The Price (4 page)

“When?”

“In two days—Friday.”

“Good,” said Jack. “I’ve wanted to meet Marnie for a while now. Let’s get the formalities out of the way.”

“You have no idea what you’re in for,” Kate sighed, and shook her head.

“Relax, Baby. It will be fine.” Jack walked to her side and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“This is going to be a disaster.” She looked up at Jack. “My mother is going to try to rip us apart.”

“Well good luck with that.” He gave her a warm smile. “Nothing will come between you and me, and the quicker she learns it the better.”

“You don’t know her like I do,” Kate warned.

“You’re worrying for nothing,” he said, as he leaned over and brushed a kiss to her lips. “We’re tight, baby, and not even your mother can divide us.”

“She’s going to try,” said Kate as worry washed over her face.

“Not in my home, she ain’t.” He arched his back in defiance. “Remember, baby, I like control and I am not about to loosen the reins on you even for your mother.”

“Oh God,” Kate groaned and placed her hands over her eyes.

There was going to be a power struggle the likes of which Virginia City had never seen. Kate had a feeling the town could actually explode when the two forces came face-to-face. She could practically hear the boom already.

“You know what you need, Kate?” He lifted her from her seat. “You need a good dose of me
loving you good
to set that crazy mind of yours at rest.”

“And how are you going to love me
good
when we are not allowed to do anything for another three weeks?” questioned Kate as her brow arched.

“That’s just a guideline,” he grinned. “I bet I could make your panties wet.”

“What about the baby?”

“He’s with Maria,” said Jack as he took her hand and led her from the study and up the stairs to their bedroom. “She thought we could use some time alone together after she heard you yelling.”

“I don’t think sex can fix this,” Kate frowned as he led her into their bedroom and closed the door.

“Are you challenging me?” The corner of Jack’s mouth lifted into a grin and his green eyes glistened with mischief.

“Maybe.” Kate flashed a glimmer of her own blue in his direction, and he immediately sat her on the bed.

“Oh baby, trust me. I am going to make you
squirm
beneath me,” said Jack as he placed his hands on either side of her and pushed her back against the mattress. “First thing we got to do is get you out of those clothes.”

Jack hoisted her shirt over her belly, laying tingly kisses against her flesh. He lifted it over her head and tossed it on the floor. He reached underneath her and in one swift move, unhooked her bra and tossed it on the ground next to her top. Jack stared hungrily at her swelled breasts. He lowered his mouth and ran his tongue over her nipples as he squeezed them, feeling their fullness in the palm of his hands.

“They’re hard, baby,” he said with aroused delight. “Come to Daddy.”

He latched his lips over her nipple and sucked, tasting what was meant for his son.

“Jack!” Kate gasped, as she felt her body respond to his arousal and her own need for motherly release.

“It’s sweet.” He lifted his head and stared into her pretty blues with a delighted grin. “I want more!”

“You’re crazy,” she giggled.

“I know,” he said, folding his hands around hers and lifted them over her head as he continued to suckle her.

He moved to her other breast when he saw a droplet of white liquid glisten against her nipple.

“You’re stealing from your own son.”

“There’s plenty to go around,” said Jack. “I kind of like this. Maybe I’ll have to keep you this way for a while.”

“It hasn’t been a month and you’re talking about another one.” Kate almost released a groan, as she felt a sweet surge in her belly.

“No we’re good for a while,” said Jack, as he moved to her other breast again. “Besides, since you’re nursing you can’t get pregnant.”

“That’s a myth, baby.” She giggled again, and struggled to free her hands, which made Jack hold on tighter.

“Where you going, Kate?” he said, maneuvering both of her hands to his one. He lowered his free hand to roam as he saw fit.

He lowered her shorts, taking her panties along with them then moved his fingers between her thighs and found the spot he was looking for. He rubbed her special place before sliding two fingers inside her. Kate released a marvelous groan, her body responding like a shooting flame, from the heat of his touch.

“You going to come for me,” he said triumphantly, finding the spot he was aiming for. Kate shuddered and bit her bottom lip. “Come on, baby, come for me and get my fingers all wet.”

“Oh God, yesss…!” Kate purred, lifting her head back and getting lost in the passion he was sparking inside her.

