She felt her eyes begin to pool with tears, and that made her angry. How dare this man make her cry at every chance he could get! Planting her hands on his shoulders, she shoved him back forcefully and glared at him.
“You think too highly of yourself, Mr. McCaide.” She dug her index finger into his chest. “You’re not the only man in the world, you know. Have no fear, my heart is safe from the likes of you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Sweeping past him, Melissa practically sprinted out the back door of the shop.
~ * ~
“You surprised me, son,” Chuck said softly behind Marcus a moment later.
Turning to glance at the older man, Marcus ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Why is that?” he asked a little too harshly.
Chuck took off his round glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief. “Thought you might’ve fought for her.”
Melissa’s father did nothing more than turn and walk away. Scowling darkly, Marcus strode over to the back door and ripped it open then lunged down the steps. Melissa was nowhere to be seen.
“Damn it.” He sighed and wondered if he’d done the right thing. His head said yes but his heart said no. Melissa was the one woman who invaded his dreams both day and night. He couldn’t get her out of his head no matter how hard he tried, and he knew he wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw all that glorious red hair spread out upon his pillow.
He wanted to taste her skin, to hear her moan with the pleasure of his touch, to make her burn for him as much as he burned for her. He’d never wanted so badly to be buried inside of a woman. He yearned to feel her heat surrounding him, and craved her bare legs wrapped about his waist.
The more his torrid thoughts consumed him, the more he was convinced he’d done the right thing. If anything, Melissa needed to be protected from him. If he ever had her in his arms again, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to resist her.
Eight
Melissa’s humiliation was complete. How could she be so blind? Marcus wasn’t interested, and he’d probably tried to tell her in subtle ways--not looking directly at her, going out of his way not to touch her, keeping their conversations to a minimum.
She felt like a fool. Regardless of what he’d told her again and again, Marcus was a nice man, and he’d only done his best to console and brighten the spirits of the ugliest girl in the Gulch. True, he was a little rough around the edges, but he’d called her beautiful, and now Melissa wondered if his words had just been a means to an end. She’d been crying, after all. And what man wants to be subjected to that?
Her stormy thoughts followed her all the way to the livery stable, where she ran right into Dr. Newcomb as he walked out the door, causing him to stumble.
“Oh goodness!” she exclaimed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you.”
“That’s quite all right, Miss Bloom.” He smiled cheerfully. “I was just thinking about you.”
She returned his smile with a heavy heart. Looking at him, she could see the handsome man he’d once been, but she just couldn’t bring herself to have any feelings for the man. Still, she wasn’t getting any younger, and she did want a family some day. Perhaps Dr. Newcomb was her only chance, considering her horrid run-in with Marcus only minutes before.
“Well, I don’t know what to say.” And she didn’t either. They had nothing in common to talk about.
“How about you take a ride with me around the countryside?” he asked.
Folding her hands in front of her, she nodded and allowed him to lead her into the stables. A ride was just what she needed to clear her head, and perhaps she would come to like the good doctor a little more if she spent some time with him.
She took pains not to look at Pete standing serenely in his stall. He nickered when she walked by, obviously recognizing her, yet she did not stop to scratch him. She needed to banish all thoughts of Marcus McCaide from her mind, even if that meant snubbing his poor horse.
Once Dr. Newcomb’s bay gelding and her father’s tan mare were ready, he helped boost her up into her sidesaddle. “You all right up there?”
“Yes, thank you, Dr. Newcomb.”
“Please, call me Timothy.”
Blushing, Melissa nodded and urged her horse forward before Timothy was fully astride. She didn’t want him to see her consternation.
As they rode out the stable door and up the street, they passed the general store where Marcus had resumed his hammering. He seemed to be pounding the wood with a little more force than was necessary, but once he saw them riding up the road, he stopped what he was doing and stared hard.
“Good day, Mr. McCaide.” Timothy smiled, seeming to swell with pride in front of the younger man.
Marcus barely nodded, his gaze burning into Melissa mercilessly. She returned his stare with a cold one of her own before setting her jaw and suddenly kicking the horse into a gallop. She didn’t care if the good doctor couldn’t keep up with her. Being under Marcus’s scrutiny and seeing the look on his face had done nothing to bolster her mood. If anything, it had made it even fouler, and she needed to be alone.
The mare seemed to enjoy the rigorous run. She was rarely given her head on jaunts around town. Looking over her shoulder, Melissa thought the buildings seemed so small, and she could just make out the figure of Dr. Newcomb behind her. Bending low over the horse, she whispered to the mare, urging her even faster.
After a few more minutes, she reined in the horse, breathing almost as heavily as the winded animal. Inhaling the acrid air, Melissa smiled and closed her eyes, letting the sun beat down on her face. It felt so good to just sit in the silence. Being so far away from the Gulch seemed to make her problems less important. Looking around the countryside, she saw no sign of the doctor, and a pang of guilt made her sigh. But she wasn’t sorry. Galloping at such a breakneck speed was the only thing that appeared to help clear her frame of mind.
