He kissed her hard, and she arched her back, twisting her hands into the quilt.
Im sure, she gasped, and he arched forward.
The second he was inside her, a roaring need took over his brain. Desire pulsed to every point of his body. His hands roamed her breasts, his lips moved from her mouth, to her shoulder, tasting everything in between.
She was all motion beneath him, her breaths coming in small gasps, her body arching to meet his rhythm, her arms rigid, head tipped back and her eyes closed shut.
He lost track of time, sensation after sensation building within him. He held on as long as he could. But when she cried out his name, and her small body convulsed, he followed her over the edge, oblivion washing over him in waves.
The roaring in his ears slowly subsided. Though his muscles were spent, he braced his elbows, worried that his weight might crush her. But he didnt want to move, didnt want to withdraw, didnt want real life crowding in on paradise.
When worry for her comfort trumped his longing, he moved off. But he bent one knee, laying his leg across her thighs, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into the cradle of his body, resting a palm across her warm, smooth belly to keep the connection intact. Youre amazing, he whispered huskily in her ear.
Youre not so bad yourself.
Glad to hear it. He kissed her lobe, thinking he could happily start all over again.
They breathed in sync for a few minutes, and even as reality returned, a strange sense of calm stole over him.
It was odd. This was still his childhood bedroom, still the family ranch. Three oil paintings of quarter horses hung on his wall. The scents of the fields wafted in the window. And the sounds of the animals punctuated the night.
But for some reason it felt softer, the edges didnt seem so sharp.
What? she asked, twisting her head to look at him in the half light.
I didnt say anything.
You sighed like the world was coming to an end.
Its not.
Are you upset?
No.
She moved to a sitting position, her expression pensive. Regrets?
No. He vigorously shook his head, pulling her back down, wrapping an arm tightly around her. Absolutely none.
She seemed to relax, and her fingertips brushed across his chest, while her warm breath puffed on his neck. He burrowed against her thick hair and inhaled the clean, citrus scent.
Its funny, he ventured. For some reason, he wanted to put the feeling into words. Unusual for him, but he plunged on. This is the closest Ive ever come to being content in this room.
Thats good. She twisted her neck to look up at him. Do you think maybe we banished some demons?
Maybe, he allowed.
I feel very powerful, she joked.
Then again- he kept it light -it could be that you are the most fun Ive had in this house since my mom made chocolate mint fudge on our eighth birthday.
She grinned. Then she sobered and drew back, eyeing him quizzically. Wait a minute. Did I beat the fudge, or was it the other way around?
Not a fair comparison. Apples to oranges.
She socked him in the shoulder. Man, did you ever miss that opportunity.
Ouch. Sorry.
You better be. Chocolate mint fudge. Like it could hold a candle to me.
It could when I was eight.
Youre not making this better, Caleb.
He chuckled low.
You know, she began, coming up on her knees. We may be on to something here.
He reached for her, not wanting this space between them. Oh, I think we are. And I think we should do it again.
She batted at his hand. I meant, changing your perception of the ranch. Not just your bedroom. And not just with sex. But the whole thing.
Something cold settled into Calebs stomach. Was she really going to turn this into a sell-the-ranch, dont-sell-the-ranch thing?
I know exactly how we could do it, she rattled on, voice decisive.
Mandy, dont-
You need to talk to Reed, really talk to Reed.
How the hell did Reed get into this conversation? Annoyance put an edge to Calebs voice.
She stopped. She blinked.
He tried but didnt quite keep the edge out of his tone. Last time I checked, it was just you and me in this bed.
But Hes your brother.
That means something completely different to you than it does to me.
Caleb knew his anger stemmed from disappointment. But what had he expected? He and Mandy were still the same people. They still had divergent goals. Nothing had fundamentally changed because theyd sweated naked in each others arms.
She shook her head in response to his statement, her rich hair flowing with the motion. No, it doesnt. This land, your family, Reed. Theyre all part of your history and your heritage. You couldnt erase them by running away when you were seventeen, and you cant erase them by selling out now.
His annoyance was growing to full-out anger. I did not run away.
Semantics. She waved a dismissive hand. Why did you smash the picture?
Caleb set his jaw but didnt answer. Hed smashed the picture because he couldnt stand to see his fathers smug face staring out at him one minute longer.
Why did you smash the picture? she repeated.
Drop it, Mandy.
Her tone turned softer. If you didnt care anymore, you wouldnt have smashed the picture. She gave a heartfelt sigh. Staying away for ten years didnt fix it, did it?
