"Where's your bed?" he asked, his voice ragged.
"Through there." She motioned toward the living room. "But it's going to be freezing," she warned.
"Not for long."
With quick, determined strides, he found the bedroom. He set Jessie on the big double bed and flicked on the lamp, then shrugged out of his jacket. The coldness hit him like a blast from the Arctic.
"Damn, you're right," he said, blowing on his hands. He sat next to Jessie and briskly rubbed her arms. "These sheets are like ice."
Jessie made a quick decision. She handed two pillows to Cameron and grabbed the quilt. "Follow me." Now that she'd made up her mind, her shyness evaporated. Despite the frigid temperature, her body was on fire.
In the living room, she spread the quilt in front of the heater. She took the pillows from Cameron, dropped them on the pallet and pulled an afghan from the sofa. Closing the distance between them, she wound her arms around his neck and kissed his chin. "Is this better?"
"Yes, ma'am." Cameron kissed her deeply, his tongue exploring and tangling with hers. After a few delicious minutes, he knelt and grasped her round bottom, kneading the firm flesh through the sweatpants, placing kisses across her fleece-covered abdomen, pushing the pants down her legs and following their path with little nips and kisses.
Jessie kicked off her shoes and stepped from the puddled heap of fabric. She ran her fingers through Cameron's crisp brown hair and gasped when she felt the heat from his mouth between her thighs. Even through her panties, the sensation caused an unbearable tension to coil in the pit of her stomach. She pushed forward, seeking closer contact.
"Cameron . . ."
"Easy, Jess. We have the whole night before us." He pushed the edge of her sweatshirt slowly upward, trailing his tongue and lips over the bared skin. He lingered over her breasts and suckled the nipples through the lacy bra. Cameron eased the shirt over her head and returned his attention to the lace-captive flesh. With one arm supporting the small of her back, he unfastened the bra, releasing her breasts, feasting his eyes on the enticing curves and rosy brown nipples.
"Beautiful. You're so damned beautiful." He bent to kiss each nipple, flicking his tongue, nipping with his lips, blowing his hot breath across them until they beaded. Jessie arched her back, offering herself, moaning deeply in her throat.
Cameron felt himself throbbing with need, and the pressure against his zipper begged for release. He'd never failed to pleasure a woman, but Jessie was different. Special. She had always been different. Always been special. Knowing how long it had been for her, what value she placed on sharing her body--all of it was driving him over the edge too damn fast. The fierce need to possess her scared the hell out of him. He had never felt this way about a woman. Never.
"Please, Cameron," Jessie pleaded, reaching for him.
Still on his knees, he buried his face between the soft swell of her breasts. He trailed his tongue along the curves, teasing the nipples, bathing the tips with the flat of his tongue. Jessie's body jerked with reaction.
Cameron gently lowered her to the pallet, never breaking contact. Jessie frantically pulled his shirt from his jeans. She plunged her hands under the fabric, pressing her palms and fingers over his warm skin. It wasn't enough. She groaned in frustration and tugged the shirt upwards.
Cameron's control slipped a notch. Her small hands on his body made him want to immediately thrust inside her. "Slow down, sweetheart. We need to slow down."
"I don't want to slow down. I need you. Help me get your shirt off."
Cameron sat up and pulled the offending garment over his head. Jessie's impatience was contagious. He hooked his fingers under the elastic of her panties and peeled them down the length of her long, shapely legs. With his eyes on hers, he reached for his zipper and unfastened his jeans. Pushing them down, he shucked them out of the way.
Stretching out beside her, his heated gaze traveled the length of her body. He hadn't thought it possible, but he hardened even more.
Jessie laid her palms flat against his chest. Her emerald eyes shimmered with passion. She wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. "Now, Cameron. Take me now. Please."
Her whispered plea shattered what was left of his control. It was impossible to wait another moment. Later they could leisurely taste and touch, savor each other's bodies. Right now, he had to have her and make her his. He wanted to feel her inner muscles contract as she accepted him into her body. He grabbed his jeans and pulled a small plastic package from the pocket.
