Tempting Dusty (Temptation Saga Book 1) (16 page)

He took her hands in his and brought them both to his lips, kissing each individual finger. “You’ll never be anything but beautiful to me. You’re the sun and the moon. You’re everything, Dusty. Everything. My whole world. I will always want to make love with you.”

Her smile lit up her face like the morning sunrise peeking through the window. She scrambled out of her bikini panties and impaled herself on him. Already wet, she hugged him with sweet suction.

“Love me,” she said, sliding up and down on his cock.

“I do. I do.” He reached for her breasts and tugged gently on her nipples, relishing her sighs and whispers.

She made love to him slowly, provocatively, telling him how much she loved him with each sweet stroke. He savored the closeness, savored her, holding back, enjoying the sweet caresses of her snug sex against his cock. When he couldn’t wait any longer, he reached down and thumbed her softly. Her climax came, and he let himself go and spilled into her, offering her his heart, his soul.

“I love you, Dusty,” he said.

He held her close and prayed again.

W
hen dawn broke
a little while later, Zach got up and helped Sam with the chores so Dusty could sleep. He attempted to feed Nigel but didn’t have much luck. The tiny kitten squalled and cried until Dusty finally woke up.

“What are you doing to that poor thing?”

“I’m sorry, darlin’. I didn’t want to wake you.”

“It’s all right. Look at the time. I need to help Sam with the chores.”

“Already done.” Zach smiled. “He and I took care of it. I wanted you to sleep.”

“You’re an angel.”

“Just the man who loves you. But I’m afraid I’m not having much luck with Nigel here.”

“I’m coming.”

Dusty rose, her peachy naked body a tempting sight for Zach. He willed himself to cool off while she pulled on a pair of sweat pants and a tank top. That woman could make army fatigues look sexy. He handed the kitten to Dusty and kissed her lips. “I’ll go get you some coffee.”

“That’d be perfect. Thanks.”

Zach walked to the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee for Dusty, and checked his watch. Only a little after nine. So he was startled when the phone rang. Sam was still outside, and Dusty made no move to answer it. He picked it up and said hello.

“Hello. Is this Sam?”

“Nope. Sorry. He’s outside. I’ll get him for you.”

“No, no. I’m calling for Dusty, actually. This is Dr. Lloyd.”

Zach’s heart thumped against his sternum. “Oh, yeah, yeah. I’ll get her for you. She’s just in the next room. Hold on.”

He ran to the bedroom, neglecting to put down the coffee so it sloshed all over his jeans. “Dusty.” He took a deep breath, handing her the phone. “Dr. Lloyd.”

Dusty put Nigel down on his bed and shakily reached for the phone. “Zach,” she whispered.

“I’m here, darlin’.” He sat down on the bed and pulled her into his lap. “We face it together, okay?”

She nodded and pressed the phone to her ear. “Good morning, Dr. Lloyd.”

Zach felt Dusty tense on his lap. His own body was wound tighter than a bowstring. Why didn’t she say something? How long did it take a doctor to say yes, you have cancer or no, you don’t?

She sat, rigid, her eyes and mouth revealing nothing to him. A lone tear fell. Shit.

“It’s okay, darlin’,” he whispered. “We’ll get through it.”

Then, “What?” She dropped the phone onto the floor. Zach reached for it and put it back to her ear.

“I’m sorry, Doctor,” she said. “Could you repeat that, please?” A pause. “Are you absolutely sure?” Another pause. “But how?”

Zach’s mind whirled with jumbled thoughts of illness and loss as he imagined the absolute worst. Up until now he hadn’t actually considered that he could lose Dusty. But now… He didn’t want to live without her. He wasn’t sure he could. Damn it, they would beat this!

“Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate you calling me so quickly. You can’t imagine what you’ve done for me. Thank you!”

She tossed the phone on the bed and then took Zach’s mouth with hers. His heart hopped. Maybe it was good news. He broke away.

“What is it? Tell me.”

She smiled, a wide smile he had never seen before. Always before, something had been clouding her smile. Now she was letting the sun itself shine through her. “It’s wonderful news.”

“I’m sitting on pins and needles here.”

“I’m all right. My blood test came back normal.”

“Thank God. What about the elevated white count earlier?”

“I was fighting a cold or something. Totally normal.”

“Yee haw!” Zach stood up with her in his arms and swung her around. “Everything’s going to be fine now. We’re going to Colorado to start our life.”

“Yes, we sure are.”

