Someday Soon (24 page)

“I have no intention of laughing at you,” Cain said, letting himself into the gate. “If anything, I was thinking of kissing you.”

“Kissing me…when I look like this?” Linette gazed down upon her mud-speckled shirt and water-soaked
jeans. “Either you’re desperate for a kiss or blind to my many faults.”

“Both,” he assured her.

Deliberately he removed the brush from her hand and set it aside. Then he gathered her in his arms and slowly, in painstaking inches, lowered his mouth to hers.

It had been weeks since he’d touched her this way. Weeks since she’d wanted him. But she desired him now with a strength that left her shaking.

Cain took her mouth fully, slanting his lips across hers, giving her his tongue. The hot rush of sensation took the starch out of Linette’s knees, and she clung to him.

“You left me,” she whispered, trembling. “You broke your word and left.”

“I was wrong,” he whispered huskily. “I’ll never do it again.”

“How can I believe you?”

Cain gently relaxed his hold on her. “I can’t give you a single reason why you should. I’ve been so afraid I’ve ruined everything with my selfishness. It’s because of me that we lost the baby. It’s because of me that you were in the car accident. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to forget that.”

“It’s over now.”

“But it isn’t,” Cain said bitterly. “Each night I hold you in my arms and wonder if our lives will ever be the same again. If I were any kind of man, I’d release you, but I haven’t got the courage to let you go. I need you too damn much.”

“I need you, too.”

“I’m asking for a second chance. God knows I don’t
deserve it, but I’ve learned my lesson, honey. I discovered what Mallory did when he realized he was in love with Francine. I didn’t have the heart for fighting anymore. I left it with you.”

“You’re sure this time?”

“Positive. There’s nothing more I want in this life than to settle down on this ranch with you at my side. I like it. Even John’s surprised by how well I’ve taken to managing a herd.” He laced his hands together at the small of her back. “But it means nothing without you. Are you willing to give me a second chance?” He brushed his lips close to her ear. “I promise to make it worth your while.”

Linette snuggled close into her husband. “I’m willing to put the past behind us.” All at once the future looked clear and bright.

“Let’s go inside,” Cain said, breathing hard and fast.

“I’m a mess.”

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.” He captured her lower lip between his teeth and sucked gently.

“Do you mean to have your way with me, Cain McClellan?”

“Without a doubt.”

“It isn’t even noon.” She didn’t know why she was putting up arguments when she was as eager for her husband as he was for her.

“I don’t care what time it is.”

“Eleven-fifteen.”

Cain chuckled. “You know what they say about striking when the iron is hot.” He kissed her again and it was wet and wild and Linette swore the two of them sizzled together.

Their mouths were fused together when Cain hoisted her into his arms and carried her across the barnyard and directly into the house.

“Take off your spurs,” Linette cried as he started across her kitchen floor.

Muttering under his breath, Cain set her back on her feet and removed his spurs. Then, for no reason she could think of, he sat down and with some difficulty removed his cowboy boots as well.

“Anything else?” he asked.

Linette laughed. “Oh, yes, lots more.”

Cain grinned and lifted her into his arms once again. He couldn’t seem to make it more than two or three stair steps before he’d stop and kiss her. Their lips mated, and he used the time to unfasten another button of her western-style blouse. By the time they reached the top of the stairway, she was half naked, embarrassed someone might see her in her skimpy underwear.

“I need a bath,” she protested.

“Later,” he promised, and carried her into their bedroom. He laid her on the bed and stared down on her. His eyes were bright with need, bright with love.

“I’ve missed you so damn much,” he whispered.

Linette helped him undress, her hands aggressively removing his clothes. His hips were taut and lean, and the evidence of exactly how much he’d missed her was all too evident.

Linette drew her husband on top of her, and wet, warm feelings of welcome erupted inside of her. He slid between her legs and with restrained savagery sank into her.

Linette cried out at the unexpected rush of pleasure.

Cain emitted a low, guttural sound. His hips began an immediate rhythm, the beat strong and steady. Linette followed his lead, her body surging up to meet his eager thrusts. It had been so long. She’d forgotten how good the lovemaking was between them, how good they were together.

She needed him now as never before, as she might possibly never need him again.

Her release came like an explosion. She cried out and whimpered and clung to him, crying and laughing both at once. Cain followed her shortly and seemed to share the same cataclysmic experience.

Cain’s breathing was hard and fast as he lay sprawled across her. He was heavy, but she needed the heavy feel of him. Needed him. It felt good to say that, if only to herself.

Linette smiled up at her husband.

He smiled down on her, then kissed her long and sweetly with an uncharacteristic lack of haste. Tunneling his fingers through her hair, he raised his mouth a mere inch from hers.

“What changed?”

She knew what he was asking but wasn’t sure she had the answer. “Funny Face needed me,” was the only explanation she had to offer.

“Hell, woman, I’ve been walking around like a wounded calf for three months, and it didn’t so much as faze you.”

“We’re going to be all right now,” she said, brushing the hair from his temples. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

“I’ll never leave you again,” Cain promised, and he said the words as if speaking a solemn vow.

“I know.” She became thoughtful, thinking of the men of Deliverance Company. “Murphy’s not so bad, you know. He’s just a poor misguided soul. What he really needs is a wife to straighten him out.”

“Is that what you’ve done to me? Straightened me out?”

Linette had to think about that. Smiling, she shook her head. “No. All I had to do was love you.”

Cain buried his face in her neck and linked their bodies. “Let me love you again.”

“Yes,” she whispered, placing her arms around his neck. Soon her body sang and her breathing stopped, only to start again in startled gasps of ecstasy. All that was necessary was love. She had the feeling it would be all they needed the rest of their lives.

Cover photograph by Uniphoto/Charles Feil

Cover photograph by Westlight © Craig Auress