Mara McBain (13 page)

“If he said that to you, I’m going to go clobber him in the head again,” Adrienne said, anger flushing her beautiful face.

“Actually the first thing he said to me was, ‘
You aren’t ugly, but I guess you’ll do
,’ Gen said with a self-conscious giggle. “He claims to like my hair. He said it looks like a new penny. He’s been really good to me, Adri. No matter how I’ve messed up, he hasn’t so much as cuffed me.”

“Is the fact that he hasn’t hit you supposed to be a ringing endorsement? The man is the size of a damn horse. If he needs to resort to his fists to intimidate a woman, then he has problems.”

“Adri, please. I promise you. Trey is a really good man. You will see. He spoils me rotten. You saw the things he bought me today, like that beautiful dress coat with the fur collar. My wool was a little worn, but it would’ve lasted me a couple more winters. He didn’t have to do that.”

“You’ve never been about
things
. I just want you to be happy, Gen, and you’re giving me mixed messages here.” 

“I’m happy.”

“I hope so. It can’t hurt that he adores you. I saw it on his face. Cole even commented that Trey doesn’t deal well with fear. He wouldn’t have been so upset if he didn’t care about you.”

“I made the mistake of telling him that I loved him today. That wasn’t part of the deal.”

“You deserve the fairy tale.”

“I’ll settle for it not being a nightmare,” Gen said with a laugh. 

“I’m here now. We’ll figure it out.”

“As excited as I am that you’re here, it was impulsive and risky to just jump on a train not even remembering his name. You’re a little crazy at times, but you’re careful. What happened?” Gen asked chewing her lip and peering at her friend in worry. “There’s something you aren’t telling me.”

Adrienne sighed, picking up one of the striped throw pillows and cradling it in her lap. She shrugged daintily, not meeting Gen’s eye. “Clark got engaged, and to my surprise, it wasn’t to me. All of his promises were just empty words, and I fell for them. I thought it would be best if I got out of town for a while before I did something stupid.”

“Oh, Adri,” Gen breathed. “I’m so sorry.”

“He was impossibly snide about it when I confronted him. I don’t know what I ever saw in him. Deep pockets shouldn’t make up for a shallow little man.”

“It’s his loss. I hope she’s some vapid, spoiled society twit that bores him to tears and hates sex!”

Adri laughed. “Listen to you. My little sister has become a woman.”

“I’ll have you know that bedtime is me and Trey’s favorite part of the day. That’s one part of the marriage that we’re very good at.”

“
That
makes me happy. I told you that it was nothing to fear with the right guy,” Adrienne said with a smug smile and then giggled. “Though if everything is proportionate, I’m thankful your beau has some finesse. That’s one big man.”

Gen laughed and blushed, snatching up a pillow to smack her friend with it. “Behave, you!”

“Am I interrupting something?”

“In your dreams, handsome,” Adri said with a sensual wink.

“She told you,” Trey muttered, pushing his brother out of the way and walking over to warm his hands in front of the fire.

“All I heard was handsome,” Cole said with a big grin.

Shaking her head at Cole’s swagger, Gen stood. “May I get you something to drink, Adrienne? The men will want coffee, but we have tea or cocoa if you prefer.”

“Coffee would be wonderful if you have a bit of cream and sugar. May I help?”

“You’ve had a long trip. Just sit back and relax.”

“I would rather catch up with my best friend,” Adrienne said, unfolding herself from the couch to follow Gen into the kitchen. “What can I do to help?”

“Umm, you could pop those apple tarts in the oven for a few minutes. Trey likes them warmed.”

“Well if that’s the way Trey likes them, then who are we to argue?” Adri said, opening cupboards to locate a baking sheet.

“Do you think it’s so wrong to do such a little thing when I know it will make him happy?” Gen asked; hurt lacing her tone as she put a hand on her hip.

“Oh, Lord, Gen. I didn’t mean it like that, sweetie. I was just being silly. Of course you should do the little things that make your husband happy. Sometimes it’s those tiny touches that make all the difference and show that you care.”

“I’m sorry,” Gen said with a deep blush and turned to fuss with the coffee.

“No. I’m sorry. You’re a new bride with a husband you barely know. I’m sure you’re a little on edge with him. You don’t need my poor attempts at wit. I really didn’t mean it like that, Gen. Please forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I’m just being over sensitive,” Gen said, waving it off. “You know a lot more about men than I do. Anything you can pass on is greatly appreciated.”