She cried out when a sweet explosion erupted inside her. Jack continued making her body build again for another climax. He knew how to please; how to make every movement, every stroke heightened her arousal and Kate cried out again.

“I want you inside me.” Kate felt the wild frenzy course through her veins.

She sat up and pulled him to her, taking his mouth and claiming it against hers. She lifted his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor. She couldn’t work fast enough, undoing the buttons of his jeans. Kate pulled him on top of her as she sank back in to the plush mattress. She lifted her legs over his hips and locked them together as she beckoned him to slide inside.

Jack’s movement was slow, entering her with caution, not wanting her to feel any discomfort. Kate wiggled beneath him, pleading with her body for him to take all of her, and he did. He slid in deep and she tightened around him. He groaned with sheer ecstasy feeling her surrounding him.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he growled in her ear, as he slammed his mouth over hers and kissed her hard.

Kate came in one glorious explosion and Jack swallowed her sweet pleasurable sounds in his mouth. It was all he could do, as he, too, felt a rush inside him, no longer able to hold back. He came without warning, gushing his seed inside her and groaning his own satisfaction in to her lips. He collapsed on top of her and held her tight, wrapping her into him like a cocoon.

“
Damn . . .
that was too fast
,
” he whispered in ragged breath. Kate ran her fingers along his back, and Jack shuddered. “Don’t! I’m too sensitive.” He grabbed her hands and locked them against his.

“Oh come on, Jack,” she smiled with satisfaction.

It always gave her a thrill to know that she had that effect on him. She hoped it would never change between them.

“Just give me a minute,” he said, burying his head in her sun-colored hair.

“Do you love me, Jack?” Kate whispered in his ear.

“More than anything in the world,” he whispered back. “Do you love me, Kate?”

“More than anything in the world,” she answered.

“You feeling better, baby?” He lifted his head and looked at her.

“Yes,” she smiled.

“I always know what you need.” He smiled back at her. “Remember that, Kate.”

“I will.”

Jack lowered his head on to her chest while Kate caressed his sandy hair. He was right. He did always know what she needed. She would need to remember that, especially when her mother came to town and tried to flip her world upside down.

THREE

MOTHERS VS. HUSBANDS

Kate saw a vulture soaring over a cluster of trees just as her mother’s car pulled up alongside the main house.
It’s an omen
, she shuddered, walking down the porch steps to greet the woman she hadn’t seen in over two years. Kate felt a masculine hand on her shoulder as she came to a stop beside the car and Jack gave her a re-assuring squeeze.

“It’ll be fine,” he leaned over and whispered in her ear.

Jack watched the flaxen-haired woman emerge from her vehicle. She was attractive, dressed in a stylish cream suit with bag and shoes to match. She was tall with slender build. Seeing her beside Kate, Jack could not dispute the strong family resemblance, but where his wife was more down-to-earth; her mother was quite the sophisticate.

“Hello Kathryn,” said Marnie, brushing a polished kiss to her daughter’s cheek.

“Hello, Mother,” said Kate, and exchanged the same formality.

“You must be Jack.” Marnie took a step in front of her daughter and extended her hand for her son-in-law to shake.

“Nice to finally meet you, Ma’am.” Jack was polite but firm in his handshake.

“You make me sound like Kathryn’s grandmother,” she replied, as she sized him up, from the heels on his boots, all the way to his Stetson. “I insist you call me Marnie.”

“Marnie, it is then,” he nodded. “Welcome to our home!”

Jack removed her overnight bag from the car and headed up the porch with Mother and daughter following behind him.

“You didn’t tell me he was so good-looking.” Marnie leaned over and whispered to Kate, as they entered the house. “I must say I am surprised by your taste in this
one
.”

Kate bit her tongue but on the inside, she was rolling. She wasn’t here for thirty seconds and already placing judgment.

“Mother, can I get you a cup of tea?” asked Kate as she showed her in to the living room. “Or perhaps you might want to freshen up after your trip?”

“A cup of tea would be delightful,” said Marnie as she acquainted herself with her surroundings. “You did a marvelous job at decorating this place. It’s so, so . .
. rustic
.” She cleared her throat. “Did you hire someone or did you do it yourself, Jack?”

