by Ruth Langan
He started to step back. “Sorry. I can’t do this. Even for you, Maggie. It’s getting too serious for me.”
She brought her arms around his neck, holding him still. “Didn’t you tell me the next step was up to me?”
He hesitated, then looked down into her eyes. And could see the invitation there.
His smile flared. That hot, dangerous smile that did such strange things to her insides. “Yeah. So, what did you have in mind?”
“This.” She lifted herself on tiptoe and brushed her mouth over his.
Instead of the reaction she’d expected, he merely kept his eyes on hers. His hands were still held stiffly at his sides.
When she stepped back he said, “Okay. I get it. You want to forget your problems by losing yourself in some mindless sex.”
She started to pull away. “I didn’t…”
He caught her roughly by the arm. “No. You didn’t say so. But it’s what you meant.”
When she didn’t offer to defend herself, his tone roughened. “Be warned, Maggie. What I have in mind isn’t mindless. And it sure as hell won’t be civilized.”
She swallowed, fighting the icy fingers of fear that were curling along her spine. She lifted her chin, determined to swallow back the fear. “All the better. I just want…”
She barely got the words out when his mouth covered hers in a kiss so hot, so hungry, it wiped every thought from her mind.
For one tiny moment she almost resisted. It was a purely reflexive movement. One second her hands were at his bare chest, about to push him away.
Her gasp of alarm had his heart pumping, his loins tightening. He nearly devoured her with kisses.
Suddenly her fingers opened and splayed across his chest. She could feel the frantic beating of his heart, as out-of-control as her own.
He lifted his head. “What were you trying to say?”
She took a breath to steady herself. “All I want is you, Chance. Right here. Right now.”
“You’re sure?” His eyes were hot and fierce. His breath was hot against her cheek.
“I’m sure.”
And then there was no need to speak. She was lost in pure pleasure as their tongues mated, their mouths fed. With his mouth still on hers his hands tightened on her shoulders and he drove her back against the rough wood of the cabin wall and feasted on her lips until they were both gasping for breath.
When he lifted his head, she almost groaned with despair, wanting to feel his lips back on hers. Instead he ran nibbling kisses down her throat. She clutched at his waist and arched her neck to give him easier access. With each brush of his lips, her breathing became more ragged and labored.
His fingers were impatient as they fumbled with the buttons of her blouse. He tore one, then another, in his haste. But when he slid the fabric from her shoulders, he found delicate lace, and his movements slowed. He shoved aside the lace to find her flesh—and lowered his head to feast.
She heard a voice and didn’t recognize it as her own—a gutteral sound that was more animal than human as she experienced a series of sensations unlike anything she’d ever known.
He unsnapped her jeans and slid them down her legs, then found more lace. He nearly tore it in his haste.
He heard her sigh as she moved against his hand while her mouth nibbled his ear. His blood throbbed in his temples, and he thought about taking her on a fast, dizzying ride that would bring them both the relief they sought.
But he had waited too long for this. Dreamed about what he would do. Now that they had come to this, he would have more than quick release. He would have it all.
He took a step back, so that he could see her face. Her eyes were dark with desire. Her skin flushed with heat.
“I’ve wanted you for so long.”
“I know.” Her lips curved in a smile. “You’ve made no secret of how you feel.”
“You think you know what I’m feeling. But you don’t have a clue yet, Maggie.” The flickering flames of the fire cast his face in light and shadow. He looked as dark, as dangerous as any outlaw of the old West.
His gaze was fixed on her as he lowered his mouth to hers. Against her lips he whispered, “I won’t be satisfied until I have everything. All of you. Your heart.” He saw her eyes widen. “Your body.” He cupped her breasts in his hands while his thumbs stroked her already erect nipples. “Even your soul, Maggie. I want it all.”
When he bent his head to nibble and suckle, she felt her knees give way. Before she could fall he scooped her up and laid her gently on the blanket at their feet, then bent once more, his greedy mouth taking her higher than she’d ever been.
