From This Moment On (15 page)

It was crazy how much pride she’d felt listening to these men talk about Trace. She had nothing to do with the respect he’d earned by being thoughtful and levelheaded. At the table behind Chip and Jerry, she overheard an older rancher tell his friend that since his son moved, Trace was the guy he knew he could count on in an emergency.

How horribly she’d misjudged him in February. Or had she really? She wasn’t someone who shared easily. She certainly wasn’t big on admitting her fears or the incredibly stupid choices of her youth, but she’d let her guard down with Trace, more than once. So something inside her was giving the green light. She just hoped it wasn’t her heart getting confused. Falling for him would still be a mistake even if she did trust him.

This thing they had was fun, comfortable and exciting. She’d like to believe it could last, but she knew better. She really needed to remember that. Easy to risk everything when you had nothing to lose. Loving then losing Trace? That could kill her.

* * *

H
E
WAS
SITTING
in his truck when she pulled up to the house. She parked her pickup behind him instead of her regular spot. They both climbed out at the same time.

“You boxing me in for a reason?” His teeth flashed in the bright moonlight as he walked toward her.

Had she remembered to leave the porch light on she’d be able to see that slow heart-stopping smile of his. “I don’t want you running off before I’m done with you.”

“Well now, that sounds promising.” No hat tonight, which she was surprised to find she missed. The snug worn jeans made up for it. He stopped not three feet away and looked her up and down. “You went to work like that?”

“Um, yes.” She glanced down at her usual jeans and stretchy blue V-neck top. “What’s wrong?”

He made a sudden grab for her, scooping her up and making her squeal. “What’s wrong?” he said, using a shocked tone and hugging her to his chest. “You can’t be looking that gorgeous when I’m not there to protect you.”

Nikki laughed, something she did a lot around him. She looped her arms around his neck, her eyes level with his smooth chin. “My feet aren’t touching the ground so don’t—”

His kiss cut her off. He took his time, angling his head and pressing his lips against hers, softly at first, then more firmly. She flexed her hips against his body and he stilled for a moment, then his tongue swept past her lips and swirled into her mouth. He tasted of wintergreen, and she was so, so glad she’d remembered to pop a mint herself.

“We should go inside,” she whispered, dragging her mouth away from his since he wouldn’t stop kissing her. “No use giving the hands a show.”

“Those guys are asleep.”

“So, you have something against a nice soft queen-size bed and clean sheets?”

“I’m partial to kitchen counters myself.” He’d switched to her neck, slowly planting moist kisses headed in the direction of her neckline.

She pushed her fingers through his hair, grabbing two handfuls and forcing his head back to see if he was serious. The teasing glint in his eyes earned him a yank.

“Ouch.” He made a face. “I knew I should’ve gotten a haircut today.”

“No, don’t.” She bit her lip. “Sorry. It’s your hair. Do what you want.”

“If you like it long, I’ll keep it this way.”

“Would you put me down? Please.”

He swooped in for another quick kiss, then let her slide down his body. “Wait,” he said. “Let’s do that again.”

Grinning, she took his hand and led him to the flagstone walkway. “We’re going inside. Hey, I told you the front door was unlocked. Why did you wait out here?”

“I didn’t feel right going in without you. Anyway, I wasn’t waiting long and I used the time to return Aaron’s call.”

She’d wondered about whether they’d connected after she gave Trace the heads-up. “Were you able to have a civil conversation?”

“Oh, yeah. Aaron’s okay. Just doing his job. I don’t agree this time, that’s all.”

“Some of those guys tonight were getting awfully heated.”

“Who? Eli and Lefty?”

She pushed open the door and pulled him inside. “Eli, Chip, Jerry, a few others I don’t know by name. Even Sam put in his two cents.”

Trace made sure they were locked in. “Two cents is about all that boy has to work with. He make you mad again tonight?”

“Sam is Sam. I’m trying not to react. Hey...” She giggled when he hooked an arm around her waist and hauled her up against him. Her body responded instantly, nipples beading, breaths coming quicker, dampness between her thighs....

“You smell good,” he murmured, burying his face in the curve of her neck and shoulder.

“Oh, please, I smell like a bar. I’m taking a shower.”

“Hmm, sounds like a good idea. I could use one, too.” He plunged his fingers into her hair and gave her a light scalp massage.

She smiled because he smelled fresh and clean and a little like pine soap. “I didn’t invite you,” she said, letting her head loll back and her eyes close.