“See? You were feeling sick because of nerves. Or maybe even a little virus.”

“Or maybe a little something else.” She smiled impishly.

“What have you got up your sleeve, darlin’?”

“Nothing up my sleeve. Just a little something in my belly. Do you still want to marry me today?”

“You bet I do. Just name the time and the place.”

“As soon as possible. Unless you want our child to be born out of wedlock. I’m pregnant, Zach.”

For the first time in his life, Zach McCray was speechless.

Z
ach’s face
was a shocked white. Wasn’t he happy?

“Sweetheart, are you all right?”

He shook his head. “Fine, darlin’. Fine. But how?”

“Surely you don’t need to ask that question. You certainly put a lot of effort into it.”

He smiled sheepishly. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I know. I guess I’m not technically infertile. I do still get periods, just not very often. In order to get a period, I have to ovulate first. Evidently, I would have gotten a period right about now. Only you got to me first.”

“But you were on the pill.”

“No, I was never on the pill. You just assumed I was, and…I guess I let you believe it.”
Oh God, what if he thought…
“I-I really didn’t think I could get pregnant,” she stammered, her face warming. “I never would have tried to trap you.”

He cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips. “You don’t have a deceptive bone in your gorgeous body, darlin’. I know you didn’t mean to get pregnant. But I’m so damn glad you did. It’s a miracle.”

“Not a miracle. You’re just a major stud who can impregnate an infertile woman.” She kissed his cheek. “This is the most wonderful gift you could have ever given me.”

“You’re giving me the gift, darlin’. I’m so happy for you. For us. I’m not letting you out of my sight. I’m going to take such good care of you.”

“You’re going to smother me, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. No barrel racing and no roping. And especially no bull riding!”

“Zach—”

“I mean it, Dusty. This may be our only chance for a child.”

“You’re right, and I agree with you.”

“You’re acquiescing that easily? Where’s my little spitfire?”

“Oh, she’s still here. But she wants to have your baby more than anything in the world. I can’t believe it, Zach. This is the happiest day of my life. I reached my five year mark. I’m cured. I’m in love, I’m getting married, and I’m having a baby.” She began to cry.

“No crying allowed. You’re happy, remember?”

“Oh, I am.”

“Me too. More than ever.”

“Zach, do you think he’ll have your eyes?”

“God, I hope not.”

“I hope so. Your eyes are so unique and wonderful. I love them. And I love you.”

“I love you too, darlin’. Now let’s get into Black Eagle and get hitched. I want to be your husband. And then we’re heading straight home to McCray Landing. Your wedding gift is waiting there.”

Dusty squealed. “Wedding gift? What have you done?”

“Not too much. Let’s just say Harper Bay drives a hard bargain.”

“Regina! Oh Zach! Now I have to get you something really special.”

Zach smiled and rubbed his hand over her abdomen. “You already have, darlin’. You already have.”

O
ne year
later

The beauty of the sun setting behind the Rocky Mountains never ceased to amaze Dusty. Vibrant hues of fuchsia and amethyst and then softer shades of lavender, rose, and tangerine. The Rockies themselves seemed translucent as the solar rays slowly faded and disappeared for another day. The redwood rocking bench on the front porch had been a gift from Zach when their son was born, and Dusty spent each evening there, enjoying the Colorado sunset.

Sean Jason McCray nursed urgently at his mother’s breast. At three months old, he had more than doubled his birth weight, and he was thriving. Though born with a thick shock of dark hair, the peach fuzz growing in now was red-gold, like his mama’s, and his eyes had turned light blue, the exact color of his daddy’s left one.

“You’re going to be a heartbreaker someday,” Dusty cooed to him.

“That’s a beautiful sight,” Zach said as he came out the front door, his unique eyes reflecting the love that, to Dusty, seemed to grow stronger every day.

“You say that every evening.” She smiled.

“It’s a beautiful sight every evening, darlin’.” He sat down beside her and stroked his son’s soft head. He leaned down and kissed Dusty softly on the cheek. “Hey.”

“Hey what?”

“Hey, I love you.”

“I love you too, Zach.”

“I have something to tell you. Two things, actually.”

“What?”

“I’ve been doing some research.”

“On what?”

“Oh, on colleges for my sweet, smart wife.”

“Zach?”

“I want you to start taking classes this fall. The University of Central Colorado is only about an hour’s drive from here. You can get your records transferred and get your degree in math and zoology. Then we’ll see about vet school.”

