Mara McBain (20 page)

“I’ll be fine, darlin'.”

“I could go with you. I’ve been wanting to get more experi—” she started, but fell silent at the press of his forefinger to her lips.

“I’ll be fine, darlin',” he repeated. 

She nodded mutely and turned toward the house at a gentle pat from him. She suddenly spun in her tracks.

“I’ll be right back. Please don’t leave yet,” she begged and turned and ran for the house.

His brow furrowed in a frown at her antics, but he headed for the barn to saddle up.

“Would you mind some company?”

“I’d rather ride alone. I’d appreciate it if you’d stay here and look after the girls,” he said, grabbing his saddle without looking back at Cole.

“You don’t know that she’s yours.”

“Nope, and I don’t know that she ain’t.”

“You can’t believe a damn thing that comes out of that bitch’s mouth, or any other part of her,” Cole spat in disgust.

Trey stayed silent. He didn’t disagree with a word his little brother had said. It didn’t change the fact that he needed to know if he was the father of that little girl.

“Why don’t we go in, break into that good bottle of whiskey you got in your office, and we can talk?”

“I need to clear my head, not add to my confusion,” Trey said with a little chuckle.

“It’ll get cold out there when the sun goes down.”

“I’m going to change out of my Sunday clothes before I go. I’m a big boy. It’s not my first Virginia November.”

“Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?” Cole asked in exasperation.

“It’s a McCade trait,” Trey said, leading Bowie out of the barn with his brother trailing along behind.

Gen looked up from furious preparations when he walked into the kitchen. He looked over the sandwich fixings and smiled. She blushed prettily.

“I’m going to change and then I’ll head out, darlin'.”

“I’ll have things ready when you come down,” she promised.

Genevieve watched her husband swing up into the saddle. The easy grace with which he moved never failed to amaze her. The leather creaked as he shifted, and she admired the fine figure he cut. She tried to cover the tell-tale twitch of her lips. With a holster strapped to his hip and his black cowboy, hat it brought to mind the Old West legends. Fashionable or not, the look was sexy on Trey. She stepped forward and touched his leg.

“Be careful. I’ll be waiting,” she said, not sure where the second part of the statement had come from, but it seemed important.

“I’ll be home tonight, darlin',” he said. Touching the brim of his hat, he nudged the dappled grey into an easy lope.

Brutus came to the edge of the porch and watched after him, a muffled whine sounding in the back of the dog’s throat.

“Go with him,” Gen ordered. The dog quivered, but didn’t move. “Go on! Go with Trey,” she begged, pulling the beast off the porch and shoving him after the departing horse. He looked back at her uncertainly and she stamped her foot, pointing emphatically. “Protect Trey.”

Finally he trotted off, looking back over his shoulder one more time before breaking into a run to catch up with his owner. Cole was standing at the door when she turned.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course,” she lied, forcing a smile.

“We don’t know she’s his or what’s going to happen.”

“No, we don’t. Whatever happens, I’m sure Trey will do the right thing. He’s a good man.”

“What does that mean?” Cole asked, his brow crinkling in worry and confusion.

“It means that I have confidence your brother will find out the truth and do what needs to be done. That’s who he is.”

Gen turned the door knob slowly. It wasn’t locked. Glancing down the hall, she slipped inside and locked it behind her. The top of her husband’s head was visible over the shower curtain. His arms were braced against the front wall, eyes closed and his head bowed under the deluge of water. It had been a long night. Sleep and conversation had been elusive. When he’d joined her in their bed, he’d opened his arms and she’d snuggled close. They had laid there, listening to the other’s heart beat in the dark.

Letting her robe slide off her shoulders, she shivered and stepped into the shower. Not wanting to startle him, she pressed to the back. Her eyes ran over his strong body in appreciation. Though she’d certainly never seen them naked, she couldn’t help drawing a mental comparison between the greasy photographer, the slender pretty boy Cole had identified as Catherine’s hotel lover, and her strapping sexy husband. In Gen’s eye, everything about Trey screamed pure male. What had caused Catherine to go looking when she had Trey at home?

