Lindsay McKenna (19 page)

Yeah, this was what it was all about: giving her absolute, mind-blowing pleasure. Cat’s eyes were shut and a faint, almost mysterious smile of satisfaction curved her swollen lips. It made Talon feel powerful, like a man. As he pressed kisses against her hairline, her lids, cheeks, he allowed Cat to rest beneath him. She was so soft and curved against his unforgiving angular lines and hardness.

Now Talon was going to take pleasure for himself, but he wasn’t content without her participation. Raising up on his knees, he settled his large hands around Cat’s hips, drawing her tight against him. As he leaned over, her breasts were within easy reach of his mouth and hands. Sinking deep within her, Talon moved slowly, awakening her body once more. Curving his hands around her taut breasts, watching those nipples harden with just his touch, he smiled into her barely opened eyes.

“Come with me,” he urged thickly. “One more time?”

She smiled. Her hands curved around his forearms. He felt the wetness collecting as he nudged. Talon smiled to himself. Yeah, she was so damned responsive, so sensitive...and then he set about taking her right up to that ultimate moment. Talon framed her face, took her mouth hard and plunged himself deep and repeatedly into her, triggering that incredible reflex within her body. The livid, scalding fire surged down his spine, ripping through him. Talon pulled her into his arms, holding her hard, fused with her, never wanting to let her go.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

C
AT
AWOKE
SLOWLY
, nuzzling into the pillow. Sunlight was bright around the curtained window in her bedroom. She was filled with a sense of quiet euphoria, a satisfaction humming through her body she’d never experienced before. She heard the door open and slowly opened her eyes.

“Hey,” Talon said, smiling as he brought over a tray and set it on the dresser. Cat’s face was drowsy, her eyes barely open, a faint smile curving her mouth, which made him go hot with longing for her again. She slowly turned onto her back and rubbed her eyes.

“What time is it?” she asked thickly.

“Nine o’clock.” Cat was naked and as she sat up and the covers pooled around her hips, he absorbed her luscious body. Talon hoped she knew by this morning how beautiful, how sexy and sensual she was. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he said, “I thought you might like a cup of coffee.” He held the mug toward her after she dropped her hands into her lap.

Cat felt the heat of Talon’s stare, felt her body effortlessly respond to his very male look. “Thanks,” she said, her voice groggy. Their fingers touched and Cat held his slate-gray eyes, felt the unspoken warmth unfurling around her. “I had the most delicious, sexy dreams I’ve ever had last night.” She put the cup to her lips, inhaling the fragrance of the coffee, watching him over the rim.

Talon was dressed in a white cowboy shirt, the sleeves rolled up, his jeans and boots. He had shaved and showered. She inhaled the scent of the evergreen soap he’d used earlier. The way his mouth quirked, the amusement dancing in his eyes, she smiled with him and then took a sip of the hot coffee.

“Funny thing,” Talon offered, reaching out and taming some of her hair away from her cheek, “I had the very same dreams. Want to compare notes?” She looked satisfied and Talon could feel himself growing hard wanting Cat all over again. Her cheeks grew pink over his touch. Yes, she was easily affected by him, Talon realized. This morning, though, Cat looked like a woman who had been pleasured with the gifts a man could give her. That made him feel good.

His heart expanded with fierce emotion as she lowered the cup to her lap, both her long, graceful hands wrapped around it.

“This is a dream that seems to keep going even while I’m awake.”

“It’s a good dream. I like sharing it with you.”

Talon seemed to become serious, his heated gaze on her. She was naked but she felt no discomfort or shyness. When his eyes moved from her face to her breasts, she felt them tighten, felt her nipples hardening. “I like our dream,” she whispered, lifting the cup.

“So do I.” Talon watched her slowly sip the coffee. He’d kissed that wide, full mouth, tasted her, loved her, and he wanted more. “How are you feeling this morning?” Talon was sure she was probably sore and achy. He leaned forward and brushed her pink cheek with his thumb. Her lashes lowered and she leaned into his palm.
Trust.
Cat trusted him.

The power of her gesture humbled him. He’d worried about the trust being broken between them, but if anything, it only grew stronger. The words
I love you
damn near tore out of his mouth. He was so shocked by it he lowered his hand, stunned.
Love?
Was this what love felt like? Because Talon couldn’t remember a time when he’d awakened the next morning after having sex with a woman and feeling like this.

