A Maverick for Christmas

by Leanne Banks

  With a rough groan, he stripped off the rest of her clothes and nudged her onto the sofa. He stood directly in front of her and she pushed his jeans and underwear down then gave him an intimate kiss.

  It didn’t last long. Seconds later, he followed her down on the couch, pushing her legs apart with his thigh. He dipped his fingers into the place where she was aching for him.

  “You’re already wet,” he said in approval as he caressed her and made her more restless for him. Each stroke made her a little more crazy.

  “Inside,” she whispered. “Come inside.”

  Three more delicious, mind-bending strokes and it seemed he couldn’t wait any longer. He thrust inside her and she arched toward him. She felt his gaze fall over her like liquid fire. The want in his eyes nearly pushed her over the top. When he began to move, she moved in return. The sensations inside her built and she clung to him. He thrust again and she felt herself spin out of control. A heartbeat later, she felt him stiffen with his own climax and she relished the fact that for this moment, this night, he was finally hers.

  Cade stared at the lithe temptress in his arms while he tried to catch his breath. Little Abby Cates. Who would have known she was wild in bed? She met his gaze and her lips lifted in a sensual smile that reminded him of a cat who’d just licked a bowl of cream. Her hands slid over his skin with sensual strokes that indicated she wouldn’t be adverse to going round two with him.

  Cade, however, wanted to get control of himself and he was curious as hell about Abby Firecracker Cates. She was a lot more experienced than he’d expected and not at all shy about going after what she wanted. It made him wonder how many men… A shot of jealousy burned through him, taking him by surprise. He shifted, sitting up slightly, and pulled her onto his lap.

  “You took me by surprise,” he said, sliding his fingers through her hair, which skimmed the top of her breasts. Gazing down her naked body, he thought about everything he still wanted to do to her.

  “How is that?” she asked.

  “Well, I don’t know. I didn’t think you’d be so—” He broke off. “I though you would be more shy. Not so experienced.”

  She licked her lips. “Are you saying you didn’t like—”

  “Hell, no,” he said and raked his hand through his hair. “I just— How many guys have you dated, anyway?”

  She smiled. “Oh, well I’ve been out with a lot of guys, but I’ve only really been with one other guy. First year in college. One time,” she said and turned her head away as if she embarrassed to discuss it.

  “One time?” he echoed, incredulous. “You didn’t make love with me like you’d only done it one other time.”

  Abby sighed and looked at him, sliding her hands over his chest in a way that made him begin to get aroused again. “Okay, I’ll tell you my secret,” she whispered and rubbed her mouth against his. “You inspire me.”

  A ripple of pleasure raced through him like lit gasoline. No one had ever said anything so sexy to him in his life.

  An hour later, after they’d made love again, Cade knew he would sleep well tonight. In fact, he could fall into a half coma given half a chance.

  “I should take you home,” he said, sliding his hands through her hair. He could get addicted to the silky sensation.

  “No need. My car’s parked down the street,” she said.

  “I can’t let you drive home by yourself,” he said, his innate sense of protectiveness rising to the surface.

  “That would be crazy since I have my car,” she said, rising and beginning to put on her clothes. “But it’s a nice thought.”

  Cade felt a strange combination of feelings. He didn’t want her to leave, yet he needed to get himself together. This had been a wild few hours that he hadn’t expected.

  “This doesn’t seem right,” he said, pulling on his own clothes.

  “It’s okay,” she said, then paused and a flicker of vulnerability flashed through her eyes. “Is this a one-night stand?” she asked in a low voice.

  Cade paused. It should be a one-night stand, he thought. But it wouldn’t be. Abby had burrowed her way inside him and he couldn’t let her go. Right now, anyway. “No,” he said standing. “It’s not a one-night stand.”

  Relief trickled through her expression, and he could practically feel the tension ease from her frame. “Then everything’s okay,” she said and pulled on her boots. “And I, um, guess I’ll see you when I see you,” she said, meeting his gaze with a smile.

  She was fully dressed and somehow much more grown-up to him than she had been mere hours ago. She was a woman.

