One Night Stand (15 page)

An eternity passed before the ambulance and police cars finally pulled away. She’d continued to deny treatment from the paramedics and had absolutely refused to be hauled off to the hospital. After answering questions and having to withstand a stern warning from Cooper about taking care of herself or he’d be back, she and Joe were finally alone.

Butterflies bombarded her stomach as Joe finally came to join her on the porch step. He eased down next to her, not touching, not looking. He draped his arms across his knees and stared out at the corral. Though she wanted to speak, no words came. What if he couldn’t forgive her?

For the first time since they’d met, the silence felt tense, awkward.

“You’re bleeding,” he said, breaking the quiet that engulfed them. “You should’ve let the paramedics treat you.” His eyes gave away nothing, his expression emotionless.

She didn’t hide the longing in her voice. “I’d rather you did it, if that’s all right.”

He nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stood. “Can you walk?”

“Of course I can walk,” she said as she stood, suddenly irritated by his indifference.

He nodded again, stepping back to let her lead the way.

Chapter 10

“You wouldn’t look at me,” Amanda whispered as they entered the bedroom. She moved past him to sit on the edge of the bed. Her hands played nervously in her lap, silent tears spilling from her lids.

Joe went to his knees in front of her. “God, Mandy. Please don’t cry, baby. It’s killing me.” Which only seemed to make her cry harder.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me.”

He lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “I could never hate you.” He pressed his lips to her forehead.

“Why wouldn’t you look at me? Outside? You ignored me.” Her gaze returned to her lap. “I’ve screwed this up, haven’t I?”

He took a deep breath. “Sweetheart, look at me.” When her teary eyes met his he bit back a curse. “I’ve killed a lot of men in my time, Amanda. Bad men. I’m not going to hide it, nor will I deny it. Not from you. I did what I was ordered to do.” He wrapped his hands around hers before he continued. “I’ve never,
ever
desired to take a life. It was my job. Plain and simple. But one more look at you, Mandy. One more glimpse of your blood … of your”—his lips flattened—“of your torn shirt. That would have been it. Do you understand what I’m saying?” His grip on her hands was one of desperation. “I would have killed that motherfucker. It took every ounce of self-control I had to walk away.” He drew a steadying breath. “Once we were alone on the steps, I didn’t know what to do, what to say. I’ve never been as afraid as I was today. The thought of you hurt, of…” He blinked rapidly. “I lost it.”

Her tears wet his fingers as he caressed her face. “I know it’s not rational, Mandy. I know we’ve barely known each other a week. It doesn’t make any sense at all, but I love you. I love that you’re soft and girly, but tough as nails when you’re pissed. I love the way your eyes light up when I walk into a room. I love the way you come apart in my arms.”

He joined her on the bed, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. “I’m not asking you for anything, but you need to know I want to be with you. Not just for now, either. Loving you is the most important thing I’ve ever done.
You
are what I’ve been looking for, baby.” He felt her shoulders shake with her sobs. He tucked her head into his chest and rocked her. “Ah hell, sweetheart. I know you don’t trust me and after I stormed out last night I don’t blame you. Sometimes I just need to clear my head. But I won’t ever go far, Mandy, and I’ll
always
come back. I’m not trying to pressure you. I can be a very patient man, so I’ll wait. Just know this—whatever you need, whenever, however you need it, I’ll be there.”

Her sobs were ripping his heart from his chest. He didn’t know what to do, so he just held her as she cried. He whispered encouraging words, told her how much he loved her, stroked his hands up and down her back. Little by little her tears began to dry until all he could hear was an occasional sniffle.

Finally she pulled away from him. He watched, fascinated, as she rallied her strength. With a sharp nod she said, “All right. Enough of that. Time to clean up.” He followed her as she moved to the bathroom.

“Let me help,” he offered as she reached for a washcloth. She nodded again and eased herself up to sit on the counter. He was worried that she hadn’t said much or, well, anything really. Not that he expected her to throw herself into his arms and beg him to never leave. Hoped, maybe. But not expected. Anything would be better than her silence.

