It appeared she’d be busy.
“You want to eat back at the house or at the bunkhouses?”
“Oh, um…” Recalling how pushy Maree had been over the picnic basket, she smiled easily. It’d been clear Miller’s mom had wanted them to have alone time. She planned to take advantage of the opportunity. “The bunkhouse.”
Abruptly, the truck jolted as he cut down a gravel road. While they’d traveled on a road made of asphalt, the traveling out here for the most part was anything but smooth. Though now Miller was driving them straight up to a picnic area. “Nice setup.” She pointed toward the grills.
“We like our barbeques.” He stopped the truck and pocketed the keys. He reached back for a blanket before leaving the truck.
Grabbing the basket, she climbed down from the cab. Butterflies awoke in her tummy. “I feel as nervous as I did at my senior prom.”
“What was that, luv?” Miller glanced back her way.
“Nothing.” She was being silly. There was no need to be nervous. Or overly excited.
Miller walked over into the shade the pavilion’s roof provided and dropped the blanket to the grass. He knelt to spread the corners out.
Quietly, she joined him to settle down with the basket. She sat within inches of his hip. “Any idea what your mom packed?”
“Nope.”
The Native was back to being a man of few words. Strange, he seemed more open last night. Still, she didn’t mind his silence. She’d never been as comfortable around another person. He made her feel safe, protected. It was a good way to feel. He also made her feel wanton. And deliciously sexy. Something else she’d not experienced before.
He removed his hat to run his hand through his hair. Instead of replacing the hat, he put it down on his other side. “So where do you want to go for our date?” He didn’t turn her way, simply looked out over the never-ending landscape.
“Why, I thought this was our first date.” She studied his handsome profile.
He rested back on his elbows. “This isn’t much of a date.”
“I think this place is lovely.” She opened the basket to place a wrapped sandwich on his chest. And a water bottle nearby for him. “A perfect place for a date. Nice weather.”
“It’s bloody hot.”
Well, it was hot. It’d been a scorcher since she’d arrived in Australia. But she’d gotten used to the heat.
“And my company, well, he’s yummy.” There, he couldn’t say something negative to that.
“Luv.” His accent washed over her nerve ending. With a rough hand, he reached out and cupped her cheek, caressed her skin. She turned her head and kissed his fingertips. As she watched, his gaze darkened to send a shiver through her.
Oh, she liked that sexy look on him.
Exhaling nosily, he shifted onto his side to face her. “If you’ve got some place in mind you want to go, I’ll take you.”
She shook her head. “I just want to get to know you, Native.”
Once again she surveyed the picnic area the station had for their guests. The pavilion and surrounding land was empty now. The quiet enveloped them. Nowhere could be more peaceful. An endless blue sky with a rolling green blanketing the Earth.
He ate two sandwiches to her one as they shared the water bottle. “This is good.” She wadded her baggie up and shoved it into the cooler side of the basket.
“Eh, kangaroo salad.”
Kaycee gasped. “Miller, that was chicken salad!”
“Maybe.” A half grin softened his face.
She pounced on him, he allowed her to force him to lie back on the blanket. “You’re not going to tease me like that.”
He laughed roughly and caught her hips in his hands.
“I did not just eat a cute little roo.”
“Hell no, kangaroos are bloody mean-tempered bastards.”
Laughing, she lowered her head to kiss him. “Oh, Miller.” Her lips lingered over his. “I like it when you tease me.”
His response was no more than a grunt.
Nibbling on his lower lip, she straddled his waist. She leaned over, only to have him push back up onto his elbows so she could reach him more easily. A gasp of excitement rushed from her mouth into his as she settled on his confined cock.
She loved the feel of his mouth against hers. Loved kissing him so much…
Panting, she cradled his face in her hands. Her fingers trembled at the feel of his jaws working to embrace her mouth, deepen the kiss. His caressing lips and exploring tongue kindled her desire, provoked her responses to a keenness that left her shaken.
A kiss turned into another and another, then another. Breathless, she whimpered.