“From the looks of things, you’re doing it all right. It’s obvious that you try very hard to keep him happy, and that’s most of the battle with men. If they’re getting their own way, all is right in the world.”

“It’s easy to want him happy. He is so good to me.”

“You really are smitten,” Adrienne said, coming over to give her friend a hug and a little smile. “Just remember that you deserve someone who is good to you.”

“No worries there, big sister,” Gen said, returning her friend’s embrace before moving to the counter to pour the men’s coffee. “Trey is everything I could have ever dreamed of in a man and more.”

“After the way your father treated you and your mother, you are bound to see anyone as an improvement, Genevieve.” There was no sarcasm in Adrienne’s tone, just a quiet eloquence that spoke of the truth. “Just remember that there’s more than one way to hurt a woman and break her down. I don’t want that happen to you. All that has ever mattered to me is seeing you happy. You deserve it.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Cole interrupted from the doorway. He flashed a wide grin as both women whirled to face him. “But right now, big brother is waiting on his evening coffee and believe me, no one is going to stand a chance at happiness or bliss until he has it.” 

“He’s not that bad,” Gen admonished with a giggle. “It’s the first cup in the morning that’s the critical one,” she finished with a naughty wink and, picking up the loaded tray, led the way back to the living room. 

“I do appreciate your hospitality, Trey, and apologize for the abruptness of my visit,” Adrienne said when everyone was settled in with their coffee.

Trey looked at her over the rim of the coffee mug, his gaze assessing. He took his time blowing on the steaming brew and took a gulp before answering.

“I’m going to hazard a guess that your hasty departure from New York was necessitated by a bit of bad fortune.”

Adrienne’s lips twitched as much at the big man’s frank manner as his shrewd assessment. She nodded in concurrence. “The man I was anticipating marrying decided on a more…advantageous union. Being slightly vexed with that decision, and possessing a temper and vindictive nature, I thought it best to remove myself from the situation before I ended up behind bars.”

“Probably a wise choice,” Trey said, rubbing the side of his head with a wry smile. 

“He was a damn fool!” Cole exploded, interrupting the girls’ giggles. A dark scowl met their wide eyes. He shook his head and took a deep breath as Trey cocked his head in askance. “I’m sorry. Just my opinion,” he muttered into the silence. He looked down, fidgeting with his coffee cup for a minute and then stood abruptly. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Lachance. Sleep well. I will see you tomorrow. I better go finish the chores.”

“The pleasure was mine, Mr. McCade, and thank you,” Adrienne said to his back as he strode from the room. She glanced at Gen, who was still staring after her brother-in-law with a puzzled look on her face.

“It’s getting late. I’m sure you’re tired after your travels, Miss Lachance. Gen will help get you settled, and I’ll see you in the morning,” Trey said, before polishing off his coffee and standing. He dropped a kiss on top of Gen’s head, giving her hair an affectionate stroke. “I’ll be up shortly, darlin'. I better go help Cole…eh…finish up,” he said with a little shake of his head.

Adrienne turned back to her friend as Gen stood to gather the mugs. “What was that about? I have a suspicious feeling chores were finished before they came inside.”

“Unless Cole just remembered something they forgot; that is generally the case. Trey is a creature of habit or schedule, and those of us around him seem to fall in line.”

“He does have a commanding presence,” Adrienne agreed with a giggle.

“It didn’t seem to impress you too much earlier. I don’t think he’s going to forget your purse anytime soon,” Gen said, nudging her friend with a giggle.

“How was I supposed to know he was your husband?” Adrienne asked with a blush. “Besides, it wouldn’t matter to me if he was your husband or not if he was hurting you. I will always try to protect you, Gen.”

“I don’t know how I got so lucky. You are like my guardian angel.”

“Somehow I think that God might find issue with the comparison, but you know I’ve adored you since that first night we met.”

“I think you used your purse that night too.”

Adrienne gave a sniff and giggled. “It was an umbrella.”

“That store keeper didn’t know what hit him either,” Gen quipped, running dishwater.

“He deserved it," Adrienne said with an unrepentant smile. "Any man that would begrudge a starving woman scraps he'd thrown away is asking for an umbrella to the head, or worse."

Silence hung between them as they washed the few cups and saucers, each lost in the past. Hanging the dish towel to dry, Gen broke the pall by pulling Adrienne into her arms.

