saved tucked inside came flooding back, and she forced herself to keep from being wrought with pure emotion.

  It didn't take but a mere moment for them both to be gloriously naked—after five years, the time and Maggie's impatience left no room for the slow, seductive removal of clothing that they had experienced in the past. Boots, jeans, socks, sweat-pants, boxer briefs, panties, and a bra all became discarded in haphazard fashion.

  Rhett pressed her body against the mattress with his hard torso, leaving a trail of kisses from her shoulder down her chest, across her flat belly, and down to her pussy.

  Maggie bit her lower lip as Rhett used his knee to spread apart her thighs. His touch was not overly gentle nor overpowering, only firm and purely masculine in a way that only further ignited a burning desire somewhere deep in her soul.

  Leaning down and nipping the softness just above her pubic bone, he glanced up with a seductive darkness in his eyes that shook her to the bone and melted some of the hardness around her heart.

  Hard licks massaged her clit, making her writhe in pleasure beneath his greedy mouth. She cried out when he used his hands to lift her hips, stabbing her core with his tongue. As Rhett continued to drink up her pleasure juices, Maggie couldn't help but cry out his name in a sobbing breath as her body tingled with orgasmic anticipation.

  After what seemed like a million hours and a few brief seconds all rolled into one, Rhett moved away to grab a condom. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she couldn't help but feel her heart race as the moment she had waited half a decade for was about to happen.

  She and Rhett were together and that's all she wanted. Everything else could be figured out later.

  Maggie gasped as he entered between her thighs, feeling the familiarity of his erection as it passed through her swollen lips. It was comfortable and exciting and erotic—all at the same time.

  As he reached his peak rhythm, pounding into her, both of them began to pant. They were both half-crazed with the fever that only toe-curling sex can bring. Maggie felt as though every single inch of her body were on fire—a slow, simmering pool of passion enveloping both her body and soul.

  Finally, as they locked eyes, Maggie and Rhett tumbled over the edge of ecstasy together.

  With her body still humming from Rhett's lovemaking, nagging thoughts of his infidelities still plagued her. Pushing them aside, she focused on the delightful feeling of post-orgasmic endorphins coursing through her veins.

  "Mmm… That was…" Maggie gasped, the weight of Rhett's spent body still pinning her down.

  "Amazing? Fantastic?"

  "Well worth the wait," she said with a slight laugh.

  Rhett rolled onto his side. "Then perhaps we shouldn't wait five years to do it again."

  An uncomfortable silence came over Maggie. While the sex had been mind numbing, they still had other factors standing between them. Namely, why he felt it was okay to screw another woman while they were married.

  She got out of bed and found her way to the bathroom to clean up. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Maggie let out a deep breath. Why she had insisted Rhett have sex with her, she wasn't sure. The only thing she did know was that she was falling in love with him all over again—and the thought terrified her.

  "Fantastic sex aside, we said we were going to talk. We really should actually talk," Rhett's deep voice boomed from the bed as she walked back into the room, still naked.

  "Yeah, you're probably right." She perched herself at the end of the bed, unsure of how to start the conversation.

  "I love you," he said in a serious tone. "I want you to come back to Nashville with me."

  Maggie bit her bottom lip. While he was only in Broken Branch for a few days, her whole life was there. Leaving was certainly not an option. "Rhett, I can't just pick up and go anywhere. I've got the bar and employees." She brushed her blonde hair out of her eyes with irritation. "Plus, things between us aren't the same as they once were."

  Rhett clenched his jaw. "Bullshit. I've seen your employees. You run a tight ship. Your bar manager could have that place sailing smoothly for
a week or two while you come with me." His eyes pleaded with her. "Can't we try to work things out, Maggie? I've missed you," he confessed softly. "And from the looks of what just happened between us, you missed me, too."

  Sighing, she stood up and started to put her clothes back on, intent on saving herself from a second broken heart. From her perspective, there really wasn't much to say. "Rhett, what happened all those years ago is long over. We've both moved on. Why don't we just keep it that way."

  Rhett scowled. "You are just as goddamned confusing now as you were five years ago. Glad to see some things never change."