“I’m happy,” Cat whispered. Her skin prickled pleasantly as he’d grazed her cheek. The intimacy between them was quiet and strong. She remembered his hands making her flesh sing last night, giving her priceless gifts of pleasure she’d never known existed until he’d walked into her life. And looking at him sitting near her, his hip against her blanketed thigh, Cat had never felt so happy. She could see the love shining in his eyes for her. And although she thought she knew what love was, she really hadn’t until now. Because the gleam in his eyes held so many unspoken, good emotions in them for her alone.

“Sore?”

“Oh,” she murmured, smiling a little shyly. “Well, some, but I’m okay.”

“A hot bath will put you in good order.” Talon wanted to take that cup out of her hands, lie down at her side and start to love Cat all over again. There was a new tenderness and openness to her this morning. His body was hard, wanting to teach her, show her so many intimate ways to fly with him on the wings of pleasure. “Want me to draw it for you?”

She gave him a sleepy smile. “You’d do that?”

He slid his hand down her blanketed thigh, remembering the sensitive flesh on the inner side, how she’d come apart beneath his fingers, how slickly wet she’d become. “Of course.”

She tilted her head, the coffee halfway to her lips. “Am I in a dream?”

“When a man and woman have a good relationship, Cat, it flows into all the rest of the parts of their lives.” And who was he to talk? Talon had never spent a morning after with a woman he’d had sex with. Ever. It had been an unbroken rule in his book of life. Until now. Until Cat. And he found himself wanting to please her, care for her, make her smile. Make her happy in large and small ways. Just the velvet look she gave him made his heart sing powerfully and joy tunneled through him. He rose and leaned down, kissing her brow. “I’ll get the bath ready for you. And then I’ll make us breakfast.”

His lips on her sent a sheet of heat all the way from her breasts straight down to the simmering heat in her womb. She looked up into his eyes, feeling his need of her. “Thanks,” she whispered. “You’re absolutely spoiling me.”

Talon stood for a moment and absorbed her half-awake expression, the happiness glinting in her eyes. “You deserve to be spoiled, babe.”

Cat wasn’t used to such kindness from a lover, much less having a bath drawn for her. As she dressed in a pair of khakis and a pale pink top, an invisible rapture kept bubbling up through her. She pulled a brush through her black hair and the ends curled naturally across her shoulders. Noticing her eyes, Cat stared into the mirror. There was new life in them. Talon had put it there. She bowed her head, hands on the counter, closing her eyes, feeling her lower body. He’d given her something so rare and exquisite. Cat placed the brush on the counter. What was this feeling? At times like this, Cat wished she had a mother she could talk to. Maybe Casey would know. Whatever it was, she’d never felt happier.

After brushing her teeth, she went downstairs, relishing the scent of salty bacon frying. Her step felt light, almost as if floating. Looking from the stairs toward the kitchen, she saw Talon working at the stove. A smile came to her mouth as she saw he’d already set the dining room table. All of a sudden, the condo felt like home to her. Was it because Talon was here? Cat descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen.

“Smells great,” she said. She poured herself a second cup of coffee. “Want some?”

Talon took the bacon out of the skillet and set it in a bowl with paper towels in the bottom of it. “That would be great,” he said, glancing over at Cat. Her pink tee matched the flush in her cheeks. “Bath feel good?”

“Mmm, the bath did wonders,” she murmured. “Can I help out here?”

“No. Just tell me how many eggs you want.”

“How about two.”

“Over medium?”

“Please.”

The toast popped up. Cat turned and put the slices on a nearby plate. They fell into an easy pattern of working with one another. In no time, Talon had their eggs on two plates next to the stove. She carried the bowl of bacon and the toast to the table.

Talon pulled out the chair for her.

“You are truly spoiling me.”

“And why not?” he teased, sitting down at her elbow.

Cat shared a warm look with him as she picked three pieces of bacon from the bowl between them. “I’m just not used to it.”

Talon gave her a dark look, smiled a little but said nothing. “We need to be over at the sheriff’s office at ten-thirty. Cade called and asked if you felt up to the official interview and report on what happened yesterday. Are you?” He held her gaze. Talon could see fear enter her eyes but she quickly hid it.

“Sure.”

“Are you having second thoughts about pressing charges against Magee?”

“No. I don’t want him on the loose, Talon. I’m afraid he’ll come after me again.”

“Then you need to tell Cade that and you need to write it in your report. The judge will make a decision based upon what you tell Cade. Don’t leave anything out.”

Some of the happiness she felt dissipated. “Do you have to leave and go to work after breakfast?”

“No. I’m taking today off. I’d already told Val I’d be there at the ranch tomorrow morning.” He slathered blueberry jam across his toast, watching Cat’s expression. “I thought after we got done at the sheriff’s office, we could pick up a to-go lunch at Mo’s and take it over to my mother’s apartment and share it with her?”