He straightened and turned. Smiling, she stepped forward and kissed his chest. Water droplets dotted the broad expanse, some breaking free and racing down the hard lines of his ribs and stomach.

“Well, hello there,” he rumbled, wrapping his arms around her.

She just smiled against him and pressed closer. Catherine was crazy. Her hands splayed across his back, stroking the water-slick skin. She gasped as he picked her up. Wrapping her arms around his neck and legs at his waist, she accepted a long slow kiss. The sweet taste of him was addictive. She got lost in his kisses. Her back arched at the shock of cold tiles as he pressed her against the wall.

Fingers tangling in her hair, he tugged until her head tilted back. She moaned as his mouth trailed over her throat with open kisses and gentle nips. Hips rocking against her, he rode the channel between her thighs. The gliding stroke was maddening. She writhed, her body desperate for the friction or fullness to push her over the edge. His lips brushed over her ear, panted words encouraging and praising. Her body tightened as he finally pushed into her. She pressed her lips into his bulky shoulder, stifling her cry as she slowly stretched around him. The feeling of fullness was heaven.

Shrugging her higher, he rocked into her and nearly pulled out before sinking deep again. Trey kept the pace slow, his forehead pressed to hers as their breath quickened. She clutched at his broad back, loving the play of his muscles under her hands. The power he harnessed to pleasure her was humbling. He ground into her until her body ached for the release just out of reach. When she thought she could take no more of the sweet torment, she pressed her lips to his ear and whispered just two little words: “Please, Trey.”

His mighty body shuddered as he thrust hard and deep in response to her plea. A sense of power flowed through her as his muscles rippled and bunched under her hands. It was like unleashing a force of nature. She cried out as he shifted, changing the angle. Her nails bit into his back. Each snap of his hips wrung a breathless scream from her until her head thrashed against the wall and her body clamped around him. She shattered in his arms, her throat raw with the screams she checked into his shoulder. She barely heard his guttural growl as he threw back his head and his body jerked helplessly against her.

He held her tight, his chest heaving against hers. Their hearts thundered in unison. She shivered at the touch of his lips on her face, over her throat, and nuzzling her ear. The whispered words of love that left his lips made her heart soar. She felt beautiful, desirous, and loved. If she could’ve stayed right there she would’ve never needed to hear the words, but it was like God was testing her, testing them. A knock on the bathroom door shattered their cocoon. Cole’s voice sounded strained. 

“Trey, you need to get downstairs, now. We have company.”

Brutus’s lips were pulled back, his gleaming fangs flashing in the early morning light as he faced down their visitors. The snarl riding Trey’s lips as he stepped out the front door was no less intimidating. He didn’t waste time with small talk.

“What the hell do you want?”

“Is that any way to greet guests?” Wade asked.

Trey snorted, his cold gaze raking over the ragtag group of Wade, Pastor Paul and Catherine shivering in the morning mist.

“I didn’t invite any of you out here.”

“Your father would be ashamed of you at the moment. Show some respect for your elders and for a lady,” Wade snapped.

“You don’t get to tell me what my daddy would’ve done, said or thought. He never respected you,” Trey growled at his uncle. “Say what you came to say and get the hell off my property.”

“Catherine has asked me to assist her as a mediator in this awkward situation.”

“And that’s not awkward at all seeing as if there is anyone I hate nearly as much as my ex-wife, it would be you.”

Wade’s face flushed with anger. He winced as he instinctually tried to fist his injured hand and Trey smirked.

“Let’s just keep focused on what is important here. This child is innocent in anything that has happened in the past,” Pastor Paul said firmly. “Why don’t we all just sit down and discuss the situation calmly and rationally?”

