The Rancher and the Redhead (14 page)

Twining her leg around his, Roni locked herself against him, letting him fill her, complete her, holding on for dear life as the universe quaked. Sam pressed his mouth against her neck and braced one hand against the wall at her back, moving in a rhythm that took her breath. Faster and faster, he made her his in a way she'd never dreamed, spinning her through a kaleidoscope of sensations until she catapulted over the edge of ecstasy again.

At her heartfelt cry, Sam loosed his own control, plunging into her with a powerful thrust, then shuddering at his own completion, holding her hips against him as though he could absorb her, making the two of them truly one being. Shaking, shuddering, they clung to each other, leaning weakly against the wall, their bodies still joined, slick with moisture and the sweet aftershocks of release.

Catching her face between his hands, Sam licked at her lips, nibbled at her chin. Satisfied beyond all imagining, she threaded her fingers into his hair and stretched like a cat, languid and sensual and murmuring.

“What was that?” he asked, his mouth against the pulse in her throat.

Her throaty chuckle made his body leap. “I said, that's more like it, cowboy.”

He drew back to grin at her, his smoky blue eyes dancing wickedly with promise. “Lady, you ain't seen nothin' yet!”

H
e was as good as his word.

“That's a disgustingly smug look on your face, Mrs. Preston.”

“Uh-uh.” Roni smiled at Sam's lazy comment, but didn't open her eyes. The morning sun streaming through the bedroom window fell across the tumbled sheets and their tangled, love-dampened bodies.

“A cat-lapping-cream expression, in fact.”

She snuggled closer to him with a sigh of contentment. “Mmm.”

Barely contained amusement made his voice gravelly. “I might even say, you've acquired a look-at-me-I've-been-thoroughly-ravished aspect.”

Roni's smile grew wider, and she allowed her fingers to drift down the flat plane of Sam's belly. “I'll remind you that you have only yourself to blame, Mr. Preston.”

Chest shaking with laughter, he caught her wrist. “You, ma'am, are shameless.”

Laughing now, Roni swiftly straddled him, holding him down with her hands to his shoulders and grinning at him mischievously. “Aren't you glad?”

Sam's eyes darkened at the vision of naked wanton hovering above him. “Damn straight I am.”

Hooking an arm around her neck, he pulled her down, kissing her deeply, thanking his lucky stars for this moment, for this woman. They'd loved throughout the night, making up for everything that had gone wrong that first time, exploring each other, moving into realms of passion and tenderness Sam had never thought to experience.

What a surprise she was! Alternately shy and bold, teasing and demure, but always willing, eager for him, meeting each advance of his with a sensual parry of her own. He couldn't get enough of her, reaching for her again and again, making up with a vengeance for all those weeks of frustration.

He marveled at how well they fit, how passion and familiarity and yet the uniqueness of their new intimacy melded into something extraordinary. The future lay before them like a golden river on which to sail. If he felt a pang that he could not return her profession of love, that was quickly squelched by the knowledge of what he could give her in terms of physical affection. And with male pride, Sam knew he'd satisfied her over and over. It would be more than enough.

Yes, they were a matched set now, paired for life, and he was determined to enjoy every minute of it. Lifting her hips, he guided her onto himself, groaning in pleasure at the way she gloved him, warm and tight, and prepared to do just that.

* * *

“You keep this up and neither of us will be able to walk,” Roni gasped in mock protest sometime later.

“I'm willing to risk it.”

She gave a rueful chuckle. “Easy for you to say.”

“Oh, yeah? You've just about crippled me.” Rising from the bed, Sam hobbled to the door, evoking more giggles from Roni. “Not that I'm complaining, mind you.”

The white bandage across his shoulder blade was a stark contrast to his bronzed back, and she frowned slightly at the sight of it. “All this, uh, activity didn't hurt your back, did it?”

“Believe me, I had other things on my mind.” He waggled his eyebrows Groucho-style. “Want to share a shower, Curly?”

Rolling her eyes, she pitched a pillow at him and snuggled down in the sheets. “Are you always this insatiable?”

“Only where you're concerned.”

That pleased her enormously, and she gave him a smile that took his breath.

“You're very tempting....” The bedside phone jangled, and she reached for it with a disappointed sigh. “That's probably Krystal wondering what's going on.”

“A humdinger of a honeymoon, that's what. Think she would keep Jessie another night?”

Hand on the receiver, Roni laughed and shook her head. “Go take that shower. Better make it a cold one!”

Sam came back to the bed, kissed her senseless and murmured against her lips, “Won't do a bit of good, Curly. I've got it bad for you, and that's a fact.”