Heartened, Cat said, “I’d like that. I know you were going to see Sandy at noon yesterday before Magee attacked me.”

“My mother was fine with me not showing up, Cat. She was more worried about you than missing a lunch with me.” Talon was discovering Cat always put those she loved or cared for before herself. It was just a part of who she was, but he knew he needed to sometimes corral her intentions so she would take adequate care of herself first.

“I was worried it would impact Sandy. I know she’s rallying, and she is getting much stronger, but...” Cat made a face.

Talon reached out, his hand covering hers, gently squeezing her fingers. “Right now, the focus is on you. Where it should be, Cat.” Talon could see the swelling along her jaw. And he could see the bruising, a faint purple color along her left cheek and eye. He wanted to kill Magee for touching her. “Today, we do things that are as stress-free as we can make them for you.”

Cat sighed and finished off her breakfast. She picked up her plate and took it to the sink. Her feelings were bright, happy, and yet, she felt fear. Why? Pouring them more coffee, she sat down at the table. Talon had made himself four eggs, eaten at least half a pound of bacon and four pieces of toast. The man knew how to tuck it away. Yet, he was lean and hard, not an ounce of fat anywhere on his body. She sat with her elbows on the table, coffee between her hands.

“Where are we going, Talon?”

He stared over at her. There was uncertainty in her eyes. “I don’t know, Cat. I like what we have. Do you?” He had never lied to a woman and he wasn’t about to lie to her. The word
love
kept swimming around in his head and he kept pushing it away. Talon didn’t know what love was. And maybe these new, brilliant feelings rummaging around in his heart were love, but he honestly didn’t know. He saw that Cat studied him in the gathering silence.

“I like it, too,” she admitted, feeling the warmth and care in his gaze. With a little shrug, she added, “I just don’t know what to expect.”

“Makes two of us. Let’s take it one day at a time.”

“Yes.” Nodding, Cat thought about her other disastrous relationships. None had lasted long. And it was only about sex. And not about her pleasure at all. Not until last night. Neither of those men ever talked about the future. They came around when they wanted sex with her and that was it. And now, Cat knew it hadn’t been good sex. Not like it could be, which was what Talon had shared with her last night.

Talon could sense her quandary and he wasn’t sure how Cat was reacting to his statement. She appeared distracted. “Tell me what you want.” He dug into her gaze. He wasn’t one to assume anything, having learned ages ago that straight talk between two people was essential.

Cat shrugged. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Talon,” she began in a low tone. “I don’t know how to proceed, what to do or what you expect from me.”

“I want to know what you need from me, Cat. It isn’t my way. Or yours. Two of us are sitting here at this table. Talking it out is the only way to go.”

She gave him a shy look and swallowed hard. “I don’t have any experience with someone like you.”

He reached out, covering her hand. Talon sensed her other relationships had all been one-way: what the man wanted and demanded. There was no consideration for Cat or her needs. “That’s okay. Life is always about learning something new every day.” He held her hand a little more firmly. And more than anything, Talon was aware of the fragile trust she’d just built with him. It would be insane to push what he wanted on her and end up destroying it and their relationship. He had to have her input, her needs and what she wanted from him.

“I want to be with you, Talon. I want to know more about you, what makes you the man you are.” Cat turned her hand over, tangling her fingers between his, seeing the care burning in his eyes toward her. “Last night...” Her voice grew hoarse.

“Last night was so incredible for me, Talon. I—I’m ashamed to admit this, but I never knew that I could have so much pleasure before it happened.” She avoided his sharpened look. “You made me feel things no man has ever given me.” Cat forced herself to lift her eyes and meet his dark, turbulent gaze. “I liked it. I like you. I’ve always been drawn to you. And right now, I feel happy, like my heart is going to burst. You’ve given me so many new feelings, new experiences....”

Staggered by her bravery, he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I like what we have too, Cat. And I like making love with you.” Talon felt adrift emotionally, afraid to put a name on what he felt for Cat. It was way too soon. They had to have time.

“I don’t know the rules,” she admitted.

“Rules?”

She licked her lower lip, nervous. “Between us.”

Talon shook his head and gave her a gentle look. “We’ll make them up as we go along, Cat. Are you okay with that?”

“Will you stay with me tonight?”

“Do you want me to?” Talon held her gaze, feeling her sense of inadequacy.

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“Then I’ll stay.” Talon released her hand and cupped her cheek. “The rules between a man and a woman are their own, Cat. All you have to do is speak up, tell me what’s on your mind, in your heart. I know this is new to you, but it’s new to me, too.”