by Roth, Ann
* * *
ZACH HATED CHRISTMAS shopping and usually did most of it online. But after picking up the tractor part, he decided to join the hordes of frenzied shoppers at the mall. After depositing the gifts he’d bought for the Arnetts in his truck, he sat down in the crowded food court to wait for Gina.
Gina. She was never out of his thoughts. He hadn’t meant to kiss her yesterday, had fully intended to stick to his self-imposed distance. But she’d looked into his eyes with so much feeling and yearning that he hadn’t been able to stop himself.
The passion in her kisses had nearly knocked him to his knees and erased his already shaky resolve to stay away from her. He no longer cared that acting on his desire was dangerous. His every waking thought was of making love with her. Soon.
Spotting her across the way, he waved. A smile bloomed on her face, and she strode toward him.
“Success!” she said, setting her bags down and sliding into a chair across the table.
Her cheeks were pink with excitement and her eyes sparkled.
Drawn into her web of happiness, Zach grinned like a love-struck fool. “I found what I needed, too,” he said. “How about a quick bite before we head back to the ranch? I’m running on empty.”
Gina laughed. “Of course you are.”
While they dined on mall fare, he asked Gina what she got her family.
“Uh-uh.” She shook her head. “You’ll have to wait until Christmas morning. Show me what you got yours.”
“Can’t—I had them sent. I bought a Nerf basketball set for my nephew and a Play-Doh kit for my niece.”
“They’ll love those.”
“That’s what the clerk who sold them to me said.” He shrugged. “They get so much stuff they probably won’t even notice.”
“Of course they will—you’re their uncle. What did you get your dad and stepmom?”
“The usual—a fruit basket. I always get my mother perfume and I give my brother and his wife gourmet chocolate.”
Gina didn’t comment. She didn’t have to—her frown spoke volumes. He shrugged. “Hey, at least they won’t return that stuff.”
“Ah, they must be difficult to please.”
“In every way. My father thinks I’m wasting my life.”
Now why had he told Gina what he hadn’t even shared with Lucky? She angled her head, curious. Ready to rebuff any questions, he sucked in a breath.
She surprised him and said nothing. That was good. Real good, but instead of feeling relieved, he wanted to tell her about the mistake that had changed his life.
Which gave him pause. He didn’t talk about that.
Besides, right now she seemed relaxed and happy, and he didn’t want to ruin her mood. Deep down, he suspected she might side with his family, believing he’d done nothing wrong and that he was out of his mind for giving up his old life. Zach couldn’t handle that kind of condemnation, not from her.
He stacked their plates and stood to carry them to the trash. “It’ll be dark soon. We should head back or your family will start to worry.”
“They won’t worry. They’ll speculate, wondering what we’re doing together.”
Her laughter brought a smile to his face. Once again, he relaxed. By the time he pulled onto the highway, the sun had set.
Gina settled back in her seat. “Thanks for this. I really needed to get away for the day.”
“No problem.”
“Are you going to the Christmas party at the Dawson Ranch Friday night?” she asked.
“I go every year.”
“Good, then you can help with Gloria. She’ll have a fit if she misses it. What’s it like?”
“Noisy and crowded, but fun. Everyone in town is there.”
Neither of them spoke again. The warmth and darkness of the truck felt private and intimate. As Zach steered the truck toward home, he realized that he wasn’t ready to go to the ranch just yet. A few miles from the Lucky A, he pulled into a deserted lot and braked to a stop.
Gina frowned and glanced at the snow-laden, empty fields illuminated by his headlights. “Why are we stopping here?”
Leaving the engine idling and the heat on, Zach leaned across the bucket seats and kissed her the way he’d wanted to all day.
Pulling away, he shrugged out of his coat and climbed over the console to join Gina in her seat. She shed her coat, too. They reclined the seat back as far as it would go and made out like teenage kids, touching each other everywhere and breathing hard.
After a while, dangerously close to losing control, he pulled back. “I want to make love with you, Gina, but when I do, it will be in a bed, not here in the truck.”
“We could go to the house, but Sophie and Gloria are there. Let’s go to your place.”
The modest trailer wasn’t the custom-built, five-bedroom home Zach had once owned, but there weren’t any hotels in Saddlers Prairie, and it was the best option. He nodded. “After the party.”
“All right.” She leaned up and kissed him, a kiss filled with passion and promise.
Hard and aching, he returned to the driver’s seat and headed for the Lucky A.
Chapter Seventeen
“Your cell phone is ringing,” Sophie called out from the kitchen, where she and Gloria impatiently waited for Zach to take them to the party at the Dawson Ranch. Uncle Redd had hitched a ride with his next-door neighbor.
On her way downstairs, Gina frowned and hurried into the living room, where she’d left the phone. She knew at a glance that it was a from the credit-card company, reminding her that she was over her limit and late on a payment.
A payment she couldn’t afford to make until her paycheck came in next week. After that check, she had one more coming, plus her vacation pay. What would she do then?
Flooded with shame, she silenced the call and stuffed the phone into her purse.
“Who was that?” Gloria asked.
