So the little stinker had set him up. “Yes, we had a good time.”
The boy grinned. “Now, you don’t have to worry about me tonight. Maybe…you can take her out…if you want….”
Chase tried to act indifferent. “I think I can handle this part on my own.”
“Okay, but if you need to know anything,” the boy told him, “I know what Mom likes.”
Chase was intrigued. “What does she like?”
He looked thoughtful. “Daisies. Her favorite color is pink. And she likes butterflies, too. A lot. She collects them. Her favorite is a glass one that has all these pretty colors inside. I can’t even pick it up. She keeps it on the table next to her bed.”
Chase’s chest tightened. He remembered all those vivid colors, too. He’d given her that butterfly for her birthday. So she still had it.
“Ryan,” Mallory called to him.
They walked back. “What, Mom?”
“Just wanted to say good-night.” She kissed him.
“Good night, Mom, Chase.” He went to stand with Bobbie. Ryan’s friend had curly blond hair and a stocky build. And according his son, they’d been best friends since kindergarten.
“Thank you for a great day and a wonderful supper,” Chase said as he shook Robert’s hand.
“You’re welcome any time,” Robert said.
Chase handed him a business card. “If you’re in Midland stop by the office and I’ll show you around.”
Robert grinned. “You can count on it. Bobbie would love it.”
With his hand against the small of Mallory’s back, Chase escorted her to the truck and helped her in.
Funny, he’d never gone for much of the couples thing. Girls he’d dated in the past went with him to ranger parties as a group thing. Today was different. The Everetts saw them as a couple. Of course the way he’d kissed Mallory in the pool, he shouldn’t doubt it. Door shut, he walked around to the other side and climbed in.
He started the truck, then turned to Mallory. “I think we need to talk about—” He suddenly noticed the soft hair floating around her face. Her eyes were intense with desire.
It hit him like fire in his gut. “You better stop looking at me like that, or we’ll never make it home.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE TRIP BACK to the ranch seemed to take forever, but Mallory was glad. She needed time to think. If she went with Chase to the cottage everything would change between them. She knew he wanted her body, but did he want her? Did he want her for a lifetime?
And was she ready for this?
Chase drove the truck under the archway and her heart pounded so hard she knew he could hear it. She would be foolish to go with him, but knew that wouldn’t stop her.
Once in front of the cottage, he shut off the engine and turned toward her. Silence hung in the humid air. She knew what he wanted from her. He didn’t say a word as he reached out and pulled her into his arms. When his mouth came down on hers, she knew she wasn’t going to deny him…ever.
When he finally released her, she was almost dizzy. He climbed out of the truck and pulled her after him. On the ground, he wrapped his arm around her and led her up to the porch, then through the unlocked door. Inside, he closed out the world with the click of the door latch. In the darkness, he reached for her, then covered her mouth in another hungry kiss.
Her heartbeat quickened as her arms found their way up his chest and around his neck as he nibbled on her lips. She whimpered and returned his fervor. No doubt, she wanted him, she’d always wanted Chase. As his tongue slipped into her mouth, his skilled hands moved over her body, causing unbelievable sensations.
He broke off the kiss. “I want you, Mallory,” he breathed.
She searched for the last of her common sense. “This isn’t wise, Chase. We have so much to work out….”
He moved against her, letting her feel his desire. “Right now this is all I want to think about, just you and me.” He kissed her tenderly, then raised his head. With only the moonlight, she saw his silhouette, felt his breath against her cheek. “This is a start, Mallory.”
“What if…Oh, God—”
Her words died off as his hand moved under her T-shirt to her breast, stroking her through the lace. Her nipple hardened immediately and she pushed against his hand, aching for more.
He cupped her breast, then leaned down and drew the nipple into his mouth, sucking gently. She moaned and gripped his arms to keep from crumbling to the floor.
