by Judy Duarte
Nate nodded at the book. “It’s a great story. You’re going to like it.”
“I didn’t realize we had the love of reading in common.” She pointed to the built-in bookcase. “That’s an impressive selection of novels.”
“They were Audrey’s.”
Anna’s expression must have fallen because he quickly added, “Not that I haven’t read some of them. I had a lot of downtime while my bones were mending. But now, by the time I get home, I’m usually too tired to do much of anything except eat and shower.”
At that, she smiled. “Then maybe I’d better get dinner on the table.”
“Sounds good to me.” He tossed her a grin that set off a flutter in her belly. “What’re we having tonight?”
“Shredded beef tacos.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I hope that’s okay.”
“You bet. I love Mexican food.”
They studied each other for a moment, and as a weird sense of awkwardness settled over them, Anna was reminded of those silly junior high dances where the girls lined one wall of the cafeteria while the boys huddled together on the other.
Yet it wasn’t just nervous energy sparking in the room. There also seemed to be a flurry of hormones and pheromones swirling around them.
Anna wished that the baby would cry, signaling the need for a diaper change, a bottle or some cuddling—anything to take the adults’ attention from whatever was going on between them right now. But Jessie, who’d been up for nearly two hours before falling asleep just minutes before, wasn’t cooperating.
“I have to—” Anna nodded toward the kitchen “—check the meat and fry the corn tortillas. Everything else is ready.”
“Then I’ll take a shower,” Nate said. “That is, unless you have something else you want me to do.”
The only thing she could think of him doing was to cup her jaw again, to brush his thumb across her cheek, to look deep in her eyes and to...
Get a grip, she told herself before telling Nate, “I don’t need any help. I have everything under control.”
That is, everything but her thoughts, emotions and hormones. She could almost imagine herself spending her days rocking a baby or pushing a stroller then fixing dinner each night for a handsome cowboy.
The vision was far too domestic for her own good, especially when she’d never had a solid family of her own—or even a good maternal role model.
Anna’s mom had never been one to care about recipes or keeping the house tidy. In fact, about ten years ago, after her parents divorced, her mother had remarried a drummer in a rock band. The two had had a daughter together and seemed happy, but they lived in a messy house on a busy street. And even though Anna tried to go “home” for a visit once or twice a year, there was nothing homey about it.
On the other hand, Nate’s house...
Darn it. Maternal longings and romantic thoughts were going to sweep her away if she wasn’t careful. So she’d have to do something about it—and quick.
Instead of watching television with Nate, which had become a habit and a lot more appealing than it should be, she would go to her room and read. Captain Ahab’s story would be far better than the tales she kept spinning on her own, especially one that included a handsome cowboy hero.
Thank goodness the studio apartment would be ready for her soon. She had to get out of here before her own obsession left her with a worse fate than that of a crazed sea captain determined to capture a white whale that would be the death of him.
* * *
Anna had set up two more interviews, one on Tuesday evening and the second on Wednesday. While Nate liked both women, he’d pretty much made up his mind to hire Barbara Newcomb, especially after talking to her references.
Apparently, she sang in the church choir, taught vacation Bible school each summer and headed up the yearly church mission trip to an orphanage in Mexico. In addition to that, she’d spent several different terms as the president of the PTA and had also been a classroom volunteer at the elementary and middle school levels. So as far as Nate was concerned, the decision had been made.
Barbara Newcomb would be moving into his home, and Anna would be leaving.
So why wasn’t he feeling the least bit relieved?
Because something had happened between them the other night. And he had no idea what—if anything—to do about it.
After Anna had first moved in, they’d become friends, the kind that laughed and teased each other. He’d looked forward to going home to her each night, and before he knew it, he’d gotten caught up in something totally unexpected.
Now things were different between them. Their smiles and gazes were heated instead of warm, their conversations strained rather than comfortable.
Sure, the meals Anna made were just as good. In fact, if he didn’t know better, he’d think that she’d whipped them up with him in mind. In any case, he called her at noon today and told her not to cook, that he’d be bringing dinner to her.
So after placing an order ahead of time, he’d stopped by Maestro’s on Main Street and picked up a sausage pizza, a vegetarian antipasto salad for two, breadsticks and cannoli. Then he took it home.
When he entered the house, he found her curled up on the sofa, a book in her hand.
“Hi,” she said, setting the novel on the lamp table. “Let me help you with that.”
“I’ve got it.” He bumped the door shut with his shoulder then carried the pizza box and bags inside.
She got to her feet anyway. Then she crossed the room and reached out to take some of his load. “What’d you bring?”
“Pizza, salad, dessert.”
“That sounds great. Do you want to eat first, while it’s still warm?”
