by Judy Duarte
Nate was just about ready to scoop her into his arms and carry her to bed when Anna ended the kiss. Surely she wasn’t having second thoughts. He could see why she might change her mind, though.
Neither of them said a word, but she responded to his unasked question by taking his hand and leading him to the edge of the bed. There, she slowly peeled off her feminine T-shirt and dropped it on the floor, revealing a white, lacy bra.
As she reached for the waistband of her pants, unsnapping them, he stood in erotic anticipation, marveling at her curves and watching as she slid the fabric over her hips and down her legs, leaving her in a sexy pair of white panties he’d like to remove himself.
Damn, she was even more beautiful than he’d thought. His imagination hadn’t done her body justice. She was a goddess, it seemed. And tonight she was his.
Following her lead, he unbuttoned his shirt, pulled his arms out of the sleeves and let the garment fall to the floor. Next he unbuckled his belt and undid the metal buttons on his jeans.
When he’d removed all but his boxer briefs, she turned and lifted her blond locks so he could unhook her bra. As he freed her breasts, she pushed the white, lacy straps over her shoulders and turned back to face him.
He took full advantage of the lovely sight, of the perfection of her femininity, of the fullness of her breasts. The dusky-pink nipples were taut with arousal, begging to be fondled and kissed. So he dropped to his knees and took one in his mouth. He used his tongue and his hands until she gasped in pleasure, clutching his shoulder to stay balanced.
Taking mercy on her, as well as himself, he lifted her in his arms and placed her on top of the bed. Her hair splayed upon the forest green pillow sham, her body upon the comforter. She reminded him of a fairy princess—or maybe a leprechaun queen able to grant his every wish, his every desire.
“You’re beautiful, Anna. I knew you would be.”
A slow smile stretched across her lips. “So are you, Nate.”
He didn’t know about that. His body was scarred from the accident, the surgeries he’d had to correct internal injuries and broken bones. But he hadn’t kept that a secret, so he wouldn’t stress about it. Besides, he was almost back to normal, at least when it came to sex.
After shedding his briefs, he joined her on the bed, where he removed her panties. Then they continued to kiss, to taste and caress each other until their breaths came out in jagged huffs and their hearts beat out in primal need.
When Nate knew that Anna was as ready as he was, he rolled to the side of the bed, reached into the nightstand drawer and removed a couple of condoms from the box he kept handy. He tore open one of the packages and protected them both.
He entered her slowly at first, getting the feel of her, the feel of them together. As her body responded to his, giving and taking, he increased the pace. When she cried out at the peak of her climax, he shuddered with the power of his own release and with the unspeakable pleasure they’d found in each other’s arms.
Making love with Anna had been amazing. Together they...
He closed his eyes as if that might shut off the thought he’d momentarily entertained, the possibility of something more lasting than just one night, one week. One month.
“I love...” Anna paused, her thought hanging in the sex-scented air.
Nate waited for the word that would complete her thought. Damn. She hadn’t been about to say that she loved him, had she? His gut clenched, and his heart clamored with a wacky beat.
Oh, man. Don’t say it, honey. Don’t ruin this.
“I loved that,” she said, correcting the direction her comment had nearly taken. “Making love with you...was indescribably good.”
There was no question about that. It had been better than good. It had been magical. But the bigger question, his only concern, was what she’d almost said.
The word love, the very idea of it, set off an uneasiness that knotted up in his chest and turned his gut inside out.
Women used that word lightly. I love ice cream. Don’t you just love this dress? But when one of them uttered it during sex, a dedicated bachelor like Nate got uneasy, even if he’d become adept at dancing around serious relationships for years.
If Anna had actually meant that she’d enjoyed their lovemaking, Nate should take pride in that. But that pause in her voice, the catch in her breath, suggested...
Oh, God. He’d known sex might throw a wrench into their otherwise well-oiled friendship, but he’d never expected her to have such an emotional response. Sure, some women did. But Anna deserved so much more than a guy like him. Hell, his very future was still so uncertain.
Nate didn’t dare speak. Or breathe.
Now what?
The only answer that came to him was to cut bait, to get out of bed and to run like hell.
* * *
Anna couldn’t believe she’d almost blown it. She’d known better than to say “I love you,” but the words had practically jumped from her heart to her tongue. Thank goodness she’d caught herself before confessing something she wasn’t quite sure she was feeling, although she suspected her gut reaction had been spot on.
Sure, whatever had swelled up in her chest during lovemaking might have been caused by sheer hormones and lust. Sex had been amazing, so maybe that was all she’d been reacting to. But right now, lying in Nate’s bed, in his cozy two-story house, with baby Jessie sleeping just down the hall...
Well, it seemed that Anna’s childhood dreams of having a happy home and a loving family were within reach.
She stroked Nate’s upper arm, and his bicep tightened. Still, he held her close as if he wanted this moment to go on forever. She certainly did. Maybe, if he held her long enough, the change in their relationship would begin to make sense and they could consider a future of some kind together.
