He could see by Abby’s expression that he’d hurt her.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
She didn’t say a word as she climbed out of the tub. He had to hurry to catch up with her.
“Abby, wait.” He grabbed her arm.
She swung around to him, struggling to break his grip. “Just leave me alone.”
“I can’t.”
They tussled with each other at the edge of the pool, Abby trying to free herself. Suddenly she pushed him and in so doing, toppled backward into the pool.
Cade swore and dived in after her. Ignoring the cold water and sting of chlorine, he helped Abby to the surface.
She gasped for air and pushed her hair from her face. “Look what you did.”
“If you would just stop and listen to me.”
“I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” She pushed him away and swam toward the shallow end. Cade easily caught her.
“Dammit, Abby,” he said as he reached for her again. “I’m not letting you go until we talk.”
Her breathing was labored as they stood in waist-high water. “Then make it fast.”
Cade suddenly lost his voice as his gaze roamed over the upper half of her body. Big mistake. No amount of cold water could keep his own body from responding to her.
“Well, what did you want to say?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I said that to you.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what gets into me.”
“It’s me,” she said. “You resent me for keeping Brandon from you. I don’t blame you. But I’m not going to let you verbally abuse me.” Tears formed in her eyes. “I’ve spent years listening to someone…” Her words faded as she turned away.
“God, I’m sorry, Abby.”
All resistance in him snapped, and he drew her into his arms. She fought him at first, but he coaxed her until finally she gave in and allowed him to draw her body to his. Even in water, he could still smell her special fragrance. Oh, Lord, he wanted her.
“Abby,” he whispered as she raised her head, and he could see the surprise and wonder in her eyes. His heart pounded and he didn’t think he could take his next breath. He didn’t care. He only wanted Abby. His head lowered to hers, then his lips grazed the side of her mouth. He moved to the other side and repeated the action. Then, using his teeth, he gently drew her lower lip into his mouth, sucking gently. She made a whimpering sound as she sagged against him.
“You want more?”
“Yes…”
So did he. A lot more. His lips settled over hers completely, and the torture began. He wanted her to know his pain, and the pleasure they could create together. His kisses grew hungrier, more desperate, until she was clinging to him. He still wanted more. He cupped her breasts in his hands. She quivered as he continued the onslaught of her mouth, pushing his tongue past her teeth until he found hers, then stroked that sweetness until he couldn’t stand it any longer.
He broke away. “You’re driving me crazy,” he said as his hands moved lower, to her waist, her back, then rose to the straps on her suit. With a gentle tug they came down and exposed her breasts. His breathing all but stopped at the beautiful sight. He lowered his head and closed his mouth over one nipple and suckled until the bud puckered against his tongue.
“Cade…” She gasped and gripped his arms, but didn’t stop him. Then her hands began to roam over his chest, followed soon by her lips.
“I want you, Abby,” he gasped, and moved her against the side of the pool, pressing his body against hers to let her know how much.
She gasped and stared up at him. The moonlight allowed him to see that her eyes were shimmering with desire. Her lips were swollen from his kisses. She had never looked more beautiful. Words failed him. He reached out, and his fingers caressed her cheek.
Suddenly the sound of men’s voices came from alongside the corral. Cade pulled Abby closer, and froze until the intruders walked by just beyond the yard. He could feel her trembling. Finally the voices faded, and he managed to breathe again. The oxygen also brought him back to his senses.
What the hell was he doing practically making love to Abby? If they’d been caught… He pulled her suit back into place.
“I’m sorry. I should never have let things go this far.” He caught her hurt look. “I didn’t mean it that way. I just don’t like the idea of someone walking in on us.”
Abby pushed away from him and waded toward the steps at the end of the pool. She was heading up them when Cade decided he couldn’t stand to go on like this any longer.
“Don’t go, Abby.” He started after her. “We need to talk.”
“We’re always talking, Cade, and it ends up the same. You will always hate me. That will never change.”
“I’ve never hated you, Abby,” he said.
“Well, it sure feels like it” She grabbed her robe and put it on. “Look, I can’t deal with this now. I know you want to be a part of Brandon’s life, and I want that, too. But we’re not good together. You resent me. And I can understand that. But this hot and cold…” She stopped and brushed her hair away. “We’ve got to figure out a way to stay away from each other.”
Cade was out of the pool and in front of her. “I don’t want it like this, either, Abby.”
“Then what do you suggest we do?”
A crazy notion suddenly popped in his head. “Marry me.”
Chapter Seven
Abby stared at Cade in disbelief. “Are you crazy?”
“Maybe,” he said. “But think about it, Abby.” He climbed out of the pool, grabbed a towel off the patio table, then pulled it over his chest. The chest her own hands had caressed only moments ago. Her mouth grew dry, and she jerked her gaze back to his face.
“There’s nothing to think about.”
“There is when we both want to be a part of Brandon’s life,” Cade said. “And he needs two parents who love him.”
He needs parents who love each other, she cried silently, knowing that the only thing Cade felt for her was resentment. Their life together would be hell. She wouldn’t put her son through that, not again. As much as she loved Cade—would always love him—she had to turn him down.
