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Somehow, when Drew repeated the command she had spoken to him in the shower, the words took on a whole new meaning. She melted from the inside out, every muscle in her body turning to heat and energy.
He watched with hooded eyes as she forced herself to comply. Deliberately exposing her sex to his hungry gaze took more courage than it had to invade his shower. “Be gentle with me,” she joked, jittery with nervous anticipation.
“The first time.”
Wow. How could a man infuse three syllables with such delicious intent and promise? She sucked in a deep breath and exhaled as he lowered himself next to her, his body radiating heat. “Why have we waited so long to do this?” he asked, teasing her navel with a fingertip.
She writhed and panted. “Because I’m a thorn in your side.”
“I can’t remember why.” He bent his head and kissed her flat tummy.
“That’s because you’re not thinking with the correct portion of your anatomy.”
“Damned straight. We’re in the midst of a truce. So I propose that you stay in my bed for as many hours as it takes for us both to get tired of each other.”
“How long will that be?”
He parted the folds of her sex with his thumbs. Her back arched instinctively.
“I’ll let you know,” he muttered.
After that, conversation halted in favor of sheer, carnal pleasure. Drew’s expertise was unmistakable. He touched her reverently, like a man examining a newfound treasure.
When she wanted him to go fast, he slowed down. When she craved more pressure, he gave her butterfly caresses. Pleasure built. Wanting multiplied. Her climax hit with the force of a thunderstorm, drenching her with delirium.
She reached for him. “Drew. Drew....”
He did what had to be done and moved between her legs, sliding his hands beneath her thighs and opening her even further to his possession. Feeling the blunt head of his sex as he pushed into her was in some ways more frightening than the tornado. How could she survive this? She had been halfway in love with him for months, disguising her silly unrequited crush as indifference.
Apparently, one of the reasons she had argued with him about her produce stand and her customers was to keep him coming back again and again. How pathetic was that? She’d lied to herself and not even seen the truth. If it had not already been far too late for second thoughts, she might have run from the room. With every stroke of his body inside hers, he left his imprint. She would never be the same.
But as he loved her slowly and tenderly, fear gave way to wonder and hesitation became assurance. Nothing so wonderful could be a mistake. She gave herself up to the deep, drugged pleasure of his lovemaking.
Muscles bunched in his arms as he struggled to keep his weight off her. “Tell me you won’t regret this,” he demanded.
“I came to you, remember?”
“Doesn’t matter. I see your eyes. You’re already running scared.”
His perspicacity embarrassed her. She couldn’t deny the truth.
So she arched her back, driving him a fraction deeper, clenching his hard length with inner muscles. “I’m here now. Don’t stop, Drew. Please.” She teetered on the brink of a spectacular finish.
His answer was to give her everything she wanted. No more nuances. No more time for talk. He was big and hard and determined to push her off the ledge. “Come for me, darlin’,” he muttered.
She did as he asked, but only because she had no choice. If she had ever experienced such pure, crystalline pleasure, she couldn’t remember it. The ripples went on and on, leaving her breathless and lost.
Drew was seconds behind her, his climax signaled by a harsh shout and thrusting hips. With her legs wrapped around his waist, Beth clung to his wide shoulders and held on as her universe tumbled out of control.
Nine (#ubd761d02-7e5e-5a2a-a1a0-d8accbb20aca)
Drew lay perfectly still, waiting for his thundering heartbeat to return to a normal cadence. Beth had fallen asleep immediately, worn out by their long day and his crazed lovemaking. As promised, he had taken her more than once—the second time sitting in an armchair with Beth straddling his lap, and finally, bending her over the foot of the bed and making the last coupling slow and sweet.
By all rights, he should be exhausted as well. But adrenaline pumped through his veins. Being with Beth tonight had been far more than physically gratifying. The connection they forged had opened his eyes to what was missing in his life. Falling in love with a woman had been something for the future...the kind of thing a man did when he was ready to settle down.
Apparently, unbeknownst to him, love had grown in spite of his self-deception. As incredible as it seemed, his frequent trips to Beth’s place of business had been about far more than her patrons spooking his horses.
He had been irresistibly drawn to her spirit and her beauty. The storm’s wrath had ripped away wood and metal and shingles, but it had also laid bare an astonishing truth. Drew Farrell had feelings for Beth Andrews. Deep, messy emotions.
Her head lay pillowed on his shoulder. He combed her curls with one hand as contentment slid through his veins like honey. Tomorrow she would probably fuss about how her hair looked because she had not dried it. But Drew liked the wild tangle. It was a reflection of the intimacy they had shared.
She had let down her guard with him tonight. For a woman so fiercely independent, he understood very well what a gift she offered. They had met as equals and by her choice. What he didn’t know was the outcome of tonight’s excess.
Tomorrow would be the test. Would he see the real Beth, or would the walls be up once again?
