She glanced down, reached out and caressed him.
Hissing, he broke away from her. “Macy, please. I—”
“I want you,” she said. “Now.” She met his gaze and smiled a warm, wide smile.
“But I planned to take you out and woo you,” he said. His voice strained.
“Woo me? Do people still say that?” She undid the buckle on his jeans.
“Yes. I say that. Remember, this is Texas. We like to court our women.” Even though he didn’t have much of an accent he put an extra twang in there.
“I’m a Yankee woman. We don’t need wooing. We just need hot, fit marines who make us think of naughty, naughty things to do.”
He chuckled. “I’m beginning to like the North better and better every second. Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she replied as she tugged his head down to hers.
9
A
FTER
THEY
MADE
sure Harley was settled with the largest rawhide bone he’d ever seen, Blake trailed the raven-haired siren to her bedroom. The rest of the house was decorated in rich leather and textured walls. But her room had white walls, white furniture and most of the bedding was the same color. Only the pillows on the bed were pale blue.
He was about to comment on her style, it fit her in a feminine but classic way, when she slipped off her top. A lacy black bra with a tiny red bow in the center cupped her lush breasts.
“You’re beautiful.”
Her cheeks turned pink. She had no idea how attractive she was.
She pointed to him.
“Your turn.”
She was nervous, he could see the slight tension around her eyes and the trembling in her fingers. He was sensitive to her emotions. As if his body and mind had been tuned to her like a radio dial.
He slipped his T-shirt off.
Her mouth formed an O.
“Wow, you’re amazing.” She didn’t hold back.
He liked that about her.
“You’re gorgeous, so much so that I can’t get you out of my head. You’ve been keeping me up nights. Once I saw you doing everything you could to heave Harley into the back of your car, I knew I wanted you.”
She slipped her baggy pajama bottoms off, and he sucked in a breath. The panties matched the bra. A red ribbon bow on each hip held the tiny triangles of fabric together. Her long legs were those of a runner, strong and firm. Curvy hips, sparkling eyes, and those breasts, she was all woman, and his fantasy come true.
It occurred to him that in seconds she would see the evidence of that, but he didn’t want to stop the game.
“Oh” was all she said as he undid his zipper and his hard cock revealed. “It’s a— That is, okay, yes. It’s really— Yeah. Impressive.”
He chuckled.
“Beets!” she said suddenly and put a hand to her temple.
Was she ill?
“Beets?”
“We don’t have condoms. At least, I don’t.” She shook her head. “Tofu turkey!”
“Do you always say food names when you’re upset?”
“What? No, it’s that I don’t like to swear. My mouth, uh, let’s just say hanging out with military types and reporters has left me with a mouth like a—”
“A marine?”
She smiled. “Yelling curse words upset the animals, so I say foods I’m not super fond of to keep from saying the things I shouldn’t. Do you have any condoms?”
“Not on me. But I have an idea.”
She smirked. “It better not involve driving to a store and buying some. I don’t think I can wait that long.”
No way he could wait that long, either. Besides, he was worried that she might change her mind. He’d respect her wishes, of course, but he’d also be very disappointed.
“Hold that thought.” He rezippered and left the house, heading for the driveway.
Opening the toolbox in the back of his truck he dug around for the first-aid kit. There he found two foil packages. When he’d gone through boot camp it had been drilled into his head that you always packed protection.
He kissed the packets before slamming everything shut and bolting for the door. Praying they hadn’t lost the moment, he found Macy curled up in her bed with the covers to her neck.
He tossed the packets to her, and she caught them in the air.
“Quick reflexes,” he said as he pulled off his boots and shoved away his jeans. “Is everything okay? You can still say no. You can always say no. I want you to know that.”
She rolled her eyes and as a welcoming gesture tossed back his side of the covers. “Blake, I was freezing. That’s why I got in here. I want you and I don’t want to wait any longer.” He slid in. She grinned as she ripped open one of the foil packages and leaned over him.
“Slow down,” he said, coughing out a laugh. “You don’t have to be in such a hurry.”
“But I am.” She palmed his erection. And he was about to lose that sense of control he’d warned her about.
