down.”
He freed one hand and used his fingers to pry something out of her hand. He brought it into the light. “A candlestick?” Admiration touched his voice. “I’m glad you didn’t use it on me. Looks painful.”
She couldn’t laugh. She couldn’t smile. She had grabbed the tall bronze weapon out of sheer panic at the last second. “D-don’t let me go, Carter. Don’t.”
His lips came to that sensitive spot behind her ear. He murmured softly, his breath whispering over her skin. “Wasn’t going to.”
She didn’t want to think about anything other than being with Carter, but she had to ask. She spoke in a hushed tone. “What happened out there? Does someone know I’m here?”
“It’s not that, trust me.”
“But how do you know?”
“I got a glimpse of him running away. Must’ve scared him off when I pulled up.”
“I heard him cussing. He sounded…older,” she said.
Carter searched her eyes and nodded. His voice was gruff yet reassuring at the same time. “It wasn’t you he was after, Macy. Don’t worry. He probably just wanted to get out of the rain. Fargo and Henry are out looking for him now. I have an idea who it was, and I’ve sent them in search. They’ll report back to me later.”
“Carter?”
“Shush, darlin’. It’s all right.”
“Shouldn’t we call the police or sheriff or someone?”
Carter shook his head. “Not tonight. I’ll take care of it in the morning.”
He ran his hands down the sides of her body, his fingers splayed wide as he caressed her. Macy focused her attention on how good he made her feel. With him holding her, his strong body acting like a shield to protect her, Macy could forget her fear and concentrate solely on him. He murmured, soft and low, “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”
Macy’s body shook again, this time from the impact of his sensual words. “I want you, too.”
His eyes darkened and he reached up to pull the band out of her hair. Then he dug his fingers into her long, natural curls and spread her hair out, letting it fall past her shoulders. Her body reacted to his touch and the pure lust she saw in his eyes as he let the tresses flow through his hands. Her shaking stopped, replaced by a surge of desire so strong, Macy couldn’t speak the words forming in her mind. She was overwhelmed with emotion and needed Carter more than she needed her next breath.
She stepped out of his arms a moment and he followed her movements with intense interest. She untied the straps of her halter top and let the material fall away. Her breasts were bared, and the cool, damp air touched them. Carter’s gaze was hot enough to heat the entire house. Appreciation shone in his eyes, which made her feel beautiful. She reached for his hand and brought it to her mouth. She kissed his palm then stepped closer to him. He didn’t need any more encouragement.
He cupped her breast with one hand and filled his palm. He looked at her as he stroked his thumb over the extended tip. She closed her eyes. She was truly in heaven.
Then he brought his mouth down over her other breast, and she let go a tiny sigh. He moistened her nipple and made it peak, his tongue circling until she ached from dire need. Her body flamed, the heat spiraling down below her waist. She tossed her head back, lengthening her frame. He kissed her again and again, finding her shoulder, first one then the other. He moved his lips to her throat, planting tiny moist kisses there, working his way up her chin, until he finally took her in a long, sensual tongue-to-tongue kiss that brought with it only one inevitable finale. “Take me, Carter,” she breathed between his kisses.
“Planning to, darlin’,” he murmured, his breathing heavy. The palm of his hand flattened on her breast, applying sweet, exquisite pressure.
She had to touch him, to bare his body to hers. She needed him, desperately. There was no holding back, no time for modesty or coyness. She straightened and began unfastening the snaps to his shirt. It was easy pulling them apart. He helped her get his shirt off and then…then she laid her hands flat on the solid, powerful wall of his chest. Muscles bunched underneath her fingers. He was ripped, perfectly sculpted with definition, and damp from his jaunt in the rain. To save her.
A powerful shudder racked her body.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Give me a few minutes before you say that.” A rumble of laughter rose up his chest and quaked under her palms. Carter found her amusing, but she found him nothing but stunning.
He reached for the zipper of her jeans and made fast work of undressing her. Once she was clear of pants and panties, Carter drew her up against him again and pressed his hand between her legs. Electric jolts shot through her as he stroked her most sensitive area. She brought her mouth to his chest and kissed him, wanting to bring him pleasure, too, but his forceful, demanding touch was no match for her mere kisses.
She squeezed her eyes closed and rode the building wave.
He grabbed the back of her head, brought her mouth to his and filled her with a lusty kiss. He whispered over her lips, “Let go, sweetheart.”
She moved with him now, standing beside the bed, the rain ravaging outside and Carter doing the same to her inside. Her breaths came up short, her gasps closer together. She couldn’t take another second of the toe-curling, heat-inducing spasms.
She broke apart, her body releasing in sharp, shattering tremors. Carter held her tight while she exploded with pleasure in his arms.
It took a minute to come down from the precipice. Everything felt better, clearer, fresher, and she’d never been happier.
Carter kissed her cheek and spoke into her ear. “
She smiled wide and said softly on a sigh, “Wow.”
He grinned and picked her up. She wrapped her arms about his neck, and he carried her a few steps to the new bed that had been delivered just yesterday. “It’s time to initiate this bed.”
He lowered her down carefully, and her head came to rest on a pillow sham. His gaze traveled over the length of her slowly, lazily, perusing every slight curve. “You’re…beautiful.”
She smiled. She felt beautiful. “You have to say that. I’m naked.”
“I’m not lying,” he said quietly, and the solemn look in his eyes made her believe him.
She was ready for round two. She’d go ten rounds with Carter and not be sorry. She wanted him. Wanted to bring him the same pleasure he’d just given her.
“Take off your clothes, McCay.”
“Those words,” he said, unbuckling his belt, “are music to my ears.”
She’d felt his erection through his clothes when he held her, but nothing prepared her for the sight of Carter McCay naked and aroused.
She gulped down her compliments. Her mouth went totally dry. He approached the bed, laying one knee onto the mattress. She reached for him, her hand wrapping around the silky, thick member. “May I?” she asked, though she was pretty sure of his answer.
“Darlin’, you have free reign to touch me anywhere. Any
“G-good to know,” she said. She covered him and slid her hand up and down, felt the pulsing need and the shaft thicken even more. She watched Carter’s expression change, saw the lust in his eyes as she stroked him. It was surreal. A few weeks ago, she would never have guessed she’d be making love to a strong, gorgeous cowboy hunk of man and bringing him intense pleasure.
Her stroking accelerated. Carter’s eyes closed tight. She was turned on from arousing him, and her body ached now. She wanted him inside her. She wanted to be covered by him.
Carter groaned and gripped her hand. He stilled her, and she knew then he was close.
“I have protection,” he said, finding his jeans and coming up with it.
Of course he did.
Thank goodness. Macy hadn’t thought about it. Not once.
He was ready for her now and he joined her on the bed, kissing her mouth and fondling her body again, making sure she was ready.