His eyes darkened with desire as he reached down. He found her, hot and moist. His mouth covered hers, stifling the little gasp that escaped her lips. At his first touch she shuddered and felt herself exploding in a burst of feeling. But he gave her no time to recover as, with teeth and tongue and fingertips, he took her on another wild, dizzying ride.
Maggie had never felt like this in her life. Her senses battered. Her body fluid and boneless. Her mind disconnected.
Each time she thought it would end, that she could absorb no more, he took her higher. Then higher still.
She needed to touch him the way he was touching her. She tore at his jeans, nearly swearing in her frustration, until he kicked them free. Her hands, her mouth, were as greedy as his, touching him everywhere.
He shuddered at the feel of her fingertips on his naked flesh. He’d waited so long. So long. And now that they were here together, he would savor each touch, each kiss.
For the first time he understood the meaning of madness. Needs clawed and scraped, struggling for release. One step, and he would slip over the edge.
And still he held back, drawing out the pleasure until they were both clinging to a desperately thin line.
She clutched at him and sobbed his name.
“Say it, Maggie. Say the words.” He wanted, needed to hear them.
“I want you, Chance.” She strained against him. “I want you so much.”
“And I want you, Maggie.”
They came together, flesh to flesh.
All she could see was Chance. Those dangerous, smoky eyes on hers as he watched her with a fierce determination that had her heart stuttering. All she could taste or smell was him. A musky, male scent more potent than the faint odor of whiskey that clung to his breath.
He was in her. Filling her as they both climbed higher and higher.
With his muscles straining, he leaned down and covered her mouth in a kiss that spoke of possession as much as passion. “You’re mine, Maggie Fuller. Only mine.”
She cried out his name. Or thought she did, as she held on for the ride of her life.
Maggie drifted on a warm cloud of contentment. Strong arms held her. Her lips were pressed to moist flesh. She breathed in the purely male scent that could only be Chance.
“Chance.” Her eyes opened. She pushed a little away to see him watching her. “I…I guess I fell asleep.”
“Only for a few minutes.”
They were still lying, arms and legs tangled in the blanket on the floor of the cabin. He had wrapped a corner of it around them both, though it barely covered them.
“Are you cold?”
“No.” Unsure of how she should react in this situation, she turned her head away.
He caught her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Sorry. I was a bit rough. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He could feel her withdrawing by degrees. “Look. I’m not sorry this happened. But if you are…”
“I’m not. It’s just…” She sat up, shoving hair from her eyes. “It could be awkward, Chance. I work for you.”
“Is that what’s bothering you?”
She looked toward the fire. “That’s part of it. We live in the same house. We have to see each other every day. And if you should suddenly decide you don’t want…”
“But I do want.” He caught her
hand and pressed it to his lips. “I want very much. Maggie, I never intended this to be a one-night stand.” He studied her eyes. Felt his heart stop. Dear God. Was she already regretting her impulsive decision. “Did you?”
“Of course not.” She shook her head, sending the dark curls dancing.
“All right.” His heart began to beat again. “That part’s settled. And the other part?”
She took a deep breath. This was what she’d been so studiously avoiding. The other half of intimacy. “You expect me to tell you about my problem.”
He linked his fingers with hers. Looked directly into her eyes. “I guess, if you trust me enough for what we just shared, you ought to trust me with the rest.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want you to get involved, Chance.”
For a moment he couldn’t seem to believe what he was hearing. Then, determined to make this as easy as possible for her, he drew her back down into his arms and pressed his mouth to her throat. “Too late. I’m already involved.”
“But I…”
“Shh.” His fingers moved along her back, igniting little fires up and down her spine. “If you don’t want to talk, we won’t. But at least I’m satisfied that I can make you feel.”
“Oh, yes. You can certainly do that.” She shivered. “Do you know what you’re doing to me?”