That might be best, but he needed a shower. Things might be awkward between them these days, but he wanted to be at his best when he was with her.
“I won’t be long,” he said. “Just give me a couple of minutes.”
And that was about all it took for him to take a hot shower and change into clean clothes.
Anna had no more than set the food on the table when he entered the kitchen. “I’ve got a bottle of red wine in the pantry,” he said. “I feel like celebrating. Why don’t we open it and have a glass?”
“All right. But what’s the big occasion?”
“I’ve decided to hire Barbara.”
“That’s great. I think she’ll be perfect for you.”
He hoped she was right, that Barbara would be as good for him and Jessie as Anna had been the past few days. Only trouble was, that meant Anna would be leaving soon.
“Any word about your house?” he asked.
“Actually, yes. My landlord said it might be ready for me to move back in on Friday.”
So soon? He tried to keep his expression neutral, although he didn’t know how successful he’d been.
“But don’t worry,” Anna said. “I won’t leave until after Barbara can move in and get settled.”
Thank goodness for that. “I’d appreciate it if you would.”
“Of course. I’ve gotten pretty fond of Jessie, especially after being with her all day. She’s a beautiful baby.”
“I think so, but I’m probably biased.”
“You have every right to be. After all, she’s your daughter.”
Yes, but he and Jessie weren’t necessarily blood kin. Did that make a difference? He hoped it wouldn’t. Maybe DNA didn’t have anything to do with it. After all, Nate and his own father might have had a remarkable physical resemblance to each other, but they were nothing alike. And they’d had a lousy relationship.
“Hey,” Anna said, “I was just thinking.”
Whatever she had on her mind had put a spark in her eyes, making the amber flecks shine like gold.
“About what?”
“About staying in touch with you after I move on. If Barbara ever needs to take some time off, I could...you know, step in and watch Jessie for you.”
“I’d like that.”
Her smile deepened, and as she gazed at him, drawing him into the depths of her eyes, he realized a man could...
What? Fall for a woman like her?
He could certainly see that happening to any man, even to him. But on the other hand, that didn’t mean a college-educated professional like Anna would find a broken-down ranch hand appealing. Besides, something told him she’d be looking for a lifetime match, which was too bad since Nate didn’t believe in forever and always.
He did, however, believe in making the most of the present, and if any woman had ever tempted him to strike up a little romance for an evening, it was the beautiful blonde standing before him.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked. “You seem to be pondering something long and hard.”
Oh, he was thinking all right. And without considering the consequences, he closed the short distance between them.
Her eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise, but she didn’t step back or make any move to stop him, which was all the invitation he needed.
Chapter Ten
The last thing in the world Anna had expected Nate to do tonight was to kiss her. That is, until he eased toward her, his blue eyes lit up with heat and locked on her.
She could have objected. In fact, she probably should have, but for some inexplicable reason she slipped her arms around his neck and lifted her mouth to his. She might be sorry about this later. She’d probably have a slew of regrets when it was all over, but none of that mattered because she couldn’t have moved away if she’d wanted to. Instead, she lost herself in the heady scent of his musky cologne.
His lips pressed against hers with an urgency that nearly stole her breath away. When his tongue swept into her mouth, she relished the taste of peppermint and hungered for more.
As his hands caressed her back and traveled down the slope of her derriere, she all but melted. And when he pulled her flush against his erection, her mind spun out of control, tangling her thoughts and emotions into one hot mess.
Had she ever been kissed like this?
No, never. Certainly not to the point that she’d become both weak-kneed and addle-brained.
For the first time in her life, Anna wanted to throw caution to the wind, to forget about dreams and plans, to disregard questions of right or wrong. Her only viable option was to let things run their course with a handsome cowboy at the helm.
And what a course they took. As the kiss intensified, desire flared. The power and strength of it might have knocked her to the floor if she hadn’t held Nate tightly, determined to remain in his arms or to take him down with her.
What made this kiss, with this man, so good, so special? Surely it was only a physical reaction easily explained by a combination of human chemistry and biology. But that wasn’t all she was feeling for Nate.
About the time she thought she’d die from sexual need and the emptiness that ached in her core, Nate tore his lips from hers. Thankfully, he didn’t release her or step back. Instead, he rested his forehead against hers, his breathing as ragged as her own.
“I’m not sure what to do about this,” he said.
For one thing, he could leave the room and take his peppermint taste and his musky scent with him. But that wasn’t likely. And if truth be told, she didn’t want him to go anywhere.
They probably should take things slowly, though. That kiss had left her dizzy and scrambling to figure out what she wanted to do about it.
“I can make us some tea or coffee,” she said, hoping that having a chore to do would provide her with time to think. “I also found another bottle of wine in your pantry.”
“You want to have something to drink? Now?”
