His Brown-Eyed Girl

by Liz Talley

  Considering she didn’t have the third option, she went with the second—a flirty dress she’d bought last year, pulled from the back of the closet with the tags still on. A pretty green-striped cotton maxi dress with butterfly sleeves and a graceful neckline, the dress had been one she’d eyed for months before buying on a whim. The skin it showed and the brightness of the pattern made her feel too conspicuous. But today she wanted attention on her.

  Lucas’s attention. Along with his hands and any other parts he wanted to use.

  It was still too chilly for sandals so she tugged on the pair of gold ballet slippers and a pair of dangling gold loops borrowed from her hip aunt Flora. Since she didn’t have the sexy bustier and garters, she skipped the underwear. Thankfully, her thirty-three-year-old breasts were still somewhat perky. A dot of perfume at her neck, wrists and behind the knees and she was ready.

  …and he was late.

  She peeked out the office window to see a silver Toyota crossover parked in the drive.

  Who was intruding on her Lucas time?

  Her heart skipped a beat when she thought about Tara…and the other women Chris had mentioned who’d clamored after the big Texas man stomping around in boots and delicious Wranglers. Had Tara come with another casserole…and an offer?

  Or was it some other lonely lady?

  She moved to close the blinds when a flash of silver caught her eye. A nun?

  The diminutive woman stomped to the car and climbed inside. Seconds later Lucas appeared on the Finlay front porch carrying flowers and a bottle of wine.

  Addy squealed and flew toward the kitchen. She didn’t want to seem too eager…or get caught spying on him. Eyeing the Caesar salad she’d thrown together with crunchy Creole fried chicken breast, she pulled out two crystal goblets and slipped off her ballet flats, kicking them to the side. She was warm enough…maybe even flushed with nervous energy. The doorbell rang.

  Hmm…he hadn’t come to the back door.

  Totally official on this date.

  “Coming,” she called, putting the lid on the salad. “Or at least I hope I am soon.”

  Padding to the front of the house, she stifled a nervous giggle and opened the door to find no one there.

  “Lucas?” she called, sticking her head out. A white truck pulled away from the curb and Addy looked down to find a small box. Her name had been typed on the label, but there was no return.

  “Hey,” Lucas said, his head showing over the spindly azaleas clustered around the front porch. He’d worn a cowboy hat…this time a gray flannel that made his cheeks look even more chiseled. Sweet buttercups, he looked like what she needed—big, hard, hot cowboy. “I went around back.”

  “Of course,” she said, picking up the box. “Come on in.”

  He took the stairs two at a time, ducking his head to give her a firm kiss. Pulling back, he offered her the clutch of flowers. “I know they’re not as nice as the ones you create. Shit, now I feel lame giving them to you. They’re substandard. I should have thought out of the box, looked for something unique.”

  “At Super 1 Foods?” she asked, taking the spring bouquet and eyeing the wilting lilies. “These are sweet, Lucas. I haven’t had anyone give me flowers in, well, a very long time.”

  She refused to count Robbie Guidry.

  She shoved the small box she held in one hand onto the foyer table. Didn’t know who it was from, but today, she gave herself a pass. No worries. No thinking about parole hearings, invoices that needed paying or the dry cleaning she’d forgotten. Today was about flowers, good wine and a hot man in her bed.

  Well, eventually.

  Maybe.

  Didn’t have to be about sex. Could be just a date. Innocent, sweet—

  Lucas closed the door, twisted the lock and lifted her into his arms. Addy squeaked but wrapped her arms around his shoulders…and her legs around his waist. Well, as good as she could in the long, confining dress she wore. Thank God for stretchy cotton.

  Lucas bent and nibbled her collarbone.

  “Did I tell you how much I love this spot? So delicate.” He kissed from one across to the other. “So delicious.”

  Addy dropped her head back, bringing her bottom snug against Lucas’s growing erection. “I had no idea my collarbones were so erotic.”

  “They are,” he said, lowering his head to the box neckline and the hardening nipples below. “Oh, sweet—”

  He paused, his eyes landing on her breasts taut against the fabric. “You’re not wearing a bra.”

