Catching Cara: Dark Horse, Inc: Book 2

by Amy J. Hawthorn

  He’d loaded her into his truck and driven her out to Riley Creek. She’d seemed completely at ease making small talk or quietly watching the scenery pass by. She never asked where they were going.

  He’d worried if when they arrived at their destination if she’d be disappointed. When he pulled into his driveway, he tensed, waiting for her reaction.

  “Late for our reservations, huh?” She looked from the front door of his house to him.

  Relieved to see her expression filled with bright amusement, he answered. “I didn’t lie. I have steaks waiting in the secret MacDonald marinade. Perfect timing is essential for optimal flavor. It’s a crime to ruin a good steak.” He stepped down and walked around to help her down.

  She opened the door and grinned. “Let’s get inside, then. I wouldn’t want to get arrested for breaking a beef law.” He held her elbow as they walked to his door.

  He unlocked and opened it wide then stiffened. Someone had been inside while he’d been away.

  “What’s wrong?” She stopped beside him and looked up in concern.

  “My sister’s been here. She must have snuck in and out while I was away.” He shook his head and put his keys on the entryway table.

  “How can you tell?” In that moment, when she stood right next to him, looking up with those gorgeous eyes, he discovered he had a new favorite smell. He breathed in the warm scent, slightly sweet and floral and his favorite dessert fell down a notch.

  He put his hand on the bare skin of her back and tucked her closer. “I can smell her homemade peach cobbler. Let’s go see what else she’s added to tonight’s menu.” In the kitchen, on the counter, they found the cobbler and three more covered dishes.

  “Oh my.” She laughed and the husky sound slid right through him, teasing him in the best way. “There’s enough food for an entire family, maybe two.”

  “Yep. Sis had help. That red pan likely holds my mother’s hash brown casserole. Are you disappointed that you got all dressed up for an evening in? I admit, I misled you. I wanted to see you in a skirt again.”

  “A night in is perfect. As you can see, I didn’t wear the blue one. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “Blue has always been my favorite color, but black has suddenly come out on top.” His hands settled on her hips. She looked up and he couldn’t miss the way her gaze went to his mouth.

  “So. It seems I owe you a kiss.” She sucked on her bottom lip as if thinking about that exact thing.

  “You do, and I expect payment.” His hands wanted to explore her body and it took everything he had to deny them. But there’d been no promises of anything more than this one date. Would it be so bad if he enjoyed himself and took just a slice of heaven with him when he returned to the real world?

  “If you insist.” She raised up on tiptoe and tangled her fingers at the back of his neck. He met her halfway but paused, letting her make the final contact. A butterfly soft kiss lighted on his mouth and he closed his eyes. Letting her take the lead, he held her close and savored the moment as her mouth merged with his.

  A low groan escaped and suddenly he could care less about their bet.

  A growl rumbled deep in Joe’s chest, and the sound did odd things to her body. Her breaths deepened, her head grew light and her breasts swelled. She wanted more with a hunger that surpassed any she’d ever known.

  She might never get enough of Joe MacDonald.

  The world around her jerked and then she was in his arms. Reflexively, as if they were meant to be there, her legs wrapped around his waist. A large, calloused palm cupped one ass cheek. His mouth broke away from hers. She opened her eyes to see nothing but dark, intense desire staring back at her.

  “Jesus. It’s bare. Are you naked under that skirt?” His heavy chest heaved beneath his shirt, and she decided it needed to go. Like, yesterday.

  “Thong.” Confident he’d hold her, she let go of his neck and started on the buttons of his shirt.

  “Fuck me. Are you trying to kill me?” His hungry gaze rose from the deep V neckline of her top to meet hers.

  “No. I like you too much for that. I just want you crazy for me.” She smiled and tugged the tail of his shirt up from under her so she could get to the last two buttons. She unfastened them and spread open the material. Taking in the sight, she sucked in a deep breath. There was just so much male, muscly goodness.

  “Color?” His other hand found its way to her other cheek. He licked a trail of fire up the column of her throat.