* * *
Beth awoke at first light, disoriented, but very relaxed. It took a handful of seconds for reality to come crashing in. Drew’s room. Drew’s bed. Drew’s big, muscular body wrapped around hers.
What have I done?
The wanting had been building for over a year. No surprises there. But why had she acted on it? Why now?
She could tell herself it was because of the storm or because she was staying in Drew’s house or even because she was lonely and displaced. But the truth was far simpler. Yesterday, she had felt the relentless pull of sexual need, and she had given in. Not only that, she had wallowed in it without shame or regret.
The truth was shocking but impossible to ignore.
Gingerly, she lifted his heavy arm and scooted away from him. He stirred, grumbling, but buried his face in his pillow and continued to sleep.
Fortunately, gathering her things was not an issue. One shirt. That was it. One shirt to protect her modesty as she scuttled back to her room. She had no idea how early the household staff arrived, but surely not at this hour.
When she made it without incident to the relative safety of her own suite, she debated what to do. It would probably be a good idea to wet her hair and dry it again before getting dressed. But a yawn caught her by surprise. It had been a harrowing three days. Removing her one item of clothing, she tossed back the covers on the decadently luxurious bed and climbed naked beneath the sheets.
It was a warm autumn in Texas, but the crisp cotton felt chilled after snuggling with Drew all night. Her body was pleasurably sore as she settled into a comfy spot. Remembering Drew’s attentions was not a good idea. After a long hiatus, her libido was alive and well.
Closing her eyes, she gave herself over to the numbing drug of sleep. She had acted rashly, impulsively, totally without forethought. The results had been amazing, but it was time to retreat and regroup.
She knew now what it was like to be with Drew. It was good. Really good. Before she got in too deeply, she had to set some ground rules for herself. Drew’s amicability was only temporary. When she was living in her house again, they would revert to the same impasse. Drew had the time and the money and the determination to badger her until she gave in to his wishes. Plus, the storm had weakened her resolve and her certainty about the farm as her life’s work.
Equally depressing was the fact that Audie would always be a millstone around her neck. She came from questionable roots. Everyone in the horse business knew that breeding was everything.
Even if a tornado had thrown Beth and Drew together—literally—they had nothing in common but sharing a frightening ordeal. That wasn’t enough on which to build a relationship.
After an hour of tossing and turning, she gave up and got out of bed. Perhaps a hot shower would settle her jangled emotions. The prospect of coming face to face with Drew made her ridiculously nervous. What would she say to him?
She dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a comfortable sky blue polo shirt. No need to make a good impression. There was work to be done.
After a quick call to her insurance agent to follow up on Allen’s report, she went in search of breakfast. If she were lucky, Drew would be somewhere out on the ranch tending to business. The thought of a hot cup of coffee with a side of morning solitude was irresistible.
Unfortunately, only half of her order was on the menu. When she entered the kitchen, she pulled up short, dismayed to find it full of people, or so it seemed. Though the housekeeper excused herself to go tend to the laundry, the kitchen table was occupied. Drew and Jed and a woman who looked strangely familiar were helping themselves to bacon and sausage and eggs as well as pancakes and grapefruit.
“Sorry to intrude,” she said quietly. “I’ll just grab a cup of coffee.”
Drew stood up and pulled out a chair. “Don’t be silly. Join us.” The look in his eyes dared her to disagree.
With her cheeks warm and her legs quivering, she sank into the chair and tried not to flinch when Drew’s hand brushed her shoulder. Had the motion been deliberate? The last thing in the world she had expected or wanted was an audience for their inescapable morning after.
Jed touched the woman’s arm. “Kimberly, this is Beth Andrews. Her house was damaged by the tornado, so she’s staying here at Willowbrook for a bit.”
The brunette smiled. “I know who you are, but you probably don’t remember me. I came to Green Acres several times last summer to buy vegetables. Your heirloom tomatoes were so good.”
“Thank you,” Beth said. “And yes, I do remember you now. You used to come into the bank when I was working there...you made deposits for the dress shop.”
“Yes, I did.”
“So,” Drew said, changing the subject and lifting an eyebrow as he stared at his brother. “I’m always glad to have guests for breakfast, but I’m sensing your visit has a particular agenda.”
Jed looked at Kimberly. She motioned for him to do the honors. Jed took her hand and faced his brother. “Kimberly and I are going to get married.” After noting the shocked silence from Drew and Beth, he continued. “We had planned to do something quick and easy at the courthouse, but obviously that’s out of the question. And we’re not sure it’s appropriate to have a marriage ceremony at all with so many people suffering.”
Jed and Kimberly sat shoulder to shoulder, their fingers entwined. Between them shimmered an almost palpable tenderness. Beth couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. Jed looked at Kimberly as if she were the answer to all his prayers wrapped up in one lovely package.
Drew cleared his throat, obviously emotional about his younger brother getting hitched. “Congratulations, you two.”
