LUCAS (6 page)

Taking a sip of water, he shifted in his seat under her scrutiny, and prayed he wouldn’t break the promise he’d just made to his mate.

The sight of his throat working as he swallowed, captivated her more than she would admit. A crazy impulse to run her tongue up the length of exposed skin flared through her. Her eyes shot to his. He watched her with a hunger she hadn’t expected burning in his gaze. She was lying to herself. She wanted him so badly she could taste it, and now she was afraid he knew how she felt.

Lucas held her gaze as he set the glass aside. “Cher, you can’t look at me like that and expect me to be a gentleman.”

Purposely, she changed the topic. “That’s the second time you’ve spoken French. What is up with that?”

“I was raised in the Louisiana bayou. When I get distracted, my heritage slips out. And darlin', you distract the hell out of me.”

Thelma breezed up to the table with two steaming plates. Clearing the salads, she set their dinners before them. “Anything else you need? Dating tips perhaps, Lucas?”

Lucas cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t think so.” He tried to keep a straight face and appear disgruntled. “But I appreciate the offer.”

Thelma rocked back on her heels and grinned. “You know, I’m here for you any time. Seriously, though, I’m glad you brought Miss Kensie tonight, the two of you together gives me hope.”

Then she looked at Kensie. “The poor darlin' doesn’t get a date very often. Thank you for taking pity on him.”

“He was rather pathetic when he asked me to dinner.” She smiled brightly at Lucas and tried to suppress the laughter bubbling up. “How was I to say no?”

Lucas rolled his eyes at the ladies and groaned.

Kensie wished she could stay at the ranch longer. She knew if given the time, she and Thelma would be great friends. And Kensie didn’t do friends. What was it about Texas that made her act and think so outrageously?

Lucas enjoyed the byplay between Thelma and his mate. Her soft brown eyes glittered with laughter and mischief. He loved seeing her relaxed and happy. Needless to say, his body and wolf responded eagerly. It took an immense amount of will power to remain on his side of the table when all he wanted to do was claim her sweet, sexy lips.

Kensie turned that smile on him – a joyful, heart-stopping smile, before catching herself and reverting to the prim surgeon persona she hid behind. Lucas’s heart soared and as quickly plunged to his feet. He wanted to see her smile like that at him again.

*****

Lucas heard Kensie’s soft moan of satisfaction as she set her silverware across her empty dinner plate. When she dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin, his slacks about burst. He’d fought his body’s urges for the past forty-five minutes. He wanted to feel those lips on his. Needed to feel her lips more than he needed air.

All throughout dinner, he'd been much too aware of the woman only inches away. Purposely, he brushed his leg against hers several times throughout the meal. He and his wolf needed the intimate contact with their mate. He knew each casual touch sent a jolt through Kensie. He’d felt the shockwave. Fed her desire. Pulled her further into their budding relationship.

He knew she would fight her attraction for him every step of the way. Lucas sensed and smelled her reluctance and resolve. Well, he would dig his feet in and use every trick in the book if need be. Kensie liked her life neat and tidy, all planned out and scheduled. Then he came along and threw a wrench into the middle of everything. Oddly, he sensed sadness and loneliness, too. Something was off and he intended to find out what was wrong and fix it.

Kensie may be a successful doctor, but she still had some lessons to learn. Life wasn’t designed to be lived on a schedule. Life was messy and exhilarating and sometimes dangerous. You could exist on a schedule, but to live, you must allow yourself to wing it once in a while and see what the universe presented to you. In his experience, by going with the flow, the gifts you received unexpectedly were priceless.

Thelma walked by topping off everyone’s coffee cups. “Y’all want a cup before you go home?”

Lucas deferred to Kensie. She shook her head. “No, thank you, Thelma. The caffeine will keep me up all night.”

Turning his attention back to Thelma, he said. “Just the bill, please Thelma. Thank you.”

Thelma grinned a much too knowing smile. “You got it, Romeo.” She winked and left to prepare their receipt.

Lucas’s proprietary hand never left the small of Kensie’s back as he escorted her from the restaurant. She was his, and he let every man in the area know, without a shadow of a doubt, he staked his claim.

They stepped into a warm, clear night. A steady breeze offered cooling relief from the heat of the day. But a little breeze wasn’t going to be enough to cool his burning need. Even the air-conditioned interior hadn’t provided an adequate reprieve. Only Kensie naked beneath him would ease his discomfort.

A billion stars lit the never-ending Texas sky. Kensie had never seen anything so breathtaking. Where she lived, the lights of the city obscured the brilliance of the night until she forgot the wonder that was there to behold.

“Did you have a good time tonight?” Lucas asked as they neared the car.

Pulled from her reverie, she glanced his way. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”

That small turn of her head allowed the breeze to catch her hair, sending wisps across her face. Without thinking, he tucked the strands behind her delicate ear. Her skin was incredible, soft and warm, like silk beneath his fingertips. To hell with his good intentions of giving her time and going slowly, he needed to kiss her before he died from wanting.