He shot her a wicked smile. “I hope it’s the same thing you’ve been doing to me all these long weeks.” He covered her mouth with his and was amazed to realize he was already fully aroused.
How was it possible to want her again so soon? But there was no denying that he did. He took the kiss deeper, loving the way she fit so perfectly in the circle of his arms. As though she’d been made just for him.
He ran soft, moist kisses along the smooth column of her throat.
At a sudden knock on the door he swore before they both drew apart. Maggie’s eyes went wide with fear.
Without a word, Chance found his jeans and pulled them on. Then he snatched up his rifle just as a series of blows sounded on the door.
“Who is it?” he yelled.
“It’s me. Ace.”
He whipped open the door to see his younger brother standing in the bitter cold, huddled inside a parka.
“About time,” Ace called as he stepped inside, slamming the door behind him. “I nearly froze.”
“What’re you doing here?” Chance’s voice was a snarl.
“What am I…?” At the sight of Maggie hastily wrapping herself in a blanket, Ace stopped, stared, then managed to find his voice. “When I got back from Clancy’s, Hazard told me I had to drive out here with a battery charger. Where’d you leave your truck?”
“A mile or so from here. Why don’t you go see to it?” Chance started easing him toward the door.
“Hey. I won’t be able to find it in the dark. I’m going to need you to show me the way, big brother.”
“Not tonight.” Chance gritted his teeth.
“Okay.” Ace walked to the fire, held out his hands to the heat. “We’ll do it first thing in the morning. That’s better anyhow. I’ve already put in a long night. Which bunk do I get?”
“You aren’t getting any. You’re leaving. Right now.” Chance caught him by the arm and started dragging him toward the door. “Three’s a crowd, remember?”
“What? Are you crazy? I’ve just been on the road for hours, and you’re telling me…” Ace caught sight of the hot, fierce look in his brother’s eyes. Then he glanced over again at Maggie, who had managed to maneuver herself toward the lower bunk, still com pletely wrapped in a blanket. Except that her shoulders were bare. And her clothes were lying in a heap across the room. “Did I, uh, interrupt something?”
“Yeah. You did.” Chance lifted the rifle menacingly. “And if you’re not out of here in one minute, I may forget you’re my brother.”
“Yeah. Sure.” Ace backed toward the door, with a sudden, silly grin on his face. “Nothing I like better than a two-hour drive at four in the morning.”
“Then you ought to have a really good time on the drive home.” Chance opened the door and shoved him out into the night.
As he was hustled out, Ace could be heard shouting, “It’s a good thing I beat Milt out of two hundred bucks, and I’m in a really great mood, or I’d have to kick your…”
The door slammed and Chance drove home the bolt.
Then he turned to Maggie, ready to apologize for the embarrassment. “I’m sorry about that. Sometimes Ace is just like a big, dumb puppy.”
She couldn’t help herself. She started to laugh. “He was so sweet.”
“Sweet?” He tossed aside his rifle and knelt down in front of her. “You think that pain in the… You think he’s sweet?”
She nodded. “He’s adorable. And you were so mad at him.”
“I had every right to be mad. Ace’s timing is always like that.”
“He was so proud of himself for coming to our rescue. And you treated him like a…”
“A pest. Little brothers are always pests.” He opened the blanket, and crawled in beside her. “Now. Where were we?”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and drew him close. “We were just about to…” She dragged her mouth across his throat. “This.” Then, running nibbling kisses down his chest, she whispered, “And this.”
He gave a moan of pleasure.
Suddenly, everything was wiped from his mind. His brother, the cold beyond their cabin and whatever trouble plagued Maggie, were all forgotten, as she took him once more into that warm, dark tunnel of love.
Chapter 9
“You okay, Maggie?” On her return the following day, Cody poured a cup of hot coffee and held it out to her as she entered the kitchen.