  Addy lifted her head. “Nope.”

  Lucas set her down. “If I keep kissing you, we won’t make it to lunch.”

  “I made a salad and fried chicken. It will keep.”

  Lucas smiled. “I brought wine.”

  “I’ll grab two glasses. You take your clothes off.” She spun and headed to the kitchen, spurred by his low sexy laugh.

  “Want me to keep my boots on?”

  “And that cowboy hat,” she called back, loving the flirty way he made her feel.

  The two goblets were where she’d left them. She picked them up, double-checked the back door was locked, and waltzed out to her dance with a man who would never be hers. Just like Aunt Flora, she’d have to settle for the memory.

  But would that be enough for her?

  She didn’t know, but she knew she’d rather have a little of Lucas than none at all.

  It would be like the time she’d gone on a cruise with her family. As soon as they hit the sea, she’d been violently seasick and it had lasted for days. Finally, with only one day left on the vacation, she was able to don her swimsuit and attack the all-you-can-eat buffet. It was one day of splendor, a day of sun-streaked goodness, three ice cream sundaes and a dance contest won by her rendition of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” She’d packed the entire vacation into one day.

  So she’d pack loving Lucas into whatever they had left.

  “Here we are,” she said, holding the glasses aloft.

  Lucas stood in the foyer bare-assed naked except for his boots and hat.

  Addy froze, glasses still in the air. “Oh, my.”

  He was like a wet dream…not that she’d had those…but sweet mother of Zeus. His broad shoulders were tanned and muscular above a massive chest lightly covered in hair. His stomach was flat and she could see the outline of his abs. Nothing freakish, just gorgeous male flesh. Trim waist, narrow hips, and taut thighs and calves. And she hadn’t missed the important piece of equipment, but it matched the man.

  And that made her smile.

  If she were going to toss out good sense, she might as well do it with a man who could make it worth her while.

  And she could tell Lucas Finlay was a man worth the while.

  Lowering the glasses, she said, “I was kidding when I told you to strip.”

  “I’m not kidding. I’m tired of missed chances with you. Remember that promise yesterday?” he asked, moving toward her, those boots clomping on the floor, ratcheting her anticipation.

  “Yeah,” she breathed.

  He took the crystal from her. “Well, you’re overdressed.”

  Addy hooked her fingers on the stretchy elastic lining both shoulders and tugged the dress down. She allowed it to fall, the cotton fabric lightly grazing her body as it hit the floor.

  She stood before him totally naked.

  Lucas looked for a good long time.

  Addy knew she wasn’t a cover model, but she had a nice body thanks to daily runs and yoga. She’d shaved her legs and bikini area, rubbed her best soft shea butter all over her body and dusted herself with some glowing powder her sister had given her for Christmas last year.

  “I knew you were beautiful,” he said, reaching out to stroke the curve of her waist. “The first moment I saw you, you reminded me of a mountain lake, cool on the surface, reflecting the world around you, but beneath all that, oh, Addy girl, you are a wonder.”

  Addy wrapped her arms around herself. “Are we going upstairs? Did
you lock the front door?”

  Lucas removed his cowboy hat, setting it on her head and swept her into his arms. “Door is locked. Dead-bolted. If Flora comes back, she better have a tank to get through that door.”

  “She has a key.” Addy wrapped her arms around his neck, loving the feeling of his naked skin against hers, as Lucas climbed the stairs. He nuzzled her neck, even once managing to almost reach her breast, as he climbed.

  “Which room?” he asked.

  She pointed to the open doorway.

  She’d lit candles and a soft musky fragrance greeted them as she entered. The shades had been pulled to create intimacy because Addy had been ready for Lucas.

  She’d been beyond ready for him.

  Kicking the door shut and locking it, he laid her on the bed with reverent tenderness then lowered himself, tipping the cowboy hat back before settling in for a kiss.

  “Mmm,” he breathed, against her lips. “You taste like sunshine. Like clean open spaces. Like a woman should taste.”