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” he said and pulled on the rest of his clothes. He grabbed his jacket and led the way out the back room, then out of the shop. The frigid air hit him like a slap in the face.

  “Whoa,” he said. “It’s doggone cold.”

  “Can’t disagree,” she said, snuggling inside her coat.

  He reached over and put his arm around her. “Sure you’re okay driving yourself home. This doesn’t seem right.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she said.

  “So, you wanna get together Wednesday?” he asked.

  “Not good for me. I have a study group that night.”

  “Thursday?”

  “Babysitting for my ROOTS mom Lisa,” she said.

  “Well, can you squeeze me in on Friday?” he asked in a half-mocking voice.

  “Maybe,” she said, fluttering her eyelids in a flirty way.

  His gut clenched. Frowning, he wondered where that sensation had come from. “Friday,” he said firmly.

  “Where?” she asked.

  “My house,” he said. “And I”ll pick you up.”

  “It would be better if I drive. That way I won’t get any questions.”

  “I can handle questions,” he said.

  “There’s no need right now,” she said and before they knew it, her orange VW was in sight.

  “You should be driving a more substantial vehicle,” he grumbled.

  “My car gets me around,” she said.

  “And into ditches,” he said.

  “One ditch,” she corrected. “Durring a blizzard. I’ve never gotten stuck before.”

  “If you say so,” he said as they stopped beside her car. He lifted his hands and cradled her hand between them. “I’ll see you Friday,” he said and lowered his mouth to hers. Her lips were swollen from their passion. They quickly grew warm. He did, too. He slid his hand lower to the small of her back to draw her against him where she made him ache for her. Even after all their lovemaking.

  That kiss went on and on, and he would have extended it longer if he hadn’t needed oxygen. He drew back and they both gasped for air. Cade laughed uneasily. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had affected him this way. Had Dominique?

  “All righty,” she finally said in a sexy, husky voice. “I guess I should go.”

  “Yeah,” he said, but still held her in his arms.

  “I don’t really want to,” she confessed in a whisper.

  “That makes two of us,” he said. “I’ll get my SUV and follow you home.”

  “Not necessary,” she said.

  “It is for me,” he said and gave her a brief, firm kiss and pulled back.

  “G’night,” she said softly, and he helped her into her car.

  Jogging back to the shop, Cade got into his SUV and quickly caught up with Abby on her drive toward her home. As he drove, he remembered all the other times he’d taken this same route to get together with Laila. That seemed centuries ago. Although Cade had never been in love with Laila, Abby had completely wiped Laila out of his mind.

  He turned onto her street and watched as she pulled to a stop. Lowering her window, she peeked outside. “See you soon, Cade,” she said with a wave.

  Cade waved in return, feeling a little crazy.

  Abby sauntered into the warm kitchen of her home where Laila and her mother were making lists and looking at photographs o
f bridesmaid dresses. Humming under her breath, she tried to withhold her giddiness over the evening she’d shared with Cade. Plus, she would see him again soon. She was so happy she almost couldn’t contain herself, yet at the same time, she wanted to keep the fantastic news to herself a bit longer.

  “Hey, Abby,” Laila said. “What do you think of this bridesmaid dress? It’s not too fussy, is it?”

  It was horribly fussy and the color was hideous. “Oh, it’s pretty.”

  “What about this one?” she asked, pointing to a pink dress with lace.

  “Oh, that’s pretty, too. Is there anything around here to eat?”

  “You didn’t have any dinner, did you?” her mother asked, frowning. “Where have you been, sweetie?”

  Abby felt her cheeks heat and swiped at her hair. “Regular thing. Studying.”

  Feeling Laila scrutinize her, Abby turned away. “I’ll just fix myself a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.”

  “There’s some chicken potpie in the refrigerator,” her mother said.

  “The wind must have picked up outside,” Laila said. “Your hair’s a mess.”

  Her hair was a mess because Cade couldn’t keep his hands out of it, she thought, remembering how he’d tugged at her hair to draw her mouth against his. She bit her lip and began to make her sandwich. “It always gets difficult to manage when I wait too long to get a haircut. I should make an appointment.”