“We’ve got all night.” He struggled to get the words out without moaning.
“Yes, but I’ve been fantasizing about you, about us like this, for days.” Before he could stop her, she rolled the condom down over him. When she had finished, he caught her wrist and brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed them.
Damn, that might have been the sexiest thing any woman had ever said to him, which made him all the more determined to make this last. Moving her onto her back, he propped her underneath him.
His right hand slid between them, his fingers seeking her heat.
She smiled and arched her back, clearly wanting and welcoming him.
“I want to do this. For you, Macy,” he said, speaking softly into her ear. Her body arched again. “Knowing every inch of you is important to me.” He rose up and sat back. It wasn’t the most comfortable position for him, but he didn’t care about the pain. “Put your legs over my shoulders, baby.”
She started to say something, but she stopped. Taking one of the larger pillows, he tucked it under her. He intended to give her every pleasure he possibly could and this would make that easier.
“I—”
“What?” he asked, as he touched her breasts, teasing her.
“I haven’t really...” she said, leaving the thought unfinished.
“That sounds like a challenge, Macy.”
“No, it’s—”
She drew in a sharp breath as his mouth stoked her rising passion. Encouraged by her growing cries and murmurs, he was intent on satisfying every inch of her.
When she called out his name, her body quaked in its release and she reached out for him. He gathered her in his arms and held her tight.
“I need you, Blake.” Her body had almost stopped thrumming. “Now.”
“Bossy, aren’t you?” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. Tossing the pillow aside, he rolled on to his back. With his leg the way it was, it would be easier if she was on top. His thigh was throbbing, but so were other parts of him.
A limp noodle, he drew her to him. Her soft thick hair had fallen from its messy knot creating a dark veil around her silver-green eyes and high cheekbones. She was so sexy.
His hard cock poked playfully at her belly. She smiled at him. “Finally.” Lifting up, she positioned herself on him and sighed as she rocked back and forth.
He matched her pace. It wasn’t easy with his beautiful nymph riding him with wild abandon. She increased their tempo and he groaned out his approval.
As her muscles contracted, he held on—barely—and told her to open her eyes.
The moonlight streaming through her window bathed her face in a gorgeous way, and her eyes met his.
“You’re incredible,” he told her.
She moved faster, pressing into him, never slowing until they’d lost their grip and climaxed together. Losing control had never felt so good.
“That was better than any dream,” she whispered tiredly as she fell onto his chest.
He cradled her and murmured sweet words that made her sigh. In minutes, she was fast asleep.
A whine from the doorway had him sliding out from under his beautiful fairy, and pulling the comforter up to keep her warm.
She grumbled but her head stayed on the pillow.
He slipped on his jeans and T-shirt and let Harley out via the back door. He watched her as she ran around the yard a few times. The moon reflected off the lake, and he envied Macy this view.
At the thought of her name, something tugged in his gut, a warning that he might be headed for trouble.
Making love to her was definitely not going to scratch his itch. It only made him want her all the more.
Slow. He reminded himself. She’d just run from a bad relationship, and he was in no shape to start anything serious. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them.
Harley bounded inside and gulped some water. She then grabbed a chew toy and made for her bed. Lying next to the toy, she went to sleep.
What a dog.
He’d never seen anything like her, and he just loved her.
Her owner was equally unusual in a way that called to him.
Shutting off the lights, he considered his next move. He should go home, but it didn’t seem right to leave Macy without saying goodbye.
Digging in his pocket, he found one of his pills. After breaking it in half, he drank it down with a glass of water. He slid back into bed with Macy.
“Thanks for letting her out,” she said as she snuggled against his chest. He tightened his arms around her, bringing her close.
“No problem. Go to sleep, angel.”
“You wore me out,” she said quietly. “I don’t have a choice.”
That made him smile.
“You didn’t have to stay, but I’m really glad you did.” Her words were soft and heartfelt.
“I may be gone by the time you wake up for work. But trust me, I’d like to stay for the next couple of days. Right here in this bed with you.”
“Mmm. I like having friends like you.”
Friends? In the plural?