Jessie stared at the packet. Protection wasn't necessary. But now wasn't the time to tell Cameron she couldn't have children. She didn't want anything to spoil their lovemaking.
Taking the square packet from him, she brushed her arm against his hot erection. Deliberately, she brushed him again as she got to her knees. "We really don't need this."
Cameron's eyes dilated and his nostrils flared. "You're protected?"
Jessie tossed the condom aside. "Absolutely." It wasn't really a lie.
For a moment, she knelt there and just looked at him. He was big and hard and beautiful. She bent and swirled her tongue over and around the rigid tip of his erection. Her stomach contracted in feminine triumph when Cameron clutched her head, threading his fingers in her hair, groaning his desire. She moistened the length of him with her lips, caressing him with her tongue, teasing a bit before finally taking him in her mouth.
"You're killing me, Jess."
She lifted her head and smiled. "Am I?" Slowly, sensuously, she slid her hand up and down his length, then cupped the velvety sacs in her palms.
Cameron growled as he pushed her back onto the pallet. He followed her down and covered her with his body. He closed his eyes, striving for control, luxuriating in the feel of her naked against him. He gripped the sides of her head and plunged his tongue into her willing mouth, ravishing the warm interior, capturing her lips with his teeth, biting gently, sucking hard.
With his knee, he wedged open her thighs and entered her, pushing until he was secured. He waited a minute, holding his breath, afraid he'd explode. He wanted to make it good for Jessie, because it was damn sure good for him. Slowly, he began to move.
Jessie clasped her legs around Cameron's waist and held on tightly. She'd been living for this moment all of her life. She kissed the corded muscles of his neck. His lips compressed in a tight line. He slid his arms behind to grasp her buttocks, hammering into her again and again. She welcomed his weight and met each powerful plunge with an upward thrust. She relished the feel of her breasts crushed beneath his chest, the driving force as their bodies joined.
They quickly discovered their own unique rhythm. Coming together, pulling apart. Breaths scorching, sweat glistening. Muscles tensing, flexing. Jessie soared on the precipice of release, the magic in sight, the urgency mounting, the tension agonizing.
Cameron raised up and pushed deeper, slowly pulling out to prolong the sweet torture, then thrusting again until he was buried to the hilt.
When Jessie finally cried out, her body overtaken by a powerful orgasm, Cameron dropped his head to the pillow, whispering encouragement, finding his own release as she strained against him. Together they hurtled through time that had stopped. Swirling in the violence of their passion, free-falling back to earth, they lay in the aftermath of their desire, waiting for the pounding of their hearts to slow and their throbbing bodies to still.
****
The next day, bright autumn sunlight cast dusty beams through the high windows of Kincaid's Garage. Jessie was busy working on Cy Jackson's tractor. She had flushed the radiator and was now checking the thermostat. She tried not to think about the night before, but couldn't help herself. Happiness and despondency warred inside her.
No way did she regret the lovemaking. It had been wonderful. Everything she had imagined plus some. She blushed when she remembered Cameron's insatiable desire. And her own. As if they were trying to make up for all the years they had been apart. Finally, exhau
sted and replete, they had fallen asleep in each other's arms.
Jessie had awakened on the cold hard pallet in the early morning hours, turning to seek the warmth of Cameron's body, only to find emptiness. He had left without saying goodbye. She dragged her love-sore body to bed and crawled between icy sheets, flipping on the electric blanket. It wasn't long until her feet were toasty, but nothing could warm the chill clutching her heart.
What had she expected? She had known Cameron wouldn't stay; leaving was what he was good at. No, Jessie wasn't sorry she'd made love with Cameron. It had been beautiful and right. She loved him more than ever, but what would happen now? What did he want from her? What more was she willing to give?
Jessie reached for a wrench, when suddenly, large hands spun her around until she was lodged between the tractor and a hard muscled male body. Before she could utter a greeting or protest, Cameron's mouth crushed down on hers, taking her with a savage passion, his tongue tangling with her tongue, renewing the erotic rhythm they'd discovered last night.