He walked to the bathroom, leaving Roni stunned and melting. Making love with Sam was the most glorious thing she'd ever experienced, and joy filled every cell of her being. So what if he hadn't said he loved her? Every tenderness, every caress, every kiss said it louder than any words ever could. He was gun-shy, too hurt by his first wife's desertion to risk that kind of commitment yet, but it didn't matter. They had time to spare, time to grow together and learn the depths of each other's souls, and Roni had no doubt that one day Sam would say the words she longed to hear. She hugged the certainty to herself.

The phone rattled under her hand again, and she came out of her bemused state with a start of surprise. “Uh, hello? Oh, hi, Mom.”

“Are you all right, Veronica?” Carolyn asked, her voice tinny on the line. “You sound odd.”

Blushing, Roni plumped pillows against the headboard and sat up, pulling the sheet over her breasts. “Everything's fine, Mom.”

“Sam and the baby?”

“Just wonderful. When are you coming to see how much Jessie's grown?”

“Actually, Jinks wants to drive in for the Flat Fork rodeo on Saturday. We'll spend the night at the old house, if that's okay.”

Roni curled a lock of hair around her forefinger, listening to the sound of Sam's deep voice as he sang off-key in the shower. A shower with new pipes and nozzle and knobs, and every cent of the check she'd written to Steve Cutler was worth it for the enjoyment Sam was getting. She felt a twinge of regret that she hadn't joined him, then perked up. There was always next time.

“Roni, are you there?” her mother asked. “You know, the rodeo—parade, barbecue, events?”

Roni focused her wandering attention. “Oh, is that this weekend?”

“You mean you forgot the biggest shindig of the year in that little town? Honestly, where is your mind these days?”

“I've been kind of busy, Mom.”

Carolyn's voice went dry. “I can imagine. That Sam is one good-looking cowpuncher.”

“Mom!”

“Now don't go all prudish on me, Veronica Jean. You're not the daughter I raised if you aren't making the most of a man who obviously adores you. Are you happy, honey?”

A soft smile curled Roni's mouth. “Yes, Mama, I am. Deliriously happy.”

“Good. That's what I told Jackson.”

“What?”

“That no-good scoundrel called here looking for you.”

Roni frowned and sat up straighter. “He did? What did he want?”

“Something about a job you did for him on
Apache Tears
being so impressive, his producers want you for another project.”

Roni gave an indelicate snort. “That's about Jackson's speed all right. Still trying to get something for nothing.”

“I don't know,” Carolyn mused. “He did say the word
hire
at least once, and he sounded pretty desperate.”

“Well, at least that's a switch. But I'm not interested in helping Jackson out of his latest frying pan, and he hasn't called.”

“No, I wouldn't give him Sam's number until I'd checked it with you first.”

“Thanks, Mom. Having Jackson call here is the last thing I need.”

“I did say I'd pass on his number if you were interested.”

“Well, I'm not. But if he should happen to call back, tell him I can be hired—at an exorbitant fee—and to take it up with my agent. Knowing Jackson, that should end the matter.”

“I always knew you were a sensible girl.” There was a gabble of talk on the other end, then Carolyn said, “Jinks says hello, and we'll see you on Saturday.”

“We'll look forward to it.” Hanging up the phone, Roni chewed her lip and stared off into space, more than a little befuddled by this unexpected intrusion back into her life by Jackson Dial.

“Problem?” Sam stood in the doorway, a towel draped around his hips, scrubbing his fingers through his damp hair.

“Huh?” Coming to, Roni made an instant decision. Things with Sam were so new and so good, she didn't want to risk even a moment of disharmony with something as immaterial and passé as her old flame. She shook her head. “No problem. Just my mother telling me about someone trying to track me down for a job, but I'm not interested. By the way, she and Jinks are coming for the rodeo this weekend.”

“It'll be great to see them.”

Roni tilted her head and gave Sam an innocent look. “Say, can I ride Diablo in the parade?”

“What? Are you out of your ever-loving mind?” He cast a jaundiced eye over her sultry smile and the forefinger she crooked at him in invitation. “Oh no, you don't, Curly...”

“What's the matter, cowboy?” she pouted. “Afraid of a little old-fashioned horse trading?”

“In a word, yes. Woman, I think you're dangerous.” His blue eyes glinted as he dropped his towel. “But then I've always been a man who liked living on the edge.”