“Just tell me you want me to stop,” he said. “And I’ll walk you back to the house.” He groaned and rested his head against hers. “Please…don’t, Mal. I’ll die…right here.”
“So would I,” she admitted.
He tugged the material over her head, then released the clasp on her bra and let it drop to the floor.
Her hands went to his shirt and pulled it from his jeans. “I’ll need to help you catch up, so I can drive you crazy.”
She could feel his grin. “Then let me help you, ma’am.” He jerked the long shirttails from his pants, and she pushed the material off his wide shoulders.
She drew in a sharp breath. He was beautiful. Her hands went to his chest, feeling his solid heat, the rapid beating of his heart.
Chase sucked air into his lungs, trying to hold it together as her hands moved slowly over his skin. Mallory was like a fever in his blood. She’d always had that effect on him. But there was so much more at stake now. She’d been hurt badly, and they had a son to think about. He knew he had to earn her trust again.
She placed her lips on his flat nipple and sucked gently. That was it. He couldn’t take it any more. He raised her head to greet her with a searing kiss. His hunger for her was well past the point of playfulness.
Once he released her, he lifted her in his arms, carried her into the bedroom and lay her down on the mattress. He flicked on the table lamp, filling the room with a soft glow, silhouetting her in the bed.
He searched her lovely body, and stopped at her face. “Never doubt that I never stopped wanting you, Mallory.”
She blinked. “I never stopped wanting you, either. Oh, Chase, I wish—”
He stretched out beside her. “No regrets. No past. I think tonight it is just for us…the here and now.”
She nodded and he smiled. But all he was thinking about was more and that he wasn’t about to let her go again.
The next morning, the sun wasn’t up yet, so Mallory thought she could make a quiet exit. Wrong.
“Trying to sneak out on me?”
She swung around. Chase was sitting up in bed, only a sheet covering the lower half of his magnificent body.
“Chase, I didn’t want to wake you. I was just—” She pointed over her shoulder. “I should get back to the house. Ryan will be home soon.”
“Our son isn’t coming for another few hours.” Reclining, he propped his head on his hand and smiled up at her. “You were running away, admit it.”
Her face flamed. “Not exactly…Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“You mean us spending the night together making incredible love?” He sighed. “Oh, yeah, that was such a rotten idea.”
Mallory couldn’t help smiling. So did he. “I just thought it would be better.” She sobered. “Everything is so complicated…with Ryan and…you.”
He stared at her for a moment, then motioned for her to come to him. Foolishly, she did. He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bed. Before she realized what was happening, he pinned her body with his.
“What’s the matter, Mallory, did I get to you?”
Yes! Yes! And yes! “Get over yourself, Landon.” She tried to get free, but it was useless. “I have work to do.”
“You couldn’t even kiss me goodbye?”
“You were asleep.” And he’d looked far too tempting.
“I’m wide awake now. So can I talk you into breakfast in bed?”
Pressed up against him, she felt the evidence of his idea of breakfast. She
couldn’t let this happen…again. She was in too deep as it was and needed to get away to find some perspective. To think.
“I think it’s safer if we have breakfast at the house with Liz. So, please, let me go.”
“Then at least give me a good-morning kiss.”
She closed her eyes. “Chase, this isn’t a good idea. Ryan is expected home soon.”
“Our son would be tickled to see us getting along.”
That was what she was afraid of. Ryan getting hurt when the two weeks ended and Chase went back to Midland. “And what about when you leave?”
Chase’s sexy bedroom eyes locked with hers and she felt her insides quake. He leaned down and brushed his mouth against hers. “Who knows, maybe we can work something out…. Don’t you want to see where this will lead?” Before she could say anything, he leaned down and this time captured her mouth in a mind-blowing kiss that had her aching for him and believing they could work this out. But she’d already given everything up for a man. She couldn’t lose herself again. No matter how much she loved him.
With the last of her strength, she pulled away. “Stop, Chase. Please. I can’t do this.”
