Borrowed Identity (29 page)

“This is what I’m craving.”

He slid down her body, kissing her exposed skin until he reached the material of her dress.

Kelly had had enough teasing. She wanted him more than she’d wanted anything or anyone in her entire life. She tugged him up until he stood over her again.

She kissed him full on the mouth, thrusting her tongue between his parted lips. She wanted him just as badly as he wanted her. Food could wait. She couldn’t.

Kelly stepped out of her high heels and kicked them to the side. Her trembling fingers ripped at his shirt until she had mastered the buttons, sliding them through the tiny holes and freeing his solid chest. He was every bit as beautiful as she’d remembered.

“Before I forget, Mary and Paddy send their love,” Michael said. “They bought the cabin in Montana. They want us to visit in the spring.”

Kelly’s mouth went to work on his chest. She teased him with her tongue, lapping at his nipples.

He groaned and added, “That was a generous gift you gave them. Five million in diamonds is a lot to give up.”

“Wade has the other half,” she said. “He found them. He deserved something.”

“You’re a crazy lady. I’m in love with a nut.”

She smiled at the gentle teasing, freed at last from the bonds of her mother’s insanity. She didn’t worry about losing her mind anymore.

“I have money. I don’t need more.”

He tilted her head back and kissed her hard on the mouth. At the same time, his hands were pulling at the fabric of her dress. He lifted the hem until her thighs were exposed to the cool air.

He released her mouth, his breathing harsh.

“The sheriff in Tinkerton is retiring,” Michael said. “How would you feel about marrying a local lawman?”

Kelly froze. Had she heard him right?

“You want to marry me?”

“What did you think I was here for? Your cooking? Of
course I want to marry you.” He pushed her toward the parlor door. “Come in here with me.”

Michael froze in the doorway. His eyes scanned the room, and Kelly glowed with pride. She’d made changes while he was away. Changes to herself and changes to the house.

The sheets were gone, exposing the beautiful wood furniture to the light of day for the first time in years. Everything was polished. She had purchased a leather sofa for the room and a matching chair. There were filmy white curtains in place of the heavy drapes. Now sunlight spilled into the room during the day, giving it life and color.

Michael turned to her slowly. “Did you do this yourself?”

She nodded.

“It’s amazing.” Michael took her hand and pulled her forward. “You are amazing.”

He pushed her down on the sofa and knelt beside her. Reaching into his pocket, he produced a black velvet box. Opening it, he showed her the most magnificent ring she’d ever seen. It was gold with sparkling diamonds in a simple, breathtaking setting. “Kelly Hall, will you marry me?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Tears of joy flooded her eyes and she wrapped her arms around his neck, nearly strangling him.

Michael stood, lifting her with him.

She clung to him, silently vowing to never let him go again.

“Will you live in Moore House with me, Michael? I know it’s got a bad history, but I think we could be happy here.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Are you sure? Not one couple ever found happiness here.”

“We will. We’re going to fill this house with love and laughing children and sweet memories.” He took another look around the room. “I think the house wants us here.”

She beamed. “So do I.”

“Are all the rooms different now?” Michael asked.

“Are you interested in one specifically?”

“I think I’d like to see the master bedroom. What changes have you made there?”

She swallowed, feeling giddy. “I bought a new bed. A bigger one.”

“Really?” Michael shrugged off his shirt. “Maybe we should try it out. Make sure it’s sturdy. I wouldn’t want you to get ripped off.”

“You’re always thinking of me,” she teased.

“Always.” He answered sincerely. “You have no idea how often I thought about you while I was away. I couldn’t sleep without dreaming about you being in my arms again.”

“It was the same for me,” she said. Her hands went to his belt, fumbling with the clasp. “I regretted sending you away. I was afraid I’d made a huge mistake.”

He lifted the dress over her head as she pulled his belt free and went to work on the button that held his trousers in place. His hands smoothed over her bare flesh. Two wisps of lacy material covered her in strategic places.

“You could have called,” Michael said. “I would have returned in a flash.”

“After making such a big deal about being apart, I didn’t feel like I could call. Besides, my reasons were valid. We needed the time to straighten out our lives.”

“Now we can be together.”

His hands covered her breasts, molding them with growing urgency.

“Yes,” she gasped. “Now we can be together.”

His pants fell to the floor, and he stepped out of them. He wore striped boxers. Other than that, only his socks remained.

Kelly couldn’t wait anymore. If she didn’t have him now, she was afraid she would burst into flames.

“Forget the bed,” she breathed. “Take me here.”

“In the parlor?”

“Yes. I want you to make love to me in the parlor and in the foyer and in the library. Everywhere. I don’t want a room left untouched by our love.”

Michael laughed. “We’d better get busy then. With over forty rooms, we have a lot of work ahead of us.”

He grasped the top of her bra and tugged it down, exposing her creamy flesh to his heated gaze. He leaned forward, taking one of her breasts into his mouth and then the other. Back and forth he went, lavishing them with searing kisses.

Kelly threw back her head, crying out for release. She sank down on the sofa, pulling him with her until they were lying side by side. His mouth continued its exquisite torture. He didn’t seem in any hurry to complete the journey.

A thought occurred to her. “You haven’t said the words yet. At least not today.”

“What?”

“That you love me.”

“Neither have you,” he reminded her. “You know I do.”

“Say it.” Her eyes focused on the ceiling above. Her hands delved into his hair. “Tell me.”

He pushed himself up on his elbows and hovered over her. “I love you with everything that’s in me. I loved you yesterday. I love you today. I’ll most certainly love you tomorrow.”

“I love you, Michael.”

“I know.” He grinned and returned to his wicked administrations. His tongue lapped at her nipples, making her want to scream in frustration. Her hips bucked beneath him, silently begging for more.

“When do you want to get married?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” Her forehead wrinkled. “There’s a lot of planning to a wedding.”

“I want to take it slow. I want to woo you. I’m going to seduce you on a daily basis, shower you with gifts and make certain you know you’re loved. You’ll never have to question that again.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Now,” Michael said, “shut up and make love with me.”

With a happy grin she kissed him full on the lips and pulled him back down to her quaking body. Her hands roamed every inch of him. She memorized everything about him. He belonged to her now. No one, nothing, would ever threaten their happiness again.

Michael took his angel to heaven.

ISBN: 978-1-4592-3748-3

BORROWED IDENTITY

Copyright © 2004 by Brenda Canada

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