He wiped tenderly at the line of dried blood that sectioned her forehead, having come from somewhere beyond her hairline. Her left cheek was red, as if she’d stayed outside too long in freezing temperatures. She flinched as he lightly palpated the area. “Tender?”

She shrugged. “A little.”

There was a bruise forming along her left temple. Her bottom lip was split and slightly swollen. Each wound caused knots to form in his gut, but he kept his expression light. He reached into her mass of hair to find the source of the blood. A cut, not too deep, was just above her hairline. She hissed as he brought the warm, wet rag to her head. “It looks like the bleeding has stopped.” When she still didn’t respond he said, “You’ll need to shower to get the blood out of your hair. This rag isn’t going to do the trick.”

His gaze fell to the white-knuckle grip she had on her shirt.

Sweet Jesus.

“Amanda, did he—”

“Don’t.”

“Tell me.” He had to know.

The fury in her eyes caused him to step back. “He tried,” she spat. “He would have succeeded if I hadn’t stabbed him in the leg. He grabbed me, but he didn’t do any real damage.” She ran her tongue across her split lip. “Except to my face, that is.” She gave him a slight smile. “I’m afraid he didn’t fare as well.”

God, he loved this woman. He released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and shook his head in wonder. “I’d say not. You managed to stab him and break his nose,” he said proudly.

“I broke his nose first.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close. “That’s my girl.” He buried his face in her hair. Every nerve ending in his body vibrated with joy at the feel of her in his arms. To have her here made him feel like the luckiest man in the world.

* * * *

He’d left her alone to shower, promising to be just outside the door if she needed him. The warm water soothed her sore muscles as much as it washed away the dirt and blood. She took her time, carefully washing her hair twice and adding extra conditioner so brushing wouldn’t further abuse her scalp. Once she was as clean as she could possibly get, she hurriedly dried off, applied her favorite lotion, and wrapped herself in a large towel. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She’d definitely had better days, but there was nothing she could do about that now.

He loves me.
She hadn’t completely screwed up, but she had a lot to make up for. She knew the sex between them had been incredible, but now she could admit it was because of the connection they had with each other. The connection made the sex amazing, not the other way around. He needed to know she understood that now. She needed to show him that she was his, that she wanted to be his, in every way imaginable. She needed it more than she needed her next breath.

He came to his feet as she walked back into the bedroom. “Everything okay?”

She smiled somewhat apologetically. “My head hurts a little, but I took something for it so I should be right as rain in no time.”

He looked unsure. He reached to touch her, only to draw up short. “I need to take care of my arm. Why don’t you lie down and rest a bit. I’ll be quick.”

The mention of his injury got her attention. “Oh God, you’re hurt! Let me see,” she demanded, ashamed for not noticing before.

He smoothed his fingers across her cheek. “I got it. Really, Mandy. See?” He rolled his sleeve back and showed her the cut. It ran the length of his forearm. It was deep and vicious-looking, but had already stopped bleeding. “I’m trained to handle this kind of wound. Besides, I’ve had worse.”

“Yes, I suppose you have.” Her fingers traced over the cut. “It will scar,” she said absently, her body already responding to the simple touch.

“Maybe,” he said, drawing the syllables out. He bent to eye level with her. “Mandy? You okay, baby?”

The concern in his eyes reminded her of that first night. He’d asked her if she was okay then too. How quickly things had changed in such a short time.
Things never seem to go as planned, do they?
She sighed. “Yes, I’m good.”

Was she? No. She wouldn’t be good until he understood how sorry she was. And that she loved him too.

He seemed hesitant to leave her. “It’s fine.” She smiled at him. “I’ll be right here when you come out.”

She jumped into action as he disappeared into the bathroom. Her towel fell to the floor as she dug through her clothes and pulled out her sexiest nightgown. She held it up by the thin, delicate straps. It shimmered like a beautiful emerald, a perfect complement for her eyes. She slipped it over her head. The silk felt sinful as it caressed down her body. The bodice was made completely of lace, cupping her breasts, yet concealing nothing. There would be no hiding her arousal as her nipples were on proud display. She quickly decided to forgo the matching thong. The idea of being open and bare for him thrilled her. She ran her fingers through her wet hair, loving the way it felt as the cold strands teased her exposed back. The scent of her vanilla shampoo mingled with her jasmine-scented lotion to create a deliciously exotic combination she hoped he liked.