Trey rubbed a calloused hand over his nape, a low growl of frustration rolling up the back of his throat. A flash of copper out of the corner of his eye made his heart swell and ache at the same time. Gen was the other innocent in this. Her willowy body shivered as she slipped around his side to offer a steaming mug of coffee. Taking the rich brew in his far hand, he wrapped his arm around her and molded her close, kissing the top of her wet hair. Her fingers slid over the flat of his belly in a comforting petting motion that made his lips curl in a little smile. She always sought to ease his temper with her gentle touch. He remembered Mama doing the same to his daddy. Some women had a knack for soothing the savage beast. His gaze went back to Catherine. And some women just liked to poke it with a stick.

“You need to know the truth to know what needs to be done,” Gen whispered, her lips like butterfly wings against the hollow of his throat. “Please let them in and get this over with, for all of us.”

He sighed. As much as it pained him to let them in their house, she was right. “Let’s get this over with,” he growled and turned for the house, snapping his fingers at Brute to stand down.

Cole looked up from where he knelt in front of the hearth nursing the fire to life. His jaw set seeing their uncle. Trey didn’t miss the animosity rolling off the two men. Adrienne stood from her seat nearby, skirting the furniture to clear the way for the supposed guests.

“I’ll get some coffee and see what I can find to eat,” Gen said softly, giving his stomach another loving pat.

“That would be wonderful. I’m afraid Catherine’s urgency didn’t allow time for a decent breakfast,” Pastor Paul said with a smile in Genevieve’s direction.

That smile faltered under Trey’s glare.

“Coffee will be more than sufficient,” Trey said. At his wife’s hesitation, he met her eyes and added firmly, “Don’t go to any trouble, darlin'. They won’t be staying long.”

“Yes, Trey,” she murmured, her long lashes sweeping freckled cheekbones in obedient acquiesce.

“I’ll help you in the kitchen,” Adrienne said, excusing herself with a little nod in Trey’s direction and hurrying after her friend.

Trey laid an arm over the mantle and sipped his coffee as everyone removed their coats. Tension hummed. He watched Catherine fuss with the baby. Her movements were jerky and impatient. The coffee burned a hole in his gut. He studied the child’s features. He’d dug out his mama’s old photo albums last night and poured over the few baby pictures. Though Cole wasn’t as broad as he was, and Nate much slimmer built yet, people had always said they all bore the McCade stamp. He’d seen it in the pictures. There were similarities that couldn’t be denied. He didn’t see any of that in her. 

“Catherine admits that she must shoulder part of the blame for your marriage not working out the first time. However, regardless of the past, as a man, you need to step up and take responsibility for your child, Trey,” Wade said.

His uncle’s condescending tone made his stomach churn in rage. He shook his head. Had the man really said
the first time
? Bile burned the back of his throat. Were they really expecting him to abandon the new life he’d started and crawl back to that hell? He bit back the wounded roar that threatened.

“When was she born?”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s a simple question. When was the child born?” Trey asked, ignoring his uncle and locking his gaze on Catherine. Her hand trembled on the babe’s head.

“Her name is Catherine Elizabeth. I call her Lizzie.”

“I didn’t ask what her name is, Catherine,” Trey said, his voice smooth with forced civility. “What is her birth date? Unlike you, I tend to remember when I have sex. I’d like to do the math.”

The pastor choked. Catherine’s pale face flushed in anger. The coffee service rattled as Gen eased it down on the table. Trey tried to rein in his anger, wishing there had been a way to spare her this. It was too late now.

“Or should I just request to see her birth certificate? Who did you put down as the father anyway?”

“Why are you being such a cold bastard?” Catherine hissed.

“I’ve already been cuckolded,” Trey snapped back. “I won’t be duped into raising another man’s child because the well went dry on your rich playboys.”

“That was uncalled for, boy,” Wade protested, sitting forward on the couch.

“I ain’t your boy!” Trey bellowed, making his uncle shrink back. “And I’ve had enough of this bullshit. Either answer my questions or get out, Catherine.”

