True Blue Cowboy (The Cash Brothers) (9 page)

There had been one other instance when Beth had witnessed his eyes change color—at the El Rancho Motel when he’d tumbled her to the bed, then... She’d forgotten she was holding her breath and gasped with the sudden need for oxygen.

“You’re jealous,” she whispered, awed that Mack was envious of his friends—guys who couldn’t hold a candle to his good looks, sexy body and cowboy charm.

His chin jutted as if he wanted to deny her charge. Wanted her to believe he was as confident as his reputation portrayed him to be. Then his shoulders slumped, and she lost a tiny piece of her heart to him.

“You’re the first, you know,” he said.

“First what?”

“First woman who’s ever made me feel jealous of another guy.”

If her heart wasn’t swooning inside her chest she might have laughed at his admission. “I’m not interested in Steve or Blake.”

“You smiled more at Steve than you’ve smiled at me since we’ve known each other.” Mack sucked in a deep breath. “
I
want to be the reason you smile more.” He poked his finger in his chest. “
I
want to make you laugh and act relaxed with me.” His eyes shone with sincerity, and it was all Beth could do not to launch herself at him and hug him until he stopped looking so sad.

“I can’t be that way with you, Mack.”

“Why not?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

Dear God.
It really mattered to him.
She
really mattered to him. “Because.” There would be no going back once she told the truth. She willed her conscience to talk sense into her before she chose a path she couldn’t retreat from, but the voice in her head remained silent. She left her chair and approached him.

“I can’t laugh or joke or be natural with you because—” she trailed her fingertips across the whiskers covering his cheeks, his chin, down his neck to the beating pulse at the base of his throat “—all I think about when I’m with you is doing this.” Rising on tiptoe she pressed her lips to Mack’s. His groan rumbled into her mouth and reverberated through her body.

Chapter Eight

Mack froze, the muscles in his body turning to stone as Beth pressed herself against him and deepened the kiss. The tip of her tongue asked for entrance into his mouth and he obliged. Her fingers tangled in his hair, nails scraping across his scalp, sending shivers down his spine.

She had to know she was driving him crazy. He grasped her hips and thrust his hardness against her as she popped the snaps open on his shirt.

“I’m growing fond of Western shirts.” Her lips nuzzled his nipple and he groaned. “Easier access to a man’s chest.”

A man’s chest...
He wished to hell she’d stop speaking in general terms. He worried that Beth only saw him as a temporary amusement—her rebound guy like the female reporter insinuated earlier in the day at the truck stop. Going their separate ways was not what Mack imagined when he was with Beth.

“As much as I like your shirt,” she said, “I’d rather see it on the floor.” She tugged the material down his arms and over his wrists. Her hands hovered in front of his belt.

C’mon, darlin’
.
Don’t chicken out on me.

She grasped the buckle, but instead of pulling the belt free her finger traced the etching in the metal—a cowboy wrestling a steer. “Is this real?”

That she thought he might wear a fake championship buckle stung. “It’s real.”

“Most men with big egos exaggerate their accomplishments.”

Why did he get the feeling she was comparing him to her ex? “I won the buckle at a rodeo in Amarillo when I was twenty-three.”

She pulled the belt through the jean loops and let it fall to the floor. When she hesitated, he teased, “Aren’t you going to finish the job?”

There was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes before she reached for his zipper. She tugged slowly until his boxers were visible. Then she smiled.

“What?”

“I’m surprised by the underwear.”

The night at the El Rancho Motel, Beth had disrobed in the bathroom and when she’d come out, he’d already been lying in bed naked waiting for her. “What were you expecting—nothing at all?”

“Maybe.”

There it was again—that note of confusion in her voice. “Why nothing?”

“Because it fits your playboy image.”

Playboy image?
Mack wanted to ask if her ex had gone naked under his slacks, but decided he didn’t want to know. “When are you taking off your clothes?”

She grabbed the hem of her long-sleeve T-shirt and lifted it over her head. “There. Now we’re both bare-chested.” She thrust her breasts out, begging him to touch her.

This didn’t feel right. Beth’s boldness was new—different from the night at the El Rancho, and the shadow of desperation in her eyes made him nervous. He didn’t want her making love with him just because they were sharing a motel room. “It’s been a long day,” he said. And an emotional one for Beth. “If you’d rather—”

She rubbed her finger across his lips, halting his words. When her breasts flattened against his chest, the contact sizzled and he lost his train of thought.
Oh, hell.
He scooped her into his arms and deposited her in the middle of the bed before hitting the light switch. A crack in the curtains allowed a sliver of light from the streetlamp to illuminate the room. Tonight he wanted to see Beth’s face when he melted into her body.