He let go of her and she climbed off the bed. She brushed her hair back. “I’m sorry. Everything is happening so fast. And what we really need to think about is Ryan.” She paused, not knowing what else to say. She loved this man. And that was what had her frightened more than anything else. “I’ve got to go.” She turned and rushed out, not stopping until she got to her bedroom at the house.
Closing the door, she collapsed on the bed. She had done it now. A tear fell. She had fallen in love with Chase again. And the pain would only be worse when he left her for the second time.
Two mornings later, Chase stood back to examine his work. It was finally looking like a tree house. The door and windows needed to be framed, along with a coat of sealer to protect the wood. But it was close enough to finished to satisfy Ryan.
“What did you do to my mom?”
Chase turned around to find an angry-looking Ryan.
“Why? What’s wrong with your mother?” he asked. He hadn’t seen her since the morning after they’d made love.
“She’s sad again. And she won’t tell me what’s wrong. I thought you liked her.”
This was crazy. He wasn’t used to explaining himself to an eight-year-old. “I do,” he admitted honestly. “But it’s more complicated sthan just that.”
The boy placed his hand on his hips. “I hate it when grown-ups say that. Why don’t you just kiss her again and tell her how much you like her?”
“I’ve already done that,” Chase said a little too angry. He lowered his voice. “I don’t think your mom wants a man in her life right now. Outside of you, of course.”
The child’s expression turned sad. “But I want you to come back here and see me. I want—” Tears flooded his eyes and he turned and started to leave. Chase grabbed him.
“Leave me alone,” Ryan cried, fighting him.
Chase’s heart was breaking. “I’m not going to leave you, Ryan. I’m never going to leave you, son.”
Finally the boy wrapped his arms around Chase’s waist and buried his face against his stomach. “Yes, you will. It will be just me and Mom. I thought you were different…. I wanted you to be my dad.”
Emotions welled inside of Chase as he hugged him close. This was killing him, and it couldn’t go on. “Ryan, we need to find your mother and talk about this. Is she home?”
Ryan wiped his tears away and stood back. “No, she went to Lubbock. She won’t be back until late. Don’t say anything to her…she’ll just get sad again. Just forget I said anything….”
“No, I won’t, Ryan. I care about you.”
“Don’t say you have to leave. I know that.” Fresh tears spilled over. “I should have never started to like you because I knew this would happen…. I don’t want a stupid tree house. I don’t want you, either. I wish you never came here,” he yelled then ran off.
“Ryan—” Chase went after him. He had to tell him the truth. “Ryan.”
The boy shot off in the direction of the old pile of wood. He stumbled, but caught his balance, then suddenly he froze with a startled look on his face.
Leery, Chase slowed down and searched the area to find the reason. His own heart pounded with fear when he saw the coiled rattlesnake about four feet from his son.
“Ryan, just stand there,” he said in a soft calming voice. “Don’t move, son.”
“I’m scared….”
So was he. “I know, son. But believe me, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“Hurry.”
Chase assessed the situation, and it didn’t look good. He didn’t have a gun, just a small knife on his belt. What he needed was to draw the snake’s attention away from the kid. That could backfire, too. The sound of the rattle let him know the snake wasn’t leaving.
He had one chance. Slowly, he came up behind the boy, talking calmly. “Ryan, I’m going to grab you, so don’t fight me.”
“Okay,” the boy answered.
Chase couldn’t even breathe, praying he was doing the right thing. He was about a foot from the child as he whipped his arm around Ryan’s small frame, and pulled him up and away. He almost made it until he felt the sharp pain in the back of his thigh. Safely away, the snake was gone, but Chase fell to the ground.
“Man, that was cool,” Ryan said. But his happiness died when he saw Chase. “What happened?”
“I don’t think I’m as quick as I used to be. The rattler got me on the leg. You think you can find Liz? I should go to the hospital.”