  “Satin.” He made his way to her earlobe and nipped it, making her gasp. “White satin. You seemed to have a thing for white panties. I thought I’d oblige you. I only had one problem.”

  “What’s that?” He worked his way down her neck and kissed the flesh along the neckline of her top.

  “I couldn’t wear the matching bra under this top.” She peeled his shirt back over his shoulders, baring more muscled flesh but the material caught at the top of his biceps. It wouldn’t go any further as long as he held her up. She decided as long as he held her just like this, she’d make do with not having him completely shirtless. The heavy muscles in his upper arms would make an excellent secondary playground for the fingers that itched to explore.

  His nose hit the top of her cleavage. “You’re not wearing a bra, at all are you?”

  “In a shirt like this? Are you crazy? With an outfit like this, a woman has to be very careful selecting her unmentionables.” She ran a finger down the dip between his pectoral muscles.

  He kept his chin nestled in the V of her top but he tilted his head up to meet her gaze. So serious, her Joe. “How do I take it off? I mean, it’s only fair. You’re stripping me out of my shirt. It’s only right that I do the same for you.”

  She raised her hands to the knot tied at the back of her neck. She untied it and let the two pieces fall. The material slid down, pooling at her waist.

  “You’re right. It’s only fair.”

  His eyes widened and his nostrils flared, making her feel like she’d magically become the most beautiful woman in the world. The house passed by in a blur and her back hit something soft. He pulled his shirt off and tossed it aside. He gripped one of her ankles and ran his thumb over the strap of her shoe. He tried to undo the tiny buckle but cursed. “Damn hands, always too big. Good thing I like the shoes on you. The heels do crazy things to your already fantastic legs.”

  He removed his clothing in no time, revealing acres of defined, masculine strength. Everything she saw defined male perfection. Power. “Now, about those panties.” The low timbre of his voice slid through her in an erotic fog, blinding her to the outside world. Twice she’d been confident that she could handle Joe, and twice he’d proved her wrong. His laid back, easygoing appearance, hid depths of intense focus that shattered her composure.

  When he aimed that single-minded concentration on her, she became helpless.

  She reached behind her back and unzipped her skirt. The moment she brought her hands back to the front he tucked his fingers in the loose waistband and pulled it down her legs. She knew she was in excellent shape but sometimes, when her usual confidence faltered, a little demon whispered that maybe she was too fit. Maybe she wasn’t feminine enough?

  When his eyes glittering with fierce hunger swept her from head to toe, she found the power to kick that little doubt-spreading bastard to the curb. “Cara? Never seen anyone more lovely. Truly.” She felt the truth of his words to the depths of her soul. “I want it all, every square inch of you. I guess it’s a good thing I kidnapped you for the night. You’re not going anywhere.”

  “When do I get my turn?” She wasn’t kidding. She wanted to explore every hard ridge and dark, muscled, hollow of his body with her hands and then her mouth.

  “If we can’t fit it all in tonight, then we’ll just have to schedule another round. Tonight’s mine. I won the bet, remember?” He ran a finger along the waist of her panties. Then he tucked the same fingertip under the edge and repeated the process. “D
eal?”

  “Deal.” The single word came out raspy on a weak, stuttered hitch.

  “Fuck me. Even your voice gets me so worked up, I don’t know which way is up.” He knelt on the bed and kissed the material just above her mound. Air snagged in her chest and her spine arched.

  “Cara.” Demanding her attention, he paused, waiting until her gaze met his. Then with his eyes on hers, never blinking, he slid the scrap of material over her hips with slow deliberation. When at last, he pulled her panties over her heels, she braced both eager and unsure of what he’d do next.

  He opened her legs, and braced them wide with his knees. She looked down her body just in time to see him take one breast in his hand and another into his mouth. The light scrape of his teeth over the hypersensitive nub set loose an unquenchable ache. Filled with glowing pleasure, she arched, pushing her breasts closer, a silent plea for more.

  Never had she wanted anything, anyone this much.