“I’m inviting myself.”

“Trace, you are just—” She sighed and lifted her lashes. “You’re amazing.”

He stilled, aiming an expectant frown at her. “I’m waiting for the punch line.”

“I hope you have all week.” She brushed a kiss across his lips. “Do you have any idea how much admiration and respect the people here have for you?”

Surprise flickered in his face. He blinked, shaking his head and flushing. “Come on...” He lowered his arms and took her hand. “Let’s go use up the hot water.”

If she touched his cheeks she knew they’d be warm. He was embarrassed and she really should drop it, but she didn’t understand why he’d prefer people to think he was a guy who got by on his looks and charm.

A sudden realization stunned her. No, it was her, that’s what
she’d
thought. And so did the Sundance guests who chased him and flirted and made fools of themselves because all they saw was the sizzle but not the substance. The people who lived here, the ones who understood him, knew otherwise. To them, Trace was a man to be taken seriously.

“Okay, cowboy.” She slipped her hand into his. “Show me what you got.”

15

T
RACE
SOAPED
THE
back of her shoulders and watched the sudsy water sluice down her spine to the curve of her backside. Her skin looked as silky as it felt under his lips. She’d pulled her hair up into a messy knot, and he was trying his best not to get it wet, but sometimes he’d get distracted by the curve of her hip or the delicate slope of her neck.

“I think you already got that spot,” she said, glancing back at him.

“You sure?”

“Yes, all three times.”

He smiled and soaped the other side. “When you were going to community college, did anyone ask you to pose nude for art class?”

“What?” She laughed, and spun around to face him. “No.”

“Fools.” He circled the pad of his thumb over a taut pink nipple. “Though I can’t deny I’m glad. I’d hate walking into a gallery and seeing you naked on a wall for everyone else to look at.”

Nikki slid her palms up his chest, leaning into him, amusement dancing in her pretty dark eyes. “So, you go to art galleries often?”

“Nope.”

“How many have you been to?”

He felt the right side of his mouth lifting. He ought to outright lie. It would be harmless enough yet wipe that smug expression off her face. Skimming his hand along her hip, he waited until the right moment and said, “None,” just as he slid his hand between her thighs.

She gasped and arched against his chest. “Sneaky.”

The friction of her stiff nipples rubbing against him tested his willpower. “I forgot to soap down here.” He parted her folds with the tips of his fingers, dipping inside only enough to make her tense.

“Pretty sure you didn’t miss that spot, either,” she whispered, ending with a soft moan that went straight to his cock.

“Better safe than horny.”

She laughed and tugged at his chest hair.

“Isn’t that the saying?” He braced his other hand against the tile wall for balance so he could better explore her. His fingers delved deeper, while he used his tongue to relearn the contours of her mouth.

She made the best damn sounds. Whimpers, moans, some of them a combination of both, others vibrating softly from her throat like a purr. She’d teased him about being quick on the draw, and he was a bit touchy about that because she wasn’t wrong. What she didn’t know was that it was all her fault. He hadn’t had a problem like that since he was seventeen. She made him want her all the time, even when they were apart. If he so much as thought about the way her eyes flashed when she laughed, he wanted her. If he pictured her full pink lips parting right before they kissed, he wanted her. Hell, he could probably watch her fry an egg and want her right then and there.

Fortunately for him, he wasn’t having a problem reloading quickly. What did worry him some was the degree of his infatuation. Something was off. He understood how watching her strip or kissing those lips could make him ache with a desperation that was humbling. But when they weren’t even in the same room? Thinking about her still made him feel as if he was going to explode just as he had as a teenager. The difference now was that he cared about what was right for her instead of just his own satisfaction.

Maybe he needed to tell her this physical reaction wasn’t normal for him. She might think he was lying, or maybe she’d be flattered that she reduced him to a helpless boy. That didn’t sit well. Flattered was okay, but not the rest. Another alternative could be to wait it out...after they made love a few more times it was likely he’d settle down. Or hell, maybe he’d better start jerking off an hour before he planned on seeing her. They’d made love before they got into the shower, and while he was already hard again, he wasn’t ready to pull the trigger.

He dragged his mouth from hers to find that sweet spot behind her ear. Her breathy moan came on cue, and he smiled against her skin.

“I think we’ve been in here long enough,” she murmured, tilting her head back and almost getting her hair drenched.

“Okay, we’ll get out.” He put his arms around her waist and lifted her.