“We can barely stand to be in the same room with each other,” she argued.
“That’s not what I’d call what was happening in the pool moments ago.”
Abby’s face heated. She couldn’t deny that, not when she could still taste him on her lips, feel his skilled hands on her body. Goose bumps rose on her skin and she crossed her arms. Damn the man. “Just chalk it up to overactive hormones and let it go at that.”
His gaze was dark. “It was more than that.”
She wanted to believe him. “It would be best if we try to have a cordial relationship—apart—except for raising our son.”
“Brandon deserves more,” he said. “He needs a family—a mom and dad. I know what that’s like, Abby. My dad wasn’t around… I don’t want that for my son.”
Cade stepped closer. She resisted stepping back, recalling the feel of those well-defined muscles under her fingers. Her pulse kicked into overdrive again, but she had to ignore it.
“It would never work, Cade.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I think it’s obvious.” Her voice grew hoarse. “You don’t…love me.” She held her breath, waiting for his reply.
She caught a flash of pain in his eyes, then he quickly glanced away. “I can take care of you and Brandon financially. Give you a home, make us a family. I’d be committed to you both. And, Abby, you wouldn’t ever have to worry about me being unfaithful.”
As much as Abby wanted this man, wanted to make a family for their son, a make-believe marriage wasn’t the answer. She wanted a real one. And Cade Randell didn’t love her.
Tears formed in her eyes. “I can’t, Cade. I can’t.”
Cade watched as Abby ran into the house. His body still ached for her. Once again his heart smarted from her reje
ction. When would he learn? It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He wasn’t going to get emotionally involved. Now, once again, he was knee-deep, and he had to stop.
For years he’d tried to bury his feelings for Abby. So when she asked the question about love, he couldn’t trust himself to even think about the possibility. There was no doubt he wanted Abby. He just wasn’t about to let his heart get involved again.
She wasn’t going to be easy to win over. After Garson he wondered if she’d ever trust a man again. And who could blame her? But he wasn’t going to let her push him away. Not this time. He was going to have his family.
The next morning when the alarm went off, Abby had wanted to pull the covers over her head and stay in bed. But she couldn’t. There were meals to prepare and people to thank for the weekend they gave up to help her.
She’d been thankful Cade stayed away at breakfast. And Brandon, fortunately, seemed content just to watch the goings-on. With only a small herd left to brand, the hands had the calves separated, put into pens and ready to be shipped by early afternoon.
Then everyone sat down to a meal of fried chicken, potato salad and Joy’s homemade biscuits. Cade kept his distance, staying close to the other cowboys and Brandon. After the meal, the women cleaned up while the men loaded their horses. Within the hour people were heading out.
Abby waved and called out her thanks as her neighbors drove off. She waited until the dust settled on the road before she turned toward the house. Cade was still there. There was no way to avoid him. She drew a breath and walked inside. The first thing she heard was her son’s laughter. When she went into the living room, she found Brandon and Cade wrestling on the floor. She opened her mouth to scold them, but decided it wasn’t a big deal. Father and son needed this. She was about to leave, when Brandon spotted her.
“Mom, help me,” he begged between giggles. “Cade’s too strong.” The boy was struggling to get out of his hold.
“Hey, if we’re doing teams,” Cade said, “I’m calling Chance.”
“No!” Brandon cried. “You’re both too strong. Mom’s only a girl.”
“Hey. Wait just a minute.” Abby tried not to smile as she came closer. “Girl’s aren’t all wimps—”
She gasped as Cade’s hand grabbed her ankle. Before she could escape, he had her on the floor and pinned beneath him.
“What were you saying about not being a wimp?” he asked, a knowing look in his laughing brown eyes.
“You…you caught me off guard,” she managed as his hard body pressed into hers, sending her pulse racing.
“Get used to it, lady.” He lowered his head and she could feel his warm breath on her face. “You’re not going to get rid of me this time.”
Before she could say anything, Brandon climbed on Cade’s back. “See, Mom? I told you he’s strong.”
The boy’s weight had pressed Cade even more intimately against her. Cade’s eyes were smoldering. Then all too quickly, he moved off her and reached back to make sure Brandon made it safely to the floor.
“I guess we got a little carried away,” he admitted as he helped her up. “Did I hurt you?”
She couldn’t pull her gaze away. “No, I’m fine. You were gentle enough.”
His chest rose with each breath. “I would never intentionally hurt you, Abby.”
She swallowed, wanting to believe him. “I know.”
“Mom, I’m hungry.”
Unable to take her eyes from Cade, she said, “Go ask Carmen for some leftover chicken.”
She heard her son scramble out of the room but continued to stand there until Cade spoke. “You’ve been avoiding me again.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he repeated.
“Okay, I’ve been avoiding you.”
He drew another breath. “I want to spend some time with you, Abby.”
“We do spend time together,” she said. “You’re here with Brandon.”
“No, I want to be with you. Just you.”
“It’s not a good idea, Cade.” She wished it was, but it was too late for them.
