ReturnoftheDaredevil

by Regina Carlysle

  T insinuated his denim-covered thigh between hers until she was once again spread open. He released one of her breasts. She heard the crackle of paper and knew he was busy protecting them both. “I have to fuck you. Just like this. Right now.”

  Lowering his hand from her breast to her belly, T settled the other hand behind her knee and lifted, opening her up to what she knew would be a thorough, mind-blowing fucking. And then he was there, deep inside her, thrusting hard then shallow, filling her to maximum capacity. Vaginal walls stretched to accommodate his girth and she knew that if flesh could purr, hers certainly would. Damn, the man knew how to fuck a woman mindless. Over and over, T thrust as she squeezed that thick stalk, wishing he would never leave the safe haven of her hungry body.

  T growled a sound that vibrated in his chest and Mel felt it too. Shivering, trembling, she gasped an equally raw answer as his fingers moved lower to find her swollen clit. When he circled it with his thumb, then pressed in time to his hard thrusts, Mel held on to that damn rope for all she was worth as pleasure coiled tighter and tighter then released in ever-expanding waves. As the last heady edge of orgasm swamped her, she felt T’s breath rush against her ear as he, too, lost control and fell with her into a well of pleasure so deep, she wondered if either of them would ever recover.

  * * * * *

  Late in the night, T held her close, loving the way she lay spooned against him, her back to his front, soft and sexy and more woman than any man deserved. When he’d driven her home, she had sweetly asked him to stay with her. T was no fool. He was exactly where he wanted to be. Rubbing his palm over her belly, he leaned close enough to whisper in her ear. “Why did you come back here all those years ago? I always wondered why you didn’t follow the example of most kids who grow up here and get the hell out of town.”

  She sighed and settled her hand over his. “I wanted do something different and exciting. I thought about it a lot. Playing basketball was always my passion.” She laughed a little. “Next to you, of course.” T pressed his lips to the side of her neck and tightened his hold on her. “When a coaching job opened up here, I thought about Mom being widowed and alone and it just seemed right to accept the position.”

  “Have you been happy?”

  She went quiet and he knew she carefully considered her answer. “I love the girls and coaching them satisfies that competitive drive but there have been moments…”

  “Moments?”

  “Times when I was so lonely, I thought I’d die. Mom didn’t really need me like I thought she did. I guess I was wrong about that. She began dating and traveling with friends. Basically she’d moved on with things while I was off in college.”

  “You like being needed, don’t you?”

  “Guess so, T. I have my job, friends, and I stay pretty busy with town celebrations like the Peach Festival. Is it enough? I just don’t know.”

  “For what it’s worth, darlin’, I need you too.”

  She laughed a little. “I never thought you needed anyone, T.”

  “You’d be wrong about that.” He pressed his lips to the side of her neck, loving the smell of her pretty hair as it lay across the pillow. Wanting a deeper touch, he rubbed his palm over her belly then moved higher until he cupped one breast. T plied the taut nipple with his thumb and forefinger until a ragged sound broke from Melanie’s lips. Satisfaction swept him. The delicious globes of her ass pressed against his heavy cock. When he’d said he needed her, no truer words had ever been spoken. But it was more than that and he wasn’t a man who believed in lying to himself.

  He loved her.

  The internal proclamation sang through his mind. Claiming her again, taking her, fucking her suddenly became the most important thing he’d ever done as his hand left her breast to tease the creamy heat of her pussy. He teased and stroked, pushing two fingers deep, pressing the knot of her clit with his thumb until tiny whimpering sounds filled the air around them. “Hand me the condom on the table,” he said as he moved his lips between her shoulder blades to taste her there.

  After she’d plucked the condom from the bedside table and he’d covered himself, he grabbed her knee and lifted, opening her for a firmer touch. Keeping her thighs spread wide, he reached down to tease the soft flesh of her ass then lower. Fucking her with his fingers, T kept the strokes steady until she writhed and vaginal walls clutched at him in hard pulls and tugs. He’d had enough torment. Ignoring her soft plea, he removed his fingers from her juicy cunt and gripped the base of his cock. He needed to be inside her more than his next breath.