Kensie stiffened. Her eyes wide with apprehension mixed with something else. Was that desire sparking in her gaze? He wasn’t sure; the scent of her trepidation diluted everything. He held onto the small hope he’d seen heat flair for a moment. Neither moved. Energy began to spark between them like electricity. The undercurrent of awareness had grown stronger throughout the evening.

Lucas directed their last few steps until he pressed her against the car. Holding her gaze, he breathed, “I need to kiss you. Please, Kensie, take pity on me.” Slowly, he lowered his lips to hers. Expecting rejection.

He kept the kiss soft and sweet. Lips brushed lips, barely a touch, but enough to ease his need. He wanted so much more, and would have it, just not tonight. She gave him a great gift. Most would scoff at the idea such a small peck of a kiss was anything special. But most weren’t Kensie. He understood that.

Leaning his forehead against hers, he steadied his breathing. “Thank you.” Without waiting for a reply, he reached around her and opened her door. She hesitated for a moment, then slid in. Kensie never said a word. Then again, she hadn’t pushed him away or slapped his face either. He would chalk that up as another small victory.

The ranch was only fifteen miles from town. The drive home felt more like one hundred.
Could time drag any slower?

Finally, the turn for the drive that wound its way to the main house appeared in his headlights.
Thank Goddess.

His body thrummed like a humming birds wings, cooped up next to Kensie yet unable to hold her.

He parked the car and threw open his door. He never took his eyes off her as he rounded the passenger side. She heard him mutter something incoherent under his breath. Was he angry with her?

Incongruent to his mood, he gently helped her from the car. His behavior was so confusing she wasn’t prepared for the sudden impact of her body pulled hard against his. For a long few seconds he just held her. His arms wrapped tightly, ensured their entire lengths came into contact. When she felt his hold ease she stared up at his expression. Unaware of her own sex appeal, her gaze slipped from his eyes to his parted lips. Oblivious, she nearly gave him heart failure.

Lucas groaned, devoured her with his eyes, battled both his and his wolf’s need of this woman. He tried valiantly to honor his promise. Willed his arms to drop away. He failed miserably when she looked at him and he saw desire in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Kensie. I tried.” Lacing his fingers through her hair, he tipped her head back. His eyes held her in a trance as his lips descended. He kissed her softly, teased and licked. Enticed her to open for him.

A thump sounded as her purse hit the ground. Kensie hadn’t noticed she dropped it as she slid her arms up and around his neck. Tentatively, like a frightened wild animal she kissed him back.

One hand stayed in her hair while the other skimmed to her hip kneading for a moment before cupping her perfect tush and cradled her body to his. Damn, she felt like heaven. Every soft curve and dip fit him seamlessly. His mind fizzled out and he completely forgot about going slow. Lemon meringue and woodsy pine mingled and swirled. Blending faster and faster as their passion raged.

Inside the main house, Krystal peeked through the blinds. She wasn’t spying on the kiss, she was watching their aura’s stretch and intermingle until there was only one aura encompassing the couple. The more time they spent together the tighter the weave of their auras would become. Not only would their unmated souls reach for the other, their auras would as well. This plan was working perfectly.

Lucas only intended to indulge one tiny kiss. When Kensie wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back, something gave way. He pulled her closer until they shared one skin, grinding his rock hard erection into the junction of her thighs.

When she slanted her head and deepened their kiss, he lost all control. His tongue dove into the hot sweet depths of her mouth. She arched her body and pressed her breasts into his chest, he thought he would go mad if he didn’t have her. Before he knew what he was doing, he trailed kisses along her jaw and down her neck. Lapping at the place he reserved for his bite, his fangs elongated as he prepared to mark her.
Dammit!

With strength of will he didn’t realize he possessed, he eased her arms from around his neck. Kensie’s soft whimper tore at his soul. Breathing hard and shaking like a newborn colt trying to stand he step back. If he stayed near her there would be no stopping and she wasn’t ready for that. Blood pounded in his veins and his groin was on fire. No amount of cold showers would dowse this raging firestorm. How the hell was he going to survive the night?

Kensie would swear on a stack of bibles, she was on fire. When Lucas took his heat away from her, every cell in her body screamed in dismay. She still felt his lips on hers, his tongue on her neck, his hands...

Her body desperately wanted to pull him close again, her mind had other ideas.

Lucas raked his fingers through his hair and jammed his cowboy hat back in place. He needed to pull himself together. He wasn’t a randy teenager anymore. He would walk Kensie to her cabin without throwing her to the ground and stripping her bare. Shit, that thought produced images he didn’t need in his mind at the moment.

Taking a deep breath, he held out his hand to Kensie. “Please, allow me to walk you home. I promise I will keep my hands and every other part of me to myself.”

Kensie took her own shaky breath and bravely took his hand. “Thank you, for being a gentleman. I don’t know what got into me. I’ve never behaved so wantonly before.”

He gave her a sweet smile and squeezed her hand. “You weren’t the only one being wanton, cher.”

He followed her up the two steps to the porch. “I won’t sugarcoat the way I feel, Kensie. I need you. My body aches for yours, but tonight we got carried away. When we take that step, we’re going to do it with the understanding we’re both ready.”

