Beneath the Stetson

by Janice Maynard

  He put a fist to his chest. “Be still my heart.”

  “Not that I’m criticizing, but it seems like one of us needs to remember the clock.”

  “I don’t have to be there ’til five. I called them.”

  Her eyebrows went up, her expression scandalized. “You asked your friends if you could be late so that you and I could fool around in the middle of nowhere?”

  He shrugged, not the least bit repentant. “That’s about it.”

  She threw herself across the small space separating them, forcing him to catch her by the waist and lift her against his chest. He staggered backward, but caught himself.

  Laughing down at him, her eyes sparkling with an innocent joy he’d rarely seen compared to her serious side, she rested her hands on his shoulders. “I do like this naughty version of Gil Addison. Very much.”

  For that, she deserved a kiss. Slowly, he let her slide down his body...like the hero’s maneuver in a romantic chick flick. Her breasts nestled against his chest, giving him a mouthwatering view that was more provocative than total nudity. When her feet touched the quilt, they were both breathless. He tunneled the fingers of one hand in her hair, grabbing a handful and pulling her close. “And I do like this bra.”

  She rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I’m waiting to see your fancy maneuver.” Grabbing his left hand, she brought it to her lips. “Show me what you’ve got.”

  To his eternal embarrassment, it took him three tries to unfasten the bra clasp one-handed.

  Bailey just laughed. “I think I’m glad you aren’t any better than that. No woman likes to be part of a crowd.”

  He pulled her down to the quilt again, this time knowing that nothing was going to stand in his way. “You’ll never be one of a crowd, honey.” She didn’t know how true that was, but now was not the time to convince her with words.

  He knelt over her, dragging the belt from around his waist and tossing it aside. Thankful that he hadn’t worn his boots today, he kicked off his shoes and socks and unfastened his trousers. His erection bobbed thick and ready, tenting the thin fabric of his boxers.

  Bailey licked her lips. “This feels wicked,” she murmured.

  “What does?”

  She waved a hand. “Doing it outside in broad daylight.”

  “All the better to see you with, my dear.”

  “So that makes you the Big Bad Wolf?”

  He grinned, shucking the pants but leaving the boxers for now. His sweater was far too warm, so he dispensed with it, as well. Bailey’s interested gaze studied him from head to toe and all points in between. Her unconcealed perusal aroused him even more, if that were possible.

  “You could say that,” he said calmly. “I do have an inclination to gobble you up. Lift your fanny, woman.” He peeled her leggings down and off, exposing thighs and calves that were long and shapely. The black lace panties he revealed matched the bra that now lay nearby.

  He shook his head, trying to dispel a rush of dizziness, possibly caused by all the blood that had traveled south.

  Bailey bent one knee, placing her foot flat on the quilt. The new position was provocative to say the least. “You okay?”

  He nodded, hands on his thighs. “I need a minute. Looking at you may give me a heart attack.”

  “Very funny.”

  “I’m not kidding,” he insisted. “Have you seen yourself in a mirror? You’re a knockout, Bailey.”

  “It’s the champagne talking. I may have to drive to Midland. I think you’re delusional.”

  Trapping her thighs between his, he straddled her waist. The rocky ground beneath the quilt was hell on his knees, but the pain was a good thing if it kept him from rushing the moment. “Don’t argue with me. I’m always right.”

  “You like to think so.”

  “If I kiss you, will it shut you up?”

  “Why don’t you try it and see?”

  He crouched over her, stroking her curves with hands that trembled. Though the afternoon was plenty warm, small nipples pebbled at his touch. Despite her saucy bravado, he detected a hint of shyness even now. Her eyelids fluttered shut as he played with her breasts.

  Her hips moved restlessly. He recognized the signs and felt the same urgency. “I want to make love to you,” he said, the words ragged and hoarse. He felt as if he could barely draw a breath.

  As she lifted up on her elbows without warning, she brushed the underside of his erection. “Then we’re both going to get what we want.” Her smile was pure female mischief.

  Wiggling her hips, she used one hand to remove her last tiny scrap of underwear. He stood and followed suit. Donning a condom, he dropped down beside her and splayed a hand on her belly. “You dazzle me,” he said roughly, with perfect truth. When he had fallen in love with his wife-to-be, he had been no more than a callow young man, hardly aware of the pitfalls that could loom in a relationship.

  His marriage, or rather its failure, had almost broken him. When Sherrie ended her life, Gil had drowned in pain and guilt. During Cade’s brief lifetime, things had gradually improved, because Gil had willed it to be so. But he had been convinced deep down inside that he would never have another chance at love.

  Yet without warning, Bailey Collins had burst into his life. First he had resented her. Then he had wanted her. And now...he could barely even describe to himself what it was that he was feeling.

  Bailey smiled at him wistfully, her eyes dark, mysterious. Was she even a fraction as hungry as he was?

  Her hand wrapped around his erection, moving gently up and down, her fingers circling the head of his shaft. “I will always be glad I came to Royal,” she whispered. Her voice broke on the last word.

  “Don’t say that. Don’t write an epitaph before we’re done.”

