Texas Tango: Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 2 (14 page)

“When you get home, call Lydia. You have no business being on call this weekend. You’re about to drop at my feet.”

She looked up at him. “Maybe it’s your devastating personality that’s making me want to fall at your feet.”

He laughed and pulled her tight against him. “You, Dr. Caroline Graham, are just full of surprises.” He gave her a quick kiss.

They took the few steps to his truck together and he opened the passenger door. She climbed up and in.

As he slid into the driver’s seat, he said, “I’m serious about Lydia. Either you call her or I will.”

She arched an eyebrow. “And how would you know about my condition?”

He pulled out of the parking lot before answering. “I ran into you at the airport as I was returning from looking at some horses I am considering buying. Your car was dead and I gave you a ride home.”

She shrugged. “Whatever. I’ll call her.”

“Do it now.”

His overbearing tone stomped on her last nerve.

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She could have sworn the corner of his mouth twitched as though he was suppressing a smile. She snatched her purse from the back seat.

“I’m not calling Lydia because you told me to. I’m calling her so she has advance notice that I’m not quite ready to jump back in.”

He nodded. “Got it,” he said, followed by the twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Her conversation with Lydia was short. As soon as Lydia answered and Caroline began to explain she needed a little more time off, the pain from her loss came crashing back and she began to sob. Lydia insisted Caroline take as much time as she needed. As she pushed the button to end her call, a white handkerchief waved in front of her blurry vision.

“Thank you.” She wiped her tears and blew her nose. “I’m thinking you’ll want this laundered before I return it.”

Travis turned his gaze on her and smiled. “See? I knew you were smart.”

She stuffed the used cloth into her purse next to the one she’d used on the airplane and turned in the seat until she faced him. “Part of me is so sorry for dragging you into all the drama of Mamie’s death. But a huge part of me is so thankful that you were there.” She touched his arm. The muscles under her fingers tightened. “I’m not sure Noah would have made it without you. You made a big impression on him.” She pulled her hand back to cover her mouth during a wide yawn. “I’m sorry.”

“We’ve got over an hour before we get to your house. Why don’t you get some sleep during the drive?”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.”

She leaned against the truck’s door and tried to get comfortable by shifting and readjusting her position. Finally, Travis reached over and pulled her toward him.

“Scoot over here and lean on me. I’m probably softer than that door.”

She did as he suggested, but boy was he wrong about being softer than the door. His shoulders and upper arms were thick slabs of chiseled muscles. Her last thought as she drifted off was whether the rest of him would be as chiseled.

Travis had been sure sitting by Caroline in church had been his worst mistake. He’d been wrong. Telling her to lean on him was. As he’d suggested, she’d rested her head on his shoulder, her left arm resting on his thigh. With each breath, warm air moved across his neck, heating more than just the flesh there. A vanilla scent wafted from her hair, and more than once he found himself taking a quick sniff. Her left hand rested just above his knee, close enough to his groin to have blood rushing to the area. His jean’s crotch grew tighter with each mile. At one point, she sobbed in her sleep. He stroked her hair until she quieted.

Oh, Caroline. You are a complication I wasn’t looking for in my life.

Chapter Eight

Her hand slid farther up his thigh, her fingers dangling right in front of his crotch. If she wiggled her fingers, she’d be stroking his cock, which seemed to like the idea as it stood up and paid attention. She sighed and nuzzled her nose against his neck. What blood had been servicing his brain dove south to his groin. As much as he hated to, he reached down and moved her hand to his knee. He suspected she would be mortified to wake up clutching his privates…not that he would mind a stroke or two from those long, slender fingers of hers.

“Caroline. We’re home. You’ve got to wake up.”

Her head snapped off his shoulder, just barely missing his chin.

“Oh my gosh. I must have fallen asleep.” She yawned and rubbed the back of her neck. “Thanks for the ride home.”

“I’ll send someone out in the morning to take a look at your car.”

“Appreciate it.” She dug in her purse and came out with a black garage opener. The double garage door began rolling up. “Pull in, okay?”

As soon as he turned off the truck, he slid from the seat and opened the back door to retrieve her bag. He’d expected to find her standing at her door ready to enter the house, so he was surprised when he turned and didn’t see her.

“Caroline?”

He heard a sniff.

“Coming.” The passenger door creaked open. Caroline’s swollen eyes were visible even in the truck’s dim overhead lighting. The keys in her hands jingled as she made her way across her garage. She unlocked the back door and turned off the alarm.

“Where do you want this?” he asked, indicating her bags with a tilt of his head.

“I’ll take them.” She reached for the bags.

“No, that’s okay. Just tell me and I’ll carry them back.”

“Don’t worry about it. Most of it has to go to the laundry anyway. Just leave everything here on the table.”

He set the bags down.

“Travis?”

“Hmm?”

“Can you stay?”

Travis’s heart skipped a beat then thudded violently against his chest. “Stay?”

She grabbed his arm. “Please. Just tonight.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “I…I don’t know how to explain it. I just don’t want to be alone.”

Using his free arm, he pulled her against him and pressed her face to his chest. “I’m so sorry. I know how you feel.”

Hazy recollections of the days after Susan’s death flashed in his mind. What he remembered most vividly was the black hollowness inside his chest, as though someone had cut out his heart. The pain of his loss had been so great his brain had shut off his ability to feel anything. He’d been numb. He’d needed human touch, but he hadn’t realized that until years later. He’d instead reached for a bottle.

Hot tears soaked his shirt.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her words vibrating into his chest. “I know that’s a lot to ask and I’ve already asked for so much.”

Placing two fingers under her chin, he lifted her face until their gazes met. “I’ll stay,” he said, then kissed her.

