One Night with the Texan(25)

After signing the inspection papers, Tallie drove to the mansion. Finding the door unlocked, she stepped inside and closed it behind her. She stood in front of his office door, waiting for him to finish his phone call, ignoring his gestures to come farther into the room. Finally he ended the call and stood, an unmistakable mischievous light shining in his soft brown eyes.

“The RV was just delivered,” she said, wrapping her arms around her chest, suddenly a bit uncomfortable. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. The girls can move in there for the duration of the dig.

“I intend to donate it to your museum after you leave. They can use it or sell it. I don’t care. But I do care about your safety.”

“But—”

“No buts. The RV is for the students. A guard will be on duty at all times during the evening hours. We don’t have any crime to speak of around here but I will feel better if someone is out there making sure it stays that way. You can continue to stay here. You need rest, which it’s doubtful you’ll get if you try living with those college kids. They’ll probably keep you up until four every morning.”

There was a moment when neither Tallie nor Cole moved. Tallie was held by the strength of his gaze; she was close enough to see the different colors of gold and brown in his eyes. There was even a touch of green.

Almost in slow motion he dipped his head and kissed her.

She heard him draw in a deep breath as his hand cupped the back of her head, his fingers threading through her hair. Feeling her response, he quickly took the kiss up to the level of a sensual demand. She was lost. The scent of his cologne surrounded her, his strong arms held her firmly against him. But she wasn’t going anywhere. His hungry mouth feasted on hers, his tongue seeking hidden places. Absently her hands clutched his shirt, pulling him nearer even though there was only one way they could get any closer. That thought propelled her out of his arms, breaking their amazing kiss.

To become involved with Cole would be to commit emotional suicide. Her heart would become involved and it was almost guaranteed he would then tire of her and disappear.

“I can’t do this,” she whispered against his lips. “I need to get back to the dig.”

She turned and headed for the door.

“Tallie, wait,” Cole called to her.

But Tallie didn’t stop or slow down. As tempting as he was, she couldn’t let herself be swayed into a brief affair regardless of how badly her body wanted him. The effect of his kiss was still raging through her body, the need for him pooling deep in her belly. But she would not be a fool again.

By the time she’d returned to the dig she was in more control. Her mind had cleared enough that she had regained her focus. She had to do more, work harder and faster, so she could leave. Before she had to tell him about the baby and bear his wrath.

By four o’clock she called a halt to the day. The temperature was in the nineties. Everyone needed a break, including her. She had twice stepped on tree stubs, leaving the bottom of her left foot bruised. It hurt like the dickens.

Tallie gathered her backpack from the cabin and headed for the main house on the hill. In a few minutes she had her soiled clothes washing, found a box of crackers and a jar of peanut butter in the kitchen and fixed a glass of iced tea. As bad as she wanted a shower, she made it no further than the large bedroom upstairs. Setting her glass, the crackers and peanut butter on the nightstand, she pulled back the covers and fell into bed. Sleep wasted no time in claiming her.





Thirteen

Tallie woke sometime in the night. A night-light provided just enough glow that she could see and recognize the furniture and doorway leading into the huge en suite bathroom. Throwing back the covers, she walked toward the bathroom. She wanted to get into that huge tub and let the jets massage her from every direction. It would feel amazing.

She turned on the water and heard a soft knock on the bedroom door. She went and opened it. It was Cole.

“I saw the light under the door. Are you all right? Is there anything you need?”

“Nope.” She turned toward the bathroom. “I’m good. Just woke up and wanted a bath.” She began to remove her T-shirt...and stopped. Cole was still standing in the room. When she stopped, it took him a second to realize he needed to leave.

“Could I borrow another T-shirt? I need to do laundry.”

“Sure.”

She wouldn’t admit it out loud but she preferred staying here versus staying in the RV with four excited, talkative college students. While she was plenty thankful for their assistance, she preferred some peace and quiet.

When she got in the tub, she quickly applied body wash and felt the silken suds roll down her body. She began to wash her hair in the same wonderful herbal solution as the body wash.