“What are you doing?” She clutched his shoulders. “I thought we were getting out.”

“We will.” He hefted her up a bit more, and she hooked a leg around his middle. “Put the other one up there, too.”

With both of her legs wrapped around him, he kissed her right breast, then latched on to her taut nipple. He was careful using his teeth, not so much when he rolled and swirled his tongue over her tender skin. She pushed into his mouth every time she arched back and if she didn’t stop, he was going to embarrass himself again.

With one hand cradling her firm backside, he kept her anchored to his waist, and used his other hand to tend that slick nub he knew would push her to the edge.

Her body tensed and she hid her face against the side of his neck, her short nails digging into his shoulder muscles.

“Kiss me, Nikki,” he said, holding on to her ass when she started to squirm, and rubbing her faster.

She brought her head up, and looked at him, her eyes dazed. “I like that,” she whispered sweetly, a little shyly.

“This?” He kept rubbing her, keeping the pressure and pace steady, though tightening his hold.

She nodded, and pressed her mouth to his, letting him coax her lips apart. He waited for her tongue to enter and touch his, then sweep inside. That’s as far as she made it before she started whimpering, panting, teasing him with that soft purr. And puffing quick hot breaths into his mouth while she came.

* * *

N
IKKI
DRIED
OFF
his back, lingering on his ass, smiling when he flexed the muscles there. Her legs still weren’t all that steady. She wouldn’t totally relax until they were horizontal.

And had condoms within reach. That’s what was scary about getting tuned up in the shower. She’d had to really slam on the brakes. At one point she’d barely been able to think beyond wanting him inside her.

“Okay, I’m dry enough,” Trace said, turning to face her, and cupping her breasts. “And I’d prefer to keep a layer of skin, if you don’t mind.”

“And if I do?”

“I’ll have to convince you otherwise.” He leaned over, forcing her head back, knowing she wanted to make him break eye contact first. “I like that you’re short.”

“Why?”

“Want me to show you?”

“No.” She pulled away and scrambled to the bedroom, wishing she’d thought to turn back the quilt and sheets.

“What did you think I was gonna do?” he asked with that mischievous smile that usually meant she was in for a treat.

She pointed to the other side of the bed before he touched her and made her forget what she was about to do. “You get over there and help me with the quilt.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He yanked his side back, ignoring her attempt at neatness. He caught her frown and said, “You know we’re just gonna mess it up again.”

“True.” She laughed, happy, really happy, almost scary happy. Scary because the last time she’d felt this same light-headed giddiness had been with Luis. The high had only lasted a few days and involved too much tequila. It hadn’t ended well.

Thinking of Luis reminded her of the last phone call to her mom. Shockingly, he’d shown up at her mother’s apartment looking for Nikki. She hadn’t seen or talked to him in over a year. Although Nikki harbored no hard feelings toward him, she had nothing to say to him, either. She hated that her mom had to run interference, but it was a relief that he found out Nikki had left Houston. Luis was another shameful part of her past she’d worked on forgetting.

“Nikki?”

She blinked, saw that Trace had already crawled into bed and was staring at her.

“You okay?”

“Where are the condoms?”

“Right here.” He held up a handful of packets that he’d left on the nightstand.

“So optimistic.” Grinning, she slid in beside him.

“What I lack in stamina, I make up for in frequency,” he said, and they both laughed, although he flushed a bit. “Just so you know...that crack you made about me jumping the gun...that little problem I’ve been having is totally your fault.”

“How?” She snuggled up to his chest, his arms around her, keeping her warm and making her feel safe. Even knowing it wasn’t forever, being with Trace still felt perfect.

“Other than being sexy as hell, I’m not sure. All I’m saying is this isn’t the norm and I’m hoping it’s temporary.” He removed the clip holding up her hair and tossed it on the nightstand. “See?” he said, finger-combing the long strands that fell all over the place. “Just touching your hair, I’m getting hard again.”

She checked to see if he was teasing because it didn’t sound like it, and he really was semi-aroused.

Their gazes met. “And those eyes.” His voice lowered and the tender smile he gave her nearly melted her heart. “Those beautiful brown eyes. I have no defense.” He brushed the hair away from her face and kissed the side of her mouth. “And these lips...” He pressed a soft kiss at the other corner. “It’s a wonder I can keep my mind on anything else.”

A wave of shyness swept her. “You’re such a player,” she said, giving him a light tap on his chest. Regret was instant.