First things first. “What about your dinner?”

“The only thing I’m hungry for is you.” She patted the mattress. “Come to bed, Mack.”

“Do you mind if I finish the job you started?” His hands paused at the waistband of his jeans.

She flashed a shy smile—this was the Beth he wanted to make love to. As much as he enjoyed her brazenness and flirting, the woman he yearned for was the real Beth, not the rhinestone-covered beauty. He shoved his jeans over his hips, the boxers going along for the ride, then he stretched out next to her.

He wanted this to be perfect—like he’d imagined in his dreams. He snuck his fingers beneath the waistband of her pants and tugged them down her legs, tossing them on top of his jeans on the floor. He began at her ankles, running his fingers up her calves, over her thighs and across her hips then against the little ridges along her spine.

She squirmed, enticing him closer. He wanted to go slow but the muscles in his body burned with a desperate need to take her fast and hard. He inhaled deeply, hoping to slow the surge of testosterone pumping through his bloodstream, but her sweet, feminine scent went to his head, and he pulled her beneath him. Bracing himself on his elbows he gazed into her eyes. “Tell me now if you want to slow things down.”

“Do you want to go slower?”

“Not on your life, but I will if—”

“Then don’t,” she whispered.

He tangled a hand in her hair and spread kisses across her face, along her neck, over her breasts and stomach. And she didn’t protest when his mouth roamed down the rest of her body.

Mack lost himself in Beth and their lovemaking, focusing all his energy on bringing her pleasure. He’d managed to maintain control until she reversed their positions and embarked on her own journey, exploring his body with abandon. When he reached his limit, he fumbled for his jeans. After he removed a condom from his wallet, Beth straddled his waist.

“This is as close to a real cowgirl as I’m ever going to be.... Let’s ride.”

And ride they did. When Beth collapsed on top of him, he held her close, awed and amazed by what they’d shared. His heart swelled when he felt her brush a kiss against his biceps then squeeze the muscle as if she never wanted to let go of him. When the sound of her even breathing reached his ear, Mack allowed himself to relax.

He’d gotten his wish tonight. Beth had fallen asleep in his arms.

* * *

B
ETH
WOKE
COCOONED
in Mack’s warmth, their bodies entwined on the mattress. The clock on the nightstand read 3:30 a.m. She closed her eyes and listened to his breathing. His steady heartbeat beneath her ear almost made her believe last night was the beginning of forever with him.

Good Lord, what had she done?

Flashbacks of their lovemaking—his tenderness and her boldness—filled her head, and her heart beat faster until she worried she’d suffer an anxiety attack. What kind of game was she playing? Brad had landed a blow that had sent her to her knees when he’d admitted he’d only married her to further his career. How was the way she carried on with Mack much different?

A lump formed in her throat. Mack made her feel alive. He made her feel worthy. Desirable. His attraction to her had restored her self-confidence. In his arms she could almost believe he was her soul mate.

She lifted herself off him and studied his handsome face relaxed in sleep. When she stroked the prickly stubble along his jaw, her heart filled with tenderness. She couldn’t remember feeling this way about Brad.

Give Mack a chance.

Everything inside Beth yearned to allow Mack closer. To trust him. To believe he wouldn’t abandon her when he found out she couldn’t have children. Making love with him had only confirmed her worst fear—she’d never survive losing him if she gave him her heart. Then down the road he decided he wanted the family that she couldn’t give him.

“What are you staring at?” His whispered words startled her.

She brushed her fingertip over his closed eyelids. “You’re sleeping. How did you know I was watching you?”

“I can feel you.” His arm tightened against her. “Just say the word and I’m all yours again.”

Shoving her cares aside, she whispered, “Word.”

He flipped their positions and nibbled her neck until she giggled. The warm tenderness she’d felt only moments ago quickly heated to a boil and spread through her body. His mouth caught hers in a deep, wet kiss that made her crave his touch. “I want you...now.”

And to make sure he understood her urgency she poured her heart and soul into kissing him, leaving nothing of herself behind.

* * *

M
ACK
CRACKED
AN
EYELID
open and spotted Beth’s head resting on his heart. Last night had ended better than he’d hoped. Beth had finally let herself go in his arms. Unlike the first time they’d been together, she’d held nothing back in her lovemaking, and he believed they’d taken a huge step forward in their relationship.

They hadn’t just made love—they’d connected on a deeper level—a place he hadn’t gone with any other woman and he felt confident that they were building a relationship with depth, substance and longevity.

“Are you awake?” Her breath caressed his nipple and he shuddered.

“How’d you sleep?” he asked.

She offered him a lazy smile. “I can’t remember sleeping.”