She was touched by his concern. “I’m fine, Cody. Really,” she added when she saw him looking at her so carefully. “I was a little scared at first. But once I realized how comfortable the cabin was, I knew there was nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah. Especially with Chance looking out for you. No harm’s going to touch you while he’s taking care of things.” He saw the flush that colored her cheeks. So, Ace hadn’t exaggerated the situation. “Well.” Seeing her discomfort he decided to change the subject. “Hazard and I are heading into town later. Anything you’d like us to bring you?”
“I’ll check my supplies and make a list.” She was grateful to have something to do. Cody was watching her a little too closely. Not that she blamed him. He’d known Chance since he was a boy. And probably felt about him the way a father would. That gave him the right to be concerned about every aspect of his life. Even his love life.
She figured that by now, half the Double W knew that she’d spent the night with Chance at the range shack.
“You take your time with that list, Maggie. I’ll come back for it in a while. When we’re ready to leave.” Cody took up his hat and sauntered out to the barn. Leaving Maggie alone in the kitchen to mull over her own feelings.
Just what was she feeling? She lifted her hand to her cheeks. They were a little too hot. Like her blood. A little too hot whenever she was around Chance Wilde. That was the problem. She wasn’t sure just what she was feeling. Or what he was feeling. Was it love or lust?
To be fair to Chance, she had to admit that he’d always been perfectly honest about what he wanted. He’d been pursuing her from the day she arrived here. And he’d never bothered to lead her on with love words. So much for his feelings.
As for her, if she loved him, why couldn’t she trust him with the truth? The realization that she still hadn’t confided in him brought a rush of shame. How could she share what they’d shared, and still not be honest?
She turned away and busied herself at the stove. Cooking always had a calming effect on her. When she puttered around a kitchen, she was better able to put things in perspective.
Now, just what was she feeling for Chance? She admired him. The way he’d taken charge of his life when he’d lost his father. The w
ay he’d kept his family to gether. The way he’d chased his dreams. She even admired the fact that, though he’d made it clear he wanted her, he’d waited for her to make the choice. And there was no doubt about that. Last night had been her choice. But when he had accused her of trying to hide her fears in mindless sex, he’d hit a nerve. True, it wasn’t with just anybody. She’d been fighting her attraction to him for weeks. But would last night have happened if she hadn’t had that nightmare again? Was it fear—terror—that had propelled her into his arms?
The thought nagged at the edges of her mind.
It was true that she felt safe in Chance’s arms. And it was equally true that he was a fantastic lover. But she didn’t want to be unfair to him. She hated the thought that she might be using him.
She turned away from the stove and crossed her arms over her chest, deep in thought. Then she suddenly smiled as the answer came, quickly and simply.
Maybe she didn’t know quite how he felt about things yet. But this much she knew. Whether or not he loved her, she was head over heels in love with him. And she couldn’t wait to be alone with him again.
Hazard stood in the doorway of Chance’s bathroom, watching him shave. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah.” Chance turned on the faucet, rinsed his razor. “Peterson just has a cold.”
“I know. I wasn’t worried about Peterson.”
Chance lifted the razor to his lathered face for another swipe, then glanced at his brother’s reflection in the mirror.
Hazard met his steady gaze. “Ace told me what he saw.”
“So? You got something on your mind? Spill it.”
Hazard didn’t bother mincing words. “It’s you and Maggie.”
“What about us?”
Hazard shrugged. “It’s not like you to mess around with hired help.”
Chance dropped the razor into the sink with a clatter. In the silence that followed he turned. “Maybe I don’t think of Maggie as hired help.”
Hazard kept his tone even. “How do you think of her?”
Chance’s first thought was to grab his brother by the front of his shirt and throw him out of his room. It’s what he would have done yesterday. And all the days before. It was the way they’d always resolved problems. Somehow, in the course of a single night, something had changed. He didn’t feel like fighting. There was only one thing he felt like doing. All day. All night. Until he was too tired, and too sated, to move.