* * *

With a rousing rendition of “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” the Flat Fork High School Mustang Marching Band led the annual rodeo parade past the boisterous crowds lining the sidewalks of downtown Flat Fork. Colorful floats sponsored by the local 4-H Clubs, Lions Club, Boy Scouts and various churches and businesses followed the band on this hot and sunny Saturday afternoon, and nearly one hundred mounted cowboys and cowgirls decked out in every sort of raiment from silver-trimmed Spanish saddles to Indian war paint and sequins to a simple working cowboy's leather tack brought up the rear.

Seated proudly near the front of the pack atop a prancing Diablo, Roni couldn't contain a grin of pure delight. Other women might have diamond rings and dozens of red roses as proof of their lover's devotion, but she had Sam's precious ebony stallion—at least for the moment—and his indulgence of her whim gave her a warm fuzzy feeling that made her heart bubble over in happiness.

As they approached the courthouse square, Roni searched the crowd eagerly, then spotted the tall blond man in a bright blue Western shirt and white hat identical to her own. He held a bright-eyed baby cowgirl with flyaway russet curls whose miniature shirt matched her parents'—an indulgence in family pride that was almost expected in the warm extended community of Flat Fork. Carolyn and Bud stood beside Sam and Jessie, watching over a stroller with a trio of helium balloons tied to it.

“Jessie...hi, baby!” Roni waved. Sam pointed her out to the child. The little girl frowned, waved uncertainly, then suddenly dimpled and blew her mother a kiss. Roni laughed and returned the gesture.

“Love you, too, sweetie.” She shouted over the tumult to Sam, hoping he could read her lips. “Meet you at the fairgrounds.”

Sam nodded his acknowledgment and gave her a thumbs-up.

As the parade moved toward the outskirts of town where the rodeo arena was located, Roni chatted with the other riders and enjoyed the camaraderie among her old friends and neighbors. The field used as a parking lot was a jumble of vehicles and horse trailers, and the pungent odors of the fairgrounds—hay, cotton candy, chili peppers, manure and diesel exhaust from the carnival rides—greeted her as they approached.

Roni was looking forward to having a little fun with her husband today—watching Jessie take her first ride on a merry-go-round, eating barbecue until they popped, cheering on the local rodeo cowboys as they tried their luck against bulls and broncos and the clock. While she'd certainly had no complaints about Sam's attentions, he and his crew had worked like the devil all week carting livestock back and forth for Buzz Henry's perusal. And it had been an impressive presentation. Sam was cautiously optimistic about the chance of landing the contract, but the pressure was immense with so much at stake. It wouldn't hurt the man to take some time off with his family and enjoy himself.

As the parade broke up at the fairground's gate, everything became a mass of confusion with floats and riders going in a hundred different directions at once, trucks being cranked, shouts of recognition and greeting as groups of families and friends reunited. Roni clucked softly at Diablo and tapped him with her heels, guiding him through the melee toward Sam's truck and the horse trailer they'd parked earlier. The others were driving Roni's Jeep for convenience.

But Diablo, who'd been the perfect gentleman all through the parade itself, suddenly wasn't sure that he liked all the furor going on around them. He danced sideways, his ears pricked, while Roni struggled to control him.

“Whoa, Diablo. Cut it out, darn you!”

A souped-up truck blasted past, country music blaring out of the teenager's megawatt sound system. Startled, Diablo pivoted, ignoring Roni's commands, and for a dismayed moment she was sure she was headed for an ignominious “tail over teakettle” landing. But then a rider on a dappled gray Appaloosa caught Diablo's bridle, and the big stallion instantly quieted down again.

“Hey, you all right?”

“Fine, thanks. Much obliged.” Grappling with the reins and her racing heart, Roni looked up to find Travis King watching her with a wicked twinkle in his dark eyes. “Travis! My gosh, how are you?”

He pulled the brim of his black hat in an automatic cowboy courtesy, and a grin lifted his mustache. “Roni. Could be better, but can't complain, I guess. Mighty fine piece of hoss you got there. Which way you headed?”

“Just over there.” Roni indicated the horse trailer emblazoned with the Lazy Diamond brand. Releasing Diablo's bridle, Travis kicked his mount into place beside Roni and they headed side by side toward the trailer.

“I can't thank you enough, Travis,” Roni said. “If I'd eaten dust, Sam would never have let me live it down.”

“Powerful animal for a little lady like you.”

Roni grimaced as they dismounted at the trailer. “That's what Sam said. I guess he's right, but don't tell him I said so.”

“Ole Sam...he sure likes being right, doesn't he?”

There was an awkward space as their eyes met and they acknowledged the burdens of the past. Roni shrugged, both helpless and regretful. “Well, you know Sam.”