Nothing was around but sand and sagebrush. She could see the creek winding its way through the basin a little to her left, with green trees lining its banks. Turning the mare, Melissa decided to trot that way. She hadn’t brought any water for the horse, and the hot sun was beating down on them both. Fat drops of sweat were already running down Melissa’s neck, and the mare neighed and chuffed, tossing her head a few times as she pricked her ears.
“What is it, old girl?” Melissa cooed, rubbing the horse’s lathered neck. It didn’t take long before she heard for herself what had the mare excited: the sound of galloping hooves wafted on the thin breeze, and Melissa craned her neck to look over her shoulder. Sure enough, there was Dr. Newcomb’s horse tearing across the desert to intercept her. She supposed it had been too much to hope for that the doctor wouldn’t try to follow, and she couldn’t help but be impressed by his riding skill.
But, as the bay gelding fast approached, Melissa gasped. That wasn’t Dr. Newcomb! Kicking the mare, she urged her to run the remainder of the way to the creek. The horse complied with a snort, but that didn’t stop the thunder of hooves behind her.
Melissa didn’t really believe she could outrun Marcus, but she couldn’t face him. Not now. Not yet. The creek wasn’t that far, and she managed to reach it before he did. But just as she brought her mare to a halt, the bay gelding skidded in a cloud of dust right next to her, making her horse sidestep nervously.
Marcus slid off the gelding’s back easily enough, his face a mask of fury. Before Melissa could react, he reached up, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her roughly off her horse.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, woman?” he shouted. His hands clutched her arms painfully as he shook her, almost rattling her teeth.
“Let me go!” she yelled right back, trying to twist out of his grasp.
“No!”
If looks could kill, Melissa was sure she’d be dead by now.
“Let me go!”
Flailing about in his grasp did nothing to help her situation. Marcus was just too strong, and he seemed determined to use all his strength to subdue her.
“No!”
“Marcus--”
“Lissa, damn it, you tell me and you tell me right now what were you thinking?”
“You’re hurting me.”
Scowling at him, she tried her best to stay calm and collected, but it was impossible as she stared into his golden depths. The man was electric, a raging inferno ready to burn her to a crisp. Melissa didn’t know if she should be afraid or excited. His gaze roamed from her eyes down to her mouth and back up again, leaving no room for doubt as to where his thoughts were headed.
“Answer me, Lissa.”
Her breath hitched in her chest as her heart accelerated. She had to gasp for air, and her legs felt as if they were made of water. Clutching onto his arms, she knew she couldn’t allow him to kiss her. She’d come apart if he denied her again. She had to distract him.
“I was running away from you,” she whispered, her words sounding loud to her ears.
“With the good doctor?” His words were so full of venom that she cringed.
“Why not? I told you that you weren’t the only man in the world. I happened to run into him at the livery stable, and he invited me for a nice ride.” Lifting her chin a notch, she tried her best to give him a haughty glare.
“He’s older than your father!”
“He’s the only man who’s come to call on me, and I figured I should be polite.”
“So you’re just going to settle for him? You’re not even going to try and find someone your own age?”
“Why the hell do you care?”
She twisted once more, and this time Marcus released her. Turning on her heel, she walked away and marched up the banks of the creek.
“Lissa!” Grabbing her arm, he made her turn to face him once more. “I care because I don’t want to see you married to an old man! You’re a beautiful girl. Not every man in the world is Richard Lowell.”
Before she could stop it, her hand flew through the air and slapped him solidly across the cheek. He stumbled back and let her go, his eyes wide with shock. Choking out a sob, she turned and ran as fast as she could. She clutched her skirts and lifted them high, crying and knowing damn well she couldn’t escape him.
She felt herself being picked up by strong arms and tossed to the ground none too gently. Before she could get her bearings, Marcus had straddled her on the ground, holding both hands into the dirt above her head.
“You think you can slap me and get away with it, sugar?” His eyes were flashing as she writhed futilely underneath him.
“You’re a damned liar!” she exclaimed, unable to keep her voice from wavering. “Get off me!”
“I think not. Not until you tell me what I lied about?”
Melissa stopped her thrashing. It was useless. Instead, she turned her head and refused to look at him, her chin trembling. Her chest burned as she gulped in air, using all her willpower not to cry.
“Lissa, my cheek is still blazing. Unless you want your backside to feel some of this fire too, you’ll tell me what I want to know.”
Gasping, she turned her gaze back to his and saw the truth behind his words. She had no doubt he wouldn’t think twice about bending her over his knee.
“You lied to me,” she said.
“About?”
Turning away again, she closed her eyes tightly when she heard his warning voice once more.
“Lissa…”
“You told me I was beautiful.”
“And?”
“And nothing, Marcus. It’s obvious you don’t believe it.”
A dark cloud crossed his handsome features. “I never say anything I don’t mean.”
“Let me go,” she pleaded softly. “Please.”
“No. I’ve dreamed of having you underneath me so many times, Lissa, and I’m going to savor the moment.”
He didn’t give her any time to think about his words before he lowered his body down on hers. Instead of pinning her with his strength, he now pinned her with his weight.