She collected Sam’s gift basket and carried it to the bed. She wanted to erase the pain of the last twenty-four hours and replace it with memories they would cherish. No more sadness, no more pain. Only love and the passion that seemed to overwhelm them. She wanted only the memory of his hands on her, his mouth tasting her, his cock buried deep inside her.

She sat in the center of the bed and began pulling items out of the basket, looking for one item in particular. Funny, she’d never even considered having anal sex before. The initial thought of it had revolted her. Now, however, she felt a strange pride in being able to offer him a physical part of herself that no other man ever had. In this, he’d own her virginity.

When she pulled the small black object from the basket, her stomach contracted so hard she gasped. Her juices overflowed the walls of her pussy, trickling back and tickling over her anus. He’d teased her, given her a taste of what it could feel like. Now she wanted it all.

If she had her way, this would be a night they’d remember forever.

*

Joe’s heart stopped dead as he walked back into the bedroom. There, sitting in the middle of the bed wearing a provocative little nightgown, was the sexiest woman he’d ever laid eyes on. He took a minute to just enjoy the sight of her. The woman he loved. He had never been more sure of anything in his life.

“What do you have there?” He jutted his chin toward her fidgeting hands.

She looked up at him, her smile filled with sensual anticipation, and held the object up for him to see. “So … how does this thing work?”

His traitorous dick went rock hard as he recognized the toy from Sam’s gift basket. “Um, Mandy.” What was she thinking? She’d been attacked. Beaten and almost raped.
She’s in shock. She’s got to be in shock.

“I’ve been thinking,” she began.

“No, Mandy.” His voice was firm. “We aren’t doing this.”

She feigned confusion. “We aren’t talking?”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it,” he said gently. He couldn’t take his eyes off the anal plug in her hand.

“As I said, I’ve been thinking.” She held a hand up to shush him before he could interrupt. “About you and me.” Her eyes were glued to his. “It’s never been a matter of trust with us.”

His brow raised in question.

“I get it now,” she continued. “I doubted that I could ever trust another man, but I trusted you from the very beginning. I trusted you when I brought you home that first night. I trusted that you wouldn’t hurt me and I’ve trusted you every second since. To say any different would be a lie.” Her voice lowered to barely a whisper. “I was scared. I
am
scared.” Then stronger, “But I refuse to let fear stop me from getting what I want.”

He approached her slowly. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I was wrong. It wasn’t—isn’t—just sex with us. I said that more to convince myself, even when I knew it wasn’t true. I’m saying that I’m scared because, even though we haven’t known each other very long, my heart already belongs to you.” She moved to him as he sank onto the bed. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed into his back. “I think, in some way, it’s always belonged to you.
I
belong to you. You’re the man I’ve imagined building a life with. Strong, loving, honorable … and drop-dead sexy.” She kissed his bare shoulder. “I’m saying I love you. I love you so much I ache with it.”

He brushed a kiss against her temple. “God, Mandy, I love you so much.” He hadn’t intended to go any further, but her intoxicating scent drew him in. Her head fell to the side as he trailed light kisses down the length of her neck, losing himself in her taste, her scent. He returned to her mouth. Taking care with her split lip, he placed a soft peck at the corner.

Her moan filled his ears and she twisted herself into his lap. She pressed her mouth to his, her tongue flicking eagerly at his lips.

“Easy, baby. Your lip, your head,” he cautioned. “You’re in no shape for anything but rest tonight.”

“I don’t want to rest,” she informed him. “Yes, today pretty much sucked, but we made it through. A little banged-up maybe, but I’m not as fragile as I look.” As he started to protest, she placed a finger on his lips. “I don’t want to look back on this day and just remember the bad. Help me give us something good to remember.” She dropped the toy into his hand. “I want to share this with you.”

He gave her a stern look. “Why?”