Authors: Lindsay McKenna
A cry of pleasure tore from her as Slade moved one hand down across her belly, finding the rich carpet below to coax the smoldering fire to life within her. She sagged against him, jolts of such magnitude rushing through her that she was helpless in his arms. The ache intensified and Cat moved against his palm.
“Yes,” Slade said in a rough whisper near her ear, “show me how much you need me. Show me, my lovely lady…”
The shattering gift of fulfillment rippled through her, and afterward, Cat lay in Slade’s arms, unable to move as wave after wave of melted heat flowed through her. Her lips curved into a smile and she barely opened her eyes. The immense satisfaction on Slade’s face reflected how she felt and Cat weakly lifted her arms, pulling him on top of her. “Let me give to you as much as you’ve given to me,” she whispered huskily.
Slade’s smile was pure male as he slid his hand beneath her hips and watched her eyes close as he slowly moved into the depths of her warm, rich body. His fingers froze against her hips as her fire touched him and drew him more deeply into her. His breath was torn from him, followed by a groan born deep and low in his chest. Sunlight, she was sunlight on the cool water’s surface, he thought raggedly. Then reality became a blur as Slade fell beneath Cat’s magical spell. Never had another woman loved him so thoroughly or with such consuming passion. Like the handfuls of warm soil he had held so often in his hand, she reminded him that she was of the earth: warm, fertile and all-encompassing. With a groan, Slade gripped her in release. Sunlight and earth once more touched as he reemerged in the magic that was Cat.
Spent, he lay against her damp breast, aware of the uneven beat of her heart. Sweat trickled down his jaw, but Slade didn’t care. Gently, he ran his hand up her torso, and cupped her breast. Cat’s fingers moved slowly through his hair, and he closed his eyes in contentment. Words were useless for what he felt toward Cat. Instead, he held her for a long time, caressing her and letting her know just how much he loved her.
Finally, Slade rose. On his return, Cat smiled and curled up again in his arms. He moved his fingers along the satin curve of her back.
“Every time we love, it’s better,” he told her.
“Every time is like the first time,” Cat whispered, kissing his stubbled jaw. “You make me feel like the earth touched by rain and sunlight: a rainbow of colors and sensations.”
“You’re the earth, sweetheart. Giving and holding the warmth within you and giving it back when I need it.”
“I never thought this kind of love or contentment was possible, darling.”
“Neither did I.”
Slade settled one hand behind his head and stared up at the gray ceiling. “Matt once told me he didn’t believe in dreams ever coming true. Kai changed his mind, of course. But in a lot of ways, I was like him. I never thought the woman of my dreams would ever become a reality.”
“But you dreamed, Slade. And that was important.”
He grinned. “But both of us doubted our dream would come true.” He sat up and leaned against the headboard, bringing Cat into his arms. “And we were wrong.”
“Men,” Cat muttered darkly. “Can’t live with ’em…”
“Now, now, be kind and patient to us Neanderthal types. We might be a bit slow, but once we’re taught, we come around.”
Cat sat up facing Slade. He looked so young. There was a rebellious lock of hair on his brow, as usual, and his cobalt eyes were bright and warm with amusement. “Neanderthal,” she chortled. “You’re hardly that. A smooth operator would be closer to the truth.”
Slade raised his hand against his heart, trying his best to look wounded. “I’m Texan. That says it all.”
She gave him a dirty look. “That’s barely scratching the surface. Coming out of the bathroom and saying the robe was too small was a rotten trick, Slade Donovan, and you know it!”
A grin edged his mouth. “That was the easiest way I could think of to get you out of that robe and into my arms.”
“Did you ever stop to think that asking might have gotten the same result?”
He quelled a smile and shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d leave that steak for anything.”
“Well, you were probably right. I was hungry.”
Slade gave her an impish smile, obviously pleased with the success of his escapade. Cat got off the bed and pulled on a robe. As she handed him the other one, she noted the one-size-fits-all tag on the inside. With a shake of her head, she moved the table. Slade grabbed her hand and pulled her back into bed with him.
“Come here,” he growled, wrestling with her until she was effectively trapped beneath him. “I’m not done with you, my proud lady.”
Cat laughed, hotly aware of his naked body against her. “Now what have you got cooked up? I see that look in your eyes.”
Slade rolled off her and kept a restraining hand on her while he reached in the drawer of the bed stand. “See? There you go again accusing me of being up to something.”
Cat waited expectantly as he settled a folded piece of tissue paper the size of a quarter on her robed breast. “You’ve got that gleam in your eye again, Slade. What do you expect me to think? What’s this?”
“Open it and find out. Careful…it might bite you.”
Meeting Slade’s smile, Cat slowly unwrapped the white tissue paper. It crinkled between her fingers. She glanced up at Slade’s expectant features. “You’re such a rogue, Slade Donovan.”
“And you love me for it.”
“Yes, I do.” Cat pushed aside the outer wrapping. There was a second layer of paper. “What did you do? Spend hours wrapping this?”
“You’ll see why,” Slade said, his hand resting on her hip.
Cat’s eyes widened as she pulled the last of the paper away. There, nestled in the center, was a thick gold ring set with a long, rectangular emerald. She gasped and struggled to sit up. Slade removed his hand so that she could.
“Slade…”
He leaned over her, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Like it?”
Cat ran her fingers lightly over the emerald. “Like it? My God, it’s huge and beautiful and priceless! Look at the clarity!” She held it up for him to see.
“Of course it’s clear. It’s from our mine. The first Verde emerald we discovered.” Slade glanced at her, tenderness in his blue gaze. “And it’s priceless, like you are to me, Cat.”
With a cry, Cat turned, throwing her arms around Slade. “You wonderful romantic. I love you so much!”
Slade held her tightly. “You and I, sweetheart, are going to have one hell of a happy life together. You know that, don’t you?”
Cat smiled, kissed his cheek, then eased away from him. Tears made her eyes luminous as she met and held Slade’s sober expression. She held the ring between them. “You and I will live life as never before,” she promised. “Because now, we’ve added love to our existence. I’m looking forward to each new day with you, Slade.”
His heart wrenched and he cradled Cat’s face gently between his palms. “Green fire can’t compare to how you’ve set my soul on fire, my love. You’ve captured my heart. Forever.”
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eISBN: 978-1-4603-4530-6
Solitaire
Copyright © 1986 by Eileen Nauman
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