Jessie's doubts and fears faded to the background. Her heart sang joyously. Cameron was back. She plastered her body to his rugged frame.
Cameron drew her closer, gripping her bottom, lifting her a little, so he could rub against her. He felt her tremble in his arms, sigh into his mouth. She was so responsive. So giving. So sexy.
He set Jessie on her feet and kept his arms around her. "Good morning, sweetheart." He kissed her nose and forehead. God, he'd hated leaving her on their makeshift pallet. The temptation to stay and wake her with his kisses, bring her to pleasure as the sun peeked in the east, plunge himself into her inviting heat--it had been almost more than he could resist.
But he hadn't dared spend the entire night with her. If they had been in Houston, it would have been different. They could have stayed in bed morning, noon, and night. As it was, he knew his mother would have enough to talk about knowing he'd taken Jessie home and stayed so late. So he'd forced himself to leave, ignoring the compelling urge to take her again, brand her as his. Feelings of protectiveness battled with feelings of possessiveness. He'd been shocked by the primitive need to claim this woman as his own.
Jessie slipped out of Cameron's embrace and stood, hands on hips, glaring at him. "Why did you leave me without saying goodbye?"
"Because you were sleeping so soundly, I hated to disturb you." He reached for her, wanting to gather her in his arms again.
She pushed away, putting the tool bench between them.
"Aw, Jess. What are you doing? There's no need to play games. We're past that, I hope. Give me another kiss."
Playing games? She didn't think so. Too much was at stake, namely her heart. But she couldn't tell Cameron that. They were beginning anew. Starting over. She had to tread carefully. Maybe he was right. Maybe she was playing a game.
She chose her words with care. "Last night was special for me. When I woke up and you weren't there . . . I felt . . . bad."
Cameron stepped around the bench, taking her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Jess. I only want to make you feel good. We are good together, aren't we?"
"Yes," she said, keeping her eyes on his chest. But for how long? The silent question made her want to cry.
Cameron grasped the nape of her neck and gently tugged her hair, tilting her head back until she met his gaze. "Next time, I'll be sure to say goodbye before I leave your bed." He skimmed his tongue gently across her lips, lightly tasting before devouring her with his mouth.
Jessie closed her eyes and put her arms around Cameron's waist. It was a heady sensation to feel him tremble with need for her, just as she trembled for him. They were good together. Surely, that had to count for something. And what had he meant by 'next time'? Was he staying around for a while?
Jessie broke the embrace when she heard a door slam. She didn't want Sam to catch her in Cameron's arms. "I have to get back to work."
Reluctantly, Cameron let her go. He nodded to Garza as the man walked up.
"Morning," Sam said, eyeing them strangely. "Finished with the tractor, Jessie?"
"It still needs antifreeze," she said.
"I'll take care of it."
Cameron grabbed Jessie's arm and hauled her outside. He hated her working so closely with Garza. What the hell was the matter with him? He was jealous, that's what. And possessive. First, the sheriff. Now, Garza. Who next?
After tasting the delights of Jessie's body last night, he wanted more. Now. But that was impossible, so he crammed his hands in his pockets instead of dragging her slender body close.
Jessie watched the desire burn in Cameron's eyes. The knuckles of his clenched fists turned white before he buried them in his jeans. For a moment, she was afraid he was going to kiss her out here in front of God and everybody. That would certainly give the town something to talk about, especially after he left. She readjusted her hat, stuffing her hair under the brim. The draft from the cold morning breeze hit her face. The promise of winter floated in the chilled air. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, waiting for Cameron to speak. It was getting cold, the silence awkward. Did last night mean anything to him? They'd finished what they'd started on Lover's Point. How long before he returned to Houston? She had to prepare herself. He would leave. It was inevitable.
"Did you want to tell me something in particular? Or did you drag me out here to freeze my bottom off?" she said. To hell with melancholy thoughts. She needed to enjoy this time with Cameron. It was all she would have.