  His words moved in her soul, a liquid balm soothing any reservations she’d harbored about being with him. This man made her body hum and her heart feel suspiciously full.

  Addy pulled him to her, feeling the cowboy hat fall from her head, as she hungrily kissed him.

  His chest slid against hers, brushing against her nipples, his hardness sliding against her thigh. Hot desire uncurled inside her…and Addy felt the wildness unfurl, felt the part of her that reveled in the naughty sexy books take over. It had been a while since she’d allowed herself such pleasure.

  Pushing against his shoulders, she rolled him over, taking control of the kiss. Lucas fell back like a good boy and allowed her to take the wheel.

  His lips beneath hers, his body so unyielding, caused the hum to turn into vibration. Addy slid her hands into his hair, relished the scruff of his whiskers against her chin.

  He broke the kiss and looked up at her. “Addy?”

  She caught her breath so she could respond—she’d seriously been on the edge of losing total control. “What?”

  “Are you okay? I mean, you were attacked long ago, nearly raped. I don’t want to do anything wrong.” His finger brushed her scars and in his eyes she saw such tenderness.

  A ribbon of warmth curled around her heart. He was worried about her, about scaring her or making a wrong move. “You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m good.”

  “You sure? Because I took off my clothes before I really thought about it. That might have been too presumptuous.”

  “And, uh, I took off mine, too. That’s called a confirmation that I want you.”

  He smiled. “I guess it’s obvious I want you, too.”

  She looked down. “Why, yes, it is.”

  Lucas opened his mouth to say something, but she didn’t give him the chance. Instead she pressed her lips to his, kissing him so thoroughly they both became breathless.

  “Now, you be quiet and let Addy have some fun,” she said, sliding a hand down his chest, tracing around one flat nipple before trailing over to the other.

  Lucas cupped her cheek. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Mmm, just like the sheriff,” Addy murmured before sliding atop him.

  “Ah,” he sighed, clasping her hips and fitting her to him. “Who the hell are you talking about?”

  Addy laughed. “Tell you later, cowboy.”

  Their lips met again and there was no more talking. Only touching, stroking, teasing and once a grunt as Lucas reached for the cowboy hat where he’d cleverly hidden a condom.

  Addy forgot about everything she thought she was, and in that moment, when Lucas slid inside her, she became the woman she wanted to be…the woman she’d denied for too many years.

  Hot, desirable and naughty—a woman of passion.

  A woman who let go of inhibitions.

  A woman who existed for loving Lucas.

  And it was fan-freaking-tastic.

  Lucas seemed to know where to touch her, when to let her take over, how to take her breath away and how to push her over the edge. Like the push and pull of a storm, emotion built inside her, spilling over, washing her clean…giving her life again.

  Never had she felt such satisfaction.

  When it was over, she lay across him, replete. Seconds ticked by, measured in the flicker of the candle’s flame. The dim room allowed for weak sunlight to spill inside, enough for Addy to see the utter gratification on Lucas’s face when she finally lifted her head.

  “Hey,” she whispered.

  He tilted his head down. “Hey.”

  She propped her arms across his chest and studied him. “That was nice.”

  Lifting his eyebrows, he made a face. “Nice? That was amazing.”

  Addy rested her chin on her forearms. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  The rumble of laughter in his chest made her lurch to the side. “Ah, Addy girl, you do something to me I can’t explain.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe. All I know is I’d be hard-pressed to find another time in my recent existence I’ve been this content to be with a woman.”

  “You’re just saying that so I’ll sleep with you again.”

  He wiggled his dark eyebrows, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Sleep? I don’t think so…and is it working?”

  She reproduced his earlier move and lifted a shoulder. “Maybe.”

  Lucas’s expression turned serious and he lifted his head dropping a kiss on her chin. “In all seriousness, I’ve never felt this way so fast…and that’s not a line.”

  And that made her smile because she couldn’t have said it better herself.

  “So are you hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Why don’t I go downstairs and grab the French bread and the wine?”

