Authors: Paige Cameron
“Would I be pushing it if I asked to come in?”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
Rand came around and lifted her out of the truck. He held her tight in his arms as she reached out to unlock the front door. Once they were inside Rand kicked it shut.
“Lock it.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He strode across the living area and went right into her bedroom, where he dumped her on the bed. Her boots came off first, then her pants. Her sweater and bikini panties were left.
Rand stepped back and gave her a lusty look.
“All the curves, in all the right places.” Leaning forward, he rubbed his nose across her lower abdomen. “The fragrance of your desire is intoxicating.” He pulled her upright. Her sweater and bra flew across the room. Then he removed her panties. “There.”
Stepping away from the bed, he removed his clothes in a minute. He put a condom on the bedside table and lay on the bed beside her. His teeth nibbled at the edge of her earlobe, and his fingers rubbed across her tight nipples.
Marian rolled her body snug against him. He stilled, letting her take the lead. Her fingers traced the shape of his face and the edge of his lips. She nibbled at the edge of his hard jaw. Lightly, her hands inspected his broad chest, pinched his nipples, raked along his tight abs. His skin was firm and had a woodsy scent with a touch of musk.
When she reached for his fully erect cock, he flipped her under him. “My turn.”
“I wasn’t through.”
“You were too slow. I want to taste you.” He slid down her body and spread her legs wide. His fingers separated her folds. He licked from her clit to the opening to her pussy. “Sweet as honey.”
Marian raised her hips and moaned. Pleasure spilled into every vein, rushing through her blood. His mouth continued to taste her essence as his fingers went into her pussy to find the hot spot that made her lower body throb. She raked her hands through his soft hair. She wanted him inside her and yet didn’t want him to stop what he was doing. Her orgasm caught her by surprise. Her body tingled from her feet straight up to her head. She bucked under him as his tongue lashed across her clit.
“I can’t take any more.”
“Sure you can.” His tongue flicked into her pussy opening. Her body exploded in a frenzy of delight. Rand raised up and positioned his cock at her opening. He quickly thrust into her with his hard cock, sending her into a higher twirl. She fought to catch her breath and held on to his strong body as the tide of her orgasm rushed at her all at once. Vaguely in the background, she heard Rand shout out his release.
* * * *
Rand fought to take air into his lungs. His orgasm had shook his whole body and felt like it came right through the top of his head. Marian cuddled against him. Her soft breath tickled his neck. She laid her hand on his chest and looked up at him.
“Wow, fireworks.”
“Yeah.” He didn’t know what he wanted to say. Part of him wanted to jump up and shout. The other part wanted to run. This was too much, too soon. He had lots to do before he got serious.
He rolled toward the bedside table and saw the condom. Damn, he’d forgotten. Marian noticed him stiffen although he’d tried to hide it.
She smiled. “No problem. I’m on the pill, and I’m sure, being a doctor, you’ve been very careful in the past.”
“I have. Don’t worry.”
“So we’re good.” But he saw the concern in her eyes. She’d felt his withdrawal from her before the condom came up.
“Look. I’d better dress and go help Andy. We have to visit with Dr. Neels tomorrow.”
“I understand.” Marian got out of bed and put on her robe. She went into the kitchen while he dressed.
He kissed her briefly on his way out. “Later.” He waved and hurried to the truck. He felt like he’d jumped off a cliff without a parachute.
Andy took one look when he came in the door and got up and poured them both a bourbon. “That bad, huh? I told you to keep it light. She’s a nice lady, but you need time to meet more of them.”
“Right. I need to cool it.” They worked another hour on the unpacking and stopped for the night. “See you in the morning.”
Rand showered and lay in his bed. He’d done the right thing. They needed to cool it. But he wished he hadn’t run out of the house. He’d probably hurt her feelings. But it was better now than later. Still, his chest hurt, and he didn’t like himself much. He tossed and turned. At least Andy could help him in the office this week. No need to have Marian come in. He’d call her in a few days.
* * * *
Marian watched the lights of his truck fade in the distance. She’d given too much too quickly. He’d gotten scared. She’d seen it before to a certain extent, but this was different. Her feelings for him took over. She had let herself open to him in a way she hadn’t to any other man. So the rejection hurt much worse. He hadn’t mentioned her working for him next week. That was deliberate. Again, he was putting space between them.
She got in the shower and let the tears flow. When she got out, she’d made up her mind. No more tears. She’d go to that barn dance and meet some other cowboys. She’d spend more time with Chelsea. She would have a good vacation without Dr. “Can’t Make Up His Mind” Brodie.
But it was a long week. The lonely nights were the worst.
Chapter Nine
Music spilled out of the barn into the night. Rand and Andy got out of the truck and joined the crowd headed inside. All the local people were arriving in droves. Many of them stopped to say hello to Rand and to meet the new doctor they’d heard about from this week’s patients. Andy had an easy way about him and had charmed most of the townspeople.