This is none of your business, he told her firmly. It was temporary, a blip on his radar. A few days-a few weeks, max-and hed be back to his regular life in Chicago. The ranch would cease to exist for him. And thats the way he wanted it.
Do you think youve been repressing your true feelings?
Suddenly, Caleb simply felt tired. He didnt want to fight with her. Mandy was the sole bright spot in all this madness.
He reached for her, urging her back down into his arms, genuinely trying to see things from her perspective.
If it makes you happy, he told her. Yes, Ive been repressing my feelings. My childhood sucked. Reed made a stupid choice from which our relationship will probably never recover. And, Im sorry to have to be so blunt. But theres nothing you can do to help. I know you disagree, but Im making the right choice.
Its-
He pressed his index finger across her warm, swollen mouth. For me, Mandy. Its the right choice for me.
Her green eyes turned soft and sympathetic.
He forced out a smile. But youve made it better for right now. He couldnt resist, so he kissed her mouth one more time. Youve made things much better for right now.
Desire surging, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She was instantly kissing him back, her soft, sinuous body wrapping itself around him one more time.
He made love to her slowly, gently, savoring every second of the peace she offered.
Afterward, they lay still and silent for a long time.
It was Mandy who finally broke it.
I need to go home, she whispered.
His eyes came open. Why? He didnt want her to leave. He didnt want her to move an inch, at least until morning.
But she twisted her neck to look at him. Its coming up on eleven.
You have a curfew?
Travis looked pretty suspicious when I left.
So?
Traviss interference was definitely not welcome in this. Whatever was between Caleb and Mandy was none of her brothers business.
So, if I come home after midnight, hes going to put two and two together.
And?
So, if I come home after midnight, hes going to put two and two together.
And?
And, hell be upset.
Caleb propped himself on one elbow. Are you telling me this was a clandestine fling? Even as he said the words, he asked himself to come up with an alternative. What were they going to do? Date until he left for Chicago? Own up to her brothers that theyd slept together?
I think thats the best way to handle it, dont you?
Youre an adult, he reasoned out loud. Your private life is none of your brothers business.
Mandy laughed. You going to tell him that?
Caleb was willing, if thats what Mandy wanted him to do.
I could tell him, she mused with a nod. But then thered be a fight.
Im not afraid of Travis. Caleb had no intention of lying about his relationship with Mandy.
I meant with me, not you. And, with everything else going on, I really dont have the energy to fight Travis.
I dont like this, said Caleb. He wanted her to stay right where she was. He wanted to hold her in his arms all night long, maybe even beyond that.
She cocked her head, defying his mood by giving him a saucy grin. A few minutes ago, you seemed to like it just fine.
I dont want to go sneaking around behind your familys back.
She patted his chest. For now, lets just keep it quiet. Who knows what happens next between us. Maybe nothing.
Caleb was hoping for a lot more than nothing.
If you go ahead with your plan to sell, you know you could be gone in a matter of days, she reasoned. There was no inflection to her tone, impossible to tell if shed miss Caleb or not.
Then she gave a wry half smile. You want to start world war three over something this insignificant?
Insignificant?
Because, believe me, Caleb, Travis is as overprotective as they come. She glanced at her watch. I go home now, he can wonder, but he wont know. And if he doesnt know, he cant go off the deep end.
Caleb ran his fingers through her messy hair. This is a stupid plan.
But its my plan. This time, there was a distinct edge to her voice. Some decisions you get to make, Caleb. This one is mine.
He stared at the determination in her green eyes.
Okay, he finally agreed. Hed keep the secret. Ladys choice. And he didnt kiss and tell.
The lights were on, and Travis was still up when Mandy came through the front door of the Jacobses ranch house. He appeared in the kitchen doorway, a screwdriver in one hand, a rag in the other.
He stared at her for a long, silent minute as she tugged off her boots and tucked her loose hair behind her ears.
He took two steps forward. Tell me you didnt.
Didnt what? She steeled herself for a moment then met his gaze full-on.
Mandy. He smacked the screwdriver and rag on top of the dining-room table. Hell break your heart.
I have no idea what youre talking about. She had her suspicions, but she didnt know for sure, so it wasnt a lie.
What do I always tell you? He came forward at an angle, giving her the impression he was circling in.
Youre going to have to be a little more specific.
Were not like you, Mandy. Were guys. Well say anything, do anything-