An hour later, Mallory rushed into the emergency room. Her heart was beating like crazy. It had been since she’d gotten Liz’s voice mail that she’d brought in Chase because of a snakebite.
She glanced around to find Ryan and Liz seated in the waiting area and rushed over to them.
“Mom, you’re here.” Ryan ran to her. “Chase saved me from a snake, but it bit him. So Liz brought him here.”
She hugged him tighter. “But you’re okay?”
He nodded. “Yes, but it’s my fault that Chase got bit. I was running away and he came after me.”
She glanced at Liz. “How is Chase doing?”
“He seemed okay when I brought him in. I had the snakebite kit in the tack room.” She sighed. “I guess we need to clear the area better so this won’t happen again.”
Mallory stood. “We live in Texas on a ranch. Snakes come with the territory.” She looked at her son. “You have to be more careful.”
“I promise. Just don’t be mad at Chase. Okay?”
“I’m not mad, but the man seems to be rescuing you a lot.” And Mallory owed Chase once again.
“Mom, will you go and see if he’s all right?”
“Okay, but I’m not sure they’ll tell me how he is.” She walked up to the desk. “I was wondering how Chase Landon is doing.”
The receptionist barely looked at her. “Are you family?”
She hesitated. “Yes…ah, I’m his wife.”
The woman nodded. “I’ll let you talk to the doctor.” She led her down a hall into a cubicle with the curtain drawn. She stepped behind it and found Chase lying on his side, with his long leg exposed, a bandage on his thigh.
He tried to sit up. “Mallory…”
“Hi.” She suddenly felt shy. “Ryan was so worried, he sent me back here. Are you okay?”
“It hurts like the devil, but the doctor says I’ll live.”
She edged closer to the bed. “Ryan also said you saved him from the snake.”
He shrugged. “It would have been worse if the boy was bitten. We almost made it, too.” He smiled. “I guess I’m getting slow in my old age.”
“Oh, yeah, you’re so old.” She smiled, too. “Thank you, Chase. Thank you for taking such good care of Ryan.”
Chase reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers. She liked the connection to h
im. “He’s my son, too, Mallory. Don’t you know I’d do anything for him? I’ll admit I never felt so helpless…and so scared….”
“That’s how I feel a lot of times.”
His dark eyes searched hers. “You don’t have to do this alone any more. I’m here, Mal. I’m going to be a part of Ryan’s life. And I want to be a part of your life, too.”
She swallowed back her overflowing emotions. She wanted that, too, but her past caused a lot of doubts. “I don’t know if I can handle that right now. I don’t know if I ever will be…” She saw the hurt in his eyes. “I do know that we need to tell Ryan the truth.”
He smiled. “I’d like that. I won’t let him down, Mallory, or you.”
She knew that in her head, but in her heart she was still afraid. Someone was bound to get hurt.
“You sure you’re comfortable?” Ryan asked. “I can get you another pillow.”
Chase nodded. “No, I’m fine.” He glanced up at Mallory from the guest-room bed. Since leaving the hospital that afternoon, both Mallory and Liz insisted he come and stay at the house during his recuperation. And so they could keep an eye on him. He wasn’t used to being taken care of.
Ryan ran out of the room.
“His energy is exhausting.”
“You do that to him, Chase. I’ve never seen him take to anyone as quickly as he has to you. It’s time he knows the truth.”
He swallowed. “You sure?”
She nodded. “I’m sure. He already loves you.”
Dressed in his pajamas, the boy walked back into the room carefully carrying a glass of water. He set it beside the bed on the table. “That’s just in case you’re thirsty in the middle of the night.”
“Thanks, Ryan,” Chase said and patted the mattress. “Here, why don’t you come sit down next to me. Your mother and I want to talk to you.”
The boy climbed on the bed, but was careful to stay away from the Chase’s injured leg. “I’m sorry I got mad today, and I’m sorry about what happened to you.”
Texas Ranger Takes a Bride Page 10