  “Hmm,” Laila said. “Hey, do you mind taking a look at just one more dress and telling me what you think.”

  “No problem,” she said, licking a dot of grape jelly from her finger. She looked over Laila’s shoulder at the photo where’s Laila’s perfect fingernail pointed at a putrid green dress with rainbow-colored lace and a bustle. It was one of the most hideous dresses she’d ever seen in her life. But who cares? she thought. She’d be happy to wear a burlap sack as long as Cade held her the way he had tonight. “Pretty again,” she said and took a bite of her sandwich.

  Laila shot her a look of complete suspicion. “What have you been smoking? That dress is awful.”

  Abby shrugged. “I hear it’s bad luck to disagree with the bride.”

  “And what is your honest opinion?”

  “My honest opinion is that this is your wedding and you should be happy with all of it,” Abby said. “I’m going to grab a glass of milk and hit the sack soon. I’ll see you later,” she said and kissed her mother on the cheek.

  Her mother sniffed. “Is that a new perfume you’re wearing? I can’t quite place it.”

  Abby felt a nervous twist and giggled. “Eau de pbj? G’night. Love ya.”

  Abby gulped down her sandwich and milk, then washed her face and brushed her teeth. Stripping out of her clothes, she put on her pj’s. She picked up her shirt and inhaled, smelling a hint of Cade’s scent—a delicious combination of aftershave, leather and pure man.

  Her bedroom door swung open and Laila stepped inside, studying her. “What are you doing?”

  Abby glanced away. “Smelling my shirt to see if I can get another day’s wear out it. What do you think?”

  “I don’t know,” Laila said. “There’s something about you. I can’t quite put my finger on it. You’re practically—hmm—glowing. What’s going on?” she demanded.

  “Nothing. How are you doing? You seem to be making progress with your wedding plans,” Abby said.

  Laila furrowed her brow. “Don’t change the subject.” She frowned then her eyes rounded. “You’ve been with Cade. What have you been doing with him, Abby?”

  “Nothing terrible,” she said, because it had all been wonderful. “Why do you care? It’s none of your business. You don’t want him anymore. You never did,” she said, her stomach clenching nervously.

  “I care because you’re my sister.” Laila crossed the room and sat on Abby’s bed. She lifted her hand to push a strand of Abby’s hair from her face. “I know I said it was perfect if you and Cade got together, but I hope you won’t move too fast with him. Or expect too much from him.”

  “What do you mean?” Abby asked, feeling a yucky sensation in her stomach.

  “I mean, you’re not that experienced.”

  “Oh, don’t you start with that, too,” Abby said, pulling back and rolling her eyes.

  “Ah, so Cade has said the same thing,” Laila said.

  “I’m really tired,” Abby said, not wanting to hear what her sister had to say. She’d had a magical evening, the most wonderful evening of her life, and she didn’t want anyone, especially Laila, to spoil it. “I need to get some rest.”

  “Just be careful,” Laila said. “Cade is a wonderful man, but when it comes to his heart, it may as well be locked up in Fort Knox.”

  “How would you know that?” Abby asked. “You never really took him seriously, anyway.”

  “But I’ve known him a long time,” Laila said. “Like I said, Cade’s a good man, but I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  Abby sighed and put her hand over Laila’s. “You had your chance with Cade and you didn’t want him. Maybe that’s why he never really opened up his heart to you. You didn’t love him as much as—”

  Laila’s eyes rounded. “Oh, Abby. You may have a bad case of hero worship, but you can’t be in love with him. You’re too young.”

  Abby’s frustration ripped through her. “I realize you’re in love, but that doesn’t make you an authority on my feelings, or Cade’s.” She smiled. “Be happy for me. I am. Just please don’t tell anyone else. It’s still too new,” she said and sank back onto her pillow. “What does too new mean?” Laila asked.

  “Exactly what I said. Can you please keep it to yourself?” Abby asked.