Moments later he pulled away to remove the condom.
“I’ll be back,” he said as he headed for the en-suite bathroom.
She’d be waiting for him when he returned. Then they could cuddle and talk.
A happy smile stretched across her face. Who would have thought that she’d fall for a cowboy? She certainly hadn’t intended to, but sometimes the heart knew better than the mind, and all the planning in the world couldn’t account for that.
Nate had no more than exited the bathroom when his cell phone rang. She assumed that he’d ignore it. Instead, he crossed the room, picked up the jeans he’d been wearing and removed the phone from the pocket.
He didn’t even check the display to see who was on the other end, which struck her as a little odd. But maybe he’d been expecting a call.
“Hey,” Nate said. “What’s up?”
He listened a while. “Sure, I’m definitely interested. And I’d like to talk more about it.”
Again, he listened. “You mean, now?” He shot a glance at Anna, his expression apologetic. Then he returned his focus to the caller. “Where are you?” He glanced at the clock on the bureau dresser. “It’s getting late. Maybe it would be better if we met tomorrow.”
Anna drew the sheet up to her chest then sat up in bed. Was he going to leave now? It was after nine o’clock. Who would request a meeting this late at night?
“I understand,” Nate said. “Sure. It’ll take me twenty minutes or so. And, Drew, thanks for suggesting me.”
When Nate disconnected the line, he turned to Anna. A sheepish grin crossed his face. “I know this is a bad time for me to leave, but I think there’s a job offer in the works. And I need to go out for about an hour. Do you mind watching the baby while I’m gone?”
“I’d be happy to. What kind of job is it? Would you be working on another ranch?”
“No, it’s something else. I’d rather not say anything now and jinx it. Besides, there’d be a lot of details to work out first.”
Nate was back in the bathroom and turning on the shower before she could finish her thought. Or before she could consider what changes making love had made in their relationship.
What rights, if any, did she now have?
Maybe it was best to figure that out later. So, following Nate’s lead, she got out of his bed and returned to her own room. Once inside, she closed the door. But as it clicked shut, a splash of apprehension drenched her, leaving her uneasy.
Just moments ago she’d been about to admit that she’d fallen in love with Nate. But now she was afraid of what that might mean. So where did they go from here?
At this point, the way she saw it, she only had one option. And that was to set her worries aside and to let things play out between them.
* * *
Nate’s shower only lasted long enough to wash off the lingering scent of lovemaking, but he couldn’t shake the guilt he felt for what he was about to do.
What kind of man left a woman in bed after a bout of lovemaking like that? Only a jerk. But when she’d said I love...
Okay, so she hadn’t come right out and said it, but it still unnerved him. Whatever he’d started up with Anna wasn’t going to be a one-night fling—and before long, before he realized what was happening, it was bound to trip him up. He had to nip it in the bud.
Something big and dark shifted inside him, opening the lid on a memory box filled with fear and dread.
Anna was the kind of woman who deserved the best a man had to offer, and Nate couldn’t give her any of those things. He might have a house that was located close to the place where she worked. He also had several large bank accounts, not just his own but the one he’d inherited from Grandpa Clint. Some might think his stock portfolio was impressive.
He wouldn’t have a problem sharing all of that with her, but it wasn’t that easy. He also had a drawer full of belt buckles to prove that he was once a rodeo champ. Yet now he’d ended up living someone else’s life. He was an imposter, and Anna needed the real deal.
All Nate had ever wanted was to be good enough so the people he cared most would be proud of him, that they’d stay in his life. Yet every one of them had abandoned him in one way or another.
Eventually, Anna would expect to have a good husband, something Nate didn’t know how to be. And faking it wasn’t good enough. Hell, Anna would soon see right through him. So he’d better do something to protect her before things went much further.
Damn. He glanced at his image through the fog-smudged bathroom mirror and raked a hand through his hair. He needed to get out there and talk to her, tell her all those after-the-loving things she needed to hear. But he didn’t trust himself.
What if he slipped up and made promises he wouldn’t be able to keep?
Nate Gallagher didn’t even know how to spell forever.
Fortunately, Drew Madison had just given him an easy way out. Had the man called this late on any other evening, Nate might have told him a meeting with him and the rodeo promoter would have to wait until morning. But tonight?
Nate needed to escape the house before he said or did anything to regret.
Well, anything else he might regret.
Whatever he was feeling for Anna—and what she might be feeling for him—scared the hell out of him. It was only a matter of time before he failed the two people in this world he’d come to care for the most.
Either way, he wouldn’t be a complete jerk about it. He’d talk to Anna before he left, and he’d tell her... Well, he’d tell her something, even if he wasn’t sure what.
When he returned to his bedroom, she was no longer there. His conscience tweaked, making him wonder if he’d screwed up already. Either way, he only had two choices, neither of them good ones.
Still, he put on his jeans and shirt then slipped on his boots. On his way out of the house, he stopped by her room.