“I always seem to be thanking you. I appreciate you understanding where I’m coming from. Besides, I’m only here for a week, so maybe the wise choice would be to avoid certain... things.” She put the key in the lock and turned it.

He panicked. He wasn’t ready to let her go yet. Spinning her around he pulled her close and kissed her hard.

All rational excuses to deny him evaporated as physical need swamped her again, and carried her away on crashing waves of desire. Her head swam in a cloud of delirious bliss.

When he pulled back and pressed his forehead against hers. She slowly floated back to earth and stark reality.

“Your scent drives me wild.” His voice was soft and beguiling.

Kensie quivered as sensations danced over her skin everywhere he touched her. When he nuzzled her neck, her knees buckled. Luckily, Lucas held her tightly and she didn’t find herself on the floor. Good lord, she wanted that man. If her brain would shut up for ten minutes she might give in to her desire. All she needed to do was invite him in...but her brain shouted what about afterwards!

Afterwards, she would go back to Minnesota and she would never see him again. As much as she didn’t have relationships and had no issue with one-night stands to ease physical needs, she couldn’t bring herself to do that with Lucas.

“Damn, I’m sorry, Kensie. I did it again.” Lucas huffed out a breath and stepped back, but retained hold of her arms.

“I’m flattered you want me, Lucas, but you, as well as I, know I’m leaving in six days.” She glanced up. He was breathing hard and his eyes still blazed with hunger.

“Yeah, well don’t pack your bags. If I have my way, that’s going to change.”

“Lucas…”

He raised an eyebrow in hopeful question, his eyes filled with yearning. He could feel the power of her longing pulse through her. He smelled her fear and confusion. Oh, not fear of him, fear of her reaction to him. Her breasts rose and fell as she gasped for breath. He knew one more kiss from him and she would cave. The thing was, he didn’t want her to cave from weakness. He wanted her to come to him of her own volition.

Before she could say something she would regret, he placed a finger over her lips. “No more tonight.” He shook his head and gave her his brightest smile. “We need to get to know each other. How else am I going to convince you to fall in love with me and stay with me in Texas? I want to know you through and through. What your favorite things are, every one of your hopes and dreams, as well as your fears.  I want to know everything that makes Kensie Brown so special.”

She was awestruck by his declaration. His words of love and what sounded like forever. She could still taste him and wanted another helping of his lips. Good grief this cowboy was potent.

“Since you don’t think you’ll be here very long,” he said. “Let's go out tomorrow night. We’ll need to make the most of every minute you have.”

“I need to check with Jojo, of course. But if I’m free, what would we do?”

Why was she stalling? She knew what his goals were; he outright said them. If she gave in and slept with him, then what? She'd return to Minnesota, he'd be in Texas…she wasn’t sure even a man like Lucas was worth the fallout.

“How about our local honky tonk, the Rusty Horseshoe?” he asked. “We could have a few beers. Maybe shoot a little pool. They even have dancing.”

Kensie shook her head. “Sorry, I don't like beer, and I've never played pool.”

“All right, how about a movie? There is a nice variety available in the main house. I’ll even make popcorn.” Lucas ached to spend every minute with Kensie, making love to her would be the frosting on the cake, but he also wanted every bite of cake he could get. Absently, he traced his palms up and down her arms.

He felt her shudder under his gentle touch. He didn’t want to fan the flames again tonight, so he shoved his wayward hands into his pockets.

“You are persistent. I’ll give you that,” she laughed.

“I love the sound of your laughter. You should do it more often.” Lucas reached for her one last time. “I love kissing you, too. May I kiss you goodnight, Kensie? I could really use one last kiss to tide me over through the long night ahead.”

Kensie swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure she would survive another kiss, but she also couldn’t bring herself to say no. His lips brushed hers gently. Unlike from the heated passion of before, this was almost chaste. Before she could analyze it too deeply, he released her and searched her eyes as if he looked for the answer to the universe.

Lucas smiled. “When I see you tomorrow at breakfast, we'll finalize our plans. That will give you time to talk to Jojo. Plan to spend the day with me, too. We can go for a ride or something.”

She gasped and her eyes went wide. She watched Lucas turn on his heel and stomp down the steps into the night.

*****

Lucas berated himself all the way to the main house. How could he have lost control like a wet behind the ears boy? He was always in control. But put him within a foot of Kensie and he was a slathering idiot. Damn, she'd felt perfect in his arms and she'd tasted even better.

He turned to gaze back at the single light burning in her cabin. She was thinking about him. Warring with herself about her attraction to him. Good. That meant she would spend her night thinking about the possibility of a future with him. Tomorrow he would step up his charm and sweep her off her feet. He not only needed to convince her to be his mate, he must also talk her into staying in Texas.

He could see her silhouette in the lamplight and smiled, very pleased with himself.

She traced her lips with one finger. Remembered his kisses, regretted letting him leave. Perhaps he would give her a few vivid erotic images to fuel her dreams? No, he better not. Something like that was bound to backfire on him.