She was so ready.
Carter came over her, his eyes on hers, and he nudged her between the legs. “Open again for me, sweetheart,” he commanded.
“It’s been a long while, Carter,” she warned.
“I won’t hurt you.”
She knew that. It wasn’t what she meant. She was out of practice.
He reassured her with a kiss and entered her body with a slow, precise thrust. She welcomed him with all she had. It was heaven all over again.
Carter made love to her like a man on a mission to please. They were in tune with each other, their bodies perfectly aligned.
His thrusts grew stronger, harder, Macy accommodating him with each movement. His release came fast and hard. She toppled over the edge, seeing him arch above her, still his body then thrust once more with an erotic groan of completion. She came with him and they filled the room with moans of intense satisfaction.
It was good…so good.
Carter lowered himself to lay atop her slightly askew to allow her breathing room. He kissed her and she wove her hands through his hair. The dark blond locks, thick and long, curled at his nape, and she relished the freedom to touch him. He was her sexy cowboy for the night.
He’d rescued her once again.
They lay quietly for a while, Macy speechless, for once. She didn’t know what to say to him. She didn’t know how this changed their relationship, if at all.
“Wow,” Carter said. It wasn’t a word he’d ever used, and she wondered if he was teasing her.
“I agree. Guess fear of death is a pretty hefty aphrodisiac.”
Carter lifted up on his elbows to look into her eyes. His musky scent surrounded her. She drew it into her lungs and savored it. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
“How’d you know I was in danger?” she asked softly, running her hands through his hair. Once she’d gotten free reign, she couldn’t get enough.
“I, uh, came to bring you home for dinner.”
That surprised her. She tilted her head in question. “Why?”
“It was getting late.”
“I’ve stayed late before and missed dinner.”
“Yeah, well. That’s going to change now.”
He kissed her quiet and Macy got the hint.
Carter had made his decision, and the time for talking was over.
Eight
Midnight pranced around the corral, kicking up mud leftover from the night’s storm. Now, sunshine warmed the morning air and began drying the earth. Carter squinted and lowered the brim of his hat to block out the glare. He was up as early as usual, but instead of going into his office, he’d come outside to clear his head. The rain last night had washed away sweltering heat and brought freshness to the air that did him good as he inhaled deep.
He’d always liked this time of morning, just after dawn, when the world was full of peace. He could sit here and watch the new colt take instruction from his mama for hours. It was as it should be, the parent actually parenting the child.
He’d come a long way since those days growing up in the shack on the other side of town, his mama gone and the foul smell of whiskey tainting the room. His life was good now. He worked hard, used the smarts God gave him and made enough money for five lifetimes.
He should be satisfied with that and he would be, but that break-in last night rankled his good nature. He’d had to rein in his fury for Macy’s sake.
She’d been scared out of her wits, and he couldn’t blame her. He’d invited her here, promised to give her solitude and peace, but instead she’d been tormented by an intruder.
“Hey, McCay. Want some coffee?”
Carter smiled at the sound of her sassy voice and turned to see Macy coming out of the house with two steaming mugs in hand. Coal-black curls framed her face and fell in wild disarray down her back. Her eyes, free of makeup, looked brilliantly clear in the light. She wore a red-and-blue plaid robe and leather boots. He had to smile at that. The Hollywood starlet looked pretty at dawn and too much as if she fit in around here.
His heart did a little flip watching her glide toward him, and he passed it off as sexual contentment. Last night, they’d made love twice before he’d driven her back to the house. As they approached her room, she’d paused by her door, lifting hesitant eyes his way as if unsure of his intentions. Carter had gripped her hand tighter and led her to his room. She’d gone willingly, and she’d slept through the night curled next to him. He’d wanted her to feel safe, but it didn’t end there. She’d gotten under his skin, and he wanted her in his bed for the remainder of her stay at Wild River. “Sure, wouldn’t refuse coffee from a gorgeous woman.”
A smile spread over her face as she sidled up next to him and carefully handed him a cup. “You’re up early.”
“I was about ready to come join you in bed.”
She snapped her head up, her eyes wide, and then whispered in a hushed tone, “Should I go back inside?”
The sexy morning lilt of her voice did things to him.
“I wouldn’t want to disappoint you,” she added.
“Doubt you could do that.” Carter slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She went willingly, coffee cup balanced in one hand. He nuzzled her neck, roving his lips over her throat and tasting her sweet skin once again. He glanced around the yard. His ranch hands hadn’t begun working yet. With no one in sight, he brought his mouth to hers and took her in a long, lingering kiss.
She made a little throaty sound, a sexy moan reminding him of the hot night they’d spent making love at the inn, and Carter cursed under his breath. He wanted her again.
Last night, when she’d been in danger, his protective instincts took hold. He’d been more concerned about Macy than catching the intruder. Afterward, he couldn’t seem to let her go. He’d caved in to his lust. Macy had intrigued him from the moment he’d laid eyes on her on that New York street, and last night was the culmination of temptation and raw desire.
The mare whinnied and they both turned their attention to the horses. Carter sipped coffee. “Watch the colt. He’s something.” Midnight parading around the arena, strutting, sniffing and mimicking his mother, made for great entertainment.
“He’s wonderful,” she said, and it touched Carter how sincerely awed she was witnessing something Carter could easily take for granted.
“You sleep okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Thanks to you. I’m not a wimp usually, but I was pretty scared last night.”
Carter’s gut tightened and he swore silently. “I’ll see to it that never happens again.”
“How?” she asked.
Carter kept his focus on the horses. This wasn’t an easy thing to admit, and it took him a few seconds to force the words out. “I’m ninety-nine percent sure I know who broke into the inn last night. It was my father.”
“Your father? Oh, Carter. No.”
He ground his teeth. “I’m afraid so. He’s got this fool notion that he should be overseeing the inn. Even though I banished him, after what happened the last time. He was probably all boozed up. I’m so damn mad that he scared you, I could spit.”
Macy’s expression softened. Sympathy touched her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s expected. He’s never going to change.”
“Don’t say that. Don’t give up on him.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. Not only is he checked off my list, after how he scared you last night, he’s disappeared from it. Poof. Just like that, he’s gone. I’m done with him.”