She’d shut the door. Did she want privacy? He stood outside for several beats, then lifted his hand and knocked softly.
She opened the door wearing a white cotton gown, something virginal and sweet. Something a new bride might wear. Her hair fell loose along her shoulders, and something warm shined in her eyes.
“When will you be back?” she asked. “Should I lock up the house for the night?”
Brighton Valley was probably the safest community in which Nate had ever lived or traveled, so he never worried about intruders. Still, he figured Anna would probably sleep more soundly if things were battened down tight for the night.
Actually, he’d feel better about leaving her and Jessie alone in the house if he made sure everything was locked up tight.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be,” he said, “but don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re safe and sound before I go.”
She nodded, obviously trusting him to do exactly what he said he’d do.
He reached out, cupping her jaw with his right hand. “I feel like a jerk for leaving you like this.”
Her smile lit up, reflecting whatever lay deep in her heart. “I understand.”
Did she? How could she when she had no idea what kind of crap he’d had to deal with in the past—the painful memories, the harsh lessons life had taught him?
He placed a kiss on her forehead, one that was soft and gentle. Did she realize he didn’t want to hurt her, and that the only way he could do that was to leave before he got in too deep?
“Don’t wait up for me,” he said.
Again, her warm, trusting smile set off something wild and crazy in his chest.
“I won’t,” she said. “And don’t worry about the baby.”
As long as Anna was here, he’d never worry about Jessie.
He thanked her then turned and headed downstairs, taking the only escape route he had.
As he made his way to the driveway, where he’d parked his pickup, he realized the biggest threat to Anna and Jessie wasn’t a stranger.
It was him, the man who wasn’t much more than a tumbleweed rolling through their lives on the whim of a Texas breeze.
Chapter Eleven
The Stagecoach Inn was really hopping tonight, so it took Nate a while to find a parking space.
Once he’d shut off the ignition and got out of the truck, he headed for the entrance, the sound of music and laughter growing louder and more boisterous the closer he got to the door.
He hesitated a moment, his thoughts drifting to the quiet house he’d just left, to the lovely blonde he’d just made love with while soft romantic music played in the background. He had half a notion to turn around and head back home, but this was business. Rodeo promoter Ramon Esteban had a job opening according to Drew, and Nate wanted to hear what the man had to say.
Besides, it was time for a major career change. Ever since the accident, Nate had been avoiding anyone and everything that reminded him of the rodeo. But he was just now realizing that he’d be better off working in an environment he loved, a world in which he’d once lived and thrived. So a position with Esteban Enterprises just might be the perfect job.
Up until recently, Nate would have refused to even meet with Ramon, since doing anything other than competing in an event would have been a big letdown. But then again, so was being a ranch hand on the Rocking C.
Besides, back in the day, Ramon and Grandpa Clint had been good friends, and Nate couldn’t help wanting to connect with the man, even if it was only to share stories and tales of the time when Clinton McClain had been a rodeo champ.
Still, leaving Anna tonight seemed a bit like something Nate’s old man might have done, but he shook off the guilt. This was different. It was business.
&nb
sp; Nate made his way into the crowd, past the bar and the old red jukebox until he spotted both Drew and Ramon at a table in the rear of the country bar. Both men burst into broad smiles when they spotted his approach.
“Hey,” Drew said, getting to his feet and extending his right hand to shake Nate’s. “I’m glad you could make it. I was afraid an evening meeting on the spur of the moment wouldn’t work out for you, now that you’re a family man.”
On the outside, maybe. Nate had a daughter, so he could understand why someone might think that.
“I’ve got a nanny,” Nate said, perpetuating the lie he’d been living.
“That’s great,” Drew said. “Does she live at your house?”
“Actually, she will. I’m going to call her first thing tomorrow morning and ask her to start immediately. In the meantime, I have a sitter who’s watching the baby tonight.” A niggle of guilt rose up again, berating him for referring to Anna as hired help when she’d become more than that. But Nate wanted Ramon and Drew to know that having a baby wouldn’t slow him down when it came to work or travel.
But wouldn’t it?
“Have a seat, Nate.” Ramon motioned for one of the cocktail waitresses.
“What’ll you have?” she asked.
Nate had given up the hard stuff after the accident, although he was tempted to throw back a couple of tequila shooters tonight.
“Corona and lime,” he said.
“You got it.” The blonde turned her attention to Ramon. “Another round, fellas?”
Ramon nodded, and as the woman took off to place the orders, he leaned toward Nate. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”
Nate studied the older man who’d been his grandpa’s friend, even though thirty or more years had separated them. “I’d like to hear it.”
“Henry Yeager gave his two-week notice yesterday. He’s finally decided to retire and move to Arkansas, so his position at Esteban Enterprises is now open. When I mentioned that to Drew, he threw your name into the hat. And I have to say, I liked the suggestion. You’ve got rodeo savvy, as well as connections. I think you’d be perfect for the job. That is, if you want it.”