“Trey, baby, I’m so sorry. You don’t understand. When Wade forced himself on me, I just wanted to die,” Catherine cried.

Trey froze. Gen hissed as she sloshed hot coffee on her shaking fingers. He could see the fear and something else on her face as she backed away, abandoning the carafe. Tears trickled down Catherine’s face. Wade stared at Catherine, his face twisted in disbelief.

“You lying bitch!”

“You made me!” Catherine screamed. “Just like you tried to make his new wife, and that’s why he broke your hand!”

Gen made a strangled noise behind her hand, and her head shook back and forth. She was deathly pale. Trey reached for her, suddenly afraid she’d fall.

“He told me he had a dalliance with Catherine. I thought he meant—”she whispered, sitting down on the hearth ledge. 

“Made you?” Wade snarled. “You couldn’t get enough of me! You complained that sex with the boy was like being mounted by a bull.”

Pastor Paul shakily tried to rise from his seat beside the fire, his arm outstretched in entreaty, but Cole gently pushed him back into the chair.

“It’s safer this way, Pastor.”

“I told you sex with Trey was painful. That didn’t necessarily mean I wanted you!” Catherine snapped as she slapped Wade’s reaching hand.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Everyone’s eyes flew to Trey as his voice broke on the question.

“I—I—baby, I didn’t think you’d believe me. Wade is your uncle. I know how important family is to you.”

Trey’s head fell back, and he beseeched the heavens for guidance. His big fists clenched repeatedly as he tried to control his temper. What the hell did you do when you didn’t believe either of them?

“Who is the father, Catherine,” he asked with every bit of patience he had left. “And I swear to God if you lie to me, you will regret it.”

“Trey, I love you. Leaving you was the stupidest thing I ever did. I was afraid Wade would come ba—”

“Answer the damn question!” he roared.

“I don’t know!” she screamed back, pain raw in her voice. “I don’t know who the damn father is!”

Pastor Paul muttered a prayer as he slumped back in his chair.

“But it’s not me?” Trey asked quietly.

“No,” she whispered. “God I wish it was. I made so many mistakes with you, Trey. You gave me everything. Please give me another chance. I know I made mistakes, but I was young. I didn’t understand what I had in you.”

Trey looked at the pleading, teary face and shook his head. How had he ever thought he loved this shallow, selfish, manipulative woman?

“It’s too late for that,” he said with a decisive headshake and then gave a snort of amusement. “Hell, maybe I should thank you. I found the right woman this time. She knows I’m not perfect, but she loves me anyway, and I love her.”

Catherine’s incredulous gaze snapped to Genevieve and Trey’s followed. Gen was staring up at him, her grey eyes shimmering with a love that was humbling. A lump tightened his throat at the weapon he’d just handed her, but he offered her a smile and a wink. It was time she quit taking all the chances.

“What’re you going to do with him?”

Trey pulled himself from the snare of his wife’s stare with difficulty. Cole had moved to block the doorway between the foyer and the living room. Wade stood in front of him. He glanced from one brother to the other. 

“If I had my way, I’d beat him to death with my bare hands,” Trey said softly. “But I have too much to lose to go to prison for this animal.”

Wade slumped in relief and then backed away as Cole smiled at him and said: “But I don’t.”

Cole’s advance on Wade was stopped short by Adrienne’s touch on his arm.

“If you play your cards right, you might have more to lose than you know,” she whispered in a sultry tone that threatened to turn the men in the room inside out.

Cole blinked and somehow managed to glance uncertainly at Trey who was looking at Adri in bemusement.

“I don’t know that it will be enough, but if you want to go to the police, I will testify as to what he said to me and what he did,” Gen whispered to a stunned Catherine.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because Trey is right. He’s an animal, a predator.”

“As much as it pains me to say, my dear, with no prior report, and this long after the attack…I’m sorry,” Pastor Paul said, shaking his head with soft regret.