Arousal wet her panties. Swelled her breasts. Her nipples ached to be pinched and pulled on. She rocked her hips delighting in his hard cock that teased her through their clothes.
Like a glutton, her lips clung to his in a kiss that scorched her from the inside out. “Oh…” She rolled her hips a time or two to enjoy his rigid length. Delicious sensations swirled in her center, threatening to consume her. “Oh, a swim under that waterfall up north would be wonderful right now.” Yes, she was that hot. A swim to cool off would be heavenly.
Reluctantly, she straightened up.
“You want to go back up north?” The lines of his handsome face were tense. Sweat coated his forehead.
“I’d love to.” She placed a single kiss on his compressed lips. “I’d love to, but I need to get settled.”
“Just say the word, and we’ll go.”
“Don’t tempt me.” She laughed.
“Anything you want, Yank.” His cock remained as rigid as a board.
“Miller?” She turned serious.
“Eh?”
“Don’t let me rush getting to know you. Let’s work at getting to know one another.” She pressed her lips to his once more and moaned. “Promise me.” She wanted to know everything about him. She wanted to know enough about him so she’d remember him long after she had to return to the States. So she’d remember him forever. As much as she’d needed a new beginning, her mom and sister were in the States. From the phone calls, her mom already missed her. And she them.
His mouth opened, inviting her into its warmth. Tangling a hand in her hair, he sat up. A groan rumbled from his chest. He broke the kiss. His lips brushed her temple. “Whatever you want.” Rough breaths rushed through his nose. He swallowed. “But if you need, want time, you’ll need to get off my lap.”
“Oh.” She scrambled off, allowing him to stand. “Oh.” Heat spread up her face. She didn’t want him to think she was a tease after the sex they’d shared before… To get him all worked up and to call a halt. Clearly she’d gotten carried away.
He straightened to his full height, before raking his fingers through his hair. He blew out a breath and put his hat on. The bulge in his pants didn’t lessen. “You looking at it isn’t going to help my situation.”
“Oh.” She glanced up to find his sexy half smile in place. She smiled in return. “I can’t help myself. It’s so big.”
He shook his head at her silliness.
Kaycee sighed. “I suppose I need to get back so I can get ready for my shift at Brady’s.”
“Reckon so.” He scooped up the blanket.
Sighing, she collected the basket. A step or two behind him, she followed. Maybe getting to know him better wasn’t as necessary as she’d originally thought. She’d never been so comfortable with anyone the way she was Miller.
Miller hesitated before entering the pub. He probably should’ve just stayed home, but after the excellent day he’d had with Kaycee, he’d wanted to see her again. So, after showering, he’d set out for town. Besides, he had a package to send out to his brother. Since the postie was located in town, it left him little choice.
Bloody hell. Fact was he wanted to see her again, other reasons be damned. Needed to make sure none of the jackaroos gave her a hard time. The muscles in his shoulders tensed. No he didn’t lik
e the idea of any bloke near Kaycee. After what had happened with Emily, with Denae, he worried that someone might steal Kaycee’s attention. Realistically, it was possible.
Inside, his sister-in-law, Hayleigh, and a neighbor, Isabella, caught his attention. He glanced down at his watch for the date. Fuck. He’d forgotten the bi-weekly card game. “G’day.” He leaned over to grasp the back of a chair at their table. “G’day, Isabella.”
“G’day, Miller.”
“Glad you made it.” Hayleigh smiled. “Cohen’s running late too.”
“About that…” He straightened in an attempt to catch Kaycee’s eye. She worked at one end of the bar while old man Brady stood at the other. Growing agitated, his gaze narrowed when it appeared she purposely avoided looking his way. What the fuck? Why wouldn’t she look at him?
“She’s American like me.” Hayleigh looked over her shoulder, then back at him. “Issy and I chatted with her a few minutes earlier.”
He grunted. Obviously, Co hadn’t given his missus an earful yet. Because he was bloody sure T would’ve spread word of his “friendship” with Kaycee throughout the station.
