by Maddie James
Jim released her, slid up her body, and slipped into her as fantastic waves rocked her to her very depths. The raw intensity tore her to shreds inside, making her fight to pull him closer, to push him away, to somehow ease the sensation that was magnificent pleasure and breath-taking pain. She needed him to make it stop before it completely consumed her. Yet she never wanted it to stop at all.
But Jim wasn’t interested in easing her pain. Rather he worked successfully to increase it, ignite then fan the flames higher with his combustible kisses turning their mating into an inferno as he pulled her tongue into his mouth, tangling it with his own, and then mimicked the motion of his hips as he entered her time after time. She turned her head away, breaking the kiss, needing more of something, anything to fill this ravaging, unknown need.
She sank her teeth into his shoulder and was rewarded with his growl, then clawed to hold on to his sweat slickened back as he pumped harder. She met him thrust for thrust until she once again screamed out in the most pleasurable pain she had never imagined existed. Jim threw back his head and with one final thrust he groaned long and low as if in pain, too, as he emptied himself into her.
As aftershocks followed the eruption, Lilly held him tight, riding the waves to completion. Finally he collapsed and rolled to his side, taking her with him. He pulled her close, their sweat-covered bodies one as he lowered his lips to take hers again.
He released her lips and adjusted her to lay with her head against his chest. “I’m in love with you.”
She couldn’t help the thrill or the sharp intake of breath. “You hardly know me.”
The room was silent but for their slowing breaths. Jim ran a finger down her cheek, his smile gentle. “I know you. My soul knows yours. I know that sounds stupid, but I also know this is right.” He lifted her chin, studied her eyes. “I don’t expect you to feel the same way. I know we just met, but I want you to know how I feel. Be my girl, Lil. For now that’s enough. And later, if you feel the same way, I want you to be my wife.”
Tears slid down her face as she moved to take his lips with her own. She kept the kiss gentle then pulled back. “I am in very deep like of you. I don’t know yet, really, if it is love, but I think it could be. I just want to give us time.” She searched his face, wondering what held her back. But whatever it was she would listen. Her instincts had served her well over the years and this was too important to make any rash statements.
“I have all the time in the world. I’m not going anywhere.”
Lilly sighed and settled back at his side. “Good. By the way, Coach. Touchdown!”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
It had worked. It had really worked. Midnight was happily exhausted as she wiped the counter, saying good-bye to The Emporium’s last customer of the night. Martin finished washing and drying the glass mugs and the stainless steel equipment. Betsy, from her high stool by the cash register, announced the total in the drawer.
Amazing.
Many pieces of local art had found new homes tonight.
“Miz Shelby! I’ve got like a million people wanting me to design websites for ‘em,” Daniel announced from his little desk on the stage.
Mayor Jack Crenshaw burst through the front door. “Miz Shelby! God bless you and whatever brought you here! What a night for Legend!”
That seemed a little over the top, didn’t it? But that’s politics.
“Everybody, listen to this,” he continued. “I’ve been up and down Main all evening. The restaurants were busy the whole time, and the service clubs selling food at the Old Meeting House did a big business. Plus the little carts on the sidewalk with cocoa and Suzie’s muffins.” He swallowed the last morsel of the muffin he’d been carrying. “I think, starting tomorrow night, we’ll block off all vehicle traffic on Main and just let people walk in the street. Sidewalks felt pretty narrow tonight.” His brows knit in concentration. “Yeah…that’d make it easier for the carriage drivers, too! Jane’s author friend was real complimentary. Said she’s signing up to come another night or two. Lots of books sold. It was quite a night.”
Betsy said with a dimply grin, “And to think, it was football night, too, so most of these people weren’t even local. By the way, the Dragons beat the Larks, did you hear? Good night all around!”
Jack beamed and looked to Midnight. “And you were busy in here. I stopped in a couple times, and there were people looking and buying pretty steady.”
“Yes. It was a good night,” Midnight said on a sigh. “It was a good start.”
“And all thanks to you.”
“No, Mayor, not just me. Everybody. It was a huge team effort; something this town is obviously very good at.”
“You’re right. You’re right. Just like I was telling Martin the other day, when I was talking about you and Market Legend and our meetings and the ideas for the future.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, when I called to tell him... Uh. Well, will you look at the time! I’d best head home or the wife’ll have my hide. G’night, all!”
That was a smooth exit. Midnight looked at Martin, who was checking to be sure every possible spot was wiped off the cappuccino maker, the back counter, et cetera.
“What was that about?” she asked.
“What?”
“When the mayor was telling you about me and our meetings. What was that about?”
“Nothing. Just talking about Market Legend. It’s off to a great start, that’s for sure.”
“Mmm hmm.”
The front door bell jingled for what seemed the ten thousandth time that evening. It was Joey McClain, Daniel’s cousin.
“Hey! C’mon, Daniel! Mom says we’re ready! Dad already started the truck!”
“Cool!” Daniel jumped up, stuffed his wire bound pad, pens, business cards, and his laptop computer into a gym bag, and started toward the front door. “See you tomorrow, Dad! After supper, okay?”