  Plunging deep, fucking her from behind, he thrust and withdrew steadily yet it seemed not enough. With a low sound, he pulled out and turned her to her belly. Frustration riding him hard, he grabbed a pillow and stuffed it under her until her beautiful ass was lifted for his pleasure. Raw, savage emotion gripped him when he came up to his knees between her splayed thighs. As if memorizing every sweet curve, he drew his hands over the length of her long back, her ass, her thighs before stroking his fingers through the wet heat of her pussy.

  “Please, T.”

  Every muscle in his body went tight and hard, as he plunged his cock deep into her. Filling her up, feeling her inner muscles clench around him sent sensation to dance over his skin. Sweat beaded on his forehead and T gritted his teeth as he thrust over and over. Reaching beneath her writhing body, he caught her clit between his thumb and finger. He squeezed the tight bundle repeatedly as her tiny cries swept the room and he knew in that instant that he would never tire of hearing her need for him. Savage possession took hold as he pounded hard, hitting the deepest part of her, careful to slide repeatedly over her G-spot. In a quick move, he lifted her to her knees to allow a fuller penetration. He was a big, strong, athletic man yet he trembled with lust for this woman. As she pressed back to take more of his hard cock, his balls drew up stiffly against his body. His scalp tingled and he swore his eyes crossed as his body took over. Plunging deep and heavily into her body was, he knew, the closest thing to heaven a man like him would ever get and he aimed to take advantage as he fucked her, loved her.

  Bending low over Melanie’s back, T settled his mouth near her cheek. “I love you,” he gasped. “Do you hear me? I love you.”

  “T!”

  Melanie went still beneath him for a single moment before choking out a breath as orgasm blasted through her. Through it all, T rode her as wave after wave of sensation carried her under. Together they trembled as he followed her into the chasm of intense pleasure and rode the crest until he lay, for a moment, stunned and shaken against her back. When he regained his senses, he rolled from her body and pulled her against him. He felt her warm breath against his chest and, wrapping his arms around her, held her close. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” She looked up at him, her blue eyes shiny with what he suspected were tears. “Did you mean it?”

  Focusing on her, intensely aware this was the most important moment of his life, he sent his fingers through her curls. “Yes. I love you, Mel, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I believe you. I love you too, T. I always have.”

  “Then we’re going to be okay, aren’t we?”

  Her smile was sunshine-bright, making his heart squeeze at the wonder of all the emotions he’d finally allowed himself to feel. “Oh yeah. I think we’re going to be just fine.”

  Chapter Six

  Several nights later, Melanie looked around the site of the street dance in wonder. Everything was just spectacular, from the lights strung in every tree to the band playing boisterous country music from the gazebo on the town square. Booths selling hot dogs, barbecue, and beer were making plenty of money as tourists clogged the roped-off area on Main, sampling the goodies being sold by citizens of Delight. Chairs and benches dotted the small grassy park surrounding the gazebo, giving weary dancers a place to park their butts after hours of dancing in the street. T had picked her up two hours ago and they’d been dancing ever since. Exhausted, happy, and st
ill aching in the most delicious ways from all that marathon sex she’d been having, she currently sat on a bench next to T.

  Melanie took a sip of her beer and slid her gaze in T’s direction. “I have to say I’m not used to being the center of attention. Everybody wants to get a look at the hottest cowboy ever to ride a horse.”

  T laughed and shook his head. Leaning close, he pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Nah, they are looking at you, darlin’. Prettiest girl here without a doubt.”

  “You’ll go to hell for tellin’ fibs, you know.” She looked out at the crowded street and spotted Cooper and Harley doing a lively two-step while Ransom stood, propped against one of the beer wagons, talking to a couple of cowboys from the Double D. Contentment almost carried her under and she sighed a little when T stood to pull her upright. “Come on. Let’s dance.”

