Stranger in My House (A Murder In Texas) (27 page)

He pulled away. His hands, warm and rough, strong, captured hers. “Will you stay here with me?”

She raised her eyes to his. There was love in them. And surrender. Still. This was Seth. Surrender would be a rare, fleeting state of mind with him. “I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

“Hannah says it’s too soon, but I’ve a mind to marry you, if you’ll have me.” He released one of her hands and pulled nervously on the collar of his shirt.

Kirby nodded. “I’ve a mind to marry you. But Hannah’s right. Let’s start with dating.”

His eyes narrowed. “Let’s start with living together. I am not sleeping alone while you’re going to bed two hundred feet away.”

He was right. She’d be sneaking into the big house every morning before a week passed. But making things too easy for him was a bad way to start out. She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Let’s play it by ear. See how things go.”

One of those gorgeous black eyebrows rose, but his eyes twinkled. “I’ll tell you exactly how things will go.” Then he kissed her, hard and deep and mouth twisting.

When he pulled away, he sighed. “We better get down to that damn supper before they send out a search party.”

She’d forgotten about the supper. “Has an hour passed already?”

“And change.”

“Oh.” Disappointment pulled through her.

He bent and softly kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ve blocked out the whole night for me and you.”

“I’ll just bet you have.” She laughed, and for the first time in weeks, it was a free, happy laugh.

They galloped back to the barn, left the horses with a ranch hand and jogged to the front of the house. Susannah, Angie, Miss Bea, and Cousin Eenie were already heaping plates with chicken salad and corn bread and wedges of watermelon.

“What happened to the vegan menu?” Kirby asked, bending to kiss Cousin Eenie’s cheek.

He sighed. “I’m trying to be more rancher-like. Although I’ll probably pick the chicken out of my salad when no one’s watching.”

Kirby began to giggle, then stopped. Brittany and Manny appeared from the side porch. Manny’s arm hung from Brittany’s shoulder.

“Come along, you two,” Miss Bea said. “Take those seats at the end.”

Cousin Eenie patted Kirby’s hand. “We have two sets of lovebirds on the ranch.”

“Congratulations,” Kirby said.

Brittany sniffed. “It was all Mr. Maguire’s doing.” Then she blushed, and so did Manny and so did Seth.

“I’ll bet that’s an interesting story,” Kirby said.

Everyone laughed. Their voices rose like a burned offering from the porch, floating over the roof and into the air. Climbing higher and higher, sailing for the sun.

…

Seth was alone with her. His Kirby. His girl. His.

Face-to-face, chest to chest. Her arms around his neck. His hands resting at her waist. Her eyes, dark pools of love so warm, he could swim in them all day. The love light brightened, grew hot. He knew that look. Loved that look.

She pulled away from him. “Come on,” she said, dragging him into the bedroom.

He wanted to make this first time as true lovers matter, and he needed it to be exactly right. But would he know how?

She reached behind her head and loosened her braid. Let her dark hair fall in waves over her shoulders.

“I love your hair,” he said. A warm-up.

She smiled and turned away. Pulled off her shirt and shorts and underwear. He watched, tracing the curve of her hips, her bottom, her thighs. She waited. Just like that.

“Take off your clothes, Seth.”

He jerked his head down. He’d almost forgotten.

When he was naked, he went to her, gathered her in. Her breath came in soft gasps. Fierce need burned in his loins, but he held back. He didn’t want to be himself tonight. Rough man, taking what he wanted from a woman. He wanted to be what Kirby deserved. He kissed her. Softly. Carefully. So she’d feel his love, his respect, his gratitude.

Her hips moved beneath him like a wave. Her breath was a rasp. Her golden skin flushed pink. The musky scent of desire rose from her skin.

“Take me.”

He’d meant tonight to be romantic.

But she wanted to be claimed. He dropped the words in before he made her his.

“I love you.”

Her eyes popped open. “I love you, too.”

He saw in her face the promise of all the nights to come. Nights of romance and candlelight, nights of quick lovemaking after a long day, nights of forgiving when they’d said things they didn’t mean, nights of celebration, night like this one…and nights when a cold wind would roar, threatening to blow their world away, and he and Kirby would huddle together for warmth and ride out the storm, and rebuild.

Together.

The way they were meant to.

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Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I must thank my family: my husband, my daughters, my sons-in-law, and my grandchildren, because otherwise they will think I’ve forgotten them, or worse, am not grateful for having them in my life. They make my days worth living. I hope I return the favor.

I would also like to acknowledge my mother, who is an author in her own right and was the first to tell me that you must always delete the first chapter of any book you write. She never said why, but she wasn’t wrong. She has always encouraged my dreams (while reminding me of my duties) and planted in me and my brothers and sisters a love of art, music, and books.

Last, but absolutely not least, I would like to thank my fellow writers at the Chicago North Chapter of the RWA for all their encouragement and guidance, not to mention patience. They taught me that raw talent is not enough. There are rules that must be followed. I am a better writer for it, and I only hope that I have been able to return the favor. Thanks, ladies.

About the Author

Mari Manning
is the author of several contemporary romances and three romantic suspense novels set in the Texas Hill Country.
Stranger at My Door
is the first in her Texas Hill Country series. The second,
Stranger in My House
will be published by Entangled later this year. The third book in the series is
Stranger in My Bed
. Currently, Mari is working on a series of cozy mysteries. She and her husband live in the Chicago area.

To learn more about Mari’s upcoming books, read her blogs, or sign up for her newsletter, visit her website:
www.marimanning.com
. Reader comments are welcome. Send them to
[email protected]
.

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