“Sales call.”
“Six days before Christmas? You’d think those people would give it a rest. You look very festive in that red sweater, by the way.”
“Thanks.” She hadn’t brought any Christmassy outfits with her and would have liked to buy herself something new for tonight. But with her money situation, that was out.
“Your hair is pretty, too. I’ve never seen it swept up that way. Zach will like that.” Sophie gave her a knowing look.
In the three days since the trip to Elk Ridge, her family had doubled the sly looks and bold comments without the slightest encouragement from Gina or Zach. She’d barely mentioned Zach’s name, and he hadn’t stopped by the house.
But she thought constantly of him and what they would do together at his trailer later tonight. She was playing with fire but couldn’t make herself stop.
Zach knocked at the door, and she let him in. His appreciative gaze flitted over her sweater and pleated skirt. “I like that outfit.”
Her heart rate bumped a few notches. “Thank you.” She took in the dark green sweater that lovingly hugged his broad shoulders and the black dress pants that emphasized his flat belly and narrow hips. “I like what you’re wearing, too. Green is nice and festive.”
His eyes warmed, filled with promise for the night ahead. “Red and green—you two look like a matched set,” Gloria quipped. “You can admire each other more later. Let’s get to that party.”
Zach turned his attention to her cousins. “You both look beautiful. Let’s go.”
He helped everyone into their coats. When he reached for Gloria’s arm, she sniffed. “Now that my hand is better, I’ve gotten pretty good with these crutches. I can do this myself.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Zach held up his hands and stepped back, far enough to give her space but close enough to catch her if she slipped. “After you.”
Tonight he was driving one of the ranch Jeeps, which was roomier than his truck. Gloria sat up front so that she could stretch out her leg, and Gina and Sophie sat in the back.
Over the past few weeks, Gina had been at the Dawsons’ house a few times for evening get-togethers with Jenny, Meg and other friends. She loved everything about the family home, which was generations old and spacious enough for the Dawson brothers and their families, yet warm and comfortable.
Gina hadn’t seen the tree, though. Standing in a corner in the great room, it had to be eight feet tall and was bright with lights and ornaments. Men, women and children filled every room on the main floor with conversation and laughter.
Gina helped Gloria sit down and made sure she had food and drink. Then she filled a plate for herself, taking it with her while she greeted friends.
People she hadn’t seen since the funeral and hadn’t had much of a chance to talk to told her how pleased they were that she was staying through the holidays. Some asked about her work and praised her for doing so well. Feeling like a big fake, she smiled and pretended her life was as cushy and great as everyone believed.
Her conscience ate at her. Sooner or later, she would have to tell them the truth. The thought of losing the respect of Zach, her family and friends bothered her so much that she barely touched the food on her plate.
With the sixth sense that seemed to kick in when Zach was near, she could tell that he was watching her. Standing across the room, he raised his eyebrow. Gina managed a smile. He jerked his head toward a hallway, signaling her to follow him. When they met there, he pulled her through a closed door that turned out to be the powder room.
He shut the door, backed her against it and kissed her. Gina’s money troubles melted away. She forgot she was broke, forgot she was in a bathroom at a Christmas party. She forgot everything but Zach.
Still kissing her, he cupped her breast and pushed his thigh between her legs. She moaned into his mouth.
“That’s just a sample of what I want to do with you later,” he said, nuzzling her ear. “Let’s see if we can’t get your cousins out of here soon.”
* * *
IMPATIENT FOR GINA to arrive, Zach checked his watch for what had to be the dozenth time. It had been nearly an hour since he’d dropped her and her cousins off at the house. She’d wanted to wait until her cousins were safely in bed before coming back to Zach’s.
Suddenly he heard the old truck rumble to a stop in front of the trailer.
He opened the door and gestured her inside. “Hey.”
“Hi.” She hesitated a moment, almost as if she feared crossing the threshold.
He tried to see the trailer through her eyes. He’d tidied up and changed the sheets and towels, but no amount of cleaning could change the fact that his place was small and shabby, something he wouldn’t have set foot in back in Houston, let alone live in.
Not ideal for a woman used to the finer trappings money bought. Sometimes Zach missed the luxury and comfort he’d once taken for granted, but at least here his conscience was clear.
He helped her out of her coat and hung it on the hook on the door. She’d taken her hair down but was still in her party clothes, a snug sweater, a short, pleated skirt and sexy heels that made her great legs look impossibly long.
He gestured toward the sofa, which was half the size of the one in Lucky’s living room and a lot saggier. “I opened a bottle of wine.”
“I barely sipped my glass at the party. How did you know?” She sat down. Her skirt rode up, revealing a nice length of creamy thigh. “I didn’t think Sophie and Gloria would ever go to bed,” she said, sipping from her glass. “I felt like a teenager, waiting for my parents to fall asleep so I could sneak out.”
Zach joined her and sampled his own glass. “We should’ve just told them you were coming over.”
“Give them even more ideas about us? No, thanks.”
He slipped his arm around her. “I want you to know that I’m clean.”
“Me, too.” She gulped her wine.