Dusty’s heart leaped. Her wonderful husband would do anything to make her happy, but she had different dreams now. Different desires. Different goals.

“You’re a sweetheart.” She turned to kiss his soft lips. “But I don’t want to leave Sean with a stranger. I want to be the one to raise my child, to put bandages on his scrapes and kiss them to make it better.”

“But, darlin’—”

“Besides, the closest vet school is in Fort Collins, and I’d never leave here, so what’s the point?”

“The point is that I don’t want your brain to atrophy. You have an incredible intelligence, Dusty. You should use it.”

“I will. Raising a child is the most important job in the world, and I plan to use my brain. Besides, you need my brain here. You know I can tend to the animals almost as well as any vet.”

“True enough,” Zach said, stroking her thigh. “Only if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure, and if I change my mind in the future, school will still be there. Now what’s the other thing you wanted to tell me?”

“I just got a phone call from Dallas.”

“And?”

“He and Chelsea have separated, and he’s filing for divorce.”

“Oh, Zach, I’m so sorry.”

“Hell, I’m not. The woman’s a bitch.” Zach cleared his throat. “Dallas and I have never been close. He was always such an overbearing know-it-all, but…”

“He’s still your brother.”

“Yeah. He’s still my brother, and he deserves better than Chelsea.” He smoothed the soft down on Sean’s head. “He’s been different since this little critter came along.”

“He has. I think he really loves Sean. And he really loves you, Zach. He just wanted what was best for you.”

“I have what’s best for me.” He kissed Dusty’s cheek. “He knows that now. He’s grown to love you, darlin’. Hell, anyone who gets to know you can’t help but love you.”

“I think you’re a little bit biased.”

“Nah.” He sighed and stared straight ahead. “Beautiful sunset tonight.”

“Isn’t it?”

“More beautiful because I can share it with you and Sean.” He grabbed a throw from the cedar table next to the bench and tucked it around the three of them.

Dusty smiled, the warmth in her heart flowing through her veins into every cell of her body. “We’ll have many more sunsets together, sweetheart,” she said.

They rocked silently as Sean nursed, and the soft darkness of the Colorado night enveloped them.

D
allas McCray was
a little bit in love with his brother’s wife.

Not in an “I have to have you” kind of way—though if they were both unattached he wouldn’t kick Dusty out of bed—but more in an “I really wish I had someone like you to share my life with” kind of way.

He couldn’t help thinking about his brother’s happy marriage as he stared at the manila envelope he had just pulled from his mailbox.

His final divorce papers.

He took a deep breath and tore open the package. There it was in black-and-white. His marriage was over.

Not that he was upset about it. He no longer loved Chelsea. He wasn’t sure he ever had, at least not in the way that Zach and Dusty loved each other. But failure was difficult for Dallas. Even the failure of a marriage he no longer wanted sliced like a hunting knife into his gut.

He strode into his home office, rolling his eyes at the thought of the colossal financial settlement he had paid Chelsea. Anything to keep from having to pay her alimony. He wanted her out of his life for good.

A clean break.

It had been easy enough. For Chelsea, it had always been about the money, and Dallas had plenty.

Thank God they hadn’t had kids. Another knife cut into Dallas’s heart at the thought of children. He had wanted them. Chelsea hadn’t. His face tensed at the memories of how she had deceived him.

Quickly he shoved the divorce papers into a file drawer. Best to get them out of sight.

So he didn’t have children. Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. He was glad he hadn’t had them with Chelsea, or he’d be bound to her for eternity. He’d probably be a terrible father anyway. His younger brothers had hated him growing up. They’d seen him only as an overbearing control freak, and he hadn’t been close to either one. He was only now making reparations for his past actions toward them. Thankfully, they were both open to a new relationship with him.

On a whim, he picked up his cell phone and called Zach.

“What’s up, Dallas?”

“They came today.”

“The papers? You all right?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Why don’t you come to the house for dinner tonight? You shouldn’t be alone.”

“Nah. I’m okay.”

“Come on. You know how Dusty loves to fuss over people. And Seanie misses his Uncle Dallas.”

Dallas grinned as he thought of his one-year-old nephew. He did love that little guy, and letting Dusty fuss over him didn’t sound too bad either.

“Deal,” he said to Zach. “What time?”

“How’s six-thirty sound? Seraphina’s making spaghetti.”

“Great.” Dallas’s mouth watered at the thought of zesty marinara. Zach and Dusty’s housekeeper’s Italian cuisine was legendary. “See you then.”