  When he answered her silent plea and drew more of her breast into his mouth, ecstasy swamped her. Tightening her legs, she urged him to take more and give everything. Yet he wouldn’t be denied as he took his time. With his mouth and hands, he worshipped her.

  Sure fingers parted her folds, testing her readiness. He needn’t have bothered. She was drunk on her need for him, might die if he didn’t fill her. How could she make him lose his mind? What would make him lose control?

  Ever so lightly, she ran her fingers through his hair, scratching her nails over his scalp. She got as close to his ear as he’d allow and whispered. “Joe, damn it. Now. I need you inside me.”

  He raised his head, seeking more. She didn’t get it, but he said he loved her voice, that it drove him wild. She wasn’t above using it to get what she needed, especially if it got him inside her. She slid her hand down, scraping a trail over his muscled abdomen and gripped him in her fist. “This. You. I need you in me now.”

  “Damn you, wicked woman.” He buried his head in her neck. “I’ll get you for that.”

  “Now.” She rubbed over his length, relishing the raw potency that waited for her.

  “Condom first. Always.” Something dark flashed through his features, but before she could analyze it, it was gone. He nipped her ear and pulled out of her hand, but when he opened the nightstand drawer, she forgave him the insult. Snatching the package from his hand, she smiled as he shifted back between her legs. With a little shake of his head, he grinned and then melted into her, swallowing her next demand with his kiss.

  Whatever, she didn’t need his mouth for what she wanted.

  She ripped open the package and sucked his bottom lip. He expelled a harsh sigh and shuddered when she took him in hand, rolling the condom on.

  Meeting her gaze, he cursed. “Even when we finish this, we are not done. Not by a longshot.”

  “I’m counting on that, cop.”

  A man could only take so much before he broke. After one delightfully heated taunt after another, he forgot why he wanted to prolong her pleasure. His focus shrank to a single thought that could be summed up in two words. Take her.

  So he did. He slid home in one slow, sure plunge. Tight, heated ecstasy enveloped him. Her husky groan assured him that Cara was right there with him. It was all he needed. He pulled back against the grip of heaven, only to return. Her temptation pulled too strongly, and he couldn’t resist the lure.

  Her body met his, thrust for thrust and gasp for moan. Their pace quickened their hearts thundered.

  Over and over he drove into her, knowing he’d never get his fill. The hazel light of her eyes met his and held him to her. He held her tighter, moved into her harder and deeper and let go. Her body clamped down on his as she arched, crying out his name.

  He tucked her tighter against him, pulled her arms over her head and tangled his fingers with hers. Dazedly, her eyes met his. “Joe.” And that was all it took to push him over the final, steep edge. With one last plunge, he followed her into bliss.

  The pot gurgled to life and the scent of coffee filled his kitchen. A better and far more tempting sound followed. “Oh. Wow. This is good.” Cara followed her words with a lusty moan.

  He filled and carried two mugs to where she sat at his bar, wearing nothing but his shirt and a well-loved, satisfied glow. He took the fork from her hand for his own bite. Sweet with just a hint of savory to balance the toothache, the flavor melted on his tongue. “Enjoy it while it lasts. Sis refuses to share her secret ingredient with anyone, even Mom.”

  She took one of the mugs and hugged it close. “There must be enough for eight people in the pan.”

  “Looks that way, but it never lasts.” He shook his head when she reached for her fork and dipped in to steal a kiss. He almost died right there on the spot. Everything that was Cara with a hint of peaches and cinnamon assaulted him, threatened to take him under and never let him up for air.

  He didn’t care. As her tongue tangled with his and her hands cupped his jaw, the world fell away. They’d forgotten last night’s dinner and spent most the night feasting on each other. The night had been a whirlwind of tangled limbs, pleasured cries, and breathless ecstasy. They’d slept in and woken starving.

  When his hand found the silken skin beneath his shirt, not even his favorite dessert could tempt him away from Cara. He moved between her legs and both hands went to her hips, gripping tight. Her hands fisted in the waistband of his sweats.

  The front door banged open. “Dad! Daddy? Aunt Wee is gonna take me to the pway at the park! We’re gonna meet Mickey and Bwee. I need my ball and fwog.” The rapid stomp of little feet traveled through the house.