  Her eyes glittered with moisture. “Time’s running out, Gil. Come here and give us both what we need.”

  He obeyed blindly, because joining his body with hers was what he wanted more than his next breath. Touching her gently, he felt the slick heat that signaled her readiness. He thrust slowly, closing his eyes at the sensation of rightness. Somehow he had to make this new turn in his life work. Somehow...

  The sun moved inexorably in the sky. Already the rays burned his back, the patch of shade shrinking. Each of his senses was painfully heightened. Bailey’s skin was soft and warm everywhere he touched. The sound of their breathing mingled and floated away on the breeze. He smelled the fragrance of her perfume and the scent of his own sweat.

  He withdrew briefly, though it cost him. Lightly, he teased the tiny spot that gave her the most pleasure. Her back arched off the quilt and she cried out as she climaxed, her body beautiful in its sensual abandon.

  Before the last ripple of her orgasm faded, he entered her again, this time with far less finesse. Wildly he took her, over and over, until he felt a scalding rush of heat that ripped through his gut and drew a harsh shout from his parched throat at the end as he came endlessly, his head buried in the curve of her neck.

  * * *

  Bailey peeked through half-closed lashes, eyeing the buzzard that circled far overhead. Had she and Gil been comatose that long? She lifted her hand and squinted at her watch. Almost four o’clock. By the time they put themselves to rights and finished the drive to Midland, Cade would be waiting on them.

  She nudged her lover’s shoulder. “Gil.”

  “Hmm?” He didn’t stir.

  “We have to go.”

  “I bought us an extra hour,” he mumbled.

  “We’ve used that and more. I’m serious. Move, Addison.”

  He levered himself up on one elbow and blinked. “Crankiness is not a nice trait in a woman,” he said. “Maybe you could work on that.”

  His droll humor made her smile. “Duly noted.”

  H
e helped her to her feet and she leaned into him, relishing the intimate feel of skin-to-skin contact.

  Gil pinched her bottom. “I’d kill for a shower.”

  “Yes, well...you’re the one who opted for alfresco shenanigans.”

  “You’re the only person I know who could use that word with a straight face.” He kissed her nose.

  “It’s a perfectly good word.”

  “Do they teach you that in law enforcement training?” He lowered his voice. “I’ve got a sixty-two fifty-one down at the Motel Six. Shenanigans without a license.”

  She burst out laughing. “You are so full of it. Get dressed before someone comes to arrest us.”

  They were woefully unprepared for the aftermath of their romp. Fortunately, Gil remembered a container of wet wipes in the glove box. With the aid of those and the items in her purse, Bailey was able to restore her appearance to some semblance of dignity and decorum. Though she had left home looking perky and fresh, she was now definitely disheveled.

  It didn’t help that Gil kept trying to snitch her bra or tweak unprotected body parts. And that was not the only distraction standing in her way. Who could help noticing the breadth of his muscled shoulders or the fact that even now, he was semierect. As if his hunger had been only partially sated by their coupling.

  But at last, they finally climbed back into the truck and headed out to the highway. When they made it onto even pavement, Gil shot her a look. “I have a favor to ask.”

  She pulled down the visor mirror and checked her reflection, wetting her finger to remove a tiny bit of something stuck to her eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure you used up all your markers back in Dry Gulch.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “Okay.” She closed the mirror. “Tell me.”

  “I’m meeting up with a friend tomorrow morning and helicoptering three counties over to check on some stud bulls we hope to buy. I use a high school girl in town to babysit Cade in the evenings whenever I need her. But it occurred to me that he would really enjoy spending part of the day with you. Chance has activities for children out at the ranch, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes. But you don’t have to do this. I don’t need a grand gesture to prove that you trust me with your son. It isn’t necessary.”

  “So you don’t want to hang out with him?”

  She sighed. “Of course I do.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  Now seemed as good a time as any to share the news she had been sitting on since midday. “I talked to my boss when I went home to change clothes.”

  “You called him?” Gil’s jaw was tight.

  “No. He called me. Apparently as soon as we left the hospital, Rodrigo del Toro did some digging and went up the chain of command. He informed my boss that he would assume responsibility for the investigation since he had unlimited funds and Alex was safely back at home.”

  The word Gil said under his breath was harsh. “So that’s it? The state drops the case without a resolution?”

  “No, of course not. But del Toro doesn’t like working with a woman, and he holds the purse strings right now, unfortunately. They’ll send someone else to step in for me here in Royal. And besides, I’m needed back in Dallas to take over a new case.”

  “When?” It wasn’t her imagination. He was pale beneath his tan.

  She swallowed, feeling on the defensive and not sure why. “This coming Thursday. I have to wrap up all my notes and file a final report.”

  “I see.”

  The next few miles passed in uneasy silence. She didn’t understand Gil’s reaction. It was no secret that her assignment in Royal was temporary. Perhaps Gil was angry because Alex’s kidnapper hadn’t been apprehended.

