Heart of Texas Volume One (16 page)

“Sweetheart, you don't know what you're asking.”

“I do,” she murmured, her mouth moist and slightly swollen from his kisses. “I want you to kiss me forever.”

That didn't sound like a bad plan to Laredo, but sooner or later, kissing wouldn't be enough to satisfy either one of them. They were fast approaching that point now.

“Savannah,” he whispered, wondering how he could explain why it wasn't a good idea to continue.

He didn't get a chance. She locked her arms around his neck and drew his mouth down to hers again. He tried to show her without words what she did to him. This kiss was fierce, as fierce as his growing need.

He urged her lips apart and swept her mouth with his tongue, fully expecting— Hell, he didn't know
what
he was expecting. Certainly not this acceptance, this welcoming. His breath jammed in his lungs as the kiss deepened. While he waged war with his needs, she returned his lovemaking with an eagerness that destroyed his restraint. Her nails dug into his shoulders as if to bring him closer, become part of him. Laredo was convinced she didn't really grasp the overwhelming physical intensity of his reaction, didn't realize what she was doing to him.

Above all, he didn't want her ending up in a sexual situation she wasn't ready for.

When he could endure no more, he abruptly broke off the kiss and rolled away. His shoulders heaved with the strength of will it had taken to leave her.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked after a moment.

He waited until he'd caught his breath before he answered. “I wouldn't say that.”

“Then why did you stop?”

He closed his eyes. “I don't think you understand—”

“Don't treat me like a child, Laredo. I know exactly what was happening.”

He felt depleted; he hadn't the energy to argue with her. She made him vulnerable. Much more of this kissing would have sent him over the edge. He knew his limits and they'd been reached.

He sat up and smiled. Or at least made the effort to smile. In an attempt to clear his head, he took several deep breaths.

“I called about the repairs to the truck,” he said, not looking at her. He focused on the tree limbs overhead, hoping she realized why he'd abruptly changed the subject.

His announcement was greeted with silence.

“Paul said the parts were in and all he needed was the go-ahead from me.” Laredo paused and waited for a response.

More silence.

Finally she said, “I know what you're doing, Laredo.”

“Do you?” He doubted it.

“You're telling me that you're leaving Promise as soon as you can.”

So she did know, and if she was that smart, she'd probably figure out the rest. “I don't want to hurt you, Savannah.”

“You couldn't,” she said, her voice small. “You've already brought me such incredible happiness. When you do… leave—” she appeared to have trouble saying the word “—don't worry that I'll do anything to stop you. I'm grateful for each day we can be together. Grateful for each moment…each kiss.”

He didn't see it that way. After all, he was the one in
her
debt. “I think we should get back before anyone misses us.” He was strongly tempted to resume their lovemaking, and he couldn't be sure he possessed the determination to resist.

“Not yet,” she pleaded softly. “I left a note in the kitchen so no one'll worry.”

He didn't know what would happen if they kissed again— and didn't think he could afford to find out. He stood, removing himself from temptation.

“Just a few more moments.” She regarded him with such longing he found it impossible to refuse her.

“All right,” he said and sat back down on the blanket. “But only a few minutes longer. Okay? And no kissing.”

She nodded and thanked him with the sweetest of smiles.

A few minutes soon became two hours. Savannah closed her eyes and was immediately asleep. Laredo wondered if she'd gotten much rest the night before. He knew
he
hadn't. He suspected that the only one who'd enjoyed the luxury of a night's uninterrupted sleep was Richard.

He knew how Savannah felt about her brother and feared it was only a matter of time before Richard disappointed her. Laredo didn't want to see that happen, but he was helpless to protect her.

Uncomfortable with his thoughts, Laredo sat against the tree and watched Savannah, appreciating her gentle beauty. Each minute was a gift; she'd been the one to express that thought, and he, too, had discovered the truth of it.

The world, his mother once told him, had a way of making all things equal. A divine order.
We receive back what we give,
or something along those lines. He hadn't paid close attention at the time and now wished he had. But it seemed to him that meeting Savannah made up for everything that had ever gone wrong in his life. Every broken promise. Every unmet expectation, every unfair act.

But why did he have to meet her
now?
He snapped off a blade of grass and chewed on the end. Why would he meet this woman—and fall in love with her—when he had nothing to offer but hardship?

Laredo loved Savannah; he'd admitted that early on. He loved her enough to leave her, rather than ask her to scrimp and sacrifice with him. She deserved far better. He refused to cheat her of the comfort and certitude that were her right.

 

E
LLIE
F
RASIER WAS BUSY IN THE
back room dealing with a shipment from one of her main suppliers when Richard Weston strolled in. He wore a crisp pair of jeans, his fancy boots and brand-new Stetson, and looked more like a country singer than a rancher.

“So this is where you've been hiding yourself,” he said. He gazed at her boldly, eyes roaming from her hair to her booted feet, letting her know without words that he liked what he saw. Ellie wasn't opposed to a bit of flattery now and again. Lord knew Glen and the other men in her life were damned stingy with their appreciation.

It had come as a shock to see Richard again after all these years. At first she hadn't recognized him. As a schoolgirl she'd had a crush on him. Richard Weston had been an “older” man, both handsome and charming. That much hadn't changed.

“I thought I'd let you take me to lunch,” he said, glancing over her shoulder to read the clipboard.