“Everything about you is beautiful, sugar. How can you not see that?” Despite the heat of the day, Melissa shivered as his breath caressed her cheek.
“Marcus--”
“Shh, don’t talk, Lissa. Open your legs a bit.”
“What?”
“It’ll be more comfortable.”
Without taking her eyes from his, she did as he asked although she was hindered somewhat by her skirts. As soon as she did, he settled there and smiled. Melissa soon found herself lost in that smile. It wasn’t until then that she realized he was no longer holding down her hands in the dirt.
Raising them tentatively, she placed them flat on his shoulders. He watched her do it and raised a brow as if daring her to push him away. But her hands were desperate to touch him, and her fingers itched to be buried in his hair.
The hardened lines of his body seemed to fit her perfectly, and she gasped as he slowly pushed himself forward, grinding his hips against hers. Never before had she felt such ungodly pleasure. With hooded eyes, she reached up to circle her arms around his neck.
“What are you doing to me?” she asked in a breathy whisper.
“Making you crazy.”
“You’re doing a fine job.”
He chuckled, and it thrummed through her, shooting straight to her groin as she lifted herself up to him. Marcus pressed against her once more, and she moaned at the contact even through their layers of clothing.
Lowering his dark head, he gently kissed her neck. She shuddered as his tongue darted over her skin, and Melissa couldn’t resist weaving her fingers through his hair. His teeth nibbled as he sucked and licked his way up to her jaw line. Tracing her chin with his mouth, he did nothing more than retreat down the other side of her neck.
Melissa was going insane, no doubt about it. Turning her head for him, she pressed her hips to his, fisting her hands in his scalp.
“You on fire yet?” he whispered, raising his mouth to her ear.
She couldn’t speak. All she could do was nod as she turned her face toward him. Their noses touched as his gold eyes pierced hers.
“I want to hear you say it, Lissa.” His lips barely whispered on her mouth as he spoke, making her moan. He pressed forward once again, and she clutched onto him even harder. She ached between her legs, and she shocked herself by desperately wishing they were both naked.
“I’m on fire,” she cried out, lifting up to him once again. “Oh God, Marcus!”
“You like that?” He grinned devilishly as he thrust his hips against her.
Biting her lower lip, she nodded.
“I want to be inside of you. I want to make love to you. Damn, Lissa, you can’t possibly know how often I dream about it.”
That shocked her to silence.
“But I can’t--we can’t,” he said, and a look of consternation passed over his face as he leaned back. Only her hands in his hair stopped him from sitting up fully.
“Why not?”
“How are you going to find a husband if you’ve been ruined? Marriage isn’t in the cards for me, sugar. I’ve got too many demons.”
“Then tell me about them, Marcus. Don’t pull away--please don’t.”
Tugging her hands from his hair, he stood and hauled her up next to him. “It’s past time for us to be getting back.”
“Marcus--”
“Lissa, stop.” His voice was soft, but it held the authority of command. “My demons are my own. And if you touch me again, sweetheart, you’re going to find yourself flat on your back. Except this time your skirts will be tossed over your head.”
That comment was enough to keep her quiet for the rest of the ride home.
Nine
Marcus stood near the entrance of the Patricks’ barn and sighed as he watched the people of Gideon’s Gulch dance to the lively tunes of the fiddle and the banjo. Dressed in a clean pair of jeans and a white button-up shirt, he was glad he’d shaved today. The other men were dressed in suits and nice clothing, making him feel out o
f place.
He’d had second thoughts about coming to the barn dance, but he knew he couldn’t disappoint Melissa. She’d given him plenty of outs for this soiree that he hadn’t taken. If he refused to go on the night of the dance itself, she would never forgive him.
Marcus knew his jaw had been on the floor when he’d gotten his first glimpse of her descending the steps of the general store, looking stunning in a dark green dress that accented her hair and eyes beautifully. Her deep-red tresses were swept off her neck in a bun with only a few tendrils hanging down in small curls. His mouth had watered at the sight as he’d remembered all too well exactly what her skin tasted like. Seeing her neck exposed like that made him desperately want to taste it again.
They hadn’t spoken in days, and he fidgeted for something to say when she glanced at him through her lashes.
“You look nice.”
Giving him a small smile, she wrapped herself in a white crocheted shawl and headed for the door of the shop. He jumped ahead of her to open it, only to be stopped by Shirley as she glided down the stairs in the same pink gown she’d worn once before.
“Don’t I look stunning?” she cooed, spinning around to show off the dress.
“Indeed,” he grumbled, turning back to Melissa, but she was no longer there. With Marcus holding the door open for her, she’d simply walked through it and advanced up the street without him.
“Lissa!” he shouted, running to keep up.
“Marcus, wait for me!” Shirley wailed behind him, but he didn’t pay her any heed.
“Why are you walking away without me?” he asked as he caught up with Melissa.
Without sparing him a glance, she said, “I just want to get this night over with.”
“Well, here then. Take my arm.”
“No thank you.”
“Don’t be stubborn, Lissa. I’m escorting you. Take my arm.”
In Your Arms Page 5