“I’ve been blessed with a fresh start here, and I’m so glad you’re here to share it with me.”

Trey flipped the collar up on his coat and jammed his hat lower on his head. Crossing the yard, he leaned against the fence beside where his brother sat on the top rung. He silently offered Cole a cigarette. They lit up and continued staring at the stars.

“You were stupid in love with Catherine. Did you fall for her the first time you saw her?”

Blowing a plume of smoke heavenward, Trey mulled that over and shook his head. “No. Genevieve is better looking. With Catherine, I think it was more about being infatuated with someone like her wanting me. That was a mistake.”

“Adrienne takes my breath away,” Cole said softly.

“We have nothing to offer girls like that. Catherine was a fine example of what can happen to a man if he's not careful. Word of advice, little brother, rein it in or she'll do more than take your breath away. City girls will break your heart.”

“Gen was a city girl, and she seems to be fitting in.”

“As cold as it might sound, I scooped Gen up out of poverty so deep that hunchback you keep comparing me to would look like a God.”

Cole couldn’t muffle his laughter and Trey nudged him, almost knocking him off the fence.

“Laugh it up, boy, but it’s the God’s honest truth. Just from what I know so far, friends or not, Gen and Adrienne are two completely different women.”

“You’ve got to admit that she’s the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen.”

“I don’t have to admit any damn such thing, and are you even listening to me?”

“Are you saying that she’s
not
the most breathtaking woman you’ve ever seen in your whole damn life? Because if you are, you’re a damn liar,” Cole said, turning to look at his brother.

“She’s more exotic looking than Catherine, but you’re talking the same type of classically beautiful woman.”

“And you’re saying that doesn’t float your boat?”

“I’m saying it’s pretty to look at, but it doesn’t light my fire like my firebrand does,” Trey said, rolling his heavy shoulders in a shrug.

“What happened to this being a marriage of convenience?”

“I don’t know what your definition of convenience is, but I find it pretty damn convenient that my wife makes me horny and is eager to take care of it.”

“I don’t know how Gen puts up with you. No couth.”

“I have manners. I didn’t say that in front of her. I said it to you, and if you repeat it you’ll be the one without couth
or
front teeth,” Trey grumbled. “Look, unless I’m missing the mark here, Adrienne doesn’t strike me as the vestal virgin type. If I’m right, and you want to enjoy her visit, do it quietly and don’t give your heart away. At some point that sexy little songbird is going to fly the coop, and I have no intentions of nursing you back from a broken heart.”

Gen was reading when he came to bed. He smiled when he noted the blankets were pulled up over her breasts, but her shoulders were bare. His hot wife was naked and waiting. How was that not convenient? He grinned. Kicking the door shut, he locked it behind him. She put her book aside, her shimmery gaze following him across the room. Sliding toward his side of the bed, she turned back the blankets and waited while he stripped out of his clothes.

He crossed to the bed as naked as the day he’d been born. The hunger in her eyes both humbled and got him fired up. In no mood for foreplay, he caught her arm and yanked her from her cocoon onto the sheets she’d uncovered for him. She gasped at the sudden movement and chill, but didn’t pull away. Covering her body, he pinned her to the mattress, his mouth sealing over hers in a kiss that threatened his control already. Rolling his hips demandingly, he moaned into her mouth. She was damp and welcoming. Her legs wrapped around him, and he smiled against her lips when her heels dug into his ass.

Having her legs around him opened her wide, and he pushed to the hilt from the onset. Gripping the backs of her thighs, he took her with long, hard strokes, greedy for the oblivion of release. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she clung to him. Shifting one hand from the back of her leg to her ass, he tilted her hips to deepen his thrusts. Keening whimpers squeaked from her throat as he took her. A low growl rolled from him at the exquisite grip of her body. Slamming harder into her, he gave his control the night off.  

She shuddered under him as he slowly came down off his high. Kissing the side of her neck, he breathed in the scent of her. Lifting his head, he stared down at swollen lips and eyes drunk with desire. Her hips shifted, lifting against him. He stirred within her, and she bit her lip. She moaned at an experimental thrust of his hips. He’d left his baby wanting. Cradling her hips, he started a slow grind. Keeping it easy, he fed the tension between them until they were both panting again. This time when he let the reins loose, her screams rang in his ears under his roar.