When she was done, she grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself off. It was then she again heard a soft knock on the bedroom door. Encircling her body with the towel, she answered the knock. Cole stood there with a couple of navy blue T-shirts.

“Oh, thank you.” She reached out to take them. As soon as she did, the towel slipped. Grabbing for it did no good. She looked up at Cole.

He reminded her of a golden warrior with his tanned skin and sun-bleached hair. His shirt hung open, partially revealing a muscled chest and ripped abs. Slowly she lowered her hands, no longer caring that she was naked or that Cole was standing two feet in front of her. She felt his hot gaze roam over her breasts and her nipples hardened under his gaze.

Cole stood in front of her, letting her see the smoldering desire in his eyes. His erection signified that she wasn’t alone in her need. He was a handsome man, a brilliant man. Forget about the money. That night in the French Quarter had been a turning point for Tallie. Cole had showed her how glorious sex with the right man could be.

She went to step back but before she did Cole came forward. Not one word was spoken as he gently cupped the back of her neck and slowly pulled her to him. With a deep groan, he plunged his tongue inside her mouth. Cole enticed her to open her mouth wider as though he was willing to fill it with all she needed.

With an almost savage moan, he cupped her face in his hands and he went deeper, searching the hidden depths of her mouth, taking his time as though this was a moment that had to last a lifetime. He tasted of wine and mint. But it was the scorching heat that told her exactly what he wanted. He changed his stance, moving still closer, and his big hands cupped her hips, pulling her hard against his obvious desire. He was grinding against her, making the fire pool in her lower regions.

Suddenly he spun her around and pushed her up against a wall, his body holding her in place. He moaned as he kissed her even more deeply. His hard, muscular body pushed against her, hips moving, letting her feel his erection before taking it away. Tallie couldn’t suppress the frustrated groan. She grabbed hold of his shirt and tried to pull him to her. He huffed a laugh and tore the shirt off. Tallie began to unbuckle his belt.



Cole hadn’t meant to hover in the doorway while bringing the T-shirt to Tallie. He’d been so overwhelmed by her beauty he couldn’t have turned and left had his life depended on it. Again, he couldn’t help noticing how voluptuous she looked. It was like watching nature in its purest, most beautiful form. On her face was surprise. In her mesmerizing green eyes, honest desire. He had grabbed on to that need and refused to let go unless she said one word: no.

There were at least a hundred reasons why he should have walked away and only one why he didn’t: he’d never wanted a woman so badly in his life.

Her body was hot from the warmth of the water, her skin smooth as the finest silk. She tasted like the wild berries that grew deep in the vistas near the towering pine and oak trees. When he drew back to look at her lovely face, he swallowed hard. Unbridled passion surged through him, his erection straining against his jeans until it was painful. Her eyes were closed, her head was tilted back, her mouth open, lips pink and swollen from his kiss. She grasped his shoulders as he traced a line of heat down her throat to the junction of her shoulder with his tongue. He nipped at the velvety skin and thought he would die of pleasure.

Her hands had stilled on his belt, the passion of their embrace apparently taking her mind down a different path. He quickly unbuckled the buckle and unzipped his jeans, pushing them down just enough. His hands roamed over her back and down past the waist to her hips. He didn’t pause before he lifted her and settled her body against him, entering her slowly, watching for any signs of discomfort. She moaned and lifted her legs to go around his hips; her head fell back against the wall and she moaned in ecstasy.

“I can’t go slow,” he said as he felt his control slipping.

“Then don’t,” she whispered.

He entered her body fully, completely, with one hard thrust. Tallie whimpered and, gripping his shoulders, pulled his head to hers for another kiss. Cole did not disappoint. The feel of her holding him was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. So tight.

His body began to move, pulling out, entering again. Over and over; again and again. Suddenly she threw her head back, her climax fully overtaking her. It almost took him with her, but he held on, wanting to give her more pleasure. He wasn’t nearly finished with this incredible woman who had come into his life so unexpectedly.