“I’ll pick you up at four.”
“Awww. Six?”
“Four-thirty. See you then, Mr. Wizard. You may have another busy night tomorrow, you know.”
“Oh yeah. Okay.” He’d reached the front door, which Joey held open for him, then turned around and walked back to Midnight. “Thanks,” he said, and gave her a fierce hug. She hugged him back as long as she dared, then watched his retreating back through misty eyes.
“Hey, Daniel, thank you,” she said softly. The door bell jingled again. She blinked back tears.
“I guess somebody gave permission for Daniel to spend the night with Joey?” Martin asked, looking at Betsy.
She finished rubber-banding bills together in neat stacks and rolling the last few coins.
“You’re welcome,” she said, giving Midnight a quick wink with her back turned toward her cousin-in-law slash boss. She dropped the money into the bank bag, zipped it, and handed it to Midnight. “You’ll want to get that deposit taken care of tonight, I’m thinking.”
Midnight’s eyes grew wide and a smile lit her face as she registered the double meaning.
“Definitely. Thanks for all your help, Betsy.” The friends exchanged a quick, careful hug around the impending baby, and Betsy wrapped herself in the bright red wool cape Midnight had loaned her when her own jackets had become too tight.
Mike was just outside the door as Betsy opened and closed it quickly with another set of merry jingles from the bell.
Suddenly the large space seemed very intimate. And very quiet, except for the human-generated electricity crackling all around them. Midnight and Martin looked at each other, heat in their eyes.
“That deposit?”
“Hm? Oh! I’ll take the bank bag upstairs. I’ve got a secret place I can store it overnight.”
“Do you now?”
“Yes. It’ll be okay till I get to the bank tomorrow.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Uh-huh.” She didn’t know why they were talking about the stupid bank bag. She wanted to go upstairs and take care of
some business they’d needed to get to for what seemed like forever. She thought that’s what he wanted too, but he wasn’t doing anything.
“Well. I’ll just lock the door, then,” he said.
“Okay.”
The dead bolt clicked solidly into place.
“And turn off these lights.”
“Right.”
The large, round moss-green glass globes suspended from the high ceiling were suddenly dark. The streetlights were back on outside now and lent a soft glow to the large open room through the plate glass windows.
Martin looked across the space at her, the outside illumination creating strong shadows on his handsome face, darkening his goatee.
“You did want me to stay? Or no?”
“I do want you to stay. Yes.”
She heard his sigh.
“Good.” He walked toward her, took her left hand in his, twirled her ring. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“Yes. Absolutely.” She reached up, gently touched his face, ran her hand along his strong jaw line as his eyes burned into hers. Then she leaned up and forward, placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Yes.”
They ascended the narrow staircase single file, Midnight leading the way, clutching the bank bag as if it were a life preserver. She was suddenly nervous.
At the top of the stairs Martin caught her hand again, gently pulled her to him, where she fit neatly against his tall frame as if they’d stood that way many times. Martin had one hand at her waist, fingers spread, and with the other he gently traced the lines of her lips. So gently, it was as if just a breeze played against them.
“You have the most beautiful mouth. It’s beautiful when you smile, and even when you’re angry. But I like it better when you smile.” Which of course made her smile. He continued to touch the upper lip lightly with an index finger. “Now, this upper lip is really nice, and it has this deep V in it which is so sexy. But to be honest, I believe I like the lower one better.” He moved his finger to it as he spoke. “Because it’s so full and soft, and I think I’d like to nibble on it a little. Or a lot.”
His dark head came down, eyes closed, and their lips met in a sweet, breathtaking kiss. Midnight was certain she’d never been kissed like that before. It made her feel cherished, and her eyes were suddenly misty again. After a few moments of exploring different angles, and some nibbling of Midnight’s lower lip, the sweetness turned into passion. Nibbling was now tugging, mouths opened and tongues explored. Midnight found it hard to breathe and felt Martin’s urgency matching her own.
“Wait. I have to…” She pulled away for a moment, threw the dratted bank bag at the raw silk-covered love seat in the corner. It bounced off the back and landed on the floor with a loud thunk. With both hands now free, she hurriedly pulled Martin’s soft blue chamois shirt out of his jeans, but was surprised to learn she’d suddenly forgotten how to work buttons out of button holes.
Martin stepped back, took both her hands in his, and kissed the palms.
“Midnight. We don’t have to rush. We have all night.”
“I know, but I want…”
“So do I. I want. I need. And what I want and need is you. But let’s be comfortable, and do this the way it works best for you. For both of us. Okay?”
She nodded. She’d made a fool of herself, hadn’t she, suddenly getting all forceful with him. So what now, he wanted to skip it?
Martin led her by the hand to the bed, sat down with her at the foot of it. He removed her ankle boots and her socks. Then he took off his hikers and socks and scooted up to the head of the bed, put one elbow on a pillow, and beckoned her to join him there. On all fours she crawled to him, while he unbuttoned his own shirt, their smiles meeting and matching. They were friends now, weren’t they? And they were about to become lovers. And it would be okay because both of them wanted it to be. Each wanted to please the other; cared what was right for the other.