No, not really. She’d just thrown out a suggestion, as lame as it was. “I thought we should...you know, talk it over.”
“You might be right, but I think sex is best played out—and not debated.”
Good point. She combed her fingers through her hair then decided to be completely honest with him. “I want to make love with you—more than I’d realized. I’m just...”
“Concerned about where it might lead?”
Wasn’t he?
“Yes,” she admitted. “That’s what I meant.”
“It’s up to you, Anna. If you want to see where that kiss might lead, I’m game. And if you’d rather not be lovers, then that’s okay, too.”
“Is it really okay?” she asked, doubting his response. “After we kissed like that, you wouldn’t care if I just wanted to remain friends?”
“I wouldn’t have a choice. I’d have to deal with your decision. But the way I see it, at this point, it’s going to be almost impossible to go back to just being friends.”
He was right, but that didn’t make their dilemma any easier to face.
“Can I give this some thought?” she asked.
“Of course. I’ll be in my room—if you decide you’d like to join me.”
Actually, she’d like to take their kisses to the bedroom, but making the progression from friends to lovers wasn’t something to be taken lightly.
So she thanked him for the chance to think it over, left him in the kitchen then climbed the stairs and slipped into her own bedroom to freshen up. For what reason, she wasn’t entirely sure, but after brushing her teeth and combing her hair, she returned to the hallway, only to hear country music playing from his room—something soft and slow.
Did she dare continue? Was making love with Nate what she actually wanted?
Just reaching this point makes it impossible to go back...
She could still turn around and return to her room, but why? She knew what she wanted, what she craved. What was there to think over, other than the changes sex might have on their lives?
I think sex is best played out—and not debated...
She could toss a coin if she had one handy, but that wasn’t necessary. She knew what she wanted, what she needed to do. So she moved to his open doorway, saw him stretched out on top of the forest green comforter, his boots off, his feet bare.
As if sensing her presence, he turned. The hint of a smile crossed his face, and he rolled out of bed and made his way toward her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m not sure if this is a good idea.”
“Sounds like a great one to me.” He cupped her face. “Just so there aren’t any misunderstandings, I want to be completely up front with you. I can’t give you all the things you need and deserve, but I can give you right now.”
She could have asked him to be more specific, but she assumed he was talking about financial security, especially on a ranch hand’s pay. But the money or lack of it really didn’t matter. She had a solid job.
He might not know it now, but her actual needs revolved around love and family, something he did have, something he could give her. She’d seen him with Jessie, watched him feed and change that precious babe as if she were a tiny princess.
Nate was going to be a great father. And Anna had a feeling he’d make a wonderful husband—if that was the direction things went after tonight.
But right now she’d settle for a good lover—and Nate had given her every reason to believe he’d be amazing.
So she stepped into his arms, and he drew her close. This was it. She was determined to go all the way, to hold nothing back. To risk it all—her heart and her soul.
He pressed his lips against her hair. “You smell so good.”
“It’s the lilac fragrance of my shampoo.” She had a thing for floral scents—that one in particular. What she didn’t say was that she’d applied a
matching lotion while she’d been in her room, that she’d done it just for him.
She pulled him back to her for another sizzling kiss, one she hoped would never end. As their bodies pressed together, they stroked and caressed each other.
Nate slipped his hand to her breast, kneading the fullness. His thumb skimmed across her nipple, setting off a spiral of heat that surged deep in her most feminine part.
He wasn’t just skilled, he was a good lover—the best, she suspected. Coming to his room tonight had been the right decision for her to make. He might not see a future in store for them, but she did. It was burning bright with promise.
All Anna had to do was convince Nate that he was all she’d ever need.
* * *
As Nate and Anna stood beside his bed, he kissed her again—long and deep. His hands slid along the curve of her back and down the slope of her hips. All the while, his tongue twisted and mated with hers until a surge of desire shot through him like a bullet train.
Fortunately, he kept a stash of condoms handy, although it had been a long time since he’d needed one. He never took chances, although just being with Anna, talking to her and spilling some of his deepest hurts and secrets seemed pretty damned risky.
He’d had plenty of disappointments in life and had made a few mistakes. He just hoped making love with her tonight wouldn’t be one of them.
Sex he could handle, especially if it was a one-time thing. But Anna deserved more from a relationship than that. And he had a feeling that what they were about to do wouldn’t just happen once. That realization ought to scare the crap out of him, but for some reason, it didn’t. He could get used to making love with her over and over again.
He pulled Anna’s hips forward, letting her know how much he wanted her, how ready he was to lay her on his bed. She pressed her pelvis against him, taunting his erection. Still, they continued to kiss, to caress and stroke each other until all he wanted to do was to strip off their clothing, which hampered their sexual exploration.