“I did it myself,” he stated matter-of-factly, but Kate could tell he took great pride in her faux compliment.

“And so clean,” she continued in her observation, seeing every piece of woodwork shining to perfection. “You must have an excellent housekeeper, because I am sure you are aware that my Kathryn is not famous for her cleaning skills.”

“I disagree,” said Jack, seeing the frown form on his wife’s face. “Before Kate and I got hitched, she
was
my housekeeper.”

Kate slid into one of the leather chairs and prayed for invisibility.

“You were his . . .
his housekeeper?
” Marnie choked and her daughter cringed, hearing that all-too-familiar condescending tone. “I paid for
eight years
of education to have you work as a servant?”

“It was only for a summer.” She tried to explain, though why she was explaining she didn’t know. “Remember, Mother, teachers are off during the summer months.”

“It was a packaged deal,” added Jack, suppressing his grin. He couldn’t resist sticking it to Marnie a little with her high-falutin ways. “Kate was employed on the ranch in exchange for living accommodations.”

“I rented the carriage house,” Kate chimed in and gave Jack a
be-quiet
look.

“But that didn’t last too long.” He ignored her. “It took a month or so and she was shacking up with me. Isn’t that right, baby?”

He winked at her, and Kate faded into her seat further.

“Kathryn, is that true?” Marnie glared at her daughter.

“Where are my manners? I promised to make you a cup of tea,” said Kate ignoring her mother’s stares. “I’ll be right back.”

She shot out of her seat, like a bronco rider being tossed from its saddle, and disappeared into the kitchen.

Jack sat in Kate’s now vacant seat, and motioned for Marnie to get comfortable on the couch.

“That does not sound like my Kathryn,” said Marnie, ignoring Jack’s request and taking a seat in the opposite chair. “She has never been the impulsive type. My daughter is more pragmatic and cautious when it comes to life changes.”

“I am aware of your daughter’s traits,” laughed Jack, thinking about her opposition the day he moved her in. “But I am a hard man to say
no
to.”

“So you are a man who gets what he wants?” She raised a brow.

“Always,” grinned Jack. “And I wanted Kate.”

“Even at the expense of my daughter’s happiness?” she questioned.

“I know what Kate needs in order to make her happy. Even when she doesn’t know it, herself,” he said, with way too much certainty for her liking.

“Be careful Jack, one might get the impression you’re confidence borders on arrogance.”

“I make no apologies for the kind of man I am.” Jack gave her a challenging grin.

“Well aren’t you the devil?” Marnie exclaimed, understanding the unspoken boundary her daughter’s husband was laying out for her.

She was actually surprised to see that Jack McBride was more than a two-bit cowboy. She couldn’t deny he was a handsome man, with his startling green eyes and sand-colored hair that hung wild below his ears, like he just came back from a hard day’s work, with the body to prove it. Her eyes fell on his strong arms, muscles pressing against his tan t-shirt. She had no doubt her daughter got lost in those arms and a few other places, too.

Kate entered the room carrying her mother’s tea.

“I made it just the way you like,” said Kate, handing it to Marnie.

A noise filtered through the living room from the small intercom situated on the coffee table.

“Jesse is awake.” Kate breathed a sigh of relief, hearing her son’s cries. “Are you ready to meet your Grandson?”

“If I must,” her mother said then took a sip of her tea.

“I’ll be right back.” Kate headed for the staircase, ready to make another exit from her mother’s scrutinizing stares.

“I’ll come with you since your husband and I have said everything we needed to say,” said Marnie, as she set her tea on the side table and strode in Kate’s direction. “Besides, it’s you I want to talk to.”

“Oh goody,” Kate mumbled under her breath as she took to the stairs.

Marnie fell in behind, like a dark cloud, raining her ever-present mood upon Kate’s back, as she ascended the wooden staircase. They made their way to the bedroom, and Kate leaned over the bassinet to pick up her son.

“Mommy’s here, baby,” she said in a soothing voice, folding the infant in her arms.

She sat in the rocking chair and lowered her shirt then cradled the child to her breast. His tiny cries were replaced with the sweet sounds of suckling.