  “You’re gonna wear me out. I have to deal with Miss Peach Delight stuff first thing in the morning and already my feet are starting to ache.”

  “For an athletic woman, you sure do complain a lot.” T teased her, his grin downright wicked as he stepped onto the crowded street with her and they began to dance to a Rascal Flatts song. Thelma and her husband twirled past them and she wiggled her fingers at them then gave them a little wink. “Yep. The whole town in talking.”

  “You had doubts?”

  “Not a one.”

  It had been years since they’d danced together and Melanie realized that over time, he had greatly improved. His touch on her was light and he had some smooth moves going on as they circled the roped-in area through one song after another. Finally, he pulled her toward the edge of the crowd. “Want something to drink? Thought I’d go talk to Ransom for a minute and bring you back something.”

  “Sure. Sounds good. I’ll head over to that stand of oaks and grab us a couple of seats.”

  When Melanie made her way to the chairs, she sank into one of them and pushed her hair back from her forehead. Yes, it was full-on night now but it was still July and with all that dancing she was downright hot. Blissfully alone, she watched the crowds. People were dancing and talking. Children kicked a soccer ball in a nearby field and she wondered again why she had ever considered not living right here. For most folks it might seem a blast from the past but this was home. Feeling truly content for the first time in years, she absorbed this single moment alone but then narrowed her eyes slightly at the rapid advance of a man she didn’t recognize. He was roughly forty with the well-groomed appearance that screamed “big city”‘. Tanned, slightly balding and wearing a collared shirt and khakis, he stopped in front of her and smiled. “Excuse me, ma’am, but didn’t I see you dancing with T Dobbs?”

  “Yes, I was. Do you need to see T?” She pointed in T’s direction. “He’s right over there wearing a black Stetson and white western shirt.”

  The man smiled. “Oh yeah. There he is.” As his cell phone rang, he reached into his pocket, scowled at the number then stuck it back into his pocket before turning his attention to her again. “Sorry about that.” He held out his hand. “I’m Scott Connally, T’s agent. He has a shoot in Calgary next month and I was handling some business in Texas so I just rented a car and headed this way. Need him to sign some papers. I thought I’d take care of business and head back to Dallas tonight but this is a hell of a party you folks are throwing.”

  Melanie stared at the man, utterly speechless as he said his thanks and headed off to find T. She watched, her heart in her throat, as the agent approached T. She saw the man she loved smile broadly and clap Connally on the back and it was obvious they knew each other.

  Red rage tinged with pain clouded her vision as she realized T had lied to her. No doubt he’d planned all along to head back to his old life. Did Ransom and Cooper know the truth? Honestly she didn’t care if T did stunts in who-knew-where as long as he always returned home to Delight and to her. She needed to know they had a future together especially now that he’d laid siege to her heart. He’d told her he loved her and damn it, all, she’d said the words back. Part of her reasoned this had to be some kind of weird mistake. Another part told her she was being childish and silly. He’d chased her down in the presence of the entire town and made her believe in love again.

  Tears burned behind her eyes as confusion swamped her. Hoping against hope she could hold her worry together long enough to escape from the crowds, she stood and turned to duck behind the nearest building when she literally bumped into Harley June.

  “Whoa! Hey, where are you… What’s wrong? You’re crying.”

  Melanie shook her head. “I was stupid to believe a word coming out of T’s mouth.”

  “What did he do? Tell me? I’ll kick his ass, honey. Really.”

  God, she loved her friends. “No, no, I just have to get out of here. I can’t talk to T right now or I’ll just lose it.”

  Harley dug in her purse and pulled out her keys. “Come on then. I’ll take you home.”

  Melanie felt like a petulant child leaving T at the dance this way but she had to think. From the beginning she’d had trouble trusting him and now he’d simply backed up her earlier worries by outright lying to her. Ass.

  “Do you want to talk about it, honey?” Harley asked as she pulled up in the driveway. She looked worried and Mel was sorry about that. Her best friend was happier than she’d ever been and was busily planning a wedding. The last thing Melanie wanted to do was puke out all her troubles.