“You all right, Miller?” Isabella took a drink of her amber fluid. The ladies exchanged a glance.
Kaycee headed into the storage room.
“Sure. Be right back.” On a mission, he followed her.
After a quick knock, he stuck his head in. “How’s the evening going?”
“You lied to me.” In her gaze, a storm blew.
“What?” Stepping inside, he closed and locked the door. “I’ve never lied about a bloody thing.”
“I don’t like liars.” Tightlipped, she turned around. “It’s strange how a day can nosedive.”
What the bloody fuck? “Yank?” As he attempted to reach for her, she side-stepped away.
“On the plane, I asked if you were involved.”
“I’m not.” What had gotten into her?
“The woman with your sister-in-law…”
“Isabella?” Putting his hands on his hips, he stared. “What about her?”
“She cares about you.”
“We play fucking cards a couple times a month.” He exhaled to calm himself. There was absolutely nothing between Isabella and him.
Sure, he was no fool. He’d figured Hayleigh had tried to set the two of them up. But there hadn’t ever been a spark of attraction on his part. He played cards to have the time with his brother. Nothing more.
Kaycee’s expression was unbelieving. “I listened to the woman talk about you.”
“We play fucking cards together.” Hell, he even preferred to have Hayleigh as a partner. His sister-in-law played better.
“How long have you been playing cards?”
“Few months.” Four or five maybe. He shrugged, not seeing that it mattered.
“Okay, so you don’t think there’s anything between you two…” She moistened her lips. “What about how I felt… How I wanted you to stay with me back in the hotel?”
What Kaycee and he had shared didn’t compare to cards. Fuck. He didn’t want to do this.
“Well, what if Isabella has feelings for you and hasn’t said anything because of fear of rejection?”
Sweat beaded his palms. Did the Yank expect him to respond?
“The way I felt.” She waved a hand. “I was terrified of being rejected by you.”
Tension knotted his muscles. Bugger me. Where was she going with this? “Luv, I’ll talk to Isabella. Don’t get worked up over nothing.”
“I don’t think my concerns are nothing.”
Bugger me.
“Don’t look at me that way.” She ducked her head. “Isabella said she looked forward to tonight. Called it a date.” Stormy eyes tore at him.
“I’ll talk to Isabella.” Bloody fuck, he’d talk to Hayleigh too.
“I don’t want to be the cause of conflict.” She shook her head. “The way things happened between us… Maybe…maybe…” Lower lip quivering with emotion, she looked away. “Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this.”
Bloody fuck. Moving, before she could get out of his reach, he caught her shoulders in his hands.
“I don’t want to disrupt your life.” Kaycee’s hands gripped his wrists, nails dug into his skin. “Only to leave.”
Disrupt his life? His life had been fuller now than he wanted to admit. “None of that.” He kissed her gently. Or tried to. There’d be no talk of leaving. At least, not yet. Her lips clung to his as he deepened the embrace.
She moaned, snuggled closer.
Prick throbbing, he cupped her arse to press the rigid length into her soft body. His fingers roved up to drift under her shirt. The delicate skin of her lower back tempted him to get closer.
Don’t let me rush getting to know you…
Let’s work at getting to know one another.
Chest heaving, he raised his head to rest his forehead on hers. Damn, but she had him feeling like a young man again.
As much as he wanted to rush through this discovery period, he wouldn’t. For her, he’d stay in control.
Moist lips nibbled at his. With nimble fingers, she unbuttoned a few of his shirt’s top buttons. Early on, he’d figured out she had a thing for touching his chest. It was a habit of hers he liked. Without stopping, her fingers delved into the hair that covered his skin. She petted him as if she couldn’t help herself. It was a big turn-on. She caressed him until her breathing calmed, until his heart rate eased.
He cleared his throat. “You okay now?”
“Yeah.” She exhaled. “I’m sorry about…”
“No harm done, luv.” Fact was, he’d liked her show of jealousy. It’d been a first in his life. But most importantly, he was damn glad his world hadn’t gone to hell. He allowed his hands to drop to his sides. “I’d better get out of here.”