He’d meant for the kiss to be comforting. Unfortunately, he was less than comfortable afterward. He wanted more. He wanted to touch her, kiss her, take the pain away. But then what? They weren’t really married and he needed to remember that. Getting involved with a woman who didn’t want to be married to him and didn’t want to live in Texas long-term—or live anywhere long-term as far as he could tell—was a dead-end road. He didn’t need the heartache.

But he couldn’t stop himself for going back for a second kiss. “I’m happy to stay. Really.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“Do you want to talk about your grandmother?”

She shook her head. “It’s almost midnight. You have to be exhausted. Can we just go to bed?”

His cock twitched at the phrase go to bed. Suddenly he wasn’t as tired as he’d been two minutes ago. And that dead-end road looked a lot more like an interstate.

Caroline took his hand and led him down the hall. She rubbed her thumb along the calluses on his palm. Her mind was flooded with memories of the hugs and comforting rubs he’d given her over the past couple of days. At the funeral, she’d pressed her head to his hand resting on her shoulder as he’d nonverbally given her the emotional support she’d needed. He’d physically held her upright at the side of Mamie’s casket when her legs had simply given away.

She’d been serious when she told him she needed him to stay. But she needed more. She needed to be touched, held, to feel alive. How does one ask for that? And even if she could find the words, what if he said not interested? She couldn’t take the chance of rejection.

“The bathroom’s that way,” she said, pointing to an open door on the left. “If you don’t mind, I need a quick shower.”

“You do what you need to,” he said. “I’m going to grab my bag out of the truck.”

“Sure.” She meant to let go of his arm, but her fingers refused to uncurl. They just kept clinging to him like ivy.

“Caroline. You’re going to have to let go, unless your shower is big enough for the both of us.” He chuckled. “I’m not leaving. I’ll stay until you don’t need me anymore.”

He put his hand over hers holding his arm. Trapped between the heat of his rough palm and his thick muscular arm, she was sure her hand would melt. She knew her heart did. Reflexively, she leaned against his side.

“Darlin’? Are you okay?” Travis looked at her with such concern in his eyes.

“Make love to me,” she said. “Make me feel alive…feel something.”

He squeezed her hand. “If I thought that was what you really wanted, I’d have you on your back in one minute.”

She released his arm and stepped away. “It’s what I want. It’s what I need tonight, Travis. I need to be touched. Loved. Please.”

He stroked his hand down her hair and sighed. “Trust me. I understand what’s going on inside right now.” He smiled, then grabbed her shoulders and turned her toward the master bathroom. “Go take your shower. I’ll be here when you get out.” He gave her a little shove. “Go. Shower.”

She took a step then stopped and turned back to him. She walked back, cradled his face between the palms of her hands and kissed him. When their mouths met, a spark flashed, lighting a small fire in the darkness inside her soul. She angled her head to deepen the kiss. One swipe of her tongue on his bottom lip and he jerked her hard against him. He raked his fingers into her hair, pulling the strands taut as he positioned her to his liking. He slid his tongue between her lips and touched hers. He moved in and out of her mouth, mimicking the love making she’d asked for.

A moan vibrated her chest. Her moan? His? She wasn’t sure. Her heart pounded so violently against her ribs she was sure he could feel it. She pressed her hips to the thick bulge in his jeans. He was as affected as much as she was.

As suddenly as it started, the kiss ended. Travis stepped back and pulled his hands from her hair.

“Don’t start something we ain’t gonna finish tonight,” he said in a strained voice. “When I take you to bed, it’ll be because you desire me, not because you want a warm body beside you.”

“I know what I want. I want you…in my bed making love to me.”

He slowly shook his head. A flash of something colored his expression. Indecision? Rejection? She wasn’t sure, but it was there only for a second and then it was gone.

“No. Your emotions are a wreck. I don’t want you to hate me in the morning for taking advantage of you. So, no, that won’t be happening tonight.” He reached out to touch her face, but she jerked her head out of his reach.

“Damn you.” She whipped toward the bathroom before he could see her embarrassment. “Leave. Just go. I don’t need you. I don’t need anybody.” She slammed the bathroom door behind her.

Hot tears ran tracks down her face. She hadn’t been with a man in a long time. Hell, she’d never asked a man to sleep with her, and the first time she does, he says no.

The shower steam fogged the mirror, finally blotting out the mortification on her face. She stepped in and let the steaming water flow over her. Hopefully, the shower jets would pound some sense into her head.

She was attracted to him and wanted sex. He wanted her ranch. If she pushed the issue, he’d probably have sex with her just to keep her happy so she didn’t renege on their deal, legal paperwork notwithstanding.

But it didn’t matter one way or the other. He’d be gone when she got out.

When the water finally turned cold, Caroline turned it off and reached for her towel. But even as she dried off, the embarrassment of begging Travis for sex inched back into her mind. This was worse than when Tommy Kline laughed when she’d invited him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance in eighth grade.

She sighed as she draped her damp towel over the towel rod and looked for her pajamas. The urge to beat her head against the wall was great. In her haste to get away from Travis, she’d walked into the bathroom with nothing but the clothes she wore. Her panties and pjs were still folded and tucked into her dresser drawers.

Damn it.

The light was off in the bedroom when she cracked open the door, as were all the other lights in her house. Just as she’d expected. He’d left, like everybody else in her life had.

She made her way across her bedroom and jerked open the top left drawer. “He’s probably laughing at me right now,” she muttered as she pulled on fresh underwear. She slammed the drawer shut and opened the next one down for a T-shirt. “I don’t need him. I don’t need anybody.”