  She shook her head. “No. I’m just mad. T told me he was done with California and the daredevil stuff. His agent showed up tonight with a contract so I reckon he wasn’t telling any of us the truth.” Sighing, she opened the door of the truck and stepped out only to look back at Harley again. “I’ll talk with T but not now. He said he was staying home for good and now I wonder everything he’s said over the past few days has been a huge lie. I just need some time to think. Thanks for the ride home.”

  “Call if you need me.”

  Melanie managed a smile. “I will. Thanks.”

  Minutes later she stood under the hot spray of her shower, tears flowing to mingle with the pelting water that rained over her. He was leaving. She knew it and wondered why he’d never said a word about the job but continued to behave as if he’d be here forever. Separating lies from truth was impossible for her at the moment and she knew she must talk with T but not now. Feeling more vulnerable than she had in years, she later donned a short summery nightgown and curled up on her couch to think things through. As she sipped a glass of wine, she closed her eyes and imagined the moment when he’d say goodbye and head off to that job in Canada. Was the love he said he felt for her strong enough to urge his return?

  As the moments ticked by she worried, she wondered but inevitably Melanie felt lost.

  * * * * *

  T shook his head at his longtime agent. What the hell was he doing here? They hadn’t talked in weeks and as far as he was concerned they had nothing much to discuss. Ransom stood quietly, watching the exchange of pleasantries, suspicion heavy in his eyes. T made quick introductions. Curiosity rode him hard. “What brings you to Delight?”

  “I brought some contracts for you to sign.”

  “What contracts?”

  Scott had the grace to look a little uncomfortable but he wasn’t all that worried about the man at the moment. Beside him, Ransom had gone still and T practically felt the anger vibrating from his body. Best to defuse whatever situation was brewing sooner rather than later.

  The agent cocked his head and gave him a steady look. “The studio shooting that western television series needs you badly, T. This time they want you as a body double for some fairly dangerous stunts and you fit the bill. Come on, man. They’re willing to pay you a bundle for a mere six weeks.”

  T glanced at his brother and watched the tension leave his body but there was still caution in his gaze. “I told you I was done, Scott. I’m home to stay. You know damn good and well the doctors said my knee couldn’t take another bad
hit and I rather like being able to walk. My place is here. My family needs me and I have a ranch to help Ransom run. I’m out.”

  “Damn it, T,” Scott began but Ransom interrupted him.

  “He said no. Figure it’s time you back off now, friend.”

  T gave his brother a glance then faced his agent. He was a full-grown man and perfectly capable of fighting his own battles. “I’ve got this, Ran. Listen, Scott, I appreciate what you’re trying to do here. I really do but my word is final. My body is battered to hell and those ramblin’ days are long gone. It’s time for me to settle down. This is home and I’m stayin’ put.”

  Scott frowned, no doubt sorry as hell he’d driven all this way for nothing, but that wasn’t T’s problem. Yeah, the man should’ve fucking called. Finally Scott sighed. “All right then. Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

  “I have.”

  When Scott walked away, T turned to Ransom. “I know you worried that I’d end up heading back to that other life, bro, but you were wrong about that. Despite what you might think, I’m a man of my word.”

  “Figure so.”

  “This is where I need to be. With family. With Melanie.”

  Ran graced him with a rare smile. “Things getting pretty serious with Mel?”

  “I think you know they are. If she’ll have me, I aim to marry her.”

  “You’re smarter than you look.”

  That business behind him, T headed back through the crowds on his search for Melanie. She wasn’t where she’d said she would be but he wasn’t all that concerned. No doubt Mel had gotten sidetracked and was off talking with someone. He didn’t start to really fret until roughly thirty minutes later and there was still no sign of her.

  What the hell?

  Downright worried now, he jerked when his soon-to-be sister-in-law tapped him on the shoulder. Harley June stood there looking like a thundercloud and disapproval was evident in her tone.