As far as he was concerned, he would be her only friend like this for a very long time. The thought of another man’s hands on her— Hell.
He’d already become one of those possessive blockheads.
She didn’t deserve that.
He looked down at her sweet face.
But dammit. She was his.
10
W
HEN
M
ACY
OPENED
her front door to him two days later, Blake’s jaw dropped open. He looked at her from head to toe, his eyes resting a bit longer on her midsection and breasts.
She scoffed and turned away. “I’m going to kill Cherie the next time I see her,” she grumbled. “I can’t wear this. It’s—it’s...inappropriate.”
“Sexy as hell,” Blake said at the same time.
“Maybe if it was only you and me, but I’m not wearing this genie costume to pass out candy to little kids.”
Closing the door behind him, he followed her into the house. “It’s not as revealing as you think,” he said. “All of you is covered. It’s that some of the material is flesh-colored. And you’re not pretending to be from the Arabian Nights or something—that’s a kids’ story. Besides there are ballerinas, princesses and fairies running around all over the place.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not really a kids’ story! A king kills a thousand virgins after he defiles them. Most of the kids are under seven. And it’s too late. I don’t have anything else to wear.”
“It’s cold out, and the temperature might drop down to the thirties. Maybe you could just wear a sweater or something. The skirt isn’t that bad with all the scarves.” He eyed her appreciatively. “Do those scarves come off one by one?”
The man really did have a one-track mind.
She growled at him.
“That’s good,” he chuckled. “We can just paint your face to look like a tiger. By the way—hello. I missed you a lot today.”
He snagged her and wrapped his arms around her. Instantly, she forgot her troubles as his tongue tangled with hers. Pressing herself into him, his hard cock poked back.
That she could do that to him pleased her. More than she wanted to admit. Every time he looked at her, she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world.
She’d smiled so much today that Amanda asked her if she was okay. When Macy gave her the afternoon off to get her brothers ready to trick-or-treat, the shock and gratitude on the young woman’s face had been truly remarkable.
“As much as I want to stay here, I have to get to the animal shelter. I’m the only one who has a key to the locker where all the candy is stored. Mariel, the office manager, didn’t trust herself with it. So I had to hide all the candy in my locker.”
“We better get going. Where’s the beast?”
“Outside. Chasing the geese dumb enough to land within her radius. She’s been after them for at least an hour. I’m not worried about her catching one. Every time she gets close to them they honk at her, and she runs away. It’s one of her games she’s made up. I’ll get her.”
When she returned, he had Harley’s leash and a few toys for the dog to play with while they handed out candy.
Blake had spent the past few nights here, rising early in the morning to be at the feed store. But their lovemaking in the evenings was epic. No man had ever taken her to such heights. She was kind of angry that she’d been missing out on so much.
In his arms, Macy knew it was the safest she’d ever felt. Even though it was only a temporary harbor, she enjoyed it. And he slept when he was with her. Plagued my insomnia and night terrors, he’d had neither since they’d been together.
He’d admitted as much the night before last. She’d laughed it off and said it was because she wore him out. But the look in his eyes, that deep, searching gaze of his, told her it was much more than that. She’d become his port in a storm, as well.
Scary how intimate and intense a relationship could become when both parties were in need of the same thing. They read each other on a more profound level. And he was kind and generous to a fault.
In a mere few days, her cold, jaded heart had realized it had been missing out on what a real relationship could be.
Except, that this was just a fling.
I must keep telling myself that.
Harley, who sat in the back of Blake’s truck, on her special blanket, licked Macy’s elbow. It was almost as if she wanted to tell her,
you’ll be okay. You have me.
Reaching behind, she scratched the dog’s ear.
And for that I’m grateful.
It didn’t take them long to arrive at the animal shelter, but still, bunches of children dressed in an array of costumes had already climbed the hill and gotten there ahead of them.
Blake had assisted with the carving of several pumpkins, which adorned the front porch and the lobby. For safety’s sake they had put battery-operated candles inside the jack-o’-lanterns. A good idea, since the first thing Harley did was step in one on the way into the building.
She freaked out until Blake was able to get her paw out of the offending orange ball. Harley growled at it.