She saw the hurt in his eyes.

“I can’t blame you for thinking I’m no better than a tomcat. But those women out at the Sundance, they don’t mean anything— No. Wait a minute.” He frowned. “Have you ever seen me seriously flirt with one of the guests?”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m talking about since you’ve come back. No kidding now, at the Sundance or at the Watering Hole, can you name one time that I flirted?”

Nikki got up on her elbow and leaned back to get a good look at his face. “You flirt all the time, though I’m not saying you shouldn’t. It’s your business.”

“Now you think about this,” he said, no teasing in his gaze at all. “I usually respond when they flirt, at least I try to be pleasant. Sometimes they’re annoying as hell and it’s all I can do to make myself smile.”

“Trace, stop. You don’t owe me an explanation.” Laying her cheek back on his chest, she ran her hand down his belly. “We have more important things to do.”

“This is important to me,” he said quietly, covering her hand and bringing it to a halt. “It’s only you, Nikki. I’m not seeing anyone else.” He kissed her hair. “I don’t want anyone else.”

She didn’t even know how to respond to that, or to the flutters he’d set off. Was she supposed to say it back? Thank him? Briefly she considered asking him to be more specific, then discarded the idea. “Okay,” she finally mumbled when it appeared he wasn’t going to help her out.

He sighed, released her hand and cupped the back of her head. “So where were we?”

Good. This part she knew how to handle. She brushed her lips across his right pec, started to work her way lower, but he slid down, startling her with an openmouthed kiss that left her without air. His tongue demanded entry, then made a thorough sweep she could feel all the way to her core.

It wasn’t just his kiss that sent her reeling. Every touch made her hyperaware that it was Trace’s hand, Trace’s fingers. Each gasp was filled with more than lust. He wanted only her. This good man, the one she’d dismissed so flippantly. No wonder she didn’t know how to handle the pure want in his gaze.

She spread her legs, needing him closer. The way his eyebrows rose as his pupils dilated made her flush even more than his intimate caress.

When he was settled, resting on his elbows, his body blanketing her own, he smiled. “I’m not guaranteeing a thing,” he said. “You drive me crazy, you know that? Straight out of my mind. And when I’m in you, no matter how I try, I can’t seem to control myself.”

She brushed her fingers across his cheekbone, then curved her hand to the back of his neck. “Just the way I like you. Out of control.”

His eyes staying on her face, Trace turned to kiss her arm. “I know something else you might like.”

“Oh?”

He slid down further, and she could feel the whisper of moist breath on the skin between her ribs, the pressure of his warm lips just below her navel. She sucked in a breath, waiting, trying to watch, but she could only see the top of his head.

The first glide of his tongue sent a jolt through her. She automatically bucked, and he held on to her hips, keeping her still, and using his tongue to drive every last thought from her head until she completely shattered.

* * *

N
IKKI
HEARD
THE
COLLIES
barking and glanced out her bedroom window. She didn’t recognize the blue Cadillac bumping along the gravel driveway, but then she hadn’t expected to. It was two minutes to four. The attorney was right on time. If only a flat had delayed him long enough for her to leave for work. Though she supposed that wish was a little unkind.

The man was only here to do his job, and she’d promised Matt she’d behave. Sitting quietly and listening wouldn’t kill her. It didn’t mean she had to agree or accept anything from Wallace. She still hadn’t gotten over the shock that he’d named her in his will at all. However, both she and Matt were offended on Lucy’s behalf. Loyal to a fault and she hadn’t even gotten a mention. They knew because Matt had asked Frank Kessler if Lucy should also be present.

After checking her hair in the mirror so she could leave for the Watering Hole as soon as they were done, she stopped at her bed. She’d made it up, something she did about every other day, but this morning she’d left out Trace’s pillow. Picking it up, she lifted it to her nose. She could still smell him. Some of the dread drained from her. If the attorney made her edgy, she’d daydream about Trace, she decided, or replay last night.

Oh, God, that could get her in trouble. Maybe it was better she wasn’t all starry-eyed. Or thinking about Trace at the moment. If she was in too good a mood, no telling what she might agree to.

She hurried down the stairs and headed toward the voices coming from the den. Sitting on the red leather couch, papers spread on the coffee table in front of him, Frank Kessler looked out of place. He wore a sharp navy blue suit, yellow tie and shiny black shoes, his gray hair slicked back. She would’ve guessed he was from New York, not Billings, Montana.