Chapter Twenty-Six
Maggie stood at the window in Colton’s bedroom, gazing out across the ranch. The sun was still an hour away from setting. Already the sky was turning dusky hues, painting the dwindling, sun-filled sky like a watercolor canvas. It was beautiful here. She wished so badly she could stay, but couldn’t.
Before his brother interrupted them, Colton had been trying to tell her how he felt. Her heart had jumped up into her throat. She’d been sure he was going to say those three magic words. Hopeful anticipation had lodged deep in her, waiting, wanting, eager for the words to come out.
Too eager.
The fact she wanted him to say the words so badly only proved she was in over her head. Like an idiot, she’d let her heart get too involved. With no more danger, no more stalker, there was now no more unnecessary obligation on his part to protect her…or stay with her.
She had to get out now before she got in any deeper. When he did end this, there was a good chance she would shatter.
She just had to leave first. That’s all there was to it. Maybe if she ended things on her terms, she could keep her heart from breaking. Yes. Better it be her doing the leaving than him. Less pathetic that way. Then, at least, she could say she ended it her way.
That Frank Sinatra song took on a whole new meaning.
The bedroom door creaked open.
“Magpie?”
Okay, time to be strong. Determined, she chanted to herself, I can do this. I can do this.
Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she turned. Colton held out a tray with a steaming bowl of soup and a mug filled with brightly colored wildflowers. They looked suspiciously similar to the ones growing in his front yard.
“I thought you might be hungry, so I made you some soup.”
He made her food and picked wildflowers for her? The sweet gesture brought tears to her eyes. Gah. When did she become such an emotional mess? Oh right, when she decided to be a complete idiot and let Colton Denning into her heart, again.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She could hardly talk; how was she going to end things?
Setting the tray down on his dresser, he made his way over to her, wrapped her in his strong arms, and brushed his lips across her forehead. “Everything will be all right now. I promise.”
His lips continued a path down her face to her ear, her cheek, her jaw, and finally her lips. He kissed her with such an overwhelming tenderness…
Her strong determination broke.
One more night, just one more night in Colton’s arms.
One more memory to last the rest of her life. One more moment of heated passion before she went back to her cold, lonely existence. She needed this tonight.
Tomorrow would be soon enough to be strong.
Colton had sensed Maggie pulling away from him. That’s why he set the food and flowers aside. Dade’s idea was nice, but it hadn’t worked. Time to try things his way. Time to show Maggie how much he loved her the best way he knew how.
By loving her.
Slowly, taking his time, he made love to her lips. Kissing, tasting, savoring them. Tonight, there was nothing else, only them. No shop, no ranch, no problems, just him and Maggie. He was going to show her how much he cared for her, by loving every single inch of her delectable body. He would imprint himself on her, so whenever she thought of love, she thought of him. She was his and he was hers.
He just had to make her see that.
Stroking his hands down her back, he pulled her closer. He was already hard, but he didn’t grind himself against her. Tonight was about connecting on a deeper level. Instead, he massaged small circles on her lower back with his fingertips. Keeping his touch light, he worked his way down to her spectacular ass.
A soft moan escaped her lips, and he swallowed it with his mouth. She arched her hips against him, rubbing that sweet, sexy body of hers along his. Damn, what she did to him.
“Colton, please,” she begged, pulling away from his lips. “I need…”
“Shhhh.” He gentled her with his touch. “I know, sweetheart. I know.”
Backing her toward his bed, he moved them until her thighs hit the mattress. Instead of throwing her down and ravishing her like he desperately wanted to do, he gently laid her on the soft, quilted covers. Tonight was about her. About showing her how much she meant to him. He could do slow. He would take his time. For Maggie, he would make everything perfect.
Grasping the hem of her T-shirt, he slowly lifted the material up and away from her body. Tossing the garment aside, he nibbled the side of her neck, right at the sensitive spot that turned her to mush. She arched off the bed, making it easy for him to unhook and dispose of her bra.
Leaning up on one arm, he gazed down at her unfettered breasts. “Beautiful,” he whispered with reverence.
She blushed at his compliment. So endearing, he kissed her again. Her nipples pebbled, the hard peaks rubbing against his chest through his shirt. If he took his clothes off, all his good intentions would be gone. So they would remain on.
For now.
Her breathing became erratic as he slid a hand down her body, pausing to focus on each perfect breast, then continuing the path to land on her hip. Reluctantly pulling away from her lips, he followed the trail his hand made. Sucking a ripe, firm nipple into his mouth, he stroked over the bud with his tongue and bit ever so slightly.
“Colton!”
A chuckle rose in his chest. He continued to focus on her breasts while slowly undoing her jeans. He started to tug, and her hips rose in assistance. The jeans joined her shirt and bra on the floor, leaving her in only a pair of cream-colored, lace panties.
“So pretty.” He stroked her softly.
Colton could feel her readiness through the tiny scrap of cloth, but he didn’t remove it. With one hand, he gently petted her, while the other joined his mouth in worshiping her magnificent breasts.
Her hips moved in a silent plea. Slipping one finger beneath the lace, he obeyed, stroking her. She groaned loudly. With his thumb, he found that tiny bundle of nerves and began rubbing, slow, easy circles.
“Oh God!”
Her eyes closed, and her mouth opened, and he took advantage, leaving her breast to claim her lips once again. Her body trembled. Sinking first one, then two fingers inside her, he pumped them in and out. Deep, slow, maddening strokes. All the while gently circling her with his thumb.
Her mouth ripped from his. “Colton, you’re killing me.”
“No, sweetheart. I’m loving you.”
Her eyes snapped open; those deep green orbs locked with his. He saw the questions, the fear, the hope. It was the hope he latched on to.
Quickening his thrust, he added a third finger, increasing the pressure of his thumb. Her head fell back, eyes closing once again. Her inner muscles tightened around his fingers, then…
She screamed, her entire body going taut. He kept up the rhythm until the tension left her and her body went limp.
His control almost shot after watching her come so beautifully, Colton shucked off his clothes in seconds. Reaching to his nightstand, he grabbed a condom and sheathed himself. He was so hard, even the slight touch of putting on protection was almost too much.
“Maggie, look at me,” he commanded.
Her eyes flew open. Slowly, he entered her. Because of her earlier release, he slid in with ease and buried himself deep. He wasn’t going to last long, but he refused to go without her. Angling his hips so that every thrust would hit her in just the right place, he pulled back until only the tip of him was inside. Gazes locked, he thrust hard and deep. Her hands flew to his shoulders, clasping him tight, holding on for the ride.
It wasn’t a long ride. Only a few moments, and she was coming again, tightening against him, gripping his shaft like a fist. He gave two more deep, penetrating thrusts and joined her.
They fell to the bed together. He rolled them so he wouldn’t crush her. A pleasant sigh left her lips.
Colton kissed her forehead, tucking her to his side. “You are magnificent, Maggie.”
Eye still closed, she grinned. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Ready for round two?”
One eye cracked open. “There’s more?”
“We’ve got all night.” And the rest of our lives.
“Give me ten minutes to recoup.”
“Anything you want, sweetheart.”
And he meant it, too. He would give Maggie Evans anything her heart desired. He just prayed that desire was him.