  "What do you mean?" she asked, slipping her panties on over her hips.

  "Well, first you call me up in the middle of the night wanting to come over and talk. Then you show up, practically jump my bones in the doorway, and now you're ready to just walk on out." He raked his fingers through his dark hair with impatience. "You're as indecisive now as you were back then."

  "Rhett, it's not like that—"

  "Is using me for some late-night booty call a game to you?" Rhett snarled. "Because it sure as hell isn't a game to me."

  Maggie was shocked to hear his feelings come out so abruptly. The man she knew years ago hated talking about anything even remotely close to their relationship. Now, he was ready to lay it all out on the line.

  "This isn't a game, Rhett. This is life. Deal with it."

  Maggie silently slipped on her bra and T-shirt, propping herself on the edge of the bed as she put on her socks and cowboy boots. She didn't have to look at him to know that he was fuming. Both of them knew what was going to happen next. There was no point in saying anything else.

  Running was the only option.

  "The only thing that has changed is that I didn't say good-bye back then," she told him softly, leaning across the bed to give him a soft kiss. "So, good-bye. Take care of yourself."

  Without another word, Maggie stood up and walked out, too hurt to look back at Rhett as she did.

  ***

  "Damn it!" Maggie cried, watching three bottles of premium whiskey tumble from the shelf and onto the concrete floor. "This is not what I fucking needed tonight!"

  The second night of finals week at the Scarlet Saddle was just as crazy as the previous one. Not only were there twice as many people, the live band failed to show up and one of her best waitresses had quit. Combining that with having to usher Rhett out of her life once again the night before, Maggie was an absolute emotional wreck.

  Nick raised an eyebrow at her, a look of surprise on his face. Grabbing her by the hand, he led her to the back room.

  "Nick, let go. I've got to get that mess cleaned up—"

  "No. It can wait," the bartender sighed, shutting the office door with a thud. "But, what I'm about to say cannot and is in no way part of our employee-boss relationship. Instead, consider it somewhat of a big brother talking to a little sister. Get me?"

  Maggie leaned impatiently against her desk, tapping one boot on the floor and crossing her arms over her chest. Nick had worked for her dad since she was a child and they were practically like family. "Fine. Go ahead."

  "You've been a goddamned bitch all night. What's going on?"

  Her eyes widened. In all the years she had known Nick, she had barely even heard him swear. "That bad, huh?"

  "Let's see… You've made one of the waitresses cry to the point of quitting. Yelled at a customer. And now, you've broken three bottles of hundred-dollar whiskey," he said, counting off her infractions with his fingers. "Where's the demanding but laid-back boss woman I know and love?"

  She felt like crying. It was good to know that someone in her life knew when something was wrong. Tears started spilling down her cheeks. "Long story," she sobbed.

  Nick pulled her close and gave her a brotherly hug. "Let me guess, it has to do with the guy who stayed past closing last night?"

  Maggie nodded.

  "Ah, the notorious Rhett Lucas is back again. I'd always wondered when he was going to show up and cause you trouble."

  "How did you—" Maggie started, but was cut off. In five years, she had never once mentioned the marriage to anyone.

  "I've seen CMT a time or two. I know who he is," Nick explained. "Plus, Broken Branch is kind of small. It isn't exactly a secret that you were an item with Rebecca Larson's famous big brother a few years ago. Nor, is it that you were a complete train wreck when y'all broke up."

  Maggie grimaced. "Was it that obvious?"

  "Not to everyone else, exactly. But, I saw how you were handling Jim being sick and made a few assumptions." He shook his head sadly. "But, that doesn't mean that you have to let things get to you now."

  "Nick, I'm not sure what to do," she confessed. "I mean, things with Rhett were good. And then they weren't. And now…"

  "Now you aren't exactly sure whether to let him back in your life or not, right?"

  "Exactly." Maggie plopped down in her office chair and set her chin in her hands. "It's really complicated."

  "Let me let you in on a little secret, honey. Sometimes complicated isn't always a bad thing." Nick gave her a wink. "I have to get back out there, but don't let this guy get to you. In the end, what's meant to happen will be."