“I don't have time today.” She wouldn't have minded spending her lunch break with him, but she was simply too busy. She'd taken on her father's responsibilities, as well as handling her own. Glen had suggested she hire someone to look after the books, and while she knew he was right, she'd delayed.

“You could use some time off,” Richard said, evidently disappointed she'd refused him. “And I'd love the company.”

“I wish I could.”

“Come on,” he said. “It'll do you good.” He sent her an appealing boyish grin. “I can be a fun guy, you know.”

“I noticed.” Ellie didn't bother to disguise her smile. The welcome-home party had been just the tonic her sinking spirits needed. The pressures of holding down the feed store and the worries over her father's health had exhausted her.

Glen stopped off a couple of times a week to offer moral support. He was her best friend, and his down-to-earth humor had gone a long way to bolster her courage and resolve. At Richard's party she'd relaxed and enjoyed herself for the first time in weeks. She'd danced with Glen and with Richard—and Richard had even kissed her. It was the closest thing to a date she'd had in months.

“Maybe I will escape for an hour or so,” she said, surprising herself. “The world won't come to an end without me.”

“Great.” A smile lit up his handsome face.

Not too often was a woman given the opportunity to realize her schoolgirl dreams, Ellie mused. Okay, so she'd been fifteen and impressionable, but Richard Weston had been by far the most attractive boy in Promise. There hadn't been a girl in school who wouldn't have given…whatever for the chance to go out with him. Richard had played it cool, though. He'd never dated one girl for any length of time. In that sense he hadn't changed; he must be close to thirty now and had yet to settle down.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked.

Seeing as there were very few restaurants in town, Ellie didn't figure there were many options. “You choose.”

“How about your house?” He leaned close enough for her to catch a whiff of his musk-scented aftershave.

“My house?”

“Sure, we can rustle up something for lunch and then snuggle on the sofa for a while and talk about old times.”

He had a smile that would charm a snake. “What old times?” Ellie asked.

“We can make that part up as we go along.” His voice fell, heavy with suggestion.

“Richard!” The man was a blatant flirt.

“Why not?”

“First, I'm the world's worst cook. Trust me, you wouldn't want to eat anything I've made myself. Second, snuggling up on the sofa, tempting as it sounds, is the last thing I have time for.”

“I bet I could convince you otherwise.”

“Really?” This guy was too much. She shook her head and tossed the clipboard on a shelf facedown. “And just how do you intend to do that?”

He grinned that boyish grin again and reached for her hand, tugging her after him.

“Hey, where are we going?”

“Someplace private—where I can show you what I mean.” He looked furtively around, then pulled her inside the office and closed the door.

“Richard?”

The next thing she knew he had her pinned against the wall. He'd kissed her at the party; she'd enjoyed the attention—and the kiss hadn't been bad, either. Maybe it was just what she'd needed to revive her energy and enthusiasm. All work and no play had dulled her senses, but Richard Weston had brought them back to life.

His kiss now was deep and sultry. By the time he lifted his head from hers, Ellie's knees felt weak.

“How was that?” he asked.

“Not bad.” Her reply was breathless, despite her effort to sound casual. Her hands were flattened against the wall behind her, as if to prop her up. She took a deep breath. Her emotions must be in a sorry state, indeed. In fact, everything in her life seemed to be in a constant state of upheaval.

“There's a lot more where that came from,” he promised. He ran the tip of his index finger down the V of her shirt, trailing it lower, close to the curve of her breast.

“Unfortunately,” she said, slapping his hand away, “I can't squeeze an affair into my busy schedule.”

“Where there's a will there's a way.”

“Richard, please, I'm flattered but—”

He interrupted her with a second kiss. This one wet and seductive and a little too rough.

Ellie couldn't believe she was allowing this to continue. What she'd said was true—she was flattered, but she wasn't one to indulge in casual sex. Or casual anything.

“I've got responsibilities.”

“Don't we all?”

“Richard!”

“That's my name and I certainly like to hear you say it, but not quite like that.” His hands massaged her tired shoulders. Against every dictate of her will, Ellie closed her eyes.

“I want you to whisper my name when we're in bed…”

She gasped. “I can't believe you're actually serious!”

“I've never been more serious. I thought about you when I was away…and I wondered if you were married. I'm glad you're not.”

“You didn't even know who I was!”

“Are you kidding? Believe me, I knew, but a guy can get arrested for thinking the way I did about you back then.”

Ellie recognized a lie when she heard one. “I appreciate the offer, I truly do, and if I have a vacancy anytime soon, I'll give you a call.”

“Hey, don't be hasty here. We were going to lunch, remember?”

A loud knock sounded on the office door. “Ellie, are you in there?”

Glen Patterson. Arriving like the cavalry the minute she needed rescuing. His timing couldn't have been better.

“Come on in,” she called, moving toward the door.

Glen let himself inside and frowned when he saw Richard.

“I was trying to talk Ellie into getting away for an hour or so. To have lunch,” Richard explained, his smile as friendly as if they'd been involved in harmless conversation instead of a kiss.

It might have helped if Glen had displayed a shred of jealousy, but he didn't. “Good idea,” he said, glancing at Ellie. “You need to get out more.”

“I can't today. Maybe some other time,” she said and scampered past the two men.