“Bad jack-o’-lantern, bad.” Blake wagged a finger at the pumpkin, which seemed to please the dog.
Blake put Harley’s dragon ears and scales on her. They’d been another gift from Cherie. The scales covered the dog’s back and buckled around her belly and neck. The ears were on a headband of sorts.
She pranced around as if she were the queen of everything.
“You are the cutest dragon I’ve ever seen,” Blake muttered as he scratched her behind the ears.
Back outside, Macy kept her coat on. She got a kick out of watching Blake interact with all the kids. He’d worn jeans and a T-shirt that had the
Avengers
logo on it. He’d told her he wasn’t much into costumes.
By eight, the crowds had thinned out. That was fine since they were almost out of candy.
“That went by a lot faster than I expected,” he said.
“You were great. The kids loved you, and you definitely know your superheroes.”
He laughed. “I love to read, and comic books were cheap when I was a kid. I had a habit of losing library books, so my mom only let me take one out a week. Comic books were a cheap alternative.”
The man was nothing but contradictions. He was definitely more than a pretty face. He was as tough as they came, but he was also intelligent and thoughtful.
Everything a woman could want, and then some.
And he wanted her.
“What’s going on?” he asked as he shifted into Drive and steered the truck away from the shelter.
“Hmm? Oh. Honestly, I’m sort of awed by how amazing you are. What I don’t understand is why me? When you could quite obviously have a fling with any woman you wanted.”
At the stop sign, he glanced over at her. “That you don’t see how beautiful, smart and funny you are is one of the reasons I like you so much. Why would I want anyone else when I have you?”
If Harley’s enormous head wasn’t on the armrest between them, Macy might have moved into his lap right then and there. “You really do always know what to say.”
The street he turned onto was crowded with cars on both sides. She loved this part of Tranquil Waters. Many of the houses had been built in the early 1900s. The neighborhood was decked out in fall colors and Halloween decorations. People were out in their yards chatting while kids ran around in their costumes.
“It’s going to be a hike to find somewhere to park. Do you want me to drop you off in front of my friend’s place?”
Definitely not. The last thing she wanted to do was walk into a party where she knew no one—in a skimpy genie costume. “I’m up for a walk. I had my fair share of candy tonight. Are you sure it’s okay to bring Harley?”
“Yep. Jaime loves dogs.”
She’d never brought a dog the size of a horse to a party.
“No! I can’t believe I forgot.”
“What?”
“A gift. Your rule about always bringing a gift to a party. I’ve been rushing around and I didn’t remember to get anything.”
He grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ve got us covered. I had flowers delivered earlier today from the both of us. One of those fall bouquets. Jaime loves flowers.”
Wait. Jaime was a girl? He’d been telling her stories the past couple of days about how he and Jaime were always in trouble together as kids.
Before she could mention it, they were at the door of one of the largest homes on the block. A wraparound porch and two-story columns gave it a plantation house feel.
The open door led into a foyer the shape and size of a rotunda. It was a fit for the Southern mansion. Dark wood floors graced the area, and a huge round table with a bouquet of flowers sat below a crystal chandelier. There were two staircases with banisters draped in magnolia garlands.
“Oh. My. God! It’s my favorite marine.” A woman in a formfitting Catwoman suit threw her arms around Blake and kissed him hard on the mouth.
And he didn’t seem to mind a bit.
“Hey, stinky. What’s up?”
“You’re late,” she said when she stepped back and eyed him up and down. “And you aren’t wearing a costume. I told you that you had to wear a costume.”
“You know I don’t do costumes. I was giving a hand out at the animal shelter, which is why I’m late.” That seemed to remind him that she was standing there. “This is my friend Macy,” he said as he put an arm around her shoulders.
The happy smile faded from the woman’s face as she gave Macy the once-over.
“You that Yankee newspaper editor?”
“Jaime, be nice,” Blake warned, but with a playful tone to his voice.
Refusing to back down, Macy jutted out her chin. “Yes.”
“This is who you’re dating? Do we not have enough women in the South that you have to start in on the Northerners?”