“Let me show you differently. Go riding with me tomorrow.”
“Are you crazy?” She laughed. “You’ve been in the saddle for two days.”
He took her hands in his. “After time in the spa, I felt fine. Come on, say you’ll go. I want to show you something.”
She couldn’t think when he was touching her. “Okay.”
He smiled, then leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her mouth. “I’m going to head home now, but I’ll be back early tomorrow. So you’d better be ready for me.”
Abby just stood there as he walked to the door and left. That was what she was afraid of. She would never be ready for Cade.
Abby pulled her horse up next to Cade’s, and together they looked out over the valley. She drew a long breath, seeing the beautiful sight. Rich green grass covered the land, and the hills framed the valley protectively. There were bushes edging the creek, and a forest added shade and privacy.
The scene made a perfect picture.
Abby felt her chest tighten, remembering the last time she’d been here. She’d been with Cade. It was the day Brandon had been conceived. Anxiety raced through her. She didn’t know if she could handle being here now. That happy time had been a memory she’d always cherished. It had helped her through a lot of bad years.
“It’s a beautiful place,” Cade said. “I have to say it’s one of the few things I’ve missed over the years.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful.”
Cade could see that Abby was remembering just as he was. This valley had been where he and Abby had come as teenagers. Their relationship had been kept secret for numerous reasons. The main one had been her father. Tom Moreau wouldn’t allow his daughter to be seen with a Randell. Cade suspected that had been one of the reasons Moreau had sent his daughter away to college. But when she came home, she always rode to the valley—and to him. It had been their place.
He pushed the memory from his head. “Come on,” he called as he nudged his horse down the slight slope.
At the creek he climbed off and went to help Abby. He gripped her waist and lifted her from the saddle. Once he set her on the ground, he didn’t want to release her, but he forced himself to, afraid he might continue what they’d started the other night.
Abby hadn’t helped much in that regard. She looked too tempting in slim black jeans and a fitted peach-colored blouse. She’d let her wild curls cascade around her face. His gaze drifted to her lips, remembering their sweet taste. Realizing the direction of his thoughts, he urged his horse toward the creek.
Abby followed. “Do you think it’s a good idea to change all this by letting tourists in?” she asked.
“I’m not going to put any cabins along the creek.” He raised his arm and pointed toward the slope. “I thought we’d start with about half a dozen on your side, and my brothers agreed to have the same amount on the Circle B property. They’ll be spaced far enough apart to give people plenty of privacy. And all the structures will be hidden in the landscape. Far enough back not to bother the mustangs, but close enough for guests to see nature at its best.”
She nodded. “When will this all start, and how soon will we be open for business?”
So, she was interested. “Right away. We should be able to be ready by next spring.”
Abby placed her hands on her hips and glanced around. “But how will people get here?”
“From a narrow road off the highway.”
She looked at him, her green eyes glowing. “You really think we can make this work?”
He found he liked her use of the pronoun we. “I’m investing in it, aren’t I?” He went to his horse, untied the blanket and small bag and carried them to a tree deep in the shade. Abby followed.
“But that’s what I’m afraid of,” she said. “What if this venture fails?”
He spread the blanket and tossed down his hat. “N
ow don’t go and get all nervous on me.” He pulled two plastic cups from the sack and went to the creek. Dipping them into the cool water, he returned and offered her a drink. “We’re partners.”
She sat down on the edge of the blanket and took a drink. “But you’re going to be paying for the road and the cabins. I mean, what if—”
He dropped down beside her and put a finger over her lips. “You worry too much. I guess I’m going to have to convince you that you can’t expect to get anywhere unless you take some chances.” His voice lowered. “I take chances, but I’ve also gotten a long way on gut instinct. Like now. I feel you need a kiss.”
When he pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his, he wasn’t thinking about profits and losses. He was thinking how good she felt in his arms. He pushed her back onto the blanket, and Abby didn’t resist. She only made a soft sound as her lips parted and he pushed his tongue inside. He stroked and tasted until he nearly went insane with wanting her.
When he ended the kiss, they were both breathing hard. “You’re driving me crazy.”
Her fingers combed through his hair. “We shouldn’t be doing this. I mean, mixing business with…pleasure.”
He groaned at her choice of words. “Don’t you like the way I touch you?” His hand traced across her face and down her arm, causing her to shiver. “The way I kiss you?” He took gentle nibbles from her mouth until he finally covered her lips completely again.
Abby pushed him away. “Cade, please, we have to stop.”
He released her and she sat up. He took a few breaths and composed himself. “Sorry. I guess I let things get out of hand.”
He watched as she straightened her hair, tugging the wayward strands behind her ears. She wouldn’t look at him. He couldn’t stand that.
“Abby.”
When she looked at him, her eyes were still dark with desire. He wanted to grin. Instead, he said, “Tell me some ideas you have for the project.”
“I haven’t thought much about it.”
He opened the bag and took out the two sandwiches Ella had packed. He handed her one. “Yes, you have. I noticed you were excited when I was talking earlier.”
A Child for Cade Page 9