Beth nodded and smiled. “And from me as well. But I have to say, I think a wedding might be the perfect occasion to bring some joy and cheer to what have been pretty bleak days in Royal.”
“You could have the ceremony here,” Drew said. “We’ll invite all our friends.”
“I’d be honored to help any way I can,” Beth said. “Though to be honest, I don’t know much about planning an event like that. But I am pretty organized if that counts for anything.”
Kimberly’s smile held gratitude. “You’re both being very sweet about this, but the thing is...” She trailed off, biting her lip.
Jed picked up where she left off. “The thing is...an affair like that takes time to put together.”
Drew frowned. “What’s the rush, Jed? Can’t Dallas do without you for another six or eight weeks? You could fly back and forth if you needed to.”
Jed’s cheekbones flushed with color. The look he gave Kimberly was so fiercely and intimately personal, Beth felt as if she were witnessing something very private.
“Go on,” Kimberly whispered, her cheeks rosy as well. She gazed at Jed with starry-eyed adoration.
Jed kissed her gently on the cheek before turning back to his brother. “Kimberly and I are going to have a baby. In about six months.”
Beth had seldom seen Drew speechless, but he couldn’t have looked any more surprised if someone had whacked him over the head with a two by four. “A baby? Why didn’t you tell me before now?”
Jed and Kimberly exchanged wry glances. “I only found out myself right before the storm hit. I had just asked her to marry me when all hell broke loose.”
Beth laughed softly. “That must have been some proposal.”
Drew stood up and tugged his brother and Kimberly to their feet, hugging them fiercely. “I’m damned happy and excited for the both of you.” He kissed Kimberly’s cheek gently. “Welcome to the family. Jed’s a lucky man.”
After that, the conversation escalated, everyone talking at once and making plans. Beth glanced at her watch. “Oh, shoot. I’ve got to run. I promised Megan that I’d help her again today.”
Drew’s brows drew together as he frowned. “I’ll take you.”
Beth stood her ground. She needed a little personal space. It was hard to be rational with Drew in touching distance. “It will be better for me to drive myself,” she said. “I don’t know how long I’ll be there. And besides, the three of you have lots to talk about. I’ll be back by suppertime.”
She cut and ran before he could argue. With his brother and soon to be sister-in-law in his kitchen, he couldn’t very well chase after her.
By the time she reached the shelter, she had made a firm decision not to think about Drew for the rest of the day. It was a good goal if she could stick to it.
Megan was delighted to see her. “Beth, you’re wonderful to come help when you have your own problems. How are things going with your house?”
“Believe it or not, and thanks to Drew who got me in with a building inspector, it looks like I may have a check in hand by the middle of next week. Now all I have to do is line up a contractor.”
“You two are being awfully chummy considering your history. Couldn’t you ask Drew to help with that, too?”
Beth shook her head. “I’m sure he could, but I’m not going to let him. I’m a grown woman. My house is my responsibility. Besides, he—” She stopped short, realizing that Jed and Kimberly might not want their business blabbed all over the county.
Megan cocked her head, her arms full of wriggling kittens. “He what?”
“You have to promise me you won’t say anything. I don’t know if this news is ready to go public yet.”
The other woman mimed locking her lips. “I’ll take it to my grave.”
“Drew’s brother Jed is getting married. To Kimberly Fanning. And the wedding will be at Willowbrook, I think. Drew is going to be plenty busy without me playing the helpless female.”
“That’s exciting. But I’m sure no one looks at you as a helpless anything, Beth. Look at how you started your farm from scratch.”
“Well, the tornado took care of that. I’ll bet my pumpkins ended up smashed to bits all over the county.”
“At least you can joke about it.”
Beth shrugged. “I’m one of the lucky ones. I wasn’t injured, and my house is not a total loss. I can’t complain.”
“You certainly have a great attitude about all of this. I suppose it helps to have a handsome rancher in your back pocket.”
“I told you before. Drew is only being kind.” The excuse was not quite as easy to stand behind today. Not with everything that had happened in Drew’s bed last night. She felt her cheeks heat. Her vow not to think about the sexy billionaire was shot already, which didn’t say much about her willpower.
Megan deposited the kittens in front of a large bowl of milk and touched Beth’s arm. “Your new friend has been waiting for you.” She pointed to a cage nearby.
“Oh, Stormy.” Beth’s heart melted. The little dog looked healthy, but his mournful eyes seemed to say he had hoped Beth would come back. She unlocked the mesh door and scooped him up for a hug. “I didn’t forget about you, I swear. You are the sweetest thing.”
Stormy burrowed closer with a bark of happiness.
Megan grinned. “He knows a soft touch when he sees one.”
“Has anyone asked about him?”
“No. I traced the number on his collar and spoke with his owner. Turns out they dumped him on my doorstep because they couldn’t afford dog food anymore. Stormy is an orphan.”