“Yeah.”
“I can wait around.”
“No.” The smile she treated him to showcased her dimples. “You need to get some rest.”
Supposing he did, he nodded.
Kaycee looked as if she meant to say more.
When she didn’t, he left her alone, pulling the door closed behind him. The room seemed to quiet when he entered. He glared at a few blokes nearby who wore grins.
Long strides carried him across the room. Cohen had joined Hayleigh and Isabella. “Mate.” His brother winked. “Ordered you a pint.”
Miller picked up the mug, but didn’t take the seat. He brought the mug to his mouth only to set it back down. At the bar, it looked as if Brady was giving Kaycee a what for. Through narrowed eyes it looked as if Kaycee had just said a few choice words of her own. It was difficult to follow. The two were trying to be discreet in their argument. He’d seen that look on her face before. At the airport when she’d been pissed. Only then it’d been at him.
Actually, she looked more disgruntled now than he’d seen her before.
What the fuck was going on now?
His temper heated his blood.
Eyes narrowed, he watched as Kaycee picked up her bag and headed his way. Her face was flushed. Oh eh, the Yank was pissy about something.
All eyes were on her as she crossed the room.
There wasn’t long to wait before he knew why. At his side, she grabbed hold of his collar to get him to bend over. She pressed her lips to his ear. “Brady just fired me. Fired me.” Her hand tightened on his shirt as her voice rose. “Do you want to know why?”
No. “Eh, I do.”
“Because he said I wasn’t allowed to use his storage room as a place for business.”
“Bloody fuck no,” he roared on the move. The old man hadn’t…
Kaycee blocked him with a palm to his chest. “Do not make any more of a scene.”
Fuming he stared hard across the pub, then down at Kaycee.
“Please, no scene.”
He straightened to his full height. As the realization hit him his fists knotted. The old man had let her go because of his mooch of
a bastard son. Their minute alone in the storage room had simply been an excuse.
Cohen snickered.
Kaycee’s gray eyes cut his little brother off at the knees. A high flush still covered her face. “I’m starting to think you’re bad luck.” She raised a finger. “First, I nearly had a heart attack when your engine stalled from dirt.” A second finger was raised. “I lost one of my very favorite pair of boots. And third, for the first time in my life, I’ve just been fired.”
“I’ll talk to the old…”
“No, you won’t either. It’s done.” Turning her back on him, she left him standing there.
Miller glared at Brady who had gone on with his business. He glanced the way Kaycee had gone. “Bugger me.”
“This is bloody excellent.” Cohen wore a shit-eating grin. One Miller wanted to wipe off his brother’s face. Eh, a round with his brother would relieve him of some of his anger over Brady’s action.
Talking to Brady would be pointless. “I’ve got to go.”
“Better hurry.” Hayleigh waved him away.
“Isabella.” What to say?
“Go on, Miller.” Isabella smile was gentle, though he didn’t look too deeply into her eyes. “Maybe next time we can play singles and Kaycee can join us.”
“Thanks a heap.” He tipped his hat and followed his Yank.
Chapter Ten
On the telly a game played, though for the first time that he could recall, he paid little attention to it. Nope. Damn hard to pay attention with a stiff prick filling out your pants.
Curvy thighs in shorts and breasts in a tight shirt held him captive. The Yank’s hair hung loose. And her scent. Christ, from where he sat on his end of the couch he could smell her clean, soft scent but he couldn’t touch her.
He wanted to touch her. Bury his nose in that mass of black hair, between her lush breasts. And then between her legs to inhale the most intoxicating scent of all.
Kaycee’s wet pussy.
A breath shuddered through him, and he shifted once more. The movement brought no relief to his confined prick.
Nearly an hour ago, they’d arrived home separately, a few minutes apart from each other. She hadn’t given him a chance to talk to her again, though she seemed to be over the mood she’d left from the pub in.
True Blue Love: The Thorns, Book 3 Page 13