  "Since when did you get so wise?" she teased.

  "The advice is free tonight. Next time, you can add it to my paycheck," he called out with a laugh as he walked back into the main bar area.

  Watching her dear friend leave her office, Maggie sighed. Nick had a valid point. There was a reason why Rhett had come back into her life now. Perhaps, considering letting him back into her world wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

  ***

  After getting little sleep the night before and a long night at the Scarlet Saddle, Maggie was exhausted. Walking into her apartment and tossing the keys on the kitchen counter, she considered curling up into bed just as she was—dusty boots still on.

  Before she could get even a step away, there was a knock at her door.

  Glancing through the peephole, she recognized Rhett. "We talked about this last night. Nothing has changed—" she started, answering the door.

  "We need to talk. We're going to talk," he said with a serious tone.

  Maggie sighed and stepped back from the door, giving him room to come inside the apartment. "I'm not sure what else we have to rehash, Rhett. I think I've said my piece." She shut the door and began to walk towards the sofa.

  "I just want to know one thing," he said, stopping her by grabbing her elbow firmly, but not hard enough to cause pain. "Tell me why you divorced me."

  Perhaps giving him a reason might actually give both of us peace, she told herself silently.

  "I saw the cover of the magazine," she admitted softly. "You and Jessa." She closed her eyes to keep the tears from spilling down her cheeks. "Between that and my dad being sick… It was just all too much."

  "That's what you think happened?" Rhett let go of her arm and raked his fingers through his hair, the mix of anger and confusion evident on his face. "That's why you filed for divorce without ever giving me a valid reason?"

  Maggie shrugged. "You hurt me. Do you know I cried myself to sleep every night for damn near a year? Or that, a month after her my dad's death, I came to Nashville to see your show—and ended up watching you make out with a redhead backstage," she explained, rolling her eyes. "Once a cheater, always a cheater, I suppose. I didn't want to go through life like that."

  "Really, Maggie? You gave up everything we had together based on a photo from before we got married?" Rhett questioned, his tone laced with anger. "And then judge me moving on after you filed for divorce?"

  "What?" she asked, stunned. "That picture wasn't taken after I came home to take care of my father?"

  "Hell, no." He laced his fingers behind his head and started to pace. "Why would you think that? Jessa and I had been over for a long time before that story ran. In fact, I was planning on having someone else replace me on the tour so I could come out here. I didn't want you
to be alone while you dealt with your father being ill. We were going to figure everything out together." He stopped and stared straight into her eyes, shaking her soul. "And then I got papers from your lawyer."

  "You're serious, aren't you?" It was all becoming much clearer for Maggie. But, it still didn't change the way things had worked out. Sitting down on the edge of the couch, she felt as though her whole world had fallen off its axis. How could she have been so stupid?

  Rhett kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands between his palms. "I never cheated on you, Maggie. Why would I? You were everything I could have ever wanted in one spitfire little package."

  "Rhett… I can't… We can't go back to how things were…" Maggie started, pulling away from him and standing up. "I am so sorry. So sorry. I ruined everything for us… and…" The gravity of her decision so many years ago began to hit her and she couldn't help but burst into tears.

  "Damn it, Maggie." She could sense his irritation growing by the second. "Would you please just shut up and listen for a second to what I have to say?"

  Something about Rhett's tone made her pause. It was the insistence she'd wished he'd used years before when she sent him their divorce papers. If he had just come to see her then, things might have been incredibly different.

  Turning to face him, he put his hands on her waist and pulled her so that their hips were square.

  "Continue," Maggie replied, hesitation mounting in her voice. Although she felt like an utter fool, she was still trying to gain her composure somewhat. This whole thing was a disaster.

  "I love you," he confessed. "I've always loved you. I haven't ever stopped loving you. Hell, I probably never will. There were never any other women while we were together. And frankly, there hasn't been anyone serious since." Rhett wiped away any remaining tears on her cheeks with a soft touch.

  Maggie swore her heart stopped beating for a second. "Go on," she urged, realizing she was holding her breath.

  "Maggie McClure, will you marry me… again?" Rhett asked softly.