  “Yeah,” Laila said in a reluctant but gentle voice and stroked Abby’s head. “Just be careful with your sweet heart. And remember you deserve a man who can give you all of his heart, too. G’night, sweetie,” she said and turned off the lamp beside Abby’s bed.

  In the darkness, Abby closed her eyes, wanting to close her mind to everything Laila had said. Laila may have dated Cade off and on for several years, but their relationship had never been deep. Abby shoved her sister’s warnings out of her mind and focused on how Cade had felt in her arms, and how much he had wanted her. Surely, that had to mean something. With all his reservations, Cade wouldn’t have given in to his feelings for her if those feelings weren’t strong. Abby clung to that thought, but her sister’s voice played through her mind like a song she wanted to forget.

  Cade’s fingers itched to call Abby several times during the next few days. He was torn between wanting to get together with her before Friday and telling her that the two of them together was not a good idea. He held off until Friday when his father came down with a virus, which wouldn’t have been a big deal if a reporter for a major decorating magazine wasn’t coming to town to interview his dad.

  At the last minute, Cade was stuck answering three thousand questions from a snap-happy journalist. In the back of his mind, he noticed the time passing, but the journalist was fascinated with their specialty pieces and the stories behind them. At six o’clock, the journalist/reporter, Ellie Ogburn, offered to take him to dinner. Cade sent a text to Abby canceling their date, telling her he had a big work issue.

  At the Hiching Post, Ellie continued to interview him. She was a lively, confident woman in her late twenties with an inquisitive mind. “So, how did you become such an artist? From my initial phone interview with your father, he said you were artistic from the beginning.”

  Uneasy with the woman’s flattery, he scrubbed his chin with his palm. “My dad was being kind. In the beginning, my creativity didn’t always mesh with functionality.”

  “Yes, your father encouraged you. So he must have seen a spark of genius?”

  Cade winced. “I think genius is pushing it. You need to remember my family is all about hard work. All of us show up every day to get the job done.”

  “But you’re the one in demand now. You’re the one who makes
the specialty pieces that everyone wants signed. Why?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I can’t explain it. I just listen to the stories of why these clients want specialty pieces, and then I go to work. Sometimes it’s about family. Sometimes it’s about work, but it always involves some kind of passion. I think about the personalities of the people who are requesting these specialized pieces. The woodworking is important to them or they wouldn’t be seeking me out. If you want something basic, you can go to a big-box store to take care of it. There’s nothing wrong with that. This economy is squeezing all of us. But if you come to me asking for a customized piece, then I’m going to do my best to give you something unique that fits you and your needs.”

  Ellie smiled. “That’s pretty impressive. You mentioned the word passion. Where’s the passion in your life? Do you have anyone special that inspires you?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

  Her flirty response gave him a jolt, and his mind slid to thoughts of Abby. He couldn’t help remembering when she’d told him that he inspired her. “I keep my personal life private,” he said and just let his statement sit there. He could deal with the silence, but he’d learned that many other people couldn’t.

  Ellie nodded and finally said, “Okay, well, is there a Mrs. Cade Pritchett?”

  “Not gonna discuss my private life,” he said firmly.

  “That’s just a status,” she protested. “Single or married.”

  “Last time,” he said. “I’m not discussing my private life.”

  “That’s a shame. Any chance you’d like to come to New York for a long weekend?” she asked.

  “I wouldn’t want to cloud the article you’re going to write from this interview,” he said.

  She pursed her lips. “You’re no fun.”

  “True,” he said. “Ask anyone. I’m no fun.”

  “Why do I think that’s a front?”

  He shrugged, his mind sliding toward Abby. “No idea.”

  An hour later, he escorted Ellie to her hotel, but left before she entered the lobby. He drove home and entered his too-silent house. His dog greeted him with a bark and a wag then followed him as he walked to the kitchen to grab a beer. If things had ended out differently, as he’d planned, he wouldn’t have spent the evening alone. His body warmed at the thought. She would have gotten him hot and taken him up and down and all around. She would have made him needy, but left him satisfied.