"I want to go to the bonfire tonight and I want you to go with me."
Jessie's jaw dropped. Cameron wanted to take her to the bonfire? She really shouldn't place too much importance on it, or let herself hope, but she couldn't help the happy little bubble dancing inside. She smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'd love to go. Say about six-thirty?"
"That's fine. And this time, I'll pick you up. No arguments." He grasped her wrist, pulled her to him and kissed her hard. Jessie's eyes widened in surprise. She halfheartedly attempted to push away, even while her mouth melted beneath his onslaught.
Finally, he let her go. "I'll be by your house at six-thirty. Be ready for me."
Cameron left her standing by the garage doors, gasping for breath, her eyes dreamy with passion. If she looked at him like that tonight when he picked her up, they would be late for the bonfire.
Chapter Eight
Jessie was waiting on her porch, ready to leave when Cameron pulled up. She hurried to the car and hopped in. Her smile was strained when she greeted him. No time for kisses, no time for passion. They wouldn't be late to the bonfire, damn it. He wondered what was wrong.
As he turned onto the highway, she started digging in her purse.
"Did you forget something?" he asked. "Need to go back to the house?"
"Nope, I found it." She pulled out a small spiral pad attached to a long ribbon and tied it around her neck like a necklace. Then she fastened a ballpoint to the ribbon and snapped her purse shut.
"What's with the pad and pen? Are you going to take notes or something?"
"Yes. For the paper."
"For the paper?"
"The newspaper. Every year, I do a story on the homecoming festivities."
"You do keep busy, don't you?"
Again, that strained smile. "I like to be busy."
Cameron drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, racking his brain for something to say. They were acting like strangers, which was ridiculous. Last night, they had been naked in bed. Engaged in the best sex he'd ever had. He'd thought it had been good for Jessie, too.
He glanced at her. She was staring out the window. It had been a big step for her to go to bed with him. Maybe she regretted it, or maybe she just felt uncomfortable and awkward. He didn't know what to say.
They continued the ride in silence. On the edge of town, Cameron slowed down. As always, the bonfire ceremony took place in the big field across from the high school. Now, there was Jessie's clinic sharing the space. He wanted anot
her look at the medical clinic. He'd been thinking about it ever since Jessie had given him the grand tour.
He parked near the other cars and trucks.
"Something wrong?" he asked, then couldn't help himself. "Are you sorry about last night?"
"No." She turned and faced him. "No, I'm not sorry about last night."
"So what's bothering you?"
Jessie sighed deeply. "Nothing. I'm just being silly. Come on, let's go." She was out the door before he could ask more questions.
"Wait, Jess," he called, jogging after her.
Jessie stopped and stared straight ahead.
"You going to tell me what's going on?"
"Nothing's going on. I'm fine, I promise."
Cameron resisted the urge to drag her in his arms and kiss away her worries. He needed to be cautious; he was swimming in dangerous waters here. He had no plan. He was going on gut instinct and didn't know where it would lead him.
"Ready for some small town fellowship?" Jessie asked with a more natural smile playing on her lips.
It was Cameron's turn to sigh. "Some things never change, do they?"
"No, they don't."
There was a sad tone to her voice, he didn't understand. She took his hand and they walked toward the crowd gathered near the center of the field.
The mayor had the honor of lighting the bonfire. The cheerleaders started a round of yells as soon as the huge pile of lumber, mesquite and large tumbleweeds ignited.
Cameron watched the twenty-foot blaze flicker in the darkness. The orange and blue flames roared upward and reached for the night sky. He and Jessie stood a short distance away, watching the sparks burst, listening to the sizzling sounds, welcoming the heat from the small inferno. The weather had turned blustery cold.
With his hand on the back of her neck, he guided her through the throng of people, stopping to exchange greetings with old friends and teachers. Nothing had changed, just as he'd said. Homecoming was still the highlight of the football season with the bonfire, the game, the king and queen, and the dance.
The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance) Page 11