  “I don’t think you have to worry about public safety,” she said, after at least fifteen minutes had elapsed on the dashboard clock. “We’re almost ninety percent sure that Alex was targeted specifically. This isn’t some rogue criminal who poses a threat to the general population. And now that Mr. del Toro is here―with money to spare for security details―I think any real danger is minimal.”

  “For Alex’s sake, I hope you’re right.” Even after her earnest reassurances, his shoulders were still rigid, his hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel.

  She bit her lip. Confrontation had never been her strong suit. But in ten minutes or so, the talkative Cade would be joining them. Before that happened, Bailey wanted to clear the air.

  “You seem upset,” she said.

  Gil’s scowl was dark. When he took his eyes off the road for a brief moment to look at her directly, the turbulence in his gaze shocked her. “And you’re not?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  With a jerk of the steering wheel and a flurry of gravel, he pulled off onto the side of the road and shoved the gearshift into Park. Turning to face her, he shocked her with the vehemence of his icy tone. “Maybe I can explain it in words that make sense to a by-the-book government type.”

  “That’s not fair,” she said, tears stinging her eyes.

  “Too bad, because that’s how I see it.” He was furious, that much was clear. “Your boss summons you, and it doesn’t bother you at all that you and I are in the middle of a—”

  She punched him in the chest, halting the flow of heated sarcasm. “I know what we’re in the middle of,” she cried. “But we both know the statistics on long-distance relationships.”

  His lips twisted, his expression bleak. “So we were merely scratching an itch?”

  “Don’t be crude.” She was shaking. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she held on to a thread of composure. “When we were together before...and again today. It was wonderful.”

  “The sex, you mean.” His eyes were flat, accusing.

  “What do you want from me, Gil?”

  The silence lengthened. “Nothing, Bailey. Nothing at all.”

  Thirteen

  She didn’t know what to do. Never in a million years had she expected this reaction to her announcement. Inside, she grieved for the moment she would have to say goodbye. Of course she was sad. The thought of leaving Gil was tearing her apart. But moaning about it wouldn’t help.

  He moved back out onto the highway, merging with the traffic and eating up the miles to Midland.

  The hostile silence shredded her nerves. “Tell me about your friends,” she said. Anything to pass the time until Cade would join them. With the little boy in the truck as a buffer, the trip home wouldn’t be so bad. At the moment, however, her head was throbbing, and she needed a distraction sooner rather than later.

  For several long seconds she thought Gil was going to ignore her request. But finally, he inhaled and exhaled, and some of the tension left him. “We all went to college together,” he said. “Got married about the same time. Had a son about the same time. They were an incredible support to me after Sherrie was gone. Food. Companionship. Advice when I asked. A shoulder to cry on.”

  “I can’t imagine you letting down your guard enough to admit you needed help.” It was a true statement, but as soon as the words left her mouth she realized they came out sounding sarcastic. Fortunately, Gil didn’t take offense.

  “I was a mess,” he said with raw honesty. “I was still adjusting to being a parent, and I was terrified I would do something wrong. Plus, the guilt about Sherrie was overwhelming.”

  “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “Doesn’t matter how true that is or how many times you tell yourself so, the burden is crushing when someone you love commits suicide. I felt like a complete failure.”

  Only hours ago she would have slid across the seat and put her arm around him. Now, she didn’t feel as if she had the right. “I’m glad they were there for you.”

  “My parents were, too. They still lived in Royal back the
n.”

  Bailey stared out the window. She was under no illusions that her father would ever rush to her aid in a similar situation. The divide between them was much too large to cross.

  Perhaps that was why she hadn’t let Gil see the depth of her despair about leaving Royal...about leaving him. She had learned early on in life to pull herself up by her bootstraps and deal with hardships on her own. Self-sufficiency had been one of the few things of value her father gave her. That and the certainty that if she ever had a child of her own, she would wrap him or her in love that would never be doubted.

  In the midst of her soul-searching, the truck rolled to a stop in front of an attractive two-story home in an upper-middle-class neighborhood. Bailey touched Gil’s arm. “I’m going to stay here.” He had already told her he didn’t plan to linger.

  Gil frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous. Come meet my friends.”

  She shook her head. “They’re an important part of your life. If I go in with you, they’ll make assumptions. Let’s not complicate things.”

  “Lord, you’re stubborn.”

  “Go get Cade. I’ll be fine.”

  He stalked away, clearly displeased. Her decision was the right one, though. If Gil showed up with a woman in tow, his friends would think something was going on. And it wasn’t. She and Gil were having recreational sex. To fill a void in their lives.

  Wanting more didn’t make it so.

  * * *

  As Gil walked back to the truck with Cade, he ruffled his son’s hair. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “What is it?” Cade looked tired and not quite as bouncy as usual. No doubt the boys had stayed up far too late.

  “I brought a friend with me.”

  Gil opened the truck door and helped Cade climb into the back. The boy grinned hugely when he saw who sat in the passenger seat. “Hi, Miss Bailey. Wish I could sit up front with you.”

  She leaned over the seat and patted his knee. “We have to obey the law. Wouldn’t want Sheriff Battle to arrest us.”