“Nervous?”
“A little. I’m not sure why.”
Zach was pretty sure the trailer and his blue-collar job had something to do with it. If he were smart, he’d tell her that this was a bad idea and he’d changed his mind.
He wanted her too much for that. “I know a great way to relax you.” After setting both their glasses on the coffee table, he directed her to turn around so that her back faced him.
He began to knead her shoulders. She was small and delicate boned.
“That feels good,” she murmured, bowing her head.
Her tense muscles quickly softened until she was leaning into his hands. Brushing her hair aside, Zach kissed the crook of her shoulder and felt her shiver. “Better?”
“I’m putty in your hands.”
“Just wait.” He tugged her sweater up and massaged her slender back. Her skin was soft and smooth.
Her breathing quickened, growing jagged as he unfastened her bra and cupped her breasts from behind.
With a soft moan, she arched into his hands. Her nipples hardened to sharp points.
How he wanted her. Hungry, his body pulsing, he turned her to face him, pulled her sweater over her head and got rid of his own.
Her breasts were full and taut.
“You are so beautiful.”
Tracing her nipples with his finger, he thrilled to her shudder of pleasure. Moving from one nipple to the other, he followed his finger with his tongue until she was restless and panting and he was in danger of losing control.
“I don’t want to make love with you on this old couch,” he said and pulled her up.
He led her into his bedroom. The double bed took up most of the space. Gina stepped out of her heels and unzipped her skirt. It pooled at her feet, leaving her in thigh highs and bikini panties. “You look hot,” he said.
She gave him a smile as if she was well aware of that and started to peel off the stockings.
Zach stopped her. “Leave those on.”
“You like them.”
“Very much. But the panties can go.”
As she stepped out of them, Zach quickly shed his pants and boxers. They were both naked, both studying each other. Her womanly body awed him.
She stepped into his arms. His—for tonight.
She was smooth and soft and warm, and she fit perfectly against him. Kissing her, he backed her to the bed and eased her down. He slid his hand between her legs. She was wet and hot.
Zach groaned, and his body demanded release. Dear God, he wanted to be inside of her.
But not just yet. Kneeling between her thighs, he parted her folds and explored her most sensitive place. A sound that was half moan, half sigh filled the air.
She shifted restlessly, caught hold of his ears and tugged him closer. Moments later, she climaxed. When she relaxed and went still, he kissed her inner thigh, her stomach. Claimed her mouth.
She reached between them. If she touched him there, he would lose it.
“Easy.” Clasping her wrists, he pushed her onto her back. “Are you ready for more?”
“Yes. This time, inside me.”
He sheathed himself. In one thrust he entered her.
She was slick and hot and tight, and she felt so damn good. Wanting to take it slow, Zach closed his eyes and for a long, tortured moment didn’t move.
But Gina hugged his hips with her thighs and clenched her muscles around him and he forgot all about going slowly. She began to make sweet sounds that signaled her climax was near.
On the brink himself, Zach thrust fast and deep until the world disappeared. Together they exploded in blinding pleasure.
Later, drained and utterly satisfied, he collapsed beside her.
Gina let out a satisfied sigh. Zach kissed the top of her head. She smelled like her flowery shampoo and sex, a heady combination. “I’m glad we finally did that,” he said.
“Mmm, me, too.” She kissed his ribs and snuggled close.
Soon her breathing eased and he knew she was sleeping.
He cupped her hip. Murmuring, she moved closer. His chest was full, and he knew that what he felt for Gina went way beyond the fantastic sex they’d just shared. But he’d already known that.
As special as she was, she was straight out of his old world, driven by money and success. Like his family and his ex, she wouldn’t understand why he’d left that life behind. For sure he wasn’t about to open himself to that by explaining about his past.
Any kind of relationship beyond sex was doomed to fail.
Uneasy, he stared at the ceiling and wondered what he was doing. Relax, he told himself. Gina doesn’t want a relationship with me, either. This was about sex—nothing more.
He drifted off to sleep.
* * *
WITHOUT INTENDING TO, Gina had fallen asleep in Zach’s bed. Before she even opened her eyes, she could tell that he had drifted off, too. The room was dark, but light from the other room spilled in and she could easily make out the fake wood walls, decor from an era long past. The watch Uncle Lucky had left him ticked softly on the knotty-pine dresser. There wasn’t room for any other furniture.
Zach’s entire trailer was smaller than Uncle Lucky’s kitchen and living room combined—barely big enough to accommodate one person.
How could he stand living here?
In his sleep, he cupped her bottom possessively in his big hands. Fresh desire flooded her. Never mind where he lived—she wanted him to touch her like this forever.
But she wanted more than that—a lot more. She wanted Zach to have a good job and a future, wanted to know about his past. She wanted the security of her job at Andersen, Coats and Mueller and her year-end bonus.
Unfortunately, what she wanted was the opposite of what she had. If only...
Beside her, Zach stirred. He was awake and aroused. His fingers slid between her legs, spreading heat through her and erasing her thoughts. He kissed her passionately, and she forgot about everything but the here and now.