“Don’t blame me if you’re tired. You were insatiable.”

She gasped. “No—you couldn’t get enough of me.”

He flipped her onto her back. “You’re right. I can’t get enough of you.” He kissed her long and slow with a hint of tongue. When he pulled back, she wouldn’t make eye contact, and his blood chilled. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She glanced at the clock. “We’d better get going.”

He hugged her close, wanting to tell her about the dream he’d had—him and her raising a handful of kids, two dogs and a cat in a house with a huge fenced yard, a patio with a built-in grill and an extra-long picnic table so the whole family could eat together. Before he had a chance to speak, Beth retreated to the bathroom. He reached for the TV remote, wanting to check the weather while he waited for his turn in the shower. Thirty minutes later Beth vacated the bathroom, wearing jeans and a pink cotton blouse.

“It’s all yours,” she said. “I’m going to check out the free breakfast buffet.”

“Beth.”

She stopped at the door, but kept her back to him.

“Are you okay?”

“Sure.”

“No regrets?”

“None.” Her voice wobbled and Mack’s gut tightened.

“Then why won’t you look me in the eye?”

She peeked over her shoulder. “You’re naked.”

He grinned. “You liked my nakedness last night.”

“Yes, but your magnificent nakedness was in bed.” She left, forgetting to take a key card with her.

Mack hurried through his shower, and dressed. While he waited for Beth to return, he opened the curtains and stared at the street below. When a knock sounded at the door, he came face-to-face with a banana.

“I thought you might be hungry.” Beth inched past him then placed the fruit on the table. “Ready to check out?”

“Not yet.”

She took a deep breath as if bracing herself for an argument.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re fighting us being a couple?”

“We’re not...a couple.”

“Then what are we?”

She drew circles on the table with her finger. “Do we have to put a label on our time together?”

Okay, he could live with that. Her divorce was still raw. She might need to grow accustomed to being in a relationship again. “Will you tell me one thing?”

“What?”

“Why did you let your guard down with Steve and Blake?”
But you don’t with me?

“Because Steve and Blake are just like me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t have to pretend I’m something I’m not with those guys. They’re nice, average men.”

“Are you saying that when you’re with me you’re acting?”

“C’mon, Mack. Look at me.” She tugged on the hem of her blouse.

“I am looking at you.”

“Really look at me. I’m nothing special. Girls like me are better off with the Steves and Blakes of the world. We don’t have to pretend to be better, prettier or more exciting.”

“So you believe a girl like you wouldn’t be interested in more than an affair with a guy like me because you assume I’ll eventually tire of you and move on?”

She opened her mouth to answer but nothing came out.

Anger simmered in his gut and he viewed his good looks and rock-star reputation as a curse—a first for him. “I wish you’d stop comparing me to your ex-husband.”

She crossed the room and stood in front of the window. “Brad used me to further his career. His agent convinced him that the TV station would look more favorably upon him if he was settled with a nice, down-to-earth wife. When he saw me, he thought I was perfect for the role. A few months after we married, he got promoted to sports anchor.”

“I don’t have an agent and my boss couldn’t care less who I date.” Well, maybe that wasn’t exactly the truth—Dave had warned him not to hurt Beth.

“Guys like you and Brad, the ones who were blessed with exceptional looks and popularity, can have any woman you want.”

There she went again bringing up his looks. He was pleased she found him attractive, but he wished she’d see that he was more than a handsome face. He’d never met such a stubborn woman in his life, yet he sensed if he pushed her too far he’d get nowhere. Beth responded better to action than to words. He’d have to show her he was more than a fun roll in the hay. The problem was keeping her with him long enough to accomplish the task.

Right then his cell phone went off. He glanced at the number. “I have to get this.” He accepted the call then said, “What’s up, Conway?” He tried to ignore Beth’s troubled expression and focus on his brother’s panicked voice.

“Isi’s having a C-section this afternoon.”

“I thought she was going into the hospital next week to have the girls?”

“She was. The doctor’s grandfather died and he’s leaving town tomorrow,” Conway said. “He offered to do the C-section today and Isi’s adamant that she wants him and no other doctor. We’re heading to the hospital now but Isi’s friend, who was going to watch the boys, can’t take them today because she’s sick, and you’re the first person in the family who answered their phone. I need you to be at the farm when the boys get home from school at three-thirty.” His brother spoke in a hurry—the father-to-be had been caught off guard by the change in plans and was a nervous wreck.

Mack checked his watch. “I’ll be there to meet the boys’ bus.”

“Thanks, Mack.”

Before he had a chance to wish Conway and Isi good luck in the delivery room, his brother hung up.