  The fire in his blood froze, and he jumped back a mile, leaving Cara to straighten herself.

  “Cara! Hi.” His daughter stopped at the kitchen’s entryway and looked up to smile at the woman who he’d been about twenty seconds away from taking right there in her chair.

  “Hi, sweetheart. That sounds like fun. It’s supposed to be a pretty day and not too hot.” Cara smiled and acted as if it were perfectly natural for her to be sitting in their kitchen only half-dressed.

  “That’s what my aunt said. Dad? Can I have some milk?” Kylie walked to the fridge and opened it as if everything was normal.

  He stood there speechless as his world quaked around him.

  Leigh hurried in behind her niece and stopped, assessing the situation. “Sorry, guys. She insisted on getting a couple of things for our trip to the park. I didn’t think. Let’s go, squirt. We have snacks and drinks packed in the car. Your friends will be waiting.” She gently took Kylie’s hand in hers and waved on their way out. “We’ll be gone most of the afternoon, and I promised her pizza afterward, so we won’t be back until early evening.”

  A moment later, the front door opened and closed. His daughter left without her toys and, though she hadn’t complained, his gut protested.

  Cara smiled wryly and shook her head. “Wow. That was a close one.”

  How could she be so unruffled? So unmoved? His daughter had nearly caught them in the act. The day he’d found out he was going to be a father he’d vowed that his child would always, always come first his life.

  He should have known this might happen. Kylie always forgot things. She was a six-year-old. They were messy and forgetful.

  “I guess we should be thankful they showed up when they did.” Cara took a sip of her coffee and followed it with a bite of cobbler.

  “Thankful?” What the hell does she mean by that? There was nothing good about the situation. His daughter had almost walked him on him having sex!

  “Yeah.” She tilted her head and looked at him oddly. “If they’d walked through the door just a few minutes later, things would have been really awkward.”

  He shook his head at her. “My daughter almost caught me in the act. It doesn’t get much worse than that.”

  “Joe. If she saw anything, which as fast as you moved I doubt, it was just two adults kissing. Her world won’t end. I promise.”<
br />
  But she might have questions. Be confused. There’d be an entire line of new things he’d have to address as her only parent. He was her world. She looked up to him. He couldn’t do a single thing to screw that up.

  “I’m not so sure about that.” He turned his back on her and went to shower.

  Chapter Seven

  A knock sounded at Cara’s bedroom door as she pulled on a clean shirt. “Yes?”

  “I fixed lunch. You better hurry, or it’ll get cold.” Her mother’s words sounded more like an order than an offer.

  She combed out her damp hair and debated. She wasn’t hungry. She’d had a good sized helping of dessert for a late breakfast at Joe’s. After the tense drive home, food was the last thing on her mind. First, she’d tried to reason with him about the situation. His mood had only grown surlier. She’d given up and tried to distract him with talk of the upcoming Dark Horse operation.

  His cooperation had increased, but with such a sad subject, his mood hadn’t improved.

  “Cara May, all my work will go to waste if you don’t get out here and eat.”

  Ugh. Next would be the, I slaved over this meal on my bad hip for you guilt trip. “I’ll be right out.” She wasn’t born yesterday. She knew the only reason her mother fixed lunch was so she could give her the postdate third degree. The longer she waited, the more painful the experience would be.

  She met her mother in the kitchen. “Smells good. You didn’t have to, but thanks.” She sat at the table, waiting for the first strike.

  Her mother gave her a pointed look. “I figured you’d need a hearty meal after being out. All night.”

  “Mom. I’m thirty-two, not a teenager.” She fought the urge to squirm in her seat. “We’re both adults and—”

  Her mother interrupted by setting a plate in front of Cara with a loud thunk. “Oh, shush. I know that. I had you when I was in my mid-twenties. I know what you were doing. I just wish you would’ve held out until you got a ring on your finger. Please tell me you at least left him wanting more? You can’t let him get away, Cara May. You’ll have gray hair before too long!”