When they got inside, Rand glanced around the crowded room to look for Marian, trying not to be obvious. Andy had agreed Rand had done the best for both of them by cooling it. But the office didn’t seem the same without her, and Rand’s body ached for her touch.
“There she is.” Andy nodded his head toward the dance floor. “She’s with a tall, blond man.”
“Tom, he owns a large ranch to the north of town. Inherited it from his parents. They got killed in a car wreck about a year ago.” Rand never thought he was the jealous type, but he wanted to walk across the dance floor and pull her out of Tom’s arms. They seemed to be having a spirited conversation. Marian was smiling.
“Ask someone to dance. A lot of the ladies are looking our way. I’m going to.” Andy strolled off toward a line of pretty ladies smiling at him.
Feeling in the spotlight, Rand hurried to follow him. He danced with a number of different women. He didn’t want to make the mistake of showing any partiality. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Marian dance by, mostly with Tom. She never once looked his way.
About halfway through the dance, Rand couldn’t stand it any longer. Purposefully, he strode toward where she stood with Dirk and Chelsea.
“Hi, everyone. How are you feeling, Chelsea?”
“Much better. Hopefully, I’m past all the morning sickness.”
Rand barely heard what Chelsea said. He was totally focused on Marian, her sweet face, her particular scent, and the ache of desire pulsing in his body. “It’s good to see you, Marian. May I have this dance?”
The country band had started to play a slow number. He noted her hesitation. Then she said yes, and his heart started to beat again.
Rand put his arm around her waist and led her into the dance. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve been meaning to call, but we’ve been busy orienting Andy to the office and the afternoon visits. He has a good sense of direction, so he’s learning his way around fast.”
“That’s good.”
Damn, she wasn’t making it easy. She wouldn’t make eye contact, and her short answers meant he had to keep talking. He pulled her closer to him and let the music flow over them. At first, she stiffened, but gradually her sweet curves fit against his body.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered in her ear.
“Chelsea and I’ve had fun this week exploring the surrounding little towns. Did you buy your property?”
“I did. And I’m having a small cabin built. They can get it done quickly. I’ll live there until my house is finished, probably sometime next summer. Andy will take the upstairs apartment.”
“That will be nice for you both. You’ll have your privacy.”
“Right. I saw you dancing with Tom. He’s a nice guy.”
“Yes, he is.”
They were back to short answers. “Look, I’m sorry about this past week. I really have been busy.”
“No problem.” She smiled. “As I said, I had a great week. We were only casually dating anyway. No need to get too involved when I’m leaving in a few weeks.”
The music ended. “Thank you,” Marian said. She turned and walked quickly to the side.
“Thank you,” he mumbled and headed toward Andy, who was standing at the bar set up in the corner. “I’ll have a beer.”
“I saw you dancing with Marian. You both looked miserable. What you need is to meet a local woman to date. Keep looking.” Andy waved and walked toward a smiling blonde he’d danced with earlier.
Marian was dancing with another cowboy. Hell, he wanted to get out of here. Andy would find a ride back to the apartment. Rand poured out most of his beer and headed to his car. He needed to think, so he drove toward his new property.
He turned onto his land and parked his truck. The river shone like a silver ribbon in the moonlight, and the shadows of the trees looked like sentinels standing guard. This parcel of land anchored him to the town, his job, and to continuing to be close to his family. Rand leaned his head back against the headrest.
The past week had been busy. Otherwise he’d have gone crazy thinking about Marian. He hadn’t expected the feelings of loss he’d carried around with him all week and the feeling that he’d acted ungentlemanly in the way he’d left.
But he might as well forget her. She wasn’t going to give him the time of day. He didn’t blame her.
He got out and walked across
his
land. He envisioned the house and the barn with a few horses. In the house he pictured a wife and children. But Andy was right. The house needed to get built, and he needed to get settled into the routines of the job. Although any routine was a very flexible one. That was part of the job’s charm.
But what if he passed up the right woman because it was the wrong time? He shook his head and went back to his car. He was tired. His sleep had been disturbed most nights since he left Marian.
Maybe tonight would be different. No. He’d held her soft body in his arms and smelled her sweet fragrance. When he closed his eyes, she’d be there with her sad eyes, haunting him.
* * * *
“Did you have a good time?” Chelsea asked Marian as she, Dirk, Lily, and Ty walked back home from the barn dance.
“She should have.” Lily smiled. “All the single cowboys were lined up to dance with her.
“It was great fun,” Marian said. She pasted a smile on her face.
“Oh, Marian, if that smile is your happy face, I’d hate to see you really sad,” Lily said.
“What? I’m smiling.”
“She’s right,” Chelsea said. “Your eyes are sad.”
They reached Ty and Lily’s house. “Come in and have a beer, Dirk. We’ll go to my office. I think the ladies want to talk.”
“Sounds good to me.” Dirk kissed Chelsea, grabbed a beer from Ty, and followed him down the hall.