Midnight felt herself relaxing. She lay her head on Martin’s arm, there on her pillow, ran a hand over his flat stomach and up his broad chest, reveling in the feel of her fingers on his bare flesh. Finally. Martin in her bed, on the Battenburg lace.
Midnight’s mind sailed back to the first time she’d seen Martin McClain, on the sidewalk a few shops down from The Emporium. In spite of herself she’d been attracted to his handsome face and had wondered how the rest of him would fare in the Greek Statue Test. Well, she smiled to herself, she was here to say he looked as good as any old ideal male physique. Better yet, he was flesh and blood. And, it seemed, he was hers.
What a lot had changed since that first meeting not so very long ago.
“Hey. What happened to your ceiling?”
That brought her back to the moment. She smiled. “Aw. You miss the mirror?”
“Damned right.”
“Not me. I didn’t like seeing myself up there. Plus, I couldn’t help thinking of the people who’d had it installed, and how many times they’d been reflected in it. Ick. I had some workmen come and take it out. I think they took it down carefully enough, they may have installed it somewhere else. Don’t know, don’t want to know.”
“Well,” he said, trailing a finger along her collar bones, causing her to shiver with anticipation, “the skylights are nice.”
“Yes. I like them better.” She caught his hand and kissed his fingers, nibbled the ends of them a little. She heard his swift intake of breath.
“Legend by starlight,” he said, nuzzling her neck. Goose bumps popped up along her arm, and she snuggled into him.
“Mmm-hmm.” It felt so good to be with Martin—here—like this. And not just good, but right. A few weeks ago she’d hesitated at even shaking hands with him. But Martin’s down-to-earth goodness and honesty, even when they’d disagreed, had won her trust. And her love. She’d never expected to find love in Legend, Tennessee.
“I’d say Legend by Starlight could get to be habit forming, Miz Shelby.”
“Some habits are good, some are bad.”
“This one, I think, will be very, very good.” The long, lingering kiss held passion and promise.
“Could be, Mr. McClain.” Oh, yes. Definitely could be.
Clothes were quickly dispensed with, and Martin pulled her on top of him. Her long shiny black hair fell across her shoulders and felt like silk where it covered his chest.
After all this time, Martin McClain was ready for a woman in his life. This woman. He’d learned to trust her by degrees: first as a champion of his beloved town and mentor for his son, now as a lover. They’d be lovers, friends, and life partners. He knew it in his heart, in a place he’d closed off for years. Everything about Midnight was right for him. Even the ways they differed. Maybe especially the ways they differed. Their future together wouldn’t be predictable, or “normal” by Legend standards.
And that suited him just fine.
“I’m thinking we’ll want to do this pretty often, Miz Shelby.” He ran his hands lightly down her soft skin from shoulder to hip, watched her eyes glaze.
“Often?” She wiggled a little, tantalizing them both. Skin to skin, at last. Hers was so smooth and pale. His was tanned and, well, manly. They looked good together. Felt good too.
“Yes ma’am. Often, and for many years to come.”
“Mmm. Sounds cozy.”
“Sounds permanent,” he said into the curtain of her hair.
“Sounds like home,” she whispered, leaning down for another kiss….
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Sunday
On Sunday, Suzie felt a lot more alive than she had on Friday and Saturday. Convinced she had the flu, even though she believed she was sick at heart with all the stress, she stayed in bed for two days while Brad graciously took over in the kitchen. Why he would do that, she had no clue. Obviously the man was nuts or something. Or he loved her. Maybe it was one in the same.
He never gave up. He came in here with a plan and be damned if he’d stick to it.
Whether she liked it o
r not.
The smell of her cinnamon coffee blend brought her out of her bedroom and into the kitchen. The way Brad looked standing in a white T-shirt and jeans, reading the Sunday paper over the center island, made her want to melt onto the floor in a lukewarm puddle. God, what a body. That was a scene she wanted to preserve, forever. Waking up to Brad in her kitchen. Looking like home.
“Morning,” she squeaked.
Brad’s smile widened when he looked up. “Hi. How are you feeling?”
“Much better.”
“Good. Coffee?”
“Please.”
He moved to the coffee maker and poured her a cup. She settled onto a bar stool. “Here you go. Black with a little creamer and one package of sweetener. Just how you like it.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
They stayed silent for a few minutes while she sipped her coffee and he continued reading. All this time, everything she’d put him through, and he’d never faltered. Not once. He was so steadfast, so determined to have her in his life. Would he still be once he knew her secret?
“Brad?”
“Hm?”
“Will you take me to the lodge today?”
He rose and looked at her. “If you want.”
She nodded. “I do. I want to look at it one last time. I’ve not been there in years, but I want to take one last walk through. For closure.”
She’d told herself a million times that this was the right thing to do, so she was trying very hard to hold back the tears. She’d thought it all through laying in bed the past couple of days. If she got through this, accepting that the lodge would be gone forever, then she could get through the next thing she had to tell him—that she couldn’t give him a baby. Then after that, the chips would lay were they would lie.
Perhaps, if she could give, he could too. Time would tell.