Blake pointed a finger at his friend. “I
really
like her, so play nice. I mean it.”
Her hero. Macy smiled up at him.
“What, for goodness’ sake, is that?”
Harley cocked her head.
“That’s Macy’s dog, Harley,” he answered.
Jaime glanced back at Macy. “Great Dane?”
“Yes.”
The woman smiled at her. Then she put two fingers to her mouth and blew an earsplitting whistle.
A dark gray, almost blue, Great Dane with silvery eyes trotted into the room.
“Harley, this is Bruno.”
“If you don’t want that costume shredded in the next five minutes, I suggest you take if off of Harley. Bruno gets jealous when other dogs have things he doesn’t. Though, I’m definitely going to get him a costume for next year because that dragon outfit is too cute.”
Macy wondered if the dog might attack Harley, and she put herself between the two animals.
“Oh, don’t worry. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. But he would try to get that outfit off of her for himself. He loves everything with ruffles, patterns and either brown or green.”
Blake took the costume off of Harley and she shook herself.
“Now, Bruno, play nice. Take her out to the clubhouse.”
The dog glanced back at his owner and nodded.
Were all Great Danes so smart?
“Are you sure they’ll be okay?” Macy wasn’t worried about Bruno being with Harley, she was concerned as to how Harley would interact with him. She got along with the other dogs at the shelter, but she’d always been supervised.
“I’m sure,” Jaime said. “Blake, go say hello to everyone. I want to speak to your Yankee lady.”
Blake stared at Macy. “I think that might make her uncomfortable. It’s probably best if I stick around.”
Macy appreciated that he wanted to stay by her, but she wasn’t a child.
“Don’t worry, I won’t bite her,” Jaime promised. “Besides, anyone with a dog like that is okay in my book. Great Danes are sensitive and bright, and extremely needy. They take a lot of love, time and patience. That’s something your Yankee will need if she’s going to train you up, as well.”
Blake rolled his eyes.
Macy laughed.
Jaime made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on. She’ll join you in a minute.”
“I’m okay,” she assured him. “I’ll find you when we’re done.”
Curious about why Jaime wanted her alone, she encouraged him to go.
Jaime reached out to shake her hand. “Sorry about that. I’m a bit protective of him,” she said. “He’s like a brother to me.”
Weird, she’d never seen anyone kiss a brother like that, but Macy kept her mouth shut. She shook the woman’s hand.
“You have a great house,” Macy said. Her mind was awhirl with questions.
“Belonged to my great-grandma. We’ve tried to keep the restoration accurate, but it isn’t easy.”
She motioned for Macy to follow her.
“We’ll put your coat in here.” Jamie stood in front of a long hall closet and held out her hand for the garment.
“I—that is, my costume’s quite revealing.”
The woman judged her warily. “It can’t be any more revealing than mine, or some of the others in here. Tara has a French maid’s outfit on. Every time she bends over to get some food, she flashes her red thong to the entire room. It can’t be any worse than that.”
Macy slipped off the coat, feeling exposed.
“Well, you are as pretty as he said. It’s not fair that you have those legs and that chest.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to that...compliment?
“He’s head over heels for you.”
“What?” The sudden change in topic had Macy’s mind spinning.
“Blake. We’ve never seen him like this over a woman. He called every single person at this party and told them they’d better welcome you or else.” She laughed at Macy’s grimace. “I know. But he’s protective that way. I like the fact that you stood up to me back there. I have a feeling you and I could be friends. But there’s just one thing you should know.”
“What’s that?” Macy walked next to her as they entered the living room full of people.
“If you hurt him, I will do the same to you.” The threat was undeniable. “And I always mean exactly what I say.”
Macy was about to tell the woman to back off, but she was equally protective of Blake. “If it makes you feel any better, I think he’s the most incredible man I’ve ever met.”
Jaime seemed to be in shock. “Oh, you have it just as bad for him. Interesting. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”
She wasn’t sure about what to make of that comment, but across the room she spotted someone she knew.
“Excuse me, I see a friend of mine.”
Josh, the veterinarian from the shelter, stood by a bay window talking to another guest.