  “Sounds like a plan—” he tucked his arms behind his head “—’cause I have more things I want to do to your delectable body, but I’ll need sustenance first.”

  A delicious shiver ran through her. “In that case I’ll be quick.”

  “And grab another condom from my jeans?”

  “Oh, so you’re just gonna lie here and let me wait on you hand and foot?” She lifted herself from him, sliding to the edge of the bed.

  “I need rest. You wore me out.” His smile was smooth as Belgian chocolate. She knew. Gourmet chocolate was another secret passion.

  “A kiss before I go?” She leaned forward.

  *

  THIRTY MINUTES LATER she finally made it downstairs.

  Lucas watched Addy’s bare backside sway as she left the room and nearly applauded at the beauty of the woman. Seriously. That kind of wonder deserved accolades. Standing ovations. Encores.

  Damn, who could have imagined his little florist had been brimming with such pent-up desire. He’d never seen a woman so consumed by passion. The revving of that engine had been heady to watch and made a man feel almost honored to hold a woman who poured every piece of herself into making love.

  She’d been so beautiful, so absolutely primal. Raw and almost untouched, though he knew it wasn’t true. But still, it had felt that way…like he’d awakened a long-slumbering sex goddess.

  Pushing himself up, he looked about her bedroom. Simple, organic. Very Addy.

  Heavy curtains with swirling velvet loops hung down to the polished wood floor. The bed was made of simple metal with clean lines and white and light blue bedding. Evocative prints hung on the wall and a cluster of fresh flowers sat in an antique-looking vase on the dresser. The nightstand held a weird-looking white-dotted lamp and a stack of books.

  He rolled over and picked up a book.

  Surrender To Me.

  The cover bore a mussed-looking woman straddling a man wearing tight tan trousers, cowboy boots and a hat almost identical to his own. The man’s shirt was open, baring his chest, and the pocket had a star pinned on it. The sheriff…

  Lucas thumbed through the book.

  Who
a.

  He snapped the book closed with a snort.

  No wonder she nearly came when he touched her. Her reading material might as well be a drum of propane…all Miss Addy needed was a match.

  Or a willing man.

  Addy came into the room, holding a tray on which two glasses clinked. She kicked the door shut with a bare foot, and thankfully she hadn’t put on any clothes. Her jiggling breasts fired a hunger inside him.

  Speaking of matches…

  He held up the book. “Interesting reading.”

  Her entire body flushed pink. “Oh, I’d forgotten about those sitting out.”

  “So now I understand why you wanted the boots on.” He beckoned her with a finger. “Now come on over here and show me how Sophie rode the sheriff.”

  Addy sat the tray on the dresser and propped her hands on her hips. The sight of her rounded breasts, flat stomach and sleek thighs had him giving her a salute of appreciation. “I’m not acting out scenes from that book, Lucas.”

  He gave her a devilish smile, lifting himself from the bed and pulling her into his arms. “So why did you call me Cade when I—”

  “I did not!” She shrieked as he nipped her earlobe.

  “Hmm, I don’t remember. We better try again.” He cupped her breasts and lay her on the bed.

  “After we eat, of course,” she said, crossing hands over her breasts, her eyes taking on the schoolmarm’s glint. “And I’ve not given you leave to call me by my given name, sir.”

  Lucas played along, skipping over the delightful breasts she hid from him to her belly button. Ringing it with tiny kisses, he slid lower, brushing his mouth against her hip bone, before sliding his hands beneath her near-perfect ass. Her tiny gasp of pleasure was a ticket to paradise.

  “If you say so, Sophie.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  SUNDAY AFTERNOON WAS USUALLY for laundry, cleaning the bathrooms and running three miles, but that particular Sunday afternoon turned into a gift—unexpected, out of the blue and wrapped in a satin bow of pleasure.

  For the entire afternoon, Addy and Lucas lounged around, talking, touching and reveling in the small cocoon they’d created in her bedroom. They sipped wine, nibbled on delicious French bread and ate fried chicken right there on her bed…and she didn’t even worry about the crumbs when Lucas had laid her back and made love to her a third time.